He Lives - Celebrate Easter Because Jesus Christ Lives

The day in life of....

I was thinking today about everything that I do during the day, added to what the world, church, and everyone expects me to do. I decided to write my feelings about it all.

If you do read this please remember that this is an account of my day and my thoughts on it. I know that there are those whose days are much more hectic and have more to worry about then I.

My typical Monday-Friday routine starts at 6am. I get up, make sure that my kids are up getting ready for school. I also get Neil's lunch ready for him, make sure that he's not forgetting anything, and then get him out the door by 6:30. During that (even though my kids are 18, 16, and 12) there will be some sort of argument about something stupid that ends up getting one or all of them in trouble. Finally they are out the door by 6:45. And I feel like I've just run a marathon.

Then it's my turn. I eat breakfast, exercise, start a load of laundry, unload and load the dishwasher. Get myself ready for work and make sure that I'm not forgetting anything and I'm out the door by 8:20. 

While at work, even though my job description says teacher aide, I swear I'm raising 30 some odd children for the three hours I'm there. Trying to help them understand math, teaching them how to read or how to comprehend what they are reading. All while staying within STUPID common core standards! Then comes the drama, most of the kids I work with come from the following backgrounds:

                      1) They are here illegally or members of their family are. Which stresses these kids out about being deported or their family being sent back. 

                     2) Mom, dad, or both are either in jail or homeless. The child then lives with a family member or is in the system.

                      3) They have two mom's or two dad's which makes life interesting for them.

                      4) Because of their circumstances, some of them have moderate to severe mental issues which the school (including myself and the teacher) tries to help them with. 

With all of this we are still expected to have these kids on grade level! Come on, they don't have a stable home life and their expected to be on grade level...Ya right!

So, during those 3 hours I'm dealing with all this drama and the problems that come from it. My heart just breaks for these kiddos.

Finally I get to leave work, but on a normal day I have about an hours worth of errand running. We're out of milk, the kids need something for school, Neil needs something. The list never ends!

If I'm lucky I'll get home around 1pm. Then I need to take out the dogs because they are doing the potty dance (poor things), and get them food and water. Go check get the laundry and get it folded so the kids can put their stuff away. Finally I get to eat lunch. Then get whatever writing assignments I have I need to finish and get them submitted. Go over the calender to see what is going on when everyone gets home. Clean the house, what gets clean depends on what day of the week it is. Then the kids come home...oh heck!!!

That brings on a whole mess of "Mom, I need your help with math." "Mom, come read this for me before I e-mail it to my teacher." Then Neil comes home about 30 mins later and he adds to it! It's "Mel, do this for me." "Hey Mel did you take care of this." I swear men are worse then kids somedays! Then I got to make dinner, thank heavens I've got my menu for the week planned or I'd be lost. Eat about an hour later, get the kids to do their chores. Finally I get to sit down a breath, right?

Nope, there are texts or e-mails that need answering about YW, or scheduling a class for Neil's ccp business. Just misc. stuff like that. About 7pm all that gets done and I get to watch a few of my favorite shows. But, usually I'm still taking care of other items and I just listen to my shows. I get the kids to bed by 8pm because by then I'm ready to kill them all (and they need to read their scriptures, study for tests, stuff like that). By 10pm I'm ready to go to bed myself.

So, that is my day in a nutshell. Which I don't mind so much, I like to be busy and needed. But, here is where the problem for me lies:

    1) I've got magazines and the media saying that if I don't look like Angelina Jolie, Gisselle Bundchen, or Kate Upton that I am fat and ugly. If I'm over a size a 10, I'm told I'm a plus size. Heavens, I haven't been a size 10 since I was 10! I'd be happy if I could get into a 16!

    2) Then there are the magazines like Cosmo and others saying that if I'm not doing X, Y, or Z to my husband in the bedroom department that he will be unsatisfied and disappointed. 

    3) Stuff like Better Homes and Gardens has pictures of these gorgeous houses and gardens that make me feel like I'm failing because my house, and various gardens look nothing like that. 

    4) Pinterest adds a whole new dimension to the ball games because at a glance there are a makeup tips, wardrobe ideas, DIY ideas, etc., etc., etc., that make me feel like I'm not crafty enough, organized enough, etc., etc., etc..

I want to shout, "Hey media, magazines, etc. I'm not any of these things! I'm not a famous movie star that has a ton of money to get nannies, so I have the time to go work out with the famous personal trainer that I'm paying for. I also am not paying someone to cook my organic, whole grain, non-dairy, vegan meals for me. So, stop telling me how I should look, what my home should look like, and how crafty I should be!"

Then to top it all of there is the church. Don't get me wrong, I love being a member of the LDS church! But, all I hear is family time, study your scriptures, take time for service, all that stuff. Then if your lucky like me you have an awesome calling, but that takes 2 hours out of every Wednesday, plus a meeting almost every Sunday that last about an hour each. 

I think my point is is that we as women forget our value. In a world which pulls us 20 zillion different directions. We just need to focus on what is important. First comes God, then family, then all the other stuff. If we just remember that then everything else will fall into place. 

Power of the Priesthood

Today was ward conference, and I will be honest I usually dread it. I remember growing up and just being bored to death. The speakers were dull and I just wanted to take a nap.
But, this year it was such a different experience. The Bishop and Stake President spoke about the importance of family history and temple work. I loved the message and as I looked around I found that everyone was paying attention.
What struck me the most though was who was on the stand. There sitting was the Stake Presidency, the high council, and the bishopric. Around all these faithful men was such a power and a light. They exuded such calm, strength, and devotion to Heavenly Father. Just sitting they magnified the power of the Priesthood and why the Lord gave that responsibility to men. Its so hard to explain how much they strengthened my testimony by just sitting up there.
Seeing humble, imperfect men acting with the Lords authority doing their best to lead their respective stake and wards is such a testimony to me of the truthfulness of the gospel.
I'm so grateful that I have a husband and two sons that truly magnify their priesthood and that by doing so righteously it bring the spirit into our home.