Resting

The last few weeks have been crazy. The Thursday after Ryan's blessing, I had my wisdom teeth taken out. It was quite the experience considering I've only been to a dentist's office twice(and that was the week before and a few hours before I had my teeth out). So while I was taking some medication, including pain medication, and eating not so solid things(like soup & pudding & ice cream) I was also trying to get ready for the Resident Assistants to come in and for RA Training coming up on the following Monday. On Sunday night, I kept having these realizations about how the next day was the first day of RA Training. I couldn't believe that it is already the end of August and time for a new semester of freshmen to come to BYU and have some of the most memorable experiences of their life.
For those who don't know, RA Training week is intense, yet very entertaining. This week was uncharacteristic in comparison to previous years because we had to rearrange the shcedule a bit so I had new experiences in new places instead of just with new people. This is the second year I get to work with 3 female RAs instead of 2 females and 1 male and I'm getting more used to it. I love meeting the RAs and seeing their enthusiasm. Monday was a long day starting with breakfast with everyone and then waiting at the employment office and then a trip to Spring Haven and not getting back until around 9ish. But I loved hearing so many things that day, especially on the drive back down the canyon to come back to Heritage Halls when one of the RAs said, "I loved it! What a great day!" in response to the question of how they liked training. Tuesday wasn't as long, but I personally didn't get much sleep, had to drive my sister to the airport and then take one of my children to the doctor. We then had an evening adventure to purchase tshirts and didn't make it home until midnight. Wednesday was another day of traveling, but we got home by 4:30 and Thursday, the last day of traveling, I was done by 3. I mention the traveling because I had to drive and i had been driving alot--and did I mention that I had only had my wisdom teeth out 3 days before all of this started? Luckily, my boys were able to be watched by their dad and their grandma during that crazy week.
So RA Training week came to an end with me sleeping alot on Sunday, working student check-ins on Monday, then taking most of the day off on Tuesday to finally clean my house--even if it isn't perfect, it is at least a little better. Just a few days ago, all of the residents' contracts started and we had a fun few days of check-ins. There are still some stragglers left to come in before the first day of school, but tomorrow I am officially off and will be doing some much needed shopping, cleaning, & football game watching(BYU vs. University of Northern Iowa). Yay for resting! If you can call shopping and cleaning house resting.

Blessing

Our little Ryan was blessed by his father today. We had the wonderful privilege of having two uncles, a great uncle, a great grandfather and a papa in the circle for him along with Daddy. Pop was able to be here for the weekend and to meet the grandson who now shares his middle name. While one grandpa still has yet to meet him, we were still bale to have a good time with those who could be there and it was wonderful to hear Oliver speak such beautiful words to our Ryan and even have to bring it quickly to a close because of the emotion he felt himself. I'm so grateful to have two beautiful sons and a father who can bless them with the priesthood as well as the handful of male family members who can do that as well.

Here is our little boy in the blessing outfit made by the talented Grandma Karen.

The Joy of Swimming

Many people may not appreciate swimming in the same way that I do, but today I was reminded of how much I love it.
This morning we were able to spend time at Heber Creek State Park. A large family gathering for Oliver's family which tradition sanctions waterskiing on the lake. While I didn't get out onto the boat, I spent time in the water with Evan and then was challenged by Oliver's brother to swim to the buoy that is at the edge of the bay we were in to signal boats to slow down before entering the bay. Well, everyone(brother-in-law included) wimped out on me as we began to swim in the rather cold water. So while I didn't go all the way, I had an extremely peaceful moment floating there in the middle of the bay with very little noise getting to my ears, the sun beating down on me and looking up to a beautiful blue sky with light & fluffy clouds dispersed throughout my view. I wish I could show you the view I had, but it's hard to show unless you are there. I haven't been swimming in almost a year and a year is long enough to forget the blessed joy of forcing your body through the water and focusing on your arm strokes or the effort of kicking or even breathing. As I spoke to Oliver about it, he said, "I know, that's why I always want you to go swimming because I know how much you love it." And I do. I love it.
I'm so thankful for the Olympics because this is the only time you ever get to see competitive swimming on TV. This afternoon and then this evening Pop & I were able to watch some quarter finals, semifinals and finals of a couple events and I loved it!
So while I sit here feeding Ryan, with some rather burnt shoulders(I didn't put on any sunscreen), I'm grateful for the reminder of the sport I love and perhaps a little encouragement to start exercising regularly. (Perhaps).

8.8.08

So this post is not original material. Don't worry though, it is very inspiring and while this blog states that this is the view of the world from our little corner, this post is a view from a much distant corner; Oliver's dad who is serving our country across the ocean in Qatar. He started off his daily email by saying that in Ecclesiastes we read there is a time and a place for everything. His closing statement was that what the preacher in Ecclesiastes didn't warn us about was that "sometimes the time for everything is the same day."
Here are the reasons:
Three very unique things happened today that in normal situations have their own time and place. Gilbert stated these three to be Love, Peace, & War.
Love: While I know that a million (that's a guess) couples are getting married today because of the unique date, love hits a little closer to home because Oliver's brother proposed to his girlfriend today. Congrats Chris & Jen! And for me, Pop flew into town tonight and I love my Papa!
Skipping over to war: Gilbert informed me in his email(since I hadn't seen it on the news) that Russia had began "fresh" fighting today in Georgia.
And finally, peace: The Olympics opening ceremony was this evening. I wasn't home for the whole thing, but turned the TV on real quick at 10:30 and was able to only see the last 30 minutes of what had been an amazing show. One thing I found interesting, especially in connection to Gilbert's comments, was that the theme of the Olympics this year is "One World, One Dream." What an amazing and inspiring theme for the world today. And if that isn't a vote for peace, I don't know how to say it better.
So Gilbert, I agree with you, who knew that there could be so many things happen on the same day?! I hope, as you do, that those reading this are with the ones they love and enjoying a peaceful evening, night, morning, or day.

Long Lost Friends

I have been so blessed this week to be reminded of what a good friend can be.
I think it all started on Sunday. I discovered a new member of our ward at church is actually an old family friend whom I hadn't really spoken to in a long while.
Then a few days later, I had the wonderful privilege to go to Cold Stone with some not so old friends, but friends who all needed each other and had never taken much time out to be together in a different atmosphere. It was great! (Besides the awesome ice cream) I felt so blessed to be included in this quartet with three amazing women. Thanks guys!
Now here's a good story:
Once upon a time, our good & amazing friends B & Bekah thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling meal time experience of eating at the Morris Center Cafeteria. These good friends are busy people, yet live close enough that we should see them more than we do. On Sunday, I was inspired to call them up to invite them to partake in the wonder and amazement of the brand new Commons at the Cannon Center. What a great lunch we had! While B loved the buffet style and ability to try anything and everything, Bekah loved holding Ryan, and Oliver & I loved hearing the updates of their lives and enjoying these good people. I'm so glad that I called them! At this same lunch, we were able to "feed" Oliver's Mom, brother Jimmy and Jimmy's girlfriend Ari. Jimmy & Ari had just flown in the night before and it was a crazy lunch, but lots of fun.
You would think that would be enough, right?
To ease back into being social and a good friend.
Think again.
Yay for Liz & Kevin coming into town and inviting me to an impromptu dinner with some very good but very long lost friends: Hannah & Sariah! How long lost? Hmmm..last time I saw Sariah, she didn't have any children. Today, I met her TWO chitlins, the oldest being 3 1/2. Another crazy meal was had with 8 adults spread out around the 6 children(one was a cousin being babysat). But how thankful I am for being able to sit with some people who I can say "knew me when..."
I love them all and truly am overwhelmed by the realization of how much I have missed them. While I have been VERY blessed to have my amazing sister nearby(who has finally grown out of the hating me phase & is now a great friend also), I'm grateful for friends new & old whom I love very much.