Fresh New Year

I'm back!  I decided a few days ago to go off social media for as long as my daughter Hermana Ally Pack is on her mission.  I said my goodbyes and determined that I could still keep others up to date on my family's life through this blog (that has sat dormant ever since social media became popular). I look forward to being able to share our journey with you again.

Someone asked me why I would go off social media entirely when I could just limit how long or how many friends I follow.  I told her that no matter the amount of limiting I try to do, I still find myself being sucked into an alternate world. Most of the groups and people I followed were my close friends, family and church groups. I didn't feel bogged down by any negative media, just the opposite. I loved following the comings and goings of so many beloved people.  I loved reading the uplifting thoughts and quotes by admired church leaders.  I didn't want to miss the opportunity to stay caught up with so many dear friends' lives. But then I read one post about someone's recent accomplishment and wondered, "If I had spent the same amount of time dedicating myself to that same goal instead looking at social media, could I have posted the same result? Could I have strengthened a relationship?" That's when I decided it won't be the end of the world if I stop spending so much time on social media.  Instead I want to spend my time communicating, really communicating with others.  I want to stop comparing my world to someone else's. I want to connect with those who are on my mind, instead of with those who happened to post that day.

I made a similar goal when Benji went on his mission.  I committed to reading Preach My Gospel every day while he served his mission in the California Irvine Mission.  I changed my goal the last summer to reading the Book of Mormon to fulfill the plea and challenge of a prophet of God, but I still felt a connection to Benji.  He read daily from both books and was continually strengthened by them.  I was blessed similarly with peace and a clear mind and heart. So here I go with mission challenge number two.  I'm excited to see what blessings will come into my life.

Gratitude fills my heart for the sacrifice my children have made to serve missions.  I can't even count the blessings that have come from their service. They are my heroes.  I'd have to add that all of my children give me reasons every day to call them my heroes.

Almost Hermana Pack and recently returned Elder Pack

Gratitude Challenge Day 19-20, Final

Day 19:  I am grateful for the LDS Young Woman's program.  I will always be forever affected by the examples of the leaders from my youth, including my own mother.  I'm grateful that now that the first of my three daughters will be "cared" for by valiant women.



Day 20:  I am grateful for Sundays and being able to feast on the words of God and others' testimonies.  I love the warmth and renewal I receive by going to church every week.

...I'm going away for the Thanksgiving and so I will end this Gratitude Challenge with:

I am grateful for life.  Life that I've been given to live on this beautiful earth, to have freedom to worship how I like and accomplish good without fearing for the safety of my family.  I'm grateful for life's trials that have stretched me and will continue to stretch me.  I'm grateful for my life as a granddaughter, daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend.

I love you all and hope you have a...

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. We attempted to take a family Christmas photo yesterday and by the end we were all freezing and just a bit crazy.  Say "Cheese!"

Gratitude Challenge Day 17-18

Day 17: I am grateful for family vacations--where some of the best memories are made. (The top of Ensign Peak, Salt Lake City, Utah.)

Day 18: I am grateful for the scouting program, the leaders and the experiences that prepare our young men for greater things. (This picture is from the last camp-out Ben went on with Benji up American Fork canyon. It just so happens that Benji and Ben are out camping right now.)

Gratitude Challenge Revised...Day 12-16

As I've worked on writing things I'm grateful for, it has been a fun challenge, but I've realized that the task is exploding exponentially.  Trying to write the amount of items corresponding to the number of the day is getting difficult. (Some of you got a good laugh at my Day 11-15 with all but Day 11 missing.) I must admit, the first 11 days took me on a fabulous journey.  

Therefore, I hereby amend my original intention and will from now on write only one thing each day.

Day 12: I am grateful for electricity, natural gas, and auto fuel that light up the night, keep me at a comfortable temperature and allow me to travel to family far away.
Day 13: I am grateful for being able to sing my favorite holiday music.
Day 14: I am grateful for quiet places where I can sit and rejuvenate my soul (like the celestial room at the temple--this photo is the Salt Lake Temple).

Day 15: I am grateful for cultural arts--Shakespearean plays and Christmas concerts--to list just two.

