Pretty much I have decided I could live up in Washington. It is so beautiful up there! That being said, let me attempt to give you the watered down version of my trip up to Washington with Warner. Yes, it is official now, Warner and I are dating. (side note: I just finished writing the letter and it isn’t the watered down version….sorry...but it is my journal entry).
Purpose of the trip: The whole reason why we went on this trip was because Warner was buying his Sister Kemy’s car. It’s exactly like Nick and Stef’s car (2003 Honda Accord), except there isn’t a spoiler, the color is black, and there is no Auxiliary jack (much to my chagrin.) But, it’s still in excellent condition and I am very excited about this purchase because that now means I don’t have to be the one to always goes to see him, he can come see me sometimes. Anyway, we went up with his brother-in-law Trent, who Warner lives with (Trent and Katie are the ones that know B&K and introduced Warner and I to each other.) Trent was going up to Seattle for a month to try out a job up there. So it worked perfect for Warner to catch a ride with Trent on the way up, and then Warner could just drive his new car back. Seeing as how I don’t have class Thursday or Friday, I figured I could help keep Warner company on the way home. I was a little weirded out about going, but it ended up being a blast!
Thursday, March 18, 2010: We didn’t get on the road until about 5 PM. Trent drove, Warner sat in front, and I sat in back. Although there were only three of us, the little Honda Civic was packed to capacity. We drove to the Tri-Cities (about a 10 hour drive) where Trents Mom lives. We didn’t get there until about 3 AM. Trent was about ready to pass out at midnight, and apparently because I am the youngest and used to staying up to all hours of the night (NOT) I was nominated to drive. Okay, I volunteered, but was surprised when they actually took me up on the offer. It is a stick-shift, and let’s just say that although driving a manual is like riding a bike….my transitions weren’t as smooth as they once were. Oh well, they didn’t care. Warner ended up staying awake as well, so it all worked out. We stayed at Trents Mom’s house which was beautiful. I got my own queen size bed, and the bathroom was clean and nice (it’s amazing how much stuff like that can affect your stay.)
Friday, March 19, 2010: We woke up and had a late pancake breakfast. Because Trent doesn’t get to see his Mom often, we stayed until about 1:00 and then got on the road for the last 3.5 hours to Fife, where Warner’s sister Kemy and her husband Chris lived. We got there about 5:00 and got settled into our rooms (I got my own bedroom and bath. Yes, this was a pretty house but it wasn’t huge. I got my own bathroom while Trent, Warner, Kemy, and Chris all shared the master bath. I tried to say I could share but she insisted!) After that we went to a little hamburger place called “Pick Quick’s” and then we rushed home, changed our clothes, and went to the Seattle temple. It was Kemy and Chris’ ward temple day, so we went to the chapel meeting and then did a session. We got home and snacked, watched ESPN, and then went to bed.
Saturday, March 20, 2010: We slept in and then had another pancake breakfast. We went and picked up Warner’s car from the dealership (Kemy and Chris are so nice and had the dealership re-check everything to make sure stuff was in good condition). We headed out to Seattle around 11, with our first stop being Pikes Market. This was really the only place I really cared about seeing and so we did it first. Warner had to do a photography assignment for one of his classes, so we slowly walked through the market so he and Kemy (who is also big into photography) could take pictures. This, however, was nothing new for me. I have become accustomed to turning around or posing for a picture. Although this might sound like I am complaining, I’m not. Although it can sometimes take longer to do things because we take pictures, I am ALWAYS so grateful for people who make us turn around for pictures. I just don’t have it in me to initiate the pictures, but I always love looking at the pictures after, and having those memories on paper. [Because both Kemy and Warner took a bunch of pictures, I have uploaded on Picasa the pictures they took. There are a bunch of Warner and I (and yes, he does have his arm around me in every single picture…we laughed about that as we went through these the other day) and then there are some cool shots that he took for his assignment. I put them all up so feel free to look through whatever! You should have gotten an email inviting you to look at them...but it's my first time doing that so I hope I did it right!] One of the cool things at Pikes Market was going down into this Ally and seeing this wall that is covered with gum. It was sick, put pretty cool looking. Yes, being the avid gum chewer that I am, I felt it necessary to add the piece of gum that was in my mouth (don’t be mad mom.)
After Pikes Market we went to the University of Washington Campus. Kemy took a class here and so she knew her way around campus. And yes, this is one of the Universities that I applied to and didn’t get in. And yes, it was beautiful and I am missing out. And yes, I am sad, but I also think it would have taken a lot of courage for me to actually go up there and go to that campus. I enjoyed visiting the campus and seeing it in person. They are famous for their Cherry Blossom Tree’s, and we just happened to be up on the perfect weekend…they were perfectly in bloom. Although it was their spring break [which meant that we couldn’t go into the amazing library (the cathedral looking building in the pictures)] there were still tons of people enjoying the beautiful weather and the spring blossoms (I forgot to mention that we got a beautiful sunny day for all these adventures…it was perfect!) It was a beautiful campus…no wonder it cost so dang much to go there! After looking at the buildings we stopped on the square and watched these skate boarders (who apparently weren’t supposed to be there because right as we were getting ready to leave, one of them yelled something and then they all took off. Warner had seen a cop car pass by and so we assumed that one of them had seen it and gave the warning to the rest of them.)
After UW we went and bought Subway’s and then went to this beautiful park. There were a million people there, but it totally didn’t bother me. You had people doing all sorts of things (reading, flying kites, making out (not Warner and I), doing Yoga/gymnastics stuff, running, you name it) and I loved it! We sat on the green grass and ate our Subway’s as we looked across the bay at beautiful downtown Seattle. It was beautiful! I loved it! Warner and I went and walked around so he could take more pictures. There was this cool looking, rustic, machinery thing in the park…so that’s what those pictures are.
After the park we went to this famous Troll thing under a bridge. We just got a picture by it and left.
We got home at about 5 and cleaned out Warner’s car. The car Warner is buying was the first car they bought as a couple. Their second car they got about 2 years ago was an Acura TL. And then the car they bought 2 weeks ago was a BMW. (Nick and Stef…I think you guys should stick with this trend….you got off to a good start.) Anyway, Kemy took literally 30 plus pictures of the exterior and interior of Warner’s car, and then we drove to an empty parking lot so she could take pictures of all three cars together. There are one or two pictures in the pictures I included….but let’s just say she took these pictures at every angle, with the cars in different formations, and took about 50 pictures (no joke). I was seriously laughing my head off….I love Kemy! After the car photo shoot, Warner, Kemy, and I drove about 20 minutes to his grandparents house and visited with them for an hour. His grandpa only has a couple weeks left to live, so Warner wanted to go see him. It was interesting and fun! We got home, had a 10:00 dinner, and then went to bed.
Sunday, March 21, 2010: Warner and I got on the road around 8:30 and got home around 11:00. The ride was good and it was fun to talk to him. We didn’t really go deep into each other’s lives, but we did get to know each other better. By the end of the trip, I felt like we were much better friends and I feel much more comfortable with him.
Because this letter isn’t already long enough, here are a few highlights:
-I really enjoyed the trip and felt like we got to do a bunch of stuff in the 24 hours we were there, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed or exhausted. I never felt like we were just sitting somewhere deciding what we were going to do next. Kemy kept us moving and we did what we wanted to do (and it was nice having someone drive who knew the streets and the parking lots). The other thing that I think helped this was not having kids. :) Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally pumped to have kids, but we didn’t have to take them into consideration.
-That being said (about kids), I was really impressed with Kemy and Chris. In a way, I want to be just like them. Chris finished dental school a few years ago. Kemy put him through school. Although they were once poor, they now have money and live comfortable lives. However, they are SO generous with their money…they remind me of a young Brent and Nancy. They are willing to share and give in whatever ways they can. Yeah, they have a BMW, but they kind of feel embarrassed about it. For example, they got the BMW the week before we got there. The Sunday before we got there, Chris (who’s like the Executive Secretary or Ward Clerk) just couldn’t drive the BMW to church, he drove the Accord. Basically, they are just a good couple. Another really cool thing about them is their attitude about life. They are both in their 30’s and have not been able to have (or even adopt) kids, although they have tried. Usually when couples struggle with this problem it seems to become a hard thing in their marriage or they become mopey and this is all they talk about. However, with them I felt like they were just trying to enjoy this time they had together. They acted like a cute, mature, young couple. They learned to lean on and rely on each other. This kind of made me look at myself. It all comes back to the “Aunt Nancy Bridal/Baby Shower Advice” of “enjoy every stage of life.” I think I wish away my singleness too often and forget to enjoy it. Yes marriage will be great, but that’s not what I have right now and I need to make the most of this time, however long I may be in it. I know all you married people are thinking “yeah, I bet their life is good if they have tons of money and no kids” but then you have to remember all those cute things your kids do and what a blessing it is to have kids of your own, and not really have to wonder if you will ever be able to have kids in this life. We are all faced with different problems and I was really impressed with their attitude.
-Watching Chris be pushed to the limits. Kemy wanted a billion pictures with him! At one point I asked him if he was used to waiting on Kemy and posing for all the pictures, and he said yes. I think Chris carried around Kemy’s large purse more than Kemy did. This was a characteristic that got put on my list of things I want in a future husband: “A man who will carry around my purse without complaint…and he still looks good while he does.”
-Car photo shoot. I seriously wish you all could have been there. Kemy is so quirky and funny.
-Watching Kemy pull like 7 different kind of chips out of the pantry (and wishing mom was there to enjoy it.)
-Learning that Kemy hates milk….she can’t stand it. (That was for you Rose)
-Warner getting a phone call from some member of his family seriously like every half hour on the way home…phew!
-Becoming better friends with Warner.
Okay, I’ll stop. This is way long and if you made it to the end I am way impressed! As you can see, although I was only gone for a few days, lots happened and I seriously loved this trip!
And because this was written in Washington, let me just say:
“I wannu go back, I wannu go back, I wannu go back, I wannu go back to SEATTLE!!!!!!”
Loves (Warners family all says that to each other…I thought the Bassett family made it up!)
Janey
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Cabin Trivia (Wendy)
Dear Family,
First, don't miss Rosey's fun post below. Of course when someone else writes, I am inspired to write, too.
I just got off the phone with grandma Winder. Yesterday she went to Provo to see Howard Gurney put in as a coun. in a BYU married student stake presidency. Turns out the new stake president is named Tim Layton. That got grandma and I talking about family history.
