I am humbled

These past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. My dear friend Jill was diagnosed with a brain tumor (I still hate saying those words) the day after Thanksgiving. She is only 32 years old with a great husband and 8 year old son. How can this happen? Why does this happen? My heart aches for her every minute of every day. I have a continual prayer in my heart for her and her family.

Yet, as I have watched her these past few weeks I am in awe of her. Jill has the greatest attitude because of her faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. She knows she is loved and that this is happening for a much greater purpose. WOW! Would I feel this way if the situation was reversed? I would hope so, but I just don't know. I can tell you this..... my prayers have never been so heart felt and meaningful lately. I am ashamed to say that I am not always the best at remembering to say my prayers. I have struggled with this since childhood. It seems that prayers become robotic when life is going along without any major struggles. Perhaps challenges come our way to keep us humble and close to what is important? Of course.

Jill, I am thinking about you every moment and I know that you will be comforted and blessed through this challenge. Your positive attitude and faith is what is going to sustain you during those dark times. Thank you for being such a great example to me. My testimony has strengthened beyond measure because of your example of unwavering faith. I am reminded once again what really is important in life. You are deeply loved by so many people. Thank you for being extraordinary!

I need some mommy time!

Ok, so I don't journal very much on my blog because I would rather post pictures, but something very funny happened to me last night. I love the cold weather because to me that means hot bubble baths! I love to light the candles in the bathroom and pour my favorite bubble bath (Philosopy's falling in love..pictured above) in the water. I find this very relaxing and therapeutic. I've had many friends and family who have children tell me that their bathroom break is the only break they get during the day. I've heard funny stories about how children stick their fingers under the bathroom door and yell "MOM". It just seems that mom's never truly get a break. So picture this.....(don't picture me naked though) I am in the tub with my warm candle light reflecting off the bathroom walls, bubbles everywhere, and I hear my cat Walter hitting the bathroom door with his paws. Next thing I hear is the continuous, loud, deaf-defying, annoying meows coming from his mouth. Next, he starts sticking his cute little paws underneath the door. The meows get louder as he sticks his mouth under the door for the full effect. I just started laughing histerically because I think about moms who never get a break. In no way am I comparing my mommy-hood of two felines to the busy life of a true mother, but I saw a teeny, tiny glimpse of what it would be like.

I am truly in awe of mothers and all the things they accomplish in one day. My sister-in-law Sherion is one of the many wonderful mothers that I know. She is so patient and loving towards her two children and husband. I hope that someday I can resemble her many attributes of motherhood. I love you Sherion and all you do for me! I love my own mother Janice Gaye very much and I am grateful for the person I am today because of her.

Halloween

Thank you Chandie for helping me figure out how to do this. Sorry about the several phone calls, but now I can do it! I am so excited!

The Jazz Game

Lane & I were fortunate to go the the first Jazz Game of this year. Lane bought season tickets with a friend so we could see half of the games. I am sure that I won't be able to go to all the games with Lane, but hopefully I will see a few. We went to Iggy's for dinner and kept our car parked there for free (I love FREE parking). We were hoping to get some cool free stuff at the game (I thought since it was the first game they would give out cool crap). When we walked in they handed us a glow stick and told us not to "break" it until the lights went out. What? A stupid glow stick? Where is the free tee-shirt or a million dollars? Well, we did end up with a free deck of cards when they handed us our program. It was fun, The Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets. Thanks Lane!

The Park with Beau & Aislynn

I took the kids to the Park so Sherion could get some rest. We had a blast!

Pumpkin Carving with the Higley's

Enough Said

Cat Drool

I just picked up my sweet little cat Walter to smooch his handsome face and he drooled into my mouth. Is that like when a child vomits into your mouth? I am so pathetic!

Visit with Lindy

Family Fun

I'm a Lamborghini!

I'm a Lamborghini Murcielago!

You're not subtle, but you don't want to be. Fast, loud, and dramatic, you want people to notice you, and then get out of the way. In a world full of sheep, you're a raging bull.

Take the Which'>http://www.tomorrowland.us/sportscar">Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

5 Things

5 Things

This is a fun tag from Kate...


5 Shows I watch
1- Prison Break
2- The Office
3- Survivor
4- The Bachelor/Bachelorette
5- American Idol & So You Think You Can Dance!

5 Restaurants
1- Cafe Rio
2- Applebee's
3- Olive Garden
4- Zupas
5- Rumbi's

5 Things that happened yesterday
1- I oriented a new nurse in Thoracic
2- I giggled with the girls at work: Allison, Kate, Sara, Tristan and Summer
3- I planned a lunch/blog date with Lindy & Allison
4- I watched Survivor & The Office
5- I went to bed at 9:30

5 Things to look forward to
1- Having kids
2- Retirement
3- Mexican Riviera Cruise in December with Lane's family
4- Kauai in April with Lane, Jason & Sherion
5- My 35th birthday!

5 Things that I love about Fall
1- Hot bubble baths with "falling in love" bubble bath by philosophy
2- Sleeping with the windows open, I love that crisp cool air!
3- Changing my bedding to warmer sheets & comforter
4- Hot chocolate
5- Switching from A/C to heat in my car on the same day!

5 Things on my wish list
1- To be fit & stay healthy
2- Hardwood flooring in my kitchen
3- A new BBQ grill
4- To be done with graduate school
5- My cat to stop urinating on our carpet! She is one urination away from going to the animal shelter!

5 Things important to me
1- My Savior Jesus Christ
2- Lane
3- My family
4- My friends
5- My health

5 People I tag
1- Sherion
2- Christian
3- Christi
4- Chandie
5- Jessie

Any anyone who would like to do this!

What have you done in your life?

What have you done in your life?

Thanks Jill and Allison for this fun idea!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (They don't let you do that since 9-11).
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (I walked/jogged a half marathon twice, does that count?)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Tag......anyone who wants to do this!

Body Worlds 3

Lane & I really enjoyed Body Worlds 3. I've been wanting to see this exhibit for years and I am so glad it came to Salt Lake City! My favorite "body" was holding all of his internal organs in one hand above his head. I also enjoyed seeing the "smokers" lungs. The embryos in all stages of development was also amazing! I highly recommend this exhibit to everyone.

Happy Birthday Beau & Aislynn! (My nephew & niece)