Good Times with Laurie's Family!

This post should be titled: more pictures than you probably want to see. However, it's my blog so I get to put up all I want!!! (Blogger went weird with the pictures and setting of the words, so I apologize now for whatever just doesn't make sense!)









My big brother came for a visit with his little girl. This was the first time I got to meet Baby B, as her family keeps her locked away in Kentucky so I don't have easy access. For rude, I know.
























Some of Baby B's favorite activities include: pulling Daddy's leg hair, sucking on necklaces, and making sure Aunty Laurie stays at least five feet away at all times.

On our first visit little Miss A and I got to spend some time with Grandpa R. TOO CUTE, I say.

Daddy was not allowed to go anywhere without his baby girl. Here's what happened when he needed to use the bathroom. Like any good aunt, I grabbed the camera to get a good picture of the horror.

Fortunately it didn't take long for the big giant to rescue the princess. Wait, what fairytale is that?

We invited Uncle J to come at our house when his cute wife arrived in town (she'd been gone at a work conference). Seeing as how they were the givers of the xbox that saved my computer from rough handling, we thought he should get the chance to come battle the boys in some fun Star Wars games. Aunty M and I were giggling cause Uncle J has a habit of moving his jaw back and forth while concentrating REALLY hard.

Baby B stayed close to Mama as much as possible (still making sure Aunty Laurie didn't get too close), but it didn't stop various cousins from trying to get close and cuddly.

"Why, Mama. Why don't they just go away?!?!?!"

The next day all of the Reynolds clan got together for a big family picture. Here are a few pictures of us playing together.

Like any good uncle, both my brothers ganged up on my oldest for a tickle-fest. (Yeah. Notice I just RUSHED right over to help her!)

This little Troll doll has been around from the time my bros and I were teens. And his eyes still light up! He became a bit of a fixture during our escapades.

This is the newest addition to the Reynolds' clan. Isn't she ADORABLE!?!?!?!

Baby B finally gave up and fell asleep.

Here's Cousin S chillin' away from all the craziness.

And what's a family reunion without some torturing of the boys? Frankly, I was rooting for my brothers.

I think they won!

So there you are. Good times were had by all. Only a few meltdowns happened. And though Grandma R was probably offering thanks when we all finally left, she was sad to let everyone go. I'm missing them all, already.

And Last But Not Least, Day 7 of Femininity

Today was a day I felt least like trying to be feminine...and yet it was the day I think helped me the most to appreciate being feminine. We had a rough night as a family emergency had us up at about 2 - after both of us went to bed a bit late. When my alarm went off this morning I felt like chucking it across the room! Yet I restrained the impulse and instead got everyone up and ready for school.

I didn't get my pictures taken until tonight, but I wanted to end the week with some of my absolute favorites. This skirt (I have no idea where I got it from, it was too long ago) is my "flirty" skirt. I call it that because of the flirty bottom, which makes me feel extra...pretty isn't the word, but I think you know what I mean.

The shirt is a peacock blue I got from Walmart, and the jacket is a brown leather I got from the Dress Barn (on a SERIOUSLY good sale last Christmas!). It's so soft and warm, and I can't get enough of the smell ♥

Here's a closeup of me in my blue shirt. Don't you think the little "ruffles" are adorable? Can you tell I do? I love the color - finding colors that look good with both my hair and my skin tone is NOT easy. But I think I struck gold here.

So what have I learned this week? To be perfectly honest it has nothing to do with others and their reactions to me in what I wear. Instead it had everything to do with how I felt about myself, and the changes in my own attitude. I became gentler in many ways, in all respects: with my children, in the way I took care of my home, in my tone, and in the way I treated myself.

I thoroughly believe being feminine has nothing to do with what we wear, but everything to do with how we represent ourselves as women, in particular as daughters of God. We were made to be the softer, gentler half of human-kind, full of mercy and open to bringing home to those around us the beautiful side of life. To diminish this is to tell our Heavenly Father we do not accept what He made us, that we reject the perfect images of loveliness He created.

So even if you don't like wearing skirts and dresses, celebrate instead being a woman of God. In doing this you can celebrate the most feminine and lovely part of yourself!

