Grandma's Wisdom

So I have been blessed in my life to know all of my Grandma's and even some of my great Grandmother's.
This is something I took for granted when younger. I did not realize then how many people never get to meet these amazing people. I spent time with mine, learned card games from some, crafting things from others. I LOVED visiting my grandparents. They always were so excited to spend time with me and reminded me how special I was. They are the reason I strive to make other people know their worth as well when I can.
They all have imparted to me some wisdom along the way in one form or another and I try to share that with my kids as they grow up and is part of the reason I become involved with Heritage Makers. So I have started working on some Heritage Books that will help me share this wisdom with my kids and maybe even remind some of those family members out there what these amazing Ladies have past on to us. I have been focusing on my Grandma Derkson right now as she inspired much of what I live by today. She shared with me often the mistakes she had done and the wisdom she learned from those mistakes. When we were little we would get to spend our birthdays with her and I loved learning a new skill every time I went. It was a tradition I missed when we moved too far way from her to do it anymore.
When we got older she started giving us gifts that shared her talents and wisdom with us and I treasure these items. Even to this day I still pull out little stories or saying that she has given me along the way that help with challenges I face.
So the other day as I was struggling with my fears over going to church, and the fears of others I pulled out a little book she gave out to everyone at Christmas in 1999. It is a book of lessons she had learned through her then 66 years of life. Reading it is what gave me the strength to admit my fears and to have the power to face everyone else's fears. So today I would like to share that little section with you.

"Controlling yourself is more important than controlling others.

  I discovered early in life that other people always think they know exactly what you should be doing, when you should be doing it and how you should be doing it.  The problem is that if you listen to ten different friends, they will each tell you something different, but when it comes time to take the consequences of what you do, it is you who must take them, whether you have listened to your friends or not. Be careful who you listen to.
     On the other side of the fence, it seems really easy to see exactly what everyone else should be doing, when they should be doing it and how they should be doing it. Trying to force others to follow your map for them is what causes contention between people, in families, wars between countries and much misery in the world.
     The truth is we never really know what is in the heart and soul of others and this is why the Lord has cautioned us to be careful in our judgment of others.
     Controlling ourselves is much more difficult than controlling others. We make excuses and exceptions for ourselves that we would never make for someone else.
     'Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people, Judge not unrighteously, that ye not be judged: but judge righteous judgment. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.' Matthew 7:1-2"

Yep she inspires me, I am so grateful to still have her words to give me strength even though she is not living here on earth anymore. I can still give my kids her wisdom like she is standing right here.

And now since a Blog is not the same without a picture.. I present to you the picture for the day. Even plants and trees do their own thing and don't always do what others think they should do. It creates something beautiful

I Heart Faces: A Touch of Sun

So I was so excited about this weeks theme.

I had tons ideas running through my head that I have written down and will do with my kids one of these days soon, but for today's entry I chose to use a photo I took of my Cousin with her boyfriend this past summer. She LOVES sun in photos and so I had to make sure I took at least one for her with some in it. She wanted some nice artistic pics to hang on her wall. I hope she loves this one.

Enjoy!

Checkout the other entries at

Flecks of Gold

Oh how I forget the worth of the small things sometimes.

Too many times it seems lately.. maybe that is why we went through the trial we went through.

Thought I would share a message that helps remind me of the worth of the small compared to those nuggets we go looking for that are too big to carry.

P.S. I just Love the talks that Elder M. Russell Ballard gives and you can check out his entire talk called  "Finding Joy Through Loving Service"  Here

Something I have missed

Yep... crazy to think that I am missing something.

OK not really because seriously how many times have I written about something I miss or something I wish I could do. But this is something that I truly have missed in my life and the difference is big.

What is it already you may ask?

You sure you want to know?

Some people are scared of such things and I will admit to having my moments too. I am not perfect, or even as strong as some people may think I am most days. I am emotional and scared. I hurt and I am shy at times. But it's who I am and that is what makes me special.

Why would I be so scared of doing something I miss?

Well having mentioned before that darn parasite that knocked my family down to its knees this past summer, I am afraid of being judged, I am afraid of people not talking to me because they are afraid. I am terrified of feeling alone and looked down on for something I had no control over. I am afraid of the looks I will get when my children misbehave because they have had a long rough summer and are so full of raw emotions too that they can't keep it all in. I am scared of how I will feel when my kids behave badly. I am scared I will not be welcomed back. The crazy thing is that I know in my mind that I have no real reason to be scared because there are so many amazing people and friends there and even if there are those odd few I am not forgotten or unloved and even if I was there is one person who matters more than the others who will gladly welcome me back with open arms, but I am still scared.

