Sunday, November 14, 2010

Busy Saturday

Whew. Yesterday was busy! But a very good day. Lots of fun and exciting things. And probably the least of it was that BYU is playing good football again. :)
Well first, my nephew Jeff earned his Eagle Scout award, so we got to go to his court of honor and see him receive that award. Here he is!
And second, Brian and Emily had their baby today! She was born very early Saturday morning. No name picked out yet, but she's a cutie!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Standardized Testing - Valid??

Okay, so we all go through lots of standardized testing throughout school right? It's out favorite thing! SAT or ACT and the "pre" tests through 5th and 8th and 10th grades. It's just the joy of our existence really. I'm led to question again what exactly that testing does for us. Maybe I'm totally way off base, but it seems that part of the reason for it is to show in what areas you have strengths and to predict future career choices, etc. Am I totally wrong in thinking that's part of the reason for it? You know, besides competing with your friends about who has the best score of course. Cause it's totally the basis by which all intelligence is measured! But I digress.

Now here's the reason I'm pondering on this subject tonight - I'm going through my old scrapbooks and scanning in my pictures and other memorabilia to be able to have electronic copies of them because that's the thing to do now-a-days right? Well, I just came across my "SAT" from 8th Grade. One of those pre-testing things where they're trying to prepare you for the 'real thing' or make you feel smart of stupid or something. And I'm looking through my scores and laughing. I will admit, I got some pretty decent scores. In fact, all but one of them were in the 'above average' range. (I only say this to help make my point.) My one score that was not in the above average range was in the category of.............................................Listening.

This gives me cause to reflect on my chosen career choice. And I think, hmmmmm.....either the testing maybe doesn't do all that it says it does, or I totally chose the wrong career and I'm horrible at my job and should probably throw away those two degrees and start over. Deliberating....deliberating....

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A jumble of thoughts

I've had many occurrences in the last few months that have led me to ponder. I tried to blog about one of them after it happened, but try as I might, I couldn't express the thoughts and the feelings that I was experiencing at that time. Since then, I've had other instances happen again and again that have made me wonder repeatedly if I'm living my life the way I really want to be living. And by that, I think I mean "Am I living so that I will have no regrets?"

At a training I went to in September, we discussed value wheels and filled out what was most important to us (or so we thought) and then how much time we spent in each different area of our life. It was interesting to see what did or did not match up from what I believe are the most important things in my life and where I spend my time.

Then at another conference a couple weeks ago, we heard a presentation on "Get Up Out of Your Seat". I wish you all could have been there. It was deeply moving and inspiring. By Get Up Out of Your Seat, the speaker talked about how too often we sit back and basically let life pass us by. Whether from wrong priorities or thinking that someone else will do what needs to be done. We need to be up and doing and looking for opportunities to bless the lives of those around us. He stated it well when he said, "The journey is not about you. It's about those you come in contact with". He also talked about how you never know how much time you have. I think this was brought back in force again at work today when my co-workers niece was hit by a truck and is not expected to live due to the extent of injuries. And I thought, "What if this was one of my nieces or nephews or good friend or family member? Would I be caught in that moment saying 'I wish I would have....?'" I hope that never happens.

So I'm trying to make a goal. I hope that I don't forget it soon. That happens far too often. I'm going to start trying to live each day on purpose. I'm going to try to put people first. I'm going to try to make a difference. I have seen opportunities to do something around me. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father has pointed some of those out to me a couple of times because I might have missed it. So now I'm working on those things. And I'm going to try to be aware of others.

I know my thoughts are probably a jumbled mess, but I hope that something made sense. I think I wanted to share this to make more sense of it in my own mind and to further commit myself to the changes that I want to make. Feel free to join me. I think we could all find one thing each day to better help someone around us or to show our love. Quite often, the best thing we can actually give anyone is our time. Maybe we can watch a little less tv or spend a minute less on the computer (I know, I'm on it right now!) and instead call someone to just let them know that we're thinking about them or appreciate something they did. It could even be something as little as letting the dishes sit for a minute so that you can spend that one extra minute giving a hug to each of your children. Or let your spouse or friend tell you about their day. I can't help but notice everyday what a difference a little more love would make in this world. And besides, we're starting into the holiday season so there's no better time, right?? :) I know that I've been very grateful lately for many many things, and I'm going to try to show that gratitude by doing what I can to help someone, somewhere. Lets go get up out of our seats.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

A Few Fall Pics...

