Not So Awful Waffle!

Actual waffle is larger than appears in photo. I ate the 1/4 that is missing!

 Natalie made these waffles last night. However, we were out of Nutella... Gasp! So, she wanted to do something to spruce up our waffle night. She found a blog containing creative waffle making. Natalie loved the tie-dye waffle idea. I protested at first because of the mess. I didn't want to deal with it. But Natalie was determined, so I acquiesced. When Natalie finished cooking her first waffle, she was upset that the tie-dye waffle didn't look like the picture on the blog she found. I told her that those pictures are photo-shopped to look nice. She said no, it was a home-made web site. I said, that's why I don't like blogs because they make people feel bad.

Whaaaat? I have a blog! And once in awhile I read other blogs. But here's the "thang":  I need to look at blogging for what it is--people sharing the goodness in their lives on an editable medium. Although, it is easy to loose perspective when I compare my novice skills next to someone that is editing their best tie-die waffle, raw food menu or family vacation.

So, I have this love/hate relationship with blogs---my blog, your blog, all blogs. Admittedly, I only post what I believe will be some what amusing. In addition, when I post a pictures of myself, I make sure it is the picture where my teeth look the whitest, my stomach is held in and my eyes are open wide.

My sister told me about this article where the author informs us how social media makes us lonely. And may I add inadequate. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/margiewarrell/social-media-lonely_b_4034744.html 
Although, blogs aren't as highly interactive as other social media such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. I do feel lacking when I read/view a blog with a  immaculate whole foods dinner on the table next to well-behaved and sparkling children.

Therefore, I think I need to examine why I blog. I believe if I educate my desire in blogging, I will not be left feeling lonely, less-than or depressed instead of inspired. My goal is to blog because: 1. I want a family record/history that is approachable for me and others. 2. I do like trying my hand at writing. 3. I want to reach out to family, friends and others.

In the article mentioned above the author states: "Social networks appeal to our vanity and play to our vulnerability". Hopefully, if I keep my motive of blogging to writing, connecting with family and friends, and a brief family history, I won't fall prey to my insecurities...and YOU (readers out there in blog land)won't either!

Here's to imperfect and heavily edited blogging!!

All I Ever Needed to Know, I Learned at Girls Camp

Top 10 things I learned at girls camp:

10. Use the buddy system

  

9. Party tricks come in handy

8.Sleep is optional

 

7. Necessity breeds creativity  

 

6. Just keep swimming

5. It's about the climb

4. When life gives you dirt, write a love note

3. As the world get darker, you shine brighter

 2. Love is all you need

 

1. God is good

"Mawage"

Susan says: "short", Scott says: "long".

I say: "let's go", you say: "how long?"

"Po-TAY-toe, Pa-TAW-toe..."  You get the picture... "Mawage!"  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2m6sHROA3U

Recently, I've been thinking about "mawage" (marriage) and family. Partly, because Sarah will soon leave our nest, Scott just celebrated another birthday, and I have been talking with loved ones that are contemplating "mawage" and some are contemplating divorce.

Marriage can be hard, and there are times when divorce is the only way to remove a life/lives from various types of abuse. However, divorce should be the exception and not the default. I was 30 and Scott was 37 before we married. Although, we haven't admitted it...(until now--Scott is going kill me!) I believe there was something more to our waiting to tie the knot. We were scared. Scared that we might make a wrong choice or even make the right choice and then fall short of the expectations of the one we chose.

In hindsight, along with creating families, learning to forgive, extend mercy when we or the ones we love have fallen short is what marriage is all about and teaches and offers civilization. And that is HUGE; especially in our world of hearts turning cold.

I understand there are times when I have let Scott, my children and others down. And I have been disappointed by loved ones as well. But there is an experience I draw on when I am tempted to hold a grudge and not forgive. Several years ago, there was a person that said some pretty hurtful things to me. I resolved not to forgive this person and just go on with my life...but just as soon as I had this thought, I felt these words;: "I have forgiven you, you need to forgive."

I truly believe that although marriage is not a institution for perfect people, marriage is a divine institution. http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/the-divine-institution-of-marriage

I have been exposed to the blossoms of Godly traits in Scott, my children, others and even in myself  while engaged in this adventure we call "mawage".

On our way to Muir Woods. Crossing the Golden Gate Bride, July 4th 2014

Massive Redwoods in Muir Woods, CA

Our family tree, minus our Anna

Sarah and Natalie

Happy Birthday, Daddi-O

Love Story Meets Viva la Vida

Natalie was our VIP this week!

Phew- lots of love and Viva la Vida this past week! Natalie celebrated
her 12th birthday with friends and a trip to Rockin' Jump. The girls jumped until they dropped! We came home for ice-cream and cake and the girls jumped some more! Natalie finished off the evening with a church youth activity. Natalie saved the traditional birthday breakfast with dad for the next day; spreading the sugar and love load across several days.

Matching Rockin' Jump socks

Par-tay Animals!

Breakfast with daddi-o

Returning siblings and our $40 lunch at the San Francisco airport

 We also had the return of our long lost brother and sister, Max and Sarah. They both returned on Friday. Sarah arriving at the Oakland airport and Max flying into SFO! I left at 9AM to pick them up from their separate airports. After a canceled flight, lost luggage, delayed flight, I-580 traffic and an unexpected "tour" of downtown Hayward...we didn't get home until nearly 5PM! But no worries!! We were excited for our trip to San Jose that same evening to attend The Piano Guys concert! http://thepianoguys.com/

Our VIP access tickets for The Piano Guys! Thank you, Michelle and Jon!!

