Debut

Me and Catherine last weekend in Symphony Lake, Alaska

This is my first post on here so I better do a bit of an introduction. My name is Nicole. I have lived in Alaska for 9 months now. Prior to that we were in Utah for 10 years and Delaware for 2.5. I grew up in New York so I guess if I keep heading west I will eventually make it back where I started from!

I have 3 kids, 2 cats and 1 dog. I stay at home and enjoy the usual things: reading, decorating the abode, shopping, talking, writing, backpacking.

Wait. What? I thought you said the normal things?

Yeah, turns out backpacking into some remote area and spending a night or two is normal here in the great white north. Up until June of this year the only thing I ever put on my back was a bag of school books. And I rarely sleep in anything but my own bed. But I have actually gone twice this summer with only other women.

I guess my motto has been "When in Nome- er- Rome, do as the Nomans, I mean Romans."

And being open to this, or rather being open to the thought of having a night off from the whole making-dinner-put-kids-to-bed routine, turned out to be just what I needed. In fact, it is in my blood now.

After the end of my first 5-mile hike and we were sitting on this cliff overlooking the Cook Inlet. I laid down on the grass and breathed the salty air and listened to the gulls calling to each other as the wind rustled the trees. I felt the quiet. The absolute peace of being so far from anything; my cell phone, my car, my TV and yes even my computer. I felt that one-ness with myself and my thoughts. I felt centered.

Then the next day I was so stiff I could not even imagine hoisting that pack on again to truck it 5-miles out, but I did it. I pushed hard and I got out faster than we went in. I felt so pleased that I did something out of the ordinary for me, and that was pretty challenging physically. I felt like I could do hard things. I felt empowered and refreshed to face life again. I returned to my family a happier person.

So I guess the discussion I pose to each of you is this: What have you done that was so out of the ordinary for you, that you ended up finding rewarding?

kaitlyn. kaiky. kaity. kait.

me:

i am an almost 25 year old living in bellingham. i am a wife to one, mom of two, and one of three kids in a family of five, who hopes to have four kids of my own someday. i really love where i live and the friends and family that i have in the area. i am pretty fluffy right now, but working on it. i love to express my opinion. i believe in honesty for MOST situations. i love to argue. i don't like to be touched (only exception: my babies). i kind of stink at talking on the phone because i interrupt too much even when i don't mean to. i am insecure but working on becoming more confident. i am pretty much an open book, but i like it when people ask me questions because i don't want to talk about myself more than anyone wants to listen. ask me ANYTHING you want to know. i love to run. i love outside. i love learning new things. i am currently learning about photography, but not because i want to have a business, i would just like to have great pictures. i love my girls. i love being a mother. i love history. i love reading. i hate olives. halloween is probably my favorite holiday (although don't ask why). i am not easily offended, and if i am i will probably ask you to clarify. i am proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. sometimes i say things i shouldn't. if i insult you just tell me so i can fix it. i am constantly trying to learn how to be a better person. i pretend to scrapbook but have only ever completely finished one album. i like to laugh. i love time. i love lists. syllabus day was my favorite day in school. i am excited about this blog! (this turned into a list, and somehow, i am not surprised)

All about Me: Elise

I have never blogged before, so this is a First! Little bit about me: I'm married to a great man, I have 5 children, 4 in-laws, 4 handsome grandsons and 10 beautiful granddaughters. I have lived in Layton,Utah most of my life.
I currently work as a Receptionist for Crus Oil in Salt Lake City. Yes I commute!
I have many interests: Cooking,baking,candy making,sewing,gardening,photography,reading,
traveling and many more.
I love good food,and good entertainment.
I'm learning to live with celiac disease. I am rethinking my cooking skills. It is trying sometimes.
Fruits and Veggies and SOY are my new found friends.

This should be a new fun experience!

