I wasn't sure that I would attend the session that John Bytheway taught, but I am glad that I made the decision to go. I ran across campus and arrived in the Smith Field House before about 3300 other people. I realized that I probably didn't have to run like it did, but the building was expected to fill to capacity (3500 people).
The topic of this session was on Covenants. They posed three questions and then answered them.
1. How can we keep our covenants in sight every day?
- God is all about freedom
- Satan is all about bondage
- Put a picture of the temple in every room.
- Put reminders of your covenants everywhere - pictures of Christ on the wall, pictures of the temple, scriptures out in the open to be used frequently.
They told of a family member who often told her kids as they walked out the door "Remember who you are". One particular day their teenage son was leaving with his friends and his little sibling (can't remember if it was a boy or girl) yelled out the door "Don't forget your name!" :)
They said "If our children see a lesser version of ourselves Monday-Friday, we cannot expect them to be different"
We watched a video from the April 2003 General Conference. It was Elder Holland's talk entitled "A Prayer for the Children"
We were admonished to Keep the Covenants that our children know we have made. Do they know we have made covenants?
2. What activities move us closer to our coventants?
With whom have I made my covenants.?"I have not made a covenant with ESPN, TV, INTERNET, SIBLINGS, PARENTS, etc."
Any activity that brings us closer to our family is a covenant activity.
Pray for spiritual eyes to see those in need
3. How can we look to our covenants to find strength?
"No matter what, I will not leave him" They told a story of a young boy who had been having some trouble with behavior at school. The teacher, in response to his behavior, gave him a project that was due the next day. It was a lengthy project and it caused a lot of stress for the young boy. The parents were at their wits end. The mom sent all of the kids, and her husband away and she stayed with her son until the project was finished. When she ascended the stairs, her husband asked how she could possibly help him and she said "I don't know, I just said to myself - No matter what, I will not leave him."
The Lord is the same with us. He never leaves us no matter what.
They taught to use what they called the "vertical dimension" (prayer)
Pray in the morning for the Spirit. When temptations come, or when situations are trying -- pray again and really picture the Spirit of the Lord being right there.
Covenants are power!
At the end of the session, though they were out of time, they posed the question "How do we find strength from our covenants when our children are struggling?" They then recommended that we read "Our Moral Environment" by Elder Boyd K. Packer. I haven't done that yet, but I plan to.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Women's Conference - Day One, Morning Session
This week I had the opportunity to attend BYU's Women's Conference. I am grateful to my husband for making his time available so that I could attend this 'fill my cup' event. I always learn so much from Women's Conference. This year was no exception. Hopefully my notes will be helpful to some.
Sister Virginia H. Pearce (President Hinckley's daughter) spoke in the opening session. She is just as lovely as her parents were. She spoke of prayer and how it is essential in our lives. Prayer, she said is a basic religious ritual that spans throughout all time, and all religions. Prayer rests on the principle of faith and is an expression of our agency. We choose whether or not we pray.
She spoke of the trials that we all must face. She related the year that President Hinckley passed away. She said that they spent a long time going through her parent's stuff, and dividing it up among the family. They moved, and moved boxes. Her husband retired from being a physician that year and they moved more and more boxes. They planned to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints together and they arranged to rent their home, so they moved even more boxes into their rapidly filling basement. During this time her husband began having symptoms that were less than pleasant. He visited a doctor and tests were run. He was diagnosed with a fatal illness that took his life just a short year later. During that year she said they prayed. They spent precious time together, they laughed, and they prayed.
She spoke of the dark and rainy skies that all of us experience in our lives. she said "One must be washed off thoroughly before they can return to the presence of God. We need the dark and rainy skies to wash us clean." I loved that. What a truth!
She said she has a little note on her computer, a sticky note, that says "Keep it small, keep it simple, and give it time"Another treasure to live by.
She spoke of heartfelt prayers, and taught that Faith, coupled with pure charity makes a difference.
She reminded us to attend the temple often, and to humbly pray there.
In her final remarks she spoke of the Tender Mercies of God and that through them He teaches that "I am here, I approve of what you are doing. Everything will work out for your good. Trust Me."
