Journal entry 228--Children

Each day write about one of your children and how they are similar to you.

My daughter, Olivia is very similar to me and the way I acted as a child. Like her, I was the youngest in my family with two siblings much older than I. We both had to fight to keep up with the older kids and always wanted to do what they did. Olivia is precocious and talkative. My grandfather said I was the same way and if he wanted to know everything that was happening in our family, he just needed to get me on the phone and I would spill the beans. One thing about Olivia that is not like I was is her faith in Heavenly Father. I wish I had as much faith as she does. She's an example to me with her simple, straightforward love for Heavenly Father and Jesus.

Journal entry 226--Children

For the next few days, depending on how many children you have, describe how each child is similar to you. Make each day entry for each child.

My son, Brad is probably the most like me. He's very passionate about whatever he believes in and has an opinion about everything. I'm a lot like that only I was worse when I was younger. He thinks everything should be equal and fair, especially if it pertains to his well being! I can be like that as well. In games, I hate it when people who know better, cheat. Brad is the same way. He can't even handle it when I let his little sister win. He's such a good and loving child and I love him tremendously.

Journal entry 212--Spring

What do you think about when the season Spring begins?

Whenever Spring hits and the weather becomes warmer, I start thinking about the beach. I live in Southern California so when it's Spring I start getting antsy for Summer weather and the beach. I also have grand aspirations of spring cleaning my house and throwing away unnecessary items, but I never quite see it come to pass. You see, I have children who think that any work longer than an hour violates child labor laws. We did, however clean out our garage today, so I think we're on the right spring cleaning track.

Journal entry 188--Valentine's day

What do you like to do for your loved ones on Valentine's Day?

I simply like to spend time with my loved ones. This Valentine's Day, my husband and I took our kids to the store and let them pick out whatever candy they wanted for $7. They loved going down the aisles choosing their favorite candies and knowing that they won't have to share with each other unless they want to. As for my hubby and I, tonight we're going to spend time with some friends and celebrate Valentine's Day together the next weekend. What can I say, we're practical and would rather go to a restaurant on a less busy night when the quality will be higher than the quantity.

Journal entry 169--Passionate 6

Write about something you are passionate about.

I love to travel with my family. My kids are older now so it makes traveling a lot easier and they can do more things with us. For instance last year we went on a cruise with my brother-in-law's family. It was the best vacation I've ever had! We had a great time with the kids--snorkeling, seeing Mayan ruins and going down river in the Belize jungle. Traveling always brings our family closer. My kids get along with each other better, they enjoy being around us and everyone is a little more relaxed. Hmmm...maybe I'd better start planning our next vacation!

Journal entry 166--Passionate 3

Write about something you are passionate about.


I am passionate about my children. I want them to grow up in a healthy environment and become successful loving parents to their children. Isn't that what everyone with children wants for them? I want to help them avoid making the same mistakes I did as a child but I know they need to learn from their own mistakes. It's hard sometimes to watch them fail but I know in the long run they will learn. I'm passionate about their health. I don't know what I would do if I lost any of them. They as well as my husband of course are my life and I can't imagine life without them. My kids can drive me crazy but it's usually when I feel out of control. Just breathe...in and out.

Journal entry 124--Change

If you could change one thing about your appearance what would it be and why?


When I was eight months pregnant with my twin boys, I developed Bell's Palsy which caused the left side of my face to become paralysed. I've since recovered, however, there has been some nerve damage to that side and as I grow older, only the right side of my face is in sync with my age. Now the right side of my face is getting wrinkles and the left side is looking like a 30 year old. I would just like to be even! I do know that I wouldn't change a thing if it meant not having my boys and Bell's Palsy was just a part of my pregnancy.

Journal entry 122--Memorable

Describe an event in your life that was memorable.


One of the most memorable event in my life was when my daughter was born. Aside from the fact that you have a child coming into the world, this event was memorable because of the way she started coming. I was already four days over due and woke up with contractions 10 minutes apart. I took it easy that morning, as easy as any mother of twin 4 year old boys can. That day was also the day the electric company was installing a new electrical pole in our back yard. The front of our house was filled with trucks and huge cranes. My boys loved it! Our entire neighborhood was out of power as well as my cell phone so I had no way to contact my husband to tell him I needed to go to the doctor. I packed up my boys and waited until a contraction stopped, then headed over to my husband's work. I timed it perfectly because as soon as I parked, I had another contraction. We dropped the kids off at a friend's house and headed over to the doctor, who after checking me told me to go home, drink water and rest to make sure it wasn't false labor. I was already 4 days overdue!! My doctor, I found out later, had tickets to a Laker's game and didn't want to miss it. We picked up the kids and my husband had a brilliant idea to get some ice cream, only he ordered a handmade smoothie that took the worker 20 minutes to make. By this time, my contractions are 5 minutes apart. I honestly thought I would give birth on the floor of Cold Stone Creamery. Finally we went home and I waited until 5:00 to call the on call doctor, who thankfully told me to go to the hospital. After dropping the kids off again at a friend's house and listening to my hubby chat with that friend, I got to head over to the hospital where I gave birth 6 hours later to my daughter.

