Hello, Blog

I know I'm in and out and in and out of blogging. But I shall not give up.

The past two months have been busy. Let me explain:

• Took the bar exam
• Started a new job
• Went to Canada
• Went to Utah
• Had LASIK eye surgery
• Planned a dinner for 180 people

I think that's it. I mean, aside from the day to day stuff.

I hope to take the time to blog about most of these events. Actually, some I've already blogged about- like the bar exam.

And some things I won't mention much about- like my job- just because I'd like to keep this blog FUN!

So I guess that leaves two trips and an eye surgery to blog about! (no one wants to read about a dinner planning!)

More to come! Life is good!


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I think what I want to blog about a bit now is- for the lack of better phrasing- "the kind of mom I am"

It hit me at the park tonight, that there are types of "moms"

What sparked this thought? Well, P was nibbling on the swing. And I didn't stop her.

I thought for a second, "I should be really worried about germs right now!"

Then I thought, "Well, she's not sucking on dirt or something people walk on"

So I just made faces with her and giggled, and thought about how I wasn't a "hygiene mom".

And I think here's the kind of "mom" I am. More to be discovered, I'm sure as P gets older. But here's what I got so far:

• I'm not a germ-a-phobe mom.
• I must play with P for an hour after work. I'm a mom that plays.
• I'm a tv-nuetral mom. Not one of those moms who avoids children and tv in the same room until they're 2 or whatever. But P had yet to watch anything on TV.
• I am not a organic all-natural mom. I am a go-with-the-flow mom. Do your best and don't guilt-trip over the rest.
• I am not a social mom. This is really apparent from P's school. I don't like to sit and mom-chat. I think I've rubbed some class-moms the wrong way because of this. But... sorry. I'd rather get my girl home and play with her than chat diaper brands with you. 
• I am a selectively-selfish mom. I don't mind some folks holding and loving on my girl. But there are some people that I just want to say, "Please don't ever touch her. Just admire from afar." It's not consistent at all though. So... I think this trait is still in development.

I think that's all for now. Kind of funny to me though. I used to be a social butterfly. But now I just don't care as much. Well, c'est la vie!


I think that's all I have right now.

Rants (Just 2)

So I'm going into finals, but I want to get a few things off my chest before I hunker down and study for finals... FOR THE LAST TIME! Well, in Law School at least.

Rant #1 The whole Ann Romney "Just a Mom" thing

This really really angered me. The comments by Ms. Rosen were ignorant and stupid. And she knows it. But what gets me is she called it a "faux" debate. While in the context of whether or not Mitt Romney should be president, I agree. But unfortunately there is no "faux" debate about the value of motherhood. I constantly hear in the media that parenting can be pushed off on teachers, nannies, and society. And Ms. Rosen's comments just reenforce the plaguing idea that being a full-time mom is not enough. That women should and can do more. But that's not right at all. Each family is different. I love that Mrs. Romney takes the perspective that she made a choice to stay home and be a full time mom. Look at her boys! She made the right choice! Ms. Rosen, on the other hand? Where is your wife? Where are your adopted children?

I also got upset as I listened to the discussion on the Today show. First of all, morning talk shows are awful. Matt Lauer does this segment where he "talks to professionals". But they're not professionals at all- they are TV personalities. Star Jones hasn't been an attorney for quite some time. Bobby Flay is a tv chef. And his two lady associates do most of the cooking. He's a reality show judge, really. I've never had the time to watch this stuff, but now that I have a baby to feed in the morning I turn it on. And I'm grossly disappointed in the crap being put on tv.

Oh, I got sidetracked. But that's what happens in a rant.

Well, Mr. Lauer said on the show, "This comment has made a lot of stay-at home moms upset."

I am not a stay at home mom.

I am upset.

What's the deal with that? I mean, can't I be upset too? Just because I don't finely fit into your categorical division, doesn't mean I don't have an opinion on it.

Also, I think it belittles the faction of people who are upset- instead of being a group of male and females, married and unmarried people, it's just those stay at home moms out there.

Ah! Drives me nuts!!!

Rant #2 Relief Society Conference

This one is kind of the flip side of the above problem. So I went to the Stake Relief Society Conference (Actually, only 3 wards really did anything... so it was really the Kyle, New Braunfels, and Buda ward conference. Thanks for inviting San Marcos y'all).

I looked at the list of classes offered and... I didn't really feel like any of them applied.