Sister Virginia H. Pearce (President Hinckley's daughter) spoke in the opening session. She is just as lovely as her parents were. She spoke of prayer and how it is essential in our lives. Prayer, she said is a basic religious ritual that spans throughout all time, and all religions. Prayer rests on the principle of faith and is an expression of our agency. We choose whether or not we pray.
She spoke of the trials that we all must face. She related the year that President Hinckley passed away. She said that they spent a long time going through her parent's stuff, and dividing it up among the family. They moved, and moved boxes. Her husband retired from being a physician that year and they moved more and more boxes. They planned to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints together and they arranged to rent their home, so they moved even more boxes into their rapidly filling basement. During this time her husband began having symptoms that were less than pleasant. He visited a doctor and tests were run. He was diagnosed with a fatal illness that took his life just a short year later. During that year she said they prayed. They spent precious time together, they laughed, and they prayed.
She spoke of the dark and rainy skies that all of us experience in our lives. she said "One must be washed off thoroughly before they can return to the presence of God. We need the dark and rainy skies to wash us clean." I loved that. What a truth!
She said she has a little note on her computer, a sticky note, that says "Keep it small, keep it simple, and give it time"Another treasure to live by.
She spoke of heartfelt prayers, and taught that Faith, coupled with pure charity makes a difference.
She reminded us to attend the temple often, and to humbly pray there.
In her final remarks she spoke of the Tender Mercies of God and that through them He teaches that "I am here, I approve of what you are doing. Everything will work out for your good. Trust Me."
Monday, April 04, 2011
The Day I Played Slave Driver
Yesterday before conference I asked the kids to give me 20 minutes of their time to help tidy up the house before we watched the first session. I didn't want to have to look at the clutter while trying to feel the spirit of the meeting.
In true Ryan-like fashion, Ryan began to stall. "Twenty minutes, that's all I want," I said. He continued to do a small task and then get sidetracked on a story, or the art of just standing there watching me. I finally said "Ryan, you can get out of cleaning better than anyone I know." To which he responded "I'm not as good as Tom Sawyer. He convinced people to do things for him."
In true Ryan-like fashion, Ryan began to stall. "Twenty minutes, that's all I want," I said. He continued to do a small task and then get sidetracked on a story, or the art of just standing there watching me. I finally said "Ryan, you can get out of cleaning better than anyone I know." To which he responded "I'm not as good as Tom Sawyer. He convinced people to do things for him."
Friday, April 01, 2011
Like Father...
He gets his style from his dad. He couldn't figure out why I wanted to take a picture of him. Uhhh, check out the feet. It's all in the feet.
April Fool's
Ryan and Sydney LOVE April Fool's Day. They both went to bed last night thinking of all of the things they could do to each other this morning.
I went to the church at 6 to exercise and Ryan called at 7 sharp. He said he switched the cereal. Funny as Brett did that to him last year. Sydney didn't fall for it. She's smarter than he gives her credit for.
I thought it would be fun to have dinner tonight with a special menu. On the docket:
Oinkers wearing pants (Pork Chops)
Pill Bugs (Twice Baked Potatoes)
a Basket of Grandma's Breakfast (Salad) - If would have been thinking I would have named that "On Second Thought Make My Potatoes a Salad. I wasn't thinking quick enough though.
and Peas and Carrots for dessert.
I think they enjoyed dinner. Ryan was afraid that I had done something bad to the meal and he was hesitant to come.
A Special Thanks to "Emperor's New Groove" (A favorite movie) and Our Best Bites for the inspiration.
I went to the church at 6 to exercise and Ryan called at 7 sharp. He said he switched the cereal. Funny as Brett did that to him last year. Sydney didn't fall for it. She's smarter than he gives her credit for.
I thought it would be fun to have dinner tonight with a special menu. On the docket:
Oinkers wearing pants (Pork Chops)
Pill Bugs (Twice Baked Potatoes)
and Peas and Carrots for dessert.
I think they enjoyed dinner. Ryan was afraid that I had done something bad to the meal and he was hesitant to come.
