Life

Life marches on even when we aren't marching with it. It seems like I am so far behind in all my paper work at school. I am not sure when it will all get done but it will eventually. I have always worked well under pressure! (actually I have had to learn how to:) I really am so excited because I have been able to take a shower in my bathroom. Mike got the grout work done enough so that I can use it. It is turning out so nice. I would post pictures but of course when Kirk was home he got a hold of my camera and twisted the lens and now it won't open. I guess it is time for a new one. I'll have to start saving my pennies so I can purchase another one. Kevin went through the surgery very well, I was very proud of his courage. I love having Shawnee home. She keeps me on my toes in a good way. As I was reading my scriptures this morning I was reminded yet again how quickly we can vear away from doing what we know we should. I was reading about Samuel the Laminite and how he cautioned us to not be prideful and that we need to turn our hearts to the Lord. I pray that I can remember these teaching and act accordingly.

Have you ever gone to an amusement park and gone on one of those rides where you go round and round? Well, sometimes my life feels like I'm going round and round without the ride slowing down. I keep thinking things will slow down but they haven't yet. I started teaching two classes for the teachers at school for university credit twice a week. This is keeping me on my toes. Kirk came home for the weekend. The moment he walked in he was going round and round. He took out a pan from the cabinet, put water in it and proceeded to put it on the stove. He wanted to turn on the stove but he didn't quite now how (I'm counting my blessings on that one). Next, he grabbed the box of Cream of Wheat and started to pour it into the water. I quickly grabbed it before it spilled all over that place. Cream of Wheat is NOT fun to clean up (I know from past experiences). Because I wouldn't give the box back to him he went to the cupboard and grabbed a bad of Macaroni, the little kind you make salad with. The bag hadn't been opened so he squeezed the bag until it popped. Out came little macaroni flying all over the floor (I'm still finding the little elbows under my feet). I quickly grabbed the bag while he went looking for something else to put in the water. Finally I told him I would make it for him if he went and sat down. H e went and sat on the couch for a few minutes while I started to fix supper. Of course he didn't want what I fixed so he ate yogurt. The next morning I went to run some errans while Shawnee watched him. While I was gone he seizured. While I was canning peaches he seizured again. Then he seizured again. It is so hard to watch him go through these knowing we can't do anything at the moment. One feels so helpless. Sometime that day he grabbed my camera and twisted the lens and now I know longer have a camera that works. I guess the comment I made after taking his pictured effected him. I had taken a picture of him and told Shawnee, "I have a few shots of him with this pose". He was sitting on the couch leisurely looking like the king of the couch. After our trip to Red Apple to get more cat food, he was so tired he rested for a few minutes. One never knows what he will investigate next so you need to be on your toes at all times. The stories could continue but for lack of space I'll feel the rest to your imaginations:). Sat. morning Erik was hooking up a heater and didn't realize the power was on and shocked himself. I felt so bad. Juanita came over and helped me finish up the peaches and pears. THANKS! The next day, Sunday was Kirk's birthday, 21 years old. Shawnee made brownies (my favorite) so Juanita and I lit the candles and had him blow them out. We then headed back to Thermopolis to take him back to school. On our way there we came upon a motor cycle accident near Greybull. The body was spread on the ground with the bike over on the side. It was a terrible sight. It really made me realize how fragile life is and how quickly things happen. I offered a prayer in my heart giving thanks that Kirk was okay and that Erik was fine. Kevin goes in for surgery tomorrow. Hopefully all will go well. Life is so short and we never know what is going to happen. Just know that I am so grateful for my children and my husband. I love all my family (those of you out there reading this). Even though sometimes the ride goes round and round and it doesn't seem to slow down, enjoy and rejoice for each moment!

It's so much fun to read everyone's post. There are times when I wish I could reach out and touch some of you. Give you hugs and resure you that even though times are hard there is also so many wonderful blessing we can gain from these hard times. As I reflect on my life I realize that I have been blessed beyond what I deserve but I am so grateful for these blessings. Here are some thoughts I have gathered that I would like to share. The knowledge that Heavenly Father loves us and that we are His Children should give us added strength, comfort, and hope to live this mortal life. We all need to recognize our worth to the Lord. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.” Finding out who you are is one of life’s greatest quests. President Faust explained, “You will be happier if you know who you are and feel good about yourself. Who you think you are and who you really are can be two different versions of yourself. From an eternal perspective, these two version need to come together. God knows you and what you can become because He has known you from the beginning when you were His spirit sons and daughters. What you become will depend in large measure upon how you follow righteous principles and do good works.” President Faust of the Seventy, offer five ideas that might help us learn to like our self. 1. Change Bad Behavior Reframe from repeatedly thinking or saying negative words about yourself—there is a clear difference between humility and humiliation. Only the voice of Satan will cause you to feel of no value and try to make you believe you can not change. 2. Forgive ourselves and others Often we may forgive others but we can’t seem to forgive ourselves. If we offer forgiveness to others, but not ourselves, we are in a sense turning our back on that precious gift of the atonement. To forgive yourself and others, you must trust the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Our Father in Heaven is saddened when we limit the power of His son’s atoning sacrifice. 3. Gain confidence by making good choices We grow and develop by making good choices. Confidence comes as we decide to pray daily, attend sacrament meetings, keep the word of Wisdom, obey our priesthood leaders, read the scriptures and control our bodily appetites. Gordon B. Hinckley: “There is a mighty strength that comes of the knowledge that you and I are sons and daughters of God. Within us is something of divinity. One who has this knowledge and permits it to influence his life will not stoop to do a mean or cheap or tawdry thing. 4. Give Service When you are busy helping others, you will have less capacity to agonize over your own shortcomings. 5. Choose Happiness Optimism is a virtue that allows us to see God’s loving hand in the details of our life. Only you can decide how you are going to feel. Change the way you look at things!

I have been tagged!! A little about me... What are the last 3 things you purchased? * Food- milk & bread & lettuce (what we live on) * Mike's birthday present(His birthday is Wednesday) * Gas (as always) What are the last 3 songs you downloaded? *I don't even know how to download a song! Oh wait, maybe a Sally DeFord song. What were the last 3 places you visited? (do you want places I go all the time or places I have traveled to?) Billings, Sheridan, Thermopolis * Japan as a teacher to learn about their culture and schooling * Utah to see my niece married * Idaho (visiting Shawnee) What are your 3 favorite movies? It's hard to name only three * Scarlet Pimpernel * The Magic of Ordinary Days * Charly What are your 3 favorite possessions? Since my family are not possessions I can't list them but they mean the most to me!! * My home * My testimony of the Savior * My scriptures What are your 3 wishes? * I wish my husband had good health * I wish I could understand what Kirk is thinking and trying to say * I wish everyone would stop complaining and be grateful for what they have (including me!) What are 3 things you haven't done yet? * Go back East * Applied for a principal job * Sing with the tabernacle choir What are your 3 favorite dishes? * Chicken Alfredo Just about anything that is made with chicken * Navajo tacos * Tuna Cheese swirls What are 3 things that freak you out? * I'm not easily freaked but I don't like heights * Being late for anything * ? Name 3 things you are good at? * Teaching children * Leading the music at church * Being calm (most of the time) Name 3 things you are currently coveting I don't covet (alright maybe my new bathroom and bedroom) 3 bloggers I tag Chelsey Kristen Mandi

I have a toilet!!! You can't imagine how much you miss something until you no longer have it. Kevin painted the rooms and Mike put down the flooring (and the toilet) and Erik worked on the wiring. It is all coming together. I will order my carpet tomorrow. Yeah!! There is still lots to do but as Mike said, "We've got more done in three days than we did in two months." It was the first day of school for the kids today. I worked in the office because there was a funeral that several of the workers were at. It was fun to see the teachers bring in the little ones. I heard a tail on my granddaughter. Her and a friend whose grandma's also works at the school were out wondering around when they should have been in class. Very independent!! Cute but watch out!

Twinkle Twinkle

You know that time of evening when the first stars start to appear and you see the first one, do you have the saying, "I wish I may, I wish I might have my wish tonight?" run through your head. Well when I see the stars I think of my son Kirk who learned how to play Twinkle, Twinkle on the piano many years ago and he played for me this weekend. Fun! Hope you enjoy as much as me. If we could capture his learning ability to the verbal language it would be a miracle. He is starting to use more words. The other day he was telling the staff at school he wanted to go home. He kept saying, "Home!" When the staff member ignored him, Kirk went up to her and said, "Speak to me in words!" Do you think he may have heard that before. She just laughed and told him for the hundredth time he was going home on Friday. Thank goodness for great helpers.

My how time flies. I have been busy mudding the front bedroom. Hopefully by the end of next week I can paint the room and them Mike can get started on the tile work. It is starting to look like a bedroom once again. My niece Leslie (Pauline's daughter) called and said she had a little boy on the 25th. With all the fires around the area the sun sets have been beautiful. The sky is filled with oranges and reds. The air is thick of smoke. Well not much else has been happening in my life, So I will sign off for now.