A Wild 'n Whacky 7-Things Meme

Karlene, Heather and Tristi all tagged me for this little meme.

The rules are as follows:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I actually went to three universities before I managed to get my degree.

I first went to the University of Guelph, Ontario.



Then I went to the University of Western Ontario
(which I was asked - kindly - please to not return until I got
my act together, lol!)


Finally, I went to Acadia University, where I finally (yes! finally!)
got my degree in political science.

2. My very most favorite thing to wear is my
Bobby Lawrence Karate sweatshirt.
I'd wear that darn thing every day if I thought I could get away with it. Oh wait. I do.
And I'm too lazy to get you a picture of me wearing it. ;P

3. My favorite-ever hymn is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. I tried to find a youtube version of my favorite version, but I couldn't find one. Fiddlesticks does the arrangement I like, so I'll try to send you to a link where you can hear it here. It's a happy, up-beat version that just rings true to me. If the link doesn't work - sorry. You'll just have to trust me that it's really good!

4. In honor of Tristi's 'when I was ten ...' theme, I'll tell you something I did when I was ten:
On the way home from equestrian camp I sat beside a girl who commented on how hairy my arms were. Oh and my eyebrows were growing together. Eww! I promptly went home and shaved my legs, my arms and did a nice swipe in between my offending eyebrows! Dang, I'm striking out on finding you any pictures!

5. One of the hardest things I've ever done - in terms of facing my fear - was to give myself an intramuscular shot when I was away from home. We were about to do in vitro fertilization and I was out of state at an Opera competition. But I needed to give myself this shot if I was to stay on schedule and be able to get those embryos implanted! I faced that huge needle - I swear, the needle was three inches long - and after much humming and hawing finally plunged it deep into my thigh and depressed the plunger. Owie! But I did it, I was proud and I soon became a proud mommy of TWO!

6. Where other women have a need for shoes and purses, me? I like office supplies. If I'm blue and feel the need to shop, it's nice new pens, neat paper clips and pretty paper or notebooks that tickle my fancy!

7. And seven, lucky seven. In my lifetime, as I can recall, I have had 14 cats, 7 dogs, 7 hermit crabs, 3 birds, 2 hamsters and a handful of fish. I think cats are my favorite, with dogs running a close second. But I love all animals. The animal I most want but haven't my own yet, is a horse. I've done lots of riding in my past, but ... still want a pony one day, please, Fairy Godmother!

And now I think I'm supposed to tag other people but ya know? It's taken me like a week to get these answers together (and look how lame they are!) and I just can't think who hasn't been tagged by this little meme! By all means if you would like to play, leave me a note in my comment trail that you've responded and I'll come check you out! Play, play - it's fun! (haha)

Awesome Movies :)

This weekend we were way spoiled and went to see TWO movies! I know, whatta life.

Friday was Charlie Day and Charlie wanted to celebrate by going to see Nim's Island. First of all, Charlie is a half-birthday type thing we celebrate with the boys because they deserve a day that's all about them, don't you think? I mean, would you like forever hearing "Happy Birthday" sung to you with someone else's name attached to it? This way, they get a day that's just about them. Individually. They don't get gifts, but they do get to choose a special activity we can do together as a family (no friends or parties, this is strictly a family thing) and I bake a cake - so that we can sing "Happy Charlie (Xander) Day," of course.

Anywho. I wasn't too keen on seeing Nim's Island, but I love movies so was agreeable. I thought it was about a girl who lives on her own private island in her imagination. But it turns out I was very wrong. I loved the creative devices the movie used, loved the characters and characterization, the scenery, the humor, the dialog - everything. It was a wonderful movie! A true family movie with fun, adventure, love and a neat message about courage and following your dreams. Awesome movie - I highly recommend it!

Then on Saturday night the boys went to their first-ever sleepover! Well, what were we to do with a whole evening and night alone together without any babysitter expenses? Especially when the place we dropped them off at was in Daybreak so there's that great entertainment complex virtually right across the street. So of course, we had to go out for dinner and then we thought 'what the heck' and caught a movie too.

We saw The Forbidden Kingdom. We had wanted to see this because we love martial arts movies, especially Jet Li and Jackie Chan (I mean, come on, who doesn't?) But holy cow, what an amazing movie. We got so much more from it than we had ever hoped. Both David and I already want to go back and see it (and we never want to see movies in the theater twice) and we want to take the boys to see it too. It was a wonderful movie, with amazing fight sequences and a great moral. Again, two thumbs up for me! Check it out ...

Blue Skies

I feel like I've weathered my own personal storm and am finally sailing under blue skies again.

I got my employer to reduce my hours a bit - by eight hours. Doesn't sound like much but it is just enough to allow me to breathe a bit, to feel like I am still MOM and not just a slave for someone else. I still have to work Saturdays for another month or so, but there is a light at the end of that tunnel and plans to have me move to weekdays only as soon as possible.

I actually went back to Young Women's last night and began the process of getting involved with my calling again (which I've been totally slacking on the past six weeks or so.)

With David's mom gone, that is a huge relief and weight off of my shoulders. No more worries or sorrows in her behalf. There is still some concern about how Dad is doing, but I don't feel as personally impacted by that ... at least it's not stressing me out too much at the moment.

David and I had our first Critique Group meeting tonight with four amazing women. I'm excited about this because it is forcing me to put writing up front and center in my mind and life, which is where it belongs.

I've discovered I can print out a chapter or two of my book and bring it to work with me. In between calls I can edit and rewrite ... effectively leaving me in 'writing mode' all day. I love living in my book, it makes working so much more fun! And also, it's so much easier to plunk down and right when I have a few minutes because I've never really left the story all day. It's working great!

I love seeing my boys more and feeling more like their mom again. Oh yeah, I already prety much said that, didn't I? There was this moment the other night ... After I had finished reading to them, but before I'd taken them to bed there was this moment when the boys had been getting up, but then both kind of relaxed into me. I was lying down, they were both sitting looking at a book together over my body. I don't know ... it wasn't a big thing or anything that's interesting to describe. But that moment of them ... relaxing, sighing ... into my body. The closeness, the intimacy, the familiarity and safety of it. It was sweet and warm and I keep replaying it in my mind. I'm so happy to be their mom and to have the chance to spend more time with them again.

Feeling good tonight. Happy. Relieved. Things are better. And getting better-er! Rah! Rah!

Be My Journal

I'm way too exhausted tonight to write in my journal. But there were precious moments from today that I want to remember so here they go.

Today was a beautiful and sweet day - Mom's funeral - but I found it very, very hard. The boys were being typical little boys, really fine with the whole thing and not really connecting. I asked the boys if they wanted to go say goodbye to Gramma, and they said yes. But when we started to go up there and they caught a glimpse of her, Charlie broke down and Xander didn't want to go any further.

Instead I took them to the couch, where Charlie climbed up onto my lap. Xan was really fine, or at least acted fine. In fact, he said he was concentrating on being happy because that was what Gramma wanted. He said he felt sad, but he was choosing to be happy instead.

Charlie, on the other hand, just couldn't stay the flood of tears that burst through his dam, and in the face of his emotion, neither could I. So we cried together today a LOT.

During the program, Aleta's (David's sister) girls Melissa, Amy and Emily performed "I Am a Child of God." Charlie said "I remember when Gramma sang that with me," and the tears started again. He also said he knew she would like them playing that for her. I think he might have felt bad that he wasn't doing something for her, because later, when we sang the closing hymn he said "I'm going to sing, for Gramma."

Now, you've got to know that Charlie does not like to sing. Correction: He only likes to sing goofy songs he makes up. He doesn't sing in Primary or anything, in fact he said during the last Primary Program that "I love Jesus, I just don't like to sing!"

So when I heard the sweet voice of my tender hearted boy singing "God be with you till meet again," it was about all I could bear. He cried, I cried.

Tonight when I was tucking Charlie in, he prayed that God would take good care of Gramma and especially bless his Grampa and his Daddy that they wouldn't be too sad. Then he asked about if she could see us or anything, because he thought he felt her. I was so happy to tell him about the veil and how she would always be watching over us and if he thought he felt her, then she was probably there. Which of course made him cry more, but it made him feel so loved and happy that maybe she had come to tell him goodnight.

