My Life So Far

Young Women's

2012-01-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I ever told anyone, but I have been the Young Women's 2nd Counseler for a couple of months. It has been a great experience working with the younger beehives, they are wonderful and excited about everything. Some of the upcoming activities we are doing are

Fort Night
Sacrament Bread Night
Adopt a Grandma
Scripture Bags
Modesty "what does your wrapper say about you?"
Parable of the Popcorn "A night to fulfill our potential"

I would love additional ideas if anyone has them

This week we played Scripture Basketball, all the girls had a ton of fun and are excited for the things that are coming up!

As for me so far so good, my treatments seem to be working, my #'s have come down significantly, the only bummer is my white count is up indicating I have an infection, which could head south quickly, nothing if evident right now which is concerning, but they are going to retreat a sinus infection that I had 3 wks ago with the hope that it is the problem. Cross my fingers and hope to feel better!

I Got Laied Last Night

2012-01-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year everyone. Just wanted to check in and tell everyone about my fun happy birthday yesterday. I had several visits from dear friends to wish me a happy birthday. My dear friend at church told me happy birthday every time I walked past her or her girls, it really made me feel super special. One of my other friends dropped off a lovely book for me (Christmas with the Prophets). I am super excited to read it, I was fascinated by President Monson's tradition of reading books prior to Christmas. I then had a lovely visit with my dear friend Laurel, who has been in Hawaii for 2 weeks and brought me home a beautiful coconut lai. She was very tan and rested and it sounds like she has had a lovely time.

As for good news, I am finally feeling better then I have physically for almost 2 years. I think we have finally found a medication that is going to help me. It does require 3 to 4 hours of time every 4 to 6 weeks, but other then that I am super happy and thrilled. Today is the best I have felt so far. I felt so good that I spent several hours cleaning and reorganizing books and rooms today. I have not been able to do that for at least 2 years.

Life is looking up, I am looking up, I am thrilled!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas family and friends, I want to tell everyone how much I love you and miss you that are far away. May the lord bless and keep you on this beautiul day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I am Grateful for 21......22......23.....24.......25

2011-12-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

#21
I am grateful for friends who don't accuse, just love and laugh and cry with you when you need it, when life feels like a freight train has hit you going 100 miles per hr. Friends that will talk on the phone with you for hours about every random thing that you both can think of to keep the conversation off of what you don't want to really talk about

#22
A warm cozy fireplace and warm fuzzy blankets to keep me warm and cozy

#23
Christmas carols that bring tears to your eyes. Christmas music has a spot in my heart that will never go away.

#24
Inspired leaders who think they know what I need at this moment in my life, even if it is not really what I need in my life, nice that they try to get me to see it in a different light and are trying to help me out

#25
Other people who struggle and are not afraid to say that they are struggling and want to help everyone that is struggling. I hate to admit things are not going as planned, but I know that life it exactly how and what and why because I know I am a Child of God, and he know exactly why I am going through what I am going through. Nice to know that he is always there, no matter what, where, when, how etc.......

I am Thankful for 17....18....19....20

2011-12-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

I am determined to finish this so today I am thankful for

#17 I am thankful for warm socks straight from the dryer that seem to make my ever cold feet warm for a few minutes.

#18 I am thankful for hands that lift and words that humble and seemingly small and simple things that make my life so much happier and so very much more inspired.

#19 I am thankful for Christmas trees and light and decorations that allow me to take my mind off of the things that are pulling my life off of course. I love Christmas it makes me happy even when I seem to struggle against a load I can not pull.

#20 I am thankful for the tender mercies I have received from the Lord today, I have finally understood a part of my patriatical blessing that has always thrown me for a loop. President Christensen talked about the pre-mortal life today in prayer meeting, it was like Heavenly Father was talking right at me, I can't explain how overcome I was afterwards it took me several minutes to get myself back to normal. I can't give enough thanks for it......Some how President Christensen's words have pierced my heart and tears run down my face even now as I write this......The Lord know me, he must know me, and what I need right now it is him right near to lean on for support as I try to make it through what I am attempting to make it through right this minute.....

Stay tuned, I will finish this!

I am grateful for .........16

2011-11-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for
Grandmothers and great grandmothers that taught me how to be a strong women in the world that we live me. Grandmothers that had foresight to teach me so many wonderful things before they were past teaching. A lot of the reasons that I do the things are do are because of them. I was raised with confidence and training and practical things that I never thought I would need, but that I use all the time now. Strong grandmothers that taught me who I am, where I need to be going, and what I need to be doing. It is refreshing to know that I have had a wonderful upbringing, due in part to their instruction and love.

I am grateful for ...... 15

2011-11-16T17:24:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for
My Garden, I am just starting to put it to bed for the winter and it has as always provided so much food for my family for the upcoming winter that I am truly grateful. It amazes me that spending $30 in seeds and plants can produce so much food. I know that the Lord blesses me with a garden so that we may be prepared for all those many things that may come to pass sooner or later.

I am grateful for ....... 14

2011-11-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for
Books that I read that inspire me to be a better person, that keep me on top of my game, that allow me to constantly learn about some many different things. That give me hope when it seems like all hope is gone. That teach me how much Heavenly Father truly loves me, when he reaches out of the pages and touches my heart in the exact spot that I needed healing or further understanding on something so small and "dumb" in others eyes, but knows that I need it. Books that teach me how to be a better person, how to bake something divine, or make others happy. Knowledge is truly a gift that we must develop on our own. Books are a wonderful way to acquire more knowledge.

I am grateful for .......13

2011-11-16T17:07:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for
Pride and Prejudice the movie, it always gives me hope that there is a Mr Darcy out there waiting for me to stumble upon him. I know what I have been promised, and that is a husband and children, and even though right now it seems utterly impossible that either of those will happen within the allotted time, I know Heavenly Father loves me, and he would never lie to me, so I know I will have a Mr Darcy and little ones......one day

I am Grateful For ...... 12

2011-11-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for
Creative people who allow me to steal their ideas and make it mine. I have several friends that fall into this category, some are designer worthy! When my creative juices run dry there is always someone to fall back on that has done something beautiful and shared,

I am grateful for.......11

2011-11-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for
Friends that care. lately I seem to be lacking in the "friend" department. When I turn to people for advice or a shoulder to cry on they are too busy etc.... After my first treatment yesterday, I received calls from several of my friends to check on me and see how I was doing, and if they could bring me anything or something to help. So nice to know that you are loved by those that around me. I am grateful for the friends that always seem to love me, care for me, call at the moment I am at my whits end etc..... I love that I have people to fall back on, to call in a lurch, to trust with all my problems that I continue to have to deal with. I love them dearly.

I am Thankful for......10

2011-11-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for
The priesthood, Thursday night my dad, brother and grandfather all came over and gave me a beautiful blessing. The hold the power to act in God's name here on the earth. It brings me peace that my life will be ok. I was specifically told that Heavenly Father is pleased with what I am doing in YW, that is huge right now. With my new calling it has made me doubt myself several times if I am doing the right thing, I am glad that I know I am on the right track. I am glad my dad, my brother, my grandfather are worthy to hold to priesthood, and worthy to give me the blessing I received.

I am Thankful for ...... 9

2011-11-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for
Warm Weather it tends to make my disease easier to handle. Warm weather makes me and my body happier, I don't feel so freezing cold I can't stand it. I hate being hot, but my body says otherwise, it tells me hot is good, hot is limber, hot is happy, hot is loose, hot is not stiff, hot is light and free...... Not really but it seriously what my body thinks so, what do you do???

I am Thankful for...... 8

2011-11-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for
Technology that allows me to find things for my calling, for my disease, for my life quickly and easily. I have been so amazed how much "stuff" it out there for use, I love it, I don't have to be uber creative to make things go well. I don't have to crafty, nifty, thoughtful, loving, etc..... all in one, the computer helps me out! Love love love technology

I am Thankful for ....... 7

2011-11-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for
Modern medicine, that allows my disease to be treated and that allows my body to feel better when it works properly. That allows my Dr to figure out what is wrong with me, and gives him options on how and what to treat me with, even when these treatments can be harmful to my health, yet good for my body and it's reactions to ironically to itself.

I am Thanful for ...... 6

2011-11-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for the
Scriptures, that open before my eyes and speak for heaven above with exactly what I need to read at the exact moment I need to read it. God is good, no more than good, GREAT!

