simplifying-- one step at a time.

I am in the middle of reading an inspiring "self-help" book. I thought I would wait until I finished to give a report, but I feel like sharing a bit today. It's called Simplicity Parenting and if that title alone doesn't make you interested, the caption under the title will: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids.

There is so much I could say about the beauty of this book, but I wanted to share the list given at the end of the first chapter, titled "Why Simplify". It reads:

Imagine your home...

• as a place where time moves a little slower.
• becoming less cluttered and more visually relaxing.
• with space, and time, for childhood-- and with time for one another everyday.
• having more ease as you begin to limit the distractions and to say no to the stress of too much, too fast, too soon.
• as a sense of calm and security to take hold.
• becoming a place where those we love know it, by virtue of our attention, protection and appreciation.
  

In a society that embraces speed, we must find ways to remove stresses, distractions and choices for our kids-- which are all forms of clutter. In the introduction chapter, it reads: This book is not about hidden dangers, quick fixes, or limited-time opportunities; it is about the long haul. The big picture: a reverence for childhood. That last passage "a reverence for childhood" has been in my mind for weeks now.

One way we've tried to simply our home is getting rid of the TV. It's been almost two months now that we've lived without cable & DVR. At first, I thought I was going to die. No Oprah to keep me company while I make dinner... no cartoons for the kids on Saturday mornings... no ESPN. We do have little rabbit ears that will pull in a few local channels and we can watch movies when we really want to veg, but our house is so much quieter and calmer. We have more time to read, play games, and just be together. The biggest change has come in our sleeping routine. We are in bed early and it feels so great! I know getting rid of television entirely is a bit drastic for most families, but we've slowly cut it out little by little until it seemed silly to be paying a cable bill. Obviously, this isn't a cure-all. But it's really helped our house become more of a home.

I have a lot I need to work on, and over the next few weeks, I will try my best to share some of my recent revelations. Reading this book has opened my eyes to little things I can do everyday to simplify our routine and bring more peace to our lives. Isn't that what everyone is looking for?

Eat Pray Love

My sister and I went to a late showing of Eat Pray Love last night. We left my husband with 8 kids (3 of whom were screaming) and drove to the theater. It was liberating leaving the children and dishes behind, but we also felt guilty and a bit selfish for indulging ourselves rather than attending to our motherly duties. But it feels so good to forget your worries and do what you want!!

After the movie, we stayed up late discussing the inner-conflicts we face between the lives we are expected to lead and living on the edge-- being authentic to who we really are and doing what we desire. Part of me was inspired and liberated. I want to discover more, dream bigger, connect with the inner-me! On the other hand, I was disappointed in the main character/author who seems to give up on a life that she once committed to. Some would consider her a self-absorbed narcissist who leaves everything behind just because she feels like it... Should she be praised or condemned?

I have much to say on this subject, but feel it might be better to "discuss" in the comments below. I know there are still a few out there who live under rocks and haven't read the book or seen the movie and I would hate to spoil it, if they still want to experience it for themselves. At the same time, many of you are staying away on purpose and I respect your decision. I am not recommending it as a MUST read/see because it can be dangerous if taken too literally.

For those of you who have read it, what did you think? Did it stir you like it stirred millions of women around the world? Are you being suffocated by the mundane routine? How can we "escape" without leaving the country and completely abandoning everything we're committed to? Don't we all need to connect deeper to our authentic selves? How can we EAT without worrying about the size of our jeans? PRAY & meditate on a deeper level? Learn to LOVE ourselves so that we can freely share that love with everyone around us?

birthday weekend

The sun was coming up on one side of the mountain...
And the moon was going down on the other...
While up on top, the girls and I were talking about Vegas. I feel such a fond love the place I call home. It has it's own beauty and wonder & it's FILLED with fantastic people. Where else can you take a lovely hike in the morning and then go see a Broadway show in the evening?? I truly love this city.

