I Choose To Be Positive!

I have noticed that things are very negative in the world right now and since Christmas has just passed and the joyful feeling always seems to pass all too quickly, I have been thinking about how to combat such negativity.  Everywhere you turn there is something being reported in the news or talked about in public that can bring you down, can cause depression or feelings of doubt and unhappiness.  I don't want to feel that way - do you?

Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.

 OnePerfectDayBlog.net

I write in a personal journal as much as I can and I try to speak my heart in these pages because I want my children and grandchildren to know who I truly am.  I want to use these journals to remind them about all the good in life because there is so much to be joyful about.  Most of my writings are very positive because I have always wanted to be a happy person but I do have down days and I do write some things that may not be as uplifting as I would want them to be but that is life - that is MY life sometimes and I know that they will learn from my thoughts and feelings.  I am not presenting my true self if I am only writing the good and the positive although, I wish I could!

For this reason I want to make more of an effort to point out things that are good in every day living.  This will make me be more thoughtful about what goes on each day and help me to recognize those tender mercies that may some days seem far from me.  I want to know these things when they occur in my life.  For this reason I have decided to make a slight change in my journal writing to help me focus on the good.  My goal is to write about or mention at least one unexpected positive thing that has happened during that time period that I am writing about.  If I am watching for these moments I will be more mindful of the blessings I am receiving every day whether they are apparent or not.

Some examples of good things or blessings that have come my way in the last week that were expected are:

1. I was able to talk to all of my children and grand children this week during our Christmas celebrations.   Priceless!
2. Spending time with one of my beautiful daughters and just enjoying her company.  Also priceless.
3. Receiving all the beautiful Christmas cards from family and friends.

Some examples of beautiful things that have happened this week that I was not expecting:

1. Pulling up to the pump at the gas station and finding out that it was only going to cost $36.00 to fill up my car rather than the normal $50.00 because the price of gas has gone down significantly.  This one almost made me cry - seriously! 
2. Getting a text from an old friend saying she missed me and that she was thinking about me.  My heart still skips a beat when I hear from an old friend.
3. Learning some additional skills that will help me take better pictures - something I have always been interested in but not very good at.  I have a long way to go but it feels so good to understand better how to use light in photography, for example.

Another thing that I think will help to keep positive thoughts always in the front of my mind is to watch for and make notation of positive and encouraging thoughts that I am confronted with each day.  I have listed below just a few that I have found.  Some are spiritual and some are just uplifting.  Take a look because they might inspire you too!

Put Your Positive Pants On!
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We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong.  The amount of work is the same. 

Carlos Castenada

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Keep looking up . . . . that's the secret of life.

Snoopy
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Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.

Dr. Seuss
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Sometimes when things are falling apart they may actually be falling into place. 
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The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.

Mark Twain
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Life is like a camera.  You focus on what's important to capture the good times, develop from the negative and if things don't work out, take another shot.
Author Unknown
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If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sun beams and you will always look lovely.

Roald Dahl
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I am FABULOUS!
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Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Mother Teresa
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Start each day with a grateful heart.

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Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Ephesians 4:29
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  Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln 

There are so many good things in life to focus on but sometimes it can be hard.  Find ways to keep positivity in your life.  Share it with others and if you come up with some creative and new ways to do it, please let me know.  I would love to hear them!

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Pre-Wedding Family Fun!

My husband and I just returned from a glorious week in Utah to celebrate the wedding of our daughter to the man that quite simply, as she says, "completes her." In the run up to the wedding we spent several days together as a family with our children, their spouses and their children and it was one of the best weeks of my life. Why did it have to end? I would go back but everyone has now gone home and life has moved on. I know that is a good thing but sometimes it takes a few days to adjust.

I will have pictures of wedding festivities in a few days but until then, here are some photos of our family time.  Priceless!

My little cutie-pie!  She is just the happiest baby.

This is one smiley baby girl!

Holy smokes.  Look at those blue eyes!  

Mr. Smiley.  This is one happy boy!

Twins

Everybody loves Aunt Lizzie.

