Social Development.... DJL Style

Just the Facts

2012-04-08T11:25:00.003-07:00

Fact: When going on a date, even if it's a blind date, it is essential to at least know your date's first name.

Fact: When I hear the words 'group date' I think it'll be 4-6 couples.

Fact: Going laser tagging with 14 other couples is possibly the funnest date I've ever been on! :]

Just a beginner's course...

2012-04-01T21:46:00.001-07:00

So I was recently perusing my school library and came across a gem called The Fun Encyclopedia (by E.O. Harbin).

Remember my last post? The one about a new purpose?

Well, say hello to the first post written with the new purpose in mind! And the majority of the ideas listed below are taken from the book I mentioned above.

Family Activities/Hobbies

nature collection
have a banquet
origami
stamp collection
star lore (making up stories about how each star was formed and how it got its name)
storytelling (everyone loves a good story!)
reading together (read to young children, let older children read to you, for those over 15 or so talk about an article in the newspaper or a magazine, etc.)
coin collection
play charades
sing while gathered at the piano
family game night
puppet show
finger paint
talent show
brain teasers
barbecue
road trip
picnic
painting
sketching
gardening
tongue twisters (at the end of the post there is a list of tongue twisters)

Games

dominoes
pick-up sticks
Chinese checkers
ping-pong
checkers
chess
Go Fish
battleship
uno
Old Maid
tic-tac-toe
hangman

Social Life

invite a family over for dinner
have birthday parties at your house

Tongue Twisters

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, and chuck as much wood as a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

Bill had a billboard. Bill also had a board bill. The board bill bored Bill, so that Bill sold the billboard to pay his board bill. So after Bill sold his billboard to pay his board bill the board bill no longer bored Bill.

Well that sure was fun! I only got about 150 pages into the book before I had to stop for tonight. I wish I could just turn this book into a blog for you, separated into different categoriess of fun things to do. But I do not want to face anything regarding copyright legalities and such so I won't. But I would highly suggest looking up the book and seeing things for yourself.

Also, I'll be doing more posts like this. Where they are simply lists of things to do. And, remember, these activities can be done with anyone, whether it be your family, your spouse, your friend, or your goldfish!

And I would love to hear about how things go if you choose to use one of the ideas above, or those in future posts.

New Purpose

2012-03-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

So, remember how just a few days ago I posted that I wouldn't be posting for a bit? Well, that's a half-truth. I'll not be posting about my social life anymore, because I'm super busy with it these days!

But I'll post ideas of how to better relationships. Specifically with activities that you can do to strengthen your relationships, whether it be with a boyfriend/girlfriend, family, friends, acquaintances, or someone you just met.

Party Talk

2012-03-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

Went to my first real college party tonight. Yes, it was awesome. No, it was not wild. Yes, this relates to social development. I will hopefully post more details about how it relates to social development sometime tomorrow. Or at least this week. Or sometime. :]

(Originally written about a month ago)

Saying goodbye... again

2012-03-23T21:36:00.001-07:00

Believe me when I say I realize how TERRIBLE I am at updating this! Sorry!

So, I still haven't written about the weekend of dates.. or all the great stuff in the week that followed that.. or just how great my social life currently is. Maybe someday I'll come back and post stories.
But for now, I'm going to go out and embrace it. Until another day, which will most likely come later rather than sooner. :]

Graduating, Moving On, and Changing

2012-03-19T12:29:00.002-07:00

I graduate in less than 4 weeks. And I've been so excited about it for so long. But today it really hit me. I'm graduating. I'll be done. And so will so many of my friends.

The friendships that I have developed here is nothing like the one I have with my sister. But I really opened up to some people here. Like I've only done with friends back home that I have known for quite some time.

And I realize that they'll all be leaving right after graduation (my friends that are graduating with me). I'll be staying until June, but most of those friends will be leaving just a few days after graduation. And my heart is breaking. I know we can still be friends.

I guess I'm really worried about what life will be like when I go back to Alaska. I know I've changed, for the better, of course. But I'm worried about being a misfit and not knowing where I fit in, which has pretty much been the story of my life. I'm worried about not knowing people. I know so many of the people at the BC so well, but I know it'll be different when I go home.

I really just needed to put that in words. I've been meaning to write a blog about it for about a month now. But every time I start, I just about bawl like a baby. But I make myself stop thinking about it, because I'm to 'tough' to be emotional, I guess.

