Talita's Honest Questions

My sister is not gifted with tact.

I'm used to her asking various questions about my single status. Today it was "So have you chosen someone to marry yet?"

But today she added another, this one aimed at my dad. "Why did you buy such a small car?"

I wonder if she'll outgrow it, or if she'll be asking guys in high school "Why do you have acne all over your face?" 

I guess there's often a bright side to bluntness and honesty, so maybe she'll occasionally wake people from their apathy and help them rethink their life. After they forgive her.

Lucky for her, she currently says it so innocently and curiously that I can never really get mad at her. =)

Bikes

It started out as stressful as all the other days have been this week. The days have been frustrating because of all the things I have to do that I can't do while I'm at work. But fortunately, I got to leave at 2:00 and go to the temple. I printed off the family names from a few days ago, and went to the Baptistry to do the work. I think I confused every temple worker in there. They're not used to having endowed single women do family names, I guess!

I stayed outside afterward and worked on things on my iPad (the iPad Air with an awesome keyboard/case I got at work today!) and finally started to feel like I was beginning to get some stuff done. I was able to get a letter of recommendation requested and returned to my by Gerry, all within a couple hours. It was nice to finally be make progress on some things.

We went home and had Sensuous Sandwiches while watching "A Goofy Movie." Which was great, as always. Then Charles and I went bikeriding for nearly an hour, as the sun was getting lower and setting. We had a fantastic time, and Charles kept saying "I love riding my bike. This is so fun!" I think he'll remember doing it, when he gets older, and it will mean a lot to him. I know it meant a lot to me when Dad took me bike riding in Provo canyon when I was young.

And the bikeriding felt so good to me! Its a good bike (for a WalMart bike) and I felt so free! I was even able to bike up several hills! It was such a lovely feeling to be riding it. I'm glad I got it, and I hope it serves me well for a long time in the future.

Tomorrow I get to go to Logan and see Sarah graduate! I also have other awesome friends to visit too, and I think it'll be a good day. I wish it could be longer, because I'll have to come home before too long and get everything ready for Sunday.

Anyway. It was a happy day, thanks to my family and my bike and the friends who are willing to help me and the benefits of my job and the peace and beauty of the temple. 

Forgot to mention, The Lord let me know that He would help me and things would work out in my callings if I would really turn to Him and allow Him to change me. I can be happy as I become better, if I remember it's only through Him. If I give Him the glory, I will find peace and joy and direction as I serve. Good to know. =) I'm grateful He spoke it to my heart.

I'm Sorry Because...

We actually had a really good Family Home Evening tonight! After a few Mormon Messages videos, we had a lesson on apologizing. And it was really good! It came from something my dad read on Facebook. We talked about the four steps of apologizing, then practiced it, using real but not-too-serious examples. It went amazingly well. If we can keep it up, I think we'll definitely improve our relationships. Especially considering that forgiveness and humility are two of the mist important parts of a relationship. 

On another note, I want to buy that bike I tried a few weeks ago. I need a solid way to get out the stress I've been feeling a lot of lately. I feel like I have responsibilities and expectations pressing on me from every direction. I think I need to slow down... But purposefully. I just don't always know what can be cut out. I'll figure out something. Anyhow, I feel a 25 minute bike ride could do me a lot of good. Because it's truly fun. =)

Goosenest

Today was packed. Much cleaning, running, talking, eating, and being with family the whole time. My dad and I went running on one of the local high school tracks, and then dropped me off on Goosenest to run home from there, as part of my half-marathon training. I didn't run the whole time. I'm definitely not used to hills, or running in the cold. But it was a beautiful day. I hope that I can be ready for the race by May!

Life is pretty good. I absolutely love the fact that my dad and I are getting along so well. Some prayers take years to be answered, but they are answered. =)

Sleepy Hollow

Lovin' life. =)

Conference Weekend Pictures

I took a lot of pictures the weekend of General Conference. These are all at Temple Square, and are some of my favorites, out of all the ones I took. The bottom one is my beautiful parents. I was able to spend the Saturday morning session with them, in the Conference Center. It was a wonderful, peaceful experience. 

Kids

Charles: I want to marry you.
Josh: We can't get married, we're both boys. And I'm already married. To the queen.
Charles: But I'm a girl, because I'm the prince!
Josh: You're my son!!

Robot Scorpion

I spent almost the entire day with my brothers and my youngest sister, trying to keep them entertained so that they wouldn't watch any movies or play the computer. It was exhausting. I got pretty grumpy. But I also grew closer to them, and had some awesome moments with them. In an effort to get out of the house (I ran out of ideas of things to do there, and I felt lonely), I texted Jeff and asked if we (Joshy, Charles and I) could come up to his house. We walked there, which was an adventure of its own, (but also included some awesome teaching moments and a gospel conversation), and eventually got there. Jeff took a break from his schoolwork, and we played Hide and Seek, then Sardines, and somehow Charles initiated a change to Monsters. The four of us spent a long time chasing each other around the house as monsters, killing by tickling, healing by kissing, and making things up as we went along. It was a blast. I love living like a child. I've done it a lot more in recent days, and I feel great. =) I'm learning to not care what others think, and just have fun, and do what's right. I'm sure it'll take a lot of time and practice to truly not care about what others think, but I'm working on it.

Though they are frustrating and rambunctious at times, I think I pretty much have the best little siblings ever. =) And I'm dating the best guy, who is willing to take a break from his work/study to cut off a robot scorpion's poisonous tail with a light saber and tickle said robot scorpion until he turns into a human. The best brothers, and the best guy. Am I blessed or what?

Tomorrow I get my haircut. Nervous!! I'm planning on making a big change in my hairstyle... We'll see how it goes.