Family Friendly: Yoga Alphabet

S few months ago, Morning Glory suggested we do the alphabet in yoga poses. It was a lot of fun and we posted about it here.
I wanted to give you all another chance to have some fun creating yoga poses for letters too. If we don't have any response then we will just continue to post our own poses but it would be really fun if any of you want to help us add to the creativity!

I would love to post your own funny Yoga Alphabet pictures to finish off the Alphabet. If you want them shared, send the images and description to me at simplesupermom@gmail.com with the subject line Yoga Alphabet. Be sure to include your permission to publish the picture and include permission for whatever information you want to share. Note: All pictures must be modest and approved for all viewers and only information from submitter's 18 and older will be shared (ie I will not post your children's names or any other info without guardian permission).

Be Inspired and be fit,

Janelle Joy

Wise Women Follow Simple Solutions

"You can strengthen your marriage and keep your family safe by following the counsel given in the proclamation on the family. You can find solutions to problems by studying the teachings of the Savior and His servants and by praying diligently for the Lord's guidance. Through prayer, you can receive strength to keep your covenants and to work in unity with your spouse. You can repent of bad habits and forgive. You can learn problemsolving and communication skills to resolve disagreements and avoid potential conflicts."  (Strengthening Marriage Resource Guide For Couples. I underlined some of the simple solutions I found in this quote)

A Plea for Prayers for My Sweet Friend and Her New Baby

My sweet friend, Katie needs all our prayers. Her new baby girl is facing heart surgery. Please pray for beautiful new baby Rebecca Faith.I know there is so much power in uniting together in prayer

Be inspired,
Janelle Joy

Truly Tender: "Mom, I Saw a Bunny!"

One Day last week, Morning Glory ran into my bedroom to say "Mom. I saw a Bunny!" and went on to describe what the bunny looked like.  She had seen it right outside on her Grandparent's back patio.  Later the same day, when I asked her to go out to the garage to get something for me, she ran back in with the same excited declaration.  She had seen another bunny in the garage.

I am thankful for both my daughters' excitement in all the little things.  I am also glad they continue to share that excitement with me, it helps me find more joy in the little things each day as well.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Musical Motivation: There are Many Ways to Practice

As a busy Mom, I have had to be very flexible with what counts as my own music practice time at the same time as staying committed to practicing if I want to continually improve.  I also have to be very flexible in helping my students and my children with their practice time.

Lately I have had a very interesting new challenge to overcome: how to help my daughter keep her 1 hour each day practice requirement while her left hand is in a cast.  Piano practice isn't too hard, just leave out the left hand for a while, but violin is a definite puzzle. 

So practice time has become my focus for the next little while on my Music blog. We have succeeded in finding some fun ways to keep up the music time  see here for our latest music adventure.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Spiritually Saving: President George Albert Smith's "Personal Creed"

" When he was 34 years old, George Albert Smith made a list of resolutions that he called his “personal creed”—11 ideals that he committed to live by:

• I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.
• I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.
• I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind.
• I would seek out the erring one and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life.
• I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right.
• I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.
• I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.
• I would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.
• I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the successes of all the children of my Heavenly Father.
• I would not be an enemy to any living soul.
• Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter, I feel it not only a duty but also a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth.

"Those who knew President Smith declared that he truly did live by his creed." (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church :George Albert Smith chapter 1)

Wise Women Carefully Choose Priorities

I read this poem during naptime after a very busy morning of Dr appts: Morning Glory needed a cast put on her broken thumb and Lady Slipper needed her ears checked (yes, she had an ear infection). I wanted to cry as I read it. It made me think of so many questions I want to continually ask myself in order to choose the right priorities from moment to moment during my usually busy days. It made me think of so many things I want to do better. But it also helped me feel joy in the knowledge that often, my choices do reflect priorities that are the best, though mostly unseen.
I hope that every night I can report to my Father in Heaven in my prayers and say something similar to the words of this poem. If I can, then I believe my priorities are in the right place.

"What did I do Today?"