I am Thankful for ...... 5

2011-11-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for a

Job, so many people are without work, struggling to keep their heads above water, struggling to keep their family together. I get to work with wonderful people, and wonderful patients. I love them so much, they make me super happy, and I am grateful to have association with them!

I am Grateful for ...... 4

2011-11-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for my

Savior. He loves me, he supports me, he picks me off of the floor when I can't seem to face my life. He dries my tears, he listens to me complain, he understands my heartache, he understands my pain because he has been through it already. He keeps me going when life seems pointless and too hard. I am grateful that he picks me up and carries me when I can go no further.

I am Grateful for ...... 3

2011-11-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

So I am a little behind, but I am determined to get caught up.

Family, I am grateful for my family that loves me regardless of the decisions that I make. They support me, they listen to me vent, they handle me when I am ornery, is that a word??? I love them so much, there are several that I wish would walk toward the light. But life must not be easy. I must keep praying, and believing that some day they will see what they are missing out on.

Meds Update

2011-11-02T20:09:00.000-06:00

So I have been forced to make a decision about what to do. I appears my health is spiralling down as I seem to be falling apart quickly so I have made a decision to start a new treatment that is spendy time wise (it takes 3 hrs of infusion) and dollar wise (it is about $2500 per infusion), but hopefully it will pull me out of the spiral I am in. If things go as plan I will start treatment a week from Friday to make sure that I don't have a "bad reaction" and miss a lot of work. Wish me luck!

I am Thankful for........2

2011-11-02T19:57:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for the Temple today. I serve there about every Wednesday morning for 6-7 hrs and my life has been richly blessed because of it. I have found renewed energy, love, compassion, strength, faith, spirit, promise, counsel, and inspiration there. When I am at my lowest, it always lifts me, makes me feel like there is a real reason to keep living, a real reason to get up in the morning, a real reason to have faith, that those things that have been promised to me will happen. I don't know how to long I could have held on without this blessing in my life!

I am Thankful for.......1

2011-11-02T19:51:00.000-06:00

So I missed yesterday but I am Thankful for so many things I can't miss out on doing this again this year.

So day one I am thankful for my life, my circumstance, everything that I have on my plate I am thankful for. It is building me into someone that can survive anything. I keep reading my blessing and realizing how much harder my life can get. How can I affect all mankind??? I am thankful for me, my life, my experience that is going on right now, everyday until it is over. Some days it sucks, some days it is such a blessing. I find it crazy to say that but so true in moments that I feel "tender mercies" from the Lord.

Bummer

2011-09-21T12:29:00.000-06:00

So I just got home from the Dr's and bummer of news. My new medicine is controlling my symptoms but not my body. So my most recent labs showed that my inflammation marker is back up. So Dr wants me to consider changing meds. Bummer because the new med is done through IV infusion that take about 3 hours. It is more expensive etc..... Bummer Bummer Bummer Now I have to try to make another impossible decision and do what I think is right. Time to get out the old knee pads, I am sure I will be on my knees a lot trying to make this decision. Bummer Bummer Bummer

09/11/01.......09/11/11

2011-09-11T20:48:00.000-06:00

As this momentous occasion has slowly come, and I have remembered back to that fateful day, my heart is full and breaking for all of those who lost loved ones 10 years ago. A couple of my friends lost friends that day and it makes the anniversary even that much harder. I would like to reflect just for a moment some of the significant quotes from that day and about that day:

Terrorism against our nation will not stand.”

- George W. Bush – Remarks at Emma Booker Elementary School. Sarasota, Florida – delivered 11 September 2001, 9:30 A.M. EDT

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “

- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

Our enemies have made the mistake that America’s enemies always make. They saw liberty and thought they saw weakness. And now, they see defeat.

- George W. Bush, President of the United States

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “

- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001

"All of a sudden there were people screaming. I saw people jumping out of the building. Their arms were flailing. I stopped taking pictures and started crying." - NY free-lance photo journalist, Michael Walters

Workers adjust beams for the Tribute in Lights for the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks Credit: Getty Images

What do you remember, how do you remember? How we live our lives after is a testament to what we learned. I hope that those who lost their lives that their sacrifice was not in vain, that we have become a more loving and caring people, that we see someone in need and reach out to them to help. That we don't allow violence to happen in front of our faces and not put forth a hand to stop it.

NEVER FORGET, ALWAYS REMEMBER 9/11/01

Shocking 2 Post's in 1 Week

2011-09-07T20:36:00.000-06:00

So lately I have been pondering what I am doing here. It seems like my life is stagnant and not going any where, anytime I pray about it I get the same answer "you need to have patience". I have been mad, maybe more the mad, angry may be a better term for it. Not the I smashed my thumb and I can't believe I did that anger, more the What is He thinking? Does he know how much it hurts to keep carrying on and not want to go to bed and never wake up anymore forever again? I know he does it just seems like my life is going nowhere and will continue to go nowhere until I do something, which I can't really do, because I need to have patience!

Thus my venting I apologize, but really what do I have to do to get moving in some direction, preferably in the positive not the negative? I guess keep praying for strength to survive where ever this will take me. No wonder why Satan is working overtime.

Shout out to Laurel who has tried to be my savior 3 times now! Thanks for all that you do and your listening to the spirit and doing as directed! You almost caught me twice, I finally gave in the last time THANK YOU! I just wish I was stronger then I am and that I would keep myself above water like you do, something to look forward to in a better place at a different time.

So now that I am done venting I guess I will go to bed and keep praying for something to make things better! Praying for a calmer, nicer, non-angry me! I know that my family would be happy with anything other then what they have now!

It's been awhile

2011-09-06T11:05:00.000-06:00

So it's been awhile since I have posted, summer has been crazy busy and fun and depressing all in the same sentence.

I went for blood work last week, and my inflammation markers are up 0.2, the exact # they were down last time so that is a bummer of huge proportions. Oh well I will carry on.

What have I been up too you ask? Lots of YW, Family, and Holidays. All kinds of fun

Jonathan and his family all decked out in sunglasses

Baby Pigs at the family reunion

Can you see the baby bird in the nest? So cute

Whitney's birthday cake, she is wearing the hat I gave her for her birthday!

Young Women playing croquet at my house, it was all kinds of fun

Kids all lined up to watch fireworks on Pioneer Holiday so cute!

My brothers the pyromaniacs

The last hurrah of the fireworks

Clara and Timmy watching the fireworks

Young women boating trip to Deer Creek, wake boarding and the girls cheering her on!

Playing in the water

Leaders on the tube having fun

Tube wipe out

I think they are going over!

Well that is how my summer has gone by, quickly I may add! Here is to cooler weather and fun fall activities and traditions!

Books, books, and more books

2011-07-06T17:59:00.000-06:00

So with Vacation and some time to myself I find time to read there has been much time to read, sleep and relax with a good book. Of course I am sure there are better things out there for me to do but I love to read so here is a list of what I have read lately!

"If I stay" a short book that will keep you wanting more. When a girl and her family is involved in a massive car accident, she must decide if she is going to stay.... This book kept me up and reading into the wee hours of the night. I had to know what was going to happen, it pulled at my heart strings it made me think what I would choose if I had a choice.

Tiger's Quest a 2nd book in a series of books that have kept me on the edge of loving tigers for real. I always an adventure with a little bit of romance that makes me come back for more and more. I just wish she could write faster so that I can read the rest of the story. Kelsey is back home in Oregon and back in school trying hard to forget her Tiger Ren and how much she loved him, but she left him and now she must find happiness and possibly love again, but how can she forget her Ren? November can't come fast enough.

Everlasting the final book in The Immortals series was finally closure to a series that started out strong faltered and picked back up.

The 39 Clues book 11. Life seems like it will be back to normal for Amy and Dan but little do they know they are fighting an enemy from the beginning of their story. Life will continue to get better and better.

The Throne of Fire. A new series from Rick Riordan (The Percy Jackson and the Olympians books). This is the second book in the Kane Chronicles that are all about Egyptian mythology. I have learned more about Egypt and the pharaohs and their beliefs then I could have imagined. A wonderful second book that has been me reading and wondering what will happen next. A great series to start reading!

Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer The Abduction. For any of you that enjoy John Grisham's work but can't get through a 700 law book. These books are for you Theo Boone's is a kid lawyer who helps out his friends and love the law. Since both his parents are lawyers he is handling schoolyard stuff and loving it. That is until his friend Amy is abducted and life is turned upside down. He has to do anything he can to find her and get her back safely. John Grisham writes delightful kids books that make me want to read more. I read his first book in the series last year and loved it. I wasn't aware he was writing another one but this is wonderful and the characters are vibrant and lovely.

