So....nothing gets me in a worse mood than seeing orange cones appear on the side of the road knowing I am coming into construction. I am ALWAYS late and this is a sign that I'm just going to be later. Nice. Sometimes I'm grateful for a good excuse for why I'm late this time! ;) The worst part is the crusty construction worker sign holder guys (Nice title-not sure what they are called)-they give me crusty looks and signal me to slow down as they hold their "slow down" sign and I give them crusty looks because "Hello! You're sorta ruining my day." Never thought twice about it-I don't like them & they don't like me-feeling is mutual. It's all good. AND every flippin road in South Jordan is under construction. Lame! Can't get anywhere without frustration.
Yesterday I took Shaylee to take some pictures for her 4th grade report on Utah County. We drove down Redwood to take a picture by the Utah County sign that's by Camp Williams-then went to Utah Lake to get pictures of it & Mt Timpanogas-then stopped at a gas station to get some post cards for her poster. As I drove into Saratoga Springs I saw orange cones and immediately felt ticked. However, the first "slow down" sign holder did the weirdest thing-she smiled and waved at me. Strange. I smiled & waved back and was actually ok with this construction zone. Same thing happened as I drove thru South Jordan to come home-the guy smiled and waved. NEVER happened before-EVER-in my life. I waited til he turned his back so I could take a quick picture of him-didn't want him to think I was a weird construction worker stalker or anything!
Made me think about something President Uchtdorf said in the First Presidency Message in the September Ensign.
"Big gates move on small hinges. Sisters, your example in seemingly small things will make a big difference in the lives of our young people."
I hope you see the connection I see. These guys HAVE to hold signs-it's their job. They have to encourage us to slow down and I'm sure it's frustrating to hold that sign day after day and deal with people like me who hate them. It'd be way easier for them to be grumpy and just do their job-but a simple smile and wave for me made a huge difference. In my life I have the opportunity to make a big difference in other's lives also-my family, my friends, my young women, strangers, etc. I hope I can be "delightful" (I love that word) and help other's on their journey of life. I love the thought of the big gate moving on a small hinge~I don't do anything spectacular in my life but I hope the little things I do somehow make a difference.
Next time I see a crusty construction sign holder guy telling me to slow down I'll try smiling and waving. It might just make his day a little brighter and change his attitude about his job....might even feel a little happier myself! ;)
We woke up to snow today and although I was bummed the kids were thrilled! Sawyer & Jaycee threw on their snow pants, coats, gloves & hats and went out back to play. I just looked outside and realized it's not so bad-the snow only stuck to the grass! I could handle snowy days if they were like this every time! Who likes to shovel and drive in the mess? Only crazies!!! For just today I think the snow is beautiful.....
So....nothing gets me in a worse mood than seeing orange cones appear on the side of the road knowing I am coming into construction. I am ALWAYS late and this is a sign that I'm just going to be later. Nice. Sometimes I'm grateful for a good excuse for why I'm late this time! ;) The worst part is the crusty construction worker sign holder guys (Nice title-not sure what they are called)-they give me crusty looks and signal me to slow down as they hold their "slow down" sign and I give them crusty looks because "Hello! You're sorta ruining my day." Never thought twice about it-I don't like them & they don't like me-feeling is mutual. It's all good. AND every flippin road in South Jordan is under construction. Lame! Can't get anywhere without frustration.
The people in San Francisco totally intrigued me. I LOVED watching them-they are nuts-I loved visiting with everyone I could! This guy jumped out at people from behind his bush and when they screamed he'd hold out his cup and say, "Now pay me for your thrill." Cracked me up. I love the song "For Good" from Wicked-LOVE IT. Total definition of what life is all about for me. When I see people like this I want to sit and visit with them-I want to know what happened-who has been in their life-I want to know their story. I'd love the opportunity to have them open up and share some of their journey with me. I know we are not sent here to fail-that Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us-I'd love to see each choice/each person in their lives and be able to sort of understand what happened. I have no doubt that even though life is so hard sometimes and that I am so sheltered here in Utah that someone was in their path to help them choose better at some point...It's overwhelming to me to see them.....anyhow-great trip. Awesome people!
I layed on the ground on the bridge and took this picture of Casey-made me laugh....he's hilarious and so is this picture!
Casey & I in front of The Golden Gate Bridge...it was breathtaking to me...I totally loved it!
This moment was so flippin funny-we'd walked up and down hills so much that I got a HUGE charlie horse in my butt/leg when I tried to jump up on the wall for this picture...you just had to be there. Alcatraz was incredible-to visit and to see from a distance...spooky it's covered in fog a lot of the time.
Brian & Erin riding the trolleys-dang fun! We loved it! Riding on the OUTSIDE of the trolley was a little freaky to me-the hills are so steep and the cars & other trolleys cruise by so fast. I asked the driver if anyone's ever got hurt when they fall off-he told me they hit their head and die. I laughed-he didn't-must be true. Trolley drivers were of course fun to visit with-cool guys-hard work to drive those.
Alcatraz tour-so worth it! I'd love to do the night tour next time.
Erin & I on Alctraz-the view of The Golden Gate Bridge. The prisoners that were recorded for the tour talked about how hard it was to see the city and hear their laughter and music while they were in prison with no freedom. Amazing to see the beautiful view of San Francisco from Alctraz.
This is a wall quilt my mom made for us with pictures from our wedding day-it's awesome! I love to see it every day and remember that incredible day of our lives...and to reflect on the "journey" of the last 14 years. It's gone SO fast! Our trials have been so small compared to those of others but I am grateful for them-we have truly been molded and become so much closer as a couple & as a family. I am so grateful for Casey-he's seriously the most selfless person I have ever met. Anything he has or is able to do he will share with anyone he knows. "Stuff" just doesn't matter to him and I love that! He is such a hard worker-he's completely dedicated to Evco and loves his job & those he works for and with. He is an incredible dad to our 4 kids-they really are so lucky and I tell them that all the time. He loves them more than life and is such a great example-he's so patient. I love his crazy sense of humor-what a nut! He makes me laugh every single day. I love that he loves me-just because I am me. And I love that he calls me Bunches. Makes me giggle. Pretty sure there's not another wife on the planet that gets called that! ;) I am so blessed!
I was asked to help plant flowers at the beautiful Oquirrh Mountain Temple this morning...it's always such a neat experience to be involved with anything at the temple. With my calling & life I feel like I've been away from my kids a ton lately so I took Shay with to help. It was fun for me to spend some time with her and neat for her to help with something with the temple! She's just awesome!
