General Conference

This is one of my most favorite weekends of the year.  I love General Conference.  General Conference is a time and opportunity for particularly members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to hear and listen to various leaders of the Church.  Sometimes it is on regular network television depending on which area of the Country you live.  If you have Satellite, you can watch it on BYU-TV.  Otherwise, it is broadcast to LDS Meetinghouses across the world.  I love it!  It is such a great opportunity to feed my soul while sitting on my couch in my PJS.  But instead of PJS, I will be in Salt Lake City this weekend to spend time with Military Man and trying to see Conference in person.  You see, so many people want to go, that it is hard to get in.  If we don't get in, then, of course, there is always conference in the hotel in my PJS.

This is one of my most favorite speakers...Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  He is from Germany, and besides his wonderful messages, I find his accent quite endearing.

Enjoy...
 

Smiles and braces

My baby girl got braces.  She is walking around with a small vehicle in her mouth.  Seriously, more expensive than the car her brother drove to death.  I won't see this smile again for another two years:

Ladybug looks a little pained in this one, don't you think?

Hope is in the Air

Today the air is filled with the fragrant scent of Hope.  

Can you smell it?  The sweet smells of Spring?  

The sun warms the damp ground, grasses turning green.

Budding trees and shrubs promise a glimpse of what is to come.  

And dates circled on the calendar.

"Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; 

moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope"

Acts 2:1

Anything Goes

Ladybug participated in her first pinewood derby.  She was incredibly excited.  If you are thinking, "WAIT, isn't that for Scouts?" Then, yes, you are correct.  But, her youth group decided to do a coed ANYTHING GOES Pinewood Derby.  Yeah, NO RULES!

After making Pinewood Derby cars for years, KT is a little burned out.  He asked, "she just needs a car, right?"  I told him he had to put as much effort into her car as he did in helping her brothers.  I'm a slave driver, right? I mean look at how adoringly she looked at her older brothers when they won the Pinewood Derby....1st and 2nd place.

She ended up taking 4th place overall, but came in 1st place of all the girls, she wasn't too disappointed with that.  Someone duct taped a hand weight to top of the block of wood, and another person attached a trailer hitch to their car.  Anything goes......................

Feeling so Blessed

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Today I feel so blessed.  I literally just found out that Military Man aka TJ will be 5 hours away next weekend. What's a mother to do?  Jump in her bug and spend the weekend in Salt Lake City with her oldest baby.  I am so grateful.

A little verklempt

I have to admit to being a little sad that Tim Tebow has been traded to the Jets.  I am a fan of Tim Tebow and the media frenzy that seems to follow him.  I just really liked him.  BUT, I am very excited about Peyton Manning.  I'm ready to watch some winning football!  I am hereby passing on some advice to all you Jets fans...

GO BRONCOS!!!

Suffering by Comparison

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I have a multitude of abilities, but I am not an expert at anything, and sometimes that is downright discouraging! I am an okay mom, but by comparison, I totally lack. I can crochet, sort of...I love photography, but am I really THAT good? I used to scrapbook and make cards but someone was always better. I used to enjoy playing volleyball, but got yelled at once because, well, I SUCKED. I can whip up a pretty tasty meal, I think, but there is always someone in the family who thinks its disgusting. I think I can pen a fairly interesting blog post at times, but am I really that successful of a blogger, I mean rarely do I get a comment?  My housekeeping is decent, but no model home!  I read the scriptures, but there is always someone with a far greater knowledge and understanding than I.  I can run and run and run, but I haven't been able to run my booty off yet...  I used to sing in a group, which was kind of fun, but was NEVER asked to do a solo...can you guess why?  hahaha

I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel like I suffer by comparison.  I want to find that one thing that I do very well.  I don't want to be mediocre anymore.  I want to be amazing...I like the quote from The Help by Kathryn Stockett when Minnie says, "You is kind.  You is smart.  You is important."

