Many of you probably heard about Hurricane Ida, not because it was dangerous but because it was the only hurricane to hit the US this year, so the news channels got a little excited. I'll admit even I had my nervous moments as the storm blew closer, and voluntary evacuation orders for our area went out. I double checked our 72 hour kits, and kept several storm watch internet windows open. Thankfully it came and went over our home as little more than a windy, stormy night. The next day skies were gray, the seas were a bit high, but the area was safe. We visited the beach and admired a view of unusually high, rough waves and cool strong winds. Staring out at the sea causes many to pause and ponder about life. In my gratitude this storm was mild, my thoughts of course turned to what I was most grateful for. There's a much read scripture in the Book of Mormon. It's in 3 Nephi 14, verses 24 and 25. They are words spoken by the Savior during his visit to the Americas, after his death and resurrection in Israel.
24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock— 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.
The "rock" of course represents the Savior and his gospel. My thoughts turned to what are protected in that "house upon a rock". Everything that is most precious to me is in my home. Thankfully they are also what I can bring with me should we need to evacuate- my family. By "house" the scripture isn't referring to a structure, but to our families, the most important thing we build, fortify, and love. Occasionally it takes a storm or even hurricane to remind us what is most precious. The rough rains and winds tear down worldly walls, and cause us to focus all our energy on protecting what is most dear. I'm grateful the strength our faith in the Savior and obedience to his laws brings to our family. In a way, I'm even grateful for hurricanes.
Here's a slideshow of family visits to the ocean, ending with our stop at the beach after Hurricane Ida. It may be difficult to see the difference in the photos, but the waves that day were very high for our usually mild, quiet beach on the gulf. We've seen days where the beachfront water is as smooth and clear as glass. Have that in your mind when you look at the rough waves in those later photos!
While I was home visiting my family, my little brother was writing an essay for an English course. The prompt for the essay was to write about one of the most important lessons he'd learned in his life. I heard him call out into the kitchen, "Hey Mom, what's the most important lesson I've ever learned?"
We laughed, and gave various silly suggestions such as "Wash your hands after going to the bathroom". Then my mom called back, "How about, there's a right way to live and be happy?"
My brother and I recognized those words as the first line to a children's song we learned at church, and chimed in together:
There's a right way to live and be happy, it is choosing the right every day. I am learning the teachings of Jesus they will help me and show me the way
My mom smiled, but said, "I think that's the most important lesson Dad and I have ever taught you. There is a right way to live and be happy".
Everyone is searching for happiness. It is what even the most empty, cruel people on earth secretly want, but have forgotten what it's like, or even how to search. I believe there is not only one way to be happy that is right for everyone, but that knowing that right way is not enough.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I can personally testify that church is directed by God himself. It is his true church, and through it we all may have spiritual direction and guidance towards everything that is wonderful and happy. The gospel knowledge of that faith is beautiful, and true. I invite anyone who wants to know the right way to live and to find real happiness, to read The Book of Mormon, and decide for yourself through prayer if it is true. If you are seeking the truth with faith, you will love what you have found.
However knowing the truth about how to live will not be enough. With that truth comes living it everyday. I draw focus to this thought, because it is something that has been on my mind recently. I have seen people I love and care about, who share the same gospel truth I do, make bad decisions that fill their lives with trials and sorrow. They and others wonder, was there something different that could have been done? Could those roads taken been avoided? I think they can.
"it is choosing the right everyday . . . "
Try choosing to read the scriptures for 15 minutes instead of catching the last 15 minutes of a television show, and then making that choice again the next day, and then the next. If you're a new parent, may I suggest raising your children so they don't have a memory of a night they didn't sit as a family, and read the word of God, or pray together. If your children are older, start now, and be consistent. Not sometimes, not occasionally, not when you get around to it. Occasionally will easily turn to infrequent, which will turn to never. A once spiritually dedicated family, will turn to one that is confused, weak, and failing. The family will begin to feel comfortable in a mediocre dedication to the gospel, which results in a casual attitude towards obedience. However a family that is consistent in it's daily gospel habits, is one that is consistently happy, and constantly knows what is right. Choose who you will serve every single day, not once in your life. It isn't just one way to be happy. It is the way. It sounds so basic and simple, almost ludicrous. Can 15 minutes a day of scripture study save a family? Is one little prayer everyday before school or work really going to make a difference? Try it for yourself. You wont be disappointed, and neither will your family. You will never look back on that time with regret.
