Merry Christmas everyone~

CRAP!

SO, I have tried to change my blog to be all cute for fall, and it is completely messed up! I am so unhappy with how it looks and stuff. Anyone out there that is reading my blog know how I can make it pretty again?
;o(

Cool Experiences

So, Sunday I had some great experiences that I wanted to blog about. First, I was asked to speak in a Home Ward to try to recruit young single adults (YSA) to come to our Ward. I get there... a little late, and the 2nd Counselor of our YSA Ward that we were speaking with asked to see mine and the other speakers talks. We gave them to him and he took them, put them in his coat and said, "Today you will be speaking by the Spirit." It was great! I relied fully upon the Spirit, and it felt good.

Then I went to Church and our teacher in Relief Society didn't show up. So we scrambled during opening exercises to come up with a plan and BOOM! The Spirit took over again. It was the neatest thing. Two intense yet simple instances of relying upon the Spirit. He is the key to every talk, lesson, etc. we listen to and give.

Then that night Elder Bednar came to the Ogden Institute to speak to us YSA's. I debated on going to this. I was tired and ready to go home after Church. I sat in my car for a few minutes and called my mom to see what she would tell me to do. We were talking back and forth and I started my car to go home. Even started backing out when she said, "Listen to the Spirit, He will tell you what to do." Right then and there I pulled back in my parking spot and turned off my car. I needed to go to the fireside. My reasons for going home were lame. I am glad the Spirit gave me strength to overcome my lameness.

Elder Bednar's talk was perfect! It was what I needed. He and his wife were SOOO funny! I had never seen that side of him before. Usually he is very serious and I wondered if he ever had a funny bone in his body. I am here to tell the world that he does... for he had us all laughing. Then he got to his message and it was touching. About revelation, dating, making decisions, etc. I will go home and post my thoughts on his talk later. I am glad I went.

So, my lesson learned on Sunday?! Let the Holy Spirit guide! ;o)

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1.03.01

Found Car

They found my car over by the 7th North exit off I-215 in a residential area. It has a few scratches on the outside of the car (where they had run it up against something), and the inside was just trashed with my stuff. They took my stereo, sleeping bag, tool kit, emergency car kit, and I really haven't checked anything else yet. They broke my driver visor off, and broke one of my A/C vents (because it was broken... I bet they were frustrated with it so they just broke it), and they took off my rear view mirror. I am so grateful I have my car back. My school books were in there with my school notebook, my registration information and garage door opener was also inside. I feel so grateful! I wish everyone could feel that! I am grateful for your compassion, prayers, and wonderful friendship.

This has seriously been a great faith building experience for me. I prayed specifically last night for things, and it all happened. I am so grateful. Our Father is so good to us! Thank you!
;o)

My Stolen Car

I have had many wonderful people ask me how I am, what happened, etc. I thought I would post the story here. Before I go on, thank you all for your Facebook comments, prayers, phone calls, texts, etc. I really love my friends!

I parked my car on the street outside my work (State Agency) at 8:45a. That was the last time I saw it. I worked a good day, busy, but good. As I was walking outside to get in my car to go to my 5:30p class, it wasn't there. At first I thought it was some kind of joke. But as I walked the parking lot at my work my car was no where to be found. Ok, I don't know how many have experienced this before, but walking out to get into your car and not finding it was a pretty sickening feeling. I mean, I was in a state of literal shock for about 4 hours. Then it hit me when I was home. Really hit. Back to the story though, after walking around making sure it wasn't put anywhere else, I went into the security guard and explained that my car was stolen. I asked if they could rewind the security tapes and they explained that the tapes do not cover the road. YUP! So, he called 911 for me and gave them my information. They told him that they would contact me, which they did. Now, I just have to wait to see if it shows up.

Here is the thing. My school books were in the car, along with my parking pass for school. My car had, ready for this, sit down, it had approximately 326,000 miles on it. Yup, she was a trooper! I had my 72 hour kit in there, and then my CD's. I don't really care about the things that can be replaced (CD's, 72 hour kit, etc.), but I do care about my school books, especially because I have a test next week in one of my classes. I care about my car. It was my Babe.

