Religion and a Testimony

I was reading a friends Blog today that got my brain thinking...Yes, as amazing as that sounds it does occasionally happen, albeit, it happens at very random moments. Anyway, I was reading this persons blog, letting the dendrites in my brain fire around and grow while reading his thoughts on the aspect of organized religion. He loves to delve into the intellectual questions about religion and reason why science and religion don't go hand-in-hand. A part of me applauds him for searching for answers that are not always known to man, but the other side of me feels a sort of sadness for him because religion is the very essence of peace for me. Without the knowledge that I have a loving Father in Heaven and that he has a son, a Saviour for all mankind, Jesus Christ, I would feel like a lost soul. It is the joy I feel in this life. It is my testimony and the truth I have come to know. It is His hand I see when I look at the world around me. It is Him I give all my thanks to for the blessings I receive. He is who I turn to when I am feel sadness, anger, joy, or pain. He is my comforter and the rock I know will always be there.

Now, not everyone who reads this has the same religious views as me, and that's okay. Our uniqueness is what makes us special. And as different as we all are, we tend to have some universal goals in life...to become a better person...to choose righteously as often as possible...to live and become a person we can be proud of. To be the kind of person a stranger can look at and see goodness, light, and joy, and wonder what the secret is.

My friend has these same views, he just questions things more than I do. He's a good person trying to make it in this life just like me. My sadness for him comes that he doesn't have that undeniable fire within him testifying of the truths I know. Maybe I'm just lucky. My testimony is not something that has ever wavered. It has just been able to grow as I grow. Of course, being different is part of what makes this earth such a wonderful place to be. I'm grateful for my friends view point and the way he is able to put his thoughts down on paper like beautiful poetry. It's his way of thinking, and it helps me solidify my way of thinking. It makes me ponder why I believe the things I do, and brings joy to my soul when I realize I believe what I do because I know it to be true. I have a testimony of it, and that is something you can't explain with science, buy with money, or hope to get without searching for the answers. For that, I am eternally grateful!

Happy Unbirthday to Y-O-U!

Dear Fellow Bloggers...and Blogger Readers,

Remember those years, not so long ago, when you anxiously awaited the arrival of your birthday? It was the one day of the year set aside just for you. All the lavishness that went along with it was so exciting that you couldn't help but count down the months, days, and minutes until it finally arrived. When the first kids arrived at your doorstep with comic strip wrapped presents in hand, you thought you would burst from pure joy. Then, as soon as the last Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake present was unwrapped, you began a whole new countdown, anxious for next year to arrive.

Those were the days, and sadly they seem to be fading slightly as I grow older. No longer do I look at birthdays with the same kind of anticipation and excitement. Somewhere along the way they just became another day on the calendar. I think it was after an incredibly fun 16th birthday where I was "kidnapped" by my good friends (you know who you are...Ha! Ha!) and we went ice sledding down Old Main Hill in Logan. That was a blast.

Once I hit that magical number 16 though, birthdays lost some of their appeal. I still love and appreciate birthdays, after all it means I am another year older, which is a VERY good thing, but I no longer anticipate their arrival with the same level of excitement.

Instead I look forward to my kids birthday's and my husband's birthday. I love celebrating them. I can't wait to see their excitement when they wake up in the morning to see their room covered in streamers and balloons, or the happy cries I hear when they open present they really, really wanted. It's one of those things I live for now. It brings back the joy I used to feel for my own birthday, and the joy I hope they continue to feel for many years to come

So today...I would like to give a shout-out to all of you celebrating a

"Happy Unbirthday". Luckily, these happen way more than an actual birthday, but deserve just as much recognition...maybe even more because these are the days that truly make us who we are.

I hope you are able to find the time to celebrate chocolate covered noses, hugs from a loved one, the majestic sun as it sets, or see the beauty all around you. Find something that brings a moment of excitement to your day, and as I blow out the one solitary Spongebob Squarepants candle I found buried in my cupboard tonight, I will think of each of you and the blessings you are in my life. And, I will relish in this delicious creation of a cake my 3 wonderful boys made for me today to remind me it's okay to celebrate me. Each M&M or candy sprinkle I eat will remind me it's a special day (That's A LOT of reminding...just look at the cake). Afterall, it's my birthday!

Have a Happy, Wonderful, Awe-Inspiring Day!

