"Useless Cares"

I was reading a Conference talk the other day, when something in it really hit me. I'd heard it before, but I'd never seen it like this before. I wanted to share it.

The talk was The Rock of Our Redeemer by Elder Andersen. He was talking about the Mormon pioneers being forced from their homes yet again, and having to cross this river in the middle of winter. At that time some of them wrote in in their journals about how it would seem that they should be sad and depressed, but that they were full of faith and rejoiced to the Lord. Later in his talk he says:

"When we strive to keep the commandments of god, repenting of our sins and promising our best effors to follow the Savior, we begin to grow in confidence that through the Atonement everything will be all right. Those feelings are confiremed by the Holy Ghost, who drives from us what our pioneer mother and fathers called "our useless cares." In spite of our trials, we are filled with a sense of well-being and feel to sing with them that indeed "all is well."

If you don't know the song Come Come Ye Saints, in the song it says:

"Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive
Do this and joy, your hearts will swell
All is well! All is well!"

As I read his talk, I thought about what the pioneers could have thought were useless cares. As they sat in the freezing winter with no place to go. What are my useless cares? A nice clean home. Or even just a home at all. Would it really matter if I had no building to call my home, and had to live in a tent or even a lean-to? Would I rejoice in the Lord with faith, the way the pioneers did if I was called to their situation? Would I be like Job's wife and complain? I'd like to think that I could make light of any situation I was placed in. And that I'd just comment "Hey, I've been wanting to go camping for a while now." Of course, more importantly, even if I had completely nothing, would I still give thanks because of the Atonement of Christ and rejoice in the knowledge that I can be with my Father in Heaven again? I hope so. 

Here's some "useless cares" that I want to work on "driving" away:

• Wanting nicer clothes
• Trying to come up with more creative ideas than the last craft blog I read
• Always wanting Rowan to nap a little longer so I can read longer
• Having/getting a house
• Constantly worrying about food storage
• Wishing that I could do more theater/acting
• Wanting to sing better

There's plenty more, I'm sure. But I guess overall, I just need to stop with worrying about things that really just don't matter in the long run and have faith in the Lord that he will bless me for my good decisions. There's my thought for the day.

I Love Rainy Days

Yay! I'm so excited about my new blog layout!
I had been thinking for a while now that I needed a new layout, but it takes so much time to put one together...figure out all the little details (font colors, sidebar text, etc)...and make a new header in photoshop. Anyway, they have a new "design" feature on blogger where you can take designs they've already created and use them as they are, or alter them. I grabbed this "rainy day" looking one, and was planning on changing a few things, but then I just loved it the way it was. So, I all I did was make a new header in photoshop. Which I might change later, who knows. But I'm pretty pleased with it.

I just love looking at it because of that rainy day background. I have such fond memories of rainy days, and it makes me feel good to see an overcast sky anywhere.
I remember so many times as a kid my friends and I would take three blankets and lay one on the grass, one over the top of us, and one was in the middle to keep us warm. And we'd eat crazy snacks like craisins and vanilla wafers, and just let the rain fall on top of our blanket huddle while we chatted in the pretense of solitude, while actually being in the openess (new word I just made) of my large front lawn, in front of the whole neighborhood. They probably thought we were crazy, looking out their kitchen windows at us sitting on the grass getting wet, but as kids you just don't care what people think.

There was another rainy day activity that happened several times. When there was a lightning storm Andrea and I would sit at the bay window, in her room at her house, with the lights off and watch for lightning. One time lightning struck fairly close and all the sudden a mechanical toy monkey she had in her room went off clapping its cymbals or something. It really freaked us out! I think we screamed or something 'cause her Mom came in. We figured that since the monkey had been sitting on a cable there must've been an electrical surge that set it off. But I guess we'll never really know for sure. Don't you think it's more likely that monkey came to life just at that moment? ;)

I love living in Arizona, but the sad thing is that there just aren't that many rainy days. It's okay though, 'cause when it rains, it pours! And that's the best. But I could really see myself buying a nice little house in Forks and moving the fam there, if you know what I mean. Hahaha.

Here's wishing you a rainy day, from sunny Arizona. Well, maybe not if you're in Utah or Colorado. I've heard they've had their fair share.

Keep'n up with the...Schultz

I was writing to our Taylor family newsletter, and thought "Hey, I'll just put this in the blog!" Maybe I'll add a photo or two. We'll see.

