Sunday, September 30, 2012

Moving on and moving away!


It is wonderful watching our family grow up and going on their own adventures in life. They definitely are moving on and while that is fun, some times the moving away is a bit harder to accept. This Friday we had the girls come over for the evening so that Mom and Dad could have a Date Night. It had been a week and so we were more than anxious to see them.
Photo: Angie's First day of First grade! Jenny was so bummed she couldn't stay at school with Angie! :)
 They were thrilled to walk in the house and see that Nana had already put up Halloween decorations. Jenny just kept walking around the living room and with her arms stretched out far saying " It's just Halloween every where...I love it! " Angie was just excited and made sure that I hadn't forgotten anything to put out, she found all the treasures that she has remembered seeing since she was little. It did my heart good to see how much they love all the seasonal decorations in our home. I know our kids loved it but, it is nice to see the next generation love it too. Since Kai is so far away in Boston, we made sure to send some Halloween stuff for him to have Mommy decorate their home.
Angie said to me while she was here " Nana, when we do our next sleep over we will probably have to come over a day before" I asked why? " Because Nana we live so far away now. Our house is in another state  ( she meant city ) and it takes days to get here, a really long time, so we better come the day before". It did my heart good to know that I am not the only one that feels like they far, far away! Now that Angie is in school full time, that is even harder finding time to have them over, yes I guess they are really growing up. But they love their new home, friends and neighborhood so ... they have been blessed. I wouldn't have minded having a house that looked like this...
Photo: Finally remembering to post a photo of our new home!
for our first home!
Then our little Kai and his parents just moved to Boston and they are loving it there. They love the beauty of it and all the rich history that Boston has to offer. Kai is happy no matter where he goes, I think alot of that is because Mom and Dad are so happy. He is growing up so fast, we get to go back there and spend a week with them soon, we can hardly wait. We will get to see their cute new place they call Home...

And we get to go see this sweet little boy of ours..

we are so excited to spend Halloween with them. What is it about the holidays that makes you want to bring everyone together to celebrate? I am grateful that we can at least spend some of them together ...as our kids grow up, move on and away!
Good night dear friends!

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family."
~ Anthony Brandt ~


"Home sweet home. This is the place to find happiness. If one doesn't find it here, one doesn't find it anywhere."
~ M K Soni ~




 

Candy worth celebrating!

When our kids were little, they were sick alot with colds and ear infections. After trying every different antibiotics that the Dr could perscribe for us and after all the other things he asked us to do, we decided to go another route...a healthier route. At first, I don't think the kids were on board with it, but I think they did enjoy feeling better, instead of SICK all the time. The first thing we gave up was dairy, then sugar and next red meat. We had lots of smoothies ... which the kids loved. We had carrot juice, veggies from our garden and even made treats sweetened with juice. I made homemade granola, fruit roll ups etc.
I thought about this whole experience today when I saw a flyer from a natural food store. On the front of one page it had cute little kids Trick or Treating, and under it said.... Candy worth celebrating. Then it had this something like this written under it... Halloween just got sweeter thanks to organic lollipops and gummy bears. These lollipops are made with real fruit extract and contains no chemical colors , artificial flavors or high frutose corn syrup. Our gummy bears and spooky gummy spiders have natural flavors and 100 percent Vitamin C per serving.
I am not sure why this made me smile, but it did. I think it is because now the kids will tell you all the horror stories about how different they felt when I brought in natural treats while everyone else ate junk. Even when I write that... I want to say " wasn't that a good thing that I did or was at least trying to do? " Weird, just when you think you are doing your best as a Mother...you find out different. Well, I still believe that some day when all my kids are parents, that they too might see the wisdom in being very cautious about what they put in their kids little bodies! It may not seem like a big deal when you are young but when you are the Mother and Father... things look a bit more serious and important when you realize  you are the ones teaching them healthy or not so healthy food habits. Motherhood is really much harder than it looks!
So this Halloween, try and explain to your kids why you are giving them the more natural candy... then say "it's candy worth celebrating! "  They  may even look at you like this photo below ... but that is ok, you are just trying to do what is best for them!  Good night dear friends!

