tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60144764079630309632024-02-18T20:51:34.704-07:00The Oak TreeThrough the winds of unpredictability comes a strength we never knew...Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-58241940493961517072010-05-21T12:10:00.002-06:002010-05-21T12:31:08.151-06:00Shrinking Our Fears<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Is it possible to not have fear? </b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Can our faith really be so strong that we feel great hope and peace in the face of deep trials or pain?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've been thinking a lot about this question lately. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Neal A. Maxwell once said,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">"If our </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">love of God is sufficiently deep</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">, then we will be sufficiently assured of His enveloping loving-kindness. With this perspective,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> our fears can shrink.</span></b></span> Dread can dissolve. Additionally, there need be no </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">ultimate </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">fear for mankind's future solely because of </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">proximate </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">circumstances, vexing and besetting as the latter may be."</span></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our fears can shrink?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What an image. I picture fear as a cancer. And the medicine is whatever causes it to shrink. So just what is this medicine? ... So powerful to cause fear to shrink?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The answer that comes right to mind is the word faith. But this can be such a broad term in my mind. What exactly does this mean? According to the above quote it is according to the depth of our love of God.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The wise Neal A. Maxwell again said,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>"We are to "look to God and live" (</i></span></span></span><a class="scriplink" href="http://gospelink.com/notebook/quotes/goto-scrip?ref=alma/37/47" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>Alma 37:47</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>). Peter advised that we are also to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">cast our cares upon God,</span> because He cares for us (see </i></span></span></span><a class="scriplink" href="http://gospelink.com/notebook/quotes/goto-scrip?ref=1_pet/5/7" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>1 Peter 5:7</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>). Why not do the same with our fears?"</i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Okay. So, to shrink our fears we must cast our cares upon God. How exactly is this done?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Neal A. Maxwell:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>"Yet, hesitantly, we poise on the brink of real submission. But since God has given us life and all else we have, anyway, how can we really withhold ourselves, our attitudes, or our substance from His shaping love? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Our degree of submissiveness thus becomes a true reflection of the degree of the consecration and love we have developed for Him</b></span>. </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i><b>Similarly, the dimensions of our fears expose the degree to which our love for Him remains yet to be developed."</b></i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had to re-read this last quote over and over. It really hit something with me. The answer lies in our "deep" love for God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Will our fears ever shrink?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Perhaps if I surrender to Him more. Acknowledge His grace. And more fully trust that He loves me too. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Maybe shrinking our fears is something that takes a lifetime.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've had many moments of calm that have come to me in my times of great worry. Most often my worry is strongest within the imaginations of my mind. The "what ifs" that could turn bad. It is usually in the moments I turn to Him humbly that He speaks peace to my soul. And my fear starts to shrink. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So, I guess the real question to my first question is,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How do I deepen my love for God?</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-31983713015550461642010-04-24T21:39:00.003-06:002010-04-24T22:41:17.123-06:00Meet TatonkaI find it difficult to introduce myself in a post but here we go... I love people, I believe honesty is courageous, I want to understand the world in other perceptions besides my own, humor is my saving grace, I know love to be the most beautiful gift/emotion, and my most important role is being a faithful being a daughter of God. These concepts of myself has taken 32 years of trial and error and more years to come I'm sure. I'm constantly refining who I am and someday I hope, I hope, I hope to be have it all together.<br /><br />Okay down to be meat/demographics of who I am; sex: female, age: 32, race and ethnicity: Native American, tribe: Navajo, martial status: single, occupation: Mental Health Therapist, political views: Democrat, astrological sign: virgo, and blood type: O-.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to reading and sharing the sweet and bitter experiences of life with you beautiful ladies.Tatonkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17969136441829326465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-7824504649208237552010-04-18T10:54:00.002-06:002010-04-18T11:53:53.069-06:00Disasters HappenWe have a morning routine at my house. Get up. Change Logan's diaper. Get him into the tub or into the shower with Daddy. Breakfast. I start my chores while Logan watches a bit of morning TV. <br /><br />This routine has been relatively steady for the past 6 months or so. Occasionally a bit of stirring will occur if we have a doctor's appointment or other prearranged early morning happenings. But, all in all, our mornings have been quite dependable. <br /><br />But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. The culprit? I guess we could blame it on wrist development...<br /><br />Logan can now open the door. <br /><br />Now, Logan's newly developed motor skill hasn't completely ruined my morning routine for all time. Let's just say it made for a very interesting Thursday. <br /><br />Thursday morning. Quite routine. I'm busily cleaning up breakfast, enjoying the sun and the smell of the cut grass. I can hear the lawn crew at work around our condo making things lovely and fresh. Then I take a quick break to go to the restroom. I usually keep the door open but I just wanted a few minutes to be alone sans watchful eyes of my two year old. <br /><br />I can hear him outside the door begging to come in then just the sounds of the television. Business finished I open the door and turn into the kitchen not taking the quick second I usually take to check on Logan's whereabouts. <br /><br />Then an urgent knock on the door followed by a series of rings (bad combo in my opinion). As I cross the family room my heart jumps when I realize Logan isn't where I put him. I open the door and see an familiar neighbor with Logan and behind him one of the lawn crew.<br /><br />I gasped. Stunned I grab Logan with a hug and repeatedly say, "Thank You!" The neighbor who I've seen around but never talked with said very sweetly, "This gentlemen found him down the street. But don't worry, he [Logan] knew right where to take me when I asked him where his mommy was!" I could have kissed her for her kindness. The lawn man, however, not so compassionate. In his broken English he scolded, "You should watch him! He was behind the truck!"<br /><br />I had no defense. I simply said thank you again, shut the door and hugged Logan who was completely unaware of the situation.<br /><br />Being programmed into the day's routine we were off to our next errand on the list. Grocery shopping. As I was driving I was trying to push out the thoughts I was having. My mind kept wandering to "what might have happened!" I was pushing back tears trying to tell myself it's a new behavior for us all. We'll be more careful. <br /><br />At the stoplight I pull up behind a truck that says in bold letters, "Disasters Happen." I cried. Oh, boy did I cry. I allowed myself five minutes to mourn my mistake. My human state. Those words of the lawn man burned into my brain, "You need to watch him!" I wanted to say, "I do! I do! I watch him all the time! I try to anticipate, to prevent, to teach. I set boundaries and repeat them over and over. I would strap him to my back until he's 30 years old if I could but I can't!" <br /><br />Then my mind shifted to the neighbor. Her words of encouragement. Her pride in telling me that he knew the way back home. Then I prayed in gratitude. I'm so grateful that the lawn man saw him and brought him to the neighbor. I'm so grateful that their lawn truck was there to distract him from going onto a busier street. I'm so grateful for that wise neighbor who smiled and told me not to worry. I'm grateful that Logan knew his way back home. <br /><br />It makes me realize that this feeling of helplessness will never go away. It has begun. Knowing his personality, Logan will often open doors on his own. And I hope he does. The only thing I can do is prepare him then pray that angels will surround him to keep him safe. I pray that human kindness will pull through. That whoever he meets will treat him with love and respect. But when they don't and he finds himself in need that he will come home. <br /><br />This experience has been a tender one for me. I tend to gather little bits of what I learn on this journey of motherhood. This is a good bit. No matter how painful.Tallulahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333392774151768554noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-72358709373523887152010-04-15T07:25:00.016-06:002010-04-16T09:34:45.929-06:00Given More<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The other day I had a conversation with someone who said to me,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I could never give up a baby."</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And let me add, this was said while my daughter was standing right next to me. What kind of message is this sending to my daughter? And even more </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">what kind of spurious ideas are there about the realities and beautiful miracles that occur in adoption?</span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This question left me fuming. After a good night's rest, I'm not so upset. Her question is real. And indicative of a view point that is innocent from not knowing, experiencing or hearing about the positive and unimaginable joy that comes through adoption for all parties involved. So today, I am going to answer this common statement, from my heart. Knowing that </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">for every negative story on adoption that swarms the media, there are thousands of miraculous ones.