Gratitude on Veterans' Day

Today I am thinking about all the amazingly wonderful men and women who have made sacrifices for all of us so that we can live in a land of freedom. Lately we have been seeing some amazing movies about WW2 and I'd like to recommend one to you. It is called I Am David. It is a family appropriate film and very enlightening and uplifting.


Most of us as Americans have no idea what lack of freedom would be like. I pray we never have to know but we do need to remember and thank and feel gratitude for those who have protected what we have. It goes without saying that we are thankful for those who have paid the ultimate price.

Arlington

I am thankful that my father served in WW2, and all of my uncles including Uncle Tom an honorary uncle whom we love dearly. I am thankful they came home with their hearts, heads and bodies intact, after going through some pretty horrific stuff. I am thankful for the women, my mom included, who served in countless ways here in every capacity imaginable, to keep this country going and to support the service people from our home land. I am thankful for our daughter who is doing it now!

We are so proud of our military family serving in Italy. Robert is just one amazing man in every way and we pray he will always be safe and never in harm's way during his career.

Here he is being sworn in to his new
rank during the promotion ceremony.

Behind most successful men is a wife and family
that loves and supports them
even in the hard things!

I ran across this video and had to share it with you. Not just men and women are paying a price for our freedom but little kids as well. I, for one, am so grateful for them all. Thank you Dad, Robert, Uncle Tom and all the rest of you! With all the problems we have in this country, we still need to remember we have freedom above all else. And it is never FREE!

The Light Switch Keeper

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I have been thinking a lot lately about the light that Christ is or can be in our lives. I love the analogy of righteousness, goodness and light being like the Son of God and the darkness being likened to bad things, wickedness and evil~all the things that lead us away from righteous living. In fact, for me it is far more than an analogy it is a startling reality. I love that the sun and the Son provide us with all that we need to sustain life, here in mortality and in the eternities. I love that we have our agency to choose between light and darkness in every situation.

Over the weekend we attended our stake conference on Sunday. We met in Oakland on Temple Hill and enjoyed great teachings from our leaders. We enjoyed the spirit we felt and the common foundation we shared with the hundreds of others in attendance. It was just so inspiring and one of the speakers discussed the dichotomy of light and darkness and how we control the light switch in our own lives. It was so in line with my thoughts recently and I loved it and how it applies to everything.

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Often times we feel victimized by the events in our lives. Once we start to feel we have no control we begin on the downward spiral into the darkness. Our agency should bring us great joy. It is true that we cannot prevent some of the 'not so wonderful' things that happen to us, but the way we choose to react is where the power of the light lies. By being reactionary we allow ourselves to be dragged down into a pit, we allow ourselves to venture into the darkness created by fear, anger, and hopelessness. By choosing faith in the Son, we feel of the warmth of his love, his reassurance that we are not alone, and his pure light. The reality is we control the light switch.

I have some good friends that lost a sister at 17 in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver. The five remaining sisters took this loss very hard and each suffered greatly. Years later one of the sisters, then the mother of six small children, was devastated when a police officer appeared at her door to inform her that her husband had been killed in an accident. My friend told me that immediately she felt that old familiar feeling of when her sister was taken so unexpectedly. She told me that the first thing she did this time was fall on her knees and plead with the Lord to help her view this with different eyes, to have the strength to carry on, etc. She testified to me how much this changed this loss of someone she loved so deeply. This experience of my friend, Karen, really changed my life and I try to always remember it.

I have thought of this example of someone who acted proactively, she reached through the darkness into the light. She controlled the light switch and made a conscience decision to choose the light. By going towards the light she was able to fine the silver lining in her experiences and she successfully went on with her life being filled with faith and knowing that she was not alone. Of course she had her difficult days, but she decided to remain in the light. This gift of agency to choose that option, is as powerful as the faith that has sustained her all of these years. And I believe that faith goes much farther than just having a positive attitude. Faith allows us to literally draw on the powers of heaven.

When I face difficult challenges in my life I try to remember my friend's example, I try to go to the edge of the darkness, reach out and take the Lord's hand. I have always found it to be there. He waits there lovingly and patiently until I am ready to flip the switch and then I am filled with his light. When I look up, he reaches down and pulls me up.

Greg Olson~Artist

We each have our own switch and they all work the same way. Up is for the light and down is for the lack of it. The more we switch it on the easier it gets. The more it is on, the sweeter all of life's experiences get, even the not so wonderful ones. In the light they take on a different perspective. Bathed in the illuminating light of his love we can see the blessing of even the most wretched things. Although we don't seek out those times, when they come, if we turn the light on, we can see more clearly and learn from them.

It is a powerful reality that we do, indeed, have the choice to make decisions as to how the course of things will go for us in those exact moments. I cannot think of a single incidence when this practice does not or would not apply. No matter how overwhelming, no matter how small. Hold on to the light switch for dear life!