These are just a few things that I have been reading lately. Have you read something wonderful and profound? Let me know leave a comment!

The Verdict is in

2011-07-06T17:21:00.000-06:00

So I saw the Dr today. I was excited to see if my lab #'s had improved. Well the verdict is in and while they are not as good as I would have hoped they are going down maybe slow and steady will be a better approach and outlook. So my CRP (c reactive protein level that monitors the amount of inflammation in my body) has dropped 0.2. So it has not dropped the full digit numbers that I and my Dr would like to see but, a dropping level is a good sign, much better then a rising number. We have not entered the "peak results" phase of my new medicine. It can take 3-6 months before we see how well the medicine will work. I have only had 4 shots so we are still early in this process and have time to wait and see. I feel like we are heading in the right direction and that is a direction I am very interested in. I pray that Heavenly Father will give me the strength to get through this. I know that I have been blessed with these trials to give me patience, some thing which I am very much lacking. I just hope that I can continue to see the beauty of the rain.

I needed a Vacation

2011-06-29T11:11:00.000-06:00

The view from the front porch!

Me and Garrett playing in the ocean

Dad getting the poles in the ocean

Beautiful rough ocean

The view from the back porch

Clara playing in the sand

The beautiful sunset in the garden

So I just got back from a lovely week in Northern California with the family. We have been visiting there since I was a child. It is always lovely to have time to rest and relax. The weather was perfect, 60's and 70's and lots of sunshine. Unfortunately the ocean was not perfect by any means. It was rough and unfishable for most of the week. We only got out 2 days and only were able to keep 2 fish. That part was disappointing but everything else was wonderful and made up for it. We stayed a beautiful rental home and went to the beach and went and saw the Giant Redwoods, we went shopping in Mendocino and Fort Bragg. I found a few lovely things to buy and overall it was a wonderful and relaxing.

Cross your finger, say a little prayer, cross your fingers.....

2011-06-15T22:12:00.000-06:00

So today I went in for my blood draw, a pretty routine thing every 6-8 wks. I did put this off more then the 8 wks because of the new shots that I am on. Now I am not one to like giving myself injections and the medicine burns quite a bit, so I make the NP that I work for give it to me. That will be a problem next week when I am on vacation. Mom has offered to help me do it, I think I can trust her. So normally blood work is a breeze, I go in, I don't have to check in due to new "Express Passes" and then I wait for the lab lady. Today I was super nervous so I put it off until 5:30pm. I guess I should go earlier, the late lab lady poked me twice and got someone else, who then asked for my advice and actually took it. So that is 3 pokes for blood today, hope I don't bruise too bad. I am crossing my fingers that my inflammation factor has gone down. It would be a good indication that things are looking up and that the 10,000 a month shots are working. This could be a bit premature though the Dr said it could take 6 months for me to start feeling the effects and have a change in my blood work. So here is to lower inflammation factors and not getting sick (so far) and 3 pokes for blood. I will let you know when I know. Life is looking up in general as I leave for vacation in a few days!

Sunday's Angels

2011-05-16T20:46:00.000-06:00

Don't you just love going to church and Sunday's? I know I do, I feel like I get so much especially in times like now that I am struggling to deal with my new stuff. I kept praying for angels since Wednesday, and guess what, I got angel's yesterday. In a kind word, a spontaneous hug, a quick thank you and inspired lessons and discussions. Then I go to family dinner at grandma's and we have a great discussion and I start to feel better about everything that is going on. Then off to bed, where I crack open my scriptures and bam, it's right there in front of my face again. I am loved by so many people and so many people keep me walking forward, one foot in front of another! I am so grateful to all my earthly angels for keeping me smiling and focused on the positive energy so it's easier to hear my Heavenly Father when he is whispering to me, but my crying, and tears have washed out the whispering. Thank you all! May God continue to bless me and those around me to feel like your affliction shall be but a moment.

Books and their effect on my brain!

2011-05-14T07:55:00.000-06:00

So lately I have had a hard time dealing with what is on my plate. Last weekend my mom and me ended up at my very favorite store Barnes and Noble. I bought a whole bunch of new books. I know when I am feeling really down and blue that a trip to the book store always makes my day brighter, and it definitely did last weekend. I tend to notice that the more I spend on books the more depressed I have been, so when I spent well over $100 I knew I must have really needed to decompress. At the time I didn't know how trying this week would be so I think my spirit must have had an idea of what was going to happen. This week as I was trying to come to grips with new information and change I started reading to escape what had been going on in my life. Almost like running away for a weekend but not spending money. I have stayed up late 2 nights in a row finishing 2 books by the same author. Now I can't remember her name, I will have to google it. The two books I read were The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and The Peach Keepers. Written by Sarah Addison Allen. They were fantastic, cute, nice escape books. She write about small Southern towns and people. Very entertaining and lovely. If anyone would like to borrow let me know. They have definitely given me the little bit of escape that I really needed this week.

This morning I got up and went to the Temple with the girls from our YW to do baptisms. We didn't need 2 leaders to drive so Sister Lambert picked me up and we picked up the girls. What a wonderful experience, it never ceases to amaze me the peace and reassurance that you feel in the temple, even if you are only waiting for other people. I know that Heavenly Father has blessed me tremendously in seeing what was ahead and inspiring the bishop to ask me to serve in the temple on Wednesday mornings. It really has been my saving grace.

I also found a new fun church blog done by a Seminary Teacher, she talked about keeping a scripture journal and as you are reading the scriptures writing down everything that comes into your mind and your thought and feelings. I started doing that and starting reading the Book of Mormon again and this week has been super wonderful. It take a lot of time to write down what you are thinking as you read, but it has been quite wonderful.

So Sorry

2011-04-23T08:42:00.000-06:00

So lately my blog has become whiner central, and for that I apologize. I have had a rough couple of months and still am, but I will try to save those whiny moments for myself. I really do do other things. Lately I have been reading. In fact I just finished another book this week it was Unbroken, about a man and his life growing up and surviving some amazing experiences during WWII. His plane went down and he survived on a raft for 47 days with no food or water (except what he found and made work). I was fascinated, what a story of survival things only went on to get worse. Let me know if you would like to borrow, it is wonderful. I also finished a story a couple of weeks ago called I Am Asher Lev. This is a story of a Jewish boy and his struggle with his religion and his life. He was an artist and this brought so much pain and hurt to him and his family and his struggle with life. I am now reading a Newberry award winner called Moon over Manifest about a girl that is sent to a town in the middle of the depression while her dad is off working and her adventures of finding out about her dad and how he was as a child. When I finish that I am going to read a manuscript of a friend that want feed back on a young adult book they have been writing. So that should be interesting. I am hanging in there, hope you all are doing well!

Snow Day

2011-04-09T07:47:00.000-06:00

As the big flakes of snow gently fall from the sky, I have been at peace. I think finally my meds are helping, but I was just diagnosed with a sinus infection, which means I can't take my meds until I have been cleared from infection for 3 wks. So I feel like we are starting over again. I try to get it to be two weeks, but I was given a stern talking to by the nurse. So just as I am beginning to feel better, it will all go away. I am OK with that. Because the snow is so beautiful and the quiet so complete, I am complete at least for now.

Why today, why now?

2011-03-16T21:15:00.001-06:00

As the rain patters on the windows and I close my yawning mouth, I am wondering why today has been so great, there were times today that I felt all alone, that the pain and the pressure of being "old" is wearing on me. That fact that I am not married and not close to being married (this all in a culture that preaches marriage and family), yet so want to be married and have a family. It is this thought that has tears streaming down my face. I know I need to be patient, but how long is that going to be? I feel like the kid in the back of the car who keeps asking how much longer, are we there yet? How many more minutes until we reach our destination. How many more minutes of crying and weeping must I endure. Then I started thinking about what has been all over the news lately, and more and more I realize that I might just be seeing the Savior come, and am I ready? Am I prepared? Am I worthy? So many questions so little time....

