No Better Days Than These......

Yesterday I was getting ready to read over the 

visiting teaching message for the month 

when I remembered I had recently let my Ensign 

subscription lapse.

Next months is on its way now, 

but I was in a hurry and needed to scrounge up an

old issue fast.

I grabbed the first one I stumbled upon....

January 2011.

I stuffed it in my bag and the kids and I headed to church for scouts.

Once everyone was settled, I sat down to flip through

the articles to find one I thought might be applicable 

to our sisters this month.

I quickly chose 

MAKE YOURS A GREAT LIFE

This was such a sweet find.

I guess I skipped it the first go round through the magazine.

Paul V. Johnson is the speaker,

"Your future is not determined by the 

conditions around you.

It is determined by your faith, your choices, and your efforts."

He spoke a lot about the strong examples of

different people and times that have come before us.

He mentions many historical accounts of challenging 

times and circumstances when others lived, and went on 

to fulfill their destinies.

None of these people allowed the challenges they faced

or the conditions of their world to determine the trajectory

of their lives.  They went forward with faith, 

and through the blessings of the Lord, they all

became what they were meant to become.

 Your individual future is either bright or cloudy,

depending on YOU.

I guarantee that you will face challenges.

That is part of mortality.

It is expected.

It is OK.

In fact, it is necessary.

 From Howard W. Hunter - 

"I am here tonight to tell you that despair, doom, 

and discouragement are not an acceptable view

of life for a Latter-day Saint.

Knowing what we know, and living as we are supposed to live,

we really have no place, no excuse, for pessimism and despair.

(love this next part)

I have worked my way through the depression and managed

to go to law school while starting a young family

at the same time. 

I have seen stock markets and world economics go crazy......

So I am frank to say tonight that I hope you won't

believe all the world's difficulties have  been 

wedged into your decade, or that things 

have never been worse than they are for you personally, 

or that they will never get better.

There are no better days than these days,

because "these are your days" (Helaman 7:9)

You are on the earth at this time for a reason.

You have what it takes.

I think I love this so much because -

 A. I know it is true, that thought is comforting, and exciting.

B. It feels like tough love, and I am all for that. 
He is like wake up folks.

Come on....dig in and go for it!!

C. It reminds me of the baby blessing Kevin

gave to McCauley.  The only words I remember of 

any of our four kids blessings he gave are these -

McCauley, this is your time,  this is your turn on Earth.

It's our time.

I hope you go enjoy the full article.

It is definitely worth a second glance and 8 minutes of your time.

Have a wonderful day!

A new discovery....Texting......!

Last Saturday the boys and K went shark fishing 

from 7:00 - 11:00pm.

While they were gone M and I did girl stuff,

which included watching "Little House on the Prairie".

I have her pretty much hooked.

At one point I took my leave and had a quick bath,

while I was in there Cauley heard my phone get a text.

She was quite anxious, it was from dad.

I said just read it to me....

what if I don't know all the words,

it will be ok.

Just spell them out to me and we will go through it 

together.

She proceeds to read the urgent message....

here's a small snippet - 

"........he had his b-o-s-s'-s (space) k-e-y-s (space)

we had to go back to w-h-e-r-e (space) he 

works to t-u-r-n (space) them in....."

Ok, good job.

Go ahead and text him back if you like....

or just wait for me, I will be out in a few minutes.

I want to,

But what about my spelling?

It is ok, he will be able to figure it out.

I told her the ins and outs through the door and she

was off....

I will translate....I thought

this was too cute and special not to hang onto and share.

Hav you cot ene fish god nit i lov you.

pes. Wen are cumen bac?

(Have you caught any fish? Good night, I love you.

p.s. When are you coming back?)

11:30...Mac T, is that u....?

Babe. Is. Giten rile. Tird. And so am ie.  And bie the 

wae. It is McCauley.

(Baby is getting really tired and so am I.  And by the way,

it is McCauley.)

Sweet...!  Good texting Mac T.

The.  Cucedow. Wus. Gud.

Sweet girl....! I love cookie dough....!