A Simple Woman's Daybook~November 9, 2009

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So, For Today...Monday, November 9, 2009

Outside my window...the silhouettes of the tree in the front yard are pitch black against the new light of day. It is very cold in our family room and my office space this morning. There is no question that summer has finally ended. November 9th! I am hoping that all the seasons will be delayed somewhat and we can have good weather for the holidays.

I am thinking...about the week ahead and all that implies. Goals, hopes, work, managing my time, etc.

From the learning room..When you are a home owner your work is never done!

I am reading...bathroom remodeling magazines.

From the kitchen...the pantry is bare, the frig empty so it is Winco day for me!

I am wondering...how long it will be until our heater is replaced? It is pretty cold on the bedroom side of the house this morning. Hopefully not more than a couple of weeks. All the prep work in going on now so fingers crossed! Wondering why we waited until now to get it done??

I am wearing...jammies and white shirt and socks. Getting dressed in a few minutes for my weekly friends' visit at 8:00 am. Can't wait to see them they totally lift me up every single week.

I am creating...lots of lists of things I have to do in the next few weeks.

I am hearing...Kathy Mattea singing "Mary, did You Know?" This is one of my favorite Christmas songs and I downloaded several different artists singing it over the weekend. I love Kenny Rogers and Wynonna's version it too.

I am going....to light my candle from Bath and Body Works called Leaves. Oh, my goodness, it is scrumptious. Jim does not like scented candles so I light them a lot when he is gone.

I am quoting..."The world is a looking glass and gives back to each person a reflection of his attitude." .....unknown author

My spiritual thoughts include..wondering how I can come up with a moving Christmas presentation for church on the 6th of December for the ladies. Any suggestions?

Around the house...stuff needs to be picked up and some cleaning is in order. Construction doubles your pleasure and doubles your fun!

Today I miss...our kids. Christopher is in Charlotte, North Carolina getting a "Best Paper" Award at a Mechanical Engineering Conference. We are so proud of him! The girls are traveling in Italy and having a great experience.

I am hoping...my good friend's infant granddaughter is better today. And that all the grandkids of all of us stay healthy during this terrible flu and cold season!

I have been procrastinating..nothing..I am on it all. Just kidding!

One of my favorite things..Christmas music. I just cannot wait until after Thanksgiving to start listening to it.

A few plans for the rest of the week...work through my to do lists in the areas of company on the weekend, traveling to Utah and Italy, the remodel, Christmas shopping for family here, the never ending paper work of daily life, etc. etc. Trying to dream up what to bring to Italy for stocking stuffers for the boys. It is so hard when you haven't seen them in so long you don't know what they need or want and it has to be small to fit into your already jammed suit case. This is especially true when food is not an option...no store bought goodies for Spencer with his peanut and soy allergies.

Here is a picture I am sharing with you..

This is Cinque Terra where Jen and Laura are in real time. I just spoke to them and they are walking between the five villages right now. Tonight they will stay in Pisa and then on to Florence tomorrow. Then Venice and then Rome. We are just so happy for them to have this wonderful experience...just the two of them with no interruptions. Simple truth; when your kids are happy you are twice as happy!

Transitions

Jim and I have been talking about our plans for the future and have decided it is time for me to retire from my staging business. Things have not been happening lately in real estate and we have decided that we will reduce our inventory substantially. It just doesn't look like things are going to get any better in the foreseeable future. Our neighbor just told us there are four huge office buildings down town in foreclosure. I will still be available for consultations on moving, paint consults, and maybe even some redesign but the overhead associated with the staging part of the business is a big leak in our family budget and so it is time to empty the warehouse.

These are just partial peeks of two areas of one storage unit.
There is another 19 ft one right next to it as well.

I am looking to sell some things at reasonable prices. If you might be interested in anything and live in the area, just let me know. I am really trying to avoid having to move everything over to the house to hold a sale so in the next few weeks I plan to get things organized and then I will be happy to take small groups or individuals over to shop. Thinking realistically I would like to do this as soon as possible but with the next few months being so busy, I may not be completely ready until mid-January. But if you are interested before then...just contact me. (bonniejmattsonatyahoodotcom)

I have lots of art work, bedding, towels, lamps, greenery and florals, all kinds of table top accessories, place-mats, tablecloths, shower curtains, flatware, dishes, serving pieces, etc. I also have a few pieces of larger furniture, a table and 4 chairs, an antique child's desk, some wicker chairs and a billion throw pillows!

So the goal is get it done by 2/1/10. So just be thinking and let me know if you are interested in seeing anything. It feels good to have made this decision to be a stay at home wife without the business hanging over my head. It will be a novelty to be able to give my family my full attention without having to think about working outside our home anymore.

So even though I am retiring from this aspect of the business officially, I will always be available to work on a consulting basis. My love for a beautiful home will never die. I plan to keep my business license and my certifications up I just won't have the inventory to deal with anymore.

