And a Merry Christmas to you too

Jacob and I set the date! December 26th at 3pm in the Dallas Temple! I understand it is an interesting time for all to come but would love to have you there. We will keep you up to date with cheap ticket fares and all.

We will also be having a reception/party/somethingorother after the holidays but that date is yet to be determined. ha

Love you all

Jake and Kate

It's alright to cry....

Can you even believe this?! Nancy showed this to me one morning right when I woke up. This video is classic. Enjoy

Soon to be a Fordham!

Life right now seems a bit surreal. Too good to be true! Jacob proposed September 7th and I freaking said YES!!!!!

He came over early that day to wake me up with a dozen red roses. SO CUTE. I couldn't sleep and was already awake when he arrived. We shared some yummy honey nut cheerios for breakfast and then got ready, in our matching UVU t-shirts, to go hiking up Milcreek canyon. :) The hike was called Ganduer Peak. It's about 6.5 miles and so beautiful! We took our time on the top taking it all in and snuggled. We found some heart rocks and talked about harry potter. After, we ate some lunch, took showers/got ready and had a little nap. Jacob was so ansy though...and I had no idea why. We had decided to go look around at pepperwood falls and as we were on the rocks playing around he told me he had sometihng for me!.... It was the heart rocks from our other hike. ha. I thought it was going to be a ring. :) After that we decided to go over by the Draper Temple to watch the sun go down. As of lately we have been watching the moon come out behind the mountains and thought that would be a good place to sit and watch. Jake had never been on south mountain at night and so we started off! We got to the Draper temple only to find it was closed, of course, due to Labor Day and it being a monday. So we drove around trying to find a 'good spot' for moon watching... or so I thought. We soon found a patch of grass that over looked the whole valley. It was perfect. As we sat there Jacob talked of how as much as one tries to plan things... sometimes they don't go how you thought they would. I agreed. He told me he wanted to marry me. I of course replied in the affirmitive (thinking we were just chatting)... Jacob then started moving a bit. I thought he was just re-adjusting how he was sitting but turned to snuggle up next to him to see a RING! I got all big eyed and open mouthed and quickly kissed Jake. He then popped the question and I immediatley replied back YES! following it with giggling, laughing and "oh my gosh! oh my gosh! oh my gosh!" The smile on Jacobs face was priceless and will never forget it. We stayed there for a bit talking and kissing and laughing and just WOW.

I am getting MARRIED!

To the best person I can think of- JACOB LEVI FORDHAM!!!

I love him and he loves me.

Its seriously the best thing one could hope for.

"Dear Voice in My Head,"

So I have started out on a somewhat unknown venture with my internship for my masters. I feel a little disappointed, numb and really not sure if I am feeling good in these shoes, BUT I am determined to find the best and look for opportunities to grow.

Yesterday was my official day on the job and we had a group therapy session. One girl brought a letter she had written to the 'voice in her head'. It started with "Dear voice in my head,"... As this girl began to read this letter she became very emotional with it all. Really letting it all come out with choice words, screams and yells. This 'voice' for years had told her she was no good. That she was nothing but dirt and of no worth. It stopped her from even trying to go to school because 'she was so dumb'. It was empowering to see this girl realize that the 'voice in her head' didn't control her. That it lied. That she was more than nothing. She was herself and that mattered more. She conquered,overcame and now is beginning a long unknown and scary adventure of really believing who she has always been.

I think we all have this "voice in our head". I guess the choice is ours... do we let ourselves believe the voice or our self.

Confession

I realized it when I was a senior. I sat in front of my TV downstairs, around 2 a.m., watching a video Wright and Steph had sent to my family. I thought it was normal if family were involved.... but then I found a show- 'It's a Baby story' on TLC. Now, I can't control it anymore.

I weep as these little people enter our world and their parents are filled with this immense gratitude.

So I confess... The miracles like these cause me to cry. Yes...yes they do.

Adj. 1.burned-out - exhausted as a result of longtime stress; "she was burned-out before she was 30"

For the record- "She burned-out before she was 26".

It's time for a break.

Any ideas?

I will be done in about 2 weeks with Massage Therapy school and have 2 weeks before my Masters begins.

Freud said- "Fear is the opposite of awareness."

So is "Faith/Hope the opposite of ignorance?"

There is also the sayings- "Ignorance is bliss"

But also- "No Man can be saved in ignorance"

So is fear bliss?

There is a lot you could say...

Please do.

