Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts

Happiness


I recently started a new homeschool curriculum with my 4 kids. It's LDS-based and covers science, history, geography, art, literature, and music. We are enjoying it, and I plan to do a thorough review soon.

Until then, if you are an LDS homeschooler, find out more about it at www.latterdaylearning.org.

(If you are wondering what the heck LDS means, it's what we Mormons call ourselves. You can learn more here.)

Today we studied literature for Family School. Each lesson is based on Gospel Principles. As part of literature today, we read The Fisherman and His Wife and Rumplestiltskin. We talked about selfishness and greed and about what brings true happiness vs. what brings short-term pleasure.

Anyway, I've been thinking about that today.

Bubs, who is 9, has a talent for selflessness. He gets it. He thinks about others' happiness before his own. On Wednesday night, he had to get stitches. It was a first for our family.

He had been taking apart on old DVD player, and he left some pieces on the floor in his room. Well, he got startled, tripped, and cut deeply into one of his toes.

It was late by the time he got back from the ER. We were all tired.

The next morning, his sister (Welly, age 7) said that Bubs was sobbing during the night in pain. She told him she was going to wake me up, but he wouldn't let her. He told her to let me sleep because I was up so late.

So unselfish. That's the beauty of it, though. We find true happiness in seeking the happiness of others. When we put our own happiness first, it falls short.

Daddy's Pictures of Our Annual Fall Hike

Oh! How we love this time of year! Warm colors, soft sweaters, cool breezes, puffy clouds, and the beginning of cozying up together for another year's end.



 





We must enjoy every season of life...for each is but a fleeting moment.

Joys.


Hi Friends,

I'm feeling very blessed because...

*We're feeling settled into our beautiful, new home.
*I'm about halfway through this pregnancy, and feeling the baby move is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world.
*We're getting to know some wonderful people in our new hometown.
*Tomorrow, Robby and I celebrate 10 blissfully happy years of marriage.
*Last week, my parents came up to visit (and worked like dogs helping us get settled in).
*Bubs (now 8) was baptized last week, and it was wonderful.

Life is beautiful.

See you soon.

Emily

Happiness is...



these delicious whole wheat pancakes...(and you don't even need a wheat grinder!)

Blender Whole Wheat Pancakes


1. Put 1 Cup of wheat kernels and 1 Cup of milk or water in blender. Blend on high speed for 3 min. (I use my Bosch blender. I imagine you need a pretty powerful blender for this.)

2. Add 1/2 Cup more milk and blend for 2 more minutes.

3. Add 1/2 tsp salt, 3 tsp baking powder, 1/2 Cup oil, and 2 eggs. (If you want to make these non-dairy / vegan, you can omit the eggs. I did it once because I didn't realize I was out of eggs, and they still turned out great!)

4. Blend well and pour on hot griddle. (You know the rest, right? Flip them when they look bubbly. Remove them when they've reached desired color. Top with more deliciousness, such as strawberries, whip cream, and syrup...)


(I don't know where this recipe originated. I got it from my mom. If you know where credit is due, let me know.)
Happy eating!

Happiness is...

a pile of dirt.


Life is full of small joys, isn't it? To see more of my happinesses, click here.

Y Wisdom


It's never too early (or too late) to start reading together.
-Love, Y

At the Feet of Angel Mothers

"All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." -Abraham Lincoln

"Heaven liveth at the feet of mothers." -Muhammad

I have an angel mother. As a child, I used to sit on the sewing machine cover next to her while she sewed. I liked to be with her. When she came to tuck me in each night, she'd often spend an hour on the edge of my bed. Listening. Advising. Just being there.

My mother still makes herself available when I need her.

I'm feeling grateful for her, as well as for other amazing women who I look to as examples.

That's the thing about mothers. Nurturing is in their hearts.

I still enjoy sitting at the feet of great women and relishing in their spirits, in the way they define motherhood as the holiest of callings. I feel perfectly content, kneeling on the floor, looking up to these women who I am lucky to call friends, lingering as long as I can, hoping that their greatness will rub off on me.

Today, happiness is nurturing and being nurtured.



*One of the wonderful mothers that inspired this post, Shauna Dunn, has recently been named the Utah Young Mother of the Year. For lots of good ideas, check out her new blog, Utah Young Mother 2010. Be sure to scroll back far enough to see her portfolio answers!*

Happiness is...

climbing in a dishwasher, apparently.

(Unhappiness is having (and this is NO exaggeration) my TWENTY-STINKIN-FIFTH case of mastitis. Any advice for prevention is welcome.)

Thanksgiving: What are you thankful for?