Dear Family friends,
We hope you are all doing fantastic!
We just returned from a week long stay in California with Ben's family. We had a blast! We didn't do any of those "California-things-to-do", like six flags or disneyland, but had a blast just being with family! It's funny how that connection can mean the world, and create such a fun atmosphere. While we were there Ben's Mom and I were talking about talent shows, and I said that when our family gets together we almost always end up doing a spontaneous talent show, and it's so fun! She said that her family did that when she was growing up too. So we organized one for us to do that weekend. It was so much fun! There were songs sung, piano played, skits and dances performed, and Rowan crawled for everyone as her talent. ;)
Speaking of Rowan, she is incredibly fast now! She's been crawling for a while, and has now developed speed. She also likes to try and climb up things, or at least climb 'till she's in a standing position. She's so very active, and I love it! Our little angel is also very interactive. She talks and sings all the time, and nice and loud. I think people in the grocery store must think I'm crazy 'cause sometimes she'll hold out a long note and I'll start holding out one too with her but at a crazy pitch so we just sound so funny. She seems to like it though, so the cashiers can laugh at me if they want to. She's now eating more solid like foods, like those baby puffs/cracker things. And she loves trying to get us to let her eat off our plates, in which she always succeeds. If we sit on the couch with a plate of food, she'll crawl over, sit up, then open and close her mouth, while giving us big puppy eyes. It's hilarious, I wish you could see it. She loves veggies, and bread especially, but will pretty much eat anything.
Anyway, enough about that. Ben starts a new job on Monday with a debt consolidating company. We hope that will be a good job for him for the summer, and possibly through the fall. Other than that, we're just busy doing the "life" thing. Which we love entirely. We have been incredibly blessed, and we are so grateful.
We are also grateful for all of you, you are blessings to us, and we pray for your well being. Love you so much,

~Ben, Crystal and Rowan Schultz

I am also grateful for all of you! It's so nice to know that there are actually REAL people out there that take a look into our crazy little corner of cyber-space. Thank you, you're awesome! Now for some pictures.

Rowan the DJ

Okay, we don't normally abuse her like that. She usually likes it. But it was past bedtime, and Ben was just trying to keep her happy while I changed her diaper. Lol, is it bad that I think that video is hilarious?



I didn't know the video in the background was so loud. Oops. Well, let's see who can finish the song off in a comment without cheating? Hmm?

It's a new me! Well, it will be.

So, Last week I made two goals. Wow, "goals" that sounds way too committed for me, let's just say I started a couple things. ;)

1) First, I realized that I wear more makeup than necessary. And I was listening to this sweet country song (sorry if you don't like country, but I love it!). There was one part where the guy sang something about his wife looking the best to him when she was just in the kitchen with no makeup on. So, I thought to myself "I can look good without makeup on, right?" Well, sadly it's kind of an addiction for me. It's just so fun to doll up and get creative with it! But, I don't wanna be dependent on it. What if there was some kind of disaster like an earthquake or tornado; I couldn't just run to the local mall and get more concealer, haha. So, I decided to change. Here's my plan:

In 14 days I'm going to gradually wear less makeup everyday 'till the last day I'll hardly wear any at all. I was gonna go for none, but Ben does like a little eye makeup on me so just a little, itsy, bitsy, bit. I started last Thursday, so I'll be finishing in another week, the 27th.

2) Ben and I started on a diet together. It's 11 days long. We're on day #4 today. So, by next Thursday I shall also be slimmer, and will hopefully fit into my old jeans! Of course I'm not JUST dieting, I'm walking some mornings with friends of mine too. Can't just do one, darn it. :(

So, I wanna document how it goes here on my blog. I'll take some pictures and all that good stuff and share with you the experience of those "things I started" not "goals" ;)

Later!

Where were you 2 years ago? I was...

...at the highlight of my life. Ben and I were married May 10, 2008.
*sigh*
Two years, already? Yep. Two very wonderful years!

Here's our love story:
Ben and I met in August 2007, right after I moved to Arizona. He was friends with Adriana, who was then my new roommate, and several other friends that I made.
The second person I met in Arizona was Kilee. So that I could get to know people here she kindly took me to a birthday dinner that was going on for one of the girls in our ward. We went to Texas Roadhouse and that's where the magic all started.
I was sitting on a bench with some of the girls waiting for our table, and whoever was sitting next to me moved to talk to someone, and after Ben came in he came and sat by me. We chatted, and I remember thinking "Wow, he's really handsome. He must be the cool, good looking guy of the group." After we got to our table we chatted some more, and I asked him where he was from. He told me "Rosamond, California. You wouldn't know it."
I said "Yes, I know where that is."
"No you don't." He said dismissively.
"Joshua trees!" I said really snotty back to him. Hahaha!
Turned out that we had a mutual friend of sorts. Ben's older brother, Paul, married the sister of my old boyfriend. That boyfriend and his family used to live in Rosamond, and he would always talk about the Joshua trees there, so that's how I knew.
"Small world." Ben said.
"Small Mormon world." I said back. 'Cause it seems that all Mormons know someone another Mormon knows, haha.

