In the mail

I received two things in the mail this week that made me very happy:

1. My graduation diploma, and 2. My new passport with my new name.

Hip-hip-hooray!

Sunday Thoghts

1. I just have to say how much I enjoyed visiting with my Aunt Kjirsten and Dane last week when he was in the hospital. It was such a treat for me to be able to go and chat with Kjirsten after work. I'll admit that work can be extremely stressful for me some days, and it was so good to go straight from work to Kjirsten, who made me laugh, made me feel loved, and where I was able to see my life from a different angle--from within a hospital room with a mother and her son. Kjirsten is such a delightful person and I love her so much. It was especially nice because this was during a time that I wasn't able to see Chad a whole lot because of work. It wasn't under the ideal circumstances for Dane and Kjirsten, but I just wanted to let them know how nice that was for me and how much I love them and loved to see them!! And it was so good to see how much better Dane looked every day! I'm so glad he's home and better now.

2. I also wanted to say how much I loved having Carol, Joe, Rachael, and Jordan over last weekend! I know these thoughts are overdue, but I guess they're better late than never. I just love my family so much and it was so good to spend time with them! Thanks for coming over and chilling with us for a while.

3. I am reading the best book right now. I would really recommend it to all of you! It's Let Me Hear Your Voice by Catherine Maurice. I started it on Friday night and I'm already on page 150! I just want to read it all the time. And since I haven't been feeling well this weekend, I have been able to justify just laying around and reading a lot this weekend. The book is nonfiction--it's a mother's story of her child being diagnosed with autism and how she and her family deals with it. There's 300 pages in the book, so I'm only halfway done, but I have loved it so far, and it's gone by really fast. The author deals with so much more than just autism in the book (e.g., motherhood, prayer, interpersonal interaction, emotionally coping through trauma, etc.), so that's why I think you all may like it. Plus, she discusses in some detail the kind of therapy I do with the kids at work, so you would get a better understanding of what I do all day (and with what kind of kids I work with). This book was written about fifteen years ago, so there have been some changes made to the therapy since then, but the basic principles are the same. I bought it, so if you want to borrow it I can lend it to you after I'm done reading it.

4. I am so happy because I have a new baby nephew! He is the sweetest, cutest little thing and he was born last Monday. His name is Joshua Reed and he is one handsome newborn! Congratulations Audra and Mike!!

5. Three months ago today Chad and I got married! I know I say this in practically every blog I post, but I am so grateful and happy to be married to Chad. He is an absolutely amazing husband and person. I am more impressed by how great he is everyday. He finished his emergency department rotation this morning, and I am so proud of him! He is such a hard-worker and so good at what he does. I think I must be in love, because he always looks so good to me when he comes home in the morning after his night shifts, regardless of how tired and sleep-deprived he is.

6. And speaking of the wedding, I am pleased to say that today I finished the last four thank-you cards I needed to write for the wedding! Chad finished his a while ago, and it feels good to have mine done. I have just felt absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we received, and it feels good to finally have thanked everyone for their thoughtfulness and generosity. I am so grateful for all the support we received. It's helped a lot!

7. And last but not least, Happy Fall Everyone!!!

Overcoming Differences and Becoming Friends

I am so grateful for my study abroad semesters, because they provided a perfect environment for people from very different backgrounds, with different personalities and interests, to find common ground and become great friends. You're in a foreign country and have to do hard things, and so you just cling to each other and support each other and learn to LOVE each other so much. You learn so much from them and realize how amazing they are and you just love them so much!

I love the people I went on study abroads with so much, but if I hadn't experienced the study abroad experience with them, I don't think I would have ever even gotten to know most of them, because our differences would have kept us apart. It's great how certain experiences can override differences and bring people together. Working towards a common goal, working through common resistance and pain, can really bring people together. People you really don't understand or have a great desire to become friends with become the most wonderful, amazing, beautiful, and important people in your life.

I love that idea, that possibility, so much--of overriding differences and learning to love deeply. Because deep down inside, we are all God's children, and we all have so very much in common, so very much to give each other, and to learn from each other.

That's what makes these movies so great to me: Cool Runnings, Remember the Titans, Babe, A League of their Own, The Spitfire Grill, Saints and Soldiers, North and South.

Can you think of any other movies that have this theme that you have enjoyed watching?

Me and some of my wonderful London friends across from Parliament the night before we left London.

Me and some of my wonderful Romanian friends in front of the Children's Hospital we worked in.