If someone knows how to summarize in words all the combined emotions of having a deployed spouse home again, I'm impressed. I don't think I'm even going to try to describe how great it is. Either you already know, and would be reading what you've felt yourself, or you don't have to know, so why suffer through a sappy description? Instead I've made a little list of silly things that have surprised me in how un-silly they are to have again, now that my sweetheart is home. Just to be different, I'm listing 11. We all have a tendency to make lists of 10. Here's my attempt at being nonconformist.
1. Creaks and noises at night don't make me nervous anymore
2. There's someone else to answer the call of, "Mommy, there's poop on the rug!"
3. When we're driving as a family somewhere, I can safely turn to look at the girls, or grab things they dropped
4. I don't need my cellphone on me every waking moment
5. I don't feel the need to check my email every time I walk by the computer
6. It's rewarding again to make a nice meal for dinner
7. The question, "Which do you want to do, the supper dishes or bathe the girls?" is so much better than "Which should I do first . . .?"
8. When the sodas, cookies, candy, chips, etc. start to disappear, I know it's not because I ate them all myself
9. When I want hugs and kisses, I get them
10. Spiders and ugly bugs are a "Daddy" thing again
11. My house being filled with the confusing sounds of 3 simultaneous games of college football streaming in from internet radio, ESPN.com, and the tv doesn't bother me in the least
Welcome back, Scott. We missed you more than we can say . . .
#1. I wont post more pictures than would overwhelm the average viewier
We all have busy lives, and spending 20 minutes looking at photos of other people's kids doesn't usually make the top of a "to-do" list.
#2. I wont add a new post more often than every week or so
I want to give friends and family time to look at what I last posted before something new is up.
I guess all this time away from Scott has scrambled my brain a bit, because this is the 4th photo-slideshow I've posted . . . in 4 days. Honestly, Scott being gone is a major factor to my rule breaking. I'm posting them for him. If anyone else just happens to want to see the faces of my family over 100 times in 4 days, I've made it easy for you!
Last but certainly not least . . . Merrylee's First Birthday Photos!!!
For Merrylee's birthday we went to the Fall Festival at Cox Farms. It was a perfect day. We sure missed Daddy. He would have loved being there too. If you feel a little photoed out after my last slideshow, or think you may have something better to do than sit and watch 75 beautiful, fall-festive pictures slowly glide by, don't worry. I didn't make this for you.
More pictures to come of Merrylee's first cupcake, and opening her gifts.
No one will forget this date 8 years ago. As we remember with prayerful respect and gratitude those who lost their lives, let us also remember those who survived. Let us be better friends, neighbors, brothers, sisters, daughters and sons. May we all remember what's important in life, and be grateful for what we did not lose that day.
Scott asked me to post video of the girls he can watch while he's gone. Merrylee seems to be growing and changing the most, so this post is all about her. This is a lot of footage for someone other than a parent, grandparent, or possibly adoring aunt or uncle. I understand of course why it'd be hard to watch it all. It's all too easy to feel overwhelmed by all that sweet baby cuteness. We're around her all the time you see, so we can handle it. Don't feel bad if after a minute or two you feel inadequate to the task of finishing it. She is pretty cute. Not many people are used to so much concentrated sweetness. Just relax, and watch as much as you can handle. You can always take a break, come back and finish watching it later.
Usually I don't post more often than every week or so. I want to give my friends a chance to read my notes or messages before I've put up something new. This couldn't wait though. This little youtube video filled me to the brim with encouragement, and reminded me yet one more time that I'm not doing this alone. As soon as I watched it, I knew I had to pass it on.
I couldn't help but relate to how Sister Dalton talks about how she feels towards those on the sidelines cheering her on. She thinks, "they don't understand. I still have so much farther to go . . ."
