Let it Snow!

We knew it was coming.

It took forever.

Somehow I hoped it wouldn't happen this year.

I hoped in vain.

It came.

I've now officially lived in Utah for 10 years. I think the novelty of the snow has finally worn off for me. Perhaps if I was really into snow sports it could be different. But in order to be into snow sports (I actually do enjoy skiing), I have to first own the equipment. More importantly, I need to own REALLY WARM clothes (especially gloves). The first time I went snowboarding (about 11 years ago) I ended up in tears, sitting on a hill I had no business being on when it was my first time, praying my fingers wouldn't break off. The good graces of a friend of the guy I was dating at the time who traded me gloves is the only thing that got me out alive.

So until we have the money that gets us this nice gear as well as annual passes for two, I think I'm only going to get more sick of the snow. Yes, it's great to look at (especially when inside a nice, warm place). But I've decided that I can just buy a nice picture of it, hang it on the wall and call it good.

I'm ready for some year-round warmth (or at least NO MORE snow!!!)

Destined for 2nd Place!

Well, another football season come and gone...and AGAIN, we got 2nd place!

But I have to say, we finished out on one heck of a game!

In the past 6 years, I think we've ended up in the championship game against the Thundercats (comprised mainly of BYU track runners) 4 - 5 of those years! Would you like to know how many times the Cowgirls were victorious...a BIG FAT ZERO!

Most years it is always close. The last two years though, it seems they easily walked away with it. We thought it could go the same way this year after their ridiculous beating of us in the 2nd round of tournament. However, with some recovered injuries, settled positions and a little switch up at QB...we pulled off a GREAT game that in the end could have easily gone either way.

Unfortunately for us...it went their way!

So we FINALLY decided it was time that we took a combined team photo
(since we see each other so often!)
The picture didn't turn out too great for some of us, but it's all I got.

For those looking closely: yes, that is Cosmo in the picture. He graciously came out to the game to cheer on the Thundercats (guess its who you know that counts sometimes!)

And of course I can't go a whole season without some kind of drama. I did this in the game the night before the championship game. This picture is a few days after the game when the swelling went down enough to put my rings back on. Of course I just taped it up and hoped for the best. I mean, it was already injured so what's the harm!

I got sick of the splint, and I'm told it's not broken (we question this), so I've already taken it off. I've done the splint 2 times before (two different seasons) and its annoying! Hopefully my finger doesn't look too disfigured after it's all healed. :o) Well...perhaps we'll pull a victory off next year (if there is a next year!)

Kim's Baby Shower...

Back on December 6th I threw a baby shower for my friend Kim. She should be having her little boy in the next few weeks! We're excited to see little Jaxon Daniel (assuming they don't decide to change his name by the time he comes!)

Dan's (Kim's hubby) family had already thrown her a shower, so this one was a little smaller. She even had a friend come up from Vegas for it. I consider myself a good friend, but I can't see myself making that big of a trip for a baby shower (not offense to any of you that do not live near me. Consider this your 'heads-up'.)

A few months back I saw pictures of some fun diaper cakes. After doing some research on just how to best create one, I decided to take a stab at it. 70-ish diapers, 3 receiving blankets, lots of rubberbands, some ribbon and crinkle-paper, and a nice serving platter later,
and this is what I got:

I have to admit, I LOVED how it turned out! I also had a ton of fun making it. OCD perfectionists like myself enjoy little 'see the end results' projects like this. If you ever want one made for something, I'd love to do it for you (after you supply all the materials, of course.)

Below are the game prizes. Gotta love the 3 for $10 deals at Bath & Body Works).
Playing some of the random games I found on the internet for baby showers:
Animal baby match
Baby Trivia
Nursery Rhyme Rhetoric



And a BIG, HUGE, SPECIAL Thanks to my brother and sister-in-law for letting me hold it at their house!

Things to be grateful for today...

There are alot of things that I am grateful for, and I hope that I am someone who shows that gratitude as much as possible. But something happened today that reminded me of my gratitude for a few specific things. Let me explain.

