My Happiness Project

Return and Report!

These are my 5 Strengths, I would also refer to them as my strongest weaknesses!

My Friend Urlene and I started a smash book to record and document to make a fun place to see our progress our resolve to dig in to My Happiness Project.  She told me about Gretchen Rubin and her books and I fell hard!  Urlene loves me and so she indulged me setting up these books of ours my last visit to Arizona, you should have seen us, it was quite a mess both the room and us!! I was enlightened to see how much she cared about me, this isn't something she wanted to do! I watched her work at it staying there processing this project idea, I want her to know I appreciated that she did this with me - I don't know how I would have started it without her.
Solitude is a weird thing, I've had my share of it these last 3 years, done some serious soul searching.  These books of GR are amazing and fit to my personality I can relate to her so much, anyway ... Because I'm not a reader, if you know me - you know that, it jumps out at me that I can attempt to use her pattern and find my Happiness, my purpose added to and upon the things I've been taught, my upraising and my current emptynester status.  This list is the first of the things I want to learn about, character traits I want to develop, and the person I want to find down deep within.

and this is where I start.
What is a Patriarchal Blessing?   https://www.lds.org/topics/patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng

The #4spendidtruths These are from her Book(s) and she talks about them in her YouTube videos http://gretchenrubin.com/ this is a great place to go and learn from her

My inspiration comes when I'm reading from The Light of Scriptures

Ok so I don't have my own 12 commandments yet these are Gretchen's http://gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2009/09/twelve-commandments-of-happiness/

I hope to have my own 12 commandments at the end of this project.  After completing my first month (Nov and Dec of this year are going now to be considered my practice months!!) I think one of my commandments will be Don't Give Up, if you didn't write yesterday write today. Writing, Logging, recording, documenting somehow some way will help me not give up.

I just like this paper! It will have a cool picture on it before this is over!!!

I love her #SecretsofAdulthood
I will apply these and read them often.  I have added to this page the following list for my secrets of Adulthood.  

1. Pray everyday everyday everyday Pray asking what should I pray about! Pray for my kids!
2. Move the Body!
3. Minimize time screen time - evaluate daily
4. remember mom taught me to write thank you cards  - Say Thank you everyday.
5. Spend Time Outside make myself go outside everyday everyday everyday
6. Unplug  (I don't know how long yet but I know everyday everyday everyday that I need to)
7. Do service and this doesn't count my chores!
8. Have a good clean joyful laugh (this one is hers, but I like it I don't know how to do it)
9. Use your talents always searching and maybe adding new ones
10. Live with who I am sleepwise be productive
11. Don't look back longingly
12. Read more Learn more Apply knowledge

This is a great guideline for Happiness also
Proverbs 31:10-31 I want to be that woman

The first 2 practice months and first 4 months
 Main Resolution with subgoals

the next 8 months FamilyisForever Nov and Peace Dec.

So Stay tune and I shall return and report my progress of #MyHappinessProject the coming of self.

Today I Cry

Today I Cry

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy -Psalms 126:5

I do not know why

 it's unknown today why I cry

look at me - I shake, I cry.

I cry to blog and share why I cry!

I cry for friends and family

I cry because I have a headache.
I cry because I'm offended.

I cry to God because of this dark world in which we live.

I cry because I weigh too much.

I cry for protection for each of the ones I love.

I cry for my babygrands!

I cry to know and appreciate my heritage.

I cry in joy!!

I cry because I see skin that is wrinkled and old :(

I cry grateful to be alive!!

I cry to better show the love I feel for my neighbor.

I cry because I'm jaded.

I cry for that 17 year old inside me to LIVE ON!

I cry in sorrow for those I've hurt.

I cry for the pain I caused my Savior.

I cry because I've let myself get out of control.

I cry in celebration and appreciation of the rivers and the trees.

I cry for my mom.

I cry for that LIGHT that sometimes I let go of willfully and even at times unknowingly.

I cry because I let you go.

I cry because I miss my children.

I cry because I am so DANG PROUD of my kids!

I cry out in sadness being left alone here.

I cry when I find a black striped suit in the closet size 38L.

