Author Archives: joyful_admin

Family History Friday (FHF): Maps!

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I love maps!! I REALLY love maps. I don’t remember liking geography in school, but I need to know where things are now. If I hear of a place, any place, just talking to people I run into and finding out where they’re from, and I don’t know where it is, I look it up as soon as I can. I have an
atlas by my nightstand!
Does that tell you anything? Thankfully, this is a very convenient thing for doing Family History. When you research a relative you start with what you know, where you know they lived. If, for instance, they lived in a particular area for work, or because they parents lived there for work, they may move if the work is unavailable there.They may move for another reason, like for religious freedom, a common reason people came to the United States. Sometimes they moved, but not far at all, like to the next town or hamlet. It may be only a few miles down the road. When all the places the family has lived are located on a map it is easy to see the overall area or areas the family spent their lives. It gives you a visual of how the family migrated from place to place. When you have a map like this in front of you, you can see new research possibilities come to light. You can see the surrounding cities, counties, parishes, provinces or even countries. Try it! It’s really fun! Happy Family History Friday. Love, Joy

Enjoy "Here" While You’re "Here".

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Time has always been an issue for me. I either don’t feel like I have enough of it or I wish it would go faster. (I know, I know, make up yer mind. ) When the kids were all little it was hectic and out of control. The typical busy life that all moms lead. We went from chaos in the morning: everybody out of bed, breakfast fixins all over the kitchen, then flying out the door to drop the older kids off at school. Then errands, clean house, do a project or two, play and read with the little ones. Then pick up the kids from school, lessons (for us it was gymnastics), then home to fix a healthy and quick dinner. Sometimes more quick than healthy. There was always many things going on in the evenings as well. In fact when I was in the middle of it, I remember thinking, “it will be nice when all the kids are in school, maybe life will slow down alittle. HaHa. I remember hearing older and wiser moms say, “Enjoy it while they’re little, they grow up way too fast!”

About 8 years ago

(my baby is now 15 and my oldest just turned 23)

Then I would usually smile & say “I know, I’ve heard that before.” One thing I have learned in my life is that you can’t go back. I really do miss those children, keep in mind, I still live will all of them. The older version of them. They’re still the same wonderful kids. So now that I’m an older and somewhat wiser mom, this is my advice to young mothers with small children, Enjoy “here” while you’re “here”, cause you can’t enjoy “here” when you’re “there”.
In other words smile and enjoy everyday and love them, hug and kiss them, and don’t worry about the things that just don’t matter. They’re growing every second. I am so thankful to the moms who told me to enjoy them while they’re little. And most of all I’m so grateful I have had the blessing to be a mother. Love, Joy

The things we say

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I heard a story of a man who spread falsehoods and slandered the name of a wise man in his town. The man who spread the falsehoods decided to go to the wise mans home and ask forgiveness. The wise man, knowing that the man couldn’t possibly understand the gravity of what he had done, told him to go to his home and cut a feather pillow and let the feathers blow in the wind. Then come back and see me. He did so and came back to the wise mans home.
“Did you do as I said?” asked the wise man
“yes, am I forgiven now?” answered the man.
“Just one more thing, now go gather all the feathers that came out of the pillow.” said the wise man.
The man then insisted that it would be impossible to gather all of the feathers, the wind had scattered them everywhere. The wise man then told the man that even though he wanted to take back everything he had said, the damage had been done and it was impossible, just like it was impossible to gather all the feathers.
When we’re placed in a situation where we’re tempted to say something about someone, remember these things that are tried and true:
T-Is it true?
H-Is it helpful?
I-Is it inspiring?
N-Is it necessary?
K-Is it kind?
Of course even if we know something is true about someone, we don’t always need to share it. Is telling someone else something you’ve heard about an individual a kind thing to do? Not usually, unless, it is necessary. What if they need help? Remember Thumper from the Disney show “Bambi”, when his mother scolds him for what he says to Bambi. She asks him to repeat what it is his father told him. And he says, “if you can’t say somethin nice, don’t say nothin at all”
An important part of telling the truth is not repeating something that is clearly not the thing that was said. Especially in politics. Things are taken out of context all the time. Listen carefully to what was said, if you are going to quote someone.
My mom reminded me of these three rules, and I felt like it would be an important thing to share today. We all need a reminder. So the next time an opportunity to share information you know about someone comes up, think to yourself…. if I tell what I know, is it true? is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? is it kind? and then just smile instead. Love, Joy

Family History Friday (FHF): True Love!

