Proud Aunt!

(photos courtesy of Scott Harmon Photography)

I have a REALLY cute nephew!!

A little patience

I just want to be a mom. Is that too much to ask? I've begged and pleaded, that's not working. I've stomped my feet and demanded. That didn't work either. This patience thing is hard.

Life is Good

Right now I really feel like complaining. I'm sitting here at work looking at the mountains of filing I have to do and I have a strong urge to cry my head off and walk out of this office forever. I feel like I'm one of those sad soldiers sitting down peeling mounds of potatoes as a punishment. And then I wonder, "What am I being punished for?" Then I stop thinking that. I am not being punished. I have a job, a job that keeps us fed, clothed, warm and housed. I need to be more grateful for the things that I have been blessed with. This job is most definitely NOT what I want to be doing, I can think of thousands of other things I could do, job wise. I know I should have aquired an education before now, but I'm not going to go into that. I've torn myself apart enough about that. Moving on...
So I'm going to take a break from all the lovely filing and from all the destructive complaining and write about all the things that have made me happy today, so far; the day is still young :).

Every morning as I drive to work, I drive past a house and in the front yard there is a little boy playing catch with his mother. His mother always is dressed up for work, and runs around in heels, sometimes flats, playing catch with her son. The boy is always smiling and looks like he's having the time of his life. I love driving past that house every morning. I can't help but smile myself. I think that it's wonderful that that mother makes that time specail for her son.

I had time to make myself some toast as I was running around getting ready for work. I hardly eat breakfast, but this morning, I had toast with my mothers homemade apricot jam. Not only was it delish! but I thought about my amazing mother and that always makes me happy.

My husband hugged me extra tightly and gently kissed me before he left for school. He does that every morning and I love it. I love that we can't say goodbye, even if it's just me going to the store for a few minutes, without saying I love you.

I read my two favorite blogs, Nie Nie Dialogues and C Jane. I LOVE THEM!!! I love Nie, she is one amazing woman. I encourage everyone who doesn't read that blog to start right away!! I have a link over there on the right, hard to miss. It's in the shape of a typewriter. READ IT!! C Jane is her sister who also has a fabulous blog. I don't have a link for hers yet, but if you go to Nie's she has one. They are both full of inspiration, love, humor, and it's delicious to read. They are word smiths and the pictures are amazing! I always feel so grateful for the people in my life after reading them. Especially Nie's. I feel so conected with her and she has become a very good friend, even though we've never met!

I prayed that this dreary mountain of filing wouldn't look so daunting, and now it looks like just a small mole hill. Oh how I LOVE the power of prayer. How can one make it through life without praying? I know I must make Heavenly Father weary, because I pray about every five minutes. Ok, maybe not that much, but it's a lot! I can't help but pray. I thank God for such a gift!

I'm looking foward to spending this evening with my hubs and a cute girl named Lily, who is the daughter of some very good friends of ours.

Despite the dreariness, life is good.

My Friends' Soap Box

Please take the time and read this post (click on the link in orange). I couldn't have said it better myself!

One of my New Favorites!

As my Dad and I were sitting and talking last Saturday, he mentioned a band that he had come across one day. I looked them up on youtube and, seriously, fell immediately in love with them. It's a British band playing old American 40's style music. And I love it!! I had to share it. So if you like 4o's swing music, you'll love them.

Go here to check it out.

The Blessed Thirty

It's true, I'm turning 30 this Sunday. No matter how hard I try to deny it, it's happening. I know when I look back on this time, I'll laugh at myself and say "it wasn't that big of a deal" and "you had no idea!" But that's the future. This is now. HOLY CRAP, I'M TURNING 30!!!!!!!!! I always thought I would be ok, and take it with good grace; it is, after all, just a number(and those who know me well, know that I haven't grown up since about the age of 16). But the closer it becomes, the tighter my grip on my youthful 20's gets. I think it's funny the things we come up with to make ourselves feel better, like "Thirty is the new Twenty". Bull! I would much rather be turning 20. To be honest, I kind of wasted my twenties in terms of education and being motivated (I did neither!). However, they were a lot of fun! I look back on those ten years and think, what the heck happened? That went by WAY too fast! I know I am prone to overly dramatic rants. So I'm going to do something different. Like so many of my friends, blogging has become somewhat of a journal for me, so I'm going to write my thoughts. In the form of a list; not a list of things I wish I had done before this momentous occasion, but a list of things I've been lucky enough to do and become in the thirty years I've been on this earth. So without further ado, I give you...




The Blessed Thirty!!

