I feel like not much has been happening lately--it's just the same old, same old. Work, school, work, callings, work, house. And then all of a sudden, the pace picked up and life started to happen and big things might be changing. (No, I'm not pregnant.) I'm not going to tease you with all the things that are potentially going to happen until they are more official, but I will say that it's been so interesting to see how things fall into place when they are supposed to, and how things that didn't make sense earlier suddenly fit together. The lull in exciting things was nice, but I can't wait to see where these new developments are heading. (Is that enough of a teaser for you?)
So instead of news, a list of things I love, in no particular order (it's an update in its own way):
1. Our new shower curtain. Seriously, possibly the most exciting thing that happened last month was getting a new shower curtain, liner, and shower curtain rings. That really says something about last month, I think...
2. Our new griddle! I think Tim has cooked on it every other day since we got it (on mega sale, I might add), and I love it.
3. My sewing machine. I've been trying out some of the cute projects I've written up at work and it's just so much fun. Pictures to come...
4. Along those same lines, finishing my quilt! I still need to tie it, but I started this t-shirt/pajama pants quilt when I still lived in Provo...three years ago. Yeah, it's time to get it done.
5. Parking in the garage. Tim always gets home before me in the evenings (and usually leaves after me in the mornings), but he lets me park in the garage. Not just because my car fits better--because he's just that sweet.
6. Community. Oh. My. Hysterical. It's been a really, really long time since I laughed so hard at a TV show. Seriously.
7. Modern Family, the other best thing on TV. We started to catch up on the last few episodes and it was so great to watch it again.
8. My calling in the Primary. I'm the first counselor in our ward's Primary presidency and I love it! It took a few weeks to get used to it, especially because we have a very active and energetic Junior Primary, but the kids are so cute and funny and I am feeling more comfortable with it now. It's something I actually look forward to every week, if you can believe it.
9. Crystal Light drinks. Sugar-free and low calorie and soooo delicious.
10. Days that feel like spring. There have been a few delicious days of sunshine and warm breezes, and as soon as I get that whiff of grass and dirt, I get so excited for spring to come!
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Love, Wally
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! Yes, it's a silly, made-up holiday that causes stress and disillusionment, but happy day all the same. I've always tried to make it a point of having a good day on Valentine's Day, regardless of my relationship status and you know, I've never had a particularly bad one yet.
This year, Tim and I used Valentine's Day as an opportunity of doing some special things together, rather than as a pressure-filled, overly romantic holiday. The Saturday before, we went to see The Foreigner at the Hale (Have I raved about this show yet? SO GOOD!) and went out to eat at a real restaurant, quite the luxury around here. The day itself was just a normal day with a few more chocolates than normal and the end of the North and South miniseries, a twenty hour-long soap opera-style drama set during the Civil War. Classic. Mostly, Valentine's Day was just a day. Tim gave me new shoes, I gave him kitchen utensils. I could say something cheesy about every day being Valentine's Day, but really, every day I love my husband and he loves me and I appreciate having days that let us make it something special.
I also think that Valentine's Day isn't just about your spouse/boyfriend/etc., it's about all the people in your life. And I got thinking back to high school, when my best friends and I were none of us dating anyone, though we all wished we were, and we invented a fictitious boyfriend named Wally. I don't remember why we picked Wally (there was a semi-logical reason, I just don't remember) but he was the perfect man (hence being fictitious). We wouldn't tell any of our guy friends who this mysterious Wally was, but we made sure they knew we were in love with him.
And then on Valentine's Day, there was a flower from Wally on my desk in my first class. Later in the day, I got chocolate and a card from him, signed in one of my best friend's handwriting. The four of us had given each other Valentine's Day gifts in Wally's name. It was fun and silly, but as I remember now, I am amazed at how truly sweet that day was. We each wanted to make sure the day didn't go by without our best friends feeling special and loved, because they were. Maybe not by a boyfriend, but by several best friends, and truly, that is what this day is about.
So Happy Valentine's Day. Know that you are loved, you are special, and a new pair of shoes and some chocolate make for a good day anytime.
