It is late on Tuesday night. I leave Arizona, the residence of my sister, her four children (and husband included!) tomorrow for Utah. I’ve been here for five days and this is my report:
“…breakfast.”
And that is when I open my eyes, dazed, confused (scratch “confused” too over-used, movie title-ish) and tired.
“We’re having breakfast” Claire says [...]

A few years ago I read a poignant personal essay in Exponent II’s special issue, “Being Single in a Married Church.” The author, a single LDS woman, wrote candidly about the challenges of single life: the intrusive comments made by others, the indignities that sometimes came from “playing the field,” the uncertainty and loneliness that [...]

I nearly forgot to feed my daughter supper yesterday. (Keep reading.)
Before I had a child, that sentence would have meant nothing to me, because that was back in the day when I still said things like, “Her whole life is her kids. Really, she needs to diversify.” My ten-month-old (yesterday! Happy anniversary, Scout!) has been [...]

When I moved into this ward I had a neighbor tell me that she thought I’d be the next Young Women’s President.
“No way, “ I countered, “I don’t dress modestly enough.”
To which she replied, “Then it’s about time you start.”

I loved Valentines’ Day when I was a little girl. First thing in the morning I ran into my parents’ bedroom, where there was always a big box of chocolates waiting for my mother and a little red heart-shaped box with four chocolates waiting for me. I matched each of the chocolates up to the [...]

“I bless you to learn the lessons you need to learn from this affliction.”
Those words were uttered in the blessing I received yesterday. I received those words from the mouth of my husband, acting in authority from the Lord.
My initial response was something along the lines of, “Whatever (and say it just like all those [...]

When I met my husband Christopher it was over. I wanted to marry him and nobody else. Hand him the roses, slap on the crown, throw on a new sash that says “Mr. Courtney” and sing “Here He Is” as he walks the catwalk waving and wiping tears.
And, eventually he wanted to marry me too.

My younger sister called yesterday. She is in the throws of first trimester pregnancy illness and was telling me about how she had forgotten what it was like until the moment the dreadful flu-like symptoms returned. “How did I forget? I was actually excited to be pregnant again.”
This is her second [...]

So, is tattling on your naughty list? Can you even stand it when your kids come wailing into a room, crying out the horrible mis-deeds foisted upon them by another, clearly guilty, sibling?
I hate it.
I hate the manipulative nature of it; I hate the way tattling is used as a tool to inflict yet more [...]

Last Fall
Kathy: Mara, you do realize that we have no Graphic Designer/Assistant Art Director to help with the spring issue and forward? What are your thoughts on the solution to this problem?
Mara: Thoughts? What are those?
More Recently
Mara, have you thought yet about the fact that we have NO graphic designer/Assistant Art Director to [...]

One time President Bonnie Parkin was visiting my sister Page’s ward. Page is in one of those wards where people like that just show up. (LaVell Edwards is her Sunday School President) After sacrament meeting Page, a stranger, and yet a Sister In Zion, gave President Parkin a hug and said,
“Sister Parkin, I love you.”

The first time I read “Living Water,” I found myself overwhelmed with the sorrow and joy of memory. The sorrow came first. And although I have not had an abortion or made the same choices as its author, I have traveled a few dark paths with consequences that are forever irreversible.

I know there’s a good reason for not being overly public about money, but doncha just wish that sometimes we could talk a teensy-bit more candidly about it?