About Me: Jacquelyn

Hey! I’m Jacquelyn. I’m an opera singer in training. I love stuff which makes writing about myself a little boring because I tend to use that as the only verb in my sentences. I’m excited about the things I’m doing, and I may be a bit melodramatic, but hey, it comes in handy :) I love gardening, flowers, sunsets, mountains. I love photography, though I don’t really know how to do it (no worries, its on my bucket list). I love to learn, I have lots of high aspirations. I love bright colors, art, fashion (particularly nonsensible shoes),and interior design. I love the ocean, but by that I mostly mean ocean creatures–I’ve been known to scan the channels in hopes of finding another giant squid documentary, and love to visit aquariums...and then eat seafood...a little morbid I know. I’m a detailed journal keeper. I love dogs, big ones. I love to cook, and try new foods. Cheese is my favorite food, muenster specifically, though there’s hardly a cheese I’ve met that I haven’t liked. I love music, particularly gypsy music or anything with an accordion, opera, and 80s techno. I love shopping and finding sweet deals. I love the theater, but particularly opera. I most recently performed in Dido and Aeneas (as a witch and courtier). I have an interest in accents, and absentmindedly slip into inconsistent ones all the time, as anyone who knows me knows.

Thrills

I have stayed in some beautiful hotels and had fun vacations that I will never forget but there are other memories that are equally as thrilling. The time my Dad had to remove a salamander from the toilet bowl. That was exciting, no one knew how he got there, he just must have made his way through the pipes. Living in Bear Lake on my Grandfather's farm. Roaming the hills and valleys on my stick horse all day, and coming home just in time for dinner. One time someone dumped four little puppies on the farm and my little sister, Sherry, and I were in heaven. It was fun to play in the haystack and to dare each other to wear red and to walk past the bull's pen. Picking raspberries and canning them, if we didn't eat them first. Watching Grandpa chop the heads off the chickens and them cleaning them out all together on Grandpa's back porch. Getting a blue ribbon for the little rosebud apron that I made, because my mother taught me to sew and Sherry and I were the only two in the 4 H class.

Going to the old-fashioned drug store in Montpelier and ordering a fresh lime with my Grandpa. Because after all his name was Lyman, or Lyme. Being the only cousin to use the red handled spoon, because I said so. Watching the Lennon sisters with my Grandfather who had a really big deep bass voice and loved singing. While watching the fuzzy television a mouse would usually run in the house and go straight for the trap. Then we would dine on oysters and crackers sent to my grandfather by my aunt Gwen. Going to bed in my darling shorty flapper style pygama's with the satin ribbon on the little pleated skirt. Of course mine were blue and Sherry's were pink. They were so cute and right from the Sears Catalog. As we drifted off to sleep we usually heard the coyotes howl at the moon, but the stars were really shining in the dark night.

This is Me

Hi everyone! My name is Erin Christensen, formerly Erin Parkinson, I am a friend of Kaitlyn Holman and was just introduced to this fabulous idea of a blog. I am actually pretty excited about it, considering I don't do much for myself during the 24 hours of a day. :) So, I will mention my family and then not bring it up again....hehe. I am married to a wonderful man named Teage, and have been for over 5 years. We have two beautiful boys, twins who are 2 years old and the loves of our lives. We live in Snoqualmie Wa in a wonderful community with a lot of young families and some wonderful friends. My family is the most important thing in my life, and definitely what I spend most time on. :) That is a good thing though!

Like many others who have blogged so far, I love photography, and do take pictures on the "side" of my full-time mom duties. I am definitely not the best photographer in the world, but have a passion for it, and absolutely LOVE my amazing photo ops. I love capturing little children in their element, young couples in love on the best day of their lives, and this amazingly beautiful world that Heavenly Father has given us. It is such a thrill for me.

I also love to read, blog, organize (I am little bit of a organizing nerd), and play outdoors. My family loves to play tennis and go on hikes around the beautiful northwest. I also love anything that has to do with pictures....editing, scrap booking, etc. I could spend hours and not even notice. :)

I am really excited about reading and writing on this ladies' blog. What a great escape for all of us! I am just worried about keeping up with all of the posts! Thanks for this great opportunity Alicia!

How I Met Brandon

The following is the story of how we met. We wrote this up together a little over a year ago. I'd be interested to hear your stories, not necessarily about how you met your husband but any significant story in your life.

Brandon

Months before I met Alicia, I was an intern at the Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital in Sacaton, AZ as a fourth-year Optometry student. As the holidays approached, I went home to visit my family in Centerville. Upon returning home, I was reunited with some friends in the Centerville ward. My friend Adam invited me to attend a party he was throwing for New Years’ at his parents’ house in Farmington. So after visiting with my extended family in Salt Lake, I arrived at his house around ten. I pulled a chair up to the table where some of the guests were playing cards and eating desserts.

