be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. in thoroughness is satisfaction.

"You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do." F. Enzio Busche

As the year comes to a close I again reflect on what this year has brought, what goals I accomplished, and what goals I have for the year ahead. Yeah, there were small goals I never accomplished--like obtain moccasins, invent something, and donate blood--but there were a lot of big goals I did accomplish. Going to ten temples was the biggest. I also went to college, planted a garden, and gave service. This year has been very good for me!

1. Provo. January 3, 2011.

2. Mt Timpanogos. January 22, 2011.

3. Draper. March 19, 2011.

4. St George. August 16, 2011.

5. Jordan River. September 10, 2011.

6. Salt Lake. December 3, 2011.

7. Oquirrah. December 8, 2011.

8. Bountiful. December 14, 2011.

9. Twin Falls. December 14, 2011.

10. Columbia River. December 15, 2011.

A few on my list for next year:

3. Read your scriptures every day. This one I tried this year starting in August and missed like twenty days. Not so good..haha next year will be better!

8. Go on a hike. I haven't been on a hike in a long time :)

21. Get a scholarship. That. Is a necessity.

Good luck with yours :)

Namaste.

to store 448.

I am going to miss working at the Orem Hobby Lobby. All of the people there are so wonderful! They have become like family to me. I have loved how much they have welcomed me and gotten to know me, and I will miss each and every one of them. I hope the store continues to be successful so they are happy. I will never work with anyone like them ever again, and I will miss their different personalities and humor a lot! It has been a wonderful year!

a post about my brother.

Not a day goes by that I do not  think about my brother. Sadness fills my heart when I think of him. Sadness. And hope. I love him very much.

I remember the day I told him I hated him. I remember the day he threw up all over me. I remember when we played all day with our harry potter legos, or when we played harry potter without legos and he always got to have the coolest wand. I remember watching batman and power rangers with him and pretending I didn't like it, and jumping across pillows in the living room like there was lava under them.

I especially loved when he cornered me and pretended to have a llama and that he would poke me in the butt with a stick. Or when we shoved his face into his ice cream cake for his birthday. I have loved every moment, good or bad, of growing up with him. He has always been there for me and always loved and taken me as I am. I miss how he never let me let go of the moment I ran straight into a fence on my bike, or exclaimed that I loved the jello my mom made when it was really jam!

Over this last year, I have really missed having someone I am so close to. Someone to make fun of me and to look at me like I'm stupid when I'm..being stupid! I have missed getting him to smile when all he wants to do is look like he hates the world. I have missed having a brother.

I'm grateful that in just a 'week and a half!' I will be able to see him again. I hope one day he will be able to find a true happiness that will never leave him. He deserves it. I love him very much and will never stop loving him :)

something cliche about thanksgiving.

Besides the usual things like family, friends, work and shelter that I normally am grateful for, here are some of those random things I think about each day that I'm grateful for. (However that does not lessen the amount of gratefulness I have for those every day things--they keep me going through life and I love them very much!)

I'm grateful that my computer has lasted this long. They say lap tops only last a year and mine has that beat! I hope it lasts for a llllonngg time too.

I'm grateful for my car. Yes I've put more into it than it's worth, but it's good not to have a car payment. Soon it will take me to visit my nieces and nephew very often :)

I'm grateful for Grandma Jackie. She has taken me in like her own grandchild. I love to see her almost every Sunday. She is one of the reasons I have grown to love Sundays! And she always makes sure I have a family to spend the holidays with. I will miss her a lot!

I'm grateful for my blankets. They're so cuddly!

I'm grateful for the beauty of Utah. I wake up every day to a perfect scene. When it's cold and snowy, it looks beautiful doing it, and when it's cold and not snowy, it looks even more beautiful.

I'm grateful for a temple incredibly close to me that allows walk ins. It has become a huge blessing to me. Anywhere else in the world, I wouldn't have been allowed to do so.

I'm grateful for this past year. I have learned more this past year about character, about myself, and about people than any other year of my existence.

I'm grateful for institute. I will never have the privilege again that I have had this past year with institute. I will miss it terribly.

