A Simple Request

It was late, and I barely noticed the covert note sliding under our bedroom door...

Dear Mom,

I want a baby sister.
I need another girl to hang out with besides Kayli and Lilli (cousins).
I need a girl.
I want a sister.

Love, Ella

How can you respond to this when you would only LOVE to oblige? When you heart and soul mourn the fact that your body is done? When you are not Angelina Jolie who can afford to build a wing for an orphanage in exchange for an easily expanding family? My heart is full...but empty at the same time. How do you adjust to your "season" in life?

I use to stay up late at night, thinking of what I would name future children (this was even after I knew I could not have anymore children!) It has been a while since I have done that.

(If it is a girl...Lola Jill...If it is a boy...Lars Monroe...)

Forget an Apple a Day!

This is my new treat to myself...On those days when you just need that little extra (every day!!!)...

CACAO RESERVE by Hershey's

And get this...it's actually GOOD for you!! (Dark chocolate is good for antioxidants, zero trans fat, low sugar content, and 3 grams of protein per serving...)

So forget the apple...THIS is much more fun!!

If people can drink wine and smoke pot for medicinal purposes...then chocolate is DEFINITELY okay!!

A Long Time Coming...

It has been MANY years, and a few catastrophies later, that I can utter the words I am going to share with you now...

"I am in a good place, and I feel joy."

I am indeed, blessed beyond belief. It has just been the past few days that I have this innate sense of happiness...Of being able to see ALL the details in their glory. The fact that I can get out of bed, without any darkness enfolding me...The way my children make me feel...The fact that I have started running again...The beauty of the changing seasons, letting me know that spring and summer are on their way...The excitement of a pending move, a new beginning, and a new home...The excitement of seeing that "dream" home begin it's early development...The joy I shared with a friend who FINALLY had her baby girl, after 5 boys...The way I feel when I think of my Savior...The joy I feel in laughter...The happiness a Sonic, Diet-Chocolate-Coke brings me...The love I feel when I catch my husband looking at me...The richness of good conversations with friends...How my toes sparkle after a pedicure...The fresh smell of cut grass...

JOY!!

"There must needs be opposition in all things..." I can give firm testimony of opposition...There have been times in my life, and trials in my life, that I NEVER imagined I would actually have to deal with... Things so heartbreaking, so repulsive, so controlling, so wrong, that until you experience them, you cannot even fathom them. I would often pray to God that He would PLEASE stop giving me trials, and give me "a little joy!" That I was not up for such challenges, and needed peace, and quietude...

"There must needs be opposition in all things..."

I am joyful today, because of the life I have lived. I am joyful, for the life I have yet to live. I am joyful for opposition, because joy remedies the heart and soul.

I know that this "utopia" will perhaps fade...That there are other trials and struggles a head...But I needed to take note...to testify in writing to myself...That joy always finds a way...Perhaps not in our perfect time, or way...But eventually...returns and makes us whole.

Sir Mixalot - Baby Got Back (I like big butts)

My son's theme song...

Today's conversation went like this:

S: "You have a big butt, mom"
Me: "You shouldn't say that...You need to tell me how much you LOOOVE me..."
S: (pensive look)
S: "You have a big butt..."

I Am a Green Bunny

Apparently I've made it big...I just found out that I have my own trademark...I am a green bunny...

Since I AM so popular, you can get a little piece of me in a variety of ways..Let me show you...









Coming soon (if I can get youtube to work on my system...) Hoops and YOYO "April in Paris"
Au revoir!!

Sunday Lesson #15...Illustration by Ella...

Today I taught about the Good Samaritan. While I was researching for the lesson, I came across an article written about the deeper symbolism in the story, and wanted to share it. My cute daughter drew a picture of the scene to help with my lesson...

The Good Samaritan:
Forgotten Symbols

Notes from lecture by John W. Welch at Danville Stake Center, Danville, California, March 5, 1999. Brother Welch is the founder of F.A.R.M.S, and the discover of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon.

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37)

Brother Welch began by asking "Where in the New Testament does Christ ever teach the plan of salvation?" Good question. He then answered that question. He showed a picture of Chartes, the cathedral in France, and of a stained glass window found there. He explained that stained glass windows were to be "read" as stories, teachings. This particular window had the story of the Good Samaritan, told in a series of ascending panels. Then just above this was the story of the fall of Adam, and the crucifixion of Christ.

This fascinated him. Then he found two other stained glass windows in cathedrals in France that did the same thing. Only on these two, the story of the Good Samaritan was told in a series of descending pictures, each in a circle. To the side of each of the pictures and surrounding each were a series of four pictures, each having to do with the fall of Adam, the law of Moses, the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior. He wondered why these would be portrayed side by side in this way. Then he began to study the writings of the early Church Fathers and discovered that they believed the parable of the Good Samaritan was given to teach about the fall of Adam and the redemption by Christ. He wondered just how this could be. Then he read in one of the earliest Church Fathers, Origen, that he had it from the "elders," those who personally knew Christ, that in this parable the man "who went down" was Adam - and by extension, we know as members of the Church, all mankind. The man left Jerusalem, which signified Heaven - the Holy City. Jericho was the world. The robbers were Satan and other evil persons and influences. The Priest and Levite represented the Law and the Prophets, and the Samaritan - Christ. The beast on which the injured man was carried was said to be the body of Christ. The Inn to which he was taken was the Church and the innkeeper the head of the Church. The two coins he gave were dinari (sp?).

