This is not a post about my new resolutions...it's a post about last year's resolution that I actually accomplished! The first time that I can ever remember completing a year long goal. Even though some of you may think that this goal is lame, I'm still very proud of myself. So what did I do? I read EVERY Ensign Magazine from cover to cover for the whole 2011 year.
For my whole adult life I've ordered the magazine and even had it in my mom's house while growing up. But I've only read one or two articles and looked at some pictures. So in January of 2011 I decided that I didn't want to waste the money any more and I wanted to get the most out of the magazine.
So to celebrate my accomplishment I wanted to blog about the top 12 articles I read that touched me spiritually and/or increased my faith and strengthened my testimony. This may be a lengthy post but I hope you enjoy these articles as much as I have.
JANUARY
http://lds.org/ensign/2011/01/fundamental-to-our-faith?lang=eng
This article was AMAZING. Elder Oaks gave this speech to Harvard students about the misconceptions of Mormonism. It helped me to see more clearly the exact points of our beliefs and why we believe them. I wish I were better at words because this article really touched me and I'm not sure how to explain it. My favorite quote from the article: "The academy can pretend to neutrality on questions of right and wrong, but society cannot survive on such neutrality."
FEBRUARY
http://lds.org/ensign/2011/02/finding-answers?lang=eng
Not to get too personal, but I have been working on feeling the spirit more in my life. This article really gave me an insight in how to do that. "The fact that every member of the Church is given the gift of the Holy Ghost is evidence that the Lord wants to reveal things to you and through you." The article really made me pray with more intent and ask the right questions so that I can feel the spirit.
MARCH
http://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/when-broken-hearts-become-one?lang=eng
I've been in a ward like this one before and it was comforting to know that we were all in it together. This ward didn't have the tragedies like the one in the article but the idea of a ward family was the same. I really miss that ward and it makes me want to hope and work for another ward like that! I miss you Portsmouth Ward!
APRIL
http://lds.org/ensign/2011/04/to-always-remember-him?lang=eng
What a great lesson on how to prioritize your life and make Christ at the center. This article motivated me to be more involved in my scripture study and to stop worrying about all the decisions I'm required to make. I know that "... aligning our will to that of Jesus Christ as He aligned His will to the Father’s is something not easily achieved." but I am more determined to do my best at trusting Him.
MAY
http://lds.org/ensign/2011/05/what-manner-of-men-and-women-ought-ye-to-be?lang=eng
There are so many wonderful articles about this issue. It really was hard to find just one. This issue took me almost 2 months to read because I kept wanting to reread some articles. So June and July's issues had to be doubled up. But I got through them all. I choose this particular article because it inspired me to create a "Attribute Book" for our Family Home Evenings. Here is the quote from the article that helped me create the book: "We are never done being good parents. And to be good parents, one of the most important things we can teach our children is how to be more like the Savior." I hope to have a different post about the book to explain it more so stay tuned.
JUNE
http://lds.org/ensign/2011/06/the-heart-and-a-willing-mind?lang=eng
"If we love the Lord with all our heart, we are willing to give Him everything we possess. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) said: “The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. … The many other things we give to God … are actually things He has already given us, and He has loaned them to us. But when we begin to submit ourselves by letting our wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him. … There is a part of us that is ultimately sovereign, the mind and heart. … And when we submit to His will, then we’ve really given Him the one thing He asks of us.” ENOUGH SAID! I just wish it was as easy to do than it is to say! Since the beginning of 2011 I've been working on submitting my will to the Father...it is not easy! But this article helped me to understand how to do it a little better.
So I will do the other 7 in the next post. I wanted to get at least a little done now. Hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sunday, January 23, 2011
My Dear Madisen
It's been awhile since I updated you on my sweet Madisen. And I need to write down this stuff before I forget.
She is getting pretty good at using a spoon, but doesn't prefer it. I still can't put a plate in front of her because she always flips it over. And I hate to admit this, but she still loves her bottle. It's a big struggle between me and her to get rid of it, but I think I'm just now starting to win. She only has a bottle when she sleeps, but there is no liquid in it. But she doesn't care. She'll take an empty bottle over a full cup any time.
I constantly worry about her eating lifestyle. Brent thinks I'm just stupid for trying to get her addicted to healthy foods, but I'm pretty serious about it. He keeps telling me that she is not on a diet, but I don't see it that way. I feed her those foods so she doesn't need to be on a diet later. He is no help to me....he always gives her candy, chocolate, and soda. Oh well....I guess I'm lucky that she is around me more than him. I just don't want her fat like me.
