Bloom Where You’re Planted!

Life is all about change.

It is about moving forward, learning new things, and experiencing new experiences. It may be moving to a new home, starting a new job, welcoming a new baby, becoming an empty nester or saying goodbye to someone close to you who has passed on.

 I have never been afraid to try new things, to quit a job and move on, if that job that isn’t a good fit.

Sometimes the changes are not what we want, and sometimes they are our choice.

I have a new job.

I feel sad that I will not see the sweet little daycare kids I have grown to love.

I will get to see something I love, and have always loved my whole life!

Flowers!

My new job is working at a flower shop. I am hoping to have a wonderful experience with this change in my life. Flowers help people feel loved. They say someone is thinking of you. I feel like what I do at this new job is blessing other peoples lives, helping them at difficult times, happy times, and everyday moments.

I love it!

What a great opportunity for me! I will “Bloom Where I’m Planted!” at my new job!

She is Witty, Funny, and I Love Her!


My sweet mother in law passed away.

I will miss her.

She has been a part of my life for 32+ years. She has blessed our family with her love, and her service. We have had so many fun times together as a family. Her skills at board and card games is amazing. Once she got the word “fandango” in Scrabble! Who does that? She is so funny and always had a cute story to share every time we saw her. She is an awesome cook. Thankfully my darlin knew I’d never be as good as her, so his expectations were low. I think he got his moms abilities to cook too. Lucky for me!  She is a good lady, and wonderful mom. She is a sweet grandmother to our kids, and grandkids.

She has a love of The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and served as a missionary several times. Her love of God was evident by the way she lived.

I’m sure she has reunited with her sweetheart Pearce, who passed away 3 years ago. What a reunion that must have been.

I am so grateful for her.

I will miss her, but when I do, I will think of all of the wonderful memories I have of her life. What a sweet lady!

Change: Out With the Old, In With the New!

Sometimes change is a good thing!

First the old: It all started 30 or so years ago my hubby became a locksmith. It was a choice he might not have made, except his dad decided to learn how to do it too. He was a locksmith full time for at least a year. It was a big investment financially in the beginning. There were tools, machines, keys, etc. to buy to get started. Then we realized it was not the job for us. Many things about the job made it a hard job, on call on holidays, no insurance, on and on. Even though my darlin kept the tools and machines for all these years, he didn’t do it as his job. He had moved on to better opportunities, and at this time has a great job with many benefits.

Now for the new: Like I said this locksmith job was many years ago, and we have had the tools and machines for all this time. They were taking up room in our tiny garage, and it wasn’t leaving enough room for the car. I said, “Why don’t you put all these things from locksmithing in the trunk of you car, and then when you are driving around town you can stop at a locksmithing business here in town and see if they want to buy these things?” He agreed and put them in his trunk. About six months later, he came home from running errands and said, “Guess what? I sold my locksmithing stuff.” Yay!!!

I wondered what he would do with the money.

He had such a great idea. He decided to buy a tennis racket stringer. The best part about that, is that he loves tennis!!! He is good at tennis, and plays at least once a week with friends. He had spend time and money on the locksmithing stuff so it was hard for him to part with them, but it ended up being a really great thing!

I’m so glad! 

Doors! and St. Patrick!

I love to look at doors! The things shared on doors are always interesting and fun. The door above in my parents door. Of course it’s March, and I think we all become a little Irish in March. It’s just a fun holiday. 

A holiday celebrating, St Patrick who was kidnapped from his home in Britain, taken to Ireland, and held captive for years. He later escaped and returned home to his family. He became a priest and returned to Ireland. He is celebrated as the one who brought Christianity to Ireland. I love the idea that he was able to forgive the people who kidnapped him, and bring religion to them. Teaching us all that forgiveness is necessary to move forward and bless others. 

So, back to my parents home, and door. My mom loves to share cute and fun decorations on her door. I couldn’t resist taking a picture today when I went to visit them. I love this Celtic Cross and Irish Prayer.

“My God give you…

For every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial. 

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer to every prayer.

I hope we all enjoy the little lessons in history, and to celebrate them when the holiday comes!!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Ten Things Tuesday!

In case this is your first visit to ourjoyfulnest, I need to tell you that we moved almost 2 years ago. Our old home was over 3000 square feet and our new (old, built in 1906) home is 1500 total square feet. This has been a good and needed challenge for us to fit in this cute little home.  So we came up with “Ten Things Tuesday!”

