Thursday, March 24, 2016
Babysitting
I don't have many posts under the "Who have you helped?" label. I think the reason why is because while I may be helping someone else, it's really helping me. When I get to babysit for someone it gives my son a chance to play with someone besides me or his sister. We all love that. I'm not always available to babysit, but I do find that when I can, I am very blessed for it.
Birth
While running at the gym, staring out the window my mind starts to wander. One day it wandered to my family and my beautiful children. My baby is now one. When her older brother was her age we were already pregnant with her. Needless to say, while our family feels it best to wait, I am a bit baby hungry. I'm truly blessed and actually enjoy being pregnant. It's when they come out that things start to get tough.
Anyway, I was thinking about their births and my experience with them. I had both of my children unmedicated in a birthing tub. There is only one hospital that I know of in all of Utah who does that and we thankfully only lived 30 min away both times. As I contemplated a third child I started to think about what why I chose to go unmedicated, what got me through their births, and do I really want to do that again. Yes, the water was wonderful. My husband's unwavering support emotionally and physically (He and my doula were using counter pressure with every contraction.) were irreplaceable. My nurses and midwives both times were simply fantastic. While all that helped me in my choice, the biggest motivator was my baby. We were in this together. I wasn't going to leave them alone. Whatever endorphins or hormones I got I wanted to makes sure they got them too. With my first I wasn't exactly sure what was going on so I didn't pay as close attention as I had hoped to. So with my daughter I focused more and I was with her as she moved down the birth canal pushed her way into this world. When she arrived they put her directly on my chest and the only thing I could think or say is, "We did it!" Because we did. We did it together. Her new and precious life outside of the womb was now beginning. But my kids are not alone on this journey called life. Just like in birth, we are in this together. I will teach and love them the best that I know how.
After those tearful, but joyous thoughts, I started to notice the people around me. The ones running on their treadmills and lifting weights. The people outside walking to and from their cars to their different destinations. I saw people of every age, size and color. And I started to think about the Savior. He willingly walked into the garden and he suffered all our sins, all our pains, all our sorrows. He went through this life with us. Every single one of us. He is not going to leave us alone. When we return to Him, He will be able to say, "We did it!" Because it is only with Him that we can make it back.
Anyway, I was thinking about their births and my experience with them. I had both of my children unmedicated in a birthing tub. There is only one hospital that I know of in all of Utah who does that and we thankfully only lived 30 min away both times. As I contemplated a third child I started to think about what why I chose to go unmedicated, what got me through their births, and do I really want to do that again. Yes, the water was wonderful. My husband's unwavering support emotionally and physically (He and my doula were using counter pressure with every contraction.) were irreplaceable. My nurses and midwives both times were simply fantastic. While all that helped me in my choice, the biggest motivator was my baby. We were in this together. I wasn't going to leave them alone. Whatever endorphins or hormones I got I wanted to makes sure they got them too. With my first I wasn't exactly sure what was going on so I didn't pay as close attention as I had hoped to. So with my daughter I focused more and I was with her as she moved down the birth canal pushed her way into this world. When she arrived they put her directly on my chest and the only thing I could think or say is, "We did it!" Because we did. We did it together. Her new and precious life outside of the womb was now beginning. But my kids are not alone on this journey called life. Just like in birth, we are in this together. I will teach and love them the best that I know how.
After those tearful, but joyous thoughts, I started to notice the people around me. The ones running on their treadmills and lifting weights. The people outside walking to and from their cars to their different destinations. I saw people of every age, size and color. And I started to think about the Savior. He willingly walked into the garden and he suffered all our sins, all our pains, all our sorrows. He went through this life with us. Every single one of us. He is not going to leave us alone. When we return to Him, He will be able to say, "We did it!" Because it is only with Him that we can make it back.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Utah Caucus
With the primary election in full swing now and the Utah caucus just around the corner, I'm seeing a few posts on social media about the caucus. I don't actually live in Utah now, we moved to California last year. Because I experienced the caucus while in Utah and am currently experiencing a state without one, I felt it was important to share my observations and feelings.
I have no voice now. I'm just a number. At the caucus I got to see neighbors I've never met before. We got to talk about the politics that are important to our lives right now. There was discussion about how we felt about them. I got to vote for someone who was really interested in what I had to say. I got to vet a delegate to make sure that s/he really did align with my feelings. It was an awesome, uniting and empowering experience. I've been living in California for almost a year now and there is no polite or proper way to get into a political discussion with any of my neighbors, especially not on such a large scale. I have no idea who shares my opinions or sees things a different way. I miss the caucus. It was a safe place to discuss really important issues.
