Non nobis, Domine - Patrick Doyle

"Non Nobis Domine"

As I was making dinner tonight (egg sandwiches and tomato soup, YUCK!) I was humming a song. It was song that I hadn't hummed or thought about in a long time but it's a song that I love. It's one of those songs that evokes such a strong emotion. The song was from the soundtrack to Henry V with Kenneth Branaugh. It was called "Non nobis Domine."

It takes me right back to about 19 or 20 years old, standing in Nick and Mary's living room with the stereo blaring. Those were the days... The green grass, ALL the trees, sitting on the porch watching the fireflies flicker like cameras at the Olympics. I LOVE those memories. Those were definitely some of the best times of my life.

The Scriptures

Recently, I was sitting in the kitchen looking out at the trees, when a light went on inside my head. The thought that I had was that my life has been what I've made it.

Much of my adult life I've been a "happyphobe." I read a definition once that went something like..."a happyphobe is afraid to be happy because happiness comes at a price. If things are good they're about to go terribly wrong." This is how I've CHOSEN to look at life. I think fear plays a big part in this. Focusing on the fear. When we fear, we don't have faith.

I've noticed that I feel so much happier lately. There are several things that figure into this, but, in the past the greatest factor in my peace and happiness have been the scriptures. From the time I started to read them regularly I discovered that I feel much more calm. And, I know why. It's the equivolent of spending time with Heavenly Father each day.

As I've read everyday for the past 5-6 months I've noticed that I'm seeing more clearly. A happy light has now been shed on the past, present and future. It's a change in my attitude, confidence, and spirit. I love the sciptures, I love the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Heavenly Father.

Primary

Today during singing time I tried a lot harder to make eye contact with the teachers. It made a difference. I'm usually so pre-occupied trying to keep eye contact and entertain the kids that I hardly look at the teachers. I liked it more and I think they did too. I gave the Sunbeams a sticker because they were sitting so nicely, I gave Mary Markoff one also because she's their teacher and I love her. Then, when we sang "Popcorn Popping" I looked directly at Chief and smiled, as if to encourage him to do the actions. He was cute! After church one of the teachers, Nancy Lee, told me that I do a great job and Chief told me that he's learning songs because of me. I love having Mary and Chief in primary. And being that I like the other teachers also, I think it's time I let them know... Please help me remember!

I'm exhausted

I feel like she looks.

How early is too early to go to bed? I cleaned out the office this weekend, it's still not finished, but I'm so tired! I told Rob tonight that someday I'm going to go get a massage. You know when your shoulders and neck feel really tight? That's me.

Primary went really well today. Jr. was better than Sr. but, that's ok. We were all tired by the time Sr. rolled around. My mom gave me a great book with colored object lessons. It's been a lifesaver!! Thanks mom!!!

Elizabeth's First Day of Nursery

Today was Elizabeth's first day of nursery. She did great! Caroline did really well in primary. She was really cute. She was sitting next to Mirinda (a counselor in primary) and pretty soon she was wearing her pearl necklace and Caroline was stroking her arm. Mirinda whispered to Caroline that she had to stand up and conduct then I heard Caroline tell her "ok, then come back to me."

Earlier at home while we were getting ready to go to church, Caroline was downstairs with Rob. I heard her say "I won't get into Elizabeth's crib or I'll sweat my guts out."

Taken from Jennifro's blog

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Old Fashioned Fun

Today was fun. It was "take your kid to work" day so my kids spent the first three hours with Daddy-O down near the river. He loaded boats in preparation for a day trip while the boys gathered sticks and whacked down weeds, and Natalie built a cute little fairy house in the base of a tree. All in a day's work. Probably pretty different from what most kids did at the office. By noon, Nick was off to some outing so it was a now time to go to mom's work place. I just didn't have the heart to force them into laundry or other grunt labor, so I called Jill to meet us across the street for a hot dog at Poole's Store. A step back in time, I'll tell you.

This rustic old place was a favorite of Nick's when he was a kid. It's a family owned (all red heads) business that sells everything from animal feed and dried pig ears, to popsicles and hot dogs. We ate by the river then took our ice cream across the street to Riley's Lock.

