hope

Hope: One of my favorite words, and also something I've been struggling with lately.

Have you ever felt like you're sitting on the side of the road watching everyone else you know pass you by? That is what I've been feeling like the last week or so. I don't know why. I have a job that a lot of people who are searching for work right now would kill to have. I live in a nice house with 4 great girls. I have a car that gets me everywhere I need to go. I have a family that is close by and who loves me unconditionally. I have a good education and was able to earn a Bachelor's degree. I have the gospel in my life and a testimony that keeps me afloat. So why do I feel like I'm sitting in a pool of stagnant water watching as life passes me by?

It's days like today that just reaffirm to me that the Church is true and that Heavenly Father knows who I am and knows the struggles I am going through. The talks in Sacrament Meeting today, as well as the lesson in Sunday School were all about the Atonement. Normally this is one of those topics that I tend to tune out becuase of how often it is talked about. But not today. Today the things that were said touched my heart. Today was focused more on the Atonement as a way to overcome the trials in our lives and allowing it to help us have faith and hope in Christ. As Collin so elequently put it, "The Atonement is where we allow His grace to be sufficient." And it hit me that, I just need to have the courage to give my worries and concerns to the Lord and allow the suffering that He's already gone through to be enough. I don't need to be sad and discouraged. I don't have to be disappointed that my life hasn't exactly turned out the way I thought it would. All I have to do is have faith and hope in Christ.

However, this is easier said than done, but I know God's there. And I know He knows who I am and what I am struggling with right now. I know that as long as I keep putting one foot in front of the other and continue to do the things I should that He'll be there to help and guide me. Life may not always turn out the way we plan, and we may hit a rough patch or two, but in the end everything will work out. And if it's not working out...that's only because it's not the end :)

a great frickin' day

Today was awesome!

Usually I spend Saturdays sleeping in (trying to catch up on the sleep I lose during the week) and being lazy around the house but this weekend I wanted to do something different. Something more. Something...fun. Here's what I ended up doing:

*Woke up at 6am to go to a ward service project at the temple. We helped rake out and mulch the flower beds around the front of the temple. It was fun. Yea for the temple! And yea for service!

*Went to breakfast with everyone from my ward that came to the service project. We went to IHOP and can I just say that I'm pretty sure breakfast is my most favorite meal of the day. See, they have these new pancakes there--Kansas Carrot Cake pancakes. Seriously thought I was in heaven they were so good. Then add in a couple of scrambled eggs, some bacon and hashbrowns (P.S., remember how hashbrowns are one of my weaknesses?) and you've got one totally awesome breakfast. Plus it was fun talking and laughing with everyone.

*Came home and took a shower. I bought some new body wash at Bath and Body Works last weekend: Midnight Pomegranate. Yeah, it's my new favorite. It makes me happy :)

*Went to the mall to A-return a bra that I bought last week at Victoria Secret and which broke (sad day) and B-buy some new work shirts and something cute to wear when I'm in San Diego next month. (You may be asking yourself..."self, how does she have the money to do this?" The answer: my economic stimulus check. Thank you President Bush. Now if you could just do something about the price of gas...) I returned the defective bra, bought 4 new shirts, a pair of shoes, and two new bras. It was a successful shopping trip.

*Came home and watched the season premier of America's Best Dance Crew. I started watching that show last season because one of the judges is a boy I've been in "L" with since...oh...high school. The one and only, Mr. Hottie himself, JC Chasez (from N SYNC). I love him. He makes me happy (like carrot cake pancakes...only different). But the dance crews this season are REALLY GOOD! It's going to be a good season.

*Went to see "Kung Fu Panda" with my roommie Elaina. It was funny, but if you are wanting to see it I suggest waiting to see it in the dollar theatre.

Can't wait to see what happens next weekend!

"not funny!"

Pretty sure this is my favorite video! It makes me laugh everytime I watch it!!



Oh, and P.S. I am addicted to Reece's Pieces right now. "Justin Case" you were wondering :)

no meat

Feeling especially hungry and carnivorous this evening, I decided to stop in at Taco Bell on my way home with Elaina from vitising teaching. Pulling up to the drive-thru, my mouth salivating at the thought of enjoying my most favorite of favorite meals, the only on my mind was: BEEF, BEEF, beefbeefbeef. Rolling down my window I wait.

"Can I help you?" Comes the scratchy, barely descerible voice from the intercom.
"I'd like a #6." I say.
"Uh...right now we don't have any meat." Says the voice.

There is silence in the car for about 3 seconds.

"You don't have any meat?!" I question, flabbergasted.
"No."
"Okay, nevermind."

Looking in my rearview window, there is luckily no one behind me so I put my little Dodge Neon in reverse and leave.

"You don't got no meat?" Elaina says from the passanger seat. "What you mean you don't go no meat?!"

Something is wrong with the world when Taco Bell has no meat...

three day weekends

You know what the best part about today is? I don't have to go to work tomorrow! I wish every weekend were a three day weekend.

Since I have nothing really important to tell you, I am going to take Kristina's tag and tell you seven random facts about myself. Ready? Here we go:

1. I am in denial about my true age.
2. I have never been kissed.
3. I have an addiction to vanilla soft serve ice cream.
4. I want to learn Russian.
5. I hate going to bed...it just means I have to wake up the next morning and start everything all over again.
6. I glean abnormal amounts of pleasure from greeting cards.
7. I live in a comfortable level of hypocracy.

And here's an extra one because it's a holiday weekend:

8. I like to make fun of the shows I love.

roommate celebration

Last night I made pumpkin pie for Elaina's birthday. I asked her what she wanted and that's what she said was her favorite. Her brithday is actually on Sunday, but she was going home for the weekend so we celebrated last night. We also celebrated (belatedly) Stephanie's birthday which was on the 1st.





Kristina was being a spoil sport and wouldn't let me take a picture of her...I took this one before she could get away! :) (I love you Kristina!!)

call me irresistable

About a month ago my friend, Sarah Griffin, called and asked me if I wanted to go to the Michael Buble concert in Tucson on April 30th. I was excited. Did I want to go to Michael Buble?? Is the sky blue??

But then reality came crashing down around me. "I don't have money to go to a concert." I replied.

"That's okay." Sarah said. "I think I can get the tickets for free."

I was speechless for a minute. "Free?" I asked. "How can you get the tickets for free?"

"My ex-husband." She said excitedly. "It's my birthday and he knows I love Buble. He asked me if I wanted to go. I said yes, and he said, how many tickets do you want?"

"If you can get tickets I'll totally go with you!" I said.

"Yea!" She squealed. "Okay. I'll tell him I want two tickets and I'll call you back."

About a week later I got a text from her : I got the tickets. We're going on the 30th!!!

YEA!!!

Wednesday I got off work an hour early. Sarah met me at my house and we headed down to Tucson for the concert. We listened to Buble all the way there to get us in the mood. We talked and laughed and had a great time. The concert was great! He is a funny guy and a great performer. He talked and interacted with the audience. He joked around with his band and put on a great show. And his voice...ahhh, his voice...it's like butta!! :)