Writing

I've loved to write ever since I can remember. This probably stems from my love of books and reading. As a young girl {much before I could read}, I would take a HUGE stack of books to bed with me every night and try to read them. Then, when I finally learned how to read, I couldn't stop. I was reading constantly.

I wrote lots of little stories and things, and at one point even began "a novel" of sorts. Sadly, all the stuff I wrote (that would probably be hilarious to look at and read now) has gone missing. But that's beside the point.

My junior year in high school, I had an amazing English teacher that really helped strengthen my skills as a writer. Frankly, this teacher scared me. Really, seriously scared me. But she pushed me until I reached my own personal potential. She pushed each student to their own limits, whatever they were. This made me grow so much as a writer. It also taught me that writing was what I truly wanted to do in life. Writing was a part of me. It always will be.

Now I find myself majoring in Literature, Writing and Film (emphasis on writing)--basically a fancy name for creative writing at the Polytechnic campus at ASU. I love it so much! I've taken a ton of different writing classes and have met some truly amazing writers (both professors and fellow students).

And I still love to write. Perhaps now more than ever. I read all the time. I read all different types of thing. I read a ton of articles, books, and magazines on becoming a professional writer. And I write.

It's what I love to do. I don't care if people ever read what I write...okay, that's a lie. I would absolutely love it if people read my work, but even if they don't, I would still do it. Because I, first and foremost, write for myself. Because it's what I love to do. It's my passion.

A few months ago I finally sent in some work to try and get it published. It took a lot of courage. I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. I don't think my work is good enough. In fact, every time I read something I've written, I edit it and change something. Every. Single. Time. I never feel like it is ready. But at some point I just have to stop all the madness and try. It took a lot of guts to press the submit button for my work. And, so far, I've gotten two rejection letters.

You want to know the crazy thing? I was so excited to get those rejection letters. Do you want to know why? Because it meant that I did it. After dreaming for years, I finally sent my work out there.

And I know I'm probably going to get a million more rejection letters before something ever gets published. That's part of the job. In fact, it may be years before something finally gets accepted. And that's okay.

For now, I'm just working hard and continuing to send material out there.

And I'm loving every second of it.

Something New

1. Writing Group

Lately I've been focusing a lot on my writing, and I have been looking around for different writing groups to join...but I'm not sure I'm finding one that's just right for me.

That's when I thought, "Hey, why don't I just start my own?"

The problem with that is finding people to join it.

So, if you leave in the East Valley and are interested in joining a monthly writing group...let me know! Or if you don't live in the East Valley, but are interested in a writing group, maybe we could set up an online group where we critique work through email or online chats.

I'll probably want to keep the group somewhere between 6 and 12 members so we can get adequate feedback on our work but not be overwhelmed.

Anyone serious about writing is welcome! All ages and pretty much any genre. I write a lot of different things (short stories, poems, essays, articles, genre fiction). I'm up for just about anything!

If you're interested, email me at jessesgirlblog{at}gmail{dot}com to let me know. If I get enough interest, we'll work out good times and other details.

2.Other Ideas

While thinking about starting a writing group, I was also thinking that it might be fun to start another monthly group or two to try and get to know more people. I thought a monthly girls craft night, a girls night out, or a "mom and me playdate" with mom's and our kids could all be fun ways to get to know new people and have some fun!

If anyone is interested in these or has ideas for different groups they think would be fun...email me at jessesgirlblog{at}gmail{dot}com as well!

Yard Sale for a Good Cause

What are you all doing tomorrow?

No plans?!

Well, I've got an idea for you.

You should go to this super awesome yard sale my little cousin is having.

All proceeds go to One Big Step, a group she started to help support victims of child trafficking.

She has collected items from various people on a donation basis. And TOMORROW, July 16th from 7AM to 12NOON she will be selling them to help those in need!

There are the usual yard sale type items (books, shoes, clothes, decor, household equipment, etc.)

Oh...and did I mention there are some cute clothes from Forever 21? Yes, indeed there are!

So head on over! It will be on Lindsay and the 60 in Mesa.

Or you can email me at jessesgirlblog@gmail.com for exact address and directions.

And you can check out her blog here.

