Halloween 2009

This year halloween rocked. I had so much fun at the dance....seeing all my friends, flirty with a few guys :-) , dancing and singing. It was major fun. I've attached a few pictures of last night and then recent pictures of my family down in Alabama! ENJOY!!!

Jenn, Bobby and I

Monkey See, Monkey Do.... Paul and I

Jenn-Tile and I

Power of Pink

Tony, Wes, Jasmine and the Batman Boys!

My Alabama Family!!!

Friends and Family. . . THANK YOU!

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up shortly I am reminded of how many blessings I have in my life. As I sit here and think, I am believe that life is as it should be, that is for this brief moment in time. I'm content, I'm sincerely happy again. I have been truly blessed with some of the most amazing family members and friends. As I take some time to reflect on my relationships, I ask that you each take a moment to acknowledge those amazing family and friends in your life and thank them for all that they do for you! Remind them that you care for them, that you love them and that you are thinking about them.


Mom- Mama I love you! I miss you so much. I love that I can call you everyday on my way home from work. I love to hear your cheerful voice! Thank you so much for your support, for your advice (even when I don't wanna hear it!) Thank you for being an example to me, for being a strong, determined wife, mother, and daughter. You are amazing!

Dad- Pops! Old Man! I MISS YOU! General Conference was not the same this year. I missed curling up next to you and having some father daughter bonding time. I've probably never told you this but I admire you a lot. I admire your hard work. Your persistence to get the task done. I appreciate how you have taught me work ethic (Even though I complain about work all the time!). I miss your controlling nature. I miss it, I really do. Even Carleen misses it! Sometimes I need more boundaries in my life and you have always done a good job at keeping me grounded and focused. Thanks dad.

Tony and Jasmine- You two are amazing! You have an absolutely beautiful family! I hope someday I will have children as absolutely adorable as yours are. I can't wait to meet Baby Girl! I know life is hard at times, but I admire how you two have stuck it through and work hard at getting through it all. It's never easy, but this trial of your faith will make you strong. You have so many blessings in your life and I truly wish you all the happiness in the world. You both deserve it, you both deserve each other! Thank you for being my brother Tony, and thank you Jasmine for putting up with him to allow me to have a fabulous sister-in-law! I love you Girl!


Jenn and Carleen- I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you two. You have kept me grounded and sane. I love you two and hope and pray that we will be the three old ladies sitting there gossiping, ranting and yet laughing hysterically over absolutely ridiculous things. You two are my lifesavers! Thanks chicas!

Jenn- You always have something smart to say whenever I need to hear it and even when I don't. You are the one whom I can count on to understand my thoughts and my feelings. You understand where I'm coming from when most others don't, because you've been there. You always have the word of widsom that I need. For that I am grateful, for you I am grateful.

Carleen- I love how even though we are roommates in a house of caos (at times) we can still have our moments of fun and laughter. Sitting on our own beds, texting and chatting online while giggling the whole time. We have fun. I am so appreciative of the knowledge of the gospel you share with me. I am thankful for your concern and for your friendship.

Holly, Brittany, and Claudette- I have loved getting to know each of you better over the past few months. I feel that I can call you up at any time just to chat...wait a sec...I do! I love that you have been added to my circle of friends. You each inspire me in different ways to attain something more in my life. To remind myself there is more and to also remind myself how stupid some "things" really are. That I/we don't need to be "jaded" and can see the good in things. Thanks for your optimism and your cheerfulness ladies!

Sadly I can't list every single one of you. If I know you, if I am friends with you, or if I used to be friends with you and for some reason we don't talk anymore....PLEASE know that I am truly grateful for you. I have learned something important from you and that I do sincerely care about you!

Boys will Be Boys.....

My family has finally made it to Mobile, Alabama. After spending two months on the road driving from Wasilla, Alaska to Mobile, they were ready to call it quits! They are super excited to be there. They are loving the time they have with the grandbabies and Wesley is super excited to finally get to our brother Tony's house. He started school today and got to see the school production of Little Shop of Horror's. He must have loved it to have come home and told them about it.

Well after bugging the family for the past week for pictures I finally have a few to share. My two adorable little nephews Johnny and Alex! You will also see that they have adopted my puppy Roxy. I'm not sure I will ever get her back since Johnny has already claimed her as his puppy! She is loving the attention and the food!

Dad and the Grandbabies (Roxy included!)

It never fails, Dad always puts the babies to sleep!

Alex (left, 2yrs) and Johnny (right, 3 yrs)

Johnny and Roxy. She has found her spot!

Roxy! She is lucky I'm not there to stop her....

Alex wearing Daddy's shades!

The City.....

Wow, I miss the city! I miss the days of the girls (and guys at times) going to the club, dancing to music, laughing and just having a fantastic time. Last Friday night with the live music, it started something flowing again. I miss it. I need it. I crave it. So this is my goal...At least once a month, find some sort of event, club, something to attend to get this emptiness inside filled back up again!

