While I was sick, I wish I could have been sleeping. But unfortunately that wasn't the situation. Instead, the situation was three miserable beings taking turns crying to each other and whining (I did my fair share of crying and whining too). I also wish I could say that I used that precious time to glean and read from the best of resources. But even that took too much energy. So I social media binged for hooours. In between preparing meals and changing diapers and cuddling.
I am trying to figure out this whole "social media" thing. There are some days when I want to Insta Story everything for friends and family far away. And I want to post Instagram posts that are funny and meaningful. And then there are times when I think, "WHY DO I INSTA STORY EVERYTHING??" I can't tell you how. many. times. I have done an Insta Story - only to think, "Why am I spending so much time trying to film all these moments instead of just being here?" It's a balance. One that I am trying to learn.
Well after so much social media I was all fired up. I needed to sign up for a gym tomorrow, make a chore chart, revamp our schedule routine, plan a vacation, mini getaways in between, and turn my very, very small business into a multimillionaire company. And do it will a grace and an incredibly charming personality.
You guys. I got this.
Luckily, I listened to an Audio Book recently by Sister Dew and Sister Nelson. SO many wonderful insights were shared. I really do look up to these sisters - and for good reason. They know the gospel. Sheri Dew shared an experience that really influenced me.
She said she was at a luncheon with a group of women. Now these women were {and still are!} wonderful women of the gospel. Well they were discussing a "hot topic." Each sharing insights and opinions. Then Sheri Dew said, "Well what did you think about Sister Kathy Hughes talk from General Conference? She brought up some very good points about this exact topic!"
Apparently, everyone kinda looked clueless because no one had listened to that conference. She says, "I could feeling some arousal of emotion because I KNOW the details, inspiration and time it takes to prepare for those." Ha! She then goes on to tell them some of the points and one gal says, "Oh I am definitely going to have to download that talk and read it." And the next sentence that she says is, "But did you hear what Oprah had to say about this subject?"
Interesting, right? Then, Sister Dew said, "Wait a minute, I thought you worked all day? When can you watch Oprah?" The gal replied, "Well I record the show every day and watch it when I come home." As Sister Dew said it, "I could not be fully constrained at that point." She then said something along the lines of, "You're telling me that you have time to sit and watch Oprah every night and to make sure that you record every episode. But you can't attend/listen a 90 minute special women's conference that only happens once a year. At which the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints came and spoke at also for women. A place where we can hear God's word. And where the Relief Society Board addresses us who has a unique stewardship over all the women of the church?"
Now. Obviously this wasn't a bash on Oprah. You can replace Oprah with any other talk show, TV show, podcast, whatever.
Here is her point:
Where are we getting our truth?
Are we getting our truth from our leaders... or are we getting it from those Facebook articles (yeah... that's me).
When dealing with questions, we should first and foremost turn to church leaders and then glean truths from the world. But too often that's not what I do. I read an article and then make a decision based off that article. As a friend said today, when we read we should try to find truths from the scriptures and prophets that compliment what we have read.
The thing that Sheri Dew mentioned was that the world has so many good insights and ideas. But usually truth is mixed in right. And truth can be confused sometimes. For me, sometimes I take those Facebook "good feel" articles as truth. But it's not.
So how does this tie into my social media binge?
Well, I see all those awesome ladies {No, I'm being serious. They're awesome.} at the gym posting about their Orange Therapy (or insert any other workout) and how fabulous it was and how great they feel. Instantly, I'm like - oh man. To feel like that i need to get to the gym and lose allllll that baby weight (I don't want to talk about it). But what's the truth? The truth is the Word of Wisdom. The truth is that we all have different body types. And the truth is if I am really struggling with that, I can turn to Heavenly Father and he can inspire me or bless me with gifts that can help me follow the Word of Wisdom better.
The truth is that all those really great articles I read of business women were inspiring - but I need to find the truth within these articles instead of instantly taking them to heart.
Lately, I have really felt something divine trying to talk to me. But I know to really find the answer to my questions, I need to be studying {not just reading} intently and vigorously praying and really find out what He wants me to know.
The saddest part: the energy that I know the process will entail already has me exhausted. Sometimes reading and praying and studying and just thinking is too much after my day with the kids. We're doers. Our usual day consists of two hours out in the morning and two hours out in the afternoon. I'm not a homebody during the day - but once it hits five o'clock - you can't make me leave!
But. Today is my commitment to myself and to the Lord that I will do the important things more intently. That all that really has to get done every day is scripture study, prayer, and family home evening. That I will enjoy these moments while I grow - not when I grow. And that I will continue to learn what my journey entails here on Earth. But most importantly, I will learn more about what it means to "become more like Him."
