Welcome William!

We are happy to introduce William Eberhart Mathie. He was born Thursday, December 29. He weighed 7#, 6oz. Mom and family all doing well. Florida, family, new grandson! Wow, so many blessings.

This one is a must...

Speaking as someone that has read a great many books about the Revolutionary War Period of our country, I am woefully ignorant when it comes to the all important Civil War Period. This book is awesome! It is informative and suspenseful. I learned so much, because I knew so little, and also because there are so many interesting details. Anyway, I loved it! Hope you do too! Be prepared to not being able to put it down.

A very special visit....

Yesterday I was on my way to "team" meeting which starts at 8am, when I got a call from Dad's Bishop. He had heard that we were considering putting Dad in a nursing home and wanted to know what was going on. He gave me a ten minute pep talk on how it was the right thing to do. I told him how much I appreciated his call, and how helpful it was. I then asked him if he had received a call from one of my brothers, or if he had been inspired all by himself. He said actually he had received a call from President Eyring. He wanted to pay a visit to Dad and wondered what the situation was. I asked if it would be OK if I dropped by during that visit. After returning the call to President Eyring and getting the time, he called me and said it would be great if I could be there. When I arrived, President Eyring was there with Kathleen, his wife, and son, Patrick. Dad had already been anointed and they proceeded to give him a blessing. It was very beautiful. They stayed for a short visit. He expressed to Dad how much his and Mom's confidence in him had made him want to be better. He told Dad that he was not as good as they thought he was, but it helped him try to improve. He also wanted to talk about Uncle Neil. He ADORES Uncle Neil. He reminded us that Neil was captain of the baseball, basketball, AND football teams the SAME year at PRINCETON University. He was ten years old when Neil visited their home and taught him the importance of the left handed shot. He made such an impression on that ten year old boy who is now a member of the First Presidency. What a blessing to be part of such a wonderful family.

Memories

Our family has so many wonderful memories of our wonderful Papa Bill. We are so grateful for those memories and hope to keep them alive and saved in the hearts of our wonderful kids and grandkids. Merry Christmas everyone!

I have not gone fishing,

but I have been extremely busy. I have been spending a lot of time at the Family History Library. I have been able to connect Hedda Christina Bengstodotter in Sweden to Haddie Hallberg Malmfeldt in Kansas City, Missouri, who just happens to be My Guy's Grandma. She left Sweden when she was 15. I will save that story for a later day, when I am 100% sure, instead of 90%. But 90% gets her on that Pedigree Chart Christmas present. No blank spaces after all!

Meanwhile, I am making a list, and checking it twice. Pennsylvania and Florida were mailed today. Trust me, that was no small feat. Now I am left to a small amount of shopping, a large amount of wrapping, and three doll quilts and two baby quilts to bind. Oh, and decorating. Oh, and the Open House. Oh, and the Ward Christmas Party. Wish me luck!

One down, four to go!

A quilt for Bitty Baby. I hope it is a perfect fit.

New Hobbies

My favorite new hobbies are eating and Family History. So in honor of Mom's birthday yesterday, I spent three hours with our Ward's Family History people. I now have a paper in my hand called "Family Ordinance Request" that I will be taking with me to the temple. When I arrive there, they will give me some little cards. We will then be able to do the work for Bill's grandparents on his mom's side, including their sealing. We will also be doing the work for his mom's nine siblings. After we get used to the idea of all of that, we will be getting their spouses and children on board. I also discovered that Mary Francis Gelder (the one that started the whole "Gelder thing") has been sealed to her spouse, but none of her work has been done. So onward and upward. What was it that President Monson said to the overwhelmed and newly called Seventy that was looking at the floor when he got on the elevator?? "It is better to look up!" Doin' my best.....

Happy Thanksgiving from Gainesville

Just wanted to wish my family a Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I have to say that topping my list this year of things I'm grateful for is that I got to spend my dad's last Thanksgiving with him. Even though I didn't get many pictures, I will always remember it and be grateful.
Loves to you, Papa Bill, we miss you but are grateful for you in our lives.

So many blessings...

It was much easier said than done, but so glad that we braved it. Sizzler 2011, in the books. We are amazing!

Couldn't Wait

I was going to wait until I got these bound and quilted, but I just couldn't. I have three adorable granddaughters, and their dolls are getting new quilts this Christmas. My quilter lady might be slow, so I just had to post the unfinished results. London is getting the one that matches her new brother's. Kate and Toryn are getting the results of the "Delightful" party.

Frame it in Forgiveness

You can tell that it is my turn to teach Relief Society because I am organizing my thoughts by way of a post. I am having mixed thoughts about what I want to teach. A little bit of faith, a little bit of happiness, and a little bit of forgiveness. Well I came upon the perfect way to combine those subjects. AGENCY! All of these things, and many others, are a choice. We ALWAYS have a choice. I used to get into such interesting discussions with my sixth grade students about this. They would say that their parents made them come to school... no choice about it. But I would remind them that they had chosen to obey. At any rate I came upon the most wonderful article in the Ensign. It is called "Anticipating the need to FORGIVE". It is written by a mental health professional, so you know I was interested right away. If we were bitten by a snake, of course we would seek immediate medical attention. We wouldn't chase the snake to get revenge. We all know this in advance. So why not apply this same decision making process to the people in our lives that do and say things that we might need to forgive. If we anticipate that we are going to forgive ahead of time, we are spared all of that pain and unnecessary suffering. I would guess that 99.75% of the time when we are hurt or offended, or injured, there was NO INTENT for us to be hurt. We were hurt because we are sensitive or tender about certain things. IT IS ALL ABOUT MOTIVE. Generally people do NOT intend to hurt. SO why the fuss? According to the article, we can "screen out the negativism, the hurt feelings, the offenses. We can see people based on INTENT--giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming their good intent (one exception to breaking "The Four Agreements" no assumptions rule). Sometimes when we feel hurt, offended, or frustrated, we frame what we see much like a frame around a photo. Forgiveness allows us to frame people and interactions differently." Framing forgiveness around others, and our self, makes life's journey much smoother. Try it! Being generous with others helps us to deserve the generosity of others, for the many thoughtless things WE do and say.

Season of Sailboats

Lots of new skills learned, lots of love, and lots of fun! Baby Mathie, almost done!

Jonah and Colonial Days

It really does come in handy having a Gramma that knows how to make a pillow. Especially when it is worth 50 points on your Colonial Days project list!! Love fifth grade! Love American History! Love Jonah!. Love piecing fabric!. Saturday afternoon just doesn't get any better!! Thanks Jonah for letting me help. He selected the fabric, designed the pillow, drew a pattern, did the math to figure out how big the squares had to be, and did ALL of the sewing, and stuffed it! Good job, Jonah!!

Snow Princess

After Maddie and I watched El Dorado this AM, she discovered the snow. She really does watch TV, and she really does like the snow!

Happy Halloween

Not the same, but we are doing our best!! Pretty awesome bunch of kids, I'd say! Spencer, Max, and London, we sure missed you!!

DO NOT

by any means think that I am getting "Cutesy" or "Kitcheny". Not happening. I just could not resist this very easy idea. WAY big hit! The "owl" in me just couldn't resist I guess, for all you Chi Omega fans out there!

Castle Park

Over in Kaysville on Nichol's Drive is an amazing place known as Castle Park. Kate and Johnny spent a little time with Gramma this last UEA weekend, and we spent a very fun afternoon over there. We also colored, played Candyland, did puzzles, jumped on the tramp (with Maddie), watered pansies, ate popcorn, and fell asleep watching movies.

"Delighted"---Quilted Fish--Riley Blake

Jenn and I were invited to a "fabric show". My first one ever! I didn't even know such events took place. We went out to Noah's in South Salt Lake which is a great venue for such a party. We saw everything you could imagine made out of fabric. Dollhouses, guitars, banners, and even some beautiful quilts. My cute cousin, Patty's daughter Jana, knows someone that designs for Riley Blake. Riley Blake happens to be a very cute fabric line. So we got to meet Jana, which was awesome in and of itself. We received these cute little swatches as favors. The fabric was gorgeous! "Delighted" is the name of the line. I am sure that I feel a project coming on. I will keep you posted. Anyway, we really had a ball! Thanks, Patty and Jana!!

MAGNET BOARDS

I haven't been busy blogging, but I have been busy!! This was a lot bigger job than I ever expected. Even though it is VERY active, I think I like the idea of all of these smiling faces on the wall as I sit here at the computer. We'll see if I get used to it. Organizing "our old office" into "our new office" was a lot bigger physical and emotional drain than I ever expected, but I think we are happy with how it all came together.

Happy Birthday Gramma Llama!

G - Go go go! Gramma is ALWAYS on the go, and always doing things for others.
R - Rick rack stitch and many more...gramma is always working on a project for a grandchild or ward baby shower gift.
A - Accident prone...at least with the car. Never her fault, though!
M - Mediator. Will NOT talk bad about anyone.
M - Mom. Best mom anyone could ever have. Really.
A - Always picks up her phone. Even when she probably shouldn't. Always willing to listen, even if she has 10 million other things going on. Which she always does.

Happy Birthday, Gramma Horse, Gramma Llama, Gramma Pickle, Gramma quilt, and many more! We all love you and miss you so much. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and hope you have a happy birthday!!

Sailboats

Last fall we were excited to finally buy our very own brand new matching bedroom set. It was something we had never done before, and we were SO thrilled about it. The set we chose was one that Bill fell in love with. I am not sure that I would have picked it without him, but I thought at the time that he liked it so much that I just couldn't resist. Of course, I love it now, and wouldn't change it for any other set in the world. At that time we didn't take the time to decorate the walls with pictures. Bill painted, which was pretty amazing in and of itself. Something I will always feel guilty about driving him to do. Anyway, we got new lamps and tables and such, but no pictures. After I lost My Guy from this world, I really wanted to find a great sailboat print to put on the wall with the biggest space. When Bill was a young man, he sailed from Hawaii to the Mainland in a sailboat with a couple of other guys. It took them about thirty days. I am sure it was an awesome experience, and he was always thrilled to talk about it. We share a great love of the ocean. It is just one of those amazing bonds we have. We loved to just sit at the pier in Lahaina and watch the boats. Well, I gave up trying to find one and just decided to wait until one presented itself. Well, one did. Actually fourteen did!!! Jeff and I were going through some stuff downstairs, and I found a box full of Sailboat prints. They are not just any old sailboat prints. They are VERY OLD PanAmerican MENU COVERS!! Bill used to work for the airlines. He bought/saved?? them, I am sure, because they might have some resale value. They are reproductions of authentic Currier & Ives prints. I had no idea they were there. Jenn knew about them because she said Bill had wanted her to try to sell them on EBay. They are AMAZING. Only about half of them are perfect, but no problem. I only need 5 to frame and put above our bed. What a treasure!! Thanks Babe.

Maddie is growing very attached to John's quilt......

Can't Wait til Spring

Can't wait til Spring when there will be tulips popping up, pansies, Forget Me Knots, and Hydrangea! Thank you Jonah, Brooke, Josh, Jeff, and Eli. I couldn't have done it without you!

Kung Fu Spencer

Adventure Aquarium, Conference, BANANAGRAMS, movies, chips, licorice, "Blue Bloods", more Conference, the doctor, school, Karate, Barnes and Noble, Pottery Barn, sleeping in, staying up late, and just being together. Thanks Tracie and Spencer! I had a ball!

"Same Kind of Different as Me"

Recently a dear friend gave me a thank you in the form of this book and a sweet card. Strangely enough the card included a "pressed pansy". Funny that she did this. I have never received a note with a pressed flower in it, let alone a PANSY! I don't believe she reads my blog, so I have no idea why she thought to include a pansy. Just a coincidence I guess, but such a sweet one, and I LOVED it! Anyone it is also odd that she gave me this book, because there is a woman that dies from cancer. I guess I thought it might be a hard one to tackle at this point in my journey. But nevertheless, I took it on the airplane, and ended up being unable to put it down. It is a very uplifting true story about three people. Ron and Deborah Hall and their friend Denver Moore. Ron is a very wealthy art dealer, Deborah loves to help the homeless, and Denver is homeless. The story is told by Ron and Denver alternating chapters to tell how their lives came together. They all had an incredible influence for good upon each other. The passages where Ron describes how he felt after Deborah passes away were especially comforting to me. If anyone wants to know how I feel, just read pages 134, and 202-03. I will spare you the tears (and me) of quoting them here. I really enjoyed it. There are amazing spiritual experiences throughout. It also gives you an inside view of what the homeless endure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACIE!!

