Choosing the Good Part

Bucket List - Winter Style

2012-01-22T19:45:00.006-07:00

I realize that nobody's reading this because, well, I didn't blog for like 900 years. However, I'm going to post none-the-less. This past week hasn't been all that exciting but there are two things I'm going to post about.

First - Kerri and Olivia and I have created Bucket List - Winter (Jan to end of March). On this list are a variety of exciting possibilities that we (either individually or collectively) will hope to accomplish in the near future (by April General Conference weekend). Can't wait to see what we'll get done this time!

Winter Bucket List...

Second - Near Christmas time, Paige and Adam had us over for an FHE. We each chose to give a "gift to the Savior" that we'll look at next Christmas. My "gift" was was to spend at least 15 -30 min each day reading from the scriptures. So far I have worked really hard to make sure that I do this daily, and I have REALLY loved it. This week as I have read, I have thought about my testimony. I've been reading about Ammon's mission to the Lamanites and King Lamoni's conversion. It's really made me think about my desire to gain a testimony. Why am I not more like him? He was so willing to give away all he had to come to know the Savior. I also read today about the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's who literally gave their lives, because they didn't want to sin and risk loosing eternal salvation.

I love how reading from the Book of Mormon helps me to desire to be more like those righteous examples who have such solid testimonies and relationships of/with the Savior. So grateful that Heavenly Father knows us so well, and that he gave me the amazing gift of scriptures.

Birthday Trip 2011

2012-01-15T20:33:00.007-07:00

The gorgeous gals, waiting for the adventure to begin...

I'm turning over a new leaf, and have set a goal to blog on Sunday mornings, since my church starts so late...

Recap of the best "birthday vaca" ever! Well, this one was "FUN", last years trip to NYC was just plain cool. Both were enjoyable for different reasons... anyway.

For the big B-day celebration this year (and yes, it looks like we would like to make an annual B-Day vaca trip... at least until one of the 3 of us get married) we decided to go to DISNEYLAND!!! Luckily Kerri has an Aunt and Uncle that live near Disneyland, and were kind enough to let the 5 of us come crash at their place for the 5 days. Here's what we did.

Flew in Friday night, got to Claire and Jim's and I basically passed out, while everyone else chatted (don't really know why, but I was WASTED!)

Saturday we got up, Kerri made me run up and down the hills of Cali at 6:00 - which kicked my behind, but was good for me - and then we headed home to get ready to go to the temple in Long Beach.

Quade, Tricia, Olivia, & Kerri at the temple

We did a session, and then picked up Preston from the airport, had lunch with the Cosby's

and headed to the Santa Monica Pier.

We played on the beach for an hour or so, and then headed to Hollywood to see WICKED! Love, love, love it! Following this wonderful experience we headed home and hit the sack at a very late hour.

Sunday morning we got ready for church (yep, K-dawg and I had to run to Kohls, because she left her skirt in her parents car... and though she could have pulled it off, the shirt pulled down to the knees wasn't going to quite cut it), headed to meet up with Olivia's mission president, and then Preston and I went over to the beach, while Kerri, Quade, and Olivia had dinner with the pres. Ended the night with a little Disney Trivial Pursuit (which we weren't too hot at, ironically) and a game of picture emotions.

Monday meant another grueling run up and down the wet hills of Cali, and then we prepared ourselves for a day of DISNEY in the rain! Had poncho's and all of our warm layers on, and despite getting SOAKED, had a blast, running from ride to ride and basically walking onto anything we wanted! Oh, and Preston and I got birthday badges because well, it was our birthday week! By mid afternoon I'd finally dried out some, and was finally comfortable. The only bad thing about the day is that we found out (too late) that the park had closed early. NOOOOO! So we found a place to eat dinner and headed home.

Tuesday we got up, packed up and went back for another day of running around the park. We were happy to find that the sun was out to stay, and yet the park was still EMPTY compared to any other trip I've been on. Ran to any ride we wanted and never waited more than 7 min to get on it!

(So this is the awesome "Squatch" statue in front of Claire and Jim's = we've recently become interested in the idea of squatches due to a great television program on the Animal Planet Channel)

BEST DISNEY TRIP EVER!!!!!!!!!!

(This is us being really sad that it's all over!)

Pushed it to the limit, and still made it to the airport in time to make our 7:30 flight home. Wednesday was a blur, but it was sure a vacation to remember!!! LOVE MY TRAVEL BUDDIES!!! See ya'll next year! (Olivia, Quade, Kerri, and Preston - you guys are the best!)

Seriously So BLESSED

2011-10-26T21:39:00.002-06:00

Today I was blessed to go with my roommate Kerri and new BFF Raegan to Ashton Idaho to attend my roommate Olivia's fathers funeral. It was a cold day, and an early start, but I'm very grateful that we could go and be there with her, and the rest of her family. The whole service was beautiful, and Olivia did a beautiful job expressing her love and appreciation for her father, and her testimony of the gospel and the opportunity she'll have to be reunited with him on the other side of the veil. With that said, there were a few things I thought about today that I wanted to jot down...

1 - It's amazing how much we can learn about someone by listening to their family talk about their parents. I learned so much about Olivia today just by listening to her tell stories about her father. It's amazing to me how much we are a product of our upbringing, and family experiences.

2 - Olivia's father died in a car accident, which means, they were not expecting him to go. I thought a lot this afternoon about whether or not I'm ready to return home to my Father in Heaven - and how I could prepare myself to be ready to do so. I don't know that you ever feel "ready", but I know that there is much more I could be doing to make sure that the meeting I have with my maker is one where I can report that I was in the process of reaching the potential that I have.

3 - I've been extremely blessed to have wonderful roommates over the past few years. In talking with Reagan and Kerri in the car, I realized that Heavenly Father has always provided me with the roommates I need at the exact times that I have needed them. Olivia has been a huge blessing in my life - it's been wonderful to have someone to talk about school with (since Paige up and got married!) and has been there for me during those times of trial in my life. I have also been blessed to have K-dawg here over the past few months, and am extremely grateful that I have not only 1 but 2 rock solid examples in my home.

4 - I've decided that I need to try harder to take the time to tell those around me how much they mean to me more often.

5 - I need to start keeping a journal... and write in it more than once every 5 years. :)

I'm feeling grateful for the opportunity that I have had to ponder on these things and hope that someday I'll be spoken of in a positive way when I pass on...

The small and simple things...

2011-09-04T21:20:00.003-06:00

This past weekend I was listening to a talk from our most recent general conference. There was a story told that got me thinking about my life and how I so often forget to focus on the little things in my gospel life. As I was pondering this idea, I realized that perhaps I'm not actively seeking for the righteous things in my life with the zest that I could be. Not that I'm doing wrong, but that perhaps I'm not doing as much GOOD as I could be.

So, today I decided that I would like to re-commit to making scriptures a priority EVERY DAY. To re-commit to making daily prayer something that I really put my heart and soul into. And to attempt to find a real purpose in everything I do. (Sidebar) I think I spend too much time in my life doing things, but not really thinking about the purpose behind them - this includes both spiritual and worldly activities... What is my purpose in reading the scriptures. What is the purpose in teaching my kids how to add and subtract decimals... What would my life be like if I asked myself the purpose of all my activities? Maybe it won't make a difference... but I'm going to try it out!

And, though I'm horrible at it, a few things I'm grateful for right now are:

1. My awesome family, who love me even when I continually choose the "Y"... (inside family joke going on here...)

2. Wonderful roommates who really and truly set an example for me - it's amazing!

3. Being able to enjoy my job because I have a very uniquely FUN group, and am not spending all my time stressing about completing my homework! YEA!

4. The gospel - particularly the atonement - it' allows me to CHANGE who I am, in order to become who I WANT to be, and not who I "naturally" am. It's the power to BECOME and without it, I'd be a pretty lame person.

5. Revelation - what an amazing gift

6. Having a steady income.

7. My "healthy" body. (yeah, I could cut back on the sweets...)

8. Being an aunt. It's pretty much the coolest thing in the world.

9. Repentance.

10. Vacations - yes. I need one, and will have a short one this weekend!

Here's to a "fresh start" and choosing to focus on the little things - to see and seek for a purpose in ALL that I do, and remember that it's the little things that make life so much better!

Still grateful, and becoming something...?

2011-07-17T22:25:00.002-06:00

So I realize I am not too great at any type of journaling, and blogging is kinda like an "online" journal, or report on what's up with life, so naturally I'm not great at being on top of it - but for my grandma, who reminded me that it's been a while since I last blogged, I'm going to share some things that I've been grateful for over the past 2 months.

Gratitude...

1. I'm grateful for the ability to finish my ELS endorsement within 6 months. It's all over now! YIPEEEEEEEEEEE!

2. My roommate Haley got married - happy she found "the one", sad that I lost a great roommate! - and SUPER grateful that my good friend Kerri decided to take her place. We are going to have some GOOD TIMES!!!

3. I'm lucky (and have realized how lucky I am) to be surrounded with awesome family members. Not just my immediate family (though they are truly the best!) but my extended family are great examples, and wonderful people. I'm pretty darn lucky to have them, and to know that they care about me and are there to support me in all that I do.

4. To have the priesthood available to me when I need it.

5. To be able to work 4 hours a day with kids who are cute, and like school... makes it so much easier!

6. To be blessed with the Holy Ghost to guide me, to be with me as I repent and try to become better, to help reveal truth to me, and to comfort when necessary.

7. I was able to run and yes, even finish Ragnar, for the second year in a row...(Hoping there isn't a 3rd year, but I've decided to never say never...)

8. Grateful for employment these days. It's not an easy time to be looking for work, and I'm grateful to have been blessed with employment so I can attempt to help others who are not so fortunate...

9. I have recently been grateful for the words of general conference. It's such a huge blessing to be able to listen to the council given through the prophet and apostles in these latter days. What comfort those words are. What great guidance they are in my life!

10. The reminder that change is necessary if I am to become who I want to become... Through the atonement it's possible, but it's my choice to start making the changes.

As a side note to the list above, I wanted to share a thought I've had recently. I have listened to some talks from our recent general conference addresses, and was reminded of the great blessing it is to be able "TO BE" something. I have recently decided that sometimes I "do" things, because I'm supposed to, but doing them doesn't mean that I'm "BECOMING" the person I want to be. For example: I try to read my scriptures each day, but if I don't let the word of God sink it, then reading is great, but it's not really helping me max out my potential as a child of God. In a talk give by the member of the 70 - he mentioned the idea that we create "to do" lists, but we often don't create "to be" lists, because they are a result of a process over a very long period of time... it's my goal in the upcoming weeks, to really ponder on, pray about, and come up with my own, "To BE" list... I may not share it publicly, because I most likely will be a personal thing, but wanted to share my thoughts about doing it. What if we all started working on "BEING" something... "To be, or not to be?" Isn't that what life is really all about? What do you think?

Gratitude...

2011-05-03T21:11:00.006-06:00

Well, I've been HORRIBLE about writing down the things I'm grateful for, and even WORSE about taking any pictures of those things... but I have to post about the most recent huge blessing in my life...

This last week was fast Sunday for most people (who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints), however because of the great changes in the world of singledom my ward had "stake conference". HOWEVER, my family was fasting for my two sisters, who have some major changes to take place in their lives... So, as a family, we all fasted. I don't know why, but as we fasted this time, I had great faith that all would work out the way the Lord would want, and that those things that would bless my family would follow in due time...

On Monday, I got an email from my older sister Jamie, which informed me (and the rest of the family), that they had a showing for their house scheduled for this week... though I don't know that this was the family to purchase their house, so they can move this summer, I belive it was the Lord saying I am listening, and I will take care of your family. Along with this, my other sister Paige, has set up 3 interviews for jobs down in Alpine School District, so that (when that time comes) she'll be able to work close to home, and be a Mommy. Up to this point, Paige had called and emailed principals, but had not even had a return phone call on any of her applications. Jamie and Steve also have had few showings with their home, and have been worried that nobody has really even looked at it.

I don't know WHY, or what is to come, but lately I have felt so very blessed in my life. I don't know if my attitude has changed, or if the Lord is blessing me for reasons that I don't understand, but life has been full of unexpected blessings. Weekly I'm blessed with time to complete homework, help at school, unexpected financial blessings, professors willing to add me to classes, health, and more. It's been amazing...

Now that doesn't mean that there are not "hard" things, (I've never been more stressed out!) but along with the struggles, and stress, have come great blessings, where I know that the Lord is aware of me, and is blessing me to be able to cope, and have good things in life.

I'm SO grateful...

One can dream, can't they? :)

2011-04-19T21:32:00.002-06:00

So, this is lame, but I've been nominated for an award at school. If I win, I get a 2 year lease on a car - which would be great, since my car is getting close to 200, 000 miles on it right now. If you feel inclined to vote, click on the link below...

Vote for me here:http://www.burtbrothers.com/nominee/ and look for "Patricia Ellison"

Gratitude in a nutshell...

2011-03-13T20:56:00.004-06:00

(Kerri, Brett & Me... we are cool)

So, this week was very busy! I had parent teacher conferences, had my last day with my student teacher, and therefore had little sleep, and little room in my brain to remember to write down the things I was grateful for... SO, I'm posting a "master" list that covers the week of gratitude and what little service I found time to do.

Grateful for...

1. I'm grateful for people who really are doing everything they can to fulfill their responsibilities. With parent teacher conferences, I tend to have parents who keep saying that they will do this, or that to help their child, but fail to follow through. Though I realize that people aren't perfect, I appreciate people who actually DO follow through - even when it's not completely consistent. It sure makes my life so much easier!

2. Fresh starts. New trimester, new beginning, with a blank and perfect slate. It's nice to have that once in a while.

3. Help. 'nuff said.

4. People with a happy and positive attitude. I've lacked that recently. I'm grateful when people tend to look on the bright side of life, so that I can be reminded to do the same.

5. People who LISTEN. Not just tell me what to do to make it better, but who really listen to what I'm saying - cause sometimes it's important to hear what I'm NOT saying as much as it is to listen to the words coming out of my mouth.

6. Reminders that I can do better... cause I can.

7. Good Friends. Particularly friends who take me snowshoeing with them, and bring me treats, and help me when I fall on my face and who are patient when i'm 20 min late and have forgotten my snowshoes. :) Those friends are pretty great.

8. Finding money I forgot I had.

9. Opportunities to serve.

10. To live in place that is safe, and blessed to be fairly free of problems that tend to plague the rest of the world.

11. Warm and sunny weather.

12. People who are NICE. People who are NOT nice, make me grumpy and that makes me feel bad, which basically ruins my whole day/weekend!

13. Being prepared... or at least trying to be.

14. Taking the time to go OUT and do something fun. I need time away from "life".

15. The Atonement.

Service...

1. Helped create a "get well" package for a friend in need.

2. Cleaned most of the house!

3. Created an opportunity for friends to get out of the house and try something new for this coming weekend.

4. Tried to comfort a friend who has been having a hard time.

5. Wrote a thank you note.

6. Took flowers to my sister at work - so she could give flowers to someone else.

7. Went to the temple.

Sometimes life knocks ya down and you just have to laugh about it and get back up... :)

Sunday's...

2011-03-06T22:21:00.002-07:00

March 6, 2011

I'm Grateful For...

1. Fast Sunday's because I don't have to be to church early! SO, I can sleep in as long as I want, and only have to go to 3 hours of church!

2. "open mic Sunday's" where anyone can get up and bare their testimony. In our ward we had some very good thoughts shared, and even had a quote from High School Musical. :)

3. Sunday Dinner with the Fam'. The food is always great, and the conversations are never dull.

4. CES Firesides. Yes, I'm almost too old to be involved in the intended audience, but the message is always a good reminder of what is important in this life.

5. Seeing people at church who haven't been there in a long time. It's so awesome to see my fellow brothers and sisters in the gospel, and know we are all working on being the best we can be...

Service:

1. Brought rolls for dinner.

I'm way to old for this...

2011-03-06T22:03:00.003-07:00

(Us pretending we are young and can stay up until way late, watching television... we got kinda tired!)

