When I was little, I always wished I had a big sister. I was so jealous of all my friends with older sisters. They had someone to talk to about boys, to do their hair and nails, etc... I was lucky enough to be the big sister, but at the time I didn't think I was so lucky. Now I am married and I have 6 big sisters!!! How lucky does a girl get?!? Instead of doing my hair, they are examples to me and my family, which is even better. Here is a little bit about each one.
Big Sister #1: Every time I talk to her, I feel so important. She has a way of making you feel great about yourself and your family. She really is interested in you! I don't think I have ever met a more loving person. Even my kids feel that from her! She also is a great person to go shopping with. That is one of the functions of a big sister I always wanted!
Big Sister #2: She is a great example to me that you can be a smart, strong woman, but still be a stay-at-home- mom. That is something I have struggled with in the past, and it is so nice to have an example like her. She fights for her kids. She teaches her kids. She is a great example for her kids. And most of all, she obviously loves her kids!
Big Sister #3: I think I know her the least of all 6 sisters, but I want to be just like her when I grow up! She is Wonder Mom. I have never heard of a mom taking their kids on so many adventures all by herself! Her kids aren't just learning about things, they are experiencing things. She is also very compationate. I love hearing stories of people she helps without even being asked. That is how I want to be!
Big Sister #4: Whenever I talk to her, I am not afraid to say what I think. I love it!!! She has an opinon and isn't afraid to share it. At the same time, she doesn't mind if you share yours either. That isn't a quailty many people have. I love sitting and talking to her. Its so great to just be able to talk with her. I often find that I could just go on for hours!!!
Big Sister #5: She fills just about every roll you would think a big sister would fill when you grow up. She is willing to drop what she is doing and help family when it is needed (she has done it several times for me). She is super talented, and obviously helps her kids find their talents. There is always singing, dancing, sports, bull ridding, etc... going on in her living room, and I love it!!!
Big Sister #6 (She is technically a few months younger than me, but close enough!): She has more faith and inner strength than most anyone I know. She is an example to me every single day. Nothing in the world is more important to her than being a good mother. It is so obvious when you see her with her kids. I also love it when she calls because I know there is going to be a happy, energetic voice on the other end that will make me smile the moment I hear it!
These are just a few small things that I have been thinking about and so thankful for. Big sisters are a must, I've decided, even if they don't come into your life until you are an adult. If you don't have one, I suggest you get one!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Just a Little....."Seasoning"
Yesterday Zach, with some help from Samantha, thought all the food stuck on the floor needed a little seasoning. So, the salt shaker was emptied and the pepper shaker was lightened. I've been needing to mop the floor for a couple week and just haven't had the time. After this little "seasoning" incident, my feet were covered with salt every time I walked into the kitchen, even after sweeping. So, the mopping that has needed to be done for a couple weeks finally got done last night.
Kids are just so helpful. They make things that I haven't made time for a priority. So, thanks Zach (and Samantha - she tries to act innocent, but I know she isn't).
Kids are just so helpful. They make things that I haven't made time for a priority. So, thanks Zach (and Samantha - she tries to act innocent, but I know she isn't).
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Time
On Sunday, I woke up to a sick little boy. Since it was Father's Day, I let Michael decide whether he wanted to take Samantha to church or stay home. Since there was throwing up involved, he decided to go to church (go figure)!
At church, Samantha was getting a little antsy. She kept telling Michael that she wanted to go play with the kids (that means she wants to go to Nursery). Finally, he showed her his watch and told her when the big hand pointed to that number, it would be time to go. She held the watch, staring at it for a minute, then shook it and told her dad, "Its not working!!!"
There are so many times when I feel the same way. Time seems to either stand still or move so quickly I can't catch a minute. Its funny how every single day has the same hours, but some days seem to last for a few hours less while others seem to drag on forever. As I thought about this phenomenon, I realized that, when all put together, nothing seems to last that long. As a whole, life seems to be speeding on quickly. Sometimes I get so caught up looking at what I want to happen next, or what I'm dreading next, that I forget that right now is a great place to be! I've been trying to live in the now lately. Every morning I try to thank my Heavenly Father for one more day to be a wife and a mom. I thank Him for one more day to be alive. For one more day to progress and learn. I thank him for one more day to enjoy all the blessings I have. And I've noticed, that days that I do this, I really do enjoy my day. The blessings that are around me every second and so much better than they have been. So, as my day flies by or slowly drags on, I have my own challenge to enjoy it! Love every minute! After all, now it what we have.
