Victorious!

"This is where you will win the battle- in the playhouse of your mind"
~Maxwell Maltz

5am= me up and running (a slow and painful) 4 miles!

I win...

Hesitation

"He who hesitates is lost"
Proverbs

Yesterday I realized that I will be running a difficult 5k (dont mock me- its the Bisbee 1000. Look it up!) in three weeks and have yet to really do any running (like at all). So I committed to getting up at 5am this morning to go for that run! 5am came, I hesitated, and went back to sleep. 6:30am came, "Oh S#!T! I am going to be late for work"... and was.

Moral of the story- Meghan get your LAZY butt out of bed when the alarm goes off.

Happy Wednesday.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you

There is a picture on our wall that i look at everynight. I think about the words that are on the bottom and contemplate what they mean to me and my life at that moment. Those words are such a comfort to see each night and morning...

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" ~John 14:27

Last night, I thought about those words again. I sat there looking at the picture and realized I am at peace knowing that the things that are sometimes difficult to swallow somehow work themselves out. Even when I am frustrated and at my witts end, when I stop and let go of those frustrations I realize how peaceful I really am. I know I am doing the right things. I am not perfect (by a long shot), but I am trying my hardest and the Lord knows it.

I am grateful for those small moments of comfort. I started thinking about that classic poem that I never really gave much thought to until now...
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

Life can sometimes be hard... everyone experiences those trials that make you wonder why. But I know that the Lord is always with us. He always knows our sufferings and he will make those burdens light. He will give us peace. I am so thankful for that knowledge.

Just because...

Who needs kids when I have this wonderful little girl!!
PS: she got two new toys today- one being a little otter that she is loving to destroy!! Toys around here dont last long. At least she only chews her toys... otherwise a baby might look more appealing.




like the jeans in the background that look like half a body??

Home Is Where The Heart Is...

Well I didn't lie to you- we really bought ourselves a house. Still a work in progress and the next big project is the landscaping. However, for now its nice to have our own place. I feel like we are already filling it up. How is that possible?? Maybe we can upgrade sooner than we thought (if john reads this he might start laughing and say YEAH RIGHT!)
Here are some pictures of the living room and kitchen. The three rooms on the backside of the house are pretty much an office for john, a workout room, and a storage closet. :) Our master bedroom is where the magic happens but isn't anything special to take a picture of at this moment.
So here is a little preview- (nope, definitely did not pick up our house before taking these pictures. ohhhh well.)

Happy Anniversary

I know, I know... I get the award for the crappiest blogger. I never take pictures so I dont ever have anything great to blog about. Luckily I remembered to snap a few shots when John and I went to California for our big 1 year anniversary. Thats right folks- we made it a year. Now lets see how the rest of our lives go. :)
Here are some beach shots...








It was a beautiful weekend so we did lots of walking! We walked through some neighborhoods that would be AMAZING to live in... not so amazing to pay for! In between some houses they had these stairs that went down to the beach shore. Well the tide was SUPER high that night so the stairs were halfway covered with water. It was pretty neat.









and... just cause I am so dang cute-

Growing up...

I was talking to a friend today and we started talking about our families. Not the families we have NOW, but the families we came from. Families that helped shape the type of people we are now.
I know no family is perfect. Every family has their struggles. Has their fights. Has their issues...
But as I get older, I realize its how all the individuals that make up that family, act and overcome those trials together, that make them what our Heavenly Father intends a family to be.
Not perfect, but just a REAL family.

I am so grateful for my family being made up of REAL people. People that even when those trials and struggles came around, we stuck together. I am so proud to have grown up in the Albert home.

As my friend and I continued on with our conversation, we started talking about families showing love.
Every family can show love. Every family showes their love differently. I am grateful to come from a family that love was everywhere.

Here are a few things that when I think about them... my heart is truly full because to me, that is just plain L-O-V-E.

We talk.
I mean, I talk to my family alot!! I call my mom almost twice a day. I call my sister at least everyday. I call my dad just to annoy him during his favorite shows. Even though he wants to watch his TV, he will talk to me. Cause he knows its important to me.

