Day 114: Anxiously Lost

Aha:

There was a day this week when I had a bit of anxiety. Sometimes the anxiety comes for no reason and that usually makes it worse cause then I wonder what I should be nervous about; it's terrible, really.

Anyway, I was driving to work and praying that the feeling would go away or that I'd know what I could do to make it go away. Right then I changed my thoughts to counting my blessings. I started out with how thankful I am for Clinton, for Petey, for family, etc. My commute is about 25 minutes and I got to use that whole time to be thankful instead of anxious.

I am thankful for prayer and answers to prayers. The rest of my day was better and I have now found a great tool for combating those anxious moments!

Haha:

As many of you know I have been watching Lost on Netflix. Since Clinton was on call last night I decided to use my time wisely and watch all but the final three episodes before bed. 

Let's see, I started out on season 6 episode 7, I believe, and I watched through episode 14. That means I spent about 6 hours on my butt doing nothing. But you know, you can't change what's in the past so—lesson learned...tomorrow I'll only allow myself to watch three episodes and then I'm done! ;0)

Day 95: Happy Women's Day

Aha:
Mother's Day. Two words, when put together, that typically make me cringe.
However, today I have found myself smiling thinking of all the children I've had the chance to mother: my nieces and nephews, my friends' kids, some of the young women I taught, and the random kids I've sat with at church when their mom's just looked desperate for help.
Sometimes I think this holiday should just be called "Women's Day". It would make it a lot easier to enjoy for those like me who have yet to be, but desperately want to be, mothers. But being a woman--I've got that covered! It is part of my nature to nurture and love; to teach and to play; to comfort and to soothe. I'm inherently a mom.
I wanted to give a shout-out to my mom for raising me to be who I am. I know you don't feel like you "measure up" but you do. You are the perfect mom for me!
I also want to thank my sisters (SIL's included) for letting me help "raise" your kids. You have no idea how special your kids are to me and how much being their aunt has blessed my life.
To my friends, thanks for calling me the "Baby Whisperer". I love snuggling your little ones and lulling them to sleep. Doing this makes me feel special and needed.
To the women who have handed me their kids without saying a word, thank you letting me help.
For those with kids I know this day can be hard as well and I hope you can find joy in it. We have a sacred work to do and we cannot do it alone. Thankfully we are surrounded by other women (moms, sisters, friends, aunts, and even the occasional stranger) who can lend us help when we need it.
May we all find a reason to celebrate who we are, cause being a woman is pretty amazing.
To all women I wish you a Happy Women's/Mother's Day.

Haha:
If you'll excuse the swear word in the title, here are two videos that make me laugh cause they're totally true! To all women, enjoy "'Crap' Girls Say: Episodes 1 and 2".

Day 71: Words That Make You Go, "Aww" and "Ew" and "Phew"

Aha:

Again, I have been amazed at the love and support I receive from the people around me. Today was a stressful day but it ended up being a happier day because of the kind words of encouragement shared.

Thank you to those of you who reached out to me to make me feel better. And thank you to those of you who are always there. I love you all!

Haha:

Why is it that when we girls get together all privacy goes out the window? I swear, there's hardly a body part or function that is left to the imagination once the chatting starts (and it's usually me who starts it)! Part of me feels like I should be slightly disturbed by the lack of boundaries, but another part of me is grateful to know I'm not the only one experiencing XYZ.

Oh girls. What ever happened to dignity? Ha!

Day 67: Sterilizzzzzzz

Aha:
I am thankful for modern-day cleaning products.
I am thankful for Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, they are amazing at pretty much everything.
I am thankful for Windex. Without it my glass-doored closets would still be filthy and fingerprinted.
I am thankful for powerful vacuums (especially ones you find at Walmart for a great price)!
I am thankful for carpet cleaners. Let's just say the water was far from clear and now that junk is no longer in my carpets.
I am thankful for used dryer sheets. I don't know if you know this but they are a life-saver when it comes to cleaning soap scum out of tubs/showers (Thank you, Katie Hendrickson, for that tip! I never clean my shower without one!).
I am thankful for rubber gloves. 'Nuff said.
There are so many more things for which I'm thankful, but these few items have really made a difference in our lives this week and I guess I just want to be publicly grateful. :)

Haha:
This has been a day for naps at the Logan household. I woke up really, really early this morning (after going to bed very late last night) and couldn't fall back asleep till later this morning. Then I fell asleep again this afternoon while snuggling Petey.
When I came downstairs from my nap I sat down next to Clinton and Peter on the couch. Shortly after I sat down Clinton fell asleep with his head hanging off to the side. This must have queued Peter in on the idea of another nap because he promptly stretched right out between us and fell asleep.
I guess the stress of the move has got us pretty well wiped out! Ha!

Day 57: Celebrating's a Real Gas

Aha:
I know five people who are celebrating their birthday today: my dad, my sister, her daughter, my cousin and one of the doctors I used to work for.

It's been a busy day for texting "Happy Birthday" messages but it just makes me think of how grateful I am to have such wonderful people in my life! My thoughts have been about family and friends all week (with one of my friends celebrating her birthday on the 1st, one of my nieces' birthday was yesterday, another niece this weekend and now all these birthdays today) and I just want them/you all to know how much I love you!

What a blessing it is to celebrate life!

Happy birthday to all of you!

Haha:

Here's a conversation Clinton and I had on our way home tonight.

Me: Oh, I am so gassy.

He: (sarcastically) Tell me aaaall about it.

Me: I'd rather show you. At least that would bring me some relief!

He: Uh, please don't.

Lol

Day 32: Sweet Dreams and Fuzzy Teeth

Aha:

Let's just say I'm thankful for late start church during day light savings. I got to sleep in and was able to take my time getting ready for church, even with the hour loss. I even took a nap when I got home! Great day of rest!

Haha:

The other night I asked Clinton if he wanted me to leave the fluoride rinse out when I was done.

He: Nah.

Me: Aren't you going to brush your teeth? You've had a lot of sugar today.

He: Oh no, I don't like to brush my teeth too often. 

Me: Ew.

He: I like it when each tooth is covered in it's own fuzzy coat.

Me: (laughing) Ew!

Lol. Thank goodness he was just being funny! Fuzzy coats...gross.

Day 31: The Alien's Landed...in Saliva

Aha:
In case you missed it earlier on FaceBook...say hello to Canada's newest permanent resident!

After eight months of waiting and a three-hour drive down to the border, I am officially landed as a permanent resident of Canada! I can't believe this day has finally arrived! I would be remiss to not thank God for all of the divine help and guidance we have received through this whole process.
Clinton and I were commenting during the drive home how perfect much of the timing has been--
1. Cheap/free rent that just happened to end near the time I was able to work.
2. That whole debacle with my visitor record and the many miracles surrounding its timely approval
3. My first friend I made in Calgary is also going through this same process and has been a great sounding board and buddy through it all.
4. There were two officers at the border today and we got the nice one. She was really nice and even let us ahead in line and so we got through very fast!
5. We found out last week that Clinton will be doing a rural rotation in Cardston, Alberta next winter. What town did we drive through today to get to the border? You guessed it! So, we stopped for a photo opp at the Cardston LDS Temple.

Very pretty, and very OLD temple (ca. 1920)

The drive was pretty boring and stinky in parts. Here's a pic of Clinton and I breathing through our mouths in a desperate attempt to avoid smelling the nearby livestock farms.

The day was great all around. What a great day to become a permanent resident! :)

Haha:

Clinton and I went to supper at Extreme Pita. While we were eating, Clinton looked up and past my shoulder and started laughing. I asked what was so funny and he said, pointing to an advertisement behind me, "Doesn't that slogan seem like a bad idea?"

He: Just take the "t-i-o-n" off the first word and you've got a pretty gross confession.

Me: (laughing)

Day 29: Feeling Hungry?

Aha:

When I was eight I had to go in for a procedure to break up and remove a kidney stone. As you can imagine I was very scared. 

My dad pulled me aside and told me the tale about a man who had to eat an elephant. At first the task seemed impossible; how could he eat such a large animal? Well, the answer came that he could eat the massive elephant if he but ate it one bite at a time.

My dad then gave me a pair of elephant earrings to wear to remind me that I could overcome the scariness of my surgery and recovery, I just needed to take it one thing at a time.

Those earrings, and the story behind them, were a great comfort to me then and have continued to be a source of strength throughout the trials of my life.

Well, I had another experience over the last week or so that was pretty scary--bringing the elephant story to the forefront of my mind.

I found a lump in my right breast.

I have no family history of breast cancer, that I know of, and I know breast tissue can change throughout the menstrual cycle, but a lump is still a scary thing to find. 

After a priesthood blessing, I went in to the doctor. He examined me and thought it was characteristic of a fibroid cyst, but sent me in for an ultrasound just in case. 

