"I'm not the silly romantic you think. I don't want the heavens or the shooting stars. I don't want gemstones or gold. I have those things already. I want ... a steady hand. A kind soul. I want to fall asleep, and wake, knowing my heart is safe. I want to love, and be loved."

-Shana Abe

curly girl design

This stuff is d*a*r*l*i*n*g. I want it all.

caitlin:

i just found your blog. i have no clue who you are. i promise i'm not stocking you even though i may or may not have read every post you've ever written. it just means you are a good blogger and you have good things to say.

this is one of my favorites.
so is this.
and this.

(I just learned how to post a link!)

Christmastime

Who, to you, is this man called Jesus?

The Father said, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."
He is my beloved brother, in whom I am well pleased.
He is the only begotten of the Father.
He is our savoir, because he saves us from death.
He is our redeemer, because, if we repent and come unto Him, he will save us from Satan and from hell.
I am a witnesses of the greatest that ever lived on the Earth, Jesus Christ.


"Behold I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the father and the son, In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters."
-Ether 3:14

"Fill your mind with thoughts of Christ, your heart with love of Christ, and your life with service of Christ."
-Elder Robert E. Wells

"For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in; Naked and ye clothed me; I was sick and ye visited me; I was in prison and ye came unto me. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
-Matthew 25:35, 36, 40

"The light of christ brings peace to the troubled mind, rest to the weary, solace to those in sorrow, and joy to those who walk uprightly."
-Marjorie Hinckley

"Jesus Christ is not our last chance, He is our only chance. He will show us the way because He is the way."
-Sheri Dew

I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday. So that I can be a better witness of Christ, and return to live with him again.

HALLELUJAH

THE WORST SEMESTER OF MY LIFE (academically) IS OVER!!

{for me to remember}

oh the fun we've had the past few days:

• "this is my partner..."
• sight at 7-11
• putting lights on the christmas tree
• getting sapped from the tree
• the christmas branch
• luv sacs/cuddling
• zoo lights (ram, tigers, reptiles, fox chasing bunny, bridge, baby elephants and polar bears, etc.)
• glasses that make snowflake lights
• jazz
• tim duncan looking over boozer's shoulder asking for the ball
• talking for hours
• MAN BIB!
• jonathan's shampoo on the porch
• planet earth's baby birds
• mario kart

Thanks.

nothings

i wish i had something interesting to write.
more than interesting, i wish i had something life-changing to write about.
i wish i had something profound to say.
i feel i need to write, yet i've got nothing.
i wish i thought about things more often, and more deeply.
i wish that i wasn't so forgetful.
i wish i had more self-control.
i wish i knew what my tomorrows would bring.
i wish a lot of things.

but what would life be if i had all my wishes?
i would probably feel less accomplished.
it would not be so exciting.

i feel like i can't think any deeper than a five-year-old.
but maybe i should be happy with that.
why do i want my mind to be running with ideas?
it is nice to just sit and not think at all.

and i should just go to bed since i have to wake up in three hours.

Language of Color

So I'm taking this class called Language of Color. It is a real easy class, and actually quite interesting. It's probably my favorite class this semester. Anyways, I'm upset because I took it for credit/no credit, and I was just going to reverse the CR/NC option for a letter grade if I was getting an A at the end of the semester. And I'm getting an A. BUT I forgot to reverse the CR/NC. Now I could have had an A on my transcript to raise my GPA, but nope. It's just a CR. I'm mad at myself for forgetting.

Anyhow, I wanted to share some pictures of art I've been learning about. This is called Environmental Art, and these pictures are of the work of Andy Goldsworthy. They are all made from leaves and rocks. And don't even worry, the leaves are glued together with mud and his spit.

finals finals go away

Ah I have so much to blog about. Including RBK. But dang finals. This semester has been the worst yet. I just can't wait for 10 more days when it is over. And I'm really hoping I pass Probability. I would die if I had to retake it. I haven't even started studying for finals and they begin tomorrow. And i've gone to bed too late. Because of boys. Why did these boys decide to come around right during finals?!

