This morning when Robert got up, I got up with him. It's a lot earlier than I usually get up, but I thought I'd see how it goes. I feel GREAT! I got up, ate something, read my scriptures and then went for a walk/jog. Came in, showered and got myself all ready for the day. I've already got a load of laundry washed and in the dryer and I just feel so ahead. I love this feeling.
There is something good to be said about getting up early and getting going. I don't mean getting up and then lazing around in your comfy jammies, but getting up and starting your day. I know that I get more done in the first part of the day than I seem to get done in the later part of the day. I don't know why that is, but that is what happens in my house. Yet even though I know this, I've told myself enough times that I don't like to get up that my brain believes that and fights me when I try to get up early. I need to re-program my thinking. I love mornings and I love greeting the day bright and early!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
In the World, but not of it
I read a book recently that took place in the time of Christ. One of the prominent groups of people during that time were the Pharisees. The Pharisees made it their life's work to study the law of Moses and to observe it strictly. They believed that by doing this they were doing God's will. Yet, they became so focused on making sure that they were following every jot and tittle that they lost the reason for the Law. The Law was given so that man might draw closer to God.
I wonder if sometimes we get so caught up in doing what's "right" or giving up things that are "worldly" that we forget the why. Are we become zealous in giving up the world for God that we lose sight of Him?
There were also the Zealots in the time of Christ that wouldn't believe he was the Messiah because he preached peace and forgiveness. They believed that the Messiah would come with sword in hand and call the Jews to take up arms and overthrow their Roman captors. They believed they also were doing right by fighting the Romans. They, too, were trying to follow scripture, but with the wrong idea also.
Do we also try to go about following Christ, but end up not understanding what he really means? I think it is very easy to do something for the right reasons and then continue doing it for the wrong ones.
As I ponder this, I wonder, where is the point where I need to be? There are so many good things in this world. Some are better than others and of course some are the best. I think each person would agree that they have a color or ice cream flavor or brand of something that they view as "best". So what is best for me may not be best for someone else. Still, some things are standard good. Healthwise, smoking is not good, we know that. Breads, pasta and meats are better, but fruits and vegetables are best. As to things of this world, some things I believe are just trash. There are a lot of television shows that I feel are pointless and degrading. We don't have cable or satelite or anything like that. We do occasionally watch movies, but even then, some are better than others. The same things goes for books, some are just garbage. They have no moral code or plot or are just twisted around so that wrong is right and right is wrong. I won't read those. Others are fine, they have nothing wrong with them, but they aren't really good either, they are just something to read. And then you have books that are engaging, teach a lesson and make you think. Those are some of the ones that I've enjoyed the most. I've begun to look at the things I read and watch differently.
I heard the phrase once that if you aren't moving forward then you are going backwards. The world is constantly going and if you aren't, then you will be falling behind. So, even if I think I'm not doing anything wrong, if I'm not doing something right then I'm going backwards, or falling behind. I realize that we all need down time, but is that down time still lifting me up and helping me be a better person, or is it just keeping me where I am, in which case, I'm not going forward and I'm falling behind? Is this book/movie/blog/activity that I am spending my time on enriching my life or not? While I am occupied with this book/movie/blog/activity, how do I feel? Do I feel good and uplifted or do I feel down, angry, bitter or confused? Does it bring me happiness and joy, or is it a rush that will lead to a crash and burn later?
I feel like my thoughts are random and scattered, but I have a hard time putting words to the emotions in my heart. I strive to be better than I am. I strive to know what is best for my family. I believe that there are many good ideas out there and if done for the right reasons and with the right attitude can be a really positive thing in someones life, but I also know that if done for the wrong reason and with the wrong attitude, they can lead to bitterness, hurt, and damaged relationships. I think it's a hard balance to find and I also think that once you know what is good and what is not, then you are responsible for making those changes and you will be held accountable for your decisions. Change can be hard and it can be uncomfortable, but the right changes will eventually turn out good and bring happiness and joy, this I believe.
