“In forcing myself to look past the superficial layer of chaos, I am shown a much deeper meaning of abundance and joy. That messy living room is a testament that healthy, happy, energetic children live in a  home full of things they love, with people they love and imaginations that can take them anywhere.” -Trista Sutter

"Don't save something for a special occasion.  Every Day of your life is a special occasion." -Thomas S. Monson

when i was pregnant with our first child, i remember my sister gave me the advice..."don't save the cute baby clothes for a special occasion because they will outgrow them before they get a chance to wear them."  that is so true...and not just speaking about baby clothes.  

“i have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. but when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of god, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day...indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of god manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.”

-jeffrey r. holland

“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we're so used to them we call them ordinary things.” 
― Hans Christian Andersen

“Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” 
― Hans Christian Andersen, The Complete Fairy Tales

this quote sure rings true in the middle of winter!!! Even just seeing photos of flowers in the sunshine, gets me excited for the upcoming spring...i will try to enjoy the winter too though, since i'm sure we have a good 3 more months of it here in idaho! 

"My mother was a great delegator. Each Saturday morning as my brothers and sisters and I were growing up, we received housecleaning assignments from her. Her instructions to us had been learned from her mother: “Be certain you clean thoroughly in the corners and along the mopboards. If you are going to miss anything, let it be in the center of the room.”

She knew very well if we cleaned the corners, she would never have a problem with what was left in the center of the room. That which is visible to the eye would never be left unclean." -Elder L. Tom Perry

I really loved this talk from October 2000 general conference.  I think about it when i do my housecleaning....it really feels so good to clean out cupboards, drawers, closets, under beds...even though no one will really see them (my only problem is it's tricky keeping clean what people do see...the living room mainly!) Elder Perry goes on to talk about how spiritually we need to keep our thoughts clean and other aspects of our lives that no one else sees.  I've always loved analogies, and this is a good one! 

I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde.
Dolly Parton 

"My faith is my limit." -Elder Hawkins

When my parents were serving a mission in Montreal, one of their missionaries said this in a talk....it has stuck with me ever since.  "o ye of little faith" as Jesus said to Peter when he was trying to walk on water but began to doubt and fear...makes me wonder what i can do and be if only i would have more faith in Christ...the sky is the limit, or better yet, my faith is my limit:)

“The cure for boredom is curiosity.
There is no cure for curiosity.”

― Dorothy Parker

Our three year old is so into asking "why" questions these days...it keeps things fun. I love his curiosity.  

This is always a good reminder to me!!! Not that i don't enjoy life, because i do...but sometimes i let the stress of it take it's grip and i feel like i'm on a rollercoaster(which i don't like rollercoasters!) and i'm clinging to the handle until the ride(or the trial or stressful thing) is over! I'm going to try to apply this to my life and the times that i get scared or stressed(and don't need to be) i will try and relax and enjoy the ride:)  For example, what comes to mind is going shopping at wal-mart with the three kids in tow....i usually just endure it...the problem with just enduring it, is by the end i've had it and the kids have had it and the other customers have had enough of us too:)  So, next time i will try not just enduring but enjoying it too...i think that will make our outings a more positive experience!

“When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time.”

-Elder Neal A Maxwell

"Go give to the needy sweet charity's bread.
For giving is living," the angel said.
"And must I be giving again and again?"
My selfish, thoughtless answer ran.
"Oh, no," said the angel, piercing me through,
"just give till the Master stops giving to you."

i remember this poem from when i was young, it has always stuck with me.  

We were talking about the movie "you've got mail" last night, particularly about the part where they get stuck in an elevator.  It's interesting everyone's reaction to that predicament...the one lady was worried about her fingernails while one man decided to propose yo his girlfriend.   Makes me ask myself "do i get annoyed when adversity comes? or does it cause me to cherish the ones i love even more?"  

"The trick is to enjoy life.  Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead." -sister marjorie hinckley

“{Today} is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” —Brad Paisley

At our New Years Eve party last night we talked about resolutions for the new year.  My mother-in-law shared a similar quote to this one.  There is so much opportunity of creating....creating memories, creating a home, creating a family, creating traditions, creating art, creating new recipes, creating new habits(hopefully good ones)...the opportunities are endless!