</span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My children were brought to us through the miracle of adoption. And when I say miracle, I mean it. Part of this miracle involved our beautiful Birthparents. Who by no means whatsoever "gave up" their sweet child.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It takes an incredible amount of love to do what they did. It takes </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">more than love</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have never witnessed such love. Nothing reminds me more of this love and sacrifice then the Savior's atonement for each one of us. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There is such a misconception about this part of adoption. Pictures of Birthmoms' extremely young or strung out on drugs are often the thing people assume were our children's birthparents circumstances that led them to choose an adoption plan.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nothing could be farther from the truth in our case and in a majority of domestic adoptions. Our birthparents’ chose adoption. Our birthparents’ consisted of mothers and fathers who are well-educated, spiritual and come from families who have over 30 years of marriage experience. They didn't choose adoption because it was an easier choice or an easy way out! And they most definitely, unequivocally, did not choose it because they were "giving up" this precious life they created. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is a choice that created much pain and grieving in their own hearts. Not a day goes by that they don't think of us. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They love their child so much that they wanted something better for them. In spite of the pain that they will naturally have to face because of it. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No doubt they found themselves in an "unplanned" circumstance. But never did they treat or feel that their child was not "wanted" or desired. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As a mom, I never had to wonder about the kind of care my children received in the womb. My daughter's Birthmom was so careful to eat only the healthiest of foods, get great pre-natal care and read much literature about the needs of this special child growing in her. My son’s Birthmom continued going to church and school during her pregnancy despite the judgments made on her. It is because of their great love that they wanted something more for the child growing in their belly. Something that would involve many sacrifices.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The next comment this person said to me was, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"If my child found herself in a teenage pregnancy, I would watch or raise the child for her, so she could go to college, finish school, carry on with her life, etc."</span></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This way of thinking is very common in society and most often is the norm!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Adoption is "out there." And </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">this</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is the norm! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I didn't find what this person was saying to be noble. I didn't view this as </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">true love.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I didn't think to myself, "Wow this individual must really love their child to do this for her." </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Quite the opposite actually. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The question that comes to my mind time and again is this, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What about the child?</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One thing my son’s birthfather said to us before his birth was, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“This child is a gift from God.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I found this an extremely profound statement from a boy in an extremely difficult situation. And yet, his statement is not a politically correct or popular one. Because if our children are a gift from God, shouldn’t we be making choices for them accordingly? Shouldn’t </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">their</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> needs be at the very top of our agenda despite the sacrifices involved?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our children are a gift from God. This is not just </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">our</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> child. It is first and foremost God’s. And as such, we have such a responsibility to them. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m not saying every unplanned pregnancy should result in adoption. Obviously, I am an advocate for adoption because I have personally witnessed the beauty of it. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I just wish and hope wholeheartedly that the myths surrounding this beautiful act could be</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> properly understood. </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world. Things happen. Unavoidable things. Avoidable things. And it is during these moments that we choose to make the very best choices because we know our lives are also a gift. And we hopefully want to make the choice that will please our Heavenly Father and create the most benefits. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The problem is, too many choices are often self-serving and often reflect what will make </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">us </span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">more comfortable. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We live in a world today that treats children as commodities. Having a child is more about "your" wants instead of the child’s. Daycares are the norm. Fathers are not necessary. And as of today’s propaganda…families aren’t even necessary! Children are starting competitive sports before they are eight and are enrolled in every class imaginable to ensure they will get into their Ivy League schools. Preschools are turning as competitive as universities! Are we really doing these things for our children or our own pride as a parent? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This has hit such a nerve with me lately. Maybe it's because of the comments I keep getting about me not pursuing my career by "just" staying home. Or maybe it's a combination of the many comments I get about my children being "unwanted" or "given up" from their birthparents. As if our birthparents did the easy thing by not trying to raise the life they created. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our Birthparent’s love their child so much that they are willing to go through any amount of pain so that their child doesn't have to feel it throughout their life. They want them to have a life with two parents. They want them to have a stable home life. They want them to know the innocence of childhood. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lets not mince words. It isn't easy for a child to grow up without a father or a mother. It isn't easy for a child's main source of parenting to come from a daycare provider. How sad is it that many children's first words, first steps are witnessed by someone who will never be around to share those moments with them. Yet, we make these choices, because they benefit </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">us</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">! We, as parents can still go to work! Further our careers! Wear the latest clothes, drive the nicest cars and buy the biggest homes. And we think this is success. And the adults who choose to "stay home" or "give up" are doing so because they are lazy or have no talents, intelligence or drive. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Is there not a correlation between this false perception on adoption and the “me” mentality that is saturating our families in today’s world?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I know in saying this, I am leaving a large portion of parents who work really hard and do so for their children out of the equation. I am also deeply aware of parents who are both working or single parenting out of circumstances not of their choosing. Life happens. Difficult things happen. I get that. Believe me, I do!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am speaking up for myself, my children and our courageous birthparents. I can't imagine how hard it must be for them to hear the callus words "given up" and "I could never do that." As if it is an easy thing. As if the person who "could never give up a child" is saying something noble. It would be a much easier thing for our birthparents to have raised their baby. But they weren't just thinking of themselves when they made their choice. And THAT takes more love, more courage, more pain than any love I have seen a parent give their child in raising them!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is this love that reminds me how lucky I am to raise my kids. It is this love that makes me love my children’s birthparents so much. It is for this reason that our birthparent's are honored in our home. It is this love that I hope my children will feel so abundantly as they grow. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is this love that makes an open adoption indescribable. </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our birthparents </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">wanted more</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> for their child. A child, who was wanted from the moment they were conceived. A child whose future was agonized over, prepared for, prayed for and sacrificed for. Even before they would ever breath their first breaths of life.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes, this child may have been unplanned but </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">never “unwanted.” </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This child was </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">given more.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Not given up.