Danielle Larson

one last month

2012-02-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

February 2nd (yesterday) marked 4mos of being engaged and it marked the final countdown until marriage!! I have one more month until I'm married and that is insane to me. I have been wedding blog stalking like crazy trying to find last minute ideas for the reception. I am currently stressing about my invitations that I do not have yet. I ordered the design off of Etsy but it hasn't been changed for me yet, therefore, no invitations in the mail. I just want them checked off of my "to do" list. Brad and I have been so busy with everything that I may or may not have had a few minor meltdown's. I'm sure that's normal, right? I am a perfectionist and I want everything to be perfect. I have this fear of people going to the reception and people being bored, or we run out of food, or I fall down in my dress!! But I know in that time and moment all I will care about is finally letting go of all of the planning stress; I will finally be Married to my best friend! I am counting down the days to March 2nd.

2012

2012-01-25T20:42:00.000-08:00

I was so excited for the clock to hit 12 for new year's this year; goodbye 2011 and hello 2012. Hello to becoming a Sherwood and starting my new life as a married woman come March 2. I had my first new year's kiss as an engaged lady, it was the first time I had been in the snow at a cabin for new year's and my first time I realized that my whole life is going to change in just 2 short months! We went sledding, ate at the infamous Charlie Clark's (not that great), played "what if", made snowmen, ate lots of junk, had a mini dance session at new year's and lit off mini fireworks! I cannot believe I am going to get married so soon! I have no idea what is in store for our future..but I know that with Brad I will always be having fun. He keeps me laughing constantly and is the hardest working person I know (and NEATEST)! I can't wait to spend forever with him and have many more cabin new year's to come!

another music find

2012-01-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

My roommate showed me the first video last night and I can't seem to get it out of my head. That's when I decided to post it on my blog as well as a couple of others to share. I love when friends share their music finds with me, or when they happen to think of me and burn me a mix cd just because. It makes me very happy when I hear something that I actually love and can add to my collection!

Expressions of Love

2011-12-19T15:32:00.000-08:00

Is it possible to watch this video without getting teary-eyed?

...I think not.

74 Days!!! (sounds so far away..)

my life through the iPhone

2011-12-05T22:16:00.000-08:00

As of late I have been: studying for finals, meeting with the photographer, pinning wedding stuff, looking at dresses on-line and reception ideas, going wedding blog crazy, shopping around for what to wear for engagements and loving that I'm getting married! (who would've thought..)

Little Owen in his Sunday best.

This was during a real disappointing ASU game.

Watched The Phone Call at my sister's, haven't seen this one in years!

Whenever I leave something at Brad's house he has to send me a picture of him modeling it. This time it was my glasses. He happened to look so cute in them I may just have to buy him some.

MCC Planetarium. Every first Friday of the month it is free, it is only a half hr and it's pretty neat! This picture is no filter..the room was completely red so we look like devils.

Window shopping at Scottsdale Mall, I ended up buying a cute phone case and a pair of tights.

The Fiat.

Getting QT hot chocolate is one of my holiday favorites.

color inspiration

2011-11-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

Colors..decorations..receptions..wedding blogs..dresses..food..outfits..not a day goes by that I do not think of any one of these things and more. I'm in wedding planning mode and I am the most indecisive person, which can get pretty stressful. Nothing is set in stone just yet, but people have been more than generous to Brad and I offering their backyards, DJ table, dresses and more! I'm so thankful that I am getting married to a sweet family that would help me in anything, I really did luck out! Here are some color inspiration throughout the internet world that has grabbed my complete attention. It's a spring wedding, so color is where it is at!

The first four images were found Here.

The last three images were found Here. I love her photography, too bad she is in CA and out of my budget's reach!

ALSO, a big THANKS to those who have congratulated us, you mean the world to us and we are so thankful for sweet and amazing friends near and far!!

I'm Engaged!!

2011-11-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's true..I'm engaged and I couldn't be happier. Brad and I have a lot of fun together and I can't wait to spend eternity being a dork with him.

SO if anyone knows Brad they know that he loves going out to eat at classy restaurants. He kept talking for weeks about how he has been wanting to take me to Top of the Rock, which is a nice restaurant I believe at the Buttes. He set the reservation for Wednesday and told me "dress nice". Wednesday the 2nd came and that night I was talking to my roommates (Caitlin and Margo) about me and Brad and marriage while I was getting ready in the bathroom. I was telling them that I would probably be engaged within the next few weeks, I had no clue it was going to be that night!! When Brad came he ran up the stairs and he was dressed so cute in his formal attire and I thought to myself (wow, this boy takes his classy dinners seriously!!). Before he opened the door he said, "I have a surprise for you.." and as we walked outside I saw a limo in which I knew exactly that this was going to be the night he proposes to me. As we got in the limo it was freezing and I kept laughing and telling Brad that I thought he was being fishy. Top of the Rock was too full and he couldn't make a reservation there prior so we went to Ruth's Chris instead which was fine by me! We had a delicious meal and when I went to the bathroom I sent a quick text to my sister Nicole saying, "I have a feeling Brad is gonna propose to me! He picked me up in a limo!!". After dinner we got back in the limo and I was freaking out inside...I was thinking where we were gonna go next, what was he gonna do, how was he gonna do it until Brad told the limo driver to take us back to his house. My thoughts sort of vanished because I immediately thought, ok this was just a fancy date. As the limo was quickly approaching our destination he told me to move towards the front of the limo where there was a tv screen and Brad told me he had something he wanted to show me. He said it took him a month to make and worked on it all by himself. He put in the dvd of music and pictures of us, with little narrations..the place we met, our first date, where we said "I love you", where we talked about our future and marriage. I cried!! When the video was done he knelt down in the limo and opened up the box to the prettiest ring I have ever seen (we both picked it out previously)!!! We hugged and I laughed and it was just such a happy feeling and sweet moment. His mom was anxiously waiting our arrival at his house so when we got there she immediately came outside and greeted me with open arms and told me that I was going to be her favorite daughter in law (and only). I am going to have the BEST mother in law. I called my close friends, text my roommates and family and went to my dad's to show the video and ring. Once I can put the video up here I will. It's too sweet.

(this picture does NOT do this ring justice..it has such pretty and small details on the sides!!)

I'm growing up here people, this is it!!!!

fun

2011-10-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

Don't mind this video..but please love this song with me!

Desiderata Poem

2011-10-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

I came across this poem and had to share it. I think I found my new life motto.

labor day

2011-10-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I am a little behind..but I wanted to post about my little trip to Brad's cabin over Labor Day. It was an over nighter group date sort of thing..with a married couple, an engaged couple, then you have Brad and I ha. It was short but it was a good escape from the nasty, hot weather we were experiencing in Mesa. When we got there the back sliding door was wide open and we {the girls} were a little worried a murderer was chilling in the cabin somewhere. We had the boys check out the house and under each bed. I'm pretty sure they each had knives or something in hand just in case! When all was clear we ate pizza and talked then watched The Dark Knight {Joker still creeps me out}. The next day we did breakfast, lunch, went to some outside Indian market, visited Craig's grandma, took some pictures with my new camera, got Dairy Queen and went home. See, short and sweet.

{I didn't realize how annoying the dates are on each of these pictures..oops!}

NYC

2011-10-03T23:26:00.001-07:00

On our first day of NYC we went to Central Park and hung out until we were able to go to our hotel. It was a beautiful hotel in Chelsea and after resting for a bit we got dressed and went to Shake Shack where we stuffed our faces full of delicious burgers/fries and yummy shakes. Afterwards, we headed to the Empire State Building where we sang Happy Birthday to our pretty friend Caitlin..the crowd chimed in at the very top and it was a night to remember.

The rest of the days were filled with shopping/eating at cool places such as Cafe Habana, a little Cuban restaurant, Sea, The Spotted Pig/Pinkberry/picture taking/site seeing/subway traveling and just drooling over these amazing buildings!! I love NYC!

After a night out of celebrating a birthday!

Love these homes..

This day was where I went with Margo to see the Statue of Liberty and then we went to the Musuem of Modern Art which happened to be one of my favorite things that we did on this trip!

A box filled with many wishes.

The best Thai food ever at Sea in Brooklyn

On our very sad flight home, AZ bound.

This trip was one of my favorite girl trips I have ever took. I have been to NYC only once and I can honestly say that this New york trip was filled with many firsts, like taking a taxi, getting stuck in a downpour in the middle of the city, eating at many different restaurants rather than pizza, going to a rooftop party and seeing the MoMA. I can't wait until I can go back again.

nyc through my iphone

2011-09-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

i am addicted.

2011-09-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

I am supposed to have my NYC pictures up already but since I have been very busy with car problems, school and work I will have to post them sometime during the weekend. However, I have started my own Pinterest account about a month or so ago and I am officially addicted!!

This site has me going crazy! I now want/need everything that I see. Also, I am loving Adele's new album specifically this song...

my life through the iPhone

2011-08-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

Life has been pretty busy for me as of late. I just finished up summer school at the end of July which was pretty intense (cre101 and a 5wk crash course to Bio202). I did pretty well in both classes and I'm ready for the Fall season to begin. I am on the hunt for a dental assisting/front desk job so that I can gain hours in the dental office for applications for the end of Fall (let me know if you know anyone hiring!!). My best friend/roommate moved out to save money for her wedding in October; the new roommate has moved in and has showered me with a few treats already so I can't complain! I just got back from an NYC trip with friends and it was the best/most relaxing/adventurous week that I have had in awhile and I'm grateful I was able to go (post soon to come). ALSO, I can't forget my best-friends Marissa and Annie who is down from Texas and Washington! We had a fun time catching up and eating tons of food at Ms C's house and I can't wait until we can all reunite again when Amy gets married..Trisha is also due with baby Taisley next week and I can't wait to see her sweet face! That's about all of an update I can do for now so enjoy some of my life moments via my iPhone!

Dessert at Ruth's Chris

Love a man in a good bow-tie!

When I babysat Bruce for a week..he loves his baths.

OWEN

A pic I received after forgetting my earrings..uhh lesson learned!

CHAYCE

AZ sunset

"I love you auntie D"..a pic text from my sister.

summertime

2011-06-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

This is one of the many summer songs that I have on my playlist..I just can't get it out of my head, too good.

currently loving these looks

2011-05-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

Dear J.Crew & Madewell, why are you so pocket unfriendly? No thanks to you, I have to try to re-create outfits of yours by scavenging my favorite {bargain} stores Forever21 and H&M. However, thanks for always being an inspiration!

iPhone = my main camera

2011-05-19T22:47:00.000-07:00

Introducing my somewhat updated life through my iPhone pictures..

-This is a random picture of my retainer that I am oh so happy about. It's a good feeling to have knowing that my teeth are finally going to be strapped in some sort of metal again during nights. I hadn't worn any retainer for years due to me misplacing them after I had gotten my railroad tracks aka braces taken off. I can finally stop trying to push my teeth back with my fingers..

-I finally tried something new to my hair other than..straight, curly, and bobby pinned to the side. It was the effort that counted. My roommate/bff Amy said I took forever trying to do my hair before I left to work (she admitted to pretending to be asleep while creeping on me). I proceeded to Pin it up..take it down..pin it up..take it down. etc etc.

-I had the pleasure of seeing my sweet niece Drew and nephew Otto whilst attending my sister Chelise's baby shower for her now newborn Nash!

-It was Makayla's and Tyler's birthday celebration at my uncle's house. Tyler wasn't there so I didn't get to take a picture of him. Which was unfortunate, I sure do love my Tyler man.

-Happy Birthday to my newest nephew, Owen Scott Jones, born May 3rd. I love you to pieces.

-Ashyln going to her Junior Prom

obsession??

2011-04-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

All of my life I grew up knowing what it feels like to have a dog running around. Being 23 years of age and being out on my own with a group of girls has its ups and downs. One thing's for sure, I miss my furry friends. I am craving a doggie and these images are just feeding the fire.

My future husband better know what he's dealing with..

bebe shower

2011-04-25T21:36:00.000-07:00

My sister Chelise just had her baby a few days ago and I cannot wait to meet him! She already sent me a photo of him and I can already tell what a sweet little boy he is. I can't wait to post some pictures of little Nash but until then here are some pictures that I took of Nicole's baby shower, which was held at her sister in Law's cute home.

I follow rivers

2011-04-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

Lykke Li has been one of my favorite artists for some time now and I am loving her new song from her new album Wounded Rhymes.

year of the baby

2011-04-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

I used to have only one adorable niece and nephew, who I love to pieces, in which I don't get to see often (especially Keldon who lives in Utah). I even have a best friend who has a two year old daughter, Chayce, who I would give anything just to hear her say my name, "nanielle". I happened to be graced with baby news left and right towards the end of the year.. first Candice, then Marissa, then Shawnda, then Nicole and Chelise..(plus other friends, cousins etc.) and they happened to be due right around each other!! I feel like we are still KIDS ourselves and I may need someone to reassure myself that just because I don't have a baby (or a husband) doesn't mean I'm not cool (can someone wait for me please??)!!

only picture I had from my computer to show us in our prime. {yes, I look like a turtle salivating at the sight of that cake}

Introducing baby girl LUCY {Born March 28, 2011}

Introducing Otto Kent Mills {Born March 7, 2011}

The proud Auntie D

But in reality, I am so happy for my sisters and friends who are adding additions to their families. I am happy to be a part of their lives and get to see them grow! I have a love/hate with newborns, I love them so much but then I fear I will hurt them. Whenever I get asked if I want to hold newborns I pause for a second, then I say "I'm scared", but end up in a chair just holding them very still. Each and every time I do end up holding them I get cramps in my arms for not adjusting them at all. Chelise, Nicole, Trisha.... I can't WAIT to see the bundles of joy!!

spring break

2011-04-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

Trevor left at the beginning of Spring Break so I had originally planned not to leave AZ for even just a few days, however, plans never really go they way I say. I had some friends that were planning on going to Newport Beach for a week and heard that some were coming up the day after Trevor had to leave us. I didn't even think twice about declining that offer, so I went up with a few friends and had fun. Regardless of the freezing cold weather, with a little sunshine I somehow managed to relax. We went hot-tubbing daily, ate a lot of good food and even went to Huntington Beach to check out the shops. Good times were had by all.

