So my last posts seems like kind of a bummer after having such a fun week in Utah.

Here are the highlights:

♥ seeing friends
♥ crashing a bridal shower
♥ helping get ready for the bridal shower – it was fun to me!
♥ seeing Brooklyn
♥ seeing how much Avery has grown!
♥ sleeping on futons
♥ crashing a 4 yr old’s birthday party
♥ getting my nails done
♥ eating Cafe Rio
♥ getting my hair done
♥ playing Scattergories
♥ crashing other birthday parties
♥ not getting a van for my rental car

It was a good time! I wish I’d been able to see Jen J., and Emily H. though! And I wish my allergies weren’t so bad – it would have been nice to breathe out of my nose while I was there. But I guess you can’t have everything!

So my last posts seems like kind of a bummer after having such a fun week in Utah.

Here are the highlights:

♥ seeing friends
♥ crashing a bridal shower
♥ helping get ready for the bridal shower – it was fun to me!
♥ seeing Brooklyn
♥ seeing how much Avery has grown!
♥ sleeping on futons
♥ crashing a 4 yr old’s birthday party
♥ getting my nails done
♥ eating Cafe Rio
♥ getting my hair done
♥ playing Scattergories
♥ crashing other birthday parties
♥ not getting a van for my rental car

It was a good time! I wish I’d been able to see Jen J., and Emily H. though! And I wish my allergies weren’t so bad – it would have been nice to breathe out of my nose while I was there. But I guess you can’t have everything!

a good cry

for someone who enjoys poking fun at herself and the world around her, it’s tough to know what to say when there are so many emotions floating around that have nothing to do with laughter. and so… i’ve decided to write how i’m really feeling. acknowledging that somewhere deep inside, i probably just need a good cry.

there’s been so much to think about over this last month or so. family. birth. death. patience. faith. babies. miracles. hope. lately it seems like the list of people on my “to pray for” list has grown by the day if not by the hour. and it’s been hard to see how some prayers are answered with joy… and some are answered with almost heartbreaking saddness, white others seem to go unanswered (or it least it can seem that way when you’re as impatient as i am). there have been so many moments this month where i’ve known so clearly that the life of a friend or family member had just changed forever. and yet it is truly a miracle when, amid so much chaos, there is still evidence of heavenly father’s loving hand at work.

How we pled for the waters to part.

Now we kneel here in the sand, grateful
for every unanswered plea
that proved us.
Faith is the mountain that does not flee,
the water that does not part,
the rock that won’t turn into bread

this is part of a poem my companion and i read while serving our missions in minnesota. i remember reading it and knowing exactly how the author felt… to be grateful for the trials that didn’t turn out the way you wanted because it proved your faith to go on, to retain hope, to show courage. i remember how much that poem meant to me on my mission because i knew it was true and i was grateful for those “unanswered pleas” because they were driving me to my knees in prayer over and over and I could feel my faith growing and i knew i was drawing closer to my savior. i guess i’ve been trying to get back to that level of faith and trust. not that i’ve lost it but the world pulls and it’s easy to forget.

i wish there was a way to truly describe how much i love the people in my life. i must have won some pre-mortal lottery or something. i’m pretty sure i haven’t done anything good enough in this life to deserve them. mostly, i am in awe. i am in total awe of their compassion, their courage, their devotion, and their good hearts. over the last few months i’ve cried as i’ve watched family members face tragedy after tragedy and i’ve rejoiced in our ever expanding family; i’ve been so grateful to work at a company that has appreciated my efforts over the last 6 months, and completely frustrated with various coworkers; i’ve said numerous prayers in faith and more than a few in desperate impatience; i’ve relished “starting over” in california, with old friends and family so close and cried because i’ve missed my friends in other parts of the world so much. i’ve also cried over a lost CD. so sometimes i just have to roll my eyes at myself. and so… that’s me. that’s how i’m really feeling. sad. happy. frustrated. determined. overjoyed. heartbroken. melancholy. grateful. bored. chaotic. impatient. patient. mostly i’m grateful to be able to share this thing called life with so many amazing souls. thanks for that.

and now… off to watch something funny on youtube or something and get back to laughing and ready for my trip to utah tomorrow!

a good cry

for someone who enjoys poking fun at herself and the world around her, it’s tough to know what to say when there are so many emotions floating around that have nothing to do with laughter. and so… i’ve decided to write how i’m really feeling. acknowledging that somewhere deep inside, i probably just need a good cry.

there’s been so much to think about over this last month or so. family. birth. death. patience. faith. babies. miracles. hope. lately it seems like the list of people on my “to pray for” list has grown by the day if not by the hour. and it’s been hard to see how some prayers are answered with joy… and some are answered with almost heartbreaking saddness, white others seem to go unanswered (or it least it can seem that way when you’re as impatient as i am). there have been so many moments this month where i’ve known so clearly that the life of a friend or family member had just changed forever. and yet it is truly a miracle when, amid so much chaos, there is still evidence of heavenly father’s loving hand at work.

