聖誕快樂-Merry Christmas!

Wow, can you believe a whole 'nother year has come and gone? It feels like we JUST had Christmas yesterday. I don't know why the years just fly by and Christmas comes and goes.


I think our challenge in life since Christmas always comes and goes, is to remember Christ every day all year long.

I have loved Christmas this year because:

-I got to help put up the Christmas Lights at the Mesa, Arizona Temple.

-I went to the temple lights about twice a week with friends of different faiths and family members.

-LOT FINALLY GOT HOME after being "stuck" in London and New York for 5 days!

-Be at home with family.

-Preparing for Vonner's wedding next week.

-Hot Chocolate, Caroling on bikes around the neighborhoods, seeing Santa in the upstairs window and making gingerbread houses. (CHAMPION RIGHT HERE!)

-80 degree weather in the valley! First warm Christmas and LOOOOOOOVED it.

These are just a few of the great things that helped bring in the Christmas Spirit this year, but having a knowledge of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and knowing that he was BORN, TAUGHT by EXAMPLE of how to live a great life and prepare to return and live with Him and my Father in Heaven, and DIED for me, has made this the best holiday season! I know Jesus Christ lives and loves all of us.


All He asks of us is to take upon His name, ALWAYS remember Him, and keep His commandments and He promises us the Holy Ghost will abide with us and be there for us. What a MIRACLE Christ has been in my life.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoy the New Year full of daily miracles!!

I am THANKFUL for HYMNS!

Awhile ago I wrote down a lot of my favorite one-liners/parts from hymns that we sing every Sunday. I always find strength in the hymns and I know they are inspired words that are true. The hymns invite the spirit quicker than anything else I have found. In short..they make me happy :) 


I want to share these lines that mean so much to me.

"Joseph's humble prayer was answered, And he listened to the Lord. Oh what rapture filled his bosom, For he saw the living God." 

"We thank thee for sending the gospel to lighten our minds with its rays."

"Fear not, and be just, For the kingdom is ours. The hour of redemption is near."

"Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation. And shortly the hour of redemption will come."

"How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion shall lie don together."

"Com little child and together we'll learn of his commandments, that we may reutrn Home to his presence, to live in his sight."

"I know my Father lives and loves me too."

"Rich blessings are in store; if I but learn to do His will."

"Be still my soul: The Lord is on thy side...Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."

"Constant He is and kind, love without end."

"Count your many blessings; angels will attend."

"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me - to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine."

"He lives, my kind wise heavenly Friend. He lives and loves me to the end."

"When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart."

"Any should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! All is well!"

"Sacrifice brings forth blessings of heaven."

LDS HYMNS

These are just a few of my favorites that mean a lot to me. I sure am thankful for those that have shared their testimonies through writing these hymns so I can feel God's love for me!

Time to Celebrate Life

I keep having to remind myself it is Fall everywhere else but here. I was in Utah a couple of weeks ago and as I looked at the mountains, I found myself starring and wondering what the clusters of red that were spotting the mountainside. WHAT?! It's FALL already?! All I see everyday are palm trees, cacti and I am still using the AC in this 98 degree weather. I'm not complaining tho, I am actually super excited to experience my first WARM winter while everyone else is bundled up. I do have to admit I'm super sad I can't wear my scarves yet, I mean let's be honest, I might have purchased one too many last year in Washington, D.C. and they are too cute to just sit in my closet.

I love Fall though! Trees change colors and show forth their beauty, students back in school, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin frozen yogurt, time to be with family, so so so many great things come with Fall and so many things to celebrate about life.

This season I am celebrating:

-My little brother:  he got engaged a couple of weeks ago and I'm super excited for him and his fiancé.

-My other little brother's last transfer in his mission: I can't wait for him to come home, I know he isn't celebrating this, so I will celebrate it double time for him! I miss him like crazy and can't wait to have him back!

-My sister finally pierced her ears and man does she makes those earrings look beautiful!

-My nephew got baptized! It was a great experience, he got to be baptized with 2 of his first cousins on the same day.

-My friend Dora from Hong Kong is coming to visit me and my trainer from the mission next month! She has always been a faithful friend who finds me wherever I am and comes to visit! I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

-I started my Master's degree...I probably shouldn't celebrate this yet though, we'll see if I make it through!

-Changes in China with the church!

-Many opportunities to share the gospel.

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to listen to General Conference. This always brings a lot of changes that I need to make in my life and what better time than now, to change and do better. Celebrate the time to change!

