Friday, February 27, 2009

Learning to Dance

My cute grandma, Maga, posted this wonderful comment on Brooke's blog:

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
It struck me as something I myself have to work on. I find myself all too often waiting for the next thing in life to come and thinking I will be happier. I do this especially when things get rough and they have been as of late.

I decided today that I am going to learn to dance. My life is so wonderful and I have every opportunity ahead of me. I can really go any where from here and have many adventures yet to experience. I am at such a fun stage of life and I am going to enjoy it while I am here. I have limited responsibilities and no one to answer to.

The rain has always been one of my favorite types of weather, dancing in the rain, kissing in the rain, curling up in a blanket inside while it rains, I just love it all. I guess that is why the quote spoke to me. I love the rain and I might as well apply that to my life and learn to dance in the rain!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Weekend Update

I guess it is finally time to update you all on my fabulous weekend!
My weekend started out with dinner with my parents and Jenny on Friday night. It was fun despite the slow service, I was with good company and it made all the difference. Jenny decided I was cool enough to spend her Friday night with me and I was so excited. She ventured with me to "The IMPROVables" where we met up with Shannon and her cousins. It was fun to have Jenny there... Jenny spent the night and the next morning the girls all met up for Shannon's Birthday! One of my favorite birthday activities is to go to breakfast. We met at my personal favorite breakfast eatery: Market Street Grill...
All my sister's were so nice to come and even Josh joined us. Josh fell in love with Shannon on our last venture to St. George and he wanted to get his part of the birthday action with her...
I got to spend the rest of the day with my Mom. We gave blood, watched a movie, and she was even nice enough to help me finish up my cute new quilt (started over 3 years ago in Logan, yeah, I was on top of it)... The birthday festivities started up again when I met up with Shannon and some of her friends at Settebello's (one of the best Italian pizza places, and anything Italian is right up Shannon's alley)...
The night took an interesting turn when some of Shannon's friend suggested going to the institute dance that night. Sounds fun right? We thought so too until we gathered a little bit more information... it was a dance for 25-30 year olds, cool huh? We weren't quite sure what we thought but we were up for the adventure...
This was my attempt to look a bit more mature and more within the designated age group, it works right? I acted even more mature during the dance whenever a slow song came on, I booked it to the ladies room, great way to meet guys huh? These creepy guys weren't really worth meeting...
Regardless of the activity, I did have a ton of fun getting to know these girls...

The rest of my weekend included a nice relaxing Sunday: 5 hour church (included visiting teaching, temple recommend interview, and a VT interview), caught up on some TV, and topped it all off with ward prayer.

It was a wonderful weekend and I loved all the time I got to spend with so many of my favorite people! This next weekend is shaping up to be a good one as well: St. George on Friday, California on Saturday and Sunday. Who isn't up for a little spontaneous adventure?

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

St. George Birthday Fun

This past weekend was Brooke's birthday and with the holiday on Monday, it seemed like the perfect weekend to venture down south. Shannon and I both took off Friday and journeyed through the snow storm (and detours) to finally make it to St. George that night.

Friday we celebrated Brooke's birthday with an early morning chat, arrangements for the day and then all met up for lunch at Brooke's favorite local eatery of 25 Main...
One of the cutest little cafe/cupcake shop...
We finished off the afternoon with some great shopping and spending lots of money and spending lots of time with this girl...
Lulu decided to make an appearance for some of the weekend, love it when she shows up...
On the docket for the night was a sing-a-long extravaganza to "Mamma Mia!" The singing and dancing began with the sing-a-long version, yes words on the screen and everything...
We were really getting into it, especially Mom...
Josh was loving it, when we took a break for some visitors he kept asking "Can we watch Mamma Mia now?!?" He was the star dancer too...
The entertainment continued...
Pretty much pooped after a two hour show, sitting around and talking was so fun with the group... We finished off the festivities with Oreo pie for the birthday girl and then some hot tubing...
Heidi and Mom headed home the next day which left Shannon, Brooke, and myself. We celebrated the Love day (as border line bitter single girls) mostly like this...
But actually had a really good day full of swimming, reading, movies, and food. What better way is there to spend the holiday? (random occurrence of the day: hanging out that night with one of Steve's ex-girlfriends. Yes, of all the places and of all the people. I kinda liked the awkward irony)
Sunday we went to church and had our fill of tragic love movies. I don't think we moved off the couches for a good 5 hours. Being lazy on vacation is the best!
Monday we ventured out for breakfast, hit up some local sights, and enjoyed the last of our time together.

I just love getting away to St. George and couldn't have picked a better weekend. Hanging out with Brooke for her birthday was a blast and the long weekend provided plenty of days to do nothing! Having part of the family and Shannon there just made it better, it was too bad more people couldn't have joined us.

I have decided I am going to look into making my life a permanent vacation, anyone want to join me?

Thursday, February 12, 2009

101 Things About Me (again)

I keep getting tagged to do 25 Random Things about me. I have already posted and compiled this list, and had tons of fun reading it again that I thought I would re-post it. Even now 6 months later, I feel like I am somewhat of a different person.

1. I am an extreme hopeless romantic
2. I love musicals, I often wish my life was filled with musical conversations and choreographed dancing
3. When changing the volume in my car, the number always has to be an even number
4. I don't like odd numbers, unless they are multiples (5, 10, 15 or 3, 6, 9)
5. My closet is color coordinated, I even have the clothes blend from one color to the next
6. I have a strange obsession with school supplies, think birthday shopping at Staples
7. I feel a small sense of satisfaction after I have written a post and click the spell check and it said "No Misspellings Found"
8. Singing in the car at the top of my lungs is one of my favorite things to do, even when the neighboring car is staring at me
9. When eating Frosted Mini-Wheats, I save the most frosted ones to the end. I usually rank them and eat them from least to most frosted
10. I have a fetish with being on time. I usually know how long it takes me to get somewhere and leave a minute or two before that to get there
11. I usually hold people to this same expectation, which isn't usually met, or fair of me to expect it
12. I love kissing.... A LOT
13. My first crush was Mitch Reid, I think it started in pre-school and I liked him all the way through middle school
14. My biggest fear is ending up single
15. I have the world's best family, they also happen to be my best friends
16. My eyes are my favorite feature
17. I am very particular, this goes for many things: how my food is prepared, what food I will eat, the way my work computer screen is organized, how papers are stacked
18. My first job was at Sno Shack, and I hated every minute of it
19. Nice teeth, good smile, and eyes are my favorite things about guys (Dimples if I'm lucky)
20. I have a huge countdown to my birthday every year, usually starting about a month in advance. It is a big deal to me, and my dad loves it
21. My only birth mark is a port-wine stain on my scalp
22. I am very competitive and stubborn, and I like being right (not a good combination)
23. I don't make friends very easily, and it takes me a while to be myself around people
24. I have to lie on my back, both sides, and then my stomach every night before I can fall asleep
25. Football is my favorite sport, I love going to games and watching them as much as possible 26. I tried to fail an eye exam in elementary school so I could get glasses
27. I have low self-esteem and sadly base my worth on other's ability to recognize it (or not recognize it)
28. Being a mom is my ultimate goal in life
29. I have lost 40 pounds since last January, I still have more to go, but am convinced I will always think I am too fat
30. I have an immense love of traveling, I hope to be able to see the world at some point in my life
31. Bags and shoes are my biggest weakness when shopping
32. Bought my first new car when I was 19, and I have loved it every day since
33. I had more absences than days attended my senior year (by almost twice as much)
34. I had the same schedule as my best friend my senior year (every single class!)
35. I got a scholarship to Utah State but lost it after my first year of college
36. Winking is one of my favorite ways guys flirt
37. The worst break-up I ever went through was with my best friend Jessica
38. I have a good ability to find the good in things, but usually ignore it and find the bad
39. The two years I was at Utah State were the hardest of my life, but I learned more about life and myself that I have ever learned
40. Chivalry and Romance is the way to my heart
41. I love surprises, knowing someone put thought and effort into it makes it that much better 42. I hate gum, I haven't chewed gum since 7th grade
43. I love the smell of laundry
44. As of December 19, I will be a college graduate
