What's wrong with this ad?

This is wrong. So very very wrong. Must we sexualize everything about women? I love Motherhood Maternity fashions, but this is a disgusting ad on their part. Shame on them.

"Duty to the Dead"

Another winner from Charles Todd. I love this author. Did you know it's actually a mother and son writing team, Charles and Caroline Todd? Pretty fascinating. Anyhow, check out this book. I loved it. Intense and rich of history about World War I and England. An awesome mystery that is impossible to put down. So good!



England, 1916. Independent-minded Bess Crawford’s upbringing is far different from that of the usual upper-middle-class British gentlewoman. Growing up in India, she learned the importance of responsibility, honor, and duty from her officer father. At the outbreak of World War I, she followed in his footsteps and volunteered for the nursing corps, serving from the battlefields of France to the doomed hospital ship Britannic.

On one voyage, Bess grows fond of the young, gravely wounded Lieutenant Arthur Graham. Something rests heavily on his conscience, and to give him a little peace as he dies, she promises to deliver a message to his brother. It is some months before she can carry out this duty, and when she’s next in England, she herself is recovering from a wound.

When Bess arrives at the Graham house in Kent, Jonathan Graham listens to his brother’s last wishes with surprising indifference. Neither his mother nor his brother Timothy seems to think it has any significance. Unsettled by this, Bess is about to take her leave when sudden tragedy envelops her. She quickly discovers that fulfilling this duty to the dead has thrust her into a maelstrom of intrigue and murder that will endanger her own life and test her courage as not even war has.

Terrible Texting Teens

Could the above "Zits" comic be more true to life? I thought I had seen everything until last night when I was at a stake Zumba activity. About 1/4 through the session a teenage girl and her friend joined in. No biggie. There were a bunch of girls there so the more the merrier. But this one girl proceeded to text throughout the work-out. I found it amazing and really annoying that she could do this. She'd get a text and respond back with one hand while trying to follow the instructor. It was really obnoxious because she was up front and very distracting to the rest of us who were exercising. I really wanted to take her phone. Or at least tell her to put the phone down or leave to text somewhere else since she was right in the middle of the activity. Seriously, get a clue! You don't go to an activity and then text the whole time. It's rude to the instructor who took time out of her day to come lead Zumba and it's rude to everyone else there. I know most teenagers have no sense when it comes to when and where to text, but this is a new one for me!

Angry Over Angry Attendant

I am sure by now you all have heard about Steven Slater, otherwise known as the "angry flight attendant", who quit his job in a the dramatic style. When taxiing into JFK airport, Slater got into an argument with a passenger who refused to stay in his seat. Somehow Slater got hit in the head with said passenger's overhead baggage. His response? To get on the loud speaker, swear at the passengers, grab a beer, and exit by deploying the emergency chute. Since then Slater has become famous, deemed by some as "the working man's hero" because he had the nerve to stand up to a rude customer. By other's he has been condemned for his arrogant, dangerous behavior.

I hate to even use blog space on this guy, but I have to comment. Congratulations, you had a hissy fit and now are famous. Big whoop! Anyone can do that. I mean seriously, was there not a better way to handle the situation? I completely understand the desire to go off on a rude passenger. I have been on airplanes where I have wanted to yell at a few self centered fellow travelers myself. Through my work experience I have had to deal with annoying, rude customers before. Encountering such kind of people is just part of life. I have dreamed of telling them off and doing something dramatic. Who hasn't? It's unfair to be treated cruelly by another.

After the incident Slater was arrested and I agree with the action taken against him. What he did was thoughtless, dangerous, and unnecessary. If he wanted to quit then and there, he could have without swearing at the flight and deploying the chute. What about all those other people who were not involved in the incident who had to endure his behavior? And really, deploying the chute? C'mon! What is that supposed to accomplish aside from dramatic flare? Totally unnecessary and dangerous. If I was Jet Blue I wouldn't want to employ someone who was so emotional and dramatic. Who knows what could send Slater off the deep end? Ticking time bomb.

