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www.jamesandkatiesaunders.blogspot.com
:)
October 19, 2011
October 5, 2011
Gray Day
Usually, I'm not a fan of gray, rainy, windy days.
But today....the weather completely matches my mood.
It's perfect for the way I feel.
All I want is:
Hot Chocolate.
A Down Comforter.
A Comfy Couch.
A Good Romance/Thriller/Adventure Novel.
Time Alone to cuddle and read my book. No one around.
But instead, lucky me gets to do Parent/Teacher conferences until 8:00 tonight!! Oh well. It's going to rain all week. Maybe one day this week I can do all of these things.
But today....the weather completely matches my mood.
It's perfect for the way I feel.
All I want is:
Hot Chocolate.
A Down Comforter.
A Comfy Couch.
A Good Romance/Thriller/Adventure Novel.
Time Alone to cuddle and read my book. No one around.
But instead, lucky me gets to do Parent/Teacher conferences until 8:00 tonight!! Oh well. It's going to rain all week. Maybe one day this week I can do all of these things.
September 13, 2011
Blessings
We have been so lucky this last week!! We have found: a place to live, couches, and a bed for our apartment...for very cheap!! The furniture was free...needs a little cleaning, but are in very good condition. Plus, we found an apartment that is great rent and quite nice, with a lot of space! Someone has been watching out for us this week. :)
And, on another note, the words to a song that has been significant this week:
I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away.
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the ones behind bin Laden.
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for.
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field.
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I will never forget where I was that day.
7th Grade. Coach Kockler's Social Studies class.
He took the time to explain to us what had happened.
He talked to us like grownups.
He told us what this could mean for our country.
He told us to pray for the people involved.
He told us that our country would never be the same.
He told us that it would bring us together as a people; that we would unite in sympathy.
He told us that now, more than ever, we needed to be the best person that we could be. We were the ones who were going to grow up in this changed mindset, and we were the ones who would be running the country in 30 years.
I was profoundly touched by his explanation, and the fact that he felt we need to know. This was 7th period, almost the end of the day. Up until this point, not a single teacher had decided to explain to us what was going on. We could feel the tension, the worry in all of the teachers, but no one let us in on what had happened.
I went home and made sure that Dad wasn't flying his American job that day.
I went home and talked to my mom about what I had heard. We watched the news together. It was the first time I remember being captivated by the news.
Uncle Brad and Aunt Button couldn't get home to San Diego because the airlines shut down. They had to rent a car and drive.
For weeks...months afterward, we heard about bin Laden, Hussein, and many other terrorists.
Our lives changed.
Dad was furloughed from his job because people were afraid to fly.
My uncle was deployed to Afghanistan.
My cousin was deployed to Afghanistan.
As a country, we feared another attack.
As a country, we banded together and were unified in making sure this didn't happen again.
Airport security became a nightmare.
Border security became a nightmare.
We heard updates on "The War on Terror" as regularly as I'm sure people did in the "Cold War."
Our country feared nuclear warfare. Biological warfare.
Many people sent brothers, husbands, fathers to the Middle East, worried about their safety.
People put yellow ribbons on trees and cars and pins.
But still, our lives continued on.
Babies were born. People married. People died. Jobs were lost and gained. Friends were found. Family members spent more time with each other.
Life went on.
Until, eventually, we forgot the details of that day. We forgot how piercing the feelings were on September 11, 2001. We forgot just how upset we were that someone would do this to our country. We forgot how incensed we were. We forgot about the sacrifices that so many people made. We forgot about the heroism we saw, in firefighters and rescue workers and policemen and regular people. We forgot about the families that were still in mourning for their loved ones.
It faded from our minds. And that is why I think this song is so appropriate.
We must not forget. If we forget history, it will repeat itself. We must remember how we banded together as a people. If we stay unified like that, we will be better able to handle anything that comes in our way. We will be a happier people. We will serve each other more. We will be kinder. We will not let past mistakes recur over and over again.
We will remember.
And, on another note, the words to a song that has been significant this week:
I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away.
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the ones behind bin Laden.
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for.
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field.
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I will never forget where I was that day.
7th Grade. Coach Kockler's Social Studies class.
He took the time to explain to us what had happened.
He talked to us like grownups.
He told us what this could mean for our country.
He told us to pray for the people involved.
He told us that our country would never be the same.
He told us that it would bring us together as a people; that we would unite in sympathy.
He told us that now, more than ever, we needed to be the best person that we could be. We were the ones who were going to grow up in this changed mindset, and we were the ones who would be running the country in 30 years.
I was profoundly touched by his explanation, and the fact that he felt we need to know. This was 7th period, almost the end of the day. Up until this point, not a single teacher had decided to explain to us what was going on. We could feel the tension, the worry in all of the teachers, but no one let us in on what had happened.
I went home and made sure that Dad wasn't flying his American job that day.
I went home and talked to my mom about what I had heard. We watched the news together. It was the first time I remember being captivated by the news.
Uncle Brad and Aunt Button couldn't get home to San Diego because the airlines shut down. They had to rent a car and drive.
For weeks...months afterward, we heard about bin Laden, Hussein, and many other terrorists.
Our lives changed.
Dad was furloughed from his job because people were afraid to fly.
My uncle was deployed to Afghanistan.
My cousin was deployed to Afghanistan.
As a country, we feared another attack.
As a country, we banded together and were unified in making sure this didn't happen again.
Airport security became a nightmare.
Border security became a nightmare.
We heard updates on "The War on Terror" as regularly as I'm sure people did in the "Cold War."
Our country feared nuclear warfare. Biological warfare.
Many people sent brothers, husbands, fathers to the Middle East, worried about their safety.
People put yellow ribbons on trees and cars and pins.
But still, our lives continued on.
Babies were born. People married. People died. Jobs were lost and gained. Friends were found. Family members spent more time with each other.
Life went on.
Until, eventually, we forgot the details of that day. We forgot how piercing the feelings were on September 11, 2001. We forgot just how upset we were that someone would do this to our country. We forgot how incensed we were. We forgot about the sacrifices that so many people made. We forgot about the heroism we saw, in firefighters and rescue workers and policemen and regular people. We forgot about the families that were still in mourning for their loved ones.
It faded from our minds. And that is why I think this song is so appropriate.
We must not forget. If we forget history, it will repeat itself. We must remember how we banded together as a people. If we stay unified like that, we will be better able to handle anything that comes in our way. We will be a happier people. We will serve each other more. We will be kinder. We will not let past mistakes recur over and over again.
We will remember.
September 2, 2011
Wedding Stuff!!!
If you would like a wedding announcement, go to this website and leave us your address!!
http://www.ewedding.com/sites/jamesandkatiesaunders
There's some fun stuff about us on there too...Check it out. We designed it. :)
http://www.ewedding.com/sites/jamesandkatiesaunders
There's some fun stuff about us on there too...Check it out. We designed it. :)
August 15, 2011
Forgive Me.
WARNING: This post is inspired by chick flicks. And therefore may contain some mushy sentiments.