I have recently started reading the book called "You Are Already Amazing" by Holley Gerth.  She writes like we are girlfriends, friends, acquaintances sitting across the table from one another over a cup of Hot Chocolate or Coffee or whatever your drink of choice is....  It is a fun book to read but also very poignant at the same time.  I am truly enjoying it and am hoping to realize exactly what her title says. 

Why is it so hard to embrace how God made us while comparing ourselves to others?  

Why is it so hard to find our own talents and shining abilities?

Why is it easier to listen to Satan's fiery darts than 

to the sweet promptings from Heavenly Father?

 

Audrey #3

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I LOVE Audrey Hepburn. I'm not gunna lie...Nope, she was beautiful inside and out.

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.

I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.

 I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.

I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

An Introvert in an Extrovert World

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I am admittedly and unashamedly an introvert.  But, I live in an extrovert world.  I would most prefer to stay home with my family or curl up with a good book as opposed to attending some kind of social outing.  I am analytical.  I weigh all  the odds before making any decisions.  The idea of public speaking makes my skin crawl or even answering the phone sometimes leaves me queasy.  But I married an extrovert.  He is loud and talkative in a social setting and he LOVES to visit with people and is NEVER afraid to speak his mind.  But, this is good for me, because it gets me out of my shell.  But, gosh dang it, IT IS HARD!   Sometimes I feel covered in a shroud of fear.  I don't think he always understands the depth of my loathing of social occasions.

When I was in high school, my boyfriend was an extrovert.  He could stop and talk with anyone, he could remember names, faces and experiences as he struck up a conversation.  Me, I was the quite, shy girlfriend who just stood there beside him.  My best friend in high school was definitely an extrovert.  She was fun loving, silly, giggly, often referred to as bubbly, and she just had that engaging personality that drew me to her side like a magnet.

So apparently, as an introvert, I am attracted to extroverts.  They are fun to be around and drag me out of of my comfort zone.  But here is the question...What does an extrovert have to gain from a relationship with an  introvert?   What do I have to offer?  I'm 42 years old and still trying to figure that one out...

Thirty-two Steps...Continued...

Thirty-two steps back to the house... Opening the door, I feel the warmth of the heater.  But, I feel a different warmth, too.  A warmth that permeates through my heart and soul.  My Father touching my spirit and telling me, "Have faith, child, for I am with you..."  I truly felt him there with me.  My greatest fear has been Miguel leaving the country.  There is so much unrest and hatred, that the thought of leaving the country causes great anxiety for me.  I realized recently that fear and faith cannot coexist.  So, I turned it over to the Lord.  He was telling me that day a needed message, "I know you, I know your fears, it will be okay..."  His love brought tears to my eyes.  

I set that letter proudly on the mantle.  I am so pleased with this man boy of mine who has chosen to live his life in the gospel and in the service of God.  We had 21 friends and family gather together plus Military Man on the phone from New Mexico.  As Miguel opened his letter, we all hushed......

Good luck Atlanta, Georgia!  

Here comes Miguel, AKA The Beiber Kid

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By the way, WHO DID THIS?

Thirty-two Steps

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This is the day...

We've been waiting for this day for weeks, if not years. Ever since Miguel was a young boy he said he wanted to serve God and go on a mission.  This is the day that ends the waiting and wondering....Where will he go?  When will he be asked to leave?

I hear the mail truck out front.  I am home alone...I slowly open the front door.  I am unsure of what the future holds, but I will stand by my God and give him my son for two years...I hear my boots echoing off the front walk, like a lone traveler.  I am hesitant and reluctant, this light rain seems to reflect my mood, yet I am excited for this man boy of mine.  I even count the steps...32 steps to the mail box, 32 steps to the beginning of a new life chapter.  Alas, this is another letting go moment.

And, then it is in my hand, I clutch the letter to my chest...my mother heart laments...and I take 32 steps back to the house.

To be continued....

"Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart." 

Psalms 32:11 KJV

My Grandparents are in it...

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The 1940's was a decade of great change.  Not only was it the decade of World War II, but it was also the beginning of a Women's movement.  While so many of the men were off to war, that left the women to go to work and keep the factories and businesses running.    