Day 16: Simply...I am grateful for forgiveness.

Gratitude Challenge Day 11

Day 11:  I am grateful for...

1--Benji, he is an awesome big brother and an example of true discipleship (he wakes up on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. for meetings even when I'm still asleep).

2--Ally, she has an endearing smile and loves life.

3--Kayla, she is quick to act for good and keeps me on my toes.

4--Sammie, she has such a forgiving heart and cheers people up with her giggle.

5--Hyrum, he is a ball of energy and loves to explore anything in his path and still gives the best hugs.

6--their cousins (my nieces and nephews that are too many to list)--examples of missionary work, being well-educated, hard work...

7--my cousins and feeling bonded with extended family even if I don't know them well.

8--family reunions.  The Packs do it at This is the Place Heritage Park.  It's a blast!

9--family meals.  There is nothing like good food and family put together. 

10--dinner time at home.  It is always nice to know that we are all in one place at least once a day.

11--chore time, when we all work together to tidy the house right after dinner.  I can sleep easy knowing I don't have a mess to clean up in the morning.

Gratitude Challenge Day 10

Day 10: 1--I am grateful for the scriptures--LDS standard works.

2--I am grateful for the lives of the ancient prophets and their examples.

3--I am grateful for Paul of the New Testament.  I've been touched by his message.  One particle of it reads: 

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

4--I am grateful for a living prophet who gives us current counsel.

5--I am grateful for technology that allows us to hear his voice every six months and more.

6--I am grateful for my church calling and being able to work with some of the elect children of God.

7--I am grateful for the blessings that have come from paying tithing.

8--I am grateful for food storage.

9--I am grateful for the Word of Wisdom--the Lord's code of good health.

10--I am grateful to see when my children are soaking in the truth.

Gratitude Challenge Day 8-9

Day 8: 1--I am grateful for life now... (Ally holding cousin Joshua)

2--...and forever... (my mom's been gone for almost one year)

3--...and temples that make eternity with our families possible.

4--I am grateful for family history work.
5--I am grateful I received an education in family history.
6--I am grateful for ancestors who bravely joined the Mormon church and immigrated to Utah.
(Benji during re-enactment of the handcart pioneer trek)

6--I am grateful for the experience I had re-enacting the pioneer trek as a youth.  I gained a greater appreciation for the pioneers' trials.  It also gave me confidence to know that I could do hard things.
7--I am grateful for Joseph Smith, Jr. for restoring the gospel to the earth so that we can can have joy in this life.
8--I am grateful for my faith in God that gets me through my own trials.

Day 9: 1--I am grateful for missionaries who preach the gospel to the world.

2--I am grateful for having served a full-time mission in the Czech Republic.
3--I am grateful for the many wonderful Czechs with whom I was able to associate.
4--I love Czech food, especially knedliky, tmavy chleb, svickova na smetane, and pernik.

5--I am grateful to have met my husband because of serving in the same mission.
6--I am grateful for the mission presidents and their wives that I served with--Pres. and Barbara Winder and Pres. and Sis. Bryson.  They taught me how to motivate with love and what it takes to diligently serve.
7--I am grateful for the moments where the Holy Ghost could testify of the truthfulness of the gospel.
8--I am grateful (as Tyler--a newly returned missionary said) to have learned more from the people than I could have ever taught them.
9--I am grateful for, once again, knowing I could do hard things!

Gratitude Challenge Day 6-7

Day 6: 1--I am grateful for memories, and even those re-lived. (Raincoats from our honeymoon.)

2--I am grateful for good teachers.

3--I am grateful for friends.

4--I am grateful for our LDS ward and all of those people who have shown by example their dedication to the gospel.

5--I am grateful for dedicated home and visiting teachers.
6--I am grateful for neighbors who keep an eye on us!

Day 7: 1--I am grateful for health.
2--I am grateful for hot showers. (Sorry, no picture here. ;0)
3--I am grateful for teeth.

4--I am grateful for the fun of playing tennis.
5--I am grateful for the sunsets that I can enjoy from my kitchen window.