P.S. I just rediscovered Cream of Wheat. What a great thing to bring back childhood memories. It's yummy, and healthy. Except for the fact that I cover it in sugar and sprinkles.

Random Thoughts From Today

• How have I never gone to the Festival of Trees before now? It is great. I would recommend it, and I will be returning next year.
• It would be HILARIOUS to go to an open mic poetry reading, go up, and read lyrics from a popular song. Can you just imagine what the people at a poetry reading would look like if someone began "Baby, are you down, down, down, down, down. Down, down." or "Can't read my, can't ready my, no he can't read my poker face." I think I would die of laughter.
• I love Allison Dayton's Jewelry. I'm so glad she gave me a good deal today on the cutest necklace. Check her stuff out at www.allisondayton.com.
• Boys are way too hard to shop for.
• And I don't like when I have a big crush on someone and then their best friend asks me out.
• I couldn't live without scarves right now. Because it's freezing outside. I'm thankful for scarves.
• I am really looking forward to August 20, 2010 right about now. And I'm also pretty excited for my bowling class.
• Why is it basically impossible for me to go to bed anytime before 1:00 ever? And on weekends 3:00? I really need to get more sleep. On that note, I'm going to bed. Goodnight.

HOW TO: post a youtube video

{this one's for Katie}

STEP 1:
Find your video on you tube. In a different window sign in to your blog and go to the "new post" page.

STEP 2:
In your "new post" page, click on "Edit Html" in the top right corner of the box where you'd type your post. (Right above the preview link.)

STEP 3:
Go to the youtube page and to the right of your video, there should be a shaded blueish box. At the bottom of that small box is the URL and the Embed code. The Embed code is what you want. I click on the teeny tiny box next to the embed code to customize it. When the customize box drops down, I'd click on the smallest size of video so it will fit in your blog. THEN, highlight all of the Embed code (the stuff in the box next to the word Embed). Right click, and COPY.

STEP 4:
Return back to your blog post page, and paste the Embed code into the main section where you'd normally type your post. (Make sure you're in the "Edit Html" tab from step 2.)

STEP 5:
Add a title and whatever else you'd like. Then hit "Publish Post". And voila! You have posted a youtube video on your blog! (Go view your blog to make sure it worked. If not, then my directions were probably not very good.)

Below are some guy's directions just in case mine were not good enough. I chose this video cause his voice kills me. I think you should listen to the video even if you already got it cause it's hilarious. Or maybe it's just funny to me cause I'm beyond tired.

Feel Goods. and She.

I really like picture books. They're the only books I read (besides the BOM). Books with no more than a few sentences per page is all I can handle. So today I came acroos a book called "The Feel Good Book" by Todd Parr. I wanted to share some of my favorite parts.

"Giving a great, big hug feels good"

"Getting tickled feels good"

"Taking a bubble bath feels good"

"Rubbing noses feels good"

"Crying when you're sad feels good"

"Laughing out loud feels good"

"Catching snowflakes on your tongue feels good"

"Reading a book under a tree feels good"

"Having a ladybug land on your hand feels good"

"Sharing your treats feels good"

"Waiting for the tooth fairy feels good"

"Saying 'I love you' in sign language feels good"

"Playing under the sprinkler feels good"

"Making a new friend feels good"

"Giving somebody something special feels good"

"Whispering in someone's ear feels good"

"Being brave feels good"

"Taking a nap with a giant stuffed animal feels good"

"Being together feels good"

"It feels good to think about all the things that make you feel good"


* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And while i'm at it, i'll share some lines from one of my favorite little books called "She". Sadly, I don't know who the author is.

