Oh Canada and Other Good News

Wow. My dear Watson went to University of New England (Maine) last weekend to interview for their PA program.  Yesterday they sent him an acceptance letter!  We're very excited and grateful to definitely have at least one option already.

Maine is super far away, but it would be a fun adventure. Their program starts in June 2014 and goes every semester for 2 years. Most other programs start in August and are about 2 1/2 years, which allows for a few breaks here and there.  So this particular program would be fast and rigorous.  I can see how that could be good and bad.  I was hoping to be able to stick around during the summer to join our families in family reunions etc. before we head out.

So we'll see.  If we do get other options we'll be grateful to have a choice, if we don't, we'll gladly move to Maine next June.  It will all work out. I'm just glad we have a future. It feels awesome.

I got to spend a week in Canada recently.  I was in Montreal for a business conference for a few days, and then flew to Toronto to hang out with my sister Betsy. She has 4 kids and is such a good mom. She is really good at playing with her kids (like toilet tag, and skylanders) and finding cool projects for them to do. They watch very little TV and still manage to fill their day.  At family prayer Betsy took a moment to mention each of her 4 kids and something she was grateful for....like how Afton skips when she walks. I thought that was such a good idea - it helps the kids know mom loves them and I think it helps mom realize how much she loves her kids.  It's not like the mom life is easy peasy, but from my observation, it's a great life.

PA School News

So we're in the processing of applying to PA (Physicians Assistant) schools.  My dear Watson submitted the applications at the end of August and is working on the last few supplemental applications.

He applied to:

University of Toledo (Ohio)
University of New England (Portland, Maine)
Baylor University (Houston, TX)
Midwestern (AZ)
Northern Arizona University (AZ)
Franklin Pierce University (New Hampshire)
Campbell University (North Carolina)
De Sales University (Pennsylvania)
Wichita State University (Kansas)
Marquette University (Wisconsin)
Harding University (Arkansas)

Our first piece of bad news came a couple weeks ago.  Midwestern said they won't be interviewing (which also means they won't be accepting) him.

Our first piece of good news came on Wednesday.  University of New England wants to interview him!  We booked a flight yesterday so he's headed to Maine next month for an interview!  Interviewing doesn't guarantee admissions, but it's at least a step in the right direction and very encouraging.

Hopefully more good news to come in the future.  

Wind Wuss

It has been so rainy lately.  For the last 2 weeks almost every other day has been threatened by rain.  It often comes in the evening when I’m home alone and is usually accompanied by lightning and wind.  I can still remember a few terrifying tornado warning nights as a little girl when we had to go to the basement and listen to the radio to see if it was coming towards us. I’ve been afraid of wind ever since.

I remember once in 7^th or 8^th grade ( in Utah ) I was playing at a friend’s house down the street when it started to get windy. I looked at the sky and could see the dark storm clouds racing in like there was no tomorrow.  You know what I did?  I turned around and booked it home like a wuss. My friends still tease me about it to this day.

One time when I was in New Zealand we hiked to the top of a mountain and encountered 50-60  mph wind. I’m not exaggerating. It was like sticking your arm out of the car window when you’re driving on the freeway.  You can imagine my worries were at top notch, especially considering we were walking along the top of a mountain with cliffs on either side. 

We moved along the ridge in little spurts. Our professor gave the cue when he noticed a lull in the wind, and we stood up and advanced as far as we could on the trail until the wind was too strong. We crouched down behind a rock and held on to each other until we could move again.

Eventually, as we continued down the mountain the wind lessened.  I remember sitting on a rock and watching the remnants of the wind gently blow the leaves on the tree. I felt so proud of myself for getting through that. I faced my fears, came out safe, and had a great time. 

I thought I conquered my wind fear, until these rain/wind storms of late.  I usually close the blinds and turn up the TV so I can’t hear what’s going on, or think about driving to my dear Watson's work just so I’m not alone.

Tonight though, I’ve opened the blinds and I’m embracing the storm. It’s quite beautiful actually. 

It’s amazing how something awful, and scary, and stupid, becomes beautiful when you have a little bit of courage and trust that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.  I trust that tomorrow I’ll have a bountiful cherry tomato harvest. 

Just a few things I love from this summer. 

                                                                 

Proud to be a Woman

I just wanted to make it known that I know I am a daughter of God, Who loves me, and I love Him.  I will stand as a witness of Him at all times, in all things and in all places. I will live the principles of the gospel which will prepare me to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple and enjoy the blessings of exaltation. I believe there is a divinity and nobility to womanhood that if we truly understood, would never make us question our worth to the Lord or in His Church.  I am separate but equal in my roles and responsibilities -- I am not the same as the men in my home or in the Church and I don't desire to be the same as them. We are different and endowed with different gifts and responsibilities; as such, I am happy to exist in a separate but equal realm. I know the Lord doesn't view me as any less important, worthy or capable as men in the Church. I don't need to see a woman pray in General Conference or be a Sunday School president, have the priesthood or wear pants to church to feel like I am contributing to building His Kingdom.

When Cain and Abel were asked to make sacrifices to the Lord, Cain brought the fruit of the ground but Abel brought the firstlings of his flock - the best of the best in honor and respect to the Lord. "And the Lord had respect unto Abel".  I choose to sacrifice my best, wear my best, do and be my best all for the Lord because I love Him and I know He loves me.

Every woman possesses within them the ability to build God's kingdom on earth; to make a significant impact on generations if they will but rise to the occasion.  Embrace your unique strengths, talents and divine nature and rise to the top; teach our young women to shine bright in whatever purpose they discover they have come to earth to accomplish.  As a woman I don't need to hold the priesthood, or any high calling for that matter, in order to accomplish a great work and receive all the blessing available to me.

My exaltation is not contingent upon my ability or opportunity to do everything that men can do.  It's contingent upon my doing whatever the Lord has instructed me to do. I feel like I have every blessing that comes from the priesthood already.  I know the Lord has something incredible in store for the faithful; no matter their gender, roles, responsibilities, or leadership positions.

The Church is true, so what else matters?

The Year

We had such a great Christmas and New Year. The best part was all the time off from work. I actually got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed my kitchen, bathroom and laundry room floors.  I cleaned my refrigerator and organized some of my closets and corners.  We relaxed, watched movies (Les Mis is amazing. Like really amazing. And Lincoln was the coolest president ever), played games and spent a lot of time with family.

**Side note: it was New Years day (12:05 am) 2006 at the Woolley's house that my dear Watson first told me he loves me.

2012 was a fun year. We had some fun vacations, I got a new job; my dear Watson got a CNA and made the dean's list two semesters in a row; we made new friends, paid a lot of tuition, finished the Book of Mormon, and strengthened our faith, our relationship, and our muscles.

In 2013 we will go on more dates, finish the Doctrine and Covenants, go on more vacations, be healthier and WORRY less (that one's for me).

Everyone needs to go to Farr's Fresh in SLC and try their hot ice cream. It's the creamiest most delicious tasting basically-hot-chocolate you'll ever taste. But don't waste your money on a cookie - no bueno.  We rode Frontrunner (utah's new cross-county train!) to SLC with some friends. It was super fun and cold.

Here are some pictures of a few of my favorite things during Christmas and New Years.

These are so light! I feel like i'm flying with every stride.  

We crammed into trax so we didn't have to wait 15 min. for the next one to come. It was so funny and I'm glad we did it.  

So I guess we didn't get pictures of FrontRunner...this and me and Alisa on Trax. 

My dear watson and I are in this picture....it's just hard to see us. I love the Salt Lake Temple

My favorite corner of the house. Isn't it beautiful?  Peg board made by my sister in law, quilt made by my mom, shelf mad by my dear watson.  Soon I will make a decoration to go on top :).