The interpretation was this - a certain man (Adam) (and all mankind) "went down" from Heaven (Jerusalem) to earth (Jericho) and "fell" because of the temptations which beset him. The robbers (Satan, the temptations of the world) stripped him of his garments and left him half-dead. Brother Welch said they stripped him of the garment of immortality, leaving him in a "half-dead" (meaning spiritual death but not yet mortal death) state. The Priest and Levite come by but do not help. He pointed out that in the pictures, and in some early writings, the Priest and Levite are not so much deliberately ignoring him as unknowing and helpless- they do not know what to do, and seem incapable or really doing anything. They hold the Aaronic priesthood, which is not able to save him.

Then the Samaritan comes. This represents Jesus. Why Jesus a Samaritan? The Samaritans were hated and despised. Jesus was hated and despised and rejected. In John 8:48, the Jews said they called Jesus a Samaritan. The Samaritan comes from "another world" as far as the Jews are concerned. The Samaritan binds up the man's (Adam - mankind) wounds and pours on oil (anoints) and washes with wine (blood). He puts the wounded man on a beast (body of Christ according to early Church Fathers- remember the membership of the Church is sometimes referred to as the body of Christ). He is borne to the Inn (Church) and welcomed by the innkeeper (Church leader).

The Samaritan says he must go away for a while and gives 2 dinari (sp?) (2 days wages) to the innkeeper. This is enough to care for the man for two days. He apparently will return on the third day. 2 dinari (sp?) also equals ½ shekel, the amount of the temple tax, which means the debt owed to the temple for the man is now paid. His debts have been squared.

He tells the innkeeper "I will come again." Christ will come again. And whatever else is owed to redeem the man, He will pay. Remember that this dialogue started with the lawyer asking the Savior, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" So, while the Savior answers the following question about who is neighbor to the man, he is also answering the first question asked, and explaining that eternal life is given by Him who has the authority and the love of mankind to care for those that have fallen and to make them whole. Those in the Church are to help in this undertaking. And as he ends, he says "Go and do likewise" (Go and become Christ-like.)

Symbols from the Parable of the Good Samaritan:
the Good Samarian--Jesus Christ
Viction--Man wounded with sin
Jerusalem--Paradise
Jericho--World
Priest--Law of Moses
Levite--Prophets
Beast--Christ's body
Inn--Church
Manager of the Inn--Head of the Church


I am so grateful for the many times in my life, when I have been weak and weary, physically or spirtually beaten, that my Savior has been there to assist me, to bind up my wounds, and to carry me to safety and shelter...I hope we can all be someone's Good Samaritan, just as Christ is to us...

Thank you, Chronicler

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world."
-- Marianne Williamson

I saw this on Chronicler's blog (now on my "destinations...) and had to have it on mine...

Have a glorious day!

For Sale...

...Kitchen

...Living Room

...Bedroom


...Family Room


Any offers?!

"These are a few of my Favorite things..."

Forget "raindrops on roses" and "whiskers on kittens..." (although a "bright copper kettle" would look really cool as an accent piece...)

We are in the process of finalizing our home to be put up for sale, on Easter weekend!! Yeah!! This would not of been possible without my new "Favorite things..."

1) POD storage...They bring it...You load it (and take as long as you like)...They pick it up...They store it...They bring it to you, at your final destination! This is where we put all of the things we will bring to the new house, that I won't have to deal with during our rental months... I almost cried when they dropped it off!! It was indeed, a thing of beauty!!

2) Lawn and Leaf, extra large, garbage bags...You don't TRULY realize how much you have in your home that you REALLY don't need, until you are moving...I was tempted to just put up the sign and have it say, "For Sale--As Is---Keep it ALL!"

3) A new kitchen countertop--OOOOOO!!!--- a beautiful, new, stainless-steel sink with the cool "pull-out" faucet in stainless steel with soap dispenser, and a bright new oven...Everything is all clean, smooth, and pretty!

4) Brother Ventura...The man responsible for supervising my husband putting in the new countertop and sink!! LOVE him!!

5) New oven-unit trays, and covers...It makes my eyes water with excitement!

6) Clorox, Disinfecting Kitchen Cleaner, in "crisp citrus." This stuff is GREAT!! It cleans really well, and leaves a nice scent.

7) CRL. This is the ONLY thing that got EVERYTHING clean in our tub and shower...SPARKLING!!

8) The look and smell of freshly cleaned carpets, where you cannot tell where the "high traffic areas" use to be!

9) The "CLEANSED" feeling you have, when you have only your essentials left to take care of..."Simplification" is definitely the way to go! You just feel, lighter!

10) The anticipation of putting up the "For Sale by Owner" sign...I'm giddy already!!

We've been in our home for 10 years, and we've simply out-grown it. It holds alot of memories, and has showcased many "styles." I hope some cute family will see our wonderful home, on its 1/2 acre of enjoyment, and jump at the chance to begin their memories in this home, as we will begin new memories in our new home (with some "limbo" memories of renting!)

Anyone for a chorus of "Edelweiss?!"

Tea with Black

While attending BYU, I was taking a Botany class to fill my general requirements. It was taught by a dull, monotone man, who tried to impress the class by constantly using words and definitions that made the subject more like a foriegn language requirement. One day, my world changed...It was the day that a Professor Black taught the class...

He had an energy, and charisma, that was like a big bolt of energy had come and electrocuted everyone there. I had many, many class instructions during my stay at BYU, and it is amazing to me that this is one of my most readily recalled lectures...amongst my more liberal pursuits of art history, french language, and humanities comparasions.

His lecture all started with talk about that famous, English dog-trainer?..she was an older woman, with silver-white hair, and I have vague recollections of seeing her once or twice on TV during my childhood, running and commanding different types of canine. This immediately peeked my attention, in that it did not thave the requisite "oomycote" or some other form of the "botanical" language of fungus or flora...