A Special Thanks to "Emperor's New Groove" (A favorite movie) and Our Best Bites for the inspiration.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Arrow of Light
Ryan got his Arrow of Light award on the 23rd. We are so proud of him. It was a lot of work.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
March 15
Took a 20 mile bike ride today. Man it feels good to be on my bike. I didn't think I was going to be able to ride because Sydney has been feeling under the weather lately, but she went to school at 10:30, so I had the rest of the day to ride. I hope that one day my fluttery heart will calm itself when seeing cars come on to side roads. I have a huge fear of being hit again.
We were asked to speak in church on Sunday. Uggh! I hate speaking in church. It's not the speaking that I hate really, it's the fact that I can't control my tears. I get up there and I am touched by the information and I cry through it. I can't get my thoughts together either. Double Uggh!
Brett is at a meeting with the Young Women leaders. They are planning a Youth Fundraiser. I think the youth should be planning it, but they didn't ask me :).
11 weeks until the Little Red Riding Hood Ride. Can. Not. Wait.
Life is good.
We were asked to speak in church on Sunday. Uggh! I hate speaking in church. It's not the speaking that I hate really, it's the fact that I can't control my tears. I get up there and I am touched by the information and I cry through it. I can't get my thoughts together either. Double Uggh!
Brett is at a meeting with the Young Women leaders. They are planning a Youth Fundraiser. I think the youth should be planning it, but they didn't ask me :).
11 weeks until the Little Red Riding Hood Ride. Can. Not. Wait.
Life is good.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
March 8
- Finally got caught up on laundry - I hate laundry
- Took Brett to the Dr and then took the kids to the grocery store.
- Sydney was happy for 20 days and earned a prize. She picked her very own white board. Hopefully that will save the white board that I bought for scouts.
- Watched Open Season 3 with Sydney, and then the end of Biggest Loser. I love that show.
- Took Brett to the Dr and then took the kids to the grocery store.
- Sydney was happy for 20 days and earned a prize. She picked her very own white board. Hopefully that will save the white board that I bought for scouts.
- Watched Open Season 3 with Sydney, and then the end of Biggest Loser. I love that show.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Life's experiences that change you
On Tuesday we took the scouts to the UT County Jail. It was a humbling experience for me to say the least.
As we entered the jail, we were asked by the tour guide, a man in our ward - Brother Lomax, if Mormons could go to jail. One of the boys said "Absolutely NOT." Brother Lomax smiled and said "There are 800 inmates in this jail. 80% of them are Mormon." That was a shocking statistic for the boys.
Many years ago, I wrongly judged a mother whose son was in and out of juvenile detention because of drugs. I had heard things from her brother about how this boy was allowed to dress a certain way and therefore it put him in situations that allowed his drug experimentation. My judgments were harsh and it is embarrassing to me now.
We were able to see the inmates who were in heightened security. Some of them were in there for murder. They were in tiny cells and the only thing they could do was pace back and forth. They could see our silhouettes and some of them started yelling. We could not hear them, but we knew they were talking to us.
We were taken to the chapel and there we were taught. An inmate came in and spoke to the boys and told them how he came to become an inmate. He was raised in a strong LDS home. He was a strong member of his faith up until college. He went to college on a basketball scholarship. While there he hooked up with bad crowd of friends and started experimenting with tobacco. This led to alcohol consumption and eventually drug use. He was kicked out of college and went into rehab. After rehab, he went through the repentance process. He transferred to BYU, and then was married in the temple. Nine years into his marriage, he fell into a deep depression and returned to his substance abuse. He is now divorced. He has three children - 11, 6, and 2. It is heartbreaking, and he knows it.
I learned that no family is immune to the temptations that hit us so hard. Sometimes it is substance abuse that gets us. Sometimes our trials come in other forms. Sometimes we fall into these temptations, and it lands us in jail. Sometimes we fight these demons alone, and sometimes we fall into temptation and our family is faced with the borderline of loving the sinner, but not the sin itself.
We have been taught by apostles of our Savior that our world is worse than that of the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. That is scary to me.However, we are also taught that we have a loving Heavenly Father. He did not send us to earth to be alone. It may be hard sometimes, but we are not alone. I know that to be true.
We are given these life experiences so that they can change us.
As we entered the jail, we were asked by the tour guide, a man in our ward - Brother Lomax, if Mormons could go to jail. One of the boys said "Absolutely NOT." Brother Lomax smiled and said "There are 800 inmates in this jail. 80% of them are Mormon." That was a shocking statistic for the boys.
