Tut Tut Turtle

Ok so I may be slacking a bit on my 'experiments'. I think I need to do more research and find good goals, because right now they are kind of lacking. I will start writing down ideas too and maybe even make a schedule. With that in place I will be on my way and perhaps this blog will be slightly more exciting then it already is (if thats possible). haha.

My unofficial goal this week was to get all my Christmas cards done. That didn't happen, but I did do pretty good. I am almost done with only 4 left......of ones that I'm sending to the States. I figured I dont need to be as hasty with people here cause I don't plan on giving those out for 2.5 more weeks. Actually thats not too far away either. I guess I better get cracking!

I love Christmas, I am pretty much obsessed. And this was a great week for fun Christmas activities. On Saturday I went to a Relief Society activity where we were making chocolate turtles. Everything went well until I melted the chocolate. You see, the recipe said to melt chocolate chips, butter, and parowax together. But all we had was dipping chocolate. So I just used that and the butter. Turns out I didn't actually need the butter and ended up making a chocolate paste. Oops. Good thing we had extra chocolate! Theystill turned out delicious. The next day I was having some friends over for a tree decorating/lighting party. I thought I would wow them with my new found turtle making skills. It started out alright, but too high of heat led to over cooked caramel. Thats probably an understatement. When they cooled they were rock hard. My friends were optomistic and ate them any ways. We even dipped them in chocolate (that I didn't make into paste...). I liken them to petrified turtle eggs, and the only way to eat one without breaking a tooth was to suck on them for a very long time. I guess theses chocolates worked great if you were watching your weight. Since it took you an hour to eat one. At the end of the night my roommate Bethany's boyfriend, Merrill, took all but two home. Good thing boys will eat anything!

Decorating the tree was also eventful. Bethany and I thought we had a box of ornaments in the basement. So I didn't bother getting any. Only to discover that there was no box, it was MIA. Thankfully my friend, Emily, brought 3 ornaments her girl guides made, I had two ornaments, and Kaitlyn fasioned a star out of tin foil. So despite there being only 5 decorations it was still lovely. Luckily I had picked up some lights. And now our tree stands in the window, looking as magical as ever.

Lessons learned this week?
1. Don't melt dipping chocolate and butter together if all you want to do is dip chocolates.
2. Don't overboil caramel if you're looking to keep all your teeth while eating it.
3. A Christmas tree is still a Christmas tree, even when you only have 5 decorations on it. :)

Thank you Piano Man!

I did not learn a new song on the guitar. But I did learn a new song on the piano and I became the fill in accompanist for the Shumayela choir. Not just in practice either, in a performance. So I feel like that is a worthy substitute. And the one thing I was really concerned about was being able to turn my pages and not get lost or lose my place. Its a tricky situation to be in. Then a choir miracle happened. I kid you not. As soon as I started playing in performance after my first page turn, the church pianist started turning my pages. He saw the need and graciously rose to the occasion. Thank you piano man! 

In other news, I am a Twilight fan once again. I had grown apart from my love for it, but decided to go see the final installment of the films for old times sake. It just reignited the flame. Turns out I'm that girl. And I am okay with it. I realize this doesn't have much to do with self betterment. But it is helping me be me, and that's that.

Best week ever. At least one of them.

This past week I decided to extend my daily service attempts. I admit I did alright but there is room for improvement. And so this is something I need to try and perfect. In the mean time I am going to move on and focus on something else. I am going to learn a new song on the guitar. I'm not sure what song yet, but I will figure it out and report back next week.

Of course I know your all dying to know why the week was so awesome. Well you see it involved a snow day. It was actually a partial snow day since I still had to work. But choir and institute were canceled for the evening. So I did what any sane person would do and went home and played in the snow. I forgot how wonderful snow days really were. I wish they came more often. And as I was laying in the snow just looking up at the sky I realized how awesome life is. How well Heavenly Father knows His children, since that night was exactly what I needed. Also, how cool I must have looked, an adult frolicking in the snow by herself. And I couldn't have been happier.

Another thing that made my weekend was Saturday. I got to see so many of my dearest friends through out the day. And I had a performance with my choir, Oran. I love performing. Seriously love it. That's why I've done so many artsy things, cause I can't get over the thrill and rush it gives me. Let's hope I always get the chance. To top the night off I had a late dinner with some of my favorite people. I have great friends. How did I get so lucky? However it happened I'm glad it did. Cause my life certainly is better because of it.

Well, its late and I'm tired. I would have left this but I promised myself I would do it. So a mini celebration is in order, because I wrote another blog post. Woot!

Why my family is the best in the whole world!

As you can see by the title, I intend to set out why my family is indeed the best in the whole world. Its a fact.

First reason would be my amazing grandparents. Seriously they are all the best. I just came from spending a day at my Allen grandparents house. They are my Mom's parents and they live on a farm just outside of Whitecourt. They have lived there for as long as I can remember. As a child it was my playground. Constant exploration. My grandma has taught me all her baking/cooking secrets. Well its still in the process, I don't know if I'll ever truly get there. She makes me laugh so hard every time I go over. Being there and with her makes me happy. My grandpa Allen is one of the best people I know. He is the kindest person around and definitely the hardest working. He recently got an award for work, he is number 1 in Canada. I figure its only a matter of time before the UN and Nobel prize people come knocking on his door.

I've also been blessed to come from a long line of Lybberts. Best name ever. Both of my dad's parents have an incredible legacy in the church. And they have continued it beautifully. So much to learn of service and true missionary work from both of them. Coupled with excellent cowboy logic, what more could a girl ask for?

The Ewers, my moms father and family are people that I cannot imagine my life without. To think of a word to sum them up would be kindness. Never have I felt anything less than completely welcome and at home with them. My grandma Eileen has passed on, but I have no doubt she is just as busy serving there like she was here.

So you see, I have the best grandparents. My next reason would be my incredibly fantastic siblings. When I think of the possibility of being an only child it makes me sad. Cause my siblings are my best friends. There was always a lot of laughter in my house growing up, and that hasn't changed. When I think of all my memories it makes me smile And sometimes even laugh out loud. How did I get so lucky to be sister to 4 of the coolest people in the world? I don't know bit I'm sure glad. They are amazing examples to me. One day I want to be like them. Today Stage was at my grandparents house. He knows how to serve and make you feel special. All the while rolling in laughter.

Then my final reason is of course my parents. Funny, persevering, kind, smart, incredible, crazy, and loving. There was never a moment in my life that I didn't know my parents loved me. Not only did they tell me but they showed me through their actions. Somehow they managed to raise my 4 siblings and I, despite our craziness, especially Stages. And there is still joy in the journey. My favorite memories of all time are those when my whole family was together. Nothing beats that. And I for one am incredibly grateful that I get to be with them forever. I don't know how its fair for that I got sent to the best family in the whole world, but I'm certainly glad I did! Thanks for making my life happy.

There is a quote from my favorite author Victor Hugo in his book Les Miserables that goes like this "the greatest thing in life is being loved. Having someone love you for oneself and having someone love you in spite of yourself." Sums it up. My family makes me better. Thanks for that and everything else! Love you all!