Riding the train - the most exciting part of the trip for some!

The talker - I LOVED conversing with him about everything!

The charmer - so sweet.

Cousins sharing their toys - a sweet sight to see.

Grandpa was supposed to be wearing these two down but I think it was the other way around!

We are a happy family!

We ended our week here at the Salt Lake Temple with our sweet Jennifer Marie Meng and her prince, Richard Scott Frost and his family.  Wait until you see the pictures - Stunning!

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I Told You That It Gets More Beautiful Each Week!

The foliage is starting to turn quickly here now in Pennsylvania so I have been busily snapping pictures to catch as much of it as possible.  The bad thing about this time of year is that it seems to go by so quickly so if you go away for a week or so, you could miss the whole thing!  

This is my favorite tree in Pennsylvania.  In about a week it is going to be a glorious bright red color.  I hope I don't miss it!

Ignore the ugly utility lines.  They are everywhere in Pennsylvania.

I love how some trees turn red from the outside in.  Gorgeous!

Don't you just want to walk over there?   Can't you just hear the trees calling your name? 

My drive to Church on Sunday. 

If this doesn't get you ready to worship the Savior, I don't know what will.

 

And then on my way home.

 

This is a close up of my burning bush.  It is taking a little longer for it to turn than usual but it hasn't gotten really cold here yet.  Once it does begin though it changes quickly and you really have to take a day or two off to enjoy all the beauty that is around you.   One day it will be a beautiful bright red color and then the leaves will all fall off.  It is wonderful and sad at the same time but I know it will all happen again next year so I get over it quickly.

This spot in downtown Lewisburg is just about to explode with color!

As I was driving to Church today and listening to beautiful music I couldn't help but feel the love of my Savior and the care that He has taken to prepare this beautiful earth for us.  What a gift! 

Whatever you do this week, make sure you enjoy the fall colors wherever you are.  

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The Leaves are Turning Too Quickly - Slow Down!

This picture is for my kids - Matthew, Melissa, Alex, Leanna, Jennifer and Elizabeth (even though she lives right here).  Here is the burning bush in our front yard that has just started to turn.  In about 3 weeks it is going to be the most beautiful bright red and then one day I will walk outside and it will look like it is dead.  Happens every year and I love it!

It's only been 7 days and look at the colors that have just started to pop here in Pennsylvania. It never ceases to amaze me how gorgeous every single inch of this place can look in the fall.  

This is in my yard and it is so bright and vibrant.  I love it!

It doesn't look like much yet, but I promise, it is going to be glorious very soon.

This is the Bucknell University golf course where my son used to play golf AND all the kids sled during the winter.  Great hills for sledding and cross country skiing!

My drive home every day.  So relaxing.  The yellows are really going to pop here very soon.

My neighborhood.  One day I will leave this place and it will truly be sad for me.  I have loved living here and every time I drive down this street, I feel such comfort.

Of all the views that I look forward to each year though, this is the one that I watch ever so closely. I drive past it every day at least twice and as I am driving by, I slow down and glance at it and just try to soak it all in.  It is amazing that I haven't had a car accident on this little stretch of road for as long as I have lived here.

I apologize for the graininess of this picture but my iPhone is struggling lately.  Check out the beautiful changes that are slowly rolling through the trees.  Gorgeous!

Here is the house, kids.  The trees are all starting to turn that beautiful burgundy color.  The house misses you as do I and I hope that you are all enjoying the beautiful fall colors wherever you are today!

Love from me!

I wish I had a good camera because the old iPhone just doesn't do it justice.  

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It's the Most Beautiful Time of the Year

It has begun.  The most glorious time of the year is now upon us here in Pennsylvania and I am ready.  There is still about another 3 weeks before you really start to see the vibrant and sharp colors of a Pennsylvania fall but it is coming - I can feel it!  I will share more pictures of the beauty of PA as the season wears on. It's going to be beautiful!

Being from the east coast I have always appreciated the beauty of this place and when I have been away from it, I have missed it.  I have lived on the east coast most of my life where the trees are green and tower over everything and where the rolling hills (or mountains as people call them here) are warm and inviting.  This is home to me.