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-47781850561215173012010-04-05T21:51:00.002-06:002010-04-05T22:23:50.220-06:00Not ForgottenIt's been awhile since I've looked at this beautiful blog. I re-read some of the remarkable experiences that have been shared and realize the value of a blog like this. <br /><br />The other day I was looking at various blogs. I ran across a blog that has a reputation of being popular so I clicked on it to see what all the fuss was about. It was edgy and clever. Well written. But had this underlying cynicism that left me with a very negative, heavy feeling. <br /><br />Then I returned to another blog that is well viewed and read her newest post and thought, "Man, has she got an ego!" Actually, blogs really are one ego trip after another. Well, some anyway. <br /><br />This morning I just kept thinking about this blog. It's been a bit neglected. Maybe the initial vision took too much time than we all could really give it. But the heartfelt posts are so beautiful. I would never want to delete it. <br /><br />It may be naive of me to think about how much good we could do if we could simply give more of ourselves through talking about our experiences. I love to connect to people. To hear what they are going through. What they are learning. Who or what are their influences. I look forward to the time in any relationship when the walls come down and I get a glimpse into what's really going on with this person. I'm not encouraging people to run around spewing personal information the first time you meet them. That would be strange and altogether inappropriate. I'm just saying when prompted to share, do so, without fear. You never know just how much help you could be. <br /><br />It might be time to start blogging again.Tallulahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333392774151768554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-41266281848142242362009-10-27T12:37:00.003-06:002009-10-27T13:16:29.043-06:00Dissonance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV_r3MNPhyIzDapbD_CwCbrVE9YrzpldSrZA3F_qNb_Jq3a3t3rD2OnnvblVLyZYBT1ui1o8_L9GFI87cIU2OJcBvITaAjUxhcO1WdqIARkJQ9xeNOnkrGD6DCvqJiwhi7YChyGK0-aoZ/s1600-h/fall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV_r3MNPhyIzDapbD_CwCbrVE9YrzpldSrZA3F_qNb_Jq3a3t3rD2OnnvblVLyZYBT1ui1o8_L9GFI87cIU2OJcBvITaAjUxhcO1WdqIARkJQ9xeNOnkrGD6DCvqJiwhi7YChyGK0-aoZ/s200/fall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397360609209376898" border="0" /></a>A thought came to me the other day as I was observing outside my window at the fall colors. A storm was brewing which sent the sky into this moody dark blue which actually heightened the intensity of the fall colors making this lush flavor for my eyes to savor. Words like dissonance, contrast, opposites came to mind as I sat wondering the cause of such beauty. The colors of fall are rich and <span style="font-style: italic;">warm</span> but an approaching storm creates a <span style="font-style: italic;">cool</span> atmosphere. Opposites.<br /><br />In singing, another past time I love, often notes will clash in harmony then resolve leaving one wanting to hear more. I love to sing alto; I welcome the difference and sometimes the clash knowing the dissonance will bring depth and richness to the song. An unexpected but welcome choice.<br /><br />I'm trying adopt this principle into my relationships with others. Some of my favorite people are almost my complete opposite. We do have our similar interests, don't get me wrong. One of my painting teachers had a mantra: Similarity with Variety when trying to create an interesting composition. And that's what I want my life to be like; an interesting composition of people, of talents, of attitudes, etc. I want my life to be as colorful and full of life as the colors of fall.<br /><br />When I was in my early 20's I really feared or felt threatened by someone if they didn't agree with me. I felt the relationship would not hold if differences existed. As a result I'd often change my views to fit the conversation. Over time this left me incredibly empty and afraid to do or say anything without the approval of others. Now I really try to embrace differences and it really has made all the difference. I'm much more able to love others and myself when I'm more accepting.<br /><br />There is not one person I've met who doesn't really love the colors of fall; especially when winter is approaching. Could God be painting something for us to think about? We are drawn outside by the diversity of color but are we really getting the message? It's a message of acceptance and love. Truly, similarity with variety makes for the best and most interesting life.Tallulahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333392774151768554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-87063224289078719832009-08-18T11:50:00.003-06:002009-08-18T12:02:58.416-06:00The Best DayI have been feeling quite emotional for the last several days. Weirdest thing. These powerful surges of emotions have been occurring for several days every month, for the last while. ha ha ha. Wonder what it could be?<div><br /></div><div>At any rate - this morning as I was working out with my ipod, the Taylor Swift song "The Best Day" came on.</div><div><br /></div><div>I immediately pictured myself as the mother in this song. Here is where my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">daydreamin'</span> </span></span></span>came in. I pictured myself as a mom, now, with my little babies "hugging at my knees," tractor rides and running all day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I then began <b>daydreamin'</b> of the day my beautiful little girl would be thirteen. And if she came home crying from friends being mean, how I would act towards her.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started tearing up in my gym as I pictured myself to the words of this song.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys<br />And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away<br />And we talk and window shop till I forget their names"</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div>I can only hope to be the kind of mom in this song. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the lyrics, in case you are feeling emotional today too. Or maybe you'll just read them and think I'm crazy. Which isn't too far off today!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, fantasy;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">I'm five years old and it's getting cold<br />I've got my big coat on<br />I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you<br />I run and run<br />Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides<br />Look now the sky is gold<br />I hug your legs and fall asleep on the way home<br /><br />I don't know why all the trees change in the fall<br />I know you're not scared of anything at all<br />Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away<br />But I know I had the best day with you today<br /><br />I'm thirteen now and don't know how my friends could be so mean<br />I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys<br />And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away<br />And we talk and window shop till I forget their names<br /><br />I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school<br />But I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you<br />Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel ok<br />But I know I had the best day with you today<br /><br />i have an excellent father<br />His strength is makking me stronger<br />God smiles on my little brother<br />Inside and out he's better than I am<br /><br />I grew up in a pretty house and i had space to run<br />And I had the best days with you<br /><br />There is a video i found from back when i was three<br />You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you're talking to me<br />It's the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarfs<br />Daddy's smart and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world<br /><br />Now i know why all the trees change in the fall<br />I know you were on my side even when I was wrong<br />And I love you for giving me your eyes<br />Staying back and watching me shine and I didn't know if you knew<br />So I'm taking this chance to say that i had the best day with you today</span></i></span></span></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-26191292571063501512009-08-17T13:17:00.005-06:002009-08-17T13:27:14.489-06:00Havin' a Daydreamin'It could be the sound of the birds chirping out my window. Or the noise the wind makes as it wisps through the trees. Or possibly the endless sunny days we've been having...that has my mind wandering to the beachside.<div><br /></div><div>I imagine sinking my feet into the soft white sand as I listen to the bright blue waves gently come in, one after the other.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Jimmy Buffet song "Havana Daydreamin" which I like to think of as "Havin' a Daydreamin'" is a song I sing as I am wishing I could be on the relaxing beachside. My favorite place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead today I will be scrubbing my shower stall, three loads of laundry and hopefully I'll get a shower. And while I am so grateful to have the blessing of a home to care for, it will be my favorite trips that will keep me smiling.</div><div><br /></div><div>THAT is why I am excited to introduce our next topic: "Havin' a Daydreamin'"</div><div><br /></div><div>What are some of your favorite day-dreams? </div><div><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-49356522495657946352009-07-27T17:42:00.003-06:002009-07-27T21:24:11.393-06:00Every Family Needs a Little Wiggle RoomWhen God formed my family I'm sure he had the virtue forgiveness in mind. We are large in number, vast in personality, and when provoked all of us tend to breath fire! Despite our quantity, diversity, and tendency to heat things up we have a genuine love for one another. In fact, I couldn't imagine life without these crazy people. <br /><br />Being the seventh of eight I've experienced what it's like to have 4 moms and 2 dads. Making major decisions (or even minor ones for that matter) was like presenting an idea to a hostel board room. EVERYONE had an opinion. The biggest example that comes to mind was when I decided to leave after only 2 years of college to go on a mission for my church. Oh my, you would have thought I wanted to join the circus. I heard discussion after discussion as to why I shouldn't go. But in the end, I went. It was hard but it was the right thing for me. <br /><br />From that experience and others like it I've learned to forgive my family when we don't see eye to eye. In my head I call it giving them some "wiggle room." They are my family and we've been through too much together to be torn apart by our trite imperfections. <br /><br />When family dynamics become too much for me to understand I often ask the dreaded "whys?" Why <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> family so important? Why <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> it so hard to get along? At times it would be so easy to throw my hands up in defeat and never speak or see these people again! <br /><br />I've have been at real odds with some of my family members (usually over in-laws) and that's when I feel the worst. I can't help but feel there is something rocking my foundation when I'm fighting with a sibling. Most times the problems are easily solved with some time and a pair of forgiving hearts. But some issues are complicated and take more time, more forgiveness, adding some prayer, and a little faith. <br /><br />I truly believe in family. I believe it can be difficult and joyous. But I also believe that divine characteristics can be developed working within a family. I do not believe in the "perfect" or "ideal" family mainly because there's no growth when there's no resistance. I feel in the end my family will be as colorful and passionate as Day One but our love and devotion to one another will be unmatched. <br /><br />The other day my mom joked that when our family is all "on the other side" she will lovingly but earnestly hand the mantel over to my dad (who died when I was young) and say "I did the best I could; it's your turn to fix this mess!" I giggled but in my heart I knew the truth in her jest. We may not all belong to the same belief system our parents painted for us but I think my dad would be proud of our efforts to love and forgive one another. I think he has always had faith in us as a family. <br /><br />Joyce Brothers once said, "When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." I don't typically look for wisdom from a 1960's advice columnist but I feel the principle rings true today. I'm at my happiest with my family around me. They mean the world to me and I to them. Each day brings it's own problems but they seem conquerable when I have a family member to talk to or to laugh with. Now, isn't that worth a little "wiggle room?"Tallulahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333392774151768554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-29497818898699992432009-07-24T13:32:00.006-06:002009-07-24T14:20:00.719-06:00Acceptance<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My sister is 5 years older than me. Five long years.