First it is the cutest little home we’ve ever been blessed to lived in.

When we first moved, we divided all the furniture and things with our kids. We brought to our new (old) home way too much in the beginning. It worked out though, because we needed to go through the things and decide what we really needed or wanted.

This process has taken time.

We’re about there, as far as fitting in our home goes, but you know how things come in on a constant basis? We’re bringing home new purchases, or celebrating Christmas or whatever. It starts to get thick around here with things.

So the way we alleviate the problem of getting too much stuff is a weekly purge. We call it “Ten Things Tuesday.” We have a spot located near the back door that we collect the things that need to be donated. If we are consistently donating items to the DI (Deseret Industries) then the likelihood of having too many things that fill up the house goes down.

We donate “Ten Things” every “Tuesday!”

It is a great way to stay on top of the clutter and mess that builds up in our lives.

The Winter Solstice!

Years ago, I taught a sweet and clever young boy in Primary.

He is the son to one of my friends, and I knew/know him very well.

It was about this time of year that I was teaching them and asked the children, “Who can tell me what we celebrate this time of year?”

They looked like they were thinking. It can’t be too hard, it’s just a week or two before Christmas which is like almost all children’s favorite time of year.

I waited, and waited.

Then Parker raised his hand, and said, “Well, you could celebrate the Winter Solstice!

Wow! That was a surprise!

“I guess you could,” I said. I couldn’t believe such a little guy could have even heard of the Winter Solstice. I told him I was actually talking about Christmas, and all the kids got big smiles on their faces, and we continued to talk about Christmas.

I went home from church and did an internet search of the Winter Solstice. It was very interesting. It is a pagan holiday, so I didn’t really want focus too much on that, but I found out that it is the shortest day of the year. After the Winter Solstice the days will get longer, and eventually the days will be brighter, as we leave winter behind.

I thought of the symbolism that we could think of, if we chose to. I like to think of our Savior as a light. He is the light of the world. At this particular time in the history of our world many are very far away from the Son. There is so much darkness. It makes me sad. But, I choose to focus on the fact that this darkness cannot last. It will get brighter. The Son will be close and will bless our lives with light, someday He will bless our lives with light forever. I consider the Winter Solstice a day to remember the Son, and how His light blesses us and how much I want it in my life.

So every year since that day in primary, I call Parker to wish him a Happy Winter Solstice.

We had Parker’s family over for dinner last week to celebrate the Winter Solstice, and talk about light, and how important it is to us. Parker knows he said that comment about the Winter Solstice, only because I remind him. He doesn’t remember saying it. Cute.

I am grateful that my little friend Parker, who is now 14 years old, blessed me years ago with a new way of thinking about the cold, dark and short winter days.

Hang in there! The light is coming! The days are getting longer!

Miracles!

I can only speak for myself, but sometimes miracles are both happy and traumatic. Both fill us with incredible gratitude.

Like the time my brother received a liver transplant, or the time we had a car crash and no one was injured. Then there was the time I really needed a job and got one. I am so grateful for these miracles.

Our family was blessed with an amazing miracle recently. This miracle cannot be denied. God was very much aware of the situation and blessed our family.

This is a picture of my parents taking a stroll in Slovenia.

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They are the rock of our family.

The most loving, supportive, and noble souls I have ever known. 

My youngest brother and his wife blessed the parents with a wonderful trip. They do it every year. It is a trip most treasured by our parents. They traveled to many locations in Europe, starting and ending in Slovenia. My brother served his LDS mission there. On the day the were scheduled to return home, my mom had a fall. She fell down a flight of stairs…24 stairs! Let me just say she is 84 years old. She is a very healthy 84 year old, but everyone knows that a fall by someone who is older in years is usually not a good thing, and sometimes it is tragic. 

This was so scary for my dad. He heard her call to him and saw her falling. They have been married for 61 years and are very attached to each other. 

Now for the miracle! 

My amazing, wonderful, favorite mom in the whole world, escaped that fall with no broken bones, no major injuries, just lots and lots of bruising. They took her to the hospital and had her checked out, and she was released to come home. Ice packs, Ibuprofen, and TLC from my brother, and then she was home. 

When I saw her I cried and cried. It was traumatizing just thinking about my 84 year old mama falling down the stairs. I still have to say that quick so I don’t think about it too much. But, she is safe. She is healthy. She is alive, and not invalid. 