We forgot our cameras so I'm borrowing (thanks Google!). We went for a fun walk (run! in Camille and Caroline's case) on the tow path and saw lots of fun creatures along our way. Mostly pairs of water turtles floating on wood in the ponds, enjoying the sun. We hoped for the best as the girls ran over the bridge--"stay straight, stay straight!"
We ended up at a historic stone cutting mill made of Seneca Stone--it was all overgrown with ivy and looked like something out of Indiana Jones. This is the same mill and stone that they used to build the beautiful red Smithsonian buildings in DC. It would make a gorgeous setting for photos, but as I mentioned we forgot.... Well, there was lots of poison ivy everywhere so I was a bit of wreck considering I recently recovered from a miserable bout. While we were exploring, we heard what at first sounded like laughter, then PANICKED SCREAMS! I looked over and Nicholas and Mitchell were running like the devil was after them--stumbling through brambles and what not. I started yelling "what's wrong?!" thinking they'd seen a cougar or something (kidding). They both were horrified and in tears--Nicholas (who apparently has his father's phobia) said, "THERE WAS A SNAKE ON THE PATH--A HUGE ONE--RIGHT BY ME!! IT WAS THIS BIG AROUND!!" Mitchell was simply yelling through the tears, "My croc! my croc! it's back by the snake!"

Never fear, Mother is here! I bravely rescued the croc, after seizing the snake by the neck, shaking the life out of it and flinging it headlong into the woods. Take that--take your kid to work day! Domestic engineering. Pure excitement

Memories...

I got this dress in Statford-Upon-Avon. I bought it at Laura Ashley which was in the main part of the village. I walked along a cobble street to get there. I was all alone that day because Alyson had gone to visit an aunt and it was such a nice break . I ate at a restaurant by myself, walked through the shops, and when I saw this dress I had to have it. It's so femine. It reminds me of a day that felt as if I had died and gone to heaven.
This is a dress that reminds me of being single. It reminds me of Audree and being in he UNLV singles ward. I love it for some reason and have been afraid to part with it.
This is a sweater that I've over-worn. It reminds me of Christmas shopping with my mom (something I used to love doing). I got this sweater and some matching boots my last Christmas home as a "Miller."
This is the dress that I wore to the Temple the day I got married. I ran into Mario V. as he was coming out of the temple. We used to date a little bit and he really liked me. Well, he looked like he had seen a ghost. I liked to think that it was because I looked great and I was a lost love that he still pined for. It was right out of the Jill Miller romantic fantasy book. I was so proud to introduce Rob and in my mind I thought "here's the lucky guy." It was a perfect way to end my young single adult career.

The white shirt is the shirt I wore to the "groom's" dinner the night before the wedding. I was also wearing white pants. I cleaned up nice after my breakdown, anyone remember that one?
I bought this shirt for Angie and Matt Bond's wedding. The reason it's hard to part with is it reminds me of the first place we bought. I made a nice dinner to celebrate our new condo and I wore this.

I've grown attached to some clothes, and yesterday I decided to let them go. I thought that if I take pictures of them, it will be like keeping them only they won't be taking up space in my closet and my mind. I go through heck every time I clean out my room, I try to get up the courage to throw them out, but I'm afraid I'll forget the memories that are associated with them.

I'm in Love...with her.

Caroline and Elizabeth have been communicating through the cable outlet with an unknown entity. Rob pointed out that they speak into it all the time.
.

I put these gloves on Elizabeth and she wouldn't take them off, not even to eat.

Dan in Real Life

I can't quit smiling right now, and that's because I'm watching one of my new 'feel good' movies, "Dan in Real Life." The first time I saw it was in October when my parents visited from Vegas. This is my third time watching it, and I just love it! Steve Carrell is definitely one of my new favorites. I love him in The Office as well. He's SO endearing.