I am a little bit sad but mostly glad about it. My life and family have just taken me in different directions and it is time. 2010 promises to be a year of transition for our family and we are looking forward to a bright and active future doing different things. Change is good, the economy just forced the issue a little sooner than I would have opted for doing it.

Italian Treats and Tricks

The definitive and very last word on Halloween
from Uncle Lowell's winning pumpkin!

This morning I am sharing Laura's post hot off the press regarding Halloween in Italy. I know, I know, I did a wrap the other day on the whole Halloween scene, but how could I leave these precious grandsons out of the mix? We had the curtain call, well, this is the encore...the last one for 2009! I promise!

Laura said....

"The boys went trick or treating again this year- they had a blast! Two days before Halloween however, the plan was to stay home, make caramel corn and watch a movie. This was their idea not mine, but I didn't mind and had planned accordingly. So when we went to a Halloween party on Friday night and all their friends were dressed up and dazzled about trick or treating- they got the itch to go too. I wanted to say no because I just didn't think I could pull it off cool costumes and safe candy (Spencer's peanut allergy presents quite a problem in this department) in such a short amount of time. In the end... I gave in! Good thing it is dark outside on Halloween night and my boys don't mind costumes made of old bedding! Anyway, it was a fun day- have a look!

Ross as Anakin Skywalker

Spencer as OB1

Jedi Knights

A little Halloween Drama

A little more Halloween Drama
(because the first time wasn't enough to make me
wonder why I ever let them watch Star Wars in the first place!
Mamma Mia!)

Trick or Treating Fun!

(This is one of the homes in the
gated community where they live.)

I find it funny that three of our five grandsons were Star Wars characters so popular 28 years ago. I can still remember the insanity of diving into big cardboard boxes at Toys R Us grappling for various Star Wars figures along with other nutty moms back in 1982! That is some pretty good staying power! The sun has officially gone down on Halloween 2009! It appears all the grandies had a ball.

Melancholy Baby

I have been thinking about my mother more than usual lately. This month marks the 6th year anniversary of her death. The first thought that I had this morning when I awakened was that when your mother dies, a big piece of you goes with her. Ironically, she also become a bigger part of you at the exact same time. There is that big hole in your heart, a quiet, sacred place where she will always remain. I often think of the ways that she lead and gently guided and always walked beside me.

I was struck with the feeling that there really cannot be a closer bond than that of mother and child, it is such a special and unique love. I am not saying it is more important than your love for your spouse, I am just saying the unconditional love for our spouse is something we strive for all of our lives and a lot of conditions are placed on that love. There must be trust, fidelity, etc., etc. I like to think in most cases of motherhood, selflessness is just a part of it from the beginning. For a good mother...the babies wants and needs and comfort always come first.

I think the mother/child relationship is the first place in our lives where we can feel and understand what unconditional love really is. It is the first place we get an inkling of how we are loved by God. I know not everyone has this kind of mother or is this kind of mother, but the potential is really there in the mother/child relationship like no other.

I am blessed to have a mother that knew and understood this. She was my biggest fan, my confidante, my very special friend and always there for me. In so many ways she truly gave her life for me and I miss her. Often times when I am just feeling melancholy...if I search my soul I find I am either thinking of her or one of our own children and missing them.

On Sunday we were reading and discussing the last verse in the Old Testament in Sunday School. Here is one of the places where family relationships are put into to their proper perspective. If the hearts of the fathers and the hearts of the children are not turned to each other the earth will be smitten with a curse. I know this verse has various layers of meaning but perhaps we are already seeing some of this 'smiting' in our world right now.

Of course fathers are very important too. The relationship is just as vital, but different. There is just something so cellular about carrying and delivering a baby that makes motherhood so sacred and unique. But even more important than that is the service mothers render to children. Through that service that natural love that is born at the birth grows by leaps and knows no bounds.

I have long recognized that when my mother was old and infirmed and I cared for her that my love for her grew in the same way. Without that service for the 12 years she lived after her brain surgery, I would have never loved her in the ways I do now. I am grateful to our Father in heaven for his plan, for eternal families and for the potential for joy that can be found in each one.

What did you notice as your first thoughts this morning? For me the morning time is a great time of reflection and thought. As soon as the day gets going I tend to just muddle through putting out fires and working on my to do list. But in the morning comes the most clarity of thought in my day. I guess that makes me a lark...rather than a night owl....and a bit of a melancholy baby when thinking about my beloved mother today.

Passed from this life to a better one
on November 15, 2003

Halloween Curtain Call

Zach A Star Wars Jedi

Harry Potter AKA Connor

Slugger~Owie~

The Tigress~Aynslee

Piper the Zombie!

Julia the Batty Bat and Chloe the Dragon!

Hazie has been spooked!
Jen and Traci's kids enjoying the festivities.
Hazie is just not havin' it though.

I haven't gotten any photos from Italy
yet but I know both Spencer and Ross
were Star Wars guys this year.
Good job, Mommies!

Miss Jen Cattin' Around!

And that's a wrap for another year on Halloween!