This is how the turkey bowl that Rand and I played in today ended. That is Rand below:

We got up early on Thanksgiving Day to play some a traditional game of flag football with some of Rand's friends from home. It was a perfect day for it! In fact, we were having so much fun that after a few hours and a quick break we decided to keep playing. I think it was only three plays later and this was the result.

Rand and another guy were going after the ball and collided (Rand's head into his shoulder). Most of us weren't near them when it happened, but we heard it. Rand fell to the ground and I think we all were expecting him to grab his head and roll around a little bit. He didn't. He didn't do anything. He was just lying there completely still. (insert my panic now)

We ran over to him and rolled him from his side to his back. His eyes were open but he was totally unconscience. It was so freaky. We were talking to him and there was no response. We could see that he was breathing, but there was no movement in his eyes or body at all. I think we were all in shock at first and were waiting a little bit for him to come to. He wasn't. I started to panic and just basically demanded that somebody do something (I didn't yell or anything. I was suprisingly calm on the outside, but panicked on the inside.)

One guy ran and grabbed his phone to call 911. Two of Rand's good friends, Nick and Ian, gave him a blessing. It was right as they were doing this that Rand came to. He was moving and trying to get up but we all made him stay down. Ian was asking him a lot of questions to make sure to keep him conscious. He had no idea what had happened but was able to answer other things like his name, birthday and address. It was about 5 minutes before the paramedics arrived and Rand doesn't remember anything during that time before they came. He remembers the paramedics though. They came and started accessing everything and asking him questions as well. He answered his birthdate right, but when they asked him how old he was he said he was 21. :o)

I had his friend Zack (Pen) call his house (and ask for his dad, not news you want to give mom!) They met us at the field right as Rand was being taken to the ambulence (you can see them in the picture below). I was running and grabbing all our stuff to throw in the car and getting Rand's insurance card. Then I hopped in the cab of the ambulence and we were off. They gave Rand some oxygen during the ride and that seemed to help his memory alot then. He remembers getting into the ambulence, but not out of it.

(side note: I did not take these pictures, I was a little too distracted. But once the paramedics arrived and we knew it was good, Rand's friend grabbed my camera and snapped a few shots for posterity sake.)

They did some x-rays and a CT scan and everything checked out clear. They told him he'd have a pretty good headache for a few days but that he was fine to sleep and do normal acitivity. He isn't suppose to play any sports or do anything where he can hit his head again for a few weeks.
The doctor said that is where the real injuries would come from.

We went home, had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner provided by his parents (though Rand's appetite was nothing close to normal. Good thing we have plenty of leftovers.) He slept alot and took plenty of tylenol. He's feeling a lot better but is feeling pretty stiff and still has a good headache.

So what exactly has this reminded me that I am grateful for...three things:

3. Insurance: I am so grateful that I have a job that provides really good insurance coverage. Not that I would have had to think twice about calling 911 or going to the hospital, but I have very little concern over the amount we will have to pay for this. It is a great blessing for us financially to know we can have these things taken care of and it won't effect us for months afterwards.

2. The power of the priesthood: I'm so grateful that Rand has good friends who are living worthy of holding the priesthood and being able to administer a blessing to him at such a critical time. I know that there were a number of the guys on that field who could have done it if needed. And I'm grateful that they thought to do this first before anything else. Even though we really didn't know the extent of the injury, having a blessing given to him at that time was such a calming thing and brought some peace to me (and I think everyone).

1. Rand: What's funny is that through all of this, I haven't cried at all. I think I get that from my mom. No time for freaking out in that situation, you just have to act to get things done right. But now as I type it, I'm crying. I'm so grateful to have Rand in my life and for all that he does to make me and my life better. I can't imagine not having him in my life and that was something that I wouldn't even let myself think of while he was lying there motionless. I love you Rand!

So...that was our Thanksgiving. Never a dull moment in our family (either side). I'm usually the accident prone one, so I think my family and friends were shocked to hear it was Rand and not me. Since we've been married that's been two trips to the ER for Rand and NONE for me! (knock on wood!)

Now I can't forget to post as well that the night before we got together with some friends that Rand grew up with and played games, chilled and chatted. We did a little Wii bowling. I was the winner (I just played with his dad's character). I'd never played bowling before (only played Wii once before ever) and I had 8 strikes and a 2 spares. haha...beginners luck! If only I could bowl that in real life!

We also played a little catch phrase and that is always fun. The guys had an amazing 'come from behind' finish to win the game!


Funny side note: Rand's good friend Regan (in the white shirt) text him after the hospital and said, "Rand, this is Regan, do you remember me?" and today he followed it up with, "I don't know if you remember, but I leant you $50 yesterday." Haha...the 'forgetful' jokes will probably not get old anytime soon!

Thankyou everyone for a FUN and UNFORGETTABLE (unless you are Rand, of course) Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Aloha!

This is what Rand and I both said about two weeks ago.
The difference is that I was saying 'goodbye' to him and he was saying 'hello' to Hawaii!

Rand was able to go with his brother on a work trip to Hawaii to cover some football and basketball games. They spent a week on Oahu taking in the sites, the beaches and the sporting events. One day we talked on the phone and I asked what they were up to, "On our way to the Polynesian Cultural Center." Then a few hours later, another call, "Just waiting for the evening luau to start."
Even though he did have homework to work on while there, it was a tough life for him.

His brother took all the pictures, so we'll post some when we get them from him.

So what did I do while Rand was gone? Well, I decided to catch up with some friends.

First, my niece Ellie.

She and her brother came and watched my football game and then Ellie stayed the night with me. We stayed up watching theatrical marvels like "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl" on Disney. Yeah, it was as good as it sounds.

We got up in the morning and Ellie wanted to make pancakes. After breakfast we went to run some errands. I feel for all the moms out there who have things to get done and kids to take with them. I just had Ellie, but my errands weren't all that fun to her (even though she was fed Wendy's and got to pick out a craft at the craft store.) She did like trying on shoes at
Famous Footwear though (such a girl).

While out we saw a bunch of puppies for sale outside a store. There were about 4 different litters. These white labs were so cute. They were just piled on top of each other sleeping.

I guess Ellie was enjoying having her picture taken because she asked me to get a picture of her on this statue. I told her it wasn't happening, so she settled for just a picture standing by it.

RANDOM!

After I dropped her off at home, I still had errands to do (it was Saturday, after all). While running around, my neighbor (and RS Secretary) called to ask me what food she needed for our RS Presidency dessert night (we have 10 sisters from the ward over for treats to help us get to know them better, and get to know each other better). I quickly ran through the things we had at my place the Sunday before. It went something like this, "Fruit, marshmallows, oreos, chocolate to melt, brownies. Wait, brownies. I remember making them, but did we ever eat them? I don't remember cutting them or serving them, or cleaning up the pan. Hmmm. Oh no, have I left them in the oven ALL week? Wouldn't they have burned? Rand would have noticed before he left. I always leave the oven on and he catches it. What in the world happened?"

Well, as soon as I got home I walked into the kitchen, opened the oven (that was not on) and found this:



Yep!

I had turned the oven off but left the pan in to cook a little longer while the oven cooled. Then I forgot about it! For a week they sat in there. I hadn't cooked anything in the oven all week (that's what happens when I don't have Rand to feed.) Luckily I used the miraculous Pampered Chef brownie pan that will NEVER burn the brownies. They were a little hard from sitting out a week, but it was easy to cut them out (and throw away) and nothing was stuck to the pan!

The following Monday I had dinner with some of my old roommates (and honorary roommate) who I lived with for the two months before I got married. After dinner at my place and chatting, we all were leaving to other things. I realized we didn't take a picture so we tried to do it out in the parking lot. Jamie (on the right) has the longest arms so she took the pictures. It was a learning process and someone was always getting cut out of the picture. Below are just a couple of them to show the fun we went through.

