Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin

I feel like a pig.
A pig from the infamous fable,
The Three Little Pigs

Let me explain.

The wolf is to me all the 
ugly, 
foul, 
 immoral,
stuff that  exists in our world.
The wolf can get in so easily.

If the house is not strong

and the pig wants to relax and make things easy for himself.

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The pig with the house of bricks.
He's the pig I want to be.
When the wolf huffs and puffs 
 I exclaim,
"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."
and my house won't budge.
 I am safe inside.

I recite this tale to my daughter when I curl her hair.
I tell it a little differently.
I'm teaching my kids why its safer to keep the wolf away.
Rules and commandments are not restrictive.
They bring safety,
they bring freedom.

So bring it on wolf.
We're building a house of bricks.

Live like this.

I read this today.

I'm posting it on the mirror,

in the bathroom that we all use the most.

I want us to read and reread.

I want to live this quote.

I feel strongly that I have good to share.

this quote is taken 
from Sheri L. Dew's Book

No One Can Take Your Place

 President Gordon B. Hinckley

BYU speeches 1996-97

"You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others.

I do not suppose that any of us here this day will be remembered a thousand years from now. I do not suppose that we will be remembered a century from now. 

But in this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right."

Happy to be loved.

 

  Jeff has 10 days off!He has been fixing things and helping around the house. He got the kids up at 5:00,he took them exploring: to find owls, and bald eagles.
I love him! Our marriage isn't perfect.I'm late sometimes.He doesn't like that.We get irritated,stressed,overwhelmed.We don't deal with it the way we should. But,we work through it. We both want the same thing.We want to be friends.We want to be together for our kids.We want to retire together,go on missions.We want happiness, we want to be loved.Its awesome to be with someone,who wants what I want.
There's an article that is awesome.

 HereI just read it.We have some things to work on.January is a perfect time to start.
 ♥

Turn Back Tuesday

5 years ago.

3 kid lets.

They were so little.

So adorable.

Tonight, we're going to do this with the leaves we find when we go on a walk.
I love fall.
It is my favorite season, hands down.

Lately I've been snuggling my kids a lot.
They love stories about themselves.
They like stories about me too.
Last night it was fun to share their birth stories.
My oldest was surprised to learn that he was born a month early.

Its funny.
Some days I want motherhood to speed by.
Other days I find I'm basking in every moment.
I find when I'm not as selfish that the basking occurs.
Ya Think??

I've enjoyed a few deep, heart felt talks over the past few weeks when I've tucked my boys in bed.
I was itching to race downstairs so I could enjoy my time.
My oldest asked me a question I couldn't brush off.
It was deep.
Something about Heavenly Father.

They asked more questions and we talked.
I shared my deep convictions- my testimony of God, of Jesus Christ.
3 different times.
I tickled their backs.
I told them with tears in my eyes how bad I wish for them to be extraordinary.
Like super heroes.

1 hour later.
I felt good.
Like I was a super mom.
I've been a mother for almost 10 years now.
Somethings I'm getting pretty good at.
Laundry,
Sweeping,
Bossing.
Taking time to teach deep meaningful stuff every moment I can find- NOT so good at.
Monday night is not enough.
Sunday is not enough.
They have to know what I feel in my heart.
About God.
About them.
About my love for their dad.
So they'll feel it in theirs.



This morning all four kids snuggled up in my bed while I woke my sleepy head.
I read from the scriptures.
We prayed together.
I won't get everything done today.
But it feels so good to have done that one thing.
Its not tradition yet, but I hope it will be soon.

Seasons change.
And we can too.
I'm so glad.


♥

Teaching independence

This picture was taken to remember how sweet and independent my boys can be. I was busy with something and they made up a snack for the whole family. I love when my motherly labors "bring forth good fruit".

♥

When? Where? How?

Do you ever feel like there's not enough time in the day to understand all the things you're interested in. Right now I want to figure out so many different things.

Planning and preparing RAW meals.

Understanding how my new camera works.

Taking professional type pictures.

Learning how to reupholster furniture.

Creating a budget that our family can thrive on.

Designing a system to teach my children how to work, make money, save it, and spend it wisely.

Digging deep into the doctrine and principles of the gospel.

Learning how to create and streamline a system to clean my new house so I have more time to learn.

Teaching my children to be responsible, caring, adorable people.

Learning how to not take myself so seriously!

♥

I'm itching to decorate!

I've only been in the house we are buying twice. Tomorrow we get to go over again. I'm counting down the minutes. I will be taking this: (my anniversary present! I've discovered I need to go back to school to learn how to use and play in photo shop. However, photography is on hold while I get in a decorating groove again.)and taking as many pictures as I can to get a better feel for where I want our things to go and what things I even want to bother moving in. The last few days I've been surfing the internet and pouring over pottery barn books, and other decor books to get a real feel for the styles, fabrics, and colors I love. When something pops out at me I save it. I'm not sure what you would call the style that I lean toward the most. I love feminine colors and fabrics but also really like masculine design-straight lines and very clean and crisp. I don't know all the deco lingo but I know that I get giddy when I see something that jumps out at me. Here's some samples of what I've found and love........................................................

I

My plan is to learn what I really love and start looking for bargains and things I can fix up. I'm thinking it will take me a few years just like it did in this old 40's house. I'm especially fond of all the storage baskets and office ideas that catch me eye.







♥

Dear President Uchtdorf, THANK YOU !!!

His talk was for me!
"...our splendid sisters sometimes undervalue their abilities — they focus on what is lacking or imperfect rather than what has been accomplished and who they really are."

I could've stood up, raised my hand and said, "Hi, my name is Kim and this is what I do to myself everyday!!!!

Everything he said was insightful and very wise. THANK YOU THANK YOU. Here's more of what he said that touched my ♥!

♥"Everyone can create. You don't need money, position or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty," he said. Mothers not only assist God in providing bodies for and teaching their children, but those who are not mothers will find that creativity "extends far beyond the limits of canvas or sheet of paper and not require a brush, a pen or the keys of a
piano.

♥"Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before: colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter." Those who feel intimidated can begin with small things like a letter of appreciation, learning a new skill or beautifying a space in some way.

♥"As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."

♥"The number of prayers we say will contribute to our eternal happiness, but the prayers we answer may be of greater importance."



♥ "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."J.M. Barrie author of Peter Pan

What a wonderful admonishment!! CREATE and BE COMPASSIONATE.


Go here to hear it again or for the first time: