January 30, 2014

Seth's back really started hurting yesterday. He started running and then started screaming in pain. I figured it was a result of his fall.  That was weighing on my mind at night when I was reading my scriptures. I'm using the seminary home study guide. It asked the question what are some things you put your trust in The Lord?  I didn't have a good answer for that because I feel like I trust in the big stuff but lots of the smaller things I try to take care of myself. So I put to on my to do list for the next days scripture time to ponder more things I should trust to Him. Then as I said my prayer the first thing that came to my mind was the blessing Bob gave Seth after he fell. It said Seth would be fine and recover from all injuries from his fall. I knew that I need to trust The Lord in that blessing. I know he will be fine and need to have faith while he heals. 

January 21,2013

I take stess too physically.  I breathe shallow and tense my body even though I don't usually feel like I'm that stressed. So I need to work on that to help my headaches. 

Ideas

Stop and relax all muscles at 10 12 2 and 4. Set alarm on phone. 

Practice deep breathing every time I'm in the car or sit at computer.

Visualize and think about perspective a couple times a day. 

Sleep 8.5 hours a night

October 31, 2013

Bob gave me a blessing at the beginning of school when he did all the kids blessings.

• I'll see the effect my efforts have with the kids and that will encourage me when it's hard and I'm overwhelmed
• I'll find time for myselft and to study the scriptures and communicate through prayer
• I'll have health and find doctor to give me ideas for how to improve health - be inspired
• I'll be able to help and share the anchor of the gospel with friends and neighbors. I'll be example of gospel others are looking for.

October 22, 2013

Priorities in order

Spiritual
Family - relationships.good parenting, activities
Home jobs
Young Women
VT
Missionary work/friendships
Exercise
Me time (tv, blogs, reading)
Personal goals

October 2,2013

Conference.

How do I safeguard my kids against the world? What do I keep them away from? And what do I let them do even though it'll be hard? How do I get them ready for the hard stuff?

     -they must be reading scriptures, saying prayers, bearing testimony

     -I sit with them at bedtime once a week and ask them hard questions. Get them to talk. 

     -use Be Awesome more

     -maybe if we did something with their friends. So they could show their testimony and know each other knows. Make it cool to be righteous at least in front of each other. 

How do I redevelop and where do I use my leadership abilities?

     -family, school, community?

Better wife?

September 23, 2013 family school

I think I'm going to start doing "Family School" with the kids. It started when we went out to dinner with Meema and Peepa and the kids manners were not what they should be and I realized we need to teach that better. Then when we met Bob's friends and visited their farm. She was telling me about how they homeschool and how most of the kids work independently but an hour a day they do family school where she teaches them all something together. I loved that. So we're going to start doing that a couple afternoons a week. Our afternoons are a little disorganized. With homework, lessons and waiting to see if friends can play, the kids usually settle into some time wasting activity. And it's hard for me to organize the kids enough to do anything fun together and I miss that. And some things could be taught at FHE, but by the time Bob gets home and we have dinner fhe is usually only 20 minutes. So family school is going to be perfect!

Here are some of the topics I've thought of for family school. But I need to pray about it. 

Table manners

Guest manners

Poetry or quotes and recite

Read classic books together 

Art and artists

Crafts

Service

Holiday stuff

Cooking

Leadership skills

Qualities and skills they will need to serve where they are needed

Read aloud 2 Nephi 28:7–9. Spend some time memorizing 2 Nephi 28:8. You might want to write it in your scripture study journal from memory or recite it to a family member or friend. In the last days many people will teach false, vain, and foolish doctrines. In your scripture study journal, list a few ways these foolish doctrines are promoted and briefly explain how you can recognize the foolish doctrines of the world and avoid them. (Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students, 2 Nephi, Unit 8: Day 2, 2 Nephi 28)

“We stopped at a water hole to watch the animals come to drink. It was very dry that season and there was not much water, really just muddy spots. … 

“The antelope, particularly, were very nervous. They would approach the mud hole, only to turn and run away in great fright. I could see there were no lions about and asked the guide why they didn’t drink. His answer, and this is the lesson, was ‘Crocodiles.’ 

“I knew he must be joking and asked him seriously, ‘What is the problem?’ The answer again: ‘Crocodiles.’ 

“‘Nonsense,’ I said. ‘There are no crocodiles out there. Anyone can see that.’ … 

“He could tell I did not believe him and determined, I suppose, to teach me a lesson. We drove to another location where the car was on an embankment above the muddy hole where we could look down. ‘There,’ he said. ‘See for yourself.’ 

“I couldn’t see anything except the mud, a little water, and the nervous animals in the distance. Then all at once I saw it!—a large crocodile, settled in the mud, waiting for some unsuspecting animal to get thirsty enough to come for a drink. 