Enjoy it

I don't know exactly what to 'blog' about anymore these days... I feel I am so busy all the time that I do not exactly have time to write or even think! ha. Life is wonderful, scary and unknown. I am loving what I am learning though. I just got back from a trip to Moab. (pics later) It was great. There is just something about escaping and not really caring about anything but 'being'. I feel really grateful to be dating someone who is 100% patient with me and accepting of all imperfections. I am grateful for sisters who love me and stay in touch no matter where we are in the world. I am thankful for my parents and the emergency calls I can make to them, even if on a mission. I am thankful for massage therapy school and how I have grown and met people I will cherish forever. I am grateful for thunder and lightning storms in the desert. I am thankful for my calling as Gospel Doctrine teacher. It has helped me to really dig deeper in my studies and humbles me daily. I am thankful for struggling with finances... (weird right?) It has taught me a lot about reality and growing up I have needed to do. I am thankful for getting accepted into my masters... It was hard to fully grasp what I am about to do but everyday I get glimpses into how this is the best thing for me as of now. Lastly, I am thankful for Walmart having strawberries on sale so I can make freezer jam tomorrow! Whew.... I had no clue I was going to write all that. I guess I could just tell you all the I am THANKFUL. Life is good... so what should I do? ENJOY IT

Jacobs power animal :)

The Swan

Elegance Confidence Loyalty

---

Take a deep breath and let the spirit of the swan fill you.

---

The epitome of grace and elegance is now a part of your life. How fortunate you are!

Let her help you bring a certain elegance to the way you dress, the way you live, everything you do. It should come naturally now, for you are the swan.

Fill yourself with confidence. Let your beauty shine out in all ways. Float gracefully through life, knowing that you will always be welcome in the company of others when you breathe in your swan energy.

The swan will also help you maintain long and loyal relationships, for she knows how to stay true to another and attracts the same to herself. Let the swan spirit give you confidence that you are fully deserving of love. Trust that long-lasting love will be a part of your life, for you are the swan.

Let the swan teach you to live in more than one world, comfortable both on the water and in the sky. Learn to fly with purpose to your destination, neck outstretched and trumpeting your joy. Then learn to float in tranquility on the peaceful lake, a portrait of grace and elegance, wanting nothing more than simply to be who you are, the perfect swan.

There is need to explain about my previous post. My 'power animal' is the elephant. This was found on a whim with my friends up in Rexburg last weekend. It made me laugh... and now I have fully embraced the elephant spirit from within! Jacob did it when I got home. That will be my next post. He has fully embraced too what is now his. ha.

Go try in out- poweranimalsunleashed.com

The Elephant

Strength Wisdom Purpose

Take a deep breath and let the spirit of the elephant fill you.

---

Ah, what power is yours. You are a tower of strength. Your heart is full of courage and you know that you can do and be anything you care to. After all, you are the elephant.

With the elephant spirit within you, you will be able to command attention and hold power without saying a word. When you are this strong, when you have this much power, you can do and say little and still have great impact. Your power is absolute; there is no need to talk about it. You command the situation simply by being.

Your elephant energy will also increase your memory and allow you intuitive access to the wisdom of the ages, teaching you as the elephants have taught each other, generation after generation. As you walk the old elephant pathways of knowledge, you will find that solutions will come to you with a sudden knowing.

The elephant energy is very social and affectionate and will allow you to build a strong support system of loving friends and family, loyal and devoted. Close interactions with others will come naturally as you become more comfortable with elephant energy.

Whenever you need to, just breathe in deeply and let the elephant power pour into you. Then go about doing what you wish to do, quietly and with purpose, knowing that you cannot help but succeed. For you are the elephant and the universe bends to your will.

Go Utes!

So it is about time I fill you in on my life at the moment. I got accepted into the Masters Program of Social Work at the U of U! That's right.... bleeding blue to red. :) It starts this fall. I am in the advanced standing program which will only be about 3 semesters. I am stoked!.... and a bit scared. It will be quite the experience! Thanks to all who helped me with the application and work put into that. You guys are great. I honestly didn't think I was going to get in and feel really lucky to have the opportunity to do this. So Utah it will be!

Anna

Is my favorite.

That is all.

I love you Lilac

Some interesting things have happened to me this week. I will be brief.

Someone told me 'If you love something enough, you will find time for it.'
This is so true. I need to make adjustments in my life.

Also, Please go to the link on the side for ALEXA LEE.... her posts are great. Her last post on Risk really spoke to me today.

Love you all... My computer is broken and rarely get a chance to get on to someone elses... so this is it for now. Ciao

A shpeel... if you will

I figure I should fill all in on what I am doing at the moment. I just finished my first handful of finals for massage therapy school. Yes, that is right... Massage Therapy. I have always wanted to do this. I held out for a long time but it was time and I finally faced some fears and leaped. I love it. I enjoy learning all about the body and pathologies! I love my friends that I have made and let us not forget- I love massages as well! :) So far I have completed Massage Basics, Advanced Massage, First Aide/CPR, Reflexology, Acupressure, Anatomy 1, Business Development 1, and Movement. whew! It's been enlightening. I do massages at UCMT's clinic in lindon, UT every saturday for an internship of sorts. It has been really fun to meet new people and help where I can.

Also, I am working at Chrysalis with some wonderful people! This is a group home for those who have mental or physical disabilities. I have not given up my career as a Social Worker. In fact, I am just waiting to see if I get into the Masters Program at the U of U which starts at the end of August. This picture doesn't really depict these characters here but they are so wonderful! From left to right -Tracey, David, Steven. I LOVE THEM. Its fun to work with them. We get to do all sorts of things- 'Dance parties' , cupcake competitions, valentines day waffles, movie night, swimming, concerts, etc. It's a joy and privilege.

