Maverick Benson 7/11/14

I just wanted to take a minute to post a few pictures from this week. My sister found out on Tuesday evening that her baby's heart stopped beating. I think a little of hers stopped that day too. It was a long week to say that least. This week my parents were in Chicago on a business trip and so my sister in laws and the ward family stepped in to help support my sister. Brittany (Jordan's wife) went with Tina to her doctor's appointment on Wednesday. They decided to induce her on Thursday evening. Wendy (Joe's wife) came to spend time with Tina on Wednesday and Thursday. Then by the time Tina had to go in to deliver Nikki (Jared's wife) had come to help support as well. By Friday/delivery day my Aunt Linda and cousin Nikki had come to be with Tina as well. My Mom and Dad got there little while after baby was born.

 Just as everyone got to the hospital they text me a few pics.

 Maverick Benson was born 7/11/14 at 1:35 pm weighing in at 5lbs 2oz and 18 in long. I still have yet to get the complete story. It was an emotional day and so details were not so quick to come. I talked to Wendy after Maverick was born to get the update that although things were emotional, Tina's health was fine.

 Tina has always loved making little collages. This was one she put on facebook.

 Felicia Williams from Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (an organization to help families going through this hard time of losing a little one) was able to come be there just after Maverick's birth to photograph some memories of the little time they got to spend together. I am so glad my friend Wanita shared this website with me. I actually emailed a photographer on Wednesday and within an hour or two she had called me and said her schedule was full but that she had already found someone else who wasn't on the directory yet who would be willing and able to help our family. I got a phone call from her and we talked a little bit and then I put her in touch with my sister. With so much going on I spaced the fact that this was Felicia's first experience getting to volunteer. I am so thankful for her and her willingness to help and hear that she did a wonderful job. My sister sent me these photos that Felicia took. They plan on using them at the funeral services that will be held on Tuesday of this coming week.

Here is a link to Felicia's Facebook Page. Thank You again so much.

I'm kind of glad I don't know all of the details yet. It isn't really my story to share, but thank you everyone for taking care of my sister and my nephew. Can't wait to meet you someday Mav.  Love, your favorite Aunt Beth

The Slight Edge

I'm reading a book by Jeff Olson. I have never heard of him and I'm not sure if my friends would've ever heard of him. As I was reading this book he is talking about other successful people. It's funny how I recognize other names of people he has associated with but never heard of him. My friend Bob gave me the book to read. I agreed to read it if he sent it to me. I'm thankful I agreed to it. It was just what I needed right now. It is nothing that I haven't heard before, but I'm just hearing it in a different way and under different circumstances.

It has been so much easier these last few weeks to get up in the morning and read. When I find something I like to read it helps motivate me to read other things as well. I have been reading this book, the Ensign magazine, May/June/July issues, and I have been reading from the scriptures more often as well. It was a good reminder to read at least 10 pages from a good book everyday. I've always been one to say baby steps will help get me somewhere. I guess this book is just helping me see how little consistent things everyday do lead to success. And success in different areas mean totally different things, but it's all the same method to get there. If I want to get closer to God, I have to do those little things that help build my relationship there. If I want to become a healthier person I have to do the small things everyday to get there. It is funny how it makes sense in money to me. You can't just keep a penny on your desk or in a piggy bank and expect it to grow for you. You have to take it out and make it multiply. You have to let interest grow. That is the main ah ha moment for me. Doing small things everyday is adding up or multiplying what I can do or can become in other areas of my life. I'll slowly get my financial self figured out if I do small things everyday. I'll be healthier slowly but surely because I am making small decisions and doing better a little bit at a time. Life is going to suck sometimes because it just does. I can't control that, but I can control what I do with it. So I'll take a break here and there but then after my break I get back on my own personal wagon. I can't give up.

Some days things look they will never change and I will be in school forever. Let's be real...I know it won't last forever. I am trying to make the most of my days and keep doing good things for myself every day. So as a reminder to myself....just keep swimming Beth. You got this. Baby steps. Now go enjoy your day off!

Lost...and other things...

Blast.

