New York, Friends, Family, and hard work...

        So last week I flew out to New York to visit my Best friend, and my almost family. It was so much fun! I didn't get to go into New York city, I didn't visit Broadway, but I enjoyed every moment of it.

        The trip started on a plane. Haha! It was a plane to Chicago. I spent one day visiting my second cousin Billee, and her sweet husband Larry in a little town a little away from Chicago. We got Chicago pizza, and honestly I don't see what all the fuss is about. It wasn't awful, but it also wasn't my favorite. Lets see if I can describe it. Its crust was like a pie crust, a thin buttery yummyness. The pizza had a whole lot of sauce, it was like a soup. At this particular restaurant we got it with Chicken, red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, and some fresh Basil. It was a good combo, but their sun dried tomatoes were large, so in the whole lot of sauce they got gummy. It was odd but kind of yummy. Would I get Chicago over normal? No. Would I eat it again? Possible.

        Then Billee bought me POPCORN!!!!!!! But not just any popcorn, it was Chicago style Popcorn. I LOVE that type of popcorn, it's a mix of Cheese, and Caramel popcorn. It's super Yummy!!!

         I then flew to the Buffalo Niagara Airport. I was picked up by my friend Avot, The Goob, and Chugger Dude (I love their nicknames!). We drove over to their home. Now let me tell you New York in October is the best, most beautiful, most magical thing I have ever seen!

        While I was there we visited Palmyra, walked through the Sacred Grove, Visited the Log house, the frame house, The Hill Cumorah, Alvin's Grave, The print shop, and I got to do Baptisms for the dead in the Palmyra Temple. It was a perfect trip! Just wish my BF could've come.

        We also went on a hike in Watkins Glen. Talk about magic! It had waterfalls, an orange glow from the Autumn leaves, and my Best Friend wearing a wrap with his little brother tied in! Magically wonderful trip! And this is the trip I met my favorite Aunt, Aunt Jackie! She was great!

        I loved our trip to Niagara falls! I loved the cute small town I stayed in, the cute little Chocolate shop, and the Erie Canal! Kel E. and I went to a ward members to chop a whole lot of wood! They tried to kill me with a 1lbs burger and then a 3/4 lbs burger. I think I am going Vegan. Haha! But the most fun came from just sitting around the house with all my friends! I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with the Biesinger family, I hope to see them again someday, But as of right now I may not see them for more than THREE years!

I guess this is goodbye old pals!You've been a perfect gang! Love you all!

Sometimes we have to say au revoir...

Some may find this to be an over dramatic sob story, luckily you'll live!!!

         Yesterday I went to help my best friend run errands, today we went to have fun at Lagoon, tomorrow my best friend, my second Mom, and a bunch of my friends are leaving. They are moving to New York. 

         I will miss them more than I can put into words! I am so appreciative for the love and care that they have provided for me. I am so excited to go visit in October! 

         I will miss the Bee half of my family, but I know that this will be a great experience for them! 

Au Revoir my singing Bees!

My priorities are slightly odd for my age...

I am a procrastinator, let's just get that out right now.

       I have been wanting to make a vision board. For those of you who don't know what that is, a vision board is a board/book/wall that you put everything on! You place your goals, dreams, inspiration, and things that mean something to you on it. You can use pictures, words, or drawings. There are no limits to what you can do with it!!!!!

        I put a few (a lot more than a few :) ) things up on a poster board. I choose a few things from each category, and some of them overlap.

        In the goals section, I put a picture of a Missionary tag (I also made a little thermometer thing that will measure how much I have saved for my mission), The San Diego LDS Temple (I don't know why but it's my favorite, and I want to get married there one day.), a photo of the Niagara falls (I'm going to see them in October!!!), My drivers Lincense (I don't think that I have made it too important to myself...), A picture of a guy on a mountain (I'm starting a routine of going on a hike AT LEAST once a month), the word Joy, a Pharmacy tech badge (I have been planning on getting certified),  and the Book of Mormon (I have been trying super hard to get through it all, I've let myself be too busy so I haven't read it yet).

        For my dreams I have, The San Diego LDS Temple, a blue I Phone 5 (I can dream right?), a nice newer BLUE car, and a Pharmacy tech badge.

