True confessions, Gentle Reader. I've had some weird weeks within the last few months. I finished my Gratitudes in November, though I slacked posting them on my blog (sorry!), and then I was felled with a bad back, horrible chest cold, even worse back issues, horrific withdrawal side effects from my back pain meds, and finally strep, compounded by a bit of depression (if I'm honest about the whole thing). I won't go into it beyond that, but suffice to say, it's been, at times, definitely challenging. But sweet reminders of the joys of life came from some of the some of the oddest sources, but they hit home at just the right times.
One was from Kung Fu Panda (I know...of all places!!!!). I've seen this show before, but the girls hadn't, so we watched it after they got out of school for Christmas Break, and I was amazed at how weepy I got watching Po learn about the fact that there is NO Secret Ingredient. HE was the secret ingredient. We all are our own secret ingredient (hmmmm...so, I guess, we are our own Dragon Masters???).
Then, for Christmas, Super J gave me The Help on dvd. I had so wanted to see it in the actual theaters, but it just didn't happen. You know how that goes, I'm sure. Same with Arthur Christmas. Oh well.
ANYWAY!!!! I really enjoyed it, sap that I am (sniff, sniff...that ending. Love it and made me cry when I read the book. Then, of course, it made me cry when I saw it). The book was awesome and this was a lovely adaptation of it (so naturally I'll be reading the book over again soon, I'm sure). More importantly, though, I loved that the overall theme for all the main characters (Aibileen, Minnie and Skeeter) of the movie/book really did exist in the three sentences that Aibileen shares with Mae Mobley over and over: "You is smart. You is kind. You is important."
Gentle Reader, I hope in the new year that I remember these for myself and my daughters. But I also hope you remember it for yourself when you have weird depressing days.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Day 8
Today I am grateful for:
1. Doing a bit of Christmas shopping.
2. Watching "Up" with my girls, literally sitting on top of me and squished by my side. Normally it's their dad they are stacked on, but since he wasn't home, I got a chance to have them near.
3. Learning to "Hang Out" today via Google+. Thanks especially to Jennifer, who helped me feel less of the Luddite than I actually am.
1. Doing a bit of Christmas shopping.
2. Watching "Up" with my girls, literally sitting on top of me and squished by my side. Normally it's their dad they are stacked on, but since he wasn't home, I got a chance to have them near.
3. Learning to "Hang Out" today via Google+. Thanks especially to Jennifer, who helped me feel less of the Luddite than I actually am.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Day 7
Today I am grateful for:
1. Answered prayers. I'm needing an updated picture, but we are sooooo happy for our new four year old niece! Her name is Minsy and she is, as we speak, being adopted from China by my younger brother and his family (who are also in China...that would be my brother, my sisterinlaw, and their SIX children. Each day they are swarmed by people who want to take THEIR pictures because not only are they AMERICANS, but they are a HUGE family, all things considered).
2. The fact that both my bro and sil are sending daily updates of their trip, which are both tender and hilarious and super examples of the different way men/women think. I'm loving their adventure.
3. The blessings of the kindess of strangers. My brother's family has had such an amazing experience so far, and often it is with people who don't speak a lick of English.
1. Answered prayers. I'm needing an updated picture, but we are sooooo happy for our new four year old niece! Her name is Minsy and she is, as we speak, being adopted from China by my younger brother and his family (who are also in China...that would be my brother, my sisterinlaw, and their SIX children. Each day they are swarmed by people who want to take THEIR pictures because not only are they AMERICANS, but they are a HUGE family, all things considered).
2. The fact that both my bro and sil are sending daily updates of their trip, which are both tender and hilarious and super examples of the different way men/women think. I'm loving their adventure.
3. The blessings of the kindess of strangers. My brother's family has had such an amazing experience so far, and often it is with people who don't speak a lick of English.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Day 6
Today I am grateful for:
1. The Spirit that carried the lesson today in Relief Society, especially with the Stake RS Presidency there. I was a bit nervous, I must confess.
2. The things that I learned personally about Charity and how I need to seek for it in my life and not be afraid to endure whatever test/trials I need to go through to help build up that weakness. I mean, really, I'd rather chose to do it than be divinely compelled, you know?
3. Making it through that last extra hour of fasting. It seemed harder for some reason (probably because I was really thirsty), but I wanted to do it and I made it through. Wahoo!
Hope you all had a great weekend!
1. The Spirit that carried the lesson today in Relief Society, especially with the Stake RS Presidency there. I was a bit nervous, I must confess.
2. The things that I learned personally about Charity and how I need to seek for it in my life and not be afraid to endure whatever test/trials I need to go through to help build up that weakness. I mean, really, I'd rather chose to do it than be divinely compelled, you know?
3. Making it through that last extra hour of fasting. It seemed harder for some reason (probably because I was really thirsty), but I wanted to do it and I made it through. Wahoo!
Hope you all had a great weekend!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Day 5
Today I am grateful for:
1. Getting my Relief Society Lesson done. Whew. Then just a few minutes later...
2. Feeling the tremors of that earthquake in OK. And then just a few minutes later...
3. Jumping on FB and checking with friends throughout the country if "they felt it too????" and knowing YES. It was kinda amazing and had all sorts of great connections for my lesson about RS being a Worldwide Circle of Sisterhood.
1. Getting my Relief Society Lesson done. Whew. Then just a few minutes later...
2. Feeling the tremors of that earthquake in OK. And then just a few minutes later...
3. Jumping on FB and checking with friends throughout the country if "they felt it too????" and knowing YES. It was kinda amazing and had all sorts of great connections for my lesson about RS being a Worldwide Circle of Sisterhood.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Day 4
Cutting it close today. Still. Today, I am grateful for:
1. Simple soup recipes that everyone eats.
2. A night out to go attend Time Out for Women.
3. Coming home to a clean main floor, including decluttered counters, and the lovely spirit in our home because of it.
1. Simple soup recipes that everyone eats.
2. A night out to go attend Time Out for Women.
3. Coming home to a clean main floor, including decluttered counters, and the lovely spirit in our home because of it.
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