A Whole New Mind

I've always been good at changing my mind, but this time it might take a little longer.
I just finished reading Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind and I've got some work to do! Pink explains that our world is moving from the "Information Age" to the "Conceptual Age" and that we need to develop right-brained thinking to flourish in this new age. This is a challenge for a left brained person like me! If you're not sure if you're left or right brained you can click here or here to take an online test.

A Whole New Mind describes six senses or right brained abilities that we can work to develop.

1. Not just function but also DESIGN
2. Not just data but also STORY
3. Not just focus but also SYMPHONY
4. Not just logic but also EMPATHY
5. Not just seriousness but also PLAY
6. Not just accumulation but also MEANING

I'm doing okay with story, symphony, empathy and meaning. But I am failing miserably at design and play! I am a very practical person and I tend to see design as a waste of time and money. And I like to play . . . . as long as I'm accomplishing something worthwhile at the same time.

But I did two things this week to develop my "whole new mind".

Exhibit A
These are my very practical, very boring shoes which are completely lacking in design.

(Drumroll please)
These are my new, more right-brained shoes.
Okay, maybe not right-brained, but at least they're cuter.

I am also working on developing my PLAYful side. Much to the disappointment of my children, I did not rush out and buy a Wii. But I did get a new bike! I haven't had a bike for several years. My husband has suggested getting one several times, but I couldn't justify spending all that money for something I didn't really NEED. This week when he suggested it, I agreed. I even considered the design of the bike when making my choice. Tonight we went for a bike ride just for fun. It's not easy, but I'm working on developing a whole new mind!

My Manly Men

My boys like to do something they call "power struggles" .

They battle with sticks while rolling back and forth on our empty water barrels.
At least we know they've got good balance!

They also love to hike.
Here's Aaron on the top of "Sunset Peak".
It is a hike of less than 1/4 mile from our house.

Evan enjoys the great view from the top!

I am so grateful that my boys enjoy nature. John and the boys love to hike and mountain bike. Sometimes they even bring Marianne and me along.

I've never really been an "outdoorsy" type of person and I am a terrible athlete. In fact, the word athlete probably shouldn't even be in a sentence about me!

When John and I were first married, he suggested we go to the park to play frisbee one Saturday afternoon. I told John I couldn't play frisbee and he didn't believe it. When we got to the park and attempted a game of frisbee he realized I wasn't joking. I really couldn't catch or throw a frisbee. Fortunately, my husband proved himself to be unbelievably kind and patient. For about a month we went to the park once or twice a week to practice. John very lovingly taught his completely uncoordinated wife how to throw a frisbee. Most people would have given up, but not John. I am pleased to say that 20 years later we love to play frisbee together at the beach or the park. I'm by no means an expert and I still make the occasional wild throw. I can't imitate John's fancy moves and catch it under my leg or behind my back, but I can play catch!

I am grateful that we live in an area where it is easy for our family to go biking or hiking or spend time at the beach. It only takes one hike or one walk or one game of frisbee to help us relax and remember what is really important in life. This is another example of the power of one.

President Gordon B. Hinckley wrote,

Our lives are so busy. We run from one thing to another. We wear ourselves out with our studies and our social lives and our pursuit of money. Please don't misunderstand me: I am not saying that any of these things are wrong or bad. But we are entitled to spend some time with ourselves. We need to spend time out in nature where we can think and breathe deeply and feel the earth and listen to the sounds of the ocean or the woods or the mountains.

Find some time to drown out the noise of the world . . . . and take occasion to think about your life. Take time to think about the kind of man or woman you want to become. The scriptures admonish: Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

April Excuses

Why haven't I posted anything on my blog in over two weeks? My list of valid excuses might include:

On vacation
On a mission
Death
Depression
Giving birth
New calling
Major stress

Fortunately (or unfortunately) none of these apply! April has always just kind of been a dull month for me. There isn't a single birthday in our family in April--on my side or on John's side. Isn't that weird?! (If indeed, you are a family member whose April birthday I have overlooked please comment and I promise to make a public apology.) I have asked my siblings to please have a baby in April in order to balance out the birthday-laden months of March & May. I even tried to have a baby in April once. I was due on April 6th which I thought was really cool, but it was not to be. Usually we have Easter in April to make up for it, but this year even that didn't work out!

