Ft. Lauderdale Temple Dedication

President Uchtdorf said to write about this experience in my journal. I don't keep a private journal, so here you go! :)

Ft. Lauderdale Florida Temple. Picture from: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com

Many wards in the area got the opportunity to witness the Ft. Lauderdale temple dedication this past Sunday.  We did not have any regular church meetings. Instead, any baptized members who are 8 and older were able to receive tickets to attend one of three live broadcasts at the Stake Center.

Lance planned to go the 9am session while I stayed home with Lily, and I planned to go to the 12:00 session while Lance stayed home with Lily.  Lance went to the 9am session and really enjoyed it. He got home around 11. I was running behind due to sleeping in, mixed with the difficulties of getting ready with a 2 year old  hanging on you, running away with items you need, and crying for random reasons.  I left the house at 11:35am.

I got the the church at exactly 12:00, and went to the east doors.  They were locked.  I went to the north doors, they were also locked, but I saw a sign saying to go to the west doors.  I went over to the west doors and there was a sign saying, "Doors locked. Temple dedication."

So I missed it.

I'm certain that if I had gone to the west side first I would have been able to get into this session.  So, annoyed, disappointed, and somewhat angry, I drove home.

When I got home I talked to Lance about skipping it all together and just going to the beach.  But, I really wanted to go, so I left home at 2:00 for the 3:00 session.  I got there at 2:20, and was able to sit in the front and watch a slideshow of pictures of temples around the world.

Ft. Lauderdale Florida Temple. Picture from: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com

Temples are gorgeous.

As I sat there waiting, I thought about the past temple dedications I've had the opportunity to witness.  It occurred to me that this was a big deal and it was a special privilege.  In Utah, there are so many temples, and a few of them are brand new, but I did not have the opportunity to witness their dedications.

Mt. Timpanogos Utah Temple. Picture from: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com

 
I witnessed the Mt. Timpanogos temple dedication in 1996. I was 8 years old, and I lived in Santaquin, Utah.  I barely remember it.  I remember waving a white handkerchief around. I don't remember being with my family. For some reason I picture myself sitting with my childhood friend, Camille Parsons (now Camille Evans).  I'm sure this is skewed, but I'll have to ask my mom about it.  Mt. Timpanogos is the only temple I remember walking through the open house that happens in the weeks before the dedication. As an 8 year old child, I didn't fully understand why temples were so special, but I could feel something special.  I told my mom that I would be married in the Timpanogos temple.

Jordan River Utah Temple. Picture from: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com

However, I wasn't married there.  I decided to get married in the Jordan River, Utah temple (because of stupid reasons).  I thought it was newer.  The joke was on me!  The Jordan River temple was dedicated in 1981.  It's still a lovely temple, but I wished I had stayed true to my 8 year old dream. That would be a better story for why I chose the temple I did. :-)  I did get my endowment at the Timpanogos temple, though.

Nauvoo Illinois Temple. Picture from: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com

I had the opportunity to witness the Nauvoo Illinois temple dedication in 2002, but for some reason I didn't go.  Looking back, I wish I had made more of an effort to make it to that dedication.  I can imagine how special it was, and I'm sure the spirits of all the pioneers who sacrificed for the original Nauvoo temple were there to witness the dedication of the reconstruction.  I bet Joseph Smith was there, too.

When I was 8 or 9 my family took a trip to Nauvoo, and I did see where the temple used to be (before they rebuilt it).  This is how I remember it:

Nauvoo Illinois Temple Original Foundation. Picture from: www.mrm.org

During the Ft. Lauderdale temple dedication, I had many thoughts and impressions.

Temples are important. Their purpose is to seal on earth and in heaven.  Because of temples we can be together as families in the Celestial Kingdom.  Temples are a "halfway" place between our mortal existence and God.  It is the "closest" you can get to heaven while on Earth.  The things you learn there will be important for this earthly life as well as the life to come.

One of the speakers shared a quote that I really liked. I can't quote it word for word, but it said that those who share sacred things about the temple do not truly understand them.

I know I have probably shared more than I should have, or talked too casually about sacred ordinances in the temple, so I'm going to be better about that.

