When I was 16 my entire family took a vacation to a small town on the coast of Oregon called Depoe Bay. We all fell in love with the charming town, the seaside views, the ideal weather, The whale watching and the amazing seafood. It was a place we vowed we would go to again.
It is now eight years later. Our family has changed quite a bit (as you can tell), and the time has finally come to return! We are all so excited! We are driving there this time (except for Grandma, Liz and Maddie). We head off tomorrow. I can hardly wait!
It has been a crazy summer, so I am excited for the chance to sit back with a good book (I am taking way to many) and enjoy the beautiful scenery! It will be awesome!
A year ago I was called to serve as a counselor my ward's Relief Society presidency. I was shocked. And I was scared. I had only been in the ward for a few months, and knew very few people. I didn't even know the others that would be in the presidency. I wondered how I could do it when I didn't know anyone's names.
What began as fear quickly turned into deep gratitude for the fact that my Heavenly Father knows me so well, and knows exactly what I need. Within weeks, the three sisters that I served with in the presidency became some of my closest and most trusted friends. They were the ones I turned to when I needed to vent, when I needed help, or when I just needed a hug. They are also just as zany as I am, which led to countless giggle fests and random acts of silliness. Over the last twelve months I have grown to love and appreciate them more than I could have imagined. I am so grateful to have them as friends! This experience has proven to me even more that callings do come from the Lord, and that He knows exactly what He is doing!
A few months ago our secretary, Kelli (aka, fanny) submitted her mission papers. I was super excited for her, knowing that a mission would be such an amazing opportunity and blessing in her life! All four of us anxiously awaited her call, and when it finally came we celebrated together. Then came the sad part - having to say good-bye, having to call a new sister to fill the position that she had magnified so wonderfully.
As we sang the closing hymn in Relief Society on Kelli's last Sunday in the ward, I looked over at her and began to cry. I don't cry in church. seriously. I was so embarrassed, and yet I just couldn't help it. She has been such a bright spot in my life over the last year, and I will miss her terribly.
As badly as I will miss her, I know that she is where she is needed. I know she will be an incredible missionary and help people to change their lives. She will love it and come home with an even bigger grin and love for life (if that is possible)! Plus, Emily & Jessica are still here, and I know that the Lord will call another secretary whom I will learn from and love as well!
*Warning, this post could be a spoiler if you have never read the HP series and want to be surprised when you see the new movie.
Harry and I have been great friends for quite some time now. At first, I had little interest in him. Though I have always been a book-a-holic, the fantasy genre never appealed much. I had heard about the series for years before I actually picked up the first book. However, I was determined to read the first book before I saw the first movie, so I caved in. I read a chapter and was hooked.
I read the first four books within weeks and waited rather impatiently for the rest to come out. I distinctly remember the feeling of picking up my pre-ordered copy of the Half Blood Prince, and being disappointed because (at 652 pages) it was so small!
I like to dissect books, and as I have done so with the HP series have developed a great respect for J.K Rowling as an author. It is amazing to see how she was able to weave a story together with so many different layers, and tiny details in early books that completely change the outcome of later books. I also love that you are able to see so many parallels between events in the books and real life. They are great books.
Though it is small in size, the sixth book ties for my favorite of the series (with #4), so I was excited to see the movie. I definitely don't enjoy the movies nearly as much as the books, but it is still fun to see someone else's interpretation. The previews looked good, and I hoped for the best.
I went last night with my family and I was not disappointed. No, they can't fit everything in (which usually means most of my favorite parts get cut) but they did well. Fred & George are still my favorites (in both the books and the movies), The actor who played Tom Riddle was fantastic, and I almost cried when Dumbledore died. I don't generally cry in movies, so that's a big deal.
Would I have been able to follow the movie if I hadn't read the book previously? Hard to say, since I know the books ridiculously well. But I for one found it enjoyable.Now I just have to wait another year for the next one!
