I need to keep up on my journal, and this is the most comfortable place for that right now.
GRATEFUL for Frank. The more I talk to people/friends/neighbors, somehow the more I am grateful for my husband. So many stories of men who won't talk to their wives about things, who don't take care of the kids or who when they do, it's only putting them in front of a DVD and otherwise ignoring them.
Frank played with our kids when they were little and never balked about taking care of them solo--including diapers, thank you, and he did a good job of it. (Neither one of us wanted Puke Duty when there was stomach flu...we kind of switched off. Eeeewww.)
Now, he asks them for their input on trips and outings, and is willing to drive them places when there is a conflict (a conflict with ME doing it--it's still my job. His job pays our mortgage, and everything else). He knows about their activities and goes to Back to School Night.
The girls "fight" over who gets to sit by Dad in Sacrament Meeting. The kids really like to be with him. He makes a great weekend breakfast, and lets Kara have sleepovers. (I'd say no to every sleepover, don't know why. But Frank thinks they're no big deal, and they probably aren't a big deal. We have them periodically.)
I need to be more meaningful in my prayers. I am in such a distracted state most of the time--somebody is always right in my face with a question or needing to find something. I really pray more in my mind while I'm in the car or getting ready in the morning. It's not a good habit that I've fallen into.
I never thought parenting would be the way it is. And we have good kids! ha. It's everywhere, all the time, always more to do, as a parent! And reminding the kids to do things (chores, practice piano, etc.) is not fun. But I need to be the parent. There needs to be boundaries. Even the Lord sets boundaries for us, and even He chastises us when needed. He does it to us because he knows we'll be better people for it. I need to look at the big picture and recognize that my kids will be better people if they are taught responsibility and accountability, and to love the Lord.
Now I'm rambling. I love my kids. They are awesome.
More later, Kari
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
How to Best Spend Our Time
Life is full of decisions to be made. Where to work? Where to live? Rent or own? Which school to attend? What to eat? Drink or not? Smoke? What to have for dinner? Some decisions are important. Some are not, but they still take up our time. 
The trick is to spend an appropriate amount of time pondering the more weighty issues. The clock will tick on, whether you are using time wisely or not.
These days we think about work. Look for different opportunities? Sta
y with what we have until one or more child(ren) graduate(s)?
It's quite cold here in January. And this year, there is lots of snow. It is beautiful and all, but it's a lot of shoveling and worrying about how it can harm the house, the cars, make ice dams on the roof which leads to leaks. This has been difficult for me! I also just don't like being cold. I don't aspire to be a true New Englander. I'm just visiting. So, do we visit for a few more years? Or try to make a move soon?
I'm trying to be in the right frame of mind, more often. Read scriptures, advice from church leaders, listen for promptings or answers in quiet moments. There are not many of those, of course! But I try to make opportunities for quiet moments.
The trick is to spend an appropriate amount of time pondering the more weighty issues. The clock will tick on, whether you are using time wisely or not.
These days we think about work. Look for different opportunities? Sta
y with what we have until one or more child(ren) graduate(s)?It's quite cold here in January. And this year, there is lots of snow. It is beautiful and all, but it's a lot of shoveling and worrying about how it can harm the house, the cars, make ice dams on the roof which leads to leaks. This has been difficult for me! I also just don't like being cold. I don't aspire to be a true New Englander. I'm just visiting. So, do we visit for a few more years? Or try to make a move soon?
I'm trying to be in the right frame of mind, more often. Read scriptures, advice from church leaders, listen for promptings or answers in quiet moments. There are not many of those, of course! But I try to make opportunities for quiet moments.
Pray for Those Who Persecute You
Hello!
I'm trying to figure out what exactly I want this blog to be...since I have not shared the website with anyone, it is really for myself. I can add photos if I want, but mostly it is my own thoughts and insights.
I've been reading about Ruby Bridges; she's the little girl in 1960 who was the first African American to attend an all-white school in Louisiana. The Supreme Court ruled that blacks should get the same educational opportunities as white people, so integration would start in September of 1960. White people protested, most of them taking their own kids out of school when little Ruby walked in. They had 4 members of the National Guard there to protect her, picking her up from her home, driving her to the school and walking her to the school doors. Angry whites lined the sidewalks, shouting obscenities and spitting on her. Absolutely amazing.
Disney made a movie of the story. I read "Through My Eyes," the story written by Ruby herself, as she saw it when she was 6.
One part of her story made me think. She said her mom taught her to pray, and she always thought that prayer would get her through anything. "Jesus said to pray for those who persecute you," she remembers her mother telling her.
