3 Hearts and a Wish

Whenever I'm teaching writing, I always tell the kids to find someone to help them edit their work and to look for 3 hearts and a wish in their writing from their editor.

I have 3 hearts and a wish tonight; but it's my life, not my writing ;)


3 Hearts

1- The pool is no longer green! (Thanks Dad)

2- The vines I have been training are actually sticking to the wall!

3- I am actually blogging instead of starting and doing nothing!


1 Wish

1- I wish summer wasn't ending so soon :(

Dads

I met with the Bishop in my ward this afternoon.  We filled out paperwork for me to fill a service mission for the church!  I'm so excited :)  I've thought about doing this for awhile.  Yay!

While we were talking, he said, "First and foremost, God is a dad."

I know that God is our Heavenly Father.  I've always known that.  But saying the word "dad" brought such a spirit of peace and comfort.  "dad" has a much more personal connection for me than "father".  It's amazing how something I've known for so long can become so much more meaningful to me by the mention of one every day word used in a new context.  Even now, reflecting on the conversation, I can feel a burning in my heart confirming that all of the kind and nurturing feelings that I associate with a dad (and specifically my own father) is the way my Father in Heaven feels for me and everyone around me.

Thank you Bishop.

Poor Indy!

My poor puppy has been limping since Monday.  (He's actually 3, but he'll always be a puppy in my eyes.)

I got him as a puppy from what turned out to be a puppy mill.  I call him my rescue dog.  He had a bad knee, kennel cough, and three different patches of ringworm and he was only 8 weeks.

His knee has been pretty good for the last couple of years, but recently it's gotten bad.

I finally bit the bullet and took him to the vet this afternoon.

He has to have knee surgery :(

Unfortunately, it'll have to wait until I can save up a few thousand dollars.

Until then, I'll keep the pain pills handy and the both of us can diet and exercise together.

Poor Indy!

I Got What I Wanted

I moved into a new ward in February.  Since before I moved, I've been wondering what calling I would get.  Of course I got a Visiting Teaching route right away.  It came with a rockin' partner who kicked my butt into gear.  I love it when that happens!

Today I had a meeting with a member of the bishopric and left the meeting with a calling in primary!

I've been secretly wishing for a calling in primary.  It's hard for me to pay attention.  It's not that I don't listen, I just usually need to be doing more than one thing at a time, especially if I'm just sitting around for three hours.  Primary keeps the blood pumping and works to entertain you.  Yes, please!  I'll be teaching the 6 year-olds :)

It's funny, but each time that I'm called to the primary, the bishopric member always asks if I'm OK with that because I teach at an elementary school and a calling in primary would mean working with children 6 days a week.  I always feel that it validates my chosen profession.  If the lord sees fit to call me to primary, then it proves to me that I chose wisely.

I've always wanted to be a mom.  That's why I went into elementary education to begin with.  I wanted to know the best way to teach children and if I needed to work, then I would be near to and on the same schedule as my own children.  It hasn't happened yet, so I guess I'll have to persevere by borrowing other peoples' kids for a few hours a day.

Thanks folks!  Your children are amazing!!!

This is only a test.

Following Inspiration

The Spirit seems to speak to me most when I'm waking up.  It must be the only time that I'm quiet enough to listen, but it is fun to wake up with a burst of inspiration for the day.  

Inspiration for the day: If you had followed through with your plans last summer, you would be healthier and richer.

I like to make plans and organize schedules.  I know.  It's weird :)  I spend a lot of time planning my weight loss and exercise schedules.  According to these schedules, it would take me ONE WHOLE YEAR to lose the weight that I want to loose.  It always seems so daunting and distant that after a couple of weeks, I loose steam. When I make these plans, it's usually random days and I never really have that moment of "this time last year".

Today, though, marks one year of monthly doctor visits and prescriptions.

I am no healthier.  I am a homeowner now, but that just means that I've eliminated my savings and added $140,000 to my debt.

I don't want to go one more year like this.

Last summer, my mom had just recovered from a heart attack and a stroke.  This summer, my dad is recovering from a blood clot.  Both of my parents and many extended family members are type 2 diabetics.  Most of my mom's family has heart disease.

My family history doesn't allow for me to be lazy any longer.

This blog will be a history of my year of perseverance.