I'm grateful that I get to be home for Christmas this year. Oh so grateful. Like I want to cry I'm that grateful.

I'm grateful for my carhartt. I love it! It keeps me so warm on these freezing cold nights.

I'm grateful for the people I work with. I have so many good examples in my workplace, and the people I work with all get along well. They are amazing hard workers and amazing friends.

I am grateful for the people in my life who put up with me. I'm very odd. Sometimes people even try to understand me. I'm grateful that some people just accept me and decide to live with me.

Oh when should I stop this list? There are so many blessings I have in my life!! Uno mas.

I am grateful for the happiness I can feel through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love life :)

you know what.

I'm okay.

:)

hmm. i like this.

"I find the whole concept of being ‘sexy’ embarrassing and confusing. If I do an interview with photographs people desperately want to change me – dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows, give me a fringe. Then there’s the choice of clothes. I know everyone wants a picture of me in a mini-skirt. But that’s not me. I feel uncomfortable. I’d never go out in a mini-skirt. It’s nothing to do with protecting the Hermione image. I wouldn’t do that. Personally, I don’t actually think it’s even that sexy. What’s sexy about saying, ‘I’m here with my boobs out and a short skirt, have a look at everything I’ve got?’ My idea of sexy is that less is more. The less you reveal the more people can wonder."

We need more good examples for younger kids these days. Actually, she's an example to me! Jeni reminds me every day that I'm technically still a "teen" though :)

Peace.

easiness.

It doesn't matter how efficient it is. What matters is that you are where God wants you to be and where He needs you to be at that time, and it doesn't matter if that moment lasts two minutes or two years.

--Reflections on a two year mission from a guy in my ward

:)

wow. incredible.

I am so grateful I drove just five minutes down the street yesterday to hear and listen to this because I wasn't going to. I feel so loved by my Heavenly Father, and I am so happy! Love.

Also. Can you smell the air? Can you feel the service-minded people? Maybe you can't, but I am sooo ready for it. I can just imagine it now.



it's only three minutes and thirteen seconds.

For unto you this day is born a Savior, and He shall be called Jesus Christ. His name shall be called wonderful, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace.

He lives.

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

sunday.

"When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God. In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take...If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again. " --Elder Busche

Today is a day of remembrance--something that is very important in our lives. It is the anneversary of a life changing, horribly tragic event. I encourage you to not only remember those who have died for our country, but to remember who you are--a Spirit child of Heavenly Father, having lived for thousands of years. Remember why you are here on Earth. Remember the plan of salvation--remember where all who died ten years ago today have gone. Remember how deeply Heavenly Father loves you, and how deeply He loves all of His children. I testify that those who died on this day are well cared for now. I know that we will see our loved ones again. I have felt the piercing Spirit testify that I will see my loved ones again. That I will live with them again. That Heavenly Father loves them and takes care of them. That knowledge brings me great happiness.

Namaste :)

sunday.

“Testimony isn't something you have today, and you are going to have always. A testimony is fragile. It is as hard to hold as a moonbeam. It is something you have to recapture every day of your life.” --Harold B. Lee

sunday.

sunday.

wow. incredible.

Okay. This is kind of weird, but I was just looking through a friend's wedding pictures, and found these ones in the same album. Credit: Arielle Aimee Photography. You can browse her photography blog here: http://arielleaimeephotography.blogspot.com/

Her pictures are so incredibly amazing.

Makiya

I am very blessed to be blessed with so many nieces and one nephew. If I understood correctly (I was listening to spanish) Makiya was 8 lbs 4 oz and 19 in. Eight llbs and four oozes. Becca is doing well also.

I have such a good life :)

fathers day.

I really don't know what to say for father's day.


I still remember those nights
when I would purposely fall asleep on your bed
just so you would carry me down the stairs
and put me in my own bed.

I'm pretty sure you knew,
but you carried me anyway.

And you continue to carry me
all the time.

I love you.

pickles are gross.