What makes a real hero is someone who can turn the other cheek. A person who can rise above rude behavior and move forward. I agree that some people can be jerks and should be called on the floor for it. But should we really be rewarding someone for rude dangerous behavior? What does that say about our society?

Ah, Dilbert, I can relate

Addicted

Thanks to Netflix Instant View we have a new addiction. It's been going on for a few months, but I suppose it is time to confess. Having all sorts of shows and movies at our fingertips is heavenly. It has also given us the chance to try out some tv shows we never have seen before, mainly "24".

This is where the addiction part comes in. "24" came out when we were students at BYU and were too busy to watch tv. We just never got into it. We've heard over the years that it is an awesome fun show, but we felt indifferently about watching it. Nothing like jumping into a series after it's already begun. Plus we were addicted to C.S.I. at the time. Then when Netflix started their Instant View through the Wii, we took the plunge and started watching "24".

It's kind of like eating kettle corn or a bag of your favorite chips. You know you should stop, but they are just so good you cannot help yourself. You just keep reaching for more. That's how it has been with us. This show is so addictive, even though there are plot holes, impossible story twists, and apparently only one CTU agent who has the power to pull anything off, we cannot stop watching! We've laughed at the stupidity at times. Swore we would turn it off and yet we keep going. Jack Bauer has us hooked.

We are doomed. Doomed because we don't have to wait for new episodes to watch. We have them all at our fingertips to watch as much of it as we want. Doomed, I say! Hey, but like that bag of kettle corn, bring it on! I am going to enjoy every last bit!

Ever learning as I go

I love my husband and think he is an amazing man. Watching him serve as bishop has been a wonderful and challenging experience. I am glad it is him rather than me! Let me be at home with the kids and he can deal with the hard stuff.

It amazes me the patience, kindness, and love he shows for our ward members. Not that he is not any of the above, but he can call on those qualities in even the most difficult circumstances. I know those are gifts of the calling, but he is a humble man to begin with. People come to him in situations far beyond his years of experience, with their lives falling apart, looking to him for help, hope, and guidance. Eeek! How could someone question whether a bishop is called of God after seeing what a bishop does? There is no way my husband could do his calling without the help of the Lord. If it was me I'd have a hard time showing kindness to those who were struggling as a result of their own decisions. I'd more likely want to slap them and say "Knock it off!" But bishops have that gift of their calling that allows them much needed tenderness, wisdom, and firmness in such times.

It was hard at first to see my husband as bishop because he is my husband. I know all his faults and sometimes I think I know better than him. And sometimes I do. But as I've seen him fulfill his calling these past two and a half years, I have witnesses over and over again that he IS called of God. He is my bishop.

One thing thing that has really helped me give him the proper respect for his calling is to think of him as the bishop and not my husband. How would I feel if I heard the bishop was sick, dealing with some troubled youth, or just enduring the trials of mortal life? I would care about him, pray for him, and wish I could make his burden light. I'd want to cut him some slack for not being perfect and follow his wise counsel because of his God given mantle. So why not apply that same rationale to my own husband? By seeing him as my bishop, not just my husband, I tend to have more compassion, understanding, and mercy towards him. I want to do my best to make his load lighter and I can in whatever small ways possible. I'm not always good at it, but I try.

It's been an interesting experience we've had thus far and I have been blessed to learn a lot from it. I am grateful to my sweet husband and for all he does for me, our family, and all those who are under his care as bishop. He is a good man.

The Importance of Covenants

As I was teaching the Laurels today about exaltation and the necessary covenants we need to make to gain it, I had a thought concerning temple work that I shared with them. We all know, or hopefully understand, that in order to live with our Heavenly Father again, there are ordinances and covenants we need to make. Those include baptism, confirmation, initiatory, endowment, and then temple marriage. Of course, when all those are completed we still have to live righteously and endure to the end. But what struck me during my lesson was the importance of each of those covenants.