FINALLY, we got one of us all in the pic!

Clockwise from top: Mollie, Jamie, me, Cat.

Then the next night I had dinner with the roommates before the above ones, Janey and Katie. Again the dinner was at my place, but this time we made it. We chatted and caught up on everyone while cooking and eating. Then we chilled on the couches and talked some more. After 4 hours we finally decided it was time to break things up. It was awesome to catch up with them (Katie is expecting in February and it was fun to see her HARDLY showing!)

I forgot to get a picture of us together that night, so I've posted one from a ward activity we went to together 2 years ago when we were roommates.

L to R: Janey, Katie, Me

Then the following night, and my last night without Rand, I met up at Applebee's for dinner with some friends from California who I seriously had not gotten together with in years (ran into them each once in like the last 5 years!) It was fun to catch up with both of them!
L to R: Sara, Kensley (how does she have 3 kids, the oldest in fourth grade!) and me.

Thank you: Ellie, Mollie, Cat, Jamie, Janey, Katie, Sara and Kensley for a wonderful time and getting me to do something other than sit at home and watch movies every night while Rand was gone (though I did watch lots of movies too). It was fun to see you all again and catch up! We'll have to do it again the next time Rand takes another 'business trip' with his brother.

ALOHA!

Twilight Movie Review

Okay, since I had posted earlier about reading the books and going to see the movie, I thought I'd give my quick (but wordy) review.

First off, the most interesting thing about the experience was by far the 'waiting in line' part. A friend of mine gave me a ride over to the movie theatre so I could wait in line to get a decent seat (did not want the front row! No matter what movie it is, sitting in the front row is miserable.) Rand had to work until 30 minutes before start time and we knew that would equal the front row. Thank you Janae for the ride!

When I arrived they let me straight through to go get in line. I sat down next to a big group of women (9 to be exact) who were SO giddy. They were taking pictures, sharing what they found to be 'cute' in store catalogues, and having some conversations that I wouldn't be caught dead having with anyone but my husband (let alone with a friend in a HUGE public line). I had a book with me to read, but it was just too fun (and almost impossible to not hear) the conversations by me. Oh, and these women were trying to save TEN additional seats for some friends. Out of control. I think my favorite thing of the night though was this:

Seriously?

As I read my book I slowly and inconspicuously took this picture (hence no flash) with the sole purpose of posting it here! And yes, I saw one person getting them after their showing.
But hey, to each their own.

As the group before us left, I saw SO many twilight t-shirts. But I have to say, this one that I came across while checking out a friends blog was by far the best, made me laugh (she made it).

Clarification for all who need it...Edward Cullen is a fictional character! :o)

With all that said, over-all, I liked the movie. I think I need to see it again (from Redbox) so I can enjoy it more without all the criticism I gave it while watching the first time. I knew that they couldn't possibly put the entire book into the movie, and it was sad to see that what was cut was the relationship build-up of Edward and Bella. I was visibly annoyed for the whole first half of the movie. Some stuff was INCREDIBLY cheesy, but you get past it. But what really bothered me more than anything was the first kiss scene. Totally turned 'hollywood lust' and I'm a little disappointed that Stephanie Meyers didn't put her foot down on that one and have Bella in some actual sweatpants. Also, when Edward tells Bella what everyone in the restaurant is thinking...that's not in the book and another stupid 'hollywood' add-in that was so unnecessary and not appropriate. Those things bugged me more than anything. I just don't understand why the author of the book and story itself didn't take a stand on it to keep it cleaner when that's what she herself believes in. Considering how the third and fourth book gets more into that realm of things (as they get closer to marriage), I'd hate to see what gets changed in those movies (assuming they get made). So sad! What is this world coming to?