But I know others understand. And I know someone will say something really simple; like, this is what Heavenly Father wants for you, just make your way through. I just need to hear or see someone else write or say it. But I'm just to reserved and closed off to really let anyone in and know how I am feeling right now. But I'm trying to change that. I'm posting. And I wrote to my sister about it as well.

This time I let people in, which is rare for me. And now my heart is breaking. But it's refreshing, because it means I'm changing. I'm recognizing how much a relationship can mean, even if the relationship can only last for a season, while it is in person and not through email, facebook, etc.

I've changed, I've opened up, and I'm happy. Although this post may suggest otherwise.

Great Dates Weekend

2012-03-11T00:03:00.000-08:00

I went on two dates this weekend, and to a party. I'd say my social development has peaked. I'll write more about these events later (hopefully sometime this week)!

The List

2012-03-08T12:35:00.001-08:00

I found this idea on someone's blog and decided to 'steal' it. It's 101 goals for me to accomplish in 1001 days. Anyone want to join me?
(P.S. I started this a while ago. Those in bold are what I have already accomplished!)

Learn a new sport… let a guy teach me (SLACKLINING)
Get a different job (more than $200 per week) (BEN LOMOND, INC.)
Go to a temple, other than Anchorage, Alaska (SLC, UT)
Color a whole coloring book in less than a week (LOONEY TUNES)*
cloud gaze (ON THE TRAMPOLINE W/ SISTERS)
Dance in the rain
Be the 1st to start a conversation with a guy (SINGLES BRANCH FHE)
Photograph every member of my family (including animals)… but Tyrel can’t be photographed until 8/2011!
Have a conversation with someone outside my family about a favorite book
Bear my testimony at least 3 times in one week
Write a card or letter thanking my branch president or bishop for all that he does (PRESIDENT OLSEN)
Dance with a really short guy
Take a friend to visit the temple grounds
Write a letter to the prophet or a general authority
Sing in the shower… when I know someone will hear me!
Ride on a train (TRAIN @ ALASKALAND)
Attend a family ward and go to Relief Society with the ‘old ladies’
Sew my own dress/skirt
Go on a hike (HEALY)
Take a family history name to the temple
Play tourist for a day in Fairbanks
Get/receive a ring (CTR FOR CAMI)
Go to a restaurant I’ve never been to (In 'N' Out)
Take a Marriage Prep Institute class (@ LDSBC)
Dance with a really, really TALL guy (back-to-school dance in January, he was ridiculously tall, and March dance)
Dance in a store with Uncle Rocky (danced around Temple Square, even better!)
Befriend a complete stranger (female) (Done this quite a bit at LDSBC)
Write a card/letter/text thanking my home teachers for all that they do (@ LDSBC)
Volunteer at a soup kitchen/helping homeless/refugee people (ward had valentine party for refugee kids)
Go to a family ward (Christmas 2012, March 2012 Fast Sunday)
Spend more than $50 at the Deseret Book Bookstore (within a period of 6 months)
Make an online scrapbook/really nice photo album (my blog, http://picsinreallife.blogspot.com/ )
Take more than 200 pictures of scenery in 1 day
Go to a museum
Befriend a complete stranger (male)
Bake a treat for someone, just because.
Go on 5 dates (1-September, 2-October, 3-December, 4-March, 5-March)
Go on a group date
Game night, with guys and girls
Re-do my albums on Facebook; share more photos with relatives.
Never miss a class session for a specific Institute class for a semester (B.O.M. II class)
Pack a picnic and eat it with someone. (had 2 during Conference weekend)
Give a lesson in Relief Society/Sunday School/Primary/one of my classes OR give 2 talks in Sacrament Meeting OR 3 devotionals (1 devotional so far)
Give 3 referrals to the missionaries (one so far!)
Feed or talk with the missionaries at least once a month for a year (been here since September, talked a lot with sister missionaries, more like once a week)
Write in my journal twice a week for a month (my personal, private blog counts)
Visit an old folks’ home for a total of 2 hours (went for an hour)
Read the entire Book of Mormon
Attend 2 missionary discussions
Be in a wedding party/take pictures of a wedding party
Buy a meal for the person behind me in line
Write, at least, a short novel. And then get it bound (like a spiral notebook) and put a copy in my trunk and give another copy to someone else.
Make a treat from scratch
Swim/wade in the ocean
Make a snowman/mud family
Play in the mud!
Write a letter to one important person in my life every day for a week
Stargaze
Give every person I have a conversation with a compliment for a whole day!
Go to the fair/festival of colors/4th of July parade/something crazy that I've never been to before!
Make a meal from scratch
Read an issue of the General Conference talks from cover to cover… and mark it!
Do the 12 days of Christmas for someone
Do the last 12 days of summer/school for someone
Go to a yard sale
Brush snow off people’s cars anonymously
Babysit for someone for free (outside the family, of course!)
Buy flowers/something special for one of the girls I visit teach
Take 3 Institute classes for one semester
Attend a friend’s baptism (if possible) OR bring a friend to a baptism
Befriend someone who’s not a member of my church
Take one of the girls I visit teach out to eat/bring her a meal
Heart attack the Relief Society President’s car
Heart attack the Elder Quorum President’s car
Bake cookies for police officers or firefighters
Take a dance class (this can include a short 2 or so hours instruction class)
Accompany Cassidee to 2 Seminary classes
Make a meal/treat from an ancestor's recipe
Invite 2 friends to church
Invite 10 friends to a church activity (inviting my friends from school counts, if done in person)
Flirt with a man in uniform (not a missionary, obviously!)
Have at least 2 other people commit to do the 101/1001 with me!
Spend at least an HOUR in an Alaskan town other than Fairbanks, Moose Creek, Salcha, Eielson Air Force Base, North Pole, Anchorage, Delta Junction, or Seward.
Attend a family ward and help with young children during Sacrament Meeting
Learn how to play a new musical instrument OR learn the accompaniment of one song on the piano
Go on the Riverboat Discovery
Pan for gold OR do something unique to a certain state
Go ice skating/ice fishing/anything with ice
Go to Denali National Park
Go to a zoo
Play with kids at the hospital/homeless shelter/etc.
Finger paint something, or just simply paint something
Use sidewalk chalk to decorate something
Take a class about something
Learn some new dances/dance moves
Go to the Sea Life Center/somewhere popular in a certain state
Decorate a cake
Learn how to tie a tie or how to cut guys hair
Do a ‘prank call’ and tell the person they’re awesome!
Play the winking game at a Singles’ activity
Donate $1 to a charity for each of these that I don’t complete by 2/4/2013.

