Put aside the Ranger and become who you were born to be

I have recently read some disappointing news that one of my friends has decided to have his name removed from the records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. While I acknowledge that he in his agency can choose what he desires I am left pondering what has led him down this path. This is a friend that served a mission and I am pretty sure he got married in the Temple. He is someone that I have respected for a long time and continue to respect.

As I have been sitting here contemplating what has taken him down this path I happened to be watching The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Elrond told Aragorn that he needs to "put aside the Ranger and become who you were born to be."

I think that all of us in our lives need to put aside the "natural man" and become who we were born to be. This isn't always the easy road, the popular road, or the road that brings you the instant gratification that our society is so focused on. But it is what we must do if we want the eternal happiness that our Father in Heaven has in store for us.

I feel bad for this friend. He has turned his back on what he believed. He believed it strong enough to leave home for 2 years and go out and teach other people. I hope that someday he will realize the joy that he had as a member of the Church.

I'm not trying to say that I am perfect, or that I have all the answers. What I am saying is that as I do everything that I can to follow the commandments of Jesus Christ, that I am a happier person. Let us all do everything we can to become who we were born to be.

Top "Tens" Just For Fun

Just for funsies, here is a recent but by the time you read this, not current, top tens in my book (lists subject to change for no reason and at any time).

They are not ranked 1-10, they are just numbered so.

Top Ten Songs:
1. Doubting Thomas - Nickel Creek
2. Scenes From An Itanlian Resturaunt - Billy Joel
3. Break Your Heart - Barenaked Ladies
4. Mayberry - Rascal Flatts
5. Don't Stop Believing - Journey
6. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
7. Let It Be - The Beatles
8. Fools Rush In - Elvis
9. Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
10. Sarah- The Civil Way by Frank Wildhorn

Runners Up: Battle Hymn of the Republic (don't judge me), Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright, I Believe In Love - Dixie Chicks


Top Ten Movies

1. Shawshank Redemption
2. That Thing You Do
3. Sense and Sensibility
4. Groundhog Day
5. It's A Wonderful Life
6. A Muppet's Christmas Carol
7. Fiddler On the Roof
8. Anne of Green Gables
9. Meet the Robinsons
10. The Empire Strikes Back ( I am a Plowman afterall)

Runners up: Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Clue, Waiting For Guffman, Charade, The Sound of Music, A On the Waterfront

Top Ten TV Shows
1. Mash
2. The Wonder Years
3. The Simpsons (only seasons 2-8)
4. The Office (seasons 1-3)
5. Pysch
6. White Collar
7. Chuck
8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Guilty Pleasure)
9. Law and Order SVU (I can blame this one all on Jeff)
10. Gilmore Girls

Runners Up: Big Bang Theory, Save By the Bell, Glee (I hate myself a little for admitting it)

Top Ten Books:

1. The Hunger Games
2. Goose Girl
3. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
4. Not Twilight
5. Little Women
6. The Giver
7. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
8. Bread and Jam for Frances
9. The Three Trees
10. The Monster At the End of This Book - Jon Stone

Runners Up: The Places You'll Go - Dr. Seuss, The Polar Express -Chris Van Allsberg, The Bearenstein Bears Series


If you think I missed something, or would like to contend what I have put, please do not hesitate to share.

CREEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK! **Dust Dust** “Is anyone still there?”

CREEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK! **Dust Dust** “Is anyone still there?”

Okay, on a whole I fail as a blogger. It’s not that I don’t have anything to say (thank you for holding back your laughter those who know me), it’s just that I have been too busy to say it. I know that there is little amending that can be done other than to start blogging again and hope that people will still actually tune in to read. Silly me.

Well, right now I am in a musical. This will be my second music in the last, oh let me see, it’s June, so that would mean the last decade. The last musical I was in was over six years ago. I was the untitled roll of Chef number 2 in Hello Dolly. So basically, the pivotal roll in the show for those who saw it. Yeah I know.

Well, kindly the director of The Music Man at RMT asked me if I would come try out for the show, cause she said that there was a part she had pictured me in. I was pretty sure she was asking people to come audition, as most directors do, because they want a lot of people to come audition for a show. So I shrugged it off, however much the chance to be in a show peeked my interest. I wasn’t even going to be town the day of the auditions anyway. As they got closer, SO many people signed up. I didn’t even consider asking to come to callbacks. But the director asked again if I was gonna audition. I am not trying to paint a picture, like I was this unattainable talent. I am not yet that delusional. Yet. I was shocked though, as she seemed quite sincere. Then the producer asked. Then the night of call backs came. The assistant director came into the box office where I was working, and handed me a sheet for the callbacks, and said she would see me in there.

