Life is MARCHing on!

I LOVED a lot of things in February, but I am looking forward to March. I hope for March to be a great month, filled with lots more blogging. 15 posts in February. There are 3 extra days in March, so let's try for at least 18 posts! Wish me LUCK!

Support and Encouragement

I don't really know what I want to talk about today. I had a fantastic weekend though, and it has made my Monday go that much smoother. I read learned and reviewed some fantastic things this weekend that gave me the hope and encouragement I needed. Life is hard sometimes. Developing a routine of doing and being good things is sometimes really tough. Here are some words that stuck out to me today and this weekend, as I searched for ways to rededicate myself to what I need to be.
President Dieter Uchtdorf on Discipleship:

"apply and reapply the divine gospel principles...day after day"
"the very moment we set foot upon the pathway of discipleship, seen and unseen blessings from God begin to attend us."
"Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us-even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will."
"It is never too late."
"[Jesus Christ] is the redeemer of the world. He lived a perfect life and atoned for our sins. He will ever be at our side. He will fight our battles. He is our hope; He is our salvation; He is the way."

In Relief Society on Woman Hood:

"Am I the woman I want to be? Am I the woman I think I am? Am I the
woman the Savior needs me to be?" - Sherry Dew
We talked a lot about our divine roles as women, something I have not always appreciated as much as I've been taught to. We talked about becoming the woman He needs us to be, and how to do that. As we sang the song More Holiness Give Me, from the hymn book, I thought of how I don't need to do it alone. Becoming a woman that the savior can rely on to get things done, and be what He needs me to be, is a daunting task; one I'm not sure I'm upto yet. But I have His help, and the help of those around me to become what I need to. I am not in it alone, and I will never have to be. I will always have the support of my Father in Heaven, and of the savior, as long as I ask for it.
The thing that I LOVE most of all, is that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and I am starting to recognize, accept and embrace the details of that plan. If you don't believe he has a plan for you, just make one for yourself and watch as life plays out in the complete opposite way that you imagined. Note how you feel when it does. Thank Him for knowing best what to do with you and your life. I LOVE that I have been trusted with the divine responsibility of taking care of Eric for the rest of our lives, even though I never planned for it to happen that way.

Foundation

I don't have much to say tonight, and I didn't get any time to write at work today because I was so busy doing important things. I got a ride home from work today with my future father-in-law (Trevor), and thought a little bit about what I would write on the way home.

As we drove the sun was setting and on my side you could see the beautiful downtown Calgary skyline. I wish I had a camera to capture how pretty it looked with the sun setting just beside it. As we drove past it, Trevor explained to me that he used to work in one of the buildings that is now completely covered up by this MASSIVE building they're just finishing up. It's the biggest and tallest you see on the skyline, and your eyes are immediately drawn to its grandeur. He explained to me that he sat at the window of his office (in the building now shadowed by this one), and watched them start construction on it a few years back. He said that for the last year that he worked in that building he watched them work on only the foundation. Each day that he watched them, he saw them working on just digging a hole. Even after he switched companies and didn't watch the construction anymore, they continued with the hole digging for a whole second year. Two years it took them to dig and build the foundation of this grand structure. Two whole years, without anyone from the outside seeing much progress on the work. For the workers to continue everyday, for two whole years, to dig and build what seems to be an insignificant part of the structure, demonstrates the importance of this part of the work. It made me think for just a minute, how important it is to build a steady foundation. This big and beautiful building is now almost complete.

Now, only two years since the foundation was completed, this building is very near finished. It took the same amount of time to build this entire masterpiece, with windows and detailing and a cool elevator, and everything, as it did to build it's foundation.

Building a foundation requires patience, diligence, commitment and faith. Once we push through the hard times, the delicate and wearing times, and come out with a sturdy and flawless foundation, the following building process can run smoothly and more efficiently. With a foundation built on things that will not fall, which cannot fail, we are able to build our lives into a beautiful masterpiece. If I push through the trying and time consuming process of building myself a righteous and sturdy foundation, I will be able to more easily make the decisions and commitments that follow. Things will run more smoothly, if I have a foundation that will not fail me.

This turned out to be more than I thought I would write, but I think I needed to write it. I am working right now to build the foundation I need to diligently continue to make good choices. It's hard and tedious work, but I am excited for the foundation to be complete so I can start to see a time when each day and week, month and year, feels more and more productive and significant. I LOVE that I have been blessed to know where to start in making this foundation, and that I know the importance of it.

Worked out.

