What is it that can make me stand out from the rest? Probably nothing, I'm pretty average. I look pretty average, my life is pretty average, but those who know me best think I'm pretty awesome, and they know that there is something much deeper to me than most people let themselves see. Why do they think so? Probably because I have surmounted some "more-than-average" stuff, and I'm still alive to tell. I once heard a quote that those who have great potential, will be the ones most "tested", that the "trying" is practice for a more godly existence. I believe that I'm getting plenty of practice, I just hope that I have been learning enough from them, and that I won't keep doing the same things wrong, and have to keep "repeating" these "practices". I have yet to get even close to seeing what I can potentially become. Going to the temple puts that in a more eternal perspective, which I like, since this life is speeding by too fast to grab onto what I thought my potential should be here thus far....so an eternal perspective gives me hope that there is still plenty of time to live up to whatever greatness I'm suppose to achieve....so I'm just looking for someone who is also trying to do his best in this life, and trying not to screw things up for the life here-after....wanting to live to his full-potential and love as God loves us, and be loved as well in return.

Being a single mother, I don't get out at as much as I'd like to, but when I do, I like to escape to the mountains as much as I can. Besides the temple, that is where I can find the most peace and quiet, and renew my spirit. Just thinking about drinking in the clear-mountain air and smells soothes my soul. I particularly like to hike. It's cheap, it's good exercise (without having to force myself to do it--same with cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing in the winter), and there's usually a never-ending thrill of God's beauties and creations there, even if it's just a little moss growing on a rock. I guess I appreciate the "little things" and like to take my time to enjoy them. I have a strong attraction to plants (I regret now that I didn't go into something to do with plants for a career--guess there's still time!) and would like to study them more closely, because I really enjoy sharing them with others, whether it's plants in the mountains or plants in my own garden. My oldest son is so tired of me pointing out plants to him since he could care less (he's a teenager). But at least my girls are getting old enough to care (and to go on hikes with me). My son calls me a "hippy" at times. Probably because I like to recycle things as much as I can (my parents grew up at the end of the depression), when I'm in nature... I don't like to disturb things if I can help it (even though I have an "exploring" heart and like to go off the beaten path)...finding litter in the mountains makes me really angry, I hate reckless use of out natural resources, I like certain things from the 70's era, and sometimes I'm a "granola cruncher" (eating healthy--basically the Word-Of-Wisdom diet--which I don't do as much as I should because I always feel so much better when I eat that way--so I'm always trying to get back to that way of eating). I enjoy traveling, site seeing, and seeing new places. Something I really hope to be able to do more of soon. I enjoy good movies (at home or at the theater...I tend to be old-fashioned and like the good-ole' classics, or else to the extreme of fantasy or sci-fi), good restaurants, good books. I'm not much of a sports lover (playing or watching), although I enjoy entertaining sports such as bowling, dart throwing, ping-pong, racketball, pool, swimming, etc. I'm not much of a risk-taker, especially since I've been a mom, but I'm willing to try new things as long as they are considerably safe (my kids still need me). I plan on going back to school again in a few years because I was never able to finish school (marriage, kids, and other things have gotten in the way thus far). I love biology, and I have one former biology professor who thought I should be a doctor (I do love human anatomy, but I never liked needles, and I've found out just how much I loathe cadavers), but I haven't figured out my "call" yet (maybe botany, psychology, or something). I like to learn new things by reading and doing hands-on-learning. I want to learn how to do so many things that it's hard to pick just one thing. I hope to have more time to devote to my many interests some day. I hope to be in a position where I can retire one day and work in the temple and go on a mission. Hopefully it will be with my eternal companion (whom I have been promised is out there preparing for me right now).