Mariah's life and love!

Its a new Year!

2012-01-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Wow I look back and wonder were last year went. It seemed to fly by so quickly. I am a little sad about how quick it went, but at the same time I look forward to the adventures this new year holds. I mean in a few short months Kyle and I will be holding a little bundle of joy of our own. It is so exciting to think that we will be parents soon.

At the beginning of each year many people make resolutions to become better people or do better at something or other. But ironically I have never given into the hype of doing this. But oddly enough I have thought of something I want to resolve to do. I am not making a resolution to loose weight, exercise every day, be more financially minded, keep the house cleaner, ect. All those things would be nice but what I have decided to do is simply look at people the way our Heavenly Father sees them. I want to see the good in people before I judge them. I want to look at someone and see them as a son or daughter of God. That is what we all are and as such they deserve to be seen that way, no matter what life has thrown at them. I do not know there life story. I do not know what has brought them to were they are in life. I need to give them the benefit of the doubt. That is what I want people to do for me so it should really start with me!

Tomorrow is my anniversary! Crazy!

2011-11-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

Well Thanksgiving was good. It was fun to talk to people. I got to talk to my sister and my parents and that was fun. This Thanksgiving we were all at different places, but we all managed to enjoy ourselves. But with Thanksgiving passing its hard to believe that Kyle's and mine anniversary is tomorrow that is crazy! 2 years tomorrow. Wow I can't believe it.

I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving!

Precious night time moments

2011-11-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

Well last night I was asleep and I get woke up by a very excited Kyle. He felt the baby move for the first time. He had fallen asleep with his hand on my stomach and was woken up by what can best be described and bubbles. It wasn't a kick as of yet but it was defiantly not me. It was a really precious moment to realize that this is real. There really is a little one inside of me.

2011-10-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Well thankfully I am starting to get over the morning sickness portion of the pregnancy. But the down side is I am dealing with the hormones times ten. I can't seem to figure out if I am happy, sad, frustrated or what because it all seems to change from one moment to the next. Not a fan but in the end it will be worth it.

oh my aching back

2011-10-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Oh my aching back! So I am doing well over all, the morning sickness is lessening but now it hurts to sleep thanks to my lovely back. But I am sure the worst is yet to come. But bring it on!

Baby Stewart!

2011-10-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

Its our little baby! It was really cool to watch. The doctor said everything looks healthy. The heart beat is 162 BPM nice and healthy. The baby was jumping around like crazy! Due April 29th, 2011

2011-07-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

Life is crazy and I feel bad for not updating in a while. But it is a fun ride of life. Working lots, and all that. Right now my mother in law is in town, Kyle's sister just had her baby. So Janet is here to help out for the week. Haven't seen them much but its okay. Its crazy to think that the baby is already over a week old. They named her Jocelynn Ruth. They are both J names so they had to keep it alive!

If The Savior Stood Beside Me

2011-06-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

So I think I have finally come to terms with everything that has happened to me lately. (Medical stuff) Its a lot to take in, but it interesting how Heavenly Father blesses us even in our trials. He tests us and sees how we will act and then he waits for us to call on him. The moment we do he reaches out and wraps his arms of mercy around us.

The trials are still there but I am at peace. A peace that only comes from Heavenly Father. I understand now that things happen for a reason and that I am just glad we figured out what was wrong with me. No I do not like having to be jabbed by a million needles in order to figure that out but now I can be healthier and move on. I am not saying that I do not have my days. I have those day, were I question and ask "Heavenly Father is this really necessary? Why can't you just fix this?" But there is a reason in all things. And as I bear my trials I will be blessed! I wonder some times if the Savior was sitting with me would I be more optimistic or would I see my trials as I do now? Would I listen to the spirit more? Would I see the blessings in my life? Interesting concept to think about. What would you do different if the Savior was with you were you could see him? I hope that we wouldn't change but I think I personally still have work to get to that point.

Rigoletto: April Child

2011-06-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

This brought back Childhood memories and I love Italian so it was perfect!

Thanksgiving Point

2011-06-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Kyle and I both had the day off so we went to Thanksgiving point gardens, it was a blast!

mothers day

2011-05-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

thank you all the mothers for all you do. you make me who i am and who i will be!

job changes

2011-04-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

well the last little while has been interesting... so rumors have been flying around at work that they were going to disband my shift. Well yesterday was when I got pulled aside and told that this was in fact true. Sadly my supervisor was going to put me on nights due to the fact that I one of the lowest seniority wise. That means 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Soon as he said that I kept telling him that I couldn't do nights and seriously was balling my eyes out. I was hormonal anyways but that was the topper on the cake. I think I kind of scared everyone because I was so emotional and I never get that upset. I knew if I was put on nights that I would NEVER see my husband that when we have kids we would have a babysitter constantly and that is the one thing I refuse to allow is to have my kids raised by a babysitter or daycare.

But I guess the crying worked because not an hour later I was offered another position in the mornings. 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Not too bad plus Kyle and I can actually spend time with one another. I am really looking forward to that.

Special Witnesses of Christ (8)

2011-04-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

this is my favorite video and explains christ's atonement the best.

Easter

2011-04-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Easter always makes me happy partially because it marks the beginning of spring but also because it one of the few times the world openly celebrates Christ. It is the one time a year that we as a human population get to celebrate the sacrifice of Christ. When I think of the sacrifice of the atonement I don't just think of his sacrifice but also the sacrifice that a loving Heavenly Father made. I mean how difficult must it of been to know the hardships and persecutions and pain a son would go through and still know that he must suffer it, so that all may be saved.

I think of the pain that Jesus Christ suffered. How many of the blood drops that were shed were for me? I think of all the pain that he suffered with out complaint. When he was in the Garden of Gethsemane taking on the sins of the world. Taking away my sins. I know I am not perfect and I know that I have made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes. But I know because of him I can repent and get up and try again.

month of crazy

2011-04-16T07:02:00.000-07:00

Well this last little while has been exiting to say the least. Well it all started with a trip to the doctors.... I thought I might be pregnant, lets set the record straight I am NOT! But back to my story I thought I might be I had all the symptoms, plus the lovely fact I was 3 weeks late on my cycle. But the funny thing is I would take the home pregnancy tests and they would all come up negative. So I went to the doctors he did a blood test which was also negative. But they found and elevated amounts of prolactin a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland. When the doctor found this out he sent me off to the hospital to get a CAT scan. Oh this is my worst fear I am so closterphobic mostly in tight places. But if anyone thinks that being placed in a small tube where my elbows are constantly hitting the walls, having something on my face and the surrounding surface maybe 4 inches from my body is fun or therapeutic THINK AGAIN!

I went in thinking okay I am going to concur my fear, I can so this! Yeah not so great I get put on this slab and they start putting pillows around my face so I will not move my head and then this thing comes on my head. They try disguising this as anything other then a torture tactic by putting a warm blanket over you, but it doesn't work with me I know the truth! When I get in there I seriously start balling my eyes out. It is anything but fun and I would not wish this on my worst enemy. Soon as I am able to calm down the thing jolts me forward and backward and I start crying all over again. The whole time this sweet little voice is on the intercom "your doing great Mrs. Stewart!" Of course I am, I am stuck in a tiny tube with no escape what else do you expect me to do? I can't exactly run away! I guess because I wasn't screaming hysterically I was doing great!

Well then I got to see the doctor again, found out that I have a small growth on my pituitary gland (not cancerous) that is causing the elevated level of prolactin. He explained the side effects of not doing anything could be very harmful. It could cause diabetes, infertility, and if left long enough it could cause heart problems. Well I didn't want that. I have no desire to have heart problems or diabetes thank you very much and I want to be able to have kids. I remember when I was younger we had a school project to come up with a job for a job fair and my 7 year old self decided I would be a mom. Most of the students were telling me that wasn't a real job but my teacher loved it. (Helped that she had a son that was like 2.)

Anyways the doctor told me that there was something we could do... I get to take pills for the rest of my life.... well at least till I hit metapause. Not really overly excited about this but I do want to be able to have kids. Besides it helps get rid of the pregnancy symptoms. So I take this tiny little half a pill 2 times a week not too bad. I nearly had a heart attack when we went to pick up the pills though, it made me so glad that we have insurance! For 4 pills it was $117 insurance covered all but $37 made me so happy. But for 4 pills that is insane! I get to go back next month and get more blood drawn to make sure the pills are doing there job properly. And I did some research and apparently it helps if I get more zinc in my diet so I am trying that as well. We will see what happens. I am not too worried.

Kyle has been amazing during this whole thing telling me things are going to be okay even though I think he was a little nervous himself. But I am so glad I have him by my side he is my knight in shinning armor! I love him and would be lost with out him!

Criminal Minds--The Internet is Forever (Scene S05E22)

2011-02-27T18:22:00.000-08:00

This is a portion of the TV show Criminal minds. This particular episode is about how someone uses the online sites against there victims. Its actually really funny mostly because it is so true!

Week in review

2011-02-11T20:46:00.000-08:00

well this past little while has been crazy. At work they have been transferring people like crazy. My crew at work use to be 30 some people.... now we are down to 12! And only 8 full timers. It is crazy, the worst part was not knowing who was being transfered and who was staying. They were pulling people one at a time, so we never knew. Everyone was nervous and all day we would think is it going to be me? Is it me? Plus to top it off almost everyone was being transfered to the evening crew the 5 p.m. to 1:30 AM shift. Talk about nasty! I feel bad though one of the guys they transfered has been married a little over a month and his wife works days so this is going to make it so they never see each other. NASTY! But we are finally all staying. It was so nerve racking. I guess I can see were they are coming from but at the same time it is hard because our crew was so close, we were like a family. And they started tearing that family apart. As a result emotions ran high.

Lets see other then that I have been shopping for baby gifts. I know 2 people that are expecting. My sister in law.... still don't know what she is having. And a girl at work, she is having a boy! Its so cute seeing the baby bumps! But I am happy for them. I was talking with Nichole not to long ago she is ready for me to have one of my own, but understands the time is not right. She wants her kids to have a niece or nephew from the Ziegler side of things and as I am the only married sibling the responsibility falls on me. LOL I don't mind the pressure, but not yet, soon but not yet.

Question at ease....

2011-01-26T10:41:00.000-08:00

Well life is crazy but i still tend to find little moments away from the crazy just to be with my thoughts. Its amazing what little moments will do to help you understand things and heal on a personal level. This last month has been anything but easy dealing with inner demons and really questioning Heavenly Fathers motives. Why does something good happen to someone and not to me? When I pray about things the answer is no but why is it yes for others. But thankfully right now I am at peace. I am comfortable were I am at. Life is not that exciting but that is okay, because I have my loving husband who loves me even when my hormones get the best of me and I start crying for no reason. At least we can find something to laugh about everyday. Because he really is my best friend!

2011-01-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

So there was a young girl that worked at LDSBC that died new years eve, she was from korea and had jut gotten engaged that night. Its a sad story. But there was a poem that was on her funeral program that meant a lot to me. It made me cry. Thinking about death is probably not the best o things but it really made me think if I were to die would those I love know how much they mean to me?

When tomorrow starts without me,  And I'm not there to see,  If the sun should rise and find your eyes  All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry  The way you did today,  While thinking of the many things,  We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,  As much as I love you,  And each time that you think of me,  I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,  Please try to understand,  That an angel came and called my name,  And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,  In heaven far above,  And that I'd have to leave behind  All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,  A tear fell from my eye  For all my life, I'd always thought,  I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,  So much left yet to do  It almost seemed impossible  That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,  The good ones and the bad,  I thought of all the love we shared,  And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,  Just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you  And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,  That this could never be,  For emptiness and memories,  Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,  I might miss come tomorrow  I thought of you, and when I did,  My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through Heavens Gates,  I felt so much at home.  When God looked down and smiled at me,  From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,  And all I've promised you.  Today your life on earth is past,  But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,  But today will always last,  And since each day's the same way  There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,  So trusting and so true.  Though there were times you did some things  You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven  And now at last you're free.  So won't you come and take my hand  And share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me,  Don't think we're far apart,  For every time you think of me,  I'm right here, in your heart.

