Motor Monday

Another full and rewarding day with 3 highlights: Ashley's first day of kindergarten, sorting files/papers with Derber and visiting the dept of MOTOR vehicles to renew my Drivers License :)

I was thrilled to get a chance to wish Ash well on her big day. She even made sure to give me a hug before she left. Sweet. Dressed in the outfit she'd had picked out for 2 weeks, (yep, she's related to me, all right!) Mom had some PTA stuff to do at school after dropping her off so I got to stay with Saige, the budding piano prodigy :)

Derber is an organizing mastermind! Seriously. I had stuff filed, but the files were FULL, not all of stuff I still needed. She helped me sort through 4 types of bills (utilities, power, etc) and pay stubs for the past 2-3 years. Totally added up :) Shredding all of it took me over an hour! She's also good at understanding the "logic" behind saving and tossing. In my case, it's "what if I need this paper some day???" Saige was happy to gnaw on old envelopes while her Mom and I worked :)

Then it was onto the DMV-not my favorite place to go, I'll admit. The lines, tests, etc. I was determined to go in and get out so I triple checked to make sure I had all the documentation I needed, my form was filled out correctly, etc. And there's the eye test.... Sometimes my eyes don't work perfectly "together" and so I tend to have anxiety about passing/failing the eye test. Today I readjusted the machine 4 times so I could see all 3 parts of the eye chart line, but..... I passed!!! Then I had to retake my new picture 3 times because I kept closing my eyes. Of course!

Toy Tuesday

Today I got to spend the day with Grace, as we affectionately refer to her (Princess Grace, Queen of the World, etc) LOVE this girl! We had fun eating gummi bears, swimming, reading books, eating lunch at Arctic Circle and playing on the playground there, watching Disney Channel and going to Savers where I bought her a couple of books. Because I'm the aunt and I can :)

Explanation of pictures: Grace with towel, "Look I'm an angel!" and Grace "swimming" with arms in motion. A picture of her with a book on her head because she said, "Take a picture of me with a book on my head!" OK :)

Some funny things she said: Reading an ABC book and seeing pictures of "daffodil/D" and "pansy/P" And her saying, that's not a Daffodil/Pansy! It's a FLOWER!!!" And a quilt was a "blanket." While at Arctic Circle she busied herself playing with the toy steering wheel and she told me, "This boat is going to Las Vegas. But you can't go. Only little people can go to Las Vegas." Love you, Grace!!!!

Single Sunday

Today marked a significant day for me. My last day in a singles ward! Ever since I got back from Taiwan 4 yrs ago I have been attending the singles ward. Technically I don't turn 31 till mid-October but with a new school year, it just seemed like a good time to make a change, rather than waiting for 6-7 more weeks.

It was a day full of such sweet memories, that I could not have anticipated. I didn't tell many people I was leaving, I didn't want a fuss. The only person I deliberately told was the bishop. When I got to church though, the other members of the bishopric asked me if the "rumors were true" Yep. I did make it a point to say goodbye to the bishop's wife after RS though, we've had a lot of talks, visits and they've had dinner with me and my parents in preparation for their son's mission in the Philippines. Very positive relationships for which I am grateful!

However, I made the bishop's wife cry so when I caught the bishop between Sunday School and Sacrament Mtg I said something along the lines of, "Bishop-I made your wife cry but I didn't mean to! Sorry!"

At some point I was hoping to have a chance to share my thoughts, etc with my ward members and I think praying for such an opportunity. So I had a few thoughts in the back of my mind when the bishop said, "We don't do this very often, we should, but Heather's been in this ward longer than I have. (true) Would you like to bear your testimony?" Of course I did!

That morning I told Kelsey I didnt' think I'd cry, I felt at peace, ready to move on, etc. Yeah, I totally lied about the crying part! There was speaker and a congregational hymn (that I was leading) before it was my turn to speak and I was gulping and blinking back tears. NOT because I was sad to go, afraid to change, etc. but just because my heart felt SO full! Memories of kind words from ward members, friends, visiting teaching, callings, ward activities, fun, laughs, love, etc. Hence why the first thing I said when I got up to the pulpit "I don't that I've ever cried at this pulpit (I usually smile brightly) before but today could be the exception." The tears only lasted for about 30 seconds though......

