This week a few of my friends have posted lists of facts about themselves on their blogs. I already posted something like this two years ago but I thought an update might be fun--plus I love lists!
1. I am in the middle of a "Facebook Fast." I deactivated my account last week to help me overcome my total lack of time management skills. I might login again someday but for now I need a break from it. (Honestly, this is probably why I am even writing this blog post. I haven't sent my random thoughts out into cyberspace for over a week--I think I'm going through withdrawal!)
2. I can only think of one occasion in the past seven months when I have traveled by car and not been the driver.
3. I think frozen TV dinners are just glorified leftovers
4. I hate leftovers.
5. I met my husband on a street corner in Korea.
6. I love to drink Dr Pepper with fresh limes in it.
7. I rarely watch TV (well, at least TV intended for grown ups) but I always catch "Community" on Hulu.
8. I haven't had a cheeseburger in over three weeks (sadly, this is a big deal).
9. I got a Sleep Number bed for my birthday last year and I rarely have insomnia anymore. (Getting up in the middle of the night with a toddler. . .now, that's another story)
10. I love to cook.
11. I haven't updated the music on my iPod for three years.
12. I am a "regular" at the rec center track three mornings a week. My baby is very popular with the senior citizens.
13. I have been a primary chorister for almost 2 years. It's my favorite calling ever.
14. I have a love/hate relationship with the Army.
15. I don't like winter. . .at all.
16. Roller coasters make me sick.
17. I have never worked a cash register.
18. My favorite movie is The Incredibles.
19. I have a serious phobia of hitting deer while I'm driving--which makes the road trip I took to Phoenix with my kids last fall pretty much the scariest thing I've ever done.
20. I'm also a little scared of canning. (I can't quite come to terms with the whole "do it wrong and you could kill your family" thing.)
21. I may never have long hair again.
22. I am a very bad tooth fairy.
23. I have no interest in college sports. (I really don't care if Utah beats BYU!)
24. I'm not very good at being patient even though I have been given LOTS of opportunities to practice.
25. It's time for me to stop procrastinating and just go do the dang dishes!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
I'm Thankful For. . .
1. The innocent mischief of a clever one-year-old
2. A healthy body--I can't run fast but I CAN run (when I decide I want to anyway)
3. Children who are thriving despite all of my shortcomings
4. True friends, old and new
5. Living within our means
6. Webcams, email and all the other modern conveniences that keep me connected to what matters most
7. Eternal perspective
8. My own goodly parents
9. A warm home to protect us from the literal and figurative storms that rage
10. Faith, Hope and Charity
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
2. A healthy body--I can't run fast but I CAN run (when I decide I want to anyway)
3. Children who are thriving despite all of my shortcomings
4. True friends, old and new
5. Living within our means
6. Webcams, email and all the other modern conveniences that keep me connected to what matters most
7. Eternal perspective
8. My own goodly parents
9. A warm home to protect us from the literal and figurative storms that rage
10. Faith, Hope and Charity
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Mourning With Those that Mourn
Lately I've been thinking a lot about Alma's counsel to "mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. . ."
In the past few days I have attended two funerals and met a man who lost his son in combat in Afghanistan just a few weeks ago.
One funeral was for the father of a close friend who had been in poor health for many years and unexpectedly passed away. This is the fourth immediate family member that my sweet friend has lost in less than ten years. I don't know her family very well and debated whether or not I should even attend the service, but Alma's words continued to come to my mind and I remembered that funerals are about bringing comfort and peace to the living. So I went and I'm very glad I did. In learning about this humble faithful man I was able to understand and love my friend even more.
The second funeral was for a remarkable young man from an amazing family that I have known for many years. This sweet brother had been severely disabled since birth and had never learned to walk or talk, yet he leaves an incredible legacy of love and faith with everyone who has ever known him. I felt very blessed to be able give a smile and a hug to his family members and feel of their love for him and their faith in his eternal purpose.
Talking to the father of a fallen hero was probably the most difficult of all. I was at a complete loss for words. All I could do was look him in the eyes and say, "Thank you." I was filled with so much gratitude for the sacrifice his family has made and for their faithful example as they carry on without their beloved soldier.
As I have pondered these experiences I have come to understand something about Alma's words that I didn't know before: Mourning with those who mourn is not an obligation it is a privilege.
