I Am. . .

I am a Woman.

I am a Wife and Lover.

I am a Mother who would kill to protect my babies.

I love to get dolled up.  Make up, Fancy Dress, high heeled shoes, curls in my hair, the whole shebang. 

I am an athlete. I am a Runner.

I am educated.  

I imagine, design, and create.  

I am a Friend.  

I have a divine roll within my life and family.  My role has been defined by myself, my Hubby, and my God.  Over the years, it has been co-provider, sole-provider, and stay at home Mom.  All at different times with different needs.  My role (along with my Hubby's role) is redefined every time we come upon a challenge within our life.  

I advocate Equal Rights.

I am a Feminist.

I am a Believer.

I am Me.

I Know My Place

The article "Woman, Know Thy Place" was published in the opinion section of Sunday's publication of the Salt Lake Tribune in response to another article posted earlier last week.  In the article, James Maples expresses his sorrow for the possible change of having women pray in the General Session of Conference this upcoming April.  Maples says,

"Woman was created for man; this world was made for men to lead households and prayers. Man was created in God’s image — not in a woman’s image."

Now, I am quite positive that I was not made just to serve my Husband.  I was not made to come running  every time he wants food, the cleaning done, and to take care of the kids.  I sure as Hell was NOT created to fulfill his sexual fantasies whenever he desires.  

I WAS CREATED TO LOVE AND BE LOVED.

If this world was made for men to lead households, then why aren't they AT HOME?  And while at home,  are they supposed to be the only ones praying or teaching the kids to pray?  Wait, was that before or after I came running to take care of the kids?  Men were not made to lead households and prayers.  They were made to experience joy with family and friends through service and love.  NOT through Tyranny.

 I WAS CREATED TO RESPECT AND BE RESPECTED.

Lets say for the sake of argument, that God is male.  Men were created in God's image.  So, whose image was every female created after?  Because last I checked, I have breasts and no penis.  Is it really all that horrific for women to yearn to understand and know their Heavenly Mother better?  There is not a doubt in my mind that She has never and will never cower before Her heavenly counterpart.  

I AM A WOMAN, CREATED TO RULE MY KINGDOM STANDING NEXT TO MY HUSBAND.

I will not be an object.  I will be a respected member of society.
I will not be a shadow.  I will be a voice.
I will not be a doormat.  I will be a leader.

I KNOW MY PLACE.  Thanks!

FMH Get Together

Last night I had the wonderful privilege of meeting some men and women that have similar feelings as I do toward the Church, it's teachings, and our interaction with it.  It was the breath of fresh air I needed to lighten my night.  I walked away completely rejuvenated and ready to take on the world.  I'm so excited to continue my new found friendships.

Simply Stylish by Carrie Foster

Simply Stylish: How To Revamp Your Wardrobe For Chic Style At Any Age by Carrie Foster
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was okay. I enjoyed the list of "must haves" for my closet, but felt like it was a bit like every other style book. Anyone can tell me to have neutrals in my clothing for classic looks. I was looking for a bit more when it came to "adding your own style." She mentions adding it, but doesn't talk about it.

I also felt that Age suggestions for clothing was going to be a large part of this book. It is in the sub-title. I don't think enough time was spent addressing age appropriate clothing.

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Forgive me for having a lot of book reviews lately, but I've been reading a ton.  Hopefully I can keep the reading up through out the year.  I don't think I've ever enjoyed reading as much as I am currently.  It is one of my goals this year; to read 100 books.  Here's to gettin' it done.

Project Conversion by Andrew Bowen

Project Conversion: One Man, 12 Faiths, One Year by Andrew Bowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fantastic read. Quick read, easily understood, and emotionally moving. I would recommend this book for sure. Anyone interested in religion, experience, and transformation will surely love this book. LOVED it!

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Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fantastic read.  It was a suspenseful, thrilling love story.  I couldn't put it down.  I just had to know what happened next.  I can't wait to see the movie.  I hope it's as good as the book.


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Beginning of Healing

I haven't posted for a while I know.  Probably because I was trying to do too much.

Too many blogs.  Too much housework.  Too many meals to make.  Exercise every day.  Play with the kids every day.  Call people back.  Mommy & Me Book Club. Answer Emails.  Play Dates.  See friends.  Try to keep those friends because we NEVER see them.  Get outside.  Stay Healthy.  Too many sick days.  Grocery shop.  Doctor appointments.  Changing diapers.  Shower.  Get ready.  Wash kids.  Get kids dressed.  Feed family.  Nap time (kids).  Pay bills.  Balance my budget.  Organize kitchen.  Organize desk.  Spring Clean (or Winter).  Stare at my jumble of an apartment.  There is just so much, sometimes I do nothing.  You?

This year is about Healing.  Healing my Soul.  My soul has been aching for years and I haven't exactly known how to fix it.  Not that I know now, but I'm willing to try.  This blog this year is going to be addressing my Healing, Spiritual and Physical.  Relieving my soul of such stresses is vital for me and my little family.  It's going to be a great year.

Wear Pants to Church Day. I'm in. Here's Why. . .

I have been saddened to hear that the woman who organized "Wear Pants to Church" day has been receiving death threats over this issue.  Also because most people are missing the point, including the media.

The media made it sound like Stephanie Lauritzen's(one of the organizers) opinions were those of every participants.  This is not the case.

My SIL, Meredith, expressed the purposes of the event better than anyone I have heard so far:

 "it's hard to give a single list, because it means different things to different people. For some of us, it's about simply letting people decide for themselves what's appropriate. For some, it's about the silly idea that some local congregations have dress codes for women that are completely contradictory to official church policy. For some, it's about ward YW programs systematically receiving less funding than the YMs programs. For some, it's about a host of non-doctrinal cultural issues that are taboo to even discuss. For many, it's about removing the stigma of simply asking questions about doctrines regarding sex and gender. For some, it's about ordaining women. We don't all agree about exactly which doctrines or structures are issues. But we do agree that we should bring the discussion out of the shadows, and let others know that it's ok to ask questions, too."

Those are just some of the reasons.  Some I agree with.  Others I don't. (If you want to hear more reasons go HERE.)  I wasn't even sure I was going to participate.  Now I am.

I will be wearing pants this Sunday because of the amount of hate and unwillingness to understand that has been stirred up by this event.  This is part of what I want changed.  It is worth my support.

This reason is just one of the headaches that has persisted for the past 7 years for me.  I need to acknowledge and address it.  I'm acknowledging it now.  Here's to the beginning of healing.

Beginning the Christmas Season Off Right. . .

This holiday season is shaping up to be a crazy one. Between the sicknesses that keep running through my house and the coming Christmas Holiday it's been a little crazy.  I feel like all we do it go to some fun Christmas activity and them come home to someone sick.  Is anyone else feeling like this?

On a happier note, The Festival of Trees at the South Towne Expo Center was FANTASTIC!  I just love looking at all the trees.  The different designs are so fantastic.  I mean there are the regular trees.  . . Utah Tree, BYU tree, Jazz Tree, Disney trees, etc.  But then there are some really creative ones, like the crocheted tree, the Redneck tree made from Green Solo cups, and the PVC tree.  No, I didn't get pictures this year.  It's just not going to happen when you take your two toddlers to the show with you.  Next year.

We are going to admire Christmas lights tonight.  So excited.  Anywhere you love to go look at lights?

Halloween Flinstone Costumes

I am quite proud of these.  I made them all by myself.  Well, my Mom sewed BamBam's shorts, but I did the rest.  So much fun.  My Sweet Pea actually understood what we do on Halloween.  It took a couple of houses, but soon she didn't want to stop.  It was a great night.