A Weekend of Inspirtaional Talks

'This weekend we had Women's Conference and Ward Conference--a spiritual feast!  Now that I barely catch anything in some Sunday meetings due to a toddler, I really enjoyed these gems that I'll write on here for you guys.  I think they will be helpful to all of us. Urm, they're paraphrased quotes, but good all the same...

"Negative self-talk is a stealer of happiness."

"Living the gospel doesn't mean that you have to take a meal to every person in the ward who needs it.  Living the gospel means that you do the small things each day--say your prayers, read your scriptures, etc.  Just doing your best to follow the Savior each day is living the gospel."

"Women have a unique perspective on life." 

My stake president told a story related by a visiting seventy who has a family member in the area (sorry, don't remember his name.)  Years ago, this seventy was on a committee to examine the prospects of installing carpeting instead of hardwood floors in chapels.  The proposal was turned down because Elder LeGrande Richards thought that it wasn't necessary.  Years later, the committee had another opportunity to examine the cost of carpet verses hardwood in the chapels.  At the same time, the committee appealed to the perspective of the sisters and asked if carpet would be better in chapels. The sisters said that carpet would be much better because it would be quieter when toys dropped, etc.  When the committee presented this argument, Elder Richards became a supporter of carpet in chapels because it would increase reverence.

"A warning voice in the gospel is not a guilt trip.  It is a loving reminder to change something in your life."

First Foodie Friday

How about that alliteration?!

So, I think people were interested in sharing recipes and food tips?  I'll go ahead and be the first to share.

My recipe, isn't so much a recipe as it is a process.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Peel, then cut up sweet potatoes.  I usually just cut mine into 1 inch slices, but you could cut them smaller if you want them to cook faster.  Then use some oil to lightly coat.  Place in a 400* oven on a sheet pan.  Cook for about 45 minutes (the cooking time depends on how big the slices, and how brown you want the veggie), turning over half way.

Growing up, I had literally NEVER had sweet potatoes, not even at Thanksgiving.  When I got married, Cam's family always had sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving.  I finally tried them.  I figured, how bad could a vegetable be when it's covered in marshmallows.  So good!  I couldn't believe what I'd been missing for all my life.  But for years, I only enjoyed them at Thanksgiving.  A year or two ago, Cam and I decided to try to swap out a baked potato for a sweet potato one night for dinner.  Same cooking method, just different vegetable.  They were good cooked this way too, and have become a regular in our dinner rotation.  Then a couple of weeks ago, I tried this method of cooking them, and literally fell in love.  I CRAVE these roasted sweet potatoes almost every day.  Unfortunately, I don't think the rest of the family fell in love quite like I did.  But I do make a big batch, and eat the leftovers for the next couple of days. 

P.S.  Sometimes I'll add other veggies to be roasted too, potatoes, carrots, etc.  But the sweet potatoes are by far my favorite :)

I'm addicted

I actually have several addictions.  Diet soda, chocolate (which I have a love/hate relationship with right now because it gives me HORRIBLE heartburn during this pregnancy), and reading blogs.  Primarily fitness/running blogs.  I like to live vicariously through these other ladies 10 mile long runs since running more than about 20 minutes has become a little bit difficult lately.  I know that not everyone has the same love of running that I do, but I just wanted to share some blogs that I've come across that you might find interesting.  In my search for running blogs, occasionally I'll come across a person who is member of the church.  Which always excites me.  You'd think that since I'm surrounded by members here in Utah, it wouldn't be a big deal, but the cyber world is quite large and church members aren't quite as easy to come by.  Anyways, here's a few ladies that I've really enjoyed following their stories.

Hungry Runner Girl  This is written by Janae.  She lives in Provo, is a high school teacher, and is working toward a sub three hour marathon (less than 7:00 minute miles, amazing!)  She talks openly about being a member of the church, and she is just an amazing girl who oozes positivity.

The Lawsons did Dallas  This is written by Amy.  I think she lives somewhere in the northeast, I can't really remember.  She is also a runner, but talks mostly about her life as a mother.  She is really funny.  I do have to warn you that even though she is a member, she still has a little bit of a colorful vocabulary.  Nothing horrible, but I just wanted to warn everyone.

If I can't convince you...  This is written my EMZ (not sure what her real name is).  She lives in Arizona.  Again, she's a runner, but incorperates a lot of her life as a mother also.  Her writing style is a little unique, but it's still been to follow her stories also.  Plus, she has an amazing 6-pack.  That's enough to inspire me to do a few sit-ups.

nieniedialogues  This is written by Stephanie.  She lives in Provo.  Not a runner.  But she has a pretty amazing story.  A couple years ago she was in a plane crash with her husband, they both survived, but suffered a lot of burns.  She is really inspiring!

