Happy New Year!

My last post was kind of depressing I must admit. I think it is completely important that I share some of my thoughts about this season, and how blessed I feel on a daily basis for the blessings I have in my life.

Going back to Christmas, I love the Christmas season. I love that it's a time to celebrate our Savior's birth. I am blessed to have the gospel in my life. I know that as complicated and difficult my life may seem right now, it will all work out. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that there is a plan for me, and that as long as I try my best, the Lord will make up for the rest.

I am so grateful for my family and friends. I was going to be home alone for Christmas and the Lewis Family so kindly took me in so that I would have a family to be with. Thank you guys so much...and thanks to all of the other friends I had offers from to spend the holidays with them.

I am grateful that my back is getting better, and that I will hopefully be able to leave on my mission in February. I might need surgery, but I'm thinking I'll go without the surgery and hope that I will be able to get through my mission without need of surgery. All in all things are going well.

This post was kind of long, sorry about that, I just wanted to express my appreciation for the things I have that are so wonderful in my life!!

More Change

These days, I am realizing that my life is going to constantly change...I think forever. I have had a difficult time making a decision that has stuck...for the last year...or year and a half. Not always has my decision changed by my choice. For one reason or another, I find myself again trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do with my life.

My only prayer is that someday...I will have a constant in my life that I will be able to plan on, and know is never going to change. I know that everything will work out for me, but right now, I feel like that's still a far way off.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have, that all the trials I go through are for my benefit, and that I will learn and grow to be the woman my Heavenly Father wants me to be. I am also so grateful for my family and friends who ARE constant, and have been there for me, no matter what has been going on in my life.

Family Pictures

While the whole family was together last week, we took family pictures...they turned out to be fabulous. Here are some of the pics. of my family. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family. :)

Chrismiving...or Thanksmas

Last week my family was able to spend time all together for Thanksgiving. We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas both because during Christmas all of us will be scattered. Mom and Dad will be in Costa Rica, Bryan, Melissa and the kids will be in St. George. Steph and Richard will be in Houston...and the others of us will be around Cedar. Taylor and I weren't supposed to be here for Christmas. Tay broke his finger before leaving for Basic Training for the Marines, and my back is still not 100% so I haven't left on my mission.

The food and company were awesome, and the presents weren't so bad either. ;)

Here's a few pictures of the week.Ky Man eating the ribbon...SO cute!

Steph, Rich and Dawson...with the car eating tractor. :)

Mom, Dad, Addy and Daws...what a cute bunch!

I'm a Doris Day...

So, I should be asleep, and instead...I have found out that I am Doris Day. Actually, for those of you who know me, this sounds pretty close to how I really am...oh boy!!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

• Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
• Share fun times with me.
• Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
• Let me know that I am important and special to you.
• Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

• Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
• Reassure me often that you love me.
• Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

• being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
• knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
• being generous, caring, and warm
• being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
• being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

• not being able to say no
• having low self-esteem
• feeling drained from overdoing for others
• not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
• criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
• being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them
• working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

• are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
• try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
• are outwardly compliant
• are popular or try to be popular with other children
• act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
• are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

• are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
• are often playful with their children
• wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
• can become fiercely protective

Spook Day....mu-ahahahaha!

Halloween this year was so much fun!

I didn't dress up, but had a great day...and night. First, I went to work at Enoch Elementary, and my kids were all well behaved. (Probably mostly because I bribed them with a treat at the end of their lesson...if they would behave.) Then I went to lunch with my family at Carl's Jr.

That evening, Steve and I took Addy and Dawson around the block to go trick-or-treating, and they were super funny. They wanted to run everywhere and at one point Daws goes, "Nanny...I'm getting tired. I can't run anymore. Will you carry me?" How could I refuse. Then, after we took a few steps, he seemed to be ready to go again. It was awesome.

We then went to the state playoff game at Cedar High against Ogden. Cedar won the game and will keep going in the tournament. It was fun to be with all my fam. and Steve at the game.

