we like selfies

Ayden shaves....

week review/Pete

Ayden got elastics on his braces.  OUCHY.  should only have those a few more months. 

Tessa and I went shopping friday.  It's always fun.  Painful, but fun.  We went to the U of L.  walked around a bit (i am trying to use capitals, but am too lazy).  She applied at the library with a resume.  Hopefully they call her up!!!  She would be amazing in any library position. 

Pete wants to be on the blog more often...so here we go.    I hope Pete goes to China in the fall when his parents are there for another semester.    And wouldn't it be great if Ben could go with him and see his friend?  i would not be jealous of this.  I can't go on such a long plane ride, or walk all over China. 

Pete enjoys being in the bishopric.  He is not as busy as i thought he would be.  He is nice to everyone, and does a good job.  He likes the youth.  I like the youth too- but shoot me dead if i get called into Young women's again anytime soon.  Oops, this was just made about me again.
Back to Pete.

he will be coaching soccer soon- and he is in his element doing that.  he runs around in the sun interacting with people.  it is a good thing.

Pete is a good painter.  i wish he would showcase his talents in that area again...someday. 

Pete is a good house cleaner.  our home would be a disaster if he didn't pitch in a little most days.  there are some days when my job is my limit...and no other physical stuff gets done. 

Back to Peter.
Pete has always been a great dad.  He will make a great grandpa.  EW.  that is way too close.

I am envious of Pete's abilities to take a power nap.  He can take 20 minutes naps, wake up, and be totally fine.  i hate that!!!! 

all in all, he is a pretty gosh-darned good guy....

HE IS HERE

sent Ben this last night...he printed it out, and sent me the pics today.  LOVE IT...now we have to do ours, and put them online.  Flood the earth!!!!  As a former facebook hater- I actually love to go on facebook and see tons and tons of stuff like this...all the conference quotes- thoughts from Apostles.  i love it all!!!
This week i re-read Jefferey R Hollands talk "Remember Lot's Wife".  It hits me hard every single time.  It has given me more peace than anything else.  I know i am a person who is way to hard on myself.  We all probably are.  This talk was about how wrong that was.  How Christ loves us ANY way we are.  It is His character. 

Women are Angels.

Here is a pretty great picture from the Ensign.  I loved it when i first saw it.  I never worried about the fact that the angel had wings, or the fact that it MAY be a woman.  It doesn't necessarily look like a woman.  Our home teacher suggested it was, and that women aren't angels.  Well, that's fine...but here is my take.  or OUR take.  Lots of angels in the scriptures ARE men- because men have the priesthood, and they have to come if they have keys to give, dispensations to open...or other important news done via the priesthood.  That's totally fine.  BUT I personally have no problem with women being angels.  AND- I think they should be, as they are naturally more caring creatures anyhow.  Anyhow, it was something I hadn't thought of or worried about before...it's just funny to me how some people see some things. 

getting old

Things i don't like about aging-

1) the obvious body issues
2) kids growing up and leaving home (kind of a big one)
3) regrets

Things i like about aging-

1) not worrying about certain body issues as much
2) watching kids growing up and becoming awesome
3) more alone time
4) less worry about friends or groups.  time is better spent with teens and adult kids in my opinion.  less worry about being ditched by friends.  truly- i am over it.  almost.
5) time to focus on spirituality/temple/geneology.  (kind of huge ones)
6) hopefully learning lessons, changing, becoming a better person
7) recognizing more and more what to focus energies on.  (the little bit that is available) 


As you can see, there are more things i like about getting older- at least for now.  but since i already feel like an 80 year old, i do have an idea of what's coming. 
i really have liked being home with teenagers...talking with them...laughing.  i wouldn't give that up for all the friends in the world.  i've had to choose- because of the pain thing- to do less socially.  that has cost me some friends.  but it's okay...i have some good friends still that i know i could call or rely on.  we dont' have to be in constant communication because- we are all busy.  i appreciate those people.  The older i get, the more important old friends- and of course family- is to me.  I don't care if i fit in, or don't fit in.  and that is something that has bothered me for years about Cardston.  not so much anymore- that's a good thing. 
AND- life isn't over when kids leave home.  right?  i have to admit, i may not be totally adjusting well to this one- but i will.  i know there is lots of good to come!!