Many years ago, I wrongly judged a mother whose son was in and out of juvenile detention because of drugs. I had heard things from her brother about how this boy was allowed to dress a certain way and therefore it put him in situations that allowed his drug experimentation. My judgments were harsh and it is embarrassing to me now.
We were able to see the inmates who were in heightened security. Some of them were in there for murder. They were in tiny cells and the only thing they could do was pace back and forth. They could see our silhouettes and some of them started yelling. We could not hear them, but we knew they were talking to us.
We were taken to the chapel and there we were taught. An inmate came in and spoke to the boys and told them how he came to become an inmate. He was raised in a strong LDS home. He was a strong member of his faith up until college. He went to college on a basketball scholarship. While there he hooked up with bad crowd of friends and started experimenting with tobacco. This led to alcohol consumption and eventually drug use. He was kicked out of college and went into rehab. After rehab, he went through the repentance process. He transferred to BYU, and then was married in the temple. Nine years into his marriage, he fell into a deep depression and returned to his substance abuse. He is now divorced. He has three children - 11, 6, and 2. It is heartbreaking, and he knows it.
I learned that no family is immune to the temptations that hit us so hard. Sometimes it is substance abuse that gets us. Sometimes our trials come in other forms. Sometimes we fall into these temptations, and it lands us in jail. Sometimes we fight these demons alone, and sometimes we fall into temptation and our family is faced with the borderline of loving the sinner, but not the sin itself.
We have been taught by apostles of our Savior that our world is worse than that of the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. That is scary to me.However, we are also taught that we have a loving Heavenly Father. He did not send us to earth to be alone. It may be hard sometimes, but we are not alone. I know that to be true.
We are given these life experiences so that they can change us.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Angels in the Outfield
It is said that angels frequent the halls of a children's hospital. I was administered by them. Ryan was administered by them.
10 years ago I distinctly remember asking the nurses of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles how long it would take for Ryan to heal. The answer was "a long time". My first thought - 10 years. Of course, it didn't take 10 years to heal my son, but here we are 10 years later and I can hardly believe that we are that far out.
A baby died last month of SCID. The death triggered some emotions that I haven't felt in a long time in regards to SCID. The disease is curable. The problem is that very few states even test for it until it is too late.
This month Ryan is learning about genetics in school. I asked his teacher if she would like me to come and share our story with her class. She agreed and so I went and taught Ryan's 5th grade class about SCID. I showed pictures and answered questions and tried not to get choked up.
I looked through more pictures when I got home and realized that my faith is stronger because of Ryan's life. I know that angels carried me as did the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. After all, if you build your faith, they will come.
10 years ago I distinctly remember asking the nurses of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles how long it would take for Ryan to heal. The answer was "a long time". My first thought - 10 years. Of course, it didn't take 10 years to heal my son, but here we are 10 years later and I can hardly believe that we are that far out.
A baby died last month of SCID. The death triggered some emotions that I haven't felt in a long time in regards to SCID. The disease is curable. The problem is that very few states even test for it until it is too late.
This month Ryan is learning about genetics in school. I asked his teacher if she would like me to come and share our story with her class. She agreed and so I went and taught Ryan's 5th grade class about SCID. I showed pictures and answered questions and tried not to get choked up.
I looked through more pictures when I got home and realized that my faith is stronger because of Ryan's life. I know that angels carried me as did the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. After all, if you build your faith, they will come.
Friday, February 25, 2011
February 25
This morning we woke up to about 8 inches of snow. The ground was beautiful. Sometimes it is hard to go back to snow when we have been enjoying spring-like weather. I must say though, it is beautiful, and for the past few years, I haven't gotten tired of it.
I'm still feeling under the weather. I spent the morning loading the dishwasher. I didn't do that yesterday as I laid in bed all day. I hate it when I do that as it makes it much worse the day after. After I got the dishwasher loaded, I blended some apples and put them in the dehydrator to make apple fruit roll-ups.
Once I finished my project, it was off to bed for me. I can't stay up for too long without feeling like complete dirt. I read more of President Monson's biography, and then I slept off and on for a while.