(In no particular order, except number 1 and 2, which are the BEST ones :))

30. Surfing in Southern Cali and the wonderful Oregon coast (everyone should try surfing, it's a blast!)

29. I've had a lot of wonderful roommates (some not so wonderful!)

28. I've been on a fishing trip to Alaska, thanks to the wonderful organization, Make a Wish Foundation!

27. Traveled to the Caribbean twice.

26. Had the best job working at LDS hospital in the maternity ward as a CNA. I was able to assist with deliveries, take care of the new little ones and also take care of the mothers. The people I worked with, however, made it the best job I've ever had!

25. Had an amazing high school experience. I think I'm blessed in saying that all three years of high school were great! I made friends that have lasted for about 12 years, learned things about myself that have stuck with me to this day and had SO much fun.

24. Danced for most of my life.

23. Took Violin lessons ( that's a lot harder than it looks!)

22. Had many wonderful church callings, including nursery leader, which I LOVED. I'm very sad they released us. I cried a lot that day.

21. Found that I had a writing talent and I'm still working on developing it.

20. Traveled all over the United States with my family. I'm so blessed to live in such a beautiful country.

19. I found out that I'm stronger than I ever thought I could be when I moved across the country to Ohio.

18. Have been blessed enough to live in Ohio, not only because it's beautiful and there are so many things to do, but because, and most importantly, I've met so many wonderful people. They have helped me become a better person. I'm so thankful for the many friendships I've developed. It's going to be hard to leave. Luckily, we're still here for three more years. :)

17. Went to a total of two years of college and found out that I don't really want to be a nurse.

16. Prayed about my education and found out that Heavenly Father really wants me to be a nurse, so back to school I will go.

15. Started taking voice lessons and I love it! Talk about breaking out of your shell. I've been so self concious about my voice. Not any more!

14. Have had the wonderful opportunity to meet Kjirsti Foutz. Not only does she have a gorgeous singing voice (she's the one I'm taking voice lessons from) but she is one of the most impressive women I've ever had the blessing to meet, and she's only 23. She is an amazing example of living a strong gospel based life. and I just love her.

13. Served in the institute council in college and because of that, met my best friend Julie Carlile. How blessed I am to have her in my life! She's been there for everything! The big, the small, the fun, the mundane, the silly. It's been such a fun, pee-your-pants-fall-off-the-swing-steal-your-boyfriend-laugh-till-you-pee-your-pants-again-stay-up-all-night ten years!! We've been there for each other through it all. She's coming to visit me in November and I couldn't be more excited. I love you Jules!!!

12. Learned how to water color paint, and still learning.

11. Found out I actually do like to cook and I'm good at it.

10. I've skiied in the beautiful Utah mountains.

9. My dad owned horses up until I was about 16. I never asked for a pony when I was little; I already had a horse. How lucky was I?

8. I have been blessed to have amazing in laws!

7. I have the sweetest nieces and nephews.

6. I grew up with the best sisters. They are my best friends and I'm very blessed to have them as sisters for eternity. They are wonderful examples. We've been through everything together. What wonderful things, sisters are!!

5. My sisters married wonderful men. They are good brothers -in - law. Also, I've been blessed with a wonderful sister-in-law, Jennifer. I'm so blessed to have her :)

4. I've been blessed to have my brother Scott in my life. He's a good brother. I'm so glad families are forever. Saying "I'll see you later" to him was one of the hardest things I've ever had to endure.

3. Being born to Michael and Deborah Sanderson all those years ago has been one of the biggest blessing that has ever happened to me. First of all, if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be here, and secondly, my life is what it is because of them. They have taught me the gospel. They have ALWAYS been there. They have supported me in everything. They have loved me no matter what!

2. I've not only met, but married the love of my life!!!

1. In my thirty years here on earth, I've gained a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the best and most important thing I've done. It has shaped my life and I'm so grateful for it.

I've had a full life. Of course there are many more things I've done that I could have listed, but for times sake and for the sake of only turning 30, I've narrowed it down :).

Sunday there will be tears, I'm sure of it. I'm not ashamed to say that I will be mourning the passing of my 20's. But the tears will quickly be replaced by laughing, because that's what I do best :).

Our trip to Palmyra

Ryan and I went to Palmyra, New York this weekend with our good friends the Buckners. It's only about a four and half hour drive from Cleveland. It was well worth the drive.


The Hill Cumorah where Joseph Smith received the gold plates.


Replica of the Log Cabin where Joseph Smith grew up. The replica was built on the original foundation.



