Opportunities for Happiness

'Attitude is Everything'- I've said it for years; This week, I found out that it's true! I can't believe what a good week I've had in spite of the crazy happenings. I've decided to be happy this year, no matter what! Of course there will be those days that will be hard, but finding something good in them will make all the difference. No wasted time.

My family went camping this week- we had such a good time despite leaving quite a bit later than we would have liked, having to switch cars, check tires, decide to switch campsite locations because of closures, and then having to drive 45 minutes back into town to get a permit to camp at the chosen site (My dad and I had a great time & conversation!)---We were all pretty patient and had a nice relaxing time. We shot BB Rifles, played in the fire, sat around and learned about important things like time value of money (S was reading a money book and we were all discussing) and quoting kid history like crazy- Haha! That first night, I was FREEZING. I had a mummy bag (which was not good considering I am claustrophobic) and it wouldn't zip up all the way- Hahaha! SO, as I was putting on another layer of clothing to get warmer, I heard this dying rabbit- it was SCREAMING. So I'm thinking, "Great. WHERE is that and WHAT is killing it?" I had to go to the bathroom and no had no flashlight. So freezing me, decides to get into the Truck and warm up. One problem...the truck is diesel, and if I had started that at 2:30 in the morning....WHEW. That wouldn't have been the best idea ever. So I sat there freezing for an hour with my Ipod touch charging...and decided to look for a flashlight to go to the bathroom...luckily my Grandparents keep the Truck well equipped- I found a mag-light in the glovebox! So I went to the bathroom, got back in the truck, sat there til 6 with my music on, playing 'Unblock Me'. I then decide that I was too cold to go on, and tried to start a fire, and that's when my parents gave me the Van keys so I could turn on the seat warmers- WHAT GLORIOUS THINGS SEAT-WARMERS ARE!!! Anyway- I took a good nap that day while the sun was up. I was proud of myself for not being out of sorts- just tired! :) The next night, I got an extra sleeping bag and a fleece liner and slept very soundly. I loved it!

After we got back into town Kaighty came to visit! We went to lunch at Graziano's Pizzeria, then went Laser Tagging, THEN went to Studio Movie Grill and ate dinner WHILE we watched Sherlock Holmes 2. It was SWEET. The next morning we slept in and hung out. We looked up some pretty interesting scriptures too. Haha! That night (Thurs.) my family went to my Grandparent's house to visit- My cousins Merica & Jaron and their son Jaxon were in Town! I love them! It was soooo good to see them!

Friday I went back to work- And of course, there was a little bit of Drama. What's work without Drama? I was glad to not get all wrapped up in it. "Whatevs!"

And then Friday night I got the stomach flu... Ben & I were simultaneously sick all night- It was actually sort of comical.  BUT I have been feeling much better this afternoon- just kind of queasy. And I got to watch my favorite movie "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, and Alan Rickman.

S left for college tonight, and the room feels empty without her. I miss her already! But I know she'll have fun this semester!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and having it be a day of rest. I have really had an awesome week and am excited for the rest of the year!!!

"Out of Clutter, find Simplicity. From Discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies Opportunity." -Albert Einstein

A Letter

Dear World,

Hello from the long lost land of Berlynn! Haha. Ok- bad joke.

This year has flown by. I can't believe it. Everyone says that it just goes faster and faster. Maybe it's because we adjust to eternal time the more that we are alive? Who knows.

Anyway, This past month has been great! We had four {Count them, FOUR} Graduations this month! First S from EAC, then B & M from Desert Sky, and Today D from Deer Valley! Whoo!!! I'm so proud of my siblings! {Mom may have shed a couple of happy tears.}

And it's been a wedding filled month! Last week was the McCleery Wedding, which was BEAUTIFUL. And Tomorrow- Well Tomorrow is BIG. Tomorrow, I get to take the pictures at one of my very best friend's open house/reception. I. am. SO. excited. And so so so happy for the Bradleys! More to come on that!

On another note, Young Women's has been great! I love those girls so much! It's so fun to see them grow! Haha! They Crack me up! Girls Camp is coming soon, and man, our cheers are DIVINE. ;)

I'm pretty excited for life to settle down a little bit. I feel a little tired after this week! But I'm so happy to have had an opportunity to make so many memories! I hope that you are all doing well. May God be with you!!!

{♥.}

A New Year.