"Foods high in bad fats, sugar and chemicals are directly linked to many negative emotions, whereas whole, natural foods rich in nutrients - foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes - contribute to greater energy and positive emotions."  ~Marilu Henner

"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." -Sophia Loren

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Faces

For some reason I seem to notice people's faces alot more these days. It seems like you can tell many things by looking at a person's face or really studying their eyes and even the sound of their voice; if their voice sounds tired or weak, maybe I recognize many of these faces because some of them have been the same as mine. My kids say they can always tell when I am in pain by the look on my face, even if I try to hide it from them... I can't!
 The other day I saw a dear friend of mine, now it had been a while since we had seen each other and I noticed that when I looked in her face that she seemed to not only be tired, but very sad and worn out. After talking to her for a while..I soon realized why. She had been going through some really big trials. My heart ached for her as I listened; and wondered what I would think or feel...under the same circumstance?
Then the other day I stopped to talk and catch up with another friend, she is always so happy and positive. As we spoke she shared with me some struggles she was having as a Mother and quite frankly...I was shocked, I had NO IDEA that she had been going through so much!
My Grandmother used to always say " If everyone's problems were hung out on a line, you'd take yours and I'd take mine" sooooooooo true! Some of the things I have been going through lately have seemed so overwhelming to me as a Mom. She on the other hand never knew what I was going through either.
 So back to FACES, there are times when your faces are easy to read and at other times we put on our Happy Mask and truly masked how we are feeling. I think there is a lot of good to be said about people who TRY to be happy; but I actually think it is a bit dangerous to always try to APPEAR happy. Then no one knows your pain and can't help or comfort you.
The truth is... we are all fighting our own battles.. May we take time out to try and read people's faces a little more, see if they are ok and ask what we can do for them. Because even though we are all fighting our own battles, it doesn't mean we have to fight them ALONE!
Good night dear friend, I am going to take this FACE which has PAIN written all over it, and go to bed!
P.S. I will leave you with these
three sweet faces of my grandkids, see if you can tell what they are thinking? :)

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Just what I need to remember!

I love these posters, I could actually use them all over my house as a great reminder for me some days, couldn't you? Good night dear friends!...
Precisely!Remember...good question..

Monday, September 24, 2012

I should have kept it!

I smile when I saw a class being taught on HOW TO WEAR YOUR SCARFS, there seemed to be a ton of ways to tie them. When I was a teenager, I remember going to Anderson Newcomes store with my Mom. Next to the make up counter was a lady demonstrating how to wear and tie your scarfs. I was so excited and begged my Mom to get me a couple of them. Which she did ( probably just to stop the begging ) of course I wouldn't want to admit this to my kids. But I had for years the handouts that I got in that class and over the years, you seldom would see me without a scarf.
I really should have kept the scarfs, the pattern and colors would have been right back in style now! I feel that way about quite a few items that I wore in my younger days.
As a young Mom, my advice to you would be... keep as much stuff as you can because...some day it will come back in style and you won't have to buy it again! But really, who has that much storage space that they can do that? But still , I smile when I see things that I had back in the day, and now they are vintage and cool once again! Who knew? ( I think that means I am getting older! )
 Here is a photo of me and my cute nephew getting our scarfs on for the Western Themed party we went to! Yes, I still love scarfs!
Good night dear friends!

"It is easily overlooked that what is now called vintage was once brand new." ~Tony Visconti
      Fashions fade, style is eternal.” ~ Yves Saint Lauren

Coming to Ourselves

Today in church we talked about the story of the prodigal son in the Bible Luke chapter 15

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

In the parable it uses the phrase “ he came to himself.”  Then the teacher asked..."What does it mean to come to oneself?"  Here were a few of the answers...

                *wasn’t thinking clearly before but now realize what blessings you have
                *gaining an understanding that you are a child of God
                * a realization of blessings that had been available
                * a desire to come back / repent
Change can be hard at times. It’s easy to become complacent and comfortable with our current conditions and situation. Then she compared our testimonies to a story from her family that went something like this...

Last month, I went camping with my family. Normally, my husband takes full responsibility for the fire. But this time, I asked if I could. I had learned how in Girls Camp, but haven’t used that skill since. I wanted to revive my skills when I had someone who could guide me.

I did well setting up the kindling. (Okay, I also cheated and used fire starter.) My matches were a little old. It took a few matches before I was able to get a spark and light the kindling. Then I thought I could sit back and enjoy the fire. But Scott gave me a look. The look that said, aren’t you going to do something else. When he realized I didn’t know what he was referring to, he told me: fire needs to be continually attended to and rekindled. I needed to be adding logs, and rearranging the wood as necessary to keep the flame going.

In many ways, my campfire is similar to our spiritual lives. It is up to us to foster an environment where those sparks can take light. At the same time, our flame needs constant attention, otherwise, it will dwindle.

It’s possible that we have had a strong flame at some point, but it has died down?  We could be going through a trial which shakes our faith, and makes it harder for us to discern the Spirit in our lives. Or perhaps we have sinned, or have not put sufficient effort into maintaining our spiritual strength. It’s also possible that we give off the appearance of being strong, when actually our testimonies are very weak?
I loved the analogy that she gave, that is so true. I feel like when I go to church that my testimony is strengthened by those who share theirs with me, from the lessons and scriptures that are taught, from the examples that I see and especially from the wonderful spirit that I feel there. I feel like my fire has been relit or at least attended too regularly and well, when I go to church each week.
What a great way to keep that fire of testimony and devotion to the Lord burning. It truly is up to us to make sure that that fire and desire to do what's right, is attending to and burning brightly!

