Self Image

I'm posing a very sad question.

Is there anyone out there that is
completely happy with their body?

Now I mean everything; from the 5-50+ lbs you want/need to lose, that pending nose job, the wishful thinking of a future tummy tuck (after all the monkeys are born, of course), or the laser hair removal you've been thinking about splurging on...

What's so sad about this is I believe I was created in God's image. But I truly believe there are few - if any, who don't think there is some aspect of their body that could be improved upon. Why don't I see the beautiful young woman above? Why do I see the old hag?

Is it simply because I've been raised amidst a society that pays handsomely for handsomeness?

Or do I still have the emotional/social maturity of an 8th grader?

Pump Up the Jam

I made freezer jam for the first time yesterday.

I knew it had a lot of sugar.....but come on!

The ratio is literally 2:1; sugar:strawberries. Ya, there's some pectin in there somewhere, but isn't that just another form of sugar? I'll stop complaining because it's pretty dang good. Saying that "Olivia seems to like it" is a gross understatement. I think she would have taken a straw to the bowl had I let her.

We Thank Thee

The greatest things in this world are the greatest truths, and there are no truths of greater worth than the truths of salvation. To know and live those truths which bring us again into the presence of God is the crowning achievement of man. Among men, none ought be more honored than those chosen of God to teach his gospel and to be special witnesses of the divinity of his Son. - Publisher's Preface, Gospel Doctrine

This month I've been teaching the children at our church the song "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet". There's been countless stories of prophets of old as well as more recent prophets. I realized I had my own personal story of the time I met our current prophet: Thomas S. Monson.

My sister and I were in Salt Lake City seeing Phantom of the Opera. We noticed President [then Elder] Monson sitting a few rows ahead of us. During intermission he didn't look too busy so we decided to be obnoxious and go meet him. He asked us where we were from, and when I told him Smithfield, UT, he mentioned knowing someone from my same high school. Bryan is one of those remarkable people that has overcome great adversity and was an example to more people than he could ever realize. Elder Monson knew of his situation and we spoke about how Bryan was hoping and planning on going on a mission for the church. I remember Elder Monson telling me then and there that "Elders will fight to be his companion."

Months later Bryan was speaking at his church one final time before leaving on his mission. At the last minute who is to walk into the meeting but Elder Monson. What a wonderful, inspired, loving man who took time out of his busy schedule to drive hours out of his way to attend a simple sacrament meeting.

I never told Bryan this story. I wish I would have.

Now you know just a little part of my testimony of this prophet of God.

Helpless

Our air conditioner was on the fritz (AGAIN!). Here's the problem with this scenario.
In Texas (as well as AZ and possibly other states that I don't know about) the law says it has to be fixed within 24 hours.

Because of this law, AC fix-it people have most likely been taken for lots of money - they feel obligated to fix something because the law says so while people don't feel as obligated to pay for said service.

So now, while you make your appointment, they take a credit card number over the phone to procure their payment.

This causes me to feel a little like a 73 year old woman (who am I kidding, a 28 year old woman) in the auto mechanic's shop at the complete mercy of a guy who might tell me I need more head light fluid.

Whether or not they find something wrong, they now have my credit card number.

Luckily this doesn't come out of my pocket. Yet another reason I'm scared out of my mind to own my own house.

Have you ever felt helpless?

You know, like someone who has to buy gasoline today.

Confessional

I watch American Idol.


Oh, shut up, you do, too.


My point is that next week they're doing Neil Diamond's music.


Sweet Caroline I'm excited! I've been a Neil Diamond fan since I was like 9. I fell in love with him when I was about 12. Dad had a tape of his in the Mazda while he, Scott and I drove 2 hours out to Box Elder County to go rabbit hunting.


Maybe I've gone one confession too far.

Battle of the Sexes

For so long I've dreaded the idea of having a teenage girl (or two) in my home. You know having that hormonal thing turn the ugly age of 13 in the middle of 7th grade (wouldn't it be nice to wipe that from our lives?).


Then my MIL sent the family this picture (titled "Suitcase for Mischief" no less) telling us all how she had come across what she thought was an empty suitcase in her garage.



Then I was on the ground crying. But later I started worrying about Bradley ending up with a felony charge for blowing up the neighbor's mailbox.

What do you think?

Are girls easier to raise or are boys?

Do you want hormones in your house or the FBI?

Olivia's Ants

Poor Olivia had her first taste of fire ants.


Bradley was a true hero and yelled, "Mom she's getting into ants!!!" By the time I was across the yard, she was beginning to cry. She had stuck her hands down into the "dirt" pile. We stripped her immediately, poured vinegar on the bites, then...

...we redressed her.


Yup, you guessed it, I was then bitten by the little devils.


Needless to say, she was re-stripped and the clothes have been burned.

Sunday Best

Latest Visitors

Jon and Domie visited.

Here we are being super supportive of Bradley's soccer game (which they lost by like 12 goals - in which we can simply say, "winning doesn't matter as long as you had fun." To which he replied, "but it's not fun losing." ).

Here we are at Mt. Bonnelle with it's glorious views.

We already miss them terribly.

I must mention that they've claimed the highly sought-after title of favorite siblings. Seeing how they are the ONLY ones who've made the trek. May I add that WE'VE made the trek to see all of our siblings?!?!

Excuse the rant. I want a piano.

PTA

...you thought it stood for Parent Teacher Association.

It doesn't.

It stands for Glorified Fund-raising Committee.

I know the letters don't work really for the acronym, but if I squint really hard (like until my eyes are closed) and turn my head at an angle, it kind of could work.

There isn't a week that goes by that Bradley doesn't come home with some stupid collection folder or plea from his classroom mom or some random field trip that he needs $5 here or $3 there. EVERY WEEK!!! My neighbor and I tallied it up and they've asked us for over $300 since the school year has begun.

Last week the school spent an hour brain washing Bradley into thinking that if he went door to door and collected money, he'd help cure diabetes. They even used a blind guy in a wheel chair to really sell it.

Plus, if he could collect $20 or more, he'd earn a blue bracelet worth all of 8 cents.

Am I alone in my sentiments?

ipod envy

I'm in the market for an ipod, but they seem ridiculously expensive. Am I insane? Why do I see teenagers everywhere that have a $250 piece of electronics haphazardly sticking out of their back pocket. Am I mistaken?

Who has an ipod?

Who has an mp3 player of a different brand?

Does it matter?

Two is Better than Four

On Monday I received these lovely roses

from a man other than my husband.

His name is Jason.

He's quite handsome.

Too bad he's only five years old.

A few weeks ago I decided that it was rather pathetic that a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds were riding their bikes with training wheels. Three days later, everyone knew how to ride a bike. Four kids now have the ultimate childhood freedom.

Missionaries

The missionaries were at our house Monday night.

Transfers were Tuesday so instead of one companionship, there were two.

I prepared:

• A large broccoli salad
• A huge vat of creamed corn
• and a 9x13 pan of oven potatoes

Steven stopped at Rudy's and picked up 6 lbs of brisket, turkey and sausage.

I had two dozen cookies and a half gallon of Blue Bell for dessert.

I was so excited at the thought of leftovers. Who was I kidding? All but a few cookies and half the ice cream were GONE within an hour. Their mamas have no need to worry about their boys. They're being well taken care of.