Anyway, kind of personal tonight, there's no need to comment. I just didn't want to forget all this and it would have taken me forever to write it all out longhand! So thanks for letting me share :)

Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic

We've been talking a lot about the Plan of Salvation since Gramma got sick. What happens when we die? Is there a heaven? What is it like?

In the process, we've talked about the importance of family, the resurrection and eternal life.

At school the boys have been learning about the different types of rock.

Now tonight Xan says, the stages of rock are like the stages of life. Igneous is our life on earth. Sedentary is when we are waiting to be resurrected. Metamorphic is when we are resurrected and live forever with our family in the Celestial Kingdom.

And I just looked at this kid and had to say, "Umm, yup. Pretty much!"

I love it when my kids GET IT, and teach me stuff in the process. Pretty cool, eh?

The Burning Hut

Tam sent this to me today. I almost didn't read it but when I did I was glad. Thanks Tam!

***

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me!"

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" he asked the weary man of his rescuers.

The Moral of This Story?
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going badly, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just might be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Laura Lucy Johnson Cross Jan 1928 - Apr 2008

Last night my dear mother-in-law, Laura, passed away.

We are so thankful for the blessing of her death, which is a release for her spirit from the pain and suffering her body had endured far too long.

But we are so sad at her loss.

The world will just not be the same without her fun and silly attitude. She was full of life and loved her children and all people she came in contact with. She was the consummate mother. Everything she did, everything she said was geared to how she could help another. She believed in showing love and kindness and leading by example.

She loved the gospel and taught it constantly, in all she did. She never read her children bedtime stories, preferring instead to read them stories from the bible. She would send them to bed each night with "Shadrack, Meshack and In-To-Bed-You-Go!"

She loved to love her children, to hug them tight, to make them laugh.

When no one, even David and I, could figure Sam out, could handle him, could love him enough, Mom loved him.

When my babies would cry, Mom could hold them, bounce them, and quiet them.

She taught me to crochet. She taught me to bake bread. More importantly, she taught me how to be a better wife, mother, and even friend.

I love her and will always love her. She's spry and lively now, living among her loved ones, only a thought and a prayer away.

Love Languages

Have you read this book? The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I read it years ago, but still think of it often. It has helped me tremendously - not only with my husband, but in better relating to my boys, too. I highly recommend it.

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Language is Acts of Service

My Detailed Results:
Acts of Service:	9
Quality Time:	7
Words of Affirmation:	6
Physical Touch:	5
Receiving Gifts:	3

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!
Check out the Book

Ali Cross, Writer

If you're into writing and care to see what I'm up to, I want to invite you to my writing blog. I've only just begun it, but there you can read about my latest exploits, specifically as they relate to writing.

Not sure how exciting it's going to be ... Well, of course I expect it to be exciting! I hope to be able to show my journey to publication, lol!

In the meantime though, read if you like, share, encourage, advise. I welcome you!

The Best Middle Grade Books I've Read ...

I read a lot of books to my boys. And though they are only seven and a half, they have long since passed the Magic Tree House series. About a year ago Xan picked up his first Deltora Quest book by Emily Rodda. We all really enjoyed it. Charlie continued to prefer Magic Tree House so I would alternate between a Deltora Quest book and a MTH book. Reading them out loud I much preferred the DQ books because they were so well written. Easy to read, the story flows, the dialogue is natural and the descriptions are excellent.


We are now on our fourth Deltora Quest. The story is only getting better and better and even my reluctant reader, Charlie, begs for more every night. These are truly excellent books with stellar writing; I highly recommend them.

I'm also enjoy reading them as a writer who is always interested in learning more. I am so impressed with how Rodda manages to keep her books succinct and in tune with her audience while never talking down to them, and never short changing the showing of the story. Her stories are vivid and alive, both for the boys and for me. I hope I can manage to take what I am learning from reading her stories to my own books one day; I could certainly do far worse than emulating one who is truly succeeding, to my mind, in telling exciting colorful adventures that even the most reluctant readers enjoy.

Thank you Emily Rodda!

Bwahahahaha .....

Tristi, Bring it ON! MY American Idol pick ...