Well, at this moment I have to admit that Utah is not as vibrant as the colors were last year. My roommate keeps trying to say that it's not 'fully fall' quite yet, so we'll see if there's more to come. But super vibrant or not, it's always beautiful. So here are a few of the pics I've taken of the beautiful nature around us.


Sunday, August 29, 2010

Another Year

Is it a little bit funny that although I've been out of school for a couple years, there is the part of me that still meaures years as if they begin the end of August/start of September? Look what they ingrain in us through our early years. They also ingrain in us that we should have a few months of summer break. That's a rough reality when you grow up and realize that most adults don't actually get that. I'm slightly bitter still. But I digress.

As it has been two years since I finished school, I did hit a pretty big milestone - work wise. I finished up the hours and other things required for me to get my LCSW. That's a licensed clinical social worker. Previously, I was just a CSW, or certified social worker. It's kind of made me laugh as I've realized that hardly anyone really knows what I mean when I say, "I got my L!" But they act excited with me anyway. :) I guess I really do understand. I really didn't know anything about the licenses involved until I actually got into the field. So if you are reading this and saying, what is that? Feel free to ask. So here's my name plate at work. I had some friends a couple years ago that thought I was pretty cool because I had 3 letters after my name. Now I have 4. :)

Another favorite part of school starting/fall is that football starts. I realized the other day that I really miss the good ol' days when the thing to do every Friday was to go to the football games for the local high school. It was all of my growing up because my dad taught at the high school. There's just something so great about enjoying the outdoors, enjoying some games, building that sense of community... Ahhhh. Well, this year, my oldest nephew Jeff is now in high school. First of all, yes, the immediate reaction is "What the....?" How is he that old? I don't know. But he is playing football (and is actually really quite good if I can whisper that out there) and I got to go down to his first game this week. What fun! He's the quarterback for the freshmen team. Hopefully I'll get to go to others. But I was able to get a few pictures for those of you that missed out.





So everyone, I hope that you too get to enjoy some good football this season. I'm looking forward to it. Happy new (school) year! :)

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Summer Fun

Wow it's been a little while since my last post. The summer has gone by quite quickly. I don't have lots of pictures, but here are a few of the things that have happened.

I went with my ward down to the Manti Pageant and we did a session there as well. Always good to head back to Sanpete County and of course partake of some Fat Sticks as well.
Here's my friend Laura and I with some of the peeps in the pageant. We thought their costumes were very cool. :)


I got to go to the play 110 in the Shade at the Hale and then meet Audra McDonald, who came to Orem for a couple weeks to be in it. I've been a big fan of her for a few years, and she really is amazingly talented. What fun!! Here's Laura, me, and Candice with Audra.

We had some 4th of July merriment in Richfield, but I didn't get too many pictures. So here's one I did get of Hayley and Steven.

I watched a little baseball. Here's my nephew Jeff.

I don't think I've even posted about my niece Claire who was born in May. We got to go up to Logan today for her blessing. She's a cutie!!

And as far as additions go with the family, Daniel and Jenny had their babies the end of June. We're very grateful that they're doing so well. I haven't gotten to meet them yet, but I'm borrowing a picture from Jenny so you can see how cute they are. Ava and Wyatt.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Race for the Cure

Last weekend I went with my mom, sister, brother, and sis-in-law up to SL for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I have to say, like I did last year, this is a very cool event and very touching to see so many people come together to fight something that has affected so many people. With my mom with us this year, we stuck around to see the things that they did for the survivor's of breast cancer, including the survivor's march and having them all come together for a photo. It is an awesome experience and made me again grateful that my mom made it through that rough time and that she's still with us today. I would definitely recommend it for anyone in the future.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

I'm a bad girl...

Okay, yes, I put that as the title simply to get your attention. :) Now let me give a disclaimer. It's not that I'm a girl that has done a bad thing. It's that I'm somewhat bad at being a girl. Let me explain.