I cry because I have Not One Cousin!

I cry asking why is it that I have not one cousin and never have?

I cry because my hair is not doing what I want it too! or to? I know it's not 2!!

I cry because I miss him.

I cry for my parents and my siblings, I cry they are in a good place.

I cry in prayer for those I've lost.

I cry for those that need rescue, how do I save them?

I cry in prayer for their return.
I cry because I have offended someone, I cry for forgiveness.
I cry because I'm genuinely happy!

I cry to know family that live far away...

I cry again, asking how do I be a strong link to them from so far away?

I cry in gratitude for blessings I have.

I cry grateful to live in this beautiful place.

I cry because I see that I have so much,

 truly I am blessed and yet I still ... cry!

I do not know why

it's unknown today why I cry

look at me - on my knees, I cry.

I cry when I see this, for this is how I feel today! Thank you internet for sharing!

Lots of Diversity

Variety is the Spice of Life...

We headed for Chinatown from Wall street We walked - it was kinda nice to just walk from place to place to sight see in slow motion.  It gives you a different perspective!  The culture and diversity being very vivd and outspoken on these streets surrounded by people and buildings on this Island.

"No man is and Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of they friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee"  john donne

 Austin had the bright idea that we needed to get a foot massage!

We found the place and it was wonderful!  by the time we decided to get back massages too, they were full! Booked up!  People just kept coming in the door while we were relaxing!  So we headed out and we were hooked!  We had to have more :) so we kept walking til we found another place we liked and went in for a back rub!  It was so fun and I recommend it any time you are visiting Chinatown in New York City!  Hallelujah, Austin - Brilliant Idea!!!

Then we were ready to walk again and HUNGRY for Dinner! so off to

Little Italy

It was beautiful. 


We did exert ourselves! Did I mentioned we walked alot!!!???








 Lombardi's!

It tasted delightful!  We were put in the upstairs back room looking out to someones porch and laundry!  We were definitely in the CITY!

The Colors of Italy and Christmas just match so it must be Christmas all year long!  But seriously it was still decorated when we were there!!!

Smile for the camera Austin!  Yes I am taking more pictures!

Austin and His Dad Dig in!

Bella Ferrara for Canolli  - The BEST!!! on Grand in Little Italy - I highly recommend it!   Delicious! 
Of course I could eat it, because I'd walked like 20 miles that day ;) 
But I definitely WANT another One someday!!!


Remember
"Strength lies in differences not similarities"

     -Steven Covey



What an experience!  Thank you Again.

31 Days of 31 Christmas' - 2012

What can I say about the year 2012?  

I can say this COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS for they are MANY!

Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

My first quote in my calendar for the year is this: “Any attempt to compel behavior is accompanied by withdrawl of the spirit and decreased effectiveness”.  –Merrill

Applicaable for the year ahead, little did I know what was ahead for us this year.  My “keyword” for the year that I had picked to focus on was “Perspective”, I have a whole knew perspective now of sooooo many things, even in my old age and 31 years of family life.  "We can learn to love again" pink, I "believe in the forgiveness of sin and redemption of ignorance" a. stevenson and "he that is without sin let him (or her) cast the first stone" Jesus Christ.

I notice in my journal that one of my goals for the year was to loose 40 pounds by April!  I’m sure I gained 40+ pounds by April!!!  A very stressful 4 months.  Reading thru my journals is interesting, I pray my kids are writing – keeping records – for it is very insightful looking back definitely a learning tool.  As I have been reading and posting 31 Days of 31 Christmas’ I have struggled with how much I “posted” in each years Christmas letter telling people stuff they didn’t need to know or maybe even should know.  Because I did it though, I have it, I have the history (which is a blessing) plus My kids have it and I am indeed sharing it - a marriage and family evolving into what we have become, (I’m still not sure what that is, even today)!  I do know though that from it I see struggles, triumphants, failures, joy, mistakes, love, hurt, religion, lack of religion, testimony, vacations, money, "causes", the world around us, relatives, growth (we are slow learners, lots of growth!), friends, callings, and what I see today is SURVIVAL, ENDURANCE a family fighting to be a FAMILY TOGETHER FOR ETERNITY!  For that I can be grateful, count my blessings and move forward - not embarrassed for sharing as many details as I have, hoping that someone learns something and maybe grows too.

