memorial day

"Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May. Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country" (http://www.usmemorialday.org/background.html).

While it is good to take time to remember all those who have died, it is important to remember the meaning for this holiday. There have been 2,489,335 American soldiers wounded and killed since the Revolutionary War. It is staggering to think of all the blood that has been spilled in the pursuit of freedom. The least we can do is take a few minutes out of our day, pause maybe in the midst of our BBQ's and pool parties, and give a thought to those who have given their lives protecting our way of life.

first date

So. Tuesday night I decided I was going to give match.com ONE LAST TRY. I signed up for 3 months. After that I'm done with online dating forever. I winked at a couple of guys, knowing that if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it right. One of the guys (the ONLY guy out of the one's I winked at, by the way) winked back. I waited, to see if he would do anything else. But he didn't. So, Wednesday morning before work I emailed him--breaking the ice. He emailed back. After I responded to his questions, he asked me if I was free that night. Not wanting to appear desperate, I told him I was busy. So we settled on Friday. The plan: mini golfing at 6pm.

He showed up on time. *point for him*

He did not open the car door for me. *minus point for him*

He said more than two words the whole time. *point for him*

He was very personable and very nice. We asked questions back and forth and had some good discussion. We played three rounds of golf and I kind of kicked his trash. LOL. After that we drove over to the mall and had dinner and ice cream at the food court. Then he drove me home.

Did I have fun? Yes.

Would I go out with him again? Yes.

Maybe this online dating thing is okay...

cupcakes

My new obsession: cupcakes. I've tried several new recipes over the last couple weeks. If anyone has any fabulous, to-die-for recipes they want to share, pass them along!

Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting:

Raspberry Lemonade with Raspberry Lemonade

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Cherry Almond Vanilla:

The cherry one's need some tweaking, but the other two are delicious and definitely being added to my recipe collection along with an amazing Swiss Chocolate with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese frosting one that Katy and I made a few months ago!!

good quote

So, I'm reading this completely ridiculous book right now. It's a Christian romance about a gladiator in Rome who ends up falling in love with his Christian slave. Ridiculous, I know. LOL. BUT, last night as I was reading I found a quote that really struck me last night.

"Even when my plight makes me feel otherwise, I choose to walk by faith and believe all the trials I face are part of His greater plan for me."

historical crush

A few months ago Kristy asked me who my historical figure crush was. I drew a blank. I couldn't think of anyone, and actually laughed a little when she told me who hers was. But....whatever floats your boat! The other morning I realized who my historical crush is, and it's someone I've admired for a long time.

He lived here in the Americas (there's still debate and speculation about where specifically) and was alive in the first century BC. I'm not really sure how old he was when he appears in the historical record in 72 BC, but I'm going to say mid 20's to early 30's. He was the captain of his people's army and led his people to victory over their enemies on multiple occasions. He was strong, smart, honest, spiritual, patriotic, and is the kind of man I want my future husband to be. His name was Moroni.

Plus...look at those arms! :) If you're interest in knowing more about this man let me know. I've got a great book you should read....

a moment of silence

Through all the bad writing, and the frustrating will they/won't they back and forth sexual tension between the two main characters, the one bright spot during the last three seasons of "Bones" has been Mr. Nigel-Murray.

From day one I fell in love with this awkward, bumbling, British nerd. His adorable smile and brilliant mind captivated me and I waited every episode he was on for all the random bits of trivia stored in his head to spill out.

Last night he was shot. Last night I watched him bleed to death. Last night my world came crashing down. I cried and I'm still crying. I know he was jsut a fictional character (I'm not completely crazy) but I loved him.

i am thankful...

...that I live where I do.

This past week I have been staying at my parent's house while they have been on vacation. The girls were home and Mom and Dad wanted someone else to be there at night so they weren't alone. One thing I learned: I am thankful I live where I do. When I was looking at houses last year, I looked at more houses than I care to remember that were closer to my parent's house than I am right now. I thought that's where I wanted to live. However, after this past week, that is not where I want to live. It is too far away. By the time I get to my off ramp on the freeway I am sick of driving, but this week...I had 10 more minutes to go. By the second day, it got a little old. So...long story short, my house is in a perfect location for me in relation to work and I love it.

Also, I'm thankful that Mom and Dad are home and I don't have to worry about cleaning up vomit and making sure the sickies are keeping hydrated (as much as they can) and are as comfortable as they can be.

Now, I need everyone's prayers that I don't get sick. I don't have any sick time right now and I can't afford a stomach virus...

was blind but now i see

The last two weeks I have had the same lesson in Sunday School: John chapter 9. It's about Christ healing a blind man. It's a great chapter and is full of lots of great little tidbits and insights into the Savior and how we can apply his teachings into our own lives.

The man who was healed was blind from birth. Christ saw the man as he was walking past him and stopped. In those days it was assumed that if someone had a disability that his or her parents must have done something wrong to have deserved the punishment of a child born with the disability. Christ's disciples asked Him if the blind man or the blind man's parents had sinned in order for the man to be blind. Christ answered them and told them that the disability was not given because of any sin that was committed. What I found interesting, and what was pointed out in today's recounting of this story, was that Christ healed the man, but the man had no idea that he was going to be healed.

Verse 6 and 7 say, "When he had thus spoken he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam...He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."

All that Christ told the man to do was to go wash the clay off in the river. He didn't say, "Go wash and after you do you'll get your sight back." I found this particular point very interesting. Oftentimes it is not until after we have shown our obedience to a principle or commandment that we are given a blessing. We don't know what the blessing is going to be, or even if there is going to be one, but having faith and showing Heavenly Father our willingness to obey makes us worthy to receive whatever blessing He chooses to bestow.

The man goes on to tell people about what happened to him, bearing his testimony about Christ. The more he bears his testimony, the stronger it grows. Verse 25, "He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."

As I was sitting in Sunday School today, reading through this chapter again, I couldn't help but think of my favorite song: Amazing Grace. That song never fails to bring me to tears whenever I hear or sing it and echoes my own testimony of the Savior. I know Christ lives. I know he came and performed miracles like restoring sight to the blind man. But more than physical sight he is able to bring spiritual sight if you are willing to accept Him. I know that after our obedience blessings come. When we act in faith, Christ's light takes away the darkness of uncertainty. I am grateful for my Savior and for the atoning sacrifice he made on my behalf. I know he died and was resurrected so that we can overcome physical and spiritual death.

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

red lights

Today was a red light day. Meaning: I hit all the red lights going to and from work. Usually I'll hit one or two, but today the universe and I were out of sync. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

magnum

Today I discovered how delightful Magnum is.

Vanilla ice cream, dark chocolate, caramel...what more can a girl ask for??

Okay, so THIS Magnum is also delightful and would just be icing on the...ice cream :)