Thanksgiving 2011

My Thanksgiving was wonderful. It was full of family, laughing, and fun. It's so good that both of my brothers now have houses in Parma so whenever I go home they are there. It will only get better once they all start having more and more children. Mariah was in a hurry to get home for break so we left after work to head home. I don't like leaving that late, but she drove half of the way so I slept. That night we just went to Austin's because we wanted to see Liam (OK and everyone else).
Wednesday was chill. I prepped for Thanksgiving by pre-making my rolls. I also went shopping with my mother. I slept a lot on Wednesday, I knew my body needed it. I party WAY too much and definitely don't sleep enough (that's ok though). Hyrum and Emma came over and we made turkey's courtesy of Pinterest.

Cute Turkey's!

 Skyping with B!

Mom's photo that she thinks is hilarious!

Thursday was turkey day. In the morning we had the 1^st Annual Turkey Trot. It was a good time, a genuine 5K. My mother and her friends are crazy about running, and so I have a feeling this will be a bonafide tradition from now on. I better get on it to train for next year. We had cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate after (like I was going to have any room later). Since we missed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (which is my all time favorite) I watched what I missed on the DVR and finished up on the rolls. By that time it was time to eat. I am always emotional at Thanksgiving. It's that overwhelming blessed feeling I am sure. Especially when we go around and say what we are thankful for, it's hard narrowing it down to just a few small things. The food was so good per usual. My mom is an amazing cook, and so is the rest of my family. After we slept and vegged out we made our game plan for Black Friday. This year the stores opened at midnight, so it was going to be an all-nighter for us.

 Getting ready to run in the Turkey Trot

 The table!

 My rolls! Yummy carbs!

 Liam and Dad checking the turkey!

 Here's Liam ready to help. Mom had her apron on so he had to have his on too!

 Carving the turkey!

 My sister and me. We sort of color coordinated!

 Mariah getting tipsy before the dinner?

 YUM! Time to eat!

 Black Friday ads and Christmas list making time!

Liam just being cute!

Mom and I left at 11:15 p.m. and headed to Target. It was funny because B called me and he was getting ready to go to bed and I was just getting started. The line to get into Target wrapped around the building, it was nuts. Suprisingly enough mom and I have done this enough time we have a system. I wait in line she finds what she needs, or vice versa. It's pretty amazing. She totally got what she needed and we were in and out in 20 minutes. Next was Old Navy but the line was a 45 minute wait just to get in, uh no thanks. Then we went to Walmart and it was a ghost town and I still got what I wanted there. I guess the craziest place was JoAnn's! I had to fight off the old ladies for what I wanted there. Good thing I went and grabbed a number so we could get our numbers so we could get our material cut fast! Mom and I didn't arrive home until 8:00 in the morning. Talk about a marathon day. But it was a lot of fun. I slept the rest of the afternoon.
 The rest of the break I just chilled. I really needed it. I slept and just had a good time with my family. We played a lot of games and of course Liam entertained us. Oh and we took family pictures for our annual Christmas card. When I get those I'll post those as well. I love my family! I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to go home!

Give Thanks!

I don't know how much time I will have to blog while I am at home. I just seem to block out all technology when I am home (well besides TV), just because I don't want to have to worry about anything while I am there. So today I figured I would do my Thanksgiving post, because well I have much to be thankful for. Every year during this time I look back at how much I've learned and grown over the past year. It always amazes me to see how much that really has happened. How truly blessed I am for all of the things that I have. Here's my list:

• The gospel. It is my source of happiness and joy. This year I've had to rely so much upon it and I'm grateful how my testimony has grown this year. Prayer has been essential to my sanity as well. It seemed that the only way I could process my thoughts was through prayer. I'm sure God appreciated it! Included are my Savior and Heavenly Father who I have been personally trying to build a relationships with.
• My family. To say I've depended on them this year is a huge understatement. My mother has been there to listen, my brothers to give advice, and my sisters to cheer me up and make me happy, my dad for his wisdom and priesthood, and my sister-in-laws for bring protective and understanding. I often wonder why God blessed me with such an amazing support group of people. I am sure grateful for their understanding and love. As I've said before I love that my home is a place of refuge and strength for me, and my family will always be my moral compass and guide… "we're all in this together". I can't help but get emotional when I talk about my family because they are the most important thing to me. There are no other people on the planet that I would rather be with than them. Oh and Liam, whom I most grateful for because he's just pure joy and love.
• Brycen Taylor. If I said that I was blessed to have him in my life he might get a little embarrassed or maybe it would boost that already huge ego of his, either way too bad. He has changed my world more than anyone this year. I've had quite the year with him. Last night we were talking about how I never thought we would have ended up where we are now. He is my best friend, and he makes me laugh so much. It seems life isn't as fun if he isn't there. It hasn't always been easy, in fact it's been really hard, but the more time we work on it the better it seems to become. I'm grateful that he has taught me how to patient, understanding, forgiving, and how to love everyone no matter what they have done to you. I'm grateful for his infectious laugh, tender heart, amazing hugs, and most of all his testimony of the Atonement. I could go on and on…
• My Job. It allows me to live a lifestyle that I love and have fun. I'm most grateful for it, especially when so many do not have the same luxuries or even job that I do.
• BFF's. I have a couple. Granted I go to them for different reasons.
  • Jenn. She is my therapist. It's funny how our relationship has transformed into that. She has always been a dear friend, and we always would have a blast together, but I'm grateful that it's grown into someone who I know I will forever talk to. I'm so grateful for the pep talks she's given me via email and IM. There are many times I've had "a-ha" moments while IMing her. I'm grateful that even though we've both got our own lives now that she still takes time to build a relationship with me. I'm grateful she's honest, direct, and funny. I can talk to her about anything and everything.
  • Sarah. She is the wise older sister. Well that's how I feel anyway. I'm grateful that she's always willing to drop everything and come to my rescue. She was my lifesaver during a very difficult time this fall. She's a Godsend for sure.
  • Anthony. I couldn't have survived the summer without him. I'm grateful for everything that he does for me. He's so nice and good to me, and he makes me laugh.
• Friends. Ok so just friends in general, I have some pretty great ones, and I love them all. Some have moved away, so that's why I am grateful for modern technology which has allowed me to stay in contact.
• Temples. The fact that I have an eternal perspective is HUGE. I'm grateful for that!
• My health. I still may feel icky but I'm grateful that it's manageable. That I'm working on a better me, I'm grateful for modern medicine and doctors.
• My education.
• Music. It has brought me much happiness and comfort this year. I'm grateful for the talents I possess.
• This country, and Idaho J
  
• The opportunities and blessings I receive on a DAILY basis

This list can go on forever. In fact I deleted a couple bullets because I can go on FOREVER. I just have a full heart. I feel so blessed that it's overwhelming sometimes. God Bless!

Source: google.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Play by Play

Sometimes I love that you can be doing nothing and still have fun. That's what life is all about I think, finding people that you can do that with. My family for instance, I can sit at home and do absolutely nothing and still have the best time. That was my weekend pretty much. Friday I had all these ideas but actually we just ended up watching a movie and getting a pizza. Totally fine. Totally fun. Mariah came over for a little bit, bless her heart, I love her so much. She's such a good soul, I'm super sad that she won't be here in the winter and I'll be all alone. I don't like that one little bit. We both have had a CRAZY fall, and I don't know what I would do without her. Sorry, for my little tangent…
Saturday B surprised me with this:

Totally sweet right? I mean he went all out, homemade whip cream, homemade strawberry syrup, Belgian waffles, eggs, bacon, and of course my favorite chocolate milk. It was so good, and I was totally impressed with his cooking skills (ok so I might have helped him to the whip cream but still that's just because he didn't know how to do it and I offered). Then seriously I just wanted to be lazy. I had a crazy week and felt like I was never home, so just sitting around doing nothing was spectacular. I even put in Babes in Toyland (haha a childhood favorite), and watched who knows how many other movies. Finally we decided we better do something with our lives so we got ready and went to Idaho Falls. We went to mall to shop, and I think I've created some monsters, well shopping monsters that is. The guys went crazy in American Eagle and the Buckle. I was impressed with everything they picked out or wanted. I've trained them well; soon they will be the best dressed men around. I mostly just made mental checklists of everything I wanted for Christmas, my list is shaping up quite nicely. The funny thing about going shopping with B and Anthony is that they know EVERYONE. I'm not even exaggerating; I guess that is what happens when you have lived in this area your entire life! Every two seconds they will say hi to someone or stop and talk to someone (like my father). Guarantee everywhere we go my dad will know someone, even at the Grand Canyon!