"SHE...
loved life and it loved her right back

listened to her heart above all the other voices

saw every ending as a new beginning

discovered her real measurements had nothing to do with numbers or statistics

was kind, loving, and patient . . . with herself

woke up one day and threw away all her excuses

turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans

had a way of turning obstacles into opportunities

went out on a limb, had it break off behind her, and discovered she could fly

discovered that she was the only one she'd been waiting for

walked in when everyone else walked out

just had this way of brightening the day

made the whole world feel like home

decided to enjoy more and endure less

was an artist and her life was her canvas

held her head high and looked the world straight in the eye

not only saw the light at the end of the tunnel, she became that light for others

designed a life she loved

said goodbye to unhealthy relationships

remained true to herself

made the whole world a better place"

Thanksgiving Pants

i needed some yesterday.

picnik

I've been having a lot of fun with this photo editing website today. Here's some things I've done:

Thankful...

I think that I am a thankful person. At least most of the time. Gratitude is one of my strengths. I sincerely appreciate all that I have been blessed with, and all that everyone does for me. I am thankful for oh so many things. I could never list them all. But over the past few days, I've been especially thankful for the following:

FAMILY. My family is amazing. The endless support they give. The great vacations we take. The time we spend together. My family has shaped me. They are the most important people in my life. I owe everything to them. And I just have to specifically say thanks to my mom and dad for handing our current situaion so well. You amaze me every day.

ANTHROPOLOGIE. I love that store. Thanks to it, I have some cute clothes. Although it empties my bank account, it does make me happy. (Not truly happy, but "worldly" happy, which is good to an extent.) I am glad there's one store in which I can find things I like. I am a picky shopper and have a hard time finding things I like. And i'm thankful I'm able to shop there, even though it's not very often.

MY JOB. I am thankful I have a job that is so flexible with my schedule. I'm thankful for the fact that I enjoy going there each day. I'm thankful to cute Sam who got me that job.

THE GOSPLE. I'm thankful for my knowledge of the one true church. It is one thing in my life that I know can never change. It is the most solid rock in my life, and I hope it stays that way as long as I live. Thanks to my Heavenly Father who let me be one of the lucky ones born into the gosple.

BOYS. They make my life interesting. And they give me things to look forward to.

MY LAPTOP. I love the fact that I can use a computer anywhere. I especially love blogging while in bed.

Well,

There's not a whole lot to blog about this week.

Happiest Event of the Week:
I signed up for classes for next semester. I'm REAL excited because I'll only have school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hooray. Guess what that means. Four day weekend instead of two! St. George here I come! It's about time I don't have to go Monday through Friday.

Funniest Event of the Week:
I had a little experience with a really bad kisser. We'll call him RBK. RBK was perfect until that moment. When I just about died. Died laughing. Other than that, I do like RBK.

Saddest Event of the Week:
This information is not blog-ready yet. It will be sometime though.

Nerdiest Event of the Week:
I've been doing the word searches and sudokus from the newspapers this week. They keep me entertained during class. Especially the dreaded, 3-hour, probability.

Luckiest Event of the Week:
I parked in a 20-minute meter for class. I ran out of class to turn the thing after 25 minutes and a guy was giving me a ticket. But I got there just in time and I told him it was my car and he let it go. One more minute and that parking spot would have costed 20 bucks.

Scariest Event of the Week:
I was driving to Bountiful, Farmington, and P-town for work. I saw two bad accidents (a roll-over and a 5-car pile-up). Car accidents scare me. And both were were in locations I had been just a few minutes prior. I guess this could fall under the luckiest event of the week as well.

Anyways, thats all. I've had a pretty mundane week thus far. Other than RBK I guess.

