…just can’t get enough of it!

 

On Christmas eve, I watched  Julie & Julia for the first time.  Since that night, I have watched this movie 5 times.  (Yes, I know, it has only been 5 days). I love it.  I am not sure why I love it…I just do!!  I can’t seem to get enough of it. It is one of those feel good movies that just make you smile.  Movies that bring happiness to the heart are the best!!!  If you want to watch this movie, you can borrow mine. (I think I need to lend it out so that I don’t keep watching it.) HA HA!!

…she is one of my most favorite people!!

My little niece, Brylie, is one of my most favorite people in whole entire world.

I love her so much!!

She can turn a bad day into a good day with one sweet smile. 

Her hugs and kisses makes all the sad things go away. 

Her little giggle is contagious! 

She has been through so much in her 2 1/2 years on this earth, but you would never know it because she is always filled with smiles and giggles. 

I love it when she snuggles close and we read books together.(even though…sometimes it is the same book over and over and over!)

Brylie, I love you!!  

…I am ready for sleep…seriously!!

Once again, the 3:30 am world brought me wide awake…I wish I could solve this strange mystery.  I am not sure what it is but…I do not like it one bit.  I wish that I could fall fast asleep and stay asleep until my alarm actually wakes me up!!  How grand would that be?  But, instead, I awake, open up my scriptures…read for awhile, walk around the house, get a drink of water, look outside…when will I have a normal goodnight’s sleep?  I am ready for it!!  I am really!!!  Seriously!!

I hope you are having a great night’s sleep.  I am jealous of you…if you are!

Michelle

…an attitude of happiness

 

"Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine."
— Gordon B. Hinckley

 

I love this quote…it is true.  We should cultivate an attitude of happiness.

Happy Day!

Michelle

..the icing on the cake

If you know anything about me…you know that I LOVE to read.  Lately, I feel like I have should be doing other things than sitting down with a good book.  But, tonight, I decided it was time for me to just be by myself and read.  Oh my goodness…it was exactly what I needed.  I just finished reading this amazing book:

Oh my…it was hilarious!!  I started laughing at the beginning and did not stop laughing until the end!  It was great!!  I totally could relate to this girl!!!  Thanks Lena and Kylie for recommending it to me!!  You two new what I needed!!  I am glad that I ignored the rest of my world to curl up with a fun book!!

Happy reading!

Michelle

…how many tylenols?

I woke up this morning…or was it late in the night…anyhow..I woke up with a migraine!!!  I hate them more than I hate mushrooms!!!  So, how many Tylenol and Advil should one take to relieve the pain  before surrendering to pain pills?  I will never tell.  Let’s just say…I slept and slept and slept.  Maybe next time…I should be a tad bit more responsible.

In all seriousness…I dread these types of days.  I am careful with how many pills I take…but, sometimes, I wish that taking only a couple would relieve the pounding of an exploding migraine!!!  Oh…well..I am starting to feel better…FINALLY!!

Michelle

“It all works out, don’t worry!”

I came across this quote today.  It was one of moments in time that came at the right time and in the right place.  I am thankful for my Heavenly Father’s hand in my life!  I am truly blessed.

"Things work out, it isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out, don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in him, if we will pray to him, if we will live worthy of his blessings, he will hear our prayers."
— Gordon B. Hinckley

Things do work out…we need not worry!

Michelle

..just turn it off!

Have you ever started watching a movie, found that it was stupid but…could not turn it off until your find out what happened?  Well, this happened to me tonight.  I was watching a movie with one my dear friends, Lena.  As the movie progressed, we just started laughing.  It was so dumb.  I mean everything about it was plain dumb.  I can not describe it.  BUT…we could not turn it off because we wanted to see the end of it.  I am sure that a lot of people would have just turned it off.   I know that we should have turned it off or switched to a different movie. 

Maybe it is my curious nature…I had to know how it ended…or is it that I was hoping that it would get better.  BUT…tonight…it was just plain dumb!!  It started out that way…and it ended that way!  Oh, well, I did have fun spending time with Lena!! 

Oh, well…there was plenty of laughter ---that is what is important!!

Michelle

…no nagging thoughts of failure…

It was kind of a rough day today…just needed this quote to help me get through the rest of it!

"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."
— Gordon B. Hinckley

Hope you are having a happy day!

Michelle

…how do you RSVP?

