Two more reasons....

Here are just two more reasons of why I love my job:

1. This is our office wing. My office is actually around the corner, but this is the first thing I see when I get here everyday. My co-workers are fun & festive and make me laugh.

2. This is what I am wearing today-no joke. Who doesn't love going to work in their pajamas!?!

Things I have learned from being single

My Mom reads this online magazine all the time. After reading this particular article the other day, she called me to apologize for always being so hard on me. She said reading this has helped her understand better why I do the things I do in my life. Of course it made me curious to read it!

I absolutely love everything this woman had to say! She pretty much put my life into words for me. So I thought I’d share the love with you. Enjoy!

Things I have learned from being single
By Becky Thomas
Sunday, Oct. 04, 2009

I do not know what it is like to be divorced, lose a child, a spouse, a house, a job or even a parent; but heaven knows that I have had a little experience with being single.

For the sake of this column, by "single" I mean one who has never married. Since the population of singles is increasing every day, I suspect that everyone is rubbing shoulders with a "single" adult. Perhaps this column can give you a window in to our lives.

I would love to have a column for those who have been divorced, or have experienced tremendous loss, (child, spouse, friend, family, job, house, health, etc.) so that we can have a window into your lives as well. Certainly you have learned many things, and gained wisdom and perspective that could benefit the rest of us. I would love to hear from you.

Now, take a moment and come on in to my world:

1. There are things that are worse than being single.
To me this is a no-brainer, but when people try to set us up and the only common denominator is our singleness, it makes me wonder if others might think it's the worse thing on earth and they want to rescue us from ourselves. Singleness isn't even in the ball park of the worst things that can happen to us.

2. Friends are a big part of our lives, and our single friends understand the most.
All of our friends are priceless, though not all of them understand.

3. We have perfected the art of finding purpose and meaning in almost everything.
This comes out of a need to make sense of our circumstances.

4. There are many awkward moments.

Amazingly, we live to tell about it.

5. We are fully responsible as to how we spend or waste our time.

6. Every act of kindness is appreciated.

Invitations to dinner, baptisms, recitals, athletic competitions, lunch; everything is appreciated! Even if we don't accept them all, we love being included.

7. There are a lot of empty spaces to be filled.
We often feel a need to be going and doing, so we plan and plan, and everyone says, "you are so busy." We are usually just filling empty spaces.

8. Realizing that we may not mean to others, what they mean to us.
I learned this when I began to have nieces and nephews, they meant everything to me; however they have many relatives who love them. I realized that I will never mean to them what they mean to me. Also with my married friends, as their life is preoccupied with a husband and children, I may long for their time and friendship more than they long for mine.

9. The hand of the Lord is more evident, and appreciated.
Okay, before everyone gets defensive, just indulge me! I know married people see and appreciate his hand too, but being single, we look for his hand around every corner. Evidences of his hand can be lifesaving as we are often trying to find meaning and purpose in our lives; I just can't imagine anyone appreciating it as much as we do!

10. The Law of Compensation is our favorite law.

11. Having someone to love, friends, nieces and nephews is priceless.
Yes, having people in our lives to keep our love active and flowing is crucial.

12. Hope is our best friend.
She helps us through the most difficult of times.

13. Self-pity is just around the corner, and we don't want to take that turn.
Always seems like it is just a turn away; need to be careful.

14. There are no excuses for having a dirty house.

15. We determine our activity in the church, we are not elevated or pulled down by a spouse, it's entirely up to us.

16. Life is not as we expected, but it can still be so much more than we imagined.

17. It is easy to be critical of ourselves.
Always wondering why we are not married, etc.

18. Plenty of time to watch and learn from others.

19. It is easy to feel judged.

20. We want to feel needed.

21. Having a capable and willing home teacher is amazing!

22. It is easy to become selfish.

23. It's hard to balance being independent, versus "too independent.'

I asked a few of my single friends; this is what they said:
1. Everyone struggles, just in different areas.