Orlando Florida Temple. Picture from: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com

I've taken temples for granted.  I have never lived farther than 45 minutes from a temple.  In Utah, that's obvious. But in Raleigh I was not very far away, and now here in Kissimmee, I am not very far away in comparison to many other people.  What are the odds that I would move 45 minutes away from the (then) only temple in Florida?  How amazing is that!  And do I go often enough?  No.  I should go more. I want to go more. I need to go more.

My final thought was that the Hosanna shout is so awkward. I'm not sure I understand why we do it at each temple dedication.  It was done at the Kirtland, Ohio temple dedication, which was the first temple constructed since the LDS church was restored.  The Kirtland temple however, is not owned or operated by the LDS church. It now belongs to the Community of Christ.  But I mean, shouting hosanna and waving a handkerchief around just makes me feel silly.  I suppose this is something I should learn more about as it has to be significant or we wouldn't be doing it.

Focus T25 - Week 9

Day 58 - Monday | Rip't Circuit

Last week I only did two workouts out of the six I normally do in a week. So, I decided to repeat last week. I got home from my trip today, so I did not workout.

Day 59 - Tuesday | Dynamic Core

I was planning to do both Rip't Circuit and Dynamic Core today, but I was SO incredibly shaky during Rip't Circuit that I honestly don't have it in me to attempt Dynamic Core today.  I'm actually still shaking as I'm typing this.

Rip't Circuit was the hardest it's ever been! I had to do modified moves for part of it, and I didn't even try the air plank to one leg burpees.  I just stopped, but then I did a few regular burpees.

All in all, I feel like I did a pretty good job, considering that I skipped four days of workouts, and I've been eating horribly the past few days. That's what vacations are for though, so I'm not punishing myself. :)

Day 60 - Wednesday | Core Cardio

I did Dynamic Core today. It's really hard.  I wanted to do double down today, but it's so hard just getting through one. I've seriously backtracked. But that's OK. I still think I'm doing great.

Day 61 - Thursday | Dynamic Core

Is it confusing that I have the scheduled workout name above, when I didn't actually do that workout?  Today I did yesterday's Core Cardio.  Well, actually, today I tried to do yesterday's Core Cardio.  I had a really hard time getting out of bed today. My entire body is aching, I feel nausea, a head ache, a sore throat, I'm dizzy, and my entire body is shaking.  I attempted Core Cardio anyway, thinking it might make me feel better.

Wrong.

I feel completely worse now.  I didn't even get all the way through.  I had 8 minutes left in the workout before I shut it off. I'm extremely sweaty right now, but that's because it will most likely rain later.  My entire body is shaking, and I feel so weak.  I don't feel sick, but maybe I am?  Whatever I am, I am not feeling great.  At all.

Day 62 - Friday | Speed 2.0 & Upper Focus

I had every intention to do both of the scheduled workouts today. Unfortunately, things don't happen the way we want them to.

TMI alert - Does anyone else have their bowels loosened while working out?  Seems like more often than not, shortly after I start a workout, I realize that I need to go #2.  I'm weird.

After that little break, Lily would not leave me alone. She cried for this, and cried for that. Had me find this, wanted that. Needed more food. Needed a drink.  I got really frustrated, and I yelled at her.  For what?  For being a normal 2 year old?  That isn't fair.  I felt guilty so I stopped the workout with 6 minutes to go, and just played with her in her room for a long while.  After that, I lost all motivation to even start the workout where I left off, let alone do the second workout.

In all reality, I should re-repeat this week. However, I'm starting to get bored of these workouts (except Speed 2.0, still love that one), so I'm glad that next week will be my last week. Then I will move on the the Gamma round!  There are two different versions of the Gamma round, and I haven't decided which one I will do yet.


Day 63 - STATurday

I have lost 4.6 lbs, which is actually quite a bit for a 5'3 shorty.  Doing good, doing good!

If I were doing Insanity, today would be my last day!  That's an interesting thought. :-)  If I had done Insanity, I wonder how different my body would be right now, or if it'd be about the same.

Day 64 - Sunday | Stretch

Haha.

Iron and Wine

Lily and I are just hanging out, listening to music and dancing. I was showing her some of my favorite songs, and I just remembered this one.

Iron and Wine is a pretty new band to me, and I have no idea how long they've really been around, but this song is so great. I just love it. :-)

(The song starts about 35 seconds into the video...)

Ipsy April Glambag Review

Oh Ipsy, how I love you.

My April Ipsy bag was pretty great. Out of all the products I could have gotten, the ones I got were the ones I liked the best.

I didn't take the time to take pictures and swatches of everything this month, so... yeah.

My Glamroom

The Glamroom shows all the products available and the items that I received. The Glamroom gets updated as soon as the bag ships out, so if I check the glamroom I can see what I will be getting.  Although, if there are multiple color variations it does not tell me what color I get.

• Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On-Eye Pencil. Travel size. Full size is $20 if you buy it from Urban Decay's site. Estimated value: $6.

  A must for smoky-eye fanatics: an ultra-plush version of UD’s creamy, waterproof 24/7 formula. Create perfectly blended-out or rich, precise lines that are blacker-than-black.

- From Ipsy's site.

 Travel size pencils only come in sets, but this specific one only comes in full size. It's brand spankin' new to Urban Decay's lineup! I've gone back and forth about whether I will be using this, but just yesterday I decided I'll use it.  The current blank liner I use the most is shiny and glittery, but this one is matte, and supposedly really black.  I have several Urban Decay liners and they are long lasting, they glide on smoothly, and they are smudge proof. (Smudge proof, if you don't buy one that's meant for smudging, that is! ;-))

• Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion. Deluxe sample size. Full size is $78 if you buy it from Dr. Brandt's site. Estimated value: $10

The dr. brandt® microdermabrasion gently sweeps away dead skin cells and softens skin texture, which enables better absorption of skincare products and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, acne marks, and skin discolorations. A great at home alternative to professional clinical treatments. Safe to use for all skin types. For best results use with dr. brandt® skincare products. 

-From Ipsy's site.

When I first received this sample, my skin was still in its "freak out" mode that I talked about when I posted all my goodies from Lush.  Since then, my skin has improved drastically, and I have used this once.  It exfoliated really, really well. This product also helped get rid of all the blackheads I have on my chin.  I've had issues with that area ever since the 5th grade! So, all in all, I am very impressed with this product. I'll probably use it once a week until it's gone, which won't be very long. It's too expensive for me to purchase the full size, even with the discount offered (20%).

• Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in Champagne. Full size. $12.99 if you buy it from Elizabeth Mott's site.

The Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the eyeshadow is the ultimate eyeshadow that's long lasting, easy to apply, and effortlessly blends. Buildable colors will take you from subtle highlights to dramatic smokey eyes. With pop! goes the shadow, eye shadow creasing is a thing of the past. Get ready to try the eye shadow that will change your life! 

-From Ipsy's site.

I love this shadow.  Is it "life changing" as the description states? No. I don't think eyeshadow can be life changing. But it is a gorgeous color, and it's smooth, buttery, and long lasting. That's all I ask in a shadow!  I am a sucker for champagne shades and I don't think it's possible to have too many. They look good on everyone, and they are great for daytime looks, nighttime looks (depending on what you pair with them), brow bone highlight, inner corner highlight, cheekbone highlights, or wherever you want to add a little shimmer.  This is a total win for me!

• Mary Kay at Play Jelly Lip Gloss in Berry Me. Full size. $10 if you buy it from a Mary Kay Consultant.

Turn up the volume with Mary Kay At Play™ color! It’s flirtatiously fun makeup you can remix-n-match to create your own color playlist. The Mary Kay At Play™ Jelly Lip Gloss has a fun jelly texture that offers brilliant, intense shine with a sheer wash of color. 

-From Ipsy's site.

This was a big fail. Do you like thick, sticky gloss?  If so, then you'll like this.  I do not like thick, sticky gloss. Luckily, I swatched this onto a clean cotton swab, so it's still sanitary enough to give to anyone who wants it.  Maybe a 10 year old, or someone just starting out, who doesn't know a lot about makeup?

• St. Tropez Gradual Tan for Face. Deluxe sample size. Full size is $35 if you buy it from Ulta. Estimated value: $3.50.

The St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Anti-Aging Multi-Action Face hydrates skin for 24 hours without blocking pores and provides a natural bronze glow. Prolongs youthful skin with Matrixyl Synthe 6, which rejuvenates cells and boosts collagen synthesis to firm, plump and visibly lift fine lines and wrinkles. 

