An Enjoyable Day at Sea World

Cyrus, Chris, and I went to Sea World today. We first saw a show with dolphins and their trainers. Now, mind you, these pictures probably won't be very good because there was so much movement going on, so bear with me! ;)

We also saw The Shamu Story at the Shamu theater (ironic, I know). Trainers talked about how to take care of the whales. Then, there was a show afterwards. 

The whale waved to us! It was cute. 

The whale jumped up and touched a ball hanging from the ceiling with his nose. It was pretty amazing. 

The whale splashed the audience! I didn't get a good picture, but oh well. 

That is one happy whale!

Then we went and saw an "Xtreme Ski Show." That was pretty amazing. 

 

 A dog played jump rope with a girl from the audience!

How awesome is that?

Chris and I left Buddy with Tiffany Do. She lives in our apartment complex and has a cute dog named Bella. Chris and I call Bella Buddy's girlfriend. I usually see Tiffany walking Bella around when I take Buddy outside. They are so cute when they play together.

Fun Facts About Buddy

Buddy is so sweet and fun to have around. It's nice having some company while Chris is at work every day. Buddy keeps me busy during the day. I thought I'd share some fun facts about our adorable puppy.

1. He loves being comfortable.

Buddy loves curling up anywhere that is soft. One time, he jumped on the bed and curled up with all the stuffed animals I have. I have a big stuffed ladybug my parents gave me and a few others in front of the pillows. Chris took a picture of it (I wished I had the picture). It was so cute. 

2. He is a mama's boy.

This is a picture Chris sent me when I went to class one evening. He sends this with a text that read, "This is him pouting." And when I came home, Chris told me, "He's been whining ever since you left." I think it is so sweet. We've decided he has separation anxiety from me (I assume it's because I'm home with him all day, every day). Poor puppy. 

3. Buddy loves watermelon.

I'm not sure how Buddy became crazy about watermelon. I think we were having dinner one evening and a piece of watermelon fell on the floor. Buddy sat down and wagged his tail. We usually make him sit or lay down before we give him a treat. After Buddy earned his reward, he gobbled it up like a bowl of ice cream. It was really cute.

4. He loves to play tug with Chris and chew on his "tug rope."

5. Like most puppies, he is a social butterfly.

I started teaching piano lessons. I only have one student, but it's a start. Her name is Danika and she is four years old. When Danika first came into our apartment, Buddy jumped on her and almost knocked her over. Poor girl. I hope I didn't scar her for life.

Every time I take him out on a walk, Buddy has to say hello to everyone. Every person we meet is considered a friend to Buddy. Chris says that he would be the worst guard dog because Buddy would just lick the person to death.

6. He loves to run around and be outside.

When Buddy is home with me, I tend to neglect this one a little bit. I don't mean to, but it seems to slip my mind. Chris and I have taught him to go straight to the door when he has to go to the bathroom which tells us that he needs to go out right then. Buddy just wants to play outside and be around other people. I feel bad because we don't have a house with a yard so he can just run around and I don't have to worry if he's going to wander off. Chris did say our next purchase will be a house for that reason and he is getting so big.

Having a puppy has been a whole new experience for me, but it has been a blast. I can't wait until my family comes down here. I wonder what they will all think of Buddy. I also wonder what they will think of me after they see me and Buddy together. Who would have thought that I would be so in love with this adorable puppy? :)

Titles- Obliterate Them!

Why is it that people love to make fun of others and call other people names? They give a certain individual a title and assume they know everything there is to know about that person. I know I'm guilty of this, but I'm trying to do better.

I've been fascinated with Al Fox lately. I've watched some videos of her on the Internet. I also found her blog on the Internet so I've been reading a little bit of that as well. I don't know her personally, but I loved hearing her story of how she became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (I enjoy listening to how people found the Church.To me, their stories are intriguing. Maybe it's just because I've been raised in the Church). On his own blog last month, Al's husband, Benjamin, wrote about marriage and being married to his wife. I'd sum it up in my own words, but his entry was so profound, my words wouldn't do it justice. 

Benjamin states: "Oh, the words of advice we were given from people before we were married. They would say marriage is tough. Marriage is hard. Marriage is a battle. Marriage isn't easy. Are you sure you’re ready? Your life is over. No more fun and games. Others would say that it was the best time of your life. A new adventure. A new beginning. True happiness. We've all heard them right? I think being married to my wife has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

"A lot of people know my wife as the 'Tattooed Mormon'. Though, I must say I very much dislike that nickname for my wife. I have never been a big fan of the name 'Tattooed Mormon' and she knows that. When we were engaged, people at her speaking events, and even people I know would tell me 'How does it feel to marry a celebrity?' Or 'how do you do it? How do you look past the tattoos she has, knowing that people will stare?' Some would even applaud me on marrying her, because of her past and how her past is so visual. I mean really? Serious? Hearing that use to bother me. Not once have I ever noticed or even cared that she has tattoos, I just don't see them when I look her. Sure, I know they are there, but it’s not something I have ever cared about. When we were writing on my mission or when we were dating I would tell people about her, it was: "She is a blonde hair, blue eyed girl, with a killer testimony and personality." Not ever was it: "Oh, I'm dating this girl with tattoos, with blonde hair and blue eyes." Because, to me who cares if she has tattoos. It's not a big deal. That was part of her past, before she even became a member of the Church.

"I don't think she should be defined or known by some as the 'Tattooed Mormon'. Sure she has tattoos and to some her past shows, but why should that define her? She is just like anyone in this Church. The greatest part of this Gospel is that people can change. She is a wonderful example of that! Boy, is she ever! She has shared with me how hard it was for her in Utah with people judging her for her tattoos, not giving her a chance. Pasts scare some people. But, I love that about her.