Fun Facts about Abbi

I really enjoyed Audra's and Michelle's answers to this survey, so I decided to fill it out, too.

My roommate and I once: got chased by a drunk/crazy man in Caen, France while we were on a morning run together. Probably the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me. But Mom—don’t worry, everything was okay and European traveling is perfectly safe! :)

Never in my live have I: gone snowboarding.

High School was: definitely a learning experience!! I think I was a much more confident, socially skilled, and spiritually in tune person when I graduated than when I started ninth grade.

When I am nervous: I think I might bite my lip or lick my lips, because by the end of the day at work my lips are always sore and I need to put chapstick on!

My hair: has been longer than I have usually had it, because Chad likes it long.

When I was 5: I absolutely loved life! When I think of my childhood, I think of carefree blissful days.

When I turn my head to the left: I see my cute neighborhood, beautiful aspen trees (or are they birches?) behind the houses, and a pretty, light-bluish and pinkish-yellow sunset starting.

I should be: writing thank-you cards for wedding presents.

By this time next year: I will be 23 and Chad will be 32. We’ll form a palindrome!

I have a hard time understanding: why people enjoy viewing violence. I HATE violence.

My ideal breakfast: is spent with family (like I had this morning!), not alone like most mornings.

If you visit my hometown: you will be amazed by how green and beautiful it is.

If you spend the night at my house: you’ll get to sleep on the nice mattress we bought last week for a guest bed! So come visit!

I shouldn't have been: so stressed about grades in high school and college. But the funny thing is, I will probably stress about grades if I go to grad school! It’s hard for me not to.

Last night I: had my Romanian friends, Joe, Rachael, and Carol over. It was lots of fun, despite the fact that BYU didn’t win their football game.

A better name for me would be: I have no idea. Any ideas?

I have been told I look like: Uma Thurman and Anne Frank.

Last But Not Least...

Caytee!

I've also known Caytee for quite some time now, thanks to Crystal for bringing her to the H* family reunions! And I am so excited for her, because she's getting married in two months! Preston is one lucky man. Caytee is super fun, cheerful, gregarious, easy-going, understanding, intelligent, motivated, and outgoing. She has just so much life, light, happiness, and spunk in her, it's so much fun to be around her. She is a great leader and a great friend. She is nice to everyone, and inspires people to be more Christ-like by her example. She is always involved in multiple things so that she can do good in her community. I'm amazed by how much she can do and how gracefully she does it all. I love her so much and am so glad she's my sister and my friend!

Although I don't know Preston as well, I can tell he is such a great guy. It makes me so happy to see how happy Caytee is around him! He seems really trustworthy, dependable, kind, and humble. And I hear from Chad that he is pretty awesome on the basketball court. They are such a beautiful couple and I am so excited he will be a part of our family! I'm sure he will love being a part of this family as I do.

Jonner

Jon is such a classy guy. He is really smart and accomplished but doesn't flaunt it or act arrogantly about it. I always like to talk with Jon because I feel like I have a lot to learn from him. Plus it's easy to talk with him because he doesn't talk down to people. He's really good at tennis, and he beats me mercilessly every time we've played, but he doesn't seem to have a big head about it at all. He is such a good brother to Chad. Jon is an extremely loyal person to his friends and family, and that means the world to Chad. Chad loves to spend time with Jon and has so many great memories of traveling, running marathons and triathlons, hiking, and just hanging out with him. Jon is super funny and always makes us laugh. We're always so happy when we he visits us or we get to see him in Payson or at the cabin.

Nate and Michelle and Fam

Nate:
Nate is such a good brother-in-law, brother, husband, father, and son. He is really good with people--at being a friend, listening, playing with kids, and making people laugh. He is funny, nice, and adventurous. He is so nice to take me and Chad out on his snowmobiles and four-wheelers, and be willing to spend lots of time on the easy trails for me. We've also had a lot of fun on his kayak! I think he even used to own a sailboat and rapelling gear--he's a real outdoorsman and is always good to plan fun outings. He is really ambitious and works hard to achieve his goals. I think one of the things that makes Nate so great is that he isn't judgmental at all, so you feel like he is a real friend to you. Thanks, Nate, for being such a great brother to Chad and me!

