a few random thoughts to start with

shelbie is in her 'terrible two' stage. she gives me a run for my insanity daily. although she is very sweet she demands a lot out of me and she gets it. i am the first to admit that she is spoiled. i love her so much and why shouldn't i spoil her?

shelbie and i visit the newport beach temple that is being built and she enthusiastically points out moroni to me and asks if she can 'touch'. we have a piece of the stone used on the outside walls of the temple and we have it on display on our piano. she asks for the 'temple rock' and likes to hold it for a few seconds then puts it back. i just watch her and think about the future when she may go through that edifice and be sealed for eternity. how blessed we are to have temples around the world.

we had a nice easter sunday, yesterday. our sacrament meeting was filled with the spirit and my testimony of my savior grew. i know that he lives. i know that he died for me and that he was resurrected and lives now and that because of that we are able to repent and grow to be like him so that we can live with our families for eternity. i can't put in to words how blessed me and my family are for that knowledge. i am so happy.

i miss my friend ryan. she is in jordan. she is serving in the peace corp teaching special education in a southern village. she loves it and is having some great adventures and making awesome memories. i am flying home this weekend to see my family and attend my 10-year class reunion. ryan won't be coming for obvious reasons. it will be sad to be there without her. we have been friends for so long and to not share in this milestone will be different. we met in the second grade. i remember her dog, sessna...her constantly-under-construction house...her waterbed...erin's guinea pig...her families move to hercules...her middle school years spent away...her return to ahs...our lunches spent in the math class (nerds??)...maturing together, yet separately...most of all our love as friends growing, growing, growing...i miss my friend ryan.