:)

I just wanted to say that I love Cory! He is sweet and kind and funny and makes me feel so good about myself.

Maybe one day I'll post a picture. I just have to find one. :)

Gratitude...

Today one of the things that I am most grateful for about Utah is the landscape. A few years ago we took a family road trip down to Zions. We have some family in St. George and every now and then we are able to escape. I love the mountains! Ever since we were little, we have spent much of our vacation time in the mountains. This is a photo that I took while we were down there. There is such a grandeur in the mountains and I feel very close to the Lord when I am in the mountains. I hope that I never have to live far from them.

Once upon a time...

There was a girl that lived in a far away land. This land was a hard land. There was no running water. No electricity. Rats in the roof. And very different cultural differences between her and the people of the land.

But this girl LOVED this land. And she would give anything to go back. She loved the view from her front porch and longs to feel the ocean breeze on her face again as she greets the day.

One day, she says.

One day...

poor me

I just don't understand why no one comments....

:(

by the way....

I bought him. :)

His name is Micky.

And he is adorable!!!!

Miracles

A couple of weeks ago, I participated in a conference for all foreign language teachers at Weber State. I love this conference. Mostly because I get to see old friends and catch up on their lives. The classes are pretty good, too. It's always a day I get to fill my bucket so that I can find the desire and energy to keep teaching. This last time, I was able to re-connect with a dear friend. She was my mentor while I did my student teaching and I learned so much from her. It was delightful to catch up and rekindle that friendship.

Diana has experienced some real difficult times over the last year or so, and as she sat down to tell me about her life, I gained even more love and respect for her. She talked about her little daughter that was born this summer. Her precious little daughter that had a heart defect. This heart defect only occurs in 1% of all infants. I was saddened for her and amazed at her strength and her peace. (you can read more about her experience on her blog http://my-sweetheart-girl.blogspot.com) As we talked, I learned about many people that go through this and the community they have created to support each other during hard times. As I have read her blog, I have become familiar with a new term that she uses; heart friends.

Yesterday afternoon, my sister-in-law gave birth to their second little boy. I was the first to hold him, besides the parents, and so many thoughts went through my mind as I looked at this perfect little bundle. What a miracle! Our Heavenly Father has given so many the chance to be parents and bring such beautiful babies into this world. I thought of my friend Diana and wondered about the journey each of us agrees to take on the earth. The plan of salvation teaches that we all have a plan. We all made decisions in our pre-earth life about what our mission here on earth would be. Merideth, Diana's little one, had a mission. What is was we may never know. But she fulfilled her mission here on earth and now has the privilege of living with our Father in Heaven. My new nephew has yet to fulfill his mission on earth. He has his life before him. We don't know how long that life is, but I do know that no matter how long or how short, his life is beautiful.


After reading about a number of Diana's heart friends and crying while doing so, I feel such a peace. I feel very blessed and very lucky to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. To know that God hears and answeres our prayers. To know that He has a plan for each of us, and He wants us to succeed. I know that. I know that He will continue to bless us with these little miracles in our lives and that we can learn so much from these little ones. I know that He loves us. And with that said, I love this little nephew of mine! He is perfect and I can't wait to watch as his mission unfolds.

growing up

When we were kids, our lives were magical. We had a dad who was fond (very much so) of adventures. Everything we did was an adventure.

We drove to Baja Mexico in our suburban with plastic and duct tape for a back window.
We hiked the back side of the G mountain (and got lost)
We captured and took home a rattlesnake so that we could learn about them.
Dad saved a baby hawk and took care of him till he could live on his own.
Mom would send us all to V&S to buy penny candy.
We went swimming all the time.
We went camping in the grand gulch and heard a cougar and saw his footprints.
And the list could go on and on.

I don't really remember where we were for this picture, but we were stopped along the road and we all climbed up and dad took our picture. The adventures we went on were often big and more often than that, small. But to young kids, they were everything. I loved my childhood. It was magical!

Mom and Dad were amazing parents. They taught us so much and our lives are more rich now for all that we were able to experience. I love you both for that!!!

marriage...

When I grow up I want to get married. I have been saying that for a long time, but I think one day it will happen. I have faith. But when I do get married, I hope that my marriage is as good as, and in some ways, better than my parents marriage.

Mostly what I want is for him to love the gospel the way I love the gospel.
Attend the temple with me.
Put the Lord first above all else.
Treat me like a queen.
Hold my hand wherever we go, no matter how old we get.

puppy anyone?

I am an animal lover! For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted and taken care of animals. I love them! Well, the urge for a pet is getting stronger. I decided I was going to buy a dog the other day. I went online and checked out all the little dogs out there. I wanted one that would fit my needs and love me. :)

I found him.

He's adorable!

I want to name him salsa or wink or maybe even topaz or rex.

I want to be his friend.

He wants to live with me.

And I asked Santa to give him to me for christmas

But I am losing hope.

What if he sells?

Oh puppy, I wish you could be mine.

Cory says he needs a two parent home.

Dad says he can't be left alone while i'm in school.

They are both right.

But I still want him.

Who wouldn't?





sigh......