Yesterday in R.S. meeting, a sister made a comment about her Tom Tom (GPS Navigation System) Her point was that she appreciated that when she missed her turn or exit, instead of yelling at her, "Why didn't you turn? Are you stupid. You might as well go back home if you can't figure it out!" (or something like that.) Instead, it thinks for a minute and then recalculates and moves on. And she compared that to parenting. How she wishes that many times throughout raising her kids, she wished that she could have paused to think, made adjustments, let things go and just move on. Unconditionally forgiving, like our Father in Heaven. Not badger her kids, bring them down, or get too upset too quickly. But instead, strive to be encouraging and bolstering to pick up the pieces, etc and just move on. So to speak.
I've thought about that A LOT since then. What a wonderful insight. My new agenda...to be thoughtful, kind, slow to rebuke and forgiving...just like Geof, my GPS. ***inside joke. when we were expecting June and not knowing whether she was pink or blue, we needed two names. So my brother Dale suggested for a boy, Geof Patrick so his initials would be GPS. Well, that didn't work out so I named the GPS Geof instead***
Of course this only works if you turn off the u-turn feature.
Otherwise it will be the kind of parent I'm trying to avoid. "Make a U-Turn. As soon as possible, make a U-Turn! Why can't you figure this out!!" Etc.
Not Pretty
Another GPS story for your reading pleasure but mostly so that I'll remember it:
Late last week I decided to venture to downtown Portland. Not something I usually do on my own (without my other GPS, the Husband) But when I do go solo, I am extremely grateful for that fine navigation system. I get so nervous downtown. With all the one-ways, and light rails, pedestrians and crazy traffic. Even though my GPS tries his hardest to tell me where and when to turn, somehow I still mess it up...BAD! As I did this trip. With all the excuses in the world, I COULD NOT figure out how to get back on the freeway after I somehow got off of it - with out trying to. *don't judge, its pretty hard to concentrate when I've got back, back seat drivers and screaming, singing, laughing, crying from 4 silly toddlers all at once*** After awhile, I told the boys that they were just going to have to say a prayer to Heavenly Father that I would be able to figure out how to get us back on the freeway so we could get home. They both asked what they should say. So I made some suggestions and I turned around to see both of them with their arms folded, eyes scrunched and praying that mom could get them home. Instantly, I was able to make the turn I needed and get on the freeway. So of course I yelled, "It worked! You boys prayed to Heavenly Father for me and it worked! He heard your prayers and answered them soooo fast. He must really love you crazy kids!" They were ecstatic over it. And couldn't wait to get home and tell dad all about it. So inspiring. These little rotten are so incredibly close the the Spirit. How I long for that, too. They get so excited about the simplist gosple principles and are eager to put them in action.
While we're at it...another story:
Lane is such a good helper to me. He plays the role of oldest quite well, a little too well at times but that's not for now.
Back to the positive attributes of being the oldest.
He always takes Nora's hand when we are walking to and from the car without even being asked. I've always made my kids hold hands so that's nothing new, I just appreciate that he does it without be asked.
Anyway, yesterday as we were walking out of church, Lane held Nora's hand to the car. When we got inside he said, "When we touch Nora, she feels our love! Just like when Jesus touches us, we feel his love!' And Kyle pipes in with, "And when we touch Jesus, he feels our love!"
I LOVE, love, love sweet little toddler spirits. Don't you?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, November 1, 2009
10 years vanished
This morning I re-read through the last post I wrote.
Did I go into a 10 year coma? Was I asleep? How did I not realize I forgot 10 years of my life?
I announced that my one and only sewing class was in 7th grade - 11 years ago. I even spelled it out for emphasis! Really, 11 years ago? So, suddenly I'm 23?!
One might find it impressive that I have been married just one month shy of 6 years and have 4 kids (the oldest being 5) and only be 23. No, it isn't so. 23 was 10 years and 15lbs ago...
23. What was I doing when I was 23? I was living with my older brother. Toilet papering houses and saran wrapping cars, going to a lot of great concerts at dive venues with my friends. Trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had braces. Well, I got them off at 23. I was having a fantastic time. Though it wasn't all games and shenanigans. That year I went through the Temple for my own Endowments. I had fun, crazy, supportive friends who embraced my strange quirks and I was really where I wanted and needed to be.
I suppose that the last 10 years were so full and action packed that they came and went before I could realize that I was older. Traveling, more concerts, getting married, immediately having 4 kids, moving across the country multiple times. Being busy with 4 kids, going to too many doctors appointments. Stitches, food allergies, ezcema, etc. In my mid 30's. (driving a Honda Odyssey) And still exactly where I want and need to be. Here's why:
While I'm not fond of the addition of the wrinkles and aches and 15 lbs. (and cleaning up the messy mud) I am quite keen on all of the other additions. I don't want to loose those 10 years. How lucky that I was too busy being blessed with such an amazing, crazy,challenging, stressful, happy life to loose track. I couldn't even image not having all of this...
The End.
Did I go into a 10 year coma? Was I asleep? How did I not realize I forgot 10 years of my life?
I announced that my one and only sewing class was in 7th grade - 11 years ago. I even spelled it out for emphasis! Really, 11 years ago? So, suddenly I'm 23?!
One might find it impressive that I have been married just one month shy of 6 years and have 4 kids (the oldest being 5) and only be 23. No, it isn't so. 23 was 10 years and 15lbs ago...
23. What was I doing when I was 23? I was living with my older brother. Toilet papering houses and saran wrapping cars, going to a lot of great concerts at dive venues with my friends. Trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had braces. Well, I got them off at 23. I was having a fantastic time. Though it wasn't all games and shenanigans. That year I went through the Temple for my own Endowments. I had fun, crazy, supportive friends who embraced my strange quirks and I was really where I wanted and needed to be.
I suppose that the last 10 years were so full and action packed that they came and went before I could realize that I was older. Traveling, more concerts, getting married, immediately having 4 kids, moving across the country multiple times. Being busy with 4 kids, going to too many doctors appointments. Stitches, food allergies, ezcema, etc. In my mid 30's. (driving a Honda Odyssey) And still exactly where I want and need to be. Here's why:
While I'm not fond of the addition of the wrinkles and aches and 15 lbs. (and cleaning up the messy mud) I am quite keen on all of the other additions. I don't want to loose those 10 years. How lucky that I was too busy being blessed with such an amazing, crazy,challenging, stressful, happy life to loose track. I couldn't even image not having all of this...
The End.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
bandwagon
So I've decided to jump on and go for it. Its time for me to make this blog private. I haven't posted in awhile (for a few reasons) and one is because I was trying to decide if I wanted to conform with the masses. Yes, I do.
I have no idea how many people aside from my own family even look at this silly nonsense. But if you do and you want to continue, email me at zonazag@gmail.com and I'll include you in the invite. (Even if you are a blog lurker and we've never met and you feel silly to confess...I've been there and done that and confessed and was glad that I did.)
There's so much to catch up on! So many pictures and crazy cake adventures. I'll start with that tomorrow. The blog won't go private for another few weeks...no worries. And then I'll feel so much better about posting more often and being more open about what really goes on around here!
What to expect in the next few days??
We're gearing up for Halloween around here. I've never been too keen on the holiday but now with the little monsters we have hanging around...its been kind of fun to decorate and just have fun with it. Good grief, I'm realizing more and more how much of a party pooper I have been for so long.
And, I've been spending many nights pretending that I know how to sew. With the one semester of sewing I took in 7th grade eleven (11 - that's right) years ago, I've made bedspreads, crib bumper, curtains and valance, crayon roll holder things, superhero capes. None of it is very pretty and probably looks like a 7th grader did it but having no patterns to go buy and just making it up, I must admit that I am kinda proud of myself for doing it. ...pictures coming...
Little Nora! We found out that she can't eat any proteins. So its not so much specific food allergies but that her body can't break down and digest proteins. YIKES! I really need to get help on that one. So all the beans and grains and sunflower seed butter and coconut milk, etc that I was feeding her...all bad news. I felt so awful for that. Sorry sister : (
and on. and on. and on...
I have no idea how many people aside from my own family even look at this silly nonsense. But if you do and you want to continue, email me at zonazag@gmail.com and I'll include you in the invite. (Even if you are a blog lurker and we've never met and you feel silly to confess...I've been there and done that and confessed and was glad that I did.)
There's so much to catch up on! So many pictures and crazy cake adventures. I'll start with that tomorrow. The blog won't go private for another few weeks...no worries. And then I'll feel so much better about posting more often and being more open about what really goes on around here!
What to expect in the next few days??
We're gearing up for Halloween around here. I've never been too keen on the holiday but now with the little monsters we have hanging around...its been kind of fun to decorate and just have fun with it. Good grief, I'm realizing more and more how much of a party pooper I have been for so long.
And, I've been spending many nights pretending that I know how to sew. With the one semester of sewing I took in 7th grade eleven (11 - that's right) years ago, I've made bedspreads, crib bumper, curtains and valance, crayon roll holder things, superhero capes. None of it is very pretty and probably looks like a 7th grader did it but having no patterns to go buy and just making it up, I must admit that I am kinda proud of myself for doing it. ...pictures coming...
Little Nora! We found out that she can't eat any proteins. So its not so much specific food allergies but that her body can't break down and digest proteins. YIKES! I really need to get help on that one. So all the beans and grains and sunflower seed butter and coconut milk, etc that I was feeding her...all bad news. I felt so awful for that. Sorry sister : (
and on. and on. and on...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Who is that little boy?
Could it really be Kyle? Our rebel-rouser mop head?
WHAT HAPPENED?!
He's been asking and asking to get his hair cut short so he can have "spikes like dad"
We've been dreading it. Why?
What's the big deal, right? He's a 3 year old boy!
But his hair...its Kyle!
He loves it.
I'm working on getting used to it.
Lets think positive for a minute: And at least now its easier to clean him up after playing in the dirt and mud! He hated getting his hair washed and combed. So we won't have to worry about that for awhile.
Problems: now we have to get it cut more than 3 times a year!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
It has come to my attention
that I almost killed my family. And the missionaries. If you'll remember the (peach pit )
according to wikipedia: As with many other members of the rose family, peach seeds contain cyanogenetic glycosides, including amygdalin (note the subgenus designation: Amygdalus). These substances are capable of decomposing into a sugar molecule and hydrogen cyanide gas. While peach seeds are not the most toxic within the rose family, that dubious honor going to the bitter almond, large doses of these chemicals from any source are hazardous to human health.
according to wikipedia: As with many other members of the rose family, peach seeds contain cyanogenetic glycosides, including amygdalin (note the subgenus designation: Amygdalus). These substances are capable of decomposing into a sugar molecule and hydrogen cyanide gas. While peach seeds are not the most toxic within the rose family, that dubious honor going to the bitter almond, large doses of these chemicals from any source are hazardous to human health.
oops!
*we're all fine and healthy...it was just ONE pit*
*we're all fine and healthy...it was just ONE pit*
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
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