Wonderful Wednesday's

2011-03-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

So as I may have mentioned I started working in the Temple on Wednesday's in the morning. The shift goes from 5:30 am to 12 noon. It has been a great blessing so far. This week on my "schedule" as you rotate through different things I was a "sealing patron". Me being new to the whole temple thing didn't know what that meant. I was super nervous and exciting. I made my way to 3rd floor of the temple and dressed. What a wonderful experience. I was overcome with the spirit and even just reliving this experience right now I am in tears. May of you know that the spirit is directly related to my tear ducts. Well sitting there in the sealing room on Wednesday I reflected on my life and where I thought it would go and where it has gone. The sealer stopped and shared so insight from President Faust which was moving and as we began ordinances again I tried to concentrate on the names and had a prayer in my heart that they would understand what we were doing for them. At one point at the start of an ordinance I was overcome with the spirit and felt like we were surrounded by those for whom we were preforming the ordinance. The sealer was overwhelmed and as tears streamed down his face and mine, I knew that family was there. That they had been waiting, that they were prepared and that joy was breath taking. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve in this capacity. What a wonderful blessing!

Life is looking up

2011-02-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ok so life is looking up. Or maybe it is that I am looking up. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. The sunshine, the blue sky, who knows, what has changed, only that I don't think I can keep feeling terrible forever! Oh well I will run with it!

Another Day another crisis

2011-02-15T23:42:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just wish the crisis's would end? Work crisis, health crisis, church issues, friend issues? I really need to get a break here, but today it has all come to a head.

Got to work early to try to get ready for the day before the interviews came, didn't really happen. We did interviews and went late. Got back to work with 5 people sitting in my lobby upset that I made them wait, hurry got them in and ran off the the Dr's appt, my heart rate not so good when I get there, trying to decide what to do about it, Dr gets paged from the ER (he is on call today). Listen to him talk with the ER Dr for 20 minutes trying to figure out what is wrong with poor lady in the ER. He focuses his attention on me again to be interrupted by the ER again. Getting back to the heart rate we discuss what to do, add meds, live with it, etc.... He wants to start med specific "beta blocker" I can't take that because of asthma, he looks it up, thinks it "may be ok", ask him to call pulm Dr, he says maybe not... Do surgery??? Live with it???? We make a decision and then move on. Run back to work desk is stacked with paperwork (where did that all come from)? Run around all day help Pt's, boos says can you believe it's 6pm? Freak out, people are coming to my house at 7 and it's 6:15. Tell my boss I have to go, no options. Pile everything up throw it in a drawer and run out, I have 3 messages on the cell. Listen to them, issues with YW tonight (the thing at my house at 7). Call her back figure it out, call mom to see if someone is home, can't reach anyone, start to freak out, call cell # no answer, call Dad, he is home, call person back tell them to come. Get other messages. Friend having a crisis, needs help right away, other Dr's office called they need to talk to me (good bad????) call back they are gone for the day, call friend tell her I will come over after thing at my house.
Thing at the house, turns out ok, not great, but who really cares, clean up kick people out etc.... Leave for friends house, OMG I am out of gas, stop for gas, OMG it went up 25 cents from this morning! Call friend leave a message I am on my way, fill up, get on freeway, get a text, get off freeway, friend says don't come, text her back, turn around go home. Friend texts back, pull over, read text, still head home, get call from friend, pull over, she wants me to come back, turn around head back to her house, drop stuff off, help her with the issue, make her promise to call first thing make sure she is ok. Turn around come back home, mail is spilling out of the mail box, get the mail, pull up the email send email, tell her I am thinking about her, that i love her. Go through mail, get card from other friend, she is wonderful, not sure how I would have made it through the day with everything, she is beyond wonderful, inspired. Type this way to long narrative and them I am going to bed. Hope I wasn't too boring, my life is out of control, I need for something to go right for a change, tomorrow is a day that I have that possibility. Pray for my friend in crisis, she needs it way more then I do! Peace out, good night!

Busy Bee

2011-02-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

So today I started working in the Temple. I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw-up, but guess what everything was fine! In fact I am sure this will be a wonderful experience! I am happy to be serving the Lord in another capacity! When I was set apart I was given some pretty spectacular promises, it was a wonderful thing. In the meeting with President Christensen he spoke of wounds unseen, I feel like I have been dealing with so many of these that it has been hard to be real to myself. I know that things will get better, that I must learn to have more patience. Hope everyone is doing well!

2011-02-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

I just posted on my family blog, so I decided to post it here as well, you should all get most of it, if not just laugh at me, it's ok!

PLEASE READ PARAGRAPH 4, I NEED HELP WITH IDEAS TO SPEAK IN SACRAMENT ABOUT! Please leave a comment and help me out!

My life has been super crazy lately and it has been awhile since I have gotten on. Yes I agree this should be the Becky and Lana exchange stories, etc... Blog. Life here in Utah has been pretty dang cold as of lately. For several days early this week it did not get above 20 degree's. Needless to say my walk into the hospital has been super cold as we have to park out in the north 40.
My life has been all over the map lately. My arthritis has been super bad lately that another stress dose of prednisone was needed to allow me to bend my arm. I started a new medication that has a list of really scary side effects but hopefully it helps. This medication is generic so it's cheap, the next medication is $2000 a month so I am hoping we don't have to go there. But the nausea, sores in my mouth and my hair falling out is starting to kind of freak me out. We just doubled the medicine that I have to take to counter act the side effects, so maybe that will help, it will be another couple of weeks before we find out if things are working or not.
I am loving my job, my boss is great, my patients and their families are great. We just had a major change so I think everything will now fall into place. I love the fact that the cute old people are in need of a person who cares and will listen to them. Their stories are fascinating and wonderful. Their courage and determination inspired me to no end. Oh the places you will go the things you will do, the people you will meet! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

I am still in Young Women's and loving every minute of it. The girls are wonderful and so caring. They are full of energy and love and I love them so much. It is so much fun to see them get older and wiser and move on to better things. I just accepted an assignment to work in the temple on Wed mornings. I am excited but a little nervous about things, but I am sure it will be wonderful! I was asked to talk in Sacrament meeting in a couple of weeks, which I really don't like doing, but I must need to. Anyone with advise on speaking on The proclamation to the World on the family, please send ideas my way.
Travel plans so far this year are a week in northern California salmon fishing with my family, we are renting a house right by the beach and it should be a great adventure for all of us. I then am going to spend a week driving up the Oregon coast with a friend (that is still in the planning phase so hopefully it will turn out). I plan on spending a few days in AZ visiting my grandma and grandpa wood. Girls camp is in August, family reunion over Labor day weekend. I am sure a couple other fun things are to come as well.
I really miss you all in Florida. I occasionally have dreams that I am there to visit. I am hoping that happens maybe next year, we will see. Spring time sounds nice for a warm weather get away.
How are thing with the family? Kids still doing well? Bethany, Jake? I heard Megan had her baby and he is cute (according to LaNece). Several of my friends are expecting and I am super excited for them. I feel like I am writing a book, so I will finish and be done for another little bit.
Keep in touch, I miss you all and love our family not matter how far away, I am sending my love and prayer and thoughts your way! May the Lord bless and keep you safe until we meet again!

Just Keep on Going

2011-01-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

This winter has been terrible so far. My arthritis has gotten worse and we are now considering a "chemo" drug to see if it helps. I finally and back to walking like a normal person, the last 4 weeks have been extremely painful and challenging mentally to keep things in perspective. It is easy to forget how blessed I am and get lost in the self pity and loneliness that feels like it can be consuming. I need to take a good look around and realize how much I have been given and how much more I need to give back. I find myself sad and depressed and lashing out at my family, something I try not to do, but sometimes feel is the only option. I am trying to come up with some New Year resolutions and I am struggling to see anything positive that is up coming. Even my birthday was hard, not sure what this is all about, but I am determined to get over myself and keep moving forward. I have come to a realization that my Iaido is done and over with, my Dr keeps telling me if I want to be walking in 5 years I will do what he tells me. I will, I just don't know how to overcome the hole that has been created. Earlier this week I was actually feeling much better, but I am not getting pain and stiffness in my neck and Oh My Heck, I really have been doing everything right, not sure why I keep getting knocked down. My saving graces right now are my weekly temple attendance (it makes me laugh the the ladies know who I am now), and my young women's calling. The girls continue to inspire and uplift me at every turn. Well I best stop whining now and get off my butt and do something. Keep smiling, I am going to try!

December Has Been Crazy Busy

2010-12-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

December started off with the Wood Family annual Christmas activity. My mom gets us all together to do something every year. This years excursion was to see The Forgotten Carol's at cottonwood high school. It was a very fun night and we all enjoyed it. The music was wonderful, the show it didn't see too much of due to a head, but it was wonderful.

