Twisting, Lifting and Bending

Let me add myself to the numbers of LDS women pondering on and even blogging about Elder Ballard's Sunday afternoon General Conference talk. There were many things he said that touched me, and once I can review the text on Thursday I will probably have more to say.

There was one point he made that has been on my mind. He said that as of late he has realized how much twisting, lifting, and bending his wife has done around the house over the years. As many people do, I compared this to my own life. I regretfully admit that Janson probably does more of the twisting, lifting and bending around the house than me. (How sad, when he spends much less time at home than me.) And he is fully aware of the work I do accomplish because I make sure it is known to him.

In those few sentences Elder Ballard motivated me to do more of the twisting, lifting and bending, and to do it quietly, without the need for recognition.

Site Review: Normal Mormon Husbands

When I first stumbled upon this blog I instinctively wanted to link it here. Then I decided to give it a while to see if I continue to like it, and I do. The blog is called: Normal Mormon Husbands and I think it has quite a following. Ironically, it seems that the majority of readers are female. I don't know this "normal Mormon husband" personally, but I get multiple laughs out of just one post. For those of you who have read the Stephenie Meyers Twilight series, he has a couple posts you'd enjoy. Overall, he writes about funny subjects most Mormon parents of young children can relate with. Enjoy.

Mail-to-Blogger

I'm just testing out the mail-to-Blogger feature.  Now I can write an email and when I push "send" it becomes a published post on my blog.  Some of you are saying, "That was so last year," but this is new to me.  This makes things pretty convenient for me, although I doubt I'll be posting more often than usual.  (My life isn't that exciting!)  Now posting will just be a quicker process, a benefit my daughter's will appreciate.  I am realizing that when blogging I turn deaf to my children's cries.  How sad.  And something I am working to change.  Believe it or not, my children are indeed at the top of my priority list.

Mommy Moments

Woohoo! An idea I've had for a while has just been born. Come visit a new blog: Mommy Moments. The first post explains what it's all about, so I won't go into it here. I've always wanted to do a team blog with other people, and I'm so excited to see what we all post. If you're interested in contributing let me know... even if it's just one story and not on a regular basis.

Babies and The Food Radar

Post moved! This post has found a new and more fitting home at "Mommy Moments." Visit it to experience the witty humor.

Spotlight: My Sister Sara

My little sister Sara is amazing. Growing up we weren't that close, but since we have moved apart we have become good friends (ironic, I know, she talks about that issue here).

When she first started calling to just see how I was doing I was shocked. Only my mother calls to check up on me. I don't think it was a coincidence that these calls became more frequent around the time that she became her ward Relief Society president and also a psychology major. I now call her my own personal (and free) therapist. How a busy, fun college student (BYU-Idaho) has the time and patience to listen to the ranting and ravings of a young mother is beyond me. My mother and I have commented on how her leadership calling has made her more aware of the needs around her, beyond those of even her ward members. She has always been a compassionate person. In high school she became a CNA (certified nurses' assistant) and worked for a living doing things I have a hard enough time doing with my own children (i.e. change diapers).

Here's a countdown of things I love about Sara:

1. When she was in high school she gave up her room for Janson and I whenever we came to visit. I loved staying in her room because it was happy and cheerful. There were yellow smiley faces everywhere you turn, along with positive quotes and motivational sayings.

2. She is in a great, long-term relationship but doesn't obsess about it to others. Her boyfriend, Taylor, is very kind to others including my children.



3. She calls just to see how I'm doing and to give me a chance to talk to an adult. Overall, she is much more observant of needs than I am.

4. She is probably the most financially smart person in our family, at least out of us siblings. She is willing to do the work it takes to make the money she needs. If she needs something, she saves up for it and makes it happen. Like buying her own car.


5. She can make nearly any situation fun.



6. She is usually very positive about things. When tough things happen to her she doesn't gripe about it. Going through those trials has taught her how to recognize what her limits are- what she can and cannot handle. That is a very impressive skill.


7. And last but not least... she is forfeiting a month of work time this summer (when she could be making good money) to live with me. While Janson spends a month living and working in Salt Lake this spring, Sara is going to live with me and help take care of the kids. She is a God-send, and I am so blessed to be her sister!

Announcing: Spotlights

After my pitiful wallowing-in-self-pity post last night, I've decided it's time to bring to life an idea I've had. I'd like to make dedication posts where I spotlight people I admire. They will most likely be people that I know periodically reads this, so if you browse but don't comment, leave a comment here or there so I know you're a reader. Stay tuned to see who I spotlight first!