A surprisingly kind and fair picture of the LDS church and Joseph Smith appears in Newsweek this week: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9630255/site/newsweek/
And now I gotta go be a Mormon...:)
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Saturday, October 15, 2005
PUMPKIN PARTY-10/12
Wednesday Night was Pumkin Night and the girls went to town carving pumpkins. They also brought a lot of friends, so it was a really fun night. I had to take my two girls with me because Richard was helping a neighbor paint his house, but they had a good time, too.
Jessica & her friend, way into their carving
Kelsey didn't want me to see her punk rock pumpkin!
Brittany and Taylor worked on their pumkins in the kitchen while the seeds were roasting in the oven (that's Brittany's mom in the background doing something with the cub scouts).
Jessica & her friend, way into their carving
Kelsey didn't want me to see her punk rock pumpkin!
Brittany and Taylor worked on their pumkins in the kitchen while the seeds were roasting in the oven (that's Brittany's mom in the background doing something with the cub scouts).
There's Me and Addie & Heidi showing off our pumpkin (Heidi is just trying to get away, and Addie's friend Scott--Brittany's little brother--is coloring on the chalk board behind us). Addie loves that pumpkin, but it's already getting shriveled.
Stephanie loves to play with little kids--here she is helping little Cailin color on the board with Addie and Scott. Steph cheered outloud when I announced I was pregnant, and she also gave Addie all the pennies out of her ashtray to get her(Addie) to do silly stuff and sing songs. Addie was so excited to put them in her penny bank!Friday, October 14, 2005
Goodbye Girls
Last Wednesday night was my last night with the Young Women at church. I was released from the Young Women’s Presidency on Sunday 10/9 and assigned to be the Ward Newsletter (“The Liahona”) editor. It was surprisingly painful to leave my fun little class of 4 girls, all ages 12 or 13. They are so much fun and I love them to pieces. With every change in church assignments I have this feeling like, “Wait, wait, wait! I’m not done yet! I need to implement such and such, and I need to tell so-and-so something,”etc., etc. I am realizing that the only way to avoid this feeling is to act immediately upon inspiration and not wait for a better time or whatever to accomplish the thing. At any rate, I just really have strong feelings about the Young Women’s program and I hope my girls know how much I love them and how much I wish I could just build a smooth bridge to adulthood over which they could glide and come out at age 21, wise and beautiful and good and educated and confident. But there is no way out but through adolescence, I am afraid, and hopefully all the bumps and bruises of middle school and high school make us stronger and more confident rather that more unsure of ourselves and our beliefs.
I want to say how thankful I am to have the Young Women’s program and leaders in the church who love and care about these girls and see the incredible obstacles that stand in the way of their morality, modesty, and –sadly—their self-confidence and sense of worth. It is a beautiful thing to see these girls who could be doing a million other things (and dressing like little hooches) showing up on Wednesdays, Sundays, and other days to be together and learn/do good things. I really honor them for that because 99% of the world just wouldn’t do it. I was really touched (granted, I am a little hormonal) by two talks from last general conference—one by Susan Tanner (General Young Women’s President) and another by Jeffrey Holland, both aimed at the Young Women. The very fact that they addressed these things shows me how in tune they are to the needs of the girls—and even women like me! If you get a minute, click on those links and read their talks.
Anyway, we tivo’ed conference, so I went back and watched those two talks in preparation for an activity a couple of weeks ago about beauty and making the best of what God gave us. I wanted the focus to be on self-respect, and my arsenal was LOADED after re-watching these two talks. Also, my heart was full and I cried. I cried because the world is such an ugly place to raise two beautiful girls. I cried because so many young women (and older women) loathe themselves and stifle their spirits because of how they are made to feel about their physical bodies. I cried because I am guilty of that and I feel terrible for passing on my bad attitude to my girls. For instance, I always call myself “Fat Mommy” and I have told Addie I can’t go to the Hot Springs because they don’t make suits big enough for me, and I am not leaving the house until I am back to my normal size. How sick is that? I promised myself that food and body image would not be huge issues in our house (because they were in mine growing up and when I am w/ family I still feel really second rate because I have gained weight), but I suppose I need to resolve my own issues to create a healthy environment for my girls (I have made great strides, by the way—I have been exercising regularly for 8 months now--ah, I LOVE it! I am addicted to teh endorphins-- and we always talk about how much we love fresh food the way Heavenly Father made it for us, etc.—thing can only get better, right?). But I also criend tears of gratitude to know the truth about the worth of each of us.
