Friday, June 29, 2007

On Compliments

Ryan: "So I've been noticing all day that your dress really emphasizes your butt. It's probably supposed to be slimming, but something about the pattern makes it stand out. It's nice."

Oh, my sweet husband who was trying to give me a compliment. He, who actually likes my protruding buttocks, thought that this would make me feel great in my new ensemble. But me, who had worn it with pride all through church, dinner with old high school friends, and an evening with family, could only laugh hysterically at the thought of my "butt dress." Bless a good sense of humor. At least he didn't throw this new dress in the trash at the mall...no, I am not joking.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Book Club

Gifted Hands by Dr. Ben Carson

This is a great biography about a man that grew up in the projects of Detroit, but raised by a mother that pushed him to achieve greatness. He became the top neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins hospital and did many break through surgeries including separating Siamese twins.

It is great because it is:
  • an easy read- finished in about 3.5 hours
  • a great history
  • spiritual
  • medically interesting
  • it leaves you wanting to be a better person
  • faith promoting big time

I borrowed a copy to read for my book club, but I think I'm going to buy it because it was so good and I'm sure I'll read it several more times. I wish I had the book to give you a sneak peak, but I guess you'll have to find it for yourself.

However, there is a WARNING: It will make you cry.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

On Accomplishment

"Done is better than perfect"

Sometimes I think we all forget this once in awhile. But every time I have been agonizing over a project it never gets done, but if I just do it then I'm always so much better off. I admire people that can just tackle their to do list (like my gma) but I am not one of them. I spend so much time making my list and then remaking my list, and then deciding that I'll do my list tomorrow, and then when tomorrow comes I make another list....you can see how nothing gets done.


But...here are 2 things that Ry and I have accomplished this week that I think you might appreciate.


I cleaned and organized my closet, and not only did I clean it out and put the excess clothes in the trunk of the car to be taken to DI--I actually took them to DI! (However, I have to give a huge amount of the credit to my mother who helped me-aren't they great?)


This is not a big deal, but I had to have something to build up to the great accomplishment of my husband. Could I get a drum roll please?

Ryan solved the Rubik's cube for the first time in his life! He had to stay up all night to do it, and I confess he used some of the inspired Google (I'm not sure he would want me to admit that), but he did it! Now this also may not sound like a big thing, but if you know my husband you will know that not being able to do something like this drives him crazy! Especially since his best friend found it easy and mastered it years ago. (way to go Wes). So...here it is ladies and gentlemen!




I had to show all sides just so you would know it was legit.

So...everyone go out and get it done!

Monday, June 18, 2007

The Fitzgibbons and No TV

(If anyone gets the reference of my title I thank you). Here it is! Are you happy now? :) So...our no tv experiment was quite a success, although when asked about what occurred from its absence the answer has to be, "Nothing Spectacular". But here are a few things that have changed or happened in our lives since the Big TV Ban.

10. Eating- We ate our meals at the kitchen table instead of at the coffee table with fork in one hand and remote in the other.

9. Reading- Here are the books we collectively read in the last couple of weeks:

  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Books 2-4 (it took a lot for me to admit this)
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • Huckleberry Finn
  • And you know, some of the New Testament and Conference Talks
From these books, I have discovered 2 of my new favorite quotes:
  • "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." Nelson Mandela
  • "You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." E.L. Doctorow (am I supposed to know who that is?)

8. Birds- We discovered after a very windy night that we had a bird's nest fall from our tree (the lights on it must have attracted them). One of the poor birds was killed on impact, but the other baby survived and we enjoyed watching the parents come back and feed it. They are since all gone, so we assume the family is okay except for its one loss. I mention this in this post simply because I'm sure we would have missed it if we had not made more of an effort to be outside.









7. American flag-Ryan so nicely displayed an American flag outside our house complete with a spotlight on a timer so that we can uphold the proper respect for our country. I think it is beautiful.





