Rainbows

(Disclaimer...  Personal posting ahead...  This was written in a moment of self reflection.  Some might call it pregnancy hormones taking over. I don't know what to call it.  I think it's good to remember times of questioning and self inspection.  I'm putting it on my blog as a reminder to myself in days to come.  Please, don't worry about me after reading this.  I'm doing much better.  I just wanted to have it posted as a memory in my book of life.)

Do you ever find yourself wondering how you got to the place you're at in life?  Do you ever wonder if there is a light at the end of the tunnel? How far will your faith be stretched?  Do you really have anything more to give?  What else could possibly be required of you at this time?  But you're afraid to ask the questions out loud just in case someone thinks you're not being tested enough... so suddenly there are more trials placed in your lap?...  I'm not complaining. Honestly. I'm not.  I guess I'm just asking for some reassurance or reminders that in the hard times of life, there really are some relieving moments ahead.  That there really is light at the end.  That there really is a purpose to the trials and the tests that seem like they are going to consume us at any moment....  Please, don't get into a panic thinking that Carrie has lost her testimony. (No need to call the Bishop or the R.S. president...) Just the opposite in fact, my testimony has been strengthened more over the past few months by these trials. I actually already know that there are those relieving moments ahead.  I've felt the calming influence of the Spirit.  I have a testimony.  I KNOW there is a light ahead, not necessarily even at the end of the tunnel, but where ever and whenever I need it.  It's the Light of Christ. I always have access to it.  I guess today is just a day that seems especially trying. I know everyone has days like these.  I know I'm not alone in experiencing trials. If that was the case, I'd be the only person left on earth and no one would be here to read my blog.  (Now that would be sad...  No comment love for Carrie.) So...  I'm making a firm commitment to quit feeling bad for myself, to pull up my boot straps, and continue on in the journey.  After all, isn't that a part of the human experience we were all so excited to have? Pain and sorrow, joy and gladness.  They all come hand in hand.  You can't appreciate one without the other.  You  can't have rainbows without experiencing the storms. So, I guess we just continue to do the simple basics, right? Read our scriptures, say our prayers, attend our meetings, give service to others... The things that bring us out of ourselves and help us recognize God's hand in our lives.  The simple things that help us recognize the blessings in our lives.  And there are definitely blessings in my life. Too many to count.  So, that's what I'm going to do, return to the basics.

What a prodigy!

Warning!  Following are the bragging rights of a VERY PROUD MOTHER!   So... Consider yourself warned and continue reading only as you dare...

At the tender age of two, our little Olivia can do the following...

1.  Count to TEN.  Sometimes she'll keep going a little bit farther, but not consistently.

2.  Recognize and correctly name the colors Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Pink, Brown and White.

3. Will ask to brush her teeth throughout the day, and does pretty good with it by herself.

4. Can sing most of the words to 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town'  and 'Silver and Gold.'  (I'm getting her used to Christmas music throughout the year.)

5. Knows that when she stands on the scale, she weighs 32 lbs, and likes to shout out "Turty two!" when she gets off.  (She actually weights 33.5 lbs now, but I'm not going to tell her.)

6. Has learned to take off her clothes, and more importantly her diaper, which often results in a scantily non-dressed baby running through the house.  (Guess I'm not really bragging about that one.)

7.  Also recognizes the music and any picture of Hannah Montana immediately.  She even refers to our ward chorister, (Triss), as Hannah Montana when she sees her leading the music.

8.  Will stand in front of the mirror and preen and 'fix' her hair.  She also likes to twirl in front of the mirror to see how she looks.  (Once again, not bragging...)

9. She can spot the temple from almost anywhere and gets excited when she sees it.

10.  She can spot an airplane anywhere in the sky, and immediately recognizes a FIRE TRUCK from a distance.  (Definitely bragging here...)