"Expelled" No Intelligence Allowed

I saw a great documentary over the weekend. Expelled, by Ben Stein. He did a fabulous job with this. Some documentarys don't seem to tie together in the end, but this one did beautifully. It's a movie depicting how scientists, teachers, etc... are being expelled from their jobs for even breathing the words "Intelligent Design" (meaning God). What they are saying is that when science can't answer the questions then they look to Intelligent Design, something beyond science is how I understood it. Ben Stein relates it back to the Nazi's and the Iron Wall. He states that only certain beliefs will be tolerated within the science community. It's amazing how hateful some of them are towards religion. It shows how some atheists and Darwinists are a religion of their own. It was really fascinating. I have a new respect for Ben Stein, he's incredibly intelligent and whats more is he's very courageous (especially when he goes head to head with the Darwinist/Atheist leader Mr. Dawkins). Dawkins wrote a book called "The God Delusion." The things he called God were awful and I would hate to be in the room when it's his "ups" during judgement. It's definitely worth seeing, I covered my eyes when it showed the concentration camps. Go see it!

Things I should be doing but am not...

I'm a little bored, what I REALLY need to do it stand up and get moving! I even worked out today, I shouldn't be this lazy. AND I slept 8 hours last night. Oh well...some days are just like this.

If you mess with the bull you get the horns

Caroline has met her match, or should I say, scratch...

I saw a friend....

I saw a friend today and he told me that I was looking more like Mitch.... THANKS!!

One heck of a long survey

1. Song that always makes you sad? One Last Cry Brian McKnight, he sounds so sad.
2. Last thing you bought? Food for food group
3. Last person you argued with? Who do you think?
4. One of your stuffed animals as a kid? I had a stuffed dog on my mission that mom sent me, I think that's my favorite stuffed animal.
5. Did you ever own a Michael Jackson record, tape, Cd? Yes, all three
6. Favorite day of the week? Saturday, Rob's home
7. Did you take piano lessons? Uh yeah! Can't you tell? I took since I was five. You'd never know it!
8. Most frequent song played? Yanni's Reflections of Passion
9. TV show you secretly enjoy? There's no secret about it, I like American Idol, The Office, and Lost. If the kids are in bed I enjoy Wheel of Fortune.
10. Favorite scents? Elizabeth's everything (except her poop), scents that take me back into the past, rain, a clean house, Rusk shampoo on the girls' hair, certain lipsticks and lipglosses, ocean.
11. Date someone older or younger? It depends on the dude
12. One place I want to travel to right now? England, Ireland, Scotland, Vegas, Kauai
13. Favorite time of day? It depends on the day.
14. Do you know all the words to the national anthem? Yes, I believe so.
15. Something you're wearing right now? Black shirt and levi capris and a beautiful headband
16. Jobs you've had? Casino Marketing (Riviera Hotel), Rainbow Janitorial, Fantasy Faire worker at the Excalibur Hotel, Lifeguard and Swim Instructor at Valley Mill Summer Camp(my favorite job EVER and the best summers)! Teacher's Aide at College, Housecleaner, Muffin Shop Salesgirl and Delivery girl, Inside Sales Girl at Presidio (nearly ended my life), Nordstrom Mens suits sales girl (HATED IT!). Calleva's Secretary, I had a miserable boss! ; ) Just kidding Nick!!
17. Did I go to my H.S. prom? Yes, with Josh Hollis (only the cutest guy there :)
18. Perfect time to wake up? 10:00
19. Perfect time to go to bed? 10:00
20. Favorite soda? Don't have one
21. Ever been in a car accident? I've had accidents with my cars, ask Rob.
22. Closer to mom or dad? Both in different ways
23. Who would you want on a deserted island? Nick (sorry Rob, but he'd get me home alive so I could be with you again)
24. Have you ever been bungee jumping? I could hardly stand the free fall at Magic Mountain
25. Favorite ice cream? Haagen Dazs cookie dough
26. Do you have an article of clothing from high school? No, but nearly.
27. Did you play high school sports? Ha ha ha
28. Were you ever in a school talent show? In elementary, I think I played the piano
29. What are you allergic to? Spring
30. Have you ever watched Sex and the City? Bits and pieces.
31. Fun place you lived? Maryland, Provo
32. Do you shampoo first in the shower? Yes.
33. Wet the toothbrush or brush dry? Wet
34. Blue or black ink? either, if it writes
35. Some of these questions are stupid. Have you ever gambled at a casino? Yes. I don't remember the story that Jessica told, I do remember winning big and not knowing what to do when the light came on, so I put another quarter in and lost my winnings, I could be filthy rich right now. ;)
36. Have you thrown up on a plane? Not yet.
37. Have you thrown up in a car? Sure have! Rob's and my Aunt Mary's
38. Favorite cartoon as a kid? I can't remember a favorite, I liked Jetsons, Smurfs, She-Ra, Tom and Jerry etc...
39. Favorite Childhood TV show? Little House on the Prairie, Charlie's Angels, Love Boat, Fantasy Island
40. Who was your first roommate? Ane, I've heard she's improved with age. Cyndi Snow, and Mayumi.
41. What alcoholic beverage did you drink? Never tasted it
42. What was your first car? Caprice Classic
43. What was the last movie you saw? Dan In Real Life, I LOVE that movie!
44. How old were you when you first lived away from home? 18
45. Who was your first grade teacher? My grandma
46. Where did you go on your first airplane ride? Maryland
47. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with? I never snuck out, I was glad to be home.
48. Who was your first best friend and are you still friends with them? Paige Evans, no, we're VERY different.
49. Who is the person you call when you have had a bad day? Rob, my mom, Jennifer, Jek, Jayne, Dad
50. Who's wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid? Kimberli Johnson's
51. What is the first thing you do in the morning? Groan
52. What are some concerts you've attended? Harry Belafonte, Garth Brooks, Elton John, Tony Braxton, Kenny G, Morrissey,
53. First tattoo or piercing? Ears pierced at age 6. Funny Jek, I told mom I wanted a tatto once, and she had no objections. Kind of funny!
54. First celebrity crush? John Travolta, Michael Jackson. Longest lasting, most meaningful crush? River Phoenix! I cried when he died and watched all my old shows I recorded of him. Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp (my mission companion found a letter I had written to Johnny Depp, I thought I would die), Colin Firth the only crush I haven't kicked.
55. Question from Rob? Did you eat ALL the ice cream?

