Becoming...The Butterfly Project

YOU are important!

2012-02-24T23:39:00.004-08:00

Today was a run of the mill, no frills day. We have busy Fridays and we ran our usual errands and school run. However, this afternoon I decided to do something for myself. I grabbed some things at my local hardware store to do another hair brain Pinterest project.

I stayed up late, after children and sweet husband were all snug in their beds. And I created...from blank canvas, I made art. It really doesn't matter what I made (and I am certainly NOT an artist). But it was time and me...sitting down together. And we had a wonderful string of moments.

To often as humans we give and give, until the bucket we give from is empty. So my advice or counsel or what ever you would like to call it, for the day, is YOU are important! Take some time for yourself. Do something NEW, doing something OLD...just DO something you enjoy. Maybe what you enjoy doing is NOTHING...then DO that! But fill the bucket. An empty bucket bares NO water!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Being a GOOD Sport!

2012-02-23T21:19:00.000-08:00

Tonight my family all rallied around one of my sons at the Pine Wood Derby. For anyone that isn't affiliated with scouting in some degree this is a race where the boy makes a car with the help of an adult and race them with the other boys in their troop/pack. It was lots of fun. My husband really wanted our son to win, and he did win 3 races but was eliminated in the finals. That is not the story I really want to share though.

There is another little boy, the age of my oldest child that was racing for the third year. He did an amazing job. Not at winning the races...actually his car was riding kind of low. The amazing thing to me was his sportsmanship. He complimented every kid on every race. He was high fiving everyone. Even the ones that beat him. I was extremely impressed with this kid. But more than the lasting impression it made on me, I was impressed with what an impact it had on my five children. During the duration of the car ride home, all my children that can speak (4) spoke of how he was such a good sport. My daughter was particularly impressed. And as a mother, that is the kind of young man I want her to take notice of. (Although it wouldn't hurt my feelings if she didn't notice any boys for at least 7 more years!) I am thankful for this young man and his example. At the end of the night the last award was given for sportsmanship. That trophy was as big as the 1st place race trophy. You can imagine how pleased I was to see it go to this fine young man. I hope my boys will all follow in his example as the years pass. They already respect and look up to him.

How we act and react to everything...it is noticed. So choose wisely, speak kindly, love deeply, apologize quickly and sincerely. And be a good sport!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Goodbyes...

2012-02-22T22:01:00.000-08:00

Frankly, I am just not good at goodbyes. One of my TTF's was here for over 10 days...you would think that was a great amount of time. But after endless playdates and beach dates, and hikes and all...it really just left me wanting MORE! I really detest that we are separated by a plethora of miles! I am however, grateful for all the time they carved out for us while they were visiting.

Last night I finished the fifth season of one of my dad's favorite shows. He always tried to get me to watch, but I didn't start watching it until after his passing unexpectedly this summer. Each episode felt like sitting down with him in the living room and discovering something he loved. When I watched the last episode last night I felt a little empty. It was a sad and hollow goodbye and again...I really don't like goodbyes.

Today I finished a lovely little book that I borrowed a few days ago. I was enjoying it so...I wish it had been 800 pages instead of a mere 250...and it was another goodbye.

Never leave anything left unsaid...you never know when you might be saying goodbye...or you might not get to say goodbye. You can't say I LOVE YOU too much!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Laundry...

2012-02-21T21:21:00.001-08:00

Today was a LAUNDRY folding day. It was inner mixed and spun with the loveliest company, which made all the folding bareable. I am so grateful for great friends and conversation.

Tell me how you get through some of your least loveable chores...

*Sorry, after a hike, playing and LOADS of Laundry, that's all I've got. Back tomorrow, same Bat Time, same Bat Place.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Something old...Something NEW!

2012-02-20T21:14:00.000-08:00

Today my daughter and I had so much fun. This year I discovered Pinterest. I am sure I spend a little too much time there. But lately my 10 year old and I have been having fun "pinning" things together. Today we created a project based on the pin below. You can click on the link below to see what we made (it isn't OUR project, but one just like it). It was the easiest tutorial. It truly took only about 30 minutes. But it resulted in the happiest little girl. And I felt pretty proud about the finished product made from an old shirt that was too short for my little girl anymore, but now is her new favorite shrug.

Create, Dream, Believe...anything is possible!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/tshirt_shrug

It's the little things that matter most...

2012-02-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

I love Sunday mornings. The scurry of children eatting cereal, watching family movies and getting dressed for church. What I have never loved is doing little girl hair. That is probably why my Heavenly Father gave me ONE girl and FOUR boys! But I had an inkling this morning...that little voice we hear in our head. Call it what you will...I think it was a prompting...maybe from God, or my mom, or my grandmother. But where ever it came from...the thought was "take some time and do your daughter's hair cute." So I did. It turned out darling (Some of that time on Pinterest evidently paid off).

As I did her hair I said to her "I miss my grandma. She was so good at doing hair. I miss your grandma too (my mom). She did my hair too. But I don't think she liked it like my grandma did. I don't know. It isn't that I don't like it, but I guess it is that I am not that good at it." What followed was very sweet...

She said, "Not good at it? What are you talking about? You are great at it. You can do my hair so much better than I can do anyone's hair. You are amazing at doing hair." (internal tears...and a duh, a-ha moment.) I flooded in my heart with gratitude that I had listened to that inner voice. I am grateful I took the time. It meant my hair wasn't as cute. But what will she remember? My hair, or that I took time to do her hair.

I remember loving going to my grandma's house. She would take so much time braiding my long hair into two braids, or into a french braid. Now as an adult I realize how much this must have hurt her, what a sacrifice it was. She had very bad arthritis. Then, I was just a little girl who thought my grandma was "amazing" and could work magic with hair. Maybe I thought my mom didn't like doing it because she felt like I did...pale in the shadow of grandma's super hero hair powers. I am thankful to both of them though, for taking time!

The lesson I learned (and not the first time)...it's the little things that matter most. Think about it, inside you know it is true! So cuddle your little children, call or drop a note to your big children, hug your spouse, or parent, or friend...smile, laugh, love...it is the little things that are REALLY the BIG things!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Time...

2012-02-18T22:32:00.000-08:00

It is going to be short tonight...because I am tired and it has been a long week.

But I would be amiss, if I didn't say how thankful I am for time. Tonight the time was with my sweetheart and we had a great date. I am grateful that after 13 years we still date weekly, still look forward to the time together, still like each other, and still find things to talk about. That isn't difficult with 5 children that keep us very busy. But I do know that I am fortunate, and that good communication is not the norm these days. So I find myself particularly grateful for the time with him and the communication between us.

We can not recapture a single moment, so I am grateful so many of mine are spent with those that matter most.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

A case of the HOMEMADE Grumpies...

2012-02-17T22:58:00.001-08:00

Tonight I watched my friend's four children so she and her husband could go on a date night. We often trade weeks to get in date nights with free babysitting! It's a lovely plan. Amazingly enough our 9 children between us all (for the most part) get along like angels. A good time was had, movies were watched and children were tucked in before 10 p.m.

We watched a movie called Judy Moody...something or other...about her summer. It was a cute family friendly, kid movie. Judy is MOODY! And her summer doesn't go quite like she planned. She finds a lot, I MEAN A LOT, of reason to be unhappy. It got me thinking about our reactions in life. My mom used to say life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it. I don't know that it is entirely true that our attitude determines our altitude. I know some pretty positive people in some pretty bad situations. But there is no really good defense I have found to argue against the fact that it IS TRUE...that one is happier, when one chooses to be happier. Likewise, one IS grumpier, when one chooses to be grumpier. Judy looked back on her long summer and had an epiphany...life wasn't as bad as she thought it had been all summer long. The memories she had made were actually happy ones. Imagine if she had choosen to enjoy the ride instead of just looking back to enjoy the view.

In this retrospection of my own life I find that more than not I have done this. Today is the day to stop! Lemons get tossed my way, rest assured that I have pounds and pounds of sugar over here just waiting for them. But no matter what happens...I am going to enjoy the ride, the journey the ups and downs...and I will probably need to stay close to a bathroom of some sort...because I have a feeling I will be drinking a lot of lemonade. Good thing I LOVE lemonade!

Think, choose, Be!!!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

My homemade Tea Hat...

2012-02-16T22:02:00.001-08:00

Actually I don't drink tea...well I do drink herbal tea, but it isn't "really" tea. But this Saturday I was invited to a "Tea Party" Bridal shower. The invitation said, "Wear a hat." So I went to the local store to look around. The pricetags in the $20 range sent my head spinning. NO THANKS! I prefer not to drop a twenty on something I don't plan to wear again.

I am fairly new to Pinterest but I thought this morning...I might as well see what I could find. By the evening when my husband came home my Pinterest inspiration had taken the form of a make shift hat. And I actually like it. Certainly, NO ONE will be showing up with a duplicate. It is an original. And though it may not earn me another "Tea Party" invitation, it was FREE. I remembered that I had a garbage bag full of used wrapping paper and tissue paper from my niece's baby shower. I had just stuck it in the garage in the chance I might need it. I rummaged through the bag and made my treasure. Now I can aim my $$ at the present for the bride instead of the hat. My husband wondered why I couldn't make the bride something with my tissue paper as well! Funny Guy!!!

Now this ingenuity got me thinking. How often is the solution right under our noses? How often do we throw money at some problem that could easily be solved with a little time, brain power and free resources?So my challenge to you is think about it the next time something similar crosses your path. Think outside of the box. Use your imagination. Create, dream, invent! You can do it! I know you can!!!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

More HOMEMADE love...on the kitchen stove

2012-02-15T17:06:00.000-08:00

Today I made Chicken and Dumplings...

(So I looked up the recipe from the last time I did this...on my other blog...here was the post the last time I made them. I didn't have all the fresh ingredients in February. But I am sure it will still be good. The house smells so yummy!!!)

Lately I have been missing my mom fiercely. Today, I made chicken and dumplings. Cooking things she cooked makes me feel closer to her. Each time my recipe has gotten a little better. Mom used to use canned chicken broth. But when one of my sisters came to help me when my last baby was born she taught me how to make my own.

