Spring! In Real Life

The past few days the weather has been glorious, and it's such a rejuvenating feeling. It's like the reassurance that there will be sun and warmth and happiness in the world again. There is goodness on the other side of winter. Hallelujah!

Recently:

Tessa got promoted at work and she invited me to the ceremony. Her manager had a lot of really nice things to say about her. She's now in management, but from what I understand it's pretty similar to what she was doing before, just with a few more things added in. She's a nursing rock star.

As a side note, there was food at this event and they had a ton leftover. They were literally handing out to-go boxes afterwards begging us to take some with us. Fortunately, it was mostly fruit and vegetables so I didn't feel bad about taking some of it but there were definitely trays of brownies, lemon bars, and angel food cake. And I only took one of each! I felt like a rock star myself.

With her manager and other friends who were also promoted.

Last weekend I was able to participate in an original musical program written by a lady in the other Fishers ward (I'm in Fishers 2nd ward, and she's in Fishers 1st ward) called "For Such a Time As This." It tells the stories of many women in the scriptures and the things we can learn from their faith in following the Savior. I was given the role of Rebekah from the Old Testament, and it was such a tender mercy to me. Rebekah had a hard time conceiving when she was first married to Isaac, as did her mother-in-law Sarah (even though Sarah had died before Isaac married Rebekah). The scene we did focused on their faith that God would fulfill His promises to them, even though it took longer than they'd hoped for or expected. That strengthened my faith that God would fulfill the promises He's made to me as well, even though it's taking longer than I would choose. Being assigned that role was also a testament to me that God knows me, knows my needs and desires, and is working for my good. I performed the scene with Cherie Rock, who played Sarah, and we had a great time together. It was an uplifting evening, and it strengthened my appreciation for the faithful women of the scriptures.

Last Sunday I went to Columbus to hear Micah speak and sing in church. She recently found out that she did not get accepted to BYU, which was especially difficult for her because she'd felt like she'd received confirmation that that was where she should go. In her talk, she spoke about accepting God's will for us, even when it's not what we had previously thought. She bore a powerful testimony of His hand in her life, and it made me so happy to hear the faith that she has in this difficult circumstance. I'm grateful for her example and willingness to trust in the Lord and His plan for her. She's going to Utah State and she'll be fabulous there, of course.

That evening, I introduced her to Saturday's Warrior. Of course she didn't appreciate it for all of its glory, but that didn't deter me from singing along to every song. You know how every child has a movie they just watch on repeat? Well, mine was Saturday's Warrior. This is the soundtrack of my childhood. It's just good, cheesy stuff.

I came home from work on Friday and unexpectedly found Isaac and Adelina here! It's always a fun surprise to see family. That is what I'm most grateful for since moving back to Indiana - seeing my family on a regular basis. It was fun to watch these cute girl cousins play together.

While they were playing, Cooper asked me what he should write on his LeapPad, so I told him to write me a love letter. He asked me what a love letter was, so I told him it's where you tell me how much you love me. This is what he wrote. "How 'bout I just write "Dear K" since I don't know how to spell Kaley, ok?"

That night, we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and I ate far too much. The next day I worked from home, but ran to the grocery store that evening when I caught this beauty. I literally stopped in the street and just stared at it for a few minutes. The beauty and grandeur of our world always makes me feel my Heavenly Father's love. I'm so grateful that He's provided not just a functional world for us to live in, but a beautiful one.

In Like a Lion

March has certainly come in like a lion. I'm sitting at home on Sunday, March 1st, still in my pajamas because church was cancelled today. We had a snowstorm roll in last night and continue throughout the day, dumping about seven or eight inches. I'll admit, I was pretty tired this morning so I wasn't too upset about the cancellation. But it's a bit harder to fast when you're at home next to the kitchen all day.

A couple weeks ago, I went to my parents' house to spend some time with them and visit my Grandma. While I was there, I pulled out some of my old scrapbooks and found these beauties of my family. We were so cute!

Halloween 1986 - Tessa almost 8, Isaac 7, Jacob 3, me almost 1.

I'm going to guess this was about 1990/1991ish. I would've been about 5 or 6 years-old.

I think my mom said I was about 3 in this picture, so that would put this about 1988.

I think I was about a year old here, so about 1986.

The next day, Presidents' Day, my mom and I went out to my Grandma Elsie Shoaf's house to talk to her and record some of her stories. She's such an impressive woman and I want to make sure I learn as much about and from her as possible while I can. Her faith and quiet diligence is a constant inspiration to me.

Last Saturday, I met my friend Rebecca Buxton downtown for her favorite yoga class. I'm not usually a yoga fan because I think it is deceptively difficult and I don't like to be deceived. This class was pretty low-key, though, so it was pleasant. Afterwards we went to lunch at City Market which is an adorable indoor food market that I had no idea existed. I don't know how I missed it, but I loved it! This is exactly the kind of place I'd make sure to go to if I were visiting a city and I had one right here in my own city all along!

That afternoon I went to my cousin Jacie Shoaf's bridal shower. There had been quite a bit of snow that day, so I ended up the only Shoaf who made it to the shower. I decorated these wedding dress cookies which were beautiful and delicious.

These twin five year-olds are crazy. They get silly at night and this night they were wearing clothes on their heads and thought it was just the funniest thing.

Yesterday Emerson performed in her first play. She was an orphan dancer in a number from "Annie." She did a great job and I was really impressed by the whole show. It was such a fun afternoon to go to the play, then to Moe's for a snack, then to Campbell's basketball game, then to dinner with Isaac, Dominika, Adelina, and Tessa. My parents and Tessa's kids were with us for the play and game but left afterwards. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed at how great my family is and how much I love them. It's such a blessing to live close to them and be involved in day-to-day things.

After dinner, Tessa and I headed downtown for a Maroon 5 concert. The person she'd planned to go with had to cancel last-minute, so I was honored to be her back-up guest. Our seats were good and the music was fun. We had a great time!

I'm a Maroon 5 fan, and I can't deny that Adam Levine is an attractive man, but he's never been my favorite. He is Jaime's favorite, though, so I felt guilty being there without her. I took lots of pictures for her. :)

This is how much everyone wanted Adam to come back on stage. Cell phone lights all over the stadium.

 

The drive home was a little sketchy - the snow had already started and the roads were rough. I was pretty nervous in a few spots - a few steep ramps I wasn't sure I'd be able to get up and over. I was praying pretty intently the whole time, though, and just in those steep spots, a clear section of a lane miraculously appeared. It may seem like a lucky coincidence to a lot of people, but for me those were direct answers to prayers - tender mercies from a Heavenly Father who not only protected me the whole drive home but helped me when I needed it most.