Life right now....

Ok.... So I just attempted to post on Michael and mine's blog we have together and somehow posted on Michael's blog. Kinda funny I guess. Anyways....
Life has been crazy busy as usual. Michael and I have been having many wonderful experiences together. You know the type. The one's that your young women leaders at church tell you to write in your journal about. Marriage is absolutely amazing, especially because of who I'm married to. He continues to put up with me (even when I scream at the top of my lungs when a song I dislike is on the radio) and not just put up with me, but join in my madness. For example, a few weeks ago we took our friends Stephen and Madison to see Idaho's "majestic" Mesa Falls. As we approached the sign in book I asked Michael who we were going to be. We came to the conclusion that we were The Potters from Kentucky and that we had 12 children along with us. Michael said before me he would have never come up with such a weird idea. Well honey, I'm weird and I have crazy ideas and love to do crazy things, my dad warned you.  Our love continually grows and I've never been so grateful for anyone who has come into my life. Michael really is the perfect boy for me.
School has started back up and I swear that in the week and a half we have been back I have done more homework than I did all last semester, but I'm ready for it. In one of my classes we are learning "how to research and write" our topic is The Census. I am more than thrilled to begin my research on this. It's just the kind of thing that fascinates me. It will keep me busy. Along with all the homework comes learning. I have already learned so much this semester and look forward to spending time in the classroom and learning from those around me.  It really is amazing how much you can learn and apply things from previous occasions to the present ones.

One thing I'm really looking forward to this semester is taking the time to take a break. To stop and smell the roses. I'm excited about attending the temple regularly, taking the time to witness the change of the seasons, and taking the time to spend time with friends and family. Yes, we already have the annual Worthington sibling Christmas party planned for the first weekend in December. I'm excited for my brother-in-law Kevin's wedding, for Thanksgiving at Auntie Deb's, and for weekend escapes to Ashton/I.F./ Park City or wherever the wind blows us.

This past weekend was a good beginning to taking a short break from school. My mom and dad took the time to deliver our bed frame and to visit us. They wanted to see our cute little apartment and of course take a break from the craziness they live. It was a wonderful weekend. I truly saw beauty everywhere we went and in everything we did. We first stopped in Island park to check on Uncle Ben's cabin. This is where a large part of my dad's childhood experiences can be found. It was fun to listen to him tell stories about the old place. It was absolutely adorable. Still stuck in the 70's and made me wish I could time travel back a few years. I so badly wanted to fix the place up and give it a new hay day to experience. I loved it, my dad loved it and I'm not sure what mom and Michael thought about it.
After an hour or two fixing a few things at the cabin and taking pictures for my dad's cousin who owns it, we headed off to Yellowstone. We drove through the South Loop with our animal looking eyes on. My parents were adorable. My dad kept saying how it was a perfect day to be in Yellowstone, probably said it at least 50 times. My mom insisted on taking mine and Michael's picture everywhere. My dad wanted to stop anywhere he though Michael needed to see. He kept taking Michael everywhere so that he could see everything, Michael soaked it up. I loved the weekend and look forward to the weekends of the semester.

The cabin was full of all sorts of cute nick-nacks... This yellow lantern was one of my favorites.

Mom and Dad Worthington outside "The Witt's End" (that's the name of the cabin).

I loved these yellow wheels that are by both sets of stairs. Definitely add character to the place.

The sure sign of fall. A changing leaf.

The first picture in Yellowstone that Mom insisted on taking.

A Worthington Family classic.

Our timing to see Old Faithful was perfect. 

This is Charles the buffalo. He was my second favorite buffalo we saw. The first one was taking care of business in the river.

We stopped to look at the elk in the river right as the sun was beginning to go down for the day.

The last picture of the day... absolutely beautiful.

Mother Dearest....

She did it! Mom finished her last chemo treatment on Monday! Michael and I were able to be down in Utah on Monday and celebrate in style with her. We had her favorite pizza, a bouquet of flowers and a lot of smiling all around the room. It was a little mile marker in the long road of recovery, but one that was more than welcome. As I looked at both my parents I could see the happiness on their faces and gratitude to have chemo done.  

It's been a long road. I know there has been a lot of rough times at the Worthington house these past few months, along with a lot a lot of wonderful blessings and happy moments together as friends as family. It seemed that every chance Michael and I had to visit we would. We could count on every time for food from the neighbors, flowers from friends, and to feel the prayers and love offered in behalf of my family. I wish I could have been more a part of it all, but I am grateful for the time we have spent with the family and the many more good times to come.

