Spring Time!

The weather here may not be able to make up it's mind but I sure have. For me- spring is officially here. My seeds sprouted this morning. It is amazing to me how fast they sprout. This morning there was just the one tomato, Now there are signs of several Zucchini, and a squash to go along with these two precious beauties.

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Better than that- I began my spring cleaning.

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Here's a little confession, though it may be a little to much info to reveal, I'm going to own it. I don't clean. Or I didn't anyway. I've tried. I've had great intentions but it's just been something that I really struggled with. To give you an idea, as a newlywed,when my hubby mentioned his mom was washing their walls one day I thought it was a joke. I figured it was a figure of speech saying she was doing some deep cleaning. I never imagined that one would literally clean their walls.

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I'm SORRY! I just never learned that stuff. My chore growing up was washing dishes- that's just what I did. I do dishes VERY well- walls, not so much.

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Regardless, I'm now ready to turn over a new leaf. I realized that I've struggled with housework because it just seemed so overwhelming. So many things, so many different little tasks. My ADD would go wild and I would wander aimlessly through the house not knowing where to start. My other problem was, since I really didn't know HOW to clean I would look at each task as basically impossible. Afraid that if I attempted to do anything I might ruin something or asphyxiate myself with toxic fumes. I've been getting better over the years but now, I think I've hit a breakthrough with one simple quote

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"Housework done incorrectly still blesses your family"

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AHA! What have I been so worried about? It's actually from http://www.flylady.net/ a cleaning program that I recently subscribed to. It's great for an ADD gall like me because they break it down so simply. Each week we have a "Zone" we are working on and a special "mission" to complete daily. Simple stuff. This week is Living room/entryway. Today's assignment was to wash the walls of the entryway. WASH THE WALLS! (ooooo see, it really does happen)

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SO, I did. I washed the walls. Maybe not correctly but I did. Then I scrubbed the door. Washed and vacuumed the screen and it became contagious. It started to spread. I don't know what happened! I don't know if it's this Fly Lady thing or a new vitamin I started today or finally breaking the 10 lb mark on my weight loss plan but something clicked.

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Before noon today I had washed most of the windows, the mirrors. The walls in the entryway. Changed the sheets, vacuumed the ENTIRE house (even the stairs! I don't remember the last time I vacuumed the stairs) cleaned the kitchen and living room, mopped the floor, swept the porch, dusted all of the downstairs, did 3 loads of laundry and other various tasks along with multiple breaks to play with Zach. (He figured out how to put together a puzzle today)

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Maybe that doesn't sound like that big of a feat for normal people but for me it was pretty great. All that is left in my ENTIRE house is the bathroom and 1 load of laundry. I'm feeling good!

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Tomorrow.... I think we deserve to play! Any ideas?

6 Quirks

I was tagged by Kim a Loooooooong time ago and have failed miserably at continuing this tag. To be honest, I was a little stumped though. This tag was to list 6 quirks about myself- then tag 6 people. Sorry Kim but I was brainstorming. But I thought it might be kinda fun to see if anyone had some ideas for me. Whoever out there actually reads my blog, whoever out there know me best. What do you see as my quirks?

Here's what I've come up with.

1)ADD- I'm not officially diagnosed or anything. But I did a test online where if you had more that 7 indicators you were "probably" ADD- I had 28. My co-workers will attest to my ability to start one thing and halfway through head out into a completely different direction. Almost to the point of not even finishing my sentences. You should see me attempting to clean the living room, I mean kitchen, or was it bathroom... what are we talking about?

2)I don't do Dates- I mean I love GOING on dates. I just don't keep track of dates well. I did terrible in history class. I would memorize and memorize and memorize and the next day I wouldn't be able to tell you if the constitution was written in 1823 or 1954. And yes, as terrible as this is- it translates to birthdays as well (and other important relationship milestones-ooops). Those reading this... I love you all... I just probably won't remember. I'll be honest- so please remind me.

3)I have no concept of time- none at all. Maybe it's related to my issues with dates as well. Maybe the spacial reasoning section of my brain shorted out on me as a kid or something. If there's not a timer going, whatever I have on the stove WILL BURN! (heck it's probably going to burn regardless- who'm I kidding)

4)I sing with the radio- ALWAYS! Do you remember that old reality show where they put hidden cameras in people's cars to catch them singing. I would TOTALLY win! I sing even when people are with me but you should see, or I guess we should say hear, what happens when I'm alone. It's not pretty- I can tell you that much right now.

5)I sleep crooked. This drives Jason crazy but I MUST sleep at a nearly 45 degree angle on the bed with my head toward the top right and my feet toward the bottom left. If I try to sleep straight I feel like I'm falling backwards. Crazy, I know. Doesn't make sense, I know. Maybe it's the magnetic polarity of the boxsprings? Ha!

