Felix

Some of you may not have heard that we got a cat at the end of May, so for those of you who didn't know, I have something to say to you: we got a cat at the end of May.

Isn't he cute?

So, let me introduce you to Felix the cat. He loves balls of yarn, chasing his tail, and freaking out. He doesn't like boys in general, but he loves to cuddle with Becca, Kate and I. ((Yay!!)) He climbs all over the furniture and finds lots of precarious perches throughout the house. He is deathly afraid of the stairs and won't even go near the kitchen sink. (We tried to give him a bath once... and lemme just say OUCH!) He knows he shouldn't climb on the dinner table and play with the centerpiece, yet he does anyway. He likes being held like a baby and belly rubs. He's already been nicknamed "Motor" because he purrs loudly and for long

stretches of time. He's at least doubled in size since we got him. If we can't find him, the first place we look is IN the couch in the office. He likes to sprawl out on the piano in the front room for a nice nap in the sun.

Today I went into my parent's bedroom and found him asleep on one of the chairs in, what I thought, had to be the MOST uncomfortable position ever. But it was just so darn cute I had to take pictures! So here he is... Felix.

Chocoholics Annonymous

Wow... I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted anything here! Sorry guys. I know you were all dying to hear from me.

So I've been thinking a lot this week about chocolate. This is not really unusual; however, I've been thinking about it in a different context. You know how we're supposed to exercise moderation in all things? Yeah. Well, I have a problem, and after all these years I'm going to come out and say it.

I have a chocolate addiction.

Yes... yes... Mr. Hershey's and I have been dating.

We sell candy bars at work, and they just sit there on the desk staring at me. Of course since I'm an employee I can have one whenever my little chocoholic heart wants. AHHHHH!! I can't handle it! Today I took a Ziplock baggie full of apple slices to munch on in order to keep my

mouth occupied, and hey! I only gave in to a couple of tootsie rolls, so we're making progress here. But I'm going to need a long term solution here. I figure if I stay away from it as much as possible and treat myself to something once a week I'll be able to "Hershey's Kiss" this habit goodbye!

Wow... that was funny the second before I wrote it down.

Anyway, if you guys have any clever ideas for me, feel free to share.

Apparently I can't just write a journal entry

Uneventful days though they may seem,
Strung together on a fragile thread
Reveal something worth looking at.

Under speculation, no second glances
But take a step back and you'll notice
Changes.
So many.
Little ones,
But always there.

Thoughts tumble through my head,
Freshly laundered;
An almost inaudible hum in the background of my mind.
Instead of separating wishes from reality
Now they blend into days full of new ideas
And the reality of the wishes begin to change.

I become now
Me.
Different from perfect visions long ago
But me, nonetheless.
The rips and hems and patches
That once I scorned as imperfections
I now recognize as character.
My character.

Take away your microscope
The magnification no longer applies.
Step away
And take me as I am.

To Do Before I Die

Angie had an excerpt from her list on her blog, and it made me want to come up with one of my own. I don't have very much on my list right now, but I'm sure I'll think of more later.

Get married in the temple

Sky dive

Write and conduct a symphony

Try frog legs

Learn a foreign language

Learn to play the cello

Be a mom

Touch a penguin (in the WILD)

Serve a mission (before marriage OR otherwise)

Own a lap dog

Visit all the temples in Utah in one week or less

Run a marathon... well... maybe a HALF marathon...

AUDITION for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Well, that's all I can think of for now. If I think of any more I'll let you know!

Thankful Monday

I've seen a lot of my blogging friends do "Thankful Thursdays." I've been wanting to do my own, but as today is not a Thursday, you'll just have to put up with the fact that there is no alliteration going on. So here is my Thankful Monday entry:

I can't choose just one thing to write about, so I'll list a few things that have been on my mind quite a bit this week.

First and foremost, I'm so thankful for the gospel. It gives me a direction in my life that I wouldn't otherwise have, and it keeps me happy and optimistic even when things go wrong. It gives me hope in overcoming weaknesses and obstacles and provides me with an assurance of love that I don't feel anywhere else.

I'm thankful for my family. Since my high school graduation I've watched my best friends leave to serve missions all over the world, move out of the house, get married, and a host of other experiences. It was extremely hard for me at first because I was still living at home even when I was going to BYU and I felt all alone for a while. I was so used to being with my friends all the time, and all of a sudden they were gone. It took months for me to get over the lonliness, but with the discovery of the stake singles branch and multiple outings with my family I realized that life does go on. I was able to develop a greater love and appreciation for the friends I'm stuck with for all eternity. I'm so glad I can be with them forever.

After mentioning the singles branch, I can't go on without saying how thankful I am that I've been able to be a part of it. I've never felt so accepted by so many people all at once. It was just like being adopted into another happy family and the unconditional love that everyone has for each other is overwhelming.

I'm thankful for spring. I know I've mentioned this before, but I love the warm weather and the colors and sounds that come with it. Heavenly Father has created such a beautiful world for us.

Well I suppose that's all for today. I hope you have had as wonderful a week as I have!

Liberated; a poem

Intimidated
Underestimated
Slowly degraded
Mostly frustrated.

Hidden potential undiscovered

A

d
o
w
n
h
i
l
l

slope
Too steep to dig in heels
Too many wrong steps
No t h i n g to hold on to

FLAILING

DROWNING

GOING UNDER

almost gone


A sliver of light
Pierces the darkness
and rests upon
your face.

A hand
o u t s t r e t c h e d
waits patiently.

Grasping it;
a realization.

Sufficient strength
only comes with
humility
submission
responsibility
faith
and willingness to accept the strength He offers.

Guardian Angel

Good morning everybody!!

It's such a gorgeous day. I love Spring mornings (especially when I don't have school!) I've been planning on going for bike rides in the morning for a while, so last week my dad helped me pump up my tires and, wouldn't you know it, the next morning one of them was flat again. So now we have to go get a new tire. But you know... I'm okay with that. Now I can enjoy the colors and warm weather without speeding past it (because you know I'm a speed demon on a bike... haha.)

My favorite things about Spring are the colors and the rain. I love the flowers and the green grass and the popcorn popping on the apricot tree! Someone asked me the other day what my favorite flower is, and at the time I didn't really think I had a favorite. I said, "oh I like 'em all!" Tulips, roses, daisies, lilies, carnations... you name it! But just a few days ago I realized I do have one... lilacs. At the store where I work (which is actually just a little old house that has been adopted) there are these random bushes all around the yard/parking lot, and since I only

started working there in August I didn't notice until this week that they're lilac bushes! One reason that I love them so much is because they're gorgeous and the smell is simply heaven!! Another reason, the biggest reason, is because they remind me of my Grandma Jean. (Most of you know what I mean.) She had a lilac bush in her front yard and I remember whenever we would go visit my grandparents we would pick some to take in to her. I can't ever walk by a lilac bush without thinking about her.

Speaking of my grandma, this week I have felt her extra close to me. Heavenly Father is so amazing, and I'm grateful that He allows the people that we know to help us, even if it's through the veil. If ever there was a guardian angel, she's it. They really are closer than we think.

Well, I'm signing off now. I hope you all have a great week! Love ya!