Today I left some dishes dirty,

The bed got made around 3:30

The Diapers soaked a little longer,

The odor grew a little stronger

The crumbs I spilled the day before

Are staring at me from the floor.

The fingerprints there on the wall

Will likely be there still next fall

The dirty streaks on those windowpanes

Will still be there next time it rains.

Shame on you, you sit and say,

Just what did you do today?

I held a baby till he slept,

I held a toddler while he wept.

I played a game of hide and seek,

I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.

I pulled a wagon, sang a song,

Taught a child right from wrong.

What did I do this whole day through?

Not much that shows, I guess that's true.

Unless you think that what I've done

Might be important to someone,

With dark brown eyes and soft brown hair.

If that is true...I've done my share.

Author Unknown

(I found this poem quoted in

"Cloth Diapers Made Easy" by babyvilleboutique)

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy 



Truly Tender: Lady Slipper Learns to say, "Dough"

Morning Glory had the idea to let her little sister help knead the dough for Fruit 'n' Veggie rolls. While ecstatically squishing her little bowl of goo, she surprised us by matter-of-factly stating, "dough" as if it was a usual part of her constantly multiplying vocabulary.

I love being a mom!

Be inspired,

Janelle Joy

A Father's Nonverbal Teaching

My Mom (who was hubby's mom first) gave a very inspiring talk in Sacrament Meeting today. She prepared for her talk by asking family members what nonverbal lessons they had learned simply by observing and spending time with their father. In her talk she shared several of the responses.

What nonverbal lessons did I learn from my father? One thing which came easily to my mind was to keep going even through pain, sorrow, misunderstanding, health challenges and all other obstacles I face. Another one was a deep love of studying and exploring the scriptures regularly and choosing to study them in my precious free time as well.
What nonverbal lessons do I learn from my husband? Patience, love, unselfishness, quick to forgive and forget, he magnifies my virtues and turns annoying characteristics into "cute Janelle traits". . .

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Family Friendly : Diligent Scripture Study

"I hope we are reading the Book of Mormon with our children regularly. I have discussed this with my own children. They have shared with me two observations. First, persistence in reading the scriptures daily as a family is the key. My daughter in a lighthearted way describes their early-morning efforts with mostly teenage children to consistently read the scriptures. She and her husband wake up early in the morning and move through the blurry mist to grasp the iron railing that lines their staircase to where their family gathers to read the word of God. Persistence is the answer, and a sense of humor helps. It requires great effort from every family member every day, but it is worth the effort. Temporary setbacks are overshadowed by persistence.

The second is how our youngest son and his wife are reading the scriptures with their young family. Two out of their four children are not old enough to read. For the five-year-old, they have five finger signals to which he responds in order for him to participate fully in the family scripture reading. The signal for finger 1 is for him to repeat, “And it came to pass” whenever it appears in the Book of Mormon. I have to admit that I love the fact that the phrase appears so often. Incidentally, for the interest of young families, finger signal 2 is “And thus we see”; fingers 3, 4, and 5 are chosen by the parents based on the words contained in the chapter they are reading.

We know that family scripture study and family home evenings are not always perfect. Regardless of the challenges you face, do not become discouraged."(Elder Quentin L.Cook, Ensign. May 2012)

Thankful Thinking: Lady Slipper's New Word: "Sad"

Yesterday, Lady Slipper began to say "I sad" with the cutest little tears in her eyes.   I had never heard her say that before.  She used to run up to me and bounce up and down hanging on to my legs or my skirt and begging with her arms up, "huds huds" (hugs) until I would pick her up.

Later that same day, Moring Glory had to go to the Dr. with an injured thumb and found out it was broken and would require a cast from thumb to elbow probably all summer.  While trying to be brave, a few tears still began to fall after hearing that news and her observant little sister used her new word, "sad, sad" and gave Morning glory a great big hug right there in the doctor's office.  That helped Morning Glory to start laughing and she was ready to have the temporary splint put on.

