The Conundrum of Action and Motion

"Our greatest danger in life is in permitting the urgent things to crowd out the important." Charles E. Hummel

"Never confuse motion with action." Benjamin Franklin

I'm not sure if this is a problem for others, like it is for me, but often I feel as though the "actions" I take are an exercise in futility; as well as wondering if all I am doing is going through the "motions". When I read and ponder on these quotes, it reminds me to first take a moment (not a day) to plan, then decide that getting one thing done is better that getting nothing done! So as you enter this crazy time of spring cleaning, summer planning, and general busy-ness, know that we are in the trenches together and I always love to hear how you are handling all of your urgent and important things!

Good Luck to you!
Heather

As I Pass Another Birthday

The greatest gifts my parents gave to me…were their unconditional love and set of values. Values they lived and didn’t just lecture about. Values that included an understanding of the simple difference between right and wrong, a belief in God, the importance of hard work and education, self-respect and a belief in America.
Colin Powell

I liked this quote for a few reasons --
1) I also had parents who brought me into the world, loved me, cared for me, and did all they could to guide me to understand that my life mattered, that the choices I made were mine, but that they influence and affect more than just me.
2) I admire the life that Colin Powell has lived and I admire and value the fact that he had such a deep sense of gratitude and love for his parents, their contributions to his life, and his love of our country.
3) As a parent of four, I read this when I am feeling doubt and discouragement in my role as a mother. As I read these words, I am strengthened by the knowledge that I try to live every day speaking my values, endorsing behavior that reflects these values, and encouraging my children in their pursuits and experiences so that they will recognize the importance of these values in their life.

As I reflect on the last 39 years -- most of which have memories I may never tap into again -- I know that there are a few values that help me to chart the course of my life...
1) I know that God lives. I know that His Son, in both spirit and flesh, came to this earth to teach us, die for us, and break the bands of death by being ressurected. His gospel is still on the earth today and He speaks to us through living prophets, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
2) I know that I will see Christ again someday, and I know that He knows me and loves me, now and always.
3) I know that what I know is only a beginning.
4) I know that love is a choice, that service creates and strengthens love, and that it is a word of action, rather than a feeling.
5) I know that we can choose to be DEFINED by our experiences, our choices, our lives -- or we can choose to be REFINED by them. I choose REFINEMENT!
6) I know that all the heartache of marriage and children are WORTH ALL THE JOY -- if I had to do it all over again, I would!
7) I know that anger does not bring strength, only fear and scars.
8) I know that good books can take us to vistas unimaginable, and that crap is too often esteemed as quality...
9) I know that I will never be naturally blonde again... :(
10) I know that I would rather have happy children than a clean house -- yes they can happen for some people, but for me, I often have to choose -- and in no time my house will be quiet, uncluttered, show-worthy, and empty of the cherished voices, clutter, and hugs of my children. A clean house can wait...

The countdown has begun -- 364 days until "40" -- aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

Happy Birthday Emma!!

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot help but bring it to themselves.--James Barrie (Author of Peter Pan)

Wow -- I'm really late, but with traveling to in-laws for Emma's birthday weekend and then dealing with Brynna's strep, I've had good intentions, but weak effort.

This quote makes me think of Emma -- she is a SUNSHINE ray of a child! Some of the tunes I've included on the playlist this month also indicate the joy of this girl, this month! She can warm my heart one day and burn me up because of too much cuteness, then she goes too far and ARRGGH!! EMMA!!!
What a blessing it is watching her grow and become her own person these last couple of years! She still has her dimple and freckles -- THANK GOODNESS! I tell her she is my "star child" - shining brightly for the whole world to see, like the Primary song. She loves soccer, playing piano(I'm trying to get her to branch out from "Heart & Soul" and "Carol of the Bells"), reading (fastest in her class!), and giggling and teasing her big brother! She had to get a tooth pulled and was a real TROOPER -- they finished before I even knew it!
She is a lot of fun to be with and a true blessing in our family! Happy 9th Birthday, my Karissa Emma Pearl Fry!!

Slow Start to the Week

“It is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us--even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."
Joseph B Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment," Ensign, Nov. 2007

I had a rough start this week. Hannah's sickies became mine, and for 2 1/2 days I was a mess of sleep, hacking, and trying to get stuff done, when I wasn't sleeping or hacking! I was feeling pretty down yesterday (I think my mood definitely doesn't do well when I'm physically down for more than 2 days!) and was a gruff bear and I'm not proud to say that I ate a ton of "comfort food" while taking Mucinex-D, and I think I finally got a GOOD night's sleep. At least Curtis said I wasn't snoring and waking him up, and I actually woke up this morning and didn't feel like crashing in bed again for the first time in 3 or 4 days.

So here is my quote of the week and I hope it finds you well and that you know a small bit of what is in my heart and mind this week --

Good Luck To You!