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This age gap was HUGE when we were younger. To add another wrench into our age gap, we are complete opposites in every way. And this is putting it mildly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">She is very "type A" whereas I am very type-NOT-A. She was always boy crazy, I hated them. She always was dressed very nicely, very clean and her room was always in order. I rarely made it five minutes without spilling something on my mismatched t-shirt and shorts, ran bare-foot everywhere <i>(my feet were always the color of asphalt)</i> and my room was a big pile of stuff. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm a very deep sleeper, she is light. My early, full-blast, beeping </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">siren</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of an alarm clock would always wake her up and never me. You can imagine the lovely "cheerful" face I was awoken to on these mornings. Sorry sis! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> I use to chase her around with bugs when I was around five laughing my head off and her screaming bloody murder. The list goes on and on. And that is how we are. Even to this day. I'm sure my sister is appalled at hearing I left the house without a shower in my pony-tail, jeans and t-shirt. She always looks great. And to be honest, I hope this is what we have come to love most about one another. I really wouldn't want her any other way. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sounds good on paper, right? If only.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Our differences can make it hard to understand one another</b>. I'm sure I drive her bonkers most days. But part of me wonders if this is why God chose us for sisters. Perhaps I have much to learn from my very opposite sister.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> Acceptance</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> being top on that list.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But how this is done is a work in progress. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While it is funny to reminisce about all of our small differences, I know my sister and I have a few really big similarities. We love our family. We love our God. And if anyone were to try and hurt one another, I have no doubt who would have my back.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hopefully over time we will stop being the ones that cause most of the hurt and misunderstandings to one another.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And just how do I gain this </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">acceptance</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">? Awww, the question of the hour!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I no doubt think this lesson with my sister can be applied to many of the relationships in my life. Eight years ago, I became a daughter in-law. I'm sure my husband's mom is shocked at the "homemaking skills" or lack thereof of her poor, sweet son's wife! ha ha ha.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My mother-in-law got a degree in Home Economics and I have no doubt she probably got straight A's. She is an outstanding mother and wife. I cannot think of another woman who could raise five boys all within two years of age...and still have her sanity! She is an amazing cook, seamstress and is more frugal than anyone I have ever met.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">All of her strengths seem to be weaknesses for me. Things I really work on but often fall short.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I feel I am arriving at a level of acceptance not just for her... but for me. I am a much better person, friend, wife and mother when I focus on my strengths instead of comparing my weaknesses to others' strengths.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">God knows I have plenty to choose from <i>(weaknesses, that is</i>). The strengths I have to offer my relationships may be different from the next person, but are good things, nonetheless.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>I feel more love </b>towards others when I put my emphasis on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">not comparing</span> and <b>accepting.</b> And this, I believe, is the first trick to achieving true acceptance.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have recently been reading a book by Karol Ladd, titled "The Power of a Positive Mom." She said,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" by our loving heavenly Father. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">God knew just what he was doing when he made each one of us -- </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>imperfections and all! </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">...often...we are tempted to compare ourselves to other women, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and we forget that God has created us as unique mothers </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">designed with exacting care to benefit our unique homes and families.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">...we are glorious creations - </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a special blend of strengths and shortcomings </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">that God has put together to create a </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">beautiful work of human art..."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I LOVE how she worded this! We are glorious creations. And our weaknesses and strengths make us a beautiful piece of "human art!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In my journey to acceptance, I often find myself thinking, </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">"It would be so much easier if everyone else would just accept me, and focus on</span></i><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> my</span></i></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> strengths instead of weaknesses."</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How nice would that be! But the real journey lies in learning to accept myself first and then those around me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We all have good to offer. <b>How much better we would feel</b> and our relationships would be, if we could focus on the good and treat one another's weaknesses as part of their <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"human art."</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-73767832284748591402009-07-19T21:32:00.013-06:002009-07-19T22:35:40.464-06:00Topic: The Family<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; 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mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Wingdings;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ39QhkkT_N-puuSRgzZb2FR5Omm4sjPU4itmEw_ZoCsuKYXfUa8G9S91Fhk0ElNp3AJsQMHtc3aw0xJ49NwDUZLm1WwNlAvmRHKz47wydIHRq9_Sev4iKtO6Vq4lvERkf1j5R1sQwSudN/s1600-h/kristen+and+mike+wedding+279+cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ39QhkkT_N-puuSRgzZb2FR5Omm4sjPU4itmEw_ZoCsuKYXfUa8G9S91Fhk0ElNp3AJsQMHtc3aw0xJ49NwDUZLm1WwNlAvmRHKz47wydIHRq9_Sev4iKtO6Vq4lvERkf1j5R1sQwSudN/s400/kristen+and+mike+wedding+279+cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360385767120963682" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Family</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal">"We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." <span style="font-size:78%;">~Erma Bombeck</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">The next topic is<span style="font-style: italic;"> The Family</span>.<span style=""> </span>Now, this topic is vast with many avenues to consider.<span style=""> </span>For most family is complicated; happy, but complicated.<span style=""> </span>I’m often amazed at the motley crew I was thrust into at birth.<span style=""> </span>But, we can all agree there is a strong pull toward one’s family.<span style=""> </span>My family is everything to me; as flawed as we all are we seem incomplete without each other.<span style=""> </span>So let’s talk about family.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" >Some thoughts...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >What is family? Do you have to share the same genes to feel the affects of a family unit?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >How can we make our family stronger?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >What if we don't get along?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >Getting along with in-laws.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >Finding time for family togetherness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >Fun family ideas or traditions.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Tallulahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333392774151768554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-17297182572669165802009-07-10T18:10:00.004-06:002009-07-10T21:30:07.698-06:00Unexpected LessonI had a really interesting Thanksgiving a couple years ago. My husband and I visited my sister in Washington DC for a long weekend. She lives in a very diverse community which she loves. She befriends many from all different walks of life so at our Thanksgiving table we had all sorts of faces with all different stories to tell.<br /><br />We had recently seen a movie called "Shut Up and Sing" which was a documentary about the Dixie Chicks. I'm sure many have heard of their lead singer's controversial comment about President Bush at a concert in England a few years ago. Anyway, this documentary is about their experience during and after the windfall of her comment.