Anyone who has done temple work can testify that it takes time. Why? Because one has to do every ordinance for each person. Proxies are needed for baptism, confirmation, initiatory, endowment, and marriage sealing for each person. Not to mention if they had children one needs to also do proxy sealings of their children. Since most of us don't have days to dedicate solely to temple work, it can take months or years to get it done for one individual. It's a big, timely, but rewarding undertaking.

As I reflected on this I thought about how each ordinance and covenant must be performed for the dead. There is no lumping it all together into a short ceremony to make it easier and faster because the person is dead. Each individual step is crucial to obtaining exaltation on many levels. Knowledge is gained, promises made, and blessings given with every covenant made. The proper order must be followed for the path back to the Savior to be completed. Nothing can be skipped.

Thinking about temple work for the dead put the covenants the living make in a new perspective. It helped me to better understand the importance and significance of each covenant we make. One cannot stop at baptism and assume exaltation awaits. One cannot call it quits at any point along the way. And since we are living, one also has to live worthy of those covenants throughout his whole life. If they are so sacred that we take the time to perform each one for the dead, then these covenants are equally important to us and must be treated as such. There is an order to all things and when we follow that order, we, like those for whom we work in the temple, will gain all the blessings the Lord has in store for us. There are no shortcuts to exhaltation for anyone.

Second Day Blues

Day Two of school was not such a wonderful success. After the first day, Rachel told me she liked First Grade enough, but did not like having to wear her glasses or being gone all day. Anna, of course, had a blast and is set to go for the year. I was a bit nervous to see what the second morning of school would bring for Rachel.

I knew I was doomed when Rachel started off by telling me her stomach hurt. She learned last year that she got to stay home from school when she was sick. But I caught on to her frequent belly aches and made her go to kindergarten when she was faking. I guess she thought she'd give it a whirl today, but I was on to her. The walk to the bus stop included a lot of whimpering and tears. I felt like I was taking her to her doom, but knew there was no other choice. when the bus came she planted her feet firmly in the ground and refused to budge. I led her by the hand to the bus and physically placed her on the steps, all the while she was crying. I gave her a kiss and she finally went to sit down. Of course, I felt horrible for my sweet tender girl. I know she misses me while she is at school and it is hard to get used to eating at school and being gone all day. I hope she did okay today. I want her to be happy. I know it'll just take a few days of tears.

Poor sweet Rachel. We shall see what this afternoon brings. Marshall has told stories of crying a lot in First Grade because he missed his mom. And I was always a shy child in grade school. It must run in the family.

First Day of School!!!!

It seems like we were just celebrating the end of summer and here it is the first day of school. Anna is very excited to get back to class and tackle third grade. I know my sweet little princess will do well. Rachel is a bit more hesitant. The jump from kindergarten to first grade is big, being gone all day from home. I am nervous for my precious shy girl and will be thinking about her a lot today. I hope she doesn't cry or miss me too much, I hope she has fun. It helps that her best pal is in her class. I am so excited so my two smart beautiful girls and all they will learn this year. I'll do my best to not tear up as I say "goodbye" to them today!

A Must Read

My claim to fame is that I am related to someone who writes books. Not just books, but good suspense books. I can tell within the first few pages of a book whether or not it is a keeper. I am a tough customer. I like to be entertained and I don't like my suspense/ mystery novels to insult my intelligence. I don't want the culprit to be obvious, but I want him to be believable. I consider a book good if it sucks me in, transports me to the character's world, and holds me tight until the end. I am proud to say that Stephanie Black's fourth novel, Cold as Ice, does just that. No, she didn't pay me off and I'm not telling you this just because she is family. I am sharing this with you because I love finding a good arthor. It seems they are far and few these days. After reading the following synopsis about the book, I guarantee you'll be intrigued and will not be disappointed with the book. Check it out!

