Saturday, April 19th, we had the Wilson Easter picnic at the park at the mouth of Spanish Fork canyon.  We had a pretty laid back morning, and Henlie even got a little nap in before heading over.  As per family tradition, we didn't eat for hours (party started at 1pm, we maybe ate around 3pm?)  My cousin Angie's family came down.  Her kids are so big!  They live far away, so we don't see them all that often.  My cousin Traci didn't come as she had just had a new baby Friday morning!  Buster (her firstborn) was there with Grandma Chris, though :)  Eventually everyone made it, and Grandma Wilson asked the kids about why we celebrate Easter.  After a short lesson, we said a blessing and had food.  It was fun to talk to my cousins.  Benjamin and Rebecca recently got a new puppy, so Mocha even had a new friend.  Henlie loved Spot.  He's a pretty cute, bouncy puppy.

We watched the big kids play in the little stream, and we saw a water skeeter, too. (Which, being the Easter season, totally reminded me of Christ walking on the water :))  We had to wait for another family party to finish their Easter egg hunt as our boundaries butted up against each other, and we didn't want to go mixing eggs.  Henlie had fun, I think.  And for an nearly 18 month old, she got a pretty good haul.  Her Daddy also took some pretty good pictures :)






After the picnic, we headed home to get ready for the RSL game.  Jennifer was kind enough to come over earlier so we could stop at Lowe's to get some pots and spray paint for our patio :)  We still ended up at the game very early.  We found an awesome spot at the little park and ride area just down the hill from the stadium.  No shuttle there, but it's close enough that the walk back after the game isn't too bad.  Plus, after the game, it was downhill!  We had so much time, that we even stood in line for the team store.  Matt got himself a scarf, and I got a windbreaker.  Also, I'm tiny.  My new jacket is so big on me, and it's a small!  It's okay, though :)  This just means I can layer under it for cold games :)  We still managed to get in our seats before kickoff.  



The game was rather sad and boring for most of it.  We were 0-0 at half, and our team wasn't looking too good.  FINALLY, Ned Grabavoy scored in the 78th minute.  The stadium was ecstatic.  That really brought the life back into everyone.  Granted, Portland pressed really hard after that.  Good thing Nick was back in the game, saving our butts.  I don't think our guys remember how to play defense.  I was quite upset when Nick got hurt again, too.  It was his first game back.  Let's try not to break him again, k?  However, we managed to keep Portland from scoring, securing a 1-0 win.  Happy day.

After the game, we were able to get right down the stairs (our seats are in the southwest corner of the stadium) and down to our car.  Because of the way the park and ride is set up, we were able to get on the road without much issue (ie. waiting)  Then we followed everyone under the freeway, managed to take a frontage road that turned into a car dealership (that was weird), drove through and around and found the connecting road to 106th.  Since we were on the west side of the freeway, there wasn't much traffic, so we got on the freeway with ease.  Best ever.  We stopped at Cafe Rio in Spanish Fork on the way home for food, then Matt took Jennifer home and we had some dinner while watching Big Bang Theory :)  All in all, it was a pretty great day!

First, let's get out of the way the anger and betrayal felt over SLCC FanX announcing Nathan Fillion coming and the schedule saying he was only going to be there on Friday.  I took the time off of work, as did Matt, and we spend $70 for the two of us to go on Friday.  A week later, they say he's only going to be there on Saturday.  I'm still bitter.  Thursday night, they announced Patrick Stewart coming - and naturally, only on Saturday.  My only consolation over this is the fact I saved $200 + dollars on photo ops and autographs.

Anyway, yesterday (Friday), we got ready and drove up to Salt Lake for FanX.  Neither of us had been to a con before, so it was kind of exciting.  We parked at City Creek (which we had never been to before, either), and walked across the street to the Salt Palace. 

It was HUGE.  I knew I wanted to head to Artist Alley because a guy from my old home ward, Daniel Vest, along with my second cousin, Amber Erdmann, were going to be there.  We found Daniel heading out to find some food, so we chatted for a minute.  Then we wandered until we found Amber.  We chatted and made a purchase, and then wandered some more.  We found the gaming room, and Matt got all excited because they were streaming StarCraft 2.  Matt got more excited when he knew one of the casters, Geoff (iNcontroL).  After watching for a few minutes, we continued through the artists and did some general wandering.

After checking out the legos and the giant balloon structure (trying to break a world record), we headed back out to the main floor to find Kevin J. Anderson.  We did, and he signed my copy of Dune: The Butlerian Jihad.  He also took a picture with me.  Unfortunately, Matt doesn't know when things are blurry.  He also only took the one picture. *sigh*  It was my only celebrity moment of the day :)  We did some more wandering, and then found the Damsel in this Dress booth to chat with my cute cousin Ashlee.


Then we got some lunch and watched some more StarCraft.  We then headed upstairs for the Jayne: The Panel Called Jayne panel.  We got there early, and decided to sit through the Drea de Matteo panel, which was in the same room the hour before.  We didn't know her or her work (we haven't watched The Sopranos, Desperate Housewives, or Sons of Anarchy), but she was mildly entertaining.  We were disappointed that the Jayne panel didn't actually have Adam Baldwin come to it.  By this time, we were kind of tired and just decided to be done for the day.  




Henlie showing off her wristband after we got home :)
 

Next time, we must have loads of money to buy photo ops and autographs.  Cosplaying would be fun, too, maybe.  Mostly lots of money.  And more time (it's a three day event), if you wanted to go to lots of the panels, anyway.  I did see Jonathan Frakes (Commander Ryker), Brent Spiner (Data), and Michael Dorn (Warf/Beckett's therapist on Castle).  No pics, even from afar, because I didn't want to get in trouble.  However, let's just say, they're all super old now haha.  I didn't even recognize Jonathan Frakes at first.

Yeah, next time we go to con - we need to have LOTS of monies :)

On Saturday, April 12th, I had to help with music at a baptism for a girl in our ward.  After that, we went to Olson's Garden Shoppe to look for window boxes.  They didn't really have anything, so we ran home to pick up our Applebee's gift card, and then went to Orem to check out Lowe's.  We didn't find anything there, either, so we went to Applebee's for lunch.  It was yummy.

Tuesday, April 15th, Denise planned a secret visiting teaching trip.  We cleared time with two of our ladies who are super busy, and took them for drinks at Sodalicious in Provo.  Nancy was coming from work, so we met her at Cherry Lane Boutique.  Most of us hadn't been in there before.  It became an expensive visiting teaching appointment ;)  I got a new black skirt and a red shirt (for to wear at RSL games).  Thankfully, Nancy had found the clearance racks.  I like boutique styles, but not boutique prices!  I only spent $20 for my skirt and shirt.  After our purchases, we got drinks.  I got a K-Breezy (sprite, mango, peach, and coconut).  It was so yummy!  We had a really fun time hanging out.

(As a side note, Tuesday is the first day Henlie held a banana on her own, and is when the picture from The Parable of the Banana was taken.)

On Friday, April 11th, Matt got off of work early.  Henlie and I picked him up at work to go to a preview of the new Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point.  Matt was invited because he works for UVU.  We drove up and finally found it (thanks to the people at the Museum of Ancient Life).  Water Works and the Children's Garden weren't open yet, but they did have Kidopolis and the Rainforest open.  Henlie had just woken up from her nap, and it was crowded, so she clung to Daddy for awhile.  She eventually warmed up and had lots of fun trying out all of the fun things to do and play with in Kidopolis.  Her favorites would probably be the stuffed animals in the movie studio and the veterinarian office and the drums in the music studio.

After Kidopolis, we went down to the Rainforest.  Henlie loved the little science room with the bugs, blocks, and weights.  She's not really big enough to do a lot of the stuff there, but she did play in the 0-3 play area, and we found the open air fruit and vegetable market, which she could better interact with.




I definitely want to save up and go back after everything is open and the rush has died down some.  There were so many people there that we couldn't really play.  We felt like we had to let the kids have all of the turns :)  Although, since there was a sloth hang, I did get in on that action so we could take a pic for my cousins who are sloth-obsessed :)

We chose the 1pm time for our tickets so Matt could work a half day and I could still go to work afterward.  I switched with a friend so I could work at 4pm instead of 3pm, and that gave us time to go to lunch together.  We went to Noodles & Company.  I tried a new pasta that is actually healthier than what I usually pick for myself.  It was pretty good, although I sure do love buttered noodles ;)  I took the leftovers to have for dinner at work, which worked out well.  After an enjoyable lunch together with my family, I drove back to Matt's car where we swapped the baby and car seat into his car so I could go to work.  It was a very fun day.

I'm watching the Easter playlist on the Mormon Channel YouTube.  The Church really knows how to make great, moving videos.  It is likely because of these videos that I drew this parallel between Henlie and mankind.

Henlie loves bananas.  Recently, I let her hold the banana on her own.  She is becoming quite the independent little toddler.  I am not allowed to help her anymore.  She has bitten the peel because she has eaten the banana so low, but she cannot or does not know to pull the peel down more.  She is upset when I take it to expose more banana for her dining pleasure.

Tonight, I offered her a banana before bed, while I still watched Easter videos :)  I took the banana from the kitchen and went back to my laptop on the couch to finish watching videos.  I peeled the banana and waited for her to come take a bite or take it from me.  She had a fit on the floor.  She stood up and moved a couple steps forward before falling and crying some more.  As I sat here with an opened banana waiting for my silly little girl to come partake of it, I watched her fight and fuss and refuse to accept my gift of yummy banana.  I thought of how God and Christ must feel with us sometimes.  How often are we like Henlie?  Knowing we want what is being offered, but not humbling ourselves to accept it from the one offering it?  How often do we kick and cry and dig in, refusing to move forward?  How much harder do we make things on ourselves when the path could be so easy, when we could enjoy the reward so much sooner?

Henlie refused to take the banana from me.  I had to lay it on the coffee table and wait for her to come take it.  She is so independent that she could not accept it from me directly.  How often do we force God to do the same with us?  I'm reading in the Old Testament right now, and He surely did this with the Israelites.  When they weren't ready to live a higher law, he amended it so they could still have a part of the gospel and receive part of the blessings.

In one of the Easter videos, we are challenged to come closer to Christ, not only in word or in easy times, but in deed, at all times, in all things, and in all places.  I hope to improve in this area.  Maybe the next time we see a banana, we can remember to be more accepting of Christ in our lives and following him and accepting what he has to offer willingly and immediately.

Let's talk about tipping, shall we?  I am apparently a horrible person because I only ever knew about tipping at restaurants.  A few months back, there was a discussion on Facebook about how much to tip your hair stylist.  I'm sorry, I'm supposed to tip the hair stylist?!?

In my defense, for most of my life, my mother's aunt Helen would cut our hair.  I don't think Mom ever tipped Aunt Helen.  Once I went to a cheap hair cut place (maybe SuperCuts? I don't remember) and since then, my step-mom or step-sister have done my hair - and they are nice and do it for free :D

But back to this discussion of tipping.  I know in the States that servers make like $2.13 an hour (I feel like that shouldn't be legal), and therefore, it is customary to tip 10 to 20 percent regardless.  However, I have always felt like tips should be earned still.

Today, I came across a meme about weird things in America that Americans don't realize are weird, and one was tipping.  So I did a quick internet search about tipping outside of the U.S.  Apparently most other countries actually pay their service employees a living wage, so tipping really is for exceptional service.  Can someone please explain why the U.S. doesn't do this?  Also, since tips aren't requisite, the amount to tip when you do is often only 5 to 10 percent, or just rounding up to the nearest whole number.  