It was a great lesson and one I seriously needed, here are some more scriptures that I think went well with today's lesson...

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.


  • Psalms 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

  • Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

  • Good night dear friends!
                 

    Sunday, September 23, 2012

    Friendship, Road Trip and Antiques!

    Today a friend and I decided to go on a roadtrip
    to Anacortes, it was wonderful to be by the water and to just relax and go to Antique Shop after Antique Shop. Of course we threw in a couple of Quilt Shops too.But mostly we just relaxed , shared our live's stories and appreciated just having the time to connect. My friend has a young family and so getting away for her was really vital!
    Interesting how you meet people and some of them you just know from the very beginning... that you were meant to be Forever Friends! This sweet friend is young enough to be one of my daughters, how blessed I am to have a few ADOPTED daughters in my life!
    When we were there we saw a ton of motorcycles and of course thought of Jeff. It was actually an annual Motorcycle advent that was going on called the Oyster Run , I think that is what it was called? Anyway there were 100's of motorcycles and since Jeff loves his so much, I decided to have Brittany take a photo of me; to show Jeff what type of motorcycle he would have to own in order for me to ride on the back with him. It looked like a recliner.  At least it wouldn't hurt my back huh?
    Need to head to bed, grateful again for all the friends who make my life brighter and better! Thank you!
    To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.

    Saturday, September 22, 2012

    Trouble with the Curve

       For our date night tonight we went the Movies. It is very hard to find a decent one now days but this one called Trouble with the Curve sounded promising.
    The language was bad, it always amazes me how language is over looked in movies. I also am always amazed that there are so many people who really talk like that. I wonder why educated people cuss? Are there truly not any other ( NON OFFENSE ) words that could be used?
       Amy Adams was one of the main actors with Clint Eastwood playing her Dad.
    What I did like is, how it made me think about my own Dad and our relationship ( or lack of ) as I grew up, Jeff said he thought the same thing. One think I had to be reminded of tonight was when Mickey ( Amy Adams ) asked her Dad  (Clint Eastwood ) why he left her as a child and then shared how abandoned she felt. It took many tries for her before he communicated, and it was something that happened when she was a kid that she didn't even remember or know about. Then he went on to explain to her that he did what he thought was best for her and what would protect her. I realized at that moment, he was telling the truth ...and I beat if my Dad were alive and I asked him the same type of questions... that he would tell me that he saw things very differently than I did. Still, Jeff and I sat in the car after the movie and just imagined what our lives would have been like IF we would have had Dads that we were close to?
    Then we just had to be grateful for the relationship that he has had with our kids. Jeff has been an amazing Dad and he is very dedicated to each of his kids. He has incredible love for each of them and they know it! So at least the next generation was healed and that is what counts now!
    Well, it's late and I am grateful once again to have my best friend as my Eternal Companion, and the Father of my kids. He is simply amazing!
    Good night dear friends!
    "There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens."   ~ Tommy Lasorda

    "Baseball is such a game of hope. Anything can happen--and often does--usually in the most tension-filled times. Maybe your team is up by a run or two with only three outs to get. Why does it seem that those three outs are always the toughest three to get? Or maybe you are on the other side of the ledger with your team being down a run or two with three outs to go. Doesn't hope spring eternal if you get a base runner or two on?"
    ~PETER G. DOUMIT, What I Know about Baseball is What I Know about Life
     

    Thursday, September 20, 2012

    I love books!