        In my inspiration area I found, a Picture of a red umbrella sticking out above a bunch of black ones (To remind me to be ME even on the gloomy days), a picture of a yellow smiley face surrounded by a bunch of blue Sad faces (for a reason that I don't feel like sharing today), The word God (He is my biggest Inspiration!), the Word Friend I have been working hard to become a better friend, I put the word Joy to remind me to always find "Joy in the Journey"

        And last but certainly not least, right in the middle I put a picture of me (Right after I got a haircut) with my Best Friend Forever and Ever DBSTSDC, It may have been the best moment that I have EVER had captured on camera!

My thoughts on the family...

        As I was driving around with my dear Mother she said something that made the cogs in my head turn. She said, "Whatever you do in your life it will have to involve taking care of things." For many people that is a simple statement that wouldn't make much impact, but for me it opened a whole new part of the world!!!!!

        In this day and age many people are trying to decide what their stance on how the family should work. Some think the women should be at home caring for the kids and house, baking pies for when their hubby comes home. Some believe in both parents being out making something of themselves out in the work field. Some are starting to have the women be the provider, and have the husband at home caring for the kids. Personally I think it doesn't matter, as long as the children are provided for.

        As I thought on what my Momm said I decided I would enjoy the last of those options. I realized that all of my life I have been doing things that I could ,make money doing, AT HOME!!!!! I love the idea of staying home with my kids, while making money growing food, raising livestock, and making soaps, cheeses, lotions, etc... I have always loved caring, and I love loving! I have always enjoyed what I do. I have loved living the way I have lived!

        I also realized that all of the college courses I've been interested in are things that I could do from home. Those courses are Marine Biology, Pharmaceuticals, Veterinary science, Botany, Architecture, and Business Management/Marketing.

        Raising and breeding Marine life such as, Corals, Anemones, and Fish, can be a very profitable (and pricey to start) business.

        With a knowledge of Veterinary Sciences, and Pharmaceuticals I can raise Goats, Cows, Pigs, Chickens, Rabbits etc... And if I raise those animals I can provide food for my family, and maybe have a little extra to sell for $.

        I can also grow and sell Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, and many other helpful, and healthy Items.

        I have always wanted to design my own house! I love to draw up plans, and blueprints, and dreaming about all the possibilities!

        And of course to make money with anything I would have to know how to run and advertise a business.

       So I have realized I really would love to be a stay at home Dad!!!!! But of course that is going to be a decision to be made by my Wife, and I.

       I hope that all of you are able to find what works for you one day. Have a wonderful life!

Your friend Donovan. ;)

Life can be painful...

     It's not very fun, but it is always worth it! (Hopefully!!!)

     Lately I have been struggling with certain circumstances that have popped up in my life. It seemed as though God looked down from the clouds and said, I hate you Donovan! (Name that movie and you get brownie points.) Everything was falling apart. (Or so it seemed.)

     My best friend from my tween years is going on a Mission soon, I haven't been able to come to terms with this. My Best Friend now is moving forever away! I refuse to never see him again though!!!!! My sister moved to North Dakota WITH MY NIECE, AND MY (soon to be) NEPHEW (She is gonna pop any day now!) I can't figure out what to do with my future... :(  This may not seem that big, because "From the outside looking in, it's hard to understand. From the inside looking out, it's hard to explain."  ~Anonymous

     I have been afraid of moving forward, the pain that I feel, the pain that I will feel, it is all just really intimidating... But as they say, "Everything You've ever wanted is on the other side of fear."  ~Anonymous

     I have let Fear rule my life for too long! I fed my fears instead of my Faith. I have had my priorities in a horrible order lately. I want to change that, but it's hard!

     I think it's hard for me because I always take care of others. Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with taking care of others, but if you put too much time and energy into helping others and save none for yourselves it is draining.  "Sometimes you don't realize your actually drowning when you're trying to be everyone else's anchor." ~Anonymous

     I have thinking a lot, and decided there are some things that I will do  to change how I live. I will spend less time taking care of others, and more time building up my spiritual and physical foundation! I will try to take care of my needs before I go spending money on everyone in the county. I will always take time out of my day to pray, and speak to my Father in Heaven. I will let others know how much I appreciate them at every opportunity I get. I will look at life more positively! But most importantly I will always remember the Love that my Lord. and Savior has for me!

