Laughs, Loves and Lots of Learning

Challenging myself for fun

2011-08-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

So I have been cleaning my house from top to bottom. My husband loves following the 1,000 awesome things blog. He shares each one with me every day. This has inspired me to start posting things I hate to clean, to see how many I can find. This list is growing day by day. Today's winner is the vent on the top of the microwave. It was so full of grease that it almost brought me to tears. I tried everything I could think of to try to clean this, from a scouring pad to a toothbrush. About 30 minutes into the job my husband suggested trying the Easy-off grease remover that he uses on the stove. (Yes, he is in charge of cleaning the burners on the stove). It worked like a charm. I would caution that it is a strong chemical and he ended up doing two sprays, one for the front and one for the back.(The smell kills me and I cannot even be near the stuff) The grease washed right off. I don't even know if anybody else even cleans the outside vent of their microwaves. In my next house the microwave will NOT be over the stove.

Grandpa's Haverst

2011-07-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

So as many of you know, a few weeks after my mother passed I got the impression that I needed to visit my grandfather. As we visited him, I made a commitment to him that I would come out once a month to help him with his books, and asked if he would allow us to come out every fourth Sunday and bring him dinner. The Sunday dinners were supposed to be when we worked on getting things together for his trust and stuff like that. Sunday dinners have happened for the last two years, however, we have yet to work on the other stuff. What we end up working on is his garden. He does nothing to his back yard any more, yet he has this tomato plant that is trying to take over every free space of dirt. We removed two plants that were not near the general location of the original plant. This plant has unique origins.
Let me give you the back story. As family came into town after my mother's passing, we decided to have a "lets visit grandpa day." Shortly after their arrival, dead animals were discovered in his back yard. These animals were buried after a great ordeal to find the perfect place. This burial occurred in March. In July this tomato plant begin developing where the burial had occurred. The fruit is larger and more savory than cherry tomatoes but smaller and sweeter than regular tomatoes. Last year, the plant took over the planter by the end of last summer, grew over the wall and then over the shed behind it. We harvested buckets of tomatoes each time we visited. Grandpa also had a large supply in his fridge at home and at the office. We ended up canning them and using them in much of the salsa we've made.
This year the plant is back and has quickly merged into the blackberry bush that is in the planter beside it and the rose bushes in the planter across a walkway. Across the yard on the side of his garage we found three plants and there were more in another side yard. We pulled up a few of these new plants. Some had already begun to bear fruit. We only picked a ice cream bucket full this trip, but this beast it only getting started. I go back out on Tuesday and I am sure I will bring more home.

Next come the grapes. Ever since I can remember, my grandparents had this grapevine. Childhood memory was that the grapes had seeds and were bitter. This year, the grape vine overtook the apricot tree and produced more grapes than I have ever seen on it. Most were out of our reach. We stopped after we filled a bucket. Moroni plans on juicing them and trying his hand at making grape jellies. MY childhood memory thinks we are going to need a lot of sweetener.

The two buckets side by side.

As we were walking we found an avocado on the ground. We both looked up at the same time. His tree has so much fruit on it that it can't even hide the avocados any more. In the picture we took earlier this year, these avocados were still on the tree. The cracker package is just to give you a size reference.

Grandpa has not been up to going out in his yard lately. Sadly, I did not see any apricots or peaches this year. It amazes me that after all his hard work on his grapes and fruit trees, that they bear the fruit without his help now. I miss the plum tree that he took out about five years ago. For those who grew up exploring in his backyard, so much has changed. The fountain is still there, yet vines have overgrown the area. The tree house shed has crumbled since he removed the swing tree to give more room for the apricot tree. The garden area is grass and has been that way since grandmother passed, but the PVC pipe still sits on the bricks ready to water. At times, walking into his backyard is like watching a movie where they show the passage of time by the growth of the plants all around.

Food

2011-07-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

I realized that over the last couple of month we have made some amazing food creations. When I say we I can say it honestly everything I have pictures of have been a team effort. Moroni does do most of the cooking in our household, however, I do have sometimes. First up the large lasagna for my birthday celebration. Have is a picture of the process we used to get the perfect layers.
Next come bride and groom hand dipped strawberries. This was created for Moroni's brother, Sam's wedding reception.

Lastly Tortas! So I was introduced to Tortas working at LDSFS, a little shop around the corner that I fell in love with this Mexican Sandwich. I love the meat choice of thin sliced bread beef (melanasa). So here is one we created at home. The homemade ones are good but nothing beats Torta Las Glories in Colton.
The picture don't also match the yumminess, but I thought I would share some of our good times. We are working on jam right now.

