Empower ME!!!

Well, I have held my tongue as long as I can- and for those of you who know me well know that is next to impossible for me so I am going to exercise my freedom of speech while I still have it.

I can't stand idly by anymore and watch this country slip into bondage-because let's face it, that's what we are headed for. At the very least I can let my voice be heard, not just at the polls but here too.

I can't help but draw parallels between here and the war in heaven. Remember, for those of you who know the story. There was 2 plans one where everything was to be easy and we wouldn't have the freedom to choose or to make mistakes, grow and therefore, reach our full potential. But we would be ensured a place back in Heaven...incidently from someone who couldn't even make that promise.

Then there was another plan of Christ who was more interested in us developing our God given talents, and allowing us to choose for ourselves right from wrong and in the process letting us fall, make mistakes and learn for ourselves the lessons that can only be learned from experience.

I think of my own children, If I jumped in and rescued them every time they made a mistake or had it hard, instead of ending up empowered they would end up crippled in this society. Certainly, that is NOT what any of us want for our children, so why in the world would we want that or accept that for ourselves? Yet that is exactly what this nation is slowly being led into.

What ever happened to taking responsibility for our own actions, health, education and finances? What happened to teaching a man to fish so that he can eat for a life time instead of feeding him for a day. We have become too dependent on the government to "jump in & save us" that we have forgotten how to be self reliant & use the genius that God has given us to figure a way to better our own situation. Is it easy? No, I for one can say that it hasn't been the easiest road but we are better people and more independent because of it. My friend Leslie said it best,"It isn't the governments job to make sure I have one. It isn't up to them to pass initiatives that make me feel better about my errant choices. Their role is to throw down the murderous, evil influences that threaten our ability to reach our own greatest potential. It is their job to provide us with as much freedom as possible."

I feel like we are being blindly led down a primrose path that promises an easier way and ultimately a government that will take care of our every need. Then when this nation finally comes to their senses and realizes we have given all our power to the government it will be too late! I don't need an "easier" way because then you take away the faith, hardship, ingenuity and the freedom that made this country what it is!
While I am on the subject, While I don't think that one person should be paid 90 million dollars over 6 years to run a financial institution, where would most of us be with out the people who are entrepreneurs and take a risk to create a business. Most of us wouldn't even have a job. Why should they be punished because of their ambition? "Spread the wealth" and you are going to discourage those that create opportunity from doing so.

I remember my 8th grade history teacher. Oh he was passionate alright! But If there is one thing I remember from him it is, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely!"
Doesn't it scare you that our government is falling into the hands of one party. Be it republican or democrat? Isn't that what this country was founded on- checks and balances so that not one single tier of the government has all the power? What is going to happen when a democratic president appoints a democratic supreme court judge and we are subject to laws based on democratic opinion and there is no one to question or fight for another way. That's not my voice being heard! who is going to stand up for me and thousands of other people like me when we have a one sided partisanship? Maybe this is what the prophet Joseph Smith said when he stated, 'The time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread."

I know there are several different candidates for presidency and if you want you can even "write one in", but we all know that it comes down to the two at hand. No one else is going to win this election. And for me it comes down to preserving the freedom that so many lost their lives for. It's about hanging on to the heaven inspired constitution that our God-fearing forefathers designed. I believe we all have within us the capability to reach our greatest potential but we won't do it under suppression. It's about having the freedom to choose-whether we succeed or fail- but at least give me the option. After all, isn't that what God did? Who are we to think that we can create a better system than by the divine creator himself.

Enjoy the Journey!

Well, I think some of the wisest counsel ever uttered came from our dear prophet and the church leaders who spoke at General Conference this past weekend. I felt uplifted and inspired to be a better mother, wife and member of this church. A few things really hit home for me, One was simplify your life... I think I need some improvement in that area. So there are a few things that I am doing to do that. I'll keep you posted.

Then, who can mistake the message of enduring in faith. I felt the sweet assurances of the Lord urging me to keep moving forward and be believing and all the promises of the Lord will be ours in this life and in the life to come. I felt the peace of having faith and even though the world is deteriorating around us, that as we draw closer to the Savior we have nothing to fear!

Also, the beautiful counsel of President Monson who encouraged us to "enjoy the journey". Bill and I did just that; Normally, our children are in bed by 8-8:15. I've usually "had enough" by then and can't wait for my solitude. But last night was different. After our nightly routine, our children started playing "house" It was priceless! We watched little Emma haul a baby doll which was about as big as her into a stroller and struggle to get it to stay on a chair. Branson and Maegan were cooking dinner and setting the table. Britton was asking Bill if he wanted chicken for dinner and bringing him fake food, and then I lost it laughing when I heard Branson say to Maegan about Sumo our stuffed German Shepherd, "Make sure you take Sumo out for a walk and make sure he goes pee and poo". Maegan was looking for a jump rope leash and before you know it Britton goes, "Maegan you better hurry, He already started to poop!" Bill and I cracked up. Their imaginations just run wild! We love it. I'm sure that is what the prophet means by taking time to enjoy the journey.

Fill your bucket!

