This is going to be a crazy, random post. I'm kind of a crazy, random person. Initially I started this blog to be a way to tell my story about Clark and I and keep track of our married adventures. Then I thought I'd change it to something different and then I thought I'd change it again and then I quit writing. I have never been good at keeping a blog or a journal or a scrapbook or any record of that sort but now is the time. I want my kids and myself to know and remember all the happy/sad/exciting/simple moments that Clark and I have had as married kids and hopefully I can really and truly make this blog my journal.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to go watch and help my cousin McKayla do Jr. Miss. Pictures will be coming soon. I was backstage with her and got to help her get ready for all the numbers. She did fabulously and won every single category except for be your best self and spirit. She really deserved to win too because she put in some HARD work. From her pink and green outfit in the opening number to her stunning pink dress in self expression she not only acted but looked like a Jr. Miss should look. In October, we get to go to state and support her there. State is in Idaho Falls but my fun family will still rent hotel rooms and make the whole deal a grand excursion.
I want to share something kind of strange/amazing that happened during the program. McKayla and I were backstage getting her dressed for talent. I heard someone say her name. She asked me if I had heard her name and I replied yes. I was sitting there doing her hair and thinking about it and I thought to myself,
"That wasn't a girl's voice."
There were no men in the dressing room though. I then said to McKayla and I'm not sure if she heard though,
"Grandpa is here."
I had a strong impression that he was there and that he was proud of her.
I was proud of her too.
This past weekend I also got to meet my cousin Delaney's fiance, Chris. He is a great guy and I am so excited and happy for her. My Richardson cousins are going to have a really big year with the combo of Jr Miss and a wedding. I'm so proud of Delaney for being worthy to get married in the temple and for all the good decisions she has made in her life. She will be a great wife and love Chris to pieces.
After the long Jr Miss weekend, Clark and I ventured back to Logan. We got home at about 2 AM and crashed. We were exhausted at church but still seemed to learn from every lesson that day. I learned about keeping a record in Sunday School and I learned about the Savior in Relief Society. I am so grateful that we have a Savior and for the sacrifices He made so that we can repent and live again. I am also grateful that if any heart ache ever leaves me feeling alone, I know that my Savior has experienced my pain and that I am not alone. I can't even imagine the day I meet Him again. I often think about that day and hope that I will be able to do and say things adequate enough to express my gratitude.
After church, we ate cereal and took a nap for a few hours. We woke up and ate crepes AND breakfast burritos, good combo. Then we fell back asleep for a few hours. After our 2nd nap ate Oreos and went on a walk, then went to bed. Sounds like a good Easter huh?
Hopefully I can start journaling better from here on out. I have a story that is unfolding itself everyday and I'll be sad one day that it isn't recorded. So wish me luck!
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Friday, December 2, 2011
Pain...
I know that this is a weird title for a post that will start with discussing Clark and I's Thanksgiving but unfortunately my brain takes mysterious turns and thinks deeply and I want to share some of my deep thoughts.
This Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful. Clark and I woke up on Wednesday morning (the day before) packed our bags and headed to Clifton. We then road up to Ashton with a very loaded van plus seven bodies in it and we sang Christmas music the whole way. I love when my family sings together in the car. We all have decent voices, not American Idol voices but close, and it was very fun.We arrived at my Grandma's in the afternoon and continued to catch up with aunts, uncles, cousins and gran. My family is very close and my cousins are like my siblings and my aunts like my mothers. We stayed up late and then got up early to walk in the church. I got to walk with my parents and my aunt and have a fun little chat then we got back to Gran's and the preparation began. We made tons of yummy food and cute place settings then we sat down at around 2 to eat our meal. (I'll post pictures later... my mom stole my camera AGAIN surprise surprise)
When we have Thanksgiving dinner it is a tradition to say the prayer holding hands or at least I want it to be a tradition. I forgot to tell everyone we were going to hold hands before the prayer started so during the prayer all of the cousins began holding hands and then the chain stopped at Addie because my grandparents friend Wally, an elderly Russian man, was on her right side. She wasn't brave enough to grab the Russian's hand. It was really funny and probably very disruptive but we all enjoyed it.