I am so tired today. It was another longish day today, but it was more productive than yesterday. I just love those days that you can look back on and appreciate what you were able to accomplish.

It was a good day of work, with lots to do. Things are picking up these days and I've been given lots more important stuff to do lately. Today I organized a couple of meetings, ordered some food, made a ton of photocopies, did the deposit and learned how to do some A/R calling.

As well as all the jobs I was given, and got done, I attended a lunch time meeting that made me feel like this day was very productive. Today I applied to have a certain amount of my pay check each month invested in an RSP. I don't really know all the details, because I'm not really good at this stuff. Eric will help me figure it out though, and I'm pretty excited about it.

Then after a long productive day at work, I travelled over to the school. I met up with Eric, which was wonderful, then we went to the gym together. I've actually never been to the gym with Eric. I've seen Eric at the gym a few times together but today we spent an hour working out together. He made me work my abs so hard I wanted to throw up. I actually thought I was going to throw up. It was fun though, we had a good time. I just LOVE the gym, but I'll LOVE it even more tomorrow when I can feel it. That's a good feeling!

Tonight I was home in time to get a load of laundry in the wash, then hung up to dry, then another load in. I LOVE clean clothes. I also had time to make myself a lunch for tomorrow (which was hard o do, because after the gym I feel a little like I should NEVEr eat food again so I can stay fit) and to watch an episode of my favourite show: Modern Family.

It was a really productive day, and it felt so good. I am tired, but I feel great. I am just tired enough to be ready for bed, but to feel good still.

S M T W Th F S

Today is Tuesday but feels a little bit like it should be Monday, since I had yesterday off. I was just thinking for a little bit about how each day seems to have it's own feel. Some are better than others. Some are more fun, some are more tiring. I actually feel like every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday etc (unless thrown off my a holiday or something) seems to have it's own feel to it.

Sunday: I go to church. I have a day to relax from work, and from errands, to anticipate what will happen that week. Sunday is a chance to recharge my battery and my motivation. Usually something learned or heard at church helps me to refocus my attention and goals to make the following week productive and encouraging. Sunday is the calm before the storm.
Monday: Sometimes Monday are discouraging. Right after the weekend, I often have a hard time getting up and starting my week. I never start Mondays in a positive way, and I feel that sometimes the dreary stress of Monday seems to suck out the energy and enthusiasm that came from Sunday. It's my day to look back on all the things I didn't get done on the weekend, that I now have to sort out.
Tuesday: Usually feels a little better than Monday. Tuesday seems to be the day when I can look at Monday for what it was (just one crumby day out of a week), and move on. Having said that, on Tuesday there is still almost an entire week ahead and it's still hard to see the end. I gain a little more perspective than I had on Monday (when my vision was clouded by tired eyes and bad hair days), and I am just pushing through.
Wednesday: Hump day. My favourite day of the working week. Wednesdays make me feel like I've already conquered the hard half of the week. At the end of Wednesday, you're closer to the weekend than you are to Monday. Wednesday gives me back my motivation to do better. With the weekend in sight, and the two worst days of the week under my belt, my vision is cleared, and I am better able to long for a brand new weekend, instead of mourning the past one.
Thursday: Is like Christmas eve. I know that Friday isn't quite considered the weekend, but nothing too stressful happens on Fridays. Thursday is the day before the end of the week. It is the day where I feel like I need to get things done so that I can relax after that. Think about it, the bank, the fabric store and my doctor's office are all open late on Thursdays. Why? So we can get things done, which were missed so far this week, and which can't wait til after the weekend.
Friday: Is casual day. At work and in life, I feel like. I get to wear whatever I want to work, and there is hardly anyone to see or work to do in the office. Fridays are a mini day off, where I am sitting at work, but not really working (although basically everyday is like that at this job). Friday is the night I get to stay out late and do whatever I want. I still want to reward myself with a rest and some fun after a day of work (which I think is what makes Friday night more fun than Saturday night), but I'm not at all tired because work was casual and lazy that day.
Saturday: Saturday morning is almost always relaxing. The weekend has to be two days long, because usually only half the things I plan for Saturday actually get done. It's a slow moving day. From sleeping in, to eating whatever I want when I want. This day usually has no real schedule and I am not bothered by what happens or doesn't happen on this day (until Monday when I have to worry about everything that didn't get done).