Ples col me makte

(Please call me MacT)

I'm sure you get the idea.

She has been texting Kevin at the table, behind the couch.....

very fun.

......................................................

"Speak as little as possible about yourself.

Mind your own business.

Do not manage others.

Avoid curiosity.

Accept Correction.

Pass over mistakes.

Accept insults.

Accept dislikes.

Do not seek to be special.

Yield, even when right.

Be kind and gentle.

Choose always the Hardest."

 - Mother Teresa           

    

I copied this down while staying with my parents in Utah.

We had quite a few discussions about these recommendations.

Do you agree with all of them?

Is there one you know you want to do better at?

I know there were a few for me....

Have a great day!

AWARENESS.

I follow a blog called SHUT UP AND RUN....

each day I get an email with her words 

of wisdom, her training tips, and sometimes

really crude humor.

I skip quite a bit, but also take in much of what she 

has to offer.

I like this quote from one of her posts:

"I believe it's a lifestyle.

It's finding the connection between how you 

feel mentally, emotionally and physically

and what you put into your body.

There is NOTHING I eat in a given day that

I eat without being completely conscious

of how it is or is not contributing

to the well being of my body.

Awareness is Key.

When we get disconnected,

we make poor choices."

I have this taped above my computer by the light switch.

This quote is not magic,

I am not a fanatic health nut veagan...

(as if I could ever do that.)

but I do ask myself - 

Is this going to help fuel my body?

If the answer is no....

then I check and see if it will be worth it to me to 

continue on with the eating of this or that

piece of lard, or hunk of chalk,

or whatever is tempting me at the moment.

If my answer is yes, then I proceed....

like I did just now with two spoonfuls of cookie dough 

that I heated up in the microwave.

I did it.

It is done.
My conscious choice.

My splurge....
now I will make sure I give my 

body what it needs for the remainder of the day.

McCauley's Art work.

Check out 

SHUT UP AND RUN 

today...she has a very good post that is worth reading

on how important it is to NOT be your own worst Enemy.

This thought MOTIVATES me.....

Man look at this INSANE Chick!

What is she like working out at the speed of light??

This is my Sista Amy.

This was taken during our last workout together while 

we were visiting Utah.

She has a sweet work out space in their garage.

We were dying trying to get through one of the "Insanity" DVDs 

after a 3 mile run.

I must say it is good to have workout buddies.

Seriously....I wanted to quit so bad,

but I watched Amy keeping at it, and of course I would not 

let her see me being a quitter.  

I may have been on the verge of blacking out, and possibly 

vomiting....but I am no quitter.

There are days that I don't feel like getting out there at 5:20 a.m.

and sweating my brains out.

I admit it...not too many, but when those days come

- I remember this:

"I have *never* regretted going for a run,

but I always regret skipping it"

it. is. that. simple.

That propels me day in and day out.

I always feel so good when I am done.

I am grateful that I have friends to share, and work on fitness

goals with.

Thank you.

One thing I have decided I really want to do with my blog is to post something each day 

that has inspired or motivated me one way or another.

Anything form quotes, healthy recipes, to a certain exercise

or challenge I think you might be interested in trying.

I am always pasting these kinds of things around our office, on the fridge,

in my planner, etc.

Well, I finally thought....what the heck?

I want to share these with my homies.

I have whole bunch stacked up that I can't wait to post.....

so check in my fitness friends.

You won't want to miss a DETAIL.

Oh yeah.....waaaaaay corny.
I will still do the family stuff as well when there is something to share
....but these will be an everyday nugget of knowledge.
Hopefully something to take away and use.

Now this is proof of an excellent workout.

I was surprised when I stood up, Amy had one to,
we worked hard that day.

What gets you up and out the door?

Today's A New Day...the first, only 179 to go....

Good Grief.

Do all moms go through painful withdrawals on the first day?

Guilt.

Joy.

Sadness.

Potential.

Worthlessness.

A severe need for chocolate?