Michael and his favorite mother-in-law, aka his zoo buddy.

 

Running for Boobies...

A lot of "things" have been on my mind lately. How much I miss Utah, what it means to forgive, friendship, love, trials, all sorts of things. But, one of the things that constantly is on my mind is a special lady who I have written a few blog posts about. Here and here....  Her name is Mom.

On Michael and mine's way back to Rexburg after much partying and celebrating in Utah, California, and even a little in Vegas, we stopped in and stayed with my family for a few days. While we were there my parents sat us all down and told us that Mom's cancer was back. And then told us all the plans to take care of it and such.

When Michael and I got back to Idaho we planned to go down to Utah the weekend mom had surgery and try to be some kind of help or something. It was a good weekend spent at home. But, I've realized it's hard to give help when you live 300 something miles away. So, we pray and support her, but for me I don't really feel like that's enough.

So....... when Amy sent me a message asking me if I wanted to run this race with her, I was in! It's a race for women only and their cause is to raise money to give to the Utah Cancer Resource and Education for Women (UCREW). Their goal is to educate women about cancer, increase awareness, and help patients get access to screening and support.

So, this is what I am doing. Two days ago I put back on my running shoes after a six month hiatus and I'm running for boobies. All those women (and men) out there who suffer due to breast cancer. The training for October's race begins now. Every mile I run in preparation I run for someone out there who has or had breast cancer and their families/loved ones. And then, for the grand finale I'm running the half marathon for my mom and her right boob!

If you know someone I could run my miles for, please let me know and I'll run in their behalf, and blog about my experience. I want to hear your stories about who you love. Feel free to email, or comment.

I call her Mom...

This lovely little lady is who I call Mom! Momma Linda came into my life the same day I came into hers. 12/31/89, ironic right? Since then we have laughed, cried, baked, swept, danced, you name it! Recently Mom celebrated the big 5-0. Way to go Mommy-o! Oh and grandma and grandpa too... thanks for bringing me such a cool mom!

My mom is one very special lady. She is one of those hard working American mom's who works for her family and makes everything into a learning experience. (whether or not she recognizes she does) As kids she put us to work, it was time to clean the basement. Mom would set the timer and if we finished before the timer went off we won our reward, a trip to the library to read! I was always so excited and looked forward to the hundreds of books the library shelves held. Now she drives down Lampton Rd. with the windows down, music cranked, sporting her very best poker face. It is the little things like this that I love about my mom. My mom has taught me a lot of things. How to cook, how to clean and not just clean but clean well, how to a load a dishwasher (I'm trying to pass this onto others, it surprising how many people suck at this!), how to drive (remember that giant pot hole I drove through mom?), make your siblings your best friends, and that it's ok to cry. There have been countless things this amazing woman has taught me and some really amazing experiences we have shared, but one thing she has been a constant example of (except for maybe the damn-shit-pizza) is a woman of faith.

As long as I can remember she has been taking me to primary, encouraging me to go to Young Woman's and has wanted nothing but the best for me and my siblings. She is a woman who loves her Savior. I was recently looking for a talk by Elder Oaks about families in one of my old ensigns when I found a letter which my mom wrote to me and my siblings for last mother's day. Cool right? She gave US presents on mother's day... What a mom! It was an amazing letter portraying a mother's love. I could feel her love and my Heavenly father's love for me coming through her words. I want to share with you part of the letter which she wrote that reminded me that I can do hard things, that I have a purpose, and gave me a big boost.

In addressing me and my siblings (think of her as talking to you too) it reads, "Each one of you has a great and noble calling to become righteous men and women. You need to use your strength and testimony to influence one another and those around you for good. God has given each of you special gifts and talents. Be wise in your choices. He is counting on each of you to do your part. Prepare now to protect, defend and guard His values and principles. He will bless you more than you can begin to imagine. Listen Listen. He will guide you, always."

What an awesome lady right? And that was only part of it. I am grateful for the people in my life, especially the righteous women who have made such an impact on who I am today. My mom is one of those people. Also my aunts, my grandma, countless women throughout my stake/ward, and even women I see who emanate their Savior Jesus Christ's love. You are all amazing and I love you. I see the good you have established and the Christlike women you are and hope that one day I can be even a fragment of who you are. Thanks for your examples, your love, and for recognizing who you are, a divine daughter of God.

P.S. Please read this (click on this). My favorite line is "I knew these women before I even met them, since I was raised by someone just like them." There is still so much good in the world... I love it!