So are you going crazy trying to figure out what it is that I am talking about or have you figured it out?

If you haven't I will tell you.

It is going back to church.

Such a small thing and yet so important to my life.

Why haven't we been going you are wondering if the kids can go to school and summer camps for this past month?

Well it is because of other peoples fears.

Understand now why I am afraid?

Maybe not, it seems silly to be not doing something because someone else is afraid.

You see even though we have been cleared to go out as long as we wash ourselves, especially our hands before we go until the house is cleared (furniture gone and having gone bleach WILD, etc.) from this parasite, they were afraid of their kids getting it. I was called by the bishop the week that we were cleared to leave and he asked me some questions and I was so excited to be going.. I even had most of the kids ready for church already. But then the question came and when he asked it my heart sank. I put on a brave face over the phone but I was dieing inside. Was my house cleared yet? No. It wasn't. That was before we found out we had to get rid of the furniture. So it has been a long time.since we have been there.

Was that a fair thing to be asked of us?

It felt like no but really yes it was. I would NEVER wish upon any parent the sight of their kid in the hospital with 2 IVs and oxygen. I would of been scared too if I was on the other side of the fence.

So the furniture is gone and starting to be replaced. The bleaching is done and burned our eyes. Is my house spotless and sparkly?? NO I have 6 kids are you crazy!!they lived in the cleaned rooms while I worked on the others... I suspect I will never have a home that will be spot lighted in Better Homes and Gardens, but we are happy, and healthy and glad to be able to go back to church.

What I find fun is that this Sunday is National Go Back To Church Day. So if you haven't been in a while for one reason or another, think it over. And watch this video, it might just inspire you.

Speaking of Inspiration

Being a mother of 6 AMAZING kids presents its self with many different dilemmas everyday.

There is many , many great songs out there that are written and performed by people who want to share their faith. But These great songs are not played on the radio station or listened to by many kids at school. When going to dances you are not going to hear Michael McLean's "His Hands" played so we, as parents, need to be aware of the other music out in the world and make sure our children know those songs that come along that are just as inspiring but is out there in the general public.

When my kids were little they discovered my Bon Jovi collection an fell in love with his music. So when he came out with the song "It's My Life" I used that to enforce with my kids that they are saying it's OK to say no to drugs, and alcohol, and the many other things in this life that others may want you to do that you know are wrong. It is Your Life and you have the right to choose the way you want to live it. Now I have head strong kids that make presentations to their classes on how they hate smoking and alchol and they are proud to be who they are. It also means they stand up against me when I tell them they have to do something they don't want to do. I try to remember that it is not necessarily bad but that I need to point out that good and bad choices have consequences... good and bad ones.

Now I have a couple of kids who have people, friends I told, telling them that they are not worth anything. They pick on them and ignore them and it breaks my heart because I know how they feel and no matter how many times I tell them they are worth so much more than even I know because they are Heavenly Fathers children, they hurt inside. So I was grateful the day I turned on the radio and there was Katy Perry, a musician who is a role model in so many kids eyes singing the song "Firework". Now I don't nessarely like most of her songs or what they stand for but I admire her courage to be who she is and I LOVE this song that tells our youth it is ok to stand out for who you are. It doesn't matter what ANYONE else says, your are a firework and you need to let it shine. I play these 2 songs in the morning now before they head off to school so they remember these things as they go to face the day against these "friends" (who I have said are not real friends if they treat you this way).

So as I get ready to start a new day today with my kids I thought I would share these songs with you. And also to say THANK-YOU to all my amazing friends who accepted me for who I am... faults and all. I truly love you all.

Great People

We all get star struck when we hear big names in Music and Movies. No matter how you feel about some of them if Brad and Angelina were to walk past you you would feel some awe. If  Michael Bubblé was to stand behind you in the grocery line you would consider your self lucky.

Where is all this going do you ask? Well I wanted to say how lucky I feel to have met to of the greats.. whether you know them or not in my life. They don't go out and sing the most popular thing or act in the most popular roles that will get their names in lights but they inspire us to be the people we all can be.

They have both portrayed one of my favorite most inspiring pioneer story in ways that make anyone feel  what it was like for them. A piece of LDS history that is as sad as it is amazing. I truly don't know if I could have the strength these people had. I am talking about the Martin Handcart Company. A handcart group that travelled through the most horrifying of weather because of their faith. They did things that made the Prophet weep. These people are examples to us all about how strong we, EVERYONE, are.