How we pled for the waters to part.

Now we kneel here in the sand, grateful
for every unanswered plea
that proved us.
Faith is the mountain that does not flee,
the water that does not part,
the rock that won’t turn into bread

this is part of a poem my companion and i read while serving our missions in minnesota. i remember reading it and knowing exactly how the author felt… to be grateful for the trials that didn’t turn out the way you wanted because it proved your faith to go on, to retain hope, to show courage. i remember how much that poem meant to me on my mission because i knew it was true and i was grateful for those “unanswered pleas” because they were driving me to my knees in prayer over and over and I could feel my faith growing and i knew i was drawing closer to my savior. i guess i’ve been trying to get back to that level of faith and trust. not that i’ve lost it but the world pulls and it’s easy to forget.

i wish there was a way to truly describe how much i love the people in my life. i must have won some pre-mortal lottery or something. i’m pretty sure i haven’t done anything good enough in this life to deserve them. mostly, i am in awe. i am in total awe of their compassion, their courage, their devotion, and their good hearts. over the last few months i’ve cried as i’ve watched family members face tragedy after tragedy and i’ve rejoiced in our ever expanding family; i’ve been so grateful to work at a company that has appreciated my efforts over the last 6 months, and completely frustrated with various coworkers; i’ve said numerous prayers in faith and more than a few in desperate impatience; i’ve relished “starting over” in california, with old friends and family so close and cried because i’ve missed my friends in other parts of the world so much. i’ve also cried over a lost CD. so sometimes i just have to roll my eyes at myself. and so… that’s me. that’s how i’m really feeling. sad. happy. frustrated. determined. overjoyed. heartbroken. melancholy. grateful. bored. chaotic. impatient. patient. mostly i’m grateful to be able to share this thing called life with so many amazing souls. thanks for that.

and now… off to watch something funny on youtube or something and get back to laughing and ready for my trip to utah tomorrow!

I mentioned I knew a poem about an onion in a previous post so I thought I’d post it. I first became aquainted with Naomi Shihab Nye’s poetry years ago, in high school I guess. In an English class? At a poetry reading? Drama class? I really can’t remember. Her poems speak of ordinary things — things we take for granted until it’s too late. She writes beautifully.

The Traveling Onion
Naomi Shihab Nye

“It is believed that the onion originally came from India. In Egypt it was an object of worship – why I haven’t been able to find out. From Egypt the onion entered Greece and on to Italy, thence into all of Europe.” Better Living Cookbook

When I think how far the onion has traveled
just to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praise
all small forgotten miracles,
crackly paper peeling on the drainboard,
pearly layers in smooth agreement,
the way knife enters onion
and onion falls apart on the chopping block,
a history revealed.
And I would never scold the onion
for causing tears.
It is right that tears fall
for something small and forgotten.
How at meal, we sit to eat,
commenting on texture of meat or herbal aroma
but never on the translucence of onion,
now limp, now divided,
or its traditionally honorable career:
For the sake of others,
disappear.

I mentioned I knew a poem about an onion in a previous post so I thought I’d post it. I first became aquainted with Naomi Shihab Nye’s poetry years ago, in high school I guess. In an English class? At a poetry reading? Drama class? I really can’t remember. Her poems speak of ordinary things — things we take for granted until it’s too late. She writes beautifully.

The Traveling Onion
Naomi Shihab Nye

“It is believed that the onion originally came from India. In Egypt it was an object of worship – why I haven’t been able to find out. From Egypt the onion entered Greece and on to Italy, thence into all of Europe.” Better Living Cookbook

When I think how far the onion has traveled
just to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praise
all small forgotten miracles,
crackly paper peeling on the drainboard,
pearly layers in smooth agreement,
the way knife enters onion
and onion falls apart on the chopping block,
a history revealed.
And I would never scold the onion
for causing tears.
It is right that tears fall
for something small and forgotten.
How at meal, we sit to eat,
commenting on texture of meat or herbal aroma
but never on the translucence of onion,
now limp, now divided,
or its traditionally honorable career:
For the sake of others,
disappear.

