Feeling Cultured

I know I've mentioned our book club before, but I can't get over how much I love it! March was my month to pick the book and I chose The Secret Life of Bees. I'd had several people mention that I should read it, and I finally decided to take them all up on it. I love this book. Sue Monk Kidd is a phenomenal writer, the story is heart-wrenching, and it's a quick read. I recommend it to anyone out there. Also, Jess and I watched the movie Saturday night, and I was pretty impressed at how well it followed the book.

I'm going to do a little self-indulgence here. If you are looking for something new to do with your life, you should look into organizing a book club. You all know how much I love reading, and I know sometimes we can have the best intentions about reading but just can't quite make ourselves find a book. The network a book club offers really does a great job at encouraging you to pick up AND FINISH the book. If you don't know anyone who would form a book club with you, join ours! You're all more than welcome. April's book is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Let me know if you want to join up with us!

In closing... books are great! :)

I'm feeling CHEERful

Life's good. Sometimes I forget this simple fact and allow myself to get bogged down by stress or minor hiccups in life. But other times I realize just how great things are going. Last week we had our tryouts for the 2009-2010 squad, and I'm still just so excited about the results. Our biggest handicap at Kearns has always been numbers, and that's why I'm so thrilled that we were able to take both a varsity and a jv squad. I will miss our three seniors next year, but at the same time I'm really anxious to get working with these new girls. Most of them have zero experience but A LOT of potential. That's my favorite kind. :) Give me something I can mold, and I'm a happy coach.

Called to Serve

My baby brother has been called to serve in the Mozambique, Maputo mission. He will report to the Provo MTC on June 24th and will be learning Portuguese. We're so proud of you, Matt. We'll miss you but know you will do amazing things for those you serve. We love you!

Smart Solution

We had the chance to share a couple of days with Matt over his spring break. During Sunday dinner, he had the assignment of making the juice. In the process, the handle of the pitcher broke. Matt's solution? Tape it back together... With athletic tape. I guess that's what happens when college wrestler becomes chef :)

Our New Miracle

I can't even believe it. Every new baby seems like such a little miracle, but I had never actually witnessed a birth until yesterday watching Jessica. I was able to be there through it all, and it was such an emotionally intense experience. Jessica went natural, which was really important to her and we're all so happy it worked out that way. I was amazed at Jessica's control. She was so admirable. I am hesitant to even blog about this because it was just such a sweet and spiritual time. I'm usually okay at finding words for my feelings, but I don't even know what to say. I'm so grateful for the chance I have to be an aunt to yet another one of God's beautiful children. I'm so grateful Jessica and Tyler allowed me to be there for the special experience. I'm so grateful she's here all safe and sound and absolutely beautiful.

Princess

She plays with batman swords while wearing frilly dresses

She's a master at painting both finger- and toenails

She knows she can get what she wants by just asking a dad, grandpa, or uncle

She's funny, intelligent, witty, and aware

She's loving as an older sister and a cherished as a younger

She gives the best hugs around

She can put me in a good mood faster than anyone I know

She means so much to me

As Rosebud grows bigger and more beautiful by the day, as Jess gets closer and closer to delivering her precious baby girl, as Ashley looks at more and more pink decor, I'm realizing how things are changing in my family. We used to be dominated by boys, with 3 nephews and no nieces. Then my freshman year of college, Princess was born. I thought I loved being an aunt before that, but she taught me a lot about love in just her first few hours of life. I remember after the family cleared out, returning to their respective jobs, I was able to stay in the hospital room with Jen and Heath. Exhausted, they napped while I held her. Since that day, she has been such a joy in my life. I have marveled at all the intricacies of her enormous personality. I wasn't sure what I'd think about having another niece, but when I held Rosebud for that first time, I realized that love expands to encompass all the important people that enter your life. But I still can't stop thinking about how special Princess is to me. I hope it always stays that way.

Confession

Do you ever feel like your life is in a rut? Stupid question, right? We've all been there, done that. But gosh, I swear my life has been in the same place (a rut, a funk, limbo a la my blog title, whatever you want to call it) for seriously like 2 years. I know what the problem is... I refuse to make any decisions. No shocker there, since I've tended to lean toward indecisive my whole life. I mean, you're talking to the girl who eats nothing but club sandwiches at restaurants just so she can avoid the task of deciding on menu items. Plus...they're delicious. Nevertheless, I have avoided making any life decisions since declaring History as my major in the last semester of my Sophomore year. Sure I've pretended to make decisions. In the moment, when people asked me, "What do you want to do with a History degree?" or "What are your plans for after graduation?" I always had a pretty little answer prepared. The answer sometimes varied for the audience, but the answer was always there, regardless. But when I actually pause and think about where I am and what I'm doing, I know the truth. And quite frankly, it's a relief to declare this to all of you in my unknown cyber world...

I DON'T KNOW what I want to do with my life
and honestly, I DON'T CARE about making a decision right now

But I also know one other truth. No matter how badly I want to, when the principal at the High School or my manager at work strikes up a conversation and happens to ask about my future plans, I won't tell them the truth. I won't shout at them that I have no desire to hold that particular conversation at this particular time. I won't ask them to leave me alone and stop talking to me. Instead, the pretty little answers will return while I continue to refuse to confront life.

By the way, if any of you hear of any insane job openings... "museum curator wanted with little or no experience" or "seeking qualified aunt to stay at home all day with baby niece" or even "wanted: full-time reader to devour all new release mystery/suspense novels"... make sure you let me know.