Spiritual Sunday.......

And yet another Sunday under our belt. It's now 7:40pm - the chunch is in bed, where a good chunch belongs, and I have time to take a breath and think over the day.
This afternoon was another teaching day for me. The lesson this week was on Ether chapters 1-6 in the Book of Mormon.
It's all about Jared, the brother of Jared and their people coming to the America's. To be honest when I first started preparing, I was getting NOTHING. Nothing jumped out as super exciting, new or otherwise spin-your-socks inspiring. Same story, heard it, read it, a million, gajillion times.
Then FINALLY, this morning (good thing church is in the afternoon), it started to come together.
As I taught though, a very remarkable thing happened. The lesson took a completely different turn than I had imagined.
It ended on a completely different note than I had intended, and what do you know, it was even BETTER! Several people came up to me after and mentioned that they had never approached this block of scripture in this way before. Very nice to know that at least someone besides myself got something out of it.
The bottom line that we came away with? Prayer and what it means to be sincere about it.
Whatever higher power or deity you choose to worship - one has to sincerely believe that if you ask for help, you will most definitely get it. Sometimes, well, most times, not in the way or timetable WE might want, but always, what is best for us.
Challenge? Quit just going through the motions and make it more meaningful. That could be applied to not just prayer, but life in general.

Well, those are my rambling musings for this lovely Sunday. Better start studying for the next one I have to teach : )

Perfect Puppy Saturday!

Big day for the little ones! 6 week birthday and, as a puppy, you can't have a 6 week birthday without a special trip to the vet!


We toddled off in our super soft and cozy laundry basket and the minute the babies entered the door of the vet's office, they stole EVERY heart within beating distance! Seriously.


They each recieved excellent grades from their check up's, and given their first round of shots. They are set for 3 more weeks till the next round!
Here's Hummer - weighing in at 3.23 lbs

Here's Bentley Junior weighing in at 2.34 lbs

And here is the newly named Ellie weighing in at 2.02lbs


Also, got an email from Natalie letting us know baby sister's official name. Ellie. PERFECT! Doesn't she look just like an Ellie?
I just wish we could find as good as families for the boys as we have for her.

Black Friday.... SHOPPING!!

The day after Thanksgiving, the biggest shopping day of the year!
It has been Dave and I's (is that correct grammer??) tradition to get up at the butt-crack of dawn and straggle out the door armed with diet coke and sharp elbows for the irresistable DOOR-BUSTERS! Call us crazy, but in the past, we've actually kind of enjoyed it! The hustle, the bustle, the knocking over of other people in my way.....

However, this year, our hearts just weren't in it. Instead, we merely skimmed the ads with nothing catching our eyes, and went to bed with the alarm set only for the gym.
After a rousing round of kickin-yoga, I raced home, jumped in the shower and away we went. Now usually, by this time of the morning, we would be giddy with all the savings we had in our pockets, but instead, we just.kinda.dragged.
As we stood in line at Game Stop, we looked at each other and asked WHY? WHY were we so bummed out? WHY were we just NOT excited like every other year? WHY did we just not care?
And then, it hit me. WE!ARE!OLD!

*warning - Happy Bus is stalling...*

WHY?!?!
Grown son, out of the house.
Second son, on a mission (at least this is the last Christmas without him)
Youngest son, 17 and doesn't really need or want much of anything.
Granddaughter, too young to get it all, and just hears NO whenever she walks into the living room.

Well, we persevered through the few stores we decided to hit. Found a few good deals, and headed home to wallow in depression. Okay, maybe not wallow, I just finally got around to cleaning the house. Once the house was clean, the decorations could go up. Did that cheer me up any? To be honest, not really.
Instead topped off the night by eating my sorrows away at the Texas Roadhouse.
AGAIN, probably eating my weight in rolls. Seriously girl......GET!A!GRIP!

Oh well, as in the words of the beloved Scarlett O'Hara - "Tomorrow is another day."

Better be for gettin the Happy Bus up and running smoothly again!

Funny Bone Friday - Things I may have heard, or said, or just thought in my head,.

