Random Thoughts by Christie

#4 Eye Makeup Remover

2011-11-04T22:38:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I know this may sound lame, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new eye makeup remover. I can take off all of my eye makeup (including mascara and eyeliner) in 10-20 seconds without tugging or rubbing. It's amazing! Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. I can't believe I didn't find this before becoming a MK consultant. Anyone who enjoys wearing makeup should try this stuff out. And a bottle lasts FOREVER too, so it's worth the $.

#3 A Warm and Cozy Bed

2011-11-03T22:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. I love having a nice cozy bed to crawl into at the end of a long day when I'm exhausted. Even more so now that the weather is getting cold so fast. I'm not ready for the winter to be upon us, but at least I have a warm and cozy bed to fall into.

#2 My Better Half

2011-11-02T21:50:00.001-07:00

Marrying Matt is one of the best decisions that I have ever made in my entire life. He truly is my better half. He is so kind, generous, loving and patient with me.

I love him for the person that he is and the man that he is continually striving to become. He is an amazing husband and will be a fabulous father one day.

I am so grateful that Matt is strong in the Gospel and that he is always striving to serve others and live what he believes.

The last four and a half years have been amazing and I am so grateful that I get to spend the rest of eternity with my sweet Matt.

Thanks sweetie for the fabulous four years we've shared and the many more to come.

Gratitude

2011-11-01T21:18:00.001-07:00

So, I decided that for the month of November, I'm going to blog every day about something that I am thankful for. That way, I can look at the blessings that I have been given and focus on the positive in my life. I begin with a disclaimer that these are not in any particular order nor does the order have anything to do with how important they are to me. I just want to do things that I'm grateful for.......
So, with that said,

#1 The best parents in the whole wide world (no, I am NOT biased)

I am blessed to have the amazing parents that I have. Never were there better people. They love unconditionally and welcome others with open arms. They are supportive and loving and have been the best examples to me of how I want to become and also how I want my marriage to be. Anyone that is blessed to know my parents understands to some extent what I mean.

I was blessed to have my Dad here for 31 years of my life and I will miss him terribly until I see him again. He taught me how to work, love and so many other things. My Mom continues to teach me about love, friendship, compassion and so many other things. I can't even begin to put into words how amazing my parents are.

And like the 2000 stripling warriors, I have never doubted my parents knew it. My testimony started because of theirs and continues to grow. I am so grateful for their wonderful examples to me and everyone else that has been blessed to know them or who will get to know them.

A New Kitchen

2011-10-28T06:26:00.001-07:00

I wish I could say a new kitchen is what I got, but it's really what I want. I keep seeing all these cute baking projects that I would love to try, but I have one big problem: my kitchen has NO ROOM. The counter space that I have barely fits the microwave, toaster and dish drainer. How can I motivate myself to bake with such limited space? I want to do cookie plates and goodies for neighbors every year and I talk myself out of it because of the lack of space. Sometimes I use the table, but even that is pretty small.

I wonder if any of my neighbors would be willing to "rent" me their kitchen for a day or two. I mean, that's not quite the same as asking to borrow a cup of sugar..... I just have a baking bug and it's being suppressed. So what do I do? Any suggestions would be welcome.

Most of the fun baking projects are ones that I see on my Mom's blog: http://justhelen.typepad.com. You should definitely check out her blog. She is so talented in every idea and you will find fabulous ideas for baking, scrapbooking, and just be inspired by her words. So, visit her website and know that those cute things are some of the things I would do if I had the space. And to all of my neighbors- see the cute things I was hoping to bring you?

Fun Mail

2011-10-27T07:12:00.001-07:00

When I got home yesterday, there was a big, fat envelope waiting for me. Well, it wasn't THAT big, and not REALLY fat, but it was more than I usually get. Anyway.....inside it held something fabulous. My tickets have arrived for Time Out For Women in St. George, Utah to be held November 11-12. I have been counting down the days to go and having the tickets here means it's getting close. YAY!!!!

For those of you that don't know what TOFW means, it's a two day escape for women. Most of the time, the speakers are LDS and they share beutiful messages that are uplifting and encouraging. There are several speakers and musical artists over the two days and they all talk about things that I ususally need to hear.

One of the best things about going to TOFW is that I get to spend time with my Mom, my sister Megan, Grandma, seven fabulous aunts and really good friends. I don't get to see my family enough, so I'm grateful to be able to have this time away to just be with them. Last year there were ten of us and it was tons of fun. This time there will be 14 in our group and it will be wonderful! I love my family!! 15 days until I'm with all the fabulous women.......