I know that everything happens for a reason. I don't blame Our Heavenly Father for this. Everyone has free agency. Some make good choices, others make really bad ones. I am grateful I was not in the car, I am grateful my car wasn't someone I love dearly. I truly am fine, it's just crappy timing! Thank you all again for thoughtful words, prayers, and for caring! I heart my friends.
;o)

The Date Box

Are you ready for this one? Really? Since the Brethren of the Church piloted the new singles wards program, and our small town of Hooper was the first Ward created...I have been going to church with great guys and gals from my small, delightful town. I am cool with that... only, I am the oldest one there by a few years. AWKWARD. If it wasn't for my calling I would have checked myself into the nunnery! Our Bishopric decided to help us poor farm kids get with the program, meaning they created "The Date Box." What is this? It's a terrible little box where ANYONE in the ward can suggest themselves or others to be matched up and sent on a date. The Bishopric approves the match and bang... the happy couple go on a date. Why am I against this you ask? Think. If a young man is not interested in a sweet girl, then he shouldn't have to be forced to ask her out. It's a waste of time for both involved. Sure, sure, we are to go and enjoy ourselves... have fun.... but take if from someone who has had MANY first dates, not getting a second date with someone you had a really good time with is quite hard on the 'ol self-esteem. Especially the older you get. So there I was, driving home without a care in the world (meant as a figure of speech... I have a lot of cares. That is why I am in Stress Management right now!) when I got a phone call from our second counselor. Yup, someone submitted MY name. If any fellow wanted to ask me out I would hope they would do it for themselves, not because someone made them ask me out. (Hence, my non-existent dating life.) Finally, I think this whole idea is making us lazy! *crawling down off soap-box* Thank you!

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1.03.01

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday was your Birthday, and I wanted to tell you how much I love you and am glad that you are my mother. I love so many things about you mom, when I grow up I want to be like you! I love watching movies with you. I love working outside with you. I love singing with you. I love just being with you. Thank you for loving me. I hope you know how much I love you! To infinity and beyond! Happy Birthday!
Love,
Sis

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1.03.01

Great Leg Workout

Required:
Trampoline
Kids

So, this weekend I spent many great hours of playing "Rocket" with my nephews and niece. What that is, is you hop in the trampoline, hold hands with another person, and jump together counting: one, two, three.... then on three you lock down giving the other person all the bounce you possess and let them fly to the moon! This was the highlight of our weekend! And it was a killer workout for my legs!

Penelope, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion

So, last weekend was super fun!

Friday:
Had my cousin Kim come over to watch 'Northanger Abbey' before I had to go to our Relief Society Sleepover. I liked it all except for the end. I watched the PBS version and it was TOO short. They crammed in the love part of it all in 2 minutes. BLAH! We had a great time though. I need to see if I can find another version to watch... one that is preferably longer than and hour and a half.I was super worried about the sleepover. A) I am 30, and most of our sisters are younger... so I was worried that I wouldn't really fit in. B) We were sleeping on a hard floor. C) I was pretty sure I would be in bed by 10:30p. So I was pretty nervous, but hey, I had to support our decision to have this "Back-to-School Sleepover! Ok, I was up until 3:00a (there were only 3 of us up that late), I clicked SO well with everyone there~ making some enduring friendships, and I didn't sleep comfortably at all, but I didn't care! We watched 'Penelope', which has now become one of my favorite movies. Why? It teaches people that it's not what is on the outside that matters (meaning looks... I mean come on, some of us were not blessed with hottness), and that it's what is on the inside that matters! LOVE that movie! Plus, James McAvoy gives a skip in the 'ol heart in the kiss scene at the end. mmmmm!

Saturday:
Nap
Kim came back over... this time wearing a Jane Austen dress she made herself and all dazzled up as if she lived in that time period. She was GORGEOUS!! We all decided (me, Tricia, and mom) that we need to make a dress for ourselves and all dress up one night... wouldn't that be fun?! We watched 'Persuasion' and was not as impressed with the version we saw either. Don't get me wrong, the main guy was nice looking... but it was too short (an hour and a half). Then I suggested we watched 'Penelope' so that they could see how cute it was. (NOTE: Yes, I went out and bought it that morning because I liked it so much!) We all loved it, and yes, we watched the kiss scene twice! ;o)

Tasks:
Need to check out different versions of 'Persuasion' and 'Northanger Abbey' (any suggestions?)
Make Jane Austen dress to hang out in with Kim.
Remind myself that it's not what I look like on the outside that is important... it's what's on the inside that matters most!Watch kiss scene in 'Penelope' again ;o)

Happy 3rd Birthday Abbey!