1. "Way to bear false witness, Dad. Good job"
2. "Once I found out she didn't have a w***ny, I didn't know WHAT to do with myself."
3. "Honey, they are called the MADrigals, not the MAGicals."
4. " I HATE it when it gets so close to Christmas! Everyone just keeps leaving me out!"
5. "I guess I'm just not hit-worthy"
6. "I don't have a girdle to contain that."
7. Now how did I miss this one VERY long curly hair towards the bottom of my leg when I shave DAILY, for this many months, nay years? Where's a ruler, I gotta measure this puppy.
8. "Maybe you need some prescription goggles strapped to your head."
9. Did that lady in the booth next to us, weighing in at a rather large, at least, 310 pounds just say "I looked so HOT on Halloween." One part of me says "good on ya mate", the part of says "oh please don't let that involve some sort of slutty outfit." Seriously.
10. "Look, look, mommy, I'm naked! I was itchy."
11. "Hey, there litle guy, that ear lobe you're gnawing on? NOTHING is going to come of it, so let's just give it a rest huh?"

Nothing says Thanksgiving dinner......

Like the Golden Corral!

Let's just say that a "certain" somebody, didn't feel up to cooking a big 'ole dinner for just four of us and without the Lukester. Let's just say that a "certain" somebody just wanted to keep it low key and without drama. Let's just say a "certain" somebody asked everyone, nay, told everyone, "We are going out!"
Was going to do the Up-Chuck-A-Rama, but after running and needing to warm up with a hot bath and shower, we decided the GC was closer. Mmmmmm, great food, no cooking, no cleaning up.

AND, I'm pretty sure, not positive, but pretty sure, I ate my body weight in rolls. Just.Saying.

Cold Turkey Trot 6K - SUCCESS!!

HAH! Did it!
Soooooo, as most of you know, a little stressed about the race this morning. I actually got more uptight the closer it got.
We all met at the gym early this morning

l-r Wally, Chad, Rick, Katrina, Tiburon, Me and Chris

I got right up to the start line, while everyone else held back a little. The siren went off, and away we went. I shot out the gate a little faster than normal, but felt okay until about 5 minutes in. Then I don't know what the heck happened, but I felt like my whole body just SHUT DOWN. It felt like I was running through tar. I could barely move. I thought, 'CRAP! At least just finish....' kept at it while being passed by more and more runners. At the turn around though, something just clicked and the fire kicked in! At this point, it was now downhill and I could make up lost time! Ran my little legs as hard as I could and started to now pass those runners who had, just a few minutes before, left me in their dust. Feeling good now, and looked up and saw the finish line. That always gives you a HUGE burst, so I lit the flames and took it up a notch. Note-quads burning, back aching at this point. All I could do is look up at the clock at the finish line and gasp in disbelief! I crossed the line at 28:31, might have been 28:32 when I my chip hit the pad.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! I had no idea, that I could do that time. I seriously thought 30 min was a shot, and as of start time just wanted to beat "she who shall remain nameless"! Well, not gonna lie, but I not only beat her, I smoked her trash! Good feeling - oh yeah!!
My running friends all did well themselves:
Here's Chad

Here's Chris:

And here's Tiburon:

I'm missing pictures of Rick and Katrina - they are on another camera and will be added later.

Later in the day the official times got posted on the internet. Here's how I shaped up:
Official time - 29:34
7th place - my division
25th place - overall women
107th place - overall (total of 850 runners)
Not to shabby if I say so myself!

I think everyone had a great time, and in spite of it being bitter, butt cold and a little drizzly, the outcome made it ALL WORTH IT!!!

Thankful Thursday - Thanksgiving day edition

Wow - so much to be thankful for! Where to begin......?

Mi familia - All of them, even the crazies.
My health - Had a scare earlier this year, makes me even more grateful.
My home and all the comforts that come with it like turning up the heat, having a hot bath, food on the table, the fact that I have a secure roof over my head.
My job - couldn't ask for a better one with besties at work! And right now, glad to have one when so many people are without one or are close to it.
My faith - Life would not have the meaning it does with out my firm belief system. Am I perfect at being who I SHOULD be? Heck no, but working on it is good enough for now.
My friends - I feel like I've got besties all over the place! Home, work, church, gym, neighborhood, family. I'm surrounded by GREAT people, who I love and love me back even with all my warts.

List could go on and on and on....... Happy Thanksgiving!

SOLD - Great Home/Family has been found!

SOOOO happy! Last night, we found the PERFECT family for our darling baby girl whom we call Lexus (she'll likely get a new name). I am being so picky about where these babies end up, and we couldn't be more happy with Natalie and Jesse. She will get to be the only child and spoiled rotten! As any good girl should be! It'll be so sad to say good-bye, but knowing where she is headed is an answer to prayer!

Stop! Wait! I retract!

After some discussion with a fellow gym rat - shout out to Chad (who doesn't blog, but if he did, would be totally humorous) - I realize that perhaps I have set my goal this week a tich high with my 30 min goal on the 6K.

I now officially retract that statement.

