So I am kind of frustrated with life right now so I decided to look at the a lot of the pictures that I have and I saw some that made my heart smile so I am going to share them with you!

Amy and Becca at a football game

Me, Amy, Becca, Jacob and Dustin at a football game. haha We went to Madison High School's homecoming game. haha surprisingly there were a lot of college students there...yeah there is not much to do here

Me and Kate at the dunes for our bonfire

Me and Becca (again) at the dunes. Craig came into town to visit me and we had a bonfire at the sand dunes. It was so fun!

Me and Becca again haha we like to take pictures together.

Me and all of my roommates at the park.

Me and all the roomies after our FHE paint fight.

Awe, its the whole FHE fam!

Family, Isn't it about Time

Here are some pictures of the cutest kids in the world!! So, with he economy pretty much sucking, I am great need of some money help from my dad. I need to pay for my books from this semester so that I can register for classes tonight. So, I called my daddy with butterflies in my stomach and with every intention of having to justify the fact that I need money. I have never had to call him in the middle of a semester before and ask for money, so I was very nervous but, when I explained the situation to him, he was more than willing to help me out!! I am so happy! He did not ask questions, he did not criticize my spending or ask where all of my money is going (because i am not being unwise with it) and I am just so happy that my daddy loves me so much! So, after that conversation I went on Facebook to change my status and I remembered that it was about MERIAH coming home!! I can't wait to see her! She comes home in 23 DAYS! The best part about it is that for the first time in almost 2 years me, and ALL of my siblings will be at HOME together and the best part is that it is all over Thanksgiving! So, she gets home on Saturday that 29th then her homecoming is the 30th and then Me, Josh, and Aubrey have to leave on the 31st. hahah it would not surprise me if my mom has secretly tried to work out some time where we can have a family portrait taken. hahah she would totally plan it on Saturday at like midnight or on Monday morning around 4:00am hahaha We have not had a family photo taken since i was a senior in high school! Savannah is so much bigger now, Kate looks a lot older, William is taller and leaner, and Jameson has been born! Everyone looks so different! I AM SO EXCITED!!

YES on Prop 8

Since the middle of the summer, I have been actively involved in helping with the prop 8 efforts. I made over one hundred phone calls, I knocked doors, and now that I am up here in Idaho, I have joined facebook groups, posted notes, and I am blogging about it. My dad wrote an article for the local newspaper at home and it has been distributed to various blogs and facebook pages and through emails. Here are a few resources to look at when deciding how to vote on this monumental decision: http://preservingmarriage.blogspot.com/ http://www.preservingmarriage.org/ We are not against same-sex couples, and we do not hate them, disrespect them, or look down upon those who practice this lifestyle, we are simply defending marriage and what it is really about; a man and a woman creating a family together. This is what my dad has to say about Proposition 8: During the recent vice presidential debate, both Joe Biden and Sarah Palin declared their support of equal rights for gays and lesbians but opposition to same-sex marriage. Last summer, four justices of the California Supreme Court decided that equal rights required same-sex-marriage. Proposition 8 on the November ballot allows Californians to choose between the position taken by Biden/Palin and the Court. This issue is not about sex, money or hate. Consenting adults share physical intimacies without fear of violating the law. Civil unions, legal in California, provide same-sex couples with economic advantages enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Those supporting gay marriage do not hate those opposing it any more than those opposing it hate those supporting it. This issue is about defining “equal” in equal rights. In an effort to grant rights to some, there is a danger of denying rights to others. In Canada and Sweden, it is a crime, “hate speech,” for ministers to read specific Bible passages or teach that God condemns homosexuality. A private Methodist pavilion in New Jersey lost its tax-exempt status because it refused to celebrate a same-sex civil union on its premises. The Catholic Charities in Boston closed their doors rather than implement a government order that the Charities facilitate adoptions by same-sex couples. Senator Biden and Governor Palin know that limiting speech, closing religious organizations, and economically penalizing those who reject same-sex marriage are not required to insure “equal rights.” Justice, the foundation of true equal rights, requires that each person’s beliefs be treated the same. The equal rights of speech, assembly and association guaranteed in the First Amendment provide a level field upon which important differences of belief and opinion can compete. This is too important an issue to let four people decide. Voting “Yes” on Proposition 8 puts things back as they were before the California Supreme Court redefined marriage. Undoing the Court’s rash decision will allow further consideration and discussion so that future actions do not unequally benefit some at the expense of others. I have strong personal opinions on the subject of same-sex marriage. Many on both sides of the issue do. That is not the point. The question facing us is how to accommodate persons of differing beliefs so that the rights of all are equally protected. Voting “Yes” on Proposition 8 allows this debate to continue without forcing a premature, one-sided and unequal end to the discussion.

High Heels for Babies?

So I was in the library studying and I needed a break so I went on to MSN and this story caught my eye. I can not imagine a baby wearing high heels! I personally think it is creepy. Tell me what you think!