“Suddenly I became a believer! When he could see I was willing to listen, he continued with the lesson. ‘There are crocodiles all over the park,’ he said, ‘not just in the rivers. We don’t have any water without a crocodile somewhere near it, and you’d better count on it.’ … 

“On another trip to Africa I discussed this experience with a game ranger in another park. … 

“He then showed me a place where a tragedy had occurred. A young man from England was working in the hotel for the season. In spite of constant and repeated warnings, he went through the compound fence to check something across a shallow splash of water that didn’t cover his tennis shoes. 

“‘He wasn’t two steps in,’ the ranger said, ‘before a crocodile had him, and we could do nothing to save him’” (“Spiritual Crocodiles,” Ensign, May 1976, 30–31). 

What is the danger of doubting the existence of crocodiles when you can’t see them? How is President Packer’s and the young man’s experience like what Nephi described in 2 Nephi 28:22? 

President Packer explained: 

“Those ahead of you in life have probed about the water holes a bit and raise a voice of warning about crocodiles. Not just the big, gray lizards that can bite you to pieces, but spiritual crocodiles, infinitely more dangerous, and more deceptive and less visible, even, than those well-camouflaged reptiles of Africa. 

“These spiritual crocodiles can kill or mutilate your souls. They can destroy your peace of mind and the peace of mind of those who love you. Those are the ones to be warned against, and there is hardly a watering place in all of mortality now that is not infested with them (Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students, 2 Nephi, Unit 8: Day 2, 2 Nephi 28)

August 22, 2013

Back to school theme: Be Awesome

This is what the kids came up with.

Who was the most awesome person to live on the earth? Jesus

Why?

Never hurt anybody
Played fair
nice
died for us
good example
obedient
perfect

What can we do this year to be awesome like him?

Be nice and kind
Love one another
Serve, help others
Pray for help
Help others to be happy
Choose good friends
Be happy
Good example
Work hard
Be a leader
Learn

July 1, 2013*

I think I'm not dealing with stress well. My headaches and breathing and sleeping are all causing problems. When I specifically prayed and worked on my breathing it got better. I really need help. My headaches are so bad and so common. I need something to change. Here's my brainstorm on what I can do differently.

• Go to bed by 10
• Limit time on computer: work 1 hour at night and no screens after 10 am.
• Morning devotional: read scriptures, ponder and plan day when I get up or after breakfast. 
• Put a few 10 minute meditation breaks into my day
• When I first notice a headache or tension, take care of it: eye drops, meditation break, stretching
• Eat healthier
• Exercise 4 days a week if possible
• Stretch before bed

June 20, 2013

I'm working on the home-study seminary manual for my scripture study. At the end of 1nephi 1 nephi talks about tender mercies. The lessons asks you to write some of the tender mercies you've experienced. So here are some I can think of. I hope thinking about this will help me recognize more of them in my life.

• We were able to buy this amazing house
• We've been able to make enough money to pay for both houses and still be comfortable
• I knew the car wasn't going to stop at the 4 way stop so I waited for it. This happened right after Nicole Boyd shared an experience where she had a similar experience but she heard words tell her the car wouldn't stop. I didn't hear any words. I just peacefully knew what would happen. This is one of the more common ways the Holy Ghost speaks to me. 
• Our friendship with the deans and how all our kids have someone to play with
• 
  

June 19, 2013

• Kids testimonies 
• -teach them my lesson about the Holy Ghost
• Help them recognize and explain how it feels

• YW
• Change class presidency? Isabelle. How will that affect older girls?
• Caylee, Lecates Bridget jasmine delaney. All worry me. 
•      Need to strengthen them and help them see their good traits
• 
  

11/3/2012

Adult Session of stake conference

Impression: limit screens to weekends

Pres. Jones

• Pray and fast for Aaron's tantrums
• Teach him about Holy Ghost - teach him to access it for help

Elder LeSeur

• The goal is to raise children to be good parents
• Parents' primary role is to introduce our kids to the Holy Ghost. He will introduce them to the Savior.
• We need to make our homes an environment where the Holy Ghost is happy to reside
• Ten times better to look for kids doing good and reward than to look for bad and punish
• when you build self esteem you furnish the finest suit of armor possible.
• make your testimony come alive to children.

10/29

Some things that get me frustrated with the kids are when they don't do things or leave messes. So two ideas came to me to help that.

1. need positive reinforcement-sticker chart/marble jar for all kids
2. Need  to train better. So I'll check each kid out of school and let them stay home after lunch on their own day and we'll fully organize their room and I'll train them better on their jobs.

10/28/2012

I need to be more kind and civil with my kids at all time.

• How do I break bad habits?
• How do I let them know I'm disappointed without getting mad?
• If they aren't doing something right maybe I need to assume it's because I haven't taught them well enough.
• I need to look for more opportunities to praise their good deeds and successes

10/21/2012

Money is tight and frustrating sometimes. I was thinking about it and how I'd felt prompted to pray for some new sidework for Bob to be prepared. At least that's what I think it was-something financial at least-back in August. Soon after that our budget began to feel tight and Bob's work at cc bootcamp has almost stopped. So it makes sense that I was to pray for more work for Bob. But that work hasn't come. As I was thinking about it the phrase "Prove me now herewith' came to my mind.  From 3 Ne 24:10. The rest of it says "if I will not open you the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it." So we may not have the blessing I thought we were going to get, but we have been so blessed. So I thought I would keep track of things I notice so I can see how the windows of Heaven have opened to us.

