Farewell to Aspen Grove

Yesterday was my last day at Aspen Grove. It was a lot harder to say goodbye than I thought it would be. I was really starting to make friends, but my immune system had other plans for me. However, I am grateful for the chance I had to work with some amazing people and care for some really sweet kids. It was also a wonderful chance to live in the middle of God's creations.

Maybe I'm weird to be taking pictures of dead birds, but you don't get to see them up close very often, and this fellow was very pretty.

This was the view from the bridge in the center of camp

 While working in the two year old room my coworker informed me that we had a really large slug today. I assumed she meant the child lying in the doorway moaning "mommydaddymommydaddymommydaddy" and responded, "yes we do…" She had to drag me into the other room to show me this fellow hiding under a crib… I'm just glad we found it before the kids did. 

 My favorite blue flowers were growing just outside my door.

I rescued this guy from a stair. I thought he was pretty cute. Unfortunately not everything we found up there was cute. While playing pretend safari on the kiddie playground I turned around and found some teeth strung along to a bright red heart and trailing intestines. Rat. Apparently something large and furry had been interrupted in the middle of breakfast. I sent the kids in search of a tiger on the other side of the playground. Thankfully, rat guts are not our domain. We chased the kids inside (apparently it was not a friendly tiger). We told them the tiger was still out there while they looked longingly out the window and we waited for custodial. Not exactly your average babysitting job. 

This is Bunny the moth. The picture from my phone isn't very good, but part of the reason it is so fuzzy is the amount of fur on that moth. There are a lot of huge moths taking refuge in the girl's bathroom, some of them cuter than others. This one had antennae so fuzzy that they looked like bunny ears, hence the name.

I saw this pretty spiderweb on a bridge on my way home from work.

For a staff party they took everyone to the Springville Strawberry Days Rodeo. I was a little skeptical, but we had a lot of fun. The part with the cows below was funny. They pin money to the calfs and then let all the little kids in the crowd have a go at them. It was pretty hilarious. We romper leaders could relate to the cows...

Kristina, Me, Siri, and Jenny

Frontier Night performance. For frontier night we wake up the old western village and have a lot of games like tomahawk throwing and stick pulling. They usually have someone volunteer to play the organ in the little church house. However, the organist is very social and wanted a change, so I happily volunteered to take her place.

Working with these sweet kids can be hard some days, but then you get a baby who is just so adorable that they make up for everything else. It is the sweetest feeling when they curl up on top of you and fall asleep as if you were their mommy. One little boy thought I was the best person in the world because I was wearing a hat. He was endlessly entertained by taking my hat off and then hitting me over the head with it in his attempt to replace it. We call these "baby crushes."

Baby Crush #1: look at those eyes.

 This baby crush was my buddy all week. I would get him to sleep by cuddling with him and then go put the next baby to sleep. He always woke up with the most heartbreaking betrayed expression, as if he were saying, "what are you doing with another baby on your lap?!" and I would have to go rescue him.

This little girl was actually kind of hard, but she reminded me so much of myself at that age that I could hardly hold it against her. After all, none of these kids have been to pre-school: asking them to go with strangers for six or seven hours a day is a bit much.

Out walking by the pool. When kids are really distraught we take them out for walks. This little girl would not be distracted. In three hours she never once forgot that we were (pretending on my part) to look for her mom. We put our feet in the pool, dropped pine cones off the bridge, played in the fountain and hand dryers, everything. We spent half an hour looking in all the car windows in the staff parking lot to see if her mom was in any of them although her mom was rock climbing. This sort of makes me feel terrible, but I was running out of ideas.

 You don't get to go outside with the infants much, but it has its perks!

 This big guys was only six months. Yeah. I got my mommy muscles that week. He also sang opera in the crib which was hilarious but terrible at the same time because we were afraid he would wake up the other babies.

Sarah and I doing swing duty.

In the playhouse. These kids are great at playing pretend. We went on a lot of pretend safaris. They would choose an animal, scout around for it, and then we would go pet it. I always had to smile when they all said "hi elephant!" and petted a spot a couple feet in the air. Somebody needs to take these kids to a zoo.