At 11:30 I got up and fixed me a bowl of soup, then it was back in bed for me. Even the soup didn't help me feel any better.
I got to talk to my dad today. I love it when he calls me. We talked about his mission, and his new calling as the ward mission leader. I love my dad. He is a wonderful man.
I need to take more pictures of my family and what is going on around me. It is another thing that I have put on my list of things to improve.
I'm still feeling under the weather. I spent the morning loading the dishwasher. I didn't do that yesterday as I laid in bed all day. I hate it when I do that as it makes it much worse the day after. After I got the dishwasher loaded, I blended some apples and put them in the dehydrator to make apple fruit roll-ups.
Once I finished my project, it was off to bed for me. I can't stay up for too long without feeling like complete dirt. I read more of President Monson's biography, and then I slept off and on for a while.
At 11:30 I got up and fixed me a bowl of soup, then it was back in bed for me. Even the soup didn't help me feel any better.
I got to talk to my dad today. I love it when he calls me. We talked about his mission, and his new calling as the ward mission leader. I love my dad. He is a wonderful man.
I need to take more pictures of my family and what is going on around me. It is another thing that I have put on my list of things to improve.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Looky There
So much for my every day posts. I'm not in the habit. Bare with me.
Last night was our Blue and Gold Banquet. It was our last B&G as a family. Ryan will move on to Boy Scouts this year. I can hardly believe it. I am proud of Ryan he is a good boy.
I made a campfire cake for our cake contest. We won Judge's favorite. That's the 2nd year we have won. I think it turned out well, and I'm glad I'm done making these too. Last year we did Burger's and Fries. This year it was much less involved, but took an extra cake mix because the first one broke.
I went to bed last night feeling like a cold might be coming on and sure enough. I woke up this morning not feeling well. I have been in bed all day. Hopefully this is a fast moving cold and I can be back to normal in no time.
Last night was our Blue and Gold Banquet. It was our last B&G as a family. Ryan will move on to Boy Scouts this year. I can hardly believe it. I am proud of Ryan he is a good boy.
I made a campfire cake for our cake contest. We won Judge's favorite. That's the 2nd year we have won. I think it turned out well, and I'm glad I'm done making these too. Last year we did Burger's and Fries. This year it was much less involved, but took an extra cake mix because the first one broke.
I went to bed last night feeling like a cold might be coming on and sure enough. I woke up this morning not feeling well. I have been in bed all day. Hopefully this is a fast moving cold and I can be back to normal in no time.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Road to Hell
One of my mom's favorite sayings (at least it seemed like a favorite to me) was "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."
I had such good intentions for Valentine's Day. Pink waffles, with a heart cut out of the middle. Valentine's at the school for the kids -- Visiting both classes for class parties.
Then the day arrived, and NONE of that happened. I woke up to Ryan needing a pair of underwear. Unlucky for him, they were still in the washer - wet. I knew I had a pair in the van so I went to get them and I didn't have a set a keys. A short note to Brett, and the realization that HE had my keys and figured I would have an extra key in the junk drawer. A half hour later, and a small prayer, I found the spare key - not in the junk drawer. By now, there wasn't time to make the pink waffles with the heart cut out. Regular waffles had to do.
I spent the morning cleaning the house and then at 11:30 I got a phone call from the school. Ryan had an accident on the bus and he needed an extra set of clothing. I got them together and headed to the school. Poor kid. The mess was big enough that he needed an extra shirt too. I came home and picked up the extra shirt, then I headed to the store to pick up the treats I needed to donate for Ryan's class. I'm not generally a last minute person. I don't like the stress of last minute, but I didn't want to buy treats that went stale, so I waited until the day of. Throw all of the rest of the events of the day into the mix, and there wasn't time to get Valentines to take to the kids for their classroom. Donuts and conversation hearts had to do.
So, as I look around at all of the fun traditions that others have, I feel bad that my kids missed out this year. Maybe next year...
I had such good intentions for Valentine's Day. Pink waffles, with a heart cut out of the middle. Valentine's at the school for the kids -- Visiting both classes for class parties.
