Today.

Well, blogging world, since I haven't posted since January, I think its time for an update! And, looks like today is the day. Here's what is going on in my life:

Work: Is crazy, but I think we are approaching the end of respiratory season, so it will calm soon. Love the extra money, love the kids, and love the job, but relief is an appropriate emotion here!

Ken: Is home for over a month now! I'm totally enjoying my boy! I love him!! Sad news is that he will most likely have to return to China in late April, early May... which makes me crazy. Oh well, look for me to be planning lots of lunches and girls nights around then! I need to catch up with my peeps!

Fam: Jonathan got pneumonia in the MTC, but is now in the Phillipines... I miss my J-Dawg. But Adam is coming home in 19 days!! I'm so excited!! My bro Matt was Niko, the flying monkey captain (did you know he had a name? I sure didn't) in his Middle School production of The Wizard of Oz- Ken and I went and enjoyed Matt's stunning rendition of a flying monkey. It was great. Also, in early February, my cousin Chris passed away very unexpectedly. It was quite the experience, but it makes me so grateful for the doctrine of eternal marriage and the Plan of Salvation. Also, I sure love both my immediate and extended families. We are there for each other through thick and thin... and that is certainly comforting!

Church: I was released from my calling as the FHE Coordinator for my ward, only to be called as the Second Counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency (what the heck, right?). I was also asked to speak in Stake Conference... oh the joy. But, truly, this new calling is stretching me, and I am so blessed to work with some amazing women, and I have the incredible opportunity of meeting the awesome sisters of the stake. Sometimes the Lord has a great sense of humor in answering our prayers.

Weather: Sorry to all of you winter lovers... HERE COMES SPRING!! I am overjoyed! I have to admit that I love the sunshine- it makes me giddy!!

Well, I hope that catches you all up on the me stuff!!! Not too interesting, but there it is!!

To Become...

I just had a really good conversation with my roommate about fulfilling our role as women in our Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), in our homes, and in the world.

We discussed the fact that, as women, we have been asked to accomplish it all. We are to get an education, in order to one day provide for ourselves and be self-reliant. We are then to toss that education to the wind when and if our Prince Charmings happen our way, and enter the unknown realm of motherhood and homemaking. We are also to be perfectly moderate in all of these things so as to be appealing to men, and not intimidating or overbearing.

We are to be the ultimate business woman and the most expert pie makers. We are to know perfectly how to articulate the meanings of intensive classical literature and soothe the nightmares of our toddlers. We are to work hard for degrees of honor, and then cast them aside for a far nobler profession which is unpredictable and perhaps not possible in circumstances. Anyone else a bit overwhelmed with our roles?

I think that while the world expects us to look stunning in a pair of heels, the world also expects us to push our way to the top of a still male-dominated society with the poise and grace that is demanded of our sex. The funny thing is, that what the world thinks really, truly doesn't matter.

Sometimes as women, as daughters of God, we have to stand back and realize how important the journey that we are experiencing really is. If we fail to realize who we really are, and what we are really doing, we will spend a great deal of time expecting unrealistic and unimportant things of our already incredible selves. Who we are as individuals is actually amazing. The traits we exhibit naturally, without Covergirl, Betty Crocker or Biophysics are astounding.

Instead of looking into a mirror and cataloguing our flaws, I wish we could look into ourselves and see what our Heavenly Father sees... an absolutely breathtaking creation who is on her way to becoming the most important role in all of life... HERSELF.

That woman will change the lives of her children, her coworkers, her classmates and herself. That woman will stand up for herself in times when those values that she holds dear are being attacked on all fronts. She will get frustrated, she will lose sight of her goals from time to time, she will stumble through life in patches, and she will make choices that lead to dead ends. But that woman will also brave that world with a confidence that is not fathomable in the world because she really knows who she is and what she was meant to do.

Please remember that the world is nothing special until you bring to it your unique gifts. Until you live up to the woman inside of you, there is very little else you accomplish that will bring with it true satisfaction, let alone true JOY! And, that ladies, is what we are here to experience, JOY.

Boys leaving me... and a new car!

Last week was a bittersweet week for me. Jonathan (my little brother) entered the MTC and Ken left for his China trip. I also bought a new car. So, there was the elation of being able to go where I want with a very pretty Subaru Outback taking me there and being lonely without some important boys in my life...

Jonathan entered the MTC on Wednesday last week. The new curbside drop off at the MTC is really a blessing in disguise. The hugs are shorter, there is less sentiment and off they go. No pomp and circumstance. It was great for Jon, he was so ready to go (you returned missionaries will understand that feeling well). He saw a friend while we were standing there taking pictures... he'll take his little Spanky-like personality with him wherever he is. He's going to be such a great missionary!! I am so proud of him!!

This is Jon and I a few years ago on a family vacation... I miss J-Dawg!

