Blocks, Birthday bears, Temples and Weddings

Here goes an attempt to sum up the weekend...

I went to one of my very favorite people in the worlds house Thursday morning (Ms Rachel Crane, to be precise) and got to catch up on one of my blocks. It was so nice to get another one done! I have missed the quilting night for the last few months due to work or school, so it was a much needed activity. I loved it so much that I may just go buy a sewing machine so I can work on it at home...
Teresa
Vicky and Teresa

I got to visit with Vicky and Jenny and Teresa and Jenn even stopped by...(with some yummy treats), but work was calling. I wish I could have stayed all day!

Friday I had an awesome b-day. Hannah and I spent the morning in Provo to do a little shopping (she picked me out a new church dress). As we walked through the mall she tells me that she wants to take me to Build a bear and make me a bear for my birthday. Since we didn't have anything better to do, I gave in. Hannah made a cute little blue bear and I made myself a pink b-day monkey. It was way fun.
Hannah named her bear 'Kameron' and I named that cute lil' monkey of mine 'Pinkey'

We headed home and cleaned up a bit to go for a tour of the new temple in Draper. We took Mom and Dad and Pat and Angie and the kids met us down there. I also had 4 of my friends meet up with us, so that was fun. I really enjoyed being able to sit in the Celestial room with my family. That is something I have never experienced and it was such an amazing thing. I loved that Hannah was there with me. She used to ask me when I went to the temple where I was going and why...you could tell she just didn't understand it. Now that she has been there and we have talked about it I think it will be easier (as easy as it is for a 6 year old) to understand.

Well, then we were off to dinner! Abby and Eddy and the kids met up with us in Salt Lake and I got to have my Prime Rib dinner...yum. It was an awesome day.

Saturday I spent the day being lazy until I had to help with a wedding. My friend April's step-daughter was getting married and she cashed in some friendship dues and put me on kitchen duty/photography. I had a great time just being there to help out. I actually ended up helping Jessica (the bride) get dressed while everyone else was getting ready. The wedding was so sweet and I got some really cute pictures. It made me a little sad that the groom didn't have any family there (they live in Peru as I understand) so I was glad I could do kitchen duty so the family could all just be together during the reception.

April and Roger
The bride and groom
So that about sums up my eventful b-day weekend. I'm glad to get back into the regular routine again and slow down!

What I want for my birthday...

People keep asking me what I want for my birthday. I'm starting to get frustrated with the question. I appreciate the thought…but, honestly, I haven’t thought much about it until today when my dad asked me that question. (Apparently Hannah is in a panic because she hasn’t bought me anything yet, and wants him to take her shopping.) It’s not like being young and dreaming daily of that one thing that will make the day absolutely perfect. So what do I want…? Well, after much reflection I have come up with a top 10*

1. I want to learn algebra. I mean really learn and understand so that I don’t have a full blown panic attack every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 when I show up to class. Isn’t there some magic pill that you could take that instantly makes you good at something? That is what I want.
2. I want to read the book “He’s just not that into you” by Greg Behrendt. If you have noticed my track record lately, it is obvious that I really need to read that book. And see the movie. And pay attention. And apply what the dude says so I won’t keep getting myself into such …yeah, enough info there…
3. I want to have a whole day to myself just to read that book.
4. I want to be in better shape.
5. I want to be one of those moms that people say “Man, I wish I could be more like her..”
6. I want a new phone. One of those awesome blackberry touch phones…(don’t know how to use one, but I really want one!)
7. I want to be more photogenic and not always hiding from the camera.
8. I want to dance. I want to not be so self conscious and scared of what people think that I actually could go out and learn. And I want to be good at it.
9. I want a new car. That’s paid for. One that has lots of power and gets good gas mileage and smells brand new. And it has to be blue.
10. I want my birthday to be a wonderful day with only positive things, surrounded by those I love and that love me right back.

So, there you go. Not your generic b-day wish list, but all I can come up with for now.

*This list may change at any time!

Yesterday, today,and tomorrow.

Yesterday was "Bring a friend to dance" day. And of course, we HAD to take Susan.
They were so cute together. I was at school while they danced, but was able to grab a couple of shots when I picked up Hannah.
(Can I just say how nice it is to have this fancy new computer that I can just plug in my memory card and, voila! pictures appear!) Had to include little Maya in the photo op...
Today...Well, I need to hurry and finish this here blog because I am headed out to sew with Rachel...I have been so busy with school and all the craziness of life that the quilt has been put on hold: until today. Wish me luck!
Tomorrow...hmmm, there is something special about tomorrow...Well when I figure it out I'll let ya know. :)

Please leave your message...

Well, Jenny, you have a good point... I too, may be going private here soon. I installed this new little map thing (whatever you want to call it) and it says who has visited your blog. Kind of cool, but a little creepy at the same time. Not that I have anything to hide, just you never know what freak may be following your blog.
Am I over analyzing this?
Well, I want to test the waters for a while. If you are visiting our little blog and I don't know you, leave me a little note and say hi...or if you do know me, do the same. Just wanna know who looks at this thing.

I have been tagged!!!

8 THINGS ABOUT ME

I was tagged by Cherle!

Here are the Rules:
1) Post rules on your blog
2) Answer the six '8' items
3) Let each person know by leaving them a comment

8 favorite TV Shows:
1. Prison Break
2. Grey's
3. Desperate Housewives
4. House
5. CSI
6. Cops
(DO people seriously have time to have 8 favs? Sorry, I can't think of any more!)

8 things I did yesterday:
1. Slept in!
2. Went to church.
3. Watched half a movie...hope to finish it tonight!
4. Some very belated girl talk with my friend Susan.
5. Watched Hannah and Maria's fashion show...too cute!
6. Ate pizza at my good friend John's house.
7. Played with play-doh with Hannah and Xander (and John. And made this Elephant...