Next came the making of neighborhood treats to share. This year I made Carmel apples, and Carmel pretzel sticks made gourmet with milk and white chocolate drizzle and some with nuts and some with peppermint sticks.

Then came the decorating the tree, what fun this year! Clara is old enough to want to help but young enough not to know how. All the kids had fun decorating the tree!

Next was the making of gingerbread houses and let the kids the freedom to do as they pleased. This year mom bought gingerbread house boxes. It made it easy for the kids to get things up and running quickly. The kids had a ton of fun and their house turned out super cute and fun!

Next up in traditions is the Robinson Family Christmas party. It is always on the 23rd come rain, snow or shine. This year grandpa did a spotlight on the birth of Joseph Smith and how it coincides with the celebration of the birth of our Savior. It was a touching moment.

Then came Christmas Eve at our house, with games, presents, kids, cookies, stories and fun. I am not sure that I like the kids new Shock game, but everything else was super fun!

The boys then showed me how to do a pants head dance, and I laughed the whole time!

Here is Taylor showing me how to make a moose of myself!

Hunter break dancing.

Next comes Christmas morning. Which is really more Christmas noon. I got up early and and made raspberry rolls (which didn't turn out right). I also made homemade baked doughnuts that were delicious. Definitely a make again thing. They were easy and wonderful and everyone seemed to like them!

2010-12-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

From My House to ours, may The Reason for the Season, bring peace, love, hope and joy! Merry Christmas!

30 Days of Thanks #30

2010-11-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

So today should be my big finale, but I am so sick that my mom had to come get me from work, I couldn't drive myself home. I will do my big finale as soon as I feel better

30 Days of Thanks #29

2010-11-29T19:07:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for a hot bath, that after writing this post I am going to sit in and hopefully feel better. I have come down with a sinus infection and feel like my head is going to explode. The hot shower I took this morning seemed to help, I hope a bath tonight will be equally helpful. Hot water, house, heating, towels, clothes, food, job. I am thankful for all the essentials that I regularly take for granted.

30 Days of Thanks # 28

2010-11-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

As this month draws to an end, I would be ungrateful if I failed to be thankful to the most important person in my life. Our brother and our Savior Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the knowledge of knowing that when I make mistakes I can repent and be forgiven completely. I am thankful for his atoning sacrifice which makes it possible to return to live with Him and our loving Heavenly Father. The calming reassurance that our lives have hope, that we can return, that we will be forgiven, that those things will be remembered no more is beautiful and something I am truly grateful for! With the celebration of his birth just around the corner, I am going to try to be better, be more like him, to love him more, to serve him more, to forgive and forget more, to accept more, to judge less. This list can go on and on and on!

30 Days of Thanks #27

2010-11-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for this wonderful blog that I have to express myself, my life, my feelings, my heartaches, my joys, my stupid thoughts that make some of you laugh. It seems to be more so lately that I get to put down my real feelings with out a fear of someone freaking out, or getting angry at me. I am grateful for the journal that this has become, I hope to print it out in book form for all posterity. Keep coming back, I am sure eventually I will be able to say something that will totally steam you or something that you will totally need to hear! Love you all!

30 Days of Thanks # 26

2010-11-26T14:03:00.002-07:00

Today I am thankful for the kind and considerate people who I stood in line with today. What a pleasure to have such nice people to talk to while freezing my butt off in bitter cold weather. We got tons of Sub for Santa stuff which will certainly make someones holiday season!

30 Days of Thanks # 25

2010-11-25T23:01:00.002-07:00

Today, it is easy to say that I am grateful for Thanksgiving. The holiday is one that holds a dear place in my heart. The family, friends, food, fun, it just warms my heart. May the Lord bless you and keep you during this wonderful season. And to all you crazy people, Happy shopping, don't touch a thing in my cart!

30 Days of Thanks # 24

2010-11-24T23:10:00.000-07:00

So today I am thankful for, my favorite Thanksgiving dessert, you guessed it PIE. I am thankful for pumpkin, apple, pecan, cranberry lemon, and lemon meringue. This is what I am making for the feast, except, the pumpkin, pecan, apple and cranberry lemon are all ready done! Only need to do a lemon meringue. Yummy, yummy, stop by tomorrow around 5:30 or 6 pm for pie. Love you all!

30 Days of Thanks #23

2010-11-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for preparedness. While this blizzard is going to rage on, I am thankful for everyone in my life who makes sure that I am prepared for different and various situations. I am confident knowing that driving to work tomorrow if anything happens I will have whatever I need in my trunk. My 72 hr kit, a sleeping bag, a good pair of shoes, blankets, flares, water, food, fix a flat, jumper cables among other things. People like my mom, my friend Laurel, my extended family and everyone else who helps me stay on top of emergency preparedness. Love you all!

30 Days of Thanks # 22

2010-11-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for butter. Again this sounds a little bizarre, but butter makes everything better. Like when you wake up at 5:30am to get ready for work, and get upstairs at 6:30 and start getting your things ready to go when you realize that you have a Dr's appt at 8:30 and are not expected at work until after. So I did what I do best, I made all the pie crust's that I will be needing for the big holiday on Thursday. All 8 of them are resting comfortably in the coolness of my refrigerator. But what do you say makes it so special, it's the butter. Butter makes everything better. I made some browned butter cranberry lime muffins on Saturday, and OH MY they were wonderful. Just proving my point that butter makes life better. It definitely helps out in the baking department at least!

30 Days of Thanks # 21

2010-11-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for quiet thoughtful moments of reflection. Last night I was having a hard time getting everything done that I wanted done. I was feeling stressed out and generally not a happy camper. I sat for a moment on my bed at the verge of tears. Almost crying kills me, I hate crying, it makes me feel like a child that can't get over themselves. I said a simple quiet prayer and everything changed. I felt enveloped in a warm, loving, blanket. I know that if I would take more time for contemplation that I would not have so many of these moments. I also know that Satan is working really hard to break me down. So goal for this week, take a few moments amidst the craziness of Thanksgiving and reflect on what I am really here to do, what I need to be doing right this moment.

30 Days of Thanks # 20

2010-11-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for the holiday season. This starts with Thanksgiving and continues on into Christmas and New Year's. They always seem to make me happy and reflective on things that have had an impact on me through the last year. The baking, the Christmas carols and music, the festive lights, the shopping the smells of the holidays are upon me and I am grateful for the influence they have on my mind and my thoughts. I turn to thoughts of my Savior and his humble circumstances and the many miracles that he did. I reflect on the many miracles I have seen in my life, and it makes me realize how truly blessed I am.

30 Days of Thanks #19

2010-11-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today this is going to sound really worldly, but I am thankful for Harry Potter. I had a great opportunity to see the new one last night at 7:45pm, I didn't even have to stay up until midnight. It was so awesome! All the hype and controversy led up to it, when in reality, I am not sure that I would even call what they were saying "nudity" was actually nudity? Go figure, my standards over the last year or so have increased dramatically to the point that I don't normally go see PG-13 movies because they are really rated R. Harry Potter was scary and dark, but not bad in my eyes. I would recommend it to those who feel like they can handle a little bit of scary, dark, and dreary. Well done, well acted, well everything. I give it **** 1/2 stars.

30 Days of Thanks #18

2010-11-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for my family. I have written things about my mom and my niece, but I am talking my whole family, even those people that I really don't get along with that well. The Lord sent us here to be part of a family for a reason. I know that stuff happens and families are torn apart by unforeseen circumstances, but it is that family unit that keeps us solid and moving forward in faith. My grandparents have a very special love for each of us, and they are a huge part of my family and my life for that matter. I know that my aunts and uncles have helped me in many ways, of course brothers and sister in law's and nieces and nephews etc.... The list could go on and on, but when it comes down to it, we all need each other for some reason or another, even if it's just to annoy another family member (of that's how it feels sometimes). To all of my family, I love you all. Even if you are far away, I want to know what you are doing and what is happening in your life.

30 Days of Thanks #17

2010-11-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for dirt. The brown stuff that makes my plants grow! My garden this year was hugely successful because of the dirt. Every year for the past 6-7 yrs in the fall time, I try to till in leaves and grass to keep thing going and up to date with "organic fertilizer" the leaves and the grass. That was my objective today and I accomplished it. It did take all day though so that was a bummer. It was totally against everything my Dr has been telling me to do. And right now after sitting the the bath tub for about an hour, I know that I will pay dearly for going against what he said. Sitting here I can feel my joints start to stiffen up, but I got it done and now it can snow and freeze and do what ever it wants because it is done! Too bad that I have to work tomorrow, we will see how that goes.

