I am going to post a blurb here on the family blog but will be sure to post more on the photo blog too.
Today I got the opportunity to practice my photography again by doing my 1st guy senior photo shoot. I was SOOO nervous - about it being my first time photographing a senior guy, about the horrendous weather, about my skills with indoor shoots ( not so good last time), about just about everything.
I know that I have been given this gift to be able to share with others. I do not have this gift or watch it develop because I am awesome or wonderful - it has all come because of great blessings.
My main goal with my photography is to be able to use my gift to serve others and bring them happiness, not myself. My goal is to be friendly, efficient, professional.
With these things in my heart and mind I knelt for prayer before the shoot today - knowing I couldnt do it on my own, pleading to have the weather behave, knowing I was so terrified to need to an indoor shoot and knowing my skills arent good enough to do that yet.
I was given more blessings, tender mercies, and miracles today than I could ever deserve - starting with exactly 90 minutes of dry weather! (I schedule all my shoots for 90min) The weather went from blowing and rainy yuck to misty rain to nothing. When we were just on the outside edge of that 90 minutes the wind and rain started in earnest again. This also happened with a shoot I did last week. It really was a miracle.
I was also blessed to have a very positive experience with the young man I did picts for. He was really great to work with and I think we both had fun. I was blessed with the end result of some pretty amazing picts to be able to give to him and his family (watch for them to post on the photo blog) as well.
During a couple of lulls in the shoot (clothes changes) I was able to just sit - with my heart overflowing with gratitude for the amazing gifts that had been given. I couldnt say "thank you" enough. It also gave me a chance to review picts already taken and have some quiet moments to be open to more ideas or inspiration - which I definately received.
Today was a day of receiving and giving gifts. It amazes me that I continue to receive such tender blessings as today when I know I am so undeserving. Even so, I am truly grateful for them and for the opportunity it gives for me to learn and for my testimony to grow stronger even through little things like taking pictures. It fills me with untold joy to be able to share those blessings and learning and strength with others - their happiness is also my own. What a marvel and wonder that is.
Showing posts with label thankful list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thankful list. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
TENDER MERCIES
As my brain is many places today I felt with all the turmoil and challenges it would be a good time to update this category again.
1) STILL HAVING A JOB - P sent me an email yesterday morning to tell me about his day - that he had been given a presentation about company lay-offs and cutbacks - and then watched and he and other co-workers were asked to come one by one to find out about their futures with the company. P works for a company that is known world-wide. Never in all the time he has been there do I remember a time like this when the company has had set backs. We have been very blessed that he has been allowed to keep his position at work and that he does have a sufficient work load. It is a great blessing for us to know that we will have the $ that we need to support our family.
2) PAYCHECKS - Things have been very difficult for us, as it is for many right now. We have been scraping the bottom of the barrel just waiting for things to be in place to meet all of our responsibilities. We have struggled with that the last little while - we appreciate all of you who have been so patient with us. Today we were given another blessing when Preston's check posted a day early, allowing us to meet immediate needs for our family
3) APPLES - Our family loves apples of just about any kind, but esp red and green. Recently the girls have re-discovered them. C has beeen eating them non-stop since getting her braces off, loving every huge bite she can take. K has decided that she likes RED apples again, and I am thrilled as she has become my more choosy kiddo when it comes to food. It is nice to know that she is willing to pick a healthy snack when she gets the "munchies" at night while she is doing homework.
4) SILLY KIDDOS - Esp my 2 yr old. I have been contemplating making a title of a new post "naked as a jay bird" because he has been such a challenge lately. He has finally discovered how to undress himself - completely - and usually does so at the most inoportune time or out of the blue. Just when I think he is settled, he comes prancing in the room perfectly content that he has stripped himself to nothing. At first I resorted to putting his diaper on backwards - but that didnt seem to do the trick. I have come to the point where he is just in his zipper, snuggy PJ's 24-7 so I can put them on him BACKWARDS. He cant get to the zipper and thus he stays dressed! I seem to remember all of the other big kids going through this same stage too but cant seem to get my brain to remember what I did for them. For now it seems to be working for K and as long as I know he is warm and dressed then that is good for both of us.
