Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?
I love the roller coasters- love that adrenaline rush!

Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?
I tend to clam up. I don’t make eye contact or say much. I don’t want to add to the awkwardness.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?
About an 8, unless the person just wants to argue, then a 0. I don’t mind discussing opposing opinions but if the other person/people isn’t going to be open-minded I don’t want to play.

Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?
Yes, I never miss it. I missed it one year and got the flu. I wanted to die, I don’t think I’ve ever been that sick before, it was miserable.

Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

Too many! Let's see... CSI: NY, CSI: Las Vegas, Bones, ER, Criminal Minds, Without a Trace plus the news at least once a night. And it’s only going to get worse- American Idol is starting next month!

Wow!

The radio station that I listen to played the audio of this clip this morning and it really touched me. I just had to find the video and share it. Apparently it was Disability Awareness Day at Fenway Park and this gentleman was invited to sing The Star Spangled Banner. About half way through he gets nervous and has a few problems. The crowds response brought me to tears- I’m tearing up now just thinking about it.

Wordless Wednesday

Finally!

Getting to know you...

I've swiped another meme from Kathleen. It was fun to read her answers and she tagged any readers so I decided to do it too! All you have to do with this one is finish the sentence.

I've come to realize that my ex is:
a valuable lesson I needed to learn about myself.

I am listening to:
Michael Buble- Put Your Head on My Shoulders *sigh*

I talk:
to myself all the time! It's only a problem when I get caught.

I love:
so many things- my family, my job, my friends, my cat, chocolate, diet coke, books, my computer, the internet, chick-flicks... the list just goes on and on.

I lost:
a lot of my insecurities somewhere along this trip that is life. I don't miss them!

I hate it when:
people are judgmental.

Love is:a gift that should never be taken advantage of.

Marriage is:
not something I know much about but I would really like to someday!

Somewhere there is:
the perfect Christmas present for my Mom but I certainly don't know where or what it is.

I'll always be:
short, much to my dismay.

I have a [little] crush on:
there are so many- Orlando Bloom, Edward Cullen, Michael Buble, and Agent Seeley Booth (from Bones) are on the top of the list these days.

The last time I cried was:
The other night when Ashlyn told me not to touch the movies and that I needed to look with my eyes and not my fingers. It was HYSTERICAL!

My cell phone is:
always with me.

When I wake up in the morning:
scowl at the alarm clock and hit the snooze button.

Before I go to sleep at night:
read, even if it's just a page or two.

Right now I am thinking about:
setting up my vcr to record Bones since I'm headed to dinner with the girls.

Babies are:
gifts from God.

I get on myspace:
very randomly. I have one friend that uses it regularly so I get on there to keep track of him, other than that I don't use it.

Today I:
went to work.

Tonight I will:
go to dinner with Amanda, Bonnie and Amanda, then to Aja'a house, and then go to bed.

Tomorrow I will:
Go to work and hopefully get my Christmas decorations up.

I really want to:
be happy.

The person who is most likely to repost this:
Whoever wants to.

Thanks Kathleen!

The Cullen's

I found this the other night in my web-wandering. I love it! She really nailed my image of Alice. I also love Rosalie! I actually love the whole family. I found it here.

Turkeys, Chocolate Fountains and Trains....Oh My!

Well, it would seem that we survived the Thanksgiving weekend! Whew! It was crazy, chaotic and tons of fun!

We all gathered in the thriving metropolis of Panguitch for few days of eating (lots of eating!), visiting, playing and just having a good time.

My nephew Kyle came the furthest- traveling from Louisiana to surprise his Dad. My Mom flew him out for the week with out his Dad's knowledge. What a great surprise! I'm pretty sure that Kyle was the last thing they were expecting to see when they arrived from Denver. The rest of us made the trek from O-Town (Ogden) to Panguitch which is only about 4 1/2 hours.

Here are a few pictures of the chaos!

There's No Place Like Home

I've never lived in this house, but it's home. It's my Mom's front door. I see it and it just makes me feel good. How is it, that even though I've never spend more than a few nights in a row here, that this is home? How blessed I am to have a Mom that can create a home wherever she is!

Wordless Wednesday

Macho Macho Man!

Sunday night we had a family birthday party at my cousin's house. The boys disappeared downstairs as they often do- they are 9, 10, 12 and 12, so hanging out with the adults isn't really cool. I don't usually venture down into their territory, I may be the favorite aunt, but there are still limits. I'm not even sure how we figured out what was going on down there, I think that one of them must have come up to show off. They had taken the balloons that were up for decorations and were using them as muscles. Luckily I had my camera and was able to capture these macho men! Of course Uncle Ben had to get in on the action too! It was the highlight of the night!

