Proof...

Have you ever known someone who always have to have "proof" of something before believing it? Every once in a while I will find myself doing this. But, before too long, something stops me in my tracks and reminds me that God has a hand in this world. The most recent evidence of this in my life has been Sara. She is my cousin, Annas', baby and she was born with a heart defect. I was so scared for their new little family (Sara is their first baby)!

We went to visit her in the hospital before surgery, in the N.I.C.U. (Newborn Intensive Care Unit). That is one place I can honestly say I don't EVER want to see again, it really tugged at my heart strings! But, by the miracle of modern medicine, she had her surgery and was released fromt he hospital about a week or two later!! She'll be able to live a normal life and do all the things other kids do! Holding her at the hospital after the surgery, I couldn't help but wonder: "Who would ever need more proof than this?" (I hope Anna doesn't mind me posting this photo.) Aren't they the cutest little family?

The best policy?

I would like to preface this blog by saying three things:

1) If you are not interested in reading my ramblings while standing on my soap box, please stop reading now.

2) It has been brought to my attention that my blog is “lonely.” I am sorry. I will try my best to update more often. (No, Kateka, your comment has nothing to do with this blog entry, I love you!)

3) I am ALL for honesty as it pertains to ESSENTIAL human interaction (even if it may not be very nice). For example: “Hey Bob, I am concerned that your weight may be affecting your health.” Or “You know, you should try to be more honest because your lies have hurt other people.”

Those three items being addressed, I would like to know: Is honesty ALWAYS the best policy? Or, have we come to a point in our society where we’ve taken this (and many other things) to an extreme?

Long ago in lands far away, there were certain laws called “chivalry.” For me, this brings to mind two people who have a disagreement; one confronts the other, to his face directly and voices his qualms. Now, this was usually followed by one of two things: the second person would admit their wrong-doing and a truce would be made OR they would deny their flaw and promptly be slapped across the face with a glove and be challenged to a duel. The sword fight would happen a few days later and the eventual winner would receive bragging rights. This meant he was allowed to either tell EVERYONE within earshot of the other person’s transgressions. Or, (as I believe was more unusual) take the win stoically and remain tight-lipped in order to allow the loser some amount of respect.

Granted, this amount of pompousness was bound not to last forever. This type of behavior inevitably evolved with mankind. Even a few hundred years ago in the Wild West cowboys would voice their opinions; challenge the other to a shoot-out and then give each other ten paces before promptly firing upon one another. The winner would be bought several rounds of beer and regale his bar buddies of the “evil-doers” wrongs. I suppose that in some regard (in the most formal areas of our society like business and law) we still allow our adversaries some amount of respect before tattle-taling their “misdeeds” to the public.

Now, in either setting, those who did not provide warning, be it slap in the face or “pistols at dawn”, were considered most cowardly and were socially shunned. I would dearly like to know; when did we stop providing that type of courtesy to those we were about to descend upon?

It seems that today, those who are constantly voicing their view of “just being honest,” even to the extent of brutality are considered brave, emotionally independent and strong. However, it seems to me that calling out “flaws" or pointing out unbeknownst qualms publicly and blatantly is not my idea of strength. Ensuring someone of the fact that these “dirty articles of laundry” have been voiced, discussed and beaten like dead equine (all in the convenience of your absence) seems like nothing more than cruel and unkind mistreatment.

What in the world happened to “better left unsaid?” And, for things that absolutely cannot go unsaid, what happened to giving due discretion and respect to individuals? What is wrong or “undignified” about discussing another’s flaws with them face to face BEFORE you air what you feel is their dirty laundry?

May I add: Why is it that those closest to you feel that it is “more okay” or even “their duty” to do this? Why do family members believe that they don’t hurt your feelings when they do these things? Wouldn’t it stand to reason that if you’re closer to someone’s heart, you’re in a better position to put a dagger through it?

