Favorite Things and Traditions

There is a Christmas song entitled "My Favorite Things". I kind of don't understand why thats a christmas song because I grew up watching "The Sound of Music" and when they sing that song its not because of christmas. Maybe it didn't originate from there, I don't know but I can see why it could be a christmas song, its a list of favorite things. As I was writing my last blog just a few minutes ago I thought I wanted to write a blog about my favorite things about the holidays because I'm not totally a grinch.

My first favorite thing about the holidays is giving gifts! I love to do home made gifts because I feel that shows how much I care! Usually its a new talent I'm developing and my family reaps the benefits of it. Last year it was pajama pants for everyone. The year before that I think I tried to do individual calendars. This year its...wait my family reads this, I guess you'll just have to wait! :) I also love finding the perfect gift too! When I find the perfect gift for someone I think that its more fun for me because I love to see them open it, especially if its meant to be a funny or sentimental gift!

My second favorite thing about the holidays is the christmas tree. I don't have one yet this year and I'm only going to get one because mom and dad are coming and we are having Christmas Eve dinner at my house. What's Christmas Eve dinner without Chirstmas decorations! But I love christmas tree's becuase you get to pull out all the ornaments that you haven't seen in a year and put them on the tree. I also like the lights, the colored blinking ones! I know my mom hates those but they entertain me. They are so cool! Not such a fan of untangling them but I love the christmas tree.

My family also has a tradition that we do on Christmas day for dinner. Since I grew up in Southern California where there is no such thing as a white christmas, well at least the part I'm from. My dad or one of my brothers would BBQ hambergers. While the traditional family is having turkey or ham we were having Hambergers! I always thought that was cool! I don't think I realized that that was different but some where along the line I did. Although as I look at it now I think its cool. My wanting to be different isn't too far off from my family.

I also remember a few times when I was a child we would do the twelve days of christmas to a family in the ward or neighborhood. I think I really only remember doing it to one family but I think maybe we did it at least a few more times. Twelve days before christmas would start we would do the twelve days of christmas. The first day we would leave one treat; day two, we'd leave two treats and so one. I remember this tradition because it was fun to leave fun things for another family! And I also loved it because it was the only time ding-dong ditching was legal! :)

As I look back over my life and thing about my family and the times that we had I can't help but smile! I did not know of the difficulties that my parents had finanically until I was much older but I never went with out! I had an amazing childhood, it was full of great times with my brothers and parents! Lots of fun at the park, in the backyard playing horse with our ghetto basket and basket ball, playing outside till it got dark! Of course I was taught many things as a child that I still stand by and do out of habit. And of course I have to give a moment for the wheel chart! I was never the best child but I was dang cute! I think the Lord makes children cute because if he didn't there would be alot less children in the world! As the late Elder Wirthlin said in his last conference talk before he passed. Come what may and love it!

I love my life and I am grateful for all the very many things that I have been given. Family, Friends, Health and my knowledge of God and his plan for me! I love this time of year because it reminds us all of where we need to look! In this world we live in there are very few sources of light. What a great gift. The best of all! The brightest light that out shines them all! Jesus Christ.

These are just a few of my favorite things and some of my family traditions! I wish you all Merry Christmas and a safe and blessed New Year!

Just an Observation From Today!

So the unusual snow storms around the U.S. are nothing new to Utah. But to me well thats another story. I have been in Utah for the last 3 winters and its never been this bad this early, or well at all. At least to my knowledge from what I can remember! I have had to drive 35-40 miles per hour on the free way and its taken me 3 times as long to get to work for 2 of the 5 days this week. So today the storm came about the middle of the day. I was really grateful for that becuase I just sped to work today and also the way home. Well the way home I had to go a little slower becuase I was afraid of black ice! But I was noticing today that the spirits of the customers that were coming and going out of the store were actually rather high! Pleople talking about the snow, making jokes and people reminding each other to be safe on the road! I am thankful for the great attitudes of the customers today. This time of year in some ways is really difficult for everyone. For some it reminds them of love ones lost or not found, others its the crouds and some dispise the commercialization of the holidays. For me I have a difficult time because I am one that doesn't like the commercialization and the rude attitude of those people who are really not understanding the real meaning of the season! I do work retail and this is my first year in management so I'm kind of a grinch. But today was wonderful. I really enjoyed the customers, well the few that came in and the co-workers that I get to associate with! I really do have a great team at work. They don't get enough thanks! So, THANKS!

