What I have been doing...

Ok...so I haven't updated my blog since Oct. of last year. Pretty sad. I had all but forgotten about my blog until a friend told me today that she accidentally came across it when she googled me. I am not going to make any promises of being 'back to blogging' but will try to keep this relatively up to date.

For those of you who may be interested, since I last wrote I have been:

Getting my four kids through another year of school. Caedon just graduated from JRHS and will be entering Cedarcrest HS in the Fall! (Yikes! Where has the time gone!). Alec studied, skated and ran his way through 7th grade. Maddy kept up her social skills as well as her grades and Ashlyn has become quite the bookworm.

Practicing and studying yoga. Yoga has become a great joy in my life! Although I have practiced causually over the years, as I have greatly intensified my practice over this past year I have experienced amazing healing to my body, mind and spirit. It has become an integral part of my being.

Integrating Ayurveda into my life. This, like yoga, has had a great healing affect in my life. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word which means the science of life (Ayur means “life” + Veda which means “science” or “knowledge”). It strives to bring wellness through balance and empowers the individual to take care of themselves. If you are interested in reading more visit Fern Life Center.

Reading: These Is My Words, Dancing with Einstein, Perfect Health: The Complete Mind/Body Guide, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, Nature's Medicine, The Way the Crow Flies, Living Buddha Living Christ, Lovely Bones, Demons, A New Earth, Living Your Yoga, Eyes Breath Memory...

I am Elastigirl!!!!!

A friend sent me this picture...she was wondering where she knew Eric and I from. Haha!

I LOVE Fall!!

Especially this year! Our family hit a milestone (at least for me) when school started this fall: ALL of my children are in school fulltime! Whoo-hoo! I have to be honest...I am LOVING all of my new found free time. I am spending it catching up with old friends, good books and much missed sleep!

I love to feel the cool weather creeping in...a good excuse (as if I needed one) to grab a good book, a soft blanket and curl up on the couch.

The leaves are changing awakening me to the beauty that surrounds me. The sights and sounds of the season give me pause; I have a longing for family and friends.

The knowledge of quickly approaching holidays excite me. I can't wait for the sweets of Halloween, the Thanksgiving Pizza and the new PJs received on Christmas Eve!

Happy Fall!

Back to Blogging!!

Whew! I am back! I has been a buzy but fun summer! We were able to completely re-do 3 of our bathrooms at the cabin (I will post before/after pictures shortly!) plus do some fising, swimming and camping! Hope ya'll had a great summer, too!

When I Grow Up...

A few years ago, I went back to school to study Nursing. I became a CNA and began working part-time. After a year or so, family and personal commitments required me to put my schooling and working on hold.

I still long to be in school, but I have found a way for me to keep up my medical field study, for the time being, by taking a Medical Transcriptioning course. My goal is to complete the course by next fall -- when Ashlyn will be in school full-time -- and begin working working from home transcribing medical dictation.

Call Me Crazy

I always feel a loss when I reach the end of a good book.

I am sad to let go of the friends I have come to know through the story but am thankful for what they have taught me about love and hate, fellowship and aloneness, courage and fear.

I long to continue the exploration of distant regions of the world. While I read the world shrinks; I feel closer and more connected to others.

I miss the stirrings of awareness I feel of my own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings.

So go ahead; call me crazy, but it is true.

I Love This

"We are Virginia Tech"

I love this; it is beautiful. Through the words and spirit of English professor and author, Nikki Giovanni, I was moved beyond the tears and sadness of yesterday's heart-rending events on the Virginia Tech campus to a firmer belief in love and hope for humanity. The response of the crowd made me rejoice; I wanted to stand with them.

My deepest sympathies to all of those who have lost loved ones. May you find a source of strength to rise above the tide of this moment.

Classic Literature Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your First Lines?

We all know there are many readers, but few true literary geniuses. For a little fun, join me in a "Classic Literature: How Well Do You Know Your First Lines" quiz. Not your idea of fun??? Humor me and take the quiz anyway like; it will help me justify the afternoon I spent ignoring my children creating this quiz.

Have fun and good luck. Please post your results.

Go take the quiz.

(Information used to create this quiz was taken from 100 Best First Lines on Litline.org)

Proof That I Am the Best Mom In the World

My kids love popsicles; love them! I hate them: they stain, they are sticky, and they never stay on the stick. I have tried to convince them that popsicles are a warm weather food that should only be enjoyed where they can be followed by a serious hosing. However, this week, after much begging and pleading from my four loud and persistent children, I purchased popsicles, allowed them enjoy their treat in the kitchen, and resisted the urge to chase them with a warm, wet rag.