    I just finished decorating my house for Halloween and Fall today! I know... I know it is only the 20th of September. But I have a great excuse so,hear me out. Jeff and I are going to celebrate our 30th anniversary in October and we are also, going to Boston to see our little grandson and family.  So....I didn't want the girls ( my granddaughters ) to miss out on one of their favorite decorations at Nana's house this year; you should see how cute it looks, very homey and warm. Wish each of you could come over and visit for awhile, that's what Homes are for you know.
    I worked on a table topper for me today, that is really unusual...I am usually sewing something for the shop, my family and friends but this one was made for my living room. It is a spider web mini quilt/table topper, I will have to try and get a photo of it. Where is Lauren when I need her? :)
    Tonight a friend and I were going to go to a meeting together then at the last minute she had company coming in and so I decided to go by myself. But the traffic was horrible and so I ended up missing the meeting and going to the Book Store instead.
    I found out that one of my favorite authors just published another book called Sunset. His name is S. Michael Wilcox and this book is a collections of all the things he wrote and felt during his wife's battle with cancer. He talks about what it feels like to lose a loved one and even though he thought some of the things that happened in his life were hard ( up until this point ) but realized they were nothing compared to losing his companion. I sat down and began reading it, and within 10 mins I was crying so hard...that I decided to put it back on the shelf. Having had cancer myself, all of that seems to hit too close to home. Plus, through his books and life's stories I got to know this author and it just broke my heart to hear of his experience. But as his books usually do, he helped you see the hope and faith that it takes to keep going. Still I thought I had better not get it yet.
    Then I saw the newest book from another one of my favorite authors called THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS by Jason Wright. I could hardly stand it, I have read I think almost all of his books, the first of which I became aware of was THE CHRISTMAS JAR, so here were two of my favorite things, the latest book from a favorite author and also a Christmas story... and all of you know I collect and love those. But I showed restraint again and wrote it down on my wish list. But since it is a Christmas story, I will have to read it before then ..don't you think? :)
    As I was in the bookstore, Jeff came in ( he works close by there ) and what a fun surprise it was to see him. I love that guy, even though he makes me crazy some days... I can hardly wait for him to come home each day. We decided since I had missed my meeting, and it was late and we both hadn't eaten dinner yet, that we should go out to eat and so we did. That was kind of a fun little surprise Date Night, still we get to have another one tomorrow night! I am a blessed girl!
    I wondered as I was driving home why I didn't read more books as a little girl. I could have traveled the world and to much safer places ( in my mind ) if only I would have been good at reading. But since school was a challenge so were so many basics ( like math, reading and writing ). Guess that is why I escaped in my art work, that was a good place too! Still I love books and hardly can wait to read more and more now!
    Good night dear friends! 
    "The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it."  ~James Bryce

    "Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."  ~Charles W. Eliot

    "The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one's encounter with it in a book. " ~André Maurois

    Wednesday, September 19, 2012

    Comfort Zones

    I had a discussion the other day with someone who said how bad they hate confrontation. I thought to myself "Who does?" It just seems to be part of life and many times we have to go out of our comfort zone to really experience the DEEP and PROFOUND things in life. As hard as it is, I have found that to usually be true.
    I thought how the Savior taught us. On many MANY occasions He was confronted by people who usually really just wanted to start trouble. When I struggle with a certain situation in life, I need to remember this more often. I need to follow His example.
    I need to remember that "Real comfort, the kind of which peace and hope are made comes from the Savior" is what really makes all the difference in even those difficult situations. I know that...now I just need to remember that when life seems to much to bear!
    Pinned Image
    Good night dear friends!

    Dinosaurs!!!

    My computer has been acting up so... I will leave you, with what I think will be our next Bigger Than Me Day's Cards. It will say" RAWR...means I love you in Dinosaur!" Just a reminder that it is truly the little things that really can make your day! Good night dear friends!

    Tuesday, September 18, 2012

    This was meant for me today

       This was quote was totally meant for me today. For the past couple of months I have been dealing with a person who really doesn't like me. I don't know why, and every time I even try to be nice or start up a conversation, you could feel the coldness come from their eyes. Since we have no prior history together, I can't imagine that I did something to them, but still the feeling of being unaccepted or judged isn't a good feeling. I have talked to a couple of dear friends about it and they have given me their opinion on how I should address it.
       Now one would think at the ripe old age of 53 that things like this wouldn't shake me, but it does. I realize that I need to be more upfront about this with her and quit feeling so undervalued. I still have to be around her, but need to hold my own and quit letting this negative feeling, make me doubt myself. She just so happens to be very good at the thing I am suppose to be doing. I on the other hand have strengths in many areas, this is NOT one of them.
       But tonight I realized I need to pray about it more and talk about it less. Every time you get negative energy from someone, that is bad. You need to either stay away from people who give out that kind of energy, or learn how to just go on, understanding the battle is between them and them only... not me.
    Pinned Image
        For some reason, I got caught off guard and haven't been holding my own lately. I have had more self doubt and feelings of inadequacies. There are other things going on in my life that are painful right now, so I think I just let my guard down and baam... did I ever get hit with it hard.
        Funny that these are things and principles that I have known my whole life, still there are days when you will be struggling in more than one way and if you aren't careful, those people who aren't happy with themselves or their lives, will somehow try to make sure you feel as miserable as they are. But only you can let them make you feel that way...it is my choice, and I truly need to pray more about it, because the bad energy is taking a toll on my body.
    .
    I guess LIFE LESSONS are never going to stop coming, well at least until I figure some of them out...once and for all!
    Good night dear friends!