Thanksgiving/Birthday Weekend

This trip has been an extremely fabulous trip! Every thing about my trip has been wonderful! I got to spend some time with great friends and truly amazing family! I had many of my favorite things about California. BJ's, In-N-Out Burger, Golden Spoon! This trip has been a miracle from the beginning. I have so many things to be thankful for! I have totally awesome parents who love and support me in every thing I do. Brother's who care about me and are willing to do anything. Even keep a secret from Mom and Dad ;) (Thanks Curtis!) I have incredible friends like the Sorensons who have taken me and adopted me into their family and taught me many great and wonderful things. I am so grateful they are apart of my life. I even have old friends who take time out of there busy schedule to come and have dinner with me and my two families on my birthday. I am so grateful for my car that works and is able to get me back and forth from Utah to California and not break down and work correctly! I am grateful for the totally fabulous place to live and the great roommates I have! I know these things are all the things that everyone is grateful for but they are the essential things of life. And the thing that I am most greatful for is my testimony in my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my best friend! And I am able to do all the things I can is because of him and all the things I have are becuase He loves me enough to give them to me! (Even my trials, becuase He trusts me and knows that I can handle them with his help!) I have so many things to be grateful for, I am so blessed! In this season of Christmas may we all remember the real meaning of Christmas...Christ! I love you all and hope that the Lord blesses your life as he has mine! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

SURPRISE! Happy Thanksgiving!

So this is probably the best Thanksgiving so far! For the last four months I've been planning on coming home for Thanksgiving. From the beginning I was going to surprise my parents. So yesterday about 10:45 in the morning I rang the door bell at their house. It took a minute for her to open the door. When she opened the door she was kinda wary. It took her a second to realize who was standing in front of her. That was fun. And then BAM it hit. That was the awesome part! And then she gave her a hug! I guess I didn't know how much I missed my mom or needed her until then! It was sur fun to surprise her! There is nothing like having a good surprise for someone you love! Dad was surprised and that was nice to see him too! All in all I guess the reactions were all what I expected! But gosh it was incredible!

This is mom's face!

Another of mom's face (I dont look to bad)

The End!

The rest of Thanksgiving was just as wonderful. After the excitement kinda wore down. Cause if you know my mom when she's excited! We went to Mimi's for a small lunch. Didn't want to eat too much becuase there was yummy turkey to come. Later we went over to Harding's for Thanksgiving dinner. That was so wonderful. I am so grateful that my brother is marrying into such a wonderful family! We are so lucky to be there In-laws! Over all the 12 hour drive I took to get here was totally worth every second! I've only been on vacation for two days and its not over with yet! More wonderful to come! I look forward to it!

Happy Thanksgiving! May the Lord bless you all as he has blessed me with your love, support and friendship!

Personal Make Over

So within the last week I have taken it upon myself to do a personal make over. I have lost 10 pounds and so I wanted to look the way I feel! Fabulous! So last Friday I went and had my haircut and slightly colored. It is a little darker but not much. And then I decided that my face could use a little help so I started to wear make up! Yeah me with make up, well it actually looks really good! And I'm not horrible at putting it on! Anyway so today since my pants kinda look "saggin' baggin'" on me I decided it was time to go shopping! Yes one of my favorite things to do! SHOPPING! (If you want gift ideas for my birthday or christmas, Lane Bryant gift cards!) So I first went to Old Navy. I love Old Navy. You can usually find good deals there if you are patient which I'm usually not sometimes. Depends on the friend I'm with. Anyway they didn't really have anything that pinched me so I decided to go over to Lane Bryant. I found some amazing deals and things there!

Ladies, if your looking for something to wear, trust me go to Lane Bryant because they are amazing! They really know how do dress a womans body! They have three different pant cuts depending on your curvyness (or in my case, lack of) Its amazing! And they have the best bras too!