Me, Margo and Natalie

My very first experience with a bubble bath party..we were the ending group.

I hope they call me on a mission...

2011-04-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

November 19th was a day that our family has been anxiously waiting for. Trevor, our handsome younger brother, received his mission call! I remember getting a text from my dad saying that Trevor received his call and he was opening it later that night. As an older sister, I have never felt so excited/nervous for him in that very moment and he hadn't even opened his call yet! After work, I rushed home for a few and went straight to my dads shortly after. Trevor was surrounded with all of his close friends and his nerves were showing a great deals worth. When the time came, he finally opened up his call.. Trevor was called to serve in Concepcion, Chile and he was to report March 16, 2011. We were so happy, proud, excited, shocked....and we kind of didn't want March 16th to come. We love our Trevor. However, he was ready for it and the months flew by, March 16th was right around the corner. His farewell talk was so well written, he made us cry when he talked about his example, our cousin Christian who is serving right now. Christian's mom had died of cancer a few days before Trevor gave his talk..so he had us all in tears!! He talked about how he had prepared to serve a mission and how he was excited to go..he told a story of how he wanted to be the missionary on the plane coming home with a torn up dirty suit..showing how hard he had worked. He talked about his gratitude of family and how he loved his younger brother Wade. Trevor is usually to himself and quiet..but he glowed and was so natural speaking to the congregation and I know he is ready for it. I am so proud of his decision to serve a mission for our church. I know he will do his best and he will be blessed for his service and sarcrifice. The night he was set apart we took some family photos. The next morning {the 15th} he flew to Utah to stay with my step-brother Wes and our nephew Keldon. That morning they went and got some breakfast and from there Wes took him to the MTC where he has been having a good time picking up Spanish and learning how to teach the Gospel.

I love our missionaries.

23

2011-02-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

Today is my Birthday, the big 23, and I feel brand new. I like New Year's for the resolutions and what have you, but I like Birthday's better. I can actually say it's a new year for me and that means new goals. This year especially because last year was just a messy disaster filled with more tear filled jars than I can count on. Way too much sadness filled myself but also lessons to be learned. So for that I am thankful for the chaos that was 22. I was inspired by this post awhile back and thought it would be neat to do the same for myself.

1. Learn how to cook
2. Always agree to a date (even if I really don't want too..this could be hard.)
3. Apply to Nursing School in March
4. Apply to ASU to complete a Bachelors while waiting
5. Take a foreign language class or 2
6. Make 10 new friends
7. Go without sugar for a month
8. Learn to sew
9. Sew something for my soon-to-be 3 new nephews
10. Send letters to my out of state friends
11. Get a new car
12. Pay off my credit card
13. Make a routine for weekly exercise
14. Volunteer at a hospital
15. Learn how to master the bun
16. Learn new ways to put on makeup
17. Read 3 books
18. Buy a camera
19. Learn how to take pictures
20. Spend more time with family/siblings
21. Read the scriptures again
22. Keep this blog updated weekly
23. Stop searching for a boyfriend. :)

My Birthday spent as a 23 year old has already had me in smiles, tons of texts, lots of facebook lovin and lunch with Nicole, Owen, Kev and my mom.

Here is a picture that I found this week with me as a child with #15 already mastered by my mother..I will master this hairstyle and sport it (if I have the guts).

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Disneyland in pictures

2011-02-23T11:40:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite rides was closed down..you couldn't even walk by it they closed it off with a fence.

Me, Aubrey, Morgan and Sarah

This is a definite must have--Cream-Cheese filled pretzels. They are deliciously sweet.

Hand-dipped corn dogs is where it's at!

As you can see, California was good to us..I ate more then enough fats/sweets to last a lifetime, but in the end I had a lot of fun and that was really the only thing I was looking for. I even got to meet Morgan who happens to know a lot of people I do and is a lot of fun. She knows more facts about Disneyland than anyone I know and she happened to take most of these pictures. I can't wait for round 2 whenever that will be! Corn-dogs/churros/yogurt cones/pretzels/frozen lemonade/Mickey/crying on rides due to laughter/picture taking madness/Aladdin show..etc etc etc I am ready for you again.

yep.

2011-02-18T13:35:00.001-08:00

After looking at my cheesy title for the past few years I decided to change it on a whim {who knows, maybe next week it will be even more cheesier..or back to the old one?}. For now I'm going to keep it because it's simple, it's short, it's me. This week I have been scanning the internet far too much..is there a career out there where all you do is search for interesting, fun things on the internet?!? If so, please let me know..I would love that. I was skimming the J.Crew's 2011 Spring collection on Fashionista and wanted to post some outfits that I could find myself wearing..that is, if I robbed a bank.

I need a knockoff of that sequined skirt asap. Here's to the weekend!

just when you thought you've done it all..

2011-02-07T22:04:00.000-08:00

Whenever the magical place of Disneyland comes up in any kind of conversation we all seem to squeal with excitement over those tasty churros, those wonderful Disney characters, crazy parades, those rides that never seem to get old and of course our very own childhood memories/traditions. Last month was no exception when I was asked if I wanted to take a trip to CA to the most "Happiest Place on Earth", aka the land of Disney. Whenever I think of Disneyland I think of when they used to sell Strawberry Churros alongside the original cinnamon and sugar, I think of our family going pretty much annually as kids piled in an Astro Van, I think of racing to the Matterhorn {and it's a small world for Shawnda} and I think of buying any kind of glass collectible dog that I could have my mom buy for me. However, this weekend sort of changed me for I have done a few different things that I have never done before. For starters, I went with a group of girlfriends in which one of the girls introduced us to the hand-dipped corn dogs..amazing. She also introduced us to what Club 33 was and where the center of Disneyland was marked, I had my first Disneyland swirled yogurt cone, I also had my first try of a Mickey cream cheese-filled pretzel (yes, I gained 10 lbs). But that's not all, I can honestly say the next time someone brings up Disneyland I will forever think of being dragged to Captain EO and LOVING IT!! I HIGHLY recommend Captain EO in 3D. I laughed, I cried, I was inspired..but mostly, I just laughed. It will change your whole Disneyland experience!! How come I have never seen this before...and who cares about the awful editing/3D picture when the floor bouncing and the random bursts of air in your face is enough to put a smile on your face. MJ why did you have to leave us???

just for my sake

2011-01-26T14:55:00.000-08:00

dreaming of the summertime

2011-01-25T22:18:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this video...

drifted as. from ForYouLoveMe on Vimeo.

and it makes me want to welcome summer with open arms, go on many trips, run wild and yes, fall in love. I am ready for the warm sunshine, shorts, swim suits, bbq's and summer vacations.

I am still searching for a home, looking for a car and trying to get my applications in for Nursing school..I have been procrastinating studying for the entrance test. I let the intimidation's get to me.

Cabin Trip

2011-01-25T14:55:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago I was invited last minute to go to a cabin up in Pinetop. I wasn't sure if I was feeling down to go or not, but I decided to keep my friend Amy company and go along. It was a high school reunion seeing that over half of the people went to Mesa High {go Jackrabbits!}. I had fun sledding, playing "What If", watching others play Dance Connect and enjoyed the company. I did not, however, enjoy feeling sick and feeling like my fingers were going to fall off due to wet mittens.

Holiday Recap

2011-01-11T13:09:00.001-08:00

October: After much anticipation for this time of year I, as well as my roommates, had fun carving pumpkins with our ward, watching scary movies, going to a couple of costume parties, and lastly, going to the highly talked about "Hangar Party". Yes, I went (what else was there to do..) and I had fun dancing around with people I recognized and got to meet some others too.

November: Of course I am thankful for family, friends, food, clothes, my religion, my health, my LIFE, education, my Freedom, learning experiences, trials and all of the rocks and trees in between...I ate until my hearts content and met up with lots of family and our lovely Marissa came into town. Overall, I enjoyed it and I have soo much to be thankful for!!

After our family Thanksgiving meal, my friend Moroni invited me over to help him with a surprise Bday party for our friend Grant..I got to try my hand at drawing and it was a start. If you couldn't tell, I only drew the bottom half..Moroni is a pro.

December: Christmas came as quite a shock, I didn't even realize that I only had one week after finals to prep myself for the big guy in the red suit {or short man in the ASU attire}. After school let out Amy and I attended Ellie's graduation where I was a proud friend. I went to Last Chance for the first time and went to Scottsdale Mall on more than a few occasions {I can't get enough of that mall}. I met up with some family for the Larson gift exchange, went to a ward fiasco, had a friend gift exchange with Christmas lights and treats, took family pictures, stuffed myself with Mexican food on Christmas Eve, watched The Grinch as a family and Celebrated with a weird tradition of steak at my moms Christmas Day. I also moved back in with the Jones for my 6 month lease was up and I am currently on the hunt for a place to move into..(I have a new handful of girls I am looking to move in with).

January: Oh, 2011 how I love you already!! I celebrated with my friends Aubrey and Sarah as we took Mill Ave. by storm! It was the coldest night and I doubled up my boy blazer jacket with a black pea-coat, a scarf, some sneaks and more importantly a hand warmer. We, as well as hundreds of people, went to the Jimmy Eat World show and counted down with everyone as the clock struck a new year! I have many resolutions and goals that I would like to accomplish this year, and perhaps a certain someone to fall into my lap. Here's to stop biting my nails, getting organized in school, paying off debts, raising my savings, being more polite, getting updated, meeting new people and discovering more about life. Also, how in the heck do I get rid of a car that treats me like poo?!

what the cold does to me

2010-10-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

Whenever it starts to get chilly outside I immediately want to throw on pajamas, socks, grab a QT hot chocolate and cozy up on the couch next to a fire, whilst watching some sort of sweet romance movie. I am an AZ girl at heart, I love the heat and will continue to for the rest of my life. However, it is nice when you are able to drive in your car with those windows down, no ac on blast. I am feeling a little nostalgia due to the weather and all I want to do is bake something {something other than cookies and brownies}, perhaps Pumpkin Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and relax to a movie. It's too bad that school studies rudely interrupts those feelings and I remember how much I have to study for this weekend. My schedule for the weekend looks like so:

Friday Night

-Friend's Reception
-Clean room/bathroom
-study study study
-Chem. Lab write up
-bake and movie??

Saturday

-MCC library 1030-5 for Study groups
-Costume shopping...hmmm what to be??
-study some more and more
-hopefully catch up on journaling

Sunday
-meeting
-study a little
-church
-dads
-ASU library until closing (12pm) for more studying.

I simply cannot wait until I can actually enjoy this weather by relaxing. Ughh Fall semester you have me on lockdown.

One more measly semester before I can apply to Dental Hygiene (insert extreme happiness). Yes..I am ONLY applying I am not even IN the program yet, but as a student that has been on the slow track for years now...it's going to be a good feeling. I just cross my fingers the wait isn't too long.

In other news, Downtown Phoenix is extemely amusing. I am counting down the days before I get to be in another group shot and look like a blur, do to laughing instead of holding still for what seemed like 10 minutes.

I only know a small handful of people in this picture, but I had fun nonetheless..the light rail was certainly made for me; I love it and the people that get on at each stop..very interesting.

Ps. I reccommend everyone to go check out The Duce.

life in tempe

2010-10-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Life surely is bittersweet. One moment I feel like I'm on cloud nine and then in a split second I turn around to have found myself a dark cloud above me. Moving out for me has been quite the journey and it's been only a few months; I wouldn't change it for anything. I am poor, malnourished, sleep deprived, stressed out to the max, missing my Bruce, Kevin and Nicole etc. However, I am having fun, gaining new experiences, making more friends, learning more about myself, laughing on a daily basis and dun dun dun....dating more. I love my family, my friends, my ward, my Bishop, my life. It's about time that I start looking on the positive and not the negative. Life gives me lemons for a reason..whether big or small I must always remember who I am and who I want to become, and more importantly that I am never alone. So many things have happened in my life in the past few months. Sometimes I wonder if I am even on the right path, but as of late I am beginning to see the light and I KNOW that I am supposed to be where I am at on this journey of life. I finally made it to that point of reality, and I am happy to say that even though I still get bummed out at times..I am happy this path sort of chose me. Here a just a few pics so far to give you an idea of my life since the move.

Went to a friend's ranch in Flagstaff..

In a quaint little town.

House warming party (great turnout..not so great sound-system)

Danielle and Charlotte (the day she moved in)

MEXICO...the most needed vacation of them all, the one that saved me.

Jen and Hung (met them that weekend)

Why do I look like such a creeper in this pic? hmmm

To Be Continued...Saved by the Bell style (I always hated when they did that to me).

who knows, who cares

2010-09-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

I am not liking my schedule at all: M-F work 9-5 M&TR school 545-7 T&W 545-10....I basically signed up for major meltdowns during this Fall semester. What was I thinking. Anywho, a friend showed me the band Local Natives this past weekend and I have enjoyed listening to them as I de-stress myself from the long, exhausting day.

Weekends...I love you.

Labor Day..why couldn't you have been every Monday??

school might as well bury me alive.

2010-08-25T15:44:00.001-07:00

School is back in session and all I can think about is how much closer I will be getting towards my goal of graduation. I wish I was lucky enough to be a full time student with no work schedule involved, but I am lucky enough to have a job who will let me get some income while I'm doing a balancing act with school. Night classes..oh how I loathe you..boring teacher, oh how I wish you had some spunk to keep me interested. This semester, I can tell, is going to be the longest yet and I can't wait until they start talking finals!! I am also having this sudden burst of adventure inside of me, I am so grateful for new beginnings, I realize the single life is MY time to learn about myself, take trips, meet new people, work on my goals and better prepare myself for when the timing is right. I can't wait to see what this semester has in store for me. So far, so good.

Some things that I am saving up for:

Now, can anyone tell me where I can sell a wedding dress???

already missed

2010-08-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

It's only been a few days but I'm missing these pals of mine. A lot.