As far as the acting, I think they did a pretty good job with casting. I think Edward and Bella were good and people need to get over who they cast as Edward. I think Robert Pattinson did a great job with a hard character. I was most impressed with the spot-on casting of Alice and Emmett (as well as the casting they made for Laurent). But I have to say, I think the best acting was done between Kristen Stewart (Bella) and Billy Burke (Charlie). They totally captured what the book portrayed about them and their relationship.

And what was the most entertaining about the movie itself...the audience. The 'oohs' and 'ahhs' were halarious. Especially the first time you see: Jacob, each of the vampires walk in at lunch, especially Edward, and Carlisle. Rand and I just looked at each other with a look of 'seriously?' on our faces. And I swear that at the end of the movie, the girl sitting next to me was on the verge of tears! haha!

What I wouldn't give to watch this movie with a few of my old co-workers (Ryan or Corwin). I can hear Corwin now, just laughing his head off at the reactions of all the crazed women. And I can see Ryan rolling his eyes and mentally mocking the ridiculousness of it all (until he'd get into the office the next day...then he'd go to town vocally on the craziness.)

Okay, this is far too long. It's just that the whole experience was hilarious. It definitely made the movie watching experience a little more entertaining though. And it's always kind of fun to see a book you know come to life (though I have yet to see a movie that does the book justice.)

I can understand why women everywhere love the books. Edward, Carlisle (and even Jacob) are the classic chivalry filled guys. They are modern versions of Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knightly, Edward Ferrars, etc. Chivalry will never go out of style and this movie/books are a classic example of that.

I enjoyed it. But I'd first take a love story from books and movies such as Pride & Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma any day! Where do you think Stephanie Meyers got the idea for the name of Edward in the first place! :o)

I gave in...

It's true, I gave in and did something I was refusing to do! It had been such a big craze and I saw so many people (mainly girls. Excuse me, I mean GROWN WOMEN) acting ridiculous over it. I thought it was out of control, so I wouldn't let myself go near it. I knew people who loved them and were totally normal about it too, but I couldn't get past the out of control ones. There are SO many things relating to them that are TAKING OVER people's blogs (and lives)! My mother-in-law bought me the first one, and I put it off for over a year before caving.

After deciding to discontinue with the MBA program, I had more time. I didn't want to waste my life away in TV (I can easily do this)...so I decided to get back to reading all the books I have sitting on my shelf (no matter the book, it ALWAYS sounds better when someone asks what you did that day and you say, "I read" as opposed to, "I watched TV"). I seem to have books I like to read over and over again (like To Kill a Mockingbird or The Screwtape Letters), but I also have my series books that I really liked (Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia), and then I have a lot of books I want to read, but just can't seem to get started on. So I thought I'd grab one of those and give it a try. With that, I thought I'd better read the one my mother-in-law gave me so I could say I read it and not offend her! haha. (Sorry Susan) Well, the joke was on me...I loved it and it totally drew me in and had me wanting to read more (to get to the end and see how it all played out, I can't stand not knowing how something ends). And read more, I did. I bought the rest of the set and had them all read in less than two weeks (remember I work 8 hours a day).

What were the books? It was none other than:

I still refuse to be the giddy, crazy person who is nuts about the books and movie. I enjoyed them, they were entertaining (not life changing, by any means).

Too many people out there seem to be CRAZY over them, one might say 'obsessed'. I'm pretty sure I could see one of the actors/actresses on the street and not say a word to them and my life would continue on just fine. I'm well aware these characters are fictional (I seriously wonder if some people know this!)

But if want an entertaining and easy read, these are good. If you can get over the constant infatuation talk and drudgery of it (especially in the 4th book, which definitely was the slowest one for me), pick them up.

I was entertained. Enough that Rand and I have our tickets (what a great husband he is to go with me) to go see it. We'll see how the movie matches up. I'm always facinated to see how they put some 500+ pages of writing into a two hour movie.

A few thoughts...

So these elections have been interesting to me. I'm not a fan of politics. I get sick of the mud-slinging, the hours on end of debates, and alot of promises that I really don't know or really trust that the candidate will actually follow through on. That being said, I do still try to make an informed decision when I vote.