The Yearning for Zion Hair Salon

"This is our menu, it's short, but don't let that scare you, we're very good at the things we offer. Let me go over it with you...

We offer the french braid with a "butt" bang, as modeled by Nancy.

We also offer a french braid with highlights.

This is very popular among our younger women, the french braid with a tendril in front, very natural, very nice."

A Great day!

Why did I photoshop my face, well to hide the food in my teeth. Oh yeah, and if you ever need a haircut do yourself a favor, buy an airline ticket and fly anywhere necessary to get a good haircut from someone who knows what they're doing.
At least I thought we had a good day...
Caroline eating her raspberry sorbet
At what age can they diagnose depression? Come on Elizabeth look alive!

Today didn't start out too promising, but it took a good turn around 11:00 this morning. The kids were still in their jammies and my make-up wasn't on, but I rallied and took them out.
We started out at PetSmart and looked at all the animals. Elizabeth loved the parakeets! It was so cute to see her little face light up. They both loved the fish, especially Caroline who would scare them to the back of the tank. We saw gerbils, they were adorable! They were huddled together against the glass asleep, they looked REALLY cute and I wish I had had a camera, wait a minute, I DID have a camera, but I knew that it would wake them when the flash went off and that the glass would reflect the flash, so I nixed that. We then walked to Noodles and Company and proceeded to give our order to a girl that was as interested in what I was saying as well...you get the picture. We ate lunch and the girls did great! Then, we walked a long way (for Caroline) to Blockbuster for a movie. After that we went to get ice cream at Coldstone. Caroline and Elizabeth were very friendly to everyone and everyone we passed seemed to be enjoying the weather.


A cute little quote: Caroline walked alongside a woman who was pushing her baby in a stroller, well the woman wouldn't slow down for anything (grrrr.....) and Caroline called out "Hey! I really love your baby!"

It's Spring!

Yesterday the blossoms on our trees looked like this,

And today they look like this!

Mom and Dad's Visit

Mom and dad came to visit for Natalie's baptism, it was a great week and ended too soon. Caroline and Elizabeth couldn't get enough of them. Some of my favorite parts of their trip was going to eat lunch with the girls, we also went to several antique shops. The other highlight was when everyone came to my house while dear old dad watched the kids and we decorated Caroline's room (it looks darling, although it still has a way to go). Mom and Dad also took the kids while we went to Vermont which was SO nice of them!!

