Tonight I spent the evening having dinner and watching Good Eats with the kids. Eric was in a good mood and just kept close to me. At one point, he looked at me and said, "Aunt Chris, we are going to miss you." I said, "Eric, where are you going?" "To California on Thursday." he said. So, I got a big grin on my face and said, "Guess what Eric?" "What?" "I am going to California on Friday." His look was so adorable as he thought through what I said for a second then he threw his arms around himself in a hug and said, "We are going to see you in California!" Now that can make anyone's day. I am loved by a five year old. Does it get better than that?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Language of Eric
Probably one of the best things about living with my sister is my five, almost six year old nephew Eric. He says and does the funniest things and I just can't get enough. Apparently, he doesn't love the fact that when he is angry, upset, wanting attention, etc., I think it is funny and I might start to laugh (just a little). So, he has started giving me these really bad looks and saying in a deep, growling voice, "NOT FUNNY!" Which honestly, makes me laugh harder. So, I have started doing my own version of his bad look and we see who can flinch first (I always win). Then he starts to laugh and we are back to being friends. If only all my relationships were that easy.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Enjoy the Ride
I commute daily and my commutes are frequently pretty miserable with all of the type-A personalities (not me, of course) on the roads. Not to mention that traffic in the Washington, D.C. area exists rain or shine. So, when I moved across the river to Virginia, I discovered some interesting things.
1. When you live in Virginia and work in Georgetown, you have to cross the river to get into the District and you only have 3 choices. Each bridge is like a choose your own adventure book where each ending results with you in traffic and adding a new gray hair to your head.
2. Drivers on toll-roads are scary and do not know how to yield to merging traffic.
3. Leaving early, late, in between does not change your chances of hitting traffic.
4. If someone is signaling, it's a miracle. If they keep signaling right, expect that they are going left.
5. Owners of foreign cars think that they are on the autobahn and expect respect.
6. You can usually tell the ego of the driver by the make of their car.
7. Patience is a virtue.
I have also learned:
1. There is something to be said for the saying, "Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride."
2. Many memorable conversation have been had with members of my family and friends while I am sitting in traffic (on a headset, of course).
3. Singing really loudly in the car to the radio is fun and hopefully makes people think that you are a superstar!
4. Commuting gives you time to think, pray (with your eyes open), plan and learn. (Lately, I have been downloading podcasts from the Mormon Channel. My favorites so far are called Conversations which are interviews with prominent Mormons. They have been a life-saver and exactly what I needed to add some daily inspiration.)
5. It only takes one nice person to let you in a lane.
6. Oh, and patience is still a virtue.
1. When you live in Virginia and work in Georgetown, you have to cross the river to get into the District and you only have 3 choices. Each bridge is like a choose your own adventure book where each ending results with you in traffic and adding a new gray hair to your head.
2. Drivers on toll-roads are scary and do not know how to yield to merging traffic.
3. Leaving early, late, in between does not change your chances of hitting traffic.
4. If someone is signaling, it's a miracle. If they keep signaling right, expect that they are going left.
5. Owners of foreign cars think that they are on the autobahn and expect respect.
6. You can usually tell the ego of the driver by the make of their car.
7. Patience is a virtue.
I have also learned:
1. There is something to be said for the saying, "Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride."
2. Many memorable conversation have been had with members of my family and friends while I am sitting in traffic (on a headset, of course).
3. Singing really loudly in the car to the radio is fun and hopefully makes people think that you are a superstar!
4. Commuting gives you time to think, pray (with your eyes open), plan and learn. (Lately, I have been downloading podcasts from the Mormon Channel. My favorites so far are called Conversations which are interviews with prominent Mormons. They have been a life-saver and exactly what I needed to add some daily inspiration.)
5. It only takes one nice person to let you in a lane.
6. Oh, and patience is still a virtue.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
I am the new......
ASSISTANT WARD EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, what does that mean? The Ward Employment Specialist is assigned to "help people with their self-reliance through career development, job improvement, and small business management." I think I can do that. I do have some practice with helping people find jobs.
Today, I had a short orientation with the Stake & Ward Employment Specialist (same person) and I have my first appointment to meet with a woman this week to help her discuss ways that she can change jobs. I am still a bit nervous but I hope that with anything else that I will get more comfortable as I work through the learning curve.
Oh, and yes I owe 2 milkshakes! One to my nephew Jason and one to my brother-in-law Kent. Nice work you guys!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Milkshake Anyone?
Two nights ago I received a voice message from one of the counselors in my bishopric (I don't know if he is 1st or 2nd counselor). His message said, "Hi, Chris. I am calling to talk to you about a calling (Quoting About.com, "In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a "calling" is a position or assignment in which members have been asked to serve or perform. Members are called of God to serve each other, and all callings are important. Callings are voluntary, are issued by the proper authority, and are usually for a few years.") so if you have time tonight, you can call back or we can talk on Sunday........" Well, I could not take the suspense and called him right back and.....I got his voice mail. So, the next morning, I called him at work (the number was on my phone) and I graciously told him that I could not wait until Sunday. So, he presented me with a calling and I have accepted. I thought it would be fun to have people guess what my calling is and if you are right, I will buy you a milkshake.
Here are my hints: 1. I have never had this calling before. 2. My mom could not guess it and I let her play 20 questions. 3. I think that this is a really good calling for me.
So, if you want to play, leave a message (that is for all of you blogstalkers). I will be revealing my calling on Sunday.
Here are my hints: 1. I have never had this calling before. 2. My mom could not guess it and I let her play 20 questions. 3. I think that this is a really good calling for me.