Journal entry 119--Blessings

With the Thanksgiving holiday here, take a moment to write down all your blessings in life.


My biggest blessing in life is my family--my husband and three children. They bring such joy and excitement to my humdrum life. I know I'll miss the noise and running around when the kids leave for college one day. I can see why people look forward to grandchildren. I have an amazing husband who supports and encourages me in all I do. He is and always will be my blessing. I also have a great extended family. My husband's family treats me like a blood relative and I love the fact that I grew up close to my aunts, uncles and cousins. I know how blessed I am for my family and am thankful for them everyday.

Journal entry 118--Thanksgiving

Describe a memory you have from Thanksgiving past.


Every year for Thanksgiving, my family would go to my grandparent's house for dinner. All my cousins were there and aunts and uncles. The house was filled with children running around in and out of the adult's legs. I loved going to my grandparent's house each year. My grandma was a wonderful cook and made the best lemon meringue pie using her fresh lemons off the tree. Each year, (before there was cable TV) a Christmas movie called, "Santa and the three bears" was shown. To me, it signified the start of the Christmas season. I remember looking forward to that movie each year. Now you can watch it in July!

Journal entry 108--Thankfulness

List 10 things for which you are thankful.


1. Indoor plumbing. I can't even handle the bathrooms at campsites.
2. Ice. I love cold, icy water to drink.
3. Freedom to worship as I please.
4. Fresh fruits and vegetables. I don't like canned fruits and veggies much.
5. The ability to read and learn.
6. My bed. I'm glad I don't sleep on the floor.
7. Past teachers who have inspired me to live my full potential.
8. My life.
9. Ruthie, my silly puppy and the challenges she brings me.
10. Lastly, my family, of course and all their love and encouragement.

Journal entry 106--Rules

How do you feel about rules? Do you willingly follow them or fight against them as you go?


I've always struggled with being told what to do. Of course I follow rules, otherwise I would be in jail. I'm happy to obey the laws of the land and follow the guidelines of my church but it is difficult to obey when I've been ordered to do something. Fortunately this doesn't happen often but it did as a child. I have to continually remind myself of how I felt when I was ordered to do something and not repeat that with my children. I guess I would have been a terrible soldier in the military.

Journal entry 105--Forgiveness

Who has been the hardest person in your life to forgive? Why can't you forgive this person?


My entire life, I've had difficulty forgiving my father for not being in my life. It has always upset me that he was an alcoholic and chose to love drinking more than his children. One of the two people in life that are suppose to love their children unconditionally and my own father couldn't even handle that. I've tried to understand his childhood and where he was coming from but it's still very difficult because I have felt cheated out of a father all my life. Before I wasn't quite sure exactly what I had missed out on but then after I got married and met my father-in-law, I knew. He is the polar opposite of what my father was and I'm grateful he's in my life. I don't know if I've forgiven my father. I still have a lot of anger toward him but I'm working on forgiving.

Journal entry 102--Death list

What are some things you would like to do after you die? This may sound like a strange topic to write about but I believe in life after death and there are things I want to do that I can't do in this life. If you don't believe in life after death, write about things you would like to do if you had magical powers.


Some of the things I would like to do are to explore the bottom of the ocean floor. It boggles my mind to think that the ocean is miles deep and there are so many unexplored areas to find. I want to be able to see every inch of the ocean. I also want to relive my children's childhoods. To hold them as babies again is something that matters tremendously to me. I'd like to see what my husband was like as a child and to explore the many universes out there. Flying like a bird is another priority on my death list and finding out any of the unsolved mysteries of the past. Finally, like in my previous post, I want to dance and be taught by one of the best dancers ever, Gene Kelly.

Journal entry 100--Luxury

What is a luxury item you can't possibly live without and why?

I'm thinking a computer should be listed as a necessity item since most people have one. If this is the case, then I would have to choose a piano as my luxury item I can't live without. I love music and playing the piano so I can't imagine my life without one. My entire childhood always involved a piano in it and now that my kids play as well I enjoy listening to them. The piano is a beautiful instrument although it's a heavy instrument! It certainly would be difficult to carry with me.

Journal entry 96--Childhood

Write about something you did as I child that you would never think of letting your child do now.

There were several things I could do as a child that my children now can't. For example, I use to walk to school and I lived a good distance from my school. Now I don't let my kids walk to school because of safety issues. The biggest thing I did as a child was go to the mall with just my friend. We were only 9 years-old! I can' t even imagine letting my kids do that in today's world. It's sad that our children have lost so much potential for freedom because of predators.