Toys -- Madisen doesn't really prefer one toy over another...but I can say that she loves her books. I really didn't push her into books at all. In fact I kind of kept them on the shelf mostly because I was afraid that she would tear them apart. But I can't keep her hands off of them, so I gave in and put them on a shelf so she can reach. She loves her books. More than I ever imagined. There have been many many days that I can't find her and I see her in her room reading her books. She is so cute about it too. She'll sit with her feet out in front of her and the book on her lap just flipping through the pictures. She never gets sick of old books either. Her favorite book is "Dora" of course and she opens that one about 3 times a day.
Not long ago she loved to play with her ball. But that doesn't seem to impress her anymore. She likes to climb on things like her little chairs or pull things with strings like shoes. Anything that is light and bigger than her, she likes to carry around. She has 2 stuffed animals that are much larger than her and she likes to carry them around the room and then sit on them.
One interesting thing that she likes to do is sit on the floor right in front of the couch and throw her head back so it bounces off the couch cushion. She'll do this over and over until her head gets dizzy.
I have to mention that she loves to play with the dogs too. She feeds them every day, puts them in their cage, dumps their water out and pulls their hair. She loves the dogs and even tried to ride Einstein. She even tries to get them to play with her toys. She still can't "pet" them, she ends up just slapping them. But they love her and it's so fun to watch them together.
She is just now starting to like music and dance. But not often. She loves to clap just to make noise and always does the "touchdown" signal to make daddy and I happy.
I can't forget to mention her "purse" which is really anything that she can put her arm through. She carries it around like a purse. Such a girl...
Routine -- She loves bath time. I'm not sure if it's the water she loves more, or the being naked.
She also loves when I take her to the library. She will run to every shelf looking for books. She is even known by some of the librarians. She loves to run up and down the aisles too.
1. Brushing teeth although she loves to eat the toothpaste.
2. Getting dressed. She would much rather be naked.
3. The doctor. But what baby does like him?
4. The car seat. Never did and I'm afraid she never will. Something about being strapped down.
Madisen has always been advanced in her motor skills. Right now she is running and climbing all over everything. I guess that's pretty common for a 15 month old, but Madisen can also unscrew a cap, pull any lid off, open any drawer no matter the size or shape, open ziploc bags, jump over objects, throw a ball, unzip her PJ's, unsnap her onesie and put on her own clothes. And she loves to play with her mobil over her bed. She can turn it on/off and switch between songs. I am constantly amazed at how smart she is.
1. Her most favorite phrase of all time is "ALL GONE." She says this every time something is empty, leaves the room or gets thrown away or falls. I hear "all gone" about a million times a day.
2. "nite nite" She can tell me when she is tired. I love it!!!
3. " ba ba" Her bottle...she can't get rid of it
4. "Dada" everyone is dada. Even mommy and strangers.
5. "Touchdown" I wonder where she learned that one
6. "Thank you" She is just starting to say this so it's a little broken. But she is getting better at it.
7. "Mama" She can say it, but rarely does
Words she knows but can't say
1. Shoes and socks
2. Book
3. go and come and bring
4. Throw away
5. Chair
6. Bath
7. Ball
8. Phone
9. Touch
10. Most easy body parts (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, tongue, feet, leg, arm, hand, belly)
11. High Five
12. Bye Bye
13. Hello
She is the sweetest most amazing baby ever. I thank the Lord every day for the opportunity to be with her all day and raise her. She is such an easy going happy baby. She loves everyone and makes everyone happy to be around. I really can't believe how lucky I am to be her mommy.
FAVORITES
Food -- Just about anything right now. I'm having a hard time keeping her full. But I would have to say that she loves cheese, grapes and Dora fruit snacks. She will eat those anytime, anywhere and sometimes even at the same time. Blueberries are a close second. But really she is pretty easy to feed. She is getting pretty good at using a spoon, but doesn't prefer it. I still can't put a plate in front of her because she always flips it over. And I hate to admit this, but she still loves her bottle. It's a big struggle between me and her to get rid of it, but I think I'm just now starting to win. She only has a bottle when she sleeps, but there is no liquid in it. But she doesn't care. She'll take an empty bottle over a full cup any time.
