Benefits of Blogging

I've been collecting a list of reasons why blogging is a positive in my life.

It's been the springboard to recording seemingly insignificant details into my day-to-day activities.

• Family Journal-I have since started a family journal which I update weekly. This journal includes the running details of Edwin's schooling, the activities we do as a family, and my girls' growth and development. We have enjoyed rereading it time and again so far. Hopefully I will continue to maintain our family record.
• Personal Journal-My personal journal has also been updated more frequently since I started blogging. My journal contains the things I think and feel that don't necessarily need to be broadcast on the web. However, my entries have become much more focused since they have become a weekly habit.
• EMAIL-The multitude of emails I get telling me someone has commented on my site! I love hearing from people!!! (Sorry, I read more than I comment on other's sites! It's all I can do to keep up with everyone let alone comment!)
• Motivation-The drive to try more, do more, and live more. Seeing how much others are doing in their lives' encourages me to experience new things. Not only do I have an endless supply of suggestions to carryout, but a list of activities with reviews from people who's opinion matters to me!! Who could ask for a better review critic than someone you know and appreciate? So keep living full happy lives people!!! Everyone could use a little more motivation from time to time.
• Self-Analysis-Since blogging I analyze myself more often. Throughout the day I find that I question reasons behind the things I'm doing. I also evaluate the pros and cons and causes and effects to little things. How I spend my time defines who I am as a person and I now want to make every minute count.

BLOGGING DOWNFALLS---

There is only one I can think of.....TIME!!! There's not enough time to keep up with all your blogs, write my own, and still take care of my personal responsibilities. Oh well, I sure like trying to make it all work together somehow! Go Blogging!

Simple Words

Edwin and I have been encouraging Grace to use "please" and "thank you." I know it's important to be polite and courteous, but I didn't realize how these two words can change my thoughts and actions.

The past few days I have noticed Grace using "please" and "thank you" without prompting. Tonight was no exception. When Edwin filled Grace's cup with water we heard, "Thank you, Daddy." After I picked up the fork she dropped once again we heard, "Thank you, Mom." Then Grace needed some more water and it was, "More please, Mom."

I glanced at Edwin several times and caught him smiling over these simple words that were so sincere. Then I realized that I too was grinning and even chuckling from time to time. There was something significantly different between Grace's cute toddler behavior and her genuine gratitude. Nothing entices me more to lend a helping hand than Grace kindly asking for help where she lacked that ability to do things on her own.

"Please" and "Thank you" changed the atmosphere in our home and brought smiles to two tired parents. Since dinner I have wondered if I have displayed the same courtesy to others that my child exhibited tonight. May I follow my daughter's example.

I love you, Grace!

Thank you.

From Our Kitchen

Grace came out of the pantry saying, "Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate!" while carrying the extra can of cocoa powder. She knew what she wanted! I decided we could bake a cake together while Anne was napping.

LATER THAT SAME DAY...

Edwin stopped in and asked if I had a butterfly cookie cutter. Much to his surprise I responded in the affirmative. Excitedly he asked if we could make sugar cookies today because he wanted to take some "special" cookies for his classmates and coworkers tomorrow.

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Cookies represent the cross section of the spinal cord. Gray butterfly shaped center represents nerve cell bodies. The white outer ring depicts spinal conduction pathways.

Glad we could make learning so fun today!!! Bon appetit!

Hairstyle Trademarks

Our future children predicted by...

Baylor College of Medicine Students

During a babyshower hosted by Edwin's classmates the guests sculpted our future children. Several of the playdough figures vividly portrayed Edwin's "Count Dracula" hairstyle and large eyes. Both of our girls came with daddy's wide eyes, but they chose different hairstyles.

Grace opted for no hair.

However, Anne came along with her hair....

JUST LIKE DADDY'S!!

Love ya, BABE!!!

Divine Womanhood

Someday, when the whole story of this and previous dispensations is told, it will be filled with courageous stories of our women, of their wisdom and their devotion, their courage, for one senses that perhaps, just as women were the first at the sepulchre of the Lord Jesus Christ after his resurrection, our righteous women have so often been instinctively sensitive to things of eternal consequence. Teaching of Presidents of the Church Spencer W. Kimball p. 215

When facing the Mount Everest of laundry that has recently consumed the washing machine, or the torrent of dishes that seem to multiply when no one is looking, it helps to remember that there are some things I can't neglect. The breakfast dishes may not have been washed right away, but did we remember to say our family prayers? I may have finished that project I've been wanting to complete for weeks now, but did I raise my voice in frustration because someone in the family interupted MY time? Does the spirit reside in our home often, or do we race through daily life as fast as we can using gospel principles as a last resort when things don't work out the way we want? The eternal perspective is to put spiritual things first and remember....I won't have to wash dishes in Heaven!!!

I have been contemplating the roles women have in life. For me.... my roles include

• Caretaker
• Nutritionist
• Comforter
• Entertainer
• Housekeeper
• Historian
• Guardian
• Spiritual Leader
• Mother
• Wife
• Sister
• Daughter
• Friend

“I love women…They doubt nothing. With them the world becomes something very simple. They give everything its correct value and well realize that their laundry is as important as the constitution of the German empire. Near them one feels reassured.”
Renoir

May I live my life such as this....simply, beautifully, and lovingly.