You Affect Me

What you guys put on your blogs really do affect my life. As I go through my daily life, there are moments that I remember specific things you have said or talked about on your blogs. Here are some of the specific things I remember from your blogs I read. I will just go down the name list on my sidebar.

JESSI - What mother hasn't experienced something like this? When I do, I remember Jessi's words. "Right now my kids are eating chips and guacamole for dinner (and coming in every 2 1/2 minutes to ask me what else they can have). I want to just crawl into bed and hide, but I think they would find me." 3.9.07

ABBI - This girl always gets me thinking. She is a wise woman! "Now, I can see how desiring the gifts that others have could potentially motivate me to develop excellence in myself, but I can also see how it could come awful close to the sins of jealousy, ungratefulness, and coveting. Since when do I have to own something in order to take pleasure in it? What is it about ownership that is so enticing? When I see something pleasing or beautiful, why do I want it to be mine? Why can't I just take pleasure in the thing itself without needing it to be mine?...

...Recently I have been trying to take pleasure in others' talents, gifts, beautiful things, and virtues without desiring them for myself. When I see a beautiful article of clothing, instead of wishing it were mine, I try to take pleasure in the beauty of it and let it end there. When I see someone succeed, I try to take pleasure in their success and let it end there. When I see someone display a talent, I try to appreciate that talent and let it end there. I try to see and value how "all things bright and beautiful" benefit us all rather than wishing they would personally benefit me more." I have thought lots about this concept and try to catch myself when I am wanting to make things mine!

ADAM - My brother didn't notice that his girlfriend cut five inches off her hair. When Mike doesn't notice things, I think about Adam, and just realize that guys don't focus on these kinds of details!

MOM - My mom is a hard worker and very obedient! "So take it from me. Planting daffodil bulbs DOES work. And so does obeying the commandments. They both require action, a little time, and faith in the Savior. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

NATALIE - I couldn't find it on her blog to make sure I quoted it correctly, but Natalie mentioned once that she hasn't found a better way than blogging to hear and to be heard. I have thought a lot about this and the fact that everyone on this earth should take the time to listen to others and also have the chance to be heard.

TARA M. - I laughed at the before and after kids cartoons that Tara posted on her blog.

MELISSA - Because of Hailey, when I see Snow White, I think "Snow Wipe". When I see Sleeping Beauty, I think "Sleeping Cootie". And when I see Tinker Bell, I think "Stinker Bum."

LINDY - When I see a giraffe, I think of Alex. 4.20.07

LESLIE - When I ponder how I am doing as a mother, I remember what Leslie said about her parenting. "I have a philosophy in parenting that my kids deserve the best chance they can get. In anything. I want to provide them with every opportunity to make the most of themselves and their lives." She is a good mom!

MINDY - I never was self conscious about my feet until Mindy talked about the rules of open toed shoes. Now I shave my big toe and put lotion on my heels so there are no cracks! Mindy, did you ever notice my feet before?:)

TARA B. - This made me cry. Talking about the birth (c-section) of her baby, she said, "She kind of set Alex over my chest (remember, I'm on the operating table being sewn back together at this point), and I reached up to hold him as best as I could. I looked into his crying little face and said sympathetically, "you're not happy" and immediately, Alex stopped crying. Just like that, his little eyes opened and his face took on a serious, intent look. This wasn't a pause for breath, it was a sudden reprieve. It was like a spark of familiarity in an unfamiliar world. I knew, without any doubt, that he not only knew my voice, but he was also comforted by it. It was such a poignant, motherly experience that makes me tear up every time I think of it. My sweet little angel baby."

ANGELA - I love how she talks about her "happy mom moments." When I experience these, I think of that phrase. I think, "I am having a happy mom moment!"

SHANA- This also made me cry, a lot! She is my cousin and obviously shares the same Grandpa with me. She shared this special experience with our Grandpa who has since passed on. "I said, "Grandpa, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! SO MUCH! I just want to hear you tell me you love me!! Please say you love me!" When my grandpa talked, you could not understand one word. It was really slurred together and sounded like another language. I started to cry, because I wanted so badly to hear him tell me he loved me. I knew he did, but it had been a long time since I had heard him say it. I looked at him again and said, "I LOVE YOU!" He kept eye contact with me and said as clear as could be, "I love you my darlin', I love you!" My heart stopped! I was so happy I had heard him say he loved me! There was only one other time that he had said those words and it was shortly after while he and my Grandma kneeled down together on their knees in prayer. He looked up at her and told her he loved her as well! My Grandpa is such a special man! ALWAYS a good husband who loved his wife with all he had in him!" 4.1.07

AUNT CHRIS - I totally related with her when she posted this at Christmas time. "I have a hard time every single year trying to control the spending for them. I know I do a lot but I also know there are things they need and I want to get them for them." I just talked about this issue on my last blog entry!

AUNT CRYSTAL - She shared a mothering tip that she learned. "When your children call to you or seek your attention, instead of responding with an exasperated "What?" try saying "Yes?" Somehow this slight change is naturally more upbeat. And when you do have to say no, children can accept it more easily when they've been answered all day with yes."

AUNT KJIRSTEN - "...for 2 years of my childhood I was "Glorious the dog". What great self esteem I must've had to give myself that name. (It was fun this weekend to be around all of my little neices and nephews and to see that this kind of self image is still alive and well in kids under 6.) I wish I could connect with that little girl and see in me now what she saw in me then." Whenever I hear the word glorious, I think of my aunt and the thoughts she has had.

EMMA - I am just so impressed that Emma remembers and highlights all of her family's b-days and anniversaries. She has a big family, but she doesn't forget their special day!

KIMBER - She hasn't posted since right before her baby was born in January. It is a reminder to me that some things need to be set aside for a while when more important things need to be taken care of!

KIM - "I am a firm believer that anywhere you live there are good and bad things about it so just make the best with what there is while you're there." I think of this when I complain about the bad traffic here. There are so many other good things about my new home!

ASHLEY - What a great lesson we learn from her son Lance. "Don't be mad to me mommy, just love me."

DIANA - "I really like the results of shine when I use vinegar to clean, but the smell is sick. I haven't found anything else that really gets rid of those hard water spots on the faucets, showers, etc. Hopefully when we get a water softener it won't be as bad, but until then I'll enjoy the stink of clean!" I agree with you - cleaning stinks!

EMILY- "...too often, i am overwhelmed with a long 'to do' list. i see all that needs to be done, and i am tempted to put it all away and give up. if, however, i spent just a few minutes and solve little problems (or do 1 thing at a time), magically, the whole BIG problem gets done!"

MEGAN - When I think about needing new jeans, I remember what Megan said about her jean shopping experience. "First of all, I had to search far and wide to find a classic pair of jeans that did not A) look like someone had already worn them for 10 years or B) have all sorts of sparkles and sequins on the pockets to draw attention to my rear-end." I love it!

LORI - I want to remember this primary activity that her daughter participated in.

JODIE - How powerful is this! Talking about the Holy Ghost, she said, "I had questions...I got answers. I got lazy...I was numb."

KORRIN - I totally appreciate that she thanked Mindy and Tara B. for organizing the playgroups when we were in H*. I don't think I have ever thanked them for their hard work. Thank you guys for what you did! Some of my fondest memories of my H* experience, were at playgroup.

And of course, he doesn't have a blog, but I think he deserves an honorable mention for his comments. Even though John doesn't have children, he gave great advice about raising my boys. "Spoil them with love and instruction and they will be far better off than an extra present, balloon, or party." I will remember that. It is so true.

You guys affect me! I learn, I think, I laugh, I cry, I remember from your blogs. Keep up the good blogging everyone!