Express...

express |ikˈspres|
adjective
operating at high speed

This little comic strip brought a grin to my face this morning as I read it during class (yes I was reading comics, but don't worry I listened too). Anyone who has ever experienced an express lane at the grocery store knows exactly what I am talking about. Scenario #1: An older man or woman come to the join the express lane because all they have is a bag of raisins, 1 item. Yes, that is 15 items or less, BUT you are slow (slow |slō| adjective 1 moving or operating, or designed to do so, only at a low speed; not quick or fast) and its the express lane (refer to above definition). Express goes two ways ladies and gents, TWO WAYS.

No checks shouldn't be written in the express, 15 items or less really does mean 15 items or less, just because you have a mini cart doesn't mean you qualify for the express lane, if don't have a wallet why are you in the store in the first place? Most of all, if you ask "Is it ok if I come here?" the express lane checker really has no choice but to comply.

Working at a grocery store since I was 16 this comic rang all to true. If you are a customer behind an older gentlemen or woman and you think you are frustrated by their easygoingness, just be glad you aren't on the other side of the cash register. First of all, you have to be nice to them, help them out. Second of all, you don't have to deal with the customers behind them in line. Finally, it happens a lot during the day, its a wicked cycle.

Don't get me wrong, I love helping people out. Just common courtesy should be observed by all express lane goers, that includes you Earl and Opal...That includes you.

Family, Isn't it about...

A couple of weekends ago I had the opportunity to go home for a few days and celebrate mother's day with my ENTIRE extended family, all 60 something of us. It was perfect weekend. Literally perfect. As we stood on the stairs of the city and county building in downtown Salt Lake City I couldn't help but get slightly emotional as I was surrounded by all of my cousins, siblings, aunts, uncles, parents and my grandparents. It wasn't necessarily our hilarious conversations but the time we spent together. Watching everyone interact, love, and care about one another filled my day with many special moments. It was a slice of what I imagine heaven to be like. I only wish I could really express how I feel. I know that it is through the eternal organization of family that will lead us back to our live with God again.

The best way I can describe what I feel about the family is through the inspired document given to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Say Saints and people of the world in September 1995, The Family: A Proclamation to the World "The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed."
“The Family: A proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct 1998, 24

The sweetest lady I know, Grandma and Me.

Momma Linda and Poppa Ed

Shauna, Amy, Jenny, Heather
(Where are our brothers? Who knows!)

From Cacti to Fungi

A few months ago my sister Shauna and I were walking around IKEA in search of Christmas presents. On about our third lap through the store (no exaggerations have been made) I found this cute little gem, it was love at first sight and I decided I could use a pet cacti.

From Cacti

Sadly over the past few months my cactus I lovingly call Mr. Pokey has contracted a fungal disease. I recently had to dispose of my cactus, but this is a tribute to Mr. Pokey and the wonderful two and a half months we spent together. I will remember the times we shared together such as my 20th cowboy birthday party, and well that's about it, but your pot will soon be filled with your predecessor and better luck to it!

To Fungi

One year older and wiser too!

Well... I will soon be leaving the teens and entering the twenties. That's right the big 20. I am pretty sure my dad is proud and my mom is shocked. I feel old. It feels like just yesterday I was out with my sand box buddies digging in the sand, building castles, and letting my imagination run wild. 2-0 folks ... Next thing I know its going to be 5-0 then 7-0 then 1-0-0!!!

When I look back at the past week it seems like I have accomplished a lot, so looking back at the past twenty years it seems like I have done oodles and oodles. I can't even pick out a few of my favorite memories of my last twenty years of my life because there are so so many, but I can think of some things I am grateful for that have been a part of my life.

First and foremost I am grateful for the gospel. Without it who knows where in the world I would be. I would be a lot like Carmen San Diego or Waldo...LOST!
Second, my wonderful parents. I know its weird that they aren't first, but without them I wouldn't have the gospel in my life. So in a round about way they are first. They are such great examples of hard work, love and my Savior Jesus Christ. I hope to one day be at least a smidgen like them. Of course I am already a smidgen of them ;)
Thirdsies, I am grateful for good people in my life. This list includes teachers, leaders, neighbors, friends, siblings. Pretty much most of the people I have encountered in my life. I have found that everyone has something good to offer. But, there are those people who will always have a very very special place in my heart.
Fourth, I am grateful for experiences. All of them. Easy, hard, fun, painful. ALL of them. It is because of these that I am who I am. They continue to help me grow and strengthen my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Finally, I am grateful for the gift of life which I have been blessed. It has been so great thus far and I look forward to what the future holds for me.

From this...

To this...

Ralph came for a visit...

Ralph the Night Hair Dresser came for a visit just the other evening, I woke up to find my new Do even better off than when I went to sleep. One of the many benefits of short hair is the awesome bed hair that comes along with it. This picture is an example of one of the reason's my brothers call me mophead.
It is also apparent that my bed hair is a contributing factor to why I AM NOT a morning person at all.

The Do Wa Do's of December...

So, turns out that each month Amy and I make a list of goals we would like to accomplish and work on throughout the month together. Each month we try to come up with a crafty title for our list of goals and this months title is (drum roll please!) "The Do Wa Do's of December" It is a list of goals that either start with "Do" or "Don't"
Well, the point of me telling you this is not because we have reached all of our goals for the month already (no, its only the 13th guys), but because we have fully accomplished one of the goals I wanted to get done most. It was that we " Do sport new do's aka haircuts."
Well, Wednesday afternoon we went in and got our hair cut. It is amazing how good a new hair cut can make you feel, and how different it really can be. Well, I absolutely love love love my hair cut. So I thought I would share it with you, but I also couldn't help but share a bit of Amy's haircut with you also. Let's just say her bangs quite possibly made me snort when I saw them at the hair salon.

36 Reasons Why

Okay, so this semester is already so so great! I love my classes. I love my job. I love my new ward and roommates. Its all around been absolutely wonderful thus far. Here's a few reasons why...

#1 Playing the farm game....kinda like monopoly, but with your own farm. It took a while to play, but I loved it... not to mention I almost won! I am pretty sure that everyone else playing despised it, well except for Josh.

#2 Signs that read "Spu Harvest" when it really should say Spud Harvest.

#3 Sharlee's Apple Pie. Sharlee has become a little homemaker and has definitely come a long way since frozen pizza!

#4 Blading through the streets of Rexburg. Amy Sharlee Michael and I took a wild adventure through the streets of Rexburg and Porter park on our blades. Amy even took the liberty of pulling all three of us on the bike....AWESOME!

#5 Adam's English paper.... if you know Adam at all you will know that there is no explanation needed for this one. Anyone that talks about diarrhea and Dixie cups in an English paper...well they may have problems, but it makes for a good laugh.

#6 Dictionary.com offers a very simple pleasure. Looking up funny words, finding out the definition, discovering new synonyms for the word, and have a robot like voice pronounce the word all at one website. Nerd? YES!

#7 Going to the Frost Top for a burger and milkshake. When saying this I feel like I should be hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Worthington, but I love going to the small town of Ashton and visiting the quaint diner called the Frostop.... Best Reese's peanut butter cup milkshake ever.... but bathroom goers beware, don't get trapped in the restroom...the door is a doosie.

#8 Yes it is possible for three people to ride my beloved bike, Lucy. One night following library closure Amy, our friend Caleb and I all decided it would be a great idea if we all tried to ride my bike home.... Let's just say good thing its down hill to our apartments. It was ultimately a success.

#9 Voyaging out to Monkey rock is extremely fun, the water is frigid cold, but built a little fire to warm us up. "Mallow me!"

#10 Kids meals with Kimberly at Arctic Circle, cupcakes at the cocoa bean, and Little Caesars pizza.

#11 Charmel. One day I was working at the bakery and a nice boy asked me what the different kinds of brownies and cookies were. When he specifically asked what was in the Turtle Brownie all I said was "It's got Charmel." Well what I meant was chocolate and carmel, but that is most definitely not what came out. He proceeded to tease me and use the word charmel as much as possible, and finally decided on getting the "Charmel" brownie.

#12 Bagel Boy. Ok so twice over the past week there has been the same boy who has come into the bakery to get a plain bagel toasted with cream cheese. Well both times he has asked for it I gave him a strange look, grabbed a glazed donut and asked "You want this toasted?" He chuckled to himself and said "No a BAGEL". Not only did I do this once...but twice. And he is the only person I have ever done it to, and its unintentional I swear!

#13 Eastern Idaho State Fair- I can't really say that I have been to a fair that I remember. So Amy Trevor and my's trip to Blackfoot for the Eastern Idaho State fair was a real adventure. Full of foot long corn dogs, the petting zoo and some awesome rednecks! It was a people watchers paradise.

#14 Calebs Candle- Caleb won a black cherry scented candle because of his expertise in dancing. We all enjoyed it while we studied together at the library.

#15 Closing time at the library- "The David O. Mckay library will be cosing in 15 minutes." is something I hear regularly around 11:15 pm. This is followed by the best 15 minutes anyone can spend in the library as they play music such as Footloose over the PA system. The guarantee that they do this is enough to get me to go to the library and study.

#16 Visiting Charlie- Oh Charlie Zollinger.....

#17 Cafe Rio- After making Amy a list of the pros of driving to Idaho Falls to go to Cafe Rio we went.....thouroughly enjoyable.

#18 Pro and Cons lists- Life wouldn't be complete without its pros and cons. So, Amy and I are always listing the pros and cons of everything. Sometimes it gets kinda silly, but its always helpful.

#19 G's Dairy Delights- Do you like hot waffle cones and fresh delicious ice cream? Well I sure do and this is the place to get it! Two scoops please.

#20 Golfing- I can now say that I have experienced "real" golfing. It's kinda a awkward sport, but I'm glad to report I didn't hit myself of anyone else with the golf club.... I actually had maybe 5 good hits! Boo ya!

#21 Baja Canitina- My Mom drinking out of pitcher was a priceless moment not to mention we were the only people in the restaurant. Nothing like eating Mexican food at 10:30 at night.

#22 Homework? I love the feeling after I have worked hard on a good batch of homework and finished up the weeks worth of homework. This doesn't seem to happen much, homework never ends.

#23 Origami from Kim

#24 Stargazing

#25 Beaverdick Fires- especially when you don't bring matches and have to hike to an old couples camp site and ask if you can borrow some.

#26 Rummikub in class- yeah! its true. Brother Magleby let us play games in class, it made my day!

#27 One day I was walking to work and this boy was asking a girl out on a date. After they parted ways he was right in front of me. He proceeded to say "Yes" and do the whole Napoleon Dynamite thing.

#28 Dinner with Caleb and Kimberly

#29 People who come to visit me at work.

#30 Bro. Riggins class.

#31 Basketball class. One time this boy came over and was stretching right in front of me. Kind of like how a girl would do in a chick flick, right in front of the man of her dreams. Yeah he was stretching and jumping up and down and then started talking to me about stuff....Hilarious!

# 32 The power washer sink in my apartments kitchen.

#33 Stealing a Jim Brickman poster from on campus for Amy because I know how much she loves him!

#34 Buying Oreos with Josh- It has now been proven that plastic Walmart bags are not as sturdy as they seem. One, two, three spins over your head and whoops there goes the oreos flying through the parking lot.

#35 Slumber Parties with old roomies.
#36 Classic Movie Night- Nothing beats a night full of movies such as "Arsenic and Old Lace". Bully!