If the South woulda won....

Okay, so i heard this song on the radio today and, very slowly, this HUGE grin just spread across my face...I'm so proud to be southern. :D This is worth hearing on youtube, should you so desire...but here are the lyrics for your enjoyment.

If the South woulda won...

If the South would won

We'd a had it made

I'd probably run for president

Of the southern states

The day Elvis passed away

Would be our national holiday

If the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I'd make my supreme court down in Texas

And we wouldn't have no killers gettin' off free

If they were proven guilty

Then they would swing quickly

Instead of writin' books and smilin' on TV

We'd all learn cajun cookin' in Louisiana

And I'd put that capital back in Alabama

We'd put Florida on the right track

'Cause we'd take Miami back

And throw all them pushers in the slammer

Oh, if the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I'd probably run for president

Of the southern states

The day young Skynyrd died

We'd show our southern pride

If the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I'd have all the whiskey made in Tennessee

And all the horses raised in those Kentucky hills

The national treasury

Would be in Tupelo, Mississippi

And I'd put Hank Williams' picture

On one hundred dollar bills

I'd have all the cars made in the Carolinas

And I'd ban all the ones made in China

I'd have every girl child sent to Georgia to learn to smile

And talk with that southern accent that drives men wild

I'd have all the fiddles made in Virginia

'Cause they sure can make 'em sounds so fine

I'm going up on Wolverton Mountain and see old Clifton Clowers

And have a sip of his good ole Arkansas wine

Hey if the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I'd probably run for president

Of the southern states

When Patsy Cline passed away

That would be our national holiday

If the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

I said if the South woulda won

We'd a had it made

Might even be better off...

~Hank Williams, Jr.

There's no denying it...

...I'm in love with Spanish. I mean, I guess, I always knew it...ever since I chose to study it in school, but I guess I didn't realize how deeply the love affair ran. :)

My friend came over today and asked me to teach her Spanish so she could converse with the local Panamanians when she goes on her mission trip in March. I was completely ecstatic! I had no idea that I loved Spanish so much...I'm so excited to teach her--I might teach the rest of her group, too.

She told me about the work they do there--run a week long medical mission with her Methodist church--and I just got so proud! I love it. I don't know that it'll work out, but, if at all possible, I plan to go with them in March.

Meanwhile, I'm going to devote myself to teaching these people Spanish so that their efforts are as productive as possible. I'm so excited...I wish there was a way for me to properly and accurately describe my level of excitement, but there's not, I suppose.

HA--I guess that means I'm done running from Fate. She's been pushing me to get my teaching credentials and teach Spanish at the high school level...I suppose this means she's won. As I learned in Stake Conference on Sunday, you can't be given knowledge or understanding without the accompanying responsibility to act on said knowledge. I suppose, now that I realize how much I love teaching this language, I'm obligated to act on it and teach. :)

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

~Rudyard Kipling

Truth

Remember when you argued that point of church doctrine with someone--and you thought you might get somewhere...then, after a couple hours, all you have is an exhausted brain, a confused feeling and disappointment that the other person never did see your point of view--or the truth as you know it?

I had the most wonderful stake conference today...I left feeling spiritually fed and I was in great spirits. Pres. Bess had reminded us that "hey--Satan is a professional" and he has known our spirits for thousands of years...he was our brother...so he knows how to get us. Well, little did I know how quickly this truth would manifest itself in my life:

I had a run-in this afternoon with someone I don't even know. A total stranger. But hey, I was enjoying a wonderful Sabbath evening and was in high spirits...so when they asked if I wanted to chat, I thought "why not?" Well--it didn't take long for me to realize that his version of Gospel truth was a bit different from mine...but he's the one studying for his PhD right now, so he's bound to know something, right? By the time I realized I was in a situation that wasn't going anywhere--his point of view and mine were never going to agree--he'd gotten so angry that he'd become verbally abusive.