Top Ten Movie Kisses

I found this over at Kathleen's blog and just had to come up with my own list. So much fun! Thanks Kathleen!

1. Pride and Prejudice (2005 Keira Knightly/Matthew Macfadyen version)- there is nothing that compare to this kiss. It is breath-taking! The cinematography in this scene is amazing. The director is a genius!

2. Never Been Kissed- This is one of my all time favorite movies. Drew Barrymore is adorable as the dorky undercover reporter who has to go back to high school. Michael Vartan is more amazing than any high school English teacher I ever had. Their chemistry is very powerful. When he finally kisses her on the pitchers mound I just want to jump for joy!

3. A Knight's Tale- When William and Jocelyn kiss after he finally defeats Count Adhemar it is a toe-curling, spine-tingling moment.

4. While You Were Sleeping- Another one of my favorite movies- love, love, love Bill Pullman in this movie! When he and Sandra Bullock kiss in the booth at the metro station it just makes me happy!

5. Some Kind of Wonderful- This is an 80's classic! The "practice" kiss in that movie has to be one of the greatest kisses ever filmed. I remember the first time I saw the movie and just wanting to cry because he was picking the wrong girl. I was so glad he made the right choice.

6. Just Like Heaven- Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo- when their hands touch and she remembers everything and then they kiss- *sigh* it's just so wonderful!

7. Pirates of the Caribbean- The kiss in the third movie between Will and Elizabeth right before he goes off to be the Captain of the Flying Dutchman- whew! That makes me sad I sleep alone.

8. The Cutting Edge- Love this movie! It came out while I was in high school and I can't even begin to count how many times I saw it in the theater. When they kiss after just winning the gold medal, doing the "Pamchenko", and declaring their love for each other- it just melts me!

The last two on my list are kisses that haven't been filmed yet. They are both kisses I can't wait to finally see-

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- I am such a huge Ron and Hermione fan that I can not wait to finally see that kiss! I cheered out loud when I read it in the book. I can't wait to see Emma Watson lay one on Rupert Grint- it will make my whole year.

10. Twilight- The first kiss between Bella and Edward is so magical. The fact that Edward is still not quite sure that he can control himself gives it that dangerous edge and that fact that he pulls it off makes it that much better. Plus we will get to see Bella's out of control reaction to Edward. Of course the casting of Bella and Edward will be essential to this kiss turning out the way it should. (As a side note- Bella's casting is official!)

Can you think of any others?

What are your nets?

While I was preparing my YW lesson this week I found this amazing talk by Elder Wirthlin-Follow Me. In this article he talks about the apostles dropping their nets and following Christ when he asked them to "Follow Me" He then focuses on what our "nets" are and if we are willing to drop them so that we can follow the Saviors path to exaltation.

It was a very eye opening read for me. It has made me look at the "nets" in my life. I would love to say that I am willing to drop them and follow but I know that I don't always do that. I cling to those worldly things that I think give me comfort and neglect the things I should. My challenge will be moving beyond recognizing that there is a problem and acting on it. That is always the hardest part isn't it? But Elder Wirthlin's words will help I think. "Yes, I do not suggest that the road will be easy. But I will give you my witness that those who, in faith, leave their nets and follow the Savior will experience happiness beyond their ability to comprehend."

The funny thing is that I didn't even use the article for my lesson. Apparently it was just something I needed to read.

Sunday Morning Music

I try really hard to listen to music on Sunday mornings that brings the Spirit into my home and gets me ready to go to church. Music is so inspiring to me. The times in my life that I have felt the Spirit the strongest have been when there was music. So I'm pretty picky when it comes to my Sunday morning music. I have a hard time with some LDS music, so when I find a treasure I have to share it.


Last March my Aunt and Mom bought tickets to a show in St. George and told me I had to come down. I didn't really know much about it. It was a country music group singing about Joseph Smith. I wasn't too excited about it, I'm not a huge country music fan, but I went anyway just for something to do and to make Mom happy.


The show changed me in ways that I can not put into words. I've always had a very firm testimony of the Prophet Joseph. It's the one place in my testimony that never wavers. This show solidified that testimony in ways I didn't realize were possible. I was touched beyond description.

Joseph: A Nashville Tribute to the Prophet is so inspiring! I love all the songs. Every time I listen to it I have a new favorite song. Today as I was listening these lyrics really stuck out to me- From Candles "And then the Spirit danced within me like soft candlelight." All the lyrics can be found here.

So if you're looking to be inspired this is one cd I definitely recommend!

Sheer Brillance!