I watched this movie for the first time the other night:
I loved it! It was a fabulous movie and I can't believe I'd never seen it before. Oh and it might have the most romantic movie line ever except possibly one more. I listened very closely. ;)
"Look, I guarantee there'll be tough times. I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us is gonna want to get out of this thing. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for the rest of my life, because I know, in my heart, you're the only one for me."
Can you say aawwwwwwwwww? I did. I love it.
Oh, the other movie quote I was talking about? From this movie:
"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." Amen, Harry Burns, amen.
Hey there's something you should know. I have the best fiance. :) And I just love him. The end.
I watched this movie for the first time the other night:
I loved it! It was a fabulous movie and I can't believe I'd never seen it before. Oh and it might have the most romantic movie line ever except possibly one more. I listened very closely. ;)
"Look, I guarantee there'll be tough times. I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us is gonna want to get out of this thing. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for the rest of my life, because I know, in my heart, you're the only one for me."
Can you say aawwwwwwwwww? I did. I love it.
Oh, the other movie quote I was talking about? From this movie:
"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." Amen, Harry Burns, amen.
Hey there's something you should know. I have the best fiance. :) And I just love him. The end.
July 27, 2011
Awwwww
Tonight, as I was organizing my room, I came upon a letter written to me by one of my favorite students last year. And it absolutely made my day. :)
Dear Miss Nichols,
Thank you for teaching u severything that we need to know. Youa re so great! I love how you always are nice to me too! you are the best teacher I can ever imagine! Also thank you for always appreciating for what I do. Thank you for explaning multiplicatoin and some divison and all sort of stuff! I apppreciate how you are so nice and all that! Thank you for being the best teacher ever!
Love, Emme
Seriously. Day made.
Dear Miss Nichols,
Thank you for teaching u severything that we need to know. Youa re so great! I love how you always are nice to me too! you are the best teacher I can ever imagine! Also thank you for always appreciating for what I do. Thank you for explaning multiplicatoin and some divison and all sort of stuff! I apppreciate how you are so nice and all that! Thank you for being the best teacher ever!
Love, Emme
Seriously. Day made.
July 20, 2011
July 18, 2011
News
Oh yeah...I kind of forgot to tell you....
We're engaged!!!
I am sure that most of you, if not all of you, already know this. But I felt like posting it anyway. Because I'm super excited about it!!! :)
OKAY. Storytime. Are you ready?
We went to San Francisco with our friends Nick and Carly. We did lots of fun sightseeing the first couple days we were there - we went to Alcatraz, the pier, Fisherman's Wharf, etc. Saturday we had planned to go to the Muir Woods, a redwood national park that is close by. Carly had originally told me that we were going to take pictures there - she and Nick wanted family pictures with Em and then they would take some shots of me and James.
So, naturally, we dressed nice that day...actually got up, showered, did my hair, etc. :) We got to the redwoods and they were absolutely gorgeous. Such magnificent trees. I pretty much had my viewfinder to my eye the entire trip into the woods (which, I later learned, gave James and Carly plenty of pep talk time).
On our way out, we stopped at the bridge over the river. Carly said, "I want a video of this...river..." Somehow I still had no idea what was going to happen. James and I sat down on the bridge and Nick took a few pictures (which they had been doing all trip, so it didn't seem unnatural). I was still completely clueless. James turned to me and said, "Let's have a chat." He said some wonderfully romantic, nice things that I will not say :) and then he said he had a question for me. Believe it or not, I still didn't realize what was happening until he physically got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Of course I said yes. And then I asked him if he was serious. I couldn't believe it!
(this is when I asked him if he was serious and he laughed at me. Hey, I was in shock!)
We are so excited to be getting married!! I can't tell you how much I love this man. :) We are so happy and anxious and excited and nervous and just delighted!!
Oh and we will be married on November 5, 2011, in the Bountiful, Utah temple.
We're engaged!!!
I am sure that most of you, if not all of you, already know this. But I felt like posting it anyway. Because I'm super excited about it!!! :)
OKAY. Storytime. Are you ready?
We went to San Francisco with our friends Nick and Carly. We did lots of fun sightseeing the first couple days we were there - we went to Alcatraz, the pier, Fisherman's Wharf, etc. Saturday we had planned to go to the Muir Woods, a redwood national park that is close by. Carly had originally told me that we were going to take pictures there - she and Nick wanted family pictures with Em and then they would take some shots of me and James.
So, naturally, we dressed nice that day...actually got up, showered, did my hair, etc. :) We got to the redwoods and they were absolutely gorgeous. Such magnificent trees. I pretty much had my viewfinder to my eye the entire trip into the woods (which, I later learned, gave James and Carly plenty of pep talk time).
On our way out, we stopped at the bridge over the river. Carly said, "I want a video of this...river..." Somehow I still had no idea what was going to happen. James and I sat down on the bridge and Nick took a few pictures (which they had been doing all trip, so it didn't seem unnatural). I was still completely clueless. James turned to me and said, "Let's have a chat." He said some wonderfully romantic, nice things that I will not say :) and then he said he had a question for me. Believe it or not, I still didn't realize what was happening until he physically got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Of course I said yes. And then I asked him if he was serious. I couldn't believe it!
(this is when I asked him if he was serious and he laughed at me. Hey, I was in shock!)
We are so excited to be getting married!! I can't tell you how much I love this man. :) We are so happy and anxious and excited and nervous and just delighted!!
Oh and we will be married on November 5, 2011, in the Bountiful, Utah temple.
July 16, 2011
Craftiness
My friend Melissa is a GENIUS. :) She made one of these makeup-organizer things and I just had to copy her and make one for myself! It is so easy adn much cuter and more organized than the box I've been using for makeup.
This is what mine looks like. I only put the makeup I use fairly frequently on it, and kept the other stuff in my box to pull out when needed. I love it! Thanks, Melissa! :)
This is what mine looks like. I only put the makeup I use fairly frequently on it, and kept the other stuff in my box to pull out when needed. I love it! Thanks, Melissa! :)
July 13, 2011
I Should Know Better
I really, really should know better than to read scary books this late at night. I didn't know this book was going to creep me out so much. It was a really good book, but I am now looking over my shoulder every second and half expecting someone to come rushing through my bedroom door.
I don't even want to open the bathroom door to brush my teeth and take out my contacts.
I don't want to turn out any of my lights.
And I really don't want to close my eyes and try to sleep.
I realize that I am no longer 5 years old. And if I'd read this book during the day, it wouldn't have bothered me at all. Just the fact that it's dark outside and I'm alone and that it's time for bed is enough to scare the wits out of me. I know this about myself. That's why I don't read books like this before bed. Except I forgot tonight. And now I'm paying for my carelessness.
I kind of wish I shared a room with someone right now. Then maybe I'd feel better because I wouldn't be alone.
I don't even want to open the bathroom door to brush my teeth and take out my contacts.
I don't want to turn out any of my lights.
And I really don't want to close my eyes and try to sleep.
