Sunday, January 22, 2012
We Are Spiritual Beings
This is one of my favorite quotes. It's by French Philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
To My Daughter on Her 12th Birthday
Dear Daughter,
I unexpectedly felt a little emotional this morning while getting things ready to celebrate your day. I thought about the day that you were born and the emotions I had about having a daughter. I looked forward to the times when I would get to dress you in pretty dresses and do your hair all cute with little bows. I anticipated the times that I'd snuggle with you to read bedtime stories and the Mother-Daughter talks we'd share as you grew older. I was so excited that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to bring you to me.
As far as labor and delivery goes, it was a little tricky and there was a brief moment of touch-and-go for you. Luckily it went by fast (thanks for that) and we were able to bring you into this world as a healthy, happy baby. You were such a beautiful baby, with the cutest dimples and the biggest brownest eyes. Strangers would approach me all the time to tell me what a gorgeous baby I had. In fact, I could never take you out in public without hearing that at least 3 or 4 times each and every time.
From very early on you were mild-mannered and extremely shy in public, while at home letting everyone know your opinion on things. As you learned to talk, you were a good big-little-sister to your older brothers, always trying to keep them in line. You have many talents and I am so glad you've grown out of your shyness so that others around you may benefit from those talents you share.
From very early on you were mild-mannered and extremely shy in public, while at home letting everyone know your opinion on things. As you learned to talk, you were a good big-little-sister to your older brothers, always trying to keep them in line. You have many talents and I am so glad you've grown out of your shyness so that others around you may benefit from those talents you share.
Today you are twelve years old. You are still very beautiful. You are also smart, generous, kind, honest, loyal and loving. You set such high standards for yourself that I don't even need to worry about so many things other parents might with their own daughters at this age. You are diligent in staying on task and getting things done without needing reminders from me, and you often remind me of the things I need to remember. You offer up little words of encouragement to me from time to time which have been both unexpected and appreciated. You are a great example to those around you, including me.
The days of snuggling with you to read a bedtime story are long gone, and I know you are a bit old for me to adorn your hair with barrettes and bows. But I still look forward to more fun times and great mother-daughter conversations like I used to have (and still do) with my own mother.
Know that you are greatly loved (even by your brothers) and always remember that you are a beloved daughter of God. He wants what is best for you and you should never settle for anything less.
Enjoy your day!
Love,
Mom
Monday, January 16, 2012
Age
As far as dating goes, I do have some age preferences, although the only hard-fast rule regarding age is that the dude must be closer to my age than that of my [currently] 17-year old son or my [currently] 60 year-old father. The only exception to that rule being Sting. For a man my father's age he is HAWT! Mmmmm... now that's some eye-candy I wouldn't mind taking home with me! haha.
En-Nee-hoo...
I don't know why, but age seems to be a big deal to me. When I turned 30, it wasn't a big deal - but 32 was a hard year for me. Then 34 was a difficult one, and in my head, I haven't really aged past that. That's the year I really did stop counting. Now, when someone asks me my age, I have to stop and do the math.
My age this past berfday has also bugged me. I try not to dwell on my age or let it define me, per se, it's just the closer I get to 40, the worse I feel about it. I want to be on the other side of 30, thank you very much.
In trying to determine why I feel this way, the only thing I can come up with is that when I got divorced, it was starting a new chapter in my life - a fresh start. I felt young and vibrant and full of energy. I had options and truth be told -- I kinda like having options, having somewhat of a do-over.
I think about having another baby All.The.Time. Let's face it though, I'm no Spring Chicken. The closer I get to 40, the closer I get to the reality that it probably won't happen. Which is fine... it's not like I HAVE to have another baby. It's just something I think about - a LOT. I would love to be married again, and there is something about wanting to give a child to the person you love... I digress. The other part about dating at my age is the closer I get to 40, the dating pool of men starts to change. I had a great conversation with a man in his early 40's back in October; and he was sekseh too. Then he mentioned something about his new baby granddaughter.
~CHOKES~ What did he just say??? GRANDDAUGHTER? Ohhhh... no. No.En.No. I am soooo not ready to be a Nana. Uh-uh! I would say I ran the other way, but I only had to walk, since he WAS a grandpa and all! haha!
I hate that I feel like my age is passing me by. Even though I am "active" with my kids, with school, with work, and in my social life. Trust me, there isn't a lack of trying on my part.
I'm not sure blogging about this helps at all... but that's the runaway train in my brain this morning. The runaway train of age; I see it coming and yet, there's nooooo stopping it. Perhaps that is what I really hate about it... the fact I can't control it.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Meetings
Last Wednesday night...
Me: I'll be home a little late; I've got a meeting after my class.
Oldest Son: Meeting? //raises eyebrows, evil grin// What's that code for?
HA!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Beginnings
As we round the bend into a new calendar year, many of us take the opportunity to reflect on the things we've accomplished this past year and the things we look forward to achieving in this new year.
Last year when the clock moved us forward from 2010 to 2011, I had a few goals I wanted to pursue.
