Smile Wrinkles...

As you can see... wrinkles appear in the later part of an 'adolescents' life.

Let the good times wrinkle.

WAITING!!!!!

Man... I am just in a blogging sort of mood I guess because I have been posting alot lately. No matter though. There is a certain excitement about helping clean a room filled with clutter. You never know what you are going to find. Not only that but the feeling of a clean room. That you cleaned for hours and hours. I was able to help my mother with some 'key clutter' rooms in our house and it was really really fun. My dad was shocked. Couldn't believe we did it. (If there is one thing you should know it is that my dad is a pack rat. My mom is too but not to the extent my father is.) :) It is nice to see my mom light up at a picture she saved out of an old calender because she couldn't bare to throw it out. Or the many picture frames she collects or cards that fill up at least a whole column in the storage closet. To see how she created a treasure box for the grandchildren and the many arts and crafts she has on hold for any of us to do. Its fun to go back in time and be able to look at my grandpas memories. The things he saved and cherished. To see how that was sort of passed down to my dad. To see how parents are so attached to projects their kids created that the kids would not even want to keep. Its like finding out little details about my parents I didn't really know before. My dad loves these english comics from back in the day. Or funny little drawings and pictures he has been storing since before I was born. Who would of thought..... helping to clean out some rooms in a house, I have been living in for more than half of my life, and am now just beginning to find the meaning in them.

"I've Got Better Plans"

They say-
Just commit for a year.
Just commit for 8 months.
Just commit for 6 months.
Just commit for 4 months.
Just commit for 3 months.

And all I have to say is - "No, no I am sorry. I cannot do that quite yet..."

Home again

Wow. What can I say. Conference, yet again, was amazing. The talks were sooooo good. On Saturday, as I was sitting in my dads seminars, I could not contain my eyes from swelling up with tears. I could not explain to the extent I wanted to, to the new hired help that was sitting there with me. It was an interesting time for me. This new guy found out I was LDS and from that moment on would non chalantly ask me questions about the church. "Oh course I would never go to your church but..." or "Why do I go to church", "Why do I pay tithing", etc.... Sparks of interest were there even if he said they weren't. Its good to learn of all religions in general. As I put on my head phones for morning session on sat. in the back of the room, with a pen handy, he came, sat down, plugged in his head phones and listened. He listened to bits and pieces throughout the whole two sessions. I thought that was awesome. He was very real in the fact that he didn't feel like I was trying to 'convert' him or anything. He just was interested in why I was so into 'Being LDS'. I am proud to be who I am. I don't mean that to sound boastful but I am sooooo glad to be apart of something I know for myself to be true and that makes me happy. I am grateful for such a wonderful Prophet we have. I can not emphasize enough how marvelous and refreshing it was to hear these men of God speak to me. It only reiterates the callings in which we all have. To be who we are. To be real and upfront. To strive and push forward. To take in the moments that make life soooooo wonderful. The leafs are changing and full of color. The sky is blue and the day was warm. Thankful I am. Thankful I am. I only hope that I can be better.

Honey.

Today at breakfast I was looking at the honey thinking.... "What a wierd substance...and we totally love it and eat it." So I decided to look up how honey is made. And well.... it goes through this whole process of thrown up by field bees, fed to the house bees and then 'some how' magically transfered to the honey comb. Wierd maybe disgusting. Yet so good. It is said to be all natural. Natural in that bees do this all the time I guess but, if we did that as humans I might just vomit... and not feed it to someone. Also, interesting that bees even make honey. Why? Amazing really. It all goes around.
Here is what I read--

What is honey? How do honey bees make honey?

Honey is a sweet, thick sugary solution made by bees. The composition of honey consists of varying proportions of fructose, glucose, water, oil and special enzymes produced by bees. (Glucose and fructose are types of suger)

The first step in making honey begins when field bees fly from flower to flower collecting the sweet juices or nectar that a flower provides. With their tongues, the field bees suck out the nectar and store it in sacs within their bodies. After filling their sacs with these sweet juices, the field bees fly back to their bee hive and regurgitate the stored nectar into the mouths of house bees.

These house bees are assigned the job of adding enzymes from their bodies to the nectar. The enzymes cause the water in the nectar to evaporate-thereby turning the nectar into honey. Lastly, the nectar is stored in a cell of a honeycomb. Overtime, the nectar ripens and becomes honey.

The buzz on honey...

Honey is one of the easiest foods to digest.
Honey is used in many cough syrups because its smooth, thick texture soothes throats.
As a result of honey's unique ability to readily absorb air, it is often used as a moistening agent in baking.
Honey comes in all types of colors and flavors. The color and flavor of honey depends on the how old the honey is and the kind of flower that the nectar was extracted from.

Just some thoughts.

I am continually amazed at these seminars my dad is in charge of. If the TV show - The Office would just come to one of these events it could, seriously, be the hit of the season. :)

Another thought- The Whole Foods stores that I have seen from Western Washington to where I am now I just love. If it wasn't so dang expensive I might just be a regular for my groceries there.

And yet another thought. Tomorrow I am stuck in a conference room all day... But the great thing is- I still get to listen/watch conference! I mean seriously how amazing is that? That you can get online and be able to listen and watch things live! We are sooooo lucky to have all these commodities available to us! I think I sometimes don't think twice. But I am fortunate. :)

And last but not least- There is something wonderful about people watching in a book store. It's not about TV, Movies, blah.... its about good ol' books. And they enjoy it. I like that.
That's all for now.

...Something Wonderful Is About To Begin...

Welcome Fall...