The other part of my life I lived in the west and oh how I love this part of the country as well. All of my children were born in the west.  Majestic mountains (no doubt, the west has mountains!) and wide open spaces that provide more opportunity for outdoor fun than you could possibly dream up. Breathtaking landscapes and clean air are always in abundance.

But since I am currently living in Pennsylvania and this place is truly loaded with trees, I love sharing what I am seeing - right at this moment.  I love walking downtown but have to remember to look where I am going.  The sidewalks could use some work around here!

I stopped at a park the other day to take a picture or two and while standing on the bank of a local creek saw these beautiful creatures looking at me from across the water.  Such a calming sight.

That is until they all start coming toward me - and not in a quiet manner I might add. It was kind of like a "The Birds" feeling that just came over me.

They literally were waddling right up to me and kept coming.  I had to run for the car!

I think that the leaves are going to be bright and vibrant this year because we have had so much rain.

My phone camera certainly does not do justice to the beauty that is around me but if you look closely you can see the reds starting to really pop in this grove of trees.

Most of them start out a beautiful burgundy color and then change from there.  I love that!

Some turn a beautiful yellow and it makes you feel like summer really isn't so far away.

When I stop to enjoy the beauty that is around me here I am reminded of the love of God for us all and the care that He took to create this beautiful world for us.

Happy Fall, everyone!

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It's A Wonderful Life - Stop And Take Notice!

Life is good.  Think about those words for a moment and think about all the good in your life and block out all the bad or negative.  Considering the times and all the awful things that are going on in the world right at this moment, and there is a lot, take just a moment and think about all the wonderful things about this life we are living.  There is so much.

This is what I saw the other morning as I was driving to work in my little town in Central Pennsylvania.  A small quiet college town that is just like this most summer mornings before people are up and about and then in the fall and winter it is alive with townies AND college students.  Sun peeking through the tree branches, a warm breeze blowing and the chirping of birds is what I am enjoying as I drive down this beautiful street. One of those moments that you have to just stop and take notice.

While driving down this street I couldn't help but think that even though I am always worrying about and thinking about each one of my kids, their spouses and children; stressed beyond belief with things at work; thinking about things I need to take care of at home and my Church responsibilities that this life is pretty great. There really isn't much more that could make this life more wonderful for me.  What's so great?

1.  I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and I recognize Him as my Savior.
2.  I have a husband who loves me and is my best friend.
3.  I have 4 great kids who are 4 of the 5 best things that have ever happened to me.
4.  I have two wonderful and beautiful daughters in law.
5.  I have 2 handsome grandsons and a BEAUTIFUL grandaughter!
6.  I have a wonderful extended family that I draw strength from each day.

There are so many other things I could list that describe how very good I have it in life but these 6 are the most important to me.

Stop where you are right now and take notice of all the good in your life.  Even if you feel like things are falling down around you, there is good and you can find it. Just stop and take notice!

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Great Dad's Think Alike

Since we just celebrated Father's Day I have been thinking a lot about fathers and the role that they have played in my life.  I have been blessed with a great dad who has loved, nurtured and trained me throughout my entire life.  If you want great advice, ask this guy right here!

My husband has a wonderful father too who is kind, quiet and a rock when you need grounding.  And along with his wife he raised 4 great kids so there is my proof right there!

Then there is my husband who has been a great father to our children.  He is strong and steady like the beautiful Teton Mountains behind him.

These two young dads take after their father and their grandfather's before them. Strong, loving, patient, fun, smart and most important, love the Lord Jesus Christ and follow His teachings. Just as every child needs at strong and compassionate mother, every child needs a father who is not only a protector but a guide in ways that only a father can. Mothers and fathers both have great importance in the lives of children and they should both be recognized and honored for their spot in our lives.

Since I now have two grandsons who love to sing or be sung to and who are still very young I thought it would be fun to share with them this great song that describes their daddy's and daddy's everywhere to a T! This is a song that I used to sing at Church when I was very young - even though it was really kind of a song for boys - I still loved to sing it.  I did want to be just like my dad because he was the coolest - still is!

