Body Image

Hey Ang! I warned you this one was coming!


It’s all around us. Fashion magazines, high-fashion models, celebrities—all around us are influences to be thin, sometimes dangerously thing. Most of us know that the images we see in magazines or on the movie screen are unrealistic. Yet, day after day, we continue to pursue unattainable goals of having the perfect body, with the perfect hair, and perfect skin.

Why do we have these images? More importantly, why is the media lying to us about how the average woman should look and feel? Women in America have a distorted body image because mainstream America is allowing body image to be manipulated.

We all know photo manipulation happens. Whether it’s a few pounds shaped off a woman’s waist or taking the wrinkles away from her eyes, nearly all images we see today have been manipulated in one way or another. For example, I used to work for a company that produced hundreds of magazine ads. One day I saw a picture of a woman going into one of the ads. I knew this woman—she was your average, stay-at-home, soccer mom. She wasn’t a model and she certainly wasn’t famous. When I saw the picture I said, “Wow! She looks great!” The designer informed me that he “shaved” 20 pounds off her thighs with Photoshop. I was absolutely shocked. The designer then told me that this type of photo manipulation is common. “It happens everyday,” he told me.

It’s this same type of photo manipulation that is bombarding our daily lives. Our world is flooded with these images that are completely flawed and unrealistic. The result is that plastic surgeons have booming businesses and more anti-depressants are being prescribed. It’s damaging our self-worth as women and destroying our social, emotional, and physical lives.

So, in the midst of my rambling soap box, I applaud Kate Winslet, Dove commercials, and the Spanish modeling world. Thank you. Thank you for taking a stand and helping women everywhere realize that we are beautiful just the way we are. Thank you for giving me a public example so I can one day teach my daughters, nieces, and granddaughters that there are real women in this world. And each is beautiful, no matter her pant size.

It's Freezing!

No seriously, it really is freezing! This morning, the temperature was 14 degrees!

I've had my white Christmas, now it's time for Spring.

San Diego anyone?

Meet the Family

I thought it would be fun to introduce you to the family. We’ll start with the parents.



Here’s Dad:

His life-long goal is to go to Sturgis on a Harley Davidson.


And Mom:


She does not like to have her picture taken. Usually, she’s hiding behind someone else or making a weird face.

Now, K. He is my oldest brother and is by far the biggest sports fan I’ve ever met. And, he has a big heart, too.

K is married to E.

E loves chocolate! If you want to keep your chocolate, don’t let E see it.

Then I come in.

And I’m definitely the smartest, prettiest, and favorite child. Yup, that’s right.

Then, J.

We like to play pranks on each other. He thinks he’s got one up on me, but you just wait! I’ve got a good one planned.


J is married to A.



I’m so glad he married her! We like to get pedicures.

J and A have two of the cutest little boys in the world.

C and M. They are the best.

C is full of energy!

He loves to play trucks with the village.


I love M’s cubby cheeks!

And bringing up the rear is Coach.

Coach loves to golf. And he thinks he’s good. But he’s not a very patient teacher.

How Was Your Christmas Day?

I love Christmas. This year, we had a fabulous day in my family. I’ll update later with some awesome pictures, (and by awesome I mean pictures that my family wishes weren’t on my camera) but for now, I’ll share some things I discovered over the past two days.

1. My mom and dad are hilarious when playing Cranium.

2. A “blue garbage man” will keep a 3 ½ year old occupied for hours.

3. There’s nothing quite like a white Christmas.

4. Even though I’m an adult, I still act like a 5 year old when it comes to opening my presents Christmas morning.

5. When my dad says that I got “stupid” presents, he means that I got lots of stuff I really wanted and needed.

6. My nephew sings the best rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Wasted.” Even when he doesn’t “have enough time.”

7. I am not patient enough to put a puzzle together.

8. I like to be wrapped up like a burrito.

9. I want cheese fondue for Christmas Eve dinner every year.

10. When it snows, do not park your car on a slanted driveway. Because when you go to move, you might end up in the bushes.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Looks like my mom is on Santa's nice list this year!

Setting Goals

As soon as Christmas is over (and the holiday is always over sooner than I think it should be) the new year is upon us. Pretty soon, we'll be hearing about New Year's Resolutions all over the place. I've never been one to make New Year's Resolutions. I tend to make goals all through the year instead of in January. But this year, I decided to make some New Year's goals.

Last year, I heard of someone who sets goals by following a scripture. The scripture is Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Here is a wonderful example for us to follow when it comes to setting goals.

Following this scripture, I will set goals to increase intelluectually (wisdom), physically (stature), spirtually (in favor with God), and socially (with man).

Let's just hope I'm still on track come February 1.

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Happy 100!

This is my 100th post. I find it a bit hard to believe that I actually have that much to write about. Wait, I take that back. It's really not that hard to believe.

Last night, I had an overwhelming desire to write. This was a bit strange to me because I write all day long for work. Usually, I come home from work and don't want to even think about writing for at least 10 more hours. But last night was different. I didn't really know what I wanted to write about; I just knew I wanted to write. So that's what I did.

The song Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day was in my head. And this is what came as a result of that song and my writing mood.

"It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right,
I hope you have the time of your life." – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), Green Day

Life is unpredictable. We don’t know where we’ll end up and sometimes we don’t even know how we got started. There are ups and downs; happy days and down right terrible days. Sometimes, we wonder what it’s all about. And then, one of those defining moments comes along. One of those times when you know all is good, that you’ve tried your best, and you have no regrets. One of those moments when everything, if even for just a small amount of time, is absolutely clear. You are certain. You are strong. You are headed down the correct path. When all the chaos of this life gets out of hand, it’s these defining moments that let us know that, “in the in it’s right.” It is then that I realize I’ve lived life the best that I know how. There are still plenty of things to learn and I have a lifetime yet to discover all the wonderful stuff in store. And I can’t help but think, even though my life has turned out differently than I ever planned, I certainly am having the time of my life.

Green Day got it right.