Sunday, September 26, 2010

Calling evil good and good evil

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20

In the Old Testament, Isaiah spoke of how Israel had an impaired ability to recognize good and evil. In Sunday School today one of the things we discussed was how we do that today. I think we definately see this today in so many ways and it is only getting worse.

The first example that came to mind of evil becoming good is pornorgraphy. It is disgusting how far things have gone with this. Decades ago what was considered hard porn is now soft porn and what was considered soft porn is mainstream; what is considered hard porn today was absolutely unimaginable then. I used to spend a fair amount of time on the religion forum at city-data. Ofcourse this was a hot topic and it was amazing to me how many people considered porn ok even good in some ways. This insiduous evil is becoming more and more prevalent in our society and sadly more and more tolerated.

My second thought was that of homosexuality. Now this is an extremely heated subject so obviously there are people that will get offended. Don't be afraid of your opinions. We all have a right to free speech. This is in noways saying that homosexuals are evil people in anyway. I don't even like grouping people. People are people and we are all children of God. All I'm saying is that living a homosexual lifestyle is becoming so mainstream and so pushed for that if you are against it you are considered a bigot. Everyone has a right to believe what they want and if you don't believe in the Bible that is just fine. But I do and the Bible states that

Lev. 18: 22
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Lev. 20: 13
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be
upon them.

Romans 1: 24-27
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God agave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their alust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.


That is pretty clear to me. Homosexuality is wrong. And I do not agree with the "world" trying to get society to say it is ok. Believe what you want but that's my opinion.

Another thought that came to me (and I'm sure this'll get some panties in a knot too)
is extreme feminism. Men and women are created equal and a marriage should be an equal partnership. That does NOT mean that men and women have the same roles on this earth. You don't hear men screamin' that they can't have babies do you? There are certain roles in life that are meant for women and some that are meant for men. Men and women are here to help eachother fulfill their individual purposes on this earth not compete for them.

Do you have any thoughts on how evil can be seen as good today?

Seeing good as evil is a bit trickier. I thought awhile on this and the main thing I can think of is just how we as a society treat other people. As sad as it is I think sometimes helping someone can be looked down on is some circumstances which I won't go into. It all has to do with juding. Since when should what other people think come before helping someone in need.

Organized religion or any religion really can sometimes be seen as "uncool" or "restricting". If you believe in God or a Higher Power you are not giving credit to yourself and blindly following what others tell you to do; You're not an intellectual. Isn't it sad that trying to live a virtuous, morally clean life can be seen as a negative thing?

What do you see as good becoming evil in today's society?

ALSO: Please be sure to check out my guest post with the lovely and awesome Amanda at Enchanting Havoc :)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Friends you Love-Brittany!

Thankyou to Brittany at Unexpected Surprises for doing my first ever guest post on my blog. :) She is such an absolute sweetheart and I hope you check her out and come to love her as much as I have!

We all love our children.

Well MOST of us love our children.

In fact for most of us it starts the exact moment our eyes latch on to their perfect little smooshed up faces fresh from the womb.

How can you love someone so much that you met seconds earlier?

More then that, how can you love someone you haven’t even met?

I fell in love with my son the second I found out he was in my tummy.

My entire life changed!

I was living and doing things completely for him.

I sometimes think I can’t love him any more then I do right now..

And then he’ll do something and I fall completely in love with him all over again.

The other night we were finishing up our bed time routine.

You know the usual: books, songs, prayers, kisses…

When it got to the kisses, I bent down to kiss his perfect pouty lips.

I looked down at him with my hair draping around his face, and he flung his little arms around my neck.

He laced his fingers together, and proclaimed: “I am never letting you go, my little mommy!”

He held on so tight that when I tried to sit up, he lifted up with me!

The smile on his face, and the feeling of his love made my heart feel fuller then its ever felt!

I love how much he loves me!

I love that he isn’t afraid to say it!

So I hugged him longer that night.

I smelled him deeply.

He smelled of “little boy.”

The scent of baby has vanished from his skin.

Just as it is gone, I know that these moments with my son will soon vanish as well.

One day he wont want to cuddle with me before bed.

One day he wont wrap his arms around me so tightly.

One day it wont be cool to kiss his mommy before saying goodbye.

But I know that there will never-ever be a day that we will stop loving each other.

I know that one day when he is big and grown, that he’ll wraps his big arms around
me, and I will have that overwhelming feeling of love all over again.