I wonder if sometimes we get so caught up in doing what's "right" or giving up things that are "worldly" that we forget the why. Are we become zealous in giving up the world for God that we lose sight of Him?
There were also the Zealots in the time of Christ that wouldn't believe he was the Messiah because he preached peace and forgiveness. They believed that the Messiah would come with sword in hand and call the Jews to take up arms and overthrow their Roman captors. They believed they also were doing right by fighting the Romans. They, too, were trying to follow scripture, but with the wrong idea also.
Do we also try to go about following Christ, but end up not understanding what he really means? I think it is very easy to do something for the right reasons and then continue doing it for the wrong ones.
As I ponder this, I wonder, where is the point where I need to be? There are so many good things in this world. Some are better than others and of course some are the best. I think each person would agree that they have a color or ice cream flavor or brand of something that they view as "best". So what is best for me may not be best for someone else. Still, some things are standard good. Healthwise, smoking is not good, we know that. Breads, pasta and meats are better, but fruits and vegetables are best. As to things of this world, some things I believe are just trash. There are a lot of television shows that I feel are pointless and degrading. We don't have cable or satelite or anything like that. We do occasionally watch movies, but even then, some are better than others. The same things goes for books, some are just garbage. They have no moral code or plot or are just twisted around so that wrong is right and right is wrong. I won't read those. Others are fine, they have nothing wrong with them, but they aren't really good either, they are just something to read. And then you have books that are engaging, teach a lesson and make you think. Those are some of the ones that I've enjoyed the most. I've begun to look at the things I read and watch differently.
I heard the phrase once that if you aren't moving forward then you are going backwards. The world is constantly going and if you aren't, then you will be falling behind. So, even if I think I'm not doing anything wrong, if I'm not doing something right then I'm going backwards, or falling behind. I realize that we all need down time, but is that down time still lifting me up and helping me be a better person, or is it just keeping me where I am, in which case, I'm not going forward and I'm falling behind? Is this book/movie/blog/activity that I am spending my time on enriching my life or not? While I am occupied with this book/movie/blog/activity, how do I feel? Do I feel good and uplifted or do I feel down, angry, bitter or confused? Does it bring me happiness and joy, or is it a rush that will lead to a crash and burn later?
I feel like my thoughts are random and scattered, but I have a hard time putting words to the emotions in my heart. I strive to be better than I am. I strive to know what is best for my family. I believe that there are many good ideas out there and if done for the right reasons and with the right attitude can be a really positive thing in someones life, but I also know that if done for the wrong reason and with the wrong attitude, they can lead to bitterness, hurt, and damaged relationships. I think it's a hard balance to find and I also think that once you know what is good and what is not, then you are responsible for making those changes and you will be held accountable for your decisions. Change can be hard and it can be uncomfortable, but the right changes will eventually turn out good and bring happiness and joy, this I believe.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Happy/Sad
I am so excited for my sister and her little family to begin their latest adventure, but I'm really sad that my best friend is moving away.
My sister and I haven't always been the greatest of friends, in fact, for a long time she was my biggest pest! But that was a long time ago. It seems like she's always just kinda been there fairly close. I shared a room with her almost as long as I can remember growing up. After she graduated she moved to the same town I was living in and I would take my kids over and visit with her, or she would come visit me. At one point in time she lived with me until she got married, and then she only moved 2 doors down. It's true, I moved away first, but I still saw her just about every week, so I wasn't really gone, but now she will be.
I am excited for the opportunity my brother-in-law has to go to law school. The two of them will finally get some time together without family always coming around and butting in. I've heard that Missoula is really pretty and is a nice place to live. I know that my sister can find friends wherever she goes, she just has that spunk!