Alec, who has recently begun guitar lessons, is determined to master power cords in record time. When he asks me to listen to him play his cords one more time, I smile and listen with the patience of Job, although I am sure he could not have noticeably improved within the last 3 minutes.

This week I purchased the much coveted 2 pack of sparklie panties for Madison and Ashlyn instead of the bland, economical 6 pack I usually get.

When Caedon unabashedly shared with me that he has found the girl he is going to marry when he is old enough I resisted the urge to laugh and just shared in his joy.

Against all natual inclination, I put down the book I was reading and read to my daughter when she asked me to.

And, as if you needed any more evidence, my 6 year old daughter has officially declared me to be "the Best Mom in the World".

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

I am loving "librarything" (thanks, jayme!!). For those of you who don't know yet, LibraryThing is an easy to use resource that allows you to create a library-quality catalog of all your books (here is a link to my catalog). To get started, or for more information, take the tour. It would be fantastic to be able to compare one another's catalogs for books we share as well as new reads.

Some of the other perks of LibraryThing are: book recommendations, connection to people with similar libraries, and participation in book groups. I particularly like the latter; it allows me to participate in or follow book dicussions without the discomfort of social interaction (wink) and time restraints.

"1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" is one book group that I have joined. The group got it's name from the book, "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die", by Dr. Peter Boxall. Boxall is a lecturer in English Literature at the University of Sussex; He has published widely on twentieth and twenty-first century fiction and drama. I would love to have ya'll join with me and take the challenge of reading those 1001 books before we die (note: no time restraints :))

Madison's Baptism

Getting ready! Caedon gave the baptism talk and did a fantastic job, although he forgot his notes in the car. Once he composed himself, Caedon was able to give his whole talk from memory.

Dressed and ready to go! Alec gave a very sweet opening prayer.

Dad, Mom & Me before my baptism.

The family.

Grandpa, Grandma & Me before my baptism.

New Beginnings: Part 2

Ok, Ok...so Jayme called me on it! APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!

We are all so very excited to share with ya'll that we will soon be welcoming another new, little one into our family!! She/he should arrive around the first of November! We will keep ya'll posted on all the good news!

News Worthy

From the BBC News, Saturday, 24 March 2007, 15:56 GMT:

"The General Synod of the Church of England apologised last year for its role in the slave trade. The church, through the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, once owned the Codrington Plantation in Barbados, where slaves had the word “society” branded on their backs with a red-hot iron."

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury said:

"The body of Christ is not just a body that exists at any one time, it exists across history and we therefore share the shame and the sinfulness of our predecessors and part of what we can do, with them and for them in the body of Christ, is pray for acknowledgement of the failure that is part of us not just of some distant ‘them’...

The intention of today is not only to renew that act of repentance, not just an apology but repentance, acknowledgement that we were part of this terrible history, but also to wake people up to where we are now, the fact there still are problems.

It's an opportunity to involve people whose ancestors were involved in this, who are still feeling the effects of it, and so bring to light some of what it meant, some of what it cost.'

"The Archbishops of Canterbury and York led a procession through London [Saturday, March 24, 2007] to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain’s abolition of the slave trade. They [joined] a group who have walked 250 miles from Hull (where abolitionist MP William Wilberforce held his Parliamentary seat) in yokes and chains."

After reading this article, I could not but help wonder: shouldn't the modern LDS Church apologize for it's past advocation, and perpetuation, of racist doctrines and practices??? Certainly, as leaders of a world-wide organization, they cannot pretend that there is no shared responsibility to their fellow men regarding the racist doctrines and practices of The Church's past. The leaders are the ones who can, and have the responsibility to, renounce those past doctrines and apologize for its past practices.

Ultimately, whether the LDS Church does (or does not) take accountability for it's troubling history is out of my hands. What is in my hands, however, is how I reconcile myself to The Church's history, as well as our current social policies, and how I connect with my brothers and sisters.

Book Review ~ The Floating Book: A Novel of Venice

This historical novel takes place in 15th-century Venice at the beginnings of the moveable printing press. It's story is really multiple stories that are linked throughout the novel.

From a review on Amazon: "Lovric's Venice can be deliciously evil and romantic at once, with murky water that sometimes gives up dead babies and with doors that hide intense passion and curses. Her characters are Venetians and foreigners alike: Sosia, a Serb Jew who seduces men of every class as long as they are Venetians; her husband Rabino, a respected doctor who embraces practical medicine over superstition; Wendelin von Speyer, a German entrepreneur and typesetter; Wendelin's Venetian wife Lussièta who loves him despite, or perhaps because of, his foreignness; Bruno, Wendelin's editor and a man at the mercy of Sosia's indifference; and many others. Catullus and his poetry hover over all as his poetic undying love for his cruel lover (mirrored in the relationship between Bruno and Sosia) becomes the publishing venture the main characters eagerly await".