2011-01-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

With the new year we are all making new year resolutions so i thought I wonder what the most popular resolutions are. Some may surprise you!

1. Spend more time with family and friends

Life gets crazy so I can understand were this one is coming from.

2. Fit in fitness

So many of us claim that we don't have time to exercise. Truth be told we don't want to have time.

3. Tame the debt.

In this world most definite.

4. Quit smoking.

In a world were over half the population smokes it doesn't surprise me that this one made the top ten.

5. Enjoy life more

This one I need to do more as well. Enjoy every moment of every day.

6. Quit drinking

No surprise there either.

7. Learn something new

8. Help others

9. Get organized

10. Loose weight

surprised this one was not #1.

As for my resaltuion its kind of a combination of a few of these. so this year i am not going to make the resolution to loose weight like I do every year, and every year I fail.... this year it is to become more healthy... meaning eating better, exercising more, and less junk food that does nothing for me!

CHristmas Memories

2010-12-19T11:49:00.000-08:00

Today at church we had the Relief Society and Priesthood together and they did a Christmas program. It was really good. It made me think what kind of things make Chrismas the magical time of year when the spirit is so prevalent? For me its reading the Christmas story, singing carols, decorating the house and being with family. But really even with that I didn't feel all that Christmasy until today. I am not sure what changed it was it hearing it all together? Or was it just the setting, what ever it was I am glad because now I can't wait for Christmas, sadly that is less than a week away. Why couldn't this of happened earlier? Now I only have a week to enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

But it also made me think of some of my favorite hol

iday memories. So I am making a list for all of you to enjoy....

1. One year Nichole (my sister) was so excited for it to be Christmas and so she decided to wake up really early that morning and open the presents... not just her presents but mine as well. I got woken up by her not long after with "Mariah, Mariah!" She then proceded to tell me everything I had gotten for Christmas. As a result Christmas was not that fun for

me that year.

2. I remember one year we woke up to find a big foot print of ash by the fireplace. That was the coolest thing a 7 year old could of hoped for. See Santa is real!

3. Every year my mom would let us paint pictures on the window. She would make these pretty winter scenes but as for me I just liked the colors. It was a ton of fun!

4. As a family tradition we would go caroling every Christmas eve. Even though I was not that happy to be out in the cold I enjoyed spending time together.

5. As we decorated the tree every year we would listen to Forgotten Carols. The music is so beautiful! The tree may not be the prettiest but it was worth it, especially w

hen we got to add our ornament from that year. (We got a new one every year.)

Forgotten Carols

2010-12-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

Last night Kyle and I were able to go see forgotten carols. (It was an early Christmas present from my family.) I loved every moment of it. There is just something about being there in person. I like to think of it as Christmas magic. The spirit of Christmas is so special. They had a song in there that I hadn't heard before I loved every moment of it. The music was beyond awesome it was "beawesome."

Michael came out after the play and he had David Bluth the most amazing singer ever, sing his carol. He ender up singing Arise and shine forth. Wow It was amazing. He told us the best part of doing the play for 19 years and playing a man that was 1900 years old was that he would never be too old to play it, and that his wife who played Sara got to come with him. He said that the best part of that was "making out backstage" everyone laughed. Then he had us all sing silent night. This woman next to me made me cry she told me that I had a beautiful voice. All my life I have never been told that, and I have always thought my voice was awful. I started crying she was so sweet!

Thank you to my family for giving me that very special experience. I think I didn't stop smiling the whole time.

Holiday magic

2010-12-01T08:35:00.000-08:00

Well I have not been doing well at updating consistently.. I am awful I know. I hope everyones Thanksgiving was enjoyable. For me it was good, awkward but good. I was surrounded by people I didn't know and anyone that knows me, knows how enjoyable that one is. NOT!

But lights on Temple square have turned on, they are beautiful! The lights and the snow really makes it feel more like Christmas. I love it! Its cold but there is magic in the air this time of year. There is more giving, more joy, more acceptance and more love. Though these things are here year round there is simply more of it this time of year.

I am reminded of the Children's story Christmas Oranges. In this story there was a little girl in an orphanage, every year they received a single orange for Christmas, but this year the girl had done something that made the headmaster mad, as a result she didn't get her Christmas orange. But all the girls sacrificed one piece of there orange so that she could have some.

Do we share in such a sacrificing way? Do we give so much? Try this Christmas season to find ways you can give.

Thanksgiving history

2010-11-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

Most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the indians that took place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a good harvest, and the local indians did participate, this "first Thanksgiving" was not a holiday, simply a gathering. There is little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since.

However, since most school children are taught that the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 with the pilgrims and indians, let us take a closer look at just what took place leading up to that event, and then what happened in the centuries afterward that finally gave us our modern Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were originally members of the English Separatist Church, (a Puritan sect). They had earlier fled their home in England and sailed to Holland (The Netherlands) to escape religious persecution. There, they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became disenchanted with the Dutch way of life, thinking it ungodly. Seeking a better life, the Separatists negotiated with a London stock company to finance a pilgrimage to America.

The Pilgrims set ground at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. Their first winter was devastating as a result of not having the knowledge of harvest and the late time of year, there was no time to plant. At the beginning of the following fall, they had lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. But the harvest of 1621 was a bountiful one. And the remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast -- including 91 Indians who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year. It is believed that the Pilgrims would not have made it through the year without the help of the natives. The feast was more of a traditional English harvest festival than a true "thanksgiving" observance. It lasted three days.

Governor William Bradford sent "four men fowling" after wild ducks and geese. It is not certain that wild turkey was part of their feast. However, it is certain that they had venison. The term "turkey" was used by the Pilgrims to mean any sort of wild fowl.

Another modern staple at almost every Thanksgiving table is pumpkin pie. But it is unlikely that the first feast included that treat. The supply of flour had been long diminished, so there was no bread or pastries of any kind. However, they did eat boiled pumpkin, and they produced a type of fried bread from their corn crop. There was also no milk, cider, potatoes, or butter. There was no domestic cattle for dairy products, and the newly-discovered potato was still considered by many Europeans to be poisonous. But the feast did include fish, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, venison, and plums.

This "thanksgiving" feast was not repeated the following year. Many years passed before the event was repeated. It wasn't until June of 1676 that another Day of thanksgiving was proclaimed. On June 20 of that year the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving.

A hundred years later, in October of 1777 all 13 colonies joined in a thanksgiving celebration. It also commemorated the patriotic victory over the British at Saratoga. But it was a one-time affair.

George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, although some were opposed to it. There was discord among the colonies, many feeling the hardships of a few pilgrims did not warrant a national holiday. And later, President Thomas Jefferson opposed the idea of having a day of thanksgiving.

It was Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recognize as Thanksgiving. Hale wrote many editorials championing her cause in her Boston Ladies' Magazine, and later, in Godey's Lady's Book.Finally, after a 40-year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale's obsession became a reality when, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the lastThursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was proclaimed by every president after Lincoln. The date was changed a couple of times, most recently by Franklin Roosevelt, who set it up one week to the next-to-last Thursday in order to create a longer Christmas shopping season. Public uproar against this decision caused the president to move Thanksgiving back to its original date two years later. And in 1941, Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by Congress as a legal holiday, as the fourth Thursday in November.

2010-11-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

My husband is a saint! This past week or so my hormones have been going crazy and yet he still is as ever patient as ever. Nothing new this last week or so, not really looking forward to this week. I don't get a day off from work till next monday, BLAHHH. I guess it could always be worse. Besides after that I only have to work one day then I have Vacation, if only I were going somewhere it would be great. But sadly I am staying right here and so I am going to be bored out of my mind.

Belated honeymoon

2010-10-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Well Kyle and I finally did it. We finally took our honeymoon, almost a year later. But that is what happens when you get married in the middle of the holidays when you can't afford to take any extra time off from work. Then not long after hours get cut, then switch jobs. I mean you go with the flow. So every month we saved a little and we finally were able to go on our belated honeymoon. Let me tell you it was worth the wait. I think it was almost better then going right when we are married. I am serious, this way we were ableto enjoy being there, and enjoy being with eachother. If we had gone we would of been too caught up on newly wed activities.

So we left early Friday morning and headed to Las Vegas. We stayed with Kyle's family that night but we were able to go see Blue Man Group, best part was that we got the tickets for free. Kyle has connections! That and when they found out it was our

honeymoon she gave us the tickets as a wedding present. So as a result we had some of the best tickets in the building.

It was amazing I really didn't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't anything like that. I was so amazed, I normally am not the biggest fan of drumsand acoustics but they made it so much fun and new and adventive. The lights, the music, the fun of it all was amazing.

The next morning we headed to California bright and early. I decided that I HATE California traffic. I flat out refused to drive while we were there. But it was awesome. We went to Disneyland! Oh how much fun. I mean I had been there once before but somehow this was so much more enjoyable. When we got our tickets they asked if we were celebrating anything special we told them it was a late honeymoon so they gave us "just married" buttons. It was kind of funny because all day people would tell us "congratulations." It was so funny. Simply because well we have been married for 11

months. But oh well. We were there for almost 10 hours and by then I was so soar and was having a hard time walking, but we still had to walk back to the hotel. B

ut while we were there we went on all the rides and enjoyed the parade. There was so much to do, so much fun and lots of people.

The whole park was decorated in halloween decor. It was beautiful. I generally am not a fan of the halloween session, mostly because it seems to be all about blood and gore. But Disneyland made it fun, cute, and enjoyable. I mean how cute is the Mickey pumpkin? I would never of thought of making a mickey pumpkin, or any of the other disney characters they made into pumpkins as well, I think my favorite was the goofy one right at the entrance.

I was so sad leaving, I wanted to go back. I missed it. i can defiantly tell why they call it the most magical place on earth. Were else can you feel like a kid even though your not? No were. I loved walking around and seeing all the little girls dressed up as there favorite princess. The little snow white's, Cinderella's, Jasmine's and Sleeping beauty. I loved it. To see to excitement in there eyes. I can't wait to one day take our kids there someday.

Talk for tomorrow

2010-09-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

So here is my talk for tomorrow let me know what you think....

Nephi is recorded as saying “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days” What did Nephi mean that he was born of goodly parents? Does it mean that his parents played an active role in the child’s upbringing and taught gospel principles? Of course it does.

The home and family have vital roles in the developing and cultivating of personal testimony and faith. It is in the family that children first become aware of many of the gospel principles. It is the parents that teach faith, repentance, hope, charity. The family is the basic unit of society, each family is a little different, but regardless of who constitutes your family it is in that unit that they are able to share love. Love for each other and love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. When the gospel is not only taught in the home but also lived children learn and grow. Just like the best meals are cooked at home, the best gospel instruction should be in the home.

The proclamation to the family states that “The family is ordained of God. Husbands have a solemn responsibility to love and care for eachother and there children. “Children are a heratige of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3) Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for there physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law abiding citizens.” For it is here that faith truly begins. But before you can influence others you have to have habits and qualities for yourself. What are these habits and qualities?