Then the day arrived, and NONE of that happened. I woke up to Ryan needing a pair of underwear. Unlucky for him, they were still in the washer - wet. I knew I had a pair in the van so I went to get them and I didn't have a set a keys. A short note to Brett, and the realization that HE had my keys and figured I would have an extra key in the junk drawer. A half hour later, and a small prayer, I found the spare key - not in the junk drawer. By now, there wasn't time to make the pink waffles with the heart cut out. Regular waffles had to do.
I spent the morning cleaning the house and then at 11:30 I got a phone call from the school. Ryan had an accident on the bus and he needed an extra set of clothing. I got them together and headed to the school. Poor kid. The mess was big enough that he needed an extra shirt too. I came home and picked up the extra shirt, then I headed to the store to pick up the treats I needed to donate for Ryan's class. I'm not generally a last minute person. I don't like the stress of last minute, but I didn't want to buy treats that went stale, so I waited until the day of. Throw all of the rest of the events of the day into the mix, and there wasn't time to get Valentines to take to the kids for their classroom. Donuts and conversation hearts had to do.
So, as I look around at all of the fun traditions that others have, I feel bad that my kids missed out this year. Maybe next year...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
He Named Him Shaun
Some time during the end of December / beginning of January, our family was introduced to the marvelous world of Psych, a clever, clean, funny, psychic detective show that airs on a channel that we do not have. Lucky for us, we have Netflix. We are almost caught up on all 5 seasons.
Many gigs of bandwidth later, we are now saying things to each other like "Brett, don't be this crevice in my arm."
and
"Mom, don't be an old sponge with a hair hanging off of it."
I've even got clever and started my own sayings like - "Brett, don't be a dehydrated mushroom." (I dehydrated mushrooms yesterday.) I'm so awesome!
Anyway, we laugh a lot with the one-liners that are on this show. Before Ryan went to bed the other night he told me that Shaun's (the main character in the show) mom calls him Goose. I call Ryan Goose. I have since he was a baby.
Ryan now thinks he is cool.
Because Shaun is cool.
Today, before school, Ryan wanted to play on the computer. He had finished getting ready so I let him. I overheard him talking to the computer "Oh, hi little buddy. Are you hungry? Did you miss me?" He has a new virtual pet. It is a mouse. A mouse that is going to stay on the computer screen. (phew!)
He named him Shaun.
Many gigs of bandwidth later, we are now saying things to each other like "Brett, don't be this crevice in my arm."
and
"Mom, don't be an old sponge with a hair hanging off of it."
I've even got clever and started my own sayings like - "Brett, don't be a dehydrated mushroom." (I dehydrated mushrooms yesterday.) I'm so awesome!
Anyway, we laugh a lot with the one-liners that are on this show. Before Ryan went to bed the other night he told me that Shaun's (the main character in the show) mom calls him Goose. I call Ryan Goose. I have since he was a baby.
Ryan now thinks he is cool.
Because Shaun is cool.
Today, before school, Ryan wanted to play on the computer. He had finished getting ready so I let him. I overheard him talking to the computer "Oh, hi little buddy. Are you hungry? Did you miss me?" He has a new virtual pet. It is a mouse. A mouse that is going to stay on the computer screen. (phew!)
He named him Shaun.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
She Ran Away
I've known for a long time that my daughter is a LOT like me. Today she proved it even more so. After dinner we were cleaning up and she got mad because I had told her that she could play today and then it just didn't work out. She left the room and I told her that she needed to come in and help clean up the kitchen. She went back into the kitchen and Brett told her to sit down at the table to drink her milk. Of course she took her sweet little time (totally something I would have done). I gave her 'the look' and she started crying "Dad told me to drink my milk, and you told me to clean the kitchen -- I can't do two things at once!!"
Ahh...another thing I would have said.
I made her even more mad because I started laughing.
She stormed down the stairs and packed a bag.
A few minutes later she was going to run away to the park.
Brett made sure she had shoes on (she was going to leave barefooted - snow on the ground and everything). He also made sure she had a coat.
We told her we loved her and we watched out the window as she walked away.
Brett stared worrying that she wouldn't run away to the park, or that she wouldn't come home if she did so I went to look after her. She was walking by the fence and when she saw the car she put her little blanket in front of her face so that I couldn't 'see' her.
I laughed.