Phantom was inspiring and beautiful. We had incredible seats at an unbelievable price. (Thank you, Leavitts!) We only snapped one picture before the show started... Jeff wasn't looking because he was terrified of the lady who was about to confiscate our camera. "No pictures inside the theater!!" (Aaron looks a little scared, too!)
We were SO lucky to have backstage passes. We literally got the VIP tour of the behind scenes of the show-- the stage, the dressing rooms, the crew. It was awesome! This is the Tony Award winning Anthony Crivello who was THE Phantom and Tina Walsh who was Madame Giry. Tina played the leading role in Mama Mia! in Vegas a couple of years ago and I still remember how incredible she was!
It was such a treat to go backstage. We shook hands and met these UNBELIEVABLY talented cast members. It's amazing that they are everyday kind of people who happen to "work" on stage. They open their mouths and magic comes out. What would that be like?
I didn't take the picture above (after we got scolded once, we put the camera away :) but I wanted to document Raoul's unbuttoned shirt. During the standing ovations at the end, Raoul came out with this shirt and I yelled (only for my husband to hear) "yeah baby! Take off your shirt!" Seconds later, Kristine came out to take a bow in her beautiful dress and Aaron copied my comment and yelled, "Yeah baby! Take off your shirt!" and then turned to me and said, "You started it." (Neither of us asked them to take off their shirts when we met them in person.)

Saturday I spent the morning reading my birthday blog. THANK YOU all for contributing. I will treasure it for always! Deb and I headed up north for my cousins baby shower who is having twin girls in a few weeks. (I wish we would have taken a picture with Kara and her cute belly.) And the highlight of the weekend was the Relief Society Broadcast. My sister and I left 8 crazy kiddos with my husband and enjoyed a QUIET broadcast and a yummy dinner. It was a fantastic weekend... filled with all of the best things!

My 31th Birthday

Today I am 31.
It seems to be just the perfect age for me.
We started the celebrations last night with a GNO. I arrived home a little past 2 am. I fell asleep around 3 am. My alarm went off at 5:30 am and I jumped out of bed to meet a few friends for a little hike. We enjoyed orange juice and danishes while watching the sunrise. It was just the way I like to start out a new year.. sleep or no sleep!
I came home to anxious kids. Homemade presents were waiting on the breakfast table. Ben's philosophy is "if a present worked last year, give it again... and again." Which means that I got another pair of homemade earrings and 31 handwritten things of why he loves me (compared to the 30 he wrote last year). Daddy, Zack and Luke wrote a few too, but they didn't number theirs like Ben did. I loved them all.
I've spent the day at the park with my kids, visiting with friends, answering phone calls, reading wonderful love messages on a birthday blog made by my sister, playing a few games with the kids, watching Calamity Jane, writing in my old-fashion hand-written journal, making a few goals, having a dance party & taking a long- much needed- nap. Now it is time for me to shower and get ready for a date with my husband. He is taking me to dinner and the Phantom.
If all THAT isn't enough, my wonderful sister and her darling four girls are driving down to Vegas to see us! This is a gift that will keep giving for an entire week. I have felt overwhelmed and a bit undeserving (which is so unlike me) of the love and attention I've received. Thank you all. I am surrounded by kind, generous, fabulous people who choose to overlook my many faults and see the best in me. I love you all dearly.

I will try to update with pictures soon, but with visitors in town, I can't make any guarantees! Thanks again. Thirty-one is my best year yet!

the belly dancer

At the beginning of the school year, I added a few goals to our morning routine:

1. A hot breakfast with the whole family.
2. Scripture study- (which is really just a few verses per child).
3. A Dance Party in our living room.

The hot breakfasts aren't going well.

The scripture studying is so-so.

The dance parties are ROCKIN!

I am putting together a DANCE MUSIC VIDEO of the best highlights. I'm trying to learn a new video editing program and it's taking me much longer than I anticipated, but it's a lot of fun. The most talented dancer in the family is [hands-down!] the baby. He's got some crazy moves and most of them are in his round belly! We all sit around and laugh while he rocks out!

My time is limited on the computer these days. I always have a baby at my feet begging to pound on the keyboard. The other day, while going through our highlights (and listening to Adam Lambert) I captured an 8 second video of Simon and his belly dancing. He was frustrated that I was on the computer and was merely obliging. (You can tell his heart isn't in it. When his heart is in it, he will rock so hard that he falls over!) This little ditty is a foreshadowing of good things to come: