And the new Relief Society Secretary is......

That would be me!? I am still not sure if I am excited or not. I know I got this calling for a reason so I said yes, and when I was set apart I was blessed with, drum roll please.......... organizational skills!!!!! YEAH! My house will not suffer anymore, it will no longer be neglected, or my husband will be the new organizer (or I will finally get off my bum and clean it, that would work!) Honestly I am already feeling overwhelmed and I just got set apart. I am going to need a lot of help! (which may include the occasional, dare I admit it, coca cola) JP once told me that his patriartical blessing says he will not get any major callings. I think it says that because I get all the major callings. Don't get me wrong, there is not small calling, we all feel inadequate at times and think why am I here? But this is my second time in a Relief Society presidency since I got married. Last time I was first counselor, so I will take secretary any day! I told JP today that because I get the major callings and he doesn't then he needs to be very supportive of me and realize I may not always be able to make dinner (like I needed an excuse!?), or go out of town, etc., etc. Of course he just smiled as big as he could and said it's a deal! Like he really had a choice!? When I was meeting with the bishop he did ask JP if he would be supportive and help me when needed and of course JP said yes. Then the Bishop also said that may include massaging my feet after I go out visiting. Hum, I really like that idea, can that be included in any calling I get from now on?

Late night redecorating

JP and his dad went to Cabelas the other night. When they got home they sat in the drive way talking for a long time. By the time JP came inside I was asleep. About one in the morning I wake up kind of startled. I roll over and JP is not in bed. I get up and go into the living room. I asked what he was doing up so late and he said he couldn't sleep so he decided to redecorate. He rearranged the whole room all by himself. The next day I was surprised he was able to walk and move because he moved a turtle cage plus stand, a fish tank plus stand, piano (which thankfully has wheels!), and a couch. He was surprised he could move too!

Emotions

Over the past couple of weeks I have felt many different emotions. Some good and some bad. But the best emotion I felt was unconditional love from people I have known for a long time and some I had just met. It is amazing how someone can love you and care for you so much and just met you. I am also very thankful for those people who helped me laugh. Last night JP and I were talking and I need to get a pot for a new plant I purchased. I decided to just paint one I already had. JP looked and me and smiled and said "Just don't paint it in the sink." To which I smiled wide and said "It is OK to paint it in the sink, just not right next to the pilot light of the stove!" To JP's family who is reading this, you know the story. To those who don't, I think I will just keep this a family thing, sorry.
JP is doing very well for all those who have asked and expressed your sympathy. I am the one who is not doing OK. I already cried at everything and now it is worse. Last night we were watching TV and one of the characters of the show we were watching died. I was a mess. I keep thinking about the phone call and all the emotions that swept over me at that time. I am SO glad my husband is so strong! And I am very appreciative for all you who care! And I am VERY thankful for my sister Kimberly, you know why!!!!!!!!!!

5 guys, a girl, and her dad

My dad and I tried the 5 guys hamburger place today. I really enjoyed it. A lot of people have compared it too In and Out but I think they are very different. The only way they are the same is their hamburgers are fresh. I got the cheeseburger with mayo, mustard, onions, lettuce, tomato, and green peppers. Yup, that's right green peppers. It was REALLY good and I would go back for another. They don't peel the potatoes before they cook them. They also have peanuts you can serve up for yourself. I would suggest you give it a try, that is if you eat meat!

Tub-o-gun

You know when you play games and sometimes the person whose turn it is cannot read the word. We were playing Catch Phrase with my family last night and my sister Whitney got the word Toboggan. Well she didn't know what it was so she clicked to the next word then the timer went off. When we asked what the word was she said 'tub-o-gun'. We all started laughing. She was really good at getting people to guess things even if she said the wrong clue and thought the word was something different then what it really was; ie. naval or petty cash. It was really entertaining. And as Cheney games go it got REALLY loud at times (remember we are very competitive!!) I was sitting next to Whitney and every once in awhile she would hit me in the arm. I started hitting her back because it was annoying me. We finally called a truce, due to the fact we could not feel out arms anymore. I love playing games with my family!

Conversation on Sunday mornings

Every Sunday morning JP and I have the same conversation. It goes like this...

JP: "What time is church? Is it eleven or eleven thirty?"
Me: "Eleven thirty."

You see, church has only started at eleven thirty since the beginning of the year but JP always forgets. I kind of confuse him too because I wake up around eight thirty because I don't want to sleep in too much. Then he freaks out that I am ready to go and he is still in bed. So I have to reassure him that church does not start until eleven thirty so he has time to get ready, or he can sleep in more which is usually the case!