My Yesterday:

- Eight hours of sleep the night before
- Nap between school and work
- Saw a guy in a Dangling Rope t-shirt (if you know what Dangling Rope is, then you deserve a round of applause!)
- Free piece of pizza in class
- Excited for this weekend
- Walked around downtown for work
- Saw 9 construction cranes in a 3 or 4 blocks
- Talked to the security guy at the courthouse
- Was perfectly warm in the 67 degree weather in Nov.
- Probability quiz was cancelled
- Bowled with the fantastic 'Wed. is the new Fri.' crew
- Scored 140!
- Got a free frosty, thanks to Wags
- Ate pie from Marie Callendars
- Watched Friends in bed

Wednesdays are usually my longest day of the week. But this Wednesday ended up being a great one.

I KNOW...

I KNOW that we will never have a trial we cannot overcome. God will not tempt us above that which we are able. He gives us our adversities because he knows we can overcome them. That's probably why he hasn't given me many trials yet, because I'm not that strong. I think that those people who are strongest will be given the hardest temptations. God is in control and knows what he's doing. He sees the big picture. He knows we can overcome whatever he gives us.

I KNOW that God is well aware of the deepest feelings of our hearts. He truly knows how we feel. All the time. He understands everything we go through. He has been there. He knows what we really want and how we really feel. Even better than we do ourselves.

I KNOW that our Lord cares about us more than anyone on this earth ever could comprehend. He is standing there with his arms outstretched, waiting for us to turn to him. He wants us to come to him in all we do. He loves each and every one of us. He is constantly ready to help us with anything and everything. It is up to us to go to him and use the great gifts he has given us.

I KNOW that Christ died for each of us. If I were the only person to ever live on this earth, He would have come down, suffered through all that he did, and died on the cross just for me. He would have done that all just for me. And he would have done that all just for you if you were the only one to live on this earth. He did it for us. So we can repent of our sins and return to live with him again.

I KNOW that there is always hope. No matter what we do, we can always come back to him. All he wants is for us to return to him. He will forgive us. As long as we do our part and repent. He will never give up on us. He is always there.

I KNOW that families are forever. This earthly life is just one small step in the entire picture. I will able to be with my family forever, thanks to temples. And if I live worthily, I will be able to return to my Father in Heaven and live with him in a state of never ending happiness. I can't wait for that day.

I KNOW that all the Lord wants is for us to be happy. That is the reason for everything he gives us. So that we can be happy. Isn't true happiness the greatest feeling? Really that's the whole reason for our existence.

I KNOW that when we make small efforts to do good things, He will bless our lives in ways we probably don't even notice. By small and simple things, are great things brought to pass. It's our small, daily acts and choices that make the big difference.

I KNOW that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on this earth. The Book of Mormon is true. I love to read it. President Monson is the prophet of God and I love him dearly.

I KNOW that I am extremely blessed to be able to have this knowledge. A great responsibility comes along with that. The time is now. No more procrastinating. This is what will bring true joy, so why wait anymore. I am fully committed to do whatever he has planned for my future. I am ready to stand for what is right and to declare this truth to whomever. I am so glad that God has control over everything. I trust him. He knows.

(SIDE NOTE: I'm not good at all about bearing my testimony in sacrament meeting. I've only done it once in my life. So I have to find other ways. I guess my blog needs to include it. This is who I am, and who I want to be. I know these things just as well as I know my eyes are blue and 2+2=4. And please accept my apologies that this is such a long - and possibly boring or dull - post.)