Bites! Augh!

2011-07-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

So Tuesday we went beach camping with my sister, her family, and a few of her friends. I loved the time I got to spend with my family, her friends, and nature. What I did not love is how nature loves me. 16 bites on my feet, I am thinking it was the Ants on our site because Moroni has bites on his legs and I have additional bites on my arms.

I have not had bites that bothered me so much since my Mission, when the bite irritation was the size of my calf.

When we lived in Norwalk, I remember getting so many bites, my grandfather Arnold installed a room air conditioner to help keep the room cool and the bugs out. I also remember my grandmother Lorraine, telling me that if I wasn't so sweet the bugs wouldn't bite me. So I guess I need to be mean, so the bugs won't bite me. For some reason I don't think bug bites have anything to do with my personality. Although it would be interesting to see if there is a correlation.

I am looking forward

2011-07-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

I know most people reflect at New Years, but we are over half way through the year. So I thought I would reflect and set some hump goals, that sounds weird. Not like get to the gym more and make healthier eating choice (those are life long goals). Like take time each day to clean my house, this may sound funny but as my nephew pointed out two weeks ago, thesis and TPAs really took time away from maintaining a clean house. Having a clean house may sound funny but if you look up temple in the Bible Dictionary at the end of the first paragraph, it explain the only place more holy or scared then a temple is our homes. So I need to focus on making my home a temple. With that stated as a goal, I am really lost on how to figure out what color to paint on the walls. I really would like to paint the living and dining room but with the vaults and the inserts I just don't know how to find a color. I love the shades of browns everyone is doing right now, but would it be too dark. Any suggestions, please throw them my way. Oh and for those who may be thinking her mom would kill her, your most likely right, but it is time I make this house a home for me and I need color.

I'm on Google!

2011-02-01T21:20:00.000-08:00

So I just realized that I when I google Christine Johnson I don't show up. However, when I google Christine Capella, it finds my Facebook pictures and blog picture. Yeah, I finally made google images in a good way!

The Quest for Knowledge

2011-01-28T10:56:00.000-08:00

So I know I posted this on Facebook but I really enjoy an article in the Standford Review on the Dragonfly Effect. I am a little bummed- even though I enjoyed the article and will use what I learned in the article. I can not use the article for the purpose I discovered it for (school assignment). I guess that is why it is called the Journey of Learning. It is not about turning in every assignment along the way, it is about learning how to find knowledge and learning what to do with the knowledge once you find it.

Sitting at home on a Friday night

2010-01-15T19:55:00.001-08:00

So I'm supposed to be doing homework right now; however, I just want to share a few things I learned this last week in school.
First, I should warn you - I am taking a Marriage and Family Class.
I learned that is is hard to define a family nowadays. To be honest, it was easier to define a family 50 years ago but it still did not include everything that was really going on in the homes in America. I knew, from other classes on this topic, that it was almost impossible to define what a family is. In this class we watched a Lifetime Series on what a family is. As you would expect nowadays, there was a lesbian family raising a child. Not so expected for me was the single Father who adopted, the single mother who choose to get pregnant through the help of technology, and the couple well into their fifties starting a family. I was shocked when I realized as I watched this that the latter two were the ones that bothered me the most. The older father saying that they will have a good twenty years to raise their boys. He was 55 when their twin boys were born. I definitely think we are supposed to create families. However, I have cared for parents (and now grandparents) and I wanted to yell at the screen and tell him he was robbing his children of memories that all other children get. Granted, some parents die young, but if he is starting his family now he may rob his children of having their parents at their weddings, or many years of important advice, welcome or unwelcome, from their parents. How could they be so selfish to think that 20-30 years is long enough for their children to need a parent. Then I thought back to a person I knew in San Diego who was raised by an older father and the things he went through being twenty and having to take care of him. He lost his mother when he was even younger, it was just him and his dad, and he lacked a lot of people skills. Yes, I know there are a lot of people who lack skills, but I just felt for my friend. (This is why my classes stress knowing our own hang-ups now so they don't get in the way of social work later.) The single mother got to me because I'm such an advocate for adoption and children needing a father and a mother. I think what shocked me the most was how comfortable I was with the Lesbian couple. I think it had a lot to do with how they presented it as a couple working together to raise their daughter. Additionally, the child's biological dad was highlighted as very active in her life.
Next I relearned that boundaries for children are important. The way the authors paint the picture it is a balancing act between too much and too little. Boundaries are defined by how much freedom or choice you give your children. Or even who you let come over or what they watch. I kind of fantasize about the whole idea of finding the perfect balance in everything I do. So knowing that each person and family is different, and that each family has to find their own balance, feels like an overwhelming task right now.
Finally I learned that I agree with the more modern perspective of family therapy. Nowadays most theorists recognize how much therapists affect the family. Believe or not, a few decades ago they believed that a family therapist could just be considered an observer and had little or no real effect on how the family functions. Crazy, huh - just going to another person and sharing your deepest darkest feelings effects how a person reacts. Honestly, how could a therapist possibly advocate that therapy works if he is stating he has no effect on the family?
One last thing, I promise. I know this is getting long and I really should get my reading done before my husband gets home. I have found a love in Macro Social Work. Macro is the big picture, it involves everyone from community planners to lobbyists (yeah, scary). The way I am starting to see it is when you're working with the big picture you may have the proper tools to change the picture. Each snapshot of what is going on today differs from the next and if I can help the next snapshot get better, why not?

Christmas=Chocolate

2009-12-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

So I know that Christmas does not really equal chocolate however, in my household it is the only time of year I make the time to create with chocolate. I have dipped everything; candy canes, spoons for hot cocoa, goldfish, dried pears, marshmallows, nuts, caramels, and the list goes on. This year we tried peppermint bark. WOW, it is so good. I did a thin layer of milk chocolate, then a thin layer of white chocolate with ground peppermint mixed in. It was so good it overshadowed the other new creation of boysenberry chocolate I was also trying. I need to improve the looks of both, however the flavor was downright joyful! I can't wait to give it away.

I felt guilty

2009-11-30T21:51:00.000-08:00

I know I am just as busy as all of you. I did not want to let November slip by without updating. We have been busy with school, work, and internships. Learning this new balancing act has become my new goal in life. On top of our school, work, and personal life, we have a church life that keeps us busy. I am the new 1st counselor in the Primary and Moroni is Ward mission leader. Yes we have had a busy November learning how to fit our callings into an already busy schedule. We are both very happy to serve the Lord in whatever way He will let us.
Additionally, my father's family had another death. My great Uncle Ken passed a few days before Thanksgiving. I have good memories of him and fishing on Canyon Lake. He was in his eighties and had been struggling for some time with health problems. I learned after the funeral that he had been on hospice for the last year. He'll be missed but I know he had a welcome from his parents on the other side of the veil.

Hot Tamales

2009-10-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

Last night during priesthood session, after I got my reading done, my mother-in-law taught me how to fill and fold (wrap) tamales. So I was not making them all by myself, but I learned some of the process. I took some raw ones home and we cooked them during the last session of General Conference, then took them with us along with some beans and rice (which Moroni made) over to my grandfather's house. It was a great meal and boy were those tamales spicy. I'm not just saying that because everything is spicy to me, but Moroni felt the heat in a bite or two himself.
I love General Conference too but that's a posting for another time.

50 days and counting

2009-08-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

So it has been 50 days since we were sealed for time and all eternity, and boy has it felt like an eternity. Just kidding - it has been a lot of fun, and I hope it does not wear off. Sure, we have had bumps getting used to living with one another. I have not had to share a room in five years and except for the occasional niece or nephew crawling into my bed, I have never had to share a bed before. So we are adjusting and it is fun.

The other big adjustment to the house was the birds. We have monitored them from the moment they came in. We used the best Behavior Modification techniques I know to keep them safe from the cat, but nothing is foolproof. This morning Gideon got Moroni's attention to show him the last of Moroni's store bought birds, Phoebe, who is now in bird heaven. I should clarify that this is the first bird to die here and we did not see Gideon actually kill the bird. However he did pull her out of the cage and the evidence just seems to point to his basic predatory nature. The thirteen that remain (all of them hatched to birds Moroni already owned) are reacting in the typical way to the loss of one of their flock, which happens naturally at least once or twice a year. Her most recent mate seems puzzled about where she went, and he'll continue to "mourn" for a couple of days, but the rest are enjoying life as usual.

Laughing at my cat

2009-08-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

So the other night I noticed Giddeon's paws were really dirty. I know he loves playing with water so I put a little bit in the bathtub with a few toys. It worked and I got some very funny pictures. Enjoy.

And the paws are wet

Looking at it

And in he goes.
Either it was truly interesting to watch or we were really really tired.

