Hearing Voices

Do you ever hear voices?

The kind that say:
I could never do that
I'm not as talented as she is
I'm way too busy for that
I can't think of anything interesting to write
I'm boring
I'm just not very good at that sort of thing

Does this sound familiar? I'll admit I've heard these voices, but I do my best to change the channel! It makes me sad when I realize that one of my children or a dear friend is listening to and believing these voices.

One of the best ways I've found to tune out these voices and the lies they tell is to replace them with voices that speak the truth.

So here's a serving of uplifting voices, music and images. Best of all, it will take less than two minutes of your time. No one's too busy for that!



And if you are one of those "mean moms" (like me) who has Youtube blocked,take a minute to allow it, at least long enough to watch this video. Go ahead, I'll wait!

When you've finished watching, go CREATE! And be sure to share your creations with us in your next blog post.

Worth Waiting For!

This post has been awhile in the making.

You might say I've been working on it since Monday . . .

or I guess you could say it's taken a whole year . . .

but really I've needed almost 22 years to prepare for this moment.

Because this is the time for me to wish my great husband

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

This birthday wish has been in the making . . .

Since Monday,

Because his birthday was actually on Monday. Unfortunately, I spent most of this week sick in bed. I was so sick that he didn't get a present or even a card from me. But he's such a low-maintenance kind of guy that he didn't mind a bit. Fortunately, Evan got up early to make his Dad a special breakfast and Marianne made some of her wonderful cupcakes for him. I still need to make it up to him. I am planning to take him shopping tonight!

For a year,

Because I've had my blog for just over a year. One of my first posts was about John's birthday last year. This is actually my 100th post and it's only fitting that it is about the most important person in my life!

For almost 22 years,

Because that's how long we've been married. He was a great guy when I married him. Everyone thought so! In fact, John worked in Atlanta during a summer internship. He was in the same ward with one of my roommates who was home for the summer. Her parents fell in love with John and were very disappointed that their daughter didn't feel the same way. They held out hope that they could snag him for a son-in-law one way or another. When my roommate got back to BYU, they insisted that she introduce John to her older sister. It was a very awkward meeting which I got to witness because she brought me along for moral support! Even after we got married, my friend's parents continued to lament over the great catch that got away!

I am pleased to report that John is even more wonderful that he was 22 years ago. Now besides being a great husband he is also a fabulous father and a superb son-in-law.

If you need proof, here are a couple of pictures I love of John. They both show what a hard worker he is!

Here he is working with my Dad on Aaron's Eagle Scout Project. My Dad has such love and respect for John that he often gets teary while talking about him.

This is another picture that shows John smiling, laughing and having a good time while he works. He usually has such a positive, outgoing attitude and he is a great example to our sons and to all the young men he has worked with over the years.

I am very grateful to have such a wonderful, patient husband!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Evan had a great time making this robot. You put the Valentines into his mouth and they're stored safely in his stomach. Marianne went with the simpler heart-shaped basket.

Hope your Valentine's Day was full of fun!

Happy 200th Birthday Mr. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is my hero! It is exciting to celebrate his 200th birthday and to see the new pennies that are being issued this year. The front of the penny is the classic design, but the reverse sides chronicle the life of Lincoln.

The penny that was released today features an image representing the Kentucky log cabin where Lincoln was born. Later in the year we'll see the other designs.

The second penny shows a young Lincoln taking a break from his labors to read. This is one of my favorite things about Lincoln. He worked hard to educate himself. He read Shakespeare and other classics and studied Euclid until he understood logic.

The next coin to be issued shows Lincoln in front of the state capitol in Illinois. Lincoln was a successful lawyer during this period.

One of my favorite stories of Lincoln the lawyer tells of his work on Case vs. Snow Brothers. The Snows had purchased a “prairie team,” consisting of two or three yoke of oxen and a plow. They gave Mr. Case a note for two hundred dollars, but when pay-day came they refused to pay.

The note was placed in Mr. Lincoln’s hands for collection. In court, the Snow brothers did not deny the note, but pleaded through their counsel that they were minors and not responsible for their debt. Lincoln listened carefully and said, “Yes, gentlemen, I reckon that’s so.” He allowed the Snows’ attorney to continue without question or interruption. When he had finished, Lincoln rose slowly and said, “Gentlemen of the jury, are you willing to allow these boys to begin life with this shame and disgrace attached to their character? If you are, I am not. The best judge of human character that ever wrote has left these immortal words for us to ponder:

Good name in man or woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; ‘tis something, nothing;
‘Twas mine, ‘tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.” (Othello)

Then Lincoln rose to his full height and looked at the brothers compassionately. He continued, “Gentlemen of the jury, these poor innocent boys would never have attempted this low villainy had it not been for the advice of these lawyers. . . you have it in your power to set these boys right before the world. “ He never mentioned his client’s name and the jury came to a unanimous decision in favor of Mr. Case without ever leaving their seats! (The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, by Anthony Gross)

The final bicentennial penny shows the unfinished capitol dome that reminds us of Lincoln’s service in Congress and as the President. I love the way a very busy Lincoln, was never too busy to write many, many personal letters. I also love the fact that he often carried such letters in his hat. One of my favorite letters is the reply he wrote to 9 year old Grace Bedell who suggested that his thin face would look better if he grew a beard. Lincoln replied,

My dear little Miss,

Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received.

I regret the necessity of saying that I have no daughters. I have three sons—one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age. They, with their mother constitute my whole family.

As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin it now?

Your very sincere well-wisher,

A. Lincoln

Despite his question, he did take her advice and grow a beard.

Happy Birthday President Lincoln!
And Happy Birthday to my Grandpa Zobrist who shared a birthday with this great man.

Lessons Learned This Weekend

Lesson #1 - If you've committed to give up sugar for a week, don't let your daughter near a cookbook like this:

She'll probably tease you by reading aloud recipes that include phrases such as "one of the most tempting cookie combinations ever" or "crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and packed with chocolate"

*******

Lesson #2 - If you love chocolate so much that giving it up for a week sounds like a life sentence, don't bother reading cookbooks like these:

Reading phrases like, "a nutritious squash-and-date-filled cookie" or "an intriguing texture" will only make you feel worse.

(And yes, these are actual descriptions of sugar-free desserts!)

*******

Lesson #3 - The Phantom of the Opera is named Erik.

I discovered this on Saturday night while watching the 1925 silent version of the film accompanied by the San Diego Symphony.
We even got to eat popcorn (in the usually no-food-allowed symphony hall)!
Thank goodness there's no sugar in popcorn.
I was surprised by the ending when "Erik" is beaten by an angry mob and thrown in the Seine. This was definitely not Andrew Lloyd Webber.

********

Lesson #4 - The longer you spend in Primary, the better it is!
I've spent about 24 years there, more than half my life.

I actually started in Primary a year early at age two.

At age 42, I still love it.

I love the kids (especially the ones who can fall asleep sitting up in a chair!).
I love the teachers, the stories, the activities, the music and all the lessons the children teach me.

What lessons did you learn this weekend?