After five patient years, Abigail Wyatt's sisterly care is finally paying off: her younger brother, Derek, is abandoning his self-destructive lifestyle and seeking his parents' forgiveness, thus ending the painful estrangement that wounded the whole family. But just as the pieces are falling into place for the prodigal's return, a woman named Karen Brodie is murdered in a local park-and police name Derek as the prime suspect. Rather than standing firm and cementing the positive changes in his life, Derek succumbs to his cynical fears and runs from the law, leaving Abigail with her hands tied. Literally.

Derek's raw panic convinces everyone that he's the killer-everyone except Abigail, who doggedly maintains her brother's innocence. With the help of Kyle, a charismatic new friend she might be falling for, Abigail digs deep into Karen Brodie's troubled past in hopes of clearing Derek's name. But as she uncovers a sinister plot of greed, envy, and vengeance, this loyal sister must face the painful truth that things-and people-are not always as they seem.

Celebrating 10 years!!

It's been ten wonderful years! I'm still madly in love with my adorable groom. Look at our cute fmaily after all this time, our first day where we dressed 80's style for a BYU Hunger Banquet, and our wedding day. I think this song, from The Pajama Game, perfectly sums up how I feel!

There once was a man who loved a woman
She was the one he slew a dragon for
They say that nobody ever loved as much as he-ee
But me-ee
I love you more.

(BABE: Tell me!)

And there once was a man who loved a woman
She was the one he gave his kingdom for
They say that nobody ever loved as much as he-ee
But me-ee
I love you more

My love is a giant, fierce and defiant
But how can I prove it to you?
Ain't got no kingdom or dragon
To back up my braggin'
How can I show what I would do?

I only know there once was a man
Who loved a woman
She was the one he ate the apple for
They say that nobody ever loved as much as he-ee
But me-ee, I love you more

BABE:There once was a woman who loved a man
He was the one that she took poison for
They say that nobody ever loved as much as she-ee
But me-ee, I love you more

And there once was a woman who loved a man,
He was the one she swam the channel for
They say that nobody ever loved as much as she-ee
But me-ee, I love you more.

My love's meteoric, it's merely historic
A whirlwind, a cyclone on wheels
It rocks my whole solar plexus,
It's bigger than Texas
I just can't tell you how it feels
I only know there once was a woman
Who loved a man
Loved him enough to cause the Trojan War
They say that nobody ever loved as much as she-ee
But me-ee,
I love you more! more! more! more!

More than a hangman loves his rope
More than a dopefiend loves his dope
More than an Injun loves his scalps
More than a yodeler loves his alps
More More More more more!

SID: There once was a man who loved a woman
BABE: there once was a woman who loved a man
SID: She was the one he slew the dragon for
BABE: He was the one that she took poison for
SID // BABE: They say that nobody ever loved as much as he-ee // she-ee
BOTH: But me-ee, I love you more!
But me-ee-ee-ee-ee! I love you more!

Random Ramblings

- Why do paper cuts hurts so much?

- School starts in a week and a half. Eeek!

- Why is it whenever I share my testimony in Sacrament meeting I can never sneak up front? I must always have a stray kid or two that follows me, which causes quite the distraction up front. Sigh.

- "National Treasure" is such a fun movie. I love Riley. Who says history is boring?

- Why is going to bed so hard for some kids? Seriously. Just stay in bed!

- I am so excited for Fall and cooler weather. Not to mention apple pie, apple cider, Halloween, and changing leaves.

- Popcorn is such a good snack.

- I made fruit leather this week from a bunch of apricots we were given. It turned out very good. Yum!

- I can't believe I have been married for ten years. I am not that old. Holy light speed time warp!

- I love "Phineas and Ferb". Dr. Doofensmirtz is hilarious. Not to mention the amusing song lyrics and creativity of it all. I wish my kids would build such cool things in our back yard.

- Yeah, I could write something profound, but I am too lazy. I am just tired of looking at that belly cast picture on my blog.