Wow!

2012-03-03T00:33:00.001-08:00

So I recently changed my blog layout and updated to the newer version of blogger. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, but I found out something really cool. You can see the countries of people who have viewed your blog!
How cool is that?!
I've had people from 5 countries. FIVE!
I never thought that anybody would really read this blog. Now that I know that people are interested in reading this, I may blog more.

If I see higher reading interest, I will be taking reader requests about what to write about. :]
Feel free to leave a comment about something you'd like me to write about. Whether it be about roommates, romantic relationships, siblings, parents, or whatever. Let me know and I'll do my best to respond promptly.

F.E.A.R. (False Essence/estimates About Relationships)

2012-03-03T00:07:00.003-08:00

I thought that moving to a city, especially a city populated with many members of my faith (Latter-day Saints), would help me in my goal to date more.
Apparently I was wrong.
But then I realized that the reason I'm not dating is so much more than the lack of guys asking girls out. I won't take the initiative either.
Sometimes I can come off as 'too sophisticated', 'out of your league', and sadly I might possibly seem to have an attitude of 'holier than thou'. I promise I don't mean to be ANY of those things. I'm just simply shy.
Last semester I didn't know many people, and I was okay with that. The few friends that I did make are still my closest friends here. I take a while to open up, even about little things. I don't normally give any details about my life, even when someone ask me questions more pressing (with the real intent to relate to me) than 'How are you doing?'.

I need to just get out of the little shell that I've kept myself in so long and let people in. I've pushed the rest of the world out for so long, I'm starting to forget what it's like to let others in.
No, I never went through a bad romance. I never opened up too soon. Frankly, whenever I saw a relationship forming into something more than just friends I instantly killed it.
FEAR.
I need to get past it.
What are some ways you think I can get past my fears of dating?

Attitude in the 'Hood (written for a communications class)

2012-02-22T20:04:00.000-08:00

Attitude is everything. How you look at things, how you feel, and how you interact with others is dictated by not only the attitude that you portray on the outside, but also by the attitude on your inside. We all make so many choices in life that sometimes we forget how much our attitude affects our day and our interactions with others. There was a talk in a recent General Conference where one of the apostles told us that we all need to slow down and just enjoy life. I think slowing down and enjoying life can also include taking the time to reflect on our lives, especially looking at our feelings, emotions, and our attitude.

