Friends. Understanding from Luke 22

Friendship. This has been on my mind for a while. I would like to think it has been just in the past few weeks but as I really start to delve into this "delicate" subject, I think it has always been on my mind.

The past few months I have been able to have a few conversations with a few people. And the topic has come up about friendships. I have been thinking about friends and decided to Google quotes and this one came up.

"A faithful friend is the medicine of life." 

            --- Apocrypha

I am not even going to ask if you agree because I know that you do. In light of my 10 year high school reunion  being in a few short weeks, I reflected back upon those people in my life who I have called as friends. I think about the people in my life right now that I consider to be my friends. And I think about how I have very few friends that I have known for 10 years that I still keep in close contact with. To be exact, the number is somewhere between 3 and 5.  I do have one special friend I have known since nursery. Our daughters are just weeks apart. 

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I have a handful of friends that I can call or email and we pick up where we left off... mostly ones from college and my mission. 

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And I have my circle of eternal friends also called family that, no matter how rude or tactless I can be, still love me.  

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While conversing these past few weeks, months, years etc, one common thread in these people that I have noticed is that they are excellent friends. What makes an excellent friend? I think you know. I started to think more about this and had an experience I wanted to share

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Luke 22

44 And being in an ^aagony he prayed more earnestly: ^band his sweat was as it were great drops of ^cblood falling down to the ground.

45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

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This is in Luke in the New Testament. It is regarding Christ's intense agony as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. And it is a part I have often simply skipped over and never really took time to understand. (these two verses, not the Garden of Gethsemane).

I try to make sure I react to situations as my Savior would. That I am calm, collective, and look at the situation from all angles or as "Leadership and Self-deception" would coin "thinking out of the box". Am I the only person that does this? Sometimes it is annoying to some since this causes me to defend "the other person" rather than be faithful/loyal. 

The bottom line:

Christ asked one thing from His disciples. That they stay awake and pray. Perhaps He just needed to know that He had friends. It had been such a long day for everyone and surely they tried to stay awake. I know that I would not have been able to. Yet He asked one thing of them. And they were not able to do it. 

Now, rather than be upset, (that is what I would have done), He said "46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation". That was it. And then He moved on. 

From this I learn two things, maybe three.

1. Christ, the Savior of the World, needed friends. His own disciples were of difference socio-economic backgrounds and of different professions. Lesson: Friends in un-likely places {some of my favorite people have grandkids my age!}

2. Even when they failed to stay awake (substitute: remember your birthday, send a thank you note, or said/did something hurtful), He still loved them and still walked with them. Lesson: Do not judge and do not hold grudges. We are commanded to forgive. NO. MATTER. WHAT.

3. Prayer. He asked them to pray. I wonder what would have happened if they did. What was waiting for them? What could they have learned? Lesson: What lessons/insight could be mine as I pray? As I am good friend? As I seek to serve others and love others?

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I am not as good of friend as I should be. I can be better. And hopefully, like me, if this is an area where you can improve on as well, we will be able to accomplish this together. I know there are a few people that I should express my gratitude for their friendship. Starting with the one I married and the one I gave birth to.

Text Message Wake Up Call... Tsunami in Hawaii

"Earthquake in Chili this morning. Expected Tsunami in Hawaii. "

That is what I received this morning from my brother Robbie there at BYUH. My sister Leialoha is there as well and our cousin Chloe. I talked to both of them. This is a little scary I will admit. I heard they are being evacuated to Laie Falls. BYUH is being used as an evacuation site.... 3 more hours until it is supposed to hit. Be safe. May the Lord bless everyone on all the islands

If you were a toddler...???

Childhood happens just one time. Thats it. Only one chance to play in the dirt, jump off dangerously high places, and eat things off the ground. Its probably the only time when picking your nose is "age-appropriate", no one care if you fart, (and when it REEKS!), and those daily tantrums where kicking and screaming is sure to happen doesn't much turn a head.  There are many positives to being a toddler. So I made a list. Which, is sure to be incomplete so please add your own. 

