A few minutes

Ok I just have a few minutes to write, but i'm planning something.  and it's gonna be BIG!  Haha, ok not really, but i just wanted to give a little preview.  On Sunday our Home Teacher came over to visit with Brennen  and me.  He didn't give us the First Presidency message like they usually do, but instead talked about what he had learned about in church that day that he was prompted to share with us.  It was kind of about making sure that everything in our lives is balanced.  This made bells in my head go off.  It was exactly what i needed to hear with my whole time wasting deal happening.  He said that if he ever feels like his life is off balance, he takes a minute to evaluate what he has going on.  He said that he focuses on four areas: Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual.  This made me think about the "areas of wellness" that i have learned about in my health and p.e. classes.  there are 7: mental, emotional, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, and environmental.  I decided that if i can set a goal for each of these areas of my life, it will be better balanced.  I'm going to really sit down tomorrow and make the goals, but i just wanted to make sure that i made the commitment to someone first (that would be you, all like 5ish of you who read my blog, haha).  These are the perimeters:

1. I will set one measurable goal for each area of wellness.
2. I will set the goal on the first day of the month, and will change the goal every month.
3. I will blog/journal about my progress (or lack thereof) and changes i see in my life.

I really feel the need to be a better person and get on the ball in so many areas of my life. I think this will really help me.  Now, i am notorious for not following through with goals and such, so if you see me slacking off, comment!  Say "Hey Grace, tell me how your environmental wellness goal is coming" or something.  You don't even have to read my response.  I need to feel a sense of accountability for this.  Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

Oh shoot.

Remember how I said that I was going to be better at managing my time?  Yesterday (Friday) I had no classes.  None.  So here's how my day went:

4:30 am: Brennen leaves for the hospital in Idaho Falls to watch doctors put in catheters. (He says he'll be back by 10 a.m.)
9:45 am: I wake up.  I think i'm ok because Brennen will be home in like 30 mins.  So, get up, get dressed, and then go do homework. (Here is where this is the problem.  We do not have the internet, so any attempt at homework is futile.  I could go to campus..but Brennen has taken my car.  So i'm stranded.)
11:00 am: Brennen is still not home.
12:00 pm: Brennen's still not home.
1:00 pm: Still gone.
2:00 pm: Seeing a pattern?
3:30 pm: Brennen finally gets home!  Yay! (So i was only semi-useless during these 5 hours i was planning on devoting to homework.  I got lots of good housework done, and finished my Avatar movie that i stopped watching half way through, and watched Let's Make a Deal, and the Rachael Ray show, and other....)
4:00 pm: Run to Wal-Mart for some stuff
4:45 pm: Let's go to the D.I.!
5:15 pm: Get home
5:30 pm: Visiting teachers come over
6:30 pm: Visiting teachers leave, Brennen is taking a nap
7:30 pm: Decide to have a date night.  Head to Jamba Juice
8:00 pm: Head to the Presidential Debate
8:30 pm: Sucking down our Jambas so we can make it to the 9:00 showing of the new Sherlock Holmes movie (SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Good! btw)
11:00 pm: By this point, not really regretting the last 4 hours of awesomeness.

Jump to today:
6:00 pm:  Get on I-learn (BYU-I's online class thing) to take a quiz.
6:01 pm: Quiz was due LAST NIGHT. Poop.
6:02-present: Feeling like a complete idiot.

It's moments like these that tell me I need to change something in my life.  So, here's to starting anew.

Awkward & Awesome

Awkward.....

1.  Reading a donor the medical history questions and realizing that you just repeated the question.

"In the past 16 weeks, have you given or lost whole blood or red blood cells?"

"No."

"In the past 16 weeks, have you given or lost whole blood or red blood cells?"

"...No"

"Oh..."

I was just testing you.  You passed.  Congratulations.  We may now proceed to the next question.

2.  Coming out of the bathroom when a male co-worker says

"Good job, Grace!"

Uh...what am I, 2?

Thanks...i guess.

3.  Thinking you see someone you know.

But you're not sure.

So you just steal glances until you're sure it's them.

And then almost getting up to say hi,

when you notice it's not them.

Dodged that bullet.

Then seeing them for reals 20 minutes later.

"Oh...hi.  Haha, funny story..."

4. Sitting in the cubicles in the library, when the person across from you randomly

stretches out and plays footsies for a sec.

I always check to see if someone is there before i stretch out, thanks.

Awesome

1.  Filing our taxes for the sole purpose of getting the return.  

Really, is there any other reason to file them?

Besides the law, of course.

2. Fafsa.  Dear govenment, without you we would be dead.  Love, the Larsens.

3.  Getting to sleep in tomorrow because I don't have classes on Fridays.  Hallelujah. 

4. Going to my co-workers baby shower last night.  She's going to be a great mommy! :)

One of those days....

