I decided that I would try, much emphasis on try, to post a gratitude post every now and then about one specific thing that I am grateful for. I was originally going to do this every Sunday, but due to the fact that I like to use my Sundays to spend time with my family and do other sabbath day activities, I will try to post one every week up until Thanksgiving or who knows, maybe I'll even make it a regular thing.
Here it goes.
I am very grateful for our new Bishopric. They were called and set apart today, and I love,love,love our new Bishop, Bishop Beutler. His daughter Alicia is one of oldest and dearest friends. She came down all the way from Provo to see Leah get blessed. I just love that family and their warmth and kindness throughout the years that I've known them. I also really like the counselors as well. I'm also grateful for our former bishop and 1st and 2nd conselors and ward clerk. I love them and I love thier sweet families. I truly do have such great respect for for the men who hold that calling and their families. For the trials and tribulations and just the sheer weight on their shoulders that accompanies them is, for lack of a better word, incredible. And I know with all of my heart that those callings come from God. I am so grateful to be part of something as extraordinary as this church. And I'm also grateful for all those wonderful examples that I have around me to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
What would Leah look like as a sketch?
A little something like this!
Pretty cute ,if I do say so myself.
My mother in law's friend did this sketch of Leah, and I really like how it turned out. Thanks Ruth and David. That was very thoughtful. What do you think?
Pretty cute ,if I do say so myself.
My mother in law's friend did this sketch of Leah, and I really like how it turned out. Thanks Ruth and David. That was very thoughtful. What do you think?
Just chillin'
We woke up yesterday still in a little bit of a shock from the election an from the all of the snow that started to cover the valleys last night, and would continue to fall all day. At least it was beautiful. Yesterday was Chris' day off so we woke up and cuddled in bed and then turned the morning news on to see if what we remembered from the night before really did indeed occur. Fortunately, it was not a dream. Yes, Barack was still the newly elect President. Yay!!!
I was so happy that Chris had his day off that day. It felt like after the whole election process that we could finally breath again, instead of worrying about it. So when Leah woke up, not too long afterwords, I made breakfast, got Leah and myself ready for the day and got to just relax... It felt so goooood. After our relaxation we decided it would be fun to go out to lunch.
So we bundled ourselves and our Leah up, uncovered our car and headed over to Sizzlers (I really felt like Salmon, and i really like the way they prepare theirs). We had a coupon and Chris has this card that takes 15% off, and to matters even better, Leah could eat from the salad bar for free! So that was a plus. Leah was so funny, they had music playing and when she heard it she busted out dancing.
She loves loves loves veggies and fruit,so she was in heaven. She downed the butternut squash soup and the beets and peas in her salad, and also loved the salmon. I feel so lucky that ,for now at least, I have a little girl who loves her veggies and fish. I have to fight sometimes to get her to eat chicken but, put veggies or fish in front of her face,and it's gone!
Later on we went to the store and got some new pajamas for Chris and I and some slippers for Leah. I have to take my pj because they are drowning me! I mean I like a good pair of loose fitting pj's but when your pants fall down while your walking, it's a sign that I need to get a smaller size.
Aah.... Today I don't have too much going on. just running some errands, grocery and Christmas shopping, cuddling with my baby, and making my home made healthy take on chili. Oh and if you read this one Kim N. I am still dreaming about your amazing chili! Remember when we had that Halloween party at DDS and everyone brought homemade chili but yours was the only one that people wanted to eat hehehe. Mmmm, so good.
I was so happy that Chris had his day off that day. It felt like after the whole election process that we could finally breath again, instead of worrying about it. So when Leah woke up, not too long afterwords, I made breakfast, got Leah and myself ready for the day and got to just relax... It felt so goooood. After our relaxation we decided it would be fun to go out to lunch.
So we bundled ourselves and our Leah up, uncovered our car and headed over to Sizzlers (I really felt like Salmon, and i really like the way they prepare theirs). We had a coupon and Chris has this card that takes 15% off, and to matters even better, Leah could eat from the salad bar for free! So that was a plus. Leah was so funny, they had music playing and when she heard it she busted out dancing.
She loves loves loves veggies and fruit,so she was in heaven. She downed the butternut squash soup and the beets and peas in her salad, and also loved the salmon. I feel so lucky that ,for now at least, I have a little girl who loves her veggies and fish. I have to fight sometimes to get her to eat chicken but, put veggies or fish in front of her face,and it's gone!
