I Saw God, and He was Dressed Like a Lumberjack

I have moved quite a few times in my life.  It is usually a small adjustment period and then it feels like home.  Well, it has been harder this time.  I left a community that we wonderful and moved away from the support of family and long-time friends.  Although I have made some great friends here, I have had a bad attitude much of the time...

So, I am changing my attitude.  Today, and I hope everyday hereafter, I am going to "look for God" in people and things around me.  I am hoping this will help me focus on the good and improve my attitude.  Here is my first story.

I saw God at the laundry mat yesterday.  Hurray that this is the last time I am going to the mat here as we are getting our new washer and dryer on Monday!  Anyway, as I was loading my wash I started chatting with a man who looked like a lumberjack in his late 40's / early 50's.  In the course of the conversation he asked what my husband did for a living.  I answered that he was a mechanical engineer.  The typical next line came as no surprise.  When you live in Cedar Falls everyone assumes you work for John Deere if you are an engineer.  No, I answered.  I explained that my husband works for a small company but would eventually love working at Deere.  They have a great benefits package and retirement.  He said he knew that because he was able to retire from Deere at an early age.  He encouraged me and my husband to keep trying, not to give up, to work for what we wanted. 

When I got home, I thought about what he said.  I was lifted by his encouraging words.  I know that the job Paul has is a good one, but it was nice to know that it is alright not to settle but to keep striving and enduring.  So, I saw God at the laundry mat and he was dressed as a lumberjack.



TV

Just trying to get a handle on the amount of time my kids watch videos at our house... I want some feedback on how many minutes a day does/do your child or children watch a day?  If not a day - in a week?  Do you watch with them or is it something they do by themselves or with each other... 

Just tryin' to work it out...

On Being Creative

In high school I was always in an art class.   I loved Ms. Google and I loved creating art.  But, when it came time to think about college and apply for scholarships, I found out - from deep inside myself - that I did not want to go to art school.  I know Goog went through a lot of trouble helping me make a portfolio and take slide etc... And, I am grateful to the people in Iowa City who were interested in interviewing me and learning more about my art. 

When the day arrived to go to Iowa City, I didn't go.  I called Goog on that snowy morning and said that the weather was too bad to go.  Really it was me.  I didn't want to go.  I didn't want others to "judge" my art.  I didn't want to "explain" my style or thinking.  I had no real talent, I just enjoyed creating.  I felt that if I had to be creative for someone else that it would ruin my enjoyment of the process.

I did a little painting in college and then I discovered scrap booking (thanks to my sister, Linda).  This was perfect for me.  I loved photography, so I had boxes of pictures just waiting!  I found out how much I missed creating.  To take something and build on it and change it and manipulate it to make it something of my own.  And, I still love to scrap book.  Sometimes with paper and scissors and sometimes on the computer. 

One of my favorite high school art pieces was a couple of sheets of homemade paper - made with pulp and glue and sea shells...  I put the two small pieces of paper one on top of the other with some crushed shells trailing out the side of one of the pages...  I now don't make my own paper, but I do make paper in an entirely different way.  As I have gotten more into card making and paper crafting, I have learned to create my own background paper.  What a neat skill. 

I love card making in particular.  I can sit at my craft desk in my bedroom (thanks to my hubby for suggesting this) and make a card in a few minutes.  With my own space I can make cards almost every day.  I can get my crafting "high" and then return to cleaning the bathrooms. 

Creating is important to me... it makes me feel alive - whole - special - vibrant...  I am hooked on being creative...