6. Magic Tricks- everyone has always known and loved Ry's magic tricks, and he took this opportunity to buy and learn a few more. He got them mostly to entertain his primary class, but he may not need them for that anymore (but don't skip ahead!)



5. Random Visits- Similar to our Amazing Grace experience, we had more random visitors in the form of the Bishopric come. Boy it was nice to be able to report our new founded life style. I believe we were even in the middle of family scripture study when they came with the Mormon Tabernacle choir blaring in the background. Do we have good timing or what?

4. Napkin Folding- Ryan now has a goal of learning something new every week. This week it was napkin folding. His skills have already come in handy if you recall our Father's Day table. And it bodes well to keep him entertained at restaurants while waiting for the food to arrive.








3. Catching Up- Although I was very busy this week with lots of meetings and visits for my calling, etc. I was able to take more time to keep in touch with lots of friends and family. But I realized that a phone call or even an email or blog is not enough to convey the proper feelings towards a loved one. So I am inspired to write a personal letter (yes, handwritten. yes, sent in the mail) to someone once a week. Hopefully it will brighten someone's day.

2. Health- Ry is down about 6 pounds after his debut run on the treadmill. He asked me how far I thought he could go and I told him he wouldn't be able to find out because the treadmill broke and doesn't display the info anymore. Engrossed in a book, I forgot about his endeavour when he came back into the room and stated, "3 AA batteries.". What?!? I asked him about 3 times, thoroughly confused. "I fixed the treadmill" he finally stated clearly. Oh! So here I had been suffering for all these months not knowing the mileage run or calories burned, and all it took was 3 AA batteries. So now we just have to keep using it...yikes.


And the number 1 thing that has occurred in our lives is...

1. Calling- Ry has now been made 2nd counselor in the Elder's Quorum presidency. Not that this is a big thing, but we believe that the timing of this call is very significant. Turns out his name was placed about a month ago, but for whatever reason the call had not been extended. We believe that the Lord prepared the way for us to be able to grow closer to him after a devastating loss and change our lives in order for Ry to be able to fulfill this call. It came at the perfect time.

Don't hate me for using this picture husby!

So thanks Chad, for challenging us to turn off the TV!



Oh, but I do have to admit that there was a little bit of cheating: Ryan did watch the end of the NBA finals. But since he is not usually a big sports fan, we decided that this was okay. And we did decide that it was okay to watch movies as long as they were planned, so we did go see Pirates 3 for my birthday. I did notice that everyone else thought it was sooo long, but the time flew for us! :) But besides these breaches there have been exactly 14 days with no tv.



So I hope no one is disappointed by this report, but we have been truly blessed by this experience and we offer the challenge to any and all out there. Just beware- righteousness brings about more vigorous callings.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home...

especially when it is my home! Happy Father's Day to all! And I am especially grateful to have my dad here with us today. I am grateful for the many qualities that I get from him including:

my eyes
my thirst for spiritual knowledge
patience
organization/cleanliness
love of school
quiet and sensitive listening
fierce loyalty
stubborness! (yes, I am glad I am stubborn)
competiveness (he doesn't say he is, but I'm pretty sure he enjoys a job well done just like all of us)

No one does an airplane ride like my dad, or plays a great game of "Simon Says" when I climbed into bed with him on Saturday mornings. Or reads a bedtime story 1 inch away from his face because he's practically blind. Thanks Dad for being you!



Here's our lovely Father's Day table. Note the shirt and tie napkins that Ryan so nicely learned to fold for us.

P.S. I am so grateful for my husband also, but we don't celebrate potential parenthood in our family :)

Friday, June 15, 2007

Patience is a Virtue

Okay, so I know you guys are waiting for a report of our no tv week, but you'll have to bear with me a little longer. My calling and company in town have made it so I am living outside of the cyber world this week. But, here's a little preview:

napkin folding, magic tricks, american flag, birds, books, and perhaps a new calling...

And I would just like to say how proud I am of Ryan who has kept the tv off beyond the required 168 hours. So...stay tuned some more...