After shopping we dropped off Anthony and I took B to Blue Hashi, the best sushi in Idaho Falls. So amazing. We sat at the bar, so I felt so posh and city like. So Hills. It was really fun, and really good food, and of course good company.


Then it was time for Breaking Dawn. I know, that movie. I wasn't THAT impressed with it, I mean the book was different, but the movie was OK. Cheesy, yes. Bad acting by Bella, given. Shirtless Jacob, yes of course. Edward looking in pain all the time, haha yup. It was good, but mostly B's commentary through most of it made me laugh the most. When you watch it you just can't think about it, just watch it and be like oh Twilight. Definitely not Harry Potter that's for SURE!


Sunday was amazing. Meetings were great, and then more meetings and firesides. I love that I have people around me who believe the same things I do. When I have questions about the gospel they can answer them, and we can have conversations that let me learn new things and analyze something that I've known my whole life, just never really thought about. A tender mercy for sure.


Side note – a crazy weekend for college football. Take that BCS! My Broncos rose in the polls. We need a few more loses and we'll be good as gold. There's still hope!

Snow “Angels”

Last night was what I would call an adventure. I was just getting ready to go to Zumba and talking to Anthony when he got a phone call. A girl from our ward had slid off the road. In Victor. A place about 45 minutes away with no snow, but it ALWAYS snows there, it's the mountains after all. So we piled into Kyle's truck and headed out. The weather gradually got worse and worse until it was like a white out. Here's my observation, if you can drive in the snow and not appear to be scared or no scared at all then you are brave and courageous. Anthony was driving like it was a hot summer day. I made the comment that I'm pretty sure God gave Men that extra ability and confidence to drive in the snow and not be worried. It was all I could do just sit there and not freak out. It helped the boys were perfectly calm…

We finally arrived in Victor and found Nicole and then found her car. There was a LOT of snow. It was super wet too. So Anthony started maneuvering his way to get to the vehicle and almost got stuck himself (that part was super scary, I was just praying we wouldn't get stuck). Must be the country boy in him, he didn't even act like he was worried. So finally the boys figured out a way to pull out her car, so Anthony jumped in her car, and we helped (barely) B push the vehicle out. Pretty sure B pushed that car out by himself I was there to just maybe look like I was doing something. Impressive!

By then I was like better make myself useful and take some pictures. My phone only really captured one because it was a blizzard outside and I was couldn't keep my hands from shaking.

You can see how deep the snow was, and how much it really was snowing!

Anthony drove the white car home and B drove the truck home. The drive home was just as scary, the roads were icy and slushy and we fish tailed most of the way. Once again though we would be sliding and B would just be calm like it was nothing. I would have pure terror on my face, or be tense or something. I tell you, something they are born with. So I just cranked up the Christmas tunes and enjoyed the snow and the music and thought that even though it's midnight and I'm tired and I'm scared, I was glad we were able to have the means to help out Nicole. I thought of my future daughters and even sisters, and how if this had happened to them how scared they would be. Most importantly we didn't even question whether we would help we just pulled our resources together and got out there as soon as we could.

So snow I know we have a love/hate relationship, and you might have won a round or two last night, BUT we won the fight. Plus afterwards I got a Maverick hot chocolate, a warm fire, a blanket, cuddling, and Home Alone. That made it all worth it anyway.

Here's to a great weekend, stay warm and safe!

Ei Yi Yi

Drama. It's what the world thrives on right? It is what makes the headlines and makes billions of dollars worldwide. Which is fine, just leave me alone. It's funny how sometimes your life can be so lame you wish for it? OK let me rephrase that, you wish you had friends to have drama with…

I'm the type of person that will usually tackle it head on. I'm not violent (contrary to some people's beliefs), I just fight with words, and I'm confident in what I say that usually helps my cause. This is all beside the point, the reasoning behind this blog is because I think people need to mind their own business. Usually drama is a miscommunication somewhere down the line, whether it's someone gossiping, lying, or being dishonest. I'm a person who just wants to be told everything, no need to hide or lie, just out with it already, either way it is going to hurt.

Also I really dislike people who can't fight their own battles. They cause the drama and then need help to fix it. If you lied, or said untrue things then YOU need to clear it up. YOU need to fix the problem. If you have the nerve to lie then you can have the nerve to apologize. Another thing that is totally wrong is not taking the blame when you do actually apologize. That isn't an apology, this is about me listening to you and saying your side. I'll forgive you, that's just who I am, but don't expect things to be the same. Don't come to apologize only to put the blame on someone else or still sort of bend the truth, just get it over with so we can both move on. Take it from someone who has had to apologize a LOT, it's hard, but being sincere and wanting to fix the problem will shine through words if you have the right attitude.

In life there will always be drama, there will always be arguments or disagreements. The fact is, know your boundaries. Know when something is your business or know when maybe it should be left up to the people actually involved. No one knows what anyone is going through, don't make it harder on them. Have some respect for yourself don't just assume because something appears one way that's actually how it is. Let me quote Jenn "Plain and simple people, don't be stupid". Good words to live by I think.

Positives about what I learned though:

Talking about how you feel really does heal the soul.

I could really care less what most people think about me.

Without love and understanding it really won't work.

Sometimes if you let the Holy Ghost do the talking and it's amazing what comes out of your mouth!

The Game of Life

Last night I had an exceptionally fun evening, and really it's because I laughed and played a little childhood game called The Game of Life.

Source: google.com via Amy on Pinterest

I'm sure you've heard of it. Who hasn't? I was thinking a lot of different things while playing, one that I was having a really good time, and two what if my life is just like this game? I know, deep. It's true though, you choose to go to college, granted a career is just drawn for you, you have to buy a house, you have to get married, but still. I mostly found it most interesting observing those who were playing, and relating it to their game of life.

In my game I was Salesman, then a Doctor, and then a Hairdresser. I went to poor, rich, middleclass. I had twins and 2 more kids. When it asked if you wanted the family life or career path I chose family. When it asked if I wanted to choose the risky path or boring path, I chose boring. Then I collected my little life tiles and settled down in Countryside Estates.

I watched as others stressed about their loans the entire game, or how it was just their goal to have the best job, or not sue anyone for $100,000 because well, it just wasn't fair. I found it interesting that everyone chose the family life, and I wondered if we didn't have the same beliefs would we have chosen that path (I know, a little rediculous but the thought still crossed my mind). I had no problem stealing people's money, while I watched others painfully take it.

When it came to counting our money and winning it was clear who the winner was, and somehow I knew he would be the winner anyway. It took him the longest to get going, but by the end he was a millionaire. Cool, confident, and sure he pulled into Millionaire Estates with a smirk on his face.

The way we all handled our money and the different obstacles came our way was interesting too. Some shouted obscentities (NOOOO I don't want to remodel my house for $80k), others just took it in stride nodding their head and saying ok I guess, and others just suffered in silence, hoping that maybe their luck would turn around.

I know this was just a game, and we laughed and teased each other, but as I observed I realized that maybe life is just one big board game. God is just letting us spin the wheel and he is moving us on the different spaces of life.

I just hope I really skip the being sued part, or surpise you have another set of twins!

Home Sweet Home

This weekend I made an impromptu trip home. It was really just well, spontaneous. I just purchased shuttle tickets and left from work. No extra clothes or anything, I just left. It was an adventure that's for sure. On the way to Parma there were two guys who sat behind me, one had just returned from Iraq (don't worry I wished him a Happy Veteran's Day) and his buddy who hasn't seen him since his deployment. They were quite chatty with me and asked me the reason for my trip to Parma. I told them bits and pieces and they thought I was pretty funny, and then he said something to me that has stuck with me for the past couple of days:

"You don't know how lucky you are to consider 'Home' your place of refuge from the storms of life. There are so many people who run from their home, and you run to it. I think that's a testament to your parents and siblings, I hope you never take for granted what your parents have established there..."

