I have two little hands!

 I love this photo, that Lauren did of a friend of ours that was expecting last year. We had a baby shower for her and we had so much fun. I was looking up the origin of baby showers and here is what I found...

 The origin of baby showers can’t be pointed out exactly, but many people believed this practice dates back to the ancient times. During the Victorian Era, the baby shower was simply a tea party, held in the afternoon. The guests were the closest female friends of the mother-to-be, and they gather together to talk, to wish the new mommy good luck and give small gifts for the child. It was a simple and quaint event
Today, baby showers are considered one of the most important celebrations for parents. Of course, how this party is planned and celebrate has changed over time. Although many old baby shower traditions are still widely seen, new ones have also emerged.

 Tonight we did another baby shower for a friend (haven't had time yet to download the photos). She is having another little boy and so she really didn't need anything, but everyone still wanted to come celebrate with her. Amy and I love to do themes for our parties. We kept trying to think of a fun and new theme for her. Finally, I realized that when she goes to church with  her little boy, she doesn't have a lot of quiet things for him to do and play with. You know a whole bag of tricks that will entertain him and keep him happy and more quiet (everyone should have one of these). Actually he is really good in church, but still they get restless and tired.
So the theme we had was I HAVE TWO LITTLE HANDS, it was actually part of a little song that they teach the kids in Primary. It went well, we just decorated with her favorite colors, red and blue. I sewed a diaper bag/ tote for her ...to put all  the quiet toys in, and then we had finger foods for the refreshments. It was  really nice and she told me more than once, how loved she felt. We were glad, that is exactly why you do showers, to help them feel love and accepted.  I will end with the words of that cute song..

1. I have two little hands, folded snugly and tight.
They are tiny and weak, yet they know what is right.
During all the long hours till daylight is through,
There is plenty indeed for my two hands to do.

2. Kind Father, I thank thee for two little hands
And ask thee to bless them till each understands
That children can only be happy all day
When two little hands have learned how to obey.

Improvise actions as suggested by the words.

Words: Bertha A. Kleinman, 1877–1971
Music: William Frederick Hanson, 1887–1969

Now I am going to take my TWO LITTLE HANDS and head to bed. Good night dear friends!

Being in the Moment

I loved this article, a good reminder for me!

11 Ways to Focus on the Here and Now

By Gretchen Rubin is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Happiness Project

We all know the feeling of being overwhelmed, of being beset by distractions.

The problem is, too many things are clamoring for your attention. People are trying to reach you, by phone, email, text, Twitter, IM, or old-fashioned yelling up the stairs. There are the interesting subjects you want to learn more about, on the TV or the Internet or the newspaper. Noises in the background occasionally catch your ear. Your kids all talk at the same time. Colleagues interrupt. You need to update, check in, post, or ping. Ads jump at you from the most unlikely places. Devices buzz, ring, chirp, and vibrate.

It’s enough to drive you crazy. You lose your train of thought; you forget what you’re doing; you have trouble re-engaging in a task; you feel besieged.

But there are steps you might consider to quiet the buzz in your brain – even if you don’t want to take up meditation."

1. Tune in and turn off

2. Remind yourself to Quiet your mind

3. Spend some one on one time with your kids ( you may have to split up to do this )

4.Cut down multi-tasking

5. Silence the ringer on your cell phone during this time

6.Curb errand- running

7. Pause the web ( so you won't keep jumping from link to link )

8. Step away from the email

9. So no to - numbers ( just for awhile, stop checking the clock, your scales and anything else with numbers )

10. Exercise

11. Flee temptations ( get away some where, so you are not tempted to take calls or check emails )

These are just a few suggestions to boost your sense of quiet focus, it really does work but is much harder to do than you would think. It takes practice, but is soooooooooo worth it!

http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Healthy-Living/Boost-Your-Sense-of-Quiet-Focus.aspx?+style%3Dcolor%3A%230066ff%3Btext-decoration%3Anone%3F=

"When we are present in each moment, the past gently rolls up
      behind us and the future slowly unravels before us."  ~ Rev Richard Levy
                                                                

"The quieter you become the more you can hear."  ~Unknown