Bacon

Tonight we had BLT's.  When ever we would cook bacon, the smoke detector would go off (it is super sensitive).  I have a new favorite way to cook bacon that does not take long, does not require turning and best of all does not wake up our apt complex with the fire alarm going off.

It is to cook it in the oven.  I put it on a cookie sheet lined with foil (for quick clean up) put in the oven at 425 F for 10-15 minutes.  The few times I have done it now the bacon has been perfect.  Love it!

Happy Birthday Darling!

Yesterday was Joshua's 25th birthday.  He is an amazing person.  We needed to celebrate his life. 

I made a picnic lunch and we drove up to Nunn's Park in the Provo Canyon.  We laid our blanket's out on the grass next to the Provo River, ate and laid in the sun. 

Afterwards, we went to Sam's club for my eye appointment.  Then went up to the church building to play the piano.  Next we in church we are playing a duet of I am a Child of God. 

Later that night, we went to visit Joshua's old roommate Justin.  We were going to go to get ice cream but in the end went to Applebee's for some heartier food.  In the end at Applebee's there were 5 of us.  It was great to all be together.  We also new the server.  He was terrif and brought Joshua a special raspberry milkshake.  It was a lot of fun.

After Applebee's we spent the rest of the evening at the nickel arcade playing the games from our childhood.  Our friend Aaron and his girlfriend Emma came, Justin was there with a friend of his and Nic came along as well.  Aaron and Nic are friends we have made as I worked with them on trail.  Nic is one who went sky diving with Joshua last summer.  It was a great time.

Happy Birthday Joshua!  Hope it was a great one.  I am so glad you were born and made the life decisions you have which have helped shape you into who you are.
 

Family Member's Serving Mission's

Thinking about Ben on a mission has me thinking about those other family members on a mission right now.  There are:
1. Derek Williamson - Brother-in-law serving in New York, New York South Mission.  Spanish speaking.
2. Ben Arnett - Brother serving in Atlanta, Georgia North Mission.  As Ben says, English and Ebonics speaking.
3. Nik Crawford - Cousin serving in the Raleigh, North Carolina Mission.  English speaking.
4. Michael Corbitt - Cousin on Joshua's side, serving in Brazil.  Portuguese speaking.
5. Steven Wright - Cousin serving in the Paraguay Asuncion North Mission starting in June. Spanish speaking.
6. Kyle Corbitt - Cousin on Joshua's side, serving in Barcelona, Spain starting in July.  Spanish speaking.
7. Taylor Dahl - Cousin serving in I forgot where.

In each of these cases these 19-20 year old young men chose on their own to go on a mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  If they feel it is so true to devote 2 years of their life to this, shouldn't we all at least consider what it is they are sharing and why they feel so strongly that it is true?

Ben on a Mission

Ben entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on Dad's 51st birthday, April 21, 2010.  It was a great day.  In the morning we celebrated Dad's birthday with strawberry shortcake.  Then we each were able to take a moment to express to Ben our love for him and our thoughts as to him serving a mission. 

I know that I am so proud of him for choosing to commit 2 years of his life to teaching others everyday, all day about Jesus Christ.  This truly was a decision that he made.  I admire his conviction to study out if he believed the gospel of Jesus Christ was real and if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was God's one and only true church on the earth.  There is so much bits and parts of truth all around us in the world today but I too know that God in his love and care does not wish to leave us in the dark.  I know that God has all power.  And as such, God has the ability to have one church.  Ben will be a great force of good in the lives of others.  I am so proud of him and love him very much.  We are praying for you Ben.

Graduation!

Did I mention Joshua graduated?  On April 23, 2010, Joshua and I walked hand in hand at Brigham Young Universities Commencement ceremony.  We walked together in the School of Humanities.  It was a nice event.  I was so proud of Joshua for completing his Bachelors of Arts in English Secondary Education with a minor in Spanish Teaching.  It was nice for me too to walk in the commencement ceremonies as I truly felt a sense of accomplishment and pride; a feeling I do not often have.

Our families were there too.  Jasmyne came up on Tuesday but left on Wednesday so she was not at the graduation.  Ben had also entered the MTC on Wednesday so he was not there and Derek my brother in law was also on a mission, so he too was not there. 

