Grooving in Wyoming

When you are driving all over the western part of Wyoming (which now I really appreciate and believe is BEAUTIFUL), it is helpful to have some good tunes to make all of the driving fun. Because I didn't know anyone around me, I took the pleasure in creating new car dancing moves and singing at the very top of my lungs. (If you are really lucky, someday you can car dance alongside me--it really is fun.)

Here is a list of a few classics provided by XM radio, which really made the car drive a DREAM!

"Faithful" by Go West

"Open Your Heart" by Madonna

"Stolen" by Dashboard Confessional

"Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio

"Monday, Monday" by The Mamas and The Papas

"One" by Three Dog Night

"One Night in Bangkok" by Murray Head

"Praise You" by Fatboy Slim

"Rock Steady" by Whispers

"Cathy's Clown" by The Everly Brothers

"What Would You Do" by City High

"Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera

"Promise of a New Day" by Paula Abdul

"Rhythm is a Dancer" by Snap!

"Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits

"Mairzy Doats" by Merry Macs

"I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues" by Elton John

"You're in Love" by Wilson Phillips

"To Sir with Love" by Lulu

"You Get What You Give" by The New Radicals

"From a Distance" by Bette Midler

"Do It Again" by Steely Dan

"One Fine Day" by The Chiffons

"Live and Learn" by Joe Public

"Men in Black" by Will Smith

"Closer to Love" by Matt Kearney

"We Built This City" by Starship

"Would I Lie to You" by Charles and Eddie

Just Dandy

My piano student "D" has been looking forward to playing "Yankee Doodle" since we first started. She seriously told me during our second lesson that she couldn't wait to play it. I wanted to make the day special, so we did a few things:

a) We made "Yankee Doodle" hats. (They are a bit big for us, but I still like them!)

b) I sang "Yankee Doodle" in a really embarrassing, really silly voice while "D" was the professional accompanist. (It was her first official time accompanying, and she did great!)

c) We played the "Yankee Doodle" duet together several times. (I think that was really for my own fun. I made "D" play it three or four times with me because I had so much fun!)

How can you not smile when you think about "Yankee Doodle," a true classic!

So Worth It

There was a new young woman in the ward today, and she was so nervous to be there. One of the girls in the group showed her how to look up scriptures and took the newbie under her wing. Because all of the girls, and this one in particular, were nice to her, she seemed excited about coming to mutual this week with us--not scared or nervous!

I thanked the awesome young woman at church for really making a difference for this sweet new girl and then decided to text her. Here's our conversation:

Me: I know I already told you this, but I just want you to know that you are a superstar! Thanks for making a little, but a very big difference!

Amazing Young Woman: No problem i'm willing to do anything ;))

Me: Thanks! And you looked beautiful today too. See you on Tuesday.

Amazing Young Woman: love you Kasi ;)) c u then

Such a simple conversation, but I am truly blessed to be able to spend time with these stellar girls! I have felt so tired lately, but getting to see moments like this makes everything so worth it!

My Very Own "Swagger Wagon"

For this last week's work trip to Wyoming, I requested a sedan, but I was pleasantly surprised when the lack of sedans provided a free upgrade to a new Toyota Sienna, the true "Swagger Wagon." Dane and I fell in love with the Sienna and now hope to have one someday. They are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I never took Dane for a minivan guy, but the last couple of trips with minivans have definitely changed his opinion. My favorite perks of the Sienna were the back-up cameras and the automatic gas economy calculators. Plus--it is probably one of the best looking vans out there. (I am really hoping that perhaps a Toyota Sienna rep runs across this page and decides to offer me one for doing some personal advertising for Toyota. Plus, we own a Camry! Typing more Toyota-related words could perhaps bring a rep to this site!)

Anyway, for your viewing pleasure (again....because you have probably already seen this)....

THE SWAGGER WAGON RAP MUSIC VIDEO

A Tipping Point

Okay, I am only going to vent for a minute, I promise! Usually I can write things down in my journal, but I am in my office right now and just have the computer standing at attention on this glorious Friday night. The journal is still tucked away in my luggage.

Over the last couple of years I have learned to balance things in life--full-time work and full-time school and being a wife and church callings. It didn't seem so bad. I felt busy, but I actually really enjoy being busy.

