Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote:

What is success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

What's Up?

A better post. I can sew! Isn't it amazing? It feels just as good as Dad's double meaning-ed compliment,"Erin, I really didn't think that of all people it would be YOU who could figure out Mom's serger." Thanks for the compliment - and great surprise that I could actually do anything! Anita Guernsey approached me this past December with a wonderful opportunity available to any Young Women leader who has been serving in that calling for at least one year. I am now going on 2+ years, I can't believe it's been that long! Anyway, the opportunity come by way of Personal Progress. The program allows for me to complete it now (or again for anyone who has already completed it!) So, in about six more days, I will have completed all the value experiences and projects. In fact, I am even going to officially recieve the medallion, etc. in a little ordeal to which I have invited Brent. And the boys. I am humbled and excited about completing this. Mostly I am grateful for the opportunity I have to realize my talents and many blessings the Lord has given me. At the same time, I don't have enough time in any day to use all of them, much to my chagrin. I also started teaching piano lessons (despite Aurelia's negativity) and have gotten a special reward from it. I teach a seven year old boy named Christopher. Aurelia probably would have appreciated him as a student! He PRACTICES! And he really is bright and eager to learn. He has fun playing the duets with me, and he has such a great attitude! Last night as I was walking him out to the car, he said, rather excitedly," I think I like piano lessons better than swimming lessons!" Yeah for me!!!! He also will probably be the only student who actually plays a piece at our recital. I guess that just means he will definitely be the star of the show!

Bloggers

I had an interesting conversation last night about blogs. I really hope that no one googles me to find my blog. They might think I have gone off the deep end or something. I realize now that this is my opportunity to show off my writing skills (of which I have none.) If nothing else, I need to start adding more pictures, more often. I am just so busy with my Moose and Zee stuffed animals that I can hardly get anything else done. I tell myself that I need to clean up, but only after I finish this Moose and Zee! Needless to say, Brent said he would clean the bathroom about 5 days ago. When I pointed this out to him, his reply was," I cleaned the toilet!" So at this rate the entire bathroom will be cleaned by the end of the month. Yes! My opinion poll isn't working out, so I thought I would come up with a question that has a little more thought to it. Then I'll have to advertise it so that it can actually become a real poll. I used to think that I wasted a lot of time doing nothing - but the fact of the matter is, I still have no time for anything and I think I am doing something worthwhile. In my old age I am realizing that there never really is enough time. And I used to look forward to the day that I could stay at home. Now I can't wait to leave. Isn't that horrible? It is no longer enough for me to put the boys to bed and read, or watch a movie, or anything that requires me to stay home, but I want to get out and do something real (real social, anyway.) Back to last night's conversation. If you are reading this and I have ever done anything cruel or offensive to you in any way, I apologize. Sincerely. I have been reminded of my youth, what might have happened, and of course my reaction to it. Reaction - it hurts. Response - I only hurt myself and those who loved me. I hope to be able to make up for it by being a better person (sounds real cliche, huh?)

Yes, I am very bad at blogging.

Please forgive me, I am mending my ways. This will be like my journal or something. I guess. Anyway, Blake officially has an attitude. I told him to be nice to Maxwell, he still knocked him down and so his response to my "you need to come up to the kitchen and sit down right now," was "FINE!" Hellllloooooooooooo! Maxwell loves to play with Blake - unfortunately his way of playing is to run off with Blake's toys and then Blake chases after him and then Maxwell usually ends up crying. Why does he do this? I think he is actually studying Blake's reaction so that he will be able to effectively block all his moves one day. I have decided that I will not have any more children. I have been teaching the Mia Maids for two years now and while I love the girls dearly, I don't want to have a daughter of my own. Period. Take from that statement what you will (please don't analyze me Rebecca) from that statement - but I have enough to deal with when Blake is interested in his penis that why on Earth would I want a daughter? I mean hellllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooo. I am trying to potty train Blake, but not really, because I am just to lazy to deal with it. I know all about the different methods - and I just can't sit in my kitchen all day (like Blake would ever agree to that and what on earth would Maxwell do?) and I can't let him run around naked because that would be like an open invitation to Blake to investigate his genitals. No thanks. Plus there is this study with pull-ups, but it lasts a few weeks, I have to save all of them to return, and I have to report in like 5 times. ALL FOR $100. Yeah, right! I got paid twice that much to bathe Blake in soap. Hmmm. Which was more worth the money? Anyway. I feel like an idiot for everything I have written here, but maybe I will improve over time!

P.S. Aurelia is twitterpated. Sunday evening we were hanging out when Morgan came across the Sacrament program from church that day. He asked out loud, " Why does this say Aurelia Foreman?" We all rushed over and yes, indeed, Aurelia had written, over and over again, her signature - Aurelia Foreman. Oh to be young and stupid again - at least young anyway! (In case you didn't already know - her boyfriends name is Chris.........Foreman.)

Yo, yo, yo What Up?

I am here.