I am thankful for little ones and their cute first words.  I feel that Lady Slipper learning that particular word today was a special blessing.  What a wonderful memory.

Thanks for sharing that cute new word with us, Lady Slipper!
Thanks for your bravery, Morning Glory!
I am so thankful for both of you being part of our family.

Love,
Mom

Truly Tender : Innovative Flossing

My Lady Slipper discovered sister's colorful flossers and very methodically began sliding them one by one under the door. What an example of finding joy in simple things, not to mention the excruciating patience involved :)

I love being a mom!

Be Inspired,

Moroni Men and Wise Women Revere the Priesthood

All Moroni Men need the Priesthood of God in order to most effectively do God's work.  Why should Women also revere and understand and support the priesthood? One simple answer is that Without the power of the priesthood, no one, including women, would have the blessings of the true Church of Jesus Christ. I first really began to realize that women need to really study about the priesthood too when I heard a talk by President Boyd K. Packer (The Power of the Priesthood, Ensign May 2010)

Here are some wonderful quotes from Teachings of President George Albert Smith, Chapter 5:  

• In the days of the Savior, He was the presiding authority. Next to Him came a quorum of twelve men, chosen by Him. When He passed away, the Quorum of Twelve, not a number of ordinary men who called themselves disciples, but a quorum of twelve men who possessed divine authority and had received it from Jesus Christ, became the leadership of the Church
• The priesthood … is a blessing that, if we are faithful, will open the doors of the celestial kingdom and give us a place there to live throughout the ages of eternity. Do not trifle with this priceless blessing.The priesthood … is a blessing that, if we are faithful, will open the doors of the celestial kingdom and give us a place there to live throughout the ages of eternity.
• When the time came and the world had lost the authority or Priesthood, the Lord called a humble boy and gave him a heavenly manifestation and talked to him, told him what he should do, and sent other messengers and heavenly beings from time to time, the result of which was the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in that Church was deposited divine authority. …
  When Joseph Smith was a young man the Lord directed him to translate the Book of Mormon. On one occasion when Joseph and Oliver Cowdery were translating, the Lord sent a holy being to answer their questions about baptism. Who was he that came? John the Baptist, who held the Aaronic Priesthood. Where did he come from? He came from heaven. … He appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as a glorious resurrected being. He came directed by our Heavenly Father to confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph and Oliver, for it was not to be found any place in all the world. It was necessary that the heavens open and a man who had held the Priesthood, and still held it, should come and confer it.
• Your mission is a very remarkable one, you men who bear the Priesthood. Upon you has been conferred divine authority. You did not obtain your right to preach and teach the gospel and officiate in its ordinances as a result of training in a college or university. You received your authority from men divinely commissioned to act as servants of the Lord, and it was conferred upon you by those who received it direct from Jesus Christ our Lord
• Wherever you go, keep in mind the fact that you represent him who is the author of our being. The priesthood that you hold is not the priesthood of Joseph Smith, or Brigham Young, or any other men who have been called to leadership of the Church at home or abroad. The priesthood that you hold is the power of God, conferred upon you from on high. Holy beings had to be sent to earth … in order to restore that glorious blessing that had been lost to the earth for hundreds of years. Surely we ought to be grateful for our blessings

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Learn More about my favorite book: the Book of Mormon and request a free copy

Spiritually Saving: I Belong to the Only True Church

I echo these words of a prophet of God and know that I belong to the only true Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

"I have had men ask me: “Of what benefit is your church more than some other church?” I have tried, in a tactful way, to explain to them the difference. Any organization may band together for worship, but that does not give them divine authority. Any group of churches may mass together and organize community churches. That does not confer divine authority. Men may unite for good purposes, but authority from our Heavenly Father is only obtained in his way, and his way in former days was by calling and ordaining men and setting them apart for the work. The same thing is true in our day. …

"People should be made to understand that just to bow before the Lord in prayer does not give them divine authority. To live up to the requirements that are made of honesty, virtue, truth, etc., does not give them divine authority. … It is not sufficient that we pray, that we attend church. It is necessary that we possess divine authority, and it is the claim that we possess that authority that has brought upon this Church much of the persecution that has followed it from the beginning. But it is the truth and many of our Father’s children are beginning to observe the effect of divine authority in this Church. They see the development that is made in the lives of men and women.