I never got a picture with Christian, although he got a picture with me. He was one of my 2 year old baby crushes. He always ran in and shouted "Hi Ca-me-ow!" He loved to cuddle and caught me by surprise the first time he curled up against me to fall asleep, a tradition that we followed for the rest of the week. He wanted his mom to take a picture of us after the closing show but couldn't find me because I was cleaning up. When I asked to dance with him at the family dance his mom told me that he got really worried that I was lost. What a sweetheart!

The Romper team!

"We came, we Rompered, we conquered!"

Sarah, Hayley,  Faith, Siri, Kiley, me, Caitlyn. Not pictured: Jenny

Aspen Grove- Leaving the Comfort Zone

I have been working at Aspen Grove for about a month now. The first week was really rough as I adjusted, but I am really enjoying it up here. There are about 80 employee's, all young university students. We have a strange combination of work, housing, and church. They feed and house us for free, but we get a candy bar if we pass cleaning inspection today. We are part of a branch that has about 400 visitors every week. Your co-workers are your roommates, your friends, and your church leaders as well. My job is with the Rompers, kids between 0 and 2 years old. I really love working with them. That doesn't mean it is always easy, but they are cute and they don't mind that I prefer to be calm. You have to have a lot of energy to work with the other age groups. It is also very beautiful up here in the mountains. I love walking out my cabin door in the morning and seeing the sun pour over the mountain.

My roommate, Kylie, snapped a photo of me leading the music in Relief Society.

She also managed to get one while we were doing scripture study…I am apparently oblivious to her shutterbug tendencies.

My dear roommate Mandy got married to our friend Derek in the Salt Lake Temple in May. I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids. I am going to miss her, but we had lots of wonderful adventures together and now she has many new ones ahead of her.

This is what we call "the Ohana." We are missing one, but we have had a great year and I count myself very lucky in my friends. 

Last Book Binge?

This will be my last break for a while, but I haven't had a lot of luck in the literature department. Here are a few that I did come across:

Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo: This was a great adventure story, with the appropriate romantic plot mover. A dark rift full of monsters is threatening to tear a country apart physically when it is already on the brink of a political disaster. Can the little orphan soldier, Alina Starkov, survive to heal the land that suddenly needs her? You'll have to find out. Goodreads- Shadow and Bone

 Sweet Venom, by Tera Lynn Childs: This is a great adventure story with plenty of girl-power while emphasizing the importance of family. Three descendants of the Gorgon Medusa are charged with saving the modern world from being overrun by monsters. You'll find yourself loving characters you never imagined loving in the beginning. Goodreads- Sweet Venom

My Brilliant Career, by Miles Franklin: This book was temporarily out of print, probably because her neighbors were offended by the not so subtle recreation of her own life. This book tells the story of Sybylla, a girl growing up in colonial Australia, who fights against the drying up of her dreams on a struggling farm in the outback. Like Scarlett O'Hara, you do not always love Sybylla, but you always respect her, and too often understand her. This is a great read if you are a Jane Eyre fan (though I regret to inform you of an absence of madwomen locked in attics).
Goodreads-My Brilliant Career

Of Poseidon, by Anna Banks: This book had me laughing from the very first line. The main character's inner dialogue matches my own accident prone thoughts. The story has a great mystery to solve and a cute romance that thankfully doesn't rely on the high school scene. A wonderful read for a gloomy afternoon. You can give the sequels a try, but they lost me by the third one, a disappointment after those promising first lines. Goodreads- Of Poseidon






Shifting, by Bethany Wiggins: Honestly, I haven't read this book in three years, but I saw it on Goodreads and remember adoring it. We went to the beach for my graduation gift, and all I could think about was finishing the book. Just think native american skinwalkers. Is that a Navajo tradition? I'm going to go find the book and find out again, you should too! Goodreads- Shifting






 
The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson: How can you dislike anything by Brandon Sanderson? I don't believe it is possible. He is the master of fantasy that everyone says he is. This book is huge, and it's only the first of a series, but it is worth the read. Just wait until a vacation. I tried to read it during the school year and either the story or my homework suffered for it. Once again, Sanderson creates a world where everything is brand new but feels as if it could have been in place forever, with characters between rock and hard places that you root for from the beginning. Just don't get thrown off by the hundreds of small stories that don't quite fit together in the beginning. They will eventually…I hope. Goodreads- The Way of Kings

"A house that has a library in it has a soul"- Plato  

Happy Mothers Day!