That comment just made me smile, because it's true. Then I got emotional, because here I was wallowing in self-pity and misery when others always have it so much worse. I have a place to go when life wants to kick me. I ran to the place that I knew would give me comfort and strength I was looking for. It was my safe harbor, where I am loved no matter what I've done or what has happened. It is true that my parents have established that, and it's such a blessing. My parents do not allow filth or garbage to come into our house, making it that much more of a haven. That's my goal I decided, a place where my children are loved no matter their trials, disappointments, and short comings. A place where all are loved and all are cherished, and a place were the spirit can peacefully reside.

The weekend was much needed. I found answers I was seeking, found peace I was looking for, and left with strength I needed. It's like a battery charging place, I needed to refill because I was extra low.

On a different note I don't even want to talk about my BSU Broncos. Sad...

"Better than..."

(Thanks to my Jenn for doing a guest spot. Sure do love her!)

Oh heyyyy guys, it’s Jenn! You might not know me personally but if you are a religious reader of this blog, then you’ve at least heard my name mentioned a few times and seen a couple pictures of me, Sav and Hyrum from some of our great adventures.  I’m pretty sure I’m the only Jenn that Sav talks about so yeah, that’s me…Jenn…One of the BFF’s.  Pleased to “meet” you, homies!

For those of you who’ve never read my blog before [which you can visit here] all you need to know is that it’s big mixture of everything: random crap I don’t understand, stuff I think is cool, life lesson’s I’ve picked up, updates on my life, celeb gossip, things that are annoying, people who suck or are shady, guidelines on life [aka: just don’t be stupid], the woe’s of dating/relationships, virtual slaps in the face to people who I know are readers…you know, only the good stuff.  So when Savanna asked me to guest blog for her just for funzies and told me I could talk about whatever I wanted too, I figured I’d stick to something I would normal post about—something completely random.

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You’ve heard of ‘Better than Sex Cake,’ right? You know…the semi-delicious cake that implies it’s better than anything, is actually sometimes referred to as “Better Than Anything Cake,” and somewhere in the mix picked up the nickname “BTS Cake” from someone who probably raised their kids to think that “Sex” was a swear word? Yeah. That cake.   

Source: scissorsandspatulas.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Well, the other day I was trying to think of words to describe how much I loved a certain something and the term “Better than Facebook Stalking” popped into my head after thinking about the name of that ridiculous cake.  While I am sure BTS would be a good term to explain how good something really is, it doesn’t really work for those of us who still have our “V card” (wink, wink).  We need another really good comparison to use too, dang it! My thought of “Better than Facebook Stalking,” of course, quickly turned into an acronym, because that’s how I roll, and voila…the birth of the saying “it’s BTFS” came to pass.

The term BTFS is pretty self-explanatory but let me break it down for you.  If BTFS had a definition on Urbandictionary.com it would be something like this:

BTFS—When something (in the moment) is so extremely legit that you love it more than Facebook Stalking.

Example 1: “Did you see Jamal’s new rims on his Escalade?  BTFS, for real, dog.”

Example2: “Cher’s mom gave us her credit card and told us we could go on a shopping spree at the mall….Like, totally BTFS, right?!”

If you’ve never played around on Urbandictionary.com then you probably didn’t understand my humor on the examples, but you get what I’m saying, right?  It’s simply saying that something is really cool by comparing it to something that is pretty freakin’ awesome.

Some of you are probably thinking, “Facebook stalking isn’t THAT good.” But COME ON, people. Get real. Don’t even tell me that you don’t love Facebook stalking maybe even as much as I love it.  I know you do.

2 Reasons why I know you enjoy it:

1    You’re reading this blog right now which you most likely clicked from a post on Facebook.

2     Sav’s blog is a journal-type blog where she lets you in on some good dirt about her life which makes me believe that if you’re an avid reader of the blog then you DEFINITLELY are a good facebook stalker whether you think you are or not.

*Which brings me to the point that Blog Stalking is totally BTFS sometimes.  I mean people can get so deep and super weird and awkward….it’s awesome! *

Today’s BTFS moment of the morning is a tribute to Sav’s “Awkward and Awesome Thursdays.”  It’s something I would like to call:

MAKE THEM FEEL AWKWARD. 