On the other hand, I'm really going to miss dropping by to see her when I go to town. I'm going to miss dragging her along shopping with me because I don't want to take all four kids by myself, or better yet, leaving the kids with her at her house while I go shopping by myself. I know my kids are going to miss having sleep-overs at her house. Their aunt and uncle spoil them rotten and are so much fun! I'm going to miss dragging her to meetings with me to be my "guest" because I just didn't want to go by myself. There are a million other things that I am going to miss also, but mostly, I'm just going to miss her presence. She won't be that far away, but it's the farthest away she will be since we actually became friends, along with being family :) Thank goodness for telephones and for fast automobiles.
Monday, July 26, 2010
stress-free zone
We finally have our desktop computer back. I have really missed it. My pictures go up so much easier and it is more comfortable for me to type at. It also has more of an "office" feel to it, which can be nice. So, now I'm catching up on things. I put all of my pictures off my camera onto the the computer. I am in the process of adding them to blog posts. I am also catching up on other things online since our lap top decided to have issues with me.
So, what have I been up to? Well, besides all the family camping and stuff, not much. I've been thinking lately about the way some people react to stress. I know some people who just face it head on and work their way through it. I know others who would like to ignore it and pretend that everything is normal, there's no stress, and still others who run and hide. I am somewhere between the ignoring and running and hiding variety. I know that the best way to get through something difficult is to just face it and get it over with, but that doesn't always make it easier. When I am faced with something unpleasant my first thought is "where can I hide so I don't have to deal with this?" Depending on the task I can quickly talk myself into just getting it over with, or I do "hide" by playing computer games or getting absorbed into a book. In the end, though, both of those things end. A game doesn't last forever and I've yet to find a never ending book, so I'm back facing the real world. Sometimes my respite is enough for me to put things in perspective, but most times all it did was delay the inevitable.
I'm sure knowing all this will help me someday, but all the knowing in the world does no good unless it is put into action.
So, what have I been up to? Well, besides all the family camping and stuff, not much. I've been thinking lately about the way some people react to stress. I know some people who just face it head on and work their way through it. I know others who would like to ignore it and pretend that everything is normal, there's no stress, and still others who run and hide. I am somewhere between the ignoring and running and hiding variety. I know that the best way to get through something difficult is to just face it and get it over with, but that doesn't always make it easier. When I am faced with something unpleasant my first thought is "where can I hide so I don't have to deal with this?" Depending on the task I can quickly talk myself into just getting it over with, or I do "hide" by playing computer games or getting absorbed into a book. In the end, though, both of those things end. A game doesn't last forever and I've yet to find a never ending book, so I'm back facing the real world. Sometimes my respite is enough for me to put things in perspective, but most times all it did was delay the inevitable.
I'm sure knowing all this will help me someday, but all the knowing in the world does no good unless it is put into action.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Getting through the Summer
This summer has gone way too fast! It's already July and it feels like it just started. I don't think I've done half of what I wanted to get done this summer. I do feel better that we have a lawn and our garden is in. I only hope that we can get something from it. The cooler weather has slowed the growth of a lot of the garden. As for me, many days I feel like I'm just trying to keep my head above water. I try not to compare myself to other moms, but a lot of times I do. I wonder "how do they keep their houses so clean? How do they seem to have time to do x, y, and z? How do they have it all together?" Of course, I don't see their day to day and many of the mom's I'm comparing myself too have children that are in different stages than mine. The other day I spent probably 8 out of 10 hours in the kichen/dining room area of my house. I tell you what, when Robert got home, I wanted nothing to do with that room! Between dishes and cooking and trying to find where the funny smell was coming from in the pantry, I was tired. I also spent time helping Taylor with a project at the kitchen table.
