Lame...my favorite word. I have not written for almost a year: Tuesdays or Sundays will probably be my "new" days to write, for good reasons, also good reason why I have not written in SOOO long...E!!!!!!
So the other day as I was listening to KLOVE, I was so excited to hear that one of the DJs had posted EIGHT WAYS DOGS IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH. So here they are: 1. Lessen the side effects of chemotherapy (PROFOUND) 2. Help veterans with PTSD (and I would add, anyone with depression or related issues) 3. Strengthen babies' immune systems (now I have a really great excuse for always living with a dog!) 4. Relieve student stress (listen to this: "Harvard Medical School and Yale Law School even allow students to 'check out' resident 'therapy dogs' from libraries.") 5. Get people exercising (YEA!!!) 6. Help autistic kids 7. HEAL THE HEART (both the physical actual heart and our "inside" hearts) 8. Sniff out cancer (also profound)
So I found that report to be s reminder for me to re re begin my blog: DOG BLOG. I had received a couple of reminders over the summer: the Pit and Jack Russell River Dogs, the recent funny dogs at one of my favorite places on earth and my relatively recent dog loss. Mostly, my very first WATER LOVING DOG!!!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Dog Blog
Yeah, I am back!!! From where, who knows, but in the meantime, through inspiration from my sister, I am sub-titling this blog "The Dog Blog". Is it because I love dogs? YES Is it because I think everyone should have a dog? YES (well kind of) Is it because dogs help us have a better life? YES
So the other day, we were driving in the car, and M said, "Mom, I think Papa's Mom (who recently passed away) is getting licked by our dogs right now." He went on the explain that our dogs, Malden and Tino (AKA Morgan and Tito), who both passed away last year, are in Heaven with G.G. and were probably licking her at that moment. It was so profound: especially considering that we had two other children in the car and it was not just he and I.
I just spoke with one of our neighbors today, and she is the second neighbor who spent Thanksgiving with just her dogs as her husband was recently admitted to a care home. Our other neighbor's husband passed away a few months ago and she did not want to go anywhere for Thanksgiving and leave her dogs alone. Who could say the same for a cat?
Future dog blog posts: the ugliest dogs, dog show on TG day, Sept 11th dogs
With love to all, and may you be blessed with a dog in your life!! Katie
So the other day, we were driving in the car, and M said, "Mom, I think Papa's Mom (who recently passed away) is getting licked by our dogs right now." He went on the explain that our dogs, Malden and Tino (AKA Morgan and Tito), who both passed away last year, are in Heaven with G.G. and were probably licking her at that moment. It was so profound: especially considering that we had two other children in the car and it was not just he and I.
I just spoke with one of our neighbors today, and she is the second neighbor who spent Thanksgiving with just her dogs as her husband was recently admitted to a care home. Our other neighbor's husband passed away a few months ago and she did not want to go anywhere for Thanksgiving and leave her dogs alone. Who could say the same for a cat?
Future dog blog posts: the ugliest dogs, dog show on TG day, Sept 11th dogs
With love to all, and may you be blessed with a dog in your life!! Katie
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Rain Rain!!
In the words of Michelle and Amy, "Are you kidding me!!?" Seriously, it has been raining for DAYS. Finally, I am decided to stop fighting it and just accept buckets of rain, and today I even accomplished a project that I did not think I could do. But I thought, "if not me, then who?"
Last night, we had our first orientation for a new adoption agency: it went really well and I am excited for our next appointment. Also in the orientation was a really nice single lady: I will call her "T". Let's all pray for "T" that she will find the answers that she seeks and be able to have meaningful relationships in her life.
In 3 days, my Michelle will be leaving on her deployment for 6 months: everyone please pray for her and her family too. Pray that they will be blessed with peace, safety, wisdom and endurance. While Michelle is gone, she will also be taking classes, and working a fuller than usual schedule. And while she is gone, her husband will be "Mr Mom". I know that if we all pray and if we serve those around us in similar situations, somehow, this family's burdens can also be lighter.