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Today for FHF, I want to wish my hubby
Happy Anniversary!
We have been married for 24 years and he is still my best friend.
He is the one I want to share forever with.
We had been friends for about 7 years when we finally started dating. In fact, on our first date, I wasn’t even sure if it was a date. For weeks leading up to “the date” we would talk after church, sometimes for hours. Time together has always been very comfortable, just like it was back then. Then he asked me to go to a fireside with him. In case you don’t know what that is, it’s an extra church meeting on Sunday night with a special speaker. The first thought that crossed my mind was, is this a date? And if it is, how will I know? (I have to add here that Brett was very shy, much more so than me.) I decided that if he opened the car door for me when he picked me up, then it must be a date. Sure enough, he did open the car door for me. After our first date I had a hard time not wanting to be with Brett every minute of everyday. We dated for a short while and got engaged.
And on August 7, 1985 we were married
in the Salt Lake Temple.
It was a beautiful and perfect day. The years have brought with them 4 wonderful children, a gorgeous granddaughter, not to mention, many struggles and challenges, and some disappointments. It has been hard work, but I wouldn’t trade a second of it for anything in the world. One thing that I learned early in my marriage is this; Focus on the good things about your sweetheart. He isn’t perfect, but neither am I. Spend more time thinking about all the things that make him the wonderful man that you fell in love with, and less time focusing on his flaws. Is he a hard worker? Does he come home to his family after work? Does he love God? If he does, he will be obedient to Him. That alone is a biggy. Then I know he is doing his best to be honest, faithful, considerate, and to cleave unto me and none else.
In fact, God is a partner in our marriage.
We try to live the life he wants for us and follow Him. We listen for help from Him in all aspects of our lives. Once you’ve focused on your darlin’s goodness, then be the best you that you can be. Be the type of person you want him to be to you. I know I don’t have a perfect marriage, but we love each other and we’re committed to each other forever.
I love you, Brett!!!!
Thanks for reading about part of the history if this family.
Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

My sweetest darlin!

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Today is my sweetheart’s birthday! He is
my soul mate and the love of my life.

Here is a list of ten things I love about my hubby:

10-He has beautiful steel gray eyes.

9-He is a stud puppet and very well built.

8-He is super athletic and it’s fun to watch him do sports.

7-He is very handsome.

6-He is not satisfied to just serve his family, but serves others too.

5-He is hard working and provides for his family.

4-He’s not afraid to do a load of laundry or cook a mean batch of “rice surprise”.

3-He has integrity and is true to what he knows is right and honest.

2-He loves God.

The #1 reason that I love my sweetheart is

He loves me!

I love you sweetheart! Happy Birthday!
Have a great day.

Family History Friday: NOT!

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Okay, I missed Family History Friday, but it was all for a good cause. My daughters and I had a little early Halloween. We went to a Zombie Prom. I know July 31st isn’t anywhere near October, but it was the 31st. My dear friend and her children had a fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes. It was so fun. Everyone dressed as zombies and danced. The costumes were amazing! There was a silent aution with donated items. This dance club came and did the “Thriller” dance. I must say they were awesome dancers. A great time was had by all. I am so glad I was invited to come.

Isn’t she darling!

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Isn’t she darling!! What a fun girl.

She was putting her hands under the stream of water and every once in a while she would say “woohoo!” Being a grandma is the best. Happy Thursday everyone. Love, Joy

What’s your speed limit?

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I came across this speed limit sign the other day and had to get a picture of it. I love it when I see something like this. It’s not the usual and it makes me laugh and think a little bit.

Do we try to put ourselves into categories of speed limits like

the roads we travel

in our lives.

-10 mph parking lot

-20 mph school zone

-25 mph residential

-there are even 85 mph interstate highways.

Are you going the interstate speed in your life, driving fast like a crazy person, when you’re really in a residential area? Trying to go fast and get somewhere quick, only stopping for gas, food and potty breaks. If you go fast and you’re not prepared for the trip, with the car in good working order-and yourself rested and alert, you could crash. Are we prepared for all the roads we travel? It would be a much more serious crash going 85 mph than going 25 mph.

Maybe your in a school zone, with young children and going faster that you should. I have personally never felt like I was only going 20 mph in my life. I always felt like I was going faster than I should, especially while all my kids were in school.

Maybe we all have our own personal speed at which we do our best. When I saw this sign I thought 17 mph sounds nice….not too fast not too slow, and definitely unique. I think I’m going to choose my own speed (not literally, of course). Just how fast should I go in life? It will depend on the place I’m traveling through. I will only go as fast as it is safe and enjoyable to go on the roads of my life. The older I get the slower I want to go. I really want to enjoy the ride and the scenery along the way, and spend time visiting with those I’m riding through life with. My mission president used to say, “enjoy the ride”, speaking of life and our journey here. Let’s all “enjoy the ride!” a little more than we have been. I think we all need to choose our speed wisely.

Family History Friday (FHF): Who were you named after?

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Cornwall, England
A lot of couples, when having a baby, want to pay tribute to or honor a loved one by naming their child after them. It is common all over the world. One interesting example of this is in England and Wales from around 1700-1875. The people used what is called a naming pattern. This is how it went:

The first son was named

after the father’s father,
the second son was named
after the mother’s father,
the third son was named
after the father,
the fourth son was named
after the father’s eldest brother,
the first daughter was named
after the mother’s mother,
the second daughter was named
after the father’s mother,
the third daughter was named
after the mother,
the fourth daughter was named
after the mother’s eldest sister.

This was not the always the case, however, it is a help if your ancestors used it. Some people would say, that is very confusing, especially if one or two or even more of the children died in their infancy. If this happened, it was common for the parents to name the next child the same name. Why? Because they would want the name to continue on. It was a living tribute to their loved ones. For example, there could be two or three little boys named William in the same family, which may mean that the first ones died and the last one lived to adulthood or at least until the family was through having children. I have been able to find information about my family thanks to this naming pattern. Samson and Charity’s oldest daughter was named Harriet and their second oldest son was name Henry. Guess what? That meant that when I looked for information concerning their family I would look for Charity’s mother and father’s names to be Henry and Harriet, and they were. I’m glad there are tools like this to help us find our ancestors.
Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy