choose to be happy

October notes - No matter what bad comes around I have found there is still too much good, to not be happy. I am blessed to live in a beautiful place with a great family so I always have reasons to be happy. I can not look out our picture windows overlooking Alpine and not be happy. My mother in law calls Utah, Gods country. When I look out our windows I think of her Utah nickname and agree. It seems a bit strange how much I have fallen in love with this place. I actually loved it here years ago the first time I drove through this little town but I never thought I would love living here so much. I still miss sunny California, Disneyland and the sound of waves. But it is good here. Anyways I am feeling happy. I am happy about Octobers beautiful weather and the changing leaves. I am happy my kids love me so much that they fight over who I am holding and hugging. I am happy my husband is my best friend. I am happy I can run. I am happy for so many reasons. It would be easy for someone to get depressed with the way things are but I have chosen happiness. My Grandma is sick, my parents are not healthy, everyone is struggling financially, we have lost on a business investment, my car battery will not stay alive, Obama is in the lead (scary for our nation... he is even scarier than the opponents), I just found out two families in our neighborhood are moving (not by choice) and we don't want to loose either of them, I am getting wrinkles (so vain of me), I'm too tired to read at night and so many people I know need help and I feel helpless because I can not offer them assistance. But then I look outside and I'm happy. I almost feel selfish because of my contentedness. I know it helps that I have faith and I guess I can contribute much of my happiness from that. I want my kids to know that no matter what is going on you still have choices. Choose to be happy. Choose to submit yourself to Gods will. Choose to be a better person than you were yesterday.

"We need to be more grateful. I think there's no true character without gratitude. It's one of the marks of a real strong character, to have a feeling of thanksgiving and gratitude for blessings that are ours.
We need more of that spirit in our homes, in our daily associations, in church, everywhere. It doesn't cost anything. It's so easy to cultivate the spirit of appreciation and gratitude. And it's so easy, also, to be dissatisfied and to be envious of other people." - Ezra Taft Benson

Relief Society

Last night was our wards annual Relief Society Visiting Teaching Dinner. The presidency and a few others put together a beautiful and tasty homemade dinner. The tables were all decorated for fall and you know how much I love warm fall colors! Dozens of 8 x 10 black and white photos hung on the walls as a back drop along with leaves and pumpkins. All were amazing photos of women in our neighborhood. All faces I recognize and love. I felt warmth and love the instant I walked in the door. I sat with a few women that I don't get to talk to very often and I was so glad I did. We had a good time sharing our lives and a few childhood memories. Dinner was completed by a decadent pumpkin dessert. I don't even want to know how many calories I ate last night because every bite was worth it. After dinner we all moved into another room and listened to stories and testimonies of moments in the history of the Relief Society. Of course I cried happy tears! Some of my favorite stories were over 100 years old and other stories happened recently in my own neighborhood. The musical piece was a song I think titled, Angels Among us. I know sometimes we do have angels helping us out but we can also each be acting as angels for each other. Isn't that what they say, the errand of angels was given to women? We can do that by being good friends, loving neighbors and good visiting teachers. My first visiting teacher, Vicki, came to mind. I was single and attending the Hacienda Heights Ward. She took me under her wing. Each month she took time to visit with me sharing scriptures and personal stories. Some how she always knew what I needed to hear. I haven't forgotten her. I love the women that I get to visit with each month and I'm grateful for their friendships. Jan Vincent shared the story of a pioneer who traveled across the plains, buried a son a day before giving birth to another. She never asked for help or said why me. Her Relief Society sisters stepped in so she could rest with her newborn in the hand cart until she was strong enough to walk on her own. You must read the full story to feel the spirit of it. Last year a family around the corner was experiencing many trials including a bitter divorce(I won't mention names). I remember how bad things had been for them. The church kept stepping up to help out with out any thanks in return. At one point they were about to be evicted. The Relief Society sisters encircled the family with love, support and service. Over a dozen women showed up to clean, shampoo stains out of the carpet, patch holes in the wall and wash mildewed laundry. These women could have easily said No, we have done enough, but being full with the love of God they wanted to once again help this sister in need. Time and time again I see women silently helping the women in my neighborhood. Like Rachel who was having a bad day and trying to finish painting her house. Her friends showed up one day with paint brushes in hand ready to help. Last year when I had a bad sinus infection and was out energy Jan sent over a home cooked meal. I never even told her I had been sick! And then there is the older woman down the street who needed help with yard work and was helped out by the boy scouts whose mothers had sent them that way. We also talked about Sister Beck and her visit to Africa in which she trained the women and organized visiting teaching for them. They now look after one another, making sure each home has water, grain and friendship. I am so glad I went last night. In these stressful days where money is tight and politics are blazing I needed this comfort. I love being part of Relief Society. It reaffirms my beliefs, makes me feel loved and encourages me to be a better person. Last night was amazing!!! Thank you Relief Society.

FYI for those reading who do not know what the Relief Society is :
The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization and an official organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded in 1842 in USA, the Relief Society today claims more than 5.2 million members in over 170 countries and territories, and is one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world. The motto of the Relief Society, is "Charity never faileth". The official purpose of Relief Society is helping sisters [women] and families come unto Christ."
The official objectives of Relief Society are to:
1. Build faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and teach the doctrines of the kingdom of God; 2. emphasize the divine worth of each sister; 3. exercise charity and nurture those in need; 4. strengthen and protect families; 5. serve and support each sister; and help sisters become full participants in the blessings of the priesthood.