That moment when I don’t think I can love him anymore then I do in that exact second.
Because if there is one thing I have learned in my 3.5 years of being a mother it is that my love for him only gets stronger and that each and every moment is something to treasure.

So embrace your child today.

Tell them you love them.

Smell in their sweet sent of innocence…

And feel your heart fill with that overwhelming feeling of love all over again!


Then...

and Now

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Day 14 of Day of Truth

Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)

This is a toughie. I've talked about disappointments from my family and my husband before but I really don't wanna go there anymore. I don't think it's right to dwell on that and I wanna move forward. So instead I wanna talk about someone (not a hero) who is constantly letting me down and that's myself.

Dear Self,

It's time you made a change in your outlook on life and therefore your relationships and your happiness. It's time you stopped letting yourself down. It's time you started living up to your potential. It's time for no more regret.

On a sidenote: I would totally appreciate any suggestions of books to read on personal relationship, or personal success or stuff like that. I just finished reading an awesomely fantabulous book called The Traveler's Gift recommended by the wonderful Amanda atEnchanting Havoc I would highly recommend it.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Day 13 of Day of Truth

Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.

Well not an artist in the musical sense but still an artist.

Dear J.K Rowling and Stephanie Meyer,

You sistas Rock! You allowed my imagination to drift away from the hellish world I was temporarily living in. If only for a brief moment I could jump into the world of Harry Potter or lust after Edward Cullen (hey its not a sin if it’s a mythical creature right?) You sistas were always there for me with a wonderful exciting escape from the suckiness I had goin' on. When the tears and hurt came to the surface all I had to do was pick up a book to push them away which was essential to survival. Thankyou for allowing me into your fantasy worlds.

P.S. Gotta give props to Josh Groban who is helping me now. If you could make it with a voice. His would be it! :)

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Beautiful Bloggy Friends




I received this "sweet" award from my bloggy buddy Di atLittle Bit of Life She's great so you should go check her out and she's pregnant so she may kick your butt if you don't!

You're supposed to answer this one teeny question and then share the love with 4 other "sweet" bloggers. Like Di, I'm going to team up with frienship month (or whatever it's called) and ask these four lovely ladies if they'd like to guest post on my blog. I've never done that and thought it'd be kinda neat but if you don't wanna that's perfectly O.Kay. :)



So here goes: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

I think I would change myself back then and give myself more confidence to be who I was and to not hide things because I was ashamed or whatever. I would of enjoyed school more and put more of myself into my assignments rather than just barely getting my (ya used my brain more :)) Ya I could go on and on but it's a quick question right :)

And the award goes to:

Brittany at Unexpected Surprises This girl is like the epitome of sweetness but yet has a sassy side too ;)

Jane at Aging Mommy Jane is such a talented writer and such an amazing woman with an amazing attitude. BTW she is 47 with a 3 yr. old daughter so I think she deserves a standing ovation!!

Crystal at Wanna Be Balanced Mom I just recently met Crystal IRL and she is one of the most gorgeous people I've ever met. Both inside and out.

Kerry at Just Me (Don't you just love the name!) Kerry is fairly new at her personal blog and I think she has done such a beautiful job!

If you haven't check these "sweet" ladies out please go and show them some love! :)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

PYHO

Shell,

I hope you know how awesome you are for doing this meme. It is so wonderful to read other's heartfelt words and being able to relate to people we never thought we would. Blogging is so wonderful like that. Bringing people together :)



Ok this post is probably gonna be really depressing and full of self loathing and oh poor meisms but I just really need to get it out there.

How do I stop comparing myself? How can I be happy with who I am? With what I can do when someone always does it better?

I'm tired of hearing just try harder. Just be positive. Ok but how? Seriously I honestly don't think I'll ever get to a point where I don't compare myself and that comparing tends to give me a major inferiority complex. Comparing. Every. Single. Aspect of my Life! And then there's looking at it from the other angel which is well look at what you do have compared to people in third world countries and you're healthly beautiful children and so on. I don't wanna hear that cause I do know it and it just makes me feel worse about feeling worse ya know? Maybe I just need to move to a third world country. Someone there is probably more worthy to live in this privileged country than I am.

Please tell me how. I've read so many blogs and just heard about people coming out of a darkness in their life, finding themselves and finding happiness. How? Do you just think your way out of the mess? Or will your way? I tell ya I would do just about anything not to feel this way. I hate it. I'm so appreciative of the advice and kind words I have gotten from so many, I just don't know how to internalize them. And it's not just a funk like many said on another pathetic post I wrote (although I do appreciate your comments). I've felt this way for a long time. I think there's just times when I'm able to push it down farther. Feelings Buried Alive Never Die (ok that's not original it's a book title) But so true right?
Please tell me your secret? I want to know! I don't know exactly how to change??