    Monday, September 17, 2012

    Kindness

    I am always amazed at how much a little bit of Kindness can help. This week has been especially hard for me, from a few different things I have been struggling with some personal things and some as a family. Yet there was always a phone call from a friend, a visit from family, a kindness from a stranger who went the 2nd mile. Although this week was overwhelming and I caught myself feeling getting more and more discouraged, still before I could go too low, there were those small acts of kindness from family, friends and even strangers that made all the difference. Thank you for those of  you who were part of these acts of kindness to me. A listening ear, a hug, or whatever it was...it was well needed and very much appreciated.
    Today I woke up with a sore throat, body aches and I was chilled to the bone. I felt like I was starting to catch a bad cold. So I made myself some chicken noodle soup, heated up the rice bags, took some Vitamin C and went back to be for 3 more hours. I really felt alot better after that. I was mad at myself though because the stress has been so high this week and I didn't control my thoughts very well and that kind of stress is hard on your body. Plus, because I have been more worried and upset, I have also been going to bed too late. Several times, I hit the wall and knew I should just stop then and honor that feeling... and what did I do... I just kept pushing through the wall. Finally I think my body was telling me...it had had enough. Sometimes I wonder why I am such a slow learner?
    Oh well, I am so grateful for each of you and your kindness to me and my family!
    Good night dear friends!


    "For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." ~Audrey Hepburn

     
    "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."  ~Princess Diana

    Friday, September 14, 2012

    Being Happy!

    I found a book the other day that I forgot that I had, I love the illustrations and the common sense information in there. The book is called BEING HAPPY! A handbook to greater confidence and security
    by Andrew Matthews
    One chapter was on HEALTH...
    "Scientific experiments have demonstrated incredible ways to kill guinea pigs. ( at first I thought I might not like this book by that first sentence, because we had a few guinea pigs as family pets, but I am glad I kept reading ) Emotional upsets generate powerful and lethal toxins. Blood samples taken from persons experiencing intense fear or anger when injected into a guinea pigs have killed them in less than two minutes. Imagine what these toxins can do to your own body.
    Every thought that you have affects your body chemistry within a split second. Remember how you feel when you are barreling down the highway and a big truck suddenly brakes twenty meters in front of  you. A shock wave shoots through your whole system. Your mind produces instant reactions in your body.
    The toxins that fear, anger, frustration and stress produce not only kill guinea pigs but kill us off in a similar manner. it is impossible to be fearful, anxious, irritated and healthy at the same time. It is not just difficult, it is impossible. Simply put, your body's health is a reflection of unresolved inner conflicts which in time show up in the body.
    It is also fascinating how our subconscious mind shapes our health. Do you recall falling sick on the day when you didn't want to go to school? Or have headaches brought on by fear?  The mind body connection is such that if, for example , we want to avoid something, very often our subconscious mind will arrange it. Once we recognize that these things happen to us, we are half way to doing something about them. 
    Repressed feelings and emotions affect our health. If we are not doing the job or leading the life we enjoy, our mind is constantly holding the thought,  " I wish I wasn't here." As our body is a slave to the mind, our body will then start getting us out of whatever we want to get out of . The first step is illness. I don't suggest that our health can be totally explained by the preceding paragraphs. 
    Good health is your birthright; and by good health I mean energy and vitality. It is your right to wake each morning with the confidence that your body can more than just " struggle through". Too many people have the notion that good health means a mere absence of disease.  If we look at the mind -body connection, it is easy to see how much our body is affected by our mental state. 
    Your mind is the architect of your body and your body is a reflection of your thoughts. If  you are consumed by fear and anger and unexpressed emotion, your body will reflect it. The "disease" of the mind becomes the "disease" in the body."


    "Think healthy, happy thoughts. Imagine yourself as healthy. Decide that good health is your birthright and that you deserve to be healthy. Above all, be gentle on yourself. Accept, and love yourself where you are right now and acknowledge that even up until now you have been living life the best way you know how." 
     ~ Andrew Matthews

    Thursday, September 13, 2012

    Motherhood

    Today I talked to a dear friend today that I hadn't seen in awhile. As we caught up with each others lives, it made me realize that many of us Mothers have or will go through the same things. As she spoke of some of the struggles she was having with her young family, I shared some of the same experiences that I had gone through when my kids were  younger. I think it made her feel good for two reasons, one because she realized that she wasn't the only Mother to have these experiences, and two she was glad that I lived to tell about it! :) That gave her hope I think!
    How true that is with anything in life? I think the greatest danger is when we feel like we are the only one that is going through something. It makes you feel lonely and really isolated. When the truth is...most Mothers go through many of the same things and if we could just open up to each other, I think we could help each other so much more.
    Motherhood is tough and it certainly is hard on your heart when you see your kids go through certain stages or challenges. Raising a family in this day and age isn't easy. The temptations and challenges my kids went through and are going through are far worse than I had to go through. Some of course are the same but many are worse. It is easy for our kids to get lost in this world of pressure, noise and distractions. It isn't uncommon for kids to lose the ability to communicate because of all the technology out there. The commercials promise that you can stay connected every where, but what they don't tell you ...is it is hard to disconnect and develop the one on one with people, when you are always PLUGGED IN!
     So I hope that some of us will be more willing to share with each other, no one should ever have to struggle alone. I think that is what life is all about... to help each other.
    How thankful I am for my many friends and family who have always taken the time to talk and share my burden with me. What a world of difference that makes!
    Good night dear friends.


