Vacation Tribulation

The Bahamas were really beautiful, although it was too windy and cold to swim. Seth even ventured to play some sand volley ball. What a trooper!

This is the only picture I will post of myself on our vacation. I was so seasick, I did not look well, and would rather not keep those memories forever, and this one was pretty dark and far away. I lost my make-up case and all its contents on our cruise. SAD! Now I am doomed to use my very very old back up stuff I don't like, but at least I didn't get sunburned, so I can be very glad of that.

I'm sure some of you are probably wondering how our vacation turned out. Well, as you can see from the title, it wasn't exactly what we expected it to be. Over a year ago, we 'won a free cruise' to the Bahamas from Ramada Plaza Resorts, and Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines. Well, to say the least more than a year later, when we went to use our vacation, it certainly wasn't free, and it ended up being quite a scam. I won't go into to many details, but as a recap we had to spend a third of our time listening to sales pitches, and it felt like another third was spent waiting in line for 'comped' buffet meals that were less than quality, our cruise line was over 50 years old, and light as a feather, our room that we had to upgrade and upgrade which cost a lot of money and grief was more like a low rate motel on terrible seas, than the Veranda Suite we were promised. We got lost a few times, we both were absolutely sea sick the entire cruise, throwing up, feeling like our heads were going to explode, barely being able to stand up and walk, etc. (I won't go on about that too much more, but I will say that the crew couldn't find enough housekeeping staff and cat litter to clean up the mess on board, with the terrible ocean we faced. Needless to say the Dining Room was practically empty the first night, and we sure didn't make it to dinner.) When we stopped in the Bahamas we paid for an excursion to a beach resort, but it was close to 65 degrees, very windy, and mostly cloudy most of the day. We couldn't swim, and were really too sea sick to do much else.

Ok, now that is over with, I will tell you about the good things about our trip. When I was on the ship the first night, After the losing of our lunches, Seth and I were laying in our bed trying to ignore the feeling of rising 15 ft. in the air and then descending over and over, I remembered looking out into that dark abiss of an ocean. It looked like a terrible monster waiting to swallow us up. I was amazed at it's power. I had never been on a boat on the ocean, or a sea. I got to experience first hand, a taste of what it could do if angered. As I laid there, I was reminded that the Lord created the ocean, and has complete control over it. I think the ocean can be compared to the Lord in a way. It is so vast, man cannot even comprehend it completely. It contains such deep mysteries, and beauties. It can be so helpful, taking you across miles and miles to your destination. When it is angered, it is indeed terrrible.

I also remembered the scripture about Christ from Mark 4 in the New Testament:

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, aPeace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great bcalm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so afearful? how is it that ye have no bfaith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Jesus Christ is the master of earth and sea. All the elements obey His command. How is it that His children, most often do not obey? I want to do better to obey, and feel the peace, and calm He can bring to me as I follow.

I was touched by this feeling of how aware the Lord is of me, only one passenger, on one small ship in the deep vast ocean. I prayed many times, that if it were the Lord's will, that He would calm the sea. He did, and around midnight that night, I fell asleep.

Other great experiences we had on our trip. Throughout the many sales pitches we had to listen to, we got to know some of the people, and were able to share part of our faith with them.

Seth and I got to spend every minute of a whole week together. We had many deep conversations all about the US government, the welfare program, immigration, Pres. Obama, our life together so far, our future plans. It was nice to really talk.

We got to go to Universal Studios, and despite some lingering seasickness, we really enjoyed the Simpsons Ride, Shrek 4D, The Mummy (we rode that twice. it was the only roller coaster, and it was a very good one.)

My desire to eat did come back eventually, I renounced my vow never to set foot on a cruise ship again (as long as it is BIG and NEW!) My dizzy, lightheadedness did go away after about 5 days of being on land.

I learned a lot about myself on the trip. It just so happened that the only book I brought was called "Emily of Deep Valley," by Maud Hart Lovelace (one of my very favorite authors). Because of the sea sickness, and the bad weather we had, I had a lot of time to read. I ended up reading it 2 and a half times. I loved every page. I could really relate to my namesake character, and this book helped me figure out what I want to do now. I have some work to do, and preparations to make, but I will unfold my plan for the near future very soon.

The very last day of our trip had nice 75 degree weather with not too much wind. We went to a cool hotel resort called Gaylord Palms (for free! probably the only part of our trip that actually was.) We saw fish, and alligators in the atrium and beautiful plants and flowers. It was a really cool place.

