imagination...

Gone are the days of little summer dresses and big floppy hats. Sometimes when I see pictures of the past, I ponder what it would have been like to live 50 + years ago. Life seemed so simple back then. Don't get me wrong, I know it was hard. Working to support the family and trying to make money and so forth. But I think I would really enjoy the quiet that seemed to exist. No ipods, no loud speakers, no running around trying to get everything done "now".

I imagine taking time to visit with the neighbors over the garden fence as weeds were pulled. I imagine taking some warm bread to someone in need. I imagine reading a book becuase there aren't over 100 channels on TV to choose from. I imagine taking the kids to the park because the sun is shining and they need to get out and play. I imagine fixing dinner for my family. My imagination could go on, but I won't bore you.




I love this picture of my mom. It makes me happy and helps me to hold onto the things that matter and to DO those things that I imagine, not just imagine them.

Feelings of Joy

I am very emotional today. I cry over every little thing. I cried when I read Noelle's blog. I cried when I thought about my wedding. I cried when I read about Nie and her family and friends. I cried when I thought about my life. I have been so blessed!

I love my life. It isn't perfect. It isn't always a pleasure, but it is my life. I have a physical body that is healthy and strong. I have a loving kind family. I have a fiance that loves me. I have a good job and finances are ok. I have the cutest puppy in the world. And I have a Heavenly Father that loves me.

When I think about all that I have been given, I realize that I have been very blessed. And even though there might be difficult parts of life, in all reality, it is good. It is invigorating to wake up to really cold temperatures. It is really happy to see the tulips and daffodils and hyacinths coming up. It is priceless to hold a new born baby. It is exhausting to be in the cub scouts, but rewarding to serve them.

And most of all, I love reading the Book of Mormon and knowing that it changes my life. I love kneeling down and talking to my Heavenly Father and knowing that He completely understands me. I love singing the hymns and knowing they will boost my spirits any day. I love being in my mom's relief society becuase they are amazing loving kind women. I love that I served a mission for the church. I love the gospel. I love that the Church of Jesus Christ is true.

Life is good.

I feel good.

And I think I'll keep letting the tears tell me that.

Me time

After a couple of really hard weeks, I needed some me time. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew I had to get out.

So, I did what I love lots and lots...I went for a hike. It was the best hike I have been on in months. Probably becuase that is what I needed mentally. I love that there was still snow on the ground. I loved that there were very few people there with me. I loved that my puppy, although small, can pull me up the mountain. I loved that the waterfall was bigger than the last time I saw it. I loved that it was dreary looking, cause I don't sweat so much. I loved that I felt the burn in my calf muscles. I loved the spray from the river spraying up on me in certain spots. I loved that my mind was clear and free of all worries for an hour. I loved it!!

God knew what He was doing when He created the great outdoors. He knew that we needed time to escape the world and that we would feel closer to Him when we are out in His creations. He knew that yesterday I needed a boost and that I would get that outside. I love my Heavenly Father and am so glad that He knows me and that He provides for me in all aspects. He is good to me.



Not the best picture in the world, but that's okay. Still makes me happy. :)

today's thoughts...

Does anyone else think that men stink in the morning? Sometimes it isn't so bad, but sometimes I just don't deal well with the morning "unshowered, un brushed teeth, smell". Oh how does one ever get married and survive? :)

I slept well last night. But I got to school and was still so tired that I closed my door and turned off the lights and took a twenty minute power nap. Of course all during my prep hour. I still feel groggy.

Although my students drive me crazy, they make me laugh. They say the funniest things. And even when I shouldn't laugh, I find I do more than I don't. No wonder they think that I am 'one of them'.

Cory thinks I spend too much money. I don't think he spends enough. I wonder if we are going to survive a marriage having such differences financially. That's a tough one!

I'm not sure why, but my peanut butter and jelly sandwhich made my tummy hurt. It tasted fine and I enjoyed every bit of it, but after was rough.

I need to call the photographer for engagements, bridals and the wedding date. Sorta makes the whole thing real, ya know?

I have a student from Iran who feels like the whole world hates him. Changing countries is soooo hard. I feel bad for him.

I'm making a quiet book, and sometimes I get so excited about it. I'm like a little kid.

and finally,

more kids are coming in and man do i just want to go home.

Happy St. Patricks Day!!!

The countdown begins....

I am SOOOOOOOOO excited! I get to start planning my wedding and I can't wait. :)

So, here goes. 80 days from today.

Sounds like a long time, but I know it'll go fast.

I tried on my wedding dress last night and let's just say I am super ready to take bridals.

YAY for me!!!

understanding life...

I'm sitting here at my desk crying. It has been a really hard couple of days. I'm angry and hurt. And I don't have any answers. I just read my dear sisters blog about my grandpa and her feelings of love in her heart for him. She wants so badly for him to be at the wedding. I don't blame her.