It was nice to have all of our family in town too.  Mom and Dad Williamson gave us each a beautiful carnation lei.  This helped them pick us out of the mass of blue robes.  Later that day, Uncle Stan MacBean took our pictures.  We had a bbq on Saturday evening at Aunt Corrinne MacBeans home.  My family was there and so was some of Joshua's extended family.  On Saturday afternoon, we all went up Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls.  There we had a picnic, the boys tossed around a ball with their lacrosse sticks.  Joshua and I brought our hammock that we bought in Mexico on our honeymoon.  It was the first time we had used it.  After 2 years we figured it was about time.

So what's next?  It seems a bit like a midlife crisis.  Today Joshua turns 25.  He is looking for a job and is not in school.  It is a strange feeling to not know exactly where you are going next.  But I do not doubt he will find a job.  He is so talented and more than that, I know that Heavenly Father will help him find employment and guide him to where he is to be as Joshua continues to seek that will.

Date Night

I think we need to find a new activity for date night.  Here are the most frequent date nights:

1.  Watch a movie at home.
2. Go out to eat, then come home to watch the original Mission Impossible TV series.
3. Go out to eat and walk around either, the mall, Kolh's, or Wal-mart.  We don't usually buy any thing, we just walk around.

Tonight, we did spice it up a bit by eating a dinner of hot dogs at Costco's food court, followed by a walk around the mall.  Boy, are we wild or what!

Joshua's New Calling

Today Joshua was called as the assistant deacon quorum advisory and assistant deacon scout master (12-13 year old boys).  We are so excited.  I think I am more excited than he.  Now he gets to go to mutual, teach the Sunday lesson once a month, plan and go on monthly campouts, and go with the scouts on a week long water rafting trip.  I am jealous.  I guess it is only fair.  Last summer I was able to spend a lot of time outside camping (that's  an understatement on the amount of time spent camping and outside) and this summer he will get to. 

They are letting us decide together if he should stay as a Sunday School teacher of the 14-15 year old group or if I will take over teaching that by myself.  Well see what happens.


I know Joshua will do such a great job and be a great scout leader. 

Saturday - A day of accomplishments

Today was a great day. 

Joshua and I slept in.  While he went to teach swim lessions, I began cleaning.  I finished putting away the laundry from yesterday.  All the clean laundry is put away!!!!!  I did the dishes in my new dishwasher.  They came out great.  The front room,  bedroom and bathroom are cleaned.  I've dusted and vacuumed our apartment too.
 

First though I had to take apart my vacuum and fix it.  So I busted out my tool kit, cleaned way the clog of dirt, put it back together and went to work.

  The bedroom closet is clean and completely reorganized.  Joshua was such a great help with that.  Joshua also reorganized the coat/everything storage closet.  It looks great.  We can even walk into it now that there is so much room.   Today I even sent out 5 letters by air mail. 

Joshua and I went to Home Depot today.  We bought stuff to plant a garden in little planter boxes.  I'll post pictures tomorrow.  We planted onions, green onions, radishes, a tomato plant, japlapeno's, mexibell plant and a red bell pepper.  I also planted more cilantro, and basil.  Back in January I had planted inside some cilantro, parsley, chives, oregano, basil, and tarragon.   I am so excited that I will have everything I need to make homemade salsa and bruchetta.  Joshua just told me I was wrong and did not have everything to make salsa because I don't have garlic.  I guess it will almost be homemade food.

After we got the garden planted, we decided to paint the bathroom.  We painted it a tannish, brownish color.  It looks so great!  I bought this new painting toy tonight too.  It is an edger.  It makes it so you don't have to tape before painting.  It was such a time saver.  I have never been fond of taping and this tool made it fun and easy.  I highly recommend it.

It's been a great day.  I feel so accomplished.  It was fun working with Joshua.  He is a great worker.

Giada at Home

Today I saw the show Giada at Home; a cooking show.  I had never seen this show before but I liked it.  She made some simple dishes that looked so good!  One was a parfait.  I went and got the ingredients and made it tonight.  Joshua took a bit a chewed for a long time.  I asked him how he like it, and he told me to try it.  I know that always means it is not good. 

To say the least, it was DISGUSTING!  The texture was horrible!  In the show she used yogurt mixed with ricotta cheese.  That was layered on granola, and fruit jam.  In case you were thinking of trying it, don't.   

Lessons and Blessings From Work

I while ago I wrote about how I feel so bipoloar about my job; sometimes I love it and other times I don't.  I have been thinking more and more about how this job is a blessing.  I am learning much and a believe the things I am learning will help me in my life.  I believe these lessons are blessings which will help me be a good mom one day. 