Each month in my home, I teach a card class.  I love making cards BUT…most of all I love teaching friends how to make cards.  It is a passion that I have had for a very long time.  I get all excited about it.  Anyway, I send out an email each month—letting those who are interested the date and time.  I, usually, get responses back of some sort.  But, this time, I received an RSVP from my sweet friend, Vieve. 

She has been attending my card clubs for a few months and she makes everyone laugh.  She tries her darndest and is getting a hang of stamping and gluing.  I love watching people get excited over creating their own little treasures.

Anyway, her return email made me laugh and I chose to share it with all of you:

(Oh…Vieve, I hope you don’t mind me sharing the most creative RSVP I have ever received)

I would like to RSVP to this event, pending a horrific car accident that would sideline me.  Even in the event of a car accident, I would try to make it, but I just wanted to cover myself just in case.  I mean, we can plan for any scenario, you know, but everything is always out of out hands, its not like I have control over everything all the time, that’s just silly.  So yes, I will make it , unless I have died.  Or contracted the swine flu.  Or maybe I’ll get mumps.  There are really loads of disease out there that I could get, and to list them all here just would be ludicrous.  I mean, who has time to read that?  Certainly not me, and I know you have limited time in the day, you’re so busy, so I just wanted to send a small note doing an RSVP.  I’m not one of those people who always needs to write, or to tell everyone everything that’s going on, straight to the point, that’s me.  Who needs to prattle on and on and on like everyone has all the time in the world to read their emails?  Sheesh those people are selfish.  But hopefully nothing out of the ordinary will happen.

Hope to see you there.

Thanks Vieve for being so creative and making me giggle!!

Michelle

…enjoy it!!

Every time I walk into my living room, I notice a plaque that is on my entertainment center. 

It reads,

"Life is to be enjoyed, not endured"
— Gordon B. Hinckley

I love this quote!!  I am grateful for this reminder every single day!!  I love life!!  Life is suppose to be enjoyed!!!  Find things to brighten your day today…I know that I will!

Michelle

 

..the new love of my life—it is definitely a keeper!

Oh…I forgot that that I have not shared the new love of my life…

…this is it!!  I love my new car!!  I love everything about it.  I feel completely 100% spoiled when driving it!!!  Yep!!  I love it!!

Michelle

..it is exactly what I needed!

Yesterday was such an amazing day!  Today lacked that amazement!!  In fact, it was a struggle.  All day long, I was wishing that I could feel what I felt yesterday.  It just was not happening.  I was frustrated with a few things.  You know those type of days when you feel that you can not get a grasp on things?

I arrived home from work with only a few minutes before I had to be in Salt Lake.  I walked upstairs to my room and noticed my scriptures laying on my floor.  I picked them and tossed them on my bed.  When I did, they flipped open. I glanced over at them and a scripture caught my eye.

“…ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples  unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.”

Alma 17:11

I had the most incredible experience…an experience that I had been wanting all day long.  This scripture was for me.  I need to be patient in everything and be the best example that I can be…to be an instrument in His hands. 

But, my experience did not stop there.  I looked up and there was a book that I have been wanting to read.  I opened it up…to a page that I needed to read.

“The gospel of Jesus Christ has the answer to every conflict in our lives, our families, and even our nations.  His truth heals hears and bridge cultures. 

“An they also inspire courage.  The courage to stand a lone.  The courage to open our mouths when prompted.  The courage to prepare the greatest generation of missionaries, mentor the greatest generation of youth, and share the gospel in any setting. Unflinching moral courage.

“Every time we exercise our faith in the face of fear or discover a doctrinal insight in the scriptures or the temple, we are better able to build the kingdom of God.  Every time we discard a sing or a self-serving motive, every time we keep a trust or gain another glimpse of who we really are or speak truth, we are better able to build the kingdom of God.  Every time we help someone else strengthen faith or resolve, we build the kingdom of God.  In short, every small step we take to develop our God-given attributes of faith, knowledge, obedience, purity, integrity, identity, and courage makes us better able to build up the kingdom of God. “ (No One Can Take Your Place by Sheri Dew)

It was amazing…the very thing that I needed to feel and experience happened at the right time and in the right place.  Oh, how grateful I am for my relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I can do it!!!  I can do hard things!

Michelle

…the right time

Don’t you just love it when you have one of those days that you KNOW that you are in the right place at the right time?  Have you ever had one of those spiritual uplifting days that you wanted to share with everyone and anyone who would listen?  Well, I had one of those today.  It was amazing!!!  I can not even express the gratitude that I felt today---especially, after having a rotten few days. 

It started out with speaking in Sacrament Meeting in one of our wards.  My topic was the atonement.  Oh, I learned so much and the spirit was so strong!!.  Then, I had the privilege of teaching the young women in two of our wards.  Being with the youth of the church is one of my most favorite things.  I love each one of them so much!  They bring such a great light into my life. 

Could the day get any better?  YES!!  We had the most incredible Young Women Fireside.  It was the incredible and so uplifting!  I am so grateful for my calling in the church.  I am thankful for the great examples of the young women in our stake.  They are strong!!! 

This day was incredible!!! It seemed as if everything fit into place.  I love these moments…the  moments when I know that I am in the right place at the right time!!

Have a great day!

Michelle

…just keep swimming!

Have you ever had those days that you were not really sure that you wanted to wake up?  The more the days goes on…you know that you should have not even gotten out of bed?  Well, this was my day!!  Nothing seemed to go right.  Everything I touched broke or ended up in a disaster.  I was upset at the world but…most of all…I was upset with myself. I felt like I was literally sinking.   That I could not keep my head above water.  It was an awful feeling…  A feeling that I do not like.  A feeling that literally scares me. 

Then, all of a sudden, the scene from Finding Nemo came into my mind…”just keep swimming, just keep swimming!”  Oh, how I love that movie.  Then, I realized…I don’t have to be Grumpy Gills today, I only have to take one step at a time.  I don’t have to conquer the world—the entire world—right this  very minute.  I don’t have to solve everyone’s problems…I can’t.  I can be there for them and I can help them…but, I don’t have to do it all in a day.    I only have to take one step at a time and “just keep swimming”! 

Michelle

But OH!!

Dear friends that dropped by,

Thanks so much for dropping by to visit.  Thanks for the yummy delicious cookies.  But, most of all thanks for the sweet quote:

“But Oh!  The blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearless on any subject; with whom one’s deepest as well as one’s most foolish thought come out simply and safely.  Oh the comfort—the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person—having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together certain that a faithful hand will take an sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with breath of kindness blow the rest away.”  Dinah Maria Mulock Craik,

Thanks for brightening my day!!  I really needed it!!

Michelle

farming…not for me

It has been a long work week and we still have one more day to go. We have had some of our clients in town for our annual conference. It has been just a tad bit crazy. Stress levels have reached their ultimate peak but…we continue to try our hardest to have smiles on our faces.

We were able to visit a dairy today that uses our software. It was quite interesting and entertaining. Interesting meaning how it operates; entertaining for me—I am definitely not a farm girl. I have only been on a dairy one other time in my life and that was when I was in Hawaii--experience that I will never forget. Hmm…maybe I will share it sometime.

The dairy that we visited today is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As we sat through a presentation earlier this morning of how the dairy operates and how it blesses the lives of people throughout the world, I was amazed at how the Spirit filled the room. The presenter shared a video clip of how this dairy is used in humanitarian efforts. As I looked around the room, I saw many tear-filled eyes. It was incredible—not the tear-filled eyes but how the Spirit was touching those that sat in the room. I love it when this happens. It was so peaceful.

Happy Cows!!

Michelle

bakerella…

One thing that I love to do is bake.  I love to try new recipes.  I love recipes!  I love to look through cookbooks.  I love to read blogs about baking.  One of my most favorite cooking sites is Bakerella.  Have you visited her site?  It is incredible. 

Anyway, it has been a few weeks since I last visited so….tonight I caught up on her fun and sweet ideas.  But, tonight…one of her entries made me giggle with excitement for a person I don’t even know.  Check it out—it is too fun!!  I think that it awesome!!!  Plus, I think these cute little cake lollipops are so cute!!!  HMMM…maybe I shall experiment!!! 

Happy day to all of you!

Michelle

did you vote today?

  Did you vote today?  I did.  When I voted today,  there was something different about it.  Why?  Well, this time, my friend, Melanie, was able to vote for the very first time.  She became a US citizen earlier this year.  Since she found about the elections, she has been talking about her excitement to vote!  Asking questions…What is it like?  How do you do it?  Anyway, she was excited about this great privilege. 

So, bright and early (yes, before the polls opened) we drove to Amelia Earhart Elementary and stood in line.  Melanie was the first one in line to vote.  She was excited.  WOW!!!  I have never been excited…nor not excited to vote…I just voted.  BUT, today… it was kind of exciting.  It is definitely a great privilege. 

I am glad I voted!!!

Happy Voting day!!

