Homeschool Conference!!!


Look at all those beautiful little feet two people can create!

Look at all those beautiful little feet two people can create!

Monday, June 30, 2014

Breaking In...

The latest news from Danielle...she is hitting her ONE YEAR mark!!!

A year ago today I was set apart to be a missionary.
That is so crazy! A year goes by soooo fast. 
I remember when I finally made it to Maryland, I was sitting in my first transfer meeting and all the returning missionaries were bearing their testimonies, and I remember thinking, "I'm never going to make it...."
My perspective has changed a little bit since then haha. I might ACTUALLY make it!

This last weekend, Abe was baptized. He was one of the very first people I taught on my mission. 
While I was in Hancock, two of the people in their family either had been or were baptized. And now Abe is joining the crew with others on their way! 
I wasn't able to make it out to the baptism, but I called him Saturday afternoon and we had some happy-tears time. It's amazing to watch how the gospel changes lives. I am so proud of him. 
It's true! Nothing fake could ever bring so much happiness. 

This week Sister Liston learned that Oregon is on the WEST coast, not the east coast.... 
"Really?!" 
Hahaha she makes me laugh so much. Turns out our friends vacationing the Oregon Coast aren't quite as close as previously supposed. 

On Thursday, 4/6 of our appointments involved being fed. 
In other words, all day was lunch/dinner. 
And yet I wonder why I've gained so much weight on my mission haha. 

The Hagedorns in our ward are currently planning out my 3/4 birthday. They are soooo funny. A few weeks ago was Sister Listons birthday, and I knew they were known for throwing birthday parties for the missionaries, and somehow I had to let them know her birthday was coming WITHOUT Sister Liston knowing about it. 
For those of you who haven't tried it: It's really hard to be sneaky about things when you're with someone 24/7 and share a phone. 
So I came up with an idea. 
"Let's go stickie the Hagedorn's door!"
So we wrote out some stickies and I had one begging for help planning out her birthday. I wasn't sure how I was going to stick it to the door without her seeing, but I had a few ideas. 
On our way up to their house, their daughter came running home from the bus and caught us! 
It was too perfect. 
We had her take the stack of stickies inside and told her to stick them to a mirror and NOT to tell ANYONE!

Several minutes later we get a text from Sister Hagedorn, 
"Did you break into my house?!??"

HAHAHA.

The best part?
Her husband works for the secret service. 

Love you all bunches!
have a happy 4th!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

In a Funk...

How can it be
that one can be
so crazy busy
they can hardly see straight,
yet feel a little "blah"
and funkish???

I am trying to wrap my head around this...

Is it that I am too busy?

Is it that I am doing the wrong things?

Is it that my heart longs for something more?

Is it that, dare I say these words,
I could be having a mid-life crisis?
NO!
that's certainly not it!
Not old enough for that.  ;)

Is it that I need to fill my own cup just a smidge?

Is it that I miss my simple life I had before all the crazy?

Is it that I need to stretch my horizons?

Is it that I have taken a very unintentional break from the things that feed my spirit?


Is it that many of my friendships are no longer being nurtured due to the busy schedules we all keep?  Both on my side and on theirs...

Is it that I just need to write more?  Think less?  Worry less?  Be grateful more?

Is it that I need to be more intentional in my life?

Is it that my kids are growing up way too fast and maybe don't need me in quite the same way they always have?

Is it that I really just need a little more time to hang out in one of my cute aprons, creating in my kitchen; whipping up new recipes and baking goodies to share...?

Is it that I don't find  make the time to do some of the things I love to do anymore?

Is it that I wish for some things that can never be?  Wishing to mend things that may not be "mended" in this lifetime... Am I resistant in accepting this?

Is it that I see my life flying by more quickly than I had planned?

Is it that I really have no control and my "plan" is something that happens only on occasion, when "real life" hasn't taken over instead?

Is it that I am not looking at the cup as half full?

Is it that I lack vision for where I am wishing to "go"?

Is it a need for escape into an amazing story that captivates my mind and stirs my thoughts?

Is it that I am too hard on myself?

Is it that I am still, after all these years, wishing to please everyone around me?   Only to realize this can never really happen.

Is it that I need to "Bloom where I'm planted"; that I should be content?

Is it that I have unresolved things that I need to forgive and forget?

Is it that I need to jump into being more productive?

Is it that I need more quiet time?

Is it that I long for more laughter?

Is it that I yearn for time building blanket forts?

Is it a need for the outdoors, the fresh air, the serenity?

Is it that I haven't found my "passion" and my "purpose" in this life?
Or is it that I am too afraid to pursue the passion that lives inside?

Is it that I am forever seeking and striving for acceptance?

Is it the fear of failure that holds me back from chasing those grandiose dreams?

Is it the lack of creative time I allow myself?

Is it that I am not quite who I think I am to become?

Or is it
that I just need another piece of chocolate and a good girlfriend to hang out with for an evening???