Author: Angela

I write so my family will always have letters from home.

Lessons

Paige’s oil painting assignment

This exercise for Paige in oil painting was interesting to watch. She painted little squares for days over a long weekend at home. If I understand this correctly, each paper represents the effects of a single color mixed in to the same paints. There are some surprises, and there are some panels that I like more than others. The seventies-looking panel comes from yellow being mixed in everything.

One thing I have learned from having a daughter in art is the power of color to convey a mood. I saw an interesting MFA project on display at BYU earlier this year which used color to track the moods of different people throughout a day. I took pictures of a few of the representations to show the contrasts. Each person tracked his or her mood for 24 hours. Each hour was represented by a color, with each color representing a mood.

Moods that colors convey
The moods of an 18-month old, as documented by her mother. See the patterns and abrupt changes?
Moods of a student with depression and anxiety: see the dullness and little cheer, with black anxiety making appearances?
And here is 24 hours in the life of a yogi. Almost this persuadeth me to be a yogi.

What would the color palette look like for you today? I think we have some power over how we look at our days. I have seen how writing has been a good exercise in framing how I see my life. When I write, I tend to focus on the more rather than the less. It’s helped me frame my experiences with greater perspective. I see how petty I sound when I complain, and I see that I can often find a use for the difficult lessons. When I read my history on this blog, I see a plan emerge for our family, the friends in our path, unexpected opportunities, and experiences that have molded us.

We are almost halfway through October, which is normally a low month for me (think lots of purples), with mostly yellow and orange feelings. I think it’s because I am slowing down and writing. I am not letting myself get over-extended. I am saying no to things. I think it’s healthy to have a mixture of moods in life. I’m also allowing myself to feel what I feel and think what I think. This is a healthy change for me.

 

Next day addition: I don’t know the name of the person whose work I posted. I thought I took a picture of the name, but can’t find it. I wish I knew!

I know you can guess who this is

This is an assignment for our sixth grader.

This is NOT an assignment that can be completed by a sixth grader without a lot of help.

I don’t know a sixth grader who can construct clothing that looks like it would fit a human but conform to the dimensions of a two liter bottle. It is taking all my will not to just make this thing myself.

I don’t know a sixth grader with the money and skills to shop all over town for doll size wire rim glasses and a tiny cowboy hat.

This is NOT a project appropriate for a sixth grader, but thank you for the doll project. I actually love making dolls.

Did you guess right about who this historical character is?

Yep. It’s Theodore Roosevelt. Mark nailed the teeth and mustache.

Writing in circles

Organizing chapters

One day, I think what I have written for my book is just right. The next day, I read the same words with a pucker and squinty eyes. What was I thinking?

I am losing objectivity. Maybe I am ready to get some feedback on the mood I am conveying and the format. Does it work to have little anecdotes mixed in with reflective chapters? Should I include the entries about our marriage, or should I just focus on the motherhood stuff? I really want the marriage chapters to work. It’s a story about our family. Sometimes I feel myself repeating ideas, or trying to tie things up neatly, when I don’t want to shy away from being real. But I am not betraying anyone, either. The kids are protected and I don’t choose to write about petty things. Surely fiction would be easier.

If you think you would like to read some pages and give some feedback, let me know. Some of it I published on the blog when I decided to give up the book dream. I really wish I hadn’t done that. You may have read some of this book on the blog, so you have an idea what to expect. Mark picked up the manuscript one night and shocked me by reading most of it and laughing at the right parts. That was encouraging.

What does it mean to do your best?

I found a journal entry from 2004 which had a post-it note with this list of scriptures on it with the title, “How can we know we are doing our best?”

I used this list as part of my scripture study this morning. It was a good exercise in self-assessment. If our Father in Heaven is the standard for perfection, and we aren’t perfect, how are we to judge if we are worthy of his grace? These scriptures were reality check and gave hope. Thank you, 2004 me.

Baby Timothy and me in 2004

Mosiah 4:26-27; 30

Proverbs 3:5-6

Ether 12:27

Exodus 20:3-17

D&C 20:77, 79

2 Nephi 25:23

Moroni 10:32

2 Nephi 31:20

Ecclesiastes 9:10-11

D&C 10:4

Exodus 18:18

Numbers 11:14

I added Matthew 5. Alma 5 would be good, too.

Also, THIS.

Goblin Valley

Richard took the Scouts to Goblin Valley a couple of weekends ago. I am finally getting to the pictures. Mark is lucky to get some extra camping as an eleven year old. I think the picture of Richard and Mark shows the same smile on two people.

 

The Power of a Small Change

There is a crossing guard that I see every day as I drive to and from school. In previous years, he has kept his head down. Sometimes playing on his phone, he seemed oblivious to everyone around him, including the kids waiting for him to notice they were standing across the street.

About a week ago, I noticed that this crossing guard is not looking down anymore. He isn’t on his phone. He has started to wave at each passing car. At first, I chuckled and wondered if he had gotten in trouble for being on his phone. Now, I look forward to the wave. I tell the kids in the car to wave back with me.

What a happy change when someone decides to turn outside of themselves. It’s amazing to see the transformation.