Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: December 2011

Saturday, December 31, 2011

A Post about Resolutions... and Underwear

I love Resolutions... fresh starts... deciding that TODAY is the day I start my change for the better.

Last year I made it simple... I wasn't going to sweat the small stuff, and I was going to make sure Brandon had clean underwear. Well... just this morning Brandon informed me that I obviously have more clothing than the rest of the family, because they're all out. BUT... I don't sweat the small stuff, and since I have underwear, it's nothing to worry about. ;)

Let's break it down with my questions that I wrote down to help me:

-Is it really worth getting upset over?

Nope. I have clean underwear.

-Is it worth upsetting others?

Nope. I don't want to add to the upset that is already happening.

-Is it that important?

Nope. I have clean underwear.

-Is it that bad?

Nope. I have clean underwear.

-Is the situation irreparable?

There is a washer. And a dryer. So, no.

-Is it really your problem?

Nope. I have clean underwear, and they know where the washer is.

So, there you go. I think I did a pretty good job of fulfilling last year's resolutions. ;)

This year:

I'm eliminating that "b" word from my life. (And it's not that "b" word that rhymes with "witch", because I'm pretty sure that "b" word will pop up from time to time... probably at least 12 times this year.) (My new logo courtesy of Middle-Aged Mormon Man... you have to go check out his blog!)

I'm doing a crazy healthy challenge that my friend Janice sets up every year. So, I'll be doing healthy things into March, and then we'll see. I may go back to my old self. This one's a 3 month resolution. ;)

I'm going to do a 366 photo project (leap year ;)... with my phone camera. I really stink at taking photos with the phone, so I'm hoping by the end of the year I'll have figured some things out. Plus, since I already know that I stink at it, there won't be huge pressure to produce a good photo every day. I'll just have to produce a photo. Plus plus... there will be the added benefit of (hopefully) documenting my children's lives a little better. I'll be posting them on facebook, so you might want to save yourself the headache and just unfriend me now.

Last one: morning and night prayer EVERY day in 2012. Shouldn't be that hard, I know... but it is.

That's it. :) What are your resolutions for 2012?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Word I Refuse to Accept

I've thought a lot about this through the last year or so... and have decided that 2012 is going to be the year that this word vanishes from my life.

Busy.

I hate it. I always have. I cringe inside when I hear it come out of my mouth. I cringe inside when other people use it to describe me. I hate it. I hate it because it's an excuse... an excuse to shut others out, an excuse to leave out some of the important things in life, an excuse to avoid doing things we claim we want to do, and to avoid things that should be done.

When people say it about me, I never feel like it's a good thing. It feels like a criticism, even if they don't mean it that way.

We all have time to do the things that we want to do. If I say "I'm just too busy... I can't possibly do that" what it really sounds like I'm saying is that I'm doing a whole lot of things that I find much more important than you.

So, I'm changing some things in my life. The main things may seem to contradict each other, but I think you'll understand.

I am going to say no more often. There are a whole lot of things that I do that are way less important to me than, say, spending time with my kids, but I have a hard time saying no to them. I'm not going to allow so many things that are not needed into my life. I'm sure I'll still waste some time on junk, and I'll still find myself doing something for somebody or other that will make Brandon roll his eyes... but I'm going to do that less often. I'm going to spend less time on the people who don't really care about me.

I am going to say yes more often. (There's the contradiction. ;) I don't want to live in a way that people will even think to say to me that I am busy. I want to have time to go for a run with Tyler. I want to have time to go to the library for an afternoon with Cooper. I want to have time to sit on Aubrey's bed and talk for an hour. I want to have time to spend with the people who want to spend time with me, and talk to the people who want to talk to me. I want to have time to go to the temple with the girls. I want to have time to let Brandon lay on my lap while I run my fingers through his hair.

My life will still be full... very full. But it's going to be full with the things that bring me joy, and bring joy to others. I'm looking forward to a peaceful 2012. :)

Friday, December 09, 2011

Updated Photography Blog!

I've been working SO hard... hours and hours and hours... on my new photography blog. Go over and see, okay? :)

Monday, December 05, 2011

Christmas Cards!

Sorry about business on the personal blog... but my Photography Blog is under construction at the moment, and some people have been asking about these Christmas Cards. :)

I'm so excited about the Christmas Cards that I have to offer to my clients this year! I had them custom designed just for me by Charlotte at Gardunia Design! That means that my clients won't have cards the same as everyone else who goes to the local store and prints what everyone else is printing! :)

I have a few different options for ordering your very own Christmas Cards to send out to your favorite friends and family this year... and these options are available to any clients, past and present. All you have to do is let me know which photos are your favorites, I'll create your card with your photos and name, and you're set!

*Deluxe Pearl Finish 5x7 Cards with Envelopes: 25 cards/ $35*

(these are beautiful, highest quality cards printed front AND back that your loved ones will want to keep forever! You can have the back another full size photo, or send me a short personalized message to have printed on every card)

*Lustre 5x7 Cards with Envelopes: 25 cards/ $25*

(still beautiful quality, one sided)

*5x7 resolution file of your card on a disc to be sent via email, or to print as you desire: $25 per card file*

You can choose from four beautiful designs... all 25 cards will be of the same design.

*brown*

*joy*

*red bar*

*snow*

‎"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