"Music" to the Ears

A typical day in the Candrian household may resemble the following:

I know, you're jealous, I would be too.
Poor little Michael, he has such a tough life already.

57 Vs. 24

My Dad and I just got back from, what runners would deem, an intermediate trail run, full of hills, mud, and soggy ground, through some of Sweden's finest.

My Dad plopped down after the run, breathed a sigh of relief, turned to my Mom and said,  "Your daughter wore me out." A few minutes later he turned to me and said the same thing, "You wore me out." I quickly replied, "Those hills where tough, but I think you wore me out Dad", even though I was feeling pretty great about finally semi-outdoing my Dad, who will always beat me in any race, and can almost always outlast my endurance level.

And then he responded with the following, "Try being 57."

He can always one up me.   

Discoveries

Some babies sleep a lot. Some eat a lot. Some surprise you and rarely make a sound.
And others like to make funny faces 60% of the time.

Michael falls under the "others" category.

His skills at work.
Michael's already figured out the face he'll need to make to get
Mom and Dad to give him whatever he wants.
I think he'll be using this face in his favor...a lot...so beware.

Although he's a baby, and technically allowed to cry more than the average human being,
the trick to instantly make him stop has already been discovered,
And it doesn't require food.
It simply requires him being bundled up, laid in the stroller,
And taken on a walk.
Then, he's out like a baby (pun intended).

Of course my Mom had a heyday with the picture taking.
But with the scenery here, I don't blame her.



The happy Grandparent's, with their sleepy grandson.

Mission accomplished!

Dreams Come True

Grandparent's at last,

and they couldn't be any happier.

This morning as my Dad rocked Michael to sleep, 

he looked at me and said, 

"You know, the last baby I held this small was you."

With tears in both of our eyes, 

I couldn't help but think, 

I bet he's glad I'm not that small anymore.

He'll pass the joy of raising a child on to Rob and Lorena, 

And stick with being happy to be a Grandpa,

Who has a Grandson named after him. 

The culprit behind my visit to Sweden:

This little guy

Who was in need of his aunt

Hasta La Vista USA

The night before you leave the country for six weeks can be a bit exhausting. Feeling like you have 500 things to do, but at the same time, realizing you've already done everything, and just need to calm down. Right now, I just need to calm down, but stressed, overwhelmed, nervous, and excited seem to be better fit emotions for my present state, than calm and at ease. But calm and at ease will come soon enough, the moment I step on the plane tomorrow afternoon. That's when I can do nothing else but breathe a sigh of relief, I made it.

I feel like I've become a big traveler as of lately. I guess that's what happens when people start calling me an adult and put a paycheck in my hands every two weeks. I like shopping, I love food, I want a new car, I enjoy a good cultural event, but I seem to find a need to satisfy the little travel bug inside of me. I consider it a penny (or two) well spent. My eyes have been opened to the wonders around me. So, for now, you can find me roaming about the world.

Next destination: Stockholm, Sweden

Stuck

Dear Sir in the Seat Next to Me,

Coughing, sniffling, and sneezing is NOT ok when you're sitting beside me,

Especially when you really just need to go blow your nose, like RIGHT now.

 I understand a sniffle or two here and there,  but every 5 seconds, I really might scream.  

And your coughing? 

I really don't want to know how many germs keep landing on me because of you.

I have trips coming up in my agenda you know.

And if I wake up one day this week feeling the way you sound,

 I'm NOT going to be a happy camper.

Unfortunately, I have no where else to go sit.

So, I have one solution, please exit the bus immediately, I'm begging you.

I would exit myself, but I need to get home asap.

So, please,  I'm begging you and your infested self, GET. OFF. THE. BUS.

Find another way home,

 Because sometimes people like you just shouldn't be allowed to ride public transportation.

Only healthy individuals, such as myself, should be allowed on. 

It would make such a great law.

Ready, set, get off!

Sincerely

Swine Flu Hater 

Obsessive?

I've become a bit obsessive with my traveling again. Remember this? When I couldn't seem to sit still for more than four days at a time. Well, I may be sitting still for longer than four days this time, but my traveling has taken off in full swing once again.

September 4-6th: Dallas, Texas
September 6-7th: Lake Anna, Spotsylvania Virginia
September 19th: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
October 1st-5th: Provo, Sandy, Salt Like City, Utah
October 9-12th: New York City, New York
October 16-26th: Stockholm, Sweden
October 26th-December 4th: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
And then comes Christmas and New Years, and I'm sure I'll have a trip planned for then too

And I complain I have a hard life...traveling, it's a tough job!

