Introduction

Hello my Internet friends! I know this blog is just one of many in the blogsphere, but it is MY blog and it is the only way, as a stay-at-home mom of 4 crazy kiddos, to maintain my sanity and sense of self. Choose to read it or don't. For now, I write this blog solely for myself.

For those that ARE reading (covertly or otherwise), allow me to explain a few things about my blog:

First, the name of my blog: I Am 8 Cows. Many of you may know the story of Johnny Lingo and his eight cow wife. For those of you that don't, there are many renditions on the Internet, but my favorite is published as a video here.

My husband believes that I am an eight cow wife, if not ten or more. I repeatedly wish that I believed that as firmly as he does. This blog will, hopefully, track my progression in becoming the wife, mother, and woman that he believes me to be. Don't get me wrong, I know I have the potential to be of great worth, but I do not believe that I am there yet. Blame it on self-doubt, blame it on low self-esteem, blame it on whatever you choose. I choose to believe that I am just starting to recognize my potential and am just starting my journey to fulfill it.

Second, I might as well get it out in the open now, since it is bound to come up in subsequent posts) I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (better known as a "Mormon" although I do not care for that term as it is not accurate). I am not ashamed of my religion or my beliefs. I have come a very long way in acquiring my testimony and am still growing and learning. My religion is a large part of my life and family, so it stands to reason that it will reflect in my posts. I hope to get it out of the way now for those of you who choose to not read this blog due to my beliefs. Also, I'd like to get out a disclaimer that, although I thoroughly appreciate other people's beliefs and respect their agency, I will not tolerate attacks on my beliefs (nor those against anyone who include their beliefs in their comments). Such comments will be deleted.

Finally, some of you may have noticed that the pictures of my family on the sidebar are accompanied by some unsual names. Perhaps you have realized that they are names of Star Trek characters. Perhaps not. Regardless, there are a number of reasons for this. One, I am all for protecting the identity of my children from people who do not know my family personally (no offense to my readers). Two, I always disliked the "dh, dd, ds" abbreviations most people use. And three, I am a HUGE Star Trek fan (yes, I have dressed up as characters for Halloween and other occasions, and yes, I wanted to get married on the bridge of the Enterprise in Vegas). Besides, my kids have a lot in common with the characters I chose to name them after :)

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