Go Girl ~ December

“Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas!”

~Dale Evans
(American Singer, Songwriter, Actress, & Inspirational Writer)

I am glad this is the saying for December.  I think so often we forget throughout the year that we don’t have to wait for November to show thanks for all that we’ve been given.  we don’t have to wait until December to feel love and compassion towards others.  Last year I heard someone say they only give their children 3 gifts at Christmas time, b/c that’s all that Baby Jesus got.  I am starting that tradition w/ Autumn this year.  That way we can focus more on the true meaning of Christmas instead of her wanting a huge list of toys and then being disappointed when she doesn’t get them.

This quote is so true on so many levels, b/c I know for myself that when I show love to others or when I give of my time or talents or give others gifts, I always feel better.  I know that is b/c I am doing what the Savior himself would do and that always brings the Spirit of Christ(mas) into my life.

I hope everyone can focus on what’s truly important this season and show those you love how much they mean to you (and not just through giving them expensive gifts) but through doing the little things that count the most!

Go Girl ~ November

“I still have my feet on the ground; I just wear better shoes.”

~Oprah Winfrey
(Talk show host, Businesswoman, Philanthropist)

I have always imagined that if I was a SAHM that I would watch Oprah everyday. There are some things that I really admire about her, especially how she uses her fame and fortune to help others and make their lives better. I also admire that she knows how to love life and tries to live it to the fullest. She has the best of both worlds as far as knowing what it’s like to struggle to get to where she’s at so she can truly appreciate all she has now.

Today I read one of the most touching posts I’ve read in a long while. It really touched my soul and is something I will never forget. It made me think of this quote that I’ve heard before:

“Always be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a battle.”

It literally made me cry reading what she wrote. She has such an amazing way of wording everything. I wish I had the talent of expressing how I feel through words like Krista does. Thank you, Krista for sharing that.

It got me to thinking about what I can do to focus on being “hallowed” instead of “hollow.” There was a show on Oprah about women stepping outside of the box and being daring and Hillary Swank was on the show talking about the new movie she’s in, “Amelia.” It also gave me food for thought about who I am as a person. It’s so great to have all these things come into my life that are causing me to do some deep introspection.

Go Girl ~ October

“Where there is a woman, there is magic.”

~Ntozake Shange
(Author, Playwright and Performance Artist)

October is a good month, b/c the weather starts to change and even though Spring is my favorite season, fall isn’t too bad either.  It means hot chocolate and football games and jackets and cuddling up in a blanket.  October is also the start of the fun holidays….Halloween and then it seems like a blink later and it’s Thanksgiving and then one more blink of the eye and it’s Christmas and a New Year!  It’s also my birthday month.

At  first I thought the Go Girl thought for this month was a little cheesy.  But, the more I thought about it the more I realized how true it is.  Women have a special magic and power about them.  We have the power to fix a boo boo w/ a kiss, make men weak in the knees w/ a glance, run households, make amazing meals, raise children, balance budgets, clean fold and put away load after load of laundry, help a friend in need, etc.  It really is magical what women can do.  I am so thankful to be a woman and am also so thankful that Autumn is a little girl so I can be a good role model for her of how to be a strong and independent and confident and caring woman.

I know I say this a lot, but I really feel blessed to have so many incredible and amazing women in my life.  From mission friends to women at church to the ladies I work with.  I have learned so much from each of the strong women in my life.  Thank you to all of you women who have made me a better Mom, sister, and woman.

Go Girl ~ September

“There’s no better makeup than self-confidence.”

~Shakira
(Singer/Songwriter)

I LOVE the thought and picture for the Go Girl Calendar for September. I have been very blessed to have self-confidence. I attribute a lot of that to my height. As a child, I was only in kindergarten for a few weeks before my teacher had me test out of it and I was moved up to 1st grade. My parents and teachers were worried that I might be picked on by the older kids, but I was taller than all of them, so I was never picked on and it was never an issue.

I remember the summer before 9th grade that all my classmates were worried about the first day of High School and being “hazed” or “initiated” by the upper classmen. However, no one ever even approached me, b/c they probably thought I was a Junior instead of a Freshman. For my Senior class pictures, I was the ONLY girl on the back row w/ all of the 6’ tall or taller guys!

I have also never been a girl to wear makeup. I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup until I was 14. I remember when I was 12 that a friend and I bought some makeup a the Dollar Store (LOL) and I wore just a tiny bit and didn’t think my Mom would notice, but she did. When I was finally 14 and was allowed to wear makeup, I didn’t want to anymore. I never learned how to put it on and it was too expensive. So, I only wear some blush and mascara and lipstick on special occasions like family pictures.

I’ve always been a big person in both height and weight. Of course I wish that I were a little bit thinner and there are things I would change about my body and the way I look if I could. But, I am generally happy w/ how I look. I am thankful for great parents who I attribute a lot of my self-confidence to. I know that so many young women today struggle w/ self-confidence, and I hope to instill in Autumn the self-confidence that she will need to make it through this life. I hope that she will have a strong self-image but at the same time be able to be loving and kind to others around her and make them feel good about themselves, too.