When it comes to our blog, I try to keep it pretty 'scrapbooky'...pictures with descriptions (though wordy they may be). But I'm going to break that little 'outline' for a minute because it's something I feel pretty strongly about.

I have been absolutely FLOORED by these elections, mostly because of one issue: Proposition 8. But really it goes deeper than Proposition 8. In reality, Prop 8 just brought to light things that were happening in the world that weren't really getting the recognition, and the battle, that they deserved. I've been floored to look around and see the state that our world is in. To see where it has come since I was young and worry about where it will be when Rand and I are raising our children. What will be acceptable? What will be taught as 'right'? How will we create a safe-haven in our home to combat the ways of the world (as they say, live in the world but not of the world).

And I've realized that standing up for what we believe and know to be right is important, no matter the consequences. And it's been sad to see people who proclaim to believe what I do, and see them not stand up for it...or even stand up against it. Now I know that we all have a right to choose what we do and to make our own decisions. And I definitely am thankful for the country I live in that allows this, as well as a loving Heavenly Father who made it (agency) part of His plan. But what I've seen these last few months, and the weeks following the elections, is scary to me. And it has nothing to do with protests and spray paint and those who are not of the LDS faith. I've been scared by how many people that I've seen not heed the counsel of our prophet and church leaders. We have no greater protection than that in our world today.

So in my posting this, it's not to criticize...it's really to, I guess, express a fear and saddening in my heart. And also to express a resolve in my own life to always follow what I believe. My belief goes further than just enjoying the moral life and family centered feeling of the church. I believe in more than the wonderful people who make up its membership, who greet me with a warm smile and pleasant conversation on Sundays. When I prayed to know if the church was true, I wanted to know if it ALL was true. When I received confirmation of that, I knew it ALL was true. And part of what I knew was that we have a living Prophet on the earth today, a modern day mouth piece for the Lord. Along with him we have modern-day apostles as well. I have no reason to doubt that, or to doubt who holds that position. Though I LOVED President Hinckley and the wonderful leader that he was...my testimony was not in him, it was in who he served and the sacred position which he held (and I definitely respected the choices he made in his life to prepare him and make him worthy of such a call). I know now that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, seer and revelator. I know that by heeding his counsel I will be able to keep myself and my family safer than any other method the world may offer me. When I hear them speak, I don't have to question the issue they speak on, or the counsel they have given. Some people call this blind faith...but it can't be. You see, I've prayed to know if this gospel, which INCLUDES modern day revelation through prophets and apostles, is true. IT IS! So why would I have to question everything those prophets and apostles say? I don't have to, that's the answer! So when people comment that I need to have my own opinion or I need to do my homework, the reply is simple: I did do my homework and I do have my own opinion...and my opinion is to follow the prophet and apostles.

But I'm not perfect in that. This election made me realize that following them is SO important. Sometimes we think we are good because we've followed them on the BIG issues, the ones that get discussed more vocally or that we can see the effects of publicly. Then I think...I doubt Proposition 8 would have EVER been on a ballot 2o years ago, it just wasn't a 'big' issue then. Who today, who has stood on the side opposite the prophet and the apostles on this issue, found themselves on the SAME side as them 20 years ago on other issues? Did they ever see themselves on a different side? I doubt it.

So I ask myself...do I really follow ALL the counsel I'm given from these men of God? I know nobody is perfect, and I myself am definitely far from it. But honestly, what counsel have they given that I don't follow? What shows do I watch, what music do I listen to, what clothes do I wear, what things do I give priority to in my life that really don't have too much weight in where I eventually want to be? Are those things THAT important to me that I would push aside that counsel? When will the little 'weaknesses' in my life be brought to the forefront of a political debate, to be voted on? And where will I stand at that time? Perhaps I should start paying better attention to exactly where I'm standing and who I profess to be following. Proposition 8 was a huge debate that was a small victory for many people. But the deeper issue of following the our prophet and apostles, sadly, was a bigger loss for many.