• Bob's grandparents sent us $300 for Halloween out of the blue
• Bob gets his extra paycheck in November this year instead of December like I thought
• I have plenty of website work if I 'll just make time to do it
• I've been learning to be more frugal with grocery shopping and price matching
• I lost my wallet in the doctor's parking lot and before I even knew it was gone, 3 honest people had worked hard to find me and return it
• I lost my keys at the triathlon and someone found them and returned them and just in time so I could still swim in the race.
• my mom bought me lots of new clothes when she visited and gave us some money for staying here
• Bob found out that we can refinance our current house, which should save us $150 per month and we won't have to make a house payment for 2 months.

10/4/2012

Money
We want/need financial blessings. We've been praying about it for months. In August I felt like I should start praying for an opportunity for Bob. I felt like it would happen in Sept or Oct. But that may have been because that's when Bob gets his annual raise.  I increased our fast offering $15. I don't know what a good standard amount is.  But as I was praying about it I thought of Tyler Harris, a teenager convert in our ward. He's getting ready to go on his mission. I think$15 for fast offering will be fine. And we'll also add $15 to the $35 we're putting into the missionary fund and save that $50 every month and give it to Tyler for mission expenses.  3 Ne. 13:32-33

10/3/2012

Brainstorm for things to work on with kids

Danny:

• Goal setting/planning
• media choices
• manners - looking for need and helping others
• hug him - listen to whatever he wants to say

Rachel:

• hug and listen
• look for need and help
• time management

Aaron:

• Talk about negative thoughts at night
• tell him what he does well every day

Seth and Ruby:

• Play more with them

9/30/12

I need to "sit with God" daily. I think Eyring said that.
That makes such a difference in my ability to hear the Holy Ghost.  I want to trust Jesus' example like I learned about at Time out For Women. I have so many things that want my time. I need to follow promptings to know what's most important and get those done.

Ideas for questions for general conference:

• talents for me and kids - Answered by Perry in Sat PM session: as I pray about preparing FHE lessons I'll know what the kids need to build their talents.
• Patience
• Work on Scripture Study and Finding answers in scriptures

9/23/12

Brainstorm for me:

• Who should I befriend and serve? (Erica, Mindy Kaylyn...)
• work on patience and always speaking kindly to kids
• talents to develop - what talents will help "to further His work"
• What does the Lord expect of me?
• how to be better example to bros and sis? Not judge them!
• Bob and I "work harmoniously". What does that mean? Be a team in all we do?
• Ponder what each child will need to help build the kingdom of God on the Earth
• What assignments do I have to help others?

9/19/12

Aaron-practice positive thinking

• Pray with him in mornings
• Talk over day - prep him for his night prayer

October 7, 2012

It's conference weekend.  So great. I had two questions going in to conference.  One was to learn the talents and skills my kids need to develop.  Elder Perry answered that  question for me.  I need to plan better FHE lessons - we've been pretty lazy with this lately.  We have it every week, but it's usually thrown together 5 minutes before.  But as I pray and play out FHE lessons, I'll know what things my kids need and be able to teach them. My other question was how to study the scriptures and get answers through the scriptures better.

We signed Danny, Rachel and Aaron up for basketball in the winter. I didn't think Rachel would be interested, but I didn't even have to talk her into it.  I'm excited for her to try it.  And I recruited several other kids for each team, so I should have some good carpools going.

Danny and I had a big talk about whether or not he could read the Hunger Games.  He's asked before and I just said no.  But he came home from school and said almost his whole class has read it and he really wanted to.  So I really thought about it.  I wanted to make sure I wasn't just saying no because it was easier.  But the whole time I could feel the answer would still be no.  I asked several friends with kids Danny's age and my mom, which just solidified my answer. I told him and he was disappointed for about 2 minutes and then he forgot about it. 

We had an experience a couple months ago where he wanted these bucky balls - little super strong magnets you can shape.  I really didn't like it because their so dangerous and we have little ones in our house.  But in the end I justified it and bought them, mostly so I didn't have to hear all of Danny's arguments and complaining.  They came and I warned Danny really strongly about them.  He played with them for a day or two and then came down one night at bed time completely distraught because he was worried he'd swallowed a magnet and didn't know it.  He had Bob give him a blessing.  And we had a good talk about how I had felt it was wrong to buy the magnets, but didn't listen because I wanted to give Danny what he wanted.  It was a good lesson for both of us that sometimes I know or get inspiration for what's better for him and it isn't always what he wants, but we both need to listen and do the right thing.  We returned the magnets.  I think that experience was helpful with the Hunger Games discussion and was probably the main reason his complaint about my answer only lasted two minutes.