Archive for category: Inspirational

“It looks bleak outside” said I the other day.
The kids said, “What does bleak mean?”
Said I, “oh… i’m not sure of the definition… but look outside and you’ll know.”

Well kids… here is the definition from websters for ya.

bleak:
: exposed and barren and often windswept
: cold, raw
: lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness : grim
: not hopeful or encouraging

Yep. It’s bleak… without snow of course, because why would it snow in Utah in the winter… it’s not like we claim to have the best snow on earth or anything.

What will help in the bleak mid-winter?

color. go to target and look at the clearance rack in the kid’s section … tangerine… raspberry… turquoise… it’s fun. then go to the plasticware section… grass, tangerine, red, teal… it’s bright and full of delight.

This is what is helping me through the blahs of January… COLOR & CREATIVITY.

These are my new upcoming PRODUCT LINES (ha-ha… it makes me laugh to act like I have a real business or something). Think “United States of America” … and “LDS Espanol Art”…. not mixed together, mind you.   I’m Lovin’ It!

p.s. Did you know about the poem “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Christina Georgina Rossetti. I decided to look it up to see if it was as BLEAK as it sounded. It’s rather good. It’s a Christmas poem… and ends in this familiar way:

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

Now that is a bit of cheer.

With the kids out of school until the new year, we’re all going to be together in close quarters for a few weeks. The fortunate thing is that we love each other. The unfortunate thing is that even though families love each other, they don’t always get along. I came across this fabulous counsel for parents… I liked the part of the talk that advised parents in regards to contention in the home. We’ll give it a go and see if things improve. Having the Holy Ghost in our home is the best because we’re nice and happy and all.

edited later in the evening: Yesterday in R.S. I proclaimed that “I know we receive blessings when we keep the commandments… even when it’s hard… like having family home evening with little ones.” I think we endure hours of bouncing off the walls and wiggling on the couch during FHE… but yet, when you see that tear or sparkle of recognition in the eyes of a child, you realize that it’s all worth it. If they felt the Holy Ghost or learned something new, it’s all good.

Well – anyhoo… fast forward to fhe tonight… or could also be said about today’s morning devotional. I’m not sure the kids could even stay seated on the couch one bit. They were wiggling and sliding on the leather. It was a bit outrageous. I stopped things and declared that tots must learn to sit still for 5 minutes… “You can do it!” Well – anyhoo… I think during the prayer Tru was trying to shoot Hannah in the forehead with a suction cup shooting toy. Then Abe insisted on shooting the suction cup thingie at the clock. It stuck. Really people? Max threw a toy and it hit Tru. And right before the story Abe picked Max up and hurt him. I asked the kids to share a special story of Christ from the Book of Mormon and Hannah and Abe came up quite empty. So the ‘you are not a failure unless you give up’ phrase has been ringing in my ears. And sometimes I very seriously want to give up (just ask Jimmy!). But goodness… can’t give up. Never give up. Keep going sister!