The lesson in Relief Society today was given by one of the Presidency, so she could pick whatever topic she wanted to talk on. She talked about individual worth and read talks and quotes about women and how wonderful we are and how important we are. It was excellent and very touching. Then she handed out a letter to everyone w/ kind things that other women in the ward had said about them (she had sent out an email on Friday asking everyone to email her words and thoughts about the other women in the ward). I am always thankful for the great and wonderful women in my life. I have been blessed w/ such great examples of confident, courageous, and caring women.

Go Girl ~ August

“ Success doesn’t come to you.  You go to it!”

~Marva Collins
(American Educational Reformer)

I am SHOCKED that August is already more than half way over.  I swear that just a few weeks ago it was Easter and now the whole summer has already passed by and fall is coming and kids are going back to school next week!  How on Earth did that happen?  Time is just flying by WAAAAAAY to fast.  Does it seem that way for anyone else or is it just me?

Anyways, I like the quote for this month.  I feel like a lot of the time I just coast through life and feel like I am on auto pilot.  I do the same-old, same-old thing everyday…get up, get ready, get Autumn ready, drop her off at daycare, go to work, pick her up, come home, make dinner, eat, watch TV, spend a few hours w/ Autumn, go to bed, and do it all over the next day.  However, I also need to stop and take time to realize that I am the one that feels successful or not at the end of each day.

There are lots of little and important things that I can be successful at.  Too often I hear the word successful and think of big and huge accomplishments like getting a degree, losing 20 pounds, never losing my cool with Autumn, etc.  But, it doesn’t always have to be big huge things.  Often times, it’s the little things that count.

I can be successful in how I deal w/ upset customers at work.  I can be successful in bonding w/ Autumn and letting her know I love her.  I can be successful in knowing that I made a good meal and keep a nice clean house.  I can be successful in knowing that I am a valued daughter of God.  I can be successful in making others feel good about themselves.  I can be successful at updating my blog and documenting my life and recording my memories.  I can be successful at letting people know how much I love and appreciate them.

What are things that make you feel successful?

Go Girl ~ July

“Celebrate your curves ~they may be dangerous but they won’t be avoided.”

~May West
(Actress, Playwright)

I LOVED the Go Girl thought for the month of July, especially b/c I am a curvy girl.  I have lost about 30 lbs since January, but have plateaued the past few weeks.  I am going to try and work out a little bit every day during the month of July.  Even if that means just running in place next to my bed for 5 minutes before I go to bed.  Wish me luck!

Go Girl ~ June

 “Love’s greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred.”

~Barbara DeAngelis
(American songwriter and poet)

I’ve had a lot of things happen in the past few days that have really made me question the validity of this quote.  Especially w/ Jason wanting to give up his rights to Autumn and all of the drama and negativity that has come into my life b/c of that.  However, I still feel that this quote is valid if it is true and Christ-like love.

TRUE love is sacred.  TRUE love is uplifting.  TRUE love is honest. TRUE love is unselfish. TRUE love heals hearts and lives. TRUE love helps, not hurts.  So if I put the word TRUE at the front of this quote then I agree with it.  I am looking for ways to put TRUE love in my life.  I give and receive TRUE love from Autumn, my parents, my siblings, my extended family, my friends, etc.  I hope that I can give more of myself and have TRUE love for the people and things around me so that I can make my life more sacred.

Go Girl ~ May

“Kisses, even into the air are beautiful.”

~Drew Barrymore
(Actress and Producer)

I just realized that I forgot to do the Go Girl picture of the month for the month of May.  First of all, I didn’t like the quote for this month…I thought it was kind of dumb.  And secondly, I was busy w/ the move and just found the pictures and frame in a box.  Hopefully the quote for June will be more inspiring to me.  Does anyone else think this quote is kind of lame, or am I just being a stinker this month?  The past few days I’ve felt kind of blah and can’t figure out why.  Hopefully I’ll snap out of it soon!

Go Girl ~ April

I know I said this last month, but I REALLY cannot believe that it is already April!  March just flew by in the blink of an eye.  Since it’s April, it’s time for a new Go Girl quote of the month.

Charm is the ability to make someone else think that both of you are pretty wonderful.

~Kathleen Winson
(American Writer)

I wish I were better at being charming.  I think that charm is just one of those things that some people are just born with.  For others of us (like me), it’s something that I have to work on acquiring.  I want other people to feel happy and uplifted when they are around me.  I need to work on being more positive.  I know lots of people that are very good at making others around them feel important and special.  I need to learn from them and their example.

Go Girl ~ March

I LOVE the quote from my Go Girl calendar for the month of March.

This is my life.
It is my one time to be me.
I want to experience every good thing.

~Maya Angelou
(American Writer & Human Rights Activist)

So my word for 2009 is change, and I can’t even believe that it is already March!!! Where did January and February go? I was looking back over the first 2 months of the year and doing a self evaluation to see what changes I have made (for good or bad).

