today, I am grateful for.....

I think everyone has heard of the poem Footprints in the Sand. Here is a link: http://www.llerrah.com/footprints.htm
I prefer a twist to this poem which also includes a round indentation in the sand every so often. This is where the Lord had to drop me on my bum to open my eyes. This is so true in life! I feel like I just recently forced myself to be dropped, and I am grateful, because I have learned a lot. It allowed me to recommit to the things that I need to be doing more diligently. It made me see how REAL the Atonement is in my life.
So, today I am grateful for being dropped on my bum every once in a while.

Congratulations to me!!!!

I am proud to announce that I have been chosen to receive the Osher Reentry Scholarship for the 2008/2009 school year - my student teaching year! I am really excited about this - especially because I have been stressing about money lately. I was told that I probably will not be able to work during student teaching - and that is just foreign to me! I have worked during my entire college career!

I am amazed at this blessing! I never thought that I would ever qualify for a scholarship!

It also reminds me how long the road has been to becoming a teacher. I left for Ricks College twelve years ago. My father really did not want me to go and I was not on speaking terms with my mom at the time. I did not even know where I was going. I just drove with a friend from Pennsylvania. I was supposed to catch a greyhound in Salt Lake City to get to Rexburg, which I missed. I ended up catching a later bus to Idaho Falls. I did not get there until about 1 A.M. and then I took a taxi to Rexburg. It kind of set the pattern for my college career - I just forged the way as I went - Independently, learning as I went along.

Help for all of your gas tanks.....

So, on Good things Utah last week they shared some ways to save at the gas pumps. Since I just paid $4.05 a gallon for gas today - I think we could appreciate these ideas:
1. Never fill up your tank while the fuel truck is still delivering fuel.
2. Fill up your tank as close to dawn as possible, where the temperatures are cooler. This allows less gas to heat up and be released as fumes.
3. Fill up your tank slowly.
4. Fill up at a half off a tank.
Now, I have already forgotten some of the reasons behind these tips......
Happy Driving!!!

The secret language of the mani-pedi

So, I went for a mani - pedi today. First of all, I have to say that I have never seen myself as the salon "type" of woman. So, this enviroment is kind of different for me. So, since I lack the experience - I need some help. There seems to be some kind of unspoken language at the salon. Like, if they tap your finger, you are supposed to know that it means to relax that finger. They tap your foot - and you are supposed to know that it means to put it back in the water. So, how does someone like me conquer the languge of the mani - pedi? Is their a book? Anything? Oh well, at least my nails look great!!!

My Utah Family

So, while I am paying tribute to my parents, I have to pay tribute to my Utah family. These are the Cutler's. Let's see.... it is hard for me to express how much they truly mean to me. My family - I love them -but they really are not that supportive. The Cutler's - well originally he was my Bishop. Then they welcomed me into their home for Christmas, which became an annual tradition. Then, I really became one of their surrogate kids - along with a few others from the ward.
Here is what I have learned from them:
1. I look to them as an example of what families can really be. Before, families were almost like a myth to me. It was hard for me to actually comprehend a peaceful home. In fact, I saw myself questioning them, especially as a couple - like when will she lose her temper? or when will he be condescending? I never saw it - and I realized that it does not happen. I know that no family is perfect - I just see that they have learned to resolve conflict in good ways.
2. There is no end to love. I think in the world we have this idea that you can only love a certain amount of people or in certain relationships. I just see how much they reach out to others - and love them all. It is truly seeing each other as our Heavenly Father would - perfectly.
3. Relationships require time. This is one thing that I see in them. They are always spending time together. No matter how far they have to go.
I am so grateful for the example they have given me. Sorry - however, this is not the best pic!

