Faith

New Blog

2010-09-30T23:43:00.002-06:00

I officially have a new blog! It's called The Farmer-Jones! I am going to be doing my best to regularly update on it to let all those who read it and keep my family updated on my new life!

Bridals!

2010-08-09T23:29:00.011-06:00

I did my bridal shoot with my sister-in-law and her good friend last week and it was a blast! I brought my friend Jelly along and we all just had a good time laughing :) With the wedding now being only 9, yes you read that right, 9 days away ZB did the impossible and got me 17 pictures back already and I thought I would share them with you :)

Engagement Pictures

2010-07-29T11:28:00.006-06:00

Back at the beginning of July my amazingly talented Sister-in-law ZB took engagement pictures for Dan and I and from what I have seen they turned out so cute! We went up to Riverton where ZB took us to an old park where we took most of our pictures, we then RUSHED to change and get to a barn close by her house for sunset! It was such a fun day, and even Dan admitted that he had fun :)

Here are a few of my favorites!

Big News

2010-06-02T15:21:00.006-06:00

I just really quickly wanted to let everyone who reads this blog know that I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!! The wedding is going to be August 19, 2010 in the Mesa, AZ Temple. I couldn't be more happy to have the opportunity to spend the rest of eternity with my best friend! I'll post more later :)

Parent's B-Day Presents

2010-04-23T12:47:00.005-06:00

My parents came up here for 17 days in March for the birth of little Ava. While up here, my dad has his birthday and I was finally able to give my mom her birthday gift, from January. Being the poor college student that I am, I had to come up with something creative and relatively cheap! The result was writing poems, and then printing them up on Vellum and putting them over a picture of myself with either my mom or dad. I then framed them and voila, gifts! I'm sorry if you can't read the writing, it's kinda hard finding a font to work on black and white photos!

I personally really liked them, and hopefully so did my parents! Plus it was fun to be writing again. I miss it.

Finals

2010-04-22T13:05:00.005-06:00

I officially finished all my finals on this last Tues. and have been spending the past two days getting ready for my move! The worst part of the semester is the week building up to finals, all of the stress, studying, and pressure to do well. No wonder so many people have break downs! I am so glad I made it through in one piece! Now I have four days of freedom before I start classes for Spring Semester! Oh joy! :P On the plus side, it means I am finally starting my new major. Which means............NO MORE SCIENCE CLASSES!!!!!! English classes, bring it on! If I can survive Chem 105, I can survive anything! (Whether or not I survived it in style, or hanging on for dear life is a different matter...)

Anywhoo, I have been so very blessed the past few months. I was supposed to be moving to a condo with my current roommate Jana, but that ended up falling through and I spent the next few weeks stressing about what to do. I had signed a contract to stay at Alpine Court till the end of summer, but it just didn't feel right. Since I had to find a place for fall I kept looking around and ended up coming across Roman Gardens. I signed a fall/winter contract with them and really wanted to sign for spring/summer, but was told getting out of my current contract was impossible unless I found someone to buy it from me. If any of you know, selling a spring/summer contract here at the Y is near impossible since complexes never even fill up for those months. As I was talking to Jana about this she brought up the possibility of her sister maybe buying mine since she was going to be moving down here anyway. After a few phone calls, and constant praying and crossing of my fingers, she said yes! So I am now moving this weekend to my new place, and Jana's sister will be moving in here about a week later. I know that this is the right thing for me to be doing. Everything just fell into place perfectly. I will be saving money, living right across the street from Adam, and have the opportunity to meet new people!

In other news, Danny is engaged! He is getting married on June 18. When he called to tell me about it, I was rendered speechless. I knew it was coming, but just hearing those words from Danny was so strange I didn't know how to respond. This means that I get to go home in June for about 3ish days! I am so excited. I miss home and my mom so very much! Danny getting married is just icing on the cake! Plus I am getting another sister! This means the girls and guys will be even!On that happy note, life is overall pretty good and I can't complain because I have been so blessed. I am eternally grateful for my family and all they do for me. I could not of picked a better one to spend eternity with! I hope everyone is doing well and will do my best to post more often! Time to get back to cleaning and packing...

Still Alive...

2010-02-20T18:21:00.006-07:00

I'm alive! At least I like to think I am, though sometimes I do question it...gotta love being a full time student and part time worker. That and getting one heck of a nasty respiratory infection! Yet life goes on, whether you are enjoying it or not. Anywho, short quick recap since I last posted. I turned 21 and celebrated it with two very important people in my life, Carrie and Heidi. I then got some pretty sweet extensions that I loved! (being smart like I am, I got no pictures of me with them...go figure) By this time it was December and crunch time at where I was working to get ahead for when I quit, plus packing for my move up here to Provo. I had my last day of work then it was Christmas! Such an awesome day :) Then it was time to move up here! I got all settled in and much to soon it was time for my parents to go back home :(. I started my classes and within one week knew that I would never survive in that major. Science and I do not get along at all. 6 weeks later still hating most of my classes, changed my major to English (and so excited about it!), needing to find a new place to live since my current place is upping rent :P, and just doing my best to make it through this semester! Thank heavens for my awesome roommate Janalynn! Best roommate I could ever want right now.

Lately my friends have been getting home from their mission in hordes it feels like! And to top it all off, all of the guys that are getting home that I met my freshman year are all younger than me, needless to say I am feeling very old. I've been thinking a lot about what I have accomplished in my 21 years 4 months of life and can't really think of much. I have so many things I want to do but I just don't do them. I'm hoping to change that! Starting with getting a degree! Once I get that out of the way (and yes I mean Out of the Way!) I will actually have time to do some of the things. Life truly is a precious gift and I am sick of taking it for granted and just sitting on my behind not doing anything. I am determined to become the woman the Lord wants me to and to live my life to it's fullest. I have some of the most amazing people in my life. My parents who are everything to me, my amazing sister who I can't begin to imaging a life without, my three silly older brother's who always keep me on my toes, my best friend Carrie who I miss like crazy and has helped me through some of the most difficult times, my roommate Jana who keeps me laughing, Heidi who always has something to say, my grandparents, my niece and nephew, my brother and sister-in-law and so many other people. With all these people and I have no reason to complain so much. My life is so great, and I know that!

On that note, I leave you with this picture that is an oldie, but reminds me of how much I have. I found it the other day and am so grateful I did. I love my father so much and I am so grateful for everything he has taught me.

BYU

2009-10-22T20:37:00.002-06:00

I'm not sure if I posted it or not, but I got re-accepted to BYU for winter semester of 2010. Well, the past few weeks haven't been my favorites because I've been having Mesa withdrawal's and I haven't even left yet! Not a good sign...I actually started trying to find some way to be able to stay down here but I guess the Lord has different plans in store for me because there is pretty much a 1 in a trillion chance I am staying. But hey, who am I to argue with the Lord. Now I just have to paste on the smile and positive attitude and hope that I will find that reason for me to be up in Provo! In JANUARY of all times. The coldest time of the year up there in the bubble! I made it one year, I should be able to do it again...if not apparently my sister gets my books and Heidi gets all my movies...nice to know how loved I am =D Now I just need to find housing...if anyone out there knows of anything that is close to campus and is not to expensive please let me know! I know that I sound like a total whiny baby, but what can I say, I'm a Mesa brat! In all honesty I am excited to be returning to BYU and to have the opportunity to get away for awhile. I just am not looking forward to the snow...

Anywhoo...some very amusing things have been taking place at work lately. I went in to talk to the lawyer I work for about some things and ended up walking out with dating advice. (What can I say, I work for a Stake President!) Now how many people can say that? Yeah, I was talking to my boss about work and paralegal's jobs and ended up getting told I need to flirt more, especially with my eyes. That I'm to pretty of a girl with so much going for me that I shouldn't be single. I'm just going to take that as a compliment...ha ha I was laughing about that conversation for the rest of the day! Then today, my manager walked out of his office and commented on how "feisty" everyone was today. (Just so you know, besides the 4 lawyers, I work with two men, the manager and another legal assistant. The rest of us are woman, about 15 in total and today all the drama hit the fan! Rather amusing for me to sit back and watch...) Anyway, my manager then continued to explain why he thinks everyone was acting this way. He said "it's pretty much all women here and they work together daily and when women are around other women all the time they end up with their "cycles" being the same." I immediately started laughing and asked, "So basically you think everyone here is pms'ing at the same time?" His epic response: "Well yeah, what other reason could there be?" Like there could be no other reason for everything happening. Priceless.

Besides that, not much has been happening in my life besides my allergies coming in full force and bringing along a cold for company! Not loving it, but I have so much Benadryl in my system I'm surprised it is safe for me to operate a moving vehicle!...Yeah sad joke...what can I say, I'm sick :)

Miley Cyrus Concert!!!

2009-10-14T22:57:00.005-06:00

Disclaimer: This post is going to be backwards since I uploaded all the pictures backwards and I don't want to go through and fix them. Call me lazy =D

All in all the concert was amazing and I am so glad I got to go! Hunter even walked out and said that he thought it was an awesome concert and she is very talented! No lie. Thank you Hunter for agreeing to go with me so that I was able to experience my very FIRST concert!!

Singing I love Rock and Roll. This picture is not zoomed at all if I remember correctly and Miley did this song amazingly! Went perfect with her voice.

There she is!! I'll admit it, I screamed along with all the little girls. And I'm proud of it! My voice was basically gone by the end of the night, I was cracking, sounding like a man and everything :)

It is true, Hunter even bought a shirt! I had nothing to do with it even, it was all HIS idea.

It's true I bought a shirt! I even wore it to work the next week. I have to say though, when I was buying it I asked if they only sold children size and she said they had larger ones. The lady then proceeded to ask who I was buying if for, and looked around at my feet for a little kid...

Traffic driving to the concert was insane...and we almost got in an accident with this picture because the driver was watching me and not the road...

This is at the gas station before taking off. It took me about 15 shots to finally get this picture showing that I am wearing a fanny pack. You heard that correctly; A FANNY PACK! I know you are all jealous of me but hey we can't all be as awesome as me...

Reason for Fanny Pack: I needed something to carry my wallet, keys, and camera in and there was no way I wanted to carry my purse. Solution: Fanny Pack =D

I know ALL of you are just dying to know about how the Miley Cyrus concert went. One word: PHENOMENAL!!! That girl really knows how to put on a show!!! Here are some of the pictures I took to document the occasion...P.S. my camera ended up dying before the concert was over. Yes I was sad, no I didn't cry...although I thought about it.

Utah Trip

2009-09-24T21:32:00.002-06:00

I went to Utah a couple weeks back to meet with a councilor at the Y and to visit my adorable niece and nephew. While there I had the opportunity to babysit while my parents, my brother and his wife went out. So what did we do? Went to the park of course!!!

My most adorable niece!!! She is by far just plain out adorable. Period.

The nephew, all serious. P.S. he did this pose all by himself, I just captured in on camera ;)

The amazing and gorgeous view from their backyard. They live in such a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and...Color!! Yes there is another color out there besides brown all you Arizonians. Who woulda thunk.
Anywhoo, it was a very fun, not restful, and informative trip! I am happy to be returning to the Y in January (yes the cuties are a huge part) but I am very sad to be leaving my Mesa. I am and forever will be a Mesa brat and will be returning here someday and will hopefully raise my family here...whenever I get one! First I need a man...anyone out there know anyone single feel free to set me up! Yes I seriously just did that, and meant it! Let me know.

CAKE!!!

2009-09-24T21:14:00.007-06:00

My good friend Stacie (yes she is a different person than me) and I entered a cake contest in our ward. She decided she wanted to experiment with fondant and that I was going to help her! Yeah not an intimating task at all... :P

Before the fondant was added the cake looked...like it was oreo frosting. It wasn't!

It's amazing what a little sugar, corn syrup, and almond extract can do! While being inedible and smelling very grotesque...

All three layers together!

Beginning of the decorations...

There is more being added...The finished cake! I am very proud of completing it! It took 4.5 hours and our prize for winning in the contest was a small 1 inch plastic gold medal with a ribbon to small to fit over your head! Oh yeah, be jealous. You may now marvel and the wonderfulness that is this cake.

California!

2009-08-27T20:43:00.011-06:00

I told you all that my parents took me to California and Knotts Berry Farm. Now you get to see some pictures from it!My parents at Huntington beach. I am very much obsessed with this picture!Myself at the beach =)

The beautiful California beach.In honor of my big brudder :)
We have arrived!Very first ride of the day! It was so sweet! And my mother said, and I quote, "I almost wet myself!!" I about died laughing.We went on this ride second, I thought it was smart doing it early so we could dry off during the day. Bad idea, especially when you are wearing jeans and a white t-shirt!The end result, at least from our necks up!My obsession with the windmills finally documented!! Every time we drive this area I just stare out the window thinking how cool these things are and this time I finally took pictures!! Quite a few actually....
Well there is just a taste of what we did while we were in Cali. It was such an awesome trip and I am so thankful that my parents took me! It is definitely something I will never forget =)

Family Pictures

2009-08-17T15:57:00.017-06:00

Story of my life: I go to make a post of our trip to Cali and guess what! The wireless internet is down (again) so I couldn't post any of them since those are all on my laptop and I have to post from my parents Desktop. Oh well, such is life. Instead you get to see our family pictures!

At the beginning of July we had a family reunion, first time in 5 years all of my family has been together! Of course we had to do family pictures, no way my mom wouldn't let us. During this reunion my parents, J, ZB, HY, Mini-E, AF, and his girlfriend Minders went to my grandparents cabin for two days. (Teacher, myself, JJ, and Big Sis couldn't go cause we all had to work) When they got back JJ and Big Sis got into town and then we went to Wicked at Gammage on Thurs.(as awesome the 2nd time as the 1st...if not better!) and then Friday was family picture time/birthday celebrations! By the time pictures were done, the kids were very ready to be done and go home and eat. Here are a few of the pictures taken.

Big Sis and JJ
The Three girls of the FamilyAll the girls in the FamilyThree Generation Shot

My beautiful ParentsThe Whole family together at lastAll five childrenTwo sistersAFTeacherMe and my sassy red shoesYes, I know they are adorableLove, Love, Love this photo!

The End.

Off to Cali!

2009-08-13T07:46:00.003-06:00

If any of you remember, back in April Hair Genius and I had made a deal to go California if we reach our work out/weight goals. Then she decided to move to Utah so it ended up canceled and we road tripped it to Utah...but that's another story you can here here. Well, about a month ago I was in the kitchen with my parents and my mom randomly asked me if I could go anywhere on vacation with them where would it be? (within our budget of course) I said Knotts Berry Farm cause I have never been. The next morning my mom came into my bathroom as I was doing my hair for work and said that we were going! The day has finally come, we are leaving this morning in about 10 min. to drive over and go to the beach this afternoon and then tomorrow we will be at Knotts Berry Farm all day!! I am so excited :) I'll be taking lots of pictures and I'll post the best ones when I get back! Till then, adieu =)

My "List"

2009-08-12T21:44:00.027-06:00

Busy Bee Lauren has an awesome blog and challenged all her readers to make their "List" of extremely attractive male actors, so I'm doing it! Some of mine are the same as her, others are not. Without further ado...

Oliver James
From the classic "What a Girl Wants" is just plain gorgeous and very much underrated in my opinion. He is can sing, fairly good actor, and a British accent to boot!

Chuck Wicks
It's true that he really is only famous because he is dating Julianne Hough, but dang is this man attractive! Julianne did good with him :)

Colin Firth
The original Mr. Darcy need I say more.

Ethan Peck
Not going to lie, first time I saw him didn't find him attractive at all. In "Ten Thing I Hate About You" there is just something about it that has the total OMG Factor going on!

Chase Crawford
Gossip Girl, gorgeous, drool worthy, Footloose lead. End of discussion.

Taylor Lautner
Yes, I know he is still just a baby but a girl can dream can't she! He is making me want to become a Team Jacob fan...something I never thought I would say! Don't worry girls I am, and forever will be, devoted to Edward but man is Taylor a temptation!

Robert Pattinson
Even though I am slighty in overload with all the news that come out about the man daily I can't deny he is very attractive when he is NOT all dirty and greasy looking! Does anyone else notice that in 99% of his pictures he has his hands in his hair...

Zac Efron
Wasn't a huge fan of Zac Efron really till HSM3 and then when I saw 17 Again I was hooked. Especially now that he got his haircut and no longer looks like a girl. This man is A-mazing even if he is dating Vanessa Hudgens. No ones perfect.

Jensen Ackles
I am completely in love with this man. If I were to ever meet him I just might attack him! He is simply phenomenal in "Supernatural" and hilarious as well. Fighting demons, or making fun of his "baby brother" Jensen can do no wrong! At least in my world...
Update: To all of those wondering, I obviously did not get the part of Leah for Eclipse. No suprise there but it was definitely a fun experience! If I can ever get the video to upload I will do it so you can all see it!

P.S. I don't know why it is not doing all the fonts the same, I have them the same when composing it but once I publish it, it goes all wonky. (yes I seriously just said wonky, move on)

Eclipse Audition

2009-07-02T19:24:00.006-06:00

I'm sure you are all dying to know what that last post was all about so let me tell you. I was doing the whole Twilight stalking thing about 3 weeks ago and I went to a blog, then clicked on a link to another one and was perusing that one when I came across a post that talked about Open Auditions for the movie Eclipse for the parts of Seth and Leah Clearwater....so I clicked on that link and read what was required and then...I decided to audition!!! Here is the character description:

Leah Clearwater - (Female - Age 19) is a Quileute Indian and
the only female member of the La Push wolf pack. She is tall
and slender with beautiful skin and short cropped black hair.
She would be considered gorgeous if not for the perpetual
scowl she carries due to a broken heart and her anger issues.
She is the daughter of Harry and Sue Clearwater and the
protective older sister of Seth. [Age 18-22 to play 19]

I fit the roll perfectly don't I? Ha ha. Anywho, I went to CC's house to get help with my audition cause she is an amazing actress and she also read the lines with me while recording it :) It has been such a fun experience and I know there is a one in a million chance that I will get it but I'm so glad I tried at least! :D I got to spend time with my best friend, come out of my shell a little bit, and I even think I have a little bit of talent for acting that I never knew I had. As a little "treat" I'm going to post the clip I sent in for my audition. It is a scene from the 4th book Breaking Dawn where Leah joins Jacob's pack. Tell me what you think!

Ok it is not letting me upload the video so I'm going to do a couple things and try again. But I thought I would still post all this information cause it has just been sitting in the edit area for so long!

Another post...

2009-06-26T23:18:00.002-06:00

I know, I don't post for months and now I post four times! I'm a dork, it is true. This is just a short little teaser though.

I am a Twilight addict. Simple as that. The other day I was on a Twilight blog where I followed a link to another blog where I followed another link to a separate site and there I found something very exciting!! All I will say about it right now is it has to do with the movie Eclipse...when I get it all finished I will tell you all about it. And if your lucky I might even post a video!

Life as of Late

2009-06-26T23:00:00.008-06:00

Life lately has been one crazy adventure after another as you can tell. I am still working as a legal assistant at Skousen, Gulbrandsen, and Patience law office and then take care of Buddy, Teacher's puppy every afternoon when I get off. We also had a Belnap family reunion where I got to see JJ and Big Sis after 6 months of being apart! It was so much fun and they brought their guns but unfortunately we were unable to go shooting cause it rained all day. Instead I took some fun pictures with them...
This was my favorite picture, very Charlie's Angels don't you think? ;) Anywhoo...that was a fun trip and then I got to come home to reality!

Right now it is monsoon season here in the Valley of the Sun. The temperatures haven't been too bad till this last week where they shot up again and it got pretty hot, only to have the clouds come rolling in and cool it down again. I must say for June it has been really cool. I was hoping for some rain this week, cause I LOVE rain, but we didn't get any :( We did get some sprinkling in some areas but that's it. Tonight though I went outside with Buddy to just sit and watch our sprinklers and enjoy the cool weather when I saw this and just had to get a picture of it.
The beautiful sunsets of Mesa, AZ. I love AZ for many reasons and this is one of them. The beauty down here is just breathtaking. It is a little piece of heaven for me. It may be "hot" but to me this is HOME, this is where I was born and raised. This is where my family is. This is where I grew up and got my bumps and bruises. This is where I was baptized. This is where I gained my testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ. This is where I did all my lower education. This is where I learned to be the woman I am striving to be today. And this will be where I get married. This place is where all the IMPORTANT events of my life have taken place. That to me proves that this is my home. I am extremely bless in my life.

CC's Wedding!

2009-06-26T22:52:00.007-06:00

My best friend CC got married on May 8, 2009 to her high school sweet heart John John for time and all Eternity in the Mesa, Arizona temple! I am so happy and proud of her.
CC has been the truest friend a girl could ever ask for and has been such a wonderful example to me. The things she has faced and gone through, I can't even comprehend and she has held fast to the gospel and her testimony through it all. When she was in a situation where things weren't going right, she prayed to her Father in Heaven for guidance and was shown what was the right thing for her to do. She is so giving of her time and energy to everyone and truly loves everyone. She is always going out of her way to help someone in need and is such a shining example of our Savior's life. I am grateful and very blessed to have this girl in my life and thank my Heavenly Father for bringing her into it when He did. She means the world to me and I love her with all of my heart. I would do anything for this girl and I know she would do the same for me. That is true friendship.

Utah...

2009-06-26T22:22:00.014-06:00

Ok, I know this is a lot later than very soon but in my defense my parents wireless has been on the fritz and I didn't think of my flash drive till tonight...I haven't used it since I was up at the Y! Here is the story of Hair Genius and my trip up to Utah:

It was Thursday and I got a text from her saying that her radiator was out and she couldn't take it in till Friday morning so the trip was being postponed. Friday comes and she takes it in the minute they open and they tell her it is the radiator for sure and it will take a couple hours to fix. About 4 hours later she is freaking out cause she hasn't heard anything so her dad calls and they say they haven't even started cause they don't have the part so he goes and buys it and takes it to them. 2 hours later he calls again and they say they will be done soon. At about 3 that afternoon she finally got it back and then went and got the front two tires replaced and they told her the back two were fine. I went over that night to stay the night and we left bright and early very eager to be going! We made it to Flagstaff without a problem and got gas and some breakfast and then were on our way again. We put the top down and were just having the time of our lives. We stopped in Page for gas and made it into Utah and to a little, small town called Orderville where we stopped to use the restroom. About 15 miles outside of Orderville the radio turned off so we took the faceplate off wondering if it had overheated. Then all of a sudden her speedometer, clock, and rmp all dropped to zero and turned off! We pull over and then her car stalls. We turn it off and start to say a prayer when her clock comes back on. We say the prayer and try turning it back on only to have her car alarm go off. First thing out of my mouth, "You have a car alarm!!!" We then pop the hood and stand on the side and realize our cell service is coming and going. After about 20 min. a mother and son finally stopped to help us! Only problems was they didn't know anything about cars and had no tools. Then a man from Colorado stopped and started helping us and we got it working again right as the Sheriff pulled up. So we started driving again and said a prayer of thanks only to have it die on us again! The sheriff and thankfully driven behind us so he stopped and after talking to Hair Genius's dad called a tow truck from Orderville to come pick us up. About this time, Sharkey (a mechanic) drove by and stopped to take a look with no success :(
The tow truck finally got to us about 2 hours after our initial breakdown and he took us back to Orderville where they worked on the car and broke the windows. (They rolled down on their own and wouldn't roll back up) We were then informed her alternator had gone out! I was finally able to call my mother and tell her I was ok and what was going on when someone lended us their cell phone cause we had ZERO service there! The mechanic told us he would have to tow us to St. George on Monday cause he didn't have the part there. Thankfully Hair Genius's future roommate's brother had just married the daughter of the woman who owned the only Hotel in the town and she put us up for FREE in the HONEYMOON SUITE.
There was definitely a mirror above our bed and everything! It was intense, the bed was so high a stepping stool was needed to get into it! On Sunday some very kind people invited us to their house for dinner and were very nice and talked to us and made us feel very welcome.
On Monday we were taken to St. George where they fixed the alternator and we hit the road again! Only problem was when we got to the freeway and accelerated we heard a grinding/ticking noise so we headed back to the mechanic to be safe and found out her belt broke! They fixed that and we left again happy and optimistic...at least trying to be. We were about 1 mile outside of Beaver when her back passenger seat tire shredded! A very kind man stopped and helped us change the tire (even filing the donut tire up with air cause it was flat) and told us where to get it fixed. We got to the Chevron and they gave us two brand new tires for $10 above cost cause they felt so bad for us and how horrible our trip had been going! I then said I was driving and we went on our way and FINALLY made it to Provo Monday night, where we got Hair Genius all settled in. I then flew home on Tuesday and was ever so grateful for it. Let me just say I only had two outfits for this entire trip cause I only thought it was going to be a two day trip! Needless to say my clothes and myself were filthy.

