Holidays

With Easter around the corner, I find excitement in the spring colors, the candy, and especially thinking about the message that it shares with the world. There's just a different feel in the air. Everyone is so happy that the weather is finally changing and there are couples everywhere. People want to be outside and it is a new beginning, especially after the end of a long semester. It would not be hard to hear me say that Easter is my favorite holiday. I love it!

But then, once July comes around I would be saying that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday; the baseball games, the warm summer nights, the pool parties with barbecues, and don't forget about the fireworks. Then once November rolls around, Thanksgiving is the best. The food is awesome and you get to just eat with friends and family and talk about all the things you're grateful for. What more could you ask for? But then again if we were in December, with all the beautiful lights and the chance to drink hot chocolate, I would be saying that Christmas is my favorite holiday.

They're all so good. So I created this survey to help at least myself figure out what I like about each holiday and why. You're welcome to take it too...

Wouldn't want to be ya

I am currently in an Introduction to Seminary class. It has been a great experience. I have been able to remember my experience as a seminary student and also think about how my seminary teachers shaped my life. I have also been able to study and practice skills that will improve my ability to teach. I took this class with that exact purpose - to improve my ability to teach. Throughout our lives, especially in the church, we will teach. We will have the opportunity to teach our children, friends, and all those around us. I wanted to be able to increase that ability to become better.

As part of this class we have the opportunity to teach a real seminary class. Last Thursday I went to Springville High to teach a 90 minute seminary class. It was quite the experience. For some reason I was so nervous and was not looking forward to it. To top it all off I was teaching the first few chapters of Isaiah. There were the kids that slept through the whole thing, kids reading other books, kids that were knitting, and kids that were attentive and excited to learn. How was I suppose to help all of those kids?! Overall it went well but I learned something important from this experience...

I do not want to be a full-time seminary teacher. They are essential to the spiritual progress of our youth and I cannot express enough gratitude for those who taught me, but I could not do it.

Sisters

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters,
Never had to have a chaperone, No sir,
I'm there to keep my eye on her
Caring, sharing
Every little thing that we are wearing
When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome
She wore the dress, and I stayed home
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain or sun
Two different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one
Those who've seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us
Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
And Lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man
Sister and me and John
I know deep inside your heart that you will feel the best intention
Sister you will know
You understand that in the far I'll always be you, the men will come and go
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain or sun
Three different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one
Those who've seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us
Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
And Lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man
Sister, who comes between me and my man

This song has always struck close to home because of all the women in our home. Once my oldest and only brother moved out of the home by father realized that there was no hope so he bought a "women" bathroom sign and hung it up on the door entering the house from the garage. My sisters are what made this weekend the best ever!

We had a girls weekend out in Las Vegas. we came from all over (San Francisco, Washington D.C., Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Utah and Texas) but my mom, grandmother and all four sisters came to visit. We spend the weekend talking, eating, shopping, and around the pool. It was the perfect break and we were able to catch up.

I'm so grateful for my sisters and their incredible examples. One is basically a professional cake decorator and yoga instructor; another is a full time mother of three young kids; my oldest sister works for a financial banking firm while being a mother. That doesn't even include my grandmother and mom. What amazing women and I'm so grateful for them and all that they have taught me.

The Magic of Ordinary Days

This last weekend was wonderful. It wasn't that I did anything big or that I had a lot of things going on - it was actually the opposite. I didn't really have any plans and nothing really big happened but that is what made it so great.

Friday Keri and I got to babysit my cousins kids. I forgot how much I love kids and how much I enjoy babysitting. They were really smart kids as well. It made me excited to one day in the future have a family of my own and spend more time with my own kids. Then we went to Anne's house and watched a movie with her. It was so great!

Saturday I was able to work a lot on school and then work. It's interesting because I don't really look forward to work but as soon as I get there I love it and I don't want to leave. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to teach at the MTC. It's incredible.

Sunday we decided to get up early and drive to Salt Lake for the Music and the Spoken Word. It was my first time. I loved it! We parked just a few blocks away and then right when we walked onto Temple Square there was Alex Boye. He was just 10 feet away - so cool. Then we got to go to stake conference which was wonderful.

Because of this weekend, I believe that there is magic in the ordinary days - we just have to find it.