Well anyway. Today was a victory. I didn't totally hate the shopping experience because it didnt make me feel fat (which is what shopping usually does, remind you how fat you are) but it made me feel awesomly incredible because I found clothes that fit me and look fabulous!

Frustrated

Well as anyone who knows me knows that I always look at the glass and its half empty. Well I am frustrated because I feel like I have a glass thats totally empty! I think I try to fill it up and while I'm feeling it up I don't realize that I knocked it over a long time ago. One of these days I'll realize that its knocked over and set it up and start filling it again. One of these day's I'll stop disappointing myself.

Well on a lighter note. Last week I took a sick of it day from work and stayed home and got my hair cut and dyed. Yeah, I know I have never been a fan of hair coloring. Well long story short I LOVE it! Here is a picture but if you want to see more I have more on my facebook. This one is my favorite.

Its Been A While

I know its been a while since I have blogged. This is true. Honestly I really don't have any real reason. There have been plenty of things that I have wanted to blog about. Some I have forgotten but some I have not so here we go.

Most recently was Halloween. Most of the time holiday's are for children but there are some that I think should still be for adults. Halloween is one of them. It is the one day out of the year that you can wear pretty much anything you want and get away with it. Like for me wearing a dress to work. Which I would NEVER do, until now (and will probably never do again.) I miss trick-or-treating too. Course that could be just because I LOVE candy. Anyone who knows that can tell you its true! But I had a good Halloween. (Except for the dentist part.) I actually got to dress up at work this year. I have been with Staples for 5 years and this is the first year that we were actually allowed to dress up. And of course I was thinking, "anything to get out of this horrible uniform!" so I dressed up. And my love of being different once again showed itself. I was the only one to dress up at my work. (Everyone at the dentist office was dressed up, that made me feel a little better.) Anyway I had my roommate take a picture of me. I don't think pictures do justice but I guess I'll share my picture. (Don't laugh to hard! Sorry If they are a little blurry!)

Can you guess?

What I Dressed Up As?

Thats right! The Princess That I AM! :)

Number two thing. I have the BEST parents in the world! My dad was visiting me a while ago and saw the situation of my computer. He decided that my situation wasnt working for me and drove all the way from California to me in Utah to better my computer situation! How AWESOME is that!?! And while he was here also helped me out with a few other things like, hanging a picture painted by my grandma on the wall and buying me tools (that I hope I can use one day...and know how to use them!) to fix one of the broken chairs for the kitchen table set! Awesome, huh! My mom is also wonderful! She is always there to lend a listening ear! She is just the best! Even when she needs help over there! ;) (That was for you mom!) :)

Next on my list of things I want to blog about is, I cant remember. Oh no! I'm having half-timers, as my mom calls it. Oh well. Tomorrow is voting day. I'm really excited for it and am actually going into it a little more informed the last time I voted. I really need to get more involved with whats going on. Well I think I'll get some last minute reading in!

P.S. I know it's Thanksgiving time and I really wanted to do a Thanksgiving background but I just couldn't resist but to do birthday because well its my birthday month along with many other of my friends! And that only comes around once a year!

Heck Yeah!

So I'm still on my quest to have a cool blog. I have added things that actually are really just for me.  Curtis, my younger brother, helped me to change the background on my blog. I don't really know anything about html code so hopefully I got enough just by watching him! I think its really cute! And I can keep it up still December when Christmas should really start. Not in September. Or I could change it for birthday when its my birthday! Yay.  I am so excited for the fat loss tip of the day because I have been working out pretty regularly since I have moved into my new apartment/condo.  The clubhouse has a small workout room with 2 elliptical's and 2 treadmill's. Anyway I'm excited to start that because it can give me a tip everyday to try. Today's tip is going to be hard. No carbs after 9. We shall see. I am also excited about the weight tracker at the bottom of the page because I was looking for a place to keep track of my weight. I know your not supposed to check everyday but I'm kinda OCD like that anyway. I put a mood tracker just for fun!  Dictionary.com I also put because there are a lot of words out there I do not know and I check my blog everyday anyway so if I don't know a word I can get two birds with one stone. Check my blog for comments and look up the word of the day...thats a good idea for a new gadget! Hum, so many things that I can do! :) Yay. I'm so excited for this so I will probably be adding and deleting things so be on the look out for new cool things!

