teh

Out with the old...in with the new.

2011-12-28T17:37:00.001-06:00

This year has gone by SO fast for me! Believe it or not, I was off doing way too many exciting things (and some not so exciting things) that kept me from updating the blog! I am hoping (once again) to do better with this. I've got a few more posts after this for you guys to enjoy as well.

Repelling...one of my favorite things to do. Ever.

Alabama Football! Roll Tide!

Anna got married!!

Anna had her reception at the church, but didn't want it to look like the church.

She hired my extremely talented sister, Charity, to transform the gym.

With the lights turned off, and all of the white christmas lights on, it looked amazing.

Anna and I at one her bridal luncheon!

Some cookies that my dear friends Amy and Amy helped me make for Anna's lingerie shower.

Jeff, Camillia and I at their last night at FHE. I'm not sure what was going on here, but I love the picture.

Lily and I at FHE. With Jeff creepin.

We went white water rafting! It was a day full of adventures, and on the way back, the group in my car put together this AWESOME twizzler chain.

More rock climbing!

Rachel got married!! What a happy {and hot} day!

The group of us that went climbing/repelling.

If I remember correctly, I believe we went for Rachel's birthday!

We went on a hot air balloon ride!!

For Rachel Dean's Christmas/Birthday present, we went with her in a hot air balloon! Such a fun experience.

I can't forget the week that I spent up at Hulaco at Girls' Camp!

At Rachel and Drew's luncheon on their wedding day!!

A group of us went up to the hot air balloon festival in Huntsville one Saturday morning!

I'm pretty sure there were over 50 balloons that went off this morning!

I've never seen anything like it before!

I can't believe my nieces and nephews are growing up!!

Victoria and I on her wedding day!


I went to a Brave's Game!

Rachel's Bridal Luncheon!

Yep. I still miss this girl. But, just so you know, she will be home in less than

FOUR MONTHS!

We had the annual slip and slide.

It was a blast, as usual.

This was the Bozeman's yard after the slip and slide.

We had a "fry night". We tried to make funnel cakes and failed, but ended up frying various other things.

A cake that I made for one of my coworkers birthdays!

Drew napping after a LONG day at White Water


At my surprise birthday party!


I got so busy helping set up and get ready for Cami/s wedding reception that I didn't have time to go home and change!

Ward Pancake Breakfast

CJ being his silly self.

Just having a little fun...

2011-10-28T16:21:00.001-05:00

I am constantly tormented at work. It seems that someone is around every corner to jump out and scare me to death. I have had many experiences where I was as close as I could get to peeing my pants without actually peeing them. Anyway...one day, a couple of months back, I went outside and realized that my car was gone! I had no idea where it was! I came inside a little freaked out, only to find out that one of the guys had moved it to try and scare me. Well...it just so happened that he was gone at lunch during that time...I decided I would get him back.

summerrrrr

2011-04-09T07:13:00.014-05:00

All of my roommates used to never take cameras anywhere.

Why, you might ask?

Well because they knew that I was going to be taking pictures of everything and they could just get them from me later. It's true, I used to take pictures all the time.

Looking back at this past weekend, I realized that somewhere along the lines, I stopped. I enjoyed an amazing weekend with some amazing people, but I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I would have liked to.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let me tell you about my
amazing weekend I had last week...

We were flown around the coast of Alabama and Florida,
got to see oil rigs and lighthouses in the middle of the ocean.
(kind of scary, but exciting at the same time)

We got to watch the sunset from the clouds on the way to dinner.

If you know me well enough...
you know that I love anything to do with the sky...
(and how excited I get)
We went to dinner at an amazing restaurant in Santa Rosa at Cafe Tango
(I tried to find a link to the restaurant somewhere but there isn't an official site for it)
As if the plane ride wasn't exciting enough for one day...
(I've flown many times before, but never in a tiny little 6 passenger plane before)
the food was just the icing on the cake.
Honestly, the best filet mignon I've ever had.
(and probably ever will have)

The Creme Brulee was pretttttty good too. :)

Lily and I on the way to dinner
(the weekend was for her birthday celebration)
We got to see the beautiful lights over Destin and Pensacola
on the way back to Perdido Key after dinner.

On our way to dinner on Friday...

Saturday we spent a little bit of time at the beach...
with some friends that aren't pictured...
because I didn't even think about taking pictures.
I suck.
We watched a little bit of general conference...
I loved it all.

Believe it or not, he is actually sleeping like that.
We like to say he is hiding his face in shame after being chastised by the apostles.

We went to dinner...

And then spent another day at the beach...and didn't take any picture then either.

The beach has been on my mind a lot lately.

I'll be back there in one week and I can't wait.

:)

I have been wearing shorts and flip flops for a couple of months now....

2011-03-24T21:31:00.007-05:00

...in hopes that summer will come quicker. Looks like it has been working...here's a little of what I have been up to!

...

(credit to my friend Jared for this picture)

Weekend Fun

2011-02-07T23:45:00.008-06:00

So maybe I do need to be a little better about updating my blog. Once again...I am too busy enjoying life to document it. I feel like I have been going nonstop for the past 3 months. Literally. I get excited when I have a couple of hours to do a load of laundry. Last week, I got off work half an hour early and came home and ended up falling asleep for 4 hours. Big mistake. Last week was not the best of weeks, for many reasons, and I was excited for the weekend. Most of my weekends are so busy that I don't even feel like I have a real break, but one thing that always seems to cheer me up is time with my family. Friday night was busy but I was more than happy to be woken up by this little cutie early Saturday morning.

Doesn't he just look like such a little boy now? He's no longer a baby.
He knows my name, and can say it. Do you know happy that makes me?

I took these two beautiful girls shopping with me.
and then we had some fun after church on Sunday.

Doesn't he just look like such a little man in this picture?

It was the perfect weekend, just what I needed.

2010 in pictures

2011-01-05T12:20:00.041-06:00

Well...it's obvious that I got kind of lazy there towards the end of the year. What is sad is that I would think "I should really update my blog...but then again, no one else is...so why should I?"

WELL....I was proved wrong by most of the people that weren't updating their blog and I figured since it is a new year and all...I should probably update it (no, my blog is not a part of my resolutions for the new year)

I just thought to make things easy, I would sum up 2010 in pictures because...well...if I had to use words to sum it up, I would say it was awesome, then it sucked, then it sucked REALLY bad, then it got a little better, got a little worse, got a little more worse, then it got way better.

I hope you enjoy these wonderful pictures

I got pulled over...

2010-10-10T23:47:00.008-05:00

By a state trooper.

Who hasn't done that before?
I gave him the wrong insurance card.
Got two tickets.
Boy, am I stupid.

I miss Alice.

More and more, every day.

She's in the Provo MTC currently learning Tagalog
and preparing to teach the gospel to the people of the Philippines.
They don't know what's coming for them. She gets me like no one else.

I miss other people too.
I just don't understand some people.
I've learned a lot this year {about people}.
I can only imagine what more there is to come.

I am 22 years old and am utterly amazed at the way people my age, and some older, act. Like...did you really just say that? Did you really just do that?
People I thought I knew, but apparently don't.

Can we all just decide to grow up and be mature?

Thanks.

I went camping this weekend with some friends.

Had a BLAST.
A few of us Saturday morning.

Went to Trade Day
The funnel cake was amazing.

Go out for adventure...go home for love!

2010-08-05T11:33:00.054-05:00

I know you have all been waiting for my list of exciting things for

JULY!
(or you probably don't even care...or forgot..because it took me SO LONG TO POST THIS!)

If I were smart, I would have kept up with it throughout the month
to make it easier to post....

we all know I'm not that clever.
Let's hope I get this posted within 48 hours of the time I started

1
I GOT MY NEW COMPUTER!(need I say more?!)

2
Rachel threw a SWEET party!
ROCKBAND
COOKIE CAKE
JUNK FOOD
HIDE-AND-GO-SEEK
SARDINES
FUN FUN FUN PEOPLE
GIRLY THINGS
DRESS UP
SLEEPOVER
(how much better does it get?!)3
We had lunch and went swimming with the girls and
....FINALLY got new sunglasses!
4
Church!
FHE!

5
Rachel and I went to the LAKE!
Good food
Tubing like NEVER before
FHE was a BLAST
with the flour game
the whipped cream game
and the m&m game
and let's not forget
MONDAY NIGHT VOLLEYBALL
6
TOY STORY 3! For FREE!
(if you haven't seen it, go, it's SO good)

7
Saw KNIGHT AND DAY!! For FREE!!
Got pulled over and didn't get a ticket! :)
and let's not forget VOLLEYBALL!
8
CHASE'S BIRTHDAY!
For those of you who don't know...Chase is my car! Every day, I am thankful for that lovely day last July when I was in a crazy mood. I was sick of driving other people's cars (that weren't always reliable) and set out on an adventure with a {car} in mind, that I honestly wasn't sure I was going to be able to get. I turned my phone off for a couple of hours, and went to Carmax....
I don't even think I told anyone what I was doing.
I had a goal and I was determined to reach it.
After being there for a good...three hours, I drove away in my new car. I have loved it ever since. Having my car has given my the chance to embark on SO many fun adventures (and a couple not-so-fun ones) with some of my best friends!

9
We had a fun GIRLS NIGHT up at the Fredrick's LAKE HOUSE
Mini roadtrip (with singing and dancing)
Mexican train
Tubing/boating
Movies
Girl talk...
always fun.

10
LAKE PARTY!
It was a BLAST as always...
good food
good people
good sun
good times
Thank you...
(a month and a half late)
Ali
for hosting the party!
Brother and Sister Fredrick
for driving the boat...and SO much more!
Stephen
for driving the other boat, and for not killing us
Jill
for enduring to the end, and not complaining about having to hang out with a bunch of YSA's for the day
EVERYONE ELSE
for coming
for bringing DELICIOUS food
but most importantly...for enjoying yourselves!

(this is the MOST unattractive picture of me, but that's what I get for not taking pictures and having to take Ansley's picture)

11
Church was amazing as always.
Mom made Jell-O cake!
I went out to Logan's Baseball game in Columbiana and...
I got to see Amy's NEW HOUSE!
(side note: I am so proud of Amy. Just a couple of weeks before, she called me in tears one afternoon. She didn't know what she was going to do and she was so scared and so stressed. She figured it out, and for that: she is awesome. I love you, Amy!)
FHE (of course!)

12
I got to skype with Alice and see her adorable twin nephews...Austin and Bentley.
(I would put up a picture but I'm not too sure
how their parents would feel about that)
FHE and Monday Night Volleyball!

13
I got to go to Oak Mountain State Park with The Rachels (as I call them) and Orla to scope it out for an upcoming YSA activity
(that ended up getting rained out...bummer).
I was reminded, once again, at how BEAUTIFUL Alabama is
and how much I love living here.
(wouldn't you agree?)

14
This day was not PARTICULARLY exciting. I spent the majority of the day working
(to get ready for the birthday blow-out weekend ahead...so it was exciting)
But participated in a little Capture The Flag with the YSA that night.

15-17
BIRTHDAY BLOW-OUT WEEKEND
see here

18
Church :)
We made a delicious chocolate cake for a new family in the ward
...and made another Chocolate *birthday* cake for ourselves
and don't forget FHE

that glow that you see...
is leftover from the AMAZING weekend we had just experienced

19
This day I was excited and especially grateful
that I made it through the weekend alive
and not sick from lack of sleep and nourishment
FHE
MONDAY NIGHT VOLLEYBALL

20

My BIRTHDAY, of course.
I feel that it deserves its own post, as well. So stay tuned...

21
YSA POOL PARTY!
pizza
marco polo
surprise attacks
fun

22
FAMILY TIME!
I was so excited to get to see my family and spend time with them!
I also got to BABYSIT! and get ready for
Rachel's Surprise Birthday Breakfast

23
Rachel's Surprise Birthday Breakfast!
We had told everyone earlier in the week to be at Rachel's house at 6:15 (I think...I can't remember now)
Rachel Dean and I made signs the night before
Woke up at the crack of dawn (totally worth it for Rachel) to prepare the goods
I was especially excited for
biscuits and gravy
(one of my mothers many specialties)
Snuck a few of people into her house
decorated her kitchen
(with help from Christy and Maria)
and
SURPRISED HER!
(not only with food...but with an appointment for a birthday massage)
(Rachel and I posing by our favorite sign)

Later that day, I also got the pleasure of bringing Charity, Alex, Samantha and CJ to THE slip and slide
a good time was had by all, and believe me...
we all felt it the next day
...except for the CJ because he was lucky enough to be tossed, thrown, and carried the whole time

24
YSA SLIP AND SLIDE
FAMILY TIME!
I got to see Charles, Ashley, Charlie, Ryan, Josh, and Cody for the first time in years!
We all went to the park and just had fun
let the kids run wild
told stories of forever ago
stayed up way too late
and made memories together
:)

25
Church!
this particular day at church was pretty funny
to me at least
we had all stayed up late the night before
our family was sitting on the 3rd row
and
more than half of them were sleeping
not trying to hide it at all
way to go, family, i love you
Charles and Ashley left and headed to the beach after church
so we snapped a few pictures of everyone all dressed up.
I really do love my family.
It's an amazing one and I dare you to tell me otherwise.
(aren't my nephews studs?!)After church we made another chocolate cake for the Stanley family
(most of them had gone through some sort of surgery the week before, so we figured it would cheer them up)
It turned into a little bit of a disaster
(but they say it tasted great)
I had my family birthday party at Dad's that night with some GOOD FOOD
as always
I also took the liberty of teaching CJ how to snitch
as if he needed help...

26
FHE!
Monday night volleyball

27
My friend, Nathan, has this sweeet VCR Clue Game
A few people came over to play
(I'm pretty sure we're the only ones around that still have, and use, a VCR)
we were having a good time
until we were so RUDELY interrupted...
we're still waiting to finish the game

28
I got a FREE Vera Bradley bag for my birthday!

29
I got to sleep in!
...and I went swimming with Nathan
finally got my tan back

30
I gave my car a much needed bath!
Got massages with The Rachels
Night swimming at Smith Lake :)
and let's not forget Zaxby's milkshakes

31
ROCK CLIMBING!
RAPPELLING
(the scariest I've ever done)
more family time :)

Happy Birthday to MMMEEEEEE!

2010-07-03T21:17:00.008-05:00

Rachel and I have made a goal for this month. That is to do something exciting

EVERY SINGLE DAY.

You might be asking yourself...why? Well, because this month, we both celebrate our birthdays, and well...why not? So far-it's been a great month. I am going to wait until the end to reveal all of the excitement, but for now...you can enjoy these...I hope you all have as great of a month as I do!

(there are a few exciting things represented in these pictures!!)

It's harder than you think...

2010-06-02T14:56:00.008-05:00

Just a few things about me...

1. My favorite colors are blue and yellow.
2. I love almost anything with cream cheese in it. Actually, I love just plain cream cheese.
3. I love cheese.
4. I have road rage
5. I have a problem driving fast.
6. I love music, and singing and dancing to it, but only when no one else is around.
7. I make a list every day of what I need to get done that day. (Most of them are on sticky notes)
8. One of the hardest things for me to do is finish a book. I start them, read 9 out of the 10 chapters and then stop. Don’t ask me why, I can’t explain it.
9. I try to stick to things, but find it hard.
10. My mind wanders a lot, and I can't hold a train of thought for longer than 5 minutes usually.
11. I'm a firm Mormon.
12. I always dream about doing something daring, and am finally working on actually starting to do more than dream about them.
13. I have a hard time working up the courage to admit to things.
14. I love being outside. Anything outside. Some of my favorite memories from college were Sunday afternoon naps in porter park
15. I LOVE summer, and I HATE being stuck inside all summer. It’s the hardest thing for me.
16. I try to be the better person, but I admit I don't often succeed.
17. I get attached to people too quickly.
18. I hate not having my phone with me-not because I am obsessed with it (I might be...just a little bit) but more because I have been that person in a situation that needs help and can’t get a hold of anyone. I don’t want to be the reason my friends or family members are in that situation.
19. I am extremely talkative at times, and strangely silent at others.
20. I LOVE the gospel.
21. My favorite ice cream is cookies and cream blue bell.
22. I would rather make my dinner than eat out, but hardly have time to do it.
23. I love playing sports, but suck at them.
24. I have kept more secrets for other people than I have told about myself. I’m a vault.
25. I love the snow and the cold weather, just as long as it doesn’t get TOO crazy.
26. I collect socks and spoons.
27. I can’t sleep on my back.
28. I don’t like wearing pants. I would wear skirts everywhere if I could.
29. I love to type is that weird?
30. For years growing up I wanted to be a firefighter. Seriously.
31. I love the feeling I get when I hold a baby. Or better yet-when I'm holding a sleeping baby.
32. I love to be tan.
33. I hate when people use abbreviations in text messages. Spell the dang word out.
34. The last time I watched more than half an hour of TV was when I was getting my root canal.
35. I love to drink water.
36. I have recently become a giant klutz. My body is COVERED in bruises.
37. I am a freak about having my windshield clean. I just recently went a good 3 weeks without windshield wiper fluid. Don’t ask me why. (and don’t ask me how many times I conveniently stopped at gas stations to clean it off.)
38. I can’t stand it when people don’t use words correctly. Their, there, they’re, to, too, two, and your and you’re. Drives me nuts.
39. It also drives me nuts when people replace “the” with “da”. These are GROWN-flippin-adults I am talking about. Come on guys, let’s act like it.
40. I can’t stand fake people.
41. I used to pluck all my roommates eyebrows, and still pluck some peoples now, but I hate doing my own.
42. I love getting pedicures and can’t stand for my toes to not be painted.
43. I have a hard time making decisions of ANY kind. I will call Friend #1 to ask them what I should get Friend #2 for their birthday. (Even if Friend #1 knows absolutely NOTHING about Friend #2)
44. I hate arguing. Even if I know I’m right, I won’t argue about it. What’s the point?!
45. I would rather spend money on purses and shoes than clothes.
46. I think some of the most important words you can say to someone are “Please” and “Thank you”.
47. I remember the most random pieces of information.
48. I hate Mondays.
49. I love sleeping in. Even if sleeping in means waking up at 6 without an alarm clock.
50. I love to rock climb.
51. I love board games and card games.
52. I love to surprise people.
53. I get car sick easily.
54. I love getting real mail.
55. If I had one super power, it would be to read people’s minds.
56. I don’t understand why people lie.
57. I can’t stand when things are not organized. For instance, walking into my room last night almost made me cry because of how big of a mess it is.
58. I love taking pictures.
59. I love spending time with my nieces and nephews.
60. I love bright colors.
61. I love to take things apart and see how they work.
62. I love camping in a tent.
63. I would rather be cold than hot.
64. I love to laugh.
65. I can wiggle my ears.
66. I love to sleep, but never get enough of it.
67. If I don’t get the sleep I need, I get extremely emotional.
68. I hate it when someone tells you they have a surprise for you but don’t tell you what it is. Don’t tell me you have a surprise for me tomorrow, just surprise me with it tomorrow. DUH!
69. I can count how many best friends I have had in my lifetime on one hand.
70. I am a very independent person and have a hard time letting other people do things for me.
71. I have organized my closet 5 times this year.
72. I love to drive. I would rather drive than ride in a car.
73. I am running out of things to say.
74. I am addicted to q-tips.
75. I love taking baths with very hot water.
76. My "golden" birthday was the worst birthday I have EVER had.
77. I have wrinkles on my forehead that drive me CRAZY...but it's my own fault because I never wear sunscreen.
78. I constantly worry about losing someone close to me and if they will know I love them.
79. My dream job is to be a mom.
80. I can't say no to anyone. and I hate it.
81. The longest I've ever had a cell phone is 7 months. Not because I break it or lose it, but because I get bored with it.
82. I had to have help putting this list together.
83. After July, I will have been to 7 John Mayer Concerts.
84. The John Mayer concert I go to in July will have been the first one I have ever paid for myself.
85. The summer before my Senior year of high school, I tripped over nothing and broke my heel. I walked on my foot for two weeks before going to a doctor.
86. I don't trust people easily.
87. I am not a patient person.
88. The only video games I can play for hours are Super Mario Brothers and Rockband.
89. I had to have holes burned in my mouth.
90. I love to bake.
91. I could drink egg nog year round.
92. I hate hospitals.
93. I have been in a hot air balloon.
94. I have had stitches twice in almost the EXACT same spot. 7 years apart.
95. I have diagnosed myself retarded.
96. I suck at ping pong.
97. I've put 20,000 miles on my car and I've only had it for 11 months.
98. I love roller coasters.
99. I love diet dr. pepper.
100.

I'll let you fill in the last one. How well do you know me?

Hope you enjoy.

My New Life

2010-05-20T15:33:00.002-05:00

I forgot to add this video at the end of my last post. I love love love this latest Mormon Messages video and watch it at least once a day. Stephanie Nielson has such an inspiring story and I love reading her blog.

Also...I finally got the dance video to upload. Enjoy... (and Charity, please don't kill me, I'm pretty sure no one reads my blog anyway)

You know you have a problem when...

2010-05-18T19:34:00.031-05:00

The only napkins in your glove compartment are from Taco Bell and Krispy Kreme. I love them both...what can I say? Taco Bell has this new B acon Ranch Tortada that is more delicious than it should be. It just so happens that they are open super late and...well...you have to pass Krispy Kreme on your way to Taco Bell (that is...if you go to the Taco Bell that doesn't put your life in danger). So...when I am driving back from Taco Bell, it always seems that I am finishing up my meal right about the time my eyes catches the flashing HOT DOUGHNUTS NOW sign. I actually prefer the Chocolate Covered Custard Filled, and they are never hot, but everyone knows that signs can lure a blind person in from miles away. This all started a couple of weeks back. It was pretty late. Nothing in the house looking appealing and I was craving Taco Bell. So I throw on a hoodie, grab my flip flops and head out the door. Drive down 31 and after what seemed like forever, I spot Taco Bell over there on the left. I pull in line, wait at least half an hour and finally get my food. It was delicious. I was driving back home and decided I just needed one doughnut to finish off my meal. I pull in, waited for the cars in front of me and when it becomes my turn to order, I tell the nice man on the other side of the speaker that I would like "One chocolate-covered custard filled doughnut, please!", "Is there anything else I can get for you ma'am?", "No, thank you.", "That's it?", "...yes....sir.", "One doughnut, you just want ONE doughnut", "Yes please!", "You came ALL the way out HERE for ONE doughnut...in the MIDDLE of the night?!?!" I was sitting there thinking 'You don't know me! Why do you care?! It's not like it's that far away, anyway.'

He continued to interrogate me. I didn't care, I got my doughnut and was on my way.

Believe it or not, I have been filling my life with things other than Taco Bell and Krispy Kreme since the last time I updated. April was full of....showers? Did it rain a lot? Does anyone remember? I sure don't....

Let's see...what happened in April? Ah, yes! James left! He's serving his mission in Albania Tirana! He reported to the MTC on April 21st. We went bowling right before he left and had a little fun. I had a great time getting to know James more these past few months he was home from school. Growing up we never really got along, but we had a good time helping each other survive these last few months.

I took a trip out west at the end of April for my good friend's wedding! I was so grateful to be able to share Robyn's special day with her. She was an absolutely stunning bride and she looked beautiful, as always. I had a wonderful time with her friends and her family!(don't they looks adorable together?!)

Also, my brother graduated from Weber State in April but I missed it due to the fact that...I couldn't take two trips to Utah in one week. Fortunately, I was able to visit with Matt and Jade the following weekend, while I was out there for the wedding. Matt and Jade took me to see Aunt Anne and Uncle Robbie after church Sunday and we had lunch with them. Delicious.

For almost two months now, I have known that Alice has been planning on going on a mission. She surprised her family on a conference call one night and I was lucky enough to be able to join in on the conversation. She had to wait a day to open her call and she sent me this picture one afternoon.

Alice will be serving in the Philippines Baguio Mission. She will be speaking Tagalog and will report to the Provo MTC on September 15, 2010. I am so very excited for her, she has an amazing testimony to share with the world.
I went out to one of Logan's baseball games last week (we'll pretend like they didn't get smothered) and got to cheer him and his team on as they hit TONS of home-runs. One sport I love to watch is baseball, and it's even more fun when it's your awesome nephew playing.

Last Friday, I was invited to go to Brittany Morgan's pinning ceremony for nursing school at Samford. She is one of my good friends from high school and I am so proud of her for graduating! I know the past 4 years have been highly stressful but she made it! (I may or may not have fallen down a hill and scratched/bruised/injured my whole left leg, I'll spare everyone from seeing the rest of my battle scars)

Saturday was a crazy day for me. Crazy...in a good way. First, I had the opportunity to go to Amber's bridal shower. I can't believe she will be married so very soon! It is crazy to me to think of this time last year and everything that has led up to where she is now. I am so excited to be able to share that special day with Amber and Russell here soon. We played some fun games, ate some delicious food, and had a marvelous time enjoying each other's company.
I went straight from there to Micah and Missy Kinney's farewell/graduation party. They have been living in Birmingham for the past...few years and will definitely be missed!

(I don't know why I didn't take a picture...but this is the only picture I have of me and Missy. and apparently, I have none of Micah...whoops!)

From the cookout, I met up with Amy and Emily and we headed up to Madison for Charity's dance recital. I was sad to have missed Samantha's earlier in the day, but I had too much going on. Charity swears she messed up in her dance but I sure didn't catch it. We had a fun night and saw some amazing dancers.(Charity is in luck. I can't get the video of her dance to upload but hopefully one day soon!)

This summer is only going to get MORE busy for me! I am excited for it. I promised myself at the beginning of this year that this will be my best year yet, and so far...

well...

I'm working on it :)

Monday and Wednesday night Volleyball is back and I am looking forward to another wedding, Girls Camp, John Mayer/Train, Skydiving, Six Flags, visits from family members, and so much more.

ROCKstar*

2010-04-01T16:10:00.007-05:00

This past weekend was JUST what I needed. Ever since the day we planned our little trip, I started to look forward to being able to go. I had multiple opportunities when I was younger to rock climb and I feel like for a couple years, we went every weekend (as long as it was warm enough outside). This weekend I was reminded of how much I miss it. Being outside, nature, looking oh-so-attractive in those dang harnesses (seriously, can't someone figure out a more flattering way to keep you safe?!), the challenge, the adrenaline, the feeling of accomplishment when you make it to the top after looking up at it thinking it was impossible, and sometimes even the humbling experience of being completely disappointed in yourself when you didn't make it to the top and you thought you could. I just love it all. Seriously, it couldn't have come at a better time (well, at least for me). The weather outside was just a *little* cold at first, and way too windy up at the top, so I was worried that we wouldn't have as much fun. But it turned into the perfect day. We had the perfect amount of people and I am glad we were all there.

It's nice to be reminded.

2010-03-15T22:29:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, when you're feeling a little down on yourself, it's nice to be reminded that someone actually DOES think highly of you. I came across this old journal entry of my sister's that she wrote when I was struggling back in high school. Who knows...maybe these thoughts have changed in the past 6 years (WOW, that was a long time ago), but it felt great to know that she thought so highly of me then. I wish I was half the person now that I was then.

"I feel like I have let her down. I'm the most selfish person ever. I'm so occupied with school and work that I don't even pay attention to anything else and I'm so tired when I do see her I'm just mean. Someone should slap me. I can't read it without crying. I'm supposed to protect her from all this crap. Dangit! I wish people could just see how awesome she is. What a great heart she has. Those people don't deserve her. Heck, I don't deserve her. I take her for granted all the time, just like everyone else.

I took a break to run to class and eat. I've been thinking of all the things I love about Teh and what makes her SO awesome and this is only part of it:

1) She's my sister.
2) She knows who she is and doesn't compromise that for other people.
3) She has the biggest heart in the world and always cares about other people.
4) Her spirit is amazing. Unwavering even.
5) She loves me anyway, in spite of all the crap I have (and continue to) put her through.
6) We think the same, words don't need to be said, just looks and it is an entire conversation.
7) I love that she has the few good qualities that I have. . .and then some.
8) Always includes everyone.
9) Loves with her whole heart.
10) I complained about mom spoiling her for years and now I find myself spoiling her at times.
11) She has very good sportsmanship, even if she is on the 'special team'
12) She's carefree.
13) She loves to serve others and make them feel better.
14) A great friend to everyone (no matter what they are to her).
15) She's smart . . . and doesn't act like she isn't.
16) She's just as addicted to the computer as I am. :D
17) She's a super great sister. Not just my sister.
18) She loves the kids. . .even when they are brats.
19) She can find the good in any situation.
20) Late night trips to Wal-Mart
21) Movie Marathons - she can't finish two movies :D
22) Pink Elephants
23) Wallpaper
24) Making her drive, letting her drive, wishing I could let her drive
25) She loves Amy as much as I do.
26) She doesn't keep count, unless it's servings ;)
27) I can always be her big sister and I know, sometimes, she looks up to me.
28) At times, I look up to her.
29) John Mayer concerts. . .all four of them. . .heck, just John Mayer.
30) Her eternal perspective.
31) I love her and would do anything for her.

There are so many more, but I should get some work done."

I love her so much. I love all my sisters. You girls are amazing.

Randomness

2010-03-03T09:55:00.020-06:00

Since we all know that I have my phone with me pretty much...wherever I go and I have been slacking BIG time lately on having my camera with me, you all are getting another phone-pictures post. Now, don't get too excited, I didn't take enough time to rotate half of the pictures (really, I didn't rotate any of the ones that needed it) but I think there are a few good ones in here. I hope you enjoy (oh yeah, and for some reason, I can't put them in any sort of order and I was too lazy to load them in a certain order...let's just say, I like to make life interesting)

We had a sweet YSA conference Valentine's day weekend and Alex, Rachel, James and I cut out a couple hundred dots the night before in preparation. Alex's technique didn't work out too well...

The conference was at the Gardendale building and was beautiful, as always.
I was sick at work, and completely miserable, might I add.
After one sleepless night, I spent 5 hours last week at the dentist and endodontist getting an emergency root canal. Don't let the picture fool you, I was feeling GREAT in this picture.

I bought a new phone, and I finally found this case for it. My eyes lit up immediately when I saw it and of course, I had to buy it :)
I got a hair cut! Woohoo!

Rebecca misses me....
And I miss her too...
I had 10 minutes to kill in Walgreen's while my prescriptions were getting filled (for the root canal) so what better thing to do than buy Cadbury eggs?! I love these things....Russell and Amber are FINALLY engaged! Congrats guys! One more person to be married by the end of the year :)

Bubs is too cute and I got this picture on Valentine's day. I love this picture, I miss the Keele's dearly.
I spent a weekend with Emily, Logan and Nox. It was an adventure, for sure.
Had a bad day so why not buy chocolate?! And lots of it...don't worry, I shared and have hardly eaten any of it.

This is the best cheeseball in the world. Totally worth the $5.99
How else do you study the scriptures?! Ice breaker sours are THE BEST! :)

happiness: a state of well-being and contentment

2010-03-03T09:12:00.005-06:00

So I've been a little MIA for a while on the blog front. Life has been...crazy to say the least. I was struggling for a while to find things that brought happiness into my life. I have had a list for a long time of things that make me happy but I have been keeping a list in my phone and every time I smile or laugh, I like to add to the this. I thought I'd share. I was going to start with just 10, but why not keep going? :)

Running in the rain
Sleeping in
Sunshine and a breeze
Hugs from people I love
Good movies
Fountains and the act of jumping in them with my sisters
Staying up all night
Laughing until I cry
Someone playing with my hair
Cooking a good meal
Good music
Doing the right thing
Loving people
My family
The relief I feel after a good cry
People's life stories
Eye contact
Swimming
Reaching goals
A hard day's work
Random e-mails
Stupid pictures
A memory that makes me smile
Playing with hair
Road trips
Friends
Swinging (on a swing set)
Being there
Looking at the moon
Phone calls from friends
Seeing others succeed
Deep conversations
The smell of a campfire
Hot chocolate on a cold day
Cold Chik-fil-a lemonade on a hot day
Overhearing someone talk highly of you
Working out
Food that is bad for me
My sisters
Giving gifts
Flowers
Stupid jokes
Rockband
Keeping secrets
Taking pictures
Being outside
Knowing exactly what to say and when to say it
Getting an A
My brothers
Confirmation of my own existence
A letter, email or even a text saying "just thinking of you"
New friends
Long talks with friends
Driving with the windows down and the music blasting (regardless of how hot or cold it is outside)
Snow
Singing at the top of my lungs
A major adrenaline rush
Shoes
Purses
A good pedicure
Lying in bed listening to thunderstorms
Q-tips
Rock Climbing
Camping
Playing with fire
Big, Loud, fireworks
Beautiful landscapes
The gospel
Love
Honest people
Showers
Clothes that fit
Snuggle parties
Hearing my nieces and nephews laugh and laughing with them
Clearing the air
Reading a past entry from my journal that makes me smile
Sticking my tongue out at people
Text messages
Baking and sharing the goods
Secret places
A walk and talk with a friend
A good bike ride
Making people laugh
Unexpected gifts
New music
John Mayer
Sol Azteca
Feeling the warm sun on my skin
A full eight hours of sleep
Hot tubbing
Saying my prayers
Someone opening the door for me
The way my hair feels after being in the sun and ocean all day
New school supplies
Watching summer lightning storms
Faith
The taste of chocolate
Surprise hugs
Snail mail, sending and receiving
Laughing, uncontrollably
Watching the sunset
Having my hair played with
Knowing I am loved

Even with all these things that make me happy, I realize that at times, it is extremely difficult for me to get over the pain and remember that life goes on. I just have to put the things that hurt me in the past. That's what I struggle with.

The One Week Digital Cleanse

2010-01-01T12:18:00.005-06:00

I was talking to Holly the other day and she suggested I read John's latest blog post. Due to...recent circumstances, I decided I would do it. Everyone who knows me knows that I go through at LEAST 10,000 texts messages a month. So far...honestly...it hasn't been THAT difficult. But then again, it's only been 3 hours. We will see what happens....

"Mention to anyone with computer savvy that your laptop has somehow gotten slower over recent months and they’ll ask you the same thing: “have you defragmented your hard drive?” Defragmenting works by taking small slivers of information stored in various locations and consolidating them so that they’re in the same place on the drive and thus easier to access in larger chunks. Hard drive fragmentation is a great metaphor for - if not a literal manifestation of - what’s happened to our brains over years and years of processing small bursts of information. 2009 took fragmentation to a whole new level given the rise of Twitter and the social acceptance of texting people as a substitute to making phone calls.

That’s where the one week digital cleanse comes in. I’ll be defragmenting my mental and psychological hard drive during the first seven days of the new year, and I invite you all to participate.

The cleanse will begin at 9am on January 1. This gives everyone a chance to text and tweet their new year’s well wishes, and theoretically begins upon waking up the morning of January 1. The cleanse will end at 9am on January 8.

Guidelines:

*email only from laptop or desktop computers

*cell phones can only be used to make calls, and no text messages or e-mails are allowed - if you receive a text, you must reply in voice over the phone. E-mails must be returned from a laptop or desktop computer.

*no use of Twitter or any other social networking site - this includes reading as well as posting.

*no visiting of any entertainment or gossip sites. (No need to detail which ones - you know what they are.)

I floated the idea last week on Twitter to see if anyone could envision themselves doing this, and the responses were interesting; some said they could definitely do it, but many were resigned to the idea, calling it impossible. If it is impossible, than my theory is already proven and we’re in big trouble as a society.

This can be done, people. Do it with me. When we pop back up on the grid on January 8, let’s trade stories on what it felt like, how hard it was, and maybe how hard it actually wasn’t.

JM"

So in case you don't want to read it all, this means that I will not be texting, blackberry messaging, facebooking, or emailing (only from my blackberry) for the next week. I invite you to join John Mayer along with me (and who knows how many other people in this world) for the next week. I am actually kind of excited about it. I have needed this for a while. Wish me luck!

PEANUTS!

2009-12-29T14:40:00.011-06:00

After posting that last one...I realized that I never posted anything from the Peanut Festival that we went to! So here goes...

This picture I think does a good job of depicting my huge bruised eye.

You might be asking yourself....

2009-12-29T14:07:00.030-06:00

....What happened to Meredith?

Well, I don't really know why I haven't been posting or what I have been spending my time doing, really. I do know that I have barely taken any pictures here lately, so I have been having a hard time remembering what I have been doing. So...you guys are stuck with cell phone pictures, considering I take oh....I dunno....4 or 5 a day, here's a brief summary of my life since Friday, November 20, 2009 at 2:23 PM.

In completely RANDOM order....

It was REALLY foggy for like a week, did anyone else notice? Everywhere I went there was more fog, drove me CRAZY!

Mm...Newk's Q, if you haven't tried this sandwich, you NEED to, it's delicious.

Rachel and I after going to the spa for Jamila's bachelorette weekend!

French toast...just the way I like it :)

This is my planner for the 15 days that Alice will be in town. ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! I am so excited I can hardly stand it!

It SNOWED! First weekend in December and it actually stuck too! Didn't stick enough to cancel the Jingle Bell Run (the 5K I ended up running while I was diagnosed with the whooping cough)

Don't be deceived, this is the same snow from the picture above.

Clouds, oh how I love the clouds. They were especially beautiful this day. I only have about a dozen pictures of clouds on my phone but I didn't want to bore you guys TOO much.

I am an idiot...pretty much that's the story to this one.

Amber got her car back FINALLY after some loser-lady rear ended her back in October!

Charity and family came down for Thanksgiving and I took the kids to the park one day. CJ was just sitting back and relaxing in this swing, he's a cutie.

This is a pretty bad picture but....ROCKBAND! Are you really surprised?! It has become a big part of my life.

More CJ.

Rachel brought me lunch one day! So sweet! This gingerbread cookie was hilarious, with raisins for two eyes and....a belly button?!

I woke up one morning to this (actually...I woke up to Mom coming in my room and telling me that someone had done something to my car and after 30 minutes finally got up and went to go see) Don't worry, I wasn't mad. I spent two hours washing off the oreos and vaseline and two hours later it rained and my car got dirty again. THEN I was mad.

Mom INSISTS on putting the little Christmas carolers right by the baby Jesus in the nativity...makes me laugh every time I see it.

Mom made Matt and Jade (and Ginny and Neal) quilts for Christmas, but I didn't get a picture of Ginny and Neal's with my phone.

Egg Nog, need I say more?!

Movie night always results in someone falling asleep.....

Mmm...cookies and cream milkshakes!

Logan started wrestling and Matt and I joined his fan club one night and went and watched his match (I think that's what they're called).

ALICE GRADUATED!!! I wasn't there but...I DO get to see her in a week...so it's still just as awesome.

Amber has been home for the holidays for a good majority of the last month. Don't worry...she still loves me though :) (she might not after posting this picture though)

More visits from nieces and nephews! Alex is turning 16 on the 12th and BOY is she excited!

And the most recent one....I am trying to decide if I should cut my hair, leave it this length, or grow it out. I think I have made my mind up, but who knows what will happen.

This next month is going to be a crazy one! New Year's is coming up, Alice will be here for two weeks, Jamila is getting MARRIED, Amber is moving (back into my ward WOOHOO!), and I am sure there is something that I am forgetting....

Little Reminder...

2009-11-20T14:23:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to the store on one gloomy, sad, Monday afternoon upset about a couple of things and bought a couple of bags of chocolate, some egg nog and deodorant. (Really the only important part is the chocolate!). After only eating a couple of pieces of the chocolate (oh yeah...did you know that Hershey’s makes cookies in MILK chocolate?! I sure do love the cookies n’ cream ones, but the milk chocolate are pretty dang good too), I let the bag sit in my car for a while and every now and then someone riding with me would grab a piece or I would remember it was there and munch on it for a while. The other day it was kinda warm outside and when I got in the car, the chocolate had all melted! Luckily they were in a ziploc back and so there wasn’t a mess except for in the bag. I have been contemplating throwing it away or just giving it to someone. This morning I decided to bring it into work with me to give me something completely unnecessary to eat while I try to make it through this colorless Friday. A few minutes ago I grabbed a piece of dove and opened it up to eat it. The wrapper said “Remind yourself that it’s okay not to be perfect”. I think out of all the wrappers I have seen (EVEN the christmas ones) this one is by far my favorite. I have that one right next to my mirror on my vanity, but for some reason when I opened that one just now it made me start thinking....

I keep it by my mirror for obvious reasons, but I feel like that is some thing that is important in life, reminding ourselves that it’s okay not to be perfect. We all screw up, we all make mistakes and no two people are alike. Its true, sometimes I think we are all a little too hard on ourselves, and I mean, to an extent, we need to be so that we can learn from our mistakes, but there is no need to bring yourself down, or think any less of yourself because of one wrong turn. Sometimes we get ‘left out in the sun’ for too long and ‘melt’ a little (...or a lot) but we still ‘taste DELICIOUS’ on the inside. We can always go back to our original form, we just need to take the necessary steps to do so. The longer we let ourselves sit out in the sun, the more deformed we are and the harder it is to go back to our original state. Am I making any sense?....

Maybe I am just weird and am trying to make sense of things that don’t. I think sometimes we do something we know we shouldn’t have done, big or small, and we are so hard on ourselves for the mistake we made. But I think that sometimes we feel like we are this TERRIBLE person for what we did, no one wants to talk to us, no one SHOULD talk to us, and there is nothing good about me, but REALLY, just because we made one mistake doesn’t make us a bad person. We can repent, or do whatever is needed to make right the wrong we did. But during that time when we are working on fixing our problem, we need to remind ourselves that it’s okay, that everyone screws up and it doesn’t make us any less of a person than anyone else. We are striving (Webster's dictionary defines striving as "devoting serious effort or energy" or "struggling in opposition") to become perfect, but until then, we will make mistakes, just like everyone else.

Matthew 5:48-"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. "

Some of you may not know this...BUT...

2009-10-27T14:08:00.005-05:00

I LOVE dove chocolate (well, chocolate. period.) but Dove is SO much better because it has the best little quotes on the inside. It just makes it that much more fun to eat, you don't feel as guilty because you have "gained" a sweet reward after. I keep the chocolate wrappers (sometimes) and put them in different places to give me little reminders wherever they may be. I have two on my desk at work, one of which says "Smile when you want to, cry when you need to, laugh whenever possible!"

I dunno about you but doesn't it just feel so great to laugh?! They say laughter is the best medicine and the older and older I get, the more I understand it and the more I believe it.

Check out this SWEET video and tell me it didn't make you laugh (or maybe cringe for those of you with SUPER weak stomachs!) The kid laughing in the background, didn't hearing that make you laugh? I know I said it earlier, but I have the BEST friends a girl could ever imagine. Every last one of them (I would name them all but goodness knows I would forget someone and that just wouldn't be right). Every single one of my friends always seems to find SOME way to brighten my day, make me smile or laugh and just be there for me. I love it.

I have this picture as my background on my computer right now. Just looking at it makes me laugh. Amy, Jen, Leinani, Daniel, Alex, Lina, Kyle, Rachel, Amber and I went to six flags on saturday and it was SUCH a blast. I had so much fun with all of them. We rode acrophobia and when we got off, Daniel said "If you heard someone screaming like a sissy girl, that was me!" SO funny! Haha, too bad the only people I heard screaming like sissy girls were Amber and Kyle! I was so scared I couldn't even scream. The ride there and the ride back were just so much fun. Dancing, singing, laughing. The fact that Kyle was super tired and out of it, Alex is always HILARIOUS, and Rachel and Amber and I can give each other looks that say more than words and no one else around knows what is going on all added to the madness. We stopped at CORNER BAKERY! and enjoyed some delicious soup, salad, sandwhiches and sweets. Taylor Swift, Amber and I had a good drive home while everyone in the back seat was sleeping. Actually, I am pretty sure that Alex was awake the whole time, he just didn't want to have to hear Taylor Swift so he was pretending to be asleep. What a great weekend it was.

Back to the point...laugh whenever possible. In the past month, I have laughed so hard I cried at least 10 times. And even though you may not think that is enough, I don't think my heart (or anyone else that is around) can take any more than that. It feels great, those few moments when you can barely catch your breath, your eyes are filled with tears and you can't see anything, your face is bright red, and if everybody didn't know any better, they would think you were choking or maybe having a seizure or a heart attack.

I can't even begin to name all of the things that have made me laugh lately, but I do know that I am grateful for each and everyone of them. I have the BEST friends!

Somedays I am convinced...

2009-10-13T12:17:00.002-05:00

...That I am just always in a bad mood. Every little thing gets on my nerves, every body always seems to do something to drive me crazy (okay, not EVERYbody, but alot of them). I always wonder if I am ever in a good mood, or if I am just always irritable and not fun to be around. I hate complaining about anything and when I realize I have been doing it, it drives me nuts. Yesterday proved me wrong. I woke up and was in such a good mood (well, as good as can be expected first thing in the morning). I just was so excited, happy....whatever you want to call it about to many things...

-I was no longer babysitting
-I got to talk to Mindi the day before
-FHE was awesome the night before
-I have some of the BEST friends a girl could ask for
-I had an AWESOME friday night with said friends
-I get to see Alice in 3 MONTHS!
-I got to spend the night with Rachel (it's been only a couple of years since we have had a sleepover)
-Funny story: rachel and I were laying in bed late sunday night when all of a sudden a car pulls up outside and people were getting out and walking around the car and opening doors, shutting doors, etc. We were a *little* freaked out, but once the strange man, dressed in black started walking towards the door, I was freaking out because my phone was going slower than Christmas and screaming for rachel to grab her phone. We sat and watched them for a little bit longer and finally realized it was our cousin TIM! Whew! What a relief! So why do I tell you this, you might be wondering? Because I was glad I didn't die that night!
-I was excited because I got a new blackberry messenger on my phone
-I was excited for Rachel (hehe :))
-I woke up and my headache was gone

and well...the day just got better from there.

-work didn't frustrate me, and make me feel as worthless as it usually does
-Amber brought me lunch (and ate it with me, and laughed with me)
-I got the joy of helping someone who couldn't help themselves and seeing them happy with the result
-FHE was so much fun
-the FOOD at FHE was AMAZING!
-we got to play a fun game at FHE! (thanks Alex!)
-Amber brought me banana bread
-I got my own half-a-mini-loaf of HOMEMADE BREAD! (thanks Aunt Anne!)
-the ride to FHE wasn't as awkward as last week (if you want details, you know how to reach me)
-SARDINES!!!

I seriously have the best friends and family anyone can ask for. I am so grateful for them and all that they help me do. You guys are AWESOME!

For the past 14 years...

2009-10-08T14:16:00.002-05:00

...I have been babysitting!! Ok, ok, it was just once when I was 7 and then not again until I was...I dunno, 12 or 13, but I still count those years in between. I am surprised that my siblings still trust me with their children!! Not really, but I am grateful that they ever trusted me to begin with. I don't have any younger siblings but I haven't ever felt like I needed any! I have been an aunt since I was 5 years old and they didn't wait too long to put me to work! I love each and every one of my nieces and nephews so much! I just don't know what I would do without them. I feel like I have grown up with them! They each have a special place in my heart and I can't believe how mature and grown up they all have gotten! When I went to school, the people I missed the most were my nieces and nephews (sorry guys, but I'm only being honest). I was so happy when Charles and Ashley moved out there and I had Charlie, Ryan, Josh, and Cody close by to play with! I miss them so much! I am always grateful to be able to spend time with my nieces and nephews and wish that I had more time to do it. I had such a great time in huntsville, even though it was WAY too short! Being an aunt can be exhausting! By the time the last one went to bed I was wiped out! When the crying baby was up at 5 AM, I wasn't upset but more excited that I got to spend another day with some of the best kids in the world! Even though I had a good time, it was nice to be able to get back home and into the swing of things. I gotta be honest though...I kinda miss it!

But, let's face it...who wouldn't miss this? :)

Too busy enjoying life to document it...

2009-10-05T12:27:00.006-05:00

...I stole that from Rachel. But it's true, I feel like I have been going non-stop. Church, eat, family night, sleep, work, eat, family night, volleyball, sleep, work, eat, tuscaloosa institute, sleep, work, eat, birmingham institute, volleyball, sleep, work, bake a cake, going away party/rockband, sleep, work, stuck in traffic for 3 hours, eat, movie night, sleep, conference, football game, sleep, eat, conference, eat some more, more conference, then eat some more, then family night and well...this week will only get better. Tomorrow morning I am heading up to Huntsville to babysit for a little while, I am excited for a sweet break (or at least a different way of life for a couple days.) Don't get me wrong, I love my life but sometimes it is pretty crazy.

I have been promising Logan for *too* long that I would go to one of his games. Saturday nights at 7 just always seem to be busy. He texted me one night last week and it was decided that I would go to his game this weekend. Even though I'm not a big football fan, it was still a blast. Those little kids can run and throw like I've never seen. It's not as impressive to me when a grown man does it. I brought a couple friends with me, enjoyed a hotdog and just enjoyed life for a little while.

I can't believe how big all of my nieces and nephews are! I sure do love you all!

SUMMER!

