Some time to think about it

There are a hundred things I should be doing right now, like taking a shower and cleaning the kitchen up, but I had to get on and post some thoughts about President Hinckley.

We are, of course, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons. Gordon B. Hinckley was our prophet, and he died last night at the age of 97. In the car on the way to preschool this morning, I turned around in my seat and told the boys that something sad had happened- that the prophet had died. Eric corrected me, saying, "It's not really sad though, because he's with Heavenly Father now, and his wife (who died several years ago)." But as I turned back around in my seat, I couldn't hold back the tears. I was thinking of a time when Eric and I were first married and he smiled and said to me, "I love the fact that President Hinckley is the only prophet you've ever known." In a few days that will no longer be true, and it feels like a huge milestone. I joined the Church a week after my eighteenth birthday- almost ten years ago now. The changes that have come over those years are overwhelming. When I first encountered the missionaries at sixteen, I was confused about life. I had wonderful parents who loved me, but didn't love each other, and hadn't for as long as I could remember. I knew I had a great mind and the support of my family to be whatever I wanted in life, but my hopes for a strong marriage and a close family were not high. I can remember the missionaries telling me that God knew my heart and my deepest desires. I thought about what those might be, and concluded that the thing I wanted most in the world was a wonderful husband who would be my best friend. I never dreamed that He would drop one in my lap when I was only nineteen. And not too long after that our two precious boys arrived, almost before I knew how much I wanted them. I still know that I can be anything I want to be in this life, but the thing I choose to be is a wife and a mother. It turns out that having a loving, eternal family is very, very hard work, but it is possible. It's the toughest challenge I've ever taken on, but with the help of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the example and teachings of President Hinckley, I truly feel like each day I learn and grow and get a little closer to the incredible woman that God knows I have the potential to be.

I know, of course, that President Hinckley, at 97, was ready to go, and that he's in a wonderful place. But I can't help but be sad when I think that his life on this earth has ended. It feels like the bookend to an important part of my own life.

www.lds.org

Mustang the i-pod slayer

My lonely reign as the queen of destroying expensive electronics came to and end two weeks ago. We arrived home from church and as I was taking my shoes off in the bedroom, I heard a VERY loud crack, which I later discovered was the sound of Eric's hand connecting with Mustang's rear end. This was followed by a pitiful display of submission by the dog, which, of COURSE involved him peeing on the floor. Turns out he'd chewed Eric's i-pod while we were gone. I may drop things, submerge them in water, absentmindedly yank them from their power sources and drive off with them on the roof of the car, but I've never, EVER left fang marks in them.

I'm SO frustrated that our computer is broken right now (my fault, of course), because I have adorable pictures to post of little Eric at pre-cotillion and Brigham and me on a date. You'll have to stay tuned....

For now though.... I've just finished a great, thought-provoking book that I highly recommend. It's called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver. It's a little sanctimonious and over-the-top at times, but it really makes you think about where your food comes from, and what it's cost the environment to get it to you. It's basically a challenge to try to eat locally as much as possible. So last week at the store I searched the entire produce section for something from North Carolina, and finally found one thing: Rutabegas! I've never had one before- funny how California oranges and Washington apples are so ubiquitous that a rutabega from your own back yard seems exotic. The plan is to cook it tomorrow night....I'll let you know how it goes. Oh, and best of all, it contained this excellent quote from Mark Twain:

"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it."

Amen.

It's burning a hole in my pocket

As I was brushing my teeth just now, my mind was spinning, thinking about....well...spending money. Deep, I know, but for Christmas this year my wonderful mom gave me a check- which I know she felt bad about, because she loves to buy presents and, I think, really wanted to find the perfect gift for me. But time was short and I wasn't very helpful with suggestions, so she got out her checkbook. And can I just say what a fun, fun thing it is to have money that I'm actually SUPPOSED to spend on me? Not that I have a problem buying things I need- if there's one thing I don't have, it's a martyr complex. There's just something different about having money to spend that someone you love WANTS you to spend on YOU. Almost out of nowhere, one of my last memories of my granddad popped into my head. It was just before Christmas and he called me into his room to tell me that for Christmas he wanted to give me some money, and that I could spend it on anything I wanted- something for the house or a pretty dress, anything. Something about that moment, I think it was the thought of a pretty dress- do those even exist anymore?- broke my heart. Bills came up and I never got to spend the money, but one of these days I'm going to buy a pretty dress, and every time I wear it, I'll think of my grandfather.

It's always a scrimmage....

I know I haven't posted in a while...apparently when the kids are on vacation from preschool I stop blogging. I had a great New Year's post all cooked up in my head, but first I took a detour to Youtube and, well, this is so much more entertaining than anything I could say. Bless those random male duos with nothing better to do than make awesome Youtube videos...

I promise I'll write a real post soon!