I was then being selfish and thought how nice it would be to have a loved one from the other side wrap me in their arms and tell me that it would all be okay. That I was doing things well here and that they loved me. Often I have thought about my 'once upon a time twin' and wondered what it would be like to know her and seek her advice and feel her love. I wonder what she would tell me now about this whole Murphy thing.

How I long for my wedding day with Cory. How I wish that this bad dream would end and I could wake up just being worry free. Cory is good to me. I love that he is so kind to me and so understanding of this situation. I just hope that he knows how much I love him.

March

Did you know that there are MANY holidays in March? I didn't. I was googling to find the day for St Patrick's day (yes I forgot), and this is what I found....


March 1st

* National Pig Day


* Peanut Butter Lover's Day


* Saint David's Day
Celebrated in Wales, UK.

* Share a Smile Day


March 2nd

* Dr. Seuss's Birthday
Born in 1904.

* Read Across America Day

March 3rd

* Doll Festival
In Japan.

* National Anthem Day
The Star Spangled Banner was adopted by Congress as the national anthem in 1931.

March 4th

* National Poundcake Day

March 5th

* Multiple Personalities Day

* Parachute was invented
By Da Vinci

March 6th

* Dentist Day

* Michelangelo Buonarroti's Birthday
Born on this day in 1475.

* Oreo Cookies for Sale
On Sale for the first time in 1912.

March 7th

* Telephone Patent Granted
In 1876 to Alexander Graham Bell.

March 8th

* Commonwealth Day
The Second Monday in March.

* Working Women's Day

March 9th

* Barbie's Birthday
Barbie Doll was introduced on this day in 1959.

* No Smoking Day

* Panic Day

March 10th

* First Paper Money Issued
Issued this day in 1862.

March 11th

* First Basketball Game
The first public game was on March 11, 1892.

March 12th

* Girl Scout Day
Girl Scouts founded in 1912.

March 13th

* Good Samaritan Day

* Uranus Discovered
By William Herschel in 1781.

March 14th

* Albert Einstein's Birthday
Born in 1879.

* Buzzard Day
The second Sunday in March, however it is celebrated on different days on different places!

* Casey Jones' Birthday
Born John Luther Jones in 1864.

* Daylight Saving Time Begins
Clocks move forward one hour on the second Sunday in March.

* Pi Day

* Potato Chip Day

March 15th

* Ides of March

March 16th

* Everything You Do Is Right Day

* Freedom of Information Day

March 17th

* Rubber Band Invented
In 1845.

* St. Patrick's Day


* Submarine Day

March 18th

* Birthday of Sparky the Fire Dog
Official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

* First Walk in Space
In 1965.

* Johnny Appleseed Day
The anniversary of the death of John Chapman a.k.a. Johnny Appleseed.

March 19th

* Swallow's Return Day
The traditional return of swallows to San Juan Capistrano.

March 20th

* Big Bird's Birthday
Sesame Street Character.

* Bill Martin Jr.'s Birthday

* First Day of Spring


* National Quilting Day
Celebrated the Third Saturday of March.

March 21st

* Children's Poetry Day

* National Teen-Agers Day

* Single Parents' Day

March 22nd

* National Goof Off Day

* National Sing-Out Day

March 23rd

* Toast Day
Nellie Melba revealed her Melba Toast recipe.

March 24th

* Chocolate Covered Raisin Day

* Harry Houdini's Birthday
Born in 1874.

March 25th

* Greek Independence Day

* Pancakes First Made
First made in New York City in 1882.

March 26th

* Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

March 27th

* National "Joe" Day
Everyone who hates their name can be called Joe this day.

March 28th

* Something On a Stick Day

March 29th

* Passover Begins at Sundown

* Coca-Cola was Invented
In 1886.

March 30th

* Alaska Purchased
Purchased from Russia in 1867.

* Doctor's Day


* Pencil with Eraser Patented
Patented in 1858.

March 31st

* Cesar Chavez Day

* First Map of the US Published

* Tater Day

I especially liked that yesterday was Barbie's birthday. Plus, Noelle, you were free to panic all day yesterday for panic day. You can't panic anymore though. Even though you are getting married. By the way, all, you should check out her wedding video here. And if you are one of her followers, you should definitely become one of my followers. :)

And last of all, for all of you who are tired of hearing their own name, you just have to hold on a little loner until the 27th. Then you can change it for the day. I know that I am most definitley looking forward to not hearing "Miss Platt" for a day.