Quote of the week: Dad asked Caroline to show him her newly decorated bedroom. He told her how pretty it was she then said "thanks, now get out."

Some of my favorite things!

I forgot to say that my favorite ice cream right now is Haagen Dazs Cookie Dough. It is fabulous!

My lampshade

This is the lampshade I made

Isn't she darling?

Joseph Smith

As I mentioned we went to Sharon, VT. I was so glad that Rob suggested that we drive to Joseph Smith's birthplace Sunday morning. We arrived at a little visitors center on a secluded mountainside. It was a really nice visit. Several things I found really interesting about Joseph Smith was that he, Emma, the George Bush's, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, and Winston Churchill all had the same great, great etc...grandfather. I remember President Hinckley presenting Pres. George W. Bush with his family tree during a visit, I wonder if George felt at all honored to be related to Joseph Smith.

The tour guide told us several stories about Joseph Smith's family, there was one story about his grandfather that nearly put me over the edge... but all in all I came away remembering how much I love him and what a remarkable man he was and still is. I'm so grateful for all he's done for me, and for his example of what faith can pull you through. Rob remarked that we were visiting the birthplace of the second most important man to ever walk the earth. That of course got me thinking about Jesus Christ and how humble his birthplace was. The tour guide talked about how Joseph knew suffering from a very young age. She also said that the suffering made him who he was, and then I thought about the Lord, and I wondered what his childhood was like. It was humbling to spend a Sunday afternoon thinking and reflecting about two lives that have changed my life forever and whom I could never thank enough.

Lampshade Class

Judy Lake
Not MY class but you get the picture
Judy's shop

Ormsby Hill Inn
The Library

I just returned from Pawlet, VT. Rob and I went on a little vacation while my parents, Jennifer, and Kelley watched the girls. It was so nice... The reason I went there was to take a class about covering lampshades. It was a GREAT class! I loved the woman who offered it and the other 7 women who attended the class were fabulous! Especially the one with the English accent and who likes to work in her garden. The town of Pawlet was very small, but full of character and characters. The biggest character being Judy. She's so upbeat and open. A great person who seems to be the central personality in the small community. Her store is the size of my sunroom, so tiny. She had the door open, the weather was beautiful and every Tom, Dick, and Harry dropped in on her. The woman from the adoption agency, telling her that her best friend had just adopted a baby, the man across the way who has an art gallery, several women stopping in to chat. It was darling. It was a feel good place because they seemed to know each other and care about each other. I told Judy that she should run for mayor.

While I was at the class Rob checked us in at The Ormsby Hill Inn. The Inn is a beautiful bed and breakfast and over two centuries old (1764), complete with exposed beams, wood floors, and beautiful fireplaces. It was even used as a jail at one point in time. We stayed in the "Library" room. It was seriously a step back in time. It was the most welcoming, romantic, warm room I'd ever been in. It was an experience in itself just to stay in that room. Like you were a part of history, what I would've given to have period clothing, ok I wouldn't go that far. The fireplace, the big billowy bed aaahhhh....

We ate at two good restaurants, Bistro Henry and Zoey's Double Hex. We visited
Woodstock (not NY), Weston, Sharon, Pawlet, and Manchester (where the restaurants and inn were) among others.
Woodstock was an old town with lots of charm. Weston was a Walnut Grove kind of cute. Sharon was touching because it was Joseph Smith's birthplace. Pawlet, I've already talked about and Manchester was a nice ski resort town with lots of outlet shopping.

The one thing that surprised me about Vermont was how economically depressed it seemed. A large number of the houses there seemed to be in terrible shape. Some seriously seemed unliveable with so much garbage all over the property. It may very well be due to the harsh winters there, or the fact that we visited during "muddy season" when everything melts into spring and creates. . .you guessed it, mud! I couldn't see what they would do for work because so many houses were miles away from civilization. It was really eye opening and I'm glad I got to go, because now I know that Rob got a job offer there I'd never go.