Sunday Inspirations October 4, 2009 AND Day 5 of Femininity

"I hope that my dear sisters throughout the world - grandmothers, mothers, aunt, and friends - never underestimate the power of their influence for good, especially in the lives of our precious children and youth!" ~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Over this last week I've had my eyes opened, maybe just a smidge, or perhaps it's more I was given a series of witnesses to what the meaning of being a good and righteous daughter of God can do for those surrounding her.


The influence we as sisters in this world can hold is not something to be taken lightly, if for no other reason than we never know who is watching. In our little ward (local congregation) there are many sisters who are struggling in ways that feel as though it is too much to bear. It has more than one precious daughter of God wondering if He really cares, why He can allow such cruel things to happen, and why they are being asked to endure such heavy loads.


There are sisters who feel too overcome with the mission of motherhood. There are others who desperately wish to be blessed with just one child. There are some who fear they will be called to go through this life without a companion by their side, one who will be there for them, to love them and put an arm around their shoulders when life gets too hard. There are those who's family is all grown, who's beloved companion have passed on, and are feeling more alone than they ever thought possible. And there are those who are called upon to watch and care for desperately sick children or husbands.


Too often we might find ourselves overwhelmed by all that is asked of us, by the paths our lives take, or through promises that seem to go unfulfilled. I myself have had promises given to me through blessings given by worthy priesthood holders that are still unfulfilled many years later. At times I get frustrated, but more often I find myself needing to exercise faith. My Father promised me, and He will fulfill the promise, in HIS time.


More than anyone else the sisters, wives, and mothers of the world hold the greatest power of influence over the children and youth we come in contact with. Whether those children/youth are in our home, in our classrooms, or simply in our neighborhood, you never know who might be blessed by your choices in life. The spirit of our homes is determined by the women who reside there.


These last few days I've been stressing (more than usual) modest dress in our home (as is SO obvious from my billions of pictures). More than one morning my oldest has come out of her room in the morning wearing a skirt because she wants to look "pretty like Mom." As odd as it may seem, even my boys have become just a little more loving. All from taking a little more care of my appearance.


Twice this week I was given a special insight into how others view me. Sometimes I wonder - especially during particular Church meetings where it feels like we're more noisy than a good influence - if those around me know how hard I try. One friend said, "It's so obvious you cherish your children." Another sent me such a sweet and loving message I was in tears. In it she told me how she's watched me for years with my husband and my children.


"I'm amazed of your example on what a mother can be. Through hard times even you stayed strong... . I think it is a blessing from Heavenly Father that I have such an outstanding example of what I can be as a mother, a wife and a daughter of god. Your smile makes me happy no matter what mood I am in."


All this from simply being myself, from trying a little harder to be what I think my Heavenly Father wants me to be. Is it easy? NO! Am I consistent? Of course not! Ask my kiddies how ornery Mama gets now and again! However, no matter how bad a mood I'm in, how frustrated I get with life, nor how discouraged or distraught I may be, I never give up. I can't. I've been promised too much to let it all go just because sometimes life feels too hard to live.


The message I felt impressed to give can be told in the words of President Uchtdorf:

"May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don't reach beyond your capacity. Don't set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don't feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don't compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fulness of the gospel. Wherever you have been planted, on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees' (D&C 81:5).


"My dear sisters, as you live your daily life with all its blessings and challenges, let me assure you that the Lord loves you. He knows you. He listens to your prayers, and He answers those prayers, wherever on this world you may be. He wants you to succeed in this life and in eternity."

To this I would only add, be aware of your choices. We choose every day how we will respond to the roadblocks placed in our ways. We can wallow in the misery these roadblocks can bring, or we can choose to climb over them, keeping our faces lifted up to the Lord.


Now, on to my day 5 of Femininity. My thoughts have been focused so much on my family these last few days, as I've been counseling with a sweet friend who is struggling with being unable to have children herself. So I decided today's pictures needed to include some of the most precious things I have been asked to watch over in this life.

I couldn't get M to smile sweetly today, silly girl.

So we all started to make faces. Here we are with "angry" faces.

And crazy faces.

Funny kids.
I put on my cardigan this morning. Doesn't it complete the outfit?

And here are those curls I talked about freeing :)

I should have my daughter take my picture more often, lol.

Day 4 of Femininity

I had no intention of posting on Femininity for seven whole days. Seriously. I thought, maybe a few stories here and there with a picture at the beginning and end. Here we are on day four and I'm still willingly taking pictures - patchy skin and fat rolls notwithstanding. These last few days have been wholly unusual, and yet entirely fulfilling.

