Memorial Day - As a Navy Wife

I love this picture! It means so much more to me now that I am a Navy wife. This was taken at a monument in DC. I love it because the message for me is that we are alive and enjoy the freedoms we love (but mostly take for granted) because of those who gave their lives in pursuit of freedom and liberty. They paid the price for us and they should always be remembered.

I don't know if the irritatingly dumb comments of others blatant ignorant stupidity will ever really leave my mind. So very much is expected and delivered by those who serve in the Armed Forces - and it is given daily. 

My dear husband is one of them. And mostly, I don't like it. I believe each member of the Armed Forces is asked to sacrifice more then should be required. Yet, it is given as most others instantly forget.

To his family, my husband, our children's father, will always be a superhero because he does everything for his family and is usually stretched thinner then he can handle. We are grateful for him, his service, his abilities, his dedication, his love for freedom, his love for family, his ethics, his caring disposition, his willingness to make the world better. Thanks HUN!

I just want to say publicly, that until it is your loved one being called upon to risk everything at a moments notice...maybe you really shouldn't get a vote or an opinion on participation in wars or much of anything that relates to the military.

I am a Yellow

I have started re-reading a good book called The Color Code by Taylor Hartman, Ph.D.

In so reading, I have come to learn further of the four major personalities that are each attributed a corresponding color: Red, Blue, White, and Yellow.

I am a yellow and I am trying to embrace who I am and to not be afraid of my strengths or my weaknesses. I have felt embarrassed by my shortcomings and even by those strengths admired by others. I was ashamed that I wasn't someone else. In my journey towards self discovery, I am trying to become comfortable in my own skin and become the best me I can be.

I would also love to better relate to other personalities as I grow and develop my yellow personality.


Here are a list of my strengths that I am most pleased with:

highly optimistic
likes self and accepts others easily
sees life as an experience to be enjoyed
adventurous and daring
enjoys and promotes being physical (hugs, touching)
easy to converse with
comfortable with people
energized by large groups
gives priority to playtime
very flexible
disciplined if he or she finds the task fun and challenging
demands action rather then study
people-oriented
high energy
likes to tackle short-term projects with visible results
highly entertaining
promotes fun family activities
flows easily with negative experiences
concerns themselves with the broad picture rather than the details
vulnerable, innocent, and trusting
wiling to free up schedule in order to play
brings excitement to spouse
promotes romance with a creative flair
agreeable to change


Here is a list of my limitations that I can see:

Needs to look good socially (high priority)
Flighty and uncommitted
lots of talk with little action
exaggerates successes and omits unpleasant truths
lightminded and superficial
often repetitious
forgets what others have said
restless and finds it difficult to stick with long-term goals
more interested in appearing onstage than writing the script
requires that all activities be fun
can handle stress only for short periods of time
unwilling to dedicate self to a cause without vacations
resents authority and defiant to leaders
sloppy and unredictable
needs a lot of interaction with people
lacks discipline for housecleaning or providing stable income


Some of the things I am learning are rather hilarious because they are so true! Here are a few:

I have the innate ability to be happy. Even when working hard, yellows appear to be having a good time.
I start more projects than any other group but successfully complete the fewest (hahaha)
Yellows would like to change not themselve but, rather the world around them. I enjoy change (duh!)
I can easily relate to people of all ages. I brighten the world around me.
Broken commitments like appointments don't bother me. But broken emotional commitments can be devestating.
I have learned early in life to cut corners. (soooo true!)
I am a people connector and the social glue of society!!!


It certainly was rather amusing reading about myself and how spot on it all was! I face myself now and learn how to make my strengths stronger and my limitations pale over time.

Real Moms #2

A few years ago I did I am a Real Mom part 1 and I think it is time to do it again!

I got some fun responses and I am looking for even more this time.

So, I am a REAL MOM, I...(fill in the blank)

I will start it out...(in the comments)

Pregnancy Premade Digital Scrapbook Pages

Here at the 26 pregnancy layouts (each 12x12 page counts as 1) that I am selling on my new cd of 234 premade digital scrapbook pages.


Ultrasound

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Pregnant

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Growing and Glowing

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Bun in the Oven

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Pregnant Pause

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Baby Shower Guests

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Baby Shower Games

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Baby On Board

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Expecting Tummy

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First Trimester

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Second Trimester

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Third Trimester

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Baby Belly and Bun in the Oven

The Post I Should Have Started With

Looking back I reeeeally should have started with this post. I don't know if I will completely keep private on my faith journey. It isn't me to be a closed book. But if you don't want to read it...that is your decision.

My basic problems and a solution I would love to see:

My frustrations with Church (separated from the Gospel) did not start doctrinely. It started as annoyed by the social structure and organization of the Church. Not exactly the programs individually but how they work together...or the lack thereof.

It all started with Mutual (the Young Men and Young Women midweek activity).

