I've been behind again on blogging, Mom started a blog for her mission and Becky has been blogging lately which has pushed me back to wanting to get caught up.
I started my by getting up and doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen and getting myself ready for the day (I've noticed that with my losing weight and becoming happier with myself that I have a lot more selfies, haha). Lipstick is a new thing for me but it makes a huge difference!
I had seen something a couple of weeks ago on Facebook called Children's Entrepreneur Market. It is a farmers market style thing completely ran by kids (they manage the booths, are supposed to make the sales, use the money, etc.), I thought that it sounded like a cool idea and the event was happening here in Lehi at Thanksgiving Point. I had invited Libbey and the kids but she wasn't feeling up to going so I took Alexia and Sophie. It was super cool, over 150 booths, many of them with things that the kids had made themselves (games, food, slime, magic tricks, bracelets, etc.).
This was probably Sophie's favorite booth, they painted her nails!
It was quite impressive all that they got to do/buy with their $5!
After the market the girls and I went straight to Ben and Sonia's for Nadia's bridal shower. The girls got to play with Isabel. At one point Isabel came up and sat between Rachel and I and promptly fell asleep.
After the shower we went home. Libbey said that she needed to go and check on Kiera that she should probably be awake by now. I walked in and found that Kiera was wide awake, sitting up and playing with her shoes. She didn't even notice that I was there taking her picture for a bit but as soon as she did she wanted me to help with her shoe and then get her out.
We ended the evening by going swimming at the community pool. Kiera was so cute, she would stand at the edge of the pool and throw the diving ring for me to get and bring it back to her so that she would throw it again (talking about it I feel like a dog).
She decided that she was cold and done so I got to do some snuggling with her.
Last Saturday I had the special opportunity to attend a special Relief Society Conference that my singles stake put on entitled "Live Up to Your Privilege." To be honest I wasn't so sure if I really wanted to attend, it was "early" Saturday morning and was 3 hours long plus lunch at the end, I'm grateful that I did end up deciding to attend though, I was spiritually uplifted and it was a great morning spent with Kayla as well. Sorry if my thoughts will seem scattered, these are just bits and pieces that I wrote down/remember/stood out to me.
We all gathered in the Chapel first to hear a couple testimonies, special musicals, to watch a slideshow, and to hear from our Stake President (I love our my Stake Presidency, they are so wonderful and I constantly feel their love for us!). After the time in the Chapel we had the opportunity to choose 2 of 5 workshops (so not fair having to choose!).
The first workshop that I attended was called "Communication and Relationship Building." The number one thing that they sister teaching the class seemed to keep repeating was Being Engaged with and where you are (ENGAGED-Participate, Establish a meaningful relationship).
She spent a lot of time discussing the 5 Languages of Love (if you haven't heard of them you can go HERE to read more about it or to take a test to discover what kind of Love Language you need). I've heard about the 5 Languages in several of my classes but have never really thought a ton about them or what I might be. She recommended that we take the test every 6-12 months ourselves because our love languages do change. One suggestion that she made that her sister does for her kids I loved. She said that most people/kids generally act out when they are not feeling loved so her sister will have her kids take the test to discover what kind of love language they need and work to fill that kind of love for them.
She also showed this clip, I loved the idea and loved the different comments they make, especially the old couple.
The second class was called "Trust in the Lord, His Timing, His Way, His Will"
She started by reading this quote from Richard G. Scott, "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." There was more to the quote but this is the part that she had highlighted and repeated several times through the whole workshop and it continues to stand out to me.
She had run out of time but told us to go home and watch this song, Lemonade by Alex Boye (she said it was a good song but she also remarked on his crazy pants :D), somehow I had never heard this song before but I really liked it. After that she was talking about are we more concerned with what is not happening than what is happening which fit it with what the song was about.
After I had listened to the song I also read the notes that Alex Boye had put under the movie and felt that it really did go well with what she was talking about...
This song is inspired by one of my favorite quotes:
"Cease your complaining and fretting.The cause is in yourself, and where the cause is, there is the remedy...Alter your outlook on life, and your outward life will alter."
-James Allen
I've always wanted to write my own Bobby Mcferrin, "Don't worry, be Happy" song. CHECK!! There is a part in the song that says "So many miracles are happening each day, if I can just get out of my own way.
That's a reminder for ME.
A few years ago, even though I had so many amazing things happening in my life, I was so caught up in things that were NOT going right, that I stopped appreciating the things that WERE going right. I would start making a habit of chasing the storms and not the sunlight, and started getting used to feeling sorry for myself. whenever bad stuff would happen to me, i would say things like "Yep, of course that would happen to ME and nobody else!!
I would always be waiting for something amazing to happen to me before I felt good about myself. "If I get that raise, THEN life would be amazing, or if I found the right spouse, or if I get that record deal, or if I win that contest, or got the new car, THEN things would be amazing. I was living in the future and NOT enjoying the PRESENT.
Things started to change for me when I came across a book called "The Magic of believing".