I lost my micro sd card. I'm sure it will turn up eventually. It isn't like I own a whole lot right now anyway. I decided to cut back in some areas and back to using a flip phone instead of a smart phone. Which means I put my lil teeny tiny micro sd card in a different smart phone that my sister gave me that is laying around the house somewhere. Hmmm guess I just lost a whole ton of pictures if I can't find that card. There are worse things in this world. Just wanted to post something on my blog and that is the first thing I had in mind. I had to tell you that was lost because I can't post anything from my NYC trip. You could just go to my fb page and see things from that. I was going to post the stuff that didn't make it to Facebook.

Other updates. I guess you could say I'm a little lost in other areas too. Can I talk about my personal stuff here? I only have a couple people who really read this anyway, right?
I don't make it private because I trust the public. I don't think anyone has need to stalk me. And if they found me interesting enough to stalk well...really, what would you find? I don't have kids to try to protect identities. I have had some creepers find me in other places, but via my blog = never. (so basically I'm just lost in my thoughts)

So I've been in Texas for about 7 weeks now. I have gotten to do a few fun/interesting things. I have helped with a few service projects on a few different weekends. I have helped plant stuff at a Houston park, did some weed eating at the Houston temple and I have gotten to work at a peanut butter cannery assignment. I am so glad I have been able to do these things. I like doing things like this because getting out and making a difference is a good thing for my heart and mind :)  Thankfully I can know about these opportunities through church. And speaking of church...this is the only reason I have done much of anything in Houston. That is the reason I know most anyone that I know here. My second week at church I was introduced to what I believe is the only single guy in the ward who is my age. Between him and the sister missionaries I have friends to text and do things with.

I went to an appointment with the sisters one night. That was interesting to say the least. I bet they meet lots of interesting people out here in Houston on a day to day basis. And as for David...He and I have done quite a few things. We went to the Midsingles devotional/dinner twice together now. We have gone to the movies, to ice cream one night, to the record store. I guess it probably feels more than it is. He has also come over for dinner with the missionaries one night too.

This is my first week of watching the kids. We watched a movie and went to the pool. The kids have spent quite a bit of time doing things with their friends. I know that's what kids do during the summer. I just gotta find a way to make em play over here more so everyone else doesn't have to take care of them.

I could go on and on about other things, but I'll just post this for now and try to update this more often.

Texas...

It may look like I haven't posted in over a month. BUT... I do post on another blog with some of my old roommates from apartment 14 at the Pines. Click here!

I have officially moved to Texas. I never thought this would be in the plans for my life but its been a good first few days. Now I just need to make the most of my first weekend here. I am almost all the way unpacked. I have already went to a few family functions with my sister in laws family. And there is another one today. I guess I better go get some more done so I can go play more. I need to get some shelving units for my room. I am loving the king size bed. I feel spoiled in this conditions. We watched a movie on their big projector screen last night. We went out for pizza after Bryce's baseball game last night too. I have my own bathroom. We set up a new air hockey table up in the kids game room this morning too. That was a dangerous feat getting that up the stairs in one piece. It is nice being busy, but I just need to make sure I stay busy with the right things. I am taking two classes online and I need to study for my CMA exam as well. I really need to get organized and stay that way. hmmm all this typing is not getting anything done. I'll post more pictures from my NYC vacation and my trip out to texas from my phone later. till next time world! I'm out!

Be Thou Humble...just a reminder for myself

This scripture was in my last few weeks of my Doctrine and Covenants class here at BYU-Idaho.

Section 112:10  Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

Of all of the scriptures that I have read recently this is one that has the most meaning to me. I need to share it to remember the significance for myself. I forget so much what it means to be humble. I have opinions and ideas that lead me to do things. Sometimes that's great and sometimes I get carried away with my own agenda. That's great that God has blessed me with the personality and talents, but these words remind me that I really should ask for His opinions and direction a little bit more (okay a lot more). If I ever expect to have my prayers answered I need to go with the promptings I get even if they hurt my ego or plans a little bit. It will be better for me in the long run. I really do believe that He can do more with my life than I can ever hope to do alone. 

That being said...
I get frustrated that I can't always explain the things I do (but can anyone ever do that really?). I'm trying to do the right things for the right reasons. If I don't explain that well....my bad....maybe next time.