happy weekend

I've been thinking about this all week. Yesterday, Elliot was really mad at Oliver about something, and he said, "Oliver made me so mad!" I think that's our natural response. But someone else can't make us mad. We just let ourselves get mad, which I tried to explain to Elliot, but of course he didn't really understand.

Anyway, sometimes I just have to decide that I'm going to be happy, even when I don't particularly feel that way, and like magic, I become happy (this is another good lesson from the Happiness Project). It's the same for anything, I think. If I decide I am confident, I'll feel more confident. If I decide that I am a runner, I'll feel like a runner. I can be whatever I choose to be. Why it has taken me this long to learn this, I'll never know. Hopefully this is a lesson I can instill in my children at an earlier age.

This week has been filled with routine, and that makes me feel good. And also sort of tired, so I am looking forward to a low-key weekend. I always think I want to have grand weekend plans, but really, I just want us all to hang out at home together and eat pizza.

Doesn't that sound nice? Have a happy one!

happy weekend

Well, we have the first full week of school under our belts and here are my thoughts:

We love half-day kindergarten. I still get my buddy for part of the day, and some time by myself to get stuff done. Plus, Elliot is having a great time at school. It's a total win win. We were able to take some naps, run some errands, and eat lunch together everyday this week. It's been so nice!

Getting up super early day after day is really hard, but completely worth it. It feels like I am being proactive and using my time more wisely.

And I know I've talked about it before, but I think having a routine is so important. My kids need the stability that a routine creates. And so do I! Having a consistent flow to our days makes life at home more predictable, but that means more peaceful, too. It just seems easier to do this during the school year.

Our best times as a family are when we are all home together in the living room. This year, I want to see more of that happen. So while we have piano lessons and homework and scouts and choir and everything else, I am conscious of not adding more to our schedule than is needed. School is busy enough. We need more down time together.

Our weather is ever so slowly inching its way toward fall. I'm even considering stocking up on canned pumpkin. We're still over 100 degrees everyday, but not by much. It's amazing how nice 102 can feel after days of >110. I hope the mornings are crisp wherever you are!

Have a good weekend!

on happiness and swimming

One of my big takeaways from the book, The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin, was to think of things that made me happy as a child, and to try to incorporate more of them into my life as an adult. From the time I was 10 until the end of high school, I was on a swim team. It was something I really liked. (Not the racing, though. Just the thought of stepping on the block and waiting for the gun to go off turns my stomach.) I liked the repetitive nature of swimming laps. I liked being in my own little world, with minimal distractions. It was just me, my foggy goggles, and the water. I realized I missed it. I went back to swimming laps a few times last fall, but I am more committed now.

So once a week, you can find me at the pool. I get there in the dark, and as I swim back and forth, over and over, the sky gradually lightens. When I head home, there is a bounce in my step, a clearness in my mind, and a weariness in my muscles that feels really refreshing.

It is easy to forget about these things that used to be part of me in the midst of having and raising babies. And that's ok, I think. There is a time and a season for everything, you know? I feel like I'm at a point in my life where I can pick up some hobbies or activities that I had left behind. And Gretchen was right, doing these things that used to make me happy still does.

early to rise

With the new school year comes an earlier wake up time for all of us. If I want to exercise in the coolest part of the day and get the kids ready for school on time, I need to be up and out the door by 5:00.

As Mike and I were running this morning, I took a mental stock of myself at that early hour. Yes, it had been hard to get out of bed, but after being up for just a few minutes, I felt full of energy and optimism. I was able to formulate a plan for my morning to make the getting-ready-for-school routine go smoothly. I had time to think about what I would make the kids for breakfast and what I would pack in their lunches. Mike and I were spending time together before he left all day for work. And as a bonus, I was able to see the pretty sunrise.

For this week's Conference Report, I am using an article from our church's magazine, the Ensign, entitled "Filled with Life and Energy". It is a good read, especially if you don't consider yourself a morning person.

The article starts with a story from the life of Elder Marion G. Romney, a previous General Authority. He was feeling quite inadequate in his new call and sought advice from good friend and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Harold B. Lee. Elder Lee told him, "If you are to be successful as a General Authority, you will need to be inspired. You will need to receive revelation. I will give you one piece of advice: Go to bed early and get up early. If you do, your body and mind will become rested and then in the quiet of those early morning hours, you will receive more flashes of inspiration and insight than at any other time of the day."

Elder Romney later recalled, "From that day on, I put that counsel into practice, and I know it works. Whenever I have a serious problem, or some assignment of a creative nature with which I hope to receive the influence of the Spirit, I always receive more assistance in the early morning hours than at any other time of the day."

I have seen this in my own life, too. Things seem clearer first thing in the morning. The solution to whatever I've been struggling with, or worried about, all of a sudden becomes obvious. I am more cheerful, more patient, and better able to handle the stresses of the day. When I wake up early, I feel like I am able to accomplish so much more.

I've noticed that having an earlier bedtime has helped keep the peace in our home. We are winding down and getting settled earlier, before anyone has a meltdown (and that includes me). It feels good to be following this wise advice.

As a final plug, Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "To those who feel defeated and downtrodden, look to the early hours of the day for your rescue."

It is these early hours that have provided mine.


You can read the whole article here.

happy weekend

This is why I chose half day kindergarten right here. He had started to give his naps up during the summer, but school wipes him out just enough so that we find ourselves having a little lie down after lunch. Thank goodness.

This week I have been reminded of the truth that everyone is happier when they have work to do. Forming a routine is key at our house. We've fallen into a nice one already, and it feels great. There is a purpose to our days that was sometimes lacking during summer break (which is how it should be, I think). But I am grateful for this new school year, for the fresh start, and the opportunity for growth for all of us.

I like where we are and who we are becoming.

Have a happy weekend!

p.s. Mike made a Facebook page for my blog. I don't know how it works, or why a blog even needs a Facebook page, but if you'd like to follow along there, here is the link.

at the cabin

About two and a half hours from this hot, hot valley, is a place where huge pines cover the land and storms roll in every afternoon. Where sweaters are required, even in August. Lucky for us, Mike's parents bought a cabin there this summer and gave us a copy of the key. We went up for the first time last weekend and had such a nice trip. We can't wait to go back!

S'mores the first night, of course.

Not sure why this shop sells Alien statues, but my kids were fans.

My favorite part of the whole weekend, aside from the incredible weather, was the lack of electronics. There was no tv, no iPads - I didn't even bring my phone! It was so relaxing. We read books, played board games, went for walks, and explored outside. It was such a nice escape. I think we like the small town life. Thanks Heber, we'll be back!

first day

They're off! Mabel and Oliver left early this morning to catch their bus. They are in 8th and 5th grades this year. Last year, when they started at their new school, they were understandably very nervous. This year, I think they are just looking forward to seeing their friends again. And their bus driver. He's our favorite.

Stella and Elliot left a while later, for 2nd and kindergarten. Their school is just across the park behind our house, so we go out the back, through our gate. They were pumped. Elliot is in the half day class, so I'll be back to pick him up soon enough.

And now the house is quiet. And the beds are made. And this freedom feels really great. Hooray!

43 years

I've learned a lot about marriage from watching my parents. They've been through it all together - sickness, health, highs, lows, and everything in between. I am thankful for their example of steadfastness, loyalty, and unconditional love. Happy anniversary to them!

lose yourself

School starts on Wednesday, so it is time to put a new family theme up on our chalkboard. I thought and thought and prayed and prayed about what our theme should be this school year. In a moment of inspiration, I opened the New Era (our church's magazine for teenagers) and saw President Monson's message, Lose Yourself in Service. It was just what I was looking for.

He says: "The Savior taught His disciples, 'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.' (Luke 9:24)

I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish -- and in effect save their lives."

A friend once told me that when she was growing up her mother often said that she should spend as much time getting herself ready in the morning as she needed - to pick out an outfit, and do her hair and makeup, etc. But as soon as she stepped out the front door, she needed to forget about herself and think about others instead.

This is what I want for my children this year. I want them to lose themselves, to not be so concerned with their own worries that they can't see the people around them who might need help. If I can get them to look outside of themselves more this year, I think it will be a success, regardless of how well they do on their school work.

President Hinckley, our previous prophet, said this: "There are opportunities all around to stretch our lives and our interests in behalf of others. My plea is--if we want joy in our hearts, if we want the Spirit of the Lord in our lives, let us forget ourselves and reach out. Let us put in the background our own personal, selfish interests and reach out in service to others."

It is easy to get caught up in our own worries, insecurities, and needs. But I know that when I put those things aside and focus on someone else, I am happier. And those things that were so bothersome to me before don't seem so important anymore. This is what I want my children to know.

happy weekend

We woke up this morning to thunder, but no rain. I am hoping the rain comes soon. We need a good storm to start off the weekend. My in-laws bought a cabin in the nearby mountains recently, so we are headed there for a bit later today as a last hurrah before school starts next week. I am looking forward to wearing jeans and maybe even a sweater and hunkering down inside while it storms.

I've been trying to get us back on a school-appropriate bedtime routine around here. We are easing ourselves into it. We did pretty well this week, and still had time to read in bed - my favorite.

Have you read anything good lately? I just picked up Pope Joan at the used bookstore and I am looking forward to cracking it open.

Have a fun weekend!

living the dream

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm living the dream. That this life didn't just happen to me, but that I chose it. This is important to remember because sometimes I feel like this life requires more than I have to give - or at least more than I have to give with a good attitude. But that isn't true. I can be kind, even when I am feeling tired or hungry or overwhelmed. I can be cheerful when I really just want to be alone. I can look above the mundane and see the divine. But it takes effort, and sometimes I don't feel up to the challenge. The good news is that tomorrow is always a new day, and I can try again.