Michelle

…just thinking…

 

Last night, I was visiting with a dear friend of mine.  There were moments when it was silent..nothing being spoken at all…just silence.  I started thinking about how quiet it is around my home.  Sometimes it is a welcomed event but, other times…I really do not like it.  But, last night, it was a welcomed event.  My thoughts have been running around in circles in my jumbled head for the past couple of months.  There are so many flying everywhere.

So, as I was trying to place thoughts in their proper order and in the right place, I was wondering if there was room for all of them to fit.  All those thoughts have to fit somewhere…don’t they?  Do I file them in alphabetical order or do I color code them?  Where should I put all of those thoughts?  I really have a difficult time turning off my thoughts. 

But, tonight, there was something peaceful about my thoughts…it was a welcomed silence!

HMMM…

Michelle

got movies?

So…as of late…I have been going through a movie frenzy.  I am not sure what it is but, I have been watching movies…lots of them.  It has been great!!!  I am not sure what it is…maybe it has to do with the lack of sleep.  I find myself  in the wee hours of the morning , going through the stack of DVD’s waiting to be watched (which I find is growing as my desire to watch grows) , locating one, loading the DVD player, curling up with my pillows and blankets and waiting…waiting for the entertainment to begin.  Slowly, the zillions of thoughts that are plaguing my mind…disappear-at least for a couple of hours! 

Even though, I love watching movies in the wee hours of the morning, my most favorite time to watch movies is when friends frequent my home and enjoy them with me.  It has been a fun past couple of months where I have been entertained by the screen in my living room and sharing the excitement with my friends!!  I am not sure what is my all-time favorite….the list keeps on growing and growing!!!    I just can not choose one favorite!

What is listed among your favorites?  Oh, I would love to know.

Keep watching!!!

Michelle

P.S.  It is National Blog Month!!!

a crusade…

One of my friends, Gerb, is one of the most amazing people that I have ever met.  She is perfect in every way.  She is one of those flawless people (at least…I have never seen any of her flaws) that go around saving the day.  She can save the world and still have time to spend with her 9 children and sweet hubby.  She is simply amazing!!

Anyway, I visited her blog today and it was exactly what I needed.  I love to read what she has to say.  She is spiritual, adventurous, exciting, humorous, crazy and of course, the list can go on and on.  Like I told  you, she is flawless!!  Everyone loves her!!!  People always want to be around her!!

Back to the subject…she posted “Leave a comment”.  It was great!!  She is on a crusade of spreading internet sunshine.  I love her idea of spreading the warm fuzzies throughout the world.  Go ahead…check out her post. 

Now, I want to continue on with her crusade…here is a quote from her blog (Gerb…I borrowed one of your paragraph s…)

”For the next day or 2 days or week or rest of your life (you set your own time limit) let's leave comments on all of the posts we read. Really. Every.One. Make your presence known! Leave happy, kind, polite, grateful and supportive comments when you read what someone took the time to write. I'm not saying you have to agree with everyone... because wouldn't life be boring if we all agreed with each other all the time? But I bet it would make someone's day if they got a slew of unexpected comments on a post. Or even just one unexpected comment. Don't you think?”

I think this is going to be great!!!  So, if you will join me with this crusade…that would be great!!!  I am out to spread warm fuzzies!!!  I hope you do too!!

Michelle

into the woods…

Tonight, I went with one of my most dearest friends, Vieve to dinner and a play.  We decided to attend Into the Woods at the Scera.  We arrived early to pick up our tickets.  We found our seats and waited and waited.  The play was suppose to start at 7:30 PM.  Around 7:45 PM, an announcement comes over the loud speaker explaining that there were still a lot of people out in the lobby getting their tickets so, the play will not start for a few more minutes.  WHAT?  Anyway, fifteen minutes later, the play begins.  At this point, I am falling in love with this play.  It was great!! 

Then, we hear screaming…(I thought it was part of the play)…then, an actress turns towards the audience and screams, “Dad, Dad, come here!”.

 Screaming till happening on stage.

A man jumps from his seat and hops onto the stage…(I am still thinking…is this part of the play?). 

I remember looking at Vieve and she was looking straight ahead. 

 Screaming till happening on stage.

The man that jumped on the stage turns and yells, “Is there a doctor in the house?”  A man jumps up and runs towards the stage.  The current goes down.  We hear from the stage, “Call 9-1-1!”

About fifteen minutes later, an actor explains that “Little Red Riding Hood” was hurt and is being taken to the hospital.  Then, he explained that they would wait ten more minutes and re-evaluate the situation. 

