McOmbers Take to the Pool

This picture was actually taken at the end of the night-- FHE extraordinaire, all the McOmbers take to the Lehi pool on a very chilly November evening. And we had a great time!

Check out the fun and goofy grin on Clara- she was laughing at her dad trying to get her to smile for the camera!

Here's a few pictures of Clara and I playing around...

Most of the women folk...

Now I realize that this is not the best picture... but to catch my mother smiling like that with a camera lens is a MIRACLE. So it had to be documented.

David and Clara Rae series begins now...

Grandpa Val and Jacob

A perched Jody

A very concerned Heather Kenna

Heather Kenna still giving me looks even with Daddy holding her.

Jacob and his Batman and Robin goggles...

Some of the gang

Mommy and Me swim lessons starring Jody and Andrea

All in all a most excellent night!!!

31 and Counting

I know that a silly little number really doesn't mean anything... But then again, DO I know that? In all honesty I don't know that. In fact, the weight that number carries varies from totally insignificant to totally Significant. I don't notice my age by how I feel on the inside- the core spirit that is the true self- probably because that is the self that is eternal and thus never ages. But I do notice how much longer it takes me to warm up for dancing, yoga, etc- how much longer it takes to recover and how much my joints are noticing the years of abuse. I see my aging in what is and isn't important to me, how young others seem to be, and how I just don't relate to others in the same way. Lines in my face are beginning to make their debut performance and well I've had some grey hair since graduate school (however I don't think any new ones have appeared). I KNOW I am getting older. Is this a bad thing, scary thing, something to run and cry in shame, frustration, and anger? Well, no. It IS a sobering thing. Generally because I am not where I planned to be, wanted to be, or even thought could be an option. It is a good life- I'm am immensely grateful for all I have-- it is just different. And I don't have a good measure of time because one day blends and melds into the next and there is little to distinguish. Then I feel panicky because time feels like it is just slipping away. Perhaps having children helps to monitor aging in a way I don't have. You watch them change and grow before your eyes- seeing more clearly the passage time... A justification for the years. I look to see the justification for my years and I see someone renting an apt with roommates just as I was 10, 11, 12, 13 years ago... Living a good life- but... still... difficult to understand. Perhaps the number associated with my name and person leads me to act and decide things I may otherwise not. It has definitely become a factor in equations I am working through- When did that happen?

Many thoughts have run through my head as I come to finish this post- this wandering musing of life... But I am going to end it with what I need. with words of wisdom I hope I can take to heart. Trust God. Trust that He knows my life and what is needed and necessary to succeed. Remember that success is not measured by where you live, who you live with, what you do for work, how many children you have- but it is measured by your heart- your commitment to your covenants, how much you have loved, and what you have become and if you can honestly be called by Christ's name and voice and be numbered as one of his fold. And then help others along the way. These are the only justifications for years that matter.

Spinning on a Dime

I have noticed two different ways life changes. Sometimes it is such a gradual curve that you thought you were headed in a ceaseless straight line until you turn around miles down the road only to realize you have been traveling a degree at a time to find yourself surprisingly in a new place- the sum of the one degree added up to something big in the end (for good or for ill). Other times life spins on a dime. As if the dime was a magic portal you stepped on that spins you around 100 times fast - even faster than Mary Poppins spins-(Ashley Stolworthy, that was for you!) forget spotting your head!- and then dumps you out in a foreign land/ planet. Everywhere you were going, everything you were thinking, and all your plans you were making need more than a little revising. But thinking and seeing clearly is essentially impossible because the world is still spinning and forget trying to look around to get your bearings because any attempts at walking might land you directly on your bottom.

Just in case you were curious, I've had a spin on a dime episode... I certainly did not see any warning signs of a transport portal ahead. Still not sure if I landed on idyllic paradise or a hostile war plagued mine field. When my head clears and I trust my legs to walk around I'll let you know. Regardless- A new adventure is a foot- and I am usually game for an adventure. Wish me luck!!

Being Published- Sneak Preview

If you asked me at any point in my life if I would ever write something that would be published I would have laughed and said NEVER, I am not a writer. Most of my nevers in this life have been blasted to pieces and blown to the wind. This one is no different. Amazingly enough I am being published. It is not a big deal- a very short article for the Ensign I submitted a month or two ago. BUT... it is still a surreal , exciting moment to receive an acceptance letter to have your name in print.



Dear Author:
We are pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been accepted for possible publication in the Ensign. We ask that you sign the attached form. The purpose of the attached document is to define and protect your rights as the creator of the work, as well as our rights as the purchaser...


Here is a sneak preview of the article for all of my loyal readers!

Similarities and Differences

There is a particular Relief Society lesson given in a young single adult ward I will never forget. At the beginning of the lesson there was a T table on a white board with the first section labeled Similarities and the second labeled Differences. As the lesson proceeded, the teacher asked us to start by making a list of the similarities between a married Relief Society sister and a single Relief Society sister. There was an almost audible groan from the collective whole and a collective mind freeze at the onset of this activity- What could possibly be similar? One sister started us off with a hint of sarcasm stating, “Well we are all female”. And that seemed to neatly sum up how we felt on the subject. But the teacher persisted. Gradually hearts opened and the list began to grow: hopes, fears, strengths, weaknesses, responsibilities, talents, the gospel, covenants, faith, courage, potential, pain, sorrows, fatigue, personal need of the atonement… and the list continued. Finally, the teacher had to stop taking comments to move on with the lesson. The teacher now continued by asking us to list our differences. Everyone immediately called out, “Husband!” But then there was a stunned silence- there HAS to be more than that! The board ended up with a few attempts at finding our differences such as -may or may not have kids and different responsibilities/priorities. What we thought would be the short list ended up being the long list and what we thought would be the long list was actually the short list. I did not know how different I let myself believe I was from other sisters in the gospel simply because they are married and I am not. I felt this simple list instill a kindred bond of unity and I saw with new eyes.

This simple lesson not only built a bridge between married sisters and I- a single sister, but between all of God’s children and I. As children of God, our differences lie in the details and packaging of our lives. The similarities between God’s children are so great that if we choose to focus on them unity is bound to increase. Satan and his work thrive by enhancing our differences, teaching us that we cannot relate to one another. I hope and pray we will see each other with eyes focused on our similarities enabling us to come closer to Zion- being of one heart and one mind.

Dancing

31

I did it! I successfully managed to turn 31. It was touch and go there for awhile. Meaning- despite the mixed feelings I was having the weeks proceeding my birthday - I had a really good day. Thanks to my friends who remembered me! It was a great reminder to me on how important recognizing and honoring others truly is. It was great to feel the love and support of so many. So cheers to another year!

Picture Journal

I love That is one of the great joys in life (if your blessed). My grandma hosted Dinner and Women's Conference for any of the women inn the family that could attend.

The beautiful colors of a successful outing to the Farmers Market- Isn't it joyful!!

Breakfast inspired by the berries! I needed a pick me up that morning and this definitely brought a smile to my face. Creating something is a joy all its own.

A hike with a friend brought me up close and personal with some of the beautiful leaves in Mill Creek canyon as fall begins.

And that sums up most of the highlights from last week.