LOVE THE FALL!

So much has happened since I last blogged. BYU won their Homecoming game since Ken and I went! (of course that's why :)!) Life is still really crazy but I'm learning to deal with being in "panic" mode! :) I'm so excited for the holidays but that means that when they come EVERYTHING is also due for school! Ahhhhhhh! ok, ok, ---deep breaths---in-out-in-out--
See? Panic mode but I handled it soooo well! :)-------------------------------
Jamie, Jess, and I put on the 1st Annual Nielsen Halloween Party on the 29th of October. It was really fun but didn't go quite as we had planned. (whatever does?) With our family it doesn't really matter, we always have a great time. I think Jamie will blog some pictures so check out her site. I dressed as a pirate. Ken came as a pirate as well and looked great! Long flowing black locks a knife between his teeth, and a gold earring. Lookin good! He's such a good sport and it was his birthday too! We celebrated afterwards with cake and sang him Happy Birthday! Cory and Elisha's family came as The Incredibles and looked----incredible! Elisha did a great job with their masks painted on and Sadie had black hair! Kelly and Jen's family came as vampires and looked awesome! (When is the next Twilight movie coming out?) Jess and Mike came as Robin Hood and Maid Marion and totally nailed the look. Jake, Megan and Kaylee came as the Flintstones and looked so perfect! Complete with a bone in Kaylee's hair! How cute is that? Jamie and Chris were the Wizard of Oz characters. Dorothy's ruby red slipper was missing and we didn't find it til after the party! Mom and Danny came as entertainers and were dressed alike. They looked great! Good job everyone and thanks for making it so fun! On to Thanksgiving and Christmas! LOVE IT!!!!! I have the best family in the world and the Lord continues to bless me so much. Ken is wonderful to me and spoils me sooo much! NOT A PROBLEM! ha ha Love to ya'll and hope this season finds you happy and healthy!! We have so much to be grateful for! Happy day!!!
Thought for the day: You don't have to be crazy to work here. We'll train you! :)

78 Days to Christmas! :)

Well, that got your attention! ha ha I have been a slacker on posting and I shall repent again and try to do better. (I now totally understand the scripture 70x7) I want to try and hit some of the things that have happened since my last post.
Ken and I met Kiara and her husband and their friends in Salt Lake to see Lion King. All I can say is WOW it was awesome!
Had the chance to work in the Baptistery at the Provo Temple for my neighbor last Friday from 5:15am to 11:00am. It was a great experience!
We went over to Cory and Elisha's house for dinner and to play games on Oct 1st, the Friday before general conference. It was really fun.
Ken invited us( Jamie,Chris and the kids) over to his house for a great breakfast before General Conference on Saturday morning. I was stuffed between the eggs, bacon and pancakes, but what a way to start Conference! Thanks Ken!
AND CONFERENCE WAS WONDERFUL! If you want to know why, the Ensign will be coming out soon! :)
As far as school goes, I'm still very overwhelmed, but I have figured out that's what the MSW program is all about. Survival! I pray alot and appreciate those of you who are praying for me too!
Ken and I are going to the BYU Homecoming Spectacular tonight and to the Football game tomorrow! Talk about needing our prayers---I hope the game is at least CLOSE! :)
I hope everyone is doing well and I love ya'll! Happy Day!

Thought for the day: When you come to the edge of everything you know and are about to step into darkness, Faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid for you to stand on, or you will be taught to fly.

WHO THE HECK IS MURPHY????

I don't know if I want Murphy shot or if I should feel sorry for him. After all, he gets blamed for everything---
Why is it that.....

1. People don't tell you that the delicious salad you had for lunch, now resides as a hanging orniment on your front tooth?
2. There is no toilet paper in the only stall you choose, and you find out too late?
3. You always get asked a question just when you put food in your mouth?
4. Nobody tells you that your skirt is tucked in your wasteband, and you went to the bathroom over 2 hours ago!?
5. When your nose starts to run, there is never anything around to wipe it with but the sleeve of your clean shirt?
6. The root beer you drink makes you burp and since you "don't do that kind of thing", you look curiously at the person sitting next to you so everyone will think they did it?
7. Your hair only looks great when there is no place to go?
8. Your mind goes blank when you go to introduce your really good friend to someone?
9. The guy pulls out in front of you and goes really slow?
10. They are always out of the only thing you want on the menu?
11. The grocery line is always faster in the other lane and when you finally decide to switch lines, the lady in front of you needs a price check?
12. You have the time but no money or the money and no time?
13. When you go on vacation, your bowels do to!?
14. You finally decide to throw something away that you have kept around for years only to find that you need it within the week?
15. You can never find your cell phone until after it's stopped ringing?

IT'S CALLED MURPHY'S LAW! And he has a twisted sense of humor! Ahhhhh!

I'm glad I got that straightened out. I feel much better!! Happy Day!

Thought of the day: Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly. On a broomstick. We are flexible like that! :)

•Out of my mind. Back in five minutes !

School is---well, let me put it this way; suppose you were a dump truck and a bunch of front end loaders were all line up waiting to dump their loads in the bed of your truck? Hmmm sounding familiar? (Yes, a vision of 1-15 just came to mind...), anyway, they start to dump their loads. No problem right? Ummm, right if they give you a chance to take your load and dump it in the appropriate location before giving you another load. So the problem is that you have all these loads of dirt dumped in your bed, it starts to overflow and soon there is a HUGE pile of dirt where your little dump truck used to be. Poor,poor little dump truck! He is still there but, alas, you cannot see him under all that dirt! Ha Ha Ha I love that story! It is soooooo my life right now! :)
Last Saturday Chris and I went with Cory and his Scout group to hike up Timpanogos to the very top. I got to glacier lake and watched as Cory, Chris and Jeff (Cory's bishop) hiked to the top of the cliff up the glacier. It was a beautiful day! We started hiking at 7:30am and Cory, Chris and I got off the mountain at about 6:00pm. (The rest of the group was off by 7:30pm) Let's just say that I was dying on the way down. And of course Cory had a brilliant idea to shave off some time by going down a ravine that ended up having a cliff at the bottom. We were sure praying on the way out of that one. It's Cory! Why didn't I know better? :) We did survive without any broken bones, twisted ankles or DEATH! It was still a blast! Thanks for letting us go Cory!
Stake conference was this weekend and it was great! Jagger's blessing was at our house on Sunday and it was really nice. It was great to see everyone! I have THE cutest grand kids on the planet(and probably the ones with the most energy!)
I'm going to" LION KING" tomorrow and am so excited! I love the music and my dear friend Kiara and her wonderful husband stood in line months ago to get tickets. I had her get me a couple of tickets and I can't believe it's finally here! yay! Thanks Darwin and Kiara!
Happy day to ya'll and I hope all is going well! Look around you at the gorgeous place we live and enjoy the FALL!
Thought for the day: A bargain: something you cannot use at a price you cannot resist.

I LOVE THE FALL!

