One of the best, most inspirational quotes I've ever heard. Right?! Elder Holland is one of my most favorite leaders and motivational speakers. He sure does know how to make me want to keep on keeping on. Even when everything or barely anything is going just right. Speaking of, earlier in the week I tweeted that I have felt so emotionally balanced and that it was a blessing for me. Then I cried two times before Graham got home that same day, even though nothing was wrong. Oh, hormones! It's a strange time in my life.

    On a very different note, today Graham and I both gave talks during Sacrament meeting. His was over a President Monson's talk on preparation. Meanwhile, I spoke on an incredible address that really felt like it was divinely inspired for me. When you save a girl, you save generations. Wow. I spoke about my own lineage, shared some excellent stories I came across and scriptures that seemed to coincide with the points I wanted to bring up. I really wanted to convey how special women are, how divine our qualities are, how important it is to make good decisions for our future selves. I can't say that it was the best one I've given, but I sure did like the content. 

    Well, that's the gist of it- bits and pieces of my life. This is a post that's just barely there, hanging on by a thread. Kind of how July is feeling, I guess. Things are good all around and I just wanted to drop in to share a few of my rambling thoughts. And that's all folks ;)

Summer 2016

   

    I feel a little like Olaf out of Frozen singing an ode to the wonderful sun-baring season, but it's just nice you know? As a Floridian I can absolutely say that when Fall comes I am quickly trying to usher it out the door, a little spent from the raging heat. But every year as soon as Spring slides past and Summer is born I am reminded to when I was still just a little ragamuffin, wearing oversized tee shirts and Nike slides, thrilled school was over and laying out on my trampoline basking in the sun. Summer was equated to having fun, swimming and running wholeheartedly through the trees when I was growing up.

    Summer as an adult is different. But I think we are lucky enough to still enjoy it for what it is. First up- concerts! Graham and I joined friends in visiting Orlando for Ellie Goulding. She was really fun! Although Graham sure didn't know many of the words to her songs. The next was mine and Listi's tromp with Justin Beiber. For so many years I was a hater, but his newest album Purpose made me see the light. Don't get me wrong, he is the biggest jerk in the history of musical artists, but he sure can put on a show! At different points he floated in a glass box like Willy Wonka, walked up stairs onto a trampoline above his fans where he flipped all over and danced in the middle of a mock- rain downpour (and tripped). It was the most entertained I've ever felt at a concert. And to watch Listi nearly lose her mind when he sung 'Baby' was something I'm pleased to have recorded ;)

    My Uncle Luke, 13 years my senior, and I have always been close. When his children were born I was 14, 17, 20, 24- more like an aunt's age, right? That's exactly what they have felt like to me, we just have a special bond with each other. My darling Lillian Claire made her debut in May and it's been a joy to be around her. WL and Cole came over to stay with me, as part of Cole's 7th birthday request, and we went to every water entity you can imagine: pool hopping, the beach, the water park and they even scuttled around the river hunting for little crabs and minnows. In July we went down for 2 days to stay with them, Kellan, Grandma Marilyn and their parents in their Saint Augustine condo, which was so much fun! We all left with sunburns and smiles.

    As the counselor in Young Women who is on summer vacation, I ended up going out to St. Cloud, FL for Girls Camp. It was EXTREMELY hot, 100 degrees every day I'd say. We had a slammed schedule full of all kinda of camp certifications, spiritual experiences and really neat activites! The girls went horseback riding, axe throwing (that's me with my lucky toss below, I made 1/3 which was a big deal for a weakling like me), archery, shot guns, canoeing/paddle boating and a huuuuge natural waterslide. The girls in my ward are so cute and fun, they better know I love them a whole lot to go without (1) melting into a puddle or (2) leaving to go to Carrabba's. I almost got a picture of everyone, except Sophia who had a bruised clavicle at the time of our boating experience.

    That's been my summer up until now. Lots of hustle and bustle & a few moments of just riding along.  As months roll by, I find myself so much happier and with a better determination for the things I want to achieve. I'm working on a bucketlist, one that I can vigorously check off, and no, it isn't just traveling related ;) Graham and I have started back with our fertility treatments (we took a break for two months while traveling and enjoying each other without the stress of it) and things are going as good as can be. I have been asking for more faith and confidence in the process; I haven't spoken of it much since my last post on it, December or so, because it's hard letting everyone in on this rigorous, personal chapter. Yet, it's been easier knowing others can help bear my burdens. So send up some prayers for me, if you will. And as for the other not-so-great parts of myself- I am trying to become more self aware of my faults- isn't that the hardest? It's easy to analyse everyone else, but, dang, if it's not hard for me to see it in myself. Maybe a little bit of growing up will do the trick? I will be (gulp) 25 soon afterall. But life is good, so good and I'm happy.

London Pt. III

     Getting ready to leave back to our own country is always a mix (1) sad to leave this new nation that we have made great memories at & (2) almost a touch of relief to get back to normalcy and catch up on sleep. Winding down our time in England we had a few last spots to highlight. 

    Changing of the Guard was recommended to us by some family and very highly rated on TripAdvisor. We had originally planned to go earlier in our stay, but instead we had to be flexible and change up our schedule somewhat. We accidentally underestimated the amount of time it would take to get there, so upon arrival it was already 6 people deep to the gates! Ugh, so we did lots of shuffling, standing on tip-toes and raising our cameras into the air to watch the proceedings. We even saw a guard pass out from the heat (so we assume). The pomp and circumstance was showboating the regal guard, complete with large stallions and a boisterous band. 

    After the main show dwindled, so did the crowds. Since we couldn't see too much of it beforehand, we decided to really get into poking around Buckingham Palace. It was more intricate than I remember the White House being, but still the outside didn't scream 'palace' to me. There was tons of lavishly decorated crests and EIIR (sign for Queen Elizabeth the Second). The neighborhood itself was so pretty! Large parks were on the left and right, in the direct center was a pavillion including a grandiose statue of Queen Victoria. It would make a beautiful view to peek out of each morning!

    We spend out last afternoon lying in St. John Wood's Park, where we picnic'ed, laid in the grass and listened to the final chapter of our Audiobook. It was so nice to find these vast areas with little ice cream vendors and shaded spots, they just seemed to be everywhere! We enjoyed London and all that it had to offer, but we did skip to the plane with dreams of macaroni dancing in our head.

    As a last overview: the food was okay (not like Paris, that's for sure), the plays were *INCREDIBLE*, the people were far less friendly than I expected, the city was very modern and clean, the transportation system was doable (though not superbly convenient, once you add in the multiple metro switches), the outlying land was gorgeous, the shopping was for the rich. That's it about England, over and out!