Mawage is what bwings us togever

So Kristen and Shawn got married yesterday. It's kind of surreal that it actually happened. I've been hearing about it practically as long as I have known them, so it's weird that it is over. Anyway, it was a beautiful wedding...hotter than Hades...but beautiful. Congrats to the both of you...I love you guys and wish you the best future together.

This is Kristen and Shawn's super cute niece. I LOVE kids this age...they are so adorable. I had so much fun playing with her and their other nephew, Peter, throughout the day. I don't get a chance to be around kids very often and I miss it. Does anyone want to lend me their kid for a day?

A perfect summer treat

I was feeling in the culinary mood today so I decided to try an experiment. (Most of my cooking usually is an experiment.) Anyway, I came up with these adorable tarts! Aren't they cute? And they are SO easy! And healthy too! All I did was took a chewy granola bar, smushed it into a circle shape, and arranged some fruit slices on top.

Boca en mi corazon, viejita

So last night we witnessed pretty much the coolest soccer game in all of Utah history. BOCA Jrs. from Argentina came and played against Real. Now after hearing about Boca pretty much every single day for a year and a half, it was one of my life-long dreams to actually see them play. And it came true! Who would have thought it would happen right here in Salt Lake!

When I went back to visit my mission, the Perretti family was convinced that my brother, Nathan was Martin Palermo's twin. Palermo is #9 on Boca and here he is after a most amazing play where he jumped like 12 feet in the air. The Perrettis convinced Nathan to be a fan and even gave him a poster of Palermo and taught him the Boca cheer.

Rimando. Rimando. Rimando. Why is it so much more fun to go to events with people who really get into things? I love it!

When I first got to Argentina, everyone tried to "convert" me to be a fan of their soccer team. There are two major rivals--Boca and River. I chose Boca and got this cool jersey from one of the elders. It's about 18 sizes too large, but of course I had to wear it.

Does anyone know anything about the drum tradition at soccer games? Just wondering. Aguante Boca!

Thank you to the real men out there

I would just like to thank all the men out there who appreciate modesty in women. Men who value a woman based on who she is and not what her body looks like. I know that guys will be guys and their natural instinct is to find immodesty attractive, but I thank those of you who make an effort to rise above the natural man and appreciate true beauty. Thank you to the guys out there who treat women with respect and not as objects designed to satisfy their desires.

I taught a Relief Society lesson this week on modesty, and as part of it I interviewed several guys on the subject so I could share their comments with the girls and we could get a male perspective on the whole issue. I was so impressed to hear these men make comments like…

When a girl dresses modestly, I can't help but think that she feels good about herself, recognizes her worth, and could care less about what the world is wearing. I associate words like noble, truth, power, virtue, and honor, etc. when I see girls dress modestly.

I think being modest applies to not just being covered up but also looking nice. Looking like you care about what you wear, yet not being consumed by it, shows confidence—and that is attractive.

You send a message in the way you act, talk, and in the way you dress. When a girl dresses immodestly, I wonder what she's trying to say, or to what she's trying to draw attention.

If a woman is modest and dresses modestly, she most likely makes other righteous decisions in her life. Strong spirituality is quite a turn-on.

The clothes a girl wears are usually a good reflection as to who they are. Girls spend a lot of time thinking about what they are going to wear and how they are going to portray themselves. If a girl dresses modestly it is because that is who she thinks she is and vice versa. And, you attract the type of person you portray yourself to be.

Don't ever short-change yourself. There are thousands of guys out there who are attracted to girls who dress modestly. I know that these guys are a whole lot less creepy than the guys who could care less about modesty. If you want to meet the creepy guys than dress immodest, if not then dress like you have integrity.

So, thank you. The world needs more men like you.

Christenson for life

We had another fantastic weekend at the cabin. Why is there something about a fire that makes you want to share your hopes and dreams? We did follow cabin tradition and take the color code test. I am still blue. We had 2 successful games of Settlers, one crazy game of Nertz, a very entertaining game of signs, and an unsuccessful fishing trip by McKay. Oh, and how could I forget steam rolling? We unfortunatley did not watch Barbie Swan Lake however.

We brushed up on our dutch oven cooking skills and even made a peace offering for the Christensons. I think I could quite possibly say that it was the most amazing pineapple upside down cake I've ever had in my life. And my potato experiment turned out quite nicely. It's a good thing potatoes aren't made of flour...it might not have worked as well.