Another tradition we REALLY have is after we get dished up we go around the table and say something we are grateful for. It is very tender every time we do it. We all have numerous things we are grateful for... some funny, some very simple and some very precious to us. This year we had a great variety of all three. My cousin Heather was thankful for trees because they help us breathe. My honey Clark said he was grateful for me, it was very sweet. I said I was grateful for all the safe houses I have of my aunts and that I know I can always be welcome at. Read this to learn more Click Here! Wally was thankful for the birds of the air and the fish of the sea... very simple and lovely. The most tender was JD.
He said he was thankful he knew that if we were doing what was right we would be happy and okay. He was struggling that day because his knee had been hurting him and he just didn't want to have to get surgery on it because there has always been some surgery he needed and he just wants to play ball. He began to cry and said that even if he had to get surgery and not play for a while it would be okay because he knew if he was doing what was right and good he would be happy. Because JD started crying so did McKayla, Addie, all of the Aunts at the table and probably Gran too.
From that moment my heart has been very tender toward the subject of pain and why people have to go through it. I know that pain and trials are given to us to make us stronger but it hurts me deeply to watch others go through their own trials and I just wish we didn't have to have pain at all.
My brother is a perfect example of someone who overcomes pain and moves on having faith and trying to be happy. I look up to him in so many ways.
My grandma is another example I look up to everyday. As I watched her Thanksgiving weekend, I saw the loneliness in her eyes and heard it in her voice and I know that she misses my grandpa daily but she persists on. She keeps herself busy by serving others. She has a mission on this Earth left to complete and although she has to do it without her husband by her she will still accomplish this mission faithfully and happily. I love her so much for the example she is to me.
Recently, I was on a blog and read a story about a little girl who had died tragically. Her mother wrote the story and continues to write her feelings about her daughter and this terrible loss. She is faithful though. Although I don't know her my heart aches for her. I can't imagine losing someone so precious at such a young age. You can read the story here.
As I reflect on pain, I think of mothers. I think of all the pain they go through to get a child to this Earth. After the pain though, is the reward. They then have a beautiful spirit in a perfect little body with them, something so tangible yet so eternal. They get to experience the worst of all pain and then the greatest of all joy within minutes of each other. I know that Heavenly Father gives us trial and pain for a reason, He wants us to be able to know the difference from real joy and real sorrow. He wants us to grow and become like Him. He wants us to feel what He has felt and rejoice in the things He wants us to rejoice in. He wants us to become Gods and Goddesses. Although our trials and pain may seem like they will last forever, they are only a minute in the eternal plan and if we can overcome that minute and still remain faithful we will experience eternities of JOY.
I'm grateful for this time of year and how it makes me reflect on all the wonderful things I have been given. I'm grateful to know the truthfulness of the gospel. Enjoy this special time of the year and reflect on the things you are grateful for. Celebrate Jesus Christ. Only through Him will we receive that eternal JOY we so greatly desire.
This Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful. Clark and I woke up on Wednesday morning (the day before) packed our bags and headed to Clifton. We then road up to Ashton with a very loaded van plus seven bodies in it and we sang Christmas music the whole way. I love when my family sings together in the car. We all have decent voices, not American Idol voices but close, and it was very fun.We arrived at my Grandma's in the afternoon and continued to catch up with aunts, uncles, cousins and gran. My family is very close and my cousins are like my siblings and my aunts like my mothers. We stayed up late and then got up early to walk in the church. I got to walk with my parents and my aunt and have a fun little chat then we got back to Gran's and the preparation began. We made tons of yummy food and cute place settings then we sat down at around 2 to eat our meal. (I'll post pictures later... my mom stole my camera AGAIN surprise surprise)
When we have Thanksgiving dinner it is a tradition to say the prayer holding hands or at least I want it to be a tradition. I forgot to tell everyone we were going to hold hands before the prayer started so during the prayer all of the cousins began holding hands and then the chain stopped at Addie because my grandparents friend Wally, an elderly Russian man, was on her right side. She wasn't brave enough to grab the Russian's hand. It was really funny and probably very disruptive but we all enjoyed it.
