What Are You Afraid Of?

Alex: "Hey Mom! I know what you're afraid of."

Me: "Ya? What?"

Alex: "Obama, Osama, and Yo' Mama!"

I thought it was pretty funny. Alex is so animated and charismatic- it made it even funnier. I love it when they figure out how to tell a joke. He definitely has some charm. Heaven help the ladies in about 5 years!

A Favorite Quote and a Bold Prophet

I taught the lesson, "Leading the Lord's Way" from the Joseph Smith manual yesterday in Relief Society. It was one of my favorite lessons so far and the whole time I was preparing, I kept thinking of one of my favorite quotes:

“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. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Marianne Williamson

I kept thinking that the Prophet Joseph was bold and he was strong. He didn't play small to avoid hurting other's feelings. He led and taught with the Spirit. And because he did this, others had the courage to let their lights shine as well. I know that all of our talents and gifts come from our Father in Heaven and we should use them every day to uplift those around us.

My Most Important Job

My kids all have tell-tale signs when they are not getting enough personal attention. But with Haylee, it's very obvious. She makes a big deal out of everything and incessantly picks at her brothers and sisters. On Monday, I reminded her that instead of acting up, she should just talk to me. She opened up and I promised her that I would make time by Saturday to spend a couple of hours just with her.

Today just happened to be one of those days. You know the kind where everything I had planned ended up taking twice as long as I thought it would. And then just when I finally thought I was making progress, I realized that I left the thing at home that I needed to bring to do the thing I was planning on doing.

I finally walked in the door to eat and then get prepared for my last task of the day- my coupon shopping. There was Haylee with her 2 Utah Flash tickets that she got for free from a field trip. The game started at 7:15 p.m. I wanted so badly to tell her that we would go some other time.... but the thought came to me that in 10 years I wouldn't remember that my shopping never got done but she would remember that I kept putting her off. She would remember that she wasn't a priority right that moment.

So we went and we had a great time. She talked the whole way there (that's another tell-tale sign she is craving attention). I couldn't even follow a lot of the conversation - I just kept nodding and hmmming. And we both enjoyed the basketball game- we joked around and had fun.

And what's a basketball game without one of those huge fingers?

College, Here I Come!

Well, I'm officially a college student-again. Although it's definitely different than when I was in school in the 90's.

In fact, my classes start today and I have been to campus exactly once. I have done most everything online- application, register, apply for financial aid (which is $0), and both my classes are online so I'm going to college in the comfort of my own home complete with my new plush robe and slippers!

I remember at Ricks trying to register with the phone system- what a chore that was. And while you were on the phone, there were 200 other students on at the same time snatching up your classes. Oh how technology has grown in the last 15 years!

Anyway- it feels good to finally be going back to school. I'm excited for my classes and that I have finally found a major that I can see myself actually doing. It will be a slow-going (and expensive) road but it will be worth it when I'm done.

Wish me luck!

Oh and just for fun... here's a picture of me almost exactly 16 years ago at Ricks:

These are a few of my favorite things....

No brown paper packages tied up with string on this list! I just thought it would be fun to list my top ten favorite things of 2008.

Of course my tendency when I look back on 2008 is to think about the big and serious things- the things that will last- the things I learned about myself and my relationships: my marriage, my family and my friends.

But this is a fun list- a snapshot of food I've discovered, new things I've tried, products I love, places I've been, and don't forget new technology! I'm not going to say this is a "TAG" but I would love it if everyone who reads this, does a similar post on their blogs. And if you read this and you aren't a blogger (since now I know you are out there and reading me!), e-mail me. We women have to help each other out and we could all use some new ideas for 2009!

So here they are (in no particular order):

1. Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Body Scrub- this is a spa trip in a jar!

2. The Pizza Factory's Chaz pasta with no-carb noodles- world's best grilled chicken sauteed with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, onions, zuchinni, olive oil and italian seasonings over zucchini and squash noodles

3. Disneyland- no explanation needed!

4. Facebook- one place to connect with everyone from your past and present

5. Gap Low-Rise Curvy Jeans- the world's most comfortable jeans- it probably makes a difference that these were second-hand jeans but I want to wear them everyday!

6. Couponing with www.grocerysmarts.com- I have saved hundreds of dollars just since August doing this program!

7. The Palm Centro cell phone- my whole life in one little device- genius!

8. Coaching your kids' sports teams- who knew how fun this would be?

9. The Twilight Series- talk about escaping to another world....

10. Photoshop Elements- not just for editing pictures but creating all sorts of word art, cards, blog headers, etc.