"Another season, another reason" - Dr. John

I  woke up this morning singing the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack. 
My new favorite duet, although the lyrics are actually really sad:

Dr. John feat Rickie Lee Jones - Makin Whoopie

That boat house sure was cute.

"Can I have it?"

"Anything you want, you got it." - Roy Orbison

I'm sitting here waiting for Seth to come over, 10:31 PM on Sunday. All I can do is look up love poetry. And play with font colors on my blog. I don't know what it is, but chick flicks, love songs, and poetry are more often on my mind than not. I reconnected with this song a couple weeks ago, and this poem may have changed my life. I'll be referring to this next time I'm asked to give advice to a girl who's heart has been broken.

After a While

After a while you learn
The subtle difference between
Holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman
Not the grief of a child

And you learn
To build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is
Too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way
Of falling down in mid flight

After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers

And you learn
That you really can endure
That you are really strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and you learn
With every good bye you learn.

Veronica A. Shoffstall

"Swing on monkey bars" - Fujiya & Miyagi

*This post is dedicated to my Pops.

This is us at my graduation, which is also the most recent picture I have of The Man.

So when I graduated from BYU, my parents blessed me with a new (used) computer, a Sony laptop. However, when Paul came home from his mission, he too needed a computer. Being the genius I am, I convinced my parents they should give me their brand new 24" iMac (which they never used anyway and which holds way more music than that laptop--speaking of which, check out this song and it's freaking sweet video), and I could give Paul my laptop, so they could save some money. This little scheme took almost a full year to accomplish, but alas, here I am typing away on my iMac.

As I was perusing the few files that my parents actually saved on here, I came across a really cool one: my dad's scripture journal from one of his scripture studies. Months later I am finally getting around to reading it. I was so impressed with my dad's testimony! He was called about a year ago into the Louisville Temple Presidency, and here are some of his thoughts that he titled, "What I've Learned From My New Calling."

"What Have I Learned in My New Calling?
Things I have learned previously, intellectually.
Now the Spirit has taught me with a different perspective.

The thoughts of my calling are reflected in the personal love, trust and confidence I feel from our Savior as I attend and serve in the House of The Lord. There are many more brethren in this stake who could be in my place in this calling. What I have come to realize is that the Lord has given me a learning experience that I need to help me progress. I can honestly say I am learning more about my weaknesses and my need to be more obedient. I am learning how the Lord knows each one of us and knows how best each calling helps us grow stronger and closer to Him. I wish I could have appreciated it more when I was called to be the primary teacher, the elders quorum counselor or any other myriad of callings I have had in my past. Even though I have been told that before, and I knew it intellectually before, the Spirit has driven the point home into my heart.

It is also amazing how much it costs to run a Temple. I do not mean the monetary cost alone. But I marvel at the sacrifice made by the ordinance workers and office staff that often drive for hours to serve in the temple each day. I am amazed at the volunteers, with large growing families, who clean, garden and maintain the building on their spare time. This could be interpreted as a marvelous work and a wonder! Whether the work is done for those on this side of the veil or the other, the Lord does not differentiate between His children.


As a Temple Presidency as well as the temple ordinance workers, we are taught to ensure everyone has a spiritual experience every time they come to the Temple. We treat everyone as if they are doing their best when performing the ordinances. Everyone who enters the temple should feel the same way. We need to take these principles and apply them outside the Temple. Think what the world would be like if we treated everyone outside the walls of the temple as if everything they did was their best. We would not be as judgmental, nor as quick to condemn. If we could look upon others and respect and love others as we do outside of the temple as we do inside the temple, think of how great the world would be. "

There is more, but it may be too personal. I am so grateful for good, intelligent parents who didn't give in when I tried to get away with being stupid. My dad and mom are great examples of what it means to have faith, and I can't express in words how invaluable those examples have been for me to rely on in times of self doubt. I tell you, the longer I work with my kids in state's custody, the more I am scared to be a parent.

So thanks mom and dad, for not screwing up.
And I know you're reading this, you're not fooling anyone.

"Hello Halo" - Blair

You know what I really hate? Conversations that go like this:

"So do you know who's singing?"
"Um...Godsmack?"
"Ahh...no. It's Weezer."

Also, I really hope Boston goes all the way to the Finals.
Check out this song. I dig.

"I've been silent" - The Dodos

So I was introduced to a new radio station in Utah - KRCL 90.9 FM. How I haven't figured that one out by now is beyond me, but alas, my life is closer to complete. The cool thing is you can LISTEN TO THEM ONLINE! And, visit their blog to check out local info and about the bands. One fine piece of information I found is the lineup for the Twilight Concert Series! AH! I can't wait. For reals, this year is going to be amazing! I am going to all, so if you see me, come say hi.

Here's the (almost) complete list:

July 8th: Modest Mouse & Avi Buffalo
July 15th: Girl Talk
July 22nd: Beirut
July 29th: New Pornographers & The Dodos
August 5th: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
August 12th: TBD
August 19th: TBD
August 26th: She & Him


She & Him - Sweet Darlin'
Girl Talk - In Step
Beirut - Sunday Smile
New Pornographers - Your Hands (Together)
The Dodos - Fools
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
Avi Buffalo - What's In It For
Modest Mouse - Bucowski