Anyway, I just feel so blessed and lucky to have guidance and inspiration for raising my girls. The Young Women’s program is so cool. I especially love the seven values: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, & Integrity. They encompass everything we need to be strong, intelligent women in this world, and a force for good in all that we do. Understanding who we are—daughters of God with many of his divine qualities—and what we are expected to do—gain knowledge, respect ourselves, take responsibility, serve others with our talents, and stick to our guns—give us all power and purpose in a world where women are often lost, neglected, abused, and confused. I will really miss being part of the program but it will always be a part of me.
I want to say how thankful I am to have the Young Women’s program and leaders in the church who love and care about these girls and see the incredible obstacles that stand in the way of their morality, modesty, and –sadly—their self-confidence and sense of worth. It is a beautiful thing to see these girls who could be doing a million other things (and dressing like little hooches) showing up on Wednesdays, Sundays, and other days to be together and learn/do good things. I really honor them for that because 99% of the world just wouldn’t do it. I was really touched (granted, I am a little hormonal) by two talks from last general conference—one by Susan Tanner (General Young Women’s President) and another by Jeffrey Holland, both aimed at the Young Women. The very fact that they addressed these things shows me how in tune they are to the needs of the girls—and even women like me! If you get a minute, click on those links and read their talks.
Anyway, we tivo’ed conference, so I went back and watched those two talks in preparation for an activity a couple of weeks ago about beauty and making the best of what God gave us. I wanted the focus to be on self-respect, and my arsenal was LOADED after re-watching these two talks. Also, my heart was full and I cried. I cried because the world is such an ugly place to raise two beautiful girls. I cried because so many young women (and older women) loathe themselves and stifle their spirits because of how they are made to feel about their physical bodies. I cried because I am guilty of that and I feel terrible for passing on my bad attitude to my girls. For instance, I always call myself “Fat Mommy” and I have told Addie I can’t go to the Hot Springs because they don’t make suits big enough for me, and I am not leaving the house until I am back to my normal size. How sick is that? I promised myself that food and body image would not be huge issues in our house (because they were in mine growing up and when I am w/ family I still feel really second rate because I have gained weight), but I suppose I need to resolve my own issues to create a healthy environment for my girls (I have made great strides, by the way—I have been exercising regularly for 8 months now--ah, I LOVE it! I am addicted to teh endorphins-- and we always talk about how much we love fresh food the way Heavenly Father made it for us, etc.—thing can only get better, right?). But I also criend tears of gratitude to know the truth about the worth of each of us.
Anyway, I just feel so blessed and lucky to have guidance and inspiration for raising my girls. The Young Women’s program is so cool. I especially love the seven values: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, & Integrity. They encompass everything we need to be strong, intelligent women in this world, and a force for good in all that we do. Understanding who we are—daughters of God with many of his divine qualities—and what we are expected to do—gain knowledge, respect ourselves, take responsibility, serve others with our talents, and stick to our guns—give us all power and purpose in a world where women are often lost, neglected, abused, and confused. I will really miss being part of the program but it will always be a part of me.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Grandpa & Grandma Layton Came to Visit
My dad and step mom came up to visit us from Pocatello, Idaho this weekend. They liked our new house and they especially liked our cute girls. We really had a fun time, even though it was cold and rainy all weekend. Dad and Becky seemed to have fun, too, and we hope they come back soon!!! 
We could get teh kids to look at the camera but not Grandpa & Grandma!
Everybody hug Grandpa goodbye!!!! (he was a big hit!)
We could get teh kids to look at the camera but not Grandpa & Grandma!
Everybody hug Grandpa goodbye!!!! (he was a big hit!)
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Little Bugs
I got out the Halloween decorations today so the girls can help me decorate. There are also several extra costumes mixed in with the decorations, so the girls decided to be bugs this morning (even thought they are going to be Strawberry Shortcake and Apple Dumpling for Halloween). Heidi's Lady Bug costume just slays me--it was like $3 last November.
Addiefly!
HeidiBug (watching TV)
Here are my bugs flying! Heidi is doing her squinty look we call "Blue Steel." Note also Addie's bandaged hand--she slipped while up at the stove and laid her hand across the burner that was boiling our soup for dinner last night. It looks okay today--pobrecita!
Addiefly!
HeidiBug (watching TV)
Here are my bugs flying! Heidi is doing her squinty look we call "Blue Steel." Note also Addie's bandaged hand--she slipped while up at the stove and laid her hand across the burner that was boiling our soup for dinner last night. It looks okay today--pobrecita! Monday, October 03, 2005
How We Met
Mollie said I should write about how Richard and I got together, and I concur, especially because I have to finish up some of my Personal History this month to get my Young Women in Excellence Award! Besides, last week was the 5th anniversary of our meeting--we found out we were expecting our 3rd baby on our 5th anniversary! So here we go...