Dear Annie and Marissa,

Good luck with your future endbeavers, Seattle and Texas are sure lucky to have you. Please send me letters or postcards, or just updating your blogs regularly will do fine. I am sad that I will be watching Teen Mom and Pretty Little Liars alone. I can't wait until I see you guys again and hopefully I will have some adventures to talk about. I will be making some visits in the future {if I can save some money..}.

Loves,

D

sore from the night before

2010-08-12T15:36:00.001-07:00

I have a gym pass, I pay 25 bones a month for it to be valid, have I gone in the past 5 months?? No. Do I need to start using it? Of course. I have roommates that go running/biking/swimming at-least 3 times a week. My exercise usually consists of sitting at a desk all day coming home and laying on my bed..as you can see, not much exercising. Last night two of my roommates wanted to go on a run, they kindly invited me and I was all up for it. I needed to blow off some steam and get my mind clear of any drama so I thought running would be perfect. We began our journey on Mill and after the first couple of minutes I get a cramp, who gets a cramp after 5 minutes of jogging?? Little did I know my roommate has already mapped out a mile and lo and behold I feel helpless after halfway. I kept telling the girls how I wished some giant would appear to pick me up by the shoulders to take me home. These girls were talking and keeping a good pace on our way back home while I was speed walking from a distance behind and sweating my brains out. I was completely dizzy and still had that devil of a cramp. Once we all walked inside I felt as if someone had lit me on fire and I was sweating buckets, as our doorbell rang. Two cute people from our church came in to drop off a message and to welcome us to our new ward...awesome, I looked half way dead. We talked to them for a bit and realized again what a small world we live in talking about people they knew and we knew as well. After they left and have done some abs of steel, of course, we decided to treat ourselves to some Yogurtland.

better than Golden Spoon and Ocean Blue..

After we ate and had discussed some deep topics, my roommate {who is from Tucson} surprised us by taking us to "A" Mtn. I have never hiked up it, sad to say since I have been born and raised here, but it was surprisingly steep. Lacy {roommate from Missouri} and I were running up the mountain because it was easier than walking up. Once we were at the top we saw this..

too bad this is a google image, no one brought their camera..

I can easily say it was worth the pants, the "are we there yets", the "oh man I almost fell ten hundred times.."

By the end of the night I was tired, sweaty, and full of the realization that I am out of shape.

Moral of the story..I really enjoy my roommates, I do love frozen yogurt, and I need to start using that gym pass.

chitlins livin the dream

2010-07-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

I have loved spending some time with my little nephew Keldon since he has been down from Utah. He was here for a few weeks (just left last Thursday) and I know that he loved every minute of it; some activities included:

Swimming at aunt Melanie's

Hanging out at the park

Going out to eat {and running away from pictures..}

Going to the movies {Despicable Me}, and running around playing "tag"

And what's grandmas and grandpas without 007 and Sonic the Hedgehog? I am always a sucker when he asks me to play. I can never say no, how could you not??

Also, this little lady has been down for the summer...I am gonna miss her when she's gone, and of course her parents. Although I don't get to spend a whole lot of time with her, due to busy days, I got to take a trip to H&M and to the Scottsdale Mall with Marissa and Chayce. I love that her personality has shined through, the last time she visited she always wanted mama. I'm glad she can give me hugs now and isn't afraid to give me knuckles, high fives, and kisses. She is quite the little talker and can say my name or just D is fine with me. I can't believe she is already two..blows my mind.

Gecko Grill {during the last visit, I couldn't pass it up} and Getting ready to leave to Scottsdale

She wanted to go to the play place in the mall, but due to lack of time we thought the shoe dept. was the next best thing.

Oh, to be a kid again.

another new chapter

2010-07-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Updating my blog has become a chore instead of a habit...hopefully I will change this so I can become more consistent with my updates. I finished summer school at the beginning of July and I enjoyed meeting new friends during the short amount of time we were all together; I'm glad to say I passed with a A++ errr I mean B. I was debating on taking summer school II to take the second session of Anatomy but I quickly decided that I needed a break to hangout with friends and relax before the Fall session starts up again. As soon as summer school ended I decided to put my big girl pants on and move out of the humble abode of Kevin and Nicole's and leave my favorite/adorable/irresistible Bruce behind. It has been a really fun year and half with them and I couldn't be anymore grateful for all that they did and still do for me. I will miss cable TV and delicious homemade cooked meals and free living. But let's get real here, I am 22 and was seeking a new adventure and what better way to spice up a life than to move in with 5 complete strangers! Yes, I searched LDSHousing.com and after looking at a few homes I decided Mill Ave. was just asking me to move in. Call me crazy for moving in with strangers, but so far I have enjoyed my first week there. I am living with 5 girls with complete different backgrounds and all different ages, it has been so fun to learn about them all! I will be getting 4-5 new roommates come August and I can't wait to meet them. I just found out last night that two days before I moved in there was a big party (which can explain the disaster I came home too, I kept telling my dad repeatedly, "I swear I must've been half blind when I came to check out the house!!"), let's just say I'm pretty sad I didn't move in soon enough. I went to my new ward, University 2nd, yesterday and I loved it. My new Bishopric is amazing, they are so funny and their wives were so cute to their men playing along and cracking jokes. The Bishop spoke on decisions during sacrament..something I always need to hear..he said, "Those that avoid making decisions are living immaturely and are not progressing in their life, staying in the gap." For someone that is sooo indecisive and look to others for answers, always walking below the radar, it was another one of those wake up calls that I needed to hear and I'm grateful that I did. I really felt like I needed to be at that place at that moment, it's crazy how that happens! My nephew Keldon is in town and he has another 2 weeks before he leaves back to Utah and he is so big and full of personality. Our family went to the park and walked around their little lake last night and other than sweating to death I had fun trying to run around on the playground with him playing "tag" and playing with Wade's fake guns. Well that is pretty much all I can update on for now but I will be doing my best to keep this blog up to date. Here are some pics I "borrowed" from my landlord lady's website just to show you my new home for the next 6 mos or so..

can't stop watching..

2010-07-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

I may or may not have watched this over 30 times..

and I can't QUIT!!

my life as the present

2010-06-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

I have been very MIA in the blog world, but for good reasons. I have started summer school session for Anatomy and Physiology I and if I'm not taking 3 quizzes I'm taking a test, and if not a test I'm doing a practical!!! It's a daily struggle to find some studying time between work and school, especially during this week. I am house sitting this week at my dads while they are in New York for Trevor's graduation present and I couldn't be anymore jealous. I remember going after I graduated and it was such a fun experience, I can't wait until I am able to go back! I might have to post some pictures that Trevor sent me from his phone another time when I'm not at work..just for my sake. I have been spending a lot of time with friends and family and I enjoy the moments I have with them both. I know I have to make more time with them, especially since after the summer I have to send off a friend to Texas (again) and another friend to California. It's a good thing they both aren't too far away, I will be bunking it with each of them hopefully when I have some extra money to burn. I have had a lot on my mind and literally made myself sick over the amount of stress that is on my plate, I don't do well with handling hard situations and I let it get the best of me. Fortunately, I am doing better and each day is a little easier than the last and I feel myself being able to breathe again (with the help of an inhaler of course). It's still hard, but I know that I will be fine in the long run and that I just need to focus on myself and let things fall into place as they should. I stress too much and analyze every detail and I will pretty much end up in a mental institute if I keep this up. To get me through the debbie downer days I love finding new artists/music and I love to listen to their songs all day especially if they have great messages. Mumford & Sons really did it for me, their music is poetry at it's finest!! They recently had a concert and again, school had to ruin the fun for me and I ended up not going. I heard they are amazing live and are actually really funny. Here is a video to give you an idea of how amazing these guys really are! {ahhh chills every single time..}

Yep, the next time they come to Phoenix, without a doubt, I will be in their audience.

Also, I have been loving Naked Juice lately and I run to QT to pick one up every other day..they are delicious and filling, when paired with a fiber bar haha. Yes, that is my lunch sometimes when I am rushing after class to work.

Ever since the beginning of summer I have been wanting a cute romper..and since I still have a gift card to UO from my birthday I decided to post some of the ones I had in mind to order..

Now all I need to do is figure out which one..hmmmm..

This weekend is a busy one for me, I have a little bday party to attend, cleaning house before the parentals come home, and study groups!! I pretty much have my weekend planned for me {which I love}!! I have a lot of catching up to do but for now this post will work, anything that will keep me from staring at the previous post...

Have a good weekend!

Prom 2010

2010-05-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

So far my summer has been a rough start, what I thought I wanted..didn't turn out to be just what I thought it would. I realize I have a long road up ahead and I know I need to rely on the Lord and the little faith I have to get through this rough patch. It's hard to think I'll be ok, but I know I will eventually, my heart is just full of regret. The single life is rough for me but I need to come to grips that life moves on and this was my choice. Skipping the drama and details I am going to post about my siblings prom, Trevor, Ashlyn and Makayla all had Mesa High Prom a few weeks ago and it was so fun to see them all dressed up for their dates. We went to my dad's house where we took some pics of Trev and Ashlyn, then back to Nicole and Kev's where Makayla's date came to pick her up. Here are some pictures..

{Makayla and her sailor? He is a senior and she's a sophmore}

{Ashlyn -Sophmore}

{Trevor - 1st and last Prom..I can't get over he is graduating soon}

{creepy and awkward laughing pic of me found on my camera..thanks Trevor..it just makes me realize life isn't over and heart ache is just a learning experience..it just all sucks at the same time}

Looking forward to the unknown future...I hope I'm ready for whatever life throws my way..and I hope it's soon, I need an adventure.

pondering on quotes

2010-04-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.

- Walt Disney

I don’t know anybody’s road that’s been paved perfectly for them. There are no manuals. You don’t know what life has in store for you.

Drew Barrymore

Life is great. Don’t let circumstances and society fool you into believing it’s not. Adabella Radici

I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I’ve written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part. Shirley MacLaine

If you think you’re too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.

Bette Reese

The attitudes of your friends are like the buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or they will take you down.

Alexander Lockhart

Some people find fault like there was a reward for it.

Zig Ziglar

If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.

Nora Roberts

^^^{this will mean me asking for a raise....and choosing a path.} ^^^

tyler

2010-04-21T22:26:00.000-07:00

It was my little brother's birthday on saturday and even though half of the family was missing we still managed to have a good time. We went to Waldo's BBQ for his dinner and it was a first for nicole, tyler and I. I had plenty of carbs to hold me out through the month...cornbread, onion rings, bbq chicken sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries {which didn't pass my favorites list}. But the best of all are their drinks, maybe it was because they were served in cute mason jars, but their pink lemonade and root beer is dang delicious!! Afterwards, we went back to Nicole and Kev's to play a few funny rounds of scattergories and have cake and ice cream. The poor kid grows like a weed so we gave him some clothes and some nice flip flops! I love Tyler even though sometimes I wanna smack him {in a good sisterly love sorta way}, I just want what's best for him. I remember like it was yesterday when him and makayla would run around in only their diapers while sucking on their bottles side by side, or having him do whatever us sisters told him to do, like having him fetch us some more rolls from grandma Jerry's house {don't judge he was young and naive..he didn't know better}...but 14?!?! I am seriously losing track of these kids.

sorry nicole, this was the best picture mom took of us...she doesn't know how to handle a camera on a phone..bless her heart.

to the limit

2010-04-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I dared myself to go take a cycling class at LA Fitness {my gym that I never go to..} and it was rough. I have been to a cycling class a few years ago with two of my girls and let's just say I was made fun of because I never put on any resistance, making it not really a "work-out". I believe I do better in classes instead of on my own, since I never push myself to the limit. As I got on my bike and the instructor came over to help me adjust it to my height, I wasn't prepared to know what was coming next. We were "sprinting" on the bike pedaling as fast as we can then we would stand up on the pedals for 2 breaths then down for what felt like hrs!! We would go uphill standing on the bike moving our resistance higher and higher until we got to 80% and I have never wanted to pass out more than I wanted to at that moment. My heart was racing, the sweat was making me all dewy like and I'm sure the people behind me were laughing since I was the only first timer in the room. Towards the end of the extraneous hour we were doing our sprints again and my shoe laces became undone. The next thing I knew it was wrapping around the pedal pulling my shoe tighter and tighter..so I had to try to stop the pedals from spinning out of control to unwrap it and yes, I felt like an idiot. But it wasn't too bad, one time I was on the treadmill next to my friend {Marissa} and supposedly I slipped and almost flew off..we were dying to say the least. Anyways, my face was bright red after doing "push ups" on the bike while standing and pedaling and I kept looking at the clock to see when it was over. There were times where I gave up and I sat back down on the chair while the entire room was standing up at 90% resistance..there was even a pregnant lady there standing on the bike with her belly. The instructor looked at me and said, "don't give up, keep going", so I got back up as much as I didn't want to and I pushed forward. The class was dedication..with some blood, sweat and tears, but I pushed forward and now I'm reaping the benefits {a stiff and sore body}, all thanks to the instructor who made me push it to the limit. That experience has me thinking today that I need to be a better ME and I need to push myself to the fullest. Sometimes I do give up and would rather sit there in my own grief than to try my hardest and do whatever I can to over come things. Life is hard, full of trials, full of sadness and pain, but it's also full of happiness if we seek it and if we really do our best at life. I am a firm believer of that. It's bad but I honestly wish everything was handed to me..{mainly what I should do with decisions} and I was just told exactly what I wanted to get my degree in, where I want to be in the next 5 years, who will my spouse be (and when will I know it's right!!) etc etc. But I get it, I know that we aren't put here to have everything handed to us..we have to work hard to have happiness, happiness just isn't handed to us and I always forget that. I know once I start to "give up" my whole life will crumble beneath me. I must never lose my faith. I will try to push myself a little harder each day and at each trial. I will love myself and be more positive. I will be a better me. I will be happy if I am trying.

image from etsy found at Dear Lizzy {one of my favorite blogs}

lunch ideas

2010-04-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

I am the worst at taking lunch to work. Once the clock says it's lunchtime then I'm out the door waiting in line for another $7 sandwich {mmmm turkey delight}. This is obviously not making my clutch wallet happy and isn't helping me out in my "wanting to eat healthy" ways. So I decided to make a list of ideas for lunch that I can be able to bring to work with me. If you have any other healthy and delicious ideas please fill me in, I would love to add more to the lunch/snack list. {I'm gonna go ahead and apologize if this is a weird post...I am in the middle of an unexciting yet complicated life.}

Healthy Lunch Ideas:

1.Peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread; a piece of fruit and low fat yogurt.
2.Chicken salad or egg salad sandwich (make the night before); veggies or a piece of fruit and a granola bar.
3.1 whole wheat pita with lettuce and grilled chicken with light Caesar dressing; baby carrots and an apple.
4.Tomato and cucumber salad with fat free dressing, baby carrots or an apple and soup. (add some grilled chicken to salad)
5.Whole wheat tortilla roll with sliced turkey, sliced low fat mozzarella cheese and lettuce; fruit and a snack of choice.
6.Tomato based vegetable soups, carrots and low fat yogurt.
7.LEFTOVERS from home that can be heated up and add some fruit or vegetables.
8.Frozen entrees that are low in fat and calories. Add some fruit to make it filling.
9.Brown rice with stir-fried veggies (prepared the night before), and fruit.
10.Whole wheat bagel {toasted} with light cream cheese (add turkey and lettuce if desired), and fruit with a granola bar.
11.Noodle Soup cups (check for low sodium and low fat) with carrots and fruit.
12.Taquitos paired with some baby carrots and a piece of fruit with PB for dipping.
13.Hot Pockets (this is not healthy but it’s easy) add fruit and veggies.