The photo above

2009-07-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Just to give credit where credit is due, the photo above was taken by Rachel Wattson. If you would like to see more photos of our big day, you can get to her blog through mine, (down on the right-hand side for those who are new to blogging) "Just a little bit of Heaven" is the title. Once there you will have to scroll down to see a link to her photography blog on the left of the screen under her twitters.
Love you all

For those of you there in spirit

2009-07-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots Korey, our nephew, took with Moroni's camera. Enjoy.

Our cake with the handmade cake topper by Jared, Moroni's brother.

Us kissing after the ring ceremony

the wedding party

The live Jazz Band that Sam, another of Moroni's brothers, arranged. It was a wonderful touch.

A close-up on the cake topper.

This shot is one of my favorite shots. It is right after we cut the cake.

Hopefully you enjoy these glimpses into yesterday. We had a blast.

45 hours and counting

2009-07-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

So for my few faithful follwers I thought I would enlighten you on how my week is lining up. I am offically done with work until the 20th and let me tell you, coordinating a reception and working is challening. Though I must admit that I did enjoy being able to not think about what this week is bringing into my life. CHANGE. I know, it is the only constant part of life, however this one is a huge change. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact in less than 45 hours I will be sealed. The last convenat I need to make in this motral life. Wow, that is a biggie, and I have a hard time signing even a cell phone contract... this is huge. It is a good thing I know he feels the same way I do. Or I might be in trouble airing my worries to the world. To think other people keep worrying about how the reception will turn out and I am worrying about making another eternal commitment. I was like this just before my mission - all calm and collected, then at the Missionary Training Center it hit me and WOAH! All of the fears and worries everyone else seemed to be experiencing hit me right as I was saying Good-bye to my family. So here is my warning if you are going to be at the Sealing on Wednesday: be ready to block all avaible escape routes, and I know that temple pretty well.
All kidding aside, I am excited about Wednesday, so go enjoy your day.

Little By Little

2009-06-30T07:49:00.000-07:00

So, my future mother-in-law is the best. I just wanted to take a few minutes and brag about how lucky I am. Not only did the Lord place a wonderful man in my life for me to spend eternity with, but he also gave me a great new family to go along with it. Let me explain - I have been doing my best to put together a simple and nice wedding reception. This has proven to be challenging as everything keeps getting more and more complex. Last night I walked into her house and she has put together most of the silverware settings, and it looks way cute. I can't wait to share the day with everyone!

One very long small step

2009-06-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

So today I walked in my commencement ceremony. It was three hours long and I was so sick of sitting. I was also happy they skipped all three of the speakers, after it took almost thirty minutes to bring all of the graduates in. At least that is my theory on why they skipped the two top students and the keynote speaker. It was bittersweet, I guess because I know I am back there in the fall to start my Masters program. I just want to get my diploma and exit out of there as fast as I can.
I was so tired of sitting for the three hours that going to sacrament seemed at times more like torment than pleasure or worship. Yet we went and we even made it through Sunday School; however, we left before Relief Society and Priesthood. I know, shame on us, but I just couldn't take it. Now I sound like I'm whining but I'm not. I feel like I accomplished a lot this year and both of my parents were there cheering me on.
I know my mother would be so proud of me. She sacrificed a lot for me to be able to finish college. My father would have just smiled and said "Good job!" Me, the girl who "got to go to special class" for reading, writing, math... well you get the picture. That girl received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. A profession that will allow her to lift others and hopefully help guide them along the path that takes them back to their Father in Heaven. I guess it was a good Father's Day gift. Thank you for all of the love, support, and belief in me when at times even I doubted this day would ever come. Heavenly Father keeps his promises when I keep my end of the deal.

Phew

2009-05-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

Just as things are starting to settle into a nice comfortable groove, a prayer that was uttered months ago is answered. On Wednesday, the 6th, I got a letter in the mail from the California State University San Bernardino Master of Social Work Program. It was thick, but still in a regular envelope. I did not want to open it in fear that it was a rejection letter, stating why I was not going to be accepted into their program. As I opened the letter I was so shocked to find out that I had been accepted. Moroni keeps wondering why I'm so surprised because he was already sure I would be accepted. I was so excited to begin with and now that excitement has turned into an emotion I do not have the vocabulary for.
On an even happier note, I learned a key to increasing happiness. Well, I already knew it, however science is backing me up now. Write for thirty minutes a day on what you are grateful for and you will increase your level of happiness. Sound familiar? Journaling every day, with a twist.

