Take-home treasures

In Relief Society, we studied a talk by Elder Holland called "Safety for the Soul."  I was impressed that in the same way we cannot rely on another person's food storage during an emergency, we also cannot lean on someone else's testimony when the end comes.  (The parable of the 10 Virgins came to mind.)  I have to build up my own spiritual supply so that in the last days, my heart will not fail me.  I need to


"Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him."  


Moroni 10:32 is going to be the theme for my week.  When all the yadda seems like it's making my head spin around, I want to think of my Savior.  He knows me and has faith that I can do good in this world.  I will come unto Him, and become stronger and stronger.  Church is difficult at this phase in my life, but today I came home with a pearl.  I'm so glad.

Breaking up is Hard to Do

Sweetie,

This is really hard for me, because you know how much I like you.  And I don't want you to think you did anything wrong.  I love seeing you on special occasions, and on a date now and then, but this live-in situation is just not what's best for either of us.  I lose track of my goals when you're here, and I'm disappointed in myself.  I can't have this anymore.  We have to break up.

You're wonderful; you really are.  And I want you to know that I still want us to be friends.  But it'll be best for the both of us if you find another freezer.  I really hope you understand.  You're the best.

Wishing you happiness and whipped cream,
Amber

Looking for Victorian Boots

I think these boots are so cute.  I'm supposed to get something like this for the Secret Garden, but much much cheaper.  The trick is finding them.  These are about $150, and I found another pair for $50.  But I'm looking for $20 or less.  What are the odds that DI will have Victorian looking boots?

It's a sunshine Da-a-ay!

Ooh, I feel like I got a lot done today and I'm glad.  I did a whole bunch of dishes, laundry, bathed my baby.... It must be the sunshine, because suddenly I have the energy to accomplish more.  I even put on makeup today.  And the kids played in the backyard all by themselves!  Things are going great.  :)

Won't you come, too?

I am in a play!  Come and see!

Like a Big Band-aid

I spent the afternoon at my momma's (Has anyone ever noticed how people generally call it their "mom's house" even though both parents live there and own it?) and I feel sooo much better than I did 5 hours ago.  The kids got to play with grandma and grandpa, whom they adore, and I got to breathe and sleep, in my parents super-clean and nice bedroom.  And now I like my kids again, I'm not angry, I am chilled.  Thank you so much to my wonderful family for understanding that some days are impossible without help.  Oh thank you, thank you.

The radio is talking to me

"Watchin' my heart break a little bit more..."  The past two weeks when I am driving home from Group Therapy, I have heard this line in a song by Mat Kearney.  It totally fits Group.

(For those of you who didn't know this, I attend therapy on a weekly basis with other women who deal with depression and anxiety issues.  It sounds weird, but it's been really good for me.)

What I learned today, and which applies to the lyrics in that song, is that sometimes we have to break down what existed in order to build something better.  Kind of like building a muscle, or fixing a bone that has grown crooked.  Today's group was the painful, breaking-down part = lots of emotion.  And I didn't like it.

I'm working on becoming better and happier, but things are kind of tough on the road to that goal.  It does feel like my heart is breaking.  But I think (now, while I'm typing, but not while I was sitting there blubbering) that it's going to turn out good in the end.  (Hopefully sooner than "the end," actually.)  Growth is tough; don't you think?

My abs are super sore from working out yesterday, almost to the point that I feel nauseous.  But I put my hands on my tummy and know that those muscles will be stronger soon.  My emotional muscles are just sore from the work out; and think how good looking my emotional self will be after all this work.  (Insert flirty whistle here.)

Needed this

I was given a whole bunch of books from my mom, ones that I had liked as a kid.  There were bookmarks and pieces of paper tucked into some of them.  I came across a quote, probably given to me in Young Women's once; you know how they're always giving us cut-out quotes to encourage participation.  Anyways, this quote from whenever applies directly to my life today.  Things just fall together sometimes...

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented, and fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.  It is not just in some; it is in everyone.  And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Nelson Mandella quoting Marianne Williamson in his 1994 Inaugural Speech

Exploring my Interests

I wrote another review.  This play was basically the opposite of Jack and The Beanstalk, so it was difficult to review.  But I did my best.  Read my review here.

Photo Booth is our New Favorite Toy

Just some good times with two of my best friends.