Growing Up

I've endured a lot of growing pains the last few weeks and thought I would catch y'all up on what's been happening.

First, I feel like I've been bending over backwards to be friends with people who just aren't reciprocating. I finally realized that instead of putting all my efforts into people who really don't care, I should be spending time working on my testimony and really getting to know the Savior. I've learned that when all is said and done, He's the one that matters the most. Although I regret and feel bad when my "friendship" efforts are rejected, I will actually be rejected if I don't have that personal relationship with the Savior at the end of my journey. Don't misread this. I still want friends. I still want to be sociable. I just won't be so focused on being involved in everything.

Second, I'm finally making headway where my weight loss is concerned. I've put my money where my mouth is and have found an organization that is helping me tremendously. They focus on Mental, Physical and Nutritional aspects of weight loss. I have found more success in the past 5 weeks than I was on my own in 5 months time. To date, I have lost 10 pounds and 15 inches. I feel better and I'm changing my outlook on time, food and exercise. I feel blessed to have found a place that is within my "price" range. When it comes right down to it, I had to just choose a plan and just trust the process. I'm pleased to report that I'm doing great and I'm actually enjoying the journey and not cringing every time I step on that scale twice a week.

Third, I've come face to face with mortality. No one has past on....yet, but I've learned the value of life. I'm trying to take each day for what it has to offer and make it memorable. A wise woman (my Beehive Advisor) once told me that it's the relationships that matter in this life. I would add that it's the relationships with family in particular that matter most. I'm trying to really make an effort to love and accept my extended family and what they have to offer our relationship.

Fourth, I've learned the value of myself. I've suffered from depression and still do. It is very difficult sometimes to even get out of bed and participate in life. I have had terrible self-talk and have just said the most awful things to myself on a daily basis. I've been trying to re-program my self-talk and self-image and I'm making progress. It helps to be succeeding at something I've failed at numerous times. I finally believe I'm worth it.

My Two Cents....

Blogs: I really, really like blogs.

Friendships: I am who I am. Either you love me or you don't.

Teaching: I love, love, love it. I come home with such a high for the rest of the day.

Politics: I'm not one to discuss my political views.

Scouts: The vain of my existence.

Weather: I'm tired of the snow. Bring on the flowers.

Life: It's fun. I think I like it.

I had written an epistle to begin with, but decided it was time to just offer my two cents worth rather than the full quarter. You don't want to know that much about me....

Last of the Birthdays

We did it! We made it through another year of monthly birthdays. I'm so glad to not have to think about another one until November. I feel bad for Samantha cuz she's last and I'm about out of steam by the time hers rolls around.

Here's her cake. I had fun doing it. Not very original, but fun and easy which in always nice.
The little tiara blinked little LED lights. It was cool. Sam really liked it.

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

My little baby girl turned 4 today. Very hard to believe that she's in preschool, gymnastics, and sunbeams. They do, in fact, grow up fast (in retrospect). We love Sami for so many reasons but here are just 4:

1- She's is so sweet and we're not just talking disposition. This girl has a raging sweet tooth. She learned the art of climbing the cabinets just to get to the little treat stash in the cupboard. We have become quite creative in where we store the special treats in our home.

2-She is quite the little Mother in the making. She has named all her dolls, teddy bears, etc. with most of them having the same names of our neighbors. She loves them and takes care of them. She makes sure they are taken care of before bedtime and checks on them throughout the day. Sometimes she'll tell me she's playing Helen with baby Austin in tow.

3- She's agreeable for the most part. She desires so much to be included with her older brothers and their friends, that she will gladly be errand girl and jump to their beck and call. She loves to play outside with them and feel so grown-up when she gets to be out there with the rest of the neighborhood.

4-She's very independent. She can pour her own milk for her cereal (provided its not a full gallon), she loves to set the table and choose where everyone sits, and she dresses herself most days choosing some pretty interesting ensembles. Sunday, she wanted to wear her Cinderella skirt under her dress to church......

All in all, we love our little Sami Paige. She is a joy to have around and brings lots of smiles to us.

Carpe Diem

My absolute favorite show growing up was Dead Poets Society. I watched it today for the first time since High School. I was reminded why I love it so. It's such a beautiful movie and I'm not just talking about the boys.

The premise of the whole movie is individuality; not conforming to society and becoming passionate about your life. I guess that is why I studied Sociology in school. I'm fascinated by those who seek out their interests and take action. My brain is full of half-cocked ideas of who I want to be. In reality, I don't believe I'm anything like what I "want" to be. I think I'm so bogged down with the "what nots" to live in the present and suck the morrow out of my life.

I was so set on not being ordinary, that it's now my reality. I feel very ordinary. I still feel like a teenager trying to find my strengths, interests and talents. As I think about my life and my interests, I feel very much like the conformist.

So here's the question: How does a housewife seize the day? What do you do to suck the morrow out of your life?

In your perception, how do I Carpe Diem?