If you are interested in the picture above, see the link below... We loved Frogner Park!
http://members.cox.net/c.kau/Vigeland/walk1.html

Halloween Party

I don't think much about Halloween.  It has never been one of my favorite holidays. What I do like about Halloween is the fun decorations.  Orange is not one of my favorite colors, but I find myself SO attracted to it this time of year.  Paul thinks I am sort of silly and that I go a little over board...
 But, last year we told Lincoln he was too old to trick-or-treat.  Instead, we offered to throw him a Halloween party - and it was lots of fun.  We had a costume contest, donut eating contest, played charades, can you tell the candy bar and music trivia... 
Needless to say, we are having another Halloween party this year.  Another costume contest, donut eating contest, more charades,  and music trivia...  But year we are adding a new item if I can pull it together.  WE are playing - what is in the box.  The kids will stick their hands in a box and have to tell us what "body part" they think they are feeling (peeled grape could be an eyeball etc.).  The boys will love this, the girls - not so much...  I am excited to meet all of Link's new friends and get to know the old ones better.  The house is covered in cob webs and pumpkins and gourds.  I got two new little signs to hand outside and little spiders to put in the cob webs. 
I'd love to do a lot more, but I just haven't got the time... Maybe I do kinda like Halloween after all...

Ya think?

My Favorite Times of the Day

There are a few times of the day that I just LOVE!  Now is one of those times.  The half hour before my husband gets home from work.  I love the anticipation, the excitement that I still feel about seeing him - still there after 5 years of marriage.  I pick up the last few items in a flurish of activity to make the house nice for him.  The kids are usually sent outside to play so that they don't instantly undo what I have done. 

I also love the time of night when all the kids are in bed asleep (or at least not in my bedroom) when I lie down in my own bed to read and relax.  I love my bed by the way!  As my back hits the bed, I know it is time to surrender to sleep and I usually cannot wait.  I read before bed most nights.  My eyelids get heavy and I put the book away and turn off the light.  I plump my pillow to perfection and then breath deep.  Oh, what joy in sleep.

I also love snack time... We usually have snack on the porch.  This is a time in the middle of my day when I don't feel like I am rushing around without direction.  I actually talk (and listen) to my kids.  It is probably what most people think happens at dinner - and it does for Lincoln.  But, At snack time, I hear from Oliver and Ameila. 

I am thankful for these times - and many others - that I have to reflect on my blessings and slow down and enjoy my time.

The Leaves Are Falling Down

I have a love/hate relationship with Fall.  I love the look of the leaves turning colors, the sound they make as I walk through them (swish/swish/crunch/crunch) and I love getting all the pumpkins out as well as all the other orange fall decorations. My body aches in a good way after raking and doing yard work with the family.  I love that Lincoln starts to make his yummy hot chocolate.
 I hate the shorter days of Fall.  It is dark too soon for me.  And, when I wake it is still dark.  How depressing!  Fall only makes me long to stay in bed.  To read a good book and not get up and do my chores.  I call this seasonal depression.  It is my "funk" I get into and have a hard time getting out of.  So, I have to convince myself that my day will be fun and filled with adventure.  I make myself do my chores and then I get to do something fun like papercraft or watch a movie.  I also love getting on line and looking at sites that have fall decorations.  Martha Stewart seems to love getting all ready for fall too.  Here is one of the sites I like to look at for Fall and Halloween decorations and treats...http://www.marthastewart.com/.   Let me know if you have any great decorating ideas or web sites that inspire you...

Oh What Do You Do In The Summer Time

Wow!  It has been hot (and wet) here in Iowa this summer.  Ames is flooding, but we are well in Cedar Falls feeling sorry for all our friends we left behind.  We have been enjoying water in an entirely different way... Cedar Falls has a nice aquatic center called The Falls.  We go there multiple times a week.  We thought we were spoiled in Nevada, but now we are amazed by what we have here!  Sorry Nevada. 

Anyway, today a church we had two great speakers.  They spoke about the priesthood.  I was reminded that I have an amazing husband who holds the priesthood and blesses our home and children.  I am grateful that Paul is worthy to hold this power.  Having him in our home, we never have to seek out someone else to give us blessings of comfort and father's blessings.  I am sorry that I don't recognize this blessing more often.