Skype and the Christmas Spirit.

I sit amid the Christmas tree glow and I am thinking back on this Christmas season that has now come and gone. 

The older I get, the better this season becomes.  

I may not listen for reindeer paws on Christmas Eve or wake up at the break of dawn to see if Santa came, but I KNOW the true meaning and it is in the front of my mind all season long.  Heavenly Father sent us his Only Begotten Son to come to the earth and live and atone for everyone.. including ME.  His birth was the beginning of a life that would save my life every single day.  What a wonderful holiday.  

As I was driving today the street that just yesterday was bustling with bad drivers, shopping bags, discounts, and last minute gifts was now quiet and covered with a peaceful hush.  I had just left a beautiful sacrament meeting where my nieces and nephews sang(or yelled) the beautiful words of Christmas hymns.


what followed would be a day that would leave my voice hoarse and my heart satisfied. 


This past week I had a few opportunities to give of myself and of my resources to help others have a better Christmas than they otherwise would which was the perfect thing to lead me into the day.  My heart was in the right place and ready to enjoy the true meaning.


After a perfect humble morning centered around family and the birth of Christ it was time.  
I pulled up to the familiar home where I had spent many hours at.  I walked in, comfortably, to the hospitality of the Goodfellows.  after waiting, longer than originally planned, I heard the familiar beep of skype coming from the computer room.  He was calling. I was going to see his cute smile soon.  The butterflies began to flutter faster than I thought they would.  As each couple of the family took their turn I knew mine was getting closer.  His mom came into the kitchen where I engaged in small talk with the rest of the family and told me it was my turn.  I went into the room, sat in the big computer chair, and there he was.  Looking the same as I remembered.  Handsome, Happy and Charming. We talked and talked as if we hadn't spent a day apart.  We talked of our families, friends, and futures.  


I am so proud of him and how much he has grown.  I am so grateful for the support that he gives me day in and day out.  he makes me laugh, makes me smile, makes me think, makes my testimony grow, and just makes me a better person and I am so lucky to have him in my life.  I am so glad that him and his family always invite me over for these special conversations that are really the cherry on top of my day.  
I love you bryce!  keep going... 7 MORE MONTHS (I want to say 6 but he likes to round up).

oh and..MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I hope yours was as filled with joy as mine was.

we owned the night.

as I whipped up some homemade apple fritters I thought to myself... if he was here what would we be doing?
watching our shows? getting a big daddy's pizza? renting a red box? going bowling? 
regardless what we'd be doing.. I know it would be WONDERFUL.
he always says what he misses most is just spending the night with me, a pizza, and a movie. 
and believe me-even on the most calm of nights... we OWNED THEM.  
I miss owning every single night with him. 
this country gets him for 7 MORE MONTHS! Panama don't take your time with him for granted. 

there are no words.

I looked around the room singing the words of "shadow's creep" through my tears.
these girls...these women(and a few men). 
each and everyone has imprinted upon my soul in a way that no one else has.
no friendship, no love can compare.. besides that love and friendship of my Heavenly Father.
that is the ONLY comparison I can think of. 

when I am with them I feel the most pure love I have ever felt.  

it is the PURE love of Christ coming through these amazing people I have been blessed to know.
at this Christmas party.. I thought to myself how lucky I am that the Lord believed in me enough that he sent me to Brighton to feel his love stronger than ever before.

my Brighton girls. I love you. with all of my heart. with all the love of Christ.

sad end. but a great journey

Friday afternoon, after a a movie with the family (the Muppets is amazing by the way!), we entered Rice Eccles stadium. 

coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and hand warmers. 

kick-off. from the beginning it wasn't looking good! the Utes lost...it was sad. 

but hello? I got to go to 6 wonderful games in that stadium!

I LOVED every minute of it! thank you Utes for a great season.. and lets be honest-a better season than we all expected!

GO UTES.... A UTAH MAN AM I!!!!

what a way to make a livin...

I. GOT. A. JOB.

yes. thanks to my wonderful friend sandra kushnir. I got the hook up with a really great job!

I will be working the front desk/fitness desk at the Jewish Community Center.

there is so much room for me to grow there as a trainer and just everything I want to do.

