Great Quote!

I finally got the hankerin' for some chocolate this afternoon and ripped into a small box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts given to me as a gift. It was wrapped in some netting with a great quote attached.

"A grateful heart...comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives."
Thomas S. Monson

This speaks to me right now. I'm feeling so grateful for the people in my life lately. I feel so full from the love I've been given and the people that make me strive for greatness in all that I do. I am who I am because of those people that I choose to share my life with. What a true blessing!

Noble Woman Challenge

Ok, so I'm behind...what else is new? And, since I have had two sets of visitors in the last 3 weeks...plus you'll notice my last update was of Christmas. I have lots to post. I've just been lazy about doing so. But, I've had something on my mind...

When Krystal came for her whirlwind visit to Hawaii, it was the best girl time! We laughed, and we played, and we talked. Really talked...about kids, about marriage, and about gospel doctrine. I can honestly say, she left me better than she found me. That's a beautiful friend that can do that. I've been trying to make great improvements lately, and I loved our discussions about that so much.

I also recently stumbled upon a blog, Mormonmomma, with some really thought provoking topics. I love the author's charitable and realistic views of life and others around her. And, while I love a good discussion, I feel that a few of the commenters on some posts are a little close minded, and a tad judgemental. I think that one improvement I've been trying to make is to keep lightness around me. I want to be like Krystal, bringing joy to others, having an open heart, and improving myself every day.

So, thanks to my friend, Julie, I was steered toward HessesMadhouse. Now, SHE seems amazing, which can be a little intimidating, but I like her "voice" so I think I'll follow for a while. I especially enjoyed a recent post about a blog she found that had a A Woman of Noble Character Challenge. I think this goes right in line with some of my goals for the year, so I'm going to try it. She notes that she just recently started it, so I'll be catching up right alongside her. It seems that each week's challenge is based on parts of Proverbs 31.

The challenge states, "Celebrating A Day In Our Life is wonderful and being grateful for the many blessings God has bestowed upon us is good, but are we blessing those around us with strength and dignity. Isn't it more important to be A Woman of Noble Character? Are we worthy to be rewarded for all we do?"

So, for as long as I can keep up, I'll use my blog, not only for family updates, but for reflection, more "musings" and hopefully a little self improvement.

Week 1's challenge: Proverbs 31:10-12 Are you a virtuous and capable wife more precious than rubies? Does your husband trust you, and do you enrich his life? Do you bring him good everyday? Write a post about something you would like to change about yourself, and something you love about yourself. How does this add to the enrichment of your husband's life?

Hmmm.... That's a good question. I believe I'm virtuous...I like to think I have value above rubies. As a daugther of God, I know I do...but some days.... You know...you're tired, and life just gets you behind the eight ball. I know my husband trusts me, and I trust him. We are actually, after 20 years together, in a really good place. I know I work hard to keep our home and raise our kids, so I know that enriches his life. But, I also know that I don't do enough personally just for him.

One thing I love about myself, is that I am organized and can multi-task. I know I accomplish a lot, and have been told by more than one person that it can be intimidating to keep up with.

So, I think that's the one thing I'd also like to change. To slow down, stop trying to do it all. Not that I'd like to accomplish less. But, I want people to feel enriched by me. I want my husband to know he has my full attention. I want my friends to know they don't need to feel less around me. I want to make sure people know I have time for them, not that I'm so busy they can't keep up, or that I can't spare a moment. That will help me enrich and bring joy to him...and others.

You can't whaaaaat?

Dear Leslie,
You may have thought that you had encountered the only crazy person working in a military facility...But, I have to tell you that AAFES does not have the monopoly on hiring people with mental disorders.

Tonight I went looking around the appliances at the Navy exchange. I have been contemplating red appliances (I know, you're thinking "I luuuuuv me some red!" right now...) So, I saw on an aisle they had on display a red toaster, coffee maker, crockpot, rice cooker, and hand mixer. I started looking for the toaster...an off-brand, but hey, for $15, I could afford to replace mine for a trendy pop of red on my counter.

So, I finally found a box....uh, empty. None other could I find. But, a salesperson was right there. I asked her about it. She said it was probably the display box....

Me: I don't see any others...
Her: We've probably sold them all.
Me: Can I have the display?
Her: We don't sell the display.
Me: Are you going to get more in?
Her: No, it was promotional for Valentines.
Me: So....what happens to the display?
Her: It's NEX policy, we don't sell any displays (as she leans down to PUT THE EMPTY BOX BACK ON THE SHELF!)
Me: So, why do you have a toaster on display you can't sell me?
Her: Um....
Me: Don't you think you should take down the display if you don't have any more, and can't sell the display?
Her: Oh, we will....(as she turns and walks away from me, back to the end cap she was straightening...)

Yes, Leslie, Navy has their own brand of crazy! BTW, had the ending ruined for any movies lately?