Thursday, June 28, 2007

back to the prairie



little to none sarcasm, hard work, obedience, God-fearing people, honesty, kindness, trials with hope, morals, family first, respect for children and parents...

Does it get any better than Little House on the Prairie?

I mean I will admit, I am a little desensitized by the culture. I find humor in demeaning TV shows where the pessimistic things in life are supposed to be funny, where infidelity is a given, where competition between people go to extreme and back biting and deceiving is how you win, where sexual conduct is almost expected, where destructive sarcasm towards the family unit is down right hilarious...and isn't it sad? It is sad.

One day a few weeks ago, I was flipping through channels right in the middle of the day. I had laundry to do and counters to wipe but I just wanted to do nothing but watch TV. Well I came across an episode of Little House on the Prairie. I instantly was having flashbacks of my childhood and how I would race off the bus and run down my driveway as fast as I could so I could catch the first part of Little House on the Prairie. I still remember it started at 3:30 in the afternoon.

The flashbacks were inviting and so I decided to keep watching...The first 10 minutes or so of Little House on the Prairie I kind of giggled...almost embarrassed at how gentle and loving the Ingles family were towards each other.

"Oh Charles I am so glad you are home. Sit down and have supper, you've must of had a hard day" says Caroline as Charles walks in the door after a long day of work. Charles responds, "Nothing is better than being home with the family" The whole family smiles at each other as they sit together for dinner.

I wanted to smile knowing if I was with my sister and in a certain mood I would just laugh uncontrollably at the overly unrealistic kindness portrayed in the show. Joette and I would have a hay day making fun of this show...but the more I watched the more intrigued I became by the wholeness of the show and the more intrigued I became by the emptiness of the shows that are on television today.

I can't even believe the show was allowed to air because it definitely wouldn't fly today. There is too much about God which would make the ACLU and insane liberals go crazy and too much kindness and morality which would bore the average TV watcher who is looking for sour entertainment and blown out of proportion drama. I mean honestly when Caroline tells Charles to stop tilling their wheat fields on Sunday because it is the sabbath you know you are in for an hour of pretty dang good stuff- but to the average person who is sucked into a "world of shifting values" (thank you Pres. Hinckley) would be completely bored with the good of the show... parents disciplining their children for not being honest, serving your neighbor, faith when life is hard, hard work teaches great lessons, depending on family through trials...these type of principles taught on the Prarie don't seem to grab the interest of many anymore like I guess it used to...

Oh back to the prairie...a life lived simply- where you wear the same dress every day and have nothing yet life is rich in blessings and happiness. I just love the show. I reminded my mom about how a couple channels still play the reruns and we talked on the phone yesterday how she cried and cried over an episode...Where is Michael Landon when you need him most?

When my mom was a stake missionary they were teaching a man with a rough past who was even an ex-con I believe about the Spirit and what it feels like. The man said, "Is it kind of like the feeling you get when you watch Little House on the Prairie?"

So anyway...this is my kick on my new favorite old time favorite TV show. I have decided after watching how hard people had to work back then just to eat and survive that I better be more grateful and work a little harder. And as embarrassing as it may sound and I probably won't mention it in testimony meeting, Little House on the Prairie has helped me see many blessings in my life and well...as Charles Ingles so beautifully put it, "If you have a lot of money and no friends or family you are the poorest man on earth." The show has really put things into perspective for me and kind of made me rethink my priorities.

Ok I know you are humming the theme song in your head right now...

Friday, June 22, 2007

big & beautiful



big and beautiful I must say

my belly and butt
utah mountains
our house payment
my lost wedding ring
my love for Chay
my student loan
kenzie's appetite & diapers
the Great Salt Lake
my tomato plants
my hoping to be a good mother
my moles
my dad and brothers
the Salt Lake Temple
my dreams and goals
my body pillow
mckenzie's curiosity
the pile of dishes in the sink
the pile of laundry in my room....
my grocery list
my desire to have this baby tomorrow
my mom's faith
my heart

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

returning home

I always thought going home meant visiting my family and staying in the house I grew up in here in beautiful Newman Lake...but I think I am starting to understand the whole "cleave unto your husband" thing- because dang it I miss Chay! I just want to be home- the home where I belong.

We have had simple fun up here on our visit. Kenzie has loved being outside playing with the kitty and being able to go wherever she wants with no worries from me. She has played a lot with cousins. The beauty of where I grew up is breathtaking- everything is green, mountains surrounding, trees as far as the eye can see...yet it isn't home without Chay.

One thing I have learned about marriage in these few years together is to treasure the peace Chay and I feel being a couple. Of course there are the tough times, the miscommunications, the hurt feelings, the boring meaningless times- but we are solid-depending on each other just enough and feeling whole by ourselves just enough to be comfortable and committed to each other for the rest of this life and well for eternity. I guess it is true when they say "distance makes the heart grow fonder" because this week being away has really made me appreciate Chay. So I thought I should write it down so I could read it when I need a reminder of how good I have it.

When I visit my family I always like to go through my bedroom closet and search through my boxes of pictures and keepsakes. This time around I came across a binder of letters and emails from guys I have dated from the start of college until I married Chay. They were so funny to read and it seemed like each guy was so different from the next. One was very romantic and overly passionate about me- one was a mysterious intellectual who said just enough to keep me liking him, one was super funny...bla bla bla...and as I read the letters I blushed almost like I was reliving the relationship for a second. I kept thinking what life would be like if I married one of these guys instead of Chay. Mckenzie just looked at me while I giggled through the letters. Then I looked up at her and could see so much of Chay in her and I thought, "I married the right person...I mean look who we have created. Plus no one could have put up with me like Chay has...so a romantic, intellectual,- all doesn't matter- just Chay...is all I need." So I am coming home...tomorrow.

Here is a video...just so Chay can get even more excited to see little Kenzie.


Monday, June 04, 2007

simple joy

Yes, she loves to laugh! Mckenzie really teaches me to relax and enjoy just about anything. Enjoy the silly videos. Make sure your volume is up!

hogle zoo




dinner time




at the park