Thoughtful Friends

I'm so grateful for thoughtful friends who make me desire to be better. My friend Kristi Brausch asked me one day for the birthdays of all of our family members and since then has never failed to send a card. Not only to send a card but a card that arrives on TIME! My kids always get so excited to get mail (I have to admit so do I). My Dad and his wife are also very good about this.

Now me? I remember that I should have sent a card the day before their birthday, I then either throw my hands up and say "Oh, well! There's always next year!", I make excuses about how I've already done my weekly WalMart shopping (yeah, I don't get out much) and don't have a card, or I give them a lame phone call. So here's my plan of action:

1. Gather a few birthdays starting with your own children (I mean I need to start small or I'm going to fail..I know myself too well)

2. Buy your first real "your a grown-up now" planner to record such dates. I like this one from Franklin Covey

3. Quit being a scrooge and buy cards ahead of time so you already have them on hand (Note here: I personally am a little "anti-cards". I hate paying $3-$5 for something that someone will probably throw away within a week. HOWEVER, I have a Mother-in-law who LOVES receiving cards and always gushes over them. Point is: It's the thought that counts!)

4. Eventually become world famous for sending cards for the birthdays, weddings, graduations, losses, new jobs, new babies, new puppies, great haircuts and blemish free days of my family, friends, and that one really nice lady at the library. (Ask Kimberly Cardon why she'll stand in her line and wait for 10 minutes even though that OTHER librarian is totally available)

Wish me luck!

Ok, so lately I've just been kinda a party pooper about life in general. This cold, miserable weather just makes me want to curl up in bed and never do anything. When I do have to do something I'm cranky and whiny about it. No more! I have decided that I am changing my thoughts and that I am going to try to have a positive outlook on whatever I am doing. Going to Wal-Mart to grocery shop for 2 hours? Woo-hoo! Changing my 4th diaper at 10am? Suh-weet! Going to the dentist? Can hardly WAIT!

Boyd K. Packer says that "our thoughts are the switchboard, the control panel governing our actions".

"I think therefore I am"

"Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples don't count on harvesting golden Delicious."

The thoughts that I think effect DRAMATICALLY my outlook on life and the way my day goes. There are enough people in this world that think negative thoughts. I for one am going to contribute more often to the ones who think positively.