I've had similar thoughts these past few weeks. However this video helped me realize while my friends and family may not understand, they still love me, and are on my side. They want me to succeed and be happy, and are cheering me on. Of course the one person who knows exactly what is in my heart and precisely what I'm going through, has been with me every single step of the way, and will be there until the very end. My gratitude goes to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I can feel him pushing me forward, even on days when I'm sure my strength has run out.
A good friend posted this youtube video on her blog, and I've had a hard time resisting copying the idea. Ever feel a bit embarrassed at how much you like a silly, simple, trendy song? You can't help it, you just love it! Well, I love Taylor Swift's Love Story. In this video, Jon Schmidt, a popular pianst, has arranged it along with Coldplay's Viva La Vida, another song I enjoy. I've been put in my place by a more educated musician than myself (whom I know and love) with the not-so-subtle reminder that this isn't music at it's best, in fact it's composition is pretty simple. She's right of course. It's no Bach or Chopin. I don't care. I love this arrangement. I've listened to it close to 50 times now, and it still gives me goosebumps. Not to mention, Jon Schmidt and his friend on the cello look like they're having so much fun as they play! It makes just about everyone who ever took a piano class, wish they hadn't given it up, or still practiced. Enough of my mindless comments. Just watch it, and I dare you not to like it!
By the way, I'd like to dedicate this post to a few people:
1. Scott, love of my life, who I miss so much, and think of whenever I hear any song with the tiniest hint of romance- not excluding Disney and Barbie songs from Anny's movies 2. Emma, who first posted this video on her blog and introduced it to me 3. Anny, my three year old, who's just as crazy about Love Story aka Princess Song as I am, and knows every word 4. The accompanying orchestra, which isn't represented in the video, but none-the-less add so much to the music (in other words, violinists rule!) 4. Katie, my sister, who's pretty much Jon Schmidt's #1 fan. She drew a picture of him once, and spent about 3 hours on the shading of his upper lip. It's probably the best drawing she's ever done
Day 4 of my husband's deployment, and already I feel heartbroken, and miss him like crazy. Yesterday was especially difficult, because I had to spend our 5th anniversary without him. We're being watched over though. Friends and family have reached out, calling, writing emails and notes of comfort, and giving us strength.
I spent the day of our anniversary keeping busy, cleaning, and taking care of the girls. That evening, we celebrated together, and had a girls night at home. I bought takeout from my favorite Italian restaurant, and rented a Chick Flick. The Hannah Montana movie, actually. I never would have guessed that silly movie would give me advice I needed to hear. She sings a song called The Climb.
Here's the music video, if you've never heard the song
The sweet and simple theme of the song reminded me that to stay happy during this lonely time, I need to find joy in the journey. It's not about enduring a challenging time, eyes focused on when it's over, it's about being happy no matter what circumstances you're in. Little Miley caught that presice theme in her song. Never thought I'd be among one of the screaming Hannah fans, but last night, I cheered and danced right along with my little girls, and celebrated the best 5 years of my life.
First and foremost, I'm a Mommy. I'm also despite my best efforts, a nerd. As my parents would constantly remind us as kids, nerd parents make little nerdlings! So I've finally decided to stop fighting, and embrace it. Besides, nowhere in the definition of a nerd did it say one can't be pretty.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a fun and creative story, but a bit unoriginal. Riordan quite obviously piggybacked on the Harry Potter idea. The main character is a mistreated adolescent who doesn't fit in, and odd events seem to follow. He soon discovers he isn't a miscreant after all, but truly a special child with special powers. Of course that means he gets to go to a special school/camp where he should fit in, but again doesn't, because even there he is unique in his abilities. Of course he befriends a dorky boy and smart girl with whom he takes on all his adventures. The smart girl loves to read, and is therefore the source of all background magical history to the tale, and the dorky male friend is the comedic relief and makes our main character look better. The major enemy is an old evil character who's previously been destroyed, but hopes to rise again. Through the whole story I felt as if I'd already heard it all before. However, I love the Harry Potter series, so that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. If you can overlook how closely it fits into the Rowlings' template, and forgive that the writing isn't half as great, then you'll enjoy it. Despite all my complaints I still did, and plan to finish the series.
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