I realize that I am no longer 5 years old. And if I'd read this book during the day, it wouldn't have bothered me at all. Just the fact that it's dark outside and I'm alone and that it's time for bed is enough to scare the wits out of me. I know this about myself. That's why I don't read books like this before bed. Except I forgot tonight. And now I'm paying for my carelessness.
I kind of wish I shared a room with someone right now. Then maybe I'd feel better because I wouldn't be alone.
July 6, 2011
City on the Bay
I spent this last week in San Francisco with James and our friends Nick and Carly, their daughter Emery, and Carly's brother Eli.
Best. Trip. Ever.
No, seriously. :)
We had so much fun!!! It was absolutely amazing! I only have a few pictures because I need to get the rest from James' computer, so here's a little sneak peek.
Best. Trip. Ever.
No, seriously. :)
We had so much fun!!! It was absolutely amazing! I only have a few pictures because I need to get the rest from James' computer, so here's a little sneak peek.
June 24, 2011
Disney World!
Finally, some pictures. :) Because SOMEONE told me I needed to post on my blog, that they were getting tired of looking at the same post every day...you know who you are. ;)
This trip was SO FUN!!! I absolutely loved it, and I wish we could have stayed longer! I took a lot of pictures so I'll just post my favorites on here. :)
This trip was SO FUN!!! I absolutely loved it, and I wish we could have stayed longer! I took a lot of pictures so I'll just post my favorites on here. :)
On the airplane to Florida!
Waiting in line for Space Mountain...our favorite ride!! We rode it three or four times in the day and a half we were at the Magic Kingdom. :)
I think we were waiting in line for "It's a Small World" at this point....which is our favorite ride. Especially Dad's favorite ride, because I made him go on it so many times as a kid.
Cinderella's castle! I love the castle...it's every little girl's fantasy come true. Seriously.
Harry Potter world at Universal! It was really cool. It looked just like the movies, like it could have been the set that they filmed on. There was Honeydukes, Zonko's, Ollivander's, The Three Broomsticks, and the Hog's Head. They also had the castle up on the hill, which was the "Journey" ride, a motion simulator that made me sick. Also, it got stuck at the end, and they stopped the ride and turned off all the lights. It was weird, but really fun.
Torrential downpour and thunderstorm that happened. We took shelter under a large umbrella that was covering an unused snack stand. It literally dumped buckets on us for an hour and a half, and we were standing up the whole time because there was nowhere to sit. It ended up being ridiculously fun though, because I have the best family in the world. :)
We were soaked from the rain...this is the "Flight of the Hippogriff" ride at Harry Potter world. It was my kind of roller coaster...slow and tame. :) haha but really, it was fun because you got a great view of the park from the top of the coaster. Also, I like Dad's face in the background of this picture.
View of Hogsmeade. You can see some of the rest of Universal, too.
Then we went to Animal Kingdom. We went on a cool safari, rode the train to the "Affection Section," AKA the petting zoo, and met Rafiki and Pocahontas (Mom has those pictures.) Then we went to the Lion King show. Oh my goodness was that the coolest part of Animal Kingdom! It was like a little taste of Lion King on Broadway. It was marvelous!
Then, we took the ferryboat back to the Magic Kingdom to watch the light show and fireworks a second time, because Mom and I loved the first time so much. They do this really cool thing with Cinderella's castle-they project images onto it, titled "The Magic, the Memories, and Us" and it is the coolest thing ever.
I loved the fireworks because it wasn't just pyro. The castle was part of the show as well - they lit it up. It was also set to Jiminy Cricket narration and a few classic Disney songs that remind you to listen to your heart and to wish upon stars. Oh, it was absolutely fabulous. It really felt magical, and I feel like a five year old saying that, but it's true. You are really never too old for the magic of Disney. I hope that someday I get to take my kids to this, the happiest place on Earth.
June 11, 2011
New Favorite
Why has no one ever before introduced me to the wonderfulness that is tinted moisturizer?? I found this little treasure this week and it definitely makes my list of must-have beauty products for the summer!!
I absolutely love it! It works so well to even out my skin tone while keeping my face moisturized (since I live in Utah) and it even has sunscreen in it! What more could a girl ask for?
Okay, I know. I'm a little obsessed right now. But you can't blame me for being excited for finally finding something that works, right? :)
I absolutely love it! It works so well to even out my skin tone while keeping my face moisturized (since I live in Utah) and it even has sunscreen in it! What more could a girl ask for?
Okay, I know. I'm a little obsessed right now. But you can't blame me for being excited for finally finding something that works, right? :)
June 8, 2011
Summer Vacation
Okay, so I love summer. Really, I do. I just forgot how to relax and take things slow. For instance, today. It's 5:11 and I'm already bored. (I also would like to point out that this is my FIRST day of summer in Provo this year).
I have: caught up on my sleep. Done p90x. gone to the pool for an hour and a half. showered. talked to Krystal. gone grocery shopping. Ate lunch. Finished my book. did my hair. Gone regular shopping. Read some more.
Apparently I need to learn how to sit still and relax. I keep feeling the need to be productive and so I'm bored. Grr.
I guess I could unpack my suitcase or take my library books back.
Also, I will post pictures of Disney World and Texas later!! :)
I have: caught up on my sleep. Done p90x. gone to the pool for an hour and a half. showered. talked to Krystal. gone grocery shopping. Ate lunch. Finished my book. did my hair. Gone regular shopping. Read some more.
Apparently I need to learn how to sit still and relax. I keep feeling the need to be productive and so I'm bored. Grr.
I guess I could unpack my suitcase or take my library books back.
Also, I will post pictures of Disney World and Texas later!! :)
May 23, 2011
Patience
I know I have it with my kiddos. Now I need it again....
Only 3 more months until I can move back in with Jackie, Ashley, and Leah. I can make it through 3 months, right?
Especially since I'll be gone on Friday for about 2 weeks??
I can do it.
Dear Carriage Cove, why couldn't I have lived by myself this summer???? Huh???? I think I would have been much better off. I slightly resent that you made me move.
Only 3 more months until I can move back in with Jackie, Ashley, and Leah. I can make it through 3 months, right?
Especially since I'll be gone on Friday for about 2 weeks??
I can do it.
Dear Carriage Cove, why couldn't I have lived by myself this summer???? Huh???? I think I would have been much better off. I slightly resent that you made me move.
May 18, 2011
Touched
When I woke up this morning, I had no idea that my life was going to be touched in a profound way by someone who I don't even know.
I went to Deseret Book yesterday to get some new piano music for prelude on Sundays. One of my absolute FAVORITE LDS composers is Paul Cardall. His Primary album is astounding. His compositions are very simple, but very profound and beautiful. They are my favorites to play. At the store, I wanted to buy all of his albums, but, I'm not Rockefeller, so I had to choose just one. I ended up with "Sacred Piano," because it had several of his original compositions, as well as some hymn arrangements.
