a New Advertising Low

This morning at the gym I was watching TV when a commercial came on that gave me great hopes. It showed people going through various Christmas activities, such as shopping, visiting friends, etc. and then all of a sudden noticing a bright white light in the sky, almost like the star that appeared when the Savior was born. Everyone in the commercial just stopped and gazed in awe at the supposed star. I thought we actually were going to have a commercial reminding us the reason for the season, put on by some church if not the LDS church. But no. Instead, the commercial then cut to a woman flying high above the town in an airplane, coming home to visit her family. She was smiling and looking out the window and it was her clean white teeth, from Crest Whitening Strips, that caused the glow from the sky. Her mouth radiated light as she arrived home back to her family.

Oh, I just felt sick to my stomach when I saw that woman in the airplane and realized that instead of being a religious commercial, it was an advertisement about withening strips. That one was way below the belt. I know Christmas has been so commercialized that many people have forgotten what it is all about.  I know companies use any means to market their products for the season, but this commercial seemed particularly tasteless. Using the religious symbol of the new star in the sky to advertise a dental product. Oh no, it's not the sign of the Savior's birth, it's  woman with really bright teeth because she used Crest. Ugh. Tacky, cheesy, and lame.

What is wrong with the world? Nothing is sacred anymore and if anything is, it soon won't be. That commercial made me want to vomit, not buy whitening strips. Thanks a lot, Crest, for showing me a new low.

Penelope's Tree

This year we have one extra "present" under our tree. Ninja Penelope. To say that Penelope loves our Christmas tree would be an understatement. I don't think words could describe the attachment that cat feels toward the tree. She thinks it is HER tree and is kind enough to share it with the rest of us. She loves to sleep under it on the tree skirt. And she thoroughly enjoys climbing the tree, batting off ornaments as she goes up. Thank goodness our ornaments are all child and, therefore, kitty proof. Penelope is never boring. I don't know who is more of a handful, Jacob or the kitty! I have to admit that sometimes Marshall even calls Penelope "Jacob". Ha!

First tooth!

The big excitement for Jimmy on Thanksgiving Day was losing his tooth that has been wiggling for a week or so now. He's growing up!

Freedom!!!!!!

Time stopped for a minute on Thursday afternoon with people leaving school, work, and home to gather in the streets as part of a celebration that Sue McConkie is no longer wearing her boot, at all! Okay, maybe it didn't happen on that grand scale, but it sure felt like it. I went to see the doctor, nervous about the outcome, and left floating on air.

Not only do I get to give the boot the boot, but I don't have to see the doctor anymore. We talked about an exercise program and timeline to use to get me back, eventually, to running. I am so excited! Now I just need to listen to my body and not hurt myself again. No worries, I will be taking it all slowly because I do not want to go through this ordeal again. It was a long 5 1/2 months from injury until almost recovery. (My bone is mostly healed). How grateful I am for modern medicine, doctors, and a healthy body!

Ever Learning

I think I may actually be starting to get a hang of this whole mortal existence thing. This past year has been a rough one for various reasons, basically coming down to my learning that I am not in charge. My hopes and dreams were good ones, but the Lord had different things in mind for me. It has been  a struggle to get my will in line with the Lord's, kind of like redirecting a river's path.

I cannot imagine what it would take to change a river's path. It would obviously take a lot of work to dig a ditch for the river and then divert it into the new path while closing off the old one. You'd have to make sure the new path is far enough away from the old one so the river cannot overflow to the previous path. Width and depth in the new route would have accomodate the river, even when at its fullest. And the new channel would have to be strong enough to bear the force of the water.  I don't know the mechanics behind it, but I am sure it would be a process you'd have to get all the details correct. I feel like the Lord has been gently and lovingly been doing the same thing with me, slowly pushing me along a new direction in my life, while I am busy dragging my feet and trying to stick to my old planned out route. Sometimes I do well with the new plan, sometimes I just want to rely on my original path, hoping it will just somehow work. It's been a learning process that at times has been a bit painful.

As I sat visiting teaching today, discussing Elder Hales' talk on trials from this past General Conferece, a thought suddenly hit me. Life would be so much easier if I originally had accepted the Lord's new plan for me instead of fighting him along the way, sticking to my own plans. It wasn't until I had humbled myself and embraced the Lord's will that I was able to feel the promised peace and blessings He had in store for me. I had wasted so much time battling it out with Him instead. And while I fought him I was blind to the blessings He had in store for me because I wanted my desires instead of His.

Now I can see and understand the peace that comes through trusting the Lord. I don't know why things have worked out the way they have and some of my righteous desires haven't been granted. Sometimes I still struggle and have rough days. But what I do know is that by accepting the Lord's will, I have found great peace, strength, and comfort to help me endure those tough days. I do know that the Lord fulfills all His promises. I know He has a reason for all things and as long as I trust in Him, I will be okay.

Hopefully each time I go through this process, I'll be quicker to listen to the Lord. I'll let myself have His peace and be able to move forward in faith.

The Story of My Life

I loved today's Baby Blues. It is my life. Every day I have Miss Anna who takes a gander at the menu calendar to find out what is for dinner. And everytime she does it I cringe. What will be the reaction this time? Not that I base my menus on her preferences, but I do get tired of hearing complaints. Tuesday I made potato corn chowder and corn muffins, which took at least an hour to prepare, only to have her come home from school and declare that she hated the above. Oh, the horror! Moms are so unappreciated in the cooking department! This is why I love the comic. Maybe I should start using Wanda's answer instead. And learn how to shoot lightening bolts out of my eyes at the same time.

Somehow things have gotten more busy

You know, have all these great ideas for blogs. I have a lot I would love to share. But there seems to be a correlation with my blogging time and Jacob no longer napping. No naps mean blogs are rare. I have started a few, but always seem to get interrupted or lose my train of thought. I am sure it had nothing to do with the adorable three year old a random stranger categorized as "Dennis the Menace". Nothing to do with trying to save the contents of my fridge, keeping the cat from being abused, stopping his sibling abuse, ending the daily waterings of my kitchen floor, or trying to keep pants on little buns. Nothing at all.

But I do enjoy the little blond puff head of doom. Last night we sat for quite a bit in the dark, looking out my bedroom wondow and watching the rain while we rocked in the recliner. We talked about the important things of life, like cars, car washes, worker men, and such. Those are the moments I cherish.

I am here. One day, I will write again. Maybe once he goes on a mission?

Halloween Pics

Anna the vamprire, Jacob the dog, Jimmy the knight, and Rachel Green Lantern (her favorite super hero of all time!)

All decked out

Marshall as "tired" (He's even sleeping)