Party Mom Blues

This is the first year in 16 years that I am not at the elementary school as the "Party Mom" . I was having withdrawals thinking about not being involved and had tried for a month to have someone let me make them a costume. The Daisy has always admired the midevil ones and so I suggested we might do that. Then she would have it to go to college next year. She was offended and accused me of not having faith that she would be able to do that on her own. I did end up staying up until 2am sewing a beautiful Belle costume for the rose who decided to tell me as I left for Utah that is what she wanted to be. Fortunatley for me the fabric store had one and only one pattern left for the Belle gown and exactly 3 1/4 yard fabric when I needed exactly 3 1/4 yards of fabric. I think someone knew I did not have the time to go all over in search of the pattern and materials. And I think someone cares that a 12 year old feels beautiful and is modest. When sonflower #2 was in kindergarten he found a frog costume that he just had to have. I was crushed that he didn't want me to make one. The next year he said to me "Mom you make better costumes than the store and please make me Anakin Skywalker." That was another year I was up quite late sewing costumes. I had made all of the treats for the school and had finished 2 3/4 costumes. His was not started before he went to bed. I could tell he was worried and I assured him I would have it for him in the morning. I finished it and when he woke up to find it, he started to cry and said" Oh thank you Mom, I was so afraid I would have to be a frog." I have decided it is a selfish thing for me to do the costumes, I love to hear them say "I had the best one."

Little Changes, Great Joy

Tonight I had my stake leadership meeting. I have been thinking about what to do for it for quite some time, I am a little gun shy because last time I did a leadership presentation, I was asked to speak in stake conference. At the direction of the spirit I enlisted alot of participation. I figured that would keep me away from the podium if I talked less and listened more. I centered it around the topic of little changes, great joy.
The just of it was that when you think of all you want to accomplish and you make a list, it can often feel overwhelming, especially if you have frustrations mixed in with some of these things. In looking at the list and praying about it one thing should really stand out to you. Consider this one item only and then even break that down into steps, little changes, doing one thing at a time. We took some of the things the sisters had written on their list and as a group brainstormed how this process would work. It was incredible what they came up with and how they helped each other.
I realized that even though I was doing this with a church calling, it would make daily life much easier. I tend to keep an ongoing list in my head of about 50 million things I think need my immediate attention and I pride myself on how well I can multi task. But I am thinking I might just be able to accomlpish more if I try to deliberatlely accomplish less.
I was so impressed by the goodness of their hearts and later as I explained where I was and what I was doing to a friend who is not of my faith, she too was amazed that women take doing good things so seriously as to plan to do and be good. By small and simple things great things will come to pass.

It's a family thing

Well when I was thinking about a blog promoting family togetherness I was thinking how much fun we have had reading about the cousins and Aunts and Uncles. I wasn't thinking about what it would do within my immediate family.This has become a family blog. #2 sonflower, the gerbera daisy and the rose were all very excited I have ventured into the blogging world. The gerbera daisy approved of the background, however she changed the color of the font and then she and #2 sonflower created a playlist of songs they "new I would like". I am not sure how long this fascination will last for them but it has been fun and opened up some dialogue with them. But in the future as you read and look at things on this, remember that it just might be a group project and one of the flowers is responsible.

What have I done?

I am contemplating the reasons I have decided to try out this "blog thing" as my Dad called it.

• I have enjoyed reading my sisters and my children love keeping up on the doings of their cousins, so maybe it is to promote family togetherness.
• My sisters have asked me about it upon occasion so maybe it is peer pressure or sibling pressure as this case may be.
• Occasionally I have trouble sleeping, maybe this will be a great way to fill those sleepless times.
• I realize that although you think you will remember thoughts and events and the things your kids say and do, time has a way of softening the memory, so maybe it is to be able to remember.
• I like to often think about and examine the whys and wherefores of life, so maybe this will help to organize those thoughts.
• I grew up with a beloved Church leader who admonished us to keep a journal and I have never done that in the way I should, so maybe this will help relieve some guilt.
• I firmly believe that we are to use the experiences we have to bless the lives of others, sometimes that is just by telling someone you have been there and done that and can rejoice, sympathize and offer advice, so maybe this will help to lift the burdens, offer hope or encouragement.
• I want to always remain on track with goals that I have set, maybe this will help me to see where I am going if I have to think hard enough to write it down.
• I have a beautiful garden with much to be grateful for, maybe this will ensure that I will never take my life or my flowers for granted.

I am not sure if I am still trying to talk myself into this, but if it proves to satisfy anyone of the above reasons, I guess it will be of worth. So welcome to my garden and thank you to the best sister for an opening post.

In the Beginning

In the beginning, there was a young girl, who became the oldest sister to 5 younger siblings. She took this responsibility very seriously, too seriously perhaps. But she grew into a beautiful young woman, who met and was sealed to a worthy priesthood holder. She then became a beautiful young mother- eventually to 4 beautiful children. This woman, in the meantime became a nurse, a favorite Aunt, a best friend to her younger siblings, an example of strength, courage, and persistence as she battled depression and cancer.

This is her blog- but I, the younger sister, get the first word.


Welcome to her garden-