We listen.
I can't tell you how many times I have called my mom to just listen to her day. Its trivial... but to me, it makes me feel not so far away. She listens to me too. I talk A LOT. And my mom will listen. Probably more than she likes. :)

We say I LOVE YOU.
I can almost count on one hand how many times my parents have gotten off the phone with me without saying I love you. Its what they say. Its what I love to be reminded of. I love you is a great little phrase that can melt a rough day.

We snuggle.
Some of the best memories I have as a little girl is going into my parents bedroom early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. It would be a rare sight if you didn't find all 5 Albert kids, along with my parents, snuggled up in their bed. Those snuggle times usually included my dad telling some of his wild-and not true- stories, singing monster twinkle, or my big brother talking like Donald Duck. Its the same big brother that calls me on my birthday just to leave me a message singing to me in Donald duck voice or Thai. He is crazy, but I love him.
Some of my favorite memories now that I am older... we still snuggle! My sister and I snuggle together on the couch. My other sister and I snuggle amongst her 5 crazy children. I snuggle with my mom. I love snuggling and I love snuggling with them. Makes me happy.

We respect each other.
Not everyone in my family believes the same, thinks the same, or acts the same. Yet we respect each other and try to be respectful of all those differences. Cause bottom line is... we are family. and we love each other.

We spend time together.
Growing up I remember going on small day trips. Whether it was to the lake or to the temple, my family did stuff together. One of the best memories my family still talks about today is a random trip to California over St. Patricks day weekend. We were driving down the highway and one of the radio DJ's was acting like a elf version of Elvis. Probably wont sound too funny on this blog, but let me tell you, we can still laugh til we cry trying to re quote that skit.

We are just us.
No pretenses, grumpy, happy, laughing, crying... its who we are.
We pretty much speak our mind and dont care if you want to hear it or not. We are loud, not politically correct AT ALL, crude, gross, pinch eachother during prayers, argue just to hear my mom remind us that "eternity is a long time so we better learn to get along now".

I am so proud of my family. So proud of each of the members of my family. They make me want to be a better sister and daughter. They are a constant reminder to what I need to improve on when it comes to being a wife to my love, John. They are a daily reminder of what kind of home I want my kids to experience.

A house full of love, laughter, some fights (cause its not a REAL family without those), lots of making up, hugs, kisses, and most of all... I love yous!!

Dog...Cop...Creepy Old House

The story I am about to tell is real. The events are real. The people and canine are real. Let me begin...
I have just pulled out onto this side road from where I park at work. As I am about to make a left hand turn onto a main road, I see this large black lab coming up the other side of the street. I watch him cross the main road at his leisure as cars are screeching to a halt in order to not hit him. He goes on his way with little distraction.
At this point I am having the following internal conversation, "Meghan, just go on your way. He will make his way back to where he needs to go.
Meghan, DON'T JUST LET HIM LEAVE! He is wearing a collar, go look to see if a number is listed." .... you get the idea.
So, what do I do?! Well I pull over and stop, of course.
So I call this sweet large black lab over and try calling the number on his collar.

Line is disconnected. Suck!