I constantly worry about her eating lifestyle. Brent thinks I'm just stupid for trying to get her addicted to healthy foods, but I'm pretty serious about it. He keeps telling me that she is not on a diet, but I don't see it that way. I feed her those foods so she doesn't need to be on a diet later. He is no help to me....he always gives her candy, chocolate, and soda. Oh well....I guess I'm lucky that she is around me more than him. I just don't want her fat like me.
Toys -- Madisen doesn't really prefer one toy over another...but I can say that she loves her books. I really didn't push her into books at all. In fact I kind of kept them on the shelf mostly because I was afraid that she would tear them apart. But I can't keep her hands off of them, so I gave in and put them on a shelf so she can reach. She loves her books. More than I ever imagined. There have been many many days that I can't find her and I see her in her room reading her books. She is so cute about it too. She'll sit with her feet out in front of her and the book on her lap just flipping through the pictures. She never gets sick of old books either. Her favorite book is "Dora" of course and she opens that one about 3 times a day.
Not long ago she loved to play with her ball. But that doesn't seem to impress her anymore. She likes to climb on things like her little chairs or pull things with strings like shoes. Anything that is light and bigger than her, she likes to carry around. She has 2 stuffed animals that are much larger than her and she likes to carry them around the room and then sit on them.
One interesting thing that she likes to do is sit on the floor right in front of the couch and throw her head back so it bounces off the couch cushion. She'll do this over and over until her head gets dizzy.
I have to mention that she loves to play with the dogs too. She feeds them every day, puts them in their cage, dumps their water out and pulls their hair. She loves the dogs and even tried to ride Einstein. She even tries to get them to play with her toys. She still can't "pet" them, she ends up just slapping them. But they love her and it's so fun to watch them together.
She is just now starting to like music and dance. But not often. She loves to clap just to make noise and always does the "touchdown" signal to make daddy and I happy.
I can't forget to mention her "purse" which is really anything that she can put her arm through. She carries it around like a purse. Such a girl...
Routine -- She loves bath time. I'm not sure if it's the water she loves more, or the being naked.
She also loves when I take her to the library. She will run to every shelf looking for books. She is even known by some of the librarians. She loves to run up and down the aisles too.
DISLIKES
1. Brushing teeth although she loves to eat the toothpaste.
2. Getting dressed. She would much rather be naked.
3. The doctor. But what baby does like him?
4. The car seat. Never did and I'm afraid she never will. Something about being strapped down.
MOTOR SKILLS
Madisen has always been advanced in her motor skills. Right now she is running and climbing all over everything. I guess that's pretty common for a 15 month old, but Madisen can also unscrew a cap, pull any lid off, open any drawer no matter the size or shape, open ziploc bags, jump over objects, throw a ball, unzip her PJ's, unsnap her onesie and put on her own clothes. And she loves to play with her mobil over her bed. She can turn it on/off and switch between songs. I am constantly amazed at how smart she is.
SPEECH
Her is a list of words she can say right now1. Her most favorite phrase of all time is "ALL GONE." She says this every time something is empty, leaves the room or gets thrown away or falls. I hear "all gone" about a million times a day.
2. "nite nite" She can tell me when she is tired. I love it!!!
3. " ba ba" Her bottle...she can't get rid of it
4. "Dada" everyone is dada. Even mommy and strangers.
5. "Touchdown" I wonder where she learned that one
6. "Thank you" She is just starting to say this so it's a little broken. But she is getting better at it.
7. "Mama" She can say it, but rarely does
Words she knows but can't say
1. Shoes and socks
2. Book
3. go and come and bring
4. Throw away
5. Chair
6. Bath
7. Ball
8. Phone
9. Touch
10. Most easy body parts (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, tongue, feet, leg, arm, hand, belly)
11. High Five
12. Bye Bye
13. Hello
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Blogs of Note
So I've decided that my new goal is to get nominated as the blogger "blog of note." I've been doing a lot of research on this and have found that most blogs of notes have about 8 things in common. So I'm going to try to do each one of these 8 things and pray that the blogger employees find it interesting.
1. Each BON actually have posts....so that means I have to be more consistent and start posting a lot more.
2. Each BON has pictures. So I have to get my picture finger moving....
3. Each BON is uniquely decorated. I have no idea how to do this. I just use the free backgrounds from blogger or from "TCBOTB" So I need to start learning HTML or something!!
