Why are we content with smut?

Today in the Deseret News, I was reading an op ed piece that talked about companies who have pulled sponsorships of inappropriate TV shows. (See article)
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700105104/Stopping-mainstream-sponsorship-of-pornography.html

This has really made me think about the ways that we, as a society, allow this smut. Honestly, don't we live in one of the most conservative places in the nation? And yet we allow Cosmopolitan to be displayed in grocery stores -- down at eye level for our children. We accept billboards on I-15 with women in bikinis. We tolerate Victoria's Secret posting giant-sized posters of half-naked women at the mall.

On the Victoria's Secret note... when our family goes to Gateway and parks at the mall, there is a stairwell we have to bring our kids up. It is infuriating to me that the moment you open the door, a giant poster of "soft porn" stares my children down. Seriously?? When did we, as Utahns, decide this was acceptable?

If you don't think we are "accepting" this, we are, unless we do something about it. Talk to the grocery store manager, if your store is displaying inappropriate material. Tell them you won't shop there anymore if they don't comply. Call the phone number on that billboard and tell them you are offended. Tell the Victoria's Secret manager that you would like them to remove their offensive posters that face the mall. I've done some of these things and I know that companies will comply if enough of their patrons speak up.

If we don't speak up for decency, we really can't complain that society objectifies women, or that community morals are declining. It's time to do something!!

(I will now step down from my soapbox. Thank you.)

Marvelous Marcus!

What do you get when you combine a keen intellect, a funny personality, and boundless energy? (Besides a nightmare for any Primary teacher.)

You get a Marcus!

This fun 3rd grader keeps us all hopping. He easily jumps from topic to topic, and sometimes it's hard for him to concentrate on something as boring as piano practicing, but this kid's brain is always going!

This boy proudly won an award at his first Science Fair. When we asked him what he wanted to do for his experiment. He said he either wanted to mix different things together to see what would happen, or blow something up. We opted for the first. He had fun learning about acids and bases and why baking powder makes every liquid bubble.

These two little guys are the best of friends. They make deals with each other like, "The first one to wake up, wakes the other person up" on Saturday mornings. They love to build Legos together and play card games. Once in awhile they will get in a tussle and are both pretty evenly matched -- mostly because neither REALLY wants to hurt the other person.

Marcus is an amazing pianist, great student, aggressive basketball player, and fun friend.

Things he likes: Dates with Mom or Dad, Legos, basketball, John Schmidt's piano songbook, spaghetti, pizza, Sweet Tomatoes, Zupas, any Lego Wii game, building snow forts

Things he doesn't like: practicing the piano, folding laundry, spelling homework, writing persuasive paragraphs (the last one was on "Why Homework isn't Fair."), an unorganized closet

Captivating Caleb!

Today is my baby's birthday. It's the first time his age has two syllables. Se-ven. (Or is it sev-en?)

I have a tradition with my elementary-aged kids that I bring them lunch and eat with them on their birthdays. (That tradition doesn't fly with my junior high kids.) Today I brought a Little Caesar's cheese pizza and met Caleb in the school cafeteria. As I watched him eat, I got a little teary. My baby. This year was the end of an era of having little ones home with me for part of the day. Now everyone is at school all day long.

We had a funny weekend with this kid. He is always making us smile. First of all, on Saturday night we took him out for his birthday. We let him choose any restaurant to eat at, with just dad and mom. He chose Spaghetti Factory. (They make the best mac and cheese, according to Caleb.) When we were waiting to be seated, Matt asked him if he wanted the people to sing to him. He said, "No way. Then people just stare at you and it's really embarrassing." (He comes from Matt's side of the family, not mine, apparently.)

The waiter asked him if they could sing and he said, "I guess." They never got the chance because Caleb was so anxious to get out of there. We had a date at Toys R Us next to pick out his present. He couldn't wait!

While we were driving to Toys R Us, Caleb remembered the big hullaballoo they made when he went there shopping for his birthday with his grandparents. He said to us, "Okay, when we get there and walk in, if the people say anything, just tell them, 'There's no birthday here.We're just shopping for toys, so back off!'"

Caleb and Matt went into the store and ran to the Lego section. I had a return and when I talked to the customer service lady, I told her I had a son who was very embarrassed about his birthday, and could she sing to my husband instead. (I promised Matt his life would never be boring, so I have to always keep him on his toes!) She said she could sing to both.