I love the crispness in the air, getting to wear boots and jackets, seeing the intense blue of the sky, seeing the leaves change, knowing that we are on the downhill slide to ALL of the fun holidays to come! YES I am a kid at heart! We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place!
I know that it's been awhile since I blogged but life has been very busy! I have managed to get up to Sundance and ride the lift (once during the full moon and it was beautiful). Sundance is my sanity lifeline! :) I started my Masters Program at BYU on the 30th. It's going to be intense but worth it! I have so much to do that I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and getting nowhere! I just have to take my own advice that some of you might recognize and eat this huge master elephant one bite at a time and try not to freak out. I have cried more in the last couple of weeks than I have for awhile but I needed it! And remember, fall is in the air--how bad can it be?
I was suppose to go to the first BYU football game but wasn't able to. Jamie, Chris, Hunter, Skyla, Jagger, me and a couple from our ward went over to the Hendrix house and watched the game. Jamie painted all of our faces, we had hot dogs, chips, cookies and a great time! And of course WE WON! Yay! On Labor Day I went to the Sheepdog Trial Championship's at Soldier Hollow. I had no idea what to expect, but it was really fun. It was beautiful and the day ended with a steak dinner at Ruby River. Doesn't get much better than that! Yesterday was back to reality and school. As usual life is crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way. Hope everyone is doing well and I love ya'll! Welcome to Fall! :) Happy Day!
Thought for the day: The handle on your recliner does not qualify as an exercise machine.

Week in Review

Last week I had the opportunity to be a hostess at education week and it was a great experience. I met some wonderful people and learned a lot! I can't believe that school starts this week for most everyone. I have several meetings for my program at BYU this week and then classes begin next Monday. I can't believe that it's finally here! I have been invited to the first BYU football game the weekend of Labor Day and I'm excited to go. The last time I went to a BYU football game was 34 years ago, can you believe it? Wow! I was a freshman at BYU while waiting for Jeff on his mission. And now coming back as a graduate student seems pretty surreal.
On Saturday, I went with Chris, Jamie and the kids to the Utah County Fair. It was fun to walk around but the absolute FUNNEST(ummm,is that a word?) part was going on the Zipper with Chris. I LOVE crazy rides and we were the only ones on the ride so we got to ride a lot longer than usual. I was laughing so hard that my stomach hurt by the end, but it was a definite adreneline rush!!
Jess flies in tomorrow and I'm so excited to see her! She will be officially back in God's country! And remember everyone to look up on Monday and Tuesday nights because it's the full moon! Fall is around the corner---yay!!! I love ya'll and HAPPY DAY!
Thought for the day: Pain is inevitable, misery is optional.

Grateful

I am so grateful that this week is over and SO grateful that I am feeling much better. I don't know what it was that I had, but it has taken until now to feel almost normal. I still don't have the energy level that I had but I am craving chocolate and junk food once again. Yay! :)After being in bed Monday and Tues., I thought that I would be ok. On Wednesday around noon, I decided to go get some errands taken care of. After going to only 3 places in Spanish Fork (one of which I didn't even need to get out of the truck), I was seeing stars! Now I love stars, but it is usually confined to the NIGHT time so I figured that maybe I needed to go home and back to bed. Wow-good times! I had a wedding that I really wanted to attend at the Mt.Timp Temple on Friday and I was able to go. I took mom home to Salt Lake afterwards and was pretty worn out by the time I got back. Went to see EAT,PRAY,LOVE that night and it felt like the longest movie ever. I wasn't a fan. There were some great quotes in it and good object lessons, but too slow for a movie. Saturday I had an orientation at BYU for education week. I am going to be a hostess from Tues-Friday during the morning, and we had to pick up our badges and get our assignments. I will be hostessing in the Harris Fine Arts Building from 8 to noon. It will be fun. Met Jamie, Jenna and JJ at Los Hermonos afterwards and ate and visited for 3 hours afterwards. It was so good to see them and visit. They are so fun and awesome!!! I am going to try to just relax and enjoy the time I have left before the start of school again. And I will be especially grateful for my health! Thanks to everyone who has been concerned and asked how I was. Love to you all and happy day!
Thought for the day: In case of dissension, never dare to judge until you have heard the other side.

You know I'm sick when.....

You know I'm sick when chocolate and junk food don't sound good and I'm not eating!
As you know, I usually get up about 4:30 Monday through Friday to be at school to work out at 6:00am. I got up Monday and went to school and as my workout progressed, I started feeling sick. The water I drank was making me feel queasy.(ok,so I really don't like water on a good day, but this was different.) By the time I was done riding the stationary bike(which I can only get through by watching reruns of "so you think you can dance), I was ready to throw up. I went in to the locker room and laid down on the floor for awhile and then changed. I was going to go to the mall to exchange something before going to my Stats class at BYU to go over my final, and let's just say that I barely got out of the mall without passing out.The one day that I REALLY needed to be to my Stats class and I was racing home so I wouldn't either throw up or pass out.( neither of which is a good option!) So I laid in bed all day Monday and Tuesday. I got a blessing on Tuesday and a lecture from Jamie about the fact that I need more than 4 or 5 hours sleep. This morning I got up thinking that I felt much better and could go on with life as usual. Wrong! I'm so weak that it took all my energy to shower and it's kind of hard to get dressed sitting down! Maybe this is another lesson in patience and not taking things for granted. Really? Man, am I not getting it or what? Ok, I get that I might need to rethink my strategy. My BYU program starts on the 30th , so my schedule will be altered anyway and I shall be a good girl and get more sleep. Being sick really makes you appreciate how great it is to feel----well--great! I shall appreciate it more.
Just got word last night that Mandy had her beautiful baby girl! Congratulations! We love you!
Happy day!
Thought for the day: In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle stand like a rock.

Statistically Speaking...

Did I really just SAY that? My mind has been on overload since I started Stats! And the people who have encouraged me by telling me that I will get it eventually are the same people who told me that if I drank water long enough I would end up loving it. NOT! I took my Stats final on Monday after much studying, crying and throwing things,(ok, so I didn't throw things but I sure FELT like it! And DON"T tell me I'm being dramatic. I don't know of any dramatic people in my entire family!ha ha) I was asked by several people how the test went. Let's just say that it could have been worse. It could have been in TWO foreign languages instead of ONE. Sigh---- I'm just really tired of feeling stupid because of stats! I told my professor I am going to get it if it kills me. And it just might! Sorry, I just about crossed over into my "whining mode" and I said that I was done with that. :) I have met some great people who are in my Masters program and I'm excited to get started on the 30th. Time is flying. I am so grateful to my wonderful family and friends who have been so supportive! I love you! Happy Day
Thought for the day: You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.

Cheese with my "Whine"!

