Day 37

So I may have over-estimated myself in thinking that I could write every single day.  So I am going to give myself a break and not demand a perfect record this year.  Today I had to share a wonderful quote that I heart at church. The talk was on marriage and relationships...
"marriage is like a diaper.  We put nasty stuff into because of our immaturity and inability to control ourselves and then we throw it away." 
This is awesome and can apply to all relationships.  We will get out of them what we put in and it is up to us to respect, forgive and love those around us.  If everyone took this attitude think of the world we would live in today!
~Becky

Day 30

A long drive home today (12 hours) and a long time to sit and think about things... this is not necessarily a good thing. It just means longer to get myself all worked up! In the last month I have really paid attention to how I treat people.  I have had to bite my tongue many times in situations that I would normally have a lot to say but it has gotten easier.  If I have offended anyone in the last couple of weeks... I sincerely apologize.  I am trying and will continue to try harder!

Day 29

I have to wonder why people do what they do sometimes.  It can be very hurtful and I doubt they even know how much.  I guess the only thing I am in control of is how I deal with it.  Do I let myself get upset and hold it against them or do I let it go.  The smart thing is to let it go but the natural thing is to be ticked off! I guess that is part of growing up and becoming a better person... doing the smart thing instead of the natural thing!

Day 28

Another day at Lagoon! It was hotter and busier than yesterday so we decided to don the swimsuits and head to the water park. Much more enjoyable staying cool!  I must admit that I have been guilty in the past of missing out on fun memories because I was too embarrassed to get my swimsuit on.  I looked at our family scrapbooks and realized that I wasn't in them! I made the decision to get over it and start getting involved~   That doesn't mean it is easy to surrender this mother of 10 body to the public eye but I do it anyway!

Day 27

Today was a very fun day at Lagoon with the kids.  The lines were short and we were able to ride everything we wanted.  It was fun to watch Emma as she loved all the roller coasters that she is now tall enough to ride.  It can be exhausting keeping up with her all the time, the energy is endless! But watching her enjoying life is also refreshing.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could all do that?!

Day 26

It has been a nice day! I have enjoyed taking it slow and easy.  Nowhere to go and nothing really urgent to take care of.  It was also fun to spend some time shopping$$$! There are times when I feel that I have to be very conscientious about what I say and how I act around other people.  I have criticized others for being easy to offend but I know that I can be guilty of that also!

Day 25

Drove the kids down to Cedar City today.  It was fun to see them so excited about the week ahead. I will honestly admit that the drive home (5 hours) by myself in the car with the windows down and the radio on was awesome! It was nice to have the time to think about things without the distractions of others.  I look at these teens and worry about all they have to go through.  It is tough dealing with the constant criticism and temptations that fly around at high school but I am proud of how they handle it. 

Day 24

Headed to Utah this afternoon! Excited to see family and spend a few days at Lagoon! Kourtney and the older kids get to spend the next week down in Cedar City at EFY.  What a wonderful time to spend with other teenagers that believe in the same things she does and have the same standards she does! It is nice to have that confirmation that she can be proud of who she is!

Day 23

The best concert of them all tonight! Toby Keith is fabulous! Frontier days has been a great adventure and we are so glad to live in Cheyenne! It is amazing how much we feel like this is home.  We have been here 8 years now and it is the place our family feels like we can claim as our own! Good people!

Day 22

I love CFD!  Tonight was the Darius Rucker concert and he was fabulous! I love country music and country music fans! One thing that was noticeably different tonight than at last nights Motley Crue concert was that when the airmen came out in uniform at the beginning of the concert for recognition the entire crowd stood and cheered which is typical at all the country concerts, but at Motley Crue very few people stood.  Everyone was either too drunk or high to care.  It was very disappointing. I think that country music is by far the most patriotic genre there is and I love it!  I am looking forward to Toby Keith on Saturday because he is one of the most patriotic performers out there.  It should be a great show!~

Day 21

Oh my goodness! Motley Crue concert tonight with ironically my buddies from church! It was a blast being with friends and I truly enjoyed the company.  I can definitely say that going into an environment like that will be a long time coming. I know that I have heard the "F" word more than enough for one lifetime.  Earlier I said that reality TV stars are fair game when it comes to making fun of people.  I am going to amend that and say that anyone that gets intoxicated in public is also subject to enthusiastic criticism!

Day 20

This morning my kids walked in the parade downtown as Mormon pioneers.  They looked great all decked out in their costumes pulling the handcarts.  It was interesting to see the disapproval from the crowd sitting on the steps of the Catholic church across the street from us.  Sometimes it is hard to be respectful when you don't agree with someone else's view point but being able to have different view points is one of the wonderful things about living in this country! I am proud of my pioneer ancestors and so grateful that they were willing to give up so much so that I can have what I do today.

Day 19

Cheyenne Frontier Days is in full force and our family enjoys all the activities we can fit in! Tonight at the rodeo was the Bull Riders!  I know that some people don't think much about cowboys but I love 'em! They just have a down to earth attitude and they are tough!