I mentioned I knew a poem about an onion in a previous post so I thought I’d post it. I first became aquainted with Naomi Shihab Nye’s poetry years ago, in high school I guess. In an English class? At a poetry reading? Drama class? I really can’t remember. Her poems speak of ordinary things — things we take for granted until it’s too late. She writes beautifully.

The Traveling Onion
Naomi Shihab Nye

“It is believed that the onion originally came from India. In Egypt it was an object of worship – why I haven’t been able to find out. From Egypt the onion entered Greece and on to Italy, thence into all of Europe.” Better Living Cookbook

When I think how far the onion has traveled
just to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praise
all small forgotten miracles,
crackly paper peeling on the drainboard,
pearly layers in smooth agreement,
the way knife enters onion
and onion falls apart on the chopping block,
a history revealed.
And I would never scold the onion
for causing tears.
It is right that tears fall
for something small and forgotten.
How at meal, we sit to eat,
commenting on texture of meat or herbal aroma
but never on the translucence of onion,
now limp, now divided,
or its traditionally honorable career:
For the sake of others,
disappear.

Three, tres, trois

So this is what I write when I don’t know what to write…

three things that scare me
1. heights, being up high, looking down from somewhere high up, looking at someone else high up, thinking too much about being high up… you get the idea.
2. rats, mice and any other rodent-y type creatures. this includes squirrels. and pigeons, which are really just rats with wings anyway.
3. driving in utah… i ♥ utah but it’s still scary to me!

three people who make me laugh
1. chelsea — anyone who loves jack handey and saying the word crotch as much as chelsea automatically makes my top 3 funny people list! chelsea always makes me laugh!
2. billie & brian — they are married so they count as one and they are the funniest people I know! if you spend 5 minutes with them you will be cheered up. it’s been scientifically proven.
3. megan — are you kidding me? have you talked to megan?! if you have then you know, if not, you need to!

three things i love
1. laughing so hard you can’t breathe.
2. sleeping.
3. my friends.

three things i hate
1. getting lost while driving
2. people who whistle… just don’t do it puh-lease!
3. people who talk with food in their mouth… it seriously causes rage blackouts. seriously.

three things i don’t understand
1. techno music.
2. close minded people.
3. Eskimos.

three things on my desk
1. makeup bag.
2. cell phone.
3. a clementine.

three things I’m doing right now
1. blogging.
2. making a “to pack” list for my trip to utah.
3. facebooking – yep, it’s a verb.

three things i want to do before i die
1. go to australia.
2. learn to sew (something other than pillow cases).
3. get married.

three things i can do
1. spend 12 hours with 3 kids under the age of three and live to tell the tale.
2. drive a stick-shift like a race car driver.
3. leave the country at the drop of a hat.

three things i can’t do
1. play the piano.
2. work in sales.
3. a cartwheel… oh the shame!

three things i think you should listen to
1. your mom.
2. music that makes you smile.
3. that still, small voice.

three things you should never listen to
1. ignorant people.
2. death rock.
3. me, when i’m sleepy (read cranky).

three things i’d like to learn
1. french.
2. patience.
3. how to crack a joke in arabic.

three favorite foods
1. tri-tip.
2. vanilla cupcakes
3. hummus and mini pita breads from Waitrose. i don’t mean to sound like a brat but hummus here (usa) is not good!

three shows i watched as a kid
1. the great space coaster… i have a feeling i may be the only one who watched this.
2. the joy of painting… you know bob ross and the happy little trees.
3. m.a.s.h…. i don’t know why but i watched it with my dad.

three things i regret
1. worrying so much about what people thought of me in school.
2. the perm.
3. not being nicer to my siblings.

three people i’m tagging
1. if you’re reading this… you’re it!

Three, tres, trois

So this is what I write when I don’t know what to write…

three things that scare me
1. heights, being up high, looking down from somewhere high up, looking at someone else high up, thinking too much about being high up… you get the idea.
2. rats, mice and any other rodent-y type creatures. this includes squirrels. and pigeons, which are really just rats with wings anyway.
3. driving in utah… i ♥ utah but it’s still scary to me!

three people who make me laugh
1. chelsea — anyone who loves jack handey and saying the word crotch as much as chelsea automatically makes my top 3 funny people list! chelsea always makes me laugh!
2. billie & brian — they are married so they count as one and they are the funniest people I know! if you spend 5 minutes with them you will be cheered up. it’s been scientifically proven.
3. megan — are you kidding me? have you talked to megan?! if you have then you know, if not, you need to!