Other Snacking Options:

Turkey Jerkey (trader Joes)
Rice cakes
Raw Almonds
Pretzels
Apples with Caramel dipping sauce
Trail Mix
Crackers
Granola Bars
Pita and Hummus
Baked Chips
Low fat yogurt with granola

GO TO THE GYM ON NIGHTS/MORNINGS THAT I CAN!!

Goal: Tone up body, cut dessert to only twice or once a week (this will be HARD), drink recommended amount of water, getting to bed early and not eating until I’m “sick”.
Rewards: Feel better (more motivation), less tired, skin and hair will look better, not wearing any swim shorts for the summer!!!!!

confusion is the death of me

2010-04-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

"You can rarely see what is right in front of you".

So true. Right now all I want is a crystal ball to help make my decision(s) easier.
Since I myself, can't make out what is right in front of me {oh the pain}. This cute print would be nice to have also as a reminder. Print found http://www.keepcalmgallery.com/prints/hlrarely-rarely_eye_chart.htm?browse=1 (sorry I have been trying to hyperlink it as "here" so it wouldn't look so tacky, but I can't seem to figure it out.)

another "I love" cliche random post.

2010-03-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

As I'm sitting here in my office chair I am inspired {or bored..either one} to do a post on my current loves, it's just what I do.

-I am loving the Spring fever that has currently taken over me.
-I love that I can smell the orange blossoms better than ever at Gregg's.
-I love that whenever I say the word "run" or "outside" while looking at Bruce, he runs a muck.
-I love where I work, I work with some great people in fun Downtown Mesa.
-I love that I can be completely myself with Gregg.
-I love that I can be in a freezing office and walk outside to warm sun rays.
-I love that I know where I came from.
-I love my family, my friends.
-I love that my choices are up to me and I can decide for my future.
-I love Skinny Cows {they're ice cream sandwiches}.
-I love people watching it's something I've always done.
-I love finding new music, I rate it as one of my top favorite down times.
-I love comedy shows, Planet Earth series and reality TV. Current favs: Modern Family, The Soup, America's Next Top Model, Seinfield {only with Gregg}, Tosh.O, 16 and Pregnant etc etc.
-I love learning new things I hope to be able to learn how to sew and design, cook and bake, learn a new language or how to play an instrument..etc etc.
-I love that my skin is currently dried from acne meds {enter sarcasm}, that whenever I put my face on fabric it leaves a trail. Gregg told me the other day that I left "Frosted Flakes" on him..I wasn't sure if I should laugh or be offended, I did both.
-I am currently reading The Hunger Games and it's fairly enjoyable.
-I love that I want to do everything in life and I HOPE to do most of them before I pass away.
-I love the gospel.

-I am just loving this time of my life.

-And this song..

mustache.

2010-03-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened in between my Birthday and today, too much that I may just be playing catch up within the next few weeks. I have been doing well, Spring Break was last week and between Cali and my Grandpa Bob's funeral, it was a busy but memorable week. Grandpa will be getting his own little post sometime when I can actually sit down and write up a good one, I love that man and he will surely be missed. Last night I had Biology until 10 PM when I decided to go to Gregg's after, I was dressed super scroungy, wearing blue sweat pants, a green sweatshirt with a coral sports bra {that may or may not be peaking out every once and a while} and some sneaks and you better believe I wore that getup to class. WHY??? Well, before class Bruce decided to take me on a run {man is that little guy fast!!} and my hair was already greasy so I decided what the heck who really cares anyways...well I was sure that my Hookah loving lab partner didn't care at least! Alright, back to topic..I got to Gregg's and started talking to him about how I cut my finger pretty bad during lab on glass and I was bleeding real bad {I was trying to pull off a rubber stopper that was attached to a glass straw thingy and it broke in half, smart I know}. I began telling him how this guy who was my partner whipped out some gloves in his backpack and started playing Doctor..he was good!! Anyways, after my story I started feeling nosy pulling out his drawers looking at random stuff and found this face thing that his niece gave to him for Christmas one year. We made each other put it on and it was pretty hilarious and not very attractive to say the least, but with it being so late and all, we were very entertained. After that, it just collided from there and we started making mustaches with combs and broken rubber bands and took pictures via iPhone. I love that Gregg is just as nerdy, if not more, than I we definitely can have some cheap, easy fun.

This is as close to a mustache as he is ever gonna get...bless his heart.

I call this "one-eyed willie" haha this picture is nuts, gave me a good laugh.

In honor of my brother in law Kevin..he served in Japan and Nicole says they always did pictures like so. {which I soon found out to be true..It's a story I will tell later.}

I love mustaches.

Post II

2010-03-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

I realize my birthday is long gone, and I realize that it might be pretty lame to talk about it in two different posts. However, I am horrible when it comes to writing in my hard back journal, so this is where I talk about my life and the happenings in it. For my birthday last year Gregg decorated my desk at work with goodies and balloons, so I was sure to walk into an office filled with crazy things that morning, but I didn't. Anywho, I was able to come home early from work so that I could study for a Biology Test that night and when I came in to my room I found this...

He even made my bed..cracked me up.

After my test I went over to Gregg's where he made me some brownies {which we didn't even touch}

Gregg wasn't sure what to get me since he claims I'm picky {not true at all}, but he surprised me with a necklace and a gift card from urban outfitters, he knows me so well.

The best {shocking} part of it was that he put my treasures in this....

never a dull moment...

In other news, I went and saw Alice in Wonderland on Saturday and I loved it, Johnny Depp is one of my favorite actors and he can play any character so well. It was a whole new take on the original and it was entertaining the whole way through. The cast was perfect and I loved the imagination that was put into it.

birthday post I

2010-03-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

On the weekend before my Birthday my girls took me out to hangout, not everyone could make it unfortunately, but It was still fun nonetheless. We were going to do a scavenger hunt, but instead we just ate and enjoyed each other's company. Thanks again!! Here is the best picture of us..because it was the only one..turned out pretty sad eh?

I should enroll in how to model 101..there was more but I'll spare you, this time.

For everyone's Birthday on my dad's side we have a special Sunday Birthday dinner. I got to pick my meal of choice, which was barbeque beef sandwiches and homemade macaroni with the most delicious chocolate cake ever for dessert. When they brought the cake out I noticed my dad had arranged the candles in a "D" it made me smile. I ate till I was sick, got sung to, and received a nice card signed by all with a little cash inside. I'm such a lucky duck. Here are some candid shots of my birthday dinner..mind you half of these were taken with my brother Trevor {I cannot believe he is graduating this year, he is such a stud!!}.

"I Love the Cake"

I am apparently wasted...

After the shin dig I went with Gregg back to his place and found these cute, little dream catcher satchels on the table. We soon learned that these satchels were from New Mexico where Gregg's brother and his wife went to look around at their Dental School. Naturally, we modeled them.

And Misty drove me home safely..

another birthday list

2010-02-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? I can't believe today is my birthday..so much has happened in my year of being 21 and I am slightly nervous/anxious, to be honest, to see what my year as a 22 year old will bring me. I already had some birthday festivities this weekend with some friends (we missed you marissa and trish) and family, so I will have to post that this weekend after I get my birthday Biology test out of the way. I decided to conjour up another list just for fun, so that I can look back at it later in life and see how my taste/style/interests develops through out my young life. Here goes nothing..

*sidenote..my birthday is the 25th NOT the 24th** stinkin blog.

- Tickets to go see Vampire Weekend on April 13th at the Marquee Theatre -

- This little gem from Apple, I'm actually hoping to get it this week -

- I'm not much of a reader, but I would love to start and I heard this was good -

- I have always been interested in taking a class at a Bikram Yoga studio -

- These really cute gold Tom's are calling my name for this summer, I've always wanted a pair ever since I saw their commercial and what their company stands for -

- ModCloth has the best stuff I love these things I found online -

So this is my little birthday list that I know is far beyond my head, I have a credit card I need to pay off..drats. Here's to another year!!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOLLI!!! (she's my favorite twin cousin I've ever had..I just love that girl.)

he said yes...

2010-02-15T12:14:00.001-08:00

I asked Gregg if he would be my Valentine for the second year in a row and he said he had to think about it, but then he quickly said he would. My plan for Saturday didn't go at all to what I had hoped for, I was planning on making a nice dinner at Nicole and Kev's since they were m.i.a this weekend, then going to Las Sendas to long board and just chill there, and then we would come home to make dessert. Unfortunately, Saturday was quite a crazy day, after the smoke alarm went off 3 times (mind you I was home alone and never had to deal with such loud noise plus, I was in the shower), hurting myself a handful of times and spending a good 2 hours at Wal-Mart (I have no clue how to grocery shop I get anxiety there), I was exhausted. I came home and realized that I didn't want to cook all by myself and since Gregg was sick with a cold I decided to go to him instead. The long boarding idea went out the window due to Gregg's cold and his second board wasn't in good shape, so instead we went to the movies with Gregg's brother Jeff and his wife Brooklyn. Let's just say our movie wasn't sweet at all, and it involves a wolf. When we got home it was 10 and instead of saving the meal to make another time, due to it being so late, we made it and it was well worth the wait.

Italian sausage, spinach leaves, tomatoes, campanelle pasta and crushed pepper flakes mmmm

haha I love his unexpected faces..

Gregg and Misty helped with the dishes..

while I took watch and posed like a Cheerleader (I forgot people don't pose like this anymore).

Don't mind him trying to act angry..he really enjoyed his mom's sugar cookies.

For Valentine's day 2010 I received flowers, a snicker's fudge bar, a date to the movies, dinner (we both helped) and a lovely card, plus Gregg gave me his cold (how sweet!!). Gregg received dinner and a very special card..not much but I got sick the next day so we were pretty even. I hoped everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as we did.

la la la love

2010-02-12T15:02:00.000-08:00

So I am tired of looking at the video post...so in honor of Valentine's Day here are some sweet images I found that made me smile. I have some good things planned out for tomorrow since Sunday I will be hittin the Chem book, let's just pray I don't burn anything or fall on my face or even cut my fingers...you'll see what I mean soon enough. P.S. does anyone even know how this holiday came about?? Gregg thinks it's just a holiday for candy companies and flower companies to get paid big bucks. Oh well, it's still a sweet holiday (eventhough I didn't think that when I was younger, in fact I HATED Valentines day) I'm just glad I have a celebration of chocolates right before my birthday, which is right around the corner, so I don't mind much. Wish me luck as I try my best to be some sort of a romantic and a crafter...it's gonna take some work.

Yes, the kid may be random but I couldn't resist his sweetness.

Happy Love Day.

a feel good song

2010-01-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

I'm sorta liking this band.

the post before the spring semester starts

2010-01-18T16:59:00.000-08:00

School starts tomorrow, so I guess I better face the music and plaster a smile on my face while packing a positive attitude for the next few months. Lets face it, chem 151, bio 181, a nutrition class and searching for a stats class while working full time sounds a little draining. But knowing that I'm on my way to getting that degree makes me quite happy. Since the holidays have come and gone I posted a few pictures showing what I have been doing. I spent New Years at Joel Mchale's stand up show with my family and then Gregg and I went to Mill Ave to meet up with some of my friends. We rang in 2010 while dancing to the Doobie Brothers (I hope I spelled that right) and being in the mix with tons of crazies, with of course Denny's to top it off. I hiked Camelback Mtn. with some others and got some much needed fresh air and exercise and I recommend hiking this to anyone. Before Braille was having a reunion show with other bands such as Fivespeed and the Letterpress and a good time was had by all, I saw some kids I knew and even graduated with, plus got a free CD out of it! Which ends us with my adventures in California.

This picture of Greggs hair cracks me up (he hates it) it was a fairly windy night!

I took a picture of the N for Nicole and Kevin who had to miss out

Greetings

2010-01-12T20:51:00.000-08:00

I just returned home on Saturday from a much needed vacation to La Jolla, California with part of my family. It was relaxing and a very short stay at the beach house. Nonetheless, we were able to go to Disneyland and have the opportunity to get some amazing pictures from most of the rides. For example:

Yes, I dominated in astro blasters. Thankyou very much.

I have some updating to do and with the busy schedule I have, I will most likely get it all done this weekend. Christmas was a lot of fun this year being able to spend it with family and friends. A few things I received this year are: a pink snuggie and a pink spatula (thanks mom?), running shoes, gift cards, cash etc etc all the things a girl could ever want. And as far as New Year's Resolutions go, I'm just sticking with my motto of being My best self and following My heart. I would say stop biting my nails, go to the gym at least 4 times a week, read daily, fill myself silly with vegetables etc etc but for me that is far beyond realistic. However, that doesn't mean I'm not willing to try and I am currently taking baby steps, and that's fine with me.

