girl power!

When I heard there was a movie about sister missionaries I got totally excited.  Of course I had to see it.  At first I wasn't super into it but I started laughing and at one point even got a little teary eyed ... like one or two drops :)  It was cute! (the movie ... not my tears)

tick tock, tick tock

 Definition of time according to Webster

 11: a person's experience during a specified period or on a particular occasion

What am I experiencing?  What am I doing with my time?  Is it worthwhile?  Does it serve a purpose?  How does it make me feel?  Am I changing … for the better? 

Life is in motion and unfortunately the hands of time don't stop for anyone or anything. Time slips silently by and can never be reclaimed.   You see I’ve always known this and you have too, but I continually need reminding.  For me it’s like an “aww-ha” moment on replay. Sink in already!

It’s easy to take time for granted.  It seems never ending.  I have found myself neglecting the important things, putting last what really should be first.  I want and need to be a better balancer of my time.  You balance or you fall and I’d much rather end up on top than on the floor.

 

Others thoughts on time… 

 “Life is all about timing… the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable… attainable.  Have the patience, wait it out.  It’s all about timing.”

 “The less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in.”

 “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.  Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.”

  “When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute.  But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute - and it's longer than any hour.  That's relativity.”

 

Now it’s time for me to go to bed!

A sheep in wolves clothing or a wolve in sheeps clothing ...

I really like Costco.   People are really friendly, it's clean, you get free samples, great deals, fresh produce, i could go on and on. Because there's only one of me I don't go often but I do make occasional visits to pick up odds and ends here and there.  Last Saturday just so happened to be one of those times.  So this is the scene ... I'm in workout clothes, no makeup, dirty hair ... you get the picture.  I grab a cart and start surfing through the aisles.  Let's just say I was in Costco bliss.  

Obviously everybody likes the free samples along the way and is nice to all of the "sample people".  K ... I'm walking by and there is this woman trying to get customers to try face moisturizer.  No one was stopping.  I figure she has a harder time trying to get people to stop so I say to myself, "what the heck ... humor the woman, stop and try the lotion".  So, I stop and she's telling me about this "fabulous lotion" whatever right.  After I put it on ... get this ... guess what she says to me ... "see you already look 10 years younger".  How old does she think I am?! My reaction:  I seriously could not help but laugh.  I smile at her (at this point I had stopped laughing) and said, "that would make me 15" and walked off.  Who looks 10 years younger in seconds and who uses the "10 years younger" pitch to a 25 yr old?!  OMG!  Granted I was looking a bit undone as mention above but seriously how old did she think I was?!  No wonder sales people have a bad wrap.        

Gracie turns 2.

Marti's daughter Gracie had a birthday party in Draper Monday night.  Fortunately I was able to go.  It was fun to see everybody.  Kendrick's are freakin' awesome!  Johnsen's are pretty cool too.

We had dinner at Cafe' Rio and partied til' the break of dawn at Draper park ... well until nine in the PM.  We are serious party animals ... PM!

Poor Dallen has to put up with me and my silliness.  I think he secretly likes it though.  Funny, I think every time I post about Dallen I always start it with, "Poor Dallen".  I can't help that he brings out a special side of me.  

For those of you who are wondering, Ashley (my cousin) is on the right.  Boys she is taken so don't ask me to play wing-woman.  Ashley is that cousin that made all the family gatherings exciting as a kid.  We were super close as kids and it's been fun to be friends as we've gotten older.

Marti (another cousin) and her husband Brandon have 3 beautiful girls.  This is their recent addition, Hallee.  I hope I spelled that right.  That could be embarrassing.  Marti is a sensational mother and a sensational all around person.  I'm always amazed at what she can do from her culinary skills to her bows that no one can seem to mimic. 

LOVE BIRTHDAYS!  

Happy Birthday Mom!

This incredible woman shown above is my M-O-M.  Years ago on September 14 Nancy H. came into this world... luckily!  

Thank you for changing my diapers and getting up with me in the night (when I was little of course :), for washing my blanket and all of my clothes for that matter, for always tucking me in at night, rubbing my back before I fell asleep and making sure all the monsters were out of my closet and away from my bed, thank you for your bedtime stories, for getting me up and off to school every day, thank you for always expressing your love through your affectionate ways and words, for taxing me all around town to different activities, for spending one on one time with me, for your wisdom, thanks for staying up late and getting up early on my behalf.

Even though I am no longer under your roof I still feel that special love and bond. Thanks for listening to my dreams and supporting me in my endeavors!

 Love you mom! Happy Birthday!   

Mission on my mind.

"Have ye any that are sick amoung you?  Bring them hither.  Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner?  Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy." -3 Nephi 17:7

     These last few days I have had my mission in the forefront of my mind.  This has caused me to to travel back in time and reflect on this closed chapter from my life.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it.  But, I will continue to carry those sweet memories and testimony building experiences with me.  My journey continues and I look forward to seeing what else the Lord has in store for me. 

"The Go-Getter".

Did I ever tell you guys about my little hair disaster?  Hence the brown.  Actually it was black, but luckily with a lot of scrubbing it turned into lovely mucky brown.

Preachin' the Gospel!

Tender mercies.

