A Funny Thing Happened During Love Month

When I posted on February 1st that I was going to do a blog entry a day about things I loved, I did so with a list of only about 10 things. I remember thinking that I couldn't believe I had committed myself to posting every day, let alone every day about something I loved. But each day I found more things that I loved. I also discovered that, for me, a lot of times "love" translates to "gratitude" and I discovered that there are many more than 10 things that I love. I soon found that I had a plethora of potential blog posts and not enough days. This "love month" truly helped me identify how richly blessed my life is. Focusing on trying to find the love has helped me get through days that were unpleasant or I was grumpy for no apparent reason. Thanks for reading during "Love Month".

On Day 27, I Just Love Life

Everything about today makes me happy.

We made it up to my brother's ward on time to watch him bless his new son.

We made it back to our ward so I could sing with the choir.

I got to teach in Relief Society.

We had a great Sunday dinner--the food wasn't anything wowzy, zowzy, but the conversation was lively and fun.

Carson and I watched the Oscars together.

We ended the night by watching "the Cowboys" not get eliminated on the Amazing Race.

It was a good day.

PS About the Oscars...Dave was in the same room, but I can't say that he really watched them. And unfortunately our resident thespian was finishing up an art project so she missed most of the Oscars.

I Love Teen-agers

Katelyn and Carson make it pretty easy to love them. But I wasn't so sure that I would ever get to this point when thinking about middle school students. Middle school is such an awkward time. Hormones are really starting to kick in. I think this causes the middle school-aged child's brain to turn to mush pretty regularly. This makes it tricky when talking to them, because you aren't always sure which planet they are living on at that moment. This is also the time when they are starting to develop more independence from mom, dad, and teachers. And even though they really crave this independence, I think they are a little scared of it at the same time and aren't quite sure what to do about it. Friends are becoming increasingly important to them and this can lead to issues as they try out their new independence by showing off for friends. Things that they would have never tried a few years earlier--even simple, disrespectul behavior--suddenly becomes alluring and warrants at least one try. But I love them, nonetheless. I love them in spite of their awkwardness. I love them in spite of their behavior that is just daring me to love them. I love them because sometimes I know what their home life is like and I know they need the love. I love them because I'm starting to see that Heavenly Father put me in my job to love and care for those teen-agers who need it. I love them because there were people who loved me when I was their age.

I've Always Loved Mary

(Image from picsearch)

I don't remember the first time that I saw the Disney version of Mary Poppins, but I do remember falling in love with the the character and the songs. Mary Poppins must have filled a gap that I felt was present at the time. Maybe I saw it during a time when I needed to remember "...and snap! The job's a game." Or maybe I saw it when I needed to remember that even when dads are super busy, they always love their children. Or maybe I saw it when I needed to learn to laugh and be happy. Perhaps, I saw it at a time when I didn't feel extra special at all and I needed to learn a fancy new word. Or just maybe, I needed to learn that all of God's creatures, even birds, deserved to be loved. Like I said, the exact date, time and place of my first viewing of Mary Poppins is a blur. But the messages and lessons that I learned from the movie are quite clear. It's taken me a long time to apply the lessons, but just maybe I don't need Mary Poppins so much anymore. I have developed a love of work. I now understand that sometimes it just takes some dads a little longer to realize what they are missing and how important their kids are--and it's OK to be patient while they figure that out. I've definitely learned to laugh. I know now that fancy words don't make you special, but sometimes they are just plain fun to say. And birds? I guess I still need Mary because I don't like birds one bit.

Love Month, Day 24

Snow Day

I love that I didn't have to go anywhere today.

I love that I could get ALL the laundry done.

I love that the kiddos helped shovel the driveway, porch, and deck.

I love that by Tuesday all of the snow is supposed to be GONE.

How Can You Not Love Her?

Sorry about not posting yesterday. I fell asleep on the family room floor at 7 p.m. Dave woke me up about 10:30 so we could go to bed. But here we are for today.

Yep, this post is about my amazing daughter, Katelyn. She is kind, loving, caring, generally happy, dilligent. I could go on and on.

I can't believe that in just over six months she will be 18! How can that possibly be? Fortunately, next year she'll be a senior so we'll have one more year to enjoy her sweet spirit in our house full-time. After that, she will be off to college (she hopes somewhere in eastern Idaho).

When Katelyn is off to college we will all miss her. The other day, Carson stopped just short of saying he would miss her when she's gone. He said it's weird to think about her moving out of the house.

She's done a mighty fine job of growing up into a beautiful young woman. I think she is just plain awesome.

I Love a Clean House

Today everyone woke up early and pitched in to help clean the house.

Dave cleaned the bathrooms.

Carson cleaned the kitchen.

Katelyn dusted and vacuumed.

I swept and mopped.

It's lovely to have a sparkling clean house.