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It was also a decade of big bands and some musical greats like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.  Movie icons like Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Bette Davis were born onto the big screen in the 1940's.  If you're a sports fan, did you know that because so many of the baseball players had enlisted that an All American Girl's Baseball League was created?  They played in dresses!  Can you imagine that?!  Remember the movie A League of Their Own?  

I think the 1940's are pretty cool.  I mean both my parents were born in the 40's.  What could be cooler than that?!  The reason I tell you these things is to bring to light the Nation's largest community service project.  I am an Official Ambassador for the 1940's US Census project.  My job as an Ambassador is to let you know about the project and to help you get excited about participating.  Why not join me in transcribing and digitizing the 1940's US Census data for the Nation's "Greatest Generation". Only 18 more days until it is released!

(Consider turning down my music player at the bottom of the page)

These are my grandparents, and they are in it!

(I was not paid or compensated in any way for this post)

Simplicity 2

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Even the Chinese know the meaning of Simplicity.  

They value it enough to have a character devoted to its meaning.
I'm considering a butt tattoo, but I'm only kidding.

Mormons and Me

I have not hidden the fact that I am a Mormon Mommy Blogger.  As a Mormon I am a little frustrated with the negative publicity members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have been getting recently in light of Mitt Romney and his quest for the Presidential bid.  It is scary to me how much hatred and misinformation there is out there.  I will read a little something in the paper or on the internet and it will have an iota of truth mixed with falsities that just make us seem weird.   If you have a question, the best people to ask about their church are the Mormons.  I've had people tell me they want to "debate" my religion.  I don't debate...I don't try to dissuade others from their religion, only try to share what I believe to clear up misconceptions.  

I came across this little snippet on the internet with some basic info about Mormons. If you'd like to see a bigger version, click here.  Want to know more about the church if even just to answer some questions you might have?  You can go here to the official website or you can read some of my "We Believe Series."  My own personal testimony of Jesus Christ of and of my Church can be found online here.

Thanks for reading and being open minded enough to accept me for who I am.  I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and I am a Mormon

My Super Power

I have Super Powers, it's true!  It's really true!  I wear the cloak of invisibility.   You don't know how many times, I have been walking through a store to have people stare right through me.  Pushing their carts into me like I wasn't even there.  Jumping out of the way to protect myself.  I've complained for years to KT about my super power, which by the way, I don't really think is all that super.  A few weeks ago, he witnessed my super power in action as someone pushed right into me, as I was dodging baskets between two other people.  "What the heck was that about?" he asked me..."Oh, just my super powers at work..."  Even Saturday, a woman at Hobby Lobby was blocking the whole aisle.  I kindly said, "Excuse me, please" to which she glanced at me but continued to block the aisle until it suited her to move.  Just another day shrouded in my cloak of invisibility...

There is a beautiful song by Julie de Azevedo called

 "A Window to His Love." 

It is lovely, truly, lovely.

Some of the lyrics go like this:

"I want to be a window to His love,
so when you look at me you will see Him.
I want to be so pure and clear that you won't even know I'm here,
'cause His love will shine brightly through me."

Now I am seriously trying to be a better example and follower of Christ, but that line in red bothers me.  Could that be the source of my Super Powers?  My Cloak of Invisibility?

Consider turning off my music player down below to hear this song.

Children need

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Remember when

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Remember when I said yesterday that it was a day filled with surprises?  Well it certainly was!  Miguel did NOT get his letter as he was hoping and expecting.  It could come tomorrow...It could come next week.  He is so ticked!  A-hem, I mean disappointed.  He was really looking forward to that letter.  My words of advice to Miguel, "Thy will, oh Lord, be done..."  In His own time, dude!

A Day of Surprises

When I was a little girl, my mom would wake me up in the morning singing, ♫♫Today is a day that is filled with surprises, nobody knows what's going to happen♫♫  We were always major Mickey Mouse Club fans.  Could be because she went to school with Sherry Alberoni one of the Mouseketeers.  Idk...

