While Conor’s in California, I’m practicing longboarding and doing my best to pick up my game so that we can be a longboarding couple, like we’ve always dreamed we would be. Tonight, I was out on the street cruising and taking my skills to the next level or, at least attempting to although I must humbly admit that well, I did pretty good. The humble part in all that is that I took a fall, which turned out for the better rather than the worse. Fortunately I wasn’t going very fast and I had the sense to do a roll. My pride was a little wounded, especially since I’m positive there were witnesses, but, after a couple minutes I actually (surprisingly) felt more confident on my board. I really needed to take a fall and just eat it a little and then get up and go again and prove to myself that I’m a little tougher than slow-moving asphalt. I might feel differently come tomorrow morning when my hip is aching and I’m try to will myself out of bed to go for an early morning run. But we’ll see.

PS: This was such an exciting event that I decided to take myself out for FHE McFlurries. I knew that’s what Conor would do, right sweetheart?

Well today, church was switched up and the Calgary South Stake had the pleasure of special meeting with Elder Neil Anderson of the Seventy. Elder Holland and President Eyring were also in town, but at different stake centers. It really was a great meeting and a nice change from the norm. Not only did we have the pleasure of hearing Elder Anderson speak, but we also heard from the Temple President and his wife (President Hansen was our sealer), the Stake RS President, and my favourite Stake President, President Carter. There was a big hullaballoo about these meetings and the mormon grapevine left none disappointed. There was talk about a Calgary temple, splitting up all the stakes in a different way, switching up the mission, big releases…. you name it, it was talked about. As soon as I learned that not all the stakes were getting a special meeting, I knew that nothing was in the works.

I really enjoy meetings where the spirit is obviously there. I love it when I feel pumped to do better and improve. And I like it when a topic promotes soul-searching and deeper thoughts. For example, the topic of Hope always brings to mind at least a few current trials and many that are past. Hope is something that I am trying to master because the end result is ultimate peace. Where I am in my life is trying to find one side to specifically hope for rather than just the broader topic because there’s something powerful in focused hope and faith. I do believe that sometimes we have to struggle in an occasionally immense sea as a test to ensure that our hope is enough to keep us afloat before we can start paddling in a set course. Sometimes I don’t do all I can to protect myself against a storm before I plea to the Master to calm the waves and the wind. I’m super grateful the Elder Anderson visited my stake and that my heart was open to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. I feel just that much closer to my Father in Heaven. And I understand a little bit better too.

Recently Christmas started to creep into my brain and now I feel giddy with excitement anytime that holiday pops into my mind. Oh, Christmas, how I love thee! I’m so anti being caught empty-handed this 2008 season and so I’ve started my list of ideas for other people and am hoping that come November, those ideas will be fully-developed and all grown up. I’ve even contemplated beginning the big making of all the homemade ideas that I have.

One thing that I would like for Christmas is for someone to buy chickens on my behalf for an impoverished girl. Conor showed me this website the other night called the Girl Effect. You can donate here. Not only does the Girl Effect website have great design, it also has a great message. Girls are just the investment ticket in third world countries because they pay the debt back and will grow the business and if they have children, their profit benefits the next generation as well. I love this concept! I got all excited and enthused when I watched a documentary on this general idea last winter. I hope this is the answer!

I can’t believe it was 2 years ago that I said “yes” to my sweetheart Conor. A lot of the time we both agree that it feels as though we’ve never been any other way than married to one another. I love Conor so much! I’m so glad I married him when I did and that we didn’t wait until December ‘06 like I originally planned and I’m so glad I didn’t let my age or anyone’s comments about my age defer me from making the best choice I’ve ever made. Did you know I’ve been married for 1/10 of my life? Oh and did you know that Conor proposed to me at the seminary building while I was on my way to class during my spare? He brought me the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers!

This one is my favourite “posed” photo of the two of us:

This one is a recent favourite simply because it totally reflects our marriage and both of us as individuals. Conor is totally cool, non-chalant and happy and I’m happy, but freaking out and making a funny face.

And I just had to include this one because it’s so fun/serious/intense. I’m super tempted to wear my dress again…

I finished this little number up a while ago, but haven’t had an optimum moment to wear it until last night. C-dawg and I went to taste of Calgary, but quickly realized that we had been misguided by the advertisements and that this event was going to cost a pretty penny in a surplus crowd. We vetoed that and went to the Keg. Don’t get me wrong, taste of Calgary is a neat idea, we simply weren’t willing to stand in line with our elbows out is all. Back to the Keg, it was pretty good. One thing that we discussed over our meal was the fact that I forgot to put my rings on and we wondered what people would think as we sat together one man with a ring on the left finger with a woman without a ring eating a meal at a restaurant directly adjoined to a hotel downtown. Hello mistress?

So.. this is the Lotus Cami by Amy Butler and I am in love with the buttons! It was a pretty simple pattern, although it had it’s “what?” moments (what pattern doesn’t?) Anyways, totally love this cami! I have fabric for a dress, but alas it is white fabric and summer is fading too fast!! It’ll have to wait for next year!