While you were gone....

Dear Amy,
You have been gone for quite some time now, but inspite of your absence everything continues to spin on. So, this has resulted in funny things that happen almost on a daily occurrence that I have happened that I want to tell you about. Yes, yesterday I did call your phone and yesterday for half a second I was hoping you would answer it, but you are in Africa. So in order to remember some of the things I have wanted to call and tell you about I thought I might make a little list so that I can remember.
#1 - (and this is probably how I would have said this over the phone!) AMY! Guess what I just saw? You will never guess. (Then I'd make you guess three or four times.) Nope, I just saw a yorkie in a pink dress being pushed in a pink baby stroller by an old lady with curly gray hair and a pink outfit. Yup! Believe it. It was truly ridiculous. (Then you would ask why I didn't take a picture.) Becuase I was so terribly caught off guard. It's not every day you see a dog in a dress. By the time I thought to they had already walked by. (Jenny!) I know I know, I really wish I could just someone teleport you my mental image. So classic. Amy. Like seriously.

#2 - I'd call you again later that night to talk about the dog in a dress. Similar conversation would occur.

#3 - Amy! We were all just out in the hot tub and a rodent ran into the condo. (What?!?) Yeah Amy, Dad had to chase it out. So so funny. Then, next thing we knew Dad was chasing it out again. Twice Amy.... Twice! So so funny. Like Christmas Vacation funny, but without the rapidness of the squirrel and without the wig being torn off our great aunts head and without our Dad's boss being kidnapped kinda funny.

#4 - Amy! I'm entering the Indy 500. (What?!?) Yup, I've finally mastered driving stick. Yup, my goal from 3 years ago can finally be crossed off the list. Best part was when Shauna told me about you driving stick, apparently you sucked at it and nearly went through the church building in reverse? (Not true! Who told you that Shauna?) Yup, but I'm going to side with her that this one, you have never really been an A+ driver. But guess what, I did donuts in reverse, of course on purpose, and Shauna loved it. I wouldn't be surprised if every time I come to visit she asks me to take her out for reverse donuts.... Anywhooo.... That's what I was calling to tell you... (then we would carry on in a conversation about nothing really for probably a good 20 minutes or so)

I know there has been more than those three things that I have wanted to call and talk to you about, but as of this second that's all my overworked mind can think of so if I think of anymore I'll be sure to leave you a voicemail. Oh and I did call and leave you a voicemail about my date with Mr. David. His music is back on so I now can go to the library until 11:30 again. I thought I was going to have to quit after last time when there was only silence.

Get back safely. Tell Stampy the Elephant hello for me. And enjoy Africa. 
This song is for you!
The video is a little strange, but hey it's the 80's right?!?



  

Booo school....

Right now I just want to get on a little (maybe it will turn into a big one) soap box about how much I am SO done with school. I'm to the point in the semester where I don't want to do ANYTHING, but I'm also at that point in the semester where all the stuff that really counts towards a grade is happening. What a dilemma! I AM SO DONE WITH THIS! Ok, well not really I still have another 2 semesters, and I think the fact that it's only a #2 is the only thing that keeps me from being a college dropout.

It's my own fault, not having a plan from the beginning. If I had a plan and was the little planner/organizer that I am now then I would be officially done with school. But I guess that's part of the fun of it, when I started school I wasn't the person I am today. I've changed, grown and become a better /more organized person. But still... BOO school! 

Whatever happened to having the summer for fun non school related things?!? 

Rescued by Christ

How many times have I let the Savior down? Many, I'm sure of it. My Savior Jesus Christ is just who I need and just who I am relying on. I keep working on myself so I to can become better. I truly have been rescued by Christ. And while often I find it SO difficult to go to him and ask Him for help, I know He is always there waiting.

This man's message is a simple, but beautiful one. I'm grateful to him for sharing.

So Happy!

Happy.

One of my favorite words.

I think a lot of times to many think of happy as being a destination. They forget that happy is a mood and a choice.

So ladies and gents... Choose to be happy!

This is what made me happy today.

Seriously guys, I can't look at this pic and not smile. I love everything about it. His cheesy smile. His wanna be part. His awesome sweater vest, I LOVE sweater vests. And the fact that he is holding a kitten. So so funny. What really makes me happy is this...

Tonight I think I'll go and bring some more sheep into the fold at the temple. Learn about temples here.
Love you Elder Worthington! Keep up the good work.

Today I...

