I am...

I am: up too late again.
I know: more today than I did yesterday.
I have: this problem with Oreos.
I hate: close mindedness.
I miss: the island.
I feel: content.
I hear: alto.
I think: green is pretty awesome.
I smell: like yummy Herbal Essences shampoo.
I love: my family.
I try: to keep in touch.
I might: make a roast for supper tomorrow night.
I wonder: OFTEN about what kind of men my little boys will be when they grow up.
I do not: like scary movies.
I care: about what people think if me "way yonder" (hear that, Aly?) more than I ought to.
I always: try to see the good in a situation or a person.
I never: have liked olives.
I would never: bungee jump.
I listen: to the still, small voice.
I am scared: of dying young.
I need: a housecleaner lady that comes about every other day. THAT would be awesome.
I can: type really fast. And with accuracy. :)
I wish: that there was such a thing as a Hancock compound... Kinda like the Kennedy's have.
I find: 75 degree weather absolutely, positively perfect.
I forget: a lot. Makes me wanna cry when I think about it.
I treasure: family photos.
I believe: Rodney. He's just right for me like that. <3
I sing: less than I used to, but man, don't I love it.
I write: at night.
I lose: 2 more pounds, and I've reached my goal! Thank you myfitnesspal.com!
I win: at having the most lovely little family in the whole wide world.
I am happy about: just about everything. Seriously.

Love One Another

"Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people." Gordon B. Hinckley

On a car ride today, the boys and I passed a school bus. Jackson, with an unusual amount of tenderness in his voice, informed us that it was a bus for special kids. Thus began our conversation.

What ensued was only about 3 more minutes of dialogue among the 4 of us, but memorable and sweet, nonetheless. I talked with the kids about special kids... And about all kids. We talked together about how God loves all His children. We talked about how no one is perfect. We talked about what makes us all different, AND wonderful, all at the same time. I love those teaching moments. I know that God impresses upon my mind and my heart the right things to say, as a mother. I feel so blessed to know that the Holy Ghost is a part of my life, and the lives of my sweet little boys.

Please take a couple minutes to watch this lovely little video titled, "Love One Another."



As I have loved you, Love one another.
This new commandment, Love one another.
By this shall men know ye are my disciples -
If ye have love, one to another.

Music to "Love One Another"

Old note uncovered

I sat in the waiting room of the orthodontist's office today, while Jackson had his poor little mouth worked on. Sitting next to me on the table was a magazine I've never seen or heard of before. It's called "MORE: For Women of Style & Substance." December 2010 edition. I peeked inside, expecting to find, oh, I don't know what, but ended up thoroughly enjoying the few minutes that followed. The most memorable article inside was that of letters between two pen-pals in the 1950's. One was Julia Child, as she studied culinary arts in and around Paris, France; The other, the wife of a publisher (I think it was) in the United States, who, while helping out her husband in sending a return correspondence to Julia, struck up a friendship that ultimately lasted a lifetime! I didn't get to finish all the letters, but during the 10-15 minutes that I sat there and read, my mind kept thinking, "Oh, I love this concept! I should hunt for more noteworthy pen-pal correspondences, cause this is good stuff... Letters. Yes. That's where it's AT!"

THEN, wouldn't you know... By accident, I found this "letter" tonight... An old text document (from October '09), filing words once put to paper by my dad... and sent to Rodney... I just don't want them to be forgotten. Love you Pa. Love you Rodney. You both make my blue eyes blue. Truly.

Rodney,

Best regards to the birthday boy!

Please know how happy and glad I am that you and Leah found each other, of the boys you have given me, and of the great friend and resource you are to me. I often boast to my friends that one of the b...est things my girls have done for me is having given me 4 more sons, and none did a better job than Leah. In fact, I sometimes worry that I rely on you too much as my personal tech-resource on retainer, but it is a risk I am willing to take.

Your dad must have been a special father, since they say that sons usually imitate their own father when it becomes there turn. I don't think I have ever known a more caring and benevolent daddy than what I see in you every time I am around you.

Thanks again for all the happiness you have brought into my life, and especially for how happy you have made my daughter. As you can appreciate even more than when you first were married, her happiness remains the most important thing in my life --- no kidding!

Happy birthday, and get yourself a pepsi (or bottled water) on the way home. I'll pay for it when I see you again,

Pa

November 21, 2010 ... Ma & Pa after Stake Conference

Family Man

On the heels of a few long, yet beautiful days...

So the (older) boys are tracked out of school right now. Today marks the 1/2 way point. If I seem anxious for their return (to school) in a week and a half, please forgive me. ;) Aside from normal housewife and motherly obligations, I regularly teach 18 lovely young people how to play piano, and even more, develop an appreciation for music. 18 students who I genuinely love. 18 students who require a litle (yet, a lot) of my time and energy weekly, most of which is just after Rodney walks in the door at 5:30 pm. I say this not to have a pity party, but just to document for the future me (who I hope will enjoy reading this journal way down the road) how I spend much time, in this particular season of my life. It a good thing - wonderful, even.

Tonight, I have found myself looking around old General Conference addresses on lds.org Because of my relatively new calling in the Young Women's Organization, I love to look at talks that center on topics that would uplift the girls who I now associate with regularly. No doubt, it's good for my soul, and it is my hope that some of the light and knowledge I gain by studying will rub off on them... My favorite tonight has been this one by James E. Faust. I just want to remember this little excerpt, and figured that a post here in my "journal" will be remembered well into the future.

***************************************

There is a story of a young piano student. His mother, wishing to encourage him, bought tickets for a performance of the great Polish pianist, Perewski. The night of the concert arrived and the mother and son found their seats near the front of the concert hall. While the mother visited with friends, the boy slipped quietly away.

Suddenly, it was time for the performance to begin and a single spotlight cut through the darkness of the concert hall to illuminate the grand piano on stage. Only then did the audience notice the little boy on the bench, innocently picking out ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'

His mother gasped, but before she could move, Paderewski appeared on stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy, ‘Don’t quit. Keep playing.’ And then, leaning over, the master reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side, encircling the child, to add a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized.

In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear, time and time again, ‘Don’t quit. Keep playing.’ And as we do, He augments and supplements until a work of amazing beauty is created. He is right there with all of us, telling us over and over, ‘Keep playing.’