June 20, 2010

baseball and blueberries

John Kearns. What a name. Oh to carry such a name.

John Kearns is quite the human being. Anyone who knows him, knows that he is everything that the 13th article of faith highlights. He would most likely be embarrassed that I say that. Then he'd say, "Ohhhh... I'm not that good..." But really. He is. He is just that good. He is my hero, and I'll exclaim that until the day I die. I'm a girl that loves her daddy.

Through the years, he has been my encourager. He has encouraged me to be who I am and be the best me that I can be. He's told me that failure sometimes leads to success if I keep trying. I remember on one particular occasion, I came to him in tears. He took me in his dad arms and whispered in my ear, "This too shall Pass." And at the time, tears just drained out of my eyeballs even harder, but it did. It passed. And I got through it. Without my dad though, I don't know that that would have been possible.

So here's a list of 10 reasons I love my dad so much.

10. Nicknames. He's pops. I'm dots. It happened one day, and stuck. Love the nicknames.
9. He is a hard worker. Whoever said that there isn't enough time in the day obviously doesn't work as hard as the Colonel. Because that man cleans his plate even during a 4 course meal kind of day.
8. Dad Kearns is never too busy. I love that when he can't do something right away, he gives me a time he can. It isn't a vague "Not today, kiddo" it's a "Hey, How about tomorrow." kind of deal. I love that about him.
7. There isn't an algebra equation he can't solve. Through the years, I've had my fair share of math problems. And by problems, I mean that I'm the problem trying to uncover the mystery that is Algebra II. My dad always knows exactly where he can find X and Y. It has saved me from failing a few classes...
6. He is an honorable man. My dad served in the United States Air Force, and that is something that I say with pride. I am so proud that I can call him my dad. I respect him so much for giving away his time, energy, and service for the benefit of the people of the United States. Thanks for your service dad! :)
5. Baseball and Blueberries. My dad is quintessentially American. On any given Summer's eve that my dad's not out saving the world, you can find him in the family room watching baseball, and if he had his way, he'd have a handful of fresh blueberries. The man is the All American Dad.
4. He owns a 1978 yellow Porsche. So... enough said. Clearly, my dad is cooler than your dad.
3. He loves his family. Dads just naturally love their families. But my dad has been to every choir concert, however boring they might be, my dad has been to every single one. He plays with the grand kids like they're his best friends, and half the time, I think they secretly are. He'd rather spend time with them than be anywhere else when they're around. And I love that about my dad.
2. He's in love with my mom. I know that we all act like we're embarrassed when our parents hold hands at the movie theater, or kiss in front of you, or dance in the kitchen while they're making dinner, (and I'm not making this stuff up... all of it has really happened in our house! I love being the only child at home?) but we all love it. Let's be honest. I love that my parents are so in love, and I love that through 35 years, they are in the same love, if not deeper than when they first laid eyes on each other on a blind date so many years ago. Quite the run on sentence. But it was worth it for my parents. I love you parents! :)
1. The top reason that I love my dad is because he has taught me everything that I know. He made me the person that I am today. He converted to the church years ago and it was the best decision that he's ever made. It brought together an eternal family. I am so grateful every day for the testimony that he has. He inspires me to be a better daughter, a better person, a more involved human being contributing to society, and a better member of the church. I love my dad because let's face it. He's the greatest. Happy Father's Day Daddy! :)

June 13, 2010

All is Well, All is Well.

I know that this isn't the norm. I know that I don't blog every day, but for those of you out there, you faithful readers, whoever you might be, I'm blogging two days in a row. I usually don't have a lot to say. Usually I stare at the computer for a while trying to think of something brilliant. Usually it comes down to countdowns or random rambles, but today is different.

Today I have something to say.