I gotta say, I was totally overwhelmed by their generous attitude toward me. It felt wonderful that someone thought of me for a part. This may have happened to my brothers and friends, but honestly, it has never happened to me before. So I went in, and read the little paragraph. They seemed to like it, and people laughed. Even just auditioning was a treat. It was. It was a thrill, so actually being cast in the show would only be icing on the cake….

But I did get cast. It’s not a huge part by any means, and I certainly am not the best dancer, but it is fun. And the cast is wonderful. And the director(s) are amazing. And I love it. I really do.

So basically, that is what I am doing every night this summer.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Today was our last day in our ward. We have been in the Primary teaching the 5-6 year-olds. The class has been very energetic, but they have learned how to be reverent as well and for the most part have been very good. Today we were practicing for the primary program. The teachers for the CTR 7 class weren't there so I was trying to help one of the kids in the class be reverent. As I was sitting next to this 7 year-old he informed me that he was soooo tired because he woke up at "3 pm in the morning." I'm not sure exactly how this works.

As tiring as the class can be they have been a lot of fun and I will miss each of them and the comments that they would make.

Stage Fright

So I am taking a giant step outside of my comfort zone. It has been a long time wish of mine to participate in a musical. One thing keeping me from ever accomplishing this is my fear of being on stage. Having a wife that works in the box office for a theatre and two brothers-in-law being in a musical at that theatre have helped push me out of the box.


Even though I joined the cast a little over half way through the rehearsals I think I have caught on very quickly. I am ready to move on to performances and see how I do with an audience watching. I don't know how the rest of the cast has been able to do it, as I feel like I am on the verge of burn out and am ready to not have rehearsal every night. I am in the Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday cast for anyone who is interested in coming. (Rodgers Memorial Theatre in Centerville for those who didn't know) I promise Simeon and Gad will make it worth your while to come.

Happy Birthday Deer!

This is Petey (assuming it was a boy, if not we are going with Lily), the baby deer that was born on my parents' front lawn last Friday. It sat in the front yard in this spot all day. He was gone by the next morning, but it was nice to see this little miracle. He shares a birthday with my mom and niece Kenna.

The Wizard/Prophet will see me now!!!

So Jeff and I got to go see Wicked on Thursday the 23rd. It was awesome!!! I enjoyed the experience more the second time around. It was certainly fun to know exactly what I was looking at. I think everyone enjoyed the experience overall. If you haven't seen the show, you should at some point in the future. It has great music, great characters, and the story line really is great.

This is a sad attempt at taking a picture inside with a camera phone. Why can I never remember my camera. 

Anyway, the most exciting thing to happen that night wasn't even seeing the show (at least for me). Guess who we saw at the show? 

That's right. The Prophet was there. Jeff and I were waiting outside for the rest of our party to join us. Jeff said, "Guess who just walked in... L. Tom Perry!" I was like what!!! So I peeked my head around the corner and sure enough, head well above the crowd, was L. Tom Perry walking into Capital Theater. Then Jeff said, "Look who is over there." As I turned around I saw who I thought was President Monson. I said, "That's the prophet!" and Jeff said, "No, it's not really him." and I said "uh... I think that it is him." and Jeff said, "Yeah, it is. I am just teasing you." Well, I wasn't about to miss the chance to shake hands with the prophet. I grabbed Jeff and I said come on. It looked as though we would miss him only by a moment, but the gentleman in front of us reached out his hand to shake. So President Monson stopped to shake it just in time for me to outstretch my little hand. AH! He then shook Jeff's hand, and in the process commented, "We are just out for a night at the theater. I'm just a showaholic." Then he walked  into the side entrance of the theatre..... smile.

It was so great to shake his hand. Inside, he sat about twelve rows in front of us... and six seats down from him, President Uchdorf! They both were surrounded by body guards obviously. and I have never seen so many flashes go off before a show. At the end, they gave the actors a standing ovation and went on their way.  I should mention that Jeff got a chance to shake Elder Perry's hand as well. 

The show was awesome as well. 

Finally something

You may remember back a couple of months ago I mentioned a competition that was going on at my work. In case you don't, it is a competition to see who provides our customers with the best experience when they call in. Finally after over two months something has happened. It has been narrowed down from the top 12 to the top 8. And yes, I am still in the competition. As to when the competition will end, nobody knows but hey progress was made. At this rate I may have final results for you in about a year. I am hoping that things move along at a slightly quicker rate from this point on, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF

Happy 27th Birthday to my husband!!!

In honour of this, here are 27 great things about Jeff that I am celebrating:

27. He never lets us forget to say couple's prayer.

26. He lets me sleep in and not feel guilty about it.

25. He is a very good primary teacher, the kids, especially Ben, love him.

24. He still opens my door.

23. His smile makes me smile.

22. He is very accomplished at Star Wars Legos.

21. He cooks... every now and then, but he CAN cook!

20. He can set anything up, just give him a minute to figure it out, even if he has never heard of it before.

19. He is hot. (Okay, this one might be the one that I am celebrating alone, but I don't mind bragging.)

18. He has a wonderful singing voice. True story.

17. He plugs in the dishwasher every time it needs to be started cause his wife is too scared she is going to get an electric shock!

16. He will start my car on Sunday mornings when he goes early, so that my car is warm when I get out to it.

15. He is willing to try anything once, without complaining.

14. He really didn't want to see Twilight, but he loves to tease and play games with me.

13. He is a BYU fan. He is also a U fan when BYU is not playing.

12. He gives really good back rubs . . . . . . (hint hint, Jeff, if you are reading this).

11. Life got a million times better knowing he would be next to me through it.

10. He is a good dancer, even if he denies it. Sorry dear, story checks out.

9. He is very good at his job. People at work know him. People whom he does know, know him. They are watching him.... in the good way.

8. He still hangs out with his single friends.

7. He loves his family. All of them. Even Dave.

6. He is very supportive of his family and friends. And wife.

5. He cracks me up all the time! I love it when he will play with me and goof off.

4. He honours his priesthood.

3. He won't fight with me.

2. He will be a little mad at me for doing this, but he usually tries to make me happy above all else, so he will forgive me.

1. I couldn't have thought up anyone better than Jeff.

Unhappy Bird day

So I walked out of work the other day and got in my car to go run an errand. I sat down, and there on my windshield was a bird. Shocked, I took a second look, and the bird was dead. It hadn't flown into the car and died. It was perfectly in tact. It seems that is simply landed on my car and died. Thankfully my boss, Barry was able to take it off so that I could drive home. I sort of have a bizarre fear of birds since I had a pet bird that had a seizure and died in my hand. Crazy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.... in January.

Hello all. I haven't been blogging as of late. I claim business. And Christmas. But I didn't want to let it go by without sharing some of my favorite pictures.

This is Jeff and I on our first Christmas morning. It was very sweet to wake up and spend the first part of the morning just the two of us. Look at cute tree. Jeff got us the red and white bells for our ornaments this year, to represent wedding bells.

Here is the Plowman family on Christmas Eve at the end of a very good sledding trip. It was a blast, and everyone had a good time.

Uncle Jeff with Luke (3) and Jackson (baby). They both love him. You have to keep your eye on Jeff, cause he will steal the babies right out of your arms and woo them away from you.

Grandpa and Luke heading in early from sledding. Good thing Grandpa was there to take him in fifteen minutes after we started.

Wendy, reacting to the Christmas gift that Jeff and I got her. It was a calender of pictures of her and family. It was worth the work to see her face. What a great Christmas morning.

The Wood house on Christmas morning. The little boy in the green is Ryan. And though I don't expect it to last long, I am currently a favorite of his. I have to tell you, being one of his favorites is one of my greatest joys. So for however long it lasts, I am happy for the hugs and cuddles. 

Pam, on Christmas morning. You could see in here face how carefully she plans out Christmas for her family. What a wonderful morning it was. I love her face.

The Plowman Family on Christmas Eve. This is a family tradition to wear costumes and reenact the Christmas story from the Bible. I love to watch grown ups in costumes interact with kids who love to dress up. I love this tradition.

So this Christmas time I got to play Mrs. Claus at Thanksgiving Point Breakfast with Santa. It was a blast. Two other improv-ers from Comedy Sportz played characters. Tonia is the Sugar Plum Fairy in the middle, and Scott is The Grinch. Even though you think that Santa is the big deal, everyone loved the Grinch!

