being good

We took a friend to her doctor's appointment the other day and my kids were freakishly good. It was like they were drugged (they weren't). Maren rounded up all the teddy bears and sucked her thumb. Lizzy drew. I read a book. And that was it. I just sort of wanted to document that, 'cause if stuff goes for you anything like it usually goes for me in doctors' offices, there are usually lots of pleadings, bribes, and straight up threats going down in the course of a normal visit.

There was also a very long car ride involved, for which they were complete angels. They deserved some serious ice cream after all that (besides that I just wanted some ice cream), but then after such a long time of beings soooooo good, they were catfighting and screaming at each other within 30 seconds of getting home and walking in the front door. I am totally not exaggerating. So I got really mad and put them in time out and gave them a stern lecture.

My kids are good. They really are (their Sunday school teachers are probably secretly reading this and snorting their milk out their noses right about now). But I think the not-good moments tend to cast long shadows. When they're mouthy or disobedient or fighting for 2 minutes, I swiftly and easily forget about the 2 hours they just spent being awesome.

That cold I was congratulating myself about the other day? It's morphed into a full-blown sinus infection. And I have morphed into a full-blown phsychobeast mama. My behavior towards my children has not been laudable for the past 2 days. I expect so much perfection out of my children in so many ways, all. the. time. Yet Heavenly Father forgives me again and again -- most of the time without the time outs and the lectures. He forgives me for my shortcomings, my mistakes, my unabashed rebellions -- and then gently leads me back to where I need to be. Again and again. He refreshes me -- encourages me -- builds me up. He helps me to see clearly. Again and again.

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

Doctrine & Covenants 6:36

green pond

This is my Father's world,

and to my listening ears

all nature sings, and round me rings

the music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world:

I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,

the birds their carols raise,

the morning light, the lily white,

declare their maker's praise.

This is my Father's world:

He shines in all that's fair;

in the rustling grass I hear Him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world.

Oh let me ne'er forget

that though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:

why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let the earth be glad!

On Saturday we hoofed it back to Green Pond (near Lake Bonaparte... perfect for kids and preggy peeps). This song was in my heart the whole time. I've been so preoccupied with gardening lately and my heart surged with the realization that, while I've got my little 8x9 plot in the backyard, the whole earth is God's plot of land... He is the Master Gardener and has so tenderly created every tree, every flower, every spot of mossy rock, just because He loves us. 

Perfect. Day.

the light in their eyes

This Sunday I got a special treat -- at church I got to hang out with the Young Women (ages 12-18) for part of the meeting. Their spirits are so refreshing and beautiful. There is so much light in their eyes.

We shared in the total joy of one of my favorite very messages to women, and now it's time to pass it on. 

Print it up, pass it out, hang it up!

{They're the perfect size to stick in your scriptures. Just sayin.}

{click on either image for a bigger, better, more printable version.}

Happy Monday + happy new week -- it's gonna be a good one, I can feel it.

His triumph

A thought for Sunday. 

That part -- we can tell Him nothing -- struck me so much.

It's so true.

He already knows my troubles, and yours. 

My happinesses, my wonderings, wanderings, my hard things --

He knows.

whatever the weather...

Remember, dear ones, that it is always better to look up.

I hope you find some peace tucked away in your sabbath day, whomever and wherever you might be.

god moving

I have been totally smitten this last little while with art journaling.
It is hard to move past -- there's no rules -- anything goes --
but I am starting to wrap my mind around it.
I love experimenting with different mediums that I don't properly "know" how to use
{i always wanted to go to art school}
-- tearing, pasting, painting, smudging --
and the freedom that color and dimension and no-lines-to-write-on bring.
Daisy Yellow is a blog that has been helpful in many ways --
supply suggestions, prompts, ways to get past blank-page panic.
Most of my pages so far have been pretty, well, personal, but one night I did this page
and felt such a sense of calm and peace while I drew and colored and meditated on those beautiful words.
What about you? Do you want to try it?

christmas day in the morning

It was good. It was low-key. It was lovely. Santa brought a black cat named Mischief and the girls just about flipped their wigs. Richard had them close their eyes when he went to get it, and when he came back Maren accidentally peeked and couldn't contain herself -- "a CAAAT?!??!" They love that cat and she loves them.

Church was wonderful -- makes me wish Christmas were on a Sunday every year. There were beautiful thoughts and testimonies of the Savior, and wonderful music too. And just being together with our ward family, so many beloved friends, on such a special day, even for just an hour, was so wonderful.

My friends Bryn, Martha, and I sang, too. Want to hear? We recorded this a few days beforehand. Switching up the tune was Bryn's ingenious idea. And can I just say that I really really want to play the gee-tar like Martha someday. 

Merry Christmas, friends! I hope yours was a merry one, filled with hope and peace!

uplifting download: he'll go with you

Welcome, Life Made Lovely readers! It's so nice to have you here!

With all the comings + goings of summertime, I've been thinking a lot about busyness, schedules, 

and trying to spend more time doing stuff that, you know, matters.

Sometimes it is hard for me to choose. 

What I should do -- what I want to do -- what He wants me to do -- 

they don't always align. 

But I do know that I can have Him with me, no matter what.

{click here to download}

Whatever life is handing you right now -- you can have Him with you.

He can help you.

He knows you + He loves you.

Isn't that just the greatest?

I think it is!

Hope you enjoy the print -- I'll be back soon with some super vintage finds.

I hope your week is off to a beautiful start, my friends!

general conference time!

Twice a year, my church has a worldwide general conference. You can watch it live right here today and tomorrow, or peruse audio/video/text from past conferences. Maybe you have some questions? Or feel in need of a little spiritual food. Guaranteed to nourish the soul -- good music, too!