In the past few days I have attended two funerals and met a man who lost his son in combat in Afghanistan just a few weeks ago.
One funeral was for the father of a close friend who had been in poor health for many years and unexpectedly passed away. This is the fourth immediate family member that my sweet friend has lost in less than ten years. I don't know her family very well and debated whether or not I should even attend the service, but Alma's words continued to come to my mind and I remembered that funerals are about bringing comfort and peace to the living. So I went and I'm very glad I did. In learning about this humble faithful man I was able to understand and love my friend even more.
The second funeral was for a remarkable young man from an amazing family that I have known for many years. This sweet brother had been severely disabled since birth and had never learned to walk or talk, yet he leaves an incredible legacy of love and faith with everyone who has ever known him. I felt very blessed to be able give a smile and a hug to his family members and feel of their love for him and their faith in his eternal purpose.
Talking to the father of a fallen hero was probably the most difficult of all. I was at a complete loss for words. All I could do was look him in the eyes and say, "Thank you." I was filled with so much gratitude for the sacrifice his family has made and for their faithful example as they carry on without their beloved soldier.
As I have pondered these experiences I have come to understand something about Alma's words that I didn't know before: Mourning with those who mourn is not an obligation it is a privilege.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
A Few Thoughts I Have Had Recently That I Could Never Actually Say Out Loud. . .
1. By the looks of that grocery cart you're having simple carbs with a side of trans fat for dinner.
2. If your daily status updates on Facebook are always about what's happening on your favorite reality TV shows, you need to reevaluate your priorities.
3. I told you so.
4. Did you sue your tattoo artist for that mess on your back?--because you should.
5. Please don't complain to me about how much your husband has to travel for work.
6. You do know that Robert Pattinson isn't really Edward Cullen, right?
7. I completely disagree with you but I'm not going to tell you that.
8. I am such a freaking dork!!
9. Dude, those soccer players that you are maniacally yelling at are eight-year-old girls. Calm the heck down!
10. Are you serious with that outfit?
2. If your daily status updates on Facebook are always about what's happening on your favorite reality TV shows, you need to reevaluate your priorities.
3. I told you so.
4. Did you sue your tattoo artist for that mess on your back?--because you should.
5. Please don't complain to me about how much your husband has to travel for work.
6. You do know that Robert Pattinson isn't really Edward Cullen, right?
7. I completely disagree with you but I'm not going to tell you that.
8. I am such a freaking dork!!
9. Dude, those soccer players that you are maniacally yelling at are eight-year-old girls. Calm the heck down!
10. Are you serious with that outfit?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The 5K
Let me just start by saying that I live in pretty much the greatest ward there is.
Our bishop firmly believes in the need to "do hard things." At the beginning of the year we were challenged to read the Book of Mormon before April General Conference. He called it the "Ironman" challenge because reading the entire Book of Mormon in that short amount of time is not an easy undertaking. After that spiritual challenge was complete he challenged us to something physical--a 5K race.
So for the past several months our ward has been working together to prepare ourselves to be up to the challenge. There have been classes on training and nutrition, groups of walkers and runners meeting to workout together, and a fireside focusing on the spiritual nature of running this race of life. It has been inspiring and motivating and unifying for our ward.
This morning was the race.
Now I admit I wasn't as prepared as I could have been, but I knew at the very least I could walk it without too much trouble, having already done a 5K earlier in the summer. And I actually ended up running more than I thought I would.
But in the end the value of the experience wasn't even about the running. It was great to be part of something bigger than me--a goal we have all had together and now we were seeing come to pass. It was sweet to see people of all ages pushing themselves to do something difficult. I heard cheers of encouragement and laughter. I felt an immense measure of joy to be out with friends on a crisp fall morning enjoying this beautiful world the Lord has given us.
I don't even know who finished first and it doesn't even matter. We all won today.
Our bishop firmly believes in the need to "do hard things." At the beginning of the year we were challenged to read the Book of Mormon before April General Conference. He called it the "Ironman" challenge because reading the entire Book of Mormon in that short amount of time is not an easy undertaking. After that spiritual challenge was complete he challenged us to something physical--a 5K race.