I see a cop in the parking lot next to where I am standing. I call over to the cop and walk over there with my new friend.
I ask the officer for the number to Animal Control. He gives me the number and kindly holds the dog while I am man-handling my skirt, so it can stay below my waist instead of flashing everyone my white long undies, and with my other hand I can hold my phone.
Animal control answers...(the following conversation ACTUALLY took place)
A.C-"Animal control, this is (insert name of loser A.C person)."
Me-"Hi, my name is Meghan and I found a very large male lab along the side of the road. I tried calling the number listed but its disconnected."
A.C-"Does he have tags?" ...(short term memory must not work too well.
Me- "ummm, yup. Remember? That's how I knew to call and the line is disconnected."
...series of questions that are not going to provide much entertainment proceed....
A.C" Well I have the address to the owners. You can take him there. Do you have a pen?"
Well dang it, I left my third arm at home today so between me holding my skirt so this poor office doesn't get the peek of the holy G's and holding the phone, I am all out of arms.
Looking at the police office- "uh, you got a pen?"
So the community protector pulls out his flip pad and writes down all the information Mr. loser has to offer. Including the disconnected phone number I had already repeated to him twice to prove that the number we both have is the same and is DISCONNECTED!!
So I hang up with the waste of a human brain, and ask the police offer to kindly follow me to this house cause I am not ending up on Unsolved Mysteries for my kind service to return Man's Best Friend.
So I load up the big CHUANCHO into my car and follow the Officer a down the road. We pull up to this house.
Its like a house from a slasher movie. No one is home.
So the officer asks me to wait down by my car while he scoped the place out and calls dispatch to see if they have a number attached to the residence.
Unfortunately, no one is home. No number can be found. And 20 minutes go past.
So I finally decide to just take this poor lonely buster to the pound.
By this time its about 6:50pm.
I call animal control to let them now I am bringing the Mister in.
He (yes, its the same lame-o from before), gives me directions, with a special thanks to Officer Ganza, I load the hunkster into my little car and begin driving north bound.
Its approximately 7:10pm
I am lost...
I call Animal Control hoping Mr. Friendly can give me real directions this time.

*ringing...ringing...ringing...*
"Dispatch!"
uhhh, "hi, I am on my way to bring you guys a dog I found and I am lost"

Dispatch-"Animal Control closed at 7. You will have to bring the dog in tomorrow morning".

WHAT!?!!?!?!?!
"I JUST called. He didn't say anything about closing. What am I suppose to do?! I can't bring him home with me and will not let him go on his own."

"Sorry ma'am.Those are your options. We can send a unit but no garauntee that they will make it tonight."

"Well, why would I ask for that then? Well your situation is really crappy and I hope you know that!"

hang up...
Drats. The big buster is sitting in my back seat and I dont know what to do.
So, naturally, I decide to return to the crypt creepers house to see if they are home yet.

Still no answer. So as I sit there I begin to think of what my options are and to be honest, I just dont like them.
So I decide I will leave big pappa on the front porch in hopes that his owners will come home. But how do I make him stay on the front porch??
I begin to think of ways to fashion a leash of sorts to tie him up. I have only one option. And I am pretty sure that McGyver himself would have been proud of my quick skills. I rip out the shoe laces on my running shoes and tie them together.
I take Bubba up to the front door and tie the laces around his collar and onto the door.

My hope is that his hulk-like strength did not break through.
I left a note letting the neglectful owners know what a kind citizen I was. :)

I hope that hunk-of-love had owners that were happy to see him when they came home.
Thats it. I came home. I now have my little seeester of a pup sleeping next to me. I love dogs. Makes me sad to see ones lost. I hope I tied Spencer to his rightful owners door.

Our family is growing ...

out of our apartment that is!

Its official, we bought ourselves a house. Move in date is approximately June 12th. Lots of love, paint, weedes, etc. to be done but we are excited to do it!!

John is a little overwhelmed I think. But we both are so happy that this has worked out the way it did. We feel so blessed right now and cant believe how much has happend over the last year.

We will definitly be giving you the "before" and "after" shots of the new place. Until then... here is a front view (not seen here note: a small forest of weeds, approximately knee heighth or higher, have taken residence in the front yard. We are THRILLED to be pulling small tree-like weeds from the front and back yard for the next month!)

Meghan had a dream...

"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in my dreams of one day becoming Julia Child, Rachel Ray (nix the annoying voice or laughter), Bobbie Flay (female version), or even my own sister who is WAY too good of a cook to have come from my family.

I have a dream that one day the bread or other baked goods in my oven will rise up and live out the true meaning of its purpose of creation: "I am a moist, flavorful, flakey, delishisness of goodness warm and ready to be devoured".

I have a dream that one day in my home of Tucson, AZ the husband and former friends who have previously been scared away will be able to sit down together at the table of Meghan and think "Dang, she is the best cook EVER".