Truly, there IS only one real goal with the run tomorrow morning.
The challenge was thrown down to beat a certain someone, who shall remain nameless.
In fact, I believe the exact quote was: "You so have to kick her a**"!

Now, if you know me, I'm just a little bit, more like a smidgen, competetive and this certain, nameless person is NOT a nice person. She needs to be beat, and I want to be the one to do it. Time is now out the window. Finishing and finishing before, she who will remain nameless, is the ONE.TRUE.GOAL.

Wish me luck, I will need it, she is a MEAN, TOUGH, PIECE OF WORK that could totally take me out in a heartbeat if she wanted to.

Scared - yep
Worried about failure- yep
Gonna go for it anyway? - yep

Now, to go find some carbs and protein.....

If it's Wednesday, then I'm wondering WHY?

WHY does someone come into a new gym and say to the trainer/instuctor, "We already work with a trainer." Does this person not realize that the ENTIRE class will now pay for that comment? Not naming names. Martie. My gluts still thank you.

WHY does the car pool lane have double white lines? Shouldn't it be accessible ALL THE TIME??

Speaking of car pool lane, WHY does someone get in the car pool lane and then decide that it's okay to drive 65?? Of course, they can't MOVE OVER because the the STUPID double white lines!!

WHY didn't Heba get voted off TBL last night? HONESTLY, a bigger piece of crap might not be found, except in her good friend Vicki.



What you are wondering about on this fine Wednesday?

PS. Props to Tiburon! I totally lifted the ? off her blog. She rocks.Seriously.

Tickle Me Pink Tuesday

Things that just "Tickle me Pink"

1. Tiburon. Seriously. EVERY.SINGLE.DAY she makes me laugh OUT LOUD!
2. The darlings that waddle around my kitchen floor, growling (if you can call it that), woofing at each other and rolling around in little balls of fur when they are playing. I don't know how I am going to part with them!
3. The turtle see Martha's blog for details. I don't need to say another word.
4. My D. Every day he says something funny to me that makes us have to high five or fist bump.
5. My feather pillow. How did I ever sleep before we got those? Really. AWESOME!
6. DVR. I still need to catch up on my Thurs night TV, but knowing that it is there for me is just ticklish!

What tickles you pink this lovely Tuesday?

Saw this on sharbait's blog and decided to play along. Yup, lifted the WHOLE THING right off her page. I know, I am a thief!


You are supposed to copy the list and bold the ones you have done:


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

53 out of a 100, I need to get out more. Maybe I should post my own 100 bucket list instead of leaving it in my head.....

Monday Missionary Update & What's happening Hot Stuff?

Luke is sounding a little more upbeat, below is his weekly email home. Added are some PS's that he was able to sneak in while he and Dave were on-line together this morning (be advised, I leave his original spelling and grammer intact. He's losing his English):

Dear mom and dad,

well another rough week has gone by. if wasnt very long but at the same time it wasnt very short, ya know? things havent improved.....much. i dont want to make you guys worried at all, cause you guys know that i am still happy, but here, is just hard. something that i will always remember from my mission president is, There is no bad companion, there is no bad sector, there are no bad members, there is no BAD in the mission. They are Challeges. i have also rememeberd that, and it has helped me to have a positive attitud about how thigs are going here. actually had some really cool experiences, and as you guys cn see, the sub. is a prayer answered :) the experience is kinda personal and i dont feel the need to share it right now, but know that i had a great experience with prayer. i have actualy gotten really close to God these past weeks. the good news is, i feel like things are good with me ad God, which means that i really am doin my part. of courrse i am not perfect, but i am really trying. Okay here is the weekly update:

This week should be really cool! Tomorrow we have interviews with the Mission President, Thursday we are goig to have a little birthday party for a Recent Convert here in the church, and Friday we are going to have an activity in the church, a talent show. It is kinda a lot to plan for but if all goes well, it should we awesome. Apart of that, it is really hot here! It has gotten up to 70 degrees. Normally that should be perfect, but I have been so used to the cold that 70 is pretty hot haha. Also, made friends with Hook here haha. Never in my life have i seen someone with a hook for a hand, until now.
Honeslty, I miss my last sector a lot. I miss the people, the food, and I miss the hilarious experiences that I had there. II heard that happens a lot here on the mission. One thing for sure, is that the work is the same :)

Sounds like things are going somewhat good over there. I could only imagine that the divorce things isnt goin so well, but for the most part, thigs are going well. Thank you for sending me the pictures that was really cool. I really do love gettig those haha. Also does sound like things are going well with the sports side too. In one of the houses that we went into, the dad was watching the ESPN sports update and i caught myself wacthing the NBA stuff for a miute. Wow do I miss playing ball!