I haven't kept up very well with my "journal" blog so I'm going back and try to remember some of the things that have happened. First and most exciting is that Jamie had her baby boy on Monday the 26th of July! He is a doll and it looks like Jagger Mikel will be is name. Mom and baby are doing great!
Last week was a whining week for me. The prior Sat. I went with Kelly and his family, Chris and Hunter(Skyla was sick so Jamie stayed home with her), boating on Utah Lake. We had such a fun time! I have never gotten up on a boogie board, but hey, I work out and maybe this time? Wrong! I ended up pulling a chest muscle on my left side and that was the end of that. It hurt to breath and I'm pretty sure you can't get along to well without breathing!Really? Wow, I am sooooo glad I exercise every day so I don't hurt myself!!! Ahhhhhh! Yes, that started the whining! By Monday I couldn't do my upper body exercises, it was hard to walk across BYU campus with my bag of books, and my professor of Statistics(you remember stats? my absolute favorite subject in the world? NOT!) proceeded to tell us that there were several people that were kicked out of the program because they couldn't pass Statistics and Research so we needed to take it more seriously! How much more serious can you get than a stack full of 3x5 cards with hundreds of formula's and crazy information that I still don't "get?!" Needless to say, I had a mini breakdown that day. I would have had a MAJOR FULL BLOWN breakdown but I didn't have time. You know why? I had to study for Statistics that's why!!!! (I do have a breakdown scheduled for my next school break.) Then on Tuesday, I pulled a groin muscle on my right leg during my morning exercise routine and by the time class was out at BYU I was limping SLOWLY across campus. Are you KIDDING me? Maybe this is why some people don't exercise. You can get HURT! Well at least my chest muscle pull faded in the background of my new pain! Awesome! By Wednesday morning I was hurting so bad that I took a pain pill that made me sooo sick that I ended up skipping my BYU class and going home to die! I spent the day in bed. Life is good? :/
I went to the rodeo with Kelly's family on Thursday and it was so fun! Beautiful night and an almost full moon! Love the moon! Saturday morning I went with Jamie to take Jake, Megan and Kaylee's family pictures at Salem Pond. They turned out sooo cute. Of course-great subject matter! That night everybody came over (except Elisha who was doing Cherries and Jess and Mike who are still in Texas) and we had a BBQ and stayed up to watch the Fiesta Days Fire Works in the back yard. We had a really great time. By Sunday I was feeling much better and I took my motorcycle for a ride. I went and visited with my friend for awhile and by the time I went to leave, the battery was dead. My friend offered to put my motorcycle by his garage and take me home but I was determined to get it started. Of course I had to kick start it with the leg with the pulled muscle. Can things get ANY better? ha ha I did manage to get it started and get home ok. And I did decide that my week of whining was over! Besides----nobody cares! Seriously, when you see someone and ask, "how are you today?", do you REALLY want to know? Just say great and be done with it. Save the whining for your family. They probably don't want to hear it either, but they have to listen cause they are related! Happy day to ya'll!

Thumbs Up!

Ok, so you can call me a sap or a romantic (both of which are true), but I really love the "Twilight" series! I have to blame my daughter in law, Jen, for this. When everyone was busy reading the "Twilight series" and in a lather about the first movie, I was being a good little student at school. I knew better than to start reading any books that weren't school books because I have no self control when it comes to reading and I read a book until I'm finished. Beside, a story about a vampire--really? So I was over watching the kids while Kelly and Jen were at a baseball game and after the kids went to bed, I spotted it! The book, right there in plain sight and beckoning me to pick it up.( I wonder if Jen did that on purpose? hmmm) Anyway, I thought I would just skim over it and that's all it took. I was hooked and had the entire series read in no time! Loved it! Let me explain what is so appealing to me about the series for those of you who think I'm crazy or don't have a romantic bone in your body!!!!
1. How awesome would it be to have someone who was willing to do whatever it took to be with you? ( and Bella has two! So it's a vampire and werewolf! details details!)
2.A guy who has such self control. Keeping passions in check so he doesn't hurt her? Way hot!
3.A guy with enough moral integrity to want to wait to be intimate until AFTER they are married. Now that's unusual in this day and age!
4. An entire vampire family who want to be better than their kind and natural instinct. They crave human blood but drink animal blood instead. (so would that be like craving chocolate and having to have a carrot?! whoaaa! )
And the list goes on. So here comes the "soapbox" that I get on from time to time--ok, more than that!:)
When we know what we are suppose to do, we should be willing to do whatever it takes to do it! We will hit roadblocks and stumble, but it will be worth it in the end! I think that the major thing we are suppose to learn in this life is self control. We live in a world where we are spoiled beyond belief and have instant everything! We want to do or have things that are not good for us or can hurt us, and we need to develop the self control to do the right thing and the wisdom to know the difference. Time is precious! We never know what tomorrow will bring. Every day that goes by is one more day that you won't ever get back to spend with your loved ones or be doing what you need to do. Don't procrastinate living, loving, or having joy now! Happy Day!
Thought for the day: Never mistake motion for action!

Can you hear me now?

I'm busy! What a great tool for the adversary! We are so busy in our lives that we often complain that there isn't enough time to get everything done. Are we confusing being busy with being productive? Is busyness a way we run away from what is really important and what we really should be doing? I have thought a lot about this lately in my own life. I was talking with Elisha awhile ago about a sharing time she was doing in Primary on the subject of the Holy Ghost. As a demonstration, she had a boy come up to the front of the room. She asked him to remove his shoes and socks. She had some obstacles on the floor between her and the boy. She then blindfolded him and put some thumbtacks on the floor between them and told him that she would guide him safely to her and to listen carefully to her voice. Then she told all the other children in the room to talk and make noise to try and distract the boy from hearing her voice. What an effective object lesson for all of us! Sometimes we need to slow down, turn off the electronic devices, and listen. We can't hear answers to our prayers or feel the spirit when we are too busy to listen! In the scriptures it says,"Be Still And Know That I Am God." I now understand what that means for me.
Thought for the day: I'm so busy...I don't know if I found a rope or lost my horse!
Happy Day!

Lost and Found

I have been a slacker and not updated my blog for awhile. I must say that my last post was not very uplifting but it was reality. I have since come out of my funk and I think my family has breathed a sigh of relief(as have I). I started BYU last Monday and figured I was in trouble when the professor handed out a 30 question paper on the things we should already know about research methods and statistics. Is it a problem that I only know 2? hmmmm Hence the reason for taking the course!!! I still go to UVU to work out in the mornings(maybe because it has been my home for 3 1/2 years and someone needs to kick me out!), and then I'm at BYU Monday through Thursday from 1 to 4. Fridays are help days, so I will probably be there on Fridays too! My new journey begins! :) Thanks for your support and prayers. I really appreciate it. Love to ya'll and Happy Day!''
Thought for the Day: When we change the input into our minds, we change the output into our lives!

Has Anybody Seen---well, ME?

I know that sounds kind of corny but it's true. If you were to ask anyone who has been around me the last 2-3 weeks, they would say that I have been sort of --off. I had a fabulous time in Florida, but since I've been home, I've struggled quite a bit. As any good therapist would, I have looked back on what has been going on and I have come up with several factors:
1. Memorial Day (need I say more?)
2.My Anniversary (would have been 33 years)
3.Dealing with my mom's "stuff". Lawyers, police, craziness, untruths, dates, times, mom's emotions, frustrations, moving her in with me for several weeks until we moved her to an apartment, etc. She is finally in her own place as of last Saturday and doing very well. I love you mom!
4.The sudden screech to a halt of being crazy busy at school for 3 1/2 years and then graduating and not having a schedule.
5. There is a #5, but I won't blog about it.
So, now what? I realize that life is full of ups and downs and my personality is definitely lived in the "up" side, so to be knocked down and struggling to get up is tough. But I do know where to turn for help and I know that the Lord is blessing me to hang on until I can find my balance again. It's interesting because I have experienced the tender mercies of the Lord that is talked about in Mosiah 24:15(B of M). The Lord strengthened Alma and his brethren to be able to bear their burdens, he did NOT take their burdens away. Although it would be nice to have the Lord take away my struggles, I realize that the lessons I am to learn from my struggles can only be learned by experiencing them and dealing with them. So I will hang on and know that I will be ok. To those of you who have to deal with me(bummer for you), I hope you can hang in there as well and know that the positive and happy me is hopefully just around the corner! I do know that life is good and I am very blessed! I love you all and am grateful for the love and support that you are to me! Happy Day!

