Thanks #30

I am so thankful this dudes taste buds are craving different foods! I am so, so happy! He also started eating scrambled eggs in October too. 

Thanks #29

Tonight I was in a meeting with our Stake President - Blake Rapier. We are preparing for an upcoming Stake RS meeting and we needed some guidance on what we should be focusing our remarks on. I left feeling more than a little overwhelmed. President Rapier is so worried about the spiritual needs of the women in our Stake. I have no idea how my remarks will help. I am thankful though for a Stake President that is humble and recognizes a need for the sisters to be uplifted, encouraged and motivated to make Christ a larger part of their life. He is getting released in February. It's been a refining time for me to sit in numerous stake meetings and learn from him. He is a master teacher. He is also a person that shuns any perception of evil and actively stays worthy for the guiding influence of the Holy Ghost. 

Thanks #28

I'm a little behind - woops. Overall, I've done so well. 

I am so thankful for these neighbors - Neil and Lisa Harrison. They take such good care of me. Neil is the beekeeper and pottery maker. Lisa is the one that calls me up on Saturday mornings and takes me random places to get me out of the house. They have been my substitute parents and I am so grateful for them.  

Thanks #27c

I am so thankful for My Tech High. That's the personalize education program we use that motivates us to keep structure in our homeschool.

The largest benefit of the program is the stipend to purchase curriculum for each class your students are taking. We also get an allotment for technology related supplies. It's pretty much amazing and tge best thing ever. This is our 5th year using the program.

I used some of our school funds to buy these things this week. The poetry books are from my favorite author. He's my favorite because he understands boys and makes his poems hilarious enough that they will memorize them (noticed how I didn't say love to). I've never heard of the books before, but they were recommended to me by an Orem Public Library Children's librarian. So, the boys and I are going to give them a try. I'll post a book review when we are done.

These post-it tabs are also my favorite - although I typically prefer the ones that are a little bit wider. I use them to keep track of which lessons the boys are on for Math, English, Poetry,  Science, and History.

Thanks #27b

 

My neighbor has so many amazing talents. He sings, plays instruments, has an amazing garden, and is a bee keeper. He has also been teaching himself how to make pottery. Yesterday he has his annual pottery sale (something I save up all year for). I feel so thankful for these beautiful pieces and the happiness it brings to Brother Harrison when he is making them. 

Thanks #27a

I've been using this notebook for over two years to keep track of all the Stake meeting and other church meetings I have. I have almost used up every page. I recently discovered this Thank you list that I wrote. I never got up to 1,000 things I was thankful for, but here is a pretty good list. I must have started it sometime in 2013 (probably fall). It's fun to read and realize I am thankful for so many of these same things almost 10 years later. 

 

Thanks #26

I worked most of the day yesterday on getting up all the Christmas decorations. It made my heart so happy! I was especially thankful for Luke this year - he took all the tree decorations out of the protective boxes and handed them to me and Peter. He has never helped with the tree before so it was a big deal for this momma. 

Thanks #25

My very kind ministering brother and his wife would not let me spend Thanksgiving alone so, I had a lovely holiday at their house. Deborah's brother, Kevin, also joined the festivities. In between the meal and desert we got our 'crafty' on. It was exactly up my alley. I had such a lovely time. I'm so thankful for Mark and Deborah! They make my life rewarding and Mark helps me with all my home repair projects. 

Thanks #24

Amazon and Youtube. 

I don't enjoy spending time shopping, so Amazon shopping is perfect. I can easily handle delayed gratification (no prime membership) for the convience of it coming right to my doorstep.

Youtube so I can upload videos of the boys. Plus, if I don't know how to do a home repair DIY I always find a tutorial there. It's such a life saver.

Thanks #23

I find myself being more and more thankful for a working body every day. At 8am this morning, I took a load over to the dump. It was so nice to go when it was cold outside - aka no smells and no wet puddles. Then, I remembered I promised a neighbor to take her bagged leaves over to the green waste. Home by 8:30. It's so awesome to live close to these things. #soblessed

Thanks #22

I gave myself a blood blister last night. It hurts. I am super glad though that I have fingers that can be used to put together amazing things for Luke. This was WAY over due. Luke has been suffering for more than a year because of a very old mattress. He told me he felt like he was staying in a hotel bed. 