Alicia

I had just found a beautiful apartment and moved to Centerville in August. It was close to Davis High School where I work and it just felt like the right place to live. My first Sunday in Centerville, I attended the ward that Brandon had attended that summer. It was my first and his last Sunday in that ward; we just barely missed each other. Coincidently (because this rarely happens), I made some comments in Sunday school that caused a little stir and Brandon remembers me but I did not meet him that day.
Some months passed and I had started to feel uninterested in attending the ward activities and my dad reminded me that New Years’ was coming up and it should be a priority to participate in a party where I might meet some people. I had heard that my friend Adam was throwing a party at his parents’ house and I decided to go. I probably arrived around nine.
It was a very cold evening and I was wearing black sling-backs and no socks. I thought I would slip on my way into the house. I said a little prayer in my car to give me the courage to attend the party and make some friends. I have always been a little shy in larger groups, especially groups where I didn’t know many people. The thought occurred to me that for years my dad had said, “Just remember, you could walk into a party one day and the man of your dreams could be sitting across the table.” I felt my stomach leap into my throat and I went inside. I didn’t recognize anyone that I really knew, so I pulled up a chair where some of the guests were playing cards and sat down.
Everyone was acting pretty silly and there was only one man that really stood out. He was tall and lean and had very dark, black hair. I was really impressed by his deep voice and his good manners. He seemed very sincere to me because he would ask questions that centered on the person he was talking to and he actually listened to his or her response. He was not self-centered like so many others I had met at similar activities. And he seemed content to talk to whomever he was visiting with at the time. I knew that if he was new to the ward, I would have to act very quickly. And so I did.
I didn’t talk to Brandon much, but I knew that was his name because I heard someone call him that. But I just made sure that by the end of the evening I had introduced myself and said something complimentary. My dad taught me that. Two nights later, I called Adam and asked for his friend Brandon’s phone number.

Brandon

Back in Arizona, about 10 days after the party, I had just gotten off work that evening and was reading in my bedroom when my cell phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number but answered it because it was an 801 area code. I wish we could’ve recorded that conversation. It started like this: “Hi is this Brandon? Brandon Walters that was at Adam’s party? Are you dating anyone? Not because I am calling to ask if I can be your girlfriend, but because I wanted to get to know you.” Or something like that. Alicia asked if I remembered her. I remembered she had shoulder-length, brunette hair and attractive, blue eyes and we had talked at the party. I thought she had been on a date at Adam’s party. We talked for about an hour and a half about our families and introductions. I remember saying to her specifically, “It was great talking to you, Alicia, please call me back anytime.”
The next day Alicia sent me a text message that read: “It was great talking to you” and it included her E-mail address. I didn’t know how to spell her name so I spelled it Alesia. I sent her some pictures of my service mission to El Salvador. We E-mailed and talked on the phone through February. I was impressed with Alicia because she was pleasant to talk to and seemed to be able to carry on a good conversation that wasn’t forced. I was surprised at how long we could talk and how much I enjoyed it. I felt comfortable and at ease talking to her. I could tell that she was very passionate about teaching and education and had some strong opinions. I remember Alicia talking about her preparation for the GRE and how challenging Math was to her.
It was President’s Day weekend and I decided to come home. I was interested to meet Alicia in person again so I called and asked her if she would go on a date that weekend. She said it was a great idea and suggested that we go to Antelope Island and try to cook a new recipe that her friend Ashley had given her. I was impressed that after suggesting that we go on a date, Alicia came up with the plans and that she was willing to cook.
When Alicia gave me her address, I was surprised at how close it was to my mother’s house. I could see her apartment outside my bedroom window across the field. I showed up and she had actually fallen asleep and was surprised that I was on time. Her hair was still wet from the shower and she told me, “I need to dry my hair but have a seat and eat a cookie.” When her hair was dry, Alicia showed me her apartment. I liked the pictures she had taken of her family and the oil paintings she had done herself. I thought she was more beautiful meeting her again and was excited to be with her. The sunset was beautiful and we actually saw several buffalo. Alicia said that she had never seen actual buffalo, although she had gone to Antelope Island many times. I wanted to see her again.