Later that day I hit the dealer and bought my 2009 Metallic Gray Subaru Outback. It was a long, laborious project that ended with me a great deal poorer but driving off the lot in a shiny, pretty new car! I own a station wagon... I guess that makes me a step closer to being a granola and a mommy. Though neither of those are really reality, its fun to think, right?

This is not my exact car, but the same make, model and color. Pretty, isn't she?

Then, Saturday morning I took Ken to the airport. He flew away to China for a month. It was brutal, though I didn't cry at the airport, I have done my share of crying since. He called me from San Francisco where he had a layover. He got there safe, but his luggage is taking longer to find him than he'd like. We were on skype chatting last night, which was good. Hopefully we'll be able to talk again soon. I miss that boy!

Sigh. This is our cutest pic thus far. I miss this crazy boy.

Fascinating New Thing...

Ken took me to a dance... it was way fun! We had sushi after- yum!

So, I have been avoiding writing this post... sometimes you don't want to jinx yourself. But, after 6 weeks, its probably time to tell the blogging world about Ken.

About 2.5 months ago I moved into an apartment with some roommates. My new roommate, Gloria, decided nearly immediately that I should date her friend, Ken. So, about a month after that, I did just that.

Ken is awesome. Ken is from Aken, South Carolina. He served his mission in Canada, and graduated from the U!! He is a mechanical engineer, and works for a company in West Jordan that designs and manufactures high-end composite bicycle wheels. He loves to play in the outdoors, and he is the middle child of 5. He is 30 (I know, he's old ;-) He is pretty dang cute if I do say so myself. I think that he is the sweetest boy!

I have a great time with this one. I really feel comfortable being myself around him, and I have to say, he seems to like me. We love being together, and we laugh a lot. He came with me to Thanksgiving, and we are ramping up for Christmas... both my fam and his (his parents are coming into town).

So, there you have it. That might explain my absence of posts in the last several weeks, as we are now going on seven weeks since we started dating.

Giving Thanks.

I can honestly say that I had the best Thanksgiving.  I got to spend it with my amazingly crazy, yet wonderful family.  I have to say, that when you combine that with getting to work last night, at the job that I love (most days, anyway) I am one very blessed girl.

Sometimes the Lord's hand is very apparent in my life, and I have to "live in Thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." Alma 34:38.  I feel like yesterday was one of those miraculous days, and I am so very grateful.

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."         

                                             - -WT Purkiser

An Amazing, Uplifting Story

I wanted to share with you a true story that happened to a friend of our family amidst tragedy. 

My mom called me about 3 weeks ago to tell me that a really good friend of our family, and one of my mom's best friends, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Sharon is a saint, and has had many trials in her life, including a battle with Lupus.  She is the mother of five beautiful girls and at this point, the main provider for her family.  She works for UVU and is about the most upbeat and faithful person that ever lived.  I cannot recount the number of kind acts that Sharon alone has performed on behalf of my family!

My parents went to visit Sharon a few days before her surgery, and she was noticeably and understandably upset and a bit distraught.  But, as ever, Sharon had faith that things would all work out.  About a week after her surgery, my parents went again to visit Sharon.  The surgery had gone well, and the doctors thought they had gotten most of, if not all of the tumor.  But perhaps the most heartwarming part of the story was told about the response of Sharon's work to all this commotion.

In August, Sharon had another more routine surgery that had eaten up all of her paid time off. So, this brain tumor left her and her family in a great predicament.  In response to this problem, an email was sent out to the employees of UVU, asking anyone who was willing to donate some of their paid time off to Sharon.  The response was overwhelming.  Over 2,000 hours of paid time off were donated to this woman to help her and her family in this time of need.  That is over a year! 

I think that it really shows that even a very small act of kindness in another person's life can make an enormous difference.  When you think you have absolutely nothing to offer this crazy world we live in, think again.  There is always a way to contribute to those around you, even if it is just a smile, a hug,  or an hour or two of paid time off.  

Do a kind deed today in honor of Sharon and all those who need a hand to lift them. Someday you may be that person who's head hangs down.

"In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 25:40

Starting Over

So, it has been a little while since I last posted... life has been crazy!!  Not only am I in full swing as a nurse, but I moved out. I know, right? Finally!!!

I live with some roommates in an apartment complex close to the U (and work) and I am loving it! It is quite the adjustment, though.  I am not in any way a fast decision maker, in fact I would deem myself a rather slow one, but this opportunity came along and I took it... it all came about in a week!!

In addition, the Seminary teacher and I broke up about a month ago. Not that big of a deal, but he was insistent on being friends, which has proved to be very emotionally draining. So, this last week I ended the friends portion of our journey.  And, it was pretty freeing, though I don't think he's very happy about it. Technically we are supposed to revisit the friends thing in a few weeks, but I don't anticipate a change in status for us.

So, in a matter of about a month I started my career as a nurse, broke up, moved away from home and started over. Its been quite the roller coaster... here's hoping that all the pieces land where they should!