He told of in her later years, that she had been diagnosed with Diabetes, and had started to deteriorate from its vices...She had gone legally blind, had sores on her extremeties from bad circulation, and had to turn to insulin to try to keep her blood sugars and body under control. For some reason, she decided to retire to the jungles of South America, with its dense rainforests, and tropical climate. I was now closer to the edge of my seat, for this was either going to get interesting, or it was going to turn into an allegory about spores...

While there, the natives gave her a special tea made out of neighboring jungle foliage...This "tea" is where the botany and miracle stepped in...By this special concoction, this dog-trainer from England, with her silver-white hair, had something amazing happen...SHE WAS CURED! Her eyesight came back, her wounds healed, and her dependency on insulin shots became obsolete.

I sat next to my sister (who took the class with me, and shares the diabetic "curse" with me) and we were both STUNNED...My heart was racing, and my eyes teary...Could this be? Was I really hearing correctly?!

The next part of the story still makes me sick to my stomach...

The Professor began to explain how this woman decided to return home, and tell of her experience...Of the hope that this could bring to so many...

Before she could get the aid required to research this discovery, it was GONE...

The jungle area containing this mystery "foliage" had been destroyed...mowed down...wiped off the earth...

I'm sure there are many reasons or answers for why this would happened...or maybe it was just an honest "accident," but when I look at the pin-pricks on my finger tips from monitoring my blood-sugar...the glucometer, shots, insulin and glucagon emergency kit I carry with me everywhere I go...the damage done to the body and spirit... it makes me angry, and unsatisfied with any offered answer. (Not to mention the MILLIONS of dollars that Lifescan and Lilly make off of me and others each month to "keep me managed..." Sound like a "conspiracy theory?" You KNOW I think so...)

So many times I hear/say, "At least it's manageable." But what consolation is that? It's like telling someone "At least you can go on dialysis." We have heated debates about stem-cells and morality, about "cures" verses "unfertilized eggs"...Would these opinions change if a loved one, or they themselves had the disease? Are we at a continual stand-still on progress until another Christopher Reeves or Michael J Fox is affected? Where is the "morality" when big-companies are making millions off of the afflicted, when there is a probable cure? Would they really give it all up, for the common good?

Tea, anyone?

I'm not SAD anymore!

Among the MANY medical and chemical anomalies I own, I can add another to my list...SAD...or..."Seasonal Affective Disorder"...Basically, I'm "bluer" in the dark winter months, than I am in the "sunnier" spring and summer. I've always thought this might be an issue with me, but since the time change, and the nicer weather, it is VERY apparent that this belongs to me!

Some of the reasons I am not SAD anymore:

1) The morning light does not make me nauseated.
2) I am dressed ( with hair and makeup ) before I have to think about what I am making for dinner.
3) My laundry gets done...Although folding is still optional...
4) I answer my phone.
5) My kids aren't constantly telling me that "they hope I feel better, soon..."
6) I don't re-play things I did in my mind a million times to see how I "should of" done it"...Now it's only a thousand times...
7) I have energy not related to Sonic Diet-Vanilla Coke and Excedrin..,
8) Sex is a good thing.
9)I don't cry at commercials (as much...) or at nothing at all...
10)I "see" more of the many blessings I have.

It also makes me happy that I don't live in Alaska, or I would be totally screwed! Plus, there are too many CUTE spring SHOES out there to be depressed!

Now...I heard that we are supposedly going to get snow next week...after the past two weeks of flip-flop paradise...

(We all know what I will be fasting for on Sunday...)

Look Closely...

Funny Videos

My Sister, "PUNK"

Please welcome my wonderful sister, "Punk" to our blogging family!! She's AWESOME!!
Please leave her a comment, so she will post...: )

(And don't take the name literally...she is so NOT a "punk!"...Especially in comparasion to her older sis...)

Good Intentions

We arrived to church today ON TIME!! This is a MONUMENTAL achievement, in that no matter what time church begins, there's a 50/50 chance that we will be late.

As we entered the chapel, there was a gentleman at the podium, speaking about faith. While we sat down in our row, I thought, "Oh...This is neat...The Bishop is having people bear their testimonies before Sacrament meeting begins..." This was followed by the thought, "Boy...This guy is REALLY thorough...He even has scriptural references..."

As I gave my husband the "Am I missing something?" look, our friends in back of us tapped us on the shoulder and said, "This is the concluding speaker...Today is "Daylight Savings!"

Good Intentions...Hopefully God will understand!

Girl Day!

My daughter has been home the past three days with a bad cold. We finally got her on an antibiotic, which has allowed for a complete turn-around. Today was to be her last day home (I wanted to make sure she had a complete 48 hours on the medicine, before going back--I like her teacher too much to risk a classroom full of sick kids!) so I decided it was to be...

"Girl Day!"

After little brother was at preschool, we took off for our adventure! It was BEAUTIFUL today, and that only made the day better! I let her choose the music, and it was a blend of Kelly Clarkston, No Doubt, and other girlie fav's. We drove up, and with purses properly poised on our shoulders, we headed in to the Mall for some "serious" shopping. We tried on shoes (the BEST was when she told me all the reasons why I should buy her the pair of high-heeled, hot pink, "Candies" sandals...she's EIGHT!) looked at earrings ( I am AMAZED that my entire 80's wardrobe has returned--from "jelly shoes" to big, plastic hoops and beads in bright neon colors!!) and dined on pretzel bites...It was DIVINE!! We went in the Kiddie Kandids to get our picture taken, but their was a wait (supposedly) of four hours ( which was interesting, because there were two picture-areas vacant, and three staff members talking about dates...mmmm...) But, despite our lack of photo-documentation, our day so far was a success!

