Reverence is Love

Reverence is something we really lack in around here.

Today we were counseled to practice reverence in all things. There was a great talk at General Conference about reverence, respect and love. It seems that each of these items could be used interchanged. In a world practically void of respect and reverence...it leaves me to wonder, where is the love?

We had a wonderful 'family counsel' about reverence. In all of our actions from day to day. Not just on Sunday, not just folding our arms and bowing our heads. But reverence in our tone of voice, our actions and attitudes. What a different world this would be if each person could wake each day with heartfelt determination to live with these three simple attributes.

Reverence is more than just quietly sitting. It's thinking of Father above...for reverence is love.

Reverence IS love.
Try it.

For this week we are challenging our family to treat each other with reverence, respect and love.
AND we are going on vacation. This should get mighty interesting!!!

Where does the time fly to?

Whoops.

That was a whole week rushing past. I am not sure if I even surfaced for a breath!!! LOL. Well, it is official. School is OUT FOR SUMMER!!! HOORAY!!!!

We went swimming already. We have to celebrate properly! So now we are in gear to work in the basement and get packed for Jackson Hole and Yellowstone.

Our first official family vacation in nearly 4 years. Really. We must be demented or something. I told Sam last night that we should be totally irresponsible just once in our lives and leave it all behind. Something neither one of us are good at! Katie will be celebrating her 10th birthday while we are there. And we have planned a little surprise for her! (White water rafting down the Snake river) Bwhahahaha! I can't wait to see her face!!!

The kids have been begging to go to Yellowstone for years. But, with Mom fighting cancer we just didn't dare leave for any amount of time. We have had a year to heal. A year to ponder, and pray. What a year it has been!

So here goes nothing! And Kathy...here is my shout out to you...any ideas? I know you have been to Yellowstone! Email me, K?

Menu Plan Monday

Memorial day...
Monday!

Tuesday
B- eggs and toast
L-
D- chicken soft tacos
Sub UVU 10-12 Power Yoga
Ball games R-5(S) E-5:30 (G)

Wed
B- cereal
L-
D- Beef Broccoli
Last yoga class Santaquin
Pick up Anne!

Thur
B- eggs and toast
L-
D- Grilled pork chops with potatoes
Ball games R-7 (S) E- 5:30 (E)

Friday
B-cereal
L-
D- BBQ Memorial for Josh at Zelma's...

Sat
B- ???
L- tuna sandwiches
D- BBQ
Work in basement...as always

Sun
B- on your own
L- Roast with potatoes and carrots
D- Leftovers

*Get packed for Yellowstone trip*

Flowers for Mom

Today we took flowers to Mom... miss you, love you...

Wednesday

I love Wednesdays!

And thankfully, I am starting to feel like myself again... I have had a cold. Now I am feeling better, have been watching what I eat and working out like crazy.

Many of you know that I am going to Florida. Not for the typical vacation style Florida... To see my Dad. To hang out with my kids. And offer part of my heart to the Gulf of Mexico. Isn't it funny how parts of the world just call to you? Then they scream? Well, that would be me and water. Especially large endless bodies of turquoise stretched beneath my feet...soft sand, sunshine and a breeze. If you could paint me in a picture that is what it would be. Free and endless.

I ran 5 miles this morning, and haven't felt this good in so long. It makes me wonder why I ever stopped running. Really. Why? I don't know. When Sam's Mom died last year... I lost all desire for a time. Desire to live, to laugh...to dream. Slowly it is creeping back into my life. Breath by breath... moment by moment. The realization that life doesn't stop. Life, like the ocean is endless. There is no end. Only doorways.

I am standing on the brink of a new day. May I grasp onto it with all my might, and live.

Live. Laugh. Love.
Forever.

Tackle it Tuesday!

Tuesday is in high gear around here!!!

The morning started with P90X for me. I have a head cold, so I took most of the high impact out of it. But, I did the whole thing!!! Bwhahahaha....I am down 5 pounds and super excited to see some changes taking place. There are 42 days left until I head to Florida to see my Dad...keep me motivated guys!!!

Laundry is going, the lawn has been mowed and I was able to separate all the tulips and spread them around a bit!!! Now it is time to tackle what didn't happen yesterday...like vacuum and mop.
Then to town to mail some stuff and hit the store for Food Storage basics. This week I am picking up toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Tonight we are off to ball games, finishing up some school work and hitting the last 2 weeks of school hard. We need to read! *Yikes* We are all ready for summer, and relaxing a little to much. It is close though! Summer is right around the corner!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday
B~ cereal
D~ hamburgers w/ veggie sticks
FHE

Tuesday
B~ eggs
D~ stir fry w/ rice
Riley ball game 5 pm
Sam school

Wed
B~ cereal
D~ Chicken Enchiladas w/ black beans
Ellie practice @4, pick up Gage P.

Thur
B~ eggs
D~ Tacos w/ green salad
Riley ball game 6:30, pick up Reagan L.