<br /><br />So, back to Thanksgiving. We had just seen that movie in the theater and had a rather interesting discussion about whether or not Dixie Chicks deserved to be shut out of the country music community like they were.<br /><br />In the movie Natalie Maines continued to say unfavorable things about Pres. Bush and one of the members of our Thanksgiving table was irate and said no matter her opinion you just don't disrespect the leader of our country like that. In response to this comment this very quite woman spoke up and unleashed the horriffic state of her home country. She told of her fear of ever saying ANYTHING negative about her country's leaders. They would either be put into jail or beaten for having political opinions that differ from the norm. I was so struck by her love for our country where she could say anything she wanted without fear for her life. In my naitivity I couldn't believe this sort of situation still existed in other countries.<br /><br />This conversation was actually quite life changing for me. Freedom of speech was constantly on my mind. I never quite realized how important freedom of speech is to our country until I heard this wonderful woman's experience. We can be upset with other's opinions but they have every right to voice their views. That's what freedom means to me...freedom to think and express myself.Tallulahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333392774151768554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-62271188819101991002009-07-06T21:02:00.003-06:002009-07-06T21:42:02.345-06:00What Is Freedom?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">As this nation celebrated Independence Day and as people gave thanks for living in a "free" country, I asked myself "What does it mean to be free?" And that is the question I pose to all of you....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>What does freedom mean to you?</b></span> </span><div><br /></div><div>For fun, I looked up freedom in the dictionary. One of the definitions read <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; font-family:'Times New Roman', 'Times Serif', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action" and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:'Times New Roman', 'Times Serif', -webkit-fantasy;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', 'Times Serif', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', 'Times Serif', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">We live in a time when there are so many opportunities out there for all of us. To me, freedom is a lot of different things. It's the ability to pursue an education or a career. It's the ability to get in the car or on a plane to go visit family and friends. It's the ability to worship how I want. I really like how the one definition says that with freedom we can make decision without constraint "from within or without". It never occurred to me that I can restrict my own freedom by that which is "within" me. My thoughts can restrict my freedoms. I think freedom is much more than what we think.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', 'Times Serif', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', 'Times Serif', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">I really enjoyed this little clip on Freedom and hearing people from all over the world talking about what freedom is to them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', 'Times Serif', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kkTKQsYWBxc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kkTKQsYWBxc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Lil' Acornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240160041409389572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-47090922229320935722009-06-30T16:24:00.002-06:002009-06-30T16:38:12.893-06:00Top 100 Books by the BBC<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The following list was compiled by the BBC. The BBC assumes most people will have only read <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SIX of the 100 books</span></span> on the list! I Had a difficult time locating the original site containing the list. So...it is cut and paste from an email I received. Hope you enjoy!</span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Color Red the ones you have read</span></span></div><div>**Double Star the ones you loved</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Bold those you plan on reading</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; ">1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen <br />2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien <br />3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte <br />4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">6 The Bible -</span><br />7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte <br />8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell <br />9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens </span><br />11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott <br />12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy <br />13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller <br />14 Complete Works of Shakespeare<br />15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier<br />16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien <br />17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks<br />18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger </span><br />20 Middlemarch - George Eliot<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald</span></span><br />23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens<br />24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams</span><br />26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh<br />27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck </span></span><br />29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll<br />30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens</span><br />33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis <br />34 Emma - Jane Austen <br />35 Persuasion - Jane Austen <br />36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis <br />37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini <br />38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden</span></span><br />40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne<br />41 Animal Farm - George Orwell <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown</span></span> <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez</span><br />44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving<br />45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery </span></span><br />47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy<br />48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood<br />49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding <br />50 Atonement - Ian McEwan <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel </span><br />52 Dune - Frank Herbert<br />53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons<br />54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen <br />55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth<br />56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon<br />57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens <br />58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley <br />59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time...by Mark Haddon<br />60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck </span><br />62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov<br />63 The Secret History - Donna Tart<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas **</span></span><br />66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac <br />67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding </span><br />69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie<br />70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville<br />71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens<br />72 Dracula - Bram Stoker <br />73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett<br />74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson<br />75 Ulysses - James Joyce<br />76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath <br />77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome<br />78 Germinal - Emile Zola<br />79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray<br />80 Possession - AS Byatt<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens</span></span><br />82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell<br />83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker <br />84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro<br />85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert <br />86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry<br />87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White <br />88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom X<br />89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle<br />90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton<br />91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad <br />92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery <br />93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks<br />94 Watership Down - Richard Adams<br />95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole<br />96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute<br />97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas<br />98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare <br />99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo **</span></span></span><br /></span></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-36781167670706083162009-06-29T20:38:00.002-06:002009-06-29T20:49:52.615-06:00An Escape<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love the comics that Tallulah puts up. I've been thinking about the last one (shallow section). And honestly, sometimes my worried brain needs a little bit of shallow.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Does that make me shallow? (insert giggle)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I started "reading" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(which means listening to audiobook on my ipod)</span> a light-hearted book a couple years ago. It was by Sophie Kinsella and is called "Confessions of a Shopaholic." There is a movie out based on this book. But in my opinion, is not NEAR as funny and witty as the book.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At the time I picked up this read, I had so much on my mind. We were having to make many difficult decisions and many that involved hours of work. This book took me away from our emotional and physical demands and brought into my life a much needed escape. I found myself laughing out loud at many parts. Without fail, I was able to rest from my worries. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Books are quite powerful aren't they?</span> While I can't say I learned more about myself and the universe with this read. I definitely needed something light-hearted to rest my mind. And this did the trick. Oh, the things Becky Bloomward gets herself into! If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sometimes the shallow section is needed when things already feel heavy.