A presentation given by a guest speaker in my career class really struck me. He mostly talked about how our generation has a lot of bad qualities when searching for a job, but there were a few good qualities in there like globally aware and technologically advanced. He threw out some terms that I guess are pretty big right now. Helicopter parents was a big one. Kid's parents are playing huge roles in their kid's lives nowadays.

Studies show that people are not 'coming of age' and making their own decisions until age 29, and a lot of that has to do with parents being too sheltering. Lets face it, most of our parents are texting us every day and wanting to know what we are doing and how we are doing (mine definitely do not fit into this category, but a lot of parents now do). He pointed out that parents are paying for their children's education now, and they want to make sure their investments reap benefits. They make sure every class signed up for is appropriate, and that we do well on each and every assignment and test. Most people my age have a security net in that they are welcomed to move back home with their parents at any time.

This helicopter parent syndrome is actually causing children to be less motivated, and less likely to make decisions, which ultimately leads to employers not wanting to hire my generation. They don't want to waste time and money by hiring someone that will leave in six months or even two years--often before the training period is even complete. An employee must stay with a business for at least four years before they are shown to be profitable to the company. Previous generations are more prone to making the decision and sticking with that decision for at least five years. The average person nowadays changes careers seven times in their lifetime.

Taking a look back into history, children were even on their own at fourteen or fifteen without parental support. This concept is just very interesting to me. Employers actually don't want to hire from my generation because we are less likely to make choices, less likely to stick to our choices and impatient. On the opposite side of the scale, we are more advanced in technology and we also are thinking globally, which is something all businesses are starting to pick up.

I think my parents are exempt, for the most part, from being "helicopter parents." I do have many of the securities of my generation, but from an early age I was learning to be independent. At this point in my life where I don't know which path to choose, my parents won't even help me make a decision at ALL. Sometimes, I wish they just would. At the same time though, I hate people telling me what to do. My aunt always talks about how independent I am. A lot of times that same independence gets me in trouble though.

So. Mainly my point of this post that the discussion was great, and that you should tell me what to do with my life because my parents are not helicopter parents. Mmkay thanks.

my nieces are cute-er than yours.

I saw the CUTEST little girl at work today who looked JUST like Emma in a few years. The little girl ran over to the isle I was on, plopped a princess toy down on the ground in the middle of the walkway, and ran away again. Just as I was about to pick it up and put it away, I heard her pattering over again. She dropped a princess coloring book on the pile and disappeared. Later she came back over with more toys and started playing with all of them, always turning around to make sure her mom wasn't going to see her and take her prizes away. She reminded me so much of Emma :)

I'm going to shadow a couple of yoga classes (eight hours worth actually) for my career class. Hello best job on the planet. I'm so excited.

In other news, I am swamped with crap to do. I mean homework. Wow how did I get those mixed up?...

Namaste.

i love you mom.

What makes a mother good? What makes her mission successful?

My mother is just great. I would say the greatest, but that is what everyone says about their mom and it becomes a little cliche. Or a lot. So she's just great. And by just, I mean amazingly wonderfully.

I've been taking this career class in school and they keep asking us what our mission is in life. I guess I can see everyone else's missions, but not my own. I can see my mom's mission, and every day she takes a step closer to accomplishing it. I've also been thinking about how my life has made me dislike children. I get to see a lot of snotty nosed brats working retail and being in Utah. However, when my sister in law had Stryker, I fell in love. I think being around him from the beginning of his life and seeing him growing up gave me a deep love for him. I love that kid with all my heart. We used to just fall asleep together on the couch when he was a little baby and we would take hour long naps. I guess when I see those kids come in to work or when I have to deal with kids in other situations, that loving bond is not present.

I have always felt that bond from my mom. I have always known that she loves me, and that is something that sets her apart from a lot of other moms--the fact that she does love me, and that I knew and know through her actions that she does.

I am so grateful for her. I'm grateful that she put up with me when I was so little that I told lies that were completely obvious. I'm grateful that she allowed me to dream, and that she taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be. I'm grateful that she put up with me through my teenage years of PMS and hormones. Man even just that was a huge accomplishment. I'm grateful that even now, I can call her and get her advice that helps me to know just what to do. I'm grateful that I can feel her love for me through just the simple things she does every day that she probably doesn't even realize she's doing, but that make a huge difference to me.