Now anyone who knows me, really knows me, is probably thinking "yea, I'll bet that went over really well with her...did she skin him alive or something?" Truth is, I was so shocked that I just took it. I didn't know what to say: I've never before been spoken to in that manner. By the time I pulled myself together enough to hang up the phone, I was rattled. I mean, I don't get upset easily...I try to let things just roll off my back--but the things this person said were awful.

And for one brief moment, I believed some of them. Then I remembered a beautiful truth: I am a child of God. And He loves me. Even with all my imperfections and shortcomings. I don't have to be perfect today...I just have to be trying. Perspective began to return and I realized that this person must have some serious issues, because no one--no matter what they believe--has the right to speak to another human being in such a disrespectful manner.

I'm still slightly shaken up, but I'm better. I'm grateful that I have friends and family who aren't verbally abusive. I'm grateful for the Gospel. And I'm grateful for simple truths--especially the ones we learn in Primary. I am a child of God.

Eat. Pray. Love.

Since I've begun meditating a little every day, peace in my life has increased dramatically--suddenly, life isn't so crazy and the unimportant things just fade into the background. It's simply marvelous. You should try it.

Well, I was wandering around Wal-mart the other day waiting for Sarah and I saw this book (I did NOT know it was being made into a movie...I don't watch TV...). It intrigued me and I picked it up.

Love it. Gilbert is witty and frank and very insightful. She's definitely not LDS...I don't even think she's Christian, but I'm loving her book. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to regain or adjust their perspective on life--she'll help you do it.

Why can't I just take a year and travel the world? Oh yea, 'cause I don't have a publicist who'll pay for it. LOL.

Great read.

The Boys of Fall

I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass

I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads

Standing in the huddle listening to the call

Fans going crazy for the boys of fall

They didn't let just anybody in that club

Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood

To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall

Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall

Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes

It's fighting back them butterflies

It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball

And it's knocking heads and talking trash

It's slinging mud and dirt and grass

It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall

You mess with one man you got us all

The boys of fall

~Kenny Chesney

You guessed it, folks...It's time for COLLEGE FOOTBALL! It's time for camaraderie and competition; Pizza, chips, and good friends on a Saturday night...

The Alabama Crimson Tide promises to have another smoking hot year--we creamed poor San Jose State 48-3...and, for most of the game, our 3rd string were playing.

The BYU Cougars struggled a little, but prevailed over

Washington 23-17: they've got a good backup quarterback lined up behind Payne....

What can I say? Football is infused in Southern blood...I just can't help it. :D

...and to top off the wonderfullness....there was a slight chill to the air when I opened my door this morning. :) Fall is on it's way!

Words from 8.28

Words have power. And once spoken, can't be unspoken. There is wisdom in the advice to listen at least twice as much as you speak. Here are a few words that stuck out to me recently at the Christian Rally I attended in our nation's capital:

That which you gaze upon, you shall become.

As Americans, there is a lot that we can disagree on, but our principles and values can and should unite us.

America is great because she is good; we must each be good, so America can be great.

Tell the truth. America is crying out for truth.

Connect with your family. Charity begins at home.

Have a firm reliance in what you believe. Being a child of God has huge blessings and huge responsibilities...we must know God and follow Him. If we are going to change our lives and our country, we'll reach a point, as did George Washington, when we'll ask "Have I not done enough for my country?" No. God is not done with man's freedom yet.

There comes a time when we must pledge our lives, we much take it on so our children can have a chance. Pay an honest tithe; allow those in our churches to have the means to be charitable.

Life is short and there is work to be done. So pick up your stick and heal the nation.

God is not on our side, but shape up so we can be on God's side.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come; but we have Today to make a difference.

*At this point, 500,000 Americans stood around the reflecting pool of our Capital and sang Amazing Grace. Wow.

The rally I refer to was the Restoring Honor 8.28 rally held last weekend in DC. Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, several members of Martin Luther King Jr's family spoke on Faith, Hope, Charity, Honor, and Truth. It wasn't political. It wasn't racial. It was just incredible.