1. You can sleep through anything. A N Y T H I N G. Even the high pitch screams of your baby brother (SIX times a night, i might add).
2. You're a quick learner. Heaven knew I needed that first. Those baby stages were hard for me. But you learned to sign the most important words, and were an early walker and talker. Which helped me so much because I had your brother so soon after you.
3. You live life to the fullest. You're fun adventurous spirit fills my soul with energy and when I plan our adventures, I love to picture your face and your feelings.
4. You're a natural helper.
5. You love to the fullest.
Porter, there is a reason that you are the firstborn in this family. I know it. I hope you take the role seriously. Can you see Brooks's face light up when you interact with him? Can you see him wanting to be just like you? I love you, Porter. Keep that zest for life and remember it is to be enjoyed.
It's been awhile. But are we all really that surprised? I openly mentioned my lack of discipline for blogging in my last post. But I'm still here because although I test the limit to the Chatbook captions on the daily, I still can't get enough of writing my own thoughts and happenings down for my family.
I feel like Chatbooks are our memories and trip books. I post lots of fun moments and trips in those books and I definitely don't regret it. But when they need some more concrete wisdom and thoughts from their Mom (because you will always need that P & B - kidding --{sorta}), they can look through here and dip in our basin of thoughts and memories. And if my children don't know that is a Harry Potter reference than I have truly failed them.
So my thoughts as of recently. I've been contemplating the blessings of living far away from home {a coping mechanism right? How is living 10 minutes from Mexico a blessing?} and I've discovered a few things that we are so lucky to have.
1. We know people. We have good friends everywhere. How cool is that? And is it weird that we are trying to plan a vacation back to Rexburg? Who thought that would ever happen? But we miss our people. We won't visit you in the snow {I mean, we don't miss you that much}, but we have given our heart to people in so many places. We still talk about that CTR 9 {or whatever its called} class we taught in Salt Lake City. Or our Dual Spires ward in Mesa {Psych anyone}. And now we have people here in El Centro that we have come to know and love.
2. Experiences - That's a whole novel I need to record in itself. There are so many stories that have go untold that need to be shared. In Dual Spires, SLC, Idaho, and here. Especially here. It definitely has given us a unique perspective.
3. Friends. This one has been on my mind a lot recently. Here we are. A group of wives/families thrown into the middle of nowhere. Obviously none of us have family here and there isn't too much happening either. So we become each other's family. It happened in Rexburg, and it has happened again here. This makes it all worth it. I swear.
4. Break Barriers: I hang out with people who have teenagers. Which isn't the norm, I know. But this ties back into number three. We treat each other like family here. So we do birthday lunch dates. We do events together and it's okay if all the ages don't match up. College girls come hang at my house just to talk and eat my food. It's fine. It works. And I love it.
Aaaand that's all I got. I know, I know. The list for "Why It's So Awesome to Live Next to Family" is 45 bullet points long. But my sweet boys, I want you to know that there are positive experiences waiting for you. And some might require you to fly the coop. But you will always, always have a place at home. So don't be afraid to venture out and try your wings.
Also. Audiobooks? GAME CHANGER. I thought I would hate them. I had completely dismissed the thought until recently when I had to try to catch up with my BOM studies and I listened to the BOM while driving, and i liked it. Who am I? A few months later a friend sent me audio books and kinda pushed me toward that path again. I relented. And I am hooked. My house is clean. I'm getting spiritually fed and motivated. And I am also keeping Deseret Books in business. Win - Win!
Trent and I had been clashing lately - maybe a few weeks. Thankfully, we had a few late night chats and really took the time to sort things out. It took awhile though for me to discern the root of the problem. But I think it was because I am changing as a person. And I needed him to be there for me in a different way. Well, maybe not different. But I need his presence, and support in a particular way. I needed him to fill a gap that I couldn't fill on my own. Marriage is work. But I know the work we put in now will only bless us now & in the eternities.
Honest to goodness. He is the greatest. I worry sometimes I think too highly of him. Is that possible?
I sure do hope that my boys find young women who think the same of them.
Next I will have to post aaalll the reasons why Porter is the oldest child. Goodness I love them.
Time for that once a month post. I'm slowly losing motivation to blog. But it's the only way I journal.
So must. keep. going.