Randoms

• My straigntener says " Not for household use in Canada." What, do Canadians not allow straighteners in their homes? I'm glad I live in the U. S.
• I work at the greatest place. Seriously. And I love the people I work with. Thanks to Kendal and Woodsy for making me laugh with our 'firm gossip' (she's going to be a bee for Halloween. Oh too bad she's already a b...) and thanks to Katie, Sam, Parker, Erin, Alex, Kadin, and the rest of the j dub gang for making work so much fun.
• Today, for the 2,745 time, as I was walking on campus, I was confused by the sight of someone walking with a rolling backpack. That's for the airport, not school. The math building is that last place I'd ever want to take a vacation. They would be better off walking around with a sign that says "I'm a loser" because at least that would be funny. The sad thing is that most of the people with these suitcase/backpack things probably love their suitcase/backpack thingy.
• Sticking with the topic of school: When a professor asks if anyone has any last comments, they are really saying "I'm done, so do you want to go home?" People, that's when you stay silent. It drives me crazy when a student carries on a comment conversation for 5 more minutes and keeps everyone there. I don't care what's going on in your head, just don't. say. anything.
• What do you do when someone you see very frequently gives you a gift you hate? (like an item of clothing.) It's the worst feeling. Do you walk aroung embarrassed that people are seeing you with this on? Or do you never wear it, letting them know that you hate it but are too embarrassed to tell them.
• I gained a new perspective on dating today. Or more like I was reminded of the right way to think about dating. The right guy will come at the right time. So I can't worry about it. I've thought this way my whole life except for the past few months. So back to the good old way. Today marks the first day of me not worrying about it anymore. And I decided i should make a guy work a little harder before he gets to kiss me.
• Honestly, I think uggs are not that cute. I understand that they are comfy, which is a good enough reason to wear them, but fer reals, they are flat out ugly.
• Last but not least, my mind is boggled by the internet. I just don't get it. I have no clue how it works. How did they even come up with such a thing? Wow. The internet is a pretty amazing thing.

Searching

Today all I can think about is going away for winter break. I want to go to either New York, or a cruise to somewhere warm (Mexico, the Caribbean, etc.) during the end of December/beginning of January. How awesome would it be to spend New Years in New York? Or getting tan wouldn't be bad either. And I am in search of two things:

1. A good deal.

2. A travel partner.

I spent hours today looking for the deals. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get one. But now I need someone to go with. I'd go alone, but really I'd prefer to have someone there with me. And I guess my mom is out of the picture, she told me she didn't want to spend any money. Lame. So... there we have it. Any takers?

Happy Birthday Mads

Madeline, I love you, miss you, and am especially thinking about you today! Big 21!

Weekend Pics

It always feels good to catch up with old friends. That's what I did this weekend. I miss the times I saw these girls every single day.

Making "cake pops":

At Katie's wedding shower:

Thanks to Katie for giving us a reason to get together. We are all so excited for you!

Aspirations for my future family

• I want to be able to walk my kids to school everyday and volunteer in their classes.
• I want to have frequent mother/daughter or mother/son dates with each child.
• I want my husband to tell me he loves me every day in words and actions.
• I want my kids to learn to ski on snow and water.
• I want to have regular family scripture study and family prayer.
• I want my house to be clean and orderly, with a home-y feeling.
• I want us to take multiple family vacations each year.
• I want to take nights out just for me and my husband and use a babysitter.
• I want to tell my kids and husband that I love them every day.
• I want to have a dog. A big dog. Preferrably a lab.
• I want us to put family first.
• I want my kids to know they can come to me for anything.
• I want my kids to get a good education and know the importance of it.
• I want us all to go to church together each week, and have the gosple as the centerstone for our family.
• I want my husband to give our children priesthood blessings.
• I want us to be money-smart. I want to live within our means and save as much as possible.
• I want us to laugh together every day. I want us to be truely happy.

These are but a few of the many, but if I can grow up and raise a family like this, I will have succeeded and I will be eternally happy.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

I just wanted to say thank you to my friends Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Monica, Joey, and Pheobe for always being there for me. Thanks for entertaining me consistently every day for the last couple years. I know I can always come to you if I need a laugh. You guys are the best.

confession

I have a little confession. Why is it that all I want to do right now is make out? I don't understand. Is this normal? I feel like a boy. But it's what I want to be doing. And why is it that now when I want to kiss so badly that I'm not dating anyone? I am currently regretting all of the times I turned down a make-out sess. Hopefully i'll get the chance soon. Saturday if not sooner.

hilarious

Powell Love

• spider incident


• "that's the stupidest thing i've ever seen"
  
• glass basically all day


• mel - getting tan


• dominos/dice


• crossword competition


• best waterski show of my life


• campfires


• stan's


• hanksville motel


• scones


• sleeping--or not


• dance parties


• indian ruins


• beautiful bods


• i'm on a boat/down/party in the usa


• sunshine


• catching ducks


• sheffields


• detour/vegas


• parachute shorts


• lindsey and lindsay carwash services


• jaime. lindsey. liz. jocelyn. lindsay.