Granted, there are still some places where tipping is necessary for the workers to survive, like in Mexico.  But in others, tipping is considered rude (Japan).  I feel like the U.S. system of wages and tips is quite broken.  Although, I guess if there were a broken system to get on board about fixing, our health care would take precedence.

So what do you think about tipping?  Who do you tip and how much?

Hi, I'm Amber.  I have opinions.  Sometimes I share those opinions with way too many people on this cute little thing called Facebook.  (And here, but I feel like less people see this than my Facebook posts.)  I realize when I do this, not everyone has my same opinion, and that's cool.  Most people even comment or respond in a manner that is pretty respectful, even though they disagree.  However, sometimes I just view things so differently and care enough that I still take it personally.  Yeah, that's my bad.  I know it's not always how it is intended, but that's okay.  I'll work on it, 'kay?

So, let's talk about Ordain Women, shall we?  I've been to the site and looked around a little.  Not enough to write a real post on the matter, but, as I said, this blog doesn't see much traffic, so I don't really care.  I'm not trying to refute or persuade anyone here, I'm just looking for a "safe" place to express my opinion.

I'm good without "holding" the priesthood.

There, I said it.  Personally, I don't get why some women want even more responsibility and things added to their plates.  Aren't we all busy enough with what we have to do now?

I get that the church isn't equal - something about being run by imperfect humans..... and for some people, that's just too much.  Maybe it's a faith/testimony thing.  Maybe it's something else.  From my personal experiences, it would be a testimony thing.  I am now to a point where I just let God do His thing.  I live in a pretty good ward, and have for most of my life.  Being in the Primary Presidency, I know some of how things are handled in our ward regarding outreach and organization, callings and such.  I know we have a ward council who meets together to discuss the needs of our congregation, and those living in our boundaries who are either inactive or not members.  This council is made up of the leaders of all of the auxiliaries - including the women ones.  The men in my ward don't look down on them, but value them, their insights, and talents.  We work together, as a ward family, for the betterment of our brothers and sisters in our boundaries.

I don't need to hold the priesthood to have an influence.  I feel like some of the Ordain Women position just wants to go above the chain of command.  Maybe officially (and maybe even the majority of the individuals), that isn't the case.  After all, I think they just are asking everyone to pray about it, especially the leaders of our church.  Maybe they already are or have been.  

I admit, I was a little too happy during the Priesthood Session of Conference listening to Elder Oaks' talk. It was judgmental of me.  Again, my sin.  I'll work on that.  But the fact remains that his talk is current policy and doctrine.  If or when the Lord decides that needs changing, He'll do that.  Because it is His church.

Here is an article that I really enjoyed (and learned some about our history from).  Here.  Here is another one (here).  This one is a bit rougher around the edges, but I really jived with the last part - especially the part where she mentions Equal doesn't mean Same.  I've been arguing that point in my head (and in my house) for a long time.  Yeah, she's not as kind in how she comes across, but again, imperfect people.

You know what else is annoying? Being made to feel like I'm a terrible person or a hypocrite for trying to stand up for my beliefs in a manner that isn't judgy.  Really, when I put something on the Facebook, I try to not point fingers or be all, "HA! I told you!"  Really, I try.  But guess what, I still have my beliefs that are different from yours.  I'm going to act on those beliefs, whether it is voting for and promoting traditional marriage or posting about women not being ordained to the priesthood.  These are touchy, personal subjects for everyone.  I appreciate others' points of view when they, also, try to share their beliefs in non-judgy, not forcing it down your throat manner.  I especially appreciate when I try to do the same, they maintain that non-judgy response.

So, some quotes from this April's General Conference (which was entirely awesome and y'all should go read all of the talks again!):

"These are your days -- to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ." (no matter how hard or inconvenient it may be) ~ Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them." ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Because "the world will not glide calmly toward the Second Coming of the Savior." ~ Elder Neil L. Andersen