I was going to the restroom at work this morning and a lady came in right after I had gotten into one of the stalls to do my bidness.  Instead of being a normal person and simply looking under to see which stall was vacant by noticing the feet, this woman peeked in through the cracks of every stall to see which one she could go into.  Of course that moment wasn’t BTFS. I mean, I’d much rather be facebook stalking then have some creepy woman peeping in on me while I’m peeing and making eye contact with me. Ew. But the BTFS moment was making her feel dumb. I really love doing that sometimes!  I responded, “UH, HELLO! This stall’s taken!” Did I totally go the Forest Gump route without thinking about it? Yeah, I did. I might have even used an accent. I don’t know. I was laughing too hard inside to notice, but it was BTFS for sure. Hahahaha. You should have seen her face! You just can’t make that stuff up.

So here’s a little “Jenn Challenge” for the week:  Try looking for at least one BTFS moment in your life every day for one week.  The kicker is that means you might have to step away from FB for a while to do it…

But do everyone else a favor and update your status from your cell while you’re at it :) haha.

Have a great weekend!

OK, BYEEEEEE.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

Interesting week I've had, I learned so much in a week. Crazy right?!

Awkward:

• The Buckle. That store in a nutshell is awkward. I mean love the jeans there or whatever, but to pressure people to buy $175 jeans is a little ridiculous. Then telling us to put it on layaway. Honestly if I could afford those jeans I would just buy them. I know what we are looking for so stop throwing ugly clothes or jeans our way. Laws!
• When you are obviously having a private conversation and another person walks in the room and just proceeds to stand around DOING NOTHING. Hello, we will talk to you if that's what you want, but don't just stand there. Super awkward.
• Going to a restaurant and ordering what we want because I have a gift card, only to discover I don't have it after all... uh oops... sorry...
• Preparing a 15 minute lesson only to have 5 minutes to give it in. Pretty sure it made ZERO sense. Darn it!
• Pretending things are OK when clearly they aren't. 
• Seeing something I'm pretty sure I wasn't suppose to see and pretending that I didn't see it. 
• Re-writing a text message like 5 million times. To end up only sending an "Oh OK"... seriously Savanna.
• Library fines or actually any late fees. I just feel awkward paying them, like I am in trouble or something.

Awesome:

• My sister Mariah. She is so wise for a 19 year old, sometimes I just listen to her and think, wow how do you know so much? Bless her.
• Shopping. Especially for someone else. It brings me happiness beyond words. 
• Holding hands. It's my favorite!
• Knowing what someone else is thinking with just a look. 
• Priesthood blessings that give you comfort and peace, and answers you were looking for.
• My brother Hyrum. I love this kid, he is also so wise. I love that he will listen and make me laugh in the same moment. 
• B was teaching his lesson on Sunday and used "Oh Laws"... that was so awesome it still makes me laugh. See my lingo is pretty darn cool!
• Compliments or words of affirmation. Those are big with me, followed by a hug.
• A video my brother posted showing Liam praying. The cutest thing ever, children really are God's treasures. 
• Friends who know you and know what you need when you need it.
• A really great text message that I will probably save forever. Haha!
• Patience.
• Journals, and journal entries. It's pretty awesome looking back on things and remembering how you felt and what was going on. My kids are going to have a good chuckle at their mother one day I am positive!
• Thanksgiving is coming!
• Knowing that you make mistakes but you have repentance and the atonement, it's more than awesome.
• Spending an entire day with someone who makes you laugh and makes you happy, and would do anything to make sure you stay that way. 

Have a great Thursday! It's almost the weekend (which I can't believe)!

Where in the World?

I love the Today show. I've watched it every morning as I get ready for the day since high school. To say that I love Matt Lauer is an understatement. He's just good looking, charming, and funny. When I go to NYC (sometime in my life) I will go to the Today show and I will see Matt. Since 2008 and the economy got bad Matt stopped his yearly tradition of "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?"... A sad day in my life. Imagine my delight when a couple weeks ago Ann (Ann Curry that is) announced that Matt would again be traveling the world, and we would have to guess where he is going to be. A small and simple joy to me. HA!

This week is the week, and he's already visited Nambia, Spain, and today Malaysia. I love that he offers clues to where he is traveling next. I have no guesses for where he will be tomorrow, I am excited to see though. Below is some clips of where he was today.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I am upset though that they got rid of the "Where in the World is Carmen Sandeigo?" theme song. Oh well I can't have everything. You can also visit today.com to get the clues for tomorrow. They are pretty tricky clues so good luck, let me know what you think?