 

Thanks #21

Today was such a nice homeschool day and I am thankful. A friend needed to come at 11:30 to cry on my shoulder a little bit, and I was glad I was able to be here for her. She is going though some rough medical problems and she has even gone so far as made a final down payment on her funeral arrangement. It's physically and emotionally hard to see her so miserable.

The boys and I am thankful for Google Translate and Wikipedia. Today in biology, the boys had a great time looking up the scientific names for Otis and Rex. They then took their Latin names and translated them into many other languages. The house was rocking with laughter with that part of the assignment. On Wikipedia we were also able to get these - cool huh! Couldn't have done that in the 90's when I was a homeschool student. 

We also found out Rex has the potential to grow 5-9 more inches. Yikes! He is currently 21" long. When I hold him, he feels like a very long snake. Otis will only grow another 3".

I am also thankful for FHE. It's been hard to do it. Tonight I was committed to having a nice FHE lesson about the new Strength of Youth guideline booklet. The boys and I had a great discussion. We even made it through half of the booklet before kids started to have a crazy fit of giggles (it all started when Peter started to tickle the bottom of my foot). Sadly, I had to do all the songs solo and say all the prayers, but maybe eventually the boys will agree to help out a bit.

Thanks #20

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak in church so often right now. I have always wanted to speak with this particular high councilman because I admire his wife so much. Today was finally my chance. 

For me, writing a talk is always a very sacred experience. This one was no different, except it was more of a struggle than it typically is. Funny enough, our Stake President unexpectedly joined this meeting. A bit intimidating - yes!  

3^rd ward – November 20, 2022

I consider myself fortunate to have children that are both very inquisitive. They are never hesitant to approach me with the most important life questions. Peter, who is 14, asks questions like: What can I have to eat, or what can I have to eat, or what can I have to eat.

Luke is 11. He likes to ask me questions like: what was your favorite video game when you were young, what is your favorite number, do you like to go to Disneyland or Lagoon better, what part of yourself would you like to change, and what is the difference between the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Recently, I was busily cleaning my bathroom when I heard Luke hurl, yet another, question in my direction. He said; “Mom have you ever felt physical pain”. My instant response was to tell him about the time I broke my toe, or the many painful trips to the orthodontist for to have my braces adjusted, or, worst of all, when I went into labor with his older brother. After verbally hurling my answers back to him, I began pondering the potential correlation between emotional and physical pain. For me, I’ve felt emotional pain far more frequently. Later that day, Luke and I had another discussion about whether or not we think emotional pain can cause physical pain.  The thoughts we shared together on that day will be always be a treasured memory.

In a conference talk given in April 2011 Elder Kent F. Richards shared the following:

“As a surgeon, I found that a significant portion of my professional time was taken up with the subject of pain. Of necessity I surgically inflicted it almost daily—and much of my effort was then spent trying to control and alleviate pain.

I have pondered about the purpose of pain. None of us is immune from experiencing pain. I have seen people cope with it very differently. Some turn away from God in anger, and others allow their suffering to bring them closer to God.

I am fully confident that during times of unrelenting physical and emotional pain you have found many ways to draw closer to God.

 

Heidi shared her experience with pain in last month’s youth magazine. She said;

“I’ve always had anxiety. When I was 17, I noticed that most of my anxiety attacks occurred at church.

I was always told that if I’d read the scriptures, say my prayers, and go to church, I’d be happy. Well, that wasn’t the case for me. I’d enjoy the first few minutes of church, and then a panic attack would begin.

My bishop helped me realize that the spiritual expectations I had set for myself may be the cause. I thought I had to have the same miraculous spiritual experiences I heard about. It made sense to me that this pressure could cause my repeated attacks.

One day someone asked me, “Why do you still go to church?” I was taken aback. Why was I still going to church? I wasn’t forced to go. I didn’t receive any miraculous blessings. But I realized that I kept going because I knew the Church was true and that Heavenly Father wanted me to be there. My love for Him overpowered my desire to be free from anxiety.

 

Sometimes I wanted immediate blessings from Heavenly Father. I thought He’d bless me with fewer panic attacks just because I went to church. But I’ve learned that it doesn’t work that way. I often have to push through the attacks and attend church before I can see His blessings.