I got a new jacket, bright red, and beautiful!, and some jeans that were very needed! Thanks Seth!

We got to drive our first rental car, a shiny new blue Ford Focus. That was the first new car I had ever driven. It was so powerful! Wow! I liked it a lot, almost as much as my red Miata (R.I.P). And we even got to enjoy XM radio with no commercials.

Seth and I didn't get to swim in FL because it was too cold and windy, but we did get to walk barefoot on the beach, hand in hand under the stars. That was wonderful. I learned more about Seth, and we grew closer on our trip, through the trials and all. I definately don't regret going. I learned and I grew, and I am better for it, and I think Seth is too.

It was so wonderful to come home. This trip made me realize how much I really love our house, Cleveland, our ward at church, our wonderful friends, living close to family, and just being able to come home with Seth is a blessing.

And now we will have a hilarious story to tell our children someday.

80 Degrees, Here we come!

Seth and I are going to Florida tomorrow to go on our Honeymoon we never had time for, and to celebrate our 2 Year Anniversary. We are getting excited for sunny 80 degree weather, swimming in the ocean at Ft. Lauderdale, going on a cruise to the Bahamas, and checking out Universal Studios, and maybe some Disney parks. Hooray for vacation!

My Favorite Books

My favorite book series to read (even more than Harry Potter, shockingly enough) is The Betsy-Tacy Books by Maud Hart Lovelace. There are 13 books in the complete series. I have read each one as of this week, and I am enchanted by them. Lovelace was born in 1892 and while she told her daughter of the stories of her childhood, she came up with this series. It is based on her life. I love to look back, as I read them, and see what it was like to live in those times. The first 4 books are wonderful for younger children. She starts the first book at the time when she turned 5 years old, the very last, Betsy's Wedding, ends when she is 25 years old. I urge everyone to read these books! When I read them, I am caught up in Betsy's world like I am really there. I laugh out loud many times, and Seth looks at me funny, but I don't care. I cry with Betsy and I rejoice in her triumphs. Although the books are considered fiction. They are very real to me. What a blessing it is to be able to read!

2 Year Anniversary

Yes, I know. It's been a while. Maybe it would be a more realistic goal for me to post every 2 weeks. Well, Seth and I are doing fine. Yesterday we had dentist appointments. The hygienist practically ripped our gums up. After she was done scratching and scraping, she flossed my teeth as if she were trying to saw down a tree. "Most people are too easy on their gums. It's OK if you see blood..." "Hmm," I thought "Will I have any blood left in my body after this appointment is over?" At least she was friendly though. Our dentist is the nicest lady. I like here a lot because she is so personable, and she explains everything to you so that it will actually help you. Seth hadn't been to see the dentist in 6 years! So, I said that not we have dental insurance, that he would be going every 6 months for a check-up. It was amazing that he lasted 6 years without going to the dentist, and only had 2 small cavities! Wagner genes are practically invincible! I hope our gets get all of Seth's health genes.

Then we had eye exams. Seth's eyes were fine, but they said that if he wanted glasses, he would have the very slightest prescription possible. So we had a good time picking out glasses with each other. It kind of felt like a fashion show to me. Then ladies who worked in the store came over to start giving their opinions. It was funny. So when we get our glasses, I'll have to post some pictures of what we picked.

On Tuesday, February 3rd, We had our 2 year wedding anniversary. We went out to Olive garden to celebrate. I love Olive Garden food. Yum!

When we got home, we continued our tradition of reading our journals aloud from the important days of our story together, like when we decided to get married, and our wedding day, etc. When I read our accounts of the night we had our first kiss and decided to get married, Seth finally conceded to the fact that he broke my heart when he changed his mind less than a month later, and then it took him a few more months to get his head on straight and ask me to marry him. We're both glad he did. It is wonderful to be married. It's good to write in a journal too. I don't know why I've stopped doing it everyday like I used to, but I have started it up again, and I'm planning not to miss a day for the rest of my life (give or take a few days.)

This is what President Spencer W. Kimball has to say about it.

"On a number of occasions I have encouraged the Saints to keep personal journals and family records. I renew that admonition. We may think there is little of interest or importance in what we personally say or do—but it is remarkable how many of our families, as we pass on down the line, are interested in all that we do and all that we say.