Lesson Recap

Yesterday in Relief Society, we had a really good lesson. They're always good, but it seems that the past month's have been especially amazing. Or maybe that's just because Jess has taken Ryan so that I could actually pay attention to the lesson. He's amazing like that.

Anyway, yesterday's lesson was on eternal families. We talked about the things that are important in the home such as:

1. Family Home Evening

2. Family prayer and scripture study

3. Personal prayer and scripture study

4. Family dinner

5. Communication

6. Respect

7. Forgiveness

8. Service

9. Kindness

10. Family activities

And so much more! 

We also discussed how the little things can be important and how "by small and simple things are great things come to pass" (Alma 37:6). I had the thought that as parents, sometimes we get too caught up in the overall outcome of things...when really we need to focus on each small step that turns into the overall outcome. We need to focus on the here and now.

It was a great discussion filled with thoughts from mothers with young kids, mother's with teenagers and empty nesters who are now grandmothers. We discussed how sometimes we yell at our children in frustration ("Get dressed right now!") thinking it's okay because we love them. But if we just took the time to calm ourselves down and teach them softly, it would go over a lot better. Sometimes our children don't understand that we yell at them out of love.

Furthermore, we discussed how being prepared ourselves can ultimately smooth out a lot of our frustrations with our spouse and children. When running late for church, we yell at our husband to get our son ready and yell at our daughter because she should already be dressed. But if we had only gotten ready earlier, we could take care of getting our children ready ourselves.

This also goes back to being spiritually prepared. If we are doing our personal scripture study, prayer and other important things, we will have the tools there and ready for us to handle any trials and frustrations that come our way. Ultimately, it will make things {life} easier.

I love Sundays and the uplifting, spiritual thoughts church brings to my life!

What I Need to Learn

I feel as if my life is always going a million miles a minute, or rather my mind is.

I spend WAY too much time finding all these ideas I want to implement into my life and not enough time actually DOING them.

And I always have 497,362 projects going on at once.

So here's what I need to learn {perhaps I'll print out this blog post and post it on my mirror...and my fridge, desk, pillow, etc. while I'm at it.}

1. I can't do everything. And that's okay.

2. Stop THINKING about what I want to do, pick what's most important and get to it! Don't worry about all the OTHER stuff I wanna get done, just focus on what I CAN do NOW!

3. Start a project. Finish said project. THEN start a new one. That way I'll actually finish a project at some point rather than have a million partially completed ones.

Anyone got tips on how to conquer this?

Maybe I'm A Bit Obsessed...

Conversation on Monday

Me: I miss Ryan.

Jess: He's been gone for, um, 45 minutes...

Me: I know. And I miss him!

Jess: Even though he screamed all night, refused to sleep, and kept hitting you?

Me: Yes. It made me love him more.

Jess: I guess it was kind of sweet that he just wanted to lay by us.

What can I say? He's got a hold of our hearts!

Ten Months

Dear Ryan,

Where has the time gone? I can't believe that you are already 10 months old. Will you please slow down?

I love that you are getting more and more cuddly as time goes on. I love that you give hugs and kisses. I love that when I kiss you, you get a GIANT smile on your face. I love that way you crawl to me. I love how you explore and play with things. I love that you ALWAYS have two toys, one in each hand. I love that you try to crawl around with said toys in your hands. I love that you are an escape artist and can find a way through any barrier we put up to keep you out of something. I love that you laugh when I tickle you. I love that you get excited when we sit down to read a book together. I love the way you play with your dad. I love that way you tackle your dog. I love how you insist upon being naked 90% of the time. I love how you sing and crawl around chasing floating toys in the bath. I love how you scream when mom or dad have ice cream because you want some. I love that you try to clap, but really just circle your arms really fast in excitement. I love how you cuddle me every night before bed.

But most of all, I love YOU!

Thanks for being such an amazing son.

Love,

Mommy

Precious Moment

When you're at Wal-Mart in Show Low with your husband and baby browsing the book section, and you happen upon a children's book about loving your child.

So you open the book and read it to your son.

The book goes through all the things you love about him and ends with something like, "I loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I'll even love you tomorrow!"

When you finish, your son gets a giant smile on his face, leans forward in the shopping cart towards you, wraps his arms around you tight and gives you a hug.

Now THAT is a precious moment that should never be forgotten.