It's not about the pants

Did you here about the women and their pants?

I sure did and to be honest, I was completely disgusted with these Sisters and a few men.

If you aren't sure what I'm referring too, THIS is the article I read when I first found out about it. After I read it and gave my 2 cents to Mr. S, I quickly forgot it and didn't think much of it. Sunday came around and as I was looking through Instagram I came across one of Mindy Gledhill's photos of her wearing pants to church. Now, I love Mindy Gledhill and her music and I dont want you to get the impression I'm trying to bash on such a beautiful and talented woman. But, I was surprised and a bit disappointed. I do not know her own personal reasons as to why she wore her pants and supported this movement so I will not judge but I was very surprised to find out that her Bishop supported these women by wearing a purple tie.

To say I was upset would be a total understatement. Such influential people who are apart of the LDS community supporting something that creates such an untrue and awful image of my faith, my religion, everything I hold sacred, had me on fire.

To try and understand where they are coming from I read a few blogs which you yourselves can read by going to C.Jane Kendrick's blog and HERE.

I read both along with links they provided and the comments that were left behind each post. (Oh the comments are good.) I also posted this on my FB this past Sunday:

"I'm having a hard time grasping this "wear pants to church" thing that happened today. This cry for womens equality within the church I believe in most ways is absurd. I read a few blogs and articles written by women who are apart of this movement to try and understand, and what I got out of it is that they are trying to challenge the Lord whether they think they are or not. In some ways I get the argument "Our kids are just as much of my husbands responsibility as they are mine." or " My husband should do more around the house. He lives here too and im not his mother." In those instances, they are a personal matter and should be taken up with your spouse or bishop, etc. But, the ones that believe women should have the priesthood, and that leaders of the church are apparently "against" women, etc, etc., are striking agains the Lord. They are missing the picture and falling into Satan's trap. These bloggers say they arent trying to cause contention. Maybe they really dont mean to, but guess what? It is. And to bring this political cry into sacrament meeting, into our church buildings, is contentious whether you say so or not. To find out that some bishops wore purple ties in support of this movement shocks me and confuses me. I do not understand it."

I had quit a few reply's some of which I'd like to share: (unnamed out of respect)

"sometimes I think the church puts a little too much emphasis on women are responsible for giving birth and raising children. When I was going through infertility, church was painful every single week because of this. Church should bring us joy and all it brought me was pain. To be told that women were designed to have children, but then to have a body that could never have children felt like God was telling me I shouldn't have children. That couldn't be further from the truth, but that is how church felt to me. If it was more about personal growth, instead of focusing so much on becoming a mother, then church would have been a lot happier for me. 

I get why this can make people upset. It may feel like they are attacking you. But really, I think they just want to see a change. Sometimes change is good. Without it, my half black son would not be able to hold the priesthood. So, while you may not feel this change is important, it is really important to others."

OR

"Since the crowning ordinance is marriage, and the way into the celestial kingdom is with your spouse, we are to go through this life and the next with your partner. I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) but as a wife of a priesthood holder, you have access to use his preisthood as well. I have heard stories of women giving blessings in cases where no priesthood was available. This might be delving into to too deep of doctrine so I'll just finish by saying, even the most righteous priesthood holder cannot enter into the celestial kingdom alone. He must have a wife. We are meant to be equal partners albeit just with different responsibilities and roles to fill. To me this whole pants at church protest thing is a symptom of some deeper misunderstandings of gospel principles."

Guess what folks? I still dont understand. 

However, I would like to share Mom the Intern's take on the whole thing. It was beautiful and better than I could ever have written something. Jenna also references a blog by a feminist herself who has a very interesting take filled with what I believe are great truths. I urge you to read both. Especially after reading the first 3 links mentioned previously.

Its not about the pants. The pants were just the outward sign. I dont care what anyone wears to church. We are only asked to wear our Sunday best. What urks me is the belief "women should have the priesthood, or be called to an apostleship, or be a bishop". To me that is a lack of testimony and faith in the Lord who's Gospel it is. 