So here is my chicken and dumplings recipe...and not to toot my own horn, but this batch was awesome! I wish I had made a double batch ;)

First I buy two rotisserie chickens. We eat all the meat off the first chicken for dinner and save the carcus. The next day I boil the carcus in a pot of water. This time it was so much better...what I did differently was I boiled it on medium for about two hours. Then I strained it. I then added all the meat (I de-bone-ed the other chicken meat), that I removed and finely chopped).

To this large pot of broth and chicken, I added 1/2 a large finely chopped white onion, (fresh) finely diced handful of chives, Basil (fresh) about 6 leaves chopped tiny. I brought all this to a boil and seasoned it as I like...pepper, sea salt, no salt (costco), and crushed more dried basil into it. After it was boiling I added several cups of chopped baby carrots and a couple finely chopped stalks of celery. I let this boil until the carrots were tender. Then I added 2 cans of drained peas. Although frozen peas would work as well. Then I made 1 1/2 servings of biscuits on the bisquick box recipe. Then a little trick my mom taught me...before adding the water I seasoned the bisquick with sea salt and pepper...and then something mom didn't teach me, but I do...I add a little cinnamon, it gives the dumplings a pick me up. Then add water and mix. I take a teaspoon and scoop out a spoonful, more than a golf ball, less than a baseball and plop it into the boiling mixture. Keep up the pace as quickly as you can, so they cook evenly. Add all the dumplings and then cover and turn the heat down a notch or two. Wait a few minutes and then carefully take a fork and turn them over to cook on the other side. It was so yummy, my mouth is watering as I write this. So come visit me and I will make you chicken and dumplings, I just need two days notice.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Some HOMEMADE Love...

2012-02-14T21:20:00.000-08:00

My mom used to stay up with me on February 13th and make homemade, honest to goodness, Valentine's. Each was unique and individual. Our class would exchange cards in elementary school and there was no cookie cutter carbon copies. It was the REAL DEAL, the REAL McCoy! I miss those days, and more than the cards themselves I miss the time, effort, love and sentiment that went into those cards. Seems today that we are all so unplugged, so disconnected from reality. We are TOO busy to make real Valentines anymore. But doesn't that just make us TOO BUSY!

So this morning I went through my crafter things and found a stack of pink and red construction paper. I went to work cutting out hearts and making cards. As soon as the children finished their school basics I let them go at it too. We made cards for each other and for our besties. My T.F.F... D.P. had a birthday today so I made 40+ hearts for her and went to her house (while she was at work) to leave a "heart attack". I wrote notes on all the hearts. She was pleasantly surprised to come home to so much birthday LOVE plastered on her home. In my cutting I even accidentally cut hearts that ended up looking like a butterfly. And since I am all about BUTTERFLIES...I had to replicate that. It was a wonderful morning full of love, laughter and homemade goodness. Life really can't possibly get much better than this...Maybe homemade cards with grandchildren...but that is a long ways out.

I am so excited from the days activities I might even tackle MAY DAY. My mom used to help us make baskets and fill them with flowers to share...Ok, maybe not that excited...But close!

Happy Hearts, Love, Friendship, Family, Kindness, Thoughtfulness, Valentine's Day!!!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!!!

A WOW I came across... Passage on the Titantic

2012-02-14T07:35:00.000-08:00

I will post my regular blog post later today...
But I wanted to share this clip about a new book that is coming out by Anita Stansfield...

Passage on the Titantic http://youtu.be/id4BbSqnSrA

Sounds interesting...haunting...Makes me want to jump on board!

Expressing Gratitude...

2012-02-13T21:38:00.000-08:00

I have noticed something this year with the Butterfly Project in full swing gratitude is contagious. The more I express it, the more people around me express it. My dear Ethel shared a book with me about a woman who has embraced expressions of gratitude as a way of life. She writes them down. So I bought a "gratitude journal" and started writing things. When I hit 100+ I went back and started reading them too. I actually wrote a couple things twice, but decided that is ok, I am doubly grateful for them. These expressions of appreciation for people, places, ideas, and blessings has made me more aware of my life and all I have been given. It is a beautiful awakening.

So my challenge to you this month is be aware and be grateful! If you are really daring, write it down. There seems to be some magical occurance when we write something down. It is almost like cementing our words on paper gives them power beyond the words themselves. So embrace your life. Search its moments and days and weeks and start pin pointing the things that make you happy, joyful, peaceful, calm, and grateful! It might just change your attitude, way of thinking, mood, or *gasp* YOUR LIFE!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Beautiful day...

2012-02-12T22:50:00.000-08:00

Today was a beautiful day, filled with family and love. One of my nephews will leave soon for two years of dedicating his life to service and the Lord Jesus Christ. I am so proud of him. Today we all got together to hear him speak and bear his testimony of the Savior. It was truly a beautiful day.

Today I reflected on how grateful I am for all of my family. The family I was born into, the family that became mine in addition to that, one member at a time, the family I married into and all the extended family that have resulted from both my family of origin and my marriage. I love the feeling of being loved and loving. I love the comfort of coming home!

I am filled with gratitude at this massive support system of love that I have been blessed with by my Heavenly Father.

Remember who you are, remember where you came from. Reach out to someone this week and thank them for some way they have blessed your life.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Something interesting...

2012-02-11T21:44:00.000-08:00

I want to make it clear before I share this...that I am NOT advocating anybody in politics...including the person this is about. I am torn about whom to vote for. I worry about our nation. But I can say this impressed me. Below is the note I posted on facebook today. Most of the body of this was received from a friend via email. Did not check my facts, but if this story is true, it is quite admirable. Wish all politicians acted like this.

In all sincerity...I have not aligned myself with any of the candidates this election. I don't know whom to trust any more when it comes to politics.

I did, however come across this...a friend sent me. If it is true (I am tired tonight and not willing to jump through fact finding hoops)...but if it is, then it is impressive. The forfeit of salary in and of itself says volumes. But the lengths reached to help a co-worker find their daughter...I confess... I am impressed...

Regardless of who your current favorite candidate is, this is interesting.

Sometimes, this facet of Romney’s personality isn’t so subtle. In July 1996, the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Gay, a partner at Bain Capital, had disappeared. She had attended a rave party in New York City and gotten high on ecstasy. Three days later, her distraught father had no idea where she was. Romney took immediate action. He closed down the entire firm and asked all 30 partners and employees to fly to New York to help find Gay’s daughter. Romney set up a command center at the LaGuardia Marriott and hired a private detective firm to assist with the search. He established a toll-free number for tips, coordinating the effort with the NYPD, and went through his Rolodex and called everyone Bain did business with in New York, and asked them to help find his friend’s missing daughter. Romney’s accountants at Price Waterhouse Cooper put up posters on street poles, while cashiers at a pharmacy owned by Bain put fliers in the bag of every shopper. Romney and the other Bain employees scoured every part of New York and talked with everyone they could – prostitutes, drug addicts – anyone.

That day, their hunt made the evening news, which featured photos of the girl and the Bain employees searching for her. As a result, a teenage boy phoned in, asked if there was a reward, and then hung up abruptly. The NYPD traced the call to a home in New Jersey, where they found the girl in the basement, shivering and experiencing withdrawal symptoms from a massive ecstasy dose. Doctors later said the girl might not have survived another day. Romney’s former partner credits Mitt Romney with saving his daughter’s life, saying, “It was the most amazing thing, and I’ll never forget this to the day I die.”

So, here’s my epiphany: Mitt Romney simply can’t help himself. He sees a problem, and his mind immediately sets to work solving it, sometimes consciously, and sometimes not-so-consciously. He doesn’t do it for self-aggrandizement, or for personal gain. He does it because that’s just how he’s wired.

Many people are unaware of the fact that when Romney was asked by his old employer, Bill Bain, to come back to Bain & Company as CEO to rescue the firm from bankruptcy, Romney left Bain Capital to work at Bain & Company for an annual salary of one dollar. When Romney went to the rescue of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, he accepted no salary for three years, and wouldn’t use an expense account. He also accepted no salary as Governor of Massachusetts.

Character counts!! (and yes...that's worth reading again!)

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Quiet Moments...

2012-02-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

*First, Congratulations to Rhonda Miller! She is the Random.org pick for The Butterfly Giveaway we did this month.

As a mother of five I have learned the hard way, by running myself ragged that I NEED quiet moments at times. I need to hear the ticking of the clock, or the stillness of the night. It may seem weird, but it even feeds my soul to just have a little quiet. Fortunately I have a spouse who recognizes my need (at times) for some solitude and solace. I am so thankful to him for all those quiet moments he gives to me.

Take some time to rejuvenate. An empty bucket bares no water.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

My heart is full...

2012-02-09T20:50:00.000-08:00

This week I have been re-posting entries from my blog last year (exactly one year ago, each day). But I didn't love my very short post last year. So I just wanted to write about how grateful I am for any and all of you that find yourselves here...reading this blog. I am grateful for the butterfly project. I get notes, emails, inboxes, facebook messages on my wall from people that are participating in the project. People in my life that are not on the computer come up to me and tell me that they have written their first letter and sent it off. I have received notes from people that share the joy they found in writing it. And others that wrote to a loved one that already passed on. Some wrote to their children than can not yet read and have tucked those letters away. Still other wrote to someone they had discourse with in an effort to make peace. Each letter, though I have not read them, has lifted me. It has given me new hope in humanity and purpose. I feel that I am part of something great. I believe, truly believe, that the world can be changed ONE letter at a time. I am going to keep doing this. Throughout this year and throughout my life. The personal benefits I am receiving were not part of the plan, but they certainly are the icing on the cake. If you have not yet written a letter, if you have not yet committed to the Butterfly Project, commit today and you will see what I mean. May your letters bless lives, including your own. My heart is full, I am grateful and so blessed.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!!!

A Good Day...

2012-02-08T15:29:00.000-08:00

This week I am posting a few of my favorite little posts from my old blog. Looking back over last year has been touching. This was my post exactly one year ago...

Today was a good day.

Nothing spectacular happened.

There were dentist appointments.

There was school work.

There was laughter.

There was tears.

There was yummy dinner.

There were friends for Family Home Evening.

