Admiration

Me, Shellie Memmott, Vanessa Durbin, Grandma Janice, Ange Durbin

Hilary Weeks and Me

 March first I was invited to attend a house concert.   Have you ever heard of them?   Me neither so don't feel bad.   Lucky for me Natashia Dansie not only heard of a house concerts but had a strong desire to hold one.   So I was invited to go.   Natashia knows I am a Time Out For Women fan and Hilary is one of the presenters.    I have a great love and inspiration for this women for lots of reasons but the biggest reason is she has been given a gift and she consecrates that gift to the Lord.   She writes and sings music that uplifts the soul and makes you want to be a better person and push through our trials.    Then instead of hiding that gift and talent under a bushel she shares it with the world.   She shares her testimony of  Christ through her music.   On my way over to Nephi that night it was snowing and the car was quiet.   I took the 15 min drive to ponder and review my life.   This year I have made many life changing steps for the better.   One thing that I have not changed but have become aware of is the negativity surrounding me.   Some I create myself and then some is just generated from the people and circumstances around me.    I had determined that somehow I would change that.   As we shared the evening Hilary encouraged anyone to share their testimony or thoughts and feelings with us.  A gentlemen that was there with his wife.   (No doubt earning brownie points)  Commented on a study he had heard about negative thoughts. 

Parents can purposefully make a change in their speech habits,
according to Mimi Doe, author of 10 Principles for Spiritual
Parenting. 'If you use negative words - catch yourself. Count how many
times you say don't to your children. One study estimates that the
average child hears the word no or don't over 148,000 times while
growing up, compared with just a few thousand yes messages,' she says.

Doe adds that negative words can push the spirit out of any situation.
'Of course we need to use firm words at times and alert our child to
emergencies and dangers, but the habitual no's begin to eat away at a
child's spirit. Moms (and dads) should say yes as much as possible,
without compromising your limits. We often snap a no out of habit,'
she says."

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=516517 
Here is a link with some very insightful and alarming information.  That we talked about for a few minutes.    After the concert which was so amazing I bought a clicker.   Hilary had done an experiment to see just how many negative thoughts she had a day.   By the end of the week she was emotionally and physically drained with no other logical reason she decided that is was because she had focused on the negative instead of the positive.   So the next week she focused on the positive.    By doing this  she was able to run further than normal and accomplish more than normal.
http://hilaryweeks.com/blog/?category_name=power-of-thoughts
You can read her blog for the details.  I was not going to buy a clicker that was a silly waste of money in my opinion.   Then I started talking with Grandma Janice and we decided that was exactly what we needed to do.   Buy the clicker so we could become more aware of the positive things around us.   So we all went home with our clickers and a resolve to do better and be better.   The more I have thought about this the more I know it is true and something very powerful that affects not only us but those around us especially our children.   So I am going to be a more positive person.   I am going to say yes more to my children in hopes that they will have confidence and the self esteem to become who our Heavenly Father wants them to become.

http://www.billionclicks.org/

Here is the link to Hilary Website on a billion clicks it is awesome

Trunk full of Treasures and Memories

My Great Great Great Grandparents Joseph Price Jones and Jane Hughes Parry. 

Grandpa Job Jones Miller DeNora Fae Lamont my grandpa's sister Larae, then my grandpa's brother Thomas and his wife Linda.

The New Testament published in 1880

Home of my great great grandparents Thomas and Margaret Jones.

Great Grandma Janie Jones and her brother Thomas

The last year I have been very drawn to my genealogy and where I came from or who I came from.    This top photo is of My Great Great Great Grandparents Joseph Price Jones and Jane Hughes Parry.    The photo on the bottom is my Grandpa Job Jones Miller DeNora Fae Lamont my grandpa's sister Larae, then my grandpa's brother Thomas and his wife Linda.    I had the honor and privilege of spending the day with them last Friday.     My mom and dad were there as well.   Uncle Thomas has 8 binders worth of pedigree charts that he had gone through and so he made copies for my grandpa and his sister.    We put them in sheet protectors and binders for them.   I was not interested as much in those, I can get online and see that.   I was interested in the photos and stories.   So when we were done Uncle Thomas pulled out a trunk full of photos and memories.   His house was full of antiques and treasures from my great great grandmas house.    As he pulled each photo out I had to take pictures.    I was so excited to have these treasures and now I want to know these people and their story.    My grandpa and his siblings shared stories and memories of their childhood which I tried to record.  I want to know my ancestors and I want my children to know them.   I firmly believe we will need their examples of courage and strength to make it in these latter days.     When I get to heaven I want to be able to recognize them and know them already.  