2009-09-29T12:10:00.038-05:00

I did so much this summer and every couple of days I would say "I REALLY need to update my blog" but I never had time...or I would get extremely overwhelmed just thinking about doing it or....I would start and then wouldn't finish (which is hopefully not what is going to happen to this post). Well...here I am at work, finished my lunch and I still have 20 minutes left, I figure that should be plenty of time....let's hope so! This post isn't going to be as...unique as I planned, but here's a little of why mom always said "I NEVER see you anymore" Well...sorry for never emptying the dishwasher I was busy doing all this....

When I think of this summer...just a FEW things come to mind....

The Office, taking pictures, new friends, boating, being thrown off a tube, bruises and scratches, mornings I woke up sore, VOLLEYBALL, road trips!, buying a new car...and how many miles I put on that new car, riding in a hot air balloon, HENLEY BRIGHTON LONG, sleepovers, cake, ice cream, sunburns, slip n' slide, bird poop, memories made, money spent, pizza, getting pulled over in that new car (only twice, no ticket either time!), trucks I got to honk, monuments seen, dancing/singing loud to who knows what songs, rock band, corner bakery, potato salad, capture the flag...

I could keep going but I don't want to bore you guys to death. I had such a great summer. I think I got less sleep than ever before but it was DEFINITELY worth it! I had such a fun time with so many people and am so glad to have been able to do all the things I did! ENJOY!

everything's BIGGER.....

2009-08-10T12:07:00.017-05:00

....in TEXAS!

I had such a fun weekend in dallas! My friend, Amber, had asked me a while back if I wanted to go with her but I already had plans this weekend, but....thanks to...other people, those plans ended up falling through and I was on my way to dallas for the weekend! We left Thursday around 2 and began our little adventure. We had so much fun! (or at least I did...not sure about amber...)

also...these are kinda well, let's just say...backwards. haha so start from the bottom of this post and go up, i am too lazy/don't have time to put them in order.

Amber was a little perturbed that we got stopped...and lets face it, i was too. I just wanted to sleep!!

Got stuck in traffic on the way home, one of those huge 18 wheelers that carries all the cars had burned up!

Went to a wedding!

Played with our food....

Ate some good mexican food (not quite as good as SOL AZTECA, but they had free ice cream so i can't complain too much)

Some creepers we saw on the road. There were pretty much creepers everywhere.

I had tripped up the stairs the day we left and amber tripped on something concrete while we were exploring dallas and so we went and got a pedicure before the wedding! It was a nice relaxing experience after walking around all day!

We danced outside of the art museum. Haha, this one cracks me up!

Went to an asian art museum, haha they definitely had some weird pieces there. I was imitating the picture (in case you couldn't tell)

We ate at corner bakery (after going to the temple), it was SO good!

Stopped at the dallas temple!

Another truck that we saw on the road, they were interesting.

Just a couple of the things you see on the road, good thing amber was careful with both of our lives! (this is a bad picture, taken with my phone!)

So these are just a FEW of the MANY pictures that we took while we were there...but you get the point. This weekend the lake! I am also looking forward to DC next month, anyone have any good ideas of places to see while we are there?!

JULY!

2009-08-03T12:57:00.018-05:00

Wow! What a fun and exciting month I have had! In NO particular order...here are a few things I have been up to! It is hard to believe I have done this much in just ONE month!

Smith Lake for the 4th of July with friends!!!

I bought a new CAR! (which, two weeks after I bought someone hit...at work in the parking lot. It will be fixed this weekend though so no worries!!!)

SOL AZTECA for my birthday with the COOLEST PEOPLE EVER! (and some dern good food too!)

Crashed a youth conference dance on the way down to enterprise!

Late night slipping and sliding (don't those whiteys make me look TAN?!)

Most of the people who came to the big slip and slide shindig.

CPK (plus Blue Bell Cookies N' Cream ice cream (pictured below) =BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS!

More good cake and ice cream for amber's birthday!!!

CPK with friends!

All-star game at the hoover met!

FIREWORKS for the 4th...can you tell how burnt I got at the lake?!

More lake pictures!

Enterprise, AL

Pretty much the LAMEST dance ever. The car ride sure was fun though.

And one more from the lake!

There are even things that aren't pictured here (I am on my lunch break at work and don't have too many pictures here). Rebecca, Amber, Rachel and I went to ATLANTA for a day and had an AMAZING breakfast with GINNY and NEAL (thank you SO SO MUCH, again), saw their place and went to WHITE WATER! I also went to huntsville and hung out with Charity and family! And went to Lake Eufaula (the same weekend as Enterprise), sleepovers with friends, movies, The Office, volleyball! Tons of stuff! I have had such a fun/busy/exciting/painful/memorable.....summer so far. This week will be crazy trying to get ready to head out of town for the weekend, get everything with work ready to go, saying goodbye to LINA :( and whatever else may come up! Stay tuned for pictures from DALLAS, NEW YORK CITY, WASHINGTON DC, and MUCH more! (I hope to start updating more often)

2009-06-02T18:23:00.010-05:00

So many crazy things have been happening lately. Let's sum up the last week or so with a few things (in completely RANDOM order)

.memorial day.no work.shopping.cookout
.friends.hotdogs.hamburgers.rock band.charoodles.jubilee.dance.church cleaning.christina's baptism.graduation party.weird movies.more rock band.tractor show.new bishopric.temple trip.new friends.mexican food.new clothes.new shoes.lots of rain.cheese biscuits.driving.friends.hot air balloon ride.car breaking down.no sleep.birthdays.test driving a new car.saving money.car getting fixed.hot tub.skittles.chocolate.key lime pie ice cream.frisbee.ramen.old friends.summer.baking cookies.work.marking something off my bucket list.ants.family.waffle house.car show.

2009-05-23T22:58:00.001-05:00

Ok so I finally broke down and got the internet on my phone. I was so strongly against doing it but I have not had a computer here lately and it is becoming more and more convenient to have it since I don't have regular internet access.

In other news I went to a hot air balloon festival and it was SO much fun! Even though it turns out the hot air balloons didn't go up because of the weather. But the car show and the tractor show we're enough for me! I will upload pictures once I have a computer. It may take a while!

For those of you who don't know...

2009-05-18T20:21:00.003-05:00

I have an addiction.

To electronics.

I'm weird, I know. I just love them, figuring them out just gets me so excited. I love getting new gadgets. Maybe that's why I can never keep any money in the bank. I don't know how it happens but I seem to always get SOME idea in my head from SOMEWHERE that I need to get something new. As of now, the only thing left on my list is a computer, but I'm afraid I am going to have to have the self control to wait a little longer to get a new one of those. For now, I will just use my mom's, while she's not here of course (sh, don't tell! and mom, if you're reading this, pretend you're not). Even though she thinks I download viruses on it, it's not true. I couldn't download a virus even if I tried. I have no idea where to get them from! Plus, she's got one of those expensive virus protection programs on her computer, so I don't know why she thinks she's got tons of them on here. I go with the free stuff and I never have problems. Well with the exception of that one time. Anyway-for now I will continue to fold my laundry, or postpone folding my laundry so that I can play with my newest gadget....phone # 13.

I told you it's an addiction.

2009-05-17T01:21:00.005-05:00

So I did it. I finally made a blog. Everyone has been telling me for a long time that I should make one I just don't think my life is that interesting for people to actually want to read about or waste their time on. So I decided I am going to make it interesting. For now, I should probably get to sleep because I have early church tomorrow and am teaching primary.

*teh*