This year, Tim and I used Valentine's Day as an opportunity of doing some special things together, rather than as a pressure-filled, overly romantic holiday. The Saturday before, we went to see The Foreigner at the Hale (Have I raved about this show yet? SO GOOD!) and went out to eat at a real restaurant, quite the luxury around here. The day itself was just a normal day with a few more chocolates than normal and the end of the North and South miniseries, a twenty hour-long soap opera-style drama set during the Civil War. Classic. Mostly, Valentine's Day was just a day. Tim gave me new shoes, I gave him kitchen utensils. I could say something cheesy about every day being Valentine's Day, but really, every day I love my husband and he loves me and I appreciate having days that let us make it something special.
I also think that Valentine's Day isn't just about your spouse/boyfriend/etc., it's about all the people in your life. And I got thinking back to high school, when my best friends and I were none of us dating anyone, though we all wished we were, and we invented a fictitious boyfriend named Wally. I don't remember why we picked Wally (there was a semi-logical reason, I just don't remember) but he was the perfect man (hence being fictitious). We wouldn't tell any of our guy friends who this mysterious Wally was, but we made sure they knew we were in love with him.
And then on Valentine's Day, there was a flower from Wally on my desk in my first class. Later in the day, I got chocolate and a card from him, signed in one of my best friend's handwriting. The four of us had given each other Valentine's Day gifts in Wally's name. It was fun and silly, but as I remember now, I am amazed at how truly sweet that day was. We each wanted to make sure the day didn't go by without our best friends feeling special and loved, because they were. Maybe not by a boyfriend, but by several best friends, and truly, that is what this day is about.
So Happy Valentine's Day. Know that you are loved, you are special, and a new pair of shoes and some chocolate make for a good day anytime.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
What I'm grateful for (in no particular order)
1. Family. A thousand times over, I'm grateful for my family. Grateful that I get to spend time with them, that we have so much fun together, that they are such good people.
2. A new camera! My blog will be cool again!
3. My loving, supportive husband who keeps me from freaking out on a regular basis. I'd go to pieces without him. I'm so lucky to have someone who cares about me enough to tell me when to take things off my to-do list.
4. My job. I absolutely love my writing/editing job at Northridge Publishing and when I think back to where I was working six months ago and how much I didn't like it, I am so incredibly grateful to be where I am now.
5. Tim's job and how much self-esteem it gives him to be needed/wanted/valued in his work.
6. Our memory foam mattress. Not to brag or anything, but we have the best bed in the world. If you ask real nice, I'll let you sit on it. :)
7. Snow. Okay, this is a stretch today, but I am grateful that there will be some water for next summer. And for how pretty it is when it snows.
8. New tires on Tim's car. I didn't get stuck when I drove his car today and that is simply miraculous.
9. Tim's math tutor Alli. She's amazing and Tim's grade improved like, 400% from the last time he took Calculus. So so grateful.
10. Christmas! My favorite Christmas moment came after the presents had been opened at my parents' house but before we left for my grandparents' house to see my extended family. I was sitting in the living room, cleaning up and packing up our gifts, when I looked around at the jumbled mess and I was completely overwhelmed by how blessed I am to have so many people to love and who love me back. It wasn't the gifts that made me start to cry, but what they represented. I know there are so many families who do not get along, who have been torn apart by the choices of some family members, who don't have everyone with them at Christmas, and I am so grateful that at least once a year, my family gathers to celebrate not only our Savior, but our love for each other.
2. A new camera! My blog will be cool again!
3. My loving, supportive husband who keeps me from freaking out on a regular basis. I'd go to pieces without him. I'm so lucky to have someone who cares about me enough to tell me when to take things off my to-do list.
4. My job. I absolutely love my writing/editing job at Northridge Publishing and when I think back to where I was working six months ago and how much I didn't like it, I am so incredibly grateful to be where I am now.
5. Tim's job and how much self-esteem it gives him to be needed/wanted/valued in his work.
6. Our memory foam mattress. Not to brag or anything, but we have the best bed in the world. If you ask real nice, I'll let you sit on it. :)
7. Snow. Okay, this is a stretch today, but I am grateful that there will be some water for next summer. And for how pretty it is when it snows.