Just a few childhood memories:

I used to come home from school crying. Often actually. My mom would just sit with me on my bed and hug me until I would tell her what was wrong. And then she would sit there and hug me more.

When I needed a friend, my mom wouldn't say anything but "Do you want to go shopping?" and it would take my mind off of things. My mom became my best friend. Most girls go shopping with their friends, and I did some of that, but mostly I just loved to shop with my mom. And that is another thing that sets her apart from other moms.

When I fell on glass or cut my eyebrow and was bleeding all over the place, my mom cleaned it up.

My mom got all five kids to church every stinkin week without my dad being there in the morning. Every week. On top of that, she would have a young women or primary lesson planned for her class that very day. What an astounding woman.

When my little brother was old enough and in school, my mom went back to school herself to pursue a passion she had had for a while and had put aside to raise a family. She achieved a degree while constantly being annoyed by five kids while she was trying to do homework.

My mom is a bishop's wife. That says a lot. How hard and taxing it is! She does it wonderfully. She sacrifices so much to help my dad in his calling. She also supports him in everything he does. When there is a need in the ward, my mom will give up her luxuries to give to them.

Those experiences are just a few. And by few, I mean a terrible representation of eighteen years of my life where my mom did these things over and over for me.

My mom is the sweetest, most beautiful, selfless, generous person I know. I love you mom. I always have and I always will. Happy mothers day.

wait a second.

Hey life? Where did you go?

This is going to be so much harder than I thought. I guess I will see you again in 14 weeks. Hopefully.

finally some springish summerish sunshine. ish.

I'm really sad that my institute class is almost over. That class has taught me so much! In just a few short months I have been inspired so much more than even Brother Toth's four years he had with me in high school. And I thought Brother Toth's class was amazing! I have learned much much more about Christ than I have ever before. A lot of that has been my own personal study because I was inspired to study up at home as well. I only have two class periods left, and I will really miss it.

Work. I go home happy now. I love my new position. I've been making a lot of little mistakes, but I haven't had any training on the position like what I am actually in charge of or what I am supposed to do in this situation. I have observed the other CSM while I was on a register and everything, but not really in depth or I haven't paid that much attention because my job was different from hers. Nevertheless, I am learning the ways and I will get to a point where I don't let any mistakes by. I just have done things like forget to vaccum earlier than the announcement of closing or lock money in the drawer instead of giving it straight to a manager. Or not knowing that I was in charge of putting the sliding doors on one-way when we are closed so customers wouldn't get in. Or leaving the droors closed at the end of the night instead of open so the office lady can get to it in the morning. Or...haha the list goes on. I haven't made the same mistake twice though--so I am learning :)

Namaste.

Live, Laugh & Love

I've been thinking.

I know, I know. You didn't know I was capable of thought.

I've been trying lately to study Christ's actions on the earth and to be more like Him through following what He did. Here are just a few of my thoughts today:

If we are not supposed to let our left hands know what our right hands are doing, imagine how much more Christ must have done in His life. Our lives and service are supposed to be kept secret, and Christ's was written about and preserved through the years. I guess I have never thought about how much He must have done that is not documented.

Also. I have been trying to be more like Christ--thinking the way He did and acting the way He did. In institute, we were talking about how when we are in the service of our fellow men, we are only in the service of our God. Therefore, the service is really coming from God. I have been trying to think and be like Christ, when what I really could be doing is trying to think and act like God, which is all Christ was really doing with His life. I donno--I guess that thought was more of an eye opening thing as I was sitting in institute this morning.

I was watching a movie on Emma Smith last night. I liked a couple of the quotes in the movie like, "when the spirit of truth touches your heart, then there is no room for doubt," "shall we not go on in such great a cause?" and "sometimes you know things with your heart that you don’t know with your head." It was a good movie. You really had to know the church's history in order to understand it though because it jumped around without transitioning into the next thought!

