{Create} Words to Live By!

I loved this talk when I heard it last General Relief Society Meeting; I remember feeling the Spirit very strongly and being very impressed as I listened to Pres. Uchtdorf. I recently re-read it in the Ensign and was touched again, then came across this beautiful video tonight.

I think I am only beginning to understand what it means for me to "create" and how much happiness comes from creating things--whether as a mother each day or discovering hidden interests in decorating and painting (rough "talents" though they may be!). I am thrilled by how much pure joy I have felt during the past few weeks and months as I have been striving to give to people and things that are not empty but return dividends in feeling fulfilled and purposeful. Women are amazing and have so much good within them and that they can do; I am grateful that I have started on the path to discovering what I have to offer--all the Lord intends for me to be.

"The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you" (Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Happiness, Your Heritage,” Ensign, Nov 2008).

Toyoda

Today I took the boys for a run in the jogging stroller. Ian pointed out a Mazda that drove by (no surprise knowing the gear head that his father is...). I said, "Ian, we have a Mazda...What is Daddy's new truck?" Ian said: "It's a Toyoda [very excited] like that Star Wars guy." I was a little confused at first and amidst traffic noise tried to ask him to clarify. He quickly replied: "Toy-yoda. Like Yoda!"

It's a new...

TRUCK! For anyone who knows Chris well, you know he loves anything with a motor--especially come springtime. I think Val once wrote me a "warning" letter when she was in the MTC, giving me a heads up that spring was getting nearer, which meant anything motorized--including a lawn mower--would grab Chris' attention.
But one thing Chris and I know quite well by now is that when the right thing comes along, most the time we know and it just seems like the "right" thing to do; maybe not always the most sane or realistic (hey, it is Chris and I we're talking about!) but workable, doable, and almost always a good thing.

Coincidentally (or maybe it was "meant" to be...) we were parked next to this truck at the Rex Lee Run last Saturday (hmmm, I just had the thought. Maybe this is Chris' silver lining for doing so well at getting into running...). Of course Chris was interested but I didn't take it very seriously at first. Then Chris' dad took it seriously. Then Chris asked me to really think and pray about it. Famous last words eh? At first I kind of "fought" him on that day and had a stubborn Sunday, but by Monday I felt pretty good about things and after having some open dialogue (it was even kind AND constructive!) we had both pretty much come to the conclusion that this was probably the right thing at the right time.

Needless to say Chris is ecstatic to have a truck. He already has a list of things that he will work on (over time of course, I do need to remind him occasionally). It is surprising that he got a truck this soon, especially since it was just Christmas that I made an "official" TRUCK FUND sign for his huge change jar. I will have to let Chris add all the nitty gritty details about the car. I can remember this much--it's a 1990 Toyota (pre-Tacoma), V-6, cab-and-a-half...I think that is about all I know. Oh, that and it fits my double jogging stroller in the back so we can conveniently throw it in the back and go for a jog on the Provo River Trail--which we did Wednesday night and it was fabulous! Chris definitely knows how to appeal to me since we now can haul my motherload of a stroller!
This is serious business.
No, actually it's pretty funny. (Except the part when they keep honking the horn...that gets old REALLY fast.)

The Many Faces of Cooper

Cute...
and SO silly! His favorites lately are putting his shoes on (if the front door is open he is out the door in a flash). He loves putting stuff around his neck (I know, scary strangulation hazard), from my key chain lanyard to Ian's belts to his new Home Depot apron. He is such a funny but endearing kid. He loves to cuddle and will just stop playing sometimes and come over to say hi. Warms our hearts! Can't get enough of this cute kid!

Yummy Breakfast

Chris and I have been doing better overall taking turns letting the other sleep in (really, we should just go to bed earlier!). The other morning this is what I woke up to. Chris had experimented with a homemade peach-raspberry-strawberry syrup which was delicious. I don't even prefer pancakes, but this definitely made them worth eating! I am so lucky to have a good husband who takes such good care of me (and my stomach)!

Rex Lee 5K

Rex Lee Run was today--I'll add captions later but here are the pics! We had a great time and it was so fun to have so many family members there.

Little Chef

Of course when Mom was wearing an apron to keep her newly-purchased white shirt clean (which I can't even blame my dirtiness on my kids as much as I'd like to!) that of course meant Ian wanted to wear one...which meant Cooper suddenly thought it was cool...luckily Ian got over the trend fairly quickly and "allowed" Coop to take a turn. Too cute!
Coop loves the fridge farm (and I know plenty of moms who can't stand this toy...for some reason I like it...)

Home is What You Make It

Since Chris accepted the position with the district court and we know we will be in Provo at least another 1 1/2 years (or so) I feel like I am finally settling in for "good". I have often struggled with being content and not wishing to be in the next stage of life, but as I have mentioned before, I have not felt this tendency very much, which has been a huge blessing in my life. It also has helped me to reflect on "wants" and "needs" which is why we will be staying in our same apartment during Chris' upcoming clerkship. Some people may wonder how we can still stand to be in an apartment; of course I would LOVE to own a house and be able to decorate and have a backyard for my boys to play in (and a garage for my oldest boy to play in!) but in the meantime I can honestly say I am happily living in our "home" for now. Even though we never intended on being in this apartment as long as we have been (it will be 5 years this August) I think we are finally starting to put some "permanency" into it; though we can't paint the walls, my latest projects have been decorating and rearranging. I have a long list of decor to add to rooms and other projects to complete. I said to Chris tonight that I think we are really making things ours.

I also really liked this post on a BYU blog I recently came across about de-cluttering, as well as this quote: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful" (William Morris). It has made me think about what we have in our home, the feelings and atmosphere we are trying to create and what we can do (or not do) to have the type of home that fits our personalities, goals and most importantly, somewhere where the Spirit can reside.

