I DID IT!

I have successfully made three things out of whole wheat flour! I know it seems like such a small feat, but I am so excited. I am trying to use healthier ingredients in my cooking and it hasn't been that hard. I am grateful for sisters that have done this before and share insights and recipes. I have made whole wheat pancakes, cookies with whole wheat and other healthier sweeteners, and now tonight I made banana nut muffins with whole wheat. I am so proud of myself.
I am so grateful for the sun outside and the wonderful feelings of energy and excitement that comes with it! I look forward to an active spring and summer and a healthier diet!

Markets, Dating, and the Little Piggies

I was reading my friend's blog and came across this old post. I absolutely LOVE it!! It is a must read!

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My roommates and I were discussing our frustration with the dating market one night after one of us had had a particularly bad first date. We’d enlisted a little expert advice from some delightful—if not fair weather—friends, Ben and Jerry. As we discussed the ins and outs of the dating market, a childhood story came to mind.

When I was a little girl, every night before I went to bed, my dad would swoop me up in his arms, cuddle me a bit, then grab one of my flailing feet, and tell me the timeless tale of the little piggies that went to market.

For those of us who aren’t early childhood development scholars, in the story, each toe represents a piggie, and each little piggie has its own animation to accompany the storytelling. I hope all of you were so lucky as to have heard about those little piggies. But in case you need a refresher, here’s the story in its entirety.

This little piggie went to market,

This little piggie stayed home.

This little piggie had roast beef,

This little piggie had none.

And this little piggie went wee wee wee wee (the number of “wees” is entirely subjective) all the way home.

A great story. It still brings a smile to my face. But now I wonder if there isn’t a more adult application to that tale of the little piggies and their market.

It appears that all those little piggies were aware of the market and their need to shop there. The first little piggie just up and went. No questions, no messing around, no “hanging out.” She went straight to that market with her shopping list of necessary qualities in a spouse and hightailed it to the express lane when she found Mr. Right.

The second never put herself out there. She just stayed home. And while there’s something to be said for a good market-free night at home, I wonder if later in life, that little piggie regretted never even trying. She missed out on the shopping experience of finding the sudden, unexpected, yet totally pleasant surprise waiting in aisle three.

The third little piggie, like the first, also seemed to find what she was looking for (i.e. roast beef—and who doesn’t want a hunk of beef ladies? Be honest.) But the next one got nothing. Why is that? What made the third little piggie more deserving than the fourth? Did she beat the fourth to the early-bird special? Was she a preferred customer? Or maybe, the fourth little piggie only thought she wanted roast beef, but needed to spend some more time in the market to realize, really, she’s more of a filet mignon kind of girl.

And the last one just cried all the way home. I think we’ve all been there. Those painful, tear-inducing dates or relationships that make us want to march right back to that market, and demand restitution with promised threats of burning the establishment to the ground.

What is the secret to success at the market then? I don’t pretend to be any sort of expert, that’s why I hang out with Ben and Jerry every now and again. But it seems like the most successful shopping trips start with a list of what we want (as much as we all hate to think that). And the more we go to the market, the better we’ll be at fine-tuning that list. Still, I always enjoy a little spontaneity at the market. If something comes along that catches my eye that wasn’t on my list, why not put it in my basket and try it out?

If you go to market—best of luck to you. May you find the choice hunk of prime roast beef you seek. And may you be blessed with coupons and all sorts of daily specials. But if your roast beef doesn’t live up to it’s A grade, or if the market is fresh out of your favorite bovine morsel, don’t be afraid to come back another day. Or, if you don’t go to market for a day, if you decide to stay home and postpone your trip to the market for the sake of your sanity, so be it. Luckily for all of us, the market never closes.

Speeding ticket = roses!!

This morning on the way to work I was going with the flow of traffic and as I came around a corner and the speed limit decreased by 5 miles per hour a cop clocked me before I could slow down and gave me a ticket! FOR 5 OVER!!! I was so dissapointed that I called my husband to complain. I was feeling sooooooo terrible about it. Especially because speeding tickets are not cheap! I also I realized I forgot my backpack at home and I had class after work. So what does Rick do? He worked out his classes for the morning and took the time to bring me my bag.

The best part is, when I came out of work to meet him at the car to get my bag he stepped out of the car with something colorful in his hands. ROSES! He brought me a dozen gorgeous roses which cheered me up from my terrible morning! I was so happy!

Aren't they gorgeous?

Moral of the story is: If you want your husband to get your flowers just get a speeding ticket. jk

Mr. Wonderful

Today I was feeling sick at work and getting discouraged because I am stressed about lots of little things. I was snappy with my husband this morning and having a hard day, but this is why my husband is so amazing.... he wasn't upset with me he just worked extra hard at finding something that would cheer me up. So... he calls me when he was on his lunch break and I asked where he was going for lunch. He didn't want to tell me, but finally admitted he was going to a health store to get this shake mix shaker thing I have been wanting all week. He went out of his way to go get this for me so that I could have what I wanted. What a sweet heart!!

He is always making sure I am happy and comfortable. I don't deserve such good treatment! Rick is so selfless and kind. Poor man has to deal with my emotions, but he does it so well.

Sometimes Heavenly Father gives you not only what you need, but what you want!

I struggle to find the words to express my gratitude for the kindness my Father in Heaven has showed my husband and I. We are renting a seasonal basement apartment (the owners have a pool and want the basement to be open for family and visitors that have come to swim during the summer so they don't rent it during the hotter months) and have to be out by the end of May. I knew it would be hard to find a place that would be in this area, Bountiful, and this price range so I began hunting about a month and a half ago. Week after week went by with nothing that worked with our finances or location. I was getting very anxious and was beginning to lose hope that there was something in Bountiful that would work for us.

Just last Thursday night Rick and I talked a great deal about moving our finances around to allow for a higher rent so that our options could open up. The next day we found a one bedroom apartment that would work for us and was semi "cheap"... not really, but we knew it would probably be the cheapest we could find for Bountiful. The only problem was that there were no apartments, but one that was opening up in two weeks and we had to jump on it to get in there.

Well on Sunday I told a member of the bishopric that we would probably need to be releases next week because we were moving. He was disappointed, but understood and we all went on our merry ways for the rest of church.

After Primary I was standing outside the bishop's office to tell him personally that we were moving and as he walked out of his office he spoke before I could get a word in, "I heard you are leaving us! You can't... you see... I found you a basement apartment!" He said as he pointed to a man that followed him out of his office. I knew Bishop knew we were looking for a place, but he obviously was putting forth a lot of effort to help us out and it seemed to have paid off. I was a little hesitant because I didn't know if this apartment was decent, or how big it was, etc. Well, we made arrangements to follow this man and his wife home and take a tour of their basement apartment.

As we pulled up the house I realized that these guys were loaded! They took us inside and down some steps into their "basement", but since the house is on a hill it is hardly a basement at all. There is lots of light because all the windows are normal height and size and our entrance comes in off the back patio which is level with the backyard. Anyway, I was amazed at how gorgeous this home was.

Let me describe this apartment:
- Large living room with built in natural wood shelving and a nook for their big screen TV which stays there. There is also a large black leather sectional which stays there also.
-A full kitchen with tons of cupboard room. Nice tile floor, a full fridge and freezer, a dishwasher, and a dining room table which stays there.
-A very large Master Bedroom with a built in desk and a large closet. We are finally able to use our bedroom furniture (the only furniture we own).
-A second bedroom with a large closet that we can use as a guest bedroom or, and the wife already okay'd this possibility, a baby’s room in the future.
-A nice nice bathroom with a tub/shower... I think. I actually didn't go inside the bathroom, but it looked nice. It had a fancy sink!
-A small laundry room with a washer and dryer already in it for just our use.
-And... outside our part of the basement there is a room that the wife said I could use if I wanted... an exercise room with a bike, treadmill, and much much more!

Isn't that amazing?! And!!!!!..... they aren't in it for the money and so we agreed on a price that will work for our budget!!! woo hoo!!!!!!!!

I just know that Heavenly Father lined this up and is showing us blessings beyond our comprehension! I am so grateful for his love and kindness he has shown my husband and I!!

We move in May 1st!