First World Problems: No Electricity.

For the last 13 hours, we didn't have electricity in our apartment, except for our kitchen. That alone was a blessing in itself, especially since we just went grocery shopping last night. 

Since its summer and we live in one of the hottest parts of town, last night was just so miserable. Poor Levi couldn't sleep well without his cpap machine and I couldn't sleep well without him using his cpap machine. Together, we couldn't sleep well without our air conditioner and fan. It was so hot and muggy last night, just plain miserable. Around 3am, I went to lay out on the couch with front door wide open. Unfortunately, all the mailboxes are in front of our place. I have no idea how many people walked by our front door. Luckily, we have a screen door, but I'm pretty sure you could see straight into our place. I was so hot and miserable, I didn't really care. Needless to say, we did not sleep well last night.

Thankfully, our manager was able to fix it a half hour ago. Man, you never realize how much you take electricity for granted until you're stumbling around in the dark using your cell phone as a flash light.

Guess who's working on their emergency preparedness this week?!

Life Lesson: Prayer & Desire.

Yesterday (Monday), I wanted something pretty badly. I pondered heavily about it all weekend, and prayed about it too. I felt pretty peaceful after my prayers and thought that this good thing would be mine. This was a big step, which would require some discomfort on my end, but I was willing to endure it.

When I received the disappointing news, I was bummed, which only grew deeper. I started to get mad at God. I didn't understand the peace that followed my prayers. Didn't He know the longing in my heart and the desire in my soul? Why didn't this good thing become mine? I was so mad with Him. Why God, why? 

But then this quote from Elder Richard G.  Scott came to mind:

How foolish of me to get mad at God! Am I an idiot?! What am I going to do when there's something bigger & better that I want and desire and I don't get it? I can't always get mad at God. Perhaps it wasn't in His plans for me to change job positions, at this time. I know He knows what's best for my life. I just need to have more faith in Him and do the work necessary for the blessings I desire. I need to more fully trust in His plan. I can't believe I got mad at God. What was I thinking?! 

I'm grateful to have a loving Heavenly Father who knows my heart and my remorse. Man, does someone have a lot more praying to do! 

A Monday Quickie.

Today's Monday. It's a lil rough, but not too much. Someday, I'll get more than 3 hours of sleep for Monday.

This was the theme of my weekend. Sometimes you've gotta do things that make your heart race just a bit.

Went to visit my Dad last night. For someone who hardly sees the sun, I have no idea how he's still this dark!! Man, I wish I could be darker like him!! Someday, I'll make it over to the beach again. I haven't been since last August...2014!! I want to cry!

I've had three oysters in my lifetime. I think I've hit my quota. They're kinda gross.

We went to Lake Murray for the first time, last weekend. Well, it was my first time and if it weren't so hot, I would have enjoyed it more. I can't wait to go back again! 

Ok, lunch is over. Adios!!

Concert @ Soma.

I cherish any time I get to see my niece & nephews. They are such a bright spot in my life. I just can't believe how fast time flies. I think the last time I saw these two kids were on Father's Day! Now my niece is exactly my height. It makes me so sad that they grow up so quickly. But I'm lucky. I am so incredibly lucky because I appreciate the personal relationship I have each of them. I wish I could see them every single day but I'm lucky I can call them and they'll actually pick up, amongst the busyness of their exciting lives. 

I'm lucky and beyond blessed to be their aunt.

T-minus 5 days.

Ehu Day is in five days. For the first time in a very long time, I have no idea what I really want to do for my birthday. I'll be taking the day off, which I normally do, because I don't like being around people with the constant reminder of what an awful day it is. Yes, I know and fully understand what a tragedy 9/11/2001 was and will discuss it on any of the other 364 days of the year. I just don't want to be sad on my birthday. 

Moving along, I have a few other things on my mind this year, so I guess that's why I haven't really thought much about my birthday. Maybe it'll just pass like any other day. I think I'm also not excited for this upcoming age. I feel old. I think this feels worse than when I turned 30.

Oh I wish I was 30 again. Sigh.... And to think I thought that was old?!

Anyways, I'm glad I have a few more days to think about it. When did I get too old to celebrate my birthday big? This is kinda depressing....I think someone needs to go to sleep. G'nite

To which I am grateful for...

On our drive back home tonight, I was thinking of all the things I am grateful for.

After so many years of crushes, dates, sappy chick flicks, crying, impatience, praying & hoping, I am so truly grateful to have a good man by my side. He is everything I could have hoped to find in a good partner. I appreciate his patience. God knew I would need a man with an endless supply of love & patience. Levi makes my life more rich and exciting. I am so deeply blessed.

I am thankful that my relationship with my parents has improved, especially with my Mom. It's nice to be able to communicate well.

I'm blessed with a good sister (a.k.a. Ex Sister-in-Law) who loves and cares for my Dad. I'm thankful I can turn to her when it comes to my Dad's medical history and she's willing to assist in anyway possible. It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone in this experience.

Man, am I grateful for Buzz. When I met him and his wife Reed 11 years ago, I didn't know how deep they would be ingrained in my heart. They are two of the best people to come into the life of my family. In fact, they are family! They have done so much for me and every single person in my family. They are the salt of the earth. Tonight, when I called Buzz, who was out to dinner with his family & his brothers' families, he said that he & his brothers would rush right over to help give my Dad a Priesthood blessing. The way they came in and encircled my Dad with love and friendship was truly beautiful. They love my Dad and it was witnessed in the words of the blessing.

I am thankful for my Dad. I don't think I'll ever be able to adequately express how much he and my Mom have done for me.  But my Dad, he's taught me everything I know about service. He's an honest man. There's no BS with him, he's a straight shooter and you'll know exactly where you stand with him. He's definitely one of a kind. Sometimes I see a little bit more of him in me and that makes me all the more grateful.

I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who has placed people in my life to buoy me up when the waves of life get to be too much. He has truly blessed me with a circle of angels. 

Saturday Night Blessings

#shortblogpost #longlistofblessings

Feisty Saturday.

My husband is currently cleaning the whole house. I couldn't be more grateful! 

Unfortunately, I'm in bed with these damn cramps.

Is it bad that all I'm thinking about is his last donut, that's on the table near him, that I want so badly?

#ihatecramps 

Mama Stephy!

Tonight, I got to talk to one of my most dearest friends.  Oh how I love Mama Stephy!  It's not often when we get to talk on the phone because she has three youngins and there's about a 3 hour difference between us.  

However, when we do get to talk it's just so spectacular! I love laughing with her. I love the wit and wisdom she brings to our friendship.  Tonight's conversation turned to children and babies.  It was such a beautiful conversation about what delivery is like and the love that floods a delivery room.   It makes me so excited for motherhood, someday.  I definitely need to write this conversation in my journal tonight.
Although we haven't seen each other in more than 7 years, it doesn't feel like our friendship has changed or drifted apart.  I'm so grateful to still have her in my life. I couldn't be more thankful for a loving Heavenly Father to bring her into my life over 13 years ago.