Here is some great stuff from the January and February Ensign, "There are many vessels that are destroyed after they have been molded and shaped. Why? Because they are not contented with the shape the potter has given them, but straightway put themselves into a shape to please themselves; therefore they are beyond understanding what God designs, and they destroy themselves by the power of their own agency, for this is given to every man and woman, to do just as they please." "What do you say to our being one and clinging together? Would we not be a happy company? It is that alone that will make you truly happy; and to be perfectly limber in the hands of the potter like clay. What makes the clay snap? Because it wants its own way; and you cannot be happy unless you submit to the law of God, and to the principles of His govenment. When a person is miserable, wretched, and unhappy in himself, put in what circumstances you please, and he is wretched still. If a person is poor, and composes his mind and calmly submits to the providences of God, he will feel cheerful and happy in all circumstances, if he continues to keep the commandments of God." Jan 2011 Ensign p.61
"The authority who confirms you will say, "Receive the Holy Ghost," meaning the gift of the Holy Ghost. The light by which you now walk is the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is the light of the gospel - or, for some, the gospel in a new light. In either case, it enables you to see that which you could not see before. It now becomes your privilege to walk, as it were, by the light of day. The light is constant, and, in most instances, the path you are called to travel is clearly marked. When it is not, you are entitled to the visions, impressions, or prodding necessary to assure your arrival at the place of safety. The fact that every member of the Church is given the gift of the Holy Ghost is evidence that the Lord wants to reveal things to you and through you. Joseph Smith said, "No man can recieve the Holy Ghost without receivinig revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator." Feb 2011 Ensign p.31
"I also testify that He knows each of us perfectly and individually. He knows all that is lovable and BEAUTIFUL in us. The world teaches us to think we are unattractive, uacceptable, and unworthy of love if we don't meet the arbitrary standards it sets for us. Sometimes it's hard to turn away from such loud and convincing lies, but our Father in Heaven will always be there to remind us of our worth and of the value He sees in us. His standard, not the world's, is the true measure of our worth. The more we believe and accept the Lord's love, the more we will love and trust in Him. ...The Lord is the one who can heal all pain, and as we trust Him, He reminds us that we have everything to hope for." Feb 2011 Ensign p.35
I testify that these things are true!! Love, Katie
Last night, we had our first orientation for a new adoption agency: it went really well and I am excited for our next appointment. Also in the orientation was a really nice single lady: I will call her "T". Let's all pray for "T" that she will find the answers that she seeks and be able to have meaningful relationships in her life.
In 3 days, my Michelle will be leaving on her deployment for 6 months: everyone please pray for her and her family too. Pray that they will be blessed with peace, safety, wisdom and endurance. While Michelle is gone, she will also be taking classes, and working a fuller than usual schedule. And while she is gone, her husband will be "Mr Mom". I know that if we all pray and if we serve those around us in similar situations, somehow, this family's burdens can also be lighter.
Here is some great stuff from the January and February Ensign, "There are many vessels that are destroyed after they have been molded and shaped. Why? Because they are not contented with the shape the potter has given them, but straightway put themselves into a shape to please themselves; therefore they are beyond understanding what God designs, and they destroy themselves by the power of their own agency, for this is given to every man and woman, to do just as they please." "What do you say to our being one and clinging together? Would we not be a happy company? It is that alone that will make you truly happy; and to be perfectly limber in the hands of the potter like clay. What makes the clay snap? Because it wants its own way; and you cannot be happy unless you submit to the law of God, and to the principles of His govenment. When a person is miserable, wretched, and unhappy in himself, put in what circumstances you please, and he is wretched still. If a person is poor, and composes his mind and calmly submits to the providences of God, he will feel cheerful and happy in all circumstances, if he continues to keep the commandments of God." Jan 2011 Ensign p.61
"The authority who confirms you will say, "Receive the Holy Ghost," meaning the gift of the Holy Ghost. The light by which you now walk is the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is the light of the gospel - or, for some, the gospel in a new light. In either case, it enables you to see that which you could not see before. It now becomes your privilege to walk, as it were, by the light of day. The light is constant, and, in most instances, the path you are called to travel is clearly marked. When it is not, you are entitled to the visions, impressions, or prodding necessary to assure your arrival at the place of safety. The fact that every member of the Church is given the gift of the Holy Ghost is evidence that the Lord wants to reveal things to you and through you. Joseph Smith said, "No man can recieve the Holy Ghost without receivinig revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator." Feb 2011 Ensign p.31
"I also testify that He knows each of us perfectly and individually. He knows all that is lovable and BEAUTIFUL in us. The world teaches us to think we are unattractive, uacceptable, and unworthy of love if we don't meet the arbitrary standards it sets for us. Sometimes it's hard to turn away from such loud and convincing lies, but our Father in Heaven will always be there to remind us of our worth and of the value He sees in us. His standard, not the world's, is the true measure of our worth. The more we believe and accept the Lord's love, the more we will love and trust in Him. ...The Lord is the one who can heal all pain, and as we trust Him, He reminds us that we have everything to hope for." Feb 2011 Ensign p.35
I testify that these things are true!! Love, Katie
Friday, March 11, 2011
BOYS!!!