This frame house was just down the road from the log cabin. The Smith family lived here for a few years. This house is 80% original.


The Sacred Grove. It was a very special experience. I cried almost the whole time we were there. I didn't want to leave.





Me and Niagra Falls



We took a detour to Niagra Falls on the way home. We only stayed a few minutes because there were about a million people there, but it was beautiful and fun to see. We had a great weekend. Tomorrow I get to clean. I'm actually excited about that (my house is driving me crazy, it's so messy).

White Water in West Virginia

Would you like to take a river rafting trip to West Virginia? It's tons of fun, so come along...


This is the "deluxe cabin" that you will be sleeping in with 9 other people, including one who snores so badly you'll think the whole building is coming down on your head (luckily one of your friends will have packed a tent, so you and your husband can set it up outside and catch a few hours of sleep).



These are some of the friends you will be going with. On the left is student Dr. Joe Mirci and on the right is student Dr. Benjamin Cope (aka, Ken Doll)


Don't forget your super sexy water shoes!!!


Remember, you will not be able to get on the raft without wearing a helmet and a life jacket and of course, you need an oar. Silly faces are optional, but they make it so much more fun!


Here's the group you will be going with (picture was taken before getting on the raft). They look like a fun bunch, don't they?


Here is your friendly river guide, Eliza. She's so fun and really knows her stuff. She also works in Moab during the spring time.

Here is just a taste of the fun you can have while white water rafting down New River in West Virginia.

Swimming in the more still parts of the river, which is warm and SOOOO nice!

Riding the rapids on your bum (Ryan in the middle, me on the right) SO fun!!!



Going under a tall bridge (which was built in the 70's and people base jump off of once a year, Crazy!)


Here it is up close.


A view of New River from the top of the Gorge. The scenery from up here will take your breath away.

Sorry, no action shots were provided. The camera man and woman had to focus on paddling and staying in the raft.

We hope you enjoy your trip!!!

Ten

I've been thinking about these three people a lot lately. How I miss them!!!! Shawna and Scott have been married for ten years now and they have a beautiful son, and a beautiful life. I love them dearly. It's very difficult sometimes to be so far away. I don't get to cuddle with my nephew and enjoy Shawna and Scott's company. It's very good company! But, oh, I relish the times when I'm there :). It's wonderful. You wouldn't know the sweet without some bitter in there. Shawna and Scott are two peas in pod. I really don't have a memory without those two in it. They love each other deeply and it's very evident. Most important, they have SO much fun together. They laugh at each other, tease each other, it's wonderful.

I feel like Scott is the older brother I never had that I always wanted. He fills that role to a T! Being the protector, the tease, the example. I've gone to him many a time for advice, and most often for a laugh. He's so willing to help. He's an exremely talented photographer. He did my wedding pictures, and I'm SOOOOO so so glad he did. They are beautiful and show his artistic personality, which is one of the reasons I love the pictures so much. There are so many things that set him apart as one of the perect brothers-in-law (for I have two), but the most important is how much he loves my sister. And he is a wonderful father. I'm so happy that he is in our family. It would not be complete without him.

Shawna, my dear Shawna. I love her!! She is the epidome of happiness. I love talking to her because she always brings me up to a higher plain. Something I've never outgrown is trying to be like my older sister. She's always been an example of how following in the Lord's ways makes one happy. She's a wonderful woman and I'm so proud and thankful to call her my sister. I know I've said this many times, but I'm so happy that she is a mother. It makes me jump for joy (I know you think I'm using a cliche here, but I literally do jump for joy!). I love seeing her smiling face, which has brightened a little since the arrival of our little Kallen (who they so lovingly have nicknamed "Awesome"). She's a natural and makes motherhood look so easy.

I love that kid!!! He has blessed us all with so much joy, it's a little overwhelming. I miss him so much! His smile could make the coldest of hearts melt. I love everything about him. He's growing so fast. Sometimes I wish I could tell him to stop growing until we return from Cleveland. But that's a little too selfish on my part.

I hope we return with a cousin for him to play with :)

I love you Scawna & Shott!!!! Happy Tenth!!!!!!!!!!

In Love

I've fallen deeply in love with...

...the best book ever! (not to worry, I still love Ryan more.) I finally joined the book club that my ward Relief Society has started, not sure why it's taken me so long to join, but I'm so glad I did! The first meeting is this thursday and I couldn't be more excited to talk about this book. It's funny, romantic, and deeply sad. It was exhausting and I loved every minute of it!! I recommend it to anyone within the sound of my voice, or the sight of my blog. Happy Reading!!!