March is ending...

 Here is a picture of Ben- who met up with some guys he was with in the MTC.  FUN!  they all look older to me. 

 we recently discovered the joys of the SPARKIES food truck.  we LOVE the deep fried ravioli!!!   yuuuummmmmmmm

 Just a march snowstorm. can't complain- we have had such an easy peasy winter. 

 Just 2 moose hanging out by the school division office.  everyone thinks it's so amazing...and i don't even like small cats- let alone massive killer animals. 

Cindy

Time to write about my favourite subject- ME.  jokes.  but recently i have started a little jewelry shop.  and by shop- i mean facebook page.  i have sold jewelry consistently- each and every week.  not enough to quit my job, but enough to buy MORE.  why?  i don't know really- it's kinda fun, and i like fun jewelry.  by the way, the name of my shop is "Just Fun Jewelry".  we shall see how it goes.  i don't really have time or expectations to get too grandiose - just keeping it simple so far. 

now for a pain update.  i have to keep track somehow.  also, i don't talk about it much- so by typing it here nobody can tune me out or think of their own things to say as i'm speaking.  (mainly talking about friends...Pete is good about listening)
i attended a library conference on friday.  it was constant sitting for 7 hours.  i usually don't make it through all of church- and that is 3.  7 really ruined me, and i'm still paying the price for it.  i have to go to Tessa's YW thing tonight....because it's her last.  if it wasn't her last, i wouldn't go. 
so anyhow, living in chronic pain stinks.  there are times i really believe i can't do this for the rest of my life.  i know i dont' seem to have a choice.  i don't know what to try.  i am still exercising and started going back to NUCCA...so we shall see.  i feel like my tailbone is out of place.  i imagine that sounds weird- but that is how it feels. 
but it's exhausting and i wish somebody understood.  unless you've had it, i guess you wouldn't GET it.  but i wish someone could just hear me out from time to time.  i try not to talk about it too much at home, because i'm afraid it could be focused on way too much.  difficult though, since i feel it constantly.  no matter what. 
i guess i can't complain too much- it's draining, and depressing, but there are worse things.  i know this.  and i have soooo many positive things in life.  AAAANNNNDDDD....i know that everyone, and i mean EVERYONE. HAS. SOMETHING.  and knowing that actually makes me feel less abnormal. 

Tessa and such

 a week or so ago, Tessa went with Pete to the U of L before a bball game.  they looked around and Tessa thought it was cool.  they saw the library, and talked to someone about Tessa applying there.  really- if she could work in that library, how perfect would THAT be!!  she has 4 years of awesome experience, and they would be lucky to get here.  Donna wrote her a recommendation letter...as seen here below. 

Tessa got her grad dress!!!  it is super pretty- but we have to get it altered.  it is just a TAD too long...and she wants the upper shoulder part lined.  but it fits her body, and is such a nice color!  this week we have to get her some shoes for her fitting- and finish shopping for Vietnam.  she will be there before we know it!  so glad we decided to do the cholera-ecoli vaccine thing.  it will be worth the 100 bucks to keep her from getting sick. 

Ben and such

Ben's transfer to be Zone leader in the London Digital mission has been great for him i think.  he's been sooooo busy...and has much responsibilites.  I love missions- where else can a person ever learn the skills they learn there?!!  No place.  not to mention all the great experiences and testimony builders.  it's brilliant.  here are a few pictures from his area.

and WHEW...i'm glad the mission-blog fiasco is over with.  MAN- i sure learned a big lesson!!  i felt so terrible that that happened. 

MAN!

HOW has it been this long since i paid attention to this blog!!!  GRRRRRRR...time to remedy that.