At church, Samantha was getting a little antsy. She kept telling Michael that she wanted to go play with the kids (that means she wants to go to Nursery). Finally, he showed her his watch and told her when the big hand pointed to that number, it would be time to go. She held the watch, staring at it for a minute, then shook it and told her dad, "Its not working!!!"
There are so many times when I feel the same way. Time seems to either stand still or move so quickly I can't catch a minute. Its funny how every single day has the same hours, but some days seem to last for a few hours less while others seem to drag on forever. As I thought about this phenomenon, I realized that, when all put together, nothing seems to last that long. As a whole, life seems to be speeding on quickly. Sometimes I get so caught up looking at what I want to happen next, or what I'm dreading next, that I forget that right now is a great place to be! I've been trying to live in the now lately. Every morning I try to thank my Heavenly Father for one more day to be a wife and a mom. I thank Him for one more day to be alive. For one more day to progress and learn. I thank him for one more day to enjoy all the blessings I have. And I've noticed, that days that I do this, I really do enjoy my day. The blessings that are around me every second and so much better than they have been. So, as my day flies by or slowly drags on, I have my own challenge to enjoy it! Love every minute! After all, now it what we have.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Annyoing or Blessing?
My sister just left to serve an 18 month service mission for our church a little over a month ago. I am the second child of 4 and she is number 3. I was always the protective big sister to her, even if she didn't realize it. I remember kids saying mean things about her tagging along when we were little and I would get so mad at them! Only I am allowed to say such things about MY sister!
Anyway, as we have grown older, we talk a lot. Now, when I say a lot, that doesn't really cover it. My husband would come home from work almost every day and ask if Kathryn called. Not often would I say no. If she didn't call, she would usually text. As part of her mission she isn't allowed to call her family except on Mother's Day and Christmas. She does write emails once a week and letters whenever she has time. We do the same for her. That is how we stay in touch. Since she no longer has a phone to call me, my phone seems to have died. It just never rings any more!!! I'm not quite sure why I have a phone sometimes. I used to keep it on me at all times, but now I'll go an entire day and not know where it is!
Before Kathryn left, I often complained to my husband about how much she called and how little I had to talk about. Sometimes she would say, "Hi" and the conversation would end there. Its amazing how quickly something that really annoyed you can leave and you suddenly miss it! I guess I just need to realize what a blessing it is to have those annoying things in my life.
Here are a few of those things:
Anyway, as we have grown older, we talk a lot. Now, when I say a lot, that doesn't really cover it. My husband would come home from work almost every day and ask if Kathryn called. Not often would I say no. If she didn't call, she would usually text. As part of her mission she isn't allowed to call her family except on Mother's Day and Christmas. She does write emails once a week and letters whenever she has time. We do the same for her. That is how we stay in touch. Since she no longer has a phone to call me, my phone seems to have died. It just never rings any more!!! I'm not quite sure why I have a phone sometimes. I used to keep it on me at all times, but now I'll go an entire day and not know where it is!
Before Kathryn left, I often complained to my husband about how much she called and how little I had to talk about. Sometimes she would say, "Hi" and the conversation would end there. Its amazing how quickly something that really annoyed you can leave and you suddenly miss it! I guess I just need to realize what a blessing it is to have those annoying things in my life.
Here are a few of those things:
- Kids that fall ALL THE TIME....that means they want to cuddle at least once in a while.
- Whining....I'm a mom.
- Dirty dishes....I can afford to feed my family
- Toys everywhere....I get to stay home all day with my kids.
- A husband who doesn't hear half of what I say...I'm not alone in raising my kids
- Long 13 hour days with the kids....a great job for my husband.
- A baby that kicks all night....A healthy baby (I'm pregnant, just fyi)
- Alarm clocks....A reason to wake up every day.
- Potty training....A child with capabilities.
- People who talk to me about their issues when I don't really care....I'm trusted
- Paying for gas....I have a nice car that work
- Arguments....a brain to formulate opinions and people to share that with
- Bugs, especially when Samantha sees them first....the great earth that was created for me
- Phone bill....ability to talk to my mom, my husband, my sister, etc.... any time I want.