Later on we went to the store and got some new pajamas for Chris and I and some slippers for Leah. I have to take my pj because they are drowning me! I mean I like a good pair of loose fitting pj's but when your pants fall down while your walking, it's a sign that I need to get a smaller size.
Aah.... Today I don't have too much going on. just running some errands, grocery and Christmas shopping, cuddling with my baby, and making my home made healthy take on chili. Oh and if you read this one Kim N. I am still dreaming about your amazing chili! Remember when we had that Halloween party at DDS and everyone brought homemade chili but yours was the only one that people wanted to eat hehehe. Mmmm, so good.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The American Dream
I think I'm still in a state of shock... Yes. I think that's what this is... Shock. I have witnessed an extraordinary part of history tonight. As I watched President elect Barack Obama humbly walk out in front of a crowd of hundreds of thousands of Americans, and in front of the whole world, to make history. To finally break down barriers that were long time desired, hoped, and prayed for, but had not yet come. Such a bitter sweet moment. To stand on that podium to accept the position of the President of the United states of America as an African American man. To be able to witness that moment right there with my husband and daughter while tears streamed down my face, will forever stay with me. And I will forever be grateful I got to witness that. A true American dream come true.
I obviously wasn't alive during the civil rights movement. I never witnessed in person Dr. King making those monumental historic speeches that we all learn about in school, and refusing to accept the discrimination and hate that stood in the way of equality. But I was able to witness President Obama stand there representing a people, who have suffered such atrocities in their own country, who have been oppressed and discriminated against. I believe he stood there and accepted the election on behalf of not just the African American people who had suffered, but to everybody in this country, in this world who, up until this point, has had no voice. Those who had no hope, standing alone with no one on your side. I believe you have one now. Those barriers have been shattered! And it is now time to move on and time to get to work on lifting this country back up and feel that pride again swelling up in this glorious nation that is ours. Time to learn from our mistakes and work on our future.
God bless America!!!!
May I Never Wake Up From The American Dream
Today millions of Americans at home and even abroad, will take part in one of the most treasured,powerful,and sometimes under appreciated luxuries that we have in this amazing country that we live in: To leave our print in this historic election. To say that the opportunity that we have here on this day is 'lucky' is such an understatement. What a time to be alive and an American! To wake up and see and feel what this election means not to just my country, but what it means to the world. The American dream. It's amazing, I find it hard to describe.
This election has really taken it's toll on everyone. I know it has on me. I've got a bad case of electionitis. While I'm so thankful that I was able to see this election take place, I'll not hesitate to admit that I'm glad that it will be over and done with(hopefully) by the end of tonight. I have such great respect for all of the candidates. They each have great attributes and have done great things for this country that deserves our respect. Of course I'd be the biggest liar in the world if I said I wouldn't be so heartbroken if my chosen candidate did not win. But he ran a good race, whether he loses or wins and that is something to be very proud of.
I'm so thankful that I married a man who has become so passionate about politics and patriotism. How he wanted to sit down and go through all of the candidates and proposals for this years elections to make sure he understood what/who he was voting for so he could make the right choice and how he just could not wait to go down to vote early. And did I mention it was his first time voting!? We have grown up in such different environments. I could not wait to turn 18 to vote! I was so proud of him! I tell you, we were so meant for each other. Who else would stay up late and watch Frontline and every PBS special ever aired, with me. Who loves documentaries as much as I do, and who truly wants to help others who are less fortunate.
And I'm incredibly grateful that I was able to be part of these historic events. That my daughter and I just may live to see the very first African American President (it's been a long time coming) or the first women Vice President. It was such an overwhelmingly gratifying feeling voting this year. Leaving my fingerprint in this election. I love voting. I want to raise my children to know just how special and important it is to be able to vote. To know that it's a luxury, not just a right. That her ancestors and many other brave men and women throughout history, have sacrificed their freedoms, their loved ones, their time, and their own lives, so that we can see better days for our children and have our voices be heard.
To know that their grandfather, my father, grew up in country where he had no such voice or the freedoms that we tend to take for granted everyday. I want them to appreciate what they have and to not let those sacrifices made by those who came before us, and those who are still sacrificing, to be in vain. To give a voice to all those who aren't here to use theirs. That is what voting means to me. That is how much my country means to me.