30 Days of Thanks #16

2010-11-16T18:25:00.002-07:00

Today I am thankful for my mom. If you don't know my mom you don't know the nicest, most honest, most caring person in the world! She is always doings stuff for my and my brothers and their kids. She cooks dinner, she keeps things clean, she lets me vent to her when I need to vent, she puts me in my place when it's needed. She has always loved me no matter what! Even when I make terrible choices and don't want to be responsible for them, she still cares and to me that is all the matters. Lately she seems really overwhelmed so I am trying to clean and organize different parts of our house to make her feel better. So far, so good! I have done the laundry room (which looked like a bomb had gone off for over 9 months)! and I have cleaned and organized the pantry (also a war zone). I know that it has taken some pressure off of her, and tomorrow (if I have time) I am going to organized the butler's pantry and get things put away! Surprise, surprise for her! I love her with all my heart, might, mind and strength and don't know what I would do without her!

30 Days of Thanks #15

2010-11-15T19:59:00.002-07:00

I was struggling today with what I was thankful for, then I thought about my niece Whitney who always is happy and smiley and loves to read. She was complaining that she didn't have enough to read and needed something to read. Especially since she is going to San Diego over Thanksgiving for a soccer tournament. So she left my house with a bag full of books and a book on her nose, it was hilarious! She is so head strong and determined, just like my, and I love her and I am grateful for everything she does and represents!

30 Days of Thanks #14

2010-11-14T09:44:00.002-07:00

Today I am thankful for the Sabbath day. I have made a lot of adjustments with what I do on the Sabbath Day and after reading the Old Testament and about how our Sabbath day observance is a physical manifestation of our covenants with the Lord, my sabbath day observance has become so much more. I have really tried to limit what kind of things I do, say, see, watch and read. I try to focus on spiritual things only, development of talents and family togetherness. I have tried to watch church sponsored or church related DVDs, movies and or uplifting programs that help me keep my mind clean. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to put things in greater perspective and really keep the sabbath day holy. I know that by doing this my testimony has grown and the blessing are evident.

30 Days of Thanks #13

2010-11-13T23:05:00.002-07:00

Today I am thankful for creative people! I had a wonderful opportunity to attend a card class today, and I am always amazed and in awe of the creativity of the person who puts the class on. My sister in law's mom, Kathy is constantly coming up with new and fabulous ideas of things to do with paper and cute and creative cards, class after class after class! I am really good at copying someone elses' idea, but coming up with it, not so much. I am able to do small things by myself, but huge craft project are definitely not my forte. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed us each with such varied talents. I am so grateful for the ones I have, and hope to develop more all the time.

30 Days of Thanks #12

2010-11-12T20:49:00.002-07:00

Today I am thankful for the men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces. The Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard. They protect our country without hesitation and without reservation. With yesterday being Veteran's Day, I had a chance to reflect on the many sacrifices great and small that allow us the freedom that we so thoroughly enjoy in the United States of America. I know many how have served an a few that have died in our service. I am so grateful for the Lord's hand in the formation of this country that allows us such freedom. I am sadden when I hear of those who willfully try to destroy our country and it's values. We must remain loyal to our country and all that it stands for! May the peace of the Lord bless our service men and women and their families that they will be safe and protected and that they may have peace and comfort in their heartache and sorrows.

Add-on to 30 Days of Thanks #11

2010-11-11T19:12:00.002-07:00

So after reading this I didn't feel like I really expressed myself well thus the Add on!

Today I am thankful for love. There are so many kinds of love. Our Savior's love, our family's love, the love we have for friends, the love and compassion I feel for the cute people who come into my clinic! I know that we all have to go through the bad to see the good, so I have know the heart break, maybe it's time for me to know the other. Just a thought.

The different kinds of love in my life pull me in so many directions. Our Savior's love is so complete and eternal that at times I don't feel worthy of it. I know he loves me no matter what, but at times I fall short in my commitments to him and I feel unworthy of that kind of love. It is that love though that keeps me recommitting to be better, do better, try harder and tough it out (even when I feel like I can't try anymore)!

My family's love is equally as sweet, I know that my parents love me and would do just about anything for me that they can. I have the same issues with this love as the first, I don't feel worth of it. There are many times that I fall short of my parents expectations and I feel that I don't deserve it. They are always there though too. I know when I am orny and snappy, that they must question their love for me. I hope that my life will amount to something that they are proud of!

The love I feel for my friends and the love they express to me keeps me going day by day. When I have a bad day, there are 2 or so people I know that I can call for sure and they will make my day better. They will listen to my ranting and raving and try to make things better for me. What they don't realize is how much I rely on their wisdom and compassion to make some pretty big decisions in my life.

And the last kind of love I don't really know too much about, I do understand how much love I have for my niece's and nephews and I can imagine that that kind of love is similar to that!

So I think now I have really expressed what my original intent was!

Love you all!

30 Days of Thanks #11

2010-11-11T18:20:00.002-07:00

Today I am thankful for love. There are so many kinds of love. Our Savior's love, our family's love, the love we have for friends, the love and compassion I feel for the cute people who come into my clinic! I know that we all have to go through the bad to see the good, so I have know the heart break, maybe it's time for me to know the other. Just a thought.

30 Days of Thanks #10

2010-11-10T17:46:00.002-07:00

Today after having 4 Dr's appt's I am thankful for modern medicine. The amazing things that we can do today that we couldn't even 30 years ago I stand in awe. I know several people including myself that probably would not be here with out the advances in modern medicine. My dad for one, if they didn't understand the complexities of Melanoma it probably would have metastasized and killed him. My dear friends son, that was born with a congenital heart defect, they they have "rigged" up to work is another. The list could go on and on. Now facing the things may seem daunting, but with Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ anything is possible, and trust me I truly think that the Lords hand is in the increasing technology, I know that Satan uses it to the negative, but the good it does and allows what it does, I am eternally grateful.

30 Days of Thanks #9

2010-11-09T18:36:00.002-07:00

Today I am thankful for old people. Most of you know that I have taken a new position at a Senior Clinic. I totally love it. The "Old People" are so nice and so gracious and willing to be so kind and considerate. They need someone to talk too, they need someone who cares about them, they need someone that loves them. I am more then happy to fill that role. I thinks it's great that they know if they can't remember when their appt is or what the name of the Dr we referred them to is that they can call and we will give that to them. It's wonderful to know that they trust us to do what's best for them, and we will keeping to do better. I think it's great that they call some day's because there is no one else for them to call and they want to hear a voice on the end of the line. What can I say other the I LOVE OLD PEOPLE! I am truly blessed.

30 Days of Thanks #8

2010-11-08T12:58:00.003-07:00

Today I am thankful for the snow, yes I am sitting at my desk and the white stuff just stopped coming down, and it looks beautiful. The orange and yellow leaves, the white snow, the puff of smoke from the breath of someone in the parking lot. I am so grateful for the snow! Clean, white, refreshing snow. (that causes some issues with how to tear out the tomatoes and rest of the garden, but for today I will look past that)!

30 Days of Thanks #7

2010-11-07T18:31:00.002-07:00

Today after listening to inspired words of our Stake, I am grateful for revelation both personal and from those who have stewardship over us. Brother Briggs woke up and wrote a completely different talk this morning at 3:30am. It was about being casual in our relationship with the Lord and with our families and our commitments. It was a beautiful talk, I am grateful that he was in tune enough to talk about things that I needed to hear, and that the YW I am over needed to hear. May the Lord continue to bless my local leaders that speak with such power. I am truly blessed!

30 Days of Thanks #6

2010-11-06T16:00:00.002-06:00

Today I don't have to look very far to find it. I am thankful for FALL. I love the crispness in the air, the smell of apple cider and pumpkin pie in the store. The leaves crunching under my feet, the warmth of the sun coming through the window. The chance to wear a sweater and not feel like I am in an oven. All of these things make be grateful for FALL

30 Days of Thanks #5

2010-11-05T20:31:00.002-06:00

Today I am grateful for friends who know when I am down and call me to make sure that I am ok. You know who you are, I am eternally grateful for the love and support of wonderful friends who always seem to make me laugh and cry and strive to be better. Their love and support and unfailing example are wonderful. Friends are one of the frequent ways the Lord answers my prayers. It goes to without saying that friends are what make the world go round. Thank you for your care and concern!