Expand Your Sandbox

What do yachts, sandboxes, Heather Locklear, therapy, and lookin good in blue jeans all have in common? My flight home from Florida! I really wanted to make sure that I finished up my fabulous trip commentary so I don't forget.(Blogging is my way of keeping a journal) On my flight from Florida to Georgia, I was engaged in a conversation with a man who was retired Military and goes to the Florida Keys to run around in his yacht.(Do I smell money? ha ha!) Anyway, I think after finding out I'm just a simple Mormon girl from Utah who hasn't traveled around the world like he has, he told me I needed to expand my sandbox! (And I think he wanted to join me in the expansion! whoa!(I started humming a hymn while I experienced what I will politely call a "hot Flash") :) All of this happened before I even got on the plane! Then I ended up sitting by the window and the isle seat was already occupied so I apologized as I told the older gentleman thatI needed to get into the window seat. He had quite the sense of humor and told me no. I teased him that I would crawl over him if he didn't let me in and lets just say he really liked that idea! ha ha He made a comment that he wouldn't tell his wife! :) The man that ended up sitting in the middle seat between us was a 24 year old Delta Pilot and we all three had a nice conversation and teased the whole way. When we landed, the man in the isle seat(can't remember his name-surprise) snapped his fingers and said, "Hey, I know who you remind me of! Heather Locklear! Wow, I think the old guy needs glasses but Jeff would have loved that since he LOVED Heather Locklear!
When we landed in Salt Lake, a very nice looking guy followed me to the baggage claim and started a conversation with me. He knew that I was a grandma since he overheard me talking to Hunter on the phone. He said he noticed me when I was walking out of the plane and that I looked good in my jeans! What exactly do you say to that? Ummm! We talked about my work with Pornography addictions and Social Networking problems and he told me he had been divorced for 4 years because his wife had found someone over the Internet. How sad! We visited for quite awhile and talked about LDS beliefs when he asked if I was a Mormon. He was from Florida and here on business with Hill Air Force Base. Super nice guy! So my last day was quite interesting. So grateful to have been able to go and ready to go back! Happy day!

Lazy Daze of Summer-in Florida

Sunday was a great day. Tom gave both Gayle and I cards for Mother's Day to go along with our roses! After church we went to Dee's house for a delicious Mother's Day dinner and they sure know how to put on a fabulous dinner!
Monday we went to Daytona Beach and had a lazy day in the sun. It was great! The wind was blowing pretty good but it kept it from getting too hot. Gayle rented us two beach chairs complete with umbrella and table. We took munchies and got some refreshing lemonade from the stand on the beach. We also took a walk along the beach just like in the movies. I must add that there is some apparel that certain beach bodies should NOT be allowed to wear! Whoa!!! Ok, so it's kind of entertaining! :) Later that night we went to the Wilderness area of Disney World where they had a Family Home Evening BBQ for the kids in the ward. It was a beautiful night and the food was great! We drove over with Dee and John(1st counselor) and on the way home we stopped at this cute place that is shaped like an ice cream cone for well---ice cream. Oh my gosh it was soooooo good! Yes, I took my sweet tooth to Florida and it was well taken care of! :) What a fabulous trip! It was a blast! Happy Day!! :)

Spoiled Rotten---and Loving It!!!!!

Yesterday Gayle had a stake meeting and Tom was at work so I took it easy and read for awhile. In the afternoon after Gayle got home, Tom came in with 2 DOZEN beautiful roses, one dozen for each of us! How sweet is that? He took us out to dinner at the Macaroni Grill where we had fabulous food and then to the Stake Center to watch the baptism of a new convert. It was a really neat experience. THEN when we got back to the house, Gayle lent me her leather jacket and boots and Tom took me on a HARLEY RIDE!!! Oh my gosh how fun! That bike has awesome power and sounds as good as it rides! Can you imagine riding the roads of Florida, at my favorite time of the day(early evening), on the back of a HARLEY?! It was incredible!! I can't even begin to describe it. I've been accused of being an adrenaline junkie before and I think it might be true! :) It was dark when Gayle met us in front of a little french pastry shop where we ate dessert at a table on the sidewalk. I sure could get used to this! So I am being totally spoiled and absolutely LOVIN IT! Thanks Tom and Gayle!!

Love to you all back home! Time is flying and I'll see y'all soon! Happy Day! :)

Hey Hey with the Monkeys----

Yesterday morning was a late and relaxing morning. Gayle and I visited over our cocoa and toast until after noon. We took a drive to Cocoa Beach and walked around on the beach for a few minutes. It was beautiful and the breeze was blowing just enough to make the heat very bearable. We are planning on going to Daytona Beach on Monday and I'm excited! We headed back so that we could pick up Dee and Renae and go back to the Epcot center and watch--ta--da--Davy Jones of the Monkeys! This totally dates me but I use to watch that show all the time. There were fireworks afterward and we planned on staying for those too! It was sooo fun. Of course Davy has aged quite a bit but it was fun to sing along and hoot and holler just like the good ole days--ok, so I never really stopped acting like that but that's COMPLETELY beside the point!!:) Afterwards we got into the best position for the fireworks. Like I said before, I have wonderful memories of fireworks, so to get to see them 2 nights in a row was fabulous! And they were incredible! WOW! I am so grateful to be here and I hope everyone back home is doing well and being safe and happy! Love to y'all! Happy Day!

BTW: J's and Jenna, just so there won't be any problem or confusion about whose room I'm staying in, I'll help you out, do the Christian thing and make it MY room K? :) ha ha

Fun and Fireworks!

Yesterday we went to the Epcot Center all day with Dee and Renae, who are the wives of the bishopric Tom works with and great friends of Gayle's. It was soooo much fun. We laughed, went from Country to Country and went on several rides. I learned more about the history of different countries in one day than I learned in my entire school career! We stuffed ourselves in a phone booth, were serenaded by the liberty singers in the USA (Gayle got her hand kissed and sang to by a very good looking man who she was not going to let go of--to his surprise!) ate delicious pastries and chocolate mousse in France, checked out the statues in Rome :), hugged Tigger and Winnie the Pooh, got rained on, sweat in the humidity and had a blast! Dee and Ranae's husbands and Tom joined us at the Wilderness Lodge where we ate dinner. I think we were the loudest table (shock!) We were definitely having the most fun! It was a replica of the lodge in Yellowstone and very beautiful. The restaurant was fun. They would throw your straws at you and if you wanted ketchup, you had to stand at the front of the restaurant and yell, "I NEED KETCHUP!" as loud as you could and then the people who had ketchup at their tables would bring them ALL to you. Guess what? I needed ketchup and I think I surprised the waitress (and the entire restaurant) when I yelled that I needed ketchup! We ended up with 9 bottles! :) After that, we went behind the lodge to the boat dock and got on a boat stocked with chips and soft drinks and boated around the park to where Cinderella's castle was and sat there and watched the firework display while listening to the narration on the boat radio. It was amazing! I have a soft spot for fireworks and I loved it! What a great way to end the day! A good time was had by all! Hope all is well with y'all back home-love ya! Happy Day!