8. New tires on Tim's car. I didn't get stuck when I drove his car today and that is simply miraculous.
9. Tim's math tutor Alli. She's amazing and Tim's grade improved like, 400% from the last time he took Calculus. So so grateful.
10. Christmas! My favorite Christmas moment came after the presents had been opened at my parents' house but before we left for my grandparents' house to see my extended family. I was sitting in the living room, cleaning up and packing up our gifts, when I looked around at the jumbled mess and I was completely overwhelmed by how blessed I am to have so many people to love and who love me back. It wasn't the gifts that made me start to cry, but what they represented. I know there are so many families who do not get along, who have been torn apart by the choices of some family members, who don't have everyone with them at Christmas, and I am so grateful that at least once a year, my family gathers to celebrate not only our Savior, but our love for each other.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
To be a teacher
Last August I took a job teaching music at an elementary school. It's been about four months since then, and I've discovered that teaching well is an extraordinarily difficult task and truthfully, I'm not very good at it. I've gotten better since that first terrifying day, but I haven't figured out the secret to it. I can make a decent lesson plan and I've learned how to deal with most of the problems first and second graders can come up with, but I haven't been able to make the leap from just going through the motions and being a teacher.
Then a few weeks ago, I was called to be in my ward's Primary presidency. Other than being slightly overwhelming because of the responsibility of the calling, I found it ironic that I'm being called to work with more children. I wonder, what am I supposed to be learning from all of this? Is it preparing me for my own kids, or is it an incentive to wait?
As I sat in Primary on Sunday and watched one of the younger kids yell through Sharing Time, it occurred to me that maybe the only lesson I will take from all this is patience. I have never been good at letting chaos go uncontrolled and kids really are the epitome of unpredictability. If I am going to survive the year and eventually be a good mom, I am going to need so much more patience than I currently possess.
I think the other thing I am going to learn, or at least I hope I will learn, is love. My sister-in-law Bekah is a fantastic teacher and she's given me lots of help and humor. She said on her blog the other day that as she's become a mom with a daughter to love, she's found more love for her students as well. When I read that, I realized that's one of the things I'm lacking. Most of the time, my students are out-of-control problems that need to be solved, shushed, corralled, and managed. I don't worry very much about whether or not they're having a good day, but rather whether or not I'm having a good day. And I think it's supposed to be the opposite.
I don't know if I'm going to get any better, but I've decided to give it a try (probably after Christmas break, let's be honest). I'm teaching 120 six-, seven-, and eight-year-olds how to read music notes and clap a beat and sing, but I want to teach them to be good people, to be excited about learning, and that I am an adult who cares about them. I don't know how to do it yet, but I'll let you know if I figure it out.
Then a few weeks ago, I was called to be in my ward's Primary presidency. Other than being slightly overwhelming because of the responsibility of the calling, I found it ironic that I'm being called to work with more children. I wonder, what am I supposed to be learning from all of this? Is it preparing me for my own kids, or is it an incentive to wait?
As I sat in Primary on Sunday and watched one of the younger kids yell through Sharing Time, it occurred to me that maybe the only lesson I will take from all this is patience. I have never been good at letting chaos go uncontrolled and kids really are the epitome of unpredictability. If I am going to survive the year and eventually be a good mom, I am going to need so much more patience than I currently possess.
I think the other thing I am going to learn, or at least I hope I will learn, is love. My sister-in-law Bekah is a fantastic teacher and she's given me lots of help and humor. She said on her blog the other day that as she's become a mom with a daughter to love, she's found more love for her students as well. When I read that, I realized that's one of the things I'm lacking. Most of the time, my students are out-of-control problems that need to be solved, shushed, corralled, and managed. I don't worry very much about whether or not they're having a good day, but rather whether or not I'm having a good day. And I think it's supposed to be the opposite.
I don't know if I'm going to get any better, but I've decided to give it a try (probably after Christmas break, let's be honest). I'm teaching 120 six-, seven-, and eight-year-olds how to read music notes and clap a beat and sing, but I want to teach them to be good people, to be excited about learning, and that I am an adult who cares about them. I don't know how to do it yet, but I'll let you know if I figure it out.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A post about my husband, whom I love
Maybe it's because my sister is getting married and I've been remembering my own wedding, but I wanted to write something about how amazingly sweet my husband is. I probably won't tell him I wrote this, because he would be soooo embarrassed, but it's all true.
Tim was sick today. I overzealously checked in on him every hour or so, just a quick "You okay? Need anything?" He usually sent back something like, "No, but thanks," and I was satisfied. During one of our exchanges, my phone buzzed an extra time and I looked down to read, "Do you need anything?" And I just melted. That little phrase made me feel so cared for.
Later, I got home later than I said I would and Tim came out to meet me. He got to the car before I'd even opened my door. "I didn't know where you were" was all he said to explain the anxious crease between his eyes. I felt bad that I had worried him, but again, I suddenly felt so...precious to him.
Tim is amazingly good at making me feel loved. I have never, ever doubted how he feels about me, not even when we very first starting dating. He was never shy in expressing himself, even though I was. When we were dating and engaged, we spent most of our time thousands of miles apart and so when we were together, we tended to overcompensate for the separated months. This garnered us some relentless teasing and ridicule, and though we deserved some of it, it made me afraid to express myself. Tim got the worst of the teasing, but I marveled at his ability to brush most of it off. He didn't care if we were doing things "right," like I did. He just cared about me and making me sure I knew it.
Now that we don't have to rely on Skype to see each other every day, we're more relaxed about our time together and can spend time apart. But I think the fear and pain of separation have left an indelible mark on both of us. We're still affectionate and cutesy and yes, probably a little nauseating. And you know what? I love it.
I love that we're cute and cuddly and silly. I love that we say "I love you" a hundred times a day. I love that I fall asleep every night with Tim's arm around me and that we spend ten minutes cuddling in bed every morning. I love that the first thing I do when I get home from work is hug and kiss my husband. I love that nothing calms me more than Tim's hands cradling my face. I just love my husband, and I want to make sure he feels that as often as I feel his love for me.
P.S. I changed my mind. I am going to show this to Tim. He will absolutely be embarrassed, but I think that he will also like it.
Tim was sick today. I overzealously checked in on him every hour or so, just a quick "You okay? Need anything?" He usually sent back something like, "No, but thanks," and I was satisfied. During one of our exchanges, my phone buzzed an extra time and I looked down to read, "Do you need anything?" And I just melted. That little phrase made me feel so cared for.
Later, I got home later than I said I would and Tim came out to meet me. He got to the car before I'd even opened my door. "I didn't know where you were" was all he said to explain the anxious crease between his eyes. I felt bad that I had worried him, but again, I suddenly felt so...precious to him.
Tim is amazingly good at making me feel loved. I have never, ever doubted how he feels about me, not even when we very first starting dating. He was never shy in expressing himself, even though I was. When we were dating and engaged, we spent most of our time thousands of miles apart and so when we were together, we tended to overcompensate for the separated months. This garnered us some relentless teasing and ridicule, and though we deserved some of it, it made me afraid to express myself. Tim got the worst of the teasing, but I marveled at his ability to brush most of it off. He didn't care if we were doing things "right," like I did. He just cared about me and making me sure I knew it.
Now that we don't have to rely on Skype to see each other every day, we're more relaxed about our time together and can spend time apart. But I think the fear and pain of separation have left an indelible mark on both of us. We're still affectionate and cutesy and yes, probably a little nauseating. And you know what? I love it.
I love that we're cute and cuddly and silly. I love that we say "I love you" a hundred times a day. I love that I fall asleep every night with Tim's arm around me and that we spend ten minutes cuddling in bed every morning. I love that the first thing I do when I get home from work is hug and kiss my husband. I love that nothing calms me more than Tim's hands cradling my face. I just love my husband, and I want to make sure he feels that as often as I feel his love for me.
P.S. I changed my mind. I am going to show this to Tim. He will absolutely be embarrassed, but I think that he will also like it.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
"They seek him here, they seek him there..."