The first person I consider blessed to have known in my life is Jaelan Petrie. He was my high school crush. Not just because he was oh so darn cute but because I admired his strength of spirit. I was such an emotional mess back then spiritually and other wise that I never felt I could deserve someone so amazing. I managed a few times to build up the courage to talk to him and even ask him to dance. I even said Hi to him once in a voice so high and squeaky that my Best Friend couldn't stop laughing for weeks. I still laugh at times about it. I really felt like a fool when I finally got to sit in that back seat of a car with him driving home from a party and pronounced the name of a constellation wrong. Yeah.. I was a high school geek.. still am most days I think.. Well I am sure my kids thing so anyways. I continue to admire him because he went on to become the actor he wanted to be and played the lead role in the movie Handcart. Now this is a fictional story about the company but his courage to even play a role that would have go through such trials both emotional and physical is brilliant. I know some people don't feel the movie was so great but I don't care. I loved being able to share it with my kids. Look for a clip at the end of this post.

The second person is Wayne Burton. I went to institute with him and got to know this amazing person who was fun, outgoing, friendly and so full of talent. You should check him out on a BMX bike. He has this amazing soul that is so full of the spirit that you knew he was going to find some way to let it out and he has. He is a well accomplished musician with albums and such out there. His latest is also a song of the Handcart company but even more of a tribute to these unsung heroes. He captured the feeling that has always been in my heart with this story and how they have always reminded me of Christ true love for all of us.  How lucky am I to have met and learned from these two people. How lucky am I to have the rest of my inspirational friends and family in my life. My Grandma Brooks is currently in Utah filming a movie about the Old Testament. He is also some one I admire. How blessed can one person be. How can I NOT go and do those things the Lord asks me to do with such examples in my life.

I wish I understood my worth sooner when I was younger that I could of worked more closely with both of them. Maybe one day I still get the chance. For now enjoy the fruits of their work with me as well. First a Clip of the Movie Handcart with Jaelan Petrie and then the YouTube Video of the song One By One written and Perform by Wayne Burton. And to those interested Wayne is having a contest go check him out on facebook here and become a fan for your chance to win one of his albums or songbooks for free!

Who inspires you to be a better person or reminds you of what you are working towards?

Starting to Get back to Normal

Yep.. I really mean it. Thanks to some really AMAZING people our lives We have recovered most of our Beds back!! Just one more single bed to go and everyone will have their own bed to sleep on again! YEAH!!

The removing of the furniture and replacing of that has been different. We have only replaced 2 big chairs but it has really got me thinking about what we had and what we actually need to have. I have set up in my upstairs living room a table for everyone to do their homework and stuff on that seems to work better than having their rooms crowded with desks. It is a brighter room and we don't have TVs in there as it is our reading and music room. So I am thinking I will keep the table there with the some chairs to sit on at the table and the I have 2 big comfy chairs for us to relax in and read our books so maybe just one more big chair with the Piano bench that is all ready in there and there is more than enough seats for everyone with out the bulk of a couch and a love seat. Then we just need to get furniture downstairs in the toy room/ games room but maybe even there I might just get 1 love seat for us older people who watch the movies and TV shows and then some bean bags for the kids who like the lower adjustable stuff. I have kids and I need to furnish my house like I have kids instead of trying to make it look like it comes out a magazine. I need to be more practical about my home being for my family and not worry what everyone else does for theirs. I am enjoying having the opportunity to do this. It is starting to feel good again and not so stressed.

Also I have started back to tax class to train for the next level plus the Photography club has started back up again and I went to the first meeting last night. I have my photography schooling I am getting back into with the kids being in school and hopefully will have the next unit done by the end of October with my assignments sent in. The kids are doing great at school and we have even started back into having our crazy mornings since they are getting back into the routine. I never thought I would enjoy the chaos of fighting with Josh to get out of the shower and Sam to get out of bed because he has snoozed enough. It has been a lot of hard work these past 2 months to get here from catching the parasite but in a way it gave us a fresh start and a more positive out look on life. Would it be weird to say it was almost a blessing to have gone through these struggles? I don't think so.

Well I am off to move in the latest of beds to arrive so I will leave you all with a picture of the toads that seem to have survived being in our old aquarium. They all came out to eat the ants the kids collected on a piece of watermelon.