"I have a past that I'm not proud of, a past that took me years to overcome and years to cope with. I know very well now I have been forgiven and lots of blessings have come. I was always worried about who I would marry, because I thought who I used to be would be a road block for some girls. I always wanted to marry someone who knows me, and accepts me, and has a story of her own. I found her. I feel as though, it's hard sometimes to let people change. Or doubting that they even can. This Church and Jesus Christ is about accepting anyone and everyone. No matter what they look like, no matter what they have done or where they have been. Christ is the master of change. He gives anyone who comes unto Him a new heart and a new mind. He is beautiful. He makes everyone beautiful, if they just trust in him and believe they can change.

"Let pasts go. Allow people to show you that they can change, grow, and become better. My wife was called out for how she looked on her first day in Utah because she was tattooed and holding a church book. That guy told her how foolish she looked. That's messed up. When my wife and I meet people, a lot of the time I will notice their eyes just staring at her tattoos. To me she is not the 'Tattooed Mormon' nor will she ever be in my eyes.

"Marriage for us, I can firmly say, has not been hard one bit. Sure there have been life difficulties, but we get over them. I love her more and more every day. I love her more than the day I married her. I find her even more attractive then when we first met. I fall in love with her every day. Even to this day when I look in her deep blue eyes, I know why I married her. I married her not for her looks, sure that's a bonus, but I married her for WHO she is. I love who she is, where she came from and what it took for her to get where she is today. I married way above myself. She keeps me corrected. She keeps me on the right course. Marriage should never be tough. Never marry because of looks and looks only. Marry someone who you are attracted to in every way, especially spiritually. Spiritual attraction is most important, that's what makes those hard things easier. Marry someone who has the same end goal in mind.

"Sure my wife has tattoos and a lot of people stare, and some know her as the Tattooed Mormon, and others know who my wife truly is. I love my wife and her courage to open her mouth to prove that people can change. I have. She has. We all can change. Don't let your appearance, your past, or whatever stop you from changing. Let people show you they can change, you never know what their potential is. Tattoos should never define someone. Pasts should never define someone. Christ died for our transgressions. If he forgets about them and doesn't notice us for what we have done, let us forget and forgive." (http://thewayofcarraway.blogspot.com/)

As Latter-day Saints and as Heavenly Father's children, I think that is one of our weaknesses that should be made strong. We need to remember that we are all on the same team. Every one of us wears Heavenly Father's jersey and we are supposed to treat one another like we are brothers and sisters because we literally are brothers and sisters. I loved that he said to let pasts go. We shouldn't judge people because of what they have gone through. We probably don't even know the whole story. We just know bits and pieces. They don't live there anymore.

I believe that if we stop judging others for where they have been, our lives would be so much more at peace. This world Heavenly Father created for us would be so much better! There would be less fighting and heartache and there would be more understanding and love towards one another. Then, we would know that we are all  Heavenly Father's children and we are brothers and sisters. We were sent to this earth to bring every single one of His children back to Him. We are one big family. Let us start acting like one!

Buddy + Puppy Park + Pizza + Dinner with Friends = Never a Dull Moment

Chris and I took Buddy to the dog park (which isn't too far from our apartment) yesterday evening. It was so fun because Buddy could actually run around. He met a lot of new friends too, human and puppy. We bought some pizza and had fun watching Buddy run around. We played fetch (oh, how Buddy loves to play fetch!). If he was on a cross country team, that team would be lucky to have him! :) It's really nice to have Buddy run around because when we entered our apartment, he passes out on the floor.

Now that we have a dog, we have also made so many new friends. When I take Buddy out for a walk and we see others walking their dogs, Buddy has to sniff them out and meet them. A girl who lives in our apartment complex, Tiffany, has this pretty dog named Bella. Buddy and I usually see them walk around when I take him outside. Buddy and Bella love to play together. They get so excited to see each other. I told Tiffany once that we call Bella Buddy's girlfriend. Tiffany laughed and said that they call Buddy Bella's boyfriend.

I feel so bad because Chris and I live in an apartment complex which means we don't have a yard that Buddy can just run around in. And now that we have Buddy, our family got a little bit bigger. It's like taking care of a toddler that will never grow up. He's going to be a really big dog and I'm so sad. I wished he would just stay a puppy forever, but I know that's not how it works (it should, though!).

This evening, Kathleen and Danielle came over and we had dinner together. That was fun. Cyrus was going to come, but he didn't. Chris, Danielle, and I were upset about it. Chris and I made chicken enchiladas for all of us. It was really good. Afterwards, we watched a movie and hung out. Buddy loved seeing Danielle again. They are "special friends." :) I think it's really cute.

A Familiar Face

I got to see Jade Hearne this evening. She was a missionary here in Texas. I would go out on visits with her and her companion, Sister Davis. She stopped by Bishop and Sister Hagey’s house. They invited anyone who would like to come and see her. Nancy and Mike Ford, Julie Carter, Monique and Sam Baldea stopped by to see Jade too. It was so good to see Jade and everyone else. She is such a sweetheart. I hope we stay friends for a very long time.

Jade was so sweet and kind to everyone. She was a really good missionary. I loved how she was so involved in the work of the Lord. She loved to serve. Jade was a light to everyone. I just adore her.

I'm so grateful for my friendship with Jade and with the Hageys. They are such kind people and willing to help anyone in need. I could not have asked for a better visiting teaching companion and friend. I also could not have asked for a better bishop (even if he does tease me). :)