Saturday March 5, 2011

1. Today I woke up feeling VERY sick. I took some medication, but in the past few times I've felt like this, no matter what med's I took (and I took more pain pills that it says to take on the bottle...) the pain wouldn't go away. I had lots to do today, so I thought about saying a little prayer. I've been listening to President Monson's biography, and on Friday night had heard a story about Pres. Monson telling someone to pray for a clear sky, and in faith, the brother did so - and it WAS so. So, I decided to pray in faith that I'd feel better, and with Faith I felt better within the hour. I love when my Faith is strong enough, and the will of the Lord matches my will...

2. So, after my soccer game, I went to Costco. I took Preston with me (cause he likes the free samples) and when we went back to my car, I had a flat tire. It was basically the straw that was about to break this camel's back! Preston, being the great friend that he is, made a quick call to a family friend who works for Goodyear on Redwood and 45th south. He told us to bring it over, and they'd take care of it. When we got there, I was just hoping for a discount on getting it fixed - but after taking care of the flat, they said, you're free to go. They fixed it for FREE! What a blessing!

3. The atonement. My roommate Olivia and I have talked in depth about what the atonement means in our lives, and in the lives of others. I think sometimes people think that taking our sins, and shortcomings to the Lord, means that He'll disown us, and make us "pay for our mistakes" in a way that is horrible. I, from personal experience, know that when we come to the Lord, and are truly ready to turn ourselves, and our mistakes over to him, He will love us, and HELP us through the rough process of repentance. Am I saying that sin is pain free. NO! But am I saying that it's WORTH repenting? YES! And is the Love of the Lord more powerful than the pain we'll go through - YES! What an amazing gift we've been given... I wish the world could understand THAT!

4. Other people's happiness... I love to see other people HAPPY.

5. Every Saturday, I TRY to get all of the "essentials" done, that I don't seem to have time for during the week. Like vacuuming, grocery shopping, laundry, etc. Today, I got most of it done. YEA!

6. Tonight a few of us got together to go to dinner, and watch some television. We ended up staying up WAY to late (like I did when I was young and in college), but we had a good time. I'm grateful for good friends who are willing to pretend that we can still act like we're 19. :)

Service:

1. I helped make our home a place of cleanliness!

2. I helped Olivia bring in her groceries, and put them away.

3. Invited a friend to participate in the evening's festivities.

Report Card Friday!

2011-03-06T21:58:00.003-07:00

Friday March 4, 2011

I'm Grateful For...

1. I worked hard all day long, and got all of my report cards DONE and printed! The only thing I have left is to do 5 S.E.P's!!! That's a record for me. :)

2. I met up with my friend Robyn, and some other people and went to a U of U gymnastic's meet. It was nice to "get out".

3. Twizzlers. :) Need I say more.

4. A reminder that I can be MORE than I am.

5. I got to the temple at 7:10 and was in my car by 7:50 and was to work "on time". WHAT A BLESSING!

Service:

1. Another early morning at the temple :)

2. I helped all the other 5th grade teachers with their report cards. :)

World Troubles

2011-03-06T21:50:00.002-07:00

Wednesday March 2, 2011

I'm Grateful For...

1. Today in my night class, we were discussing the issues that are going on in Libya. We also discussed the Rawanda genocide as well as issues of Viet Nam. The point of the discussion was to reflect on the issues that arise when people from these countries come to our schools, and what I can do as an educator to teach them English and help them learn. The thought that came to me tonight, is that I'm grateful that I've not had to live through such great tragedy and that I'm not living in a country that would allow (at least I don't think we would) such crazy wars go on between to peoples, just because we don't like each other - due to history and genealogy. What a blessing it is to be here on "free soil".

2. I'm grateful for Fiber 1 bars (the 90 calorie ones). Such a great treat.

3. The 30 min I get at the gym on Wednesday's before class.

4. A professor who helps me make my OWN decisions as to what I'd like to learn in his class, instead of forcing HIS ideas on me. Love when you present the material, and then let me think for myself!

5. Coming home from a long day of work, the gym, and class, and knowing that tomorrow is a SHORT DAY at work! :)

The Gospel ROCKS! (and so do clean socks...)

2011-02-28T23:11:00.004-07:00

Monday, February 28, 2011

I'm Grateful for... Today I'm grateful for a few serious things, and a few "silly" things.

1. Today I got home from the grocery store at 8:30 and was feeling rather down. I opened up my email to find a link my Mom sent me with a UTube video of a temple celebration in the Ukraine. It was the BEST reminder I could have received of what this life is all about. The Lord knows who we ALL ARE as individuals. He is spreading the gospel to as many as will receive it world wide, and those who prepare themselves are able to take upon themselves sacred covenants, that will bless their lives for eternity. How inspiring it is, to KNOW that I'm a daughter of a God who has given his listening children SO MUCH joy in this life. Amazing!

2. Clean laundry. Olivia folded my laundry (hence the clean socks... yeah, cheezy, but I AM my mother's daughter) today and left it for me to find on top of the dryer. What a GREAT act of service my friend! Thanks!

3. The ability to think clearly. Sometimes I come home from work and my mind WON'T WORK... this is a problem, when I have HOURS of homework to do. Tonight, I got home, and after some inspirational reminders, I had a clear mind and was able to accomplish MUCH.

4. Showers. I don't wake up so well without them... I'm so glad that I have this morning "jolt" to help me get started with my day! (Plus, I'd stink without them - so you all should be grateful for them too!)

5. Weight Watchers. Yes, I'm a lifetime member of WW, and I'm grateful for the things it's taught me about being healthy, and living healthy, so I FEEL good. Yep, I'm making better habits. (And NO, they didn't pay me to say that... but maybe they SHOULD!)

Service:

1. Spent time helping a fellow co-worker who is not doing as well as she'd like!

2. Helped my sis with her homework (well kinda... bit of a stretch, but I tried) :)

3. Shared some recipes with Brett & Kerri. :)

more Gratitude/Service ...

2011-02-27T20:42:00.005-07:00

So... no surprise, but I've been busy and didn't blog last Sunday... and I'm not so sure that I did a great job writing down my "Grateful Service" for the past two weeks, but here's what's been going on...

Feb 27, 2011

Grateful for...

1. The spirit. I sure do miss it when I'm not listening for it! It testifies of all things that are TRUE and is a Valuable part of my life.

2. Chances that help me learn humility. I seem to have had a few weeks of opportunities to learn humility. Though I don't love eating humble pie, it is good for me and helps me to grow - and I'm grateful for those opportunities to GROW.

3. Olivia making dinner and inviting good friends over to share it with us! Love good friends!

4. That I found carrots growing in my "backyard" garden from last year! Those seeds just started growing I guess. :) What a fun surprise!

5. That today I'll finish the Book of Mormon once again. Can say enough how grateful I am for this beautiful gift! What a lucky person I am to have the word of God so readily available to me whenever I'd choose to partake of it. I feel SO BLESSED!

Service:

1. "ushered" at stake conference.

2. Saved seats and gave a seat to friends at stake conference, so they could sit in the "soft seats"

3. Did a "puppy" drive by again today for my friend who's lost her dogs.

Feb 26, 2011

Grateful for...

1. Watching people do things they didn't think they could! We have to potential to do MUCH MORE than we think we can - it's pretty darn amazing when we realize we CAN DO just about ANYTHING!

2. Playing Soccer (even though I feel like I got beat up by this SUPER out of control team) I sure do enjoy it 99% of the time!

3. Stake Conference - having the spirit remind me that just because I'm not where I'd LIKE to be, it doesn't mean that I can't GET to where I'd like to be with the power of the atonement.

4. Being able to serve.

5. Order in all things. Sometimes life get's so busy, and crazy, and I get so caught up in it all that I forget that there's an "order" for all things. And if I will take a step back, and let things have "order" and create "order" in all things - then miracles will happen, and I'll see the bigger picture in what my life SHOULD be - EVEN when it's super crazy.

Service:

1. Helped a friend watch for her missing dogs.

2. Invited 2 gals to Stake Conference, who didn't know that it was happening.

3. Bought dinner for a friend.

Feb 25, 2011

Grateful for...

1. The opportunity to have a student teacher - I've gotten SO MUCH DONE!!! Every teacher should get one for a few weeks each year. It's been SUCH A GREAT, GREAT blessing in my life - and I'm grateful that the Lord knew I'd need her! (Don't know how I'm going to stay sane without her help!!! I believe in miracles - guess I better start praying for some!)

2. Seeing people make progress in their lives.

3. Good people who teach gospel principles in their lives, but just LIVING their lives and baring testimony of what they believe in their actions/general conversations - Had a temple worker remind me that I have the rite to receive revelation ALL the TIME today - it was a GREAT lesson for me to be reminded of...)

4. That the temple is open at 6am, so I can go before work and still have time to stay after work to get things done!

5. Seeing my friends have a good time in my home.

Service:

1. Temple service

2. Made cookies for Olivia 'cause she wanted some. (maybe not so great for ME though - I ate too many of them!)

(missed more days... not doing so great!)

Feb 21, 2011

Grateful for...

1. Sleeping in - needed it!

2. Getting things done! Marked off almost the WHOLE list!

3. Spending the day with FRIENDS!

4. Finishing my shredding (took me a week or two - it was built up!)

5. Had another Flower Order come in! Great!

Service:

1. Helped organize a night out with some gals in the ward that I'm just getting to know...

2. Helped clean our house! (that's service, right? or is it just selfish...)

(missed a few days - yeah, I know... I'm working on it!)

Feb 17, 2011

Grateful for...

1. To have the experience to be a mentor, both with my student teacher Cynthia Lloyd, and with the other teachers at my school. Has been a GREAT learning experience.

2. I got to sleep in (do you see a pattern?) because I had a meeting at Westminster this morning.

3. Found a cheap paper shredder! Yeah for saving $ (I could use more of it ya know!)

4. Made it to the gym AND the temple today!

5. Organization - it makes my life so much better!

Service

1. Temple attendance with the stake.

(missed a few days! OOPS!)

(has nothing to do with my post - but was our valentines day card to our friends - my roommates rock!)

Feb 14, 2011 (Day of LOVE!)

Grateful for...

1. The Scriptures - they sure make me feel great!

2. Learning from people who came before me. It's great when someone else can teach me what I need to know without me making the mistakes and learning purely on my own.

3. SLEEPING IN! I got "furlough-ed" today and was able to sleep in and take care of my business responsibilities (Trish Flowers). Sure was AWESOME!

4. Seeing old friends! - Got to see Liz and deliver her flowers...

5. Good times with two of my favorite people in the world - Olivia and P-dawg. Thanks for coming to FHE friends. :)

Service:

1. Ran errands for people

2. Took a card to my Grandparents

3. Supported my friend at our FHE activity tonight!

(this is us delivering our valentine - notice that you can't see the card - but you CAN see the "no soliciting sign in the background... nice)

Feb. 13, 2011

Grateful For...

1. The sacrament - I love being able to take it each Sunday and remember WHY I come to church.

2. Being able to have a change of attitude.

3. Having self control - Sometimes I don't know that I have any - but I always feel good about life when I DO!

4. My awesome family!

5. Olivia and I did some "valentine" deliveries, that were pretty awesome... even knocked on the door and hid!

6. Borrowed milk from my parents neighbors house. It was pretty awesome calling the McDaniel's and asking to borrow a cup of milk - reminded me of when I was a kid and would do that so we could make cookies with the family on a Sunday evening... good memories!

Service:

1. Made cookies to share with friends for Valentines day.

2. Sat by a new gal at church, so she wasn't all alone.

Grateful / Service...

2011-02-06T21:53:00.004-07:00

So, as I posted before, I've been keeping a gratitude journal each day, and have been trying to do 3 acts of service each day too. I was supposed to be taking a picture each day to document these things, however... I've gotten progressively worse and worse at the picture thing - sooooooo, I'm going to attempt to do at least one a week, and call that good... If I'd been more on the ball, I'd have started posting these in January - BUT, I'm NOT on the ball - so I'll just start now, and attempt to post them each Sunday from now on... Or at least for 2 or 3 weeks, until I get progressively worse at that too. :) Just being honest here. But to be hopeful, here's grateful service blog 1...

Sunday Feb 6th

Grateful For:

1. The Holy Ghost. Feeling it testify of the truth is s GREAT blessing in my life.

2. Reminders of what I could be doing better in my life.

3. The scriptures.

4. My talents - the fact that my parents encouraged me to develop them when I was young.

5. The opportunity to fast. It's pretty much amazing.

Service:

1. Fasting for someone.

2. Playing the piano for a fireside.

3. Cleaning the kitchen - even though it wasn't my dishes in the sink. :)

Saturday Feb 5th

Grateful For:

1. Finding a new, closer Weight Watchers location

2. The chance to play soccer each week.

3. The cushion things that I put in my shoes, so my feet weren't screaming at me!

4. Moments when I realize that I need to just calm down, and life will be okay.

5. People who have patience with me when I'm NOT calm.

Service:

1. Purchased rolls for my roommates dinner.

2. Agreed to play the piano for a fireside.

Friday Feb 4th

Grateful For:

1. The end of the work week.

2. President Monson's biography... teaches me lessons!

3. The opportunity to learn patience.

4. Church activities - even when I don't want to go to them.

5. Good people that surround me and make me want to be better.

Service:

1. I went to the temple.

2. I helped an old lady at the grocery store.

3. Drove us all to the activity.

Thursday Feb 3rd

Grateful For:

1. The friendly bank lady who knows my name, even though I'm one of 100's customers that go to that bank.

2. A clean room/ house! I love clean!

3. Relaxation time. I don't have enough of it.

4. A good run!

5. Getting things done that are weighing me down! It's nice to be PRODUCTIVE!!!

6. Talking with old friends!

Service:

1. Put the weights back were they go at the gym.

2. Cleaned out the workroom at school! It was messy!

3. Cleaned my house - dishes, vacuum, etc.

Wednesday Feb 2nd

Grateful For:

1. Help from my classmates on our reading... cause I admit, I didn't do it! :( I'm not always a great student...

2. A gym that is close to work.

3. A garage that allows me to get into a warm car each morning.

4. Nalgene water bottles. They rock my face off!

5. The atonement. I make so many mistakes in my life!!! And want to be so many things that I'm not! I am grateful that I can become better with the Savior's help!

Service:

1. I held the door open for someone that was behind me.

2. I straightened my classroom for my student teacher.

3. I helped one of my co-workers with some planning.

Tuesday Feb 1st

Grateful For:

1. Modern Medicine. (I don't do well with pain)

2. My deep rooted testimony of the gospel.

3. Answers to prayer and the opportunity to pray.

4. Good conversations. I know that I talk a lot - probably too much - but I love to have a good conversation, especially after a long day...

5. Taking a class with my little sister. I don't know that I'd enjoy it nearly as much as if I was all alone...

Service:

Today after a long day of work, being sick, and then going to class, I met up with a few girls who have had a rough time lately for ice cream. We sat around and visited for a good hour and a half, and were able to get to know each other better, and hopefully forge a friendship that will help them to see that the gospel really is what this life is all about... I hope it was a good thing!

Monday Jan 31st

Grateful For:

1. Stress relieving gym experiences! Sometimes a good run makes ALL the difference!

2. An irreverent FHE... yes the back row of 30 year olds were giggling and laughing during the scripture chase games. Seriously, so immature!

3. Opportunities to make tomorrow an even better day.

4. Blessings from Heavenly Father - I met my budget for January! It wasn't easy - but it was possible.

5. Nachos. They are my new favorite treat.

6. My little sister Paige, who turned 28 today! I LOVE YOU LITTLE SISTER!!!

Service:

1. I made us all dinner.

2. I was able to take Kerri home from FHE.

3. I talked to a gal that I don't know so well at the grocery store... I think she's in need of some friends, and though it may have been more for my benefit, I felt like perhaps it was a service to her as well...

Sunday Jan 30th

Grateful For:

1. The Stake Missionary "conference" that I went to. The Salt Lake Area Mission President & councilors were there and encouraged us to be doing more missionary work. I was INSPIRED and will be praying for opportunities to share the gospel with people who are looking for it.