That would be today.  Today has been one of those days. One of those days that you get like 3 hours of sleep before having to be at work a 6 a.m.  And then staying an extra half hour just to get re-certified.  And then going straight to school in your scrubs.  And then going to 5 hours of classes in your scrubs.  Busy.  Tiring. and just plain hard.  Highlights of the day: [1]Wearing scrubs to class.  It's like wearing pajamas, except they can't tell me to go home and change because it's a work uniform.  So comf.  [2] Getting the dishes done.  And cleaning out the fridge.  And folding like 6 loads of laundry.  While making dinner.  In an hour.  I'm really just superwoman in disguise.  Ok, let's face it.  The only reason is because my apartment S-T-U-N-K.  and then once i got going, i just had to finish the rest. [3] Blogging.  I feel like we have dropped of the face of the planet.  So.  Here is my post.  Forgive me for the length, and for probably jumping around a lot.  But there have been a lot of things that i want to blog and just don't have the time to.

Mostly i just want to tell you about this : Time wasting.

I am a time waster.  Some people are addicted to crafting.  Some are addicted to food.  Some are addicted to spending money. I am addicted to wasting time. Here are my top 5 favorite time wasting activities (in no particular order of favoritism)

1. Facebook--i don't even know why.  Facebook is so boring now.

2. Blog Stalking--"you might also like..." Click.  Click.  Click click click....

3.Television--I don't even like some of the shows I watch.

4. Showers--that hot water is just so dang relaxing!

5. Doing hair/makeup--i don't know why this takes so much time, it just does!

One Saturday a few weeks back, I made myself a little schedule for the day because there was just so much that i had to get done.  So basically I listed everything that i needed to get done that day, and gave myself an hour or so to do each task.  I staggered the housework and homework, so i wouldn't get burnt out doing stuff.  I got myself really excited to follow my schedule, and i set like 20 alarms on my phone and set to it.  And let me tell you, I got more accomplished in that day that i think i ever have.  Well, here I am a couple weeks later and I'm in the same boat.  Loads of homework and loads of housework.  I decided i needed a plan of action.  [1] Utilize the planner.  I bought a more expensive one this year because it was  "cute."  Let's put it to good use, eh?  My next two days' sanity depend on it.  [2] Schedule time to do things.  As you can see, i've tried to start doing this.  I'll let you know how it goes. [3] Use timers.  I've been doing this for a while with my showers, and it seems to sometimes work.  I noticed that I had been taking 15ish minute showers, and i totally knew that i could get all that done in 5 mins.  So i put a timer outside the shower and stick 5 minutes on it.  Helps me hurry when i know how much time i have left.  I want to start using timers for everything.  We'll see how it works.  Do you have any ideas or suggestions for better time management?  Please let me know, I'm open to try just about anything! Thanks for listening to me ramble! :)  

Dear World

I have not forgotten about the blogger world!  Really i've just been way too busy and frankly, we're very boring. But, hopefully the three day weekend brings more time to bore you with our boring adventures.  Ha. Peace and Blessings.

Meet Jane

Everyone, I want  you to meet my newest niece, Jane!

She is pretty much the cutest thing on this earth!

Jane was born January 30, 2012

4 Weeks Early

5 lbs, 4 oz

We are so excited for her to be here!!

Look at these adorable munchkins!

Is it just me, or do they look like they could use some cousins? ;)

Business

So, not a lot to really blog about tonight, but I've got nothing better to do really.. First item of business: I think we might have found a car.  Hallelujah. I'll call about it tomorrow..2006 Toyota Corolla with 76000 miles in our price range?? Yes please.  Second item of business: our 2nd anniversary is going to be EPIC.  I mean that.  I'm more excited for it than for Valentines day (2 weeks) ..and my birthday (one month)...COMBINED.  We're thinking a nice weekend getaway at the Black Swan Inn (where we went for our honeymoon) and a Jazz Game?  Sounds good to me! Like I said, EPIC.  Can't wait for April! :)

Forget Me Not

There's a talk that I love.  It's by Elder Dieter F. Uchdorf and he gave it in the General Relief Society broadcast in 2011.  And I think that every woman should read it before she starts her day off, before she does anything.  Here is a little blurb I particularly love:

Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom. The Psalmist wrote:

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? …

“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”⁵

God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes.

The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow.

My dear Relief Society sisters, you are closer to heaven than you suppose. You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine. Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life. Cherish the gift of activity in this great and true Church. Treasure the gift of service in the blessed organization of Relief Society. Continue to strengthen homes and families. Continue to seek out and help others who need your and the Lord’s help.

........................................................................................................................................................

Think about it.