Even though the trip did not go according to plan and I would not repeat it for anything I do know how blessed we were. We were blessed that when the problems accured we were in a habitated area where kind people stopped and helped us. We were in a place where the people asked what they could do for us the minute they realized our predicament. We were able to get all the problems fixed. And we had people both in Utah and in Arizona praying and watching out for us. The Lord was really taking care of us on that trip and for that I am eternally grateful.

Utah

2009-05-19T23:47:00.005-06:00

Remember when I talked about how Hair Genius was moving to Utah so we were no longer going to Cali? Well, I went with her to help her move and what started out as a drive up Friday come home Sunday turned into a start driving up Saturday, get stuck in Orderville, Utah for two days (staying in a honeymoon suite, with a mirror over the bed and everything), go to St. George Monday (twice), have a nice long (unexpected and unwanted) break in Beaver and finally make it to Provo Monday evening around 5:30 and then I turned around and flew home today (Tuesday) at 2:35 (at least that was when my flight was, I actually didn't leave till about (3:15 Utah time). I know you are all just dying to know this story and EXACTLY what did happen and I will tell you. Just not tonight as as you can tell it has been a LONG weekend and I am very much overdo for some much needed sleep tonight! Now all 2 of you have something to look forward to!

Pictures and story to come SOON! (I promise :D )

I also will be posting pictures of my Best Friend CC's wedding that took place on May 8, 2009 in the Mesa, AZ temple. She married her high school sweetheart J-Man and I couldn't be happier for her :)

Sad Day

2009-04-26T14:46:00.002-06:00

The California trip is off! Hair Genius has decided to move to Utah so she will be leaving on May 15. Good new, I get to drive up with her! The plan is to leave the morning of the 15 (if I can get work off) and then on Sat. the 16th get her settled into her apartment and everything then hang out and go to church on Sunday and I fly home that night. I am going to miss this girl like CRAZY!!! but I am so happy for her doing what is best for her and am excited for this new adventure for her!

On a happier note, only three weeks left of this semester left! That makes me very happy cause I am so ready for it to be done!! This semester has had some very interesting moments including my very first time of having to defend my religion. I am currently taking two History classes and one day before my 111 class some of the guys in my class realized that I am "Mormon" and started asking me question. It wasn't to bad but then more people showed up and it ended up being 6 guys "questioning" (berating) me. Whenever I tried to say something or answer something they said/asked they would interrupt me and I walked away from that experience almost in tears. I felt like I had let the Church and myself down. That is something I hope doesn't happen on a regular occurrence but was a very valuable lesson to me. I have nothing to prove to those guys and all I can to is bear my testimony of what I KNOW to be true.

CALIFORNIA...

2009-04-12T20:50:00.004-06:00

...Here I come!! At least I certainly hope. My friend Hair Genius and I are planning a trip to Cali. in May just to get away and have some fun. Only thing is we created some stipulations for ourselves. If we do not meet our work-out goals we are not allowed to go! We are hard at work trying to get in shape and reach our goals so we can make it to here!

My new routine is I bought 5 Jillian Michaels. Her Cardio Backside, Cardio Kickboxing, 30 Day Shred, No More Target Zones, and Banish Fat Boost Metabolism. I had been doing her two cardio ones till I got the 30 Day Shred one in the mail on Saturday and I'm now doing it with my mom! Hair Genius decided she wanted to borrow my Metabolism one. We are getting down and serious cause we need this Cali. trip!!

Conference Weekend

2009-04-09T13:16:00.000-06:00

Conference this weekend was AMAZING! There were so many good things discussed and all of them were applicable to everyone. The leaders of this church truly are Inspired men who love us and want the best for us. In honor of this last weekend here are some of my favorite quotes:

"Success is never measured by how strongly we are tempted, but how strongly we respond." (Elder Robert D. Hales).
"Every child deserves the chance to progress" (Sister Margaret S. Liffereth).
"Help with a smile and without being asked. Be able to say "I have fought the good fight!"" (President Henry B. Eyring).
"It is not important how a man died, but how he has lived" (Elder Rafael E. Pino).
"This IS the work of the Lord" (Elder Richard G. Scott).
"You can't be a lifesaver if you look like all the others on the beach" (Elder Dallin H. Oaks).
"You are never lost when you can see the Temple" (Elder Gary E. Stevenson).
"Our opportunity is to give people hope" (Elder L. Tom Perry).
"Try desperately to take Satan Down" (President Thomas S. Monson).

Obviously these aren't all of the great quotes, only a select few of mine. These quotes are exactly what we should be doing in our everyday life if we want to be able to make it back to our Father in Heaven. I hope that I am living my life in such a way that when I meet my Savior I will be Proud and able to look into his eyes and have his say, Well done ye good and faithful servant.

HAIR!

2009-03-12T21:11:00.003-06:00

My new good friend Hair Genius is a hair stylist and colored and styled my hair for me yesterday. Can I just say true love!! I gave her complete control over the color and cut, all I said is I didn't want to lose length cause I'm thinking of growing it out again ha ha. That was probably one of the smartest decisions I made! She wanted to be all creative so she took about 30 min.'s just trying to decide what to do to it, and in my opinion it was worth it! It is cute and sassy at the same time :) She did a zig-zag pattern with the color doing it in layers. It goes Blonde, my natural color, a vibrant red, and then blonde again. It is colored in a way that the colors peek out and I think it is the coolest thing in the world! I can't stop looking at it and playing with it :D

Typical Stace-face Injury

2009-02-28T00:41:00.004-07:00

On Tuesday I was getting ready for school and doing my hair with my Three Barrel when all of a sudden I have this really painful feeling in my left hand. While doing my hair I had stuck on of the barrels between my left pointer and middle fingers burning both, rather badly. I then leave for school and am holding my cold water bottle against them but they continue hurting and stinging like crazy! My fingers were bright red from the knuckle down, when the redness went away this is what I had. Forgive the poor quality of the pic, it was taken on my phone.

This was the wounds the next day at work.

And I believe this was either at work as well or the next day at school.

This one was taken today at work with my actual camera so it is better quality. As you can see I know have two scabbed and slightly peeling burns. I can't help but laugh at how talented I seem to be at injuring myself.

Just a Few Things

2009-02-28T00:13:00.006-07:00

Ok, I haven't done a real post in awhile so here a some pic's of what I have been up to. The pictures are backwards so if you want it done numerically then you need to start at the end of this post and work your way up :)

This is a picture of one of my favorite necklaces that I have had for years, I don't even remember where I got it but I have worn it to the point of it of being about ready to break as you can see! I need to find a new cord to go around it, but I don't know where to look. Anyone have any suggestions of a good place to start?

The what third hairstyle I have had since I cut it back in November? I am currently trying to grow it out into a shoulder length or just a bit shorter A-line bob :) I really like this style on me, but can't decide if I want to keep it short cause I miss my long hair...and ponytails on days I don't want to do my hair!!

You will have to forgive the immodest dress and no makeup, I always realize I meant to take a picture as I'm getting ready for bed so I take the picture then :) It just means you get to see the real me haha

The Saturday after New Years my mommy, daddy, teacher and myself went and walked A mount. This was my first time and it was cool to be up there and look around phoenix :)

On New Years Eve about 9 of us friends went and hiked Superstition Mnt. I can't remember where exactly. It was an interesting hike AF fell and sprained his ankle, Jules got really dizzy and almost passed out, two girls quit close to the beginning, and I got lost making my way back to the car. But while walking back I got some awesome pic's of the scenery. These are just a few faves.