We came back to my house, played a couple rounds of hand and foot with mom and dad, and then Steve indulged my by playing DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) with me on the Wii. He did a good job, and it was a lot of fun. Then we played tennis, and we realize we're pretty good on the same tennis team. :)

All in all, Halloween was fantastic. I had a great time!

Steve and me at the game.

Grandma and Grandpa Morris-they are the best!

Mom and Dad-I love these guys too!

Steve and his scary fangs...watch out...he bites!

My nephews and niece-these are the cutest kids!

New Hair Cut

I got my hair cut the other day, and here's the result. Let me know what you think. :)

Game Fun

I know I've posted a few times in the last couple of days, but I had to do this one. I've been thinking lately about how much I enjoy playing games, and how cool it is to get to spend time with people I care about while playing a fun game. :) Here are a couple of games I am really into right now...if you want instructions let me know.

I love Speed....even though Steve beats me most of the time.

There's Hand and Foot...a team game that Steve's parents always stomp us at....but it's SO much fun.

Ticket to Ride...this one is really fun, and it teaches you major cities in the United States....if you need help with that. LOL.


My newest game...and one I think will become a favorite is called Bohnanza. Get this, it's all about planting, trading, selling, donating, and harvesting BEANS. Crazy I know, but it's actually pretty darn fun.


I just really like games! If you or your family play any really fun games....pass them on to me. I'd love to add some more good ones to my list.

Canadian Brass Concert

This week, my mom and I went to a Canadian Brass Concert. It was AWESOME!! It is a world renowned brass quintet that was so much fun to listen to. Here are a couple clips of the concert.

Logan Trip Part 2

So, Steve and I got home from our trip up north TWO weeks ago...already. I had such a great time. To just recap the rest of the weekend...here goes:

1. The SUU team played five games in the pouring rain, and a very cool temperature. They did their best and were fun to watch...even though they did not have much success.
2. We watched conference....and I LOVED all of it. I feel so blessed and rejuvenated by the words of the disciples. I was uplifted, and I am motivated to do better.
   
3. We ate dinner at Steve's grandparents house. I got to visit with some of his cousins, and eat some wonderful food. The entire family was really nice, and I'm so glad we got to spend some time there.
4. We drove home...well....Steve drove home, which I appreciate so much!
   

There's the rest of the weekend in a nutshell. I had a great time, and couldn't have asked for a better way to spend conference weekend!

The SUU Militia Frisbee team in all their glory!Steve covered in mud...how cute is he???

A provocative pose by Michael James Kip Mosdell....shocking!!

Katie and me being frisbee groupies.

Logan Trip Part 1

So Steve and I are in the middle of our trip up north. Here's a little run down of what we have done thus far:

We got to Provo and went to lunch with Jordan...at Zupa's. It was excellent. Then, we went with Jor to a park and played frisbee on this rockin' hill. Here is a picture Steve took of the two of us.

Then we went back to my old apartment and just hung out. Last night, Steve took me out to Tucano's...which was fantastic. The pineapple is AWESOME!! Don't worry...the meat, and salad...and everything about that place is good. :) We then went and hung out with one of Steve's old roommates Rob and his wife for a bit and then I went and crashed at Jor's house for the night. (Thanks for having me Jor!)

This morning, Steve made breakfast and we took off to come up to Logan. Instead of driving up I-15 the entire way, we decided to drive up Provo Canyon, go through Heber and come back to the freeway at Ogden. It was well worth the extra time it took us. We stopped at one of Steve's favorite places up the canyon and took some fantastic pictures.

We went to lunch with Katie and hung out for a bit before she went to work. Now we are just enjoying the BYU vs. USU game at Katie's apartment and having such a good time. This weekend has been so much fun so far...and there's still lots to come. :)

I'm totally excited to watch the frisbee tournament tomorrow. It'll be awesome!

Fantastic Couple of Weeks!

So.....

It's been a few weeks since I posted on my blog. I guess I have kind of been dreading this post-since it means a lot for my future. I have had to postpone my mission due to three bulging discs in my lower back. When I went to Dallas a few weeks ago, I was fine. On the way home, in the Salt Lake airport I started to have back spasms. By the time I got home, I was in so much pain I had my mom take me to insta-care.