Technology

I was thinking the other day how great technology is! Technology is so great you can get a myriad of information at the touch of a button. I think that my favorite thing about technology is that you can keep up with old friends that live close, far away or halfway across the world! I have recently become reacquainted with some old friends. Even though I haven't actually talked to most of them I think that its so great that I can see what they are doing from there postings online. Its so fun to see old friends after so long and how there families have gown and what they are up to! So I send a big shout out to all of those friends that I haven't seen in a long time and am now friends with on Facebook! Another thing that I love about technology is that it keeps track of my budget for me. All I have to do is put in the numbers and its does all the work for me. That is awesome because math, no matter how simple it is I dont really care to do it, and now I dont have to! Yay. I just love technology and how it makes my life so much easier. I have so many things to be grateful for and technology (when it works) is definitely one of them!

Forward to the Future

My Dear Friends and Family,

As I look forward to the near future and the not so near future I see some things that are quite unsettling!  I first have to thank my amazing parents who loved me enough to teach me of the things that are right.  I was born of goodly parents who showed me the way. In a world ever increasing in confusion I know where to look for answers to the things that trouble my mind.  As we all know California is going to be voting on a proposition to change the states constitution on the definition of marriage. Even though I do not live in California and this proposition doesn't affect me, it does! This is a issue that is not going to go away anytime soon. I was taught as a young girl to make my decision on how I would handle difficult decisions before they came so when they came I would already know what do.  At the time that this proposition came up many years ago in California I was in a junior in high school I made up my mind then on what my decision would be.  I am once again taking a stand and defending what I know to be right and true. Marriage is ONLY between an man and a woman and is ordained of God before the world was. I look forward to the day that I am able to enjoy of the blessings of that sacred institution.  I am grateful to those who have shown me what a good marriage is and could be.  I have had many great examples and can only hope that I will be a strong example to my present friends and future children and even future friends of what our loving Heavenly Father wants for his children.  Because we ARE his children and he does love us and know us individually!  I hope that you all know how much I love you and am grateful for your love and friendship! And just incase you wanted further reading on my views here are a few websites.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e1fa5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=5fd30f9856c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

General Conference

I just got home from attending my first General Conference. It was such an amazing experience.  I am so grateful for my cousin who went with me so that I was able to have that experience. I hope that the experience that we had today will remain with both of us through out the rest of our lives. I am now a firm believer in having questions when you watch or go to a session of conference because not only will you get answers to your questions but you will gain more questions that maybe you didn't know that you had.  I didn't receive answers to all my questions but at this point I am grateful for tomorrow when there will be two more sessions of conference so that I am able to better myself a little more.  I am still totally unsure of my path in the near future and for life but I certainly feel more prepared than I did earlier today! There are not words to express the spirit that I have felt today! I am so grateful for the knowledge and the intelligence that I have been given. Heavenly Father is totally aware of me and the things that I need because he can look and see.  I needed to attend that session of conference. Looking back I can better understand some of the feelings and the thoughts that I had.  I had a friend point out to me that instead of saying that something annoyed me I would say that I didn't understand. I thought about that today as I was in this particular session of conference and thought that I was grateful that I didn't understand a lot of things because thats a better place to be than to be annoyed. I want to understand things I want to learn things so that I can better understand. I love this time in my life because I am young and am able to learn and take things in quickly!  I have also gained a greater understanding of the love that Heavenly Father has for his children. The last couple of days I have had many experiences with children. Last night I was so blessed to be able to care for my nephew while his parents went out for the evening. There is such a spirit about little ones. I just love the things that they bring to the world with a smile and laughter!  Today I was entrusted with my cousin who is 10 almost 11 and was able to take her to this session of conference where the choir that was singing was a primary choir. I think that I enjoyed this children's choir differently and maybe more so that I would have the Tabernacle choir because of the special spirit they bring. I was reminded of how powerful music can really be. Before the meeting started they were practicing the songs they were going to be singing and one of the songs they sang was "I Love to See the Temple".  I felt the spirit so strongly from that song. It was incredible! I wish that I could keep that spirit it all the time. I guess thats the trick of life. How to keep the spirit with us always! I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and am grateful for the great joy and blessings that it has brought to my life! I love Him and am thankful everyday that he gave me the life that I have, Its not an easy one but it is one worth living because I KNOW He is on my savior! I am so excited to see him and run into his arms and feel even more so the love I know he has for me and everyone! I only hope that when it comes time to see him again he will recognize me!  I felt the love that Christ has for all of us today I saw many people who did not have tickets to conference with signs asking for tickets. If I had more I would have given them tickets. It was raining all day and saw many without an umbrella and wished that I had one to give them. There was a woman in front of me in line to go into the building and I sheltered her from the rain. He loves and is aware of us all! All you have to do is look and see the many wonderful things that he has created for us!  Today has been one of the most rewarding days of my life. I only hope that I can live up to the path that has been set before me and pray for the strength to help myself and others!

