My children have been such great troopers in the last few years. They have been moved around a lot. Lived in another country. Suffered though home schooling with me. And had two crazy, non-traditional Christmases in a row. So this year, we asked them what they wanted for Christmas, they said that they wanted to go back to Utah to be with family. Ty and I told them that money is tight this year and we didn't think that we should make the trip. Well, my darling boys told us that we should not buy them any presents this year but use the money to drive to Utah instead. I am grateful for their good example to me. People are more important than possessions. They haven't wavered in their decision at all. They haven't been asking for gifts or anything. (Although they did count how many grandma had under the tree for them). We are blessed to have so many people that love us. I am thankful to be in Utah and spend time with some of them! (For those of you that are concerned, we did smuggle some gifts into grandma's closet that we'll surprise them with ;).
Merry Christmas Everyone! We love you!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Hot Chocolate
I haven't had many of my own deep thoughts lately, but I read this and was touched by it. I thought that I'd share.
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were discussing their lives at a class reunion. They decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired, who was always an inspiration to them. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work, lives and relationships.
Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups. Some cups were porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He invited each to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand,the professor shared his thoughts.
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you are drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What each of you really wanted was hot chocolate. You did not want the cup . . . but you consciously went for the best cups. And soon, you began to eye one another’s cups. Now friends, please consider this . . .
Life is the hot chocolate . . .your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor does it change, the quality of life you are living. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup,we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. Always remember this . . . . . . . . . . God brews the hot chocolate, He does not choose the cup. The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything that they have!!
Live simply . . . Love generously . . . Care deeply . . .Speak kindly . . .
Leave the rest to God.~ and remember ~ The richest person is not the one who has the most,but the one who needs the least."
Enjoy your Hot Chocolate!
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were discussing their lives at a class reunion. They decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired, who was always an inspiration to them. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work, lives and relationships.
Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups. Some cups were porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He invited each to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand,the professor shared his thoughts.
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you are drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What each of you really wanted was hot chocolate. You did not want the cup . . . but you consciously went for the best cups. And soon, you began to eye one another’s cups. Now friends, please consider this . . .
Life is the hot chocolate . . .your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor does it change, the quality of life you are living. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup,we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. Always remember this . . . . . . . . . . God brews the hot chocolate, He does not choose the cup. The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything that they have!!
Live simply . . . Love generously . . . Care deeply . . .Speak kindly . . .
Leave the rest to God.~ and remember ~ The richest person is not the one who has the most,but the one who needs the least."
Enjoy your Hot Chocolate!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Tag, you're it!
A tag for my blogger buddies
Because I'm easily influenced & I let my friends push me around here is a tag from Amanda's blog. The catch is that if you are reading this and have a blog consider yourself tagged!
Should you chose to post please leave a comment and let me know!
10 years ago I was:
1. Still a newly wed and trying to figure out how to live (in harmony) with Ty.
2. Totally freaked about buying our first home. (Half the price of my current house, wish I could trade payments now!)
3. Trying to/thinking about getting pregnant with Justin. That worked out nice. :)
4. Working at Arnold Machinery and fighting with Susan.
5. Learning how to cook and be domestic.
5 Things on Today’s To Do List:
1. clean (always)
2. shop for new dishwasher. The old one makes the dishes dirtier.
3. watch Justin's school class Christmas program
4. dinner (leftovers)
5. family home evening
5 Snacks I enjoy:
1. french fries
2. peppermint tea
3. cookies
4. bread (any kind)
5. Andes mints
5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. pay off my house
2. put aside money for my kid's school and missions
3. bring Joane and her family to the US
4. Pay off my mom's house and debts so that she can retire
5. Set up a scholarship program for my friends and family
5 Places I have lived:
1. Huntsville, UT
2. Salt Lake City, UT
3. Highland, UT
4. Belize
5. Ardmore, OK
5 jobs I have had:
1. The Lost Texan! Those were the days.
2. Sales Coordinator @Arnold Machinery
3. Purchasing @ Wagner Packaging
4. Book keeping for Stone Source
5. Mom :)
Okay so everyone that just read this, get your lists together I look forward to reading them.
Because I'm easily influenced & I let my friends push me around here is a tag from Amanda's blog. The catch is that if you are reading this and have a blog consider yourself tagged!
Should you chose to post please leave a comment and let me know!
10 years ago I was:
1. Still a newly wed and trying to figure out how to live (in harmony) with Ty.
2. Totally freaked about buying our first home. (Half the price of my current house, wish I could trade payments now!)
3. Trying to/thinking about getting pregnant with Justin. That worked out nice. :)
4. Working at Arnold Machinery and fighting with Susan.
5. Learning how to cook and be domestic.
5 Things on Today’s To Do List:
1. clean (always)
2. shop for new dishwasher. The old one makes the dishes dirtier.
3. watch Justin's school class Christmas program
4. dinner (leftovers)
5. family home evening
5 Snacks I enjoy:
1. french fries
2. peppermint tea
3. cookies
4. bread (any kind)
5. Andes mints
5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. pay off my house
2. put aside money for my kid's school and missions
3. bring Joane and her family to the US
4. Pay off my mom's house and debts so that she can retire
5. Set up a scholarship program for my friends and family
5 Places I have lived:
1. Huntsville, UT
2. Salt Lake City, UT
3. Highland, UT
4. Belize
5. Ardmore, OK
5 jobs I have had:
1. The Lost Texan! Those were the days.
2. Sales Coordinator @Arnold Machinery
3. Purchasing @ Wagner Packaging
4. Book keeping for Stone Source
5. Mom :)
Okay so everyone that just read this, get your lists together I look forward to reading them.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wordless Wednesday
I'm stealing an idea from a friend. Every Wednesday, post a picture with no words. (Thanks Amanda) :)
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