So, that's why my envelope that arrived is so fun and exciting. It means a good time with amazing women is right around the corner......

Intention

2011-10-24T06:34:00.000-07:00

"To be always intending to make a new and better life but never to find time to set about it is as...to put off eating and drinking and sleeping from one day to the next until you're dead."
~ Og Mandino

I was just reading through some things online and came across this quote. It made me stop and think about what I'm doing with my life. I have tried both sides of this equation. Matt and I found the time to get debt under control and have seen the benefits in many ways. Had we not made the decision and stuck to it, we could have paid off in 5-10 years what we paid off in about 18 months.

I have also seen myself stick more on the "intending" side of the equation as well. I've seen this in the health department for sure. I always want to get healthier and start on the right track but give up on my goal and myself. I have done this with good intentions to read my scriptures every day and to journal at least once in a while. Let's just say I'm good at starting, but not so good at finishing. This "intending" side of the equation is a terrible one to be on.

So I have decided that it's time to make some changes and I want to hold myself accountable. Therefore, I am going to blog about these changes and hopefully I can truly make the changes that I want to see.

At the Mary Kay Fall Camp I went to a couple weekends ago, I heard something very interesting. The root word of decide is -cide. A few other things that have the same root are suicide, homicide, pesticide. So, -cide means to kill off. When you decide, you have to kill off all other options. That means if i decide to get in better physical shape, I have to kill of the things that would keep me from doing so. If I decide I want to pay off more of Matt's student loans, I have to kill off anything that might keep me from doing that (i.e. eating out, buying things I don't need).

I am putting this out here mostly so I can hold myself accountable, but also in case anyone wants to be my cheerleader. If you don't want to be my cheerleader though, keep your thoughts to yourself because I will have to "kill off" the things that get in my way. This doesn't mean I am threatening to kill anyone, but that I'm willing to "kill off" relationships that may be toxic to me.

So, that being said, I am going to state the changes that I will be making:

1. I will go to the gym at least three times a week.
2. I will eat 3-4 servings of fruits/vegetables every day.
3. I will read my scriptures every day.
4. I will blog or journal at least once a week.

I'm sure there are plenty more things that I SHOULD be doing, but this is where I'm starting. Hurray for DECIDING to make a change and killing off all other options......

My New Endeavor

2011-10-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

So, about a month and a half ago, I started my own business. I am now an independent consultant with Mary Kay. For anyone that knows me, this may seem awfully humorous. I have not been one to get dressed up and wear makeup up to this point. And now I'm going to be selling skin care products and makeup.

Why did I start this, you ask? Well, it's an easy response: Heavenly Father let me know it was the right thing to be doing at this time in my life. Now I am getting dressed up and wearing makeup all the time. It's still going to take some getting used to, but I feel better when I feel like I'm looking good.

Along with the new endeavor have also come a fair share of challenges. I'm trying to be strong and go forward with faith, but my confidence is not where it needs to be. I guess that I just need to rely on my Heavenly Father and have faith that He can show me the way to accomplish my goals within my business. This will be the way that I can continue on with my two main goals. The first is to get a headstone for my Dad so he's not resting in an unmarked grave. The second is so that Matt and I will be able to adopt and start our own little family.

So, a new chapter of life has begun and change is on the wind.......

The Past Month

2011-08-11T21:44:00.001-07:00

This past month has been a very tough month for me. July 11, 2011 started like any Monday normally might for me. But that morning brought along with it the worst news I had ever received in my life.

My Dad had passed away.

Matt showed up at my work to tell me to call Megan immediately and that something had happened to Dad while at scout camp. I called her and from the partial story that she had, found out that the other leader with Dad’s troop had found him unconscious.

I left work and went home to pack quickly because I knew I was going to California no matter what the outcome. I HAD to be with my family. I prayed that I would be able to see my Dad sitting up and complaining that he wanted to go home from the hospital.

Nothing could have prepared me for the two little words that would change my life forever. My sister, Megan, called me shortly after I got home. She simply said, “He’s gone.” I collapsed to the floor in uncontrollable sobs. Meg and I cried together for a few minutes before she continued making calls. I made a few calls as well.

I don’t know how Megan handled all the phone calls. First, to tell them that he was being rushed to the hospital. Then, to call back and let everyone know that he was gone. I could barely breathe, let alone speak.

