Monday, January 31, 2011

Weekend Highlights

This weekend was wonderful. First of all, at Weight Watchers I've come to a total of 12 lbs! Afterward, I was talking to a friend and told her she should quit her job because she is so stressed. She replied to me, "But then I can't buy myself a new car every month!" Believe me, she does actually do this. She trades in her old car for another car every other week.

I stopped by to get supplies for the Thai food party on Saturday and received a life lesson lecture from the man at the register. He could tell I was younger and perhaps he felt I needed his wisdom. I was amused to say the least.

Sunday I read this:

All day. It was blissful. There were no meetings and no appointments. Just Noah and I snuggled up on the couch reading books with the sun streaming in. Sigh.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

List of Quotes

Recently I've been compiling a list of favorite quotes from general authorities and I thought I'd share them with all of you (partially because I can archive them here and not have them on my sticky note on my desktop):

"So if various trials are allotted to you, partake of life’s bitter cups, but without becoming bitter."-Neal A. Maxwell "Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been"

"I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.
My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."-Thomas S. Monson "Be of Good Cheer"

"Pride is a deadly cancer. It is a gateway sin that leads to a host of other human weaknesses. In fact, it could be said that every other sin is, in essence, a manifestation of pride.
This sin has many faces. It leads some to revel in their own perceived self-worth, accomplishments, talents, wealth, or position. They count these blessings as evidence of being “chosen,” “superior,” or “more righteous” than others. This is the sin of “Thank God I am more special than you.” At its core is the desire to be admired or envied. It is the sin of self-glorification.
For others, pride turns to envy: they look bitterly at those who have better positions, more talents, or greater possessions than they do. They seek to hurt, diminish, and tear down others in a misguided and unworthy attempt at self-elevation. When those they envy stumble or suffer, they secretly cheer."-Dieter F. Utchdorf

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Consumed

Oh special education, how you consume my every waking moment.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Tender

Today in church we had talks on "tender mercies of the Lord." I realized that I haven't really been looking for them in my life. So I started thinking and I realized how much God has blessed our family.

Noah and I were married in May 2009. First of all, I thought I'd never get married. I'd never dated anyone before and didn't really have anyone interested in me. It could have been me and how awkwardly I acted around boys when I went on dates with them. I never really felt comfortable. Noah was a different story all together. I liked the way he treated and respected me when we talked. I look at our relationship as a tender mercy. Noah was just what I needed in my life just when I needed it and he will always be just what I need.

After our marriage, life was good. We weren't rich, but we had enough to keep us going. When I started having monthly painful attacks I was really scared. When the doctor told me I had to have my gallbladder removed I was even more scared. When the woman at the hospital told me it was going to cost me $10,000 I about had a heart attack on top of the gallbladder. I know that many people were praying for us. I know that there was no other way Noah and I would have received so much financial aid. My family sent money for my birthday, we found $100 on our doorstep from someone in the ward, and the hospital gave us a lot of financial aid. I know that that was a tender mercy of the Lord.


I thought as well after all of that, that I was doomed to never get a job to support us sufficiently. When I interviewed for a teaching position I hoped, but didn't spend a lot of time on it. When my principal called and offered me the teaching position I couldn't believe this was happening. I know that the Lord answered my prayers. (The above picture is of my para and I on Halloween.)

And this weekend, I was feeling a bit down on myself and Noah was out of town. I was doing dishes and getting angrier and angrier with my thoughts. Not at Noah, but at others unkindness and selfishness. I felt so angry at one point and still mixed with remorse for my feelings I started to sing hymns. Peace came into my heart and I felt for once in a long time happy and whole. The Lord gave me yet another tender mercy.

See, they're everywhere! Those tender moments when you know God is there. And in hopes of helping you feel a tender mercy I'll leave you with this quote:

"The history of the Church in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, is replete with the experiences of those who have struggled and yet who have remained steadfast and of good cheer as they have made the gospel of Jesus Christ the center of their lives. This attitude is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. It will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on, and to emerge victorious"-Thomas S. Monson "Be of Good Cheer"

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Enlisted

While we're on the topic of lists I've come up with some creative ones, in fact, I made a list of them. Today is themed "A Day in the Life of Me."

Things now on my to do list(s):

Test
Math Planning and Assessment
Plan writing about past/present/future tense and adj
Read Math Program Material

Run Discrepancies
Test Student
Test New Referral

Read gas meter
Dishes
Vacuum
Fold Clothes
Follow the breadcrumb trail Noah left or, in other words, pick up Noah's trail of crap he left from point A to point B/Better yet remind Noah to do it himself.

To Buy/Pay for:

INK!
Brakes
Appointments

A typical list in the life of Becky. Oh dear. This actually compromises 3 of my lists that I look at on a daily basis.

Want to know what's funny? I feel like I just pasted my diary out there on the internet by giving you this list. I had to alter it to make myself feel better.

Yes, this is the third time I've added to this post. I have had an epiphany. I HAVE CATEGORIZED MY LIFE IN TO LISTS. I am a list maker. Look at my blog posts from the last month if not more. I have given you my life's narrative in the form of lists.

Also, (yes this is my fourth time editing, I'm LISTING again) I am not alone in this list mania. There are other people out there! All you have to do is Google obsession with lists. Is anyone else completely terrified by this epiphany?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Queen of Lists

So when I went home I found lists. Apparently my list making began early on. Now I make lists of things I need to do, and then I made lists of other things like: qualities I want in a husband, 1,000 things that make me happy, etc. Today I would like to begin my new year with a list of things I want to accomplish this summer when I'm no longer swamped with work. Here it goes:

1. Hike & camp in Moab.
2. Take Noah's overly priced road trip.
3. Begin couponing.
4. Read as many books as humanly possible.
5. Make my quilt!
6. Finish certification.
7. Take a picnic, several if possible.
8. GO CAMPING!!!!!!!!!!! Everywhere and anywhere.
9. Build something.
10. Paint, paint, and more paint.
11. Run a long distance.
12. Finally make Noah hike the Y.
13. Eat cupcakes & ice cream and still lose weight. :)
14. Sleep.
15. Run barefoot in the rain.
16. DANCE PAR-TAY EVERY FRIDAY.
17. Read the Old Testament.
18. Volunteer.
19. Trip to Florida.
20. Put my feet in the Pacific Ocean.

I think 18 is a good number to start with. Every time I try to end I come up with something new, see now there are 20. Oh I'm so excited.

What are you going to do? Any suggestions my dear, 8 loyal followers?

Saturday, January 1, 2011

I resolve to...

I know you've read a million blogs by now filled with resolutions, and here's another one. This year I'm going to:

1. Keep all of my organs.
2. Become certified as a legit teacher.
3. Serve Noah more and care less about what he doesn't pick up off the floor.
4. Lose 30 lbs. and reach my goal weight!