This is a very simple song but at a time when fatherhood is being belittled and minimized, it is important to do everything we can as mothers to be uplifting and positive about the role of fathers.

My daddy is my favorite pal,
And I help him every day,
It's plain to see I want to be,
Like him in every way,
He teaches me that honesty,
Is best in all I do,
I'm very glad that he's my dad,
And I know he loves me too.
Children's Songbook, #211

Hug your dad today and tell him how much you love him.  Believe me, he will be so happy you did!

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My Thoughts About Mother's Day

Three of my kids came home for my baby's graduation.

My Alex wasn't here for this special graduation/Mother's Day Weekend but we were able to FaceTime with him, Leanna and Grant.  Love!

I know that Mother's Day was yesterday but our family was busy celebrating the graduation of my youngest, Elizabeth so I was busy doing more important things.  A few weeks ago I was asked by a friend to give my thoughts on what my children do to make me feel loved and appreciated this Mother's Day. He was preparing a talk for a Mother's Day Church service and wanted my thoughts since I have older children. I was super excited to be asked but even more thrilled to share my thoughts on motherhood and what it means to me. As you will see below, I got a little long winded!

My children are all grown now - ages 30, 27, 23 and 21 so I am a "middle of the road mother." They aren't little and in my care anymore but they are graduating from college, starting new jobs and new lives in different states and starting families of their own but we are still close.   My life lights up when I talk to them on the phone or FaceTime with or see my beautiful grand babies and I feel that time truly stands still for me when we are communicating!

When my children were very small I absolutely loved every stage they were in. Babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, elementary school, junior high and high school. I soaked up every minute of it and thought that when they grew to be adults, the mothering part would end for me somehow so I needed to enjoy where they were right then and there. When they grew up, they wouldn't be dependent on me anymore and would move on to things that interested them - and they have!

Don't get me wrong. We had some rough times when my little people got mad and there were arguments and times of stress. There were days when we all wanted to just leave the house but what we did was talk about the importance of our family and sticking together. If our girls were fighting and one was expressing more interest in a friend then in her sister, we would remind her that her friend would be a friend for only a time. Her sister would be her sister for all eternity and that is far more important. Make up! Love each other and have fun together!

One thing I didn't know would happen was that I would absolutely adore where they are now as adults and find great joy in talking to them as grown people, talking through the struggles of college life (not sure I was ever much help there), navigate the waters of a new job and how to be successful at it, see them marry and have children of their own and see them become wonderful parents. When we get together for holidays or special occasions it is one of the most enjoyable and sometimes very funny things to see how they all fall right back into their birth order to tease and have fun with each other. They are still the funny little kids they were before - just a little older! I LOVE that!

I also didn't know what great friends they would become to each other. In every way they support each other as brothers and sisters and encourage one another to push harder and be better. They have cheered each other in the gospel and their efforts to go on missions, be married in the temple and do temple work. This is one of the greatest blessings of all and has been oh so wonderful to see.

Today is Mother's Day and we are not at Church because our youngest daughter is graduating from college! And do you know where my other children are? They are sitting right next to my husband and I watching her finish this very important life journey. Loving, supporting and sharing one of life's hi-lites. They have traveled far to be here with her and I couldn't be prouder!

So what do my children do that makes me feel loved and appreciated? They honor me as a mother by trying to be the very best people they can be. They strive to be good children, loving grandchildren, good friends, loving father's (and mothers in the future!), the best of brother's and sisters, and loving and caring of their parents in every way possible. They aren't perfect - I know that!  But they are trying and that is what matters to me!

It has been a joy and a blessing to be their mother.

From the time that I was very young the only thing I wanted to do was be a mother. When I say it was the ONLY thing I ever wanted to do I mean that it was my focus in life.  I thought about what kind of mother I would be.  I thought about what my house would look like, what my husband would look like (he looks pretty much the way I imagined him!), what my kids would look like and how great my life would be. Everything I did was in preparation for that day.  It hasn't all worked out perfectly but I am happy with it all.