I won’t go into a lot of detail about all the things that happened between getting the news and the funeral in this post. Suffice it to say that the next couple weeks were a big blur. Lots of tears, hugs, love, a few laughs, more tears, hugs, headaches, tears….. But I will try to focus on the MEMORIES. So many people had amazing and wonderful things to say about Dad. How could they not? He was an amazing person. No, he IS an amazing person.

I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that I will see him again. My Superman. My Daddy. He lives on. I just have to continue without him physically here at this time. Life will continue to throw the tough things that it always throws at us. But my perspective is totally changed. Nothing seems quite so bad when something of this magnitude happens.

I love my family and am so grateful for all of the support that they give to me. That is one thing I feel most blessed by in my life. We all get along with each other. We genuinely love and care about one another. My Mom and Dad have always been great examples to me of being loving individuals. I learned all of my good qualities from them and still strive to emulate others.

I miss you so much, Daddy. I love you and still need you. Please stay ever near and watch over the ones that you left behind. I know that you have work to do now, but remember us and how much we love you. I’m grateful that you will always be my Daddy. I thank Heavenly Father for eternal families. Now I just have to work hard so I can be in the same wonderful place alongside you when I leave this life.

Love,

Your Little Christie

When did I get so old?

2010-09-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

I was registering patients at the hospital today. As I was registering a young man, through the information that was exchanged I found that I knew him and his family. The way that I knew him? I was his babysitter when he was 4 and 5 years old. He is now home from a mission, married and in law school.

How is that possible? Am I really old enough to have the kids that I babysat be getting married and having familes of their own? It makes me feel so old. I know I'm not really old, but I sure feel it sometimes.

On the other hand, it was so funny to me that we would run into each other in this way. Gosh, it's a small world.

Remembering 9/11/01

2010-09-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

It will always be one of those days that you never forget. My grandma talks about hearing the news that JFK was shot. Older people remember the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. So many major events in history stay in our minds and we can recall them as clearly as if they were yesterday or even today.

I can remember a few times like this in my life. Watching the Challenger Space Shuttle when I was in kindergarten was the earliest one I can recall. My memory of that one is there, but not in very strong detail. I was only five and can't remember in very much detail. I remember being sad and scared and seeing teachers crying.

The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 is a day that is forever etched into my memory. The details are still there. Thinking about it makes me emotional. Even nine years later, I can feel a great ache for that day.

The morning of 9/11 started out normally for me. I was working at a call center for DirecTV. I worked the early morning shift and was taking calls. We had monitors on the walls so we could check if station problems were with the broadcast or with the customer only. They normally stayed on the news channels unless we had to change them for the aforementioned purpose.

I was waiting for a call and just happened to look up at the monitor. The first plane had just hit and they were trying to determine what exactly had happened. I was trying to watch and read what was going across the bottom of the screen while taking phone calls. Then the second plane hit. They announced that there was an attack on America and I nearly lost it.

My Mom was to be flying into New York from San Diego that morning for a large scrapbooking thing where she would be demonstrating or something for her job. I finished the call I was on and told my boss what was going on. I HAD TO call my Mom right away. I couldn't get a hold of her. I called my Dad and he said he hadn't heard from her either. ( I think he turned on the news or radio after that because he called my Mom before her flight and told her.) He told me that her flight wasn't until a little later, but I had to hear that she was safe.

After I finally got the news that she was safe, I crumbled. I became a big mess. But I was at work and had to keep working. The calls were coming in like crazy. People with TV problems wanted to see the news so they could know what was going on. I actually had someone call from New York complaining that their installer wasn't there yet. I explained that I was sorry, but they may have to reschedule installation. I didn't know where the tech was or if they could even make it to where the customer was. The customer yelled and swore at me before requesting a supervisor. I was glad to transfer that call.

People eventually slowed the calls because who was going to call about a bill or to change programming when our country was under attack. The call center offered for several people to leave and I was happy that I got to go. I couldn't focus. I needed to know what was going on.

I remember just watching the news for hours and hours with Megan that day. I remember feeling so helpless and such great sorrow. Although there were so many terrible images on TV, there was one image that I think was the worst for me. It was seeing people JUMP from the building before it collapsed. They jumped from like 70 floors up. I can only imagine the fear and panic that would send a person leaping to their death like that. It still kills me to recall that horrible image. Several people JUMPING for fear of losing their lives.