Inside the Canyon looking at the rock formations.

This is all the way back at Thanksgiving right before Big Sis and JJ moved over to NM. Our last family event together! We spent it at Aunt D's house for a big family dinner and then home to relax and spend some quality time with the fam. This break AF also was able to pull of separating his shoulder playing football with his friends the day after Thanksgiving and needing to go to the ER.

My second hairstyle after getting it all chopped off! I decided to do the Alice Cullen flipped out look :) This is how I occupy myself while waiting for the food to be ready on Turkey Day.

My first style after cutting my hair, super cute and easy to take care of! My cousin is one seriously talented lady :)

Excuse the messy room, I'm pretty sure I was cleaning it when I decided to take pictures...

25 Things

2009-02-13T23:39:00.002-07:00

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.

1. I am addicted to Disney Channel and love Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place! (Yes I am a Miley Cyrus fan :) )
2. I am the youngest of five children, 3 older brothers, 1 older sister, and then brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
3. I am majoring in Clinical Laboratory Science and want to become a Phlebotomist. (that person who gives you shots, draws your blood and plasma for all of you wondering)
4. I love telling people that I am a BYU dropout.
5. I was a cheerleader when I was in ninth grade where I got my first (and only) black eye, messed up my knees royally, moved a bone in my wrist, and sprained my middle finger...I think that's all...
6. At the age of 19 I had been to 31 states plus D.C. and 6 countries other than America. I love to travel...
7. I met my best friend my sophomore year in high school at an Orchestra Dinner Concert when I told her to take her shoes off...Best Friends Since!
8. I have played the piano since I was 7, the violin since I was 10,and I love singing and have performed in all of these multiple times but still get nervous every time.
9. I have eaten mud when I was little cause my brother told me it was Mud Pie Ice-cream and wouldn't relent until I had tried it.
10. My favorite T.V. shows are: NCIS, The Big Bang Theory, House, and Hannah Montana
11. When I was in Second grade I got a round brush stuck in my hair and had to cut it off (waist length to chin) and have never had it that long since.
12. I am not a big fan of birthday's since I have only had probably one that is a good memory, all the rest weren't so great :)
13. I have broken my nose and baby toe on my left foot and neither one was my fault. I broke my nose in a car accident when I was two, and my brother broke my toe when I was in sixth grade by accidently kicking me while running past me to get my other brother. The pulled ACL on my right knee and moved bone in my ankle were my fault.
14. I have had a job since I was 14 except for the 8 months I was up at BYU. When I came home for Christmas vacation though I did have a job for two weeks...
15. I have had glasses since I was 7/8 (2nd grade) and got contacts when I was in 7th grade.
16. I am addicted to reading and would actually get in trouble when I was little for reading instead of doing my chores...
17. I have done some form of dance my entire life. Clogging is the most recent (last 12 years of my life) Yet I can't walk accross a flat service without tripping, heck I can't even stand without falling down!
18. I have never been to the hospital because I was injured, only for other people or to visit family members there.
19. I hated the color pink growing up because my favorite color was blue but since I was a girl everything was pink and the boys all got blue!
20. The first and only concert I have ever been to was the Weezer concert at the State Fair this last year.
21. I know how to knit, crochet, sew, and quilt. I'm currently in the process of crocheting an afghan.
22. My favorite fast food resaurants are: Sit down-Applebees (boneless hot wing baby!) On the go-Subway
23. I have a serious addiction to wheat thins
24. I have collected Porcelain dolls and snow (water) globes for as long as I can remember and have over 30 of each.
25. My dream vacation that will happen one day is to go to Australia and New Zealand and to go snorkling or scuba diving along the Great Barrier Reef.

I tag all those who read this blog!!

So far...

2009-01-20T21:14:00.005-07:00

Just thought I would post what I've been working on lately. It's been taking me longer than usual due to getting a new Photoshop, school starting, and lucky me getting sick. According to my brother Teacher I sound like the man from the Godfather...not sure how to take that considering I've never seen that movie! Anywho, I was able to get over my stomach virus now I just need my voice back, throat to be better, get rid of this nasty cough, and have my sinus's clear up! This first picture is the before one, taken in my backyard while I was out by the pool. The second one is the edited one, so far. I'm still working on it but thought I should post so you all don't think I've dropped off of the face of the planet again!!

It's Been Awhile

2009-01-12T00:03:00.004-07:00

It has been a long time since I have posted, a lot longer than I had thought actually. Basically the last month and a half my laptop has been on the fritz and not letting me do anything. I'm pretty sure that I had picked up a virus because I couldn't do anything with pictures, videos, and it was saying I had no memory space left. Finally this week I completely reconstructed my whole computer and put it back to all its factory settings and it is now working again! Only problem is I have to put everything back on it and I haven't gotten to my photoshop yet....that is the next thing I am working on but until then...these pictures are my next editing project! I'm exciting to see how they will turn out!

I also am planning and making a Christmas card to show my parents what they should of used!

New Hair!!

2008-11-23T23:03:00.005-07:00

Ok I went to get my hair trimmed yesterday when Big Sis and Cousin S started teasing me by saying how I was going to get 4 inches cut off and so I decided what the heck, cut it all off (shocking them, especially my mommy ;) ). We had also been discussing the Twilight movie (Amazing might I add, absolutely loved it!) and Cousin S decided I would look really cute with an Alice inspired cut since I'm so "petite". The cutting began, I look down and see 6 inch long strands falling to the ground. If you ever want to get your heart pumping, get her hair chopped on a whim. So, she finishes cutting and then styles it for me and whalaw! Short hair Stacie! I happen to really like it (I think haha still getting used to it) and it makes my headband highlight really cute but I want to know what all you guys think so be sure to comment and let me know! And be nice about how I look, these were literally taken as I was climbing in bed to go to sleep.

You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)-Josh Groban

2008-11-22T22:32:00.006-07:00

Directions: 1. Put your iPod/Music on shuffle.2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? Hey it actually works!
Makes Me Happy-Drake Bell

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Well I hope this is true...
We're all in this Together(Graduation Remix)-HSM3

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Simple Song-Miley Cyrus

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? If I lose my Husband when I get married I guess this will apply...
Probably Wouldn't Be this Way-Leanne Rimes

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
This is Me-Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Stay With You-Goo Goo Dolls

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Play With Fire-Hilary Duff

WHAT IS 2+2?
First Time-Lifehouse

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND(S)? So True!!!!
So Close-Enchanted Soundtrack

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? You know I'm the One.
I'm the One-Cheetah Girls

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Route 66-Cheetah Girls

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
What I've Done-Linkin Park

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? This really works...
Thats How You Know-Demi Lovato

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? I certainly hope my parents don't think this of me...
Boy Like You-Diana DeGarmo

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? I'm dancing to a song about death at my wedding...sad
Skin(Sarahbeth)-Rascal Flatts

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
She Is-The Fray

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Still Feels Good-Rascal Flatts

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Hurry Up and Save Me-Tiffany Giardina

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? I love my friends but this is just a little more personal than I expected...
Realize-Colbie Collait

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Bottom of the Ocean-Miley Cyrus

HOW WILL YOU DIE? I certainly hope I die Worthy to Stand before My Savior
Worthy to Stand-Jessie Clark Funk

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? I don't think I regret this...
Favorite State of Mind-Josh Gracin

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Can't Fight the Moonlight-Leanne Rimes

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Speed of Sound-Coldplay

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? I'm hoping this means yes...and that it means the wedding kiss...?
Kiss the Girl-Ashley Tisdale

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Dear Hannah-Metro Station

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? Is this a yes?
Without Love-Hairspray

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? This actually is true
Over You-Daughtry

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Forever-Chris Brown

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
You are Loved(Don't Give Up)-Josh Groban

Now it's everybody else's turn, enjoy!

