Smart Habit Saturday -- JOURNAL WRITING!

At the end of January I attended a meeting focusing on journal writing. I've always been nervous to write in a journal, afraid that someone besides me will actually read them some day, but after this evening, I felt OK about just writing for me and not my great-great-granddaughter! So, I've been writing every night since then. It's been great in a lot of ways:

-- I can work through some feelings on paper rather than having my eyeballs pop out of my head,

-- I feel more structure to my day, so I've actually been doing better on other habits around the house,

-- If I forget what happened last week, I can look back and see if I've written about it, and

-- I can preserve those moments with my kids that are passing me by all-too-fast.

99% of what I write I'm sure will never be of any interest to anyone. And I think I'll probably need to leave a note before I die on which pages need to go into my coffin with me. But it feels great to take a moment at the end of each day and look back.

I've also been working on Lara's habit of doing a load of laundry each day. I only do one load a day and it just takes a few minutes to load and then switch to the dryer. But I love just doing laundry at my house, not LAUNDRY. I know you all know what I mean. And it's kind of tying into my journal-writing habit, too. I'm such a creature of habit, routines, crossing off to-do lists, getting these particular projects done . . . yes, my husband is right now rolling his eyes and throwing his hands up in the air at the same time. It just feels great to have some of that structure to my day.

So pop in a load of laundry and then sit down and record some of your thoughts for today. And have a fabulous week!

OK, It's Official . . . I'm Old (And Apparently Deaf)

Let me set the stage for our "I'm SO old" drama last night.

My teenage niece and nephew were at our house having homemade pizza last night for dinner. (We're on a quest to perfect pizza crust. Yes, that is Kara you hear saying 'Hallelulia! I'm on the other side of the globe, safe from my brother and sister-in-law's OCD baking habits'.)

Niece: "For crying out loud, Alex, answer your phone! It's driving me crazy!"

Blank stares from the adults.

Apparently Alex and Kenna both have the mosquito ringtone on their phones. So, here's the test for all of you: follow this link and play the ringtone. My kids hear it, my husband can barely hear it, I get nothin'. So, let's see how many of you are old like me!

By the way, that's a hint to tell me a: "no, you're not old, you're young and darling!" or b: "don't worry, I can't hear it either." My husband likes it when I give him the right answers, too.

Saturday Morning Breakfast

This morning was one of those days I have to remember because my kids are growing up way too fast. I'm crossing my fingers that they will perfect cryogenic freezing and I can preserve my kids while they're young, fun, still listen to me (most of the time) and, frankly, still need me. A great little "Tender Mercy" I need to keep track of.

The girls have been very much into creating elaborate schemes in their play lately. We started with the "music" concerts a few weeks ago. Then we started playing "Daycare" with namecards, nap mats, snacks and an organized curriculum. Today, we had Saturday morning breakfast. I was upstairs working on laundry and cleaning and Bug asked if she could make breakfast. Man, I had no idea what I was agreeing to.

Let's see, I see milk (of course spilled on the tablecloth, but don't worry, there's a towel under there and the tablecloth is already washed, ironed and back on the table), juice, chocolate syrup, about 20 different types of cereal, waffles, cinnamon toast, bananas . . . they really went all out. We even had placecards, menus and personalized cups (oh, and little Valentine's Day hearts for that added little touch).

I think they understood a little better the work that goes into feeding a group. They've already put in their request for next week:

This afternoon, we've been working on a play fort. I don't hear any power tools being pulled out, so I think we're OK . . . so far.

Have a great week!

Till We Meet Again

Yesterday, I said goodbye, for a short season, to someone very special to me, someone who I truly admire and who has greatly shaped the person I am, or hope to become. I never met President Hinckley, but I will always think of him fondly and I will always seek to "Stand a Little Taller" because of what he taught me.

To honor President Hinckley, I am making the following goals:

-- I will read the entire Book of Mormon by October conference. This will by no means by a speed-read. I am taking until October conference because 1) April conference is just too soon, and 2) I want to take some time to really dig deep into these scriptures he loved so much.

-- I will attend the temple twice a month until October conference. President Hinckley will always be known as a builder of temples, and I think it's so important that we all use these buildings that were so special to him.

-- I will read his biography. I have read bits and pieces but I want to read the entire book.

It's probably more than a little strange to publish goals like this on a blog, but I am hoping that you will all quiz me on my progress to keep me going, and maybe you will be inspired to make some similar goals of you own. I look forward to sustaining new leadership of our church and honoring the memory of someone who meant so much to each of us.

Have a Wonderful Week!