This morning, I didn't wake up. I woke up in the bright afternoon of Sunday, June 13, 2010. This afternoon, I woke up... and not even by myself. Dad knocked on my door quietly. He told me in a soft dad sort of voice that church would begin in an hour. I responded with a yawn and walked over to the shower. I turned the knob to hot and waited for steam to rise, the way I did every other Sunday morning. It's not like I took to heart what day of the week it was, or thought of the things that I would do today. I was just concerned about the temperature of my shower. I took my time washing my hair. I got ready at a leisurely pace. I painted my face with makeup that I didn't need, and ran a hot iron across my long locks of hair, even though I didn't need to. I drove the car to church and sat down in the second row with dad... like I've done every Sunday since I can remember. Sacrament meeting is such a tender time. I read my scriptures and thought about what Christ did for us. I try to do this every week, but some weeks are just more effective than others. Today I thought about what I'd done prior to the sacrament. I didn't prepare, I didn't pray, and until the moment, I didn't think about what I would beg to be forgiven of. I didn't treat the day a special way, I just went about doing what I did every day. That's all changing from this day forward. I will think of Sundays a little bit differently now. Sunday is the day that Heavenly Father has set aside for me to think about things that really matter. Like the Atonement. And the scriptures. And Jesus Christ. I just have to say to the world, wow. If you don't know if there is a single person that loves you, I'm here to tell you that there's at least one. Jesus Christ. He is the only thing that lights up in your darkest hour. Seek him, and you will find him. Not sure how you can know him better? Not sure if you could identify him in a crowd? Neither was I at one point in my life, but today I can. And I am sure of it. Today I am sure.
We had a lesson about prayer. Prayer. A simple little word, yet don't we take it for granted? I know that I do. I kneel at my bedside because I know that I should. I think words in my head that have little meaning, and I spit them into the air. I wouldn't be surprised if they hit the ceiling every time. Maybe you're not like me. Maybe your prayers are eloquently spoken aloud. Maybe you don't pray to "be safe tonight so that no harm or accident will befall you". Maybe you are always aware of the things that you are saying because maybe you don't say your prayers just before bed time. Maybe you don't need to be reading this because your prayers don't need work. If this is you, if your prayers are perfect, I commend you and am envious. Teach me your ways. I was spiritually fed today. I learned so much about how I should pray. From this day forward, I hope that I will never say another prayer the same way twice. I want to tell my Heavenly Father things that happened to me daily even though he already knows. I want to invite him into my life because I love him. I want him to know that I love him and that I want him to be the biggest part of my life. Okay sorry. Starting to ramble.

So I'm getting home from church, already in the spiritual zone, and I sit down to watch a little video. This video inspired me.

There is no one on this earth like Stephanie Nielson.

I watched this video and cried. I wept. Not because it was sad, but because I have been so stupid. I look at this woman, this beautiful woman, and I wonder when I can be like her. I see the light of Christ in her green eyes. I see it in her understanding of her mission in life. She gets it. She knows why she's here. I envy her. I hope that one day, I can be just like her. I want to have the faith that she has. I want the determination to keep going when i know that things aren't ideal. Life isn't ideal. I should get over that. She writes what she knows and how she feels. It is so pure and honest. Oh to be such a thing. Her little family is adorable. Her children make me smile, and her husband treats her like a pearl. And we know how i feel about pearls. If I could be so lucky, I would want to have the wonderful things that she has one day. Hopefully I can live my life the way that she has so that maybe one day, I can have children of my own that make me smile and a husband that calls me his sweetheart. Maybe one day, if I live the right way, I can be as faithful as this woman is. It's a stretch, but maybe with a little practice, I can do it. So this one goes out to Stephanie. I am 18 years old. I'm starting a different life soon, and I'm scared. Help me to not be. Help me to be half the woman that you are. Help me to remember that all is well, because I sometimes forget.

June 12, 2010

two cents. preferably euros.

Well hello, life. It's so nice of you to greet me again.
I've got a lot to say. Prepare yourself.

Swept away under an ocean of blue sky, surrounded by the deep blue pacific, I spent a week of my life. Let me rephrase that. Last week, I spent some time in paradise.

The grand and largest of all of the Hawaiian islands, Hawaii. That is where I had the privilege of staying for a week. I voyaged and braved this isolated island in the sea with my best friends. Thank goodness. We survived on Kelsey's "Sweet n' Salty" granola bars, Emily's Aloe Vera, and Mckenzie's wardrobe. We would lie on the beach and lay out at the pool. We fried our skin on the very first day and regretted it from that day forward. With good old Bob as our tour guide, cracking jokes along the way, we climbed our way to the top of Hawaii. We waded in a waterfall and explored the great unknown of the jungle... staying far away from the Vomitus trees. (Bob made sure of it.) We took jumping pictures on the beach at night, saw weird things crawling all over the imported white sand, and watched I Am Legend. I almost cried. Except not really. We dined at pretty restaurants and indulged in prestigious dessert each night. On the last day, we rented paddle boards and braved the tide. It was quite a thrill. I loved everything about this trip... except the awkward sun tan that I'll be sporting this summer... I'm peeling in weird places.
All in all, What. A senior trip.

I've never wanted anything so bad before.

Since I was a little girl, who knows how old, I have been completely infatuated by Ireland. I don't know why. I wish that I could explain it. Anyway. Last night, I was watching Leap Year. Hello. New favorite movie of life. It might not be the smartest movie or the wittiest, but it was wonderful. Let me explain my obsession like this. Ireland is my Holy Grail. To live in a place so beautiful and green is something that I'm determined to make happen. I've never been one for a huge mansion in The Hamptons, or a hidden beach house in Aruba. I'm 100% smitten by Ireland. A tiny house on acres of green grass is all that I need to be happy. Oh. And with being happily married. Preferably to someone who cares a great deal about simple things, but not cheesy things. He can't try too hard. Okay. There's my two cents. Don't be surprised if I spend all my days make up-less in a beige dress herding sheep all day sometime in the future. Thanks.