So for the past several months our ward has been working together to prepare ourselves to be up to the challenge. There have been classes on training and nutrition, groups of walkers and runners meeting to workout together, and a fireside focusing on the spiritual nature of running this race of life. It has been inspiring and motivating and unifying for our ward.
This morning was the race.
Now I admit I wasn't as prepared as I could have been, but I knew at the very least I could walk it without too much trouble, having already done a 5K earlier in the summer. And I actually ended up running more than I thought I would.
But in the end the value of the experience wasn't even about the running. It was great to be part of something bigger than me--a goal we have all had together and now we were seeing come to pass. It was sweet to see people of all ages pushing themselves to do something difficult. I heard cheers of encouragement and laughter. I felt an immense measure of joy to be out with friends on a crisp fall morning enjoying this beautiful world the Lord has given us.
I don't even know who finished first and it doesn't even matter. We all won today.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Pancake Epiphany
I made pancakes for dinner today. (Yes, I make pancakes for Sunday dinner. I do it all the time. It's supposed to be a day of rest, you know. Having pancakes is actually a good day. Some Sundays we all just kind of forage around in the refrigerator.) We were almost out of Bisquick so I made them from scratch, which honestly only takes about three minutes longer than making them from a mix.
As I was cooking I was reminded of that Pepto Bismal commercial that came out a few years ago where the kids surprise their parents with breakfast in bed. The mom says, "What's this?" to which the kids joyfully reply, "Pancakes!" The dad digs in as the mom whispers, "We don't have the stuff to make pancakes." (I guess the implication is that dad will now need a dose of Pepto after his mystery breakfast.)
So today as I mixed flour and baking powder with a bit of milk and egg and such, I was struck with the thought--Who in the world does NOT have the stuff to make pancakes?! They are made from the most basic of pantry essentials. Even if I don't have milk or eggs in the fridge I always have those things in powdered form in my basement. I also have two cases of maple syrup that I got at the Lindon cannery. I always have the stuff to make pancakes.
I guess that's the beauty of provident living. That come what may--whether it be spontaneous breakfast in bed or a major natural disaster--at the very least, we can have pancakes.
And that is a very reassuring thought.
As I was cooking I was reminded of that Pepto Bismal commercial that came out a few years ago where the kids surprise their parents with breakfast in bed. The mom says, "What's this?" to which the kids joyfully reply, "Pancakes!" The dad digs in as the mom whispers, "We don't have the stuff to make pancakes." (I guess the implication is that dad will now need a dose of Pepto after his mystery breakfast.)
So today as I mixed flour and baking powder with a bit of milk and egg and such, I was struck with the thought--Who in the world does NOT have the stuff to make pancakes?! They are made from the most basic of pantry essentials. Even if I don't have milk or eggs in the fridge I always have those things in powdered form in my basement. I also have two cases of maple syrup that I got at the Lindon cannery. I always have the stuff to make pancakes.
I guess that's the beauty of provident living. That come what may--whether it be spontaneous breakfast in bed or a major natural disaster--at the very least, we can have pancakes.
And that is a very reassuring thought.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A Perfect Day
My sweet baby daughter is already EIGHT years old. I can hardly believe it!
Saturday she was baptized and we couldn't have hoped for a more perfect day.
We were lucky enough to be able to baptize her in my brother's ward so that she could share her special day with her cousin who is just a few weeks younger than she is. In their ward the families of the children being baptized are able to plan the service, and since my nephew was the only child from their ward being baptized that day, we could plan the meeting ourselves and make it very personal. The speakers were all the grandparents and the young family members--including the two being baptized--provided the musical number.
Imagine seeing your only daughter dressed all in white standing up in front of every one singing:
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
Yes, I bawled like a baby.
I am so proud of my little girl--who she is and who she is becoming.
Saturday she was baptized and we couldn't have hoped for a more perfect day.
We were lucky enough to be able to baptize her in my brother's ward so that she could share her special day with her cousin who is just a few weeks younger than she is. In their ward the families of the children being baptized are able to plan the service, and since my nephew was the only child from their ward being baptized that day, we could plan the meeting ourselves and make it very personal. The speakers were all the grandparents and the young family members--including the two being baptized--provided the musical number.
Imagine seeing your only daughter dressed all in white standing up in front of every one singing:
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
Yes, I bawled like a baby.
I am so proud of my little girl--who she is and who she is becoming.
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