Giving Thanks

I know that for November a lot of people rite something they are thankful for there status everyday. I thought instead of putting it on facebook I would try write a post about something I am thankful for or about a way that I have been blessed. I don't know how well it will work because I'm not the most reliable blogger, but I will give it a shot. Today I will write about two since I didn't do it yesterday.

I am thankful for a husband who know my limits and tells me it is okay.

At our apartment complex the pass around signs that say trick-or-treaters welcome, because we live where there are a lot of international students who may not celebrate or understand Halloween. We of course put up our sign. I was so excited to pass out candy to the adorable kids in our apartment complex. At about  8:30 the trick-or-treaters stopped, but at 9 they started again. These were different though. They weren't cute little kids in absolutely adorable costumes, they were teenagers and adults who kind off, but not really had costumes. I slowly became irritated. I'm blessed with and thankful for a husband who knew me well enough to know it was bugging me, and who let me know that it was okay to take down our sign.

I am thankful for prayer.

I am so thankful that I can prayer to loving Heavenly Father and express every concern or desire I have. I am so happy to know that he know exactly what I mean even when I don't express myself well. I've always had a hard time putting my feelings into words. I'm also grateful my prayers are answered.

When I was nine or ten years old I was driving home with my dad. For whatever reason the gas light didn't come on and we ran out of gas on the freeway at night. We were about 10 miles from home. My dad sat there for a second thinking and then said well I guess we're walking. As we got out of the car I said a silent pray in my heart. I don't remember the exact words, but I know that I prayed that we would get home safely. We hadn't been walking very long when a car pulled over and asked us if that was our truck pulled over. We said yes. They asked us were we going. We told them Layton. They said that they were going there and that they would give us a ride. We gratefully got into there car. After talking for a little while we found out that on of the passengers went to high school with my aunt.

My prayer was answered. Not only did make it home safely, we need to walk, and we were blessed to be picked up by people who we a connection with. When we got home my dad told me to remember to thank Heavenly Father for getting us home safely.

I'm also thankful that through prayer I can let my Heavenly Father know how grateful I am for everything that he does for me.

My Beliefs

For a very long time I left uncomfortable posting about my beliefs. I thought that if someone wanted to know that they would just ask. I never wanted to make anyone feel like I was shoving my beliefs in their face. I thought that I could be an example just by living my life the way that I was taught and that everyone would know that I was a good person. Its kind of hard to describe.

I've discovered that, in a way, this kind of thinking was wrong. Just like saying I go to the University of Utah doesn't offend anyone (or shouldn't), saying I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a Mormon) shouldn't offend anyone either. I still belief that how I live my life can be an example to others and a reflection of my beliefs, but I also think that I shouldn't be afraid to simply say what I believe.

Recently I have felt the need to let everyone I know what I believe in. I know not everyone will agree with my beliefs and that is alright. I hope to do this in a way that is respectful and pray that I won't offend anyone. If I do offend you I am truly sorry.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint is the one true church on the earth today. I believe that I was sent here by a loving Heavenly Father to gain a body and to be tested. I believe that Jesus Christ is my savior. He died for me, so that I may become clean and one day return to live with him and my Heavenly Father. I know that Christ not only died for me but for every single person who has lived, is living, and will live. I know that through the atonement I can receive forgiveness form my sins, and comfort in my times of need. I know that because of the atonement Christ knows exactly what I'm going through.

I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet who received revelation from the Lord. I believe that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared and talked to Joseph Smith as an answer to his prayer. I believe that he translated the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I believe that Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Christ to the earth. I believe that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. I believe that receives revelation from the Lord. I know that the prophets give us advice, counsel, warnings, and commandments for our day. I know that the teaching the come from the prophets are the teachings of the Lord. I strive to keep the commandments of the Lord as best as I can. I know that I am not perfect, but I do my best to do what I believe is right.

I know that Joseph Smith restored the priesthood to the earth. I know that priesthood is the authority of God on the earth and should be treated with reverence and respect.

I believe that, through the sacred sealing powers of the priesthood, families can be together for eternity. I am grateful that I can live with my family, my husband (and future children) forever. I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman.

I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that it is true. I am so excited to for general conference this weekend. I'm excited to hear the words and counsel of the prophets, apostles and general authorities. I know that the words and counsel that they will give are directly from our Heavenly Father.

New TV

When Eric and I were engaged we decided that one of the nicer things that we would buy for ourselves would be a TV. Then his mom gave us an old TV that use to be in Eric's sisters' room. After that we decided that we would wait to buy a TV. After all this one worked just fine and we really didn't need anything more.

This year we decided that we would start saving for and researching TVs and that we would ask Santa to bring us one big present instead of bringing both of us smaller presents. We were really excited about this. Then during the Olympics our TV started to break. It would randomly turn off. Sometimes it would turn right back on with out a problem (this became less likely as time went on), but sometimes you would have to wait FOREVER. Seriously it took almost two hours once.

Now, normally this wouldn't be a problem and we would have just waited Christmas and dealt with, but football season starts on Thur day. I can see it now watching U of U football. The Utes have possession. Its 4th down and goal. There's the snap and then ... the TV turns off and won't turn back on. People in China would be able to hear Eric and I yelling and screaming. Rather than have that happen we decided that it was time, and that we would have to ask Santa for something else. We went to Best Buy...twice.

The first time we went went. We asked a lot of questions got a lot of advice. We payed attention to some, and ignored some (like the all the wonderful they said about 3D TVs). Finally we chose a TV. We told the sale person the one we liked and he went to the back to get it. He came back empty handed. The TV we wanted had been discontinued, but if we wanted we could take the display TV and they would give us deal on it. We weren't really comfortable with that because we had no idea how long the TV had been on display. So we told him our second choice. He went to the back, and came back empty handed AGAIN. This time the TV was out of stock but we could pay there and pick it up at a different store once again we weren't comfortable with that. So we left the store empty handed.

Last Saturday we went back to Best Buy, but we went to a different one. This one had way more choices in the size that we wanted. We asked a few questions, but not many. After a while we found one we liked, and then we discovered, it was ON SALE! We got it, brought it home and set it up.

This is our old TV. Eric decided to name it Dinky after we brought home our TV.

This is the new TV.

When we were in the store it looked smaller than it is. When We got it home it looked was way bigger than it did in the store. That's a plus though. 

We still need to do a few things like buy a blue ray, and some HDMI (I think that is what they are called)cables, but we are so happy with our new TV, and we are excited to watch some football on it.

Back to School

Eric and I were both weird as children. We were both excited to go back to school. We were both excited to get back on a schedule, to see our friends, and to learn.

The weird thing now is that neither one of us was really that excited to go back to school this fall. We both have different reasons.

Eric just got done with summer school. This summer semester may have been one of hardest yet. He basically had a two week break. Of course he isn't ready.

He also thinks that he's not excited to go back to school because now he isn't getting back into a schedule. He is just adding to a schedule. He thinks this might be part of my problem too. We both worked this summer so we were on a schedule.

I think my problem is a little more psychological than Eric's. This starts my sixth year in college for my first bachelors (in know its a lot). I think some part of my mind is going, no you aren't suppose to go school, your are suppose to be done. Knowing that I could have and maybe should have been done by now is making going back harder.

Even though going back to school is very hard for us, I think that we are both extremely motivated to do well.

This is Eric's last semester for his bachelors. During this semester he is applying for internships for the spring, applying to the masters program next fall, and applying for scholarships for his masters. This is not the time to slack.

I'm so proud of all his hard work and I know it is going to pay off.

I'm motivated for the same reason that I didn't want to come back. I should be done with my bachelors so I'm going to make sure that I'm not coming back next year and go out with a bang.
This school year is going to be amazing (even if we weren't thrilled to start it). Good luck to all of those who are starting school and to those of you who have a loved one starting school.

Bosses

In May my boss (Jeff) called me into his offices and told me that he had found a new job and would be leaving the firm next week. I don't know how well I hid it but my first reaction was panic, What would happen to my job?, Would the new librarian be nice?, Would the new llibrarian want to hire someone else? I think my boss saw my panic because he told be that my job would be safe, but that I would have to take on some new responsibilities while he was gone. I felt much better after that. Though out the week the Head of HR and the CEO came and asked me if I had heard and reassured me that my job was safe.

After my boss was gone I was on constant pin and needles. Jeff had informed all the attorneys when he left that I would be able to help them until a new librarian was hired. He had spent sometime showing me how to do everything but I had only done everything once and was super nervous about not being able to do it again Every time I got a call or an email asking me to do something I would pray that I would actually know how to do it.

About two months later I found out that a new librarian had been hired and that he would be starting next week. I was so relieved and so excited to tell Eric. Not longer after I told Eric that I had a new boss Eric told me that his boss has pulled him aside and told him that he found a new job and would be leaving the company. Are you kidding me? What are the odds? That both our bosses would leave within two months of each other. Eric's situation was a little different though. When his boss pulled him aside he not only told him that he was leaving but asked Eric if he felt he could replace him. Eric knew he could, but wasn't sure if it was the best idea. After discussing his concerns with his boss, and the owners of the company if was decided that Eric would be the new head accountant. (wow, so proud). The next week they hired someone to take Eric's old job. Eric is still adjusting but does like his new job.

Even though we were never really worried about either having to find a new job, it has been interesting to see how both of us dealt with not quiet knowing what was going on with our jobs. I'm happy to say that we are now both certain of our jobs and out bosses.

My Mom

I know that this is very late and the Mother's Day was last month, but hey it just means that my mom gets to stretch out her Mother's Day.

I have a wonderful mom. A mom who listened, cared, kept secrets, read between the lines, and did what was best for children. She was always willing to go shopping with me, even if it was only window shopping. She knew when I needed advice and when I just needed someone to listen to me. When I had to go to the doctor 5 times in 3 months she never complained. Here are some of my favorite memories of my mom.

When I was a senior in high school I was in Chatelaines (the women's show choir), the school musical, and taking a CE medical terminology class. One day all these thing started to pile up on each other. I had to stay after school to take a test for my med. term test, for a dance practice for Chatelaines, and a rehearsal for the school play. I came home frustrated. When I went to take my test all the computers were full, but I couldn't stay and wait because I had to get to practice. During Chatelaine practice we stayed longer then was planned and didn't get everything done that we needed to because no one would focus (at least that is what it felt like). Play practice went fine, but by that time I was already incredibly frustrated. I came home frustrated and not knowing how I was going to do everything, but also knowing that I did NOT want to give anything up. My mom that something was wrong and asked. I burst into tears and told her about my dad, and about my worries. My mom let me cry a little knowing that I needed it and then proposed a plan of action. It was a simple plan but could be done. My favorite part of the plan was my mom saying the most important thing is that you keep yourself healthy so that you don't fall behind and that starts with a good breakfast. Tomorrow I will drop you off be fore school starts so you can take your med. term test, and then I will check you out of your first period class, and we will go get breakfast. I was shocked at my mom telling me that she was going to help me ditch class, but it was exactly was I needed, a little time to relax.

I got my wisdom teeth taken out on a Friday and spent most of the weekend sleeping. On Sunday I was determined to go to church I woke took my medicine and started getting ready. Not longer after I started to feel dizzy. Dizziness was one of the side effects of the medicine, but because I had slept the two days before I didn't know that I would be effected like that. When I started to feel dizzy, I sat on the edge of my mom's bed. My mom saw me and asked what was wrong. I told that I was dizzy and that I thought I had gotten up to fast. My mom worked in a dentist office and knew better. She promptly told me that I was not going to church and to lay down. My mom could always tell when I was faking, even if it was faking being okay.

When I was in jr. high in had a really big crush on a boy (I know who didn't), but I wouldn't tell any body because I was afraid of being teased. My mom found out anyway. She was great, she didn't make fun of me, but she didn't want to know who it was. I didn't tell her because I knew that even though she didn't make fun of me, if the sibling found out they would. Finally when we were all alone she convinced me to tell her promising that she wouldn't let my sibling find out. I told her and she kept that promise. Not only did she never let them find out about that crush, she never let them find out about any crush after that unless it was okay with me. This was one of the biggest reasons I trusted my mom. Soon I not only told my mom about my crushes I told her about everything. I told her about friend trouble, school trouble, boy trouble. I was never afraid to tell her about things that I would have been embarrassed to tell someone else. She was wonderful at keeping me secrets.

I'm so thankful for my mother she has taught me so many wonderful things. I'm sure that I couldn't even name all the things that she had taught me and done for me. I love my mom.

Slightly switching gears I am so thankful for all the wonderful mother's and women in my life. My mom, grandmas, and aunts have all been great examples to me. I'm also thankful for the new women in my life my mother-in-law, and my husband's grandma's and aunt. I know that Eric's loves his mom, and  that she has been a wonderful example to him. I'm thankful for the women who helped Eric become the wonderful man that he is. I'm so happy that I now get to call these wonderful women family.  These women have welcomed me into their family and shown my so much kindness. I'm so excited to get to know them better.

Help

I need some major help with dinner, so if any of you lovely women (or handsome men) have any ideas I would greatly appreciate it.

Problem Number 1

Ever since Eric and I got married I have enjoyed cooking but seems that we got stuck in a rut and have the same 7 or 8 things over and over again. If any of you have any recipes you just love, know of a good cookbook, or have great ideas for finding recipes, I would love it if you shared.

Problem Number 2

Now that I am working, I don't get home until 6 and I don't want to spend a lot of time making dinner because we are both pretty hungry already. I have a couple of quick dinners but we are starting to get tired of them. What are your suggestions for making dinner when you get home late? What works for you I have a couple of ideas, like making it before I leave and putting it in the oven when I get home, but I wouldn't say no to more idea.

Please Help!