Father's Day

To my Dad :>
I love this picture of my dad - it totally paints him as the wanna be farmer that he is. He is with his "pet" chickens. Even growing up, we had a lot of gardens, which was not really the "norm" in our middle class neighborhood. We have a unique relationship because I lived with him after my parents divorced. So, he took on the role of single parent of a teenage girl. I will never forget trying to find a dress with him at the mall. Or dying of embarrasment when I needed to ask him to buy some tampons. Or him trying to explain the law of chastity to the girl who still thought that babies come to those that pray really hard for them. And boys...... the trepidation a parent must feel when they hear of their childs first crush..... it is such wonderfully dangerous territory!
What I love about my dad:
1. I do not think I have ever met a harder worker. I have always known him for being able to do everything - literally. He built playhouses and treehouses and landscaped the yard, fixed the car, and the plumbing.
2. He gave me an example of obedience. I have always known that Dad would do the right thing, from keeping the Sabbath day holy, to paying a full tithe and fasting on fast sunday. I think this is amazing considering that he was in his 30's when he joined the church. There were never exceptions. I still look to him now, especially since I am not always that obedient.
3. His backwards sentimental side. Okay, so my dad does not show much emotion. So, it is funny to me how he tries to be sentimental. I love the cute cards with a puppy dog on them. It is like I am perpetually five years old, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!
Happy Fathers Day!!!!

Tag!

I liked this game so much as a child that I wanted to play it again.....

Rules First:
I need to answer 6 questions.I then tag 6 people and post their names here, then go to their blog and comment to tell them that they have been tagged and to visit here to find out the rules. I must then let the person who tagged me know when I have posted my answers.


1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
In May 1998 I was kind of at a crossroads in life. I had just earned my A.S. at Ricks College, and I decided to move to Provo, Utah.( I still do not know what posessed me to do that!) So, I was looking for a job in Provo and living with some pretty cool girls. I ended up getting a job where I was harrassed, so I drove home to Pennsylvania, just in time for my brother's wedding in June.

2. 5 Things on my to do list today
1. Sleep - I have just finished a graveyard shift and I am wiped out.
2. It is the 30th of the month, so I need to do my visiting teaching.
3. It is Friday and I have a date tonight: so I should shower and stuff.
4. I have a volunteer luncheon, because I volunteered at Wasatch Elementary.
5. I have a fight to pick with the treadmill - it likes to challenge me and I refuse to be defeated today! The pool is open, so it will be a treat afterwards to jump in!

3. Snacks I enjoy
Strawberries are fabulous - even better if they are dipped in chocolate
Pretzels - oh and they too are fantastic if they are dipped in chocolate
Mango sorbet: I have never tried this in chocolate


4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Pay an honest tithe, support a missionary or two, help build a temple....

Even if I am never a billionaire, I still want to be able to have as many kids in my home as possible. Especially foster kids. I have a huge desire to provide a loving home for as many as possible. I feel that this is more of a mission for me, and I am being prepared for this role now.

I want to have a fun family reunion/vacation. It would be a nice break for all of my brothers and sisters and parents, who normally do not take trips.

Invest the rest.

5. Three bad habits:
Not using a calendar to write appointments down, and overfilling my schedule.

Not saying no when I need to.

Procrastinating - everything - I put way to much off to the last minute.

6. Places I have lived (Chronological, qualifying if I was there for at least 2 months and had a mailing address):
Memphis, Tennessee
Quantico, Virginia
Drums, Pennsylvania
Etters, Pennsylvania
Rexburg, Idaho
Provo, Utah
Etters, Pennsylvania
Ogden, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

7. 5 Jobs I have had:
Surveyor: I called people to take phone surveys.
Fast food
Janitor
Customer Service
Financial Aid Representative

8. Five things people don't know about me:
1. Me and my Dad published 3 books on cemetaries in Pennsylvania.
2. I tried for months to break a bone when I was 6 years old - and I still have not broken a single bone.
3. My middle name is Jean.
4. I have a birth mark on my right leg that I call my frog bite.

6. Those I would like to tag:
Suzie
Annie
Misty
Angie