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Quarter Life Crisis

Well, it's official. Yesterday was my 25th birthday. The point of no return. The point where I officially have to grow up and be mature and move on with life. (Okay, maybe not, but I can feel that way right?) But as I look back on the last 25 years, I realize how lucky I am. I have so many wonderful friends and family-all of which acknowledged me in some meaningful way this week. Thanks to all!


I also have very few regrets: They simply include:
  • Not trying escargot in Paris when I was twelve. I now have to go back just for that.

  • Not going to my brother's state tennis tournament with my family sophomore year. I used some lameo excuse that I couldn't miss school-but really I stayed for some dumb boy.

  • Being such a brat on my high school graduation day

  • Not ever trying out for Women's Chorus at BYU.

  • Not telling a certain someone how I really felt about him.


But these are regrets I can live with. Despite all of the awkwardness and mistakes and devastation life brings, there is nothing that I would change about the way I've lived mine. And I am determined that this trend will continue.

I am not who or where or what I thought I would be on my 25th birthday. I can't say if I am better or worse, or happy or sad. But I am still me, and glad to be it.

So as I make a wish and blow out my candles, I am grateful for the life I have lived, and for the life I will live from now on-good, bad, and ugly, and amazing.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

And a Patridge in a Pear Tree

What does it take to have a great weekend in Seattle?

8 high school friends+2 spouses+1 significant other. 6 Mormons+4 Christians+1 Jew+2 church services (one in Cambodian, and HOT!). 11 pillows, 3 air mattresses, 2 bathrooms. Not to mention the 7 trips to the airport complete with a flight back to America and a mini van switch (our first one was stolen). And last but not least- 1 baby burrito.




Here are some shots of our great weekend:


Welcome Home Adrianna!



Saturday morning breakfast-organic donuts!



Canoeing-we had to burn off the donuts somehow!



This was me enjoying nature while Ryan tried to ram everybody in the canoes. "You are either a ramer, or a ramee."



This is a famous glass museum: Some of us looked at the art; Nate climbed it.



Getting culture makes you hungry! All 11 of us actually sat and ate at the same time-pretty remarkable.



Take me out to the ballgame!


Other trip highlights: Adrianna's gross Cambodian candy, getting no sleep, getting Wes and Lori to stay longer, throwing a football in the park, volunteering at Chad's senior center concert, catching up on our fabulous lives, watching an almost bar fight at 1 am (sorry to those of you who missed that), and oh yeah-did I mention going to the airport?


Thanks for a great trip everybody!

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Amazing Grace

Well, we are back from our weekend excursion in Seattle. And while we have lots to say about that, it will have to wait for another time. But as a consequence of spending time with so many great and inspiring friends, Ryan and I have committed to spending a week with no tv. And for those of you who know my "work on the couch in his underwear and stay up all night watching reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond on our DVR at 3am" husband, this is quite a challenge. I don't have too much of a problem with it, but you will notice that I agreed to this only after the series finale of Gilmore Girls. So, we will keep you posted on what has happened so far this week because of the tv ban:

Day One: We came home from Seattle at 5 pm. We did the normal catching up from a trip things. Ryan immediately started to work and open mail. I went to the store and got milk and bananas for breakfast, and then we had a quick FHE before I headed off to bed early to read until I fell asleep. But then the doorbell ring and I hear Ry inviting someone in. I quickly rise to put on appropriate attire for company as I hear Ry say, "I'll get my wife." He then comes in and says excitedly, " The missionaries are here and I am listening to Amazing Grace!" We quickly high fived before we go back to the living room to talk to the elders. They totally commented on the spirit of our home and were so grateful for the music. So while we know we shouldn't let our alms be seen of men-it's still pretty exciting when it happens accidentally. :) Also, it could have been just jet lag, or the fact that he was bored out of his mind, but Ryan had a very peaceful night's sleep starting at 10pm.

Stay tuned for the rest of our weekly experiment...and feel free to comment about oh you know-the score of the game or something.