I looked outside today, and my song for you fits perfect on this stormy day! "I got sunshine, on a cloudy day... when it's cold outside, I got the month of may... I guess you say, what can make me feel this way? MY GIRL! You are so dear to me Abbey! I love you so much! Have a super fun Birthday today!
Here are some things I love about you:
I love your smile whenever you see me
I love dancing with you in your room
I love playing in your doll house
I love jumping on the trampoline with you
I just love you and being with you!
Happy 3rd Birthday!
Love
Missi ;o)

"MY GOSH"

Last night I heard Abbey in the backyard talking to Oakley (in her puppy voice - you know, that high pitched voice), so I decided to go see my princess! Every time she see's me, she gets a huge smile and asks if I want to play with her. That night she wanted to know if I wanted to jump on the trampoline with her. Of course I did, so we walked towards the trampoline. Every Tuesday we get our lawn mowed, so I put the little step ladder on the trampoline so it is out of the way. I could see what was going to happen, but I was just waiting for her response. She pranced over to the trampoline.... stopped.... turned to me and said "MY GOSH!" That is her new word. I started laughing, because she was SO serious and you can't jump on the trampoline without a ladder to crawl up on. She threw her hands down to her side, and I asked her what the matter was. She said, "there's no wadder!" I took it off the trampoline and set it on the ground.... and you would have thought I was a super hero in her eyes. We had a great time jumping! ;o)

Jane Eyre

My cousin (Kim) came over the other night and brought with her Jane Eyre (the 2006 version). That was my favorite version yet, because it was almost 4 hours long, and you get a real feel for the characters, etc. I thought Georgie Henley (young Jane) did a fantastic job! She has such a sweet innocence about her which she brings to the character of Jane. I always feel so bad for Jane. But that is why I love her. She had such a horrible childhood, but she didn't let that get her down. She became a confident, smart, loving person. They did a fantastic job casting Ruth Wilson (Jane). We all commented on how both she and Georgie Henley look so much alike, you would have thought it was Georgie all grown up. Ruth's performance was superb. She wasn't as personality-less as I have seen in other versions. I liked when she would smile and tease with Mr. Rochester.... showing a tiny bit of her emotions. Toby Stephens (Edward Rochester) did a fantastic job. He grows on you. All the characters do. Poor man! He has finally found the woman of his dreams, and cannot have it because of a cruel trick. I will not say more, I don't want to spoil this movie for those who have never seen any versions of Jane Eyre. Something I felt about Rochester though... he is quite the manipulator! He is not the most romantic character ever written, but considering his past, why should he be? All in all, this is a great movie. I'd recommend it to everyone! ;o)

Happy 6th Birthday Parker

Parker, you are getting so tall!! I hope you had a fun birthday. You got so many cool toys, and had all those that love you more than anything else surrounding you! Happy Birthday Dude~
I love you so much. Here are some things I love about you:
I LOVE your laugh (it's super contagious)
I love how you like to build things
I love going to the moon with you
I love playing with you
I love seeing you become a terrific young man
I just love you!
Happy Birthday Dude!
Love,
Missi ;o)

Grateful

It's amazing what you don't know about people. I have a co-worker/friend that I have worked with now for 4-5 years, and she was telling me about how her father lost his leg. He was a bus driver for like a Greyhound bus in Mexico when a semi carrying logs tried to pass him going up a hill. The semi realized that another bus was coming and swerved into her dad's bus, causing them to roll. She was telling me how people died, and her father was critically injured as well. Then she told me how at that time, in Mexico, people would pay money to get out of things. The semi truck did just this to the policeman, bribing him to say that it was my friends, dad's fault. Her dad was sent to the jail infirmity to heal, but was in jail for 6 months. She told me that at that time, her oldest brother was 4, she was 2, and they had just had a baby. Others that survived the crash fought and told what really happened, and an investigation was done. In the meantime, my friends dad's leg was broken in so many parts. They had to amputate pretty much the whole leg. At the end of our conversation, and after sharing how grateful she is to God for her dad living, she said to me that they didn't have everything they wanted growing up, but that they had everything they needed. Her dad is her hero.

That struck a cord inside of me today. What really matters most to me? My family. I think of each of them individually and to me, they are my hero's. Each one of them. My parents, siblings, and nieces/nephews. We may not have everything we want, but we have each other, and that is all I need! I love my family!