I have a dream that one day even the state of Arizona, a state sweltering with the heat of Mexicans cooking authentic amazing mexican food,will be transformed into an oasis of Meghan-inspired authenticness Mexican food.

I have a dream that my four little children (that have not been born) will one day live in a home where they will not be judged by the poor quality of their mothers cooking, but by the effort their mother put into trying to be a better cook.

I have a dream today."

Wow, can we say dramatic?? Look, I want desperately to enjoy, love, be good at, etc., cooking. Sadly, I am not.

SO... I have decided to participate in my friends blog on recipe's and cooking. I am excited (of course its the first day) and ready to put my chef's hat on and bring out my inner Julia-Child.
I shall keep you updated on the results... or if your family and you haven't heard from John in a while, youll know something went horribly wrong!

Dear Emma

"Dear Emma,
I have such respect and admiration for you. I couldn't have done what you did. I couldn't have been as strong as you were. I too probably wouldn't have followed the Saints out west after all that happened. You amaze me and I can not wait until the day I am able to talk to you. I will probably give you a big hug. After reading and preparing for my lesson on you for my young woman, all I kept thinking about was the need to give you a hug and say thank you!
Much Love,
Meghan"

...
Seriously, this woman was incredible!! I prepared a lesson on Emma Smith for my laurels this last Sunday. I started going through LDS.org to find some information and just couldn't seem to get alot of personal info on Emma. So I googled her name. Sure enough I fell onto a website that was started by Emma Smith's Great-great granddaughter who joined the church when she was a young adult.

http://www.emmasmithmormon.com/

Gracia N. Jones gave a biographical account of Emma Smith that was published in the Aug 1992 Ensign. I felt that if the church would publish it in the Ensign then it was approved for me to use it in my lesson.

I learned so many fantastic things about Emma!
I learned she was 5 months pregnant when the Prophet, Joseph Smith (her husband) was murdered. She gave birth to their last child, David Hyrum, at the beginning of November.
I learned that the evening that she found out about her husband and brother in law's death was when Governor Ford and 60 of his men showed up to her house to be given dinner at 5pm. They decided to tell her the news around 10pm that night. (What nerve!!)
I learned that through all the trials and challenges that she faced, that even up until she was about to die, she never ONCE denied the divine authenticity of the Gospel nor the Book of Mormon.
I learned that I too probably wouldn't have followed the saints out west when I had 6 previous children die, seen the horrific things she saw, had my husband murdered, no land or provisions, a 10 month old child and 4 other young children, and an elderly mother in law to take care of. I think it was just too much for her to do.
I learned that she remarried a man who seemed to be a really great guy. That he took care of her children and raised them as if they were his own. He built her a house on the very land that Joseph had promised her.
I learned that in the end she saw a vision of Jospeh... one that I can not do justice to by writing myself so I will give to you directly:
Emma lived almost thirty-five years after the martyrdom of her Prophet-husband. She died 30 April 1879 in her seventy-fifth year. In her last years she was greatly loved, and in the last hours of her life she was attended by her family: Louis Bidamon, Julia, Joseph III, 26 and Alexander. According to Alexander, Emma seemed to sink away, but then she raised up and stretched out her hand, calling, “Joseph! Joseph!” Falling back on Alexander’s arm, she clasped her hands on her bosom, and her spirit was gone. Both Alexander and Joseph thought she was calling for her son Joseph, but later, Alexander learned more about the incident. Sister Elizabeth Revel, Emma’s nurse, explained that a few days earlier Emma had told her that Joseph came to her in a vision and said, “Emma, come with me, it is time for you to come with me.” “As Emma related it, she said, ‘I put on my bonnet and my shawl and went with him; I did not think that it was anything unusual. I went with him into a mansion, and he showed me through the different apartments of that beautiful mansion.’ And one room was the nursery. In that nursery was a babe in the cradle. She said, ‘I knew my babe, my Don Carlos that was taken from me.’ She sprang forward, caught the child up in her arms, and wept with joy over the child. When Emma recovered herself sufficient she turned to Joseph and said, ‘Joseph, where are the rest of my children.’ He said to her, ‘Emma, be patient and you shall have all of your children.’ Then she saw standing by his side a personage of light, even the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Did you cry?? I sure did!!

