The Bucket List and hot chocolate from Books-A-Million - What a great date!

Valentine's Day turned out to be a great day! Work was good, everyone seemed so happy and cheerful and I received a few special "Cupid" deliveries from my bosses, Paula and Stacy, and one anonymous one (I think from Becky, maybe?) and Joey gave me a dozen red roses and a beautiful card. Then we went out last night to SandHills to see "The Bucket List" (AWESOME MOVIE!) and to our favorite place "Books-a-Million" for hot chocolate and browsing. We had such a fun time and that movie really made me think - the best point of the movie was talking about finding JOY and how these two men with just months to live who were so very different took an adventure and the joy they found...I won't give the ending away but it was one that touched my heart tremendously. One of my favorite sayings is "The best things in life aren't things" and this is very much applicable to this movie.

I really love Valentine's Day - especially since Joey came into my life this time. He makes such a effort to maintain our "sweetheart relationship" and Valentine's Day has become a very special holiday to us. A couple years ago he surprised in a very big way to a carriage ride and he had packed hot cocoa and the works. Another Valentine's Day he prepared a magnificent meal for me, he is so good to me.

Tonight we attended a dance at church and had a very nice time. I love to dance with Joey and I love the way he looks at me and it's like there's no one in the world except the two of us. I love you, Joseph, and I am very thankful for the relationship we have and the love we share for one another. I do believe you are my soul mate - I could never imagine a day without you - I love you very, very much! Thanks for such a great Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

I hope everyone has a very special Valentine's Day! My day today (2/13) was pretty crummy after work but my dear Addison really brightened the evening with her thoughtfulness and appeal. She is really amazing at cheering me up when she knows I'm down. She didn't really know about my evening being so yucky in detail but still sensed I needed cheering up for whatever reason. Upon arriving home from her Young Women's Meeting tonight she told me not to peak -- she had a surprise! Moments later she walked into the room with a cheese tray and sparkling white grape juice in the nice goblets to toast. Underneath the cheese tray hidden was the movie "Bridge to Terabithia" to watch while we made Valentines. I was so touched and tried so hard not to cry and still not wanting to share much about the evenings' happenings with her except the bare essentials. We had a very nice evening. We gathered candy to make Valentine treats for me to take to work tomorrow and then I got her card made after she fell asleep. This year, Addison, you are my Valentine!

Happy Valentine's Day in just a few more hours! I hope Cupid covers all his territory!

One last thing -- congratulations to Erika on making 100 on her big test today! I am so proud of you, Erika, you are going to be an awesome nurse! Keep up the awesome work! I miss ya'll and hope your Valentine's package arrives on time tomorrow. And, Ethan, I know you're doing great, too, and I look forward to spending the evening with you in Florence Saturday while Addison is at Super Saturday activities. Pick us out a great restaurant where I can get a really good salad! Love ya'll, kids!

P.S. The beautiful rose bush is a Valentine's gift from our home teachers with a great box of chocolates! Thank ya'll--you're the best!

Great Friday night and Mr. LE

It's been a great weekend thus far and with Ward Conference tomorrow it can only get better. I had a half day off yesterday and got some much-needed things done. Last night after Addison was done with Mr. LE practice (she is Jamie's sweetheart/escort for the Mr. LE contest) we went to get a movie and got take-out from Zaxby's for us and Joey. We had dinner, got comfy, and watched "The Game Plan" -- excellent Disney movie starring The Rock! (He's so hot!) It was so relaxing and then Ethan got in around 10:30!!! I was so excited he was coming home for the weekend!!!! It'd been a few weeks and I'd missed him. Addi and I ended up camping out in the living room along with Chloe who was also so happy when Ethan got home. She's so funny--she loves Addison and me until Joey comes over and she gives him all her attention then. And last night when Ethan came through the door, oh my goodness, she went nuts! What a sweet puppy she is!
Today was great also. Wasn't the weather incredible!? I loved it! I got up early and went to get my taxes done which turned out to be pretty good. Then I headed to PetSmart to get Spencer an accessory for his new guinea pig he got for his birthday. Turns out we got him an exercise ball he can put Snowball in and all the boys will enjoy watching him run around in the ball. Spencer's birthday party was at 11:00 and the weather could not have been more perfect. I'm sure Ginger will post photos on her blog of the party. The kids had a wonderful time with the treasure hunt Ginger and Shaun had prepared and they enjoyed all the pirate festivities! Mom (Grandmother) made his pirate cake and it was so yummy! So were Jenny's famous sugar cookies! As for Daddy (Grandaddy Oree) well we enjoyed the hot dogs - they were fab! Fun party, Ginger and Shaun -- ya'll are awesome and Happy Birthday, Spencer! Mic Mic loves you!
Tonight Addison had the Mr. LE contest with Jamie and she looked beautiful! Jenny did her hair and it was gorgeous! (Thanks, Jenny, you're a great hair dresser.) Everyone looked so nice at the contest and I would NOT like to have been one of the judges. Tom Hoke won Mr. LE and it was a fun contest. Afterwards we went to San Jose' (a traditional favorite following activities) and then a bunch of kids came over for a movie. I think I'm going to call it a night -- Sunday morning comes really fast and I'm looking so forward to Conference. Ginger is our new Stake Relief Society President (she's so amazing!!!) and she will be teaching the lesson in Relief Society tomorrow at our ward. Following conference I have to go in to work for a while for a Nurse's Open House / Recruitment Fair at the hospital and work as a greeter/guide for the fair.
Hope everyone has had a nice weekend and was able to take advantage of some of this beautiful weather we've had.