Blonde Moment---

So, yesterday went well and I arrived in Florida ALMOST without a hitch. OK, so my flight arrived in Atlanta one half hour early so I think to myself,"sweet! I'll have time to grab a burger and eat it before catching my final flight to Florida. For those of you who fly, you might recognize that starvation seems to be the newest ploy in the secret society of flight people. You might actually pay $8.00 for a cheese tray if you are hungry enough. And the idea of maybe having to pay to use the bathroom? uh--no! YOU would have to pay ME to go in there. Beside if you starve me there is really no--uh reason to go in there. My stomach is empty remember? And THANKS so much for the approx. 3 oz of water you gave me. I sweat that out with my first hot flash! Sorry, I digress. Anyway, I got off the plane and headed to the right terminal and wa la!--there was a Burger King and it seemed that everyone had my idea and the masses were all waiting in the same line. (excuse me, you are in my personal bubble!) I managed to get my order and fill my drink while holding on to my luggage, purse and wallet at the same time. I then proceeded to the Delta terminal gate 11 and sat down to eat and people watch, after all I had plenty of time. My flight was leaving at 3:50 and at about 3:40 they announced that the plane would be boarding to go to Rochester New York. Uhhh--wait a minute-- is Florida on the way to New York? hmmm, I don't THINK so. I look again at my ticket and then at the time. It is 3:45, my flight is suppose to leave at 3:50 and then I saw it. The small print that says I am leaving from gate 9. ooops! I took off running to gate 9 and there were no people milling around. Let me guess--they have already boarded! AHHHH! I got on the plane and of course I have a window seat which means that the two ladies sitting comfortably in their seats have to get up and move into the 3" isle while I slide into my seat. Sorry! I breath a sigh of relief right up until the time the pilot comes on over the intercom and announces that we are having some engine problems and they are working on it as we speak. Something about a hose that is leaking and there isn't enough pressure for take off? Ummm take as LONG as you need. I'm not rocket scientist type person but don't you need pressure to get this thing OFF the ground!? We waited on the plane for 45 minutes and they announced that it was fixed and we could take off. It was such a fun flight because there was major turbulence and I LOVE turbulence! Like a Lagoon ride in the sky! yahoo! So there you have it! I arrived! Gayle picked me up and took me out to Lone Star Steak House where we ate a delicious dinner and then to her gorgeous house! Tom was fly fishing in his front yard. I really didn't know you could do that without water. :) ha ha

Love to you all and thanks to those of you who sent me a text telling me to have a good time. I certainly will. Happy Day!

Thought for the day! An eye for an eye only ends up making the world blind!

I'm leavin on a jet plane-----

I love that song. And it's true. I am leaving tomorrow morning to go to Florida to spend time with Gayle and Tom for a week. It is 11:30 pm on Monday night and I am just getting done with packing. Yes, you may call it as you see it--I procrastinated all right? Come on, Dancing with the Stars was on and then Castle. AND I couldn't figure out how to get the "kitchen sink" in my hot pink suit case! It shall have to stay home this time. sigh I have been gone all day. I went to the temple this morning and then back to UVU to tie up some loose ends. And trying to get registered for BYU was quite the feat! I couldn't get the web page to open up so I finally just called them and begged for mercy. It worked and I am officially registered. Start on June 21st. wow! Better get to bed now. Chris is taking me to the airport at 5:30 am. Should get there by 6:30 and my Delta flight leaves at 8:30. Should have some good reading time while I wait, or just people watch. It's been hard adjusting to NOT going to school so it will be good to get away for awhile and veg. And I will not make the mistake of complaining about wanting to get back to school like I did last school break. I shall try to enjoy every single day off! Happy Day to you all and I shall remember you fondly as I sip my beverage in the hot sun in Florida! Happy Day!!! :)

Out of the Mouth of Babes.....

Yesterday was crazy and exciting and I am officially graduated! After graduation my family went to Sizzler in Provo to celebrate. I sat next to Brooklyn (Kelly's daughter who is 7) and she told me that her dad had checked her out of school so she could come to see me graduate. She said that her friends asked why she needed to leave and she told them, "To see my grandma graduate". The next question of why I was graduating prompted this response from Brooklyn, " She didn't get to finish High School!" We had a great laugh at that.
It's good to be done but I will miss many aspects of going to UVU. I loved it there and made many friends that I will miss so much. Of course I can go back and see those who still work there but it's never quite the same. I had so many fun times there and I'm so grateful for the wonderful memories of the blood, sweat, tears, but mostly laughter that are mine.
Thanks to all for your love and support over the years. I wasn't able to get graduation announcements out to all I would have like to but Jamie said that she can scan my announcement in so you all can see it.I might be graduated but there are still some things that I don't know how to do with a computer. I have children for that! :) Happy Day!!!

The Countdown is On----

Last week was the last week of classes here at UVU and it was absolutely CRAZY! But I did make it through and now it's a matter of making it through FINALS week. Only one more to go and I will be done! The countdown to graduation is 2 days 6 hours. Yay! How do I spell relief? Usually in medication form like, Advil, nose spray (my personal favorite since I HATE being stuffy,) roughage (come on, you know what I mean ), etc. Right now relief is being done with my bachelors degree yet I shall miss UVU immensely. It has been my social network for 3 1/2 years. As Maria says in The Sound of Music, "when the Lord closes the door, He opens a window." Wait, I think that was the Reverend Mother---uhhh anyway I shall now break into song---Climb every mountain-----Forge every sea----Follow every rainbow---------
I guess you will have to imagine me twirling and singing as I weave in and out of the computers in the library. It's a sight to behold. Oops here comes campus police---gotta go! Happy Day! :)
Thought for the day: Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a person a more clever devil.

Dear Jeffrey,

It's been 4 years today. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday and sometimes it seems a lifetime ago. I miss you. I miss your brilliant smile that I fell in love with the first time we met. I miss your sense of humor and the way you could make even the most ordinary everyday things worthy of hysterical laughter. I feel your spirit but miss your touch. I miss the feeling of safety I had knowing that no matter what happened, you were there and it would be ok. I could always count on you. My own personal MacGyver.
So many things have happened in the last 4 years. I will be graduating next week from UVU and then heading to BYU for a Masters Degree. Can you believe it? Me? I often wonder what you think about where I am now and what I have done with my life since you've been gone. I really hope you are proud of me.
Our family has dealt with a lot of pain in your absence. I will be doing just fine one minute and then something happens and the reality of being alone hits me so hard it takes my breath away. Grief is like that. It comes like a thief in the night, just when you think you are doing fine. I know how it feels to be lonely even when surrounded by loving family and friends. But there have been so many times of joy! I really wish you could be here physically to play with the most beautiful and loving grandchildren in the world! They are each so special and they know you because we talk to them about their grandpa in heaven. I am so proud of our children. They are wonderful men and women, each with beautiful families of their own, growing up in the gospel and striving to do the right thing. You raised them well!
Thank you for sharing your life with me. I'm so grateful that we decided when we first got married that we would enjoy life along the way and not wait until "someday" came. Because of that we all have such wonderful memories to hold on to and enjoy.
I'm so grateful for the gospel and my relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I have come to know them well as I have been carried through the most difficult times of my life. The poem,"Footprints in the Sand" has special meaning to me because I have been literally carried in the arms of His love. I couldn't have made it through without this absolute knowledge of the truthfulness of the Gospel. I know that my Heavenly Father knows what's best for me and I strive to live my life in alignment with His will. I fall so short, but I am trying, and I know that this is what the atonement is all about; doing all you can do and Christ making up the difference. I hope all is well with you and that you know how deeply you are loved and missed by your family and friends. Love Janice

Thought For The Day:

Don't have a lot of time to post today so I will just leave my
Thought for the day:
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will NEVER forget how you made them feel! Happy Day! :)

