Continue in Patience

Oh how I just love the simple sweet moments I get to spend with Brett. 

This past weekend he came up to visit (only 3 more weeks until he 

finishes his internship and gets to come home... wa hoo!) 

Nothing too extravagant was planned. Just a simple weekend. 

We spent the majority of our time relaxing and laughing together. 

On Saturday, Brett and I had a really simple night. We found ourselves

 sitting at our kitchen counter on Youtube watching Mormon Messages.

 It was a such a good night, and one I will always cherish. 

When we came across this clip, I think it really hit us both. 

I think in everyone's lives, at one point or another, we feel we are being

 tested. We must be patient in order to withstand pain, difficulties, tribulations, 

heartache, and grief... but let's face it, sometimes patience can be easier

 said than done.  I couldn't help but tear up, as I listened to to an apostle of the 

Lord promise specific blessings to those who are faithful and patient in enduring.

 I was reminded that Heavenly Father is always aware of us. 

He knows us, and we are never forgotten. 

After watching the clip, I was touched to turn and see Brett welling

 up just as much as me. I think it was a reminder to us both that we need to

 continue in patience and trust in the Lord's plan and timetable.

 It was a reminder that patience is more than just waiting around... 

it is about "actively working toward worthwhile goals" It's about not 

getting discouraged when results don't immediately show up. 

It was a reminder of how much we have grown in the past year and a half as 

we have learned to push through adversary and challenges. 

Oh how I love these simple moments that I get to share with Brett....

moments where I get to see the Lord's hand in our lives.

"YE SHALL REAP THE REWARDS 

OF YOUR FAITH, DILIGENCE, 

AND PATIENCE..." (Alma 32:45)

KONY - 2012

All week I've been hearing on the news about a video that  has people talking. Hearing that there have been over $58 million views on youtube. But because I'm busy living my busy life and running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I had not had time to view it.

Today my sister emailed me and she said, "Do you know who Kony is? Have you heard about him?" I told her that I didn't, that I had heard snippets on the news all week but I really didn't know who he was. My sister shared a video on facebook that I am about to share with you.

Not only did this video touch my heart, but it made me realize just how global our world has become. I'd never thought of it before. Never before have we all been so connected and so able to make a change just by being a part of the whole.

Please watch this video and I hope it touches your heart and your mind just as it did mine.



I'm signing the pledge. I want to make Kony as famous and as well-known as George Clooney and Angelina Jolie. I want my voice to be heard. But mostly I want Joseph Kony to be found and arrested and tried for his crimes against humanity.

My Random Week

Well...I'm still buried in paperwork at work. I think April is going to be a better month, which is good because if all goes according to plan I'm going to be really busy with a huge project in April. For now I'm just trying to keep my head above water.

Started this week by BBQ'ing on Sunday. Now that doesn't seem something important enough to blog about, but I've actually never BBQ'd by myself EVER! BBQ'ing is kind of a "man thing" in our family and my dad would BBQ every single Sunday for everyone and you always knew no matter what you would get an excellent meal on Sunday.

One thing that my dad always BBQ'd that was a real treat for us was corn on the cob.. in the husk. And I'm proud to say I'm following in my dad's footsteps by BBQ'ing some. Don't they look pretty? I also BBQ'd hamburgers and hotdogs which came out great. Next I'm going to try Chicken. My brother Fred BBQ's the best Chicken!

Also this weekend I went to J.C. Penneys. You know they changed their whole pricing plan? I was really scared that since they were going to be lowering their prices in order to be more competitive that the quality of their clothing was going to suffer...and I was right. I was not happy with anything that they had and even less with items that I tried on. But I did end up finding this beautiful black ring! I had been wanting one forever! I've worn it to work almost every day this week. It's hard to type with it, but doesn't it look good? Sorry for the blurry cell phone picture.

Oh yeah...and also this past weekend I hit the Big Lots 20% sale, and am I glad I did because I found the most beautiful patio table. I know you're probably thinking...well ummm, but it's in your kitchen. Yes...I know. But see, I gave my pretty little country kitchen table to my dad for his new apartment and we had been using my ugly round white plastic patio table and one chair in the kitchen. We only had one chair because the only one who ever sits at the table is my mom. Soon I'll be putting the table outside and I know it's going to be beautiful out on the patio!

And did you know that this week the news sweeping the world is that brooms are standing on end...by themselves? This phenomenon or hoax, depending on how gullible you are is attributed to the spring equinox and the axial alignment as a result of the equinox. Well I heard about it this morning from my local weatherman, Kevin Charette who posted a picture of his broom at home standing straight up unassisted. So I had to try it and lo and behold!!! Voila! See... I did it! I actually left it standing up just like that and later checked with my son and he said it was still standing up! Cool Beans huh?