6)I hate chalkboards- worse than pretty much anything. I can't touch them. I can't write on them. I'd rather not be anywhere near them. They are horrible! Even just thinking about a chalkboard makes my fingertips tingle and my teeth itch and my ears ache. :::cringe::: Can we make a law prohibiting the use of chalkboards? Sure, there will be bootleggers- and underground. They can have them!

Wow, I did come up with 6- good for me... I guess. Really, that just means I truley am strange. Anybody know any other funny quirks of mine? Please comment below...

Oh and Tag to Melissa, Andrea, Gretchen, Creed (lol- ought to be good), Julie and Becky- sorry guys but I expect some good stuff from you. :)

Strong Femininity

Today I was privileged to read a portion of one of my favorite blogs that really got me thinking. It's American Scholar, authored by my very awesome cousin Heidi. In fact she actually helped me make a pretty big decision today. Here is my reply to the topic she brought up and a little background just to make it interesting;

It all started my senior year of high school. I was just finishing a sucessful run as the head debater on the Lincoln Douglas team. I had aspirations of being a lawyer. I had been voted "most likely to suceed" in the school newspaper. I was on top of the world when an identity crisis hit. WHAT exactly was I going to succeed AT?

Looking back I think the first catlyst was a statement my debate coach made while discussing my plans to attend BYU. "I just feel bad you're a mormon... such a waste" he mumbled. When I pressed him for more he explained that, because of my religion I was fully expected to spend my life, "barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen." I was disgusted! I was a strong, independent woman. I determined that I would prove him wrong.

So, I started college and right off the bat I met a guy. I was still determined that I would NOT become one of THOSE girls who got married right away and started popping out kids. I tried to push him away. (Looooong story for another day) Still, before long we were discussing our future and, of course, that dredged up the prophecy from my coach.

Here I was, young, strongwilled, independent, with big plans and dreams but something just didn't feel right. Something else was pulling at my heartstrings. I decided law school wasn't for me and as time went on I realized my true calling. I wanted to be a mother, and while many women can balance both- I knew I would end up sacrificing too much if I tried. I chose motherhood.

I fought it. I really did- but not because of anything anyone said to me at the time. Those words from my teacher just kept comming back to me, haunting me, making me feel like I had somehow settled. I had failed. But my heart kept telling me otherwise. I finally came to a conclusion- I could be 1 successful person. OR I could raise 4 successful children who would raise thier own sucessful children. I can actually make MORE impact as a mother.

NOW... the tie in to my cousin's blog. She spoke about the lack of equality among men and women. Specifically within the church. It makes me sad because I've heard the same sentiment from other friends of mine. Why do men hold all of the leadership positions? Why do men hold the priesthood? Why do men control everything?

But they don't! That's the thing. There may be men who think they do, or want us to think they do but it's simply not true. I see it as mostly a method of delegation. Our Father had certain tasks and roles that he needed filled here on earth. To men were given some and to women others. So, I may not sit on the stand as a member of the bishopric. That doesn't mean that they are superior to me in any way. They just have a different role to fill.

I can see where the concern for equality comes from. There are many men who to take a position of unrighteous dominion over the women in thier lives. They claim to "wear the pants" or "lay down the law" but that's not how a marriage should be and doesn't reflect the true plan that God made for us. There is a lot of growth that needs to happen to help create equality among men and women. I think my concern is that in fighting for equality, we as women will lose sight of what makes us truly special.

It seems to me that we have begun to flip to the oposite end of the issue. In the past women were looked down upon for wanting to pursue careers. Even now, there are many fields that try to discourage women from entering them. However, I've seen an alarming trend as of late that now the woman who chooses to stay home with her children is now the "poor soul", "Such a waste". I stand on the edge of becoming just that and for some reason I feel guilty? Like I'm somehow lowering myself to become JUST a houswife. This is equally disturbing if not more so than the segregation of years past.

I am a mother, and yet I am strong. I chose home over career, and yet I am not submissive. I sew halloween costumes, I puree carrots, I read bedtime stories and yet I do not see myself as on my knees or silent. I AM "the most likely to succeed" after all. :) My husband and I ARE equals. In fact, he may even try to put me on a pedastal at times but truly we walk hand in hand.

We have different roles, it's true, but things would probably break down into chaos if we started overlapping. One washes, One dries the dishes. How effective would we be if both of us washed and niether dried or vice versa. Or, as Ben Franklin said. It's like having two of the same side of scissors. You need the opposing pieces to create function.

I am proud to be a woman. I am proud of my femininity. I am proud of the choices I've made. I know I have a Heavenly Father AND a Heavenly Mother. I know our differences are what make us strong and I just hope that one day our society can find a balance where men and women can be equal yet different and be OK with it.

Thank you... and Good Night. :)