Remembering 10 Years Later

10 years ago today, I remember sitting at my lunch table as a high school freshman and hearing rumors of an American plane being hijacked...and that was all we knew. Understandably, censorship was high that day at our school filled with students who were kids of Delta Airlines employees. Whispers circulated all day until one brave teacher in 6th period finally ended class early to explain the whole situation. I remember how panicked he was, especially as he drew the Twin Towers on the whiteboard and dramatically wiped them away to show that they had been destroyed.

I remember coming home and seeing the footage for the first time on the news. I watched as the planes hit and then the towers fall over and over again on every single channel. I remember we ate spaghetti for dinner and Sister Purdy cancelled Mutual that night. Little details like that still stick for me. I remember the fear and uncertainty that gripped the nation, even my own parents, as we contemplated the threat of further attack and going to war. It felt like the world was ending.

Then I remember the patriotism and faith that was rekindled in everyone following the attacks; how every home flew an American flag the next day and the morning Pledge of Allegiance/moment of silence held profound significance for the first time.

To this day I'm amazed that people would question "Why would God let something like this happen?" when it was a blessing in disguise for a nation on the brink of completely losing faith. It united us like never before, to each other and to our God. I think sometimes we have those same thoughts when we face our own personal tragedies, but the answer is the same.

I could go on and on about it, but I this is one of my favorite videos that summarizes those same thoughts. I'm sort of on a Mormon Messages high right now. :)

Bunnies?

Just a few of the bunny things baby girl has inadvertently collected. 

I see a theme here and love it.

 

My inspiration: 

It has opened the floodgates of creativity for her room (when we move and have a room for her, that is) and all the fun projects that go along with it: making shabby chic bunting from fabric scraps, collecting stuffed bunnies, finding deals on Beatrix Potter books and an old tea set. She really only has the basics and not even a real nursery, so I'm entitled to some cute touches, right? (Meanwhile, let's not get into the fact that she won't know, care about, or remember what it looks like and that it's all for me.)

So Long, Sweet Summer.

Taking  a much-needed day off today. My eyes were so red and puffy this morning when I woke up that I could barely keep them open. Oh, and the backaches. Hurts all day unless I'm lying down. I think I've been pushing myself so much lately with everything that my body finally said "NO!"

As a follow up to my latest post, we're doing much better. Just a lot of stress all at once with new job, start of classes, broken down car, baby on the way, every possible thing backing up and breaking down in our apartment at once, unexpected bills, late nights trying to get it all done, all that fun stuff. But blessings always follow trials if you have faith and remain faithful through them.

On that note, Sam started his LAST semester of his undergraduate career this week! This is very exciting and relieving at the same time. We're glad to finally be moving on with life. The sad thing about it is it also means summer is over, and I'm always sad to see it go. It's been a pretty good one this year and I'm glad we've been able to fit so much in. Not to mention the weather, which has been rather pleasant overall.

Just getting ready for fall now. I swear each day the mornings get just a little bit cooler and I can't wait to see the leaves start changing on the mountains. And hang my fall wreath. And make pumpkin muffins. And wear long-sleeve shirts. And break out my vanilla and fall spice Scentsy bricks. And get ready for Halloween. And get ready for the baby NEXT MONTH! Yikes!

There's a Talk for That

Having a rough week. I mean truly horrible. A lot of bad days, major expenses, stresses, setbacks, and the like. That's why I love the Mormon Messages on YouTube. No matter what you face or how overwhelmed you feel, there is a message meant for you that's free and will uplift the soul. Try finding an iphone app that can do that. (Actually, there might be one. Anyone know?)

One of my favorites from a dear former Apostle:

3 Years Strong

To my Samuel,

 I love you, best friend.
We've had 3 fantastic years of you and me.

I can't wait for little Alexis to join the fun.

We're planning a nice dinner to our favorite La Jolla Groves tonight and maybe a free night at Sundance this weekend if anything is open (love the perks of the job). 

Dear Baby

Sorry for all the chocolate I eat. It's probably not good for you. I bet you wish you got more vegetables. You won't feel that way forever, so I should probably relish it while I can. Tell you what, I'll do that if you move the hand (or foot or elbow or whatever it is) away from my bladder.

Love,
Mama

Dog Days

This is a very random post.

Here we are in the last month of summer. How did that happen? Also, it has gotten very hot lately. Thank goodness it's not also very humid or the nights would be miserable.

Sam and I subbed for the 3 year-old class at church today and survived. It's funny that I was so worried about the lesson plan, when really it was 40 minutes of coloring with teaching the lesson of "Heavenly Father is happy when we learn to say 'I'm sorry' and 'I forgive'" in tiny doses. It applied well when a few colors were stolen from the crayon pile. They were pretty cute and surprisingly understanding. In 3 years it will be our baby running out of class to show us her drawings and the new Primary hymn she learned.

But right now she's moving into my sides and my ribs, and for the first time it's starting to hurt. I think she's finally running out of room.

I took a surprisingly comfortable 3 hour nap today. No shame.

Med school applications have me on edge lately and I'm not even the one applying! In so many ways, I'm just trying to get through this month.

Nothing like starting the "longest" trimester in the dog days of summer.