Test

.............

Monday, September 13, 2010

Mommy and Me Monday, 11&12 DOT and a guest post

Mommy and Me Monday at Really, Are You Serious?
Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?


We do enjoy playing outside in our backyard! (not looking forward to the weather change...mom that is!)

I love this picture ('cept I look constipated)


Just look at dat face!


One in each hand!




Since these next two are really short I'm just gonna combine them.

Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

My eyes. Don't see it but people have often said I have nice eyes. At the time in my life I couldn't talk my mom said I had very expressive eyes.

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.

I guess I could say something smart like my baby belly or flabby arms…lol but who gets complimented on that right?
So I'm guessing it's something you wish you were and aren’t? My mothering skills, my well behaved children, my super clean house, my crafting skills, my….oh this is supposed to be realistic right? Ok I'll go with my teeth……I really wish they were whiter but I'm too chicken to do bleaching. (I think I was supposed to say something I'm good at that I don't get compliments on but well…just can't think of any really)

And now….please please go over to Di's at a Little Bit of Life and read my very first guest post and let me know what ya think!! (well only if you like it :))

Sidenote: I turned off the comments on my last post and now I can't get them back. I switched all the settings back and they still won't come back! Can somebody please email me and let me know how to get them back!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Friday Confessional

-Last night I met 7 other awesome Utah bloggers


-they were hilarious

-they are absolutely fabulous and it was wonderful to meet them all!

-if you haven't checked them out you really should

Of course you know Glamazon our gorgeous hostess. She is so nice and so funny!

And Laura the Purseblogger needs no introduction. I'm sure everyone knows how fabulous she is. She is an all time sweetie and I adore her. She was my first follow and has always been a loyal friend and commenter on my blog. (who knows why? ;))

Mindi from was there from Mindi's Manic Meanderings She is frickin' hilarious people. Where does she come up with this stuff? I LOVE her. She needs to write a comedy book man!!

Kellie came from Hendrick's Family with her beautiful new baby boy! She looks absolutely fabulous and is so sweet. I'm so glad I got to know her better.

Next we have the amazing Ky-ann from Insanity is Overreated(like the pepper only hotter) All I can say is pure awesomeness! She is fabulous and hilarious and it was so nice to get to know her.

Crystal was there from Wanna Be Balanced Mom . She is totally gorgeous and had on the cutest little jacket that I totally wanted to steal. She is super duper nice and sweet.

And certainly not last was the wonderful Kate from Smug Marrieds. Again with the gorgeousness! Kate is awesome. So funny and so sweet!!

It was so nice to get to know all of you ladies!!


Now for the darker confession:




-the whole time I couldn't even really believe I was there because I was so close to not even starting a blog; this blog world is so huge and overwhelming

-I have a "short" complex (among many others)

-I wore platform shoes thinking if I boost my height I might boost my self esteem

-didn't happen

-why can't I be happy with myself?

-maybe I shouldn't be so personal on my blog

-I feel like people just feel sorry for poor little me (insert whiny voice)

-I have to do a lesson for church Sunday and I was sososo hoping that last month's would be my last cause I sosososoSO want to move to Idaho!!!

-But part of me thinks that's selfish because my kids are so happy here, they love their school, but they'd be happy anywhere right? they're young

-I need a change, no many changes and I'm hoping a move would give us a fresh start cause things just ain't that good right now

-I'm kinda bummed

-why would anyone want to be around me when I don't want to be around myself?

-I need major self esteem surgery

-sorry for the pity party

-can I borrow your life for awhile?

Thursday, September 9, 2010

I think I have a tapeworm!

Ya seriously no joke ladies....I eat like 3 times as much as my husband.