There's a guy that moved into my ward in January. He kind of caught my attention and I have since been somewhat, shall we say, intrigued? Not quite sure how I feel, but paying attention. Sunday - we were texting a little bit and then he called and asked if I wanted to go to ward prayer together. Sure. So he came over, we went, then he came back and stayed and chatted for like an hour or so. He was leaving and said something about thanks for listening and I said something about how I enjoyed talking. Then he says, "Maybe when I'm not so stressed... do you like sushi?" My response? Well, um, not really, but I've only had it once and maybe it was a bad experience. But I think he got the hint that no, I don't like fish. I'm texting my sister after that and she says, you should have said "but I like ice cream" or something to that effect. Of course I should have. But did I say anything like that? Nope. He kind of went oh, okay. I'll see you later.

So, although I'm not really the type of person that enjoys putting much personal information out there, I guess I'm hoping that someone can explain to me why I'm so stinking lame. Or maybe I just feel like amusing everyone tonight. So laugh if you want. Cry if you must. Maybe you'll do both. And I'll keep sitting here wondering what on earth I was thinking.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

A little vacation!

Last week my roommate and I went on a nice leisurely vacation to the Oregon Coast. It turned out being quite decent weather and was, of course, very beautiful. We went around and saw a few things, but were not rushed to do anything and were just able to enjoy getting away. It was so nice and so needed. And what can I say, I didn't want to come back. :) Here are a few of the fun things we were able to do, so you can enjoy as well.

We were able to go to the temple in Portland, which was awesome.

The Classic Chinese Garden in downtown Portland


The staircase in the Pittock Mansion in the west hills of Portland. Super cool!

The outside of the Pittock Mansion

Tillamook Head Lighthouse

Flavel House in Astoria
Cannon Beach - Haystack Rock

A beautiful sunset while eating dinner at Mo's at Cannon Beach

Friday, April 2, 2010

No listening pleasure

I'm sorry to say that apparently the Michael videos are too big, so my blog will not upload them. Blast it all.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

WHAT A SHOW!!!!!

One thing I've wanted to do for a long long time and one of the things that is on my list of things I need to do in my lifetime - Go see my favorite music artist in concert. And who is that you may ask? Well, okay. Those of you who know me well don't ask. You know. And yes, last night I got to go and have a fantastic night listening to a voice that could melt butter. That's right! Michael was singing to me. (And like 10,000 others, but whatever). I have to say. I was very very impressed with the show. Not only does he have the best voice in the world, but he is quite the entertainer. Very engaging with the audience and a lot of fun. The sound was awesome. The lighting and effects were very cool too. All in all, a definite A+++. So, for future reference, if you ever get the chance to go see him in concert, I would jump at the chance. Here are just a few pics and some videos for you to enjoy a small amount of what I did. The sound isn't super super great, but really not too bad for a camera.

Okay, okay. Videos will have to come later. They won't upload tonight.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Other Happenings

I'm super slow, but here are a few pictures of some other things that have been going on in the last couple of months.
February -

Jace, my nephew got baptized. Here's a cute picture of him and his dad (my brother Kevin).

March -

Lillie's blessing


And I got some new bedroom furniture. Well, a bed frame and a dresser. They actually just came today. I'm pretty excited about them.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

It's Madness!!!!


And it's beautiful! :) I love March, if only for the exceptional basketball that overtakes my life for a few weekends. Today was the first day of March Madness. What a crazy day! I can't believe how close so many of the games were. I did pick a few of those upsets, but I'm still blown away by a couple of them. Here's to more greatness and a lot of tv watching to come!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

In Search Of....

Well, many things. :) But in particular at this moment, I'm looking for some good books to read. People always tell me good ones, but I usually forget. So I'm going to start writing them down. I have heard the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is really good, so I'm planning on reading that one. I've also heard great things about the Hunger Games. So I'm putting it on my list. So now here I am, ready and open for your wise suggestions on what I can do with my time so that I don't just watch tv when I come home from work totally brain dead and burnt out. :) So advise away!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A New Addition

Lillie Ruth Cropper joined our family here today at 1:29pm. Janell was very grateful that the labor wasn't nearly as long as with Steven and she even did it without an epidural. Woohoo! Way to go. She's 7 lb 4 oz and 19 in long. I forget sometimes how small newborns are. But she is super cute and has lots of dark hair to boot. So here are a couple of pictures from today.
Steven meeting his baby sister.
The Happy Little Family!