Family Time

Last Friday after Cony picked me up from work, we went for our first walk as a family with Gracie Lou. She behaved like a pro without the leash and we couldn't be more proud. Please don't think I haven't noticed our blog turning into the adventures of Gracie instead of our adventures in New England. We can't help it.





The walk just tuckered her out. Have we mentioned how loudly she snores??

color, hearts & organization = happiness

I love color (and thankfully so does Cony!). Products showcased with a variety of color makes my heart skip a beat. I think this is why it's so hard for me to decorate my own house. There are too many wonderful options to choose from. I've always loved drawing hearts. When I doodle that's what you'll see all over my paper. Hearts and my name. I've always considered myself organized. However, lately I've recognized I am not as organized as I would like to be. If I'm organized at all. I'm telling you, we love our little apartment- the loft style and all- but it's hard to live in for various reasons. Mostly because we have one room that is the Office, Living Room, Kitchen, Dining Room, Craft Room and Pet Room. Which makes getting organized an unbeatable task. It's particularly a pain when Cony has homework to do and I can't watch TV while working on a project.

If you love all 3 of these together, hold on to your pants because I found the perfect planner.

I had seen this planner on tinyprints.com but they didn't show any photos of the inside, but the second I saw it on iHeartorganizing I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. If you want to order anything from Erin Condren, let me know because I have a 10% off code.

I would use my iphone but it's a pain to use as a planner because it looks like this...

My effort to bring Spring into our home.

Gracie Lou is already 29 pounds and is learning all sorts of things. We feel really lucky to have such a sweet dog.

(notice the foreground and the background. Cony was so proud of his picture taking abilities)

We also feel blessed to have friends that let us come do laundry at their place and don't make us take out the trash! Jerry, you're amazing!

Rummikub

For Christmas we received Rummikub as a gift. Neither one of us particularly like board games, but we love this game! Most evenings consist of us listening to the MoTab (Mormon Tabernacle Choir) and playing Rummikub. No joke. Tonight we had a third player and we have reason to believe she loves it just as much as we do.

At the End of Everyday

I'm not gonna lie, the last few days (possibly weeks) have been emotional. I've been trying to avoid recognizing that I'm homesick and fed up with the cold. But it's true and I feel there is no way that I can survive 4 more years here. In my effort to find solace and peace in my soul, I came across this:

"God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers & fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray & He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."

-Elder Jeffry R. Holland

My aching heart isn't just because it's cold outside and snowing and I miss Georgia like the desert misses water, it's because I have so many hopes and dreams that I get overwhelmed by feeling I need to pick just one and that I'm good enough for that one. I'm also feeling I don't belong here and have no one to relate to. But I'm better than this, I'm capable of so much more than to just feel sorry for myself. A few things I like to do that bring me out of the depths of despair are 1.) serving someone- anyone and 2.) writing down all my blessings.

I'm thankful for...

my body.
my sight.
my hearing.
my sense of smell & taste.
running water.
indoor plumbing.
Gracie Lou.
the hubs- who keeps me from being lonely.
a job.
a car.
10 toes.
10 fingers.
friends who accept me for me.
nieces.
nephews.
in-laws.
brothers.
sisters.
parents.
forgiveness.
repentance.
Jesus Christ Atonement.
Heavenly Father's love for ME and YOU.
family.
struggles.
trials.
laughter.
hugs.
kisses.
intimacy.
electricity.
shoes.
internet & computers.
America.
my ability to read.
easy access to food.
creativity.
uplifting music.
Rumikub.
a bed.
love.
understanding.
compassion.

OR the snow.

Top of the morning to ya

I feel since I have some Irish in my blood I should like Saint Patrick's Day, but I don't. There. I said it! However, I love Spring and it's coming. I feel it. We were driving to school this morning talking about how it's really strange to see grass. Not just a small patch, but a whole lawn. And the rivers and lakes are thawing! It feels like a miracle.

Also a few missing details about yesterday's "crazy lady" story. A few things that threw us off. 1.) She was dressed nicely in a beautiful purple trench coat and khakis. However, the second she started talking you could see some disturbing looking teeth. 2.)There were a few African American's sitting near by during her rant. (Also you should read Jenny's comment from that post. She explains what was going on during my memory lapse.)

President Obama wanted to see us, but we polity declined. We just didn't have the time.

Coral reef made from crocheted hats, gloves and scarfs (?) in every single color in the world.

It's true. I look at him and I go weak in the knees.

Even if I don't like the holiday that much...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Where's the camera?

It's Wednesday and we are still recovering from our road trip. It was a great drive, except that time it rained and Connecticut and New York do not have road reflectors and makes it VERY difficult to stay in your lane. We both love Washington D.C. and all the awesomeness it provides. We stayed with our wonderful friends Chance and Jenny who are the best hosts AND the best tour guides. We weren't able to do many touristy things but we did have an unforgettable experience in the Metro Station.

We had just picked my mom up from the Union Station and were headed to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. While we were waiting for the next train a woman came up to us while we were all in mid conversation and asked us if we thought it was weird that someone would leave their purse on a bench. The rest of the story goes something like this....

and Crazy Lady: "I just think it's weird that someone would leave their purse. Don't you think that's weird? She had things in it like she works for the CIA. I think it's strange. (pause) I think it's weird so I put the purse in a suitcase at the hotel."

Mom: "Well I've left my purse behind before, so it's not that strange."

Jenny: "I have too!"

(at this point I want to tell the lady this whole conversation was weird but I kept my mouth shut)
Crazy Lady: "You don't think it's weird? I think it's weird. She had cards and information in it from Tanzania. I think she works for the CIA."