PS - there is none in the house!!  No chocolate chips even....I had to steal a 

mini Almond Joy out of McCauley's school survival kit.

I figure it was for someones survival anyway...plus she doesn't like coconut or nuts.

normal?

I remember last year....

it was very similar, but maybe worse.

The kids are gone.

They are off learning....I am very excited for them.

Man, they were so pumped last night.

Checking and double checking times,

schedules, and supplies.

Lawson especially.

We met he and McCauley's teachers last night.

He was sooooooo relieved to find that his home room teacher,

Mrs. Iocano does not specialize in Math,

but rather Science.

He admitted that he pretty much lucked out this year.

Not a bad attitude to start with.

I biked all the kids to school this morning :

Lawson 5th / McCauley 1st -  Surfside Elementary - 8:15 - 2:45

Ethan 9th - Satellite High - 8:45 - 3:30

Ryker 7th - DeLaura Middle School - 9:30 - 4:15

Pretty Amazing that they are all within biking distance!!

What a bonus that is.

 Here we go!

I love M's teacher's theme this year...

Camp IWANNALEARNALOTTA!

Her whole room is decked out....even down to the little camp fire

they sit around for story time, etc.

Lawson really takes this school business serious.

He really got into his new school clothes also.
(He is the only one of the 3 brothers that will wear a collared shirt to school, 
I still need to remind him to undo the top button.)

We had fun shopping together....

I never would have guessed it,

but that kid has a fun style all his own.

After we dropped M at her class, she is attending a "mixed"

class this year - 1st and 2nd graders....just two from her Kindergarten class got

picked for this opportunity, 

she and the "smartest kid" in her kindergarten class.

L and I were walking over to his room,

I reached for his hand, 

he withdrew his.

I was like, hey sir, we are Mother and Son...

we still get to hold hands mister.

He relinquished his hand to me.

(Sorry, but not yet my friend.

The older two never did really hold hands with me

....I've got to hang on to it as long as I can).

 This kid is in High School.

What? no. Yes really.

He said I didn't have to ride with him to school...

but what the heck?

Why wouldn't I?.....I will keep out of sight, leave before anyone cool

might see me.  

I just wanted to see the route he was going to take....

make sure he could find the building for his first class...

you know.

Ryker was gnawing at the bit to leave.

He is the straggler, the late starter like Ethan was last year.

He played us a few hymns to calm our nerves and

set the tone for the day.

I really used to love it when Ethan would practice his piano before school

last year.  Looks like I will get a repeat.

 There he goes.......look at him go.

 now here i am.

I have been wanting to try these rollers I got at Ross's for forever.  

Well, today is my lucky day.

I have all the time in the world.

No interruptions.

No one to need my attention.

Look, I made an amazing spinach, bean, egg, barbecued chicken salad

for lunch.....or brunch anyway.

I ate at 10:45.

I can eat when I want....no ones schedule to mind but my own.

 Hey....four eggs...why 4?  

I only needed one....just me, myself, and I.

I know I will enjoy my time and be productive....
give me a few days.
I need to get past all my...
"would-a, could-a, should-a's"

What-a-day!
How did your first day go?

Fact or Myth....?

Battery Acid really does leak from batteries.  Fact or Myth?

Battery acid turns carpet to jelly.   Fact or Myth?

Both Facts.

We are the Christensen Myth Busters.....

here is what we discovered two days ago in the back of our van.

(This picture is very misleading, it looks like there is just some goo resting on top

of the carpet, myth, there is actually no carpet left in the dark 

grey area.

It also may look like this is a small splotch, MYTH, this is actually at least a foot 

in length, maybe more,  Kev has the van right now at BNO or I would go measure.)

This is what will happen to your carpet if you don't hear your cellphone

ring when your husband tries to call you to take out the new

battery from the back of the van.

Fact or Myth -

This would never happen if the husband would take the 

battery out of the van the day he buys the battery.

 FACT.

A Little Slow When It Comes to The Fast......

Yesterday my parents spoke in their new ward here in

Kaysville.  All of my siblings and their families were able

to attend sacrament meeting - minus my older brother Jason,

and Amy and Heather's (and of course my) husbands.

