Imagine

Imagine no possessions. I've never liked the song "Imagine" for obvious reasons, but I never listened clear through to the third verse. I still don't like the song, but this phrase has been stuck in my head ever since American Idol last night. Seriously...Imagine no possessions. In my opinion, there are a lot of worldly items that are overpriced, unnecessary, and a waste of our attention.

I don't think that our minds can even comprehend the amount of money spent on items which only purposes are to show off the standard of living we live in or the standard of living we want other people to think that we live in. If I were to go around my home and total all the wasted money spent on objects that are overpriced and not a necessity, I would probably go crazy trying to think of ways to get that money back. I'm not extravagant by any means. One of my favorite things is seeing the shock on peoples faces when we tell them how little our family lives on. And then they always ask, "How do you do it?" We live quite comfortably actually. My question is how do people spend so much and have nothing to show for it?

I can't count the minutes of the day that I waste thinking about how someday I'll have clothes that I will look forward to wearing, furniture that won't pop a spring out when I sit down and someday I'll have a screaming computer or a newer car. Don't we all have something in the back of our minds? What's your next big purchase?

What if I stopped thinking so much about how to benefit myself with my own hard earned money and put that energy toward something that will benefit people who are less fortunate that I. What if everyone stopped spending money on luxury items and put it toward helping our fellow men? How much money would that be? It would certainly be enough to make the world a different place.

I'm pretty sure that after I die and think back on my life some things I won't be thinking are: "I wish I'd spent more money on myselft," or "I wish that I worried more about my wrinkles and hair do." I hope that those things don't even enter my mind. And if it won't matter then, should it really matter now?

Just In Case

If you haven't noticed yet there is a link to the right. Its all about Kendi and the funny stuff she does.

Good News

Our home is no longer a frame factory. Our business has evolved yet again. Jared and I met with Cedar Fort in Springville yesterday and they are officially taking over the wholesale distribution of our business. Yay! Yay! Yay! It was beginning to get out of control. We were too busy to do it all by ourselves, but we weren't busy enough to hire someone to help. So we were very slow in filling the orders. Now Cedar Fort will be able to take it further than we could have and they do a great job with efficiency and the appearance of the artwork. Jared will be able to paint like he should be and in the meantime, I will be going through an adjustment phase. I like being busy, but I like being able to spend the right amount of time being a mom, wife, and housekeeper.

TAG!

I've been tagged by Jaelyn. Ready, Set, Go!

What is your husbands full name? Jared John Barnes

How long have you been married? 5 Years in May

Who eats more sweets? Jared, by far

Who said I love you first? Probably Jared

How old is he? 25

Who is taller? He is

Who is smarter? Jared is a scriptorian, but I paid way more attention in school

Who can sing better? Jared

Who does the laundry? LeAnn gets it started and Jared finishes.

Who pays the bills? I do.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Depends on which way you look at it.

Who mows the lawn? The Lawn Service.

Who cooks dinner? Usually me, sometimes Jared, somethimes Grandma.

Who drives? Always Jared, unless he's not there.

Who is more stubborn? Jared.

Who kissed who first? Jared said he was too scared and asked me if I would.

Who asked who out? On a date? I don't think we technically dated.

Who has more siblings? I do.

Who wears the pants? I do, but I wish Jared did.

I tag Janae

Make a photobook - it's easy!

Grandma's Helper

A few days ago, Kendi was visiting G and G Bulloch and was trying to "help" Grandma do the dishes. Grandma's hands were getting dry so she was wearing rubber gloves to keep her hands from getting wet. After a while, Kendi got down from the sink and left. A few minutes later, Grandma began to wonder where Kendi had disapeared to. Then, Kendi showed up wearing a pair of snow gloves that she somehow managed to put on by herself. Apparently she wanted to wear gloves like Grandma and even knew where to go find a pair of her own. Kendi threw a fit when Grandma wouldn't let her wash dishes with them on.

Beloved Prophet

We would like to express our feelings for our beloved Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, (June 1910 - Jan 2008). It is sad to think that we won't be able to look forward to hearing from him anymore. But we won't let the influence he had on our lives die. We will continue to let the impact of his life live on as we strive to "be" humble` and worthy, the way he was. Whenever we would see President Hinckley he would convey without even speaking that everything he did was for the job he had to do, it was never about him. He was truly able to forget himself and go to work. He had such an impact on our youth. It is hard to think that an elderly person who grew up in such a different era could have such an understanding and respect of young people. He was Prophet guided by the Lord.

Sprained Ankle

So . . . Jared and I have been tryin to be more active and learn new things. While we were trying to improve on our recently aquired racketball skills I sprained my ankle. I wish I had a great story to go with it, but honestly I was only waiting for the serve when it happened. And then . . . I didn't want to get mental block from it so I tried to keep playing after the nausea and dizziness went away. I'm afriad I only did more damage, mentally and physically. I couldn't walk the next day. I don't want to be afraid of playing sports now so I'm going to hope that these things are a rare occurance and I will continue play. I'm hoping that the more I'm active the stronger and therefore less fragile I'll be. I know I have a long way to go.