As I spend this Mother's Day with my husband and 3 of my 4 children, I will cherish this time and lock it away in my memory for these precious moments are what Mother's Day were made for.

Happy Mother's Day - EVERYONE!

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There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today!

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

This was the view out of my window today at work.  Can you believe I have this great Mary Poppins view of my little Pennsylvania town that I get to gaze at every day?  I am looking forward to a little green in the next few weeks so hopefully I will have a new and improved picture to share then.

But for today, there is excitement that spring is on the way - finally! Like everyone else I am longing for warmer days and sunlight and I really can't wait until I don't have to wear a coat, I can't wait until I can feel the sun on my face and I really can't wait until I don't have static electricity in my hair!  That drives me crazy! Anyway, this can be a really hard time of the year for me and others because it seems to drag on and on.

Today is just a regular day with the normal stress, struggles and frustrations but I have so many great things coming up in my life that I might just explode!  My youngest daughter is graduating from college, I will be seeing some of my children very soon and our third grand baby will be arriving in about 2 1/2 months. Do you now understand why I am so full of sunshine?

As I sit here and contemplate my surroundings on this beautiful spring day I am thankful for this day and every day that I have been blessed with.  Things in life are not always easy but I have so much more to be thankful and happy about then to be down about and I choose to always focus on those things that are good, uplifting and beautiful in life.   Don't get me wrong.  I have been in the dumper before and felt like there was no way out but there is always a way out.

As I think of my blessings the hymn There is Sunshine in My Soul Today always comes to mind.   The beautiful words were written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt 1851-1920, Philadelphia, PA.  Eliza was a teacher by trade but her career was cut short by a spinal injury that rendered her bedridden for quite some time. She turned to hymn writing which was a popular past time in her family.  After being in a cast for six months she was able to take a simple walk in the park and the joy that she felt is captured in these words of this hymn.

There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today
1.  There is sunshine in my soul today,
     More glorious and bright
     Than glows in any earthly sky,
     For Jesus is my Light.

Chorus
     Oh there's sunshine, blessed sunshine,
     When the peaceful, happy moments roll;
     When Jesus shows His smiling face,
     There is sunshine in the soul.

2.  There is music in my soul today,
     A carol to my King,
     And Jesus, listening, can hear,
     The song I cannot sing

3.  There is springtime in my soul today,
     For when the Lord is near,
     The dove of peace sings in my heart,
     The flow'rs of grace appear.

4.  There is gladness in my soul today,
     And hope and praise and love,
     For blessings which He gives me now,
     For joys "laid up" above.

So take a few minutes to listen to this song (the link to a beautiful version is below) and think about the words and how they fit into you life.  Let there be sunshine in your soul today.  Find the good things that are a part of your life and express your love and appreciation to those around you.  If you are having a difficult time right now, for any reason, seeking out the joy, goodness and light in life will lift you up and help you to deal with the things that are thrown your way.  Who doesn't need that kind of help?!!!!

If you have any thoughts on the topic or any other hymns that bring you joy and happiness, please share them with me in the comment section below.  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Click below for a link to this beautiful hymn.

There is Sunshine in My Soul Today

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Be Happy!

There are few quotes that have affected me as deeply as the great quote by Abraham Lincoln listed below. Now I know lots of people would say that there are so many quotes that are truly meaningful and impactful, that have moved people to do amazing things and helped them aspire to their life's ambition.  Why would a simple quote about being happy mean so much to me?  Honestly, it has been a thought that has always been in the back of my mind through every occasion, every life event no matter what and it has helped me to remember that my happiness is dependent on me.

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Abraham Lincoln

So be happy no matter:

Where you are

Who you are

What is happening to you

Who has hurt you

How hard you think your life is

You are blessed to be on this earth for another day, week month or years so be happy.  Be happy that you can do those things that will prove how amazing you are and help you to aspire to your life's ambition. It's all up to you.

Happy Monday!

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