While bearing testimony to the trutfulness of the gospel I talked about a favorite scripture, D&C 58:3-4. "You cannot behold with your natural eyes all the blessings.....which shall follow after tribulation." (condensed version) The point was not that changing wards is a tribulation but that it is a change and change is OK! I also wanted to share that I did have fears, concerns, etc about this new phase in the past, so for those who had similar feelings, it is/was OK! It's part of being human. I talked about while i have a great life it is SO not what I planned on, but it's OK and I'm "embracing" this new phase because we can put our faith and trust in God and have joy.

Being able to share these thoughts/feelings with others, including some of my dearest friends was such a tremendous opportunity and blessing!!! And all the kind words after, feelings, etc. really made me think that perhaps I done good in the ward, helped someone, made them smile, let them know I cared, served faithfully, etc. And in return, I felt SO loved. Unlike anything I have experienced before.

Exiting with a full heart while embracing the future!!!!

Sunrise Saturday

This past Friday and Saturday I had the opportunity to hike Mt Timp with Kerri and Olivia. It was mine and Kerri's 2nd time, Olivia's first. However.... it was the first time for all of us to do it in the middle of the night! It was a true adventure but one I am SO glad I didn't miss.

A 14 mile hike has its own challenges, but for me, the biggest challenges was the large patches of snow! Yes, snow, At the end of August. I slipped and fell on my bottom in the snow. 4 times, actually. So we took pictures, at my encouragment.

The views were fantastic. The waterfalls, the wildflower fields (see below) crammed with color. An unobstructed view of the sunrise. The sky changing colors so fast that you didn't want to look away for too long for fear of missing it! I brought first aid supplies and Kerri and Olivia totally rocked with the snacks!!! Homemade trail mix, apple slices, jerky, gummy bears, fiber one bars- thanks friends!!!! I brought the first aid supplies which thankfully we didn't need :)

Here I am setting out, around 11:30 pm on Friday. With my water backpack (that was leaking but Kerri found the leak and fixed it, many thanks), headlamp, sweatshirt. Water backpack and headlamp were birthday and Christmas gifts from Kerri, respectively.

Enjoy the other pics of the wildflower fields, views, sunrise, Olivia and Kerri, hardcore hikers, and the "take that timp!" pistol picture.

New #2

Keeping in line with my latest goal.... (see previous post) Here are my latest "new"s

-climb Mt Timp in the night to see the sunrise. Awesome! This may very well be a one-time experience but I'm SO glad I had it!

-going to see a play with my friend Amy Jensen, put on by Westminster. It was called "Making Waves" and it was all about vignettes of real life teaching stories. More about this play later but I came home refreshed, renewed and proud to be a teacher! Just in time for the new school year to start......

Try it on Thursday

As previously mentioned, last night I gave some clothes to Derber to see if she wanted them. Some shirts, a couple of dresses. It is a well known fact that Ashley LOVES clothes. Any kind of clothes, any style, anytime. She loves to try on clothes whether it's Saige's baby clothes (yes, she really can get them on!) on grown-up clothes.

As we left the house last night, I joked to my Mom, "Who will be the first to try on the clothes? Derber or Ashley?" Well, I got a call mid-morning from Derber-guess who was trying on the clothes?!?! Not her!!!! Though my clothes were recieved appropriately with oohs and aahs...... :)
Love you, Ash!!!!

Tonight I stayed at my parents house, took a nap (a day of training at work had wore me out) then woke up and took a walk with my Mom. Funny, she didn't do anything to wake me up, she was standing in front of my bed trying to decide how to wake me (so I didnt' sleep too long and be up all night) when I sensed soemeone was there and opened my eyes.....

Anyway-then we went for a walk, went past Derber's again, shared some chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Yep, food is a big part of my everyday life. I like the memories it creates!

