Are You Missing the Wild Joy That Should Come with the Holidays?

Then let me recommend this book:

Hundred Dollar Holiday; The Case for a More Joyful Christmas by Bill McKibben.  It is so good that I check it out from the library every year and read it.  Here are a few quotes:

                               "There is no ideal Christmas; only the Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions.  If it takes you two hundred dollars to celebrate Christmas the way it seems to you it should be celebrated, then that's fine.  If you can do it on fifty dollars, that's fine, too (unless you're just being cheap).  The limit is not supposed to hem you in.  Just the opposite-the hope is that it will serve as a spur to your creativity.  Having lots of cash (or more likely, lots of credit) may free you in certain ways, but it doesn't spark your ingenuity as much as a challenge.  The goal, however, is not to spend as little money as possible, or do as little environmental damage as possible, or any other worthy thing; it's to have as much fun as possible."

                               "If there is one way in which the world has changed more than any other since 1840...it's that we've become such devout consumers.  That consumption carries with it certain blessings and certain costs...but the greatest cost may be the way it's changed us, the way it has managed to confuse us about what we really want from the world.  We weren't built just for this life we find ourselves leading-we were built for silence and solitude, built for connection with each other and the natural world, built for so much more than we now settle for.  Christmas is the moment to sense that, the moment to reach for the real joys."

This book isn't about squelching all the joy and magic from Christmas, it's about finding MORE joy from the season.  It won't stress you out, giving you yet another list of things to do in order to have a simpler Christmas.  Instead it plants a seed in your mind, a vision of the way Christmas can be more fun, more peaceful, more Christian, and more filled with deep joy.  I've been working toward a simpler Christmas for many years now, each year reminding myself to calm down,  and this book has helped me feel less stress, less anxiety, and more hope for what Christmas can mean to me and my family.  I can't recommend it highly enough.  Here's hoping you have a wonderful, peace and fun-filled Christmas season.

Valentine's Trivia

Name who the Valentine note is from, and whom it is for. I wrote this for my son's 5th grade Valentine's party. Have fun!

Dear Valentine,

I love how we complement each other. I am way too nutty without your sweetness. Although we are wonderful alone, together we are so much better. I cherish all the memories we made in the lunchboxes of kids all over America. What can I say, you are the love of my life. Together we make a great sandwich.

Love,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine,

Although we are complete opposites I adore you. You are the light of my life. Without you, I am in complete darkness. Your warmth, your light, make everything in the world come alive. How cold my life would be if it weren’t for you. I wish we could see each other more often, but it seems that whenever you are going to sleep, I am just coming alive. I suppose I will just have to admire you from afar.

Love,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine,

Our life used to be so perfect. We could sit around all day and eat wonderful fruit and never have to work for it. We were perfect. I’m sorry I ate the apple. What can I say? That awful snake told me to do it! Though we are not in paradise anymore, I still love you. We’ll have to work hard but we’ll be okay...

Love,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine,

Well, it’s been a long journey. We’ve crossed many rivers and travelled many roads together. When the President asked me to go, I couldn’t think of any one else better suited to help me out. We mapped the great plains, and rivers, and learned about America’s native people. We’ve had a lot of books written about us. Who would have known we’d become so famous? Well old buddy, thanks for your help on the trail. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Sincerely,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine,

Even though our chases and battles always got really violent, it was all done in good fun! Remember when you sliced me in half with a carving knife? I never thought I’d get over that! Or how about the time you slammed my tail in a waffle iron?! Ha ha!, that was a good one. Though I used lots of elaborate traps to catch you, I admit I was no match for your brains and wit. You were always a worthy opponent, and we gave the kids a good laugh on Saturday morning.

Love

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine

As soon as I laid my eyes on your blonde beauty back in 1961, it was love at first sight. I still love to watch you model all the latest fashions! I’ve been there for you through your many careers as a mother, model, astronaut, doctor, dancer, and surfer just to name a few. I always try to match your outfits with my own and I hope you think I’m stylin’. Honey, you’ve always been the only doll for me.

Love,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine

I can’t believe our dad abandoned us in the middle of that forest. It was good thinking of you to leave those bread crumbs so we could find our way back. Darn those birds! If we ever get out of this candy house, I think we should make dad divorce his new wife. Don’t worry, we’ll get out of here alive. I’ve got big plans for the witch and her oven.

Love

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine

Oh the memories we’ve made at all those barbeques! There’s hardly been one that we’ve missed! Even though some people say you’re too sour, I think you’re just right. To me, no hot dog or hamburger would be complete without you!

Love,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine,

Who would have known we’d come to such an accident on our famous climb up that hill! All I wanted was a drink of water! I lost my footing and fell down that blasted hill, and bashed my head hard! Before I knew what was happening, you fell right after me! I guess we’ll have to try going up that hill again if we ever want any more water, and let’s try to be more careful this time, okay?

