Adam & Shanna

Positive Attitude

2012-01-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

*This computer just deleted this whole long post I wrote so I'm really trying hard to put my "Positive Attitude" to work. What are the chances of writing about having a postitive attitude and then having something really frustrating happen!*

First of all I just posted a bunch of posts so scroll down for more Neilsen fun! Adam and I have both been working on being positive lately and I have to say it has made such a huge difference already and it's only been a few days since we decided to really work on it. For the last few years I have been working really hard on being positive (especially through the miscarriages) and it has been a huge blessing in my life, but also a challenge. Since moving into this new ward I have struggled more than I have ever struggled before in a ward. I felt like I was not needed and frankly; not wanted. I was called as the ward choir director and was faced with the challenge of competing against very vocal opinionated people. I felt like I couldn't do anything right and always left feeling pretty bad about myself. More than ever I was so negative. I was sad that I didn't feel loved, I was frustrated that I was being criticized on everything I did, and I was mad that I wasn't getting any appreciation for what I was doing right (if I was doing anything right). I would talk to Adam all the time about my frustrations and now looking back I feel bad because there isn't much to say to an insecure frustrated woman that just wants to be listened to. Adam is a good listener though and that much I could appreciate (and a hug). I was given a couple blessings of comfort and they helped a lot but it wasn't long before I felt the overwhelming power of doubt again. Satan really knows how to bring me down. For Chistmas I led the choir in a couple songs and I was so surprised at the response we got. I got so many compliments on the choir! I was so happy and it [almost] made all the bad experiences not so bad. I had a lot of people tell me they felt the spirit and that has been my goal from the start.

From then on I've felt better about this calling and know that it is what the Lord wants me to be doing right now. He is stretching me and I feel it. I feel his love around me when I wonder if this calling is really meant for me. I'm still struggling to feel comfortable in this new ward and my new calling but I think its more a matter of being comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. We are either moving forwards or moving backwards. I always pray before choosing songs for the choir to sing and when I was feeling at my lowest I was praying for guidance on a song that would help me and the choir and "How Gentle God's Commands" came to mind. The lyrics really hit home and that night Adam sang them to me. Its easy to feel fear and doubt but through the Lord we can feel at peace. My brother talks about those feelings a lot as he serves his mission and I think its pretty normal for us to feel that way. The important part is being aware of it, then doing something about it.

How gentle God's commands
How kind His precepts are
Come cast your burdens on the
Lord and trust His constant care.

Beneath his watchful eye,
His Saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard His children well.

Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste, to your Heavenly Father's throne,
And sweet refreshment find.

His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day;
I'll drop my burden at His feet.
and bear a song away.

Its nice to be reminded of the love my heavenly father has for me. Its so easy to feel the negative feeling of doubt, anger, anxiety; whatever it may be but unless you change your attitude you will be miserable. My dad e-mailed me President Monson's talk on his ABC's for the new year called "Living the Abundant Life". I love love love this talk!! Adam and I have read it together a few times, it is so motivating. I highly recommend reading it. I love the leaders of the Church and know that they are called of God to help uplift and inspire His sons and daughters in this wicked world. He says this about having a positive attitude:

"A in my ABCs refers to attitude. William James, a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, wrote, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. Charles Swindoll—author, educator, and Christian pastor—said: “Attitude, to me, is more important than the past, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.” We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude."

I am so grateful for the power of a positive attitude and know that it changes lives and influences families for the better.

Christmas Around The House

2012-01-17T09:53:00.004-08:00

One huge blessing of living back home (besides the obvious of living close to family) is that when my parents want to get rid of something we are here to take it! Like this beautiful piano!! This piano is the one I was raised playing and listening to my dad play. I loved to play with my dad, learn songs, and make up my own. I was so thrilled when my dad said he was giving it to us!! My first thought was "So where is the kitchen table going to go?" because we don't have a big enough kitchen for our table its in our living room. I'm looking forward to when we move and have a kitchen big enough but for now it's not bad. I love having this piano and can't wait to teach my daughter on it like my dad did. I have so many memories of playing this piano. *Sorry about the dark pictures. The sun had already gone down and we have only 1 window in our family room*

This sculpture is what my parents got Adam and I for Christmas. I love it so much!

The JOY blocks is something my Grandma made

Me and Adam's favorite Christmas decoration we have is the village my mom gave me. I've added little parts over the years (like those little trees and little people) and I just love it!

The JOY sculpture I got for under $10 last year :) Also that picture of Christ and the child is one of my favorite pictures. I cried when I first saw it and knew it was something I wanted to bring into my home. I love decoration pieces that bring the spirit into our home.

This painting of 2 men running is what I got for Adam last year I believe. Its called "Hope". The artist Liz Lemon Swindle says this of the painting: "When Mary came to the tomb, she found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. She ran to the disciples crying, "They have taken away the Lord…and we know not where they have laid him" (John 20:2). Peter and John immediately ran to the tomb. What did they think as they ran? Were they simply curious to see for themselves? Did they fear, like Mary, that their enemies had stolen the body? Or did they remember His promise, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"? The decision that faced Peter and John that Sunday . . ." When Adam and I were in Utah he saw this painting and was overwhelemed with the spirit he said. Is too when I first saw it.

Thankgiving

2012-01-17T09:53:00.003-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving I was feeling a little under the weather. I don't know what it is about this pregnancy but I have been sick all the time. Its hard to determine the difference between pregnancy sickeness and the flu but after feeling what pregnancy sicknss feels like I could tell it was something more. I've had the flu twice since being pregnant and along with that came a cold...not fun! Adam played football with a bunch of guys Thanksgiving morning (its tradition!) and I wanted to go but I didn't want to chance getting worse because I was at the tail end of my sickness.

The picture above is of my cousins daughter that just minutes before bonked her head...look at that bump already! Poor thing. I couldn't believe how fast that bump appeared. Every year we get together at the church and set up a few tables and eat like pigs. It's wonderful.

Also my mom and her sisters get together at the church that day and decorate it so it feels more well...cute! It always looks amazing every year.

I was really bummed that I couldn't stay longer at the church because the next morning I had to be to work by 6 which meant getting up at 5. Next year we are having Thanksgiving at my in-laws which I'm excited for...we went there this year but for what seemed like 2 seconds. I love my family and am so grateful for their love and traditions. Adam and I have been thinking about what kind of traditions to hold in our family and we have are so blessed to have the families we have to learn from.

Tea Party at Grandmas

2012-01-17T09:53:00.002-08:00

Every year all the girls in the family gets together for a tea party at my grandmas house. Everyone brings something to share. I haven't been the last few years so this year I was excited to be able to go! Next year Grandma voted we all get together to make hats for our next tea party...I'm in!

Doesn't the food just look magical. I love tea parties. I love this tradition!

As kids we would take pictures in Grandmas backyard because its so beautiful so we just had to take some of the cousins

and precious Madison...

Pregnant Virgin

2012-01-17T09:53:00.001-08:00

Several months ago I was a part of a "Ten Virgins" music production. It was amazing! I was a part of it years ago before I was married so it was fun to be in it again after all these years. I played Adi, a woman who is very insecure and compares herself to everyone else. She compares her lamp to the others and wonders if she's enough. I sang the song "More" with my Aunt who played Gabriella. I love the song so much and get goosebumps every time I hear it. I feel like my character was so relate-able, well at least, she was to me. I felt like the character I played was really just for me and I learned a lot through it. The whole production was so well thought out and the spirit was so strong. The only funny part was that I was just telling people I was pregnant when I did it. I was definitely a "foolish" virgin haha!

Our Garden

2012-01-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

Now that winter has been here I thought I should probably post these pictures of my garden and backyard. Better late than never! In the beginning of the Fall I neglected my plants because I was just too sick to take care of them. I was so nauseous I had no desire to even water them, how sad is that?

I'm so glad I grew corn because in the fall I used the stalks for decor on my front door step (complete with a hay bale). Yes, I used a book shelf to hold my garden :) We grew tomatoes, corn, zuccini and bell peppers. I thought I did pretty well for my first years' garden.

Look how much our corn grew!! Everyone told us it wasn't going to grow but lo and behold... :)

We had so much zucchini it was coming out our ears :)

I neglected picking them for a while so some of them were huge

Our backyard is small, but still...a backyard so I can't complain. I hate being right up against an apt complex so for my birthday last summer I wanted a big umbrella (which my mom and grandma got me!) it swivels and winds up and down so its really easy to use, really heavy duty and covers practically the whole back yard. Next summer we would love to get a couple chairs out there and maybe even a fire pit :) It also is bigger than it looks in this picture, we have a covered patio that I'm standing on to take the picture. We also have a big storage unit out there.

I got this old trunk when I was in high school. It was on the side of the road with a "free" sign on it that screamed "Take me home!" I forgot all about it until we moved back. I love it in our little backyard

Our first ripe tomato! I was so happy

If I knew we were staying here for a while longer I would love to plant grass or better yet I would love to lay out some cool stone or something and get a patio set but for the time being I will just have to be happy with my little dirt-filled (with weeds included!) backyard.

I wonder...

2011-12-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

Once I can get a picture of our last ultrasound where we found out she's a girl I will post them but for now I will just say she is going to be beautiful!! :) I went in for another doctors visit yesterday to hear the heartbeat again and sit down with my doctor. I am so glad I have the doctor I have! He delivered several of my siblings, my SIL's baby and lots of my cousins and their kids so I had to go to him. I loved hearing her heartbeat! It makes me so happy! My mom sent me a collage of Adam and I when we were babies and toddlers and I just had to share. I couldn't stop giggling when I was looking at them because of how darn cute Adam is! I wonder what she's going to look like. Will she have Adam's adorable smile and Neilsen chubby baby cheeks? Or my blue eyes and thick hair? Will she have blonde hair? Either way our baby is going to be adorable!! I can't wait to see who she looks like and kiss her and love her. *Funny thing: someone at work today said that he was in a class with my mom in high school when I was in her belly. Yes, she was still in high school. Guess what class it was? A health class haha! Yes, she was married but it's so weird to think she was pregnant with me in high school.

I'm so happy I could cry!

2011-12-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

Adam and I went in on the 8th to find out the sex of the baby. I was originally scheduled for the 15th but I just couldn't take it anymore so I asked to move up the date about a week. I'm almost 20 weeks so I thought for sure I would be able to tell. Adam was late for the appointment because he was busy at work and I was freaking out! I didn't want to find out the sex of the baby without Adam! As the nurse was measuring everything I kept looking away because I didn't want to accidentally see what it was :) Finally Adam showed up and just in time too! When the nurse said "Its a girl!" I was so giddy.

A GIRL!!!!! Is this really happening??

I'm so happy!!!! Dresses, bows, PINK!! Another favorite part of the ultrasound was hearing her heartbeat and making sure all her organs were healthy...and they are!! I'm so relieved!!!! Wednesday at work I had a little breakdown because I started to bleed and was so so so worried. As I was praying really hard to not have anything wrong I felt at peace and was reminded that I needed to have faith. I also bled a lot when I was about 12 weeks I think it was. I thought for sure I was going to miscarry again but I got a blessing from Adam and in it said that I needed to take a step into the darkness of the unknown and have faith in the Lord. I also received lots and lots of love from family and friends, and a lot of prayers. I owe this happiness to my faith in God and all those that kept me in their prayers. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the e-mails that I received when I announced that we were pregnant. The support we have is so overwhelming and I couldn't thank you enough.

I'm so glad I'm halfway done with this pregnancy. I haven't bought any maternity clothes yet (They're so expensive!) so I'm excited to finally do that soon but for now I'll stick with my pants unbuttoned :) So something random about this pregnancy so far is that I am constantly hiccuping. I don't know what causes it but some time it is all day long all the time and I don't know what to do about it. When I was singing this last weekend for a Christmas concert in the middle of a song I couldn't keep it in (I don't think anyone noticed lol). The Christmas concert was amazing! I'm so glad I got to be a part of it. We sang songs from the Messiah and some that our director arranged. They were beautiful and the spirit was so strong it was hard to not be emotional. I was a part of group that sang "Will we know him" and I stood next to a guy that was a few inches taller than Adam. Taller! That means he is probably about 6"6!! AND guess what shoes I had to wear that night? FLATS! I get heavy heat flashes some times especially when I'm singing for 3 hours straight so I knew if I wore high heels I would be sorry but I was laughing so hard before we got up to sing. What are the chances that the shortest person in that group would wear flats for one, and second, stand next to the tallest person in the choir? I looked over at my dad in the congregation and we both just laughed.

Another random note about this pregnancy is that I love the smell of coffe...and I mean loove it! I will intentionally walk down the coffee isle just to take a big whiff. I like the smell of coffee anyways but I swear everything has intensified since being pregnant. Its weird to feel my stomache really hard and imagine a little teeny tiny body in there, its so weird. I love feeling the baby though! When I sang this last weekend, and everytime I sing she moves a lot.

Grateful

2011-11-30T14:22:00.000-08:00

Well its been a few months since I've updated (yikes!) but I thought I would dedicate this post to what I've been thinking, worrying, loving, being sick about, and absolutely grateful for!

Were expecting our first healthy baby April 29th!!!

To say I'm ecstatic is an under statement. Adam and I have been praying and praying to be pregnant with a healthy baby for the last 3 years and are so grateful that we are now. When we found out I was pregnant I was too sick to jump up and down with joy but I was screaming with excitement inside. I have been really sick for the last several months and some days it was a challenge to get out of bed. That's how I knew I was pregnant and that this one would be different. I had been sick with my other pregnancies but this time I was really sick. My stomach was growing a little but I was losing weight. I've lost 15 pounds and have just lingered there. Because I'm heavy I feel like I have enough fat to give my baby! I don't need to gain no 30 pounds :) I've been proud of myself for not eating my whole house like some days I want to. We make sure to not have a single item of junk food in our house so that has saved me. I am now past most of the sickness thank goodness! Some things that I should probably note just for fun:

I gag when I brush my teeth all the time. I take that back, I gag at everything. Its embarrassing. I was at dinner and smelled something gross and started to dry heave. I was also grocery shopping once and the same thing happened. Theres not an easy way to cover that up, I'm just glad I didn't actually throw up in public
I felt the baby move back when I was just about 12 weeks or so and have felt funny fluttering ever since
I don't crave anything in particular but have been constantly thirsty and love really salty foods like pickles :)
I haven't been able to get good sleep so I sleep with about 4 pillows
I am always tired and always have headaches
I don't look pregnant yet but I can feel that I'm growing and my stomach is getting tougher
I can't have heavy meat or fatty foods, I feel sick almost instantly afterwards.
I feel like I have to pee every hour...I wish I could hold it but this baby won't let me

I'm 18 weeks along and we find out the sex of the baby in our NEXT VISIT!! It doesn't seem real!! I don't care what we have and I don't have any idea what we are having. I will be happy with whatever we have. I think that having a girl would be more fun to dress up but then I quickly remember little boy suits, missionary tags, cute bow ties and I realize I really don't care :) More than anything I want this baby to be healthy. I have been worrying so much about the health of the baby because I've been sick non stop since being pregnant. Once I started taking Unisom and Vitamin B the morning sickness subsided for the most part but then I was knocked down with a bad flu that lasted a while. Once that was over I had probably 2 days of normal than I was knocked down with a horrible cold, sore throat and flu again. There's just lots of sickness going around so I need to be careful (its hard when I want to kiss all over those sick children!). I'm feeling back to normal now...thank goodness because I'm now working full time as a receptionist for my dad. I have to get up pretty early to start the day but it feels good to be doing something with my time and to be earning some extra money.

Heres some pictures of our sweet baby~!! *These were at 14 weeks so I've grown since then but this is all we have until our next visit*

This was my favorite part...the heartbeat. Listening to it was the most amazing thing ever! I was laughing because I was so excited but I had tears in my eyes too...it was such a cool feeling! I was so so so relieved and happy that the babys heartbeat was healthy and consistant.

I'm so grateful that my Heavenly Father entrusts me to raise one of his children on this earth. Its a scary thing to think about the world we live in but I'm so grateful for the oppurtunity to raise this child in what I know to be the one and only true Church. I know that it is only if I heed to the counsels of the prophet and leaders of the church and truly live the gospel that I will be a successful mother. I also know that I will make mistakes and feel sometimes that I'm worthless. I've felt the dark feelings of doubt and dispair and I know that those feelings don't come from God. I'm so grateful for the wonderful mothers in my life that have laid out the perfect road map of motherhood and the many struggles and triumphs that come with it. I'm looking forward to the baby bump, my first maternity pants, holding and smelling my baby, taking naps with him/her, showing her off wherever I go. I just can't wait!!!

Utah part 4: Parade of Homes

2011-08-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

This was one of my favorite parts of visiting Utah. I love love love looking at homes! My favorite home by far was the UP house =) It made me so happy. I felt like I stepped inside the movie. I loved it!

The kitchen was so fun!!

I want it!

The theater room

Boys room...

Girls room...

The baby room...This is where I cried. They were playing the same music they had in the movie when she miscarried.

Carl and Ellies bedroom. I love the color!

I love this house so much and want everything in it! =) I would love to replicate everything in their baby room especially.

Utah part 3: Temple Square

2011-08-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

I love temple square and never get sick of taking pictures of the beautiful Salt Lake City temple =)

I've always wanted to go on one of these

We got to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform and I loved it. They are just breathtaking to hear in person. Instant goosebumps. My new calling in our ward is the choir director and I'm nervous to bits about it. We had our first practice this last Sunday and it went pretty good. I have lots to learn but I think this calling will be really good for me.

Utah Part 2: Park City & Apline Slides

2011-08-22T18:06:00.000-07:00

Before I forget everything that happened in Utah I thought I might as well post the longest post ever =) We drove a LOT while we were in Utah and what do we do when 3 girls are bored? Take pictures! In all honesty it was frustrating how much we were forced to drive because of how far we lived from everything. I was so sensitive when we drove; I was constantly nauseous. I've been like that for years. Wish there was something I could do about it.

A couple days we explored Park City and Mckenna was my model (I curled her hair like Taylor Swift, her favorite) =) Park city is beautiful, I love all the townhouses, museums, and buildings.

We went out to eat a bunch. There's just so many choices in Utah! Although not particularly all good choices. We went to lunch one day at this restaurant for homosexuals. Besides the atmosphere; the food was gross. It was suppose to be all "earthy, organic, and so very green ;)" but it was plain gross. We picked up a pamphlet that was at our table. Bad idea. That's how we found out. We never went there again. We did go to some good family friendly restaurants though :) One night after going to the show "7 brides for 7 brothers" we went out to dinner after. This restaurant was so cool. I wish there was this restaurant here. It was an upscale Applebee's. I loved it!!

We went down the alpine slides. It was so much fun! I went twice because the first time I was kind of stuck behind McKenna. She was going so slow so I couldn't really enjoy it. I ended up getting a free ticket and I didn't hesitate to use it again the next day.

So like I said I was kind of held up by Mckenna my first time going. I felt bad because I kept yelling at her to go faster because I was so close to running into her but she was too scared.

Oh look! Theres Mckenna again! Right in front of me =)

I was even able to grab a picture of me going down

All in all it was so much fun and I really did love the place we stayed at in Park City regardless of all the driving =)

Utah Part I

2011-08-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

My family spent a little over a week in Utah and had a blast! We went to drop off my brothers at EFY for a week which left my mom, dad, and two sisters to play with for the week! We had so much fun. We weren't sure what our place was going to look like in Park City so we imagined it being small and crappy. It was far from small and crappy. It was beautiful we loved it! It even included a bidet which I kept calling "dibet". The only crappy part was the fact that there was no AC. It was hard to sleep at night because of that. We made a few stops on the way and I couldn't resist bringing out the camera.

"Here comes the smolder"

and the beautiful place we stayed in...

There was a pool, hot tub, and sauna so we definitely took advantage. Inside our place was a heart shaped bathtub. It was so huge it fit all the kids!

This one was for Christopher...who we missed on the trip so much!

My cousins Angelina, Tiffany, Zyzlila and Tim came over to eat some delicious dinner and homemade pie. Thanks to mom and Angelina =)

The first thing we did when we first got into town was hit Lagoon. I took some Dramamine and was on my way =) We met up with some family friends and their 3 adorable kids. It was so good to see them! Sheryl and I are long lost sisters *my dad taught her in seminary. Wow Sheryl, your old ;) My favorite part was definitely the rides. There's only so much fun going around the lazy river over and over. I would have jumped on the water rides but because we went on a Saturday it was so packed it wasn't worth it.

We went to a couple shows while we were there which were fun. We went to one though that made me laugh so hard. It was suppose to be a dancing & singing kind of show for the whole family but apparently they forgot who their audience was. The whole time they showcased the guys and their abs. I felt like I was watching the Chip N Dale dancers it was so embarrassing and funny. It reminded me of the scene from "The Proposal". You know which one.

Love you Sheryl *and fam!* Hope to see you again SOON!

The Race: run through the pain

2011-08-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

So on our way to Utah my dad surprised us by telling us he was going to run a marathon. The longest he had ever ran was 12 miles I think...which is awesome, but not a marathon, so we were all worried about him. The night before my mom, sister and I could hardly sleep because dad was already running it at the crack of dawn. We drove down to Salt Lake early to make sure not to miss him. I was so emotional the whole time. Chanelle kept saying it was just because we didn't get any sleep haha. I think that was part of it but the other part of me was just so proud of my dad for doing something like this. I was holding back tears as I watched a man with a picture of his sister (on his shirt) who died of cancer say he was running it for her. I saw a dad with his two little boys cross the finish line together, wives cross it with their husbands, and in the meantime I would cheer on as much as I could from the sideline. I got a lot of people tell me how much they appreciated the encouragement, which made me feel good.

While cheering the runners on there was the pioneer parade going on. I only watched a little bit because I was too focused on making sure my dad saw his kids cheer him on but it was still fun to watch.

GO DAD!!!!!!!!

He looked so good. We made bets that he was going to be limping but he proved us wrong. He said he wanted to do better than he did on his time but everyone thought he did awesome! There was a guy that finished with dad that couldn't even remember how many marathons he had ran. Maybe dad could get some comfort from this scripture: "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” (Eccl. 9:11.)

After the race they were given the option (okay...not given. There was money involved lol nothing is free) to get a massage and dad definitely needed it. They took basically a rolling pin with foam around it to massage. Dad was having a hard time =) I wish you could have seen him the next day. If you ever want to see what someone will be like if they live to be 100...have them run a marathon. It was so funny to watch dad climb out of our car haha just thinking about it is making me laugh.

My handsome dad!

Afterwards we went to my cousins house and had to walk up 3 flights of stairs. I was sure my dad was not going to make it =) we then went to In-N-Out and enjoyed dads much needed reward.

Congratulations dad! I'm so proud of you!

Another Photo Shoot

2011-07-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to my little Mexican baby aka: my cousins adorable daughter Emily. She was so much fun to take pictures of. I love her chubby cheeks!!

Pedersen Family Reunion

2011-07-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

Just a couple days after Chanelle came home my family went to Sunriver, OR for a family reunion and to celebrate Grandmas birthday. It was a little bit of a shock for Chanelle to go from serving a mission and keeping really busy, to relaxing on vacation. She had a hard time the first couple days we got there and I felt bad but there isn't really much you can say. We had lots and lots of fun though!! Check out the place where we stayed! I grabbed a few pictures before everyone came...there was even a waterfall shower. So cool!

Dad brought his moped scooter which is always fun.

We reserved a whole park just for our family and played lots of games, had relay races, played tether ball and ultimate frisbee.

We had to tie ties, pop balloons with just squeezing each other, chew a huge wad of bubble gum and blow a bubble, and lots of other fun things!

This next picture is totally Grandpa

It is so beautiful there! We went on some bike rides, went swimming, and hung out at the beautiful place we stayed at.

oh yeah...and I dominated a lot of pool when I was there =)

I am so grateful for my family and so glad that almost everyone was able to make it! We definitely missed the ones that weren't there.

Engagement Session

2011-07-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I took these engagements for this beautiful couple. They are so photogenic, such beautiful smiles! It was a little rainy that day but it ended up being perfect lighting =) I love taking pictures here in Oregon!!

I'm still trying to decide on my photography business name. It's now between "Through Shannas Lens" or "Shanna Neilsen Photography" Help me pick one!!!

Theres a new baby on the block!

2011-07-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law had her baby Monday the 11th at 1:23pm!!!! She ended up having a C-section but is now a beautiful mother to a healthy handsome 8lb boy. Welcome to the world Austin!!!

I love this picture my mother-in-law took

Congratulations Parker and Maren!!! Thanks for making me a happy Aunt!!!!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-12T23:55:00.000-07:00

This year was so fun! I loved being home for the 4th of July! Especially knowing Chanelle was going to be coming home just in a couple days. My uncle and 2 cousins drove from Arizona; its been such a blast to have them in town! I used to live in Arizona while going to school and I missed them. We went to a parade, walked around the fun booths, and had a BBQ and went swimming at my parents house.

I was the photographer for youth conference this year so these next few are from when we had a flag ceremony

Arvo Van Alstyne said this about the U.S. Constitution:

"These important precepts—freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and equal justice under law—are in my opinion among the “just and holy principles” contained in the Constitution. The central purpose of agency, which these principles seek to promote, is to permit all people to learn by experience to love the Lord and to love their neighbors as themselves. Within the framework of the law of love, our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness imply an additional commitment on our part to accept and respect one another, while seeking constantly to overcome the sin and temptation to which we are all exposed. The existence of these rights implies an attitude of compassion and understanding based upon a deep sense of eternal brotherhood, a rejection of evil and selfish thoughts in our relationships with one another. Their existence emphasizes the need for each of us to listen and to learn from one another, but also a willingness to teach and seek to influence each other toward righteous behavior. As we seek to abide in “the liberty wherewith [we] are made free” (D&C 88:86), we should not lose sight of the spiritual significance of these divinely inspired principles. That significance is solidly rooted in the fact that the laws of human liberty and the exercise of agency are inseparably related to the eternal law of love. This idea was eloquently expressed by Governor Christian Herter of Massachusetts, who in 1955 declared:

“Liberty is not any one man’s possession. When a man asks freedom for himself alone, both he and his neighbor lose what he thinks he has gained. The spirit of liberty is more than jealousy for your own rights. It is a decent respect for the rights and opinions of others. We are free, not because we have freedom, but because we serve freedom. The love of liberty cannot be separated from loving your neighbor as yourself."

I'm so grateful to be a part of this free country and recognize the many sacrifices that have been made for that to be true. I was searching the word "freedom" on LDS.org and found these quotes by Gordon B. Hinckley that I love: "No nation, no civilization can long endure without strength in the homes and lives of its people. That strength derives from the integrity of those who live in those homes."

"It has been my privilege on various occasions to converse with presidents of the United States and important leaders in other governments. At the close of each visit, I have reflected on the rewarding experience of standing with confidence in the presence of an acknowledged leader. And then I have thought, what a wonderful thing, what a marvelous thing it would be to stand with confidence—unafraid and unashamed and unembarrassed—in the presence of God"

My sister is HOME!!!

2011-07-12T22:50:00.000-07:00

My sister came home July 6th and I couldn't stop smiling all day. I could hardly sleep the night before, it was like Christmas morning! Our family went all out for her homecoming, check out that sign! There was lots of people at the airport to greet her it was awesome.

We are so happy she is home!!!!

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!

Photography

2011-07-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

Adam and I have been having the time of our lives this summer so this is going to be a very looong update. Prepare for lots of pictures! Since moving back home we have moved into our town home and new ward, that we love.Adam is staying really busy working as a car salesman. People love him! Hes different than other car salesman (which is a definite good thing). He's not pushy, he knows the ins and outs of all types of cars, hes honest, and genuinely cares about helping others. The hours have been the hardest thing about this job. We have been praying about maybe changing direction in his career, so we will see. Right now though, we are just happy to have work. I've been focusing on my photography and etsy shop. I created a new etsy banner...check it out! This Saturday will be my first time putting my accessories in a market so I'm nervous and excited. While living with my in-laws I made tons and tons of flowers so I have lots to sell which I'm happy about! I love love love photography and have been keeping busy trying to come up with a name for my business. I just can't make up my mind! I know that only a few read this but I need your input! Its a toss up between: "Through Shanna's Lens", "Shanna Neilsen Photography", "Shanna's Lens" or "Shanna's Photography" I know they all sound the same so it should be easy to pick one...but its not! Its driving me crazy. For the time being I'm building up my portfolio with lots and lots of eye candy! Here is some I've been busy with...

This was my favorite from this session...

Some senior pictures...

WICKED

2011-05-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my mother-in-law and two sister-in-laws went to see the show Wicked! Adams parents surprised me with a ticket on Easter. I have wanted to see this show for several years and was so excited I got to go!! I have listened and memorized its music long before seeing the show so I was really looking forward to the show. After seeing this show I felt so inspired. I just love music and dance so much. I had never been to a show before and was almost crying in the first 5 minutes because of how excited I was. It was such an amazing show!

So I knew that my mom and sister were planning on going a long time ago and was so jealous. We drove to the show separately and figured we wouldn't be close to each other in the audience. We both were surprised to find out we had seats right next to each other!! How lucky is that? I got to sit by both Moms =)

Sarah and I

I was also so happy to sit by my sister McKenna. We had killer seats so she was actually able to sit on the floor and see everything perfectly.

Me and Cami...or Camelot. Whichever comes more naturally =)

My mother-in-law and me

Easter

2011-05-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun Easter this year. Something fun that our family does besides the easter egg hunts is that we do video scavenger hunts for the older kids. Its so fun and really funny. This year we had the word BASKET and for each letter we have to find something, create a skit, write a song, basically do whatever we want for each one. We split into 3 groups and have 2 hours to finish. I wasn't very creative this year and had only done it once before so I didn't really know how to go about it. We ended up doing movie quotes. B was for Baseball so we went to a baseball feild and quoted Ferris Beaulers Day off "Hey batta batta batta hey batta batta batta SWING batta!" A was for Airport so we went to the airport where my brother and cousin acted out the Dumb and Dumber scene. That was hysterical! S was for School and we quoted Billy Madison's song "Back to school. Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight. Ohhhh, back to school. Back to school." K was for Knife. We had to act out The Dark Knight for that one. E was for Echo and we quoted The Grinch Stole Christmas when he argues with his echo. T was for Time because we were running out of it =).We had a lot of fun making it. I thought the best video this year was the one on TV shows. It was so creative and the acting was hysterical! B was for Bachelor *Ladies...there is only 1 rose left* A was for the Apprentice *Your fired!* S was for Survivor *They even made a fire for this one and showed each contenstant voting each other off...so funny!* K was for Knife because one contestant was cut off. E was for Espanol *They did a Spanish soap oprah about a lost dog* T was for something I can't remember but it was all so funny!

Every year we have a BBQ and easter egg hunt for the little ones in our back yard.

and some homemade ice cream

Two of my sister in laws came. Aren't they just so cute! I've loved living with them we always have so much fun.

I love this picture. Like father like son

Let the Easter egg hunt begin!

Jenee's dress and hair flower her mom made her is so adorable!

Don't even think about touching my Easter basket!

I am so grateful for the warm welcome our family has given us. We knew it was going to be good to move back home but were kind of hesitant *more on my part* so it really helped to have family welcome us back home with open arms. I'm also very grateful for my Savior and His love for me. I know that he lives and I know that He is the only way to eternal happiness. He is the only way I can have hope for the future.

This year as a family we memorized "The Living Christ: The testimony of the Apostles" You can read it here. Even my brother and sister on missions memorized it. Since being married we have made it a point to have The Living Christ in our home as well as "The Family: A Proclamation to the world" found here and I realized how often I overlook the powerful words written. They were written for us to read, study, ponder, and pray about. I hadn't really ever done that with "The Living Christ" until now. I was overwhelmed with the spirit when reading the words of the leaders that give their all to the Lord everyday. I was also reminded of my brother and sister who give their all to the Lord. Why would 19 year old boys and 21 year old girls sacrifice 2 years of their lives for something that doesn't exist? That just doesn't make any sense. He lives! I know it to be true and I know that its a message worth sacrificing for.

"We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world."

"We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

Adam's Black Eye

2011-05-13T10:31:00.001-07:00

When we first moved back Adam was out playing flag football when our cousin elbowed him in the eye. He came home that night with a swollen cheek and a little black under his eye. Too bad his first day as a car salesman was just a couple days later =)

Several months ago my sister serving her mission in Florida sent us some things she sees other people where in the streets. Like this cap for Adam. She sent me these huge gold earrings too. So when Adam had the black eye we had to take some pictures for her =)

Poor guy. I felt so bad for him. He had a bad headache for several days. His t-shirt says it all

So he went to work with a black eye. I told him to tell his customers that his boss already warned him once so they HAD to buy a car from him or else. =) Adam managed to sell a couple cars within his first couple days of work...with a black eye. Not too shabby! Maybe they just felt bad for him ;) Here is a picture of Adam when he came home for lunch. We are living in his parents basement until June (when we will be moving into a condo that we are SO excited for!) so yes he is eating on our bed.

This next picture is my favorite! So traditionally after selling your first car you cut your tie so the rest of the day you have...well...a cut tie. Adam came home with a big smile on his face because he managed to sell a car even with a black eye and a cut tie! That is what I call success!

With his first pay check we got Adam contacts and some sunglasses. Finally he gets to wear sunglasses!

Adams eye is practically healed and its been about a month. Hes been really happy at this job and has learned a lot. He loves working with people and loves the challenge. Most of all he's not your typical car salesman and I think thats why hes been successful. He's honest, helpful, sincere, thourough, and CUTE! =)

Mom would be so proud!

2011-05-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

So before leaving on our trip back to Oregon I told my brother we needed to fill up the car and that he was going to be the one to do it. He had never pumped his own gas before so I had to give him the wonderful opportunity. In a series of pictures; this is what happened. First lets start off with this one. Kenny is trying to act all cool, calm, and collected doing this for his first time. I had to pull out the camera to document his first time pumping gas. I'm glad I did.

Still acting too cool for school as he pumps the gas. He didn't realized you can click the trigger into place instead of holding it. I let him act frustrated until he finally asked me what he needed to do.

So proud of doing it all by himself. He thinks the job is done. He thought pumping his own gas was SO easy and even dumb to bring out the camera for.

Then BAM!!! Best picture ever!!

I couldn't stop laughing at this point. He had it all over his pants and smelled like gasoline for miles

Just walk away man, just walk away

CONGRADUATIONS!!

2011-05-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

We made it to Oregon!! Adam and I have been so busy since being back. Adam got a job here in town and we are so so grateful for it. He's been doing great with it and is so happy. He works really long hours and is something I am going to have to get used to. Right now we are living with Adam's parents until we find a place to live. We have a little room and private bathroom downstairs and I love it. It may be really small but I don't mind it. I love living on a pear farm too! Oregon is so beautiful! I have a job too but I won't go into much detail yet because I haven't started. I've been so busy taking and editing family pictures, senior pictures, baby pictures, and pictures for etsy. I'll post them all later but as for now I'll start off with our last week in Idaho. It was pretty chaotic getting everything packed up but with all the friends and family that offered their help we got everything packed up nicely. I hate packing and moving because I have a hard time letting others disrupt my perfectionism =) I also always lose things when we move. It was so fun to have family in town for a couple days though. We went out to dinner together, played lots and lots of games and of coarse went to Adams graduation. I am so proud of Adam for graduating and was so grateful for all the love and support we felt from our families. I love President Clark and will miss all the leaders that came to BYU-Idaho to speak to us and help guide us through school.

The new stadium is AWESOME! Of coarse the year we leave Idaho everything is expanding but I was glad we got to see the stadium finished before moving. Here are some pictures I took at graduation.

Adam showed a few of us this really cool green house on campus that I had never seen before. It was so beautiful and really fun to see. We had some fun shooting some pictures

Me and Adam like to look like were mentally handicapped sometimes. What? Isn't that normal?

Some of my sister-in-laws =) I think they are cute

Jody and I went to homecoming once upon a time. He went to BYU-I as well and his brother was graduating with Adam so it was fun to see him again!

I just think this picture is priceless with Adam and my mom. I'm not sure what they are looking at but it must be pretty bad =)

My parents and my bruddah Kenny came out for graduation. I love them.

Adams immediate family came of coarse. I'm so glad grandma was able to make it. Shes so cute and I'll really miss being able to stay with her on weekends. It meant a lot for both of us that she was there.

My friend Marie and her husband drove out from Utah to help us move and be at Adams graduation. They helped out a TON! Thank you guys!

I love what Adams mom wrote on his graduation cake.

I won't be able to run outside and grab some snow off the ground for a long time so I had to document the last snow fall in Rexburg while we were there =) That is one thing I will NOT miss about living there. But it sure is fun to eat!

The drive back home went really fast. We split the trip in 2 days so it was really nice. I do have to say driving with my brother was an experience I will never forget. He drove like there was going to be no tomorrow. I tease him about it still and he typically is a good driver but I think he just really wanted to get home. We went a longer route than the other cars we were traveling with so we were going to get in about 1 hour after they did but we actually got home 20 minutes before them! *stops included* That goes to prove that he is Mr. Speedy Gonzales.

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Today I am grateful for Kleenex. Its always my best friend this time of year when my allergies are horrible

Whistle While you Work

2011-04-04T00:07:00.000-07:00

Friday was my last day working with Salt Lake Express. Its been over a year. I don't usually write about work so this post is going to be packed full of awkward moments, things I will miss, and things I will not miss with pictures to prove how exciting my job was! :) I've learned that this job can easily be the most annoying, frustrating, repetitive, negative job but that is ONLY if you want it to be. Keeping an eternal perspective and a positive attitude has been so important for me while working here. Lots of days I work with angry customers, disrespectful pain in the necks, valley girls, hard of hearing grannies and grandpas, customers that just want to tell you their life stories, impatient and just plain clueless people. There is so much that I loved about my job though! I love that I have a job and am so grateful to Jennifer for recommending me!! I love that I get to talk to people from all walks of life. I love my drivers, co-workers, boss', the company, the memories, the funny people I talk to, the missionary experiences I've had, and most of all the friends I have made through it.

Last summer we stacked papers. Holy moly that took forever! I tried to make it fun by attempting the most perfectly stacked papers. It was very satisfying when I was finished.

I think the whole office is pretty familiar with me bringing crafts to work because I always have to be doing something. Seriously, I can hardly sit through a movie at home. Well one day I was making some crafts for my friends baby shower and I squeezed my glue bottle a little too tight :) That thing exploded everywhere! On our fridge, in the keyboard, on the screen, and ruined my zip-up. It took a good 2 weeks until the hard glue was cleaned from inside the keyboard. Woops!

Everyone, this is Bob. Bob, this is everyone. Bob used to be a smoker which is why he looks the way he does. He used to ride greyhound almost every week to have follow-up surgery so we became friends. He's such an animated and really sweet guy! Because of his smoking habit he had his voice box, tongue, and jaw removed. His favorite food is now smoothies, he thinks being single is the life to beat and has 3 kids if I remember right (one of them lives in Oregon). He would do anything to go back and quit smoking, he misses the taste of hamburgers, he likes to write, and he likes to flirt.

This is Kim. She and I got along really well...much like a lot of the people I worked with. Kim is just so cute and wasn't afraid to be herself, even at work. She is a great example to me and was a positive influence to others while at work. I will miss her laugh and our gospel conversations a lot!

Oh this phone call explains so much. This picture represents how long I was talking to a customer one time. 1 HOUR AND 12 MINUTES!! I was talking to a sweet old lady that must have had dementia because she had me repeat everything I was saying ten times. Than another ten times, than another.

Now on to the embarrassing moments. When I typically put someone I hold, I ask them first if it would be okay. Well, one time I asked a customer "Can I hold you for a minute?" another time I was reading a customers e-mail while asking this next question. I was meaning to ask "Have you traveled with us before?" and instead asked "Have you Twilighted with us before?"

This is when Tiana blew out a circuit by plugging in a space heater. Sometimes the depot gets really cold so we would use this little heater to keep us warm. Just a funny memory. I loved when Tiana would join me in making some crafts at work. This job can be really demanding and break you down with the rude customers sometimes so as an outlet I would laugh and create things.

This paper towel roll will always make me miss Tom. Tom was a greyhound driver that was one of the nicest men! He looked like Santa Clause and was always so cheerful. Well everyday he worked he would eat some cracker jacks, chat a little, and take a nap with this paper towel roll as his pillow. I was sad to find out Tom died of a heart attack not too long ago so this picture just brings back memories of what a sweet man he was.

Time for another embarrassing moment. When the connection was bad on the phone I accidentally said "I'm sorry, I can hardly hear you. You keep breaking out" instead of "breaking up". I hope these are making you laugh and I'm not just embarrassing myself by sharing them =) This is a picture of me in the work bathroom when I felt cute. What? Its normal to take pictures in a work bathroom. I was also taking a picture to show Chanelle I loved the present she gave me *the earrings*

Sometimes we wear headsets, sometimes we use just the regular phones, and sometimes some of us like to use both =)

I talk to ALL sorts of people at my job. From all around the world too! Its one of my favorite parts of the job. I'm a lot more of a people person so I hate sitting behind a computer all day but at the same time I love being able to talk to people from all around the world. One time I was talking to someone from Australia with a thick accent and I found myself attempting an Australian accent myself. It was so embarrassing, I probably sounded like a jerk making fun of the man. I didn't mean to I promise!

There was some bad days at this job so I was so happy to have such great friends that would cheer me up. One day I was having a bad day and found this on my desktop...

so I clicked on it and found this. A huge smile came to my face and was just what I needed to overcome the frustrations I had with the demanding customers that day. I love Jennifer and am so glad we became friends. I used to go to her house every week for movie night and loved it! I'm going to miss her a lot too.

So when I talk about demanding customers I really mean it. I have wondered many times where these people come from thinking they deserve the world. One time I had a customer ask me to hold the plane for him because he was going to be late. I don't think he realized we are a shuttle company haha! Another time I had a customer tell me he needed his shuttle reservations cancelled because he took his private jet instead. I'm pretty sure I accidentally laughed out loud on that one. Another sweet note I received was from a family friend, Mindy. This just made my day and made me feel special.

I will miss this job and am forever grateful for the memories I have had while working there. Its going to be really good to move back home but the closer we get the more anxious I am. Not even for any good reasons. Luckily sleep is what cures a lot of my anxieties so its a good thing I don't have to work right now.

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Today I am grateful for nap time. Sundays are just perfect for that.

Shanna+Grandpas Truck+Mud=Happy Adam

2011-03-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

First, lets start off with this SAWEET picture!

Doesn't it look like part of a dodge commercial. Ok...maybe that's a stretch but we had a lot of fun thinking we were in one =)

Adam loves this truck more than anything. This last weekend we went to Utah to visit friends and family. While we were there we visited Adam's grandparents and took his grandpa for a ride in his old truck. Grandpa loved it and took Adam down memory lane.

By the way...take a lookie at my little accessory shop over at etsy. Go ahead. What better things do you have to do? =) It's called "A Pocket Full of Daisies". To make it even easier to hop over to my shop I made a tab on the top of this blog under "Shanna's Shop". I'm going to have LOTS of fun once we move back home creating all sorts of fun accessories because I will have so much more time on my hands. As of right now I've just made a bunch of flowers for hair and clothing. I still have a bunch of flowers I just made that I haven't posted in my shop yet so keep checking back! The flower I'm wearing here is one of my favorites to wear.

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Today I am grateful for TANGLED!! I totally pre-ordered it on Amazon =)

p.s. I used to pronounce Amazon "Amaze-on" and every once in a while I still slip up and call it that.

Joy in the Journey

2011-03-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

I have been on stress overload lately which is never good because I always get sick when I'm stressed. . I'm so excited to move back home but I feel like I have SO much to do! I've been packing up a box a day so our walls are looking more and more lonely. I set aside a bunch of things were trying to sell or take to DI. We have so much stuff and every time I pack something up I feel that much closer to home, which makes me happy.

I'm so proud of Adam. Hes been able to graduate from BYU-I in 3 years time!! He's been working so hard and I admire that so much about him. I have no doubts he will be able to provide for our family. He's been interviewing with a couple dealerships lately. One in Grants Pass and one in Medford. Were crossing our fingers! BYU-I has been the best college I have ever been to and I've been to three so you have to believe me. =) I love the experiences I have had while going to school here and I know Adam has too. People complain a lot about the code of conduct but I'm really grateful for it because it weeds out the weaklings who can't abide by a few rules. In all seriously I feel really strongly about the happiness that comes from listening and respecting what is asked of us.I get really annoyed when people spend a lot of time complaining about what they can't do, say, act, or wear on campus instead of focusing on what they CAN do, say, act, and wear. We have been so blessed with the opportunities to hear from general authorities and leaders of the church on a weekly basis. We have been able to learn things of this world from an eternal prospective in a classroom setting and I have loved it! We start discussions, classes, competitions, dance showcases and all sorts of events with a prayer. What a beautiful blessing to have the freedom to do that.

"The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us." (Elder David A. Bednar, "That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us," Ensign, May 2006)

Sister Beck said this about BYU-Idaho: "While you have been here, you have been recipients of one of the finest educations available in the world"..."You have also been educated in an environment where the spirit of the Lord can flourish." Sister Beck spoke of the importance of continuing to live according to the Lord's standard. "It is important to remember why the Lord has given us a code of conduct," Sister Beck said. "We know that if we successfully navigate this life, we have the promise of eternal life, and in order to be successful, we must live by the Lord's code of conduct. Much of the Lord's code of conduct can be found in For the Strength of Youth and I would recommend this book as a lifelong resource for you, On my personal copy of that book, I have circled the word ‘you', meaning For the Strength of You." I just love the leaders of the Church and believe that they really are dedicating their lives to better mine.

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Today I am grateful for a funny husband. Adam really knows how to help calm me down when I'm stressed to the max. He likes to make up words to songs like for the song "Paparazzi" Adam will sing "Papa Murpheys" and make up funny lyrics. I love that man!

I Love My Family!

2011-03-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

I made it to my 200th post. Yay!! I haven't blogged in a while so this update is going to be a long one. Happy birthday to my wonderful husband, wonderful mother in law, and wonderful grandma!!! These last couple weeks have been a lot of fun. We celebrated Adams birthday on the 5th, my Mother-in-law's birthday on the 6th and my sweet Grandma's birthday on the 7th!! Life has been pretty busy for us. We have been preparing all that we can for the big move and counting down the days for Adam's graduation! Its been very stressful so for Adam's birthday we thought we would just relax and have fun. I made him biscuits and gravy for breakfast...they were delicious! *and I don't like biscuits and gravy* :) He was called into work at the school which was a bummer but its something Adam actually enjoys doing so it didn't bother him. Did I ever mention Adam is in a program called IBC (Integrated Business Core)? It's an organization that teaches business practice through experience. He and several others created a company that sells all sorts of sweets on campus for those that aren't on the sugar-free train. They are called "Divine Chocolates" and sell Oreo truffles, pretzels dipped in chocolate, and some other things. Its very cool and classy. Its funny, ever since Adam started this semester he has loved marketing. He would love to go into it but as of right now its just an interest. Each company for this program takes out a loan so their big goal is to pay it back and earn more money than the other companies.

After Adam worked with his company for a few hours we went shooting and had so much fun! We froze our behinds off but it was so worth it. I'm practically a pro at shooting even though Adam would never admit it. =)

We also may or may not have gotten stuck :) Well you would have too if you drove in this mud and ice...

My shots are on the left of the targets *which were shot at 50 yards*. I have to admit that this picture was taken after Adam adjusted the scope on the rifle for me but I'm milking it for all its got. I threw Adam some clay pigeons until my arm was sore then we headed home.

I made Adam a sugar-free angel strawberry shortcake for his birthday cake *complete with sugar-free vanilla ice cream* and it was DIvine!! We had some family and friends over and had a fun night of games and lots of laughs. We played "pictionary" and "battle of the sexes".

Adam is such a goof...but I love him anyway. He totally reminds me of my dad when he acts silly. Does that not look delicious? I can't believe Adam is 25 and that I'm turning twenty five this summer! I don't want to turn twenty five but Adam says he loves it. Crazy boy.

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Maren and Parker came for a visit a couple weeks ago and we had lots of fun! We heard Relief Society President Sister Julie B. Beck speak on campus at the new BYU-Idaho center. She is such an amazing woman and gave lots of great advice and insights. It was more of a question and answer session. There were 2 microphones on each side of the center and woman lined up to ask all sorts of questions. It was really insightful and I loved every minute of it. We are so blessed to hear from leaders of the church here. Isn't the new center just beautiful!! Its only slightly smaller than the conference center and has 10 full basketball courts in the other half.

While they were here we went out to Big Juds. Parker managed to down a honkin'! hamburger AND ice cream. We were all pretty impressed.

This is Parker doing his happy dance after accomplishing the ever-so-frightening-mile-high hamburger :)

Maren and I made some homemade granola while they were here too and it is so yummy! It was such a fun visit and we wish so bad that we lived closer to them!! Oh, and I don't think I ever mentioned that they are having a boy!! So congratulations you two! You will be such great parents!!

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I've been going through all kinds of emotions about moving. I am so so excited to finally be back home with family but its going to be really weird because the longest Adam and I have ever lived somewhere is here in Idaho. To be honest I don't feel ready to settle down yet. Maybe because the word "settle" makes me think of the term "settle for less". Silly, I know. I've always thought that people don't settle down until they have children so maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself. Whatever the reason is I never thought Adam and I would be moving back home...with just the two of us. I'm so grateful for the education both of us have received at BYU-Idaho and I wouldn't exchange our experiences here for the world! I've met some great people here and I'm going to cry like a baby when we leave. I keep reminding myself that we will be back to visit soon. After my sister comes back from her mission she will come here to school, and I definitely am coming to drop her off. I can't wait to see my sister this summer! This is going to be the best summer ever. I can feel it!

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Today I am grateful for my brother and sister serving LDS missions. They make me the proudest big sister in the world! I have also been very very grateful for the safety of my family over these past few days. My prayers and thoughts are with those affected by natural disasters throughout the world.

Pour some splenda on me!

2011-03-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

My coworker and I have decided to go without sugar this month. What, you think we're crazy? Well, we are. I'm really excited though and despite this ginormous sweet tooth I have I am going to do it! I went without sugar the whole month of October and felt great! It was hard to say no but I felt so empowered everytime I said it. This time I think it will be easier because I not only have my coworker doing it too but Adam is joining in as well! I was shocked when he said he would jump on board the sugar free train. We already threw out all the sweets in our apartment. We both cried. Just kidding. Almost everytime I eat sugar I get a head ache so I have a love/hate relationship with it. I'm also cutting back on portions and using the elliptical every day. The last time I went without sugar I lost a bunch of weight so lets hope it happens again. Even though theres lots of snow still on the ground out here I know that summer is right around the corner...and we all know what that means. Speedo!! haha Just kidding. I would die if Adam ever wore a speedo. Right now I'm reading a book called "Miracle Pill" and I love it! Its very motivating and focuses on the things I can do, eat and think; not what I can't do, eat, or think. Just to get a sugar-free taste of the book here is Miracle Pills' 10 truths:

Get the click
Health is beauty
Diets make me fat
Change the inside and the outside will eventually respond
What I think, say, and do, I become
Does my health program pass the test:...'til I'm 80
Consistency not intensity
Treat my body like a Ferrari
Quality, not quantity
Choose fuel my body wants, not what my mouth wants

Well wish me luck!! Because March is lucky! :)

Top That!

2011-02-23T14:33:00.000-08:00

Let me kindly introduce you to the 80's...

My sister Chanelle and I would watch this movie all the time growing up but I forgot all about it until last night. After watching this scene this quickly crawled back up my favorite movie list. I mean, how can you NOT love those dreeaamy boys and their dance moves?! lol I remember Chanelle and I would watch this scene over and over again until we memorized the words. We thought we were SO cool! Once she comes back from her mission I've decided we will watch it again :)

Another movie that we recently watched is Rudy. Adam had to watch it for one of his classes last night. I don't think I had ever watched the whole thing. I actually had tears in my eyes! What an inspiring story. I loved everything about the movie, even though I kept imagining Rudy as a hobbit.

In other news (because hearing about my favorite movies is very important news)-we're moving!!!! Adam will be *fingers crossed* working with Lithia in Medford as a service writer. He had an interview in Poccatello a couple weeks ago with someone who will be helping him find work. This guy is our hero and has been such a huge help and a blessing for us! He met Adam last year while in the automotive program and he stood out to him apparently. Hes kind of like our real estate agent only for the job market in the business/automotive field. Ok, so I really can't remember what his official job title is but still! He has already been a huge help to us. Getting a job right out of college -in this economy- is somethin' else so we have been counting our blessings. Theres all sorts of jobs that Adam qualitifies for so we are still keeping our options open but as of right now we will be moving back home after Adam graduates this April. HOME! That sounds so good and I'm so excited! In all honestly I feel very meloncholy about it but still...very excited to be moving on and out of the cold.

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Today I am grateful for craigslist and burts bees chapstick

Party Time!!!

2011-02-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

My cousin Elicia had her 21st birthday a couple weeks ago. I had the day off from work so we partied it up! =) BreAnne and I decorated their apartment and surprised her. We got her a basketball, itunes gift card and some other things. It was such a blast! We had a bunch of her girl friends show up and we all went out to applebees. Here are the tons and tons of pictures we took of our fun night.

So BreAnne and I decided to write pick up lines on all the balloons. This one was our favorite =) and I couldn't stop laughing.

We, of coarse painted nails. BreAnne is pretty much the bomb diggity at painting nails so she painted mine with a zebra print. I'm pretty sure that's a requirement when you have a girl party =)

I got a decore glass from DI *washed it ofcoarse =)* and used it as a fun welcome to turning 21 lol but we filled it with the yummy mormon stuff called sparkling cider

and we all had to drink out of it for good luck haha

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELICIA!!! Your such a beauty and I'm so glad I got to share your birthday with you! =) I love you!!

Happy Love Day Party!

2011-02-22T13:55:00.000-08:00

I threw a love party and it was a lot of fun! A few people got sick so they couldn't come but It was still a fun night! I love the friends I have here in Rexburg and am going to cry when we leave *which is right around the corner!!!* I can't think about it too much or it will make me sad. I'm so grateful for all the friends I have been able to meet since being in Rexburg. This has been the best year in Rexburg by far! So for the party we had some fun making candy wrappers, marshmallow pops, chocolate covered pretzels, magnets, and cards.

I made these cool looking hearts out of paper and the plan was to hang them up all around the house with fishing line but that didn't happen. Next year I really want to! After most the girls went home Carissa, my SIL Anna and I watched "What Woman Want" and ate some yummy stir fry and asparagus. It was such a fun night and I think this is going to be a fun tradition I have every year regardless of where I am. Oh and check out my nails!! Is that cool or what?! My cousin BreAnne did them for me =)

I had lots and lots of magnets from phone books and turned them into something better!

Happy Love Day!

2011-02-16T14:38:00.000-08:00

I love Adam I love Adam I love Adam!!! Our Valentines Day was really fun! I worked all day *which was crazy busy because were short handed as of right now* and Adam told me to be ready by 5. He surprised me by taking me to a restaraunt called Stockmans Steakhouse. Soo good!!! I was very impressed by the service and the food...oh the food. Adam got all you can eat sirloin steak. Yep, you read that right. He was in steak heaven. I had a delicious dinner too! Seafood fettucini alfredo =) I loved the layout of the place too. Its a country cabin feel with cool porch swings out front. I have a feeling we will be back again. Maybe to celebrate Adam's graduation this April =) Adam gave me a rose too, which always makes me happy. He gives me a rose every year and I love it. He doesn't usually give me gifts, flowers, or chocolates and I'm totally ok with that because when it does happen its a lot more special. After dinner we went to see Megamind. Such a funny movie!! Definitely made it onto our favorite movie list.

This is Adam's "I get to have all you can eat steak?!" face, and I think it's cute

I teach the sunbeams at church and this last Sunday we talked about how Heavenly Father and Jesus love us =) We made valentine cards to take home to our families and Adam made me one. I think its the best valentine I've ever got from him. What do you think?

I'm so grateful for Adam and for his patience. I'm a very emotional girl so Heavenly Father knew I needed Adam in my life. I have complete faith in him and know that he will be a great father some day and will be successful in his career. Its been a really stressful 3 years but its been the best 3 years of my life! I'm so grateful for how much faith Adam has in the Lord. When I am weak he is strong, and thats what makes our marriage so good! I believe in him and he believes in me...and we have an eternity together. What a great feeling!!

Heres some eye candy in case you didn't get to have any sweets on Valentines Day. This was on our wedding day before he met me in the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity and I think its the best picture ever. It makes my heart melt.

Decorating Cookies

2011-02-02T22:14:00.000-08:00

So good news! I saw a dog today! *Quote that movie!!...and excuse my randomness* No but really, there is good news! We found out just a couple days ago that my sister-in-law is pregnant!!!! AND she's having a boy!! I'm so excited for Maren and Parker and I can't wait to start making fun things for my little Nephew!

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In other news the sun has been out and its been so pretty but don't you think for a second that its been warming up. Oh no. Its a long ways away from Winter being over. This morning when I went to work guess how cold it was?? -21...Negative twenty-one!!! I warmed up my car for about 15 minutes while I finished getting ready and when I went back it was still soo stinkin' cold! Curse you deceiving sun!!

This is me. At work. With my hair curly. In case you were wondering

I invited a few of my girl friends over to decorate some cookies and it was lots of fun! We watched one of my favorite movies: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days =) So funny...and such a good chick flick. I don't have much to say for this post, besides the fact that I love girls nights. Its hard to get Adam to bake cookies and paint nails with me lol

Ok...now I'm just showing off my camera's MAD skills =)

BreAnne and I professing our love for one another

My friend Sam

and Tiana

BreAnne had to make a look-a-like cookie for Elicia. I think its pretty much right on =)

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Today I am grateful for Johnson's Lavender & Chamomile Lotion and Tiana for introducing it to me. That stuff smells so good!

Happy Birthday Little Brother!

2011-02-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

This last Friday was Kenny's birthday so I HAVE to write a post about how much I just love him!! =) *sorry about the quality in the pictures, they are from my phone

17 reason why I love my brother:

He's a stud!
His mad beat boxing skills
Hes so smart. Seriously, Straight A's!!
Kenny's love for kids. He's so sweet with them
He can teach himself practically anything electrical
He's a great organizer and everything is so perfect in his room
He's such a good brother to McKenna. She loves him and looks up to him so much
Growing up he got in trouble more than I did and I liked the attention on him for once lol
His stubbornness. The good kind of stubborn that won't let him back down when it comes to standing up for whats right
His love for the gospel. He is going to serve a mission someday and will be great!!
The time he cried when I first went to college. I will never forget that
Our relationship. We have been able to talk about anything.
His love for his sisters. He's always watching out for us
He was always the one to stop the ice cream truck
His AMAZING talents like playing the piano
He's a fantastic cook!
His love for music

I love you Kenny and I will always be there for you. Never forget that!

Love,
your big sister

Red Red Redbox Night

2011-01-28T21:50:00.000-08:00

Tonight Adam and I rented a movie from Redbox. It happened to be the movie "Red" (which Adam is watching again as I type this). It was a really good movie...so funny! I just really really wish they wouldn't have said that really bad word that I hate so much. Oh I can't wait to have clear-play someday. Well as we were walking into Walmart to rent it I noticed how many things I had that were red. I thought it was just too funny not to take a picture of.

Red nail polish
Red organizer
Red phone cover
Red jacket
"Red" from Redbox

Looks like the only thing I'm missing is some red lipstick =) Which I also love and wear sometimes.

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Today I am grateful for my magic bullet which so magically made my delicious fruit breakfast smoothie this morning

SNOW!

2011-01-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

These are pictures of when we were home for Christmas. I love how beautiful Oregon is! I also love that we can just drive 30 miles to get the perfect sledding hills. I might as well embrace Winter while I'm here in Idaho. Let's look at the bright side. These months will only make me happier when Spring comes =) I've been in Idaho for years. I was here for a few semesters when I was single, then of coarse, 4 years with Adam. There really is so much I love about being here, but right now while I try to unthaw my hands and feet, I miss the sun. I just got off the phone with my parents who just landed in Arizona where 75 degrees and palm trees greet them. I was just a tiny bit jealous. When I was out there going to school I remember wearing capris in February. Right now I would freeze to death if I wore that outside! They are in Arizona right now because my Aunt is getting baptized!! I'm so so so so so happy for her and wish so badly I could be there to give her a big hug. I love my family so much and am so glad to know that families can be together forever!!

It was a beautiful walk to the sledding hill

The McKenna Meltdown

2011-01-28T18:34:00.000-08:00

Probably my favorite picture of our snow trip =) My parents were so patient with McKenna while she kicked and screamed because her socks didn't fit right. Oh my word. That child is a little mini me, seriously. I probably had a screaming fit once a day. In my defense it IS really uncomfortable to have socks that are way too big, and it IS really uncomfortable to be cold. Ok ok...there's really no good excuse to be a whiner. I still love that cute girl though. I also love my parents and how patient they were with me when all they wanted to do was take my "too big and uncomfortable socks" and "put a sock in it" Badum-Ching! =)

Gratitude

2011-01-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful for so much in my life and I have made it a goal of mine to post something I'm grateful for at the end of every post. I am also working on filling up my gratitude journal by adding a little something every day to it. I have had my special gratitude journal for several years and its fun to open it up and read what I have written several years back. I highly recommend keeping one! I like having mine on my night stand where I am reminded to smile at the little things in life. We are given so many opportunities to recognize the Lord's hand in our lives and I know that recognizing Him will bring happiness. I love love love this quote by Bonnie D. Parkin:

"Mercies and blessings come in different forms—sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things." All things means just that: good things, difficult things—not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love."

I know that it's true and I also know that it's hard. Like my job. I'm grateful for my job, but I just get so sick and tired of customer service and the really rude people that think they deserve the world on a platter...with a cherry on top. Wow. I'm already failing at this. Let's try this again. I am so grateful for my job because it puts food on our table, gas in our cars, heat in our home, that really good deal at Joannes! =), graduation in the spring, the best kind of friends, missionary experiences, our fancy shmancy date nights at the cheap theater, our Christmas presents, and lots of memories! Phew! I did it! I think this is the beginning of a beautiful habit.

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Today I am grateful for lipstick and the confidence boost that comes with it!

Christmas Recap

2011-01-23T00:08:00.000-08:00

This is a much needed update of our Christmas vacation. It was a blast and I'm so glad I was able to be home for 2 weeks. We surprised our families and got the reactions we were hoping for. It was priceless! My family remodeled some of the house and changed a couple of the bedrooms so that was the first thing the family couldn't wait to show off. I honestly just couldn't wait to snuggle with my mommy and little sister :) Ok, ok my brothers got in some snuggle time too (even though they probably didn't like it lol). I missed my family so much so it was really really nice to just relax and spend time with them. The first night we got in was so much fun and probably one of my favorite memories with my family over Christmas break. We all sat in my brothers room talking and laughing until I nearly peed my pants. We just talked about old times and took turns telling story after story. I loved it. Christmas morning it was pretty stressful, crazy and fun because we got to talk to my brother and sister who are serving LDS missions. We talked to my sister first who called us from Florida and then talked with my brother who called from Chile! You wanna know what the best part about their calls was? We got to SEE them!! They called us over Skype!!! This is the first year they have done this with missionaries and I loved it. I got spoiled this Christmas. I got a new camera from Adam and almost peed my pants I was so happy! (Did I really just type that? Yes I did) Here are some shots I took with it. I'm so glad I have such good home-makers to look up to. My mom goes all out for Christmas so I had a lot of fun taking pictures of all the decor around the house. I love my mother-in-law's Christmas decor too so I had to snap some of hers also. This first picture is my favorite :)

This is a nativity I played with when I was little.

This is another favorite :)

This is the ancestor tree that I love. On it is tons of frames filled with pictures of our ancestors.

I also got a sewing machine from my mom. I'm giddy with all the projects I will be able to accomplish with it! I have some ideas in mind but I should first learn the basics...like how to follow a pattern. I think my next investment will be in a rotary cutter too! I could definitely learn a thing or two from my grandma. She has made our family so many blankets over the years and theres one in particular that I treasure so much. Its a chinese looking one she made me for after I got home from China. I take it with me everywhere I go. It was great to spend time with my grandparents while I was home. I love and cherish the both of them for all they have taught me and are still teaching me. Grandma Pedersen and I write each other often and I have learned so much from her and the stories she tells me of my ancestors. Which reminds me...one of the best Christmas presents I got was my grammies wedding ring fixed, cleaned, and looking brand new! We found out its an opal and worth a few hundred bucks. Yeah baby!

Me and McKenna bonded a lot during our visit so there was lots of tears when I said goodbye

No vacation is a vacation without girl time :)

Believe it or not I have tons and tons more pictures from Christmas. I'm making it a new goal of mine to post every week, if not more. I have tons of thoughts, experiences, and pictures to share so stay tuned...you can trust me this time when I say this

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Today I am grateful for Pride and Prejudice and the beautiful music that uplifted my spirits today when I didn't feel good

November 2010

2011-01-12T20:34:00.000-08:00

I think its safe to say I'm really bad at blogging. Is it too late to make a new years resolution? I don't even know where to begin but let's just start at Thanksgiving. I made ham, potatoes, rolls, and 3 pies. We spent it with some friends here in town and I worked 4-midnight. Adam came with me to work and actually stayed the whole time! It was fun having him there. We played games, went through the black Friday ads, and I answered phones :) We found some great deals on the black Friday ads so we decided to stay up all night and see what we could get! The whole time I kept telling myself I was crazy but I guess the thrill of it all was too exciting to turn down. Adam and I first went to the Walmart here in town after I got off at midnight and boy was it madness! I got a couple towels (when I dyed my hair a while ago I stained ours...woops!) and some movies. Luckily, Adam is tall so he was able to reach over people to get what he wanted :) After that we went to Idaho Falls to stand in line in the ice cold weather for a TV we really wanted. It's a 40" LCD 1080p HDTV for $298!! Who doesn't want that?! We got to the target in IF and there was already a huge line all the way to the street. After realizing we were probably in the middle of the line we thought there was no way we were going to get it. We stood in line for about 3 hours or so. When we finally got to go inside it was so crazy, the news station was there taping the madness also. Long story shorter, we got the TV and we love it! We were given nice speakers when we got married and the only negative reviews we have read about this TV is the sound. Luckily, we don't have to worry about that.

November and the beginning of December was pretty crazy for me at work. I worked double shifts a lot so I could surprise my family by coming home for a 2 week Christmas break. I was so tired that I would stutter a lot at work. I already talk fast so I was really frustrated. One day I just broke down in the middle of a busy day. I was so sick of the rude customers thinking they deserve the world. At one point I was giving a driver his passenger names when I couldn't for the life of me tell him the name Aubrey. I was so frustrated and embarrassed that I just cried. I have randomly had days where I'm stuttering so bad that I can't get words out but never at work. I just hope it doesn't happen again anytime soon.

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I threw a gingerbread party and it was a blast! We were competing with who had the most "spiritual" gingerbread house. Ok, not really competing...just teasing. I made a temple and Erika and Kim made a manger scene :) I don't know but I'm pretty sure mine takes the cake lol ;) I mean, check out my Moroni!

This was Adam's...we still have no idea what it is :)

It was lots of fun! An old friend stopped by too and it was of coarse good to see him. Me and Chanelle have been friends with him for a few years.

Me and Kim

We had a Salt Lake Express Christmas party and we got free jackets! Wahoo! I'm pretty sure we all have worn them almost everyday :) In this pic is Sam, Kim, me and Tiana

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For Christmas I really wanted to have my wedding ring sautered but I was so nervous. I have been so nervous to do it that I've waited almost 2 1/2 years :) Woah. Have we really been married that long?! Anyways Adam asked to borrow it one day and I knew what he had up his sleeve. He sent me an e-mail with a cute poem at work, which was the beginning of a scavenger hunt. There was about 15 clues all around the apartment, parking lot and in our car. I loved it and was so happy to have my ring back...sautered and clean!

GRAMMIES RING

2010-11-13T21:07:00.000-08:00

A couple days ago I was doing laundry when I felt my ring snatch on something. When I looked at it I almost cried. My grammies ring that I always always wear had broke. That ring means the world to me and is something I treasure. I really really hope its fixable and am so glad that Christmas is coming so I can put that on my wish list :)

Silly photo shoot my cousin Britt and I did a couple years ago :)

FAMILY VISIT

2010-11-12T22:46:00.000-08:00

My family surprised us this last weekend. I was so happy I could have cried!! I have to work on Thanksgiving so I was so grateful they came out. I think the real reason why they came out is for the famous pizza pie cafe ;) I was in the kitchen cleaning when they surprised us Saturday morning. My brother ran in from our back door and attacked me. He scared me so bad my heart was racing and I was so shocked that I actually slapped him when he first came in. It didn't register until I finally looked at him who he was. I think I spent the rest of the weekend saying sorry. We had a lot of fun together and I can't say enough how much I love my family! I still can't believe that my family would drive out from Oregon just for a weekend to see us. I feel so loved. We tried to pack as much as we could in the 2 days they stayed so here is a list of what we spent it doing:

Playing games (We played curses, murder in the dark, and scum)
Watched a few movies at home
Played at the arcade *mini golf*
Took family pictures
Made yummy pot roast
My family met my friend Arielle and her baby Alora. It was cute to see my mom and my siblings love on that baby of hers. (Thanks again Ari for coming over!)
Shopped for my sibling's Christmas missionary packages
Went to church and I got a new calling (Nursery leader)
Mom and I shopped at Porters and got a bunch of fun ideas for Christmas decor
Had lunch at Craigos
and than to top it all off we snuggled *Name that movie!*

I left my camera in the car they drove back to Oregon (which is now in the shop) but I hope to get it back soon so I will post pictures then. As for now I was able to steal some of the family pictures taken from my mom's camera and have fun editing them.

Adam was going to throw me off the bridge ;)

I LOVE: CHANELLE & MUSIC

2010-11-12T21:58:00.000-08:00

Tonight Adam and I went to a dance showcase here at BYU-Idaho. I loved it so much!! I ran into a few friends which is always fun. One of my friends I met at church about 3 years ago danced in it. It was so good to see him! He was me and Chanelle's friends when we all were in the same ward. Right off the bat I was missing Chanelle. I got a little emotional because the last time I went to a dance showcase was for her. This was probably the best showcase I have been to yet and I can't wait to see Chanelle dance in it again when she gets back from her mission. The music was awesome throughout the whole night and the dancing, of coarse, was great!

Do you want to know a secret? I have a weakness for hip hop. A big one. Like, 'I have dreams of being a hip hop dancer' weakness. Well there was a couple dances tonight that made me really want to become a dancer. I've always wanted to since I was little but my self-a-steam has prevented that. Ok, side note: As I am typing this Adam is dancing in our kitchen hahaha I mean...he is an amazing dancer! He has enough confidence for the both of us :) Go listen to this song: "300 violin orchestra" and imagine a group of dancers hip hop dancing their hearts out. So cool! But I think you had to be there to really appreciate it.

Back to Chanelley, I couldn't believe how emotional I was during the performances tonight. I hate being such a sensitive and emotional girl but this time I'm blaming Chanelle. That dang girl always makes me cry! When I got home tonight I was running through some pictures of her dancing and had to post some.

These picture are of when she did "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego" It was so cute!

She is such a beautiful girl! All the boys were crazy for her when she was out here. I'm sure they will still be when she gets back :)

She is doing great on her mission. She has such a great attitude and can turn a really frustrating situation into a learning experience and I love that about her! She is great at everything she tries. You should hop on over to her mission blog: HERE and read her last post (on Nov. 1st). She has a funny story of how dancing really came in handy on her mission lol. Oh, and sorry about the font...not sure why it changes like that. She is now at the University of Florida campus. I guess they want to use the "Flirt to convert" tactic haha just kidding. When I first found out she was serving on campus I thought "What are they thinking? She's the most beautiful missionary!". Anyways, you will have to read about her experiences there. She actually saw a gator on campus, crazy huh?

She has to hand wash her laundry. No more complaining from me about doing laundry.

There's a new girl at work who I just love. She reminds me a TON of Chanelle. She talks exactly like her so we're practically best friends now lol Anyways she served a mission a couple years ago and we got to talking about music. She said that she would sing all the time on her mission and that there was one time she was out tracting and came across a stubborn lady who didn't want to hear the message whatsoever. She than said "Ya know, we sing! Could we sing you a song?" The skeptical woman than said "For me?" than came outside and shut the door behind her. The 2 missionaries then sang "I am a Child of God" and the woman started crying. She said the woman's countenance changed immediately. Isn't it amazing what music can do? I always said that if I could serve a musical mission I would in a heartbeat :) I love music and am so grateful for the music that bears witness of the truthfulness of the gospel and the happiness this life can bring.

BEAUTIFUL FALL IN IDAHO

2010-11-04T23:23:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year so much! The smells, the colors, and all the holidays. Adam and I carved some pumpkins a couple weeks ago, and I went for a drive to take pictures of these beautiful colors. I also have had our apartment decorated with Fall for a while but thought I would post some pictures of that as well. I love decorating and think it might be a slight obsession around the holidays :)

Can you guess which one Adam carved? :)

Fall around our apartment