The problem is, with so many characters and so many details nothing gets fully realized. Unfortunately, the book just didn't move along; It didn't seem to have anywhere to go.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

A Budding Poetess

Four new poems from Madison Swift's Poem Book:

Sunset, Sunset,
pink, orange, yellow, red
light the way into the night.

The ocean blue.
The sand among the ocean blue
shining just for me and you.

Butterflies, butterflies,
bright and beautiful
high up in the sky.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I can't wait to
run over you!

Iraq War: Four Years Later

Iraq War: Four Years Later

Today, in 2003, the U.S. roared into Iraq with "Shock & Awe". Now, after four years of fighting, American soldiers are still rolling into Baghdad; more than 3,200 American lives have been lost and more than 50,000 Iraqis killed.

On this anniversary, I want to remember all those who have suffered, fought and died in this conflict; I hope that those left behind can find comfort. May all of us do what we can to aleviate suffering, exercise kindness and promote peace.

The Beginnings of Relief Society

165 years ago today, in 1842, Joseph Smith formally organized the Relief Society. After Joseph addressed the group of sisters, the new presidency was ordained by John Taylor.

The meeting was address’d by Prest. Smith, to illustrate the object of the Society- that the Society of Sisters might provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor—searching after objects of charity, and in administering to their wants- to assist by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the female community, and save the Elders the trouble of rebuking; that they may give their time to other duties &c: in their public teaching.
Prest. Smith further remark’d that an organization to show them how to go to work would be sufficient. He propos’d that the Sisters elect a presiding officer to preside over them, and let that presiding officer choose two counsellors to assist in the duties of her office- that he would ordain them to preside over the Society- and let them preside just as Presidency, preside over the church: and if they need his instruction ask him, will give it from time to time.
Let this Presidency serve as a constitution- all their decisions be considered law, and acted upon as such.
If any Officers are wanted to carry out the designs of the institution, let them be appointed and set apart, as Deacons, Teachers, &C. are among us.
The minutes of your meetings will be precedent for you to act upon- your Constitution- and law.
He then suggested the propriety of electing a Presidency to continue in the office during good behavior, or so long as they shall continue to fill the office with dignity &C.,- like the first Presidency of the Church.
Motioned by Sister Whitney and seconded by Sister Packard that Mrs. Emma Smith be chosen President-passed unanimously.
Mov’d by Prest. Smith, that Mrs. Smith proceed to choose her Counsellors, that they may be ordain’d to preside over this Society, in taking care of the poor, administering to their wants, and attending to the various affairs of this Institution.
The Presidentess Elect, then made choice of Mrs. Sarah M. Cleveland and Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Whitney for Counsellors.
President Smith read the Revelation to Emma Smith, from the book of Doctrine and Covenants; and stated that she was ordain’d at the time the Revelation was given, to expound the scriptures to all; and to teach the female part of community; and that not she alone, but others, may attain to the same blessings.-The 2d Epistle of John, 1st verse, was then read to show that respect was there had to the same thing, and that why she was called an Elect lady is because elected to preside. (Eliza R. Snow Smith, Relief Society Minutes, 17 March 1842)

My experiences in Relief Society have been varied; often I struggled to belong. Now, as I reflect on the years I have spent as a member of the society, I feel a sense of thankfulness for everything it has been to me.

First, it is a place where I have grown to apprecitate all kinds of women. I consider it a blessing to be able to associate with such a varied group of women, some of whom don’t necessarily approach things the way I do, but with whom I have connection because of our shared love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Second, it is a place where my knowledge and understanding of the Gospel has been challenged and strengthened. As I participate in lessons, I find opportunities to ponder my faith, fine-tune my testimony, and deepen my relationship with the Savior.

Third, I love the rich history of the Relief Society. I love the connection I feel with my grandmothers and great-grandmothers knowing that we share this common thread; that we are all a part of this community of sisters. I love the feeling of being part of something larger and greater than myself.

In honor of it’s 165th birthday, share how Relief Society has affected/touched/improved your life.

Before & After

Hee-hee! I feel like a Barbie Fashion Fever Grow 'N Style doll. For the first time in 7 years I have long hair (or longer)!

It was like instant hair! Ok, not quite as easy as simply pushing a button, but after only 3 1/2 hrs. in the salon chair I was a new woman!