We're Not in Kansas Anymore!!

I just got home last night from a delightful spring vacation. It lasted about 10 days so I'm going to record it in a couple different posts. First, on Thursday March 19 I took my kids to meet Grandma Jo, their treat was to spend spring break with grandma Jo part of the time and grandpa Mark part of the time.

I stayed in Salt Lake on Thursday night and bright and (still dark) Friday morning Ben and Tia picked me up and we drove to Topeka, Kansas. Arriving at about 1 o'clock on Saturday morning.

While there, I got to go to college with her a couple of days, we went shopping, and she even talked me into getting my first pedicure. I do have to say that it was not as bad as I thought it would be. ( I'm sure everyone knows this, but if you don't, I'll let you know, I HATE FEET!! Don't touch mine and I won't touch yours :) So this was a big step for me. And I had a great time. What a wonderful few days to spend with my sister. I might just have to fly out and visit Tia again sometime. Stay tuned for part 2!

The Magic Word

The three kids that call me mom have very tender hearts. And anyone who's ever been to public school knows that children can sometimes be cruel. So it's not any surprise to me that they have come home with hurt feelings a time or two. Brit has probably been the one most effected- her days were either WONDERFUL! or HORRIBLE! depending on what a classmate said or did. I'm sure that everyone has a memory of this and it's not a huge problem, but I wanted something to give my children to help them get through these years and still love themselves.

Anyway, I was visiting some time ago with a good friend and wise mother about this. She told me about a magic word that kids can say in response to any kind of teasing and will usually end the confrontation. The word- "So!" And it's best not to add anything else. You say "So!" and walk away.
I came home and told Jaycee, Britnee, and Cody about this wonderful magic word. It's been so good for them. Most of the time they don't even have say it out loud but just knowing that because someone has said something, doesn't mean that they have to internalize it.
I have loved this little word so much that I thought I would share it and maybe it will help other little tender hearts.

What Beauty Is!!

This poem was read at our Bodyworks class on Wednesday night. It was written by a 13-year-old girl- wise beyond her years. I'm sharing it on my blog for anyone else who prays that their daughters say this about themselves, and I'm also framing it to hang in my girls' bedroom. In this world we live in, they need all the positive they can get. :)

I see pictures, ads and movie stars, promoting

what beauty is.

I see teens hurting themselves to be

what beauty is.

I watch the news, I read the the paper;

They seem to know

what beauty is.

Some feel self-doubt, and self conscious when

they don't match up to

what beauty is.

All the rave of diets, pills, and starving, to be

what beauty is.

Yet, when I look in the mirror, I see

what beauty is.

I don't have all the latest fashions,

I don't eat sparingly,

I'm not in any ways special to the world,

Who I am is special, to me.

I love myself! I am proud of who I've become:

I see my goodness, I don't focus on the bad.

I look to the good in others.

I try to live life to the fullest.

I want to succeed, and do my best.

And when you find these qualities,

and live them day by day,

You reflection in the mirror will shine.

For you will be

What beauty is!!

Bodyworks

I have been able to co-teach a Bodywork's class with my boss Lance for the past 10 weeks. The program is government based and teaches moms of 9-13 year old girls how to make healthier eating and activity choices for their families. I may have helped to teach the class but I don't even have room to list all the things that I've learned along the way. The commitment to be there each week was hard but it was so worth the changes we have been able to make.

Of all the things that were taught though, the best advice I got was that you get what you focus on. I don't think that I was doing horrible at it before but it was so good to learn more about it. I want health and vitality in my life. So my focus as I eat and workout has shifted just a little and has become something almost exciting and not one more chore to do each day.

I sure am going to miss this weekly class and all the wonderful things that I've been able to learn.

Jaycee's Musical Number

My little Jaycee is too much like I used to be- scared of doing anything that might be embarrassing to her. So when the music director in our ward called and asked if she wanted to play the piano in Sacrament meeting, I was delighted to hear her say yes.
Yesterday, after the first speaker she and I walked to the piano. (I was the page turner.) She played a medley of primary songs, Search, Ponder & Pray; Called to Serve; and Holding Hands Around the World. It was all I could do not to just hug her right there in front of the whole congregation. I was so pleased with her talent and that she stepped out of her comfort zone to share that talent with others. Go my little Mozart :)!!

Let there be light

Last night at about 5:15 I was cooking dinner and the kids were just getting ready to head for the shower when the power went out. It tried to kick back on a couple of times and then was gone, until about 9:45 p.m.
Lucky for us, our range runs on propane and I had a fire going in our wood burning stove. We ate dinner as the light was fading and everyone went to bed early. But as I sat and read a book by flashlight and candlelight I thought over things. Am I as prepared for nights like this? In the winter in Bear Lake, I think that the thought should cross my mind more often than it does.
So, I'm not going to panic. I don't feel like that will accomplish much, but I do feel like I need to take a few more baby steps in the preparedness department. Something that I plan on taking more seriously now.
On the other hand, there were some things that I really enjoyed about last night. Everything was so quiet. I loved it! The girls laid in my bed and read the Friend together and I didn't have to clean up dinner. (Ha,Ha.)
I think that along with getting more prepared though, I wish somehow that we could go more nights without a constant source of electricity. We used our imaginations and spent more time interacting with each other. Something I could sure use more of.
(Oh the funny things my overactive mind can come up with when I'm sitting in the dark.)

Jacob's Baptism

This last weekend Matt and I took the kids to Powell, Wyoming to my brother Bret and his wife Heidi's house for Jacob's baptism. While there, we got to go to the Thermopolis Hot Springs and watch Kadee play basketball.

We got to attend church in Bret and Heidi's ward. After sacrament meeting one of Bret's friends came up to introduce himself and asked if Matt was Bret's brother or I was his siter. I wish I would've taken a picture of Bret and Matt together because they do really look quite a bit a like.

After the baptism there was so many family members that we all went to the fire hall (Bret's a firefighter) and visited. We all had so much fun seeing my dad's side of the family. The kids especially loved the fooseball table.

It was a pretty quick visit, wish it could've been longer but we had a fun time.