I don't have pics uploaded from my sister's wedding yet, but I thought I would post something today anyway.
Have you heard of the Hinckley Challenge? I got an invite on my Facebook account back in January after Pres. Hinckley died. I'm not sure who came up with it, but I thought it was a good idea. The challenge was to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days, honoring the 97 years of Pres. Hinckley's life. I'm not usually one to take on challenges. They seem more like nice suggestions to me. And I have an especially hard time taking on challenges that involve reading the scriptures. When Pres. Hinckley made the challenge a few years ago to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, Chad thought we should do it. I wasn't too thrilled about it. It ended up being a good experience, but I didn't feel the peace and strength that I've heard the leaders of the Church mention before.
So, why did I do this challenge? I can't really say. I saw the invite and figured it could only help me spiritually. So I did it. Well, with the wedding and all the craziness of the weekend (I was supposed to finish on day 97--May 10th), I didn't finish it on time. But I did finish it today. So I read the Book of Mormon in 99 days. That might seem like nothing to some people, but I'm pretty pleased with my accomplishment! And I gotta say that I did feel the peace that has been attributed to reading the Book of Mormon. Whenever things really got frustrating for me or when I felt like I was at my wit's end being a mom or a wife or just with life, I could sit down and read. And the longer I read, the better I felt. And it was the greatest calming influence on me. Others might not have noticed any change, but I felt it.
I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, along with the Old and New Testaments and the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price (I'll have to conquer the latter books in the coming months!). I know that reading it will bring comfort and peace. It amazed me the passion people in the Book of Mormon had for the Gospel. What would I be like if I felt that strongly about what I knew to be true? I think life would be so fulfilling. That's something to work toward.
Anyway, just thought I would share my experience. I'm so glad I took the challenge.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
It's been a little while...
And so a lot has happened over the past week or so.
First of all, Chad won the Biggest Loser competition!! Congrats to Chad! He and I were really close and he's agreed to be very gracious with his winnings. Yesss!!!
Secondly, I'm in VA! Cameron and I took a non-stop to DC on Saturday afternoon and met my mom, sister, and her fiance at the airport. We then went to Cracker Barrel for dinner.
Third of all, Cameron turned 1 yesterday! Crazy! Cameron got a cold or some type of virus Saturday morning before we were supposed to leave for VA. I was already nervous about the flight...he's pretty mobile. He was very squirmy on the flight and it really made me tired. Since he hasn't felt well the last few days, his first birthday bash wasn't all I had hoped it would be. I think we'll celebrate a little more when Chad and his family are here this weekend, after Katie gets married.
Coming off the plane. If you can see my expression, you'll notice I wasn't too pleased to be a mom at that point.
Playing the piano on his 1st bday
This kid makes funny faces!!
The bday celebration begins. Notice the sequence of pics... Pretty funny
First of all, Chad won the Biggest Loser competition!! Congrats to Chad! He and I were really close and he's agreed to be very gracious with his winnings. Yesss!!!
Secondly, I'm in VA! Cameron and I took a non-stop to DC on Saturday afternoon and met my mom, sister, and her fiance at the airport. We then went to Cracker Barrel for dinner.
Third of all, Cameron turned 1 yesterday! Crazy! Cameron got a cold or some type of virus Saturday morning before we were supposed to leave for VA. I was already nervous about the flight...he's pretty mobile. He was very squirmy on the flight and it really made me tired. Since he hasn't felt well the last few days, his first birthday bash wasn't all I had hoped it would be. I think we'll celebrate a little more when Chad and his family are here this weekend, after Katie gets married.
Coming off the plane. If you can see my expression, you'll notice I wasn't too pleased to be a mom at that point.
Katie and Cameron
Still tired
Grandma and Cameron (funny look on his face...he was kind of out of it)
But yay! We made it to Cracker Barrel!!
Playing the piano on his 1st bday
This kid makes funny faces!!
The bday celebration begins. Notice the sequence of pics... Pretty funny
I'll have a lot more to post after this weekend and next (my mom and brother are graduating from college). I'll probably add more when I get back to Madison on the 18th. Until then, take care!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sucker
My mom got Cameron this seersucker suit a while ago and we've just been waiting until he was 12 months so he could wear it. I'm planning on having him wear it at my sister's wedding, so I thought today would be a good day to try it out at church. What'd you think?
I think this pic looks a lot like my sister as a little kid.
What a pose!
I think this pic looks a lot like my sister as a little kid.
What a pose!Oh, and I don't know if I mentioned that my sister is getting married. Oops! She and Jared Harrison are getting married on May 9th, so Cameron and I are flying home on Saturday and will be there for 2 weeks. My mom and brother also graduate from college the weekend after the wedding (why we'll be there for a little while). We're excited to get home and see everyone! It'll probably be Christmas before we get home again. Who knows what life will be like then (things always change so much in such a short amount of time around here!)?!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Tagged...and some pics
I've been tagged by my good buddy, Mandi, so here goes (I know I've done something similar, but please indulge me!).
Four Movies I could Watch over and over:
1. Remember the Titans (It's always on tv and I always sit and watch it, so I guess that counts)
2. While You Were Sleeping
3. Pride & Prejudice
4. Center Stage or Save the Last Dance...Ha! Just kidding. I can't think of another one right now
Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Staffing and Recruiting Specialist for an Insurance Company
2. Scheduler and Legislative Aide to WI State Senator
3. Legislative Aide to VA Delegate
4. Deli Worker/Waitress for Food Specialties shop
Four Places I've Lived:
1. Madison, Wisconsin
2. Richmond, VA
3. Laie, HI
4. Rexburg, ID
Four of My Favorite dishes/foods:
1. I'm getting back into a bad/dangerous habit--I buy donuts at the grocery store almost every time I'm there. This is especially hard for my Biggest Loser competition! (Only about 1 1/2 weeks until it's over!!)
2. Cucumbers...reminds me of summer--very fresh
3. Cereal--all times of the day
4. Cheese and crackers (Triscuits--Chad calls them Door Mats)
Four T.V. Shows I Love:
1. The Office
2. Lost
3. Scrubs reruns--I know I probably shouldn't be watching this show much cause it's pretty risque
4. This is lame, but I like watching "The View" during the Hot Topics discussion to see if I agree/disagree with what they're saying. I guess it's my way of connecting to the issues of the world. I otherwise would probably not know/care about what's going on.
Four sites I visit daily:
1. Gmail
2. Other people's blogs
3. Splitcoaststampers.com to see what cool cards there are and how mine pale in comparison/can improve
4. My other email accounts at hotmail and yahoo
Four Places I have Vacationed:
1. Myrtle Beach, SC
2. Europe (all over)
3. St. Thomas when I was 10--I had this hideous boy haircut which got me mistaken for a boy and that scarred me for life
4. Road trips across the USA
Four Places I'd rather be right now:
1. Well, seeing how I just read my top 20 email from travelzoo, I'd like to be on a Caribbean cruise or some tropical island with Chad. And my parents would keep Cameron for us. Ahhh...maybe some day.
2. At home in VA
3. In my bed, asleep
4. Some place where I could eat what I wanted and not have to exercise ever (or just when I sort of felt like it) and still win the Biggest Loser competition!
Four Bloggers I'm Tagging:
1. Katie
2. Kristen
3. Leslie
4. Claire (hello! Update your blog, yo!)
Ok...and now the promised pics. Cameron and I took advantage of the great weather last week and went to the zoo (as you know) and the park. Cameron's only been on a swing a few times, but this was the time I remembered to bring my camera. He liked it, although it was pretty windy and he was tearing up and drooling (??) a bit.
No idea what this look is for!
Four Movies I could Watch over and over:
1. Remember the Titans (It's always on tv and I always sit and watch it, so I guess that counts)
2. While You Were Sleeping
3. Pride & Prejudice
4. Center Stage or Save the Last Dance...Ha! Just kidding. I can't think of another one right now
Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Staffing and Recruiting Specialist for an Insurance Company
2. Scheduler and Legislative Aide to WI State Senator
3. Legislative Aide to VA Delegate
4. Deli Worker/Waitress for Food Specialties shop
Four Places I've Lived:
1. Madison, Wisconsin
2. Richmond, VA
3. Laie, HI
4. Rexburg, ID
Four of My Favorite dishes/foods:
1. I'm getting back into a bad/dangerous habit--I buy donuts at the grocery store almost every time I'm there. This is especially hard for my Biggest Loser competition! (Only about 1 1/2 weeks until it's over!!)