Another tradition we REALLY have is after we get dished up we go around the table and say something we are grateful for. It is very tender every time we do it. We all have numerous things we are grateful for... some funny, some very simple and some very precious to us. This year we had a great variety of all three. My cousin Heather was thankful for trees because they help us breathe. My honey Clark said he was grateful for me, it was very sweet. I said I was grateful for all the safe houses I have of my aunts and that I know I can always be welcome at. Read this to learn more Click Here! Wally was thankful for the birds of the air and the fish of the sea... very simple and lovely. The most tender was JD.
He said he was thankful he knew that if we were doing what was right we would be happy and okay. He was struggling that day because his knee had been hurting him and he just didn't want to have to get surgery on it because there has always been some surgery he needed and he just wants to play ball. He began to cry and said that even if he had to get surgery and not play for a while it would be okay because he knew if he was doing what was right and good he would be happy. Because JD started crying so did McKayla, Addie, all of the Aunts at the table and probably Gran too.
From that moment my heart has been very tender toward the subject of pain and why people have to go through it. I know that pain and trials are given to us to make us stronger but it hurts me deeply to watch others go through their own trials and I just wish we didn't have to have pain at all.
My brother is a perfect example of someone who overcomes pain and moves on having faith and trying to be happy. I look up to him in so many ways.
My grandma is another example I look up to everyday. As I watched her Thanksgiving weekend, I saw the loneliness in her eyes and heard it in her voice and I know that she misses my grandpa daily but she persists on. She keeps herself busy by serving others. She has a mission on this Earth left to complete and although she has to do it without her husband by her she will still accomplish this mission faithfully and happily. I love her so much for the example she is to me.
Recently, I was on a blog and read a story about a little girl who had died tragically. Her mother wrote the story and continues to write her feelings about her daughter and this terrible loss. She is faithful though. Although I don't know her my heart aches for her. I can't imagine losing someone so precious at such a young age. You can read the story here.
As I reflect on pain, I think of mothers. I think of all the pain they go through to get a child to this Earth. After the pain though, is the reward. They then have a beautiful spirit in a perfect little body with them, something so tangible yet so eternal. They get to experience the worst of all pain and then the greatest of all joy within minutes of each other. I know that Heavenly Father gives us trial and pain for a reason, He wants us to be able to know the difference from real joy and real sorrow. He wants us to grow and become like Him. He wants us to feel what He has felt and rejoice in the things He wants us to rejoice in. He wants us to become Gods and Goddesses. Although our trials and pain may seem like they will last forever, they are only a minute in the eternal plan and if we can overcome that minute and still remain faithful we will experience eternities of JOY.
I'm grateful for this time of year and how it makes me reflect on all the wonderful things I have been given. I'm grateful to know the truthfulness of the gospel. Enjoy this special time of the year and reflect on the things you are grateful for. Celebrate Jesus Christ. Only through Him will we receive that eternal JOY we so greatly desire.
Friday, September 30, 2011
My #11's...
So... we are back in school and I just have to say. It has been one busy semester so far. We are one month in and this past week felt like finals week. You know how finals week feels when you are so tired because of lack of sleep from studying and working and going to class and then you are malnourished because you don't have time to buy groceries and under-exercised because you don't have time for that either. Well... add a football game at west side to all those feelings and you have my week in a nutshell. I had 3 tests. Clark had 1 and it was no fun!!!!
Now... on a lighter note. I did get to go and celebrate my Addie's 14th birthday with her on Thursday. We watched her game and gave her cupcakes and then we went to JD's Senior Homecoming game. I just have to say I have some amazing siblings. Whenever I see or hear the things that they accomplish I am always so proud to be their sister.