• massages/cuddle rubs


• scorpion


• skiing without getting my hair wet


• smell of gas/fish/bathroom
  

Greatest trip ever. Wish we were still there. Thanks to everyone who went for making it so much fun.

Sundays

I absolutely love Sundays. Sundays are by far my favorite day of the week. It's a day for catching up on sleep, for spiritual rejuvenation, for family. It's a day for reflection, and personal time. It's a day for the things that mean the most in life. I am so grateful to have one day each week set aside for these wonderful things. In fact, I wouldn't mind having two or three Sundays each week. Thank goodness it's Sunday.

Missing...

your kind eyes.
your obedience.
the way you talked to me.
your smile.
your smell.
your car.
the way you cared.
your worry-free spirit.
my best friend.
your innocence.
watching you ski.
your pure goodness.
just being with you.

Today i've been missing you.

little letters for today

dear midterms,
why did you go so badly? why were you all at once? i really do not like you at all. thank goodness you are over.


dear blogs,
ever since you came into my life a couple months ago, i have done quite a bit more thinking. thanks for bringing joy to my days, and for making me want to improve my life. even though you have taken up a lot of my time.


dear fake facebook account,
i have mixed feelings for you. thanks for giving me the opportunity to facebook stock. you are such a waste of time but i do appreciate your existence.


dear lake powell,
so excited to see you. so. so. excited. please be warm for me when i come. i love you and miss you.


dear cold weather,
i'm not your biggest fan. why do you have to be here so soon? even though i'd rather not have you, i know its good you are here because now i will spend more time studying when i would have been outside in the sun.


dear heater,
thanks for making me feel good and warm. i get happy when you come on. it gives me comfort.


dear future husband,
where are you? what are you doing? and when the heck are you going to come into my life? i'm getting tired of waiting even though i know you'll be worth the wait.


dear anthropologie,
would you please lower your prices for me? please? i want so much from you but i can't buy it all. would you please at least give me a discount on that grey shirt? or that salmon coat?


dear sevens,
you are my favorite. please don't let that thin spot get a hole. i can't lose you. you've been there for me for four years now and i don't know what i'd do without you.


dear free time,
thank you for being here for a couple hours. it seems like it's been a while, even though it's only been a few days.


dear wisdom teeth,
you are hurting me right now. why do you have to exist? i do not want to get you out, but i don't want you in either.


dear lindsey,
these letters are a little on the negative side today. be happy midterms are over and that powell is coming soon. and be glad that this weekend should be more eventful than last.

Shoutout!

Just wanted to give a little shoutout to my cousin Kim:

(Although I feel it will be extremely inadequate, i'll do my best)

(And she will most-likely never read this, but it's okay)

Kim is the one in the middle.

This is at the airport when she arrived from her mission in Romania.

Kim-

You are one of my heros. You have always been one I look up to. What a great example you have been to me all of my life. Your love of education, your dedication to the Lord and his work, your smile and optimism, and your busy life and hard work are all things that I admire, and try to resemble. I am overwhelmed by the idea that I have been so blessed to know you and I feel honored to say you are my cousin. You make me laugh every time i talk to you and I miss you whenever you're not in Salt Lake (which is way too much). I want you to know what a huge impact you have on our family and your friends. You are not only such a good example to me but so many others look up to you as well. Thanks for being such a solid rock in our family. I love you.