Nothin' Like a Great 4th of July Weekend

July brings a HUGE smile to my face for sooooo many different reasons and the 4th of July is one of the biggest reasons. I love love love this holiday and it makes me so happy. I mean there is nothing and I mean NOTHING that could go wrong on the 4th of July. Let's be honest, I'll break it down for you...wake up, head to get an all inclusive breakfast with pancakes, whatever eggs you want, and sausage, in the millions, stacked in coolers left and right, having an excuse to wear the cowgirl hat, head the parade and have your little brother own the road with his jeep and watch it from on the hood, seeing, by far the coolest, float known to man, the Lincoln Memorial passing by with it saying "Stand up for the Constitution" and Abe standing up! Hanging out with the cutest nieces and nephews(sure missed Sawyer and Saylor for sure!) all day playing with the dogs and out in the beautiful weather that is 25 degrees cooler than the valley, headed up the mountains (first and last time I will wear heels to the mountains) for a family reunion and eat even more delicious food and see over 50 deer/elk passing by you on the road, oh and the cobbler, the peach cobbler...ahh I want some more right now, then coming home and piling on the trampoline with the family to watch the 24 minute-$11,300 fire works, which we ended up having to move because our trees grew a ton taller than last year, and driving up in the mountains and staring at the magnificent amount of stars in the sky...and that was only the 3rd of July!

Isn't it great? C'mon, the best holiday ever!! It was nice having the 4th of July fall on Sunday this year. Church was great and makes me reflect on what a HUGE blessing it is to have the FREEDOM of RELIGION. We are so blessed to be able to live in the country, worship how we want, when we want, and wherever we want. I am so thankful to be a member of Jesus Christ's true church on the earth today. Christ lives and this weekend helped me realize how blessed we are with this knowledge and freedoms that we have to believe what we want and how we want. 

America is truly great and we (I included) need to be educated in where our country is headed and continue to stand up for what is right. We have the freedom of speech for a reason and we need to never become complacent on our values, truths, and knowledge of what we believe to be true! 

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Summers in the Arizona Desert

Driving through a 100 degree blow dryer everyday to work. Bought a Rav4. Has air conditioning. Out of habit I still roll down the windows. Remember I am spoiled and have AC for the first time. Roll the windows back up. Palm trees. Indescribable sunsets. Only 4 hours to see my family. New friends. Swimming pools. BBQs. Tan lines. Work. Oh yes work, in the summer. Weird. Cool summer nights. Still getting lost every time I drive. Falling in love with Mesa and the heat. Summer doesn't get much better than this....or does it?!

Summers in the Arizona Desert

Driving through a 100 degree blow dryer everyday to work. Bought a Rav4. Has air conditioning. Out of habit I still roll down the windows. Remember I am spoiled and have AC for the first time. Palm trees. Indescribable sunsets. Only 4 hours to see my family. New friends. Swimming pools. BBQs. Tan lines. Work. Oh yes work, in the summer. Weird. Cool summer nights. Still getting lost every time I drive. Falling in love with Mesa and the heat. Summer doesn't get much better than this.

Nothing in Hawaii Makes Sense

I have been so lucky to travel around these past four months and have so much freedom yet work/sub when I want. It's been absolutely fabulous. Unfortunately that is all coming to an end on Monday, yet I am sooooo blessed to have a job and am excited to get a Master's Degree at the same time. 

Two weeks ago I got to go with my sister Sarah and great friend Lexie Love to the islands of Kauai and Oahu. 

It definitely was a fun adventure, never long enough of course, but FUN! We got spoiled while we were down there. Marco and Fion took such good care of us with a place to sleep, a ride from the airport, a pot luck of amazing chinese food, tour around Laie and meeting so many fun people. 


Monday: We hiked up Diamond Head and looked over Honolulu and Waikiki. I got to see my first lighthouse! It was so cool. Then we drove back and got ready for the Polynesian Cultural Center which ROCKED. The luau and dinner was so yummy. We got to wear REAL flower Leis!! The night show was so much fun, even tho we were dead tired, Sanina (comp from my mission) hooked us up w/ ice cream, candy bars and we were able to stay awake to see the fire show. Oh yes, and to take a picture with the cute Poly!!

Tuesday: NORTH SHORE MADNESS. Marco and Sanina took us around North Shore.    

1st stop was the Shrimp Farm where a friend from the Hong Kong Mission hooked us up with fresh, delicious, spicy, full of goodness shrimp :) Our hands were sooooo messy but so yummy after we were done. 

2nd stop-BRUTUS..a giant sea turtle :)

3rd stop-Mastumoto! Very sugary, sweet, full of flavor shaved ice! But a must have, right Marco? 

4th stop-Oh yes, you thought we were done w/ food....nope! Everyone recommended the famous Pineapple whip, so off we went to the Dole Plantation  for a $16 ice cream of pineapple. I'm not actually too impressed by the dole whip, but we had to try it. Even though I wasn't too impressed, doesn't mean we didn't scarf it down :) 

5th stop (of course after more eating food at dinner at the biggest mall ever....we made it to Waikiki beach to watch the sunset, build sand castles, and try to get a nice tan.

Wednesday & Thursday: Off to Kauai!! I have to admit this was the most beautiful place I have ever been. We got to stay w/ the sweetest lady (mother of one of the missionaries Lexie Love taught at the MTC).  Highlights of KAUAI...Snuba diving! Snuba diving is snorkeling and scuba diving combined. HECKA FUN. I wish I could do it again because by the time I figured it out and stopped worrying about breathing underwater we were back on the shore. 

http://www.snubakauai.com/

So worth it!! 

**The Canyons, way more beautiful than the Grand Canyon. GORGEOUS. Freeeeeeezing but soooo pretty. We ran up, took pictures, looked at the beauty and then hopped back in the PT Cruiser to get warm. (Pictures yet to come, Sarah decided to take her camera snubain' with us and mine broke back in Utah, so yes...they will be up later)

**The Hana-ueeikiei ha, okay I forgot how to spell it but they use a bunch of k's and vowels right?) So I was hecka excited to hike and see waterfalls that you can only get to by helicopter or hiking and so off we went, only 8 miles, 4 miles up and 4 miles downhill on the way back right?! Easy! Uhhh...not so much. 8 miles of treacherous, muddy, wet, well to sum it all up we experienced blood, sweat and tears (of laughter) that took all of energy and 6 hours later we collapsed in the car, okay maybe just me. Yes, weak sauce but the best hike I have ever been on, and if I didn't have Lexie Love herding me along the trail on the way back with a large leaf, I think I would've camped on the side of the trail with John Locke.

As I re-read over what I just wrote, it doesn't give quite the experience that we had, but you are just going to have to deal with that. 

**Queen's Bath-Volcanic rock that creates warm baths during the summer and full of sea turtles everywhere, but remember, we went to Hawaii and never saw the sun. So we didn't get to jump off the rocks into the ocean.

The waves were intense!

We headed back to Oahu. When we were dropping off  the PT Cruiser the guy looked at me and said I looked like the "most beautiful girl in the world"..Belinda Carlisle. I disagree but...What do you think?! I loved when he said told us good-bye, he said, "Have a wonderful forever!" Ha! I love it :) 

The nicest couple hooked us up with a ride to our hotel that night. They are sooooo sweeet. We seriously were so spoiled the whole trip. 

Friday:  Pearl Harbor and Chinatown. Man, how I miss YamChaah! Unfortunately we had to hop back on the plane and head back to Arizona. But the sun was shining there so we did not complain!! 

Thanks everyone that took care of us and helped make our week full of fun!! Hou ngoi leihdeih :)

Seat-Covers Part II

First off, I am hecka jealous of Mindy for being able to experience such coolness in Chicago. I don't remember those when I flew thru there?! Maybe I chose the wrong stall, which of course would happen. :) And for Megan, I just can't do what you do, not as strong I guess. Anyway, point being, I went to Hawaii last week. And guess what?! I would drum roll if I could, but I won't even attempt....I MASTERED the ART of putting on a stinkin' toilet seat cover. I should probably write a lil book about it, but this is going to have to suffice.

Ready for the secret? So I always thought, the part that you tear apart that isn't apart of the seat cover is always supposed to go in the water, you know, that makes sense right? But then after you put it in the water, you realize that was a dumb mistake because the tissue paper soaks the water right on up and then there goes your seat cover before you have a chance to unbutton your pants. But, what if, you don't put that part into the water?! I tested it out and it's 5 for 5 as of right now. I put it under one of the sides of tissue so then there is no gravity pulling it away from you! Hoooooorah!

Seriously, I have one less thing to worry about in my life and and LOVE it.

Toilet Seat Covers

Seriously, I don't think I was taught the talent of placing a toilet seat cover on correctly. These past 4 months I have been doing quite a bit of traveling which means a lot of stops to use the restroom. I think I can name like twice I have been successful at placing the seat cover on and it not falling into the toilet bowl water before I even sit down! Has anyone mastered the art of this?! Is it just the brand? The toilet seat shape? Or is it just me?!

"You can be 

SMART  and HAPPY

or

STUPID and MISERABLE...

it's your choice."

-Pres Hinckley

From wood to purple w/ class...

I have been living out of a suitcase for the past 4 months and going a little crazy. I have gone to many Goodwills and the only DI in the Phoenix area...didn't find anything I loved. My lovely Aunt and Uncle told me they had one in one of their sheds. I ran over and checked it out and saw it's potential and feel in love. So if you were me, and you saw this, what color would you paint it?!