I’ve always felt like my parents were blessed with so many good years, because they are still so involved in blessing others. They both still volunteer at the local Family Search Library, helping others, and actively doing their own genealogy, and my dad spends every Friday afternoon reading, telling jokes, and stories to the “old folks” at the convalescent center. Many of which are younger than him. He has done this for 20+ years.

I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who blesses His children. I am so grateful that my blessed Mama is still here to hug and kiss and tell her how much she means to me. Thank God for Miracles!

Visiting Puffin’s? It’s a Happy Place!

There are some things in life that just fill my heart with happiness! One of those things are

Puffin’s!

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All of God’s creations are amazing. I always try to make a habit of noticing and truly appreciating the beauty and wonder around me.

On my list of favorites is this cute sea bird called a Puffin. 

The Puffin is a small, black and white bird, with a colorful beak. It’s beak is not always colorful, but during the breeding season it is colorful. They can dive deep to fish for food, or fly for long periods of time. When they rest on the open sea, they can sit on the ocean and ride the waves. These cute little birds mate for life, but separate during the winter months coming back to the same place during breeding season. The female only lays one egg and she and her mate take turns sitting on the egg and feeding the Puffling once it is hatched. Yes, the young Puffin is called a Puffling! I could watch them for hours.

That brings up the reason for the post, I found a bird cam that is on Seal Island in Maine, Puffin’s breed there and Audubon has a camera so I can watch them as long as I want. Here’s the link for you!

It is called the Puffin loafing ledge.

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The Puffin’s are truly an example of living a good life.

First: The never forget where home is. Second: They mate for life. They separate for a time and return to each other. Third: They work hard for their food and to feed the family. Forth: They know how to soar and they know how to dive. Sometimes life gives you ups and sometimes life gives downs. Fifth: When they need a break, the take it easy and float on the waves. You could say they “go with the flow”.

Maybe we can all learn to be more like Puffin’s!

Sunday Best!

This quote describes my darlin to a “T.”

“Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” -Joseph Smith

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You will not usually see my darlin cruising around with his chainsaw and working on the Sabbath, but we have had some serious wind storms, and trees have been falling on homes, cars, and making a real mess where we live.

Last night the wind start to blow really hard. I’m sure a lot of people didn’t sleep well. Sometime in the night the power went out and by 7:30 this morning I received a text saying that 9:00 church had been cancelled. The power was out in the church.

My sweetie decided to go for a ride and see what things looked like. He ended up driving past our old home. It has many tall pine trees around it. He noticed one pine tree was tipping a bit and when he looked at the ground realized it was going to fall over. He quickly went to the door and let the people who live there now know they needed to move the cars that were parked very close to the tree. They rushed to move the cars and within a minute or so the tree came down right where the cars were.

They were so grateful!

My darlin showed up at home and told me the story, then left with his chainsaw to cut up the tree.

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When he got back to our old home. The tree next to the one that fell, was beginning to tip as well. Some of the neighbors noticed the activity going on and started to help clear the limbs and clean up while others started cutting down the other tree.

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I drove over to see the damage. I was amazed and surprised that it never happened while we lived there. What a wonderful neighborhood. People were coming to help without any special request. Just seeing the need and helping. I love these people!

I love my darlin for blessing so many others, and always being “anxious to bless the whole human race!”

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

Expectations!

I’ve been going through boxes…still.

I moved a year ago, we downsized.

Somethings you can go through quick, and junk or donate. Somethings take time, like the kids school papers, and family memorabilia. My expectation was that I would scrapbook, or organize as we lived, and experienced the things that are now in boxes, while we were experiencing the memory.

Wrong!

I was busy when they happened,

Living!

Now, if you’re one of those mom’s like I was, don’t be hard on yourself. Do the best you can, and someday you can be like me. 😉 I found some pictures today of my kids when they were just tiny. With tears streaming down my cheeks I thought of all the fun we had as a family when they were little. It was the best! I wouldn’t trade it for anything!!!

If I had organized all the things I meant to, I wouldn’t be spending time today thinking about how blessed I’ve been to have children, a sweet darlin, and wonderful memories of all of us growing together!

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Riley 2 years old with Uncle Brad

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Alex 6 months old with Grandpa

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Riley 5 years old and Kelsey 2 years old (me in the background)