Tristi has her own little thing going on with Rob Wells but I felt strongly enough about this one that I thought it was time to join in the fray.

Forget Michael Johns. Phht.

Forget David A. Whatever.

My vote? David Cook. Oh yeah.

My top picks for this year are: David, Carly Smithson, David A. and Brooke White.

Happy Day

Today was a neat day in more ways than one.

I got to spend some time with my husband in the children which we rarely seem to be able to do these days. Then I went back to the LDStorymakers conference for a while. I enjoyed meeting up again with Ilene, a great woman I met yesterday and I think is going to be a friend to me in the future. We're going to get a critique group going, so if you're interested and you live in the Salt Lake Valley, let us know! (We would really like to find Elana who we met in line and 'felt right' to both Ilene and I. So if you know Elana - who placed with a first chapter, yay! - tell her we're looking for her!)

I also got to meet Stephanie Humphreys today! I also wanted to meet Christine from AI and Shanna - my good IF (internet friend) - but no luck. Stephanie is just as pretty in person as the beautiful sketch on her blog depicts.

Because I was sitting with Stephanie a wonderful, and not accidental, thing happened. I got to sit with other Canadians, among them was Rob Ficiur. Rob says he lived in Foremost when Stephanie told him that my hubby was from there. Rob then says that he needs to call 'this man' and shows me a note on which he has written "Joe Cross" and a phone number. I said, "That's my husband's dad!"

Rob then proceeded to tell me a little (it was hard to talk) about his experience with Joe and what a blessing Joe was to him and his family. He offered to email me with some excerpts from the book he is currently writing in which Joe is featured. He also gave me a copy of his book "Trouble in Palmyra"

I have actually had an interest in this book in the past when it on the shelves and now, having a glimpse into the heart of this man, I am very excited to read it. I think my boys will love it too.

OK, great news! I entered my first chapter of The Devil's Daughter into the conference's contest and guess what?

I embarrassed myself when I whooped out loud when I heard I had won. Oh well, what can I say? I was excited and happy! Yay for me! But goodness, I have GOT to have my name changed legally because I'm so sick of having an alias! For some dumb reason (I thought I should) I entered the contest under my real name, Sandra, so no one knew who I was! Argh! Anyway, I'm super dee duperty excited to have won. Obviously.

OK, a few more things ... We had a little easter egg hunt for the boys tonight and that was sweet and fun. We were able to hide the eggs in much more challenging places this time which made it more fun for all of us. Then David took us out for dinner to celebrate my 'big win', lol, to Texas Roadhouse (our favorite place). While there, I was telling about the things I learned and the ideas I had while listening to James Dashner and Jeff Savage teach on strengthening your story. Together, all four of us kicked around ideas and holy cow you guys my Jump Boys story is going to TOTALLY ROCK now! It was okay-ish before (some who've read it might say not so much) but now? Watch out!! It's going to kick butt. With the ideas of my family - and can I say how awesome it was to play the "what if?" game with my seven year old boys? way fun - I've found a way to make not only my current antagonist a lot stronger but to add a really bad bad guy into the mix and how to create an almost insurmountable challenge for the boys thereby jacking up the tension and suspense by oh, about 100 %!

Now ... to put into practice the things I learned from Rachel Ann Nunes about finding time to write ...

My Pitch with Lisa Mangum and an Update

Today was the first day of the LDStorymakers conference. I enjoyed boot camp, a couple workshops and ... a pitch session with Deseret Book editor Lisa Mangum.

I really enjoyed the workshops I attended today and my pitch session with Lisa. I learned about truly becoming a writer from Rachel Anne Nunes; about how to make writing a priority, setting goals and how to truly reach my dreams. I also took a class from Heather Moore and Julie Wright about building our first novel. Their presentation was interesting but I think I was hoping for a more meaty class, where instead we got the bones. Guess we need to put the meat on ourselves? Still, it was worthwhile.

And Julie met me in the hall and gave me a hug! I was so shocked by that, but so, so touched. Time and again she surprises me with her kindness and friendliness. Oftentimes nowadays people just aren't that friendly, they don't go out of their way to be kind, they don't step outside of themselves to cheer another. But Julie continues to do that for me and today with the hug, well, she made me feel loved. Thank you Julie!