After baby brother and big brother came home from school, we were off to Activity Days, where we made cute little totes for scriptures, or whatever else tickled one's fancy. After an hour and a half with eleven LOUD, sugar-infested 8 and 9 year olds, my "girlie day" had met it's match!! New satchel in hand, with a new pair of bright-pink, plastic hoops in her ears, we headed for home.

I have fond memories of my mom pulling me and my sisters out of school every year in elementary, to hit the clearance sales for next year's shoes...I always felt a scandalous "high," knowing that while my classmates were sitting at their desks, we were out, trying on shoes (which I enjoyed even at this young age) and enjoying the joy of a condoned "hookey."

Tomorrow we will be back into the swing of things...Kids in school...Me doing laundry (maybe)...and E will be wearing a pair of new, bright-pink, plastic hoop earrings, with hopefully a memory that she will recall when she is having "Girl Day" with her own daughter.

Amazing Mr. Gruffudd

My husband and I went on a movie date last Thursday night...We went and saw "Amazing Grace"...

If you are looking for a fast paced, action-packed, special effects, extravaganza...then this movie is NOT for you...

BUT...

If you are looking for a lucid, inspiring, intelligent, thought-provoking, true story, of sacrifice, redemption, hope, salvation, and grace...

Go see "Amazing Grace"

It truly made an impression on me...


(And there is no man that looks finer in a pair of knickers than Ioan Gruffudd...)

LAUGH Lisa LAUGH!

These jokes are to make Lisa smile...If you have any others to offer, please feel free! (Although, I won't be sending you $300...)


Two campers are hiking in the woods when one is bitten on the rear end by a rattlesnake. "I'll go into town for a doctor," the other says. He runs ten miles to a small town and finds the only doctor delivering a baby. "I can't leave," the doctor says. "But here's what to do. Take a knife, cut a little X where the bite is, suck out the poison and spit it on the ground." The guy runs back to his friend, who is in agony. "What did the doctor say?" the victim cries. "He says you're gonna die."

Q: How many egomaniacs does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: One. The egomaniac holds the light bulb while the rest of the world revolves around him.

My daughter and her husband, Monte, had flown to visit me, and he held their baby in his arms as the passengers stood to deplane. Noticing the baby's shirt, which said "Little Terror," a woman commented, "I think it's awful to have your child wear something like that." "But it's true," Monte replied. "Well," the woman persisted, "I wouldn't advertise it." A moment later, he shifted the infant a bit, and the woman exclaimed, "Oh, his shirt says 'Little Terror.' I thought it said 'Little Error.' "

One afternoon while I was visiting my library, I noticed a group of preschoolers gathered for story time. The book they were reading was There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. After the librarian finished the first page, she asked the children, "Do you think she'll die?" "Nope," a little girl in the back said. "I saw this last night on Fear Factor."

I am a deputy sheriff assigned to courthouse security. As part of my job, I explain court procedures to visitors. One day I was showing a group of ninth-graders around. Court was in recess and only the clerk and a young man in custody wearing handcuffs were in the courtroom. "This is where the judge sits," I began, pointing to the bench. "The lawyers sit at these tables. The court clerk sits over there. The court recorder, or stenographer, sits over here. Near the judge is the witness stand and over there is where the jury sits. "As you can see," I finished, "there are a lot of people involved in making this system work." At that point, the prisoner raised his cuffed hands and said, "Yeah, but I'm the one who makes it all happen."

Thinking his son would enjoy seeing the reenactment of a Civil War battle, my niece's husband took the boy, Will, to the event. But the poor child was terrified by the booming cannons. During a lull, Will's dad finally got him calmed down. That's when the Confederate general hollered, "Fire at Will!"

And my FAVORITE...

Two doctors and an HMO manager die and line up together at the Pearly Gates. One doctor steps forward and tells St. Peter, "As a pediatric surgeon, I saved hundreds of children." St. Peter lets him enter. The next doctor says, "As a psychiatrist, I helped thousands of people live better lives." St. Peter tells him to go ahead. The last man says, "I was an HMO manager. I got countless families cost-effective health care." St. Peter replies, "You may enter. But," he adds, "you can only stay for three days. After that, you can go to hell."

Love ya, Lisa!!

Random Thoughts...

1) What the crap is up with Britney Spears?
2) I'm miffed that my husband has to work tomorrow.
3) My pantry looks good...DAMN good...I cleaned it out and re-painted it...all organized.
4) My 4 year old son told me "I'm not your boyfriend!" when I last kissed him...
5) I wish I shopped on Sunday, cause I could really go for a Diet Vanilla Coke...
6) We are putting up our house for sale in the next few weeks...I just need to call my doctor and "up" my "medication..."
7) I'm excited for "sandal" weather! I took a walk in flip-flops today...My bright-pink toes were smiling!
8) We went as a family to see "Ghost Rider," and had a blast (Even our 4 year old sat through it!)
9) I had a dream last night, that I tried to start nursing my youngest child (age 4) again...Do you think I am denial that my child-bearing years are over?
10) This guy on "Deal or No Deal" just made a deal for $94,000 when he still had $200,000-$500,000 left on the board...His case ended up having $300,000...ooops!
11) Whenever you feel "deprived," just watch Ty Pennington's "Extreme Makeover..." It works EVERY time!! (Tonite...family with 6 out of 7 kids with autism...tissue?)
12) Kiwi-Passion Fruit yogurt is REALLY good, even though it sounds REALLY yucky!
13) My husband and I ate all my son's Valentine candy...My daughter came home with two stuffed animals from her "valentines" as well as flowers, and a glass, heart-shaped paper weight...SHE'S ONLY EIGHT!!
14) My friend gets a free trip to Hawaii...I wish I was in Hawaii...