As a member, I feel like the family is being pulled (apart) in the various directions in the good name of service through callings. Let me be clear...it is not the actual act of service and callings that I take issue with. It is that they all happen with a few members of the family at a time all at different times.

Meaning: Take the family unit. One night, let's take just the mom for her activity. Another night let's take the dad for his activity (generally the male is the one who is gone the absolute most - most often then not, he has his full time career/job and then more Church responsibilities - since this really is a patriarchal Church). And yet another time, let's take the teenage youth (and usually a parent will either drop them off or sit in the building for the hour and a half), and still yet, let's take the children for a completely different time as well.

So, the family is pulled in varying directions at varying times to fulfill Church responsibilities. The feeling is that the family individually participates in Church functions because the programs are set up for that reason.

Also, social activities have become an after thought. They usually happen either monthly (in the really awesome wards) or every 3 months (in the poorly run and unconnected wards) and even so, the activities can feel thrown together at the last minute because the responsibility to plan and carry these activities out are put squarely on the shoulders of the members (who in my opinion) are already feeling stretched thin (because every other activity is sporatically carried out - see above).

My solution?

Put it all together on one weekly evening.

The whole family goes to their weekly activities on the same night! Yes, the individual groups will be off "doing their own thing" and with others their own age. And yes, the adults will be off doing their own thing and the ones that are in charge of the youth will not be with the other adults, but maybe that could be rotated somehow?

But the family would all be at the church building at the same time. More activities can be planned during the other days if desired...so none of the programs are limited.

**All I know is that I would like to see more unity in the midweek activities. Not pulling individual family members out - leaving the family separated more often then not.

This is definately due to our not as unique circumstances of my hubby in the Navy - He is already gone enough...***

That will lead me into my next post about the idea of "al a carte" religion...

***UPDATE*** I totally forgot to add the best part!

Because those that work with the youth wouldn't get a chance to "socialize" with the other groups  (the Young Women wouldn't be constantly cohersed into babysitting for the Relief Society...etc) guess what???

Just start that night with a Potluck social dinner? Really...who wouldn't come if there was food involved? Families are gonna cook anyways...now there is added incentive to cook and bring to share with friends! Start around 5:30 pm or 6:00 pm - get a good dinner in...(socialize in a non "calling" way)...the various groups go off and do their activities (intermingling between the subgroups could actually and physically happen because everyone is at the church building at the same time...go figure)...and the adults can have a devotional or scripture study or another meaningful activity that doesn't segregate the congregation.

If this is done weekly...maybe not everyone can come each week...but the likelyhood of increasing the relationships and connectivity among members would greatly increase.

I really would like your input on this one....because this is really the root of my frustrations.

Miracles of Christmas - Scrapbook Page

I have been filling in some gaps of previous scrapbook albums and just finished this one. So very many memories of hoping and waiting for children. What is even better about scrapbooking then remembering these things myself is: I look forward to sharing those memories with my children.

Magic Christmas - Scrapbook Page

A new Christmas layout to add to the collection! This one was created using photos from a while ago, but I wanted to show that even if the time is in the past - we can still get those pages done!

I have such fond memories of this Christmas time - it was our first small family gathering. We didn't have any family in the area and we did just fine.

Pity Party Over

Good Morning everyone!

I am here to announce that my pity party is officially over.

I have no idea why I am so shocked at the rudeness of others...but I have been supported by many loved ones and I am forever grateful for everyone that has spoken up. I am touched. Truly touched.

So here goes...the blog will stay. I will post whatever I choose to post. If you don't like it...don't read it.

It is as simple as that.

Should you feel the need to "tattle" on me. Save it. I can't stop your actions or force your agency.

But I AM done with fearing about the opinions and thoughts of others. I will write what I want to write.

This is me.

Take it or leave it.

You have your choice. And I have mine. Be respectful.

Going to Try It - Rock Climbing

A digital scrapbook page dedicated to trying new things! We should all take the time to expand our horizons and do things that may be a little scary.
So thankful to help teach my sweet lil-1 about facing fears and trying new things. He was so articulate about his feelings on trying this new adventure. So thankful for my sweet little boy!
My smile and applause for this awesome little child! Hooray!

High Adventure Wedding - the boys do a ZIP line!

This last weekend I was able to travel to TN to see my cousin get married! (It was so beautiful....and so glad that I went - more on this later...)

I traveled 12 hours in the car with the 3 kiddos (by myself - Daddy had to work - it is good for him to miss me :)

The wedding and festivities were held at a camp and lasted 4 days. The second day we were there, we enjoyed a zip line. Both boys wanted to do it...and so we hitched them up and they both did it!

I will be journaling about it later when I create their scrapbook pages. But I wanted to share the videos I took.

Here is lil-1 on the zip line!

Here is lil-2 on the zip line!