Emotional Coaching

I just saw this neat little program on BYU TV about emotional coaching. It reinforced what I already thought would be a useful way of doing business, but am not always real consistent with it. The program focused on upset children, but I think it would work for anyone who might be acting like an upset child as well.
Here are the four steps to resolution:
1. Listen with empathy. This means listen as if you were the upset person, from their point of view.
2. Name the emotion. Help the upset person to identify exactly what they are feeling. (Angry, afraid, confused, cheated, etc.)
3. Set limits. Help them understand it's ok to be upset but, for example, it's not ok to hit people. (Or cuss or whatever.)
4. Brainstorm possible solutions. Let the upset person help decide what would be a positive solution.
I really like this whole exercise and wish people would actually give me the time and opportunity to express myself this way when I am upset!
Who doesn't want to be listened to, understood, allowed positive expression, and help to deal with conflict?
Another obvious point is that conflict is inevitable and should be anticipated. My personal opinion is that it's always better to try and pay attention and take the time to defuse the explosion before it occurs. Or at least try to tone things down before it too late. And it should go without saying that one would never intentionally antagonize someone on purpose, especially a child. Or a wife!

So, I am kind of excited to try this with Ethan and Savannah when they come for vacation this summer. I think if we sit down together and go over this little program then we will be ready for any little upsets that may come along. Not that we would ever have any upsets with our precious little ones!

It's All About Love

Last night our Relief Society hosted the visiting teaching conference. In honor of Valentine's Day our theme was about love. Mostly about loving those we serve. We began the evening with an uplifting message compiled by the president during visiting teaching interviews with all the ladies focusing on how their lives have been blessed through visiting teaching. We played the "speed dating" game sister style and I wish I had a video, it was amazing. Listening to 32 women talk non stop at the same time was a sight (and sound!) to behold. And everyone seemed to love it! For the "make and take" we created these cute coasters from plain white bathroom tiles. It's simply a square of scrapbook paper, glued and glazed with Modge Podge, and there is a square of thin cork rubber cemented on the back to prevent it from scratching any surfaces. And the cost was about a dollar. I have a friend who loves purple and I made these for her.

Tie with a strip of netting and it's ready to give! It's All About Love!

Power Foods

While in Costco last week I came across this little cookbook. I'd seen it before but am trying to resist the urge to buy things I don't need. I decided I needed it. The book lists 38 of the most healthy foods and 150 recipes for using them in a variety of forms and meals. Selections include fruits, berries, vegetable, nuts, grains and lean meats and protein sources. Also included are 12 healthy foods you should eat organically due to the high levels of toxins in these foods. Costco even sells some of these organic food items, such as apples and they are same price as the regular ones so you don't kill your food budget!
Another interesting list are foods for specific health concerns ranging from allergies to type 2 diabetes.
The best part is that all recipes look really yummy and lend themselves to all kinds of possible substitutions if you see something that isn't a family fave. Enjoy!

Lights...Camera...Action

Well it's not the Utah Shakespearean Festival but it was just as much fun. And very sweet. And the spirit of Christmas was there. Christmas Eve nativity program is never a disappointment. Grandpa served as narrator, Ethan insisted on being the photographer, Savannah as Mary, Mike as Joseph and the rest of us were shepherds.
If only someone had thought to close the closet door.

Baby Henry's Blessing Day

Baby Henry was blessed in his parents ward in American Fork, Utah on January 2, 2011. We had a small gathering of family immediately following to have some lunch and socialize before the family headed back into the various directions from whence they came. Here is baby Henry with his paternal grandparents and aunties. The proud and handsome parents. Henry's maternal grandparents and aunties plus one uncle. The uncles were missed in their absence. I'm sure baby Henry felt the excess of estrogen in the room. The dear one at four weeks. So beautiful.

Lovely Henry with his grandma who misses him so much. I am so grateful to have been able to spend such precious time with my sweet family.

Who's next? I almost have enough flyer miles for another trip!