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1. Waited on hand and foot

2. Falling asleep in the car and being carried in

3. Getting to sleep through church and it being cute... not rude

4. Taking off clothes and putting them on again, but this time the pants go on the head

5. Special packages from people far away filled with goodies "just-because" (Ok, so when as an adult did you get one of these sweet mail treats? After my mission it was non-existent)

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To go along with #2, it really must be nice to just fall asleep anywhere. Just take a peek at this:

I had come in and after a panic search around the house and wondering if she could unlock the front door, found her in the drawer,  second from the top. I have NO idea how she got there or how she deduced that it would be a nice and cozy place to sleep. And I wish I could have dresser big enough to try. All those clothes to keep you warm and cozy. I will admit that this was taken with my camera phone since she was sleeping on the camera as well. (why it was in her drawer is beyond me)

Yes folks, she is sleeping. And if you know our toddler, you know that she NEVER STOPS. Seriously. Its 100 MPH ALL. DAY. LONG. For example: She was playing at her aunties and went straight for the toys (another things only toddler can really get away with. Can you imagine visiting a friend and running to the ATV?) She dumped them out and, from what I am told, laid down and within a minute was alseep. 

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So tell me, what would be the best things about being a toddler for you

Micheal Scott loves the Olympics

Ok. Notice the commercial. See the couple at the end sitting on the ground. Well, that is us. By us I mean, McKay and Makana. Yep, play it again. Notice how there is no table? They are eating on a coffee table. (which is not a real table). We sold our table and chairs and when I saw this commercial, it made me feel... complete. No, that's not right. I felt like I was in High School again and I just got invited to sit with the popular crowd. Yes, that's it. Oh, so you can relate to that feeling can you? Hmm, isn't it nice to know you fit in after all. Mmmmmm.

But, the rest of the clip is pretty good too. Kurdling. You mean hurdling? No. I mean what I said. Kurdling. Hold on please....................
                                    still there?
Actually, I just googled it. You are right. Its not quite Kurdling. It's C-U-R-L-I-N-G. And it is with brooms and it is on ice. See here

I like Micheal's version. What do you think?


On a serious note...

I can't wait until Pam has her baby. At least, until I can actually watch it on our Computer. I wonder what it will be. A boy? A girl? Did I miss that episode?

Thoughts on the Treadmill: Part II

Sweating. Sweating a lot. My lungs are burning and I contemplate stopping but I just can't. I mean literally can't. I am going full speed on the elliptical and last time I gassed out I somehow managed to get caught awkwardly in between the arm things and the radio/display thing. I have no choice. I have to finish. Just. A. Little. Bit. Farther. There. DONE! My lungs are still burning and boy are my shins going to be protesting anything resembling walking the next 24hours.
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So I get off and attempt to not look ridiculous as I walk to the water station. I really want to crawl and lap up the water like a cat. But I don't. I still have a shred of dignity left. That wasn't evaporated with my sweat. And as I am trying to slowly drink and not ravishly guzzle, I hear a small voice come to the surface of my thoughts. "Always do the hard thing first" and "If you don't plan your day, someone else will" and "You can be perfect in this." That's right I think. I can be perfect in at least this, in exercising each day. And I can do hard things. That's why I wake up early and make sure it is the third thing I do (#1-go potty. #2 Kiss the hubbs) and I planned on working out. I also planned on running a few races this year. Its a goal. And I am a goal setter. But more importantly, I am a goal keeper. And I am not a quitter.
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And while I meander, feeling as a cow must feel, over to the weights (today is tri's, glutes, and shoulders), I think two more months. I can totally do this. I feel empowered. I feel truly blessed. And I feel love from my God. Strange to feel that. Unexpected. And yet surprisingly needed.
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And it made me wonder. If God can bring me peace while my body is in agony, I am sure that when I am at peace it may be even more. What do you think?

