Provo Parenting and Asthma Attacks

This week, in an attempt to shape up, I have been hiking the Y. I've been up 3 times already this week, and it is killer! If you ask me about it, I will shrug and act all nonchalant, like it's no big deal. This is a lie. I am gasping like a fish out of water at every turn. It takes me an hour to reach the top because I stop and rest so much. Today was a lot worse, because I forgot my inhaler. Thinking that I was all cool, and that I could make it up anyways, I went on ahead, only to be passed up by a mom with three kids, none of who looked older than 5. Suck.
But on the note of people hiking the Y with children: Are they trying to knock off those poor little kids? Besides making the poor things hike while crying that it is too hard and that their poor little feet hurt, these crazy parents were letting them climb up all over rocks that I would be a little cautious about standing on, and I love things like that. I watch one little girl slip and barely catch herself from a 200 foot fall. Not cool, mom and dad. There were at least 10 other families going on up. Some of them were having a great time, collecting sticks, running around, and generally having fun, but the majority made me want to adopt all of those poor kids.
Did I mention that it was muddy and the way down turned into me sliding on my butt for almost a mile? On a happy note, I saw a hot man running with his shirt off on my way home.

Peonies and Polaroids

Alright children, Peony has opened a new shop on Etsy with all of her beautiful prints. I am lusting after all of them. For those of you who are as interested as I am, her shop is Peonies and Polaroids: The Shop. And for the uber interested, there is a blog, too. Peonies and Polaroids

Ugly Sweaters

Today I ran into a cute boy. We shall call him Robin Hood. Now, I have had a crush on Robin Hood for a little while now. But today, he was wearing an ugly sweater. Is this okay? Am I okay with this? Maybe not. But will I be? Absolutely. I know I can't change anyone (thank you, Brother Longmore, for explaining that so well to your Marriage and Family Relations class), so I am embracing it. I am embracing the ugly sweaters.


And you thought I was kidding, huh?

Mousies

I think there is a mouse in the wall. No, I am not crazy. I can hear the pitter-patter of little feet. It's possible that it is a nice mouse, like Stuart Little, or a mischievous mouse, like Jerry. Maybe it is an adventurous mouse, like Hermux Tantamoq, or a motorcycle mouse, like Ralph.

Worst case scenario, it is a rat. I think I would prefer Templeton over the rat king from The Nutcracker.

Best case scenario, it is simply my imagination. Maybe I have been reading too many books before bed.

Either way, I will be listening tonight for the little patter of tiny feet, and dreaming of adventures with Hermux.

Successful

It is 9:30 pm, but I am already done with all of my homework. I got paid today, and I got strawberries from the grocery store. I think I am going to bed. It's okay for you to be jealous.

Here Comes Easter!

Lent starts tomorrow. Are you going to celebrate it? I always joke about what I am going to give up for Lent, but this year I've decided, why not? What could possibly be wrong with giving up something for 40 days in an effort to grow closer to God? Absolutely nothing.

Any ideas on what I can give up? I have a few, but I can't decided.

P.S. If you would like a good explanation of Lent, here is a great article that I found that sums it up nicely.

Negative Nancy

~Someone used A TON of my milk. Yes, I am lactose intolerant, but I was using this for cooking. And unless it was Heather, I wish they had asked.

~I have a headache

~I am all out of water bottles

~I still have two exams and two papers left this week

~I didn't do so well on my Classical Civilization exam. Quite possible because I didn't read The Odyssey this past week because I have already read it twice this semester.

~I haven't watched X-Files in a week and I am DYING to find out how in the world Scully is pregnant and how she is going to find Mulder.




Alright, so to balance all that out, I need to make a Happy List:

~I am eating a heaping bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal that I just made from real apples and steel cut oats.

~I am alone in the apartment

~I got to sit next to Jonathan last night during the FHE movie (thanks Heather! I owe you!)

~I went up the mountain today. Beautiful. The lake was red from the setting sun and it was silent.

~Macy cracked me up today with her rendition of Luke Bryan's Country Man. And she took out all the garbage without me having to ask.

~I have a house to live in in the fall, and it is amazing! Details to come on that one...

Some Good Thoughts

"What lack I yet?"

"Lord, I believe; Help thou my unbelief."

"And he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting."

"I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands."

"In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee."

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

Addicted to Nienie

Can I help it? Nope.

I hadn't ever read all of Nienie, just bits and pieces here and there. But over the past week I have taken an hour or so every day to read from the beginning. I have never been so inspired in my life. It is one thing to learn how you should be, and another to see someone putting those principles into daily action.

I smiled the whole time, I laughed a lot, and I forgot that Nie was every in an accident. I don't think I have ever cried so hard in my entire life as when I got to August of 2008 in The Nienie Dialogues archives. I am amazed. I want to be Stephanie Nielson.