My Favorite Things-----Not

Isn't the library suppose to be a place of peace and quiet? A place where I can go study and concentrate on the important things I have leaned ? A place where the knowledge I have accumulated (or had crammed into my brain against its will) flows freely from the top of my head, vibrates gently through my body, down my arm and into my fingers where they magically fly across the keyboard writing down brilliant things? hmmm ?! NOT!
My favorite things about the library;
1) the guy sitting next to me with his headphones turned up to the highest volume ever, singing (out loud) to the pounding music coming out of his ears. Does he not realize that we can HEAR him? Really? Really!
2) the guy sitting next to me, or across from me, hacking and sneezing IN MY DIRECTION, as he feverishly works on the computer with a temperature of at least 103! Yes, the same germ ridden computer that the next unsuspecting person will not realize is contaminated with the latest plague!
3) the 3 valley girls huddled around the computer laughing and giggling at the computer screen.(I do NOT want to know what they are doing)
4) the phone that is NOT on silent and rings heartily in an ever increasing volume as everyone frantically checks to see if it's THEIR phone making so much noise.
5)the guilt I feel when I am suppose to be working on an important paper or studying for an exam, and instead I am checking out every ones blog----and of course that is when the banner comes across the computers screen saying -the computer lab is full. If you are not working on school work please exit the building- oh shoot! Busted!!
Well my days of practically living in my favorite place in the world, the UVU library, are rapidly coming to an end and I think I am going through withdrawals. I will really miss this place! Where will I pick up all the latest jargon, see the latest fashions, be it comfy pajamas or short skirts with uggs, or pick up GERMS? I guess BYU has a library, fashion(more modest I would imagine) and germs, so I will kiss my past here goodbye in a couple of weeks and head to new adventures and new favorite things! Graduation Countdown; 14 days, 2 hours and 10 minutes, but whose counting? ha ha Happy Day!
Thought for the day: Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.

There's No Place Like Home

I think I have figured out one of the most pressing questions known to mankind; Why, when it comes to using the bathroom, is there no place like home? I have pondered this question at different times in my life, especially when I have been speeding home to get to "my" bathroom as sweat drips gently from my brow and the old digestive track is working overtime so as to make you think that maybe, just maybe your having an appendicitis attack---wait, I had those things out years ago! And of course, that is when you hit all the red lights in town, get behind the tractor moving slowly down main street(and taking up both lanes I might add). Then FINALLY you're home. You jump (cautiously) out of the car and race up the stairs, singing the Hallelujah Chorus. You have arrived to that wonderful place of utter relief--dun dun dun--your personal commode and all is well with the world again!
Why, you might say, did Janice bring this up? Well, I'm glad you asked! :) I was at a conference in Salt Lake a couple of weeks ago and went in to use the "facilities"(that's the politically correct term for "bathroom" in the higher end hotels) and to my utter surprise and delight, each stall actually had a floor to ceiling door on it? Yes, it's true! You mean I can't sit there and lock eyes with someone through the 2" space between the door and wall as they wash their hands and glance at me in the mirror? Or someone can't see underneath the door as the contents of my pockets fall onto the floor, or check to see if I have a hole in my sock cause I need to give my feet a breather and take off my shoes? Or, heaven forbid, see if I really just put my purse on the bathroom floor?! What kind of a woman is IN that stall? Anyway, I felt something I hadn't felt in a public bathroom for a very long time if ever------complete privacy!!! Wow, that's why we race home! I get it! Privacy where we don't have to play with the toilet paper holder, or rustle with the toilet seat protectors or keep flushing the toilet just to make noise because all of a sudden when you go in, it doesn't matter how many people are in there, you can hear a pin drop. Moral of the story? If you are ever far, far away from home and your body gives you "the nudge", just get to the nearest, nicest hotel lobby and maybe, just maybe, they will have a "facility" with floor to ceiling doors! But always remember, there's no place like home! Happy Day!! :)

Forgiveness Verses Trust

In a book I'm reading(yes it's for school so prepared to be taught! ha ha), I came across some really good information about forgiveness and trust. I know that sometimes we think that when we forgive someone, trust is part of the process. This is not the case if behaviors haven't changed. The origin of the English word forgiveness meant "letting go." Years ago you would have heard someone say, "Forgive the ropes," when they wanted you to let go of the ropes. Forgiveness is the act of facing the pain and anger that someone has brought into your life and letting go of any need or desire to pay that person back.
Trust, on the other hand, is a confidence in the integrity of a person to act in a particular way. Forgiveness is past oriented; trust is present and future focused. Forgiveness is about letting go; trust is about holding on. Forgiveness is something undeserved; trust is something earned.
Example: Lets say I'm a therapist and at the end of our session we stand up to leave the room, and you open the door for me and politely offer, "After you." But just as I walk through the door, wham-you slam it on the back of my heel. As I double over in pain, you profusely apologize, explaining that I had said something in the session that upset you and you lost all impulse control as I walked out the door.
"I reassure you that I will forgive you, and we set our next appointment. Once again, after the appointment, you hold the door for me. I walk through but then wham- you slam my heel in the door just like the first time. I pick myself up off the floor to hear you begging my forgiveness again, explaining that once more I had angered you and you were unable to contain your fury.
At this point I would forgive you but would never trust you to hold the door open for me again.
Trust is the ground from which all your expectations grow. It encompasses every aspect of a person-from something as simple as calling when you said you would call to being where you said you would be.
In a society where phrases like, "it's not worth the paper it's written on," are prevalent, we need to get back to the good old days when a man's word was his bond and if you shook hands on a deal it was as good as done. I was thinking about when we bought our cabin lot. Jeffrey had talked with the man that owned it and the man and Jeffrey had secured a deal over the phone. When the man got home, he received another phone call about the property where they were willing to pay a substantial amount more for the lot. This man had integrity and told him that he had just given his word to Jeffrey and it was sold. There was no contract and this man could have made a lot more money but he had given his word. This man had integrity. I will get off my teaching soapbox now. :)
Conference was great and Easter was exciting since the Easter Bunny had to borrow Santa's Sleigh to get to my house. :) Hope you are doing well and love to you all!!! Happy Day!
Thought for the day: " To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. "

Thanks So Much!!

Thanks so much for all of your positive feedback on getting into BYU"s Graduate Program!! I'll continue to need lots of prayers as I continue!
Last week was a really full week. I am doing an internship with the DCFS Domestic Violence Unit. I spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at the State Domestic Violence Training. I then spent Saturday in Salt Lake at the Utah Coalition against Pornography Conference. My brain is on overload big time! There is a lot of helpful information out there. I am putting together a workshop called, "Beware: Potential Relationship Problems Go High Tech"., and will be presenting it to various groups. I will be talking about potential problems of online pornography, online relationships etc. My goal is to get the public educated so they know what to look out for for themselves and for their children. Pretending it's not a problem or that it can't or won't happen to you is definitely part of the problem. Technology is fabulous but can also be lethal and addictive. For warned is for armed! Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now! :)
I am so grateful for my family and friends. Knowing that you are there rooting for me is and always will be a major blessing in my life. LOVE TO YOU ALL and Happy Day!!!!! :)
Thought for the day: I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

I Got In!!!!!

Oh my gosh I can't believe it but I got accepted into the BYU Masters in Social Work Program! I am still in shock but I'm soooo excited! I graduate from UVU on April 30th and then its on to Grad school. Me?! Wow! I have been so blessed and it just goes to show that miracles do happen! Happy Day!!!!!!:)

Burdens

Yesterday in class we talked about burdens and what they were. After several answers, all which had a negative connotation to them, the instructor asked if there were such things as positive burdens that we bear. Interesting question. In the Ensign it states that the way we respond to trials can have a great effect on whether they become roadblocks in our lives or expressways to learning and growth. When we anguish over difficulties, the experiences only serve to weigh us down. Remembering that these trials are part of the great plan of happiness helps us to see them as opportunities to grow and learn.
A common misunderstanding among members of the Church is that if we strive with all our might to live the commandments, nothing bad will happen to us. Not true. Remember that Orson F. Whitney of the Quorum of the Twelve explained:" No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, and makes us more tender and charitable. It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire. Spiritual growth can often be achieved more readily by trials and adversity than by comfort and tranquility."
We are not always healed from pain and sickness, sometimes we are "healed" by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us. (Dallin H. Oaks)
I am grateful for the Gospel in my life because I have felt the tender mercies of the Lord in my life many times. Knowing that the Lord knows me personally and knows how best to help me reach my potential here on this earth, helps me to have faith that all will be well even and especially in times of trial.
Love to everyone and happy day!
Thought for the day: Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.

