highlights of 2010

if I cannot bring you comfort
then at least I bring you hope
for nothing is more precious
than the time we have and so
we all must learn from small misfortune
count the blessings that are real
this is a time to be together
and the truth is somewhere here
within our love of people
at the closing of the year.

As 2010 will NOT be going down in my history books as the "best year ever", but still wanting to ring in 2011 with a good attitude, I've decided to focus on the highlights of 2010. Because despite how unfun a lot of this year has been...I also had some really great times.


Taking out the fence at the bottom of the tubing hill at Soldier's Hollow with my mom. We took out about three of the six rows of fence and luckily did not get kicked off the hill.

Super gluing my fingers together and then spending about three hours trying to get them unglued.
Lesson learned:
Do not talk on the phone while trying to do projects involving super glue.

Watching the mouse who got it's hind legs stuck in the sticky trap, crawl across the floor. I will not post pictures, or the awesome video, as it tends to give some people the heebie geebies. But click here to see the full detailed post. Complete with pictures and video.


Jennifer Platts married Ed Parker.
And they had what might be, the best reception I've ever been to.
Such a great couple. One of my all time favs to be sure.

Jonah was adorable...ok so he was adorable last year too...and will be again in 2011...but he is for sure a highlight...possibly the highesty highlight of them all.

I purchased a pool for my balcony. It was the best ten bucks I've spent in a long time. Jonah loved it. I loved it. Many warm evenings and hot afternoons were spent sitting on my chair in the pool reading a book or taking a nap.


Two words: Pineview Reservoir.
From about the middle of June until the middle of August I found myself (along with various family members and friends) lying on the beach once a week at Pineview. It made for the best mini, mini getaway each week. And by the end of the summer I was a blonde bombshell.

A picnic lunch for multiple people:
$20.00
Inflatable raft from Smith's: $3.00
Entrance fee to reservoir: $11.00
Soaking up rays, skinny dipping at the buoy (yes, in the middle of the day), and watching Jonah frolic in the waves:
priceless.



4th of July.

It was nothing spectacular as far as fireworks go. Just a barbecue with mom, the sibs, Jonah, Shorts and Bingley...and the hose.  But we did have a great time discovering Jonah's love of spraying anything with the hose.

And I would be totally remiss if I failed to mention the TWO Brandi Carlile concerts from this year. The first was at Red Butte Garden with Katie Herzig. It was Kelli's first B.C. concert and I have rarely seen her so genuinely filled with joy. Kerri is also a solid fan now. The second show was at the State Room. She played the entire Story album for her first set and then came back for a second set. Kelli and I went to that show...which was a really huge deal for Kelli because it was her first concert at a 21+ venue. AND she got a guitar pick from Tim...well, I got it and gave it to her.

I don't have any pictures from the State Room show, but here are some Red Butte photos.

this picture makes me laugh out loud every time I see it.

=






Sticking with the musical theme...the greatest musical discovery of this year...thankfully made early in the year...and possibly the greatest musical discovery since Brandi Carlile...

MUMFORD & SONS

Seriously folks...if you have not listened to them by now (and you should have because I've raved about them MANY times this year) get to steppin' before the year is over. Unfortunately I did not get to see them this year...but that is my goal for 2011.

Here is a taste of what you really need to check out:






Now go buy their album (Sigh No More). do it. now. seriously.


Mama graduating with her second Master's.
My mom finished her year long master's of administrative ed program at the Y at the beginning of the summer. She wasn't going to walk, but we (the sibs) talked her into it. And I was lucky enough to go to Provo with her and watch her. It was truly such a proud moment in my life.

Kelli went through the temple because she got her mission call to Santiago Chile!

(and apparently I lied about not having pictures from the BC concert at the State room. this is a picture of Kelli after the show with her pick from Tim)

We took a trip to Flaming Gorge which was a blast. Here are some scenery photos. For a more detailed documentation of the trip and family pictures (and MANY pictures of Jonah) click here. And it is worth the click. There is a great story about a flat tire. Which is typical for our vacations. We should be old pros by now when it comes to changing tires.

I think the highest highlight of my year was my date with Jonah. We hit the aquarium, the Belgium Waffle House, Temple Square, lots of "water falls" and puddles, and the "train" (Trax). Jonah was so good the whole time and I'm pretty sure we both enjoyed all of our adventures equally. And he loves walking. At least he did that night. We covered a lot of ground...and at the perfect pace.

That's about it folks. Despite a lot of unfun stuff...there were definitely a lot of good times. Oh dropping Kelli off at the MTC was definitely bitter sweet. There were no tears, but I was sad to say goodbye to my concert buddy for 18 months. I'm accepting applications for a new concert buddy for 2011. There are a couple shows at the end January so get your application in now.

2010...don't let the door hit you on the way out...

2011...I've got open arms, baby!

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.

- Douglas Adams

A somewhat personal "Weekly Random Question"

Is it possible...is that the word I'm looking for? I don't know...perhaps I should explain the scenario and then you can tell me what the right word is.

Once upon a time I made a decision. It was a very painful decision. It was also the right decision...as in "Choose the right when a choice is placed before you..." But so often I regret making that right decision. Is that right, the regret part I mean? Is that possible? Can you actually regret a decision that was CTR right? Perhaps "regret" is the wrong word? But I know, unfortunately, what regret feels like...and this is regret. As I said...I don't constantly feel regret for the decision...but it is there...often.