What I Know

Things i know:

• Rain may be cleansing, but Sunshine is healing.
• Unconditional Love--be it from a family member, friend, or a pet is what life is all about.
• Musicians often express my feelings better than I can, so I'm grateful for music.
• No matter how badly I want to pick up my new violin and figure it out on my own, I'm not getting anywhere...it's time to find a teacher.
• Experience is a painful teacher, but the lessons last.
• Ether 12:27 could be one of the best promises in all the scriptures...I mean, if we must be perfected, what greater promise can there be than the one that tells us how can be.
• Life is all about putting one foot in front of the other. Then again. And again. And again.
  
• Meditation--in whatever form you do it, it essential for health.
• Nothing of value comes free. And nothing free holds it's value.
• Life is beautiful. And good. And happy.

Even Though...

Even though:

• I spent most of the day alone
• my little sister thinks I ruined her holiday because I wouldn't go on vacation with her
• my older sister thinks I am obnoxious because I get frustrated with her for not making better decisions
• I got a little short today with Bryan (let's face it, I probably don't deserve his patience...)
• I haven't even spoken to my parents yet today

I got to:

• eat lunch with Grandma. *sigh* Thanks.
• learn a little more about unconditional love and sisterhood when I watched In Her Shoes
• read PostSecret
• smile at 1000 Awesome Things
• relax

Happy Independence Day, everyone. I didn't celebrate this year in traditional fashion, but I have spent some time pondering this day and what it should mean to us as Americans. I can't tell you how to feel, but I feel privileged and honored to have grown up with such strong traditions of freedom and independence.

I LOVE our national anthem. I do. What can I say? My chest swells up with pride every time the opening strains resound and I get a little misty-eyed long before I finish the first verse. And I won't write out the lyrics to all 4 verses, but here are a few key phrases that stood out to me today:

• proudly we hailed
• Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
  In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
  Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
  O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
• And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
• O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
• Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
• conquer we must
• our cause: It is just
• And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
• And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
  O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

That 4th verse is pretty awesome...

Something else that's pretty awesome is this quote by Elder Wirthlin: “Most of us don’t mind doing what we OUGHT to do when it doesn’t interfere with what we WANT to do, but it takes discipline and maturity to do what we ought to do whether we want to or not. What people plan and think and believe are all very important but what they DO is the thing that counts the most.”

I think our Founding Fathers understood this concept of selflessness as they gave up selfish desires for the establishment of a nation that would lay the foundation for the ushering in of the Restoration of the Gospel.

Happy Independence Day.

Friends

A friend is someone we turn to,

When our spirits need a life,

A friend is someone we treasure,

For true friendship is a gift.

A friend is someone we laugh with,

Over little personal things,

A friend is someone we're serious with,

In facing whatever life brings.

A friend is someone who fills our lives,

With beauty and joy and grace.

And makes the world that we live in

A better and happier place!

~Jean Kyler McManus

I'm grateful for friends. I visited another branch in our stake today and discovered that I have so many friends there. There were so many faces that made me smile. When you take into account my friends from home and/or high school, plus the ones I made out at school, plus the slew of mission friends--both here and there then combine all those with my new friends and my church friends and my family...wow. There are so many people I love. :)

Thank you. To everyone who is a friend. I'm grateful for you.

Shoes

I am addicted to shoes. Not in an I-love-to-wear-shoes kind of way 'cause anyone who knows me knows that I'm barefooted every chance I get. No, I'm addicted in an oh-my-gosh-those-shoes-are-awesome-and-I-must-have-them kind of way. Most of the awesome pairs of shoes I own, I bought impulsively. I can't seem to help it. Awesome shoes just call to me and make me their slave. Then, of course, I must shop for something to wear with the shoes...and then I might need a bit of jewelry to match...my coolest outfits were all definitely created around the shoe.