Oh just so you guys know, usually when I teach or i meet new people, i show them a pic of our family so they can know me better. they also comment the same thing, that you guys look really young ad my and my brothes look young too hahaha. thought you guys would like to hear that :) okay now for some questions.....

That was cool that you guys got a letter from my Zone Leader. He really was a cool guy and is ending his missin this transfer. I for sure am going to visit him when i get back. He lives in Utah, but i dont rememeber what part haha. From what I understad, I am going to hve to visit a lot of the elders that i met here after the mission, as well as all of my sectors :)

Well parents, gettig close to a year it is kinda crzy. the time is flyin by really really fast. I am excited to be able to talk to you guys on the phone also. everyone tells me, after the one year mark, thigs just fly by before you know it, your home, and wanting to go back out on the misison. I actually had a dream that I came home....and after talking with everyone and getting home, the first thing i did, was cry because i wanted to go back hahaha. crap, i love the misiso!!! Thank you guys for all tat you guys have done for me, I really dont need anything at the moment, but when i do, i wont hold back haha. Love you guys and look foward to hearing from you guys again. ANd if your on, go ahead and respond back :)

Elder Catmull

PS
The Lord really works in great ways. It is interesting to see that. At times I understand why I am put here with my companion in this sector and at other times I have no idea. His will be done is what I am looking at here. But you are right, sometimes ya have to experience the bad, to experience the good. I am trying to take all this time to learn what I can for the time that I am here. Thanks dad fo the quote and your advice
:)

PS.S
mom just got done looking at the blog that you have and I really loved it!!! Awesome work mom seriously!!!! I will check that every week for sure! Love you tons!

I love that boy like a fat kid loves cake! I guess I don't need to be the intrusive missionary mom after call and call the mission president. Sounds like he's got it handled!


So wassup this week?



So much on the agenda - NOT!
How about a little work, some PT camp and the gym, a little run, a little dinner and maybe through it all, a little fun!

Before I lay out my goals for this week, let's review how I did last week:
Didn't kill anyone - check
Didn't get fired - check
Gained a pound - um check and two extra - easy does it girl....
Best my time in the 5k - FAIL!

So let's put it on the table for this week:
1. Don't kill anyone on Tuesday.
2. Don't get fired for my sexual harrassing. I think I can make this one this week since I won't be in the office much.
3. Eat through the pain on Thursday at the Up-Chuck-A-Rama.
4. Finish the 6K in 30 min or better. Setting the bar a little low with this one, the weather is supposed to be atrocious, so I am cutting myself some slack.
5. NOT gain anymore this week. Let's take it nice and easy.....
How 'bout you, set any fun goals for the week?

Best Sunday Shoes EVAH!

Another Sunday under our belt. Wrestling the chunch for 3 hours is a workout in and of itself, so I'm always glad when it hits 7:30pm on a Sunday night....
Today she wore her new red shoes - the COOLEST red shoes ever! And for the FIRST TIME (drum roll please.....), she STAYED IN NURSERY THE WHOLE TIME!!!!
She's so grown up (wipe the token tear from my eye)

Spiritual thought for the day?......

Nothing big and spectacular. Some Sunday's are like that.
I just noticed a little something that got me thinking.
An older lady was sitting several rows ahead of us in church. She and her husband are well in their 70's, have served a mission together and are really awesome people.
She was cold, so she had a shawl that she was trying to get wrapped around her shoulders. She could get it part way, but it was bunched up in the back and she couldn't get it straight. The gentleman sitting directly behind her, just quietly reached up, straightened the shawl and made sure it covered her warmly.
No big deal. Just a little tiny act of assistance.
It made think, this is really what it's all about. Just the little tiny acts of kindness that we should and DO already for each other. Nothing has to be big and measuring on some grand scale, just small, every day, simple kindnesses. It doesn't take much, just keeping our eyes open and stepping up to the plate when we need to.

So my self-challenge? Find ways to serve others a little more often.....

What a day!!

Wow, what a day....and if you know me at all, the fact that I am posting at almost midnight is a miracle in itself since I like my beddy bye around 7:30pm...

The morning started out as any Saturday morning. Hit the gym for Purdy's 90 minute killer lifting class. This week, though, ducked out early and headed to the high school for the "Flat as a Pancake" 5k run. (Nice of them to name it after me wasn't it?) It was a fundraiser for their cross country team. I wanted to use the opportunity to beat my best 5k time and get ready for next week's 6k race.