Windy Wednesday

Tonight I had the chance to go with my Mom to her ward's Relief Society Summer potluck. I jump at any chance to with her to her Relief Society activities. A lot of the ladies still there have known me since I was born and so I feel very much at "home" there. And it was held in my Aunt Paula/Uncle Russell's backyard, a place I feel very much at home, anyway!

Back to the wind, it was windy and drizzling so much that it looked like it was going to be called off but the sun pulled through just in time.....

Could not even come close to picking a favorite potluck item-but the smell when I entered the backyard....... AMAZING. I remember there was some sort of a tuna salad that was very tasty (I'm always impressed when someone can make tuna "tasty") Mom's striped "heirloom" tomatoes created quite a buzz, seeing tomatoes like that! We sat at the table with among other people a faithful Presbytirian who came with her neighbor! She was as delightful as they come and I was in awe of the Mormon neighbor that brought her and took such good care of her. Anytime anyone passed by she would say, "Have you met so and so, yet???"

After the potluck Mom and I went to the library-I'm trying to expand my "mind" and read all kinds of books, "good books" that make me think, but I did get one of my standby favorites, "culinary mystery" That and historical fiction are my favorites.

Then we stopped by Deborah (derber)'s house so I could give her some clothes I cleaned out from my closet, to see if she wanted them. When we approached the house-the car was there, lights were on inside, but no answer..... So after a couple of minutes of knocking and then wantint to make sure she was OK, we let ourselves in. The door was unlocked, it's not like we have a lock-picking kit or anything.... :) She was there just putting Ashley to bed. We visited it was fun, I went to bed happy. Glad to have been able to spend so much time with the one's I love :)

Tomato Tuesday

Today I had the chance to babysit Ashley before she starts kindergarten next week! Saige was there, too but she slept most of the time :) I LOVE how she wakes up happy, though! Ash and I had a lot of fun together-being silly. She took my headband and pretended it was a "sleeping mask" (see picture below) then she used my camera to take pictures of me being silly. Like pretending to be "Frankenstein" We also played a game of her putting her foot up to my face and I would pretend to pass out :)

We also played "doggie dice" Kinda like bingo, canine style. And Ash was telling me to "read the constructions" Instructions. Finally, my favorite conversation of the day! From Carter and 2 of his friends right after school.
Friend 1 to Friend 2: "You really gotta find someone."
Me: "Like a girl???"
Carter: Yeah!
Friend 1: "I found mine in 2 days!"
4th grade boys-LOVE it!

Today I also enjoyed "spoils" from my parents garden! Many thanks to them :) I ended up with cucumbers, zuchinni, eggplants and several varieties of tomatoes. There is something special about these tomatoes- they are "heirloom" tomatoes. Tomatoes that have not been "cross-bred" to be perfectly round and red. These come in different colors like yellow, black, mauve-ish red, stripes. Some much more bumpy than round. They have names like "black crim" and "black cherry" " antique" Mmmmmm..... BIG fan of them.

Yesterday, I decided to tackle cleaning and organizing my closet. Once that was done, about 8:30-ish, I decided that it would be a good time rearrange my bedroom furniture! LIke i said to Kelsey, "This might not be the best time to do it but I'm not always good at talking myself out of doing stuff....." And I have several pieces of large, heavy furniture that I inherited from my Grandpa Morley (a rolltop desk, a large vanity with a 3x4 ft mirror, dresser, etc) The desk was the hardest to move, but it was the only that got moved once! I kept moving the other pieces around. I would take the drawers out so they would be easier to move, than I'd move it, put the drawers back in and decide it wouldn't work there. Drawers: back out.

Once it was done though, 90 minutes later, I was thrilled with the results!!! I especially like having the dresser in my closet. All my shoes, clothes, jewelery, hamper, right there in one "zone"

Minty Monday

Monday was a VERY fun day. Well, it was fun after the all day back-to-school training meetings.....
First, Kerri and I had dinner with our dear friend Crystal. We haven't been together in months so there was a lot of catching up to do, and we had a great time doing it! Chattting about anything and everything :) Over dinner at Chili's with chips and salsa and I also ordered an bacaon avocado burger. The burger itself was delicious but the bun was so soggy so fast that I ended up just separation the burger from the buns and eating it with my knife and fork.

