2009 Year In Review (continued)

It is hard for me to get a turn at the computer on the weekends with Kelly and all five kids home. And when the kids are not on the computer (which is rare), there are errands and jobs that need to get done and usually I have family over for Sunday dinner and games... so I'll have to play catch up on my "Year in Review." Of course- I'm queen at catching up! (Right Jill?)

December 5 Night out: Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?

Well... I was lucky to have had MANY great nights out with Kelly, family and friends but the winner probably has to be second chance PROM!

I never would have thought I'd be going to Prom at my age or that I would have so much fun doing it! If you missed the details, click here to read them (it's number 12 in the list of things I had to catch up on! Told you I was queen.) The highlight of the night was dancing with Kelly- I always love it when we get to dance!

December 6 Workshop or conference: Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?

I only went to one workshop or conference that I can remember. In November, I attended Time Out For Women in St. George. The conference itself was mediocre. There were a couple of thoughts that really struck me, like:

• In a time of cutting back, the Lord offers us ABUNDANCE. (I think that is a great word!)
• Children are "obstacles", I mean "opportunities" for growth- to help us become more. So, who am I "becoming" as a mom? Who do I want to become?
• When the rules we set honor agency and increase love, they are more successful and our families will be happier.

But the real benefit of this conference was spending time with some fabulous ladies!!

A rushed (because we were late) and therefore off center Self-Portrait of Virginia, Wendy, Jen, Sarah, Debbie and Jenn at the Dixie Center Exhibit Hall for Time Out For Women, November 2009

I had a great time talking, laughing, shopping, eating and traveling with these smart and fun women. I learned much more from them than I learned from the conference- but the conference was a good excuse for us to spend a weekend together. For that reason, I would absolutely go again!

December 7 Blog find of the year: That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.

I found several fun blogs this year, including one devoted solely to cupcakes, a couple of paper craft ones and some photography ones. I even entered a couple of contests on new blogs that friends had recommended. But I don't return to any of them. It's just not how I spend my time.

The real 'blog find of the year' is the friends that I have reconnected with through blogging. My talented friend, Shelli, found my blog this year and now I get to read about her family and her creative endeavors. My favorite Jenny came from Seattle to visit this year and now I get to read her wisdom and insight. Super Angie, Jenny Lynn, Kayla and Alicia are amazing women in my ward who also found my blog this year and in turn share their enthusiasm and struggles with me through their blogs.

I know I seem semi-committed to blogging a lot of the time, but I LOVE it! For those who read mine and for those who write wisdom and humor that I can read- thanks for a great year of blogging!

December 8 Moment of peace: An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there?

So. I have this theory. Oprah and all the self-help mumbo jumbo she promotes has led women everywhere astray. (sorry Oprah.)

After reading the prompt for today- did you find yourself thinking about the times, which were probably few and far between, when you were ALONE? Removed? Secluded? That is solitude.

And it just isn't that hard to find peace when you are alone. The trick is feeling peace when you are surrounded by five kids, a pile of dirty dishes, 7 loads of laundry and the clock is telling you that you are late for someone's dance recital!

I can't say I've actually felt peace in that particular scenario- though I've been in that scenario many times. But I can say that I have had peaceful moments this year and knowing how they feel, I want to feel them more often.

They have come while making cookies with Megan;

when Emily takes my hand on our way in to the store;

when Soren wrapped his arms around my waist and told me he needed to hug me everyday after getting home from school;

while Ethan reads;

when Kate apologizes for yelling at me;

when I crawl into bed after a late book club and without a word, Kelly puts his warm feet on my cold ones...

The Lord says, "Peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth..." NOT as the world giveth. Peace does not come from solitude or from removing ourselves from life. Peace comes from obedience, love, kindness, forgiveness and faith. It comes from the Lord and it does not require us to be alone because He never leaves us alone.

My most peaceful moments this year came when walking with my family (and hundreds of other people) through the halls and rooms of the Draper and Oquirrh Mountain temples. Specifically-

as I stood in a sealing room...

with Ethan admiring the mirrors that go on forever;

my other children standing nearby;

Kelly looking at us with his kindest brown eyes;

and in my heart, the knowledge that our family had been sealed in another house of the Lord.

In that moment,

I KNEW that the Lord keeps his promises and that if we could be more obedient, more loving- we would be together FOREVER. We would know absolute JOY.

That was a "moment of PEACE" for me in 2009.