Happy Birthday, darling daughter. You were born on a Sunday night, much like this one. Gorgeous weather. Just exactly about this time. Start to finish four hours. You have always been "easy". Always obedient and always respectful. I love this picture of you and cherish the memory of that day. It was very special to be with you at conference and on Temple Square. Looking forward to being with you a week from tonight!! Have a great day tomorrow. LOVEYOUTONSANDTONSMOMANDPAPA

Inspiring

President Uchtdorf and the RS General Presidency were "spot on" in their remarks last night. What a blessing it was to attend this meeting with the wonderful sisters of our stake. Such an awesome prelude to General Conference!

Welcome to Brigham City

Famous Brigham City sign with temple in the background. Lots of Peach Day floats have traveled underneath this sign.
This is the Brigham City Tabernacle. I grew up five blocks east of this building. This is where we met for Stake Conference. I believe it was called the Box Elder Stake. I once gave a talk in this building for Stake Conference, and I graduated from Seminary in this building.
I believe this would be a view from the west. I can see Box Elder High School in the foreground.

The Brigham City Temple sits on the land where my elementary school was. Central School.

WOW!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ and JOSH!!

Happy Birthday Liz and Josh! It was on a beautiful fall day, just like today, that Liz came into this world. I think it was about noonish! So twenty three years ago today, I was listening to the doctors talk about going to Cutlers' for lunch. I think at that time it was kind of a new place to go! What a happy day it was for our family when you joined us. You had four moms it seemed. We love you and are so grateful that you have your wonderful Josh to share your journey with, and Joshie to share your birthday with!! You are, and always have been, a wonderful daughter!!LOVEYOUTONSMOMANDPAPA

Very Special Date

I am warning you before you read this, that this was a very special date. At the beginning of my journal entry I wrote,"Last night was so special I don't even want to write about it." Early in April, Bill had called me midweek to invite me to WARD TEMPLE NIGHT! Yes, Ward Temple Night! Our ward used to go together as a ward once a month. Not only was it WARD TEMPLE NIGHT, but it was Ward Conference. This meant that all of the people from the Stake would be there, a special meeting in the Priesthood Room at the Temple, AND and an ice cream social after. I wrote that I was "weak in the knees excited". He picked me up that Friday at ten til six. He looked fabulous. Remember this is our first "dress up" and public date! My smooth Guy told me that I "looked nice, but you always look nice--very attractive woman"--Such grown up words. I bravely told him how good he looked. I said, "I always think it, but never say it." On the way I was trying to fix my bracelet around my watch, and he helped me, then held my hand til we got off the freeway (darn gear shift). Keep in mind we are in his little red pickup with Texas license plates. Oh how I wish I had a picture of that truck!! We were in the Ogden Temple District at that time, so all this happened at the Ogden Temple. After the meeting we were going up the escalator for the session, and he asked me about the prayer circle. I said that I would love to, and he said that we would "see how it went". Always in charge! SUCH an amazing feeling! Still remember it. Still feel it! Still LOVE it! The session was very crowded, and we were way in the back, but we still went up. Almost passed out! I can only imagine what everyone was thinking. Lots of kind comments to us afterwards. Of course, you know that I am going to tell you we stayed in the Celestial Room after everyone had left. We just sat there talking for about ten minutes with his arm around me. WOW! I could have stayed forever. A dear friend in the dressing room told me that My Guy was grinning from ear to ear when we went up for the prayer circle. We held hands all the way home. When we walked into the church for the social, I "took his arm", and he exclaimed, "Oh, that feels so good!" Always love to "take his arm". Our dear friend and Stake President came up to us at the party and said, "You guys looked really good up there!" We sat in the truck holding hands and talking for a while when he took me home. We weren't making out yet, but I got some very tender kisses. Walked me in and stayed long enough to give me a "huge, warm, tight, and wonderful hug". I was floating. Finally went to sleep after two. When I went to school the next day, I no longer had to wonder what everyone was thinking. A lot of my students were in my ward. One darling girl whose parents had been at the temple with us told the class that Bill and I had been at the temple the night before, and we had done something "that only married people do at the temple"!! Honestly, I am not exaggerating one word. I felt like I knew I was in love by then, even though we had only been seeing each other about a month. It really doesn't take long when it's right. I just wasn't sure how I felt about being in love. VERY scary. I felt very blessed and thought how kind and good he was. As the song perfectly describes us, "two less lonely people in the world".