Then it was on to celebrating Emily's Birthday!!!! We all love her a lot :) Me, Kerri, Brian, Anne, Mandy & Emily met at Frogurt. After sampling the yogurt it was time self-serve. It was one of those places where you choose all your own yogurts and toppings and then you pay according to weight. I like to load mine up and this was no exception! 4 kinds of yogurt and 10-12 toppings.

As far as I can remember.... starlight mint (hence the blog title), peanut butter (my fav), white chocolate macedamia, and coconut yogurt. Toppings: choc. sprinkles, chopped walnuts, blueberries, strawberries, mangoes, crushed oreos, etc. Why choose when I don't have to?!?!

After we finished our yogurt we stayed and just chatted for another hour. I remember thinking, "This is the epitome of being a single young adult, "laughing, talking with good friends, having fun not necessarily because of what you're doing , but esp because of who you are doing it with." Brian had the great idea to go around in a circle and share what we loved about Emily. I said she was the "loyal-est."

We also took some pictures- an "all for one/hand's in" (self/group-portrait credits go to Kerri) and a "Cheers!" picture. Good times.

My Latest Goal.......

Lately I've been wanting to avoid a slump, develop new skills, talents, challenge myself, etc. This is what I came up with........

Every week to have a "new experience"- for example try a new recipe, run 1/2 mile farther, create something new. To guide my motivation, I will post on the blog every Sunday about that weeks "new experience" Feel free to check it out!!!!

This week..... Making chilled cucumber soup!!!! Recipe courtesy of my Mom :)

One of Life's Greatest Blessings........

Still working on the best way to upload pics to blogger.... bear with me people :) Anyway, for me one of life's greatest blessings is being an aunt!!! 30 times over. We recently had a very fun family weekend with Jess' baby shower, Jake's baptism, Allen being ordained a deacon and Samuel's baby blessing.

There are pics of Jess & Grace playing, big sister to little sister, both my nieces :) Frosting-face Grace, she tried to pass off a cupcake to sister Katie, who quickly discovered that Grace had already licked the frosting......

Kids and pizza: while the Mom's were prepping food and decor for the shower, I got to play with the kids! We went swimming in the pool at my apt complex and then I ordered 5 Buck pizza. SO fun!!!!

Me and Grace reading-she LOVES books and asked me that day if she could borrow a book to take home. I said "sure" Then she tried to convince me and brother Beck that HE wanted a book, too, until Beck said, "I.....Don't'....... Want a Book!!!!!" Seriously though, isn't that picture priceless????

Girls playing dress up. Earlier Ashley had been wearing a blue apron and she came up to me and said "I'm a Mermaid!" Followed by a whisper, "But I'm just pretending...." Thanks for the clarification, Ash!"

Me and several of the kids together... LOVE the picture, LOVE them!!!! For documentation sake: Ashley, Carter, Johnathon, Madeline, Lauren, Saige, Emma :)

Whitney and Wednesday

About a month ago, after the Morley family reunion Erin and baby Maria stayed in town a few extra days. Erin and I are only 6 days apart, she's older, and our Mom's are very close so they had the great idea that we should go to lunch together! Yes! Our Mom's were even nice enough to treat their daughters to lunch :)

Pictures are pretty self-explanatory, my Mom, Jan & Aunt Elizabeth, Erin & Maria, me, Erin and Whitney.

Funny story about the Whitney picture though, the lense on my camera had gotten stuck earlier and wouldn't open. My Mom got it fixed and then we decided to do a trial picture. Whitney had just gotten there so as passed by I said, "Whitney! Come smile with me!!!" Doesn't she photograph well????

We ate at Paradise Bakery-it's been so long now I don't remember what I ate but I DO know it was delicious! What a fun lunch we had!