Any Latter-day Saint family that has searched genealogical and historical records has fervently wished its ancestors had kept better and more complete records. On the other hand, some families possess some spiritual treasures because ancestors have recorded the events surrounding their conversion to the gospel and other happenings of interest, including many miraculous blessings and spiritual experiences. People often use the excuse that their lives are uneventful and nobody would be interested in what they have done. But I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations. Each of us is important to those who are near and dear to us—and as our posterity read of our life’s experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us. And in that glorious day when our families are together in the eternities, we will already be acquainted.

From time immemorial the Lord has counseled us to be a record-keeping people. Abraham had a book of remembrance, and Adam had one. You may think of them as not being as highly educated as we are, but they were well-trained people. Adam spent much effort being the school teacher for his children. He and Eve taught their sons and daughters. He taught them the gospel in their home evenings, and he taught them reading and writing and arithmetic. And they kept their books of remembrance. How else do you think Moses, many hundreds of years later, got the information? These records had been kept, and he referred to them and got the history of the world, which wasn’t in any library other than that. Can you see your responsibility?

You should continue on in this important work of recording the things you do, the things you say, the things you think, to be in accordance with the instructions of the Lord. Your story should be written now while it is fresh and while the true details are available.
Your private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity. Experiences of work, relations with people, and an awareness of the rightness and wrongness of actions will always be relevant. Your journal, like most others, will tell of problems as old as the world and how you dealt with them.

Your journal is your autobiography, so it should be kept carefully. You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other life.

What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved? Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.

We hope you will begin as of this date. If you have not already commenced this important duty in your lives, get a good notebook, a good book that will last through time and into eternity for the angels to look upon. Begin today and write in it your goings and your comings, your deeper thoughts, your achievements, and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. We hope you will do this, our brothers and sisters, for this is what the Lord has commanded, and those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives."

This is the link to find the full article.

Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Personal Journals,” New Era, Dec 1980, 26
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=f5f3ba9ff599b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
After reading this, and the talk Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 66–69

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=88562bce258f5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

I decided that I was going to take that counsel and write in my journal to remember what the Lord has done for me. I want to write it for me, and for my family. I know that it will help me to know myself, and the Lord better, and see His hand in my life. I want my posterity to have those blessings as well. I want them to know how in love Seth and I are; I want them to know how we worked out our trials with the help of the Lord. I want them to know of our faith in the Lord. I know it is great to have a blog and post pictures, but I can't say all that is in my mind and put it up on the internet. We all have thoughts, feelings and experiences that are more personal than that. Every night that I ponder what I am going to write, and remember what has happened in my day, no matter how busy I have been, or if my day seemed good or bad, I can see the Lord working in my life to bless me, and all those around me. That is a great gift.

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. " 2 Nephi 25:26

Scout - Our New Edition

Seth and I have been talking about getting a pet since Christmas time, and we decided that a kitten would best fit our lifestyle. And, really I just need a little friend while I'm home by myself during the day. We went to the Cleveland Animal Protection League, a nice shelter in Cleveland, and found Annie. an adorable 4 month old domestic short hair mix. She was the last one of her litter, and it seemed like she really just wanted someone to love her.

So we picked her out, they put her in an animal carrier, which was really more like a box with some air holes in it. The shelter was only 20 minutes from our house, but the highway ramp was blocked, and the detour was terrible, and we ended up driving around downtown for almost an hour with a crazed kitten on our hands. It was really my fault. I am a sap for meowing it seems, and I let her out of the box so I could hold her. Bad idea! She just hated the moving car. Then after about 15 minutes of struggle, I finally got her back in the box, and she meowed and scratched even harder! It was somewhat terrifying to watch all those needle like claws frantically trying to tear apart all the air holes.


But when when the car stopped, she got all still, and we set the box in the living room for a minute and let her out. She lept out of the box, purring enthusiastically and became the most friendly, curious, happy furry thing, I have ever seen. Our house was immediatly her playground.


Annie, just didn't seem like it should be her name. We tried Daisy out, and that didn't stick either. Then I thought of Boo, (from Monsters Inc.) which made Seth think of Scout, from "To Kill A Mockingbird." It was perfect! She is definately a Scout. She is so much like the curious little girl in that story, so that will be her name.

We really need to find a way for her to start liking to scratch her scratching post instead of the furniture. If anyone has any suggestions. We could sure use some help! But she has a great time chasing things like imaginary things, her tail, hair ties, bottle caps, and string. And I can already tell she has a knack for getting into mischief. This morning while I was eating breakfast, she kept on jumping onto the table, I kept putting her on the ground, and then she did it again, and held onto the placemat knocking all my milk onto herself, me, the table, my scriptures, the chair and the floor. She seemed pretty happy lapping the milk up off the floor. We'll have to work on that.