Addison's Internship

I am so proud of Addison and her accomplishments this school year. She has done such wonderful work her junior year and making some fantastic choices about her future. First semester she took a Health Science class at ATEC which prepares students for careers in the medical field. She is still debating either a career in nursing or dental hygiene. She did so well in this class last semester that she was chosen to participate in an intern program this semester and will earn honors credit for this internship. She was the only one chosen from her high school and I am so proud of her! The first part of the nine weeks she attends the Fine Arts Center one day a week during third block and the other 4 days she is at a dentist office. The last half of the semester she will attend the Fine Arts Center one day a week as before but she will spend the remaining 4 days at the hospital I work and will shadow with a nurse in different departments. She has very much enjoyed it thus far and has learned ALOT at the dental office already. It will be awesome having her at the hospital soon, too. Great job, Addison! I am just so proud of her and especially the fact that she attends seminary, keeps her grades up at school, maintains a job which she uses her income to pay car insurance and her cell phone, loves serving as President of her Laurel class at church with the Young Women's program, and still manages to have a good time with her family and friends. You're an awesome girl, Addison, and I love you so much. Keep up the good work -- you're amazing!

President Monson

Thomas S. Monson Named 16th Church President
Thomas S. Monson is the new President of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

with Henry B. Eyring as First Counselor and

Dieter F. Uchtdorf as Second Counselor.

Excel?? Excel!!

This morning I rushed around getting ready with my half-unpacked stuff from our beach trip and hurrying Addison up for seminary. Then I rushed to take Joey home when he got off night-shift at 7 am so I could drive his truck to Columbia for class. All the while I was at the brink of tears thinking of Erika and so grateful she's okay after the accident yet concerned about how she and Jack would work out their transportation until they can find another car. It's tough trying to work and go to school and keep it all together but if anyone can do it these two can -- they love each other so much. Plus, I've missed her and Jack so much lately.

Well--I almost felt like I'd run a marathon by the time I arrived for class. It was a computer class - Excel 2003 and it was a fast-paced tough class but I made it. I think I know more about it...at least I hope so...the formulas are what stumps me most but I'll get it the more I use the applications.

It made me think, though, about the title of this computer program -- EXCEL. Maybe its name describes it - it is an action verb and requires progress. Hmmmm...this made me think even more...wow, and then this light came on! I've been a little bit (actually a lotta bit) tough on myself lately in trying to figure some things out. (maybe it's a mid-life thing after my surgery -- or maybe hormones?!?! I don't know.)

Well, after such a great weekend at the conference and some meditation today I'm realizing more and more about this EXCEL thing. It really applies to life in general. I can let it get the best of me (things I've been trying to sort out, that is) or I can excel - at my own pace and in one thing at a time...My daddy told me on more than one occasion during my adolesent years, "There is a time and a season for everything, Valencia, maybe this is not the time." There is so much I want to learn, so many things I want to accomplish, and so many goals I want to achieve. Some are more realistic than others but some are very attainable. I love President Hinckley's advice in many talks he's given over the years to "Try a little harder to be a little better." That's all it takes! And the harder you try the easier it becomes to excel in whatever it is you're working on, be it making better grades, being a better friend, losing weight and getting in better shape or whatever it is that we want to achieve. And just like the computer program can make so many things easier to organize when you're dealing with different data the same is true in life. If we put first things first in our lives and in the correct order we will excel. Hmmm...I feel lots better now and to think I'd so dreaded going into downtown Columbia today for a class. I learned alot more than I'd expected!

Excel...I quite like that word...

"Yielding our hearts..."

