A Life With No Regrets

One day we will take that unavoidable step and cross from this mortal sphere into the next estate. One day we will look back at our lives and wonder if we could have been better, made better decisions, or used our time more wisely.To avoid some of the deepest regrets of life, it would be wise to make some resolutions today. Therefore, let us:

1. •Resolve to spend more time with those we love.
2. •Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.
3. •Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Loved this talk!

We must also be willing to mend the wrongs in our lives as much as it is possible. I know I haven't been perfect, but, who is, that doesn't mean we can't apologize and right the wrongs we have been part of, even if it's to wipe it from our own slate. Sometimes we say something when we shouldn't, some things are better left unsaid. My feelings are that the past is the past and we should leave it there. We need to apologize and then be willing to forgive and forget. I want to apologize and say I'm sorry to anyone I might have offended. Truly, I do regret saying anything that has hurt others feelings and securities. Sometimes I wear my bad heart feelings on my sleeve. Sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock and take back what I have said many times, but, the past can't be rewritten, the past is gone. But, I can try to fix it. I am trying to fix my wrongs before my life ends. We don't know when our last day will be, but, I plan on being ready. A life with no regrets.

I love my parents-all of them :), wish I could have been there for you more, especially during your darkest moments and challenges you faced and some of you still are facing. Wished I knew what to do to help more. I felt held back and I should have been there regardless. Love you so much. My mom is my inspiration and my someone to depend on, teaching me everything I needed, my Mother and Father-in-law an inspiration in which I would model my own family after, between the two I'm a better person for it. For David who was the one who loved my mother and treated her the way she deserved and the gateway to happiness unknown meaning introducing the Church to me and my mother and eventually joining the Church. This was the beginning of all blessings. To all my other dads before David, you played a huge part and words can't express how much I loved you. I look forward to seeing you on the other side. I feel your presence all the time.

I love my brother - my hero and inspiration all the time, my 1st reason to turn around and live my life the way I was meant to. Christina my oldest daughter was my second reason. She gave me the push I needed the most. I'm still rooting for your life to turn around, wish I knew how I could help you more. My regret today is maybe you would have had more of a chance if I had given you up for an adoption. It would have killed me but, even though I had the impressions then to keep you, I should have listened more to reason and to those who knew best. For that I'm sorry. At this point not sure I can say anymore than that.

I love my husband Ron and My Children - I couldn't ask for anything more, you make all my wishes and dreams come true. I feel privileged to learn and grow--to take this journey with you. Times are not always perfect but, we manage and I'm so happy to be part of you. I just want you to be happy and successful in not only your physical life but your spiritual life. We can do this together. I look forward to it.

To my husband's family- I love you guys so much, I just want to squeeze you. Most of you were little children when I first met you. You made me feel special and loved.  I feel like I was the luckiest person watching you all grow, becoming who you are today--extraordinary, awesome, good people. If I feel anything today, it's sorrow that I don't get to be part of your life as we had it. You were such a big part of my life when Ron and I were dating and got married. Some of us live close by and still we don't spend the time to visit and have fun. We are all so very busy and I think I regret this the most. I was so excited when some of you moved closer thinking we could do this and do that together, but, things didn't go that way for some reason. For others, I felt jealousy when you made time for your side of the family, I felt left out. So I'm sorry that I expressed that out loud and so publicly. Felt like I wanted you to know the reason behind it. To all of you, I'm so proud to be part of a wonderful, awesome family. Let's stay close.

I love all my Ward families (past and present)- you inspire me and make me want to be a better person. I look forward to every Sunday and to every activity just to be with you. Best of all you are also my neighbors in a great community, in a great State.

Welcome Back Fall!

What a great summer, full of fun and adventures for the whole family. Glad there is a season for everything including getting back to regular routines, working, thinking, school and did I say school. Let's face it, our kids are great and summer is fun and loose...usually, free to sleep in, although,didn't do a lot of that. But, there is a time when we just need our own space for a moment in the day. Glad to have that back. It's been fun having Cameron home to help me with some of my chores. I've been working myself getting things back in order and the way I like it. Deep cleaning bathrooms and under appliances and also trying to get in shape. Back to regular exercising, this will work out nice since I got me a tread mill and a exercise bike for my birthday to help with that. I love to listen to General Conference talks while I exercise. Looking to get some projects done around the house. All I can say is welcome back fall, the time to get things in order, time to cool down. Yeah for school.