At that time, it was 7 months post the "Big-D & Emma Finale" and I hadn't really moved forward other than a handful of dates here or there. I decided I needed to do something for myself; something to fill my spiritual cup. I learned about a Wednesday night religion class in the area, geared towards Single Adults ages 31-45. After each class was a little mix & mingle. I started attending the class in January, but was too timid to stay for the social hour. (Yes, it's true, I do get timid and shy at times.) They would also organize other activities on other nights, including dinner groups, day trips, movie nights, game nights, etc. I didn't go to any of those in the beginning. To make a long story short, it took me 3 months to attend one of the other activities and before I really started to open up and get to know people. I love that there are people who understand my situation because theirs is similar in one way or another. I have met people with struggles and trials far worse than my own, and that has made me more appreciative of my own blessings. I didn't go with the intent to "find" my future spouse; I went with the frame of mind that I need that mid-week spiritual boost, to help get me through the rest of my busy week of work and school. Meeting a great guy would just be the icing on the cake. I am now 17 months post the final Big-D chapter of my life. This past year I have made many new friends and I feel like I have a real social life, in spite of my school schedule. I am glad that I resolved to join the religion class and know that I have grown much because of it.
I really wanted to pursue this dream of writing, and decided that 2011 was the year to really hunker down and get serious with it. I took three writing classes this past year and 2 of the 3 professors really helped guide me in the right direction and I feel like I am well on my way with my current manuscript. It's about half finished and I have felt good about the process and where it's headed, and getting a sample chapter published in the college's literary publication was thrilling.
I've had a few other goals this past year, which are ones that carry over from year to year. They include things like making time to read scriptures with the kids, planning a family vacation, and finding ways to improve my health. I did all of those this past year, and feel great about that. (Even though I took the month of December OFF from the gym!) :)
My biggest goal this past year, which sort of goes back to the first thing I mentioned was to open myself up to people and to learn to love people more genuinely. I have to say, that this has been the biggest blessing in my life. I feel like because I am making a conscious effort to know people, I have a better appreciation for their circumstance and an ability to be more accepting. True, some people I get to know and think, "Wow. I could not honestly stand to be around you for more than 5 minutes." Ha! But overall, even if I meet people and they do not become my new BFF, I feel like it somehow adds to this overall sense of genuinely loving mankind. It has made me a bit more sensitive to others and not as cynical. I feel like this experience is preparing me for something better - like God is preparing me for something far greater than I know now, or that I can even comprehend at this moment. I definitely have more room to grow, which brings me to my new list for 2012 - a year for new beginnings.
1) Continue regular scripture study and prayer with the kidlets
2) Continue attending fitness boot camp 3 x's per week
3) Cook more, eat out less
4) Continue to work on my writing
5) Continue working towards my degree
6) Plan a family vacation (any ideas?)
7) Keep an open mind and open heart towards others in an effort to become more Christlike
I may add a few more if something else comes to mind, but I feel that's a good start.
Last year when the clock moved us forward from 2010 to 2011, I had a few goals I wanted to pursue.
At that time, it was 7 months post the "Big-D & Emma Finale" and I hadn't really moved forward other than a handful of dates here or there. I decided I needed to do something for myself; something to fill my spiritual cup. I learned about a Wednesday night religion class in the area, geared towards Single Adults ages 31-45. After each class was a little mix & mingle. I started attending the class in January, but was too timid to stay for the social hour. (Yes, it's true, I do get timid and shy at times.) They would also organize other activities on other nights, including dinner groups, day trips, movie nights, game nights, etc. I didn't go to any of those in the beginning. To make a long story short, it took me 3 months to attend one of the other activities and before I really started to open up and get to know people. I love that there are people who understand my situation because theirs is similar in one way or another. I have met people with struggles and trials far worse than my own, and that has made me more appreciative of my own blessings. I didn't go with the intent to "find" my future spouse; I went with the frame of mind that I need that mid-week spiritual boost, to help get me through the rest of my busy week of work and school. Meeting a great guy would just be the icing on the cake. I am now 17 months post the final Big-D chapter of my life. This past year I have made many new friends and I feel like I have a real social life, in spite of my school schedule. I am glad that I resolved to join the religion class and know that I have grown much because of it.
I really wanted to pursue this dream of writing, and decided that 2011 was the year to really hunker down and get serious with it. I took three writing classes this past year and 2 of the 3 professors really helped guide me in the right direction and I feel like I am well on my way with my current manuscript. It's about half finished and I have felt good about the process and where it's headed, and getting a sample chapter published in the college's literary publication was thrilling.