How I Got VD

This afternoon, I was visited by our wards Activity Day girls (They chose me and two other "select" people to visit...yes...I am cool...) As I came to the front door, there they were, beaming, bright-eyed, and giggling, waiting for me to gush all over them (which...I did...) They presented to me a foiled plate, with a shouted chorus of, "Happy Valentines Day!!" I chatted with them, made them recite an Article of Faith, and made my way back into the house to devour my "stash." I peeled back the foil, and took in my bounty, when I saw "it."

On a single, frosted, red and pink sugar cookie was...

"VD"

It made my day!!

More Meme for Melissa

Curious?! Enjoy...


1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:30am--ritual "pee," then again at 7:15am to send the kids off to school, then again at 8:30am when my youngest got up, then again at 9:15am when my youngest refused to "cuddle" any longer...Nope...NOT a morning person...Though I would LOVE to be one...

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds...pearls seem matronly to me.

3. Single/married/committed? married (Now...Lisa put favorite "shoes" on her meme for this question...OOH...SHOES!!)

4. What was the last film you saw at the theater? "The Pursuit of Happyness"

5. What is your favorite TV Show? Tie: The Office/Prison Break/Grey's Anatomy/(when on) Project Runway/Boston Leagal

6. What did you have for breakfast? Egg/spinach omelet

7. What is your middle name? What middle name?!--My Dad did not give ANY of his daughters a middle name...His reasoning?...Our maiden name would become our middle name when we got married...(You better believe MY daughter has a middle name!!)

8. What is your favorite cuisine? Japanese...SUSHI!!

9. What foods do you dislike? Fillet mignon

10. Favorite Chips? "Lays" original, or home-made tortilla chips with salsa

ll. Favorite CDs? Currently very eclectic: Godsmack, Michael Buble, Johnny Cash, ColdPlay, Evanescence, The Fray, Hansraj Hans (cool/fresh Indian Music), KT Tunstall, Rob Zombie, White Zombie, Soundtracks from " Triple XXX "and "Crank" and "A Beautiful Mind..."

l2. What kind of car do you drive? Chevy Tahoe

l3. Favorite sandwich? Pesto Turkey Ciabatta sandwich at Mimi's Cafe...YUM!

14. What characteristics do you despise in others? Ignorance, laziness, self-righteousness.

15. What is your favorite clothing? My new "Tyte" jeans, and a clean white fitted t-shirt....and REALLY AWESOME SHOES (probably a heeled sandal or opened-toe shoe where my newly manicured toes could peek out!)...and a cool stone-bracelet, with my big silver, hoop earrings!!

l6. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation? Tie: Greece/Egypt

17. What color are your eyes? Green

l8. Favorite Fashion Brand: ALL (except western attire...on THAT I draw the line...)

l9. Where would you want to retire to? Canada...Then I could utilize my french, and get UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE to take care of all my ailments...

20. Favorite time of day? Evening...After the kids are REALLY asleep...

2l. Where were you born? Chula Vista, California (Just a hop, skip and a jump from Tijuana!!)

22. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball

23. Who do you least expect to send this back? Me...I'm a poster, not a sender...

24. Person you expect to send it back first? No clue...I'm not that popular in the great "blogosphere..." But hopefully Suzie's post will help with that...

25. Coke or Pepsi? The only way I can drink Coke is if it is a Diet Vanilla Coke from Sonic or a really cold Coke Zero...I don't mind a cold Diet Pepsi with fresh limes...

26. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? We will be putting our house up for sale within the next month (YEAH!!) and we will start building the house we've talked about for the past...FOREVER!!

27. What did you want to be when you were little? An attorney, or a Museum Curator.

28. What is your best childhood memory? (One of MANY...) When my dad would make up silly songs to famous pop songs...ie: "Spider-Crusher" to the tune of "Ghost-Busters!" (HILARIOUS!!) We still know all the words...He also had this "redneck/country" song that he would sing as we entered the middle of nowhere (Wyoming!) about "Billy's sister's cousin's uncle's nephew, slapped Jenny in the mouth..She took little Susie...and they all headed South..."

29. Did you ever skip school? A few times in High School...Mostly in my Senior year, after all my college applications had been turned in...

30. Who was your best friend in school? I moved around in many "circles..." and had good friends...but none that I would consider "best" (One of my "good" friends slept with my prom date a week before the dance...I wonder why I wasn't more open to a "best" friend...)

3l. Piercing? ears. 3 on the left, and 2 on the right. I went away to yearbook camp at USU in Logan the summer before my senior year, and came home with 4 new holes...my dad wasn't impressed...The third was "home-made...") Now I only wear the LDS "PC" one per ear allotment...but the holes have never closed!

32. Ever been to Africa ? No

33. Ever been toilet papering? Oh, yes!!

4. Been in a car accident? No...But I had a semi-truck slam into me when I was 9 and rollerskating...Does that count?

35. Favorite day of the week? Friday...It always comes with the relief that the week is over, and happiness that it is not yet Sunday and time for my lesson...

36. Favorite restaurant? Happy Sumo

37. Favorite flower? Daisy

38. Favorite flavor of ice cream? New find: Bubblegum with Gummy Bears

39. How many times did you fail your drivers license? Once...The instructor did not feel I drove across an intersection quickly enough, and put "near accident" in big letters on my paper...The worse part was having my mom say, "You can still drive us home with your learner's permit..."
(post note: I have NEVER been in a traffic accident!!)

40. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? Heather

41. What store would you choose to max out your credit card? My instinct says ANY shoe store...My brain says "wait to spend it on your new house..."

42. Bedtime? I'd LIKE to go to sleep at 10:30pm...But...I usually drift off around 1-2am

43. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire?
According to those memes I've read... MYSELF!!

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? My husband and his co-workers and their wives.

45. What are you listening to right now? My kids yelling, "Good night!!"

46. What are your favorite colors? Pink...Lime Green...Silver...

47. How many tattoos do you have? ONE! (Yup---I got it on my first Mother's Day, and YES, I've always had a current temple recommend and calling---this was before the days of "For the Strength of Youth." I was 26, and had a good reason (nope--not gonna tell!!) My kids thought it was a birth mark until they were 4 and 6, then I had to lay it out for them...But they know that I would not get one now, or let THEM get one, since the new "edict" from "above." )

48. How many people are you sending this e-mail to? everyone who blogs. Tag! You're it!

49. Favorite movie of all time? "Life is Beautiful"

50. Favorite book? "Honeymoon in Purdah"

Comments?

"To Do" Lists...The Black Hole of Guilt

I am a connoisseur of the "To Do" lists...I always seem to have AT LEAST three scattered around my home, one in my scriptures, and a few in my purse. I enjoy the sense of (false though it may be) organization these lists give me. But there is something strangely ironic in them, for the mere fact that I don't really need a list to tell me that I will ALWAYS have things to do, and that I have yet to REALLY sit down and write ALL the things I need "to do" on a hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly basis. Do you realize how LONG this list would be?! Do you realize how overwhelmed and hopeless I would feel if I actually had to ACCOMPLISH everything jotted down on the list?

Why do we (especially us moms) do this to ourselves? I was at my book club the other night, and it was amazing to hear how all of us felt like we were not doing enough...and if we were...that we were not doing it RIGHT. (This group contains Relief Society Presidents, Writing Editors, Models, Magazine Reps, Corporate Managers, Psyche Nurses, Charter School mentors, chemo-survivors, visiting teachers, Gospel Doctrine Teachers, YW leaders, Primary leaders, wives, and, oh yeah...MOTHERS!)

So...I think we should re-work the "to do" list...Instead of anxiously writing down all those things which we feel we "missed the boat" at doing, let's celebrate all the things that we DO accomplish each day! For some days...getting out of bed is a major feat, and should be celebrated...On other days...tackling a project with vigor and zeal, and then being able to stand back and rejoice in the work of your hands...And on other days...being able to help someone else cross a "to do" off their list...which often makes your own list seem more obtainable.

My Favorite Three...

I just wanted to let Melissa, Lisa, and Smee know how much I adore them...even though I don't even know them personally, in the flesh!! They have encouraged me and helped me through some rough times more than they will ever know...Just by their comments they have left, or something they may have posted on their blogs...I am a better person by knowing them...or..."reading" them!

I submitted an article, totally different than what I had expected...I will let you know the "when" and "where." I appreciate "the three's" efforts in getting people to reply to my question...Please feel free to answer the question, if you like...I would love to hear more replies...

xo Yolanda

A Question for You...

I have been asked to do an article for a friend of mine, for a magazine she works for. The article has to do with the question:

"Who is the woman that has been the greatest influence on you?"

If you would PLEASE answer this question for me...just by names and their relation or connection to you...and getting ALL your FEMALE friends to answer...I will tell you WHEN and WHERE it will be published, so you can see the part you played in my "creation." ( I won't be quoting names or resources....I am solely interested in your answer to the question...)

(Unfortunately, this "creation" has a deadline of "a couple of days..."HASTE my friends...HASTE!)

Thanks in advance...Melissa...Lisa...Smee......PLEASE get all your friends who blog to answer?!

Meme for Melissa

Okay Melissa...Here you go...

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1) Lagoon Amusement Park Division Coordinator...Yup...I was one of the "important" people walking around with a radio, and telling everyone what to do...I actually learned a TON about management (I was a coordinator over all the employees who worked the rides, and the lifeguards at the water-park), guest services (yelling at people who spit off the sky-ride), and working under pressure (power failures, gang knifing, people killed on rides, having drunk people yell at you, cougars killing their mates as the Wild Kingdom Train passes by...) PLUS, this job paid for my first two years of college ( I worked 40-50 hour weeks)
2) Retail Manager of the Women's, Intimate, Men's, Children's, SHOES, and Home Fashions. I was there for 6 years, and two babies. I don't think I would EVER work retail again...EVERY holiday, day before the holiday, the day after the holiday, you are working. And by the time I put in all the hours I needed to do my job, my "salary" was actually getting me minimum wage ( okay, I'm exaggerating...but not by much!!)
3) Janitor of a MLM company's building...My husband were newly married, and we thought this would be an "easy" night time gig that would only take 2-3 hours a night, and bring in some extra income. WELL...after my mop knocking over a huge vase in the foyer, picking up rancid leftovers on desks, and managing not to hurl every time I cleaned the men's room. REALLY...are men really this disgusting? It looked like toddlers learning how to go potty, times 100. I cleaned up smeared sh** on one of the toilets once...How can you NOT notice that? Needless to say, we quit after about a month. (I'm surprised we lasted that long!)
4) Museum Docent at the BYU Museum of Art during their first exhibit..."The Etruscans"...which equated into "big whoop." Instead of getting King Tut, or some other legendary exhibit to show the opening year, they choose a group of people that even I did not enjoy (they existed before, and slightly around the time of the Greeks...which are MUCH more interesting...See places I would rather be...) as an Art History major. But, it was fun to direct and show people all the exhibits...it just wasn't THAT fun! (Oh, might I add that it was a VOLUNTEER job...as many of the positions were at the museum...Heaven forbid BYU to actually PAY a struggling student...I cringed every time I get an alumni letter asking for money--all mine was given for my education!)

