Spring has sprung

Spring, the most wonderful time of the year (well ok, right behind Christmas). Both of them bring trees covered in white! It helps that I get to go on walks in this sunshine with my fabulous neighbors, Julie and Claira. They are the cutest neighbors this side of the mississippi! Sometimes we even play games with them, if they can keep Micah and I from hurting each other.

So here's to springtime, in all it's beauty.

And fabulous walks with cute Claira.

Cherry Blossoms.

Claira walking.

I meant really, really loving to walk.

Life springing up where you least expect it.

Julie and Claira-cute as the budding flowers.

Finally, a season with pink trees!

Take time to stop and smell the flowers!

All the gold medals in the world

As much as I love 16 blissful days of sitting on the edge of our seats in deep anticipation of who will win the gold, the Olympics is over. I did enjoy falling asleep to Figure Skating, Ice Dancing, Speed Skating, and the list goes on. But in all the excitement of the events, and even making a trip to Vancouver myself this year, nothing made me happier than having my husband return to me after 22 long days. So Vancouver, BC, thank you for returning my husband to me, basically unharmed. All the gold medals in the world couldn't replace him.

Dreams....

I have been having a lot of dreams lately.  The kind you wake up thinking, 'wow that was random'. Lots of Dreams. Dreams about cookies, dreams about yoga, dreams about friends, dreams about clouds, dreams of success, and dreams of dreaded failure. Every time I wake up from these random dreams I realize that my reality far exceeds any dream I could ever have.

I wake up every day realizing I am not alone....

In fact, I have the best friend any one could ever wish for...

He's playful...

He loves beautiful places...

And kisses...

He likes to get his feet wet...

and he drinks lots of milk for strong bones...

But most of all he is always by my side when I need him most...

My sweet Micah asked for my hand in marriage Oct. 26th 2008. As we returned to Cannon Beach, Oregon this last week, I was reminded how sweet it is to be loved by him, and how he makes life far exceed my dreams.

Axelism's

Is it possible to love any kids more than how much I love these?

After having the wonderful opportunity to spend time with our niece and nephew, Solei and Axel, I am not sure if it is possible to adore them more than I do now.  I would like to place them in a bottle and keep them eternally young. My sister, Sharon and hubbie Nate went off to San Fran for the weekend and Micah and I played mom and dad.  Spending time with them was a great reminder of how the simple things in life are so darn exciting!

We had all sorts of fun adventures from Swiss Days,

 to petting horses, 

eating yummy food, 

collecting and painting acorns, 

swimming and playgrounds, 

picking in the garden,

cutting out doll dresses and coupons,

camping out in the backyard,

discovering giraffes, 

looking at the neighbors rock collections,

church and more.  Through out the weekend I payed special attention to my little 3 yr old nephew's comments as they were rather witty for a 3 yr old. He definitely echos his older sister quite a bit, but he had some great one liners that must be captured. 

While we were walking home from church Sunday some of the 16 yr olds from church where being kind of rowdy in their pickup and honking the horn loudly. Axel had just the right comment as we were crossing the street when he said "They can't honk their horn, they can't honk their horn, Jesus is WATCHING them!" This kid is pretty close to the spirit.

Later that night we were looking for Bear, the stuffed animal, who was lost in the sleeping bag.  Axel was quite concerned and said "Where is he? He can't walk away. He isn't real."  I commented to Micah "Wow Axel is smart!", Axel piped up, "I am."

This is a kid who knows how life works and he's only three. We were so fortunate to spend some time with them and have sweet Sarah Astill hang out with us also. Fortunately, I think Micah is now ecstatic to start having some little ones of our own!

Lessons from a 6 yr old

Tonight my sister, Caren, and her adorable family came to visit us during their roadtrip to Utah. They have a sweet 6 yr old, Sixti, and entertaining 3 yr old, Jaxx,

 and a beautiful little 7 month old baby, Stori.

 It was delightful to have them visit as they live in California and we see them rarely.  We spent time showing the kids the house, our spooky crawl space in the basement, our garden. They played on the piano, ate cookies, and picked out some hand made earrings.  Sixti, at 6 years old does not have her ears pierced yet, but I still let her pick our a pair to wear when she does.  Mom also took a pair as well, totaling 2 pairs for both Mom and Sixti. 

At the end of their visit I decided to show Sixti how to make a pair, as I thought she would find it entertaining. I didn't have the intention of giving her the pair since she didn't yet have pierced ears, and had already received a pair to wear in the future. As it got time to go, she sat there realizing she could only take two pairs of earrings, one for mom, and one for her.  She seemed to have grown very attached to the pair we had just made, with the stones she had hand picked. I told her she could swap them if she wanted. As we sat there for several minutes I could tell there was a feeling of worry and sadness on her face. She switched the pair but then held on to the original pair she had picked for herself. She knew she had to give one up and it seemed the most painful decision ever. As I observed her sadness I asked her mom if she could take them both, as I didn't want to be the one to break a little girls heart.  Sixti had clearly exhibited with minutes of sincerely agonizing over the right pair to choose that it was more than just getting her way.

My sister and myself both influenced her to go with the original pair she had chosen, the ones for her. As we took the other pair of earrings back, everyone had left the house, and I noticed again the notable sadness in her face. I gave her an extra cookie, apple, and necklace to make up for the lack of earrings. As she went outside she let dad sweep her up and help her sadness. I asked my sister once again if I could let her have the other pair. Again mom said "Sixti, you don't have pierced ears yet, you don't need another pair."  Sixti replied with tears in her eyes, "I didn't want to other pair for myself, I wanted to give them to Solei."  At that moment it all became clear. It wasn't about getting two pairs of earrings for herself. She simply wanted to give this gift to Solei, her 7 yr old cousin, that she happens to just adore.  I realized that the minutes of agonizing over which pair to take meant giving up either her own pair or a gift for her beloved cousin and friend. The thought of leaving without that gift was heart-wrenching. And what was more touching was that all the extra cookies and treats in the world for her, wouldn't make up for missing out on the gift she wanted to give to another.  It wasn't a tantrum or an act of wanting, rather, a selfless loving heart that wants to give. 

It made me think how the Savior must have felt, when he had to make the decision to be our Savior.  I am sure it must have been agonizing to know that he would have to give up all his own desires and will.  But at some point, he realized that everything that he could gain in the world for himself, would never match up to the priceless gift he could give another.  He knew that according to God's plan, he couldn't have both.  He realized that the happiness from giving far exceeded his own will, and he must have clung on to this when Satan tempted him by offering the whole world to him.  Christ understood that any suffering or sacrifice he made would have far more eternal weight than gratifying his own immediate needs.  He was the perfect example of giving.  Christ gave the matchless gift, the gift that heals, the gift that lightens our burdens, the gift that is infinite, and the gift that gives us hope to overcome this world. I am so grateful for my sweet niece, Sixti, to remind me of this matchless gift, with her innocent, selfless, sacrificing nature. Greater love hath no man.

Summertime reunions are sweet...

Summertime is wonderful, it's a time we get to visit some of our most favorite people. My dear friend Rebecca Walters has been out and about in the south, NC and Texas, for the last several years building her family.  Since our days at Utah State our visits are few and far between, but so very cherished. She has two little ones, Sydney and Talmage, that make the world a happier place. We got to reunite on Sunday, and now the third (and necessary) approval is complete on my choice of husband. Thanks Rebecca, I do love you!

Several weeks ago we had another sweet reunion. My father was Bishop of the Ledgewood Ward in NJ about 25+ years ago. I was a baby so my recollection is weak, but it turns out that AJ Baerga, now in our Bountiful ward, was baptized in the Ledgewood ward at the age of 16, while Dad Clegg was bishop. Mom and Dad got to visit with AJ nearly 25 years later. What a small world, we love it! 

Sweet Fathers...

                                                      As I reflect this Fathers Day on the influence my earthly father has had on me, what comes to mind is some of the things he has taught me...

 

Top 10 List of what my father has taught me....

10. To be on time

9. To be self-reliant

8. To memorize Articles of Faith and Scriptures

7. To save and avoid debt

6. To pray alone and with my family

5. To listen to Beach Boys early Saturday Morning.

4. To stretch a dollar in NYC.

3. To be committed to church, work, and school.

2. To give to others that have less.

1. To honor and love my family.

Happy Fathers Day to all you wonderful Fathers!

Unconditional Love...

Unconditional love - to love others regardless of their behavior towards you. This includes yourself.

This week in Yoga classes the theme has been the 'anahata' or Heart Chakra. Anahata means literally 'unstruck sound'.  They say we can receive inspiration in our 

mind and our heart. I challenged the students to listen more with their heart since it often gets neglected, not giving it enough attention.  The heart speaks softly, as an 'unstruck sound'.  The heart chakra houses 'nada', translated 'the pulse of life'. For an organs that dictates our ability to live, couldn't we benefit from listening to it more.

This leads me to taking my own challenge and listening to what my heart is telling me. My heart yearns to express my love to those I have had the opportunity to care most deeply for, those I only wish to someday love unconditionally...

Disclaimer: I recognize the immensity of the task to list each person with which I have come in contact and with whom I desire to love unconditionally, but I will listen to my heart and mind to recall just a few.

Gods I love: Only one, the supreme being that guides our lives

Husbands I love: Micah

Parents I love: Almon and Janis Clegg

Siblings I love: Diann, Carl, Brenda, Sherlene, Lynette, Caren, Sharon

Family I love: Nick, DeLite, Layne, Randy, Neil, Jeremy, Nate, Nicholas, Daisy, Spencer, Tomina, Naomi, Jenalyn, Rebekah, Carly Ann, Caleb, Max, Kendall, Landon, Asher, Quincy, Emily, Nicole, Trevor, Conner, Porter, Stone, Piper, Cruz, Sixti, Jaxx, Stori, Solei, Axel, Lennox, Karen, Kirt, Alec, Krystal, Megan, Gavin, Vern, Launa, Alene, Grant, Cal, Dennis, Dawn, Janice, Lavar, Evelyn, June, Marie, Melanie, Ty, Debbie, Sue, and the list goes on...

 

Teachers I love: Alan, Jean, Jody, Paula, Marcos, Rama, Lisa, Corena, Mark, God again, personal spirit and so many more

Friends I love: Staci, Anna, Deb, Rebeccah, Sarah, Kellie, Amie, Kimberly, Tamara, Stacia, Rachel, Rachelle, and the list goes on forever....

Yoga Students I love: Carol, Carolyn, June, Kay, Midori, Lisa, Rhonda, Sonia, Janeel, Connie, Morris, Ann, Sue, Janine, Jim, Cindy, Tamara, Leisl, Sherrie, Layton, Kevin, Linda, Sophie, and so many, many, many, many more....

I love you, I seek to love unconditionally, I desire to do more, be more, love more, listen more. From my heart to yours, namaste.

I love bicycles & mothers...

(Singing)I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.

I love to ride my bicycle, I love to ride my bike...

(belting slowly, annunciating each syllable at the top of my lungs), BI-CY-CLE, I love to ride my bike..... 

These are the words that echo in my mind as I reflect upon my younger years of learning to ride a bike. My brother, Carl, used to sing this little Queen-esque jingle, and then he would end it with calling me Banana legs on behalf of my easily bruised legs.

Do you want the truth about my history with bicycles? Well it isn't much different then my history with men. I grew up on a very busy street, one with few sidewalks, blind curves every way you look, and danger zones on every corner.  Not only was it a busy and dangerous but two experience further tainted my view of my street. In kindergarten I was hit by a truck while crossing the street, due to a truck failing to yield to the bus stop sign.  Not a year later my older sisters friend entered our driveway on a bike too fast from the street. She couldn't take the corner and smashed our rock wall and was nearly killed. Due to this danger my parents decided that riding in the driveway was 

the only thing permissible.  Now granted it was a spacious driveway, but come-on circles in a driveway gets old quick. Adding fuel to the fire, being the youngest of 8, I was lucky to have a less than par hand-me-down for a first bicycle. So not every kids dream to ride an old unfitted bike in countless lame circles on a dangerous street. Now I can see why my brother resorted to a unicycle.

May 2, 2009 changed that. I have finally for the first time in my short 31 years have received a bicycle. I don't have any of the obstacles I had as a child, no dangerous street, no bad incidents as of yet, no driveway circling, and best of all, no lack of not having a cool bike. I almost feel as though I have received everything in life one could hope for. I mean what more could make you whole than a super cool woman inspired bicycle. I now have less awkward legs long enough to reach the petals and no more bruises banana legs.

I love life. I love my bicycle.

Today my bike took me to Yoga class in the am, to lymph drainage massage after, and to Assisted Living Center to see the sweetest old yogies around! Bike has become to me: confidence builder, Yoga promotor(perhaps I should get a sign), leg sculptor, and style producer in her minty green hue.

I am grateful for my legs.

I am grateful for my mother. She teaches to me to focus on what I can do, NOT what I can't do. This makes me happy!

To all green bikes and wonderful mothers everywhere, I love you!

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you!

When your young at heart... (Frank Sinatra sang it best).  He sang it at our wedding reception, and he sings it over and over in my heart!

So I have had quite a few dreams since the incept of 2007, the year of living the dream. It has seemed to pour over into each new year. Some of them have come true, some are coming true, and some yet to be.  2009, year of love, has been full of just that and for that I couldn't be more grateful.

2007 Dream - To follow my heart rather than my head in my career.  

That meant quitting my boring, uninspiring day job, and following my passion, yoga. I completed my 500 HR teacher training in July 2007, gained employment as Events Manager with YogaWorks, and later Studio Manager with ISHTA yoga. During this time I began teaching but nervous to make the plunge into full time teaching I always held onto another job for the financial comfort blanket, albeit trapeze school, cookie making, appleseeds, etc. However since moving to Bountiful, UT I have acquired 8 weekly group classes, 6 adult classes, one children's class, and a family flow class.  I am working right now on expanding in our community by teaching at Assisted Living Centers and to special needs groups as well. With gratitude I offer classes at Infusion in Bountiful and Flow Yoga in SLC. 

In reviewing the opportunity to teach such an honored practice, I realize I am only as able as the abundant life source that connects me to this earth. I have one foot always firmly planted, anchored, and one ready for the next adventure.  An open invitation awaits you.

 

2008 Dream - To be married. 

It took just a touch longer than 2008 to be realized, but January 24, 2009, all the elements united with the Day club, Connie became a Day. Need I say more...

As if that dream wasn't enough, the year of love produced not ONE but TWO honeymoons.

San Diego AND Hawaii, we loved them both...

2009 Dream - To open a bakery 'Connie's Cookies' or 'Cookie Paradise'

So this one might be a touch longer off, but things are in motion. 'Connie's Cookies' will be featured at the Bountiful Farmers Market, Bountiful Summerfest, and possibly Ogden Farmers Market, this July-October.  It is still far off from a true bakery, but homemade is always best made in the home after all.

So now what does 2010 have in store? Gaundi said 'Gratitude is the mother of all virtues'.  Well Gaundi, one of my dreams in 2010 is to become a mother, how 'bout that?