- Folding, and more importantly, putting away laundry....the ability to cloth my family in every kind of weather
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wyoming...its always in Wyoming!
We recently returned from a trip to Illinois, visiting family. Now that we have two kids, flying isn't really an option. So, we loaded up the van and drove across the country. It was a great trip. The kids did really well. We had fun with family. My sister-in-law and her daughter were with us, so we had some great company. The only major problem, of course, happened in the middle of no where (a.k.a. Wyoming).
If you have ever made the drive along I-80 across Wyoming, Nebraska, etc..., you know that Wyoming is ALWAYS the worst part of the drive. The weather is never good, it seems, no matter what time of the year. The towns are spaced very far apart, so there just isn't much civilization if you have issues. That last part was where the problem came in.
I was driving along, everyone quiet, when all of the sudden a tire went flat. Great! I pulled over. With three adults in the car you would think at least one of us had changed a tire before. Nope! About thirty minutes later the spare tire was on and we were making our way to the nearest town of Rawlins, just 33 miles away. Now, if you have ever driven on a spare you know you are not supposed to go over 50 mph. So, my husband, being cautious, drove 47 mph the entire way. We got to Rawlins and drove around trying to find a tire store. Eventually we stopped at Family Dollar where they loaned my husband a telephone book. He made his way through the entire section for tire stores. Only one person answered. They informed him they would love to help, but they were closed. Thanks!
We got back on the road and made our way to the next town.....100 miles away!!! It was probably the longest, slowest ride I have ever had! We even had to make our way through a few one lane construction zones. When we'd reach the end of the one lane zone we would just look ahead, not wanting to see the dozens of angry people that had to slowly follow behind us.
We made it to Rock Springs a couple of hours later, found a Walmart right off the interstate, and were on the road a couple hours later. We sure felt like we were flying down the interstate after that!
Now, when you have such an experience you are bound to learn something, right?!? Right! First, I learned that even though it might not happen often, my husband can be right. Just the day before as we made our way across Nebraska, he tried to get us to stop and have the tires checked. My sister-in-law and I talked him out of it. Oops! Lesson 2, sometimes people can't help that they have to go slow. How many times have I been annoyed that I was stuck behind a slow moving car. It is very humbling being that slow moving car, especially when the line behind you seems endless. And lesson 3, check the tires before you make a road trip across the country. That one should probably go without saying.
If you have ever made the drive along I-80 across Wyoming, Nebraska, etc..., you know that Wyoming is ALWAYS the worst part of the drive. The weather is never good, it seems, no matter what time of the year. The towns are spaced very far apart, so there just isn't much civilization if you have issues. That last part was where the problem came in.
I was driving along, everyone quiet, when all of the sudden a tire went flat. Great! I pulled over. With three adults in the car you would think at least one of us had changed a tire before. Nope! About thirty minutes later the spare tire was on and we were making our way to the nearest town of Rawlins, just 33 miles away. Now, if you have ever driven on a spare you know you are not supposed to go over 50 mph. So, my husband, being cautious, drove 47 mph the entire way. We got to Rawlins and drove around trying to find a tire store. Eventually we stopped at Family Dollar where they loaned my husband a telephone book. He made his way through the entire section for tire stores. Only one person answered. They informed him they would love to help, but they were closed. Thanks!
We got back on the road and made our way to the next town.....100 miles away!!! It was probably the longest, slowest ride I have ever had! We even had to make our way through a few one lane construction zones. When we'd reach the end of the one lane zone we would just look ahead, not wanting to see the dozens of angry people that had to slowly follow behind us.
We made it to Rock Springs a couple of hours later, found a Walmart right off the interstate, and were on the road a couple hours later. We sure felt like we were flying down the interstate after that!
Now, when you have such an experience you are bound to learn something, right?!? Right! First, I learned that even though it might not happen often, my husband can be right. Just the day before as we made our way across Nebraska, he tried to get us to stop and have the tires checked. My sister-in-law and I talked him out of it. Oops! Lesson 2, sometimes people can't help that they have to go slow. How many times have I been annoyed that I was stuck behind a slow moving car. It is very humbling being that slow moving car, especially when the line behind you seems endless. And lesson 3, check the tires before you make a road trip across the country. That one should probably go without saying.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)