Raising Resilience.

Swinging in a hammock on a summers Eve, the look of wonder and curiosity filled Janes eyes. As I am venturing further down the path of raising a child I appreciate articles written on important parenting topics. Most recently: resilience!

Raising resilient and strong children is so important. And it truly is greatly affected by the parenting that occurs to that child! There ultimately is a choice made by an individual but the habits and traditions he's taught can dramatically bless his life's path. I firmly believe that it is a parents sacred duty and responsibility to teach their children. In ALL things. Faith, education, relationships, nutrition, first aid...it can be daunting to think you're responsible to teach, but it's 1day at a time...and YES, it is your responsibility. I recently read these two articles and really enjoyed the concepts and thoughts they shared. Each is on tips and advice to patents raising children.

As I look around at the children and youth of our day there is great concern that they are not being taught. They are not getting the direction that helps them realize who they are, their potential and their ability (and need) to do hard things. I see many just try to fit in, following the fads of the time, focusing conversations on gossip rather than intellectual or worthwhile topics. There is more concern on praise than learning. Phones have become an appendage to the body. Little time is spent on developing oneself and in giving service. There needs to be a makeover on respect and etiquette. That said, there are many amazing children and youth out there that rise to the goodness within them and seek opportunities to stretch and grow.

I firmly believe that becoming more resilient is crucial to ones character and growth! Even many of the adults in our society need a bit more resilience. We, many of us, run from hard things.

"We know two things about adversity and resilience: First, there is “an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). Second, obtaining anything of great worth often requires great sacrifice." This is true! I pray that I can strive to become a more resilient individual and that I can teach my children it's importance as well. For anything truly gloriously worth it in this life takes effort and hardwork, pushing forward in times of trial, realizing the blessings of learning, and seeking opportunities of growth. Seek resilience. Teach resilience.

Links to the articles (seriously, go read them):

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/03/raising-resilient-children?cid=social_20140728_28653626&lang=eng

And this one....

https://www.lds.org/liahona/2014/07/ten-tips-for-parents-of-young-adults?lang=eng

The Great Outdoors

I'm so lucky to have a man who loves the outdoors and is SO much fun to be with in every activity I do. James is an all around AWESOME man! This week has been epic with our new family exercise goals and striving to be outdoors together more. We bought new work out shoes (James' first pair he's ever got!), got a steal of a deal bike trailer and hung two wonderful hammocks in the yard.

We've already ventured out with Jane in the little buggy (it looks so fun, I want to ride in it) and it's been wonderful biking around beautiful Idaho Falls. We have some lofty and scenic routes we want to do before winter hits. Being outdoors truly enlivens my soul. After we hung our hammocks we just laid in them and watched a squirrel jumping in the branches above, birds chirping, and the sunshine fade out of the sky. I had a major ab work out laugh attack and we talked and talked while pretending we were by the ocean with umbrella drinks in hand. I love being with my Mister James and having our little buddy Jane join in the fun!

Today I was...

Today I was.....-fill in the blank-.

I have decided on a new outlook as a mother and I kinda like it. Oftentimes when you are a stay at home mom you can beat up on yourself and get down. You're 'just' a stay at home mom, without a career, status or importance. Day in day out your cleaning, feeding kids, cleaning some more, taking care of nap times, laundry, cleaning again, yard work, playing (entertaining) kids, oh yeah cleaning again...and yes, day in day out over and over again. But you know what, mothers!? You're a million times more versatile and important than any business suite out there. You're a baker, a landscaper, an artist, a specialty chef, a creator of life...yep! Day in and day out you are INCREDIBLE! There is much in this society today that would grind into your mind that you're not pretty enough, smart enough or worth very much. That is false. You are raising the future! That's amazing! There are those who may mock your values and standards as a woman, ignore them. Or better yet, disprove them and show what a worthy woman is capable of. There is GREAT worth and importance in the "day to day" duties of a mother. Never underestimate the power to BE daily!