This weekend was one of the best I've had in a very long time for myself. Yes, I missed Joey and he and I have a wonderful time every time we're together and I missed Addi-Boo and her company. However, occasionally everyone owes themselves some much needed "me" time and this one was mine. I was with some of the best friends imaginable and we were all gathered together with a common cause and with common interests -- every one of us. Friday my sister, Tiawanna, our dear friends, Katie and Kristi and I left out around 5:30 for Myrtle Beach for an LDS Single Adult Conference. To be honest after I'd committed to going I wasn't very excited about it but WOW was I so wrong! We had such an awesome time! Katie is just a riot to be with and she kept us laughing. Kristy was our driver and what a luxury that was and Tiawanna kept us happy, too, making sure we had plenty of drink and snack stops--gotta love those Peanut M & M's!!! Our condo we stayed in at Plantation Resort was fabulous! We checked in Friday night and socialized some then headed out on the town a little. It was fun. Then Saturday was the most awesome day from beginning to end. The seminars were wonderful. The theme of the conference was "Yielding Their Hearts unto God" and the classes centered around this theme. The first class was "Yeilding YOUR Heart unto God" taught by another dear friend of mine, Joyce Fields. We learned some interesting facts about the human heart (even had a quiz!) and then we compared these to our spiritual and emotional heart. It was great and we even made homemade Valentine hearts! The next class was "Joy in the Journey" by Marsha Jensen and it was just as good. We were given a handout with 25 examples of everyday things which bring joy -- many that we take for granted. Some included were: I really laughed this week about something, I can think of 5 things that I use and enjoy that weren't invented 60 years ago, I am looking forward to something, Jesus Christ is my saviou, my reedeemer, my advocate with the Father. There were lots more but it really made you think about the things that truly bring joy, not just temporary happiness. At the end of class she gave out Almond Joys relating it the scripture, "All men are that they might have joy..." The last class was "Yielding our heart through making and honoring sacred covenants" and it was very informative as well. Following the classes we had lunch and then gathered in the chapel to watch the funeral services of President Hinckley which was broadcast live via satellite from The Conference Center in Salt Lake City. What a beautiful service and oh, how our dear prophet will be missed yet I'm so happy that he is reunited with his sweet wife whom he has greatly missed since her passing. We were so thankful to have attended this service. Afterwards we went back to the resort to get ready for the evening festivities. There was a dinner and a dance which turned out to be really fun. Kristy met a really nice guy and we all just had a great time line dancing and just laughing and having fun together. The Charleston group there who are good friends of Telene are so much fun! I don't think I've danced that much in a very long time! Today we attended church and enjoyed the testimony meeting, had a HUGE brunch and headed back home. The weather was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS making it tough to leave the beach, but it was nice to back at home with Addison and also Chloe. (though I don't think either of them missed me very much - Addi enjoyed her little bit of independence this weekend!) This conference and get-away was the greatest uplift I've had in a while and it was great to do some thinking about life and to have my testimony strengthened of not only the gospel but also my love of my savior. During the dinner/dance I got a call from Erika and could immediately tell something was very wrong. I think my heart stopped for a moment as I heard and felt the fear in her voice and tears. She'd been in an accident just moments before. They've had blizzards in Idaho lately with lots of snow and ice. She was on her way from work only about a mile from her home when she must've hit a patch of ice and her car slid across the road hitting an oncoming Chevy Tahoe. Luckily she escaped with just the impact of the airbag and I'm sure that today she is very, very sore. Nothing is worse than having your child, your firstborn child I may add, very far away and in pain, sobbing with tears and not being there to hold her and comfort her. My heart that I'd been learning so much about all day was aching and I've never wanted to be someplace else so bad in all my life. However, her dear sweet mother-in-law, Joanne was there with her and my love for Joanne grew a million times. She is an angel and I am so thankful for her taking care of my daughter when I couldn't be there. I know she loves Erika and that means the world to me. Erika and Jack are now without a car at all but last night when I spoke to her before going to bed she said they had a ride lined up for church this morning. Their Honda is probably totalled but she is safe and that's what matters. After the call from her I went into a classroom there at the church and knelt and said my prayers before calling Ethan. Ethan then called his sister to check on her and to help console her -- they have a special bond. Erika said Jack had run by foot to get to her when she called him - he is such a wonderful husband to her. As was told in a talk I heard recently, "Trials are tailor made for our needs...Our Heavenly Father will not take away the trial but will make our sorrows and pain easier to bear when we yield our hearts to Him..." There are so many trials we face and sometimes it seems it's those who try and struggle the hardest that are faced with some of the toughest. We have been promised in the scriptures that we will not be given more than we can stand and it is through tests and trials that we build our strength and our testimonies grow. Erika Lindsay, I love you, I love you more that I can ever express in words. You are an amazing young woman and you are doing such good things. Always stand strong and immovable in your faith no matter the trials and you will be so blessed. I am so very thankful that you are okay...vehicles can be replaced -- things can always be replaced -- you are what is important. I love you and I know you'll be sore, but just get some rest and remember to say your prayers. And to Kristy, Tiawanna, and Katie-- I LOVE YOU ALL so much and thanks for one of the best weekends ..... we have to do it again soon!

P.S. I loved these prints hanging our room at the resort!