Month: October 2015

A Babymoon?

A Babymoon?

Being six months pregnant, I have heard multiple people mention a babymoon, and I’ve received tons of pregnancy ads and articles about babymoons. But what are they? For anyone like me who hadn’t heard of them before, babymoons are similar to a honeymoon. Babymoons are 

No-hassle Trick-or-Treating: Bags

No-hassle Trick-or-Treating: Bags

Perhaps one of the biggest dilemmas of Halloween is deciding what costume to wear. We all want to stand out, to be remembered as the one who had the scariest, cutest, or most creative costume of the night. But when you create your costume, why 

Home Safety for Kids: The Kitchen

Home Safety for Kids: The Kitchen

Often, young children are cared for at home by an older sibling for at least a few hours after school. More than not, the kitchen is the first place children go for a snack when they get home. Teaching children to be responsible in the kitchen should be a priority. By following these simple guidelines, keeping your kitchen a safe place will be easier: first aid

  • Keep pot and pan handles facing towards the counter and not hanging over the edge of the stove. Young toddlers can reach up and grab the handle, pull it towards them and possibly spill hot food or hit their heads on the pan as it comes down.
  • When opening and closing the oven, make sure there are no children in the way.
  • Make sure children wash their hands when they are helping prepare food.
  • Do not allow children to handle sharp objects like cheese graters and knives until they are old enough to properly handle such utensils.
  • If you spill something, make sure you clean it up as soon as possible.
  • Put child safety locks or guards on all lower cabinets so the possibility of getting into the cleaning products is decreased.

—Frances Avery, Editor, Stance

Life’s Dark Trails

Life’s Dark Trails

The trail was very dark, the sky lit with stars. With a small silver flashlight in hand, I could only see two or three steps in front of me, but well enough to know I was quickly falling behind the very fast and fit group 

Be the Tortoise–Patience in Finances

Be the Tortoise–Patience in Finances

If there’s one thing that’s hard to learn, it’s patience. I even remember a time when I realized how impatient I was being and how I decided I wanted to change my attitude. The funny thing was the first thought I had after that realization: 

Baby Bump Costumes

Baby Bump Costumes

pumpkin bellyAre you pregnant and wondering how to dress up for Halloween? It can be difficult with a large basketball-shaped stomach. However, there are many ideas for “baby bump costumes” that we found online.

Some of my favorites are the costumes that use a normal shirt and decorate them with wording or images. Of course, I prefer the comfy and casual route. If you want something more unique (and probably slightly uncomfortable), go for the painting of your belly route. I have seen a few bumps painted as earths or caution signs.

Earth bellyAs for my baby bump, my husband and I have decided to be superheroes. My husband is using a Superman shirt as part of his costume. We found a Wonder Woman pajama shirt that I will be using. And for the baby bump, we are going to attach a sign on my shirt that says “Super Baby.” We have high hopes for our attempts at a Super Family.
Halloween can be an extra fun time when you have an attention-grabbing bump. Have fun and be creative . . . Or just stay home in your sweats watching movies and eating your favorite candies.

Happy Halloween!

—Lexi Foster, Assistant Managing Editor, Stance

The Perfect Autumn Breakfast

The Perfect Autumn Breakfast

Autumn is finally here! One telltale sign is the pumpkins that are everywhere—outside buildings and inside food. Pumpkins are great for dinner, snacks, and even for breakfast—the best meal of the day in my opinion. Bring a little bit of autumn into your mornings with 

Halloween Cruises!

Halloween Cruises!

There are many fun Halloween activities to do in Provo. However, one of the lesser known activities is the Halloween Cruise put on by the CLAS Ropes Course. For only $8 per person, you can take a 20-minute tour down the Provo River surrounded by 

Unapologetic

Unapologetic

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“Honestly, I just love how you…you…” –I couldn’t quite think of what it was—“ you live so unapologetically. Yes, you are so unapologetically yourself.” I didn’t realize it was this, all along, that had drawn me to one of my best friends. We were sitting in my kitchen, all of us girls, chatting about boys. Invariably, the conversation had led to us to one of those chick-flick worthy heart-to-hearts, building each other up after a confusing day with our crushes. I remembered the first time I had met this friend, the one who lived unapologetically. I had been somewhat skeptical of her bubbliness and kindness and ability to open up people so swiftly and easily. I learned very quickly this was no façade, but just an incredible, high-spirited girl.

And it was true; she was unapologetically herself. People couldn’t help but gravitate towards her confidence and sincerity. Yet, I couldn’t help but be skeptical of the idea. Live unapologetically? I mean, it’s a nice idea, but I have flaws—imperfections— parts of me others might find rather annoying. From what I understood, to live unapologetically meant to embrace all of those things. All throughout childhood I was told to be aware of my shortcomings, change my bad habits, and become a better person, which ultimately meant abandoning the person I am now and striving to be another. How could I truly embrace myself if “myself” was always in a working state of change?

It didn’t help that saying sorry was a bad habit of mine. It was like one of those automatic responses people give even when it doesn’t make sense, like when someone says “Happy birthday!” and the other responds “You too.” I apologized for everything: in the middle of conversations when I felt like I was talking to much, when I tripped up the stairs (when no one was there), and even when people complimented me. I was the epitome of living apologetically, and though I wasn’t happy, I still wasn’t satisfied with the idea of fully embracing myself—imperfections and all—quite yet.

I couldn’t quite understand this concept until the understanding of my identity—true identity—shifted. To live unapologetically means to embrace our truest selves, and we are, in the truest sense, sons and daughters of God with a divine nature and divine potential. We are not our imperfections, nor are we our mistakes. We are defined by our ability to change. We are a work in progress, and we need not apologize for this fact.

Jessica Olsen, Editor, Stance

10 DIY Halloween Decorations

10 DIY Halloween Decorations

With Halloween peeking right around the corner, why not get yourself ready with some fun Halloween decorations? Whether you like the homey and welcoming decorations or the more spooky ones, there are hundreds of simple and creative ways to bring the Halloween spirit into your