Last month we went on a vacation with friends. Friend vacations are my favorite. Trent and I spend a lot of time with the kids going to fun places. So we love going on larger vacations where other kids can entertain our kids and we can hang out with other adults. I think next time though I'll aim for a friend vacation with adults only. It felt a little crazy. And each family had a lot going on. Interviews and new opportunities kinda came all at once right before the trip and made things a little interesting. But Trent said that was his favorite family vacation {it even beat our cruise trip last year!} I personally thought he was crazy, but that's Trent for you. He doesn't let little things bother him. He worries about himself and his family and doesn't have crazy standards or expectations. He's the perfect reminder for me. Overall, the Thompsons really enjoyed themselves. Already have an entire Chatbook created about this trip, so I'm not going to upload any pics. Too much hassle.
The day after we got back from vacation I spoke in Stake Conference. I think that's my dream. I want to be a speaker. I want to bring people hope and motivation. So I've asked Heavenly Father for lots of opportunities to really develop that talent. Since I have asked him for that specific talent I have had two opportunities. And every time the opportunity to speak has come, I have been insanely busy. So I end up preparing the talk the morning of -- Stake Conference was no exception. I know, awful. I feel so ashamed about it, ya know? I have been asked for these opportunities and then I don't take full advantage of them. Obviously, there was some repentance that had to happen there...
But after conference we had the neat experience to have lunch with the Elder Gant, the seventy that came. Also with the entire stake presidency, their wives, and the San Diego temple president and his wife. Not our usual crowd, for sure. But it was so uplifting and the conversation was fun and natural. The church is truly filled with some amazing people.
Halloween came and left. I don't really care for Halloween so the boys dressed up like Thomas the Train (Porter), and Superman (Brooks). And chatbooks for the win again!
Some more rambling thoughts:
I recently finished the Magnolia Story and it was just about everything I needed. I came to Trent and told him a desire of mine. I have always wanted a husband who would read the same book with me. I feel like I grow as an individual when I read. And I feel like reading can strengthen a marriage (like scripture reading does!) So I asked him to read the Magnolia Story with me because there are so many lessons that I think we can learn from them. Things I want to incorporate. Not everything will work for us, but there are so many wonderful points made. Well, he hates reading. So he said, "Pick out a few of your favorite chapters or sections and I will read those." Hey. It's a start. He read the first section I picked tonight and he laughed the entire time. My wife heart could have exploded that moment. Then we had a good conversation about dreams and making the best out of tough situations. Those are the moments that are my favorite.
Also. Another plus is my house has been clean since I started reading that book. Ha! I feel the same way she does about cleaning - don't do it until the kids are in bed. I came to that resolution a few months ago and it works for me. Well, until I started up this business. That business is a whole other post itself. Talk about a heavy freaking learning curve. Anyways. I clean up the kitchen and table after dinner while Trent plays with the kids. Porter cleans his own playroom. And then I pick up the rest of the house and vacuum after the kids are in bed. Laundry is done on weekends when I am not working on business stuff and my bedroom is constant mess and I don't care. Life isn't perfect and our bedroom is pretty ugly (decoration wise) so I have no motivation to keep it clean.
I'm going to end on one last thought.
I always want to remember when I didn't care. There is something so freeing about living here. I look around and my house is so poorly decorated it's funny. There are no wall galleries (no family picture actually - that needs to change though), the furniture is sub par (because we have made most of it and making things for the first time is ALWAYS a learning experience), and everything is just very minimal. But I feel so perfectly blessed. I feel so incredibly lucky. And I love that we feel this way. I love that we spend our money on vacations and family outings instead of decorations. I love that we would rather build a sub par piece of furniture instead of buying it. We have so much fun building together. I love that Trent is so perfectly content with his life and that his priorities are so clear. Today he came in and said, "Chelsea, I live the manliest and best life. I wake up butt early (he was at work by 4:45 AM today), I work in construction - which is so manly, I come home to a smoking hott wife (insert my insecure laugh), two beautiful boys, we had pizza tonight, and then I worked in the garage and fixed my dirt bike (which is 13 years old by the way - Ha! So not very nice). I mean. This is the life. This is it!" No joke, folks. Trent really feels he is living the dream because he has a garage and ate some pizza. I just love that we are so far from everything. We are in these farm lands and we live by people and go to church with people who live simply, but fiercely.
One day I will put all my designer skill in action and create a beautifully decorated home with nice furniture. When the kids are older, we do want that. But for now, we are learning and growing in other areas and we are content with it.
I'm not trying to say, "Oh we go without so much, but are still content!" Because we honestly don't go without! And I'm not trying to say, "Oh my gosh we are so much more blessed than everyone else!" Because we're not. We are are just happy and content with the progress we're making as a family. Hopefully that makes sense. And most importantly, I want to teach our boys to learn to be grateful and thrive in all the situations life gives them.