I didn't beat my time, which REALLY ticked me off! I ran so hard but I just couldn't shave the minute and a half off that I needed to. I did however win 1st place in Women's overall.

Then it was off to Mom and John's for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner. Since all us kids are doing our own things for this year's Turkey day, we wanted a way to get everyone together.


Mom and John in the kitchen


DJ, Sarah and Skyler


My silly siblings and a few more nieces.

During this time, Tiburon brought her four kids over and while she and Adam enjoyed the holy war of all holy wars in college football - check out her blog for details, we got to enjoy her four offspring.

Ethan really bonded with Kasey

Olivia even got in on the action

And, once we got everyone's poopy diapers taken care of, the two littlest littles, got along grandly. Can you say new BFF's?
Chloee and Amelia

Not gonna lie, by the time Tib and Adam came to collect their sproutlings, I was exhausted. Truly, I have a whole new respect for her! Shark Bait is AMAZING! Her kids are darling and Chloee and the puppies all enjoyed the extra attention! I did realize, that I am really old. Really.Old.

Gotta love the Saturday though! Great workout this morning, great dinner with family, Utah kicked BYU's BUTT, and enjoyed some extra kids which is amusment in and of itself! Happy bus - still riding!

Why the rush to Christmas?

Why must everyone rush to Christmas? For the past several weeks, since the day after Halloween to be exact, I've seen Christmas everywhere and Christmas music at every turn.
What happened to Thanksgiving? Can't it have it's own special holiday??

Just saying......

Go UTES!

Totally lifted this image off of Tiburon's blog.
So way cool!

I've been converted, and now bleed red!

Funny Bone Friday - Things I may have heard, said, or thought in my head

"Get over here and scrabble me"

"You had blinking boobs"

"Mom, are maggots the same thing as worms?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I think I just hit your boob, or at least that spot you call one."

"For the ward talent show, will there be a place for me to set up my pole?"

"Hey, hey, hey, this is a booger-free zone!"

"You've been out of sorts all week, so just suck on this Big Stick and quit being so da** ornery!"

"That's a dump away from twice her body size."

Why is that lady staring at me? Not just out of the corner of her eye staring, but with her chair turned towards me staring? Quick, do the fake nose itch to find any stray boogers. Nope, clear there. Do the face wipe to find any stray goldfish crumbs. Nope, clear there. Glance down at my self to see if anything is poking out, unzipped, unbuttoned, spilled on or otherwise defective. Nope, clear there. Good girls intact and not showing? Yes, all's clear on the underwear front. Okay then WHAT THE FREAKING CRAP! Stop.Staring.Now.

"Did you just call me SKIMPY??"

What on earth is going on over there? Who do those girls think they are? Rocky AND Balboa?

Puppies 4 Sale!!

Some of you may know that we have new puppies at our house!
They are called Maltzers. Mom is a purebred, papered Miniature Schnauzer and Dad is a purebred papered Maltese.
We've got three BEAUTIFUL babies.
This one we call Hummer


This one we call Junior


And this one is the little baby sister


We purposely bred them (don't judge me), to produce perfect companions. They are meant to be dogs that become a part of your human pack and NOT stuck outside. They should be with you, live with you and in all aspects be one of your family.
If you know anyone who is interested, have them post a comment with email address. The asking price is 400.00 but for the right family and situation, we can negotiate.

They'll be ready around the 18th of December, but I can hold until Christmas eve, if your looking for a Christmas surprise. I'll tell ya, they are so fun and well mannered, it will be difficult to part with any of them!

Thankful Thursday

Such a list today:

The space heater in my husband's office. Seriously, does he need to keep his office at a freakin 50 degrees? I swear I was going to lose my fingers and toes until he remembered he had a heater. Once that baby got up and running, I was in sweet, sweet heaven.

My job. I have the BEST job, the BEST boss (no she doesn't read my blog, I'm not sucking up), and the BEST co-workers a girl could ask for. Seriously.

My home. Yes, we are still in our "starter" home. Yes, it's very small and simple. Yes, it's plain jane cuz I have no decoratin skills. BUT, it's almost paid for, and right now, that is a HUGE plus.

My Tuffster. Seriously. Gotta be one of the coolest kids EVAH! Built the raddest catapult for physics. I could probably launch a low-carb Monster from my house to Tiburon's with it.

What are you thankful for on this particular Thursday?

An open letter to Elder Brady Munns

Dear Elder Munns,
I don't know you, don't know where you are from or if you're still in Chile, but from the bottom of my heart, I want to tell you thanks for sending the following letter to us. It came to me last night and considering that today is Luke's 11 month mark, and he is struggling right now, it couldn't have been more timely.
You, dear elder, freakin ROCK!