Love,

Tami

This is my Idea of a Campout!

The 4th of July is an amazing day, but this year my boys really wanted to go camping. This thought became more prevalent when their dad got a new tent for Father's day. Now most people would be quite fine, maybe even fond, of the idea of sleeping outdoors with the bugs and grubs. I, however, am not of these people. I am one of those people who prefer the indoors. I enjoy my indoor plumbing...my pillowtop mattress...my refrigerator stocked with milk, fruit, and cheese that stay cool. I like to kick on the air conditioning and read a good book. I enjoy hitting a button on my remote and have instant access to a favorite television program. For lack of a better word, I prefer the pampered lifestyle.

Now, being the mother of 3 boys has caused me, on more than one occasion, to switch my way of thinking and learn to enjoy things I otherwise would not. For instance, I have learned to look at bugs and only grimace ummm, about 60% of the time....(spiders are a different story, but I am slowly learning). I have also learned that blood is not always disgusting...usually it's a new war wound, and something to be proud of. I have learned that a face caked in 3 inches of mud can somehow still be considered cute...or as my 3 year old would say awesome!! See, I really have done a lot of learning, but with all of this learning I've been doing, I have still not learned to love the idea of sleeping outdoors. So for this 4th of July I did what any sensible mom would do. I helped pitch this massive 8 man tent in my backyard, set out sleeping bags, sprayed down my kids with a gallon of mosquito repellent, had Kyler set up his telescope, grabbed a mini lantern run on batteries for them, and sent my kids along with my poor husband out back and into their tent. I'm pretty sure I was laughing to myself (maybe it was out loud) and thinking I would see their sleepy eyed faces in the morning, while I thoroughly enjoyed the last few minutes of that night in peace. There would be no fighting...no yelling, " Go to sleep... right NOW...or else" No last minute potty breaks or requests for one last drink. Just peace and quiet was in store for me. For the first time in my married life it was going to be me and my pampered self alone. Hmmm, what to do. Read, watch a show, do my nails....the possibilities were endless!

Well here's a newsflash....I ended up watching Judge Judy at midnight on top of my pillowtop mattress with a cold drink in hand alone...and wishing it was noisier in my home. Any sound of snoring at that moment would have been a welcome relief because I realized I missed my husband and kids way more than I thought I could. I would have gladly taken their faces caked in mud giving me one more goodnight hug and kiss with one more story that couldn't possibly wait until morning or I might forget moments....I was even a wee bit jealous that Kevin was spending this time with them while I was cooped up in the house...Not quite jealous enough to run out and join them in the mosquito infested backyard, but hey....I'm learning! Eventually it will come.

I'm pretty sure as a mom of three boys, camping will happen, just don't let it happen next weekend. Next weekend I plan to hotel it while on a little vacation with my family. I'm still a pampered girl at heart, but in spirit...I'm the best camper their is!

Happy Birthday, Dad

Happy Birthday to a truly wonderful dad....Here's a few birthday quotes to get you through today:

...Let us respect gray hairs, especially our own. - J. P. Sears

...There must be a day or two in a man's life when he is the precise age for something important. - Franklin P. Adams

...The years between fifty and seventy are the hardest. You are always being asked to do things, and yet you are not decrepit enough to turn them down. - T.S. Eliot

...Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed. - Charles Schultz

and finally.....

...Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. - Reverend Larry Lorenzoni

Have a great one, Dad!!

Break out the A/C...It's July!

Is anyone else amazed that it is July 1st? I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that we are in the core of summer. Kevin took Kyler and Jordan to the beach this afternoon...a definite sign that summer is in full-swing. The beach will be packed with people of all ages today hoping to catch some waves and rays. I think they'll be lucky on both counts. They will have a blast, and Kevin will hopefully get some good reading time in. Caleb was ready for naptime, so I'm sticking it out with him in the comforts of an air conditioned home. Let me put it on the record right now...I am SO thankful that some person had the sense to invent air conditioning. What a luxury to have. I would be one cranky mess if I had to sweat it out in the heat all day. My kids would be the first to volunteer the info that I am cranky enough without any other excuses, so for their benefit as well as mine I am thankful for the cool air blasting throughout my house at this very moment.

I hope you all stay cool today, and enjoy a pleasant summertime day! In fact, I hope it is one of your best summertime days to date!