Ami Inspired Me...

Which Twilight novel character are you?

You're Esme Cullen - Your maternal instinct to take care of people and be kind draw people towards you. You're compassionate and loving, yet firm when you need to be. You appreciate hard work and value the beautiful results of your dedication to any project.
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Invisible Women: A Tribute to My Daughters and Daughters-in-Law

I’m invisible. It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I’m thinking, “Can’t you see I’m on the phone?” Obviously not. No one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I’m invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more. Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being. I’m a clock to ask, “What time is it?” I’m a satellite guide to answer, “What number is the Disney Channel?” I’m a car to order, “Right around 5:30, please.” I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude – but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She’s going…she’s going…she’s gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, “I bought you this.” It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription: “To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.”

In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work. No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.” And the workman replied, “Because God sees.” I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.”

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home to Thanksgiving, “My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.” I just want him to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, “You’re gonna love it there.”

As mothers, and volunteers we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women. (Author Unknown)

Thank you for all you do every day as wives and mothers! You're the BEST and I'm proud of each one of you.

I'll Keep Blogging

I enjoy blogging, so I'll keep posting. I especially enjoy everyone else's blogs, so I hope you will all keep posting, too. This is how I feel close to all of you and can keep up with what is happening in your family. I love all the pictures you post and the adorable videos of the kids.

It's beginning to cool off up here already. Our EQ Pres. said we have less than two weeks before it begins to freeze, so Michael is working hard to get things done outside - like putting the skirting up around the house. I think we're going to have to teach Mieke and Mollie how to use the treadmill so they can get some exercise during the winter because I don't like going out in the cold. I promise to get pics of that if it ever happens! Now I just have to figure out how to throw the stick for Mieke and the frisbee for Mollie without going out into the cold!

Michael's work is slowing down up here and so you may see more of us if he has to start working in the valley again. Annette and Werner said they have houses to paint, so if that's where the work is, we'll be down. We'll keep everyone posted - especially Tara, Scott and Dean!

Last night there was a ward dinner and auction for the YM/YW and they were able to raise over $4k for girls camp and scout camp for next year. It's the only annual fund raiser they have and I was surprised that our small ward did so well. I made homemade cinnamon rolls that sold for $35 a dozen. Michael donated some of his work and with all that, we were able to contribute almost $500. It was a fun evening. My RS calling keeps me busy. We had an older sister in our ward pass away last week, and I will get my first experience in helping to plan a funeral next Saturday. She had a huge posterity (she was related to the Ellsworth's), so they are expecting at least 150 family members; it should be interesting to serve a luncheon for that many people. I also started working in the Snowflake Temple on Friday mornings, and I love it! It is wonderful to spend an entire morning there helping patrons. All that I had to memorize came back quickly, so I had only one week of study and I am back doing everything an ordinance worker does in the temple. I have also been able to get the temple work done for many more of our family names. The next time I come down, I'll leave some family names with Ryan and Ann and Jeff and Heather, so please plan to pick up some names from them when you go to the temple - it is such a sweet experience!

I'll post some pictures soon of all the progress we're making on the house. At least as soon as something gets FINISHED! Michael has started so many projects, and I have yet to see something get completely done before he starts on something else. That's the problem with so much construction and too little money. Now he has to get the outside done pronto! We thought we had more time before the cold weather. Anyway, check back for photos!

Mollie's New Toy

Mollie has found a toy that she loves just as much as Mieke loves her sticks. Michael threw a frisbee for her and she went wild! Mieke has never much liked frisbees - we tried, but I guess she didn't like the feel of the plastic in her mouth. (Yeah - splinters are so much better...) But Mollie is craaaazzzy for the frisbee. We have to throw it upside down for her so she can pick it up, but I'm sure as she gets bigger, we'll be able to throw it and she'll catch it before it hits the ground. Don't get me wrong, she'll still chase Mieke and her stick, but throw a frisbee and she will forget all about the stick and Mieke. At least this was a fun diversion from all the problems with the house!

Pollyanna Syndrome (Otherwise known as The Glad Game)

I was so excited today because Navopache Electric was FINALLY coming to hook up the meter box to our electric pole. FINALLY electricity throughout the house. FINALLY being able to use more than one appliance at a time. FINALLY a porch light and hall light and electricity to the back bedrooms. FINALLY no more extension cords. The meter box was FINALLY installed and Michael was FINALLY able to throw the main breaker. Luckily I was in the house when he was outside throwing the breaker...because our two TVs inside the house blew up and started smoking. I pulled the plug on both of them and yelled for Michael to get in the house to get the TVs outside because I was afraid they would start a fire. All the power had been off all day, so the food in my fridge and freezer was beginning to thaw or come to room temperature and now it looked like we might have to get everything out and take to neighbors so we wouldn't lose all our food. Every light bulb throughout the house was blown and had to be replaced and the circuit board on my relatively new dishwasher is fried. The electrician did admit to hooking a wire up incorrectly - the ground wire.

OK - now for the Glad Game. I'm so glad my computer (which was plugged in and turned on) didn't fry like the TVs, the dishwasher and all the lightbulbs. I'm glad the electrician was able to come out and trouble shoot and get all the electricity on throughout the house. I'm glad I was in the house when Michael threw the breaker switch. I'm glad I have a porch light, entry light, hall light and lights in all the bedrooms. I'm glad my house didn't burn down. I'm glad I had the presence of mind to unplug the TVs immediately. And we plugged in both of the TVs and I'm glad one actually still works - the other is definitely fried and won't power on. The one that works is the smallest and newest one and has some lines through the picture, but I'm glad we can still watch a DVD if we want to. I'm glad I didn't have to take all the food out of the fridge and freezer - everything is ok all the way down to the Schwann's Rocky Road Ice Cream. If you look hard enough, you can find a lot of reasons to be glad and count your blessings!! And now for a gigantic bowl of Rocky Road ice cream...