Our attitude is not the only thing that affects our lives. The attitudes of others play a large role in our lives. We interact with people on a daily basis. You may understand someone and their attitude(s) a little better if you know them, but we all need to try to understand everyone just a little bit better. I know that sounds like a big task, understanding everyone. You’ll never understand everyone, sorry to say. But you can look at their actions and learn a lot about a person just by doing that.

Recently, I was watching the actions and attitudes of several members of my ward. We were doing a service project in connection with an organization called Good in the ‘Hood. On February 11th we went to and LDS chapel out in Sugarhouse. For FHE a few days prior we had decorated shoe boxes in plain white paper and plain pink paper. On Saturday we hosted a Valentine’s party for refugee children. We helped them decorate their boxes with stickers, glitter, crayons, and markers. Then they made valentines for their friends and passed them out. We also helped them decorate heart-shaped cookies with frosting and sprinkles. After all the children had finished with these activities, we took them outside to play soccer outside. We had a giant soccer ball and the kids loved it.

But, wait. I said I had been watching the actions and attitudes of my ward members. Why am I talking about these kids so much then? I wanted to get the details of the event out first, so that you would better understand as I explained what I had observed.

Oh, wait, I need to tell you just one more thing. I have been in this ward since September of 2011 and I had already been watching and observing some of the actions and attitudes of my ward members, whether it is at school (since most of us attend LDSBC) or at church. I want to focus on the change of actions and attitudes in the guys from my ward.

Yes, I guess I am stereotyping a bit by saying that I knew the girls were ecstatic to help with this activity. The only reason I bring that up? The girls showed outwardly and openly their excitement, even several weeks prior to the event. The guys barely showed any excitement; I felt like we might have to check to see if they still had a pulse. In my ward, no matter what the activity, the attitudes are generally the same. The girls are always excited to go to the activity and the guys are like rocks, showing little to no emotion about the activity (unless they absolutely despise the idea of the activity, then they may talk amongst themselves plotting a way to get out of it, but they usually end up coming).

So you know how the attitudes of the guys and girls in my ward are generally seen. Now let’s go back to the Valentine’s activity. We had a fair amount of drive time to get to the location of the church building in Sugarhouse. I drove over with a car full of girls and we all talked about how excited we were to be helping little kids celebrate Valentine’s Day. When we got to the church, most of the ward members were there already; we got lost so we were a little late.

When we walked into the gym, most of the guys still wore the attitude of ‘I’m here because this sounded like it might be fun, but I’m not so sure about that now.’ We distributed crayons, stickers, markers, and glitter onto the tables that were set up across the gym. Then it was game time. The kids would be here any minute now.

When the kids started walking in the doors, the guys took on new life. They all became like kids again. They instantly found their best friend, and it didn’t matter if it was a little boy who loved getting covered in mud or a little girl who wanted nothing more than to play dress-up and make believe all day. It was like kindergarten. They became insta-friends with that kid, and they spent the entire afternoon with them. Meanwhile, the girls from my ward ended up hanging out with two or three kids for the rest of the day.

I couldn’t help but smile all day because of the change in attitude that I saw in all the guys. Oh, wait, I forgot to mention how things went when the kids played soccer. We wanted it to mainly be the kids who went out and played, mainly so we wouldn’t get competitive and accidentally hurt someone. Well, occasionally one or two of the guys would run out and start playing too. The kids loved it!

I’m glad that I got to go, but especially glad that I was able to see the change of outward attitude in almost every guy in my ward. Attitude is what it’s all about.

Signs

2012-01-30T21:33:00.000-08:00

You see signs everywhere you go, but the most dangerous and possibly the most destructive are the unwritten ones.

Yep, I misread signs and was shot down this week.

It stinks; first time but it was bound to happen sooner or later.

I thought girls were confusing (since I am a girl and know how we function); then I realized that guys can be too.

Oh, well. Life goes on and it'll be great! :]

Love Languages

2012-01-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

I know it's been forever since I last wrote!
I discovered something that I thought someone, whoever ends up reading this, might be interested to know.
I know that one of my love languages is words of affirmation. But I don't respond well to spoken words. Because it's a new semester, I got a new roommate. She LOVES giving me written words of affirmation. We've only lived together for about 10 days, but because of her willingness to speak that love language so openly, our relationship as roommates and friends has taken off and been able to become very deep and trusting, even though our time together has been short so far.
Last semester, about two weeks before my old roommate was about to move out, we were having some problems communicating. Without telling any specifics of what was going on, I was able to talk to a friend and he gave me some great advice. I think I am going to use his advice in everything that I do, any relationship, any time I re-evaluate my life. His advice, as simple as it is, has made a huge impact on my life.
"Find one fun thing to do every day. Make the most of what time you do have." - James Medlyn
Although my friend gave me this advice concerning two very different things that were going on in my life, I truly believe both parts of that quote can be applied to any aspect of our life, if we choose to let it.