</span></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-5913595832591909012009-06-26T10:23:00.002-06:002009-06-28T23:31:49.999-06:00Waxing PoeticA big giant <strong>thanks</strong> to Mamma Mia for picking the <strong>Companionship of Books</strong> for this month’s topic – and I hope you’re picking up on my sarcasm. What? Don’t I like books? That’s the problem. I love them. I breathe and eat them. I’m an <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">ENGLISH</span> </strong>teacher for heaven’s sake! How in the world do I write about how I love books in one teeny blog without waxing pathetically poetic? Well, I can’t. So here it is. (My apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Druantia. I guess we're both on the same wavelength.)<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How do I love thee books? Let me count the ways.</span> </span><br /></strong><br />1. For letting me snuggle up under the covers with a <span style="color:#336666;">Diet Coke</span> at bedside, slowing sliding into a world beyond my maddening routine of laundry, diapers, papers to grade, and dusting.<br /><br />2. For letting me waste <span style="color:#ffcc00;">the entire morning</span> today while my kids watch TV and not feeling a bit guilty.<br /><br />3. For broadening my travels to <span style="color:#006600;">Africa, Russia, China, Mexico, the future, and the past</span> at a bargain price of $12.95.<br /><br />4. For those unforgettable moments with my toddler on my lap, <span style="color:#ff6600;">“Dinosaurs Happy. Dinosaurs Sad. Dinosaurs Good. Dinosaurs Bad.”<br /></span><br />5. For those moments when my biggest problem student stays after class and asks, <span style="color:#6600cc;">“Can I buy this book from you?”</span> (And I’m not entirely mad when it ‘disappears’ later that week anyway.)<br /><br />6. For <span style="color:#330033;">Atticus Finch</span>, for Harry Potter, for Elizabeth Bennett, and millions of other friends, close and dear.<br /><br />7. For <span style="color:#990000;">saving me</span> from so many mistakes because I got to see what would’ve happened had I followed that road.<br /><br />8. For those inspired moments when I reread that line again outloud, just to taste the <span style="color:#cc6600;">honey on my tongue</span>.<br /><br />9. For that <span style="color:#00cccc;">second</span> time reading it, because once just wasn’t enough.<br /><br />10. For that bonding moment when you hear, “I have a book you just HAVE to read. You’ll love it,” <span style="color:#cc33cc;">and you do</span>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-46904254921719388542009-06-25T16:11:00.002-06:002009-06-28T23:31:50.000-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX574GKggJplEDE28iuMjGUpYWrK251yl1_9JTSA9QCHoMFPirIctoQVRddo3LdukkPLB6Eojfq4VGLaCx2987mTf1Cc_YjhCskvAZuLIzh65XFXMj6kTgkVMrMKosK3sNJRPwfE-LKk7_/s1600-h/public+library.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 372px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX574GKggJplEDE28iuMjGUpYWrK251yl1_9JTSA9QCHoMFPirIctoQVRddo3LdukkPLB6Eojfq4VGLaCx2987mTf1Cc_YjhCskvAZuLIzh65XFXMj6kTgkVMrMKosK3sNJRPwfE-LKk7_/s400/public+library.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351391408146473266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfqg3lPCV2Zf0wtA9O29-qjpH-uf7yBh00NwY3eQeVSxnEscReZKBadcPRdGcMV1XT_sERerYIUAQXZIvi4PtG2Bq770wqX3JnV9pfGvSqnJCDnm8VSoby7BSY630gEzAFQITShyphenhyphen60PMz/s1600-h/humanity.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfqg3lPCV2Zf0wtA9O29-qjpH-uf7yBh00NwY3eQeVSxnEscReZKBadcPRdGcMV1XT_sERerYIUAQXZIvi4PtG2Bq770wqX3JnV9pfGvSqnJCDnm8VSoby7BSY630gEzAFQITShyphenhyphen60PMz/s400/humanity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351391348047813378" border="0" /></a>Tallulahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333392774151768554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-32178746989778742532009-06-25T13:14:00.002-06:002009-06-28T23:31:50.001-06:00How Do I Love Thee?Let me count the ways . . . .<br /><br />1. I love the way books look.<br />2. I love the neat way books stack on a shelf or in a box.<br />3. I love the way books smell. A fresh one or a used one, it doesn't matter.<br />4. I love the way a book feels in my hands, its denseness and smoothness.<br />5. I love the anticipation I feel as I open the cover of a brand new novel.<br />6. I love the familiarity and comfort that washes over me when I open up a well-beloved book for the umpteenth time.<br />7. I love the feeling of resolution and completion as I finish a well-written journey.<br /><br />Should I stop yet?<br /><br />Oh my, this topic is one dear to my heart. I admit that I am a total bibliophile. I love books. I always have. I suppose it began as a young child as my mother read aloud to me. I remember sitting at her feet in the shade of the peach tree in our back yard. The books she read to me awakened my imagination. I became Mary Lennox in her <em>Secret Garden</em>. I lived Jo Marsh's trials right along with her and the other <em>Little Women</em>. I completely empathized with Ramona Quimby and got many ideas for tantrums and misbehavior from her.<br /><br />I believe that reading as a child opens up a door in your mind and heart. The books you read at that tender age become a part of you in a way that no other reading for the rest of your life will. When you revisit those stories again in adulthood, whether just for fun or as you read to your own children, you feel an echo of your youth.<br /><br />I love to reread books. There as so many books on my to-read list that perhaps I shouldn't waste my time rereading, but I can't help myself. Some books are like old friends to me. I open their pages and I feel comforted. I feel like I am home. How can you call visiting home and old friends a waste of time? And not just the books are friends, but the characters within.<br /><br />Anne Shirley truly lives for me. I admire her and want to emulate her.<br /><br />Elizabeth Bennett is like my alter-ego. Whenever I read <em>Pride and Prejudice</em> I somehow trick myself into thinking that it's about me, not some fictitious character.<br /><br />Oh, I could go on and on.<br /><br />But that's only half the story. That only covers fiction, memoirs, biographies, and any other genre about people.<br /><br />I love non-fiction as well. That genre has served me well. How else would I have learned to paint my living room, install wainscoting in my basement, potty train my daughter, cook delicious meals, keep my house organized, sew Halloween costumes, crochet afghans, etc. etc.<br /><br />Sure, I could learn by asking someone to teach me. But that's not my style. I've always been a do-it-yourself kind of gal, and the local library has become my best friend whenever I'm wanting to learn something new.<br /><br />When in doubt, find a book. There's a book for everything. There are books to teach you new skills. There are books to give you ideas. There are books that entertain. There are books that instruct. There are books that uplift. There are books that educate. There are books that transport you to a new place. There are books that take your mind on vacation and give you respite from your daily life.<br /><br />I love to read. I will read forever. I will read to my children, and I only hope that they will find it half as fulfilling as I have.Druantiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17395866715253101518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-85706346146968359842009-06-25T10:53:00.009-06:002009-06-25T11:46:10.891-06:00My beginning<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My love affair with books began with a little old man we all know as:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW5Mvvh6x_fph7F1W3eHHDy71pS8tuAw9CDgpf-ZVkZcgXyrF5baJdnD4nBQCQHpn6wJcTSj3FnewL9bhgGSp3iIgIXKDBipw_EcPQyjW3I1d20-eqqSa8WH_m4TFFkMOAnKyIfcIQTv2/s1600-h/images-9.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 107px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW5Mvvh6x_fph7F1W3eHHDy71pS8tuAw9CDgpf-ZVkZcgXyrF5baJdnD4nBQCQHpn6wJcTSj3FnewL9bhgGSp3iIgIXKDBipw_EcPQyjW3I1d20-eqqSa8WH_m4TFFkMOAnKyIfcIQTv2/s320/images-9.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351319165386489266" /></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of the greatest investments my mom made into our book collection was joining a Dr. Suess Book club. I clearly remember sitting in the corner behind our rocking chair that had an entire bookcase row completely full of his imaginative writings. I would read and read and read. And I LOVED his books! </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To this day, you will not find my bedside table empty of books. It will have a stack on it, under it and in it!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I LOVE to read!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And I have Dr. Suess to thank!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As I grow older, I love his writings even more. I love that his books have a <b>purpose</b> and <b>message</b> behind them. And even more, I absolutely cherish the imagination of words, unique illustrations and silliness that each book contains.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Where else can you read books that include sayings such as,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"Today you are You, that is truer than true. </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> There is no one alive who is Youer than You."</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"From near to far, from here to there, </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">funny things are everywhere."</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"You have brains in your head. </span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">You have feet in your shoes. </span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">You can steer yourself, any direction you choose."</span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. </span></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Some come from ahead and some come from behind. </span></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">But I've bought a big bat. </span></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I'm all ready you see.</span></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!</span></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"Big Z, little Z, what begins with Z? I do.<br />I'm a zizzer zazzer zuzz, as you can plainly see." </i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Think left and think right and think low and think high. </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And here is a great quote from Dr. Suess himself describing his writing:</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><i>"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities."</i></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One thing I wish to pass on to my own children is a love and respect for books. And I will no doubt make sure that by Christmas... our bottom row bookshelf will be dedicated to my friend and companion...Dr. Suess!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><br /></span></span></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-68943509069767713472009-06-21T16:11:00.008-06:002009-06-28T23:31:50.001-06:00An Invitation to Read<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books." ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I never thought of books as companions, but I love that expression. They are companions. They bring different worlds and friends into your life that you would otherwise not meet. They bring you joy, they make you laugh, they make you cry and sometimes they make you really think. I just recently packed up my house and moved. In my house I had several bookshelves full of books. I thought that since I was moving it would be a good time to downsize my book collection. I would like to say I am embarrassed by the fact that I only got rid of about 14 books, but I'm not really embarrassed by that. I love books! I will, however, refrain from telling you how many boxes and boxes and b o x e s of books I ended up packing. I guess it was hard for me to give up my companions. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I love books of all kind - well, let me rephrase that, I love books of almost every kind. I will not and cannot read "romance" novels - for me those are a waste of my time. My favorite kinds of books are historical novels - I enjoy history. I also enjoy the old classics - Moby Dick, Anna Karenina, The Count of Monte Cristo, etc. In them I find another world. A world wherein the people have a high intellect and the books are written as such. I have found lately that there is a lot of trash out there. And by trash, I mean books written in such a way that the language and the ideas have been "dumbed down". Authors no longer want us to think for ourselves - they want to simply spoon feed us what is going on and not give us the freedom to discover for ourselves what lies hidden deep within the story. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">For example, the opening line of Anna Karenina says: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Rather than just making a statement that "this is what the book is about", Tolstoy makes more of a philosophical statement about happiness. It is up to us to determine whether or not that statement is true and to come up with our own conclusions as to what that statement really means. That is what I love about books - don't spoon feed me, let me think, let me use my imagination.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">However, there are times when a good laugh-out-loud I don't want to think book is in order. Sometimes I just need to escape from the troubles of the world and dive into a world that makes me laugh. I read a book called "Sleeping With Schubert" that did just that - it made me laugh out loud! The title is a little deceiving, and I was a little nervous to start reading it when my friend gave it to me and said, "Here, read this - it will make you laugh". The premise of the book is that Schubert suddenly inhabits the body of a woman and causes her to go from a no one to a someone in the world of music. I still think about some of the lines from that book today and laugh. The idea of this happening is totally preposterous but being a musician a lot of the things said in the book are things that I have experienced. This book brought into my home a friend to share those experiences with - a friend that reacted in a way that I wish I could react, but which reaction is totally unacceptable in society! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It's hard for me to list my favorite books...but here are some:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Anna Karenina by Tolstoy</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein ( this book almost always makes me cry)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Scrambled Eggs Super by Dr. Seuss (loved it as a kid and still love it now)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Book of Mormon, Old Testament and New Testament (definitely a must read)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Historian by Elizabeth Kostovo</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Magician by Sol Stein</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Magician is one of those make you think and perhaps make you're head hurt books. It's a hard book for some to read as they find it a bit disturbing. It is a book I read in high school literature class. We had a choice between Catcher in the Rye and this book - I selected this book because everyone else chose to read Catcher in the Rye. I will never, ever forget this book- ever. It brought into my world characters that I had never met before. Characters that I was unsure as to whether I liked them or disliked them. Characters that thought in a way I had never thought before. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Well, those are a few of the books that have just left a great impression in my mind. In today's hectic world I think we forget to take the time to read good books. It is through reading that we can stretch our imaginations, we can educate ourselves as well as find comfort. Let us not forget to take time to explore the many different worlds and inspirations contained in the pages of good books.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." ~Charles W. Eliot</span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', -webkit-fantasy;color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>Lil' Acornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240160041409389572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-67417288625861488342009-06-14T21:00:00.006-06:002009-06-28T23:31:35.524-06:00Most Influential BooksI wasn't sure how I would approach this post about books. I could write how my sappy love affair with books began; but I was getting way too bored. So, I thought why not do <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> top six influential books. I refuse to put these in any sort of order as they are all beloved.<br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Gone With the Wind:</span> This was the first novel I read without being assigned in a formal classroom. I was in Jr. High. My mom tried so hard to get me to read the Work and the Glory series and I just wouldn't; I had no desire and I still don't. My step-dad then brought home this old copy of Gone with the Wind and I was hooked. I can still remember smelling the pages of this beautiful old hard back. It still is a treasure of mine.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Five Love Languages:</span> I found this book extremely helpful in my marriage. Suddenly my husband didn't seem so alien to me. I really appreciated the conversations we had in response to this book.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">A Christmas Carol:</span> I love this story of hope and redemption. I love it in any medium (play, movie, or book), but to read the novel <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> Christmas to me. I try to read it towards the end of Autumn. It helps me remember that "mankind [is] my business."<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Book of Mormon/Bible/Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price:</span> You can all roll you eyes at my predictability, but truly, when I open scripture and <span style="font-style: italic;">see</span> the words and <span style="font-style: italic;">feel</span> the pages, I'm simply called home. There is so much peace waiting for me. So much understanding. I've had so many moments of elevation through reading these books, how could I not mention their importance to me.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The War of Art:</span> I read this recently and I found it stilled so much of my anxiety as a creative person. I felt validated, motivated, and grateful for my talent instead of afraid to have a profession that many consider merely a hobby.<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">East of Eden:</span> I barely read novels through college, or anything else that didn't resemble a textbook. When I read East of Eden I was blown away by the characters. I'd never met a character as evil as Kathy and I found myself completely intrigued by her. This was the first novel that really came alive for me as an adult. I hauled that bound brick of type wherever I went; I just had to know what happened next! When I was finished I felt like I was the robot Johnny Five on the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Short Circut</span> saying "Imput! Must have more Imput!" Give me the next story! This is where I made room in my life for a good book.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oh, and my all-time favorite books as a child:</span><br />Little Engine That Could<br />Pickle-Chiffon Pie<br />Ticky Ticky Tembo<br />anything by Richard Scarry<br /><br />I like that Mamma Mia chose the word "companionship" for I feel like those characters are waiting for me to tell me their story. And I learn so much from them. It really doesn't have to be a self-help book to learn something worthwhile. In fact, Jesus taught in parables, or stories, to help <span style="font-style: italic;">everyone</span> understand eternal principles. I once had a co-worker say that she refuses to read novels because she felt they were a waste of time. She only read church books or self-help books. My heart dropped for her because I have so much love for the characters I've met. In response to such heartbreaking news I suggested that maybe it was a time-management problem and not the choice of book that is so time consuming. She politely grinned and changed the subject. Oh well, can't win them all!<br /><br /><span>I've really enjoyed belonging to an online "booksite" like Goodreads or Shelfari. It has been so fun to see what others are reading. Plus I have a place where I can keep the titles of books I want to read in an organized place instead of instantly forgetting to write titles down. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span>Just a suggestion!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Tallulahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333392774151768554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-36794931421817080142009-06-12T09:31:00.006-06:002009-06-12T09:55:47.137-06:00Topic: Companionship of Books<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am really excited about our next topic: </span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Companionship of Books</span></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What is the value of a "good" book?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And just what are some of these "good" works of literature?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In what ways has literature changed, uplifted and helped you in your life?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What are some of your favorite books of all time? What books have made your brain hurt? What books have made you laugh out loud? What books have taken your mind off of the present? How has literature helped you become a better person and "strengthened" you?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">President McKay once said,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"As with companions so with books. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">We may choose those which will make us better, more intelligent, </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">more appreciative of the good and the beautiful in the world..."