One of the things I was enlightened to from reading the scriptures this year came from King Solomon and it was that we were “moved from house to house to be where the LORD needed us to be, some moves might have been us counseling the Lord, but most were for our benefit and in the end were Joyful to the purpose”.  Somewhere along the year I was taught this “ETTE” Enjoy to the End! and that I hope my friends and family that we apply all the days of our lives...

To begin the year we were stuck in Wyoming and didn’t get home for a proper New Years Eve… that should have been a clue to the year ahead!!!  I want to preface this year with the resolve that we had made to NOT GO ANYWHERE THIS YEAR – for the sake of the budget (that didn’t really work out!).

•          We spent the first recovering from a trip home from Utah stuck in Wyoming for many many hours due to semi crash and bad weather.
•      Richard and I flew to Washington for the weekend in Jan. – during a snow/ice storm – I do love it in Washington.  I was ever so happy to go to church and see friends that I love dearly. And go to Jack in the Box both in Vancouver and in Chehalis!!!  Yippee!!!
•        We spent the next 4 months planning a wedding.
•       Ayris and Tyler moved to Utah
•       Apryl and her family struggled with unemployment for months. They came to the house just about daily up until August ;) love spending time with them and enjoying the boats, the beach and the time doing YOGA!!!!
•      Amric Graduated 4 years of seminary
•           Amric Graduated from Burke High School
• Ashlee and Dillon move to Omaha - fun to have her her, sorry we weren't better company!
•      Amric, Richard and I were blessed to travel with a “Youth Group” to Nauvoo, it was beautiful, wonderful fun experience.  Made knew friends, got to know the youth better.  The Temple is beautiful and the stories of the settlement are tremendous and tragic at the same time.  The spirit that is there is peaceful, the work and the effort, the suffering and hardship it left an undeniable mark that will imprint Testimony of a Prophet, a People and reminds us that Jesus Christ still lives.  Carthage is the saddest place ever, I felt like I was suffocating being there, seeing and hearing how he was treated.
•      I spent 6 months working on and planning “Girls Camp”. It went off without a hitch except that silly weather!!! Rains and wind, but I loved it and I believe (as I must) that the girls had a great time!!!  Soon after it was over I was released.
•       The A. Sobczaks came to visit and we got to go to Chicago with them.  Richard and I went for walks and we all enjoyed the sites, the food the hospitality of Chicago! 
•       Richard travels LOTS and LOTS doing his Appraisal Work - which by the way he still loves!
•      Amric starts his “paperwork” online to serve a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
•       Apryl and Sean, Pax, Gage and Vaughn moved to Vermont.  Sean had 3 jobs this year! with prayer and the Lord's blessing (not mine!! hehe!) they moved to Vermont :(
• Ayris gets a job working for EFY in the office scheduling teachers and such!!  loves it too by the way!!!
• Amric still working at Fuddruckers and gets a second job at Best Buy!
•       Sudden trip to Utah - Ayris and Tyler Separated.
•          Tender Mercy that the Wares  (thank you Steve and Jake) were in Salt Lake too!  "Tender Mercies" all around,  let me count the ways!!  Jenni we love you and are so grateful for your influence, sacrifice and friendship to all of us but especially to Ayris at this time.  When Austin and Anona moved to Utah they had a family emergency, but I still believe it also had to do with Ayris I've been so grateful they lived close by as she has attended school at both SUU & BYU.
• We've been blessed to attend Nauvoo, Oquirrh, Salt Lake, Draper and Winter Quarters Temples this year.
•        Draper Temple - beautiful.  Very spiritual experience there.  I know that I totally felt and heard the presence of my mom and Aunt El, I can say this - I know they are watchful for and after Ayris Joan
•        Kelly called to teach Seminary – AGAIN!
•        BYU Parents Week-End!!  The Mom (that's me!) loves being with Ayris at BYU we went on tours, went to Womens Conf. with Anona and we were Blessed to attend the Salt Lake Temple (it has definetly been a year of "the Temple" for our family and we are all grateful for that blessing).
• Austin and Amric go to Washington D.C. - Amric sneaks in a trip on his own to New York City!
•       Sammy and Felicity came to visit for 3 weeks!!!  It was wonderful.  Austin and Anona went on a cruise!  But we got to keep the kids, it was so fun.  We sang, played games, went for walks, baked - celebrated Halloween – much JOY!
•        Amric Received his mission call – Carlsbad California Mission – He reports Jan. 2, 2013.
•       Amric went to the Winter Quarters Temple Nov. 3rd – Count our blessings!
•       The family gathered for Faux Thanksgiving and to support Amric leaving for mission we were sad that everyone couldn't be here, we missed Sean and the kids! L
•   An Annulment was granted :(  But, A fresh knew start, a wonderful positive future ahead for them both.  
•       Amric gave his talk in church (see highlights and follow his blog Storminmormonazsobczak.blogspot.com for the next 2 (count 'em - TWO) years!
• Leaving to take Ayris back to school and Amric to the MTC getting in a little time with Noyes Family and Sobczaks in the process!  YAY I’m so excited!!!  
• I am sure I will cry all the way home!  I'll tell you abou that in the Jan 2nd blog!!! Stay Tune!

