These were not just friends this time it was family. Peter & Laura are relocating to Virginia now that Laura has finished school and has found a good job back there and while there Peter will finish school. I have known Peter since he was about eight years old. I used to help him with his homework and watched him go through high school, attend a mission and grow up into the person he is today. Three years ago Peter married Laura and at the time I didn’t know Laura at all. Well that has changed and we have become not only the best of friends but sisters. One funny story was that Laura posted a picture of the two of us on her myspace account and put the caption “with my sister” under it. Her one friend said, “That’s your sister? We look more alike than the two of you.” This is true. We look nothing alike (she is tall and slender – I am shorter and a bit more round) but we share more than blood and looks. We have spent hours on the phone, movie nights, shopping trips and have connected on many levels.

Now as much as I will miss them (and trust me it will be a lot) there is one more factor that makes this hard and that is my beautiful niece Kayley. How I love this little munchkin. She will turn two years old in a couple of months and is a bundle of energy and fun. She has learned to say my name and when she sees me she gets so excited and gives me a huge hug. You can’t feel more loved than that! One time I had the privilege of babysitting her for a few hours. I went to pick her up and on the way home the song “Single Ladies” by Beyonce came on the radio and she started clapping a long with it. When we reached my apartment I put the song back on and she started dancing along to it. Well now every time she hears it (or if you sing it to her) she will start dancing along. She loves to sing and is turning into a fun little conversationalist.

I am grateful for this family and the memories and love that we have shared … and can I just say thank heavens for cell phones & facebook! ;o)

Another thing is that this particular topic has been even harder to write because I have been nervous about it, but the thought has come to me over and over and I decided it was time to share.

I am a good friend. I truly feel blessed to be surrounded by some of the most amazing and gracious individuals. I try hard to stay in touch with people that I care about via email, letters, phone calls, facebook, blogs, etc. I am not perfect at it, but I believe that the people in your life are important. I try to remember birthdays and other important events.

When someone comes to mind I try to pick up the phone and find out if there is a reason for it. I am extremely loyal and I also believe that if someone really needed me I would be there. One thing I have been working on is to turn one of my weaknesses into more of a strength. I am a good confidant. If someone tells me something in confidence, I try hard to maintain that trust and keep the confidence.

Because of these things I have great friends and am truly blessed.

These were not just friends this time it was family. Peter & Laura are relocating to Virginia now that Laura has finished school and has found a good job back there and while there Peter will finish school. I have known Peter since he was about eight years old. I used to help him with his homework and watched him go through high school, attend a mission and grow up into the person he is today. Three years ago Peter married Laura and at the time I didn’t know Laura at all. Well that has changed and we have become not only the best of friends but sisters. One funny story was that Laura posted a picture of the two of us on her myspace account and put the caption “with my sister” under it. Her one friend said, “That’s your sister? We look more alike than the two of you.” This is true. We look nothing alike (she is tall and slender – I am shorter and a bit more round) but we share more than blood and looks. We have spent hours on the phone, movie nights, shopping trips and have connected on many levels.

Now as much as I will miss them (and trust me it will be a lot) there is one more factor that makes this hard and that is my beautiful niece Kayley. How I love this little munchkin. She will turn two years old in a couple of months and is a bundle of energy and fun. She has learned to say my name and when she sees me she gets so excited and gives me a huge hug. You can’t feel more loved than that! One time I had the privilege of babysitting her for a few hours. I went to pick her up and on the way home the song “Single Ladies” by Beyonce came on the radio and she started clapping a long with it. When we reached my apartment I put the song back on and she started dancing along to it. Well now every time she hears it (or if you sing it to her) she will start dancing along. She loves to sing and is turning into a fun little conversationalist.

I am grateful for this family and the memories and love that we have shared … and can I just say thank heavens for cell phones & facebook! ;o)

Another thing is that this particular topic has been even harder to write because I have been nervous about it, but the thought has come to me over and over and I decided it was time to share.

I am a good friend. I truly feel blessed to be surrounded by some of the most amazing and gracious individuals. I try hard to stay in touch with people that I care about via email, letters, phone calls, facebook, blogs, etc. I am not perfect at it, but I believe that the people in your life are important. I try to remember birthdays and other important events.

When someone comes to mind I try to pick up the phone and find out if there is a reason for it. I am extremely loyal and I also believe that if someone really needed me I would be there. One thing I have been working on is to turn one of my weaknesses into more of a strength. I am a good confidant. If someone tells me something in confidence, I try hard to maintain that trust and keep the confidence.

Because of these things I have great friends and am truly blessed.

It is July 29th and I am listening to Christmas music.

I know what you are thinking. Yes, I might be a bit deranged, but it makes my soul happy and therefore … bring it on …

“Where are you Christmas? Why can’t I find you? … la la la!”

After much thought I decided that one thing I came up with is that I am creative. I am good at artsy things like scrapbooking and decorating. I love to take pictures and create books that hold memories and are pleasing to look at. I recently helped do a scrapbook for my friend which was compiled of articles and pictures from her last year. I was nervous to have her and others look at it, but was very pleased with how well it was received.