Michelle:
Michelle is such a beautiful person. One of the talents Michelle has is being really happy for other people's happiness. I love how excited Michelle will get for me or others when we have good news to share. You can tell she really cares about you and wants you to be happy. This also shows how confident and comfortable she is with herself, which is a trait I really admire in her. She has a quiet confidence about herself, which isn't showy or arrogant, but inviting and uplifting. Another thing I admire in Michelle is how she has been the Primary President for the last nine months! That is so much work (especially for how big her Primary is), and she hadn't even worked in the Primary before she was called to that, and she also has two little ones to look after. I am just amazed by that. But it doesn't surprise me, because Michelle is so talented and wonderful. I hope I can someday be as good of a homemaker and mother as she and the other C* mothers are!

Colby:
Everybody loves Colby. He is really social and loves to be around other people. He has an amazing ability to love other people, and he also has an incredible knack for remembering names. He gets so excited to see you and will always give you a hug and kiss and wave good-bye when you have to leave. He makes you feel really special. So many things are endearing about Colby--the way he runs, his love for chocolate cake, the way he laughs when everyone else is laughing, his love for spelling out names, etc. We're so lucky to have Colby in our family!

Carson:

I ADORE Carson. I just love him to pieces! He is so cute and sweet! I always get so excited to be able to see him when we visit Nate and Michelle. Chad always teases me for how much I like Carson and how excited I get over seeing him. Carson lets me cuddle him and that just makes me so happy. Just look at this face, isn't it so sweet and innocent? But he's grown up a lot since this picture was taken at our wedding and looks older now. He also seems to have a stronger will now than he used to (he has been the most easy-going baby!), which I think is great. I'm excited to see him and all the other C* nieces and nephews grow up!

Curt and Carrie and Fam

Curtis:
One of my favorite things about Curtis is that he refuses to run a marathon like me, so I’m not the only one not participating in the marathon this October! J/K. But really, I love how easy-going and funny Curtis is. He is so good at seeing the humor things and not taking things too seriously. It has always made me so happy that he and Nate will poke fun at me a little from time to time, because it puts me at ease around them. Both he and Carrie are refreshingly real, and I love that. It really makes you feel like you can be yourself around them. Also, Curtis is so patient with his kids and good at playing with them. And he has been such a good big brother to Chad. I can tell Chad really trusts Curtis and feels that he is a resource and strength to him during rough times, which means a lot to him and me.

Carrie:
Carrie (and Curtis) has been the most gracious host to Chad and I on countless occasions. We have shown up to their house on short notice so many times, and she has always made us feel like we weren’t a burden, when I’m sure we made more work for her! We really appreciate her graciousness and selflessness. Carrie is someone that is so easy to talk to. She is a great conversationalist and is very good at asking you questions about your life. She can always get Chad talking about his work—sometimes I think I learn the most about Chad’s work during conversations with Carrie! Carrie is an extremely hard-working, motivated, and intelligent person. Get this—she’s training for a marathon, working part-time, and raising two energetic boys all at the same time. Not to mention all the canning and reading she’s done, either. I admire Carrie so much for her tireless giving of herself to others.

Brady:
I love this kid! He is so much fun. He has the best belly laugh—I can never help but smile when I hear it. I feel like this laugh captures the essence of sheer, undefiled delight. I absolutely love it. Brady seems to experience life really intensely, and so it’s fun to experience his intense enjoyment over the things he loves. But he actually seems to have mellowed out a little over the last six months or so, and it’s been fun to see him become more of a big kid and less of a toddler. It makes me feel so good about myself when he talks about me and gives me hugs!

Landon:
This little guy is a talker! He will just talk and talk, and most of it Chad and I can’t understand. Chad calls it Landon’s “chirping.” It is so cute to see how much he is growing up. He seems to just soak everything in. He used to be our sweet little mellow baby, and now he has turned into a super active almost-two-year-old. It is really fun to see his wide-eyed and fast-paced excitement over life. I wish I had as much energy as he has!

The Wonderful H* Family

Dale and Crystal and Fam

Dale:

I've known Dale for a lot longer than I've known most of the C* family. I've always thought of him as one of the most compassionate, patient, and considerate people I know. As I've gotten older I've come to appreciate more how good of a listener and friend he is. He asks you questions and listens to your answers as though your life was really important to him and should be to everyone else. Dale is good at putting people to ease and making them feel comfortable about themselves, including their weaknesses and faults. I appreciate that he is honest and doesn't try to put on any pretenses to impress anybody. I love you, Dale!