You Call That a Pick Up Line?

So the other day I was walking out of the library and overheard a very interesting conversation. A guy was walking in and said to a really cute girl, "Are you ok?" Well the girl looked confused and told him that she was and why he asked. He proceeds to tell her that she looked like she was LIMPING as she walked.--Ok, does anybody besides me see a problem here? Really? REALLY?! Well the girl told him there was nothing wrong with her legs (they looked ok to me)but she WASN'T amused by his comment. I, however, was VERY amused and chuckled all the way to my class. Wow, that was a new pick up line I'd never heard before and to tell the truth, hope I never hear again! ha ha ha
Life is still crazy and I still feel very blessed AND graduation is next month. HOLY COW!!! Hallelujah!!! Happy Day!
Thought for the day:What some people mistake for the high cost of living is really the cost of high living.

NINE WORDS WOMEN USE

1) FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2)FIVE MINUTES: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3:NOTHING: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4)GO AHEAD: This is a dare, not permission. Don't do it!!
5)LOUD SIGH:This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing.(Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6)THATS OKAY: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7)THANKS: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome.(I want to add a clause here-This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot"-that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome", that will bring on a "whatever" )
8)WHATEVER: Is a woman's way of saying "UP YOURS!"
9)DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to #3.

Yes, I Am A Blonde!

So yesterday I was on my way to the student center to a meeting and stopped by the rest room on my way. As I walked in to a stall, my cell phone rang. Now I usually DON'T answer my phone in the restroom but since I had just walked in and nobody else was in there, I answered it with my usual perky (ha ha) "hello" at which a man on the other end greeted me with an equally enthusiastic "hello, how are you?" I was just ready to answer when the automatic toilet I was standing in front of suddenly flushes(and it was loud!). It scared me to death and I jumped and accidentally flipped my phone shut, hanging up on whoever was on the other end. Yes, that is how my day started. I never found out who was on the other end because he didn't call back.(OK, really, would you?) He either thought that a bomb had gone off, or that an airplane was taking off and I was underneath it, or HEAVEN FORBID, he knew it was a loud flushing of a toilet! How mortifying! So if you are having a particularly bad day, just know it could be worse! I shall end my post now. What more can I say? Ahhhhhhh! Happy day? :)
Thought for the day: Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will come in and clean them?

Staying in the middle

One of my favorite stories is about the man who was trying to find a good driver to skillfully maneuver a steep mountainous road to get his product safely to the other side. As he interviewed three people for the position and he asked each about his skills, the first man said that he was so good that he could get right to the edge of the road and be completely safe. The second man, wanting to outdo the first stated that he was so good that he could drive to the edge of the road with half his tire hanging over and still be safe. The third man explained that he stayed as far away from the edge as possible to maintain safety. The third man was hired on the spot. Yesterday in class, we were discussing the highs and lows of spirituality that we go through. Just as the truck driver in the story who stayed as far away from the edge as possible, so must we continue to do the basics to maintain a strong testimony. There are times when work, school, or home life pressures get to be overwhelming and we slack off from praying, reading our scriptures, attending church or even just being grateful for the blessings we have. The very things that keep us safe and happy. When we start to concentrate on the things that are wrong in life, that's all we tend to see and we get precariously close to the edge. When we stop doing things that we know are right, it is easier to continue on and become complacent about our lives. We might even convince ourselves that we don't need any spiritual help and are doing just fine on our own. I know that I am most happy and at peace when I am striving to live a Christ like life. I fall very short in so many aspects but that isn't the point. The point is that we all keep trying and when we mess up, we pick ourselves up and keep trying. Remember that Christ didn't say it would be easy, but He did say it would be worth it! Happy Day!
Thought for the day:There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist-

What's the Score???

Last week many of us watched the Super Bowl and cheered for our favorite team. It was fun (especially because my team won--go Saints!) .The question of, "What's the score?" was shouted over and over throughout the game. This is where score keeping should be utilized ; in games. Score keeping can be a very harmful habit when used within a relationship. Nobody should ever be keeping score so they can throw it in the face of the other party. Can you imaging if you kept track of every thing you did for your partner and what they failed to do for you? You should do small services for others, not because you want to be paid back for it somehow, but because you love them. Love never keeps score!
Hope you are all well! Jess did a fabulous job on the song she sang in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. After watching her sing, we went up to see mom and she isn't doing too well. Having a hard time and asked Chris to give her a blessing. So grateful for the Priesthood! Please keep her in your prayers. Life continues to race right along and the Lord continues to bless me! I am grateful. Love to you all and happy day!
Thought for the day: The art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment!

Help!

I am doing a research paper on "birth order" and how it affects children. There are some studies that say that birth order really doesn't matter, it depends on the personality of the child. Other studies suggest that the older child is more responsible, the middle children are always trying to get attention and the youngest is spoiled and irresponsible.(These are generalizations because everyone knows an exception to the rule). I would like to get some input from y'all! What do you think? Thanks for your time! Happy Day!
Thought for the day: I believe that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

Good Advice

My beautiful (and brilliant I might add) niece Jenna, suggested awhile ago when I was pretty stressed out that sometimes having a good cry is the best answer. You are right, Jenna, and I shall take your advice. Let the waterworks begin!
Elder Neal A Maxwell shared how great lessons often come after difficulties: "Nehpi's broken bow doubtless brought to him some irritation, but not immobilizing bitterness. After all, he was just trying to feed his family, so why would he have to contend with a broken bow? Yet out of that episode came a great teaching moment. Irritation often precedes instruction."
A very happy anniversary to Cory and Elisha and happy birthday on Sunday to Jake! Love to all! Happy Day!
Thought for the day: A lot of people have gone farther than they thought they could because others thought they could.

Beware and Be-Aware!

Sometimes we receive "wake up" calls when we least expect it. I had an experience at school early Friday morning that was a bit un-nerving and it remind me of a couple of things. First, never get so comfortable that you aren't aware of what is going on around you. Stay alert and remember that if someone is around you and you get that feeling of something not being right--go with your instinct! Second I'm grateful for the protective powers of the Lord and the power of Prayer! I am grateful that I was being watched over and I will remember to not get too secure of my surroundings. I refuse to walk around scared but I will continue to stay alert! So be happy and be safe!
Thought for the day: The Lord always answers our prayers. Sometimes He says YES, sometimes He says NO, sometimes He says--YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING! :)

Go Forward With Faith

While I was reading in the Ensign the other day, I came across a really good talk about what to do when we don't know what to do. I have been in this situation many times in my life and I really appreciated the council given and share with you the following by Brother Ellis of the Seventy," We may find ourselves in situations that require us to take action without knowing what to do. It is our responsibility to act--The scriptures warn us that not knowing is not an excuse for not doing. The Lord expects us to inquire, study and act. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision. So what should we do when we don't know what to do? 1. Seek answers through study and prayer 2. Obey the commandments 3. Trust in the Lord and His promises 4. Follow the prophet 5. Go forward with faith, not fear 6. Complete our mission." The story of Nephi in the Book of Mormon always comes to mind when I think of his going back to the house of Laban to get the plates not knowing beforehand how to accomplish this task, but trusting that the Lord would provide a way. It is hard to know what to do in life when changes come to us so fast for so many reasons:going back to school, getting laid off of a job, starting and raising a family, balancing all of the needs of the people you love, finding out what you have control over and what you don't---and the list goes on. I have seen many tender mercies of the Lord in my life and the miracles that happen regularly to help me know what to do when I am trying my best to live my life the right way, and I am grateful! I love you all and pray that we may all go forward with faith. Happy Day!
Thought for the day: Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.

