Friday, December 30, 2011

30 and loving it....




I turned the big 30 last week. The incomparably beautiful I-Shuan made me Korean B-day soup...you turn a year older when you eat it, which I did. It was the greatest way to celebrate my birthday with the sweetest people!




Inspired by my friend Bethany, I am writing 20 things that I learned in my 20's.

This post took me forever to write, and finally I had to break down and ask for Kentito's help. It disturbed me not because of my age but rather because it took me so FREAKING long to think of 20 things I've learned, and that bugged me. I mean really, I couldn't think of 20 measlely things in my life from the last decade? Not being able to quantify it made me wonder, Was it a wasted decade? Which of course the answer to that is HELL NO! Let's begin shall we....
In no particular order...






1. A grateful heart is the secret to a successful day. Noticing the small things and offering a silent prayer of thanks.
2.I like to learn. 13 years in the public school system and I thought I hated it. I left that behind and my real education began....and I love it.
3.I have to excercise everyday in some form or other. Like a giant cosmic checkmark I have to check everyday or else I am grumpy. I've learned that as I get older I work out twice as hard and look half as good.
4.I LOVE and feel blessed to have the calling of "mother" in this life. LOVE my job.
5. I have a thirsty and conversely absorbent mind. I flit over an emotional political or criminal article and I can recall the party's last name 4 years later. I have to be careful what I watch, read and especially think about.
6. I love to read.
7. I am fiercely defensive. Try and cross someone I love and we'll see what's left of you when were done. It's not a good quality but I acknowledge that it's there.
8. You can have 3 PhD's and not know a thing. Unless the spirit of truth is there in education it's not education, I don't think.
9. I've learned alot about the Word of Wisdom and nutrition. Still learning and loving the depth found there.
10. I value differences in opinion. I might not agree with you but I can respect the point of view. I like hearing different ideas. I value a similar respectful point of view, you might not like what I think but don't tell me I'm an idiot. Narrow minded people bug me.
11. Happiness is a choice, a state of mind rather than a state of circumstances.
12. I'm indecisive.
13. No I'm not.
14. I struggle with fear. The Lord has helped in not letting it control me. "Perfect love casteth out all fear.


15. Friendship is important to me.
16. I'm not a cry-er and wish that I were one. I always feel so much better after a good, hardy cry. That is also when I feel the most beautiful too. The morning after a cry, puffy eyes and all. But in reality I only cry maybe twice a year. And the things that make me cry are random, a work of art, a perfect moment. etc.
17. I learned that I love to dance like a hyper idiot....but only when no one is looking. Does this mean I care what people think, or that I care about people enough that I don't want to frighten them (I AM REALLY SPAZZY!)? Hmmm..food for thought.
18. I learned that I like to think of myself as an AMAZING TRAVELER but I'm not. Carsick, Airsick...landing in Hawaii last year was my once a year in tears experience. Maybe it's because I was prego?
19. I learned I hate heights. Jumping from them is not an option. I love the ocean, it puts me in a state of awe. I have no desire to see under it's deeps it freaks me out.
and
20. I learned I have ALOT to learn.


I was trying to think of 20 things I'd accomplished in my 20's. I can't. When I look back on my 20's I will think of it as the decade I became a mom and wife. I hope that quantifies it enough.









Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Evelyn's Blessing....

What is light?




When you recognize her beauty, the eye applaudes


The heart stands in an ovation


and the tongue, when she is near, is on it's best behavior


It speaks more like light.




"What does light talk about?"


I asked a plant that once


It said, "I am not sure,


but it makes me grow."



-St. Thomas Aquines


Kent gave Ever the most beautiful blessing. The spirit was so strong. Ever's spirit fills my whole being with song. I love being a mother to my precious children. We are so blessed.








Grandm and Grandpa Gardner were able to come for the blessing and for Thanksgiving. It wouldn't have felt like home without them. Thank you so much for coming! We love you guys so very much!







"Are you a princess?" I asked



And she said, "I am much more than a princess,



but you don't have a name for it here on earth."




-Author Unknown