A Blessing For Children

Elder Jeffery R. Holland writes, Nephi-like, might we ask our selves, what do our children know? From us? Personally? Do our children know that we love the scriptures? Do they see us reading them and marking them and clinging to them in daily life? Have our children ever unexpectedly opened a closed door and found us on our knees in prayer? Have they heard us not only pray with them but also pray for them out of nothing more then sheer parental love? Do our children know we believe in fasting as something more that an obligatory first-Sunday-of-the-month hardship? Do they know that we have fasted for them and for their future on days about which they knew nothing? Do they know we love being in the temple, not least because it provides a bond to them that neither death nor the legions of hell can break? Do they know we love and sustain local and general leaders, imperfect as they are, for their willingness to accept callings they did not seek in order to preserve a standard of righteousness they did not create? Do those children know that we love God with all our heart and that we long to see the face - and fall at the feet - of His Only Begotten Son? I pray that they know this.

-Elder Jeffery R. Holland, Broken Things to Mend

From One Mothers Heart To Another

These are feelings from my heart and for all my mother friends who continually ask me what and how I feed my children/family. I first want to say , that I know how hard and frustrating it can be and also it can be difficult to find the time to read up on all the good info out there. So I will do my best to share some thoughts and ideas.  For myself, I had to ask "Why" am I doing this, even being raised in such vegan holistic home, when I started raising my own family,"Why" was it so important for our family that we try to take care of our bodies?  Since being called to serve in Primary, a week ago I was to give the Sharing Time lesson, and it just so happened to be on Daniel refusing the meat and wine/Our bodies a sacred Holy gift.  So as I studied and prayed I felt an intense spiritual confirmation that Our bodies are in fact just as important as refining our Spiritual Bodies. They are a sacred gift a tabernacle of flesh that is not to be abused.  Each month we attend the Temple. They are the cleanest, most orderly, pure and filled with the spirit inside and out. We would never abuse or disgrace the Temple inside or out.  So my question is then why do we think our body is any different? It is a Holy sacred gift of which houses our spirit. Our body is a Temple. Do we put similar importance on keeping it holy, orderly, clean and pure to house our spirit?  You may think me to be a little passionate,and I am, because there are promises made in our scriptures that if we do respect this gift we . . . .D&C 89:18 "shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones. 19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures. 20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.21And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen. 

This is why I am passionate. I would love to be able to house a strong spirit because I love to be a mother who is really there, because I love my husband, because I love my children, because I love to serve and feel well with the spirit. I know if we don't, we will not be able to serve maybe in the capacity we would like, and grow and accomplish our work purpose on earth.  I feel a great responsiblility in trying and doing the best I know how in raising,teaching and caring for my children.  I also believe Satan would love to stop progression in any way, and this may just be another way.  I know he would like to stop the progression of strong families and future children with amazing spirits. If we are unwell can we serve? If we are unwell can we be good mothers? If we are unwell can we be good wives? If we are unwell can we be as closely connected to our spirit?  So. . . .. . . I guess you now know why I hesitate to give my kids skittles:) 

I will now get off my soap box and share some of my meal ideas I am doing today. The one question I am asked the most is,"What is a typical day like feeding your family?" So here it is. . . and don't feel any pressure to do what I do, just know I share this from one learning mothers heart to another.

Breakfast:

-My kids had flax plus cereal (filled with good whole grains and omegas) with enriched Rice milk.

-Mega multi vitalmin/mineral spoonful of cod liver vitamin D oil

-Water

Lunch:

-Quinoa pasta with a raw tomato sauce I made last night for dinner. I also ground up spinach to put into the sauce to give them their good blood building greens

-Organic raw mandarin oranges

-veggie protein sliced up like little cheese bits

-Cut up cucumber and celery slices

-sprouted wheat tortillas with a little almond butter on them to make little flat sandwich bites/I like to cut them up really thin like celery slices

-Water with a bit of greens for the drink

 

Dinner:

Because it is Friday I want to do something simple so I am thinking steamed Quinoa with fresh cherry tomatoes and avocado

-Steamed Quinoa

-Top with sliced cherry tomatoes and avocado (optional:fresh sprouts if you like to sprout)

-Season it with Udo's omega oils or Olive oil, fresh lemon or lime and a little bit of real salt.

Snacks:

-I plan to start some mung beans in my sprouter

-oranges, celery and cucumber slices, almond butter, veggie crisps chips and my kids like a good Berry omega odwalla bar once in a while

I know your family might not like these options and I still encourage all to get my parents recipe books on their web site www.phmiracleliving.com(PHMiracle and Back to the House of Health 1&2).   I also know, as you transition your family and teach correct principles without force, but love and concern, all things will work together for your good.  It has not only helped me personally, but my family, extended family and many other people I love. Good Luck and if you have any questions please email me ashley@livingartdigital.com I love you all.