Happy  DR. SEUSS  Day

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” 

"A person's a person, no matter how small.”  

Two of my favorite Dr Seuss Quotes.  

I think I've been shot by Cupid

 Kaci's favorite holiday is Valentines, not her birthday, not Christmas yep Valentines.   Last year we had a girls Valentine party that was really fun.   This year I wasn't quite as on the ball.    Thanks to Cupid she had another wonderful day.   Kaci looked through all of her Valentines and then put on her roller blades.   This is a daily ritual she roller blades for hours.   She will roller blade outside for a while and then come in to unthaw.   I heard her go out and then come back in pretty quick.   I thought that was weird so looked to see if she was ok.   She was leaning against the door with an armful her smile was priceless and she had this lovestruck look on her face.   I was a little sick I'm not going to lie.    I was not prepared to see this look on my daughter and then to here the words, "Mom I think I just got shot by cupid!"  was a little more than I was prepared for.   At this point I was ready to run for the bathroom or the gun just couldn't decide which direction to go.    Then I had a reality check and remembered she was only 6 not 16 thank heavens.    Then I txt her Dad waiting his response.   Mine was definitely worse.  I guess I just don't want my baby girl to grow up.  So are you dieing to know who shot the arrow?    That's what I thought.  His name is Dallin Jarrett.  He is a really shy adorable kid in her class.   She gave him a Christmas Present and when I do my back post I will post about that.  

This year her and Jake decided to make heart crayon Valentines instead of candy and we made their Valentine boxes.   Valentine boxes are still a big tradition in Mona Elementary parents go all out.  It is almost as bad as the pinewood derby.    Jake wanted a guitar and I think it turned out pretty good.   Kaci wanted a bird house with Love birds and heart flowers.    Their boxes came home overflowing with sugar and notes from classmates.    

I didn't blog about our Valentines experience last year.    Dan surprised me with a new outfit and dinner date.   We doubled with Wendy and Casey Winn.  That was a fun night.   We came home to Mona to see a house was on fire in the new part of Mona.   That was really horrible yet a blessing for our family because we were able to help them rebuild their house.   Dan was highly recommended by Jeff Boyd and Shane and Stephanie Woolslayer turns out that the Jolley's ride motorcycles with them.   The kids stayed home and didn't answer the door for anyone just like we told them.   There were a few plates and goodies on our front porch.   There was a gift for Kaci from the Williams'.   The boys questioned where theirs was and even though I thought that was strange I just said well she did a Valentine Party so maybe they just did a special Valentine for her to say thanks.   A few days went by and I didn't dare say anything to Tina.  Seriously how do you say anything.   I ran a few scenarios and nothing sounded good.   Really it wasn't a big deal but in the back of my mind I kept thinking this is just weird.   Finally,  Jake and Keanna had a discussion about it on the way to school.  This broke the ice for us to know that there should have been 5 Valentines on our front porch.    So the mystery began and has never been solved.   We have our suspicions.   Obliviously someone needed the treats and gift certificates more than the rest of us.   At least we know we were not forgot and a year later it is a memory to laugh about.   So this year I told Tina she had to deliver them in person and then we needed a photo.    I think Tina loves Valentines as much as Kaci she always has the funnest gifts with the cutest heart cards and this is when she sends out her family cards.   We Love her and her family and our grateful for their friendship and memories we have.

Another Terrific Kid

I Love the words that they have put with the word Terrific.

Thoughtful
Enthusiastic
Respectful
Responsible
Inclusive
Friendly
Inquisitive

Capable

I need to be Terrific.  but since this post isn't about me and what I should be I will tell you why Mrs.  Jacobsen thinks Jake is terrific. 