Another week

2009-04-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

>>>For those of you who were puzzled about my latest entry, I'd like to take credit for the clever choice of font (and so would Moroni), but I simply chose the Webdings font by mistake. I don't know how it happened, but I'm happy you found it entertaining :) <<<

My life is school, work, Moroni, and wedding. I keep thinking next week will be calmer, but somehow each week is just as packed as the previous ones. Tonight, we went to Mike and Chelsea's reception. It was beautiful. Chelsea is always beautiful but she did a great job to make the reception rock. The more receptions I go to the less fancy I want mine to become. Good food, music and friends is all that is needed to make a beautiful reception in my mind. Come enjoy and celebrate, that I did not run away before I getting to the altar. So simple, fun, and simple is my theme.

Getting back on track

2009-04-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

So, it has been nearly four weeks since my mother passed and life won't stand still long enough for me to feel like I am back on track.

I started school again this week. It is my final quarter of my undergraduate program. Finally a small glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. I still need to wrap up one class from last quarter in which I took an incomplete. But it is closer now than ever before. I realize that with every stumbling block placed in my path I just get more motivated to finish. Graduation day is June 21st for anyone who would like to count it down with me.

Now to what is going on with the wedding, since that is the reason everyone who reads this blog continues to read. I have all of the patterns picked out for bridesmaids dresses, including honorary bridesmaids dresses. Tomorrow Myriam (Moroni's mom), Liz (her sister), Cathy (my sister) and I are going into LA to find fabric for the dresses, jewelry for everyone, and shoes for me. I also hope to find more picecs to add to the ambience of the reception. It should be fun.

More than a week

2009-03-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was my mother's funeral. It was so nice to remember my mother for who she was, what she stood for, and to see how many lives she touched without even knowing it. As I reflect on the week I can see the Lord's hand in my life and my family's life. I could list every single blessing, however that may bore you but I will list the blessing of being loved by so many. I have had so many offers to help with every little detail. How overwhelming the love has been at times for me. I am normally the one trying to pour out the love, however to receive felt wonderful. I have the love and support of my wonderful siblings who have taken on so many responsibilities to help make this situation as smooth as possible. It has been great to spend time with each of my family members, sharing stories, laughing and comforting each other.
If you would like a full account click on the Johnson Jungle link on the side of my page. My sister-in-law Shannan (who received the nickname of "Shannaenae" this weekend, due to a vary late night typo on my part) does a great full-length account of her family's time while here.
This Saturday we will be wrapping up this emotional rollercoaster with the estate sale at my place. If you want to drop by we have lots of treasures that could end up at your estate sale. It starts at 8am and goes until we have sold everything or the sun goes down. See you all there.

Details

2009-03-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

For all who would like to come, we will be holding a viewing at 10am on Friday, the 20th of March. The funeral services will began at 11am. We will be holding the services at her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 7526 Alder Ave. Fontana, CA 92335.

Thank you for all the prayers, thoughts, and memories you have shared with us.

I am going to miss my crazy mom

2009-03-14T23:43:00.000-07:00

So as much as I complain about my crazy mother and how much she drives me insane... Tonight just after 11pm she joined my dad for the mission they had planned to serve. Last night we were shopping at Costco and as we started to drive away she felt ill. I called 911 and they took her to the hospital. I have not been dealing with this very well - in fact I suddenly had to lie down in the morning and the nurses told me it was post-traumatic stress. After that I was not able to be at the hospital with my family because every time I got close I felt terribly ill. I love my mom very much and know this is the will of the lord but I am going to miss her so much. Moroni's family has been very good helping me these last couple of hours to deal with the news that was losing my friend. They did all they could. I know I did all I could. I know that I will see her and my father again and I know that my Heavenly Father has a reason He needed her. I am very sad and I know it is ok to be sad and miss her but I needed to express my love for her and my love for my Heavenly Father. Prayers are all I can ask for right now and if you are able to donate blood please do so. She used at least 24 units of blood. Not that it will bring her back or help us personally but it is the only way I can think of right now to give back. I will post more details for those of you who have lots of medical questions. Thanks for your prayers and your love.

Christy (what my mom called me)

I'm not a just a 12 cow wife...

2009-02-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I am a 12 cow wife but I was shocked to find out that they were oxen. Let me back up and tell the whole story - well, maybe just a portion, or at least the portion I know. Let go back a few weeks. Moroni was planning to ask my Mother for her blessing on our marriage. So he made up what I thought, and his mom thought, were cows, 12 of them. His mom and I had even joked that I would be a "12 cow wife," laughing at the Johnny Lingo reference. So he talks with my mom and to my shock they are oxen, Johnny Lingo was only half of a double approach. He had already thought of the cow idea one day when he was sitting in the Redlands Temple waiting for me to change. As gazed into the Baptismal area he had this great idea to make the cows also represent oxen as a sure foundation for our relationship. The temple, I know, Awww... So I'm not just meant to be a 12 cow wife, but one with eternal promise.

and then there was his...