</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"Books,"</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> said Hazlitt,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"wind into the heart; </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">the poet's verse slides into the current of our blood. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">We read them when young, we remember them when old. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">We read there of what has happened to others; </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">we feel that it has happened to ourselves. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">They are to be had everywhere cheap and good. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">We breathe but the air of books. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">We owe everything to their authors on this side barbarism."</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-32834830518981184952009-06-11T16:49:00.005-06:002009-06-14T17:49:31.099-06:00Patience is Becoming a Virtue<span style="font-family:Verdana;">As I think about the different hurdles in my life and the different ways in which they have come I can't help but think that some of the most difficult ones to face, let alone jump, are the ones that come because of decisions other people in my life have made. It seems like when I have caused the problem it is easier to fix, or at least easier to accept. I can look at the situation and think about what I need to learn from it, what I will do different next time, and what I need to do to make it better. But when the trials come because someone I am close to has made a life decision that affects me it makes it much harder for me to adjust to, mostly because I don't get to control how or when it is fixed.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><br />I once heard someone say that <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">our biggest trials in our lives we either married or gave birth to</span>. Anyone who is married with children can probably relate to that philosophy. As much as I love my family, learning to live with other people and accept the fact that they have their own opinions and way of doing things is a big life lesson, especially when their choices or priorities are different from my own. I think I must be a little bit of a control freak, or maybe it is human nature. But I know I have a tendency to want to push my husband and my children to do the things I want them to do, at the time I want them to do them. But when I step back and think about it, I realize that my Father in Heaven does not handle me in that way, and it must be disappointing to Him when I try to handle His other children in that way.<br /><br />The only person I can change is me. The only actions I can change are mine. And the only attitude I can improve is my own. I have to allow other people that same opportunity. I have to let them make their own bad decisions and allow them to fix their own problems in their own way. Sometimes it is quite challenging, a big hurdle, to stand back and watch someone I care about suffer through a learning experience without trying to fix it for them. But how else will they learn? How else will they grow?<br /><br />When I was younger my mother would always remind me that <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">“Patience is a Virtue”</span>, to which I always retorted,<span style="color:#ff99ff;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">“But not one of mine!”</span></span> But I really am trying to learn patience, to trust that when trials come through no decision of my own that there is a learning opportunity there even for me. Even if it is only to learn how to have patience with the trial, or to trust that God has a hand in it, and be patient with His timetable.<br /><br />One of my favorite quotes is by Neal A. Maxwell. He says, <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">“Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best--better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and pattern to unfold in our lives, on His timetable."</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I think the most important thing I have learned with trials in my life, no matter the trial, our doing or because of someone else, God knows what we are going through. He knows and He cares. He always sees a bigger picture than we do. He knows what we need to learn and how we need to grow, and He patiently waits as we learn and grow. And if it is a trial that someone close to us needs to go through, He will comfort us while we wait. He is always there for us! I am so grateful for that knowledge, it makes the hurdles in life so much easier to face, no matter where they come from.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span>Moonbeamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17818535658110335993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-495639899484032972009-06-07T08:22:00.002-06:002009-06-07T08:31:32.660-06:00100 Ways to Know God Loves MeA couple months ago I came across a children's book called,<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ways-Know-Loves-Songs-Love/dp/1400311578">"100 Ways to Know God Loves Me."</a></span> by Stephen Elkins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each page has a simply laid out reason. I loved this book! And realize the simple messages are for everyone. Let me share reason number one:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I know God loves me because...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"He answers my prayers."</span></span></div><div>Jeremiah was a great teacher. He taught everyone that God is a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> listening</span> God. God answers big prayers and little prayers, loud prayers and soft ones. But how do I know God answers my prayers? Jeremiah 33:3 promises that God will answer EVERY prayer. God's reply may not be heard with our ears and may not be what we expect. But He will hear, and He will <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">answer</span>. So let's do what the Bible says. Let's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">pray</span> every day. God loves to hear your voice!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014476407963030963.post-58436189426816357522009-06-04T11:01:00.006-06:002009-06-05T23:28:12.467-06:00The "P" Word<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><span><span>When I was younger I had a very messy room. </span></span><div><br /></div><div><span><span>I knew where everything was. It was just messy. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>My mom often referred to it as my “pig-sty.” Leaving me, therefore, a pig. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>My mom in her attempts to get me to clean it tried everything from bribery, threats and the occasional rewards. I even remember coming home one day to find everything I owned in trash bags in the garage. That is, everything that was not put away. Which was basically everything. This attempt only made me mad. It did not ignite the fire in me to clean everything as I’m sure my mom was hoping for. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>This was the constant battle between my mom and I. We always had a third guy that started it all. My messy room. These battles continued on into my high school years. My mom would tell me I couldn’t go out with my friends until it was all put away. That only encouraged my creativity. My friends would come over and we would spend 20 minutes stuffing every bit of clothing on top of my bed where we would nicely make the bed over it. My mom knew what we were doing. But how could she argue? It was off the floor, right? She used to get so frustrated at my thinking. Why wouldn’t I just take the time to put it away? It took me the same amount of time to disguise it as it would take to put it away! Stubborness? Laziness? </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>Perhaps. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>It wasn’t until I got to college and had a roommate who was an artist. Yes Tallulah. This is you. I am no where near the talent she is in her artwork. But I am in my desires of creativity and appreciation of art. She would tell me that a messy room was a sign of creativity. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">That was it!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I wasn’t a pig after all</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I was creative! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>And then I got married. And as I quickly discovered in my marriage, it was like there was a big, huge magnifying glass on every weakness I had! I don’t know why that is! Perhaps to help us learn more about ourselves. And this worked. I have learned more about myself. I don’t know if it is my marriage or a cause of just getting older. Or perhaps both. But the reason behind all of it came one day…around age 30 as I was anal-retentively organizing my business office space. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Perfectionism. </span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>I am neither a messy person nor a pig. I keep a messy space, not because I am stubborn, lazy or a creative genius. I am a perfectionist. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It is all or nothing. </span> It is either picture-perfect organized or it is the opposite. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>This was a major epiphany in my life. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>I was so <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">THRILLED</span> to discover the method behind my madness!!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>Now the question comes: “Is this a curse or blessing?” At times when my house is singing from cleanliness and every little thing has a home, it is a blessing indeed. And most days it is my greatest weakness and a curse indeed. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>I’m sure my mom would be taken back to know the solution to our battles could have been solved by a well thought out trip to the Container Store and an investment of a few hundred dollars in some well planned and organized “homes” for my belongings. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span>I don’t know why my brain works this way. But it does. If it has a home, I can rest. If it doesn’t,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> “I will get to it.” </span> While in the meantime the pile heaps. While I am sure there are many reasons behind this quirky trait, I have found comfort in knowing WHY I do the things I do. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I guess the next part of my life will be in discovering ways to overcome this part of me that at times can be a curse. </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And while I am learning, I will repeat my motto of "It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be." Maybe one day I'll really mean it.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Mamma Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496408358571592919noreply@blogger.com3