    "The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new"  ~Rajneesh

     "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool mom. " ~Author Unknown

    Happy Birthday!

    Today is our sweet daughter-in-laws birthday! How fun it has been to have her in our family. And it was an added bonus as Grandparents to see the incredible Mother that she has become to our sweet little grandson Kai! I am grateful for the insights and fun she has added to our family. Happy Birthday dear sweet Krystal!





    Tuesday, September 11, 2012

    Pursuit of Happiness

    I loved this movie, it made me realize that when you really want something bad enough and believe in yourself...you can do it! It was a good wake up call for me. So often I seem to only remember the things that I don't do well and focus on that. So tomorrow I will get up and TRY AGAIN! :)
    Good night dear friends.

    Inspirational Quotes

    Something good


       Today was a rough day for me. My heart is worrying about something and I can't seem to enjoy or think about much else. I tried to go walking but half way through my walk, my hamstring muscle starting hurting again. I am a bit discouraged about that too, Jeff and I have been walking for a while now and I was feeling great, now it seems every little thing makes me go backwards some.
        But there were good things that happened today too, my friend who had surgery is doing well and we think the procedure was a success. I got to talk to my sweet daughter in law... and catch up on them and their new move to Boston, plus she filled me in on what all our grandson Kai is doing now. Found out that he got his first tooth!
       Also I was able to create a new project for my Quilt class, it is something I had been wanting to do for awhile, so that was good.
        So even though my heart is still hurting, I am glad I stopped to remember that there WAS some good that happened today too! Glad for the perspective change. Good night dear friends!
    Great quote
    "If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail."  ~Abraham Maslow


     "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."  ~Anaïs Nin

    Monday, September 10, 2012

    Learning from Life

    I gave my blog the title LEARNING FROM LIFE, and wanted to use that as my blog address but that name had already been taken so...that is why we called it LEARNING FROM LYNN.  I have always felt a bit embarrassed when I give my blog address away, because I thought it sounded like... oh everybody, come read my blog if you want to learn all about LIFE. For some reason I felt like it sounded conceited or as if I had LIFE all figured out. Boy, do I wish that were true!
    The truth is I just keep trying, but I am learning at the same time. So I guess I am LEARNING FROM LIFE!
    The other day when I was in the hospital waiting for  friend of mine to get out of surgery, the nurse handed me a piece of paper and this is what it said...
    We are pleased to provide (this hospitals ) patient tracking system, as a convenient way for you to follow the progress of a patient through surgery. You will be given a unique identification number for the patient you are assisting today. ( We use numbers instead of names to protect patient privacy.) Look for this identification number on the monitor in the waiting area, and check the color code next to the number. The color code will allow you to know at all times where your patient is in the surgical process.

    Yellow...Check In
    Green...Pre-op
    Light Blue...Procedure in progress
    Dk Blue...Closing to recovery
    Purple...PACU / Recovery
    Pink...Secondary recovery
    Grey...Complete and ready for family
    I liked knowing where and my friend was at during the surgery but it actually made me think... if there is something like this tracking system on the other side? Are our loved ones watching our progress here on earth, are they rooting for us and praying that everything comes out ok? So I thought if there was such a tracking system on the other side it would probably look like this.
    Yellow...Check in / We are born
    Green...Pre- op / that's where they get you all prepared for your procedure. This could be our childhood and basic truths that we were taught and learned.(Parents example vital!)
    Light Blue... Procedure in progress / Life is in progress. There are certain things that are suppose to happen in our life, some of which are suppose to try us, or make us stronger.     I vote for the later!
     Now the next 3 colors are Dk Blue, Purple and Pink... these all have to do with different stages of the patient's recovery. How true, I think we go along, do the best we can...and still we will have very challenging tests or trials to recover from.
    When our life is over, and when we have completed our mission here on earth then... I believe we are ready for family and friends on the other side.

    Anyway, it really did make me think how important it is to continually pray to know what to do and then go an do it!!!!
    If our family really is looking down on us, I hope they will be pleased with the progress we are trying to make. Sometimes life is just hard. But there is always a  lessons to be learned from all this living that we call Life!!!!
    "Life is about trusting our feelings, taking chances, losing and finding happiness, appreciating the memories, and learning from the past."  ~ Unknown

    Saturday, September 8, 2012

    What is normal?

    If you are always trying to be normal...