2. Cucumbers...reminds me of summer--very fresh
3. Cereal--all times of the day
4. Cheese and crackers (Triscuits--Chad calls them Door Mats)
Four T.V. Shows I Love:
1. The Office
2. Lost
3. Scrubs reruns--I know I probably shouldn't be watching this show much cause it's pretty risque
4. This is lame, but I like watching "The View" during the Hot Topics discussion to see if I agree/disagree with what they're saying. I guess it's my way of connecting to the issues of the world. I otherwise would probably not know/care about what's going on.
Four sites I visit daily:
1. Gmail
2. Other people's blogs
3. Splitcoaststampers.com to see what cool cards there are and how mine pale in comparison/can improve
4. My other email accounts at hotmail and yahoo
Four Places I have Vacationed:
1. Myrtle Beach, SC
2. Europe (all over)
3. St. Thomas when I was 10--I had this hideous boy haircut which got me mistaken for a boy and that scarred me for life
4. Road trips across the USA
Four Places I'd rather be right now:
1. Well, seeing how I just read my top 20 email from travelzoo, I'd like to be on a Caribbean cruise or some tropical island with Chad. And my parents would keep Cameron for us. Ahhh...maybe some day.
2. At home in VA
3. In my bed, asleep
4. Some place where I could eat what I wanted and not have to exercise ever (or just when I sort of felt like it) and still win the Biggest Loser competition!
Four Bloggers I'm Tagging:
1. Katie
2. Kristen
3. Leslie
4. Claire (hello! Update your blog, yo!)
Ok...and now the promised pics. Cameron and I took advantage of the great weather last week and went to the zoo (as you know) and the park. Cameron's only been on a swing a few times, but this was the time I remembered to bring my camera. He liked it, although it was pretty windy and he was tearing up and drooling (??) a bit.
No idea what this look is for!Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Zoo
Cameron and I went to the zoo today with a couple of other ladies in the ward (with their kids too, of course). It was pretty fun!
The Seals
A big lion and Cameron and Ashlyn watching
The Giraffe (and Cameron's view of it)
The Wallaby
Cameron took his first carousel ride! He seemed a little scared...he wouldn't hold on to the pole, so I had to hold him on the cheetah. But it was pretty fun!
This monkey looks sad! Makes me sad...
Me and Cameron hanging out in the loo!
Cameron was happy, despite the tears running down his cheek (it was pretty windy)
The Seals
A big lion and Cameron and Ashlyn watching
The Giraffe (and Cameron's view of it)
The Wallaby
Cameron took his first carousel ride! He seemed a little scared...he wouldn't hold on to the pole, so I had to hold him on the cheetah. But it was pretty fun!
This monkey looks sad! Makes me sad...
Me and Cameron hanging out in the loo!
Cameron was happy, despite the tears running down his cheek (it was pretty windy)Thursday, April 10, 2008
Depression
Right Now for
Madison, WI (53711)
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Well, the weather is still horrible. Even though most of the snow has melted, it's been raining like crazy this week. I gotta say...this has been the worst winter EVER! At first, the moms that stay at home with toddlers were feeling the most shut in. Then, I joined the ranks since Cameron became a little more mobile and I was getting antsy, too. Then the weather started to wear on the guys I know in the ward (Chad included).
I thought tomorrow would be nice cause playgroup is at the zoo (it's free and I've never been). But guess what? Yeah, it's supposed to rain. At least there's a major sale starting tomorrow at Shopko. I'm sure I'll make the trip.
To make things even a little more fun (note the sarcasm), I pulled a muscle (or a few) in my back last night and have been sore all day. And Cameron has been pretty whiny lately. Not sure why. Maybe teething. Maybe he didn't feel well. Maybe he's just depressed cause life in our apartment is not so exciting!!
Ok. Please pray for sun and warmer weather (and also remind me of this when it's 97 degrees this summer and we only have a few window units in our apt!).
But for now, I'll take the sun.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
New pics
Cameron is getting ready for his debut concert on the piano. He's quite good. Let's watch and listen... (ok, you can't really listen. I'm not THAT good on the computer!).
This is his finale where he eats the piano...
These are some pics from the Temple last week. We were going to get a pic with Chad and Cameron, but our camera battery died. Sorry Chad!
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