Going Private :(

If you would like to be able to read our blog in the future, please email me your name and email address. My email address is rochelleflores2@gmail.com

It's been a sad day. I've been naive to think that only friends would read this blog and that only friends would really care about what I have to say or what I think. Apparently there are people out there who have nothing better to do than make fun of and criticize others. I decided tonight that I'm not giving them a chance to do it anymore, at least not here. To whom I speak of, (you know who you are), I'd like to say: you don't know me, you have no right to treat my family this way, and, Penelope, get a life.

A Year After Kalem Left

Kalem drowned in the Deer Creek Resevoir one year ago today. He was only 17 years old. He was a true athlete, great example and all around good kid. He was so handsome too. I remember when we moved in the ward thinking, "Edward Cullen. He looks just like I imagine Edward Cullen would look like."

When we went to Youth Conference with the ward. I remember being confused at how he and his friends managed to repeatedly climb up and jump off the roof of the pavilion where we were eating lunch. I was also amazed at how hard he worked. At our camping spot, he decided to make a raft out of logs that he'd found. He spend hours on that thing and sure enough, the next day, he brought us down to the lake to show us his raft (which he rowed out to the middle of the lake and did a back-flip off of.) I have video footage of it somewhere. I've been wanting to see it again, and share it with his family.

His mom is a very good friend of mine who I've always looked up to and admired. She cried with me when I miscarried. I had no idea that I'd later be crying with her over her Kalem's coffin. I love their family. They lived up the street from me.  A friend of his posted the picture below on facebook and I'm so glad he did. It is of Wasatch High School's graduation this year. They presented his parents with a diploma for Kalem. They say a picture paints a thousand words. But I can't find any that can adequately describe how I feel when I see this picture
.

Kalem, you are missed. There is a void in your family and this community. But I know heaven is that much stronger, now that you're there. Who knows how many hearts you've turned to God, and how many paths you've straightened, just by being you.

33-year-old Inferiory Issues

I had an epiphany this morning. A stupid one. One that I should have figured out in high school or preschool for that matter. It is embarassing for me to write this, but I'm doing it anyway. I have always had a deeply ingrained belief that many other friends and associates are better than me. I never admitted it out loud. It was more just a deeply rooted belief that I was less than. I've always known I was no better than anyone. This was a no brainer, but it's so easy to think that I'm less than. As a kid, I felt less than, because my clothes were hand-me-downs or because my house wasn't as big, or because I wasn't as pretty. Now that I'm older and have been through different things, there are other reasons why I feel inferior. I felt less organized, less social, less fit, less intelligent, less "put-together", just LESS. I know this is stupid.
I would never want anyone to feel that way around me. Why would I let myself feel that way around them?

I know everyone has their struggles, their failures, their strengths, and triumphs. Why can't I look any person in the eye with all my flaws and shortcomings and know that they have some too and that we are equals. So from me to you, from human to human, we are infinitely different, but we have so much in common. We are equals. This, I've always known, but at least now I BELIEVE it.

Do you wish you were my kid's teacher?

Please don't answer that. But I'm excited about our teacher gifts this year. We used to do a candy poster for all of them, but times they are a changin' as are teacher's tastes. This was for Mrs. Smith.

Spencer made this at Color Me Mine for Ms. Allred.

Ben was thrilled (as you can see) to give this to Mrs. Mair.

Thanks to the wonderful teachers out there who worked so hard to make a difference this year. Really. Thanks.

A Day to Remember

On Memorial day we took some time to visit Alfonso's dad's grave. We didn't get to go last year so this year's visit meant that much more.

At the graveyard we spent a few minutes putting flowers and oragami butterflies on Alfonso's father's headstone. While we visited, Mia wandered over to "Tata's" grave and made herself at home, down on the ground. This was her first visit to his grave and it was the first time we heard her say his name.



We love and miss you, Tata.

The most awesomeness awesome trumpet solo of all time awesomeness.

Ben has learned to play the trumpet in school this year. He can play lots of songs like the Muppet Show theme and the melody from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." His favorite song to play is Axel F. Here is a video of him playing it just before his band concert.



Here's a picture of us at his band concert. He did a great job. I just wish I could have heard him. The other 200 trumpets were too loud.

I finally learned how to transfer pictures from my cell phone to my laptop! So I've been sending them all here for you to see. Some are old, some are new, most of them are of Mia. I guess that just proves who I spend most of my time with. Here they are, in no particular order.

Will learned how to shoot hoops last summer.

Ben's an expert surfer in Orem.

Mia and I saying "Hi" to dad at work.

Grandma Jo sent this picture to me while I was on my way to Italy and having a heart-attack without my baby. This picture made me feel so much better. Thanks Mom.

Mia and Megan had some ground time at Grandma's backyard picnic.

Tub time when Mimi was still a little stinker. I love that bum.

Carrie and Natalee also helped take care of Mia while we were on our cruise. They developed a taste for plastic carrots (thanks, Aunt D.D.)