At the end of the day, this "Feminist movement" wrings so unbelievably wrong in my heart. You may disagree. That's fine. And to those women who feel discriminated agains by the church because of your gender, I hope you find your answers and the joy that I have for being part of such a church.

Too those who dont know much about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I urge you to go  HERE and HERE before you form your opinion because of a select few.

A tribute

Came across this on my FB feed. Thought I'd share because of how touching it is. 

A mid-night snack

This night, I had been up in Mesa shooting a wedding while a good friend of mine watched my babes. I   finally picked them up and we didn't get home until after midnight. On the ride home my kids were trying to stay awake and telling me how hungry they were. I was so worn out and just wanted to go get into my bed. Instead, I took the opportunity to do something a little fun that I knew my kids would love. I picked all 3 of us up some good 'ol McDonalds. Who doesn't love a good midnight snack/meal?

We took our food home, watched some recorded Dora, and enjoyed the moment. 

When the end of the day rolls around, I'm always rushing to try and get my kids to bed so I can have a moment to breathe and just be alone. I discovered this night how much I actually love and enjoy just simply being with my kids. (That kind of sounds awful, but dont take it the wrong way.) My day is filled with screaming, crying, fighting, chasing, disciplining, an occasional good moment here and there, etc, etc. but it's overwhelming and it's hard.

That is why I love this moment. Everyone sat and ate, got along, laughed and talked, and my kids enjoyed each other and the moment. 

So, Im very grateful I stopped for a little midnight treat. I hope my kids will remember the little things such as this.

What I wore

I guess its been a little while, sorry. Not that you're all anxiously waiting to find out what I've been wearing or anything. I wish I was that cool. ;)

Scarf ~ H&M

White shirt ~ Target

Floral skinnies ~ Target

Ugg imitators ~ Payless

Earrings ~ Payless (i think)

Have a Merry Christmas!

Blogger is NOT FREE

Blogger now wants to charge me to upload photos because apparently I've reached my quota of 1 free GB of downloads. Um, I thought blogger was free?! I've tried adding another author, and nothing. Who has figured out a way around this?????? My SIL uploads her images via URLs but how do I create a URL for my photos??

Seriously upset! And really need some help figuring this out!

A sunday drive

The Marshall's invited us to tag along for a sunday drive up to Mt. Lemmon for burgers and dogs. Of course we went, especially since the weather had been particularly freezing lately. We had a hunch there'd be snow. And well, we were right.

After we played a bit, we decided to head up to the tippy top where there is an itty bitty town with an amazing little cookie cafe that serves delicious pizza and of course cookies. All the spots to BBQ our burgers and dogs were closed for some stupid reason.

These girls have known each other since baby-hood and of course my little man needed some of the action.

Not quit sure why this photo is so pixelated because its a great picture of all of us smiling. But thanks Kelli for the shot.

After we parted at the little restaurant, my little family decided to stop down the mountain a ways to take some candid shots. Ok, so it was really just my idea but it was gorgeous out and my kids are just so darn cute, PLUS I was thinking Christmas cards.

It was a great day. 

(Wanna see more photos, head on over to my photo blog by clicking the link up above.)

What I'm listening too

I have some what of a story to tell with the first 2 albums. My friend Rachel and her now husband Zach and I went to Tempe to see these guys play. Neither of us knew who they were, it was just fun to go to a club and here some good music. Also during this time, my friends were trying to hook me and my now husband Mr. S up. We had only really met once or twice so I invited him to come along. He declined. Once again, I felt like the awkward 3rd wheal. Rachel and Zach were falling in love and there I was standing alone making flirting looks to each good-looking musician that walked on stage. Secretly hoping for an awesome make-out session with each one.