I think that I really needed to read it all this week. You know when you hit a wall? When nothing works and nothing makes sense? I was reminded that there is sense in the most insensible situations. And I was reminded that there is so much to look forward to. I can't wait.

I Want to Believe

Why do I love The X-Files so much? It's not about the aliens. It's not even about Scully/Mulder (even though they are AMAZING!) It's about believing. Is there anything more important than believing? Probably not. What we believe in defines who we are. It gives us drive. It dictates all our actions in every different situation. It makes me wonder, Is my life compatible with what I believe in? Am I willing to give up everything to pursue my beliefs? I hope so.

Stop the Press!

I just asked out my first boy! After hemming and hawing for years over whether or not to ask out a cute boy, I finally got up my guts and did.
My mom says that I should never ask out a boy, that is their job and I should act like a lady and wait for them to make the first move. But in this revolutionary era, I have burned my bra. Look out world, it wasn't that bad and I might just be unstoppable. Jonathan down, Davey to go!

P.S. After all that, we aren't even going out. He already had plans. Maybe next week...

Last Night Was AWESOME!!!

Can anyone guess why? Three guesses each! The winner gets something special! Yes, Heather, I know this will be you.

Wanna Know a Secret?

I have secretly wanted a tattoo for a long time now. No, don't say gross. Not a Pooh Bear tattoo like the mom on John and Kate + 8 or a Snoopy tattoo like Mr. Riccardi or Sweet and Juicy like Kathy. Not in a weird place, like a rose on an ankle. Nothing intense like Angelina Jolie. No, I am talking about a rockin print that I could be proud of, that I could cover up when I wasn't, that had special meaning. A fabulous one like Jennifer Nettles or the Dixie Chicks. Why? Because let's face it, Johnny Depp wouldn't be as hot without his Captain Jack tattoo.

A Few Reasons Why Today Might Not Be So Great...

~I woke up feeling like someone had shot my abdomen
~When I took Advil, I wasn't paying attention and accidentally took 5
~I had 2 cinnamon rolls
~Someone ate my cinnamon rolls and then left them uncovered all night
~Okay I had 4 cinnamon rolls
~There are only 8 cinnamon rolls left
~There are 2 giant mosquito bite-esque dots on my forehead and I can only cover one with my hair
~I have 3 exams today
~My bread is moldy and I have nothing for lunch
~I didn't have enough milk for my oatmeal
~It is cloudy outside
~Heather's alarm wasn't music this morning, but those two stupid people talking about face lifts
~500 songs mysteriously disappeared from my ipod and I don't know where or how they ever left
~I feel real hot

Okay, I am done complaining. And I am begging the universe to prove me wrong, that this will actually be a wonderful day. Where's my juju?

On a better note, I am going to ask my crush out for Friday night because Elfie and I are planning a double date. Actually, if we are being grounded in reality, we all know that I will never get up the guts.

Also, I'm sorry that I haven't told you about Valentine's yet. It's coming, I promise!

Never Say Good-bye

"Because good-bye means going away
and going away means forgetting."
~Peter Pan~

Valentine's Day

I have three minutes to celebrate my most hated holiday (details coming tomorrow), and I found the perfect poem to do it with. So different, but beautiful:

Valentine
by Carol Ann Duffy

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.

Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.

Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like.

Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.

Quote-ables

"We are children of God. Each one of us is precious to the point of bringing the Lord God Amighty to a fulness of joy if we are faithful, or to tears if we are not."
Elder M. Russell Ballard

Sometimes it's good to be reminded.

Problem Solved!

And you thought that they would never come up with something that would solve all our problems.

New Obsession

Thanks to the lovely Surfing magazine, I have discovered:

Dusty Payne

We were made for each other.

P.S.

I want to be her!
And I want this amazing mirror.

Happy List

1 Big beautiful porches
2 Circus tent bathrooms
3 Big red balloons
4 Anything striped. Especially socks.
5 Black tights with black coats

Jewelry

I want Vesper's necklace from Casino Royale.

Sailing

Quick update on me:

~I want to go sailing. But I am in the wrong state.

~We just went to our friends' apartment for what they call "Brazilian hot dogs", but they were nasty and we threw them away.

~I got Casino Royale and The X-Files movie for $5 last night. Wal-Mart rocks my socks.

~I have a crush, but not enough guts to ask him out.

~Dennis comes home in 4 months!

One Word

This is supposed to be one word, but I break all the rules.