Diaper time. Or, absence of diaper. . . time.

One on one time while the guys were gone.

Mia's first gig modeling diaper head wear.
No, she won't be embarrased at all when she sees this later.

Mia and her cousin Austin joined in at the Library's Easter Parade. They ate bunny food after (carrots).

Mia modeling the camo shoes and the sock monkey hat I found at Swiss Days 2011.

Mia loves to watch Baby Einstein Movies, and anything with Muppets. This is one of those moments when she was transfixed.

Love this girl.

I'm not a sushi lover, but I LOVE the krusty krab roll @ Hapa Grill in Park City. I was surprised that Mia liked it too.

Mia @ Arby's rockin' her sock monkey hat.

This was yesterday. We are both sick as dogs.

One of those moments when I couldn't believe Mia was mine.

Mia saying goodnight to Will.

Will helped out by holding Mia during Family Home Evening one night.

Will reading his "Green" poem at the 1st Grade Poetry Cafe

Hands Free?

If you use your cell phone a lot, (whether or not you have children) you really should visit this site. My favorite post is "How To Miss A Childhood." Totally inspired me.
Check it out. . .
http://www.handsfreemama.com/

Mom's Day

I spent the day before Mother's Day with a few of my favorite moms. One mom is especially special to me. . . MINE! We did exactly what we wanted to. Pedicures, Sushi @ Mikado, and a flick with the chicks, "The Lucky One." The movie was better than I thought it would be. I wrapped up the day at The Dancing Bear Cafe with my family (minus Ben). Mmmm, the food was delicious. It was a great day. Sunday was equally great with some time at church and dinner with Alfa, the mother of my main squeeze and my awesome sister-in-law, Walkyria. Happy Mom's Day, moms!!!

A practically perfect day.

A Guardian of the Hearth - My Thoughts at 2:26 a.m.

I was asked to share some thoughts about being a guardian of the hearth at a meeting last month. For days I researched and stewed over what to say. What could I possibly share that someone might need to hear? Then one early a.m. I woke up, picked up my pen and started to write.
Take it or leave it, this, plus a few revisions, is what I came up with.

What is a guardian of the hearth? First, what is a hearth?
It is the floor of a fireplace.
It is a vital center of the home.
It is synonymous with the word “home” itself.
The hearth was a place where all in the house would gather for warmth, light, company, and nourishment. It was quite literally the heart of the home. Therefore, a guardian of the hearth is one who watches over and protects home and family.

 A guardian of the hearth can be anyone. But is most likely, you. A guardian of the hearth may have been trained to be such from childhood. A pillar, generations in the making. Or she may be a pioneer in her field. She may have a quiver full of children, a bustling household, a single companion at her side or perhaps she is a family of one. No matter, her well-being and her refuge is of sacred importance. And through the years, her residence may change, it's residents coming and going through various ages, stages, and phases, but the hearth stays the same.

She should know that the foundation under her feet, supporting her world, is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. She is defending the key components of an eternal family; prayer, scripture study, sabbath day observance, family home evening, and spiritual growth in general. She is watchful of the nurturing and overall well-being of each spirit in her charge. Including her own. If there is anything virtuous lovely, of good report or praiseworthy, she not only seeks for it but makes it readily available in abundance for all who pass by.

Her motto is, “Charity Never Faileth” Her direction is heaven. Her refuge, on her knees.

 

A guardian of the hearth should be ready for battle. Daily battle. Dressed always in the armor of God. She is not afraid to recognize the enemy, identify his hiding places, his strongholds, nor his attempts to infiltrate and destroy all that she holds dear. She is not afraid of the enemy at all but holds her head high with confidence in the strength of God. 

A guardian of the hearth is not afraid to be recognized as such. She disregards the opinion of the world and rather, focuses on upholding righteous traditions and cherishing sacred moments. She is in the business of memory-making and is always in search of that positive teaching moment. She is always ready to learn.

A guardian of the hearth should never underestimate her calling, her God-given power, nor her un-acclaimed influence for good.

A guardian of the hearth is BEAUTIFUL. She is a daughter of God and a child of light. Her countenance is HIS. When she gives of her time, she gives of her love and HIS. Her hands are HIS hands. Her purpose, HIS.

She should know that while in the service of God, she will NEVER miss out on ANYTHING that is truly worthwhile. And IF she is ever weary. If she feels run down. If she begins to question her validity in this world, she should remember that her work MATTERS, that she is NEVER alone. Angels WILL buoy her up. The Holy Spirit WILL guide and The Son of God WILL carry her.

 Peter, a guardian of the hearth, said to Tabitha, “Daughter, arise.” Christ says it to you; “Daughter, arise!” Don't be ashamed to stand in this holy place he has prepared and reserved for YOU. YOU are the guardian of this holy place. . . called home.

Take your place and guard it well.

 

By Rochelle Flores