Now I'm not saying this to toot my motherhood horn but to share how changing a perspective can make a life feel more fulfilled and a person more happy. Yesterday I was an athlete, jogging for the first time in a long while. Today I was a professional chef as I whipped out tons of zucchini bread and filled zucchini boats. Tomorrow I plan to be a landscape artist as I weed the yard and hang a hammock. Who knows what I'll get to be the next day! Having a love of life and keeping busy with that life you've been blessed with is what makes it worth living! So, mothers (and any others out there), take a look at all the many things you accomplish and do and realize how very wonderful life is! We have the great opportunity to become anything we want. Especially in this modern era, we have access, daily, to be what we want to be! There is so much to learn and each day presents endless possibilities. So what are you going to be today?

Today I was...........

(Both of these recipes turned out yum yum by the way, I'll have to post them!)

Pioneer Day!

Happy Pioneer Day, July 24th, 2014

What an important thing to honor...the pioneers of history! Our lives would not be what they are today if it weren't for the ones who went before us. Paving the way of freedom, faith, discoveries, following dreams, sacrifice. Not only the incredible handcart, covered wagon pioneers that crossed the plains, but pilgrims, the founding fathers of America, inventors who have made life incredible and people live healthier and longer, each woman bringing her child into the world... there are all types of pioneers.

I have been blessed to have many incredible pioneers in my family tree. People I look up to a great deal and try and live up to and emulate. Men and women who put the things of most importance in this life FIRST. They are courageous and humble. One of these pioneers, my mother, made a sweet comment to me, "You and I come from

a long line of strong men and women, and on this Pioneer Day I couldn't be
more grateful for such a legacy.  And then to think that we are part of
that line, that others will look to us someday as their ancestors.  We have
much to live up to for the blessings we have been given." How very true. Not only does Pioneer Day cause us to reflect on those brave souls of the past, but also on how we want to be remembered by posterity in the future.

Do we today pull handcarts or walk a thousand miles or more? Do we leave our homes and every earthly possession? There is much that we may never experience as pioneers of the past did, but we have the daily opportunity to be modern pioneers. In the way we serve, raise families, share of what we have with others, the talents we develop and enhance, the records we keep, in standing for truth and goodness...there are ways unnumbered to be a pioneer.

I hope that I can instill the Pioneer Spirit into our home. That my children will be ever grateful for the rich heritage that is theirs, and that they'll see goodness in their parents, and then continue in that spirit of pioneering themselves. Thank you to the pioneer men and women of this world!

Family Times

When going through photos I was happily remembering this wonderful time with James' brother Anthony and his little family...then I realized I had not blogged about it or recorded it somewhere. And since this blog will most likely be our journal I decided to fix that mistake. 

Anthony, Krystal and Evelyn came for a brief and FUN visit in April and we packed in the fun! We ventured to Fall Creek Falls and saw the grand Tetons in Wyoming. A favorite spot for us all.

We made painted toast :) and Evelyn was so sweet with Baby Jane! She loved helping her keep her binki in! We walked down by the temple and the falls of Idaho Falls. Adventured to the Dunes and battled the crazyyyyy wind. Baby Jane was tucked safely in dad's jacket cause the sand was blasting us!

It was such a fun and enjoyable time getting to know them better and being together as family! Those are times most treasured in this life. Family really is what it's all about and it meant so much to us that they'd come to see Jane in those early months of her life!

Practicing like a Pro!

Little Feet

Jane has been practicing walking with us and 

I finally decided to take a little video of it. 

Those little feet are just so precious! 

Isn't it amazing all that we learn in our first year of life! 

How curious and brave little people are!

Lovely day.

I really enjoy opportunities to serve and the thrill of finding Jane Austen pathways to walk on. Today I was blessed with both!

A woman in our ward sent out a plea for help to make food for a sudden funeral. The family was in need of a great meal as they gathered to commemorate the life life of a loved one. I volunteered to make a cake. And boy was it fun! I haven't made and decorated a cake for a long time and forgot how much I love it. The decorating part is my favorite!

Then during my daily walk with Jane I decided to venture down the overgrown trail that follows the canal...and my goodness! It was like stepping back in time. I loved not having cars zooming by and hearing the babbling water instead. We enjoyed picking wild pants for a Bouqet. It was a beautiful discovery finding this path, and I do believe we shall walk on it more!