As I was practicing today, I was inexplicably drawn to one simple, original piece, entitle "Gracie's Theme." The melody was haunting and very, very beautiful. It was a simple piece to sightread, but I found myself playing it three times in a row. There was just something that really touched my spirit about this song. I wasn't sure what it was, but the simple melody struck a chord in my heart. In my head, I envisioned the song being composed for a little girl who has passed on. It has a mournful tone at the beginning. But then, through the song, I envisioned the little girl, now in the arms of her loving Savior, safe, and happy, and free from pain (I assumed she died of sickness). Free from this world with its sins and pain. Too sweet to stay on this earth. Too faithful to need to be here for long.
How could I know how close I was to the actual story behind this song?
I came home and found the song on Youtube, along with a video memorial to Gracie Gledhill, the girl the song was written for. She died two weeks before her first birthday. I didn't know what illness she had, but could tell she was sick from the pictures. However, she was a beautiful little baby girl. Even through the pictures, I could see how sweet her spirit was and hoy much joy she brought to her family, even though she was only there for a short time. I could see how much that family loved her, and, while listening to the song in the background, could see how well the song fitted that little baby girl and that family. What a great job, Paul Cardall.
I then was curious to see what was wrong with Baby Gracie, so I did some research. She had a problem with her heart and died after a failed heart transplant. Cardall himself has a heart problem, and wrote this song for this girl and her family because her story touched him so. He himself has now had a heart transplant and it has been successful thus far. I can imagine that he now has an even more special place in his heart for little Gracie.
Playing this song, watching the video, reading about these people, has really touched my heart tonight. The song itself was enough to bring tears to my eyes, but combined with learning the whole story, something really just struck me. It wasn't just sadness for Gracie's family, since they lost this sweet child. It was also the hope that fills the middle of the song; the knowledge of eternal families and the knowledge of where Gracie is right now. She is with her Heavenly Father in a place with no pain! I am sure she is happy and content and working together with all the other souls up there. Her purpose on Earth was fulfilled. She gained a mortal body, without which she would not be able to gain exaltation. Her mission on this Earth is complete. She has touched many lives, I would think, through this melody that Cardall has masterfully composed. She has at least touched mine profoundly. If you let her, she will touch your life, too.
I went to Deseret Book yesterday to get some new piano music for prelude on Sundays. One of my absolute FAVORITE LDS composers is Paul Cardall. His Primary album is astounding. His compositions are very simple, but very profound and beautiful. They are my favorites to play. At the store, I wanted to buy all of his albums, but, I'm not Rockefeller, so I had to choose just one. I ended up with "Sacred Piano," because it had several of his original compositions, as well as some hymn arrangements.
As I was practicing today, I was inexplicably drawn to one simple, original piece, entitle "Gracie's Theme." The melody was haunting and very, very beautiful. It was a simple piece to sightread, but I found myself playing it three times in a row. There was just something that really touched my spirit about this song. I wasn't sure what it was, but the simple melody struck a chord in my heart. In my head, I envisioned the song being composed for a little girl who has passed on. It has a mournful tone at the beginning. But then, through the song, I envisioned the little girl, now in the arms of her loving Savior, safe, and happy, and free from pain (I assumed she died of sickness). Free from this world with its sins and pain. Too sweet to stay on this earth. Too faithful to need to be here for long.
How could I know how close I was to the actual story behind this song?
I came home and found the song on Youtube, along with a video memorial to Gracie Gledhill, the girl the song was written for. She died two weeks before her first birthday. I didn't know what illness she had, but could tell she was sick from the pictures. However, she was a beautiful little baby girl. Even through the pictures, I could see how sweet her spirit was and hoy much joy she brought to her family, even though she was only there for a short time. I could see how much that family loved her, and, while listening to the song in the background, could see how well the song fitted that little baby girl and that family. What a great job, Paul Cardall.
I then was curious to see what was wrong with Baby Gracie, so I did some research. She had a problem with her heart and died after a failed heart transplant. Cardall himself has a heart problem, and wrote this song for this girl and her family because her story touched him so. He himself has now had a heart transplant and it has been successful thus far. I can imagine that he now has an even more special place in his heart for little Gracie.
Playing this song, watching the video, reading about these people, has really touched my heart tonight. The song itself was enough to bring tears to my eyes, but combined with learning the whole story, something really just struck me. It wasn't just sadness for Gracie's family, since they lost this sweet child. It was also the hope that fills the middle of the song; the knowledge of eternal families and the knowledge of where Gracie is right now. She is with her Heavenly Father in a place with no pain! I am sure she is happy and content and working together with all the other souls up there. Her purpose on Earth was fulfilled. She gained a mortal body, without which she would not be able to gain exaltation. Her mission on this Earth is complete. She has touched many lives, I would think, through this melody that Cardall has masterfully composed. She has at least touched mine profoundly. If you let her, she will touch your life, too.
May 15, 2011
Have You Ever
Have you ever had a dream that felt very, very real? Felt like it was actually happening, and, what's more, you were very excited that it was happening? And then have you ever woken up from that dream feeling very sad, because a) you didn't get to finish the dream and b) it wasn't actually happening? And then your whole morning is spent trying to finish the dream in your head, but for some reason you are never able to quite capture the feeling and the tone of the dream again, and anything your head makes up just doesn't fit right? And you really just want to go back to sleep and see how this particular dream ends?
May 9, 2011
Just a Kiss
Heard this on the radio last week and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it. :)
I know that if we give this a little time
It will only bring us closer to the love we wanna find
It's never felt so real, no it's never felt so right
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch in the fire burning so bright
And I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, with just a kiss goodnight
No I don't want to say goodnight
I know it's time to leave, but you'll be in my dreams
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
It will only bring us closer to the love we wanna find
It's never felt so real, no it's never felt so right
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch in the fire burning so bright
And I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, with just a kiss goodnight
No I don't want to say goodnight
I know it's time to leave, but you'll be in my dreams
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
April 29, 2011
Fairy Tales
I am not ashamed to admit it.
I watched the royal wedding this morning.
I did NOT get up at 4 am to watch it. That's ridiculous. I watched it online as I was getting ready for school. But I couldn't help myself. And I couldn't figure out why. I was enthralled as I watched Kate walk down the aisle in her beautiful, classy gown. I laughed when I saw Prince Harry nudge William as he (Harry) turned around and peeked at Kate. I was captivated as I listened to them repeat their vows....and not just because of their divine accents. :) I don't know what it was, but something about this wedding had me spellbound. I couldn't get enough footage online to satisfy me.
And then, the balcony? The icing on the cake. They were so cute up there, and I'm glad they kissed twice, because the first one was kind of lame, I'll admit.
I watched the royal wedding this morning.
I did NOT get up at 4 am to watch it. That's ridiculous. I watched it online as I was getting ready for school. But I couldn't help myself. And I couldn't figure out why. I was enthralled as I watched Kate walk down the aisle in her beautiful, classy gown. I laughed when I saw Prince Harry nudge William as he (Harry) turned around and peeked at Kate. I was captivated as I listened to them repeat their vows....and not just because of their divine accents. :) I don't know what it was, but something about this wedding had me spellbound. I couldn't get enough footage online to satisfy me.
