Our song

Today was an amazing day in a lot of ways. 

I got to take these monkeys to the park for 45 minutes.

 We had to leave before frostbite set in. 

I got back on a swing for the first time in probably 20 years.

 This year I have sledded, got on a swing, and a few million other things that delight me to no extent.  
(ignore that I am dressed like an umpa lumpa.)

I don't normally take pictures in Sacrament Meeting.

 But I had to capture the look on the Kat's face.

 She is so funny. 

I know you've been missing the selfies.

 That's my work badge picture in the middle.

 From about 18 months ago.

 Hopefully in 18 months, one of the outside ones will be the new middle picture!

What made today the most amazing was the brief talk I had with my branch president.
(kinda like a pastor but volunteer)

I've always known that God hears my prayers and watches out for me.

 I know that.

 I see His hand in my life every day.

But I felt like what President Adams said to me was really God speaking directly to me.

 I think I've only ever had one or two moments like that in my whole life.

It was amazing.

So, ending on an emo note again. 

Yikes.

I think we've used up our emo quotient for the entire year and it's not even April.

This time two weeks from now I will be done a 1/2 marathon.

Wish me luck as I train HARD over the next two weeks!

Lori Ann

And, I know

Random Thoughts Saturday Night

I spent 5 or 6 hours at the office today.

It's like being in space.

 Time has no meaning.

 I left when my mom called and told me to come home. 

I couldn't motivate myself to walk today.

 Which sucks because it was a beautiful day and tomorrow is supposed to be freezing. 

Speaking of tomorrow...I am wearing THIS to church. 

Well, not the yellow socks.

 I will try and get someone to take a picture of me in it.

 I got it at the thrift store for $10!!!

 Its also a size I haven't worn since high school.
 (I literally just paused to clap my hands in glee)

This thing has been making me laugh lately. 

Yesterday, I gave all of my sister's kids a dollar at the Walmart to pick something out.

 Katy couldn't choose between skittles or this pink hotwheels car.

 So, she eventually agreed to 'babysit' Sugar in exchange for getting two things.
(which will be interesting, to say the least)

 But she was making me laugh because she was sitting in the baby seat of the cart, shaking her head sadly and saying "Aunt Lori, I'm just very, very poor". :) 

There has been something of a scuffle over candy being eaten in primary.

 I was allegedly spotted teaching class while eating a lollipop.

 In all seriousness, why do only upper middle class white people have gluten allergies?

 Lame.

 In response to the no candy rule, I have recently stuffed my treat jar full of candy.

Never let it be said that I didn't fight the man when it was really important :) 

This time two weeks from now will be the night before my half marathon.

 I have been googling "What happens if you can't finish a half marathon on time?"
 (because there is no way I am making the 3 1/2 hour cut off time).

 Apparently, there are 'sweeper vans' that pick up the stragglers. 

I do not want to cross the finish line in the back of a van with the elderly and dehydrated. 

Both of my groups are ending this week.

 I run a teen and an adult social skills group.
(for people who are mostly on the Autism Spectrum)

 Hallelujah.

 Although that means I have to run two pizza parties this week.

 Because group therapy should always end with pizza. 

I saw a shooting star tonight.

 And I couldn't stop making wishes. 

I'm tired.

 Like deep down tired. 

Not to be cryptic or self pitying but sometimes I wonder why I still crave the attention and approval of people who have made clear that they don't find me that interesting. 

Let's end on that emo note. 

Lori Ann

And never back down

My goal is to get to the gym by 5:30 am tomorrow. 

I don't want to go. 

I don't want to ever step on another treadmill again.

I don't want to mutter under my breath when OF COURSE someone chooses the treadmill next to me even though there are like 20 free ones. 

I just don't want to do it. 

Which is why, almost every single night, I google the exact same thing. 

"Motivation to go to the gym"

Sometimes song lyrics get me to the gym. Sometimes it's pictures of my nieces and nephews. Sometimes it's seeing some ALMOST definition in my calves.

But on days when none of that works- it's google and weird motivational posters. 

Wish me luck. T-minus 7.5 hours until I am on that treadmill.