Gotta love cabin food! It's the best! We had the most amazing dutch oven chicken and potato dinner and an equally delightful French toast breakfast. And Garrett's burgers were completely divine. Thanks to all the cooks! And to Jenny for the travel treats. I don't think we could have made it through Anne's inherited Fairview house without the travel treats. It was all Sabrina could do to keep from screaming at the grasshoppers.

And of course we had to joy ride on the four wheelers. After all, why have a car (or a 4-wheeler) if you don't drive it? Unless it breaks down of course and a toothless man has to help you start it up again. We slept out under the stars on the deck again. Don't worry, no one fell off. Probably because we did not steamroll on the deck. Although no one signed a waiver for that so maybe it would have been OK. I am happy to report that no heirs or representatives were injured.

All in all it was a fantastic weekend. ...I love the mountains, I love the daffodils. I love the flowers, I love the rolling hills... Everyone...

Sad day in the scrapbooking world

Yesterday was my co-worker, April’s, last day of work. I’m so sad! Here we are at our office Halloween party last year—so fun! Basically it’s been just her and me on our little Web team for the past two years. What am I ever going to do without her? She’s taught me everything I know!

She’s moving to China, which is so exciting! But I’m still going to miss her.

Fires and showers

This weekend we had a fantastic ward activity up Millcreek Canyon. I just love being up in the mountains, and I'm so glad that I live so close to them to be able to enjoy them.

Bekah and Abby got a hold of my camera! I didn't even know they did this. They are so funny!

We played some fun charades games. Props to Bekah for getting everyone to participate. It's so much more fun when people come out of their walls that they put up to surround themselves.

Also this week, we had a bridal shower for my roommate, Kristen. She moved out last week. :( I feel like Kristen and I were destined to be friends. We have so many connections that we keep discovering. The craziest one is that one of my mission companions was Kristen's roommate at BYU and one of Kristen's mission companions was my roommate in Georgia. Crazy! Anyway, when I decided to move in with Kristen, I didn't even know her at all, but I really felt like moving in with her was exactly where I was supposed to be at the time. I'm so thankful for everything I've learned from her and the opportunity I've had to be her roommate these past 8 months. Here's a little photo collage that I made for the shower of Kristen and her fiancee, Shawn. Aren't they cute?

Anyway, we had a great time at the shower. Everyone made a page in a recipe album that turned out pretty cute.

Our Relief Society presidency discovered a new use for rub-ons and they all gave each other rub-on tattoos! They crack me up!

I also spent much of the weekend cleaning out my Dad's garage. There was so much junk in there! There was probably stuff in there that has been there since we moved in 17 years ago. I hauled off 2 truckloads of junk, plus filled up 2 big garbage cans! This is one good thing about moving around a lot--you don't accummulate so much stuff.

Some things lost…some things gained

So, most of you that have known me awhile have probably noticed that I’ve lost a lot of weight in the past couple of years. I’m still about 15 pounds from where I’d like to be, but it definitely feels great to be 40 pounds lighter than what I once was. Even though this is pretty disgusting, I’m posting these before and now pictures in hopes of motivating myself to lose those last 15 pounds. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the upcoming content.)

I’ve been fighting with those last 15 pounds for the past 6 months—why is it so hard? You’d think after being successful at losing that much weight already I would know how to do it. But alas…the 15 pounds remain. (Hopefully I will be able to post the “after” picture sometime in the near future.)

However, I have gained A TON in the process that I hope will stay with me the rest of my life. And even if I never shed those 15 pounds, I am most definitely a healthier person—and THAT is what matters. So I’ve decided to share some of my discoveries.

1. I learned that I really like broccoli. And zucchini. And squash.
2. I learned to like running. Even when it’s freezing cold outside.
3. I learned that I can run for 13.1 miles and not die. (even with mono)
4. I learned that I CAN do hard things.
5. I am currently in the process of learning how to swim and play tennis. And it is FUN!
6. I learned that 2007 is the summer of hiking. And I’m going to hike Mt. Timpanogos at the end of the summer. And I’m going to make it to the top!
7. I signed up for a triathlon. Bring it on!
8. I learned that I don’t really love French fries. Or soda. Or potato chips.
9. I learned that I still really love baked goods. And ice cream. And that is OK.
10. I learned that it’s really expensive to have to buy a whole new wardrobe because you have shrunk out of all your clothes.
11. I learned that it’s worth it to buy a whole new wardrobe because you shrunk out of all your clothes.
12. I’ve learned how to cook using more whole foods instead of making things out of a box or a can. And I’ve learned that it’s so much more tasty that way too.
13. I learned that I have collar bones!
14. I’ve learned that you don’t have to be a diet nazi or deprive yourself of social encounters to be more healthy.
15. I learned that I CAN get up at 5:30 a.m. to work out if I really want to.
16. I’ve learned that the iPod is only one of the greatest inventions ever made.
17. I’ve learned that you don’t have to be perfect all the time. And that becoming who you want to be doesn’t need to happen overnight. And that is OK. It’s in the process that character is discovered.

I don’t really talk about this subject very much at all. I think it’s mostly because I don’t want to draw attention to it. I also think it's partly because I'm afraid of failure...and if I were to fail then at least no one would know I was even trying. But maybe getting it out in the open is just what I need for the final stretch.

Locked doors

Lately I have felt as though I’m walking down a long hallway lined with countless closed doors. I feel inspired to pass by many of the doors without even bothering to open them to see what’s inside. At other doors I feel inspired to open them and go inside, but as I try to turn the doorknob, I discover the door to be locked.

However, I still feel as though I should try to get inside certain doors, so I pull out my ring of keys and start trying to find one that will unlock the door. But none of the keys on my ring fit the lock—and no one else has the right key either. I knock on the door, hoping that someone on the other side will let me in—but that isn’t happening either.

I don’t understand why I feel I should go inside these doors when it’s not possible. I’m tired of trying to open to locked doors--even though I feel like I should. I’ve felt this way in so many aspects of my life lately—with my job circumstances, with graduate school, with dating situations. Sometimes I feel like I might as well just set up camp in the hallway. But I know I need to keep trying, and hopefully someday I’ll be led to the doors to which I do have the keys to open.

Let freedom ring!

I hope everyone had a fantastic 4th of July. I'm so grateful to live in a free country. After living in Argentina for a year and a half, it really makes you appreciate the little things. Like...I am glad I can name my children whatever I want to and that I don't have to choose a name from a government book. I'm grateful that the opportunities I have in my life are abundant. I'm grateful to have choices. I'm grateful to live in a nation that was founded on the basis of religious freedom. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to attain whatever goals I set my mind to. God bless the USA!

And I'm grateful that I was able to spend the holiday with my family at our cabin. I'm grateful that my grandpa built it for us and taught us the importance of family. Here's Allison and I in our cozy bed we made out on the deck of the cabin. Despite the bats, we had a very enjoyable night out under the stars. Allison was laughing in her sleep all night long...it was hilarious!
We found the coolest 4-wheeling trail, and I only got stuck once. We also went shooting and hiking and sat around and ate lots of good food.

And it's not a trip to the cabin without a turn on the old rope swing. That thing has been around since before I can remember! And it still holds me!

We came home and ended the night with some rodeo festivities and fireworks. Anne has decided she is going to marry a cowboy. Does anyone know one for her? We tried to flirt with some of them at the rodeo, but we didn't have much luck. We'll have to try again at the Spanish Fork one in a few weeks.

I'm just still waiting for my cowboy to come and take me away.

Is it really July?

Today is July 5th. It’s like 100 degrees outside right now. This morning I arrived at work, got to my desk, and after about 5 minutes I had to put on my jacket, wrap my blanket around me, and go make myself a hot cup of tea. What is wrong with this picture? I am a fan of air conditioning, but why waste money freezing everyone out? Especially when they keep telling us to cut our spending at work. I don’t get it.

I have a feeling…

That some big changes are about to happen in my life. And I don’t quite know how I feel about that. All I can say is that I hope they are for the better. These past few months have been quite challenging for me. I’ve been dealing with some things that just really don’t make any sense at all, but I know they are happening for a reason. I just hope that the challenges I’ve had to work through are preparing me for these changes—whatever they may be.

I know what some of the changes are—I’m getting a new roommate and a new co-worker, and some other things at my job are changing—but I have a feeling that these next few months are going to be life changing in some way. Am I crazy? Does anyone else feel like that sometimes?

Happy Independence Day to all!

Vaca Part 3

This weekend we decided to vacation in sunny, exotic, beautiful Provo, Utah. Home of...

We had a fantastic time seeing the sites of Provo and attending a session at the Provo Temple. I lived in Provo for four years so it holds a special place in my heart, and I'm always glad to return. I'm also so glad that Sabrina met the man of her dreams at the Brick Oven. See...vacations are good for lots of things-even if you do have to visit the bridal shop! :)

In accordance with the summer of hiking, Anne and I ventured to Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon this week. I was able to take one picture before my camera batteries died, so here it is...

It really was a great hike. It's amazing to me how many cool things there are within minutes of where I live that I've never taken advantage of before. Next time we need to bring our fishing poles!