Thankful

I love the word 'inspire'. I love what it does to my soul. I love that it ignites a spark for my ideas, and gives me such illumination to my goals. It is my favorite word.

I know that I have to be so careful with my time, as there are many things to be inspired by, and one can easily get caught up in the whirlwinds of goodness. I have to constantly monitor what I am spending my time on, and do inventories with myself. 

I have the desire to write good things, but I am not a gifted writer. I read from many others who have a beautiful way with words, a gift. I am a simple person. I love the beauty of things, but I feel that I am very simple, and that's ok.

I am blessed to know amazing friends. They teach me quietly all the time with their doings and examples. I try very hard not to compare myself, but I am grateful to know them, and to learn from them. 

I am thankful for my memories of my life so far. I've been on some wild adventures with my mom, college life, mission, and more. Life seemed to be busier and more active before the kiddos came. Now, I guess you could say it's still active with young kids, but slow, simple days at home, which are a blessing. 

Grateful for cooking. I love good food. The kitchen seems to always get destroyed with each meal. Can't seem to change that one. Maybe eat on more plastic plates on those crazy days. Nothing wrong with that:)

I am so thankful for my short time in Vancouver, WA. It's been three months since we moved back. I think of the people often, the sights of the trees, the climate, and the adventures we were on. They are in the back of my mind, while I focus on the present. It still is a gift to be home, and partake of the goodness that is here, but I still am forever grateful for our time up there. 

I am thankful for phone calls from old friends whom I've shared some fun chapters with. Hearing the sound of their voice takes me back to those days for a moment. Blessing. 

I'm thankful to be a Mom. It is the hardest calling I've ever had. I'm learning that it is one of constant personal renewal. In order to teach children how to be a good person, I need to be a good person. To cease yelling and bring peaceful interactions into the home, I must constantly work on myself, and pray for help always. Constant mistakes, and starting over again and again. Being a Mom changes you for the better, and shows you your worst moments, which help you want to change. Hard, but a blessing. 

These are the things I am grateful for today:)

My Manifesto

I am on a little vacation. It's a tender treat. My friend Amy flew me to her home in Stockton, CA to help her shoot a wedding. It's always fun to visit a new place. I took a walk this morning around the neighborhood, smelled the smells, listened to the birds and sounds, and marveled at the California trees that I grew up seeing.

This morning, I had some time to play around with Amy's endless supply of fonts on her computer. Oh, fonts are so much fun. I love quotes and all things inspirational, and so I looked through my Pinterest boards of quotes, typing them out with many pretty fonts. After a bit, I wanted to type out something that really spoke to me. I searched and searched for something, and finally thought "Well, I'll just write something". I came up with this. I think I'll print it, journal it, tape it on wall, and do a few more things with it. I like it. Had the thought to share it:)

I will no longer be hard on myself and give the adversary that power over me. I will also realize that I will make mistakes often, and will not expect perfection. The days are long, and the years are short with my children. I am blessed with three beautiful souls in my home who teach me how to be a better person. I will pray for the understanding and patience I need to experience better days with my children. I will be gentle. I will be kind. I will laugh more, and hug more. I will take time to deep breathe, and to slow down before I react. I will not let the natural man get the better of me, but will be vigilant in taking care of myself. To fill my cup more, to nurture my soul, that I may be a help to my family, and to others. I will love my husband and children with more passion, and more tenderness. I will treasure my husband more, and remember that we are together forever. I will remember that being a mother is a gift and a treasured calling. There still will be hard days. There still will be tears of frustration. Those are needed for growth and humbling. How else can I learn and be molded into something better, if not for the hard days. I will breathe and pray through them, and will embrace the good days, and savor the peaceful moments when they come. My time on earth is fleeting. Each day is a gift, and gives me more chances to learn something new, and to try again at becoming better and kinder. It wasn't supposed to be easy, but I have tools to help me through the rough parts, and tools to bring me peace and enlightenment. I have books to read written by inspired authors. I have scriptures that bring light to my mind, and are a channel to hear the spirit whisper to me, and music to flow through my home and heart. I have opportunities given to me every day, and I’m expected to not throw them aside, but to learn from them. I have angels on my side to strengthen me when I have a hard time finding hope. I can do this. I am alive, and I am here to embrace my time on earth, through the hard days and blessed days. Life is beautiful, through it all.