Family Matters

Meet Soren, my 2-year-old nephew. He wears converse sneakers, has an obsession with brooms and golf clubs, and has gorgeous golden curls that I am envious of. He resides in Portland with his parents (my sister Cho and her husband Scott).

Meet Cora and Claire, my neices. Cora is 4 years old. Her favorite animal is a pigmy marmoset, her favorite article of clothing is her princess dress, and she absolutely loves spending time with her Aunt Desi. It's true - just ask her! Claire is 2, and her current favorite word is "why?" She thrives off creating messes and peeing on every clean surface in her house, and has the most intense head of bleach-white hair I have ever seen, especially right after waking up. They live in Boise with their parents (my sister Amber and her husband Mark).

These are the girls in my family, in a traditional family pic (probably, it's better if you just don't ask): My sister Cho, me, and my sisters Amber and Michelle. These girls are my best friends.

This is my favorite (and only) little brother, Michael, and his wife Anne. They live near my hometown of Payette, ID. And no matter what he says or how strong he looks, I really can take him down...

Next up is my mom, Jeanne, and my step-dad, Val. They live in Payette, Idaho, and I would say they are empty nesters, except they share their five acres with some chickens and cows. My mom was recently crowned Superest Mom of the Universe, and still the title does her no justice.

I need to add a picture of my step-mom, Trista, which is extremely difficult as she refuses to be in pictures! However, I will accomplish this mission...Just know she is a pastry chef, and makes one mean cherry-pear crisp with coconut almond topping.... I do not have any current photos of her, but please know my half-sister Angelina is also a very important part of my life.

Finally, as soon as I am able to upload them, I will scan in some photos of my Father, Steven Lewis Heide, who passed away May 28th 2004. He was a man you would have argued with, while enjoying a mexican feast at one of his favorite mom and pop restaurants. You might have rolled your eyes at his ridiculous wit, or maybe listened as he played one of his "hand clapping, toe tapping, knee slapping, sweet country songs"on his guitar. You would have really enjoyed him.

This is my family; may you get to know them and love them as much as I do.

Jumping in

So I guess this post officially inducts me into the blogging world. I never thought I would see this day, mostly because I suffer from what those in the sociology world call "cultural lag." Basically, I am always a step or two, a year of two, or a new gadget or two behind everyone else. I realized I was out of one loop when I stepped off the plane from Buenos Aires into the Washington DC airport in 2005, and a gentleman sitting next to me was writing on a palm pilot... when it rang. At that moment, I knew I was not in Kansas anymore. I had a brain and a heart and courage (I had just returned from an 18 month mission in a foreign country, which I found required all of the above), and I felt I did not need anything more - especially not a cell phone. Four months later I found myself with one in my hand, but I reminded everyone it was only because my parents would not let me head to college without one. Now, when my cell phone dies with no charger in sight, I panic and try to remember how I functioned in the olden days.

Next, we move to facebook. I refused for over two years to get involved in all the hype surrounding this sensation. It wasted time, and was risky, I was sure. Then, I moved to Austin and was called into the Relief Society presidency. Out of utter neccessity, and against everything I personally believed in, I created a page in order to keep up with the comings and goings of the sisters in my ward, and stay "in the know" with ward happenings. I vowed aloud to anyone who would listen that I was not a fan, and that I would not let it become my life. Now, I check it on a daily basis, and rely on it for my social calendar, birthday reminders, and memory-making purposes. It is not my life, but if facebook ever did go down, I'd have to remember how to use a cell phone again. Just kidding.

In September 2000, I recived a Mac desktop as a highschool graduation present. On that blueberry-colored mega brain I hacked out research papers and New Testament summaries at wee hours of the morning, all through my first years of college. After the mission, it still functioned, just shuffled along and required a few multi-vitamins for some joint pain and arthritis. I continued stubbornly using my computer for years, until 2008, when I attempted to open my facebook page and my Mac's internet explorer rejected my attempt, stating my version was not tough enough to handle it. I broke down. Not in tears, though I came close since simply looking at my Mac elicits nostalgia for my college years. No, I broke down and purchased a laptop, which I now use on a daily basis.

I could go on, about texting and digital cameras, but I'll spare you. Basically, a good friend of mine from NY whispered in my ear a year back that it would be great if I had a blog so she could keep up with my life. I whispered back, "no." Then, more recently, I reviewed the blog of another friend, and realized not only can it be used as a journal entry/memorybook for myself and (future) posterity, but it can be a tool for sharing my testimony and the Gospel with others. So, with that in mind, and in the face of 'cultural lag', here I go...