My mom has been "working on her talk" for weeks.

I should know, we have been here for weeks and I have heard her

say those very words numerous times.

She is like me, or rather I am like her when it comes to preparing

for a talk apparently.

I become obsessed and only focus on my topic

until it is at last given.

No outside books or other frivolous reading until the talk is done.

Talk about a great learning experience, as well as a mamouth

relief when it is over.

My parents were both asked to speak on Fasting.

I enjoyed both of their talks,

but I was able to lock in on a few key points from my mom's.

Things I had never thought of before concerning fasting,

see if it is the same for you.

I snuck her talk out of her little black folder earlier today to get a

quick recap.

Earlier in the week my mom and I were talking about fasting,

I was saying that I knew that I was not applying the blessing of fasting as much

as I could in my life.

I pretty much finished up by saying, well, I guess we just

haven't had anything that HUGE,

or a CRISIS (Lameo)

that has warrented a mega fast.

As if I am "saving up" for when we really need the extra power

from fasting.

That was my mentallity before my moms talk.

Here are my favorite parts :

President Kimball has said, that if we merely go with out food 

to pay our fast offerings we have satisfyed the letter of the law.

However, if we fast for real strength and include earnest prayer and if 

possible a time for meditation we will accomplish self-mastery and 

spirituality which will help us achieve the spirit of the law.

In Helaman 3:35 - "Never the less they did fast and pray oft, and 

did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and 

firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ,

unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation.....

When we fast we feel hunger.

And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position 

of the hungry and the needy.

As we do so, we have a greater understanding of the deprivations

they might feel.

(I had never considered this thought. To think about those

that might actually benifit from my fast,

and our offerings.

To put myself in their shoes for a short time.

What a differnet feeling it would bring if my focus

would turn

from myself and my own temporary discomfort,

to the real and lasting needs of others.

I am betting the ever present thought of wanting to -

"hurry up and finish this fast so I can get back to eating freely",

not forgetting to make up for going w/out.

would dissapate.)

As we teach our children to fast by our example we are arming them

with the power to resist temptations along their life's jouney.

The purpose of our fast may be a personal one.

Fasting can help us overcome personal flaws and sins.

It can help us overcome our weaknesses and help them become

strengths.  Fasting can help us become more humble, less

prideful, less selfish, and more concerned about the needs of others.

It can help us see more clearly our own mistakes and weaknesses and

help us be less prone to criticize others.

Or our fast may focus on a family challenge.

.....fasting can increase love and appreciation amoung family members.

.....strengthen marriage bonds.

....provide guidance in our callings.

....assist us with our home and visiting teaching stewardships.

Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer is powerful.

It can fill our minds with revelations of the spirit,

.....strengthen us against times of temptation.

.....it can help develop within us courage and confidence.

.....strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline.

Testimony grows.

......we mature spiritually and emotionally.

Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly

appetites and passions.

Fasting can help us develop a better attitude of gratefulness.

Fasting is a privilege.

I am grateful for my moms inspired preparation for her talk.

I get it.

I need and want all of these blessings in my

life very much.

I see that it does not take a painful crisis or emergency

to nessecitate a time for a serious fast.

Every month I have the opportunity to willingly

draw closer to my Father in Heaven by choosing to

fast purposfully.

Sweet!!

I loved being at church with my family!

It felt so good.

I did not want any of them to leave...

Please Stay.

Come go to priesthood,

come to sunday school, come to Relief Society.

Come and stay.

Keep feasting with me.

Get all you can get.

Fill your cup.

I will save it for another day....but during the last hour

Bishop Willis gave such a beautiful lesson on the Atonment.

I took notes so I could share it later.

I wish I could share the spirit that I felt so strongly in class.

That is really what I want to experience with you.

Sister in-law Melanie, Sister Amy, Keri, Mom, Me, Heather and Neice Josie

My dad and (single) brother Chuck.

P.S. - This Sunday (August 7th) is Fast Sunday!!!