30 Days of Thanks #4

2010-11-04T12:42:00.002-06:00

Today I am thankful for Mountain Dew. I know this sounds irrational, but for those days that my head will not stop throbbing and I have to be at work. Mountain Dew is my saving grace, it gets me through the pain and usually makes those days seem a bit brighter, also when I am sick there is nothing better to get all the "junk" out of my throat! So there it is, if you laugh at me it's ok!

30 Days of Thanks #3

2010-11-03T16:51:00.002-06:00

Today I am thankful for the Temple. I try to go every week and it seems to make my week go better. I need that spiritual boost in the middle of the week, it really does make a difference. After I went through the temple I wanted to go until I felt like I really got what was going on. Then last year during tithing settlement my bishop challenged me to try to find time to attend the temple every week, something I had already been doing. I continue to amaze myself, by how much I get from the temple. The peace and calm that comes into my life when I am going, even when I don't really want too, I still receive the blessings, absolutely amazing. I don't know why I am so shocked, but I am.

30 Days of Thanks #2

2010-11-02T09:03:00.002-06:00

So today I am thankful for my job. I think some times I fail to put things in perspective. There are so many people out there that are struggling with out work or not enough work. I am so happy at my job that this has not even passed by my mind. I know several people that are struggling just to make ends meat. I am so blessed to have a job that I love and enjoy and that I can make enough to support myself. For those struggling, please pray for guidance and help, I know that it will help, even if just to give you peace and comfort in your struggles.

30 Days of Thanks #1

2010-11-01T20:39:00.002-06:00

Today I am thankful for a Living Prophet's. Even Thomas S Monson and the quorum of the 12. Every time I hear them speak I am constantly inspired to be better, to do more, to be happy (opposite of what I have been feeling lately). I have been listening to conference talks in the car and on my day off. I know that they speak with God and receives guidance to lead us in the direction that we need to head. I know that a lot is being said about a recent conference talk. I have prayed and received confirmation that what was said is correct. I support President Packer and will continue to. I am so grateful that in these crazy, scary, and doubtful times that I can receive revelation for my life and confirmation that all is well. I am so happy that I can strive to be more like my Savior, Jesus Christ, and that I can change. Through the revelations that we receive in General Conference, we all can receive an "extra portion" of the Spirit by following the counsel that we receive.

Life

2010-11-01T20:36:00.003-06:00

So far this year has been so jammed packed with all kinds of ups and downs and downs and ups that I am not sure how to reflect on it all and make it ok. I have been struggling lately with all things, I just don't feel ok with anything. Like my life is crumbling around me and I don't' want to run, I just want it to be over some days. So in an effort to stop feeling terrible about everything, I am going to do my 30 days of thanks. Check back everyday to see what I am thankful for. I am sure that this will help me understand and put things into perspective.

Been awhile

2010-10-15T17:42:00.001-06:00

So I totally know that it's been awhile, and I have the best of intentions of getting caught up, but life has been crazy, so when I have a second you will know more!

Genealogy

2010-09-29T13:31:00.001-06:00

So on Tuesday night's when I run off to YW, mom invites Grandma and Grandpa Robinson over to work on genealogy. They have been doing a lot of research and are getting things ready to go to the temple. It is fun to see them every week and nice to know that I am loved. I have caught the bug too and hope to work more on our family line.

Mom and Grandpa, they make me laugh!

Clara's Day

2010-09-29T13:19:00.004-06:00

A couple of weeks ago my dad blessed Clara. She was so cute and smiley which is usually not the case with her. I thought it was a great experience and I am hoping that it may inspire my brother to get back to church!

She was fascinated with my glass bead bracelet, it kept her quiet and still during the blessing.

This Week

2010-09-11T17:09:00.003-06:00

I have been crazy busy this week. I have been trying to get things bottled and canned and frozen and dehydrated. My garden is producing a ton of stuff so that just means no real free time for me. So far I have put up 19 quarts of pickles, with another 20 pounds soaking in ice water, 23 quarts of tomatoes.

When I went out Wednesday to pick the garden, I was overwhelmed. I picked a basket of green beans, a basket of squash, and 3 baskets full of tomatoes. It was crazy!

YW Clean Slate Activity

2010-09-01T17:48:00.002-06:00

Last night we had a great activity. We decided to challenge the girls to start the school year off with a Clean Slate. We talked about how the Anti Nephi-Lehi's buried their weapons and vowed never to pick them up again. They watched their family members be slaughtered by the Lamanites when they came again them to war. Some of those Lamanites were converted. We told the girls we wanted them to choose something that they are doing that they shouldn't be, or choose something they need to be doing that they are not doing right now. We wrote those "sins" down and burned them, to get rid of them. We then told them for the next month we will be focusing on getting rid of that bad habit or sin. We then made journals for the girls to monitor their progress. We also have 5 traveling journals going around that we want the girls to write words of encouragement in to inspire the other girls! It was a great activity.

Restoring Honor Rally DC

2010-09-01T17:35:00.004-06:00

This last weekend me and mom went to Washington DC to attend the Restoring Honor rally held by Glenn Beck. It was a fun, but quick trip. The rally was super uplifting and it was wonderful to meet so many nice people who agree that our country is heading in the wrong direction. We stayed downtown and the W hotel. It is right next door to the Federal Reserve. We walked over to the Lincoln Memorial and hung out until things got started. There were so many people there. It was totally amazing! There are some disputes as to how many people were there. Let me just tell you it was packed from the front of the Lincoln Memorial all the way filling the reflecting pool and the fields on the sides, the WWII memorial was full of people, back from there, the lawn in front of the Washington Memorial was full over the top of the mountain and spilling down the back side. There were a TON of people there.

My Garden

2010-08-25T18:37:00.002-06:00

So far this year my garden is getting big and producing a lot of stuff! I have been surprised about how much stuff has grown! It's always exciting to get more stuff going and have a feast from the garden!

Pepper, eggplant, beans and onions

My tomatoes are huge!

Treasure Hunt

2010-08-25T18:30:00.002-06:00

So Garrett has a current obsession with Pirates and Treasure etc... So when he was over on Friday, my mom told him I would put together a treasure hunt for him. What a fun time! We only had the little kids involved but the big kids wanted to do it too! Maybe next time we will have 2 treasure hunts! Here they all are reading and with their clues. The treasure was just some candy wrapped in gold and silver! It was super fun, can't wait to do it again!

YW Budget activity and Cook off

2010-08-25T13:31:00.003-06:00

So last night we had a budget and cook-off activity! We talked about keys to managing money and then gave the girls money and had them shop for stuff to make dinner. (we had brought stuff from our pantries and the store labeled with prices) They were given $7 to feed the 4 or five people in each group! They all agreed on what to cook and make and then went to it! I think they learned a lot and had a lot of fun. If they fill out the Teen Budget form we gave them and live within that budget for 3 months it passes off a personal progress goal!

Trying to decide what to make with the money that they have.
Grocery shopping can be hard with so many different opinions!

The first group cooking away, they made a pretty simple meal of top ramen, corn, oranges, french bread and brownies! The other group finally decided on Chicken alfredo and brownies. It was fun to see them working together and challenging each other for thing that they wanted!

Thumbs up from the picky eater of the group!

Licking the beaters

and having a clean plate, it was delicious

Syd was so cute she played with Sister Lamaster's kids outside. She is such a beautiful girl and she is so great with the kids, she will be an awesome mom!

Everyone enjoyed the brownies, we then took the left over brownies around to the girls who were unable to attend! It was a fun night!

YW Virtue the Amazing Race

2010-08-25T13:12:00.004-06:00

The combined YW activity was so much fun! Laurel found it on the Internet and we knew we had to do it. She was released a couple of weeks before which put a huge load on our new person, they ended up having Laurel help and it turned out great! The girls had tons of fun, it requires a lot of leaders though so if you do it make sure you get help from everyone and maybe even ask some of the girls mom's to help out! The girls were amazing to see them work together and to see how everyone finished! It was a great end to a wonderful career. I still will have to hit her up for ideas!

The girls trying to figure out the ancient writing on the golden V's from the baseball field!

Rods and rivers, chutes and ladders

Trying to find the 1 piece of rice that is red and get the blind folded person to gasp just that one!

Working hard to get a stain out, little did they know it was impossible and they would have to visit and chat with the bishop!

