You Can Have My Hair

I know I'm posting a lot tonight, but I just have so much to share :) Lame? Too bad! haha.

Can I just tell you how proud I am of my little niece? My sister-in-law tells me all the time that she's my little mini-me. More so because she's got these long skinny legs, but I like to think it's because I'm a good role model. Ha. Wishful thinking. ;) Anyway, my niece has pretty much never cut her hair. Trims, yes...cut, no. She is 6 years old. My sister-in-law talked with her and they decided to get her hair cut and to donate it.

Yup, you read that right. My sweet kid is totally donating her hair to some little one who has cancer! Isn't her hair adorable?!

So when I asked Abby who's getting her hair, she simply told me "someone who has cancer". When I asked her why a person with cancer needs hair? She said "because they have to take medicine that makes them lose their hair". Wow! Just goes to show that our kids KNOW and CARE and LOVE and SERVE too!!!

Your Auntie T loves you Abby! :)

Tender Mercies and Some Random Thoughts to Boot

I have been taking an institute class this semester. It's been very interesting. I've been edging a time in my life where I was feeling like I no longer needed institute. I was kind of feeling the whole 'been there done that' feeling. Well, without going into too much detail that I do not care to divulge (smiles), I started to look inward to see what it was that I was missing in my life to help make me feel connected. I mean, I am a very active person and it's not as if I struggle to keep my calendar busy, but I couldn't get rid of the feeling of something amiss. The answer came, and attending institute was part of it. I cannot even begin to tell you how it has changed my perspective on my life these past weeks. There is definitely something about having another day in the middle of your week where you spend an hour (or in my case 1 1/2 hrs) engrossed in learning about the gospel.

I am taking Teachings of the Living Prophets. I absolutely LOVE perusing over past conference talks and talking as a class about the meaning of these talks. Last week we spoke about Tender Mercies. Ironically as I was sitting in class, I received a text about my brother (see post below). Tender mercy. And as we had our discussion, it was hard not to think about my life and all of the tender mercies I receive on a daily basis. Elder Bednar says "The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ." He goes on to say "We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord's tender mercies. The simpleness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live." "Truly, the Lord is good to all."

Don't those words just make you happy? The Lord is good to us all!!! He doesn't pick and choose who to bless based on favorites. During these hard times, look at each day and be sure to recognize your tender mercies. You will be amazed at how many you are blessed with, I promise you! Oh how we are loved! :)

A Text to Brighten My Day

Buzzzz, Buzzzz. As I sat in institute class last night, engrossed in the topic of tender mercies (a blog to come), I kept hearing buzzing. So irritating! Whoops...to my embarrassment, it was me! Usually I turn my phone on silent when I'm in class. Apparently I had forgotten. As I quickly grabbed my phone (but not quick enough not to cause a few stares), I looked down and noticed the message was from my sister in law. Hm. My curiosity was peaked, so naturally I took a peak at my message. Holy nugget! Best news!!! My brother, her husband, is back in the USA!!! Whoot whoot! Ok, before you go all "so what" on me, let me explain. My brother has been serving in the army for over a year. He's been in Afghanistan. He won't be home for a little bit longer while they debrief the soldiers, but I cannot even tell you how relieved I am that he is back in the USA.

Ironically we were talking about tender mercies in institute and boy was this a big one! I am so proud of my brother for his service. I am so proud of the man he has become and the man that he is. I feel so blessed to have him back, unscathed.

Sushi , anyone?

There is just something about the words 'raw fish' that has a negative ring to it. Over the past few years, I have come into contact with several people who absolutely LOVE sushi. My brother being one of them. I, on the other hand, never thought I'd encounter real live people in my life who opt to eat this food. I know, I know. As opposed to fake people. Perhaps you think my wording is poor, but what I mean is it's just crazy to have people directly in my life who enjoy this form of food. Ya know...my 'real' life as opposed to the make believe one's we all dream we one day will be living. That's what I'm driving at with my verbage. :) Anyway, I digress.

As I have come across many people who have had a love for sushi, I have been very intrigued as to why. No, I am not one of those people that has to ask 'why' all the time, but on this point, I was very intrigued. As time has gone on, I have decided that I would very much like to decide whether I fall in the love or hate category for sushi. My mind would have me automatically say I'd hate it. Cause hello..raw fish! Eew! But I was determined to give it a good go. My brother took me for sushi last year. I tried a few of his sushi rolls. I wasn't a huge fan, however I didn't hate it either. The tuna I tried was interesting in texture and I could only eat one because it was mushy. Even though I wasn't in love, I really wanted to try other types of sushi so I could honestly say whether I loved or hated it.



Last night I went to a sushi bar with some friends. I even used chop sticks people!!! I am horrible with chop sticks! Usually I end up flinging my food across the table at people but I actually was able to eat with them! Whoot whoot! Anyway, I got the Spicy tuna (boy was that spicy for me!) and the shrimp tempura. Lets just say I liked them both but the tuna was a bit too spicy for me. I also tried my friends Ichi roll and the other one was called the Playboy (I think). I liked both but really LOVED the Ichi roll. So what is my assessment of sushi thus far? I really like it! I know, I know. Surprising! Even more surprising is that I liked the Ichi roll cause raw fish was chilling on top of the roll. I thought for sure I was gonna gag it down. Nope...loved it! Just goes to show, trying things for the first time in order to decide whether you like them or not is always in your best interest. :)

Small Things

The other day I ventured out to my mail box to grab the mail. These days, there isn't much excitement to be found in the mail. Not with all the technology and what not. I mean, with all the forms of communication, snail mail isn't the most popular. Regardless of most popular or not, I'm not sure what it is, but it always makes me feel good to get a random sweet card or note in the mail. Don't get me wrong, a note in any form is wonderful, but to have someone actually take the time to write a note and mail it is so... just a little bit extra somehow.

Anyway, I got my mail the other day and there was a note from someone. No name. Someone had taken the time to just write me a sweet note. They will never know how much it meant to me to have someone take the time out, for little ol' me. It was such a thoughtful and sweet note. Something I desperately needed that day. So thank you.

I've always said that a compliment does no good just rolling around in your head, be sure to open your mouth and give the compliments you are thinking. You never know who's day you are brightening, just by simply expressing the wonderful thoughts you are thinking about others. I absolutely LOVE when others live by this rule of thumb. I love when people simply love each other and care about each other. Oh how simply and small a thing, to love and care for one another.

My First Tag (thanks Michelle) :)

Rules:
1. Go to the document/ my pictures site on your computer
2. Go to your sixth file
3. Go to your sixth picture
4. Blog about it
5. Tag 6 people



This is my 6th file, 6th picture. Basically this file is chuck full of my family. Luckily I have basically THE CUTEST family ever! So this was taken about 2 1/2 yrs ago. This is a pic of two of my nieces, Madison and Abby. My baby bro was getting married and we decided we needed to take family pictures since it had been many many years since our last family pictures. We took a bunch of pics in my brothers backyard. For some reason it was taking FOREVER (I wonder why), so the kids were entertaining themselves in the cutest ways. I believe this is right after the girls were spinning.

The girls are only 9 days apart. They are the best of friends and it is so fun to watch them play. One of their favorite things to do is laugh. I swear, they will just laugh and laugh at nothing. And then they will laugh some more when people are wondering what they are laughing at. Silly silly girls. :)

Love my kids!

I tag: Robyn, Camille, Heather, Tabitha, Carianne, Angela

Public Service Announcement

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE getting funny emails. Mostly I love getting funny video clips sent to me, but my mom sent me an email that said this..

"Due to the recent economic crises, stock market crash, budget cuts, rising unemployment, unstable world conditions, the cost of insurance, electricity, petroleum and taxes of all kinds, we regret to advise you that, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Hahaha. Listen, if you feel like someone has turned off the light at the end of YOUR tunnel, that's when it's time to bring out the matches and candles. No need to fret friends. :)

Precious Little Ones

Ok, so children are in my blood. What exactly do I mean by this? What I mean is that I have an absolute adoration, unconditional love, and draw to the little ones. I love the little spirits that they are. I love the mini people that they are trying so desperately to become and I love to witness every step of this transformation. Truly. I continually marvel at the things they say and the things they do. No joke. It's a huge reason for why I studied Family and Human Development in school. As I've been thinking of some tender memories of my little ones, I really wanted to share the most recent funny story. :)

Recently I stopped by my parents house for dinner and my mom was watching 3 of the little ones. They were playing in the basement when I arrived. It was dinner time and just as we were about to call them up, I hear Ryan (3yrs) start to cry. I thought, well we're going to find out soon enough who the culprit is. Moments later, his older sister Abby (6yrs) also started to cry. That kind of clued me in on who was the culprit, Ethan (4yrs).

Well, we called them up. As soon as my crying sweeties saw Aunt TT (me), they came over to cuddle with me and get some lovings. Abby and Ryan began to tell me that Ethan was hitting them. Ethan came up more slowly. As soon as he saw me I asked him to come over. Boy he didn't want to look at me. I believe it's called CAUGHT or GUILTY. Haha.

Anyway, he came over and I told him that I needed him to tell me what happened, but I needed him to look at my face. I have this thing about making the little ones face their problems, face the situations, face owning the solutions in these kinds of situations. Also its good for them to see that you are concerned, sad, disappointed, or whatever. It's important for them to see that their actions also affect more than they realize. Anyway, boy he didn't want to look me in the face. When he finally did, he put his hand out as if to try to reason with me and explain. (I have to tell you it was really hard not to laugh at how cute his actions were). This is what he said "Abby hit ME!!" (Apparently Abby tried to defend Ryan so her way was to hit Ethan to make him stop). Then he said with his hand still in the air "I REALIZE NOW that it probably wasn't such a good idea to repeatedly hit my brother in the head with the bottle." I kid you not. That is what my 4yr old nephew said while he's trying to talk himself out of getting into trouble. Then when we talked about a better way to have behaved and solved the problem, I told him his brother and sister were waiting for a "sorry" from him. He got really frustrated again and said "I KNOW...!!" At first I thought he was going to put up resistance but then as I waited, I realized he was trying to be sincere about it so he was just taking a minute (not gonna lie, it was cute to watch the workings of his mind). He hugged them both and sweetly told them sorry. Cutest part is that he waited to really MEAN it. I LOVE my kids, even when I have to teach them how to be nice to each other. :)

I feel so lucky to be blessed with 8 nieces and nephews (soon to be 9). They truly are a blessing from our Heavenly Father and I take joy in learning from them how to be more childlike by making the things in life that need to be more simplified, simple. I also take joy in teaching them and helping them to grow whenever I have the opportunity. Every day with a child is a gift. Every moment with a child is a blessing.

Yes, I still Learn :)

This year has been a year of eye opening realizations. I neared my 30th year last year with great reservations. I had always believed that I would be in a certain place in my life by the age of 30 and I found myself looking 30 in the face and wondering if I had come even close to any of those expectations. Questions like.. Am I the person I always imagined I would be at this time in my life? Have I made a positive difference in the lives of those I come in contact with? Have I experienced life as I should have by now? Ya know, things like that. :) As I found 30 creeping up on me, I found that I wanted to just skip it all together. (Is that even possible, LOL?) I really wasn't looking forward to it in the least bit. Thankfully I started thinking about things several months before the actual day hit because on my 30th birthday I was in a really good place. I embraced where I was at in life.

Having said all that, I have to say that 30 has been a fantastic year for me. Ok ok, I still have a few more months left to enjoy my 30th year. :) But I can honestly say that for dreading the big 3..0.. it has treated me really well. I see several of my friends going through some of the same reservations that I went through. It's funny how we sometimes confuse life's markers with age markers. Friends out there who struggle with age, don't! It's just a number. It doesn't define you. Let what defines you be WHO you are. And if you don't like who you are, start making changes in THAT regard. For me, it always comes back to this.. Life is what you make of it. You are going to be miserable if you allow yourself to be. Or, you are going to be happy if you allow yourself to be. I notice that when I find the simple and small things to be grateful for, I am amazed at how blessed I am and how happy I am that I'm continually thought of by a loving Father. And yes, that even means being happy about your AGE! lol. Take it from a gal who is going to be turning 31 in a few months. Now I know I'm going on and on about age right now, but if it's not 'age' for you, fill in the blank. It doesn't really matter, the concept is the same. YOU are the one who decides whether you pick yourself up from hard experiences and move forward, taking with you the lessons learned. YOU are the one who decides whether you allow yourself to move forward and to grow mentally, spiritually.

Now, the real reason for bringing up age. lol. This year has provided me with so much insight into my own life. Who would have thought that at age 30 I'd be learning such great things still! You'd think I'd be an expert in life by now! :) It's been a treasure I will keep with me always. I am SO grateful for that. It just goes to show, that yes, even when we think we are grown, we learn great things. :) How fantastic is that?!