Alicia

The following Monday after Antelope Island, Brandon moved to San Diego to start a new rotation at the Naval Hospital. We continued to talk on the phone. Around mid-March, I pointed out that I have really wanted to return to Sea World but that I had no one to go with. My mom taught me that one. Brandon thought it was a good idea and so I bought a ticket. On the plane to Long Beach, CA I didn’t know what I had been thinking. I wondered, “How did I get here?” I wasn’t sure if Brandon really wanted me to come. I just know that it was so fun to see him pull up in his Nissan and pick me up at the airport. That weekend, I stayed overnight at his former Branch President’s house. We visited Brandon’s Optometry school, the fireworks at DownTown Disney, The Hotel Del Coronado, and Sea World. My favorite activity was going to the San Diego Symphony for a St. Patrck’s Day concert. As I was getting ready to go back home, I wasn’t sure that Brandon would want to date me because he had another year planned for residency and it wasn’t likely at the time that he would complete it in Utah.

Brandon

I had decided to apply for an additional year of training as a resident. At the time Alicia visited me in San Diego, I had already interviewed at three different locations, none of which included Utah. As it turned out, there was an opening at the VA Medical Center in Salt Lake and I decided to accept it. The more I thought about this turn of events, the more sense it made that I belonged back in Utah and that the Lord had a hand in this opportunity to pursue my relationship with Alicia.

Alicia

I was shocked! I remember getting a phone call from Brandon while I was visiting my parent’s house. My mom was in the living room on the couch and listening in on my conversation. When I repeated the words, “You are going to be doing your residency in Salt Lake?!” my mom’s eyes met mine and we both had a huge smile on our faces. We knew.

This Is Me

I probably don't know any of you except for our mutual friend Alicia, but I am excited to get to know you through this blog! My name is Lara Seaver. I live in Clearfield, UT with my husband Jayson. I am not a mother yet, but we are hoping that little ones will come to join our home soon. In the meantime I am working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the schools. With school being out for the summer I have been home alone a lot and have been starving for some contact with other adult women. I am so excited for this blog! I love reading, learning, cooking, camping, star gazing, road tripping, crafting, organizing, blogging and lots of other things! I am currently working on loving running and cleaning, and actually making some gains with the running thing (the cleaning not so much). I grew up in Redmond, WA (near Seattle) and my heart still lies in the Northwest. Hopefully someday we will be able to return there. Like I said, I love to cook, so I may be sharing some recipes on here as I discover new favorites.

Super-Bat-Spider-Buzz...

This piece is something I wrote a couple of years ago.. but it is a favorite. I hope you enjoy.

I love Jake.. Funny things happen when that kid is around. He's at that age where he can talk, but you have to be the mom to understand. I often feel like I'm speaking to a fast talking German (I took a little German in college) and I'm catching only every few words and all this makes Jake think I'm a complete idiot.
I went to my sister's yesterday because she wanted to show me the Christmas sweaters she bought for her cute boys. When I got there, I made Jake come and give me a hug and as I'm holding him he says, "buzz blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, spider, blah, blah blah..." I smile and say, "Awesome Jake!" and he rolls his eyes at me. So then I make the big mistake and I show him his new Christmas sweater. "NO! NO! Teef! blah, blah, Buzz blah, blah, blah, blah..." So I ask for a translation and my sister tells me that I have made the faux pa of missing a major holiday. Jake does not want a Christmas sweater, he wants to be Buzz Lightyear for Halloween. Oh, is that the only problem? Simple, "Jake the postman is bringing your costume in a few days and you can wear this nice sweater at Christmas. You can have both."
This is where I get into trouble because my sister leaves the room and now I'm stuck with a small angry person and no translator. Jake says, "No! No! Teef! Blah, blah, blah... Super...blah..." Oh dear. And, I am the idiot Jake thinks I am because I say, "Jake this is a very handsome sweater." Violent head shaking. "NO!! NO! NO!!! Teef (I'm Teef, if you were wondering) blah, blah, blah, bat, blah, blah, blah....." It's now that I have a light bulb moment and come out of my haze. Jake is very smart and I realize that he is trying to trade me the Christmas sweater for the Buzz Lightyear costume first, but he is willing to accept Superman next or Batman if that absolutely won't work. And I'm wishing that I had learned that baby sign language.... "Jake, in 3 moons, postman come, bring Buzz Costume ... to ... Jake."I'm getting smarter so I try re-directing and I put Jake on my shoulders and fly him around the room. But Jake is not easily re-directed. He's very smart and he knows what I'm doing. So from over my head I hear, "Blah, blah, blah Spider, blah, blah....."
I didn't know what to do at this point so I gave Jake a big hug. I completely understand where he's coming from even if we don't communicate well. Jake and I are a lot alike. Actually, I was having a completely frustrating day myself. Things were not turning out. Having this visit with Jake made me realize that atleast I can work on my stuff, Jake is still wondering where the heck the dang mailman is with his Buzz costume and why his stupid relatives want to skip his favorite holiday.