I was asked to speak in my home ward for mother's day this year. I always had a secret desire to be able to speak on mother's or father's day so that I could have my chance to sing my parents' praises. However, I realized that I would rather give the talk that I wished my mom had gotten when she was the one struggling with kids along the pew or just having a rough day. So I am sharing this talk for all women out there, married or not, who feel insufficient for the life at hand:

          My mom once told me that she found mother’s day talks depressing because they made her feel overwhelmed thinking about everything she should be. It seems like some moms work, drive their kids to all their activities, help with the PTA, do their visiting teaching, clean the house, prepare dinner, and have perfectly obedient children. Today I want to remind you that that super-mom does not really exist, and that that those things are not what make a woman a mother, nor would they make her happy. Some women find mother’s day depressing because they are not married or do not have children. You may be surprised to hear, this is not what makes a mother. Motherhood is a divine part of being a woman that is magnified when you love and nurture others.

Sister Sheri Dew reminds us that Eve was called “the mother of all living” before she ever gave birth. She teaches that “motherhood is more than bearing children, though it certainly is that. It is the essence of who we are as women. Motherhood defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits, talents, and tendencies our Father gave us.” With that in mind, celebrating mother’s day is like celebrating a birthday. You don’t have to do anything to earn it—it is just who you are.

As women, you magnify your calling as a mother when you nurture others and share your love with them. In his book Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne says “some people care too much. I think it’s called love.” As mothers, you have an infinite capacity to love. With four kids, my mom was often overwhelmed and couldn’t give me as much of her time. I complained and whined about not getting enough time with her that we set up “talking time.” This was a few minutes every day after she got the other three kids in bed that she or my dad would come talk to me when nobody else was allowed to interrupt, habit we have kept up for the last 11 years. She must have been exhausted at the end of the day. But she did it anyway. Today I have no idea how clean our kitchen was, but my mother is my best friend. I can feel her love for me and I see it in the way she treats others. You do this too. You show this love when you visit a friend who is struggling, when you teach primary, when you support a sibling, when you just let someone cry on your shoulder. This ability to love and care for others, even when they aren’t related to you, or you wish they weren’t, is what others see to celebrate today. They celebrate your love. Your compassion. You. And it has nothing to do with circumstances. That is something that is an inherent part of you as daughters of God.

Every woman is a mother in a different way. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught that “there is no one perfect way to be a good mother.” Mary is revered throughout the world as the mother of our Savior. Was she any less of a mother if her house wasn’t perfectly clean, the dinner burned, or she was too tired to acknowledge her children fighting at the end of the day? I don’t believe so. Don’t stress so much about being the perfect mother. According to Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “You don’t have to be perfect . . . .Your intuition is to do good and be good.” Note that he didn’t say how to be good. It is different for each of you.

 I often think of my life as a rowboat. It is packed with all the things that I worry about and the things that I have forgotten to worry about spilling over the sides. On these days, when somebody needs my help, I feel as if they are the drowning person about to capsize my little boat. However, I have discovered that when I put Christ in the center of my boat, everything balances out. The things that don’t matter get lost, and the things that do find their place. It isn’t until I do this that I have the strength to help others. So in your desire to do good, to help others, remember to take care of yourself. Allow Christ to help you by putting him first, and he won’t allow you to be swamped.

Today, I hope you remember to enjoy being a mother, and not to stress. You do your best to take care of yourself and your family, and then you leave the rest up to God.  He made you: he knows you have limits. He also loves you and wants you to be happy. You do not have to do anything to earn his love, it is already there.

Sheri Dew- Are We Not All Mothers?

M. Russell Ballard- Daughters of God

D. Todd Christofferson- The Moral Force of Women

Christmas Book Binge

Now it is obviously not Christmas, but I finally found a moment to write about some of the books I enjoyed over the break.