I sat outside today just taking in the season that is... Fall. The smell I just cannot get enough of. I have to admit though the feeling of fall could be depressing BUT once you sit on your porch and take it all in, thinking of the wonderful things life has to offer bringing this season, it is actually quite the opposite. Go outside. Sit on your porch. Silence. Wind breezing. Take in the air and become Fall.

Letter my Great Grandma wrote my dad on the day he was Born.

Dear Little Man (My grandson)

Its very late or I should say, very very early in the morning, and time all good grandmas were in bed, with their night caps on, but not this one. I'm far too excited to do such a common place thing as sleep-

Today I recieved good tidings of great joy- Unto the Thurstons a son was born- You my Lamb.

Its such glorious news, I keep thinking over and over I have a grandson-

I want you to know how welcome you are, and congradulate you on your choice of Parents. Out if this big wide world you picked the most loving mother and father- They will cherish you and guide you thru the years-

I hope you will learn early in life that love is the greatest thing on earth- That you will love nature, and enjoy the beauties of the great outdoors- See the face of God in the laughing brook, the unfolding of the spring buds and the flight of the swallow-

And I hope you will have a feeling for good books early in life- Books are our silent friends.

I love you. I love you. Good night.

(It continues with more from the next morning and when she holds my dad for the first time etc.)

Tonight as I was just about to hop on the computer my sister Anna was asked to her high school homecoming dance. I got to help her look for the guys name in a cereal box. This is not all though- This guy has been the long awaited crush she has had for sometime now. I kept on telling her that he would come around and then they would fall madly in love, well in love as much as you can be in highschool. I kinda miss that feeling. Getting asked out to a dance, hoping its that one guy. Of course Anna played it cool in front of the padres BUT as she headed down stairs she couldn't help but smile and scream with glee! Happiness I feel. She is so excited how could you not be. I think that is how is should be though. Kathleen just told me the finishings to all her boy details and what can I say... she is so excited and happy and I just love it. Here here to having those you love being in love, or in like, or just happy. It is a good feeling.

Done?

Happy Birthday to all!

Anna- What you mean to me is more than what can be expressed. You are motivated and busy and beautiful and loving. Smart, passionate, crazy and spiritual. You are radiant and a crumple. You are assertive and messy. You are addicted to Nutella. You think you look like Scott. You are creative, spontaneous and such a prankster. You listen and open your heart. You care for others. You are strong and forgiving, colorful and tall. I love you! I love you! I love you! XOXO ... Come play with me after school!

Cody- One year older and wiser too! Cody you are a great friend and I am thankful to know you. So caring and hardworking and insightful. Have the best day ever!

I am a Social Worker

Today was officially my last day as a student. I took my last test here at BYUI and got to end this school experience the way I would have wanted... I got to dance. We had a little performance. I just can't even describe the gratitude I feel for this institution that has taught me so much more about dance and its deeper meaning. Its feels so surreal to be done. To not ever have to go to school again if I don't want to. Man it is crazy. I am now no longer a student. I am a social worker. :)

Smitten...

Its true. I am 'smitten' by a boy. I met him at the beginning of summer at a local gas station. Just a crush. Just a fun little crush. All I can say is that I am smitten with this one. Never been like this before. I actually talk to him and flirt with him and he seems to be doing the same. He hasn't asked for a number....yet :) but I don't care too much because this crush thing is just fabulous! His name is Jon. Today he said I looked good and if I would kiss him on the cheek... ha. You know, thats totally normal for someone who helps you at a gas station huh? :) Its just so fun to have a crush. But even better when its someone that you are smitten by. Its a good day.

That page has finally turned...

So many books to be written. So many stories to tell. I swallowed myself and finally turned the page...

There is alot more to this book, I haven't seen yet.

Let me just tell you how hilarious my mother is. She last night was preparing to leave on this church history cruise with my grandma and aunt. She, first off, always gets the feeling that she doesn't want to go right before leaving. Like she will miss what the kids are doing or something like that. Also, for the life of her, she could not figure out what to pack. She ended up staying up all night doing laundry, making lists for Anna (which she dated everyday she was gone as march 12 and so on rather than August), ironing, etc. So as 6:15am rolls around, She almost forgets her diabetes medications as we are leaving and shouted which scared me to death! But this is where it gets good. My mom when she doesn't sleep doesn't get huffy... she gets real giggly and talkative. She couldn't stop moving around and hustling and bustling with whatever she was doing. She in her commotion grabbed all these papers. books, magazines to read on the plane ride and just spilt them everywhere. She just laughed. As we were driving there was this random stick in the road and my mom just bursts into laughter because why would a stick like that be in the middle of the road?! Of course! Ha. I know this doesn't even sound funny. Cause I cant write to give those last few moments with my mother before her big trip justice. But I love my mom. She is great. Thats all you really need to know I guess. Simple and sweet- I love her.

Too much and too little....

Lately I have been feeling that I need to do more. I don't think I am helping enough, or cheerful enough, or appreciative enough, or caring enough. I think sometimes I am too selfish, too emotional, too helpless, too lazy, too scared. I want to see people for who they are rather than what I might percieve them to be. I want to expect nothing and give everything. It takes work. I am too prideful and say I am too busy. I want things I can't have and don't even give that, which I want, to others. Its time for Kate to stop it. To stop and drop what I thought and start again. I love you. I pray for you. I want nothing better than for you to be happy and on your way to the best experiences you can possibily grab on too. I want you to feel loved and cared for, appreciated and know that I am grateful. I want you to feel secure and warm and wanted. To know you are brillant, beautiful and talented. To know that whenever you need someone to listen, talk to or just have to have... I am here. And I don't do that. I need to do more.

...There still is beauty...

"Close your eyes.
For your eyes will only tell the truth
And the truth isn’t what you want to see.
In the dark it is easy to pretend
That the truth is what it ought to be."