2. My awesome family! I only spent an hour with them, but they really lift me up and make my life pretty wonderful.

3. My friend joined me at church. He's not always there - but I sure am grateful when I'm there with people that I love and appreciate.

4. Repentance - I am FAR from where I wish I was in life, and through repentance I can change my bad habits into better ones. Change is sometimes so great.

5. The Amazing scriptures that teach of the atonement. What would I do without them!!!

Service:

1. I helped arrange for a pair of Elders to give a blessing to a friend who was in need.

2. I called a gal that I don't always see at church, but who I miss when she's NOT there...

3. Sat by some new gals at church.

A New Year

2011-01-30T16:22:00.002-07:00

Well, as always, I'm a little late in getting my goals and life in order for the new year. I always have good intentions, and spend time thinking about what I want to do for the new year, but it isn't until the end of January that I actually take time to write them down (and well, let's be honest in saying that it's not unheard of to be doing this in March - yeah, I'm slow) I'm starting to wonder if this is why I often don't actually accomplish many of my goals...

This year, I've decided that I'm going to make some "GOALS" to work on, and then have another "30's" list - which will really be a list of things that I'd like to DO this year. Again, I'd like to open up the comments section to thing that you have done, or would like to do in this upcoming year so that I can get a good list going! I like a "list" because, well I'm a "list person", but also, I feel like by having them all written down, I actually remember that I want to do them - so send some ideas my way!

One of the things I'm trying to do - and I've been pretty awful at it so far - is to have a "picture" journal for the year of 2011 - (my super cool roommates idea). In 2010 she took a picture of herself EVERY DAY, and then wrote a little blurb about it as a "journaling" idea or whatever it was for - now she's using some picture program to put the pictures and her "blurbs" into a book that she'll print. Cool, huh!

Well, this year we're both (yeah, she's actually doing it, and I'm spotty at it) keeping a "gratitude" journal (and I'm doing a service journal) and are taking a picture of something that we're grateful for each day. Cool journaling idea - too bad I'm okay at the gratitude thing, but stink at remembering to take a picture! SOOOOOO, the plan is to (from here on out) do the writing and load the pictures onto my computer, so I can share them with all my readers (yeah, thanks for reading Mom!). I think it will be a good experience for me if I can actually get my buns in gear! So, wish me luck! Some "gratitude pictures" to follow soon... as well as a goal list, and a "to do in my 30's list" too! I'm going to be busy! :)

Finished? Well sort of...

2011-01-09T22:14:00.004-07:00

So, for those of you who've been checking every day to see if I made it through, my "30 till 30" list, the post is finally here... and I have to say, that I didn't quite make it - but I got pretty CLOSE! I have to say that I'm inspired now to create a new "list" for this upcoming year to help keep me focused on doing those things that I "always wanted to do"... I have LOVED the "excuse" to go out and LIVE life, and not just "say" that I'll do things someday... I have to say that I'm excited to hear and read that some of YOU are also starting your own "lists". Hope they go as well for you as this one has for me!

1. Learn how to golf (this is obviously a process, but it's coming along...)
2. Build a piece of furniture!
3. Create a budget and actually keep to it (could be better, but I'm DOING IT!)
4. Run in 6 races
5. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
6. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
7. Read 6 books
8. Overcome a weakness... (I can always work on this, but it's getting better!)
9. Hike Mt. Timp
10. See Wicked
11. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
12. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
13. Go to a Demolition Derby
14. Run Ragnar
15. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
16. Try a new kind of food
17. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
18. Grow a garden
19. Go to a new restaurant
20. Cook a new recipe
21. Go to Antelope Island
22. Learn how to do Yoga
23. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
24. Participate in a Water Station for a Race

(I kinda had started on the organ and doing family history, but didn't get too far, so I had to take them off this years list - but will put them back on for next year!...)

Here are a few pictures of my last trip to New York to see Wicked... was a GREAT trip, and the best birthday present I've ever given to myself :) Lucky me! Watch for my next "list" coming soon... feel free to post your own ideas of what I can do this coming year as I'm always up for new ideas!!!

Update #3

2010-11-28T16:42:00.006-07:00

I realize that these posts are most likely getting rather old... but my 30th Birthday is just around the corner, and I'm getting close to crossing off 30 things - but still have a few to go. I'm not 100% sure that I'll be able to have 30 done BY my birthday, but by the end of the month, for sure... Here are some pic's of what I've gotten done in the past few weeks...

Blue means DONE, BABY!, Red means IN PROGRESS, and Black means I've thought about it, but haven't gotten there yet.

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf (this is obviously a process, but it's coming along...)
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it (could be better, but I'm DOING IT!)
5. Run in 6 races
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
8. Read 6 books – (5 down)
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp
12. See Wicked
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
16. Go to a Demolition Derby
17. Run Ragnar
18. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
19. Try a new kind of food
20. Go Curling
21. Put up dining room decorations
22. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
23. Do family history with Grandma Perkins and Mom
24. Grow a garden
25. Go to a new restaurant
26. Cook a new recipe
27. Go Skiing
28. Go to Antelope Island
29. Write my own personal history (at least start ☺)
30. Finish decorating bedroom
31. Learn how to do Yoga
32. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
33. Keep a service journal/gratitude journal
34. Participate in a Water Station for a Race

35. See the "Golden Spike"... it's part of HISTORY!

# 28 - Go to Antelope Island - DONE

These are some awesome pics of the half day adventure that I had with my parents and my little brother as we went to Antelope Island earlier this month. It was really pretty cool to head out there and see this "Utah landmark". We stopped at the "round up area" and saw the rangers tagging, and checking the buffalo that live on the island - they bring them into this coral and one by one, run them in this "holding" place, while they check their heath, and tag 'em. It was pretty noisy, as they come barreling in and are stopped by a metal "fence". They keep the big guys in individual pens, because they can be kinda grumpy when you get in their space.

This guy behind me rammed right into the side of this fence when he saw one of the workers trying to shoo one of the younger guys down the "ramp"area. He hit it so hard, that he was shaking his head a bit after (like he was a little dizzy after hitting a metal fence with his head or something - go figure). I was mesmerized by the process...

We also saw this great "look out point" which is really the trail head to some hiking that we didn't have the time to do. I'd like to go back and actually do some hiking on the island when I have more time... looked like fun (as long as you don't get run over by the scouts...)

#19- Try a new type of food - DONE

I actually tried 2 new types of food, but only took one picture. I got together with a group of about 10 people and headed over to the "Bohemian" restaurant off of 72nd south and state street. I asked the waiter about what he thought, and ended up trying the "schnitzel" (which is basically, a very thin piece of chicken that's breaded and was served with this AMAZING sauce.) I actually LOVED IT! and ate the ENTIRE thing - I guess I was hungry? I'd just come from the gym, or something like that (I mean look at how awesome I appear in this photo - no make up, my hair was a mess... yeah, and I still went out anyway). The next night I actually went with some other friends and tried Moroccan food with was also pretty tasty!

(P.S. this is Josh, to my right... he just wanted to make an appearance on the blog)

#5 - Run 6 races - DONE (FINALLY!)

On Thanksgiving morning, I got up and headed down to "VF Factory Outlet" where the 5th annual Utah Human 5K Race was held. I dragged my entire "Happy" family there and conned a few friends to join with me too. It was 8 degrees outside, and for the first .75 miles I couldn't really feel my toes, but we did it, (and after I finally warmed up by mile 1 or so, I actually had a great time!) When I got to the finish line, I turned around and noticed that everyone was "steaming" as they were warmer than the air outside, and there were LOTS of people with frozen hair, where they had sweated. My left eyelash actually got frozen, as the sweat from head had caused it to get a little "wet" and freeze. What a great start to the day of "Thanks". Thanks to my family and friends who came in support of me, and in support of the awesome cause it was raising money for. (THe race is a fundraiser that gives money to the Utah Food Bank, and the Church of Jesus Christ's Humanitarian Aid Fund - this year they raised over $40,000 for the food bank, and I imagine near the same for the Humanitarian Aid Fund as well - way to go people!!!)

Kris, (Rick - hiding behind), Spencer, Paige, Me, Kerri, and back row Olivia & Brett - Adam, (my bro-in-law) and his Dad and brother Troy also ran, but had to leave in order to get the the morning basket ball game.

This coming week I hope to work on ... a Furniture Finish, a Book Finish, an art project hung up/displayed, a "curling" appointment, some organizing of the business finances, AND a little service and gratitude journaling! It's gonna be a busy two weeks!!! - OH, and Planning my trip to see Wicked!!! YEA!!!

One more down... well almost!

2010-11-23T20:32:00.002-07:00

Just in case you didn't read my FB status... I'M GOING TO SEE WICKED THE WEEK BEFORE I TURN 30!!! Talk about Awesomeness!!!!!! One more off the list... at least planned. Have some awesome pics to be posting next week of more things to cross off this 30's list... I'm going to be super bummed when this is all over with! ... what's next, life?

30 to 30 update... and other happenings...

2010-10-31T20:55:00.005-06:00

Dear Mom (and anyone else that thinks my life is worth keeping up with...),

The following is an update of my "list". I started thinking, I only have 6-7 weeks before my birthday! I'd better get crackin'. I'm going to do a few of the following in the next few weeks, so if you'd like to join me, let me know and I'll get you details. :)

TO DO in the next 2-3 WEEKS!:

I'm going to go to Antelope Island, Golden Spike, Going Curling, and to try a "new kind of food". I plan to finish my 5th book this week, and work on my "furniture" Friday (cause I have it off...) I'm running my last race, on Thanksgiving morning, and will be watching for cheap tickets to see Wicked ANY TIME that I can! Found a round trip for $250, but didn't think it would work with my schedule... but I'm OPEN FOR IT BABY!

Blue means DONE, BABY!, Red means IN PROGRESS, and Black means I've thought about it, but haven't gotten there yet.

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf (this is obviously a process, but it's coming along...)
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it (could be better, but I'm DOING IT!)
5. Run in 6 races (5 down)
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
8. Read 6 books – (4 down, one 50 pages away...)
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp
12. See Wicked
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
16. Go to a Demolition Derby
17. Run Ragnar
18. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
19. Try a new kind of food
20. Go Curling
21. Put up dining room decorations
22. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
23. Do family history with Grandma Perkins and Mom
24. Grow a garden
25. Go to a new restaurant
26. Cook a new recipe
27. Go Skiing
28. Go to Antelope Island
29. Write my own personal history (at least start ☺)
30. Finish decorating bedroom
31. Learn how to do Yoga
32. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
33. Keep a service journal/gratitude journal for 6 months or longer
34. Participate in a Water Station for a Race

35. See the "Golden Spike"... it's part of HISTORY!

In OTHER NEWS...

I have the worlds greatest roommates! A few weeks ago I heard an add on the radio that the Utah Symphony was having a guest pianist come to play one of my favorite songs... what it's called is slipping my mind, but I like it anyway... I decided that I wanted to go, and my two roommates came along. We had a great time, and I even think I offended the single guy sitting next to me... (made a comment to my roommate about how I tell my students to dress up for the symphony, and that they should wear slacks or a dress and that if they didn't have slacks, then they should wear their nicest jeans... lo and behold, my roommate whispered to me at intermission that the guy sitting next to me looked at me kinda funny when I was telling her that, because he was wearing JEANS! AHHH! Whoops!) Here's a lovely picture... it was the best of the three we took...

Also, this is for my family... but I did dress up for Halloween and even attended a "church dance" - yeah, probably the last one I'll be attending until they ask me to chaperone one. These are a few pictures...

Oh, and did you know that October 30th is National Candy Corn day? Cause it is! In honor of this wonderful holiday, my roommate and I created this awesome sign and a very nice wreath to hand on our friends door (as a surprise!) next year you can celebrate too...

Question...

2010-10-11T22:47:00.003-06:00

So, my "non-member" friend asked me the following question - Why do we have to be sealed? ... and more specifically, if we're going to be in the same kingdom as our family/friends, why does it matter if we are sealed?" What are YOUR thoughts, people?

Summer of 30 till 30

2010-08-15T18:42:00.009-06:00

Okay people! This will be a long post, so read what ya want and don't complain - you were warned! First I'm going to list what I've gotten done with my "30 till 30 list" and will post pictures of my vacation to New York/Boston.

Blue means DONE, BABY!, Red means IN PROGRESS, and Black means I've thought about it, but haven't gotten there yet.

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it :)
5. Run in 6 races (3 down)
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
8. Read 6 books – (3 down)
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp
12. See Wicked
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
16. Go to a Demolition Derby
17. Run Ragnar
18. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
19. Try a new kind of food
20. Go Curling
21. Put up dining room decorations
22. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
23. Do family history with Grandma Perkins and Mom
24. Grow a garden
25. Go to a new restaurant
26. Cook a new recipe
27. Go Skiing
28. Go to Antelope Island
29. Write my own personal history (at least start ☺)
30. Finish decorating bedroom
31. Learn how to do Yoga
32. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
33. Keep a service journal/gratitude journal for 6 months or longer
34.Participate in a Water Station for a Race

So, that makes 10 things I'm "in the process" of doing/completing AND I've finished 8! For those of you who aren't good at math, that means I've got 18 out of 30 going, which is more than half! Yippeeee! I've still got some work to do and hope to get a few more things finished/started in the next few weeks. Seriously, people, this has been a great motivation to do some things that "I've always wanted to do" but haven't done! When you have a "REASON" to do it (ie. need to cross it off a list) it seems to make doing it more of a priority. So make your own "__ till __" list ASAP! You won't regret it!

Okay - to "report" on my summer life - which is so interesting - hey, it's interesting to me...

NEW YORK & BOSTON - June 2010...

So the day I got out of school, my roommate Olivia and I hoped on a Red Eye flight to New York. We arrived early in the morning and headed to the hotel, where we dropped off our luggage and headed to the Statue of Liberty. From there, we spent 3 days exploring the city and had a super great time!

This is from the Statue of Liberty museum... talk about toe jam!

This is from the Manhattan Temple, which is where we were when we were SUPPOSED to be seeing Wicked.. yah, I'm not to good when it comes to looking at details apparently, ie the DATE on the tickets that came in the mail 3 weeks before we left. Hence the need to have "SEE WICKED" on the 30 till 30 list. Can we say FLAKE! But the temple was BEAUTIFUL!

The Brooklyn Bridge... walked half way, then decided to come back.

This is in front of the "MET" which was pretty neat - someone could spend a week inside and still not see everything! It's HUGE!

The night life! We were out in time square workin' our magic till midnight... okay, we really just wanted to go to the M&M store - which had some pretty sweet things!

Central Park - Great place for a Sunday Afternoon Stroll

This is a special picture :) not the most flattering, but hey, what can ya do. This is from The Empire State Building... learned that the city has "grown" because throughout history they would dump trash out in the "bay", which would pile up, decompose and become "land" which they could build in. CRAZY!
This is from the "Top of the Rock" - we went one night after we'd gone to a play (which we had a cool picture from, but it got lost :( We'd taken a picture with the man who'd written the play! How cool is that!) Pretty cool views at night!

BOSTON: After a few days in New York, we took a train up to Boston! I think that I actually liked riding the train, because the seats were spacious (unlike a plane) and I was able to get some things done while I rode!

Our 1st night in Boston - we'd had some New England Clam Chowder! Man, was it tasty! YUM!

For 1 of the days we were in Boston we walked the "Freedom Trail" - which takes you to see the U.S. History sites in the city. You get a map and walk to each spot on your own. This is a cemetery where Paul Revere (and many other famous patriots) was/were buried.

Somewhere around this bay is where the Boston Tea Party took place...

A Memorial of the location of the Battle of Bunker Hill (I teach all this history, which is why it was super cool to me!)

Okay, this is inside the Old North Church - which is where the lanterns were hung from the "Paul Revere Ride" poem that we all know and love! This was a cool church because it has some stolen clocks in it or something like that... can't remember the details, but I remember something about pirates? Olivia might have to help with the details on this one.