    Happy Birthday to you

       Today we went to a sweet birthday party for two little kids, a brother and sister who turned 1 and 3. They are too cute and we have grown so close to  them that I felt like I was the Aunt Lynn going to a Family Birthday dinner and party. I love the look on their sweet faces when we sing Happy Birthday to them, or when they taste the first bite of their cake.
       Now I found this article about making some Birthday Traditions for your kids and I think that is important. We didn't do all of these traditions but most of them sound like fun, except for the Sleep Over one. We had a rule in our family (before the kids were even born) that we wouldn't do Sleep Overs. Having had the experience I did with abuse and hearing other survivor's stories... Jeff and I both knew that was one thing are kids wouldn't do. But we did go the extra mile to do other special things. Like we would have a dinner and a movie night and they could stay up late... but then their friends would go home to sleep.
       The point is that the Birthday child knows how loved and needed they are,especially on their Birthday!
    I laugh as some of the funny Birthdays parties we had and my kids are more than willing to tell you all the traditions that our family had for their Birthdays...wish I had some photos to show you.
    Hope you have had a great day! Good night dear friends!

     8 Birthday Traditions You’ll Want to Try
    Written by Kerrie McLoughlin, Photo: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Thinkstock   
    Every year when I was a kid, my parents would let me choose where I wanted to eat dinner out for my birthday. Another birthday tradition they kept going was to have a small party for me with family and friends, including a cookout since I have a June birthday. Kids love to feel special, and it can be a challenge to find the time to come up with ways to make a birthday a knockout. Never fear!


    TraditionsBelow are eight ideas for birthday traditions to start with your own kids. Pick and choose a few of them each year… and stick with the ones you and your birthday kid love!

    1. Rise and shine. I like to wake my kids up on their birthday not with, “Get up! It’s time for school!” but with an extra long snuggle and the condensed version of the day they were born. Who doesn’t like to hear their birth story?! Adopted and foster children can be told how they were meant to be brought into the family and how special they are.

    2. Birthday letter. Every year, I type up a birthday letter for each of my children telling them what great things they did and said and learned during the past year. I give the birthday child a copy, then save a copy in a binder and on my computer for myself because we all know kids can’t keep track of stuff. The plan is to give each of my children a copy of all their letters when they move out, which means they’ll have somewhere between 18 and 30 letters to enjoy!

    3. Birthday slideshow.
    With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can create a special slideshow using PowerPoint or a similar computer program. Just pop in photos, size them and add cute captions. You can even add some music if you like. After your child watches it about a zillion times, save it to a CD and pop it in a special place (safe deposit box, fireproof box, etc.) so your child will always have it.

    4. Photos.
    I try to take as many pictures as I can on birthdays and even make sure I’m included in some of them, since I’m the mom and all! Later, we like to get out old photo albums and the birthday kid’s baby album.

    5. Special meal. One of my kids loves the neighborhood restaurant where they sing Happy Birthday and are given a balloon to take home. Another is content heading to the local fast-food indoor play area and grabbing bites of food in between trips down the slide. Make at least one meal of the birthday child’s day something out of the ordinary!

    6. Special treat. We like to hit the cupcake restaurant or grab huge, frosted cookies from a local baker and share with our friends and neighbors to spread the celebration around. A cheap - and just as special - route would be to make your child’s favorite dessert at home: cookies, cake, banana splits, shakes or ice cream sundaes are always a good bet. Depending on which fruit is in season (or go frozen!), a decadent fruit smoothie made with frozen yogurt could be nice.

    7. Party (doesn’t have to be on the actual birthday). If you get a few gray hairs every time you think of planning a birthday party, don’t fret. Options include: a simple party at your place with just a few people, a bash at a park shelter or a celebration where a local children’s party place does all the work.

    8. Birthday weekend sleepover with a few special friends (for kids over age seven).
    Warning: this one is not for the faint of heart! I suggest a maximum of three friends to stay the night at your house on a Friday night around the time of your child’s birthday. Order pizza to make life easy on yourself, grab some movies from the library and have them set up their sleeping bags as far away from your bedroom as possible.
    http://www.calgaryschild.com/parent-connection/951-8-birthday-traditions-youll-want-to-try

    " The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." ~Oprah Winfrey

    “Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of 'you' to the world.”- Author Unknown

    Friday, September 7, 2012

    Hospital Day

     Today I was at the hospital all day with a very good friend! I thought a lot about our bodies and how vital it is to take care of them. And also remembered what a privilege it is to have a healthy one.I think it is good every now and then to really take a good look at our bodies and learn how to understand it and take care of it. Good night ( or day ) dear friends!
     
     "Just as the body cannot exist without blood, so the soul needs the matchless and pure strength of faith." ~Mahatma Gandhi

    " Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live"~Jim Rohn

     "Our bodies are apt to be our autobiographies." ~Frank Gillette Burgess

    " Our bodies communicate to us clearly and specifically, if we are willing to listen". ~Shakti Gawain

    Thursday, September 6, 2012

    To all my children

    My heart has still been hurting all day! I read this quote, and thought this is exactly what I would tell all my children and grandchildren to remember! Good night dear friends!
    the sweetest quote.