I KNOW, without a shadow of a doubt that the Book of Mormon was brought to us by divine inspiration AND that it is another testiment of Jesus Christ along with the Holy Bible. I know that my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, appreared to Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph was an imperfect human, that being called as a prophet of God did not miraculously change him to being perfect. But non-the-less he was a prophet of God that did the best he knew to bring to pass the imortality and eternal life to men! I know the gospel to be true. I know Emma Smith to be a wonderful lady who suffered more than any of us could even begin to think to judge.
I know that my life is complete and full of peace and joy because of the things I know to be true.

I have a testimony that is unshakable. I have a testimony that ALL that Joseph Smith did in his short life was to glorify God, not himself.
I love the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love his wife Emma. I love my Heavenly Father and Savior for blessing my life with the knowledge I have.
In our Saviors name,
AMEN!

Im going to...

start something new!! I have been thinking alot lately that I need an outlet. Since the certain "outlets" I want to get back into can't happen right now (AKA teaching group fitness), I, with some creative help from a co-worker, am going to start something new.
I need a place to do some serious venting!!Im hoping its as fun and entertaining as I think its going to be. At act as some serious stress-therapy that I am in need of before I and or my poor husband go crazy.
Give me a few weeks and I will be back with some details!

Re-Do

Yes I am blogging in the middle of my work day...
The reason is cause I have something very important to announce. John and I are going back in time and going to re-live our wedding day! I love love love love love EVERYTHING about my wedding except for one thing!
My dress
*Gasp* Mom, dont be hurt. Marian, dont want to hear your "told you so's". Not that I hate my wedding dress. Cause I dont... It just wasn't my style. It was a fast pick cause the place was closing and I just wanted to get THE DRESS checked off my to-do list.

Anyways... back to my RE-DO"
This is the dress I will be wearing.


(No I dont know who this is! If you are the young lady in this picture and creeped out that someone you dont know is posting her blog about you, remember this; I am jealous of your amazing style and gorgeousness!)

I will keep the same bird cage viel I wore but wear this little number along with the shoes. I am mouth watering over this dress. I love it. I want to buy it and hang it in my closet and pretend I did wear it on that wonderfully awsome, fun-filled day!
Just one more to remind you of what I am in awe of...



Thats all I have to say. It was an important announcement to make.

"Goals that are not written down are just wishes"

With another year out of they way, I think its only natural to start thinking about some changes that you want to make for the following year. I hate making goals... I almost refuse to make any sort of "New Years Resolutions" purely cause I never really accomplish them! So whats the point??

I always enjoy reading other peoples goals and what they strive to work on for the upcoming year. Last month I taught a lesson to my laural class and talked to them about being successful and accomplishing goals to improve ourselves. This lesson made me start thinking over the last few weeks that I cant really be teaching a lesson on something if I am not willing to follow the same advice!
So here we go... here are a few things that I want to find myself working on for this next year!

1. Lets get Physical...physical!
I really miss teaching at a gym! I miss the exercise, I miss the energy, I miss the people, I miss everything about it!! I started teaching not only cause it made me feel good, but it was a fun outlet for me! I need an outlet again and I know where I can find it. I just need to get back to studying for a certification exam and re cert my CPR! That's it!!

2. Planning ahead!
I haven't been putting my all into my calling with YW's. I have been making up excuses for being to busy, tired, stressed etc. with work! Well enough is enough!! I was talking to my mother a few weeks back and started complaining about my lack of time and energy to do anything more. I just don't feel like I have what it takes to be in Young Women's and my girls could use a better leader. I wish I could remember my moms wise words directly but essentially she told me that the calling is for me to be a better leader to the girls. That maybe that's why I am in the Young Women's program so I can grow more and offer something that the girls may need at some point. After the tragic events of this week with a youth in our ward, I feel blessed to be in working with the youth and feel the need to give these girls the example and friendship I was blessed with as a youth!

