yoga pants

I've been thinking the last 2 days about 2012. So far, it's been an interesting year- and it's only March.  This year I think I've had more ups and downs than all of last year. Or maybe it's just fresh on my memory this year, but the melt-downs have been plentiful this year.

Was today one of those days?  Well, let's just say, today was a yoga pants day. Life is good, don't get me wrong. We have been so blessed and I have a wonderful husband, an amazing family, such supportive friends and so many more blessings. I have laughed and smiled today and enjoyed a good book. I have just had so many things on my mind and pressing on my heart that this year has been hard on me.

I'm tired, but I'm getting enough sleep. I'm sore but I need even more exercise.  I'm not hungry but I still eat crappy food.  I love to sew and have so many projects I want to do, but I lack the motivation.

I'm doing better at filling my day with a to-do list and crossing it off. We are working towards something wonderful and are moving forward with faith. I'm still applying for jobs and going to interviews.

Honestly, the hardest part about it all is that I have been filled with a knowledge of all of my weaknesses.
And it's my weaknesses that make things so much harder.  We need to have a better budget and save money, but I'm horrible at making dinner. I am average at so many things but not amazing at any one thing. I want to learn so many things that I spread myself too thin. I give up too easily. I get too intimated to try something I've been dreaming of doing. I need to find a job, but that's the last thing I want to do at this point in my life.  We're poor but all I want to do is spend money.

 Honestly- how do I get to my age without having better control and knowing that spending money doesn't make me feel better?  Have you heard the saying "when you can't change your life, change your hair?"   Well my new one should be  "when you can't earn money, spend it" or something like that- because I'm dang good at it.  Like the quote that I've seen on Pinterest: "I've never been a millionaire, but I know I'd be darling at it."

And don't get me wrong- I definitely need to change my hair too. The only problem is that involves spending more money.  So for now I'm going to get out of my yoga pants, pull on some jeans and get busy. Because one day I will look back on this time and be disappointed I didn't use it better.

complex

(I just need to write this post- not for anyone to really read, but I just need to write it today) so don't worry, I am not trying to begin a debate.

There are many issues out there that I consider to be black and white.  Examples I can provide are abortion and same sex marriage. I believe that abortion is wrong, and will always be wrong. Same with same-sex marriage.
But there are some issues that are more complex then that. Some issues are very complex. I think the most complex political/social issue out there is immigration.

I believe that most people out there who say that all illegal immigrants need to leave and also those on the other side who say that illegal immigration is not a problem are both wrong and are not realizing the complexities involved.

Yes, I can see how our nation cannot handle all of the illegal immigrants out there.  Yes, I think it is wrong that many use public education, the health system and other programs without paying taxes to help pay for them.
Yes, I believe that leftists like the ACLU who leave leaflets along the border telling people how to get in illegally is wrong.
But, it is not black and white.  The 14th amendment to the constitution declares that anyone born here is a US citizen.  If a parent is here illegally and has a child, do you really think it is better to break up that family?  What is more important?
As a Christian, I believe that we are all children of God and should all be treated in a Christ-like way. I believe that families are the fundamental unit of society and the breaking of families will have a negative impact on our nation and our world. 
I also believe that those who want them all to leave and do not understand why they come are naive and are not thinking about both sides of the issue.  If you lived around people who rode underneath trains and walked through desserts to get here just so their family could eat everyday back in their country, you would think differently about it. And, if you had a family that was starving in one of those countries and had no way to get an education or move forward, I would hope you would do the same.  We are all children of God and deserve a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration of Independence states this: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.  
Also, if you realized the decision they made to come- knowing full well they might not make it- or the women who knew full well that it was possible they would get raped and beaten along the way and still possibly not make it- and knowing that you were being separated from your family by coming and still decided to come, maybe you would think twice.  
Illegal immigrants that are here do not have perfect lives once they arrive. They are treated like crap by many, they work for less than any of us and suffer the knowledge that they may possibly never see their family back home in their country again, but that hopefully, their sacrifice will make it so their children can go to college and get an education so that their children's children won't have to have their family separated. 
I have lived in neighborhood where the hispanics- many illegal- worked 60+ hours a week so they could pay their bills here and send some money home and the legal citizens (in that case 99% black) who were on welfare and did not work, sat around waiting for them to come home from getting paid at the end of the week so they could jump them and steal their money.  Obviously the priorities are off somewhere. 
The only way to solve the issues is to eliminate corruption in all countries- in ours, in our society, in the Mexican government and other governments.  Maybe we should start with the US first- we all know we are practically drowning in the political corruption.
Last but not least, do we forget that our ancestors that came to the US were immigrants?  Do we also forget that a huge part of the west of the United States was originally Mexico and was stolen from them? Does it matter that their ancestors were here long before us??
I am sorry for rambling, but this truly is a complex issue. 


here is a link to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' statement on the issue: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/public-issues/immigration


If anyone wants to read a book about someone's experience coming to the US, here is a good one. 

Why can't mother nature make up her mind?

It's spring. Has been since March 21st. And yet, it is snowing like crazy here. I got up and looked out the window and wanted to climb back in bed and lay there all day. I will admit, I am not a snow lover, it slows me down and limits me from doing things. :) (that sounds super high-maintenance). But, come on, already. Even if I did love the snow, I'm pretty sure I would be sick of it by now. Sometimes I feel like God just likes to give us a hard time- yesterday it was sunny and a good 60 degrees and today there are inches of snow and it keeps coming. Can we get a break already? Especially with finals coming, I need sunshine to help me not go crazy, so why can't mother nature make up her mind? It's Spring!!