Pioneer Day: It's The Climb

I remember when I first moved to Utah and "Pioneer Day" came along... I honestly thought, this is kind of weird that Utah only celebrates this. But, with age comes wisdom and humbleness (most of the time) :).... and now I realize how important they were to finding and bringing to pass the home I enjoy and love. I am in awe of what they did... I mean they trekked half way across the world pulling handcarts !! I can barely walk to my mailbox in this heat !! I just want to thank them... for their sacrifice, and hope one day I can thank them in person. I am not a big Miley Cyrus fan... but I do like her new song, "The Climb". Every time I hear it, I think of the Pioneers, and the metaphoric mountains in my own life.... hopefully I can be as strong as them when I climb.. :)




I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high



There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going



And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

My Little Friend

I have been enjoying hanging with Baby Tessa two-three times a week when I watch her. She is turning into my little friend that I swim, eat, talk, chill, read, and play with. I wub her and am grateful that my sister shares her with me !! :)

Speaking Without Words

Just the other day before "So You Think You Can Dance" was going to tape.. I was thinking how there really hadn't been a dance this year that just wowed me yet. Kinda disappointed...And then the same night my favorite couple did an incredible dance. It gave me chills... and is a testament to art. The power that art has to speak without words... whether through a painting, dance, a sculpture... etc. Love it !! And I love Ade !! It made me think of one of my teacher friends at school that has breast cancer. She is amazing and so strong.. I admire that kinda strength and courage !! I love ya Paula Waula :)

Edward and Buffy Meet

So before I became obsessed with Twilight... I was obsessed with Buffy.. Obviously I have a thing for vampires here.. WEIRDO !! :) One of my students told me about this video on You Tube !! Hilarious...

A Sunday Tradition

Every Sunday... whether I go to church or not :) I listen to the following CD that I bought on a whim the year of Joseph Smith's Celebration. I absolutely love it.. and the songs and lyrics never get old. One of my favorites is "Modern Day Sampson". It is of course about Porter Rockwell.... and it is just awesome. The lyrics are as follows:

A Hawkins rifle strapped to his saddle
And two Dragoons inside his vest
His long black hair blew through midnight air
Fighting revenge inside his chest
He’d seen the housed burned down to ashes
And seen those he loved lose that most dear
The saints they cried, “someone save our lives!”
The night the black angel appeared

Hey now Porter, got an eye like an eagle
Sworn to save the life of the Prophet of the Lamb
Many men are lying under six feet of ground
Fire from the smokin’ gun of Modern Day Sam
Fire from the smokin’ gun of Modern Day Sam

The saint’s moved on as the fire grew strong
But some would never let them rest
Crystal eyes moved through shadowed nights
As he took the devils last breath
Promises from a Prophet’s lips
The Prophecy preserved his fate
But that June day his heart broke in vain
God forbid he was too late

Destroying angel, troubled man
I won’t judge the blood on your hands…

Hey now Porter, got an eye like an eagle
Sworn to save the life of the Prophet of the Lamb
Many men are lying under six feet of ground
Fire from the smokin’ gun of Modern Day Sam
Fire from the smokin’ gun of Modern Day Sam

Happy America

I had a fun filled Fourth of July... Had great company, shopping, eating, splashing, swimming, laughing, and fireworks. I couldn't ask for more. I am truly blessed with my friends, family, and the country I live in !! Happy America !!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I Wanted To Be Like Mike

I distinctly remember the first time I saw Michael Jackson move.. I was watching MTV against my parents wishes.. :) and Billie Jean came on. I was waiting for the video to come on cause some of my friends had told me how awesome he was. After I saw it I was hooked. Not so much because of the way he looked (back then he was cute !!). But, more because of the way he moved. Once in awhile there are performers in the music industry that feel their music.. and share that feeling with us... Michael Jackson did this !! I remember watching his videos over and over again with my friends trying to copy every move, copy that smile on his face when he sang, and catch the glint in his eye of happiness when he would shout. I even had a Michael Jackson birthday party.. Yep, with a white glove on the cake and all !! Of course my favorite move he did was the "Moonwalk". I remember the first time he did it at the Apollo performance... I gasped in shock and jumped up and down in excitement after he did it. It was magical !! I share this because of course Michael is gone.. but also because you know me... with him gone I have learned something. I always gotta learn.. I am a teacher after all. :) Michael obviously had good times and bad... but in my eyes the good outweighs the bad. It is not my place to judge his bad... I will leave that to someone else. In our own lives we should look for the good in others... and hold on to that when the bad appears, cause it will. We should be grateful for the good, because when we lose them we will never have it again !! I will forever be grateful for his talent, and the memories I have had in my life that are associated with that talent. Back then.. I wanted to be like Mike... Free, happy, full of life, floating across the stage, singing my heart !! It is that image that I will remember him by.




I love looking up art on Deviant !!!.... It is an obsession. Here is some cool art work of Michael...

Damn You Etsy

Etsy is my new obsession !! Help me !!

Twilight Trinket Box








Flower Cuff









Rustic Windchime











Salad Bowl











Poppy Coin Purse








Flower Necklace










Coupon Organizer








Note Cards










Laptop Case

The Real Meaning of Words

My friend Krischelle emailed this to me the other day. I love how the pictures portray the words !! I am a visual person.. :)

LOVE

SORROW

INNOCENCE

DEPARTURE


PAIN

SOLITUDE

RESPECT

COMPASSION

FRIENDSHIP

PATIENCE

RESCUED

BEST FRIENDS

DIVINE

Starting Tessa Early

Charlie and I are already in the battle of what soda pop Tessa will drink. Now, I love my brother-in-law dearly.. but he does have one flaw.. he is a Coke guy. So me being the competitor I am, and filling the shoes of the evil aunt.. Well, I am starting Tessa early. Diet Pepsi will be her nectar !! It has been passed down the Miller line.. from my grandpa to me to my Tessa !! :)

My Hero

It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way,
you always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name -- for so long,
a beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and ev'rything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it,
I would be nothing with out you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and ev'rything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly away,
you let me fly so high.
Oh, fly, fly,
so high against the sky, so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you, thank God for you,
the wind beneath my wings.

Happy Father's Day.. Me Poppy !! You have always been there for me, lifting me up !! Thanks for that... I love you !! :)

A Soft Spot For Warriors

I have always had a soft spot for strong people.. Warriors per say. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a warrior. Warriors can be found everywhere whether they are real or fake. But, I think what makes a warrior is the same throughout the real or make believe. Life is hard... everyday is a fight. Some of us fight vampires, bad guys, mobs, Britain, ourselves, tyranny... whatever it may be. A true warrior is someone that can admit defeat, but never gives up. Someone that can stand amidst it's foes and look it or him or her in the eye. Someone that gets out of bed every morning and makes it through the day. Warriors.. it's a soft spot.. because these are the people I want to try to be !! I want to be standing in the end.. while everything that I have fought is in the ground below my feet... left behind to be forgotten. And I am standing tall with a smile on my face.. my smile of victory !! What's your definition of a warrior? Or tell me some of the warrior's in your life... real/or fake?


Buffy











Wonder Woman











My Students








My Pops









Captain Moroni










Porter Rockwell











George Washington







Of course there are the obvious warriors (our troops) that have, and will defend our country. My devotion and thanks are always with them.

This is a commercial that I love... Shows how warriors need to be thanked and rooted for from time to time..




This is a clip from NCIS. I love this show, and this is one of my favorite episodes. It is about a Corporal that was in WWII and received the medal of honor. This clip shows him dancing with Kate.. It is a moment that captures the soft side of warriors..