I found the boys and we heard the loud speaker come on... "Geoffrey would like to wish two special shoppers a Happy Birthday. Caleb is turning 7, and Matt is turning... 40." Then they sang the Happy Birthday song. Caleb laughed and loved that his dad was dragged into it, too!

He bought a fun Lego set, but it was bedtime by the time we got home. We let him and Marcus start on the Lego, but told them as soon as they had their church clothes on, breakfast eaten, teeth brushed, hair combed and shoes on, in the morning, they could finish it. I slyly said to Matt, "This will be one Sunday where I won't have any trouble getting the boys ready on time for church."

I usually wake them up at 8, so we can be to church at 9. At 6:30, while we were soundly sleeping, two handsome boys showed up at my bedside with their church suits on. "We're ready to work on the Lego," they said. They were a little tired all day.
Here is a photo of Caleb with Santa... I'm glad he still wants to sit on Santa's lap. None of my other three kids would.

Caleb loves his neighborhood buddies -- Rhett, Bradley and Nick.

Caleb is learning to speak Chinese. He is a wonderful pianist and loves to play Legos, Wii, basketball, and baseball. He also loves his friends and his best friend and brother, Marcus.

Things Caleb likes: playing the piano, Legos, staying at Rhett's house, Uno, Blink, cheese pizza, cheese quesadillas, having his Dad coach his basketball team, having his Mom volunteer in his classroom, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books, Star Wars guys, soft blankets, stuffed animals

Things Caleb doesn't like: too much chicken, things that are dirty (today he was freaking out because some kid at school brought a yogurt and a spoon for lunch -- but with no bag. He couldn't believe the spoon just sat at the bottom of the classroom lunch tote without being in a bag. LOL!).

Awesome Aubree!

Oooh, I love this girl! I am convinced that Aubree and I chose each other in heaven. Truly, this is my kind of girl! She knew she'd need a mom who would go to the ends of the earth to make sure she got the medical care she needed, and I knew I'd need a daughter with a spiritual maturity who would teach me all kinds of lessons in life.

Aubree is a little business woman. She is always coming up with new gigs and ways to make money. My brother said the other day, "If I had to put money on the person in this family who would be the first millionaire, it would be Aubree."

I've had to teach her that sometimes we have to put our dream careers on hold while we raise a family (personally speaking), because being a mom is the most fulfilling job in the world!

Here she is after an orchestra concert with some of her orchestra buddies.

For her birthday, some friends woke her up at 6:30 a.m., put straws and plastic utensils in her hair, and took her to Jamba Juice. She had several classes sing to her at school that day.

Aubree loves parties! For her birthday, I arranged a surprise party with some of her friends. Here is her face after the "surprise."

Here are her friends that came. There was a horrible blizzard that night, so a few of them called and said they wouldn't make it.

Some played Band Hero (including her Dad and brother).

Others played games in the basement.

Aubree is a wonderful violinist. Her good ear is amazing! She can play almost any song by ear and loves to compose new songs. She had fun performing for the family at Christmas Eve.

Aubree has done so well in school this year and has made the high honor roll both terms. She is on the school's Academic Team and loves doing the Round 3 presentations. She also made the school musical and is excited for that!

Aubree is still taking dance, but the reality of her physical disabilities from brain surgeries is becoming harder and harder each year. She loves, loves, loves to dance. Her balance, and right-side weakness makes it really difficult for her. This year she took a Ballet Pointe class and got her Pointe shoes. Her teacher said she may not be able to perform on Pointe, and it looks like she will be in regular ballet shoes for the spring recital. She is taking that really well, though, and still says she wants to own a dance studio when she grows up. 

Aubree loves to cook! She will be such a great mom someday! I love this girl and feel so blessed to have her as my daughter. She is truly an inspiration to me! 

Things Aubree likes: Scrapbooking with her new Cricut, making hair clips, choreographing dances with her friends, having a party, going out to eat, cooking, singing, Academic Team, her electric blanket, going on dates with her mom and dad.

Things Aubree doesn't like: cleaning her room, cold cereal, practicing violin, vacuuming. 

Terrific Tyler!

My kids always have loved to dress up. Even as a teenager, Tyler is a willing participant for Spirit Week dressing up. For "Disco Day" I helped him with this little get-up.

He's wearing his Dad's shirt, and his Mom's jacket and pants. I tried my best to help him with an afro.

