So, Have I Ever Mentioned...

...that I was a really good jump roper when I was younger? Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFhkRZGWaMA



Okay, I WISH!!!! Why didn't they have something like that when I was younger? So amazing!

I Vant to Suck Your Blood!

Okay, is it sick that I enjoy giving blood? I know...weird. Needles have never bothered me, so I don't mind giving a little time to give blood. It's definately for a good cause. Yesterday I had the opportunity to give blood once again. I was kind of looking forward to it since I haven't been able to for a while (between pregnancies and the restrictions from having lived in Europe) so I was more than happy to volunteer. Nothing unusual happend. I signed in, they checked to make sure my blood was good (one time I got turned down because I was low on iron), I sat for a while waiting for a vacant bed, then when I got on the bed, the tech was pretty quick about getting my arm cleaned and even drew a cute, little, purple rectangle around my vein that she was going to poke, and out came the blood. It only took about 5 minutes and then I was done. Pretty simple. My arm was wrapped in a green tape and Aydon became a little intrigued with it once I got home. He kept asking me if my arm was hurt. Later, when I was able to take the bandage off, he kept telling me "Eww...gross". Then he wanted to touch it. Funny kid. Unfortunately, I still have the cute, little, purple rectangle on my arm today. I promise, I tried scrubbing it off last night and today, but since the area is still a little sensitive, I didn't try super hard. Oh well, I can live with it for a day or two.

When You're In the Service...

This morning I had the opportunity to go to the Ogden cannery to volunteer with canning green beans. Oddly enough, the only other time that I've done it, we did green beans, too. While my task was a little monotonous, it gave me a lot of time to think about what a blessing the cannery is to people all over the world.
Today we canned over 20,000 cans od beans. I thought about how many people that will help. Before we actually started, the brother that was giving us instructions told us that normally they would only plant about 80 acres of beans. This year they planted over 180 acres! And what a need it has been. Somebody commented that it is quite evident who is the head of our church. Divine inspiration! As I watched the whole process and looked at the dozens of volunteers and service missionaries, I realized how very few people in the whole welfare system get paid. That's how the Lord wants it. We need to serve one another.
Usually, those who volunteer have access to buying other canned goods from the cannery. However, because there is such a need for food right now, volunteers could only purchase a limited number of beans, nothing else. That would have been a great reward in itself, but seeing how we have access to beans from my grandparents, I was not worried about buying any beans and I was able to see the blessings elsewhere. Just the knowledge the the Lord watches out for His children is a blessing.
I feel so grateful to have been apart of this opportunity, knowing that thousands of my brothers and sisters throughout the world will benefit from the help I gave today. It kind of reminds me of the Friends episode when Phoebe talks about there is no unselfish act because no matter what it is you do, you always get that warm feeling inside from doing something good. So be it...I like that warm feeling inside from helping others.

The Best Friends!

When I first moved to Arizona, I was a little concerned about what my social life might be like. I was going down there all by myself and knew nobody. So, to my grateful surprise, it was such a relief to find 3 other girls in the same situation. We all quickly became friends.
One of the girls, Nikki, and I became roommates and good friends. Even though I was the more serious and cautious one and Nikki was the silly, goofy, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants one, we were perfect for each other. We had a good balance. She helped be to be a little more relaxed and have fun, while I had to keep her from doing some things that she might regret later. It really was great! The hardest part for me when I got married was losing her as a roommate.
Even though there were 4 of us to begin with, our little circle expanded and we loved getting to know other people and hang out with them. Some of the best friendships I have come from that time in my life.
Fortunately, a couple of those friends have also moved to Utah and so I get to see them frequently. "A" thinks they are great and gets really excited when they come around. Of course, it's probably because they have as much energy as he does.
Well, last week, Nikki gave me a call and told me that they (she, Sandra and Emily) wanted to come down and fix us dinner and watch the kids for us so we could enjoy a night out. I was really excited. Nikki is a wonderful cook! Then, on top of that, later that day, I recieve a little package full of goodies from them. Just a sweet little "We're thinking of you." It was so nice and meant so much.
Well, last night they came with food and fun. "A" was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement. Then, they gave us tickets to go see a movie and they stayed to watch the kids. We went and saw "The Proposal". It was so stinkin funny! While it was a romantic comedy, I felt like it was more of a comedy, which was perfect (I'm not much into sappy romance stuff myself)!
I feel so blessed to have such wonderful, thoughtful friends. Sometimes I feel like I don't do enough for my friends and they still seem to think about me. I love you guys! Your friendship brings so much joy to my life!

