We all have our own priorities. Growing up, it was important to me not to drink or smoke. I have never smoked a cigarette. Ever. It hasn't been hard to abstain, because I'm not a big fan of cancer.

Throughout high school and college, I only drank once. I was 16. I told my bishop, he said it was no big deal, just don't do it again. And I didn't. I think that's pretty cool that I did what I set out to do, but it surprises me a little.

What I didn't give a flying flip about was swearing. Which is weird because in many ways I was a hard core mormon. I didn't swear in every day conversation all that often, but I told three of my teachers off (every member a missionary), I swore when I was upset, I swore when I was mad at my sister or my brothers. I had good friends who were sisters who would get into fights and they'd say stuff to each like, "Jerk!" or "You make me so mad!" And, I'd think what is that?? You aren't mad if you don't swear. Now, that I think about it, "jerk" is a lot more appropriate for a 14 year old than "You f-ing be-otch" but my siblings and I had some anger issues, I guess.

I broke myself of swearing while I was at BYU. Whenever I'd hear other people swear, it just seemed so common. Swearing is supposed to pack a big punch, but it's used so often, it usually doesn't. Most the time it's just tired. If you use real language, you'll usually come closer to what you really meant. Although, there are exceptions (and, at the end of the day "follow your heart. That's what I do." )

I rarely swear now, and when I do it's generally because of a computer malfunction. If I read a book that has a good amount of swearing in it, I'll find myself swearing in my head for awhile. Which is odd, it's a response almost outside of my control. Everytime I re-read Catcher in the Rye, I get this sarcastic, swearing monologue going on in my head about the most mundane things.

My husband and I still use words like suck, crap, and the occasional ass will slip out. Our girls do not approve.

A few weeks ago, Lillie was reading a story about a ship. She had to sound out ship, so she says sh-ih- And, then she stops. "Mom, that sounds like the S-word." I laughed. "I know, honey, but it's not. It's okay." Then, I thought for second. "Where did you hear that word?" She said, "You said it." Oh no, I think. But then, I think again. So, I say, "Whisper the word in my ear." After a little coaxing, she whispers in my ear: Shush.

I simply cannot convince her that this word is actually okay.