• I have changed some of my eating habits and how often I exercise. I have really enjoyed working out and I feel so much better. I’ve only lost about 14 lbs so far, but I can tell a big difference just w/ that much. I am excited to keep up this change in my physical activity and to continue feeling healthier.
• A lot has changed in my social life. Some of it has been really great and some of it has been really hard. I’ve shed a lot of tears in the past few weeks, but I feel like I’m a stronger person. It's crazy to see how fast feelings can change in just a few weeks or even in just one day. I was really worried that dating again would be awkward or weird since the last person I dated was Jason and it’s been almost 2 years ago since I left. But, I have realized that there are some great guys out there and that dating can be fun and exciting. It’s nice to do fun things for others and to feel special in return. I hope that my social life can continue to change and progress.
• My spiritual life has changed for the better. I was able to go to the temple in February and hope to make it a permanent change to go to the temple at least once a month. I’m also going to try and read my patriarchal blessing at least once a month (or more if I need to). I’ve also started to read the lessons in the Joseph Smith manual that they use in Relief Society and Priesthood. Since I teach Primary, I don’t get to hear those lessons, so I’m reading them on Sunday after church instead. Just last week I read the one where they had letters from Joseph to Emma. WOW! Those were so tender and touching and spiritually uplifting.
• I wish that I could say that my emotions have changed for the better, but they’ve been on a rollercoaster. Some days I’ve been down right giddy and blissfully happy and then other days I’ve been feeling down in the dumps, and then everywhere else in between. And the poor people at work have seen me go from one extreme emotion to the other in the space of less an hour. I really need to work on having better control over my emotions. But, I’ve come to realize that I am just a very open and expressive person and I don’t “approve of hiding my emotions” (quote from Sense & Sensibility). For any of you that have seen Sense & Sensibility, I am VERY MUCH a Mary Anne and not at all like her sister Eleanor.
• My relationship w/ Autumn has changed for the better. She went from being one to now being in the official terrible two stage. There are still days when she tries my patience and I get frustrated, but I’ve noticed that since I’ve started singing to her before she goes to bed at night that she sleeps better through the night and I can see love for me just sparkling in her eyes. She really is the light and love of my life and I can’t even imagine how my life would be without her. I look at mother’s at church w/ 3 or 4 or 5 kids and I have a whole new appreciation for them. Being a mom is the hardest and yet most rewarding job in the world. I hope to continue to change myself to be a better Mom for Autumn.

Anyways, I think overall the changes I’ve made in the first 2 months of 2009 have been positive changes. I hope to keep evolving as a person to be the best version of myself that I can be. I have learned that I need to quit looking at others and seeing all their strengths and then comparing that to all of my weaknesses, b/c I will always come up short if I do that. I just need to measure my progress against what I am capable of, and not against anyone else’s. There are plenty of areas for me to improve on in my life and to make positive changes.

That’s why I was so excited by the Go Girl quote for March. I need to take ownership of the fact that this really is MY life!! I am the only one that can decide my level of happiness. I am the only one that can decide what I will become and what I will be. I DO want to experience every good thing. I also love how the picture is of a girl running somewhere. It implies action and motion and moving towards something great and wonderful. I want to be actively engaged and moving forward towards a bright and glorious future. I also love how there is a burst of green color coming from her footstep. I hope that I leave a trail of happiness and cheer and excitement and fun wherever I go. My Mom has this innate ability to attract people to her. I want to be like that where people want to be around me and that they feel loved and cared about when they are with me. Here’s to all the fabulous changes that the month of March can bring…

Go Girl ~ February

Here is the Go Girl picture of the month for February. I thought it was very fitting. It says:

I have learned not to worry about love, but to honor it’s coming with all my heart.

~Alice Walker
(American Writer & Poet)

One of the worst things about getting divorced was knowing that I was going to have to date again someday. It’s so hard to try and meet someone new, getting to know them, figuring out if it’s going to work or not, etc. But, I have been out of the dating world for a year and a half. I have learned that things don’t happen in MY time, but they happen when Heavenly Father knows I’m ready.

I haven’t even really thought about dating at all for the past year and a half. I’ve been happy w/ my life of just me, Autumn, and my family. But, my heart that was once broken is now starting to heal and I am ready for whatever the future holds for me.

Go Girl ~ January

On one of my many trips to the Dollar Spot at Target, I found this calendar called Go Girl.  I fell in love w/ it as soon as I saw the art.  And then I noticed that each month has a great and uplifting quote.  I liked it so much that I went right over to the picture section of Target and bought a frame so I could take the calendar apart and change out the picture every month.  I was going to post the new picture at the beginning of every month but I forgot to at the beginning of January.  I am going to try and focus on the quote every month as part of my 2009 word (CHANGE).  So here it is now along w/ the quote:

Have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.

~Rosalynn Carter
(former First Lady of the United States)