Because I Had Children

I definitely have learned a difficult lesson about self care in the last year. I've learned how truly important it is. I've heard the analogy that it's like putting on the oxygen mask on yourself first so that you are able to help those around you but I'm Super Mom, I'll help everyone first then take care of myself. But guess what? That time never seemed to come. When I was a stay home mom, I told myself that because I didn't bring in an income, that spending money and time on myself was frivolous and unnecessary, what did I need "me" time for? I was at home all day. Plus, do you know how much time it takes to take care of the needs of 8 children and a spouse? When I started working full time, I decided that anything I wanted to do for myself meant more time away from my house and my children and my responsibilities there. I simply didn't have time for it. I gave up my acrylic nails and my bi-monthly housecleaning because they were frivolous, u...

Back at the end of March, I had a feeling of nervousness that was causing me to be short of breath and to worry about the slightest things. I was getting ready to fly to Utah to see my older kids and I almost decided not to go because I thought maybe it was a whisper of the spirit not to travel but it felt different than other promptings so I chose to go. It was a great weekend visiting but the shortness of breath turned into chest heaviness then a few days after I got home, it turned into chest pain. I never felt like it was urgent enough to go to the hospital and I tried to make an appointment with my Dr. but he was only available 3 weeks from then so after a few days I chose to go to the urgent care. Although I have family members who have suffered with anxiety and depression I never thought it would be me. Does this look like the face of anxiety or depression? I can't even count the number of times I faked it until I could get home and crawl into bed.  At the urgent care...

My friend Stephanie at  www.stephaniesaysso.blogspot.com  is my favorite poet:) She describes a new poem each day during the month of April so we can all celebrate National Poetry Month together. Being a mother, a teacher and a coach leaves me very little time to write so I look forward to this month when I can whip out a poem or two in a few minutes in my "free time." Here are a few I've written in the last month. Pensee Food Poem Sushi Kinda Slimy Chopsticks make it authentic comfort food to end my long day. Easy dinner, not cheap. Grammar Poem Students Intent and hard working, typing on their keyboards feverishly like their lives depended on it. If only they really understood that it does. Synonym Poem TIRED Fatigued, empty, faint, drained, spent I wonder when I will again begin feeling content? Credo Poem I believe in the importance of working hard, the courage it takes to pick yourself up, the skill it takes to move forward, the honesty i...

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. I wish I had more free time to write. I think of things all the time that I want to get out and yet I am swamped with life. What has happened in the last four years you ask? Let me sum it up: Drew left on his mission to Alaska-October of 2015. My dad passed away-January 2016. Skylar went on a trip to Spain with a group from school-March 2016. Ben and I went to New York for our 25th anniversary-May 2016. I took a sisters/daughters trip with my mom, Allison, Brittany and Marly to North Dakota to see Candice's oldest got baptized-June 2016. Anny was baptized-July 2016. I had hernia surgery, eyelid surgery and ablation done-July 2016. Katy got her driver's license-January 2017. Vance got engaged to Katelynn Wilson-February 2017. Sky had ankle surgery-April 2017. Marly graduated from Utah Valley University and Institute-May 2017. Marly gets engaged to Hayden Thieme-May 2017. Ben retires from 20 years at Hone...

When my daughter Marly (class of 2013) was a freshman, we told her it would be so great to be a part of the beginning of a new high school. She would be part of the group that created a culture, started traditions, and got the sports and clubs off to a good start. I told her there would be sacrifices to be made to be a part of the first wave of students from the school. There certainly were frustrations and many tears but she loved her experience as a whole. She was and still is a proud Coyote alumni, but this isn't about her. Drew and me at his 8th grade promotion May 2011 Those early classes paved the way for your class, the class of 2015, the group of kids who would be on our campus for five whole years because of the 8th grade academy. You have seen the very beginnings, the good as well as the bad and are now part of the greatest class in our school's history. That doesn't take anything away from the previous classes because that's the goal, right? To get be...

Day 25 - Weather poem inspired by another poem (I chose Shel Silverstein's Sick. "I cannot go and hang with you." Said my sweet boy whose name is Drew. "I have a cough, sore throat and a rash, my head hurts, I just want to crash. My tummy hurts, my toe might be broke, the way I feel is not a joke. See the thing right next to my eye? I think I'm coming down with a stye. My fingers are numb, I must sit on my bum. What's that you say? Free golf today? All of a sudden I'm feeling better. It must because of the wonderful weather." Day 26 - Monorhyme Poem Club Wrestling for kids These tiny little wrestlers are cute. It's hard not to sit here and root. I write my poems and try to stay mute. Until one of them lets a big toot. And the big guy that thinks he's a brute. Goes after the kid in hot pursuit. Until his pants fall, his poor sweat suit. The entire display is such a hoot. Day 27 - Rictameter Effort Work is strugg...

I love April. I love it for its weather, track season and end of school activities but most of all I love it for poetry month. I always look forward to my friend Stephanie as she challenges us with a new type of poetry every day. You can find her blog and links to her poetry challenges by clicking  here . You won't be disappointed. But, as this month always seems to do, I get busy and run out of time to write something every day on social media. I carry around my notebook and jot down my lines as they come to me. This month I traveled with my oldest daughter and had no access to the computer to share my poems so I'll share a bunch of them here for all five of you who read me. Explanations can be found back on Stephanie's blog on how to create your own poetry. Day 12 - A poem about your favorite book (Mrs .Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freeman) Katherine Mike, a woman of strength Moved to a land unfamiliar. Found purpose, overcame danger and enjoyed true love In the wi...