Crystal:

Crystal is the genius behind Chad and my meeting, so we owe her big time! She was SO good to be really supportive of our relationship without pressuring us into marriage. I have always really admired how out-going and proactive Crystal is. She is always up and doing, "anxiously engaged" in good causes. She is really productive and seems to have a lot of energy to do a lot of fun things! I have also been so impressed with how she teaches her children and disciplines them in love and wisdom. She is so smart and thinks carefully about things. One more thing--I love how Crystal is confident in sharing her talents to benefit others. This Mother's Day we went to her ward with her, and she sang in sacrament meeting with her children. I think that's so great she would be willing to share her talent of singing with others! A lot of people would be too shy to do that, and I love that Crystal isn't. Crystal, you are awesome!

Natalie:
Natalie is a pure joy. She is so affectionate and social and loves to be around people. I've noticed that during play with big groups of kids, she is very inviting and kind and patient with children who are younger than her. She is also such a jokster! She loves to share jokes with others and play practical jokes on them. One time while Chad and I were dating and were visiting Nate and Michelle, she was there and suggested that Chad and I stay the night and sleep in the guest bed together--knowing full well that was not allowed. She loves to tease us, and I think that's so great. We love Natalie!

Preston:
Preston is so much fun to talk with! He is witty, intelligent, genuine, and frank. I always look forward to chatting with Preston, because he is just such a delight. (You can really tell how smart Dale and Crystal are by talking with their kids--they are all so smart!) He loves to read and play the wii. In fact, when they were visiting us once, he showed what a champion wii bowler he is. I think he even beat Chad, who isn't bad at wii bowling!

Logan:
Logan is so full of life! He is definitely a character! He is enthusiastic, astute, perceptive, emotional, active, imaginative, stubborn, and totally sweet!! He loves attention and it is so fun to see his huge smile when you give it to him. He loves tickles and has the best laugh when you tickle him. Logan is one of those kids that you can have so much fun with, but can also wear you out. Props to you, Crystal, for having enough energy to keep up with this one! But his energy makes him all the more lovable.




Julia: Julia is so CUTE!! She is such a doll and has a mind of her own. She is such a sweetie. I absolutely loved it when she fell asleep in my arms the same night that Preston beat us all in wii bowling. We are so happy she is in our family!


We love you, H* family!

P.S. Sorry, Dale and Preston, that I don't have a close-up picture of you guys!

The Wonderful C* Fam

This summer Chad and I have been so blessed to be able to spend great quality time with the C* family. They are so great, and we have had so much fun with them. I keep thinking how lucky I am to be a part of such an awesome family, and how I should highlight them in my blog. So I'm finally getting around to it!

Neal and Carol

Neal:
Before I ever met Neal, Chad told me how much he admired his father and wanted to be like him. I was impressed with how much Chad seemed to revere his father, and I looked forward to meeting him. Neal was so kind to me from the very beginning. He'd always give me a hug and made me feel so welcome in their family get-togethers. He has a quiet way of going about and making people feel important. One of the first things I discovered about Neal at the M* family reunion was that he admires his ancestors and wants to keep their legacy alive, which I think is so admirable. Since that time, I have also learned how hard-working Neal is. He is always about doing things to help others. He has even driven hours and hours to help us fix our a.c. He is a great handy-man and uses those skills to serve others. I am so grateful that I have such a kind, personable father-in-law!

Carol:
Carol is one of the most tender-hearted, loving people I have ever met. She has a great capacity to love freely, even people she doesn't know all that well. She is so good at talking to people she hasn't met before and expressing her love for them in casual, everyday terms. She is also so devoted to the gospel and to doing what is right! I really admire and appreciate how she taught and continues to teach her children from the scriptures, and has instilled in them a desire to do good. She also was very good at teaching her children how to work. All her children are such hard workers, and that is something I really appreciate! :) I also really love how Carol has a great sense of humor, and a great sense of humor about herself as well. She is always laughing and helping others around her laugh. I am so lucky to have such a loving, good-natured, and exemplary mother-in-law!

For mothers

This poem goes out to all you mothers who sacrifice so much for your children. I think it speaks volumes of a mother's love and the worth of a child.

You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.
(“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest [1965], 54)

Thank you, moms, for all you do! And thank you, Mom, for all you do for me! You do so much for me and I hope you know how much I love and admire and appreciate you!!!

Help!

I am trying to find a poem in which a mother is speaking to her child about how even though she wasn't able to travel, she was able to travel through her child--she was able to see the world through the life of her child. If I remember right, it sounds something like, "You are my Spanish sky, you are my..." etc. Does this sound familiar to any of you? And if it does, do you know the title of it, the author, or where I could find it? It's driving me crazy that I can't find it. Thanks! (Once I find it, I will post it all for you, because it's a great poem.)