1. Prayer:

Do you say daily prayer? Prayers before each meal? Do you say meals with your spouce and family? “Let every family in this Church have prayer together. Now, it is important to have individual prayer, but it is a wonderful thing to have family prayer. Pray to your Father in Heaven in faith. Pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can do nothing better for your children than to have them taking their turn in the family prayer, expressing gratitude for their blessings. If they do that while they are young, they will grow with a spirit of thanksgiving in their hearts” I remember babysitting my nieces one evening, before my sister left they all knelt in prayer and my niece then was not even 3 saying a prayer. The habits of prayer are learned as children. That prayer was so simple and so filled with love that the effect has not left me even after the words have been forgotten long ago. Many people even if they saying prayers they are saying the same prayer day after day. One thing that makes a huge difference in prayers is personalizing them, make it as if you are having a personal conversation with the Lord. Tell him about your day, or the things you need counsel on. When it comes to prayer I think there is no better example then that of the children, for they truly say what is in there hearts. They ask for blessings that they need, and they express love for Heavenly Father and there families. I believe over time we either become comfortable in routine phrases that they are used over and over, or that we are so worried about using the prayer words; thou, thine, thee, ect. Were these are good things to have they should not over rule your prayer. Let it be heartfelt, and inspired. As you do this the spirit will begin to guide you as what to say.

2. Study scriptures together;

When asked about study scriptures as a family President Hinkley said “We would be better people. There would be little or no infidelity among us. Divorce would be almost entirely disappear. So much of heartache and heartbreak would be avoided. There would be greater measure of appreciation and of mutual respect among us. And I am confident the Lord would smile with greater favor upon us.” Why if the scriptures are so important is it so hard to consistently read them? It’s because Satan knows the influence of the scriptures. I have realized that days were Kyle and I read together the spirit is more prevalent. I love being able to read together, sharing those sacred texts. “The brass plates were a record of Lehi’s fathers, including their language, genealogy, and more importantly, the gospel taught by God’s holy prophets. As Lehi searched the plates, he learned what all of us learn by studying the scriptures: Who we are? What can we become? Prophecies for us and our posterity, commandments, laws, ordinances, and covenants we must live by to obtain eternal life.”(Robert D. Hales) Prayer by itself when we ask questions or want guidance is meaningless if we are not doing our part and reading the scriptures. Elder Robert D Hales explained that when we want to talk to God we pray but if we expect God to talk to us then we must read the scriptures. It is through the scriptures that the counsel and teachings of God are able to influence our own lives.

3.Temple and church attendance;

I remember driving in the car with my nieces one afternoon passing the Nauvoo temple, all the sudden I hear “Temple mommy, its Jesus’ house” I nearly was brought to tears. My niece knew why the temple was so sacred, it was Jesus’ house. President Monson said “as we tuch the temple, the temple will touch us.” Are we allowing the spirit that we feel each time we go to the temple or come to church are we allowing that to reach beyond the walls of the building? Do we talk to one another about things we learned? I remember growing up each Sunday night as we sat around the table for dinner right after dinner my father would ask each of us in turn “what did you learn about today?”

Have those gospel discussions each and every time you go to church or attend the temple. If you are unable to go to the temple for what ever reason spend some time on temple grounds. Take your scriptures, and a book to write down your thoughts, and think of the Savior. We are so blessed to live in a time were there are so many temples, so many opportunities to be in the Lord’s house. Use them!

4. Attitude;

Everything begins and ends with your attitude. If you are reading or praying because you have too, you are not going to get anything out of it. You get out of it what you put into it. Have a positive out look and the spirit will bless you.

5. Be consistent;

Have a routine, and stick to it. Just like when you exercise you have a routine, do the same with prayer and scripture study. Set a time each day that you set aside for these activities. Turn off the tv, take a break and make your home a heaven on earth. “Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected.

Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent.

Sister Bednar and I thought helping our sons understand the content of a particular lesson or a specific scripture was the ultimate outcome. But such a result does not occur each time we study or pray or learn together. The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson—a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time.” Don’t give up and do you best but stay consistent!

Loosing weight

2010-09-19T20:41:00.001-07:00

I am officially on a diet and exercise program! Go me. Well its not too bad, changing bad eating habits and stuff, means Kyle gets to cook healthier things. But in the last week I have lost 5 lbs. See not to bad for the first week right? Him and I are exercising in the morning before either of us go to work. I realize that if someone is not there to push me I tend to last a week and then I guess I give up or something. Not sure, but I have never in my life exercised consistently. I am horrible I know. Wish me luck!

our life is a roller coaster of joys and sorrows.

2010-08-28T09:07:00.001-07:00

Well lets give you a quick update.... "no to much let me sum up". Monday was my birthday oh yeah I think I had a nervous break down or something about turning 25. I mean now I understand when Kyle kept telling me that its not that big a deal but sunday night I seriously cried myself to sleep. I worked all day (but sneaky me refused to tell anyone it was my birthday.) I was still in distress after all.

Oh monday the day of joys..... NOT. On monday I had called to make an apointment for a new doctor, just for a check up and to start getting my birth control through him. Well turns out in order to get birthcontrol through him I have to get a pap smear. NOOOOOOOOOOO! So I started freaking out about that. (Oh just wait it gets better.)

Then on my break I called my sister Nichole to complain about the pap smear (I have never had one so it scared me.) Well just to find out that my Grandpa was not doing well, that the doctors didn't expect him to make it through the night. Oh the Joy. (Told you it got better.)

Well turned out that my Grandpa has still alive, not doing very well and still could go at any moment but holding in there.

Yesterday Kyle for a birthday present let me go get a pedicure. Oh it was delightful. I didn't want to stop them massaging my feet. We went to Apple bee's for lunch the other day, I was upset because we waited for like 45 minutes just for our food to be brought out. Well I complained and now we get free food. Oh the joys! And today we are going to the aquarium. I think it will be a blast!

Weekly win

2010-08-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well this week was my first week back to work, it was a little rough but over all it was good. Monday was the worst, my ankle was killing me. But now its good for the most part. From time to time it hurts mostly when I am driving. Its the angle I have to put it.

My car was in the shop getting fixed because it kept over heating, well $1700 later it got fixed. It works so much better now. I still stress that the car is going to over heat but I think that is just me stressing.

Kyle and I went to the movie theaters today and saw the "other guys." Not the bet movie. I laughed all the way through the movie but there are so many sexual innuendo's and to much swearing. Its funny but it would be so much better with out the other stuff.

A "twist" of fait

2010-07-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

I am horrible here I am with all this time on my hands and I have not updated my blog in forever, how sad am I? So lets see were to start? Well I started my new job. I am a janitor on temple square I work in the Church office Building (mostly on the employee floors.) I enjoy it I think mostly because I love cleaning and organizing, strangely enough I prefer it not to be my own house that I am cleaning. Well last week while I was at work I slipped on a puddle of water and twisted my ankle. As a result I have been getting paid to sit at home and do nothing. At first I thought it would be really nice but I am going crazy I feel like I have been on house arrest. My life has been either the bed or the coach. I am going crazy, I am ready to go back to work. Ahh but sadly they told me I have to have a doctors clearance before I can go to work again. I want to go NOW!

Well besides that we moved into our new apartment. I am excited though we are still dealing with boxes and deciding were to put things, we have more room. Its a 2 bedroom apartment, and the closet is big enough you could put a queen size bed in it. Awesome!

Other then that nothing new or exciting....

Weekend event of debugging!

2010-07-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

I kind of destroyed the bedroom! Took everything apart but its all good, I put it back together!

Don't I look pretty? This is What I wore while spraying!

I declare war!

2010-07-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

So today I was fed up, I have way too many bites all over me! I look like I have chicken pox because I have so many bites! I have been dealing for the past month with stupid bed bugs. I put up with them long enough. At first we were not sure what they were. Then we looked them up on the web (after we caught a few of them.) At first we were thinking that they were flees but alas no, we do have bed bugs. But we also had flees from the stupid dog down stairs. The combination of the two is not fair and not fun.

The fact that they were only biting me and not Kyle, not fair. Stinker! We threw out the box spring in hopes that we were getting rid of them.... sadly not. We think they were venturing up from another apartment. Because the most common ways of getting bed bugs is from traveling (haven't been any were since our wedding), other apartments (ding ding ding), or rarely from clinging to clothes. I even tried steaming everything, didn't work.

So today war began. I used indoor pesticide all over our furniture (not the mattress) and all the corners, cracks, etc. Then Kyle and I put tape all the way around our mattress... Ha get that stupid bugs. now if you try to get me, you will either die, or get stuck, tortured and then die! (*Starts laughing in an evil voice*)

I am hoping that now I will be able to sleep! Oh one can hope.

2010-06-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday everyone! Its a beautiful day, the sun is shinning, I am home with Kyle. I mean could it be any better? Nope! Yesterday Kyle and I went to the temple and did sealings. It was fun. We were there for a little over an hour, Kyle really enjoyed it.

So I chickened out on giving blood the other day, didn't happen... part of it was I was to lazy to leave after running errands all day.

2010-06-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I had an interview at a Lawyers office. (As a receptionist.) I would be working mainly with one lawyer. I am hoping and praying that I get the job. If I get it I start on Monday! I find out sometime today. I'm praying that I get the job.

Today I am going to give blood. Well I am going to try anyways. Last time I gave blood they told me not to try again.... that was almost 5 years ago. But then I was told I could try again. So lots of water. I am just afraid that I am going to have to use the bathroom while I am hooked up to the needle. That would suck, but totally my luck.

Nichole and her family are coming to visit! There staying here! I am way excited to spoil my nieces. I miss them and they live so far away that I haven't seen them since my wedding. I love my sister!

Lessons of my father

2010-06-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

With yesterday being father's day it made me think of all the things that my father taught me.

1. Find someone that makes you laugh everyday and stick with them.

2. Once you are married do everything you can to make it work.

3. Live everyday like it was your last.

4. Life is not always fair but it can be fun!

5. He taught me to tie my shoes

6. He taught me to ride a bike.

7. Tried teaching me to play fair. Sadly I still cheat! I play dirty, just ask Kyle.

8. He taught me to be Honest.

9. He taught me to Love others.

10. He also taught me to be a friend.

Thank you daddy for everything you have done for me. You were the best dad! You taught me so much, every moment of every day you found something to teach me. I love you so much. But most of the things you taught me made me who I am because of the love you showed for me and for the rest of the family.

2010-06-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

This is totally how I feel at times. Today this is how I feel mostly because I am so tired. I hate when I work so late. Plus the fact that my body has a stupid internal clock thing going on. I have a hard time sleeping past 8.

Plus I have been having an itchy allergy kind of thing going on. Not exactly sure what is causing it. But all I know is it itches and I am going crazy!!!!

THE KARATE KID - Official Trailer [HQ]

2010-06-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

So Kyle and I went and saw Karate kid, I was optimistic. Turned out I loved it even better then the original. I loved the fact that the story line was the same but that it brought it back to its orgins CHINA! I mean karate started in china and that is were it is. You get to see more action, more beautiful scenery, and you feel like there is a better connection between you the viewer and the characters. I thought Jackie Chang did a wonderful job in his role as the mentor. I loved how there was a lot of Chinese spoken in it as well. Plus the girl has a story line, she is no longer just an extra character... What can I say I LOVE THIS MOVIE!

Shut up!

2010-06-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

So Kyle and I decided that we really do not want our future kids saying shut up... so I am having to stop saying it... Its not easy. I am catching myself all the time saying "the word!" Some days are better then others but I am looking forward to the day when I don't have to worry about it any longer! Hopefully that day is soon!

2010-06-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

Well stake conference was really good. They reorganized the stake presidency. It was weird though because Kyle and I both felt like we were visitors because we haven't been in the stake that long and we are moving out of the stake next month. It was sweet though the music was done by the primary, and here I was singing along. "Faith is knowing the sun will rise, brighting each new day!" But I was pleased that there was a new song that I didn't know! And I loved it!

"A long time ago in a beautiful place,

Children were gathered ’round Jesus.
He blessed and taught as they felt of His love.
Each saw the tears on His face.
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me.
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yet, Jesus is real to me.

Chorus
I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me.

Now I am here in a beautiful place,
Learning the teachings of Jesus.
Parents and teachers will help guide the way,
Lighting my path ev’ry day.
Wrapped in the arms of my Savior’s love,
I feel His gentle touch.
Living each day, I will follow His way,
Home to my Father above.
Chorus "

Elder Evans and Elder Price from the quorum of the 70 were there. It was really funny because one of the men that was speaking said "When I grow up I want to be just like him." (Says a 50 year old man about a man half his age. It was super cute.) Elder Evans spoke about the warning sings of life, and how Satan uses those warning signs against us to make us fall into temptation. Elder Price I don't think knew how to end a meeting on time. He was the junior apostle and yet he spoke the longest. Ahhh! And the problem was that he really wasn't speaking to me, he was talking to the teens approaching mission age and the elderly with time to serve....

A True Apostle of God, Jeffrey R. Holland

2010-06-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

I love how much power Elder Holland has as he bears testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. I have always loved watching him bear such a simple testimony. He says it so well.

Today we have stake conference, I will let you know how it goes.

Is it any wonder? Christ is the Greatest of all!

Aspects of Love - The First Man You Remember

2010-06-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is one of my all time favorite songs! I love it.

David Ball - Riding With Private Malone

2010-06-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

Happy memorial day

2010-06-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

There are many stories of veterans that gave there lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have. But I think that we don't always think of the struggles that they had when they left for war. Did they want to go? Did they go out of duty? Did they go to impress? These are the stories that we never hear. But we can imagine how they go.

But I think that with memorial day comes the knowledge that the visions of those before us have been passed down, they are our forefathers and they have helped form our world. Say thank you to a veteran. They gave it there all. Be grateful for them and what they did.

Private Malone by: David Ball

I was just out of the service thumbing through the classifieds
When an ad that said:"Old Chevy" somehow caught my eye
The lady didn't know the year,or even if it ran
But I had that thousand dollars in my hand

It was way back in the corner of this old ramshackle barn
Thirty years of dust and dirt on that green army tarp
When I pulled the cover off,it took away my breath
What she called a Chevy was a sixty six Corvette

I felt a little guilty as I counted out the bills
But what a thrill I got when I sat behind the wheel
I opened up the glove box and that's when I found the note
The date was nineteen-sixty six and this is what it wrote:

He said,"My name is Private Andrew Malone"
"If you're reading this,then I didn't make it home"
"But for every dream that shattered,another one comes true"
"This car was once a dream of mine,now it belongs to you"
"And though you may take her and make her your own"
"You'll always be riding with Private Malone"

Well it didn't take me long at all,I had her running good
I love to hear those horses thunder underneath her hood
I had her shining lika a diamond and I'd put the rag top down
All the pretty girls would stop and stare as I drove her through town

The buttons on the radio didn't seem to work quite right
But it picked up that oldie show,especially late at night
I'd get the feeling sometimes,if I turned real quick I'd see
A soldier riding shotgun in the seat right next to me

It was a young man named Private Andrew Malone
Who fought for his country and never made it home
But for every dream that's shattered,another one comes true
This car was once a dream of his,back when it was new
He told me to take her and make her my own
And I was proud to be riding with Private Malone

One night it was raining hard,I took the curve too fast
I still don't remember much about that fiery crash
Someone said they thought they saw a soldier pull me out
They didn't get his name, but I know without a doubt

It was a young man named Private Andrew Malone
Who fought for his country and never made it home
But for every dream that's shattered,another one comes true
This car was once a dream of his,back when it was new
I know I wouldn't be here if he hadn't tagged along
That night I was riding with Private Malone
Oh,thank God,I was riding with Private Malone

Its Kyle's day!

2010-05-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Today is Kyle's birthday he is now 25! I keep teasing him that he is OLD! Well in all reality I am not that much younger than he is. Oh well I guess. I can try to dream. But he is OLD! Ha ha! Oh but I love that man!

2010-05-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

Talk went OKAY not as good as I was hoping. I stuttered a lot and said random things oh well.... could of been worse!

Talk for Sunday

2010-05-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

So i thought as I learned a lot from this others might as well. This is the talk I am giving in Church tomorrow. Enjoy all... Its on patience. (My biggest weakness.) Its based on President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's conference talk Continue in Patience.

Patience

There are different levels of patience

1. Patience with self

2. Patient with others

3. Patient with blessings- waiting on the blessings you expect as you keep the commandment

4. Patience in answers to prayers

In the 1960s, a professor at Stanford University began a modest experiment testing the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed before them a large marshmallow and then told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited for 15 minutes, they could have two marshmallows.

He then left the children alone and watched what happened behind a two-way mirror. Some of the children ate the marshmallow immediately; some could wait only a few minutes before giving in to temptation. Only 30 percent were able to wait.

It was a mildly interesting experiment, and the professor moved on to other areas of research, for, in his own words, “there are only so many things you can do with kids trying not to eat marshmallows.” But as time went on, he kept track of the children and began to notice an interesting correlation: the children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships.

Relationships are based on characteristics such as patience. Patience is not just enduring trials, it is also dealing with others, how you react to the ups and downs of life, how you react to yourself, and with God. There are many levels of patience but one is no more important than the next.

When we think of patience the first thing we think of is trials. Why do we need trails? We grow through our trials that make us who we are today. At the time we may not understand why things are not going the way we want them to but knowing that God has a plan. The children of Israel waited 40 years in the wilderness before they could enter the Promised Land. Jacob waited 7 long years for Rachel. The Jews waited 70 years in Babylon before they could return to rebuild the temple. The Nephites waited for a sign of Christ’s birth, even knowing that if the sign did not come, they would perish. Joseph Smith’s trials in Liberty Jail caused even the prophet of God to wonder, “How long?” D&C 121:39-45 How often are we the ones asking the lord How long must I suffer? Why am I here and not receive an answer? In each case, Heavenly Father had a purpose in requiring that His children wait. Because Patience is more than just enduring, it is enduring well. Many of the hard ships and trials appear sever. This life is not always easy it’s a time of proving that is how it was meant to be. Whatever the source of the trial it causes pain and hardship for those involved and those around them.

We often can utter the same prayer that Christ uttered in the garden. “Abba (Father) If it be thy will let this cup pass from me.” That cup didn’t pass from Christ he needed to experience that trial just as we need our trials. Those trials bring us to our knees; they make us who the Lord sees us becoming.

Patience in trials comes as we accept the will of the father. “Not my will but thine be done.” As we approach the Lord in heart felt prayer we are able to better understand the need of these trials. Looking back on my own life I see trials that I had, at the time they seemed so big so important, but now they were not that big but they did help me to grow. Often we can’t see the Lord’s hand in our lives until long after trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness

“We live in a world offering fast food, instant messaging, on-demand movies, and immediate answers to the most trivial or profound questions. We don’t like to wait. Some even feel their blood pressure rise when their line at the grocery store moves slower than those around them.

Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter. Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God. “ We often want the instantaneous results with out the work. “Brigham Young taught that when something came up which he could not comprehend fully, he would pray to the Lord, “Give me patience to wait until I can understand it for myself.”5 And then Brigham would continue to pray until he could comprehend it.

We must learn that in the Lord’s plan, our understanding comes “line upon line, precept upon precept.”6

For me the biggest trial in patience is being patient with my self. We are our worst critics often times simply because we know we can do better and we expect more from ourselves then from other people, or the fact that you have to look yourself in the mirror every day and know that you are not doing your personal best. We set goals for ourselves sometimes we realize that those goals are unrealistic but we set them anyway and then when we don’t reach them we go about beating ourselves up about it. That is how we as humans work; it’s a vicious cycle of personal abuse.

I am grateful for my Husband because I am very hard on myself, and he often times will be the one to explain to me how silly it is to be frustrated at my self when I can just try to be better. He is right after all. It goes with the old saying, “if at first you don’t succeed try, try again.” So what if I failed at loosing 5 pounds, it doesn’t mean I have to yell at myself or that the world is going to come to an end. It just means that I try again.

“Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with courage, grace, and faith. It means being “willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father.”8 Ultimately, patience means being “firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord”9 every hour of every day, even when it is hard to do so. In the words of John the Revelator, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and . . . faith [in] Jesus.”10

Patience is a process of perfection. The Savior Himself said that in your patience you possess your souls.11 Or, to use another translation of the Greek text, in your patience you win mastery of your souls.12 Patience means to abide in faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting rather than in the receiving that we grow the most. This was true in the time of the Savior. It is true in our time as well, for we are commanded in these latter days to “continue in patience until ye are perfected.”13

2010-05-19T10:41:00.001-07:00

So today I had an interview at AT&T! I am hopeful the interview went really well. I am suppose to hear back by monday or Tuesday..... Keep your fingers crossed. It would be really great full time, paid vacation after 6 months, and also benefits after 6 months. Please oh please let me get the job!

2010-05-17T17:43:00.001-07:00

Just curious but why does it feel like they want me to quit?

Blah ha ha ha

2010-05-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

I want a job that I actually enjoy is that to much to ask???????

Laugh when you want to cry

2010-05-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

I found this on a web page and I thought how true is this. There are just sometimes we need a way to laugh....

1) Take a Look Around

Guess what? Your life isn’t that bad. If you’re reading this, then you have access to a computer and the internet. You know who doesn’t? Millions of people around the world. Things could be worse…

A little while ago, while I was in the midst of a little self pity, I read “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. It’s a rather moving tale about a guy who, at the age of 46 and with a wife and three kids, gets a terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The story has some great life lessons, but one of my biggest takeaways was not one Randy explicitly states in the book. I thought to myself, “wow, my life seems bad, but jeez, at least I don’t have pancreatic cancer.” Sounds a bit callous, but I have a feeling Randy would have approved.

There are real tragedies that can hit you. However, so much of the time people waste on being depressed is not about real tragedies. It’s about stuff that ultimately doesn’t matter. Ironically, most of the people I know who did face real tragedies faced those with their chins up and made the best of it. Life is weird that way…

The next time you feel down about something insignificant, take a look around. There are a lot of people a lot worse off than you who are making the best of it. Follow their example and be happy with what you do have.

2) Time Travel to “Someday”

Look, you know for a fact that in a couple of months you are going to look back on what you are going through right now and laugh at yourself for how stupidly you overreacted. It’s a fact. You’ve probably already said, “someday we’re going to look back on this and laugh.” You also know your friends and family are most likely already making fun of you about it.

Skip the mourning period and start laughing about it now. Just imagine that it is “someday” and think about what the future you would say about it to the present you. I doubt future you would say soothing words like, “there, there, it’ll all be all right.” No, future you would say, “hey dumbass! Stop whining. Life is too short and he/she/it/whatever you’re crying about isn’t worth it.” If it helps, picture “future you” as a Terminator speaking to you in a Austrian accent; all things sound funnier when said by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

You don’t need to share it with anyone else, but a little self-mockery can get you laughing and give you some much needed perspective.

3) Guffaw, Even If For No Reason

Do this one in private, or you might end up in a sanitarium, but definitely give it a try. Give it a whirl now: just let out a big laugh. Not just a chuckle, but a long sustained, hearty guffaw.

I know it feels goofy, but I bet it also made you feel just a tinge better, right? I don’t fully understand the physiological or neurological reasons why, but I do know that the act of laughing will lighten your mood.

The wimpier version of this is to simply smile rather than laughing. That works too, and is a little easier to do in public.

4) Gallagherize

Gallagher was a comedian who told some very bad jokes, but for some unknown reason was immensely successful. It may have had something to do with the fact that a big part of his act was smashing fruit with a giant sledgehammer. I am not suggesting you smash watermelons (though really, I don’t see how that wouldn’t lift your mood), but I am suggesting that you try to make your own humor, even when you don’t feel like it.

Here’s a fact: in order to make jokes, you have to look for humor in the world. When you look for humor in the world, you find humor in the world. When you find humor in the world, you take the first steps towards laughing instead of crying.

When you’re down, commit to looking for the humor. A simple way to do that is to get in the habit of asking yourself, “what’s funny about this?” You won’t always come up with an answer, but you will be training your mind to look for the funny.

Like Gallagher, you don’t need to be all that funny to be successful. Just make the jokes, and the laughs will come.

5) Jump Into A Big Pile Of “Ha Ha”

What’s weird is the extent to which people who are feeling down like to do things to stay down. They watch weepy movies, stare at depressing photographs, and listen to depressing music like Morrissey and Coldplay. When you’re in the middle of it, this sounds like a brilliant plan, but any outside observer could easily tell you that you are just feeding into a downward spiral.

Break out of that spiral by switching to fun and funny things. Watch funny movies and TV shows. Hang out with funny people. Listen to stand up comics. The nice thing is you can usually find comedians, movies, and TV shows that make light of what you are going through. This offers a nice perspective shift that you may not even realize.

If you’re unwilling to completely leave behind the depressing material, start with those weird hybrid movies that start out funny and then get serious halfway through. To the average movie-goer, those movies are annoying; to a person looking to come out of a self-pitying spiral, they can really fit the bill.

+++Throw a Hissy Fit

Let’s say that you are unsuccessful at using the simple techniques above to switch from crying to laughing. In that case, stop trying to be so mature and go ahead and throw a tantrum. Do it safely, and in private, but do what you need to get the emotion out.

There are many ways you can do this: rant and rave (to no one), write a vitriolic letter (which you never send), beat the heck out of a punching bag (my personal favorite), etc. Notice how you do not throw a physical or verbal tantrum at the object of your anger; you simply do what you need to get it out of your system.

Years ago I was in the middle of a month long self-pity party. When I decided it was time to get out of it I hopped on a treadmill. The thing is, I hate running and am not that great at it. If I can keep running for 20 minutes or a mile and a half, I consider that impressive. This day I turned on the treadmill, started running, and channeled all my emotion into that run. More than 45 minutes and three miles later I stopped, exhausted, and feeling better than I had in weeks. There is something very cathartic about channeling your emotion into a physical activity.

Be careful that you don’t do something stupid and hurt yourself, but give it a try. When you’re done, take a shower and watch a funny movie…

The next time you are wallowing in unnecessary sadness, try one or more of these techniques. In every moment of every day, you have a choice: laugh or cry, and life is way too short to spend it crying…

Mother's day

2010-05-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers day one and all. So Kyle gave a talk in Sacrament meeting it was good, but church was so awkward. I am 1 of 2 woman in the ward that is not a mom. All during church it was like a constant reminder that I am not a mother. It was hard. But the good thing I guess was in Sunday school it made me think about what I wanted in my life.... what are my goals. I want to be happy. I want to be able to get kyle through school and then go myself. I want to have a job that I enjoy. I want to have children. I want to enjoy every moment of every day.

2010-05-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

I feel so bad. I just started new birth control if its possible I am even more moody then before. Not sick just moody. I feel bad for Kyle though because one minute I am happy and laughing and then the next minute I am off balling my eyes out. Ahhh why???? I feel bad because I dont know what triggers it or why I am crying. I am just crying! Grr. I am hoping things level out.

I had a few interviews this week. I had one at Build a Bear, and then one an internet dating service. I am hoping and praying that I get the one at Build a Bear. They offer benefits and payed vacation. The one with the internet dating I thought at first would be great but the more I think about it the more uneasy I get. I am not going to take that one if it is offered. Plus its commission based. Blahhh

Moments in time

2010-04-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

So this week has been entertaining to say the least. I mean with my younger brother trying to control my life. He was trying to tell me that we had to get pregnant before he goes on his mission. Um NO! Even though I am seriously baby hungry we are still sticking to our plan and waiting at least a year and we are waiting till we have health insurance. My brother tried telling me that I didn't need health insurance until I told him that he can pay the doctors bills then. That changed his mind very quickly. LOL he just loves kids so much. As do I but everything in its time. I will just have to be patient.

Kyle's cousin Jake just had a baby and I got to hold it. It helped me not be so baby hungry though. I kept freaking out because she kept making a face like she was choking. I was afraid that she was suffocating. I was so scared. But luckily she was alright. She was so tiny though.

The other day was entertaining, I got off work and Kyle told me to come to the church house. Kyle locked his keys in the church while practicing. He was playing the piano in the Relief society room because someone was on the organ in the chapel. Well I got there and got the attention of the person playing. He acted like I was going to mug him, seriously? I am a weak girl and I was wearing a skirt. Like I was really going to beat him up? Not likely. But I got the keys that's all I know.

So I am changing birth control pills. I am sick of the constant nausea that has come with it. Its like morning sickness with out the pregnancy. It sucks! I am hoping that it also helps with my emotional roller coaster. We will see. I just started yesterday so we will see.

Kyle and I are becoming coupon people. Hey any way to save money, right?

Dinner at home with Kyle

2010-04-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

So tonight was entertaining. Here Kyle and I are eating dinner while watching Smallville, a knock on the door comes. I open the door and Senior missionaries are there asking for Kyle. Well the ward apparently gave them a list of people to go see and well Kyle was on there, they didn't even know about me. They figured that we were just dating, what would we be doing in a family ward if we were only dating??? Then they thought we not active (even though Kyle plays in sacrament every week and we go every week!) I don't get it! But then for some reason they thought I was a convert, hum not sure were that came from. But oh well. It was rather funny. Kyle and I are still laughing about it. On there way out they saw our picture of the temple, the prophet, Joseph praying in the grove, families are forever sign and picture of Christ and said "oh yes you pass." Oh my goodness!

Hero's

2010-04-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

yesterday in church there was a high councler speaking about hero's he asked us who are your hero's. He told us a story about a missionary who had a low self esteem, he meet with the mission president on a weekly basis. Finally the mission president asked him who his hero's were. The missionary admitted he had none. He was then given a challenge to find someone to add to his list of possible candidates of hero hall a fame. The fallowing week in a meeting the missionary told the mission president that his new hero was Elder Talmage. The mission president was a little shocked that he would feel a connection to Elder Talmage. But over the fallowing weeks others were added to the hero hall of fame, a seminary teacher, a scout leader who was just doing his job, his father, and younger brother. Each of these had given him a huge influence that helped mold his life. Even though he had not realized it those around him had always been his hero's.

So I made a list of my own, my own personal hero's.

1. Jesus Christ

2. My father

3. Elder Holland

Who are your heros?

2010-04-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

So the last 3 nights I have been tossing and turning ALL night! As a result I have been a little cranky, impatient, and emotional. I feel so bad about it. It has really mad me think about how much I love kyle, how lucky I am to have him and it makes me wonder if he really knows how much I love him.

Sometimes late at night

I lie awake and watch her sleeping She's lost in peaceful dreams So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark And the thought crosses my mind If I never wake up in the morning W

ould she ever doubt the way I feel About her in my heart If tomorrow never comes Will she know how much I loved her Did I try in every way To show her every day That she's my only one If my time on earth were through And she must face the world without me Is the love I gave her in the past Gonna be enough to last If tomorrow ne

ver comes 'Cause I've lost loved ones in my life Who never knew how much I loved them Now I live with the regret That my true feelings for them never were revealed So I made a promise to myself To say each day how much she means to me And avoid that circumstance Where there's no

second chance To tell her how I feel If tomorrow never comes Will she know how much I loved her Did I try in every way To show her every day That she's my only one If my time on earth were through And she must face the world without me Is the love I gave her in the past Gonna be enough to last If tomorrow never comes So tell that someone that you love Just what you're thinking of If tomorrow never comes

I know that he knows that I love him but do I tell him enough? Do I treat him like I should everyday? I love him so much!

Testimony of the Book of Mormon

2010-04-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Job interviews

2010-04-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

So the interviews are done. Now I get to play the waiting game. I hate having to wait. I am stressed out because now I have to wait. I have to wait to find out if I got the jobs, if I get to start something new. I am a little bit of a basket case filled with jitters and hoping that I will get something better then I have right now.

Tomorrow

2010-04-11T18:24:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow is a busy day... phone interview at 8am, interview at Nordstom's at 11 am, on call at work at 12, and so on. Busy day. I am a little nervous, hoping all goes well though.

Its kinda nice so Kyle is taking a few less classes this quarter, translation being that Kyle is home with me more often! I defiantly like that but it makes it all that much harder when he leaves for class. The classes are shorter so I don't have to wait up till all hours of the night for him to get home either.

Well yesterday was fun. Kyle's friend Dave come up from Provo for the day. They went to the driving range while I was at work and then we all went to Red Robin for dinner. It was nice to have an excuse to get out of the house. Plus the weather was finally nice, so it was worth it. I love Dave he is a great guy, he is always contagiously happy.

Kyle is making key lime pie tonight. YUmmmY! I remember the first time I had it was when we were dating and YES he made it.... SO good! I love yumminess! I love that man. I can't believe how lucky I am. I ask myself every day what I did to deserve a man like him. And every day the answer is the same I DON'T HAVE A CLUE. I am sure every woman feels that way, but this is me talking so I get to be the selfish one and say that I am the LUCKIEST woman ALIVE! (Sorry everyone!)

2010-04-09T19:49:00.001-07:00

So all the applications are starting to FINALLY pay off. I had a phone interview with Sprint this morning while I was getting ready for work. That was interesting. Getting dressed with a phone attached to me. Not that easy just to let you know. The I have been playing phone tag with another job offer, problem being they are just opening a new office here in Salt Lake and they are based out of the East coast. (Two hour difference makes things a little more difficult!) The problem is I am torn if offered a job at all of them which should I take? I just don't know I guess I will see when and if the time comes.

Today I was given the opportunity (hehe) to fill out a employee survey ha ha ha.... Yeah I enjoyed that one. It basically asked what we liked about working there, if we would suggest someone else work there, etc. But my favorite part I think was they asked how we thought our managers were doing there job. Um NOT! I finally had something that I could get my frustrations out with.

Job interview

2010-04-08T17:30:00.001-07:00

So the interview went well. It was short but she seemed to like what I said. I am going in on monday to have an interview in person. I am a little excited but also a little nervous. Not that I need to be I mean I am already doing the job at Victoria's Secret.

Counting my blessings

2010-04-07T12:29:00.001-07:00

I think all to often we as a people as the general population of this place we call earth, that is our home become so caught up in our lives that we tend to forget. Forget from whence we came. That we do in deed have a Heavenly Father, that he loves each one of us and that everything that we have comes from him. Everything from the air we breath to the roof over our heads is a blessing a gift if you will from him.

My challenge for myself was to think only of the blessings that I have been given in my life. (Hard part is I had to think of the blessings ONLY from this week.) I was not allowing myself to go strolling down memory lane and being grateful for ever Tom, Dick, and Harry.... But to think on a deeper level. Things that I was truly gratefully for. Things that had truly impacted me. Things that made me get to my knees and thank my Heavenly Father right there and then for them.

After thinking about these items I made myself pick only the top five. Five things that I was most gratefully for. now this made me think even more. What was there that I was more grateful for then anything else? What could I rank above everything else. (This was not easy!) The top 3 I had no problem with.

1. My savior Jesus Christ

2. My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints

3. My eternal companion and husband

But then I had to think what other 2 things am I most gratefully for? Is it my health? My family? My friends? But all this time remembering that I had to have been thankful for it in this past week! As I thought and thought I kept remembering a scripture that I read recently. "For Moses had said, ^aConsecrate yourselves to day to the Lord, even every man upon his ^bson, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a ^cblessing this day." (Exodus 32:10)

As we give our self to God as we show our gratitude for all that he has given us he will bless us even more. That is when I decided what my other top 5 items would be.