And after that we were friends. We got to know each other better and better as time went on, and I became one of the group. Actually it was a group of guys. Ben, John, and James. We all hung out most nights together. Probably because they asked me to be in an 80's music video remake they were going to do.

Photo from the time of the "Saigon Kick Movie"

Yep, if you never saw the movie. Sad day, you're missing out. And youtube took it down because the song was copyw.....I don't know why exactly, they're just mean. Just kidding.

So after a while Ben finally asked me out and we had a great time together. Then two weeks of agony pass (while we're seeing each other almost everyday), and he finally asks me out again. That night we started dating. After three months:

Sorry I didn't photoshop our eyes first. It's Sunday, and I'm feeling lazy.

We were engaged. Ben and I went out to our star-gazing spot we have in the desert and after our Valentine's dinner Ben popped the question. It was perfect. Under the stars in the wilderness, on a beautiful clear night. So great!
Three months later:

We were married!

What a good day! But as I tell Ben all the time; it wasn't the best day of my life, but every day afterwards has been.
For our Honeymoon we went to Cancun and had a blast at the beach, and touring the ruins.

It's hard to believe that so much time has gone by when it feels like we just got married yesterday. In my opinion we still act like newlyweds. Like going crazy happy when he gets come from work. Playing and laughing all the time. We've hardly had a real fight, in fact I don't think we've ever really "fought" with each other. We disagree on stuff, but we never yell or get really angry. We're just too crazy in love! ;)

Ben, it's been an amazing ride so far, and I can't wait for the rest of it! Be patient with me. I know I'm kinda crazy, kind of a nerd, and loosing my memory more every day, but I love you and I'm looking forward to forever with you!
Happy Anniversary!

Cherish

I'm a bad blogger. I know it. I have so many pictures and things to post right now from two different trips, and well...life, etc. But at least I know this about myself right? That I put things off.
Well, this blog has become a little like my journal. I have major events that I feel too overwhelmed to write about, but when I have a special little moment I want to share it and it forgoes everything.

I just have to say that I love, love, love the little moments in life. Precious moments, I guess ;)
There are some things that I determine to do in my life and I remember it forever. There have been a lot, from many different ages, but I do always remember hearing "They grow so fast", you've heard it too. From...everyone. And "cherish every moment, time goes so fast" Too true!

So, throughout my life I've tried to 'cherish the precious moments'. Sure, as a single lady (all the single ladies, all the single ladies) *sorry for the outburst of song, but you know you were thinking it too ;)*
Anyway, as a single lady I remember trying to cherish a lovely sunset, or time spent with good friends. And I did. And it was great. BUT, it's been so much easier to cherish the wonderful moments since I've been married and also since having a sweet baby girl. I guess they just mean so much more to me, as they should, you know.

Cherished moments I get everyday:

*Rowan's laughter as I toss her around and tickle her.

*Rowan's smile when I catch her discovering something new,...or something that she's just discovered she's capable of. (Like climbing to her feet)

*Ben's smile when he gets home from work and sees Rowan and I waiting for him.

*Rowan's smile when she sees Daddy coming home from work.

*My smile when I see them smile. :)
*Putting Rowan down for bed and her laying down sweetly and pulling the covers over her face.

*Breathing in the fresh air and sunshine in this pretty desert.

Cherished moments I had today:

*Watching others give love to Rowan at church.

*Rowan making me angry by tossing around while I tried to change her diaper (I cherished it later).

*Getting Rowan up from her too short of a nap and her just letting me hold her for a few minutes. (this is very rare for this child who never stops looking and squirming around so curiously all the time, and it may or may not have brought a tear to my eye)

*Ben laughing and playing with Rowan while she tried to use her new found 'claws' to take his nose off. Haha, he's a good sport.

*Ben realizing that he lives in a house with "a bunch of women". Guess we need some testosterone in here ;) (that was a funny moment)

*And one I'll cherish later today: laying down to go to sleep.

And I'm not just saying that these are things that are good about my day, and later I think "that was nice." I really do try to take a second in that very moment and try to remember it and cherish it.

Just my thoughts :)

New stuff

Just a few new projects on Crafty-Mamacita. Check 'em out!