the schultz pride

Our little lion looked so cute. I love how Squeak is looking at him in this picture. Squeak has totally accepted him in as part of his pride. It's so cute - when Oliver cries, Squeak runs over to see what's wrong. He even put his paws up on the bathtub ledge and looked over the edge once when Oliver was crying in the bath. Oliver squeals with joy whenever he sees Squeak. I love that they're friends. So cute.

church and state can come together after all

On Monday I shadowed Senator Claudia Kauffman at a luncheon / meet n' greet. At this event, each of the candidates representing several districts got a few minutes to speak, to inform those in attendance about their campaign and why they should vote for them. It was kind of interesting. The thing that really stuck out to me though, was that they started the meeting with a prayer. The person who prayed addressed Heavenly Father and asked that they have clear minds to make good decisions with integrity that are in the best interest of the public. Afterward there was a resounding amen. I was so impressed. It seems I am often in contact with people (mostly at school) who don't believe in God. It was so nice to see our policy makers and leaders (and potential policy makers and leaders) uniting in prayer for guidance to make good decisions in our behalf. I felt the Spirit strongly during that prayer. It gives me hope.

my seven-month-old and some other random stuff

Oliver is pretty much amazing. He is so much fun. He is happy 90% of the time. I love it. Today in church he was flirting with Jackie, who was sitting behind me. He kept laughing at her - not just a giggle but seriously laughing so loudly. I had to take him out of the room (Gospel Doctrine) because he was disrupting the class with his laughing. So cute.

Life is crazy since school started a couple of weeks ago. I work part time 2 1/2 days a week, have class two nights a week (for 2 1/2 hours each class). Not too bad. The tough part is finding time to do the reading, write papers (there is always a paper to write) and do things like shadow policy makers and submit position papers to local newspapers. This quarter I'm starting my senior capstone project (which is basically a huge project that is the culmination of my graduate experience). My teacher started an agency for her project when she was in grad school. It's a little intimidating. I think I figured out what I'm going to do though, and I'm excited about it. It has to do with foster kids. More to come on that later.

Here is a random fact for you. Did you know that dolphins sleep with one eye closed so that side of their brain can rest while the other eye stays open to watch for predators? Also, one eye can see to the side while the other eye looks straight ahead. Very cool. (We are watching a documentary on dolphins right now. Dolphins are pretty cool.)

My poor husband is on call and has had to work all night the past two nights and just got paged again. I feel so bad for him.

A few cute things I've seen online (I usually spend time online while I'm working out - yes, I take my laptop on the treadmill with me and allow myself computer time while I'm getting a workout. It's working so far). 

These trick-or-treat bags are super cute. Not that we need one anytime soon. 

These journals are lovely, as are these.

I think that's about it for now. I've got to get to sleep so I can face another busy week.

my lds stake app and general conference

I am sharing this link a bit late since it's promoting a special that is good through General Conference weekend, but I still wanted to let you know about the product. Many of you have probably heard about it - a ward / stake directory app for your iphone or ipad. It looks pretty cool and would be very convenient. It was created by a couple of people in my ward, which is even cooler. Check it out here.

By the way, General Conference was wonderful. I feel rejuvenated. I especially liked President Monson's talk about gratitude. I'm excited for the Conference edition of the Ensign so I can review the talks and underline things that stand out to me (I'm a visual person so I do better being able to read a talk and take notes on it rather than listen to it). I'm grateful to have a prophet on the earth who is a mouthpiece for our Heavenly Father. I really believe that and my testimony was only strengthened after hearing him speak today.

I am really not ready to face this coming week. Must...go...to...bed...

organization

I really enjoy having organization in our home and I also enjoy the process of organizing. I have zero time for organizing while I'm in school, but I recently had a blissful five-week break from school and managed to squeeze some in.

It is now easier to find stuff in our junk drawer. A lot easier. 

Our medicine cabinet was a mess. I don't have a before picture, but imagine stuff everywhere - papers, books, various medicine and vitamin bottles - some tipped over, etc. You get the idea. It was driving me crazy. Now everything has a place. All of the baby medicine is in the little container and the adult medicine is in the big container. It makes me happy to open this cupboard.

Our tupperware cupboard was out of control. I rarely could find a lid that matched a container. I don't have a before picture for this one either, but imagine complete chaos. Again, this drove me crazy. Oliver was hanging out with me when I organized this one and he loved playing with the lids and containers. I grouped containers and their matching lids in bins to keep them together. I get a little excited when we have leftovers and I can pull out the appropriate container to put them in within a matter of seconds. (It's the little things, right?)

I also worked on our bedroom a little but it's not done. I can't wait to get it all organized and get a new bed, bedspread, paint the walls, and finally decorate in there (it's been 3 1/2 years since we moved in and there is only one picture hanging in our room. Sad but true.). I am hoping to do this project over Christmas break, with a possible jump start over Thanksgiving weekend. We'll see.

Remember when I used to do OPAM (One Project a Month) and post before and after pictures? Maybe I will get back to that after I graduate. I have so many projects waiting but they will just have to keep waiting for another year or so. At least I can feel good about my medicine cupboard, tupperware cupboard, and junk drawer. I'll take it for now.