JD-
Click Here!
To hear about my brother being famous. He has a great football team this year that he is the quarterback of and it is so fun to watch him play, but I need to tell you the real reason I am proud I am JD's sister.
From the moment JD was born he has: loved loved loved sports and had a defective body. Now when I say defective body I do not say it lightly although it is funny to say your brother has a defective body. He really does though. He has had numerous knee and ear surgeries and he has had to have a surgery to extract a tumor from his face. Yes folks... his face. And when I say JD has loved loved loved sports. I do not say that lightly either. He has played basketball, soccer, football, baseball, ran track and wrestled. He has loved everything about them too.
As the oldest sister I have had to sit through numerous ballgames and also a lot of surgeries and with everyone there has been heartache and rejoicing. JD has had a constant battle with his body and has never felt completely good. He has never had a day he hasn't endured some type of pain. His body, like I said, is defective. I have watched JD though and he has grown through all the trials with his body and he still plays. He still loves every second of every game. He still would choose shooting a ball or scrimmaging over most things and I think that is amazing. I think it is amazing that I am related to someone so strong. He is absolutely unstoppable. And it isn't just his victory over his body that I have been amazed with. It is his ongoing desire to be good. He is a good kid. He is kind and funny and smart and good and that is why I am so proud to be related to #11.
Addie-
I have never ever had the pleasure of meeting someone as pleasant and kind as my sister. She is one of the best people I know. I got the opportunity to watch her play volleyball a week ago and wow can she hit that ball. She is very athletic but I noticed something after the game. She went up to the line judge and thanked her. What player have you ever seen do this? Go up to a line judge and thank her. I have never seen a volleyball player do that nor have I seen a football player thank the chain gang either. I was so proud to see my little #11 do that.
Besides being kind and practically perfect, Addie is the most naturally beautiful girl I know. She can even pull off braces. She is also so funny and so fun to hang out with. She is always up for an adventure and she is the most creative girl you will ever meet. She has also gotten her Young Women's Medallion and is very faithful in reading her scriptures every night.
I am so happy to be able to know someone of such a high caliber. She is one of the most genuine people I know and I am proud to be her sister.
Brigham-
The more I watch Brigham grow up, the more I like him. He is one of the funniest boys I know. He is extremely smart too. He is tight end on his little football team and also #11. He is great and his team has lost all their games but he is so hopeful and happy that he gets to play football. (He makes touchdowns like their going out of style too.) I have a story that I love about Brigham though. One night Clark, JD, Addie, Brigham and I were sitting at the house and I suggested we play 500 outside. Brigham was it during one point of the game and calls out "mystery box" and when I get the ball he calls out freeze ray. (Hello, I didn't know that the rules have been revamped! You seriously can do that these days now... call freeze ray and get away with it. So I was frozen a whole turn.) Well... JD soon becomes it and calls "mystery box" then Brigham gets it and he says "glue bum". Brigham had to sit on the wet grass and the rest of the game everyone was getting glue bummed. It was pretty intense. At the end of the game Brigham was way mad because he lost and was getting pushed around by all of us bigger kids and he ran into the house. Well a few weeks later we were talking about that game and Brigham said, "When you have kids, I'm going to play 500 and give them glue bums all the time." To which I replied, "I'll tell mom." And he said, "she can't do anything about it, I'll be bigger than all of you."
There are 2 things I love about this story. 1- I love that Brigham pictures being an uncle to my kids and playing with them in the yard. I love that he wants to be an uncle that plays with his nieces and nephews. He is going to be a great uncle someday. 2- I love that he is so optimistic about the future and that someday he will be bigger than all of us. I hope he is. I will always be proud to be his big sister.
As you can tell, I love my family. I love who I get to spend forever with and even when tests wreak havoc on my week, I can find the good in everything and love the life I've been given.