About fifteen minutes later, the play goes on. 

It was amazing!!  I am amazed at how these actors and actresses were able to regroup and perform.  They were great!!!

As for a calm night out…it definitely was not!!!  

Michelle

P. S.  I do hope that Little Red Riding Hood is ok. 

expressions…

Tonight, I had a lot of time to think…I was dipping little pretzels into chocolate.  It is kind of a thoughtless process. So, there was plenty of time to think. I have felt that have I had all these open file folders in my jumbled brain…unopened and scattered every which way. I have needed to organize my thoughts and place them in the proper place and in the proper order.

As I was thinking…a scene popped into my head from the movie Bed of Roses. It is where Christian Slater is explaining the reason he delivers flowers. I can not remember the exact quote but it was something to the affect that he loves to see the expressions on people’s faces. I love to watch people and most of all I love to see their expressions on their faces.

So, I really needed to focus on something different then the thoughts that were jumbled in my head. The thought popped into my head, “go find some expressions.” I ran upstairs and found my stash of cute and precious bags and ribbon. Headed down the stairs, taking them two and three at time…until boom!!! OUCH!!! That was not going to stop me…I was on a mission.

I filled the bags with chocolate covered pretzels, tied them with a bow and headed out the door. What did I find at the homes of my sweet recipients…smiles, hugs, laughter, and gratitude…what a perfect night!!! I am not sure that they knew that their expression would brighten my day…but it did!!! Maybe I was being selfish…I needed to find something happy to focus on…someone else’s expression…and guess what…I did find what I was looking for it was…HAPPINESS!!

Happy day to all of you!!

Michelle

pedicures are for the soothing of the soul…

I have had a lot on my mind lately and have been struggling just a tad bit.  My sweet friend, Vieve, had been the witness of all of this. She has been there to make me laugh, hear me vent, see me cry and most of all—she has just been there!  I am grateful for her in my life. 

Today, I arrived at work with less than the amount of sleep and motivation that one should have.  As soon as I walked in…Vieve exclaims, “We are going for pedicures, today.” 

UMM!!!  I don’t do pedicures!! I do not like people touching my feet—I am so ticklish that it is beyond excitement. 

She said that is what we were doing…and that is exactly what we did!!  Oh, my goodness!!!  It was fabulous!!  It is exactly what I needed!!!  Vieve, thanks for being a wonderful friend and thanks for MAKING me go get a pedicure!!  It was perfect!!  A hour of pure relaxation!!! 

Yes, my feet are ticklish---but it was all worth it!!! 

Thanks for being a wonderful and inspiring friend!!!

Michelle

P.S.  I do…love…pedicures!!!  They are definitely soothing for the soul!!  I do love looking my toes…they bring me happiness!!

Miss Brylie…

My sweet little niece, Brylie, had a routine check up with the most amazing Ophthalmologist-Dr. Scott Larson.  He will be someone that I will consider a hero.  During her check-up, he felt prompted to dilate her beautiful brown eyes.  He ordered a MRI to confirm what he was seeing.  Her brain was swelling.  Her brain was touching her optical nerves.

Immediately, the process began…information sent up to Primary Children’s Hospital to one of the most amazing Nero-surgeons—Dr. Rev-Cambrine.  My brother & sister-in-law went to Primary’s for a consult and Brylie ended up being admitted right at that time.  They needed to relieve the swelling on her brain.  Time was crucial. 

That night, Mom, Dad and I went to see Miss Brylie.  I had the opportunity and privilege to take care of her while they all went to get something to eat.  It was just me and my little buddy in the room.  We read books, cuddled and read more books.  She is definitely a trooper!  Later, Miss Brylie and I decided to walk up and down the halls.  We would be walking down the hall and she would look up at me with her big brown beautiful eyes and smile.  It just melted my heart. I would not have traded that moment with anything in the world.  She means so much to me!

Her grandpa (my dad) along with the elders gave Brylie the most beautiful and powerful blessing.  It was peaceful and truly powerful.  WOW!!  I am glad that I have a testimony of priesthood blessings.

Thursday, she underwent surgery.  We were able witness so many miracles.  Brylie was truly protected and her doctors and nurses were guided through her whole surgery.  Prayers were answered!  They definitely were!

When they brought Brylie up from recovery, my heart was so full of gratitude.  I am grateful for the amazing team of doctors and nurses that took care of her.  They were always checking on her and making sure that she was comfortable and ok. 