After x-rays, an MRI, and lots of tears, I found out I have these bulging discs in my back. I have indefinitely postponed my mission based on what happens with my back...as well as other things. I go tomorrow-well pretty much today to St. George to receive four steroid shots in my back to see if that will help with the remainder of the pain. I am a little nervous, but know that the Lord knows what's best for me, and will help me through it.

As for me-I am again in a limbo in my life. There are many good things that have come from this experience. Here's a list of my latest blessings:

1. I am not headed to the MTC with a back problem that could have sent me home from my mission early.
2. I have had the wonderful opportunity to spend the last week and a half with my sister Stephanie and niece Eliza from Texas.
3. I got to give 2...count them 2 farewell talks, both of which were a success, and both of which I learned a TON from.
4. My family and good friends have been entirely supportive of everything I have done, and will continue to support me no matter what. That is a HUGE blessing in my life!
5. I got to sing with all of my siblings and my dad with my mom at the piano-what a cool thing to be able to do.
6. I got to go up the canyon with Steve and Steph and Ellie-a beautiful and fun afternoon! Followed by Starbucks of course.
7. I got to sing with Steve yesterday in church. What a talented and wonderful guy. Thanks for singing with me. :)
8. My cousin Charisse got sealed in the St. George temple-and I was able to be there.
   

I could go on and on....even though I have had trials in my life lately, I know my Heavenly Father loves me. He has provided me with countless blessings through all these trials. My testimony has grown so much, and the knowledge that I have gained that I am being led in the direction I am supposed to go, and that the Lord honestly and truly has a hand in my life has been incredibly evident to me.


Here are just a few pictures of the last couple weeks.

Steve, Addy and Dawson-what good lookin' people!

Lucky Aunt Nanny!

The Kid Pond at Wood's Ranch

Steve and Ellie-great smiles!

Steph and Ellie on the Canyon Trail

Steve, Ellie and I-we had such a fun time!

Good Times in Dallas!

I got to spend this last week at my sister's house in Texas. We ate delicious food, played Settlers, did LOTS of shopping, and got our toes done. And last, but definitely not least, we went to the Dallas Temple on Saturday. I had a great time playing with Eliza, and I appreciate so much my sis. and bro. in law having me stay and hang out with them. I love them all so much! Here's a few pics. from the week.

Labor Day Fun!!

Over Labor Day Weekend, I got to spend lots of time with family and friends. On Monday, Steve, Katie and I drove out to Parowan for the big Labor Day Parade. It was fun to laugh at some of the entries, and listen to the bands play...you see...we're all a bunch of BAND NERDS! There is no denying the fact that we all played in the band at Cedar High, and I can't speak for Steve and Katie, but I loved every minute of it.

We then all went up to my Grandparents cabin at Brian Head and played cards, had some lunch and just plain hung out. I am so lucky to be blessed with such an awesome family. I had a really good weekend, and since I'm leaving so soon, I truly value the time I get to spend with the people I love.

Steve...chillin' at the parade.

Katie....gotta love this girl!

Katie and Me cheesy grinning at the parade.

I Love to See the Temple

I had the opportunity to go through the temple for the first time on Thursday night. I went through the St. George Temple. It was such a wonderful night! I feel so blessed that I have so many supportive people who were able to be there with me. I appreciate my family so much, and the example they have been to me as worthy members of the church. I was escorted by my Mom, and then my Dad, my brother Bryan, his wife Melissa, Grandma Morris, Grandpa Morris, Aunt Karen, Uncle Bruce were also there along with me.

Sheryl and Steve Lewis also came to share that night with me. I appreciate them both so much. I am so lucky to have such great friends.

At the end, I also realized that Corey and Tiffany had made the trip to be in St. George with me that night also. How lucky am I?

Here are just a couple of pictures from that night. We went to Olive Garden after the temple, and had a wonderful meal. I can't wait to go back to the temple, and I'm so grateful and glad that I have been taught all my life the importance of being worthy to enter the temple.

Last Picture Post...I love Europe!!

These pictures are some of my favorites! I love Bavaria. The south of Germany, and what I saw of Salzburg...are beautiful.