I've had a few other goals this past year, which are ones that carry over from year to year. They include things like making time to read scriptures with the kids, planning a family vacation, and finding ways to improve my health. I did all of those this past year, and feel great about that. (Even though I took the month of December OFF from the gym!) :)
My biggest goal this past year, which sort of goes back to the first thing I mentioned was to open myself up to people and to learn to love people more genuinely. I have to say, that this has been the biggest blessing in my life. I feel like because I am making a conscious effort to know people, I have a better appreciation for their circumstance and an ability to be more accepting. True, some people I get to know and think, "Wow. I could not honestly stand to be around you for more than 5 minutes." Ha! But overall, even if I meet people and they do not become my new BFF, I feel like it somehow adds to this overall sense of genuinely loving mankind. It has made me a bit more sensitive to others and not as cynical. I feel like this experience is preparing me for something better - like God is preparing me for something far greater than I know now, or that I can even comprehend at this moment. I definitely have more room to grow, which brings me to my new list for 2012 - a year for new beginnings.
1) Continue regular scripture study and prayer with the kidlets
2) Continue attending fitness boot camp 3 x's per week
3) Cook more, eat out less
4) Continue to work on my writing
5) Continue working towards my degree
6) Plan a family vacation (any ideas?)
7) Keep an open mind and open heart towards others in an effort to become more Christlike
I may add a few more if something else comes to mind, but I feel that's a good start.
Monday, January 2, 2012
All's Fair in Love & Board Games
Typically on New Year's Eve, my kids will attend parties, and about every other year I let them have their sleepover/party here. When it's at our house I let them bang pots and pans and run through the streets at midnight yelling "Happy New Year!" But I only let them do this for about a minute and then they have to come back inside before the neighbors start calling the po-po. Hehe.
Then on New Year's Day, I usually invite my sister's family up from Spanish Fork for lunch and a day of games and chit-chat, and just hanging out.
Well, this year wasn't "typical" because A) my parents came in from Carson City, NV and my brother & his new wife came in from Barstow, CA for my niece's baptism and for our annual family Christmas party and B) because we were already down at my sister's house for the baptism and Christmas party, we stayed down there for the New Year's Eve par-tay too.
The morning of our New Year's Eve Day was devoted to Chloe's baptism. She was excited and we were all so proud of her for her decision to be baptized. It was fun to be a part of her special day.
The afternoon of New Year's Eve Day was devoted to our annual Christmas party. We exchanged gifts, played games and stuffed ourselves full of food. We laughed and had a lot of fun. Then we cleaned up a bit and went to my sister's friend's house for a New Year's Eve party (because that is where SHE typically spends NYE and we were down there this year). It was fun as we played more games, laughed some more, and managed to stuff ourselves full of more food while some of the party-goers got fake-drunk on fake-beer (birch beer, apple beer, root beer, etc.). At midnight, they went and lit fireworks in the street. By this time I was dragging a bit.
Thanks to my parents, the kidlets and I stayed in a hotel down there so I wasn't driving all the way back up to my house in the middle of the night.
Yesterday we all went to church with my sister and then headed up to my house for the usual New Year's Day lunch and game day. We had a taco bar and lots of other treats and spent the rest of the day playing games. The family that eats and plays together, stays together, or something like that right?
Overall, we had a ton of fun swapping stories, swapping presents, laughing our butts off, stuffing our guts full, playing jokes on each other and playing games. It was a jam-packed weekend for sure.
After everyone left yesterday, I was sooo tired, I laid down for a little nap around 7:30 and ended up sleeping all night long. The nice thing is, I don't have to work today. w00t!
Then on New Year's Day, I usually invite my sister's family up from Spanish Fork for lunch and a day of games and chit-chat, and just hanging out.
Well, this year wasn't "typical" because A) my parents came in from Carson City, NV and my brother & his new wife came in from Barstow, CA for my niece's baptism and for our annual family Christmas party and B) because we were already down at my sister's house for the baptism and Christmas party, we stayed down there for the New Year's Eve par-tay too.
The morning of our New Year's Eve Day was devoted to Chloe's baptism. She was excited and we were all so proud of her for her decision to be baptized. It was fun to be a part of her special day.
The afternoon of New Year's Eve Day was devoted to our annual Christmas party. We exchanged gifts, played games and stuffed ourselves full of food. We laughed and had a lot of fun. Then we cleaned up a bit and went to my sister's friend's house for a New Year's Eve party (because that is where SHE typically spends NYE and we were down there this year). It was fun as we played more games, laughed some more, and managed to stuff ourselves full of more food while some of the party-goers got fake-drunk on fake-beer (birch beer, apple beer, root beer, etc.). At midnight, they went and lit fireworks in the street. By this time I was dragging a bit.
Thanks to my parents, the kidlets and I stayed in a hotel down there so I wasn't driving all the way back up to my house in the middle of the night.
Yesterday we all went to church with my sister and then headed up to my house for the usual New Year's Day lunch and game day. We had a taco bar and lots of other treats and spent the rest of the day playing games. The family that eats and plays together, stays together, or something like that right?
Overall, we had a ton of fun swapping stories, swapping presents, laughing our butts off, stuffing our guts full, playing jokes on each other and playing games. It was a jam-packed weekend for sure.
After everyone left yesterday, I was sooo tired, I laid down for a little nap around 7:30 and ended up sleeping all night long. The nice thing is, I don't have to work today. w00t!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)