January 25,2012   Jake Woodland is the Terrific Kid in Mrs.  Jacobsen's class for January!  He pays attention during his lessons is enthusiastic about learning, and shows respect tot others.   Jake shows he's responsible by handing his homework in and using his class time wisely.    Whatever he is assigned as a class job, you know he will get it done and do it well.  Jake is a Terrific Kid!


As a mom I think he is terrific as well and love to hear others see in him what I see.   Love you Jake keep up the good work. 

Sparkles

Our boy dog named Sparkles.   He has been with us for 3 years and Wednesday I thought it was over.   He usually rides with the kids to school and then hangs with me in the mornings while Kaci is at school.   Today was no different except that I didn't take the kids to school, Andy picked them up.   I wondered a couple of times where he was but got busy and didn't think about it.   When I went to pick Kaci up from school still no Sparkles.  Kaci had a friend come to play and they played outside most of the time and still no Sparkles.   I asked her when the last time she saw him was and the tears started to come.   Jake came home and we looked over the neighborhood.    We called to see if by chance Sparkles had climbed in the Williams' car and got left there.   We looked in all of our vehicles still no Sparkles.   Jake was very concerned and Kaci was in hysterics by this point so I called Dan for backup.   He said,  I can't talk I am right in the middle of something.  His usually response sometimes I wonder why I even bother.   Then he told me to call the Sheriffs office.   When I tried to explain how ridiculous that idea was he said just trust me.   So with great hesitation and sheer desperation to find my daughters 4 legged friend and comforter I called.   "Hello, this is Lisa Woodland you are going to think I am crazy and I am but, Dan said I should call and tell you my daughters little puppy is missing."   The voice on the other end didn't even laugh he just said what kind of dog is it.    I said, "a a shitzu poodle cross."  He asked what color he was.  "a greyish brown longer hair."  "Yes Mam we have your dog what is your address we will send an officer out with him."   "How did you get my dog and how did Dan know and why are you bringing him to me, I don't even have to pay the pound fee or anything?"   So for the next 20 minutes while we waited I had a million questions.   Come to find out the boys home down the street claim they found him up by the freeway.  I don't bye their story.   So Craig Ryan went and picked him up he went to several homes trying to find out where he belonged then he took him home to get a drink and some food and let him play with his dogs.    Then he just rode around with him all day in his truck sitting on his lap and in the office waiting for us to call and find him.    Craig had took him to the vet (Mont's)  they looked to see if there was an electronic tag. (didn't even know they had them) The dog catcher was unfamiliar with him.  Craig decided since he was so well mannered and behaved someone was sure to miss him and look for him so Barbara and him were just going to take photos and put a sign up at the post office and keep him with their dogs until they found where he belonged.  So how did Dan know about this.   Craig went in to Do it Best Hardware when Dan and Brad were in there getting materials and Brad said,  "Hey that dog in that Sheriffs truck looks just like Sparkles."  Dan said, "Ya it does."  and they left.   Craig said he had thought about asking Dan especially when they were looking at him funny but didn't.  So Sparkles had a day on Duty with the Local Sheriffs Officer which he loved.   But, when you saw him and Kaci's reunion it was so awesome.  They really love each other and that is why I am so glad we still have our boy dog named Sparkles. 

2nd Place

The Pit Crew

We are the last minute, throw it togethe,r get online and figure out all the secrets to the little scout derby's.   We never win best looking, most real to life or any other award!    Most of the time Dan doesn't even participate in the construction of these rockets or cars.   But, when it comes to the actually race Dan is all business.   Jake sanded and painted his rocket all by himself and then him and I glued it together.   The night of the big race it was him and I alone for the first round and we failed miserably.   Dan had a welding night with his own scouts and so he was late.   When he got their Jake was on deck.   The three of them rearranged a few things added the secret winning potion.  (If you want to know you will have to call me.)   They won!   The next three races Jake won which put him back into the winners circle.   He lost the last round by just a hair.   It was a fun night.   I often wonder if activities like this are really necessary?    Then I look at photos like this and know that memories like this are priceless.