This is me challenge #2

The Challenge: What are some choices in your life that affected where you are now?

I have often thought about the choices I have made in my life and how I ended up where I am. After high school I decided to attend Snow college. I was miserable at first, because I didn't know many people and I felt very uncomfortable. After an apartment change, things went much better for me. I loved my school experience even the rough patches. They shaped who I am today. It was at Snow that I took the EMT courses. I loved the EMT classes and instructors. It was hard, but I made it. I worked as an EMT for 10 years and it really helped me to gain confidence and feel like I was making a difference in the world. After graduating from Snow college, I chose to live at home and attend UVSC (now UVU). I had a professor there that I loved and I remember him asking me if I would be a nanny for his daughter. She lived in Chicago and had some health problems which made it so she could not be home alone with her small children. If I would help her during the day, they would pay for me to go to school at night. I struggled with that choice for a while. Chicago has one of the best nursing programs in the United states. I finally prayed about it and decided to stay home. I have often wondered where I would be had I have taken that job. Living at home was a hard choice, but only because I had lived on my own for two years. I ended up going to a singles ward and meeting lots of new friends. I even met Ben there. I was getting restless and was trying to decide whether or not to go on a mission. Then I met Ben. We dated for a short time and were married a few months later. We have been married for 10 years and have three beautiful little girls who have changed our lives forever. Ben and I have been through rough times, but I am still glad I chose to marry him. Other choices I have made such as having children and being a stay at home mom have made me who I am today. I'm grateful for the choices I have made and that I am where I am today.

This is Me challenge #1

The Challenge: If you were forced to go back in time to the olden days, but were allowed to take 10 modern conveniences with you, what would you take?
I've been reading the Little house on the prairie books with Sydnee and I have really come to appreciate how much I have. I am truly spoiled and have so much. Technology is such a wonderful thing!

Taking the challenge

My friend Emily came up with an awesome idea. She has started a blog called this is me challenge. She has a new challenge each week on something to write about that will help you write your personal history. I love this idea and so I am going to take the challenge and try to keep up. You can take the challenge too. Check out the link on the side bar.

Miss Independent

no more high chair

Maren has really become independent over the last few months. She watches everyone around her and has to be just like the big kids. About two months ago she refused to sit in her high chair. She threw a huge fit and arched her back and screamed. She now sits up to the table in a special chair. She likes to have regular utensils, not the plastic kid safe ones. She insists on feeding herself which makes for really big messes. She likes to have little jobs to do. She takes her clothes and shoes to her room and puts them in the hamper. She likes to help me push laundry into the dryer and she loves to sweep the kitchen floor and throw things in the trash. Maren is a very strong willed little girl. She takes after her mother for sure.

April in a nut shell

April has flown by way too fast and I feel like I have been running non-stop. I haven't been good about taking pictures or keeping up, so here is my attempt at catching up.

• Celebrated 10 year wedding anniversary
• Celebrated Sydnee's 6th birthday
• Loved watching and listening to general conference.
• Spring break-1 week of having the kids home
• Shopping trip with Aunt Camille, my first purchase due to a child breaking something (thanks Maren)
• Trip to Kangaroo Zoo with 5 kids in tow ( I had to check my sanity at the door)
• Addy and Sydnee had a sleep over with Aunt Camille
• Lots of dates with my honey
  
• Made 3 batches of strawberry jam, my first time to do this
• Survived the kindergarten Easter party which I was in charge of
• Had a wonderful Easter weekend with 2 egg hunts and 2 family dinners
• Helped with the kindergarten walk-a-thon
• Worked a lot on girls camp, I'm getting more excited every day

I'm sure there is more and that I'm missing something, oh well. I hope my kids don't mind that I didn't get any pictures of them at the Easter egg hunt or in their new dresses.

Blahhg part 2

Blogger was having issues the other day and so the second post I wrote wouldn't save or publish. Grrrrrrr! So, after my last kind of negative post, here is a little more positive one. I have really been struggling, I won't bore anyone with the details. I was feeling hurt and angry and sad. We just got a new home teacher and a few weeks ago he came and shared President Uchtdorf's message about seeing the good. I know it was the message for the month, but I think it was written just for me. The whole March and April Ensigns were written just for me. I took a step back and I have really been trying to see the good in life, even the crummy moments. For now I am trying to remember to see the good and pull myself out of this hole I've been in.

Blahhg...

I've been in a funk and really struggling for about a month now. I've felt pretty bad and just plain blah! I've been having some issues and wondering if I have any true friends in the world. It's funny, I never thought I would have friend issues as an adult. I'm starting to feel a little better, I think I know who my real friends are and I'm trying to pull myself out of this place I've been lately. Because of the blah's, I just haven't felt like blogging. So, since this is my only journal I keep, I guess I better at least record a few things. Onward and upward!