So, if I had several hundred dollars to spare right now, which I don't, I would buy these shoes:

and then I'd buy this dress to match:

Of course, in my head, I'd look adorable in them....for now, my debit card stays sheathed in my wallet and my feet stay bare. But I may have vivid dreams tonight involving red shoes and a houndstooth dress...

...don't judge me. :) I'm okay with this addiction...even when it results in shoe-storage issues in my home...lol

Camp Courageous 2010

So--girls' camp was amazing. :D We have some absolutely awesome, incredible girls. We had about 60 come this year. They have such strong testimonies of Christ already...it blows my mind sometimes. I think back to when I was a youth and I know they are much more prepared for the world than I was at that age--at least spiritually. As a presidency, we have been trying to focus more on spiritual growth and development than other things, and I believe camp was a success. We had spiritual workshops besides our certification and music and we had the girls try out a ropes course. We had group devotionals nightly and then had our YCLs (youth camp leaders) have devotionals with the girls every night in their years.

Our theme was Be Strong and Courageous--from the youth scripture for the year (Josh. 1:9) and we had our girls attend the "Warrior Training Center" to learn to become Warriors of Light. We taught them about spiritual preparation to ward off the evil arrows and darts of Satan. We used the Parable of the Golden Pathway by Jenny Philips as a lesson. We showed the film Forever Strong and discussed the importance of staying strong not only at camp, but at home as well. Of course, we had fun, too. There was a pool and our hike and the girls loved the craft cabin--they made journals and necklaces and shimmery pictures of Christ. Then, during our closing exercises, we had a devotional taken from 1 Thessalonians 5 and Sister Sheri Dew's You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory. We discussed the Atonement and how Christ is the key to salvation. Then we had the girls stand in a circle and present each other with silver key necklaces as a reminder to stay strong and remember Christ.

We had some of our leaders teach Zumba during free time--that was very fun. The girls played a midnight game of capture the flag. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the pool (and they wisely avoided the lake and the ticks and leeches therewith associated). You've Got Talent was a big hit. And, of course, there were pranks galore (luckily, they stayed out of the stake leaders' cabin). But no damage was done, there was very little, if any, drama, and we didn't have any girls that gave us problems this year. It was a ton of fun and I can't wait for next year. :D

Better

I'm better today. Yesterday was just a terrible, horrible day. I guess we all have those. Optimism (albeit subdues under the circumstances) is back and excitement for girls' camp is rising. :D

Umph.

Even looking for the sunshine isn't enough some days...some days are just dark. Even girls' camp looming around the corner couldn't brighten today. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

So many thoughts....

I have so many things that cross my mind to blog about...but I never seem to get them written. lol. For example, I missed my little sister's graduation and play--maybe I'll come back to those.

I've had to be pretty adaptable recently to change--goodness knows I've encountered a lot of that. And the steroids make my mood swing something fierce, but I try to be positive and I think I succeed most of the time. Well-part of these lifestyle changes include adopting new hobbies: I've begun sewing (love love love it) and knitting (learning to like it, especially after having to restart 6 hours worth of work because a missed stitch unraveled a big hole in the middle of my blanket) and recently just crafting, in general (believe me, Michaels loves me.)

The baby blanket I'm currently knitting will be for the Project Linus although I think I'll simply sew the other ones I've committed to making... :P

This weekend, I decided to try these knockoff moleskin notebooks: so great, but so much work! I decided to make them as gifts for the several ladies who so diligently are working for girls' camp, even though it's not their calling. Here's how they turned out:

But nothing in life is accident-proof and my pink book lends evidence to this fact:

It took a swim in my bowl of water I was washing my stamps in, then mom tried to dry it out in the microwave...result was lots of smoke and choking from the peanut gallery and lots of hard work up in smoke, literally. :D

As President Hinckley said: Things will work out. Keep trying. Be believing. Don't get discouraged. Things will work out.

One of my favorite Pres. Hinckley quotes that I've kind of adopted as my motto is this: "Stop looking for the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight." If more of us took his advice, the world would be a brighter place.