So... There's just a few things our little prodigy can do.  I don't know if every kid can do this stuff, but I'm going to assume that our little gifted child is going to continue on this upward spiral and figure out the cure to cancer or M.S. or something by the time she's 15.   No worries, I'll keep you updated.

Feet are for...

I'd forgotten what it feels like to be kicked from the INSIDE.  Not that I get kicked a lot from the outside...  I was very distinctly reminded last night as I was talking to Brad.  Suddenly, it felt like my insides were a trampoline.  It took me about two kicks to realize...  "Oh yeah, I"m pregnant.  That must be the baby kicking!" (The pregnant-brain syndrome is really kicking in...) Feeling your baby kick you is such an amazing feeling.  It was fun to recognize it so quickly.  Quite an active little baby.  Only a couple more weeks for our first ultrasound to find out who is doing the kicking!

Finally... The Wait is Over.

Okay, Okay, Okay, I totally admit it.  I am totally addicted to MTV's show, "The Hills."  This strange reality show featuring a few of Hollywood's socialites and the way they live their lives has totally sucked me in.  I've been waiting all summer for the season opener and finally... tonight is the night!  I'm such a fan of Lauren and Whitney.  I like Audrina, but she needs to learn to dress more modestly. (Ok, they all need to learn that lesson...)  I think Heidi is evil and needs to learn the principle of 'being nice!'  And don't even get me started on Spencer! HE IS PURE EVIL.  But, it's good mind numbing TV with lots of good laughs and unbelievable story lines.  I can't believe people actually live with so much money available to them.  I don't think I'll ever know what that's like, and here's a bunch of beautiful twenty somethings getting everything they want.  Are you a fan?  (If you're a closet fan and don't want to come out in public, email me or call me...) Maybe we can get together to watch the premier tonight... eh?

Six Quirks...

I got tagged to tell you 6 of my quirks...  I have to say this took me a long time to think of six. Maybe I've just been blocking them out for so long I didn't want to bring them to the surface to think about.  These are the least painful to tell you, so here goes.  Enjoy!

1. I manifest my OCD tendencies mostly with my CD's.  They have to go in their cases or carrier with the title of the CD facing up and reading straight.  So you don't have to flip the case upside down to read any of them.

2.  I have dreams that are SO REAL, (even when I'm not pregnant) that I've woken up thinking Brad had died during the night.  NOT FUN!!

3.  I have the same routine every time I shower.  I soap up my body in the same way every time. If I try to do it differently, I get flustered.  (I know.. more OCD)

4.  I had a bet with a friend to go on a date with a 100 different guys before we got married.  I made it, she didn't.  In fact, I excelled!  She still owes me dinner!

5.  I don't like pumpkin pie, but I LOVE pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

6.  I had 16 room mates before I got married.  No, not all at the same time thank goodness!

There you go.  Some of my quirks.  Now I tag the following to share theirs with the world...

Robyn, Kayla, Heather and Sara.

I'm a Winner!!!

Hey everyone!  Guess what?  I won a freaking cool pair of earrings! (In fact, the ones just in the picture...)  You really need to check out THIS cool blog!  I'm so excited!  I can't believe I won!?!  TaLaisa has beautiful creations, and I'M. SO. EXCITED!!  Go check out her blog today... maybe you'll find a pair of earrings, a bracelet or something for yourself!

I'M A WINNER!!! 

Memory Lane

I got this from Robyn, and thought it could be kinda fun...

Here are the rules:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together.  It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.  Just don't post anything too embarrassing please!!!

Tagged...

3 Joys : My Family, Chocolate and uninterrupted sleep.

3 Fears : Heights, Spiders and Drowning

3 Goals : Get completely out of debt, to gain less than 25 lbs with this pregnancy and to get Olivia potty trained.

3 Obsessions : Chocolate, Blogging and Cleaning (when I have energy... after the 1st trimester)

3 Random Facts : I'm a twin, I'm double jointed in my right thumb and I hate feet!  (Even my own... Gross!)

3 Tags : Sara, Jenn D., Jaydale