Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: December 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Wanna Play?

Update Update: One more thing... make sure you label your posts somehow with 52 Photowalks in 2010 or whatever so we know which posts are for this! :)

Update: I'm so excited about the response! It'll be fun to have so many friends doing it too, so we can keep each other going. :) I've been adding you to my sidebar, so please let me know if you want a different link to your name, like if you're starting a separate blog just for this project, or if you want to put them in a facebook photo album instead. Also, if you miss more than a couple of weeks, I'll take your name off the side... not to be rude, but to keep you accountable, AND to keep the list current, so if anyone looks they won't wonder why the heck your name is there.

I'll still add more names if anyone else is interested!! The more the merrier. :) You can also modify for yourself if you need to... for example, Jason is doing 12 photowalks in 2010. Just tell me if you're doing something like that so I don't remove you unnecessarily. :) I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

One of my resolutions for 2010 (how do you guys say 2010 anyway... two thousand ten, or twenty ten? I must know SOON!) is to improve my photography and to continue learning and growing... I've kind of lost that drive to take photos of anything and everything (busy fall portrait season will do that to you) and I wanted to think of something that would keep me working throughout the year. I briefly considered 365 photos (a picture a day) but I KNOW it wouldn't happen, and it would end up being more stress than it's worth. Soooo.... I saw this somewhere, and I can't even remember where, so I can't credit it, but I would LOVE all of you photographers (or anyone with a camera) to join me!

My goal for the year: 52 Photowalks

And for the rules:

1. Go for a "walk" or drive, or whatever, once a week with the main purpose of taking photos. (Or bring your camera along on something you're already doing, or walk to your back yard... and it doesn't have to be exactly once a week, but roughly once a week.)

2. Take a photo, or two, or 200. Post your favorite, or two, or 200. Edit them if you wish. (I'll be editing mine... I like to practice that end of it too.)

3. That's it.

I know that the rules are really strict... but I think it will be a lot of fun anyway. ;) If you'd like to join me, let me know, and I'll link you on my sidebar. Then we can all look at each other's journeys throughout the year. Sound fun? Say yes!

Friday, December 18, 2009

It Was the Worst of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

2009... a year that I won't be sad to say goodbye to. I think this has been a hard year for almost everyone I know... and that has made it all that much harder for me. I don't think I've been very nice or compassionate or helpful to anyone else this whole year, and I really feel bad about that. I'm sorry if I've not been there for any of you when you needed me... I was struggling to keep my own head above water, and although I know that's not a good excuse, it is what it is.

I was talking to Brandon the other day about how this year, more than any other, I've felt like I haven't been able to stay on top of anything... I've felt like every part of my life has been a struggle, except for one. I've done a pretty good job this year of exercising. Yeah, that's a good thing, but when that's the ONLY thing I've felt that I've done well? Sounds pretty pathetic and selfish, I think.

I've let my kids down, I've let Brandon down, I've let my house go, I've let my friends and family down, I've been ornery, tired, unproductive, and I've really felt that I let my Heavenly Father down this year. We all know that if we're not feeling very close to Him, there's no question about who has moved. I've begged for answers through all of our tough times this year and have felt like there were no answers. I've only felt that we've made mistake after mistake with life decisions, and we can't undo most of them.

The good thing (yes, this post isn't going to be a complete downer) is I've started to see the light... I have felt that 2010 CAN be a good year, and there is hope. I'm actually feeling like I might be able to be a better wife and not complain. I might be able to be a better mom and show my kids more love. I might be able to be a better sister, daughter, friend, and look outside of my own self every once in awhile. I might be able to stay on top of the housework and laundry... sometimes. (We're not going to get any miracles here! ;) I am so excited for a new year... a fresh start. I love chances to start over and just put the past behind me.

So, although 2009 was full of blessings... I do recognize that... I would like to say, goodbye and good riddance. And I hope I never see another year like it.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Big Fat Sigh

I've been back in the running groove again... to the point where I'm up to almost 8 miles on my long runs, and smiling all the way through it. My body craves running, and I don't want to stop.

Then.... winter comes. I've been determined to run right through the winter, and so far I've done it. I've run when the temperature is in the low teens. I've run through snow. I loved every minute of those runs... I even throw my jacket off. It's no big deal.

BUT, when it's negative degrees? Is it even healthy? I'm most worried about my toes... they usually take about 4 miles to warm up anyway. I don't want to lose the running love I've built up, and if I don't run consistently, it's gone.

Okay, I know there is such thing as a treadmill, but here's the problem. Our treadmill is in Draper right now, stored at Grandpa's house. If I bring it here, it has to be in the boys' already crowded bedroom. There's really not room. And yes, there are treadmills at the gym, but guess what? I don't have access to them unless I pay for a membership. (Unfortunately that's not a perk for working there.) I don't want to pay for a membership just for the times this winter where the temperature will be in the negatives. (Not to mention that I HATE running on a treadmill!)

Soooo... the big fat sigh. What's a girl to do? I know, most of you think I'm crazy, but really I'm LESS crazy when I get to run. ;)

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

I Heart Faces...Sweet Dreams Challenge

Nothing sweeter than a little cowboy all tuckered out. ;)

Click on the button to see some more sweet dreams!

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Christmas Idea

My mom has been making dolls like crazy, and has 21 beautiful porcelain dolls at her Etsy shop, Yesterday's Dolls. I just thought some of my friends might need an idea for Christmas... go check them out! Good luck, Mom!

For Holly & Melissa

Holly, I've been working on your photos... you guys look GREAT! I hope you love them! I should be done in the next couple of days... here's a teaser. :)

Melissa, you can save these photos to your computer. If you want higher resolution of any of them, let me know and I'll put them on a disc for you.

‎"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." — Marianne Williamson

To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche