Living the Unexpected Life

I enjoy going to church for lots of different reasons.  I have friends there, I like the way I feel when I enter the building, and my resolve to live a meaningful life is strengthened when I attend.  One of the biggest reasons why I enjoy it is because it sparks a lot of memories and increases my gratitude for my Savior. Today, we were discussing repentance and the atonement in Sunday School.  A part of that discussion included talking about making amends to someone you have wronged.  A strong feeling came over me as I recalled an event that took place in my life 13 years ago right before Christmas. My Mom was very ill with MS when I was 27 and fortunately we were visiting in Utah when she was admitted into the hospital.  It was difficult to to go visit her knowing her condition was declining.  I had a two-year old then and I asked my husband to take care of him so I could spend some time alone with my Mom. When I entered the room she was asleep and...

Growing up I had an obvious passion for music.  Sometimes I would prefer to be alone with my piano rather than be with other people!  What I didn't know back then, was that my passion would open a lot of doors professionally and allow me to help out in my church. It is interesting to me today how music naturally comes to my boys and I take a sense of pride in knowing they may have inherited that from me.  I do not spoil my kids much however, anything they want that deals with music I will buy. David is a trumpet player and picked out a brand new trumpet this year courtesy of my bonus money.  I think I was more excited about shopping for it than he was and we found a sweet deal while visiting Utah.  We had the best time together sitting in a music store debating about the tone quality of each horn. I imagine this trumpet will be a part of our family for years to come.  It is beautiful and I enjoy playing duets with my teenager who could care less right ...

A text from my sister inspired me to write this post.  I have not thought about bullies for a long time and although it is widely discussed at school these days I have put some of my past experiences behind me and moved forward.  Sometimes I even forget about the "bus incidents" I endured as a kid as the pain has dissipated over time. I admit that I am a sensitive person however, there have a been a few moments in my life when I recognized that someone was purposefully making fun of me to knock me down.  Those moments were hard to live through.  I hated every second and it felt like someone was ripping my self-esteem into shreds with a cheese grater.  Sometimes it was a single word, a look, an action.  And sometimes it was minutes upon minutes of endless teasing and pain.  I was too nice to fight back and I kept my mouth shut and endured the torments.  I think my sister actually cried for me  a few times which helped a lot knowing that...

  I love a new beginning and every January I sit down and ponder what has happened to me in the last 365 days. I consider my strength and weaknesses and then make a list of goals.  It helps me a lot to share these with others because it keeps me accountable and I am also inspired by many people I know.  I also pick several goals to keep it interesting and fun throughout the entire year.  Most have due dates. Here is the list for 2015: 1.  Run  a half marathon in less than two hours :  this one is a bit scary but I think I can do it once I drop a few pounds.  This is probably going to be the hardest one! (April) 2.  Watercolor nature and choose my best ones to hang in my house:  The second hardest one since I am my best critic and I have never taken a class.  (July) 3.  Scripture Study :  I am going to memorize scriptures about Jesus Christ. (Year Long) 4.  Provide service daily    I am not thinkin...