Some are probably expecting all of my New Year Resolutions on this post. Well, that's not the case this year. I figure, that it is only an important NYR if I can keep it without being reminded or an attitude of  "I'm-scared-of-the-judgments-of-others-if-I-don't-keep-it". And you know, I think it will hold a higher accomplishment value if I can do all of the things I want to this year for myself; not for others. So while I need the support and encouragement of dear friends and family, I would like you to continue just being there for me. Thank you so much for your love! I have felt it strongly this past year.

And now, as 2010 has closed {with all of it's jobless-ness, moving, finding myself again (which is tough!), and all of the other negative things} I will leave those negative things behind, remember the finer moments of 2010, and hope, work, and pray for an even better 2011.

Finer Moments of 2010:
-Cleaning the Sink @ Angie's with my Roommies.
-Sledding & Watching Movies on the Bigscreen @ the McLaughlin's in Idaho.
-Directing the Ward Choir with LOTS of help and support of others!
-Singing in the BYU Women's Chorus & Being on the Publicity Committee when we 'Sold Out' a Solo Concert.
-Having Friends Come Visit me in Utah (Oh HEY Katie Williams!)
-Mom Coming up for Women's Conference
-Movie Nights/Going on Midnight Runs with Roommies and Nora.
-Blogging
-Road Trip to SLC to see Merica & Jaron get married and getting to see the rest of the Martin/Jansons too!
-Going to see the Gila Valley Temple
-Teaching Swimming Lessons
-Getting a New Job
-My last talk with Nora before she Went on a Mission.
-Going to Parker to Hang out with Kaighty Scott
-Visiting Ally Snow on Her Birthday
-Hanging out with the Brittney Chapman in Mesa
-Going to Josh & Kayla's Wedding Reception
-Shooting some engagements for Ben & Mallory
-Flying to Utah and Spending a week re-united with my BFF's (Honey, WHERE is my SUPER SUIT?!)
-Getting to see the Taylors
-Watching a FABULOUS BYU football game-We won!
-Having Sheri Ward come and visit AZ
-Thanksgiving at our house
-Running a 10k, doing one the next monday, and then going 10 miles the next monday after that.
-Having a Game Night at Grandma Gail's and Papa Tom's with Mary too!
-High School Lunch table Reunion.
-Singing in the Ward Choir and doing the Descant
-CHRISTMAS!
-Fireworks Christmas Night
-Going to Olive Garden with my Family to hang out and laugh our heads off.
-Going to see 'Tangled' with Mom & Stephie right after Olive Garden.
-Having a Girls night at Grandma Janet's
-New Years Eve Party at our house

I'm sure that SO many other moments could have been on that list. 2011 is going to be a Grand Year. I can feel it!

I hope that 2011 is a year of happiness for you too!

{♥.}

Summer's End

Wait, who am I kidding? Summer ending in Arizona? PFFFFFFFFTTTTT. Riiiiiiight.

Anyway, here are a few of the things I have been up to this summer.

#1. Twilight Party

Mom, S & I  were invited to a Party/ midnight showing of Eclipse. It was so fun! When we arrived at the party, it was all we could do to not drool over all of the fun decorations and yummy food! We walked up the driveway and I nearly jumped out of my skin...Edward was sitting in the car in the driveway! I thought it was a real person and when I came to my senses I thought that it was really creative to have a life size cutout in the car. Haha! Then, we walked into the back room and Jacob was outside staring in through the window.... Not to mention all of the quotes on the mirrors and the sugar "blood" on the glasses. We all had a grand time discussing our twilight fan-ness and playing creative trivia games. Thank you Amanda for hosting & Kiana for inviting us!

{all of the 'Yummy' things}

#2. Water Ballons & Youth

{My Girls. Love them!}

As you may have heard- I was called to be a leader in the Youth Group at my Church. Our first activity that I attended was a massive water balloon fight. The prep work consisted of filling up 500 balloons (just between my brother and I! There were a ton of balloons.) It was a pretty intense night. But the sky was absolutely gorgeous! It was a blast.

{Love how the Moon is right above those beautiful clouds}

#3. Visiting Kaighty in Parker, AZ

By the time July rolled around I was READY for a Vacation and I hadn't seen my friend Kaighty in over a year, so I decided to go visit! And may I just say, It was FABULOUS. We relaxed, ate good food, chilled (or rather, Baked) at the lake, watched some awesome movies, went shopping, caught up on our lives and enjoyed each other's company. She then came to my house and endured the longest monopoly game ever. :) Thank you Kaight for letting me come visit you!

#4. Started working at New Balance

Oh, How I LOVE my job! 1. I love shoes. 2. I love helping people and 3. I find old people and children HILARIOUS. Needless to say, it's a perfect job for me. And I now know a TON about shoes....If you have questions, please, ask me. I really do love it!

#5. Family Vacation in Sedona

Where to start? We all CRAMMED and I mean CRAMMED into the Van (I literally had a claustrophobia/panic attack in the backseat as we were leaving.) and drove for 2 hours to beautiful Sedona. We went swimming, watched movies, did puzzles, went hiking and had a 'Girls day' at Tlaquepaque....Shopping and jewelery making. Oh! And we went and watched the Meteor shower. It was breathtaking! I can't even tell you how much fun we had. It was our first (hopefully of many) 'Grown Up Family' Vacations.

{The Crammage.}

#6. Visiting Brittney in Gilbert, AZ

I went to see Brittney in Gilbert and she took me to Fountain Hills to see the Tallest fountain EVER. Haha. It was Superb. We then ate a wonderful lunch and headed to my new favorite store, Scrapbook inc. Guess how much I spent there? No wait. DON'T. I actually did VERY well restraining my personal purchases...but I sure "helped" Brittney find more than enough to buy. (Sorry Girl!) We then went and picked up some frosting so that Britt could teach me some basic cake decorating. I loved it! I wish that time permitted us to get together more often, though, I don't know if our bank accounts could take it. ;) haha!

Well, there you have it. I'm sure there will be many more adventures soon!

{ ♥.}

Blog Facelift...

OBVIOUSLY, I'm a glutton for punishment....

And yet, Here I am- trying to find a new blog layout. {and messing with the HTML- which is a HUGE NO NO unless you know what you're doing.} Ha. I have TONS to blog about,  {BUT} Tomorrow I am going to see the Gila Valley Temple and my sweet sister S....So until I can find some time, This will have to do. Loves!


{ ♥ .}


PS: I am sure that there will be much more "fine tuning" going on.... I wouldn't mention that to the designer who charges lots o' money  to Customize blogs for people. K? Thanks!

Home +.

{WARNING: This is a GIGANTIC post}

I loved, Loved, LOVED being home with my family for almost a month!

Let me introduce the Crew....

Stephanie Rachelle
aka: Steph, Stephie
Description: Gorgeous & Extremely Talented Sister

Andrew Christopher

aka: Drew, Andy, D

Description: The one who Acts tough, but has the softest heart.

Benjamin Russell
aka: Handsome Ben, Ben, Boy
Description: Twin #1- The Sport Star & Sly, Mischievous one


Matthew Thomas
aka: Matt, Bud
Description: Twin #2 - The Artist & Blatantly Mischievous one


Joshua Kent
aka: Josh, Joe, Jojo Mojo, Babe, JB
Description: The one who can get away with almost anything because he's so dang cute.

Second, Let me explain the way The Martins do Family Vacations...

We don't go exploring, or off to extravagant places. Nor do we spend tons and tons of money.
Dad takes a week off of work, the kids are split into pairs and then each pair gets a certain amount of money to plan a day of the vacation. (Smart Parents huh?) It's a BLAST! We love it!

For this particular vacation we started things off in the swimming pool... and this is what happened...

This is WAY HARDER than it looks! My brothers are BUFF!

Tuesday we went to the Temple to do Baptisms for the Dead as a Family (feel free to ask me if you don't know what that is) as the Twins had just turned 12. Josh was the only one missing. It was a beautiful experience to have us there in the Temple as a Family!!!

I'll Preface Wednesday by saying that we are a very "Crafty" Family...
We made memory books... here we are working hard to finish them! (Mine's still not done!)



On Thursday, we went to visit my Great Grandpa Shelley. I love him SO much! My Grandmother passed away a few years ago and he misses her greatly. He is a Wonderful Man with TONS of Wisdom to pass on. He will be 90 years old in November. I hope that I am able to see him again soon!


On Friday- OH FRIDAY! We had THE MOST FUN DAY! We decided to make a Family Painting.
(My mom is Brave.) We traced our hands on contact paper, and stuck them on the canvas, and we all had a different paint color - we made tons of brush strokes and then we rolled marbles around on the canvas, and THEN we splattered more paint on it...


Needless to say, we "accidentally" got a little messy...


We loved the outcome! And then mom put our hands that we peeled off of the canvas in the kitchen. Haha!


On Saturday, we did Facials. Baha. The boys were good sports.


Then, that night we played Chubby Bunnies. OH MY! SERIOUSLY, all you have to say is, "We should play Chubby Bunnies" and we are all in stitches on the floor. We don't even have to play it.

*Note to Family- these are ONLY pictures of us LAUGHING AT EACH OTHER not of the people stuffing Mallows in their mouths!

PS: those marshmallows in my hand...well the white one is one of the "Jumbo" ones...the pink one is a modern marvel.

It was a GRAND VACATION.

I was happy to have a couple more weeks at home. One night, Josh and I were the only ones home and I am well aware that he LOVES to play games. He is ALWAYS begging me to play games when I come home. So I said, " Hey Josh! Do you want to Play a game?" Instantly his adorable little face lights up and he goes, *GASP* "What Game?!"
"You Choose!"
"OK!!!! MONOPOLY!!!"

Haha, what did I do?!
We got out the game and set it up (He's Pro) and I ask him how you win...with 7 year old rules you never know what you're going to get... "You win when the other person runs out of money."

We start playing and every property is bought and ends up with at least 4 houses or a hotel on it. I'm playing pretty fairly (spending money a little faster than he is but not too much, I still want to win!) and all of a sudden, I land on "Community Chest". What did the card say? Not a whole lot:

You're being charged for Road Repairs, $40 for each house and $115 for each Hotel.

I HAD 12 HOUSES AND 9 HOTELS!!!!

UGH, I lost BIG TIME. And the next thing I hear is

"I BEAT THE CWAP OUT OF YOU!!!"
(He has childhood Apraxia, hence the word CWAP)



Oh well. We had Fun! Haha!

I also did a photo shoot of Stephie (more to come on that Later).

It was her Birthday Present. :) She's the Big 1-9.

It was also Drew's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Funny Story, He must love the women in his Family...He did His project on my Mom's Birthday, had his Board of Review on my Birthday and his Court of Honor on my Sister's Birthday. Haha! Anyway, Congratulations Drew!!!

I also really enjoyed being to hang out with some old buddies! Audrey, her Husband, Dillon & I got to hang out twice in one week, and they set me up with one of their good friends so we could go on a double date- We made pizza, volunteered for United Way by painting kid's faces and making balloon animals, we ate gellato and played Yahtzee.

I also got together with Tana & Ally. We went to lunch and just caught up on each other's lives.

And then I saw Nicole, Tana, Leah, Sam, and Courtney at Courtney's Bridal Shower.

Man, I love my Friends!!!

On the 18th, Mom and I took Stephanie up to EAC. OH MY! I can't even tell you all of the flashbacks I had while I was there! It was good to see a few more old friends and relive old memories. Steph and I have talked on the phone a few times and all you can really hear is high pitched talking because we are so excited about EA. LOVE IT.

I had a couple of relaxing days as my Vacation was coming to a close....the last night I was home, mom sewed a laundry bag for me (I have since been told twice, that while wearing it I look like Santa Clause) while she tried to make me stop pulling out so many recipes to copy. haha! We laughed alot and I ended up sneaking ALOT of Recipes into the computer room to copy.

Matt, my artistic little Brother, went to the Bead Museum with my mom a little while back and has been DYING to make a picture with beads....so he suprised me with this, the night before I left!

He's a Cutie! Thanks Matt!

Well, I guess that's about it! :D

Visit Home

Visits Home are the BEST kind of Vacations...

I was able to take one of the said vacations last month and it was MARVELOUS....and BUSY.

May 7th- Drive Home 10 Hours- But made a new friend....so it was good!

May 9th- Matt & Ben's 12th Birthday Party....Fun, although I learned that I can't handle 7 Twelve Year Old Boys for longer than a half an hour....Mom is a Saint.

May 10th - Mother's Day; Twin Brothers recieve the Aaronic Priesthood.

May 11th- Ben's Baseball Game- My Brother is an ALL-STAR! Seriously good.

May 12th- General Merry Making. I make dinner for the Boys - Mom , Steph and I go to Enrichment and Introduce Stephie....we then play hookie and talk with The Stones and The Laytons.

May 13th- Stephie and I go and Get FACIALS....SO FUN!!! (Kind of Expensive) Thanks Brandyn!!!

May 14th - More General Merry Making...and Mom made the Bolero Jacket I needed for the Bride's maid Dress.

May 15th- Drive to Show Low, Meet Vicky (AND EVERYONE ELSE) go shopping, go to rehearsal, go to dinner, and then back to Vicky's to put together the boquets and do our nails.