This is us enjoying our treat from "Mike's Pastries" - which the 12 year old desk clerk (okay he wasn't 12, but he LOOKED like he was 12) told us to try out. It was a really cool place/experience - I felt like I was at the Bakery from "CAKE BOSS" on TV. :) We had to enjoy a treat along our ALL DAY walk!

This is on a replica of the U.S.S. Constitution - which I think was a ship from way back in the day that was "unsinkable" - they called her "IRON CLAD" or something similar to that. I was tired at this point, since it was the last stop on the Freedom Trail for us, and don't remember too many details.

On day 2 in Boston, we took the Bus to Lexington & Concord - the sites of the 1st Battles of the Revolutionary War - we took a "tour" and saw many sites, and I took TONS of notes on what Really took place there... funny that these two towns still fight over where the "shot heard around the world" took place. I really enjoyed this! This is the bridge that takes you to the farm where there was a small battle with the British.

Along this tour, you could also get off the bus and tour the home of the author of "Little Women". We did so, in order to meet up with our new friend Sally, who offered to drive us back to the beginning of the tour - we didn't really need a ride, but went with her anyway and made a new friend and heard about her interesting trip with her husband.

Me, our new friend Sally, and Olivia at one of the tourist stops - this was the "Minute Men Headquarters" or something like that.

Us with the funny tour guide who said all history books were full of mixed up stories, and false information, but wouldn't write his own book! Hello! Help us out, write the TRUTH so we can all get it right!

Mike's Pastry part 2! Had to go back for more...

While trying to find a place to eat we saw a few "Cheers" Bars

This is us getting back at 11:00 at night, very exhausted from the trip, but VERY glad to have gone! What a week of AMAZING EXPERIENCES!

Help, Please!

2010-08-08T23:04:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends,

I need some help, please. I have finally downloaded some pictures of my summer adventures, AND, my 30 till 30 adventures... (which I'll try to post this week.) Along with these pictures, I'd like to post an updated list with the things I've accomplished in a different color then the rest of the text. HOWEVER, I'm not smart enough (or patient enough) to figure out how to do this. Who can tell me how to do multiple colors in ONE post? :) Thanks!

Love,
Tricia

Up to 30...

2010-06-29T22:43:00.007-06:00

Okay, I know you're just waiting at the edge of your seat... Here's an "updated" list... I've got 30 things to do... hoping to add to the list, so PLEASE keep the ideas coming! And, anyone that wants to join in on the fun, please let me know! I'd much rather do these 30 things other people... :)

Italics mean that it's in progress...
Bold means DONE, and DONE!

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it :)
5. Run in 6 races
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends (or meet two new people) every month
8. Read 6 books – (1 down!)
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp - (thanks Jared)
12. See Wicked - (this one's for you Olivia... I'm going to make up for my dumb mistake if it kills me or costs me $500!) :)
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio
16. Go to a Demolition Derby
17. Run Ragnar
18. Go somewhere I’ve never been before
19. Try a new kind of food
20. Go Curling
21. Put up dining room decorations
22. Read Grandpa Ellison’s life history
23. Do family history with Grandma Perkins and Mom
24. Grow a garden
25. Go to a new restaurant
26. Cook a new recipe
27. Go Skiing
28. Go to Antelope Island
29. Write my own personal history (at least start ☺)
30. Finish decorating bedroom
31. Learn how to do Yoga
32. Make a pumpkin pie (not for thanksgiving)
33. Keep a service journal/gratitude journal for 6 months or longer
34...

Updates...

2010-06-20T22:37:00.003-06:00

Well, I realized today that I have some work ahead of me. Have a trip to "document" and a list to update! Photo's and pictures to come... thanks to all those who've been posting ideas for me to add to the list! More to come this week - cause I don't have a million things to do or a million places to be in! So EXCITED!

30 till/past 30 LIST! OH YEAH!

2010-06-11T23:31:00.003-06:00

Okay - well since Jared is the only one who's "commenting" (except my mom who called me with a suggestion that is now #3), ... this may just be a list for my own personal reference - which is fine - cause I needed to write it down somewhere! More ideas of things to do/accomplish/learn to come...

Current List... (It's not going to be 30 things - but a list of things and I'll do at least 30 before I turn 30 - and then 30 MORE things after I turn 30 :) - just to ya know how it's gonna work)

1. Learn to play the organ
2. Learn how to golf (anyone want to go to the driving range?)
3. Build a piece of furniture!
4. Create a budget and actually keep to it :)
5. Run in 6 races
6. Do at least 1 hour of service Every Week
7. Make 2 new friends every month (June = Sally from Springfield, MA + ?)
8. Read 6 books
9. Create a piece of "art" that is displayed in my home (drawing, painting, photograph, sewing project, etc.)
10. Overcome a weakness... (tardiness, journal writing, etc...)
11. Hike Mt. Timp - (thanks Jared)
12. See Wicked - (this one's for you Olivia... I'm going to make up for my dumb mistake if it kills me or costs me $500!) :)
13. Find a way to organize my business - particularly my business finances.
14. Get a big girl bed :) - this is for AFTER I turn 30 :)
15. Teach Allie to be the best soccer player in all of Ohio ;)

etc...

Any other suggestions people?

30 'till 30 / 30 past 30

2010-06-07T20:23:00.003-06:00

My roommate and I were talking and decided that instead of stressing about turing the big 3-0 we'd do a little "celebrating" - I've decided to call my "count down" 30 'till 30 - 30 past 30... I know you're dying to know what that means :)

Well, let me explain! I'm going to come up with a long list of things I'd like to do/learn and will be trying to do at least 30 before I turn 30 and then to celebrate I'm going to kick off the first "6 months" of being 30 by continuing to check off 30 more things off the list :)

Check back soon to see what's gonna be on this list! (Oh, and if you would contribute your ideas, I'd love to hear them!)

RAGNAR Wasatch Back

2010-05-23T22:28:00.004-06:00

A week ago my friend got a hold of me and asked me to run the Wasatch Back Relay Race with her and some of her friends this coming month. She told me that the gal they had lined up had suffered an injury and seeing that the race is in mid June, they needed to find a replacement, FAST! Hesitating at first, I told her I'd think about it and get back to her the next day... Needless to say, I thought about it, debated back and forth, wondering if I could really make it through 16.4 miles with only a month to train, and said YES!

I'm really excited, petrified, and wondering what I was thinking, but look forward to the adventure! Our team of 12 will be running from Logan to Park City (188 miles) in 24 hours riding in 2 vans, sleeping in the van or wherever there's an empty lawn, and should have quite the experience! I'm hoping to make it through the race without passing out from heat stroke or lack of sleep! But I'm excited...

Our team name is "Hips, Lips, and Asphalt" - the team blog is http://lipshipsandasphalt.blogspot.com/... I'm running leg 8! Wish me luck!

Summer Vacation

2010-05-10T21:32:00.002-06:00

Purchased tickets to go to New York/Boston the day school gets out... can I say I'm ready for a vacation!

SPRING BREAK...well, sort of...

2010-04-03T22:25:00.003-06:00

A month ago... yes, I know I'm not good at posting in a timely manner... I had Spring Break. Because I'm a bad planner, I didn't have any fantastic trip planned to the beaches of Hawaii, or a sunny cruise to the Bahamas... So, I stayed home in the awesome Utah Snow. Love snow in April, and in May... lovely!

So, not to be discouraged, I decided to enjoy my time off by going to bed early (yes, I don't GET to do this while working because I'm always up late grading, or making lunch for the next day, or I don't know, but I'm always up!). I'm really bad at this, but I actually like to go to bed early so I can get up early and enjoy the day - but I tend to go to bed late, get up early and drag through the day - it's stupid, I know... anyway, back to my break -

Thursday I was able to go the Salt Lake Temple and enjoyed a very nice live session! It was so nice to be able to be there and I was grateful to be able to relax while enjoying the spirit of the temple. After my session I joined in a "mini" sealing session, which was fantastic... we single gals don't get to do those too often, since it's hard to act as proxy when ya don't have a man in tote to do so... That night I went to institute and again, enjoyed the lesson... it was a "churchy" day.

Friday consisted of WORK and SHOPPING - my two favorite things! So, maybe I don't "enjoy" the actually cleaning, but I LOVE the feeling when something is organized and cleaned up! I chose to attack the project called "garage"... I finally organized my Flower Business - yes, I feel like I have a mini "shop" in the garage now! LOVE IT (I'm the only one who really cares about it, but I don't care! It's going to be so nice!) (P.S. my Mom did help me a ton with the garage... must give credit!). Then, in true Ellison fashion, we did a little "therapy" session... We went shopping to help fill some of the "gaps" in the decor of my house - a corner here, a table there... We went to two "decor" stores (Tia Pan & Osmands in Lehi - Osmands ROCKS!), IKEA for some of the garage "accessories" and then a stop at Home Depot, to get the "tool rack" for the garage :) When we got home, we put everything up, and it feels like a new place - again :) Good times (Thanks Mom!)

Saturday - Gym, 8:30 babysitting and then conference, store, conference, soccer game... "busy" but fun day. My game was SUPRER intense, and though the "show off" team we played was WAY too good to be in our "LOWEST LEVEL IN THE LEAGUE" - we beat them! Yes, it was AWESOME. Paige came and it was a lot of fun to play with her again - I LOVE SOCCER!

Sunday was just regular... nothing too exciting...

Monday was back to the grind, get ready for WORK again on Tuesday... Did finish up some of the things that I wasn't able to do on Friday and Saturday. Of course I didn't really prepare well for Tuesday because I was too busy being bummed that I had to go back - but oh well!

Sometimes I think it's nice to just be able to get caught up on life! Grateful for my mom's help in being able to do so... She is awesome! (And very good at decorating and organizing... you may be able to hire her to come help with your projects! :)

2010-04-03T22:07:00.005-06:00

The past few weeks have been full of growth on my part... I have come to know the Savior and my Father in Heaven in a way that I haven't been able to previously... due to my own pride and selfishness. I want to Testify that I know that MY Savior lives. I testify that He is the Savior of all mankind - a literal Savior. Without Him we are nothing... and without Him, we will never be able to know what Joy feels like. Without Him, we could not be blessed with progression and life in the Eternities. I am grateful that I have been taught these truths, and feel indebted to my Father in Heaven for the opportunity to enjoy this knowledge in the flesh. So many live without this joy... How was I so lucky... Happy Easter... He LIVES!

I can do better... I can treat each other as HE would treat them! I am WORTH IT, and so are all His children around us... I am His Disciple - and Today I commit to do better!

Soccer Streaker

2010-03-22T20:55:00.002-06:00

This past Saturday I joined a new soccer team. It's a "lower level" of play (the LOWEST division... I'm the only girl who's played soccer much... but the guys are pretty good) but I did have a good time playing... Maybe it's because it's nice to not be the worst player on the team for a change :) - They actually think I'm GOOD... (thanks other girls for making me "look good" ;) ) Okay, just kidding...

While playing this past Saturday, I was on the "sidelines" and heard some commotion behind me. I turned around just in time to see a butt - naked body go running by! This little boy (probably 4-5 years old) goes running by laughing and screaming - back and forth across the walk way a good 4-5 times :). His dad comes flying over the side board chasing him down - He grabbed him, and said, "You can't just take your clothes off... Where ARE your clothes?" Come to find out this little boy is a high functioning autistic kid, and doesn't like when his clothes feel wet... He said his pants felt wet, which is why he took EVERYTHING off :) It was awesome! But, gotta love a little game and a good streaker... :)

Soccer is the best sport ever! :)

Best Bro-in-Law (& Family) Ever!!!

2010-03-09T22:43:00.004-07:00

Okay, so this is a quick note...

As you may have guessed from my previous post, life's been rather... how can I say... NOT what I'd pick for myself. However, I know that that is how I will learn and grow...blah, blah, blah... not what I'm trying to post tonight.

HOWEVER, I came home tonight, and was about to get ready for bed, when I found THIS on my pillow!

Okay, can I say "AHHH"... to explain
My little sister and her husband are commuting from my parents house in AF to Salt Lake every day to work. To help save on gas, etc. they park one of their cars at my house each day so that my sister and I can go to the gym together after work, and so she can have a car during the day, if needs be. Tonight, she came home before me to meet her awesome husband so they could change and go to the temple... he, being so thoughtful, had picked up these little "gifts" and wrote me a note in order to cheer me up from being sad. How awesome is that! Okay... seriously, whomever I end up marrying is going to have to be pretty darn amazing to match up to a brother-in-law like that! He's setting the bar pretty high, my friend!

THANKS A MILLION ADAM! It really did the trick tonight! :)

Change...

2010-03-07T00:04:00.004-07:00

So, I know I've been doing a lot of "writing" and really pictures are more fun, but I wanted to post something that I found tonight, perhaps for my own benefit, but perhaps someone needed this as much as I did today...

For the past week or so, I've been thinking about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is really about change. I've thought about how the gospel brings about little changes in our lives as we come to understand new things and therefore "repent" of our shortcomings and mistakes. As we do that, the Lord CHANGES us, through the amazing power of the Atonement, to be more like Him. So really, the gospel is all about continually changing! If we aren't willing or ready to change, we can't really progress...

Recently there have been many promptings in my life to follow through with some "changes" that I did NOT want to make, but alas, in order to truly have peace in my life, I gave into the will of the Lord. My thoughts this morning were, "why is it SO hard to do the "right" thing sometimes? It's what is "right" and is supposed to bring joy in my life, but right now it's SO HARD!" Then, this evening I randomly clicked onto my cousin's blog and saw a link to a her friends blog. This friend recently lost a baby who was born prematurely (weighing less than 2 lbs). It told of the experiences they had during this precious baby's 10 days here on earth. One of the posts consisted of this "story"...

The Eternal Refiner and Purifier of Silver-- Malachi 3:3

Malachi 3:3 says: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."

This verse puzzled some students in an Old Testament Sunday School class and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the students, a woman, offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next class.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire to heat it up. He explained that when refining silver, one needs to hold the silver in the middle of the flame where the fire is hottest and thereby burn away all of the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot. Then she thought again about the verse that says: "…He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."

She asked the silversmith if he truly had to sit there in front of the fire closely monitoring the progress and make adjustments the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man assured her he did, and that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on it the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy – when I see my image in it."

When you are personally feeling the heat of the fire, as we all sometimes do, remember that God has His eyes on you and will keep closely watching you until He sees His image in your countenance.

It was very humbling to read this and to be reminded that the Lord knows what he's doing... He really does love me more than I understand. He wants what is best... even if it is uncomfortable for me and may even hurt for a while. And if I'll do my best to follow his commandments, I'll see His countenance in myself, if only for a moment... WHAT AN AMAZING GIFT! To be like God, what more could I ask for! It's so hard to remember this when you feel like you are consumed by the heat of that refiners fire, but oh how amazing it is to look back and see who you have become because of it! What a blessing it is to know who I am, where I come from and how to get back there! I'm TRULY one of the luckiest people to have ever lived on this Earth. I'm grateful for my knowledge of Jesus Christ, of his life and mission, and to Know, though experience, of the POWER of the Atonement! I'm so blessed to know about this kind of change...

Water Softener? and "You're NOT DATING SOMEONE!?!?"

2010-02-16T21:04:00.003-07:00

Okay, tonight I need a little help and have a story to share in return. A few weeks ago a salesman came by and tried to sell me a "water softener system". He insisted on letting his company bring a water softener in for me to try "free for a month!". Deciding that I didn't want to stand here talking to this guy anymore, I said fine, bring it by. So, the next night they bring one by, and I should have just told him I'd changed my mind right then, because HE wasn't trying to sell me anything!
Anyway, tonight they sent over another salesman who wanted to come in my home, test things out and then show me how wonderful this new water softener is. To start things off, he was a nice guy, though pushy and smelled strongly of cologne and talked about a million miles an hour! He came in and showed me two tests with some hard vs. soft water samples (10 min) - THEN, seeing that I was pretty skeptical, he wanted to go over the "short" version of what his company had to offer. This "short version" took an HOUR! Can you imagine what the LONG version would have been like... Thinking that some of this sounded interesting, I didn't give him an answer.