The other thing he did recently was put himself down for a nap - right in the middle of the office floor. He was running in and out with his favorite blanket and pillow and chattering and the next thing I heard was lots of quiet and deep breathing - I looked over and there he was, totally zonked out. Of course I had to grab the camera - I will be sure to post that pict soon along with some others.
5) K IS ALMOST 6 MONTHS! It is hard to believe that she is going to be 6 months old in just a few days. She is getting so big. This last weekend she surprised P when he noticed that she was sitting up all by herself on the rug. With his crazy work and drill schedule he hasnt been around her enough to see all her new growth. She is really good at sitting up and playing with toys. She can also control when she falls over - it isnt just a solid bonk anymore, more of a slow flop...
She also has TWO bottom front teeth coming in. That probably explains why she has been so fussy this last week. I found the 1st one awhile ago and then discovered the 2nd one had broken through her gum this week. She is also growing out of clothes again already - it seems we are washing the same outfits over and over until I can get up in the storage area and get down the next clothes box. I also need to finally find her some cold weather shoes or socks.
Our one challenge is that she still is not interested in eating "real" food. Every time we try she just sticks out her tongue and spits it back out - all over herself and whoever happens to be helping her. The rest of the kids ate at lots of different ages so it is not such a big deal. I seem to remember when C was a baby that things kicked in around Thanksgiving because of all the soft foods available. Maybe that will be the trick that works for K too.
She has her 6 month check-up next week and it will be fun to see how big she really is. I will be sure to post more after her appt.
6) SCRIPTURE CHALLENGES - We have been having a hard time with scripture study lately and one day my brain got a new idea. A challenge for the kids to see if we could do better on reading.
Everyone was given their own calendar to keep track of their reading. The big kids need to read 20 minutes and then report to me or P and then record their reading. The little boys get read to and then they can earn a sticker for each day they are read to or that they look at our scripture picture books. There are weekly prizes for the kiddo with the most days reading and a big "grand prize" at the end of the month. It seems to be doing the trick as I have had the big girls studying just about every day and actually reporting, in detail, what they have studied. It has given us a new incentive and we are all working towards making better habits and better success with gospel study.
Well, there is more to write - but little K is not napping again today. She has been so fussy this week with her teeth and I think that the swing has finally died (if she isnt rocking, she usually isnt sleeping). I will try to post more soon.
1) STILL HAVING A JOB - P sent me an email yesterday morning to tell me about his day - that he had been given a presentation about company lay-offs and cutbacks - and then watched and he and other co-workers were asked to come one by one to find out about their futures with the company. P works for a company that is known world-wide. Never in all the time he has been there do I remember a time like this when the company has had set backs. We have been very blessed that he has been allowed to keep his position at work and that he does have a sufficient work load. It is a great blessing for us to know that we will have the $ that we need to support our family.
2) PAYCHECKS - Things have been very difficult for us, as it is for many right now. We have been scraping the bottom of the barrel just waiting for things to be in place to meet all of our responsibilities. We have struggled with that the last little while - we appreciate all of you who have been so patient with us. Today we were given another blessing when Preston's check posted a day early, allowing us to meet immediate needs for our family
3) APPLES - Our family loves apples of just about any kind, but esp red and green. Recently the girls have re-discovered them. C has beeen eating them non-stop since getting her braces off, loving every huge bite she can take. K has decided that she likes RED apples again, and I am thrilled as she has become my more choosy kiddo when it comes to food. It is nice to know that she is willing to pick a healthy snack when she gets the "munchies" at night while she is doing homework.
4) SILLY KIDDOS - Esp my 2 yr old. I have been contemplating making a title of a new post "naked as a jay bird" because he has been such a challenge lately. He has finally discovered how to undress himself - completely - and usually does so at the most inoportune time or out of the blue. Just when I think he is settled, he comes prancing in the room perfectly content that he has stripped himself to nothing. At first I resorted to putting his diaper on backwards - but that didnt seem to do the trick. I have come to the point where he is just in his zipper, snuggy PJ's 24-7 so I can put them on him BACKWARDS. He cant get to the zipper and thus he stays dressed! I seem to remember all of the other big kids going through this same stage too but cant seem to get my brain to remember what I did for them. For now it seems to be working for K and as long as I know he is warm and dressed then that is good for both of us.
The other thing he did recently was put himself down for a nap - right in the middle of the office floor. He was running in and out with his favorite blanket and pillow and chattering and the next thing I heard was lots of quiet and deep breathing - I looked over and there he was, totally zonked out. Of course I had to grab the camera - I will be sure to post that pict soon along with some others.
5) K IS ALMOST 6 MONTHS! It is hard to believe that she is going to be 6 months old in just a few days. She is getting so big. This last weekend she surprised P when he noticed that she was sitting up all by herself on the rug. With his crazy work and drill schedule he hasnt been around her enough to see all her new growth. She is really good at sitting up and playing with toys. She can also control when she falls over - it isnt just a solid bonk anymore, more of a slow flop...
She also has TWO bottom front teeth coming in. That probably explains why she has been so fussy this last week. I found the 1st one awhile ago and then discovered the 2nd one had broken through her gum this week. She is also growing out of clothes again already - it seems we are washing the same outfits over and over until I can get up in the storage area and get down the next clothes box. I also need to finally find her some cold weather shoes or socks.
Our one challenge is that she still is not interested in eating "real" food. Every time we try she just sticks out her tongue and spits it back out - all over herself and whoever happens to be helping her. The rest of the kids ate at lots of different ages so it is not such a big deal. I seem to remember when C was a baby that things kicked in around Thanksgiving because of all the soft foods available. Maybe that will be the trick that works for K too.
She has her 6 month check-up next week and it will be fun to see how big she really is. I will be sure to post more after her appt.
6) SCRIPTURE CHALLENGES - We have been having a hard time with scripture study lately and one day my brain got a new idea. A challenge for the kids to see if we could do better on reading.
Everyone was given their own calendar to keep track of their reading. The big kids need to read 20 minutes and then report to me or P and then record their reading. The little boys get read to and then they can earn a sticker for each day they are read to or that they look at our scripture picture books. There are weekly prizes for the kiddo with the most days reading and a big "grand prize" at the end of the month. It seems to be doing the trick as I have had the big girls studying just about every day and actually reporting, in detail, what they have studied. It has given us a new incentive and we are all working towards making better habits and better success with gospel study.
Well, there is more to write - but little K is not napping again today. She has been so fussy this week with her teeth and I think that the swing has finally died (if she isnt rocking, she usually isnt sleeping). I will try to post more soon.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Lord's Tender Mercies - So Much To Be Grateful For
A friend of mine who also has a blog posts amazing things. Recently she posted some thoughts about the tender mercies of the Lord in her life and shared some of the wonderful blessings she is so thankful for.
It really got me to thinking - esp after the disasterous last few days for our family...so here is my list of things that I am thankful for. Thank you Julie so much for helping me to truly see the Lord's hand in my life esp through the struggles
1) I am thankful for sick little people who climb into my lap and want to be held and rocked. The kids have all taken turns the last 2 weeks getting VERY sick with a nasty bug. Ky is like a tornado most days and never is still enough to sit let alone crawl into my lap. His droopy eyes, sad face and his sweet arms reached out to me told me it was time for me to set aside everything, and so I did and we both napped in our favorite recliner chair. It was precious time for me.
2) I am thankful for finding out the van was having major issues and having emergency funds to take care of the problems BEFORE we left for our big trip. I went in for a rountine oil change and check just like we always do before we travel - thinking in, out, no big deal. Only to discover a short time later that brakes AND tires were on their way out and would not have been safe to travel. I was close to tears when I found out - where were we going to find THAT MUCH $ to pay for repairs...Preston was able to remember an emergency only acct that we still had access to...it will be a struggle to get $ balanced but our immediate needs were met and we have the knowledge of peace & safety for our long weekend trip.
