Love is in the air

Thinking too much!

Okay, so this is my last week working in the Library. Next week I'll be home and starting Wednesday afternoon I'll be spending all my time with my sweet 11 year old Bryce. This will be his last track off before he is done with Elementary school and ready to start Middle School! Man...I cant believe how time has flown by! Anyway, on to the subject at hand..."Thinking too much"!

So, since it's been so slow at work I have been able to do some reading,and it has just been so enjoyable! (I never read!) My friend who works there with me is a high school english teacher and basically reads for a living,and she is always telling me about these great books she has read. So, I've had the opportunity a couple of times a day to just read and not think so much and oh how nice it has been....okay, so there are a couple of people (at least) who will probably be reading this and are shaking their heads up and down right now and saying "yes, Lisa you do need to stop thinking so much". I mean after working in the Library I am so excited to read some of the books that I have seen pass by me. So, one of the books I read was one that Bryce will read next year and both Michael and Stephen read in middle school and both loved, it's called "The Giver"...very interesting, I can see why the boys liked it so much. So, I decided that I am gonna read as many of the novels that my kids are reading in school.It'll be fun talking with them about it too. Speaking of reading...I just read a couple of blogs that really touched me. One was by a really close friend of mine and the other by a total stranger. They were both so different yet, both inspired me in the same way. The one was just happy, upbeat, positive, sickening sweet and she knew it and didn't care, it was great! I loved it! Then the other was just raw, honest blood sweat and tears kinda stuff and I loved it too! Both were "living in the moment".... I want to be like that and stop thinking soo much!! I mean I am 46 and it seems I started this "Thinking too much" thing when I was 40something and trying to make sense out of my life up to this point and I "think" (lol) I'm done....it's time to start LIVING and stop "THINKING TOO MUCH"!

Music

Well yes, I have finally added music or more honestly my son Stephen has finally figured out how to add music to my blog. The only thing is that the songs I really wanted they didn't have. So, you end up with a selection of some of Stephen's songs that I can tolerate. Actually I really like them, just not my first choices. Anyway, it's always nice to have teenagers around when you need them.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Well, so I'm a couple of days off...sorry Mom!  But I just couldn't let the week go by without letting 2 very special people in my life know just how special they are to me and our little clan of Nelson's! 

Bill and Delores Nelson celebrated 48 years (thanks for the calander Mom) of marriage this week.  This picture says a lot about these 2 people.  They are always serving others especially their family. This is them doing my dishes at my house....always in the kitchen.  We like it best when Dad is in the kitchen making his special apple pie and when Mom is making.....anything!   They really know how to make their family feel like they are #1 in their lives.  Seriously, when I married Mike these 2 were a bonus in my life.  Dad is always sweet and loving...a man of few words and many tears...he has a love for his family that shows in his craft and his affection. Mom has volumes of family history that she continues to do for both her side and Dad's side of the family.  She keeps just about everything and has a special place for it all.  She is the most organized woman I know.  Both of these 2 would give the shirt off their backs for anyone but especially for any member of their family...they have truly done more for us than probably any one on this earth and have been 2 of the greatest examples in my life.  We love and appreciate you so much Mom and Dad...and thanks for having that first little baby boy and for being there for me when I had mine....dont know what I would do without you 2 in my life...I love you!

The Right to Write

We should write because it is human nature to write.  Writing claims our world.  It makes it directly and specifically our own.  We should write because humans are spiritual beings and writing is a powerful form of prayer and meditation, connecting us both to our own insights and to a higher and deeper level of inner guidance as well.

We should write because writing brings clarity and passion to the act of living.

-Julia Cameron

People like to say "Salsa"

We are a salsa loving family! (have you ever seen that Seinfeld episode when Jerry says,"people like to say "salsa"?) We always have salsa on hand in the fridge.  We especially love fresh salsa.  So, when we were in Utah, my sister in law Coleen gave me this recipe and I do love EASY recipe's so we've been making this salsa every week sometimes twice a week since, and we all love it!
Aunt Coleen's Salsa
2 cans diced tomatoes with mild green chilis
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 small yellow onion
1 bunch cilantro
1 juice of lime

So, that's it!  You take and put in all (except the petite diced tomatoes Stephen likes it a little chuncky) in the food processor or in my case the blender.  Then add the petite diced tomatoes and just stir them in then if you'd like, chop up an avocado and add that in for a little extra somethin.   Enjoy!  Thanks Coleen!