Yep, finally here I am. I have been thinking a lot about Michelle's upcoming deployment and wanted to catch up here.
About the title: "BOYS!!!" So a few months ago, a friend in our ward called to asked if we would like a "children's kitchen" for M and G. I was really excited because I have always wanted one for them. So we went to pick it up. I found the perfect spot for it in our kitchen, put the tea sets a pot and a cake pan in/on it. I was in another room later and came back to find the "Kid Kitchen" filled with weapons: lightsabers, toy pistols and swords. I brought the boys in and explained to them that the kitchen was not a weapons arsenal, that it was for play cooking. And for the most part in the following months it has ceased to be a weapons arsenal. But for a couple of weeks as I told our family and friends about what boys will turn a "Kid Kitchen" into, we got some good laughs. How I love my boys!!!
One day in the Ensign, I read an article about fulfilling our life's mission. From the June 2010 Ensign:
To recongnize our "mission in life" the following three elements regarding our own personal lives are helpful:
"1. A unique set of personal gifts
2. A unique set of personal challenges
3. Specefic needs in the world that the Lord wants me to respond to.
Simply put, we fulfill our mission whenever these three elements intersect and we CHOOSE to ACT." "When this choice to heed the Spirit and to ACT continues day after day, week after week, and year after year, it creates a larger pattern that we will later come to recognize as the mission the Lord had for us to fulfill."
Wow: that is powerful.
Welcome back me and welcome back everybody!!!
Love, Katie
Sunday, December 12, 2010
My Ockadoodle Car!
I was going to be boring and title this blog "December" since it is my FIRST DECEMBER ENTRY and I only blogged once in November...lame!! But I wanted to write two hilarious things about L and this blog title reminded me of one of them. We recently acquired an orange couch from my friend: thanks GB!! The couch came with an ottoman, and since bringing it home, I do not think it has been in the same spot for any more than 24 hours at a time!! It has been a space ship (Buzz Lightyear's vehicle), a table for tea parties and the best... the "ocadoodle car!" It actually means "Cockadoodle car, but L pronounces it without the "C." I really do not know where that name came from... kinda like when I was sitting on his "ockadoodle" months ago!!! The other funny thing: last week at church while all was quiet, L said loudly, "But I like to pick my nose!" There is a couple who has sat in front of us for years, Bob and Penny S who absolutely crack up at every funny thing L and R have said over the years during church. Watching them laugh is almost as funny as the actual reason for laughing.
Some super events transpired during my lack of writing: Don's parents came to visit for almost two weeks, and then in the first week of December, Don had his Birthday. So those are my topics for next blog!!
With Christmas joy and love to all of you, Katie
Some super events transpired during my lack of writing: Don's parents came to visit for almost two weeks, and then in the first week of December, Don had his Birthday. So those are my topics for next blog!!
With Christmas joy and love to all of you, Katie
Monday, November 8, 2010
November
Wow, already one week into wonderful November!! November is, for me one entire month into the holiday season: and I get to decorate with all of the beautiful fall items. Also, on November 1st, I start listenting to Christmas music full force. Yes, Michelle, I do listen to Christmas music all year, but November 1st marks the official sometimes all day Christmas music fest. Don and I also got out our huge plastic storage tub filled with Christmas books and movies the other day and have enjoyed one Christmas movie so far. D and M's favorite Christmas book this year is the one that Mom and Dad K gave them last year for Christmas in which they read The Night Before Christmas in their own voices and the book recorded it. M is so cute: he often talks to the book and says, "Hi Papa" or "I like this story Gram." Oh yesterday, he said the funniest thing!! We were getting ready to eat supper at Mom and Dad L's and M said to D, "I'm going to cut you with my "poon." (That means spoon) Mom thought it was funny that he thought he could cut anybody with a spoon, and I thought it was funny the way he pronounced it.
