Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles!

I actually downloaded pictures from my new digital camera to my computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a miracle, and this is how it all came about: Jessi and David gave me a wonderful new digital camera for my birthday in January. Audra helped me learn how to use the camera when she came to visit me in April. Today (May 5) I read the instruction manual and installed the camera downloading-software CD onto my computer. Abbi talked with me til I figured out how to plug the camera cord into the USB port of the computer. I then continued to follow instructions and downloaded the pictures from my camera onto the computer. This is indeed a day of miracles!!!

But the drama doesn't end there! The whole reason I did this was because I wanted in the worst way to email some pictures to Abbi about her wedding. After I downloaded the pictures, I attempted to write an email to Abbi and attach the pictures for her to see. Typical to my experience with technology, the computer wouldn't connect to the internet. (It had NEVER done that before. (I suspected it was getting back at me because I had had a technology success.) Of course it happens now that I am trying something new. THAT is exactly why I avoided attempting the whole thing in the first place. I didn't want to face a technology frustration that I had no solution to!) However, I remained calm and called Comcast. The tech told me that my modem was on standby and all I needed to do to fix it was to press a button on the top of the modem. It worked! I wrote the email to Abbi, but when I tried to attach the pictures to the email, they wouldn't attach! (Can you see why technology sends me into HIGH ANXIETY mode???? Can you see why I avoided this experience for four months????) To my credit, I still remained calm and called Abbi again. She gave me the tip that I couldn't attach the whole file, I had to attach one picture at a time. Well, the rest is history. I attached one picture at a time and sent them on their way through cyberspace for Abbi's review!! I just knew I had to announce to the world that I FINALLY succeeded in overcoming my techno-avoidance and in successfully downloading pictures from my new digital camera onto my computer. Will wonders (and miracles) never cease?!

Jessi is a Genius!

Jessi (see above picture: she's the one with the sun glasses) is a genius. She suggested on my "I Have An Excuse" blog that maybe I could blog a little about getting ready for the wedding. Yeah, I could do that! So here goes:

Abbi, Audra and I have worked many hours on finding something for the bridesmaids to wear for the wedding. We have considered whether to choose something formal or casual. We have pondered what color to have them wear. We have agonized over what styles would work for everyone. We have searched stores and internet sites for just the right thing. We have considered skirts/tops versus dresses. We have thought about how much we want to spend for their outfits. We have examined whether to have them wear the same shoes or different shoes. We have purchased necklace and earring sets to finish off their outfits. And every time we think we have found just the perfect thing, it turns out to be the wrong color, on back order til June 22, or way too expensive! BUT thanks to Abbi, another genius, we have determined what we will do, and I think it will work. Here is the final decision: We have emailed all bridesmaids and told them to take a look at Abbi's bridal bouquet (picture on the internet), choose a color of one of the flowers, and then find a top of their choice to go with a black skirt. That way the bridesmaids will be an extension of the beautiful colors in Abbi's bouquet! Is that genius, or what? Now everyone gets to choose something they like, that is flattering on them, and everyone will be happy! Aren't weddings FUN to plan!!?? You may use our solution if you want and save you a few hours next time you plan bridesmaid dresses for your wedding!

Advice

Our niece is expecting her first baby, and her Mom asked us all to write some words of advice to her to be compiled in a book. At first I couldn't think of anything to contribute to the book. But gradually ideas came to me. Here's what I wrote down and sent to her: (she's having a boy, and they will name him Connor)

#1" After I had my first baby, the responsibility of taking care of another person was very heavy! I thought, "I'll never be able to do anything ever again!" So...Just remember when it all seems too difficult to bear, that you will make it through, and there will be much joy along the way."
#2 " When Connor gets a little older, teach him to expect difficulty and trials in life, and to meet them with optimism and a determination to learn from and overcome them.!"
#3 Praise Connor for everything good he does, and always let him know how much you love him."
#4 When Connor enters a difficult stage ( the terrible two's, for instance), just hang on and endure, and remember this stage won't last forever."

I would add to #3: Teach him how much he is loved by Heavenly Father and the Savior, first and foremost. Help him discover ways to feel that love.

I wish I had known #2 when I was younger. That was something I didn't comprehend until I was older and my children were almost grown.

I would like to hear what Jessi, Audra and others wrote for their advice. It is good to share a little wisdom that you have picked up along the way. Do you have any more wisdom that you can share with me? I'd love to hear it!

I have an excuse!

Abbi asked me today why I haven't written anything on my blog lately. I have the perfect excuse! I have been getting ready for a certain person's wedding! I probably would have posted ten, twenty, maybe even fifty blogs if it hadn't been for this wedding thing! So now you know. As soon as the wedding takes place and is a raging success, I will be back blogging like crazy! You know me and how I love to write!

Great Intentions!

Jessi and David gave me a digital camera for my birthday, which was a wonderful and generous gift! Now, I am trying to overcome my techno-block regarding anything computer-related (how am I going to learn how to put my pictures on the computer?????) I will take the camera out of its box, put in the battery, read the directions, and start taking pictures for my blog and to send to everyone. I CAN DO THIS! I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. If I DO do this, I can put wonderful pictures on my blog like they do. You all will be the first to know when I accomplish this goal!

Best Paying Jobs Ever!

I was just thinking the other day that I am fortunate in my life to have the best paying jobs in the world. The first is wife and mother, the second is seminary teacher. I am absolutely wealthy because of the pay I have received because of those two assignments! I cannot tell you how much I have received from being a wife to a handsome, faithful, talented, kind, intelligent, funny and loving man. Following that wealth I have received untold riches from being a Mom to four absolutely incredible, intelligent, handsome and beautiful, funny, fun and talented children, and now I am even richer because of my seven (soon to be eight) beautiful, smart, talented, kind, wonderful grandchildren. It makes my head swim to realize how wealthy I am!

Now I also add to those riches the riches I get from being a seminary teacher. I get to associate with some incredibly wonderful, kind, smart, thoughtful, and fun seminary students. Then, every day I feast upon the words of Christ and feel His Spirit helping me understand and prepare to teach those words. I have new insights come to me constantly about the Gospel and its profound principles. The Spirit tells me all the time too what I am doing wrong, what I could do to improve. When I am out of energy and ability, His Spirit lifts me up and helps me teach even when I feel like I have no more left inside me. How fortunate can one person be????

Can you see why I have the best-paying jobs ever? Can you see why I am so mind-boggling weathy??? It just bowls me over sometimes!

It's almost here!

I love spring, and I think it's almost here! The buds are out on our maple trees in the front. Some of my daffodils will flower soon, and I have spied blossoms here and there around the city. I absolutely LOVE seeing the new little green leaves appearing on bushes and trees. It never ceases to amaze me how dead-looking plants can come back to life. Truly this is the perfect time to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior! All of nature attests to this miraculous rebirth. It fills my heart with joy and hope and love for the beautiful world He has created! Truly He gives us a "perfect brightness of hope" for the future!