Just to show you that I really don't have anything against April . . .

Today was a beautiful April day! We went on a field trip with some homeschool friends. I could post pictures and tell you all about it, but instead I'll refer you to my friend Shonda's blog . I promise you'll enjoy it!

After the field trip, we stopped for lunch in the great little town of Julian. When I got out of the car, there was a wonderful fragrance that took me back to my childhood.

The lilacs were in bloom!

Granted, these lilacs are nothing like the giant beauties that grew in our yard in Des Moines, Iowa. They are a lighter shade and much smaller, but they still smell wonderful. I had forgotten how much I love lilacs!

I hope your April is colorful, fragrant and full of childhood memories!

What the Kids Have Been Up To

Ryan is still working on his admission to BYU-I. Being homeschooled he's had a few more hoops to jump through, but he's hoping to have everything settled soon.
He recently performed as the King in "Once Upon A Mattress". It was a challenging role since the king is mute for most of the play, so everything has to be pantomimed. On Monday Ryan auditioned for "Peter Pan" and today he was cast as Captain Hook. He'll be performing in June.

Aaron continues to hit the books and studies hard!
When he takes a break he likes to hike, bike or take pictures. Here is a recent self-portrait.

Marianne is always doing something creative. We've done some fun cooking projects with Girl Scouts lately. Here she is with a project she did on her own. She made this castle cake for her good friend Natalie.

Evan has been enjoying the spring weather and is outside whenever he has a spare moment (like when he's supposed to be doing his chores). He's been playing badminton or volleyball with the net Aaron set up. He's also enjoyed this lasso golf game he got from his friend Matthew.

Happy Birthday to my SILS!

I am blessed to have four wonderful sisters-in-law. I hope to have five someday. (Yes, that is a not-so-subtle hint to my still-single baby brother) Anyway, three of them have celebrated birthdays in the past month or so, and I decided it was high time I let you know how truly wonderful they are. And just to be fair, I have two on my side & two on John's side. Of course when David gets married (yes, another hint) everything will be uneven, but we'll worry about that later.

Lacy

Lacy is my newest sister-in-law. She is beautiful, calm, patient and kind. She is a great writer and is very devoted to her family. Since marrying my brother not only has she worked full time while helping my brother earn his degree, work full time & work on his MBA, but they bought & remodeled a house, gave birth to the world's most beautiful baby, and moved across the country a few weeks later. Just reading this list may have worn you out, but don't worry. Lacy's delightful smile and laugh will have you feeling better again soon.

Denise

Denise is a talented & busy mom of four. She is a great photographer with a wonderful sense of style. She is never afraid to try something new in quilting, decorating or cooking. These new ventures always seem to turn out beautifully. Denise often brings a fabulous new recipe to family gatherings. My favorite story about Denise is legendary in our family. Soon after she married my brother, they flew home at Christmas to surprise my parents. We made some lame excuse to sneak away on Christmas morning and pick them up at the airport. I was amazed to find that Denise had brought a jello salad with her on the plane! Denise has been amazing me ever since and her jello is still everyone's favorite!

Susan & Jean

Susan has survived raising six kids, and has earned my respect and admiration. Her kids have all grown up to be outstanding adults by the way! My own kids say that they love the way Aunt Susan's house smells--high praise indeed! Susan's home truly is a wonderful, welcoming place. We have spent more nights and eaten more meals there than I could ever begin to count. Susan is the kind of Mom you read about in the Ensign. (In fact, her kids may want to start thinking of stories they could submit.) Susan is always giving, serving & thinking of others. I am grateful for her loving patience with me over the years. I hope I can grow up to be like Susan.

Jean's birthday isn't until November, but I'd better include her in this post. I might forget if I wait until November and then what kind of a sister-in-law would I be?! Honestly, Jean probably wouldn't mind. She is very loving, forgiving and thoughtful. Jean has a gentle, peaceful way of being that puts everyone at ease. She has always remembered my kids' birthdays with a card and a surprise like balloons, stickers or a $2 bill. Jean homeschooled her 3 oldest children for years and all 4 of her kids have been able to develop their talents in unique and wonderful ways. I am grateful to Jean for being such a inspiring example to me.