4. Scriptures that allow me to come closer to God

5. The ability to repent, because I know I am not perfect. I need repentance to become better!

Hope all of you can take the time to figure out your top 5! What are you most grateful for?

The Love letter I never wrote

2010-04-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

So today sitting here procrastinating listening to sappy romantic songs I have decided that I often tell Kyle that I love him but I often do not tell him why.... So I have decided that I am going to tell the world why I love this man. I am going to stop the trend of not saying what I mean, of not telling my husband what he means to me. Like BBS' mini series of Robin hood says so well "we have never once spoken the truth to each other, for instance i call you a fool when I mean you are a hero." Those words I believe say it best, if we love someone we should say it, say it right then, shout it from the roof tops. Why hid that love? So Kyle this is for you because I love you! You get a letter and a list of the top 10 reasons that I love you!

1. You make me laugh every day, there is never a day that goes by that I do not laugh at least once!

2. You are my best friend! I don't want to ever be apart from you, because you are the one that I want to be with.

3. You love me faults and all!

4. You let me vacuum

5. We both know that together we can work anything out

6. Even when I am grumpy or tired you still like me and like being with me.

7. You think I am always beautiful even when I look like a clown or when my hair looks like a rats nest. I may not feel beautiful at times but knowing you always think I am makes all the difference.

8. You always speak your mind! if you don't like my makeup you will tell me and not lie telling me i look fine when I really look like a hooker!

9. You let me talk as much or as little as I want with out becoming impatient.

10. I can tell you ANYTHING and you are totally ok with it. (Even when you really didn't need to know it.)

11. You can read my emotions better than anyone else and when I tell you I am ok and you know I am not you call me on it.

12. Sometimes you call just because you miss me and were thinking of me!

13. Who else can I laugh at my self with? "Hello Mr. Wall"

14. You don't mind just cuddling with me!

15. Your selfless!

16. You are always concerned with my well being, sometimes even before your own!

17. The way you make me feel like I am winning even when I am not!

18. The way you bring out the best in me!

19. How cute and adorable you can be!

20. I love every part of you, how open you are with me.

21. I love how you tickle me even when I scream and run away!

22. I love that you never give up on me, or my lack of patience.

23. I love the way you make me laugh

24. I love the way that just holding you makes the world sing!

25. I love you for a million little reasons everyone of them becomes more and more apparent every day! Thank you for loving me!

Well that was a little more then 10... sorry I had a hard time stopping at 25 I really could go on forever. Kyle is my life, my love, and the man I choose to be with forever!

Dear Kyle,
You are my everything. Thank you for loving me the way no one can. You understand me and you know just how to make things right, you make me laugh when no one else can. You will never know just how much I love you, but I will spend the rest of my days trying to show you. You saved me from the worst, and you are always there for me. Fighting is never an option and loving you is always as easy as breathing. It is a part of me, it is part of my soul. No matter what, there will never be another for me and I will always keep your love safe. I love you... for all eternity. I still to this day do not know what I did to deserve you, but I will work each moment of forever to be worthy of your love.

I love you because you make me look forward to each day. You make each and every day an adventure to look forward to, no matter what we are doing as long as I am with you I am happy. You're my everything, a dream come true. There are no words to express what I feel for you. There are no songs as beautiful as the music that fills my soul when I hear your voice or see you smile. There are no days better than the days I spend talking to you, holding you, making you happy. You're my light in the darkness. There could never be words strong enough to express my love for you. I love you with my body, soul, and mind. You're my everything.

I love every little thing about you. I love your cute smile, your magical eyes, and the sound of your voice. I love your gentle touch, and I love the warmth I feel when I’m by your side. I can't stop thinking about you when we are apart. I need you by my side. You complete me. You mean the world to me. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are the one I've always wished for. I never thought that I would ever meet someone as special as you. I love each and every moment I share with you. Forever doesn't seem long enough to be with you. I love you and always will!

Love always,

Mariah your eternal companion

Weekly catch up

2010-04-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

Well this past week has been an emotional roller coaster I know what you are thinking... another one? But I promise that it is mostly out of stress. So this week at work I went from working 40 plus hours a week to 20! I was so upset I asked if I did anything wrong. Apparently it wasn't me it was them but yet I am still getting punished for it. They were not giving breaks like is required by law!!! There were days that I would work a 9 hour shift with out a break, got to love it. Someone reported them to the labor union and well now they are making sure that at exactly 5 hours you are going on break and if they don't have enough people to cover breaks you are only scheduled for a 4 1/2 hour shift..... got to love it. NOT!

Needless to say because of the lack of hours I have been forced to look for another part time job. I hate looking for a new job. I had a couple of places that seemed promising, but apparently I wanted to be payed to much. I think I am worth it. I have an interview later today (phone interview) with a telemarketing place that is just opening a new office here in Utah for an office manager position. I hope that goes well. I think it will. I may not have experience in telemarketing but I have YEARS of experience with managing people and with receptionist work, its the same thing but in reverse. Instead of them calling me I call them. Watch out I might call you and you better be nice to me!

Nichole and Peter were here for general conference. He was singing in the Priesthood session of conference (in the conference center.) I was so happy to see them. I love my sister and I don't get to see her often with her living back in Illinois and me here in Utah. I miss her already and she just left yesterday.

So Kyle and I are going to go look at a new apartment latter today. Our lease is up in June at the place we are now, and the price is going to go up.... lovely! So we GET to move. But we are hoping on finding a place that is a little bigger, we are running out of room because we have to much stuff. I think this apartment would be great for a newly wed couple that hadn't lived on there own before but since we both did we have a lot of stuff.

Today has been hard though because I feel so depressed and I don't even know why. I miss Kyle more then normal. It felt like when he left for work that part of me was leaving. I miss him so much, I just need one of his hugs right now. He has a way of making me feel better no matter what by simply giving me a hug. I don't think I can ever be mad at him for more then 5 minutes either. He really is my better 1/2. He brings light and joy into my life. He is the reason I get out of bed each morning, the reason I am so happy. He brings so much joy into my life. There is never a day that goes by that I don't laugh. He is definitely good for me!

This weeks weather has been a soar spot for me though, Thursday it was 65 F sunny and beautiful, then walla Friday hits and SNOW!!! It snowed all weekend long and well monday night we had a lovely blizzard and the power went out. It would of been fine except the power stayed off and I was home along! I was a little scared. I don't like being home alone at nights anyway. But here it was 10 pm Kyle was at school and I was trying to stay calm. Grr 1/2 hour later the power came back on. I was just a little scardy cat thats all.

2010-03-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been a while. I know its been awful. Well as an Update. I didn't get into the management program. They said that I didn't talk about myself enough... I am sorry that I am not self centered. It irritated me, the fact that I was the most qualified and because I didn't talk about my self more I didn't get in. In a way it was good. It made me realize that maybe it was time to not play politics, and not deal with everything. I love my job but its the politics and the fact that the way things are done depends on who is managing.... GRRRR!!!!

So I am applying to a million other jobs. I know its a pain and I HATE job searching. But I guess its helping a little. Its almost therapeutic at times.

Kyle is almost done with the fist quarter of school. I am so excited. Kyle gets a week off from school. I am excited because that means spending more time with him!!!! Yeah!! I am excited. I love that man! I am the luckiest woman alive.

Kyle is so good to me. He makes me so happy.

2010-02-20T11:11:00.000-08:00

So I got accepted into the management training program at work. I don't know about the promotion yet, but time will tell. I am hopeful!

Valentines

2010-02-18T10:21:00.000-08:00

Well Kyle is the sweetest man in the world! Valentines morning he woke me up throwing (real) rose petals all over the bed and all over me! It was so sweet and so romantic! He was so sweet. He was so happy and so just so sweet!

He then made me breakfast... my favoriate! French toast and cinnamon rolls. Ohh I love it. (definatly not diet food but heck its Valentines!)

Then we went to church... or tried. I ended up coming home early with a VERY Nauseous stomach! Kyle was sweet taking care of me. But after a little bit I felt better. He can really make me feel better. No matter what he is doing. Him just being in the room holding me makes everything seem so much better! I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

Then he made me dinner (I love having a husband who not only knows how to cook but loves doing it!) He made me chicken Alfredo. Yummy!!! Wow can you say GREAT VALENTINES! It was a wonderful day!

I have the best husband ever. I am so lucky that I found him. He loves me and I will always love him and will always think that I am the luckiest woman alive. Valentines made me think that realistically Kyle and I never would have meet. He was in Provo and I was in Salt Lake. Heavenly father had a hand in it for sure. I love you hon!

Happy Valentines

2010-02-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

Well nothing much new to report. I am still waiting to hear about the position that I applied for. Kyle has switched positions at work, he is a delivery driver. He is just trying it out he is hoping for a managment possition...

2010-01-25T18:06:00.000-08:00

Well just wanted to tell you the great news. I am applying to a program at work that will allow me to become a manager. I have to have a letter of recommendation from my manager (who loves me) I have to have a resume' and an interview with the general manager Don. He also loves me. So I am hopeful. I guess we will see.

Update on life

2010-01-18T10:24:00.000-08:00

Well Kyle has started school and is loving it. He is enjoying it. He is working hard though he is working during the day every day except Sundays and Fridays then he is going to school at night. He is working so hard. He is a wonderful man. He is so good to me.

While he is at school and work I am working full time and then chilling while he is at school. I don't like being at home alone. I miss him so much while he is gone. But in the end it will be worth it. It is just going to take time.

I can't believe it though, here Kyle and I are coming up on 2 months. Wow that is amazing. He is amazing. He is so patient and understanding. The past week or so I was not feeling well and Kyle just took care of me. He was so sweet and loving.

I couldn't ask for more! I love you Kyle!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2009-12-25T09:05:00.000-08:00

Wow Christmas is already here. Time has already flown by. I can't believe it. It is really nice sharing Christmas with Kyle. Combining traditions of his with traditions of mine. Fun thing is both of us grew up having cinnamon rolls for breakfast so that is exactly what we did. Kyle made home made cinnamon rolls. It was fun though because with it just being the 2 of us we were able to save the presents from the last reception in Nauvoo to open on Christmas morning along with the presents we got each other. Funny thing is we got each other the same thing. We got each other a blender... same brand and everything! It was rather amusing.

We are going to go to see a movie later today that will be something new for me. We are going to go see Alvin and the Chipmunks (never thought of going to a movie on Christmas!) But why not!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and remember to cherish the moments of family, friends, and Christ today! Merry Christmas!

check this out! Its beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_sYDl_PBrk

its offical i am hitched!

2009-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Well the wedding was over a week ago and I am just now getting to blogging. Well partially because I am wide awake and Kyle is still asleep. Weird I normally am so tired and I haven't gotten much sleep lately due to being sick and coughing all the time. Grr!

Well the wedding was beautiful. I can't tell you how all morning I was stressing out worried that he was going to change his mind. I am so relieved that our wedding was early and not later. I would have been a basket case. As it is I didn't sleep the night before. It was so great because some of my family even made it down. Some that I haven't seen in 8 years. It was so great!

Ahh can you feel the love? Sorry its kind of a sappy picture but I was so happy that day it really was the best day of my life! I have no regrets and really am married to my best friend!

Sisterly fashion! The night before for my baccalaureate party we went and got pedicures! Best baccalaureate party ever if you ask me!

The Las Vegas temple so perfect for the wedding! I can't imagine getting married any where else!

2009-11-12T07:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had an emotional breakdown.... 17 days till my wedding and my dress doesn't fit. My boobs are to big! I swear I had a melt down. If it were not for my mom and older sister I would have been so emotional.... Thanks guys. Things will work out.

Wedding plans.... going crazy!