This is basically what my week usually ends up feeling like. After having Monday off though, I get to skip my least favourite feeling day of the week: Thursday. Today feels like Monday: a tired and rough start, however I am feeling good about things I got done this weekend (finally ordered wedding invitations; they'll be here in 3 weeks. went over the wedding budget with Eric's parents and they helped us to change and slim down a couple numbers; which always feels good). Tomorrow will feel like Tuesday: I'll realize I'm still alive and well after the rough blow of Monday. Thursday will turn into Hump Day. Then before I know, it will be Friday and I'll be in my jeans at work. I'm really hoping this is how it will go. It sounds like a strange theory, but I hope it will work. They say that your attitude is important in defining your mood, so I have a positive attitude about this week ahead. It will be short and easy, and won't have a Thursday. That sounds like a good week to me!

Family Day

Today was Family Day, a day to be off work and to spend with family. I was thinking of my family back home today so I gave Mom a quick call. I sure do miss her, and every time I call home she's playing a game with one of the kids (usually Hannah). I LOVE how much my family loves board games. On a good day, when our competitive natures are under control, board games are such a fun way for us to spend time as a family, and I really do miss playing with my siblings. I LOVE and miss my family.

I spent the rest of the day at Eric's house. His niece and nephew were over today so I got to spend some time playing with them, and it was fantastic. His niece has recently learned to say my name, and I must say she loves to use it. It is so exciting to know that she loves me and that she now has attached me to Eric. She doesn't get excited to see Eric without also getting excited to see me. I LOVE that she has accepted me as Auntie Katherine already. The nephew is younger and him and I didn't get off on a great foot. I don't do well with newborn babies, and I think they can smell my fear. I am usually tense and uncomfortable holding them, and I think he knew it. But today, and more recently, he's begun to warm up to me, and me to him. It's fantastic. We actually have a good relationship now. I get smiles and giggles all the time, and today I even got a hickey. I LOVE that he's comfortable around me now and recognizes how much I really do LOVE him. Two is always better than one, and soon I will technically (although it already feels official) have TWO whole families. I LOVE the chance I have to get a whole new add on family to love and take care of me while I'm away from home and missing my own family members!

Tonight I told Eric that because it was Family Day I wanted to spend time with just him, as opposed to going out with a group of people, because he was my soon to be family. (Basically just a lame excuse to spend time just me and him watching a good movie and snuggling). But it worked because he said "you already are my family. let's just watch a movie". I LOVE being our very own little family of two already, and the idea of someday having our very own family of however many are waiting for us.

Family is so important and has recently been on my mind a TON. I LOVE the Gospel, and the chance it gives me to be with my parents and siblings forever. I am grateful to be preparing to be sealed to Eric so that we can start our eternal family. And I am grateful for those people, obligated or otherwise, who have adopted me as family; for all of those people who have taken care of me when I needed it and loved me, even when I may not of deserved it. I LOVE you all.
Thank You!

The Beatles Here Comes the Sun Music Video

A favourite song takes on even more meaning while I listen to in the relaxing and much needed sunshine. Doesn't it make you just want to have a great day, and weekend? I LOVE the Beatles and all their glorious melodic creations!

in the Sun.

I hate taking medication. I don't know where I ever came up with this idea that taking medication makes me weak. I have this weird thought that I can fight off anything on my own, and that my body can deal with anything that comes it's way. Since living with a couple of girls who were OBSESSED with vitamins, and since having Eric to assure me that medication is okay to take sometimes, I've kind of started to come around on the idea. But last night I went to the walk-in clinic for my strep throat and got a prescription for 2 medicines to take! Eric went in the day before to a different doctor and got a pill he takes once a day for 5 days and he's done. Last night I got prescribed a pill to take 3 times a day for 7 days, PLUS some weird mouth wash type thing to gargle with 3 times a day for 7 days. So now I'm taking 2 medications for strep, with 2 types of vitamins I'm supposed to be taking, my birth control pill, and halls to make my throat feel better, until it gets better.

I feel a little bit silly relying this much on capsules, liquids and gels, but I'm getting over it. I'm already starting to feel a little better and that's a good sign. So I took my two strep medications this morning, along with some halls. I got my appetite back for breakfast, which is also good. So now I've just been sitting at home watching HGTV decorating and selling shows for like 2.5 hours. Laying in the sun of my living room. I LOVE the sun. I think it's half the reason I'm feeling better - maybe more. I feel so great when I'm in the sun. It's so relaxing and bright and wonderful. I know it sounds silly, but I feel like all of my inspiration, revelation and comfort comes when I'm in the sun. My throat isn't bothering me, and neither is the medication. I feel great, and am REALLY looking forward to a sunny and relaxing long weekend. I LOVE long weekends. Especially when the sun is out (even if it's cold).

