Sunday, April 26, 2009

Fishing Day





Our pretty little boy borrowed Ellie's sweater and went fishing with his dad!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Quilting with Grandma


When I was in the 5th grade, Grandma Jolley introduced me to quilting. After school, I would walk to her house, and we would make a square. She taught me a method that involved cutting out a square piece of newspaper, and then sewing strips to each other right on the square, and ironing them out. After we made the squares, she put them all together and tied it and bound it for me. Since then, the quilt has been used for each baby to play on as well as a decoration, and I think of her when I see it.
"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure".
This is just one memory of my wonderful grandma. She always wore a smile and she always made you feel like being with you was the most important thing she could be doing at the moment. How I miss her!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Things I've learned...

It's my birthday. I'm 34. I love this age. I love having little children and being healthy enough to do about anything (within reason-- no marathons here) and being American and having the gospel in my life... on and on. I never would have known the blessings that would be mine at this age. The thing that amazes me is that the Savior was gone before he would turn 34. He lived a life of perfection in such a short time! I'm so in awe of him, and so grateful for him.
I have learned that...
"That man is greatest who is most like Christ".. Ezra Taft Benson
Writing in my journal brings me happiness, later.
Children respond better to soft voices.
Stress is overrated.
It's better to keep up than catch up.
Work before play, that's what I say.
Compliments motivate better than criticism.
Some of the best moments are unplanned.
Simple whole foods are the very best ones.
A couple must be equally yoked!
The Book of Mormon is really, truly, true.
There are good people and beauty to be found wherever you live.
The laundry basket will never be empty.
You may only have one chance today to read to a child. Take it.
A fire needs constant stoking.
Laughter is some of the best music.
I am truly fed by good literature.
Memories can be created without spending money.
The real superheroes of this world are the priesthood bearers.
When we look upon our life as a ministry, everything changes (Sheri L. Dew--paraphrased)
My husband is a super good kisser, and gets better every day. In fact, I better go check.
I enjoy being a cheerleader. And not just for sports.
Our Ancestors are involved in our lives.
Busyness interferes with the spirit.
When I get up early "the day takes care of itself"- Gordon B. Hinckley
Happiness comes when we "find joy in the journey--now". Thomas S. Monson
I never regret following the spirit, and the spirit will never over-program me.
Wickedness never was happiness-- Alma 41:10
Hydrogen Pyroxide removes protein stains. I still don't know what removes spaghettios.
"In their beginning was their end"--I don't remember the author. But think about it.
Matching socks is really, really hard for me.
I like to clean my bathroom with paper towels.
God's creations will always be better than man's.
I tend to think I can do everything, and then the Lord shows me otherwise.
If you spend 10 minutes straightening at night, the morning looks a lot better.
I am glad to live in a day of so many great inventions.
The people we are surrounded by will teach us all the lessons in discipleship we could ever learn.
It's a blessing that we all see the world differently.
"Just living is not enough. One must have rain, sunshine, and a little flower" (I don't remember the author)
No one sees your children the way you do.
Home made gifts are the best.
Children can sense pure intent.
Live performance is 100 times better than a recording-- flaws and all.
Budgeting brings the spirit into financial affairs.
The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:3
Children are truly "An heritage of the Lord". Psalms 127:3
The veil is there for a reason, and the Holy Ghost whispers for a reason.
Charity never faileth (!) 1 Corinthians 13
Trends are just that.
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"-- Eleanor Roosevelt
The Lord will reveal to us as much as we are ready to receive.
There are certain things that are not worthy of a mother's time. I'm still learning that one.
There are souls on the other side waiting for our help.
We should "withhold not good from them to whom it is due, if it is in the power of [our] hand to give it" Proverbs 3:27
"Remember the first two commandments and the golden rule, and you'll be just fine"-- President Bruce Dredge
"A minute on the lips, forever on the hips" Molly Stein
"Don't expect perfection if you aren't offering it"-- My mom
When I prepare, I am at peace.
Play is a child's work.
The Glory of God is intelligence. Doctrine & Covenants 93:36
"Everyone wants to be loved"-- My aunt gay
"Nothing good happens after 11 oclock" Gordon B. Hinckley
Walking through a grocery store by myself is now, strangely, therapeutic in some way.
The less goods we consume, the less we have to take care of, and the more time we have.
People appreciate punctuality. (Still working on that one).
You never know how much time you have with a person.
"Seek first to understand, then to be understood" Stephen Covey?


I'm grateful for my husband, who took our four children out for a while so that I could just blog on my birthday....

Puzzled

I think there is not a 5 year old who loves puzzles more than this boy!

A few funnies

Some of the fun things I've heard my children say:

(Brinley read the following quote:) "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window". Her logical reply to this was, "I know why! Because he needed to get some fresh air!"

Saxton was running around doing tricks for me. Then he came and laid beside me and I felt his heart. I told him his heart was beating really fast! He said, "Is it because I have been a weawy, weawy good boy?"

We had our Aunt Krissy over for a night. She is currently expecting a baby. We were all in the kitchen, and Cory needed a drink. Brinley said, "Dad! You shouldn't drink Aunt Krissy's drink, because if you do, you might have a baby!

We had recently read The Three Little Pigs. I was making aebelskivers one morning, and I was telling Saxton that "They will puff", He said, "and they'll huff and they'll puff and they'll huff and they'll puff?"

Grandma Sue's Birthday

She's glamorous.
She's thoughtful.
She's so fun.
She has a lot of grandchildren.
She's the best mom I could ever imagine!
I love you!








Happy Day!


This was one of the top ten days of my life! Seeing my brother sealed to his sweet wife and beautiful kids was so very heavenly! We love you, Jolley forever family!

Princess Academy

What a fun read! I am so impressed with the way Shannon Hale uses metaphors and language! She is a master at the art of telling a tale. And her books are wonderfully clean! I highly recommend also "The Goose Girl", and I'm now reading "Enna Burning". Thank you to an author who hasn't lost the gift of uplift!

Easter Fun

The Easter Bunny brought Sidewalk Chalk and Diving toys!

Dresses I made out of fabric that was already gathered! Easy!


They would have dyed 6 dozen if we had them!




Candy hunting at Grandma Sue's



















A great Easter Egg hunt in Bancroft, Idaho!





Cory played a Centurion for an Easter Cantata. He asked Ellie if he was dramatic enough, and she said "It was a little bit much."


Dear Ellie,
You brought Dad and myself so much JOY today!
You were GRATEFUL when I made your dress,
KIND when you wrote me a note,
REVERENT during church,
CREATIVE to think of a picnic,
FUN when you hid Easter eggs for your brothers,
HELPFUL to clean up the kitchen,
COMPASSIONATE when we visited Sister Taylor,
FUNNY during our game of tag,
SWEET with your hugs.
You gave me a wonderful Easter.
I love being your mom!