Shiny, Happy People

Have any of you Oprah fans seen her shows about "The Secret". Well, I haven't, but one of Mark's co-workers gave us the DVD to watch. It is very interesting-all about the power of positive thinking, and thinking your way to happiness and success. A lot of it is true, but I can see where people without the gospel, or without a testimony could drive it off into the ditch and come to believe that they can get what they need and want on their own, without help from God. Which I know to be untrue. But, it did get us thinking about keeping our thoughts positive, and I have to say, even though Mark went back to work this week and I have spent several nights up all night between working and Ty and Noah....I must say, I am fairly happy and shiny!! Maybe I just wanted an excuse to use this song...It brings back great early 9o's memories. Ah, the good 'ole days. Remember the B52s concert with Nathan Weldon???? That was a concert. Better than the Boys 2 Men, Bel Biv Divoe concert Mark and I went to with J. Bates and Jodie Stanger. They were not great in real life...I can't believe we liked that music so much. Best to stick with the Love Shack...that song, of course applies to our life, too....

I've been tagged 2

Please disregard the post before this one, it took me awhile to get the copy and paste thing to work...anyway, here goes my "One Word"....

You're Feeling: Brin Dead
To your left: Phone
On your mind: Sleep
Last meal included: Enchiladas
You sometimes find it hard to: Carry on a conversation
The weather: PERFECT!
Something you have a collection of: Junk
A smell that cheers you up: Rain
A smell that can ruin your mood: Pee (Amen!)
How long since you last shaved: 9 hours
The current state of your hair: Wiggidy Wack
The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): TV/VCR
Your skill with chopsticks: Expert :)
Which section you head to first in the bookstore: Children's Books
Something you're craving: Sleep
Your general thoughts on the presidential race: Ridiculous
How many times you've been hospitalized this year: Once
Favorite place to go for quiet time: What??
You've always secretly thought you'd be a good: Marine Biologist
Something that freaks you out a little: Strangers
Something you've eaten too much of lately: Candy
You have never: had my nails done
you never want to: fail to let the people I love know how much I love them

If you're reading this, your tagged!

I've Been Tagged!

I forgot to give a title to the last one...thanks for tagging me Mandra!? It was fun to read yours, though....Anyway, keep reading to see my "One Word" answers.

Take this Job and Shove it

Remember that oldie but goodie? "Take this job and shove it, I aint workin' here no more..." Well, last night I was officially fired from making dinner. Devin and Sam were so disgusted with the yummy pasta salad I had made, you guys know the one, chicken, caesar dressing, tomatoes...that Sam said, "Mom, you are fired from making dinner!" I rarely make anything Sam likes. Devin is a little easier to please, but not much. So, I end up making dinner for Mark and I. Why bother! I should feel bad about being fired, but I'm going to run with it. We'll see how Sam likes it when he wants something to eat and I remind him that he fired me. Someday they'll be on their missions and yearn for Mom's home cooking....ya think? Now I know why Mom always answered the age old question "What are we having for dinner?" with Sh-- on a Shingle, or Crap. My favorite was desert, Air.

Life's a Beach

Everytime I pick up Sam at the bus stop I never know what to expect. Will he be happy, crying, running to give me a hug, running to punch me in the gut? Never a dull moment. Well, last Wednesday was Beach Day at the elementary school. When Sam got off the bus I could tell he was crying. He walked over to the sidewalk, threw his backpack onto the grass and sat down in a huff. I reluctantly got out of the car (still in my PJs, of course) walked over to him, crouched down and asked him what was wrong. He said, "I hate my teacher. She didn't take us to the beach!!"

Life isn't always what you expect it's going to be. They may call it Beach Day, but bringing a beach towel to school and playing with beach balls in the dang gym is NOT the beach!

I'm okay

Hi, my name is Amy Spalding, and I'm okay. No this isn't the blog for junk food addicts, altough that would be a good one for me, I am just waxing philisophical after my 9pm fast walk at the good old Syracuse Community Center. This time Amanda and I talked about the fact that most of the things people do to look or feel "better" are really done to make others feel worse. The big homes, nice cars, hip clothes, etc...etc...Well, I've decided that when I drive Devin and Sam to school with my nerdy glasses on, my hair all wiggidy wack, my sleep wrinkles still set in, and I drive by someone who looks at me and thinks, 'wow, I look a lot better then she does', I've done some good! There are many areas in my life, ie. my messy house, the fact that I live in a very small home in comparison to the other homes in my neighborhood, my answering the door at 1pm while still in my PJs, and on, and on, where people can look at me and feel really good about themselves. And I'm good with that. I'm okay!!! If that's my calling in life, making people feel better, so be it :)

Faith and Hope

I just have to say, Mark and I are so impressed with Mandy and Travis. Last night we all went over to visit and they are so full of optimism and faith, it is great to see and feel. We hope we can add to that...We've found some cool reading I wanted to share:

"At times we will learn first and be tried later; at other times the Lord will try us first and then teach us from the trials. But in spite of the sequence, I pray that we will move forward with faith in and love for the Lord-even while not knowing beforehand what lies ahead. Later in life we'll be able to look back on the what of our lives and understand the why. If we have been true and faithful, these backward glances will reveal to us a clear path of progress toward perfection guided by an all-wise, patient, and loving Heavenly Father...Our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ love each one of us beyond our present capacity to comprehend." (Knowing, Doing, and Being by William H. Baker-BYU Speeches 2006-2007)

Definition of Faith from the Bible Dictionary:

To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone...Miracles do not produce faith but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ...faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one's faith. Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements and/or heal th sick, or influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrents...

We love you Mandy and Travis!!!