Lori Ann

Dre sent me to tick the world off

Some things my nieces and nephews said today that I never want to forget:

"Dear Aunt Lori. It's time to die"

" Aunt Lori, I am going to meditate"

(followed by assuming the universal, crossed legged pose of meditation)

" She will stab you to death with a knife"

(when I explained that their mom (my sister) will hurt me if I ever get in a car accident with them)

"I saw a boomerang in the sky. Which means Jesus is going to come back again"

(when cloud gazing and discussing the meaning of Vitamin D and revelation)

A random mother and son were at the same park/playground as us and the mom kept telling me "Your daughter keeps getting close to my dog" (she wasn't worried about her dog, she just wanted Katy to be safe)

I felt like saying 

"These children have no shoes on in a snowy playground. That should be your first sign that I'm not the mom"

A very sweet older lady gave all of the kids a quarter to get gumballs at the thrift store. They were so excited. 

I told them "When you get a chance to help someone, you've got to take it"

I think they were squabbling over the gumballs at that point and my poignant lesson about service was most likely not even heard :) 

I've got the coolest nieces and nephews on Earth.

Lori Ann

p.s.- A lot of my blog titles are going to be Eminem song lyrics. I listen to WAY too much while walking. 

Call her out by her name

You guys.

You know how I get fixated on different topics?

Like cooking? Or crafting? Or Glee?

This blog is a testament to my crazy obsessions.

My newest obsession is friendship.

My friends are amazing. 

They take my skittles.

The listen to me whine about problems of my own creation.

They ask me when (not IF) I am going to the gym.

They hike around work with me in the freezing cold.

They text me "22" at 6:30 in the morning to countdown to my half marathon.

They have the coolest maiden names I have ever heard.

They tell me that I am sexy. (And let's face it..I kinda am)

They make me laugh in a job that makes me want to cry every single day.

Their names mean Awakening (or daybreak) and Gift from God.

On a uncomfortable religious note, they both really are just that.

Thanks for being the most kick ass friends ever.

Lori Ann 

Fear doesn't shut you down. It wakes you up.

Random Thoughts and Life Update

Dawn continues to be the best person on Earth. 

Weird things happen when I hang out with my sister's kids

I (cough *my dad* cough) made this cake for our maintenance appreciation luncheon today. Everyone loved it! 

I feel like I spend half my life on a treadmill

I have been reading a new book.

Divergent.

 I am always a little behind the trends.

I bought it because I liked the trailer I saw for it when I was at the movies last week.


It's really, really interesting.

I don't know what faction I would be put in.

I love the idea of Abnegation but I think I'm too selfish.

I'm not smart enough for Eurdite and not honest enough for  Candor.

And definitely not brave enough for Dauntless.

I guess I would likely be Amity.

Because I really do desire peace.

Not world peace. Just peace in my life.

If I could choose, I would choose Abnegation.

I've always said that if I wasn't Mormon, I would seriously consider converting to an Amish lifestyle.

I don't know if it's my Puritan heritage or what but I love the idea of dedicating your life to simple pursuits, trying to draw closer to God, and self denial.

Which is odd because I am kind of self indulgent in reality.

I saw my therapist again.

Nothing revolutionary at this appointment.

I wouldn't want to be the therapist of a therapist.

Lori Ann

p.s.- I've been working too much. It's making me feel crazy. 

I close my eyes

Yesterday was a very important day in our family.

It was Elizabeth Mae Monroe's baptism day!!

I just know that when Heavenly Father looks down on Elly, He is SO proud. 

She is beautiful, strong, brilliant, and amazing in every single way. 

She inherited everything that is good and fierce and wonderful about my sister. 

I am the luckiest woman on Earth to be able to call her my niece. 

Her baptism dress from our grandmother. I love that this dress passed from from Ann to Elly. Ann is the oldest daughter, my mom is the oldest daughter, Danielle is the oldest daughter, and now, Elly is the oldest daughter. 

Me and an incredibly reluctant to be in the picture Elly Bean.

I would have featured Elly and her mom but Danielle doesn't like to be in pictures.

Its probably a violation of her contract with Vogue or something like that:) 

Anyway, I can't wait for all the rest of the white dress days in Elly's life.

When she goes to the Temple before her mission.

Her wedding day.

When she has her own babies and dresses them in white for their blessings and baptisms.

Or when she runs around taking pictures on those days for her sister's kids.

I just know that Elly is going to be an awesome aunt as well as mom, missionary, and woman.

When you read this one day, Elly- I want you to know that you are incredible.

Never forget that.

Never forget how much God loves you.

I know God loves me because He brought you into my life and you make me proud and happy every single day.

Love always,

Aunt Lori