I started to change my way of thinking and realized that we don't have to wait for something amazing to happen. WE ALREADY ARE AMAZING!! I would say that to myself often and then i would start seeing amazing things happen in my life. so glad I found that little truth in my life. It has made ALL the difference.
Im learning now that when bad things happen out of our control, it can either leave us either bitter, or better for going through it. I once heard someone say, "Life can truly be bittersweet. But whatever you bring attention to, expands, so choose wisely."
This is a song about making the most and the best of life, whatever is thrown our way. Thanks for reading this far!!
Best,
Alex Boye'
LEMONADE LYRICS:
I'm just so broke you won't believe
Can't get a dollar out of me
And as far as I can see
I'm losing control like a bad disease
No I just can't get relief
I've been shot down by the life police,
And everyday I try to rise
But I can't succeed
Can anybody find a cure for me?
You can be bitter, bitter, bitter
Or you can be better, better, better
CHORUS
When life gives you lemons
Instead of champagne
Don't worry little children
And don't complain (woh)
Remember you're golden
So find some sugar cane
When life gives you lemons
Make lemonade
Hama kama hama kama heyama kama x2
Now everyday is like a brand new year,
I throw my hands up in the air
Like I just don't care,
I'm moon walking down the streets
Feeling like oh yeah (oh yeah!)
like the bottom of the glass now I see clear
So now I laugh just a little more (Yeeheheee!)
I stand much taller than I did before (Yahahaa!)
I know I'm not where I need to be
But I thank God that I'm not
where I used to be,
I used to be bitter, bitter bitter
And now I feel better, better, better
CHORUS
When life gives you lemons
Instead of champagne
Don't worry little children
And don't complain (woh)
Remember you're golden
So find some sugar cane
When life gives you lemons
Make lemonade
BRIDGE
Hama kama hama
I was saved for a reason
That I can't explain
Got something new to believe in
I'm awakened again (who woh)
So many miracles are
Happening each day
If I can just get out of (Elelele)
My own way
CHORUS
Le-le-le-le-Lemonade
Lemony-lemony-le-lemonade
Lemo-lemo, Woo!
A big purpose of this class was using our patriarchal blessings. "Your Patriarchal Blessing is a window into who you are and who you can become."
She told of having talked to a friend of hers who has been a patriarch for many years and she asked him what he tells people that are receiving their blessings. He told of a suggestion that he always gives and I thought that it was a very unique and good idea. He tells them at the beginning to make several copies of their blessings,
On the first copy mark the blessings and talents that are mentioned.
On the second copy mark what opportunities that you will have in your life.
On the third copy mark what blessings you will receive.
On the fourth copy mark what counsel and teachings your blessing gives you. (you can also mark the warnings that are given or do that as a separate copy).
On the fifth copy mark what insights are given concerning your life mission.
He said then when you are having a bad day go look at the blessings and talents copy. Struggling with a calling, look at the counsel, etc. They always say that every time you read your blessing it seems like you discover or notice something different, I think that looking at the blessing with different parts highlighted will also help.
Sunday in Relief Society it was really nice, they had asked one person that had attended to spend 5 or so sharing some of their thoughts/notes, so even though we weren't able to attend all of the classes we were able to hear some about them. Here are my bullet point notes from them:
Don't worry yourself over which you have no control.
Practice daily receiving personal revelation so we know how the Lord speaks with you. You need to have a desire to know and receive revelation.
True Beauty
We shine when we have the spirit with us.
Deep beauty is Happiness, Bathing in the Spirit.
Circumstances can only determine so much-it's our attitude, choices, reaction, etc.
Emotions take time, they take work and A LOT of talking.
Be a good listener.
You have to take care of yourself before you can help others.
If you are helping someone, you need to have someone that you can talk to.
Our patriarchal blessing is like a recipe, we have the choice to disregard it completely, follow almost completely, or follow it 100% and live up to the full potential of the recipe.
We have a vision of what we want to become through our actions and living each day that we can accomplish that vision.
Saturday we decided that we need not sit around all day until I went to work that we had time to do something, so we talked through all the options of what we could do. Sonia had mentioned that at Thanksgiving Point they have something called Farm Country where you could go and see animals and lots of other fun stuff. We thought that sounded like a great adventure and headed out.
There were so many different animals to see and pet (many of which Claire knew the sound they made)
I never knew that there were so many different types of turkeys and that some of them walk around like they are very regal and puffed up (one even made this noise as it would puff up).
We wanted to pet the horsies very much but had to be very careful of little fingers.
We bought some feed and all got a chance to feed the chickens. Claire was really good at it (you can see the popcorn flying through the air).
The baby colt...so cute and wanted to play!
Nathan and Claire in jail...oh no! After we walked away I guess Claire laid down and wanted to take a nap, apparently she wasn't against being in jail.
Grandma and Claire walking by the duck pond. (they were very noisy!)
Enjoying the limited shade while waiting for the horse ride.
The horse ride was so nice and soothing, we went on cement and the hoofs on the road had a nice lulling sound that could have quite easily put all of us asleep (the driver said that she has done that before--not while at work! but when she was driving with a group she tied the horses up and let them follow the wagon in front of her while she took a nap).