Mom: "Sounds like she leads an interesting life!"

Crazy Lady: "You think so? I don't. I think it's a waste of time trying to educate blacks and Hispanics, especially from other countries."

(at this point I had had enough!)

Me: "Ok. That's it, you need to leave.. Now!"

She looked at me with shock.

Me: "Seriously, you need to walk away."

Crazy Lady: "You don't agree? Have you ever been to Boston, they hardly have any blacks." (hello left field!)

Me: "You. need. to. walk. away. now!"

Crazy Lady: "This is public space, I don't need to leave."

Me: "I don't care that this is public space, you are in our space and I'm asking you nicely to leave. I won't ask you again."

(if you know me well enough you can hear my tune and know that I'm asking in a very firm voice to indicate that I'm not going to put up with her crap AND I'm not afraid to do what it takes to make her leave)

At this point she stays in her spot but turns her back to us. I look at mom, Jenny and Cony and they all looked like their jaws had dropped. Mom moves to sit next to Cony and Crazy Lady thought it was her que to sit down next to Jenny. The details get a little fuzzy at this point because I was looking for a hidden camera. I think we all were. I remember Jenny turning to her and saying, "Just so you know she has a black nephew."

Crazy Ladies response: "Oh. I'm sorry."

Me: "You might want to watch what you say to complete strangers!"

Crazy Lady: "You're sounding really trashy right now."

Me: "Me?? Why? Because I'm standing up for something I believe in?"

Crazy Lady: "You must be a Democrat! Because you sound like one of those too."

(Ohhh, noo you didn't!!)

Me: "You don't know a thing about me, my family and our background. You really shouldn't talk to strangers!"

Thankfully at that exact moment the train came because my adrenaline was moving through my body and I didn't want to do something I would later regret. I am my father's daughter after all. Not nearly as much as Emily and I can only imagine how much more interesting it would been having her with us.

We're so grateful we had the chance to visit with friends and family (some that I haven't seen in 20 years!). More details to come when I upload the photos.



Also, thank you for all your sweet comments about my new haircut and sticking up for me. I will say, I don't mind Cony being honest with me and when I first got home... my hair did look a little grandma-ish.

The Floods Came Down..

I have high hopes that Spring is coming. The river touching our building is flooding over! Which means the snow is melting!! The first floor that holds storage units and offices flooded on Monday, nothing major but a good inch or so.

We're headed to D.C. this weekend for a wedding and we're really looking forward to seeing family and friends. Only sad thing is we have to board our little Gracie Lou.

Baby powder.

Hello world. In the world of Cony and Megan, we've been busy but have had some wonderful experiences in life. We were set apart as ordinance workers in the Boston Massachusetts Temple. (And I really should learn how to spell Massachusetts without the help of spell checker).

We are thrilled to have this opportunity to serve in the temple. For my friends who don't know what an ordinance worker is or what we do in the temple, in short... it's a place where families can be sealed for eternity, one can act as a proxy to be baptized for those that are deceased that didn't have the opportunity on earth and many other sacred ordinances are performed under the proper authority. It's a place where I can feel a love for Cony that I can't feel anywhere else. It's a place where I know I can forget what's going on in the world and be at peace. It's a place where I can pray and have a better understanding about who I am and how I can inspire others around me. It's a place that helps me recognize how different principles connect into one beautiful masterpiece.

(photo by Lorie Burningham)

We miss our kiddies.

Gracie Lou has already doubled in size since we've had her. 22 pounds!

Her new name tag means she officially has owners!

It's a good thing we know how to use baby powder because otherwise.. we'd be in a crisis.

If this interest you. I finished my Isagenix cleanse and haven't felt that good in a really long time. In fact, now that I'm off the shakes my stomach issues are back. Loosing weight wasn't what I considered the best part of this, it was feeling healthy and good. Like I can suck in my stomach again, good.

opinionated

I like to do a lot of thinking. This morning in the car Cony asked me "Why are you ignoring me?". Well I wasn't. I just get caught up in my thoughts and have come to the conclusion that I have ADD because of it. I've also come to the conclusion that I'm really opinionated. Not necessarily about politics or other "important" matters but things like...

1. women/girls wearing flip-flops to church
2. lack of parents disciplining children and making excuses for their kids bad behavior
3. parents getting upset about someone (mostly teachers) expecting respect from said kid and comes across as "mean"
4. screaming kids not being taken out of church services
5. furniture placement
6. a clean home
7. washing hands after using the bathroom

Some of you might be thinking, "what right does she have to have opinions about raising kids?". Well... I've worked as a nanny for 5-7 years and I've seen what works and what doesn't. I also have some amazing parents who taught me they weren't there to be my friend but to be my parent. I never understood that growing up but now I have a deep appreciation for the fact they took their role as parents seriously. It shocks me to see some parents let important principles go because "that's just the way they are" attitude. I know I'm not the only one that believes you have to train your kids, and dogs for that matter. I would go as far as saying training babies and puppies, are not much different.

See? I told you I was opinionated. I don't expect people to share these same opinions and know that most of us are just doing our best to just float. Plus- you never know ones personal struggles they may be dealing with silently. That's why I only share my opinions with few people (and now our fellow bloggers).

Cony and I are simply OVER living in our complex. We notice a lot more of the bad comings and goings now that we are outside with Gracie Lou. I feel I should know the name of all the drug dealers we see.

And we are OVER the snow and dirt. This is what we sweep up everyday in our entry.



And here's a little somethin' somethin' that I've been creating. I have a few things in the works and I'm excited to share them with you soon!