I have been very good...

2009-12-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

Therefore, I will dream big and make my xmas lust list of whatever my little heart desires..even if it's way out of the ball park.

Polaroid Camera/Digital Camera of my choice

The cutest beret

These moccasin slippers

Black leather jacket (I am dying for one)

MAC Cosmetics (eyeshadow and this lip color)

Cute locket necklace/necklaces of any kind

SHOES/boots/booties/flats..give em to me!

Silence and Noise Sequin Cardigan..as you can see it's very popular. UO

Tights of many colors and patterns

Cute and comfy sleepwear

Anything or EVERYTHING from this site, "Old Soul New Heart"..and I'll take whatever she's wearing.

That's my 2009 list of things I am lusting over for xmas; however, I have been gooooood this year..so I'm crossing my stubby fingers for one of these items to show up under the fake tree.

we took a trip on thanksgiving

2009-12-04T17:40:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving was a hit. Of course, the food was perfectly delicious (minus the brusselsprouts that I didn't even look at) and the company was even better; I also got to meet new faces which always makes for fun/awkward times. Gregg and I ate at my uncles and were there for a short minute. After we left, Gregg's car got a flat on the way to his parentals, perfect timing right? Luckily, he is a good tire changer and fixed that up in about a half hour while I, of course, just watched from the sidelines, then it was off to his parents for round two. The house and tables were beautiful, but I expected nothing less, his mom lives for these types of things and it was gorgeous. There were tons of food, I got to try out new things and ended up liking the sweet potato casserole, which was said to be practically all butter, and you can imagine my poor body after eating 2 supposed to be tiny, but were rather large sized meals.

Don't mind the awkwardness of this picture, Gregg just wanted to dance with me last minute.

We were supposed to be at my dads around 430, but ended up getting behind due to picture taking/packing/saying our goodbyes, so we got there around 630 and grandma and Melissa's brothers were already gone. We sat around and talked and drew names for xmas and ate pie. Once the clock hit 730 Gregg and I peaced out and were on our little way to Cali, while the others were leaving to go see The Blind Side. We arrived to his aunts house around 1 am and went to sleep, the next day we met up with Gregg's cousin Ryan and his girlfriend Natalie and we all went to Six Flags. The park wasn't packed and we rode most of the rides and ended up leaving and going to the nearest mall (on Black Friday) so it was pretty packed and crazy but we had a good time. Then we met up with Ryan's family who were all staying at their grandma and grandpa's house and they took us out for dinner to a little Italian/German Restaurant.

Day 2 of no shower..I went all weekend with 0 showering, it's vacation alright. Don't judge.

Natalie and Ryan

After dinner we split up and Gregg and I went to the movies and saw The Blind Side, which was really good and left me with a positive feeling. The next day we met up with Ryan and Natalie again and went to the Santa Monica beach/pier, it was a really windy cold day but it was a lot of fun.

We went to the Santa Monica mall which was an outside mall and it had all of the stores I ever want to go into all in one, so you can imagine the excitement. However, I had no money so it was a pretty sad afternoon of lusting over many items. After the mall, we had to find a place to drop off Natalie and Ryan since they were getting picked up to go to the UCLA vs USC game so we decided to go to the Los Angeles temple to drop them off. It was beautiful.

Then Gregg and I went to Simi Valley to visit Gregg's grandma, who is such a sweet lady. After our visit we didn't know what else to do so we decided drive to Malibu Beach for dinner and ate at a random cafe which happened to be right on the beach. It was so good, I'm not a big fan of seafood so I went with the bbq chicken salad and Gregg went with a taco combination plate. After dinner we went out on the shore and took off our shoes, the sand was ice cold so we didn't play there for a long time. Then we head back to his aunt's house in Simi Valley and went to Starbucks for dessert on the way. The next morning we took off for Mesa, the trip was short, but I enjoyed myself and the company I had.

Cheesy sidenote: I just wanted to say how thankful I am for Gregg. He is honestly my best friend and I can rely on him for anything. He is sweet, patient, loving, generous, honest, hilarious...etc etc and I can go on about what an example he is to me. We have been through a lot together and I wouldn't want it any other way. That is all.

thankful

2009-11-26T07:41:00.000-08:00

Today is the day, I can't believe it's here, but I can't wait to eat a whopping 3 Thanksgiving meals spread out in mmmm 5 hrs. Mom's at 1:00, Gregg's at 3:00 and dad's at 4:30...I better put on some pregnancy pants. I love Thanksgiving, nothing beats family and delicious food and being able to share what we are all thankful for. Well, since it is a journal and it IS Thanksgiving, I'm going to jot down just a few things that I'm certainly most grateful for...I could go all day with many things but I'll just share a few.
Family...We are missing a few in these ancient photos

Keldon/Nephew

Drew/Niece

Temple/Temple Marriages/Love

Traditions/Missionaries/Brother in Laws

Grandmas and Grandpas/Examples

Our Savior/Atonement/Faith

This Land

Animals/Looking Fierce/Fun Memories

Healthy Body/Hiking/Brothers, all 4 of them

Fun Loving Cousins/Friendship/Examples

My Girlfriends/Fun Times

Sisters I love them so much all 6 of them (man this pic is old..)

AND SO MUCH MORE!!! I could've posted pics allllll day but I must get ready now for the extravaganza and pack for Six Flags...I'm thankful for Road Trips also!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

New Moon

2009-11-25T13:21:00.000-08:00

I just have to say it...I have yet to read the Twilight series, I usually tell people I plan on it, but to be honest I probably won't. I am not much of a bookworm which is a sad story since there are lots of good ones out there (so I've heard), and it would be much healthier for me to dive into a book rather than diving into junk food and reality shows. Anywho, my sister Melanie is a hardcore die hard fan of Twilight and of course Edward, so naturally after the Larson Thanksgiving, which was a total hit by the way..love my family, we went and saw New Moon. I loved it, I am not obsessive over it though, since I am not one of Twilight's many golden fans since I never read the books, or own anything Edwardized, or have gone to any of its' two midnight premiers. However, I enjoyed it so much more than Twilight and uhhh hello Jacob what nice abs you have..I mean smile..I mean hair..I mean you are gorgeous can we meet?? I think Gregg wanted to secretly punch me when he came on Conan O'Brian on Monday night and I kept drooling and squealing about how cute he is! It's true..I think I'm all about Jacob...and Edward..Ok so they are both dreamy. Not to mention the soundtrack is freakin awesome!! I may have to ask Santy Claus to bring me an iTunes gift card or heck just burn me the CD. So there you have it I am on the bandwagon people I will probably go see it a few more times.
Hi abs.

Love this...

oooh and this...

Dove

2009-11-18T11:21:00.001-08:00

Today, in my Gender Psychology class, we started a new chapter on the health of men and women. We got into history and how cigarettes became so popular (Tobacco companies gave their products in their packages to Soldiers, payed actors to smoke and they advertised that it was actually good for you during WWII). We talked about BMI and why women died at a much younger age back in the day (child birth infections) and how the roles reversed throughout the years. We even got into how men, who live with women, are actually healthier than single living men..have you seen their fridge?? Then we got into today's society and how body image has put a huge impact on males and females, making anorexia a problem. Well, our teacher showed us some videos that came off of the Dove website which is part of their "Campaign for Real Beauty". They definitely made their point across. I think that it's true how beauty affects girls at such a young age, and it gets worse throughout the years with girls/boys trying to conform to what Hollywood and t.v says are beautiful etc. It's very sad, and I am always pinching at myself and saying that I need to be healthier and lose a few pounds, calling myself "fat" or "nasty" or envying other girls' looks. I love Dove products, and I really like them now, considering their campaign are all about REAL PEOPLE, it's inspiring. {We just have to always keep in mind that our Creator made us and we don't need to conform to anything or anyone, we are already accepted.}

There are 3 videos, but they don't have a url where I can just copy and paste the actual video, so the link only takes you to their site, sorry. You need to click on the little girl on the right side bar and it says "A Dove Film" click that and there are 4 videos to choose from on the bottom, I like them all but "Evolution" and "Amy" stick out to me. "Amy" almost made me tear up, it reminded me of someone.

You need to turn off my music on the side bar also!
Hi, check my new fantastic look @ http://www.dove.us/?dl=/CFRB/arti_cfrb.aspx%7Ccp-documentid=7614677%7Cvideo-id=2&source=shareBlogger

because i ate one thousand calories..

2009-11-13T14:11:00.001-08:00

Today actually felt like fall to me, being able to stare at the dark clouds and rustling leaves on the trees outside the office window made it feel like Autumn finally came here TO STAY (and not trick us and have the next day be 90 degrees). I can't even imagine that Christmas is just around the corner, it barely is starting to become jacket worthy. Anywho, I feel just how it looks outside, gloomy..and all I want to do is to be in my jams, curl up in a big blanket and watch a movie or two, while enjoying the company of my good friends Ben and Jerry, who might I add has delicious desserts, namely Chunky Monkey, mmmm curse my ice cream lovin soul!! I have been thinking about important things to me this week (since its important that I do so) and my mind just simply can't take it anymore. Decisions suck. That's all I have to say. Why can't I just glide through life without having to make huge important decisions?? Can't God just make them for me?? And even though they suck, those decisions will help create our future, MY future. I'm just so thankful that God trusts me enough to leave this choice in my hands and I know that whichever one I make he will still look out for me. I love that. But it doesn't make it any easier to know that this choice I must make regards eternity, and it doesn't help that I am a people pleaser, a person that is sooo indecisive, and a person that can never feel secure about any choice I make. But that's who I have always been, and I love the person that I am, I guess you can say that I have a lot of learning and practicing to do in those areas. Choices are important and shape who we are. We need faith to be able to make the right one and know that we will be happy. We need strength to be able to make that choice and stick by it. We need support to help us with our choices. We need the Lord to get us through. Oh the decisions that I need to really think about and consider for my future is heart wrenching and overwhelming...but I will make the right ones (I hope, really really hope..)and I will feel the love of the Lord. Phew, it's so nice to be able to express in my journal...I should really consider keeping this personal stuff in my book and not online, but what the hey, I'm sure no one really knows what I'm rambling about, or even read this at all.

On a side note: The title of the post is about when my friends and I had a slumber party during our high school years over at Ann's. We decided to go to QT and pick ourselves up some ice cream, Ben and Jerry's to be exact. We each got our very own and went back to Annie's to devour it. After finishing them/feeling mighty sick, we decided to check the calorie label...which is if you eat the whole thing in one serving you are pretty much amazing. It was OVER one thousand calories! We were all shocked and felt disgusting and hated ourselves for eating the whole thing very late at night before bed. Randomly, I sang "because I ate one thousand calories.." and the rest of the night evolved around that. Haha I love reminiscing old times.

Glory Glory Hallelujah!!!!

Alright, that picture did not help my craving at all. Happy Weekend.

Wingardium Leviosa

2009-11-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

Halloween has passed and can you believe it's still warm outside??? Ugh, it makes me very irritable, welcome to AZ fall I guess. Anywho, I have come to the realization that as you get older Halloween just isn't the same...I miss being able to go Trick or Treating with my friends in my old neighborhood. We tackled all of the good homes with our pillow cases and we never failed to go to the famous Rudy's on the corner (which is decked out beyond belief for Halloween and Xmas)! Over the past Halloween's my costumes have been anywhere from a hippy (for at least 5 times), a pirate, a girl who got ran over (thanks mom for the idea hah), a witch, a bunny (from when I was born until I was 6), a nerd, a mime..etc etc. I am the WORST when it comes to figuring out what I want to be every stinkin year, I usually am scrambling to find a decent costume at the last minute. Welp, this year was no exception but without further adieu Gregg and I decided to go as Harry and Hermione..

This is my favorite of the 3..

My costume was all thanks to Target at 6:30 PM on Friday night, lets just say I was going a little frantic. Gregg's sister was supposed to style his hair to make it look more like Harry's and she wasn't able to do it. So, Gregg straightened it all on his own which made me laugh since you could tell, it was a hot mess but it still looked more like Harry's hair than his curlies..ok that sounds weird as I just typed that, oh well. We went to a couple of parties the day before and on Halloween night we went to Fear Farm and went to a few haunted houses with Gregg's cousin and his girlfriend. Needless to say while running through these "hell homes" my eyes were tearing up while scrambling to get out of there and yes, I said and I quote.."I want my daddy!" folks, it was that bad...or at least the first one was, the other two were not so bad since I hid with my cape and closed my eyes (so mature of me, I know). When we got back to Greggs my Lactose Intolerant body decided to torture me and my night ended with me rolling around Greggs floor crying because of a demonish air bubble. Hopefully next year I won't get so freaked out and whine for my dad or roll on the floor due to killer stomach issues...so embarrassing.

Betty Crocker

2009-10-25T13:15:00.001-07:00

It's no surprise that I would love to learn how to be the next Betty Crocker and cook fabulous meals and bake delicious and cute desserts during my dating life. I feel that learning how to cook now is a smart idea, so that one day when I get snatched off the market for time and all eternity, I can say that I have already mastered that skill. Well, it's also no surprise that I haven't even tried to cook, or even gained the desire to learn how. Sure, I can bake cookies and cakes but I haven't prepared any type of meal from scratch. It's tough trying to gain that desire when I live with roommates that so kindly prepares those meals for me..(love ya Nicole and Kev)! So, a few weeks ago Gregg had mentioned that I should try out my cooking skills and make him dinner, I didn't even think twice and said that I would that weekend (I mean it was the least I could do, he does so much). So all week (aka the day before) I have been trying to find a recipe that was fast and easy to prepare (it's not cheating, it's baby steps to the big and crazy meals). I went to one of my favorite food blogs, The Picky Palate, and with so many decisions (ugh, decisions kill me) I decided on a dinner recipe named Ranchero Mexi-Chicken Crostada http://picky-palate.com/2008/09/16/ranchero-mexi-chicken-crostada/ (sorry I don't know how to add it as a link without typing it out). It was simple and easy to make and it was pretty good, I think I would've made a few corrections to make it better but overall we were pleased as punch with it. Goal is in progress here folks. I was so Happy that I actually: A. went to the zoo, or grocery store, and took about 5 hrs to find my small list of ingredients, notice the sarcasm. B. prepared and measured out all of the ingredients near perfectly. C. didn't cry. D. didn't burn it. Last but not least E. enjoyed it without having to gag it down. I even had to take pictures for proof. And yes, I am no photographer and my camera takes poo pictures..sorry.