I am grateful for the good days!

I am so grateful for my sweet, quiet, little life. I am recognizing more and more the power of gratitude.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Oh So Grateful...

2012-02-07T21:23:00.000-08:00

*This week I will be sharing some of my favorite posts from the Blog I used to write that kept me going after my mom past away. My dad used to read it daily. But when he died, it was hard for me to write that blog anymore. It was like a little piece of me that wrote that blog died too and I just couldn't will myself to write anymore. I actually thought I had thrown in the blogger towel... But then I had some inspiration...I would like to think/believe it came from my parents. Now both together working for my good... And thus, The Butterfly Project emerged. Hope you enjoy my stroll through my blogging life...

Oh So Grateful...(Written 2/7/2011)

Six years and three decades ago a woman was in the hospital. She was no Ordinary woman, she was the mother of my Fabulous, Loving and (occasionally) Sensitive husband. She brought a baby boy into the world that day...and later that noble act of selflessness would bless my life from the day I met him, clear into eternity. She raised him with values. She taught him about love, reading, respect, honesty, virtue, goodness, service, kindness, sacrifice, God, baptism, missionary work, cooking, and how to tell a good joke. She laughs still when he says the word balls (yep for the very reason that makes me cringe...and they both think they are so funny.) Butts are also a big joke and she is DEFINITELY the perfect mother for boys. Her father (whom I miss because he is in heaven now) used to keep me laughing and laughing, I miss him so. And from him, she received many fine qualities...humor and hard work are among two of the most important...they have kept her together during hard times...and they work as a pretty good team. Today I could honor the birthday boy. And I do celebrate him all day! But he gets the whole month of November for anyone that follows my status updates...

So today I HONOR the woman that gave my man life. I love her. I respect her. I am indebted to her for giving me such a priceless treasure. (Lest you think "she's so lucky, he sounds perfect" I assure you, there ARE days I think of throwing that treasure overboard. But most days I am EVER SO GRATEFUL FOR HIM...and always I am grateful for her!)

*This is one of my favorite posts from last year...updated only with how old my sweetheart is today. I am grateful that he was raised by good and loving parents! What a blessing that has been to me.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Stand for something...

2012-02-06T20:09:00.000-08:00

Our family has a family quote, motto, fight song, vision statement, and mission statement...

Our family motto is: You must stand for something or you will fall for anything. We need to know and decide what we stand for.

When I share today's experience with you it is not a judgment. It is not the only way to do things. It just just our way. And we decided it a long time ago. But before that I will go back farther. When I was a child my parents were very open with us. They didn't want us to drink and they talked about it with us at a young age. We were taught that the time to decide was before it was ever offered to us. I prepared not to drink when I was 4, 5, 6... you get the idea. Now I am not saying anything about a person who makes a different decision than I did...I am simply saying, in order to keep the conviction of my choice I made that choice many years before I would have to stand up for it. In high school the boy of my dreams used to invite me to parties quite often...we were friends. But I knew I did not want to put myself in a place that had the very thing I had chosen not to choose. Once I did go to a party and one of my sister, (whom I love, respect and appreciate for this) showed up with a bottle (1 gallon bottle) of water, and a big mason jar cup which she walked over and poured for me on the couch. Now I don't think I would have broken that committment, but it sure was easier with her help.

**I love the quote:

“When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.” --Thomas S. Monson

Over a decade ago before we had children my husband and I had a heart to heart. I told him that day that I did not want extracurricular activities to detour sabbath worship. He was raised that it was ok to play sports on Sunday as long as he attended church first. We did not agree on where to stand and it was months of discussion before he bent toward my will (I promise I have bent toward his many times)... That day we made a decision. Since that day we have not looked back. And it has not been an issue so far because it is just what we expect and our children are young still (all under 11). I am sure it will be challenged at some point. But we have stood united and firm and will continue to.

This past year two of our boys signed up for community center Karate. They have loved it and both recently advanced in a belt promotion. Of course, they were thrilled. We have them attending 3 days a week and it seems to be just what the doctor ordered. This past month we received a registration form. It was for a tournament...(Drum roll please)... On Sunday! And the form even said in fine print, ALL STUDENTS MANDATORY ATTENDANCE. Oh no... Their Sensei is a wonderful woman. She is stern and means business, but she is great with these children. I do admit I am a little intimidated. But what must be done, must be done... So I approached her and explained. Though she was disappointed, she was very kind and supportive. Interestingly she said, "I like your family. I can see that your boys work hard. I would give some people a hard time about this, but not you. I understand." She added, no worries, I am not "That" mean. I know that she is not. And now we are the exception to the rule. But with the exception she knows the sacrifices I make. The boys go to the earlier class to work with white belts and put in service hours two days a week. I run them around even though I have five children and it isn't always convenient. I am grateful she understood. However, more importantly than that, I am grateful for my children, who never questioned it. The youngest was a little disappointed until we told him we could have our own tournament. He was then very excited.

What do you stand for? It is different for each of us as we draw our lines and list our priorities. But it is important for us to stand for something. I was recently at a class that asked us to list our priorities. For me it is God, Family, Employment, Education, Fun...I carefully chose a man that had similar values...and though we do think differently at times...I am so grateful that we stand together.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Gratefully Blessed...

2012-02-05T23:11:00.000-08:00

It seems odd to me, but I believe that what I have mostly gotten out of this project of expressing gratitude is this growing sense of feeling so very blessed. I don't really want to think I was an ungrateful person before. But focusing on gratitude this year, and especially on the people that have altered my life for the better has humbled me. I have come to realize how very blessed, and how very grateful I am. Each letter penned seems to elevate my soul.

With that said, can you imagine if every word coming forth from your mouth glorified something good. My mom used to say, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." I am really coming to understand the power of words. The very act of writing down these kind thoughts has elevated my spirit and literally made me feel happiness and joy. What a simple and remarkable notion.

So my challenge to you...speak no ill. Try it for a day, or a week if you can stand it. Try to let, to make all your conversation elevate whom ever crosses your lips. It is not an easy task. Though I don't try to be a gossip at all, I could be convicted of an unkind string of words at times. But what does it leave me feeling? I think any human has been there at least once and knows, no joy comes from it. So won't you take this challenge with me. For just one day, or week...speak kind words, and often. Who knows, it might change your day, week, life...

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

It's a frozen pizza night...

2012-02-04T20:13:00.001-08:00

Well, after a long and busy week filled with everything from a doctor's visit for the baby to a sick sweetheart and sickies all in between...Saturday was FINALLY HERE! It was a lazy day...for anyone under 11. For me it was filled with cleaning, dishes, laundry, organizing, re-organizing, laundry, laundry...oh and LAUNDRY. That is what a house of 7 entails.

So when 5:30pm rolled around and there was no glimpse of dinner plans in sight a frozen pizza started sounding like the perfect dish. As for the children...whenever they get frozen pizza which is usually 1-2 per month, they think they have hit the jackpot...so I was supermom. Well, until I had a total meltdown when child #3 spilled an entire cup (16 ounces) of water on my new phone. Said phone seems to be ok. If you have tried to call me...don't... it will be drying out for a day or two.

Such is the life of a mother with little ones (especially when four are boys!). In his defense, he was trying to clear the table. In my defense...the counter, away from all water seemed like I good place for the phone. I learned my lesson. Poor little guy, I was pretty frustrated and he got sent straight to his room for ~~5 minutes while I calmed down~~...ok, really, maybe 10 minutes. I did apologize for my ranting (that is mommy vernacular for screaming my head off). Now all is calm again. Front room is vacuumed and said laundry (many, many loads...) is calling my name, ready to be folded. Oh how I wish S.N. was here...I hear she loves laundry, and chatting and folding with her would be a great time!

Have you ever had all the intentions in the world to help (like my little guy was trying to help me) but something went awry? Well, if you have then you understand my sweet little #3 tonight. I did point out to the other children that he was the ONE trying to help, like I asked.

My challenge to you: though things don't always go the way we want them to...help anyway, try anyway, reach out anyway.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Thank Goodness it's Friday!

2012-02-03T20:32:00.000-08:00

Do you have one of those schedules where you look forward to Friday and the weekend? I love my weekends, but with five little children days really seem to run together at times. This week seemed like one big MONDAY! But there was a light at the end of my tunnel. My "Ethel" one of my T.F.F.'s moved out of state a couple years ago (THAT is NOT the light...). I would miss her like crazy and we would chat sometimes, but never enough for me. So this past year I started scheduling my calls with her. I would write or she would write and we would find a day that was 'pretty free'. A movie went in for the children and we would chat. Sometimes we would even schedule the talks for after bedtime. I am so grateful for those talks. We talk about raising children, share ideas, swap recipes, tell each other inspirational stories and spill our guts and dreams to each other. She is a rock of support and encouragement. So I woke up grateful to know...TODAY was my call to Ethel.

When I was a child my mom had an "Ethel" in her life. Her "Ethel" also had a little girl about my age. We would play and mom and "Ethel" would talk, literally for HOURS! I never minded because I was enjoying my long playdate. That was a slower time. People met face to face, shared ideas, stories and divided heartaches together. It was a simpler time. They say we have progressed as a society. But there really are times I wonder... and wonder...and wonder...

Today Ethel and I talked for over 3 hours. Some might think that was frivilous, or a waste of time. Others might wonder what one could find to talk about for three hours straight. But we could have honestly talked for 3 more hours. I just had to go some place this afternoon. Honestly, I didn't want to, I would have loved to stay and keep talking to Ethel all night. There are few things we can take with us when we die. Our soul, our relationships (be they good or bad), our memories, our intelligence... not a whole lot more. I am so grateful for the time Ethel and I invested in each other today. It was PRICELESS!

My challenge to you...go invest some time in a REAL person, not a computer...social interface, etc...a real person, either on the phone or face to face...

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Busy Thursdays...

2012-02-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

Thursdays are my busiest day of the week. We cram so much into Thursdays. To top off a super full day I thought it would be a good idea to have a dental appointment and replace 2 old metal fillings. Good thing I did, there was leakage and doing this likely saved the teeth. That is the "good news". Bad news...pain, pain, and pain. The numb has finally all worn off, but still feeling some pain. Not the best idea for the busiest day of the week.

