Sometimes Stress is worth it...but not for the reasons you expect.

I'm the activities co-chair in my ward. We just had an activity. Our ward opening social, as it were. I was really nervous and stressed out all the last week about it, because I am one of those people. I scare myself about things, and I stress out. I micro-manage. I like to do everything myself. I hate that about myself, but that's me. I'm trying to be better. My co-chair is great about that though. Where I would have sent people away when they came and offered help, he would give them jobs. We will work wonders together this year.

Anyway, I wasn't planning on having much fun tonight, because I figured I would be busy. and I was, but that was the fun part. I got some time to go sit with friends and chat. I got time to eat a little bit...but in my mind the very best part of the night was washing dishes. I started washing some, and Jarrett came over and joined me, putting himself in charge of rinsing. We were washing the dishes, and he went to rinse a glass, and splashed me a little bit. I may have squealed a bit out of surprise.

Jarrett looked at me, apologized, and told me it was an accident...then an impish look appeared on his face..."That was an accident," he said, "but this isn't." and he full on sprayed me with the water.

I started laughing, and cupped some of the soapy water and splashed him back.

We got all the dishes done and put away, and we had a blast doing it. I am very in favor of such experiences. I thought the activity was going to be worthwhile based on the success of the good food and the fun that people had playing the games...but really the part of the activity that I'm going to remember is washing the dishes. It was the most fun I've really had in a long time.

Little Things

It's amazing how sometimes the little things can trigger the strongest responses. I've found that something as little as a hug from a friend, and knowing that they were thinking about me can be all it takes to make me feel happy, and have a renewed faith in the world.

But on the same note, other little things can also have quite an effect for the negative. Little things like the lack of a hello. Signs that someone I was once incredibly close to doesn't notice me anymore. Things like that hurt more than I can say.

Some other things that can have amazing effects for the good or for the bad are even smaller. Something that most people wouldn't notice. Like when the boy next to you wears the same cologne as an ex-boyfriend. or when a song comes on the radio that you once sang with your best friend in a talent show.

It just amazes me the power that little things have to show the truth to us. And how much of a difference for the better or worse we can make in someone's life just by doing or not doing tiny acts of kindness. How long does it take to send out a quick text telling someone they're on your mind? Or to smile and say at someone walking past? Those things could change a life...but how often do we really do them?

Isn't it about....time?

My family is amazing. I got the chance to come home this weekend, and it's been absolutely incredible. I also had to write a paper about how my family works, and what our main priority and goal as a family is. So I've spent a lot of time with/thinking about my family as of late. I've come to realize how fantastically lucky I am to have them. So I'm going to tell you about each of them.

Mommy: My mother is wonderful. She always does everything people ask her for, and then some. She takes care of her family and of the babies that she's in charge of at work. She's the most nurturing and caring person I know.

Daddy: I am a definite Daddy's girl. I think he's the best of the best. He's funny. He's caring. He always knows exactly what to do to make me feel better. If I'm having a terrible day, he will listen to me while I talk about my problems, and even let me cry it out long before he starts offering me advice. Then as soon as I'm done crying it out or sharing my problems, he'll tell me a joke and make me laugh, then tickle me until I can't help but be happy.

Michelle: Michelle has been my stepmom since I was 7. She's the strongest, most determined woman ever. I honestly believe she can take anything that life might send at her, and handle it with a smile on her face as long as she has her family with her. She can do anything.

Jeni: Jeni has a mind of her own, and always has. She's well known in our family for always doing whatever she feels like doing, and doing everything her own way. I've lost count of the random nicknames she's given me. The one I remember best is Skittle. I still don't know why.

Kody: When we were little, we told people we were twins. He was tall for his age, and I was short for mine. We both happened to be blonde at the time as well. So we decided that we were basically twins. We also created a group that we called DAB--Dibbuns Against Bedtime. We had a declaration of independence against bedtime. It was the greatest! I love him, and I can't wait to see him again...hopefully soon!

Matt: Matthew is really really smart, and he is very passionate. He loves Spanish, and he will speak Spanish most of the time if we let him. It's a struggle for me to get him to speak English to me since I don't speak Spanish. He also loves to sing. Josh Groban's Spanish songs are his favorite things on Earth. His least favorite is definitely when I call him my baby brother though. So of course that's my favorite thing to call him.

Morgan: Morgan is a little fireball if there ever was one. She's a gorgeous little blonde girl who just started high school. She never even had an awkward stage the lucky thing. She is on the dance team, and is fantastic at softball and volleyball too. She knows exactly what she wants, and she is going to get it.

Roni: Roni is about the cutest thing I've ever seen. She is 9 years old, has curly brown hair, huge brown eyes, and knows just how cute she is. As the youngest of 6, she's been spoiled rotten for most of her life. I'm afraid we may have created a monster...but she is a very good girl. She's very sweet, and really just wants to know that everyone loves her. And they do.

Is that your natural hair color?

So today I made myself some cheese biscuits. I absolutely adore them. However, I only like them while they're warm. So after eating two with my dinner, I decided to give the left over six to some guys in my ward. There's one apartment that I hang out with a good deal, so I took it to them. I then went shopping for groceries with some girls in my ward. When I got back, my roommates told me one of the boys had come over to thank me for the biscuits. As I had nothing else to do, I decided to go over and hang out with them. I walked in, and 4 of them were sitting in the front room.

I talked to them about the biscuits for a little bit, then Paul said "Oh Tiffany, we had a question for you. We'll let Jake ask it though."

Jake turned a little bit red, then said "don't worry about it."

Of course now I was extremely curious, but I decided not to push it. However, apparently Paul really wanted to know, so he then asked me..."is the red in your hair natural?"

Yes. this is a true story. I only have those boys as witnesses, but I was entertained none-the-less. Also to be honest, I know wonder how this came up as a question that at least two of these boys had apparently been pondering in depth.