I loved General Conference this past weekend. I laughed really hard when C. Scott Grow started talking :D Here are just a few of my favorite quotes from the speakers throughout the four sessions I saw:

"Everyone is tested. One might think it is unfair to be singled out and subjected to a particular temptation, but this is the purpose of mortal life—to be tested. And the answer is the same for everyone: we must, and we can, resist temptations of any kind." –Boyd K Packer

"Inside the footlocker was a wooden tray and package of sacrament cups so that we could be blessed by the peace and hope of the Lord’s Supper even in the conflict and despair of war." –L Tom Perry

"Warn them that they will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, one keeps all of His commandments." –Russell M. Nelson

"It is true. We live to die, and we die to live again. From an eternal perspective, the only death that is truly premature is the death of one who is not prepared to meet God." –Russell M. Nelson

"...tithing will keep your name enrolled among the people of God." –Russell M. Nelson

"I testify to you that our Father in Heaven loves His children. He loves us. He loves you. When necessary the Lord will even carry you over obstacles as you seek His peace with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Often He speaks to us in ways that we can hear only with our heart. To better hear His voice, it would be wise to turn down the volume control of the worldly noise in our lives. If we ignore or block out the promptings of the Spirit for whatever reason, they become less noticeable until we cannot hear them at all. Let us learn to hearken to the promptings of the Spirit and then be eager to heed them." –Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us…By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own." –Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"My brothers and sisters, temples are more than stone and mortar. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service." –Thomas S. Monson

"I express my undying gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the temple now being built in Rome and for all of our temples, wherever they are. Each one stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations. Each of our temples is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and as certain as is our life here on earth. I so testify." –Thomas S. Monson

"Brethren, do you lead out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening, or does your wife fill in the gap your lack of attention leaves in the home? Do you tell your wife often how very much you love her? It will bring her great happiness. I’ve heard men tell me when I say that, “Oh, she knows.” You need to tell her. A woman grows and is greatly blessed by that reassurance. Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often." –Richard G. Scott

"As I have thought back over our life together, I realize how blessed we’ve been. We have not had arguments in our home or unkind words between us. Now I realize that blessing came because of her. It resulted from her willingness to give, to share, and to never think of herself." –Richard G. Scott

"It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. In time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions. You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences—together." –Richard G. Scott

For the past few years I have been thinking that I will be a better person when I am older and more mature. I would be better at following the commandments (and not being a cafeteria chooser) when I am older. In the past few weeks I have been thinking about how I will never reach that point when I'm older unless I find a place to start. I'm wondering, why not start now? Why not be the best I can be right now? I have no answer for the why not. I just know that I have a new approach on my life, and I'm starting NOW. I hope it sticks with me.



Take every opportunity to live fully. Laugh often to firm up your tummy. Love with all your heart. :)

beauty lies all around.

This made my day soooo good. Lily Ann. :) :) :)

Today was my last day of NOT working as a Customer Service Manager. Next week I start! Everyone at work has been telling me how they wouldn't want the job. I guess mean people don't get to me as much as others. Some of the people at work will take angry customers personally and it makes them feel horrible. I'm not that way. Speaking of angry and horrible customers, yesterday I got a lady who wanted to make a return, but her receipt was from April of 2010!! We don't even carry the product anymore! She got so mad at me when all I was trying to do was help her! The old man behind her was just like, "jeez it's not your fault!" to me. I love old men. Haha. I had this one old guy a while ago that said, loud and clear, "are all your customers that rude and inconsiderate?" right in front of the lady. Oh goodness.

Today was so sunshiney and happy. Yay.

I went to Harbor Freight the other day (thank you dad for telling me where the cheapest tools were located) and bought me some wrenches and socket wrenches. I fixed my car! No more problems. Sweetness.

blessed be thy feet upon the mountaintops.

In relief society today, a girl shared a story that I never want to forget. We were talking about service, and this girl got up and shared a story that she remembered from when she was a girl and her mom was the relief society president. One year as a relief society they were going to help a family in need to have a good Christmas. The relief society president asked anyone who could help to serve this family by donating to bring items to her house and drop them off. One night a woman came with just one small box--full of everything she had--food, toys, and clothes. What the woman didn't know is that the Christmas surprise was for her. Even after all we have given, we can find a way to give more. This woman really inspired me. She was ready to give up everything to give another family a Christmas. She had hardly anything, and she was going to serve another.