Lindsey

P.S. "I have a test today. It's on European Socialism. I mean, really, what's the point? I'm not European, I don't plan on being European, so who gives a crap if they're socialists. They could be fashist energists, it still wouldn't change the fact that I don't own a car."

watermelon

i bought a watermelon today. i spent an hour cutting it. it definitely made my day. it was absolutely delicious.

Goodbye summer

Oh Summer,

I miss you.
Where did you go?
Why didn't you take me with you?

Lindsey

Here comes fun!

So i've been thinking, this blog needs pictures. It needs fun and excitement. I hate to say it's too serious (and churchy), but it kinda is. I've been having these same kind of thoughts this past month, and not that they are bad, but I need to show that I'm not always like this. In fact, I'm not like this very often. I LOVE to laugh. I always laugh. I need to show that I've had plenty of other, more carefree thoughts lately, too. And I will try to represent that in my blog as well. So here's to the first picture:

. This . Is . My . Pineapple .

. From . Paradise .

Quote of the Day

I love quotes. There are too many that I love too much to pick an all-time favorite, but I can pick a FAVORITE QUOTE FOR THE DAY. Today's is by Elder Worthlin's Mom:

"Come what may, and love it."

Plan to be SURPRISED

Things happen when you least expect them to. I am a planner. I like to know everything. What, who, when, where, how, why. I want to know it. And I always wish I knew the end from the beginning. What will my tomorrow bring? But I don't know it. That's life. That's the joy of life. And really, the conclusion I've come to is that I will be RIGHT ON THE SPOT if all that I plan is to be surprised.


SO.... whatever my tomorrow does bring, I will go forth with a smile on my face, loving every minute. Because truely, I do love surprises.

My two cents for today

I have a small piece of advice for myself and anyone else. I heard once in some church talk (can't remember when, who or where) that to eliminate contention in any relationship from a best friend to a mom, a sibling or to a spouse or boyfriend there are two steps to follow:

1. Eliminate all miscommunication. Make it impossible to be misunderstood.
2. Always assume the best. Assume that they mean well.

This advice has helped me multiple times over the past year or so. I have tried to make my words clear when talking with others. A good friend told me a few nights ago that the reason we most always get angry is because people do things we don't want them to do, or they don't do something we would like them to do. I have been working on assuming that they meant to do this or just didn't have time to do that. I tell myself there is a good reason (which I may not know about) for them to do or not do this something-or-other. And those are the thoughts I have tonight. Goodnight.

The loves of my life

Things I absolutely love:

• Putting on my jamies at the end of a long day
• Memories of my Fudgie
• Brownies with ice cream and chocolate sauce
• My patriarchal blessing and the assurance it gives me
• Walks on warm summer evenings
• Lake Powell and being tan
• Someone genuinely asking how I am
• Brushing my teeth
• Stolen kisses (and hugs)
• Laughing until my abs have gotten a work-out
• Examining snowflakes while sitting on the ski lift

Have I done any good in the world today?

I am a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. In fact, I should say that I KNOW this, rather than I BELIEVE this. Nothing happens just by accident. God has control over everything and he knows what he's doing. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He places circumstances, situations, people, joys, and sorrows in our life at the right time because we need them. We need them to grow, whether we think we do or not. These thoughts give me much comfort.

Lately I've been focusing these thoughts on people. I know that specific people are placed in our lives for a reason. I love the lyrics to the song "For Good" from Wicked:

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason,

bringing something we must learn,

and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them.

And we help them in return.

Well I don't know if I believe that's true,

but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.

....Who can say If I've been changed for the better?

I do believe I have been changed for the better.

Because I knew you I have been changed for good.

I am so thankful for everyone in my life who is an example to me and who have helped me be the person I am today. We are all on this earth to help each other out, right? I wonder how many lives I have improved. Or maybe how many times have I made life harder for someone. My goal today is to make someone's day brighter. I want that to be my goal every day. "Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?" If I can answer yes to that, then I can say I have succeeded.