Big Announcement

About a month ago, I got an email from the editor of Wasatch Woman Magazine (the magazine where I have a column, called Momtrepreneur). She wanted to meet with me and wouldn't say why.

We met for tea and she proceeded to tell me about an experience that she had in the temple while debating what to do about leaving her position at the magazine. She told me that she felt like it was time to leave, and she needed to spend time with her daughter (who is 4) before she goes off to kindergarten. She and I have not known each other very long, in fact, we had only met twice before this happened.

In the temple, my name came to her as she was asking who would replace her. She then received a "download" of all my past experiences and qualifying personality traits that would make me perfect for the job. She told me that she was made to understand that I would be "scrappy enough" and that I would be able to understand and push the magazine where it needed to be.

When she told me all of this, I was taken aback. I had to admit to her that I had been questioning my life and what I was doing with my career for the past few weeks. I had been contemplating what to do with myself and asking my Heavenly Father for guidance and direction. In fact (and I never do this) I had just fasted for life direction the same weekend that she got the guidance for who to hand over the magazine to.

Over the next three weeks, I went through two interviews and an offer that was exactly what I had asked for...I wanted to have autonomy, the freedom to work from home when I wanted, and all of that was given to me - plus, the monetary requests, of course.

A full month after my friend, the former editor, told me I would be the next editor, I started. Since then, I have learned a lot, made a lot of changes, and I'm still learning and changing.

This experience taught me that we are not really in charge of our lives. It humbled me and it made me feel great. I realized that my Heavenly Father really knows me and loves me enough to give me something I'm totally ready for. This last year has all been preparation for this current chapter in my life. Who knows what will be next.

So, if you don't believe in God, I'm telling you right now. He is real. He knows you. He knows what you need. He will bring what you need into your life if you let Him.

This true story is a testament to that. It is NOTHING short of a miracle.

Rite of Passage

Sophia turned 12 in the last month and a half. She has really been looking forward to this age. Not only does she get to move on to Young Women, but she also gets to go to the temple. She was so excited about going to the temple and was a little bit nervous, too. It had been a really long time since I went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. I went along with her and was really impressed by how mature she was. She really enjoyed the experience and told me that she liked being there.

She's such a great kid. I'm so lucky to be her mom.

After we left the temple we stopped off at the local grocer and picked up some of their fresh sushi...since we hadn't had dinner prior to going to the temple. yumm-o! Our favorite food. We took some pictures prior to going and then, we hammed it up at the grocery store, later.

Tomorrow

When I put my kids to bed, I like to tell them if there is anything exciting happening the next day. This is a trick I learned to keep them in bed, so they can enjoy the exciting event the next day. Giving my kids something to look forward to helps them fall asleep happy. Most of what I tell my 3 1/2-year-old, Ava, has to do with having a play date with her best friend, Lily.

Ava has been asking me the same thing,frequently: "Mama....in the morning, is it going to be tomorrow, in the morning?" I always laugh at that because it's so redundant and cute. But, really, Ava thinks that "tomorrow" is a special occasion. I discovered this when I asked her some questions about "tomorrow."

Me: "Ava, when is Christmas coming?"

Ava: "Tomorrow."

Me: "How about when Nana comes. When is she going to come to visit us?"

Ava: "Um, tomorrow."

Me: "When is your birthday?"

Ava: "In the summer. Tomorrow."

Wouldn't it be great if we could view the world like that? Tomorrow is a going to be a really great day, full of joy, fun, and people we love. Maybe this is why children have so much energy and happiness.

You've GOT to be kidding me!

Ugh. There is nothing worse than an adult who talks down to kids. My kids may be different from most in that, they can detect a patronizer from a mile away. You know what I'm talking about: people who use the high, sing-songy voice and end each sentence in a lilt (almost like they are asking a question). "Okay, kids!! Now we're going to color this picture of a tin can! Won't that be fun?"
Fortunately, Ava has a fabulous Sunbeam teacher who is both kind and real with her...I think Ava was just tired of posing for pictures when this one was taken. This is the classic Ava look.