L to R: Jon Schmidt, SPL, Scott, Steven Sharp-Nelson, Max, Sarah, Anna and Al Van Der Beek

We were super pumped to attend TPG concert because we have a bit of a history with TPG...well, just one piano guy and his wife and his wife's BFF (my seeeester)!

The story goes like this: More than several years ago, Scott, my husband was taking piano lessons from Jon Schmidt. Jon would invite Scott to tag along on some of his gigs--I think with the intention of attempting to find Scott a date. (Scott was 37 and single.)  Michelle, Jon's wife and Shan (my sis) probably had a few conversations about Shan's sister: me, 30 and single. Aha! A light goes off in someones head, Jon, Michelle, or Shannon's I'm not clear; But the result was a call from Jon, asking me, "Hey, I know this guy who is going to be a millionaire--do you want to go out with him?" Duh! Of Course! (For the record, I didn't say "Duh" out-loud and we have yet to see a million bucks!) Our first date was to a Jon Schmidt concert at Abravenel Hall in SLC. Two weeks later, Scott: the single 37 year old asks Susan the 30 year old to marry him. Jon played the piano while Scott got down on his knee and proposed to lil' ol' me at the Roof Restaurant in Downtown Salt Lake City. Jon played at our wedding. We both treasure our most sweet connection to TPG. And now, our kids do too.

Thank you, Piano Guys for being a part of The Story of Our Lives!

NOT! The Piano Guys. Notice Anna's "sign of the horn" is the "I Love You" sign!

Keepin' It Real: Summer 2014

One week ago, school was officially out for the summer. Natalie has pink eye, Sadie has the flu, The Price is Right was interrupted by President Obama addressing the nation concerning an extremist group, ISIS over taking an oil refinery in Iraq. It is 11:56 AM and I've already eaten my lunch and I'm still in my pajamas. Ahhhh...summer!

Aside from feeling like a sloth, we have had some great moments in the past week. Of course, Sarah graduating from high school and Maxwell from middle school was a highlight. But eating at I-HOP to celebrate graduation twice in one week is similar to having an all-you-can-eat competition in your high school lunch room! Oh, my stomach hurts just thinking about it.

Max left on a flight on Saturday with his friend, Christian to attend EFY, a youth camp sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has kept in contact with us through texts and it sounds as though donuts and chocolate milk for breakfast are the best part of his day!!

My sister, Shannon and her family have graciously allowed Sarah to accompany them on their family trip to Lake Powell, UT. It's nice to have family that can provide entertainment for your children!! Both Sarah and Maxwell will spend some time with their Smith cousins after their separate Utah adventures.

 

Scott and I attended a meeting at the Oakland Inter-stake Center last night. Clayton Christensen was the speaker. He is a professor at the Harvard Business School among other numerous high profile accomplishments. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he related his experiences sharing his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Anna has spent the last two days up at the barn in Danville. It is her haven and heaven. I'm so grateful for Heidi Cowley and Jamie Cheney mentoring Anna in her dream job.

"We love The Lloyds, Happy Summer! Love, The Picketts" (The fence drawing is hieroglyphics for Pickett!)

 Although, we have "kept it real" the first couple days of summer---we are looking forward to brilliant times ahead! (Fingers crossed---no trips to the ER!!)

NorCal Homeslice: Ordination Outlook

NorCal Homeslice: Ordination Outlook: Like many women that belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I've been pondering the topic of ordaining women to the ...

Ordination Outlook

Like many women that belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I've been pondering the topic of ordaining women to the Priesthood. https://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood?lang=eng

And in all honesty, my heart hurts.

 I know the reasons are many and are not black and white for those desiring ordination for women to the priesthood. I also understand and believe that questioning is a part and even essential to our spiritual growth. I am an advocate for equality and civil rights. But ordaining women to the priesthood is neither.

The bottom line is: this is Christ's church. He is at its' head, not men, not a man, not a woman/men, it is His church and His doctrine. President Gordon B. Hinckley explained that it was the Lord, not man, “who designated that men in His Church should hold the priesthood” and that it was also the Lord who endowed women with “capabilities to round out this great and marvelous organization, which is the Church and kingdom of God” (“Women of the Church,” Ensign, November 1996, 70). When all is said and done, the Lord has not revealed why He has organized His Church as He has. ("Let Us Think Straight," Elder Ballard, Aug. 2013) http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2133

And that is why faith is paramount to our belief system. We don't know why...But I have faith that the Lord knows better than I do. And our Father in Heaven has our best interest at heart. I look at earthy fathers as an example. Primarily, our earthly fathers desire what is best for us. Yet, our earthy fathers are susceptible to blunder and can disappoint. However, our Heavenly Father is omnipotent and omniscient and every other "omni" good thing out there! God is good and loves His daughters and sons equally and perfectly. His kingdom here on earth is lead by His son, Jesus Christ. The prophet here on earth, Thomas S. Monson speaks on behalf of God and Jesus Christ. I will listen to His prophet and His apostles. And so....until His prophet says it's time to ordain women to the priesthood, I am happy to strengthen my faith and remember "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/55.8?lang=eng#7