Bingo Summer Reading

This summer to encourage my youngest kids to keep on reading I discovered Bingo Summer Reading Cards
from Pinterest.com. So far it's been a great success. I allow them to earn a square per day by reading at least 30 minutes. These cards have named some creative ways to get the kids to read like reading under a tree or in my PJ's or maybe in the bathtub or in their favorite chair. When they get a bingo I have created some paper cards with rewards on them like a one free item from Dollar Tree, a frosty from Wendy's, back/foot massage, I do one chore or clean their room,. These too motivate the kids to read because they all want my massage :) or maybe it's the ice-cream cone from Arctic Circle, whatever it is, they are reading and that's what counts. They have discovered some really cool book series like Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, or Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites by Chris Heimerdinger something my older kids have already discovered. It's been fun reading these again myself, I might add.

Reading books are like going on mini vacations or watching a movie in your mind, you get into the story and you get lost in it, if it's written right. It's pure imagination, you get to envision what the characters or objects look like and it's fun to imagine or wonder what's going to happen pushing you to the end and you can't wait.

If you are looking for a creative and fun way for your kids to read this summer you might check out the Bingo Summer Reading Challenge.

Unplugged So Far

My kids were not excited to hear we were going to be unplugged this summer. I heard a lot of complaining. But, it is amazing some of the activities they have come up with to fill in the time they would have spent on wasted computer or video type games. Some things they have done so far:

• swimming at our neighbors pool on Mondays

• Service in our neighborhood and community with friends

• Building forts outside using blankets

• Playing soccer in the sprinklers

• Play Hide and Seek and Ghost in the Graveyard in the bottom level of my house, there are a lot of spaces to hide and it's dark.

• Because of the Sons of Mosiah experience, my kids have created shields and breastplates made from cardboard. Every one of them is very creative I will put a picture up later. 
• play board games
• make cookies or other treats
• reading has been in abundance, they have discovered some great series out there.
• Play with friends
• Ride scooters
• Jump on trampoline
• Ride the blue machine 3 wheeler bikes with squirt guns
• Have a water battle using squirt games
• Go to the movies 
• Listen to music, do some karaoke performances.
• Play badminton
• Dress up and imagination play
• Build with Legos 
• Build marble maze with blocks
• Take the dog for more walks
• Play at the park
• Making their own movies.

This is so far. It's good to think outside the box. I still hear grumblings and they are always asking why we are doing it, funny how they always get the same answer. It's to have more interactions with each other, to build strong family and friend relationships, to help us be creative in our thinking, get outside and be active with nature and enjoy their summer.

I'm still looking forward to some the activities I have planned like canoeing and camping and spending more time as a family doing cool, fun and discovering new things. Unplugged so far.....a success.

Summer Activities...I Can't Wait

Our summertime will all be unplugged, no media, except a few movies here or there. In order to accomplish this I bought me a pretty sweet CD/Stereo player, it also has connection for my phone to listen to Pandora music. My kids are pretty addicted to Pandora and Playlist what teenager doesn't love music. I love music myself so that will still be part of our summer just not coming from the computer. I already talked about some of the places that might be on our hot list this summer but her are more ideas I had:

Outdoor Family Sports-  Badminton, Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Swimming on Mondays.
I was watching my son Dallon get excited watching our neighbor teenage group date, they were playing badminton. It occurred to me that that was an idea after examining our yard to see if it would work, so, we bought a badminton set and a couple of new basketballs. Dallon was so excited about buying one that he helped me and Ron put in our vegetable garden so we could hurry to Wal-Mart to buy it.Now, he is itching to play.

Service - It's time to make a difference. We will be calling ourselves "Zion's Service Patrol". I will be inviting my neighbors to make a difference with us. I will make the call on Facebook to join us at a place to do service. I have my first place all picked out, I'm pretty excited to do this. And of course I plan on serving cold treats afterwards. Danielle on her own wants to volunteer at the local hospital, I think that's cool.