"I personally do not desire to be understood to be finding fault and criticizing the people who belong to the various denominations of the world. I am thankful that there are in so many of them good men and good women who believe in him and with the light that they have serve God; but the fact remains that our Father has established in this world, his Church. He has conferred upon men in this day his authority, and there is no other authority in the world that he will recognize but that which he himself has instituted."

(Teachings of President George Albert Smith, Chapter 5)

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy


Learn More about my favorite book: the Book of Mormon and request a free copy

Simply A Supermom: "Be a Living Demonstration of Faith"

 "Remember's Lot's Wife" (Luke 17:32)
This short scripture was quoted at Elder Holland's BYU devotional January 13, 2009.

Apparently she wasn't just looking back, but in her heart she was wanting to go back. (paraphrased)
It's possible that Lot's wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord at what she was asked to leave behind. Her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. I plead with you not to dwell on the past . . .it is to be learned from but not lived in . . .

Faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths that will yet be efficacious in our lives. Lot's wife did not have faith. She doubted the Lord's ability to give her something better. . .

"Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be" Robert Browning

Let every day be the start of a new year and a new life.

Can I trust in the Lord and in the future?  or would it be better to go back--to go home--like Lot's Wife. Faith is for the future.  Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and the God truly is the high priest of goood things to come. . . all filled with faith, hope, and charity.  keep your eyes on your dreams.  Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform . . I leave a blessing on you, every single one of you, to be able to keep that resolution. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Family Friendly : Lehi's Dream

While Lehi’s vision includes all people, the culminating doctrinal concept is the eternal significance of the family. “The family is ordained of God. It is the most important unit in time and in eternity.” As Lehi partook of the fruit of the tree of life (the love of God), he was desirous that his “family should partake of it also.” (Elder Quentin L. Cook, Ensign May 2012)

I am So Thankful Our Desires Count

I am so thankful for the two daughters I have been blessed with. They are miracles in my life. I thought often of them as I studied President Packer's talk from last General Conference entitled "And a Little Child shall Lead Them." (Ensign May 2012) I also thought of the many years I wanted more children but was blessed with one precious daughter, followed by two miscarriages, then another miracle daughter, followed by three more miscarriages. . .I am so thankful that all of us who truly desire to be parents and who never give up hope, will someday have that blessing. I can only imagine the heartache of my friends who have that wonderful desire and have not yet been given that blessing for varying reasons. President Packer's words are full of insight and hope:

“At least you want children, and that desire will weigh heavily in your favor in your earthly lives and beyond because it will provide spiritual and emotional stability. Ultimately, you will be much better off because you wanted children and could not have them, as compared to those who could but would not have children.”

"Still others remain unmarried and therefore childless. Some, due to circumstances beyond their control, are raising children as single mothers or single fathers. These are temporary states. In the eternal scheme of things—not always in mortality—righteous yearning and longing will be fulfilled.

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:19)"

June Mini-Mission: Sustain Family Members

As I read the First Presidency Message today, I was inspired to take a different direction in my planned mini-mission for this month.  I want to find more joy in my life by learning to better sustain my family members in their family callings, as I do all those around me in their church callings. President Eyring states, "Even though the Lord calls His servants by revelation, they can function only after being sustained by those they are called to serve." If I want my family to survive and then thrive, I must learn to effectively sustain.

What are some specific ways to sustain?