2009-11-09T20:58:00.000-08:00

Wow today Kyle reminded me of what a great guy I am marring! (Well I knew it but sometimes its nice to be reminded.) I spent the day running around trying to get last minute wedding things done, I went and and got the ties for all the guys in the wedding party. Lots of blue and purple ties. I even got one for Beck! He is going to be the most attractive baby boy there.... okay so he most likely will be the only baby boy there but hey I can be bias too can't I? After all I am going to be his favorite Aunt Mariah!

But then I cleaned the apartment, and ran Diana around. I got home and was still doing things! But what does Kyle do? He is sweet and comes over after a long day at work and makes me dinner. Nothing special he does that all the time because he does the majority of the cooking but still it made me realize and remember how sweet he is. He had a long day. He could have complained and had me cook but he didn't he was sweet and cooked dinner.

I am defiantly marrying the best guy in the world!

Sorry ladies in 19 days he will be all mine! But now its crunch time and things are getting closer honestly I CANT wait but part of me is a little nervous. Not to be married to Kyle but to have to live with a man... I mean after all guys (most guys) are dirty and what if he has weird habits I don't know about? I know I worry to much!

I was also thinking of a song Kyle and I like to listen too. It really explains our lives so much. Both of us have had our share of failed relationships but we learned from them, and they really did lead me straight to him.

"Bless The Broken Road"

Raskal Flatts

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

[Chorus:]
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

[Chorus]

Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.

Kyle is the one man I want to spend forever with. My broken road ended with him. He is my rock! My northern star. He is constant and filled with love. I can't wait to be his wife. I only fear that he will realize how flawed I am before he says I do....

2009-11-09T10:21:00.000-08:00

The last few days I have been an emotional basket case. Stupid birth control pills.... They make me a little more moody then normal. Plus I am starting to stress out. Wedding plans are going but its crunch time.... ahhh

2009-11-01T07:13:00.000-08:00

Well life has been kinda crazy the last little bit. I moved apartments and that was stressfull enough. We moved seriously everyday for an entire week! I was more then ready to be done. I am even more then ready to be done with boxes! I HATE boxes. I am realizing that yes the apartment is about the same size but it is 1 bed room and Kyle has started moving his stuff in as well, I am learning there is not as much room..... grr. Oh well. The kitchen has EVERYTHING we could possible ever need. Well everything except a toaster! But I am excited because I have a washer and dryer in the apartment. Its a tiny one, really cute but its better then going to a laundry matt!

This is my fav part of the entire apartment. A walk in closet... I have to share of course but its a walk in closet!

This is the living room, I am excited the painting I have had for well over a year has finally made it up on the wall and not just up against the wall!

Moving

2009-10-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Well it is official I have moved into the apartment Kyle and I will be living in. Oh my word what a hassle. Who knew moving ten minutes away was going to be so much work. My car has defiantly gotten a work out. Right now I still have things are both apartments. One day of moving apparently was not enough. I seriously wish I had just rented a trailer or something. Would have saved me so much time and I would have already been done. Well at least my bed is here..... and my clothes, though I forgot my towel. I do have a washer and dryer in the apartment so I am happy about that one. No more paying to do laundry. Happy day! Oh happy day!

But the next couple of weeks are going to be kinda crazy, I'm finishing moving, then this weekend we are going down to Vegas to get kyle's stuff and our marriage licence. Then Kyle is moving in with his aunt till the wedding at the begging of the month. And then the count down really begins.

Mission reunion

2009-10-02T21:52:00.000-07:00

Well tonight was my mission reunion! I realized how glad I am to be home! As much as I loved being a missionary and as much as I had the worst adjustment, I am soooo glad to be home. It was so awkward seeing everyone that I had served with. I realized how few I actually knew. I was closer to the missionary couples then anything else!

2009-10-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

So thanks to an older post of Nichole's I was able to come across a sight that listed 40 top things that technology has killed I wanted to list my favorite from that list....

1. Using Proper Grammar and Punctuation

Status: On life support

txting and iming has made proper grammar seems kinda old skoo, dont u thnk? heres hoping 4 capitalization & punctuation 2 make a comeback in emails & other writing. the gr8 gatsby probly wuld hv been way less gr8 if it wuz written like this. lol

Yeah this one is true and so sad! Once upon a time we lived in a world that was governed by how we speak. The other day a girl came in to work seriously speaking as if she were texting! "OMG! LOL! G2G!" No lies! I was ready to slap her!

2. Getting a Busy Signal

Status: Nearly deceased

Thanks to advances in voicemail and call-waiting technology, you rarely hear that annoying broken tone any more. Unless, of course, you're voting for American Idol or listening to Pink Floyd.

I remember as kid using the *66 when I really needed to talk to someone!

3. Paying for Long Distance

Status: Nearly deceased

Once upon a time, people had to pay expensive per-minute fees for long distance. Then, the big bad cell phone came along and blew those charges away like a straw house. The end.

With cell phones no one pays for long distance any more!

4. Waiting to Get Photos Developed

Status: Showing signs of illness

Though film-based cameras aren't completely gone, the advantages of digital snapshots --namely, that you can view a picture immediately after taking it and that you can discard bad shots at no cost--have certainly made traditional cameras far less common.

Digital cameras aren't they great?

and lastly 5. Removing the Perforated Leader Strips From Continuous-Feed Paper Printouts

Status: Nearly deceased

Born in the 1970s, the dot matrix printer delivered low-quality printouts for nearly two full decades before ink jet technology offered an alternative that was slightly less hard on the eyes. The dot matrix printer will be remembered for its frequent paper jams; for its slow, noisy operation; and for the thin strips of perforated paper that you had to tear (carefully, so you didn't end up with a document that looked as though a tiny but voracious shrew had been sampling it) off the left and right sides of a printout once their work of keeping the paper properly aligned in the printer was done.

I enjoyed doing that as a kid! I would make things out of them!

So I know its random but aren't we all. Thin about it though what do you miss most from your childhood? I miss the zebra gum, or watching tail spin, or just how laid back it was. What ever you miss why let it die?

2 Months and counting!

2009-09-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Wow only 2 months to go! Time is going so fast but at the same time not fast enough! I can't wait till I can say Kyle is my husband and not my fiance'! So exciting. Things are coming together though. Invitations are ordered and on there way (to me at least!) Pictures have been taken, the cake in Vegas has been ordered (this is a picture of the cake! Kyle picked it out. Didn't do a fantastic job?), my dress is being pressed, but yet there is still lots to do! Each day that goes by is a day closer to Kyle and I being married for time and eternity.

It was funny but the other day I was reading thoughts I had growing up. I always felt that there was only one man for me, one man that I would be truly happy with and one man that I would be willing to spend time and eternity with. I never thought I would find that man. But I have. I have found the one man that completes me, the one man that makes me the happiest I have ever been and he is my best friend. He has become the person that I turn to when I need advice or comfort. He is the one that I want to spend all my time with, no matter what we are doing. He is the only one I don't mind messing up my kitchen. (Everyone else I have issues with!) I love Kyle with all my heart!

I have fallen for other guys in the past but there was always limitations to what I felt. I never was completely happy. I didn't understand that until recently. The other day Kyle came by work and we went to lunch at the food court. (Nothing too exciting when you only have a half hour.) But on our way up we passed on of my ex boyfriends. It made me realize so much. While I was dating the guy I thought I loved him, yet I still felt being with him was a choice of being happy or being happier. Now I understand that because with Kyle I don't have to hide who I am. I am able to be myself. I am able to be "happier" I am able to love unconditionally. That is such a blessing that I didn't even realize until I experienced that blast from the past. The Lord works in mysterious ways!

The Lord's Hand in all things!

2009-09-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

I have done a lot of thinking the last couple of days and realizing how often the Lord has carried me through trials. For instance me being in Utah. I never would have moved to Utah if I hadn't of been planning on going to LDSBC (which I am having nothing but problems getting enrolled in.) It makes me wonder if the Lord uses these reasons for us to make a leap in order to bless us greatly. If I hadn't of moved to Utah I never would have meet Kyle. I never would have started dating him and I would not be engaged right now.

But lets go back further each decision that we make helps mold us correct? Has helped make us who we are. So what if these experiences never happened would I still be the same person I am today? What if I had not of served a mission? Would I be who I am today? NO I would not. Each experience whether good or bad has made me who I am. The woman that I am now is because of those trials, those decisions. And I will forever be grateful for that. The Lord has blessed me greatly.

Trip to Vegas

2009-08-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

Well Kyle and I took a trip to his home town of Las Vegas for a wedding reception. (It was his sisters!) It was a trip filled with work and play. Friday when we got there he took me down to the strip to see what Vegas is known for. We went to the M&M factory, we went and watched the water show out side the Bilagio, we went to Cesar's palace, I saw the worlds largest chocolate fountain and then we went to see Phantom of the Opera. It was amazing! The whole trip was great. We celebrated my birthday on Friday because we were not sure how crazy life would be on Sunday. Honestly I am grateful that we did. I had a blast!

Then on Saturday we spent the majority of the day helping set up for Jen's reception (which was out side) It was kinda hard because it was raining all morning but it cleared up into a beautiful evening. I meet lots of people and honestly remember no one.

Then Sunday after church and a nap we headed home. As fun as it was I was grateful to be sleeping in my own bed again. There is just something about your own bed that makes coming home all worth while.

This is in honor of the Phantom of the opera, but with a little twist. I laughed so hard when I saw this. Partially because I am living in Utah and understand a lot of the Utah jokes. I mean this was made by BYU students after all.

New bra at work

2009-08-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

So this post is via request of Nichole! (Go Nichole!) She wanted to know what I thought of the new bras at victoria secret.... well the new body by victoria (bbv) bras are the same old bra with new touches. I didn't like the old ones so it stands to reason that I wouldn't like the new ones right? But I thought I would give it a try one of the new bras (the demi) has memory foam in it. Well my fav bra is the dream angels demi which is memory foam as well so I figured I would give it a shot. Yeah NOOO. Not a fan. I dont know what it is about the bras but I just dont like them. They are not all that comfy to wear.

So walla the review of the new bra!!!

2009-08-02T07:20:00.001-07:00

My mommy is here!!!! I am excited to see her. Get to spend some time with her.

Press showing of Julie and Julia

2009-07-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well tonight I was able to get tickets for the press releasing of Julie and Julia. Diana was going to come with me but ended up working. (Sad day I know. She would have loved it.) So I dragged Kyle along with me. Not that he minded I mean it was spending time with me and the movie was about cooking. Two things Kyle loves!

The movie was cute. Not really what I was expecting but then again I am not exactly sure what I was expecting. Who knows. I did laugh quite a bit which is always a good sign. They portrayed Julia Child as the proper lady in the 1940's and I think that is what made me laugh the most. I could imagine my grandmother doing many of the same things she did in the movie. I mean after all my Grandmother was a perfect Irish Lady. (With an added temper.)

On the other side I was able to relate a little to the other leading character Julia. She can cook and finds it relaxing. I on the other hand burn water. How do I compair you might ask, well she has melt downs in the kitchen while cooking. Yes I have done that many times. Too many in fact. But even amide her melt downs she was able to learn to adapt to life, and not stress out. Maybe I need to take a lesson or two from her. What do you think?

I will be the first to admit that I stress out to easily, and that I over react way too much. Maybe if I could travel back in time and take a lesson on patience and endurance from my grandmother it might be a little better. But I must learn and press on. One day at a time and definitely nothing worth stressing out over. See what a good start I am already failing!