Friday
B~ cereal
D~ Pizza night!
STATE REPORT DUE!!!!(Riley)

Saturday
B~ free for all
D~ BBQ w/corn on the cob and watermelon

Sunday
B~ cereal
D~ chicken and rice w/ asparagus

Super duper Saturday

So far, so good!!!

I did P90X legs and back and ran 30 min intervals this morning. Whoo~Hoo!!!
that gives me a grand total of 90 minutes of movement already!

Had a healthy breakfast and a healthy lunch.
Now for healthy snacks and a very light dinner...

Today is fun filled activities such as: work in the basement, spray the weeds, pull other weeds, finish a state report with Riley, plant some flowers, and run to town to get the rest of what we need for all stated above. *sigh*

Saturdays really are super!
(and make me look forward to Sunday!)

Fit Friday!

Today is Friday.

Friday is usually a fun filled food fest at our place. But not today! Nuh-uh! Not for me anyway. My goal for today is to watch what I eat, and exercise a little more than usual (for a Friday).
For some reason I get lax on Friday, then into Saturday...and Sunday too.

Hopefully with a little thinking ahead, I can make this weekend a healthy weekend.
All from a Fit Friday!!!

I have already cleaned the basement and scrubbed all the bathrooms. Tonight I will take a 4 mile jog and hopefully convince Sam to get me a bike. One with a kooshy seat! Kooshy seats are the bomb!!!

And tonight, homemade low calorie pizza for me with a great big green salad.
YUM!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Tackle it Tuesday

Tuesday always begins with the rest of the laundry. *yikes*

And in lieu of Menu Monday, drum roll please....Tuesday has become my errand day. For shopping and what not. So with my menu will be a list. Of everything we need. No more, DOH trips all the way to Payson because I forgot!

The Lord has counseled us to have a house of order. That we may have peace...I think grocery shopping has something to do with that...don't you??? It will be a wonderful thing to have all that I need to make and prepare healthy meals right at my fingertips. No more sweating in front of the fridge praying that everything I need will somehow miraculously appear!!!

Hopefully as I make conscience meals, our budget will be met more approprietly. With cut backs this year we have tried to be careful. And now that I can plan ahead and save all the extra trips and guilt purchases... well, I think we are on the right track.

So once again, I am in awe and gratitude to Kathy. She is such an inspiration to me. In more ways than I could possibly list here!!! THANK YOU KATHY!!!!

Hope you all have a beautiful, healthy, HAPPY DAY!!!!

Menu Plan Monday

I guess it is better to be on board with Kathy!!!
This gives me a chance to look at our week as a whole, and meet our hungry tummies with the activity of the day factored in.

Thanks Kathy!!!

Monday
B* eggs
D* Hamburgers w/baked beans

Tues
B* cereal
D* Broccoli Beef w/rice
Meet with Stake Pres.

Wed
B* eggs
D* Grilled Pork chops w/ sweet potatoes
Ball games Riley AND Ellie 4pm

Thurs
B* cereal
D* Chicken and rice
Ortho appt.
Roller rink field trip
Scouts

Fri
B* eggs
D* PIZZA NIGHT!!!

Sat
B* cereal
D*BBQ
Ball Games

Sun
B* eggs
D* Pot roast w/potatoes and carrots

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for general conference.
The messages and testimony shared there give me strength.

What a joy women of the Lord are to my heart.
They give me refuge while the storm batters my soul.

My family. Is my joy.
My life. How could I live without their love?

For the healing the Lord offers.
If he can piece my heart back together...he can fix yours too.

The temples that dot the earth.
What more holy beautiful sight can we behold on this earth?
I love the temples of the Lord.

Thursdays have officially become my temple day.
Hope to see you there! In heart, in spirit...in hope.

Here is my favorite talk from conference. It is simply wonderful...
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-13,00.html
You can read or listen to it at:
http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1032,00.html

It's Tuesday!

Tackle it Tuesday...to be exact!

What really needs to be tackled in this house is my workout room. As we have been finishing the basement, that room became ground zero for every and anything that needed to be be moved, dropped or dumped. Not to mention the thick layer of sheet rock dust that has permeated every inch of it! That is my most important goal. After my workout...of course!

Then to dust, sweep and mop. The laundry was tackled yesterday. Perhaps Mondays should be lovingly called Mt. Washmore Monday!

Today is the track meet for Katie's class. So, I am off and running!!!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day.
MWHA!

Women's Conference

What an amazing uplifting experience!!!

Thursday and Friday this past week were spent in Provo at Women' s conference.
Lucky for me it was also spent with some of the most amazing women I have ever known.

Yup. This shout out is to Andie and Kathy who make my life just a little bit sweeter!!! As I sort out my notes, I will post things that stood out the most to me. Many were just what I needed, others not so much...but great reminders of what life is really all about.

My heart is lifted. My shoulders feel light. My spirit is renewed. My mind is determined!

Thanks for making that the best two days of the year so far!!!

Mwaaa!