The BIG 2-0

2008-11-16T22:54:00.004-07:00

Today is my twentieth birthday! I made it!! I am officially no longer a teenager. After 17 1/2 years my mommy no longer has teenagers. I think she has earned it don't you. I mean 17 1/2 years of living with teenagers cannot be easy, especially during the 13-16 year old stage. I remember what I was like and wouldn't want to have that much time of me then. I'm not saying I'm no longer like that at times, but I'm working on it! What can I say, I'm a work in progress. The Lord is still molding me into the woman He wants and needs me to. It has been an exciting and adventurous journey so far and I can't wait to find out what else He has in store for me! I want to say thank you to all of my family, my wonderful best friend (who is basically my sister), and all my other friends for helping me get to where I am today. It is because of you I am who I am. Your examples, guidance, and directions have helped me through so many trials, difficult times, and times when I just needed an answer or someone to listen to me. You all have amazing patience putting up with me so thank you for everything you have and still do for me. I hope I can continue to grow and make all of you proud of who I am. And most importantly, I hope to be able to make my Father in Heaven proud to have me as a daughter so that when I meet him again I can look him in the eye and know I am worthy of the love He always gives to me.

My Writing's

2008-11-02T15:44:00.002-07:00

Every once in awhile I just need to write, it's how I am able to get everything out and onto paper. This first one I wrote while in my Book of Mormon class my second semester up at BYU. I was having a pretty difficult time not knowing what to do with my life, where to go, and not wanting to be at school anymore. Through all this I learned I am a Daughter of a King and I have the love of the most powerful and amazing person in the universe. I am important to Him.

I just wrote this one today in Stake Conferance. It hasn't been edited quite as much but I think the point is still pretty clear. Obstacles are a daily occurance in our lives and we need to be able to ask the Lord for his help and direction. I need to thank ZB for this picture. I got it from this post of her's.

20th Birthday

2008-10-13T21:06:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was my best friend's 20th BIRTHDAY!!! In honor of her I made this page celebrating her wonderful life. CC is the most amazing person to me, she has gone through so much and come out on top. She is a constant example to me in charity, love, kindness and so many other things. I'm grateful to be able to call her my friend.

Boston

2008-10-02T17:02:00.004-06:00

These are a few pictures of some great memories on the Boston trip for Seniors and Orchestra Council members. From meeting at the airport at 4:30 in the morning (after not sleeping at all the night before), to unexpected snow falls. If you ever want a good laugh take 25 AZ born and raised high school students to Boston and then have it snow unexpectedly. Being creative in your wardrobe became a neccecity in order to stay warm! Then came the rooms with two queen size beds and one pull out. Six people per room. We ended up three to our bed just cause it was more fun. :)

Finals

2008-10-01T19:11:00.003-06:00

Finals is never a fun time for any college student. Extra stress, more work, and tests. You tend to go crazy during it and then it gets very...Interesting at two o'clock in the morning as my roommate C and I found out the fun way! We were going into our very last day of tests and were basically loopy and ended up getting extremely hyper at about two in the morning. It turned into some great vidoes and pictures! :) The middle picture was taken during my clogging final with my dance partner for that semester :)

Hot Dog

2008-09-30T20:12:00.003-06:00

The story behind this picture is this: these hot dogs were a cheap lunch for a poor college student. I loved eating these the only problem was my mouth is to small to get it all in my mouth easily. Well my roommate, two guy friends, and a girl who lived two floors below me decided that it would be funny to "help" me eat the hot dog and shoved it in my mouth, and taking pictures of me trying to eat it. It is an experience I will never forget and always laugh at. :)

Mar

2008-09-29T19:39:00.002-06:00

I got a text from my good friend Mar today asking why none of the Pictures I have of her posted are "normal". My response cause she is never serious in pictures, but I searched my pictures and found these and so in honor of Mar, as normal as anyone I know can get. Plus I got to use my new scrapbooking things!!

Heaven

2008-09-27T14:56:00.003-06:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about agency and my own personal part in this world. I wonder whats the point, I am just one person it's not like I'm going to make any difference. Then comes the realization that I am a Child of God. Ever thought of how big that really is? I mean I have a Heavenly Father who is an all powerful being and He loves ME. How much more important can you get. And I am important to this world, my opinion matters. In this upcoming Election my vote does matter. God is a merciful God because he gave us agency, He isn't trying to torture us and make our lifes so horrible, that is Us. We as citizens of the United States are doing this to ourselves. We need to finally get up off our couches, stop complaining and DO something about everything we complain about. We have been so blessed in our lives, we live in a free country, we have so many conveniences at the tips of our finger tips, actually have a say in what goes on in our gov't, and we have the True and Living Gospel on the earth yet we aren't happy enough. I say enough is enough. It is time we finally show our Father in Heaven how thankful we are for everything He has GIVEN us or how do we expect to continue to be blessed the way we have been. It is our decision. What is yours going to be?

P.S. sorry no scrapbooking, I'm not connected to my external hard drive.

OOPS

2008-09-18T16:58:00.001-06:00

I accidently cut the Y out of the picture so here is the actual picture with it in it. Sorry!

BYU

2008-09-18T15:32:00.003-06:00

Just some pictures of some of the Mountains surrounding campus. The bottom picture is of Y mount, see if you can find the Y!

Beauty

2008-09-13T16:27:00.002-06:00

More scrapbooking done at Aimers house last night while watching the movie. The top two pictures were taken at Marie Antoinette's portion of Versialles. The bottom picture was taken in Clermont-Fermont. It is their Notre Dame, very pretty as well.

Ze Pareents...

2008-09-12T23:38:00.002-06:00

When trying to decide what to blog today I thought of my parents and how I haven't ever posted anything on them really and decided that it was about time that I did that, and this is what I got. I'm actually at my friend Aimers house with T.J. for a "girls night" since Aimers husband is out of town! woot woot!!! Anywhoo, I was teaching Aimers how to scrapbook and she helped with this specific page. I think it's really cute, let me know what you guys think!

My Big Brother Adam

2008-09-11T19:02:00.002-06:00

I was fiddling in Adobe today and found some new things that arrange your photos for you so I thought it would be fun to try it.

Best Friends

2008-09-10T19:09:00.004-06:00

I finally did it! I scrapbooked my best friend and myself! I also learned how to use the Spot Healing Brush Tool and it is my new best friend. Now I know how Models can look flawless...makes me wonder what they look like in real life...

Back to reality and human girls...These pictures are from our girls night together when we went to see Kung Fu Panda and then got a photo shoot in my bedroom. It was really fun, like it always is when we are together! :)

Puy de Viley

2008-09-09T22:01:00.003-06:00

The small town again, but these pictures are from a park with two ponds in the middle. The ponds had two fountains and a small island that were really pretty and so of course I took some pictures. I loved the effect the black and white had on the pictures, of course.

Small Towns in France

2008-09-09T19:24:00.003-06:00

When we were in southern France we visited a lot of little towns. Two of the ones we visited were Puy en Valey and Vichy. It was really cool to see all the old houses that were so pretty! I love the whole vintage feel there...if you haven't caught on to my black and white addiction :) I decided to mix it up though and do this one in full color and I actually like it, plus I wanted to use some of the green scrapbooking materials! It was fun doing something different and working with color!

2008-09-08T22:29:00.004-06:00

This video is of my precious niece Mini-E singing the Snowman song while driving with my mother, me and ZB

Mini-E warming up

Scrapbooking Number Dos

2008-09-08T20:08:00.004-06:00

And here I go again. I've been working on these pictures for almost three days now!! Everytime I would try and save it it wouldn't allow me to saying it was too big of a file. I finally just scrapped it and started over and I think I like this one better. It doesn't feel as crowded as the other one but I still got to use some of my new Scrapbooking tools, A win win situation! :)

My First Scrapbooking Attempt :)

2008-09-06T14:03:00.005-06:00

This is my second scrapbooking page technically but it won't allow me to upload my first one, and personally, I think this one is a lot better than the first one :) ZB, J, HY, and Mini-E were down this week and we had tons of fun playing and doing lots of different things. One of those things was having ZB help me begin to learn how to use Photoshop Elements! That and how to scrapbook them!!! And that is exactly what I have been doing most of this morning :D For my first project I made a brand new header with some France pictures and then I found this really cute black and white paper and just had to attempt to scrapbook them. I'm pretty proud of myself and how they turned out, let me know what you think.