And then, the balcony? The icing on the cake. They were so cute up there, and I'm glad they kissed twice, because the first one was kind of lame, I'll admit.
I have been trying to figure out all day why I was so engrossed in this wedding. Truly, I haven't paid much attention to all the hooplah over it in the last couple of months. I wasn't planning on watching it at all! But then I turned it on and something sucked me in. I spent all day trying to figure it out. Then, at lunch, in the faculty room, all the other teachers were talking about it too. One made this excellent point: We are obsessed with it because it is every little girl's dream. Fall in love, marry the prince, wear a gorgeous gown, and become a princess and live happily ever after. Once we get older, reality hits, and we no longer desire to be a princess; we just want to fall in love, marry a wonderful man, and have a happy life. But the little girl inside all of us eats up this princess-happily-ever-after stuff, and that, my friends, is why I couldn't unglue my eyes from my computer this morning. The little girl inside me just wouldn't let me, and you know what?
That's just fine.
April 26, 2011
Nonfiction Obsession
Usually, I absolutely love fiction novels and tend to detest nonfiction.
Nonfiction is boring.
Nonfiction is slow.
Nonfiction doesn't have a plotline.
Nonfiction doesn't require visualization.
Nonfiction isn't a good escape.
Nonfiction doesn't keep me interested.
Nonfiction can't be read in one sitting.
Nonfiction is a slower read (at least for my brain).
These have been my mantras for the last 18 years or so that I have been reading.
And then, I read this book:
And it got me hooked on nonfiction.
I went to the library today. I checked out TWO novels. And 8 nonfiction books! And in the last 4 hours, I have read 3 1/2 of those nonfiction books. This is getting seriously ridiculous, how much I love reading this books. I am learning a lot; maybe that's why I like them so much, since I am no longer in school. They are so interesting!
But back to the first nonfiction I have chosen to read in a very long time. The Five Love Languages is a fascinating read about the way each of us fills up our emotional reservoir that tells us we are loved (by family, friends, significant others). We each have a different way of expressing love. I like that it doesn't just focus on romantic love, but talks about familial and friendship love as well. Thinking about those relationships helps you to discover your primary love language.
Although, don't worry, my mom was always right about me. I am just wired differently - I got the exact same score for 4 out of the 5 languages - and one language scored 0. So...apparently I'm a freak. :) Or just loves a lot? Or is multilingual? I'm not sure. But it was still a fabulous read. I think I'm going to read it again here soon. I'm sure I will learn even more!
Nonfiction is boring.
Nonfiction is slow.
Nonfiction doesn't have a plotline.
Nonfiction doesn't require visualization.
Nonfiction isn't a good escape.
Nonfiction doesn't keep me interested.
Nonfiction can't be read in one sitting.
Nonfiction is a slower read (at least for my brain).
These have been my mantras for the last 18 years or so that I have been reading.
And then, I read this book:
And it got me hooked on nonfiction.
I went to the library today. I checked out TWO novels. And 8 nonfiction books! And in the last 4 hours, I have read 3 1/2 of those nonfiction books. This is getting seriously ridiculous, how much I love reading this books. I am learning a lot; maybe that's why I like them so much, since I am no longer in school. They are so interesting!
But back to the first nonfiction I have chosen to read in a very long time. The Five Love Languages is a fascinating read about the way each of us fills up our emotional reservoir that tells us we are loved (by family, friends, significant others). We each have a different way of expressing love. I like that it doesn't just focus on romantic love, but talks about familial and friendship love as well. Thinking about those relationships helps you to discover your primary love language.
Although, don't worry, my mom was always right about me. I am just wired differently - I got the exact same score for 4 out of the 5 languages - and one language scored 0. So...apparently I'm a freak. :) Or just loves a lot? Or is multilingual? I'm not sure. But it was still a fabulous read. I think I'm going to read it again here soon. I'm sure I will learn even more!
April 19, 2011
Roommate Besties!
Last week, for my Spring Break, I went to Washington, D.C. to go visit my old roommate Emily! It was pretty much the best trip EVER. Except too short. It was so much fun seeing her again!! We did all of our awesome traditions....which may or may not include dancing to the Biebster! She is just the best friend ever and I just wish she was still my roommate!
Mexican pizza - our favorite. And this was the best Mexican pizza in the history of Mexican pizza. Which is why we are making such fierce faces.
Playing tourist in D.C.!
We went for dessert at a super cute place called the Silver Diner. It was late...we were tired and a little hyper. Emily made our waiter a certificate of awesomeness.
Which he very much appreciated!
I had the BEST time visited Emily! I'm already making plans to go back and visit her this summer. Done. Done done and done!
Mexican pizza - our favorite. And this was the best Mexican pizza in the history of Mexican pizza. Which is why we are making such fierce faces.
Playing tourist in D.C.!
We went for dessert at a super cute place called the Silver Diner. It was late...we were tired and a little hyper. Emily made our waiter a certificate of awesomeness.
Which he very much appreciated!
I had the BEST time visited Emily! I'm already making plans to go back and visit her this summer. Done. Done done and done!
April 14, 2011
Found.
Pictures from the night I first went ice-skating with the Creers! Only....they're just pictures from when we ate dinner. Not the actual ice skating part. OH well. Good thing her kids are so darn cute, it doesn't matter! :) The fun balloons were their favorite part. 
This is what they looked like while watching the Balloon Man work his magic. This guy is better than Disney! :) 
This is what they looked like while watching the Balloon Man work his magic. This guy is better than Disney! :) 
April 5, 2011
Unacceptable
CLOUDY... COLD AND WET CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TOMORROW INTO THE COMING WEEKEND ACROSS THE REGION. TEMPERATURES WILL BE 10 TO 20 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL DURING THIS TIME PERIOD... MAKING IT FEEL MORE LIKE MID TO LATE FEBRUARY THAN EARLY APRIL.
This is what weather.com told me just now. Excuse me, Utah, I don't think you got the memo.
It's April. That means spring.
This is what weather.com told me just now. Excuse me, Utah, I don't think you got the memo.
It's April. That means spring.
April 2, 2011
Songs
I've said in the past that songs "speak" to me. Usually those songs become my favorites, because they mean something to me. Well, the last couple of weeks, a particular song has been my absolute favorite, but I couldn't figure out why. I mean, it has a great message, but it wasn't really that applicable to my life, which was new for me for a favorite song. Until yesterday. This song now has meaning. And is still one of my very favorites. It's Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts.
It's like a storm that cuts a path.
It breaks your will; it feels like that.
You think you're lost, but you're not lost on your own.
You're not alone.
I will stand by you.
I will help you through.
When you've done all you can do, and you can't cope.
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight.
I will hold you tight and I won't let go.
It hurts my heart to see you cry.
I know it's dark, this part of life.
It finds us all and we're too small to stop the rain.
But I will stand by you. I will help you through.
When you've done all you can do, and you can't cope.
I will dry your eyes; I will fight your fight.
I will hold you tight and I won't let you fall.
Don't be afraid to fall.