First Snow

Saturday, Oct. 11Th -It started snowing this morning during breakfast. The girls were so excited as they ran to look out the window. Lindsay said, "Mom, its snowflakes outside in winter, I'm so excited to sledding. Daddy will be so happy to sled us"! Lauren was equally excited and started screaming and said, "Oh my gosh, its snowing! I love winter. Mom, lets call Daddy and tell him its snowing, he will be so excited". I wish I could say I was so enthused about this early October snow! At least it didn't snow on my birthday yesterday! The snow is melting before it even hits the ground and next week it will warm up again. I'm not quite ready for another long winter, but it is approaching. I just hope it stays warm until Halloween.

Sunday, October 12Th - OK, forget about yesterdays little dust of snow. I woke up this morning to a blanket of snow covering Alpine. It is at least a few inches of snow. So much for hiking this week and so much for global warming!

Monday, October 13Th Yeah! the snow has all melted and it is getting warm again.

Splendid b-day at Dear Lizzie

Lauren, Lindsay and I went to get a treat and shop at Dear Lizzie on my birthday. Dear Lizzie, is a foo-foo, fluffy, ultra girlie boutique and bistro. It is so cute, I love it. Everything is pink, brown and Parisian. Its also way overpriced. So we usually just look and don't buy. But it is fun to sit down and eat a treat on the bistro side of the shop. Everything is served in pretty little glass dishes. This time we ordered miniature eclairs and a Dizzy Lizzie. The Dizzy Lizzie, is their signature drink; a cherry cream soda, served in a tall fountain glass topped with whipped cream. We also looked at some of the clothes. I picked up a silky black blouse but Lauren told me is was "too dark and blackie". She suggested I look at something lighter. I kind of giggled but she was serious and started weaving through the clothes looking for something. She picked out a cute red, pink and black tweed dress. She liked it because the thread was "sparkly". I amused her and tried it on. Surprisingly I liked it but it was too short. Lauren said she would find something longer and ran out of the dressing room. She came back with a huge dress and said it was prefect because it was longer! Lindsay decided she need to help me shop too. She came back with anything she could find that had rhinestones on it! Lauren peeked her head out of the dressing room and said to Lindsay, "Linz, try to find something in Mommies age. Good Luck"! I have never had so much fun shopping with my little girls. Another splendid day.

Best Birthday Ever!

October 10, 2008 - Today is my birthday and it has been a great day. I feel so loved! Dan and Kay are both of of town so I am here with just my two girls. Dan went to California to work with his brother Marc for a few weeks. Kay went to Arizona for a wedding. So on Tuesday we all went out to celebrate my birthday early. We drove up Provo Canyon to Sundance and had lunch. Then we drove around the scenic Alpine Loop. Its a gorgeous drive. Kay gave me a $100 Visa card so I can go shopping! Dan gave me the sweetest birthday card ever and a gift card to Cabelas and Nordstrom. The kids love to shop at Cabelas and he knows I want new hiking boots, so it is perfect. On Thursday I received a few surprises in the mail. My Mom and Grammy Wanda each sent a birthday card and shopping money. Brenda sent me a box of cake mix with cupcake pans and a carrying case. So cute because she knows we love cupcakes in his house! I was already feeling pretty special when my birthday rolled around. I really didn't feel bad at all that Dan was going to be gone and didn't expect anything from anyone. Birthdays are more about the kids. But the calls and gifts kept on coming! Sidney and Kelle called me first thing in the morning to sing to me. I can't wait until they live here with us in Alpine! Then my Mom called to sing to me and wish me a happy day (she is in New Mexico). Then Dad called and Steph, Shell, Jackie and Bill & Brenda. Then Marci Madruga and the kids stopped by with a perfect gift. They gave me pomegranate lotion and a cupcake from my favorite shop, Dear Lizzie. Rachel LaComb and Kelle Ivie each sent me a birthday email. That was so nice to open my emails and read warm wishes from friends. Later I noticed pink balloons tied to the mailbox from Alisa Orrock! She knows I love pink. I even got a card from Sue Lessley in CA (she is the best) and $50. Then Jessica called to invite me over to dinner with the kids. Can this birthday get any better? I think I must know the nicest people. Of course it gets better. I later got a message that my running girls, Rachel, Alisa and Jessica scheduled pedicures for us on Saturday with a free babysitter to watch Lauren and Lindsay! After lunch I took Lauren and Lindsay with me to Dear Lizzie for a cherry soda and a treat. We had so much fun I'll have to write about that in another post. In the evening we went over for dinner at the Crooks and Jessica's fun loving kids had decorated their house for me with streamers, balloons and cupcakes! At bedtime Lauren and Lindsay cuddled with me... I'll be having sweet dreams!

leaves whisper

It has been so beautiful this week. I'd like to stay outside and stare off into the colorful mountains all day long. But I can't, so I took a picture. The leaves are changing and I love it. Here is a view of our Alpine mountains taken from our front yard. Up this mountain is Horse Tails Falls, where I hiked during the summer. I'm looking forward to hiking it again next week. Its lovely and peaceful. There is something special about the gentle sound of the leaves in the mountains. Its like God whispering, I made this for you.


God's miracles are to be found in nature itself; the wind and waves, the wood that becomes a tree? All of these are explained biologically, but behind them is the hand of God. -Ronald Reagan