This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in ~Theodore Roosevelt
There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America. ~William J. Clinton
Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. ~James Bryce
We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights. ~Felix Frankfurter
America is a tune. It must be sung together. ~Gerald Stanley Lee, Crowds
This election has really taken it's toll on everyone. I know it has on me. I've got a bad case of electionitis. While I'm so thankful that I was able to see this election take place, I'll not hesitate to admit that I'm glad that it will be over and done with(hopefully) by the end of tonight. I have such great respect for all of the candidates. They each have great attributes and have done great things for this country that deserves our respect. Of course I'd be the biggest liar in the world if I said I wouldn't be so heartbroken if my chosen candidate did not win. But he ran a good race, whether he loses or wins and that is something to be very proud of.
I'm so thankful that I married a man who has become so passionate about politics and patriotism. How he wanted to sit down and go through all of the candidates and proposals for this years elections to make sure he understood what/who he was voting for so he could make the right choice and how he just could not wait to go down to vote early. And did I mention it was his first time voting!? We have grown up in such different environments. I could not wait to turn 18 to vote! I was so proud of him! I tell you, we were so meant for each other. Who else would stay up late and watch Frontline and every PBS special ever aired, with me. Who loves documentaries as much as I do, and who truly wants to help others who are less fortunate.
And I'm incredibly grateful that I was able to be part of these historic events. That my daughter and I just may live to see the very first African American President (it's been a long time coming) or the first women Vice President. It was such an overwhelmingly gratifying feeling voting this year. Leaving my fingerprint in this election. I love voting. I want to raise my children to know just how special and important it is to be able to vote. To know that it's a luxury, not just a right. That her ancestors and many other brave men and women throughout history, have sacrificed their freedoms, their loved ones, their time, and their own lives, so that we can see better days for our children and have our voices be heard.
To know that their grandfather, my father, grew up in country where he had no such voice or the freedoms that we tend to take for granted everyday. I want them to appreciate what they have and to not let those sacrifices made by those who came before us, and those who are still sacrificing, to be in vain. To give a voice to all those who aren't here to use theirs. That is what voting means to me. That is how much my country means to me.
This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in ~Theodore Roosevelt
There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America. ~William J. Clinton
Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. ~James Bryce
We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights. ~Felix Frankfurter
America is a tune. It must be sung together. ~Gerald Stanley Lee, Crowds
Halloween
That day was so hectic. I had so much stuff to do that I actually had to cut out some of my Halloween plans. Leah and I ended up going to this carnival kinda thing with my sister and her family. Sadly, Chris didn't get the night off so we had to go without him. Needless to say that put a little bit of a damper on the evening. I do have some pictures but due to the fact that I took the memory card out and forgot to put it back in, all of the pictures that I have are in my cameras internal memory and I still have not put those in my computer yet, and on top of that the internal memory only has about 20 or so pictures.
I wasn't feeling too well, but boy did my Leah have fun! They had one of those bouncy house things, and a huge inflatable slides, FREE professional photo ( I need to scan Leah's,she's not too happy in it but it's still cute), free yummy food and drinks, trick or treating,face painting, games, and a little play area just for toddlers. It was pretty fun. I think it would have been even more fun though if Chris was there and if Leah was just a little older. The games they had were really just for older kids.
Other than that, Leah and I caught yet another nasty cold. That is the only thing that I really dislike about this time of year. And I'm sure that my being a complete germ-a-phobe doesn't help matters.
I think I'm also afraid of Leah getting really sick like she did last year. She got RSV from my niece and she was sooo sick. I'm traumatized from when the nurse had to stick that tube up Leah's nose to test it, and then seeing my poor baby cough up blood because of that same test. It took weeks for her to get better and my niece had to hospitalized.
I've been trying all sorts of things to try to boost our immune systems but our doctor says that Leah and I are just unlucky and catch everything. And yet when I tell people who are sick or their kid is sick to stay the heck away from
my child, they seem to forget. Man am I gonna hate it when she enters school!
I wasn't feeling too well, but boy did my Leah have fun! They had one of those bouncy house things, and a huge inflatable slides, FREE professional photo ( I need to scan Leah's,she's not too happy in it but it's still cute), free yummy food and drinks, trick or treating,face painting, games, and a little play area just for toddlers. It was pretty fun. I think it would have been even more fun though if Chris was there and if Leah was just a little older. The games they had were really just for older kids.
