Fun Stories... Please...

With the end of my fun American adventures (for now) I wanted you to post some of the fun stories that we have shared over the years!! Love ya x

End of an Era

A little over 7 years ago Captain Random Horse and Falling Rock began an Arizonan adventure. It was supposed to be a year long, but has turned into a long term journey. Captain Random Horse was married to a small Latino and Falling Rock moved to Utah. During her time in Utah she graduated BYU, taught 5th grade, made amazing friends, snowboarded, traveled, cruised, road tripped the US, fell in and out of love, hiked, grew to love American football, and learned to love America. Then the unthinkable happened… The Lord spoke (and the US government) and it was time for Falling Rock to fall back to the big island of Australia. Since coming home to the sunburned country, there have been many ups and downs in the last 6 months. There hasn’t been a lot of communication as she has been trying to get life sorted and staying really busy. Months of waiting for approval to teach in Australia and seeing many jobs advertised and not being able to do anything was frustrating. This all came through with minimal fuss, just lots of patience. Teaching approval was granted right as school was beginning for the new year, so there was not a full time teaching job to be had. In order to support her shoe habit Falling Rock had to do relief teaching (also known as subbing in the US) and worked for her brothers accounting company. Doing relief teaching has been fun and a varied experience for different grade levels and at different schools. Most of the experiences have been at a private Anglican school called Peter Moyes. This is a 5 minute walk from Mum’s house. It has been a great experience at this school with the fun times of getting to know a new staff, school, students, and way of teaching. 3 weeks ago Falling Rock was asked to interview for a position at the school teaching a year 3 class. This is a maternity vacancy that is there for the next year and half. Falling Rock prevailed and was offered the very exciting job!! Celebrations ensued, with partying and food for the next few weeks. Along with the search for work Falling Rock has been trying to decide where to live. Right now she is looking after he Mum’s house while she is visiting the family in California. This has meant staying in the home ward and being close to most of her Perth Friends. Catching up with the old friends has been wonderful. There are so many people that Falling Rock has been blessed to have in her life, many who have helped the transition back home happen so smoothly. There have been road trips up north, countless days down the beach, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, games and cards to even wear Auntie Kay out, movie nights, parties, dates, visiting friends from other countries, and making lots of new friends and acquaintances. Church has been taking a lot of time in Falling Rocks life. Her calling as a ward missionary has been way busy. There have been 4 lots of new member discussions to teach, along with meetings, trainings, and lots of discussions out with the missionaries. She is loving this calling and the opportunities to teach and learn more of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The last 7 years have been amazing. I wouldn’t change anything that I have learned, seen, experienced, felt, or done. To all my friends who have been there over the years, thanks. For all those who have helped me to have such amazing time, thanks. It is sad to see the end of an exciting adventure, but every minute has been packed with excitement. Thanks for all staying in touch and caring how I am doing. Love Always Candice aka Falling Rock x

'Star Wars (John Williams Is The Man)' a cappella tribute medley - Corey...

John Williams is totally the Man!

Star Tours: Darth Vader goes to Disneyland

Love Darth Vader vs. Disneyland!

Mercy's Arms

As I was preparing my Sunday School lesson today I was reminded our merciful the Lord is to us. We have been blessed to have the Holy Ghost to guide and direct us in all our decision making. I have some interesting decisions to make right now and needed that good reminder. As I was preparing this lesson, this song came on. I love the words and the reminder for me to be humble and listen to the Lord's will.

The mighty fortress walls
I have built around my foolish heart
How they crumble and they fall
As I surrender all
To mercy's arms

Bathed in holy rain
Cleansed from sinner's bitter stains
Only love remains
And I'm forever changed
By mercy's arms

[Chorus:]
Sweet the surrender
Sweet the embrace
Sweet the forgiveness
To one forever undeserving of his grace
Safely encircled
Rested and warmed
Sweet is the taste
Of love that awaits in mercy's arms

In the light, the life, the way
Is the key unlocking every chain
Sin is lost and freedom gained
The price was paid
By mercy's arms

[Chorus]

When I reach my journey's end
How I hope that He will call me friend
And reach out for me again
Forever spend
In mercy's arms

Bev & Suzanne dance to Michael Jackson!

I am breaking all sorts of rules, but I needed to share this... at least it's not facebook!! Enjoy a little dancing by the girls!

Volkswagen Commercial: The Force

I can totally see my nephew Isis doing this.... :)

Brad Paisley - Online

My life right at this very moment!!

Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue

Freaking hilarious video!!

Christina Perri - Jar of Hearts Official Video

New favourite song.... Check it out!

Ice Hockey...

Ok so I am going to be a thief and post a link to my sister's blog about our Ice Hockey exploits!! She says it so much better than I could.

http://glooart.com/blog/?p=3763

Enjoy xx

Future Suggestions...

What to do? Right now I am trying to make plans for the future and I am not sure what to do. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Gratitude Quotes!

At this time when Americans stop and reflect on what they are thankful for, I have been doing some of the same. I have posted on different things that I am thankful for, but I found some nice quotes that help remind of the blessings that come into our lives from giving thanks.

"Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives." Terry Lynn Taylor

"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life." Northrup Christiane

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." W.T. Purkiser

"God is glorified, not by our groans, but by our thanksgivings." Edwin Percy Whipple

"A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer." Gotthold Lessing

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Melody Beattie

"Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character." Author Unknown, from Be Thankful

"We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning." Albert Barnes

"If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get." Frank A. Clark

"When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup." Sam Lefkowitz

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." W. J. Cameron

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." Albert Schweitzer

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." William Arthur Ward

(Quotes found on http://www.wow4u.com/qthankfulness/index.html)

Post Thanksgiving Cooking...

Today I needed to do some cooking for my visiting teachers... I decided to make pumpkin rolls... One worked, one didn't. So not impressed when the cake sticks to the pan! Now I need to think of a recipe that include pumpkin cake. Any ideas? Maybe a pumpkin cake truffle? If you have any suggestions please feel free to share. I am excited to do some more cooking tomorrow with Bev. I am thinking of making some Chicken Cabonara, but I will see how inspired I am. xx

Thanksgiving 2010

When you take a moment to stop and reflect, life is interesting with its twists and turns. I was planning on spending Thanksgiving with Suzanne in Montana, but the weather intervened. So in the end I went down to Nephi and spent the day with Rex and his family. We had such a fun day. The Thanksgiving food was amazing. I love stuffing! After we chatted and then the games began. Yes my competitive side did come out. We were playing 5 crowns and we had to keep playing until Rex wasn't winning! Yes I was pushing this issue. Then we played spoons. I was the one who walked away with an injury. Jacob hit my fingers a couple of times and they got a little jarred. Yes it is a little swollen, but not too bad.
We watched some movies, played the new Game of Life, and chatted. It was a really fun, relaxing day. It was just like hanging out with the family. They are all loud and obnoxious, just like us. It was great.
I was thinking back to last year and how nervous I was to go meet Ben's family. It ended up being such a nice Thanksgiving too. Even though I am not American, it is a great time to stop and think of what we are thankful for. So much in life changes, but this summer I have learned how to communicate better. I have also learned how thankful I am for great friends and amazing family. I was watching Anne of Green Gables and I was reminded of a nice saying, "Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes." I think this is a great way to view life. If we let others have their mistakes and forgive them and ourselves our mistakes, then life would be a whole lot better and happier.

Disappointment!

This week there was supposed to be the biggest blizzard Utah has seen in years. Suzanne and I canceled plans to go to Montana for Thanksgiving, stayed inside, and waited... We waited and continued to wait. There was snow up in Logan, Jasmine has plenty of it, but we didn't get hardly any. So all the plans went by the wayside and there was a light amount of snow and absolutely freezing temperatures.
I did not go outside today. I don't want to be out and playing in -15 C weather. As much as we all know I love cold weather, NOT, that is just ridiculous. So I continue to be a hermit today. I got lessons planned all the way till Christmas, even got some review packets for the children to take home over the Christmas Break. I have a few more books to read over this week and then I will be so nice and organized.
Even when the weather disappoints there are plenty of friends who come through. I am heading down to Rex's place for Thanksgiving Lunch. Then I will see from there. I have had a bunch of other offers, which is always sweet to have great offers. Who knows, maybe the weather will warm up a little, to at least be bearable!

The Small Things in Life

I was reminded today to stop and smell the flowers. Somebody pointed out to me that I am so focused on trying to figure out the big picture, that I forget to look at the small amazing things in life. I decided to make a little list of the things that I am grateful for.

* Amazing family who love me and do such wonderful things for me.
* Nieces and Nephews who are so happy to see me. They love me no matter what I do or say, and are always excited to see me.
* Friends who always keep me busy and smiling.
* A great job.
* Money to pay my bills and have fun.
* Children at school who want me to be happy and care about what I do.
* Fabulous visiting and home teachers.
* Church.
* Temple.
* A car that works.
* Wonderful warm winter clothes.

There are a lot more, but this is my small list for the day. Maybe we should all stop that think about the small things and what we appreciate in life!!

My Thoughts on Love...

This is my thoughts in love today... please feel free to skip over this... I am more putting random thoughts down from my head!

I told someone the other night that I love to read Trashy Romance Novels. Well I love more just romance novels, minus the trash. I have been able to accept that I am in fact a sappy romantic at heart. Yes I am waiting for Mr. Wonderful or Prince Charming to show up. Yes I want to have someone to come home to at night and talk to. Someone who cares what I think and wants to listen to me, even when I am being a little crazy :)

Tonight I was watching The Lake House. Yes I love that movie, and yes I can separate reality and fantasy, just so that you are all aware. There was a quote in this movie that I really loved. Kate and Alex have been writing and they finally agree to meet. Kate waits for hours and Alex doesn't show. She writes this to him and the dialogue follows.

Kate “You weren’t there. You didn’t come.”

Alex “I don’t understand. Something must have happened. I’m sorry, I’ve got two years Kate, we can try again.”

Kate “No Alex its too late. It already happened. It didn’t work.”

Alex “Don’t give up on me Kate, what about Persuasion you told me they wait, they meet again, they had another chance.”