Love,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine

You were just the man for a smart, power hungry babe like me. Ours was such a match! We united the two greatest empires in the world. Too bad you had to get yourself murdered, and by your own best friend too. Boy, you really need help picking your friends! Don’t worry about me, though, I’ll be fine. I’ve got my eye on your old friend Mark. I rule!

Love,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine

It’s true, ours has been a stormy relationship. But I always follow you. Even though you are dangerous and destructive I’m attracted by your light and can’t help but let out a loud rumble when I see you. My roaring existence wouldn’t be possible without your bright, blinding flash of brilliance.

Love,

Your Valentine

Dear Valentine

I’m just no good without you. I’m bland and boring and no one wants me. But your yellow goodness brings out the best in me. I’ve seen you with lots of hot vegetables, but I hope you’ll stay true to no one else but me. You were made for me!

Love,

Your Valentine

In Which I Blather On About Greek Yogurt, Kids, and My Complete Health Overhaul

Has anyone tried Greek yogurt? I am absolutely loving it. Greek yogurt has double the protein, less fat and calories, and is creamier than regular yogurt. I take mine plain all the way. Sometimes, I add some berries. Or a handful of walnuts and a drizzle of honey. Or if I really need a shot of sweet I'll add a spoonful of jam. Unfortunately, my favorite brand (Fage) can only be had at health food stores and is twice the price. Yay. I usually make the trek to Whole Foods and fork over my 10+ lousy bucks for my weekly supply though, because the taste and texture is superior. So there you go. You are now one of the People Who Know. About yogurt, anyway.

Anyone else notice how much better their kids are compared to yourself at their age?

I have. Mine surprise me with how much smarter, more responsible, good, and organized they are than when I was when I was just a lass. I was constantly unprepared, losing papers, dumb at math, lazy, and just kind of bouncing around with a confused wide-eyed look on my face. I guess some things never change! I feel so blessed to have kids who are so much better. They make me proud, every day.

And my knitting is calling, so I'll save My Complete Health Overhaul for another post. And now, it doesn't sound so interesting anyway, so maybe I'll just forget it. See, this is why I never post anymore.

Separate

Christ Separates the Sheep from the Goats, 6th Century

They'll notice. The people around you who don't share your beliefs will notice how you live yours. They'll notice when you do or say something different from what you claim to embrace. And they'll be disappointed.

I've witnessed this phenomenon first hand. I was with two women who didn't share my religion. They were talking about a man that one of them worked with, but they both knew. In spite of professing to be a member of my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), he went out after work and drank with his co-workers. The women I was with were irritated about the situation. They discussed it angrily for about ten minutes. They were disappointed. And they aren't members of the church! Without knowing it, this person damaged the opinion that these two women (and maybe others) had about the members of the church.

I was reading in Alma chapter 5 a few nights ago and the word SEPARATE seemed important in verse 57:

"And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye SEPARATE, and touch not their unclean things..."

I looked at the footnotes and read the additional scriptures:

"And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had SEPARATED themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel..." (Ezra 6:21)

"Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not SEPARATED themselves from the people of the lands..." (Ezra 9:1)

"And the seed of Israel SEPARATED themselves from all strangers and stood and confessed their sins..."(Nehemiah 9:2)

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye WITHDRAW yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly..."(2 Thessalonians 3:6)

In the dictionary the word "separate" means: to make a distinction between; dissimilar in nature or identity; and my favorite: to set aside for a special purpose.

We can read clearly that it's a requirement to be different. Otherwise how will God know that we belong to Him? Have we separated ourselves from what the world says is important? These are some of the things I notice that the world places huge importance on:

Money

Beauty

A Good Time!

Thinness

YOURSELF!

Sex

And then this is what God by way of the scriptures, says is crucial:

Love and Charity

HUMILITY

Obedience

Patience

OTHERS!

Virtue

Have we separated ourselves from the obsession to be rich/gorgeous/thin/selfish/sexy/fun? And are we united, and joined, and married to the commitment to love and give/be virtuous/do the commandments/live for others/be long suffering/and full of humility?

Um...I know where I stand. And it's a bit uncomfortable to reflect on. I need to get my other foot out of the puddle of the world.

It's vital to live up to what we say we believe, because if we don't, they'll notice.

I Recommend:

1. L'oreal's Infallible Lipstick. I put this lipstick on at 7am and it's still on the next morning, and it's not all dry and cracky looking. This product gets an A+ from me.

2. Having a day off. Every few months or so, I ask the hubs for a day off. We coordinate schedules, pick a good day, and then I'm gone! I had one in August and I browsed the Daybreak model homes for decorating ideas, wandered through yarn stores, book stores, and had dinner with my sisters. Recently for the latest day off, I attended a homeschool/parenting seminar and then caught a movie and dinner with my sisters and mother-in-law. I can't tell you how nice it is to do just what I want, with no hurrying. Try it today.