Anywho.... Matt Kearney was amazing. When I saw him live it was just him and his acoustic guitar and he rocked it. I feel that not many can pull off live stage singing very well but he is definitely the exception. 

Songs I've purchased:

~Where We Gonna Go from Here

~Hey Momma

I enjoyed these guys too. I thought the lead singer was a dream to look at and there music not to shabby.

Songs I've purchased:

~Bittersweet Memory

~Part of Your History

~Lucky to Know You

I'm kind of in love with this British redhead, I'm not gonna lie. Everyone pretty much knows him but I hadn't heard of him. The song, The A Team, was one of my favorites to here on the radio but I hadn't a clue who the singer was. 

He's really really good and I love his unique sound.

Songs I've purchased:

~The A Team

~Small Bump

 I was meandering Youtube videos of joe-shmoe singers singing covers and what not (because I'm a nerd like that) and found this one girl singing a song called Jolene. I thought it was kind of beautiful, her composition of it, and had to find the original. Once again, I hadn't ever heard of this guy Ray Lamontagne. I did however know his song Trouble from off the radio. Which is another great song, btw. I love his scruffy-ness and find him hot in a hippy mountain man kind of way. Just look him up and you'll see what I'm talking about. (or maybe I'm just weird). His sound is awesome and even Mr. S loves him.

Songs I've purchased:

~Jolene

And there you have it.

Halloween 2012

Gemma's pre-school put on a little parade and sang songs for the parents. She sang not a single one. Oh well I guess. I still love my little Tink.

Halloween night my cousins wife and kids came over to Trick-r-Treat with us. It was quit a task to keep them rounded up in the pitch dark. My neighborhood has no street lights.

That bucket is mighty heavy.

There were a few houses totally decked out but this one was my favorite. 

I love my little captain underpants. (If you know my son his costume suits him well.) 

Mr. S was a trooper helping tote kids around since my cousin Ben couldn't be here. He is off at camp getting ready to deploy.

After all that, the kids raided there candy to a movie.

Candy brings out the crazy in my kids.

Yes, his cape is flapping in the breeze. All kids can't be as cool as mine. ;)

This one time I went to NYC

This was my first time ever really being out with just my SIL's for a few days. Leading up to this I was really excited but super nervous. What if they end up not liking me? I've been in the family for nearly 7 years and we haven't gotten to hang out with each other. 

Needless to say, I think we all had a blast.

First day we did A LOT of walking and thrift shopping. Then MORE walking. BTW, hailing a taxi is more difficult than movies and television make it out to be.

Loved Time Square. 

A friend of a friend made reservations at Max Brenners. I highly recommend eating here and saving room for desert. It was amazing.

The next day we did MORE walking and hung out in Central Park where we ate hot dogs and gyros.

We were near the LDS Temple so we decided it was more than worth visiting. Wish we would have done a session but just going inside and seeing how different yet the same it is was refreshing. Especially after being in such a gross and crowded city.

When you walk in, you come to a security desk. To the left of it are the big wooden double doors that lead into the Temple. To the right is an elevator that lead to two more levels. The 2nd floor is a genealogy center and distribution center. The 3rd level is a meeting house. Members were there decorating the gym for a ward halloween party while primary kids were in the chapel practicing their songs. I was a bit amazed that the meeting house was set up just like any other meeting house. It was very cool.

After our show. It was my first broadway production. We tried really hard to see Evita but the only tickets left were $105 for partial view. Instead we saw Peter and the Star Catcher. It was really good and very funny.

Our last day we hit up the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We ran out of time to see everything this museum has to offer. Seriously, we didn't even come close to seeing half before we had to catch our taxi back to the airport.

Love these girls even more.

Our flight ended up being the very last flight before the airport closed down because of Hurricane Sandy. I kid you not, our flight was supposed to depart at 5:30pm. It was running late and the LaGuardia airport was scheduled to shut down at 6! So glad we didn't get left behind. 

We missed you Christie and Kim!