Here are just a few of the ways it blesses my life:

1.  It provides an income.  No it does not pay much but at least it pays and is above $7.00 (which seems to be "big money" for Utah).

2.   I am learning to keep my composure in a hectic setting and treat others with kindness and empathy when they are not so nice to me. 

3.  I am learning how to work with teenagers and young adults from various walks of life.  I am learning how to work with those who come from very wealthy families to poor families; those with drug addictions to mental illnesses; those with learning and processing issues or even brain injuries to those who do not have those.  I am learning to be compassionate.  How to talk with them, and how not to.  How to confront them when they are not making good choices and how to help them learn to become more accountable for their actions.

4.  I am learning to be a parent.  I usually call the students, "my kids" when I think about them because I care for them, help provide for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. During last summer when I worked as a guide, I was often told by others, that I was very nurturing.  I am continuing to understand what it means to be nurturing.

5.  I am learning how to work with insurance companies and how to find doctors on various insurances.

6.  I am learning that some medications are  needed and that some are over prescribed.  I am also learning that we need to be careful with what we allow doctors to tell us we need.  Often their is a deeper problem that needs to be addressed not just a magic pill given to make the problem go away.  Yet sometimes there is a chemical imbalance that does need a medication to help regulate it.

7. I am learning how to deligate responsibilities.  I am learning to allow others to help me and how to give them instructions appropriately.

8.  I am learning to use my gifts and talents of loving people, being a good example, working hard and organizing events.  My mom and dad really taught me this.  So did church.  Church also taught me to conduct meetings.  I am young but I felt like I set up and conducted my works family workshop with 70 people very well.  I loved being able to do that.

9.  I am learning to juggle a busy schedule and multi-task.  I am learning that in order to do a good job and remember it, I need to write it down.  By writing down my goal of what I want to accomplish during the day, I am usually able to meet my goal.  I am learning to work from home and work straight from 8 hours while at home.  This skill will be so important from me as I attend graduate school and need to study.

10.  I am learning that I must stop to take time to take care of myself.  After the family workshop ended and I completed everything else I needed to two Tuesday's ago, I was greatly stressed.  I went and got a massage.  When I saw a friend later that night, she complimented me on taking time to take care of myself.  I am also grateful for the friendships I have made through my work.  Last week, my summer time co-guide Aaron Samudio came over to visit Joshua and I.  We reminisced that it was a year ago that we met and on how our friendship has grown and how we have been blessings in each others lives.

The list could go on and on about how my job has been a blessing in mine and Joshua's life.  In each of these situations that I mentioned they have had ripple effects in our marriage.  I believe that the ups and downs we have endured with my work have strengthened our relationship and increased our ability to communicate with each other.

I am grateful for the opportunity to work.
 

BYU Here I Come

Did I ever mention I decided to go to BYU?  Yes it is a 2 year program.  But it is also a terrific program!  I am very excited about it.  And the cost is more wallet friendly than the U of U.  Guess I am a true blue.

Life Quote

I love the following quote by Julie B. Beck.

"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the
people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are  important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time
away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently."

I love this quote because it rings true to me.  Each day I have a million things to do.  I need help in keeping balance, harmony and focus in my life.  At work I hold very high expectations of myself.  At times I think to myself, "I am superwoman" because of all that I have to do and because I actually am able to do it.  So often it is just unreal how much I have to do.  But I also think that I do a good job.  I know that it is only through Heavenly Father's help that I am able to do a good job and get all that I need to done.  There are some days I am so stressed and things don't seem like they could possibly work out but they do.  They always do.  

Then I get home from work.  I feel like I fall so short.  I do not feel like superwoman.  Today I did make it to the grocery store so that was great.  But the groceries are still on the counter.  I did the dishes yesterday but there are more in the sink today.  The laundry is washed but sitting next to me in a pile on the bed.  At least the bed is made...well was made.  The laundry is on one half and I am under the covers on the other.  The bathroom needs to be cleaned and so do the floors.  I did not make dinner tonight but I did make lunch (chicken and vegetables).  I did not eat the lunch I made.  Instead I sliced strawberries and put sugar on it.  I ate a grapefruit also, of course with sugar.  I was going to go exercise but am tired.  I want to be with Joshua but he is sick and playing on the computer. 

Well what can I say... not enough time or energy to do all that I want to do.  I do need to re-prioritize my life.  I am grateful for personal revelation which can help me figure out what I should be doing and where I should be focusing.