PS- Bellaire Trolley Run April 10, 2010
Mudd Maxx Race June 19, 2010

Quiet as a Mouse

Today, my post regarding reasons why "My Husband Rocks" is short and simple. And every morning it makes me smile. He is very quiet about getting up and dressed for work. The lights stay off in the bedroom and he creeps into the bathroom, stepping on my shoes and Jaed's toys that we left out along the way. When he is done in the shower, he creeps into the closet, and dresses. The door is closed so no light will flash across my face and wake me up from my all too needed beauty sleep.

Some mornings I will hear him pad along the carpet and I just smile and think of how sweet and careful he is.

What would you do with $10,000

I have been perusing the internet this morning. Why? Well... its 7:53am. I have woken up, did my perfect morning schedule, and the little one is still sleeping. So I indulged. Can you really blame me? And I thought to myself "Self, if you had $10,000 to spend, what would you buy?" Obviously we would put it in investments and be responsible, and take a trip and blah blah blah blah. As stated, I wanted to indulge. Just a little eye candy if you catch my drift. Here are only a few. No travel allowed. No saving allowed.

A Cannon EOS Rebel XSi EF-S 18-55IS $649.99

Petunia Pickle Bottom Turkish Delight Bag $167.00 

A BYU toliet that plays the fight song when flushed. Here. Pretty sure its overpriced at $50

Now, forget the perfect lips and the darling sweater and just focus for a minute in the $12 organza flower necklace that double as a belt, bracelet & headband. Found at Downeast Outfitter and is currently out of stock. Or how about this book. Fablehaven Book 5. Keys to the Demon Prison Oh how my heart pitter-patters at the thought of staying up all night and turning its pages over and over again. Yes, me and all the other 6th graders in the world. 

and finally... I REALLY want to see this movie. I know, it not going to be like the book. I already saw that Annabeth is not even blonde! But, I love the books and love Greek myths and I love the name Jackson and I love that it is all because a Dad who cared about his son's education. And Mr. Riodan is from TX.  

Oh... I almost forgot wouldn't these...

Just $4.99 from Downeast

go great with this little lovely shirt from Union 28:

Don't you worry, I am not going to leave out our real bread winner. 

Here you go honey, A Sector 9 Long board. Now we BOTH can go long boarding together

I am adding up the total and my head and realizing I have a LONG ways to go...Maybe I will add getting our year supply of food and lots of Shelf-Reliance to hold them. I'm not sure, but the baby is up so what would you do with $10, 000 I wonder? PS- You must indulge... so wimpy answers of saving or traveling... or a car. 

Moving... a family tradition

2006-moved from Hawaii to Utah
2007 moved from my permanent place of residence in CA to UT with my new hubby into our very first house
2008 moved from our very first house to TX into my sis house
2009 moved from my sis house in TX to a nice, overpriced apt in TX
2010 moved from a nice overpriced ,apt to a regular priced, bigger apt.

I am sensing a pattern here. I wonder what will happen in 2011? We are on a roll, so why stop now?

Recently

"Jaed" Maliana is in the 75% for height and average for weight. She loves to dress up in my headbands and necklaces which I have basically given up any hope of claiming as my own. Whenever Mom is crafting, there is a little tug at my legs and it is Jaed wanting to help. So I give her the Bag-o-buttons and she is one happy camper for at least 30 minutes. Put them in... dump them out. Repeat. She loves this dog. His name is Benny. And this past week they were INSEPARABLE! Finally, just last night, McKay made us all a little dessert... Jello with whip cream. I got one bite. McKay got five... and I will give you ONE guess as to who ate the WHOLE ENTIRE bowl. I think it made her a little loopy....

Happy Valentines. Love, Make it Myne

It was your typical night in February in Tomball, TX. Warm, slight breeze. Picturesque. Then, an odd thing happened. Two by two came characters from Grease, The Adams Family, and even a special appearance from the Osborne's. This February night is not so typical after all. Big thanks to Make it Myne for the party planning and execution and for the Larsen's hospitality. It was a night to celebrate iconic couples.