Day 18

Sunday again! I can't believe how time flies by! It is so pathetic that during school I can't wait for summer to come around and then I spend the entire summer dreading that school is getting closer again.  It is a relief that my kids are ready to go back when it is time but I sure love having the freedom from the schedules!  I need to start enjoying each season in my life and quit worrying about what is coming up next. Not an easy challenge for me!

Day 17

What a fun day! Starting with the parade and ending with a fantastic concert with Thompson Square, Mark Chestnut and Jason Aldean.  If you can't stand really drunk, obnoxious rednecks it probably isn't gonna be your cup of tea.  Don't know what that says about me that I love Cheyenne Frontier Days! Even made a new friend tonight... a nice guy from Montana that got separated from his drinking group and needed a ride to the bar.  I would love to say that I was willing to help him out of the goodness of my heart ...but no.. it cost him $40!

Day 16

Life always gets better when Colin comes home.  Being a single mom all week is not fun. I have so much respect and admiration for those that do this every day.  It is a big relief once he is home and I know that I have backup for the next few days.  This week is especially nice because he is on leave for the 7 days so we can play at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Day 15

Some days it is hard to watch my kids grow up but some days it is a pleasure.  It is easy to wonder "what were they thinking?" when I watch my teens make decisions but when they do something with maturity and take responsibility it makes it easier to think that they will all be OK! I really do love being a mom!

Day 14

I am two weeks into this and I can honestly say that when I am careful with what comes out of my mouth I am actually more careful in everything I think and do also.  I feel less stressed and a little more at ease now.  It will be very interesting to see a year from now what kind of personal changes I have made permanent.  I have found that it is easier to take a moment and consider things before I react or make judgements and in doing so I am spending less time stressing about what other people think about me.

Day 13

The language of friendship is not words but meanings. ~Henry David Thoreau

I am so grateful for the friends in my life. I know without a doubt that some people have been put in place along my path to teach me what I need to know. Thank you for the love, compassion and loyalty you have shown me and for always being there when I need you.

Day 12

I admit it... I spent the evening indulging in some gossiping, belittling and ridiculing of those poor souls that signed their lives away when they agreed to go on the Bachlorette! It sure puts things into perspective when you watch the train wrecks happening on that show! My life is wonderful!

Day 11

Ever have one of those days that you feel kinda melancholy?  Nothing is actually wrong it is just one of those days.  So the best way to take care of this???  
My Savior
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Colin
Brycen, Matthew, Kourtney, Kianna, Logan, David, Megan, Ethan, Emma and Haley
Mom and Dad
Brothers & Sisters
In-laws
nieces & nephews
My family away from family here in Cheyenne
Wonderful Friends
Sunny Days
Education
etc....
There is something to be said about counting your blessings one by one!
Life is good~Becky

Day 10

No worries today! Spent the morning with my husband and kids at the temple. The time with my family was really nice and it is almost impossible to think mean thoughts about anyone... almost impossible! I have plenty to say about the traffic in Denver! I am so glad that we decided to not move our family down to Colorado. Whatever people may say about Wyoming it is quiet, peaceful and semi-isolated! Just the way I like it! COUNTRY LIVING IS FABULOUS!!!

Day 9

Good call Emily! I asked Matthew if I could share his little oops and he sheepishly smiled and said yes! So enjoy... 
Matthew just got his permit a couple of weeks ago and has only driven a handful of times.  I let him drive to Albertson's on Thursday and he turned really wide into the parking lot and almost hit a car.  We had to hurry and reverse (with cars honking at us) and try again.  It was fine but it rattled Matthew a little bit so when he went to parking lot he decided to park on the far side of the lot.  No problem... except when he went to stop he accidentally hit the gas and drove over the curb and down an embankment right next to an insurance agency.  As we bounced over the curb the car got high centered and the four insurance agents standing in the parking lot stood momentarily stunned.  They began to smile as they walked to the car to make sure we were all right! They were delightful and helped without making too many smart remarks! They tried to push us backwards but couldn't so one of the agents got his truck, hooked us up and pulled us out.  They thought it was ironic that this happened right in front of a car insurance agency and it's agents.  I think it is even more ironic that it isn't the insurance agency that we use!  But thank you anyway Farmers Ins!!!!!
Needless to say Matthew will be helping me make cookies and delivering them to their office on Monday! 

Day 8

I went to the grocery store today and because I am an avid couponer it seems to irritate the checkers.  I couldn't help but wonder if the money I save with the coupons comes out of their individual paychecks? I almost asked... just to be snide... but I didn't.  I just thanked him very much and walked out of the store with my groceries that I paid about only 52% for! It feels sometimes that we have become so insensitive to the people around us that we are just grouchy to be grouchy.  It doesn't seem that it would be that much harder to be pleasant to people! I have never worked at a grocery store so I can't put myself in their shoes so I will just assume that the checker behind the register had had a rough day!