Cutest Baby EVER!

So I thought that I would be so cool with my blog, so creative.  But I was giving the URL address to my friend so that he could look it up. He couldn't find it so I told him that I posted it up on my Facebook and he looked at it he realized that I spelled opinions wrong :( oh well.  And it's more sad that I didn't realize it until he pointed it out. I've had this for almost a week. 

Oh well so this week has been a good week.

Last night I got to babysit the CUTEST baby ever! My nephew is almost 3 months old and such a joy to watch. Now that he is getting older he is more playful and is making his cute little baby sounds! I sure to LOVE THAT CUTE LITTLE BABY!  While I'm watching him I look forward to the day that I can have my own cute little baby. I dont know how far away that is but in the mean time I have the cutest little nephew that my brother and his wife share with me.  I sure do love that little baby! I feel that I now have a small minute understanding of what if feels like to be a parent. I love that little baby and would do anything to protect him! He is just a gem! I am so proud to be an aunt.  I have another cute niece that lives in Iowa. I dont get to see her often but she is just a joy too! She is about 7 and a half and can talk your ear off on the phone. I just love to listen to her. Watch out teenage-hood :)  

I am so glad that I am going to get to see all of my family this upcoming May for my younger brother's wedding!  It will be fun! From the last time we had a family picture taken we will have added a sibling-in-law and a nephew!  I just love my family I am so blessed to have family that I do.

Things I Don't Understand

I dont understand why people have to be rude to one another. I really believe that rudeness is unnecessary. I deal with hundreds of people on a daily basis and generally most of the time they are pleasant creatures. But every once in a while (sometimes more than once in a day) there is someone that feels that they are above everyone else and there is no one else in the store except them, or that just because I work retail that for some reason that makes me less of a person so that they can treat me like I am stupid. I guess I should give them the benefit of the doubt (which I usually do because I have to be nice to them because I'm in customer service) maybe they had a really bad day and just need someone to take it out on and its easy to take it out on me because I'm just a stranger. Or because I work in retail and that just automatically makes me less intelligent than the rest of those who have cushy desk jobs and a college education. I dont think so! I'm just as smart (maybe smarter) Its not easy to be in retail for 5 years...or longer for some.  I really do (most of the time) love my job! I love to help people. Its one of the reasons that I love working retail because when someone doesn't know what they want and you listen to them and help them to understand all of their options and the light that comes on there face is amazing! And then they think that you are this amazing person because you are sooo smart. When they really don't realize that this is your job and you do it everyday! That makes my job worth it. And there are those customers that are always so appreciative of you and your work! I love that too! 

I also don't understand traffic. There is NO accident but its cramped like there is one. So then you try to take a different route thinking that you will get to your destination faster by taking this other route and that takes twice as long as if you would have just taken the normal way.  What is with that? I guess its because everyone thinks they are so smart and tries to do the same thing or it might be just because its that time of day and your just stuck. AAhh! Man I sure don't like to be stuck! Not a good feeling!