Monday night, Tim and I sat entranced at the Hale Center Theater while The Scarlet Pimpernel unfolded around us. It was enchanting. It was wonderful. It was breathtaking--literally. There were several times that I realized I had been holding my breath during the songs. If you've never seen this play, please do. Soon, if possible. It's easily one of my top three favorite musicals of all time. It's got everything--daring adventures, passionate romance, hilarious disguises, life and death, and the most incredibly awesome costumes you've ever seen. Seriously. I would considering doing something illegal to obtain just one of those dresses--just one, mind you!
The Scarlet Pimpernel has been a favorite story of mine for many years now. I can't remember if I saw the movie first (probable) or read the book first (less likely), but I fell in love with it. I distinctly remember sitting in the car somewhere in Salt Lake, oblivious to my family around me, barely breathing as I raced through the novel completely enraptured. I finished what I still consider to be one of the most romantic chapters in all literature, put the book down, and sighed with my whole heart all aflutter. If you've never read this book, read it. Have patience with the descriptive paragraphs and enjoy being surprised by the original story.
I'll put in a plug for the movie too. The 1982 adaptation starring Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn, as she is better known), and Ian McKellen (Gandalf in his much younger years) is the best version, so far as I'm concerned. I haven't seen it in a long time, but I could still probably quote the better part of the movie to you right now. ("Oh, the English and their stupid sense of fair play...")
I absolutely love this play/movie/book. And I love sharing things I love with the people I love. (It's very lucky for Tim that he enjoyed the play almost as much as I did, because we ARE going to see it a second time.) So go ahead. Pick up the book. Listen to the music. See the play. Rent the movie. You're gonna love it, I promise.
The Scarlet Pimpernel has been a favorite story of mine for many years now. I can't remember if I saw the movie first (probable) or read the book first (less likely), but I fell in love with it. I distinctly remember sitting in the car somewhere in Salt Lake, oblivious to my family around me, barely breathing as I raced through the novel completely enraptured. I finished what I still consider to be one of the most romantic chapters in all literature, put the book down, and sighed with my whole heart all aflutter. If you've never read this book, read it. Have patience with the descriptive paragraphs and enjoy being surprised by the original story.
I'll put in a plug for the movie too. The 1982 adaptation starring Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn, as she is better known), and Ian McKellen (Gandalf in his much younger years) is the best version, so far as I'm concerned. I haven't seen it in a long time, but I could still probably quote the better part of the movie to you right now. ("Oh, the English and their stupid sense of fair play...")
I absolutely love this play/movie/book. And I love sharing things I love with the people I love. (It's very lucky for Tim that he enjoyed the play almost as much as I did, because we ARE going to see it a second time.) So go ahead. Pick up the book. Listen to the music. See the play. Rent the movie. You're gonna love it, I promise.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The 11th Thing
(I knew I forgot something on that list...)
11. National Public Radio! I love listening to NPR when I drive to and from jobs. It makes me feel smart and informed. Today I listened to a talk show about Mormon feminists. I've heard about books, music, the current administration, the current economy, peace talks in the Middle East, Islam, religion-based search engines, genetically engineered salmon, Americans imprisoned in Iran, pirate lawyers, the Tea Party and its financial backers, the primary elections, foreclosures, and a woman who was mistaken for a whale and harpooned in Montenegro.
Oh yeah, I'm informed.
11. National Public Radio! I love listening to NPR when I drive to and from jobs. It makes me feel smart and informed. Today I listened to a talk show about Mormon feminists. I've heard about books, music, the current administration, the current economy, peace talks in the Middle East, Islam, religion-based search engines, genetically engineered salmon, Americans imprisoned in Iran, pirate lawyers, the Tea Party and its financial backers, the primary elections, foreclosures, and a woman who was mistaken for a whale and harpooned in Montenegro.
Oh yeah, I'm informed.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
10 Things I Love
1. I love my job! It's a strange and unfamiliar feeling, but I really do love it!
2. Uno. Dunno why, but it's been my favorite game lately. Probably because you can play it so quickly and not spend hours trying to get a winner.
3. Pushing Daisies. Such a funny show! It never should have been canceled. "Well, that idea might make a stupid idea feel better about itself."