Yours truly as Mrs. Claus! It was so much fun! I loved it. Just another perk that I get from working at Comedy Sportz. It was two hours on four Saturday mornings, and it was nothing but cuddles from cute kids.

Under The Microscope

For Good?.... Or Bad?

So I found out today that I am currently sitting underneath a microscope at work. To give you the back story without boring you with all of the specifics there is currently a contest going on at work. What it comes down to is who performs the best customer service on calls. There are 5 things that they look for. This competition is for all employees located throughout 6 different call centers that Discover has. I have no idea on the exact number of people that were originally involved but I know that between the 2 call centers based here in salt lake there are more than 1000 employees. I think that those are two of the bigger call centers. The winner gets $2500!

The first cuts took it from however many employees are involved down to 300. And the second cuts just came out and took that down to 12. And my name made that list which means I get at least $50! I found that out this past Saturday and being the Wood that I am (sorry to any Wood's that take offense to that, I am definetly the worst at this) had no plans to mention it. That was until I got called into my Department Manager's Office today. I recently (2 months ago) got a new Department Manager and I don't think that I have spoken to him at all. There has been the nod as we pass each other but that is pretty much it. He is a really quite guy and you should know that I am quite as well until I get to know someone. He called me in because in a meeting yesterday with many of the upper management of the slc call centers there my name got brought up as person that was doing on phone calls what they want each of us to do and what they are trying to get us to emphasize. (My department has always been about sales and only sales, but they want us to be more customer oriented than we have been before. While still including a solid product offer.)

Apparently it doesn't end there. A couple of hours later, my coach tried to listen in on my calls to do some coaching with me as he is required to each month. He told me afterwords that he wasn't able to, because my calls were already being listened to by someone (or someones who knows). So for who knows how long I have had / and will have however many people listening to my calls. I am honored by this as it is for a good reason that they are listening to me but at the same time I don't like being watched. Because while I am sure they will see all of the good things that I do, I have to be on my best behavior so I don't get in trouble for cutting any corners that I may or may not have done on an occasional call. I can't imagine them listening to me that much more, but they have already done it more than I would have expected so who knows. (Comment on my own post, I definetly went into more detail than I originally intended. Sorry to all who got bored.)

STAR WARS CAROLS?

Watch out Nickel Creek, here comes Bluegrass Thunder!

Tonight was a great night. I went to see my brother Ben in his bluegrass band. It was so awesome! They played some great Christmas music, and it was amazing to see my brother up onstage performing and totally rocking a fiddle.

This video was Ben taking the solo on Orange Blossom Special. It's so freaking crazy how fast he is playing. I love it!



My parents, Ben and Ben's violin teacher, Jeanne Grover, after the show. He took violin for I don't know how long. She came down to support him with about thirty other people.


Other Fans: Kylee, Mckenna and Dallin came down to see Ben.

So did brother Mike.

A Tale of Two Thanksgivings!!!!

This was our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. And it was a great day. Full of two different families and traditions. Lance is below getting the turkey ready. He ia a phenomenal cook, and I love to go over for great foods of all sorts!


We started our day at the Wood household. Below you see a very common occurrence. The three oldest grandkids gathering around their favorite (I admit it, I'm not ashamed to be second, or third) Aunt Stephanie. She is amazing with kids, and had loads of activities to keep them entertained for hours.
Nicole, one of the most charming people you will ever meet, lays across her Aunt Wendy. If you knew this girl, she would probably be lying across your lap too. There is no one she cannot wrap around her little finger.

After dinner, Dave showed us his VIP contact in his phone: Santa Claus! Yep, Dave has the actual number to the jolly guy. I love Justin's face. He is so elated!


Then Jeff and I ventured over to the Plowman clan. Below, Jana and Jessica demonstrate what has become the most disgusting tradition (that I included) we do. Jana, Jessica and I gather around the turkey as it comes out of the oven, and we peel and eat the skin. I know it's disgusting, but it is so good!



Annual football game. It was a little colder this year than past, but it didn't stop the game or lessen the numbers.


Baby Kira... yes, she is sticking her tongue out at you.


"Want to touch the camera!" Baby Jackson.


Grandpa braved the weather and took three grandkids to the park!