"Our True Identity"

I had Hadley 3 years and 6 months ago. After having my second child I felt like my body was not good enough for myself or my husband. Darren had no part in me feeling the way I did. But after flexuating in my weight and size I decided to get plastic surgery. I went to the doctor with a mind set that all I wanted was a lift. Well, my docotor advised that it would not be a good choice for me because of the scaring it will cause and that I should get an augmentation (implants). Agreeing with him I went through with the surgery.

As soon as I woke up from surgery my Doctor said to me and my friend that picked me up, "Elizabeth, you had more skin then we thought and had to put more in then we talked about." At the time I wasn't really worried because I had thought well I know that the Dr. knows what he is talking about. BUT BOY WAS I WRONG!!! I have now dealt with my choice for over three years and it has been a very hard journey.

The reason I am writing about my experience with plastic surgery is because it seems that so many people are going through with this as if it is normal. Not only did it give me less self-esteem but it also made me look at other parts of my body with shame.

I listend to a Mormon Message today that Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the 12 Apostles gave about "Our True Identity", and he made a statement that truly struck a cord with me. I think a lot of the reason we do things to ourselves and to others that we are unhappy with is because we simply don't understand who we are. He continues to tell the story about the "ugly duckling". At the end of the story the duckling looks in the water and sees a reflection of a beautiful swan and realizes it is the ugly duckling.

All of Gods children are beautiful swans. Some of us just havent realized it yet. Plastic surgery is not going to fix your confidence and the way others see you. The only thing that will fix that is realizes who we are as indivuals and thanking our Heavenly Father for the gift he has given us.

Elder Uchtdorf asks us to think of where we came from? "We are sons and daughters of an amazing universe. He has an infinite love for all of us".

Of course we are going to have times of doubt where we have voices of our own telling us we are not good enough. Or others telling us the flaws they see. But we need to remember where we come from and pray to our Heavenly Father with appreciation. We are all beautiful and in our journey to find "Our True Identity" we will have more confidence in knowing that it is true. Liz

Gavin is Turning 6!!!!!!

I cannot believe my little boy is turning 6! We were in the ice cream shop today talking about the day I went into labor with him. It was Labor Day! I was sitting at the table eating my ice cream and totally crying. It just drives me nuts that time flies so fast. He is so big now. I just had to vent that I don't like my little boy growing up! It makes me sad. :(

Labor Day Weekend

I drove to my home town today of Portola, CA. It is about 45 minutes away from Reno, NV but still far enough away. It was so beautiful driving up. Donner Lake has never looked so pretty! Gav said a prayer for us as we drove. It was so sweet to hear his voice as he asked the Lord to help us drive safely. The entire way up Gavin talked to me about his fishing trip with his Grandpa, and how he remembered all the things we passed. It was pretty funny being that it was only a few months ago that we had been up last. As soon as I got to my parents house they had to leave (they told me prior to me coming up). It was so nice because it was like a cabin in the woods for just the kids and I. Every window in the house is open and it just smells so fresh. They have a huge sectional for us to all sprawl out on and relax. I think tonight Gav doesn't know it yet but we are taking him to reno to do something fun for his Birthday even if it is going to Dinner and singing Happy Birthday. Oh and my Mom wants to take him shopping to find a gift he wants. The point of my blog is that there is just no place like home. Escpecially the house you grew up in. There are so many memories here and I find myself saying "Mommy used to do that", or "When I lived here these were my favorite things to do". I think the kids would love to live here but this isn't the sort of place I would like to live...only visit.

Darren couldn't make it because he had to do a side job with his Dad and also go to a football draft. He said if he didn't go he would get a bad team. I guess that is a big deal or something. LOL! I am so excited because Darren's Dad wants to go to church with him again tomorrow. I just hope he stays for the whole thing. I think it would really help. Then on Monday I am going to head back down the hill and we are going to Leatherbees with Ds parents and Grandparents for Gavs Bday and then having a BBQ at the house with a small group of us or big I am not sure on that. Im just excited to get together with all my great friends and family.

I better get back to laying on the hammock. TTFN~
Lizzy