Naturally this slice, taken from my craptastic camera, doesn't look that edible compared to the way it is scrumptiously crafted on Picky Palate.

I even splurged and drank a cream soda (I haven't had soda in the longest time..but It was a celebration I HAD to!)

***Disclaimer** The next picture is Gregg holding up the masterpiece with, might I add, straight hair. Yes, his younger sister wanted to straighten it for FUN to see how long his hair truly is (he has naturally curly curly hair). And if you have to ask if I screamed when I first saw it...I did. Phew, I just had to be sure to let those of you who know him for his curly locks, know that he wasn't being serious..although I must say I liked it. True story. Anywho moving right along..

Here is me just happy to make it to the first step of the learning process of cooking. P.S. I still love my fake readers, even when people take pictures of me and it looks like I am shooting out crazy sun rays out of my eyes.

P.S.S my little sister Ashlyn gave a really good talk on families in sacrament today, and coming from a family that has been divorced I can't really say that it's broken anymore, (even though technically it has been) I see us siblings all united even when we disagree with another or have our up days and down days, we are stronger than ever. I love my family so much and I am so blessed to be a part of a family that has set the path for me and let me go on my journey the way that I felt like was the right way. I have such fun loving sisters that I can go to anytime that I feel like I need reassurance of my life, and I have brothers that are fun and loving as well with four parents to help me out if I need it. Basically, families rock, and I have learned from my dad through past experiences that even though we may feel alone or rejected from friends or just society, that we can always turn to our eternal family and they will always be there even when the people in our lives come and go.

Happy Sunday.

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-10-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

Last night Nicole, Kayla, Tyler, my mom and I went to Pei Wei's for delicious orange chicken and mongolian beef and broccoli (plus 2 major, may I add "free", handfuls of fortune cookies..sorry it's the Larson in me). After filling up our empty (stomach) tanks to full we head off to our old high school hangout "hot spot", the beloved QT gas station on Greenfield, man it made me miss my friends. Anyways, we hit the jackpot with our sugary sweets and got some water bottles and hit the road to Harkins where we got our tickets for the long awaited movie Where the Wild Things Are. It was the first day it came out, so naturally we thought we should go early to wait in line...umm, there was no line and we waited for an hour to be able to go inside the theatre room. However, we were able to manage by entertaining each other with funny stories and laughing at random things to make the time pass. I was extremely excited for this particular movie because I loved the book as a child, the pictures were creative and there was one sentence per page, making it an obvious easy read. I have to say I loved it, I definately don't consider it a childrens movie, it was a bit depressing at the begininning and a little aggressive for the little ones ears (one part Max said he was gonna cut their (wild things) brains out if they didn't listen to him). Some parts were a little bit dragged on, but overall I was smiling throughout it, wishing that I myself could go back to the time where I could have fun imagining life's simplest pleasures. I had such a big imagination as a child, Marissa and I even thought we were on a music video on my trampoline back in the day..."We are friends..ya ya ya we are friends.." haha. Or that one time Katelyn, Marissa and I pretended we were statues on her little brick fence out in her frontyard and that we could fly with our big sheets. Good times. Anywho, the movie is a must see and Max is the cutest little boy and the monsters will make you laugh, not to mention the music is awesome. Oh, and just for the record I shed a few tears..but that's normal coming from me.

And the best of all was that........

I got to come home to My (Nicole's and Kev's) little wild creature BRUCE!!

Yes, I am obsessed with this little brown weiner dog but can you blame me?? Here he is again, just look at him again one more time..

And there is Kev also making his debut on my blog. Sorry it had to be just the backside.

David Bowie

2009-09-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last night as I was in chemistry lab figuring out what it is I'm supposed to be learning, Gregg was at the race track with his cousin, riding their dirt bikes and catching "air". After I came home and ate I sank in the couch waiting for Gregg to call and let me know that I can come over to his house. I was excited to go since lately I had been talking up Labyrinth for quite sometime now. Gregg hadn't even heard of this classic so I was giddy to watch it and show him the beauty of David Bowie's tights I mean voice I mean GOBLINS! When I got there we sat and talked for a little bit, and Gregg made Oreo milkshakes and added a banana in the mix for us..(I swear I eat so well ((not a healthy well, full well)), every time I'm with him, his house is a Costco store in the making!) and we started the journey Labyrinth. To much of my joy he seemed to enjoy it, especially when I sang on the top of my lungs word for word "Dance magic dance..etc etc.." I kept looking over to Gregg and telling him this song/movie holds a special place in my heart. I can't quite remember who showed this to us, I'm pretty sure it was Shawnda, but ever since Marissa and I watched it we have loved this movie and David Bowie's dance moves so much we like to imitate him! Anyways, the highlight of the night stemmed from Gregg laughing at how tight the Goblin King's spandex were, so we were discussing them and later on in the convo I turned to Gregg and shouted "I love David Bonie!!" Totally on accident. Let's just say we both had a good laugh. I'm glad I can share some of my favorites with him, even though we have opposite tastes a lot of the times. He didn't like West Side Story (come on it's a classic), but I don't like some of the corny scary flicks that he seems to enjoy. Overall Labyrinth was a hit and It was an enjoyable night after completing a good chemistry test and lab.

Here's for your viewing pleasure..

I know what I'm going for as Halloween this year...

Being Positive

2009-09-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been down in the dumps, confused about life, unhappy with myself and just negative about everything possible. I break myself a part a lot on a daily basis. I am always comparing other looks to mine, comparing relationships and how they act to one another. I am always looking at and comparing the so called "perfect couples" how they dress, how they swoon over one another, their perfect "how we met" story the whole deal to my relationship(s). Why I do this, is beyond me, maybe I am insecure, maybe I have a low self esteem, but it's tiring. Tiring to keep up with everything and everyone (the world), trying to impress those that don't really need to be impressed, why should they care if I'm not with someone that doesn't fit the mold of "perfect" as long as I'm happy. What is perfect anyways?? There's no such thing..and yet I'm chasing to find "perfect" in everything even when I'm far from perfect. I'm trying a little too hard, and it's getting in the way of my true happiness. I was having a little discussion the other night with Gregg and he said that his mom would always tell them when they were young that "happiness is a choice" he said people choose to be happy, he then went on to tell me that there is no reason why I shouldn't BE happy, he said, "Danielle, you have a family that loves you and supports you in anything good, you have the gospel and the Lord in your life, and you have a boyfriend that loves you and would do anything for you, so be happy ok??" He then smiled at me with the biggest smile and I just sat there with tears down my face..that Gregg is the best at making me want to be the better person and placing a needed smile on my face. He is such an example. I don't want to be a negative Nancy, that's not what I set my day upon.."okay what can I complain about next.." The negativity just strikes at those moments when I feel of un-worth, and it has been lately that I have been feeling like that. It's because I set my thinking on the things of the world and I haven't been relying on my faith. But it's that Faith and that dedication to the Lord that will help erase the "world" and help me to strive to become like the Lord making my negativity disappear. Yes, I have had trials in my life that make me want to sink in despair and I let those trials become my excuses of why I'm negative. But that shouldn't be the case, the Lord gives us trials to keep us on our toes, he doesn't think it's fun to give us grief and pain, but its HOW we deal with those trials that makes us stronger. I must learn from my trial experiences and learn how to become the better person, and that is what I have been struggling to do, striving to become the better person. But ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS..so I am going to CHOOSE to be happy and I am going to always put my best foot forward and have faith that I can conquer this sickness I call negativity. I can easily cure the sickness with the gospel and positive influences in my life, with good friends and family, with only saying positive things, looking on the bright side, saying my prayers and reading my scriptures before I leave the house every morning, smiling more, expressing my feelings more..bottling them up also holds me back..letting loose and just having a good time instead of thinking and analyzing the future, and just being plain HAPPY. I love my life, it's a good one, I have fallen quite a bit but I am thankful for the gospel that lets me dust off my knees and start over. I am thankful for blogging (as weird as that sounds), so I can express my emotions and whenever I feel discouraged I can go back and read these things and it will be a constant reminder of why I should be happy. SO I am ending with this video that I just viewed, it is so perfect for reminding me of "what matters most"...hence the title ;)

End of Summer Goals

2009-09-16T13:46:00.001-07:00

So we all know that summer is sadly coming to a close, this morning helped me realize it. As I walked outside to jump in my fast car I had to stop and sit there and feel the Arizona tingle, yep I just said that. You know the feeling where you know the weather is slightly changing in temperature, perhaps a few degrees lower, yep that's what it felt like. Of course the weather wasn't cold, but I could just tell that it was a fewer degrees cooler and it made me smile to think that scarf and coat season is creeping up. Any who, I haven't wrote any goals for myself in quite some time, and I feel like since school has started my life has been in complete disorganization and I need to resemble myself.
So here it goes...

1. Say my prayers more than once a day.
2. Read my scriptures daily (this is a toughy for me..).
3. Get ORGANIZED aka stop shoving every handout in my school books and actually organize a notebook!! Not to mention my room is in shambles which brings me to...
4. STOP BEING A PACK RAT, I'm not a grandma yet, why do I feel like I need to keep every item that has no meaning or purpose.
4. Go to LA Fitness more than uhhh once every two months.
5. Start USING my budget that has been created by Kevin.
6. Smile often and to strangers I pass by along my way.
7. Do small acts of service on a daily basis.
8. Learn how to cook a meal (insert laughter).
9. Pack a lunch daily instead of going out to the local Taco Bell, Sweet Cakes, Subway etc....very costly.
10. Call a friend weekly
11. Keep and hold my chin up, there are always bad days here and there but I must not let it knock me off my feet.
12. Cut out the negativity that turns me into a Debbie Downer.
13. Always be polite.
14. STOP BITING MY NAILS...This is a goal I have yet to accomplish and it's always on my goal lists, disgusting habit.
15. Hold the door open to those following me out or coming in from a building, it feels good when the person says "thank-you".
16. Be at school on Time.
17. Update my not online journal and write at least a paragraph daily.
18. Stop worrying about the WORLDLINESS of the world.
19. Stop analyzing every action.
20. Stop criticizing myself..I'm a daughter of God, if he wanted zits on my face, or no cantaloupes then so be it, I complain about my features too too much.
21. We all make mistakes, don't dwell on those mistakes and progress the next time around.
22. Keep my goals.

The Joys of Education

2009-09-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

I should probably have been at ASU by now, or atleast graduated for peets sake...but with so much insanity in my life, plus jumping from degree to degree I am still stuck at the ever so flashy Mesa Community College (aka second high school). However, I am taking chemistry 130 over at the Chandler Gilbert Community College Williams Campus..so I'm close to an ASU campus, atleast theres SOME change right? My week has been quite busy taking 13 credit hours and going to work 36 ish hours a week. So there's not much playing time, and I should register for an Institute class in the evenings, hmmmmmm I better get on that. With that said my weeks are pretty packed, let me break it down (for my boredom sake that is). Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I wake up to an alarm that has been going off for about an hour (Sorry Kev), wake up at 6AM, fall asleep in the shower, get ready, eat my wheaties, lock up Brucey (depends if Kev is home) and out the door by 7:30AM. From there I get stuck in lovely traffic, How I enjoy driving on the 60, and race to my World Religions class with Mr. Crudup (who is the coolest guy ever, he wears a cool cap everyday and talks about capri suns and tea all morning..ok so the tea talking doesn't make him cool but you just have to take his class to understand) get my religion fix on, doze off a bit and leave to my next class, Psychology of Gender YES!! Ok so this class is probably my favorite so far, talk about an interesting class, hopefully we get to the section DANIELLE: WHY DO YOU THINK THE WAY YOU DO?? stat..because I would really like to know. So after class I zoom to work and do my thing, after work it's hw time, reading, and sleeping!! Tuesdays and Thursdays are a little different, I go to work by 9AM and leave at 4:30 to go to my Chemistry 130 class at Williams Field. I got lost the first day because lets face it, that place is confusing if you have only been to MCC. But let me tell you, Mr. Mittendorf is an awesome guy and is a lazy teacher...and WHY do we love lazy teachers?? Um, hw isn't a necessity, tests are on scantrons (no long answers), and when I'm supposed to be getting out of lab at 10pm he only makes us stay until we are done with our portion of the lab, and hopefully I catch on quickly so I can leave by 9! Phew, but Thursdays I don't have lab so I get to leave by 7:15. I am also taking my very first online class CIS105, it's a computer class and I need it in order to transfer to ASU (Go Devils)! Man I can't wait for that day, I know people say that it's not that big of a deal, but when you get to be out of high school for awhile and are still at a community college, things seem to be put on a snoozefest mode, I need some change of scenery here. So there you have it, my Fall 2009 semester life, it's going to be fun and hopefully I get a lot more out of it than what I have gotten from past semesters, I just tend to lose my concentration easily and it's hard to get back in. I am so anxious to get a degree, I know I just want to be a mommy and take care of my kiddies and send my hubby off to work, but I feel like it is important for me to reach this goal of mine and you never really know when you may need to use it. Education is a blessing for sure, and I am gaining so much by just attending and doing my hw on time. So here's to a Happy Fall Semester College Students!!

P.S. I hope there is a foreign German exchange student (who is secretly Zac Efron) in one of my classes!

Counting My Blessings..

2009-08-26T16:30:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I found out through the ol' blogging world some pretty sad news regarding a relative's loss. I cried as I read her entries, I was completely heart-broken for her and her family, and was impressed. She has been through something so huge and life changing and yet, she has been firm in her faith and has been completely inspiring and uplifting.

I may not be the most patient, cheerful, motivational, spiritual, loving, charitable, and the list goes on...