Hola Familia Catmull,
My name is Elder Brady Munns. I am a missionary in the Chile Osorno Mission with your son Elder Lucas(sp) Catmull. For the past 6 weeks I have had the privilege of being his Zone Leader. I have also had the "blessing" of getting to know his sense of humor and personality!
I thought that I would write you all a letter, expressing my appreciation for you all in sending us a great hard working missionary like Elder Catmull. He is a great kid. Elder Catmull helps everyone he meets feel comfortable and special. He has a unique way of teaching and acting that makes it easy for the listener to feel his tremendous love for them.
I actually knew your son when he very first came to the mission. I was working in the office at the time. I remember vividly when I first saw Elder Catmull. He stepped off the airplane with a huge smile on his face that has never left him! I knew he was going to be a successful missionary here in the mission. I feel like I know you! Elder Catmull talks very lovingly of you all and is very appreciative of your support and kind words of encouragement. He loves getting letters!!
Your son is doing an outstanding job here in our zone! h
He is leading the way with his companion teaching by example. They always seem to have smiles on their faces and always seem to have success. Lucas(sp) possesses many attributes that have helped him so far here on his mission, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will help him after. Thank you so very much again for sending us your son! Try not to miss him too bad! He is in the most beautiful place in the world, and loving every minute of it!
Have a wonderful day! Say Hola! to all those in the Northern Hemisphere!
Ciao!
Elder Brady A. Munns

Don't tell me that God doesn't know who you are and sends just what you need!

PS - Thanks Tib, I borrowed the graphic

If it's Wednesday, then I'm Wondering Why

Why did someone ever decide that "Hey, the milk has curdled, let's serve in a pineapple ring on a leaf of lettuce and call it cottage cheese" ?!?!

Why did someone ever decide that "Hey the cream has gone sour, let's throw that on a baked potato with some chives and bacon" ?!?!

Why did someone ever decide "Hey, this cheese smells like stinky feet and has gone moldy, let's crumble it and add it to a salad" ?!?!

I.don't.get.it.

Tickle Me Pink Tuesday

It's Tuesday and time for me to share those things that "Tickle Me Pink"

1. Tib looking over at me during any point in class and dead-panning "I HATE HER" hehe, makes me giggle everytime.

2. When P.O.P says "You need your Bosu, your mat, and your ball." I know what's coming and I'M LOVIN IT!! serious.

3. Bowling for Soup. LOVE every single one of their songs, I giggle out loud with most of them.

4. My seat warmers. As soon as I feel my butt getting warm I get a tickle tingling inside : )

5. My puppies. When they try to crawl out of the box and cry and play with each other. Makes me tickled inside!

6. When I can make Martie laugh by singing out loud with my podder and pen in hand for my mike.

7. The new laptop work issued me. Need I say more?

What Tickles you Pink?

Monday - Missionary Update and roll call

Welcome to Monday and the first edition of the Missionary Update and Weekly Roll Call.
As most of you know we have a son serving in the Chile, Osorno mission. I thought this would be a great way to keep everyone updated on his adventures.

Here is this week's email:
Parents,

Sounds like things are going good down there. Obviosly i loved the pictures! honestly, tuffy is getting huge! corb looks a lot older and more mature, mom and dad you guys both look great! It was good to see the fam again :) Thank you guys for the help and encouragement that you guys have given me. I really did need that. Got some interesting stuff for you guys.... I hope what i say here doesnt scare you guys, or make you guys worried.....

This week i thought would actually get better....when things went in the opposite diretion. Things are worse, and got a lot worse thougout the entire week. Too add to the many problems before, we now have more things added on too that. Had some very intersting experiences that i dont think i will ever forget. my companion....is a little bit crzy. He is very smart and can be spiritual, but he crosses the line with the memerbes and the investigatores. He gets really mad realy fast, and when he gets mad, there is not much you can do, but wait. IT got to the point, where he actually wanted to hit me :) Sincierly, and with patience we are dealing with HIS problems every day. It almost like he is bi polar. I am not sure. To add to that, the memerbs here are a little bit mad with him for his conduct and some of the investiagores also. There was some days, where he just shuts down, and blames everything on me. APART of that..... is where it gets intersting.....
We have been having some experiences with bad spirits. with new investagores and some memebrs here. Also.. in our house. Hahah so thoughtout with week we have been just casting out bad spirits haha. I laugh now but last night was pretty bad. I actually had to cast some out of my compaion. WOW what an experience. It is pretty crazy!