I'm right here to catch you, I won't let you down.
Won't let you down.
You're gonna make it. I know you can make it.
'Cause I will stand by you. I will help you through.
When you've done all you can do, and you can't cope.
I will dry your eyes; I will fight your fight.
I will hold you tight and I won't let go.
It breaks your will; it feels like that.
You think you're lost, but you're not lost on your own.
You're not alone.
I will stand by you.
I will help you through.
When you've done all you can do, and you can't cope.
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight.
I will hold you tight and I won't let go.
It hurts my heart to see you cry.
I know it's dark, this part of life.
It finds us all and we're too small to stop the rain.
But I will stand by you. I will help you through.
When you've done all you can do, and you can't cope.
I will dry your eyes; I will fight your fight.
I will hold you tight and I won't let you fall.
Don't be afraid to fall.
I'm right here to catch you, I won't let you down.
Won't let you down.
You're gonna make it. I know you can make it.
'Cause I will stand by you. I will help you through.
When you've done all you can do, and you can't cope.
I will dry your eyes; I will fight your fight.
I will hold you tight and I won't let go.
March 29, 2011
Graduation
I cannot believe that I graduate in 3 1/2 weeks. Oh. My. Goodness. Wow.
Just now, I had a slight paranoia attack and just had to go check and make sure all my graduation requirements were complete...even though I already knew. Can I tell you how incredibly fabulous it was to read "complete" for every single requirement? Somehow, I didn't really realize that the day would come when I would actually graduate from Brigham Young University. Really. Graduate. Like, cap and gown, family visiting, walking, diploma in the mail, graduate. I know how silly that sounds, but it really is true. It never hit me. Even when I applied for graduation. Even when I was figuring out cap and gown stuff. Even when I was telling my dad when to take off work.
Until tonight.
Then it hit me.
I'm graduating.
For real.
It feels like yesterday that Brittani and I moved in to Tingey Hall.
That I was a member of the good ole "Fiddy-Fifth" Ward.
Dr. Larry Nelson's FABULOUS mfhd 210 class. Which, to this day, is still one of my all-time favorite BYU classes.
The winter of ridiculous snow accumulation; AKA the winter of 2007-2008.
Frantically trying to find off campus housing for my sophomore year.
Too many late nights spent at Kiwanis park that February-April.
Realizing that an entire 4 month summer home in Wichita Falls was a little boring...sorry WF.
Realizing that I could live on my own....and survive. And thrive.
Being so grateful that I got that year to spend with Grandpa Breeze and Grandma Nichols. If I hadn't come to BYU, I wouldn't have gotten to know them as well as I did before they died. I'm so grateful for those experiences.
Living in a basement dungeon room on 9th and 9th.
Getting my very first car.
Getting the best job ever - working in the BYU Kindergarten.
Breaking my foot in the BYU Kindergarten. Twice. Within 7 months.
Getting to attend conference for the first time.
Learning how to deal with other people: roommates that I didn't get along with very well.
Lots of finals, midterms, and papers. All the time.
Deciding to move out of a not-so-good-situation. To a completely new place. Where I knew absolutely nobody (which, really, is not very foreign to me...thanks, dad. :p).
Finding the most awesome ward.
And the best roommate ever. Seriously. Emily G was the best roommate I have ever had.
And having the best, most confusing summer ever. It's funny how those went hand in hand last year.
My first year of teaching. Even though there was no BYU class, I worked harder than I ever have before. Ever. Oh, the tears, the late nights, the insane amount of Googling I've done (what did previous teachers do without google???). The lesson plans, last minute library trips, stress, TWS.
But, the hugs. the pictures. the sweet faces I get to see every day. the light bulbs that go off every day. That is the best part of my first year; discovering the true joy that comes with teaching.
Meeting this remarkable guy.....and getting to befriend him. And then date him. And be relaxed, and myself, and unstressed and patient and lots of other good things. See, he makes me want to be a better person.
Gearing up for my last summer with flying benefits...travel, here I come!
Oh and being stressed about finding a job...every graduate's struggle.
Graduation, I'm ready for you. Bring it on.
Oh, and, while looking at graduation stuff, I noticed my ACT scores again. And look, I'm just proud of them! 34, baby! 99% of the nation AND BYU. So there. I win. :)
Just now, I had a slight paranoia attack and just had to go check and make sure all my graduation requirements were complete...even though I already knew. Can I tell you how incredibly fabulous it was to read "complete" for every single requirement? Somehow, I didn't really realize that the day would come when I would actually graduate from Brigham Young University. Really. Graduate. Like, cap and gown, family visiting, walking, diploma in the mail, graduate. I know how silly that sounds, but it really is true. It never hit me. Even when I applied for graduation. Even when I was figuring out cap and gown stuff. Even when I was telling my dad when to take off work.
Until tonight.
Then it hit me.
I'm graduating.
For real.
It feels like yesterday that Brittani and I moved in to Tingey Hall.
That I was a member of the good ole "Fiddy-Fifth" Ward.
Dr. Larry Nelson's FABULOUS mfhd 210 class. Which, to this day, is still one of my all-time favorite BYU classes.
The winter of ridiculous snow accumulation; AKA the winter of 2007-2008.
Frantically trying to find off campus housing for my sophomore year.
Too many late nights spent at Kiwanis park that February-April.
Realizing that an entire 4 month summer home in Wichita Falls was a little boring...sorry WF.
Realizing that I could live on my own....and survive. And thrive.
Being so grateful that I got that year to spend with Grandpa Breeze and Grandma Nichols. If I hadn't come to BYU, I wouldn't have gotten to know them as well as I did before they died. I'm so grateful for those experiences.
Living in a basement dungeon room on 9th and 9th.
Getting my very first car.
Getting the best job ever - working in the BYU Kindergarten.
Breaking my foot in the BYU Kindergarten. Twice. Within 7 months.
Getting to attend conference for the first time.
Learning how to deal with other people: roommates that I didn't get along with very well.
Lots of finals, midterms, and papers. All the time.
Deciding to move out of a not-so-good-situation. To a completely new place. Where I knew absolutely nobody (which, really, is not very foreign to me...thanks, dad. :p).
Finding the most awesome ward.
And the best roommate ever. Seriously. Emily G was the best roommate I have ever had.
And having the best, most confusing summer ever. It's funny how those went hand in hand last year.
My first year of teaching. Even though there was no BYU class, I worked harder than I ever have before. Ever. Oh, the tears, the late nights, the insane amount of Googling I've done (what did previous teachers do without google???). The lesson plans, last minute library trips, stress, TWS.
But, the hugs. the pictures. the sweet faces I get to see every day. the light bulbs that go off every day. That is the best part of my first year; discovering the true joy that comes with teaching.
Meeting this remarkable guy.....and getting to befriend him. And then date him. And be relaxed, and myself, and unstressed and patient and lots of other good things. See, he makes me want to be a better person.
Gearing up for my last summer with flying benefits...travel, here I come!
Oh and being stressed about finding a job...every graduate's struggle.