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
that women bruise easier than men? I have always always noticed this, but had never heard it as a fact until earlier this week. Plus, redheads are even more prone to bruising. I always have an abundance of bruises, but this week is pretty ridiculous! I spent the weekend with my ward in Jackson Hole and enjoyed rafting/boating/hiking/cliff jumping, etc. Jackson is one of the things I look forward to all year. It was AWESOME! Somewhere throughout it all my legs took quite a beating. Seriously, they are attractive! My knees are especially impressive with black/blue/gray/purple marks covering them from side to side! The bruises go all the way down to my ankles. This was the best picture that I could come up with:
You can't see them all, but you get the idea. Yeah, not so pretty. But it was so worth it!
I love the Reader's Digest. It only comes every other month, but I get so excited for each new edition. There are, of course, the jokes which can be pretty funny. The articles are interesting, sometimes touching and other times enlightening, and then there are the columnists that I have learned to love. One columnist talks about how to get good deals and save money throughout your life (my kind of column!) and another gives advice. Though the advice column isn't always my favorite, this month it rocked. Instead of giving advice to readers, the writer, Jeanne Marie Laskas, shared some of the best advice she has ever received. There were also pieces of advice from readers. I loved it! Here are some of my favorites:
"When in doubt, do the positive". When you are in doubt, to the active thing, not the passive. While you will still make mistakes, you will have less regrets. People usually regret things that they didn't do in life.
"Life is a river". Remember that it keeps moving. So enjoy the good and take the bad and remember that life is always moving, and situations don't stay the same forever.
"What is essential is invisible to the eye". This is a quote from Mr. Rogers. I think it is fantastic.
"Underpromise and overdeliver". Way better than if you flip the two around.
"Maintain a valid passport. You never know when a new adventure might happen". This is one of my personal goals in life!
"Don't let your mood make up your mind". (words to live by!)
After reading the article I was contemplating the best advice I have ever been given. I tend to over think things. And often times after I make a major decision I end up second guessing myself. My parents are always good to remind me that I need to pray hard, make the decision that I feel is right, and leave the rest up to the Lord. Their advice has been exactly what I have needed in my life!
So now I am curious, what is the best advice you have ever been given?
Last week while walking through the store I found a package that had 6 things of nail polish, each a different color. I couldn't help myself, I had to buy it! So today I did this to Maddie's nails:
Aren't they darling? A different color for each nail! She loves them, and I have to say that so do I! I also love the fact that they earned me some serious cuddles from one of my favorite nieces!
In my opinion, the classic American burger is one of the greatest foods ever.Sometimes there is nothing that can beat a burger and fries.A few posts ago I mentioned that one of my life goals is to eat one of In-N-Out’s much talked about burgers.Hairyshoefairy left a comment, saying that she thought 5 Guys Burgers were better than In-N-Out’s.I was intrigued.And since 5 Guys has a location semi-close, I decided that I needed to make a trip there.
This weekend, while visiting my friend Ashley, we took a trip to 5 guys.Upon walking in the doors you are assailed by signs hung all over the walls, each with quotes from magazine and newspaper articles, raving about the awesomeness of 5 Guys burgers.The huge crowd of people seemed to be a good sign as well. As we waited in line my expectations grew.Could this place truly have the perfect burger?
Ordering is simple, there are few choices.You can choose from 4 types of burgers or a hot dog.They also make fresh French fries.For someone as indecisive as me it was a dream come true.I ordered a cheeseburger with everything on it (minus the mushrooms) and the smallest thing of fries.I anxiously awaited my “perfect” burger.
I was not disappointed.The burger was seriously close to perfecion.My favorite part was the grilled onions. And they didn't skimp on the tomato, which made me a happy girl. YUM!If the cheese had been slightly more melted, it probably WOULD have been the perfect burger.It was that amazing.The fries were fantastic as well.My only complaint about them is their size.The smallest size could easily feed 2 or 3 people.Just something to keep in mind for next time (because there definitely WILL be a next time!)
So while I have never eaten at In-N-Out, I can personally vouch for the awesomeness of 5 Guys burgers.If you enjoy a good burger done right, you can’t go wrong! Thanks for the suggestion HSF!
