I'll take Sweden...

Hey all!

Today was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, I was wearing sunglasses and 5 inch peep toed cream colored heels...

I was happy...there was a spring in my step...and I didn't put my finger on what it was that was making me so chipper until I was on my way home from choir rehearsal. I stopped to breathe in the sweet, sunshiney air and realized I was happy because the snow was gone, sure there are a few patches here and there in Pocatello, but for the most part spring appeared to have finally joined the land of the living.

I got in my car to drive home and a good pep up song came on (Ke$ha, "You're love is my Drug"- I'm not a big fan of Ke$ha in general, but I do like that song.) I turned up the radio and blasted it on my way back to my apartment. It was so nice to feel the sun on my face, arms, and back as I drove, I'd almost forgotten what that feels like.

I got home, and am proud to announce, that after about a week of searching I found my I Pod charging cable. I happily plugged it in. Jeff (scared) surprised me by bursting through the door earlier than I expected. There was an above average spring in his step. He exclaimed, "I am now officially a week and a half ahead. I didn't need to stay tonight." He sat on the couch with me and we talked about our day. I told him how excited I was that it was such a beautiful day and that I wanted to go do something other than sit home. He looked at me, pointed his finger and in his usual off-topic way interrupted my chirpy, happy soliloquy with: "Question!" I stopped talking and said my usual, "Shoot!"

He then proceeded to say, "Phoenix, Cali, Las Vegas, or....Sweden?" I looked at him puzzled, it then dawned on me that he was talking about potential places that he could get a job.

I told him, "Well, Phoenix would be nice, but I don't know if I'd like it so much in the summer when its 120 degrees outside, I don't know if I'd want to live in Las Vegas, but I've been to Henderson, which is a suburb or Las Vegas and its actually lovely and has a large population of LDS people too. I'm not sure about Cali, it depends on where in Cali," "I don't want to live in Cali!" Jeff interjected. I smiled and continued, "Sweden would be an adventure, that's for sure! I'm actually not opposed to it at all."

I then thought of how funny it was that I had realized just earlier this afternoon how happy I was when it was sunny and warm outside, and Jeff comes home and lists off three very warm places as potential spots where we may settle for a while.

Jeff told me that if he took the job in Phoenix that he would likely have to commute to Sweden because they are owned by the same company. I immediately thought, "Well, if he has to commute there often enough, I'll just suggest we make a move...I could handle living in Europe."

I then, out loud, told Jeff about the pros of living in Phoenix: warm weather, awesome doctoral programs and performance opportunities for me, etc. and how the perks were very similar in Las Vegas. I then realized that if we lived in Sweden I could actually go see real operas for dirt cheap, and get performance jobs...

I'm not saying we're moving to Sweden, don't get your knickers in a twist my darlings...but wouldn't it be AMAZING if we did? Think of all the fun things ahead!


Jeff was bubbling over with excitement. He is happy to have opportunities to interview with these companies in the next few weeks. He said that if more than one say that they want him after he graduate, it just gives us an opportunity to weigh our options and decide what will be best for us and our future children.

I feel so fortunate to have married this wonderful man. He is brilliant and he has so much potential to change the world. I am just so lucky to be along for the ride. I can't wait to see what the future will bring! I have been praying and praying that the future will become clearer for me. With all the unrest at Idaho State, and some personal issues and thoughts I have had regarding my future, it is nice to think of the adventure that lay ahead. I know not everything will be sunshine and daffodils, I know that life just isn't perfect.

But...

For one almost perfect day, in one perfect moment with the most perfect man for me, I was able to sit on the couch, snuggled up and dream about the possibilities and how much fun they are. Don't be afraid of the future darlings. The great Creator always finds a way to guide us to where we need to go and what we need to do. He never said it would be easy, he just said it would be worth it.

I'm so glad I trusted that, and chose to come live this mortal existence. I am so glad that I get to spend the rest of my life and eternity with someone who is as big a dreamer as me...with someone who loves me because I'm a dork and not in spite of it...with someone who was made to perfectly complement me in every way.

The future is a beautiful thing. Darlings, never give up hope in a bright future. Regardless of whether your life is what you want it to be right now, it will always end up being what it was meant to be. Lay back and enjoy the ride. Stop fighting, kicking and screaming. Sometimes our plans aren't what is best, sometimes the Big Man Upstairs has a better one. Dream...dream big...and trust that no matter what, if you try your hardest to do the things you know you should do, if you take advantage of opportunities when they come knocking, that you will end up where you're supposed to be.

Hugs, loves and, pickled Herring until next time darlings!