My Mommy came to visit

My mom came to visit us from Nebraska. She was here for a whole week and we loved every minute of it! Although it went by too fast and we were unusually busy doing all kinds of fun things. It was so nice to have an adult to talk to and laugh with all day. When Jonathan was working his 30 hour shifts, we talked and laughed and watched old shows. It was so fun, I hope it happens again soon.

While we going to yard sales, we came across these adorable little cars for the girls. I wasn't going to buy them, but since they were only $5 each, Grandma couldn't resist. So now they love riding their cars from Grandma. (Because of the heat, they only go outside in the early morning. Our poor neighbors.)

Grandma also brought each of the girls a set of darling pink glasses.

One of the most fun things we did was visit Grandma Trish with Grandma Carol. I am so glad that our moms love each other. I actually had to bribe the girls to take this picture. I told them if they didn't be nice and smile-no brownies. They will thank me for this in 15 years. 

Janie is so good at being charming.

Sami has really started loving to organize and pretend. Her imagination keeps me smiling all day long. She really loves tea parties right now.

The morning my mom left, I took this picture of the girls. They came in and got my towel from the kitchen and had a nice little set up. Most of the time, they play so nicely. Then all of a sudden, someone (usually Janie) starts crying and then there's more crying, and then there's tattling. Then there's time outs. 

I am trying to realize that this is how it is. But I do love it when they play nicely.

Janie

Oh Janie. You are so cute, so cuddly, and so hard to say no to!

Your sister is going to preschool and tumbling in a few weeks, and I know you are going to be so sad because you always want to be with Sami, and do fun, big girl things, but you get to hang out with me! Please like it. :)  

And please always think I am so cool when I give you candy corn and ask for kisses. 

Oh, and please stop shrieking when Sami tells you no or shushes you. That wears on me by the end of the day.

And please remember how much I love you. 

(Even when you poo in your pants and I growl at the mess. I am really going to work on not growling anymore. Promise.)

Working on myself...

These past several months have been a bit challenging for me. 

I have found myself working through some big issues and weaknesses. Issues and weaknesses that I didn't know I had. 

I am so thankful for my husband, who is so patient. One night when I was talking to him about my frustrations, he simply said, "Chrissy,  you're wrong. You're not thinking correctly." 

I am so thankful for that gift he gave me. He said it kindly, and I realized he was right:
with some issues, I simply wasn't thinking correctly.

Then I was faced with the question of how to change my thoughts. And what are the right thoughts that I should have.

Now, I am not talking doctrinally here (my testimony of the restored gospel is alive and well, thankfully). I am talking about how I process events, conversations, and everyday random interactions and thoughts. And how I view myself and my worth to Heavenly Father and those around me.

Of course, the greatest source for truth and change is the scriptures. I believe that with all my heart, but sometimes I need a little help in interpreting them and applying them to my life.

I have read several books over the past months that have blessed my life greatly. I thought I would share them with you. I own them all and I love what they have taught me.

"Through His Eyes, Rethinking What You Believe about Youself," byVirginia H. Pearce. I love this author. She is Pres. Hinckley's daughter and is a great leader. I want to meet her someday. This book is so good. It's small, but full of wonderful stuff. One of the things she taught me was to look at whose mission my thoughts support-Christ's or Satan's? She teaches that if you want to change your emotions, you need to change your thoughts. A good book.

"Change Your Questions, Change You Life,"  is by Elder Nelson's wife. I thought the title seemed a bit melodramatic at first. But now I don't think so. Wendy Watson Nelson has been a counselor for over 25 years, and I love her perspective and insights. One of the things she taught  me was to take a question to the Lord. To really ask the Lord a question that I need answered that day, then ask the Lord in prayer, picturing the Holy Ghost by my side, and then read the scriptures until I find the answer. This book has impacted me greatly. I love it.

"Weakness is NOT Sin." I needed this book. I have been confused about weakness vs. sin for a long time. I want to be good, I want to be obedient, but I always find myself very short of where I wish I was. This book helped me to understand that weakness is part of Heavenly Father's plan. She says "Sin can take us to hell. Weakness can take us to heaven." She tells us how to tell the difference between sin and weakness and how to make weakness into strengths. I will read this book again, for sure!

This book was so sweet and touching. Gerald Lund talks about seeing the Lord's tender mercies in our lives, how to deal with trials, and how to have stronger faith. One of the things he taught me was that how we feel about Heavenly Father is just as important, or more important, than what we know about him. How we feel about Heavenly Father will make or break us in our trials. I was sad when this book was over, I wanted it to go on and on 

I feel like I have grown so much this year. I feel like I am seeing myself and the world around me differently. That I am not a victim and that I get to choose what I believe. I don't have to believe everything that comes into my head. I am still learning and changing.

I love that our church is a church of truth. That we seek truth and that the truth literally sets us free. I love that we can change. I love that we can repent and the Lord forgives us. I am so thankful for people who share their insights so that I can learn from them too.