"To you who are parents, I say, show love to your children. You know you love them, but make certain they know it as well. They are so precious. Let them know. Call upon our Heavenly Father for help as you care for their needs each day and as you deal with the challenges which inevitably come with parenthood. You need more than your own wisdom in rearing them."

Thomas S. Monson,

I know this is true because of what I have learned from many of you, family and my Father's help in raising my children.

Luvs,Ashley

A Thought

A favorite quote of mine:
The richest person is not the one who has the most, 
but the one who needs the least. 

Someday

Someday I may have the time to teach Yoga again and at best possibly Kids yoga. There is a time and a season for it all. For now kids, your my Namaste playmates. 

Just some pics we took for fun when I was out doing a Yoga photo shoot last week.

Past Post

Dad and Beau in the "wa wa'"at Newport with the Young Fam.

CharLee in his production Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Performing, its his thing. Where did he get that from?:)Took a quick trip to Vegas before Christmas with Popeye and Essa
At my coveted place the lovely mother ocean. Wish it was a little warmer. Newport Beach breakfast with Popey and Essa.
Our very own personalized sledding hill off our driveway  is such a bonus.
Dad with our last 3 babies from Elle. We are keeping the brown one "Romeo".
Thank you to CharLee, he captured this tender moment.
Of all the gifts, the slinky was one of the big hits!
Beau was elated to see her real to life rocking horsey, sounds and all.
The kids with all their blessings. We had a wonderful Christmas.
Us in our new Christmas jammies we give to eachother on the Eve.
Taught myself to knit this year. It was a fun journey. Beau sports her new look. 

Here is the event of missing Beau for 5 min. and come to find her rolling the pups in cake dust.

Well that wraps up many of the things we did over the Holidays. Happy New Year everyone!

School School?

To School or Not to School?

CharLee for the past two months now has been asking me if he can do home school. At first I was thinking that is a nice thought but never considered it. Since CharLee was very young I had a feeling that I would need to be aware of his unique needs and brilliance and research options of schooling for him. Now that he has come to me, I feel the desire to research ,and yes I am doing it and I feel like I am doing the right thing. So far I have read a little on homeschooling looked into semi private schools and private schools. I do believe that as a parent I am first responsible for my children's education and I only have these years to feel like I did what was best for them.I don't want to look back and say "Well his school didn't help him much." I think this  is how Heavenly Father intended it to be, as parents we teach them, whether we choose to seek outsource education or at home I feel I need to be fully aware of how my children are being taught. So far I don't know that I will do home school, I am feeling good about the prospects of him in this smaller private school where they incorporate Faith principles. If we do go with the private school I am still going to read home schooling ideas because I think there is some great  truth to their concepts of how to teach about life, respect and prosperity  in the home. I am having fun on this little journey and I pray I will be led to the right choice for my children. If any of you have advice or can lead me to favorite resources I would love the feedback.

Luvs, Gpants

Sydnee

Hey Sydnee,

I so want to be a part of your blog but I still don't have permission. My email for blogging is ashley.lisonbee@gmail.com. Hope you and your family are well. We love you and again am sorry for missing you when you came to Utah.

Luvs, Ash-

MyLady Mothers

Hey, My Lady friends this was emailed to me from the sweetest soul and thought I would pass on the great idea. We mothers  all need a little "Uhmpf" when life feels splendidly overwhelming in this lovely crazy life.

I hope you are all doing well.  I have put together a blog that I would love for you all to be a part of.  It is meant to be a resource for women and mothers and I think we can all help each other.  It is in its very beginning stages and I am just wanting to see if it is something that women (especially mothers) would like.  My hope is that any of you that would like to will please email me with your mothering/life tips, ideas, quotes, great talks, recipes, links to websites, great books or anything else you can think of that would be beneficial to mothers and women in general.    This blog is never meant to be preachy or to leave you feeling like you need to do more in a day or that your not as good as "those" other moms.  It is simply to uplift, to share and to help each other come closer to Christ and ease the burden that motherhood can present at times.    If you would like to email this blog to any other friends or mothers you know and ask them to email to their friends that would be great.  Please email me with anything you would like to add to the blog.  I want this to be a place that everyone can share things they've learned.  Also, if any of you have a question or need advice from other wonderful women please email me with the question (I keep it anonymous) and I will post it and women can then answer... hopefully it can help us all.  I would also love to have mothers with grown children who have experienced it all to read the blog and share the things they have learned over the years.   Thank you all for your time.  The blog is still a work in progress.  Please let your friends know and please contribute.  I don't know about all of you but I could use all the help I can get in raising my kids.   Here is the link www.mylady-formothers.blogspot.com.  The blog is titled My Lady because when Christ used the word "woman" in the scriptures it translates to "my lady".   I love you all.

Life is a Gift

A Thought worth Sharing. . . 

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'

 

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

 

He asked her, 'now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

 

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'

 

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

 

Life Is a Gift

 

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

 

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

 

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

 

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

 

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

 

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

 

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning,

Satan shudders & says..."Oh no!  She's awake."

