In memory of a prophet of God, President Gordon B. Hinckley

I was at my friend's house for dinner tonight when I got a text from my friend telling me that President Hinckley had died. My first reaction was shock and a need for more information. I jumped off the couch and said, "Where's a computer?" After reading the details, I couldn't cry. I began thinking of his legacy and how happy he is now that he can be reunited with his wife and continuing the Lord's work elsewhere. I got in my car and started discussing with my sister about what President Hinckley's death meant to me and the church. Then my other sister called and that's when I almost lost my grip on my emotions. Luckily, I've been able to look on the bright side and realize that this is happy news, nothing to be sad about.

I think I'll remember this night well. I went to ward prayer and our Elders Quorum president suggested that we sort of a give a tribute and talk about what we remember about President Hinckley. The Spirit was so strong there, speaking of this giant of a man and his achievements and character.

Personally, I remember President Hinckley's humor, his compassion, his diligence, his dedication, and his endurance. What an optimistic man whose life touched so many others. Temples, missionaries, the conference center, emphasis on the family, interviews with media and world leaders...what an amazing prophet! I know he was called of God and that he served at full capacity because of his testimony of this gospel. Watching General Conference was always a powerful experience as I watched President Hinckley testify of his love for the Savior and encourage us to step up and become better people.

Currently, I'm watching the news about his life and his passing. It almost seems so trite, trying to pack his entire presidency into a tribute on the news. It's also interesting to watch them discuss how the succession in the presidency happens. That's what we get for living in Utah. You can tell that they're trying to "report" on this from an unbiased perspective...yeah...they cancelled the sports segment and everything! Wow...

I wanted to write while I'm feeling this overwhelming wave of emotions at the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley. There are so many things to remember about him, so many things he stood for, lives he touched. I know he was truly a prophet of God. He will be missed, but the church is true and another prophet will be called who we will follow in faith.

I love Tommy Donnelly

I have a new celebrity crush...Tommy Donnelly (that's his character's name, not his real one). If you've ever seen The Black Donnellys on NBC (don't worry if you've never heard of it...it was only on for half a season...), you'll know what I'm talking about. Sure, the show is all violence and revenge, but he just does it in this way that makes you want to plant one on him! I think it's the bad boy attraction that has me so enamored. So thanks to Scott and James for introducing me to this show. I fell asleep during several of the episodes, but come on, you have met me, right?

Holiday Cheer

In looking at my meager posting on this blog, I realize that I need to be more diligent at getting on here and writing. I mean, I've got some pretty amazing thoughts running around this brain of mine (and some not-so-amazing ones, too....) and I want to share with the world! Yeah, I can't imagine that the world would really want to be privy to what I put down here, but for those of you who read this occasionally, lucky you! I'll try to catch everyone up on the happenings...



Christmas happened! (Big news, huh?) It was a lot of fun to celebrate with the family. We did the usual nativity reenactment on Christmas Eve, along with the usual pajama pants opening...traditions are great, aren't they? I got to play Joseph in our little Snow pageant. I'm a girl, in case you haven't noticed. But I put on my best husky voice and did my part. Sarah was Mary...worked out great considering she is actually pregnant. These Christmas festivities were a little different. Natalie's boyfriend came and celebrated with us. It was the first meeting for any of us, so I can imagine how overwhelming it would be to come to a house full of crazy adults, a 5-year-old who talks and talks and talks, 3 dogs (Paulie brought hers), and trying to impress these people. It was a lot of fun, though.



Then came Christmas morning...I'm a person who loves being surprised with what gifts I'll be getting, and this year was no disappointment! Santa brought me a hall tree. I love it. LOVE IT. I wish I had a picture to show what it looks like, for those of you who are confused by what a hall tree actually is. It's a stand type of thing with a rack for coats and a mirror and a little cupboard at the bottom. My description does it no justice...because it's amazing! I had been eyeing the one at my parents' house, thinking about purchasing one for myself, but I hadn't done anything about it yet. Looks like Santa was listening... The family also got Guitar Hero III. Man, that game is a good time! Sure, I'm awful at it, but it's fun to practice, at least. The rest of Christmas morning was really good...we got to talk to Laura in the United Arab Emirates. Found out that she, too, is pregnant! She's due in July, so that will be fun. Two new nieces/nephews coming my way! Hey, maybe this will satisfy my mother enough that she won't worry about my old maid status anymore. ;)



New Year's was fantastic as well. I didn't have any huge plans pending, but we got an invitation from our friends Scott and James to go with them to Centerville and have dinner and hang out whilst ringing in this joyous 2008. It was a lot of fun, and I actually kept my eyes open until midnight (which is quite the feat for me!). James didn't think I could last. Well, he was partially correct, because around 12:15, I fell asleep on the chair I was sitting in. I'm like a small child who wants to be awake for the party but is so exhausted when it comes right down to it.

The bed...and the hilarity that ensued

I did it. I purchased the bed. And you know what? It's fantastic. I've been sleeping on it for a few weeks now and I have zero complaint. Sleeping in the middle of a big bed has to be one of the best feelings after a long day. "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." And just in case you're wondering, this bed is no longer pushed up against the wall...it's taken its originally-planned position of the center of my bedroom. Which was a feat...keep reading.



Moving the piano out of my bedroom into Natalie's old bedroom was hilarious...not to mention, strenuous. And tenacious. Any other 'ous' adjectives I can use? Didn't think so...back to the piano-moving. We had to empty the laundry room closet of the washer and dryer so we could get a good enough angle to maneuver the piano from the hall into the room. If you've ever been to my house, you can understand this picture. My friends who came and helped, Billy and Broderick, got as far as getting it poised at the doorway to the room. This is where the struggle really began...the doorway wasn't wide enough to fit the girth of my huge upright grand piano. I mean, it was wide enough, but definitely not at this angle. A few solutions were tossed about...how about we try tilting it? Nope, then it would be too wide in a different spot. Pushing really hard? Hmmm...worked with the couch on While You Were Sleeping, but you saw what ended up happening to the carpet. Meanwhile, people are climbing all over that piano, trying to see the different angles and figure out how it'll go into that room. Because it's not coming back to my room! And then, I don't remember who said it, but...How about prying off the door casing? GENIUS. So we did it. Billy ran and grabbed the pry bar (we can thank my father for recommending I pick up one of those when we put in the tile last summer) and they got to prying that casing off. All I could keep thinking is, "I'm glad I have all of these paint colors to make it look good again..." But I understood that this is what it would take. Now three weeks later, I still haven't done a thing about putting it back up...does anyone out there just love doing construction on doorways? In the long run though, the bed is worth it. Don't believe me? Come try this sucker out.