I just redid my blog layout, cleaned 3 board rooms, played a game online, went to the bathroom, and got a hot chocolate. I still have an hour, and I am out of things to do.

A couple of Sickies

Tuesday night, Eric and I had out wonderful Valentine's Day celebration. We made dinner together and just spent some time. It wasn't anything outrageous or over done. It was just nice.
Then last night he was sick :( I got really sick on Monday night, and he came home early from school to snuggle me and take care of me (that was the best Valentine's present I could have gotten at that time). I was sick like I've never been before and it was strange. I was kind of scared, and he came to my rescue so fast that he was almost still out of breath (from running to the car so fast) when he got to my house. It was so great to have him there for me, he was all I needed and he came for me. It was perfect.
Then last night when he got sick, I planned to take care of him. I came straight home and turned the heat up in the apartment and tried to make it a place he would be comfortable while he tried to rest and feel better. So he came to my house after school, we ran quickly to the store, then came home so I could take care of him. Guess what happens next. I FELL ASLEEP. I fell asleep for like 3 hours, and he assured me it was okay because he did too, but I felt like the worst fiance ever. I think I might actually be the worst ever. He was there when I needed him, and then when he needed me, I fell asleep. but I got what I deserved for it. When I woke up from my nap, and this morning, I had the sorest throat. Now I have a fever too. Since I didn't take good enough care of him, his sickness spread to me.
Now we are just two sickies. He's at the doctor, instead of at school today, and I am doing no good at my job today. I am pretty much useless. I am freezing! I am sore (you know the sore you get when you're sick and cold and can't get better. everything hurts to touch you). And I am really cranky. I just can't wait for this day to be over, and it's dragging on SOOOO SLOWLY. I can't believe I still have like 2.5 hours til I can get out of here. I am seriously miserable. I just want to be at home. I want Eric to take care of me, and I want to take care of him. So in other words, I just want to snuggle with him so we can both be lazy and sick, but warm, together!
AND to make this day worse, and for further proof of my crappiness as a fiance: I forgot to put my ring back on after I put my hair product in today. So I left the house cold, in a mess, late and without my ring.....so naturally I drew one on, to make me feel better, and to be a constant little reminder of how much I actually do LOVE my life, even when things get tired, cold, sore and miserable. (Do note how blochy and veiny my hands are though. Freezing.)

love. Love. LOVE.

I feel like I should have something wonderful to say today. Like today's post should be special because this day is special. But the only thing that's really special about this day is that it is one day of the year where PDA is accepted, red and pink are allowed to be worn together, and it's okay to dot your i's with little hearts. That's all it is. Don't get me wrong I LOVE all of those things. I can kiss my fiance at school tonight and proudly hold his hand (but I do that anyway), I'm wearing a nice pink sweater with my toes painted red, and in my day timer Valentine's Day is written in pink with a little heart over the i. I LOVE holidays, and this one is no different. While I do think that this day nearly rivals Christmas for having it's true meaning lost in gifts and commercialism, I suppose it has served one purpose because I'm sitting at my desk writing this post with a brain just full of things and people I LOVE. The usual things come to mind first; family friends, the church, my Heavenly Father. Then the smaller more unusual things that make my days; the smell of spring, clean laundry, a message from an old friend, homemade desserts. I'm grateful today for the thing I LOVE. But today is Monday, so Eric has class tonight til 10. I have my Valentine's date with the treadmill and medicine ball for tonight, but he'll Be Mine tomorrow night.
He was so good to me still this morning though and surprised me with a visit, a lunch and a ride to work. That guy is just so good to me. I am grateful today for the ways I am LOVED.
There are the big things that get through life;
- the things that Eric does for me all the time to keep me sane, and to let me know I'm loved
- the support and encouragement I get (and we get) from our families help me to stay strong and happy through the difficult times
- the ways my Father in Heaven loves me and blesses me with the little things I need and want. this week was a good one for that. everything I needed and wanted, that I didn't know how I was going to work out, was given to me by Him, just in the nick of time.
There are the small things that get me through the days;
- a little Valentine from a friend at work
- extra chocolates in my lunches
- phone calls from home, or phone calls to home, with people on the other end who are excited to hear from me
- rides to and from work when i get to sit perfectly close to Eric, and not uncomfortably close to strange people on the train
Today, as well as every other regular day of the year, I am so blessed. I am spoiled. I am LOVED!