Headaches and Joy

Yesterday was full of headaches and joy. ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Who knew that was even a possibility?

Tuesday night I had a really bad migraine. [Don't even worry. The Armitsteads took good care of me. Thanks, guys!] So yesterday I was experiencing the "aftershock." This includes a blurry brain and small headaches off and on throughout the day.

Work was a zoo. We normally have 25 kids on a busy day. Yesterday we had 50 [and we were short one member of our staff.] There were some deeply gashed knees [Hopefully there won't be stitches required...], a bad case of heat exhaustion, jammed fingers, and a WHOLE LOT of messes. [And there was also that incident with the jammed screw... Where are the strong men when you need them!?!]

BUT amidst all of this stress and mess, we all had so much fun! It was one of the best days of work we have had this year.

We did an awesome foil painting craft... [Not to be confused with what our calendar said we would be doing.... What a type-o!]

 Wore sweet protective gear...

 Got the first paycheck of the year...

Performed [slightly awkward and possibly accidental] magic tricks...

And climbed to new heights to achieve our goals. [Getting a new role of paper towels, in this case.]

Today I relearned a wonderful fact of life: Hard work is good for the soul.

I grew up in a home where hard work was taught and practiced. I am so grateful for this. Mom, Dad: You obviously rock.

When we are moving and working and serving, we have the opportunity to remember what life is all about. [You've got to love those perspective moments.] There is joy to be found in work. A stagnant, pampered life is dull and boring and leaves no room for real growth. The bloody knees and elbow grease is what makes life so interesting and worth living.

I am so grateful to be working again. I love my cute little kiddos. They make me crowns [because I am obviously a queen] and they make me laugh.

Life is good, headaches, bloody knees, and all. :)

Much Love!!

The Insomnia of a Flower

Summer is coming to a close, but the adventures continue, OF COURSE!

Sparkler fun.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Yeah.... 

This is me "Looking like I'm being mauled." Yeah, I'm a good sport, I guess.

I've started work part time at Ave Maria again. I love teaching CTR 4. And we got a new car yesterday... I think those are the only "Big News" pieces I have to share.


Sometimes I love insomnia. Why?

1. You suddenly remember everything you forgot throughout the day. [And it keeps you awake trying to figure out how to remember them... But still, pretty nifty!]

2. You figure out life's most trying mysteries. Like: How you you draw a house with an X in it without picking up your pencil or retracing lines? [True story. I even had to turn on my light to try it out.]

3. Blogs start magically forming themselves in your brain. [When you weren't even aware you wanted to blog about anything. Haha]

I solved this last night by having a notepad by my bed. ... I'm not sure how effective that was, but I did wake up to some really interesting notes like "10 Things Visiting Teaching" and a house with an X in it. :) So I'll call it a success.


Honesty time: I've had a really hard time getting a concrete blog down lately. Mostly because I have been really frustrated and I feel like the things written would not have been helpful/ productive/ uplifting for anyone else to read. And that is what I really strive for with this blog. [With a dash of satire, sarcasm, and humor for good measure.]

But I've been working really hard to have a change of heart. Through some serious self-inventory, pondering, prayer, scripture study, etc. I have had help to come to the conclusion that:

 I am a flower, NOT a marshmallow.

... Yes. My brain does, in fact, work this way. I'll splain it. :)

The kind of person I want to be, the kind of faith I want to have cannot be magically chemical-ed into existence overnight like a marshmallow. It has to be grown and worked on. It is hard work and it takes time and patience. [Plus, it is much more natural.] I have not been very patient with myself. I think I forgot what these one-eyed bunnies are showing us.

My foot is not better and it has been a year since I saw my first specialist. BUT I have been healed and have grown in ways that are not visible.

I am a flower.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is one of hope and of joy. We can grow and change and be healed. :) "Isn't it great?!" Gosh, this really is a perfect plan.


Doctor # 12 is referring me to 3 specialists that I have never seen before. A vascular specialist, a neurologist, and a thermogen. So in the next couple of months, I will be exploring these new fields with [hopefully] some conclusive results.

As always, I am so grateful for my support system. I really have the best people in my life. Thank you so much for all you do to keep me [mostly] sane. :)


Much Love!!

Favorite Lumber Jack

Prepare to be jealous... Sort of.

Yesterday I hollowed out a book!

 With a lot of help from a certain handsome bearded man. [Who kind of resembles a lumberjack.... Or a Pontipee brother from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.]

Now I can hide super secret stuff in it... Like... Haven't figured that part out yet. Now taking suggestions! Haha

9 MM? The Queen's jewels?

 

Then we went on a Sonic date in the Stang with the top down! 

AND as if all of this wasn't enough, Tyler brought me flowers! Why? Just because. [No one has ever done that for me before...]

How do I deserve all of this? Beats me.

Thank you, Tyler. :) You're my favorite. [Yes. This post is all about you. Hope you're blushing.]

Much Love!!

D-D-D-Disney!

The Disney Land trip was a party from start to finish!

... Even those brief moments when we were unconscious :)

We lived off of turkey/cheese sandwiches and hot pockets... Oh. And melted fruit snacks.

 
We are college students. We know how to do thrifty. ;)

I feel like this picture captures just a little of the excitement that is Disney Land.

I just have fond memories of the Dumbo ride. What a joyous experience!

One of our favorite activities was playing "Spot the Mormons."

Yes, because of the general lack of clothing in California, we stick out like a sore thumb.

And maybe our shirts helped... A little. ;)

I was doing that whole wheelchair thing so we got to hop a lot of lines! We only had to wait 20 minutes for splash mountain. Yeah, we rode it a couple of times. ;)

Disney Land was a blast! But I have to admit that my favorite part of the trip was Newport Beach. :) I certainly fell in love with the ocean all over again.

 Here are our cute toes. This picture features my burned knees from sitting in a wheelchair for 2 days.

Malena and I played in the water :)

And Quinci made a shell mosaic.

Gosh, I just loved it!!

Quinci even licked me because she didn't believe that I was really salty. I was.

And to finish off the trip, we stopped by Gual Berto's in UT before flying back to home sweet home Colorado. :)

It was a much needed break from reality for all of us. What a blessing. :)

But it sure is good to be back home [eating real food!]

Also, I got a new calling! CTR 4 Primary teacher! I am SUPER excited! [And a little nervous because I have ELEVEN 4-year-olds!] It will be an adventure, I know it.

Thank you for the love and the prayers. You all keep me going! :)


Much Love!!