Of course Church will be keeping the kids and me occasionally busy with activities. Cub Scout Day Camp, Young Men Adventure Activity, Sons of Mosiah Experience, Young Women Camp, Cheer Camp for Danielle, Achievement Days for me.

And we can't forget about Family Vacation (San Diego), a trip to visit Brother Jack in Montana for his play. A Cousin's Party Campout is also planned and hanging with my folks and brother Chris and his family for some fun. Along the way, celebrate a couple of birthdays, baptism and holidays, one being my favorite, the 4th of July.

With all of this, I think summertime is looking great.

Vegetable Garden

Yesterday, I bought my garden for only $16. I'm pretty excited about the things I was able to get this year. Ron, Dallon and I hurried to put my garden together before the big rain storm.

This year I decided to plant:
 1 watermelon
 4 cauliflower
1 celery
4 corn
4 red bell pepper
4 green bell pepper
4 yellow bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
1 zucchini
4 lettuce
1 yellow squash
1 cucumber
1 spaghetti squash
row of carrots
2 rows of peas
1 celebrity tomatoes
4 Roma tomatoes
8 turnips
and 6 strawberries
and a handful of sunflowers

I already had 2 onions, 1 chives, 2 garlic

Sounds like a lot, I'm sure it's going to be work keeping some of them under control. I love looking at the garden, it looks nice next to the newest flower garden I put together this year. Are you planning a garden this spring? What are you planning?

Unplugged

This summer to my kids dismay I'm sure, since, I haven't told them yet, we are going to be unplugged from most all media. This sounds like insanity to some and maybe it will be. But, I'm tired of coming in second place when it comes to attention. I have been furiously planning other ways to have fun this summer. I'm calling it the Tour of Utah.
Some ideas:
Fort Buenaventura for some canoeing and for learning about the life of the American Indians and Trappers with a real life tepee. It only costs $1 per person to get in. Once in you can do some exploring and see true artifacts of the times. Canoeing is one of the things that attracted me to this place, it costs only $3 for 1/2 hour and also there is the trading posts and visiting center. If you prefer, you could camp there. It sounds fairly reasonable and located in Ogden, Utah

The Golden Spike Natural Historic Site along with The Bird Refuge and the Brigham City Swimming Pool will be another day. All this in or near Brigham City. Costs: $7 per car for Golden Spike, free for Bird Refuge and $5 per person for the swimming pool.


I'm looking forward to visiting the Museum of People and Cultures in Provo, Utah on or near the BYU campus, spending a day with cousins in that part of town and swimming in the local swimming pool. We could also add the Museum of Stuffed Animals (that isn't the name of it, I don't think) but, it has a whole section of stuffed animals, it's pretty cool. All free except visit to the swimming pool.

Temple Square - Museum of Church History, Visiting Centers, Joseph Smith Movie and City Creek for ice-cream and lunch. I'm hoping to do this on June 27th on Joseph Smith's Martyrdom.  Get this all free except lunch and ice-cream.

Natural History Museum of Utah- since we only got 20 minutes to explore on Dallon's 4th grade fieldtrip, I wanted to do this again. I was very impressed with the museum. it is more expensive than my other activities, with $9 for me, $7 for five of my kids, and $6 for two of them, but, on July 9th, there will be a free day. On July 3rd you need to reserve some tickets for that day online. I'm hoping to get these free tickets for my family. Crossing fingers, if not, I'm willing to pay, because, it's an awesome experience.

Antelope Island- only $9 per car. There is many things to do on the island. Hiking to Spider Mountain and many other trails, biking, bird watching, viewing wildlife, swimming if you dare and building sand castles on the beach, I thought we would take a picnic and fly kites. There is a visiting center along with a farm house to pet a deer and see a nesting owl. It's all about getting outdoors and enjoying nature. What more could you ask for? (for the stink to not be there, okay, but, mostly that is along the causeway)

So far this is what I have, I really want to see the new zoo exhibit and maybe hike up ensign peak. There will be more family outdoor activities and playing games as a family but, no computers (except for Pandora) or gaming devices. Maybe a movie every once in awhile. You may not see me on Facebook because of it. Do you have any ideas, what are you doing this summer?