Thanksgiving Turkey

Turkey was twice rejected this year. Our Thanksgiving meal plans sadly had to changemore than once. First, our thanksgiving duck was taken from our backyard by some sneaky animal.  Then we chose ham instead of turkey.  It was really good! (recipe is here).

But the turkey still had to make his appearance in some other ways.  First, Morning Glory had a fun English teacher who gave the class a turkey to color even though they are in 9th grade and promised to come to each and every home to make sure they displayed it on the fridge "just like they did in kindergarten."  She went along with the idea and made my day. So much fun:) And now that it is almost time to put away all the Thanksgiving decorations, Lady Slipper just had to have a turkey too: She wanted to paint a hand turkey. The holiday will last at least one more day before the decorations switch themes in our kitchen!! (Christmas is already all over the rest of the house.  I love the holidays). It is even worth cleaning up Starflower participation mess on my new tablecloth.  Totally worth it!

Be Inspired,

Jsnelle Joy

Mermaid and Pirates

It is so fun to have daughters.  I love you all!!

Love, Mom

How We Listen to General Conference

Listen to Conference!!
It is so much fun!!

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

My bed is made!!

It was so nice to go in and find this surprise from my hubby.  It may seem small, but oh how it just made my day!
Definitely a Moroni-like rescue for me today!!

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

My own Moroni Man

Yesterday, I was so tired.  My hubby noticed and told me  he would take over all the bedtime routine stuff with our girls and I could go to bed as early as I wanted to.  I feel so much better today!!  He is my hero!!

We have had many many challenges together and have come through them.  I know we will also face many many more. 

Why do I call him my Moroni man?

17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God. (Alma 48: 17-18)

Moroni, Ammon, Alma, Mosiah, Alma's sons Helaman, Shiblon, Corianton . . .

All these men are heroes of mine.  I love reading the stories of the amazing things they did, and even of the incredible and sometimes horrible mistakes they made too, because in the end they were all incredible men of God who made a difference for good in many lives, especially the lives of their families.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Jitter Glitter

Lady Slipper,
It is your  first day of first grade!
You fell right to sleep with your jitter glitter last night and so you are all ready for a happy happy day!
I hope you love it!

Love,
Mom

"Mom! It's a Ghost!

Lady Slipper,

Today you called to me from your bedroom: "Mom! It's a ghost!"  You had a smile on your face as I came into the bedroom expecting probably to see your little sister covered in a blanket or something.  But she wasn't even in there.  It took me a second to figure it out: you meant the white blanket I had put up over your closet door to dry :) 

You also did lots of surprises for me by folding towels and washcloths and hiding them under pillows.  Then they were all ready to be put away.

Thank you! You made the laundry lots more fun today!

Love,
Mom

My Favorite Scripture of all Time

2 Nephi 31: 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life (The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ)

At BYU during my first term, my BofM teacher Bro. Somerfeldt asked me to memorize this verse and knowing it completely changed and uplifted my outlook on life. I finally knew that I didn't have to be perfect in this life to live with Heavenly Father again in the next life.  I simply need to feast on his word daily, repent daily, pray to my Father in Heaven, follow my Savior,  listen to the Holy Ghost and never stop trying to be better.

I am so excited thst this same scripture verse is also the theme for the Young Men and Young Women program this whole year

I borrowed Morning Glory's bracelet with the reference and message engraved unto the charms on it yesterday. It felt so good to wear it all day and remember how I felt when thus a rupture first became so meaningful in my life and how much more it means to me today.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy 

I stand for my Freedom of Choice and Accountability

Listening to Elder D. Todd Christofferson speak inspires me to be willing to learn more about what freedom really is. It made me realize that July is the perfect month to be working on Young Women Personal Progress value Choice and Accountability.  Goal #3 states:

Agency, or the ability to choose, is one of God’s greatest gifts to His children. Read about agency in Joshua 24:15; 2 Nephi 2; and Doctrine and Covenants 82:2–10 

How am I doing at respecting the beliefs and feelings of my immediate family members? Do I give them the same freedom I expect from my government? Or is their freedom "under fire" in my home? 

I want my home to be a place of peace and freedom.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

My Testimony of Scripture Study and Prayer

I have been completing my own Personal Progress goals along with Morning Glory as she works on her Young Women program.  The first experience goal in the Choice and Accountability section focuses on the importance of daily scripture study and prayer to enable all of us to make decisions which lead to happiness.  It required me to think back and notice how my decisions have been shaped by my choice to always study and pray.  I am so thankful I made that choice as a little, tiny primary girl, even before I was old enough to be baptized.

Without scripture study and prayer, I would make many wrong decisions in my life. My major in college would have been focused on English instead of mostly on family. I would not have known it was important for my mission on earth to finish college and get married instead of going on a full time mission. I would not have married Robert.
I would not have known it was right to stay with him when things got really tough. I may have given in to well meaning advice that my own health was more important and I would not have my three girls.
I would have lost confidence in myself, especially when I felt overcome with health challenges and anxiety and depression.
I would not have known that full time school instead of home school was right for Morning Glory and which schools she should attend. I would not have known when it was time to turn those decisions over to her. I would not have known When it was right for me to leave my parents and live in California and later when it was right to move to St. George. I would not have known when it was important for me to stay home with my girls full time and when it was important for me to work at The Learning Center for Families. I would not have recovered from the grief of losing my baby Benjamin and my other little lost ones.

My life is truly only what it is because of scripture study and prayer

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Starflower Stories

Tonight Starflower woke up for a snack.  She loved her applesauce, puffed millet and peanut butter all mixed together.  Then she still needed a little more snuggle time before being tucked back in  so I started to read her some board book stories we picked  out to read for library story time.  One of her favorites is "Five little Monkeys Reading in Bed" by Eileen Christelow.  I think it is because of all the funny  sounds the monkeys make as they laugh and cry through their stories.  She also loves me signing the ASL sign for monkey on her sides. It makes her giggle too.

Now I am awake and ready to read too. . .

I love being a mom.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Messy Faces

It is so fun to see pictures  of myself  and my three little girls all at age 1 and with very similar messy faces.

How else are we all similar?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Sweetheart Plate

Lady Slipper,
You really wanted to be sure I felt loved while you and the rest of the family are gone for a few days, and I am home all alone since I am not feeling well. You left a special plate and suggested I wait to use it until dinner, after you are gone so I won't be lonely. It is your very favorite plate which you usually use at your place.  I smiled as I used it and it did make me think of you, sweetheart.
Thank you so much for all the love you show me.

Love,
Mom

2016 Yearly Goal: Healing Heartache

Last year I focused on Taking time to listen with love: to my body, to the Spirit, to those around me.  It was a big challenge for me and I learned many things.  

One thing I learned is that I need to have the compassion and patience with myself to allow essential healing to take place within me: spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Happy 2016!

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy