BLOG SABOTAGE!!

I'm good at a few things in life, and I struggle with a few others! Computer literacy is one of the latter. Once I learn a program I can hold my own....But, it takes me awhile to get things figured out. This whole blogging thing has been a bit frustrating.

Luckily, I have a built in online tech support. Her name is Brooke Reeves, my little Sis. She is also a professional spell checker! She has spent HOURS with me helping me learn how to navigate and post on my blog. She is very patient about a lot of things....and there are some things she has refused to teach me because she doesn't have all day! Consequently, I have given her my account password so that she can log on and fix some things for me. Soooo nice of her right?!

Well.........my sister is also an accomplished jokester. She is hilarious, and lots of fun to be around. Her humor is silly and sometimes crass (ok lots of times). She takes great pleasure in teasing me. I LOVE IT! Last night I logged into my blog to some surprise posts! One with a title that included a crass reference to a body part, and another announcing an Estate Sale at my home. It advertised that I was liquidating, and everything must go!

As horrified as I was, I could not stop laughing. I quickly deleted the posts and prayed that no one read them yet. I enjoyed reading those posts, but didn't want anyone else to "enjoy" them. After I changed my password and climbed into bed, I thought about some things that I would like other people to read.

I love my sister! She is my best friend. I am so grateful to have her in my life. She brings out the best in me. There are parts of me that only show themselves when I am with my sister. (Most of them naughty parts) We are bonded in a way that I will never be with anyone else. We share experiences that I haven't shared with anyone else. We understand each other in ways that no one else will ever understand.

No matter what happens, we will always be sisters. Nothing can change that. We have been through thick and thin together. We've fought and cried and laughed and laughed and laughed! I am a better person because I have a wonderful sister. I admire her many talents, I envy her ability to be the life of the party and light up a room, I aspire to be as patient with my kids as she is with hers, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE her sense of humor!

So to my EBFF I give a big thanks for all of your help starting my blog, and for all that you do for me!

I LOVE YOU!

The Best Christmas Pageant ever!

Another reference to one of my favorite books, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson. In the beginning of December we had a FHE lesson about tradition. We asked the kids to list some family traditions that they would like to start now, and do every year. We reminded them to keep in mind ideas that would be good even when they got older and had children of their own. I envisioned cozy Christmas eve festivities with all of my children and grandchildren around me and lots of photo ops. perfect memories that would last forever. Well...we at least decided on one for now. A Christmas Pageant or Nativity. Some of the other suggestions were....

* Snowboarding (Jake)
* Skiing (Jake)
* Opening 1 present each day of December (Jake)

* The lights at Temple Square on Christmas eve (Hannah)
* Opening all of our presents on Christmas eve (Hannah)
* Don't care as long as there is food (Hannah)

* Ending the discussion about traditions (Kenz)

And so, on Christmas eve, (after the good food) we asked the kids to go and find costumes and props for the Nativity. They could decide what characters they wanted to play. We ended up with: One Joseph who wore a bath towel turban and insisted on being called "Habeeb". One very sweet Mary holding baby Jesus. Hannah was thrilled to play the part and taking the whole thing VERY SERIOUSLY! And one sheep with a white fleece blanket drawn over her whole body for a costume. McKenzie was not thrilled to be participating, and refused to even uncover her face.

So here is the scene......Jacob was speaking in a Middle Eastern accent, asking everyone to call him Habeeb, and being obnoxious in general. McKenzie crawling all over the house in her "sheep costume", bumping into the walls and the tree, and making the dogs go berserk. Hannah was acting irritated by the big kids because she was trying so hard to be serious and play her role well. After a good 15 minutes of mayhem, Dad managed to finish reading the scripture passages. At his point the big kids were completely out of control, the dogs were barking, Hannah was crying, and mom was swearing.

Our first attempt at The Best Christmas Ever ended with the kids telling me that they would always remember that I swore at them during our first ever family nativity. Of course that's all they'll remember. Ahhhh well......almost perfect, but not quite!

A Beginning

Poetry by Shel Silverstein
________________________________________
"Almost perfect... but not quite."
Those were the words of Mary Hume
At her seventh birthday party,
Looking 'round the ribboned room.
"This tablecloth is pink not white--
Almost perfect... but not quite."
"Almost perfect... but not quite."
Those were the words of grown-up Mary
Talking about her handsome beau,
The one she wasn't gonna marry.
"Squeezes me a bit too tight--
Almost perfect... but not quite."
"Almost perfect... but not quite."
Those were the words of ol' Miss Hume
Teaching in the seventh grade,
Grading papers in the gloom
Late at night up in her room.
"They never cross their t's just right--
Almost perfect... but not quite."
Ninety-eight the day she died
Complainin' 'bout the spotless floor.
People shook their heads and sighed,
"Guess that she'll like heaven more."
Up went her soul on feathered wings,
Out the door, up out of sight.
Another voice from heaven came--
"Almost perfect... but not quite."

I have always loved the poetry of Shel Silverstein. If ever I attended a read-a-thon I made sure to include a book of his poetry on my reading list. Along with other favorites like Ramona the Brave Little House on the Prairie, and Super Fudge. Ever so often something comes up in my life that reminds me of one of Shel’s stories or poems. In this very funny and telling poem I have found my inspiration for my new project.

I have been contemplating writing a blog for many months now. However, how could I ever be cute enough, or funny enough, or talented enough, or even marginally interesting enough to ever write a blog? And for that matter who would ever care to read it?

Recently I had a conversation with my good friend who often inspires me to do good. We chatted about how this new age of cyber socializing can often leave one feeling quite down in the dumps. I rarely read about the dark side or the less glamorous parts of the human experience. Most every one is sure to put their best cyber foot forward when showcasing their lives on-line. I think especially as an LDS wife and mother it can be difficult to feel good about yourself and your accomplishments when you constantly compare yourself to someone else.

How could I ever be as pretty as Sally? Why can’t I be as clean and organized as Melba? My children will never be as well behaved as Gertrude’s. Fanny’s husband is so wonderful to her! I just know they have the perfect marriage. Why can’t my husband and I be more like that? (Names have clearly been changed to protect the perfect)

I know I am guilty of having this type of defeating self talk. And, as I spoke with my good friend today I dawned on me that there are others out there that must feel the same way I do…..Almost perfect but not quite! I this world of self help programs and cyber socialization I realize that if I’m not careful I could easily become consumed with the pursuit of perfection. I realize that no matter how hard I try to measure up to whatever ideal image I’ve chosen to compare myself and my family to this week, perfection will always be just out of my reach.

And so, i've finally built up the courage to put myself out there and start a blog. Because my life really is wonderful..... imperfect and all! And so I dedicate my thoughts and words to my wonderful son and two beautiful daughters. They are funny, smart, talented, and fabulous! They are also not perfect, nor do they need to be. I hope one day they will look back at this record with joy and fondness. I hope that as we look at it now we can learn to stop taking ourselves so seriously, and enjoy the ride of life.

Jake, McKenzie and Hannah, I know one day you might find yourself feeling the same way I have at times. So, if your reading this one day in the future and if your wondering how you will ever measure up, I say this to you. "Remember who you are. Know that you have a loving Savior and a Heavenly Father who only require of you the best that you have to give each day. The Savior will lovingly, willingly, make up the difference for all of us being “Almost perfect but not quite”.

Remeber that I love you! You are the best things that have ever happened to me! This record is for you!!

Love, Mom