The only thing I feel I am lacking is time to just be with my roomies/friends, family and boys. I have this guilt... its hard to explain. It is almost like I feel that I am a single mother working and trying so hard but never have to time just to be with the ones I love or give them what they need. And obviously, I am not a single mother and everyone, hopefully, understands how crazy my schedule is... that's life... BUT I am prioritizing though. I am finding little bits and pieces where I need to get out and have some play time. I will get the hang of it soon... hopefully. :)

All in all though- Life is good. I feel really fortunate to be where I am at. That is good enough for now. So there you have it- a little shpeel into my present living life.

It's official

Kate reads...

Tonight I, for the first time, read OUT LOUD 'The Little Prince' with a friend of mine. I loved it. It was a fun activity that was passed down from a friend to me and I was glad to be able to hopefully pass this goodness on. Everytime I read this book I like it more and more. So... if you have not read this book. Do so and do it now. You will be glad you did.

'The Little Prince' written and illustrated by Antoine de Saint Exupery

I looked out the window and what did I see?

I love you

As I sit and eat a take 5 I wonder why the sugar commodities are so plentiful with valentines day? I don't care for it. If anything I feel too much sugar only makes me feel sick, unsatisfied and lumpy. Don't get me wrong. I agree with a day devoted to affection BUT... think that should be more regular than a generic 'day o love'. I must admit though... Feb. 14th and me have had our fair share of wonderful experiences. I don't pity myself on this day as some might. I find it a day to reflect, be grateful and live out right. So with not much more to say I will tell you of some thing I love at the moment.

I love that its beginning to get brighter each morning and how after school on my way to work it's not dark but it's creeping in.
I love listening to the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel to wake me up heading to school.
I love the human body. SOOOO AMAZING.
I love Brie cheese... with green apples and french bread.
I love meeting people you are completely at home with.
I love sleeping.
I love to learn to love myself.
I love late night talks with my roommates.
I love my own time to myself... to put things in proper perspective and order.
I love that I am emotional and yet realize I am more emotionally sane than I thought.
I love touch... need it.
I love being warm and memory foam mattresses.
I love being needed and me needing others.
I love that I am becoming more independent.
I love Steven, Tracy and David, with whom I work.
I love time to be busy and time to chill out.
I love my family. With our belly laughs that make us cry and tiffs so innocent they are forgotten in moments.
We are so perfectly imperfect... that is something I love.
I love friends who fit into family catergory. They too have shaped me.
I love laundry dry sheets. mmmm so good.
I am happy and I love that.

So much more... but am glad that there is more to love than hate and cringe at. Hope you all enjoy your fair share of lovin and sugar this weekend.

As the Beatles say....

LET IT BE

Rita! Its your birthday!

 

 

 

I can't really explain how absolutely wonderful it was to find such an amazing individual. Rita has touched my life in more ways than one. I met her on a warm day in Liepaja, after jumping off a bus trying to reconnect with my companion...(we got lost in translation) I couldn't help but talk to her. She was sweet, shy, and so loving. I learned more of what Christ's love felt like because of this little gem. I love her teasing and laughter. Her hugs and short answers. I love her closed mouth smiles and playing sports with her. I love praying with her and talking of deeper things. I love HER. Essentially, life would be altogether different without her in it. Happy happy birthay. -- With love across the sea.

For all of you who don't know- Wright and Steph have moved into mom and dads house for now. I have to say though... I am relieved they are still with in driving range for me. I really can't explain the loss I am feeling with family not so close and friends not so available as they once used to be. I am not saying that in a depressed attitude just a normal response to change. I, obviously, will understand and realize why and how great it will be in the future... but as for now... Its still a coping process. It's like starting my life all over again after the mish.

So... tonight I took advantage of some of my last moments with the kids at home and came to have an 'auntie Kate sleepover'. I started it off with hugging, giggling and wrestling. Then on we went to a romantic top ramen dinner shared with little Wright Jr. (He refers to me as -Anna or Rachel most often... but when he gets all cute and cuddly... he uses my name. Its music!) We,then,watched the movie Ratatouille. Taylor fell asleep and eventually Wright wandered off to do the same. That is where Faith took over. She couldn't stop talking and cuddling and rubbing everyone down. (She is sooo affectionate. :)) When the movie ended...(which made me want to cook) Faith decided not to let me get up. We had a duel and then she got ready for beddy bye and, now, all are slumbering sweetly.

I, now, am off to get some supplies for tomorrows birthday breakfast for Kathleen. She is in town (which is rare) and wanted to celebrate her day of birth. Happy Birthday friend. Which, by the way, reminds me of a show I love on tv right now. Its called ACE OF CAKES. I seriously want to make a mad cake one of these days. Who is with me?! Fridays are open for any adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

Hummus lovers need this

 

River Jordan

 

 

 

Just watched "Becoming Jane". That was hard for me.