Our latest project has been one that I have dragged my feet on and flat out refusing to even consider. Then suddenly one day I had a change of heart, I rearranged our bedroom and as of tonight (a big thanks to Kevin/relief for Julane for giving us the tank and gravel!) this is now what we see from our bed:
Lights on/lights off...
Which actually fits perfect in our room since we are going to decorate it with kind of a beach theme (hibiscus flower patterns, palm trees, etc). Not tacky, minimally and tastefully. Just enough to add some "fun" to the room. I will post more pictures as we do more decorating. Right now we are looking for a neat big beach poster to put in a big frame over our bed. That and we will be introducing African dwarf frogs and a variety of fish to their new tank over the next few weeks. Chris is excited for me to "decorate" the fish tank as well (we already have a really cool hammock/palm trees to start). And I think he is right, this could be a really fun family project and I think it adds even more to the atmosphere we are trying to create in OUR home!
Chris cleaning out the tank to get it ready. The boys know we are getting it but we are pretty sure they will be pretty stoked when they wake up in the morning. I am sure their next question will be (at least Ian since he can verbalize it) will be: Where's the fish? We took the boys to a pet store the other night with Grandie and Cooper was so excited to see all the animals, especially the fish. I guess that might have been what pushed me over the edge...it's amazing what mothers will do when they think they think they can bring a little added joy to their children's (and husband's) lives.

LDS Church's Statement on "Big Love"

The following link to the Church's statement, as well as the video are beautiful representations of our beliefs in temples and an amazing portrayal of how well the Church responds to possible criticisms; I think we can all learn a lot from this, as it seems like this truly is the way our Savior would want us to act, respond and teach others about the truths of the restoried gospel. This is from the LDS Church's home page:

"Visit the Newsroom to read the Church’s official statement Church’s official statement on an upcoming episode of HBO’s Big Love that is said to depict temple ceremonies. If you would like to learn more, watch the video below that explains why we build temples."

Yay for Running!

We are so excited for the Rex Lee Run this Saturday! We are doing the 5K, along with a bunch of our family members.

We'll for sure post pictures after the race. Today I went to the law school and went with Chris and the boys to a presentation by Prof. Tom Lee (son of Rex Lee) and Dean Hansen who knew Rex Lee back in the early days of the law school. It is inspiring every time I hear about this great man. Prof. Lee quote a scripture, Doctrine and Covenants 58:27 " Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;" He talked about how Rex Lee was an example of this, that he never intended to be the founding Dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School or the president of BYU, or even the Solicitor General, but he was always anxiously engaged in looking for causes to be involved in, and as a result he led a full, energetic, enthusiastic life. He loved people and people felt loved by him. I am grateful for the legacy and inspiration Rex Lee is to me. It helps me to consider how I can be anxiously engaged and live my life in such a way to do great things within my sphere of influence. Also, I love that Rex Lee started running in his late 30's! That makes me feel like I can continue to make running an important part of our family. Prof. Lee said Rex Lee probably ran 12 marathons and because of his enthusiasm for running, all 5 of Prof. Lee's sister, his brother, himself and his mother have been runners. He said they used to go on Saturday morning runs as a family. I love that! And I love to see a wonderful example of the opportunities we have for good, to influence and to love and live life to its fullest.
This is before the July 4th 5K we did in Vegas; Chris' first. I promise it's addicting and so much fun to be with so many people who love to run (or hate it but still do it!) You can still register for the run: http://rexleerun.byu.edu/index.php
This is after the 5K our stake does twice a year (this was last October). I ran with the boys in the jogger. Luckily my knee has been doing better since then though I still am wearing the dang knee brace since it is still tender.

2008 Christmas Card

Most of you probably got this in the mail at Christmastime (if not you can send us your address so we can make sure you get one this year :) ) We have a ball writing our letter and making this picture every year. I am hoping to get the full version of Photoshop Elements soon (hint, hint, my birthday is coming up) so I can do stuff like this more often. I loved being on yearbook in high school and have never been a fan of paper scrapbooking so this seems to be right up my alley. I love seeing what a great year we had in 2008 and it is so fun to already see all the fun memories and experiences we will have for 2009's Christmas card come December.

Bragging Rights

I doubted Chris would post this himself, so I figured as his wife this type of thing is my prerogative. Ever since we ran the 5K in Las Vegas last summer we have been looking forward to doing more with our running. I am proud to say that Chris especially is keeping this going. He has been going to the indoor track 2-3 times a week since the start of the year. His goal is to run at least 100 times during 2009 (I think he is up 15 right now). I am extremely proud of him, his efforts and progress. The above picture is his first under 30 minute 3-mile run! He has been doing awesome! He is actually out for a run as I type this.

We are looking forward to the Rex Lee 5K next Saturday. We have races planned for the upcoming months as well. I am grateful Chris is trying so hard to stay in shape and push himself to achieve goals he may not have ever considered before. Keep running!

Making Friends

Wow, so really I am discovering tons of drafts that I never posted during my hiatus from blogging (heck, I'm still on the hiatus but figure I can slowly post stuff when I care to, right?) Anyways, this is Ian making friends with another little boy at the park last fall. He was having fun throwing the ball to him. It's cute to see how much Ian likes to play with other children; he recently said, "I like making friends." We are trying to encourage him in his interactions so that hopefully he doesn't struggle as much as Chris and I have socially! He has a lot to learn (but what 3 year old has it all down yet?) about sharing and expressing feelings more appropriately, but he is such a sweetheart with a big heart and good intentions.