Thank you, Pres. Benson

"Behold, are ye stripped of pride?" Alma inquires in ch 5 verse 28. What a question. I think, if I made one of those really cute mirror-signs that people tape to their bathroom mirrors and looked at it at least twice a day, it still wouldn't be enough of a reminder for me to strip myself of pride.

You'd think, after all I've gone through in past months, that humility (the antidote for pride according to Pres. Benson) would come easily. I mean, my life has been changed. I've lost lots of my ability to participate in the activities I hold most dear. I've had my independence stripped away from me, piece by piece. And yet, there are days, hours, moments, when I Miss the Mark. I lose sight of my ultimate goal and I fall into selfish thoughts. I fail the Pride Test.

It might begin by dwelling on a dream or a goal that I had that no longer seems possible due to my situation. That might lead to feeling sorry for myself because of the ex-dream. Which might lead to a few minutes of crying followed by a heavy dose of "why?" thoughts: why this, why me, why now, etc. This usually leads to a question for the Lord, which might leave me with less-than-cordial-feelings for the tests of life...I end up feeling miserable. I might even end up feeling jealous of those getting to live out my dreams: friends who are married or have their own house and get to work their own garden or get to travel the world or, right now, can just get into their car and drive should the desire arise...etc.

President Benson put it well when he said that the proud wish God would agree with them...they aren't interested in changing their opinions to agree with God's. I certainly know that I don't set out to live life with this attitude--it's just so easy to fall into. Isn't that shameful? That pride has worn a rut so deeply on the side of my path that I'm more comfortable walking in it than climbing and staying out of it?

It's extremely difficult, when you're out in the ocean without a raft, tossed by the huge waves and fighting to get each life-saving breath of air, to remember that there is a bigger picture and our Heavenly Father see it. So, even though I may feel like my life is ending or I am being denied things that I have been previously promised, I try to come up for air. And sometimes, while my head is above water, I try to remember that even though this was so, so far from my plan for my life, maybe there is a purpose in it and I need to humble myself, again, and try to submit to the Lord's will for me. Without challenging it.

On a different note, I will not apologize for the pride I feel in my baby sister. This weekend she has torn up the stage as she dominated the role of Maria in The Sound of Music. Months of rehearsal has paid off and she is incredible. Oh, and did I mention that she was offered The Wallace Sound? This is a full-ride scholarship to her college awarded based on her vocal abilities. She's just so good. :D I absolutely love her and couldn't be more proud of her.

Too much fun...

I have had the most fun today! Doing what, you ask? Would you believe...sewing? :D

I remember once, as a snotty-teenaged-brat, telling my young women's leader that I didn't want to learn to sew--I planned to make enough money to pay others to do that kind of stuff for me. Sister Godwin, I'm sorry.

Hurting for things to do these days with my limited mobility, I began searching the internet for something I could do for my mom for Mother's Day and found a small craft that involved sewing.

SO, I just had my first sewing lesson with my 87 yr. old grandma. :D She taught me how to use her machine (I mean, I don't even know how to sew on a button) and I dove in. Guess what? I LOVE IT!

Those of you who know me are probably thinking ,"Who in the world is this domesticated person (yes, I said domesticated) and what have they done with Jess?" Well, I guess it's never too late to discover hidden talents--I am good.

I finished 5 of these super-cute aprons today and have plans for more. I worked for 8 hours straight and loved every minute of it. I'm completely exhausted, but every time I glance over at my pet project, I just can't stop grinning.

Who'd a thunk?

Herded

Thanks to Dr. I-Don't-Know-How-to-Comfort-a-Crying-Woman, I know now how it feels to be a calf herded down a chute. Against my will. By some higher power. And completely out of my control. And I don't feel like explaining it here, so if you want to know, you'll have to ask. And no, I don't want any "Happy Pills." Thanks for the offer, though.

I like this quote--reminds me of a conversation I had recently with my sister: "Cowardice is labeling that which you don't want to change as Your Nature." Can't remember where I heard it, but I liked it.