Life has been so good to me in so so many ways. Yes, it has its rough patches, and yes there are days I just want to cry. But the good outweighs the bad. The beautiful outweighs the ugly and the light definitely outweighs the dark. The other day as I was walking from campus to home and from home back to campus (this takes quite a while!) I was left to my thoughts - this usually results in happy or sad tears - and realized how truly beautiful my life is. As I got to where I was going I hurried and typed up a few things I was feeling. It went like this.

Today I…

Today I saw beautiful things.

I saw two birds using a puddle as a makeshift birdbath.

I saw my landlord riding his bicycle around campus in full-fledged suit.

I saw high school graduates with eyes of hope, accomplishment and fear.

A grandmother, mother, and daughter, all who were walking at an elderly pace, obviously out of love.

A mother, just like mine, walking over to car that’s lights was left on. She jiggled the locked door,  and the lights are still on.

Today I saw a load of laundry on the couch and another already in the washing machine. 

I saw raindrops on the window. 

I saw my husbands beautiful smile and bright blue eyes. 

I saw love within the temple and families united forever. 

A soft newborn baby and each of his mini features. 

Today I saw beauty. Every which way I looked. 

Those are my thoughts... Nothing to fancy, but yeah. Life really is beautiful.

Adam....

This kids mission has been out of control crazy. Keep on chugging Elder Worthington!
Learn why he is in Brazil here.

Bitter Sweet...

This last week has really been one of those bitter sweet type of weeks. It's actually been one of the best weeks I have had in a long time. It was full of all sorts of productivity... cleaning, crafting, homework, temple going... you know, all that stuff that makes life, life.

But to get to the point of it. Our really good friends Thomas and Kayla moved away so that Thomas can go to school in Washington. We are so stoked for him! And even a little jealous. But with our excitement comes the bitter part. That is that they took their set of twins with them.

It has been such a blessing for me to have the Nelsons right next door. They were constantly checking in with us, feeding us, hanging out with us and a wide array of things. They have really helped us throughout our first year being married. I mean heck, they even let us live in their apartment over the summer! The biggest blessing of all was that the more we got to know them the more our friendship and love grew for them and their little family. I was thrilled when Thomas and Kayla asked if I would be able to watch their boys during fall semester while they had a conflicting class. At first I was a little nervous because they were twins and that's twice the amount of baby I grew up watching. But I got the hang of it. (Now it's weird only babysitting one baby.) Watching the boys for Thomas and Kayla whenever they needed it was more of a blessing for me than them. I learned so much about myself, children, and love than I could have ever learned all by myself. Here are a few, of about a trillion, things I learned.

*I have realized that love is all about being selfless. At times love is that corny sappy crap they show in silly chick flicks... but love is ALWAYS about being selfless. Sometimes it's hard to be selfless, especially when you are with grown ups who are capable of being self-sufficient. BUT when you are with babies, toddlers and children it's so simple and easy to be selfless. Especially with Kasen and Layton. (Trust me, they are so stinkin' cute that you would want to do anything for them too!)
*It's ok for things to get messy. Especially faces.
*Babies poop in the bathtub. Be prepared to not only clean up the poop, but to give the babies two or more baths in one night if necessary.  
*Take advantage of all the cuddles a kid will give ya. 
*Tasks around the house that seem easy now, will not be so easy to get done with little munchkins around. Especially loading/unloading the dishwasher.
* If you make enough dinosaur noised the kids will eventually catch on and stop looking at you like you've gone mad.
*Always wrap up that poopy diaper right after it comes off or that poopy diaper might turn into poopy furniture, poopy hands, pretty much anything poopy.
*Kids love to touch the ceiling, but don't start it unless you are willing to keep holding them up to the ceiling for a good 45 minutes straight.
* Little hands clenched to my finger as we walk down the sidewalk is the sweetest feeling in the world.
* Figuring out what a baby wants to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner can be easy but can also become a hefty task.
* Having a variety of books is definitely good for the adult in the picture. Toddlers can look through the same one time and time again.
* Picking up a little guy after a nap is the best time of day. (Why? That's when they are super cuddly.) Waiting for them to really wake up makes for the best cuddle time. 
* Motherhood has a much greater span than your own children.
* I have a lot to teach my sweet husband about babies and children. We can check how to buckle a baby into a car seat off the list. :) 
*A mere acquaintance can turn into a lasting friendship rather quickly.
*#1 thing I've learned is I CANNOT WAIT until I have my own babies to take care of. All of these fingers and toes fingers are crossed for twins. ;)

Here are a few of my favorite Kasen/Layton pictures...

Thanks Thomas and Kayla for trusting me with your children and allowing me to spend so much time with them and with YOU! Love you guys and wish you guys the best.

P.S. Better get Washington prepared because the Dill's are coming to visit before you know it!