"It is better to look up"-Elder Carl B. Cook

     It really is, isn't it? I saw this sign taped to the floor on my way to take(fail) my History 202 final a month ago. If anyone had been as ill-prepared, nervous, and exhausted as I was, they would have been staring at the floor too!
    My mission President, who was called as a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints two years ago is Elder Carl B. Cook. He gave an amazing talk that conference about how we should look to God when we are discouraged or depressed. I love this man. He counseled me, listened to me cry(about every six weeks or so, that is!), and always helped me see through my problems. I highly recommend reading his talk. I can tell you from experience that he truly lives what he preaches. You can find it here. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/it-is-better-to-look-up?lang=eng
  

    This is how I "look up". I kiss Jess Cooper. He makes me so happy and supports me through whatever trial, or made-up problem I chose to have on a daily basis. I believe that God puts kindred spirits into our lives to help us feel His love when He can't reach down and hug us. I got lucky enough to marry one of mine. :)

    I also try to remember how loved and needed I am by a certain little man. This picture speaks a thousand words, huh? I am trying to remember that true joy comes from service and man, is motherhood the epitome of service! I never knew I would have to choose between showering and playing peek-a-boo. I have struggled feeling like my whole life revolves around Aiden, then I realized, IT DOES! He needs me no matter what my hair looks like, no matter how much I just want to take a nap, any time of the day. And once I realized that thats God's plan for us, I have loved caring for him.
    I am reading this book right now actually. It was compiled by my friend's sister, who took essays written by powerful, educated, career driven women who chose motherhood over anything else the world had to offer them. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this. You can get it at http://deseretbook.com/Choosing-Motherhood-Lia-Collings/i/5104191

    This amazing woman is Mrs Jini Suttner Egan, the friend I mentioned earlier(entrepeneurship runs in her family, I guess), and she and I started a photo flip book company called Flipster Fotos. We both loved the idea of working from home and using our talents to have fun. We do weddings, family events, corporate events, parties, etc, and we are so excited to finally be getting under way....more to come, later!

   I finally got to wear that blessed cap and gown. I walked in the April Graduation ceremony at Brigham Young University where I have been attending school the past 2,000 or so years....:) I still have a few classes to finish up, but I got to walk with the big kids early, which was soo fun. Thanks to everyone who came and supported me!

  Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke at commencement. He is such an inspired man. A few things he talked about that stood out to me are:
Managing your finances....don't ruin your bright future with living above your means, Keeping current with technology where he proudly stated that he owned an IPhone and IPad that he uses primarily to keep in touch with his family
It was a great talk and I snapped this picture(on my IPhone, right?) as he was walking past. Such a neat experience.

  I got to catch up with my favorite room mates of all time. We actually all lived in Bountiful Court(where Jess and I live and manage)about six years ago! And now have husbands and babies as room mates! Amelia(right) and Meagan(left) have been such loyal, wonderful friends to me from day one and it is so fun to see them both successful and happy so many years later.

   Um, maybe that IPhone was a bad idea after all?? Nah. I love taking pictures of Aiden. He's so beautiful and goofy-to-boot. He now has FOUR teeth(yup, life has been rough for him lately) and can crawl in circles so far. He stands like a champ and loves to jump in his jumper, but is still working on figuring his big boy body out.

  Lemme just say that this is more often how pics of Aiden turn out..with this expresssion. I would narrate it with "give me the Iphone and no one gets hurt, Mamma." See that determination in his eyes? Oi vay! Serves me right for taking so many pictures!

  Yup. Oops? Welcome to my world of not being a red-head, or blonde, or brunette, but some weird mixture of all three that confuses hair stylists enough to think that mixing all three together is the only way to match my natural color! I don't blame them. We had to draw a picture of ourselves for Mother's Day in fourth grade and my hair turned out looking like a bad, blonde Tina Turner wig because I used so many different colored crayons to try and match my hair. But, my mother still proudly displays that picture in the kitchen. ***so loved***,  ***thats what real moms do***

    If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right? I actually suggested buying this for Aiden when we saw it at Wal-Mart. Jess took less than two seconds to put it in our cart.  This coming from the man who starts checking his watch to see how much longer he has to keep shopping with me.:) I am excited to see if Jess's athleticism wore off on Aiden. Otherwise, he's stuck with my genes. I managed to gouge my ankle on a chair yesterday and it started gushing blood....yeah, hope he gets Jess's genes.
  

 LAST, but oh so not least, Jess and I celebrated our two year anniversary on April 28. I have loved every minute with him. Who knew that a simple high five at the Orem Institure of Religion would lead to the greatest joy I have known in this life. Love you, Jess Cooper.


Thats all for now. Love and happiness to you all. -Liz