three things i love
1. laughing so hard you can’t breathe.
2. sleeping.
3. my friends.

three things i hate
1. getting lost while driving
2. people who whistle… just don’t do it puh-lease!
3. people who talk with food in their mouth… it seriously causes rage blackouts. seriously.

three things i don’t understand
1. techno music.
2. close minded people.
3. Eskimos.

three things on my desk
1. makeup bag.
2. cell phone.
3. a clementine.

three things I’m doing right now
1. blogging.
2. making a “to pack” list for my trip to utah.
3. facebooking – yep, it’s a verb.

three things i want to do before i die
1. go to australia.
2. learn to sew (something other than pillow cases).
3. get married.

three things i can do
1. spend 12 hours with 3 kids under the age of three and live to tell the tale.
2. drive a stick-shift like a race car driver.
3. leave the country at the drop of a hat.

three things i can’t do
1. play the piano.
2. work in sales.
3. a cartwheel… oh the shame!

three things i think you should listen to
1. your mom.
2. music that makes you smile.
3. that still, small voice.

three things you should never listen to
1. ignorant people.
2. death rock.
3. me, when i’m sleepy (read cranky).

three things i’d like to learn
1. french.
2. patience.
3. how to crack a joke in arabic.

three favorite foods
1. tri-tip.
2. vanilla cupcakes
3. hummus and mini pita breads from Waitrose. i don’t mean to sound like a brat but hummus here (usa) is not good!

three shows i watched as a kid
1. the great space coaster… i have a feeling i may be the only one who watched this.
2. the joy of painting… you know bob ross and the happy little trees.
3. m.a.s.h…. i don’t know why but i watched it with my dad.

three things i regret
1. worrying so much about what people thought of me in school.
2. the perm.
3. not being nicer to my siblings.

three people i’m tagging
1. if you’re reading this… you’re it!

Three, tres, trois

So this is what I write when I don’t know what to write…

three things that scare me
1. heights, being up high, looking down from somewhere high up, looking at someone else high up, thinking too much about being high up… you get the idea.
2. rats, mice and any other rodent-y type creatures. this includes squirrels. and pigeons, which are really just rats with wings anyway.
3. driving in utah… i ♥ utah but it’s still scary to me!

three people who make me laugh
1. chelsea — anyone who loves jack handey and saying the word crotch as much as chelsea automatically makes my top 3 funny people list! chelsea always makes me laugh!
2. billie & brian — they are married so they count as one and they are the funniest people I know! if you spend 5 minutes with them you will be cheered up. it’s been scientifically proven.
3. megan — are you kidding me? have you talked to megan?! if you have then you know, if not, you need to!

three things i love
1. laughing so hard you can’t breathe.
2. sleeping.
3. my friends.

three things i hate
1. getting lost while driving
2. people who whistle… just don’t do it puh-lease!
3. people who talk with food in their mouth… it seriously causes rage blackouts. seriously.

three things i don’t understand
1. techno music.
2. close minded people.
3. Eskimos.

three things on my desk
1. makeup bag.
2. cell phone.
3. a clementine.

three things I’m doing right now
1. blogging.
2. making a “to pack” list for my trip to utah.
3. facebooking – yep, it’s a verb.

three things i want to do before i die
1. go to australia.
2. learn to sew (something other than pillow cases).
3. get married.

three things i can do
1. spend 12 hours with 3 kids under the age of three and live to tell the tale.
2. drive a stick-shift like a race car driver.
3. leave the country at the drop of a hat.

three things i can’t do
1. play the piano.
2. work in sales.
3. a cartwheel… oh the shame!

three things i think you should listen to
1. your mom.
2. music that makes you smile.
3. that still, small voice.

three things you should never listen to
1. ignorant people.
2. death rock.
3. me, when i’m sleepy (read cranky).

three things i’d like to learn
1. french.
2. patience.
3. how to crack a joke in arabic.

three favorite foods
1. tri-tip.
2. vanilla cupcakes
3. hummus and mini pita breads from Waitrose. i don’t mean to sound like a brat but hummus here (usa) is not good!

three shows i watched as a kid
1. the great space coaster… i have a feeling i may be the only one who watched this.
2. the joy of painting… you know bob ross and the happy little trees.
3. m.a.s.h…. i don’t know why but i watched it with my dad.

three things i regret
1. worrying so much about what people thought of me in school.
2. the perm.
3. not being nicer to my siblings.

three people i’m tagging
1. if you’re reading this… you’re it!