Volunteer?

So, I've been thinking lately about the productive things I can be doing with all the freetime I have these days. . . and I realized there are probably a lot of women at church who could use some help. Yesterday in Relief Society (the hour of meetings just for women) I asked if I could make an announcement. I told the room of ladies that I get off work at around 4ish and my husband doesn't come home until 10 or 11ish. . .and that if there was anything I could do for them, I have the time to help and serve. I told them I don't have a car, but if they were willing to pick me up, I could go wherever. There were quite a few women who wanted/needed help stripping wallpaper, painting, gardening, babysitting and other home maintenance things. I'm not sure why I volunteered myself for free labor, but I really felt like I should do it. . .so I did. Hopefully, my days won't seem so long and boring now and I'll be able to pick up some house skills or something. Whoop!

High School.

It's a little freaky that Lindsey will be a sophomore in high school next year. But it's also really exciting! High school is so fun :) This is her and one of her best friends. (I hate/love how pretty she is, even when she's not trying to be.)

Sophomore year was the start of things changing for me. My friends started drinking and doing things with boys, things I didn't even know you could do. It seemed so hard at the time, but looking back it's hard to remember everything. I mostly just remember happy things, happy times, happy days, happy friends. Hold on, sister. Write things down. Make good memories. Pretty soon you'll be turning 21 and married. Some days, I still feel like I'm the almost 16-year old. Life happens so fast!

Who Knew?

Who knew you could miss a microwave so much? Our microwave hasn't worked since we moved in. We have talked to maintenance a few times, but a dead microwave doesn't compete in priority with broken water heaters I guess. It's pretty annoying to have to warm up leftovers on the oven. . .and we hate not having our popcorn. These past few weeks have helped me realize how blessed I am just by little things, like modern appliances. BUT I've learned my lesson. . .and now I want my microwave back!

Fall in love.

I am in love with a man who matches me. I backspaced the previous sentence a lot of times.. I started with "a man who completes me" and tried "a man who is better than I deserve" and "a man who was made for me." But none of those things are true. . .a lot of things complete me as a person (a testimony of the Savior, a desire to help people, a love of artsy things, etc.) and he isn't better than I deserve (Because I am a daughter of God, I deserve to be loved and treated well. Every person does!) and he wasn't made for me (There is no such thing as soulmates. If we were destined for each other, then we wouldn't have the chance to choose each other. . .and love wouldn't be nearly as exciting or rewarding as it is). Finally, I chose the word match. We match. We are happy; we like games; we like clean houses; we like fun colors; we are helping each other move toward Christ a little every day; we like Mexican food; and we like each other. I love him lots and am grateful for him every day. But not every one in the world is in love with a boy or girl right now. . .and I get that. But something I've been thinking about today is this: life itself should be a glorious love affair. If you haven't found something to love in life, find it. Look for things to bring joy and love into your life and heart every day. I love bright colors and clean design. I love well organized rooms. I love little children. I love the feeling of making a difference. I love goals. I love doodles. I love the scriptures. I love powerful literature, words that move you. I love yummy food. I love fresh-baked cookies. I love walking into a house that smells and looks so clean. I love the satisfaction of folded laundry. I love crafting, preserving memories on paper through artistic expression. I love patterns and prints, big jewelry and fun shoes. I love picnics outside and playing tennis. I love learning something I didn't know. I love people- talking to people, listening to people, interacting with people, meeting people. I love pictures- pictures of me, pictures of my family, your pictures on Facebook. I love going to restaurants. I love freshly painted nails. This is my point: Wherever you are, in whatever stage of life you're in, no matter what you are doing, fall in love. Fall in love and stay in love. Your life will not only seem happier, it will be happier. You will find deep delight in just living.

I was inspired when I saw this quote. It moved me. And just so you know: this post is just meant as a little advice for you, but a BIG reminder for me :)

Smithsonian: One Museum at a Time

Sundays are basically the only days JD and I get to see each other. I work in the office from about 9:30 to 4ish, and JD knocks from about noon to 10 pm every week day. So. . .Sundays are the days we will explore DC, if we are lucky enough to find a friend who will lend us their car. On Sunday, we took Brad's car and went to see the National Air and Space Museum. It was very cool!