6--I am grateful for gardens and...

7--...the bounteous harvest.

Gratitude Challenge Day 3-5

Day 3: 1-- I am grateful to be married to a patient, loving man.

2--I am grateful for siblings, who are wise and generous.

3--I am grateful for in-laws, who received me as part of the family.

Day 4: 1--I am grateful for Grandma Robinson who showed by example that I should always count my blessings.

2--I am grateful for good books, especially ones that warm the soul.

3--I am grateful for music--what draws me the closest to God.

4--I am grateful for food...homemade everything (okay almost everything).

Day 5: 1--I am grateful for nature that invokes thoughts of gratitude for living on this beautiful earth.

2--I am grateful for a home.

3--I am grateful for a clean home.  My kids do a great job helping get all of the chores done.

4--I am grateful for pillows. (Not my bed but sort of matches my night stand.)

5--I am grateful to live in a free land.

Gratitude Challenge Day 1-2

I was challenged by our Activity Days group to write something I am grateful for everyday this month.  Then I interjected that it might be fun to write the number of things to correspond with the number of the day.  So here goes...

DAY 1: 1--I am grateful to know that I am a daughter of heavenly parents.

DAY 2: 1--I am grateful to be the earthly daughter of two amazing people.

Mom and Dad, June 2010

2--I am grateful to be the earthly mother of five awesome kids. 

Visiting my nephew while on our summer 2011 cross-country "tour."

Superb Days

We have had three superb days in a row thanks to my husband.  He sat our family down on Wednesday morning and together we decided what could go into a superb day--playing games or sports, visiting friends or family, watching movies, reading books, limited computer time, good morning devotional, learning something new, walking, service, prayers, baking/making goodies, dates, good food, projects (humanitarian, craft, home), puzzles, limited tv time, etc.

Then we all voted on what should be on the top of the list--prayers, scripture study (personal and family on both), fabulous food and sweets (a definite must), limited computer and tv time (20 min. for games or work on the computer and only 1 movie per day), and reading good books.


Once the shoulds were complete then we chose one fun activity we could do together as a family.  Otherwise it was free time to do the "Bs"--second priorities. 


So now you know the secret ingredients for having a SUPERB DAY! 


We also worked on being respectful of ourselves (don't get down on yourself which, in turn, may reflect badly on others), being respectful of others (don't say or do anything that would harm another), and being respectful of property (don't damage or misuse your own or another's property).  I realized after requesting this of my children that Ben and I play a major role in accomplishing this goal.  Some of you would probably say "no kidding", but it takes me a little longer.  


As parents we are not exempt from having to show respect to our children.  Discipline can still be accomplished with respect.  It will also be much more affective if our children know that we will love them  even through the bad times.  It's during those bad times that they need us the most.  


I am THANKFUL for my health, for having enough and even plenty, for friends, for family, and for a patient Heavenly Father.  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

This picture of me and my littlest just about sums up my life!

Thank God for Kids

My husband and I just heard the song Thank God for Kids. So we decided to make it our "wake-up" song. That way we can start out the morning on the right note (excuse the pun). Yesterday I was thanking God for my kids...let me share just a few examples.

Sammie was walking to the car with me and said, "Mommy, I'm glad God made houses, cause the rain might get us. Or the snow. You can just get cozy in your bed with your blanket and be warm."

Kayla was headed for a friends house but stopped a few feet away and came back to give me a hug (O), a kiss (X), and an "I love you".

Benji dropped what he was doing to "save" Hyrum from inevitable danger (that he seems to be getting into a lot lately). And with his sweetest voice distracted Hyrum into doing something safe.

Ally took an ordinary soda can (from Benji's science experiment) and turned it into a pig that is sure to make you SMILE.

Hyrum gave the best "loving" with his arms around my neck, his head on my shoulder and a little tap-tap with his hand on my back. Or better yet, he climbed to the top of the table, stood up and complimented himself on a job well done with a squeal. (He's keeping me busy now!)

So "get down on your knees tonight...[and] thank God for kids!"

http://www.jango.com/stations/35946671/tunein?proxy_id=25435243&song_id=149095