I hope I'm following Christ, and therefore, I hope I'm following His servants. I know that their sole purpose in their callings is to bring people, myself and you, unto Christ and to truly know Him and to become more like Him and to return to Him one day. If that is my goal, and it is also their goal...wouldn't I want to follow their counsel?

It's a contant battle in the world we live in. I constantly need to remind myself of who's opinion matters the most to me...the world's, or my Saviors? I don't think my choices always reflect that. If they did, I'd worry less about my physical appearance and stop beating myself up about a few gained pounds. I'd never look twice at a fashion magazine or worry about what the latest celeb was up to. I'd stop spending so much time on keeping things clean and tidy and use some of that time to learn more by studying my scriptures and reading the words of current prophets and apostles. 'Keeping up with the Jones's' would be easier...'cause it would no longer matter.

I guess this was just an eye-opening experience for me. It made me take a deeper look at where I stand and who's side I'm on. It helped me to realize that I ALWAYS want to be on the Lord's side, along with His prophets and apostles. And it helped me take inventory of areas where maybe I'm a little off course, and if I don't correct it now, I could be alot of course in the future (great talk on this here). And I realize that this course correction will be something I'll always be doing, because I'm not perfect. How grateful I am for the atonement of Jesus Christ that makes those course corrections possible! I can overcome my sins and my weaknesses to stay on the right course and to become more like Him. And through the enabling power of the atonement, He also gives me strength to carry on in the things I am doing well already.

This quote was sent to me by my director at work. I love it. It is SO powerful. It was given by an apostle of the Lord. He spoke these words in 1978, 30 years ago. How prophetic and telling for our day, for a week ago, for today!

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions.

President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.' "This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . .

Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. "Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened. . . .

Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel.

There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself.

Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

-- Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, "A More Determined Discipleship," Ensign, Feb 1979, 69–73 (An address delivered at Brigham Young University, 10 October 1978).

The picture at the top is one of my favorites of Christ and is seen in many places. Did you know it actually comes from another picture? This is the picture of Christ and the Rich Young Ruler by Heinrich Hoffman. This story is so pertinent to all of us, and to what I have posted about. The rich man is, to himself, seeminly willing to give up anything to have eternal life and follow the Savior. He thinks he is doing all, or will do all, that he is asked. Then the Savior asks him to do one thing that he finds he is not willing to do. He wouldn't give it up.

As Elder Maxwell stated, the heat is on.

Where do we, where do you...where do I, stand?

it's November 4th!

GO VOTE!

I'll admit...I'm nervous for these elections, especially in California.
I wish I could still vote in Cali...and since I can't, I hope everyone who can IS!

Halloween 2008

Okay, to preface my costume choice: if there is anyone out there that I am told I look similar to the most, it would be Tina Fey. When I have my glasses on and my hair is straight, I would always be told that I looked like Tina Fey from Weekend Update on SNL. Well, once Sarah Palin was announced as the VP canidate for the Republican party, I heard from a few people right away that I looked like her some too. I didn't really see the resemblance as much. Then of course, the whole Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin on SNL started happening and I gave in. I'd been wanting to cut my bangs for a while, so I waited until the day before our Ward Halloween party (which was last Saturday, the 25th). Even though Rand looks nothing like McCain, we did our best and hoped it would make sense (we forgot to stuff a pillow in his shirt, that would have helped a little. Just think of him as McCain in his earlier years...thinner, but still graying.)

For the ward party, I went with the half-up hairdo and a pant suit. It wasn't spot-on, but did the job. When we walked in, everyone just started laughing...so we did a good enough job, I guess.

I got a picture with one of my favorite little boys in the ward, Carter. He's so adorable and Cindy (his mom) always does such a great job on his costumes (he was Winnie the Pooh last year).


Above is the Erb's. I had to get a pic because they did such a great job coordinating the costumes. They were, of course, Cinderella and Prince Charming. To match their little boy to the theme, he was a mouse. If you asked him who he was, he replied in the cutest little voice, "Gus Gus". haha...SO CUTE! (He refused to stand still for a picture though!)



There were tons of other great costumes, I just wasn't great on taking pictures that night.



The following week I had to hide the new bangs by pinning them to the side everyday. I didn't want to give away the costume idea since so many people at work joked I looked like Sarah Palin. In fact, two days before Halloween I met a new employee for the EFY office. After introducing ourselves she said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look kind of like Sarah Palin."

For the office, I decided to wear and skirt and do my hair all up. It is really hard to get your hair to be as high as hers!!! Lots of hairspray, mouse, etc...and I still couldn't do it justice! I also wished I had a red suit jacket...but I wasn't forking out the money for one day! I did however, find some campaign badges and look-a-like glasses.

It got a great reaction! Too much so! Soon I was being taken all over the building for people to see. I was even MADE (I tried to fight it) to go into a Women's Conference planning meeting (attended by one of BYU's VP's) and 'encourage' them all to vote on Tuesday.

Also at work, the above people all had dressed up from our department and they had us go deliver halloween candy to the Korean group that is here. I can't imagine the number of pictures of me there are now...SO many pictures being taken of us all. Even a few of the Korean guys were saying, "oh, it's Palin." haha!

Then my brother Brian, his wife Emily and their kids stopped by my office so I could see them. Brian and Emily were dressed as a convict and parole officer. Brian didn't help by wearing his Nor-Cal shirt under his jump-suit and his Kings wristband (Rand always tells me what thugs the Sac Kings are). They offered to let us borrow their costumes next year...but I'm more than 100% postive that I would NEVER fit into Em's costume.

Em decided to make use of the mickey ears they got for the kids this summer at Disneyland. She made the costumes herself (I wish I could sew like her!) They turned out adorable! They didn't realize that Ellie's sparkly red shoes didn't fit anymore, so they went with her tennis shoes last minute. And Trevor, when asked what Mickey says, would reply with a little laugh and then, "Oh Boy!" Again...TOO CUTE!

And this last pic is of my old supervisor Troy! I worked with him for 3 years and miss joking around with him everyday. My friend Amy and I stopped by to visit (he heard about my costume and wanted to see.) This is what we found! haha! I don't think he'll ever grow tired of his gross teeth! He may kill me that I posted this...but he has no choice!

A few days before Halloween we had an enrichment activity of decorating halloween cookies. It turned out great and was so chill. Because we didn't get the turn out we quite expected, we all decorated about 8 cookies each! Lauren, Heather and Jessica had a FIELD DAY with their cookies, it cracked me up so I had to get a picture of them all!

Thanks to everyone who came...it was a blast!

MTC and more of Kim's wedding

So one of my FAVORITE people in the whole world, who belongs to one of my FAVORITE families in the whole world, entered the MTC on Wednesday: my cousin Trent.
He is headed to Houston, Texas...Mandarin Chinese speaking.

Rand and I were able to meet up with him and his fam (minus Ash and Dev) for breakfast at Kneaders the morning he went in. I love seeing them! I'm excited to see all my family on our next trip home! ALL my cousins, aunts and uncles (both McFadyen and Triano side) live in the Sacramento area (minus my brother and his family, and my Aunt Sue and her hubby who lives out here, and soon my cousin Chad who will be out at BYU for school). So going home ends up being a lot of visits to all the fam, but I love it!

Rand, Trent and I.

The whole gang
(we chose such a great spot for the pic so that the sun would be right in our eyes!)


Ryan and Sarah both has braces as well, so we had to get a picture!
Don't mind that I am about 20 years older than them! haha!


I got some pictures from my friend Kensley from Kim's wedding (much better than the pics I took), so I thought I'd post a couple:

Kim and Dan



Here is Kensley and I. I hadn't seen her forever and was so excited I got to!

I kept catching her trying to be all 'photographer-ish' and snap candid shots...

so I thought I'd help her out!