I passed a neighbor and a second later I had a text telling me that she had just passed Sydney and she was crying. She thought that maybe I was driving away and I hadn't seen her. I told her the situation.
I came home and Syd was back on the porch crying. She stood outside on the porch for a good 1/2 hour. I asked her to come in several times but she wouldn't. Finally she decided that she would like to have warm hands so she came in.
She ignored me for almost 2 hours. It's ok. That's what I do to people when I get mad too. I just need my time to get over it.
Sydney is definitely made out of my mold. She needs time when she is mad, she is overly sensitive, and she ran away. I ran away when I was her age too.
I didn't make it very far...
Ahh...another thing I would have said.
I made her even more mad because I started laughing.
She stormed down the stairs and packed a bag.
A few minutes later she was going to run away to the park.
Brett made sure she had shoes on (she was going to leave barefooted - snow on the ground and everything). He also made sure she had a coat.
We told her we loved her and we watched out the window as she walked away.
Brett stared worrying that she wouldn't run away to the park, or that she wouldn't come home if she did so I went to look after her. She was walking by the fence and when she saw the car she put her little blanket in front of her face so that I couldn't 'see' her.
I laughed.
I passed a neighbor and a second later I had a text telling me that she had just passed Sydney and she was crying. She thought that maybe I was driving away and I hadn't seen her. I told her the situation.
I came home and Syd was back on the porch crying. She stood outside on the porch for a good 1/2 hour. I asked her to come in several times but she wouldn't. Finally she decided that she would like to have warm hands so she came in.
She ignored me for almost 2 hours. It's ok. That's what I do to people when I get mad too. I just need my time to get over it.
Sydney is definitely made out of my mold. She needs time when she is mad, she is overly sensitive, and she ran away. I ran away when I was her age too.
I didn't make it very far...
Friday, February 04, 2011
February 5
- Syd woke up with a migraine and low grade fever - Day at home for her
- Finished watching Care Bears with Sydney
- Took a little nap with Sydney
- Watched Toy Story 3 (Thanks Aunt Lori)
- Took Brett to get a hair cut and sampled some amazing shrimp fried rice...mmm
- Played School with Syd - she's feeling a little bit better
- Hanging out for the rest of the day.
- Great way to end the week. Happy Friday
- Finished watching Care Bears with Sydney
- Took a little nap with Sydney
- Watched Toy Story 3 (Thanks Aunt Lori)
- Took Brett to get a hair cut and sampled some amazing shrimp fried rice...mmm
- Played School with Syd - she's feeling a little bit better
- Hanging out for the rest of the day.
- Great way to end the week. Happy Friday
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
February 1
Wow - February already! As Ryan would say (when he was about 5) - what in the heck? That is now the new catch phrase. It embarrasses him, but it is funny. Everything was what in the heck.
I welcome February. Today it is freezing - or rather below freezing with the highs in the 20's. Ryan isn't feeling well so he has take up camp in my bedroom. Poor little guy.
I used to hate February. February meant Valentine's Day. I hate that holiday. Well, I used to hate it. Now, I have decided that I will make it special for my kids. My mom always made it special for me, and I love that. I've decided to pass that on.
So, welcome February. Here's to taking more pictures of the ones that I love, and loving life a little bit more.
I welcome February. Today it is freezing - or rather below freezing with the highs in the 20's. Ryan isn't feeling well so he has take up camp in my bedroom. Poor little guy.
I used to hate February. February meant Valentine's Day. I hate that holiday. Well, I used to hate it. Now, I have decided that I will make it special for my kids. My mom always made it special for me, and I love that. I've decided to pass that on.
So, welcome February. Here's to taking more pictures of the ones that I love, and loving life a little bit more.
Friday, January 28, 2011
What The Future Holds
The other night an old acquaintance from High School posted a link to a comedy blurb on FaceBook. The blurb was from a person with a name that I recognized. I clicked the link and tried to see if I did in fact know the comedian. I turned it off after the first couple of sentences because of the foul language. I wasn't sure if was the same guy or not, and I wasn't going to listen to the filth to find out. Many people 'liked' the segment and raved about it. Many of these people have all been through the temple, and have made the same covenants that I have made. I'll never know if it was actually funny because I'm not going to try to sort through the beginning to see if there is anything of merit in the end.