3. Time to get Savvy... Technology Savvy!
You guys see this cute blog... yeah other then me making these posts, it is all kept up by my sweet husband John! Every time I get on our blog he has updated the background or changed up the music! I HATE IT! I hate that I don't know how to do it! I attempted it ONCE and it took me FOR-Freaking-EVER!!
I have future plans of wanting to start an online business of sorts and I need to learn how to work it.

4. To be... or not to be a GRADUATE STUDENT!
I want to go back to school! SO BAD!! I will admit that seeing John enroll for classes and get his books to start the spring semester has me REALLY JEALOUS! I miss school!!
I miss the lectures, the people, the conversations, etc. I know that when your in the full swing of it all it doesn't sound so charming but when you sit a desk all day and do the same thing for 8 hours, classes sound A-MA-ZING!
So I am going to making up my mind what I want to study and when I will be putting in my application!

5. Happy Home...
I am sure every couple/family make this one each year... well so will we! John mentioned this when we were driving home from Las Vegas after Christmas and I cant help but agree and see the need for it more and more!
Family Home Evening!!
I dreaded FHE when I was a kid. It was torture time that my parents would attempt to inflict on us once a week. Most of the time it turned into laughing during prayers with my brother (oh we still do even as adults... awful I know), pinching one another while parents aren't looking, making fun of ones input, etc. (If this doesn't sound like what FHE was like when you were a kid, count yourself lucky!!)
So when ever John brings up the need for our little two-person family to start this practice in our own home, I cant help but start feeling the anxiety. :)
But really... we need to! It helps set habits that I have easily gotten out of over the last few months that need to be refined and strengthened! I see so much confusion, sadness, suffering, and destruction in the world today and it does nothing but destroy my spirit! I am grateful for a husband who reminds me of the things we have been told will strengthen us and prepare us for those difficult times. So... FHE is now on at the Powell home!

I think 5 is enough... not to mention that I now have taken 20 minutes out of my work day to type this out! :)
Maybe number #6 should be "STOP THE PROCRASTINATION"!!

Happy 2010 everyone!! Have a happy and successful year!

Little Drummer Boy

My favorite Christmas song is "The little Drummer Boy".
Anytime I hear this song it makes me tear up. I can not listen to these words without thinking how much I feel like the drummer boy who doesn't have anything great and wonderful to give sometimes except the most simpliest of gestures.

When the Holiday season rolls around, I am gently reminded of all I have been blessed with and how much John and I have to be grateful for. We eat (probably a bit too much if you ask me) :), we have a nice place to live, we both have great jobs, and most of all wonderful families!

Growing up my parents did a great job of teaching us all about the spirit of Christmas. It wasn't always about presents and treats. It was about the birth of our Savior and what we do for one another to continue to spread the Spirit during this holiday season.

My parents taught us through example by adopting families for Christmas even if the budget was already tight and taking breakfast to the homeless early Christmas morning.

To me that is what Christmas is about... its those simple gestures.

Like the Drummer Boy; I dont have a lot to offer, but what I do have, I can do "my best for Him"!

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Bahhumbug to you!!!

I need to vent... not a better place to vent in this world than on a blog that hopefully more people will see and learn a bit of a lesson from!

BE KIND AND POLITE!!!

(*Note: I will be the first to admit my own weakness... I am impatient and definitely can lose my temper. John has experienced many melt-downs of mine over the almost two years of being together and the short 6.5 months we have been married! I am not a perfect tempered person!)

However, my parents raised me to respect my elders and those around me. I take responsibility for my actions and to be polite and courteous when I am out in public, talking to someone, at the dinner table, at a restaurant, at a grocery store, etc.

My father still comments on our table manners even now that we are all adults! And you better believe if I, or anyone else for that matter, were to talk to anyone within ear range and be disrespectful or impolite that he would call us out ( in front of everyone ) on it!