45. I love crawling into bed after I get out of the shower and I just shaved my legs
46. I ran for student body officer my sophomore year and lost, I thought it was the end of the world
47. There are only 2 stalls of 5 that I am willing to use in the women's bathroom at work
48. Crying always makes me feel better, no matter what my mood is
49. I learned my right from my left by figuring out that it is easier for me to wink my left eye, I still wink to this day to figure out my left/right
50. Getting things in the mail is one of the little pleasures of life
51. My associated degree is in General Studies, who knew you could get a degree in that?
52. I am slightly addicted to Diet Coke
53. Having my mom always home when I got home from school was my favorite, it is what makes me want to be a stay-at-home mom
54. I have a secret love for tech-y things, I just wish I knew more
55. I'm a hard worker, it's the best thing my dad could have ever taught me
56. A little appreciation for my efforts goes a long way
57. My mom made my lunch almost every day in high school
58. I am nosy and I like gossip, it's not a good thing
59. I make sure my work e-mail inbox is always empty
60. I love to read, laying in bed all day reading is my idea of a perfect day
61. I live with my brother and his wife and 5 kids, I love it, but am secretly afraid they are going to kick me out soon
62. I am in love with love; love songs, romance novels, romance films, weddings, happily ever after, etc.
63. I really like cars, if I could drive any car it would be a Range Rover
64. I have a weakness for boys with accents
65. I think cowboys are sexy (and nerds)
66. Funnel cake is my favorite treat, but can usually only be found at special events
67. I compare myself to other’s in almost every way
68. Utah Man Am I! I am a very big Utah fan
69. I am the type of person that only needs one good friend as opposed to lots of friends
70. My first kiss was when I was 16 with Jeremy Memmott
71. The toilet paper must always go over the top
72. My first concert was Backstreet Boys
73. At times I am frugal like my mom, but have times of spending indulgences like my dad
74. I am addicted to the Internet, I might not always have something to do on it, but I feel better if I am
75. I have my own testimony and have been shown in so many ways that Heavenly Father loves me and knows just what I need
76. I over analyze just about everything
77. Laughing is the cure for everything
78. I have the gift (and patience) for shopping at Ross and TJMaxx
79. I have severe road rage
80. Looking for the blessings in my life makes me happy and I should do it more often
81. I want to be just like everyone in my family for one reason or another
82. I am a very passionate person, I get discouraged easily and overjoyed just as fast
83. I am smart, I am very blessed to be able to just get things
84. I always go to the bathroom while brushing my teeth, if I ever just brush my teeth it makes me have to go to the bathroom
85. Eavesdropping is a guilty pleasure of mine
86. I love something about every season: fall fashion, winter holidays and snow, spring growth and warmth, summer fun, love, and sense of freedom
87. I have great potential, but fear I will never fully reach it
88. My favorite kissing (and love) scene is in The Notebook, it makes me jealous every time I watch it
89. When I have a favorite song, I listen to it over and over and over again
90. While eating different flavored candy (orange/lemon starburst, lemon/lime/orange skittles, etc.) I get all the flavors even in number and then eat them in an order
91. I have my whole wedding planned out: the dress, invitations, cake, flowers, photographer, location, color, etc (now I just need a reason to have it planned)
92. I still can't fall asleep the night before Christmas and am usually the first one up
93. I like being the center of attention and I can be very loud when I am excited
94. My favorite thing when getting home from work is the excitement of Aiden, Andrew, and Oakley when they yell "Jwill!!!" and run to see me
95. Sometimes I say I don't want kids, but can't imagine ever feeling fulfilled without them
96. I am beautiful in my own way, but don't allow my self to see it
97. I am still a kid in so many ways, but feel like I have matured so much lately
98. Learning new things is exciting to me
99. I like when people are proud of me or I impress them
100. I live an extremely blessed life and need to take the time to realize it more often
101. My life gets better with each passing day, even with it's up's and down's