So the Lord really blessed me with the book CAPTIVATING: I read it in one week and one day and then passed it to a friend to read. Although I told her to take her time, I can hardly wait to get it back so I can read it again. I did write very meaningful passages down in my journal which I keep pouring over. There are so many amazing things I learned and am still letting it all sink in. Also, there is a new song by Mercy Me which is blessing my soul, it is titled "Beautiful" and I will post the words and some links in my next post.
For now, here is a quote from www.myoneword.org "God has equipped you with gifts and passions that He wants you to use to make His name known. Trust God will be faithful to lead us and put us in places where we will be useful to fulfilling those purposes."
Love to you all, Katie
So the Lord really blessed me with the book CAPTIVATING: I read it in one week and one day and then passed it to a friend to read. Although I told her to take her time, I can hardly wait to get it back so I can read it again. I did write very meaningful passages down in my journal which I keep pouring over. There are so many amazing things I learned and am still letting it all sink in. Also, there is a new song by Mercy Me which is blessing my soul, it is titled "Beautiful" and I will post the words and some links in my next post.
For now, here is a quote from www.myoneword.org "God has equipped you with gifts and passions that He wants you to use to make His name known. Trust God will be faithful to lead us and put us in places where we will be useful to fulfilling those purposes."
Love to you all, Katie
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Pumpkin Farm Visit #3 (two days ago)
Yep...the best visit this season!!! Can't get enough of the yummy fall smells, the pumpkins and all of the animals and children!!! Watching my own children, nieces and nephews, friends and other children and people at the pumpkin farm reminds me of all that is good in life: all that is beautiful and virtuous. All that is lasting. This time we were there until dark, and the sunset was BEAUTIFUL, ROMANTIC. Some faint storm clouds adding to the beauty, with the anticipation of rain wild in my heart.
This time, we went to celebrate D's BDay and had a small party with family and MD. Because it was a BDay celebration, we got to do some things we do not usually do when we go: instead of choosing one activity, we did two: the train ride and the big slides. We also got to eat the yummy food: Don had pizza, I had a corn dog, D had nachos and M had a hot dog. I also got to visit the gift shop this time: I had been keeping myself away from there on our other visits, just waiting for this trip. Fortunately, I did not find anything I really wanted to purchase: last year they had some really adorable art work that I wanted to purchase for our home but I had not saved up any money at the time. This year, I went with the amount I had saved, but kept in mind a book I wanted to purchase at the Christian book store, which I purchased today. The title is CAPTIVATING, and I feel so strongly that it is for me right now.
Here is a quote from the book: "Sometime between the dreams of your youth and yesterday, something precious has been lost. And that treasure is your heart, your priceless feminine heart. God has set within you a femininity that is powerful and tender, fierce and alluring. No doubt it has been misunderstood. Surely it has been assaulted. But it is there, your true heart, and it is worth recovering. You ARE captivating."
WOW
Love to all, Katie
This time, we went to celebrate D's BDay and had a small party with family and MD. Because it was a BDay celebration, we got to do some things we do not usually do when we go: instead of choosing one activity, we did two: the train ride and the big slides. We also got to eat the yummy food: Don had pizza, I had a corn dog, D had nachos and M had a hot dog. I also got to visit the gift shop this time: I had been keeping myself away from there on our other visits, just waiting for this trip. Fortunately, I did not find anything I really wanted to purchase: last year they had some really adorable art work that I wanted to purchase for our home but I had not saved up any money at the time. This year, I went with the amount I had saved, but kept in mind a book I wanted to purchase at the Christian book store, which I purchased today. The title is CAPTIVATING, and I feel so strongly that it is for me right now.
Here is a quote from the book: "Sometime between the dreams of your youth and yesterday, something precious has been lost. And that treasure is your heart, your priceless feminine heart. God has set within you a femininity that is powerful and tender, fierce and alluring. No doubt it has been misunderstood. Surely it has been assaulted. But it is there, your true heart, and it is worth recovering. You ARE captivating."
WOW
Love to all, Katie
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