Richard and I met on September 23, 2000 at my 29th birthday party. He was invited to my party in an effort by some good friends to broaden my dating pool at the time. He appeared on a local LDS singles website, so we invited him to the party (although I had my doubts since I already had 2 guys I had been dating at the party). So Rich came to this party with his roommate, “cold turkey,” so to speak, and we had nice conversation. He brought me chocolate covered macadamia nuts, which got my attention.
So, background: I was working as an editor in marketing communications and teaching Freshman Composition at a local college at night. I had just moved to Utah from AZ after a horrendous broken engagement over the holidays of 1999. I was still very much NOT serious about dating—I mean, I was dating, but mostly people I knew I would never marry—and staying really busy with work, church, and family stuff. Meanwhile, Rich had finished his BS at BYU-Hawaii and landed a great photography job at a big Salt Lake City studio. So we were both working, having fun, and BAM! We met each other just as we were getting settled into our post-grad lives.
I thought Rich was really nice, but I didn’t really think I would see him again. He had other plans, though. The next day (Sunday 9/24), I got an email from him, asking me out on a date the following Wednesday. I thought I could probably go out with him again, so responded with a yes. But then I thought I ought to sort of “check him out” first. On Monday I had to take friends who had flown in for the party to the airport, so I asked Rich if I could swing by his apartment, which was on the way home. I wanted to see what his lifestyle was like--if he was a big nerd or of he had some coolness; if he was a slob or neat freak, etc. Turns out he had a very nice, clean apartment, lots of interesting photos and stories, a cool, close family, a nice CD collection, and we had lots to talk about. So I felt okay about going out on Wednesday.
We went out on Wednesday and he was like 20 minutes early to pick me up. He was soooo excited! I remember he was wearing some cargo shorts and a dark red Eddie Bauer rugby shirt. We talked about where to go, and I thought it would be fun to have a Skee-Ball tournament at Chuck E. Cheese’s—plus, it was near my sister’s house and I could introduce Rich to my niece, Ally, who was about 10 months old then. Well, we had fun at Chuck E.’s—we had our picture taken there and I still have it, and we used our tickets to buy a pair of parachuting ninjas. Then we went over and played with Ally for a while. My sister and I agreed that, although Rich had certain nerdiness, he was also super-genuine and sweet. So I went out with him again on the weekend, and he came down to hang out with me on Sunday evening (we lived about 40 miles apart—I in Orem, he in Salt Lake City). My roommates (a designer and a social worker) started asking about him because he came around so often, I pretended to be chill, and we just kept dating. Once, after I had told him they were jealous that he always brought me flowers, he brought some for all three of us. How cool is that? We talked a lot, we did fun things, but also learned a lot about each other—every date had some kind of theme, like sharing family photos and stories, or mission photos and stories, or all-time- favorite movies on DVD, etc. It was a whirlwind of fun and Rich was wearing down my resistance.
So I was dying inside because I pretty much knew in my gut that this was “it,” but it wasn’t really how I had pictured it all and I was still a little shell-shocked from the previous year. But there was absolutely no danger or worry with Richard—never has been, never will be. I felt safe and certain from the very start because I knew he was shamelessly smitten. What else could I do? I mean, I had been telling God for years that if he wanted me to get married it would have to be obvious and safe, and the man would have to be the world’s absolute best Daddy. There never could have been a clearer answer than Richard. I could have denied it and fought it and gone my own way—but I will guarantee that I would be divorced or widowed by now. I am always grateful for what seems like divine intervention and for Richard’s persistence.
Long story short: we met September 23rd. Our first date was September 27th. He brought me to Montana to meet the family and see the homestead on October 27th and we became engaged on a mountainside in Paradise Valley on October 28th. Yep—a lengthy 35-day courtship, followed by a 3-1/2 month engagement. We were married February 17, 2001 in San Diego and had 4 receptions/ Open Houses over the next month as we traveled through CA, AZ, Sonora Mexico, Utah, Idaho, and Montana (we settled in Salt Lake City). Nine months and 4 days later, we welcomed Baby Adeline to our family, and as they say, lived happily ever after. We hope, anyway.
Here is the quote from the front of our wedding announcement that captures the essence of what happened between us:
Richard and I met on September 23, 2000 at my 29th birthday party. He was invited to my party in an effort by some good friends to broaden my dating pool at the time. He appeared on a local LDS singles website, so we invited him to the party (although I had my doubts since I already had 2 guys I had been dating at the party). So Rich came to this party with his roommate, “cold turkey,” so to speak, and we had nice conversation. He brought me chocolate covered macadamia nuts, which got my attention.