OK, so the pitch. I was very pleased to discover that Lisa was very approachable and friendly. She has a great smile too. I don't know why, but I was expecting someone a lot more reserved and removed. I was happy to find her instead to be quite approachable and fun.

I pitched The Devil's Daughter and she received it well. She claimed to really like the idea and asked that I submit the first three chapters along with an additional chapter or two showing Desi's (the main character) moment of truth so to speak - the moment when she discovers the truth of her identity. She seemed to suggest that there may be a place for my book at ShadowMountain, but did express concern over the whole devil's daughter thing. That's why she needs to see the middle part of the book where Heavenly Father makes His presence known and Desi begins to see the truth in things. I have to trust that Lisa is far too busy to invite several chapters into her life unless she is sincerely interested in reading them. So ... I guess I choose to believe that the pitch was a success and, well ... yay!

And now for my update. I'll keep it brief because I've already written a lot here. Basically, Mom is still hanging on and it's hard. Hard on everyone who is waiting to say goodbye, hard on Mom and the continued pain and suffering. David has been spending every moment he can over at his parent's house. He has been wonderful to his Mom, and to me. This has been an extremely difficult time for him, and yet he is being sweet and thoughtful of me and my needs. I hope I have been equally kind in return, but I don't know.

We are praying for Mom's release from the bonds of this life. She needs to go, she needs to free.

• 
  

Goodbyes

We spent the afternoon, visiting with David's mom. She had her daughter Dianna call us this morning to let us know that Mom needed us to come by to say our goodbyes. She is walking in the narrow strip of land where the veil normally resides, partly in this world, partly in the other world. She is finding it harder and harder to come back to us, the pull from the other side is getting harder to resist. It's time.

Xander had a karate tournament this afternoon, which he did very well at. He won both his events! He was proud to show Grandma his medals, and she told him what a special boy he is - not just at karate, but at life. She told him she knows he's a good boy, and she's so proud of him.

I am proud of both my boys. Going to see a sick and dying old woman in a tiny house where you can't make a lot of noise and there's nothing really fun to do, can't be a whole lot of fun. I know I never really enjoyed that sort of thing. But my guys both say "Yes!" when we tell them we're going to see Grandma. Last night Charlie said he wished he could give his life for Grandma, so she could live. What a big heart that boy has.

Today they hugged their Grandma, and listened to her words of advice. She told them about death and what it would mean. She told them she was going to be with her mom and dad, and how happy that made her. One day, she said, we would all be together again. She encouraged them to make good choices so that she could see them again one day. She especially gave her attention to Charlie, who stood for several long moments while Grandma spoke to him and she stroked his face. Sweet boy cried when he said goodbye to his Grandma.

We had planned to leave the boys with friends tomorrow while we spend the day with the family, but Mom requested that we bring the boys with us. I was surprised by that, but she was insistent. I think we had our goodbyes today, we'll go tomorrow to be a family, to be united in showing our love and support of our Mother, Mother-in-Law, our Grandma. Should Mom leave us tomorrow, I hope she can go with a house full of family, hearing the laughter, the joy in love shared.

Mea Culpa

My friends, please forgive me! I appreciate those of you who have been still stopping by - but mostly I hope you've got me on your blogroll and haven't been wasting your time checking on me!

I have been surviving this working thing, my family too, but I've had precious little time for the things I enjoy - like writing and reading. But because you're my friends, and for some reason unbeknownst to me, you like to read my blog (you gotta be crazy, but I love ya for it!) so for you I'm going to make a promise:

I here by swear that I will write two new blogs a week.

There, I said it. And by golly, if I said it, you can count on it to be true! At least, until I un-say it!

OK, so umm, where to start? Work is going fine. I think I may like it. YAY! I have yet to actually start the job though as I am still in training. The boys are doing just fine with the new routine. We had some blips to work through the first couple weeks, but I think we are finally getting the hang of it all. David, however, is another story! He says to me: "I just want you to be home!" He's having a hard time being a work-at-home Dad when there's no stay-at-home Mom!