As I understand it, one of the frustrations with the caucus is that the public at large doesn't get to vote on the candidates because they are weeded out at the convention and there isn't a "true" primary. In my experience, as a regular citizen, I don't vet candidates like a delegate does. I've been a state and county delegate and I've also been a regular citizen. As a delegate I really did feel the weight of my responsibility. I was at every debate and meet and great that I could go to, even the candidates who didn't have a chance. I truly vetted the candidates and shared the things that I learned with those who had an interest. To be honest it wasn't many. Most seemed to feel that they voted for me to do a job and let me do it. So from my personal experience, I think it would truly hurt Utah to cut out the caucus and delegates and put all those candidates on a primary ballot. We, as a people, are busy. Rightfully so. We have families, work, school, church, friends, occasions, etc. We don't have time to vet all the candidates that can be on a ballot. The candidates don't have the funds to reach all of us either. So who wins. S/he who has the most money. S/he who gets coverage on social media or has the catchiest sound byte. The may or may not be the best for Utah.
If we lived in calmer times when people had the leisure and desire to get together and politely discuss politics and governance, I may say there isn't a need for a caucus, but I doubt it and we don't. Whatever is going on in Utah, please keep the caucus. Someday I want to move back and I hope I will still have a voice.
I have no voice now. I'm just a number. At the caucus I got to see neighbors I've never met before. We got to talk about the politics that are important to our lives right now. There was discussion about how we felt about them. I got to vote for someone who was really interested in what I had to say. I got to vet a delegate to make sure that s/he really did align with my feelings. It was an awesome, uniting and empowering experience. I've been living in California for almost a year now and there is no polite or proper way to get into a political discussion with any of my neighbors, especially not on such a large scale. I have no idea who shares my opinions or sees things a different way. I miss the caucus. It was a safe place to discuss really important issues.
As I understand it, one of the frustrations with the caucus is that the public at large doesn't get to vote on the candidates because they are weeded out at the convention and there isn't a "true" primary. In my experience, as a regular citizen, I don't vet candidates like a delegate does. I've been a state and county delegate and I've also been a regular citizen. As a delegate I really did feel the weight of my responsibility. I was at every debate and meet and great that I could go to, even the candidates who didn't have a chance. I truly vetted the candidates and shared the things that I learned with those who had an interest. To be honest it wasn't many. Most seemed to feel that they voted for me to do a job and let me do it. So from my personal experience, I think it would truly hurt Utah to cut out the caucus and delegates and put all those candidates on a primary ballot. We, as a people, are busy. Rightfully so. We have families, work, school, church, friends, occasions, etc. We don't have time to vet all the candidates that can be on a ballot. The candidates don't have the funds to reach all of us either. So who wins. S/he who has the most money. S/he who gets coverage on social media or has the catchiest sound byte. The may or may not be the best for Utah.
If we lived in calmer times when people had the leisure and desire to get together and politely discuss politics and governance, I may say there isn't a need for a caucus, but I doubt it and we don't. Whatever is going on in Utah, please keep the caucus. Someday I want to move back and I hope I will still have a voice.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Be Present
I've been reading The God Seed: Probing the Mystery of Spiritual Development by M. Catherine Thomas. There's a lot in that book and I'm going to have to read it again but for now, I have two thoughts about it. #1 I like the idea it presented of being present in the moment. No judgements, just being present. Most things that happen in my life aren't good or bad they just are. I put the judgement into it. Which then creates the emotion. What if I just accepted it and allowed things to happen instead of trying to control it or push it away.
For example, my kids were playing and my almost 3 year old did something which caused my 1 year old to cry. I could rush in, place judgement and control the situation or I could wait and be present with situation and see what happens. It turns out that they figured it out on their own and continued playing. Everyone was happier.
Another time was when we were leaving a store and I wanted to go back to the car to go home. My 2 1/2 year old had other plans. I decided to just be present and allow him to lead us where he wanted to go. Low and behold he found a safer way back to the car. No tears, no fuss and we both got what we wanted.
Now for the 2nd thought. Why can't I remember to do this all the time? It works great when I do it. I am less angry and more compassionate. I love who I am when I am just present without judgements. Why can't I remember any of the great things that I've tried to incorporate into my life over the years. It is so interesting to me how an idea, person or thing can have such an impact on my life and yet when I'm not surrounding myself with it, I forget. Maybe that's why the Lord commanded us to read the scriptures and pray daily. Not because He needs it, but because He knows we do, or else we'd forget.