Now I’ve realized I can also ask for help from my parents and medical professionals. I still have bad days, but they don’t control me. Instead, they help me prove to my Heavenly Father that I love Him and that I’ll fight through this challenge with His help.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Christ asked if His trial could be lifted, but in perfect obedience to our Heavenly Father, He pushed through the greatest trial of all. Because of this, I know He will give me the strength to endure my trials as well.”

I was inspired by Heidi’s example of overcoming by continuing to do what she knows God wants her to do. She also actively looks to Jesus Christ as her example of endurance and strength. I know that Christ is our perfect example. With his help we can heal and overcome.

In my early morning Book of Mormon study sessions, I have been reading about the Savior’s long anticipated appearance to the Nephites. I have regularly inserted myself into these pages to obtain a better understanding of the feelings that were felt on that monumental day. Would I be among those who….

“while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center”

And again, I have pondered the feelings I would have felt if I had been there when the Nephites heard these words….

                Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name-hear ye him.

and what would I have done when I saw the Man descending out of heaven? Would I have been in frightened by the image, would I have recognized his glory and gaped in awe at the sight of him, or would I have fallen to his feet when I heard…..

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

Envisioning myself in attendance that day has been a powerful experience for me. I continue to try to be worthy of the Laurie Ann that might have been there on that day.

On Aug. 1, of this year President Nelson posted this message on his social media accounts. He said:

I plead with you to take charge of your testimony of Jesus Christ. Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Then watch for miracles to happen in your life.

Have you ever known someone whose testimony of Jesus Christ shines so brightly that you need to wear sunglasses? I have. How do they work for it? They study about Jesus Christ in the scriptures. They ponder ways to apply his words into their own daily lives. They own their testimony of Christ by frequently sharing in with others vocally, or in their daily example. They care for it by shunning anything that would distract or distance them from being ready for the Savior. They consider it a privilege to know of him and to faithfully serve him. They nurture their testimony by regularly kneeling in prayer with faith that answers will come. In prayer they also plead for clarification, understanding, and direction. They also consistently devote time immersing themselves in the scriptures with the expectation of making deep and meaningful correlations between the counsel given to ancient peoples and the counsel they desperately need.

I know that as you and I continue to deepen our testimonies of Christ by: working for it, owning it, caring for it, and nurturing it we will not struggle when confronted with what President Nelson recently described as on onslaught of sobering news. Instead, we can find safety and solace in the comforting inner peace Christ willing gives to disciples who wend their way closer to him.

I’m sure many of you know my friend, Marilyn Boucher. What some of you probably don’t know is that she is the choir director for my ward. Several months ago, we voted for songs we wanted to sing before the end of the year. It was no surprise to me when she later introduced to us the song that was chosen to be the 2018 Youth theme song. The first time we listened to it as a choir the tears poured down many of our faces. The words are tender and poignant.

As I read the words of this song to you, ponder those times when you’ve felt his peace……

 

There is peace in Christ

When we learn of Him.

Feel the love He felt for us

When He bore our sins.

 

Listen to His words.

Let them come alive.

If we know Him as He is,

There is peace in Christ.

 

There is peace in Christ

When we walk with Him

Through the streets of Galilee

To Jerusalem.

 

Mend the broken hearts.

Dry the tear-filled eyes.

When we live the way He lived,

There is peace in Christ.

 

He gives us hope

When hope is gone.

He gives us strength

When we can’t go on.

He gives us shelter

In the storms of life.

When there’s no peace on earth,

There is peace in Christ.

Brothers and Sisters peace can be found in the midst of pain – whether it’s physical or emotional. One of the names of Christ is: The Prince of Peace. This next story deeply touched my heart, and I hope it will touch yours too….

The Real Meaning Of Peace
Author Unknown

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. The contest stirred the imagination of artists everywhere. Many artists wanted a chance at winning the prize. Paintings from far and wide began to arrive. 

The king looked at all the pictures, uncovering one peaceful scene after another as the on-lookers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew as only two pictures remained veiled. As the king pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. 

It was a picture of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. Surely this was the winner.

The king uncovered the last painting, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? This picture had mountains like the previous painting but these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw a little bird had built a nest on a branch of a tree. A tree that reached out in the direction of the tumultuous waterfall. Yet there, in the midst of the rush of angry water, undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, sat the mother bird on her nest – in perfect peace. 

The king chose the last picture.