Thank you everyone

Thanks to everyone for all your love and support the past week. It was and has been a trying time. Thank you to those whose came to the viewing to show your support, for the cards in the mail, the phone calls, and to those who came to the service yesterday. It was a beautiful day and the service was very well done. All of Diane's children talked and they all did a very good job. It is unfair that Diane had to leave this earth at such a young age but to know that so many people loved her and cared about her and that all those people love and care about her children makes this sort of easier. I know it will take some time for JP to really say good by but knowing that he will see his mom again helps him. I am VERY thankful for the Plan of Salvation and the gospel. Most of all I am VERY thankful to all of you who care!!!!!!!!

Can you hear me now?

JP FINALLY got a new cell phone last night. I convinced him to purchase the blue tooth because of him always traveling and it would make life easier for him. (too bad I can't get commission from Verizon for this because he did not want it at all. Since when does a wife convince her husband to spend more money?!) Today JP has been figuring his phone out. First he got on the computer and downloaded lots of songs to his phone. Then he tried to hook up his blue tooth and for about 15 minutes the conversation went like this..
JP: "Honey call me on my phone."
I call and he doesn't answer. Of course he is in the next room so I yell to him "It doesn't help if you don't answer your phone!"
JP: "Call me again."
I call him and you all know how the conversation goes; "Can you hear me now?" "No." "Now?" "No." "Can you hear me now?" "No" I hang up.
JP: "Call me again."
Me: I am sending a text to my sister and tell him in a minute.
JP: "Are you calling me?"
Me: "No, I am texting my sister."
JP: "Call me."
Me: "I am busy. OK I am calling you now."
JP: "Hello, can you hear me?"
Me: "No."
JP: "Oh, wait I didn't have my blue tooth on. Call me again."
Me: "Fine."
And thankfully this time it worked. So remember when you purchase a blue tooth make sure you turn it on before you try to use it!

Cheap date night, and very entertaining!!

Last night JP, John, and I went to Verizon to get JP a new phone. Apparently Mondays are VERY busy. We did not know this before we went. We walk in and start looking at the phones. JP checks in for someone to help him and we keep looking. We look at every phone in the place and are going through for the second time when I get the idea to take pictures of JP and John on all the phones. All phones now have cameras and I was bored. So I go to work. Then they started in too and next thing you know we have pictures of all three of us on half the phones in the place. Then JP went through and changed the wallpaper on the phones to one of the pictures. We were laughing so hard. I thought for sure we were going to get kicked out but they were so busy they had no idea. We ended up leaving after about 30 minutes because we weren't getting any help. I was worried they were going to get mad at us but what would they have done, kicked us out and not helped us? Well they weren't helping us anyway so that would have been fine. So next time you want some very cheap entertainment check out your nearest Verizon store (Mondays are very busy so that night works well!) and have some fun, but please keep the pictures rated G!

Diane Bennett

I know this is a very informal way of letting everyone know but JP's mom, Diane, passed away on Saturday. It was not expected and came as a shock. It is painful to see the hurt her children are going through now. It hurts me to see the pain my husband is going through. All I do is hold him and let him cry. I have no idea what to say or do. JP apologizes for crying. I tell him I don't care because crying is a way or mourning and he is in a lot of pain right now. I know she is in a better place and now she feels no pain. But that does not make this any easier. I as SO glad that JP and his siblings are so close. It has been nice to see them get together and work through this together. They give each other so much support and comfort that I as a wife can't. I don't truly understand the pain they are in but they do. They have gotten together a lot the past couple of days and they cry and laugh and just enjoy each others company. If anything this tragedy is making the kids relationship with each other stronger.

Insomnia

It is currently 5:20 in the morning and I have been up for almost an hour. I rolled around in bed for awhile but could not fall back asleep and right now I am WIDE awake. THIS SUCKS!!!! I have not been sleeping well for the past couple of nights. You see I have self induced insomnia because of thinking too much. Remember when I said I try not to over analyze things, well that was a load of crap. Not only do I over analyze things, I refrain from saying what I really want too to keep from hurting peoples feelings I barely know. Case in point, I was called a few weeks ago to temp at a office. Once there I was talking to one of the other girls and found out they were hiring for two days a week. To make a long story as short as I can I went and temped one more time and the girl pretty much told me I had the job and she would call me that Friday or Monday. This was weird as the dentist had not interviewed me and said all of maybe two words to me in the two days I was there. Well they never called so I said OK and was looking other places. Well they called me finally on Wednesday afternoon and wanted me to come in again because the dentist didn't remember who I was (can we say RED flag?!). I had temped there twice before and he could not remember who I was because he never talked to me. Anyways I went in yesterday and they offered me the job. Problem is I had decided through out the day that the job would be nice but the office was not a good fit for me. You know how some things bug you and you tell yourself you will get over it but you know darn well sure you won't? That is how some things were there and I knew those things would not change and my attitude wouldn't either. So instead of telling them while I was there I tell them I will call them on Monday. I barely know these people, they can't even remember my name and I could not just say NO. I think it is because I am worried I won't find something else but the thing is I know I will eventually, especially if I really start looking. JP can' understand why I didn't say no. He tells me I say no to him all the time, so it can't be too hard. Yes I say no to him but that is because he wants to buy another rental, or trade in my car for another, or buy lots of candy, etc, etc. Those things are easy to say no too because they cost money. A job pays you money. You see there is a big difference. (and for the record he still does whatever he wants regardless of what I say! He will get mad I made this comment though so keep this our little secret! What am I talking about, my whole blog is a secret, in fact he has no idea what I write about on here. I do love him though regardless of those moments of not thinking and purchasing. We all have those moments, mine just hang in my closet very nicely and don't cost nearly as much as his!!!) So thanks for reading and please refrain from leaving comments for me to just say no as I cannot spend another night not sleeping and am going to call later today to tell them I cannot take the job. I WANT TO SLEEP!!!!!