Graduation, I'm ready for you. Bring it on.
Oh, and, while looking at graduation stuff, I noticed my ACT scores again. And look, I'm just proud of them! 34, baby! 99% of the nation AND BYU. So there. I win. :)
March 27, 2011
Keeping Touch With Joy
Jeanne Ray, in her book, Eat Cake, got it right:
"Cakes have gotten a bad rap. People equate virtue with turning down dessert. There is always one person at the table who holds up her hand when I serve the cake. 'No, really, I couldn't,' she says, and then gives her flat stomach a conspiratorial little pat. Everyone who is pressing a fork into that first tender layer looks at the person who declined the plate and they all think, 'That person is better than I am. That person has discipline.' But that isn't a person with discipline, that is a person who has completely lost touch with joy. A slice of cake never made anybody fat. You don't eat the whole cake. You don't eat a cake every day of your life. You take the cake when it is offered because the cake is delicious. You have a slice of cake and what it reminds you of is someplace that's safe, uncomplicated, without stress. A cake is a party, a birthday, a wedding. A cake is what's served on the happiest days of your life."
Now, I don't particularly like cake myself, but I love the principle of this. You could substitute anything delicious here, like cinnamon rolls, or cream cheese chicken, or Olive Garden, or anythiing, really.
Discipline isn't depriving yourself of all that you find good in this life. It is simply everything in moderation. Discipline is saying to yourself, "I will eat that piece of cake, and enjoy it, and then I'm done." It's being able to stop after one piece. Or one TV show, or one movie, or one night out a week. It's having the determination to keep everything, even good things, in moderation. Knowing that too much of a good thing is bad for you and that you will tire of it.
It's keeping touch with joy.
Being able to enjoy that piece of cake to its fullest, savoring each and every bite. Telling yourself that it is just fine for you to have this piece of cake, and to savor every delicious morsel. To be happy that you can find joy in the little parts of life, and that you have the discipline to control yourself. Loving every second that you eat that cake. Enjoying the moment with the people around you; remembering these moments. All of these are involved with keeping touch with joy.
Notice that, in the analogy, several people were handed a piece of cake, but they all saw it in different ways. Keeping touch with joy isn't in the cake itself, but in your attitude about the cake.
As I get older, I'm finding that outside sources of joy are harder and harder to come by. I'm realizing that I need to find joy within myself, or I will never be as happy as I could be. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of the mind than on outward circumstances." This is not to say that circumstances do not affect happiness, but that your attitude affects your happiness 1 trillion percent more. It's the whole glass empty/full idea. Change your perspective on a situation and you'll be surprised how much better you feel. Instead of , "why me, oh woe is me" attitude, think, "wow, I am sure learning a lot from this experience!" Not only will you learn more, but your happiness and your contentment will increase. And everyone loves to be around happy people! :)
March 24, 2011
The Pollyanna Effect
Tonight, I'm feeling a little lonely. It's one of those nights that I really wish I had a best friend who's a girl living around here. It's one of those days that everything that could have gone wrong, did. And I wish I was exaggerating.
I've got some things I need to vent to someone. And a real person, not my teddy bear, as comforting as he may be. :)
Ever since I lost my best friend of 6 years, I have yet to make another so-called BFF. I have quite a few friends, and a couple that I talk to frequently, but no girls that I would deem a best friend, someone I can share anything with at any time. You know what? I miss that. I miss that freedom, that bond with someone.
Especially on nights like these, however selfish that sounds.
Okay. Enough pity party for myself. I'm going to play the Pollyanna game to try and cheer myself up.
1. I'm glad there are only 8 more Mondays left of school.
2. I'm glad that 18 of my kiddos understand double and triple digit subtraction.
3. I'm glad bus duty only lasts 1 week.
4. I'm glad that I'm healthy.
5. I'm glad I have a roof over my head. A fairly stable one.
6. I'm glad that I got to see my family last weekend. I love them.
7. I'm glad Megan's coming to BYU.
8. I'm glad that I can check out books from the library.
9. I'm glad for my teddy sometimes. He's snuggly.
10. I'm glad that Cindy gave me one of her super cute clocks. Although I'm still trying to find a place for it.
11. I'm glad that I didn't lose my keys.
12. I'm glad that I am a part of a dinner group.
13. I'm glad that I am getting stronger.
14. I'm glad for pink plaid pajama pants.
15. I'm glad for a pretty homemade flower in a glass bottle on my desk.
16. I'm glad for an awesome picture on my desktop.
17. I'm glad for even cooler pictures on my wall. Oh and my sweet clocks.
18. I'm glad for physical, tangible reminders of things that are gone right now and feel like only a memory.
19. I'm glad for hot chocolate.
20. I'm glad for Jamie's delicious BBQ pork sandwiches.
21. I'm glad for music.
22. I'm glad for running and cleaning; two things that get my mind off anything going on.
Hmmm...helped a little bit. Not as much as I hoped it would, but some. Look, I found 22 things to be glad about, and I feel like I could come up with more with a little bit more time! This is better than spending my evening feeling like a pathetic little girl....even though I totally am.
I've got some things I need to vent to someone. And a real person, not my teddy bear, as comforting as he may be. :)
Ever since I lost my best friend of 6 years, I have yet to make another so-called BFF. I have quite a few friends, and a couple that I talk to frequently, but no girls that I would deem a best friend, someone I can share anything with at any time. You know what? I miss that. I miss that freedom, that bond with someone.
Especially on nights like these, however selfish that sounds.
Okay. Enough pity party for myself. I'm going to play the Pollyanna game to try and cheer myself up.
1. I'm glad there are only 8 more Mondays left of school.
2. I'm glad that 18 of my kiddos understand double and triple digit subtraction.
3. I'm glad bus duty only lasts 1 week.
4. I'm glad that I'm healthy.
5. I'm glad I have a roof over my head. A fairly stable one.
6. I'm glad that I got to see my family last weekend. I love them.
7. I'm glad Megan's coming to BYU.
8. I'm glad that I can check out books from the library.
9. I'm glad for my teddy sometimes. He's snuggly.
10. I'm glad that Cindy gave me one of her super cute clocks. Although I'm still trying to find a place for it.
11. I'm glad that I didn't lose my keys.
12. I'm glad that I am a part of a dinner group.
13. I'm glad that I am getting stronger.
14. I'm glad for pink plaid pajama pants.
15. I'm glad for a pretty homemade flower in a glass bottle on my desk.
16. I'm glad for an awesome picture on my desktop.
17. I'm glad for even cooler pictures on my wall. Oh and my sweet clocks.
18. I'm glad for physical, tangible reminders of things that are gone right now and feel like only a memory.
19. I'm glad for hot chocolate.
20. I'm glad for Jamie's delicious BBQ pork sandwiches.
21. I'm glad for music.
22. I'm glad for running and cleaning; two things that get my mind off anything going on.
Hmmm...helped a little bit. Not as much as I hoped it would, but some. Look, I found 22 things to be glad about, and I feel like I could come up with more with a little bit more time! This is better than spending my evening feeling like a pathetic little girl....even though I totally am.