However, I SHOULD be all of those things and more. I am counting my blessings, for I have a healthy body, with a family that will stand by me and love me throughout eternity, I have friends everywhere that bring me up when I have felt alone, and I have a Heavenly Father who looks out for me and my future(even though my future seems foggy as of now..) and is always with me when I need him. Life is short here on this earth and sometimes I have taken that time for granted. We aren't in control of our lives, we don't know when it's our time to go back to our Savior. I need to be better prepared, for our time can be around the corner. I am so thankful for everything that I have and stand for, I love this gosepl and the knowlege that I have and continue to learn. I have her and her family in my prayers and I hope you will have them in yours too. Please click on the Kameron and Jami button to learn more and see what you can do to help this family, or just go to her blog on my side bar and leave an uplifting comment. Thanks to all and hope everyone is having a good week so far!

Sandals

2009-08-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

I am in Love, IN LOVE with sandals..so comfy and perfect for summer. I bought a pair at Old Navy at the beginning of summer, and I wore them to their death, literally. I went to Urban Outfitters though the other day and they were having a SALE on their sandals. Needless to say I couldn't afford each lovely pair in a size 9 for $20. I did, however, manage to leave with these...

and I'm wearin them right now. I should probably branch out of the black, I need more colors on my flinstone feet.

500 Days of Summer..and life

2009-08-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I was in need of a girls night out and decided to get the ladies to join me. Amy and El were down and even though we were missing the married ones, we still managed to have some fun! Amy, El and I went to BJ's to start off the night. Have you ever had their Bbq chicken pizza with a side of ranch?? If not, I advise you to go and get it next time you are there it is mmmmm mmmm to die for!! Anywho, dinner was fun stuffing our faces and talking about our week and the adventures we have had/or didn't have. After dinner we hit up Harkins and got cozy until our movie started. We went and saw 500 Days of Summer, we all have heard it was a good one and since Amy already saw Time Traveler's Wife, we decided it was the better choice. The movie was great, the soundtrack was awesome, Tom, or Joseph Gordon-Levitt, was a cutie with a good sense of style(well I thought atleast), and Zooey is just beautiful!! Seriously, her wardrobe throughout the movie was perfect and I was envious of them. Call me crazy, but I literally shed some tears towards the end of the movie, how could I not??? Zooey, or Summer, seemed like the biggest heartbreaker...Tom loved her and would do anything for her and believed in love in first sight, whereas she saw things in a different light and came from a divorced background etc etc. Anywho, she reminded me a lot of...well, me and I got a little choked up. I thought Summer was a cold-hearted woman towards the end, and even though I may not consider myself cold-hearted, I tend to feel like the heart breaker..I am NOT gonna go into much detail about why or how I feel that way since my blog isn't private..but if you have seen the movie and know what I'm talking about then we are on the same page. Perhaps the realization of the similarities of Summer and I, and just the wanting of the movie to have this fairytale perfect ending made me a bit overwhelmed. But that's life, and life isn't always a fairytale, ( I must remind myself daily of that ) and sometimes I think that Love is supposed to have this fairytale story. You know with the warm, fuzzy feelings or the blue birds that surround you, where your body goes numb the first time lips meet. I look at perfect couples in magazines and even through blogs and I love reading the stories that couples have about their love and I want that. I feel like maybe I'm searching for something that isn't there, maybe that perfect guy that is just my "type" of man really isn't out there and it's actually right in front of my nose! Maybe I'm just being stubborn and perhaps I am being a tad bit worldly when I am looking for that perfectly clothed and well structured male mold. AH it's difficult this dating thing and trying to figure out my future and needs...and it doesn't help when I play mind games with myself (sounds weird..only the close ones know what I mean..), but I'm making the most of it, and I know the Lord is with me every step of the way. I just wish I knew and If I did, I wish I knew that it was O.K to take that leap of faith, eventhough I might not be 110% sure. I guess that's just the difficult side of me. I will learn soon enough what I need to do while I'm taking this journey called life.

Here is the official movie trailer for those who haven't seen it but need to..

Student Council

2009-08-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

I went over to my mom's house yesterday to help my little (technically my big sister since she is a model and is taller than me) sister Makayla out with her campaign for tomorrow. She just started MHS (GO JACKRABBITS!!!) and she wanted to give student council a run for its money. She did cheer as a 9th grader at Taylor Jr. High and she had lots of fun, but figured that she didn't want to continue it throughout her high school years. I did pom/cheer my 9th grade year up until my junior year, my friends and I decided we wanted to enjoy the games our senior year and relax and have fun during our last year. As our last year came around we were bummed but happy with our decision, and if there is one thing I regret it was not running for student council. Makayla is running for Vice President and she came up with some catchy slogans for her hand outs...we helped get the printer to work, type, print, cut, tape, tye, sort and eat the candy (well for me anyways). Chelise helped Makayla do 2 really cute posters the night before, and seriously, if this girl doesn't win...

Makayla came up with the slogan, "I may not be "Famous" but I'm the greatest for V.P vote Makayla Bowden"...for these delicious little cookies.

She also came up with, "Help me "crunch" the competition vote Makayla Bowden for V.P"

"Don't get "suckered" in vote Makayla Bowden for Vice President"

I really believe she would do so great at Vice President, she is loyal and smart, friendly and responsible, she even came up with those cute slogans on her own..she has my vote, if my vote counted.

Friends

2009-08-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

This summer has gone by way too fast, it has been bittersweet and overall pretty decent. I have YET to spend this summer in a swimsuit lying on the warm beach sand or on a roller coaster, but I'm banking that my friend and I go this week to California (cross your fingers). It was fun to spend some good quality time with my best friend Marissa and her little family while they were down for the summer. I've known Marissa since the first grade in Ms. Dittmars class and I think our friendship bloomed when Thomas Hammer chased us around and made me pee my pants and fall to the ground haha, that jerk. We even were that close in the third grade when we would play twister in the middle of the soccer fields, it's insane to think that I have had the bestest of best friends as I was little up until now. So It has been good to catch up and see my close friends who I hardly get to see these days, we had our last dinner before Marissa and Cole had to go back to Texas and we enjoyed Mrs. Calderone's taco dip, brownies, and lasagna mmmm she is a sweet lady and great hostess!! We also got to see Trisha and Travis who lives in Thatcher and its always so fun to see them!! Trisha and I have known eachother since we were little also, our dads served a mission in Spain and were companions..I love to tell people that..I love my friends and the great example they are to me and the advice they try to spoon feed me, I am stubborn. So enjoy these pictures of our last get togethers of the summer, can't wait to have another reunion. Oh, and I apologize for the bad quality pics, I am gonna have to invest in a high quality camera these are very grainy.

Sweet Tooth.

2009-07-23T15:37:00.001-07:00

Ok I have a sweet tooth. This sweet tooth makes me eat a dessert atleast once a DAY. I can't help the fact that I feel like I need sugar in my body every single day, this sugar includes: brownies, ice cream, chocolate candies, cookies, cake, cheesecake, slushies, smoothies etc. I really wish that when it DOES rain in Mesa, that it would pour gummy bears and milkshakes. I LOVE my sugar, it makes me in a better mood. This is a bad deal, some might say a problem. Also, How in the heck am I gonna teach people to be physically fit and healthy when I myself can't even eat my greens?? Let me not think of that question right now...we'll save that for when I am close to graduating. Some might say that spending $3.25 per a sugary fix might be lame..that sugary fix meaning a Sprinkles cupcake. They are pretty much Famous...and far away (Scottsdale), but I am more than Willing to drive down there to see what the fuss is all about, considering I have yet to try this craze of a cupcake (Surprisingly)...If any of you had tried these little demons out please let me know if they are worth the gas money. The many flavors and the 3 inches of frosting just sound so tempting!!

I mean come on, have you ever seen a cupcake so perfect???

Recent Happenings

2009-07-13T12:16:00.001-07:00

My summer has been quite interesting, friends that I have graduated with are coming home from their missions and "catching up" with them has been fun! I am all signed up for school next semester at Chandler Gilbert (majoring in Exercise and Wellness), and I can't be more excited! It will be hard trying to juggle a full time job with a full time school schedule but I'll make it work and the results will be worth it. My friend Myles took me to go see Wicked at ASU Gammage the Thursday before the 4th of July and it was amazing!! The costumes, the stage, the dancers, the singers and the orchestra were breathtaking! I loved how it was all put together and did I mention we were in 3rd row seats??? Incredible. Wicked was my second big play that I got to attend, I was able to see Hairspray in New York with my family and Broadway musicals are a definate must see. My 4th of July was pretty relaxing, I got to spend a part of my evening at my aunts and uncles house for a swim/pizza extravaganza and it was fun to see the family. Then it was off to go see fireworks at the one and only "boob church", we went with a girl whose family owns a property in an unfinished gated community and we were lucky to have some space and our own little party there. We finished the 4th with Nielsons (brownie and banana concrete) and a movie and it was perfect. Other than that I have just been keeping occupied with work, So You Think You Can Dance, the Bachelorette, The Newlyweds (too much Tv.) staying busy with my callings, and hanging out with friends! Summer has been good to me but I need a vacation of some sort!!! I'm leaving you with a catchy summer song/video, it makes me want to travel around in a swimsuit.

And for a good laugh....

Next time someone asks me if I'm crying I'll just simply reply, "I'm not crying I've just been cutting onions, I'm making a lasagna...for one." Pure Genius.

Ellie

2009-06-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, So at the beginning of the summer there are lots of birthday celebrations on my friend and family side, but since I have too much family and little blogging time.. I'm just going to post my friends birthdays (sorry family I still think of you on your special day..) Starting with Ellie.

El, I know your birthday was June 3rd but since I'm a little slow at blogging

today you get your own little post! You are such an amazing friend

and you are the most AMAZING dancer I have ever seen in my life!!

Do you remember these awesome times??

bringin in the New Year's

we are soo very talented with our sewing (knot tying) skills..

Before our friend reunion at Olive Garden

Costa Vida nights

and of course..Chayce's Bday bash.

Happy Birthday Love, I am so thankful we are friends and can write poems together.

I also can't wait until we make a cooking show called

"Cooking With D" haha

Love,

Chayce

2009-06-14T18:46:00.001-07:00

Chayce,

You are so un-ordinary, I think you are absolutely scrumptious!!

Heavenly Father sent you to a good mommy and daddy who thinks

the world of you. I can't believe how fast time flies,

It seems like just yesterday I was holding you

for the first time. Happy Birthday little 1 yr old (June 4)

Your Auntie D loves you...and yes I'm aware you aren't able to read this. :)

Anita

2009-06-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

Anita,

You can relax now....

Or, be a gangsta thug...

Or, eat some candy canes..

Perhaps you might want to dress up like you're in the eighties..

with your sidekick D as a mime too...

Maybe even make some awesome faces...

Or, just spend some time with all of us "girls"..

because today is your BIRTHDAY!!! (and you can do Whatever you want to, even cry.)

Thankyou for being an amazing friend, you truly are a blessing. Live it up 21 style.

Love,

D-Cup

she never met a cupcake she didn't like

2009-06-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

I am Lovin this piece from I HEart Ban.do...I really wish I had $175 right now. the title of my post is what the creators named this happy piece.

Yes, I haven't posted in forever....it's on my things to do list, so I'm hoping sunday will be a good day. (my computer won't let me do capitols, very weird..) happy Saturday!

To Post..or Not to Post

2009-05-28T15:06:00.001-07:00

Okay, so this is pretty personal stuff here, but I mean this IS a journal and eventhough it's a very public journal and ANYONE can read it..I've decided that I'm still going to post about the happenings of my life. Some of you may have already known what's going on with me, but I am still being confronted on wedding plans etc. As of a monthish ago I have been ringless. No, I have not lost my ring...although, that may have been a little less stressful considering what I am going through right now. After much talk/stress/tears/confusion (on my part) we have decided to take a step back and not be engaged but to just date and get to know eachother better. I have a lot of things going on with me and I am pretty much having issues of confusion and love and of course having commitment scares don't help. This is just a BIG decision and seeing divorce in my life isn't easy, and I want to be to the moon sure that this is what I want and this is what I'm ready for. It's hard for me to commit considering I am selfish at times (most times) and feel like I can do what I want without thinking..I tend to look back thinking "am I gonna miss something in that single do whatever you want to life??" I have lots of improvement in my relationship skills..I mean I have only dated what 2 boys? And I really haven't had much of that dating around life since boys just would rather hang out instead of ask girls out on dates. I feel awful. I feel like I betrayed my best friend. I feel like I am simply just lost in this world. Currently I decided that in order to be sure maybe we should date different people but still keep in contact..I don't know if that's the best idea or not, but maybe that will make me realize things more clearer and realize what I truly want. Growing up I have always had problems with decisions..whether it be what I want to wear, how I want my hair ( I usually redid my hair 3 times before leaving to school..and it would still look like poo) etc. I barely just figured out what I wanted to get my degree in..I went from ultrasound tech, nurse, dentist, nutritionist, back to nurse to now I figured out I want to get my Bachelors in exercise and wellness. I just didn't think that love would be so hard and that's my main concern, is love supposed to be confusing and this hard?? I thought that love comes easy and when you know you just know...But, maybe that's just who I am..a very complicated girl..(Ok I KNOW that that's who I am) but maybe for me love isn't going to come easy, I just need to work hard on love and maybe that's my problem..I'm not. WOW I sound pathetic but this is a stressful time for me (and Gregg of course) and I want to pound it out on the key board so that's what I'm doing. Gregg has been extremely patient with me..most guys would say peace out..but he has been there and willing to fight for me which does mean a lot. He puts up with my garbage and is just willing to do anything..so maybe that's my answer. Maybe, I'm just thinking too hard and being difficult because, lets face it I'm a difficult person. But, I am just going to take this time and realize what's really important for me and weed out the worldliness. Sounds easy. (Sigh) this post is very long and personal so I'm sorry if anyone got lost after the first sentence, haha and if that's the case they wouldn't have read this sentence. But, thanks for anyone that has just loved me and supported me and just gave me words of comfort. I really appreciate any acts of kindness/service..I hope all is well in everyone's lives. Much love.

Tagged

2009-05-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

So I have been tagged along time ago by Annie Brimley, one of my favorite girls in the world, (sorry Ann I am a blogging slacker) enjoy!