Other than that, Leah and I caught yet another nasty cold. That is the only thing that I really dislike about this time of year. And I'm sure that my being a complete germ-a-phobe doesn't help matters.
I think I'm also afraid of Leah getting really sick like she did last year. She got RSV from my niece and she was sooo sick. I'm traumatized from when the nurse had to stick that tube up Leah's nose to test it, and then seeing my poor baby cough up blood because of that same test. It took weeks for her to get better and my niece had to hospitalized.
I've been trying all sorts of things to try to boost our immune systems but our doctor says that Leah and I are just unlucky and catch everything. And yet when I tell people who are sick or their kid is sick to stay the heck away from
my child, they seem to forget. Man am I gonna hate it when she enters school!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Halloween fun and more ...
We've been so busy lately, that I've not had a moment to take a breath, let alone try to find time to post anything!
Saturday we were invited to a Halloween party thrown by my sister in law, Kim. Of course, we were late due to Chris' work schedule, so we missed out on some really fun stuff. But, non the less we had fun, and Leah looked so damn cute in her little ladybug costume!
I'm so glad that that's what we finally decided to have her be.
I still cannot get over how beautiful she looked. I tried to get her and her cousins to get a picture together, but it just wasn't going to happen that way. So this was the best that I could do.
Leah with her cousin Ry
Kim, Branden, and Alaina
And on Tuesday I went to my very first Young Women's activity as a YW advisor. We did a craft and it was so much fun! It's a cute earring holder. The glue didn't dry properly and I got a really horrible brush to paint with, and on top of that, one of the girls that was sitting next to me is kind of a special needs girl and decided to pour black paint on my frame, so I have to touch it up a bit, but other than that I like the way it turned out.
I painted it to match the colors in my bedroom.
I love the other ladies that are advisers and leaders. One of the ladies there I actually grew up with and love her to pieces!. The only sad part about the whole thing is that we don't have very many girls that are active. When I was in YW we had tons of girls and it really made such a difference in the atmosphere and especially at girls camp.
Regardless of how many girls we have, I'm still so excited about getting to know them better and hopefully form a bond, and help them in the ways that my YW leaders helped me. In fact, they made all the difference in my life. Though some have moved away, the lessens they taught me, the time the devoted to their calling, the love and acceptance that poured from every fiber of their being, and the very best memories that they helped me make, saved me. I truly believe that their calling came from God. And that helped make me who am I today.
If I can be even the smallest fraction of the wonderful example that those sisters were to me... I could sleep a little easier knowing that those girls knew their true worth in a world where society is often telling young girls otherwise. I hope I can be the person they need.
Saturday we were invited to a Halloween party thrown by my sister in law, Kim. Of course, we were late due to Chris' work schedule, so we missed out on some really fun stuff. But, non the less we had fun, and Leah looked so damn cute in her little ladybug costume!
I'm so glad that that's what we finally decided to have her be.
I still cannot get over how beautiful she looked. I tried to get her and her cousins to get a picture together, but it just wasn't going to happen that way. So this was the best that I could do.
Leah with her cousin Ry
Kim, Branden, and Alaina
And on Tuesday I went to my very first Young Women's activity as a YW advisor. We did a craft and it was so much fun! It's a cute earring holder. The glue didn't dry properly and I got a really horrible brush to paint with, and on top of that, one of the girls that was sitting next to me is kind of a special needs girl and decided to pour black paint on my frame, so I have to touch it up a bit, but other than that I like the way it turned out.
I painted it to match the colors in my bedroom.
I love the other ladies that are advisers and leaders. One of the ladies there I actually grew up with and love her to pieces!. The only sad part about the whole thing is that we don't have very many girls that are active. When I was in YW we had tons of girls and it really made such a difference in the atmosphere and especially at girls camp.
Regardless of how many girls we have, I'm still so excited about getting to know them better and hopefully form a bond, and help them in the ways that my YW leaders helped me. In fact, they made all the difference in my life. Though some have moved away, the lessens they taught me, the time the devoted to their calling, the love and acceptance that poured from every fiber of their being, and the very best memories that they helped me make, saved me. I truly believe that their calling came from God. And that helped make me who am I today.
If I can be even the smallest fraction of the wonderful example that those sisters were to me... I could sleep a little easier knowing that those girls knew their true worth in a world where society is often telling young girls otherwise. I hope I can be the person they need.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