• Accept differences and weaknesses with patience and meekness.
• Help those I sustain
• Pray daily for those I sustain
• Thank them for their contributions to my life

Be Inspired,
 Janelle Joy

Photo courtesy of Rebsumner.com.  Do not copy

Worthy Wife: Faith in Happily Ever After

I have often struggled with the uncomfortable feelings of dissatisfaction with the unrealized expectations I have had about aspects of my life, particularly about my exceedingly high expectations of the beauty and joy of marriage. The daily evidence, at least according to my perception, of failure to achieve the feeling I desire of constant connection with my husband in our unity in love for God and for each other and our family; unity of purpose and direction; and unity of desires for righteousness, have led me to many moments of dissatisfaction and disappointment. I have often faced moments where I begin to feel the stirrings of doubt in my ability to humbly and contentedly accept and follow the leadership of my husband as he continues to strive to lead in righteousness.

I have realised that I do not have this same challenge constantly in other aspects of my life, so there must be a way to apply that ability in my role as a wife.  Through many callings (voluntary assignments) in the Church, I have learned to follow leadership humbly and contentedly even when I perceive weakness or very different points of view--somehow I am still able to feel one with my Church leaders and follow their counsel and direction. I am able to see past the struggles of the moment with faith in the inspiration from  God which led to each person being given their particular assignment within the "family" of the Church.  I sustain those people in their callings by following them. I have  also been able to face my own weaknesses and lack of confidence and meet the challenges of my responsibilities within those callings with faith and endurance. That ability has continued to grow over time and through the varied callings I have experienced.

How can I apply that knowledge and experience to my most important callings (President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign May 2012) within my own family?  I believe that the answer lies in having enough faith, hope and charity to accept the "enabling power of the atonement" (Elder David A Bednar, Ensign, April 2012) in my own life and faith that that power extends to every member of my family who will choose to accept it.  I must remember that I am at the beginning of the journey of marriage and "happily ever after" doesn't happen while in this life but right now I am in the work of creating that "happily ever after" during my own "once upon a time" at the beginning of my marriage story ("Your Happily Ever After" by Dieter F. Uchtdorff, Ensign May 2010).

Maybe the level of challenge I face with my calling as a wife is because of it is a calling of much greater importance?  Perhaps it is because I have had expectations of perfection during the probationary and practice period of marriage?  I know I made the correct choice in choosing my husband and in choosing to marry him for eternity within the temple.  So now, I must continue in faith that through the Atonement of Christ, I do find joy in marriage now and will find it even more fully in the future as long as I never stop striving in faith to be a worthy wife.

Related Article: "Celestial Marriage" by Bruce R. McConkie

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Truly Tender: Looking Back

Lady Slipper loves going places with Daddy and Morning Glory, but today I felt a special motherly connection as she stopped and looked back every few seconds as she ran down the pathway just to wave and to see if I was still watching.  I stayed until we couldn't see each other anymore . . .

Awwwwww I love being a Mom!!!!!!!  I love you my Lady Slipper, you are such a beautiful blessing in my life!

Be Inspired,

Moroni Men and Wise Women Turn Their Hearts to the GPS of the Atonement

Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk from General Conference April 2012 inspired me. Here are several of the thoughts I had after listening to his talk:

Have your heart turned to the Lord. Remove any of your fear with faith.

No career can bring you as much fulfillment as rearing a family. Read often The Proclamation on the Family and follow it.

Self sustaining vs self reliant. Draw upon the help of the Lord. It is good to work towards being self-sustaining in the things we are capable of doing, but if we begin to believe we should not need the help of others, we are in great danger of being deceived.

The church is the scaffolding from which we build eternal families.

Most importantly,Reach for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and you will always have a spiritual GPS to tell you where you are and where you are going.

Family Friendly : Examples of Prayer

"Religious observance in the home blesses our families. Example is particularly important. What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say. When I was nearly five years old, my mother received word that her younger brother had been killed when the battleship on which he was serving was bombed off the coast of Japan near the end of World War II. This news was devastating to her. She was very emotional and went into the bedroom. After a while I peeked into the room to see if she was OK. She was kneeling by the bed in prayer. A great peace came over me because she had taught me to pray and love the Savior. This was typical of the example she always set for me. Mothers and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example." (Elder Quentin L. Cook, Ensign May 2012)