"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Monday, May 19, 2008

When Life Gives You Lemons

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit



Lately I have really had to remind myself to look on the bright side. There always is one you know. But sometimes the clouds seems to block the sun.


It looks like our house has sold. That makes me sad........ or maybe happy. I can't decide! I should probably go with the happy. Sometimes that can be easier said than done.

I really love my house. There is a little bit of me everywhere I look. I love my neighbors. I love my yard. I am happy here. But, it must be time for a change.


A little over a year ago Dathan, my dad and a friend of ours bought some land and started building a house as an investment. A few months into it, home sales slowed down. Now the house is finished and available. We decided to put our house up for sale and then wait to see which one sold first. So, I guess in the next month I will be moving into a big, beautiful, brand new house. It is exciting and scary.


What I need to do is take a deep breath, smile and have a whole lot of faith. In other words "make lemon-aide"


Good thing Grampy brought us a huge bag of lemons off of his trees in Calif. We can always count on him to make our day. Jalen had so much fun squeezing the juice and boy was it delicious.


Here is our recipe for fabulous fresh squeezed Lemon-aide


1 cup of Lemon Juice
1 cup of Sugar
1/2 gallon of water


Thank you Dad! We love you. (And we can't wait until the avocados are ripe)

28 comments:

bows and more said...

Hey Girl I have missed you! I am glad for you that your house sold, was it the people who came when your son fell asleep on the tramp? Ha, Ha, that still makes me laugh when I think about it! I am in the same boat with my house being for sale and not knowing if I really want it to sell or not! Best wishes to you! And may your cup( with or without lemonaid) runneth over with happiness and blessings!

hoLLy said...

good luck with everything! i know the feeling of sadness and excitement that comes with selling your old and buying a new. its such a mix of feelings! it will all be fine and you will love your new place! you will make lots and lots of lemonade:)

Cecily R said...

Well, I'm sad you're moving away from Dave and Kay, it reduces the chance of us accidentally running into each other...

BUT, it sounds like it IS time for a change, so congratualtions on selling!!

Jill said...

Bittersweet!!! Change is a good thing. I've learned that in the last 15 months. It's fun to keep the old friends, and fun to make new ones. A new house, a new adventure. You are such a fun family any neighborhood would be lucky to have you. I know your current one will sure miss y'all!! Look forward to seeing photos of the new house.

Tricia said...

How exciting! I've loved all the moves we've done , but it's time for us to have some stability. I know what you mean about loving your house and neighborhood, we're in that same situation now, and I'm sure you'll miss your block. Let me know if you need any help with the move, I'll get Dayne right over there! Hee hee!

Anonymous said...

Just as long as it's a little tart to make you pucker! ;) Are you moving far far away? Our move last year was bittersweet as well. It'll feel like home in no time!

Grammy Staffy said...

I love the lemonade Jalen and Grampy made and I love you. It is so nice to be here with you.

I know that all this house stuff is stressful, but with your faith and courage all will turn out fine.

Marie Rayner said...

Change is always a bit scary, but I'm a lemonade maker myself! Let go, Let God, that's my motto! Things have a way of always working out for the best in the end! Congrats on the house sale. That in itself is a miracle these days with the economy the way it is!

Are You Serious! said...

♡ Congrats on the sale! I'm sure everything will be great. I remember going to my grandma's and she had avacado trees too. The lemonade looks great! Have a great week!!! :)

Katie Voorhees said...

We will miss you in the ward, Lynell! It must be meant to be with it happening so fast! Mine has been for sale for 5 months with nothing, so I am just starting to think that it is NOT meant to be for us. At least we have blogging to stay in touch!

Danielle Christiansen said...

That is hard but i would love to move right now. But my husband will not have it. Just think you get a new house, new neighbors & friends to add to your old ones. heavenly father knows what he is doing and your moving for a reason. Where are you moving to?

Ice Cream said...

Wow, big changes going on for you. How long have you lived in this house? After all the children you've raised there I'm sure it is very hard to leave. But just think of all the new memories that the new house will hold. I hope the hapiness comes, and in pitcher-fulls. =)

Marla said...

I remember making fresh squeezed OJ last time we were in CA. Wish I was there for the lemonade! So many changes Lynell...I will miss your house too, even if it's been years. I have so many wonderful memories there! Love you!

Corey and Susie said...

Sooo Cute! I know some of your neighbors who will definetely miss you!! But, you're moving on to bigger and better things! Besides...decorating a nice, brand new house sounds fun to me!

steve and lisa said...