3) I am thankful for preston having to go out of town for military, AGAIN. He just got a notice that most likely he will be going to another state (I forget where) to do a requested ceremony. It would be 2 days of active duty pay plus logging hours of regular work while he is gone. Hoping all goes through it will be the extra funds needed to possibly help pay for the car repairs
4) I am thankful for the wonderful smell of warm homemade bread. A good friend of ours gave us an AMAZING recipe for homemade rolls. The girls have been begging to make them. They got into a snag while making dough when I was away from the house today and they were in a panic and I was kind of frustrated when I got back to them. We all took a break and then came back to it and the girls had a blast doing assembly line cut outs (janay was here too) and then they ran a couple of errands on their bikes. The rolls were just coming out of the oven when they arrived home. The joy on their faces at seeing, smelling and tasting them was worth it. That smell will always remind me of this day of watching the girls learn something new and remind me of their joy of accomplishment.
5) I am thankful for the beauty of nature - even after 4 solid days of heavy rain. We have had very bizarre weather here - wind, heavy rain, hail, thunder & lightning. On the afternoon of the 4th day of rain I happened to be sitting in our favorite recliner chair in front of our front bay window. I again noticed the unusual beauty of a new plant in the yard. My eyes were drawn to the way the raindrops were being cradled on the leaves. I love any opportunity to get out my camera - even in the rain - and the more picts I took the more I noticed the delicate drops on the flowers and plants in the yard. I was fascinated and amazed at the delicate beauty left behind after such severe weather. Those picts have become some of my favorite and most cherished.
6) I am thankful for the blessing of a loving, patient, supportive husband - even when his wife is a loopy, insensitive dolt. I have been really struggling with sleep recently which is really starting to severely affect everything else in life - including my moods. Through all my grumpiness, distance, lack of desire to do anything he has been kind, calm and patient. He has helped with kiddos and house and has even found me some info that will hopefully help with sleep too. I dont know how he continues to put up with me, I only know that I am so thankful that he does.
7) I am thankful for the "fruit of our labors". Last week my girls and a couple of their friends went to pick pears. Another blessing to be thankful for - a friend who has fruit trees and no desire to do anything with them. My girls thought it was a grand adventure after all the days of rain. They biked back and forth 3 times that day to bring back pears and run errands. Monday night Preston came home from work early and he and I and the girls bottled pears. I thought for sure the little bit that the girls brought home would not amount to anything - what an amazing blessing to discover and look at 14 beautiful bottles of pears on the countertop! Our efforts provided food for our family that will be a treat through the whole winter!
8) I am thankful for friends who share their sorrows as well as their joys. I have a couple of friends who have been really struggling with life lately. My heart has ached for them and their sorrow but I have also felt joy at the opportunity to help share their burdens - even if all I did was listen and give my encouragement. I have also loved being able to share in the laughter over children's antics and knowing that even though we live in different houses that we can laugh over similar things that go on in each of our families. I am thankful to know that no matter where we are in life that we share similar life experiences and that we can learn and grow from each other through the joys and sorrows and frustrations that we share with each other. I hope those friends know how much I truly care for them and know that I am blessed because of the things they share with and give to me.
9) I am thankful for the gift of giving. Our ward Relief Society recently had a service auction. Sisters would agree to donate time, talents, etc and we each bid on those items as if in a real auction. The process itself was hilarious and the rewards and blessings more numerous than any of us can count. My "service" was treating a sister/family to a "dessert of the month" club - 12 months of ,hopefully, decadent desserts. There is one sister in our ward who I have always felt overwhelmed and very intimidated by. She is an amazing person in more ways than I can describe. I have never known how to be around her let alone talk with her. Just my luck that she gave the highest bid for my service. I was terrified to say the least! How was I supposed to make something good enough for this amazing sister and her family? Well, I took the opportunity this last weekend to make and take something fun. As I delivered it I got the chance to stop and chat for a few minutes on her doorstep - what an amazing gift to laugh with this sister about something all of us had struggled with - cooped up kiddos after 4 solid days of rain! Just a couple days after that I got another chance to chat with her when her son came to work on some scout stuff with Preston. Again I was amazed that I was laughing and chatting with her about similar likes and life experiences. I think I have chatted with and learned more about her in the last few days than I have in the last 11 years of knowing her! My heart has been the one to change because I have been able to give this simple service to her. Instead of being terrified I am anxiously looking forward to what the next 11 months will bring! I think that giving to others is an even greater gift to ourselves, I know it has been for me.