8. Watched a movie with John.
(It was Sunday, and I was LAZY!)

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Spring.
2. End of semester.
3. My next trip to Heathers...counting down...
4. Disneyland this summer. (I found cheap airfare!)
5. A temple trip with Cherle and Rob :)
6. Being financially stable.
7. My own place.
8. My next adventure...

8 favorite restaurants:

1. Olive Garden
2. Spaghetti Factory
3. Anywhere with good prime rib
4. TGI Fridays
5. Midvale Mining CO.
6. Red Lobster
7. Golden Corral (Hannah's Fave)
8. Wingers

8 Things on my wish list:

1. New car...I'm over 275,000 now, the clocks ticking...
2. Home of my own...Love 'em, but can't live with them.
3. Tour of Europe...hmmmm.
4. Learn Spanish...(Not just the swear words)
5. Be a stay at home mom.
6. True love.
7. Hannah to never grow up...
8. Live somewhere that it doesn't snow, but isn't hot... Don't know where that is, but I plan on finding it!

1. 8 People I tag:

This is where I break the rules, I tag...Everyone!!! Go for it, you know who you are!

A Kreativ Blogger?

My sweet friend Rachel tagged me and gave me a Kreativ Blogger award. My blogs don't even compare to hers, but oh well. So, I am supposed to list 6 things I am grateful for and then pass this award on to 6 other creative bloggers.

Here's my list...
1. My sweet daughter. She thinks I am amazing (mostly because she hasn't spent much time at Rachel's house) :)
2. Wonderful friends. Especially those that have withstood the test of time. This includes some amazing cousins, whom I consider friends.
3. Having a job that allows me the flexibility to further my education.
4. Amazing teachers and professors who want to see my succeed.
5. A car that still runs and and is paid off!
6. The daily blessings that I receive that I just can't number...

SO now the fun part...I get to tag 6 more people...
April (Princess Apple), Joy (Four by sea), Pat and Ang (SF Dukes), Cherle (7 Bednars), Clint and Anh (A guy, a girl and a laptop), and last but not least Heather Frost (Gavin hears a who!)...Blog away, my friends...blog away. And P.S. Rachel, I'm glad you read, I'll try and make it worth it :)

Waiting...

"Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worse kind of suffering.”
Paulo Coelho

I'm not going to say too much tonight. I have a lot on my mind right now and don't quite know how to put the words together...and then to put them here so that anyone can even begin to understand what in the world I am talking about... that will have to wait... Ah, back to waiting...

Back to school

Things are back to normal (or whatever you call it) around here. Hannah and I both survived our first week back to school! Hannah was exhausted and barely was able to drag herself out of bed...it was so hard to get back on a bedtime schedule. I plan on doing much better next week. She was actually really excited to go to her dads this weekend, so things are going pretty good.
I had my first day back to school on Wednesday. I think the way I have my schedule set up this semester is going to work out pretty well. I will only be there 2 days a week instead of 5 so I guess that is a plus. I have some pretty interesting classes this time and some new teachers so I am kind-of excited to see how things are going to go.
I finally broke down and bought myself a new laptop. My other one was totally possessed and slower than cold tar. I am hoping this will motivate me to keep up on the blog a little better...um, I mean, I plan on using it to write papers and do research...yeah, that's why I bought it...

I can't sleep.

Ok, here are the random thoughts of someone who should really be sleeping right now!
1. I have to admit that I am really missing someone at this very moment. I can't really explain it, I wish I could maybe just let it all out and feel better, but I don't know where to begin. So, if you are reading this just know that I miss you very much and wish you the very best.
2. I am getting nervous about going back to school. ( I know, more school drama, scroll down to the next number...) I worry so much about doing my best and still providing for my family. I struggle so much with prioritizing my time and feel like I just end up in a state of exhaustion and don't get anything accomplished at all. I want to do it all and do it all well, but at the same time I don't want to do it at all.
3. I need a new computer. This one sucks. I have three more years of school to "look forward to" so I am thinking I am going to bite the bullet and make a purchase.
4. It is freaking cold outside. The thermometer on the porch says -2. That's right, NEGATIVE 2!
5. I have a b-day coming up...sweet 16 times 2...lol. I am actually looking forward to this one. Don't ask me why cause I don't have a clue...
6. I am just sitting here thinking of how very blessed I am. I have experienced some of the most amazing things over the past few months and it has made me so aware of our Heavenly Fathers unconditional love for us. He is totally aware of me and my daily struggles. I just sit back in awe when I think of this. I don't express my gratitude nearly enough. Hey, that will be my first resolution for the new year...be more grateful, or at least express my gratitude more often.
7. Lastly, I want to send a hug out to my blogger friend Tori...I have been so sad since I read your blog. My heart is broken for your family. I have my own 6 year old daughter and can't imagine the pain and sadness that this family is experiencing. I wish you peace and that you will feel the love of your family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family at this time.

Hannah's hair drama

Hannah wants to cut her hair. She says she hates long hair. I personally love her hair. For those of you who haven't known me for long, Hannah didn't have hair until she was almost 3...so we have come a long way. We have argued over this hair thing (I know, I am not supposed to be arguing with a 6 year old) for quite some time now and have made a deal that if she does get her hair cut that we have to donate it to locks of love.
So now her new thing is as she is brushing her hair she sighs and says "I'd really like to give all this hair to some little girl with cancer..." (insert another big sigh here) Now how the heck do you tell them no after that one? So as my blogger buddies, you get to help me out. I want to know what you think. If you are still reading this blog then you must have some sort of opinion...Do we go for it and cut it off or should I make her wait a while?