Personal Narrative

I am enjoying all of my classes right now but I am finding the most personal satisfaction in my English 1010 class. Initially I was terrified to take this class because I was afraid that the majority of my classmates would be way ahead of me and that I would have to struggle to keep up. I also had some bad experiences in High School that made me feel apprehensive about English as a general rule.

However, I am enjoying my class so much! My instructor is AMAZING, she has a true gift and passion for teaching English. I am very blessed to be in her particular class. I feel like she "gets" and understands me. I have struggled with teachers in the past that have not liked or understood my particular writing style. 

My current teacher has really taught me a lot about how to better stylize my papers and to not be afraid of taking risks. So with my current assignment I have created a metaphor of a clock ticking and how it represents the "strikes" I internally give myself. I am so critical of myself and I have created a list inside my head of all of the strikes I have against me. Such as my age, I have no direction, my ethnicity , etc. All strikes against me as I struggle to fit in with those around me. This is not what I originally wanted to expose about myself and yet, my teacher told me that she wanted me to take a risk. I showed her want I originally had written and she was extremely kind and helpful but helped me to see that I needed to tell the "real" story. I feel so vulnerable as I explore and evaluate my feelings and thoughts. I am however pleasantly surprised with what I have written thus far. I am grateful for the gentle nudge of my English teacher!

Growing Pains

Bill and I have lived in Married Student Housing for gulp--7 years and that entire time we have been in a Married Student Ward. We have enjoyed the associations and people we have met and befriended in the past 7 years. We have had some amazing experiences and we are grateful for the fond memories we have from the 5th and 19th ward.

However recently with 5 neices and nephews being born in a three month period we have spent a lot of time at baby blessings this summer. When the deacons in my parents ward stood up to pass the sacrament Liam was concerned that such young men were passing the sacrament. He has never seen anyone younger then 25 pass the sacrament. He was fascinated with seeing lots of kids and people of varying ages. He didn't know that "grammys" and "papas" went to church! So Bill and I have made a very grown up decision to start attending the family ward. We have gone for the past 2 weeks and we have really enjoyed the experience. Liam loves seeing so many kids and he has peaked into Primary and can hardly wait until December for when he will be in Primary. He asks if he can, "Sing Jesus song at church ok mom?!" Though we are attending a different ward with new people to meet one thing remains the same, the gospel. Though you may be attending church in a family ward versus a singles ward or even in a ward in a different part of the world the gospel is what remains the same. The gospel of Christ is unwavering and unchanging. I am grateful for this reminder! My life is changing so much right now and I am grateful that I can rely on one thing to always remain the same and constant. The gospel. I am grateful for this constancy in my life. It is seriously my life line right now as I am a little afraid of how I am going to handle all of the demands that will be put on me with me returning to school and work this Fall!

Lucky!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all! I hope this has been a great St. Patty's Day! I just wanted to share a few reasons why I feel like a lucky girl:

1. I am married to such an amazing man! Bill is truly my best friend and greatest supporter. Since the end of January he has been called upon to make huge sacrifices for me and I am eternally grateful for the love he has shown to me as he supports me through some personal challenges. He makes me smile every day he also makes my heart swell with love and gratitude. I am so lucky (blessed-really) to have him as my eternal companion. I love you so much, thank you for your love, support, and friendship.
2. I am the mother of the most amazing child. Liam has blessed and enriched our home so much. He has enhanced our marriage and made both Bill and I sigh with happiness and joy. I love being Liam's mother, he teaches me each day so many important life and eternal truths. I love you Liam and am so lucky to be your mom!
3. I am so grateful for my in-laws! My mother and father-in-law have been supporting Bill, Liam and I as I am working hard through some personal struggles. They have opened their hearts and home to us and are loving us through it all! They truly are the essence of Christ-like love, I love you both so much thank you for your love and support!
4. I am so lucky to have the worlds greatest friends! I have such amazing friends that bless me and support me through the highs and lows of life. I love you all so much, thanks!
5. I am so lucky to have my religion. I have a strong testimony and belief system. I am grateful for the Savior and his atonement. He is my strength and my foundation!

I am a lucky girl who is really just very blessed to have so much love and support. I am so grateful for all that I have!

Down In The Dumps

This entire week has been Spring Break for us here at USU. I know I should be so happy since it was a much needed week off for my husband but the gym which I go to was closed this entire week for renovations. I have been trying to go for long walks (in the rain), do workout videos, and online instructions but aggghhhhh!!!! I miss my workout routine in the gym! I hadn't realized just how much I was getting from going to the gym and working out every day. I am feeling sore and my back aches, my legs are feeling week and I am more out of breath....agghh! Not to mention that dedicated "me" time where I get to be truly alone with my own thought's and to think things through. I never in a million years thought I would be depressed because I couldn't go to the gym! Pretty funny actually, but all the same I am sad today as I am counting down the days until the gym opens again on Monday morning. I guess that's another irony, I think I am the only person on the planet looking forward to Spring Break ending and for Monday to come!!

Love, Love, and More Love!

I have been so blessed to have friends that support me, a husband that loves me and cares for me more then I deserve and in-laws that love me like I am their own flesh and blood and a son that is truly my greatest joy and inspiration. I am overwhelmed by the love and support that I have in my life! Thanks to each of you that read this blog; I am grateful for your love, support, comments, and words of encouragement, I love you all so much. Thanks for the love, I am so grateful for it! While I am basking in the love, tell me what are your plans for Valentines day? Do you have any special plans, traditions, or hopes for the day? Liam and I have been making Valentines that he will delivery to some friends and send to his cousins. I have been creating a special valentine for Bill that I will share with you via this blog after I give it to him on V-Day. Each year Bill and I make each other a hand made valentine and make a romantic dinner together. Usually finger foods such as crusty bread, brie, grapes, shrimp, fruit, chicken, chocolate and stawberries, that kinda thing. We then dine on the living room floor on a blanket (pretending that we are some where warm and having a romantic picnic) and then share with each other favorite memories of our years together. (We used to go out to dinner but way to many people do the same thing and its not any fun, to stressful!! So we have a fun and romantic evening at home!) What are your plans?? Got any great ideas?