….I know that you and I can be just like that bird sitting calmly on that nest. I know it because I have felt His peace in the midst of turbulence. I’ve felt it when I’ve listened to the words of our prophet, I’ve felt it as he has tenderly mended my broken heart, I’ve felt it when I’ve called to him in moments of unrelenting despair, I’ve felt it in simple everyday moments of inward reflection, and I’ve felt it here in your Sacrament meeting today.

Testimony 

 

Thanks #19

I had the chance to go and help my sister with her holiday RS activity. It was SO much fun! We setup, enjoyed a holiday meal, completed a craft, and took down. I felt so much love from the sisters in Amy's ward. It's amazing to me how instant a friend connection can happen. Anyway, I'm thankful for my sister and the friendly ladies in her ward. 

Thanks #18

Today I am thankful for these spots in Peter and Luke's room. We have had a lot serious conversations, and funny conversations in these spots. Even better, we kneel here nightly to pray.  I am even grateful for the beautiful carpet that keeps my old knees cushioned while praying.   

Thanks #17

Last night, twelve other sisters from my ward descended upon the rental this amazing friend was living in until last week. Her family finished their new house in Mapleton and decided they better go live there instead. We spent 2 hours cleaning the townhouse from top to bottom. It was so much fun! There is nothing more rewarding then spending time with a bunch of friends giving service. I am so sad to see Cami move on to new adventures, but I'm so glad we could work and laugh so much together last night. It was a treasured memory

 

Thanks #16

 

This girl makes us laugh every...single...day. I'm thankful for the fun she brings to our house.  

Thanks #15

Luke is making me become a better artist. He has this card game that he is slowly creating. These are a few of the many, many cards that I have made for him.

This is my favorite one....

This is Luke's favorite one.....

This one is just too funny not to include....

Thanks #14

McDonalds just opened up right next to Smith's. The boys were so happy. I let them eat dinner there on the 2nd day that it was open. Momma is thankful the boys were thankful. I even got a hug from Luke! #totallyworthit

 

Thanks #13

Thankful for Luke and his willingness to participate in his last primary program today. We both shed a lot of tears over it. Him because he was scared to do it and didn't want to stop his video games to go to the practice. Me because my last child is no longer going to be in primary. I'm so old.

I'm also thankful for Luke's tender heart. I cried a lot of tears today, and he gave me lots of hugs to help me feel better. I'm a very lucky momma.

Thanks #12

For Youtube. I'm a little freaked out about Otis' shell right now so I've been watching a ton of turtle videos. It's been very helpful.

Thanks #11c

I tried to do something different for Veterans day today. We ate things similar to what Great-Grandpa Brady may have eaten while he was serving during WWII. It flopped, the boys thought it was dumb. I enjoyed doing it so I guess that's all that mattered. I am so thankful for those who willingly serve. 

Uncle Michael Davis

Great-Grandpa Brady

Thanks #11b

Yesterday baby brought this animal to me. I automatically asked her why she was carrying around a Vulcan. Bwahaha, Peter and I had a good laugh about that. Thank goodness for silly moments to laugh about. 

Thanks #11a

I am fascinated by things under our microscope. My boys think I'm crazy. I really wanted to get a drop of my blood, but I couldn't quite get that brave. The first image is a Lego flame, then a rock crystal (see all the lint), and then pollen from my Christmas cactus. 

 

Thanks #10

Today, I am thankful for prayer. I am especially thankful for the peace that can be found in prayer. I am also thankful for this inspirational short story that I found online.

The Real Meaning Of Peace
Author Unknown

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. The contest stirred the imagination of artists everywhere. Many artists wanted a chance at winning the prize. Paintings from far and wide began to arrive. 

The king looked at all the pictures, uncovering one peaceful scene after another as the on-lookers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew as only two pictures remained veiled. As the king pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. 

It was a picture of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. Surely this was the winner.

The king uncovered the last painting, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? This picture had mountains like the previous painting but these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw a little bird had built a nest on a branch of a tree. A tree that reached out in the direction of the tumultuous waterfall. Yet there, in the midst of the rush of angry water, undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, sat the mother bird on her nest – in perfect peace. 

The king chose the last picture.

Thanks #9

The trees in my front yard are making me so happy today. They are so pretty!

Thanks #8

I used to keep pens, pencils, and markers on the nightstand next to my bed. Now that baby is older it isn't so safe to keep those things there. Peter willingly agreed to make me a new holder for them. I love that it's so pink and geometrical. Making 3d prints with Peter is so much fun.