-From Ipsy's site.

I will probably use this, just for fun.  You see, I have freckles, and with freckles comes a struggle with matching your foundation shade to your skin.  Do you go light and match your lighter skin? Do you go dark and match your freckles?  Usually I go between the two shades, but I my face still never matches my neck. So, insert a self tanner. The self tanner can be placed wherever needed to even out your skin tone between your face, neck and chest.  I don't usually do this, but, I like the idea of it, so I will be using this product to do just that.

Bag Value:

Urban Decay liner: $6

Dr. Brandt microdemabrasion: $10

Elizabeth Mott eyeshadow: $12.99

Mary Kay gloss: $10

St. Tropez facial tanner: $3.50

Grand Total: $42.49

The value of this bag really surprised me, in a good way!  I found a new eyeliner to try, and an eyeshadow that I love. I'll use everything except that nasty Mary Kay gloss. Even without the gloss, this bag has a great value.  Ipsy is still keeping me happy!

Here is my referral link if you're interested in trying Ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hh1dhitczm8r4e9

Florida Driver License

If you want a Florida driver license, be prepared to give your Social Security card, your birth certificate, your marriage license, two pieces of mail (or proof of residence), a W2, and your right arm.

I originally tried to get a Florida license in February when my mom visited.  My mom watched Lily for me, and I used my mom's car to drive over there.

I waited in a short-ish line for 15-20 minutes before arriving at the check-in counter.  The lady looked over the items I had brought, and then gave me a number for the long line.

Two hours later, my number was called.  I went to the back and the lady told me I HAD THE WRONG PAPERS.  I had actually brought my marriage certificate instead of my marriage license.

Side note: I told Lance the night before that he had given me the marriage certificate and that I needed the license.  He got upset with me and told me that this is all we had.

So, I started crying, right there at that lady's desk.  I was so overwhelmed. I'd been wanting to come get my license for weeks but couldn't arrange it with our one car and opposite work schedules.  I could tell she felt so bad for me.  She gave me an "appointment slip" so that next time I came I didn't have to wait in as long of a line.

I went home angry, and feeling hopeless.

I immediately called the Utah County Health and Justice building and ordered a marriage license.

It arrived a few days later, but I still had to figure out a way to get back down to the DMV.

A few days before I was going to try to get back to the DMV, Lance found our marriage license.  He felt horrible. I just said, "Oh well, what's done is done. And now we can put one in a frame to display?"


I finally made it back down to the DMV a week before my license expired.  It was a Monday.  I tried to go to bed early Sunday night, because I don't work Sunday nights.  However, when your body is on a certain schedule, that's not really the easiest thing to do.

Monday morning I got up at 6:15am, got Lily up, drove Lance to work so he could be there by 7am.  Then I came home (7:30am), and let Lily rest while I showered and got ready.  We left our house again at 9am.  I drove over to the DMV, and waited in the "short" line to get to the receptionist.  I handed her the appointment slip from 2 months prior, and all of my documents.  I told her, "I was here a couple of months ago, but I had my marriage certificate instead of my marriage license."  She looked over my documents, and kept looking and looking at the marriage license.

I started to panic.

Receptionist: "Do you have the marriage certificate?"

Me: "Um, no, they told me it was useless, so now I have the marriage license."

Receptionist: "This doesn't say where it was filed............"

Me: "...."

Receptionist: "Let me check on this before making you wait longer."

Me: "Ok, thank you! I was here for two hours last time!"

Someone else: "It has this number *points* and the state seal, so it's correct"

Agh, thank goodness!

The receptionist handed me my number for the "long" line.  I noticed it wasn't going to be that long of a wait.

It was 20 minutes.  Not bad compared to two hours.

I went back, handed a different lady all of my documents.  Answered some questions.  Registered to vote as "no party" which, in my line of work is basically the same thing as telling them you're Independent. I took the quick eye test. Paid my dues. Posed for a picture.

All the while Lily was walking around doing whatever she wanted.  They were nice about it.

At the Kissimmee DMV they print your license while you're there.  So that's cool. I didn't have to wait for it in the mail.