A Tale of a Dog in Heat

I know gross, yuck, euuww, and other words. But this blog is about things happening with me and my family and so I thought I would share. Besides your reading it even after you saw the title! JP and I got Molly a year ago. She was so cute, and still is. We never took her in to get fixed because 1) we were lazy and 2) JP's dad wanted to see if she was a good hunting dog first. Well after much thought I have decided it is time to get her fixed. Who wants to hunt with a dog in heat anyways!?

So Molly is in heat right now. It is pretty funny because she will hump Baileys head and get all mad at him if he ignores her. Then she will put her butt right in front of him and if he backs up, she will back up too to stay right next to him. The poor guy can't catch a break right now. Molly has turned into a crazy humping dog. I just laugh and think Yes we do need to take her in to get fixed, if anything so she stops tormenting Bailey so much. My floors have never been so clean though, as I follow Molly around with 409 and paper towels (more yuck, gross and eeuwww but I love her). Molly has actually grown fond of the taste of 409 so I had to stop using that. She has only been in heat one other time but both times she has turned into crazy dog, more then usual. I just hope she forgives me for getting her fixed. I am sure she will be mad at me, but give her a treat or new toy and she will forgive me! The way to forgiveness is through the stomach, isn't that the way to a mans heart too? See, food CAN cure things!!

Growing up

Over the last year or so I have become better about my insecurities. I have become to realize you can really only control so much and the rest is out of your hands. Of course this does not mean I don't fret about the things I cannot control, as many of you know because I have talked to you about them. This just means that I accept that sometimes things happen for a reason and I may never know that reason (I still try to figure it out sometimes though). I have grown up a lot the past couple of years. I accomplished a huge goal I had when I graduated from hygiene school. Now that school is over and I am working I make other goals. I learned a lot about myself while in school. I did not know I could be pushed so hard and survive. But being pushed so hard made me grow and become stronger so I could take on more. That being said I don't wont to be pushed that hard again! I am more comfortable with who I am and because I am I try harder. Failures happen and trials come but because I am more comfortable with me they do not break me. I know this sound funny but I finally know what I want in life and who I want to be and with that comes power. Power to try and fail, to not be who everyone else wants me to be but who I want to be and be confident in that person. I LOVE my husband for helping me realize this and letting me have the experience of going to school and accomplishing that goal. It was hard for both of us and at times for our relationship but we grew together and stronger. I hope I am as supportive of him as he is of me!

Busy Weekend

It is only Saturday afternoon but it has already been a busy weekend. Bailey and I went to the Murray Farmers Market with Jen mom and Ozzy yesterday. We got some Tamales, black berries, apples, and bread. Then last night we went and watched a movie with JP's cousin. They just had a baby and I got to feed him. He is SO cute! Then today I went down to the Greek Festival with my family. We ate lots of yummy food! Then tonight Jamie and I are going to the U of U game. I like busy weekends but I also like lazy weekends too!