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Love is in the Air

Due to the pending holiday (and my serious need of renewed hope that relationship actually do work out) I wanted to request your stories. I am always so intrigued with the story of how people met or got engaged that I thought I would ask all of you to share with me. I know that people read my blog that don't always comment, but if you want to share I would LOVE to hear. Just leave a comment with how you met your significant other or how you got engaged (if that applies).

I think that Valentine's Day is a bittersweet holiday, but being the hopeless romantic that I am, I would love to hear every one's love stories.

(you can really share any memory that you want, I would love to hear anything!)

Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Shannon Come Back Tour

This weekend I had the great privilege of getting to hang out with Shannon! It has been far too long that we had a weekend to hang out and do what we wanted. After a long, rough week, it was perfect timing!

Friday night we met up at the new Jimmy John's on 400 S. (Which is probably my new favorite sandwich place, it is pretty good!)
Next on the docket was the Utah vs. BYU vs. SUU vs. TWU Gymnastics Meet. My work is the sponsor of "The Duel" between Utah and BYU sporting events that we got free tickets. I have always thought the meets are fun...
And it made it even more fun to be there with Shannon...
On our way home we stopped for my favorite ice cream treat, ColdStone...
Then it was off to "Improvables." A few of our ward members are a part of an improv group and we went to support them at a local theater. We met up with our dear friend Kristen and her friend...
Shannon and I thought it was pretty fun...
Saturday after a morning of helping my mom and attending a bridal shower, it was Shannon time again. We met up with Kristen for pedicures and lunch and Rumbi. The weekend was just full of my favorite things!...
This upcoming weekend will be no exception since it will be an extra long one! Thursday night Shannon and I are heading to St. George to spend Brooke's birthday with her Friday and to take advantage of the Monday holiday and NO WORK! St. George here we come! Brooke, you had better be excited!!!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

While I was Away...

During my little hiatus from blogging a lot happened. I forget how much goes on in my life that I would like to remember. My blog has been suffering and I would hate to not document the last few weeks of my life, they've been pretty fun!

I rocked out to Steve's band show with Trevor...
... with the company of Kara (Trevor's wife, and one of my favorite people)...
Took a little road trip to Bear Lake...
Where it was so pretty (but very cold)...
...and enjoyed a good 24 hours of nothing but games and relaxing...
Took Steve, Kara, and Trevor to Iceberg for their first time experience, and loved it...
Worked on my putting game with a round of miniature golf...
I think the highlight of my hiatus was my wonderful vacation to Hawaii with my whole family (yes all 19 of us, madness!)... I got to wake up every morning and look out to this...
Spent my time in the sun, always eating, riding the waves, sitting by the pool, shopping, and doing just plain nothing in paradise...
... and enjoying it all with my best friends...
I think the highlight of my trip was getting to spend every moment with this girl. She just cracks me up and I loved getting to be with her so much!
All too quickly the vacation came to an end and reality awaited. Luckily for me I had cute boy waiting for me in my reality.
I came back to this (maybe not the best picture to illustrate I had a cute boy waiting for me, but whatever)...
Needed an activity late Saturday night...
...And came up with this idea, quite a change right?...

I'm sure much more has happened over the past several weeks, but I think I hit the highlights. I hope you all aren't too disappointed in my MIA status lately, I would still like to think people care that I update this.

Life is good, even back in reality.