A Bit of France

2008-08-18T05:25:00.011-06:00

So I just wanted to post some pictures real fast of the first few days we have spent in France... So this is the bathroom in the hotel our first night here, it was so stinkin tiny! You could barely turn around in it and the shower, you couldn't turn around! I don't even know how many bruises I got that first night :)
The bedroom, tiny as well of course. There was the bed, a small entertainment center and room to walk on either side of the bed but that was it
A very old catherdral we visted, not a long hike at all but very steep. My legs were shaking so bad I couldn't stand by the end of it.

One of the many small villages in France

My wonderful mommy and myself on our volcano hike :)

More pictures to come but I have to get off now cause we just got a converter that will work with my computer so AF is dying to get on and play around himself so I will post more pictures of our time here later!

Postcard Pictures

2008-07-08T21:19:00.003-06:00

These are the same picture, one is just edited. I took it one day when walking home from school cause I missed the bus and didn't feel like sitting around for thirty minutes for the next one when I could walk home in half that time, so I did. This was taken the first couple weeks of my very first TRUE fall!!! (Beautiful colors if I may say so myself) Everytime I looked at this picture it made me think of a postcard so I just had to edit it for fun and I like how it turned out personally. Thats one thing I miss about my old computer, the editing capabilities, my laptop only has the basic red eye and cropping capabilitites. Very sad day for me. So this last month has been spent with me tryinjg to figure out what I was going to do this next year and I finally came to a conclusion!! It was a hard one to make and really kind of sad but I know it is the right thing for me to do. I will not be returning to BYU this next semester, I am going to be deferring it and then going from there. I will instead spend this next semester working to save much needed money and going to institute. I am going to miss all of my wonderful friends and even school for that matter! But who knows, maybe I'll be back up there in January, you never have what the Lord has instore for you. All you can do is have faith that what you are doing is His will and the rest will work out in the end.

Collins Comfort Masters

2008-06-13T20:48:00.008-06:00

My Work!!!! The Lovely candy machine that keeps me and A-girl sane...

My Desk, ain't it perty :)

P, the woman who has taught me everything with one of the techs...

Sneaking a picture of T working hard...

Enjoying lunch...

Work boredom...we keep ourselves entertained to say the least :D

A Few of the MANY Hair colors...

2008-06-10T22:38:00.011-06:00

These are just a few of the MANY MANY different hair colors I have had in my life. I've gone anywhere from blonde to dark red. And pretty much anything inbetween as well :) I've had five different colors in my hair at one time to only one color in it. I started dying my hair when I was 14 and it pretty much changed every 3 months from then until my senior year when I grew it out to my natural color for my brother who was on his mission.

I've had long hair, short hair, and everything imbetween...

5 colors

14 and blonde!

My natural color!!! Now, I'm thinking of dying it again...any suggestions on what color?

Life

2008-06-01T23:07:00.008-06:00

I haven't posted in awhile and that would be because life is a little crazy right now. I work 8 hours a day five days a week (six these last two weeks) and then come home eat dinner and just want to crash. I haven't really done anything exciting since being home...but I have met a lot of new people and made a few new friends!
Since I obviously haven't been taking any pictures I thought I would post some old ones that I have fiddled and edited :)My 19th birthday weekend at my cousin's reception holding little Mini-E

This picture was a total accident but became my favorite fast. I was trying to take a picture of our faces but didn't know the camera was zoomed in and this is what I got.

Best friends!! This was taken on Halloweend when Carrie came to Utah to visit and I finally got to see her after what seemed like forever!! (she was an 80's girl and I was a cowgirl in case you couldn't tell :) )

The three roomates the second or third Sunday of our first year of college. Lots of memories made with these girls. And wonderful friendships!!

NEW COMPUTER!!!

2008-05-20T23:43:00.002-06:00

This is my new computer!!! It is an Acer Extensa and I absolutely love it!! I bought it after a few weeks home and a couple months of looking for a good deal. This was a killer deal! I was able to get the computer and some extras along with it. Plus right before I bought this, I got a job! Heck yeah baby. Things started falling into place and I know that the one behind it all was the Lord and I am and forever will be (of course) eternally grateful for all of the blessings he has given me in my life.

Trip Home

2008-05-17T01:29:00.007-06:00

I finally got my camera back and was able to upload all the picture's I took on my drive home from Utah!!

These are just a few pictures taken of the beauty that is all around us. I started thinking about how blessed we truly are. We have been given this wonderful opportunity to come down to earth and prove to our Father in Heaven that we are worthy of His love and the sacrifice of his son. He has given us everything in the universe, what are we going to give back to him?

California

2008-05-01T13:50:00.004-06:00

Last summer my parents, teacher, and I went to California before school started. Something to do about teacher's graduating or getting a job or something, I don't remember right now. While there we took a tour of the Pixar lots and of course went down to the beach. On the beach there was a huge bridge like thing that went over the water and many people were fishing on. We walked out on it to the end and I got this picture. There were a ton of boats in the water and most of them were coming in for the day because nighttime was coming. We then went to Santa Monica Pier. Onto the ferris wheel we went. By this time the sun was setting and creating a beautiful sunset. And it was even colder and windier. This picture was taken on the ferris wheel, the head on the left is teacher's I believe. We were bother trying to get pictures while the parents just enjoyed the ride.

This picture was also on the dock, the sun reflecting off the water. I almost went blind taking it but I love how it turned out. It was so pretty out that day, just a little windy, as you can tell by looking at the water.

Blast from the past

2008-04-30T17:12:00.010-06:00

My camera kinda sorta broke (in the way where the camera chord isn't working) about a month before I came home. While I was still at school I was able to use C's memory card chord so I could still download pictures, but yesterday I took my camera in to get fixed so I don't have any new pictures but thought it might be fun to show some old ones...

These two pic's are from my senior orchestra to Boston. The first picture was Mar and myself trying to recreate a picture from when we went to NY City but the person taking the picture didn't zoom out. This was at like 4 in the morning and I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before so I was pretty out of it and hyper...interesting combination for Mar and myself. The second picture is how we slept, we had three beds and six girls but for some reason Ali-Mack, Mar and I decided we wanted to sleep in one bed and so we did! It was pretty fun and extremely amusing...especially since we are girls so we talk...a lot! haha Some interesting things were discussed in that hotel room and bed. What can I say, we're girls and proud of it! :)

Anniversary

2008-04-28T16:00:00.004-06:00

My wonderful parents have been married for 31 years!! Can you believe it, I can't even imagine getting married let alone being married for 31 one years with 5 grown up kids and two grankids. It's just amazing to me. This picture was taken last year for their 30th wedding anniversary. I made this collage of pictures for them of some of the things that have happened through the years. Pretty amazing how much we have all grown and changed isn't it. I am their baby and I am turning 20 this year, their oldest (seen in the top right with his wife ZB) is now 30. Where does the time go?

Homeward Bound

2008-04-24T18:25:00.005-06:00

This is where I get to go in two days!!! I am done with school and officially moved out of my apartment! I had to stay up till almost three this morning but I got all my cleaning and packing done!! I am staying in Riverton with my Amazing sis-in-law ZB and my funny brother Big J, with my parents who are up here to pick me and for Big J's graduation on Friday. It's so strange to think that I am done with my first year of college, the time went by so fast and so slow at the same time. I made so many memories and friends that will last me for forever. This has been one of the best and worse years of my life and I am thankful for everything that has happened and the love of the Lord I have felt. I am excited to be going home but will look forward to coming back up here to my friends and everything that comes with it...for the most part :)

Weather

2008-04-21T02:37:00.010-06:00

Remember my rant about Utah weather? Well here is some proof for ya. Went outside yesterday and it was all nice with a calm breeze, but this is what the breeze was blowing around. Junk, dirt, scum, and all the other yucky stuff in the air. We finally get nice weather and it has to be all nasty. Then to top it off, it starts to clear today, but leaves cold air (that it had been protecting) in its wake. I mean seriously, can't I get one day of nice weather without something weird happening! Just for clarification, these pictures were not taken during the worst part of the dirt. It got even worse and more hazy.