But you know what? I really am happy :) I love the misisonary work. I have also had some great spiritual experiences with my compaion also. He is a great missionary, but has his problems just as anyone else. I think about how diffilcut it is, but it is just straight up awesome being a missionary.

also dad the stuff that i want to send home would be like a little bit of clothes and book. but i am second thinking about sending that stuff home cause you right, i dont know if it would be worth it. i am goign to send some pictures and end the letter there, just so that my comp doesnt shut off and i lose everything haha
I also got the CDs and the letter from Chris. It was really good to hear from him and see how that kid was doing. havent heard from him in a while so that was great to finally get a letter. Where is griff working at right now? and what car did he buy? Also thanks dad for puttin in the 200 bcuks more, i really appreciate that.

Honesly thank you guys for what you have all done for me i really am gratefull. dont worry about me everything is going, or i mean, will be going good here haha. Look forward to hearing from you guys again. I love you guys and miss you!

Elder Catmull



To say that Dave and I are worried is a bit of an understatement, however, we decided to give it another week. If next week's email is just as concerning, I'll be the intrusive mother and call the mission home. Luke did say he was sending a letter to the president to make him aware of the situation. Prayers in Luke's direction would be greatly appreciated!

Weekly Roll Call:
Me - Here
Myself - Here
I - Wish I was back in bed.

What's going on this week?
Me - gym, PT camp, lots of work stuff, health evaluation for insurance, D scuba diving, 5k run, BYU v Utah game, early Thanksgiving dinner.
Myself - Ditto
I - Wish I was back in bed.

Goals for this week:
Me - Not kill anyone at work, not get fired due to my sexual harrassing, gain a pound, best my time in the 5k
Myself - Ditto
I - Wish I was back in bed.

So there you have it, lookin forward to a fun and eventful week.....stay tuned for Tickle Me Pink Tuesday's!

Spiritual Sunday

Today was really kind of an amazing day. For those of you who don't know, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Sometimes referred to as LDS or as the Mormons. Raised all my life but much to the chagrin of my mother and other family members spent some time rebelling and testing my own wings at other choices. Eventually in my early twenties after my three sons were born, I eventually found my way back to where I am happy and peaceful in my faith.

In my church we have no paid clergy, everyone serves in different capacities at different times. These are strictly on a volunteer basis and no one is paid. Everyone just works hard at trying to help out our ward in whatever way we can. My current calling is to teach the Gospel Doctrine class. It's the adult Sunday School class. Each year we focus on a different book of scripture. The first year I was called it was the Old Testament. Talk about INTIMIDATING! I still don't get Isaiah, but have learned to appreciate his words. The next year was the New Testament. A great book to study to increase your learning and understanding of Jesus Christ. This year is the Book of Mormon. Today was my turn to teach. The lesson was on Mormon himself and his life as he struggles to teach his people to live God's commandments and unfortunately then watch their complete destruction because they ignore his warnings and counsels. I had a lot to think about as I prepared the lesson and though I am far from perfect in following God's commandments as I understand them, I certainly gained a better understanding of the consequences when we do not.

Earlier in the day, one of Luke's life-long friends Joshua Madsen, had his farewell meeting before he leaves on a mission to serve in Atlanta, Georgia. He talked about wedges that we sometimes drive in relationships and the role of forgiveness. I came away with a re-newed desire to keep my relationships with others free of "wedges". He did a great job and it's hard to think that by the time he gets back, he and Luke will not have seen each other for 3 whole years. I am amazed and inspired by these young men who make the decision to leave their lives behind for two years to go serve their Lord by preaching the gospel, bringing happiness and serving others.

Final thought of this Sunday - Life is often hard, but we just keep trying. And no matter our faith or religous preference, there is one God who truly knows each of us by name, has a plan for us, and loves us. When we slip up, or fall short, we get back up, dust off our boots and keep moving forward.

WOW - and a final thought

Holy Cow! Yes, two blogs in one day, but that is beside the point.
The new James Bond flick? Quantam of Solace?! Can you say freakin awesome?
Now, that being said, one must check one's reality at the door. I left mine at the concession stand as I walked away with my free popcorn and big a** diet coke. Left it right there on the counter with the 16 year kid that looked bored to tears. I'm sure my reality that I left there didn't help him any, especially after I asked him to give me my diet coke shaken, not stirred. : )

Got into the dark theater, crossing over several people's legs to get to my D, and plopped my excited butt down for an adventure!
And, adventure it was! I won't give anything away, but let's just say....nicely done Bond writers. Fun, entertaining and thrilling all in one. The only down side I can even mention is I think the lady next to me had too much to drink. By the last 10 minutes of the movie, her right leg was wiggling so bad, the entire row of chairs was wobbling. Nothing like watching a grown woman do the pee-pee dance, while trying to act like she's not doing the pee-pee dance. Not that I would ever know anything about that. Just saying.