The best part is the hair on his chest that is poking out of the shirt.

He has no problem going to school like this. Which I think I am happy about. ??

At a White Elephant Christmas Party there was an orange Chuck E. Cheese shirt that said, "Joe" on the nametag. I knew Tyler would dig it, so I got it for him. He loves wearing it to the school dance and at other times.

At Christmas, we act out the nativity. Tyler was dressed as a Wise Man. (Or a Wise something else.)

I am so proud of the wonderful pianist he is! He hates to practice, but never gives me any trouble about it anymore. (I guess he's learned that we just aren't giving in on that, so he's stopped fighting.) It's been fun for him to perform at school, in Seminary, and at family parties.

Oh, and he's wearing that Chuck E. Cheese shirt in this picture...

Tyler is a super smart kid. He has been testing in the top 10 for the school Academic Team and has been participating in that. He loves drama and has been taking voice lessons. His teachers tell me funny stories about him -- like rapping in class, making up monologues in drama to make fun of Twilight, etc. He is such a funny guy!

I love Tyler's maturity and testimony. He knows he's not perfect, but he tries to do what is right. I am very proud of him!

Things Tyler likes: music (almost any kind), cute girls, acting, Pirates Booty, treats, otter pops, getting his feet rubbed, snowboarding, America's Funniest Home Videos, Spongebob, Legos, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Star Wars movies.

Things Tyler doesn't like: whole wheat bread or pasta, practicing the piano, math, homework, Net Nanny (our computer filter - sometimes filters dumb things), mowing the lawn.

Mom's run for the Legislature

This is my Mom. A few weeks ago the member of the Utah House of Representatives for her district resigned. She decided to throw her hat in the ring and run for that seat. There were four candidates who ran and only two weeks to campaign. The 33 Republican delegates in that district were charged with the duty to elect a new legislator.

Mom made phone calls, flyers, and visited with 31 of those delegates in their homes. Although she didn't have a super strong grasp on the issues prior to this election, she did her best to get up to speed.

There was one Meet the Candidate event where she spoke and answered a few questions. She was poised and articulate. At the election, she gave her speech and hoped for the best.

My Dad and brother, Mike, were two of the delegates.

Each candidate got to designate a poll watcher to watch the counting of the votes. I was my mom's poll watcher. It was nerve-wracking watching the numbers come in. After the first round, Mom had 12 votes and the other three had 8, 6, and 5. They dropped off the bottom two and it was between my mom and the second place guy.

Here's my mom and one of the other candidates.

My sister, Tami, and I had fun listening, watching, and waiting.

In the end, the final vote tally was 15 votes to Mom and 16 votes for the other guy. She lost by one vote!! She really is fine with the outcome and feels like things happened how they were supposed to. It was fun to see her try for this, though. I was really proud of her!

Here is my family (minus two of my brothers): Tami, Dad, Mom, Mike and me.

My very loud stomach

Last Sunday I was sitting in church - specifically Relief Society. I enjoyed the wonderful lesson on Gratitude and was busy thinking of ways to be more grateful for my husband and children when I heard a little rumble. It was my stomach. Then it made a loud rumble. I rarely get embarrassed, so I sat there, not really caring that my friends around me could hear. But it kept going. It was mad. Two people down from me sat Emily. She thought it was Marianne's stomach and said, "Wow, are you hungry?" Marianne replied, "Not as hungry as Aimee."

Pretty soon the sounds didn't sound like stomach grumblings, but instead like a small "meow." It sounded like I had a kitten in my shirt! The meows were perfectly timed and happened every few seconds. It was weird. So weird that I did start to get a little embarrassed and tried to mute the noise by wrapping my arms around my belly.

Truly, you know it's bad when the friend on the other side of me turned and said, "Don't you have a mint or something?"

Ah, well, no mint. Eventually the kitty went away.

* You know I'm desperate when I don't post for two weeks and then end up posting something so lame as this. Sorry! I will come up with something better soon!! Quite honestly, I wish I could vent about raising teenagers. Nothing would humiliate them more, though, then finding out their mother had posted their business on her blog. Let's just say that it's hard to hear about your child's mistakes from the neighbors, and it's hard to know how to deal with wildly hormonal, emotional teens. Sometimes all Matt and I can do is laugh. There. Now I've kind of vented about my kids, but you don't know who specifically I'm talking about. They are wonderful, though, and I love them dearly!