Does this mean that I don't really have a desire to be a good person? Does this mean that I'd rather make wrong decisions in my life to satisfy my immediate desires for happiness? I think we all want that sometimes...more than sometimes...speaking for myself of course. Instant gratification, well, I don't think I would call it instant...perhaps..."not eternal" gratification is what I often desire...because sometimes the gratification is a little more than 55 second microwave cake. (which is awesome by the way).

So what do I do with this regret? I feel it and then move on and hope it goes away. And have faith that there will be a day that I will rejoice in the right decision that I made. I will know without any doubt whatsoever that it was the right decision and I will feel how right it was and regret will be something of which I have zero concept.

Happy Christmas

I love this picture. It is from Carl Bloch.

Christ healing the sick at the pool of Bethesda. My good friend Cali opened my eyes to this painting and it has been one of my favorites ever since. I think it is such a perfect representation of how Christ lived his life...how I would like to always live mine.

I borrowed the quote found below from my friend Lindsay's blog.

(thanks friend)

"Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Let this be a time of remembrance, of gratitude, and a time of forgiveness. Let it be a time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its meaning for each of us personally. Let it especially be a time of renewal and recommitment to live by the word of God and to obey His commandments. By doing this, we honor Him far more than we ever could with lights, gifts, or parties."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf (he really is the rock star of apostles)

Why I love the Christmas season

1. the weather...even if it is raining.  however...I do really miss the sun...a lot, a lot.

2. Christmas Lights

3. people tend to be a bit kinder

4. I'm reminded of how much I love to color. 

(there is nothing like putting in a good movie and coloring...seriously)

5. Shopping for Christmas gifts.  There is almost no better high than finding the perfect gift for someone. (although I'm of the belief that if you find the perfect gift...Christmas or not...you just buy it)

6. The United States Post Office.  I love how crowded it is...it makes for great people watching. 

7. this is a new one for this year, but I've really enjoyed coming home everyday to Christmas music playing...even if no one is home.  

8. the old school light up snowman by our front door.

9. having Christmas Eve, Eve (aka Christmas Adam...to be know from here on out as our family winter solstice celebration)

10. winter clothes.

You may notice that I haven't mentioned anything about the birth of the Savior...well he wasn't born in December...ha ha ha.  But seriously folks.  I am grateful for the birth of Jesus Christ and his life.  The life he lived is the example that I strive to live up to and I am grateful for his atonement for those moments that I don't quite live up to that.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

one of my favorite drugs...

No matter my mood...when I hear this song...I am instantly in a good mood.

(the video is nothing great...just do yourself a favor and download it...from iTunes...legally of course).

Faith in our Friends

♫ Regarding faith in those around us: 

 

"You give it to the people you love...but the people who really deserve it are the ones who come through even when you don't love them enough." 

~Veronica Mars

Christmas letter to Santa

from someone more articulate than myself...

‎"...you'll find that being a friend is to like a person for who they are, even the parts you don't understand. The reasons you like them make the things you don't understand unimportant. You don't have to understand, or do the same, or live their lives for them. If you truly care for them, then you want them to be who they are; that was why you liked them in the first place." Terry Goodkind

Right...

I was sitting in Sunday school today (not really paying attention to the lesson) reading the story of Noah.  I think this is my favorite version of the story.

Just breathe and remember...

Saturday I took a trip to the Bountiful, Utah United States Postal Office.  It was about 12:30pm.  I walked in and saw quite a long line as well as many people trying to decide which packaging to purchase.  I found the two envelopes that were suited to my needs and added the items to be mailed, addressed and sealed my packages and made my way to the line where I would wait, patiently for my turn.  For the most part people stood in line and chatted with one another in a pleasant manner.  But it wasn't long before some people started getting irritated.  As the did their irritation seemed to spread to others in line.  Soon people were wondering why the hours weren't longer during the holidays, why there weren't more people working, how ridiculous this line was, etc...  As I stood there I had three thoughts (well more that three, but three I wish to share)

1.  It is SATURDAY FOLKS!  You're at the Post Office on a SATURDAY!  The line is going to be long.  If you didn't know that...well, now you do.  Welcome to the United States Post Office on Saturday.

2.  You are in South Davis County (and it's Saturday).  People here tend to have big families. Not only do they have bigger families they are close to those big families.  I'm talking moms, dads, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandparents, etc...  Lots of those people live in other places.  Perhaps because of work, or military or they are serving missions for a church with a prominence in the area.  People like to mail things to the above mentioned people who are out of the area.  So when the woman in front of you is filling out TEN address forms to send to military bases and small countries were their relatives are serving both the military and the Powers that Be...just breathe...and think about how excited these people who are AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES will be when they receive gifts from home.

3  IT. IS. DECEMBER. (you are in South Davis County and it is Saturday).  Due the the prominent religion in the area many, many, MANY people are celebrating the holidays and are going to be sending gifts to their loves ones...both far (mentioned above) and near (because sometimes sending things in the mail is really easier than delivering them...even if the recipient only lives in the Avenues).

So I would hope that each of you...when running any errands this December will just stop and take a deep breath before you get into your car and jump into the madness that can be the holiday season.  One thing I have always loved about the holidays is the crowds in the malls or at some sort of light display or even in the stores.  I worked in a grocery store for about a decade and the holidays were truly some of my most favorite times.  Yes...it is insane...and people can be pushy.  But we do not have to be those people.  Chances are, whatever your errands...they do not involve saving the world.  So just take your time.  Enjoy the crispness (and sometimes biting cold) in the air and smile at the people around you.