Lately, I keep reaching the point where I just collapse and cry because I don't have the energy to do everything. I feel like I have been working myself to the bone and can't seem to do enough at my way-over-40-hours-per-week job and grad school and the YW Pres calling and our apartment managing and trying to be a super-wife. I stopped keeping my six-page to-do list because it kept expanding faster than it was shrinking. I decided that I would rather not look at everything that has to be done for a few days. I just keep hoping that the end will come soon, but it just feels like it will be months before I feel like I can just sit back and not do anything without a huge feeling of guilt. I have never felt so tired in my life. Life really is good, but boy--I am just not handling all of these things as well as I usually do. The positive attitude is good when I am in the middle and around people, but boy have I been falling apart when I am by myself.

I am so thankful for the opportunities that Heavenly Father has given me, but boy did some of these come at some seemingly inopportune times. I am trying so hard to have faith in Heavenly Father's plan for me and wonder so often why He felt I could handle this calling with everything else going on. I have strong feelings that this is a great challenge and could help me grow so much more if I would have faith in Him, but I really need to work hard to get there. I don't know if things will get any less crazy, but Heavenly Father will defintely give me the strength I need to accomplish the tasks at hand. I can't tell you how grateful I am for this mini-challenge (compared to the significant trials everyone around me face with such grace), but I know that if I have faith I can be molded into a better individual, more fit for Heavenly Father's kingdom and a bit more like His Son.

I am starting Personal Progress again this weekend, and I am focusing first on developing the faith I need to be a more righteous steward. Studying and applying this little principle of power will definitely have a profound effect on my life.

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble. I am already feeling a little better. Things always have this crazy way of working out for me, and I know that the Lord will bless me again, and everything will fall into its very place. I just need to have a little more faith. Instead of really focusing on the stresses, I need to keep moving forward.

Now, time to get some work done!

No, You May Not Land Here

{hair nest}

{Hair Nest}

{Hair Nest}

In high school I took a small interest in some of Poe's poetry; "nevertheless" the raven still became a bit of a frightening bird to me. Now, I know that they are just birds, albeit some of the most intelligent creatures around, but they still freak me out as I see them take flight daily. Just the sound of those little wings flapping gives me the "heebie jeebies."

Anyway, imagine a fine summer morning. Seriously--picture it. And you are walking to work, enjoying the fresh Idaho air and peaceful surroundings. Just taking every bit of it in. (Now I don't know if I was that in tune with my environment, but still....) Out of nowhere one of those wretched birds lands right in your hair--if you aren't scared of the ravens, picture some other frightening creature. After determining that your coif was part of a moving body, it flies away to nest somewhere else.

That hard to tame, up-do of curly, mangled hair seemed to be the perfect place to nest. This experience has really encouraged me to learn more about this crazy hair of mine. After years of learning tips and trying to manage the locks, these curls just keep me guessing--and birds too, I guess!

{Please note that those first hair nests were on purpose--mine was most certainly not!}

Sometimes It Pays to Lose

I can't tell you how grateful I was to hear that Bunco nights were starting up again. The group is new, and I miss seeing the other girls, but I am stoked about all the newbies. This is going to mean some great monthly girls' nights out! Can't wait. Here is a quick pick of the group (and I think I am the very last person to blog about it).

Now, I H-A-T-E to lose, even if it is just at Bunco. Let's be honest, there is absolutely no strategy or skill involved, but I still want to win. Just the thought of losing gives me a little pit in the stomach. However, when losing means that I am also winning, I will lose any time.

Take exhibit A: the winner's table at Bunco. I may have had the most losses, but I still walked away with a prize (and that is all that matters, well almost all--having fun with great girls is fun too)!

Home State

I love Idaho,

and I especially love this.

I think that at $15.00 here, I feel a need to add another piece of art to my growing art collection. Does anyone else love to collect little, unique pieces of art?

An Introduction

Call it growing up, but I have replaced some of that upbeat, poppy, hip-hoppy music with something a bit more tranquil. Boy, does my soul feel a difference.

(I remember reading a statement about filling your home with "pretty" music. I think Stephanie Nielsen talked about that. Anyway, I think that this change will make the environment in my home even more like heaven! Can't wait someday to welcome little ones into a safe, spiritual environment, and this is a step closer to creating their safe haven.)

Here is some sweet, peaceful music for you...from me. Take a few minutes to "tune out" of the craziness of this world around us! I could use a few moments of peace more often, that's for sure!