Yesterday I was checking status updates on FaceBook and I saw this same comedian name pop up on a mutual friend's wall. I clicked to see if it was in fact the same guy that I knew, and it was.
I'm not going to lie, my disappointment was immediate.
I knew this gentleman. He was the class clown. He was a few years older than me, but he was always doing something funny. Assemblies at the school were fun because of him. He was a great guy. He had high standards, and everyone wanted to be around him.
I wondered about where and when he took the path that he took to get him to 'there' or rather 'here'. Was it the divorce of his parents? He seemed to fare well during school. Can he not be funny anymore without being filthy?
I can only imagine how heartbroken his mother is.
Of course, then I contemplated what the future holds for my own children. I desire with all my heart that they will choose a good path. I try so hard to recognize their individuality. I try to teach them. I hope to protect them, but also allow them to make the mistakes that they need to make so that they can learn. I see so much of me in Sydney. I fear for her at times. I know what I did in life to be accepted. I'm not proud of some of those things, and I don't want her to experience the same pain. She is kind. So far she sticks up for the things she knows to be right. I pray she continues to do so.
Ryan is a good boy too. He is kind. He is at a stage of life right now where he wants to fit in. He was telling us about a kid at school and showing some of the things that he was doing. He laughed, and then he watched to see if I approved. I didn't, but because I didn't, he felt that he was wrong for laughing and he told us that he didn't really like what the kid was doing. I felt bad that I had swayed him. Nothing that this kid was doing was bad. I just thought that he was being an idiot. However, to Ryan, it was funny. We had the discussion that it was more important for him to tell us that - yes, he did like what the kid was doing, rather than telling us no. I'd rather that he feel like he can be honest.
With the world the way it is today, I don't know what the future holds. I just hope that I can help my kids through it all, whatever 'it all' is.
Yesterday I was checking status updates on FaceBook and I saw this same comedian name pop up on a mutual friend's wall. I clicked to see if it was in fact the same guy that I knew, and it was.
I'm not going to lie, my disappointment was immediate.
I knew this gentleman. He was the class clown. He was a few years older than me, but he was always doing something funny. Assemblies at the school were fun because of him. He was a great guy. He had high standards, and everyone wanted to be around him.
I wondered about where and when he took the path that he took to get him to 'there' or rather 'here'. Was it the divorce of his parents? He seemed to fare well during school. Can he not be funny anymore without being filthy?
I can only imagine how heartbroken his mother is.
Of course, then I contemplated what the future holds for my own children. I desire with all my heart that they will choose a good path. I try so hard to recognize their individuality. I try to teach them. I hope to protect them, but also allow them to make the mistakes that they need to make so that they can learn. I see so much of me in Sydney. I fear for her at times. I know what I did in life to be accepted. I'm not proud of some of those things, and I don't want her to experience the same pain. She is kind. So far she sticks up for the things she knows to be right. I pray she continues to do so.
Ryan is a good boy too. He is kind. He is at a stage of life right now where he wants to fit in. He was telling us about a kid at school and showing some of the things that he was doing. He laughed, and then he watched to see if I approved. I didn't, but because I didn't, he felt that he was wrong for laughing and he told us that he didn't really like what the kid was doing. I felt bad that I had swayed him. Nothing that this kid was doing was bad. I just thought that he was being an idiot. However, to Ryan, it was funny. We had the discussion that it was more important for him to tell us that - yes, he did like what the kid was doing, rather than telling us no. I'd rather that he feel like he can be honest.
With the world the way it is today, I don't know what the future holds. I just hope that I can help my kids through it all, whatever 'it all' is.
January 28
- Took Brett to the Dr. He is improving. The pain is lessening and the Dr said that all is well. Will see us in a month.
- Cleaned the kitchen and picked up around the house.
- Puttered around on the piano. I hope that one day I can sit down and just play.
- Realizing even more - I'm not a night person. I'm not a morning person. I am a "I need a lot of uninterrupted sleep person."
- Cleaned the kitchen and picked up around the house.
- Puttered around on the piano. I hope that one day I can sit down and just play.
- Realizing even more - I'm not a night person. I'm not a morning person. I am a "I need a lot of uninterrupted sleep person."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)