4. New couch pillows. There's just something about an extra touch in a room that you've seen a thousand times to make you happy.
5. Zumba! I love that I enjoy exercising for the first time, like, ever.
6. Blueberry muffins. Gotta love a fresh muffin first thing in the morning.
7. Making my bed. That's weird, I know, but it makes me feel like everything else is so much cleaner when our bed is made.
8. Fridays. Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you don't have to go to work (as much as I love it) for two whole days.
9. Children who are quiet. Specifically, children who are quiet in my music class.
Last but not least...
10. I love Tim! He is so good to me. When I'm stressed, when I'm worried, when I'm sad, he doesn't dismiss my feelings. He just makes me feel better. And he makes me laugh. I'm so in love with him, geez.
2. Uno. Dunno why, but it's been my favorite game lately. Probably because you can play it so quickly and not spend hours trying to get a winner.
3. Pushing Daisies. Such a funny show! It never should have been canceled. "Well, that idea might make a stupid idea feel better about itself."
4. New couch pillows. There's just something about an extra touch in a room that you've seen a thousand times to make you happy.
5. Zumba! I love that I enjoy exercising for the first time, like, ever.
6. Blueberry muffins. Gotta love a fresh muffin first thing in the morning.
7. Making my bed. That's weird, I know, but it makes me feel like everything else is so much cleaner when our bed is made.
8. Fridays. Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you don't have to go to work (as much as I love it) for two whole days.
9. Children who are quiet. Specifically, children who are quiet in my music class.
Last but not least...
10. I love Tim! He is so good to me. When I'm stressed, when I'm worried, when I'm sad, he doesn't dismiss my feelings. He just makes me feel better. And he makes me laugh. I'm so in love with him, geez.
Friday, June 25, 2010
How do you measure a year of your life?
(Warning: Major sappiness ensues. Read at your own risk.)
Dear Tim,
Happy Anniversary! I can't believe it's been a year--it went so fast and so slow at the same time. The last year has been...well, you know how it's been. Wonderful and stressful and hard and so much fun at the same time. Thank you for listening and learning and working with me to make it through all these months, and for being patient with me and my emotions. I'm glad the year is over, but I wouldn't have missed it or traded it for anything.
This time last year, we were running around trying to get ready for the Big Day tomorrow. I don't remember much about the 25th, except the stress and tears that were always just beneath the surface. But from the minute I woke up on the 26th, I was only happy, and that feeling never left. I remember a lot of things from that day, but you and your smile are most clear in my mind: meeting you at the temple, sitting together and waiting in the Celestial room (and waiting, and waiting), singing together at the luncheon, laughing in the rain as the storm finally broke over our reception. Even while I was hugging other people and taking pictures and smiling my face off, I was always most conscious of you and your happiness. Thank you for such a joyful day.
I love you so much! My life is so much better with you in it. Thank you for loving me so completely! I love you too, and I can't wait to start the next year of our life together. We're not perfect people, but we are perfect together.
Love,
Your Kah-tay
Dear Tim,
Happy Anniversary! I can't believe it's been a year--it went so fast and so slow at the same time. The last year has been...well, you know how it's been. Wonderful and stressful and hard and so much fun at the same time. Thank you for listening and learning and working with me to make it through all these months, and for being patient with me and my emotions. I'm glad the year is over, but I wouldn't have missed it or traded it for anything.
This time last year, we were running around trying to get ready for the Big Day tomorrow. I don't remember much about the 25th, except the stress and tears that were always just beneath the surface. But from the minute I woke up on the 26th, I was only happy, and that feeling never left. I remember a lot of things from that day, but you and your smile are most clear in my mind: meeting you at the temple, sitting together and waiting in the Celestial room (and waiting, and waiting), singing together at the luncheon, laughing in the rain as the storm finally broke over our reception. Even while I was hugging other people and taking pictures and smiling my face off, I was always most conscious of you and your happiness. Thank you for such a joyful day.
I love you so much! My life is so much better with you in it. Thank you for loving me so completely! I love you too, and I can't wait to start the next year of our life together. We're not perfect people, but we are perfect together.
Love,
Your Kah-tay
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