I am so grateful to have a job!!!! 

woo woooooo!!

give thanks.

well the time of year is upon us.
the time of leaves, pumpkins, turkeys, crisp air.
but most importantly to me: family.
on Thursday we will all gather together in my moms living room that has been transformed into a small restaurant dining area. 
the classic blue and white china, goblets, and cloth napkins adorn the table tops.
before dinner-the ads will be shuffled through, tastes of all the food will be had, and sports will be playing in the background.
we all gather around the table together to eat the 
homemade stuffing, potatoes, and turkey.
after all is said and done, the food is gone-bellies are full-naps have been taken
but one thing remains. 
the spirit of Thanksgiving. 
I am so grateful for everything in my life. family. friends. bryce. love. and my Savior.
I pray that we all remember the love that is shown during the holiday season-and try to live that love all year round.

Ted.

today on my way home from school I took a little detour.
as I drove and winded through the avenues I came across Harvard Ave.
my grandpa's old street.

happy veterans day grandpa. I love you. I miss you.

hate it or love it.

it was a hot July night.  Normal for most people. filled with drive in movies and snowies.
for me. it was a night of lasts.
as far as I knew it.. this was the end of that summer for me.
the end of "I love you's". the end of goodnight texts. the end of being walked to my car.
but one thing stuck out to me that night.

"hate it or love it

the underdogs on top.."

played from the small radio on the nightstand.
we stood there. hoping this wasn't the moment but knowing it could no longer be delayed.
"you ready?" in my heart I was saying "NO!"
the last kiss.  it still lingers on my lips sometimes when memories fleet into my soul.
so 50 cent... I had to kiss him goodbye. hate it or love it.

h-a-double l-o-w-double e-n spells..HALLOWEEN!

I absolutely LOVE halloween. the fall leaves, pumpkins, costumes, soup, pie, and parties!
and... it isn't just ONE DAY! its usually an array of activities, parties, and dinners!!!! my HALLOWEEN weekend began on thursday with my cute nieces and nephews halloween PARADE! i love that they are all at the same elementary school so I get to see everyone.(p.s. got 3 letters this day too..perfect halloween treat)

 

then saturday came along.... BLACKOUT TIME!!!!!!! the three witches of Ute Mountain came prepared and for our efforts we WON THE COSTUME CONTEST... what did we win? 2ND ROW TICKETS IN THE MIGHTY UTAH STUDENT SECTION!!!! and we won... FINALLY

after the game I RUSHED to my home away from home, LOGAN! time for the HOWL!!!!!!! I had my dreads in (my real hair turned into dreads), they were dyed black, chains on my neck, tatted on the face. ready to go... LIL WAYNE! yup...best rapper alive! It was a fun costume and super comfortable!!!

after only a few hours of sleep and church, I headed home to a PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY at my sisters house! it was so fun to have everyone there! scones, pumpkin seeds, and some awesome pumpkins! who knew my fam had so much pumpkin talent?

then tonight it was off to oakledge rd. to trick or treat with all of the kids! they had so much fun getting everyone's candy and hanging with the fam!! SUCCESSFUL halloween I'd say.

precious cargo....

I pulled down Oakledge Rd! My backseat all cleaned out!
three little boys (not really little but still little to me) climbed in my backseat.
They got all buckled in to head down to the sandwich loft.
As I drove I watched my speed. I checked my blind spots. I used my blinker perfectly.
Not saying I'm normally a reckless driver, but I took much more care today then my usual.
As I heard them laughing in the back I thought to myself...
what precious cargo I have with me.
what beautiful young children of god.
these beautiful kids who came into my life and doubled the size of my heart.
my 8 nieces and nephews change my life daily.
they make it better. they make it happier.
chandler.ashtyn.morgan.ethan.evan.collin.kaylee.jaxon.
8 reasons to be happy every single day.

branches.

it grows. it twists. it twines. it turns.

it fights through bitter cold, rushing wind, excruciating heat.

it's roots grow deep and it's branches reach wide.

constantly changing every season.

yet... it still stands.it stays strong.

well it's time.

here comes the worst conditions.

time for us to fight.

my family-I love you. EACH and EVERY one of you.

no matter what seasons we face that will change us.. we will still stand!

missy aub and a-dawg simzle

sometimes you don't realize JUST HOW MUCH  person means to you...  

stop and think of someone you care about. now think about life without that person.

doesn't seem too glamorous does it?

now I know that friends change ALL the time.. especially in transitions. I HATE this part of life. I HATE knowing that a certain someone may not always be in my life.

so... I need to be so grateful for every second with every great friend that I have.

in the blink of an eye... everything can change.

this year up at Utah State.. I made a friend. I had NO IDEA the impact he would have on my life. It started out as someone to watch Jazz games with and totally school in mario cart.

then it got real. 

whenever i'm lonely, sad, nervous, hesistant, doubtful. he is there.

this year has been a roller coaster year for me. lots of changes. lots of challenges. and at times I pretty much just gave up on myself. but he had hope in me and gave me the courage to face my life and take control of it.

he made me proud of what I believe. he taught me to stick up for myself.

