"How to hug a porcupine"

Tonight I got into argument # 3,469,802 (approximately) with the beautiful child that god has given me.  {Can you hear me sigh from your side of the computer?}I was emotionally exhausted, frustrated and at the end of this particular rope.  Fortunately, God graciously has given me a new rope.  My sweet hubby and I had the blessed opportunity to go to a fireside to hear the speaker Dr. John L. Lund...he is a motivational speaker/family therapist/mediator, and more.  We arrived late as the previous argument with my beautiful child had bled over into our 'leaving time'.  I was stressed, exhausted and on the verge of crying and the first thing I heard Dr. Lund say was that we need to take our frustrations to the Lord and Love our loved ones.  He then proceeded to talk about the importance of avoiding criticism and fault finding.  He was talking to me!!!  It's very easy for me to get frustrated and then let my tongue express my frustration in all it's vitriolic extremity.  But, what does that do for me?  for my beautiful child?  NOTHING!!!  Dr. Lund referenced a talk by President Gordon B. Hinkley *our Prophet in the LDS church titled "The Lord is at the helm " (check out the video here).  Which among a lot of other things reminds us of the importance of being positive, refraining from being critical or harsh.  I read it as soon as I got home and it is a good one.  Dr. Lund mentioned a challenge called the 24 hour challenge.  It is to have 0 criticisms of anyone or anything for 24 hours.  I am considering taking on his challenge.  He also referenced Doctrine & Covenants section 121: 41 which states "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned."  I definitely think I fall into the long-suffering category so I must also need the gentleness and meekness part. It was a lovely evening.  Very soul repairing for me.  So, here I am back at home with beautiful child of mine exercising my parenting skills while trying to reign in my critical skills.  Good luck to me!


Man.  Teenagers are tough!  And, just in case you're wondering....the porcupine is the teenager.  Dr. Lund has a book titled "How to hug a porcupine".  I think I may need to check it out!

I burned dinner

How was your Valentines Day?


I burned the dinner, other than that it was pleasant and mellow.

pulling a 'Brick'

We have a phrase at our house that is more and more in use.  It's called 'Pulling a Brick'.  Brick is a young character on our favorite sitcom "the Middle".  To 'Pull a Brick' means to forget until the last nanosecond that you have something important (that involves the help or $$ of someone else).  For example.  tonight during our family Valentines Dinner our daughter Peekaboo looks up at us and says "Uh, Mom...Dad...I'm afraid I'm going to pull a Brick.".  Two pair of parental eyes look back at her in trepidation before she finishes with "I signed up to bring knee socks to school tomorrow to donate to the drama department for the shakespear play."  Fortunately, it's only 7 pm....NOT 11 PM (as it was when she needed chocolate milk for seminary causing me to go to safeway @ 5:30 am).....

What kinds of sayings do you have in your home that are unique to you?
post please!

gotta say it

I am a Heritage Maker's Consultant.

I love it.

BUT


I am terrible at advertising myself.

However.... I really want to build my business.  I really believe in the business of helping others preserve their memories.  I need your help.  If you or someone you know or love wants help scanning or organizing their photos or compiling them into albums or books I would love to have your referral.

Heritage Makers is a fabulous product.  We can help You compile and preserve your precious family memories or stories in a digital format in books, scrapbook pages and many other mediums.

Right now we have a new fabulous way to make the most of Heritage Makers.  Check out this video on club HM.  It's WONDERFUL!


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gosh, golly, gee

I don't even know where to begin.  I feel like I've been running in circles the last few weeks.  I feel like just when I've almost caught up with one task, or event I'm starting on another.  Honestly, I feel a tad winded, creatively and physically and emotionally.

 So, what have I been up to?  Well, I've been playing with my Cricut.  This is a cheap lamp I picked up at FM and I decorated three sides of it in vinyl.  I think it's cuute.  maybe I'm vain though.

anyway.... I did the lamp project while working on THIS

 

a project for AG that I call 10 days of service.  We write down 10 acts of service that we intend to perform in the next 10 days and put them in the little wire holders up top.  

I cut and drilled & got ready 20 2x4's for the girls to decorate.  & they turned out CUTE!

Then, my nephew got baptised and we had a mini family reunion.  My mom & sister & kids came to town and spent a couple of days with my sister in Wa and a couple here.  It was fun getting caught up.

throw in house cleaning, laundry,errands...and it's just been crazy.  I'm hoping it calms down soon.