I went in for my ultrasound today and was pretty nervous, though I was trying to trust God and relax. When I was called back to get changed into my hospital gown, what print did I find on the dressing room curtain?: elephants. 

I smiled to myself, took a deep breath, and remembered to take this whole lump thing one thing at a time.

After my ultrasound the radiologist came in and performed another very thorough exam. She said that the lump wasn't cystic and it looked to be nothing more than dense breast tissue (very common in women my age and at this point in my cycle). She said that, for her own comfort, she'd like to follow up in a few months if the lump changes but that at this point I don't need to be concerned.

One bite at a time.

I am so thankful for the comfort prayer brings. I am thankful for competent doctors and thorough follow through. I am thankful I'm OK. I am thankful for the elephant story and the reminder it is that all things are achievable if we just take things one thing at a time. 

Thanks, Dad, for taking the time to give me courage when I was little. That lesson (and my love for elephants) has stayed with me my whole life. 

Lady friends, please be sure to perform regular self breast exams. Go in for your regular check ups. If you find anything questionable go in and have it checked right away. Have courage and take it one thing at a time.

Haha:

What happens when you go on vacation for a week, then back home for a day before leaving again for a week, and then when you come back home you still forget about those banana-based cookies you had in the cookie jar till late this afternoon?

Answer: about 5 inches of dense mold. That or some homeless person broke into the house while we were gone and dumped his creepy bag-o-hair collection into our cookie jar.

I guess we'll never know. ;)

Day 26: Just as Good, if not Better, than the First Time Around

Aha:
While I was up in Grande Prairie, Clinton told me that my application status for my permanent residency had changed from "In Progress" to "Decision Made" and that a letter with further details would be mailed to us. Unfortunately nothing is disclosed on the website and lots of forums were saying it can take up to two months to hear from Immigration. I had decided not to worry about it and to just let the Lord handle it.
On our way out to supper I had Clinton stop at our post office box and lo and behold, what did I find?...my Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter from immigration! This is great news! It means that my next step is to cross the border back into the states, re-enter Canada, present my documents to Immigration and if all goes well, they'll grant me my permanent resident status!! Yay!!!
Prayers for this last step are still appreciated, but I'm sure everything will go fine. :)
10 years ago, almost to the day, Clinton was granted his visa to come to the states. And now, 10 years later, I've been granted confirmation that I'm welcome to come to Canada. It was a great birthday present then and it's a great birthday present today!!

Haha:
First thing I said when I woke up this morning:
"Well, it's official, Dani, you're 30."
I can't believe it.
Clinton sent me a text from work later in the morning that said:
"Happy 29th birthday (take 2)!!!"
This made me feel so much better.
Happy 29th birthday (take 2), to me!

Day 25: For I Was an Hungered

Aha:

Got to bear my testimony today in RS and thank all of the sisters at church for their prayers last month regarding my immigration stuff. They were so nice and offered great comfort when I was so worried and distraught. They didn't even know who I was, but they were certainly there for me.

What a great day to reflect on the miracle I had last month!

Prayers are powerful and with God nothing is impossible.

Haha:

Clinton and I were sitting watching the Oscars when I saw him eating the last of the strawberries.

Me: Hey! You've already eaten most of those, the rest are mine.

He: Just one more.

Me: Fine.

He: What'd you say? Did you just call me "fatty"?

Me: (laughing) No. I said "fine".

He: Oh.

Day 24: I Hear the Secrets that You Keep, When You're Talking in Your...Freezer

Aha:

Can I just say how thankful I am for a warm home, a warm car, warm clothes and warm drinks? It was -32 Celsius (-23 Fahrenheit) today and without the above mentioned warm things I believe I would have frozen to death. 

Haha:

Clinton was talking in his sleep last night, here's how it went.

Me: (nestles down in the bed)

He: Hold on, hold on!

Me: What?

He: Hold on. These things aren't meant to hold a lot of weight.

Me: What things? Are you calling me fat?

He: No, it's just these things aren't built to hold a lot of weight.

Me: What things?

He: Roofs.

Me: What roofs?

He: (hitting the headboard) These.

Me: What do you mean?

He: Nevermind. (Rolls back over and promptly falls back asleep.)

Lol.

I told him about his dream this morning and he said he remembers it. We were trying to climb up on some green houses or some other building that has those really thin roofs. He said when I tried it I just jumped and landed really hard. That's when this whole conversation happened. Ha!