Happy March to everyone!

what a wierd day

yesterday was unexpected. I woke up with energy and excitement. I can't wait to get married and be with Cory forever. I can't wait to wear my wedding dress. I was picking out songs for our wedding video and was so super excited to have Cory listen. I got home from school and ran a couple of errands and was on my way to take Micky for a walk when much to my... (I don't have a word), Murphy (my ex fiance) was sitting on my front porch waiting for me.

There were so many things going through my mind. I was sick. Sick to my stomach and close to tears. Oh so close. But I had to do my thing. Invite him in, ask about his family, tell him about mine, talk about the wedding date, etc. The conversation was ok, nothing out of the ordinary. I couldn't wait for Cory to get home so that I could escape. What did Murphy want? Why was now ok for two dozen roses and not when he proposed? Why did it take him three years, almost, to figure out what he wanted?

He talked about how difficult this was for him and that he didn't want to see Cory. Did he stop to think about how difficult this could be for others? He wanted to leave before Cory got there. That didn't happen. So he hid in my spare room while I asked Cory to go to the other room, so that Murphy could leave. Why? Are we in junior high, now? I was frustrated and hurt and sad and...hurt. Did I say that one already?

I drove Murphy to his brothers house where he is staying. (his brother married my friend). I told Sandy she should have told me. This isn't something you hide or keep secret. This isn't an exciting surprise. This was a dreaded moment.

I'm glad that Cory is so patient and understanding. I'm glad that he just gave me a hug and let me be astounded. I'm glad that he was there and that he came home from work when he did. I'm glad that I am marrying Cory. I love him. I love his goodness and his love for me. I love that he wants to marry me.

I love that my family is so supportive and so on my side. They are kind and good and understanding. They all agree that Murphy is too late. And I love that they agree on that point.

I fell asleep last night exhausted emotionally. I had bad dreams. I woke up and yelled out that I just wanted everyone to go away. Cory was still in the living room at this point, and he came in to make sure I was ok. He whispered in my ear that he isn't going anywhere. I wanted him to stay. He kissed me on the forehead and went to my parents house to sleep. I love him.

What a weird day...

things Cory does...

He takes off his "itchy" clothes whenever possible for a tshirt and shorts.

*****

He always listens to his ipod, which contains ALL types of music.

*****

He buys me pizza and bakes it while I go to scouts and surprises me when I get home.

*****

He puts pringles on the banister so that I can have another suprise when I come home.

*****

He plays with Micky when Micky wants to be rough and I want to cuddle.

*****

He always scratches his head when he is watching tv.

*****

He laughs really hard during the office.

*****

He tells me I'm beautiful, especially when I need to hear it.

*****

He listens to Harry Potter books on his Ipod.

*****

He empties the dishwasher.

*****

He sleeps on the floor at my moms so I can sleep in my bed.

*****

He tells me I'm not fat even when I am.

*****

He tells me he loves me every day, sometimes twice or three times a day.

*****

He rolls his eyes when I am too emotional for him.

*****

He is good at listening and not trying to "fix it".

*****

He face paints Heidi's face.


*****

And best off all....he loves me.

Amanda Lou

Dear Lou -

I think you are so cute! You are little and blond and just like one of the nieces. (at least in this picture). I'm glad you are my sister and I am glad that you are still cute. Love you.

Allie

This is my grandma Allie. She was a beautiful woman! And when I see her picture, I have a hard time not wanting to really get to know her. She died in a car accident when I was just a baby, and so therefore I have no memories of her. I long for the day when I can talk with her and really come to understand the person that she was.

Every time someone tells me stories or shares glimpses of her life, I feel such a great love for her and who she was. She was patient and kind. She loved my grandpa very much and let him dream his dreams and pursue those dreams. She was an amazing mother and a perfect grandmother. She could cook and sew and served those around her. She gave her life as most mothers do to those she loved the most.

And while that is really all I know about my grandmother, I pray that one day I can learn more. I pray that my aunt will share her journals so that I too can understand who she was and is. I thank her for raising my dad to be the man that he is. I thank her for loving my mom as her own and for taking her into her heart. I thank her for the role that she plays in my life right now, even though she is not with me. I love her very much!

random high school thoughts

My students are so funny. Most of the time it's because they don't think before they talk. Here are a few things I am heard from them today.

----- "what the...is that statue eating the tourist?"
----- "what's a size twelve look like?" (boy) "It's like, HUGE!" (girl)
----- "Miss Platt, did you take some pills today?"
----- "anaranjado means orange right?, so what's the answer orange?
----- "How do I shave my legs? I think my hair is too long."
----- "I eat like 8 eggs a day."
----- "Why haven't you sent me a wedding invitation yet? Don't you want me to come?"
----- "Let's not learn anything today."

And so many more things that would take way too long to explain. Sometimes I laugh so hard I cry. Sometimes I just cry. Sometimes I yell. But most of the time I just shake my head and wonder where these kids come from.