There is no way to sum up the experiences I had.  It's too great, too sacred and too amazing to put into words.  God lives.  He is our father.  Jesus Christ is his son and our Savior.  Through his teachings we can find peace and happiness. 

"... and he did heal them every one..." 3 Nephi 17:9

How to be a Lady.

"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little- if only out of politeness.  And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny.  And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny."

"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman."

"Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future." 

-Coco Chanel

Love is friendship on fire.

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introducing... my twin!

so my roomate comes home with this pattern and tells me i have a long lost sister... it kind of freaks me out how much we look alike!

don't you just love picasa?!!!

baseball is bomb.

Last weekend I went to a Dodger's game. Low and behold we spotted Pamela Anderson Lee well actually not me, BUT... I confirmed that it was indeed her. When we got a side profile it was one of those moments where you look at each other and smile, "yep... that's her!".

The night was made complete with this nut who sat a couple rows in front of us. He was like the energizer bunny that just kept going. Scott was the only one amused... I think everyone else was really annoyed. I seriously felt bad for the people who had to sit directly behind the guy... don't believe me... just watch the clip below. He had outfit changes and barked like a dog! Who does that?!

Okay moving on... we had A-M-A-Z-I-N-G seats! I've never had so much fun at a baseball game. I really got into it especially when we got caught up in the 9th inning. Look at me throwing around "we", I guess I'm a dodgers fan! What a game... thanks for taking me Scott!!

I rest my case!

love this girl!

This past weekend I was able to get together with my good friend, Brittany Parker Devine. I stole this picture from her blog... isn't she gorgeous?! I have so many great memories with Brittany. It was fun to reminisce and catch up. Although it's been years since I've seen Brittany we picked up right where we left off and didn't seem to miss a beat. Brittany impresses me so much... she was amazing before but continues to grow and be even more amazing! I'm so greatful for our friendship and so glad we were able to hang out this weekend.



We had quite a dynamic day. Brittany's sister, Nicole got tickets to Celebrity Family Feud. I didn't realize they were still taping the show. Ne-ways we get to the studio on Saturday morning and get in a fairly descent size line. We were spotted by some of their crew and were escorted to the front of the line. SWEET! The crew told us if anyone asked to say we were with The Dream foundation... sounds like a good foundation so we were okay with representing dream! Cute little ole' Al Roker hosted the show and guests included the Kardashian's, Ed Mcmahon, Deion Sanders and tikki barber + their families. Poor Deion junior got harassed by Brittany, Nicole and I... we couldn't help it he was adorable. We yelled out his name and blew him kisses he was totally embarrassed and when you made eye contact he would get all nervous and look away. Hahahaha so much fun! The taping took about 3 hours. We had to redo some parts and start and stop frequently throughout the show. Celebrity family feud begins airing July 1st. Look for us on t.v.!!

We strolled around on Rodeo Drive. Beautiful stores! With all of that walking we decided on Sprinkles; the famous cupcake shop in Beverly Hills. Their signature Red Velvet cupcake was by far my favorite. I seriously smile just thinking about it. This delicious dessert has a handsome price at 3 1/2 dollers a cupcake but it's totally worth it!

The day was made complete with a trip to the beach and of course laughs and giggles all night. Brittany... your milkshake brings all the boys to the yard :)

Making Memories...

On Saturday it will have been 3 weeks since I've been here. The time has flown by so fast which goes to show how much I'm loving my summer abode. There is so much I want to do and experience while I'm here. I'm pretty proud of myself for getting out there and doing as much as I have. Typically I'm the type that procrastinates and trys to squeeze everything in at the last minute but not this time! So here's what I've done so far...

1) hiked in the Santa Monica mountains.

2) checked out some great beaches (made the coolest sand sculpture of ariel with some help of course).

3) switched to soy milk... the vanilla kind all the way!!

4) ate a yummy dodger dog at a dodgers game.

5) Diddy Reese's. yum!

6) attended the grand opening of the new ferris wheel on the famous Santa Monica Pier.

7) been lost a million x's.

8) become an expert parallel parker.

9) watched a high speed chase on the news.

10) participated in powder puff football, sand volleyball and lets not forget...ultimate frisbee.

11) went to Magic Mountain with some friends... and rode X2!!

12) smelled carpet.

13) spent a day and a night in Orange County.

14) spent way too much money on gas.


I have yet to...

+ Take one of those cheesy tours and see where the stars live (which I fully attend to do).
+ go to a taping of Ellen.  I really really really want to see Ellen before I leave!!
+ walk Rodeo Drive
+ attempt to surf
+ grauman's chinese theatre
+ Disneyland
+ picnic on the beach
+ Hollywood Bowl


If there is something I'm missing on my list please let me know! What do you love about California?

b-day weekend

I hit the big 25 on June 1st!

Reunion in San Clemente! It was good seeing friends and familiar faces. We practically spent the whole day at the beach. Jill, Erin, Brooke and I went to this cute little italian restaurant on main street in San Clemente for dinner. Jill and Jon were so sweet to let me stay in their cute little apartment with them. They have a dutch door and I fell in love with it at first sight! Thanks again for the incredible pancake b-day breakfast!

There is more to post but not enough time. To be continued....