5 things I was doing 5 years ago:
1. Finishing up my sophomore year in high school.
2. Dancing and cheering at Mesa High!
3. Hanging out with the girls. I miss the "routine".
4. Learning how to drive (or driving..).
5. loving my easy life..which in some ways it still is :)
5 things on my to do list:
1. Clean my room/bathroom.
2. Play with Brucey poo.
3. GYM GYM GYM!!!
4. Go with the missionaries to teach my investigator friend.
5. Make an appointment with my school counselor
5 things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Pay off my car.
2. Buy a VOLVO.
3. Pay off my mom's home.
4. A new wardrobe closet makeover.
5. Go to a different country and learn how to speak a foreign language.
5 places I have lived/traveled to:
1. Mesa, AZ
2. Salt Lake City, UT
3. NYC baby!!
4. California
5. Mexico..when I was like 3, sadly I can't remember a thing!
5 jobs I have held:
1. Michael's Arts and Crafts
2. Childtime Learning Center
3. Friendship Village (CNA..thanks for bailing Marissa.)
4. Trig Inc. (receptionist)
5. Tradelands Realty and Mgt.
5 things I want to be doing in 5 years:
1. Already have gotten a diploma..and working!
2. Married..???
3. Buying a new home.
4. Going to a foreign place..I am going to travel the WORLD!! (Hey I can wish right?!)
5. Living a happy life and keeping in touch with family and friends!!

Monday

2009-04-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

I normally hate Mondays..I guess it's just that wretched day where you had just ended your fun filled weekend (that lasted about .5 seconds it seems like) and you wake up to the realization of having to begin your week all over again with work, school (not for me), stress stress and MORE stress. But today, I have enjoyed it. Maybe because I started off my morning with Special K cereal..I have lost my habit of eating breakfast somewhere between forgetting to wash my face at nights and forgetting to clean my bathroom. Anywho, here is my quote of the day.

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
-Anonymous

Bottom line...I need to start backing up my motivation with some good habits. Pronto.

OH, and I came across this beauty on the Anthropologie website under sales.... good thing it's only $999.95. I kinda like it. It does look a little 60's..or is it 80's?? (I have my decades usually mixed up almost always) This HAPPY, colorful piece of furniture pretty much made my Monday.

Happy Beginning of the Week!!

Etsy

2009-04-14T13:01:00.001-07:00

I love Etsy. You can find whatever your little heart desires on this website...it's like an ebay but better. It's homeade. I love looking at all of the perfectly pieced headbands and pins, or looking at art pieces and all of the crazy fun jewlery. I think it's fantastic that everything you see has personality and comes from someone's heart. I want to be CRAFTY dang it. I have a crafty sister (whom I'm jealous of..) who has her own etsy shop Bitsy Bear (check it out!!). I will buy something one day off of that website..preferably this...

What is this, you might ask, well people these are Dreadlock Extensions!! What in tarnation!?...yes, I am naive and had NO idea there were such things. To me they look like cow tails...mmm so glad I found these on Etsy, only $150 bucks SCORE!

Quote of the Week

2009-04-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

So I am at work (apparently it's not that super crazy of a Monday) and I was just thinking that I love quotes..good quotes that are inspiring that is. I don't think saying in an English accent.. "It's attached to your rod motha licka.." (Old Gregg video post that I thought was pretty random, creepy, funny on youtube) is quite inspiring, eventhough I say it quite often. Quotes from Prophets, teachers, presidents, friends, parents..list goes on and on..that make me think and want to change something about my habits or just the way I think in life. SO I've decided I will put up a weekly quote to inspire myself and in hopes to inspire YOU!

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a CHILD OF GOD. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our OWN LIGHT SHINE, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

HAPPY MONDAY

Let's Play Catch Up.

2009-04-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so blogger apparently hates me today and won't let me Copy or Paste my little article I have below, so instead of typing it all up again..enjoy these pics from the racetrack (described in the article). Sorry these aren't the best quality pics.

Yes, I am the worst when it comes to updating my blog..but can ya blame me??? My wedding is coming up in gosh..8 weeks!! I am running around with my neck chopped off probably because a whole lot has not been going on. I loved everyone's comments and suggestions they gave THANKS to everyone who commented! So far I need to schedule an apt with the DJ, the caterer, the florist, the cake maker (whoever that is) and I NEED a sign in book (know anyone grand?? let me know!). I feel like I am on a roller coaster of emotions..happy and excited one day..totally freaked out and not so happy on the other days..I guess that's normal (so I've been told) I believe it's the stress of it all. But, I am happy and hopefully this wedding day extravaganza will be perfecto!! We took our engagement shots on Monday the 6th...and let's just say I LOVE them!! Nick Narducci took them and he is great, one of my best friends Annie used him and I just had to use him also..her pics turned out so gorgeous so he was a must on my list!! He took us out to Usary Pass Park in the desert and shot us on some big rocks, logs, and a rusted old gate. When we met up with Nick for the first time he asked if we had any hobbies (I wish I could say I was a great scrabooker, seamstress, cook, etc etc..) I just looked at Gregg he has all of the hobbies..and once Gregg said longboarding..it was over, Nick said to bring two of them and he would incorporate them with our pics. They turned out so good and I love how he incorporated the longboards..when we were dating Gregg would always take me a long with his friends and go longboarding, so to have pics of them is a sweet memory I will get to look back on. You should ALL go check them out and tell me what you think!! However, those are not the only pics he took but just some of his favorites..we are still waiting for the rest of them on a dvd. His site is http://nicknarducci.com/blog seriously check em out and let me know what you think!! Also, last week I was able to go with Gregg and his buddy and his girlfriend out to the racetracks..Gregg loves to dirt bike and he hasn't been in quite sometime..and with his missionary friend home (who also loves to dirt bike) there isn't a better way to say "welcome home" then to go dirt biking..well, for them atleast. Here are just a few random shots.

Spring Break 09

2009-04-11T10:03:00.001-07:00

Spring Break was a crazy one this year, full of many adventures and stories. Gregg, his sister Meghan and I head out to Valencia, California to stay with their cousins. I have been there once before when Gregg and I decided to go to Disneyland on a spur of the moment kinda thing. Their house is gorgeous and we each got our own room, since half of the fam were gone to the dunes that weekend. The first day we got settled in and then went out to BJ's for dinner mmmm it was so scrumptious, and then we went and saw Fired Up a cheerleader movie...although I highly don't recommend you go spend 10 bucks for this lame-o movie, it did bring Gregg and I to some few laughs and "what the heck was that?" sort of deal and it brought Meghan to dreamland haha. The next morning we went to the Santa Monica Beach..it was a perfect day slightly cold but the sun was shining making it a fantastic day. We laid out with our snacks and Gregg and I played a round of catch, and although Gregg brought his skim board..he forgot his wax so ended up bringin it for nothing. After laying out for a bit we decided to hit up the pier, talk about a pretty cool pier there were shops and crazy little side vendors who would make your face on a ball of clay (pretty freaky if ya ask me), some carnival rides and food spots. We decided to go look at their aquarium that they have by the pier...lobsters, eels, jellyfish, starfish, and all of the yummy crustaceans you could ask for. After that we went back home and their aunt took us to Outback Steakhouse for a rather fine tasty delicious meal. The next morning we woke up to HUGE Jimmy Dean breakfast burritos..vomit. Actually, it was good but sooo huge that us little women could only down about 1/2..his aunt went and picked them up for us at a Jimmy Dean breakfast place..talk about a heart attack meal. Then we freshened up and went to HOLLYWOOD..talk about a D.U.M.P. I haven't been there in such a long time and Gregg and Meghan both have never went so we had to go. Dirty shops, random people dressed up as celebs..that did not look a thing like the real ones...and bums galore. Meghan and I both got scared the crap out of us when we walked past this man a few times and he looked completely fake..so out of curiosity we came a little closer and then...AH he almost grabbed me..we screamed for about a minute haha. We went to this Crepe factory at their sweet mall..and that was about the best thing in Hollywood (I didn't even care to take pics). After that we head out to Beverly Hills and drove around the neighborhood and drove up to the tippy top of the mountain where the roads were skinny and it was very scary. The houses were pretty much the best things..I love California homes so unique and so different. I want one...in my dreams that is. Then it was off to Rodeo Drive..so FUN we went to all of the rich fancy stores so that we could pretend that we had a million dollars and look around the jaw dropping price tags...who wants to buy a shirt for $300..uh not me...that's why they invented Forever21. So after our fun filled day we went to another one of Gregg's aunt's house to meet their family and have dinner. The next day it was off to home and we went right to my dad's house where we celebrated his bday! That was our Spring Break vacation..short..simple..not expensive..perfect.

My Color Scheme

2009-03-20T13:47:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of inspiration boards for my color scheme..black and white (damask) and Lime green! I am incorporating green apples in my centerpieces and for on my food tables. I still have a lot of things I am unsure about..such as food, DJ, location (to church or not to church..), invitations, bridesmades..who wears what (I have about 15)..I have some MAJOR planning ahead of me..this is gonna be a fast 2 months!! If ANYONE has ANY ideas please please go right on ahead and throw them at me! I would LOVE to hear any ideas especially from those who have already been through this stressful yet really fun process!! THANKS!

Don't mind the pink..at first I wanted green AND yellow..but was afraid of it being to Sprite looking...so I threw it out hmmm but after looking at these boards I could just pop in a little yellow, but then again I am kinda diggin the dark pink not gonna lie...YIKES I don't know if I should add the yellow OR add the dark pink with the damask and lime green or throw yellow and the pink out all together. SUGGESTIONS??

The Best Night of my Life

2009-03-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

Ok So I have been engaged for a few weeks now and I REALLY need to just make a post on how the whole night went (for me to look back on anyways). SO here it goes..So on Sat Feb. 28th we went to the zoo and hiked during the day yatta yatta..I described below..after dinner with my family at Gecko Grill Gregg and I headed back to his house. He had said something before we left to dinner about going to the Cheesecake Factory to get some dessert afterwards, so I was expecting we would go there right after dinner! However, when we got to Gregg's he was feeling a bit sick..maybe from the mango shrimp quesadilla..so we were just laying there and I didn't even mention the cheesecake because I was stuffed to the ceiling. We were just chilling on the love sack and Gregg said that he had planned for us to go to fountain hills to go see the fountain. You see, we went to Fountain Hills last month and brought blankets to go check this Fountain out since we both have never seen it. Sadly enough, when we got there we were laying on the blankets and talking/cuddling when all of a sudden the sprinklers went off and were soaking us..we never did end up seeing this fountain go off..it did call for a good memory though ; ) So after many times of me telling Gregg that it was totally fine if we didn't go and having my opinion turned down (now I know why) we ended up leaving to go! Gregg had brought a backpack filled with a blanket (and my ring box) and when we got there we ended up walking for quite sometime around the place. We went up a hill to this tree when Gregg said, "What is this??" I looked and there it was a table for two set up with roses, candles, and two cheescake slices. Immediately I thought "Holy cow he is totally proposing to me!" My nerves went wild and I had no idea what to think or say. When we sat down he played it off as if this was only for my Birthday, he kept asking me if I was surprised so I bought it and said, "Oh, Gregg I totally thought you were gonna propose to me.. I was getting all nervous!!" haha he probably went in to freak mode because after I said that he started being so sweet and telling me what an amzing person I am and how much he loves me and then BAM down on his knee with the ring of my DREAMS (I didn't even pick it out!). I was nervous as heck and I said yes and accepted the ring!! I guess reactions/emotions are different for anyone who just got engaged.. but for the rest of the night I was crying and laughing at the same time haha I probably laughed the whole night because I couldn't believe this was really happening to me!! His family was across the street at a restaurant and came down to congratulate us and take some photos (sorry I don't have them with me). After that we went to my Dad's and talked a lot and I went home happy. Wowsers it's crazy to think that I am actually getting married..(May 29th) I always pictured me getting married of course, but I never knew when and to WHO! But all I can say is that I am pretty excited, Gregg is such an amazing person and I know I can always have fun with him and that I will always be happy with him. I never had any interest in him when we first met awhile back, we did sorta date but just here and there and nothing long or too serious. But we did become really good friends!! Well after a lot of me stressing out about different boy situations and getting upset a ton..I can honestly say that God REALLY does look out for us and has plans for us...because this boy was Definately IN my plans..and everything fell into place when I decided to take a chance with him.. just like I was told they would. I am so excited to go to the temple with him!! This was the BEST night of my life and I can't wait to be married (as strange as me being married sounds..)!! Wahoo! And congrats to anyone who just read that : )

Birthday Part 3

2009-03-11T19:41:00.001-07:00

(WARNING: PLEASE START OFF FROM BDAY POST 1 or you will ruin the surprise..sorry I can't blog correctly) Now, this post is all about Saturday..which was my ALL day celebration given by..yes, Gregg. In the morning we went to the zoo and had a splendid time!! I always love going to the zoo and there were a ton of people but I didn't care because the weather was PERFECT! My worst part about the zoo that day happened to be when we took a break to eat our healthy snacks of wheat thins, peanut butter filled pretzels and oreos (provided by Gregg.)...We were sitting under a lobby looking at the camel rides where there were two poor camels, one was tied to the little bar and was laying down and the other was giving rides. I was looking at the one lying down and it couldn't even put his head down he was trying so hard but that blasted ol rope kept him from lying down. AH I was pretty upset at the site of that plus a girl yanking the camel in one hand and talking on the phone in the other..sadness. Anywho, after the zoo we went on our hiking adventure.

Yep, I was spinning the tortoise on my finger pretty cool eh?

Oh ya and we stopped at a Lamborghini (sp?) dealership and I left the shedding of tears up to Gregg.. maybe for his bday. If he's lucky. So after the zoo, the hike, lunch at Sonic, a nap, showering, we met up with my dad and the rest of my family for my bday dinner at Gecko Grill. It was scrumptious and then Gregg and I went to Fountain Hills...etc etc etc..

Oh and what's This????? Oh ya...It's what my Bday ended up in...A DIAMOND!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M ENGAGED!!!!! DETAILS DETAILS DETAILS...still to come...