Happy Birthday to ME!

Can't you see the excitement in my eyes!!!! I love birthdays and always have because it was the one day a year when I felt it was my right to have everything be all about ME! With 5 siblings there aren't many moments when it is just about you so I have looked forward to, and counted down to my birthday each year. I thought this excitement and anticipation would wear off as I got older but I must say it feels the same (though I only started counting down about 11 days before - instead of 70 days).

Today was wonderful and I thank each of you for your sweet messages and kind thoughts for a happy birthday. It was more than just today though... much more. I have felt very spoiled this week... by my wonderful husband, family and friends as I received gifts, lunch/dinner dates and a spa pedicure treatment. I especially loved my family (part of it at least ;) who traveled from Edmonton to Lloydminster just to spend a couple hours with the Isackson's.

Ian was also extremely wonderful as his surprises just kept coming.... I was WAY surprised (and that is a BIG deal)!

Thanks again for the love and attention... I must admit that I do love it and am a secret drama queen, though I don't perform on demand.

Ode to Rhonda

I cannot say enough about how great I think Rhonda Steed is! Honestly, she is my hero and the type of mother I want to be. It was sad to move away from my Idol but I do my best to keep up with her life on her blog. Anyone else who knows her would totally understand my admiration for this amazing photographer, talented scrapbooker and tender-loving mother. I pray that I may one day be as motivated, organized, artsy and dependable. Rhonda puts her best effort into everything she does, whether she is getting paid or not. She is so kind and was one of the first families to welcome us into our new ward. She encouraged me, comforted me, thanked me and motivated me when I was responsible for 12 insane toddlers every Sunday. She is such a beautiful woman inside and out. I will continue to live vicariously through her as I wait for the blessing of my own family.

Rhonda, thank you for all that you do for your children, your family, your friends and your ward. You are loved and appreciated by so many and I know that God could not have blessed your children with a better mother than they already have! Just wanted to let you know that people far away are thinking about you.

Waiting...

Summer has ended and I find myself still waiting.... waiting for something to keep my days busy and not so self centered. It is wonderful to sleep in everyday as long as I like and do what I want at any time but it isn't very fulfilling. I had my two months off from teaching during the summer, which was somewhat busy, with a move to a new city and a trip to Switzerland, but I am still amazed with how much time I spent doing 'nothing' (at least nothing useful eg. tv, internet, reading). Looking back there is so much I could have done and accomplished during that wasted time but I was severely lacking the motivation. It is hard to go out and make new friends, find new jobs and to develop talents and serve.

I have been blessed in the, almost 3 months I have lived here, with good friends, a comfortable home, a quiet city and a happy husband. It is fairly close to my family and far enough away from the craziness of traffic and year-round construction.

Since school started in September I have been really missing the feeling of 'helping others' that was so prevalent as a teacher. I miss knowing that I was an important part of a group and that I had an impact, perhaps forever, on the lives of so many. Not knowing what was awaiting us here in Lloydminster we had decided that I would just substitute for the school year. I have been hired but put off the paper work I should have done during the summer, that would allow me to teach in a Saskatchewan school district. So I find myself waiting for the document to come in the mail that will finally let me work and take my mind off the nothingness that seems to be my life at the moment.

Don't pity me though as I have been mostly happy here and like the smaller city life. I have just been focused on me for too long. I am excited for the recent call I have to be the Young Women's President here in the Lloyd branch and hope that serving these wonderful girls will put some fire back into me. I am just sooooooo ready for change and hope that me, myself and I can leave my thoughts for awhile.

Thanks to all you friends and family who have kept in touch, gotten to know me, sent me messages, phone calls and love and support since we left Calgary and came to Lloydminster.