Talents

I gave the Relief Society sisters a challenge to write their 10 favorite talents and 10 they want to improve this year. Here is my list:
Hmmm...
1. I like kids.
2. I like my "special" kids.
3. I love the ladies I work with and learn so much from them.
4. I'm a good collector - Dennis will agree.
5. I love crafts.
6. I love art.
7. I love dancing (and wish I'd kept my body in shape, but plan to dance again).
8. I love music and love to sing. (Should that be two?)
9. I love spending time holding Dennis' hand.(Is that a talent?)
10. I love playing games, even though I'm not good at them - hey, it makes them feel good when they win, right?

And things I want to improve:
1. Painting
2. Piano
3. Exercising
4. FHE - that's a talent, right?
5. Seeing the needs of my students and children and addressing each of their deficits.
6. Seeing the strengths of my students and my children and helping them see their strong points.
7. Being a better reading/comprehension teacher.
8. Teaching to the UAAs and testing them continuously through the school year.
9. Staying organized with IEPs and paperwork.
10. Teaching patriotism to my students.
11. Self control with food/exercise/weight control.
12. More kind words and service to friends & neighbors.
13. Creative meals.
14. Consistency in house keeping.
15. Care packages, cards, notes, and letters to my children on a regular basis.
16. Making soap
17. Flossing - I'm sure that's a talent.
18. Being fun - I'm not sure if a person can learn this...
19. Being a good conversationalist.
20. Seeing the wonders in nature every day.

That's enough for now. There is SO much to improve upon. Big sigh. It can be done though. You eat an elephant one bite at a time.

Bittersweet

Yesterday, my siblings and I went through my Dad's house and "split the goods". It was wonderful/awful. We got along like champs but it was hard for me to accept the finality of it. It drilled into me again that all we take with us is what's inside. All the "stuff" he'd worked so hard to get - was just that - stuff.

I'm so grateful for Dennis. He knew I'd been stressing over it all and there were beautiful flowers on the table when I got home. Just what I needed. He's such a doll. I really dread the day when we are split up for a time before meeting again in Paradise. Watching Dad deal with loneliness was hard, but we felt his happiness when he got to be released from this life and go dance with Mom again.

Testimony of tithing

I challenged the sisters in Relief Society to document how they gained their testimonies of tithing. I'd better do this myself.

Tithing was done from the time I earned my first dime. We did it at home. It was just done. However, when I moved away from home, I got to decide if I wanted to continue the practice. The thing that helped me decide was when I looked at everything that Heavenly Father has done for me. I am SO blessed. How could I NOT pay 1/10 back? Sometimes, I'll admit, I was tempted not to pay when I knew that month would be an especially tight one. But I can vouch that the promise of sufficient means has come true for me. Lots of times the checkbook didn't add up to the amounts that were spent. I know that paying tithing is a blessing with a promise. I know that I want to always pay my tithing.

Twenty-five simple pleasures

Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 7:33pm

1. Chills or tears at a beautiful testimony.

2. Craziness when the kids are all home.

3. Watching my children being grown ups.

4. Playing with my brilliant grandkids.

5. Holding Dennis after a big day, or anytime...

6. Sitting at the computer during down time.

7. Taking a salt shaker out to the tomato patch. Ummm.

8. Watching American Idol.

9. Fresh flowers.

10. A clean house.

11. The smell of line-dried sheets, fresh bread, bar-b-ques, a rain storm, spring lilacs, orange blossoms, plumeria trees, fresh cut grass, a baby... (can I do 25 smells that I love?)

12. A sister's phone call that lasts an hour.

13. Feeding the missionaries.

14. A gorgeous Basin sunset/sunrise.

15. Laying on hot sand, listening to gulls and waves and children laughing.

16. Feeling the sand wash out from under your feet as the ocean waves play tricks.

17. The G forces when an airplane takes off.

18. Truffles

19. McDonald's instead of having to cook.

20. Students who are pleasant and try.

21. Children who check in.

22. Dancing

23. Singing

24. A good book or podcast.

25. A song that touches my soul.

Keeping a Journal

Shauna Ogden posted a clip that inspired her to keep a journal. It has inspired me. I love the way he writes, keeps articles and notes, all in the same binder. It's my answer to scrapbooking and journaling.

October 15, this year :) :)

Jacob and Becky are going to have a baby. I'm so excited for them. After ten years of marriage, I wasn't sure they'd get to have their own. I AM THRILLED!!!!! Their lives will be enhanced in ways they never imagined.

April 7, 2011 Janika Mithril Cochrane

And a new life begins. What a precious little tiny daughter of God we have been lent. It's a privilege to be her Grandma and to be in her presence.