Grandma Emily

Today I was honored and privileged to take my Grandma to the temple. 
Ermalinda Cabral, my Dad's Mom,was born on August 21, 1919 and died on April 18, 2001.  My mother has been encouraging me for months to finally get her work done for her.  I have wanted to do it but I also wanted to get myself signed up and learn how to get around the family history sites to do it myself.  Then one day, about a month ago, Mom called me again and encouraged me to start...so I did.  She helped me get online and start adding my family names to PAF.  So, then I got excited....but again I procrastinated.  Then one night I had a dream.  I dreamed that I was wide awake(you ever have those kind of dreams?) and walking down the street, and coming towards me was my Grandma Emily exactly like you see her in this picture.  As we got closer to eachother I looked at her and said "is it really you?" and she looked at me and began to speak and then the alarm went off and I woke up.  I thought that was pretty interesting for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I have never dreamed of my Grandmother before in my life and second of all, I think it is interesting how I saw her in this particular outfit...."all white".  After that dream I made an appointment at the family history center and got her name ready. That was a week ago.  It was a really wonderful day today taking her name to the temple.  Mike was able to perform the baptism and we asked Sophia(a sweet young friend of ours) to stand in for Grandma, then Mike confirmed her and then I got to take her name and do the rest.  It was a very humbling and sweet experience for all of us.  Next step is for Mike and I to go back and do the sealing. I love my Grandma Emily!

People

Barbara Striesand sings..."People, people who need people....are the luckiest people...in the world....."


So, this subject has been on my mind for the past couple of days.  Since I've been working my new job as a substitute clerical worker for the school district, I have been meeting lots of new people.  I really enjoy seeing the students at the school and just seeing all the different personalities.  I really love the youth, they make me think about when I was that age and I just want to hug them.


So, "People"....I am a believer that people are the most important thing in this life....afterall...our relationships with the people in our lives are really the only thing we will be taking with us after we are done here...right? So, the relationships we have with the people in our lives is really the most important thing we have in this life....so, I think it is so interesting the people that come in and out of our lives.


Some people come into our lives for just a short time and yet they can have a huge impact on our lives.....for good or for bad....I believe there is something good to learn about everyone of them even if the experience with that person may have been a bad one..... maybe because of our experience with a particular person we become more aware of ourselves and what to look out for ya know...and maybe they were there to help you know what to look for too.


Then there are those people who come into our lives to stay...those are the ones who are like "gold" those who become true friends, who love you no matter what....who you have been your whole real self with, the good, the bad and the ugly, and they still love you and accept you because they really get you and they see you for who you really are no matter how mixed up you may become or no matter what you go thru...they are rare, they believe in you and you feel safe with them.  Those who feel you are worth investing time in getting to know...because these kinds of relationships take time.


Then there are those people who come into your life and it is as if the Lord planted them there and they make you think....WOW!  Heavenly Father really is aware of me... these people are like little "jewels"like "diamonds".... they can be like little angels who bless your life with tender moments of unconditional love and acceptance.... they can also be the kind of people who you know that God put there for you to share what you absolutely know...the truth....about Him...in fact I met someone like this just recently..."...no more hunger and thirst, but first be a person who needs people, people who need people...are the luckiest people...in ...the ...world".


We all need "People" we are all in this together!

Setting Goals

On Wednesday night I attended our Relief Society Activity for the month.  We had 3 classes to choose from and I chose the one on Setting Goals.  We had a speaker who spoke to us about how we are the Leaders of our own lives.  He gave us a formula for setting goals and the process for acheiving them.  He told us to pray about it and then brainstorm and write down everything we could possibly think of that we wanted to do or achieve this year, then to choose 3-12 categories and then narrow each category to one in each area and underline that one.  He encouraged us to write a plan as to how we will acheive these goals this year.  It was a very motivating presentation.  He said that he honestly feels that we can achieve anything we set our minds to do because that is the potential we have as children of the greatest creator in the universe.  It reminded me very much of the message I shared earlier by Elder Utchdorf about being creative.  He also said that, "People of Character are those who do what they committ to do even after the emotion of making the committment is passed".  So, I really want to put his ideas into action this year.  We are the creators of our own lives....what will we accomplish in 2010?

Mission Memories

Before I forget I wanted to mention that last week I had the privilege of speaking to our group of young Activity Days girls about my mission.  Along with 3 other return Sister Missionaries in our Ward, Kristy  Smith, Sherida Raddigan and Kelsey Hogge.  And I just have to say what a great experience that was for me.  It has been years since I have been able to share some of my experiences regarding my mission with people.  It truly was the best 1 1/2 years of my life.  I believe that my Heavenly Father always planned for me to serve a mission as he just led me in that direction.  It was something I always wanted to do but never thought I would have the opportunity to do, and he made it happen!  With Michael on his mission now it is even more meaningful.  I am eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for the most awesome experience of serving a fulltime mission.  Thanks Ashlie, for the opportunity to speak to your girls. I had fun!