The Four "M's"

That would be Mom, Michael, Mieke, and Mollie! Everyone has been asking for pictures of our puppies, Mieke and Mollie. (We affectionately call them Princess Mieke and Miss Mollie.) Mieke will be a year old on Sept. 6th - it's hard to believe we have had her for almost a year (we got her when she was 7 weeks old). I think she is finally full-grown! She has stopped growing tall and has really filled out and has so much muscle strength. Mollie is almost 4 months old and really has a fun personality. This weekend we had Tara's dogs, Shadow and Ritz and Jared's dog, Kanal here. Whenever Michael would throw the stick for Mieke (her most favorite thing in the world, besides Michael), Mollie would herd the other dogs away from Mieke so she could get her stick without interference. Mieke and Mollie play well together - sometimes it's like having a 4 yr. old and 2 yr. old in the house again. If Mollie gets a ball or toy, Mieke takes it away from her. They fight over bones, toys, and get jealous if one gets more attention than the other. They chase each other around the chairs, down the hall and into the bedroom to jump on the bed and start all over again. They absolutely love being outside and even play "King of the Hill" on the dirt piles. We believe they will protect each other from the coyotes that seem so close sometimes here. And, of course, we hope they will protect us. Most of all, we appreciate their company and unconditional love.

Ami Tagged Me!

4 jobs I've had:
1. Lansinoh Labs - Office/HR Manager
2. ALG Law Firm - HR Manager
3. Walgreens Healthcare Plus - 5 yrs and 4 positions
4. Chase Bankcard Services - Asst. to VP
4 movies I can watch over and over:
1. Sahara
2. 13 going on 30
3. National Treasure
4. Pirates of the Carribean
4 places I've lived:
1. Linden, AZ
2. Mesa, AZ (sorry about all the houses...)
3. Gilbert, AZ
4. Tacoma, WA
4 guilty pleasures:
1. Chocolate anything (almost)
2. Playing with my Grandchildren
3. Traveling
4. Spending time with my family
4 places I've been on vacation:
1. Maui, Hawaii
2. Banff, Canada
3. Bermuda
4. Oahu, Hawaii
4 favorite foods:
1. Fettucchini Alfredo
2. Really good Mexican food
3. Ice Cream
4. Pie
4 websites I visit:
1. Everyone's Blogs
2. Reliv
3. Bank of America
4. Another Voice of Warning
4 places I'd rather be right now:
1. Maui, Hawaii
2. Sea World or Disneyland with all the kids and grandkids
3. Listening to a thunderstorm - anywhere
4. On a Reliv trip because they pay for everything!
4 books I love:
1. Stephenie Meyers' books (I'm hooked now! When does the next book come out?)
2. Roger K. Young's books on Second Coming
3. Harry Potter books
4. Mary Higgins Clark mysteries
4 things I would like to know how to do:
1. Water ski - I know how - I just want to be better than Jerry!
2. Sail on a boat
3. I've always wanted to chase storms
4. Home decorating - like everyone else
4 neglected body parts:
1. My feet are probably the only body part that isn't neglected...love those pedicures!
4 things I worry about:
1. My children and grandchildren
2. Food/Water storage
3. Wishing I was a better Mom
4. Michael climbing on ladders and roofs without anyone there to call me if he falls
4 happy moments:
1. Any time with my husband and family
2. The birth of each of my children - I always felt like I had a new toy!
3. Dating Michael
4. Buying our home and land in Linden - finally something my own and a place to put down roots!
4 things I want to do this year or in the future:
1. Finish food storage
2. Get my home completely done and looking awesome!
3. Getting the outside of our home done so we don't freeze this winter
4. Go back to Hawaii - (Yeah, right - like I'll have the money if I get the other three done...)
4 people I am tagging:
1. Kaye Coatney
2. Tara Anderson
3. Stephanie Cook
4. Haley Cook
5. Heather Cook
6. Arleen Cook
7. Ann Cook
(If Ami can do it, so can I!)

OK - So I'm Not Bored Anymore!

Yesterday I was called to meet with the President of the Snowflake Temple. I have been called and set apart to be a Temple worker again - and I am so excited! It shouldn't take me long to get back up to speed with all that I have to memorize. I will work on Friday mornings. Clark and Susan Halls also work on that shift, so I will at least know someone when I go - and I guess I know who submitted my name, too.

The temple is so small! The Mesa Temple has 4 Initiatory booths - the Snowflake Temple has one. The Mesa Temple has 4 sets of Ordinance Rooms, The Snowflake Temple has one set. You have to make appointments to attend the Snowflake Temple most of the time, although a few sessions don't require an appointment. It is going to be very different, but I can't wait to get started again. When I was set apart, I was told that my family would be greatly blessed and my health would be better because of my service in the Temple. I have such a strong testimony of temple work and attendance and have had some of my most spiritual experiences while there. I know how busy all of you are, but try to take one day a month to go with your spouse. I know it is a sacrifice because you are all so busy, but you have been promised that angels will attend and guard your family if you go. I still have tons of family names that need endowment work done. Maybe I can leave some names with one member of the family and you can get a family name when you go to the temple. It's always so much more meaningful to me to take a family name through. Any volunteers to be the "keeper of the names"?