Grandma's dad, Howard James Layton who built the cabin, is the son of Timothy Layton. For some reason as a kid Howard use to go by the name of Tim. So when he built the cabin (which was right around the time Gwen and Ned married in the late 40's) they were looking for a name for it. At the end of the cabin driveway is a very tall pine tree. Thus they (grandma, her brother and sisters, in-laws, etc,) decided to name the cabin Layton Tim pine. Get it? After my grandpa who went by Tim. Then my uncle Wayne (now dead, he was grandma's oldest sisters' husband, loved hiking, had the crazy handshake) said that if the cabin was going to be called Timpine then the little house on the hill should be "oogus" to make the whole thing Timpanogos, like our favorite mountain we climb to the south.
So there is your bit of trivia for the day. Like many of you, I thought everyone called their outhouses an oogus. Since our Ragnar team has taken the name of oogus, I thought I would remind you of the history.
Love, Mom
PS Should we set a date right now for hiking Timp this year? Somewhere in late July or early Aug when Nick and Stef can be here and Blaine could maybe even take a day off work (weekdays are soooo much less crowded) Wouldn't that be fun, to hike Timp with all my kids? Sounds like heaven.
PPS Bret, does the above post count for our stake goal of writing Family History?
First, don't miss Rosey's fun post below. Of course when someone else writes, I am inspired to write, too.
I just got off the phone with grandma Winder. Yesterday she went to Provo to see Howard Gurney put in as a coun. in a BYU married student stake presidency. Turns out the new stake president is named Tim Layton. That got grandma and I talking about family history.
Grandma's dad, Howard James Layton who built the cabin, is the son of Timothy Layton. For some reason as a kid Howard use to go by the name of Tim. So when he built the cabin (which was right around the time Gwen and Ned married in the late 40's) they were looking for a name for it. At the end of the cabin driveway is a very tall pine tree. Thus they (grandma, her brother and sisters, in-laws, etc,) decided to name the cabin Layton Tim pine. Get it? After my grandpa who went by Tim. Then my uncle Wayne (now dead, he was grandma's oldest sisters' husband, loved hiking, had the crazy handshake) said that if the cabin was going to be called Timpine then the little house on the hill should be "oogus" to make the whole thing Timpanogos, like our favorite mountain we climb to the south.
So there is your bit of trivia for the day. Like many of you, I thought everyone called their outhouses an oogus. Since our Ragnar team has taken the name of oogus, I thought I would remind you of the history.
Love, Mom
PS Should we set a date right now for hiking Timp this year? Somewhere in late July or early Aug when Nick and Stef can be here and Blaine could maybe even take a day off work (weekdays are soooo much less crowded) Wouldn't that be fun, to hike Timp with all my kids? Sounds like heaven.
PPS Bret, does the above post count for our stake goal of writing Family History?
Friday, March 19, 2010
Princess Party!!!!
So here I am in my apartment with one of my most favorite people in the world...she is laying on the living room floor humming a jolly tune, eating a sucker, and coloring a picture in a huge Dora coloring book...can you guess what time it is...it's Princess Party time!!!! I am just hanging out with Gwen for the night, she is sleeping over and everything. She is just so great and makes me happy...thanks Blaine and Kris for letting me take her for the night. I will quickly tell you some of the great quotes we have had already, I seriously have just been laughing since we got to my apartment. We walked to McDonalds from my apartment to eat dinner, about 20 feet out, she decided that she did not want to wear her princess dress she had on...so we turned around and put it in the apartment. At McDonalds she got a kids meal (with apples and chocolate milk might I add) so while we were eating I complimented her on her choice to have healthy food and she simply responded that she liked to be healthy because being fat was thumbs down. I smiled at her comment and then she continued by telling me that sometimes it was thumbs up for boys to be fat, but never for girls. I asked her why she felt that way, she said that she knew some boys who were fat and still looked good. She said all the girls except one that she knows is skinny. By that point I was laughing pretty hard, wondering if she lived in teh same country as me :) Because I was laughing she would not tell me her the fat lady she knew was...I was pretty bummed but she said she knew I would keep laughing if I told her. Darn laugh :) Anyway from McDonalds we walked to Maceys to get some princess treats, she would run and then walk and then stop, but we eventually made it. At all of the lights she would pull out her little colored pencil and pad and just "doodle woodle" as she called it, she was so proud to keep busy on our walk. My other favorite part of the night was when she asked where all my team mates went (she was confused with room mates...I thought it was funny) Anyways I just enjoy this girls company so darn much, what would we do without family! I sure love and appreciate you all. Have a good day.
Love, Rose
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
See Below for Title (Stef)
Well, I couldn't decide on a title, maybe you can help!
To a Little Boy, the World is a Race Track
Three Days, 7.5 Miles
Should We Bring Back the Ponytail for Little Boys?
Just Because I Don't Comment, Doesn't Mean I'm Not Reading
At least that little activity will help me remember what I want to write. It seems like every time I am feeding Clay, I am creating posts in my head, but that's as far as it usually gets. I always try to think of something super clever, but um, usually its just random. :)
Anyhow, recently Bret has gotten into cars. I really believe to him, everything is a track! First off, at Mom and Dad's he loves driving his cars on the treadmill. Quite creative I think! Here at home his track goes from the window sill to the bathtub to his toddler bed rails to the piano (don't tell Nick that one, he will have to read to find out) to the kitchen table and anywhere/everywhere in between. Its actually really nice (except when his cars are drag racing on our rental walls), but he has been so good at entertaining himself lately. It has been a great blessing. He is so sweet with Clay and just loves him so much. He always will help put the paci in and all that. I also have been so amazed at what a good eater he is. He loves his broccoli, beans of all sorts (including lima beans), peas, all fruits, etc. He even likes cauliflower (we call it white broccoli). He just keeps learning more and more words and it just cracks me up. The other day we were at Costco. We were waiting for them to get an out of stock item and it took about twenty minutes.... so we were trying to entertain each other and I was tickling Bret. He would just laugh so hard every time and then he started saying "honey!" every time it was just too much. I was just busting up, he must hear me say that to Nick :). He also has been so cute when we go on runs to say "push it Mom" and also "go home dog" because once there was a dog chasing us and that's what I said to it. This leads right into the next title. Yes, shock, I have gone running with Nick and the kids 3 times now. Yup, 2.5 miles each time. I know for lots of you runners that seems easy, but wow, it has been a great workout. It has been fun though and a great family activity. Nick is convinced I will do a marathon now, I keep reminding him, its only been three runs (one Sat., Mon. and today)! :) It has been such nice weather which makes it so fun to be out running. Today it was 78, yep, you sure you guys don't want to come down this weekend? :) I love it, and Bret loves it more. Its too bad that nap time is right in the middle of prime laying out time... maybe we should change nap time, ha, just kidding! I'm sure it will still be nice when you all come down for Clay's blessing!
Clay, he is the next title...I was just curious if you all thought it was okay if we let our son have a ponytail??? I thought it might not fly with Dad. But, he was born with it, does that make it acceptable? We will have to send out some pictures with it all sorts of done up :)! All joking aside, he is such a sweet little boy! It has been so fun to see him smile and stay awake more. He is getting stronger too. We can't wait until he is big enough to sit in the Bumbo we borrowed from Blaine and Kris. His neck isn't quite ready, but he will love it soon enough. He is getting so big. We just went to his two month check up this week. Bad news, first time getting shots was so sad. Good news, wow he is a big healthy boy. He almost weighs 13 pounds. He is over 24 inches long and his head is on the small side, but growing at a good rate the doc said. I compared that with Bret's two month and Clay weighs several ounces more, is an inch longer, but his head is 1/4 an inch smaller. Funny how well they matched up though. He has been a great sleeper, usually making it until 6:30 or 7 in the morning (when we put him down around 11). We are loving it, he is such a fun addition to the family.
Lastly, I just wanted you all to know just because I don't write a comment on your post doesn't mean I don't read them. Sometimes, all there is time for is a quick read before the kids need me...but I do read, and probably make comments in my head, just like I write posts there (and they never get published). It has been fun to see more activity on the BAWB lately!
Well Nick says hi too, he wants to use the computer now, so I will end this ridiculously long post. Love you all and look forward to seeing you soon!
Love,
Stef
To a Little Boy, the World is a Race Track
Three Days, 7.5 Miles
Should We Bring Back the Ponytail for Little Boys?
Just Because I Don't Comment, Doesn't Mean I'm Not Reading
At least that little activity will help me remember what I want to write. It seems like every time I am feeding Clay, I am creating posts in my head, but that's as far as it usually gets. I always try to think of something super clever, but um, usually its just random. :)
Anyhow, recently Bret has gotten into cars. I really believe to him, everything is a track! First off, at Mom and Dad's he loves driving his cars on the treadmill. Quite creative I think! Here at home his track goes from the window sill to the bathtub to his toddler bed rails to the piano (don't tell Nick that one, he will have to read to find out) to the kitchen table and anywhere/everywhere in between. Its actually really nice (except when his cars are drag racing on our rental walls), but he has been so good at entertaining himself lately. It has been a great blessing. He is so sweet with Clay and just loves him so much. He always will help put the paci in and all that. I also have been so amazed at what a good eater he is. He loves his broccoli, beans of all sorts (including lima beans), peas, all fruits, etc. He even likes cauliflower (we call it white broccoli). He just keeps learning more and more words and it just cracks me up. The other day we were at Costco. We were waiting for them to get an out of stock item and it took about twenty minutes.... so we were trying to entertain each other and I was tickling Bret. He would just laugh so hard every time and then he started saying "honey!" every time it was just too much. I was just busting up, he must hear me say that to Nick :). He also has been so cute when we go on runs to say "push it Mom" and also "go home dog" because once there was a dog chasing us and that's what I said to it. This leads right into the next title. Yes, shock, I have gone running with Nick and the kids 3 times now. Yup, 2.5 miles each time. I know for lots of you runners that seems easy, but wow, it has been a great workout. It has been fun though and a great family activity. Nick is convinced I will do a marathon now, I keep reminding him, its only been three runs (one Sat., Mon. and today)! :) It has been such nice weather which makes it so fun to be out running. Today it was 78, yep, you sure you guys don't want to come down this weekend? :) I love it, and Bret loves it more. Its too bad that nap time is right in the middle of prime laying out time... maybe we should change nap time, ha, just kidding! I'm sure it will still be nice when you all come down for Clay's blessing!
Clay, he is the next title...I was just curious if you all thought it was okay if we let our son have a ponytail??? I thought it might not fly with Dad. But, he was born with it, does that make it acceptable? We will have to send out some pictures with it all sorts of done up :)! All joking aside, he is such a sweet little boy! It has been so fun to see him smile and stay awake more. He is getting stronger too. We can't wait until he is big enough to sit in the Bumbo we borrowed from Blaine and Kris. His neck isn't quite ready, but he will love it soon enough. He is getting so big. We just went to his two month check up this week. Bad news, first time getting shots was so sad. Good news, wow he is a big healthy boy. He almost weighs 13 pounds. He is over 24 inches long and his head is on the small side, but growing at a good rate the doc said. I compared that with Bret's two month and Clay weighs several ounces more, is an inch longer, but his head is 1/4 an inch smaller. Funny how well they matched up though. He has been a great sleeper, usually making it until 6:30 or 7 in the morning (when we put him down around 11). We are loving it, he is such a fun addition to the family.
Lastly, I just wanted you all to know just because I don't write a comment on your post doesn't mean I don't read them. Sometimes, all there is time for is a quick read before the kids need me...but I do read, and probably make comments in my head, just like I write posts there (and they never get published). It has been fun to see more activity on the BAWB lately!
Well Nick says hi too, he wants to use the computer now, so I will end this ridiculously long post. Love you all and look forward to seeing you soon!
Love,
Stef
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Reject-do-mundo (a classic "Singles Ward" line)
I think my time to write has come. I complain about not having stuff to do…well…I haven’t posted on the blog in awhile. I guess that is partly due to the fact that not much has really happened in my life, but alas, stuff has happened in my life (although it may not be good).
I have thought a lot about what Nick wrote about Faith in his last BAWB letter. Life has been just a little weird lately with lots of up’s and down’s. I feel like I have the faith and desire necessary to accomplish those things I really want (like Nick’s friend who although he grew up in not so ideal circumstances, has made a great life for himself and gotten himself basically wherever he wants to go.) Well, I have learned that as hard as we might work and believe that those things we really want to have happen, happen, they don’t always happen (that was a lot of “happening” for once sentence.) Basically, I feel like I have done what I could do to progress where I would like to go in life, but in the past 3 weeks have simply been REJECTED!
Let me share my rejections with you:
1) Confess my undying love to Brian
2) Not accepted to University of Washington
3) Denied the ability to be a temple worker
4) Not accepted to the University of Utah
It made sound like I’m bitter, which I guess in a small way I am, but I want to focus on the positive things I have learned from each of these things and the way they have strengthened my life and faith in the Savior.
1) Although it would have been great to have Brian tell me he was secretly in love (okay, like) with me too, I was 99.9% sure this wouldn’t happen. It was awkward and weird to talk to him, but it was also pretty funny. I was so grateful it was a short and simple conversation that we could just have, get over, and then carry on as the friends that we have always been. Although this whole experience just made me like and respect him more, I also feel that I have slowly been able to let go. I haven’t seen him in awhile, and I am actually okay with that (although I miss how much I laugh with him and Tim). It’s also been great because I met Warner! It’s always interesting when you start dating someone. It’s great, but it’s weird. He’s a fun friend to have. It’s kind of difficult having him live so far away, but it’s also kind of nice because it keeps things moving a little bit slower (and we all know how fast I move.)
2) I’ll be honest, I wasn’t devastated when I found out I got rejected to UW. I thought I had kind of felt inspired to apply to this school which is why I did it. It was like the only school outside of Utah that I could kind of see myself going to. But, it is a really competitive school so I didn’t really expect to get in. If I would have, it would have been a miracle and I probably would have felt obligated to go there because I know divine intervention would have taken place. But, Mother dear’s prayers were answered instead of mine and so I will not be leaving Utah! She must be living really righteous! :)
3) Being denied to be a temple worker…this one was just kind of a shock to me. As you all know I only have 6 credit hours and no job and no children/husband which equals plenty of time….something everyone wishes they have. Thus far in the semester I have actually been able to stay pretty busy. I try to do those little extra service things that I usually wouldn’t do because A) I don’t want to B) There are a bunch of other good things I could do with that time. However, I no longer have that excuse, so I try to serve when I can. If anyone needs any service (that doesn’t require me spending any money….because I am a little low in that department) I AM HERE FOR YOU! Anyway, I have been trying to fill my life with good things. I thought to myself “Why don’t I work at the temple? I have time.” So, with only a two months left before I move home for the summer, I decided to “apply” to be a temple worker. I had a wonderful interview with my Bishop. And then a wonderful interview with President Heaton, and then a wonderful interview with President Daines. I kind of wondered why my Bishop didn’t tell me in that first interview that the temple required an 8 month commitment for temple workers so I wouldn’t have had to go through with the rest of the interviews. But then I thought of the interview I had with President Heaton and the guidance he gave in that interview. I wouldn’t have met with him otherwise, so I see it as a blessing that I my bishop didn’t say anything. So, although it was disappointing to go through all that work and then get denied, I was grateful for the things that happened along the way!
4) Not getting accepted to the University of Utah. Hmm…..I am still working on how this has blessed my life except that it has greatly humbled me. I really wanted to go to the U of U. However, it has caused me to stand back and acknowledge that although I have faith in myself, the greatest faith I have is in the Lord. I know that as long as I am doing my best, he’ll get me wherever I need to go even if it’s a path that I did not want to tread. I am still waiting to hear back from Utah State so I still have a little hope (this might sound weird, but please don’t write back and say “Jane, I’m sure you’ll get in there…because in all reality, I probably won’t and although it’s nice to hear encouragement from people, it’s not fun to hear unrealistic encouragement. Sorry, I have found that has unfortunately become one of my pet-peeves and I need to work on my attitude.) And if I don’t get in to Utah State, I am sure there will come great things from whatever it is I decide to do from here.
This isn’t a rejection, but it is another greatly humbling thing….living without “extra” money. Geez I feel poor. I am used to not having enough time to go shopping or do stuff such as make a random drive down to St. George, although I have the money. Now I have plenty of time, but zero money. Kind of funny how that works…having a job=having money. How novel. :) It’s hard, but it’s been a good experience. Makes me realize how much I love being able to be independent!
So there you have it. I didn’t write this so you would all feel sorry for me or so you would give me lots of sympathy and money (although I do appreciate all your sympathy, love, support, and prayers through all this emotional roller coaster). I wrote this to share the positives that I have learned. I think about Nick’s friend Carter as well as so many of my friends (and family) who are so successful academically and professionally and get a little jealous, but then I think about the wonderful blessing and gifts I have received that make my life great (I bet no one can clean their apt. as clean, efficiently, and often as I can). :) So life moves forward. How grateful I am for the gospel and the scriptures that tell us:
1) The Atonement is real and the Savior knows exactly how we feel in our discouraging times.
2) That this too shall pass….
I feel like I should close like I would with a testimony, but I won’t. :) I’ll just end with I love you and sorry this is so long!
Love, Janey
I have thought a lot about what Nick wrote about Faith in his last BAWB letter. Life has been just a little weird lately with lots of up’s and down’s. I feel like I have the faith and desire necessary to accomplish those things I really want (like Nick’s friend who although he grew up in not so ideal circumstances, has made a great life for himself and gotten himself basically wherever he wants to go.) Well, I have learned that as hard as we might work and believe that those things we really want to have happen, happen, they don’t always happen (that was a lot of “happening” for once sentence.) Basically, I feel like I have done what I could do to progress where I would like to go in life, but in the past 3 weeks have simply been REJECTED!
Let me share my rejections with you:
1) Confess my undying love to Brian
2) Not accepted to University of Washington
3) Denied the ability to be a temple worker
4) Not accepted to the University of Utah
It made sound like I’m bitter, which I guess in a small way I am, but I want to focus on the positive things I have learned from each of these things and the way they have strengthened my life and faith in the Savior.
1) Although it would have been great to have Brian tell me he was secretly in love (okay, like) with me too, I was 99.9% sure this wouldn’t happen. It was awkward and weird to talk to him, but it was also pretty funny. I was so grateful it was a short and simple conversation that we could just have, get over, and then carry on as the friends that we have always been. Although this whole experience just made me like and respect him more, I also feel that I have slowly been able to let go. I haven’t seen him in awhile, and I am actually okay with that (although I miss how much I laugh with him and Tim). It’s also been great because I met Warner! It’s always interesting when you start dating someone. It’s great, but it’s weird. He’s a fun friend to have. It’s kind of difficult having him live so far away, but it’s also kind of nice because it keeps things moving a little bit slower (and we all know how fast I move.)
2) I’ll be honest, I wasn’t devastated when I found out I got rejected to UW. I thought I had kind of felt inspired to apply to this school which is why I did it. It was like the only school outside of Utah that I could kind of see myself going to. But, it is a really competitive school so I didn’t really expect to get in. If I would have, it would have been a miracle and I probably would have felt obligated to go there because I know divine intervention would have taken place. But, Mother dear’s prayers were answered instead of mine and so I will not be leaving Utah! She must be living really righteous! :)
3) Being denied to be a temple worker…this one was just kind of a shock to me. As you all know I only have 6 credit hours and no job and no children/husband which equals plenty of time….something everyone wishes they have. Thus far in the semester I have actually been able to stay pretty busy. I try to do those little extra service things that I usually wouldn’t do because A) I don’t want to B) There are a bunch of other good things I could do with that time. However, I no longer have that excuse, so I try to serve when I can. If anyone needs any service (that doesn’t require me spending any money….because I am a little low in that department) I AM HERE FOR YOU! Anyway, I have been trying to fill my life with good things. I thought to myself “Why don’t I work at the temple? I have time.” So, with only a two months left before I move home for the summer, I decided to “apply” to be a temple worker. I had a wonderful interview with my Bishop. And then a wonderful interview with President Heaton, and then a wonderful interview with President Daines. I kind of wondered why my Bishop didn’t tell me in that first interview that the temple required an 8 month commitment for temple workers so I wouldn’t have had to go through with the rest of the interviews. But then I thought of the interview I had with President Heaton and the guidance he gave in that interview. I wouldn’t have met with him otherwise, so I see it as a blessing that I my bishop didn’t say anything. So, although it was disappointing to go through all that work and then get denied, I was grateful for the things that happened along the way!
4) Not getting accepted to the University of Utah. Hmm…..I am still working on how this has blessed my life except that it has greatly humbled me. I really wanted to go to the U of U. However, it has caused me to stand back and acknowledge that although I have faith in myself, the greatest faith I have is in the Lord. I know that as long as I am doing my best, he’ll get me wherever I need to go even if it’s a path that I did not want to tread. I am still waiting to hear back from Utah State so I still have a little hope (this might sound weird, but please don’t write back and say “Jane, I’m sure you’ll get in there…because in all reality, I probably won’t and although it’s nice to hear encouragement from people, it’s not fun to hear unrealistic encouragement. Sorry, I have found that has unfortunately become one of my pet-peeves and I need to work on my attitude.) And if I don’t get in to Utah State, I am sure there will come great things from whatever it is I decide to do from here.
This isn’t a rejection, but it is another greatly humbling thing….living without “extra” money. Geez I feel poor. I am used to not having enough time to go shopping or do stuff such as make a random drive down to St. George, although I have the money. Now I have plenty of time, but zero money. Kind of funny how that works…having a job=having money. How novel. :) It’s hard, but it’s been a good experience. Makes me realize how much I love being able to be independent!
