Random Thought #13

I think Viana is adorable, and the way that her brain operates amazes me. I just asked her who she wanted to invite to her birthday party next Friday. This is the list (in order) that she recited to me...

1.Lucy 2.Lori 3.Wes 4.Blaine 5.Benjamin 6.Vicky 7.Paul 8.Viana
9.Daddy 10.Baby Brooke 11.Momma 12.Belly Button 13.Face
14.Nose 15.Krista 16.Avery 17.Russ 18.Christmas 19.Jamie
20.LaDon 21.Baby Jesus 22.Couch 23.Nemo 24.Meemaw
25.Summer 26.Grandbill 27.Joseph 28.Taylor 29.Anne

Don't be offended if your name isn't on the list. I have ultimate invite power. But if anyone knows how to get in contact with Nemo so we can invite him, or if you know how to properly invite a couch or a belly button to a party, please let me know!

Random Spot #13

This business on Freedom in Provo cracks me up! Buffo's Termite and Pest Control. Two things to note here. First of all, don't you love the graphic design? What a great little pest control guy and what an even greater dead bug! Hilarious! Secondly, I love that Buffo recognized the true potential of his name. With a name like Buffo you've gotta start a pest control business. Can you imagin Buffo and DeVry, attorneys at law? Or how 'bout a dentist appointment with Dr. Buffo? Me either. But Buffo's Terminte and Pest Control, now that is both comfortable and fitting. Go ahead, say it outloud, it will roll of your tongue with ease. Go ahead, try it.

Random Spot #12

It's not every day that you can walk into your local grocery store (that's right, Ream's isn't just a place for eggs and butter) and see a player organ, or two.

Random Thought #12

Here's what I'm thinking. In my 4 years as a college student, I went home for thanksgiving twice on the Saturday before that magical feasting day. That means I missed out on two days of classes. That means 50% of the time I ditched that Monday and Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving. And, I can guarantee I was not in a small minority of students who did that. And, since BYU has Friday instruction on Tuesday, and probably 78% of students have less or no class on Friday, then there is really only 1 day of real class this week. But, what teacher likes to put in a lot of effort into a lesson, knowing that a good chunk of students will be gone anyway?? And, if there was no class this week, that would give students 9 days of travel, which means a lot more students could and would go home. And aren't we all about promoting healthy families? So, I propose that from now on, university holiday is ALL WEEK!!

Random Spot #11

This is the sign that signifies to me "Turn here to get to Eric's school." You may think it would be easily confused with the hundreds of gas stations on corners. But how many gas stations can you yell out, "POP! TREATS! WORMS!" to as you pass it? I just love small Utah towns!

Random Spot #10

Harris Hearing Aid Shop on Center, I think this is an interesting spot. I would never imagine putting in 3 huge stuffed bears in the display window of my hearing aid shop, but hey, when business gets tough, the tough...go hunting?? I think it's even more interesting that the bears aren't even faced out toward the sidewalk. I should go into the store and see what their purpose is.

Random Thought #11

I never believe the age recommendations on toys. Sure it may say 3+, but my daughter is special and brilliant. She'll have a ball with this toy. But you know what? Any toy I've ever gotten her that was "too advanced for her" was most enjoyed by her once she became the recommended age. And the toys we have that are still above her age level she can't handle yet. For example, we have this sweet little pop-up tent house that is for 3+. But really now, Viana could figure out how to sit inside a little house, right? But sure enough, she gets really frustrated with it, and always freaks out, and we have to put it away within minutes of getting it out. Gospel Principle? Of course. I am thinking most heavily about dating, but it can apply to many stages and advancements in our life. When the prophets counsel to not date until 16, and not steady date until post-mission/ready for marriage, they KNOW what they are talking about. No matter how special or brilliant one may think he or she is, the age recommendation is still accurate and applies.

Random Thought #10

I love football. Oh man I love football. If I could, I would wake up at 6am on Saturdays, start with some good college gameday excitement, and watch games non-stop until midnight. I would pick the good games, the ones with a lot at risk. I LOVE top 25 upsets (as long as it's not one of teams). I hate thrid down conversions (unless they're from my team). I LOVE safetys...no matter what team gets it! I LOVE sacs+penalties for a 4th and 32. I hate having to say to Viana, "No, we're not going to watch Ariel, we're watching the football game." But then I love it when she says, "Uh-oh football game!" to every tackle. Oh man, okay, this must end, beacsue Florida is rockin' South Carolina.