Caged Graves by Dianne K Salerni. A lovely historical fiction. It has a fantastic mystery and a nice practical but sweet romance for once. Caged Graves on Goodreads

Mind Games by Kiersten White. This definitely made me laugh. It is a fun light read but with a good plot and engaging characters. Mind Games on Goodreads

Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White. I loved this. An intriguing plot and a wonderful romance that makes you laugh. This book does a great job of straddling the fence between too fluffy or too dark. Illusions of Fate on Goodreads

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. What do you do when you have demon hunting superpowers, but only every other day of the week? An enjoyable short read for your next weekend that needs something fun but not too heavy. Every Other Day on Goodreads

Books Make the Best of Friends

Knowing that Grammy at least wants to know what good books I have found has finally given me a purpose for my blog. I love sharing what good books I have found, and so it motivates me to write.

Here I present my list from the last few weeks, in no particular order, because that would require making decisions, and the only thing I hate more than making jello is making decisions:

Chime- by Franny Billingsley. This wonderful book took me by surprise, and a very pleasant surprise it was, even if it meant staying too late for me to divulge. Written in stream-of-consciousness, this book keeps you reading as you try to delve deeper into the speakers confused mind to sort out the plot without giving you the sense of frustration you might get from James Joyce. An added plus, it also does not require you to have an intimate knowledge of Irish politics. *cough*James Joyce*cough*. The characters are absolutely, wonderfully lovable and will make you laugh as well as cry. I found myself becoming particularly fond of Rose, maybe because she reminds me of people I know myself. Here is the blurb quoted on Amazon, because I feel like the Goodreads synopsis gives too much away: Briony has a secret. It is a secret that killed her stepmother, ruined her sister's mind, and will end her life, if anyone were to know. She has powers. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and a great mane of tawny hair. He is as natural as the sun, and he treats her as if she is extraordinary. And everything starts to change . . . Chime is a haunting, brilliantly written novel that will stay with you--its magic, its romance, its world like none other.

Vessel- Sarah Beth Durst. This book was wonderfully original. It was one of the sole pleasures of a disappointing library trip, but it more than made up for it. Entirely new cultures with their own unique customs and religion as well as unheard of magics and creatures. This author doesn't entirely rely on pre-created ideas of mythical creatures or religions, but instead creates something new. The landscape and cultures begin as being reminiscent of ancient Bedouin cultures, but evolves into something unique. Vessel on Goodreads.

Mara-Daughter of the Nile- Eloise Jarvis McGraw. Okay, so this isn't a new book, in fact, it has been one of my favorites since I was in middle school at least, but it only gets better with time. It is full of suspense, action, and romance. The clever main character stands on a knife edge for the entire book, and you won't forget it. Your heart will ache with hers, but also laugh with hers- and you will cry when it is over, not because of the ending, but because it was the end. I have never lent this book out and found the reader disappointed  If you do not read this and love it, I will be forced to disown you. Mara on Goodreads

The Solitary Envoy- T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn. A nice Christian romance, you will have nothing to worry about as far as cleanliness. This book starts a lovely series about ending the slave trade in England and the Americas. As a historical fiction, it is well researched, and each character becomes endearing, though you may only see through their eyes for one book. The Solitary Envoy on Goodreads.

Cinder- Marissa Meyer. I got this for my birthday at my roommate's suggestion, and was not disappointed. It is a fantastic sci-fi twist on Cinderella. No mopey dreamers for me, this Cinder girl has a strong drive to do what is right, truly knows how to love, and is the perfect balance of dreams and reality. I can't wait to get to the library for the next book in the series. Cinder on Goodreads

The Host- Stephanie Meyers. Yeah, you probably discredited me right there, but this book almost redeems Twilight (though I once despised it, now I can say that it had a lot of potential. However, the editors did Mrs. Meyers a huge disservice by allowing it to be published as it was). My disgust for Twilight was more than apparent when Roma, my darling and now happily married roommate, handed it to me when I had nothing to read and was too tired to march up to the campus library. Though skeptical, I opened it and was blown away. I read it a second time a couple weeks ago to make sure it wasn't my imagination. Nope, it's still good. You will find yourself becoming very attached to the main character and her concerns. I don't think I've ever read a book from quite this perspective before. This book brings up lots of interesting questions about ethics, so it is even better if your friends read it too, because then you can discuss it. The Host on Goodreads.