One day I'll be able to have this adventure, or maybe be like Chuck Bass and spin the globe and where my finger lands that's where I will go. Oh... if only...

Random Loves

It's official, I've purchased some Christmas gifts! Isn't that so exciting? I would be happier until Jenn told me that she's almost done. Dang. I've started to compile my list of things that I want for Christmas. That's still a work in progress of course! 

Here are some random things that I am loving today.

 I have a love affair with this soda. I would love nothing more than to have a ton of this for Christmas, haha! Actually fountain is my favorite, but I will drink all forms. It's so good! 

 I always love me some JB, but this song Drummer Boy is good. The lyrics are funny, but I enjoy it. His whole album is actually pretty good. Baby drama or not, JB can sing.

These shoes. I have a shoe calendar at work. And this shoe will stare at me until November is over. I. WANT. IT. Too bad that shoe is close to $700. I need to find knock off or something. That shoe is pure beauty, oh the outfits I already have planned for it!

This conversation. We were talking about the stock market, and my love for McDonald's obviously came up, don't worry I always choose the low carb route (except for some fries here and there).  Who knew investing in McDonald's was such a wise investment?

There is my randomness for the day. I guess I better get on posting my Christmas list. So people who are on top of will know what to get me :). Don't worry I'm so excited for Thanksgiving I can barely contain myself. It's going to be awesome. I haven't forgotten the turkey yet!

Weekend Update

This weekend was fun. I think it's going to take the entire week to recover from it. Friday B and I went to Costa Vida, were we saw Mariah out with her little friends. We had a good time mostly just people watching, and the plethora of awkward first dates that were there. Don't you just love watching two people trying not to be awkward and keep conversation going? We then headed to Sammy's to watch a band and didn't stay very long. Then we came home and just watched a movie, after all the snow was starting to fall.

Saturday we decided to go shopping. You know, I am an avid shopper. I can tell real quick if you are going to be someone I love to shop with or someone I am never going to take again. If you are one of those who is tired after two stores and just wants to sit on the bench while I shop, forget it! B wasn't even tired, I was so proud of him. The people at the IF mall are special that's for sure. Sorry, I can't help but look at people's outfits and be like what about that outfit says that's ok to wear out in public? HA! It definitely was starting to feel like Christmas. Sales galore and a lot of people. We went to Texas Roadhouse, visited B's sister, then came back to finish the BSU game. I was so tired, shopping just does that to you!

Sunday was amazing per usual. I got to teach Elder's Quorum. What a fun adventure that was! After church was Josh's surprise party. Josh, Anthony, and B have been friends since Middle School. They are crazy together, but love them! We just ate and chatted. Here are a few pictures from the event:

 We had Hawaiian Haystacks, they good lookin' peeps were the chefs! 

 B and me, don't mind my lazy eye, he's only squishing half of my face.

 A-town, looking good per usual on the lovesac!

 Josh and his blanket that Kensie made him, one side is BSU the other is Boston Red Sox. To say that B was coveting that blanket was an understatement. 

 Brotherly love...

How precious. All cuddled up tight.

It was a great weekend. I love my friends and family, they make me happy. I laugh a LOT, and help me enjoy life to the fullest. What more could you ask for really (well besides some sleep once in awhile)?

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

I cannot believe it's Thursday already. I had a great week, full of more awesomeness than awkwardness. That's good right?

AWKWARD:

• Inappropriate Halloween costumes at a church activity.  Really? There is no need for a sexy sailor, no one here wants to see that, put those thigh high stockings away.
• Church dances. Ok so I love to dance so I'm cool with going, but why does everyone stand in a circle and look at each and dance? Best part though is when the "break dancing" starts. Wow, don't go in the middle unless you are sure of the moves you want to do. 
• Halloween parties when you are only one who dressed up or didn't dress up I guess.
• Guessing someone Halloween costume and being totally off. Sorry I thought you were Aunt Jemima not Rosy the Riveter!
• Crying to the point of the mascara running down your face... yes I know it's Halloween time but this is not a costume.
• The in-between stages of growing out my bangs. I hate pinning them back all the time. Bleck.
• When people call you and start rambling on and on, and you can't stop them without sounding rude, but you know nothing about what they're talking about, and when they finally stop, expecting you to have a wonderfully clever answer, you have nothing more to say than, let me transfer you to [insert name here].
• There are some nights where I check facebook right before I go to sleep and then again when I wake up. You know you didn’t get enough sleep when it is the exact same updates. Even more awkward is that I do that before I go to sleep or get out of bed. Wow.
• How messy my bedroom is right now. More like embarrassing.
• When you know someone is lying to you or hiding things from you. Not only do they continue to lie, but they are satisfied with themselves that they think they got away with it. Don't worry I know the truth, and one day it will come out.

