Author Archives: joyful_admin

23 years ago

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23 years ago,

I became a mother. Happy Birthday Riley! I remember holding you when you were brand new, tears streaming down my face, wondering how it was possible to love so much. Overwhelmed at the thought of being a mom, and thinking about all the new responsibilities I would now have. It has been challenging and rewarding. I love you and I’m glad I am blessed to be your mom!
In another week it will be 2 years since I became a grandma! Being a grandma is the best, and most wonderful reward for being the mom to her dad. I love you Natasha!

Family History Friday (FHF): Heritage

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“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage. To know who we are and where we’ve come from.” -Alex Haley

Of course, many people know Alex Haley as the one who wrote the book “Roots”. It became a television series that I watched as young child. What a powerful story. You and I can see why Alex felt so much love for his ancestors. They went through so much in their lives. I also have a love for my ancestors. In fact, as I learn more about my ancestors, I can see part of them in me. I really wonder, is it because the trait I see in me is in the DNA, or just a coincidence? Really, they were so much more than I am. I think of my Great Great Grandma, Charity James, who had 16 children. Five of them died before she came to America, but the other ten she brought with her. The year before she came, her husband Samson had come to find work and a place for them to live. She brought the children All by herself! What a woman!! I feel so overwhelmed with 4 kids, and I can’t imagine leaving my home and land of my birth for good, knowing I’ll never be back. I might not see some of my family ever again. Wow, I love her so much for coming to this beautiful land of America! Because of her, and others like her, my life is better. Hopefully, those who come after me will be able to see ways that I made life better for them. Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Bloom where you’re planted!

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I often think of a time in my early 20’s when I was serving as a missionary in San Antonio, Texas. Like most volunteer situations, we were usually assigned where we would be serving. Needless to say, the area we ended up serving at any particular time would not necessarily be where WE would choose. The President of our mission used to say a quote that to this day is one of my favorites. Bloom where you’re planted! which to me meant grow and do the best you can -no matter what situation life finds you in. We don’t always enjoy any or all experiences while we’re going through them, but even the hardest experiences make us better than we would be without them. Sometimes the Master prunes us back and moves us to new soil, in a place He knows we might struggle, but He also knows we need to grow in. He knows us and has a plan for us, what He wants us to become. If we can learn to Bloom!, He will help us.
“If ye contuinue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” -Colossians 1:23

Family History Friday (FHF): Start With You!

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Sometimes when we start a hobby or project, the first question is where do I start? The answer to this fun past time is…start with you. That’s easy, who knows you better than you. Start by writing a history of yourself. You can do a brief timeline of your life from birth to where you are now. For example, make a list of homes you lived in, or towns and cities you’ve lived in. It could even be schools you attended. Maybe list when siblings were born, and your memories of that. After you have your timeline, start filling in the unwritten history in between; fill in the blanks. You will be amazed how thinking about places you’ve lived, and memories of school or family will jog your memory and cause you to think about your feelings and your story. No one else can tell your story. Only you! Others may be able to tell the things that happened in your life, from their point of view, but you are the only one who can tell how you felt about your life experiences. Make a goal to write a page a week/month. Put the names of your family on a “Family group sheet”. Make a pedigree chart with you as #1 and fill in as many family members as you know. Put all important dates that you know on your chart. Then you will know what you need to do next, and what information is missing. It has been said-
You live as long as you are remembered.–Russian Proverb
Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Daughters

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Daughters
When my first daughter was born, it was such a wonderful day. An unbelievably wonderful day!! I had always wanted a little sister, even when I was just a girl. I got two little brothers instead. I love them dearly, and I’m glad they’re my brothers, I just always wanted a little sister.
So at 27 years old, this beautiful perfect baby daughter came into my life. I have always called Kelsey my “dream come true”. Here she was, my little sister and daughter all wrapped into one. The most important part was that she was (and is) a girl. Five years later I was blessed again with another darling little baby girl! If I thought I was blessed the first time, I was overwhelmed with love and appreciation to God for giving me these two littles girls. That is why Emily is “my bonus baby” girl. Having Kelsey was almost 20 years ago, and I am still thrilled to have these two daughters in my life. They are such beautiful young women.
(By the way, Kelsey is on the right, Emily is on the left.)

Family

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I have a saying on the wall in the living room, that says,
“Home …to be at home,
is to find yourself
with those who put
your heart at ease.”
That is what a home should be, in my eyes. A place of refuge, away from the world, and the pressures of life. A place to rest and recoop, recharging ourselves to go back out into the world. Back out there where sometimes we don’t feel very safe. Especially while were still learning how to be a grown up.
I want my children to love and respect each other.
I grew up in a home with lots of different personalities. Sometimes, I didn’t feel like home was a place that my heart could be at ease. I believe that the family is the most important unit in society. I know it won’t always be perfect. But I do know there isn’t another place I’d rather be than with my family. And when things aren’t the way we think they should be, we just keep trying, and loving and working together to make our family the best it can be.
“Family is … a circle of friends that love you.”

Family History Friday

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I’ve decided to have every Friday be a Family History post. Those who know me, know that I love Family History. Some people don’t know what Family History is. Well, it’s like genealogy, learning about your roots, but more about the history of our ancestors. I love these people, because I know them. I know life is better because of them. I enjoy getting to know them by reading their histories, and learning about how life was in the places they lived. So what I plan to do is talk about one of my ancestors or a Family History topic every Friday. Have an open mind and you may be bit by the Family History bug, too!!
I thought I would tell you my favorite way to keep my Family History organized. I am a visual person. One of my objectives in organizing my Family History is, first, so I can find the information I’m looking for when I’m researching, but also, anyone can find the information. So, here it is- I color code my ancestors. I know it’s not a new thing, but it works for me! To start out with, I use only the primary colors, plus green. Green in not technically a primary color. So, I have four grand parents. Most of us do. Some may have more if they have blended families. Then I pick a color of out of the primary colors plus green that reminds me of my grandparent or of the place they are from. So, my paternal grandfather is blue, they came from Norway. It is a country surrounded by the ocean and is very cold. My paternal grandmother is green. They are Native American, and came from the Great Lakes area. They were Woodland Indians. My maternal grandfather is red. They came from Wales and England. They were miners and life was very hard. My maternal grandmother is yellow. They are also from England and the Channel Islands, in the English Channel. They were pioneers. They joined the LDS church and came across the American plains, sacrificing much, sometimes everything. In doing my organizing in this way, I know at a glance which family names belong together. If you’d like, pick a color for your grandparents. Use this color by putting it somewhere on each piece of paper or document that pertains to that family. Good luck! Happy Family History Friday!!!

Slow & Steady!

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I feel like I have spent the better part of my motherhood very overwhelmed. I know I’m not alone, but it still bugs me. I want to be on top of all my responsibilities, all the time. Talk about unrealistic expectations!!! I learned a great lesson from one of my kids. When my son, Alex, was quite young, he taught me the value of patience and perseverance. One day, while going through piles and piles of mail, school papers, bills and various other things that tend to pile up on our kitchen counters, I screamed, “I’m never going to get through all these piles”. To which Alex replied, “Mom, remember ‘Slow & steady wins the race!'” Now, most people know this phrase from The Tortoise and the Hare, the darling children’s book about the race between these two animals. The hare races frantically along, then has to take naps because he is so tired from being frantic (sound familiar?). The tortoise moves along slow and steady. Of course the tortoise wins because he kept an even pace, and didn’t wear himself out trying to be super turtle (or super mom). Ever since that day, I remember what he said and am glad for the lesson. I am much more patient with myself and my life. I am learning to perservere better all the time. Remember….Slow & steady wins the race!