Memorized Sayings

I found that if I memorize sayings 

to say to myself in tempting situations 

that it helps me stay good.  

(A lot of my sins are thought sins.)

Here's one for ANGER:
"I am not going to gain anything by getting angry.  If I get mad I am going to pay a price I don't want to pay.  I can't assume the worst or jump to conclusions.  I can reason this out."

Here's one for EATING:
"I am not going to nourish my body by eating junk.  If I indulge, I am going to pay a price I don't want to pay.  I can't ignore my body and stuff my face. I can find something healthy."

Here's another one for EATING:
"I'll drink water for my thirst,
and eat fruits and veggies first.
I'll eat whole grains if they're seen,
and for protein-beans and lean.
I'll eat slowly and stop when *meet,
and choose fruit if I want sweet."

(*meet meaning satisfied or enough)

Plants and Children

Sometimes this blog just turns into my parenting analysis.

Lately I have been growing a lot of little plants in my kitchen window.

As I take them outside to plant in my yard, I have to consider what their needs are-

Some need a lot of sunshine, some need very little.

This last weekend, my mom commented that my middle children (one in specific)

needs a lot of attention from me.  

I started giving her excuses for how I didn't have time to give them all one-on-one time each day.  

She pointed out that some of my children didn't need it as much.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that children are like plants.

I make sure they all get fed every day, but am I giving them attention or SUNSHINE?

Especially the ones that need a lot of sunshine to grow well?

So, with the work load I carry with taking care of so many children and 

the house and the yard each day,

I found my best one-on-one time is working with them.

It kills two birds with one stone.

Athletic Myriam

Myriam ran the Wellsville Mile yesterday and did great.

Her time was 7:47- which is the exact same time Sadie got in 4th grade!

She has been so excited for it and practiced every day.

She is also a star little soccer player.

It is her first year officially playing on a team...

but she's had plenty of neighborhood and recess experience.

She shocked us at our first game by scoring 3 points and being an incredible defender.

Donny calls her "The Brick Wall."

She's such a tiny little thing, but she is a tough woman- she can really push herself.

I went over to watch her play at recess and it was just her and the boys.

I had a flashback of myself- I loved playing soccer with the boys at recess in Elementary School.

I thought, "Yep- she is my daughter."

I am a Mother!

This mother's day, I went to bed feeling a little guilty.

(Like most mother's do- we realize all day how much better we should be doing)

The biggest thought I kept having is that being a super mom is not being able to DO

a million things, but to be able to truly LOVE of your children.

I think I have to stop DOING so many things 

in order to take the time to really observe and enjoy who they are.

I really have been blessed to raise some choice spirits!

(I love to dejunk... and dejunking my time has to be done regularly

in order to have the things I value most be my greatest focus.)
"BRIDLE ALL OF YOUR PASSIONS that ye may be filled with this LOVE" (Alma 38:12)

I also have to "PULL OUT" and look at them-
When I do, it is so easy to love their cute faces.
Just look at this cute face-