So What's Your Story?

I've always had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some people search - mine came with the package. I know where I came from, why I'm here, and where I am going. But the most unfortunate part of this story is that, still, after knowing all of this, I definitely have a past. A past filled with glorious Soap Opera descriptions - that I wouldn't want to bore you with:) -

I've debated how much detail to give - but that answer remains the same. I'll leave that up to your wild imagination. Here's the short version. A lot of regrets. A lot of wasted time. Should have been a better friend, sister, daughter - and for the first two years of Little C's life - mother. You never feel victorious for wasted time.

What made the difference in my life? The desire to be happy. The desire for change. I knew how to be happy. I had the keys. Was I ready to put the time and work in? Yes. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? 100%

The gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is true. The same Heavenly Father who loves and helps me, loves you. Maybe you've already invited him in - or maybe he's waiting for your call. Please call or keep calling.

It will be five years this December since I made the appointment with my Bishop and I think I knocked his socks off. He was probably thinking, Oh goodness woman, do not tell me anymore. A guy in my ward told me that a bishop would be great in a poker game, because of their excellent "poker face". Collected on the outside, jaw dropping on the inside. YOU DID WHAT?! - My Bishop was magnificent. And I am sure it was the spirit directing him - not his skill at poker :)

So here's my testimony about the simplicity of the gospel. It is true. The Atonement is real. It's called the Plan of Happiness for a reason. Because - it makes you happy. Trials still come - some really hard trials- but living the gospel allows you to be prepared with your spiritual storage.

Just Do It.

When I was in high school I remember being in attendance at a missionary farewell. The missionary said a statement that has forever remained in my head, "Stay clean, or get clean."

It's easy to have a testimony when things are good. But, the gospel is still true when things are horrible.

Now, don't freak out - nothing is horrible in my life right now. We are doing quite lovely, which always makes me a little bit nervous - don't want to become too complacent and all that jazz :) - but just in case I hadn't told you -

It is worth it. For me, for my family. I choose happy.

Being a Woman -

A funny e-mail I received:

THE NEXT SURVIVOR** SERIES*

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and *3 kids *each for *six weeks.* Each kid will play *two sports *and take either *music* or *dance classes*. There is no fast food. Each man must* *take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean , correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money. In addition, each man * will have to budget in money for groceries each week.* Each man *must remember the birthdays* of *all their friends* and* relatives *, and *send cards out on time--no emailing* . Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment. He must make one *unscheduled* and *inconvenient* visit per child to the *Urgent **Care.* He must also make *cookies *or cupcakes for a social function.. Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times. The men will *only have access to television when the kids are asleep* and *all chores are done* . The men must shave their *legs*, wear makeup daily, adorn themselves with jewelry, wear *uncomfortable yet stylish shoes*, keep fingernails polished, and eyebrows groomed. During *one of the six weeks*, the *men will have to endure severe* *abdominal cramps, back aches, have extreme, unexplained mood swings * *but never once complain or slow down from other duties.* They must attend weekly school meetings and church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting. They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, *feed them*, *dress them *, *brush their teeth* and *comb their hair by 7:00 am. * A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size, doctor's name, the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear, and what they want to be when they grow up. The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if.. he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice. If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years, eventually earning the right to be called *Mother!* *

-I believe the Beloved Spouse would actually do quite well if he were to partake in this particular Survivor. He's quite an involved father and has even started cooking dinner on Monday and Thursday nights - I am lovin' it. It's me I'm a little bit worried about... not 24/7 but just a quarter out of every month... I've begun to go mental -
At first I couldn't figure out what in the world was wrong with me. I was a crazed woman - everything bothered me - my family wasn't paying enough attention to me - which meant they must not appreciate my hard work - my belly was protruding a little too far over the jeans - my appetite was out of control, - and I was exhausted!
So like you, I was thinking, oh no! Oh no no no no no... I cannot be _______!

I still can't say the word.

But did you know that you can have these symptoms and it can mean something completely different? - something that definitely hollers YOU ARE NOT _______ !

It's

PMS

WHAT THE WORLD?! I HAVE PMS...

What a nasty little thing to have.

While pregnant, covering up being psycho is much more manageable - when one is basically crazy for nine whole months and then a few weeks after - you learn how to handle being a little coo coo. But just to throw it out there for seven days once a month. It's killin' me Smalls!

IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS...

I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT TO DO.

I feel like a big fat maturation video :

"I don't understand my body"

And what's with the word maturation - I guess it's better than pubescent - yikes - hate that word -

No really - I am coping. Things are good. WELL AT LEAST THEY WILL BE FOR THE NEXT THIRTY DAYS!

Seriously - I am an adult. I am a woman.

But, do you know what? After all of this new insanity came to light I felt such empathy for my fellow sisters.