March 11, 2011
Taylor Swift
Can say things the way no one else can.
She can express things in her songs that I am feeling, but couldn't ever hope to accurately express.
And it's not just the main, commonly felt emotions. It's the weird, complicated, mixed-up emotions that I feel that she sings about and describes to a "t."
Does this girl know about my life? I mean, seriously. I'm kidding, but she sings songs that describe my life. All the time.
She can express things in her songs that I am feeling, but couldn't ever hope to accurately express.
And it's not just the main, commonly felt emotions. It's the weird, complicated, mixed-up emotions that I feel that she sings about and describes to a "t."
Does this girl know about my life? I mean, seriously. I'm kidding, but she sings songs that describe my life. All the time.
March 7, 2011
New Favorite
Tonight, I discovered a new favorite thing to do: Go back and read journal entries from the last year. I'm not super awesome at writing in my journal usually, but my roommate Emily and I used to have "journal time" every night in the summer.
I MISS JOURNAL TIME!!! And Emily.
Anyways, tonight I was putting stuff in and writing a little, and I decided to just go back and skim through some stuff. And it was hilarious!! I'd forgotten about a couple of little things that happened and it was really, really fun to go back and relive some things.... ;)
Oh, and I used silly words. Like "doofer." Multiple times.
Also, I don't think anyone is ever going to be allowed to read this. It's that ridiculous. My brain is the weirdest ever.
I MISS JOURNAL TIME!!! And Emily.
Anyways, tonight I was putting stuff in and writing a little, and I decided to just go back and skim through some stuff. And it was hilarious!! I'd forgotten about a couple of little things that happened and it was really, really fun to go back and relive some things.... ;)
Oh, and I used silly words. Like "doofer." Multiple times.
Also, I don't think anyone is ever going to be allowed to read this. It's that ridiculous. My brain is the weirdest ever.
March 2, 2011
Theodor Seuss Geisel
This man was a genius.Brilliant, intelligent, and a master with words.
Witty, humorous, imaginative, and frank.
His social commentary left little room for disagreement.
His creative ingenuity led him to create new worlds full of interesting creatures, such as the Gox, the Onceler, and, of course, the Cat in the Hat.
His characters were full of confidence and belief and imagination(think Yertle the Turtle).
He was a competitive man - he wrote Green Eggs and Ham on a dare. Someone said he couldn't write a book with 50 words or less. So he did. It has exactly 50 words.
He teaches children social concepts subtlely and in ways they can understand (think the Sneetches).
His rhythym and rhyme are impeccable and leave nothing to be desired.
He inspires children to use their own imaginations to create wonderful stories.
He manages to make his stories relatable to children, no matter how far out the setting or the characters are.
His illustrations, while using very few colors, are detailed enough to keep children riveted and discovering new things for quite a while.
His books are fun for kids to read - they WANT to read his stories.
His books flow smoothly from one line to the next, from one page to the next.
He was, quite honestly, a literary hero. One of my literary heroes.
And I wish I owned all of his books.
February 24, 2011
What is Love?
Since the dawn of time, people have been asking this question. People have been falling in love, questioning love, wondering about love, writing, singing, dancing, and talking about love. It permeates every part of our lives and is an integral part of any relationship, be it family, friend, or romantic interest.But what is this elusive ideal? What is love?
Love has been described as "goodwill to one another;" as "patient, kind, not jealous, does not brag, is not proud. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things."
As for my thoughts, I am still figuring love out. I haven't been in love very many times in my short life, so I still couldn't define it for you. However, I have several very profound definitions of love from my second graders.
What is love?
"Love is having a buddy who holds your hand."
"Love is kisses and hugs."
"Love is when you like someone."
"Love is when someone loves each other more than themselves."
"Love is what you care about and you love your family."
"Love is when you have a crush on someone. And when you do stuff for other people."
"Love is friendship to play and have fun."
"Love is when you like somebody and they like you too."
"Love is for hugs and kisses and being nice and helpful."
"Love is adults kissing and hugging every night, going on dates, getting married, and having kids."
There you have it. Out of the mouths of babes. :)
February 16, 2011
Reasons Why I Love My Students
Because they answer questions like this on a pre-assessment.
1. Name three people who were good citizens. For each person, give one reason why you think they were a good citizen.
P: "Lincoln is a man because he was in the Civil War. George was a man too."
Q: "Abraham Lincoln was righteous."
E: "Trinadee because she is always there in times of need. Hannah, because she tries to make me laugh when I'm falling down."
2. Why do you think good citizenship is important to our country? Give three reasons or more.
E: "So we can make new friends and we can have a better life."
K: "To help us to accept ourselves and be kind."
Q: " Becuase so we will go to heaven and not go to jail. And so we won't sin."
T: "So everybody will be happy. Everybody will be friendly and act just like Jesus."
P: "It is good so we can have freedom and be free."
Only in Utah.
1. Name three people who were good citizens. For each person, give one reason why you think they were a good citizen.
P: "Lincoln is a man because he was in the Civil War. George was a man too."
Q: "Abraham Lincoln was righteous."
E: "Trinadee because she is always there in times of need. Hannah, because she tries to make me laugh when I'm falling down."
2. Why do you think good citizenship is important to our country? Give three reasons or more.
E: "So we can make new friends and we can have a better life."
K: "To help us to accept ourselves and be kind."
Q: " Becuase so we will go to heaven and not go to jail. And so we won't sin."
T: "So everybody will be happy. Everybody will be friendly and act just like Jesus."
P: "It is good so we can have freedom and be free."
Only in Utah.
February 15, 2011
LBSCBDO
Low blood sugar cranky butt disorder. I've got it. I've been sick and I haven't eaten in 27 hours, I've slept countless hours and watched at least 6 movies: Hercules, 2 Weeks Notice, the Sandlot, Lion King, a whole Friends disk, the Holiday, and It Takes Two. I have also finished reading the Ariana trilogy.
I'm bored out of my mind!!!! But I still don't feel well enough to get up and do anything. Also I don't feel tired enough to sleep anymore. So I'm grouchy.
I feel something like this:
I'm bored out of my mind!!!! But I still don't feel well enough to get up and do anything. Also I don't feel tired enough to sleep anymore. So I'm grouchy.
I feel something like this:
January 29, 2011
Treasures.
Sometimes, while looking for pictures to scrapbook, you come across the most priceless treasures.
Like this:
Like this:
And this:
And you notice that all of these involve one person.
We really should not be allowed to hang out together. It's too much fun!
Aunt Cindy, you're a saint for dealing with us. :)
January 25, 2011
January 21, 2011
New Obsession?
Yep. This and kid history. :)
Also, none of the pages have journaling because these are my practice pages where I'm learning all sorts of cool stuff to add to. And journaling took too much time from design. . .I need to fix that problem of mine. :)
Also, none of the pages have journaling because these are my practice pages where I'm learning all sorts of cool stuff to add to. And journaling took too much time from design. . .I need to fix that problem of mine. :)
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