Book of Mormon

When I was first called to the Relief Society I suggested that the ward read the Book of Mormon as President Hinckley had instructed us to do a few years ago. Our ward came up with a more personalized plan that worked very well. This year the goal was set by the Young Men and Young Women to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days, and so the rest of us jumped on board. I am SO GRATEFUL that we are doing it. It is such a blessing for me now. I don't know why I couldn't have just done it by myself, but I didn't, and now I am. This last week of reading has reminded me of two great scriptures that give me hope (small h) for me, that I might continue with Hope (big H). This is what I aspire to do. They are:

2 Nephi 31:20 "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Mosiah 5:15 "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you His, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of Him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen."

Sunbonnet Sue Displaced

Remember when my life's biggest challenge was having my "Sunbonnet Sue Day" interrupted? Oh well, those were the days! Well Sunbonnet Sue has been replaced by sailboats. This would be because Baby Boy Mathie doesn't want dolls on his quilt. I probably should have done footballs, but darn, I didn't. It is sailboats! After two and one half throw aways, I have finally reached a point where I can say I have one done, and I can move on to number two. This is WAY harder than I ever thought it would be, but VERY therapeutic. I have to do twelve squares like this one! Wish me luck!

MK's TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY.

Friday, 8:30 AM Phone call--caller--"Hi, is Gelder there?" mk "Who is calling please?"--caller "Someone from Medicare Supplies." mk "He passed away"--caller "Does anyone else in the house have diabetes?" mk-click
9:00 Work til noon, bridal shower at 2:00. That means two hours of "stuck at school" time. Also clean up detail for the shower.
4:00 Leave school. Fridays I am through at noon usually.
4:15 Driving by cemetery to say "HI" to My Guy.
4:16 Turning up My Guy's street.
4:17 Car behinds me tries to pass my on the right??? Not a passing lane. Takes out my passenger door and runner panel. Now I have a smashed passenger door, broken windshield (from Maddie not wearing her seat belt), broken muffler from running around a parking lot filled with pot holes, and bad fuel filters from very bad gas.
4:35 Home-Phone call--caller--"Hi, is Bill there?" mk "Who is calling please?" --caller "the office where you renew your construction license, Bill always takes classes here. Is he going to this time?" mk "No, Bill passed away" This caller felt really bad because I was sobbing by now.
4:41 Email telling me I have to call the State office in charge of dissolving businesses. That would be Expanding Energy. Bill's oil company in Texas that meant a great deal to him.
4:45 Me calling State to take care of it. She was very sympathetic.

NOT TO WORRY. I am smiling today. AND my awesome ward came and started "My Guy's Plaza". Stage one is the beginning of the flagstone. Thank you wonderful neighbors and family!