An area that many people probably don’t know about is that I like to write. Now this is not a talent that I have spent as much time developing as I eventually like to but I occasionally enjoy writing poetry. In junior high and high school I entered contests and was published. In college I wrote a poem for a friend that was eventually put to music and became a song.

Throughout your life, choices are made
And things change along the path.
We think that now it is too hard,
And longingly we look to the past.

Our faith is lacking as we stumble along
Everything seems to be blocking the way.
We turn our backs, our eyes from the goal,
For it seems to far away.

But then we remember our Father in Heaven,
And the plan he's given us.
The Gospel and the Spirit work hand in hand,
And they can help, if we give them our trust.

We shall open our hearts and our souls
And together we shall be bound.
As a family of brothers and sisters
We shall stand on solid ground.

We turn to the words we have been taught,
They speak of our infinite worth.
If we search deep inside, we will discover,
That the power is in us.

Because we remember our Father in Heaven,
And the plan he's given us.
The Gospel and the Spirit work hand in hand,
And they can help, if we give them our trust.

We need to work as children of God,
Trying to become as one.
For if we work together,
The victory will be won.

As I have been putting together my home I have been able to use my creativity in my new apartment.

¨THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID, OR A WHALE?¨

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern:
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans). They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins -stuffing themselves with shrimp and other delicacies of the sea. They play and swim in the oceans, seeing exotic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia . Whales are excellent singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of psychoanalysts due to an identity crisis. Fish or human? Human or fish? They can't have a sex life, because they kill the men they lure close to them. Therefore, they can't experience the joys of motherhood. They are purported to be exceedingly vain and capricious. Not only that, who wants to be near a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale.

P.S: We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who still makes me shiver and a coffee with my friends. With time, we gain weight, because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that, when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So, we aren't heavy; we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror, I will think, "Good gosh! Look how smart I am"

Friday night I went to Riverton to attend the parade that was held there with the Fox & Chaston families and my mom & grandpa. Abe had saved us some great seats in the shade which was a major bonus since it was a very warm evening.

There was some nice floats but the highlight for the kids was all the candy that was thrown to the crowds. Clark especially was speedy at this particular endeavor. I have to applaud him as even scrapped fingers and mom taxes didn’t stop him! He ended up with quiet the stash. What is the Mom tax you might ask? Well Betsy has her own sweet tooth so when the kids get something she especially enjoys (such as tootsie rolls) she has them pay a mom tax and share with her! I think it is a great idea! My mom was Faith’s protector and made sure she got her fair share of the candy too! She ended up a very happy girl with her bag pretty full!

After the parade we headed over to Brig & Dev’s home for a bbq. Brigitta is a fabulous hostess and so parties at her house are not only fun but the food always promises to be delicious! Also our friend Kayley & her husband were visiting so we were able to catch up and spend some time with them.

On Saturday I spent most of the day at home working on my apartment and then went and met my mom for dinner. After dinner Laura came over and we got dessert and then went and watched the fireworks from my new apartment. The view over the valley was beautiful and we could see the fireworks all over the area. As part of our girl’s night we watched the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic and stayed up talking. We got done so late that Laura spent the night.

It was a nice holiday and I truly do feel proud to be an American. I am grateful for the opportunity to live in this land that I love and to be surrounded by so many amazing people.

To see the pics the holiday go here:

2009 > 07.03 - Riverton Parade
07.03 - BBQ at Brig & Dev's

My trip was awesome and just what I needed. Three days of total relaxation and time with friends. What could be better?

For those of you that don’t know I went to Mobile, Alabama to support my friend Lindsey who was the 2008 America’s Junior Miss. She was performing in the program and giving up her title.

I flew out to Alabama on Thursday morning with Stephanie & Greg. I love spending time in airports as one of my favorite past times is people watching. I ended up meeting some nice people from Utah County and a soldier on his way to Iraq. When we arrived in Mobile Thursday afternoon it was hot and sticky a definite change from the rainy weather we had been experiencing in Salt Lake.

Thursday & Friday nights were the preliminary night of awards where all the girls from the 50 states compete in three different categories of Talent, Fitness & Self Expression. Saturday was the finals and it is where they announce the top ten contestants who then competed for the title of America’s Junior Miss 2009.

Utah was represented by the beautiful Ashley Bracey who did a wonderful job. She came home with two awards. The first one was the Betty Copeland "My Town" Award is an award that is given for community service. The second one was the Spirit of Junior Miss Award which is chosen by all the contestants for the individual who best portrays what Junior Miss is all about. This one is a great honor. Congrats to Ashley!

I have to say how proud I am of Lindsey. Maybe I am biased but Lindsey truly was an amazing representative of the Junior Miss program this past year. Every time someone found out that I was one of her friends they would start gushing about how beautiful she was and how talented she was. Both of which are true but the compliment that always made me the happiest was hearing how kind she was and every person I met made sure to include that. Lindsey is an extremely kind and thoughtful person. She would stop and talk to parents & children alike and encourage them and acted that in the crowded room that they were the only person there. I am truly grateful to call Lindsey my friend and to be blessed by her whenever we are in contact. I am glad to have had the chance to share this experience (even in the smallest bit) with her.

To see the pics from my trip go here:

America's Junior Miss > 2009