I try to imagine what I would do in that situation. I can't come up with much. I would be praying every step of the way. I would call my family if it were possible, but I would do everything in my power to get out of that building. Thank goodness that I have never had to face something of that magnitude in my life.

My prayers and thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones in this horrific turning point in history. I am so grateful to be an American and so thankful for the men and women that fight for our freedoms to the point that many even sacrifice their own lives for this great nation. I love America! I love the knowledge that many stand with me on this one.

God surely does bless us as a nation. May we never forget 9/11/01. United we stand. Divided we fall. Let us never allow this great nation to fall. We must stand strong as an American people and pray that God will continue to watch over us.

September 11,2001 I REMEMBER NOW AND FOREVER!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZTMdDVD-2s&feature=related

Avoidance

2010-09-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

I find that I avoid writing in my blog because I have the tendency to compare my writing to the other friends and family I know that blog. I'm not creative enough or I can't find the words to express myself the way that I really want to. But, I'm not really a writer. So this is more for me to try and find some form of journaling that I will actually follow through with.

As I thought about the reasons for me to NOT blog, I realized something. I use the same reasons for NOT doing a lot of things. I don't really get into scrapbooking anymore because I compare what I do to my sister and my Mom. Mom is a professional scrapbooker and Megan might as well be. They are amazing and I'm always stressing so much over whether or not my page is up to par or if it's going to embarrass me.

I'm not as good at organizing things as my little sister Liz, so sometimes I just give up, realizing that I don't have what it takes to become totally organized. Baking....forget about it. The entire family has me beat on that one. Sewing.....not my thing either.

So, why is it that I feel the need to always be comparing myself to the other people around me? I have good qualities and talents, but I find myself thinking they aren't enough for one reason or another. Then I feel justified in not trying.

That's pretty sad to think about. Maybe if I started trying new things or working on things that I'm not really good at, I might actually find ways to be good at things. What a concept, right?

So, I'm going to try to challenge myself to try new things. (I'm still not eating boiled okra though.) Whether it be trying a new recipe, learning a new craft, or going out to new places, I need some more variety in my life.

Is it just me or is there anyone else that finds themselves in a rut on a regular basis? Even when we go out to eat, which isn't very often, I always get the same thing from every place we ever go. The same sandwich from Subway, the same pasta from Archibald's, etc. I'm 30 years old and I'm BORING!! That has got to change.

I need to find inexpensive things to do that are fun and will make me feel less boring. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. We can't spend too much because we are trying to get debt free at the same time that we are trying to put money into our "Baby Fund" for the adoption. There have to be fun things that we can do though. So, I'm on a quest to have some fun and dare to be different and try new things. Wish me luck!

Strange dream?

2009-06-21T14:40:00.001-07:00

I'm terrible at blogging, but I had something funny happened and wanted to share. Matt got sick last night. We aren't sure if it was food poisoning or just a stomach bug, but he was throwing up and just miserable. He had gone to bed early and I was up watching a movie. I guess I fell asleep because I was startled awake by that awful sound of wretching. I don't know if I was dreaming or what was going through my head, but I couldn't figure out who could be sick. I tried to remember which roommate I was living with and totally forgot that it could be my husband. So I got up off the couch to go check on whoever was in the bathroom. I quickly realized that I wasn't dressed decently for a roommate to see so I looked around for something to throw on. When I got to the bathroom door, I finally realized that it was my husband, Matt. Then I felt really silly about the whole thing. How could I not remember that I was married? That was so bizarre. Anyone else ever have something like that happen?

A Napkin?

2008-09-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

So, I work with children and love the funny things that they say. This morning, my husband made me laugh so hard. Every time I thought about what happened all day long, I would laugh. So I thought I would share a laugh with everyone.

I was just waking up for work and Matt was sleeping next to me. I didn't want to get up, especially since he didn't have to quite yet. So there I am in bed. Matt started to stir, turned over, and pulled my hair. I was shocked and said, "Ow. What are you doing?" His response was priceless. He said, "Oh, sorry. I thought it was a napkin."

You just have to love the little funny things that happen. It's a good thing that we both have a great sense of humor. Hopefully, you all find it at least a little funny.

A Funny Thing....

2008-08-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

So, I decided I would finally buckle down and get a blog started even though I'm terrible at keeping up with them. It took me a while to pick a name that I was happy with and that wasn't already being used. The funny thing is that my husband, Matt, also set up an account earlier in the day. The name of his blog: Random Thoughts. Strange how that happened, wouldn't you say?