Dating is a learning process.. I'm going to use it!

2011-10-09T17:32:00.001-07:00

Tonight I went on a date. The guy's great, the activity was great. The execution and conversation have room for improvement.

I didn't know if tonight was going to be the best date ever or if it would end up as a flop. I'd have to say it leans more towards a flop.

But I'm still in the early stages of the learning process. Before coming to Utah I had a total of three dates under my belt. One was great. One was good. And one, was the biggest flop ever.

Last weekend I had a date that had potential to be great, fell into okay, and then went to good.

So I didn't know what to expect tonight. I take that back. I did have some doubts, since I just asked the guy out last night. He ended up being late, which caused our plans to change. We were supposed to be sitting inside the Tabernacle by 7:10. He arrived at 7:15. My fault, I misunderstood what the ticket said and told him to be there at 7:15. We ended up standing outside for half of the concert. A university choir performed for the first half of the concert. The second half included the university choir and an all-state high school choir. The high school students sat for the first half of the concert. When they descended onto the stage, the people outside got to take their seats. We stood outside for a total of 90 minutes. Communication failed, it was just darn chilly. He walked me home right after the concert. Throughout the entire night I think we spoke maybe 6 sentences to each other. Maybe. But it's all about learning! And the guy and I will still acknowledge each other when we see each other.

I had an idea of the places I needed to improve on when dating. But now I truly understand.

Jump

2011-07-10T22:16:00.000-07:00

I jumped. (If you've seen the Hannah Montana movie you'll probably recognize the lingo. If you haven't, I took a big step with a guy, kinda.)

So there's this guy. Yes, he used to be a missionary here. I haven't seen him since.. April? We're friends on Facebook but haven't really talked since he got off his mission in May. And then I went and checked my Facebook and it said he had updated his current city to Salt Lake City. I'll be there in a little over 6 weeks. Mere coincidence? I don't think so. So I shot him a message. Pretty basic. The how are you doing, what are you up to type deal. And then I asked him what he was doing in SLC. I haven't gotten a reply back but then I added something else. I worded it so it sounded friendly but pretty much told him if he's still in Salt Lake when I get there in September (yep, I even told him when I was coming) that'd it'd be nice to see a familiar face and to talk. Eek! That's the biggest jump I've ever taken with a guy!

Am I Crazy?

2011-07-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

So I thought I'd have two options for what I'd be doing this upcoming weekend. A) Go to the Singles' Conference in Seward. B) Go to Anchorage on a temple trip with my family.

With the name of this blog and what most of my posts have been about the answer should be obvious about what I wanted to do. I tried to get a ride to the Singles' Conference. But the Lord has other ideas apparently.

I'm not going to the Singles' Conference. I still kind of wish that I was. But I'll survive. I'm going to Anchorage with my family. On the trip we'll celebrate my mom's 50th birthday (don't tell her I posted to the world how old she is!). My dad and I got her a super amazing gift. And she can't even guess what it is! :D
We'll be going to the temple. I've got some family names that we'll be doing while we're there. This will also be my last temple trip to the Anchorage temple for a while. I don't know when I'll be back but I really think that I will.
After we go to the temple my family will head down to Kenai for some fishing and fun in the sun.
Meanwhile, I'll head back to Fairbanks with some people from the family ward. One of the brothers from the ward will be driving and I'll be surrounded by teenagers. Fun. Not exactly my idea of a fun ride home but it's last minute and free so I won't complain.

Am I crazy for spending my weekend away with family and teenagers rather than with people my own age? Maybe, but it just feels right. :D

Call me stupid, idiotic, and somewhat lame.... This will prove that it's all true.

2011-06-28T22:43:00.003-07:00

I joined LDS Singles. I joined it a while back but never got on. I don't plan to get anything out of it. And I'll probably delete this post and deny anything about joining LDS Singles but I did.

Success!