Soul Goals 2009

For Family Night this week we decided to come up with not necessarily New Years Resolutions but just simple goals that would make us stronger souls of our Father in Heaven. I believe there is always room for chiseling away the rough from the diamond.  If we truly believe we are Sons and Daughters of a Supreme Being then why not work at that belief and treat our bodies, spirits, minds and hearts (Our Temples and Gifts) to a little maintenance and TLC. And so we move forward becoming who we intend to be. . . a little stronger. . . . a little more balanced. . . a little more at peace.

Some of CharLee's response's: Be a good brother to Beau and prepare to be baptised and learn Art with Mom:) I love my little creative boy!

We wrote down our thoughts and then placed them where we will be reminded of them all year; hence my goals. . . on my blog column. . . for the rest of the year. 

Luvs, Gpants

Soul Yumminess

My friend posted this and I fell in love with it, hope it as well does your soul some yumminess!

Here's a great recipe for a New Year! Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. While you walk smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statements, "my purpose it to _______ today. I am thankful for ________". Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Try to make at least three people smile each day. Don't waste precious energy on gossip, nurturing grudges or things you cannot control. Life isn't fair - but it's still good. Don't compare yourself to others, you have no idea what their journey is all about. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Forgive everyone for everything. Envy is a waste of time, you already have all you need. Drink lots of water. Time heals everything, but you have to have patience. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________ and today I accomplished __________. While you're at it, go ahead and record it in your journal. If you don't have on, get one. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. If you're feeling down, start listing your blessings, you'll be smiling before you know it. The most important - Make time to pray...

Well. . .here I go,

My Purpose is to be led to my purpose, to just be and watch life unfold as it may doing what I can. I am thankful for my children, my sexy Luver and the home we've created. . .  and today I accomplished with the strength and tender mercy of my Savior : yoga, showered and dressed myself (huge for a mother), two loads of laundry, bathed Beau , Primary Presidency assignments and Sharing Time, dishes, cleaned the water fountain so we can have that oh so good Feng Shui sound once again, read books with Beau, wiped Beaus nose, picked up after the many destruction's of Beau, wiped Beaus nose again, cleared 2 weeks of newspapers off the driveway, tidied up the studio from the Baby photo shoot last night, 2 hour Old 4th Warder engagement photo shoot, let Beau cry herself to a nap (of which I never do), made healthy snacks for CharLee to return home to, created Vegan Italian Dinner, made my Luv his coveted Cookies, prayed, tucked and kissed my CharLee to bed and sang puppy, old mcDonald and rocked Beau. Time to finish more dishes; off to read scriptures, pray and off to Bed. I love Bed. Whew! And wrote in my Journal/Blog :) And I feel extremely blessed this day because I actually felt pretty good through it all. I       Am         Blessed.

Luvs, G Pants

Angel in the Moonlight

I posted a song called "Bella's Lullaby" that is from the O so loved Twilight movie. Why then post this song? I actually have been trying for weeks to find a way to post my song called "Angel in the Moonlight" that Matthew composed for me when we first met.  We were dancing all alone one night in an empty outdoor rock ampitheatre, in the full moonlight of course. I loved the sound of this song because it reminded me a lot of Matthew's gentle amazing gift he has when he lays those magical fingers on the piano and perfect compositions flow out of his heart. My song I do have to say is much better. Hopefully I can figure out how to post it. I think it would be a perfect addition to our blog repertoire.

Luvs, Gpants

Back into Life

We are back from our little get away. . . .of which was such a lovely break from the routine of life. No dishes, no laundry just relax and enjoy time. It was so nice to not have a routined schedule and just enjoyed the fams company in Newport. It was however a bit chillier than I anticipated, so not alot of beach days, but still lovely and misty. I will post the pics soon. It was comforting to see our humble snowy home again and all the cute puppies. Back into Life!

Twilight

Due to peer pressure I have found myself immersed in the so chic fad of the Twilight series. I have to say aside from the suggestions to read them. . .I was drawn because I heard the author began  to write them because of a dream. Why then read them? Because those of you that don't know, My Luv, also has day dreams of his novel he is writing. It turns out I have been having a good time reading them, and I am not a big reader. . .and it has nothing to do with an obsession with Edward.  I am blessed to have my dream Luv of my life . . . and come to think, he does have multiple similarities. . . hopeful romantic, composer pianist and so sensitive and gentle with my fragile life. In  the first book I found myself relating to Bella. . being a simple kind of odd  being (especially in high school) and totally enthralled with my dream life with Matthew. Aside from relating to the developed characterization; I am intrigued with how this author has captivated such an audience. . what a talent. One day I hope Matthew will have the same opportunity. So, I finished the second book and it feels like I am on Disneyland ride, a crazy fun fictional world , and I am excited to continue the saga. It has such great character development and unpredictable storyline. And for those who have read it, I am torn. . .I like and don't like Edward and Jacob for different reasons; my taste. . . I'll go with Matthew:) Good Luck Bella. . . .on to book three- Eclipse.