Cute Miss C and Sallee for one last photo shoot before we went home for naps all around.
You may have wondered what has been keeping me away from my ever faithful blog... Trafalga: Fun Center of course! I am so lucky to have gotten a job before I even moved home, I'm getting pretty decent hours and money to go into the savings for school (plus it being not too far from Mom's doesn't hurt either). I wasn't too sure if I was going to get this job or not, after I had turned in my resume and application I received a phone call asking if I could come in for an interview (while I was on my way to Oregon fro Leah and Jamie's wedding)--I was afraid that me not being in town was going to go against my chances. I called as soon as I got back and didn't hear anything for another week, but than I was asked to come in for an interview (YEAH!), it was the most relaxed that I have ever been in an interview and I thought that it had gone pretty good, but I was told that I would hear back by the end of the week. Nothing happened :( After a week and a half had passed Libbey told me that I just needed to call her and check what was going on. I was told that they had just hired a bunch of people and were waiting until the next week to hire another group, that my name was "on hold" and that I would hear back by the end of the week for sure (I really wasn't sure what that meant but hoped that it was good considering that she didn't just straight out tell me that I wasn't hired). Wednesday of Utah Counties spring break I was making dinner at my apartment with Brea when my phone rang, I looked down and saw that it was Trafalga, I quickly grabbed my phone and went into my room. They asked if I was still interested in a job and told me that they wanted to hire me (I think my heart might have stopped right there from excitement), I quickly asked her questions on what I should be wearing, when to come, where to come, etc. She asked if I could start that day or the next day, because I was in the middle of making dinner and it was already nearly 5 o'clock I asked if the next day would be ok, she said that it was fine as it was kind of last minute. I went in on Friday (0f Spring Break!!) and filled out paperwork, was shown around a little bit and then immediately thrown into doing stuff--it was a little crazy at first because it was spring break but I think that it's always better to train in the middle of a rush partly because than you immediately know how to work quickly and efficiently.
It has already been an adventure (a fun one!). My 2nd day of working someone asked me if I was single (wasn't sure if they were serious or not so chose to ignore that) and was kicked/hit by a little girl that was having a temper-tantrum on the ground outside the airplane ride when her sister chose to get in another airplane. The 2nd day I also got put in the kitchen (good thing I love cooking and have had some experience in kitchens/concessions before), it started off a little slow which was good because than I could learn what we served and how to make them but then it very quickly jumped up to the point where we needed 8 whole pizzas made at one time...luckily someone else came and took over for me than and I got sent on break. Some other exciting/strange happenings from this job: I got to vacuum with a backpack vacuum, if ever there was a time to feel like a ghostbuster that was it--though it was a little heavy so not the most fun to be carrying up and down the stairs. I have vacuumed and washed glass (mostly windows/doors) more in the last two weeks than I have ever in my life, I'm working on getting my left arm stronger but so far most of it has been done with the right. During my 2nd week the fog machine in laser tag didn't stop when it was supposed to so it completely filled up the laser tag room- setting off the fire alarms. We had to evacuate the whole building and stood outside for probably close to 20/25 minutes while we waited for the fire department to come and to declare it safe to return inside. On one hand it's nice to know that the fire alarms are working but kind of annoying as I guess it had been like the 3rd time to happen in the past couple of weeks--I guess we are not working on getting a different ventilation system so it won't happen again (or at least not as much). This lady insisted that she had seen me the previous day at all of these different stores when in reality I had had the day off and stayed home all day in my pajamas reading and being lazy. She wouldn't give it up either when I told her that I hadn't gone anywhere--kind of annoying and strange. (what's even stranger was that she was the 3rd person in a week to tell me that they were sure that they had seen me somewhere. So apparently I have many clones out there sharing the goodness of Beth :D) I already thought that this was going to be a fun job but it got even cooler/fun when I discovered that I get a free Pass of All Passes, it actually works as my ID for work...I'm excited and can't wait to go to Seven Peaks with my roommates on my days off (when it get's nice outside that is). The first day when I had to answer the phone I was a little nervous about having to do that, I was afraid that I wouldn't know the answers when people asked them and that it would reflect badly on the business, but luckily I haven't had to answer any extremely difficult questions yet and people have been really nice at helping me and answering any questions that I may have. One day I was up front when I got a phone call, it was really noisy and so I struggled to hear at first but I finally understood what the lady was saying. It was actually an agency that was calling, people that are deaf or cannot speak call this agency through their phones and then the agency calls whomever they need to "talk" to. The person calling types what they need to say/ask and then the agency relays that to me, I answer and then she responds back to the person via the computer. It was a really neat experience, it made me even more grateful that I can speak and hear but also that there are people out there who have made the opportunities available for those that cannot.
There have been many other experiences--good and bad even in these 3 weeks of work. I'm glad that I have this job, the people that I work with are so much fun and entertaining and most of the time I don't even feel like I am working. I feel like if I have a question or idea already that people will listen to them and consider if they will work or not. This is not somewhere that I would like to be for the rest of my life but it is a great fun job for now!
