Living on Love

Yesterday morning Carl made us a tad late getting out the door for work and such. The reason?

He wanted to dance with me! :)

He put on Michael Buble's "Smile" and started leading me in an impromptu jive around out bedroom (We had just watched Dancing with the Stars)! Then he put on another song to rumba to which I exclaimed, "We're going to be late!!"

I love my husband. Immensely :)

For those of you who would also like to jive with your significant other :)

A Realization

During Neil L. Andersen's talk during General Conference, he mentioned that President Monson would frequently remind the brethren to think "what would Jesus do?" I immediately asked Carl if he recalled those bracelets that kids would wear with the acronym "WWJD?" Isn't it crazy--and slightly frightening--what the trend is now? We are not encouraged to ponder what Jesus would do in a situation; rather, it is encouraged that we live our life on the edge without holding back. Popular songs ask us to not uphold obligations, get drunk, and experiment with sex and drugs. In just 15 years or so our world has lost the mentality of thinking what Jesus Christ would do: give service, visit the sick and afflicted, be missionaries to friends and strangers--essentially forget ourselves in the lives of others. He is who we strive to be like every single day of our lives.

Are you remembering to be Christlike?

A night at the theater! ...Actually, two nights.

For Christmas, my parents were ever so kind and purchased gift cards to Derby Dinner Playhouse for Carl and I to see a play! It took us awhile to find a good time to go, and ironically we made reservations for the same weekend as my sister's musical! Our weekend as follows:

Friday, March 23: Angela and Autumn starred in South Oldham High School's "Beauty and the Beast"! Okay, they weren't technically the stars, but you know I watched only them when they were on stage. :) Yes, the main characters were there too, but I would constantly point out for Carl and Amelia "Look, there's Angela!" or "Can you see Autumn?" I always felt like I had to search for Autumn, and she would always be on top of a platform. I don't know how I would miss her in the first place :P Angela played a silly girl, a dancing knife, and a mobster. I loved watching her as the mobster; she looked like she was going to really kill someone ;) Autumn was a villager and a dancing fork! I loved how she would always interact with her fellow villagers; such a cute performer!

TINES! ;)

Me and Tim!

Saturday, March 24: We ended up seeing a performance titled "Smokey Joe's Cafe" at Derby Dinner Playhouse. I was a little hesitant because, as you might be able to tell, this was going to be a performance with nothing but oldies hits from the '40s and '50s. When it comes to music, I'm game for almost everything BUT oldies. It just never struck a cord with me. I ended up loving the show, and Carl and I came away singing a few tunes :) I've been to Derby Dinner in the past, and I have never been disappointed with their shows. Their charisma, playfulness, and professionalism just make it so easy and entertaining to watch.

(No pictures; I didn't want to get in trouble!)

Needless to say, we had a fabulous weekend :)

Me, Myself, I

One of my New Year's resolutions was to document personal insights about myself. I have only half kept this resolution; I have pondered about different things that I react to, think about, talk about, but I haven't actually written it down on paper. We'll call this post entry 1 towards this resolution.

I wanted to be a teacher since elementary school. At least, I remember thinking my third grade class, 'I want to grow up and be a teacher.' Needless to say, I declared my major in education at BYU-Idaho and now have a degree in English Education. (Because of state requirements, I have not switched my Idaho teaching certificate to Kentucky because we don't know where we are going to end up in life. Who knows if it would be worth the time and money to take extra tests and pay crazy fees?) So I am tutoring at Huntington Learning Center and substitute teaching.

I think people's favorite adjective to describe me is "sweet." While that is very sweet of them to say, I'm realizing as an educator you cannot always be "sweet." There is a time for niceness and a time for firmness. I can't believe after my degree is all said and done I am just now finding this out. :P Lately, I've been feeling like my personality isn't fit for a teacher. Because I am so patient, I can easily get walked over. I've been feeling like people don't respect me because they can see I'll be lenient. I had a kind of crazy experience this past Tuesday, and all but fell apart to Carl.

Long story short, after a long (and tearful) conversation I realized that a teaching career is still for me. I don't think anyone is totally made out for their career choice even if it is their dream job. Life will always throw that curve ball and keep you on your toes. For me, this career will help me not let people walk over me. Just because I'm a nice person doesn't mean I can't stand up for myself. People will still like me even if I am firm sometimes.

Good discovery, eh? :)

FUNNY QUOTE FROM CARL FROM TUESDAY NIGHT: "You always decide how you act? Really? So Tuesday morning you woke up and said, 'Tonight I want to have a good cry. Just a good, uncontrollable, nonsensical cry. Twenty, thirty minutes tops. And then question my entire career choice and rethink my life. Okay! I'm ready to seize the day! Break!'" :)

Sorry, Ben Franklin, it's just too much!

Carl and I are about to revert to using candles. Yup, just like in the good 'ole days! Ben Franklin's discovery might have been great 1700s, but in 2012 opening the electricity bill is too big a hardship!




Ick, I really hate bills. It's the one kind of mail you don't want waiting for you in your mailbox. In Idaho (where is it much much colder and for a longer period of time) we barely paid anything for our gas and electric. We had a pretty good system going on! Now in Kentucky, where is it not as cold and we really aren't home as much, we are paying a fortune. I'm not sure how the system is different between the two states, but you can bet we will be praying for warmer weather in the near future!

Forgive me for my ranting, but it was much needed for my soul. Today's secret of happiness? Live somewhere super warm ;)

The Perks of Being an Aunt

I love love love love love love love love babies! Or anything little for that matter. And Ashley Phenix has just delivered the cutest little girl in the world! (At least in my humble opinion.) I was able to go visit little Madilyn and her family in the hospital this morning, and now I really want one of my own! :) Below are a couple pictures I was able to take while visiting. The Phenix family is the cutest family in the world, and I am one proud aunt!

Madilyn Day Phenix

He didn't quite grasp the fact that he has a little sister. I still love him equally :)

I know, the cutest!!

My beautiful sister!

Did I mention that this baby is stinkin' cute? ;)

Technological Musings

So I almost labeled this post "A Crisis," but decided that would be be a bit dramatic, but... I did just lose my phone :( I am seriously one of the most forgetful people in the world, and I really have been doing quite well keeping track of my belongings. I'm guessing I somehow let my phone slip and fall on the ground while coming into our apartment, and now it is gone. I hope whoever took it instead of turning it in to the manager enjoys it because I LOVED MY PHONE! Anyways. Now, I know all is not lost and I can get a new one, but it's still a little disheartening not to have a faithful side kick in my back pock at all times.

It is ironic that yesterday--when I thought I just forgot my phone at home--I was thinking about how dependent we are on our technological devices. And seriously, all would agree that they probably rely too much on their phone/computer/iPad/etc. I remember the days when it would suffice to simply call my boyfriend on the house phone once a night. No texting, no picture messaging, just one call. Are we so dependent--not so much on our phones--but on feeling connected every second of the day? I still felt connected to my boyfriend who received the once-a-night phone call. So what's the difference? Are we no longer confident in our own thoughts, opinions, and ideas? Perhaps in this ever changing world we need to feel that we're not alone. It's a rather bizarre thought to have.

I didn't have a very high-tech phone. I only used it for calling, texting, and an occasional picture message. It just feels strange to not instantly text my sister when I have a question or text Carl during the work day to see how he is doing. My phone allows me to be connected to my family and that's all that really matters to me; they are my number one priority in life.

What are you connected to?