Winter is winding down before it even wound up....

This has been an extremely mild winter here in Utah. I'm not complaining because the roads have been safe for my husband's commute into the city, but I feel like my children have been cheated out of some fun memories. The one good snow of the year (so far) happened on a Sunday. In our home that's a Holy day to be set aside for more spiritual matters than building snow forts and sledding. Part of me is hoping for another day or two of a really good snow so that my children can create something out of the wonderful white wetness. I think many of us tend to shy away from creating things that seem to melt away. Some will spend hours cooking a masterpiece only for it to be gobbled down in a few short minutes. Others form sand and ice sculptures that only last as long as the elements or spectators allow. What's so different between those who create things that can last several lifetimes, and those who create in the moment for the moment? Whichever way we choose, creating brings growth and development, as we give our creations shape, we define ourselves in some small way. Thinking of children and how fearless they are when they put everything they are and have into something, anything, and then proudly show it to anyone willing to pay attention; I find it's what it takes for all of us to have faith that no matter the reaction of those experiencing our creation, it's what we've learned about ourselves in the process that really matters. As winter slides away and we prepare for spring and new growth, I hope we can reflect on what we've been doing and hope to do to create something that will continue to change us into something better than what we are now.

Gardens are a blessing, mostly....

My husband, Gene, is a gardener. Actually, he's not, but he sure fools everyone. When we got married he often spoke unkind words about the large 3 acre garden he had to help out with as a child. He swore he hated it, and that he did not intend to have a large garden, ever. A few years ago I bought a planter box and a packet of seeds and told Gene that we should do a small planter garden and grow some of our own vegetables. We rented, so putting a garden in the ground wasn't an option (for the most part, though we did have a few bare spots in the yard we were given permission to grow in), so I thought a few pots and a few plants would be good enough. Gene is a geek, he needs to research everything, and then he needs to experiment and see if he can do it bigger and better. So, that pot and plant turned into dozens of pots and so many more plants. Fast forward to today, living in our first home, having a 1/4 acre horse corral and no horse, you get a 1/4 acre garden. If we could afford it we'd have a 1/4 acre greenhouse, but unless we somehow come into a rather large sum of money, we work with what we've got. The first year was a nightmare of weeds, and a lot of learning. This year we have continued to learn as we drown in a bounty that neither of us expected. I was not prepared for the harvest that continues even today. I am learning a lot despite the frustration at seeing my neat and clean kitchen become a fruit and veggie haven. We will learn from this year and be better prepared for next. I've never been a lover of meal prep and food preservation, but it's becoming a part of my life. Now I'm the geek, researching and trying to figure out how to use these blessings from God that happen to feed our family and build our character. It takes work to prepare the soil, prepare the seeds, nurture the starts, prepare the garden, plant the starts, protect the plants from the elements/pests/weeds, and keep them watered and fed throughout the summer. Our children groan and complain about the work, but we know that one day they'll understand and appreciate the "fruit of their labor". As we harvest and share the bounty with our neighbors, it's thrilling. I may tease my husband about that planter box and pack of seeds, but I'm grateful we're able to create such a wonderful garden today because of it.

Growing....

The weather here in Utah has not been conducive to putting in a garden. It's cold, and wet, wet, wet; no sun to be seen. Our plants that we have started inside weeks ago did not get the weather report and are clamoring to get out, NOW! Unfortunately that just is not possible at this point. So we continue to baby the green beauties as best we can until they can be planted in the ground and truly take off and flourish and really show us what they're made of. As a mom I can relate to this with my children. Whether it's them or me that is bursting at the seams to grow and show the world what we can do, or would like the ability to do, there always seems to be something, someone, in the way.

"Grow where you are planted."

I think most of us have heard this quote before. The meaning may differ for each of us as well. For me it's a call to make no more excuses for why I can't, or why my children can't (in relation to our circumstances) grow. Whether it's time, disability, health, interference, money, fear, etc.... we all have reasons why we stop growing, or trying. Instead of being stuck in what I call survival mode, we all need to find ways to live, and to live is to grow. All living things grow. We're alive and we must grow. How and in what ways and how far are all up to us. Do we have limitations? We sure do. Is it a reason to just give up and stop. No! We may not "get it all", but we can move in the right direction, or find a way (often with help) to get the nourishment we need to grow in the ways we feel in our soul we NEED for ourselves and for our children. Fight that nagging voice inside your head that tells you it's not possible. If you are planted in a home full of children (as I am) then figure out a way to create a home where you all can grow. This will often mean sacrificing a few blooms (misspent time) to encourage better growth, but it's a sacrifice worth making.

Organized Chaos....

Over the past few weeks I have been pulling my home apart and putting it back together again. My quest is for a better organized home. I feel that once I have a system that works for me then my ability to relax and work on creative projects comes more easily. As I pull a room apart and notice the progress as I put it back together with its new purpose or better use of space, I feel a surge of relief and a better energy within me to move on and improve more areas of my life. I still have many more hours and days ahead of me before the task will be complete, but I'm moving forward and not losing focus of my goal.

Thanks for Giving....

My favorite time of year is now, with the preparations and thoughts towards Thanksgiving. With all of the trials we face and the hustle and bustle of every day life, it's nice to have a holiday focusing on giving thanks. I just read a news article that has a quote I would like to share. This quote by Elder Richard G. Scott tells it simply, yet beautifully:

"Creativity can engender a spirit of gratitude for life and for what the Lord has woven into your being. Creativity gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, a zest for life that we all need."

May we all give thanks, and allow ourselves to recognize others and voice our thanks for giving of themselves and their talents to make a better and more beautiful world to live in.

Inspired to prepare....

“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). Last month was emergency preparedness month. This topic has been on my mind for a few months now. My husband, Gene, and I have been called to serve as emergency preparedness specialists in our church. There is a lot we need to learn before we can perform our duties well and are relishing the challenge. As we build up our food storage and put away supplies that our family may need in case of an emergency (both personal as well as local) it alleviates a bit of the fear we all tend to have when we think about a true emergency and what it would do to our family. When starting out it all seems very overwhelming, but if we work on things little by little we'll keep adding to our stores and feel a bit more peace. I've added a handy little tool to this blog from Emergency Essentials. It is a free calculator that will help you determine what you should store for your family. So far I've been storing items for a 3-month supply by purchasing a few extra items at the store at every shopping trip. Once I have that established I'll work towards a year supply. Creating a home of peace means looking after the needs of the family today, and preparing for the unknown of tomorrow the best we can. If our physical needs are met (food, water, clothing, etc...) then we can focus more on the spiritual, emotional, and mental health of our family during times of emergency.

Another Season....

For many, the past few weeks have been preparing for and then starting a new school year. I have three in elementary school and two little ones still at home during the day. Running errands have become a lot easier, afternoons have become a lot busier, and quiet evenings have become a lot more valued. Back to school time tends to inspire a need for routine, schedules, and organization. In some ways I really love this time of year, in others I feel a bit overwhelmed and inadequate. I suppose it's because my weaknesses tend to be thrown up in my face as I struggle to juggle the papers from school, appointments for this and that, school projects to keep my children on task for, and dealing with social issues that crop up. I'm going to try to focus on the good this season brings to me and my family. I am going to become better organized, I am going to beautify my home, I am going to develop a wonderful routine that will focus on building us up as a family, together. Togetherness as a family tends to get lost during the school year. It's my goal to find ways to strengthen our bonds through activities and simple moments of conversation and reflection.