2009-01-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

Last night as I rushed in from work, I was welcomed home by the smell of pizza in the house. Moroni had beat me to my house and had started making dinner. I know, he is so sweet. I greeted him then ran upstairs to get ready for Branch temple night. When I came back downstairs I had a candy gram. Awww, how sweet is this guy, Reese's minis and Valentine Candy Corns. Love it! I thanked him and asked if he wanted to take a quick walk with me down to get the mail. As we stepped outside I noticed it was sprinkling. I slipped off the engagement ring and asked him to hold it till we got back. I love the ring he made me but it is not waterproof. When we got back to the house the pizza was done and we sat down to eat. On the way to the temple I asked him for my ring back and he said "it's in my pocket and I can't reach it now." We discussed how it was fragile and I would be sad if it broke. He reassured me it would be fine and he would get it back on my finger once we got to the temple. As we were walking up to the doors I asked for my ring and he said "I made a modification but I wanted you to see it in the light of the temple. Close your eyes." Okay, so I closed my eyes and he slipped a ring on my finger. It felt different, and I told him suspiciously, "That's not the same ring." He responded, "Open your eyes," and then asked, "Christine will you marry me?" I exclaimed YES!!! and then we kissed and went into the temple. It is beautiful! I love both Rings!

I know that I always saw...

2009-01-17T16:38:00.000-08:00

my future in my own head. On my mission I heard the story in which a young man wins the hand of the girl he loves just the humble means at his disposal - a horseshoe nail bent into the ring with the head sticking up as a "prairie diamond." That is the engagement ring I wanted to be proposed with. The story represents frugality, resourcefulness, creativity and how when you truly love someone nothing is impossible. Fast forward 7 years and I am dating a wonderful man who knew this was my perfect proposal. Last night Moroni put a ring on my finger, and yes I am engaged. This ring says the same thing to me, he took the principles behind the prairie diamond and created a ring for me out of spare computer parts. It even illuminates! My understanding was that this was my perfect proposal but not yet his perfect proposal, but he was still pretty sick at the time and didn't communicate it very clearly. He apologized this afternoon for being a bit "addled" last night and explained that to him it represented the best of both our ideals.

So Excited

2009-01-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

The new muilt stake YSA branch is so fun. People I haven't seen for ever are now in the branch, this week wasn't over 200 hundred this week but still well over 150. I love the gospel and I love being a huge branch (ward)

Christmas my Style

2008-12-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

After the papers and the test were done I finally had a chance to get ready for Christmas, which was then two weeks away. The Christmas parties were already in full swing and I had a blast going here and there and everywhere to visit and celebrate with friends. Then it hit, I got so sick I couldn't go anywhere or do anything. I could not believe this was happening to me. Four days later I was feeling 100% but with only a week until Christmas I knew I was not going to get the gifts made that I wanted to. The treats did turn out yummy and the chocolate was beautiful. I tried a new peanut butter filling for my peanut butter cups and wow it was good.
Christmas with Moroni's family was fun. Moroni's family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve so we stayed up late to open gifts at midnight. It was fun to give. I got the privilege of opening the first gift (more like luck of the draw). It was wrapped and stacked one on top of the other. As I opened the first gift it was a jewelry box, a ring size jewelry box. As my stomach turned, I closed my eyes and opened it. Inside was a set of ear buds. I sighed, laughed with relief, and went on to the bigger box. The first thing I noticed was an Apple logo. "You hate Apple," I said. "I know," he responded, "but you don't." It was an iPod with some downloads already on it, like the whole Twilight series which I have been too busy to read myself. It was so much fun he wrapped it back up and gave it to me in front of my family yesterday. He changed the wrapping and surprisingly I was even more nervous the second time around as my sisters looked on, but it was still fun.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to 2009. I know I am.
Loves

Sigh

2008-11-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

I just finished my fourth paper for this quarter and I am so excited. I only have two more papers to go.

All is well

2008-11-04T22:56:00.000-08:00

It is 11 pm on electon day and I am going to bed knowing I did everything I could to get prop 8 to pass. Watching the results is killing me and I have a test tomorrow. So keep California in your prayer and til tomorrow.