2011-06-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

I had a simple goal for today. I went to Singles Branch Sacrament Meeting with one goal: sit by or near someone I don't know. ACCOMPLISHED!!
New goal: have a date on or before my birthday (July 22nd). I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!

Singles Branch Goal of the Day

2011-06-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

So I get to go to Singles Branch today!! I'll only go to Sacrament Meeting but I'll take what I can get.
I only have one goal for today sit by or near someone I don't know. I don't have to sit in the chair right next to him or her and I don't even have to talk to the person.
Sounds easy enough. Let's see how I do!

The 5 Love Languages: Continued

2011-06-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

So I'm still uncertain about what my love languages are. But I at least have guesses now! I'm 75% that quality time is the biggest thing that makes me feel loved. And I think I also appreciate touch. Now, touch is still a weird love language for me because we don't 'speak' it fluently. Yeah, we say we love each other and hug each other good night. But the hug is forced. It's expected. BUT I love going to Singles or seeing someone I haven't seen for a while, or even my preschoolers, and we hug. The hug says hi how are you doing? Or it can say, I'm so sorry for your loss. The hug speaks. But with my family it's forced. That stinks.
Anyways, I'm glad I figured it out or at least guessed! :D

Facts

2011-06-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

I love dogs. But if they try to lick my face or jump on the couch I will shun them for a little while. If any pet tries to climb into my bed at night I will relocate them and shut my door so it doesn't happen again.
I love classics. Whether it's movies, toys, games, or music, I really don't care. I'm an old-fashioned girl at heart.
I love learning about my ancestors that came before me!! I've got some pretty cool family stories and I can't wait to find more!
Generally, I cringe even at the thought of an action movie.
I love kids but changing a dirty diaper is hard for me.

I will be posting more later.

The 5 Love Languages

2011-06-06T23:43:00.000-07:00

First off, I've seen these love languages, I know they exist. I love Gary Chapman's book about the 5 love languages. But these languages can be used in more than just romantic relationships. Duh. I've been babysitting four kids. (Yes, I know this is the third time I've posted about them, but I've learned a lot from them.) I don't know what my primary love language is. I really have no idea. I've tried to figure it out, but it won't come. Anyways, I pick up on others love languages fairly easily. Of the kids I'm babysitting, one LOVES speaking words of affirmation she's a pro at it. Two of the kids LOVE quality time. And the little boy.... I didn't figure him out. I saw him for two days of the eight I was with the kids. But I think he might appreciate service.
Anyways, I guess that's all for now!

Does this even fall into Social Development?

2011-06-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

I've been babysitting some kids for the past week (read my last blog if you want more info). Tonight's my last night with them. A little bittersweet knowing that I'll leave in the morning, go to work, and go home to my own bed. I've played mom for the past week and now, all of a sudden, I'm not going to be in that role anymore. Anyways, I've had some great times. I LOVE these kids!!!! I knew of them before. The oldest child was the only one I had ever interacted with before. I didn't even know the names of these kids. I fell in love with them, though. Anyways, today, as we were doing dishes, the oldest child turned to me and said, "Denali, I'm glad you're the one who babysat us." Yes, the 'child' was 14 but it still MELTED my heart. I LOVE those moments!! :D

M & K

2011-06-04T19:21:00.001-07:00

So I realize that it's been FOREVER since I last wrote.
I guess not much is new. But I realize that I have a LOT of friends that are married and expecting. The list gets longer every day. I just found out a few minutes ago that yet another friend is pregnant.
I bet y'all are probably tired of seeing me write about marriage but.... here's another post about it.
I'm single and for the moment content with that status. But my desire to marry in the temple and raise an eternal family grows every day. I see how kids grow at work and every day I fall in love with preschoolers all over again. I see how happy couples in family wards are because of the vows they have made to each other and to Heavenly Father. I want that.
I'm watching 4 children in my family ward. Their parents went to attend the wedding of a sibling so I get to play Mom for a week. Being in that house and playing that role makes me excited for what I know is coming. Spending my nights in the master bedroom is scary. I know I'm safe and that the kids are safe but it would be so much better to have an eternal companion, but my time has not yet come. And the kids love to talk and interact with me, although the youngest is already 6. This experience makes me excited. I know I can fill this role when my time comes. Of course, the marriage will only start with the two of us, there will be no 6-year-old but someday there will be. And that excites me.

Updating

2011-06-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

Sometime in the future, within the next week, I will be making a series of posts. They will be questions & answers about my dating life & things that connect to it.
Does that make sense? I didn't think so. You'll understand more once I post them.