Random Spot #9

First off, I'm not sure if Dariy Queen was hiring, or if they still are hiring. Either way, does this mean that they were looking for the most recent insane asylum escapees? Or perhaps are they on the market for the world's best looking chef, they just ran out of the right letters? Or maybe, someone went a little crazy with the Hot Cocoa, and even then, is Cocoa really that good of an employee to say "we're hiring?" Or did they learn that none of those options would really be hot eats, or cool treats, so that is why they "were hiring?" Good old Dairy Queen on Canyon, keepin' us on our toes, they treat us right!

Random Thought #9

The other night when I was sitting on the couch in Viana's dark bedroom waiting for her to fall asleep in her bed (she'll have it no other way, well, unless you're just holding her, which is the obvious preference in her mind, but not so much in ours as we try to teach her independce) I heard the sweetest thing. From her bed came this angelic voice, "Holdcher han?" I ignored her, thinking she wanted to fold her hands together or something. Then again, "Holdcher han?" I stayed quite hoping she would forget whatever addendum she had in her mind and just fall asleep. Then one more time, "Holdcher han, Momma?" It was so cute, I peeked over the couch and she was laying on her back with her arm outstretched toward the couch just waiting for me to hold her hand. With a melted heart I held her hand, and within seconds, she let go, rolled over and was fast asleep. Heavenly Father can't always carry us through life, like Viana would normally have us hold her to sleep, but if we're willing to try things on our own, he will always hold our hand, we just need to ask.

Random Spot #8

This may not be so random if I told you it was at the entrance to the zoo. But what if I told you this is in the middle of a housing cul-de-sac? Granted, the houses in this cul-de-sac are some of those HUGE houses up on Y mountain north east of the temple, but sure enough, this huge Moose stands erected in the middle of a neighborhood.

Random Spot #7

My good friend Brynn Burke sent me this picture. This road is located in West Linn, Orgeon by Brynn's House. How cool is it to share a name with a road?

Random Thought #8

"Mississippi spelled with an 'o' instead of an 'i' would be Mossossoppo."
-A Day with Wilbur Robinson by William Joyce

Random Spot #6

I couldn't help it--it's a lone car in the middle of a huge field, normally used for playing flag football and ultimate frisbee. I should have gotten a better angle to really emphasize the awkward out-of-place feel that this car gave off.

Random Thought #7

When your laundry measures 4 feet and 2 inches tall (really, I measured it with my best friend tape measurer)--you really know that it's time to do laundry. Here I go...Number one requirement for my next house in life?? My very own washer and dryer!

Random Spot #5

Today for our Sunday drive we went out to Saratoga Springs. On our way back through Lehi Eric spotted this little gem off of the main drag through town.

That's right, it is a water slide that leaves the building at the top, and then re-enters the building at the bottom. At least that's we we figured it to be. And the plaque right there in the foreground of the picture signifies a Olympic torch relay location from the SLC 2002 games!

Random Thought #6

Every Sunday I have the privilege of interpretting for Airiel Denter in Young Women's. She is a beautiful and amazing person, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity I have to use my ASL skills. If there is ever a Sunday where one or both of us is not there, I feel a void in my life for that whole week until I get to see her again! She is such a great example to me. Today she was not in church. Although I was very sad, it worked out perfectly. Viana had a cough so she didn't go to nursery, and Eric was teaching so I also had Brooke. The three of us got to go to Relief Society. Although I love my moments with Airiel in Young Women's, I also love the sisterhood in Relief Society. I think church should be 4 hours long. Just for me though, and not for everyone. Then I could go to Young Women's and Relief Society every week. Talk about a spiritual Feast!

Random Spot #4

There I was, driving down Main Street in Payson, UT. I come to a stop light and look out my window and what do I see?

A live bait vending machine. Wow. You don't see one of those on every corner! Do I need to describe Payson, UT? Nope, this picture is definitely worth 1,000 words.

Random Thought #5

I've been thinking about the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. I've discovered that his character represents a moral very similar to this Aesop's fable. As the white rabbit hurries through Wonderland, he keeps happening onto situations that involve other characters. In every instance he succumbs to that characters pressures. He may not want to burn his house down, but under the do-dos recommendation, he helps him build up the kindling pile. At the tea party, he doesn't want the mad-hatter to fix his watch, but soon enough is passing the jelly that will be slathered into his watch. What does all of this unwanted conforming do to the white rabbit? It makes him late. If we, in life, conform to all the pressures around us, even when we know we shouldn't, or do not want to, I believe that it will only make us late. Late fo what? Perhaps this scripture (vs. 1-13) will answer that question.

Random Spot #3

Here I am in Istanbul. Oh wait, did I say Istanbul? Because I meant to say Spanish Fork, Utah! This is the Krishna Lotus Temple. It's very random. A beautiful religous building in the middle of desert farmland. One of these days I'm going to tour it. Until then, I'll admire its beauty from afar!