And this week I've gone back to my low-carb diet in an attempt to lose at least 10 pounds in a couple of weeks because I'm going to a conference with my sister later in the month. So I thought that since it was a little chilly outside, I would try a new recipe that I found on a new favorite blog my sister Lisa recommended called Blue Skies and Yellow Dogs. The creator and author of this super funny blog is "The Zadge" and she posted a recipe she calls White Chicken Chili. It seemed even simple enough for me as not only am I not a big BBQ'er I'm also not a big SOUP'er. The talent for whipping up a soup just eludes me, but this recipe from The Zadge was just the ticket as I was able to make it with a minimum of trouble and it was delicious. I didn't photograph it as well as The Zadge did because by the time I remember to photograph it I already had it in a plastic container for storage, but still it doesn't look too bad...and trust me it was delicious, although I wish I had noticed that she said 2 cans of white beans...I only put one in and it could have used more.

I topped my soup with way too much Monterey Jack Cheese, but trust me...it was delicious and fairly low-carb except for the beans, but since I was short a can that wasn't too bad. My son even liked it and he doesn't like many soups. He had two helpings and I managed to get a picture of his second bowl. He loaded it up with Garlic and Butter flavored Ritz Crackers.

So that's a wrap up of my week. I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday. It's going to be a long, busy day, but at least it's Friday and I have the weekend to look forward to!

So how's your week been? Balance any brooms?

Life at 24

Well, I don't feel too different after my birthday last weekend. The only thing that seems to be 

changing in my life is that time seems to fly by a lot faster . It seems like just yesterday I was turning 

23 (or maybe that was the day before). Anyways, I must admit that I was very spoiled this past 

weekend as I celebrated my happy 24. I was showered with love and attention 

from all the people I love, and I would not have wanted it any other way. 

What were the top 5 memories from my 24th birthday you ask?

PARTY WITH THE FAMILY

My mom has got to be one of the cutest and most thoughtful women alive. 

For my birthday she had planned a small family get together.

We ordered in Cafe Rio, started to watch "The Tree of Life" (which we 

couldn't make past the first 10 minutes--- unbelievably strange in our opinions), 

played games (including a Canadian favorite, "Crokinole"), and enjoyed

treats and dessert. My mom made my favorite peanut butter cupcakes

 (with cupcake liners,plates, and napkins that all coordinated---

 boy does she know what I love, all too well). Overall, it was super

fun and great to be surrounded by family! 

QUICK WEEKEND GETAWAY

It was so exciting get to see Brett for my 24th. He always 

makes me feel so special, and it was no different on my birthday.

I was so grateful to be able to meet up with him in California

for a quick weekend getaway. We had lot's of laughs and enjoyed

a relaxing weekend together on the beach and at Disneyland.

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

We decided to go to Disneyland while we were in California

to celebrate my birthday. It was a hoot! (although, when we 

initially arrived, we were a little scared we weren't going

 to get in, due to a bomb threat! Luckily, it wasn't anything too scary,

 and they let us into the park mid afternoon)... Brett and I had a blast

running from ride to ride in the "happiest place on earth". Some of our

favorite rides included Indian Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, 

and Buzzlightyear Astro Blasters (this is a ride I had never been on

 and Brett was adamant about introducing me to.

It certainly brought out my competitive side. Speaking of which,

 I totally dominated Brett on the ride... don't let him tell you otherwise).  

For dinner, Brett took us to the restaurant in the Pirates of the 

Caribbean ride. It was certainly a fun experience and the food was fantastic.

OCEANSIDE BLISS

While we were waiting for Disneyland to open, we decided to go 

to Newport Beach. The weather was beautiful (about 80 degrees each

day), and it was awesome to walk barefoot together along the sand.

The scenery was beautiful and it was great to be able to chat and relax.

NOT ABOUT THE THINGS YOU DO, 

BUT THE PEOPLE YOU'RE WITH

Overall, I got to do a lot of FUN things for my birthday. I mean, seriously, 

who just gets to fly for a weekend to Disneyland (I sure have an awesome 

husband for surprising me with that!). Even though I was super spoiled this 

birthday, I think that the thing I will remember the MOST, 

was being surrounded by the people I love. I am 

such a family girl and  it meant so much to me to be showered 

with love from my close family and friends. I realize it probably didn't matter 

WHAT I was doing, so long as I was surrounded by my awesome family and

 loving husband, it would have been a good day! I am one lucky girl!

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! I sure love you all, 

and am sincerely grateful for your influences and love!