Where is your cell phone? Who knows.
Your significant other? Lost
Your hair? Bangin!
Your mother? Incredible!
Your father? The French Shark
Your favorite thing right now? Raspberries and books
Your dream last night? Something crazy. I don't really remember.
Your favorite drink? Coconut/Pineapple juice or that wonderful Cran/Raspberry juice.
Your dream/goal? Australia!
What room are you in? The living room.
Your fear? The dark, of course.
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Australia
Where were you last night? Watching and movie at the Ellsworths.
Something that you aren't? Elastagirl
Muffins? Mmmm peanut butter or banana
Wish list item? Probably a printer so I wouldn't have to print things off at school
Last thing you did? Went to those boys apartment for the nastiest "Brazilian hot dogs" that I have ever had.
What are you wearing? Pajamas
TV? Sexfiles and 30 Rock!
Your pets? We are planning on borrowing a kitten for a week.
Friends? They all left me.
Your life? Uhhhh...no comment
Your mood? Relaxed
Missing someone? Family and Packer people
Drinking? water? yeah, that's all.
Smoking? I could rant for awhile on how I hate this
Your car? Pinkerton. Most definitely ready to die.
Your favorite color? Yellow!
Your favorite store? Oh Forever 21 or Origins
When is the last time you cried? Two days ago?
Where do you go to over and over? Mariposa lol or that mountain
My favorite place to eat? Mariposa!
Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? The ocean

Fingerprints

I thought you might like some pictures of the wild Friday nights that we have here.

I Want a Baby

This one, to be exact.

Capri

Guidelines:
1. Put your iTunes or Windows Media Player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your next answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter how outrageous it sounds!
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing the game as well as the person you got the note from

IF SOMEONE SAYS, “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
God's Been Good to Me Keith Urban

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Beer in Mexico Kenny Chesney

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
She'll Leave You With a Smile George Strait

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
The Christmas Song Josh Groban

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
You Can't Stop the Beat Hairspray Soundtrack

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Good Bye Martina McBride

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?
Say It Again Marie Digby

WHAT IS 2+2?
Let It Be Christmas Alan Jackson

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Heads Carolina, Tails California Jo Dee Messina

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Almost Perfect Ingram Hill

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
River of Dreams Hayley Westenra

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A Spoonful of Sugar Mary Poppins Soundtrack

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Invisible Taylor Swift

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
I Survived You Clay Aiken

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Currents Dashboard Confessional

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Would You Go With Me Josh Turner

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Leavin' Jesse McCartney

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Slow Decay Dashboard Confessional

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Happy Ending Sugarland

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Winter Light Tim Finn

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Carried Away George Strait

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Dreaming with a Broken Heart John Mayer

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
The Day Before You Rascal Flatts

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Everybody Wants to Be Cat Aristocats Soundtrack

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Blue Clear Sky George Strait

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
The Woman With You Kenny Chesney

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
To Love You More Celine Dion

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Love Your Memory Miranda Lambert

WHAT WILL YOU - POST THIS AS?
Capri Colbie Callait

A Quick Update On My Day to Day Life

~Living in a desert has its perks: no humidity (a.k.a. no crazy hair), incredible landscapes, etc. But I am trying to decide if it's worth it. My feet are so dry that they are cracking. Cracking! And every day my hands get so cold and dry that my knuckles split. I was just looking at my hands and they hurt! I am tired of going to bed with Aquaphor and socks on, because I hate socks. The good thing is that I am drinking A TON of water because my throat is always dry. That's healthy, isn't it? But I decidedly need a pedicure, so if you know any good places in the area, let me know!

~I am coming along quite nicely in my Spanish. I even spoke to Tavi so convincingly on the phone that he started to babble baby Spanish at me. Of course, I was immediately lost.

~ Over the past month, I have read The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, Oedipus Rex, and several of Plato's and Aristotle's works. Twice. Once in two different classes.

~I sit next to a really cute boy in my Humanities 250 class. He is from Kissimmee. Yes!

~I am slowly getting used to soy yoghurt.

~My bangs are at the most awkward length in the world. Annoying! I keep debating whether or not to cut them again.

~I have revived my Superman backpack. I love him.

~I miss Dawna.

Notes

I got this note today in Relief Society from one Elphaba.

Dear Lemonhead,
Why does your head look so much like a lemon? I mean, honestly, the shape is uncanny!
Also, you make me make a sour face when I see you, like lemonheads do.
You also have the smell of lemons--do you think so as well? I think you know you do 'cause you try to cover it up with perfume.
Lemonhead or not, you're okay. I will chew you up anyway.
Love,
Queen Heather

We both we laughing so hard we were crying and she almost had to leave.

Quote-ables

dance
as though no one is watching you
love
as though you have never been hurt before
sing
as though no one can hear you
live
as though heaven is on earth

Sunday Afternoons

When Elfie and I get home from church we go to PostSecret. It is great fun to read other people's secrets that they don't want anyone to know. It's incredible how brave anonymity makes some people.