Thursday, February 23, 2012

Self consciousness gives me serious writer's block.

I've been sitting here at the computer for a few minutes with my fingers hovering above the keys. I keep thinking, "What will so-and-so think about this?" Or, "Will Mrs. Jones still think I'm sophisticated if I write about this?" The truth is, if you want to offend nobody, write nothing. We make judgments every day of everyone we see. It doesn't mean it's right, but it happens. So until I find another use for my blog, it may be like all the others and just cover the happenings of my little world here at home. Everyone is their own worst critic anyway, so what do I have to worry about?


So sorry to have this be my second blog post, but I got tagged in the lovely Jenessa's blog and figured a question and answer might be a good way for the world to get to know me and our family. So here's the forwarded post, but with my answers.




1. Post the rules. 
2. Share eleven random things about myself.
3. Answer the eleven questions from the post I was tagged in.
4. Create eleven new questions for my tagees to answer.
5. Tag eleven people.

11 Random Things About Me 

1. I was adopted at age 11. Most people don't know this about me and it's kind of a cool fact, so I like to share. My wonderful family is made up of my dad and mom, David and Jennifer Oliver, who also happen to be the most wonderful, patient, loving and big-hearted brave people I know; Myself as the oldest, my little brother Kyle and my little sister BobbySue. I have the most incredible family!

2. My big toe is really big. Not fat or anything, just very long and a little obnoxious. But I like to think it gives me better balance.

3. I absolutely love to read and write. Reading more than writing, but both bring me to a new world that centers me every time I visit them. 

4. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Also known as the Mormon church. And just so you know, a quick overview of what I believe... First, God is real. He is living, He is our Father, He loves us and He has a plan for all of His children. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to this earth to live a perfect life and to save us. He is a living being of flesh and bone and will return again. The Book of Mormon is a true record of the an ancient American people complete with a historical and scriptural record of their prophets, called of God just like always. Families can be together forever through being faithful to covenants made with God in sacred temples. Feel free to visit mormon.org to find out more about what we really believe, rather than trusting those who know nothing about the LDS faith, but proclaim to because they don't like Mitt Romney. 

5. I'll keep it short and simple. Yes, I am voting for Mitt Romney for president. No, it's not because he's LDS. That's all I'm going to say about that.

6. I happen to be the mother of the cutest baby in the world. No, he's not for sale. But, you're welcome to get a smile out of how dang cute he is. 

7. I do not like orange juice, mushrooms, or olives. This is neither important nor relevant, but it is random and that's what counts.

8. I love taking pictures! I'd love a big fancy SLR camera, but that may be way in the future. Naturally, my baby is subject to being put in cute "baby poses" at least a few times a week. 

9. I have lived in 17 different houses in my lifetime. I may have missed one or two, but nonetheless, I can't say I've grown up in just one house. But the interesting thing is, the first time I went to my parents new house was this last Thanksgiving and oddly enough, it felt like home. I guess it goes to show that a house is made of brick and stone, a home is made of love alone. Wherever my family is, that's where my home is. 

10. I love green, but hate orange and purple. There's just something about those colors that bugs me. On a side note, I love plum. But don't call plum purple because it's not. 

11. I would like to someday be a ballerina. I should have started ballet in 4th grade when my mom offered, but I didn't. So someday soon, I will take ballet classes. 

Jenessa's questions for her fellow bloggers:

1. What was one of your silly childhood dreams?
I wanted to be a famous singer when I grew up. Every time I would visit my grandparents in California, we'd make a talent show out of a cardboard box stage and Martina McBride's "My baby loves me just the way that I am." Your family members are always your biggest fans. 
2. What is one of your greatest fears?
I really am afraid of deep water. I psyche myself out when I'm swimming in a lake and start thinking about big fish or monsters of the deep. I'm not really sure if I could handle swimming in the ocean. 
3. If you could meet any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
At this point in my life, I'd really like to meet all the president candidates and ask them my questions. That would include President Obama. I'd really like to get to know him and maybe figure out who he really is and why he's made the decisions he has. It's so hard to get a feel for who the candidates really are just by watching the debates. 
4. If you had to wear one article of clothing for a year, what would it be?
You know, I like fashion, I like clothes, but I don't spend a lot of money on clothes. So out of my fantasy closet, I'd probably wear a pair of cute brown boots every day. That, or a good fitting pair of blue jeans. I feel like it's worth it to buy a pair of jeans that fit you really well.
5. What is one of your favorite things to do with your family?
Because our family is so young right now, our favorite pastime is watching Levi in the bathtub. He absolutely loves the water and he will kick and laugh and splash for as long as you'll let him stay in. It's so enjoyable to watch him having fun.
6. Who is someone you've said "When I grow up, I want to be like ____", and why?
There are a few people but I know I've said lately, "When I grow up, I want to be like Holly Brimhall." To me, Holly is the most beautiful person in the world because she is so genuinely kind. I absolutely adore her unselfishness and her unconditional kindness toward everyone. I always felt important and listened to while talking to her. She treats you like you're the coolest person in the world. But the thing that I most would like to emulate in Holly is that she just glows with the happiness that the gospel brings people. She's always smiling. And it's a genuine smile. You can't fake being truly happy. 
7. If money wasn't an issue, what would you ask for from me?
Flowers probably. I LOVE flowers. I'd want a new bouquet of different flowers every day.
8. What is one of the qualities you like best about yourself?
I hate these questions. But if I have to, I'd say I like my ability to change my attitude. I realize that a lot of power is in the mind and we can create the lives we want. It's pretty exciting!
9. What is something that always makes you happy without fail?
That's way too easy. Getting a smile or a little laugh out of my little guy is the best thing in the world. It makes me happy just thinking about it!
10. Where is your favorite place on earth?
I love to be in the temple of the Lord. There are only 136 buildings on earth dedicated to things that last forever and one of them is only 25 minutes away from my house. I absolutely love to just sit an think in there. It's so quiet and peaceful. No interruptions, no clocks, and no outside influences. It's so beautiful. 
11. What is one character from a book or movie who you wished you could be?
When I was a little girl I used to wish I could be Lois Lane. I even convinced my mom to let me cut my hair as short as hers when I was in first grade. I didn't come out looking quite like Lois and my mom cried when the beautician gave her a 13 inch braid.


Alright, that's all folks. I'm not tagging anybody because first of all, I don't those "once you've been tagged you have to pass it on" things and second, I don't even know many people that keep up a regular blog. That is all.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

We eat, sleep and shower just like everyone else. Well.. sometimes.

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.- Benjamin Franklin


I wish I could film every minute of my life and then add commentary. Not that anybody except for me and maybe God would be interested in watching it. I don't know why I feel called to write. Perhaps it's because I know I'm blessed so I think I have to share in order to seem grateful enough. It could be that I want an outlet for all my crazy thoughts, goals and dreams or maybe it's just that I need a witness to my life. In any case, I don't ever want to stop writing. I've been keeping a hand-written journal since I was 13 and I just love to go back to the beginning and read until I fall asleep. It's invigorating to see years in the space of a few hours. It gets me excited to keep living so that I can keep writing. 


As a new mom, my life has gotten incredibly exciting and so very very wonderful. I'm actually having a hard time writing because my 6-week-old baby boy is laying next to me on the rocking chair and just staring at me and talking. In fact, I almost feel guilty for not just staring right back at him until he falls asleep. I read a cute note today on facebook that said, "There's this boy who stole my heart. He calls me mom." Levi can't talk yet, but it makes me happy that when he starts talking, I'm the lucky one he'll call mommy. 


Before I was a mom, I thought I knew what my life would be like with a baby and I had everything planned out. Within the first 24 hours of having a newborn, I knew I'd spend the next 18 years forgetting everything I said I would and would never do with regards to raising my children. You can't judge a mom. A mom has got to do whatever she has got to do to keep her sanity. I used to think it would be easy being a mom. Now I just know that it's worth it. And despite all the silly people in the world who say you aren't living if you spend the best years of your life raising children instead of travelling the world, there's nothing I would rather be doing. But in case those of you who are waiting until the magic number 30 to start your families are mocking me, let me tell you, moms are people too. We have feelings, we need to eat once in a while, and contrary to popular belief we feel like our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. It's a noble and daunting task to shape the character of a human being. Each of our roots were first sown in our mothers arms. It's is my greatest joy to be able to say, "I'm just a mom."