It's pretty much JD's favorite one here, I guess. He was like a little boy, fascinated by the way things fly and so into the planes. We had a really fun day together.

There are so many awesome things to see in the District. I don't think we will be able to make it to everything, but I am really excited for our adventures. 

Hard-working Hubby.

Being a salesman- or"advertising man"-is a hard job. JD hates being called a salesman because he thinks people have a bad opinion of salesmen. He wants people to know he is really trying to help them and protect their homes. I hate knocking doors. I try to be positive. . .I try to pretend it's fun. . .but mostly, it's miserable. I am so glad he is willing to go out every day and try to sell alarms. I can't be mad when he comes home with zero for the day because it is so stinking hard and there are so many people in this area with terrible credit. Thanks for working hubby. . .I would much rather sit in the office and get paid for blogging time! I love you.

Home.

Everything about being in Texas made me happy. I didn't have a single thing to do except hang out with my family and help around the house. I went to Alamo Cafe with my parents and shopping with my momma. I watched Isaac play baseball and visited with EG and Papa. We went to lunch and I split a cheeseburger with my sister.

My sisters and my mom and I went out and ran errands. I found a pillow the perfect color of turqouise to put on our couch in Provo.. imagine my delight when I flipped it over to check its condition and found a "K" embroidered on it! Fate? or what? We took some fun pictures in a photobooth at Wal-mart and stopped by Half Price Books. . .where I bought a collection of novels by Jane Austen. I have never actually read anything by her, and figured it's about time I tackle some of the classics. (So look for updates on my progress!) I taught Isaac how to play war with a deck of cards and he was obsessed with playing. I played cards with Morgan and Isaac a lot after school. Morgan and my dad and I worked on a puzzle she picked for her room.

My dad grilled chicken, and I made mashed potatoes. I played a few games of Settlers of Catan with my parents and Jake. Our friends, Amy and Clint, came over to play later in the week. I watched a lot of Spurs games with my dad. One night, the whole family went to Dairy Queen for blizzards. I loved being together with all of them.

I'm sad I didn't get to see Lindsey as much as I would've liked. She is a busy-bee and had a lot of school work and stuff going on. It's too bad it wasn't summertime yet for the sibs! One day, my mom and I went to the fabric store to pick up some material because I wanted to make some skirts. The next day I spent the entire afternoon learning how to follow a pattern and sew a skirt from one of her friends. I made two really fun summer-y skirts and I can't wait to wear them. I went to the San Antonio temple with my mom and dad and

did some sealings for my ancestors. My mom has been doing some geneology. . .and it was really wonderful to be in that sacred place together! I also got my hair cut and highlighted. I had to get a few inches cut off. (Such a bummer! I wish my hair would just grow longggg!) I went to Austin to visit some friends and spend the night. The last night I was there my family went to Rudy's barbeque for dinner. So yummy! I love me some Texas bbq!

Mostly, Texas makes me happy because it's home. It's still a little weird to go back to Boerne, and not San Antonio. . .but the bottom line is- love is what makes a house a home. My family loves each other a lot. Sometimes my siblings argue, and sometimes they are mean to each other, but mostly, they are really kind and they stick up for each other. Morgan was having some drama with the boy she likes. . .and Isaac pretended his baseball was the boys' head, because quote "No one messes with my sister." I know that's a little bit cruel, but the point is he loves his sister and doesn't like to see her sad. Jake and Lindsey also have this special bond, where they share secrets and no one else can know. My family reads scriptures and prays together every morning. We didn't always do so great at that when I was younger. . .and I think it makes a difference. I know it makes a difference. I am grateful for the chance I have to build a life with JD. We are a happy little family and we love each other lots. But there's something about a busy house and lots of kids, and food and games and baseball in the heat, and homemade cookies, and warm Texas sunshine. . .something that pulls me home.

Sneak peak.

I am safely in Maryland. I have to get back to work. . ,but here is a sneak peak of my Texas vacation.

It was so good to see some friends from high school. I love Tiff... she's just one of those forever friends :)