My New Favorite Show

Have you ever watched a show and thought to yourself, "That was really fun. No fighting. No drama. I feel 'uplifted'?" I have! A few years ago when we were in the process of moving from Arizona to Utah. I discovered the first of a few great shows like that. Steve had already made the move to Utah, and I was left in Arizona with my baby (although he's no longer a baby) to try and get the house sold for 2 months. At night, after I put the baby to bed, sometimes I would let my mind wander and I would start to think about horrible, scary things, all because I didn't really have anybody to talk with. Then, I discovered a show on TV, "Little People, Big World." I was hooked. I would work on projects and watch that show in the evenings. I loved that I didn't have to think too deeply, it was fun and light, and an all around good show. I still watch that on occassion. Last summer, I started watching "Jon and Kate Plau 8", and, although there's a lot of controvery surrounding that show right now, I still watch it occasionally. Now, I have a new favorite show, thanks once again to the people of TLC. The show..."The Little Couple." As noted by the name, it's about 2 smaller people (Jen is barely over 3 feet tall and her husband, Bill, is 4 feet tall). Jen is a doctor and Bill is a businessman. They are the cutest couple and I love watching them go through what most of us go through each day. It comes on TLC on Tuesday nights (or you can catch reruns throughout the day). I've now found myself getting excited to check my DVR recordings to see if there's a new episcode that I haven't seen yet (okay, the series just started not too long ago and I've only seen 2 episodes so far). You've got to check it out sometime. What a joy!

Rain and Fasting

When I was serving my mission in Holland, I LOVED when we had rain storms. They came more frequently than not, but I still cherished every little storm we had. On one of my first days in the Netherlands, my companion and I were riding along a canal when it started to rain. It was so fun to be riding in and not even care. It was great! I have other fond memories of rain storms...like camping at our cabin in our trailer and playing games while the rain came down. I loved listening to it hit the roof of the trailer and run down through the leaves on the trees. When I moved to Arizona, the day my roommate and I moved into our apartment, we were caught in the middle of a monsoon rainstorm. We had to dash in and out of our apartment to unload stuff and by the time we were done, we were drenched. We didn't even care that we were headed to a broadway show that night. It all added the memories. This morning I had a really hard time getting out of bed because I was just enjoying laying in bed and feeling the cool breeze come into our room and listening the rain (I love sleeping with the windows open). I know...a lot of people don't really enjoy it, and don't get me wrong, I could never live in Washington State with all the rain, but I love having a good rain storm. I guess it makes me appreciate the warmer and dryer days more. I feel the same way with a good snow storm. It's especially awesome if you don't have to go anywhere and just snuggle up with a loved one and read a book or watch a good movie. Rainstorms...love 'em!
I've also had time today to reflect on the blessings that come from fasting. Since I've been pregnant or nursing for the last 18 months, I haven't been able to fast. Today was the first opportunity I have had since then. I'll admit, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it, and I thought I'd have to give in just before we left for church, but I know that the Lord blesses those that make sacrifices, especially when fasting. I made it through our fasting period and I wish I could say that Steve had found a job, but let's face it, it is Sunday and nobody will be calling even to set up an interview, but I know that something will happen soon. Of course, soon may be on the Lord's time, not ours, but I know we will be taken care of. I've said it before, but I have to again, how do people get through trials without the gospel?! This trial we are going through has reminded me of the blessings I have (especially the little ones) and what is really important in life. I have a wonderful husband that treats me like a queen and 2 beautiful and healthy children that seem to adore me (I didn't mind at all that they both wanted to sit on my lap today during church).
I have found so much joy in the little blessings in my life recently. I can't imagine being anywhere else or with anybody else in my life. Life may be crazy right now, but it's still good!

Tough Times

I don't know that I have ever felt such a range of emotions as I have this past week. Unfortunately, most of the emotions have been that of sadness.
Earlier last week, a missionary from my mission passed away. I was actually surprised at how much it affected me. It made me start to really truly think about and appreciate my health. Then, midweek, I had a dear friend deliver her baby 8 weeks early. Sadly, he passed away 2 days later. I was sickened by all of this and hated to hear people tell me to watch out because "things happen in threes."
And that brings me to the last bad event. To move beyond, and to simply put it, we are looking for new employment.
So, as I have tried looking for some "silver lining" in all of this, I have reassessed the blessings that I have. Things could be so much worse! But I have my family! My husband is such a hard worker and hasn't let this slow him up. I have 2 beautiful and healthy and happy kids that seems to worship my every move. I really couldn't ask for more. I also have loving, concerned parents who have given us many words of encouragement and advice (I know that isn't always good, but they have been there and done that).
Most importantly, I have the gospel of Jesus Christ and we have worked hard to follow the prophets and heed their council. I know that we will grow closer as a family and be so much stronger as we go through these trials. "And this is my joy!"