I love you my little buddy!!!

Michelle

Lisa…

At the beginning of this week,  I received news that a dear friend, Lisa,  had been admitted to UVRMC in the Intensive Care Unit.  She has been COURAGEOUSLY fighting lung cancer for the past four years.   

On Wednesday morning, Vieve, Russell and I went to visit her.  When I walked into the room, there was an amazing sense of peace…on the other hand, it was the most heart wrenching moment.  She was hooked up to a ventilator and was having a difficult time breathing.  I think that I counted 8 different tubes coming out of her little body.   Her daughter was sitting by her side rubbing her hand. 

As we walked in, Lisa opened her eyes and tried to lift her hand to wave.  During our visit with her, she opened her eyes only a few times.  It was so heart wrenching.  As I left, she squeezed my hand.  How I wish that I would have known that was the last time I would see her alive.  I will remember that squeeze for the rest of my life—that tender sweet squeeze. 

On Thursday, Lisa passed from this life to loving arms awaiting her on the other side.  I can imagine that sweet and glorious reunion that took place.  She is freed from the pain and suffering that has attacked her body for the past 4 years.  Lisa, I love you and will miss you dearly.  You were an example of courageous faith to me that I will never will forget! 

Michelle

WOW!! I love this peaceful feeling!!

A few weeks ago,  I was invited down to the Stake Office building to visit with a member of our Stake Presidency.  At the time, I did not know that I would end up meeting with the entire presidency.  But when I did…I had the most amazing sense of peacefulness and calmness.  It has been an amazing three weeks.  I have seen the Lord’s hand in my life so many times but, these past few weeks have been completely different—I have seen it each day.  It has been completely amazing.  WOW!!! 

So, today, when my name was sustained to serve the young women of our stake, my heart filled with a great amount of peacefulness—even more than that of the previous weeks.  I do not want this feeling to ever leave.  It has been such a great day!! 

Of course, I am scared, a little panicked, a little overwhelmed, suffering from a little bit of anxiety…but, the greatest feeling is that of pure peace.  I am excited for this new calling.  I am excited to serve with those in my presidency and those on our board.  It will be a great few years.  I know that our focus will be on the sweet young women and amazing leaders of our stake.  I am excited for all of the amazing, spiritual, exciting and peaceful experiences that I will be able to enjoy (and now enjoy).  I know that it is going to be difficult and that there will be some sadness but, I know that as I study, ponder and pray…our Heavenly Father will continue to lead, direct and guide me.  WOW!!  What a beautiful day!! 

Michelle

…and the winner is…

Thanks so much for posting such fun memories!!  I loved each one of them!!!  Anyway, the winner is…Angela!!! 

My favorite memory of Angela…it was the last night of camp, all the Stake leaders were in my cabin, curled up in a plethora of blankets with those hand and feet warmers because it was so cold outside.  We told stories and laughed and laughed and laughed.  I think that there were a few tears in there somewhere!!!  It was great!!!  Thanks Angela, for being such an awesome example and a fabulous friend!!!

Michelle

It’s Blog Candy Time!!

Happy Blogoversary to me!!!  Happy Blogoversary to me!!  Happy Blogoversary to me!!  Happy Blogoversary!!!

Yes, it is my BLOGOVERSARY!!!  I was introduced to blogging two years ago from a dear friend, Gerb!!  Since then, I have a passion for it!!! 

So, today on the anniversary of my very first blog, I am going to give out some Blog Candy.  Please leave a comment of your favorite memory of you and I together...your name will be placed into a drawing for 2 free movie tickets...Sunday, August 30th, at 8:00 pm will be the close of this drawing!!!! Have a great day!!!

Michelle

just thoughts…

Today I decided to go for a walk. Since, the weather seemed to be so perfect for a stroll through the neighborhoods; I decided to take advantage of it. I have had a lot of thoughts going on throughout my head that have been just jumbled together, flying around in circles—coming here, going there. I needed to sort through those thoughts and put them in the proper file and order. So, I thought that the fresh air would bring a sense of freshness to them.

At one point along my walk, I came upon a field. I was admiring the fresh cut hay (at least, I think that it was hay…) when I noticed this sunflower. It was growing amongst all of these weeds. The color was so vibrant compared to the ugliness of all that was surrounding it. Of course, this added another thought amongst all those other jumbled thoughts inside my head.

Thoughts…many thoughts!

How is this sunflower surviving being entangled amongst these obnoxious weeds?