The Point of NO Return

No I am not talking about Phantom, although I do like that play and movie, I am talking about me. You see, when I get hungry it gets ugly. I have become very good at warning those around me that I need food. The other day JP and I were out looking for a computer program I wanted. It was already 7:30 when we started looking. We went to Walmart, no luck. They suggested we go to Barnes and Noble, no luck. And a side note here if you take me into Barnes and Noble be prepared to stay for awhile I LOVE to look at the children's books and find cute ones. While at Walmart I mentioned that I was hungry, JP noted this but we trekked on. While at Barnes and Noble I forgot I was hungry and just wandered the children's books for almost 20 minutes. Then we went over to Circuit City, we found what I wanted but it was too much. While at Circuit City I again mentioned I was hungry and if I did not eat soon we would pass the point of no return. When we finally left JP asked me what I wanted, I was too hungry to care because it was now 8:35. I told him to decide and make it quick. He decided he wanted soup so we went to Kneaders. While ordering the guy was getting really annoyed with me because I wanted a bowl of soup and half a sandwich but the half sandwich had to be a make your own and not one on the menu. He did not tell me this and it would have made things A LOT better if he had. So I finally order and we sit down. JP says something and I get mad at him. Our sandwiches come and I inhale mine. I ate every last crumb, which is very unusual for me. JP looked and me and said "You must have been hungry." I told him of course I was and I warned him I was and he knows what can happen when I am hungry. He then told me I looked like I had calmed down and the steam was no longer coming out of my ears. I just looked at him and said "Have fun walking!" I didn't leave him, I was VERY tempted but he would have never forgiven me.
He did learn though. Last night we went to the REAL game with Joseph and Jamie. While driving there I mention I am hungry. My brother called and I asked JP if it was OK if we picked them up. JP looked and me and said "I don't know, my wife is hungry." I ask Joseph if he has any snacks and he said yes hesitantly. I explain I am hungry and if we pick them up then I will need something small to tie me over until we get to the game. You think I have snacks, you should check out Joe and Jamie's. I got some fruit snacks when we picked them up and a crises was averted!

Organized chaos

I am pretty sure that organize is a swear word. Yup about 100% sure. When I say the word I feel like a rock is in my stomach (I am not perfect and yes swear words have been uttered by me, not that I am proud of it) Then when someone else says the word I cringe and want them to take it back. So you see, organize must be a swear word!

I always say I live my life in organized chaos. There is nothing wrong with it, in fact I really like it. My husband thinks differently but as long as he can find what he needs he doesn't complain. I am usaully good at finding what I need even with the chaos too. I have been on a mission per say since I graduated to organize my house. I am not in any way shape or form good at being organized. I think about it, but I am content with my chaos. And that is my problem, I AM LAZY! Yes, I know you can't believe it but I am. I can clean when at work, I can organize at work, but when it comes to my house I fail. I don't let my bathrooms get all nasty and I only let the dishes pile up so much but everything else, well, maybe we do have three dogs and not just two! Where did I go wrong? I think it has to do with the fact that I have too much stuff. I am pretty good at getting rid of things but I am also really good at keeping them because what if I need it later. My house is full of what if stuff and this is what I have concluded, what if will never happen. And if what if does happen it does not cost much to purchase another whatever I may need. Every time we have moved I have purchased more things. We have three bathrooms now for instance and therefor needed more bath mats and those bathrooms needed to be decorated. That is the problem, instead of using what I have I purchase new. See I don't even use my what if stuff anyway! So I am going to be better at getting rid of things I do not need and stop purchasing things I think I need. Yes, this will take will power and lots of effort, but it will be worth it when we move again (which I hope is not for awhile but I did marry a gypsy and who knows when he will be ready to move again!) Wish me luck! And to all of you who too live your life in organized chaos, isn't it wonderful!?!

YOU GO JOSEPH AND JAMIE!!!!!!!!!

Joseph and Jamie participated in a half iron man today. I am way impressed they did it. After the whole thing was over Joseph told all of us there we were going to participate next year so we could walk with him. He had no energy left, and is sick, so he walked the mile run. I told him I felt his pain and understood how he felt. I have never participated in an iron man but I did run a 5K last Thanksgiving and that was eventful. Let's just say being passed by little kids DOES NOT help your self-esteem! But back to Joesph and Jamie, YOU GO!! I cannot believe you willingly put yourself through that and look you survived! Don't get me wrong I like to swim, bike, and run (well sort of like to run, OK tolerate running, OK I HATE RUNNING! There I said it) but to do all three at once maybe not so much. Jamie is talking about doing another one in a couple of weeks. I will cheer her on but don't expect me to participate anytime soon!

Swiss Days

This weekend was Swiss Days and it was a lot of fun. JP and I left Friday afternoon and came home yesterday afternoon. The dogs went with us and they had a lot of fun too. Molly would chase the 4-wheeler around and she made friends with the neighbors dog Claude. This provided lots of energy burning and she slept all through the night! We took up our tent and slept outside. The first night was cold but the second was warm. It rained the second night but we did not get wet. When not down checking out all the booths at Swiss Days, or eating there, we hung out at the cabin. We played cards, watched tv and talked. Joseph and Jamie came up too on Friday night. If you have never been to Swiss Days it is worth the drive to Midway for the food! YUMMY! The bratwurst and sauerkraut is so good, and if you are not into that they have chicken sandwiches too, or Swiss tacos. The pie and ice cream is really good as well as the scones. (see worth it for the food) It is also worth it to go to the parade because you will leave with a bag full of candy. (My bag would have been fuller but I ate some candy while watching the parade. I would suggest eating breakfast before you leave to prevent this!)