Where I'd get that

2008-10-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

All of the vidoes I post can all be found on http://www.preservingmarriage.org/ I encourage all of you to check it out, and pass the word along to your families that live in California.

Passing along the word

2008-10-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

On Monday, November 3rd, we are being asked to fast for prop 8 to pass in California. The fast will begin at noon on the third and last until noon on the fourth. I am not sure who is asking us but I have received a couple texts stating this information. Who ever thought of it, good idea! Oh, about me, I am... there is a saying, "whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger." Well, I am getting stronger. The words come to mind, "and should we die before our journey's through, Happy day, all is well. All will be well if I but continue to trust in the Lord.

Korey's Thoughts

2008-10-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

Have come a gone, he has all these wonderful ideas so I thought he would enjoy blogging them but when given thte chances his mind went blank. So much for for wanting to rock the world with change if you can't remeber the changes you want to make.

choose you this day whom ye will serve...

2008-10-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

...but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15) I know most of us have this memorized from way back when, but this morning I am fasting for numerous things, one of them being, Prop 8. This scripture came into my mind and I thought wait that scripture really applies today. We are being asked to show who we are serving, is it the god of our fathers who, suffered persecution for their beliefs, crossed the plains, and found God, by believing that a fourteen year old boy saw God the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. Or do we serve the God of the land in which we dwell, the one that teaches we are all equal and as such no one has the right to define right or wrong because we all have our agency and we shouldn't impose our thoughts onto another.
I fear God, I trust God, and I believe him when he speaks through the mouth of a prophet. Today is the day we find our faith. It is the trials of our faith that encourage us and embrace us throughout the rough and tough times. Today my hope is that this might touch someone who may not know which camp they stand in yet. Don't be afraid to stand in God's camp he won't fail you, he love each and every one of his children which includes me and you.
Even if this Prop fails, I want to be able to stand face to face with my maker and when he asks me "did you do all I asked of you?" I will be able to response, "Yea Lord, yea."

...for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith

2008-10-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

Last night I feasted on the word of the brethren again. They asked that all members in California attend a special fireside. They really wanted every member between the ages of 18-30 there. So I rushed over after class across the street to a stake center by my school to listen to Elder Ballard, Elder Cook and Brother Clayton. Based on the message of hope that came from them, they actually believe that we can get Prop 8 passed. Elder Ballard reminded us that we are members of God's Church. We need to be mindful of those we talk to and simply have respect for them. He closed by reminding us of the power of the spirit, that this is the Lord's work and He will be there to help us when we open our mouth. We can't build the kingdom of God without us the members sharing what we know to be true. The brethren are praying for us. What a comforting thought.
Brother Clayton laid out what is going to be happening every week until election day. He asked every ward and branch to have 30 people each week donate 4 hours between Tuesday and Thursday, then 9-2 on Saturday. My heart sank. I worked so hard on this effort before school started so that I would not feel like a slacker when my demanding schedule started this quarter. I thought, I just spent this morning in my therapist office talking about how every hour is packed with school and work! I can't even find time to work out. And I had come to the realization that for the next 9 weeks I would be OK sacrificing my workout for the grades I wanted. So where am I going to find 9 hours to this cause? A peace came over me as I was ranting in my mind. If you give the 9 hours the Lord will bless you in ways you can't imagine. So I am going to donate 2 hours each on Tuesday and Thursday (so no Institute for the next three weeks) and Saturdays aren't going to be for catching up on homework. I am going to have to give up some sleep and just get up earlier and study then instead of Saturday.
I know he said 30 members, but in my branch we don't have 30 members so each one of us will have to be willing to give all we have. I will keep you posted on the blessings that come from doing what the Lord asks of me. "Now is the time for us to shine...there is hope!"

The end is in sight

2008-09-27T12:21:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of school for me. It is a bittersweet time, this is my last year as an undergrad. I am so excited but my next two quarters are going to be stressful. I was so excited to find out that my Expermental Psych class only requires three 10-page papers in ten weeks. Rumor had it at 10 papers one each week. I can breathe easier because with my other two classes each requiring a paper, I will only be writing five paper YEA!

Such an example

2008-09-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

I am watching Don and Tara's kids for a few days. As I put the kids to bed tonight, each one knelt down and prayed. Jaydon's stuck me. He had a play date with one of his friends after school today, and in his prayer tonight he thanked Heavenly Father for letting him show Jacob and his mom how to pray. After he finished I asked, "Oh did you get to say the prayer at dinner tonight?" He said, "Jacob's mom said a prayer and I asked her if I could show them how we pray." "Good job!" was my reply. He is only seven but is teaching his friends. What an example he is to me.

