Random Thought #18

I have a love/hate relationship with surprises. I love to get surprises. I love to be surprised. I love to give surprises. I love the thrill of surprises. I love the suspense of surprises. I love the effect of surprises. I mostly just plain ol' love surprises. But, I hate having to keep surprises. I hate being trusted with surprises. I hate the fear of spoiling surprises. I hate the wait until the surprise. But still, I mostly just plain ol' love surprises. So this may or may not be an attempt to acknowledge that I am harboring a surprise that I simply can't spoil (and no, it's not a pregnant surprise), and hopefully my love for surprises will conquer any hate there may be. :)

Random Spot #19

Ream's pulled through for me again. First, they had the player organ sitting out in the middle of the floor (refer to random spot #12), and now they have a nice stock of shoes. But as you can see, they do not have just any shoes--they have amazing wicker, leather-print, platform shoes. And yes, right in the background are some Frosted Shredded Wheat cereal boxes and plenty of Dole pineapple cans. I naturally would have boughten this $6 shoe along with my $3 bag of chips, but they just didn't have my size!

Random Thought #17

Regrettably we got into some bad sleeping habits this weekend with Viana. It took one night of staying up too late to watch a movie to destroy our happy routine. One night. Now, as we try and dig ourselves out of that hole it is taking many, many nights and a lot of work. I've noticed this same pattern with many of Viana's developments. One moment to form a bad habit, many, many moments to form a good one. The same will apply to any of our lives as well. It's so easy to fall out of the good, and so hard to get back in.
It occurred to me tonight that this represents the two plans we had to choose from in the council in Heaven. Our Savior's plan would give us agency, and with that consequences. If we were diligent and obedient, and once again worked hard and labored with all our might, then we could continue on the path of righteousness. In addition, Christ would atone for our sins, so when we were willing to work hard, put in some good labor and sweat, we could return to the good should we make mistakes. With Satan's plan, where no one would be lost and all glory would be his, it would seem as though no one would have to work, or worry, or try hard, or be diligent, or endure. Simple.
With the gospel in our life today we have to work hard, for many, many days to progress towards eternal life. Yet I find that sinning is easy and very convenient, just as Satan would have it be.
Is the hard work worth it? Of course. And what if we do succumb to that one moment? May I testify that I am thankful for our Savior who loves each and everyone of us and who has provided as way for us to repent, change, and keep forming good habits...even if they're as simple as healthy sleeping patterns.

Random Spot #18

This place is somewhere between Utah and Colorado. We passed it on our drive out there for my 25th birthday. How cool would you feel if you lived here?

Random Thought #16

Viana is 2, and that means many, many things. But the one thing we're focused on right now is potty training. Back in November she got on this kick where she thought she needed to be potty trained. I just was not ready to invest the time and energy into yet. So every time she tried to take her diaper off and go in the big girl potty, I'd just say that I wasn't ready for that yet and tell her to wait until January. Well, we got really excited about our January prospects, and got so pumped for no more diapers when Grandma's house was all done (i.e. when we came home from Christmas break, we would make the transition). Viana was excited, I was excited. But of course, then the croup hit Viana the day before we came back, and you can not train a sick child. So then we changed our tune to, "when you're all done being sick, then no more diapers!" This postponement only made me and Viana more excited and ready. Well, today Viana is all done being sick, and here we go. It's been 3 hours and we already have two wet pair of panties. My excitement and energy are dwindling...but hey, we've all been potty trained at some point, so it's gotta work eventually!

Random Spot #17

This isn't random, becasue it's in a pet store, but still, it's ptretty funny to see a doggy clean-up station inside anywhere!