I am amazed everytime I watch this! His name is William Joseph and his talent blows me away! I had the opportunity to see him perform live a few years ago and I've been a huge fan ever since. If you don't have Within buy it now!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?
My first official non-babysitting job was at K-Mart. I worked in the shoe department. When I go in some place like that now and receive terrible service from silly teenagers I really, really hope I was a better employee than that!

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
It really depends on what I want to be creative about- For crafty things I go to a craft store. For creative lessons I go to the internet. For creative photos I take a walk outside.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
Other people make fools of themselves. I have a real problem watching reality shows for this reason. I am addicted to American Idol but I cringe throughout most of the audition shows. I get so embarrassed for those people who are terrible but think they are good!

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?
There are too many to list but the one that I hold most dear is open-mindedness or equality, I'm not sure which word I'm looking for. I was raised to look at everyone as my equal no matter their race, sex, financial class, cultural background or lifestyle choices. When I meet people that do not have that same view on life I am blown away. I'm so thankful for my parents for teaching me to see the beauty in all people- not matter what! (This counts as my thankful post for the day :-) )

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
Hypercolor T-shirts

Jean Jackets with pins on them

Banana Clips and big hair!

I'm thankful for....

My Mom!

I feel like a little primary age kid getting up to bear my testimony- can't you just hear it? "I'm thankful for my Mom and everything she does for me." The fact is that it is the truth! I don't have the time to sing my Mom's praises in this post, I'll save that for another time. Mom is in town for a couple of days and it's so fun to have her around. I truly am thankful for her! She's the best. Isn't she a knock-out?

Three times the thankfulness!

Today I had to go to Salt Lake for a Coding Conference. (Wahoo! Can I handle the excitement? I know you are jealous you didn't get to go.) While I was driving there and back I thought of three things I was thankful for-

1. That I don't commute to Salt Lake anymore. As much as I loved my job at Primary's I hated that commute! It was 9 months of torture. I am reminded on the odd occasion that I have to make the trek down there during rush hour how thankful I am that it takes me 5 minutes to get to work these days.

2. For Josh- he kept me sane during the crazy commute this morning. He was the reason I was able to not have a nervous breakdown while driving. His voice is amazing. I am so thankful that there are such talented people on this earth.

3. That my conference got out early. Thank heaven for small favors!

It's getting easier to find things to be thankful for each day.

Everybody loves....

A Brown-Eyed Girl!!!

Miss Ashlyn had her pictures taken to celebrate her third birthday. Luckily she was in a smiley mood! Isn't she gorgeous?!?!

This is Ashyln and her sister Erin- they are quite a pair!

These are the girls that live upstairs- aren't I lucky?!!?!?!?

Can't live without my...

Today I am thankful for this.....

Best.Stuff.EVER!

Slacking!

Our theme in Sacrament meeting today was on gratitude, then I went to Young Women's and our lesson was also on gratitude- it made me realize that I have been slacking on my "I'm thankful for" posts. Here is a list to make up for the last few days-

1. Our Veterans- our bishop had all the men or women that have ever served in the Armed Forces stand and be recognized. It was beautiful and moving. I am so grateful for these men and women who serve our country!

2. The BYU Men's Chorus- These cd's are some of my most cherished in my collection, which is saying a lot! There is no better way to start out your Sabbath Day!

3. Socks- I adore him!









4. Saturday mornings- they are my favorite day of the week because I get to sleep in. Sleeping in is my most guilty of guilty pleasures. I love days that I don't have to set an alarm clock and I can just get up whenever I wake up- it is a beautiful thing. I know that I am completely spoiled that I am able to sleep in- it is one of the few perks of being single!

5. Family traditions- My Mom made these adorable pilgrims when she and my Dad were first married. They came out every year at our house and I loved them. When my parents retired my Mom decided it was time to get rid of some things. I was lucky enough to get first dibs on the stuff she was getting rid of. I couldn't let these get away- they hold so much sentimental value! Mom shakes her head at me and tells me they are ugly, but I treasure them!













Well, that caught me up for this week. I'll try and do better next week.

Amyology

Rules: Let others know a little more about yourself, repost this as your name followed by "ology."

MOUTHOLOGY
Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
A. Popeye's Chicken- sadly there are none in Utah. Actually, I think that might be a good thing.

Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
A: Omlettes

Q.What are your pizza toppings of choice?
A. Pepperoni and extra cheese- yum!

TECHNOLOGY
Q. What is currently on your computer wallpaper?
A: A picture of the London Eye taken by moi!

Q. How many televisions are in your house?
A: In my apartment there is only one, but in the whole house there are 5 including mine. Only one other one is hooked up to the cable though, the others are only for watching movies.