And She's Back Again

Another great weekend has come and gone, leaving fresh memories dancing in my mind. Why does time have to slip through our fingers so quickly, before we can stop the seconds from ticking away? If only I could have a few more hours, a few more minutes, a few more seconds added to my days, then I feel like I could hold on just a little bit longer. But I know, no matter how much time would be added to my days, they'd quickly slip away just the same. One day time will be unmeasurable, but until then, I'm going to embrace the precious 24 hours that I'm given each new day. This past weekend, I embraced more than 24 hours, I embraced the 72 precious hours spent in my beloved home state of Utah. While I do love Utah, and miss certain components of the place I've called home for so many years, it's always nice for just a visit, and then I must turn my back and walk away, until I find another excuse to march right back.

The excuses for this weekends visit...
Colie
BYU Football
and General Conference

And really, I don't think excuses get much better than that. This weekend held no expectations for me, but I must say, expectations or not, I walked away with a smile beaming on my face, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love when the unexpected happens. I love when things unfold into a better story than my storytelling mind could muster up. And I love when pleasant surprises appear. So, here's to a good weekend that's come and gone, leaving fresh memories dancing in my mind.

A little afternoon snack, courtesy of J-Dawgs

BYU football, LaVell Edwards Stadium, Cosmo, and Friends, more than enough to make me happy


General Conference, enlightening my weekend

Fall adorning the canyon during our Saturday afternoon drive to Silver Fork Lodge
Notice the white blanket lining the mountains back, winter is ready for Utah

Personal Holidays

African Dwarf Frogs...

Hawaiian Coffee Cake...
Work...
Birthday lunch date...
Mani/Pedis...
Mexican fiesta...
Princess cake...
Unicorn Pinata...
Friends...
Laughter...
Presents...
Sister wrestling...

I just love birthdays!

One Year Older...We'll See About Wiser Too

Awhile back, this thought came to my mind, why do we make new years resolutions at the beginning of the new year, and not at the beginning of OUR new year? When the new year approaches it's just another month. Every January 1st, we begin a new year, a new month, and to some, a new approach to life. I'm in favor of new years resolutions and goal making for that matter, but why not make these new years resolutions when it's actually a new year for us, on our birthday? It just makes more sense to me.

I want to accomplish...during my 24th year, I'd like to go see...when I'm 25, I want to be here...when I'm 30, etc.

Having new years resolutions for our actual new year of life, well, it just makes sense to me. So, in honor of my 24th year that begins at at approximately 7:15 pm tomorrow night, here is my list of 24 new years resolutions.

1. Limit the number of times I trip up or down the stairs, especially when in the public eye
2. Truthfully tell someone, "I'm going to Paris for the weekend"
3. Start preparing for grad school...mentally anyway
4. Babysit for my nephew in Sweden (that's right Rob and Lorena, I'm offering, so take me up on it)
5. Monthly trips to Richmond to visit my future nephew...and my sister of course
6. Start having more early mornings, and not so many late nights
7. Go back to fat camp
8. Do a triathlon
9. Run another half marathon
10. Reattempt my month on, month off of sweets (or at least outdo my 5 month attempt from last year)
11. Go scuba diving in Hawaii
12. More early morning scripture studies, less late night scripture studies (see #6)
13. Read at least one new book every month
14. Do I dare say, create a budget for myself?
15. Find more service oriented projects to work on
16. Monthly temple attendance (endowment preparation for next year's birthday)
17. Work on perfecting my, "come what may and love it" attitude
18. Visit beautiful beaches in Zanzibar during the month of, hmm, let's say November
19. Find a job that makes me happy
20. Less procrastination, more motivation
21. Alter my occasional, "the grass is greener on the other side" attitude
22. Be less selfish
23. Weekly journal entries
24. Whatever I do, have no regrets

Bring on the new year, 24, I'm ready for you!

To my Pops

Happy Birthday to my old man!

He's sure one lucky guy during his birthday month.

24 years ago he got me:

24 years later he got him:

And really, you just can't ask for a better birthday present than a perfect daughter and an adorable grandson.

I just love this guy!!!

He's simply the greatest.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I'm sad I can't be home to celebrate with him,

But luckily I'll be home next week,

Almost in time to celebrate mine with him instead.

Love,

Your little girl