So the other day I had "one of those days". I don't know if you can relate, but it was one of those -after cleaning up the cereal off the baby, rushing kids out the door for school, then walking to go get one, and coming back to make lunch, cleaning up the living room, finish my second..or third( I lost count) load of laundry, only to come home make dinner for an hour and then kick everyone out the door for soccer @5:30, then coming home to an even messier house and trying to get homework done before bed, Is this all I do? - days. Sounds like everyday huh! Well I had had it! It meaning EVERYTHING! I wanted to check out. I'm so exhausted I could cry!
I realized I hadn't done anything that I enjoyed for a while. I needed to create something! Something that would stay together in one piece for more than 5 mins--or could I wish it.... indefinitely! I needed to let my creative juices flow and rejuvenate myself once again so that I didn't lose my sanity forever. So yesterday I gave myself that "gift". My mother in law calls it "good self care". Ah yes, (sigh) good self care. Sometimes the pendulum swings too far the other way and we get off balance -easy to do when you take care of so many other people. I have decided I am happiest when I can do all my responsibilities and do something that I enjoy. The guilt isn't there because in a way I know I have "earned" my fun. Plus Newsflash! I am so much less irritable when I don't look at my life and say, "Is this all I do all day"? You gotta have something to look forward to. Anyway, I found my bliss designing my blog yesterday/last night. It was so wonderful! and somehow my house managed to stay clean, It was part of the rejuvenation I needed as a wife and mother.
So... If you are reading this and feel like you need a break from the normal routine, give yourself a break and find what makes your heart sing and do it. It's not about being selfish-It's good self care and after all, even though we've all heard it a hundred times, you can't fill anothers' bucket until you have something to give! It's so true. And I submit that the more you fill your bucket constantly the more you can give constantly. There won't be the big drought season until you are thirsting so bad you are gagging (and crying). And your family won't be left out in the desert to wander either.
So I want to hear your comments, what do you do for yourself, what are you passionate about and then go do it and let me know your experience.
Stephanie

Our Christmas present!

Yeah, so I have been known to eat my words before, and this time I ate a mouthful! Most of you already know this but for those of you who don't, We kept it pretty quiet for some time...See you have to go back about 6 months ago when we had our dog "Jacks". I sincerely didn't know how much work a dog would be and I joked saying, "Hey, If I wanted another kid right now I would be pregnant" Well, little did we know that we were. We didn't find out until about 2 months later. Still trying to get over the initial shock we still hadn't announced our joy for quite a while. But we are all very excited to welcome our new baby (girl) due on (Christmas Day). I put girl in parentheses because I could have sworn that we were having a boy. I still need to see to be convinced. I put Christmas Day in parentheses because if you know me, this baby will probably come about 2 weeks early. I don't know, she could surprise us and go full term like Britton but I doubt it. This pregnancy has been no cake walk that's for sure! Even though I didn't know that I was pregnant for the first 2 months, I had an uncontrollable itch that about drove me mad. It did drive me to tears a few times. Thankfully, through the grace of God it subsided and it doesn't bother me anymore. My varicose veins are something to behold! You know it's bad when little kids come up to you and tell you that you have dirt on your feet or ask you why your feet are purple. (Warning! graphic image) Even worse than that are the 5 or so blood clots that I have developed in the past few months and I just discovered a new one yesterday. They sting to the touch and are pretty dang painful. I have been really blessed though that they are superficial and not in the veins that can move to your lungs or heart and kill you in a matter of hours or days. I also have been blessed not to have any morning sickness-although I have been on Unisom for the past 4 months and tried to get off of it the other day and discovered that was a bad idea. There's no way I can be sick and be a mom to 4 other kids. There is just not enough time in the day, or money in the world to eat out every night if I were sick. So I'm just groggy in the morning and next month I will try and get off the medication again. Anyway, I could go on but I won't bore anyone with anymore details, as long as our baby is healthy and happy so are we. We all feel very blessed and are excited to have another little one in our home.

Yes I CAN!

Oh the second go-round was so much more fun! It was about 11:00 pm. I stress that because the kids were in BED! Love it! and I knew I had to finish my marmalade before it started to go rotten. I don't know what I was thinking when I ended up starting my marmalade with out my pears. Anyway, long story short, It took me a few days to get it bottled. So on Sat night after Bill kicked my bum in Rumikub twice, I told him I had better bottle my stuff. So there we were at midnight, he turning over the boiling hot bottles for me to fill them and then he would put the lids on and secure them with rings that we robbed from the freezer jam. It was great fun and some good bonding time. We made a great team and it was so satisfying to see the 14 bottles of Orange Marmalade sitting there on the counter, Bill thought so too. I'm sure that I will have ample opportunity to teach my children how to can, but while they are so young , I so much prefer canning like this!

"Can" I really do this?

Oh my heck! My legs (esp. one) hurts, my back and hips hurt and I just don't know what I was thinking going grocery shopping and canning salsa and marmalade in one afternoon. It's only 9:55 pm, and it feels like about 12:55 (am that is). I've got mascara stained eyes from dicing onions (even with a food processor)and burnt jalepeno hands and anywhere else I've touched ...But hey I got some food storage out of my garden so I am pleased! It brings me back to the good ol' days canning with my mom. Funny though, my kids were no help unless you count Britton spilling monopoly money all over and Emma pulling out wipes...amongst other things and throwing them into the toilet. Maegan was somewhat helpful with making hotdogs for the kids but then she informed me that she was bored and didn't want to help anymore. Oh the joys of home canning!

Thanks for the swimming lessons Grammy!

For the past 2 summers Grammy has given swimming lessons to the kids for their birthdays.
Branson and Maegan just finished with swimming lessons last week. Although it was fun I am kinda glad it's over. As soon as breakfast was over every morning I was pushing 4 kids out the door saying, "did you get your towel", "hurry get your seat belt on we are going to be late"...and "Maegan move your bike out of the way so I don't smash it". Then trying to keep Britton & Emma out of the pool the entire time and keeping them from crushing "Cheesetz" all over the ground not to mention some of the conversations that I had and sitting in the hot sun I came home from the pool utterly exhausted by 11 am. But they both learned a lot and Branson advanced to level 4 and they had a great time so it was all worth it!

















Poor Bubu would ask me everyday, "am I bigger today ?" He wanted to get in the pool and swim so bad. I would tell him, "yeah you are bigger today but still not big enough to take swimming lessons until next year." Bless his heart he still kept a big smile on his face and was really good.