I have been trying to de-clutter my house. I have come to the conclusion that we have too much stuff and it's taking up space and making my house feel cluttered. I don't know what to do with it and it is seriously stressing me out. If things don't have a place and they get piled on the counter, or table, or dresser then my house looks cluttered and that is not a peaceful feeling. So, I went through my books. I took out a lot of books. Ones that were good, but I'd probably never read again, ones that if I wanted to read I could check out from the Library, but maybe didn't need to have. I also went through a lot of the kids books. They are growing older and I think they should have more advanced books. One or two books on counting is good, we don't need 5. I can point out objects in all kinds of pictures, so I don't need books that say what pants are or what a tree is. Rachel loves to look at family pictures and I can point out just as many things in those that I don't need an extra book on the shelf. Robert also went through a lot of his books. We went through our movies and took a lot out. Honestly, I don't want that much t.v. and I don't like the kids watching too much because then they get mean if I turn it off. The kids also have too many clothes. When they can't close their drawers and won't put their clothes away because they have no where for the clothes to go, then there are too many. So, we went through and picked out the things they wear the most and got rid of the things that they don't ever or hardly ever wear. Now they have more room in their dresser to put their clothes away and I have less laundry to wash. We still need to go through their toys. I am hoping that by selling their toys at a yard sale and letting them get something with the money then they will be less hesitant to part with their things. Something that we have been enjoying lately is audio books and I would like to encourage them to put their money towards that, or to save it for a big family trip sometime in the future.
I have been trying to de-clutter my house. I have come to the conclusion that we have too much stuff and it's taking up space and making my house feel cluttered. I don't know what to do with it and it is seriously stressing me out. If things don't have a place and they get piled on the counter, or table, or dresser then my house looks cluttered and that is not a peaceful feeling. So, I went through my books. I took out a lot of books. Ones that were good, but I'd probably never read again, ones that if I wanted to read I could check out from the Library, but maybe didn't need to have. I also went through a lot of the kids books. They are growing older and I think they should have more advanced books. One or two books on counting is good, we don't need 5. I can point out objects in all kinds of pictures, so I don't need books that say what pants are or what a tree is. Rachel loves to look at family pictures and I can point out just as many things in those that I don't need an extra book on the shelf. Robert also went through a lot of his books. We went through our movies and took a lot out. Honestly, I don't want that much t.v. and I don't like the kids watching too much because then they get mean if I turn it off. The kids also have too many clothes. When they can't close their drawers and won't put their clothes away because they have no where for the clothes to go, then there are too many. So, we went through and picked out the things they wear the most and got rid of the things that they don't ever or hardly ever wear. Now they have more room in their dresser to put their clothes away and I have less laundry to wash. We still need to go through their toys. I am hoping that by selling their toys at a yard sale and letting them get something with the money then they will be less hesitant to part with their things. Something that we have been enjoying lately is audio books and I would like to encourage them to put their money towards that, or to save it for a big family trip sometime in the future.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday Miracles
1. Boxes- Do you know what you can do with a box? Depending on the size, you pack stuff in it, or empty, a box can become a boat, a rocket, a house, or a dolly swimming pool. Yes, boxes are wonderful.
2. Q-tips- So good for so many things.
3. Marble- You can take this rock and make countertops, cutting boards, rolling pins, use it in architecture, and besides being strong, it's beautiful.
4.Trees- You get paper for books, wood for the fire, logs to build houses, yes, trees are a miracle.
5. Cherries- Yum
2. Q-tips- So good for so many things.
3. Marble- You can take this rock and make countertops, cutting boards, rolling pins, use it in architecture, and besides being strong, it's beautiful.
4.Trees- You get paper for books, wood for the fire, logs to build houses, yes, trees are a miracle.
5. Cherries- Yum
Friday, May 28, 2010
Racing
So, I'm kinda thinking that I want to run a 5K. I want to have something to work for and I want to improve my cardiovascular health, and I've heard running is good for that. I have some friends we recently ran a 5K and I really admire them and wonder if I even could? I think I could. We usually go down to Utah for the 4th of July weekend and they have a 5K and 10K race in the morning and last year my SIL ran the 5K while her husband ran the 10K. I was very impressed. Of course, if I'm really going to do this, I probably should do some running before then, right? Looking at my schedule, that means probably in the mornings before Robert leaves for work. Luckily it is light then, but man, I am not sure about getting up earlier. It would probably be good for me, though, so I think I should just suck it up and go for it. Yeah, that's what I'll do, just go for it. Anyone have any advice?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