Ashmead's=T-Bird and Pink Lady from Grease

Larsen's=Sharon and Ozzy Osborne (also voted as best costume)

Lease's=Adams family (notice the two mustaches)

Farley's=Clark Kent and Lois Lane (press passes included)

Hansen's=Mary Poppins and Bert the Chimney Sweep

Sinclair's=Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love

Keck's=Hermonie Granger and Ron Weasley

Newton's=Cesar and Cleopatra

Thayn's=Barbie and Ken

Parker's=Dancing Couple

Playing the "Not-so-Newly-Wed Game". This was REALLY fun and there were some really funny answers as I am sure you can just imaine

Jaed wanted to be as Osborne as well...

...remember how the game was really fun? This was one of the answers.... I won't tell you the question

Day Spa

Where: Norris of Houston Day Spa

When: Friday Feb 5 @ 4:00pm

My Husband rocks because... he went WITH me to a day spa and even got a pedicure AND a massage. I have been harboring this secret desire for YEARS and it has finally come true. The sweet man I married got off work early and we drove into Houston baby-less (thank you Tia), for a few hours of relaxing. And oh how relaxing it was. While he enjoyed the massage I knew he was hesitant about the pedicure. But, he did it and he did it because somewhere in my crazy romantic ideas, I find this cute, sweet, and spontaneous. (even if we did buy this session in August 2009). So, to my hubby I say a big thank you, I love you and I hope there are many more spa days to come.

waiting for the massage!

Made sure to stayed hydrated....

 including our feet!

New years goal: No more shopping

Gasp! What did she say? Am I reading this right? Is she nuts?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes to it all. I made a few New Years Resolutions. Here they are
1. Perfect Morning Schedule
2. $40/week on food { includes eating out and keeping up my food storage }
3. Go on a cruise
4. Make my own clothes
5. Budget the books on time {at the end of every month }

Yes, there it is. Big. Beautiful. #4. How am I doing you ask? Well, pretty good I would say. I have been banned by the hubbs from buying any more books. { I actually agree with him. Its my weakness. I can't help myself. More on that to come later }.

Scrapbooking comes in phases { as my drawers of stickers and embellishments can attest }
and since I am a SAHM of one little terror/delight daughter, I needed something more. I needed to satisfy my creative need. This is something that God has blessed me with. Not that I am creative, I am more of a good copy cat. Just click on any of the links on the side bar. Now those ladies are TALENTED!

Being the follower/blog stalker/copy cat that I am, here is what I have come up with so far. I decided that if I got a sewing machine, I would sew. My mom is an AMAZING seamstress. She would make our halloween costumes, our prom dresses, and pretty much anything that we wanted. She leaves me breathless with her talent. While I classify myself as less-than-a-beginner, I have to admit I have had a really fun time with this goal. ....Blah blah blah blah.... I know you just want to see pictures.

Jaedyn New Socks
Her tights had a hole in the bum. So after a tutorial from Ruffles&Stuff, I tried it too. I cut off the sock part, added elastic from the waistband, used the extra material for the ruffles and added a pink bow on the back.  

Flower hair pin/embellishment 
Cost: $0 (the material was from a scrap sample and the pin and beads I had laying around
I used a clip and that was I can clip it in my hair or on some clothes

heart tee with her own tutu... off the shoulder is unintential. This was an old play onesie. Full of stains. I added the heart to cover it all up and made a tutu to match. total cost: $1. Time: 30min

Heart tee, ruffled bow.

You can see a little ribbon on her shoulder. I attached a ribbon on both sides and tied a big bow in the back. Total cost: $4 shirt + left over scraps from material given to me

time involved: 40m. Mostly spent cutting the hearts and making the bow

In the making
-Dress for mommy
-another dress for mommy
-re-vamped sweater
-dress for Jaed
-no sew purse, travel case, makeup bag
-everything you see on the side :)