When he was done telling me everything and had flipped through all the pages in his little book, he said something about me being single - like "...your single right? Your roommates may also be able to save money too..."
I said, yeah I'm single (um, I have a roommate sitting on the couch - of course I'm not married! Why would I have a roommate if I was married!)
Then he said, "so you're probably dating someone, right."
I said, "no. I'm not dating someone."
He says, "REALLY! Not ANYONE?!?"
I say, "um, no I'm not "dating" anyone right now."
Water man says, "Have you been married before?"
Me - "no. (In my mind - And is that really any of your business! Seriously!)"
Nosey water dude "but you date right?"
Me - "Well, yeah I go on dates here and there. But I don't date a lot."
Water man, "I just CAN'T BELIEVE you're not dating someone!!!"
Me - "Well, I'm happy. I'm not complaining about it right now."
Astonished Water guy, "I just can't believe that you're not dating someone!"...

You get the idea! He said, "I can't believe that you're not dating someone. That just really surprises me!" at least 5 times! My roommate was sitting on the couch facing the other wall TRYING NOT TO LAUGH! It was awkward for me and a little uncomfortable to have to explain to a TOTAL stranger that I'm not DATING SOMEONE! REALLY, is it so hard to believe that a nice girl is NOT attached to a guy at all times. Of course I'd LIKE to be married to Prince Charming, but it hasn't worked out that way so far - WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN THAT TO A TOTAL STRANGER! SO funny, awkward, and strange all in the same time!

He eventually stopped asking about my dating life, and started prying into my work life... Eventually he got the hint that I was done and he left, but the hint of his cologne hung in the air for a bit (we had to open the window so I didn't get a headache!)

So after all that, I'd love to know what you all think about water softeners. I am finding that my hair won't do much since they installed it, but I'm wondering if that is a normal thing... what do you all think? Are you Pro, or Against? Would LOVE any help I can get on this... I'd rather be able to give Captain Nosey Pants an answer over the phone this next time! I don't really want to spend another evening telling him about my lack of dating - Or maybe I'll just get a boyfriend in the next week!

CHOCOLATE!

2010-02-04T15:51:00.004-07:00

Okay, today I go so mad at two boys, that I was shaking... I think I need some chocolate - THIS is why teachers get FAT! I HATE NAUGHT KIDS!!! They're not bad but they sure are naughty!

...

2010-01-18T14:29:00.003-07:00

This is a great picture of our family from our family Christmas party - Ellison Style - we were having a contest on who could come up with the best Christmas outfit... we got a little carried away when we went through my Mom's Christmas Decoration box... There were some GREAT ones - spencer did win a top prize for his awesome outfit... the picture was a winner from the White Elephant gift exchange...

AND... finally! Here are some pictures of my house (at least the downstairs... my bedroom is rather messy!)

New Year...

2010-01-12T22:07:00.002-07:00

Well, it's a new year and I think that I will try to do a better job a blogging in 2010 (yeah, I know it won't take much to improve!). My problem is that to blog takes TIME, and I never seem to have enough TIME in my life - even on Sunday the TIME is full of meetings before church and "family time" after church... will there ever be enough TIME? I doubt it... I guess I'll have to make it a priority?

So, I moved into my place 3 months ago and I LOVE it! My house (thanks to my decorator mother) is BEAUTIFUL and I really enjoy my location - Right off 72nd and close enough to work to get there in 10-15 min when I sleep in (on accident, right!) in the morning. I have enjoyed having people visit! So, if you haven't been over, YOU ARE INVITED anytime! Okay, well that's all I have time for now, so I'll do my best to check back in SOON!

Move in day?

2009-10-14T22:20:00.002-06:00

So, for those of you who didn't "hear"... I was supposed to close last Friday but things fell through due to delays with the loan guy, and a porch that didn't pass inspection... BUT, good news is that we have yet another closing date (well at least a possibility). Anyway, I may be closing (aka, selling my soul to the bank!) this Friday. Cross your fingers that it's not a another "false alarm"! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can... :)

What will you LEARN? What would YOU be willing to sacrifice?

2009-09-27T20:30:00.004-06:00

So, I started writing this post a month and a half ago, but then I never finished... it's like lots of things in my life... I start, but then I have to come back to them and finish when I have time - which is NEVER. So, back to a month and a half ago...Back in August, Paige and I went to our very first "Education Week" down on BYU campus. We saw a taping of a few talks from Education Week via the BYU channel at the gym in June, and decided to go to the Monday classes (since we had to go back to school that week). It was really AWESOME! Some of the ideas they shared were very thought provoking! I'll share a few of my favorites...

One of the speakers talked about the "trial" Abraham went through (being asked to sacrifice his son) and talked about how the reason Abraham was asked to do this is because (as Truman Madson puts it) "Abraham needed to learn something about Abraham." This made me think about how (in my opinion) this life is really about LEARNING! I need to learn about myself! I'm here to have experiences that help me to know how committed I REALLY am to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, (and to have joy, but that's another post entirely!). So, I think sometimes the Lord puts experiences in my life not because he wants to know if I'll be committed to Him, but so I know that I am committed to him... In my own words :) I think "Tricia needs to learn something about Tricia..." I'm hear to prove TO MYSELF, that I am worthy to live with the Lord forever - He didn't need me to come here to prove that to Him, He already knows me. I am here so that for eternity I'll KNOW what my real commitment level is. I LOVE that idea and it makes me want to do better... makes me want to "prove to myself" that I can DO IT!

Okay, another big thing that has been running through my mind comes from a "session" with a Brother Bartholomew. His class was INTENSE and AMAZING! He talked about revelation and prayer... One of my favorite ideas from his session was that if you don't have time for scripture study in your life, you need to "carve one out". He also talked about creating your OWN sacred grove in you home. He said his is in a room in the basement and his "daily devotional time" is at 5:30 every morning. He stressed a need to have a set TIME in your day where you can communicate with the Lord and study the scriptures so that you can receive personal revelation in your life! He talked about a process of having a 2-way communication with the Lord that has really CHANGED the way that I pray and CHANGED the way that I read my scriptures! It's amazing how the Lord has been communicating to me via the scriptures and how he's answered questions I didn't even KNOW I should be asking! I've started to pray about what I should pray about... it sounds complicated, but it's really NOT and it's amazing what happens when we stop telling the Lord about our wants and "needs" and start asking him what we should be wanting and needing... think about that one...

The last big idea I'll share was this idea that we receive blessings every time we sacrifice. Let me explain a little about what that means to me personally... We all have "things" (aka "sins/bad habits/etc") in our lives that we could do without, or "things" (aka righteous habits) that we COULD use in our lives. Most of these "things" require us to do without, or to create time for them in our already hectic lives. It takes "sacrifice" on our part to add or take away these "things", but the results are eternally important. These sacrifices are all VERY personal, but the Lord can help you see what they are... Perhaps it's to give an extra $10 in fast offering instead of going out to lunch. Perhaps it's to spend 30 min with your "grandma" who is lonely instead of watching your favorite TV program... let it "stretch you" a bit, if it was easy it wouldn't be a sacrifice! I don't know what YOUR sacrifice needs to be, but we all have something we can sacrifice! The greatest part about "sacrificing" is that when we sacrifice something we LOVE for something that the Lord asks us to do, HE will BLESS US for our efforts! Now realize I'm not saying we should sacrifice everything in our lives that's not perfect, but realize that this is a process that if repeated in our lives (via small and simple steps), eventually we will be able to give "all our sins to know Him!" When we give of ourselves, we come to know who we truly ARE... we see our eternal being, not just this "natural man" we are here on earth... chipping away little pieces of "natural man" to see the "eternal possibilities"!

So, sorry to be so "serious" but these things have really been at the front of my thoughts since that day and have changed my perspective on life and I wanted to share because they make my life better! I think they've helped me to focus on what I really want in my life. What do you think? Please share your thoughts! I'd love to hear them!

A House and Hard things...

2009-09-14T21:34:00.007-06:00

A House:
Okay, so it's been a while since I've posted, but I promised my sis (these are for YOU Jamie) some pictures of my house. They painted the inside this week and I think I like it... I'm hoping that it's not too DARK! I got extra lights to try and keep it "light" but then the paint is a little darker than I "wanted" but then I didn't want it much lighter... so I guess I'm going to be living with it, so I should just "love it!"

My room... It's AMAZINGLY HUGE!

The view to the front door...

What will be the kitchen...

The front of the house (and the neighbors :)

The living room...

Hard things:
The past two weeks of my life have been FULL of not bad things, but hard things. I have had lots of things going on lately that require a lot of time, a lot of energy, and are just plain stretching me in so many ways. When I found out about some car problems on Saturday (the 2nd car problem for the week... another $200 down the tubes...) I just thought, "really. REALLY! Does it have to come ALL at once?" And then I decided that it is all about attitude, so I should just be okay with things and the Lord will help me through whatever He sends my way. That didn't mean I wasn't still kinda bummed by the bumps in the road, but that I need to not let them hold me back. I decided the next morning to make the best of things and woke up ready to enjoy an awesome Sunday. After 3 hours of awesome meetings I felt rejuvenated and decided to set new goals to help me have a "fresh start" on life! It's always nice to "start fresh" mentally.
Then, yesterday at the gym, I was thinking about some experiences that have been particularly frustrating to me and this thought came to me... At the time I was on the elliptical (at the gym) and the resistance seemed to be more difficult to push against than normal. The thought came to me, I should put it back down since it "feels" so hard to go at this level. Then, I thought, but if it's harder, then it will help me build stronger muscles. Then the light came on... the Lord sometimes gives us things that "feel" so hard! but if we will just take them on, they will help us build stronger spiritual muscles... I know this is kinda a "dumb" metaphor, but to me it just made sense and helped me want to push through these not so fun experiences. Nothings bad or terribly hard, its just a lot at one time! I know I'll be fine and the extra "resistance" will only help me be spiritually fit! No matter how "hard" it is, it will only build strength and benefit me later on! I can be strong... I can do ANYTHING with the help of the Lord, so "bring it on, baby!!!"

Baby Sarah Gammon...

2009-08-10T19:56:00.007-06:00

Okay fam' I have pic's of my brand new niece who was born this morning! Her name will be Sarah Gammon and she is CUTE!!! Hope you enjoy...

Oh, and Mom is doing great... she didn't even mess up her hair! ... Here are the "mature" Gammon ladies chillin' at the hospital.

Pools, Pirates & Portland, Oregon

2009-08-02T22:31:00.013-06:00

So, I know it's summer and I should have time to post my adventures, but well... I'm lazy:) So, I know it's August but here's what's been happening in June/July (besides buying a house...)

JUNE:

After school got out I decided to spend a week with my favorite 2 & 4 year olds, in the great city of Cincinnati, Ohio. We had good times! We spent a lot of time just "chillin" at the house but did make it to the Air and Space museum in Dayton (Is that right Jamie?) All in all I enjoyed reading, sleeping, playin' with the kids, and more napping :) It's just what the doc ordered!

Here's Allie swimmin in the pool on the deck...

And Lindsay chillin'

Hot babes...

So part of my job during the visit was to help Jamie (my sis) prepare for the next addition to the family by cleaning out the "play room" in their basement. We started working, but were soon attacked by the cutest little pirates EVER... take a look!

The ANGRY ALLIE Pirate

Then, she turned friendly

Then the terrible two-some, Lindsay and Elmo

... Just Lindsay...

We did spend one day at the museum... I took a few pictures, but Allie wasn't in a very good mood (she got scared when we walked under the planes for some reason, which made the visit a little interesting)... so most of the good ones were of Lindsay.

Okay, and to top things off... well for the weekend of the 4th of July I headed to Portland with some girls that I work with. We spent an afternoon at Mt Saint Helen's (which was pretty darn cool!) and I even got to do a session at the Portland temple one evening (which was AWESOME!!! and I needed it that week!). On Saturday (the 4th) I hung out with my friend Ashley (who now lives in the Portland area) and we headed to the beach for fireworks and a good time. It was pretty amazing to see the fireworks while sitting in the sand on the beach! An experience that I won't soon forget... Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera to the beach! Oh, well! I have the memories:)

A hike to some waterfalls...

The temple...

Mt Saint Helen's

A HOUSE... that's BIG NEWS!!!

2009-07-15T20:32:00.003-06:00

Tonight I was just looking through my email, deleting emails that are "old" or ones that I don't need to save, and saw an email sent to me by my relator on July 9th. Today is only the 15th, but SO MUCH has happened between the time that she sent that email and the one she sent Today!

So... a little "brief overview"... For the 4th of July I went with a few girls I work with to Portland. Before I left I'd found a place in West Jordan that i really LOVED, but the location wasn't feeling "right". I told my realtor that I would think about things over the weekend and then get back to her when I got back into town... I didn't feel good about things and started thinking it might take a LONG TIME to find something that I would like that much any time soon... I felt a little discouraged! I called her when I got back and set up an appointment to go see a few places that my Mom had found online. There were some properties that looked promising and I started to feel hopeful.

We started a a place that I'd looked at before, but had felt like was too pricey for me. On the return visit, I decided that perhaps, with some bargaining, I could get the price down to something "affordable". Feeling pretty good, we headed to the next stop, but it was way out of my price range, (by about $15,000). I was a little "bummed" because I was thinking this 2nd stop would be a possible match (because I really liked the location of the project). However, after some looking around, we realized that they were building some townhomes (to be finished in September) that would possibly fit within my budget. SO, we decided to take a look. Looking around I immediately liked what I saw... I was thinking that my mom and realtor were not necessarily sure if it was a good buy, so I was a little hesitant... But, the more we saw, the more I LIKED it... and the more it seemed to fit - to ALL of us. So, once done seeing everything, we went back, got some info (they were running a "deal" that ended in 3 days!, and then started a serious look into actually buying one of the unfinished properties.

The next day, I called and got approved for a loan with a GREAT interest rate! and my realtor looked into the builder, the developer, and all the paperwork stuff. We made an appointment and went in to the office on Saturday to put in an offer, and ernest money...AHHH! They told me that they would let me know Monday if my offer was to be accepted (I had some adjustments from their "asking" conditions.)

Early Monday afternoon, hoping that my offer would be accepted, I went to the interior design company and picked out counters, floors, paint, cabinets, etc. Wow, was that OVERWHELMING! So many choices, so many different prices! What can I afford? What's the best choice for me and for a resale? I had a HEADACHE by the time we were done! And then I got a call, late afternoon, from my realtor telling me they had accepted my offer! Yeah, AHH, awesome!, OH MAN...what did I just DO!?!?!?

On Tuesday, I contacted the lender I was HOPING to use, and found out that their interest rates were MUCH higher than the other lender, who had pre-approved me for a loan (and locked me in at that AWESOME interest rate). So, that was a let down, but not a deal killer... I spent some of the afternoon looking at what it would cost me to put in my own granite counter tops, and travertine floors... Man, more decisions! So, I headed back to the "office" to figure out what structural upgrades I wanted to add. Can I say, TIRED!

Today I met with the lender (with the awesome interest rate!), headed back to the interior design place to finalize me counter tops, cabinets, kitchen floors, carpets, paint, etc. WOW, it feels like I've made 1,000 MAJOR decisions! 5 days ago, I was thinking I might have to go back to renting for a while, and now I'm BUYING A HOUSE, I've picked out EVERY inch of it, (hoping that it all turns out okay!!!) and will soon be in some major debt! SO MUCH, SO CRAZY!, SO EXCITING! Did you catch all that? It happened pretty quick... I'm tired just reading about it all over again! Time for a nap! Wait, I'd better take some pictures to post!... no rest for this girl!

"The Wedding"... but not MY wedding...

2009-06-18T20:53:00.008-06:00

As I know most of you know (because you came to it) my bestest single friend is no longer single! LAME! Okay, I guess it's okay because in reality I DO like having Adam as part of the family... but STILL! I'm back to being literally on my own... So, a little about the big day! Well, MY version of her big day...

We got up early and headed down town to the temple. And despite an April wedding day, (we thought that the tulips would be out and were hoping it wasn't raining...) and it WASN'T raining! It was SNOWING!!! Yep, snow in April... gotta love Ut. The temple ceremony was really nice and I throughly enjoyed the sealers comments... Personally, my favorite part of the ceremony was where he talked about the fact that if we had been endowed, and didn't have the chance to get married, we had essentially "made it"... So, maybe he didn't say that but that's what I heard. He gave the two of them some great advise on making their married strong through serving each other... which was awesome to think about... and then performed the ordinance. Something funny when I thought about it later, was that when they knelt down, I felt this tightening of my chest and I thought "this is it! you can't turn back!!!... are you SURE about this!" And then I realized, oh, WAIT it's not ME committing to this... it's someone else...WHEW! I'm okay! Guess perhaps I'm not ready for marriage after all!

After the ceremony we went out for family pictures... luckily the snow had stopped but it was really COLD. They turned out pretty good considering that we were all wearing coats and shivering with red noses and pink cheeks!

After all that fun, I headed home and finished up all the flowers. I spent the rest of the day finishing things up after spending the night before getting them started. They all turned out even prettier than I had hoped, due to the HIGH quality of flowers that I got in from my wholesalers... It was LOTS of work but it was all worth it! I just hope someone in the family will return the favor when it's my turn... HINT, HINT!

The reception part was FUN, and there were plenty of people to visit. Things got pretty crowded (despite the nasty snowy, windy weather!) and warm in there but it was awesome to see people from my past. I was glad after all was said and done to be able to GO TO BED! after a long, but memorable day!

A Spring time Trip

2009-06-08T00:00:00.008-06:00

So, you'd think that I'd be a little more on the ball, but alas... better late than never, I always say! And generally I'm LATE - SO, here's what happened three months ago in my life!

So, in March Paige and I went on our last "single" sister trip. We decided that we should go see our older sis & nieces before she got married and was too poor to go anywhere. We hopped on a plain, & headed to the Ohio. We didn't stay long - only 3 days, but it was fun to see the girls and to have a few days to do "sister" things. Okay, so mostly we just hung out and watched the girls act like the goofy kids that they are, but I enjoyed it!

A few photo's...

Yes these are "panty liners" that my niece's decided to put on the door below the sink :) Luckily they were on the INSIDE of the door... Nice decorating idea Allie! (Don't worry... there was also one behind the toilet :)... She's bound to end up on HGTV designing someone's new home...)

And, if you thought that the interior decorating skills were good... check out the fashion tips from Ohio this past spring! I know, sorry they are so late... but hey, it's Utah! We're always a month or two behind the times anyway... Check it OUT!

Here's the back view...(complete with wings!)...

And the front... what STYLE!

Don't worry, Lindsay's got the Gammon style vibes as well...

All in all, the trip was enjoyable and these fashionable munchkins were a blast to spend a weekend with! We ended our trip at the museum where the kids (who by the way BEGGED to go to the dinosaur exhibit at the museum... but got scared, so we went to the "discovery" part of the museum...) had a great time playing. Unfortunately my battery died, so you are stuck with some "less than perfect, but all we could get with that last battery juice" pic's...

Not Dead YET!

2009-06-01T23:12:00.003-06:00

So, to those of you who think I've died, due to a lack of posting, I say, "I'm NOT dead YET!" The past few months have been VERY busy and have been full of High "highs", and some pretty Low "lows"... such is life I guess. I'm really looking FORWARD to a RELAXING summer break, with NO school and LOTS and LOTS of sleep... something I've been missing out on A LOT lately. I know already that it's going to be full of craziness and hopefully lots of time with family and friends! I hope I'll have more time to update life when I get there... only 4 days left!!! I think I CAN make it!

... a thought...

2009-03-12T11:52:00.002-06:00

So, as many already know, my sister is getting married in like 3 weeks! Things are getting rather crazy around our place and since I'm doing lots of the decorating, I'm starting to feel rather stressed too... well, I wish I could say I was perfect, but of course we all know that I'm far from it - which means that I have been neglecting my scripture reading, which means I am captain cranky pants lately...

This morning I decided that 5 min wouldn't make or break my schedule and I sat down to read from the Book of Mormon. I can't tell you the difference it has made! Well, to top that off, I was reading an email from my cousins son, who is currently serving a mission in Australia. He sends a mass email once a week and my cousin forwards it to me. It's funny how his little thoughts have been a real pick me up at times. Gotta love missionaries :)

Well, the thought I had was this one... in this email from Elder Jones, he mentions that if we all would pray with more faith to do what the Lord asks, we would have more confidence, etc. He mentioned the fact that Joseph Smith went into the grove with a sincere faith and desire to really do whatever it was the Lord asked him to do. Now, I may be on my own here, but I've always had this idea in my head that Joseph Smith must have had way more faith than I'll ever have - I mean he was the prophet of the restoration! But it dawned on me, that he didn't have any more faith that I can have! The difference was he was sent here to fulfill a different mission and purpose than me. I guess that means that if I had the faith and it was according to the plan, I could have the same experiences that he did... That makes me want to do better with the whole scripture reading, faith based prayers, etc. EVEN when I'm stuck planning a wedding, and feeling stressed out... I have the same potential and capacity! Just a thought... what do you think?

My height says...

2009-03-07T21:59:00.004-07:00

So, I sometimes get a little "curious",... okay nosey, and start blog hopping to random people's blogs, and ran across a link to this thing that tells you what your height means. (You can try it yourself if you'd like...http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourheightsayaboutyouquiz/)

I read this and about died... the last sentence really made me crack up for some reason - so what do you think, is it accurate - not the mexican part, but the rest of it...?

What Does Your Height Say About You?

Your Height Says You're Kind

You are a gifted communicator, and you understand other people well.
You are compassionate and empathetic. You feel other's pain a little too easily.

Because of your open heart and open mind, many people admire and adore you.
You are classy and well mannered. You have the art of charm mastered.

You are about as tall as the average Mexican woman.

Anna's Prayer...

2009-02-04T21:29:00.003-07:00

As we all know I'm not a very consistent blogger, and this happened about 2 months ago, but have been meaning (for two months) to share it with ya'll because it really touched me.

I have this little girl in my class named Anna. She's a really cute, bright, polite, funny little girl who sometimes acts like she's 7 going on 12. I had her older brother as a student about two years ago and have gotten to be friends with her mother, who comes in to help in the classroom each Friday. When her mom comes in, she brings her little sister along (Jane) who is 3 but likes to pretend that she's 7-8 like the other kids. She has her own desk with her name on it, her own crayon box, etc. The kids really like it and for a three year old, she behaves amazingly! It's been a fun part of my week this year and will be sad when the "family" moves onto 3 grade next year, because they are lots of fun and really neat to interact with.

Well, about two months on a Friday morning (I think it was the first week in December) Anna came up to me and gave me a little slip of paper (literally the size of a business card) which I quickly decided was an invite to a piano recital to be held that evening. I looked at it and told her that I would try to come but didn't know if I could make it on such short notice. I had something planned for that night and felt like it would be pushing it to get to both the recital and my other commitment in the short amount of time I had. So mulled over it all day and decided at the end of the day that kids only have recitals so often and they rarely invite their school teacher to attend, so I better go, since she took the time to give me the invitation and such. I was a little embarrassed to go since I was in my grubby jeans and ratty looking school sweatshirt, (since I'd stayed late a work that day) but felt the need to go despite my lovely attire. So, I got in the car, rushed off to find the location and arrived about 5 min before things were to start.

I walked into the music store entrance and was met by Anna's mother, who was the host of the recital, since she was the piano teacher of the students performing in the recital. She smiled at me and told me how glad she was that I could come. She's always so kind, so I didn't think anything of it and made some comment on how I was embarrassed that I wasn't dressed appropriately, but wanted to come anyway. She the proceeded to tell me that right before their family had left the house they had all knelt down to say a prayer that each child would do well while performing their piano pieces. Anna had said in the prayer, "and please help Miss Ellison to be able to make it to my piano recital"... or something along those lines, and her mother had been worried that if I didn't come, Anna would be disappointed and worried about her prayer not being answered. It really caught me off guard, because I had really debated on whether or not I had time to come, but had felt a NEED to go. It just goes to show that the faith of a small child is amazing! I was VERY grateful that I had decided to "listen" to that little prompting that told me that I should be there for this simple and uneventful little piano recital. It may not have been a big deal to Anna, but it helped me remember that even simple prayers can be answered if we have enough faith... Something to think about...

It's that Time of Year Again...

2009-02-01T12:12:00.004-07:00

Warning: tangent... So, I don't mean to sound depressing, but do you ever get tired with "life" and feel like you are constantly fighting the same battle OVER and OVER and OVER again... Like you are going in circles, doing the same thing, experiencing the same trials over and over again... and asking yourself, when will my life move onto something new? I'm thinking I'm there:) I seem to find myself here this time of year, every year... Lame!

So, if anyone out there has any suggestions - I'm game! I guess I'm not learning whatever it is the Lord's trying to teach me, so I should try to figure out what it is, so I can experience something new... preferably a less uncomfortable trial :) Just kidding, all things are for our good, right? Right!

Okay, onto something more uplifting!:)

Its the beginning of a new year (well kind of, it's now February - but those of you who really know me, know that I'm often a day late and a dollar short :) ), and I guess it's time to make some new goals... I'm struggling a little to pick just a FEW goals (I always tend do over do EVERYTHING in my life, including goal setting) and would like to really narrow things down to a few things that I REALLY want to accomplish this year - How do I simply my goals... maybe I'm really saying how do I simplify my life... (Maybe that should be a goal... one down? how many to go? How many is too many?... HELP!!!)

SO, friends and family... I'm ready for suggestions...

Are YOU Blogging???

2009-01-08T19:44:00.002-07:00

SO, over the past few months I have noticed that there are some folks who have said they have been "reading" my blog, but I haven't seen THEIR blogs. I have also noticed that some people used to have "public" blogs, but now are "private!". I guess what I am trying to say, is if you are seeing this now, and either you are now private, or you haven't given me your blog address (if I have it, I have it linked on my blog page... so if you don't see it, I don't have it) I REALLY want to be "in" the loop! ... Send me your address or can I be invited to view your blog? (I guess you have to send me an email??? - I don't know about this kind of stuff to much...) Anyways, it's something that I need YOUR help with friends. :)

Thanksgiving with the Fam'

2009-01-08T16:56:00.004-07:00

So I am more than a little behind on life, but thought I'd do my best to get a few entries in, since its a new year, and that means I should be trying harder... right? Well, whatever, here's my best efforts :)

This year, as has been the trend over the past few years, it was just my parents, grandparents, and my two single siblings. We all gathered at my parents house in American Fork for a little turkey, stuffing, and the works. We ate, chatted, got sick, "rested" from the hard work of eating, and then had Pie to top everything off. As always, I made the pies (You can have store bought pies... I mean really!!!) and Paige made the Rolls, while my Mom pretty much did almost everything else. We tried to help where possible, but I admit, I'm probably not the best of helpers in the world... especially on Thanksgiving morning... I tend to spend that morning at the gym, so I don't have to worry TOO much about what I eat that day.

Anyways, it was a really nice meal, and I throughly enjoyed having the day off from work, so as to enjoy and be thankful for the many blessings that i have been given in my life - one of them being that I have a profession which gives me holidays off, so I can always spend them with my family, even if we are "small" in numbers. Really, that's just the tip of the iceberg. I might be one of the most blessed people you've ever met - Yes, Really!

Pie anyone? Yes, it's actually quite fabulous!

Yes, these are the "6-packs" we got from going to the gym that morning... or maybe just the fat roles that came after we ate... ;)

The "usual" Paige and Tricia pose...

New Calling...

2008-11-27T20:30:00.004-07:00

Jared... this post is for you to have something to read while at work... I'll try to post more soon...

So, my sister and I moved from our place in Murray to a new joint in Sandy last summer... in July we attended a singles ward, which as they usually are, was "interesting". We attended the student ward for our area a few weeks too and then were out of town for a few weeks on our "trip". We came back and somehow ended up back at "interesting" singles ward. So at about the end of August/ beginning of September we found our way to where we are "supposed" to be I guess.

Well, basically I didn't have a calling from about July until about October - yes not even visiting teaching... So, we got into this ward, and they told me and my sister that they would get us callings soon. I was told that I would be put on a committee... And then after a few months (the end of October) I was called to serve in the Relief Society Presidency. It's funny how we end up in the right place at the right time. I don't know more than a handful of the sisters in my ward, and I don't always understand the in's and out's of this funny little ward, but I am learning to love and see people as the Lord sees them. Its been a great learning experience for me already!

Just thought I'd share a little of what is taking up so much of my time! I love that I can learn from serving others and can really see the work of the Lord in my life and in the life of others as I do so!

Halloween & Another Visit!

2008-11-27T18:24:00.004-07:00

At the end of October my favorite older sister and my favorite nieces came to see us again! Steve was in Florida at some kind of doctor convention or whatever - so the girls, not wanted to stay at home alone decided to come trick or treating in Utah!

They came to see us right before Halloween so we were able to enjoy the opportunity to dress these lovely toddlers up as "princess ballet dancers" and I even brought them to school for a little bit of fun! (okay maybe the fun was for me and not the kids...) I invited Jamie to bring the girls up for a little Halloween "craft" project and treats. Then the next day they came for my school costume parade (which literally goes down main street in Sandy... but only about a block). I dressed up as a "mad scientist" and marched with a little lady at my right - whom everyone thought was "so CUTE!". I know that I enjoyed it, but I think the girls really liked the trick or treating the next night. On Halloween my parents and sister took the girls trick or treating, while I got things ready for a wedding order that I had to get done. Yes, I spent the evening working - the joys of having a small business! But it turned out to be quite beautiful in my opinion - too bad I don't have a good camera to show what things REALLY look like in person - but soon I'll have a website to see what the photographer can do... (I'm trying to collect professional photo's from friends weddings that I have done in the past... it's a long process)

The Saturday before they had to go home, we decided to head up the canyon for a little picnic lunch and short walk. It was actually quite enjoyable and as usual, brought out the strangeness in all of us - see below... and don't judge me - I'm around kids all day 5 days a week and my best friend acts like he's a kid... and sometimes I get sucked into it too... I know Adam, "I have a lot of growing up to do" - but enjoy anyway!

It's FAMILY TIME!

2008-10-01T17:46:00.008-06:00

So after all of the excitement of MY summer travels, it was time for my favorite far away family (my sister, brother-in-law & two beautiful nieces, which are featured in the picture on my blog) to come and visit ME! Okay, so it's not really all about ME, but I like to pretend it is once in a while... The really came to participate in a family reunion on my brother-in-law's side of the family - but whatever:).

On their first evening home we decided to all go to the driving range (since Steve is eventually going to have to learn how to play golf - he's going to be a doctor for heaven sakes!) and that turned out to be an adventure.

We were all out on the range when it started to sprinkle a little bit. "Grandma" quickly took both of the girls and started for the car, not wanting them to get all wet. She had almost gotten to the club house when it started to POUR!!! It was awesome! The rain started coming down and we all grabbed out things and also headed for the club house which was about 100 yards away. By the time we got there we were all DRENCHED! After another few min we decided that it would be more fun to go play in the puddles than stand under the building covering - so we did! Within min. the rain stopped and we decided that we should head for home - due to the fact that we looked like we had just stepped out of the shower with our clothes on. Though it was a wet evening it was a FUN one!

While they were here we had a good time! We visited the farm country over at Thanksgiving point one afternoon and Allie thought she had died and gone to heaven when she got to ride on the little pony's a few times. She also went on a little wagon ride, which seemed to be a hit.

On their last nights with our family, we decided to head up to Strawberry to do a little fishing and cook tin-foil dinners. YUM! It was delicious!

It was a very low key evening, but lots of fun. I kinda got a little crazy with the camera... So here are some pictures.

This is a picture Allie after she face planted it into the ground! She had a little fat lip for an hour before the swelling finally went down. But though it was sad, it was kinda funny too... she was fine after a few min.