B) Four movies I would watch over and over:
1) "The Chronicles of Riddick"---Vin Diesel ROCKS!!
2) "50 First Dates"--I usually hate Adam Sandler movies, but I ADORE this story-line and the concept of making someone fall in love with you every day...
3) "A Beautiful Mind"--Russell Crowe was robbed of an Oscar that year! (they feebly tried to make up for it by giving it to him for "Gladiator" the next year...)
4) "The Village"--Not so much for the story line, or the supposed "shocker," but because of the unmentionable love between Ivy and Lucius, which is shown by subtle actions like holding a hand...sitting on a porch (the BEST scene!!) or complete silence. (Plus it doesn't hurt that Joaquin Phoenix is the lead...)
5) I had to add this last one, which is actually one of my top 3 favorite films...but it is not one that I could watch over and over because I sob when I see it...it's "A Beautiful Life." It's an amazing story of the strength and love of a father, who is trying to make a horrendous situation livable for his son...Bring tissues!

C) Four places I have lived:
1) Chula Vista, California (on border of California by Tijuana)
2) Fort Collins, Colorado
3) Spokane, Washington
4) Farmington, Utah
5) ...but I was "made" in Japan!!

D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1) "The Office"--ADDICTED!
2) "Grey's Anatomy"--I BAWLED when Denny died
3) "Prison Break"--Something my husband "made" me watch one night, and we are now anxiously awaiting the Season Premiere on Monday!!
4) "The King of Queens"--9pm week nights, on channel 12, I watch any re-run, and try to catch the new episodes when I can.

E) Four places I have been on vacation:
1) Los Gatos, California--We would visit my father's parents. They lived on this huge hill, with a winding dirt road that took you to the top where you saw an old, Spanish-style villa, barns, cows, chickens, rabbits, and alligator lizards. It was a pretty run-down place, but it had MAGIC nestled within it. My Grandpa would swing us on the huge swing he put in a tree, situated over a bluff...You would soar out over the edge, looking down into the valley. There was always "Juicy Fruit" gum available, as well as "Gummy" treats--bears, worms, etc. The BEST thing was my Grandpa's popcorn with his "secret" seasoning. He never would tell us what was in it, but it was a taste so magnificent, yet indescribable. We all thought that he would live forever, so when he passed away of a heart attack suddenly, it happened before anyone was able to get the recipe out of him!!
2) Santa Cruz, California. We would go to the boardwalk which has amusement rides and shops, and then, take two steps and be on the beach!! I would take fresh lemons from my uncles lemon tree, and put it on my hair to make it blonder. We would end the day by going to the "rifle booth," and seeing who could shoot the most points.
3) Tremonton, Utah--We would visit my other set of grandparents, and they were FUN!! My grandfather owned a horse farm, so we could always count on him for rides on the Shetland pony, Black Diamond, and then when we were older, the quarterhorse, Candyjola. My grandmother is where I get my..."use" of colorful language...She has soft, red hair, which perfectly matches the fire in her heart! Plus, she always gave us sips of her Pepsi light (we weren't allowed to drink caffeine)
4) Disneyland, via my husband's business trips...I went for my first time 2 years ago!

F) Websites I visit daily: (or semi-weekly)
1) other's Blogs
2) Bank
3) check my own blog to see if anyone is listening
4) Fandango (twice a month)

G ) Four of my favorite foods:
1) Sushi at the "Happy Sumo", with edamame.
2) Matcha Green Tea Blast at "Jamba Juice."
3) The Onion Rings at "Good Wood," SERIOUSLY the best!
4) a cold Route 44 Diet Vanilla Coke from Sonic! It's hilarious to see all the moms pulling into Sonic for a drink before the kids come home!

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1) Out of debt.
2) In my new house..hopefully coming by September 2007! When we DO get in our new house, we WILL have ALL of our debt paid off...So I REALLY want...
3) ...To be signing the closing papers of selling our current home, for the price we picked.
4) On a beach (Greece), on a lounger, with my husband, watching my kids play in the surf, looking at the Parthenon in the distance!!

Sorry...but I'm not into "chain letters", send "five emails to five friends" type of gal! But know that I LOVE reading about all of you, and hope you now know me a little better!

Tears with Harold

I was a junior at BYU, and was behind in a reading assignment for one of my humanities classes. I had put it off for a few days, and in the next hour, I was to have an extensive quiz on it's contents. I wasn't too worried, in that I had read bits and pieces before, and I new of it's noted place it had in the world of modern orations. What I had no idea of, was the emotional connection I would feel as I sat, in the Harold B. Lee library, holding an old and used copy of the speech, with tears streaming down my face, my heart pounding, and my soul illuminated...

Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I Have a Dream"

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by a sign stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹

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I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of
Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

This is a declaration for all backgrounds who have felt the tyranny of racism...Mormon, Jewish, African, Irish, Iranian, and all that cannot be contained in a list on this page...For our religious freedoms that allow us to worship as we choose. To be able to raise my children with compassion and integrity, and to not be bound by the gags of race and hate.

I am grateful for this day of tribute, and reflection...For the tears that splattered on that worn copy of manuscript...Because it is truly a celebration of ALL.