3. I got this book for James for Christmas, and have been impressed. I was looking to up the excitement factor for our daily scripture study. While the lessons in this book for the most part, are a little more involved than I want to do on an every day basis, it has been a fantastic tool for doing quick, easy family home evenings that are based on scripture. Excellent! I bought the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon ones. Find them at LDS bookstores.

4. Read this recently for book club and wondered why it took me so long to get around to this amazing book. In the back of the edition that I read, it said that Harriet Beecher Stowe didn't really want to write this book, but she felt that God was calling her to do it. After reading the book, that statement certainly rings true to me.

5. Are there young women in your life who need lessons on sticking to their principles, even in the heat of passion? This is would make an excellent resource. Good luck getting them to read it, but you should read it and apply the story to the young people you influence, somehow. I'm just convinced that this book can help young people make good choices!

6. Is the snow losing it's charm? Maybe you could collect the spray bottles in your house, fill them with colored water, and let the kids "paint" the snow. The snow doesn't stick too long at this time of year, but maybe you could remember this little tip for next winter...
7. Need to fix your kids? Go here and start clicking around. These people wrote a book called Let's Fix the Kids! They also have CD seminars. You can get both at the library. Want to stop yelling? Give it a try. http://www.familyhood.com/index.html

No, Seriously! I'm Actually Posting! I Know!

I Love My Life!

I have the best life out of all of you hands down, guaranteed! Every morning I wake up and think to myself "What fun surprises are going to happen to me today?" "I am the luckiest mother in the world!" "My children are such a delight!"

Perhaps it will be gum in Mary's hair? We don't allow her to have gum, yet somehow a piece found her mouth, got chewed up, and of course, wound up in her hair.

Maybe Kate will find my camera?




If it's a really special day, Kate might wander into the office unattended, climb up onto the desk, locate a Sharpie, and scribble all over the computer monitor and office furniture. Her dad then, if we're lucky, may contemplate leaving home. Don't have pix of that one, was too busy coaxing husband to stay married to us.

Only my precious children would think of throwing three books into the bathtub to disintegrate into very very small particles of pulp. I had to get creative cleaning that one up, but like I said, I am soooo blessed!

The always popular crayon/pencil/pen/marker on the wall! It just makes my day!!! I never know when I'm going to turn the corner and find that unexpected joy!

Makeup is a perennial favorite! Many a time I've come upstairs to my bathroom and found Mary into bottles, jars, tubes, and compacts.
Bath salts scattered on the floor? Why yes!
Lipstick dug out of the tube? Of course!
Mascara smeared on eyebrows? Check!



And then there's the stunt that is the best of all: Poop in the crib. Everywhere. So that you have to take two days out of your very busy life and clean and disinfect it all. This gift was brought to me by Kate. Thank you Kate. Oh, it just makes a mother's heart absolutely sing!

Now tell me: Am I not blessed and lucky?

Women's Liberation

I guess I've always been a swirling mix of feminist and traditional woman. As a child I liked to imagine myself as a princess, and I daydreamed of wearing dresses all the time. One year in elementary school, I did wear a dress every day. I was trying to become Anne of Green Gables. I also played football with Jeremy Reynolds, Stuart Hart, Shaun Bergin and any other boy that showed up in Jeremy's back yard. I was faster than them all, too.
I believed wholeheartedly in time travel, and knew that if I just found the portal, I could go back in time to when women were ladies, drank their tea, and oversaw the home. I also wanted to be a lawyer like the women on "LA Law".
As I grew older, I knew that what I really wanted to do was be a wife and mother. If I happened onto a job that I liked in addition to that, well, fine, but I mainly wanted what I have now.
I've always liked to joke that I was born in the wrong century. It's true that I dislike the vulgarity, ugly clothes, ugly buildings and general nastiness of our day. But there are so many wonderful things about being a woman right now.
I've read so many books and seen so many period movies that underline the fact that women simply weren't free to live as they pleased. If a single woman became impoverished, but still wished to remain a lady, her options were to marry well, or to become a governess. Maybe a couple of other options, but really that's about it. And what if she did marry well, and she discovered her husband was a monster? Well, she was simply trapped, as far as I've read. Denying anyone freedom to conduct their lives is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if we agree with the way they live or not.
I feel that mothers are best at home. Anyone who reads this blog can see that plainly. But, I'm glad that there is freedom there for women who feel they must be out in the world for whatever reason. I'm relieved for them that they do not suffer social ostracism for it. I'm glad I live in the time that I do. I still think I'd go back in time, if I could...but I'm learning to appreciate the liberation of modern times.