So my advice for the world...careful, when planning your busiest day of the week. And stay on top of your dental work if at all possible. Legend has it one of my relatives (before I was born) died from a tooth infection getting out of hand. Brush and floss...Happy Thursday!!!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Pandora's Box...

2012-02-01T18:43:00.000-08:00

If I were going to name something... I wouldn't name it pandora. Maybe it is my Shakespeare Mythology class that ruined the name for me. So I confess that I have stayed clear of Pandora. I knew it was some site where you could listen to music, but that was all I knew. Then today came... and it was a long day. Some of the kids are fighting the colds that come with this season and the rest of them were just 'fighting' with each other. I needed a retreat. I felt like MUSIC. It is one of those things that soothes me.

So I figured out Pandora, set up a free account and installed it on my DVD player. I have music throughout the living room now. I am loving it. Sometimes discovering something new can be just the boost we need. My challenge...try something new, discover something that will brighten your world...then share it.

Just listened to "Make you feel my love..."
I was raised by parents that loved us so much. I wish I could help the world feel that love. Life and the world would be so much better if it was filled with the love my parents taught us to share.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Little things...

2012-01-31T21:18:00.000-08:00

Today I was grateful for some little things...

My 8 year old wanted to help with dinner. We had breakfast for dinner and he made the eggs...they were so yummy.

My 10 year old saw us doing that and said, "I can set the table"...you heard that right...I didn't even ask.

My 6, 4, and 2 year olds all wanted to help with the pancakes because they saw the 8 and 10 year old helping me.

It was a beautiful dinner.

Sometimes...it's the little things.

My challenge to you...pay attention to the little things and express gratitude for them.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Help...

2012-01-30T21:27:00.000-08:00

Many years ago I went to visit a friend in another state. We spend the day running around downtown. On the way home someone was broken down on the side of the road. The friend stopped to see if they could help. My friend's neighborhood reminds me of that song, "Where I come from it's corn bread and chicken..." and down home folks who all know each other... Um, nope, not where I come from. Where I come from you just don't pull over to the side of the road. Why? Because people actually do get car jacked, and mugged, and killed...etc. But it really makes me sad that it is like that. My husband forbids me to stop and help anyone. Not because I don't want to, but because he wants me alive tomorrow to raise our broad of children.

But with all that said, road side assistance is not the only way that we can help in this world. There is so much that we can do. We can volunteer, give to local charities, help at a soup kitchen. We can work through local churches that have out reach programs all over the world. My church and the local Catholic church have had a loving, working relationship with each other for years. Recently they had a need for extra peanut butter. It has a long shelf life and is a good source of protein that does not need refrigeration. I think when they asked us they were hoping for a few dozen jars. But word was spread through out our 5 local congregations and over 1,000 jars of peanut butter were collected. It was so simple, such a small thing. But for someone it will make a big difference. I told my husband, I am not taking generic (we sometimes eat generic brands)...I said, just so you know I am getting Jif or Skippy. Because if it was me...that would be a comfort to see that Jif label.

So, although I won't be helping anyone change their tires on the major highways of our busy state, we can all make a difference. It might be as little as a jar of peanut butter. It might be listening to a friend that is struggling with a child. It might be letting our spouse vent about work. (My sweet spouse often lets me vent about my job...24/7 homeschooling mommy of five...God bless him for listening!!!)

My challenge to you is to think...how might I "help" someone. Look at the word in more broad terms...help could be so many things. Be conscious...and look for ways to help! You might be helping already and not even realize it. My friend that was really struggling last year...was such an inspiration to me...she was a huge help in the development of The Butterfly Project.

You are amazing! But sometimes we are our own worst enemy...STOP THAT! Be kind to you! And help!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Sunshine...

2012-01-29T21:12:00.000-08:00

There is not really such a thing as darkness. What we call darkness is really the absense of light. So often in our lives we allow an absense of light, an absense of good things. We let the media, world, news, and negative influences or voices of discouragement crowd around us. Then we feel the darkness, or the despair of depression or sorrow. But really what we need to do is let in the light. Pull back the blinds, and let the sun shine through them. Who or what is your sunlight. For some it is Faith (that is a big one for me), for others it is family, and for others it is friends. Some may be nourished by music, a good book or a video that inspires them. Whatever it is...don't go through life without filling up your bucket. I spoke for an hour with my cousin yesterday. I love her so much. We talked about the influences in our life that build or tear us down. We let every influence in. And though I am not a huge advocate of "deleting" friends, I do believe that toxic people tear down. So as much as you can, as often as you can, I suggest surrounding yourself with light. You know who shines, you know whom will bring warmth, encouragement, and support into your life. That is your source of life, strength and light. LET them in!

Now the thing to think about this week is...how are we perceived. Are we a light? It is not bad to have someone that you share your sorrows and downs with, but is that all you share? My husband at times will have to remind me to get off the pity party or feel sorry for myself wagon. When I get down at times he will remind me that no one wants to be around that. So I challenge you this month to speak (mostly) positive. Count your many blessings...name them. For some the list might be longer than others, I get that, I acknowledge that. But count the ones you have, and magnify them in your life, reach for, strengthen and sustain those blessings. Be a support and light to those blessings and they will be that light for you. You will feel better, shine brighter, be happier...and most possibly the most important part YOU will dispell the darkness.

So go shine! I know you can do it!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Warm...

2012-01-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

Today I made warm, yummy soup on the stove. I love soup. It wasn't really a 'soup' day. It is almost February and we really haven't had a 'soup' day this winter. We had sunshine and a breeze today with weather patterns that are more reminiscent of spring or even mild summer weather. But I wanted soup. I am not much of a recipe girl. I can follow them, and have had great success. It is just not likely that you will find me in the kitchen cooking up something from a recipe. But I love to throw things in a pot and make soup. I also love to throw things into my meatloaf...but that is a discussion for another day.

My warm soup make me feel all nice and soothed and yummy inside. I love that feeling of comfort. I admit I ate three bowls full of soup. But it was so good. This got me thinking about other things that warm me up. So I wanted to share a few...

A date night with my husband...(best advice we ever receieved when we were first married was...keep courting each other.) We will celebrate 13 years of marriage this coming week and I still love going on dates with my husband. Though I wish it was weekly, we usually only average 2-3 times per month, but with five kids I would say that is pretty good.

Snuggle time with any of my babies! I love to cuddle and whisper "your wonder, I love you, your my best friend, you are so smart...etc." in my children's ears. I love the feeling of having a little one (or in the case of my 10 and 8 year old that are the same size...and NOT little) curled up close to their mom. I love the talks that come during those precious and sacred quiet times between mother and child. That always warms my soul!

A great book warms my soul. I do love the scriptures. But I also love a good fiction book as well. I love to just get lost in the moments of another world, time, place, or person. I only do the clean books, but there are actually a lot of those out there. I am a happy ending girl...so Nicholas Sparks and I aren't so much TFF...though I did love the Notebook. My mother could read a book to us and make it come to life. I guess that is one of the reasons I love books so much. I love to read to my children and confess that I need to do that more than I do. I do it quite a bit, but always think I should be doing it more. Reading...It warms me up!

A good letter... I love writing and I love receiving a good letter. I am very sentimental so I have letters tucked away in little files. They mean something to me. They are not just words, they are time, feelings, and expressions of appreciation. It takes effort to make a letter happen. And their very existence warms me! I guess that is a good place to end...since THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT is all about writing letters of gratitude.

I am curious...what warms you inside?
*And if you get a chance, check out the 'giveaway' post... I would love for you to win my cute Butterfly Project Pen and stationary.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time.

A Butterfly Project GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-27T00:06:00.000-08:00

We are hosting a giveaway for The Butterfly Project. The Butterfly Project is a movement to get people writing letters of gratitude. As the creator of the project I have issued a challenge to readers to write 12 letters of gratitude to people in 2012. The giveaway will get you ready to write 12 notes of your own. You will receive 12 note cards with envelops, a Butterfly Project pen, and a 12 month magnetic calendar as a reminder to keep you motivated. Though you may not be a best selling author, we can all inspire someone. The goal of The Butterfly Project is to Change lives...ONE letter at a time!

GIVEAWAY!

One lucky Butterfly Project Blog reader will win 12 cards with envelops, a magnetic calendar,

and a Butterfly Project Pen to write your 12 letters of gratitude.

1. Required entry – Leave a comment telling us which post is your favorite this month.

(Note: Please leave a separate comment for each entry. We wanted to give you lots of chances to win. Good luck!)

For extra entries:

2. Grab The Butterfly Project Blog button and post on your blog. Then comment here with a link to your blog.

3. Join Becoming...The Butterfly Project Blog via Google Friends Connect (right sidebar).

4. Follow The Butterfly Project on Twitter @buttrflyproject

5. Subscribe by email to The Butterfly Project Blog (right sidebar).

*Note...it may take a few days for the giveaways to post on the two other sites hosting giveaways for The Butterfly Project, but they will run for two weeks on their sites. Make sure to watch for them to get more chances to win!

Give some love to our two sites (Anita Stansfield's Official Blog and Simple Sojourns look for Simple Sojourns Butterfly Giveaway this coming Monday) that are also hosting a Butterfly Project giveaway as well. There will be a winner on each site. You can only win once, but you can enter at each site. (That is three separate sets of entries to win! Good luck).

6. Grab Anita Stansfield's Blog button and post on your blog. Then comment here with a link to your blog. Click here to go to Anita's Blog

7. Become a fan of Anita Stansfield on her Facebook page.

8. Join Anita Stansfield's Blog via Google Friends Connect (GFC)

9. Follow @SimplyCathi on Twitter.

10. Become a fan of Simple Sojourns – On their NEW Facebook page. (They're undergoing big changes)

11. Subscribe by email to Simple Sojourns (right sidebar)

12. You can earn one extra entry per day if you tweet (once a day, include a tweet link in your comment) about this giveaway: GIVEAWAY! Fun Stationary Prize from The Butterfly Project's 12 letters of Gratitude in 2012 http://bit.ly/xJjujm

That's 12 letters of gratitude, and 12 ways to win! Good luck! The Giveaway on THIS blog will close at midnight Pacific Standard time in two weeks!