Friday Night in the City

India Pics....
Scrumptious Dinner....
Motorcycle Ride....
Paperback Hero.....


Friday night I went into Anchorage to spend the evening with Paul. With both of our busy schedules we have been trying to find a time to get together. Well we finally did and it was a blast. It's been a while since I've had that much carefree, semi-last minute fun.

It started off looking at some amazing pictures of his trip to India. What a place. I couldn't believe their electrical wiring jobs! It was sadly funny to see a man work on the wires in bare feet climbing up on the pole. I've seen pictures of the Taj but to hear that it is as beautiful and amazing in person as in the pictures is cool. It was also interesting to see how different the country can be, dirt and barren to lush and green.

After looking at pictures we made a delicious meal. Paul took control of the salmon and moose steak, I made the salad and there just happened to be a caramel apples with pink and yellow sprinkles waiting to be eaten. I have to say it was deliciously yummy. Of course I'm still curious about whether or not the caramel came off the bowl in the dishwasher...hmmm!

Being that it is October and still in the 50's we decided to take his bike for a ride. We put on some 80s music and then some rock and jammed out. We enjoyed the smells of bonfires, the cool crisp autumn air and the sites and sounds of the city. After riding around for a bit Paul got a call from a friend who had won free tickets to see Paperback Hero in concert. We headed over and listened to them play live. Their set rocked. I love listening to live music and it really reminded me that I need to do that more often!

Simple Happiness

You can either hold yourself up to the unrealistic standards of others, or ignore them and concentrate on being happy with yourself as you are."  ~Jeph Jacques


It's the fourth inning in this game I call My Life. I've just been thrown a curveball and I've been able to hit that curveball out of the way! Now I am on my way through the bases. There are obstacles I have to overcome on my way to each base, but each base in itself is a major accomplishment. Right now I'm on my way to first. I've hit a few speed bumps, tripped a few times and yet, I've picked myself up each time, dusted off the dirt and kept running full force. Many of these obstacles are other people. I've found the standards I have for myself are high. I expect the best out of myself or I get really disappointed in myself. Sometimes I have found the expectations others have of me are plainly ridiculous. A hard lesson for me to learn is to concentrate on making myself happy and not relying on others for happiness. I am happy to say am back on track, I am happy and loving life. This attitude will help me overcome those hurdles and reach the next base!

A Nice Surprise

I was standing in the hallway today with my class taking our afternoon bathroom break, when the secretary walked by me with these really pretty flowers. She stopped next to me and said they were for me. What?? ME?? "Are you sure?" I asked her. As I grabbed the card to see what it said and who they were from I was really curious. Why would I be getting flowers? When I opened the card, at first I was upset. The reason behind getting them not so pleasant, but the purpose of them in the end was sincere and sweet. Still doesn't mean things will change or be how they were, but I am grateful for the sunshine and happiness they bring to my desk.

Knock and I'll Answer

"It's a hard lesson to learn to just let some people go, and wait to find out if they come to you or not. Sometimes one should stop pursuing."


This simple statement is everything I am feeling inside but couldn't say myself. My friend who said this today must have been inspired to give me the words I lacked. I've said my peace, my two cents. My feelings and thoughts are out there, so I'm done pursuing. If things are going to change, there has to be effort made from the other parties involved. I want more than anything to move forward with people, but I know that I can't do it alone, it MUST be two sided. So until then, my life will continue. I will not be going after them, but if they knock... I WILL ANSWER.

Rebirth and Rejuvenation

Today is one of those cold Autumn mornings where all you want to do it curl up with a good book next to the fireplace with a cup of hot apple cider and just escape from the life for a few hours. However I know that is never productive and all it does is escape for a few hours. Problems aren't fixed, life is still there waiting for you.

Friday night I went to the Temple. Baptisms, it was fabulous. I was even more excited being there when Jenn poked me in the side and reminded me that next time I'm there it will be for my own endowment. WOW!

As I was sitting there in the Lord's House thinking about things and praying I was really forced to look at a few things in my life.  Without going into any details, the feelings I have were confirmed that it is ok to have them. I don't know why, because the Lord knows I don't want to feel this way. I don't understand why I do when I just want to let it all go. Perhaps someday I will understand.

I also thought about my life in the big picture and whether or not Alaska is the right place for me. As of right now I'm going to be here for another year. After that I'm not sure. There are times that I don't think or don't feel that this is the right place for me anymore. I think I have learned what it is I needed to learn, the reason I stayed here as my family moved, but I'm not sure there is anything more for me here. I wish there were, I'd really like there to be.

As the leaves have all fallen off the trees I am reminded that Autumn is a time for change. A time to prepare for new life. A time to shed ourselves of the old in order for rebirth and rejuvenation. I am going to take some time to prepare for "Spring". Prepare for new and better things to come. I know that Heavenly Father has something great in store for me. But in my state of mind, I am pretty sure I would miss it right now.