"Just a Mom": nope, I'm also a law student. I'm not "just" anything.


Communicating with your kids: Phoenix is almost 4 months. I think we're ok in this department. She can't talk yet.


Thrifty Creative: Oh! You've been on Pinterest too! Sweet. I wonder if we've pinned the same things.


Photo Taking: I've had my camera for 3 years. I did film classes. But I guess I'll show up.


Alone in the Church: Oh! Maybe this one! Oh wait... it's for people who are the only member in their family.. nope.


Peace in Trials: Mmm... if I was in a heart-wrenching place in my life, this might work. But I do like the instructor. So I guess I'll go.


What did I want?

How about a class about finances and paying back student loans?

Or a class on Early Childhood Development?

Or on piano playing basics?

Or on cooking? I could really use a basic cooking class.

I just wasn't feeling anything that was offered. I'm still glad I went, because I know it's where I needed to be. But... I wish I could have gotten more out of it. It all seemed to be the same old same old.

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As I told Russ about how I felt he said, "You know this is how your life is now, right?"

I sigh and agree. He says, "You will always be one of the few women who work, who has an advanced degree, who won't have a class that fits her needs."

I wish I could be optimistic and say that he's wrong. But really, if he's right it's not a bad thing. Being a stay at home mom is a great thing. As I said above, I think we need more people to fight for the importance of having a parent stay at home full time.

I don't see a change happening. I guess I need to just learn that I'm in the minority in this. And if I someday can contribute and influence how things go, I'll be glad to help.

This is a rant. I don't expect anyone to read it. I just needed a place to put my thoughts.

A Brief Thought

General Conference always get me thinking about the past 6 months of my life- because it comes around every 6 months. It's like a mini-New Year for me where I evaluate life and compare it to where I was 6 months ago.

So, 6 months ago I was pregnant and in Utah visiting family. We had taken family pictures with Russ's family on Saturday. I remember getting ready and being able to take so much time to get my hair just how I wanted.

Well, my hair was how I wanted it before I hefted up a hill to take the pic. It still looks good though.

Anyway, so I'm in this new year's thought process and I thought about having a baby and what that all entails. And I decided something- that is totally different from anything I've ever hear.

Labor and Delivery with Phoenix was not too bad. Honestly? Law school- at least Practice Court- was more physically demanding. And I am absolutely serious about that. Granted, I am not a super hero person- I got an epidural and Phoenix came in about 20 minutes. So I don't have the poster story experience of how miserable it can be.

But I'll tell you what I think is the hardest part of being a new mom- pumping. Or nursing. Or pretty much being trapped in time glass. 

I feel like I'm on LOST and I've got to push a button every 108 minutes.

And while I'm glad that Phoenix hasn't had to drink formula at all- I can't wait to get 4 hours of my day back. I'd like to have time to get my hair "just how I want it" again.

More to come.

Here's a peek at Phoenix.

She's in the NICU right now, but we hope to have her home by Christmas.

Even under all those tubes- isn't she adorable?

Let's Hear it For the Moms!

Mother-in-Law:

* Raised 3 fantastic boys all on her own!

* Excellent homemaker; I've been known to call her "the Martha Stewart of Springville, Utah"

* Always has interesting stories about her job

* Really good cook, always giving us the latest kitchen gear (most recently a S'more machine)

Bonnie I absolutely I admire you! Thank you for being so wonderful!

Happy Mother's Day!

Momma Bear:

* My best friend.

* Has seen me at my worst, and still loves me! : D

* Raised 5 kids! 5 should-be juvenile delinquents!

* Always took us to church, has scripture study, and family prayer. Even when Scott would read the scriptures super fast just to get through them. Or when I refused to come up to the living room for family prayer. This means she is very patient.

* Great cook! Showed me what sticky buns are! And Potato Cheese Soup!

* She's a nurse. That's kind of like being a mom twice!

Happy Mother's Day!

Step-Mom:

* The thing I realize most about Dealia is her patience. With children, cooking, and just life.

* Speaking of children, she's great with children! Kids are just drawn to her!

*Speaking of cooking, she's amazing! Best salmon I've ever had!

* Wonderful to talk to. It's so peaceful and I never feel rushed or that she's not listening.

* Great laugh. I love it when she gets going and can't stop!

Happy Mother's Day!

HAPPY

MOTHER'S

DAY!

all the mom's out there!