This morning I finally was able to motivate myself and get out of bed. I am feeling much better after visiting the doctor and getting some good ideas on how to deal with my allergies. I feel human again! I had to take advantage of my new bike and go for a bike ride.
Something I am very grateful for is my body. No, I don't like all the wear and tear aging and children, especially, have left on it. But who cares? I have a body and it works! These past few weeks of not feeling like exercising have been miserable. I am a very active person and hate to be stuck otherwise. It was heavenly to get out and moving! I love my body and the amazing things it can do! There is something to be said for exercising in the morning, before everyone and everything is up and going. I was the only person out on the bike trail. I saw numerous rabbits, insects, and various other animals as I rode by a farm. There was a peaceful stillness in the air. And the briskness before the sun has fully warmed everything up. It was so energizing and refreshing. It made me appreciate the beauty around me. It also brought back memories of riding on bike trails through Tyler Park in Pennsylvania or going along the canals by the Delaware River. Talk about beauty! I love being out in nature with no distractions and morning is the best time to do that.
I missed my early morning time to ponder, reflect, and exercise. I am excited to be back at it again. I hope you all take time each day to do something that helps you feel grateful for your body and the beautiful world around you and allows you time to ponder. It's great for perspective and attitude!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Wonderful Birthday
When I was a child, I hated having my birthday on a Sunday. There was no school to have a party at, no place to go, etc. Just boring. Well this year I am loving having my birthday on a Sunday. My husband, family, and friends have been celebrating my birthday all weekend. I feel like a queen!
Friday Marshall and I went on a date. We got dinner at one of our favorite places, Brick Oven. Then it was off to get me a cell phone for my birthday. Crazy, but I've gone all these years without one. I've often thought it would be convenient to have a cell phone, but the clincher was coming upon a neighbor who was on the side of the road with a flat tire. I realized I do not want to be stranded with four kids, especially in the summer. So we got me a cell phone and I love it. The last part of the date, which shows how awesome my husband is, was getting a pedicure. Marshall was willing to come along and get his toes done since it was my choice. I've never had one at a real salon, just at the local beauty school. I loved having my feet pampered and massaged. I even splurged and got a little design painted on my toes. Marshall opted for the clear polish, despite the ladies trying to get him to do a color. He was such a good sport.
Saturday morning my friend took me up to the local art community for breakfast at their neat cafe. It was yummy and all organic food. I had a blue corn waffle with berries, whipped cream, and peanut butter on top and a strawberry smoothie to drink. I was curious how it would all taste, but the meal turned out to be delicious. Afterwards we looked at the art in the studios and shops. I love art, but rarely have the chance anymore to do something like that. It was such a treat! We saw some gorgeous pieces. When I got home, Marshall and the kids had flowers sitting on the table for me and a surprise outside. The kids led me out with my eyes closed and revealed a new bike. I was surprised and so glad since I have wanted one to ride with the kids. It's one of those fun cruiser bikes with the big soft seat and classic frame. I love it! Then my other sweet friend gave me some yummy smelling stuff from Bath & Body Works. I love fun lotions and such!
Today, my actual birthday, Marshall had meetings at church. But he made sure I had something delicious for breakfast by buying orange and raspberry sweet rolls last night for me to eat today. So thoughtful and so yummy! I've enjoyed all the well wishing and phone calls from family. Right now Marshall is making dinner, sun dried tomato cream sauce over pasta. Yum! And for dessert we have a berry pie and an apple pie form the best pie place in the world. I feel pretty spoiled.
So here's to another year of learning, growing, loving, and living. It's been a great 31 years and I know that with my sweet husband at my side it will continue to be a wonderful adventure!
Friday Marshall and I went on a date. We got dinner at one of our favorite places, Brick Oven. Then it was off to get me a cell phone for my birthday. Crazy, but I've gone all these years without one. I've often thought it would be convenient to have a cell phone, but the clincher was coming upon a neighbor who was on the side of the road with a flat tire. I realized I do not want to be stranded with four kids, especially in the summer. So we got me a cell phone and I love it. The last part of the date, which shows how awesome my husband is, was getting a pedicure. Marshall was willing to come along and get his toes done since it was my choice. I've never had one at a real salon, just at the local beauty school. I loved having my feet pampered and massaged. I even splurged and got a little design painted on my toes. Marshall opted for the clear polish, despite the ladies trying to get him to do a color. He was such a good sport.
Saturday morning my friend took me up to the local art community for breakfast at their neat cafe. It was yummy and all organic food. I had a blue corn waffle with berries, whipped cream, and peanut butter on top and a strawberry smoothie to drink. I was curious how it would all taste, but the meal turned out to be delicious. Afterwards we looked at the art in the studios and shops. I love art, but rarely have the chance anymore to do something like that. It was such a treat! We saw some gorgeous pieces. When I got home, Marshall and the kids had flowers sitting on the table for me and a surprise outside. The kids led me out with my eyes closed and revealed a new bike. I was surprised and so glad since I have wanted one to ride with the kids. It's one of those fun cruiser bikes with the big soft seat and classic frame. I love it! Then my other sweet friend gave me some yummy smelling stuff from Bath & Body Works. I love fun lotions and such!
