I'm baaack!

I have so delighted in my two-week vacation. During that time I've been in 5 states and slept where my window let in the sound of water--ocean or lake, every single night. Its been a jam-packed crazy two weeks but I've loved and appreciated every minute of it. Updates to come--mostly on my other blog. If you need an invite--comment here and I'll invite you!

I delight in a dream.

Sometimes I wish I could just step from one world to another in an instant. I have finally stepped out of school world being more halfway done with grad school and have entered "summer vacationland." If you could be anywhere at anytime, where would you go? My list includes:

• island park, idaho, usa
• a hammock in monte cristo, utah, usa
• a random beach i stumbled across on prince edward island, canada
• hebgen lake, montana, usa
• halifax harbour, nova scotia, canada

I delight in the cabin.

me in my very favorite place in the whole wide world!

There's so much to update on...range creek, school in the summer, the cabin, family, recent learning experiences, write-ups, fantastic research...the list goes on. But for now I'll just say this...

I spent last weekend in my place. Its my place because it where I'm home, surrounded by family in the most beautiful place in the world. Its in the mountains which equates to the saying that's on my new shirt: "changes in altitude, changes in attitude." That's a true statement. Its where I feel most like myself. Going there is rejuvenating in every way. One day, I hope I can live there longer than the weekend but until then...I'll wait patiently for August when I get to return for a whole week!!! Its that thought that's going to keep me going in July. Oh July...why can't we be friends?

I delight in the first day of summer.

And today, it felt like summer outside!

All I can say is, its about time. And its about time I got to go enjoy some of it.

I delight in being a half marathon finisher!

Me and the Hewletts! We all ran the half today!

Today, I did one of the most crazy things I've ever done. I ran/speed walked 13.1 miles. It was a fantastic experience and I could not have done it without Emily who let me chat her ear off all the way down the canyon. Ogden is a beautiful place and today, I gained a new found appreciation for it. I also gained a greater appreciation for what bodies can do. Especially at mile 11 when my feet were just done and I didn't think a second wind was possible, it was!

Now, please excuse me as I cross another thing off my bucket list! Yay!

When it rains, it pours.

Its been raining for two days. The sun has not been seen. Life is mirroring the weather as the rest of this week will include lesson planning, dvd watching (previous client sessions), quiz studying, reading, relief society lesson planning, 13.1 mile walking, antiquing, gathering, and writing. What a weekend.

I delight in the opening of doors.

Life has a fantastic way of opening doors. Today I feel one was opened. Nothing really spectacular happened, its a culmination of a million tiny little things lately. My 'purpose' is being refined and in a way redefined by life's experiences in such a way that all of my life has prepared me for this moment. God has a way of pulling things like that off. What a blessing he can see the bigger picture and that He can let us have glimpses.

The saying I'm living by today, one of my personal commandments I suppose you could call them is, "Don't be distracted." I think I could have recognized the guiding hand of my Heavenly Father more clearly a while ago, but I got distracted. And so, I've put limits on somethings (the internet, the news, 'fluffy books') that are 'distractions' and have put 'must-do' stamps on things that keep me from being distracted--prayer, scripture study, pondering, meditation, journal writing (this one is KEY for me!) etc.

Simple lessons I've learned about a thousand times now but He is patient and I am a work in progress.

I delight in school in the summer.

if you read this on google reader you won't see my cute new header...check it out!

Okay, it's a delight in the works. Let's be honest, school in the summer is both good and bad. I've done it twice before so its nothing new but previous class loads have been oodles lighter than this one. Having said that, this course load is going to be boat loads more interesting than previous ones. I have an entire course about Autism Spectrum Disorders--how cool is that? I also get to have a class about Motor Speech Disorders and about Pediatric Aural Rehabilitation (not to be confused with pediatric audiology which I have already taken but doesn't count--I'm not bitter don't worry!).

The 1 week break from school I have just completed was absolutely fantastic and much needed. Family, friends, hiking, sewing and sleeping...all things that make me extremely happy. I feel rejuvenated and ready to hit the ground running...ready set...

I delight in the last days of summer.

This morning, I put my ipod on shuffle as I scrambled around to get ready.

What song should come on?

The Ataris'--Summer 1979

All the sudden it hit me...my last day of summer 2010 was yesterday!

Good thing I checked off my summer necessity before summer was over...

Getting a SNOW CONE!

A few weeks ago I went to the Avenues Street fair in Salt Lake.

Considering it was 4 blocks from my apartment and considering that sometimes I try to be a city girl and attempt to blend in, you know, be where all the other aves people were I went.

They had everything and I do mean everything.

My favorite things were the antiques and the snow cones.

I had my choice of thai food, chinese food, unidentifiable food, chocolate dipped bananas (a close second to a snowcone), fried twinkies and oreos...anything and everything,

but I had to go with the summer must...a snow cone.

If you haven't had one yet...its probably not too late!

I'm all about adding a few extra days on to summer!

I delight in July.

Its the close of July. I can't believe its finally come and gone.

Its been a great month.

And so...goodnight July...its been great.

Good morning August.

You hold many unknowns but I think I'm finally ready to just say it...

bring it on!

I delight in this.

enough said...

I delight in America.

Yesterday I delighted in Canada because it was Canada Day. I'd planned to do something very Canadian...make nanaimo bars, play lacross or try to make Donairs or something but I didn't end up doing any of that. So...instead I just reminisced about the Rock and Roll Festival I attended last year and had some of the most memorable experiences of my mission. Everyone came to us for 3 wonderful days and we saw everyone we'd ever met on the Miramichi.

SO how I'm on to loving America. It is always where my heart will be. I love to spend this holiday with family, its one of my favorites. I look forward to loving every second of the upcoming week. Things about America I love: The consititution, the history, the patriotism, the flag, the people, the beauty...so so much the list could go on.

Love every minute of the week and remember all the reasons we love our country.

I delight in reasons.

Anything above 70 degrees is too hot for me. No joke. I love sweater weather...its my favorite. And lately its been too hot. As day by day goes by I think...Heavenly Father knows me so well...he sent me to a cold mission for a reason. And so...remember this? This is me saying Thank you for all that cold!