About a month ago I realized that my freezer buildup—which frighteningly resembles a small ice age—would completely engulf my freezer if I did not chip away and discover, and use, the food contents therein. I hit on the idea of Shop at Home—instead of buying the usual groceries every week, we’d buy only the fresh …
So we were doing a Deep Clean this morning (translation: deep stress) and the little ones were whining about cleaning their bathroom, and “Why do I have to pick up these toys”. My 13-year-old ran off after our dog, who had also just run off (aware, no doubt, that it was a Deep Clean day). …
With the Harry Potter hype lately, I thought it timely to share a quote from J.K. Rowling that has stayed with me. It’s about the power of failure, delivered as a Harvard Commencement speech. “Why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending …
What do Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, and Failure Have in Common? Read More »
Summer evenings are the best for catching up on a good read—that is, if you happen to be under 12. Because everyone else is busy still running around, most especially moms. However, I’m making a plug this week for reading, not just as a family, but one-on-one with an individual child. I’ve noticed that alone …
As I’ve mentioned (casually, of course), my eight-year-old daughter danced for a huge 4th of July celebration here in Utah called the “Stadium of Fire”. While it was a great evening with headliner entertainment and the most amazing fireworks display in the country, the best (and nerve-wracking) part was seeing if Chloe’s dance experience would …
One great communication technique for marriage is to validate. “Whether he’s late, again, or bounced a check, again, simply validate. Do not make accusations, suggestions, or sarcastic comments. Ask the Lord to help you remove negative feelings. Anger is exactly what the adversary wants because it clouds our judgment and makes marriage become a “you …
Sounds like something from a Neil Diamond song, but I remember coming to America! I can still see us all sitting in our living room in Paisley, Scotland—I was about eight—listening to my biological father tell us we were moving to America. It was unbelievable! And there was this trembling excitement, a surreal “realness” that …
The past few days, I’ve been thinking a lot about dreams—as in deeply desired pursuits. In elementary school, I began writing a book called, “Mom and Me”—with the express disclaimer that it was “not about my mom and me”. With that promising beginning as a writer (having your title NOT be what the book is …
Over the weekend I enjoyed a short overnighter of a writing retreat with some wonderful writing friends. Again, I was struck by Elder Ballard’s counsel: “[E]ven as you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would …
The Importance of Being Earnestly Connected with Good Women! Read More »
Speaking at the Girl Scout Fundraiser Conference was a KICK! My favorite was a sweet lady whose name I don’t know but she happily confessed she was OCD—“I have an organization folder for my organization”. LOVE good women who are real about life—we laughed, we learned, we practically solved world hunger (okay, at least several …