Things to do in my 30's

I promised a list, so here we go!

Make a quilt
Publish my children's books (Rooster/Tripsy Mipsy/Sammy's Socks)
Get my Associates Degree from SLCC
Read 120 books (1 a month for 10 years)
Do 260 endowments in the temple (26 per year for 10 years)
Go to Nauvoo with Dad and SharonGo to New York with Mom (Broadway shows, sacred grove, temple, etc.)
Visit mission with Dad and Sharon
Go to beach house in Outer Banks, NC with Mom
Finish the flower garden (we're almost done, yay!)
Get Life Insurance
Get out of debt
Work on my Bachelors Degree
Tatt an alter cover for one of the temples
Visit Meili in China

So, there is a lot more I want to do, just need to keep adding to the list! More to come.... ;o)

Thoughts

So, I haven't posted in over a month... what is up with that? I mean, even though I think my sister-in-law is the only one that reads my blog... it is still good for me to jot down my feelings and thoughts. Here we go! But beware, I have a lot of thoughts and feelings that may expose you to my positive side, along with my "poor me" side! This is why I NEED to go camping this weekend... to focus back in on my life and important things.

Relief Society has been crazy this last month. I mean, it's been non-stop since we first started in May, but this month we were given a task by our Stake President to contact and invite/find out about every person in our Ward. Now, we had 103 sisters in R.S. And only 20-30 that come to church... you can do the math, we had a lot to find out about. I wasn't very excited about this task, but for some reason, I didn't let that get me down. I wanted to do this not only for the Stake President, but for me. I wanted to know about those girls too. We had 3 weeks to do this. I tried to give visiting teachers most of the girls, but our presidency ended up contacting most of them anyway. We did it. We achieved a huge task and I am so relieved to KNOW where my sisters are! My mind kept going back to 1 Nephi 3:7. The Lord does provide a way for us to accomplish whatever he asks us to do... in all aspects of our lives!

Lately I have been a bit emotional about my situation, which has happened before, but for some reason lately it's been extra hard. I see the way people treat their kids. How unkind and impatient they are with them. It's almost as if they are trying to prove to their kids that they have power over them. I want to pull them aside and shake the heck out of those parents! *Here we go* Don't they realize that some of us would love to have someone call us "Mommy"? To have a little child hold us and hug us... desiring to be with no one else in the world but you. To hear their little laugh and wipe away their little tears. I truly long for that. I long to hear those words spoken to me. To have those feelings for my child. I know, here is my "poor me" moment. I am not saying this to get sympathy. I'm just saying it.

Last night we went to see the Wedding Singer at Hale Theatre. It was so funny and had a lot of way cute parts in it. But I left there feeling alone. Very alone.

Enough! I know God has a plan for me. I know His timing is the most important thing. I just need to go camping and commune with him! ;o)

Fablehaven Series

Ok, so... I just re-read the series... AND I LOVED IT! I thought Brandon Mull finished off the series very well. I loved living in the land of Fablehaven these past few months. I love the characters and the storyline. Just amazing what someone's imagination can bring to the world. I won't say anything here, because I don't want to ruin it for everyone... but, "isssaaa good!" ;o)

Turning 30

Well Sports Fans.... it's official... I am now 30 years old! ;o) I actually am excited for this season of my life. C.S. Lewis said:

“Thirty was so strange for me. I’ve really had to come to terms with the fact that I am now a walking and talking adult.”

It's true. Something in me is a bit more "grown-up" then before. Not that I am old in my heart, just a bit more relaxed. I made a list of things I want to do in my 30's. That will have to be another post, because I left the list at home today. I can already tell the my 30's (just as the rest of my life) is going to be great! ;o)

Tender Moment

So, last night I had a tender moment. My mom and I were watching my nephews and niece while their parents went to a play. Abbey adores me, but not as much as I simply adore her. She can get me to just about anything for her. And leaving her is the hardest thing for me to do. Last night, we were getting ready for bed, and I told her that we need to read, say our prayers, and sing some songs before bed. This news brightened her little face. She proceeded to grab 5-6 books from her closet and made me read them all to her. Then she had to read them to her brother, Parker. I could just watch her for hours! We went in her room and laid on her bed (yup, I can still fit!). Here comes the tender moment. Picture both of us laying down, her under the covers, and our faces inches away from one another. Then she started singing (which isn't quiet mind you) "I Am a Child of God." She looked into my eyes and sang to the top of her lungs. Her breath blew across my face, and tears flowed from my eyes as I watched this precious daughter of God sing about her birthright. Very touching! Then she cracked me up by entertaining me with one of her made up songs. It was something about Our Savior and how she didn't want to read a book or take a bath. My tears of being touched turned quickly into tears of laughter. Thanks Abbey for that tender moment! ;o)