My dad is the biggest example of how a person should be. He is the bishop of his ward back home, and works all the time to help my family survive. I love him very much. He finds time, after all he has done, to be with family. No questions asked, he will go out and serve anyone and everyone in need. He is such a wonderful person and a great example of service and faith. I miss him very much. I have always wanted to recite a scripture to him ever since I read it in seminary years ago. It states: "And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth! (3 Nephi 20:40)." I have always wanted to tell him how beautiful his feet are upon the mountaintops. It just always seemed like a weird thing to say to someone :)

Peace.

rested and ready to rock and roll :]

In institute we were talking about how a house becomes a home because of the people who live in it. An empty house is not much of a home! I was thinking about that thought a lot while I was sitting in the temple this morning. The temple is Heavenly Father's home because He dwells there. If He was not there, it would just be a pretty, but empty building. I like the thought that Heavenly Father makes it His home because He is there. I was also thinking about our bodies being temples. In primary class they would always pound into our brains that our bodies were temples. Now I finally know why. Heavenly Father dwells with us--and that is really what makes our body a temple--Heavenly Father is always with us.

OH OH OH OH OH!! I know what I'm forgetting to tell you!!! I got a free pillow AND a free 3-piece knife set from RCWilley! I just went in and asked for them and they gave them to me for FREE. I didn't realize how much my old pillow was disrupting my sleep! I slept on the new pillow (the FREEEE one!) and did not wake up the entire night! I am so rested and happy. Happy happy happy. Free free free. YAY.

explanations.

I have never been any good at saying what I want to say in only one word or one sentence. I have never had a talent with words. Making things so short never leaves me fully satisfied :) So here it goes: an explanation of a few of my favorites from my last post.

First. Spring gardening. This is actually a picture of my garden back at home from last year. I wanted to explain that the plant in the front was peppermint, and whenever you touched it to weed it or harvest it you would end up smelling like a peppermint weed for the rest of the night. I never really used that plant, but I liked it! Also, behind the peppermint there are the cutest little sprouts I have ever seen--asparagus. My first attempt at growing asparagus. They never grew big enough to eat! But they were SO INCREDIBLY CUTE. Gardening makes me so happy! It's a big deal.

Second. My favorite instrument is the ukulele. I have NEVER been able to pull another instrument off, but I'm not too shabby at the ukulele. I'm always getting better, but I know I will never go anywhere with it. I am so musically challenged that it's sad. The pictured ukulele is my very own baby, all pineappley and grown up.

C. Longboarding. This is definitely not a picture of me, although I have been thinking of getting a new board. The warm weather makes me anxious to get outside and feel the wind on my face! I am kind of a hopeless longboarder though--I know I will never be any good at that either. I love it though!

Fourth. Out of all of the music on my mp3 and all the music I have heard in my life, I have to say my favorite singer is Tyrone Wells. His music always makes me happy, and it never gets old. I have been to a couple of his concerts, and he always seems like a really nice guy!

Explanation: complete.

In other news, my brand spankin new niece will be born on the 31st or sometime close after. I'm REALLY excited!! The close date makes me miss my sister and Emma a lot. I guess Emma is up and taking a few steps now. I hate not being home when my niece and nephew are growing up. I'm missing all of the fun!

And. I miss my mom.

:)

favorites.

most excited for right now (spring gardening).

good times. good times.

favorite food (mom's rolls).

favorite instrument.

  

where i live.

home.

favorite pass time.

favorite book.

inspiration.

favorite movie. 

favorite artist (tyrone wells).

family.

favorite memories.

i'm such an amazing shopper.. ;)

I went to smiths today--pretty much my favorite store ever--and they PAYED me to take pizzas off their hands! Five cents a pizza actually. And I bought gushers fruit snacks for only a dollar a box. On top of that, a coupon was spit out for THREE dollars off my next purchase! Ka-chow!! I was super excited! Guess what's for dinner tonight?