So, background: I was working as an editor in marketing communications and teaching Freshman Composition at a local college at night. I had just moved to Utah from AZ after a horrendous broken engagement over the holidays of 1999. I was still very much NOT serious about dating—I mean, I was dating, but mostly people I knew I would never marry—and staying really busy with work, church, and family stuff. Meanwhile, Rich had finished his BS at BYU-Hawaii and landed a great photography job at a big Salt Lake City studio. So we were both working, having fun, and BAM! We met each other just as we were getting settled into our post-grad lives.
I thought Rich was really nice, but I didn’t really think I would see him again. He had other plans, though. The next day (Sunday 9/24), I got an email from him, asking me out on a date the following Wednesday. I thought I could probably go out with him again, so responded with a yes. But then I thought I ought to sort of “check him out” first. On Monday I had to take friends who had flown in for the party to the airport, so I asked Rich if I could swing by his apartment, which was on the way home. I wanted to see what his lifestyle was like--if he was a big nerd or of he had some coolness; if he was a slob or neat freak, etc. Turns out he had a very nice, clean apartment, lots of interesting photos and stories, a cool, close family, a nice CD collection, and we had lots to talk about. So I felt okay about going out on Wednesday.
We went out on Wednesday and he was like 20 minutes early to pick me up. He was soooo excited! I remember he was wearing some cargo shorts and a dark red Eddie Bauer rugby shirt. We talked about where to go, and I thought it would be fun to have a Skee-Ball tournament at Chuck E. Cheese’s—plus, it was near my sister’s house and I could introduce Rich to my niece, Ally, who was about 10 months old then. Well, we had fun at Chuck E.’s—we had our picture taken there and I still have it, and we used our tickets to buy a pair of parachuting ninjas. Then we went over and played with Ally for a while. My sister and I agreed that, although Rich had certain nerdiness, he was also super-genuine and sweet. So I went out with him again on the weekend, and he came down to hang out with me on Sunday evening (we lived about 40 miles apart—I in Orem, he in Salt Lake City). My roommates (a designer and a social worker) started asking about him because he came around so often, I pretended to be chill, and we just kept dating. Once, after I had told him they were jealous that he always brought me flowers, he brought some for all three of us. How cool is that? We talked a lot, we did fun things, but also learned a lot about each other—every date had some kind of theme, like sharing family photos and stories, or mission photos and stories, or all-time- favorite movies on DVD, etc. It was a whirlwind of fun and Rich was wearing down my resistance.
So I was dying inside because I pretty much knew in my gut that this was “it,” but it wasn’t really how I had pictured it all and I was still a little shell-shocked from the previous year. But there was absolutely no danger or worry with Richard—never has been, never will be. I felt safe and certain from the very start because I knew he was shamelessly smitten. What else could I do? I mean, I had been telling God for years that if he wanted me to get married it would have to be obvious and safe, and the man would have to be the world’s absolute best Daddy. There never could have been a clearer answer than Richard. I could have denied it and fought it and gone my own way—but I will guarantee that I would be divorced or widowed by now. I am always grateful for what seems like divine intervention and for Richard’s persistence.
Long story short: we met September 23rd. Our first date was September 27th. He brought me to Montana to meet the family and see the homestead on October 27th and we became engaged on a mountainside in Paradise Valley on October 28th. Yep—a lengthy 35-day courtship, followed by a 3-1/2 month engagement. We were married February 17, 2001 in San Diego and had 4 receptions/ Open Houses over the next month as we traveled through CA, AZ, Sonora Mexico, Utah, Idaho, and Montana (we settled in Salt Lake City). Nine months and 4 days later, we welcomed Baby Adeline to our family, and as they say, lived happily ever after. We hope, anyway.
Here is the quote from the front of our wedding announcement that captures the essence of what happened between us:
“We recognize what is lovely because we have seen it somewhere else,
and…when we see and object or person that please us,
it is like recognizing an old friend;
it hits us in the solar plexus and we need no measuring or lecturing
to tell us that it is indeed quite perfect.
It is something we have long been looking for,
memories of how things should be.” –Hugh Nibley
***
***
Wedding Day 2001: MIL Rosalie, Husband Richard, Me, FIL Tom at the San Diego Temple where we were married.
A Kiss to Build a Dream On. 
Wedding Day 2001: Cousin Candace, Niece Ally, SIL Angie, Me, Sister Sara, Niece Melanie, Sister Amy
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