With this being said... was no one else raised the same way? Or has majority of people forgotten common courtesy and manners!?!

I have days of rude students who feel that they deserve the world to be served to them on a silver platter, bib already tied around their neck, and don't forget the spoon feeding! Talking to those in my staff, including me, like we are nothing but to bend over backwards for their every want and request. Uh, nope! Welcome to the real world kiddos. Universities have whats called policies and procedures. Sorry you dont like them and feel that they inconvience you. You dont like your teacher? You didn't turn in your homework so your failing? Didn't pass your tests or quizzes so your failing? Your teacher doesn't grade on a curve so your not getting the grade you think you deserve? You missed the deadline so no one is accepting your request form? (oh this list can go on and on) Well kiddo, life isn't fair and take some responsibility...

Oh wait, its my fault? I didn't do your homework? I didn't register for the class? I didn't take advantage of study groups, go to class, or even talk to the teacher themselves, I neglected to turn something in on time... ha! Nope. I managed to graduate with my own degree and wont be accepting any of your excuses why this world is out to get just you!

Can I mention a student who came rushing through the door, ran straight into me, and not turn around to say "excuse me" or "sorry"? When I offered up the first of apologies for being in his way and his response... "..."! Yes he looked at me and said nothing!
That just pushed me over the edge! I looked at him and said "EXCUSE ME!". It didn't phase him. He just started walking away as he said over his shoulder, "excuse me".

SERIOUSLY!!

Another example brings me at Trader Joe's. I love love love Trader Joe's. My reasons for loving it could be a topic of another post at some point. My example is as follows:
I am walking in the fruit section to look for the awesome fruit platters they use to sell (*side note: They don't anymore) and I happen to find myself in their pre-made sandwich section. Since I hadn't already eaten I figured a sandwich would taste yummy! So I reached in and grabbed a sandwich! I started reading the label when the lady next to me (who had been in that same spot since my search for the no-longer-available-fruit-platters and my decision making process for which sandwich to grab) turns to me, folds her arms, and HEAVILY sighs. I look at her, look at the cart that is not even in the same refrigerator section about 5 feet away, and look back at her. "Sorry am I in your way?" I offer up and move back a few steps...

Sure enough she walks past me in front, to her cart, and walks off... HAVING SAID NOTHING!!

I not-so-politely respond to her passiveness with a "well Merry Christmas to you to!o"

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!

Look I love man-kind! I love my spiritual brothers and sisters no matter where you live, what color you are, what gender you dig, what you do for a living! I have absolutely no need to judge you and the person you are based on any of that... BUT when you treat others and myself like we are nothing more than just annoyances to you, I don't care who the heck you are, you have been judge in my book and I will no longer stand by!

People show respect, show love, and try to show patience. Its hard... its freaking hard sometimes. But I read way too much of the news that shows me how sad and hurtful people are to one another out in this world.

Kindness has to start somewhere!! Kindness has to start from someone!

This is my new goal... to be kinder and more patient. I cant expect those around me to act the way I want if I dont act the same.

I am no better then someone else who is walking through the same door, driving down the same road, and in search of the same grocery ingredients. My priorities are just as important to me as they are to someone who has their priorities on their minds!

With that being said, have a very Merry Christmas and please be kind!!