The next two are of Lindsay being her silly self... I was trying to get her to make a cheesy grin and boy did it work well for the first picture. The second one is just cute!

These are just some fun pictures of the girls...

Toward the end of the evening, I started "daring" the family to take "mushy pictures"... didn't take much encouraging - aren't they so adorable!

I know... Paige and Adam won't touch too much... boring!

Since Me and Spencer are foot loose and fancy free in that department, we had to barrow a cuddly partner for a bit... :)

I was happy to have them here and was really bummed to see them go! It's nice to have kids around and I wish that they lived much closer! But not to worry the girls are coming out to visit in just a few weeks! (Sorry Steve) And we'll have more new and exciting adventures together!

Say Goodbye! IT'S ALL GONE!!!

2008-09-30T22:08:00.003-06:00

Starting last January I decided to start growing my hair out, for a little bit of a change. After a few months, I thought, maybe I could keep growing it and even donate some of it to Cancer Patients. SO, after many months of hair in the face I finally had enough to do it! Last month I went up to my favorite stylist and said, TAKE IT ALL OFF! She put my hair into little pig tails and chopped off 9 inches of hair! It was a little scary, but then again, it's just hair... right?!?!?

THE BEFORE:

I actually have LOVED it and think I might just leave it this length for a little while... the only problem is that now some people can't tell Paige and I apart - Sorry Paige... I guess you had the right idea in the first place.

THE AFTER:

Time for a little Back Packing

2008-09-30T22:01:00.002-06:00

After I got back from the best 9 day road trip ever! – (it really was the best – so relaxing and FUN!!!), I unpacked, hung out for 3 days and then packed again for another mini vacation – this time I had to pack all my goods with me. I headed up to the Uintah’s with my Dad, my brother Spencer and his friend Melissa. We hiked up one afternoon, set up camp and made some dinner. It was amazing to me how many mosquito’s there were! I thought I was going to get eaten alive! But we started a fire quick and things weren’t too bad with the smoke to protect us! However, despite the amount of bugs, it was BEAUTIFUL!!!, don't you think!

The next morning we did a little fishing, and reading – I mostly read & yes, I packed up 2 books with me, so I could read. I was less interested in the fishing and LOVED the book I was able to read! It’s called The Last Lecture. It was a great quick read and I felt inspired by what it had to say. I took a nap, meandered around and just mostly relaxed for the day. That afternoon we fished again and I caught a few – which was actually pretty fun, although I am still not interested in touching them. I asked my dad to take them off the line for me, cause I am a girly, girl. Anyway I had a good time!

Day 9... The END

2008-09-24T22:21:00.005-06:00

So, after our trip to Portland we were headed for home. We got up early and then headed home. We stopped a few hours into the trip to attend sacrament meeting in a random town on the edge of Oregon. It was actually a really good meeting. Then after that we made lunch in the gas station parking lot and headed back on the road. Along the way I think I got car sick... I had never been car sick before... and I was a little miserable! Paige and Preston decided it would be fun to take pictures of me in my "pain". Don't worry I got a picture of her too - while she was sleeping :) And of course what would the trip be without a picture of the official driver... Preston really did a majority of the driving, which Paige and I were NOT complaining about.

We drove for about 13 hours that day and were very happy to finally make it back home! So that's it - we made it through the whole thing finally! Hopefully you enjoyed hearing/reading about it :)

Day 8... Portland

2008-09-24T21:44:00.004-06:00

It was the last leg of the trip and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I had only been to Portland once and quite briefly at that, so it was fun to really see what the city had to offer, even though we only had one full day to do it. We started off by going to a "farmers market" style shopping area... I can't think of what it was really called. It was pretty cool. Then we went to a gigantic bookstore and of course the teacher in me won out and I purchased a few books (used... so they were CHEAP!) Preston and I also purchased a gift for Paige there. It was a journal made of elephant dung - long story - it has to do with a pet name she kept using when talking to Preston - and no it wasn't anything bad, just funny:) Anyway, after we went to the bookstore, we stopped for lunch and it was pretty tasty.

Then we headed to the local garden area. There was a Japanese Garden, which was beautiful! It was very interested to see all the different styles of gardens... rock, sand, water, etc. It was amazing! We of course didn't stay totally serious the whole time, but it was probably the longest period of somberness for the whole trip.

After the Japanese Garden, we went to the ever famous Rose Garden. I really enjoyed seeing the different types of roses, especially since I had just started my own flower business weeks before. I didn't know how they really grew on the bush, so I thought it was cool to see the long stems growing and how they look on the plant. It was cool... while we were there, Paige tried out her Photography skills... not bad... I told her the second one almost looked like an engagement photo... too bad I am not in the market for such services! But way to go Paige :)

We ended the evening with a walk through the local mall and a short drive for dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory. I thought that the day was enjoyable and was glad that we had the chance to spend the day there... I'd do it all over again.

Day 7... Day of Travel...

2008-09-21T22:57:00.006-06:00

This is a picture of us as we were leaving the Red Wood Forest. It's almost as if they were calling for the "morman's" to come, but they got the spelling off just a bit... It was hard to leave such a beautiful and unbelievable place, but we were on to new adventures! Portland here we come! We had some awesome scene's along the way and really enjoyed just "taking out time" to get there...

So as we exited the "forest" areas we came to this small coastal town called Cresant City. We stopped at the city's tourist post and got some information on the local grave yard, because Preston's Grandfather was buried there and we wanted to stop and take a look at the grave. Another attraction in this small little town was a little lighthouse that we decided we wanted to take a peak at. SO, we did! And it was really COOL!!! The whole little place was amazingly BEAUTIFUL and we saw really pretty plants, some awesome shells/some kind of muscles that were living or had been living on the coastal rocks. And while we were there the tide was coming in which was kind of neat to see... anyways, here are just a few pictures of what we saw... we literally took about 60-80 pictures, but I narrowed it down a bit...

After the tide was starting to come in over the path we took to get to the lighthouse we decided we should go. We stopped at the cemetery and found Preston's long lost grandfather and I think his uncle, and took a picture and had lunch (yes, we ate at the cemetery... It was actually kind of a nice stop and it made me appreciate how beautiful and well kept the cemeteries are in Utah). After that stop we were on the road again until we made it to Portland early that evening. It made for a long day of driving, but we seemed to enjoy it for the most part - somehow this was the most "enjoyable driving" I've done on a trip - I guess it was the great company I had to keep me occupied during these long days of driving! Thanks guys!

Day 6... The RED WOODS!!!

2008-09-07T15:37:00.007-06:00

Waking up in the Red Wood National Forest was a CHILLY experience. It was still pretty cool by the time we got out of the tent around 8:00. It didn't really warm up until about 11:00 unless you were in the sun - which wasn't too much, since it was cloudy most of the day. We got up, made breakfast, and finished setting up "camp". We were staying in a campsite in one of the State Parks and luckily for us there was running water and a bathroom with pluming not even 100 yards away. (not TRUE camping, but not too bad considering we were on a road trip.) We headed to the ranger office, and got a map and directions to some of the hiking trails around the area and were off for some sight seeing in the Great Outdoors! Here's what we saw! (EVERYONE SHOULD REALLY GO THIS PLACE! IT's AWESOME!)

Hike #1: okay, so the only "hike" we really went on... Boy did we enjoy ourselves!

The Coast: Five min away from camp was this coastal scene. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! Paige found lots of beautiful rocks which she collected for her class... they were evidence of weathering! 30 rocks! I mean really - what a dedicated teacher! Then at the end, we drove over to a fern grove, which they used in filming Jurassic Park! It was also AMAZING! This place is really Cool!!! So peaceful! I would go here to meditate daily if possible!

Day 5

2008-09-07T15:24:00.005-06:00

We got up and again Paige and I went down to the gym for another work out! Again, it felt GREAT! Then we packed up our bags and headed down to get some breakfast. We thought that we'd start the morning off right with some awesome pictures and a little breakfast!

So after we were all packed up, we went down town for some quick shopping... how do you think this hat looks on me? What about Paige? (p.s. the "mall" was really COOL!)

And then we hit the open road and were on our way up to the RED WOOD NATIONAL PARK near the California/Oregon boarder. We had a few stops along the way, with beautiful natural surroundings to look at.

Because we didn't leave until later we didn't get to our campsite until almost 11:30 at night! We quietly set up the tent, through in our gear and hit the sack. It had been a long day's drive and we were finally at destination number 2!

Day 4

2008-09-07T14:10:00.014-06:00

Wow, so after the long day of sight seeing, Paige and I crashed in our motel and woke up on day 4 around 8 or 9am. We headed down to the hotel gym (which had everything we needed!) and worked out for an hour. It felt good to do a little physical exercise after 3 days of only walking and sitting and eating vacation food. So, we got ready for the day, and headed back to Fisherman's Warf to meet our scheduled tour of Alcatraz Island. I was pretty excited about visiting this awesome place and ended up loving the experience! There is so much history to learn about. I didn't know that it was originally used as a military post and then military prison before it was ever used as a high security prison. I also didn't know about the few times that they had attempted escapes and therefore guards killed and the post prison indian "reservation" or whatever they called it when they decided they wanted to occupy the "land" there. So INTERESTING! Here's some fun pictures of our visit... of course they aren't too "serious".

This is us waiting in line :)

...arriving on the island...

...one of MANY photo shoots! Looking good Paige! Work it! Work it!

Then we started on the actual tour. The audio tour is just a tape with 8 people talking about things that happened in the prison. It was four guards and four ex-prisoners. INTERESTING to see what they say about their experiences there... don't think I'd of liked it either way... and on a side not - the prison guards often lived on the island with their families! Yeah, there was a small community of families, and the kids would take a boat to shore to go to school, and boat back home afterward. So different from what I think they would do today! But the family members said it was a "good life". They never 'mixed' with the prison inmates and so it was their own 'private' community.
This was a cool photo at the beginning.

These are the men that were on the tape telling stories...

I feel TRAPPED! Oh, wait the door is open:)

This is the cafeteria where they had to all eat at once. They had the place set up with gas so if the prisoners tried to "rebel" they could gas the place! Only catch was that the guards would have died too... One time they almost had to do it! But luckily it worked out that nobody got hurt!

Here's another PHOTO SHOOT! Lookin' Hot ladies!

And here are some plain strange pictures, but we had a lot of fun taking them... people kept looking at us like we were crazy while we were doing it though... maybe we are crazy!

After the tour, we headed back to the main land and I decided to see if i could touch the sun! Worked!

Then we hit Ghillideri Square - the Chocolate Store! I'm the only one who enjoyed the free sample they gave as we came in.

Then I got a free ride back down the hill! Lucky me!

At the end of the day, we decided that we'd like to try to be more like the locals - so we pulled up a bench!

After all the fun, we walked back to our car and headed back to the hotel for another nights sleep! We enjoyed some graham crackers and milk and hit the sack because day 5 was going to be a LOT of driving!

Day 3:

2008-08-24T20:55:00.014-06:00

Okay, sorry for the delay... Day 3: We woke up the next day and decided to check out after we took showers and felt like the place would fall down if you turned on the water again. So I went to check out and my friend came with me, while Paige decided to start packing up the car. I was waiting in line and the guy in front of me was arguing with the manager of the hotel about how he was being charge $150.00 over what he had originally agreed to pay for the room. While standing in line, Paige came in and told us that they were arresting some people who had stayed the night before... one of which was a guy who had been "eyeing us" the night before! CREEPY! After 10 min. the manager was starting to fold, and then without any hesitation checked me out (which i was not sure he would do since I had reserved a room for the whole weekend). So, I went upstairs, got my stuff & we were OUT OF THERE!!! It was quite the experience!

After all of that, Paige, Preston & I met up with Preston's friend Sonya. She grew up in San Francisco and was kind enough to take us EVERYWHERE you would ever want to go in San Francisco! I was so tired by the end of the day that I could barely keep my eyes open - but it was really AWESOME to have our own personal tour guide!

Here we are on the top of a hill by Sonya's Parent's House:

Then we went to see one of San Fran's many stair cases:

And then we are at the beach...

Golden Gate Park: (they had some gardens there that were BEAUTIFUL!)

And along the way we got gas and used the bathroom...

And we went to another famous hill to get a view of the city:

We also stopped to see a building (I can't remember what it's called) that's by the observatory. There were some plants there and Preston said that they LOOKED like you could sit on them. SO, we decided to take some pictures of us "sitting" on them. Pretty convincing huh?: (maybe not...)

We visited the famous Gold Gate Bridge! And actually I enjoyed the flowers that were planted near the observation area just as much as I did the bridge! (It's the florist in me:) )

And we also drove down Lombard Street (the curviest road in the world):

Then we ended the day down near Fisherman's Warf... We had a lot of goofy pictures down here. The Lobster Picture was taken without me knowing what was even on my head! Preston snuck up behind me, put it on my head and then started taking pictures... man I was good looking! The others are of Paige and I practicing our statue poses...

At the end of the day we found headed to this really NICE!!! Hotel that we paid 40% of the original price to stay at. It was MUCH better than the previous night and made for a Great night's sleep! So that wraps up Day 3!

DAY 2:

2008-08-05T23:46:00.007-06:00

We woke up early, showered, and headed out the door by 8:45. The plan was to make it to Reno in time for a sacrament meeting at 1:00. Again, we were on the road and it was less "exciting" but do-able. We stopped once for gas and a bathroom break, but pretty much just drove, drove, drove. We made it to Reno, but missed the first 15 min. of sacrament. After church we headed to a gas station to change our clothes and make some sandwiches with stuff from the cooler we had packed. One of the things we packed to eat were cherries.

I know I am a little barbaric and a bad influence on people in general - so once the sandwiches were gone I taught Paige and Preston how to spit cherry pits as far as they could... we were basically having a contest in the gas station parking lot - People kept looking at us kind of funny... not sure why?

After the contest fun we headed for San Francisco. Along the way we saw a sign for Lake Tahoe and I told them we HAD to stop. I have only been there once for like an hour but it is so beautiful that I couldn't let them miss it! So, we stopped and took a look around on this nice, quiet little beach. It was at this moment that we started the "photo frenzy" which continued throughout the remainder of the trip. I will share a fraction of them...

In this last one you can see that Paige is writing in the sand...

She was writing...

A few days prior to our departure on the worlds greatest road-trip, a friend of used this phrase to describe what he'd be "up to lately"... We decided to "Live The Dream" on out trip after Paige wrote these inspirational words in the sand - So, of course we all took more pictures :)

After these fabulous photo's Paige decided to take her "photo shoot" for the day.

And then we ended our visit with a grown up "picture war" where Paige and Preston tried to take pictures of each other... I guess I didn't care if I got my picture taken because I am the cheese ball that's just standing there smiling...

Anyways, once we were back on the road, we didn't stop until we made it to San Francisco. These last pictures are of us being excited as we crossed over a bridge into the big city... once we were there we started on some MORE exciting adventures... they involved a creepy neighborhood, strange men watching us unload our car at the strangely creepy, getto motel and a water system that sounded like a space ship taking off when you used the shower:) I'll get into more details on Day 3... that's when things really got interesting... Don't worry, the Police seemed to have everything under control... :)

"Livin' the Dream" in 2008!

2008-08-05T23:23:00.004-06:00

OK! So I love my job because it allows me to have 2 months where I get to do WHATEVER I WANT - Okay, well ALMOST whatever I want. Anyways, this year Paige and I decided that we should go on a road trip to see the west coast. The idea was to start in Southern California and go up to Washington and perhaps even Canada - but then Gas Prices kept going up... sad!

So, with gas the price it was, and with Paige's best buddy moving from So. California to Idaho - we decided to start in San Francisco because Paige had never been there. From there we'd visit the Red Wood Forest and then go to Portland and back home! The more we planned, the more excited I got! As we were telling our good friend about this we realized that he would be in San Fran. the same time we would & with a little persuasion, we convinced him to come with us for the WHOLE trip (yeah, we are pretty good at the guilt trip - comes in handy in our profession!) Now you know what happened, I'll explain the juicy details with as many pictures as I think I can put on this baby!

