Some Musings on the Media

I wrote this particular entry on July 22, 2012...even though it is a few days later right now. I have had some thoughts especially tonight that I wanted to share on my blog. These will not be popular with a lot of people, but I needed somewhere to share some of these feelings. So, if you want to comment or criticize, go right ahead, but these are some things I feel quite strongly about. I have been on vacation for the last several days, and the TV has been on a lot. I am not a TV watcher—never really have been. My mother really didn’t like watching TV, and so it was rarely on as we were growing up. My parents felt like if you had free time, that it was far better to read than to watch TV. I carried that same feeling into raising my kids, but didn’t implement it nearly as well as my parents did. I am truly appalled at what is on the TV. Nearly every show has immoral people or people who take the Lord’s name in vain, or who dress immodestly. Sexual themes are predominant, and there is nothing sacred or holy about any of the sexual content. So this generation is growing up where they make fun of sexual things, and they get very used to suggestive content in practically everything. It seems like a lot of their conversations are sexually oriented or have references to sexual things. For any of you who watch TV, which is all of us, even the commercials are disturbing in their sexual innuendos, etc. I went to church today, where there is sacred music and talks about trying to live more Christ-like, service-oriented lives, and then the TV goes on later today (which for my house, is usually avoided on Sunday), and there is nothing of any spiritual nature left. Love is mocked, and lust is basically the “name of the game.” I find it pathetic and very discouraging. If we are going to uplift ourselves, and think more noble and holy thoughts, we need to fill our lives with more truly uplifting things. One of my children asked a very thought-provoking question of a friend of mine, who had never heard of a particular TV show that they were discussing. When he realized that she had never heard of it or watched it, he asked, “So what do SMART people do if you don’t watch shows like that?” What a question—I wish we would all be “smarter” and use our “discretionary time” in a more wise, and uplifting and worthwhile way. I know I have no say pretty much about what other people do, but being exposed to some of these shows this week, has made me feel more determined to try to elevate my thoughts and my actions—that the things that I choose to watch and read and do will truly show my desire to live closer to the Spirit of the Lord, and try to do things that will bring my life more in harmony with His. There is so much time wasted watching TV. I feel like we need to do more active things also—get out and exercise and things like that. I think it’s sad that our lives are so filled with degrading things. I know that I need to strive to live a more purposeful life. I think our world would be so much better if we sought for things that are more uplifting—our conversations and actions and thoughts would just make us purer and more proactive in more worthwhile things. I wish we would all take some time and analyze how much time we spend wasting time watching TV, and determine to make better use of our spare time. I think we would all be blessed if we all would examine our priorities and use our time more wisely. I know I need to work on priorities too (FOR SURE), and just use my time in more worthwhile pursuits. Again, I realize what I say will really bother some people, but I am just expressing my views and some of the concerns that I have. So, just take it as my “soap box” for the day!

I've got Great Kids

Did you notice that title--I don't feel that way ALL the time--just like any mother, I have my "moments," but my kids have been so awesome lately that I need to pay tribute to them. RIght now my kids at home are taking dinner to their dad. He has to work late--he has had a lot of challenges at work lately, and he has had to work lots of extra hours. But my Kelsey, who is super thoughtful, decided that she would take a sub sandwich down to him and some of his favorite candy bars...because he will be working late, and probably not get any dinner. She thinks of things like that all the time--and it just makes me very happy that she does things like that. I think she is a total winner. Then, last week our daughter, Katie went through a miscarriage. It was a huge blow to our whole family. I didn't realize until this happened that when something like this happens, you experience a great loss--not only the person going through it, but also the whole family who was anticipating the birth of another child. I think this experience will make me more empathetic to others going through a trial like this. It made everyone so sad. One of my daughters just wept when she heard it--and all of them texted or talked to Katie, to see how she was doing. My daughter, Emily, went up to Logan (where Katie lives) and spent a few hours with her--took her out for lunch, and for a pedicure. Then she and her husband and son went up another night to bring dinner to Katie and Cody.They live about an hour and a half away, but knew how important it was for Katie and Cody to feel their support. Wow--I was so impressed by all the caring that went on in my family. When the chips are down, they really come through. Life is too short not to let the people we love know that we love them. I am very thankful for my children, and that they think of others in their family...and try to give support and help whereever they can. Moments like this are painful,but incredibly sweeet when you see how much families can rally around each other. We go to the beach in a few days. We are all excited to be together. Of course, the anticipation is half the fun--and we've been looking forward to this for quite a while. Hopefully, it will be as wonderful as we're all hoping.

Here is a picture of me with 2 of my girls--Emily and Katie when we were in Utah

Back Home Again!

Today was Sunday--I have been gone to Utah for about 10 days. We had a roommates reunion with some of my BYU roommates, and it was awesome. They are awesome people who are tremendous examples in my life. I want to be like the Savior, Jesus Christ, and they are such wonderful examples of how to really do that in this life. How thankful I am for all of them. I should post pictures, but I haven't downloaded any of them--but they are the BEST!! Then I went to spend most of the rest of the time with my daughter, Emily, who moved from her townhouse to a beautiful home in Farmington, Utah. It is also close to horses, and the next time I visit, we are going to see those horses. I love horses, and I think it's pretty cool that she lives so close to them. I loved being with her son, SJ, who looks so much like Emily did, and is such a cute little boy. He is busy as can be, and so very smart--he learns all kinds of fun tricks. It has made me think back on being a mother, and I don't think I taught my kids all the fun tricks and funny things to say like Emily and Michael have. I think my kids do better at parenting than I did...but hopefully I did better than I remember. It was a busy week, with packing and watching SJ (grandson) getting into as much as he could. But Michael and Emily were very organized about their preparation, and it was pretty impressive to see how ready they were for this big transistion. They'll do great in their new place, and I can keep dreaming and hoping that maybe someday they'll live closer to us. (well, I can dream, can't I?) I also got to see my daughter, Katie. She came down to help us with the move, and then she drove me up to Logan, where I could meet my "grand pets," a dog and a cat. That was so much fun. She is so easy to talk to, and we are just such good friends. I loved being with her and with her wonderful husband, Cody. I am so thankful for my family! Today I taught Sunday School at Church. It was so much fun. I love to teach. I love to have people participate, and I learn so much from their comments and their insights. I was just substituting, but still it was way fun!! I love to teach about the scriptures because I learn so much in preparing. Anyway, that's an update from here. It is hot here, but it is home, and I am thankful to be back home. Good days to you all!