He deserves the world.

He deserves whatever he wants in life.

and I can't believe that before this I didn't realize what I have been so lucky to have.

If you have a friend like this-NEVER let them go.

thank you for being that friend to me.

i'm sorry for times I wasn't that to you.

4 years runnin...

october 2, 2007. mount olympus trailhead. I wrote our story up until that point and ended with, "she told him she would be his girlfriend." in reply to his question.

16 years old. so young so happy.

I can't believe it has been 4 YEARS!!

"so 4 years, holy cow! What a 4 years it has been.  I have loved every moment of it. I look back at these 4 years and really the time when I wasn't happy and not doing what I wanted to do was when you and me were not together.  I just can't wait to see what these next 4 years has for us." -Bryce October 3, 2011

On that day in 2007, I never thought that I would be at this point with this same amazing guy. I feel so lucky. I am so proud of him and all he is doing in Panama.... and I too can't wait to see what will happen these next 4 years.

i've lost that BLOGGING feeling...

today I went back and read some of my old blog posts.... (if you haven't done this you should try it).   I realized something somewhat troubling.
I don't write about important things anymore.  I seem to have gotten into the habit of rattling off facts without any real emotion. ya ya some of them are alright but overall I have lost that BLOGGING feeling. bummer.
so I started thinking about what is going on in my life.

new school (as you can see from all the red that I've overdone that topic).

Bryce (you all know the story... he's my fave blog subject).

I'm sure you're all just waiting for me to say I thought of something important and you are about to read something insightful that has changed my life and perspective of the world.... you are wrong.

I don't have anything to write in the moment.

I'll do my semi-annual conference blog later this week once I have finished watching the DVR recording of a few of the talks I missed.
so for now just know... JUICY STUFF COMING UP!!!

the old blogger is comin back!

General Conference—No Ordinary Blessing

These are wonderful "conference tips" given by Elder Uchtdorf

1. Members of the Church are entitled to personal revelation as they listen to and study the inspired words spoken at general conference.

As you prepare for general conference, I invite you to ponder questions you need to have answered. For example, you might yearn for direction and guidance by the Lord regarding challenges you are facing.

Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase. At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song. A heart filled with gratitude for the blessings of life and an earnest desire to hear and follow the words of counsel will prepare the way for personal revelation.

2. Don’t discount a message merely because it sounds familiar.

Prophets have always taught by repetition; it is a law of learning. You will hear repetition in themes and doctrines in general conference. Let me reassure you: this is not due to a lack of creativity or imagination. We continue to hear messages on similar issues because the Lord is teaching and impressing upon our minds and hearts certain foundational principles of great eternal importance that must be understood and acted upon before we can move on to other things. A wise builder first lays the foundation before erecting the walls and the roof.

3. The words spoken at general conference should be a compass that points the way for us during the coming months.

If we listen to and follow the promptings of the Spirit, they will serve as a Liahona, guiding us through the unknown, challenging valleys and mountains that are ahead (see 1 Nephi 16).

Since the world began, God has raised up prophets who speak the will of heaven to the people of their times. It is our responsibility to listen and then apply the messages the Lord provides for us.

Our merciful and loving Heavenly Father has not forsaken and will not forsake His children. Today, as well as in times past, He has appointed apostles and prophets. He continues to reveal His word to them.

What a marvelous privilege it is to hear God’s messages for each of us during general conference! Let us prepare well for this great blessing of divine guidance delivered by His chosen servants.

For this is no ordinary blessing.

goodbye San Blas..hello Bocas tel Toro

Bryce is back to the "mainland"!!!
he has been serving diligently on the beautiful islands of San Blas for 2 transfers!
He fell in love with the people and the area (and wearing flip flops and pants rolled up)
I however didn't fall in love with not being able to hear from him for 12 weeks.
He has now been called to the area Bocas tel Toro.  His companion is Elder Jones.
and he is a DISTRICT LEADER.
whole new transfer. whole new world!
so proud of him!!! 9 1/2 MORE MONTHS!

soup he got sick from... no wonder!

Elder Bushman

great weekend to be a UTE

REDFEST! COBRA STARSHIP
I caught a shirt... sandra wanted one so bad so this is depicting how upset she was!

a prank my brother's neighbors pulled on him :)

time for our prank....