The Following is a collage of pictures in remembrance of 2012....

The Mom and Amric Oct 2012

Dad Sam, Cici and Firt

Samantha in Gretna

Dad and Daughter Provo Ut Aug 2012

Austin and Cici Valley Oct 2012

Pax and Apryl Valley

Cici in Draper on Parents Weekend

The Mom and The daughter on Parents Weekend BYU Sept. 2012

Matthew and Matteo

The Bean

CHicago

Sean and Vaughn in the back yard!

Vaughn and Pax back to school only this time in Vermont!

Ayris at Jenni's Aug 2012

Ayris and Mom Salt Lake City Sept 2012

Ayris gets a new phone for her birthday!

Calvin!  visits -- What a Surprise!!! 

The Ren's where else? Baseball!!!

The Cousins at Amrics Graduation

Apryl, Ayris come home for Amric Nov 2012

Faux Thanksgiving Nov 2012

Anona helps mom Landscape this is my little bit of the southwest here in Nebraska

Fall here in Valley

Felicity 

Ashley and her Family 2012 (Timmy's Grandaughter and My Great Niece!)

Tim the third! with his family! (Timmys grandson and name sake)

Nikki and her family (Timmys grandaughter)

Olaf and Dania (Judyanns beautiful baby son)

RIchard and I  at Sioux falls  March 2012

Amric Graduates!  His parents tag along for the ride!!

Bianca Ren

Ayris and Tyler go to Seattle

My little runner - GO APRYL!

Apryl Ann I miss you so much!!!

When I grow up I hope they call me on a mission!

Richard finally gets his boat!

Winter Quarters Temple .... What a blessing to have our kids there together.

Anona and Austin with Sammy and Cici

Tyler and Dad

Oquirrh Temple

Matthew and Marcella (Judyanns Oldest Son)

Amric is fulfilling Uncle Tom's prophecies with Girls and Blackeyes!
 (see his christmas card quote in 1999 letter)

Ayris goes to the Oquirrah Temple Parkers and Noyes came in support

Apryl and The Dad as she left for vermont

Oquirrh Temple

Ayris and Dad

Zane instructs Austin in Utah at lunch!

Gage - isn't he cute!

Apryl and Pax

Just love the shoes

Apryl and The Mom Love the shoes!

Matteo is blessed in Mexico

Vaughn so somber

Amric in the back yard! with his graduation present!!

The family comes together to support Amric as he goes to the Temple and
Prepares to serve the LORD on a 2 year mission.

Count your blessings - 

I know I am counting mine, as this years perspective seems to be how blessed we are.

"Count your blessings.  Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace strength, courage and confidence."  Og Mandino

Hugs to all and to all a Good night and Great New Year 
Please, bless us all with a even better than 2012 - 2013!!!