Now... on a lighter note. I did get to go and celebrate my Addie's 14th birthday with her on Thursday. We watched her game and gave her cupcakes and then we went to JD's Senior Homecoming game. I just have to say I have some amazing siblings. Whenever I see or hear the things that they accomplish I am always so proud to be their sister.
JD-
Click Here!
To hear about my brother being famous. He has a great football team this year that he is the quarterback of and it is so fun to watch him play, but I need to tell you the real reason I am proud I am JD's sister.
From the moment JD was born he has: loved loved loved sports and had a defective body. Now when I say defective body I do not say it lightly although it is funny to say your brother has a defective body. He really does though. He has had numerous knee and ear surgeries and he has had to have a surgery to extract a tumor from his face. Yes folks... his face. And when I say JD has loved loved loved sports. I do not say that lightly either. He has played basketball, soccer, football, baseball, ran track and wrestled. He has loved everything about them too.
As the oldest sister I have had to sit through numerous ballgames and also a lot of surgeries and with everyone there has been heartache and rejoicing. JD has had a constant battle with his body and has never felt completely good. He has never had a day he hasn't endured some type of pain. His body, like I said, is defective. I have watched JD though and he has grown through all the trials with his body and he still plays. He still loves every second of every game. He still would choose shooting a ball or scrimmaging over most things and I think that is amazing. I think it is amazing that I am related to someone so strong. He is absolutely unstoppable. And it isn't just his victory over his body that I have been amazed with. It is his ongoing desire to be good. He is a good kid. He is kind and funny and smart and good and that is why I am so proud to be related to #11.
Addie-
I have never ever had the pleasure of meeting someone as pleasant and kind as my sister. She is one of the best people I know. I got the opportunity to watch her play volleyball a week ago and wow can she hit that ball. She is very athletic but I noticed something after the game. She went up to the line judge and thanked her. What player have you ever seen do this? Go up to a line judge and thank her. I have never seen a volleyball player do that nor have I seen a football player thank the chain gang either. I was so proud to see my little #11 do that.
Besides being kind and practically perfect, Addie is the most naturally beautiful girl I know. She can even pull off braces. She is also so funny and so fun to hang out with. She is always up for an adventure and she is the most creative girl you will ever meet. She has also gotten her Young Women's Medallion and is very faithful in reading her scriptures every night.
I am so happy to be able to know someone of such a high caliber. She is one of the most genuine people I know and I am proud to be her sister.
Brigham-
The more I watch Brigham grow up, the more I like him. He is one of the funniest boys I know. He is extremely smart too. He is tight end on his little football team and also #11. He is great and his team has lost all their games but he is so hopeful and happy that he gets to play football. (He makes touchdowns like their going out of style too.) I have a story that I love about Brigham though. One night Clark, JD, Addie, Brigham and I were sitting at the house and I suggested we play 500 outside. Brigham was it during one point of the game and calls out "mystery box" and when I get the ball he calls out freeze ray. (Hello, I didn't know that the rules have been revamped! You seriously can do that these days now... call freeze ray and get away with it. So I was frozen a whole turn.) Well... JD soon becomes it and calls "mystery box" then Brigham gets it and he says "glue bum". Brigham had to sit on the wet grass and the rest of the game everyone was getting glue bummed. It was pretty intense. At the end of the game Brigham was way mad because he lost and was getting pushed around by all of us bigger kids and he ran into the house. Well a few weeks later we were talking about that game and Brigham said, "When you have kids, I'm going to play 500 and give them glue bums all the time." To which I replied, "I'll tell mom." And he said, "she can't do anything about it, I'll be bigger than all of you."
There are 2 things I love about this story. 1- I love that Brigham pictures being an uncle to my kids and playing with them in the yard. I love that he wants to be an uncle that plays with his nieces and nephews. He is going to be a great uncle someday. 2- I love that he is so optimistic about the future and that someday he will be bigger than all of us. I hope he is. I will always be proud to be his big sister.
As you can tell, I love my family. I love who I get to spend forever with and even when tests wreak havoc on my week, I can find the good in everything and love the life I've been given.
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