Go Jaren Go!

While we were in Arizona for Thanksgiving, we got to watch 2 of Jaren's basketball games. Emma wasn't too fond of all of the yelling and loud noises, except for when they turned on the music and both teams were warming up. Here was her response :)


She's never done this before, nor has she done this since-

Break through!

Now for those of you who don't know James very well I want to inform you that James is not very opinionated when it comes to the less important things. He grew up with a brother just above him and a sister just below him for a long time before his mom had 2 more kids- so James is the typical middle child, he didn't really speak his opinions because he was the typical peacemaker. And he brought that to our marriage- many a time when we've gone shopping and I ask his opinion he doesn't really give it. I like to ask his opinion, because it's his opinion I care about most- especially when it comes to outward things. So I thought it was a miracle when last night we were just talking, and he asked if I was growing my hair out. I shrugged and told him not really I just hadn't cut it in a while. Well he said, "you should cut it, you look really cute with short hair!" My jaw practically dropped- yay for James! I was so excited! One that he took the initiative and had an opinion on my hair. And two that James likes SHORT hair! So right now I'm looking up different hair cut possibilities . . . any suggestions?

Days of Truth Challenge

Well I was a little too optimistic on how much time I was going to have on my hands right now. It's kind of a busy time for me- James and I are in the middle of teaching the marriage and family course. Emma is requiring a little bit more of my attention- the doctor thinks she has separation anxiety and has said the best way for her to get over it quickly is to make her feel like she can trust us. I guess it was bound to happen with at least one of our kids- 'cause that's how all of the Bateman kids were- some more so than others. But on top of that, my parents came out for the Carl Bloch exhibit! Wow- I don't care if you aren't an art person, it is amazing that BYU has acquired so many of his works, and everyone should see it! And next we're going to Arizona for Thanksgiving, and then Christmas in Oregon. Then this last week I've been sick and didn't really have any desire to get on and type about anything really. So I'm giving up for now, I'll start the days of truth challenge maybe when I have less interesting things going on in my life. But, with the holidays coming up on top of everything else- I just don't really have the time to blog about myself on top of everything about our family! I QUIT!

Day 2

Something you love about yourself:

James always gives me flack for this, but I am very opinionated. And I love it. It must have developed sometime during my high school years, and probably developed from being the daughter of my mother, because they raised me to think in terms of what is most important. But, I like knowing about all the local/national/global political issues. I like to know enough about them to have an opinion on them and be able to back up that opinion. I like that I grew up in a completely different cultural situation than my husband, I somewhat think that's why I have more formed opinions than he does.

Sometimes I think James wished he had known my opinions on certain things- before he married me ;)

But I do, I have formed opinions on a lot of things and there is rarely a topic of conversation that is brought up that I lack an opinion on. I like having a mind of my own- whether or not James, my mom, or my in-laws agree with me. My opinions are my own. James has said to me on several occasions that I would make a great lawyer, except for the fact that I would only choose to defend cases that I agreed with- so I probably wouldn't make that much money.

30 Days of Truth Challenge: Day 1

The 30 days of truth is basically 30 days of blog posts following this guide line:

Day 1.)Something you hate about yourself.
Day 2.)Something you love about yourself.
Day 3.)Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 4.)Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 5.)Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 6.)Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 7.)Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 8.)Someone who made your life heck, or treated you like crap.
Day 9.)Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10.)Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11.)Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12.)Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13.)A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. (write a letter.)
Day 14.)A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15.)Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16.)Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17.)A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18.)Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19.)What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20.)Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21.)(scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22.)Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23.)Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24.)Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25.)The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26.)Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27.)What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28.)What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29.)Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30.)A letter to yourself: tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.


Day 1: Something I hate about myself;

Well just as about any girl is, I also fall into the category of the type of girl who scrutinizes herself way too much. I could probably make a list of things about me that I'd like to change. But, hate? It's such a strong word that I'd like to think that I don't actually HATE anything about myself. Something I really dislike about myself now is that I tend to coward off in situations where I really need to stand up and say what needs to be said. And then I get frustrated with the situation and leave thinking about all of the things I should have said and it just gets me even more frustrated. So I think starting this 30 days of truth will be good for me to openly express a little bit of me to those of you who care about reading this.