For the record, I was prepared last Bond movie to NOT like Daniel Craig, but he grows on me evermore! I love to go to a movie and see beautiful people. Between him and the various women throughout the film, it was gorgeousness at every turn! My kind of movie! After the show, we used the last of my gift card and got some Mayan Express. Not bad, it's no Cafe Rio mind you, but not bad.
All in all, date night cost us .25 A quarter!! That's it!! Thank you Intermountain Healthcare! And to my fellow Bond lovers, don't miss this one on the big screen!

Final thought of the week: You can either get on my happy bus or throw yourself under it!

Sum it all up on Saturday!

Soooo..... got home safe and sound from the lovely, warm and sunny St George. Long trip in the car - thank goodness for my podder. Enjoyed my own private ICC (in car concert). Did you know that if you hold the empty milk duds box just right, it makes a PERFECT microphone? I think the dude driving next to me in the big Miller Blue Ribbon beef truck thought I was loco. And really, I don't know how I could have ever made it through Scipio without Justin "Bring Sexy Back". Really.

My sister in-law Terri Ferran http://terriferran.blogspot.com, is an amazing author. Her first book Finding Faith has been out on the market for about a year now and doing well. We all hopped in the Yankeemobile this afternoon to attend her latest author signing at a new book store opening in Pleasant Grove. (I'd give a shout out to the new book store, but they weren't great) Watch for her new book called Having Hope which is set to be released in March 2009.

Tonight is date night. Got our tickets to the new Bond installment "Quantam of Solace." Reviews are mixed, I guess I'll get to make my own judgement. I'm just excited to be in a dark theater with my D, my large popcorn, and big a** diet coke!

The week - good but glad to be HOME!!

YIPPEEE

I am SO doing the happy dance...yes I am frightenting small children, but nevertheless, I am DOING the happy dance. I get to come home today!! While I have traveled a lot over the past 11 years (never as much as miss Martie pants - check her out over at Laughing Out Loud), but enough that I'm usually not bothered and oft times enjoy the small break. But for some reason this time was particulary hard. Missing my D, my kids, my Jordie and her babies and my work out friends. In fact, this morning I told myself, if I have to work out one more time in the STUPID workout room on this STUPID machine without my Purdy and Shark - I just might eat my own head!!

Raising my half gallon jug water in a toast to "Here's to comin home!"

Funny Bone Friday - Things I may have heard, said or thought in my head.....

"No, I don't want to feel your bump, but thanks."

"Please, please, please can we go to Cancun....'cmon, I'll even show you my good boob."

"I don't think we should have puppies named BJ and Hummer in the same litter."

Does the very large, rather unattractive woman on the bike next to me realize that she is not only singing out loud, but OFF KEY?! "...whiskey....kittens....." huh?? what??

"My self esteem is officially in the crapper, I think I'll go kick my own ass on the elliptical."

"I'm infested with fleas"

"I can't believe all that's happened just by having sex once with a crazy person."

"Mom, Dad - are you up for some poker?"

Thankful Thursday

Yes, I am stealing the idea from Tiburon. As I wondered whether or not I would even do a blog, I was trying to figure out what I would even say. I decided to have a daily theme. So of course, following the smart mind and idea of my friend Shark Bait, I decided that Thursday's would be Thankful days.

Things I am thankful for today:
1. Tiburon for her amazing graphic help on my blog. All cute logo's, or decorations or "jazzing it up" are due to her! Hit her blog and post her some serious props!

2. The Hampton Inn's comfy beds. No bed compares to mine at home, but if I have to be away, this is the next best thing. Paired with my Yankees blankie and I'm quite set!

3. The air freshener in the workout room at the hotel. Whewww baby, two-a-day's take a toll on a girl, and thank heavens that at least the room can overpower my own body stench!

4. Target. I really don't need to say more. However, how is it I can forget to pack at least ONE of my three different deoderant/anit-persparation sticks????

5. My amazing best friend and husband D. I have traveled alot over the past 11 years, and I NEVER have to worry about what's going on at home. He is the BOMB!!

6. My trainer Raelynne and my gym rat friends. Nothing like having to work out by yourself to make you appreciate your exercise buddies. Even if Rae is the Princess of Pain! Admittedly, I miss her torture!

Well, those are my tops for the day....what are you thankful for??