Time Well Spent

Have you ever wondered where time goes and how in the world you are to get everything done that you need to, should do, could do, or want to do? I often wonder that and I have no kids! I can’t even imagine how all you mothers out there get things done- you are amazing. I’ve only been home five months, but it sure didn’t take long to settle back into my busy life. I’m not complaining, I quite enjoy my life since most of the things that occupy my time are quite enjoyable things. When you are constantly busy, it does, however, make it a bit more difficult to find the time to update your blog. :^)

Goofing off after snowshoeing- it was a beautiful CO day!

Anyway, here is a glimps into my life. This was my schedule from last week, and it was a pretty typical week in the sense that I had something going on every day:

Monday

7:00am – 4:30pm Work (I was supposed to leave at 3:30pm, it would be nice if that ever happened!)

6:15pm – 7:00pm Exercise Group

7:00pm – 8:00pm FHE

8:00pm- 8:45pm Volleyball

9:00pm – 10:00pm Dinner with a friend

Tuesday

7:00am – 4:00pm Work

7:00pm – 8:00pm Employment Night

8:20pm – 9:00pm Taxi service for someone to get home

Wednesday

7:00am – 4:00pm Work

7:00pm – 9:00pm Jared and the kids came over

9:30pm – Midnight Friends came over and we just visited

Thursday

7:00am – 4:00pm Work

5:00pm – 6:00pm Temple

*We were supposed to play tennis tonight, as I am starting up Thursday Tennis Nights, but the weather did not cooperate. I wasn’t feeling too great that night, so it was probably a good thing. It was actually a pretty relaxing night, I think I even read some of my book (Glimpses by Sister Hinckley)!

Friday

7:00am – 2:30pm Work

3:30pm – 4:00pm Made chicken enchiladas

5:00pm – 6:00pm Went running with a friend

9:00pm – 10:00pm Talked to a friend

Saturday

8:00am – 9:00am Paid bills, played on facebook, checked e-mail

9:30am – 11:00am Went on a bike ride with a friend

11:00am – 1:00am Went shopping and bought a new table (no chairs though... working on that!)

2:00pm – 3:30pm Helped a friend move

6:00pm – 9:00pm Went to the Stake Luau

9:30pm – 10:00pm Bought the ingredients to make a cake for the next day

10:30pm – 11:30pm Prepared my employment speech to give in Priesthood the next day

Sunday

9:00am – Noon Church

12:30am- 3:00pm Baked a cake

3:00pm – 5:00pm Wrote blog

6:00pm – 8:30pm CES Fireside with cake contest after

.

So, it may seem like I have a lot of time, but don’t forget to account for travel time, getting ready time, the time to handle all the little unexpected things that come up, the time to stop at the store to buy a few things, and the random phone calls and texts from family and friends. I love it! Oh, and lets not forget the time to read your scriptures, the time to make dinner (or simply to find food), to do laundry, and time to keep the apartment in order! I don’t have cable, nor would I watch it if I did- who has time? :^)

Kuwait FHE presentation for the Laredo Branch

In addition to the normal, everyday stuff that occupies my time, I do spend a lot of time with friends and enjoy some fun events. Here are a few I’ve enjoyed since I’ve been home. I have a few pictures scattered throughtout this post from some of these events.

- Parties: Baby showers, Christmas Parties, Game Nights

- Skiiing

- Snowshoeing

- Luau’s (one was a YSA and the other was a Stake Luau)

- Iceskating

- Mammoth Game

- Dance showcase to support a friend

- Banff Film Festival

- Bowling

- Progressive Dinners

- Third Thursday

- Kuwait night presentations (3 separate times)

- Bowling

- Doors Open Denver (This is an annual event the city sponsors where you get to be a tourist in your own town- it was great to tour places that you see and hear of but have never visited all for free!)

- Movie Nights

Group of friends at the Mammoth Game

One of my snowshoeing trips... it was a very eerie looking day, but pretty! Remind me why the boys don't want to date me?!!!

Group of Friends at Myers Ranch Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing wouldn't be complete without Snow Angels!

I love being of service and enjoy the opportunities around me to offer service. I find that service is something else that often occupies my time. Service is one thing I definitely missed while I was in Kuwait (I did a little, but it was much harder to find opportunities):

- Helping people move

- Cleaning the inside of the church

- Taking care of the yard and grounds at the church

- Reviewing resumes or other "calling related" activities

- Attending the temple

- Baking cinnamon rolls to give away

- Letting people talk when they just need a friend who will listen

- Tending my cute nephews

- Giving people rides to the airport

- Baking food for the Luau and helping set up and clean up

- Visiting teaching

- Planning and inviting others to a social event

Bowling with friends- good times!

Syncronized bowling- yep still working on that

Friends at my luncheon between Conference Sessions

Tracy brought fun Easter Cream Cheese Bars to the luncheon

Doors Open Denver at the Firehouse Museum

Friends who attended the Doors Open Denver Event

So, that is my life. Like I said, it is busy, but that is my life and I love it! I was talking to a co-worker and the subject of cooking meals came up. I told her I don’t get the chance to cook very often since I stay pretty busy. She looked at me and said, “you need to get your priorities straight!” I couldn’t help but think, “I do!” I would much rather sacrifice my time for someone else then to selfishly use my time to cook a really nice meal. I do stay busy, but typically I attend activities and events not only because I know it will be fun, but mostly because of who I would let down or disappoint if I don’t go.

.

So, whether every minute of your day is planned for you, or whether you have a few minutes to relax during your day, ask yourself is it time well spent? I hope the answer is YES!

All Aboard!! Model train at Union Station