Also, reminds me of this one, which I also love: "Please spare me your speeches about 'That's just the way I am.' I've heard that from too many people who wanted to sin and call it psychology." ~Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Ugh

So--there are no words to describe how frustrating it is to be helpless. Until you're in that situation, you can't realize how it feels...you want some cheese? Too bad. You can't drive or even get yourself out of the bed. Everything you do is an inconvenience to someone else. You want to search the internet, but your computer is 5 feet away and you can't get it. So you call someone to come out and get it and hand it to you. Then, in an hour, you need some water. Or a snack. Or a pen and paper. Caring for you becomes a full-time job for someone.

Then you feel guilty for the trouble you've caused everyone and the inconvenience that you are...just by being you. Seemingly every breath you take causes trouble for others. So what do you do? Do you stop existing? Just spend every day lying on a bed trying not to cause any trouble for anyone? Or continue trying to fill your days doing something useful and productive because, while your body is deteriorating, your mind is fine. And being an active person by nature, the sitting all day every day is getting annoying.

I've had patience. At least, I've tried my best to just roll with the punches and be easy-going...but 10 months is a long time, and I just don't know how much longer I can be okay. I really don't.

Be Strong and of Good Courage

It's that time of year again--GIRL'S CAMP 2010! I'm not currently in any shape to attend, but who knows where I'll be in a month. My daily dose of POISON is doing it's job, I suppose...slowly, but surely. We hope to have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic in the next week or two and I have hope that there will be an alternate plan.

Have I mentioned that I Love My Calling? I was so apprehensive about it at first because most of my adult church service has been in either the Relief Society or related to missionary work...so when they asked me to work with the Stake Young Women, I was flabbergasted. I have loved every single minute of it. I work with the most amazing ladies and I couldn't love them more. I adore our work.

Recently, I have felt like a slacker because I've been too down to contribute anything. Being physically ill takes a toll emotionally as well--it's like your brain just shuts down and you don't think. Life passes in a daze--it's kind of like the last 6 or 8 months have just been a blur...I think I'm alive. I'm still breathing. Anyway, we had a meeting this weekend with our YCLs for camp and it was so much fun. We have the most amazing girls.

If there is any possible way, I will be at camp with my girls next month...even if I have to rent a motorized wheelchair and carry my own plywood ramps down to Tallahassee. :D

How I Finally Taught the Big Guy a Lesson

"I did not provoke the fight, so I feel no remorse for what I was forced to do. We were arguing, and since I was right and he was wrong, he decided to fight to cover his stupidity.

He swung at me first, but because I was in top physical condition, I was able to act quickly and block the punch neatly with my head.

I then jumped to the ground, knocking him down on top of me. I placed my ear in his mouth and poked his finger several times with my eye.

His teeth hurt so much from the strength of my ear that he became irate and tried to kick me, but I cleverly blocked the onslaught with my ribs and face.

I scrambled to my feet and ran to my car in hopes I would get away and save this man from my deadly hands. Before I could start the car he pulled me from the still open door. I then proceeded to swing at him, but only managed to hit myself in the head.

To this I said, “What’s this two against one?” That was the final straw—I lost all control. There will be no mercy!!

Taking him in my death grip, I pounded him in the knee with my stomach—then I hit him two or three times in the fist with my teeth! He had had it! I could tell. After that he didn’t even try to pick me up off the ground. He was too chicken!!"

Perspective is everything!

Sarah

My baby sister turns 18 tomorrow....wow. Talk about how time flies.

Sarah is one of the most thoughtful teenagers I know. She is concerned with others and loves her family and friends very much. She's so protective of her sisters and nieces that she will defend them to the very end. She's doing well in school and attends seminary every morning. She is a very talented horsewoman and an incredible singer. As a matter of fact, she is playing Maria in The Sound of Music next month. I love her and couldn't be more proud of her.

Happy Birthday, Sis.