Reflection

Every year I vow to not fall into the trap of making New Year resolutions that I know will never be kept one minute after Anar 2nd. This year, however, I would like to do something a little different. I'm going to try something different. I will reflect on some of the events of the last year and maybe figure out how 2014 can improve on 2013. Randy and I have a great relationship. We both have had some health challenges this past year that have forced us to face some harsh realities. We drink too much soda pop, eat too much unhealthy food, sit around too much. I speak for myself mainly, but it is always more fun to share the blame. PLAN: Take better care of myself ((and Randy) and quit being stupid lazy. Throughout the year I taught some piano lessons to some great kids. Some had real promise; others, not so much. What I love about these young people is they have tried to Lear something new. Some decided to give up, sme have stuck with it. One common denominator is practice, or the lack thereof. Their success is determined by their willingness to practice and the support of their parents. Without those factors, their time and energy, and mine, are completely wasted. PLAN: figure out what you want to work on and be determined to stick with it and do whatever is necessary to succeed. Temple work has been an important part of my life this year. For most of the year, I was an assistant to the coordinator. I learned a lot about what it takes to work with the temple patrons to help them bring eternal blessings to themselves and their ancestors. I love this part of my life. I partly do this because it gives me such peace in my crazy life, but I just love to be in the happiest place on earth. I also do this because I know this is where Heavenly Father wants me to be to help bring forth The second coming of the Savior. PLAN: Do the work with an eye single to His glory rather than for my own peace of mind. I will also try to get my family records in order and maybe find someone to do the work for. For about four years, I have had the opportunity to share time with a few of my little grandchildren at a program called Kindermusik. We sit on the floor in our bare feet and we sing and get up and dance (like nobody is looking), we cuddle and kiss and rock. I love my time with my babies and kind of think the feeling is mutual. The babies are growing up, and the older ones will soon be starting school and exploring new things. PLAN: I will spend one-on-one time with my grandchildren and help them know what great people I think they are and help them realize they are children of a Heavenly Father who loves them. Randy and I have some Church callings that require a lot of thought and time and support. I rely on him for input and support, and I feel I could do better in supporting him in his duties. PLAN: Listen to him more because he is pretty much always right(man, I hate to admit that). I must spend more time on my callings. I must always make sure Randy has clean, pressed white shirt! Some important decisions will be made this coming year as to our future. Retirement, kitchen remodel, travel plans, mission....all things we are thinking about. PLAN: Try not to worry too much about these things, but start working on setting some goals for the future. My list could go on, but will leave it as is. I'm sure some things will change as time goes on. One thing remains steadfast: I love my life, my family, my Heavenly Father. PLAN: Show them how much you love them!

 
Today I was talking to Rachel on the phone and out of the corner of my eye I saw something BIG fly into the pine tree above the pond. I think this is a handsome hawk who flew in to watch my cute little feathered girls. After I took its picture, I quickly ran outside and scared him off and led the girls into their pen where they could be safe. Wow, that would have been kind of sad!

Did we miss the Easter Bunny?

It really hasn't been that long since I trimmed the bushes around the fish pond! We just figured the "girls" were taking a vacation from laying or just taking turns. When the time changed in the spring it seemed that both chickens were thrown off course. Every now and then we'd find an egg in the nesting box, but the egg laying was fairly irregular for about a month. We didn't really think much of this behavior since this is our first spring with adult chickens.



Today when I was trimming the rose bushes and cleaning up the rock garden, I made some discoveries! I found two nests full of eggs in the bushes. One nest had eight eggs, and another had 10! My little hens instinctively thought it was time to sit and hatch little chicks. But since we have no rooster, no chicks arrived. Poor little girls just wanted to be mother hens!

I'm afraid this mother hen's broody days are long past and now I just hunger for the smiles and wide mouth baby kisses from the grandchildren. Life is good, and I'll enjoy gathering my hens' eggs and baby loves!