Kate “Life is not a book a book Alex and it can be over in second. I was having lunch with my mother at Daily Plaza. A man was killed right in front of me he died in my arms and it thought it cant end just like that in valentine’s day and I thought about all other people who love him waiting at home who will never see him again. Then I thought what if there is no one, what if you live your whole life and no one is waiting, so I drove myself to the lake house looking for any kind of answer and I found you. And I let myself get lost, lost in this beautiful fantasy when time stands still but its not real Alex. I have to learn to live the life I have got please don’t write any more don’t try to find me let me let me let you go”

It is true that life is not a book. You can not live the fairy tale life, but can't we hope for it? Do we single ladies have to settle for crap, or can we hope that someone will give us all that we want, dream, desire, and most importantly deserve? Once Kate realizes that Alex was the man at daily plaza she writes this to him.

Kate “Alex, I know why you didn’t show up that night. It was you at daily plaza that day it was you, please don’t go just wait please don’t look for me don’t try to find me, I love you, and its taking me all this time to say it but I love you. If you still care for me wait, wait for me, wait with me, wait, wait two years Alex, come to the lake house Alex, I am here.”

Often we let our fears stop us from doing our best in a relationship, or stepping out of our comfort zones to go after what we want. I think we can all say we have done this. If we didn't let our fears hold us back we could say I Love You so much sooner and with more confidence.

I want someone who will do anything to be with me. Who would be willing to wait two years just to see me. Is that too much to ask? Don't get me wrong when I talk about this I want to be this person for my man as well, it is definitely a two way street. But right now I am tired of having my heart broken. So tired of rebuilding life after someone carelessly shatters your dreams. I know I am not too picky when it comes to love and men. When I love I give my whole heart and would do anything for him. Why is it too picky to expect the same back?

I have seen some wonderful examples of love in relationships and marriage. My parents were great. Do I think they were perfect? No. But they showed me how it could be. Do I want a little of the romance in my life? Yes. Have I had it before? Yes. Do I miss it? Yes. I just hope that I can figure this whole thing out and have a little of the happiness back in my life.

My Two Boyfriends...

Some recent snaps pf Thomas and Luke. They are still so cute, and I will miss them while they are in South Africa. They are so constant in their love for me. Not a time goes by that one of them doesn't leave me a surprise. Usually something white and projectile :D

Life Catching Up!!

I thought I would write a little something and tell you all what I have been doing. The last few weeks have been so stressful for me. You know sometimes when life just catches up with you. I had a huge test to take, papers to write, and assignments to do. Plus lessons to prepare, observations to have, a social life to have, sick family, and much more.

This year is my 3rd year of teaching and I have to meet several requirements in order to get my permanent Utah license. I was stressing about taking the Praxis last Saturday, and was struggling to know how best to study. I came to school on Friday and asked Rex to give me a blessing. It was such a nice blessing and I am grateful for the direction that the Lord can give us in our lives. I felt calm and peaceful about the test. I took it on Saturday morning and it went well, at least I think it did. I have a month to wait for the results.

After taking the test I went and had Red Robin with Lindey for lunch. I love my family who take care of me. I had to then prepare an assignment for my ESL class I am taking. These classes will allow me to receive an endorsement for teaching students whose first language is not English. It is giving me lots of ideas about how to be a better teacher and when I am done I will get a pay rise and it will make me more marketable. All good things!! But the class is rather full on and takes lots of my time. I am enjoying it, but will be happy when I have some time back to myself.

Along with this I have to finish my portfolio for teaching. This is essentially writing 8 essays about my teaching and what I have learned. This takes lots of time and keeps me busy. So all these things have been freaking me out. I also need to have some formal observations done by people at work. Trying to figure all these things out has been stressful.

James has also had his chest surgery and Isis had his tonsils out. Two of my babies in hospital is sad! But they both seem to be doing better. Along with all of these stressful things there have been lots of good things going on too.

I am planning a trip to Montana for Thanksgiving with Suzanne (depending on the snow). We also had a girls night on Sunday. Nothing like Men to bring us women together. If any of you have ideas for how we can find some decent men, willing to commit, all us girls would love to know. Although I have had some people telling me recently that it is my fault that I am not married. Obviously being too picky. I have decided that you can not EVER be too picky. Do I want to be with someone for eternity who I kinda like, or who annoys me, or worse ~ doesn't love me?? I think not!

We also watched Harry Potter this weekend. Yes it was long. I did enjoy it though, which was a little miraculous. I did suffer for it today. Bev and I went out for a chicks day. We went to lunch with Rachel, told funny stories and talked about boys, then went shopping, and got pedicures. It was great, but I came home and promptly fell asleep for 2 hours. I didn't want to wake up!!

With all this other stuff going on, I have been catching up with old friends and trying to move on and find happiness. I have come to realize there is so much I can work on to improve myself. Happiness comes from within and from self reflection and change. I have been doing a lot of reading and trying to improve my communication skills. I like to think I am better, but there is always more I can work on.

Now that I have had my personal little rave, I am going to sign off... Hope you are all well. Love and miss you all back home, or in other parts of the world xxx