I Love Work

I love work. I'm not talking about my place of employment. I am talking about the kind of work that makes me stretch, flex, learn, grow, and bend. The kind of work that sometimes leaves me feeling exhausted. Sometimes, when I am in the middle of the work, I don't love it so much. I get frustrated with how long the work sometimes takes. Or I feel completely helpless when I realize how thoroughly inept I am for the task at hand. And sometimes I wonder if it is just plain worth the effort. But I have realized a few things. First, I can do hard things, for "with God all things are possible." Second, our Heavenly Father is the best example of "intentional teaching" (the current buzz word in academia). His tasks always have a purpose. He presents us with work to improve and refine and never gives us more than we can bear. Third, work is an eternal principle. It has to be because even our Heavenly Father has stated that he works..."Behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." I'm grateful for work. Even though sometimes it hurts, it seems long, and the reward is nowhere to be seen. And when things are hard or even mundane (because some tasks really do seem mundane and pointless), I remember this phrase that was on a t-shirt once worn by a younger sibling many, many years ago

God don't make no junk

That little phrase is often just the kick I need so I can buckle down and put my shoulder to the wheel.

On Day 19, I Love the Sun

Mr. Sun, Sun. Mr. Golden Sun

Hidin' behind the tree.

Mr. Sun, Sun. Mr. Golden Sun

Please shine down on,

Please shine down on,

Please shine down on me.

I haven't heard that little song in about 14 years, ever since Katelyn stopped watching Barney. Yet, that was the song that was going through my head this morning and I was driving to meet my running buddy for our run.

The run was slow and plodding today because Marla had a head cold, but that was OK with me. That meant I was under the sun a little longer, getting a desperately needed Vitamin D fix. I could just feel all of my cells rejuventating themselves as I breathed in the fresh, crisp morning air and soaking in the bright, sunny rays.

Thanks, Mr. Golden Sun

Love Month, Day 18

(Image from Google images)

When I was a little girl, having Nesquik in the house was a huge treat.

Having it now reminds me of being a little kid,

except now I don't have to worry about getting in trouble when I eat it right out of the can.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Thanks, Friends. You keep me going.

P.S. I think I better get some pictures of us doing something other than racing.

I Love Good News

NO SURGERY NEEDED!

Carson's MRI results came back, and while it did show that he did "ding" the humeral head (hey, brother soon-to-be orthopedic resident, is that called a Hickman fracture), the labrum is laying flat and in place. No one is more relieved than Carson, well maybe David, but we already established that I will be taking the kids to all future medical-related appointments.

I Thought He Could Handle It

I know that this month was supposed to be a daily post about things I love, but sometimes life events happen that are just too good to let slip by unnoticed. Today such an event happened. Some of you may know that about a month ago Carson sustained a shoulder injury. The first MRI was a little blurry to give a definitive diagnosis, so Carson needed a second MRI. That MRI was today. Now, usually I take the kids to all medical-related appointments, but Dave was the one to reschedule this 2nd MRI from last week to this week, saying to me: "Don't worry, babe, I got this." I was glad that he was able to take Carson since I had a meeting scheduled at the same time as the MRI. On the way home, I check my cell phone for messages and, indeed, there is one from Dave. He said that Carson did great, the MRI went well, and they were on the way home. There was something after "on the way home", but I couldn't understand it. Well, when I got home I found out what the something was. Carson could hardly wait to tell me the story. Apparently, the x-ray techs allowed Dave back in the room while they injected Carson's shoulder. Dave said that it was really pretty neat watching the imaging screen and seeing the progression of the dye. He even was doing pretty good as the PA was taking the needle out of Carson's shoulder. But then the tech spilled the bottle of iodine on the floor. And in Carson's words, "It looked like someone's stomach had been cut open." And down went Dave. Out like a light. Fortunately, there were enough people in the room to catch him and assist him to the floor. Dave woke-up to several techs blowing in his face and a few others standing close by. They assisted him up to a chair and proceeded to ask all the questions used to assess orientation levels. Next thing Dave knows he's out again. This time "the biggest man I've ever seen" (in Carson's words) caught Dave as he was toppling forward out of the chair. The next time Dave woke-up he was on a gurney, with a nasal cannula in, and someone waving smelling salts under his nose. Where was Carson during all of this mayhem? Well the first time he was still in the room, but then he was escorted out so they could finish the MRI and he missed the 2nd passing out episode. Dave says he does remember looking over at Carson the first time and Carson was just chuckling. Carson said he was a little worried, but it was just too dang funny. Speaking of funny, the next time you see Carson have him do his portrayal of his dad during this little life event. You'll be laughing so hard you'll be crying. Tomorrow we will get back to lovin'. And I'll be back to taking the kids to all medical-related appointments--Dave doesn't got this.

I Love That Together We Can Do Hard Things

I love this picture because it reminds me that together Dave and I are a good team.

We lift each other up and fill in each other's weaknesses.