But today IS a day that is filled with Surprises.  Several weeks ago I Pressed Submit on Miguel's paperwork to go on a Church Mission.  We are supposed to receive a letter in the mail today telling him where he will serve.  Stay tuned....

I Bore My Soul

On Sunday during Church services, I bore my soul.  It was the hardest thing...I shared my testimony of Christ and expressed my love and thankfulness to a loving Heavenly Father for his tender mercies and miracles I have seen in our lives.  I was shaking, my heart was pounding and I even teared up.  Yes, even me...This was so totally and completely out of my comfort zone.  It was almost like one of those out of body experiences, "How did I get here?" moments.  Someone said to me once after I had shared a testimony years ago, "It's hard to know when you've shared too much."  I was hurt...I internalized that and I began to protect my heart.  I tend to protect my testimony and heart and not share it with the world.  Unless it is on my blog, and then I lay it all out there.  But in a public setting with people I know and don't, it's like exposing a tender wound.  I am careful and protective and a little bit scared.

I felt good about what I shared and said, but strangely, later I felt incredibly guilty.  It was the weirdest thing.  I had all these thoughts in my head like, "No one really wanted to hear what you had to say," "No one really cares about you," "I probably wasn't coherent with my thoughts," "I probably didn't make sense,"  "I'm sure people were just rolling their eyes," "She is so braggy!"  "Get her off of there, Next please?"  I know in  my head these are Satan thoughts.  He didn't like that I testified my feelings.  But, still that feeling of guilt of opening myself up to others and sharing persisted.

Then this morning I read a blog post by Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.  She is inspired and knew just what I needed to hear.  My Heavenly Father was sending me an answer through one of his earthly angels.

From baby to 14!

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Here is the mommy blog portion of my blog, where I brag about my children and spotlight them.  If you tuned in yesterday, you saw that my oldest baby turned 20.  Well, today my youngest baby, Ladybug, turns 14.  Yeah that wasn't very good planning on our part, but she WAS two weeks early.  She was breech just like her older brother and after an attempt at turning her with no success, the doctor decided it would be best to go ahead and take her by c-section early.  She COULD have been born on her brother's birthday, but he would have nothing to do with THAT.  So we went for the 4th.  Nothing like being able to plan and schedule the birth of your baby.  Let me tell you, that is AWESOME!

Ladybug has been such a pleasant baby, child and, now, a young woman.  She is thoughtful, kind, smart, beautiful and her mama's best friend.  She has been a difficult child to buy a birthday gift for because she doesn't "want".  She isn't the type of child to say "I need this..."  "I want that..."  This mama has got to use her imagination!  At fourteen we will let her attend Church and school dances (without a date but with a group of friends).  She is excited for this new development in her maturity.

Ladybug and I treasure our girl dates and chick flick movie marathons.  We love it when daddy goes on scout camp outs because that means we get to have a "girl weekend".  We are looking forward to an upcoming "girl weekend".  We are planning crafts, movies and meals out.  That is just the best!

I love this girl and thank you, God, 

for sending her into my life fourteen years ago today!

My Oldest Baby

Source:  USAF

Today my oldest baby turns 20.  What is that you say?  It's true!  I joke you not!  Twenty years ago today I gave birth to Military Man in San Diego, CA.  It was an emergency C-section.  He was breech, and they didn't discover it until I was 8 cm dilated.  He has always preferred to do things his own way.  I should have known back then....

When he was two, he could dress himself.  He loved to say "I can do it myself!" Shrugging off his mommy's offer to, well, MATCH.

When he turned 18, he decided an LDS mission wasn't for him.  And, that's okay...But, he couldn't get out of dodge fast enough.  He wanted to grow up, be a man and prove to everyone that "He could do it himself!"

This is the first birthday I have ever spent without him.  He left last year on March 8th.  It makes me sad as a mama that my babies are growing up and moving away.  I must say that I am not particularly fond of this part of my life.  The letting go moments are coming far too often these days.  I just hope my children realize, as they leave home, how much their mama has loved them.

Happy Birthday, TJ

 

In Like a Lion

Oh, March, the surprises you do hold...