Close Encounter

As many of you know, John and I moved to Tucson, Arizona a little over 4 months ago. Its been a great move for the two of us and has provided lots of interesting moments.
Tucson definitely is not on short supply when it comes to wildlife. In fact, I would say that I probably attract more wildlife than any other person living in this city!
I have experienced 30+ scorpions in my apartment, snakes of all kinds while I am running or biking, and now for my second time seen a group of Havalinas. For some, this isn't that big of a deal. For me, its major!
My post will specifically discuss my experience with the Havalinas as of last night.
It was around 7pm on a Sunday evening and I was walking back from our Clubhouse in our apartment complex.
It was dark outside and the path I walk on isn't very bright (to be honest nothing in Tucson is very bright. They avoid whats called "light pollution". So everything is kept fairly dim). I was listening to my headphones and not really paying attention when all the sudden I am face to face with a Havalina... not a little one either. So I back up a few steps and try to bypass this ugly pig when to my left I see a second one! (CRAP!) They both immediately go into strike mode and I can hear them starting to grunt/whine/yelp/moan or whatever it is they do. Feeling a little panicky, I back track my steps to original position when I see a THIRD pig to my right. (HOLY #$!&)
I begin walking backwards at this point. Grabbing a hold of my trusty cell, I call my husband.... TWICE! Not answering. I call my mother for final words... NOT ANSWERING. I have given up to dying alone at the mouths of these wild pigs.
Then my mind starts working up for my emergency exit routes. I could try running through one of the two pigs or I could hide behind the pillar I am already hiding behind, OR I can try maneuvering over to the set of stairs that lead up to a family who we know and hide out by their door til they leave. As my mind is going through possible plans, I notice the group is now coming towards me. Eyes still on me... hair still standing up!
I realize I needed to act quick! I immediately turn around and walk briskly back the way I came.
As soon as I saw the break in the building and fence I RUN FOR IT!!! I run all the way back to our apartment and rush inside.
I am hoping to find my husband doing something that justifies not answering his phone while his wife was potentially getting attacked by wild animals. Nope, he was just consumed by the never ending pass time of ESPN! SERIOUSLY!!!!!
So I not so patiently say, "John! I was about to be attacked and you didn't answer your phone!" Confusion clouds his face so I begin to explain the last few terrifying minutes.
What do you think his response was??? Oh if you thought it was any sort of sympathy, asking if I was OK, or even go out and check the area.... ha your thinking of your husband. Not mine!
He starts laughing at me!!! Yes ladies... laughing!
A look on my face probably tells him that laughing is not the best way to handle this situation so he gives a few last attempts of asking about my mental status and if there was ever a death caused by Havalinas (I am sure there is!!).
I am about to let this all past by when I start to wonder something...
"John, how long would I have to be missing before you would think to come looking for me?" I ask, his response
"I don't know, three hours maybe."
Words are not able to form!
"Three HOURS! John we live in TUCSON! I would be killed, stuffed, and over the Mexican border in three hours."
Ugh...
I hope you all had a great Sunday!

Happy Times!!

Last weekend I met my parents up in Phoenix! We joined up with my sister Rebekah who lives there with her family. We were able to go to the Mesa temple before it closed for the next 6 weeks. It was such a great occasion. I love going to the temple but its even better having family there with you. Made me think what a great experience it will be when ALL my family can be there together!
We also had the special oppritunity to take my sweet soon-to-be-a-teen neice to the mall to get her some makeup for her 13th birthday. Cant believe she is going to be a teenager and am so proud of what a good girl she is. Haley is such a great daughter and sister! I just love her!!

After the mall I returned to Tucson and my parent followed the Sunday morning just in time to hear me speak in our ward for our first time. YAY! :)
We had a great time for the rest of their stay. Lots of things to see and places to eat. We loved having them for the weekend and cant wait to be back in Vegas for Thanksgiving!!
Here are some other pictures from my trip to Phoenix. Just playing around with my nephews and neice before bedtime!

Good New Minute!!

So after two LONG and emotional months of trying to get a position with the University of Arizona, I have finally succeeded.
I (Meghan) and the new Coordinator of High School Programs for College of Engineering with the UA! I am thrilled and nervous all at the same time. This position is EVERYTHING I was looking for after finishing with UNLV. Looks like things are finally starting to come together! I hope all is well with our family and friends. We miss you all terribly but are looking forward to this adventure that lies ahead.

Powell Life

So, we have both received callings and I gave a talk already last week!! We love our ward family, they go out of their way to befriend us. We have a ward BBQ this Friday, and we are having smoked turkey! We have made some friends and I have found a few that like the UFC so I think we will survive. Meghan is still cooking a lot, and making me fat!! It's like being at my aunt Kathy's house; there is fresh bread products everywhere! Anyways life is good, we are surviving.