The proposal

2009-07-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

Well since so many people have wanted the details of the proposal I have decided instead of sending off tons of emails that you are welcome to read this if you would like. Kyle is the most amazing man ever, I am so lucky. Well he was cooking me dinner like he does often. (he is an amazing cook! So talented!)
Well while he was cooking I was plotting, I had wanted to heart attack his car for a few days but every day either he got there after I did or it was raining. So it didn't get done. But I told Kyle that I needed to run to the store for something. Well he first tried to convince me that I didn't need to go just then, and then told me I was not telling him the whole truth. i told him he was right but before he could convince me to stay I ran out to do my lovely deed! (I learned after the fact that I totally ruined his plan he was going to pretend he needed something from the store and send me out.)
Well when I got back he had set up Orange lillies (as close to tiger lillies as he could find, a glass of sparkling cider, a bear and he had even made a slide show of the two of us. (my mom had been emailing pictures of m to him.) It was so sweet and so beautiful. After the slide show was over he told me there was something special about the bear. I am a little slow and he had to tell me to squeeze his foot. I did and I hear "Mariah I love you, will you marry me?"
Ok so I didn't think he was serious! I mean he has asked me times before I just didn't realize this was the real thing. Then I turn to him and he is pulling out a ring box. Then it hit it was for reals! of course i said yes! So happy!!!! Here is the bear sorry its side ways.

Im engaged!

2009-07-11T22:55:00.000-07:00

Wow everyone so big news I am engaged! I am getting married! Ahh so excited. Ahhh. So happy! Its hard to believe!

Plus my nephew Beck Abraham Ivie was born this week! It has been a great week!

Weekend of the fourth...

2009-07-06T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone enjoyed there Independence day. I had a good weekend. I took a few days off from work and went with kyle to his family reunion in Moab, Utah. Lots of people and lots of little kids running around. We spent 2 days cleaning up his grandparents home. Yard work, cutting trees, painting, the whole shebang. It was a lot of work and honestly the whole weekend I got very little sleep. But it was fun, I am glad that I got to go. Yes I was hot and sweaty and very dirty for 2 days but I had fun.

I had never been to Moab either so that was an adventure. Oddly enough I was so tired that I really didn't enjoy the fireworks. Sad I know. I was falling asleep on Kyle's shoulder. Basically as soon as the colored spectacle was finished I got shooed off to bed which I was thank full for but really didn't get to sleep for a few more hours. Kind of hard when you are sleeping in the living room and people and coming in and out. But it was alright, I didn't mind really. Just VERY tired!

Life is carzy!

2009-06-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

SO its been far too long since I last posted and I have no excuse other then my lack of TIME! So I am making time. So let me catch you all up.

I have been working still at Victoria's secret. I enjoy my job (most days.) Nothing overly exciting going on there. I get to deal with the usual wanting to kill the customers for messing up the panties that I JUST folded and they watched you do it. Yeah that is why I am glad that I work mostly in the beauty section of the store where most people don't get mad at you for not having the right color bra and you don't get mad at them for messing things up. Isn't life grand?

But well I finally went on a date! Amazing I know. The first one was awkward. I think mostly because it had been so long since I had been on a date. It just felt weird. That and I swear Utah dating has a different feel to it. In the words of the movie singles ward "You are automatically being evaluated for time and eternity!" Ahh isn't dating so fun!?! NOT! Well alright anyways it was a little odd as well because the guy looked like a guy that I knew and he kind of creeped me out. But hey it made it a little more interesting right?

Well then on Sunday I had another date with another guy. Well things worked out and now I am dating him. He is a great guy and treats me like a princess. He is sweet, thoughtful, amazing. We will go to the temple together every once in a while, he cooks me dinner, and just enjoy one anothers company.

Well I am also excited because it is now official. We have some where to sit, I went and bought a futon and Kyle was here to make me dinner and helped me put it together. He is amazing. I think Diana is more excited about the futon then I am because now she has a place to sit and watch movies or play on her computer.

Well there you have it a quick up date on my life...

As for Diana, well she has been working. No dating yet but hey that is what I am here for right? Oh the plotting begins.

Week of Blessings

2009-05-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

This week has been so amazing, Heavenly Father has been blessing us so much. He has blessed us for our obedience in moving out here to Salt Lake. I was asked at work if I would be interested in a management position. It would be in the beauty section of the store and so I would spend the majority of my time in that part of the store. But that is were I am more comfortable anyways. Then I saw my trainer from my mission. I love her so much it was great to see her again it has been almost 2 years since I saw her. I also saw another companion from my mission, Liisa Erickson. She is going to school in Provo so I went down and spent the day with her it was a blast. I had so much fun.

This week really has helped me realize how many blessings I am being blessed with, everyday the miracles and blessings God is giving me.

2009-05-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

So this week has been rather interesting. Working mostly. But it has been interesting as well, my niece Bethany went to the hospital and had to have surgery. She is doing better and will be going home tomorrow.

While at work I had a few interesting things happen, I had a really old guy come in and start hitting on me and then leave. Odd! Then I had a drag queen come in, in his male form and started showing me and a co- worker pictures of himself. I was shocked needless to say, because I come from small towns this just doesn't happen. Apparently it does.

Then Diana's boss who is gay offered me a job, with out speaking more then 2 words to me. It was rather amusing to say the least. It has been an interesting week, but fun!

First day on the job!

2009-04-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Well today was my fist day at work! It was mostly just this is this and that is that, oh and the whole this is how we talk to our customers. It was rather amusing but I swear I came home smelling like a fruit basket or something. Today was spent mostly in the beauty section. The make up, perfume, and lotions. Naturally they had us sampling the products. As a result I came in smelling like 3 different lotions, 4 perfumes and had a total new look then when I left.

Amusing actually. I work tomorrow as well but I am working in the bra section. I am only hoping that I don't make a total disaster of it. I mean it looks way complicated. I was a few minutes early today and so they had me hop into the bra section and shadow the girl that was in there looks way confusing! But hey I guess that is what I am there for to learn! One day at a time doing one thing at a time until I finally get it. When that day comes I think I might have a heart attack. There is just so much to learn and so much to know how to do and such.....

Craziness of me!

2009-04-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

Well I start work on Wednesday! I am really excited, a bit relieved to tell you the truth! I was starting to stress out, because they told me that I got the job but hadn't told me when I started. Stressful!

Oh I hooked up Diana on a blind date! Ha ha. She tries to pretend she is indifferent but you can tell she is excited. She is doing well transitioning to the big city. She is getting alone with the other singles in our ward. Then again they all thought she was the older of the two of us and they didn't think we were sisters. Hum. I mean we saw one of my friends that had never meet Diana before and he could tell that we were sisters. I swear something is up with the singles in the ward, maybe they are all crazy. What do you think?

So for Easter we went to one of the singles' houses and they had a pot luck. It was nice to meet more people but it was awkward. I had forgotten how a lot of singles have clicks, I mean we all do people that you are comfortable around. It just makes new people feel awkward and out of place. That was totally me last night. We were both so tired after that we went to bed early... bad idea! We both woke up and couldn't get back to sleep until around midnight. Ahh the pain! Okay so not so much!

Today Diana continued the job hunt. I thought it would be nice to go running, why not right. Wow I am so soar! I over did it. But it was not just the run I also walked around the mall with Diana for quiet a bit and then Diana, my friend Jeff and I went on a hike. Between everything.... oh plus volleyball with the singles.... Not doing that every day!

The hike was beautiful though! I didn't think you could find a place that felt like you were in the mountains of Montana while only being a mile or so away from the city. It was nice.

Volleyball was great! Fun like always, not as bruised up as I was last week which is good.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

I thought I would take a moment and tell everyone a Happy Easter. It amazes me how much love the savior must have had for us. If we realize the history behind Easter. It is not about the chocolates, the eggs, or the bunny but it is centered in the atonement of Christ and the Resurrection. Jesus Christ suffered and died for US! Jeffery R. Holland says it perfectly when talking about the Garden of Gethsemane "To the thoughtful follower of Christ it is an amount of surpassing wounder that the voluntary and merciful sacrifice of a single being could satisfy the infinite and eternal demands of justice, atone for every human misdeed, bear every mortal infirmity, feel every personal heart ache, sorrow and loss. But I testify that is exactly what Christ did for every one of us. I bear witness that the atonement is the compassionate foundation and central fact in God's eternal plan for our salvation and our happiness. Is it any wonder that we walk quietly and reverently hear? Is it any wonder that we make sacred convents because of the love that was demonstrated hear? Is it any wonder that Christ the greatest of all partook of the bitter cup and did not shrink hear? That we might not suffer, if we would repent and come unto him." With the reality of Christ atonement and the purpose behind our celebration we all need to take a moment from our party, our egg hunts, our song singing and thank heavenly Father for the atonement of his son Jesus Christ!

2009-04-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well everyone I am in Utah alive and well. This last week has been spent finding a job. Happy to say that I am now working at Victoria Secret. Ironically enough. I love the tender mercies that Heavenly father sends us, because honestly I had no intention of even applying there but I kept having the prompting to apply, and apply now. Well I applied and 2 hours later had a job interview. They interviewed 3 of us at the same time, and honestly I was the oldest and most qualified but I doubted that I would get the position. But I did. I was amazed!

Well Diana and I went to our new wards singles FHE and loved it! They actually have FHE lessons like we are suppose to! Then after the lesson we went to the stake center and played volleyball for a few hours. It was a blast! I got some huge bruises but it was worth it. There were a lot of singles there but once again I fear I am the oldest one there. But even though that may be true I felt completely at peace. I know I am were the Lord needs me to be!

Yesterday Nichole, Peter and the girls (my 3 nieces) were in Salt lake and so we spent the day with them. We went and toured the conference center because they wanted to see were President Monson spoke from during General conference. They were so excited. At lunch time they had fun coloring Aunt Mariah and Aunt Diana's rug with peanut butter and jelly, but it all came out so no worries. Oh the joys of children!

Well best of luck!

St. Patricks Day

2009-03-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

So I figured with St Patricks day to find out a little more about the holiday. So here is what I found...
March 17 marks the feast day of Ireland's patron saint, Patrick. St. Patrick (386-461), a cleric in the Catholic sense, is credited with banishing Ireland of snakes, even though Ireland never had snakes. Because of this, St. Patrick's day is an official holiday in Ireland, but it is celebrated informally worldwide by people of every ethnic background.

The first recorded celebration of St. Patrick's Day in the American Colonies was in Boston in 1737. These early celebrations were by men of wealth and means living in the colonies.

In the wake of American independence, many Irish Catholics from all walks of life were continuously lured to the United States with the promise of religious freedom. It was this movement that prompted St. Patrick's day to take on a more common man personae.

In 1827 restrictions on Irish emigration was lifted by Britain, and by 1835, more than 30,000 Irish immigrants were arriving in New York each year. These impoverished, uneducated immigrants established themselves quickly with their undying loyalty to their new country. The Irish came in droves and promptly joined the police and fire departments and railroad companies. To this day, many police officers, firemen, and railroad workers carry on the tradition of their forefathers by doing what their daddy did. Just look through the roster of any New York or Philadelphia police department or fire company and you'll see a plethora of Irish names.

As the number of Irish-Americans grew, so did the celebration of St. Patrick's day. Along wit hthis came the political power of the Irish communities in Boston, New York and Chicago. It was these political groups that helped get John Fitzgerald Kennedy, our nation's first and only Catholic President into office. This also explains the Boston Celtics and the Chicago River being dyed green during Chicago's St. Patrick's day celebration.

Many of the Irish in America used the March 17th celebrations as a platform for their American right of free speech. The 1970s brought a tone of political activism on St. Patrick's day with fundraising for Irish charities calling for the withdrawal of British occupancy in Northern Ireland. This brought the awareness of The Troubles in Northern Ireland to the United States.

First blog ever!

2009-03-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hurray I am now blogging! So exciting right? No not really! But anyways, I am getting ready to move! Yes that is right move! I am moving to Salt Lake City and going to school there I am way excited. Living on my own again and going to school. A little nervous I will not lie, well I haven't been in school for 5 years. A little scary! But it will all be good!