The Hero and the Crown- Robin McKinley. How could you not love a book by Robin McKinley? Her name should say it all. She is a master artist, creating new and complex worlds for you to dive into and investigate. The main character is strong, and you find yourself rooting for her early on. This is a MUST read. If you (an assumed bookworm like myself) die before reading this, and its even better sequel, The Blue Sword, you will have missed out on an essential part of mortal life, and should rethink some of your priorities. Hero and the Crown on Goodreads

A Lasting Impression- Tamera Alexander. Not as good as the other books on this list in my opinion, but still enjoyable for some light reading. This book is a historical christian romance centering around an aspiring artist with a shady past. A Lasting Impression on Goodreads

These is My Words- Nancy E. Turner. This is another MUST READ. My dear Aunt Stephanie lent it to me after a public plea for new reading material that had passed the Deeper-than-High-School-Musical-test. I was blown away. Once again, I stayed up far too late into the night to see the character through one more moment. This book reminded me of Gone with the Wind, if Scarlett had been more lovable, and Georgia were the Far West. Sarah has the same spirit and drive without Scarlett's stubborn stupidity, plus an extra dose of practicality. I couldn't believe I hadn't heard of this book before, it was so good, surely it must be pouring out of the libraries. READ IT! I said I didn't rank books, but this one definitely goes near the top. These is My Words on Goodreads

I don't know about you, but this perfectly sums up one of my favorite things about books:

“The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours”― Alan Bennett, The History Boys: The Film

The only thing I do besides read is…read?

I always mean to write something on my blog, but when I made it I thought I would be having a lot more adventures. Don't get me wrong, I love school, but I can hardly regale you with tales and photographs of my eight a.m. British Literature class. I have found very few people who are as excited as I am to discuss nomenclature in Charles Dickens' masterpieces, so I won't even try now. I am also usually pretty sick of writing by the time my homework is done (I mean given up on, because it is never done). However, I can use this blog to let you know what fantastic books I have found while binge reading in my free (or borrowed) time.

P.S. I may just cheat and link you to goodreads if you want more background. I'm lazy that way. =)

The Key: True Reign Series, by Jennifer Anne Davis. Wow. I couldn't put this book down. Strong, lovable characters, and villains you hate so much you wish they were real so you could strangle them. Fantastic. No bad language or sketchy scenes even though it's an action/romance fantasy. Please read. I hope the sequel is already out! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18631388-the-key?from_search=true

Green Rider by Kristen Britain. A high fantasy, Lord of the Rings sort of tale, but more fast paced. I re-read this one after several years, and still liked it. I couldn't put it down the first time I read it, as I recall. This one is better for older readers-not one I would suggest for Bethany. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/147843.Green_Rider?from_search=true

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard. Amazing and intense. Who would have thought that a post-civil-war zombie book could be so riveting. Elegant hoop skirts and necromancy? Don't mind if I do. A beautiful science/historical fiction romance. I know you've all spent hours pondering how world history would have changed if there were zombies, so this definitely is the book for you. I shocked myself, but I loved it. I'm dying as I wait for the final book of the trilogy, but it doesn't come out until next summer. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9859436-something-strange-and-deadly?from_search=true

Starcrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce. I picked this one up because I loved another book by this author, A Curse as Dark as Gold. Obviously I wouldn't mention it if it weren't amazing, right? I may have stayed up until one…or maybe two in the morning to finish this. Naughty girl, I know. This one is probably pretty good for teen readers too, though I haven't tested it on anyone else but my mom.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7877549-star-crossed?from_search=true

Fairy Godmothers Inc. by Jennifer Wardell. This book was hilarious. It is a fantastic spoof on Cinderella from the godmother's point of view…business can get a little difficult when you are trying to juggle corrupt corporations and girls that have a fettish for outlandish animals instead of prince charmings. I think younger readers would love this one too. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17407183-fairy-godmothers-inc?from_search=true

Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar. A beautiful, well written christian historical romance that takes place as the Israelites seek to return to Jerusalem. My mom loved it as well. I have loved this author's following books also. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13160611-harvest-of-rubies?from_search=true

It is way too late now, and I need to go to bed, but if this doesn't start you with a nicely rounded list for any reading mood…well, go eat some chocolate, take a nap, and take another look then.