Thursday, January 29, 2009

New Thoughts


So I'm reading a book called "Remembering Wholeness" by Carol Tuttle. It's a "self-help" book designed to help readers remember their true Self, or divine nature, or real self...whatever you want to call it. I'm only a quarter way through but found myself with my pen in hand underlining, getting excited and nodding my head going, "yes! I love this."
One principle that she talks about it the power of our thoughts. She states that our thoughts create the life we are living. What we believe actually becomes our reality. What we spend our time thinking, feeling, and speaking about actually draws that thing into our lives. So if we spend our time thinking negative thoughts, then we will actually draw more negative experiences into our lives. We have the power to change our lives just by changing our thoughts! We are not victims of our circumstances, but are actually totally in control by what we think. We are in deliberate control of our lives. How awesome is that? (Also a little scary, because that is how we become ACCOUNTABLE!!!)
One way to directly influence our thoughts and experiences is by using positive affirmations. She talks about how powerful the statement "I am" is. By saying "I am" at the beginning of a sentence we are actually creating our present reality. So by stating positive affirmations beginning with "I am" we are drawing that idea or energy into our lives. I have found this to be very powerful. Rob has said nightly positive affirmations with our kids since they were old enough to talk. Recently, both Rob and I have been practicing this principle and have loved the effects.
Some of my affirmations are: I am a good mom, I have an abundance of energy, I am joyful and happy, I am patient and loving with my kids, I am using my time wisely, I am full of creativity, I am open and unafraid, I am a good communicator, I am a daughter of God, I am full of light and love, I am a loving and thoughtful wife, I am considerate of others, I am attracting people who are positive, safe and respectful, I am attracting like-minded people with whom I love to interact, I am respectful of my kids and their feelings....these are just a few.
Another thing I love about her book is she brings it all back to this, we were created to be joyful and happy. That is our true, natural state. So, anytime we are not in this state we are miserable, because we are creating something that is not our natural state. Sometimes we feel these feelings to teach us something, that maybe we are making wrong choices, or focusing on negative things. She says that "we came into this life with the soul intent on remembering who we are--our gifts, our glory, our power, and our god-self. We choose an interesting way of remembering: we are remembering by experiencing who we are not." Through our experiences we can come to know who we really are. "You are loved, You are already whole. You have just forgotten your wholeness. And in that forgetting you stumble and fall and make mistakes that you are meant to learn from." Love that perspective.
One other point I loved is this. "When our physical body rules our lives, we are subject to addictions and appetites of the flesh. All these states keep our spirit, our soul essence, from being the most dominant influence in our lives. When we allow our spirit, which is connected to Christ, to direct our lives, we are willing to surrender our emotions, our conscious thinking mind, and our appetites and physical passions to it. In this surrendering we subject our will to our spirit's will.
"Our spirit's will is always aligned with God's will for us. It is in this state of being that we are truly aligned with Christ-energy and every thought, feeling, and physical desire is in harmony with God. It is in this state that we attract like-minded people and experiences that bring us joy. Life mirrors back to us a life of well-being and harmony wherein all things that are good and desired can come effortlessly."
To you, all my friends and family, and to myself I quote "Realize that you are wonderful, perfect, learning and growing, and doing the best you know how!"

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Disney World 2009

This last weekend I got to go with Rob on a business trip to Orlando. While we were there we decided we might as well enjoy DisneyWorld. Even though it was unseasonably cold in Orlando (high of 40 the first day there) we had an awesome time. I had to buy a hat and gloves and wear two coats and jump up and down a lot to stay warm. Our favorite was spending time in Epcot and of course the Rockin' Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios (my absolute favorite!!!!). We did feel a little guilty not having the kids with us, but assuaged our guilt by "scoping out the park" for our next big Disney family vacation Spring of 2010. 
While in Orlando, Rob conducted business with clients at MarketLeverage and then we got to hang out with Sal (President of MarketLeverage) and his wife Kiera which was awesome! They took us on this cool little boat tour in Winter Park where we saw some amazing houses on the lake. It was a lot of fun hanging out with them and realizing we had a lot in common.
We also drove to Jacksonville and spent a little time with Rob's sister Suzi and her family (not nearly enough time however). That's when we saw this funny dude with his dog-house trailer. 
It was a whirl-wind of a trip, but a lot of fun. A nice breather from the cold, yucky weather in Utah!

I'm a Nut!!!

So, you know how I explained in an earlier post that I don't read directions and it often gets me in trouble? Well, here is a perfect example....

A few days ago I received a message in my FB inbox from a *Gary Larsen asking if I was related to Earl and Dave Hansen of Ontario Canada and if I wasn't sorry to bug me. Well, when I opened the message and saw Gary Larsen I assumed that it was a Gary Peterson that works with Rob and thought that the message was kind of odd since we're pretty good friends. (Rob also works with a Jay Larsen and somehow I put the two names together to come up with Gary Larsen.) 

 So, I thought I'd try to be funny (second part that always gets me in trouble is when I try to be funny!) and responded with "Nope, but we are all related in the eternal sense. Have a great day my brother! ha ha ha" and sent the message. 
 
No sooner than I sent the message did I realize that the person I knew was Gary Peterson not Gary Larsen and I started laughing out loud! It gets even better...


When I went to investigate who this Gary Larsen was and if I did know him I looked under his profile on FB and saw listed as religion: agnostic and under political views: very liberal!

What more can I say?

*names have been changed because it seems like a good idea :)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Diaper Free and Fancy Free!

So, honestly I didn't think I would ever see this day. But it's here! Owen is certifiably one hundred percent potty trained. Yahoo!!!!
It's been 12 years of diapers in the Seolas household, but no longer. What a happy day!
Owen said to me today after going poopy in the toilet, "I'm getting really, really lots of big! Just like you. And you are so proud of me!"
Yes, Owen, you are really, really lots of big! And I'm so proud of you!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Just for laughs

Alex made this card for me last Mother's Day...I think it's hilarious, and witty. 




It says, "Quick! I need the number for Sushi Palace. And thumbs, I need thumbs!"

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Passing Time

One of the things that makes winter more bearable, and yes, even fun is skiing with the kids. This last Saturday we went to Park City with the 3 older boys. Alex and Gavin went off to do their thing which left Rob, Liam and I to hang out and ski together. We had a great time and Liam's skiing is improving quickly. I even improved my "carving" after Rob's great instruction and it all finally clicked. At the end of the day, Liam and I were in the car waiting for the rest of the crew and took some fun "photo booth" pictures.

Liam skied hard, and crashed on the way home.

I'm happy to say that skiing has helped me enjoy winter 
and gives us great weekends to spend together.





Thursday, January 1, 2009

Some of our FAVORITE things in Hawaii



CHILLIN' at the Water Park

Morning WALKS on the beach
PLAYING in the ocean

Family pictures on the BEACH

Playing GOLF with the boys

FINDING hermit crabs in tide pools

cute BOYS on the beach

again, CUTE boys on the beach

FAMILY bonding time

strawberries in CHOCOLATE fondue 
at the all-you-can-eat buffet

YUMMY chicken at Maui Mike's revisted a second time
(it was really that good!)

SILLY kids