For example, my kids were playing and my almost 3 year old did something which caused my 1 year old to cry. I could rush in, place judgement and control the situation or I could wait and be present with situation and see what happens. It turns out that they figured it out on their own and continued playing. Everyone was happier.
Another time was when we were leaving a store and I wanted to go back to the car to go home. My 2 1/2 year old had other plans. I decided to just be present and allow him to lead us where he wanted to go. Low and behold he found a safer way back to the car. No tears, no fuss and we both got what we wanted.
Now for the 2nd thought. Why can't I remember to do this all the time? It works great when I do it. I am less angry and more compassionate. I love who I am when I am just present without judgements. Why can't I remember any of the great things that I've tried to incorporate into my life over the years. It is so interesting to me how an idea, person or thing can have such an impact on my life and yet when I'm not surrounding myself with it, I forget. Maybe that's why the Lord commanded us to read the scriptures and pray daily. Not because He needs it, but because He knows we do, or else we'd forget.
Whole30
My husband, Tim, and I started the diet, Whole30. We are now half way through and I'm enjoying it. I think it is harder for Tim than me because he has to figure out what to eat while at work. I have left overs and a kitchen full of compliant food to choose from.
So what is Whole30? They claim it is a health reset. It's not a cleanse or diet to lose weight. It is meant to reset your body so it can function better and you receive health and have more energy. You eat a lot more vegetables, meat and fruit. No grains, legumes, dairy, or sugar. It hasn't been easy and there is a lot more cooking that goes with it, but I feel like I'm really taking care of my body and expanding my children's palate. I'm still waiting for my energy to increase and my sugar cravings to go away, but I'm not giving up hope yet.
What have I learned through this process? Exactly what I wanted to: How to cook.
I'm so scared of playing with seasonings and this has helped me overcome that. This and watching "Worst Cooks in America". The show also helped me improve my knife cuts and encouraged me to sharpen my knives so I could have good knife cuts.
I've also tried things I never would have before: cooking a whole chicken, making my own condiments like mayonnaise, salsa, pesto sauce, vinaigrettes, and spaghetti sauce, eating brussel sprouts, artichokes, swiss chard, butternut squash, plantains, dates, blood oranges, spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, beets, and leeks. I still want to try cooking with figs and fennel. Not everything turns out great, but we can still eat it. I'm just so excited that there is so much I can do in my kitchen now. This realization of abundance has definitely made me more grateful to God and all the things he has provided for us. I'm not dependent on processed foods anymore. At the same time, I am much more grateful for them as well. They really do make life and cooking a lot easier.
This diet has meant so much more to me than just eliminating food from my diet. It has really opened up my eyes to the world. This and the Netflix original documentaries "Cooked" and "The Chef's Table". I also couldn't have done it without the participation of my husband. His excitement for good, real food helps motivate me to try things and learn more.
So what is Whole30? They claim it is a health reset. It's not a cleanse or diet to lose weight. It is meant to reset your body so it can function better and you receive health and have more energy. You eat a lot more vegetables, meat and fruit. No grains, legumes, dairy, or sugar. It hasn't been easy and there is a lot more cooking that goes with it, but I feel like I'm really taking care of my body and expanding my children's palate. I'm still waiting for my energy to increase and my sugar cravings to go away, but I'm not giving up hope yet.
What have I learned through this process? Exactly what I wanted to: How to cook.
I'm so scared of playing with seasonings and this has helped me overcome that. This and watching "Worst Cooks in America". The show also helped me improve my knife cuts and encouraged me to sharpen my knives so I could have good knife cuts.
I've also tried things I never would have before: cooking a whole chicken, making my own condiments like mayonnaise, salsa, pesto sauce, vinaigrettes, and spaghetti sauce, eating brussel sprouts, artichokes, swiss chard, butternut squash, plantains, dates, blood oranges, spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, beets, and leeks. I still want to try cooking with figs and fennel. Not everything turns out great, but we can still eat it. I'm just so excited that there is so much I can do in my kitchen now. This realization of abundance has definitely made me more grateful to God and all the things he has provided for us. I'm not dependent on processed foods anymore. At the same time, I am much more grateful for them as well. They really do make life and cooking a lot easier.
This diet has meant so much more to me than just eliminating food from my diet. It has really opened up my eyes to the world. This and the Netflix original documentaries "Cooked" and "The Chef's Table". I also couldn't have done it without the participation of my husband. His excitement for good, real food helps motivate me to try things and learn more.
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