So there you have it. I didn’t write this so you would all feel sorry for me or so you would give me lots of sympathy and money (although I do appreciate all your sympathy, love, support, and prayers through all this emotional roller coaster). I wrote this to share the positives that I have learned. I think about Nick’s friend Carter as well as so many of my friends (and family) who are so successful academically and professionally and get a little jealous, but then I think about the wonderful blessing and gifts I have received that make my life great (I bet no one can clean their apt. as clean, efficiently, and often as I can). :) So life moves forward. How grateful I am for the gospel and the scriptures that tell us:
1) The Atonement is real and the Savior knows exactly how we feel in our discouraging times.
2) That this too shall pass….
I feel like I should close like I would with a testimony, but I won’t. :) I’ll just end with I love you and sorry this is so long!
Love, Janey
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Stake Conference - March 2010
Stake Conference for March 2010 will be over soon. And what a great conference it has been. We started with a session in the temple on Friday night, and then have had our regular Priesthood Leadership, Adult Session, and now General Sessions. We focused on our Stake Goal of Family History, and heard wonderful testimonies from people who have had great successes with discovering their history. Other topics were also addressed that have been very powerful and moving to me.
Here is a link to the 2 talks I was able to give. http://bbbmetaphors.blogspot.com/
One is on Caring for the Poor and Needy. The other is on Family History Work.
Thanks for your prayers on my behalf. They have helped.
Enjoy.
Love Dad
Here is a link to the 2 talks I was able to give. http://bbbmetaphors.blogspot.com/
One is on Caring for the Poor and Needy. The other is on Family History Work.
Thanks for your prayers on my behalf. They have helped.
Enjoy.
Love Dad
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Rare
A picture of the whole family!
Kind of a rare thing to have.
We had a blast sledding at the cabin. Except, not really at the cabin since when we tried to drive up the road we had to stop behind some snowshoers and lost all of our momentum, and then got stuck in the snow, and then another car was coming down the road, and then I had to drive half a mile in reverse down the mountain, dodging sledders, snowboarders and snowshoers. It was a touch stressful.
But worth it.
The end.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Short and Sweet
I am home alone this week since Stef went up to WVC for a few days. I have already expressed this to her, but I want to thank her for being willing to go see our family (as well as hers) when she goes up there to visit. It has been neat watching her over the last few weeks transition to be a mother of 2. I must say I think the transition from 1 to 2 has been significantly easier than 0 to 1. That probably has a lot to do with the personality of the baby, and the simple fact that we were all settled in somewhere when the baby came, but she has really bounced back quickly. Despite waking up 2-3 times a night, she manages to keep such a positive attitude and still be patient with all 3 of her boys. I love her very much and am thankful for all of her support for me.
Things at work are finally starting to really transition into my new role. I think I have explained to most of you what I am working on, but if you have not heard, I am working on a project called "bundle pricing". This is a project that has very high visibility and has lots of eyes on it. We had our first meeting with the CEO and CFO today, and they requested that we hold a weekly meeting to keep them updated. They mentioned that the regional VP (the highest guy down here in St. George) comes by regularly to get updates from them on this project and they want to make sure they are clear with what is going on. I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity and I hope that I can meet their expectations. I believe that if I do, it will open lots more doors within the company and lead to a bright future. That being said though, it still pales in comparison to the time I spend at home with my fam. With Bret learning to communicate and talk a little bit it has been really fun. As we were on our back little strip of grass the other day playing "soccer" I was reminded of what a blessing kids are. At one point we had kicked the ball and we both took off after it. He was just squealing a high pitched squeal he was so excited...just to be running after a ball. Kids are so great.
My church calling is going well. More and more I realize that all I can do is be there, and reach out, and that so much of it is in the Lord's hands. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with these good young men.
That is my short and sweet letter. For anyone interested, I am going to jot down some thoughts on Faith I have had lately. If you don't care to read them (and I won't be offended) I love you and have a great day.
Nick
The other day I got thinking about my friend/colleague Carter Dredge. He is the guy who is out going to Cornell University right now getting an MHA and has long term plans to get a JD as well. He comes from somewhat of a broken home, is really not amazingly bright or anything (like I think he got a 27 or 28 on the ACT which is good but not amazing) but he seems to be able to do/be whatever he wants. He decided that he wanted to be Valedictorian of BYU's business school and he was. He wanted to work for Intermountain HC (even though there were no openings when he applied) and they created a position for him to come. He wanted to go to Cornell U, and he did. He wanted to keep working part time for Intermountain while he is at school, and he does. He has a knack for making things work. As I have thought about how he does what he does - despite being a rather normal person - I have concluded he is a great example of the principle of faith. Not necessarily in a religious sense, but strictly the principle of faith. He believes in himself (not in a cocky way mind you) so much, that he has complete confidence that he will accomplish whatever he puts his mind too. Once he has that confidence, he lives his life that way. He acts like he is the valedictorian, and his actions reflect his confidence (or faith). Or he has confidence that he understands and can do things at work, and then with that confidence he acts and makes things happen. Road blocks don't seem to come up as much, and when they do, he still knows he can get around or over them....and he always does.