10) I am thankful for homemade mac n' cheese! This is one of those all time favorite comfort foods! Ever since I had Ceana I have not been able to stand the smell, let alone the taste of macaroni and cheese. It has been a big struggle for me. Recently I found a fun Food Network DVD featuring homemade mac n' cheese - made and on the table in 20 minutes - how great is that? So we decided to give it a try - and it is so FAB! We have made it twice already it is so yummy. I love the flavor and how it is just so nummy! I also love that it really does only take 20 minutes or less to make it! It is fast becoming a family favorite and it will be one that we add to our food storage inventory. It is one of those fun comfort foods that makes you want to just curl up in your favorite chair with a good book and enjoy every bite with every page. Ok - so big confession - it has made me want to do that - and I have - a couple of times already :) Food, good book, comfy chair, how fabulous is that? It's WONDERFUL :)
Wel, hope you have enjoyed my list - I hope this will be a more regular entry - maybe on my sidebar - but even if not - it will be more regular in my mind and heart. The Lord truly sends great blessings in small and simple ways - it is our job and our joy to find them - I hope I will do more in the future to do better with both.
It really got me to thinking - esp after the disasterous last few days for our family...so here is my list of things that I am thankful for. Thank you Julie so much for helping me to truly see the Lord's hand in my life esp through the struggles
1) I am thankful for sick little people who climb into my lap and want to be held and rocked. The kids have all taken turns the last 2 weeks getting VERY sick with a nasty bug. Ky is like a tornado most days and never is still enough to sit let alone crawl into my lap. His droopy eyes, sad face and his sweet arms reached out to me told me it was time for me to set aside everything, and so I did and we both napped in our favorite recliner chair. It was precious time for me.
2) I am thankful for finding out the van was having major issues and having emergency funds to take care of the problems BEFORE we left for our big trip. I went in for a rountine oil change and check just like we always do before we travel - thinking in, out, no big deal. Only to discover a short time later that brakes AND tires were on their way out and would not have been safe to travel. I was close to tears when I found out - where were we going to find THAT MUCH $ to pay for repairs...Preston was able to remember an emergency only acct that we still had access to...it will be a struggle to get $ balanced but our immediate needs were met and we have the knowledge of peace & safety for our long weekend trip.
3) I am thankful for preston having to go out of town for military, AGAIN. He just got a notice that most likely he will be going to another state (I forget where) to do a requested ceremony. It would be 2 days of active duty pay plus logging hours of regular work while he is gone. Hoping all goes through it will be the extra funds needed to possibly help pay for the car repairs
4) I am thankful for the wonderful smell of warm homemade bread. A good friend of ours gave us an AMAZING recipe for homemade rolls. The girls have been begging to make them. They got into a snag while making dough when I was away from the house today and they were in a panic and I was kind of frustrated when I got back to them. We all took a break and then came back to it and the girls had a blast doing assembly line cut outs (janay was here too) and then they ran a couple of errands on their bikes. The rolls were just coming out of the oven when they arrived home. The joy on their faces at seeing, smelling and tasting them was worth it. That smell will always remind me of this day of watching the girls learn something new and remind me of their joy of accomplishment.
5) I am thankful for the beauty of nature - even after 4 solid days of heavy rain. We have had very bizarre weather here - wind, heavy rain, hail, thunder & lightning. On the afternoon of the 4th day of rain I happened to be sitting in our favorite recliner chair in front of our front bay window. I again noticed the unusual beauty of a new plant in the yard. My eyes were drawn to the way the raindrops were being cradled on the leaves. I love any opportunity to get out my camera - even in the rain - and the more picts I took the more I noticed the delicate drops on the flowers and plants in the yard. I was fascinated and amazed at the delicate beauty left behind after such severe weather. Those picts have become some of my favorite and most cherished.