2. Don't pick a fight with time. There is beauty at every age.

3. Self pity is not only useless, it is narcissistic.

4. Have respect for the situation you are in.

I think that sometimes we are so busy planning for the future and trying to "climb out" of our current situation that we miss out on things that are to be learned and enjoyed.

5. I'd rather be happy and single than miserable and married.

6. Doing daily tasks and chores alone makes me appreciate the mantra "many hands make light work."

7. Being a mid-aged single gives me compassion for the senior singles who don't have mobility on their side when tackling life alone.

8. When you are single, every Sunday you go to church feels like "Singles Awareness Day."

9. Being single means having to create the inertia to move outside your comfort zone.

10. As a single woman I have learned not to take the priesthood for granted.

11. I have gained more empathy for those outside the mainstream.

I have learned the importance of being slow to judge. It always seems easy to judge that which we don't understand.

12. I have learned the importance of relying on the Savior.

When you're single, your relationships with others are often in flux. Your friends start dating someone, or they get married, or they have children, or they move away. But the Savior is always there. And I am better able to draw strength from him when I take the time to nurture my relationship with him.

13. For me, it is crucial to have goals that I can work toward.

To a large extent, whether I get married is out of my hands -- so I like having goals that help me progress and that help me feel I have a certain amount of control in my life.
Hopefully this helps you to understand the mind and heart of your single friends. I am sure we can all benefit from your insight and perspective.

KC Royals

My family goes to a Kansas City Royals baseball game together at least once a season. Because my Dad is a true (and lifelong) New York Yankees fan, we usually go when the Yankees come to town. Sometimes I even fly home for the occasion. This year, I wasn't able to go home, it wasn't a Yankees game (It was the Minnesota Twins), and sadly-the whole family wasn't there...so of course, look what ended up happening.

My brother, Martin, caught a foul ball. Well at least they got a picture and Jonathan and Cassie were sitting at his side to witness it. Sorry I missed it, big brother. Maybe next year

Another Summer Miracle

Oh the beauty of a sunset on the Mississppi River. There's nothing quite like it if you ask me!

This post is completely for my own journaling purposes. It's old and long, so you can just scroll through the pics ....because let's be honest-they're pretty.

Aug 10-15, 2009

My last EFY post ended like this:

"I love EFY. I always have, and I always will. It was a blessing to be able to work as a counselor again. Working the Missouri session was the best decision I'd made all summer. It was an amazing experience and I know exactly why I needed to be there. Heavenly Father truly loves His children here on earth. He is aware of us (me, other counselors, as well as the youth) and it is through His guiding hand and tender mercies that things happen to bless our lives for the better. I am constantly awed by the many experiences in my life that remind me of that.

From the moment I was told I could work EFY this summer, I wanted to be in Nauvoo. When the Missouri session ended, I just didn't feel like I was finished with EFY for the summer, but with full-time job responsibilities (and zero vacation time remaining) there was little I could do about it. When the Missouri session ended the midwest coordinators reminded me that I still had a contract for the Nauvoo session waiting for me to accept or decline, and I needed to do it within a week. I couldn't get myself to decline it. WHAT DID THAT MEAN?!


After a couple of days debating with myself, as crazy as it seemed, I accepted the contract. I had no idea how it would ever work out for me to be able to go in the long run. But, I figured if I followed the prompting that I kept feeling about being there in Nauvoo, then accepting it was truly a physical act of faith on my part, and the rest would work out somehow.




The Miracle:

I waited a few days and then meekly walked into my boss' office one day. He knew immediately I was nervous about something. After a bit of beating around the bush, he asked if I was ok and my response was, "I hate asking for things." He laughed at me. I proceeded to talk to him about my EFY Nauvoo opportunity and ask if there was any possibility for me. Well, it ends up his kids were EFY "alumni," so he was completely familiar with the EFY program. He was so excited for me and before I could even finish my plea, he said, "Yes! Go! This will be amazing." The catch, however, was that he couldn't authorize my absence since I was out of vacation days. It had to be apporoved by Pat, our division director. *Gulp* I knew the director knew nothing about EFY. My boss requested that I write a letter to the director to ask permission, explaining EFY, the significance of Nauvoo and how my being there would benefit the youth participating, as well as the youth at the Division of Youth Services (My place of employment) in the long run. I could do that! Well before I even had a chance to finish my "essay," my boss called me and said, "I talked to Pat. She's so excited for you to go." WOW! Seriously? Pat approved my entire work week off. (Leave without pay, which was fine since I'd be getting paid for EFY).
and off I went:
Welcome to EFY Nauvoo 2009!


I could not have been more excited to be with my friend, Alyssa again! She and I had actually been Co-counselors in Nauvoo last summer (2008) and had an absolute blast together!


My CO counselors this year were Tony and Jentri. I'd never met Tony before. He is from Dallas, TX. Previous to my arrival, Tony had held the title of "Oldest counselor on the midwest team." I dethroned him the second I walked in the door. Jentri and I met last year and became fast friends. Secretly, I had always wanted to be her co-counselor. I always admired her, so I was super excited when that wish came true. Fun fact- Jentri held the title of "Youngest counselor" on the midwest team.


I found out I had been assigned the duty of Musical Program with Eliza and Josh. It was a TON of work to put together in Nauvoo because the EFY schedule is JAM packed during that week and rehearsal time with the youth is cut in about half from other sessions. I'm just glad we had a great team. I seriously loved working with these two so closely! Eliza is one of the nicest people in the world and Josh is a hilarious, hot paramedic from the farms of Minnesota. I spent more time with Josh and Eliza than I did with my own Co-counselors. I guess you could say Josh was my COW, but I just told him that I found him to be quite "attractively entertaining." He was honored. We're still friends. This is us practicing our conducting skills.


In other news, there were some slight complications with my polo shirts. Because it was the last week of EFY for the summer, and because I hadn't been working all summer-this was the only shirt they had left for me. Luckily, our team of counselors were good at problem-solving and we made some switches to get it worked out.


Game night this time around went down in history for the hardest I have ever laughed as an EFY counselor! This was the funniest game I've ever seen in my EFY life. It was called "Crossing the Sweetwater." Each youth was assigned a pretend ailment or disabling condition by their counselor that they had to act out. One of their "rescuers" would have to help the person work through the ailment to get to the other side. Some hilarious "ailment highlights" were; explosive diarrhea, giving birth, child in an adult's body, being a dramatic teenage girl (assigned to a boy), frostbite, etc. Oh it was HILARIOUS! This girl's assigned "issue" ....She was in love with BC Chris.

And of course we did the traditional pioneer stick pull (These are 2 of my girls Erin & Rachel)


We were called the "Jones Family" that week, named after Dan Jones, who accompanied the Prophet, Joseph Smith to Carthage Jail. Our family had 18 youth (12 girls and 6 boys). For our tour of Old Nauvoo on Wednesday, I had 2/3 of the "Family" with just me. (I'm in the bright pink/ "hibiscus" shirt in this picture)...Good times on the historic streets of Old Nauvoo with "Tour guide Tiffanie!" Good thing I know my way around!


This is most of the Jones Family. Jentri and I tried for a long time to gather everyone for a "Family picture." This was the best we got:


We had the chance to take the youth to do baptisms for the dead that afternoon in the temple. It was humbling and inspiring to watch many of the youth have a beautiful experience with the Spirit. There truly is power in the House of the Lord!


That night we were privileged to attend "Sunset by the Mississippi" performed by all of the missionaries in Nauvoo. It's ridiculous fun and we were quite the crowd!





And as if that wasn't enough, we were lucky enough to be there while BYU's Vocal Point was on tour. They were AMAZING, as always. I'm a huge fan!