4. Each BON have a theme....still thinking about my theme. Why can't my theme be "randomness."?
5. Each BON has followers....heck I don't even have a clue how to get followers....must think about this one.
6. Each BON has people that leave comments....don't know how to get that too. Don't get me wrong...I love the people that do leave comments (all 2 of them) but I must get more.....somehow.
7. Each BON is interesting. I tend to think that my thoughts are interesting, but maybe I should write about what other people find interesting. But then that wouldn't be MY blog. Tough decision.
8. Each BON has a lot of gadgets and lists and lots of other things that I have no idea how to add. Maybe I should take a class on all the new gadgets and how to put them on my blog, cuz I'm just not that tech savvy.
That's all I can see that I need to work on....I have a lot to do. But I'm going to do it. I have to get a new hobby and stop wasting so much time doing stupid things, so this is my new "thing" I'm determined to get this honor. Wish me luck, and let your friends know about my blog.
Thanks
1. Each BON actually have posts....so that means I have to be more consistent and start posting a lot more.
2. Each BON has pictures. So I have to get my picture finger moving....
3. Each BON is uniquely decorated. I have no idea how to do this. I just use the free backgrounds from blogger or from "TCBOTB" So I need to start learning HTML or something!!
4. Each BON have a theme....still thinking about my theme. Why can't my theme be "randomness."?
5. Each BON has followers....heck I don't even have a clue how to get followers....must think about this one.
6. Each BON has people that leave comments....don't know how to get that too. Don't get me wrong...I love the people that do leave comments (all 2 of them) but I must get more.....somehow.
7. Each BON is interesting. I tend to think that my thoughts are interesting, but maybe I should write about what other people find interesting. But then that wouldn't be MY blog. Tough decision.
8. Each BON has a lot of gadgets and lists and lots of other things that I have no idea how to add. Maybe I should take a class on all the new gadgets and how to put them on my blog, cuz I'm just not that tech savvy.
That's all I can see that I need to work on....I have a lot to do. But I'm going to do it. I have to get a new hobby and stop wasting so much time doing stupid things, so this is my new "thing" I'm determined to get this honor. Wish me luck, and let your friends know about my blog.
Thanks
Friday, September 24, 2010
TV??????
So I have to just come out and admit it....I watch TV. Yep. I absolutely hate watching TV, in fact most (more like all) of the shows are just immoral or just plain stupid. So why can't I stop watching it? Every day I have a lonnnnngggg list of things I need to do, but I just sit and watch TV instead. I've never really been like this before. I'm not sure why I've changed. But I have.
So in my quest to find a new life, get some hobbies and find my passion, I'm going to start turning off the TV....
But just so you aren't curious, here is a list of my favorite (I mean past favorite) shows: (in no particular order)
1. Project Runway....I love the drama and the characters this season....super addicting.
2. Oprah...I've never been so addicted to Oprah as I have this past month. Maybe it's because I live so close to Chicago now.
3. Million Dollar Password.....I keep thinking I'd be good at this game. I wish it was still on, I would try out and win.
4. The Soup....hilarious!!!! That's all I can say about it.
5. House...how does this mean old Dr. get away with it?
6. Mad Men....ohhhhh I love this show!!!
7. Glee....ohhhhh I love love love this show!!!!
8. Fringe....super weird but super good.
9. The Biggest Loser.....inspiring
10. The Singing Bee....fun and I always know all the words
And the show I absolutely HATE!!!!!
Jersey Shore!
So in my quest to find a new life, get some hobbies and find my passion, I'm going to start turning off the TV....
But just so you aren't curious, here is a list of my favorite (I mean past favorite) shows: (in no particular order)
1. Project Runway....I love the drama and the characters this season....super addicting.
2. Oprah...I've never been so addicted to Oprah as I have this past month. Maybe it's because I live so close to Chicago now.
3. Million Dollar Password.....I keep thinking I'd be good at this game. I wish it was still on, I would try out and win.
4. The Soup....hilarious!!!! That's all I can say about it.
5. House...how does this mean old Dr. get away with it?
6. Mad Men....ohhhhh I love this show!!!
7. Glee....ohhhhh I love love love this show!!!!
8. Fringe....super weird but super good.
9. The Biggest Loser.....inspiring
10. The Singing Bee....fun and I always know all the words
And the show I absolutely HATE!!!!!
Jersey Shore!
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