Do you believe in Santa?

It is Christmas time and many fine yarns are being spun regarding the North Pole, Santa's workshop, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the flying reindeer. Many parents of believers have never enjoyed their children more as elf spys are keeping track of behavior. It is a fanciful, magical, intense time and through the years we all remember that feeling of wonder and possibilities.

Also celebrated at this time of year is another story. A story about teenagers who traveled too close to the due date of their first child. A story about miracles, and possibilities and humility. No matter how hardened we become to organized religion and its hypocrisy we still feel a tug on our heart strings when we watch little kids perform this story in bathrobes and towel headresses. We may look at this as a bit of a wishful thinking fable, but when we hear "Drummer Boy" we feel something simple and sweet, it is hope. Possibility.

Do I have a testimony? Well I can tell you, it isn't the one I had as a child, it isn't the one I struggled to keep during my late 20's or the one I proudly held when my husband was Bishop. Instead it is a smaller testimony, made real through time and experience, study and prayer, betrayal and redemption. As a child I needed it to be absolutely true, it was impossible to think I lived in a world where people I loved would tell me anything that wasn't the truth. As a young mother I realized that there was more to it and that my perfect truth was flawed. I felt lost and betrayed when promises for blessings for obedience were ignored. As a mother of teenagers I often prayed and pleaded for my children, for their happiness and safety. I realized then that despite what I had been taught, teaching your children correct principles was only half of the picture. And now with adult children struggling with their faith, I recognize their journey. Especially the confusion of teaching your own small children the kind of faith they need while fighting for the kind of faith you must have.

So do I believe in Santa ? I believe we need him. Do I believe in religion? I believe we need it.
Do I think it is simple, no, none of it is.

Hiring yourself and the need to fire yourself

It has come to my attention that all of us have job titles that we hate and most frustrating of all is the fact that we interviewed and hired ourselves for that job. What jobs, you ask? A few are "best listener" " Fashion consultant" "Family party planner" " Mr. Fact finder" and so on.
These jobs are never posted, no one interviews you and no one hires you. But rest assured, you are hired and it is life time title. People who have these jobs tend to say two sentences often. One, "If I don't do this it won't get done", and Two, No one appreciates how much work this is." As the holidays come we all go in to hyper drive in our self appointed jobs. We remember many people with gifts and know that few will be received in return, we bake and take and come home to a sink full of dishes. Often we don't know we are on probation at our jobs because no one tells us they don't need us. People will just let you go on and on with facts, advice or criticism three of the top positions, because it makes for interesting stories to tell other people behind your back. People let you go on and on because they don't think you are right for the job, they think you are not very good at it and they hope you quit. But.. quit, of course not. We love being so very very helpful. Even if people who receive our help want to shoot us in the head we keep it up because we are our own boss and we suck to work for. So, it is my hope that during this recession, that people, fire themselves. Please fire yourself, only person who ever picks up the family room, Fire yourself person who volunteers everywhere that people are short of help, Fire yourself blackberry sherriff who googles any topic being discussed and corrects everyone. It is okay. I know jobs are hard to come by now, but you look tired. Go ahead give yourself a pink slip.

This makes sense to me

Suffice to say we are all busy. Lots of cool stuff happening for all of us. If we don't want facebook to snuff this blog out I challenge everyone to post!!!

Random thoughts: I think you can divide all people in to two groups. Group one; in every situation this person subtracts the people and only focuses on the situation. Group two; in every situation this person subtracts the situation and only focuses on the people. So.. if you like this idea do a short insightful glance and decide which group you belong in. Next ask your significant other if you indeed do fit in to that group. Most kids are relieved to report that neither of their parents fit into both groups. Thus a fine balance is created. The group ones have us all slaves to lists, clocks and rules. Group ones are impatient waiting anywhere, be it in lines or in traffic. However, Group ones are considerate about time, plan things that actually come off, are ideal employees, and seem objective and fair often. Group twos want to talk out EVERYTHING!! Group twos know why everything is happening is happening. Group twos have detailed stories and continue telling them even when defensive sleeping is employed by listeners. Group twos have no time or money sense and they tend to let the "mood" of the room ruin their day. However, group twos never forget your birthday. They give you thoughtful gifts that they remember you had admired. Group twos are never "on the way out the door" regardless of their plans for the day, they will drop them if you need to talk and be heard. Group twos are also really nice to kids, they are some of the few people who talk with and not at kids.

So, alas, I believe you are born a one or a two. No matter how impassioned the speech, no true group one member will leap to join group two members.
And aren't we glad that don't!

Another Article

This one is from SLUG Magazine. I'm not quite as happy with this one. It's okay, but I'm a little perturbed about him putting words in my mouth. There's a few things in the article that I'm about 98.9% sure I never said. Either way, it's press, right? :)

The First Article on 'The Sonosopher' Comes Out!

 

Click HERE :)

Jaxson and Braiden Cont'd

Click on any of the images to enlarge.

Jaxson and Braiden

Always be prepared for Rain

Yesteray, marked the maiden voyage of the Bubb's new van (more on that later). We went to the seaside a few hours away from our house in a place called Holkham. The tide was out and it was a bit stormy, but the kids still had a great time. Thorunn cried quite a bit at first, but was converted in the end.

More Photos from Erik

New Photos from Erik!

Introducing Jaxson Lee and Braiden

Bad Hair Day

"She does look kinda stupid. I don't know what we were thinking!"

I got a new haircut on Saturday, which I do not like. I know what you are thinking -- it's not that bad.

Oh! Wait ... Why so short on one side and so long on the other? All I can say, is it seemed like a good idea until I saw it on me. My question is this -- should I just wait it out and let it grow? Or, should I go back and get a more even crop?

Moths and Butterflies Do Not Come out in the Rain

In an attempt to find wholesome summer activities, Ulysses, Bronwyn and I went to the Moth and Butterflies day at this historic house, called Ickworth House. Unfortunately, my vision of a nature walk and learning about the different species of butterflies native to England was not to be. Instead, we made butterfly-related crafts on soggy tables in between rainstorms. At least we tried?

Bronwyn Bubb -- Snail Whisperer

WOW worse than Crack

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1157362/World-Of-Warcraft-addictive-crack-cocaine-teenager-suffers-convulsions-24-hour-long-game.html

Crack is for chumps, WOW is where its at