Howdy!
Sometimes change is great & sometimes change is hard! I love your attitude - because that is what will help your move go smoother! Your kids will adjust better because you are such a positive person! Good luck & have a blast in your new home! Lisa

Wendi said...

I am with Kelsi...dying to know if it was the family that came when your son was asleep on the tramp. That would make the story even funnier!

Good luck with the move.
BIG, BEAUTIFUL, BRAND NEW HOME.
Sounds perfect.
I am off to make some lemonade...oh, and "lock" my foil!

Susan said...

I LOVE real lemonade. My mouth is watering like crazy. I'm thrilled for your move. I certainly understand the bittersweet situation, but I think you will end up loving a ton about the move!

KATE said...

I totally understand, it's not always easy to go with the bright side! I'm sure it will be great & your new beautiful house will be fabulous too! How fun!!

Tina said...

Wish my house would sell!
Change can be good...congratulations!!

Loni-Loo said...

hey jalen! you and grampy are so cute! its nice spending some time with grandparents huh well wright me soon bye

Erin said...

Dad brought us some lemons too. We will be using your recipe for a yummy treat!

I'm sad you will be moving, but am also so excited for you. Your new house is GORGEOUS! You deserve it! Just enjoy!

Summerhunt said...

Lynell
I'm so glad you wrote. I could spend hours reading your blog. Your are just an amazing person and it's been fun getting to know you. I am just dying to know where you are moving to. Change is always scary but it is a good scare. Best of luck. Summer

Matchbox Mom said...

Wow! Can I have some lemonade, please???
You are so cute!
Glad you get an opportunity to grow...and in a big, beautiful house?? Sounds fantastic!!
Love ya!

Grammy Staffy said...

My heart has been heavy as I see how sad it is for you to sell your home and move. Yesterday, while you were gone, I walked through each room. My heart was touched by the love you have put into making every single one special. Even your red and yellow laundry room is darling with your sun flowers and apples and the saying above your washer and dryer... "Work is Love made Visible" No wonder I see tears in your sweet eyes when the subject of moving comes up.

However, if ever I had a "lemonade" child it is you! Remember when dad was out of work for a while when the company he worked for closed down. We were barely making it by financially and had no money for you to buy new clothes for school that year. Some high school girls would have been devastated..... but not you. Instead of being embarrassed about buying school clothes from Good Will (there wasn't a D.I. close to us.)you got together a whole group of your friends (most of whom were well off with doctors and lawyers, etc. for parents) and made a party out of shopping at the thrift store. I couldn't believe it when you brought the whole group of them home to show me all the "treasures" you'd found.

I am sad that you are moving. I hate for you to have the financial challenges that may be ahead... but I do know this: 1. No one is better than you at making a house into a home and ...
2. No one is better than you at making lemonade!!! I love you. Mom

An Ordinary Mom said...

I needed to read your inspirational words today. I think I have been in funk with lemons lately and I need to start making more lemonade ... the really sugary kind!

I am thrilled your house sold! Good luck with everything!

The Cassel Family said...

Hey, I didn't know you were blogging, let alone looking at our blog! Thanks for your comments, you are so cute! I love your blog, its great. Good luck with the new house!!


Cassie

allredclan said...

I would say I'm glad about your house selling, but I'm really not, so I won't lie. It will be down right CRAPPY to not have you down the street anymore and not even in the same ward!!!! >=( I'm sure you will love your new home though, and if anyone deserves it, it is you. It will be a great change for you. So YOU go ahead and make lemonade, and I will sit here and pout about my friend moving. Deal? (love you)

Silvija said...

Hi Lynell,
Your mom steered me to your blog, and I am impressed! With all that you do, it is amazing that you can have the time to put such inspirational things for other people to read! You are so beautiful, inside and out, in spite of your share of difficult things to deal with in life. Your family is beautiful, and it is so sweet to read the comments from your children. What a wonderful Mother's Day you had, with all those wonderful kids!
As far as your new house goes, you are one of the most creative and talented women I know, so you will quickly transform your beautiful new house into YOUR beautiful home. You will probably convert sheets into gorgeous wall and window coverings, and will plant seeds in your empty backyard, which will grow into beautiful landscaping. Time is not important here, but rather the act of creating things that are beautiful out of small things that seem insigificant. You have done that with your family and friends, and we all love you!! By the way, Lenise just bought a new house and sold their old house, too! You always have had a lot in common! Love you much! Sil