Can you put a section of scripture in the right order? This was much harder then the girls thought it would be, but the got it eventually!

The race to read, everyone had to read 1 or 2 chapters depending if they had read their scriptures in the last 24 hrs

Finding our virtue flag from last year and almost to the end of the race!

Our winning team with Laurel who ended everyone and gave them treats! They did a great job!

V is for Victory!

YW Water Kick Ball

2010-08-25T13:05:00.002-06:00

Katelyn and Clara and friend with Blue tongues from the snow cones

Megan going at it again so I could get a picture!

So a couple of weeks ago for our combined activity we played water kick ball. For those who don't know what that is, it's normal kick ball but for home base you have a slip n slide! Lots of fun!

We then had snow cones after it was great!

Sadness, Shock and Dismay

2010-08-11T09:52:00.004-06:00

My heart was broken on Sunday when my good friend Laurel was released as the 1st counselor in the YW. My partner in crime is no long er going to be there to pick me up when I am down, or laugh at the stupid things I do. She is not going to be there to answer the all important questions that I have no idea how to answer. My optimistic outlook, these girls need to grow, they need a good gospel foundation, lets relate it back to the scriptures friend is gone. Who is going to cry with me in the hall when I find out that one of the YW have been up to no good, or they have hurt my feelings?

I am truly sad. Our YW have lost a wonderful advocate. I just want her to know how much I love her and I will miss her dearly!

New Post's Alert

2010-08-05T20:03:00.001-06:00

So I posted like 20 things and got caught up make sure you see them all! I hope now that my life has seemed less stressful I will be able to keep up with what we are doing. Best wishes and happy looking!

YW Are you in a Jam

2010-08-05T19:55:00.003-06:00

On Tuesday we taught the girls how to make freezer jam and talked about how to get out of a jam and how to find answers to our questions. We had toast and jam for refreshments. Our girls are so wonderful, they make the best out of everything and make our jobs so easy! I love them so much!

YW Girls Camp

2010-08-05T19:13:00.008-06:00

Girls Camp is always a wonderful experience! This year was no exception. The girls we great, they continue to amaze me! There was lots of late nights, Quelf, and fun. Can't wait to go again next year!

Group Picture at the lake

The Bishop sweeping out wood chips so we can pass inspection!

The priesthood was great!

A little friendly arm wrestling

the easy hike group!

The Challenge Course

Early morning beauty from the Lord

The Flotilla (what I called it) out on the lake the girls came over and wanted us to paddle them around in our paddle boat, pretty soon there was 6 canoes on one side and four on the other, it was amazing to see them come together and sing songs and socialize!

Quelf, need I say more? (conjoined twins, Gerika and Saydee balancing a book on head and walking backward at least 30 feet)! LOL

Pile on Karley

Designing the pillowcases

Girls camp Yoga anyone?

Quelf again

Service Project fun

Early Morning scripture study! This was cool, I passed off 5 value experiences!

Quelf again!

This was one of the coolest things that happened at camp. The YCL's brought out this picture of a girl from school and said all the bad things she did (gossiped, stole my boyfriend, swears, called me a *****). Then they chose girls from the audience to beat her picture up, stab it with a pencil etc... As you see below under the picture of the girl was a picture of Christ! The gasp from the girls was indescribable. What a wonderful lesson to remind us that everything we do to other people we are really doing to Christ!

Spray paint Tye dye bandanna's

Quelf slow dancing!

The first day we went to the lake we got rained out, the girls played in the sand box and played sand volleyball.

Rain rain go away come again another day

the girls came up with a fun game Dragon, Orge, Witch. It was fun to watch!

Camping over the 24th

2010-08-05T18:41:00.004-06:00

So as a kid I remember going camping or up in the mountains for my mom's birthday every year. This year we went camping up Mill Hollow. Mom went up early and I came up later on in the week. It was lots of fun and I got to learn how to drive off road!

This was the yummy Chocolate Raspberry Mouse cake I bought at The Bakery. It was so good!

Happy Birthday to you Mom
Lunch at Dick's drive in in Kamas, the best onion rings I have ever had!

Mom enjoying the great outdoors

Dad chopping wood for the fire!
the sunset!

The full moon and the campfire were spectacular!

The boys were sighting in Dad's new scope on his muzzle loader. It was so loud!

Glenn Beck American Revivial

2010-08-05T18:36:00.003-06:00

Back in July, Me, Mom and my aunt Julie went to Glenn Beck's American Revival. I am disturbed by things that are happening in our country and I feel a need to stop them or help prevent them! There was a ton of information and a spirit of resolve!

Julie, Mom and Me

Julie and Mom

Get together with Friends

2010-08-05T18:27:00.002-06:00

When I worked at Memorial Clinic I made some great friends. We keep in touch and get together every time Brooke is in town. We had a lot to talk about this time, Cami has moved into a new house and had a new baby. We went up to her house and had lunch and chatted. It was great fun and I look forward to the next time we get to see each other again.

Cami, opening her presents with Cali's help!

Me, Pat, Cami, Cali, Brooke

Turkey Avocado Bagel sandwich's and Brownies, everything was delicious

Cami "cooking" we give her a hard time that she doesn't cook!

Baby Colin

YW Volleyball and Ice Cream Social

2010-08-05T18:21:00.003-06:00

So they tried to cancel YW's and most of the YW complained so we did impromptu volleyball and ice cream at Laurel's house. These girls just wanted oreo's with whipped cream, no ice cream, it was super cute!

Annie and Mckenzie

Water Break

Playing Volleyball, it was fun, hot, but fun!

Dinner at Mill Hollow

2010-08-05T18:11:00.003-06:00

We went to for dinner at Mill Hollow where Jonathan with camping with the in-laws. It was a fun time. I learned about "sauce" in a tin foil dinner and watched the kids have a blast!

Family Reunion

2010-08-05T17:55:00.003-06:00

Our family reunion this year was over the 4th of July Holiday. It was a small gathering but well worth attending. It was great to see those we saw and meet some that I have never met before. Any time you get to spend with family talking and learning more about things that you never have heard is great!

Sunset at the house

Grandma and Grandpa Robinson

Hanging out by the fire, waiting for it to get dark so they could do fireworks

trying to start the fire, uncle Bruce showed us all how to do it

On the back road we had to drive through construction, check out the ruts! I was freaking out.

LaNece, Marian Deanne
Uncle Doyle and Aunt Rose, reenacting there courting story

Aunt Rose going over the books before the auction

Bidding at the auction got fierce when me and Kory want the same quilt of Aunt Joyce's.

Dinner at IV

2010-08-05T17:48:00.003-06:00

So as many of you know we have been cleaning out my grandma and grandpa wood's house. they have pickup and move to AZ. One night when we were done we went down to the Italian Village. If you haven't eaten here you should, it is definitely a family favorite!

As always Clara gave me the Look! Isn't she cute!

Dad

Mom helping Garrett with his word search.

Evets and Jonathan

YW John Moyle House Fieldtrip

2010-08-05T17:38:00.003-06:00

At the end of June we visited the John Moyle house in Alpine. For those of you who don't know he walked from Alpine the the temple to work at a stone cutter. He would leave early Monday morning and return early Saturday morning. He had an accident and his lower leg was amputated so he made an artificial ankle and leg and continued as a stone cutter! What an inspiration! We then had pizza and Mini's cupcakes (a field trip tradition) in the park next to the house. The girls had a great time, I feel like we got to really talk to the girls!

This lady showed us a film and told us about the house and the grounds

Laurel and the girls talking about how things were then.
a marker on the property

Girls playing on the playground

Girls who were brave enough to climb up into the barricade thing to keep them safe from Indians.

Whtiney's Macbeth Play

2010-08-05T17:31:00.003-06:00

Whitney did a play her last week of school. She did a great job. It was fun to see her having so much fun.
Mom and Whitney

Whitney and her grandma Hudson

Fun, fun fun

She is really becoming quite a young woman! I am excited to see her grow up and a little freaked out!

Scouting for Elk

2010-08-05T17:22:00.002-06:00

Many of you may know that Jonathan drew out a Limited Elk tag. Needless to say he has been looking for one to shoot since April. On one Saturday we went scouting with him and had dinner and played with the kids.

Clara loves to make funny faces!

Mom and Garrett roasting hot dogs and looking at the mountain

Garrett helping Jonathan get the wood together for a fire

Everyone looking at the mountain