Winter fun

I want to remember some of the great things about January and February this year.  I have enjoyed winter. I love each season and am so grateful they each are unique and different from one another.

Debbie, Erica, Simeon

 Our biggest and funnest snow storm so far.  We enjoyed some 'hooding' and hot chocolate.  We have received snow and rain this season for which we have been praying for.  Last year we had reached the severe drought levels.  This year it looks like we may have enough snow in the mountains but have not had a lot in the valleys.  Interesting.  We would have personal loved more snow to shovel, play in and enjoy but we are so very grateful that we will be allowed to water our lawns and gardens this coming season.

Peter, Henry, Rachel, and Maddy

Dane and Erica

Milton, the safe driver

This 2 sided block sign was a gift from Natalie.  It has been a lot of fun.

 This year Simeon combined the 2 sides into his "Be witty" version of our witty holidays.

 Family swim at Gunnison Pool.  I am so glad my kids and their kids enjoy getting together and having fun.  And best of all, they plan the fun.

And here is a taste of the interesting photos I find on my ipad.  Actually these are some of the better ones.  Too often they get really crazy and add the strange effects possible on the ipad.  These are cute.

Thomas and Isaac

Debbie and Gideon

Gideon

 Simeon turned 15!.  He is one of the very finest young men I know and I considered it a privilege to be his mom.  He enjoys lots of great friends, biking, snowboarding, playing piano, singing.  He does LAU for school and is so responsible.  He is contagiously cheerful and often wise with his wit.

Debbie, Samuel, Isaac, Simeon, Natalie, Gideon

 My dear Milton planned a Valentine'g date.  We enjoyed dinner at Brio Tuscan grill, loved seeing Wicked at the new Eccles Theater, and then a special night at Little America

35 years ago on February 13, Milton asked me to marry him.  We sat in the car in front of the Provo temple while it rained outside.  We had met early in the school year and slowly fallen in love.  I continue to admire his confidence, desire to lead righteously and do good.  He loves serving others and always his family.  He is always kind and gently with me.  I have never doubted his love for me or his willingness to do whatever he can to help me be happy.  He is a fine example and leader for our children and he loves our grandchildren is such a special way.  He is everything I could ever want in a husband, best friend, eternal companion.  I sure do love him.

Let's get down to business

I have been thinking about my role as a woman.  I am grateful to be a woman in this time.  I love being a girl.  I am a daughter of God with a divine heritage.  The more I learn about women and our divine role, the more I feel grateful and empowered.  We have a very special opportunity as nurturers, as mother, wife, daughter.

I love stories of women. I love to hear their experiences and especially the ways they have learned to make the most our of any situation. I believe that we are each given a certain time and place and are asked to be certain women who make the difference in the lives we touch and we become more because of the experiences we participate in.

I think of Esther and the line when she is asked to consider that she is here for such a time as this.  The queen before her had stood valiantly when asked to compromise and had given her life.  Others were there having their own experiences and assisting one another. I, too, recognize that I am here now for such a time as this.  I have value. I don't have to prove anything to be of worth.  Each of us is doing the best we know how and we are getting better every day that we make any effort.

So I was in the temple this last week.  I was there with some great women and we got to discuss life, gospel and goodness. Often as I finish at the temple I have a song come to mind.   Often times it is "I Feel My Savior's Love" or something similar,  This time is was the line "Let's get down to business, to defeat the Huns" from Disney's Mulan

I have come home wanting to understand the song and the movie.  I have had some fun listening and watching.

I'll Make a Man Out of You

Donny Osmond

Let's get down to business, to defeat the Huns
Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons? actually yes! They are my secret weapon saved for this time.  
You're the saddest bunch I ever met
But you can bet before we're through It does to work and effort and desire to prepare for our purpose.
Mister, I'll make a man out of you

Tranquil as a forest but on fire within We each need to find our center, who we are inside and then fuel that fire that was lit by the light of Christ.  We can do anything with him.
Once you find your center, you are sure to win
You're a spineless, pale, pathetic lot
And you haven't got a clue
Somehow I'll make a man out of you

Be a man

We must be swift as the coursing river
Be a man
With all the force of a great typhoon
Be a man
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

Time is racing toward us till the Huns arrive
Heed my every order and you might survive
You're unsuited for the rage of war
So pack up, go home, you're through
How could I make a man out of you?

Be a man
We must be swift as the coursing river
Be a man
With all the force of a great typhoon
Be a man
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

Now is the time for men to be good, strong, courageous men.  And it is time for us, as women, to take a more visible place at their side (and leading out). Being men and women in our day has become confusing but God's plan is not confusing.  It is inside us, ready to teach and guide u, to be all that he would have us be, to be all in.

I rented the movie and loved it.  I even took notes :).  There comes a time when we need to step out of our comfort zone. We need to look a little deeper inside and learn to shine.  We each have our own gifts and together we win - against the Huns or whoever else is attacking our homes and family.  Men and women working together, recognizing their own gifts and each others, learning to complement and become one in a more perfect way. A few of my notes:

A single grain of rice can tip the scale. One man may be the difference between victory and defeat.

When will my reflection show who I am inside?

 This represents discipline, and this represents strength. You need both to reach the arrow.

 No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it.

 The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.

This quote site had even more to share.  I learned that we each have strengths and abilities, often beyond what we imagine, that when its right I need to keep on trying through any obstacles and heartache.  That each person needs to be honored and respected and that begins with me. I need to honor and respect who I am and who God sees in me and then see the divine in others too.

It seems that women in general are being attacked and turned against one another.  We compare, judge, look down or up to some.  We are distracted and disenchanted from those relationship building roles that have the greatest potential for joy and contentment in an effort to discredit and cause doubt.  I am reminded that  we are told not to doubt or to fear.  We can be fearless as we remember who we are, learn why we are here, and trust our Creator.

My desire is to be open to the next step in my life.  I will seek to know God's will and I pray for courage to act.  I love my life, my family, days.  They are all growing up and yet my life is full and happy as we adjust to change.  I am wondering if there is something more that I am being called to do.  I may need to get down to business. I will continue to prepare, to strength my foundation so that I may build and become the woman He would make out of me.

And I believe I have angels and ancestors cheering me on.  ;)