Lucky Ducks

Decisions

The thing about decisions is that you first have to "decide" to decide. One can just "not decide". But then isn't that a decision? One of the problems with life is that it doesn't matter if you are an emotional train wreck, it just keeps happening. So I "decide" to get up everyday. I "decide" to keep breathing. I "decide" I want to keep my job so I have to perform at a certain level. My co workers just happen to be the most amazing people on the planet, so this is doable. But there are so many other decisions that are mentally, physically, and emotionally SO draining. What do I do with the basement? What do I do with My Guy's office? There is a part of me (no small part), that feels like not one thing can be changed, cleaned, organized, or touched. EVER, not EVER! Everything that even has his writing on has become sacred. Jeff has been monumentally helpful with this. I know whatever he tells me is exactly what Bill would say. This is a huge blessing in my life. So I continue to decide things, carry out the decision, revisit the decision, continue to carry it out, continue to revisit....you get the idea. But I recently made a huge decision. When I was visiting Lindsay in April, My Guy planted our pansies. We both LOVE pansies. He mostly loves all of the tropical plants, and can't tell the difference between petunias and marigolds, but we both LOVE pansies. I am sure it is because we have them through the winter. Anyway all summer long I have guarded those pansies with my life. But they are starting to look a little tenuous. SO WHAT DO I DO??? I recognize that I can't keep them alive forever, even though that seems simple enough. Just not realistic. SO, I went out and bought some new ones. In my feeble (not as sharp as I used to be) mind, I have made the decision that "his" pansies will ALWAYS be alive, as long as there are pansies in those pots (even if they are mine). I will never, ever know which ones are his or which ones are mine, because they are now blended and OURS. Perfect? I think so. NOT revisiting this one.

DON'T YOU WISH....

YOUR NAME WAS JOHNNY OR STEFAN??

Together Forever

Marie Callenders'

Well just so I can keep everything straight we are at April 1. We had our first "walk date" on March 12, 1994. We had been on several walks by now. We had never been on a "spend money" kind of date. Not that I cared one twit. Well on April 1 he called me and left a message. I called him back at work. The number was 801-532-5279. This isn't important to the story. But the idea that I wrote the number down in my journal affirms the fact that I was a much better journal keeper then, than now. He invited me for errands AND ice cream!! This was a very big deal. "A date without exercise" is what I put in my journal. Of course we ended up not doing errands or getting ice cream, but we did go to Marie Callenders'. We ran into someone he knew from a long time ago. They talked for about 15 minutes. We had pie and talked. We did SO much talking. We visited in the drive way for a while. We had a slight hug. You have to understand that I am such a geek through all of this. I took him a note after this date to thank him and invite him to Sunday dinner. By this time he was calling me every other day or so. We walked Saturday, and he said that he was going to come to dinner on Sunday. He always asked if he could bring anything. SO thoughtful! I didn't write this down, but I remember wondering if we were EVER going to have a first kiss. I still wasn't sure where all of this was going. Maybe we were going to just be "BFF". I also remember thinking that maybe the purpose of the pie was "kissing rights". Well, yeah, I was right. The first walk after the pie, came the kiss. He was all spiffed up when I got there. If I am not mistaken he had on his great yellow Ruff Hewn polo and I had on my light blue oxford Polo shirt. I cannot believe that I didn't write this down, but I remember it SO WELL. We were looking at pictures or something at the bar. All of a sudden he just leaned over and planted one on. YEP, still remember it. Can still feel it. WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL. So casual. He left to use the bathroom before we left for our walk. I can vividly recall walking over to the window, looking out, and thinking that this was very real, and it was going somewhere, and I liked it. Sunday was Conference weekend. We had a great dinner. He brought me flowers and carnations for the girls. "What a guy. I'm gone" was the prophetic journal entry. We all did the tramp again and ended up in the house learning magic tricks. My Guy is "world class famous" for his magic tricks. He also told us scary stories in the dark in Liz's room. Holding hands for the first time with all of your kids in the room. Very interesting. More kisses at the door that night before he left. I was going to need a lot of practice......