Okay so that was kind of a complaining blog so I'm going to end on a happy note. I went over to a girl's house in my ward tonight to plan out the Sacrament meeting songs for the rest of the year (I thought that I wanted another calling when I was in Family History and now I'm the Sacrament meeting chorister...I want Family History Back!) Anyway so we were planning the music and gosh we sure do have a lot of GREAT and REMARKABLE hymns! I sure do love them and the amazing spirit they bring! I am so grateful for Hymns! 

D&C 25:12 "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous  is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

That is my scripture of the day today! I sure do love the scriptures. I have gained a greater love and understanding of many things in my life because of the scriptures. Maybe I need to read my scriptures more for answers for the things I dont understand! Mosiah 3:19 thats the answer to the previous non understandings...well at least part of the answer! Oh well!

I could write on this forever but its time to move on to something else! Goodnight :)

Just A Little About Me

Okay so I really dont mean to sound like a downer so here are some of my favorite things or just quirky things about me.  

As you can tell I LOVE PINK! I think pink is an awesome color in all shades.I think my favorite combination is brown and pink! I also look good in it too! I've been told that I look good in it.  

I have just found a new interest with working out! I love to do it, even when though its hard I still enjoy it because it makes me feel good. Gosh if I'd have know how working out made me feel I should have done it a long time ago! 

I love to make quilts, even though I'm not experienced at it I still like to do it because I am "beautifying the world around me" or just keeping people warm!  

I love music. I always have! My mom has a piano and when I was a little girl I would tinker around on it and she would help me learn a few things every once in a while during her busy "mothering taking care of us kids" days. I started playing the clarinet when I was in 5th grade and already knew how to read music because of the things that my mom taught me. I thought I was so cool when band started because the teacher was teaching how to read music and I already knew how! And of course all through high school I was in band. I loved it! Still wish that I had contact with some of my old high school friends but i guess thats what happens we all grow up and move on! Hope things are well for all of them no matter where they are! 

I also love my new condo that I am living in. It is so nice and wonderful I dont know how I'm going to ever live any where else! Its awesome! I also love the new ward that I am in. Its so great. There are actually a lot of people in it that go to activities! A good way for me to make friends! That is one thing that I am no terribly good at but I have been in the ward for a few months and I've made a few friends! 

Gosh I am so blessed to have the knowledge and understanding that I do of the great plan that our loving Heavenly Father has for us all! I feel like Lehi and Nephi when they were at the Tree of Life and partaking of the fruit and wished that there family would come and tasted of the fruit too! I really wish that I could share it with everyone! Well maybe through this i can!

Thats another thing I really enjoy doing my Family History work! I know it sounds kinda weird that a almost 26 year-old like myself would enjoy doing that! Its for old people you say...WRONG! The way things are changing with it and at the speeds of acquiring information that we have (just look at how fast you got to this blog) It sure is a work that is meant for this/my and future generations! 

Well anyway its time to go for now but thank you for taking the time to read just a little about me!

Here I Come!

Hello to everyone in the blogging world. 

I had decided to start one of these because I do have opinions on just about everything, just like most of you. I know that some of you won't agree with some of them and thats okay because well we are all different and I am grateful for our differences. I just thought that I might like to he heard on some of my opinions. I really dont know who is going to read my blogs, probably not anyone who is not in my family or a friend but to those of you who are not either of those hopefully it will give you an insight to me and what I hope to become.  I really dont know what's going to end up in my blog but I can promise one thing. I will be honest, for anyone who knows me they know that honesty is my policy and I dont like to hold back.  Yes its true I do tend to say to much some times, but this is my blog.  Agree or disagree that is your choice, so here I am! I hope with my blog I will be able to make the world a better place because this is one way that I can talk and get things out. It has been said that a woman just needs to talk things out and then she will figure it out on her own... well that is me.  Although as true as that is sometimes the answers that I look for do come from others so please don't be afraid to comment!  

And to all the friends and family members that love me in-spite of all of my flaws and have helped me along my path of life I thank you! You are no question in my mind one of my greatest gifts!