* This giveaway will close at midnight (Pacific Standard time) Tuesday February 9, 2012.

* The giveaway is open to US residents only.

* One set of entries per household/per blog giveaway. (You may enter this giveaway on other blogs sponsoring the same giveaway, including The Butterfly Project Blog, Simple Sojourns, and The Anita Stansfield Blog. But you may only win one of the three giveaways.)

* The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to the winner notification email.

Today...Seize it!

2012-01-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

Carpe Diem...Seize the day!

I have been thinking a lot about time. Especially in the last 4 years after losing both of my parents. We are each given a certain amount of time on this earth. We can't buy time back. We can't retrieve, or relive the past. The only tangible thing we have is the moment. So seize the moments. Embrace the possibilities of now. Stop worrying so much about the future (preparing is good, but worry just causes stress)...and live today. LIVE IT! Do something you love, call someone you miss. Sew something, grow something. Cook something, do something. We have today! It is ours. Own it! Tomorrow it will be gone and there is no getting it back. You can't change the future either. So the best we can do is to embrace the present. My daughter loves to say: The past is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift...that is why we call it the Present.

So give yourself the gift of today...Live in the present. And don't delay the kind acts, words, letters for tomorrow. We do not know how many tomorrows we will have. But we have today, and we can, we should make the most of it! So Carpe Diem...Seize TODAY!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary...

2012-01-25T21:03:00.000-08:00

How does your garden Grow?

Speaking of gardens...
Today was the day. We got out peet pots and seeds and the children and I went to work. We planted 4 kinds of tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, several kinds of squash, pumpkins, basil, and probably more that I can't remember. Most of them will grow a few weeks and be ready to put in the ground by early to mid March. Last year was our first year of gardening, and we got a little ahead of ourselves. We have learned a lot. I actually took notes :) So this year may be even better. My son said, "Mom can we make carrots? I really want 'homemade' carrots." I said, "Son, we don't 'make' the carrots. We only plant them. God makes them. We just help them grow." Then his brother chimed in (he is 4) and said, "Yeah...we don't make anything, God does." It was a cute little moment that made me smile.

There are some things though besides vegetables and fruit that we can grow. And we have a lot of control over them. Today my daughter was having a particularly difficult day. I think she is starting to get a little hormonal. Though I hate it when my husband says I am, so I probably shouldn't say that. I asked her today if she was happy with her mad face, stomping around the house. She was not. But she WAS 'growing' anger as each second went by. Tonight we had hotdogs and applesauce. Dinner at my house usually isn't that plain or simple. But it was a long day and that was it. After dinner some children made PB and Honey sandwiches and one made eggs. That was fine by me. But what I really found interesting was when I served the meal. They all said "Thank you mom for this WONDERFUL (they said wonderful with great emphasis) meal." I replied, "It isn't that great, but it is food. Thank you for thanking me." They then said that they were glad I made it. Then asked if they were still hungry would I mind if they got something else. Ummm...no. With grateful children like that, how could I mind? Especially when nobody asked ME to make the eggs or the PB and Honey.

I have learned over the course of mind life, but in very consentrated ways over the past 3 1/2 weeks that one can GROW gratitude. Where does it grow? It has grown in my heart, my thoughts, my prayers, my words, my letters, my mouth. And the more I grow gratitude, the better I feel about: Myself, my husband, my children, my relatives, my friends, even about people that might not be "my favorite" people to hang out with. I am seeing everyone and everything through more grateful eyes and this is indeed an interesting learning experience.

My challenge to you: Be aware of WHAT you are growing...we can grow hate or love, anger or happiness, joy or sorrow...We can't choose what is slung at us. But we can choose how we take it! So Make it a good day...I think that is something we can actually make. But for today's sake, I guess we could also say... GROW a good day!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Teenagers...

2012-01-24T18:52:00.000-08:00

I have no teenagers...though I have friends that are the same age as me, or younger whose children have graduated from high school. Call me a late bloomer.

Today I was talking to a friend with a teenager and we were discussing the thing teenagers need the most... It isn't an iPhone, computer, privacy...though if you asked a teenager I think that might be what they think they need the most. After a long discussion we both agreed that it is love. That is right, you heard it...LOVE! And really, isn't that what each of us needs? Aren't we hungering in this world for unconditional love, that supercedes our sometimes poor choices, or faults and follies? I know that I am. I want to be loved inspite of my momentary lack of patience, or my sometimes poor housekeeping skills. As we begin to be kinder to ourselves, I believe it is easier for us to be kinder to everyone around us.

So my challenge for you is...LOVE! Find a way to express that love to someone. It might be your child, parent, significant other, best friend...but express it, in word, in deed. You will walk away from the experience with your bucket filled. That is the amazing thing about love, it nourishes us as we give it away.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Organizing Tips...

2012-01-23T20:28:00.000-08:00

This will be a really short post. I need to get more organized. I need to let go of some things and FREE my space. And... Drum Roll...I need your suggestions.

How do you clear the air, free space and get fresh starts. Accepting suggestions.

And just a thought, some times it is good to clean out the emotional closets too, and surround ourselves with people that believe in us, support us, cheer us on and help us grow. You don't have to answer this one... but think about it. Who are those supportive people in your life? And whom are you a cheerleader for? Cheer someone on this week.

*And again...organization tips accepted...PLEASE???

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Gratitude...

2012-01-22T22:08:00.000-08:00

I have been blessed in this life with the most amazing friendships. It is like God put some kind of magnetic material inside of me that attracts the most loving, kind, genuine, giving, caring people. Often I feel unworthy of the multitude of blessings in this regard. For many years of my life I remember praying for a friend. Junior high wasn't my favorite time in life for sure. And I did have friends but with age, years and maturity the quality of my friendships has grown.

This week I was struggling some. We all do and I was having a particularly difficult week. My "Ethel" (you know like "I love Lucy"...and her true friend Ethel)...my Ethel is always helping me with those down times. This week was no exception. And I settled down to my computer to discover a "note" from Ethel. We don't live close like we use to. So we started some private blogs, one of them is called News and we post our news back and forth. When I got done reading my "note" I was crying. I know she followed that little voice, intuition, spirit, Holy Ghost, prompting...whatever you would like to call it. And she told me JUST what I needed to hear. I am most eternally grateful for her, and to her!

So my challenging question today is Who are you an Ethel to? It does not have to be only ONE person, or maybe it IS just one person. But whom ever it is, I encourage you this week to listen to that voice and see what you can do to lift your Lucy...or if you are a Lucy like me...Lift your Ethel. Writing this, it seems a little silly and trite. But I assure you without the Ethels and Lucys of the world...not a whole lot would get done. WE NEED EACH OTHER!!! So go, and quietly listen...then act on it! YOU are the change you can make in the world. YOU are powerful!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Looking back...

2012-01-21T23:11:00.000-08:00

Tonight I went to a semi-annual conference that I attend nearly every January and June. It was wonderful and motivational. But more than anything it got me thinking. I thought about who I am and who I want to be. I thought about where I have been and where I still want to go...metaphorically and physically. Hawaii is STILL on the list, another trip to Ireland would be lovely, and Alaska with my sweetheart would fill a dream. But beyond that...where am I headed, where have I been. Have I done my best, can I give a little more?

Having buried two parents when I was just 35, and 38 (just months ago)...I wonder if I am unusal in my thought process. For I think often about my funeral some day. I wonder if the chapel will be full or empty. I wonder what will be said about my life and if I will be worthy of the praise that often follows death. Have you ever noticed how sometimes even the meanest of temperments are elevated to saintly status upon death. Frankly, I want no false accolates. And in order to live worthy of praise, love, and support...while examining myself tonight I realized there are some things I could do better. We are all our worst critics I suppose. While it may appear so, I have NO desire to self depricate. I merely suggest that I could do a little more, be a little better, be a little kinder, be a little more grateful, a little more patient, a little more loving, a little more forgiving. Not all at once, but if I work on it, a little at a time, I will get better and better. Looking back, I clearly see my flaws and imperfections. Sometimes they haunt me like threatening skeletons pounding on the inner door of my closet. But I refuse to let them control me. I have come a long way! And though the road has not been completely traveled, and the journey is not over, I am pleased with the progress. Gratitude though has poured over me tonight, with the recognition that I still have what my parents no longer do in this life...Time to get even better, to do even more good, to reach out, to lift, to help, to support, to strengthen, to love.

The most important thing in life is not where we have been. It is substantial. The past does shape us. But it does not irrevocably define us. The MOST important thing IS the direction in which we are headed! That will be a great determining factor in where we ultimately end up! So square your shoulders, chin up...you are fabulous, you have control of your direction. You have totally got this!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Dancing in the Rain...

2012-01-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

Today has been a simple day. It was filled with a weight watchers meeting, mommy and me class, homework, and me doing something for myself: Reading. I have always loved to read. In the fictional book that I am currently entrenched in I felt like the author had a clear view through a window of my soul.

But before I go on about that let me share some things:

I remember being in grade school and walking home one block from the bus stop. We only did this for a year, because then my mom started working at the school and we went home with her. Anyway, one day it rained and we ran, jumped and played in the rain all the way home. I was absolutely soaked. It was only a block, but I laughed and had the best time. It is filed among some of my happiest memories of my life. Then unfortunately I grew up...I started using an umbrella...and somewhere along the way I forgot how wonderful it is to dance in the rain.

In junior high I started writing poetry, in high school you could often find my face buried in a fictional book and in college I started country dancing, there are many things I LOVE. Then I got married, and my husband... he was not so much of a dancer or lover of poetry or fictional reader. So what did I do? I did the worst thing anyone could do. I STOPPED dancing. And whom did I blame for that? Not myself of course. We often do that. We make life choices and then we blame someone else for them. I blamed him. And really the grudge has grown and grown.

This leads me to the book I have been reading. I had an epiphany. The lead character was a lot like me. My sweetheart never asked me to stop dancing in the rain. I have no intention of going clubing, that only invites trouble into even the happiest marriage. But tonight as I made dinner I danced, I laughed, my children joined in...we played some tunes and I was so happy. I felt like I had reclaimed myself. I felt the same way a few years ago when I started blogging, it was like the writing had been building up inside of me. And again the feeling came when I spent a pretty penny on six books to read over the next month or so.

We are the author of our own happiness. We can not determine what is throw at us and I will be the first to admit, life is hard, and has sometimes outraggeous challenges that bring us to our knees. But even when the rain comes pouring down we can choose to shake our fists at heaven and curse God, or we can choose to dance in the rain.

When my children are at play and they do something my mom would just love, or my dad would laugh at or be proud of the tendency would be to cry and mourn. But lately I smile and hope, wish, maybe pray that the heavens are opened, and that they see through a window into my living room and still get to experience the joy of my children, and all their grandchildren for that matter. I can only hope.

Now about that GRUDGE thing. Anyone you are holding a grudge against? Hmm...it is a new year, maybe time to let go? It will feel good, I promise. My love for my husband grew a little tonight as I danced with those 5 beautiful dance partners he gave me. And fortunately none seem to have their father's rhythm.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

One of my favorite performers is Hilary Weeks. She makes me laugh and smile. So I am going to include some links so you can check out her songs. I will also include a video of a little girl singing one of her songs about dancing in the rain...so cute!

Dancing in the rain (go to the facebook page and click on the song: Dancing in the rain to hear Hilary singing it) Great song! I love this album too!!! It takes a minute to load.

Here is the link to Hilary's Album on Amazon.

Forecast looks like rain...sounds like dancing weather to me!

Nothing to lose!

2012-01-19T21:52:00.000-08:00

He drew a circle that shut me out
—Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in.
~~Edwin Markham

All my life I lived by this motto. No matter what circle kept me 'out', I would draw a bigger circle that took them in. I have learned through the course of life that you just don't know, you just can't see all the hurts of everyone around you. You don't know what they were just pleading with heaven for, or how broken they might be. Because pain, sorrow, loss, heartbreak, grief, and depression...don't always show clearly on the face. So never forget your power to reach out. Never forget your ability to draw a bigger circle, to take someone in. Instead of wasting any minutes of your life hurt, angry or slighted, instead find a way to bring them in. Why? Because friends lift the soul. But so often we find ourself the one waiting and longing to be lifted. When the very act of looking outside of ourselves and lifting someone else will result in the VERY THING we long for. It is an unexplicable phenomenon...that when you lift another you elevate yourself. Maybe you are a skeptic? Possibly you don't believe me? Well, get out a pen and write a letter of gratitude to one person who has made a significant contribution in your life. When you get done with that letter...tell me how you feel. I thought so! When we lift, we are lifted. So go exercise your friend muscles this week. You have NOTHING to lose and EVERYTHING to gain!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Choose..

2012-01-18T11:08:00.000-08:00

For me...the past 3 months have been a lot about choices. When I went to the conference that inspired The Butterfly Project the theme was "Choose to Become". It is wonderful that in life we have choices. We can choose our thoughts, our actions, our occupation. But we can't choose everything. I would not have chosen to lose my parents this young. I would not choose to live this far away from all of my siblings. Since some of parts of life are not determined by our own choices...when that occurs, the only thing left for us to do is to choose how we will react, how we will cope, how we will live, how we will survive, how we will thrive...We always CHOOSE our attitude. When heartache surfaces as it will for each of us... we grieve. But after the cycle of grief we can choose to remain there or we can choose gratitude. Every day we choose how to handle what is thrown at us.

I have countless examples in my life of great women and men who have turned their grief into monuments of LOVE and GRATITUDE.

The first that comes to mind is a sibling that lost their first and newborn son. The monument of love they have established with the other children born into their beautiful family is nothing short of miraculous. We still (nearly 18 years later) celebrate him. And heartache has been turned into a longing to meet him one day, and a celebration of him, his life, his spirit...and the gift of a body that we each get.

The next thought that comes to mind is my sweet friend. She lost her daughter in a horrible car accident...many years ago. I will not suggest that the road was easy or that she is without grief still. But she has turned her grief into love. She lives an extraodinary life of love and service. She is a light to all that know her. And she looks forward with hope to her reunion with her daughter. I love her and the faith and courage she has displayed made the loss of my parents bearable. And though I may not have handled (nor do I still handle it) with perfect grace, I recognize the gift of my parents because of her example...and her recognition of the gift of time with her daughter.

I literally could share 100 more examples, but time will not permit it as children call...
But my last example has been a tremendous blessing in my life so I will share it. Our wonderful friends have 3 beau'ful daughters and a son. Their second daughter had many struggles that led to her 3rd birthday. They included surgeries, life flights, trauma, courage, hope, faith, and therapy. But finally she was "there" and it seemed at the time, they had finally made it out of the woods. Then in an unexpected event that rocked all of our hearts, in an instance Little Hailey was gone...in her sleep. My heart broke for these dear friends. And with the loss of my own mother fresh in my heart I ached for them. But almost without missing a beat they did not crawl in a hole and die. They did something. They started a wonderful foundation, and they are changing the world. They made a choice. And when they made that choice it didn't mean "we will never hurt, we will never cry, we will never be sad..." But it did mean they wouldn't let Hailey's GLORIOUS light go out, just because her body was laid to rest. I am thankful for them. I am thankful for their example. They praise God for the years, months, moments they have with their precious daughter Hailey. They LIVE every day with their beau'ful family that is still here, still needing their daily attention. And they have CHOSEN to embrace the hope of seeing her again. http://www.aMAYZing.org/

Every day we choose. We make big choices, little choices and in between choices.
Their are people all around us, and many are hurting. They face unseen trials, trauma, sorrow. Those things are often invisible to the n@ked eye. So choose to listen with your heart, choose to reach out, choose to lift, choose to build, choose to make a difference. Because YOU can! Whether you know it yet or not, YOU can make a difference!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Find a friend...Be a friend...

2012-01-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

No man is an island...
Unless you are Tom Hanks and the movie is Castaway... But even Tom had "Wilson"...His Volleyball BFF. We all need someone. It is part of our humanity. We are living, breathing, feeling people. We need people who care about us. People who listen to what we feel, think, believe. We need people who think we can conquer the world, paint the Mona Lisa, compose something that rivals Handel's Messiah. It is not enough to play on the computer, consume our lives with work, or diapers, or whatever your lot in life currently is. To THRIVE we need to connect. So in the year 2012 I challenge you to CONNECT. Maybe it means actually going out with old high school friends you have been chatting on facebook with for over three years. Or sitting with your BFF (or as I like to call them TFF...TRUE FRIEND FOREVER) over a cup of hot chocolate and a myriad of memories. It might mean taking your child out for that needed parent child time... At our house those are called "Mommy or Daddy Dates" and everyone always thinks "it's their turn." It could mean you go sit with your parent and tell them how grateful you are for all they did... (or if you didn't have that kind of parent, not everyone does...you find your mentor...we all have those...and tell them what they mean to you.) But CONNECT! I challenge you to find a friend and to be a friend. In the year 2012 I challenge you to CONNECT!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Celebrations...

2012-01-16T23:16:00.000-08:00

What do you celebrate?

Tonight we went to my husband's sister's house. She is my sister too, I love her and she has always been a wonderful sister to me. But I say "husband's sister" only to distinguish her for people that know my whole family. She and my wonderful brother in law took in his cousin many years ago when his mother died. Cousin L. has a variety of health concerns and developmental issues. He is over 60 and needs daily care. But it was never a question for them, they just took him and I so admire them for it. And my husband's side of the family being rather large has just enveloped him with LOVE! It is so sweet to see. After a short time he would light up when we would go over to visit. Tonight we celebrated him. He has never had a real birthday party because of his disabilities...until they took him in. There were a lot of "never hads" in his life. But not any more. Mostly though, we just have loved him up. And he has responded to it as all people do...WHY? Because people need LOVE! Someday he will be gone. I will miss him so much. I am so grateful we got to be together tonight and celebrate him. Think about whom you celebrate...and maybe someone that needs to be celebrated.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Family...it's about time

2012-01-16T00:35:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day. Two of our nephews that are grown up came to have dinner and hang out with us and our five children. It was an evening that memories are made of and I really enjoyed having them in our home. They are both kind and good young men. I think very highly of them and I always have. But when ever I see them with my children my opinion of them always gets even better. They have acquired a level of near hero status. I am grateful for the time they took out of their single lives to come play games, laugh and giggle with my children. These are memories that are priceless. Forever my children will look back and remember the TIME. Our time is a gift. We choose how, when, where and to whom we will give that gift every day of our lives. Let us choose wisely. For we can not retrieve even one moment that is spent. My six year old sat with my oldest nephew and they played the guitar together, little boy looking up to his older cousin with all the awe of complete star status that his cousin has earned in his eyes. Why? Is guitar playing an extraordinary pursuit? Well, he is self taught which is amazing. But what makes it so extraordinary to my boy is the gift of time. And I think my younger nephew barely got a breath in between wrestling, hide and seek and "sardines". I am thankful for these great men. In a world so filled with selfishness and "what's in it for me"...I am grateful for the gift my nephews gave my children tonight. I love them very much! I am proud to be their aunt and proud of their generous hearts and how they bless our life and our family.

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Becoming...Grateful

2012-01-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

This life is a journey. I feel like the steps I have taken in the last 14 days have been more powerful than all the steps I took last year. Some years are just like that. A glass half empty kind of person might say...that is awful...look how little I did last year. But I am choosing to embrace a different attitude. It goes like this: That is so awesome, look what I have done already this year, in TWO WEEKS. I am becoming a more grateful person. It is a journey, it is a process. I am still not grateful for some things, like dirty diapers and screaming children. But I am slowly seeing gratitude in all things... I am grateful not to have constipated children...so the dirty diapers aren't all that bad, it could be worse. And I am grateful my children have a voice and use it...I hope I can train them to use their "voice" for good.