The rest of the week included excursions to the Pioneer cemetery, Carthage Jail, a walk along the Trail of Hope to the Exodus site off Parley Street, the fireside, testimony meetings, The Joseph Smith movie, the dance and so much more! One of my ongoing traditions for EFY Nauvoo is the fudge shop. I always go with just one of my girls during free-time. This year, Tillie was my fudge devouring accomplice. Yum!


These were my 6 beautiful girls. I had experiences this particular week with my girls that I had never had before as an EFY counselor. It was an incredible lesson to me of how important support, patience, love, and kindness are in our relationship with others. These girls were amazing! (Kyra, Tillie, Rachel, me, Ashley, Erin and Kelsey)


And of course, my friend, Jason, was there. And as usual (just as all EFY Nauvoos before)--Jason was once again my BC (or "Grandpa to my youth). They nicknamed him Grandpa JJ. It kinda made me laugh.


It was the last week of the summer, so when everything was over we had to make sure to take one of these of the "survivors." This was our midwest team of counselors. Good people!


The week was exhausting in ways I had never been exhausted from EFY before. I had multiple spiritual experiences with my youth. It reminded me of my mission and how I had so often felt such a unique love for the people. I so intensely desired for others to feel and recognize the Spirit working in their life and it was the same way for some of my youth that week. It had me in tears a couple of times actually, to see some of them struggle so much, yet have such good desires. I am so grateful for the things those youth taught me. I love EFY! I am so grateful for the miracle and tender mercy in which the hand of the Lord worked to make it possible for me to be able to go to Nauvoo this summer.

Just as I said before, "I love EFY. I always have, and I always will. It was a blessing to be able to work as a counselor again. Working the Nauvoo session was an amazing experience and I know exactly why I needed to be there. Heavenly Father truly loves His children here on earth. He is aware of us (me, other counselors, as well as the youth) and it is through His guiding hand and tender mercies that things happen to bless our lives for the better. I am constantly awed by the many experiences in my life that remind me of that.

Baby news!

April 9, 2009 was a very exciting day for me! My sister-in-law, (Breckann) had an ultrasound and she and my brother (Martin) announced to our family they would be having the first boy of the next generation! With 6 grand-daughters, my parents were relieved to know the Player family name will live on with a grandson.

On that same day, my best friend from BYU and long time roommate, (Summer) also had an ultrasound, discovering she would be having a baby girl. The most random part- Summer and Breckann had the same due date.

On the morning of July 9th (10 days or so ahead of her due date) Summer, in Provo, UT, called me to tell me she was in labor and heading to the hospital. About 2 hours later, My Mom called to tell me that Breckann, in Olathe, KS was in labor and heading to the hospital .

I spent the entire day, just super excited and waiting for baby news. I'd get updates from my Mom and random texts here and there from Summer and her husband, Ben, but soon midnight rolled around and still no babies. Summer's Mom called me from the hospital just after midnight and explained some of the crazy turns the delivery had taken, but all was well. Now the fun was just a matter of who would come first, my nephew or my "surrogate" niece.

Central time zone-
July 10th, 2009 at 2:43am
Davin Storm Player entered the world and joined the Player family. As is the tradition with Martin & Breckann-Davin was named after a Star Wars character. click here



Martin and his son -sooo cute!

Here's the rest of the family (with Mom & big sisters, Annaka and Kali)

Aunt Tiffanie officially welcomes you to the family, Davin!

Also on July 10, 2009, just 27 minutes behind Davin (Mountain Time zone)
Eleanor Lee Lewis was born at 2:10am. Summer's Mom sent me a picture right away with her camera phone to give me the "official news." I was at the hospital first thing the next morning in Provo to visit Summer and meet baby Ellie.

Here's Ellie with her "Aunt Tiffanie" at her baby blessing a couple of weeks later.

With ultrasounds on the same day, same due dates, and arriving early with the same birthday, I'm convinced Davin and Ellie are destined to marry each other! Summer says, "Player would be a really cool last name!"..... (I agree)