Random Thoughts

In the last couple of days I have been thinking a bit about some different things. When I was unmarried with no kids I of course had misconceptions about marriage, parenting, keeping a balance within life,etc. I tried to realistic but without any first hand experience it was hard to imagine what others lives really were like. On Sunday night Rob and I watched a old Cary Grant film called "The Grass is Greener" - it was an interesting film about a woman who has an affair with her husband having full knowledge. So what does that have to do with what I am talking about - well, there is a line in the film where the adulterous wife says "I had a perfectly happy life until you came along" speaking to the man she had the affair with. For me I was happy before Rob came around but my life is much more full, much more meaningful and happy now that he is here. Here is where I put it all together for you - I have learned that it is super easy in this day of blogs, facebook and the like to see others lives as "greener". That so and so has such happy looking children, who must actually obey and be pleasant all of the time. They talk about going on trips and on dates so they must have such a happy and wonderful marriage. Well, I do hope that there are children somewhere that are as good for their parents as for the primary teachers and marriages that are almost perfect. But that is not my life and that is alright. I have a very loving husband who I get mad at when I am tired, sick, hormonal or just grumpy. I have children that are not perfect and seem to know how to push my buttons oh so well. But I love my life and for me I have to remember that I have to make it greener on this side. The best advice I got before getting married and inheriting 5 kids was from Sister Laura Jost, whom I love, admire and adore - she is a make it greener on this side of the fence type of woman. In referring to my marriage and the relationship with the kids she simple stated: "It will be what you make it." So, it is up to me to make it greener on my side - to be upbeat, not allow things to bother me or get frustrated about things out of my control then it will go better. If I respect, love and walk through life with my husband than he will do the same for me. If I love, care for, play with and encourage the children they will react and in the end (something that feels very far off at times) they will be the same. Oh, how grateful I am for that wonderful woman, her example and her simple words of counsel. Thanks Sister Jost!
Last night for FHE Marlissa (AKA me) taught about following the Spirit. We have a wonderful Stake President - he was my Bishop twice - once when I was 13 and once when I was in YSA. Two Sunday's ago we had ward conference and he told the kids a story about how at the age of 7 the Spirit instructed him to do something that saved his life. The kids were very impressed by the story and I have used it several times to talk about the Holy Ghost. So we talked about that, we talked about President Monson and his amazing example of following the Spirit. The kids remembered that President Monson didn't follow a prompting once a of man calling for him from his death bed because he was int eh middle of a Sunday meeting and when he did get to the hospital the brother had already passed on. That President Monson decided then and there to always act when he received a prompting. Then we talked about the RS President in California that listened to a prompting and helped Aunt Shelly while Bella was sick. I asked who they knew that were good examples of following the Spirit and the kids named me - well, I wish that I could claim something like that - I will work hard to be worthy of that statement. In "The Friend" this month is a nice story about how a Elder in Germany (during WWII) helped to get out all 31 other missionaries serving in Germany. It flowed so nicely into the lesson. It is nice when a plan comes together!
I am sure you are tired of my random thoughts today - I will be trying to post more often and use this blog more like my other one used to be - just now a combo.
We sent out Christmas letters/pictures and 7 month past due wedding announcements last week - if you didn't get one and wanted one please leave a comment.