One of the wonderful friends that God has blessed me with recently came with her children to my house for a long playdate. They say that small minds talk about people and great minds talk about ideas. Well, SHE has a great mind. And she always makes me reach, stretch and want to become better. We were discussing the concept of gratitude and she told me she has a quote in her kitchen which she often reflects on. So my share for today is that quote. Take a moment to dissect this a bit...think about how it can apply to ourselves...whomever we are...it will reach us differently. We all have weaknesses and strengths. I have learned to surround myself with many people who have strengths where I am weak and lift and enlighten me. I feel overwhelmingly grateful for the strength of those I love that refine and mold me into a better person.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.''
--Melody Beattie

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

The STAGE of your mind...

2012-01-13T23:55:00.000-08:00

No one has a perfect family... NO ONE! That is right, even that family you "think" is all together. This may come as a shock to you, but they have problems too!

With that said, today I want to express appreciation for my family. First I am grateful for my family of origin. From all of them I learned to love deeply, forgive quickly, eat nurishing food, enjoy treats, laugh, sing, dance, play, chill, decorate, and feed an army. Some of my most cherish and some of my saddest memories stem from my family of origin. But all of those rolled together make me. And lately, I am learning to love and embrace who I have become AND who I am becoming. I don't mean it in a prideful way at all (I am my WORST critic)...but I think I am pretty great!

Secondly, I am thankful for the family I married into. I married into this wonderful family. My husband is one of eight children. They support each other through trials and celebrations. They love and reach out to each other. They are amazing! When I married my sweetheart, I really received a wonderful blessing in gaining his family.

Finally, I am thankful for the man who gave me... Our family. I am thankful for this little piece of heaven. I recognize how blessed I am. I know, I see that circumstance has not rained this blessing upon everyone. I feel so undeserving of the blessings, but I am so grateful for them. So very grateful.

What are you grateful for? Whom are you grateful for? That is my challenge to you this weekend. Really ponder and contemplate what you are grateful for. Embrace the goodness in your life. Your mind is a stage and it can only entertain one thing at a time. If you fill that stage with the praise of gratitude to God, or the universe...or whatever you want to attribute (for me it is God)...if you fill your mind with gratitude for your ability to love, breath, dream, create, reach, stretch, strengthen others...etc... then there starts to be less and less room for the depression and the sorry for myself feelings (I have been there...two parents buried in 3 1/2 years...I HAVE been there). But because I have wallowed in my own self pity, I can testify that when I fill the stage of my mind with gratitude I vanquish the darkness. And let me tell you...THAT FEELS GOOD!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Don't you DARE be unkind to yourself!

2012-01-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

Today I stumbled on a lovely and inspiring page...The author of the page was just as wonderful. I thank him for his permission to repost this. He calls himself Gusto and below you will find his name highlighted. Just click it to read more of his amazing insights. But this was one of my favorite and is a great complimentary post to yesterday's post. Like milk and cookies, they go together nicely. So, for today...I wanted to share with you what inspired me. AND I LOVE THE PHOTO...doesn't she look like a beautiful butterfly? I hope this makes you think, pause, grow and become.

Gusto (Click the link to read more wonderful thoughts from Gusto on Facebook) OR Go to www.gustoramblings.com

Our thoughts, our dreams, our feelings, our ideas....they all have physical POWER. When we say "I WANT", whether it's spiritual growth, improvements in our relationships, our jobs, our finances, our health, ANYTHING, it has more impact on what "happens" in our lives than we might realize. Make a choice. Decide. The world and everything in it, all your hopes, dreams, and aspirations can and will become a reality. ~ Gusto

How Do You Talk To Yourself?

A man and his small son were out walking through the mountains and at one point, the little boy slipped 20-30 yards down the mountain side. Finally he was able to grab onto a tree branch and hold on, then he screamed out, "Help me!"

This voice boomed back, "Help me!"

He looked kind of confused and yelled, "Who are you?"

The voice boomed back, "Who are you?"

The small boy was aggravated and said, "You are a fool!"

The voice came back, "You are a fool!"

He said, "You are a coward!"

The voice yelled back, "You are a coward!"

Just about that time, his father got to him. The small boy asked his dad, "Who is that?"

His dad laughed and said, "Son, that's called an echo but really its called life. See, let me show you something son."

The dad hollered out, "You are a winner!"

The voice boomed back, "You are a winner!"

"You are talented!"

It came back, "You are talented!"

The dad yelled, "You've got what it takes!"

The voice rang out, "You've got what it takes!"

The dad said, "Son, that's how life is. Whatever you send out always comes back to you. The question is, what are you sending out about yourself? Start sending out I am strong, I am talented, and I am the best. I'll make it, I am creative, I am healthy, I am prosperous and I am victorious. What you send out is going to come back to you.
Don't dare go through life being against yourself." By: Gusto

The Butterfly Project:
Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Seek the Good...

2012-01-11T21:45:00.000-08:00

At the bottom of my blog I wrote about the conference that I attended last year that really had a tremendous impact on my soul. I left renewed, revived really and determined to do better, NO to BE BETTER! The conference theme was Choose to BECOME! The birth of the title of this blog traces back to that very experience. Butterflies have a great significance in my life which I may or may not get into someday in the blog setting...but for now just know that butterflies, both the real and the metaphorical butterflies of my life have changed me, I hope, for the better.

Because the conference was nothing short of a transformation for me the news I received after returning home was thrilling. I returned home to an email from a friend, whose neighbor was a coordinator of this particular circuit of conferences. This neighbor was incharge of several teams and one of those teams was putting on a conference in my area this year...2012. They were looking for team members who would volunteer to help with and spread the word about these fabulous conferences. As I read the email I was like the cute little kid in kindergarten, jumping out of his seat, hand flailing in the air, screaming... "Me, Me...Pick ME!" I felt very blessed to receive an email the next day to be on the team that prepared for the arrival of the conference.

The theme for the 2012 year, which is the 10th Anniversary of the conference circuit is Seek the Good. Knowing this theme before the 2012 year began, since it was presented at the conference I attended in late 2011, I sat thinking of how I could "seek the good" in my life. Many people and things led me to The Butterfly Project. And it is my desire that those that commit to join the challenge will seek to do good by writing 12 letters of gratitude this year. But also that they will seek "THE" good. I hope they will find the good in others. I am finding that good every day as I write and even contemplate the next letter. Remember, my 40th Birthday present to myself this year is to write ~~365~~ opps...forgot it is leap year 366 letters of gratitude. Because 365 names of people that might benefit from this type of thing didn't pop into my head all at once, I made a list of people I know, but then I started thinking about people... the postman, the grocer, the waste management team that make my life so much better. REALLY... can you imagine life without the waste management team. And all my out of state letters would be very difficult without my beloved postman. Not to mention without food I would starve. But seriously, I implore you this year to seek "THE" good. Look for it all around you. Look for it where you don't normally see it at times. And appreciate it. Then I encourage you to get a mirror...take a deep long look, and appreciate ALL THE GOOD IN YOU!!! You are too hard on yourself! Stop that! Seek the good, be the good, and appreciate all the good in YOU!

Here is a link to this fabulous circuit of conferences: If there is one in your area, they are well worth the ticket price to attend! May you be blessed for your goodness and your desire to reach and touch the hearts of others.
To Check out the circuit click below
Time Out For Women: SEEK THE GOOD

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

To post or not to post...

2012-01-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

That is the question I kept asking myself tonight. Well not the Shakespearian version, but you get the general idea. I have been sick now for 3 days and I thought about just letting today go. But really, I want to expound some thought, ideal or expression of gratitude all 366 days of this year (Yep, it is leap year...guess I will be writing 366 not ~~365~~ letters this year.)

So today, I have chosen my husband as my choice of inspiration and my source of gratitude. Now, I am not thankful for him because he let me lay in bed all day and rest, that was yesterday! Today, I am grateful for him because in the last four weeks and concluding the marathon today he took every single one of our ~~darling~~ some darling and one mostly tolerable children to an amusement park individually for daddy dates this month. And he really doesn't even like amusement parks. He came home today after 11 rides in 1.5 hours (that is some record right?) and he didn't say, honey what's for dinner? He helped me put all the laundry I had been folding away. NINE loads of laundry. I know because I save the dryer sheets, tie them in a long line and count them in the end...What's that? Who you calling O.C.D.?

Anyhoo...when that was accomplished, then HE made dinner. Which was I must add...was wonderful! (Burrito Bake...some great grub my children actually can't get enough of, child #4 had 4 servings). Then he ran the nightly errands and insists I go to bed before 10 p.m. so that I will (fingers crossed) feel better tomorrow.

It is the little things that bless lives. It isn't the diamond tennis bracelets, or fancy cars that make the most impact. At least it isn't for me (not that I would know anything about either, or even care to know). I believe it is help with laundry, father of the year daddy dates, sacrifice, like giving up what he sometimes wants for the love of his children, and Burrito Bake (his really should be in capital letters it is THAT good). It is all the little things that make the BIG difference. Think about some little thing this week that you can do, that will have a BIG impact! You know what I am talking about...don't be selfish...just reach out to a friend, spouse, parent, child and do some little act of kindness.

Changing the world...ONE letter at at time!

All we need is love, love, love...

2012-01-09T22:34:00.000-08:00

All we need is love!

Not to break out in song or anything, but sometimes all we really need is love. Life is difficult even on some of the very best days. And when I nestle into bed I sleep better knowing that I am loved unconditionally. I was raised by imperfect parents *GASP!* but one thing they did right was they LOVED us. I got mad at them, blamed them for things that were their fault, and sometimes my fault. But I didn't entertain the notion that they did not love me. I knew they loved me. And not just me...all my siblings too. I am not a perfect parent *GASP! again!* But I try daily to express love to my children.
I am also NOT a perfect wife
I am also NOT a perfect sister
I am also NOT a perfect daughter/or daughter in law
I am also NOT a perfect friend....

Really there is a long list of things I am NOT perfect at. And I really believe we do that to ourselves more than not. But I DO Love my family and my friends. And I don't just love them, I love them where they are at. Yep, that is right, imperfections and all. And it is a good thing too, because people that live in glass houses...REALLY should NOT throw stones!