Beginnings of the New Year thru Webster

Welcome to my world!!

Here are some of the highlights of the past week...

uterine: u·ter·ine -adj.

1. Of, relating to, or in the region of the uterus: the uterine canal; uterine contractions.
2. Having the same mother but different fathers.
3. Being enclosed and dark; womblike.

ablation: ab·la·tion –noun
1. the removal, esp. of organs, abnormal growths, or harmful substances, from the body by
mechanical means, as by surgery.
2. the reduction in volume of glacial ice, snow, or névé by the combined processes of melting,
evaporation, and calving. Compare alimentation (def. 3).
3. Aerospace. erosion of the protective outer surface (ablator) of a spacecraft or missile due
to the aerodynamic heating caused by travel at hypersonic speed during reentry through the
atmosphere.

Per·co·cet: trademark
Function: used for a preparation of acetaminophen and the hydrochloride of oxycodone

depression: de·pres·sion –noun
1. the act of depressing.
2. the state of being depressed.
3. a depressed or sunken place or part; an area lower than the surrounding surface.
4. sadness; gloom; dejection.
5. Psychiatry. a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater
and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason. Compare clinical depression.
6. dullness or inactivity, as of trade.
7. Economics. a period during which business, employment, and stock-market values decline
severely or remain at a very low level of activity.
8. the Depression. Great Depression.
9. Pathology. a low state of vital powers or functional activity.
10. Astronomy. the angular distance of a celestial body below the horizon; negative altitude.
11. Surveying. the angle between the line from an observer or instrument to an object below
either of them and a horizontal line.
12. Physical Geography. an area completely or mostly surrounded by higher land, ordinarily
having interior drainage and not conforming to the valley of a single stream.
13. Meteorology. an area of low atmospheric pressure.

goal: (—Synonyms) 1. target; purpose, object, objective, intent, intention. 2. finish.


My New Year’s goal is not to have my body defeat me!! I will run, laugh, and be joyous again, and flip-off all that try to stop me!! (I wish I could say that last part was the percocet talking...but language is NOT on the list this year...)

To all of you who feel life can get insurmountable, and that things will never change, this goal is dedicated to you, to me, and to anyone who struggles! I pray we all grow from our trials, and that through them, grow into the people we cannot even begin to think we are!

I am not a Dixie plate

Do you remember the commercials about Dixie plates? How they are strong enough to hold ANY amount of food stacked or piled on them? Well, my friends, I have found that I am no longer a Dixie plate...

I am always the one who people turn to for help, advice, safety, confidence, confession, and digging people out of the ditches they find themselves in. I am the child who is never doted upon, because my parents know that I can take care of myself. I am the employee who gets all the crap departments, because my boss knows that I will fix them. I am the daughter who is called to "fix" her sibling, who has fallen away. I am the typcial mother, who is never suppose to get sick, show weakness, fatigue, or lose their temper, all amid never faltering at having a smile upon her face, while keeping home and hearth functioning.

Lately I feel like I am not the Dixie plate I use to be...but merely the generic, white, paper plate, where no matter how many you layer together, you will still manage to lose half your food, and have things seep into the layers of paper, leaving BBQ sause stains on your clean white t-shirt. I use to LOVE being "the one who could fix it,"and gladly took on helping after helping of issues. But, it seems as if I might need to be humbled into realizing that in reality, NO ONE is a Dixie plate, and that it is truly this juggling act that helps us to realize what we are amazingly capable of.

So here I am...With my soaked layers of paper plate, trying to hold together family, husband, children, friends, callings, a body that once was so fit and healthy that is slowly leading me down paths I never thought I would have to entertain at 36 (happy birthday to me! december 31st) hysterectomy? kidney and thryroid function? yucky meds? FATIGUE that keeps me literally thinking of bed ALL DAY?!

But at the same time that I write this, I am wonderfully aware of all my blessings...My cute kids who amaze me each day with their spirits and light that fills me up...My husband who lets me sleep in when the meds and stress kick in, and I am absolutely no good, and he knows it!...My best friend, who I can tell anything to, and who is so much a balancing "ying" to my "yang" that we are perfectly matched (and she STILL loves me after all is said, and done)...but most of all, to my Father in Heaven, who listens to me yell, scream, grieve, struggle, cry, complain, and wonder, and still gave me His Son, who has gone through ALL things for ME.

I LOVED Melissa's resolution to just take things one day at a time...Because when your plate is not a Dixie, life can get a little overwhelming!

I Believe

I was watching TV this morning, and was alarmed when a guest on a show was telling all the reasons why she was an atheist (yes,
everyone can believe as they choose...and I choose to express how I feel) She said that "Why would a God give someone cancer?" and "People choose to believe in God to give them a sense of comfort, but outside of that, it is just a coping mechanism."

As her list went on, and on, I thought to myself, "how sad." She is missing the beauty that comes from trials, from falling, from living, from giving back to Our Father who gave us EVERYTHING from this earth, from our talents, from our abilities, and from the greatest gift of all...the gift of His Son...which allowed for the Atonement, that our brother, Christ, gave us.

This holiday I wish to exclaim, "I Believe!! I believe in a Heavenly Father who loves us...who gives us trials for our growth and experience...I believe in my Savior...who will allow me to stand before my Father, and return to Him, because of the atonement He offered for me."

"I Believe in Christ, He is my King! With all my heart to Him I'll sing; I'll raise my voice in praise and joy, In grand amens my tongue employ. I Believe in Christ; He is God's Son. On earth to dwell His soul did come. He healed the sick; the dead He raised. Good works were His; His name be praised."