People kind of lose their brains when they are in a crowd. Like all of a sudden they are not themselves, and they can say and do things they won't be held accountable for.
There was a group of mothers the press called the "cheerleaders," who would shout obscenities and threaten this little 6-year-old girl, each morning she walked by them, into their school. I couldn't even believe it. And this girl's mother told her to pray for them.
I'm trying to figure out what exactly I want this blog to be...since I have not shared the website with anyone, it is really for myself. I can add photos if I want, but mostly it is my own thoughts and insights.
I've been reading about Ruby Bridges; she's the little girl in 1960 who was the first African American to attend an all-white school in Louisiana. The Supreme Court ruled that blacks should get the same educational opportunities as white people, so integration would start in September of 1960. White people protested, most of them taking their own kids out of school when little Ruby walked in. They had 4 members of the National Guard there to protect her, picking her up from her home, driving her to the school and walking her to the school doors. Angry whites lined the sidewalks, shouting obscenities and spitting on her. Absolutely amazing.
Disney made a movie of the story. I read "Through My Eyes," the story written by Ruby herself, as she saw it when she was 6.
One part of her story made me think. She said her mom taught her to pray, and she always thought that prayer would get her through anything. "Jesus said to pray for those who persecute you," she remembers her mother telling her.
People kind of lose their brains when they are in a crowd. Like all of a sudden they are not themselves, and they can say and do things they won't be held accountable for.
There was a group of mothers the press called the "cheerleaders," who would shout obscenities and threaten this little 6-year-old girl, each morning she walked by them, into their school. I couldn't even believe it. And this girl's mother told her to pray for them.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Being Thankful
Since we just finished Thanksgiving weekend, I am feeling inspired to post an entry of things for which I am thankful.
My husband
My children
A warm bed
small pets, which bring my children joy
transportation
customer service people who actually help you
electricity
an empathetic smile from someone who feels your frustration
warm bread
sweet potatoes
water
old friends
new friends
the chance to learn something new
Internet access
airplanes
frequent flyer miles
a sturdy home
a safe neighborhood
We really are so blessed! And with those blessings come responsibility, to give to those who are without. I'm not sure how our holiday turned into a day for eating too much. But it's also a chance to spend time with people we love.
My husband
My children
A warm bed
small pets, which bring my children joy
transportation
customer service people who actually help you
electricity
an empathetic smile from someone who feels your frustration
warm bread
sweet potatoes
water
old friends
new friends
the chance to learn something new
Internet access
airplanes
frequent flyer miles
a sturdy home
a safe neighborhood
We really are so blessed! And with those blessings come responsibility, to give to those who are without. I'm not sure how our holiday turned into a day for eating too much. But it's also a chance to spend time with people we love.
Friday, September 24, 2010
His Hand is Stretched Out Still
"For all this, His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still." The lesson this week in Gospel Doctrine is about the prophet Isaiah and his teachings to the people so long ago, and what he saw of the people today (us.)
I love the imagery in the scriptures (there are many) that describe how the Lord sees us and is always there for us if we will but turn to Him. The scriptures in Isaiah 5 and 6 describe the sins of the people, how they are so focused on worldliness and are so concerned with costly apparel and idols of their own making.
"Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people...for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."
No matter what we do or don't do, no matter what time we waste on things of little or no importance, no matter how much we ignore the teachings of the prophets and insist on going about our own very important (in our own minds) business, the Lord is always there. At some point, hopefully sooner than later, we will wake up and realize that his way is the better way, and we'll decide to spend our time and energies on things of bigger import (i.e. building the kingdom of Zion, which boils down to serving our brothers and sisters and lifting the burdens of others).
Whenever that time is, the Lord will be right there. Not miles away, but right there.
I still imagine the visual given in a lesson one Sunday, years ago. The teacher held up both hands, palms facing each other. The hands represented each of us as individuals (left hand) and the Lord (right hand), conversing and walking together. The left hand (we) then decide to turn away and follow our own path, leaving the Lord behind (left palm turns away, left arm and hand go far left, leaving right hand in the center).
We decide, after a time, that we need the Lord after all, but wonder how far, exactly, we have strayed, and how can we possibly get back to where we were. (Left palm turns back slightly, towards the right hand.)
With that small motion from the left hand (us), the right hand (the Lord) immediately moves right next to the left hand again. Heavenly Father is right there. He is there, arms outstretched, at all times, ready to support us.
All we have to do is be willing to try.
I love the imagery in the scriptures (there are many) that describe how the Lord sees us and is always there for us if we will but turn to Him. The scriptures in Isaiah 5 and 6 describe the sins of the people, how they are so focused on worldliness and are so concerned with costly apparel and idols of their own making.
"Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people...for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."
No matter what we do or don't do, no matter what time we waste on things of little or no importance, no matter how much we ignore the teachings of the prophets and insist on going about our own very important (in our own minds) business, the Lord is always there. At some point, hopefully sooner than later, we will wake up and realize that his way is the better way, and we'll decide to spend our time and energies on things of bigger import (i.e. building the kingdom of Zion, which boils down to serving our brothers and sisters and lifting the burdens of others).
Whenever that time is, the Lord will be right there. Not miles away, but right there.
I still imagine the visual given in a lesson one Sunday, years ago. The teacher held up both hands, palms facing each other. The hands represented each of us as individuals (left hand) and the Lord (right hand), conversing and walking together. The left hand (we) then decide to turn away and follow our own path, leaving the Lord behind (left palm turns away, left arm and hand go far left, leaving right hand in the center).
We decide, after a time, that we need the Lord after all, but wonder how far, exactly, we have strayed, and how can we possibly get back to where we were. (Left palm turns back slightly, towards the right hand.)
With that small motion from the left hand (us), the right hand (the Lord) immediately moves right next to the left hand again. Heavenly Father is right there. He is there, arms outstretched, at all times, ready to support us.
All we have to do is be willing to try.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
On Time
How do I make time for the important things? People love to say "I don't have time" or "I'm too busy." Like "being busy" means they are important, or that their life has meaning.
I have noticed that I can fill my time with unimportant things, no problem. I can read, surf the Internet, shuffle through papers. I can clean, spend time looking for things, and work on making dinner. I can drive, drive, drive. Drive to the grocery store. Drive my kids to playdates and practices. Drive to a store.
No matter what I choose to do, time WILL go by. But how do I choose the most important things to do?
Talk to my kids. Listen to them.
When we have car time, talk to them and listen to them.
Nourish my relationship with my husband.
Utilize phone time. Go on dates.
Call Grandma occasionally.
Nourish my testimony: (how to do that?)
Be selective in my readings. Feed my spirit daily, somehow. Ensign, prayer, discussing scriptures as we read as a family. Go to the temple and feel the peace there.
Surround myself with uplifting, encouraging, positive people. Who are they?
My mom, Grandma, Michelle Berry, Jamie Larsen, Amy Tenney, Susan Green, Shawnee, Tiffany Allred, Julie Hollist, Kathie Gunn, Darsi Dowling, Erin Campbell.
I know there isn't enough time to do everything. But there is time to do the most important things. If I make a conscious effort to fit them in first.
I have noticed that I can fill my time with unimportant things, no problem. I can read, surf the Internet, shuffle through papers. I can clean, spend time looking for things, and work on making dinner. I can drive, drive, drive. Drive to the grocery store. Drive my kids to playdates and practices. Drive to a store.
No matter what I choose to do, time WILL go by. But how do I choose the most important things to do?
Talk to my kids. Listen to them.
When we have car time, talk to them and listen to them.
Nourish my relationship with my husband.
Utilize phone time. Go on dates.
Call Grandma occasionally.
Nourish my testimony: (how to do that?)
Be selective in my readings. Feed my spirit daily, somehow. Ensign, prayer, discussing scriptures as we read as a family. Go to the temple and feel the peace there.
Surround myself with uplifting, encouraging, positive people. Who are they?
My mom, Grandma, Michelle Berry, Jamie Larsen, Amy Tenney, Susan Green, Shawnee, Tiffany Allred, Julie Hollist, Kathie Gunn, Darsi Dowling, Erin Campbell.
I know there isn't enough time to do everything. But there is time to do the most important things. If I make a conscious effort to fit them in first.
Being Thankful
Hmmm. It's been awhile on this one! Time for a gratitude reminder.
I am thankful for:
my husband
my kids
my parents and siblings
transportation
green grass
beaches
ocean
mountains
4-wheeling
skydiving
friends you can meet up with after years of life, and pick up the conversation like you just saw them yesterday
movies
smiles
cats
our amazing bodies
our minds
books
the ability to read
my eyes
my teeth
doctors
dentists (yes, I'm thankful for dentists)
good teachers
people who know how to do things I don't know how to do
I am thankful for:
my husband
my kids
my parents and siblings
transportation
green grass
beaches
ocean
mountains
4-wheeling
skydiving
friends you can meet up with after years of life, and pick up the conversation like you just saw them yesterday
movies
smiles
cats
our amazing bodies
our minds
books
the ability to read
my eyes
my teeth
doctors
dentists (yes, I'm thankful for dentists)
good teachers
people who know how to do things I don't know how to do
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