Callings

Are we allowed to hate our callings? I'm serious. I don't want to be released. I think I'll learn many great things serving where I am, but am I supposed to love it? Or, can I just look at it like changing diapers? I love being a mom. I really, really do, but I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to never have to change another dirty diaper! There was a seven month period of time when we had 3, yes THREE kids in diapers. Let me say that again. For 7 months Redge and I had THREE children in diapers. I felt like I was changing diapers all day, and poor Reece felt like he was running to the garbage can every 5 seconds. I hate changing dirty diapers. I really hate it. But, it doesn't change the fact that I love being a mom. So, I'm thinking this kind of relates to my calling. I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but as for my calling... well, I'm thinking I'm looking forward to changing my grandkids' diapers more than I am to attend tonight's enrichment board meeting. And, yes, you guessed it. In writing this post right now I am 100% procrastinating.

Procrastination

If I could convince the athletic world that procrastination qualifies as a sport, well, I'd be an Olympic Gold Medalist. I'm not sure whether or not to be proud of myself. I mean everyone loves Abraham Lincoln's quote, "Whatever you are, be a good one." So, should I just own it? Should I be okay with this? Because let me tell you, if I'm anything, I'm a procrastinator, and I am REALLY GOOD at it! Really, I am the Mother Teresa of Procrastination. I'm the Ghandi of Procrastination. I'm the Meryl Streep of Procrastination. I'm thinking that my Little Granny is watching me from Heaven and thinking, "Do I remind Florence that that's my girl Lyndee down there being all consistent with her procrastination! I mean do you see her? She is not all willy-nilly with her putting off stuff. She doesn't work really hard on her laundry, and get it all done before Arthur runs out of school uniforms one day; just to turn around the following day and do nothing because she doesn't have an assignment due for another 24 hours. Oh no, not my Lyndee. She is perfectly dedicated to putting off EVERYTHING until the last minute is done and gone. But, at the same time... is a "Putting it off kind of Grand-daughter" really anything to brag about?"

But, the problem here is that not only do I procrastinate everything really well, I also remember EVERYTHING REALLY WELL. In fact, I may actually remember better than I procrastinate. I'm not bragging here. My memory is a gift from Heavenly Father, and it's a trial as much as a gift. Not only do I remember good things, but I cannot forget any of the mean stuff a specific girl said to me in second grade. (I really have to throw a little comment in here. I'm such a procrastinator that I didn't even finish this post the same day I started it. I started this last night, and then decided I'd finish it later. Do you see what I'm saying???) At any rate... Here's my dilemma. Because my memory does its job so well I remember stuff like the teachings of King Benjamin. Especially his counsel in Mosiah 3:19, "For the natural man is an enemy to God..."

So, I'm thinking Little Granny is not so proud of her grand-daughter for putting off until tomorrow what most certainly can be done today. Thus, here I go. I'm going to accomplish all kind of things today. Really. Hopefully the things I complete will be things on my todo list, rather than things to keep me from thinking about my todo list...

Redge R. Hudson, S.E.

If you're one of my friends who is tired of Reading about Redge, well then this post is definitely not for you. Yep, I'm bragging about my husband again. Today we (Do you like the way I use "we" instead of the more accurate word "Redge"?)received Redge's S.E. stamp! Don't worry, if you don't know what that is I'm going to tell you right now. As most of you know, Redge is a structural engineer. "What is that?" you ask? It's the guy that makes it so buildings don't fall down. An architect draws a building, and Redge makes it work. I know, I couldn't do it either, but I'm a P.E. major what can I do? Redge graduated from UNLV with a degree in Civil Engineering because they didn't have a Structural Engineering program, and Redge's selfish wife said, "I don't care if Utah State has a great engineering program. I'm done here so we're moving home, and that by the way, means Vegas. Welcome to the Edwards Family!" So, Redge graduated in Civil, never wanting to be a civil engineer, but as aforementioned in previous blogs, Redge digs me, and does pretty much whatever he can to make my life as great as he possibly can manage. I digress... Just because someone decides to major in engineering, and even graduates with an engineering degree that person isn't just automatically an engineer. Oh, no, no, no. It doesn't work that way. Once the degree is earned the graduate must work under a Professional Engineer for 3-5 years, depending on the individual's state's licensure policies, before becoming applicable for even testing for Professional Engineer status. The Professional Engineer test is similar to the Bar for Attorneys. Redge passed the P.E. in 2002. This was very exciting for our family because Redge was finally an Engineer! In order for homes to be built the structural engineer has to actually stamp the plans, and sign through the stamp to ensure the building is structurally sound. (Yes, kind of like a "Super Star" stamp in kindergarten. You don't know you're a "Super Star" until the teacher actually stamps your paper.) So, in Structural Engineering in order to stamp projects over 3 stories high an engineer must have the P.S.E. stamp, the Professional Structural Engineer stamp. We received Redge's P.S.E. stamp today!

When Redge received his P.E. stamp he wrote me a really sweet letter thanking me for supporting him through school, and at the bottom of the letter he stamped it. It was the first time he used his P.E. stamp. So, today when the S.E. stamp arrived, once again, Redge used his stamp for the first time for me. I scanned it in, and have posted it here so you can all see it.

So Much For Down Time

Please disregard the previous post.

Reece just called. He has basketball practice today.

I'd write more, but I have two assignments due in a few hours.

Update

I forgot I hate homework. I love to study. I love to read. I love to learn new stuff. I just don't love deadlines.

I also have another reason to love winter. DOWN TIME! We are off season for everything but dance! This is great. Although, Reece did menttion something about making the basketball team. I'm trying to pretend I didn't hear it. I haven't seen a schedule so I'm in denial for the time being. Tennis doesn't start until the snow melts. This causes a dilemna for me. Do I want the snow to go away so my hands quit hurting, or do I want the snow to stay so I don't have to worry about getting 3 kids to and from tennis? This brings a whole new meaning to "To everything there is a season..."

Our doorknob broke Monday. The doorknob on the front door. Redge is already fixing it. He's frustrated. I'm not. I'm just grateful he's already changing it! He's working on it right now. The dead bolt doesn't fit. The old broken stuff is mounted under the door frame. I think he's just about done. Now I have to repaint...

It never ends...

P90X

So, Redge and I are beginning the P90X system. Our friend, Massiel, is a rep. Check this out! www.teambeachbody.com/massiel

Back to School

So, I am once again a college student. I'm anxious, nervouse, hopeful, and so excited. I'm taking classes to complete a degree in Creative Writing. I'm enrolled at BYU-Idaho, and taking classes on line. I just found this quote by President Henry B. Eyring, "..this is a prophecy that I am prepared to make and make solemnly. Those graduates of BYU-Idaho will become legendary for their capacity to build the people around them and to add value wherever they serve."

Cool.