Day 7

Let's just say hypothetically I had a funny funny story about a certain sons mishap in the Albertson's parking lot??? Would it be considered gossip if I told everyone ??... what if it is hilarious?? 
Let's just say thank goodness we were still about 3 feet from the building and the four insurance agents that just happened to be there were very helpful! No permanent damage done... well except perhaps to Matthew's ego! ~Becky

Day 6

All I can say is that when you spend two days at home with all your children and you are trying to paint bedrooms it is a real test of character keeping your thoughts and comments to yourself! Go me!! Absolutely taking a break from the painting tomorrow!

Day 5

So my real first test came today! During a phone conversation with a friend I was informed that her son isn't allowed to hang out with my son because he is encouraging some not so great behavior.  My initial reaction was defensive and I had plenty of things I wanted to say to "prove" that she was wrong!  But proud to say... I didn't!  And actually the interesting thing is that when I allowed myself to take a deep breath before I responded I realized that if the roles were reversed I probably would make the same decision she had.  So lesson of the day... don't jump on the defense wagon too quickly! Doing so can make a small thing into something much bigger than it needs to be! ~Becky

Day 4

I really love Sunday...it is just what I need to get through the rest of the week! Thank goodness it comes regularly! At church I had the chance to hear some amazing messages about service from some amazing women. What a wonderful reminder about the power of doing things for other people. 
Shamefully I began to think about how often I feel sorry for myself... 
Poor me! I always have to give up whatever I am doing (sleeping, eating, bathing etc.) to handle one of the thousand things that my family needs done that obviously only I can do!!! 
And while this is all true ...my complaining only makes it easier to look past all the amazing blessings that I enjoy every single day and it is sooo true that we often don't notice the little things that the people we are close to do for us everyday."

Now it is time for me to look for the happy... even in my own crazy home with my own crazy family... there is always more kindness, gratitude and love to be found! Thank you family for being mine!! ~Becky

Day 3

SARCASM!

So I must admit to those who don't already know this about me but I am fluent in sarcasm! I have always been and will probably always be very sarcastic (thanks Mom) but learning to use my powers for good rather than evil is the real challenge. Having a little bit of fun without being mean and also being able to take it from others is what truly makes it joyful! I love this scene from Friends...

http://youtu.be/2j2beHtZlqM

Day 2

"Change means that what was before wasn't perfect. People want things to be better.

~Esther Dyson (Scientist).

My thoughts have gone back and forth today from being fired up about my goal to wondering what I've gotten myself into! I also wonder if thirty, eighty or two hundred days from now if I will spend less time actually worrying about what I say. It is so sad that I have to really try not to make cutting remarks at or about people around me (my children)!

I had a wonderful night out... thank you Kourtney, Crystal, Miranda, Paige, Mckenzie and Eden! Sometimes it is just nice to sit and giggle with the girls and enjoy the feeling of being young again! We went and saw the movie Zookeeper. It was pretty cute and had a great message about being happy with who you are. However I did notice that most of the humor came in the form of people and animals making fun of each other. On the ride home I tried to think of any comedies I have seen lately that didn't derive it's laughs from insults and snappy comebacks. Maybe it is because I am tired but I haven't thought of one... Any ideas??

~Becky

Day 1

So this is day one of my little experiment. The idea to go insult and gossip free for an entire year... 365 days... was conceived as I once again lay in bed and thought of all the insults I should have said to someone but didn't. I know that I am not the only one to have done this before... smugly murmuring all the hurtful albeit witty dispersion we have been thinking about all day into our forgiving and loyal pillows. Sadly, I have done this more times than I would like to admit and this time around I have come to realized that when it is all said and done I am the one left feeling deflated. I have never been known to let a good criticism of sarcastic remark go to waste and believe me there have been some good ones.

I would love to believe that I could wake up one morning with renewed commitment to never say a cruel word again and... abracadabra... be over it! Nope, not going to happen, in fact I may be lucky to not completely blow this experiment into smithereens in the first 72 hours. Sadly, I am the type of person that needs to do things the hard way and believe me this is going to be an uphill battle. As I am typing this I tell my son to go away because he bugs me... I never claimed to be mother of the year!

Keeping a journal has always been therapeutic so in an effort to save money on my mental health deductible I am going to keep this blog allowing me to talk it out and keep it public in the hopes that I will stay honest! So the rules of the game are as follows... no gossip behind (or in front of) any one's back and bite my tongue when I feel the need to spout out something less than complimentary about someone!

Now that being said don't think that I intend to agree with everyone I come across or not speak up when necessary. I know I can find ways of getting my point across without being mean!

One more thing... in now way, shape or form do these rules apply to celebrities or anyone participating in reality television! I believe they are asking for it when agreeing to make a fool of themselves on T.V. and come on sometimes it is just too easy and way too much fun!

My goal at the end of these 365 days is that I will be kind without having to think about it. I want my family, friends and everyone around me to know that they can trust me to have their back! I hope one day soon that you will all know that Your Name is Safe Here! ~Becky