Today, my actual birthday, Marshall had meetings at church. But he made sure I had something delicious for breakfast by buying orange and raspberry sweet rolls last night for me to eat today. So thoughtful and so yummy! I've enjoyed all the well wishing and phone calls from family. Right now Marshall is making dinner, sun dried tomato cream sauce over pasta. Yum! And for dessert we have a berry pie and an apple pie form the best pie place in the world. I feel pretty spoiled.
So here's to another year of learning, growing, loving, and living. It's been a great 31 years and I know that with my sweet husband at my side it will continue to be a wonderful adventure!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Are you grateful for the manna?
We're studying Exodus in Gospel Doctrine and, as always, I am learning a lot. I find the children of Israel amusing. Probably because I can see a lot of my children in them at times and maybe even a bit of myself.
What really struck me this week was the whole manna ordeal. I find it fascinating how it all worked and that the Lord perfectly provided a way to take care of His people. Not very surprisingly since, after all, He is perfect Himself. It's interesting to see how the children of Israel reacted to such a diet. They seemed pretty happy with it at first, and even grateful, though some greedy folks tried to horde manna and had unsavory results because of it. But after awhile, they get tired of eating the same old fare and started to complain. I admit that I've never had to eat the same meal day after day, year after year. I am sure it would get old rather quickly. But what about the miracle of how that food came to be? Don't you think seeing God's hand in it would quiet any complaints and instill humility and gratitude instead? Surely we don't get tired of the blessings the Lord gives us?
Think again. We're not so far off from those traveling Israelites of long ago. What once seems exciting and new, filling us with gratitude, can eventually become old and boring. I applied this concept to my opportunity to be a full-time at home mom. What a blessing, especially in this economy, to not have to go to work. Ever since we've had our first child, I've been at home full-time. I've never had to work. I've never had to put my kids in daycare and I have been here to take care of them, watch them grow, and love them every step of the way. How special! Yet, at times this doesn't always seem like such a wonderful thing. There are those moments when my children drive me batty for hours, days, or weeks on end. Those days when I would give anything to switch places with my husband and get away. Times when I miss working and bringing home a paycheck, some tangible reward for my efforts, as opposed to the clean house, clothes, or dishes that are quickly dirtied. What was once a great blessing can at times be a burden. Why? Because of my attitude. Like the children of Israel, I suffer from periodic blindness when I fail to see the miracle that is. Of course, we all have bad days and are allowed such, but consistent loss of spiritual sight is destructive.
Apply the above concept to any area of your life. Job, money, health, children, church callings, etc. Are you able to see the blessings around you? Or have you allowed yourself to become immune to them? Can you only see with your physical eyes? Everyone has struggles and trials in this life. That's just part of the game. But the Lord blesses each and everyone one of us. Sometimes it is with a tender mercy, small and simple, and other times the blessings are huge. The point is that we all have them in our lives. But do we choose to see those blessings or do we get "bored" with them? Are we grateful for the manna in our lives or are with looking for something more?
What really struck me this week was the whole manna ordeal. I find it fascinating how it all worked and that the Lord perfectly provided a way to take care of His people. Not very surprisingly since, after all, He is perfect Himself. It's interesting to see how the children of Israel reacted to such a diet. They seemed pretty happy with it at first, and even grateful, though some greedy folks tried to horde manna and had unsavory results because of it. But after awhile, they get tired of eating the same old fare and started to complain. I admit that I've never had to eat the same meal day after day, year after year. I am sure it would get old rather quickly. But what about the miracle of how that food came to be? Don't you think seeing God's hand in it would quiet any complaints and instill humility and gratitude instead? Surely we don't get tired of the blessings the Lord gives us?
Think again. We're not so far off from those traveling Israelites of long ago. What once seems exciting and new, filling us with gratitude, can eventually become old and boring. I applied this concept to my opportunity to be a full-time at home mom. What a blessing, especially in this economy, to not have to go to work. Ever since we've had our first child, I've been at home full-time. I've never had to work. I've never had to put my kids in daycare and I have been here to take care of them, watch them grow, and love them every step of the way. How special! Yet, at times this doesn't always seem like such a wonderful thing. There are those moments when my children drive me batty for hours, days, or weeks on end. Those days when I would give anything to switch places with my husband and get away. Times when I miss working and bringing home a paycheck, some tangible reward for my efforts, as opposed to the clean house, clothes, or dishes that are quickly dirtied. What was once a great blessing can at times be a burden. Why? Because of my attitude. Like the children of Israel, I suffer from periodic blindness when I fail to see the miracle that is. Of course, we all have bad days and are allowed such, but consistent loss of spiritual sight is destructive.
Apply the above concept to any area of your life. Job, money, health, children, church callings, etc. Are you able to see the blessings around you? Or have you allowed yourself to become immune to them? Can you only see with your physical eyes? Everyone has struggles and trials in this life. That's just part of the game. But the Lord blesses each and everyone one of us. Sometimes it is with a tender mercy, small and simple, and other times the blessings are huge. The point is that we all have them in our lives. But do we choose to see those blessings or do we get "bored" with them? Are we grateful for the manna in our lives or are with looking for something more?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Still Here
I'm alive. I've just been feeling pretty cruddy due to allergies and taking care of a sick baby. I do have blog ideas, just need to time and coherence to write them. But I am alive!
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