New Calling

The Lord works in ways that sometimes I wish I could comprehend. I just received a new calling in my brand new Ward. I hope and pray I will do well in this. I was called to be the Relief Society President... a calling I had always prayed I'd never get! I could express all my inadequacies, but not here! I hope and pray I will be an instrument in the Lord's hands. I pray that the Sisters, regardless of their walks in life, will feel the cleansing power and unconditional love that comes from our Savior. Here we go! ;o)

Happy 8th Birthday Payton!

Holy cow, you are getting to be such a big boy! I love you so much! I hope your Birthday is filled with lots of love and fun. You know what I love about you, Payton? Get ready.... here is a list.
I love when you laugh so hard your face goes red and you can't breathe.
I love going to the moon with you.
I love playing with the Dragon Castle, Batman Cave, and Doll House with you.
I LOVE reading to you and listening to you read.
I love watching you become a wonderful young man.
I just love you!
Happy Birthday!
Love
Missi ;o)

Leprechauns 101

Last night was so funny! I asked Payton and Parker if they had seen any leprechauns yesterday, since it was St. Patrick's Day. They said no, and then Payton began to inform me on how to catch a leprechaun. I thought I would pass on the information to all of you!

1. To catch a leprechaun, you need to have gold.
2. You take the gold and hide it in a trap (under a box will do if you don't have a trap).
3. You have to stare at the gold and wait for the leprechaun.
4. If you blink, you lost (because that is how fast a leprechaun is!)

SO! No blinking people! He also told Parker that their favorite color is yellow, and that they turn everything green.

So many things I just didn't know about the little guys! Thanks Payton for teaching me!

The Moon!

So, one of my favorite things to do with Payton and Parker (notice I said ONE of them) is going to the moon! We get on the trampoline with a blanket, then run around on it in circles saying, "5, 4, 3, 2, 1....BLAST OFF!" Then we pretend to float in space for a little bit. Then we land on the moon where we eat cheese (no, really! we eat string cheese out on the tramp, because that is what you do on the moon... so we try to make it as realistic as possible) and then fly to other planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, etc. Quite the experience I dare say!

Happy 7th Birthday Austyn!!

I can't believe you are turning 7 today! You are such a big girl! I hope you know that you are very special to me! I love your cute laugh. It is very contagious! Happy Birthday Sweetie! I miss you!

Another Blog

So, I started another blog. It's called, "The Way I Hear It"
Check it out! ;o)

http://missimayobx2.blogspot.com/

Hmph!

So, I didn't want to post this on Facebook, but I have to voice my thoughts! I wish I could just have a guy that doesn't want anything but friendship. Sometimes I would just like to have that kind of a friend. I mean, all my guy friends are married, or not interested in being good friends. It's hard to explain... being single and a member of the Church, it's as if you either have to be "something" or "nothing"(especially the older you get). I just want to have a guy that I can sit and talk to about anything and everything. Who doesn't mind crazy ice cream runs, or silly family activities. Just a friend....
Ok, there, I said it... now I will get off my soap box pitty party!

March Already?!

I am still in awe that today is March 1st...

Great Quote

So, I have to say that Jane Austen has some great quotes in her books. One I put on Facebook recently is "

“It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before” Jane Austen

This quote fits PERFECTLY in my life right now! I think I am going to frame it and put it in my room!

Organized

I love getting organized! I love buying new note books to begin another year of thoughts, etc. I love de-junking my house. I love being on top of things and accomplishing a lot in one day. I love setting new goals. Let's face it! I love being organized! It's when I am not organized that my life is a mess! ;o) Profound, I know!

Today!

So, today is a very special day for me. No, it's not my Birthday.... but it is my Birth-Temple Day! I went through the Temple 9 years ago today. Looking back on that day, I remember feeling like I was "home" throughout the whole day. Nothing was weird or scary to me, just apart of me. I was excited to be with my family in the Celestial Room. I had so much love that day. A wonderful day indeed. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for my covenants with Our Father on this special day 9 years ago....