Here I am in my skirt I'll be wearing this weekend. I bought it a few years ago as part of an anniversary present from my husband (he knows I love pretty skirts). It comes with a lovely baby blue cardigan, but it's too warm today to wear it.

I french braided my hair after my shower this morning. I love the look of braided hair, and have wowed many a woman when they find out I can do it to my own hair, lol.

It'll be fun to take out tomorrow and let the curls free.

It was not easy to take this last picture, and you have no idea how many were deleted before I finally settled on this one. I'm having a horrible skin day, though perhaps you can't really tell. Sometimes it's not easy to feel feminine when things we can't control - like skin rashes due to being allergic to everything - keeps us from looking our best. Yet over the years I've discovered, it's not always our appearance that makes us beautiful, it's the woman within. Some of the most beautiful women in my life are not so because their outward appearance is the classic ideal of beauty, but rather because the extraordinary spirit held within shines through.

I'm crocheting a scarf for a friend here. I love to crochet, to create, to make beautiful things. More than this I love to give away those things I've created. During this weekend it's especially fulfilling to do as I sit and listen to the general leaders of my church speak such beautiful and remarkable words of hope, love, inspiration, and rededication. Thank you so much for stopping in to celebrate today's bit of femininity♥

Day 3 of Femininity

I don't believe for a moment being feminine requires one to be completely serious, sedate, and statuesque the entire day long. In fact, some of the most beautiful women I know are those who don't take themselves too seriously.

Which is why I decided.......after managing two lovely pictures...
(uh oh, she's got that look in her eyes)

It was time for a little silliness!!!

Oh work it, baby. Work it!

Now that's what I'M talkin' about!!!

Hmm. Perhaps being feminine DOES require one to keep her tongue in her mouth.

For shame! I know. My bad.

Silly me. In any case, I'm feeling lovely AND a bit on the funny side today. And yeah, that's the mess in my backyard, lol. Hope you enjoyed day 3 :)

The Many Changing Smiles of Laurie

I used to have a beautiful smile. A few thousand dollars worth of braces helped to make it so (thanks Mom and Dad!!!). It was not a stretch for me to say it was by far my best feature for many years! Which is why it hit me so hard to have it taken away.

I posted back in January about my experience with Bell's Palsy (in which the entire left side of my face was left paralyzed for several months). This post today is not easy to for me to put together, but I wanted to share a big part of myself. A friend and I were talking last night about losing something that made us feel really good about ourselves. For her it was her weight (she used to model swimwear). For me, who has never been "skinny," while my weight has always been an issue it was hardest to lose my smile.

As I looked for pictures to share with you I ended up choosing two of my bridal pictures. It was necessary, as it appears in most of my pictures I tend to be a bit of a ham, lol. Like these two gems:

My roomies at Snow were decorating me for Christmas. Don't I make a lovely tree???

And this is simply Laurie being Laurie, lol.

I looked for some pictures that could best show what my smile truly meant to me, and of all the pictures I found, these two showed it best. In particular because the side that's really shown is the same side affected.

I know the pictures are a little dark and grainy, but that's what happens when one doesn't have a scanner and has to instead take pictures OF pictures :) Still, I think you get the general idea.

Shortly after the birth of B is when the Bell's Palsy hit. I had no intention of allowing my picture to be taken, and didn't think any existed until I began cleaning along a bookcase I hadn't touched in many years. Tucked away in a stack of other long-forgotten pictures were the next two, taken at a family party.

I suddenly remembered my mother had taken these, along with a few others, and had given me copies later on. It was a Sunday morning when I opened up the envelope and looked at my face permanently fixed in an awful position, and I began to cry. Over what I had lost. Over what my children and husband might very well have to look at for the rest of their lives. You cannot imagine what it was like to look in the mirror day after day, full on (unlike these pictures which don't show quite how bad it was when not turned to the side), wondering if I'd ever be able to smile again.

Healing has most definitely been slow, and it's not finished yet. I have much of my smile back, but not enough for me to yet feel comfortable having my picture taken. Still, I used my little webcam to take a few for you today, just so you all can see the difference a few years has made.

Notice...I still have great teeth :) I'm praying for the day the corner of my mouth will finally turn up. The really good news? I can still make silly faces!