We had the boys' parent-teacher conferences last week. Gosh, I love the boys' teacher! Jackie Warner is the most awesome teacher, I wish we could take her with us through all the grades. I especially love how much she cares for my Charlie. I imagine Charlie can be a hard one to love because he's wacky and silly and doesn't care a whole lot for school. But Mrs. Warner is able to see through all that and not let it bug her - she sees the good in Charlie and I love her for it. Funny though, I think perhaps she doesn't care for Xan too much! It doesn't bother me, I just think it's funny because usually it's the other way around. Next year I don't plan to keep the boys together in the same class, so it will be interesting to see how things pan out for them.

Next week, Xan is competing in a mini tournament with the karate studio. Charlie has decided he does not want to participate. I can't wait to get back to karate myself! Me and David miss it a lot, but for now can't afford it. Soon though, we hope. Then the week after is the LDStorymakers Conference and I can't wait! I'm excited to go to boot camp especially.

OK, that's all the news I've got for ya tonight. Like I said though, I'll be back! BEFORE next Saturday too. Count on it!

Creative Types

At my new job, I've met a kindred spirit!

Her name is Shauna and she is a writer. Not just a "some day I'd like to write a book" writer, but a true blue already-has-200-pages-written writer! We get talking and time flies. I have loved meeting her - and she me, I think - because we are encouraging one another to write and it's cool to talk about what fun we had writing the night before.

There's also a boy there, Anthony, who is a drama guy. The three of us can just go on and on about all our 'things' and I'm certain there's a 'type' out there for us creative people.

Creative people are flibbertigibbets to an extent, but not in a negative sense. We have our fingers and toes dipped into numerous creative streams, all at the same time. The creative types I've met are not only writers (singers, actors, artists) but also some other sort of creative expression.

Creative types see the world a little different than other types. They are all about how the normal can be expressed in a different way - their way. Life isn't just to be lived, it's to be chewed for 100 bites, savored and still swallowed hole.

I love being around creative types because they inspire me to fulfill the nagging artist inside me who wants to get out and C-R-E-A-T-E!!!

I'm super grateful that even though I have to be out at work every day, I have had the chance to meet other creative types and am being encouraged to not hide my little light under a bushel. YAY for creative types and new friends!

Connections, Inspiration and the Blessings of God.

Four years ago, David had been unemployed for about eleven months. In March of that year he had interviewed at a company called Northrup Grumman, a defense contractor. He hadn't heard back from them for a few weeks, so we figured he hadn't gotten the job, he hadn't been very well qualified for the job anyway. Then, a couple weeks later, when we had officially exhausted all our money and all our options, Northrup Grumman called. They had liked David so much that they had created a new job just for him. It was a real blessing. Heavenly Father knew our needs, knew our limits, and He blessed us.

The contract with Northrup Grumman lasted for about a year and during that time David had the opportunity to make some choices about how he would conduct himself. Time and again the Spirit whispered to him and he listened; going the extra mile to help another, taking the time to befriend someone who at first seemed unfriendly and unwelcoming, putting aside his own pride to back someone else's good idea instead of his own inferior one.

Now, four years later David is out of work again. Northrup Grumman called and wanted to interview David for a position they have open. Many of the people interviewing him were people David worked with on the previous project. This project sounded exciting and desirable to David, but he pretty much blew the interview. But, though he didn't do well, he continued to feel good about the job. So did I.

The next day I texted David from work and David told me that Northrup had called and asked for his references. In that moment, I knew David had the job. An hour later I couldn't contain myself, I was so excited. I texted David again saying "I'm so excited and jazzed! I think you got the job!" David wrote back, "You're so funny. I love you!" And then I knew I was totally right.

But, he insisted there was nothing to tell. I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling depressed because I couldn't reconcile the feelings of peace and happiness I was feeling and the "no news" David was telling me. I even called him at one point and asked if he really hadn't heard from the place, because I was sure he had. He insisted there was nothing to tell.

When I got home, the boys greeted with me with big smiles saying "We're going on errands!" and they all hussled me right back out the door. David said we were going to rent a movie and pick up a pizza, and that he had promised the boys we'd pick up some snacks at the grocery store. I can't express how sure I was that they were going to tell me he got the job! But still, nothing. No one said anything. Argh.

But ... the errands turned out to be pizza and a movie all right just at the actual movie theater because - guess what? - David got the job!

Bunch of stinkers leading me on all day. I couldn't believe how well the boys pulled it off, too! They're turning into some mighty fine liars!

So, the people David were kind to and made friends with four years ago at Northrup, were able to see past his missteps during the interview and offer him a job. I am so grateful that David is the kind of man he is, that he doesn't burn bridges wherever he goes, but rather is a bridge builder. He lifts people up, helps them to be their best, and in turn does his very best in all he does. I am so proud of him and very grateful for him.

The down side to this new job is that he will be working as an independent contractor, which means less money and no benefits. Guess it's a good thing I listened to the Spirit a few weeks ago when He told me I should pursue a job at Harland Clarke! We will need the extra income and the benefits I will receive from working there. He also won't get paid for oh, upwards of two months! Two months! Oy. Kind of stinks, eh?

But the pros seriously outweigh the cons. David will be given a top secret clearance and he'll be working on some amazing things that will be awesome for his career. I can't really talk about it because there are too many of you out there and I couldn't very well hunt you down and kill you, could I? *U* Like I said, I'm very proud of David.

I am fascinated with all the connections in this story. The six degrees of separation and all that. Fascinated and grateful for the whisperings of the Spirit. Thankful for Heavenly Father's love and concern. He cares enough to send those whisperings that we might follow the right path, make the right choices, that will allow Him to bless us.

Country Music Wisdom ~ "I Hope You Dance"

This is a song, I absolutely love. It fills up my heart and warms me from the inside out. It cheers me and reminds me what I'm on this earth for ... to live, to love, to be happy. I hope you'll remember too, and choose to see the good all around you, all the joy that is waiting just for you.

I Hope You Dance
~ Lee Ann Womack ~

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Sunday Night

Creative title, eh? Seriously, I had to sit with my eyes closed for a sec to come up with a title until I finally thought ... what the heck, and typed out my very clever "Sunday Night". It is, after all, Sunday night.

So I had my first week of working and all in all, it wasn't too bad! I managed to keep up on laundry (putting a load in before I left in the morning, and drying/folding it after work), I cooked for my family, I kept the house tidied up, I made calls to the phone and cable companies and others in an effort to trim our out-go, and best of all, I was not a horrid mommy. That is, until today.

Yesterday was going to be my big Clean The House Day. I needed to dust, polish, vacuum, clean the floors, scrub toilets. But I wasn't feeling well. I haven't been able to breathe very well lately. I thought it was just stress, but after yesterday I began to worry it was bronchitis or pneumonia; I haven't entirely gotten over the cold-gunk I had a couple weeks ago and I think it's moving down into my lungs. Anyway, I was so tired and worn down, having difficulty breathing. So I had to take it easy which meant my housework didn't get done.

Today I managed to do most everything I intended to do (like for my calling) but I just couldn't tolerate my children very well. Which made me sad because I so miss them and I needed an afternoon with them just playing and enjoying their company. Instead, I cranky and unpleasant like the Wicked Witch of the West. We normally have game day on Sunday afternoons, and while I played one game with everyone, I bowed out of the rest. The sounds of them having fun alternately made me feel sad because I wasn't with them, and irritated too. But I got tears in my eyes when I put the boys to bed and apologized for not being a very good mom today and they just hugged me and said it was okay. Blech. I'm not too pleased with myself tonight.

And then Stephanie gave me this award:

I can't imagine how I deserve it, but I'm not one to look a gift-horse in the mouth so ... Thanks!

I'm supposed to pass it on to other people, but I think all my friends have one! I think I'll hang on to it for a while and see who I find who doesn't have one and could use it. Does that sound fair enough?

Well, I'm feeling kind of down tonight so I think I'll sign off. I'm sorry for not writing brilliantly uplifting stuff here so that you can go away saying "Wow, that really made my day!" but I promise to try to bring a happier attitude next time! I think I'm just tired and a little overwhelmed. It'll get better. Hang in there with me, will ya?