To the Edge Children

Small things bring the greatest pleasures
A smile from a stranger
A card that you sent
A memory that is tender
A word from a friend
When you treasure the small things
There is joy without end

Thanks for all the small things you've given me - sharing yourselves-that is joy without end
Have a good Christmas Love Mummy

Lines

I'm sure you've all done it. You are at the grocery store ready to check out. You look at each line, at the people and at their soon to be purchases then make a mad dash at the line you assume will be the fastest. Then, to your dismay as you look at the phoney magazines, you realize all the other lines are moving. If you had been in the other line you would be checking out now. But as usual there is someone that needs a price check or something and that leaves you with the descion to jump ship, move to another line. You know in the back of your mind that if you do, this line will start moving and the new one you are in will stop.
Wednesday afternoon I left Logan to go home. I approached the freeway listening of course to Dr Laura. Innocently traveling along minding my own business the radio said "Interstate 15 going south is closed in Ogden you may want to exit before 21st street." Being the cautious person I am I decided to get off at Willard Bay and head east to 89. As I approached the exit I realized they were forcing you off. So I got in the right lane as the portable light sign said the two lanes were merging. Again I found myself in a line. The cars on the left of me were buzzing by since they planned to merge way ahead of me. This made my line go even slower since my line had to accomodate their merge farther up the line. I sat there and got a little testy. Should I get in the left lane and butt in farther ahead or just sit here in this line like a proper person should do? I become aware that no more cars are zipping by on the left but my lane is going a little faster. I look in my rear view mirror. There is a great big semi on my tail. He is riding in the center lane so cars cannot pass on the left. What a good idea. I roll down my window and give him a thumbs up and we wave an knowing Yes!
Little to my knowledge at the start of my travels it would take 31/2 hours to get home from Logan to South Jordan. About 2 hours into my adventure my bladder started to fill. The 2 liter coke I had just sipped was beginning to be filtered into my bladder along with the other unwanted items from metabolism. As the trip went on I realized this was going to be a problem. By the time I got back on the freeway from the detour I had to start wiggling to stay in control. Bountiful-I am sure I can hold it. Getting off the freeway at Redwood Road I am counting the minutes before I can get home. Now I am starting labor breathing -in through the nose and out through pursed lips. It is helping a little. Redwood Road is solid cars it will take a little longer. Maybe if I held myself and whistled it would help. It did a little. Maybe I will just let it go I could clean the car later. I did make it. Thankgoodness no one was home and I could run to the house while holding. I made it! I was so proud of myself. Later I wished I had had a speci pan to measure how much. I'm sure it was 2000 cc.

Raise em up good

I was looking for a good-feeling story for y.w. Something about Christmas and socks since I could buy each girl a pair of socks cheap. I could write REMEMGER on each pair so that when they put them on they would remember-remember why we are here and many other good things that would help us lead happy lives. I came across a nice little article by Pres Hinckley. It started me thinking again about the age old question of raising children. Why is it that some kids are easy to raise, easy to get along with, easy to feel the spirit while others seem to be hard, insisting on trying that which will bring unhappiness? What are the secrets? Comments would be appreciated!Pres Hinckley's article told about a honey locust tree he had planted. As he planted it he noticed how limber it was being able to be bent to and fro. He didn't bother with it for years but one day a half century after planting it he noticed it was leaning to the west, terribly misshapen and out of balance. He tried to push it upright but it would not budge. He attached pulleys to the trunk but it only slightly trembled. The tree seemed to say "You can't straighted me. It's too late. I've grown this way because of your neglect, and I will not bend."Children are like trees. When they are young, their lives can be shaped and directed, usually with ever so little effort. -Pres HinckleyTime goes so quickly when you are young parents. So many things to do. House repairs, church assignments, exercise, hobbies and work to feed the family. Looking back I wish I would have kept the big picture more infront of my face. Wish I had not put chores before spending time with those important little people in my life. I would think-"I'll do this little chore then play with the kids." The little chores would lead to more little chores and the time for playing was soon gone. Now it is gone forever.
Pres Hinckley gave 4 suggestions for young families that would teach the next generation good moral values and create good roots for a happy and healthy family.
1-Teach your children goodness. Teach them to love one another and all other people as children of our Heavenly Father. Teach them that to steal is evil, that to cheat is wrong, not to lie. Teach it by example.
2- Work together. Children need to work with their parents, to wash dishes together, to mop floors, mow lawns, paint and fix up, clean up and do a hundred other things in which they will learn that labor is the price of cleanliness, progress and prosperity.
3- Read good books together
4-Pray togetherI would add one more
5-Play togetherRemembering back-the happiest times were the times spent together. You young people cherish the time with those little kids and I believe that is what will bend them toward the sun.