I am not perfect, nor are you gentle reader. If I have ever done you the terrible disservice of airing your dirty laundry, I truly apologize. If I have ever pointed out to you what I felt was a “flaw” unnecessarily, I am deeply sorry. Honestly, I will do my utmost to never discuss an issue I have with an uninvolved third party. More importantly, I will never chastise you for something you’ve done or not done that has not and will not harm someone.

I pray that some day we will return to a society that values things like discretion (things better left unsaid) and addressing you face to face (mano-a-mano) before involving others.

Am I right? Or, am I over-sensitive?

My 5 Favorite Things This Summer

Since I have been slacking on my posting, I am going to review my 5 favorite things I did this summer.
So, here they are with pictures (and video)!

1. Vacation! Who doesn't LOVE vacation? Jared and I spent a week in Lincoln City, Oregon (cute town!) in a beach house with his family. It was so much fun to get to see all my neices and nephews, they're all getting so big! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from vaca:

Bingo Night:

One of the Many Lighthouses:
And we went crabbing (sorry Matt, I know this isn't your fav. picture):

2. The Draper Walk, Wag and Swim. I just found out about this a few weeks ago and I was SO excited. The event begins at Draper pool and everyone takes their dog on a nice, short 1 mile walk. The walk actually is just one big circle trail that leads right back to the pool. Once you're back at the pool, your dog is allowed to GO NUTS! Hades was kind of tentative at first, but once he saw that all the other dogs loved to swim, he decided that he did to. He was SO worn out by the time we left! We'll definitely do this next year. Here are some pictures and a video:

Walk:

Wag:

And Swim:

3. Getting a Back Yard! Jared and my Dad worked some very long hours putting in our back sprinkling system and lawn. It looks fantastic and Hades certainly enjoys using it as his personal playground.

The Hideous Before:

The Less-Hideous After
(It looks better now, I promise):

4. PostSecret. I know I am a nerd for loving this stuff as much as I do but I LOVE PostSecret !! I am completely obsessed! It started out as one man's art project, he took 3,000 self-addressed post cards and left them around his city, encouraging people to mail in their deepest, darkest secrets. So, people did and it didn't stop after 3,000! Frank Warren, the man who started it in 2004 still gets approximately 2,000 post cards a week! Some of them are hilarious and some make me want to cry. However, they all offer a little bit of insight into the human soul. The first chance I get I am going to buy the books!

5. NOT being in school! (I could have taken a picture of me just sitting around, but that's just not very attractive!)

I hope everyone else had a fantastic summer too!

Excuse me, have you seen my sanity?

Okay, I admit that I have been slacking on the blogging thing. However, it may comfort you to know that I am also slacking in every other area of my life except for school and work! I've had finals the last few weeks (I had to get them in early because we left for vacation the week of finals). And it was about time too. All my co-workers knew that I was at my wit's end when they asked how I was doing and I replied "I don't care... just hand me the prozac and vodka." They laughed but knew that I really needed a break. So, here I am enjoying sleep and de-stressing and spending time with family by the sea. My body usually sends me very clear messages when I need a break, my hair starts falling out (no joke, like in large chunks), I get great big dark circles under my eyes and my stomach ties itself in knots. But, just being here a day has made a difference. It must be the ocean air.

I always seem to forget how much I love the ocean. I hate swimming in it but I love being on the beach and watching the waves. It's a very nice place we've rented, enough room and games for everyone. I will be sure to post pictures as soon as we're home. I hope everyone at home is doing well.

The only regret I'm having about being here is that our baby (Hades, the dog) is at home. I miss him and worry about him constantly and keep thinking "oh, he would love this!" Oh well, someday we'll take him to the beach.

Baby Bliss!

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for my sister to post her news on our family website so that I could post about this!!! On Sunday she had her baby, my first niece or nephew on MY side of the family. Jared has 15 nieces and nephews.

After much secrecy and tight-lippedness, we finally know the name! Ian Marshall Felts! Here's a picture of my beautiful new nephew:

Isn't he a beautiful boy? I am so excited to watch him grow! He was so alert when we went to the hospital, just looking around and investigating everyone. He was so funny when we tried to take pictures, he'd close his eyes and make a bitter-beer face. SO cute! I am so happy that I finally have one of my nieces or nephews in the states. Now I can visit him all the time! Congrats Shannon and Colty-poo!

Ridiculous Packaging

For those of you who know who Dar Williams is, you'll recognize the line "sometimes, life gives us lessons sent in ridiculous packaging". I have found these words resonating in my ears all week. One week ago today, our VP of Marketing called a very odd, very immediate impromptu meeting. The meeting request was sent to everyone in marketing, was marked urgent and said that no personnel would be excused.

After 15 minutes of sitting and wondering what in the world was going on, our VP walked in, looking quite shaken. For anyone who knows our VP, Allen, this is VERY unusual for him; he is a very put-together person. He sat down and told us all that he had some very bad news. Our beloved CMO, Kevin McCallum had passed away very suddenly and very early that morning. Everyone in the room was (for lack of a better word) shocked. Kevin was the picture of health, confidence and strength.

Allen hesitated to give more information, only that the way he died was not an accident and it was not related to his health. Over the following few days, information trickled down slowly, our entire department was and still is in a state of shock. I LOVE 1-800 CONTACTS, ask anyone I know, they will all tell you what a fantastic company it is to work for. I suppose the down side of working for a company who consistently wins "The Best Company To Work For: Utah Division" is that you become extremely close to everyone you work with, which in turn can make times like this VERY emotional. Our department rarely goes a week without going out to lunch with each other or celebrating a birthday, graduation or some other special occasion. This place really takes care of it's people and the employees in return give 110%.

Over the days following Kevin's passing, we as a department, made it our goal to do everything we could for the family. We sifted through hundreds of pictures (the family had sent over) to put together a DVD and other keepsakes for the funeral and family. Our lead designer Bruce put in some very, very long hours designing Kevin's funeral program. On Friday, we all arrived early to help put the programs together.

At the memorial service on Friday (the actual burial is taking place today in Georgia), our CEO Jonathan gave a very emotional and moving talk. He told a very funny and "very Kevin" story about an NBA finals game they'd gone to. Then Jonathan spoke about what an incredible hero, example and teacher Kevin had been and that in his passing, he'd taught Jonathan one final lesson: cherish those close to you. His (Jonathans) words that have now been etched into my memory were: "This past week I have told my wife I love her a few more times a day and I've held my kids a little longer each time I hug them."

This brings me back to the beginning. It's so true that life will always send us lessons sent in RIDICULOUS packaging. However ridiculous the packaging was, I will never forget the importance of letting those I care about know that they are loved and that they're never alone. With that in mind, I'd like to send one last "Thank you for everything Kevin" into the universe and remind everyone: I love you & you are not alone!
Thank you for everything Kevin!

Here I Am!

Sweet! Okay, I know I'm behind the game with this whole blogging thing. But, better late than never I suppose! Jared and I bought a brand new car this weekend. It's a 2008 Nissan Altima SL. It's very nice and Jared is very careful with it. We traded in his 2002 Chevy S10 for something with much better gas mileage. Yeah, that 11 mpg was killing us! I'll try to post pictures soon. The love of our lives, our doberman pinscher puppy named Hades, has been a VERY bad boy of late. He's decided that his new sleeping schedule is to go to bed around 10 and then wake up around midnight and want to play. As you can imagine, this isn't flying with us. Everytime he wakes up and wants to play he makes a HUGE commotion (of course, Jared could sleep through Armageddon, but I wake up immediately). So, then I have to take him downstairs and put him in his kennel for the rest of the night, which I hate doing. But, I do need my sleep.
Work is trucking on, as ususal. School is pretty good, thus far this semester. Well... that's about all for now, more soon, with pictures!