Today I had the day off and Jeni didn't have school because it's President's day. We went shopping! Usually not a fun idea for me, but I was really in the mood for it! We took Megan along too. All three of us found a cute pair of shoes. Mine are RED. It has been so long since I've had a red pair of shoes and I am super excited about it! Jeni found a pair for her interview dress for the pageant. They're grey peep toes.

inspiration.

My cousin Jeni is participating in a pageant soon. A few days ago I went to a mock interview with her so I could take notes on how she was answering the questions. One of the things an interviewer told her was to think of two people who inspire her. One has to be a woman that is not a family member and the other a character from a book. I've been thinking about these two people who might have inspired me in my life.

First: a woman. I've always loved and admired Coco Chanel. I know I'm not all that into the latest fashion, but Coco Chanel is a huge inspiration to me. When she was little, her mother died and her father shortly left her and her little sister all alone in the world. Coco, then Gabrielle, took it upon herself to take care of her sister. She had nothing. No job, no money, no schooling. Gabrielle worked her way up the chain, taking many many risks and using her skills to become one of the most famous fashion designers of all time. She took huge risks--wearing pants when women were only wearing skirts and sewing with jersey material when only male workers wore that kind of cloth. Her sister died when they were both very young, and Coco was able to pull through. I admire her strength and courage very much.

Second: a character from a book. A favorite book of mine is called Red Midnight by Ben Mikaelsen. In this book the main character, Santiago, inspires me. He too was forced to take care of a little sister after both of his parents died from a guerrilla attack in Guatemala. Santiago sails across the sea to America with his sister to find freedom. I've always admired Santiago's courage and love here too. He keeps himself alive to save his sister because he knows she will not survive without him. Through all of his trials like escaping the village, learning to sail, encountering pirates, and maintaining food level for his sister and himself, Santiago remains hopeful of a better life. In the end, he accomplishes his task and finds a better life for his sister.

I admire these people who are faced with so many hard things in their life and pull through them. I know everyone has trials in their lives. What defines a person is how well they pull through--and if they can pull through them. When I look at other's trials, I see how good my own life is. I have so many blessings, and often I don't even recognize them. One of my favorite songs I sing in church often is called 'Count Your Many Blessings.' It states, "count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." So, here it goes. My top ten blessings as of today.

1. Family
2. Parents who raised me with love and everything I could ask for
3. My aunt and uncle
4. A house to live in
5. The gospel in my life
6. Food!
7. My car
8. Temples close to me
9. The education I have received
10. A job. Especially in this economy

I feel like I should be having turkey tonight :)

Overall, I'm grateful for where I am in life. I'm grateful for all of the blessings Heavenly Father has chosen to give me. I'm grateful that I have both of my parents in my life and my brothers and sister are all healthy and doing well. I'm grateful for the knowledge that I will live with my family forever, even after we die in this life. I am grateful for Christ, who suffered for my sins and sicknesses. I know that I am a child of God and that He knows me and loves me.

Namaste.

suuunshine, i'd really like to tell you oh my suunshine, even though your skies are blue

Oh where to begin, where to begin...this morning I woke up with what I was thinking was completely enough time to get to classes and realized after I got out of the shower that my classes were starting in four minutes. Thirty minute drive, five minutes fixing the hair...NOT gonna make it :) I decided to bake cookies instead of going to class! This required a stop at the local grocery store. I needed milk anyway. Results: yummy chocolate cake mix cookies to send to a missionary in the MTC. At Smiths I saved a bundle on rice a roni! YUM. I love that place. They always have great deals! Once I even obtained ten, yes TEN, cream cheeses for 24 CENTS (tax). Props to my sister for being all coupon savvy and telling me about the best deals...

After shopping and baking and cooking and cleaning, I worked the night shift. I haven't done that in ages! It was really nice to get a lot of stuff done this morning and then go to work. The night shift makes me so tired! I loved to see my co-workers that I don't often see though! Seriously. I love everyone I work with! It's wonderful.