a cute picture... and a concern

I am adding this picture because this is my blog & i can.

Every time my blog pops up & there is a picture of Charlie... smiles.

So- the concern is a couple of weeks ago I heard a talk by Sister Beck, whom I love & adore & her talks always inspire me...

except

this time something she said stuck with me. Like a poppy seed in between my front teeth- bothersome. She commented ( I don't have a direct quote, which I realize is dangerous) that women shouldn't be occupied going to lunch with friends & spending their time working on hobbies.

I completely agree with that to an extend- except, HELLO- who do you know who is going to lunch with friends & having a ball with her hobbies all the time???

REally, I feel like I & every other woman I know are doing the best they can- I have my creative day once a week & it saves me from going insane. All my kids are in school now, I am home when the leave, home when they get home- I keep my home reasonably clean.

Why is this bugging me?

I felt like I was personally being criticized.

I mentioned this to Brett (a week later.) He said he was waiting for me to bring that up. Interesting-- how well he knows me.

Am I being too sensitive?

Was she talkin' to me?

Were you at women's conference- I know she gave part of this talk there.

did I get it wrong?

*I'm really glad I asked this question...

yes- I know you guys are right- it's about balance.

It's hard to listen & hear while sitting with the family, even though I am glad they were there- (I'm just talking distraction here)- balance I'm sure is what she is talking about.

thanks for the input

answers part two

question: where is the life sized photo of brian & where did I get that done?
answer: after being startled about 10000 times, thinking there was a stranger in the house every time I walked around the corner, we finally banished the life sized poster of brian to the basement. Even in the basement- going down there in the dark I was startled several times, so finally turned him around backwards. I think we'll bring him up just for fun again soon- for sure on his birthday in September. I bought a life sized cardboard cut out of president Bush at a party store- took it and a photo of Brian to a copy store & they did it for me. It turned out perfect really. the cut out was $20 and the photo copying was around $10.

question: what is my favorite kind of music?
answer: I love all kinds of music. I listen to pop, jazz, classical and a little country on a regular basis- but my true love is DISCO. I know- some people think I'm nuts- but can you be sad or sit still while listening to earth, wind & fire or the Bee Gee's? I call disco- happy music. I also love josh groban & played a cd I made myself at the wedding of Michael buble & rod Stewart. It was so classy.

question: do I like where I live?
answer: this is a loaded question. Knowing I have some mystery local readers, who are too chicken or afraid to comment.... I could get into trouble depending on how I answer this. I have a love/hate relationship with where I live- all due to my own moodiness. I love how my friends & neighbors are so good to my family & kind to Trent. I love my house, mostly. I love my town. I just think I could easily be labeled- "doesn't play well with others." I try but I am opinionated, sometimes bossy, I am very busy, people don't get my sense of humor, I can be negative, I think kids like me better than adults, I get nervous about making friends, I'm just a little shy of getting burned... sad but yes- these things are all true.

question: what skill has been most useful to me as a wife & mother?
answer: oh boy, there is not one skill... sorry it's not that simple. Definitely having a sense of humor is Very important, but there are so many skills that you just learn over the years. As a young wife & mother- cooking was an important skill. I would say- having a good attitude & making the most of every situation, taking time to enjoy life-- planning special times. I saw a quote the other day- DON'T POSTPONE JOY- I love that. Life happens, it goes by whether you participate or not- so enjoy it! That attitude is contagious.

answer time part one

I am attempting to answer some of your questions today! I should be getting ready for company... but it's too hot, so here goes.

Question: Did you go to college & if so what did you study?

Answer: I answered that in my list this month- great question!

Question: What were you like in H.S.?

Answer: I guess I answered that a little in the list- but I didn't mention I was completely boy crazy & not very studious. (are you surprised) I think I was very friendly & a little different since I was one of maybe 4 LDS kids at my school. I went to early morning seminary & didn't drink or do drugs- I couldn't have if I wanted to, my friends knew I "didn't do that" & never even invited me to parties where that was going on. They would've been seriously disappointed if I did.

Question: Do my kids appreciate how fun & young I am as a mom?

Answer: Since I remind them on a daily basis... I think so. :) Brian did mention that I was those things in his email to just me- this past week. I've read it everyday.

Question: Give us an update on Megan & Tony. When do they get back?

Answer: They are living in Bentonville, Arkansas. Tony is working a summer internship for corporate walmart. They are loving it. Megan is very adventurous & tony grew up in the Midwest. It doesn't seem like they are gone. They were too busy to come up very much the past two semesters & I talk to her on the phone most days... so it seems like she's still in Provo, kind of. They get home sometime in August. They are looking for an apartment for their last semester. tony graduates in December & megan should get her associates degree then too.

Question: How old was I when I had my first child & how far apart are they?

Answer: I was 20 when megan was born. She was almost 3 weeks late. She was due just a couple of days after my birthday... but didn't come. I'm glad I can say I was 20 & not 19.....

megan & brian are 14 months apart- wow -that was craziness. the others are all 2 1/2 or 3 years apart. It was a great thing that Brian was a surprise or megan would've been an only child. I was completely shocked at how hard labor & delivery was.

*this is really a fun way to blog- thanks for the questions!

first time Q and A

Well- the wedding is over... I'm back from camp... and...

I have nothing to say

I'm pretty sure this has never happened before. I am stumped- maybe I out talked myself this past couple of months-

could it be possible?

So I am following Holly's lead & asking you to go ahead & ask me a question. If I have any readers out there.... who are interested.... (I just seriously laughed out loud) go ahead- ask me.

Do you want to know more about:

the missionary

the wedding

aspergers

recipes or my cooking blog

parenting teens- ha ha ha ha ha ha ha like I know?

camp

blogging in general... or

the horrors of a painted white floor???? (I scrubbed for hours saturday)

I'm curious if anyone is really out there- did I lose my readers being gone for a week?