ever changing, ever busy

I'm sure I don't have many readers, especially readers who don't already know what's going on in my life. But just in case I do have a reader or two whom I don't talk to every other day, this is a little taste of my life...

My golf class is difficult, but I am enjoying all the vitamin D from the abundant Rexburg sun. I didn't know Rexburg weather could be so beautiful and warm! The wind hasn't slowed down, though. This last week we had 40-mph winds. I thought I would literally blow away. My young adult literature class is tons of fun. I am glad I was able to take it again. Third time's a charm! I am determined to get through this semester and actually pass that class. Not that I don't love taking it over and over. I've found some amazing books. But I would like to graduate in this century. My religion class is wonderful. We are focusing on The Family Proclamation. I didn't realize how specific, inspired, and prophetic that document really is. My job at the Reading Center in the McKay Library on campus has slightly changed. Originally I was going to be a tutor, but the prospect of tutoring was a bit too much for me to handle this semester. Instead, the dear Sister Engstrom has made me her "slave," as she says. I look at it as getting paid to do things I enjoy. I have been editing many of the lesson plans, etc. for the Reading Center. It is similar to the work I did as a Scroll copy editor, but it is not nearly as stressful, and I don't have to deal with flack from everyone around me (Scroll is infamous in Rexburg--more than famous, but not in a good way). I didn't enjoy Scroll. Working for Sister Engstrom is great. She is so fun to be around, and has created such a low-stress environment for me. I actually enjoy going to work. I couldn't imagine ever feeling that way.

The seventh grandchild, fifth girl, was born in my family this week. Liliana Kay (Lily) joined Justin and Jessica on 13 May. I have only seen a few pictures of her, but next weekend I am flying to Washington for a few days, and I can't wait to see all but two of my babies--Lily, Sophie, LaMar, Rochelle, and Sierra. Yes, they are all my babies. If I can't have ones of my own, I will just have to live vicariously through my siblings.

In the next few days I am going to start up a young adult literature blog for my class, and I will be posting a link to it. It will basically be like mini reviews of the books that I'm reading for class, but I will probably continue using it even after the class.

Bye for now.

early sunday morning

This is the earliest I've gotten up without someone or something waking me since...I don't know...last summer? I don't know exactly why. Maybe not taking any sleeping pill, or even this pill that sometimes makes me tired, had something to do with it.

I met the next Greg Olsen or Del Parson a week or two ago. He was visiting my advisor in the Reading Center on campus (where I work), and he gave me one of his business cards. I got on his blog immediately when I got home that evening to see all his work. It is truly amazing. He has had work in the Friend and the Liahona. Check it out here:http://www.jamesjohnsonart.blogspot.com/. My favorite painting of his is "Eve's Temptation," which is pictured here...
I survived two weeks of school. The first week went really well. The second week was incredibly overwhelming. Lucky for me, my cousin Brianne made a trip to Utah for her birthday and engagement, so I rode with her to spend the weekend with my parents and sister. It has been a relaxing and fun trip. I slept in on Saturday and we went shopping. Today I am going to Stake Conference with Stephanie, which is in the Ogden Tabernacle (the reason why I needed to get up in the first place). I love my family. I don't know what I'd do without them. I don't want to even try to find out. After such a bad week, I needed to come home to outstretched arms. They--despite what they might think--are my greatest love and joy in my life. I can't wait for the day when all seventeen of us will be together.

I love you all!