AWESOME:

• Having a boyfriend... ok so he's always been there, just making it official (even on Facebook oohhh ahhhh). He makes me happy (and he's cute).
• Being yourself with someone, no secrets, no half truths, just yourself, and knowing they support you no matter what you tell them. That's scary but awesome.
• Realizing how much I love books, and how much I've missed reading them. 
• Being called by a nickname or pet name. Love that.
• Painting my nails an assortment of different colors. You can usually tell my mood by the color of my nails. 
• Halloween this year was so awesome. I had a lot of fun, and really my costume technically wasn't even a costume. I also loved making not-so-Halloween sugar cookies.
• Having a hopeful and bright future to live for.
• Late night runs to fast food places, I know so unhealthy, but it makes me happy. 
• Those people who are on your side no matter what. Loyalty is totally awesome.
• Just putting it out there that sometimes being a rebel and breaking the rules is totally awesome...
• Singing Christmas songs, or just singing with people who can sing good in general.
• Today I find out whether I am going to have another niece or nephew. I love my family. They are amazing, and I love to see how we are growing. It's totally awesome that my some of my best friends are my siblings...
• Diet Dr. Pepper!
• Losing 5 pounds this week... spectacular!
• MSN Messenger is totally awesome, I mean so what if I lived on it in 2000? I still enjoy chatting now.
• Prayers, faith, and hope... boooyah! Ok so the Gospel in general!
• And finally this (because I love "Chuck Bass")
  
  Source: weheartit.com via Savanna on Pinterest

Happy Weekend Eve... I'm so ready for a fun weekend!

Motivation

This is my computer screen at work. Isn't it funny? I mean I love Post-it notes, but more importantly I love what these particular notes say. They are my quotes. They often change, sometimes I put scriptures up, or sometimes when someone messages me something funny I'll write it down and put it up there. Just depends. Sometimes I don't have any attached to my screen. I think it just reminds me of what I want out of life, or that little push that you always need. Maybe it just reminds me what my end goals are? I should take more pictures of the quotes I post, then it will remind me what is going on through my head that day.

What are some of you ways of reminding yourself that you can do it, you can succeed, and more importantly you're worth it? Every person has their motivation, whether it's words, pictures, or memories.

Don't get me started on the quotes that I have written in my scriptures. Jesh!

Happily Ever After

There's this song Happily Ever After by He is We:

I love it. I love everything that she sings about. I often have those lyrics running through my head... "can't we just skip to the ending... will I end up happy?". That's not how it's supposed to work though, I said that once to B and he said "no, what's the fun in that? You miss the journey, and the journey is the best part". I've just been thinking about that lately, the journey sometimes is so hard, and scary. Other times, it's so fun and amazing. Those fun times should definitely outweigh the bad, but usually if its something good it isn't easy. It takes work, commitment  and lots of faith. I love the saying, "Find joy in the journey..." No matter if it's scary or hard, you find the little things that make you happy and you hold onto them and remember them. Sometimes you need a hand to hold, or a shoulder to cry on as you make your journey and sometimes it just is trenching through it to get that end result. It's like reading the last few pages of book, and once you've read them you are so upset because well now you know and it's not as exciting. As hard as life gets and at times it seems like there might not be hope in an outcome, it will come, we've just got to go through the hard stuff to enjoy the good stuff. What's that saying that I hear all the time, oh yeah "Endure to the End..." Everything will be alright in the end, and if it isn't, well then it's not the end.

We all have a story to tell, whether we whisper or yell. Finding the path and staying on it is the hard part, stop trying to predict my ending and my future. Let the story unfold on its own...