Inspired again....

It's been FOREVER since I've posted...not that anyone has noticed :) I thought I'd take a "break" from blogging after my whole ordeal with trying to figure out my layout and all that fun stuff (that is so not fun for me!), but I'm finally ready to try this all out again :) Blogging isn't really all that hard, right? :) I just read my friend, J's blog and it inspired me to work on my own blog...and so, with that said...I've committed to be a part of the "Blogging World" once again...at least for this week ;)

Aah, success!! Well, sort of...

Yay for me! Well OK, more like "Yay for N"! Thanks to one of her many talents...of giving GREAT directions...my font color now coordinates with the rest of my blog! Well...almost the rest of it. I still can't for life of me figure out how to change the big rectangle part at the top so that it all coordinates! I'd be oh so sad and disappointed if it's stuck like that! (SIGH)

I know, I have issues. What can I say...you'd think I would be able to figure out this whole blogging thing. I mean, it's really not all that difficult (for some, atleast) but then again, this is DEFINATELY one talent that I am lacking!

Thanks for the help though N! I will definately be trading in my B-day gift so that I can get up to date with all this technology! P.S. Thank you for all of the other wonderful and oh so fun gifts! You know me too well! ;)

And then, the NOT so talented...

So...my friend N is pretty much the most talented person I know! She does crafts, raises very well mannered children, she magnifies her church callings, she makes bows, frames, decorations...the list goes on and on! Not to mention, she cooks really well and makes AMAZING homemade bread. She's also one heck of a listener and advice-giver! I tell her often she should go into psychology...but she doesn't. She's wise beyond her years and always seems to know what she is talking about. She is kind and loving and is ALWAYS wanting and willing to learn new things!

I try to keep up with her and her WONDROUS talents...and for the most part, I feel as though I can keep up (OK, well more like make-up the difference in other aspects of my life) in all that she does...EXCEPT for thing! BLOGGING! Yes, you're all probably thinking, "Gee, this gal is really something if she can't even figure out how to blog!" But it's true! N was even the one to set up my entire blog!

And so, in my efforts to be TALENTED like N (and to finally do a much needed update)...I ruined my page. After TWO HOURS of banging on my keyboard and being overwhelmed with frustration...I managed to change the layout of my page (if that's what it's even called! See how much I know...). Ah! Success! I was oh so proud of myself, when all of a sudden I realized that my font colors and heading design DID NOT MATCH! (As I am sure everyone has noticed...it's a little difficult to miss). I tried my very best to figure it all out...but I was defeated by my own, unskillful self :( Oh, the shame! But what can I say...I'm just not as talented and skillful as the AMAZING N! So...N! HELP ME! Pretty please :)

Land of the FREE...because of the BRAVE

I LOVE the 4th of July! I love the family BBQ's, the excitement, the patriotism, the cotton candy and snow cones at the local city celebrations and especially the FIREWORKS! The Fourth of July has always been one of my most favorite holidays...

This year, I was able to celebrate the 4th of July with my family in Florida. Although we didn't go out to the city celebrations or eat cotton candy and snow cones; and although we didn't have the traditional Clearfield City Firework Display (they are my favorite by far! Disney World had nothing on them! Because you can't lay under the ones at Disney).

What set this 4th of July celebration apart from all the rest, was that our (mine and my family's) hearts were filled with much more gratitude for the men and women who serve our country and courageously fight for our freedom, willingly. This particular 4th of July was a little more meaningful and a lot more special for me because I had the memory of my cousin to remind me that our freedom really isn't "free". There are people out there; men and women who are serving and fighting and making it possible for us to keep the freedom that we have. (It reminds me of the Atonement. We are given our "free" agency...yet in all reality, it isn't free...someone had to pay a price, and that someone was the Savior. I've had to ask myself, "How often do I take that gift for granted, and how often do I really take the time to show gratitude for it?)

Last memorial day, my cousin Anthony was killed in Iraq. He was an amazing person who loved his family, friends and his country. He was kind, serving and thoughtful. Not to mention hilarious! He was always the life of the party! Always laughing and making the most of life. He lived his life with no regrets...It is because of service men (and women) like him, that makes our country "free". This 4th of July, my heart became ever more grateful for all those who make it possible to have the freedom that I, all too often, take for granted. This truly is the Land of the free...all because of the brave soldiers our there who have fought for me and those who are still fighting for my freedom...

My family remembered Anthony by wearing bracelets that had his name and birth/death date engraved on it. Also, yesterday my family and I went to the NASA-Kennedy Space Center. I'm not sure if this particular part is open to the public or not, or if it's a new thing the JFK Center is doing or what, but we were taken outside where there was a path of bricks...and on those bricks were names...more importantly, names of individuals who have made a difference and whom NASA considers "heroes", I guess you can say. My cousin, Anthony, had a brick with his name on it. What an experience it was to walk out there with family members and to be a part of something so special. It was amazing to be with family as we came around "his brick" and remembered him and what he did for us and our country. My heart became full of gratitude. Not only for him, but also for the many fallen soldiers who have fought for my freedom and those who are still fighting now...

That's MY FAVORITE...

After excitedly exclaiming, "That's my favorite!" for the fifth time during a night out with some friends, I was sternly informed "You have too many favorites!" Well! After much thought and consideration to that comment. My thoughts are simply, "Contrary to anyones belief(s), one can never have "too many" favorites! My theory is simple...If it makes you happy and want to gleefully squeal for joy, then by all means! It can surely be your favorite! Even if you already have 30 billion other "favorites"! And so...in my attempt to keep up on my blogging (thanks N!) and to make it somewhat "interesting" (OK, so probably more random than interesting), don't be surprised to find some of "my random favorites" posted -- Happy Reading! ;)

My Silver Lining...

"The best things about having her for a friend is the way she never fails to help me see the silver lining behind each dark cloud. No matter how down I get, I can always count on her to help me find a reason to get back up and try again!"

So...long story short, My friend S is one of the most generous, loving, sincere and good hearted people I know...and it's because of her and her family ties with N (they are sisters-in-law), that I've been blessed with yet another beautiful friend, N. N is thoughtful, giving, gifted and ever so selfless!

I owe so much to these two amazing women! For all the times they were there for me; through thick and thin, laughter and tears. I know I can always count on them. On more than a few occasions, my friendship with these two extraordinary women became my silver lining behind each dark cloud. They have taught me so much about myself, family, friends, life and now...blogs! Yes, blogs! It's to these two beautifully talented friends (OK, and so a few others too, like S and J), do I owe the inspiration and motivation to start a blog of my own...And thanks to N and her willingness to help me set it all up (thank goodness for the excuse of making egg-rolls!), I'm finally up to par with the rest of Society in blogging! (Thanks girls!)