How do you survive when all the ugliness of the world is surrounding you?

Thoughts…turned to my personal prayers and to my scripture reading. I am so grateful for the testimony of these two amazing things.

After 5 hours of walking…yes, 5 hours…did you know that if you walk and walk…you still have to turn around and come back the same distance that you traveled? Interesting concept, isn’t it?

I’m grateful for the time to spend outside in the beautiful sunshine just thinking about everything. Plus, I am thankful for a pleasant friend that I ran into on my walk. My dear Friend, thanks for listening!!! I love you tons!

Just thinking…

Michelle

Celebrate life…

I love to laugh.  I love the energy that it brings to my life when laughter is apart of it.  My friend, Vieve, shared with me this video.  Check it out!!  I, absolutely, love it.  Seriously, I do!!  I am not sure how many times I have watched this video but, I know it is close to hundreds.  It is great!!  Each time, it brings a smile to my face and those endorphins just start spreading through every ounce of my being.

This is what life should be all about….celebrating exciting times,  celebrating friendships, having fun, enjoying each other, not taking life so serious, and being happy.  Better yet, I need to take myself less serious.  President Hinckley said, “Life is not only to be endured, but to be enjoyed.”  This is definitely true.  We need to enjoy life and love it along the way.  Yes, we might have huge trials in our lives but, we have been promised only to be able to handle what we can.   So, let’s celebrate life and enjoy the journey. 

Michelle

2 angels, a diet coke, and strawberry ice cream…a perfect moment!!

I have been blessed to have 2 angels in my life.  No, they are not dead.  No, they don’t appear out of no where and freak you out.  But, they are here on upon this earth to make my life easier. 

Tonight, these two amazing angels—my sweet friends arrived on my doorstep  with a diet coke (and a straw), strawberry ice cream (with a spoon) and the sweetest note.   How did they know that today I needed their friendship and laughter (plus a diet coke and strawberry ice cream)??  

To my sweet angels…you are definitely miracle workers!!!  I love you too pieces!!! 

Plus, they know that diet coke and ice cream go hand in hand!!  Yep, they are angels!!

Michelle

just a random post…

I have this ouchy thing in my heart.  It is that feeling when you are kind of sad because of something or someone and then, your heart just simply hurts.  I don’t like that ouchy feeling.  Anyway, it is has been that way for quite sometime.  No matter how hard I try to make that ouchy feeling go away, something happens and it grows and grows to even a bigger OUCHY!!  I don’t know how to handle it…it is just weird and strange. 

On Tuesday, I went to a BBQ with the young women that attended our Stake camp.  I have to admit, that my heart was feeling a tad bit ouchy.  Plus, I was not feeling all that great.  I thought that I was getting a summer cold.  So, attending this event was bringing on that ouchy feeling even more then usual.  

I had been at the BBQ for about an hour when one of the other leaders decided to leave so, I followed her out the door.  I did not want to stay any longer.  When I arrived at my car, I had forgotten that I had left my tables.  So, I headed back in.  Before I approached the gate, several young women came skipping out yelling, “Sister Gren, Sister Gren!”  They gave me hugs and DANG that ouchy feeling was getting stronger!!!  Oh, I love these sweet girls.  They have been such a great example in my life. 

As I headed to the back yard, I noticed that my tables still had BBQ items on them.  What was I going to do?  I decided to go sit by these 4 girls that were sitting at another table.  I am so glad that I did.  For the next hour or so, we laughed and laughed.  We were acting all crazy! I am so grateful for these fabulous 4 young women…they were such an relief in my life tonight.  I know that I will be able to sleep tonight!!

Tonight, I learned that laughter can help heal an ouchy heart (or at least heal it for an hour or so.)

Thanks Natalia, Sandy, McKell and Abish.  You 4 are truly amazing!!!  Tonight, you are definitely my heroes!

Michelle

Cookies…oh, how I love you!!

One of my friends, Vieve, loves to bake.  In fact, that is one of the great things that we have in common.  She finds all kinds of recipes, makes them, lets us taste them and then, shares the recipes with anyone who wants it.  It is great!!  I am grateful that she does this because I do not like to try out a recipe that is not going to work.  The whole sense of failure…just is not my game even when it comes to cooking!!

Anyway, she found the most delicious cookie recipe!!  Yes, they are so scrumptious that I wanted to share with all of you.  They are so simple and easy to make. 

German Chocolate Cake Cookies

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package German chocolate cake mix
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1 (16 ounce) container prepared coconut pecan frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, eggs and shortening until well blended. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Match up evenly sized cookies and sandwich them with the coconut pecan frosting.

