Yesterday, it was 95 degrees. This morning, it was 34. CRAZY! We accomplished the big goal yesterday of getting all three kids rooms dejunked ~ drawers, closets, under the beds, all school stuff gone, clothes ready to donate, done! HAPPINESS! That will last till summer's end!
Today, I'm off to do some running... a mile long list of things that need to be done, including delivering the donations, getting physicals for the girls and lunch with Denise, who I've not seen in a week! Quayd had his physical yesterday and ended up having an extra vaccination because they've added a new booster for teens. Quayd has major shot anxiety, but I think that he conquered it with this one!
The pool is up! It's half full! I'm not amused that the part that is supposed to arrive today, according to the tracker, didn't ship until yesterday, so it won't arrive until tomorrow. Which means, I'll turn off the water until then because it's easier to change the new skimmer with the water not pouring out the side. The kids were up bright and early this morning to check it. Grace, in her jammies, was already skimming the top. They can't wait! Seriously, the best money we have ever spent!
But what's really on my mind lately...A few weeks ago, I ordered Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure for the kids. They'd never seen it. I remember it from the 80s/90s with the bigs and we loved this show. I have always thought that it was a great and fun lhistory lesson and it has a great message... Not just "Party on, Dudes!" but more important, and my kids captured it because they've been saying it to each other constantly since watching it, "BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER!"
Recently, I heard of a friend's troubled situation. No details can be shared. BUT. Not their situation, but these thoughts have been on my mind a lot lately... When we look at our friends and neighbors, we see perfect little families, perfect marriages, perfect budgets, perfect happy people. BUT. The truth is that NONE OF US ARE PERFECT. When we are looking at others from the outside, we see their Sunday best, we see them rehearsed and practiced at their higher performance levels, we see their best recipes, talents... just shining like the sun. What we don't see is them getting out of bed with bad breath, messed up hair and smeared leftover mascara. We don't see them yelling at their kids or ready to break down and bawl. We don't see them feeling frustrations with their husband over something silly or worrying about finances. Yet, we compare ourselves at our worst to others at their best. Don't do that! Do not feel inadaquate or unworthy.
We are all in this together. We've all got our share of problems and challenges. Some of us are more open book than others. Some of us would never share their struggles. In my lifetime, I've known friends who have dealt with the obvious challenges like death or health issues or divorce. But, I've also known friends who've shared some deep dark troubles that no one in the world would ever ever dream exist in that home or that marriage or with those teens or that checkbook. We all will be challenged and tested in ways that are perfectly suited to us individually. We have no clue how we'd handle another's problems unless we've walked in their shoes. Rather than judging others for how they are handling their tests, be understanding and encouraging and hopeful for them.
And last, but not least... Recently, I shared some extreme good news about a friend with an another friend. I was disappointed in the one friend because they said, "That's just not fair!" Later, I thought about it and ya know what? It is fair. It's plenty fair. We all have our ups and we all have our downs. Life's hard enough with it's challenges. Let's just hurt with those who hurt and, also, be the bigger person and celebrate each other's successes and joys!
I am reminded of a talk from LDS General Conference, by Elder Jeffrey Holland. Elder Holland said, "There are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.
Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! Coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live."
And, the absolute best talk I've ever heard spoken regarding this subject was given by my favorite, President Deiter F. Uchtdorf. If you have a few minutes, I encourage everyone to listen to, watch or read this talk. It is life-changing. We all have our trials. We all have room to improve. Enough said.
Do unto others as you would have others do to you!
Such a great blog post!! I love that talk. I think I may print out that quote. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Posted by: candice | Thursday, June 07, 2012 at 04:18 PM
I love you Sophia! :) Make it a Great one!!
Posted by: Tammy J. | Wednesday, June 06, 2012 at 09:41 AM
We call that getting a "Big Biscuit Day" down here! I'll have to tell you that story sometime.
Posted by: Kip | Tuesday, June 05, 2012 at 03:15 PM