6) I am thankful for the blessing of a loving, patient, supportive husband - even when his wife is a loopy, insensitive dolt. I have been really struggling with sleep recently which is really starting to severely affect everything else in life - including my moods. Through all my grumpiness, distance, lack of desire to do anything he has been kind, calm and patient. He has helped with kiddos and house and has even found me some info that will hopefully help with sleep too. I dont know how he continues to put up with me, I only know that I am so thankful that he does.
7) I am thankful for the "fruit of our labors". Last week my girls and a couple of their friends went to pick pears. Another blessing to be thankful for - a friend who has fruit trees and no desire to do anything with them. My girls thought it was a grand adventure after all the days of rain. They biked back and forth 3 times that day to bring back pears and run errands. Monday night Preston came home from work early and he and I and the girls bottled pears. I thought for sure the little bit that the girls brought home would not amount to anything - what an amazing blessing to discover and look at 14 beautiful bottles of pears on the countertop! Our efforts provided food for our family that will be a treat through the whole winter!
8) I am thankful for friends who share their sorrows as well as their joys. I have a couple of friends who have been really struggling with life lately. My heart has ached for them and their sorrow but I have also felt joy at the opportunity to help share their burdens - even if all I did was listen and give my encouragement. I have also loved being able to share in the laughter over children's antics and knowing that even though we live in different houses that we can laugh over similar things that go on in each of our families. I am thankful to know that no matter where we are in life that we share similar life experiences and that we can learn and grow from each other through the joys and sorrows and frustrations that we share with each other. I hope those friends know how much I truly care for them and know that I am blessed because of the things they share with and give to me.
9) I am thankful for the gift of giving. Our ward Relief Society recently had a service auction. Sisters would agree to donate time, talents, etc and we each bid on those items as if in a real auction. The process itself was hilarious and the rewards and blessings more numerous than any of us can count. My "service" was treating a sister/family to a "dessert of the month" club - 12 months of ,hopefully, decadent desserts. There is one sister in our ward who I have always felt overwhelmed and very intimidated by. She is an amazing person in more ways than I can describe. I have never known how to be around her let alone talk with her. Just my luck that she gave the highest bid for my service. I was terrified to say the least! How was I supposed to make something good enough for this amazing sister and her family? Well, I took the opportunity this last weekend to make and take something fun. As I delivered it I got the chance to stop and chat for a few minutes on her doorstep - what an amazing gift to laugh with this sister about something all of us had struggled with - cooped up kiddos after 4 solid days of rain! Just a couple days after that I got another chance to chat with her when her son came to work on some scout stuff with Preston. Again I was amazed that I was laughing and chatting with her about similar likes and life experiences. I think I have chatted with and learned more about her in the last few days than I have in the last 11 years of knowing her! My heart has been the one to change because I have been able to give this simple service to her. Instead of being terrified I am anxiously looking forward to what the next 11 months will bring! I think that giving to others is an even greater gift to ourselves, I know it has been for me.
10) I am thankful for homemade mac n' cheese! This is one of those all time favorite comfort foods! Ever since I had Ceana I have not been able to stand the smell, let alone the taste of macaroni and cheese. It has been a big struggle for me. Recently I found a fun Food Network DVD featuring homemade mac n' cheese - made and on the table in 20 minutes - how great is that? So we decided to give it a try - and it is so FAB! We have made it twice already it is so yummy. I love the flavor and how it is just so nummy! I also love that it really does only take 20 minutes or less to make it! It is fast becoming a family favorite and it will be one that we add to our food storage inventory. It is one of those fun comfort foods that makes you want to just curl up in your favorite chair with a good book and enjoy every bite with every page. Ok - so big confession - it has made me want to do that - and I have - a couple of times already :) Food, good book, comfy chair, how fabulous is that? It's WONDERFUL :)
Wel, hope you have enjoyed my list - I hope this will be a more regular entry - maybe on my sidebar - but even if not - it will be more regular in my mind and heart. The Lord truly sends great blessings in small and simple ways - it is our job and our joy to find them - I hope I will do more in the future to do better with both.
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