I'm thankful for...

homemade rolls
laughter
friends that are like family
family
hugs
kisses
my baby's voice
exercise
creating things
my family
warm fires
hot chocolate
the holidays
traditions
scriptures
prayer
the Atonement
love
hope
faith
a husband that loves me and treats me well
my belief in forever families
my comfy bed
good books
hot, running water


How about you?

Book Review: Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo, author of Jane Austen Ruined My Life.
Review by Me, Emily.


Claire Prescott is anything but thrilled when she gets roped into going to a Jane Austen seminar in place of her sister. Unlike her sister, she doesn't see the appeal of the iconic Mr. Darcy. Claire has been dating a 'nice guy' and is content with him. Mostly.


While at the seminar, she is swept away by a handsome Darcy-like character. She also comes into possession of the long-lost first draft of Pride and Prejudice in Jane Austen's own writing.


Will she be whisked away by the handsome man at her romantic getaway in Oxford? Or will the nice guy win her heart after all?


I thoroughly enjoyed this Austen spinoff. Although, I am not sure I agreed with the ending...you know...did she really end up with the right guy? I'm not sure.


Anyway, the book is 'good, clean fun'. It's quick and enjoyable.
(PS. A little shameless self-promotion...If you are ordering anything from Amazon this Christmas, I'd really appreciate it if you clicked through my site to get there. Thanks!)

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

You know what is great about having kids? Seeing their joys in the simple things...like feeling a new texture, tasting ice cream for the first time, or splashing in a puddle of milk.


Today I will try to find joy in the little things. Life can sure get messy, but there are many things to be grateful for.

Happiness is...

making apple pie, knowing it will make my bebe smile.

Happiness is....


Having Daddy around.
And finding him like this...

And playing Monopoly as a family for school.


And this picture of the Y-Bibble.



Not to mention the roses from Daddy.
Did I mention that I like having him around?
I did? Oh. Well, it's still true.

Pick-Me-Up

(Picture of our dear friends, the Storms. We can't wait to see you guys!!!)


Someone asked how I make my home such a happy place. Honestly, it isn't always happy. I get grouchy. There, I admit it. Today is one of those days. It tends to happen when I am disappointed with the book I am reading, or the kids are sick, or just the general...who knows what the heck is wrong with me...I'm a woman, and I get cranky sometimes.

I do have some tricks up my sleeve, though. It's all mental, really. But it's hard to just snap out of it, as much as I might tell myself to do so.

I have three favorite ways to pull myself out of the ditch.

1. I sit on the couch with my kids and read stories. I'm sure that one doesn't surprise anyone.

2. I gather some friends for a GNO.

3. I put on my Happy Mommy Playlist and we dance/clean/sing with spoons together.

Happy Mommy Playlist

Somebody's Hero-Jamie O'Neal
Somewhere Over the Rainbow-Katherine McPhee
The Good Stuff-Kenny Chesney
My Destiny-Katherine McPhee
Wish You Were Here-Mark Wills
I Love My Life-Jamie O'Neal
Something that We Do-Clint Black
Blessed-Martina McBride
If You're Not the One-Daniel Beddingfield
When I Think about Angels-Jamie O'Neal
Remember When-Alan Jackson
Inside your Heaven-Carrie Underwood
You Raise Me Up-Josh Groban

They aren't all upbeat songs (some are kinda tearjerkers, actually), but the message is...Life is Good and Be Grateful for What You Have.

I'd love to hear some of your pick-me-up songs. Which ones help you keep a positive outlook? And what other things make you happy?

Oh, How I Love...

waking up to this...
and these...
May we always wake up to see the ones we love.
Preferably after the sun comes up.

Happiness is...


sitting together on the front porch during torrential rain, followed by a double rainbow over the mountains.

Summertime happiness is...

Bubs was feeling afraid in his bed last night, so to cheer him up, we took turns saying things that make us happy. Here are some of our current happinesses...



swimming

warm sand in your toes

flowers

the garden

giggles

kisses

Blacky Bear

Grandmas and Grandpas

backpacking

baby necks

puppies

green

purple

Jesus

a cool summer breeze

library cards

the smell of new books

the way new books crack when you first open them

ice cream

wispy clouds across a blue sky

friends

blankies

jumping in a cold stream



What are your current happinesses? Do tell.

Happiness is...



puffy clouds
bubbly brown marshmallows
the sound of giggles
raindrops
fresh basil
the smell of tomato plants
bread right out of the oven
strawberry freezer jam
calls from loved ones
listening to your child read
new library cards
chubby cheeks
chubby toes
a summer breeze
new friends
old friends
living