Top Things on My Bucket List

I have to say a lot of my bucket list things have to do with travelling. I love to travel and see culture, people, places that are different from my experiences. 

1. Go to Australia and New Zealand

2. Take our family to Disneyworld.

3. Go to the Harry Potter theme park.

4. Have more kids

5. Travel around Europe more/again

6. Buy a house in Colorado

Those are just a few off the top of my head ideas. I have to say a lot of these things are just things we wanna do in the next 10 years. That qualifies, though right? As long as I have my family, I am pretty content. Matt and I love having adventures together and travel creates a lot of adventures. I also must say that these are not in any particular order. If you asked me what was on my "What do you want to happen for yourself and the people you love list?" the list would become a lot longer and more interesting. But, alas, we must save that one for another day. 

Anyone wanna take me to Florida? 

http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/ Just check this out. How could any HP fan not want to go? Seriously?

The last time I cried

I don't think it would surprise anyone that I cry pretty much every day. I am the kind of person that wears my heart on my sleeve. I am not afraid to show emotion. I don't have a choice actually. I can't control my tear ducts at all! I cry when I am sad, happy, inspired, angry (which makes me more angry), and any other passionate emotion. It's worse when I'm pregnant. My poor husband. Hehehe.

I have to say, the reasons that I have cried in the past 2 days have been because I am worried about people that I love. There are a lot of people that are really close to me who are going through so much right now. Like, huge, life-altering things that will alter their futures and change their families. Some of it can be positive but most of these things are huge trials. I am inspired by these people daily and humbled and grateful for their examples and for the blessings I have. I cried yesterday while I was talking to one of my sisters about these situations. I wish I could take away the burdens of worry, doubt, fear, frustrations from all of these amazing people. I hope they all know that I pray for them and think of them almost constantly. I also wish I had millions of dollars so I could ease their financial burdens for them as well. Money doesn't buy happiness? Well, it sure can reduce stress.

Another reason that I have cried almost everyday is that my home is currently being ravaged by wildfires. The entire state of Colorado is being effected by these awful fires. There is wildlife being lost, homes being lost and people's lives being changed forever. Not to mention just the incredible amount of some of the most beautiful and breathtaking land in this world that is being totally destroyed. The inspiring thing about nature is that it always will rejuvenate itself. It may take years, but it will come back. Little green shoots of grass and trees will start to poke up. Seeds will spread and animals will return. But it is so devastating to see the destruction. I am so heartsick I actually haven't really wanted to talk about it at all because I feel physically sick. For those of you who have never been to Colorado, go. It will change your life. Go after the fires are over to help support the local economy and get people back on their feet. Help the firefighters and Red Cross with your prayers, support and finances if you have them. That is all I have to say about that.

This is a photo from the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. This is my hometown. The fire is getting closer. God be with the people fighting it and the evacuees.

I believe this is the fire in Colorado Springs. My sister says the air all over Colorado smells like campfire. 

What Makes Me Feel Better, Always

I guess I am just gonna have to be reconciled to the fact that I have some pretty cliche answers to a lot of these prompts. Oh, well. I guess if I try too hard to be original it won't be true to who I am. So, what makes me feel better always?

1. Michaela. She constantly amazes me at how positive she is. She is not phased by anything. She is so sweet and if I am upset she says: "Oh, mommy sad?? I'll give you a hug." And then she does. And she gives me kisses if I stub my toe or scratch myself or something. She is so sweet and nurturing already and she is only 2. I love having her around me all the time. She reminds me not to sweat the small stuff.

2. Matthew. If there was one person in the universe that I could choose to be with all the time and forever, it would be him. I guess it's a good thing he married me, right? He is funny, sweet, sympathetic, compassionate and many more redeemable qualities. He is working so extremely hard right now to simultaneously pursue his music career and take care of us. When he is away from me I feel it physically. There is a hollow feeling that accompanies his absence. When he comes home, I feel better even if I felt good already. His touch soothes me and his words of wisdom help me through tough times. We are so lucky to be best friends. We love doing things together. He always can make me feel better, no matter what.

3. Visits home. This includes, of course seeing all of our family in our favorite places. That one doesn't need much more of an explanation.

4. Seeing people doing nice things for strangers. This always will make me feel better. I love when people aren't afraid to show love and compassion to others. Whether they know them or not it is a great thing to spread kindness around the world.

5 Favorite blogs

My sisters blogs. And my mom's blog.

Holly's theglems.blogspot.com
Jen's whatnowjen.blogspot.com
Lisa's lisaandhondo.blogspot.com
Mom's mahanthing.blogspot.com

I occasionally check a few other friends blogs but I am not a huge cyber reader.

My best physical feature: you can laugh, it's ok

My feet. I know, it's a little weird. But I like them. They are pretty. I have nice toenails and my feet look quite dainty. I love to keep my nails painted in the summertime. I love pedicures but I rarely get them because they are spendy.

A Difficult Time in my life

I have to say, I am actually going through a difficult time right now. But instead of talking about that, I will talk about one of the other times in my life when I struggled.

When I was a Sophomore/Junior in college, my brother was deployed in Iraq. Because of his job, we didn't know for sure where he was. We were hearing on the news every day about soldiers being killed and attacks in Iraq. A lot of them were Marines, which is what Adam is. I always was reassured in the back of my mind that he was ok but every time the news came on there was just a tightening in my heart. I would sit in my dorm room and my grandparents house and just pray and pray for Adam and all of the soldiers and their families. Those that were lost and those in danger. During this time, one of my closest friends was going through one of the hardest times in his life. It was extremely difficult to watch him going through these emotions and changes in his life and to try and be a good support and friend for him. The combination of both of these events made it so hard that I was often on the brink of tears. I carried my scriptures around throughout the day and was reading them constantly to draw on the words of the Savior and Prophets for inspiration. It did help. I had a few Priesthood Blessings from my Bishop at church. I was struggling to be a good friend and support to my friend, and to my family as we were all going through the separation of having our son/brother in harms way.

All I can say about this time is that it was hard. I drew on my testimony and the testimony of friends to help me get through. My family is awesome and we love and support each other through everything. My brother has been home and safe for a long time now and I am so grateful. My friend got through his difficult time and is a bright, shining person who is so strong, even if he doesn't know it.

I am so blessed to have the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to have the people in my life that I do. Hard times come to us all. We just need to draw on the strength that is offered to us and we will succeed at anything that comes our way in this life.

Pet Peeves

You can never really think of these things when you want to but I'll try to list a few.

Here we go:
1. When the toilet paper roll is backwards
2. When people leave lights on, cupboard doors open etc.
3. Hitting all red lights
4. When people don't appreciate the goodness of others
5. Parents who think their children are angels 100% of the time and never could possibly do anything wrong. Ha!
6. Misunderstandings
7. Dirty houses
8. Clutter
9. "Friends" who don't ever consider your feelings and always only think of themselves

I guess I can't make it to 10. That'll have to do.

Note: When I am pregnant, almost everything is a pet peeve. :)