New Respect

Last weekend I attempted to hike Mount Timpanogos with a girlfriend. I've climbed that mountain three times before. Twice with my parents as a teenager & once with my husband, long before my son was born. It's a great hike. There are beautiful wildflowers, a tremendous view from the top & you get to slide down some snow on the back side. Climbing up a mountain is much more rewarding when you get to slide down it! I grew up hiking, white water rafting, & camping with my family. I feel very comfortable in that type of element. I feel like I'm in control & know what I'm doing. I'm always well prepared for the worst possible scenario. I love to be prepared. When someone forgets something, important or unimportant, I love to be able to help out by sharing. Anyway, this past weekend was the first time I had done something big and a little daring in the great outdoors without being accompanied by a man. It was incredibly liberating to feel completely in control. We didn't have a man who was trying to race to the top. We could go at our own speed & set our own pace. It was so much fun! I do like having my husband along for these types of adventures, but there was something different about just going with another girl. It made the hike completely new & exciting again. It was similar to the feeling I had when I first got my drivers license. I felt that the world was at my feet. So we hiked along enjoying our conversation. We saw two moose & a whole herd of deer. We saw colorful fields of wild flowers filled with some very happy humming birds.

As we were nearing the basin you cross before you make your final ascent some storm clouds rolled in. I've never seen clouds move that fast. They covered us in an instant. What was an average overcast day had suddenly turned very dark. It started to hail. We took protection in a small grouping of pine trees. And then the lightening started. I don't mind lightening too much when I'm at home, but being up on the side of the mountain in the middle of a cloud isn't really the best place to be if you'd like to avoid being struck! I was very nervous. Some other hikers were also taking cover in our little group of trees. I knew the only thing that would make me feel better would be to say a prayer. I was a little nervous because I didn't know the other hikers & my friend isn't LDS. But I knew we all needed God's protection. So I told everyone I was going to say a prayer. We bowed our heads & I prayed for our protection. I was so scared! After our prayer the lightening settled down. The hail stopped. While we were waiting for the storm to settle down we started talking with our fellow hikers. One of them was a brother from my ward! This was his third time up Timpanogos this year, & last year he hiked to the caves 130 times! He was very experienced. I immediatley felt better knowing that there was someone I knew nearby. We didn't dare continue on our trek up the mountain as the clouds still looked very ominous. As soon as the storm stopped we turned around and headed home. It was a wet & soggy trek back down the mountain. It rained & snowed the whole time. We were cold, wet, & muddy. My friend got a blister & actually ended up walking the last mile in just her socks! But we were grateful we had made it safely off the mountain. I know that God watches over us & protects us. I know that he hears our prayers. Sometimes he starts answering them before we even say them! And next time I attempt to hike Mount Timpanogos, I'll listen a little more carefully to the weather man!

Me, Raquel

I am very excited about the Bell-Ladies blog. My name is Raquel and currently live in Los Angeles. I have known our mutual friend, Alicia, since we were 8 year-old giggly-girls in Utah. I moved to Los Angeles about 5 years ago to explore my dream of living in a big city and experiencing life a little before getting married and all that fun stuff. I'm currently in a great relationship with a wonderful man, Mark, whom I've known for several years even before we started dating. (he grew up in Utah also!) It worked out that he had already moved to LA when we started dating, so I had one more reason to move to this wonderful city in Southern California.

I graduated from college a few years ago with a degree in Paralegal Studies. I currently am a bookkeeper for a private family firm in Westwood near UCLA. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up but I'm working on it and when its right I'll know.

I enjoy art, writing, reading, shopping, eating... and all the other "ings". I can bake like it is no body's business - but I have a bit to learn on actual cooking and meal planning. (Not my mother's fault - she is a great cook and still makes great meals every night for my dad.) In my defense, cookies are way more interesting than casserole. So, that is how that happened. I try to get to the beach whenever I can (only about 7-10 miles from home), and another of my favorite things is to go for long walks through the city at night with M. I am a bit of a night owl, so I have to have things to occupy my time at night when I wake up. Lots and lots of movie watching too, if you ever want a movie recommend, I can be your girl!