Some thoughts on Journal Keeping

Today in Relief Society we had an awesome lesson on temple work and family history. Of course the topic of journal keeping was mentioned. It seems that whenever I am listening to someone talk about family history, the save-all that keeps me from feeling guilty is that I do keep a journal. In fact, I am an avid journal keeper. Recently, however, I have cause to call into question my quality of the practice. When I was young, I was always aware of my Grandma Laura's journals. They were beautiful. Unlike my assortment of mismatched journals (my current giant Dot Candy one being the most outrageous), hers were all beautiful red leather. They were all the same style and color. I just knew that they were filled with so many wonderful things. After she passed away, I had occasion to read through them. I was partly correct in that they were filled with her beautiful penmanship and wisdom. However, like my journals, they were filled with lots of mundane stuff as well. "She had hung the clothes out on the line." "She had gotten her hair done." At that time it was very comforting to me to know that it is OK for journals to be just a log of our routine activities of the day. The trouble is that sometimes, at least for me, those days all look the same. Recently, I have been working on a list that I keep in my journal of my memories of Bill. I don't want to forget important things. Those memories include the things that he said, that he did, that he liked, that he felt, that he laughed at, that he enjoyed, or that he valued. S0 yesterday I had a very valuable lesson taught to me. I was feeling very brave and listening to a Phil Collins CD that has the song "My Girl" on it. This brought to my mind something that HAD to go on that list. My Guy and I didn't really have "a song", but he chose "My Girl" for my ring tone on his cell phone. Everyone that knows us well is aware of that little detail of our lives. What most everyone doesn't know is that every time I called Bill, he would answer the phone singing 'MY GIRL" at the top of his voice. HOW IS IT THAT I HAD NEVER PUT THAT IN MY JOURNAL???? How is it that something that made me smile every day, at least once or twice, and means the world to me now, wasn't included in what had happened to me that day? I think that is was way more important information than the fact that I picked up my dad's prescriptions or cleaned the bathrooms. Lesson Learned: Even though some of those details of our lives are mildly interesting to posterity, the ones that teach us the true character of a person are way more inspiring. I am trying to do a better job of including those kinds of things on the pages of my journal. Anyway, it was an important lesson for me. I am such a slow learner!

Virginia Pearce "Through His Eyes" meets "The Optimistic Child"

Just about one of my favorite things in the world is when something that I teach at school collides with a Gospel principle. That happened this week when I read Virginia Pearce's latest book. She has been my hero since I read "A Heart Like His". I am still trying to incorporate the things I learned in that book into my life. Now, more than ever, because that is what Bill was perfect at. That book taught the principle of keeping your eyes on the needs of the people in your world as those experiences come to you through the course of the day, instead of on "your list for the day".

Anyway there is something that I teach at school that I learned in "The Optimistic Child". It is called ABC. Something happens in our life. We will call it A, for adversity. It could also be called an event, an action, something said or done that was hurtful, a problem, and experience. B stands for belief. That means we have some kind of a thought about the event or adversity. Whatever that thought is leads to a C, for consequence or feeling. The feeling that we have is a result of the thought about the event (A). IF WE CAN CHANGE THE THOUGHT, WE CAN CHANGE THE FEELING! In a school setting it might look like this.

A-- Someone has a party, and you are not invited.

B--"He/She doesn't like me."

C--"I am a loser."

But if you dispute, analyze, correct the thought, it could look like this:

A--Someone has a party, and you are not invited.

B--"He/She doesn't like me."

CORRECTION/DISPUTE--"NO, I know they like me, but maybe they could only have two friends to their party."

C--"I hope they have fun, maybe next time I will get to go".

Well, Virginia Pearce has written a book based on the same idea. Hers looks like this:

Sensory/input/external data/experience

Beliefs/thoughts/interpretation/expectations

Emotions/anger/irritation, peace, depression, anxiety, discouragement

Actions/behavior

She talks about cleaning out our mind as if we were cleaning out a closet. When you really clean, you take everything out. You then make piles. There is the garbage pile, the DI pile, the "somewhere else" pile, and the "go back in" pile. She suggests we take EVERYTHING we believe out of our mind long enough to sort it. The TRUTH, as in Eternal (with a capital T) pile, the truth (small t) pile, and LIES. Make a list of each. Only let back in the Truth piles. Then when you have one of these events, measure it against what you KNOW to be true.

Don't accept every negative thought that pops into your head. We all have them. But if they are WRONG, and they often are, then they lead to negative emotions. EVEN WORSE they lead to negative thoughts about our self. And we all know where that comes from! Hope that all makes sense. I think it is pretty interesting and VERY helpful!

School Day #1

Survived. Thank you, Awesome Kids!