Just look!

There are a lot of very sad situations in this ole world. We see the suffering of the people in Haiti and our hearts go out to them. We want to know how we can help--and we do. We pray for them and contribute money and time. We see the best of peoples characters come out in times of tragedy. There are many people that are suffering around us, but they do so in silence. Because of the silence, we are unaware and don't ask what we can do for them. Sometimes the people who are suffering are in our own families, neighborhoods and communities. They might be having a hard time because of a loss of job, loneliness, or feelings of hopelessness. We can all feel overwhelmed and alone at times, so let's look around us more earnestly and become an instrument in the hands of the Lord by being the answer to someones prayers who might be struggling for whatever reason. Sometimes a smile is all that is needed! We can all do something for someone and the benefits to the soul for the giver and receiver are tremendous! I am very grateful for all of my blessings for they are many! I will continue to pray for the people in Haiti AND for those of you who may be suffering in silence. You are loved! Happy Day!
Thought for the day: "Good friends are like angels. You don't have to see them to know they are there."

Perception

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses! Happy Day!

I knew this would happen!.....

It's so funny that so many of us spend time thinking," Life will be better when....... I have always said that we shouldn't spend a minute of our precious time wishing life away. Saying things like," I can't wait til I'm 16 so I can drive"," can't wait until I'm out of school", "can't wait until we have kids"," can't wait til the kids are gone"-- and the list goes on. I really didn't think I did this much but after examining some of my "less than ideal" characteristics, I found that I am guilty of this. I couldn't wait until last semester was over because it was a killer semester. Once it was over, the holiday celebrations began. I felt like such a slacker because I slept in til 7 or 8, and just hung around the house, not exercising, eating LOTS of goodies and not doing much of anything. I enjoyed being with the family and we had a blast but I was so used to "full speed ahead", that I didn't feel like I was accomplishing much of anything. I then began to do something crazy- I began to look forward to going back to school. My family kept telling me to just enjoy the time off because I would be back in school way too soon. And they were right! Oh my gosh, I just finished my first full week back at school and WHY was I wanting more of another KILLER semester? uhhhhh-good question! I am doing a double internship, teaching at Turning Point on Thursdays from 9-noon, and with the DCFS on Monday's and Wednesdays and sometimes Tuesday mornings. I have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 1:00 until 4:30 and a class on Thursday nights from 5:30 to 8:00pm.I also have a class Monday,Wed, and Friday at 1:00 which I am auditing since I can't be there sometimes because of my internship. I get to school on Tues. and Thurs. at 6am to lift weights (and get my pick of parking spots) and then try to be at the library at 7am for homework Monday through Friday. I'm also co-President of the Behavioral Science Club with my wonderful friend Kiara! We both feel like we jumped off the deep end and are waiting for the life boat to come rescue us! Hey Kiara, I think it will be here around graduation on April 29th!:) So how many days until Christmas? I can't wait! ha ha I really like the saying, "Wherever you are BE THERE!" Life goes by way too fast and it is all about the journey, so I am going to stop, take a deep breath and enjoy my experiences! Next time you are in the middle of something, don't be thinking of what you didn't do yesterday or should be doing now or need to do tomorrow---enjoy and experience the now. Tomorrow will come soon enough! Happy Day and love to all!!!!! :)

Thought for the day: For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness!

Faith is Always Pointed to the Future!

There is something in many of us that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life-either our mistakes or the mistakes of others. As Elder Holland said, we are not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays....for the past is to be learned from but not lived in. To be tied to earlier mistakes is the worst kind of wallowing in the past from which we are called to cease and desist. It is hard to look forward with optimism to the future when we are constantly looking back and dwelling on things that have happened in the past. Do not let your attachment to the past outweigh your confidence in the future! We will all make mistakes so pick yourself up, dust yourself off , learn what you can and move forward with the wisdom you have gained. Those who succeed in life are not the ones who have not fallen but those who pick themselves up keep trying! The Lord gave us the gift of the Atonement to make up the difference and He wants us to succeed. Let us not live below our true abilities. Don't' keep going back with your little sand pail and beach shovel to dig up the past, wave it around, and then throw it at someone, saying, "Hey! Do you remember this?" Splat! We are better than this. Let us show increased Kindness to ourselves and others. We are all in this together!!! Happy Day!
Thought for the day: The harm others have done to us in the past only matters to the extent that we allow it to affect us today.

Laugh or Cry?!

I feel like crying but after all of the preaching I have done about having a choice I shall CHOOSE to laugh! Applying for Graduate School has turned out to be a VERY frustrating experience. I won't elaborate because my mom always said , "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!" So I WON'T! But I can roll my eyes and make angry noises so you'll just have to use your imagination! AHHHHHHHH! Ok, ok, ----I feel somewhat better. I have put my eyes back into my head and the smoke has ceased to come out of my ears --- sigh!!!!!!!!!!! I'll even say my signature Happy Day!
Laugh for the day: What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long? Polaroids! :) I needed some comic relief---:)

Huggies and Music---

I love watching my grand kids! They are so full of life and fun and do some of the cutest things! I heard something the other day that reminded me that all little children have something in common with a brilliant piano player:
What's brown and sits on a piano bench? Beethoven's first movement! Thought that would bring a smile to the faces of all of you who change soooo many diapers per day! Ha Ha Ha Happy day!
Thought for the day: I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places. :)

Keep the Change!

Another year gone by and here come the new years resolutions. Ahhhh! I have made enough of these to have learned a few things. If the new resolution is too broad as in wanting to lose weight, read more, become more spiritual, be less judgemental, etc., odds are that you will give up on the goal pretty quickly. Why? Because you didn't determine beforehand HOW you will do it. Most of the time the things we want to change are habits and aren't overcome very easily. Realizing that you will probably return to the habit time and again doesn't mean you can't do it and need to quit trying, it just means that you need to decide what you will do the next time it happens. You have to REPLACE the old way of doing things with something else. Just so you know, I am talking to myself because you should write things down. Killing two birds with one stone.:) So if you do want to make some changes in the year 2010, keep trying and keep the change!
Megan and Jake had their baby girl 3 weeks early on Thursday, the 31st of December! AND she is an absolute doll!(of course with Jake and Megan as parents that was a no brainer!) Its neat that she was born on my dad's birthday. She weighed 6lbs and 5oz and was 19 inches long. Best of all she is healthy! That makes 10 grandchildren for me, 5 girls and 5 boys-Jamie will be the tie breaker this year. I do have the cutest grand kids ever! :)
I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and I wish you all a prosperous and peaceful new year! Love to you all! Happy day!
Thought for the day: We usually don't pay the price of change until we have so much discomfort where we are that we are ready to move.