Finals on Campus

2008-04-19T01:31:00.004-06:00

This is not an unusual occurrence to see on a nice day up on campus. Thank heavens it is finally warming up...yet again! Just when I think that I'm done freezing, BAM Utah weather strikes again. It is so temperamental. I took these pictures after I finished my final today. Students everywhere studying...or sleeping. Every single grassy area was splattered with students. All of them doing the same thing, waiting for finals to be over with.

My Last Year

2008-04-19T01:19:00.008-06:00

This last year of mine has been spent here. Brigham Young University. I have made many memories this year, some of them good...some of them not so good. But I have learned and grown through every single one of them. I had my qualms about

coming here last year because I didn't know if it was what I was supposed to do, but I soon learned that this is where I am supposed to be. I can't believe my first year of college is over already. So much has happened in such a short amount of time. All I know for sure is that the Lord knows what he is doing and he will always guide us in that direction.

T.V. Shows

2008-04-18T01:35:00.010-06:00

I have this bad habit. I'll start to watch a show just for fun and then I get hooked. In high school the show was House, and that has continued up here at college but with the writers strike they stopped airing episodes till the end of this month. With this, I ended up hooked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Which is no longer on the air, so there is no waiting for new episodes. It's nice when you have been studying for hours and you need a break, only thing is I started talking in a British accent tonight and not on purpose either. It will be good when finals are over and my brain can relax and not be in overload mode anymore.

Finals

2008-04-17T19:02:00.008-06:00

I haven't posted in a while and these two pictures are the reason why. Finals Week has begun. Every college students worst nightmare. The stress, sleepless nights, cleaning, packing, and feeling like there is so much that you aren't even scratching the surface. What is a girl to do? All that keeps going through my head is one more week, just one more week. That is all it is, on week of this awfulness and then freedom. The whole summer to be able to do what I want...well not really cause of course I'll have to be working and making money, but hey a girl can dream can't she. I better get back to the books. They definitely aren't going anywhere, and my brain isn't getting any fuller. I may want finals to be over with, but I also want good grades...so much fun how they go together isn't it?

Crazy Weekend

2008-04-13T23:37:00.005-06:00

It probably feels like I am always going up to Riverton now, and maybe it's true, but can you blame me after seeing this cuties picture? Basically this weekend I offered to go babysit so ZB and Big J could celebrate their anniversay, 4 years congratulation! Well, while watching Mini-E and HY a new form of torture was developed by HY. He realized that he could get Mini-E into a bedroom and then quickly shut the door so she couldn't get out. He did it once and I told him he wasn't allowed to do that and then he started playing again. When I looked up a min later he was doing it again so I said his name and said no and he looked at me, looked at Mini-E and then shut the door and ran. A little bit later I wondered why he hadn't come out and I find out this is why. He had gone into ZB's room, gotten into her make-up and had a hay day. As you can see he got it all over his face and even blacked out a tooth. When we asked him if he ate any he said he ate some of the mascara...UH OH! I cleaned him up, locked their bedroom door and brought him back out to the family room. No harm no foul.

Friends you can't do Without

2008-04-10T00:34:00.006-06:00

Ok, this girl got me through my senior year basically. When things were going all wrong she kept me strong. Through the tears and laughter she gave me my few good senior year memories.

(Picture taken over Christmas Break this last year at Applebees)
We made it through Orchestra and Boston together. Made it through boys together. We made it through the Drama together. And of course, we made it through each other, aka the bumps, bruises, concussion, and our special friendship.
(Winter Formal my Senior year, Her Junior year)
I am grateful to be able to call Mar one of my closest friends. I am honored to be a part of her life and have her in mine. The memories we have made together (and will continue to make) will fill my life with joy and laughter.
(Applebees again over Christmas break, our "Big Girl Dress Up Night")

The Blessings of Best Friends

2008-04-08T22:56:00.006-06:00

I met CC my sophomore year at the Orchestra Dinner in December and we have been inseparable ever since. She helped me develop a stronger love for my Savior Jesus Christ, and taught me a lot about myself and the gifts and talents that I have.
(Picture taken on Halloween when she came to Utah for a visit)

I feel blessed to call her my friend and am thankful for the influence she has been in my life. She is always there for me, night or day, and always knows exactly what to say.
(Winter Formal our senior year in high school)

She is also one of my biggest examples. Even when things are going exactly the way no one hopes they will in her life she is still able to smile and think about others before herself. She has been through so many hard things that many would never even be able to comprehend and has come out stronger and better. I hope I can one day be as strong as she is.
(Another picture taken Halloween this last year.)
Staceface and CC all the way!!!

Some First Semester Memories

2008-04-07T19:50:00.018-06:00

I absolutely love this picture because it was the epitome of our relationship. Blue Eyes and I met when I made dinner for his apartment because we (my apartment) were trying to get to know people and since I already knew J in their apartment it was perfect! Blue eyes and myself became fast friends and then it developed from there to being more than just best friends. We were always having fun, goofing of, and just being ourselves!! There was never a dull moment :).

This picture was taken the weekend of my 19th birthday. My Mommy came up to Utah to visit me and celebrate my birthday with me. This was the best birthday present a girl could ask for her first year away from home! My mom is my best friend and so that was on of the hardest things for me when coming up here was not being able to have our one on one conversations where we would just talk about anything and everything! I love my Mommy and thank her for everything she has done for me and taught me through the years. I wouldn't be who I am today with such a firm testimony in the gospel without her guidance and direction. THANK YOU MOM!!!

This picture was taken probably the 4th Sunday of school. These are my roomates C and Jay just before going to church. I had done their hair that day and we wanted to get a picture of all of us together.

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-04-07T19:32:00.003-06:00

Movie

2008-04-06T19:59:00.005-06:00

This one is for my mom who has never seen Mini-E, walk since she lives down in the wonderful AZ and and they live up here in UT. Notice Elder Bednar speaking in the background...

Conferance Weekend

2008-04-06T19:41:00.012-06:00

This weekend AF and I went up to Big J and ZB's house for the weekend. I rode the bus up there Saturday morning and Af came up after the prisethood session. While Big J was at priesthoo session Mini-E, HY, ZB, and myself went to Smith's where HY found a new toy. Mini carts!

Here is Min-E in the cart playing with her new toy, my camera case.

HY and Mama (ZB) walking down the isle. ZB had to stay right next to him or else HY would take off and run into something or someone.

HY waiting for Mama to check out and put the food back in his cart.

He looks a little impatient...

After we went to Smith's we ended up going to the World Market where we found this hat. It is very deceiving, it looks like a Chinese fan but when you open it you get this hat!! So of course we had to put Mini-E in it :)

Of course HY wanted a turn wearing it to and so we put it on him and he looked adorable! Have to love his facial expression, it's priceless!

This was taken during the Sunday afternoon session right after Mini-E had woken up and had lots of energy! She was all over the place

Her toddling over to where all her fun toys are!

Mini-E intently watching conferance, listening to the leader's of the church and learning all she can! haha but really she sat there for like 8 min straight just staring at the speaker totally enthralled.

Roomate Fun

2008-04-06T19:21:00.011-06:00

This last Friday C and I decided to go to the mall and try on Prom dresses!! We tried on many different ones: some that we would never consider buying, and some that we actually really liked. Here are just a few pics from that night.

My favorite picture of the night. I was fooling around while waiting for C.

Ok, I know this is sideways, but my computer is not letting me flip them...but anywho, this was C's favorite dress of the night. No exactly sure what she is doing with her face...it appears she is blinking.

Again, I know it's sideways. This was my favorite dress of the night. It hurt to have to take it off haha. But really, it was so pretty!!!

Here is a picture of the two of us, aren't we just so cute!! All in all it was a fun time!! And quite an adventure for both of us haha

And I can't forget...after dresses...we bought hair dye :) C's didn't end up working cause her hair is to dark to see the teal, but it was still fun!

the finished product of my hair, what do you think? I think its really fun! And it is semi-permanent. It's already washing out.

First Time Blogger

2008-04-05T23:29:00.001-06:00

This is my beautiful niece Mini-E. This was taken by my wonderful sis-in-law ZB when I first came up to Utah for school. Thanks for helping me set up this blog ZB!!!