I had been thinking...

2008-09-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

I thought that I had nothing to blog about because I have been so busy with Prop 8 and work. Then it hit me I should share some of the experiences I have been having while knocking doors trying to help gain support for prop 8. If you don't live in California you might not know what Prop 8 is. It is a proposition on the California ballot this November. It would define marriage as between a man and woman only, in the California State Constitution. In 2000 the voters in California voted to pass a law that defined Marriage has between man and woman already, but in a four to three vote by the 9th district court of appeals that was overturned. So we are putting it into the State Constitution to make it harder to overturn. I know that Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, and Utah all have issues on the upcoming ballots. Issues ranging from defining marriage to education about the homosexual lifestyle in schools. I hope my experiences encourage you to talk to your friends in these states and encourage them to vote to protect the traditional family. For if we have learned anything from the past, hopefully we have learned that societies that have embraced the homosexual lifestyle have all fallen.

Last week I was knocking doors and came upon a man that was standoffish at first, but after talking with him he became excited and wanted additional information to share with his family. I was excited that he wanted more information. He then went on to tell me that his family sits down for dinner every night and he always tries to make sure he has conversions about what is going on in their world and this was the perfect topic for tonight's dinner. I was so touched that family dinner is a priority in his life. In this time of overscheduling children and plenty of good activities there are still families that eat together. What a good example for me.

The Little Things

2008-08-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

So today I was driving home from work and noticed a spot on my window. Just a little black spot out of the corner of my eye. For a block or so I was thinking what could it be, I just washed my windows yesterday. As I came to a stop the spot disappeared as I looked around I saw a bird continue to fly past. I had a thought, that I live in a beautiful world and have some many conveniences, yet I share my world with creatures who don't share my rules. Birds may not have indoor plumbing but they don't have to stop at red lights.

Throw down your hair

2008-08-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

So I am not Rapunzel, but the last couple of years my hair has looked a lot like hers. I love the clean look of the A lines that are so popular. Worrying that I would look larger, I hesitated. Until today when I showed up for the appointment I made last week and off it went. I love the change and wish I had done it last year.

Just the Beginning

2008-08-18T15:56:00.000-07:00

Life has dished up a lot a whole lot of excitement.

Updates

Love Life: because I know that is why you all are reading this. At the beginning of the year I was dating who I thought was the love of my life. I was crushed when it ended. But as the Sound of Music teaches us, "when the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window," he did just that! One of the young men in my branch asked me out for that same weekend. Jose "Moroni" was that boy's name and I have never felt more completed by a person. At first we kept it on the way, way down low. I didn't want people to think, or talk, about us. As soon as we let the word out people started planning our wedding, and we let them because we think it is good for them. We are enjoying getting to know each other and marriage is one of the farthest things from our minds. We, want to get to know each other and see if we can do this thing the world calls "dating."

Work: I am still working with LDS Family Services in Colton, Ca. I process paperwork, mainly the adoption and foster care paperwork but sometimes you have got to do it all, because it all comes at you. I love that I get to work for a part of the Welfare System for the church.

School: This is my last (cross my fingers) year as an undergraduate. And they all rejoiced, or at least I do. I have a hard fall quarter, but when I am done with it, I am pretty much done with the icky classes that everyone dreads. My major is, drum roll, still, because I am finishing, Psychology. As I finish up this quarter I get to start applying for Master Programs. My goal is to get my masters before Katie graduates from High School. I love learning but I needed to finish what I stared over eleven years ago.

Family: Exciting because since Tara & Don have moved back to San Diego I get to see them a lot more. Jason & Shannan are still in Florida and I am a bad Aunt because I have not been out to see their newest place. Jeremiah is a firefighter with San Bernardino County and is stationed in Lake Arrowhead. I call him lucky because it has been nasty weatherwise and the mountains are beautiful. Cathy & Jason are still in Mo Valley and Korey is putting them in the poorhouse with all the extra school trips he gets nominated to do. This year was Washington D.C. They are doing their best to keep up with him. Josh moved out to Yucca Valley. If you don't know where that is, it's in the middle of nowhere out past Palm Springs. Why? Schooling - believe it or not, there are great schools out there, I guess. Mom is...call me on that one. I could not put into words how her life is going.

So now that you are bored with reading my life, I will move forward. My goal is to update monthly if not weekly.