Together we can do hard things.

And sometimes, with even a little more help, we can do pretty darn good.

I Love Soul Food

I'm reading All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience, by Neal A. Maxwell. In it he has a quote from C.S. Lewis. It reads: Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surpirsed. But presently, He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abomindably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of--throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. I added the emphasis to the last line because I felt it so significant. Our Heavenly Father has a perfect knowledge of what we can become. He also knows the events in our life that will help us become that palace. The question is "do I trust Him enough to be the contractor or do I think to myself 'I got this'?" "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thy own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

Love A Good Fortune

This was my fortune that I got today at Panda Express. It couldn't be more true.

Still Lovin' Kauai

I can't believe that it has been 9 months since Dave and I went to Kauai!

I still remember the trip just like it was yesterday.

I'm lookin' forward to going back sooner rather than later.

Maybe I'll take some more scenery and wildlife pictures to add to the collection.

But until I can get back, I'll just have to remember it fondly.

2 Guys Who Help Me Love My Job

Meet Kody and Macrae, two of my buddies at work. I get to see them almost every day because they are both diabetic and still need a little supervision at lunchtime. They are both characters and always have some sort-of story to tell. Really, these 2 kiddos are pretty amazing. They do a phenomenal job at managing their disease and all that goes with it (counting carbs, finger pokes, rotating pump sites, etc), all while maintaining an "I am normal kid" attitude. I'm sure they have down moments when they think "this just isn't fair", but I haven't seen those times. I chalk this up not only their own personalities, but also terrific parents who don't let them think that somehow diabetes totally defines who they are. It truly has been an absolute joy getting to know and work with these 2 guys. I know both are anxious to not have to come to the healthroom before lunch. And when that day comes, I'll miss seeing them, but will be happy knowing that they are now independent in managing their disease.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Only about 100 days left and we will be visiting

"The Happiest Place on Earth".

Here's how happy we looked when we visited in 2005

And even more will be added to the cousin crew from 2005

(The 2005 cousin crew)

It's going to be FAB.U.LOUS!!!

I Love Me Some Blonde Jokes

Blonde jokes crack me up. And as long as they are tasteful, ie not sexually suggestive, contain bad language, send me some, OK? Here is my current favorite blonde joke... Blind man is escorted into a ladies bar. He sits down at the bar and orders a drink. He asks the bartender if he can tell a blonde joke. Bartender: "Well, before you tell your joke, I think you should know that I am blonde and I have a large bat behind the counter." Man: "OK, anything else?" Bartender: "Yeah, the lady sitting to your right is blonde and she is a truck driver. The lady to your left is blonde and she is a professional wrestler. And the two ladies who helped you to the bar are blonde and they are our bouncers." Man: "OK." Bartender: "So, do you still want to tell your joke?" Man pauses and thinks about the information he has just learned and then responds "No. I don't want to have to explain it 5 times."

Sweet Nectar of Life

(Image courtesy of Google Images)

The phrase was coined by Alan, our river guide several years ago, who slurped down Dr. Pepper as if was the last drink on Earth.

I am definitely a Pepper.

Love it, love it, love it.

But as with all good things, it is enjoyed in supreme moderation.

"Two For" Sunday Post

You get 2 things I love today because I missed posting yesterday.

I missed yesterday because I was busy watching boy #3 in the picture.

I really love this boy. And the things I love about him are some of the things that drive me crazy at the same time. He can be stubborn and independent. He can refuse any help, even when it would seem that getting assistance might make things a little easier. But he has the quirkiest sense of humor. And he has this chuckle that is about the cutest thing ever. He's had the same chuckle since he was little. He is sweet and kind, but don't make him mad in a wrestling match. And while he does have his daddy's dimple, that's not what gives him away when he is trying to hide something. It's his "Cheshire Cat" grin that is the tell-tale sign. It's pretty awesome to be his mom.

I don't really love Buddy the Elf, but I do love that he loves to sing. And I love singing. I sing everywhere from the shower to the car. Singing just makes me so happy.

That's all for tonight.

Photographing Wildlife and Flora

If I had an enormous amount of money, I would pay for photography lessons, buy some really good equipment, quit my job, and spend my time traveling to national parks and other wonders of the world to photograph the flora and the fauna.

For now, I will just have to stick with my rudimentary skills and call it good. I love taking pictures of nature.

Good Eats for Me

You might not agree with me, but I find these quite tasty.

They are great to grab as a breakfast if I'm running late.

Or a lunch

When I'm too lazy to make a lunch.

I've never tried them for dinner.

Valentine from Charlie

Getting personal mail is fun. Getting personal mail from Charlie is even better.

Charlie is really Charlotte--one of my adorable nieces.

February is "Love" Month

I've decided

That for the next 27 days

I will be posting about

Things I love (or enjoy)

Hope you don't vomit because of the cheesiness of the posts.