I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone!

xoxo

What inspired this blog?

This is my family. I felt inspired to create this blog because of them. Because I’m the mom and when I’m not happy, no one is. As a mom, I really crave interaction with other women who can relate to the frustration of time constraints, fatigue and sometimes loneliness. Not to mention that as a former teacher, I used to have an audience of roughly 200 students and their parents, a faculty of 84 and its administrators. I’ve always had p l e n t y to say and never minded saying it. Now I have an audience of a darling little baby. I love that and I’m happy that way and wouldn’t change it. But I find more and more that I don’t have time to look at all the blogs I’d like to or hang out on Facebook. I only have a 4-month-old for such a short time and she needs me to play with her and tickle her feet so I needed a blog that invited some ladies to chime in, like the Costco of blogs-one stop blogging.

I’m not into using a social network as my “out”. What I mean is, this blog isn’t meant to take away from loving your husband and children, it’s just meant to refresh me so that I can say, “Hey, they are doing it, so can I!” and then jump back into my responsibilities. I have a very supportive husband in this and I wouldn’t be able to do something like this without his help and encouragement. He knows that I really love to write, and without it, I get very lonely for an academic setting. And heck yeah! I’m still going to hang out with you and throw parties and stuff. I’m not going to become a hermit because I have all this writing to do now.

I think that being a mom is more academic than anything. Because of the time constraint, you have to analyze constantly. How can I cut the time it takes for me to get ready in half? How can I stretch this dollar to feed more than 2? How can I clean the house, play with the kids, and feed everyone spiritually and temporally? Including myself? Executives, CEOs, whatever would probably double their profits if they would hire on a crusade of moms, instead of all these young guys fresh out of business school. Seriously. When I taught high school, I would a lot of times call my mom and tell her all the problems at the school. And she would say, “Well of course! Any Mom would be able to tell you that was a problem!” See? It’s true.

This blog is dedicated to Jen Walters, my sister-in-law who passed away in May. She’s amazing and a really cute lady. She has a 3 yr. old boy and is my same age, 28. She bravely battled cancer for 3 years with the knowledge that she was against all odds and stayed upbeat and optimistic for her family. She even worked out at the gym! With cancer! Amazing. She’d always call me up and say, “Hey lady!” I loved it. She knows all about the importance of "girl time," and she's not even a "girly girl," more of a common sense girl and she still got how important it was to just "chat." She, along with my husband’s family have really taught me to read and appreciate the Ensign magazine. I think that it has so many good articles and is sometimes overlooked because it’s a “church magazine.” So I found these quotes in this month’s visiting teaching message and remembered that I really love to learn new things and would love it if there were a blog where I could just be myself. Not worry about making money, not worry about keeping everyone up-to-date on what we’re doing at our house, but just be.

I’m really excited to hear what everyone has to say. I’ve already got a post idea in my head about how I do the laundry. You’re going to think I’m weird and that’s okay. I hope that you will feel completely welcome to be yourself. We’re all different right? And that’s the fun of it! If you are political, let us know! If you are spiritual, let us know! If you just like makeup and shopping, let us know all about it! If some people eat meat and some don’t, fine! I don’t care what you eat, just be sure to tell me what you eat. Ha! This is a place where we can celebrate being different, share it and not get all riled up because someone is different because we all have the same goal to be good ladies as best we can and keep ourselves mentally sane at the same time. And, hopefully, someone will feel inspired occasionally. Here's some good quotes:

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “A few of the basic attributes needed to become a lifelong learner are courage, faithful desire, humility, patience, curiosity, and a willingness to communicate and share the knowledge that we gain. …

“My dear sisters, don’t ever sell yourself short as a woman or as a mother. … Do not let the world define, denigrate, or limit your feelings of lifelong learning and the values of motherhood in the home—both here mortally and in the eternal learning and benefits you give to your children and to your companion.

“Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul. It enhances self-worth and self-actuation. Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self-doubt” (“The Journey of Lifelong Learning,” in Brigham Young University 2008–2009 Speeches [2009], 2, 8–9).

President Thomas S. Monson: “Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. … I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such.

“Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life” (“Three Goals to Guide You,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 119).

My First "Actual" Post

Hmm. I wasn't sure if I should post another post since I just posted my introduction but, why not? Besides, an introduction doesn't count, right?

I'd like to pipe in and say that I finally stopped just "talking" about getting in shape and finally did something about it. I woke up this morning and took Garrett (my youngest) with me in the jogging stroller and walk/jogged around our neighborhood. It was tough but I'm really glad I did it and I plan on doing it every day. I also went to Labels today (a woman's consignment shop) and got myself a pair of running shoes. Yay for commitment.

The new commitment to exercise comes at a time where I am trying to refocus on "me". I am at a crossroad and very frustrated with many things in my life right now and I realize a lot of that has to do with ignoring the things that are important to me. So, my goal is to rebuild that person piece by piece. I think I am finally ready to move forward and find out how to get a Temple Recommend. Doing this is very important to me but has the potential to shatter the stability of my marriage - it's a very tough call to make.

Jessica

Not surprisingly I can not find a recent photo of myself without my children in it. Really, there are not many photographs of me at all. I am always behind the camera. In a similar fashion, I find that on a day-to-day basis *I* barely seem to exist. Instead I have become so enmeshed in my role as a mother and wife that I seldom take the time to even differentiate between those roles and who I am as an individual. I suppose that is what intrigued me about joining this blogging group.

So, here it is:

I am Jessica Reid and have been for the last seven years on August 23rd. Prior to that I was Jessica Bringhurst. I grew up in Whatcom County and graduated from Sehome in 99. I am 28 years old. I converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints July 20th, 2003...it was a pivotal point in my life. The year I spent investigating the Church and the years since then have resulted in a lot of spiritual and personal discovery about who I am, what I stand for and what I believe in. It also freed me to question many of the assumptions I'd made about various topics throughout my life and I can confidently say I am a drastically different person in every conceivable way than the person I was only seven years ago.

Of course many things stay the same, for instance I still carry a perverse sense of humor (I've tried to shake it, really I have), I still have no idea how to properly punctuate my writing (and don't really care), I still have a sarcastic and playful nature and I still keep in touch with my best friends from High School. I am a procrastinator and I also struggle to finish well meaning projects. Oh yes, and I am still long winded. My hobbies include: writing, reading, researching parenting theories and topics, cooking, blogging and going to garage sales. I am a sucker for all things sweet and I'm really trying to tame my sweet tooth. I have become very interested in Politics over the last two years and admit that I love watching Glenn Beck and I wish Ron Paul was President.

Holl-E

I am Holl-E: mother of two and keeper of the house keys. I dabble in card making, painting, and casseroles. My husband doesn't appreciate casseroles. I have a sweet tooth, or rather a set of sweet teeth. I want to be a photographer. I admire the work of Tiana Simpson. And I enjoy reading Bradbury. I love real estate. I could watch those TLC shows day and night. I am looking for your great interior design tips, as well as tips for parenting children. I offer my services as a "pen pal" and frugality adviser.

Jumping Right In

All about me? Really? This could be kinda fun :)

I am Courtney Price, wife of Kevin, mother of four (eek! I mentioned them!). But there's a me beyond that, not that it isn't important, but what a fun opportunity to build ourselves. To be a good wife and mom, you have to be a good ME, I've learned at least that from Oprah.

I am a photographer.
I love to read and write. I am currently working on a novel and hope to someday be published, even if my current work isn't it. It's work at becoming a good writer that I enjoy.

I am 34,000 words into a novel that I expect will turn out to be around 60,000 words. That has been consuming a lot of my creative time this week. You have to grab that inspiration as it comes. There are dry spells. When I dry up, I'll come here and blog about other artsy stuff I'm up to!

I'm looking forward to meeting more people and getting to know collaborators on this blog! Great idea Alicia!

Alicia

I left teaching high school English to discover a beautiful, new life in Bellingham, Washington with Brandon and our daughter, Gloria. My interests are literature, music, art and admittedly, perfume and soap. My inspiration comes from a knock-out husband and his down-to-earth, compassionate family as well as my own academically passionate, loyal, and loving family, or the Robert and GeNee Mouritsen Family of Kaysville, Utah. I believe that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us, angels watch over and help us, dreams really come true, we are entitled to inspiration, anything is possible with faith, hard work and consistency on our part.