April Flowers

The little April flower
That blooms with all it's might
Stays with us for a season
Then disappears out of sight.

But that little April flower
Remains with us all year round
It's bulb is firmly planted
Deep in the earthen ground.

The bulb is our reminder
That the April flower will come again
When the cycle of life returns
After Winter's cold has come to an end.

That little April flower
Finds it's way back home
And once again it blooms
Reassuring us that we're not alone.

Self Reflection

I've been thinking about my life lately and how I want to better myself. We live in a world where there is so much garbage attacking us from the outside that it's hard to focus on what's on the inside. 

I came across this counsel from President Thomas S. Monson (read full conference talk here) that really spoke to me.

1. Fill your mind with truth;
2. Fill your heart with love;
3. Fill your life with service. 

This is how I want to live my life.  As I reflect on where my life is right now, I know I have a lot of work to do to turn it into the life I want to live.

Bring it on!

The Twirl Onesie

Some good friends of mine just had their first child, a sweet little boy.  I decided that they needed a one of a kind gift.  The new dad has always loved tie quilts.  He twirls the yarn in his fingers until it's threadbare.  So I set out to create this look in a onesie.

I started out with a plain white onesie and got to work.  I didn't really have a set pattern.  I used a yarn darner needle and some turquoise yarn from Joannes. 

Here is my finished product.  I call it the Twirl Onesie.

When it Rains

Last night it was raining
And I thought of you
Of the promise we made
Many years ago
Before time and distance
Kept us apart
A promise to always
Come when it rains
A promise that can't be kept
So instead, I think of you.

Dear Grandma

It was my Grandma's 80th Birthday last week.  To celebrate, I wrote her this poem:

Dear Grandma

You have always been a special friend

dear grandma

Someone who loves unconditionally

Your home has always been a haven

dear grandma

A place where love is abundant

Your heart is full of gratitude

dear grandma

For loved ones young and old

You are an example to me and others

dear grandma

For a life full of service and kindness

I love you so much

dear grandma

For sincerely loving me.

My Word of the Year 2012

For the past few years I have wanted to focus on one word for the year.  I know a lot of other bloggers do this, specifically Ali Edwards and Leigh Anne from Your Homebased Mom.  I'm not exactly sure who came up with this idea, but I think it is a great way to start the new year.  The word I chose for this year came to me while I was on an early morning bike ride in September.  The thought occurred to me that while many cyclists listen to their ipods while riding, I enjoyed listening to the sounds around me.  Then in October during General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the word listen kept coming to my mind.  I wrote a poem that was based on what I was thinking and feeling that day, and during my bike ride a few weeks earlier. I posted the poem back then, but I'm going to post it again.  My word for this year is LISTEN.

Listening

Listening is more than hearing
The words that are spoken
Listening is sensing things
That others can't see or hear
Listening is following your heart
When your mind tells you not to
By listening with your heart
Instead of your ears
You can hear the messages
That are hidden inside
The words that weren't spoken.

Therapy

While many people pay the big bucks to go speak to a therapist to sort out their problems.  I tend to lean on a different type of therapy.

Meet my therapist.  Her name is Betty White.

(Source)

No, not that Betty White.  Although that would be pretty awesome!  She was a grief counselor when she played the character "Rose" from Golden Girls, so I'm sure she'd be qualified, but I digress.

My therapist is my bike.  Meet my bike, her name is Betty White. 

I've been wanting to get a road bike for years, and I was finally able to get one this year.  Nothing feels better than the freedom of riding a bike.  I used to ride a bike everywhere I went as a child and into my teen years.  Then I turned 16, and had no need for a bike, or so I thought.

I found as I rode my bike that if I was frustrated or mad about something, I usually worked it out in my head while I rode.  My husband always listens to headphones when he rides, but I found that by listening to the sounds around me, and listening to myself, that I was able to clear my mind of all the junk.

Now that it's winter and 20 degrees outside, I am missing my trusty therapist.  But come Spring, we'll have our 2-3 sessions per week, and all will be right with the world.  Until then I'll just watch some Golden Girls reruns and eat popcorn.