Oh, so delicious!!!  Thanks Vieve for sharing this recipe with me!!!  (and whomever decides to try them out)

Michelle

P.S.  I am taking them to a BBQ…wish me luck!!

I can do scary things!

PREFACE:

On Thursday, my dad had knee surgery.  Dr. Smith planned on doing a simple procedure but, when he started poking around in my dad’s knee, he found more then he expected. He had to repair three tears, shave off some blister type things, and cut off a flap of some sort.  When Dr. Smith was finished with surgery, he brought pictures out to my mom  and I. He, thoroughly, explained each step of the surgery.  Dr. Smith is amazing!! 

Anyway, Dad a few complications during surgery.  Overall, everything went great.  He will have a 5 week recovery time. 

Mom drove Dad home and I ran to the pharmacy to pick up his medication.  Anyway, when I arrived at my parent’s home, my mom was in a panic.  Their family room was flooded.  Their air conditioner hose broke and water was every where.  My brothers came and spliced the hose together. (I am not sure what that means). 

The beginning of the story for today: 

Around noon, I received a phone call from my mom.  She said that they had another flood and that the air conditioner was broken, AGAIN!  She said that she was on her way to Home Depot to pick up some copper tubing and sleeves (I know what these things are used for now.) Immediately, I told my mom that if Dad could tell me how to fix it step by step, I think I could do it. 

After I told my mom that I could fix it, the thought came to mind…I AM DEATHLY AFRAID OF HEIGHTS!!  What was I thinking?  My heart started pumping hard, I started getting all sweaty and nervous.  Yes, this is even before I left my house. 

The end of the story…I did climb up on the roof.  Yes, it was terrifying.  Dad did walk me through step by step on how to fix the air conditioner.  It did work when I was finished.  Yes, there were a few times, I thought that I was going to plummet to my death.  BUT, now, I know I can do hard things!!!

Michelle

P.S.  I am still deathly afraid of heights.

How do they do it?

So, my thoughts tonight are centered around being thankful that I have two legs that work. Since I found out that my dad was going to have surgery, I started noticing those around me that were limping, or on crutches, or were confined to wheelchairs. There are a lot of people out there under these types of circumstances.  How do they function? How do they get around? What do they do? 

Tonight, my mom and I were at the store. I do not remember what we were talking about but, we happened be standing in the middle of an aisle. A man in a wheelchair approached and asked if I could help him. He needed something off the top row of the shelf. Of course, the Christ like side of me stepped in and helped this man. Believe me, it really wasn’t a big deal for me to help out. I did not have to stand on the tip of my toes. It was not strenuous at all.  It was not difficult.  In fact, it was simple and easy.  But…it started me thinking…..

You know those thoughts of curiosity were starting to form in my brain. I wondered what he would have done if I would have said, “No, get it yourself.” How would he have gotten that item off of the top row? What if no one would have helped him? Do people in wheelchairs have to settle for things at eye level? Really, seriously, what do they do? I never want to find out what it is like to only see and reach things at eye level but, I am a tad bit curious.

What would have happened if there wasn’t anyone to help this man? Does he have some magical power to reach those top row items? Maybe, just maybe, he had a pointer stick with a suction cup attached to the end to reach those high places. HMM!!! I am just not sure.

Michelle

Yes, Sergeant!

Home for only a few days and then, I was off to Youth Conference.  Our stake youth conference ( July 16-18) was held at Camp Williams—an Army Military Base located in Draper, UT.  It was great!

It began at the Stake Center Pavilion… 

Then, we traveled to Camp Williams.  When we arrived on base we were greeted by two Army Sergeant yelling for us to “move faster” and  “drop and give me a push-up or two”.  I could see the fear in some of the youth.  I was worried that some of them were going to be in tears before the end of the routine.  I do have to admit, I, too, was a little nervous.  Luckily, their orientation only lasted an hour.  excitement.

After the orientation, the fun did begin.  I was in charge of the “Egg Toss” game (aka.  egg fight).  It was a lot of fun!

 

We had a few injuries…a few people went to the hospital…but, all in all we had a great time!!

We had a lot of fun in the barracks…

We spent a day at the LRC (Leadership Reaction Course). 

The greatest thing of all was spending time with the youth in our Stake.  I love my calling!!  The youth are so exhilarating!  They are so easy to love!!!

Oh, what a great 3 days!!

Michelle