So, if you want to play, leave a message (that is for all of you blogstalkers). I will be revealing my calling on Sunday.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
A Good Stretch
Last Thanksgiving, my sister, her husband, four of their six children and I went to my Uncle and Aunt's house for dinner. It was actually the day before Thanksgiving but who would ever turn down a Thanksgiving dinner. As we gathered to say the blessing on our Thanksgiving feast, my Uncle thanked everyone for coming and for being so flexible with their schedules to come the day before Thanksgiving. As he said this, my nephew Eric who had just barely turned five, started commenting quietly but out loud to himself. He said, "I, I'm not flexible. Now, Jenna (Eric's sister who was 8 years old at the time) Jenna is flexible. She can do the splits. I can't do the splits. I'm not flexible but I can do the arm splits." At that point he held up his arms in the arm splits. I could not help giggling over his statement and when I pointed out Eric doing the arm splits, we all had a good laugh.
I, I'm not that flexible. Even after years of what has felt that huge bouts of stretching in my life, maybe even being put on the rack (and I do mean this more metaphorically), I still do not like being stretched. 2009 was a hard year for me. I struggled with just getting through the year. 2010 started off with great promise. I met someone new, someone wonderful and we started dating. However, as good as 2010 started, it quickly became a year of stretching. I experienced heartaches that are very private but never the less, have caused me to question some core beliefs about who I am. I got a new job. A job which I love and I feel blessed to have but that doesn't mean that it doesn't challenge me almost daily and I do miss my old friends that I left at the other bank. I turned 35 years old. I have never been good at big birthdays and I just felt older and I felt that some of my life goals and plans were slipping away. My house sold (which is awesome) but the sale resulted in losing my roommate, changing homes, changing states, changing wards and changing callings (So far, I have lost one calling and yet to gain another). I met a wonderful lady at church a few Sundays ago. As she introduced herself to me, and I told her that I was new, she nicely said, "Now, don't think we aren't an accepting bunch but it just takes about a year to get acclimated." I told her I completed understood but to be honest, it just made me feel more alone. I feel so distant from my old life and I miss not getting lost and knowing all the shortcuts. My boyfriend and I have had many more ups than downs but lately it seems that even that relationship has caused me to stretch. Please don't mistake my lack of flexibility for ingratitude. I am blessed and so grateful for all I have. I am just sore and tired of all this stretching and I am wondering that maybe, just maybe if I hang in there, I can at least learn to do the arm splits.
I, I'm not that flexible. Even after years of what has felt that huge bouts of stretching in my life, maybe even being put on the rack (and I do mean this more metaphorically), I still do not like being stretched. 2009 was a hard year for me. I struggled with just getting through the year. 2010 started off with great promise. I met someone new, someone wonderful and we started dating. However, as good as 2010 started, it quickly became a year of stretching. I experienced heartaches that are very private but never the less, have caused me to question some core beliefs about who I am. I got a new job. A job which I love and I feel blessed to have but that doesn't mean that it doesn't challenge me almost daily and I do miss my old friends that I left at the other bank. I turned 35 years old. I have never been good at big birthdays and I just felt older and I felt that some of my life goals and plans were slipping away. My house sold (which is awesome) but the sale resulted in losing my roommate, changing homes, changing states, changing wards and changing callings (So far, I have lost one calling and yet to gain another). I met a wonderful lady at church a few Sundays ago. As she introduced herself to me, and I told her that I was new, she nicely said, "Now, don't think we aren't an accepting bunch but it just takes about a year to get acclimated." I told her I completed understood but to be honest, it just made me feel more alone. I feel so distant from my old life and I miss not getting lost and knowing all the shortcuts. My boyfriend and I have had many more ups than downs but lately it seems that even that relationship has caused me to stretch. Please don't mistake my lack of flexibility for ingratitude. I am blessed and so grateful for all I have. I am just sore and tired of all this stretching and I am wondering that maybe, just maybe if I hang in there, I can at least learn to do the arm splits.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Birthday Wish
For my brother Dan's 30th Birthday, his darling wife, Ellen decide to put together a package of 30's. 30 of his favorite treats, 30 bottles of root bear, 30 birthday wishes from his family and friends and these darling photos. Isn't she awesome?! By the way, so is the birthday boy. He is a great dad, a great husband and an amazing brother!
I asked Eric (my nephew) what he would like to give Dan as a birthday wish. Here is our exchange.
Aunt Chris: “Eric, what would you give Uncle Dan for his 30th Birthday Wish?”
Jenna (Eric's 9 year old sister): “A jet pack?”
Eric: “No.”
Jenna: “Oh, that’s what you want. Rocket Shoes?”
Eric: “No.” Eric thinking.....
Eric: “A rocking chair.”
Aunt Chris: “Why a rocking chair?”
Eric: “Because old people like to rock.”
Seriously, do I need to say anything else? Old people like to rock!
Amelia did not want to participate in the photo shoot which makes it so much more entertaining. I love the picture of her holding the 'Y' in Daddy. Priceless.
I asked Eric (my nephew) what he would like to give Dan as a birthday wish. Here is our exchange.
Aunt Chris: “Eric, what would you give Uncle Dan for his 30th Birthday Wish?”
Jenna (Eric's 9 year old sister): “A jet pack?”
Eric: “No.”
Jenna: “Oh, that’s what you want. Rocket Shoes?”
Eric: “No.” Eric thinking.....
Eric: “A rocking chair.”
Aunt Chris: “Why a rocking chair?”
Eric: “Because old people like to rock.”
Seriously, do I need to say anything else? Old people like to rock!
Happy Birthday Dan!
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