I think I have a basketball in my lower abdomen. I put on a pair of my jeans today that I just wore a couple days ago and I couldn't even do them up!!! (granted they were extremely tight the day before but still!! not a good sign) This is the roundest I've ever been and let's just say I'm not one to freak out or get obsessed about weight loss or anything but ahhh!!! just a little. I always read your metabolism drops at 30 and then again at 35 so watch out...and I was all like whateva!! but I think it's true. I'm still eatin' like I'm 19 but I'm not lookin' like I'm 19! So here I am gettin ready for the next drop in a couple years and if things get worse I will fully freak out! Now I don't mean to sound vain or anything I'm really not concerned as much with my actual weight or even how I look so much (ok so I can't lie) but I just wanna be healthy and extra belly fat is not healthy. I've decided to make a concious effort to brave the eliptical machine that's collecting dust in our room at least 4 times a week. So it's thurs. and I've done it twice and you know what?....I'm dang outta shape! I don't wanna be huffin' for breath after 2 min. There's 70 year olds more in shape than that! (Not that I wanna be that ambitious) So I guess I need to start makin' a few changes then:

1. Actually do the above said eliptical torture er uh workout. (I've resolved myself so many times to do something and then petered out so many times, I've used pragnancy and nursing as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted (no wait I still do that :)) I even bought a 45 dollar book online and read the whole thing and was all pumped to do this stuff....right!) Now remember I'm only talkin' like 20 or so min. on the machine not a 2 hour workout like crazy insane people do (just kidding I actually used to really enjoy spending hours at the gym pre kids :))

2. Stop eating 3 breakfasts
Ya that's right....I eat one with my two oldest in the morning and then after I drop Ethan off at school I eat 3/4 off Emma's that I'm feeding her (bad mom!) and then I usually get famished again at 10 o'clock......Seriously tapeworm guys!!

3. Replace ice cream, chocolate bars, and kettle corn with healthier snacks (not all the time ofcourse....come on be real!)
Ok I bet noone will believe this but I would actually rather snack on fruits and vegies and stuff but they're so dang expensive! I keep saying to myself the grocery stores are in a conspiracy to make people fat! Seriously it's expensive to eat healthy!

4. The opposing two days I do not do torture machine fun I will do some weights. Ya I know that's only 6 days. Sunday is my day of rest....gotta have some break. (if you've ever chased a toddler around for an hour you will know church is enough of a workout!)

There. :) *sigh* I think that's a good start.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Defining Moments



Last week I talked about My Story and how I feel that it was a defining time in my life. Shaped who I am today. Whether they be big or small we all have defining moments in our life that shape and define who we are as a person. Sometimes they may be actual moments of decision...a choice that takes us on a different path in life; or they may be periods of time in our life that mold our character.
My illness was definately a "molding character" type of thing for me. I don't think I would be the person I am today or be where I am today if I hadn't gone through that. That was the first major defining time in my life. And the defining was quite gradual it that makes sense?
Other times it was a defining moment. Like when I chose to be baptized in my church. When I chose to move to Utah and get married. When I had each of my children. These are small moments in time but the defining continues throughout life.
There are many many decisions we make everyday that help define who we are. Saying yes to the responsibility of teaching the Gospel even though I really know nothing of the Gospel. Finally deciding to go vist another young mom in my area and getting to know what a wonderful person she is. Deciding that its OK to share myself on this blog and that I am worth getting to know and do have something to offer other people.

So what are the defining moments in your life? Really.....I DO wanna know :)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Day 10 of Day of Truth

Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

Well I know I've talked about it once before here but I guess for now I need to let my sister go. I don't understand what or why this change happened in her life. I don't understand why she felt she needed to leave. I don't understand why she is alienating her family. It is like she is reinventing herself from what we used to know but we don't know her now.
I hope someday she comes back.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Mommy and Me Monday and Day 9 of Day of Truth

Mommy and Me Monday at Really, Are You Serious?
Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?



Last night we took the kids to the park. I got Danny to snap a pic. with his cell phone. It was super windy out as you can tell. And yes the kids are already in their pj's. They love going for "pajama" walks in the morning or evening.


Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

Well ofcourse with moving to a different country there's usually a couple friends who drift away but sad as it is I'm gonna have to go with my brother.
Ofcourse we haven't T O T A L L Y let go, I mean we'll always be brother and sister and always love eachother but I think when we started drifting was when I moved away to college. We always had quite a close relationship growing up (being only 13 months apart) but when he started getting his own friends (and of course I had no social life) I tried to tag on sometimes. Like I used to play poker often with him and his friend. But as he got older we drifted, and then I went away to college and he stayed and went to university. The short summer I came home before moving down here we came together a little but not the same as when we were kids. It'll never be the same. Now we're both married and I've tried to initiate conversation (through email) but he's just never been the talking kind and it doesn't help we're 1000 miles apart. Maybe if we're closer. I want to be able to talk to him but a relationship has to be two ways.