BIOLOGY
Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
A. Right-handed

Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?
A. I have one right now that I'm waiting until January to get fixed since I've reached my insurance max for the year. It's been a bad dental year- I owe my dentist my first born child!

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. Not that I know of.

OTHEROLOGY
Q. What color do you think looks best on you?
A. I'm most comfortable in black or red, but I'm not sure those are my best colors.

Q. Have you ever saved someone's life?
A. Not that I know of.

Q. Has someone ever saved yours?
A. My Mom pulled me out of a lake when I was little.

DUMBOLOGY
Q: What is in your left pocket?
A: Nada

Q: Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
A. No, No, No! I'm still bitter about those lost brain cells.

Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
A: A couple of years ago when I got pulled over for speeding.

LASTOLOGY
Q: Last person who called you?
A: My mom

Q: Last Person you hugged?
A: Howie

FAVORITOLOGY
Q: Number?
A: I don't really have one.

Q: Season?
A: Spring and Fall

CURRENTOLOGY
Q: Mood?
A: Content

Q: Listening to?
A: The silence- which is odd for me, I usually have music on.

Q: Watching?
A: Nothing

RANDOMOLOGY
Q: What can you not wait to do?
A: Travel

Q: What's the last movie you saw?
A: Transformers- it was ok.

Q: Do you smile often?
A: Yes- aren't I lucky?

TAGOLOGYIf you just read this, YOU'RE IT!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?

Milk Duds or Popcorn- sometimes both if I'm feeling a little crazy with my $$$.
SoupWhat year did you start using the internet?

I would guess around 1994- the year I started college.
SaladWhat is your first name in Pig Latin?
My-Aya

Main Course
Name something you are picky about.

My clothes
Dessert
Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.

I made Chili yesterday and I lost the cook-off today. :-(

Oh Happy Day!

Today is my friend Rey's Birthday. It's been way too long since I've seen him but it's kind of my fault since I haven't been back to Texas since I moved away 9 years ago.

Rey is a wonderful person- he's creative, incredibly talented on the stage, and very funny. We were pretty much inseperable while I lived in El Paso and I still look back at that time as one of the best in my life.

Happy Birthday Rey/Kermie/George!!!

Here's a little jaunt down memory lane...

Wordless Wednesday

I found this the other night while web-surfing- her shirt made me smile.

Why I'm thankful today...

My thankful post comes today courtesy of my young women. I am thankful for them for two reasons. The first one being that they are so strong and faithful. They inspire me to try and be a better person. They are so much stronger than I was at their age. I remember being told when I was in young women that we were the royal generation and we would have to face more trials than any other generation before. I feel that same way about these young women now. What choice spirits! I am truly in awe of them.

The other reason I am thankful is because I am so glad that I'm not that age anymore! You couldn't pay me enough to go back to that stage in my life, at least not without the knowledge I have now. I'm thankful that I survived that stage in life. I'm so glad I have these girls in my life to remind me that I truly am at a better place now.

Bah Humbug!

Just call me Scrooge!

I hate that we completely skip Thanksgiving! It makes me crazy. Two of our local radio stations are already playing Christmas music 24/7- grrr! That is so annoying. There is no need for Christmas carols prior to the day after Thanksgiving. (The only exception being the one time listen to the new Josh Groban CD Noel- I couldn't wait and it was just once on the day I bought it.)

Thanksgiving is such a great holiday that really should be focused on more. It is an opportunity to surround ourselves with friends and family that we love and eat really good food. There is no pressure of getting the right gift or spending too much money- it's really all about love.

Just to make sure that I keep my focus I'm going to try and post something I'm thankful for everyday.

Today I am thankful for my job. It really does bring me joy. I work with amazing people that build me up and make me feel good about myself on a daily basis. I've worked in many offices in healthcare and I've never worked in one that really cared this much about it's employees. It's a rare thing to find in a "big, bad corporation" like Intermountain Healthcare, but I've been lucky enough to find it.

Cute as a Bug

My friend Aja stopped by the day after Halloween so that I could she her little one's adorable costume. Here is Miss Maelyn as a ladybug- What a cutie!

All Hallow's Eve

I love Halloween! It is such a fun holiday. I don't like the scary, creepy kind of Halloween stuff, but the fun stuff is the best. I know that it's one of my Mom's favorite holidays so it was always a blast for us growing up.

Last night we all gathered at my Uncle Mark and Aunt Kathy's church in Roy for their Trunk-or-Treat. We had such a good time! The kids all looked so dang cute! Their Moms are amazing.

Then we headed over to our house for some yummy calzones that Kathy made. The kids did some actual door-to-door Trick or Treating then everyone headed home since they all had school today.

What a great night!