May 2012 be filled with love. For those who have taken the challenge to write 12 letters of gratitude to people this year, may at least some of those letters be filled with unconditional love. Maybe one of those letters is one you don't really want to write, but you KNOW it could make all the difference in the world to the recipient. Write it anyway. YOU can make a difference.

One of my favorite shows growing up was I LOVE LUCY! And she was pretty hair brained you know. But I just want to say... I LOVE ETHEL! It was Ethel that stood beside Lucy through thick and thin. It was Ethel that took the heat (A LOT) for some of Lucy's stupidity...just like we sometimes take the heat for the not so smart things our children do at times. But Ethel loved Lucy through thick and thin. Well, I know Lucy loved Ethel too... But I am just saying... Be THAT kind of friend, the kind of friend you know you can count on. BE THAT FRIEND!

Spread the LOVE!!!

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Impact...

2012-01-08T23:20:00.000-08:00

Impact: The effect or influence of one person, thing or act on another.

We each have the power to impact lives all around us on a daily basis. Many things impacted my decision to write this blog, to write 365 letters this year, to start The Butterfly Project, to extend a challenge as far as I could carry it...to the voices of my friends, and their friends and so on. May the sound echo across the sea and back.

I want to tell you about a few people that have led me to the Butterfly Project:

1) My parents did good, reached out, helped, lifted, strengthened. And very frankly I want to be half as good as they were about loving unconditionally and reaching out to the world. They are always a primary source of inspiration for me.

2) My beautiful "sisters"...the ones I was raised with, but beyond them the ones that have become "sisters" to me through life's course, trials, joys, sorrows. They inspire me daily and have brought me to this place of gratitude that is overflowing so much that I need at least 365 letters to express it all.

3) Specifically four girlies in my life lead me to this project: A huge thank you to D.W., E.P., D.L. and D.P. Thank you ladies for ALWAYS inspiring me, loving me, encouraging me and making me a better person!!!

4) Lastly (today...there are so many...but lastly today) I want to thank Stephanie Nielson. A choice woman whom I do not know personally but whom I have been blessed to briefly meet and even more blessed to be graced with her emotional story of triumph, courage, strength and determination. She is one of my MODERN day heros. She is the kind of hero I desire for my children to aspire to be like. She is a doer of good, a genuine and a kind soul. And though she does not know me well, I THANK HER, I APPLAUD HER. She truly has helped in the transformation of my life.

Coming Spring 2012

Last year I was able to go with one of my TFF (True Friends Forever) Ethel to a conference and Stephanie was a last minute speaker. It was an emotionally charged talk as she shared about the struggles that accompanied her plane crash and recovery after being burned on over 80% of her body. As I watched and listened to her, tears streaming down my face...I thought... I should never complain again, ABOUT ANYTHING. But hey, I am human and I am sure I will (more than once even). But I too will be more aware because of her! Thank you to her.

On the event I started on facebook I was writing back and forth to my friend last night and part of the conversation touched me as I wrote her so I wanted to share it:

I said: I wrote Stephanie Nielson (the Sweet woman that spoke to us that had been in the plane crash)...the tears were literally streaming down my face as I wrote!
Yesterday at 10:50pm · · 1
EP (wrote) Her impact on your life has had a chain reaction to all of us.
Yesterday at 10:51pm · · 1
I responded:

I love your way with words...That is beautiful...and you are so right. Maybe at the end of the year I will write her another letter with the total of people we were able to get to participate and the estimated number of lives she changed just from her help in changing my life! That goes for you E.P. and D.W. as well.... We are up to 2,400 lives we are helping to touch. That is what I love about this project. We all own it. When we come together for the greater good of others we are a unit, a group...we are all changing those lives together. It is a powerful thing. And the synergy is AMAZING!!!

I would add...We are a force to be reckoned with!!!
This is my time! This is my year! This is my choice. And I will no longer sit on the sidelines WISHING that I could make a difference in the lives of others. I WILL! I WILL!

May a desire grow in all of you to make a difference too, and may that desire spread until we have touched hearts across the whole world.

Changing the world, ONE letter at a time!

The Power of ONE...

2012-01-07T23:14:00.000-08:00

My goal this year centers a lot on the power of ONE individual who chooses to reach outside of themselves and touch others. Today my family celebrated just such an individual. For privacy of her family we will call her C.O. She was a nurse by trade and has been retired for a bit. Barely 67 her life should not have ended this soon. But today I got up and donned my Sunday best...then made sure my children 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 were all dressed in Sunday best. Two of my older children helped with this ritual and I am so grateful for them. We went to the services, my husband was able to come too. He is always very helpful with the children and I am most grateful for him.

C.O.'s life was laid before us in rememberances and talks...like a verbal biography. But the heart, the meat of her life was service. Over and over strung through the themes, ideas, feelings shared was the service she gave as a wife, mother, friend, nurse, genealogist, and Sister in Zion. Her kindness knew no boundaries. Her friendship knew no limits. I am grateful and honored to call her friend. I am grateful and honored to know her. I am a better person for knowing and loving her. And she loved and reached out to me in one of the darkest times of my life, the loss of my mother. I will never forget her, and her love, legacy and memory will live on... Who is the C.O. in your life? Maybe she/he is on your list if you have taken the challenge to write 12 letters. I will be writing my letter to C.O. still and giving it to her husband.

May you live in a way that when you are passed and watch the events of your funeral you are worthy of all the kind words (we all know kind words are said at funerals)...but I hope to be as worthy of the kind words said at mine... as my dear friend C.O. is of the kind words that were said at hers. May the angels carry my love to her tonight! Rest well my friend, you earned a night off...but then I am pretty sure they will have you working in heaven. You were never one to sit still. We will love and miss you!

Changing the world...One letter at a time!

Becoming...

2012-01-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Becoming what we want to become is never an easy process. It is combined with rises and falls. It is strung with victories and failures. It is a journey of life, not a destination point. And along the way we are constantly learning. My friend accidently took a little to much medicine once and had to call the doctor. The doctor's consoling including... "I never have a patient do this twice." We LEARN. It is part of the beauty of being human, having a heart, having a mind. And what have I learned in this life? I have learned that human relationships are the most meaningful blessing I have gained in this world. People change each other. That is why my goal for this year is a goal that touches other HUMAN lives, a goal to REACH out to people! If you have taken the Butterfly Challenge... May your letters, your life, your love, your kindness lift, bless, heal, help and change others!

Changing the world, one letter at a time!

Have you ever wondered if YOU make a difference?

2012-01-06T22:32:00.000-08:00

My dad used to teach Sunday School. It was his favorite church assignment and he loved working with the children. One of the little girls that I babysat was in his class. He loved his class so much. This particular little girl was facing an incredibly challenging illness the year he taught her. And yet she still reached out to him. In his things after his passing I found a note that she wrote him. It was a simple little note. But obviously it meant something to him for him to keep it all these years.

What we do matters. What we say matters. We can change lives every day simply by little things, simply by reaching out.

Reach Out...Spread your wings...Fly...and while you are at it, help others to soar with you!

Changing the world...ONE letter at at time!

DO...

2012-01-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

Do all the Good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

~~John Wesley

Changing the world...ONE letter at a time!

Possibly the EASIEST resolution you can make!

2012-01-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

12 letters of Gratitude

12 people you're Grateful for.

Sent via snail mail.

That's it!

Super Easy!!!

Today, we are grateful for YOU!

A Button for You

2012-01-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

If you're taking on the challenge...

Grab Our (yours & mine) Button

Post it on your Website or Blog

Spread the Butterfly Project message

And Watch the Letters of Gratitude

FLY!

Only YOU have the power

to make a CHANGE!!!

Welcome to the Gratitude movement!

2012-01-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

I came across this quote today...

Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude." ~~General Colin Powell
So I looked up prevailing...to prevail means to prove more powerful than an opposing force. May we strive for excellence this year as we express gratitude for those around us, those that have changed, molded, strengthened, helped and encouraged us.

I started a facebook event today... to join "The Butterfly Project"
I invited all my friends on my list. What could it hurt? What could be gained? If each of my friends 317 people wrote 12 letters...that would be 3,804 letters (beside my 365 letters). If each of those friends also invite 10 people to do the same...and they wrote 12 letters that would be another... 38, 040 letters!!! Exponential...you get the idea! Just stop and think for a minute. Can you begin to imagine the good we could do? Imagine! Imagine! It could be monumental!
So I invite you to take the challenge! And then I invite you to Pass On the challenge!

Notes of Gratitude...

2012-01-01T21:26:00.000-08:00

Below are some great links I found...

I challenge you to select 12 people this year and write letters of gratitude. Tell them how they blessed, changed, strengthened or encouraged you. Reach outward! Lose yourself in service. In this act of kindness you will grow! Do you have any problems (LOL)...well the best way to lighten our load of burdens is by looking outside ourselves and serving someone. So forget yourself and get to work! Can you imagine your worst day...now think, if you went to the mailbox that day and found a letter from a friend or family member telling you how much they loved and appreciated YOU for all you do for them, for your help, love, encouragement, support. Now...I can't control all the mail boxes in the world. BUT YOU HAVE POWER...the POWER OF ONE!!! So it is January...get out a pen, an envelop and a stamp and take the challenge. I promise you will walk away feeling blessed!

Come On...Click on the comments button and accept my challenge. 12 months, 12 people, 12 letters of gratitude. You have GOT THIS!

And incase you need any suggestions: Here are some links to thank a teacher, or thank a soldier.

Thank a teacher... Here are some interesting facts and ideas...JUST CLICK

Thank a soldier... Ideas for writing a military hero (if they served/serve, they are a hero!)...Just click

Life is short and precious! Make a difference, make a positive change. The only one that can change you is YOU!

To my husband...

2012-01-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

I owe a great deal of gratitude for how I have turned out. He is not perfect...but I have often said he is perfect for me. He handles me...and having been raised in a sometimes less than ideal environment, I needed some handling. The "put me in my place" at times handling and the tender loving care handling. I am thankful that he has managed to do both. Thank you honey for helping me to become a butterfly.

My friend T.F. posted this great quote. It goes so well with my desire to change and evolve that I thought I would share it!

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
― Albert Einstein

Life is short and precious! Make a difference, make a positive change. The only one that can change you is YOU!