You guys have been doing this every month, while I've been out of the loop for the last 36, and I haven't heard a peep out of you.

You strong strong women.

Way to be!

Who doesn't love a loofah?

Let's Go Swimming!

Most of the summer it rained - but then a dead spell for about 3 weeks ... until yesterday... after the showers subsided - we had a lake near our backyard.

This next one is so sad - but very shareable... Sorry Gadashio :(

This is Mr. Cautious after his little tumble occurred -

I WENT OUT LAST NIGHT -

TO MY PORCH... THE BELOVED SET UP OUR BACKYARD INTO A THEATER -
NOTICE OUR LIVING ROOM COUCH AND COFFEE TABLE -
VERY COMFY:)

IT WAS A WONDERFUL LITTLE DATE NIGHT. PUT THE KIDS TO BED - DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY A BABYSITTER - GOT TO SPEND TIME W/TWO OF MY FAVORITE MEN...

THE BELOVED OF COURSE AND HUGH JACKMAN :)

I COULDN'T COMPLAIN!

THANKS HONEY!

You Decide -

LACK OF CLEAN LAUNDRY OR JUST A

HUGE BSU FAN?

LITTLE C WAS INSTRUCTED TO PUT HIS PAJAMAS ON AND THIS IS WHAT HE RETURNED IN -
BOISE STATE SHIRT ON THE TOP - AND WHAT DO YA KNOW? - BOISE STATE SHIRT ON THE BOTTOM -

Lucky You...

Sorry no pictures or anything truly new going on - so lucky you - you get to hear a few of my random thoughts:

1. The Beloved Spouse and I were talking the other day about lisps - (is that not normal or something:)) - why do they call a lisp a lisp in the first place? Can a person with a lisp even say lisp? I think we see a very possible law suit coming to light.:)

2. WHY A HOUSE NEEDS THREE BATHROOMS... the answer came quite suddenly to me one Sunday morning... I was in the middle of getting ready for church - I had just showered and entered the closet to put on my Sunday best... when I returned to the bathroom I ran smack in to the Beloved, bless his soul, who thinks now would be an opportune moment to spend quite a lengthy time in the lavatory. TO SOME COUPLES THIS MAY BE ACCEPTABLE - BUT FOLKS WE ARE NOT A BATHROOM COUPLE. I WILL FOREVER PRETEND THAT GIRLS DON'T POOP AND IF YOU THINK YOU HEAR ME TOOT - IGNORE IT - BECAUSE IT WASN'T ME. - unless I don't know you very well and there are only two of us hanging out - then I have to claim it because I hate knowing that the other person is thinking - The Domestic Goddess in Training just totally farted, I can't believe she farted - way too awkward for me... - anyway back to the story -So - I ran in to the Beloved and he gave me the "what am I supposed to do about it" look and I started complaining about how he does this every Sunday and if he'd only wake up half an hour earlier to relieve himself we wouldn't have this issue.... and then it dawned on me. WE HAVE THREE BATHROOMS. He doesn't have to disturb the boys who are taking a bath or postpone me from getting ready in our bathroom.
I feel truly blessed - Illinois is having more and more perks.

3. I read a great book entitled -
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - truly a refreshing read. A big thanks to my sisters for giving it to me for my birthday.

4. I read a retarded book entitled -
The Pig Did It - A big thanks to my sisters for giving it to me for my birthday - kidding - you didn't know therefore you are forgiven.

5. So this whole President Obama speaking to the children thing... whatever your opinion is... great -I am glad you have an opinion - but listen to this -
My sister received an op-out form from her child's school that read : Sign here if you would not like your child to hear President Obama's address on The Importance of Education.
How would you even dare sign it? YOU HORRIBLE PARENT YOU - Let me guilt you into not signing -gosh, it just made me laugh... great verbiage my friends - great verbiage.

That's all for now!

WE BLEED BLUE AND ORANGE!!!!

Hmmm... What nation am I a part of?

BRONCO NATION!!!!

BRONCOS VS. DUCKS


EVEN FROM OUR OWN LIVING ROOM....
HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY -
WE ARE SERIOUS FANS -

VICTORY! BRONCOS WIN 19-8!

Sweet Dreams -

I'll Get IT -

During the evenings the Beloved Spouse will take the boys for a little nightly stroll. Everytime without fail, once the Moon is spotted, Gadashio practically crawls up his Father's body, points at this glowing ball in the sky, and says,

"I'll get it."

The Beloved simply smiles and replies, "Maybe one day".

WE WILL SURVIVE...maybe...

P90X DAY 1 -

after our work out routine
Oh - for the love my friends... oh for the love!

Hey - and for all those loved ones - recognize that folding chair in the background? It is my only heirloom from my sweet Grandpa Smitty that I will treasure forever! :)