Anyways, just thought I'd share a little of what I spend my free time doing.  Plus, I think it's really neat to "run into" LDS members on the web.

On the subject of Housework

I aspire to have a perfectly clean, organized house, but I've never been there.  I know some people who do have one, and I'm aghast. 

I read some really great quotes the other day:

"Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy."  

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing."


Where is the balance?  When Drew is taking a nap, the last thing I want to do is housework.  I need some me time.  And when Drew's awake, I don't mind doing housework, but I want to spend time with him too.

And another thing...I really detest planning meals.  Lately it seems that all my foolproof meals are...boring.  I've made them way too many times, and I'm tired of them. 

And then comes the menu hunting.  It takes lots of time, and I hardly ever find a recipe that I want to  make again.  Between finding a recipe that's quick to make, and one that's healthy...arg.  Honestly, I have thrown some of my unsuccessful meals away because thinking about eating those leftovers is disgusting.

Any ideas?  

Hate is a really strong word to use, but...

I really REALLY do not like my calling in church in right now.  I'm a primary teacher.  I am not a "kid person".  Especially with other people's wild little hooligans. 

It feels like I'm being set up to fail.  They've partnered me and Cam together to teach, which works great, except that about 1/3 of the time, Cam is working on Sundays.  So, it's me, Lexi, and at least 7 or 8 five year olds.  Which isn't even the greatest challenge.  There is a little girl in my class who is mentally challenged (mentally about 11 months old) who's mother told me on the first day of class that she "loves" babies.  Which, I didn't think too much of, till I realized that by "love" she meant hits, kicks, bites, and pulls hair.  Now, the challenge is to keep Lexi happy and entertained (even though she's missing her afternoon nap), and away from this little girl, teach class, and to NOT LOSE MY MIND.  I'm really thinking about talking to the primary presidency and telling them that I just can't handle this little girl, especially once our little baby is born, because then it will be me, Lexi, baby, the class, and the hitting, kicking, biting little girl.

I realize that to address most of the SUPER difficult stuff, I have to go the presidency to get some help.  The problem is, I think even if I didn't have all these challenges, I still wouldn't enjoy teaching primary.  I hate that when every Sunday rolls around, I dread going to church.  For years, I've loved going to church.  Right now, I feel like a teenager, saying 'Do I have to go to church today?' 

Our ward split (or really two wards were split, and half of each ward was combined to make a new ward, which is the ward I'm in) and a week later, I was put into the primary.  So, I've really struggled feeling like I'm a part of this ward.  I don't really know anyone, and even my visiting teachers have never come by or anything.  I'm feeling lost, and forgotten in the ward and have kind of fallen out of love with going to church.  I miss getting that "refill" of spiritual enlightenment each week.  It's kind of like 'what's the point of going to church, other than the responsibility of teaching this class, I'm not really GETTING anything out of church.'  I want to go to Relief Society, and have church be a relaxing, enjoyable time.  Not a stress inducing disaster.

I know that the specifics of my situation are unique to me, but what do you do when you don't like your calling or dread every Sunday?  I don't think I could ever ask to be released, so that's just not an option.  It makes me feel like a fair-weather member, only enjoying church when it's easy and doing what I want to do.  Has anyone else had a difficult time with a calling (any calling, not a primary teacher specifically)?

Please know that my testimony is strong, so I will keep going to church every week because I know it's the right decision.  I just want to show up with a smile on my face, rather than a grimace.

Stop, Pay the Ticket, and Drive On

Drew and I were motoring home as fast as possible through the back roads of my neighborhood.  As usual, my brain was hopping from subject to subject at lighting speed.  "Wow, I  can't believe she's moving in two weeks!  I wonder what I can do to help.  Hmm, I wonder what we should have for lunch?"

Wee-ooohh. Wee-ooohh.

I wonder what that noise was?  Must have been the radio.

Wee-ooohh. Wee-ooohh.  Again.

I look in my rear view mirror and realize, no, it's not the radio.  It's a motorcycle cop.


I wonder what I did?  Maybe if I'm friendly, he won't give me a ticket.

I roll down my window and work the cheerful groove.  "Hello, Officer!" I chirped.

"Ma'am, are you aware that you blew a stop sign back there?" said Mr. Serious Officer.