    Wednesday, September 5, 2012

    Time and Season

    I have heard all my life, that there is a Time and Season for everything. I now know that is sooooooooo true! There was a time when my kids were all little and I wondered how in the world, I would survive Motherhood with such a big family? Now here I sit tonight with my heart hurting again... but mostly for good reasons.
    Our oldest son Bradley had his birthday today and also moved to Boston for his new job. Now that is a good thing but...it is a lot further away and so trips there won't be too easy, that is hard on my heart.We are so excited for this new adventure for them but still Boston, that is a LONG ways away. I am so proud of him, he has grown up to be an incredible Husband, Father and Artist! It thrills me to know that he will be doing something every day that he loves...that is important, that is rare and a very big blessing! I know, because that is what I have been able to do for the last 30 years of being a Stay Home Mom; and now I am working at Quilt Shop and love it too! 
    So I am grateful for his birthday that he is seeing some wonderful things happen with his job and talents, as well as starting a new adventure with his little family. 
    I baked a pie in Brad's honor today. Jeff and Lee, just kept singing Happy Birthday to Brad, each time they ate another piece! :) Not sure that was the way Brad would have had it work!
     My heart also aches for my Angie girl. She starts first grade tomorrow, which means she will be in school all day and we won't have nearly the time that we used to have together. So yesterday, she had her Monthly Sleep Over at Nana and Poppa's house and we went to Anachortes Beach, to enjoy the last day of summer that we could enjoy with her and with Lauren. But it was a gorgeous day and once again, we were so thankful that we live in the Great Northwest!
     

    Last but not least...
    My heart is hurting because Lauren leaves tomorrow, to go back to college. It was sooooooooo fun having another girl in the house again, it was so great being with her. We all miss her terribly. It is hard to have your family grow up and move away. I would love to have everyone live close enough to get together at least every few months. I know that there are many parents and grandparents who are reading this right now and probably saying " Lynn, stop your whinning, at least some of your kids are close and some of them get to visit every now and then!"
     
    You are right, I am blessed... I really think our whole family is blessed, because we love each other so much. This was my dream, to have a big family and have everyone close and connected! This is prove that DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE! I now just pray that each one of them will be safe in their new adventures!
    Good night dear friends!

    " In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. "  ~Lao Tzu

    "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life."  ~Abraham Lincoln





    Monday, September 3, 2012

    What a great story!


    "Don't be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done." --Paul Hawken

    Little Ellie & The Olympian: The Kindest Race Ever

     

    --by The Huffington Post, Original Story, Aug 10, 2012 He's a world record holding sprinter from South Africa. She's a spunky 5-year-old from Essex, England. In an inspiring series of images that have recently gone viral, the two strangers, united only by a stubborn refusal to let double amputations stop them, race each other in a friendly bionic foot race.
    Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorious, 25, was just 11 months old when doctors discovered he had no fibulas, requiring below-the-knee amputations of both his legs. Ellie May Challis lost both her hands and legs at 16 months, after contracting a severe case of meningitis.
    Although Ellie was originally fitted with standard prosthetics, the toddler found them difficult to walk with. More sophisticated carbon fiber legs -- the kind worn by Pistorious -- were expensive, but Ellie's community rallied behind her, raising the $15,000 needed for the replacements. In 2009, the 5-year-old became the youngest person ever to be fitted with carbon fiber prostheses.
    Held at an indoor track in Enfield, North London, little Ellie actually bested the champion sprinter in all four of their 15-meter races, to the cheers of her twin sister Sophie, and older siblings Taila and Connor.
    In a historic announcement, Pistorious, who runs using special Cheetah Flex Footlimbs, was granted permission to race in the London 2012 Olympic Games,reversing a ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The International Association of Athletics had ruled Pistorious could not compete in the games because his Flex Foot limbs represented an unfair advantage. However, the Court reviewed evidence from two new (and conflicting) studies before making its ruling in favor of Pistorious.
    Pistorious qualified for the semifinal heat of the 400 meter race on Sunday, but failed to qualify for the finals. His time, 46.54 seconds, was two seconds slower than the heat's winner, reigning world champion Kirani James of Grenada. In a show of respect and sportsmanship, James embraced Pistorious after the race and asked to exchange bib numbers.
    "I just see him as another athlete, another competitor," James told reporters the day before the semifinal. "What's more important is I see him as another person. He's someone I admire and respect."
    For his part, in an interview on the TODAY show, Pistorious said he will cherish his Olympic memories for "the rest of [his] life." As his 89-year-old grandmother watched from the stands, Pistorious said, "Hearing the roar of the crowd and knowing that there were so many people behind me just made it that much more enjoyable.
    Found the story HERE:

    Saturday, September 1, 2012