DAY 1:
We didn't end up leaving Salt Lake until like 5:20 on Saturday afternoon. We started to go two times, but I kept forgetting things! Luckily we were only going to Elko, NV the first night or we'd have been in big trouble. Once Paige and I finally left the house, we picked up Preston (aka P-diddy... yeah we aren't too original in giving people nick-names...) This is us loading him up!

Once we got Preston loaded we went to grab some gas for the car. I started looking through my purse for my debit card but couldn't find it... I realized that I had put it in my pocket earlier that morning when we went to the movies, and thought "it must be in my pants!" So we headed back home and while in route I found it. So after an hour of "leaving" we were finally on the way! The drive was uneventful and we got to Elko just in time for a great dinner provided by my wonderful friend Anne and her husband Colby! They were so kind and even made us some home-made ice cream, which was fantastic! (Preston really liked it since it was his first home-made ice cream ever!) We all chatted for a bit and then hit the sack. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures while we were at their house! I was really mad when I realized that... Don't worry we made up for it later in the trip.

I moved!!! & Catching up!

2008-08-03T20:37:00.006-06:00

Okay, the other day I was one the phone with my friend Jared, and he got after me for not being caught up on what is going on with my life!

So, for those of you who weren't aware, I moved at the end of June. I moved from Murray/Holladay and am now living in the big city of Sandy. Yep, its the 4th biggest city in Utah - so huge I almost feel like I could get lost here... We (Paige and I) have moved into another town house and have two new roommates. They are our "soul sisters". There names are Kelly & Ashley Kitchen and when we are all home, we have a lot of fun together... unfortunately we are not all home very often - we are all pretty busy these days and have been out of town a lot.

Our new place has three levels -two rooms upstairs, a kitchen & living room on the middle level and a bedroom in the basement (all the rooms have there own bathrooms! YES!) I am living in the basement by myself... I sometimes feel like I live in my own little world and forget to come out since I have my own bathroom and a TV in my room... if I had a refrigerator I wouldn't ever have to come out - good thing I eat a lot so I don't get stuck in there for hours!

Anyways, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who helped us with the move! We had so much help that we were basically done in like 2-3 hours - which for those of you who know how much stuff I have, means we were SPEEDY! Here's a picture! (This is my messy room... I have started to do school work and here it is ALL OVER MY FLOOR! And the side shot is of my bathroom & closet... Jamie are you happy now? Now everyone has seen how messy my life really is!)

Okay, as for the catch up... I have been out of town for about 2 weeks, and have literally 1000 pictures from the two trips... I will do my best to put up pictures and descriptions of our daily activities starting with Day 1 through Day 9 and then I'll add an entry of my backpacking trip... I also have some exciting progress happening with my new business to share with everyone - so be prepared - I have been "busy" or down right lazy and have a lot to make up! SO - Happy reading over the next few weeks!

The "AWESOME OHIO" June 2008

2008-07-07T23:33:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I was able to visit my sister, her husband, and there hilariously wonderful daughters for a full 7 days. We didn't do a lot of exciting things, but I thoroughly enjoyed just spending time enjoying the family I don't ever get to see. One of the days I was there we were able to go to Costco and before we did any shopping, we stopped to get a bite to eat. Lindsay didn't want to eat her food, but kept shoving Jamie's entire chicken wrap in her face, like so. It seemed like a mouth full, but she was happy with it.

Once the food was gone, we were off to pick out some glasses for my sister. It became a fashion show, which the girls LOVED!

Allison and Lindsay were REALLY excited when I let them try on these stylin' specks.

Then we went for the sunglasses look...

Linds's is looking like tough stuff here

And of course, I had to try on the blast from the past 80's style

One of the days I was there, Lindsay kept crawling around with a carrot in her mouth. When it fell out, she just picked it up and kept putting it back in her mouth. So lovely!

Along with "carrot girl" we had Allison's "hurt knife" and then a surprise that she left for us in the fridge. Who doesn't like chilled socks to snack on?

While there, I decided to let Jamie go to the temple while I watched the girls. It was going to mean a long drive and then a long wait while Jamie did a session at the temple. SO, I decided to tell Allison we were going to be going on "an adventure" while Mommy was gone. That morning we went to the store, purchased our "adventure" treats and filled her backpack with things to help keep us entertained. The whole day she kept saying, "we going on an "avenchur" today!" It was so funny!

Things got interesting when I tried to meet up with an old friend and go to dinner with two little girls. By the time I left dinner, I had Lindsay's yogurt and Allison's apple juice all over my clothes. A little later we added chocolate to my clothes, hands and Lindsay's clothes. We didn't get home until late and Allison was exhausted, but she kept insisting that she didn't want to go to bed. It got really entertaining when she was walking around the house with her eyes closed (you see the light hurt her eyes) while saying, "I not tired mommy, I not tired!" She got so upset that she was basically crying at the idea of getting in bed. Once we got her in bed she was out in minutes!

Each day was enjoyable as I would play in Allison's play kitchen, work out while watching video's, go for walks in the park and have a good time goofing around. I LOVED playing with "my" girls and can't wait for them to come and visit me here in Utah SOON!!!

A SMALL Business is Born...

2008-06-17T19:59:00.001-06:00

So, thanks for all of the fun business name ideas. I found that some of the suggestions were actually already other businesses... one was a lingerie shop name...whoo, whoo... so I didn't stick with that one. In fact, my business name came from the sensational, inspired sister of mine as we drove down the road - the very creative unique name is "Trish Flowers LLC". Yeah, its not super exciting (and my mom says is sounds like a "porn star's name" - how would my mom really know that, I ask myself?), but hey, I had a few friends that said I should really just use my name somehow - so I decided to keep it simple. Anyway, now that things are pretty much all wrapped up, I'm ready for some business. Let your friends, family and random strangers know that if they need flowers, I'm there girl. :) (Okay, so maybe not the strangers - but you get the idea). Thanks for all your suggestions! Wish me luck!

Eye's & ER's

2008-06-09T23:06:00.000-06:00

Well, latest updates in my health... two weeks after I sprained my ankle I attempted to play outdoor soccer, and ended up getting a bruise on my other shin:) So, I took another week off and tried playing in our outdoor soccer game. It went pretty well, but I decided to stay on the benches for our indoor game... THEN when I got there there wasn't enough girls to play, so I grabbed my stuff and started playing. I was feeling pretty good, considering... I did have to come out a few times due to my ankle.

Then, about 3/4 of the way through the game I took a ball to the face from about 3 feet away. It knocked my contact out, and me to the floor. I was pretty "upset" because I felt like I'd spent most of the game on the ground and I kept having to come out of the game. I found my contact and headed to the bathroom. At this point I couldn't SEE! I was thinking it might have to do with my contact, but once I got into the bathroom I realized that it wasn't my contact, I really COULDN'T SEE. So, I went back out and got some ice to help with the swelling that was happening on my left eyelid. After about 5 more min the game ended and I was joined on the bench by my teammates. They kept telling me my sight would come back, but since I COULDN'T SEE, I was kind of "Having a COW!" After another 15 min. we all decided that it was time to find a doctor. So, the adventure began...

We got back to my house and went through my insurance info. & made a call before we concluded that I could go to any ER to & still be covered by my insurance (it was about 10:45 at this point, but somehow it took us another hour to actually get to the ER). Once we (Paige & I & my friend Preston, who had driven me to & from my game) decided to go to the new hospital (aka the "death star"... named because of its size, not because the service is bad there...) I got into the emergency room pretty quickly & then waited for a doc. I was pretty much the only person in there that didn't look like they were gonna throw-up all over the place. The doctor came in pretty quickly, told me that he thought I had a bruise on my retina or something like that, but wanted to call an eye doctor to make sure that I didn't need a CAT-SCAN... he said he'd be back as soon as he had word.

After about 30 min of waiting in a room by myself I called Paige & Preston and they came back to keep me company. I think everyone thought we were on crack, because we were laughing & joking around in my room... after almost 2 hours of waiting (it was about 2am by now) the ER doc sent me home and told me that I he would call me in the morning & I would need to go see an eye doctor then. By this point my eye sight was coming back and was about 85% clear. So, I wasn't too worried anymore and agreed to do so. The eye doctor said that it was a bruise & that things looked okay. The worst part of the whole thing was that he told me not to do anything strenuous for 10 days! That's a LONG TIME! But, somehow I made it through... but I'm back to being flab city! At least I can see though!

(This is me and Paige waiting in my room at the hospital... throughout the whole ordeal, my naturally blue eye turned from blue to green, to brown, and back to blue. I am guessing that it was from the bleeding that was happening, which is essentially why I couldn't see... the blood was flowing over my retina which was what was blocking my vision... man my life is so "exciting". :) Or at least strange... who does this? )

Sprains and "Ta-Ta's"

2008-06-04T22:36:00.000-06:00

On May 7th, (a month ago) I was playing in an indoor soccer game and had a most "graceful" run-in with the goalie. As I came down on my left foot, I felt a "popping" up above my ankle and then felt instant pain. I thought that I had broken something and calmly started screaming like a crazy person. I think it was mostly out of "fear" that I had messed something up, because about 2 weeks earlier I was commenting on how it had been at least 5 years since I'd really had a "serious" injury - I should've keep my big mouth shut... must 've brought on bad karma or something. The worst part was that I was already signed up to run the "Race for the Cure" that was coming up three days later on the 10th - I wasn't about to miss that! It's one of my favorite races that we try to run each year...

This year, Paige and I went so far as to sign up to volunteer on Thursday evening with the registering. We helped with the actual registration and had a good time. We got free T-shirts (YES!) and met lots of people throughout the evening. Definitely worth my time.

Well, being the smart cookie that I am, of course I ran it anyways. I love that race! It's so inspiring and gives me the chills as I look at all the people running in "celebration of" or in "memory of" someone who has had breast cancer. I always end up fighting back tears... I'm such a baby! But it really is amazing to see the support & love that people have for their friends and family and strangers who are going through the same hard things that they have experienced. On a lighter note... the other part of the race that I like a lot is the array of great shirts that you see wondering around...some aren't appropriate to put online so I'll let you use your imagination... but my favorite this year said, "Save the Ta-Ta's!". Next year I think that I/we should come up with a shirt of my own... anyone that wants to join in is more than welcome to offer up their ideas. (I'm planning on taking a "team" of runners/walkers next year - so plan for it now! :) )

The race itself was a little difficult because my ankle/lower leg hurt like the dickens... I ended up over compensating for the pain in my left side and caused some tight muscle issues in my right leg. BUT, I made it through and it was worth it!

SO, everyone start training now, because I expect all of you to be joining me as team "....." (fill in the blank) next year!

Biggest Loser

2008-06-01T00:23:00.000-06:00

So, my school has been doing a "Biggest Loser" contest to promote healthy living. I got the idea from my parents because my Dad's school was doing it. It works like so - every day you take a tally of how many points you've earned for the day. You get points for NOT eating any dessert sugars, exercising, and doing other "healthy" things. Everyone is working on their own, and also on a "team". Team points are averaged out and the team with the most wins! It's been a lot of fun and up until about 2-3 weeks ago, really motivated me to go to the gym more often and really just work out more and eat NO SUGAR. Yes, over the past 10 weeks I have only had a "sugar" dessert on 3 different days! Um, yeah it was hard, but it's been good for me! Helps me remember that I DO have some self control.

Since I have been "in charge" of the whole thing I have been adding a few elements of "surprise" to the game to help keep people motivated or really to just have fun with it. A couple of weeks ago I decided to have a "challenge" event were we had a sugar-free jello pudding contest. The following are some awesome pictures of everyone stuffing their faces... Oh and the catch was that the participant had to be "FED" the pudding by another team mate. It really made for a fun afternoon...

Everything will end this coming Monday... it's been a fun contest and I'm sad to see things end - HOWEVER, it would be nice to be able to have a piece of chocolate again without feeling guilty for letting my team down again...

CONTEST!!!

2008-05-16T07:33:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I have decided to start my own flower business and I need some help! I don't know what to call it... I am not really one for coming up with creative names, so I am asking for ideas from YOU... I generally can find something that I like with the help of others, so I am asking that you SHARE your ideas via the comment section on my blog... please share ANY ideas, as I only have about a week before I'd like to take in the paper work that I need to officially set things up!

And... if you're like me and can't come up with anything, I am asking that you at least let me know what you think of other people's ideas, so I can get some feedback that way... For Example: My brothers idea was "SWEET BLOSSOMS"... what do you think?

COMMENT AWAY FRIENDS/FAMILY!!!

(Oh, and if anyone needs flowers, let me know! I already have an account with the wholesaler, hence the urgency of getting a business license to make things more "legal"...)

Festival of Colors... aka chalk fight

2008-05-11T22:24:00.000-06:00

So, a friend of mine asked if I wanted to participate in the "festival of colors" about a month ago. I asked what it was, and she said it was this thing where everyone threw paint at each other as a sign to welcome in spring. Sounded like fun to me... What other occasion can you throw paint at someone and not have them "'mad at you" afterwards. So, we headed down to the great land of Spanish Fork and joined in the fun. Once we got there, we realized the "paint" was actually a chalk-like powder, which is good, since we forgot to bring anything to put over the seats of the car :) (yeah, I was a real thinker...)

Of course I took another "buns" picture... it's my new "signature move". Okay, so I wanted to get the hand prints... hope nobody is offended by the bummy pictures:)

And last but not least, a little "modeling" pose... don't worry, I'm not going to quit my day job... I know that my career as a model would be short lived...

CALIFORN-I-A

2008-05-05T21:57:00.000-06:00

Over Spring Break, (which yes, was almost two months ago... I'm slow) my sister Paige and I took the long drive down to Southern Cali for a few days of fun & sun. I was VERY GRATEFUL for an opportunity to get out of town and it turned out to be a great time! We drove all night and arrived at 4:30a.m. and hit the sack! I WAS POOPED! So we all slept in and that afternoon headed out for dinner... I guess I didn't really like my dinner too much because when I was about half done, I decided to change it into... Salad a la Lap!
I guess I liked it better that way. Eating directly off one's lap is so appetizing...

Later that night we went to an observatory, to see the planets and the stars... Here's a great photo of us out front... Doesn't it look so REAL! OKay, so this was a "staged" photo with a large picture hanging on the wall behind us, but it really did look like that. Here's another "photo" of fun at the observatory.

The next day we went to the beach! Paige and I were lookin' pretty HOT with our white legs shining in the sun:)

On our way to the beach I happened to make a comment about people who had words written on across their buns... Then, when we got to the beach I happened to have a pair of shorts in my bag that had words written on my buns... Unfortunately I had to EAT MY WORDS! And it meant that someone had to document the occasion...

While on the beach we decided to make our make with a little writing in the sand... It says, Life, Love and Los Angeles ... its so inspiring isn't it :)...
In an attempt to take a picture of our sand writing, we made a "human tower", aka Paige on my shoulders... which led to these lovely photos...

All in all we had a great time! I wish I could go back every weekend - but then again, if I did that maybe I'd get sick of it, then again maybe not...

An Invitation

2008-03-29T21:30:00.000-06:00

Over the past 2 years and 10 months, I have been serving a service mission for the church. I work under the hosting department at the church and have given tours of the conference center to people from around the world. This last week I took a family from Switzerland through the building and was able to tell them a little about the church... it was pretty awesome.

My "time" as a hostess is coming to a close in just two months and I was thinking that it's about time I put out an "invitation" to my friends & family to come have a personalized tour of one of the worlds more amazing buildings. I never thought someone could enjoy a building so much, but I really have a LOVE for this building, and would be happy to show it to anyone who is interested. I can't take you behind the "scenes" because they are off limits, but I can tell about the building and show you a little of the art in it... and if the weather warms up there's an awesome roof top garden.

I don't want anyone to feel like they need to come down unless you want to, but I invite you to drop in if you'd like to. I should be there every Thursday until the end of May, and you are welcome to let me know your coming, but If you find yourself downtown on a Thursday night, feel free to drop in at door 15 and at least say hello.

(Thanks for coming Family :) )