"I did?  No, I had no idea."

"Yeah, that's what I thought.  I could tell because I didn't even see your head turn to look both ways at the intersection.  I don't even think you saw me.  Can I have your license and registration, please?"

The officer comes back and hands me a ticket for $81 and 4 points on my license.


Darn, no cheerful points. 

"Well, thanks, officer, and I'll pay this right away so I only have 2 points on my license," I say. 

Now, standard Becky procedure would be to perhaps cry, and then proceed to beat myself up about it for a week or so, and then get over it.  But, instead, I just laughed at myself, paid the ticket, and moved on with life.  What else could I do, right?  (Oh, and I also make sure to reaaaaalllly stop whenever I hit that intersection now.)

So it is with most things in life.  Last week I was stressing on the phone to my Mom about possibly offending somebody in a meeting last week.  My Mom said, "Remember the day you got that ticket?"

"Yeah," I replied.  "Why?"

"Remember that you just stopped, paid the ticket, and moved on with life?"

"Uh-huh."

"It's the same situation here.  You've already stopped and realized you made a mistake.  You paid the ticket by apologizing.  Now, get on with your life and let it go."

So, when you make parenting opps, or chew out a family member, or make some other boo-boo....stop, pay the ticket, and drive on.

For the Savior has already ultimately paid the ticket for you.  

Why? Why? Why?

This last summer, while visiting Michelle, I asked her how she had the patience to deal with her daughters millions of questions.  Well, now it's my turn.  Abby's response to almost anything Cam or I ask of her is 'Why?'

Me: "Can you go get your shoes?"
Abby: "Why?"

Me: "It's time for bed."
Abby:  "Why?"

Usually my first response is 'because I said so'.  But it rarely stops there.  It seems that for everything I say, she can comeback with 'Why?'   Grrr.  I'm the boss, you just have to do what I say! Okay, not really.  But after about 10 'Why's?' I feel like shouting that.

She's also got ten million questions about every book or movie she sees.  Lately she's been obsessed with Beauty and the Beast (the movie and the book) and will look over the book and ask questions about the book.

'Why is Belle's mouth like that?'

'Why is the Beast mad?'

'Why is he holding is hand like that?'

This goes on for at least a half an hour or more.  Several times a day.  I know she is curious and all, but, I'll be honest, it's incredibly annoying.

Do I really need to answer every question?  Is it okay to tell her that that's enough questions, that she needs to find something else to do?  Or would that be squashing her curiousity? 

I know I most kids go through this stage (it is just a stage, right? :)  There's got to be a way to make this a little less frustrating.

It Doesn't Matter...What Anybody Else Thinks

In the past six months, I have undergone some huge personal changes in my life.  With my Mom's help, I've worked to change the way I think.  And boy, I'm a lot happier.  Some of you have expressed interest in the journey I've taken, so I'd like to take the  opportunity to share what I've learned on this blog. 

Now, does this mean that I'm perfect?  That I never have a bad day?  Ha.  No way.  I still have my down days, too.  But they have become fewer and easier to beat.    

Here's a big lesson that has really helped me in all areas of my life...

I know as mothers we can constantly worry about what other people think of our parenting skills. And we can also worry about what people think about us in every facet of our lives.  Here are a few examples from my life:

"What if so-and-so doesn't like when Drew's bedtime is?"

"What if she thinks I'm too lenient with Drew?"

"CRUD!  My kitchen was a disaster when so-and-so came over.  What if she thinks I'm a terrible housekeeper?"  

And the biggie...

"What if they think I'm a BAD MOTHER?!" 

Enter my Mom's wisdom. She taught me this simple truth...

When someone confronts you about your parenting, (or anything, really) or when you worry about what other people may be thinking, consider these two questions:

1. Am I right with myself?
2. Am I right with God? 

If the answer to these two questions is yes, then let that person talk 'til they're blue in the face.  Or let what person think whatever they want.  It doesn't matter.  You are right with you, and you are right with your Maker.  Nobody else matters.

My Mom summed it up this way: "Trust yourself after you place your trust in the Lord."

I've started doing this, and boy, does it make a difference.  I've stopped caring what people think of me--from my parenting, to my messy house, to my t-shirt and jeans and un-done hair.  It has liberated me.  It has helped me become much more confident in who I am and in what I'm doing.

Because I know the One who really matters...is behind me 100%. 

Welcome!

Yes, we Moms CAN raise good children.  Let's talk out our worries and help each other out right here.  We're all listening!