Last night we watch a movie, and she cuddled up with us on the couch, and took a nap while purring loudly the whole time. But then when we wanted to go to bed, she wanted to play. We'll have to figure this one out. It seems as though I am going to have my own furry little alarm clock. She meowed, and meowed, so I let her in our room, and she proceded to walk all over my head, chasing every movement of my sheets, my hair, and everything else. But when I sit down on the big lounge chair for a while, she comes over to the big brown fuzzy blanket she loves, and the following is her routine.

Scout has been purring ever since she got into the house. Seth thought her purr box might break if she keeps going like she is. It seems like she is really happy to be with us, and we are happy to have her.

Still going

Well, I don't have the time to post pictures but, I figured it would be good to try and keep posting at least once a week. I would just like to thank all of you who commented on my last post, and all posts. I can't tell you how happy it makes me! I appreciate all of you who check my blog, and it just makes my day when you leave a comment.

First of all, Seth and I had a nice long weekend. We got to go down to Columbus, and attend the temple, stay with my Aunts Laura and Candi, and visit my Grandparents. My Grandpa gave us the rundown about a lot of my ancestors, and gave us pedigree charts, and pictures, and articles to help me get started on my family history for that side. It was fascinating to me. It turns out that all of the ancestors from my Father's side lived in Cleveland after they came to America! Crazy, huh! I have felt a connection to Cleveland, and I like it here. It turns out that I have ancestors buried in cemetaries just a few minutes away from our home. I am very excited to learn more about them.
We had a lot of fun with Laura and Candi playing the Wii Fit. I think it is a wonderful program, and we are considering investing in it because it will help us excercize, together even, and have fun doing it. We are very comepetative, and the Wii fit games helps to push us because we want to beat each other. We also had a Euker marathon Tournament between me and Laura against Seth and Candi. Laura and I won almost every game, and it seems we have developed quite the rivalry.

This isn't related to anything, but I really like this song. It helps calm me down, and it is very peaceful. It's by Brooke Fraser, called, "The Thief."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LxVh9WPiJI

Seth and I have been having the most terrible troubles with Alltel, our former cell phone provider. We have been tricked and swindled by them. They have taken advantage of us, and I have never felt more used by a company in my life! I will add more details later when we get further into our fight for redress, but until then, I urge anyone not to sign with such an uncaring, and fraudulent company.

I have been practising the piano just about every day now for 45 min. to an hour. I have really enjoyed it, and teaching myself hasn't been too bad. The 9 years of playing the cello, and singing in the choir most of my life has really helped me to know enough to read the notes, and it's just a matter of practice. I really have the motivation to practice, that I didn't have when I was 9. I want music to be a big part of my family now like it was when I was growing up. I want to play the piano, and have all the kids, and Seth gather around to sing hym ns, and Christmas songs. I have a lot of work to do, but I am really making progress. I can now play (well enough to have people sing along) 25 songs in the simple hymn book. It is a great book to get me started.

It amazes me at how our economy, and even our country has taken a terrible turn downhill in such a short amount of time. There are companies failing, cheating, laying off all employees. The stock market is to say the least, not doing well at all. One year ago, I never could have believed that all this would happen. But listening to President Obama's inaugural address really inspired me. I don't support some of his policies, and don't agree with all of his tactics, but he sure is a good speaker, and I hope that he can help unite us as one nation under God. I hope that all the words from his address (whether he wrote it, or not) will come true as we work together as a people for a better world. I know that the only way we can do that is with the Lord's help, and I pray for it every day. If you haven't seen the address. You should watch it. Follow the link below to watch the 20 minute address.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4

Happy New Year!

Well, I know it has been forever, and ever since I've posted. I guess I've been a little discouraged because I don't thing more than 2 people actually reads my blog when I do post. But, I guess there are other reasons to blog. But as an update, we are doing just fine here. We had a lovely time with our family for the holidays. Seth's job is going well, and we think his job is pretty safe. I have finally found a really good doctor for once, and I think that my health is going to start getting better in the near future. So that is something to really look forward too. We are going to go kitten shopping when we get the house done, so that is a great incentive! I'm really excited about it. We are getting really close do being done painting our house, we are on the trim, and doors. Once I get the painting done, I am going to start posting long awaited pics of the house, and the holidays, etc. So stay posted. More blogging coming soon!