I first sanded it all down, took off the knobs and filled in one of the holes! Ha, I know I was surprised I could do it too, but this Elmer's Wood Filler was amazing. I filled in the bottom hole with my paint stirring stick, ha, I didn't have a putty knife. It worked. Amateur I know :)

I then headed off to Home Depot (paint was cheaper than Ace...sorry Marin, but it was!) No one told me I didn't need a GALLON for a dresser...maybe Ace would've and then I would've saved money. Hmm...I'll test them next time. Any guesses what CoLoR I chose?

Yup! Purple! Ha ha. I love it. Black Tulip to be exact. 

What do you think? I think the first coat looks a ton better than the 2nd coat...but I was too excited to have a dresser to do another 3rd coat. I got rid of these knobs..

...and replaced them with

which I'm selling the last 4 on craigslist. I went to Wal-Mart with Sarah up in San Tan and they were only $9.97 right?! Well, I thought when the time was ready for them I could go to any Wal-Mart nearby and get them. All of them were $19.97. Boo...drove all the way back to San Tan and got these classy lookin' knobs if  I might say so! Glad Sarah didn't let me buy the swirly silver ones. Ha ha!

And now, for the finishing product...

The lighting makes it lighter than it is...

I couldn't get a good angle of it..but there it is!!! With my huge flower I had to have!! Just got to find a good spot for it. 

So? What do you all think? My sister in law and brother repaint a lot of their furniture and they inspired me. I'm not quite as good as they are, but I'm learning and loving it!! I was hecka excited to wake up this morning and get to open a drawer to get out a shirt. I felt really spoiled!! 

Happy Birthday Alms!!

I like it when others do tributes to their family members for their birthday, so I am stealing the idea and doing one for my youngest brother.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALMS!
...18...

I cannot believe my baby brother is now 18 years old.

There are many reasons why I love Alms but I will try and limit it to only 18...

#18 reason why I love Alms

Alms is seriously amazing at everything he does. He loves playing sports and is also very good at making things out of wood!

#17 reason why I love Alms

Alms loves the outdoors, he always gets us to go rides bikes in the mountains, play golf in the woods, anything to get up in the mountains.

#16 reason why I love Alms

Alms always takes such good care of our house, he sure is creative when he mows lawns. One time he did our whole field and spelled A L M S in the whole field.

#15 reason why I love Alms

He sure loves his jeep. He has spent a lot of time fixing it up and babying it. I love him even tho he still won't let me ever drive it down the street.

#14 reason why I love Alms

I love Alms because he is an animal when we play Killa Bunnies. I mean this shouldn't be on the list of why I love him, because he seriously can make me pretty frustrated by killing all my bunnies, stealing all my money, and using the most vicious weapons on me, but I gotta love him for his dedication during the game, once he has his mind made up, there is no going back!

#13 reason why I love Alms                                  #12 reason why I love Alms
Alms is a very clean guy. He always has to have          I love Alms, because whenever I come home, he
everything very nice, neat, and in order.                       lets me wear his clothes. And yes, I look good in them!



#11 reason why I love Alms                                  #10 reason why I love Alms
I love Alms, because he takes good care                       I love Alms because he goes to church every
of his body and is very healthy.                                         Sunday  and always fulfills his church callings.

#9 reason why I love Alms

Alms loves to learn and think. I love him because he always is learning and thinking up something new to apply to his life to be a better person.

#8 reason why I love Alms

I love Alms because he is always happy (lol) and has a tons of friends because of his friendliness and caring for others.

#7 reason why I love Alms

I love Alms because he has 1,000,000 fans. I'm not even exaggerating at all. Everyone fights over his clothes and jerseys to wear to his games.

#6 reason why I love Alms

I love Alms because he loves food!! He seriously will eat anything. One time I had cooked up some rather tasty chicken. I had also cooked up the fat of the chicken to give to the dogs. After Alms had eaten my delicious chicken, he wanted me and even at all that fat.......I'm still surprised he never died, I never cooked it through all the way....eeeeek.

#5 reason why I love Alms

I love Alms because he always has his eye on the target. He knows what is most important in life and sets his priorities right. Too bad I can shoot better than him tho....

#4 reason why I love Alms

Alms has great sportsmanship, excluding to the refs, (no one gets along w/ refs do they?!) but even the other teams coaches love him and want him on their team! But no, he would never go play for St. Johns!!

#3 reason why I love Alms

Ha! He is the first one out of all 8 of us siblings that ever made it to a State Championship game!! I love him because he stuck out the season and ended it on a good note. He is a better person than I am!

#2 reason why I love Alms

I love Alms because he looks good no matter what he is wearing, whether he just got his wisdom teeth out, or if he is all cowboy'd up!

And the.....
#1 reason why I love Alms

I love Alms, because he only has one more year until he is going to be the best missionary ever! Alms has such a strong testimony and does such a good job of putting others before him. He already is a great missionary!

I LOVE YOU ALMS!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!