Create

The desire to create something is within each of us. I have been thinking about this a lot this past week...I've never considered myself a creative person, however, creativity comes in many different ways. We are children of that great Creator...so of course it makes sense that we too have that potential. This is a great message...
Okay, so for some reason I just cant get that link to post...so go to You Tube and type in "Create" and view the Mormom Messages by Elder Utchdorf...if you want to watch. But the bottom line from the video is this...."The more you trust and rely upon the spirit...the greater your capacity to create"...I really love that.

Family Search

This is what I did last night. I got set up on Family Search!  My Mom and my Mother in Law will be so proud of me.  I was so excited to find so many names and so many lines done and even some names to do.....I could spend hours and hours on this site.  I cant wait to take my Grandmother's name to the temple to do her work this month.  This is so much fun!

Ammon and Stephen

I just have to say that I dont enjoy working all day.  While it is interesting seeing lots of high school students, it isnt so interesting working with heavy textbooks all day.  I am thankful that I get to work though.  Going from being home all day to being on my feet all day is pretty tiring...  Anyway, the week is flying by quickly.   On Tuesday night we thought Stephen broke his collar bone or separated his a/c joint( like Michael did a few years ago) playing dodge ball, but today I was able to take him in to the doctor and he felt that it was either a minor chip in the collar bone or a slight dislocation and either one will heal on its own.  Thank goodness!  After the doctors appointment we went to El Meson for dinner and then back home to enjoy a role-play at scripture time...I wish I had pictures.  We were reading about Ammon defending King Lamoni's flock of sheep and how he cut off the arms of the bad guys and then gathered them all up and they were delivered to King Lamoni.  Stephen's arm must be feeling better now...he sure did put on a show for us.... of course he likened the incident to a game of baseball and an action movie all in one....  It's night's like these that I really miss Michael being with us...it's fun but just not the same without him. Oh, 18 months is a long time.....back to work tomorrow.  Nighty night!

So Long 2009 Welcome 2010!

Okay, can I just say how happy I am to welcome 2010! I mean, I dont think I have ever been happier to start a new year. I mean, I am the kind of person who loves, I mean LOVES starting a new year! I absolutely love the feeling of putting away all of my Christmas decorations and taking down my tree because it just marks the beginning of something new. A new start, new resolutions, new memories, new adventures, new dreams, and new goals! Yay! But, this year in particular I am espeically ready for a new year. 2009 was quite an adventure in so many ways. "It's been the BEST of times and the WORST of times."

We started out the year with me quitting my "2 1/2 year long all consuming job" for School Specialty and Mike in Utah working for his Dad which he started doing in November of 2008. He ended up being there for about 9 months total. Michael recieved his mission call in early February and then joined Mike in Utah around March and they worked side by side for a couple of months. I think that was a great experience for both of them. Shortly after Michael had recieved his call he went to the temple and recieved his endowments and so he and Mike made it a weekly visit to one of the many temples that are there in Utah including going thru the newly dedicated Draper Temple. That was probably the highlight for both of them while there in Utah. While I was home with Stephen and Bryce playing Mom and Dad and taxi driver and peace maker and everything else that was needed. I also found it necessary and extremely helpful visiting the temple on a weekly, sometimes bi-weekly basis myself. To make a long story short, I will just say that due to the fact that so many changes were taking place in our lives at this time including, but not limited to having our first missionary leave for his mission, this year afforded me many, many growing and learning opportunities. Honestly, I found myself crying most of the time on and off for a few months. This is where the temple was most helpful as it brought much peace and also personal revelation into my life.

Mike's visit's home were about once a month and I found that they proved to be so short lived that I basically felt like a single parent. Well, after a while the spirit prompted me that my husband needed to come home...for good. And that did happen in September... Halelluia! It's been so nice to have my husband back home again. 2009 also marked 20 years of marriage for us. That sounds like such a long time but really does'nt feel like it at all. I am convinced that something magical happens after 20 years of marriage. It is truly a lifetime and yet, it has been like a rebirth for both of us.

Very personally, I have found myself reflecting on my life's journey much of the time over the past several months. You know how sometimes you have these experiences in your life that just sort of shake you up and you go..."wow, I didn't realize how blessed I was until now". I think much of the time I go about my life thinking," I have to do this" or, "I dont have time to think about that" and then suddenly something happens that makes you have to stop and think about those things...well, that is what 2009 was all about for me.  And I have discovered that I am extremely blessed in my life!

Here's to a great 2010!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010!