     Thank you for listening to me rant. I would like to leave you with this final Quote, "Hang in there. It is astonishing how short a time it can take for very wonderful things to happen" ~Anonymous

I have decided...

     First of all, I've gone International! Quick shout out to my 32 viewers from France, my 2 from Germany, and my 1 from Poland!!! And of course the 86 in the USA.    Thank You ALL!!!!! Now on to Business.

     Lately my mind has been in the future. I know many people who have made a list of requirements for their future Spouse, but I am not worried about that right now. Although I have been pondering the question of "What type of house will I have?" And "What type of a life will I live?"

     Some may know that I LOVE Architecture!!! I love to sketch up some blueprints of houses that I want to build and live in. But that isn't really what I have been focusing on. I have been thinking more of the spiritual aspects of a home. I made a list of the things that I want in my future house, and family:

• I will always have music playing somewhere in the house! I love the effect that Music makes on my life. It can change the mood faster than anything that I know of.
• All of my children will know how to play the piano, and at LEAST one other instrument. Music is a wonderful thing. In my opinion it is the best language to learn in life!
• I will always take time to be outdoors. I don't care how big and extravagant my house may be, if I have the time I will be outside!
• My house will never be "too small" to take in someone, or something that needs my help! I will go poor and eat worms for breakfast before I let someone go hungry, naked, or cold. I will love no matter what comes into my home (no matter how hard it will be (Daughters boy friends...))  
• I will always have time for my kids. I may have to sacrifice time at work, or even (and heaven please forbid this one) Me time, but I will always be open to listen and help my children! Same goes for anyone in my house.
• My family will have Family Home Evenings every Monday. I don't care if their favorite band is playing that night, I don't care if Elder Holland invited us to Dinner (and if he does, shame on him! Doesn't he know that's family night?!?!) we are having FHE!!!!
• We will have flowers and plants around the house. AT LEAST ONE IN EACH ROOM! Plants bring happiness, and fresh air to all around them. There will be no ifs ands or buts to this one!
• My children will know how (and will succed) to keep a plant alive before they turn 18.

     I have also been thinking about the life that I will live. The previous section kind of covered some of it, but I want to list my self-standards anyways:

• I will love my Wife more than the Sun, Moon, and Stars! Some have asked things like "what would you do if your Wife didn't want the animals anymore?" And they sound so scared and worried, they think that I would be devastated, that I would divorce her, or worse... Get rid of the animals! and my only answer for them is, that won't happen. It always has been, and will be a requirement that my Wife will accept and love the Animals and children that I pick up off of the streets. There literal is nothing else to it.
• I will love my children more than all the worlds wealth!
• I will always help those in need. I heard a story of this ninety something year old women who was making food for the elderly, not thinking about how SHE was considered part of the elderly! One day I will be barely making ends meat, but every paycheck I will still donate a portion to charities.
• I will always be learning something new! I am deeply offended by the people who say "Old dogs can't learn new tricks." That is a load of Thorny Roses my friend!
• I will pray every day and night. Even when I'm old and fragile I will get done on my knees and thank my maker for all the many blessings he has bestowed upon my head!
• I will make fitness and healthy eating important in my life.

      Many of these goals will be hard to obtain, and even harder to follow through with, but I know that my Father in Heaven will help me. 

Keeping your standards in the world is...

     In this day and age it is very hard to keep our standards. Is it worth it?  This is a question that I have asked myself many times. A lot of the time its the small things that are the hardest.

     One of the (small) things that I have problems with is Modesty. When I go swimming I wear a rash guard. Many people nowadays have a snarky rude comment or two to share about it. It's really makes life hard for me. Not many understand why I wear it, and even fewer that understand the why agree or support me in my choice. Now I'd like to thank the people who do support me in my choice.

     Another standard of mine that I struggle to keep is not drinking coffee, especially since I work at a coffee shop. The boss of the boss of my boss has been at my store every day that I have worked. He tries to get me to taste the difference of Iced coffee and Hot coffee, or hand mixed coffee with flavoring and swirled coffee with flavoring. No matter how many times I tell him that I don't drink coffee, He tries again. It's getting a little annoying.

     So tell me Whats one of your standards that you have a problem with?