This example has given me a bit of a paradigm shift about faith from what I used to always think. Almost all of my life, I have thought of faith as believing. I know James says that faith without works is dead and everything, but I still, everytime I heard the word faith, thought it synonymous with belief. Well, I believe my understanding has shifted and it is amazing how clear faith seems as a result. My paradigm has shifted from think of faith as just a belief, to faith as belief (or confidence in something) AND action. Faith means both. It means the two coupled together. Not just belief. Faith is the action that results in believing or having confidence in something. I am not sure the best way to explain it to help you understand clearly what I am saying, but let me give this example: think of the word faithful. If you were to tell me the definition of faithful you would probably tell me something like "diligent", or "reliant". Well, both of those examples have much more to do with actions than they do an internal belief. Faith is the result of our internal belief. Faith is the actions that result because of our hope or belief in Christ. When we have so much confidence in Christ and what he teaches, we want to change the way we live and that is the faith. We want to repent, or be baptized, or read scriptures - all of these are faith. The result of our hope. Hence we read in the new testament that "faith is the substance (substantial - not just internal thoughts/feelings) of things hope for the EVIDENCE (the things we can witness or experience) of things not seen. The gospel is all about Faith in Christ. Having that total confidence and belief that because of Christ, we can overcome any obstacle, any trial any heartache and then living our lives in accordance with His teachings to overcome. Faith is reading our scriptures, going to church, praying, doing HT, etc etc. Have you ever known someone who reads their scriptures, prays regularly, and attends church and looses their testimony. Perhaps it has happened but I highly doubt it...the reason? Those things are their faith. And the cool things is at some point as you have exercised that faith enough, Alma 32 teaches that it is no longer just faith but you have a perfect knowledge. You are no longer acting based on confidence or hope or belief; you are acting on a sure knowledge that as you exercise your faith (or DO things) you will accomplish certain things or receive certain blessings.
I am not sure if this is making much sense, but I know that with Faith in Christ, we can do anything he wants us too. I am so thankful for my Savior and His infinite love for me. Because of that love, I naturally want to do things like love other's, serve, etc.
If you made it this far in the letter I hope I was able to relay something to help you understand faith better than you did before. Love you all very much.
Nick
Monday, March 1, 2010
Rosey's Emotional Roller Coaster Week
Below is an article Rosey wrote to the Bark.
Hello Family. It has been a most eventful, emotional, and interesting week for me. It has been one of those weeks that I am sitting here looking back on thinking, "Man I never thought my life would go this way" However, I am sure this is a feeling that I may just want to get used to as life is full of ups, downs, and everything in between. Before I continue, I want to mention how grateful I am for this beautiful gospel. It is so wonderful! I know that Heavenly Father is aware of my life and is willing to help me do all that He has in store for me, IF I will let Him help me, and IF I will align my life to what He wants for me. That being said, here is my week, in a nutshell:
On Monday February 22nd, just one month after getting engaged to Daniel, I broke off our engagement or in essence, cancelled our wedding for May 22nd...so any of you that were saving up all your money to make it to this event...go buy yourself some bubble gum with your now so called "chump change" :) But in all seriousness, I broke off our engagement and I can honestly say it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my 20 years of life. Of course there are many small details for why this event occured, but basically I have had some real concerns and real worry about everything for a long time, but chose to push those things aside and continue on the ride. As the marriage got more and more real to me, I realized that I could not get married, as marriage is not something to just play around with. As many of you know, I am VERY close to his family and had just kind of got caught in "the current" and just went with things because they were laid out in front of me. I think I went with a lot of stuff because of the pressure and other things. Anyway I am sure many of you are reading this feeling really confused thinking of me to be some sort of indecisive weird-o. Although this week has been really tough, I can assure you that I have made this decision with the Lord and that I feel a great burden off my shoulders and peace about the whole situation. His cousin and my best friend (Amber) told me yesterday that she saw him yesterday and that he seems at peace and good about the whole thing. I have been staying at home this week to recieve the support and wise advice of my parents...and the entertainment of my dear little bro...Max! Anyway, I am still feeling a lot of sadness about how everything had to go, but I know it is for the best.
So that was the first part of my emotional week. However wonderful news also came to me this week. On Tuesday (the day after I called things off), I received an email from BYU Grad Studies office. It said that it had my results for Grad school...as I saw that I had a pit in my stomach that I had not gotten in. The MSW program (Masters in Social Work) told us we would not know until end of March earliest so I thought that knowing early could only mean bad news. I was tempted not to even open the email as I was already in a lot of pain about what had happened the day before. However curiousity got the best of me and I opened the email. I had been doubtful about getting in because the program is a bit competative. With 160 applicants and only 40 people accepted...not to mention I had applied to their research track where they only take 7 applicants. I honestly did not think I would get in and BYU was the only place I had applied to because I thought I was getting married and knew I would need to stay in Provo...anyway I opened it and to my great surprise...I was accepted! I was shocked and thrilled... I sat there and thanked Heavenly Father and then called my parents. . .who were also thrilled. The next day I received a letter in the mail informing me that I had received the Research scholarship for the program and also offered an Assistantship position working with a teacher in reserach getting paid 15.75 an hour. (I am currently getting 8.40 an hour....needless to say I am pumped!) Anyway all of this news was just way exciting for me but also resulted in an emotional roller coaster.
It has been an interesting week, but I know that as I remain close to my Heavenly Father that things will work out for the best. I am so grateful to have the spirit with me all times and for a wonderful family, parents who are so concerned about helping me be the best person I can be. I am grateful for my wonderful experience I have had at UVU (yes I am trying to sell it to all of you...I LOVE IT!) and for all other great things in my life. I hope you are all doing well. I love you all.
Love, Rosey
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