May 16th- SARAH ELIZABETH CROSSLEY WEDS KYLE ZALE....Beautiful. We Take lots of pictures and go to the reception. My sister gets hit on and asked to dance by one of the Ushers from the wedding...go figure- she's GORGEOUS. I help decorate the car and we take a picture of THE Reunited LG's. We help clean up and I learn that I can lift 6 folding chairs at one time....Looks like the Library Job is paying off. :) haha. Stephie and I drive home, have a womderful conversation about boys/men and jam out to the Twilight Soundtrack. And then we call mom and rope her into watching Twilight when we get home....about 10:30 PM. :)

Light House Girls

Beautiful Bride and Her Girls

Steph Goofing off on the way home.

May 17th- Twins pass the Sacrament for the First time, Drew joins in the fun in his Stunning Suit. Aw...my widdle brudders are all growed up......Stephanie graduates from Seminary. Woo!

May 18th- ? I'm really not sure....Shopping and shopping and shopping....

May 19th- My Baby Sister Graduates from High School!!!! AH! The Memories. Congratulations Stephie!

May 20th- Reunion with Audrey & Nicole for Lunch- So good. Then Blind Date with John- Pottery painting, dinner, driving around trying to find a Park, swinging on the swings and lots and lots of talking.

May 21st- Drive back to Utah with Andrea, Reid, Riley & Wayne. Many hours more than expected....but it involved a giant moving truck and lots of Music.

May 22nd- Arrive back at my appartment in Provo and unpack.

Whew. Seriously, it was so good! I'm excited for August when I get to visit again!
♥.

More Christmas Break...

So It was so so fun. Duh. Steph, Mom, and I Got Pedicures....and Then We made Virgin Strawberry Daquiries....MMMMMMM. Stephanie was the Resident Daquirie maker. Lol. Here's Pictures!

♥.

Christmas!

Christmas this year was so fun! Here's Some of our crazy traditions... My mom Makes these INTENSE Gingerbread Houses! I love it. It takes FOREVER, but they turn out AMAZING>

She Also lets my Brothers decorate some of their own...what a saint!

We hang Christmas Balls From the Ceiling....

And We make Caramels!!!!

For Christmas Eve we always go to my Grandma Gail and Papa Tom’s House to eat dinner and open presents. My Cousin, Jenny, her Husband, Zach, and their daughter, Allie, were there too. Allie is just so doggone cute!!! She kept us all entertained. :) it was really fun to reminisce with Jenny about past Christmas Eves where we would play “Office” (No, not like the TV show.) Lol. We were Awful to our younger siblings when we would play. And we’d always get rolls and ranch to eat in the Office. Lol. Oh memories!

Papa Tom

Grandma Gail

Opening Presents

Allie Waving

She is the Most Adorable little Girl!

Papa And Dad

This year I was employed as an Elf. Santa even let me taste the caramels and cookies that were left for Him. :) It was really great to see what goes on behind the scenes in Santa’s Workshop. There was quite a Haul under the tree this year too….

This was before the Haul...

I love Christmas Morning! It was so fun to see my family members’ faces as they opened their gifts. Lol. Ben’s face was priceless when he opened his Ipod. And Josh and Matt had great ones too as they saw their remote control cars. Drew loved his suit and Stephie liked her gifts. Mom and Dad really liked the Arcade games that I got them, Pac-Man and Digger and stuff like that. Lol.

See- Santa

Look at those Faces! Hooray for Race Cars!

What???

AN IPOD! WHoot!

Drew in his Suit Jacket

She's so happy! :) And she's going to kill me.

What's This?

Why Yes, it IS the best shirt you've ever had!

Yay!

Me and Dad

Mom's FAVORITE GIFT...she walked around with it spreading Calm... :)

Dad...done with pictures :)

Josh had to put his pants up so they wouldn't get wet when he was testing his car....

Isn't he Handsome?

For Christmas Afternoon, we always go to my Grandma Janet and Papa Ted’s House. We ate dinner and then opened presents. My Aunt Lois and Uncle Chuck were there too! We love it when they come visit. My Aunt Lois and Grandma Janet laugh so much! (Kinda like how me and Stephie and mom laugh together. Sisters are the Best!) And Grandma gets Sassy! Lol. We love it! :) After we opened presents, Aunt Lois and Grandma taught us how to play Pirate Dice. It was fun! Lol. Then we had Pie! YUM! It was hard to leave that night!

Grandma and Lois making Dinner and Giggling!

Visiting with Family is the Best! I’m so glad that I got to go home for Christmas!

♥.