A Good End to the First Day

So, I am finally at school, and I am finally all moved in and setteled. And today classes started. I would just like to say that I hate the first day of classes! They are so awkward, no matter how long you have been in school. So, today I had four classes. I had sociological theory, advanced college writing, a computer class, and photography. They all seem ok and my teachers all seem really funny, but needless to say, it was a long day. Thankfully tomorrow I only have one class; family interactions. So, after a long day of classes, a few hours of homework, and an amazingly entertaining FHE, me and a few of my roommates decided that we wanted to watch a movie. Rebecca had never seen The Village and she decided that we should go rent it so that she could finally see it. So, Jamba juice is right next to Holloywood Video and Amy went in to get a jamba. She came to meet us in the video store and she told us that the guy in Jamba gave her 10% off just because he wanted to. So the guy who was renting us the DVD said "well lets make it a night of free things. Here you can rent this move for free." How amazing is that!!!!! We got a movie for free just because. It was a great way to end an awkward but good first day of classes.

All Things Must Come to an End

This summer has been a lot of endings for me, and last night I think I finally realized that a lot more things have to come to end before the beginning of a new school year. One thing that had to end was my job. Friday was my last day of work and I can honestly say that I was really sad. I loved working there, I loved my co-workers, and I loved answering the phones, signing for packages, and even scanning. But, it had to end so that I can continue on with school and my life. It was a job that was full of meaningful experiences and opprotunities to learn new skills. Saying goodbye was more difficult than I thought it would be. Summer also has to come to end. It is almost September! Where the heck did the summer go?! I feel like I have only been home for a few weeks rather than 5 months! I love summer! It is amazing; you get to have fun, enjoy perfect weather, go to the beach, take trips, and be rather lazy! Whats not to love? Well, I am about to go back to school, have to work hard, and return to the snow, but with every new year, a new summer follows! One thing I have learned this summer is that relationships have to change and evlove as people change. Unfortuantely sometimes it is not easy to deal with. One thing that has to end along with the summer is a friendship and the way it use to be. I have learned a lot this summer and it has changed the way I view myself and that has had a great effect on one of the people I love most. It has chaged a lot of things but I think that it will be the beginning of a new relationship and that makes me excited! Even with all of these endings there come new beginnings! I am so excited to live in a new apartment, begin new classes, make new friends, and start a new fall season!! I hope everyone has had a great summer and that you all are looking forward to the new season.

I Would Just Like to say that I Love my Job!

I would just like to say that I love my job!! It is probably the best summer job anyone could have. I am a receptionist for an accounting firm and I love it. The people who work here are not your stereotypical accounts; they don't sit in silence and crunch numbers all day, they don't wear white dress shirts with pocket protectors, and most of them don't wear glasses, and they are definitely not nerdy. Yes, they love numbers and are kinda nerdy in that way but other than that they are funny, loud, outgoing, and energetic people. My job is party everyday. We get food brought in for lunch once a week, we often get cake just because we all want it, and we always have the freezer stocked with ice cream. And, yesterday we had a cupcake decorating party....how many of you can say you do that at your office? So, since I sit up front, I get all the mail and sign for all the packages. Thus, I get to see the packages that everyone gets. I love it when someone gets a package, It is like Christmas!! I usually take the box and run back to whoever its for and insist that they open it! I stand there and watch and I get so excited when they pull out the contents. I have seen a little of everything; shoes, wedding dresses, evening gowns, t-shirts, contacts, bathing suites, and even a drum stool. You name it and I have most likely seen it. hahaha well, the other day I had to come into work late and when I walked in there was a package on my desk. Naturally, I got excited and I picked up the box and started to walk to the back. I looked down and saw that the package was for me!! I was so shocked, I had not ordered anything! When I opened it, inside was a beautiful Tommy Hilfiger watch. All the interns were up at my desk watching my reaction, I knew they had something to do with this. One of them told me to call my boss' wife. So I did and it turns out that my boss and his wife bought it for me because they knew I loved it when people got packages and they thought it would be fun to send me something! How cute is that!! I freaking love the people I work for!

Conference 08

So this weekend my ward was the host of a YSA conference. It was amazing!! It all started on Thursday and it ended on sunday. Each day was filled with activities and plenty of opprotunities to meet new people and have fun. Thursday was a huge temple trip. Friday was an amazing dance with an amazing DJ and the in'n'out truck. Saturday was a service project, an inter faith forum, a catered dinner, a show with an improv group, and an ice cream social. Sunday was a special church meeting, a lunch, and a fireside. It was really busy but so much fun!! It is kinda sad that this happened at the end of the summer cause I made so many friends just in time for me to leave... but now I will always have friends here. :)

Indecisive

Have you ever had an obsession or a phase with a certain food, song, restaurant, movie, TV show, or Olympian? Well I have just started a few new obsessions: rearranging everything, graham crackers, and Michael Phelps. My new obsession of rearranging everything is causing a few problems. I will start organizing and cleaning and moving things around and then I will get distracted and forget all about that particular project, leaving a huge mess. I am sure my sister (whom I share a room with) does not appreciate it and I am positive my mom does not like it either. But, I knew it was only a matter of time before this current obsession carried out beyond my immediate family.....I have decided that my blog needs a face lift, and thus all of you readers out there are going to see me being undeceive and rearranging everything until I think it is just right. So on to my other new obsessions.

I have fallen in love with graham crackers. When I use to see graham crackers I would get this vision of a 2 year old walking around with a nasty half eaten cracker in his hand and a huge mess one his face. But after my recent snack moode, that image has changed. The other day I was starving and all we had to snack on was graham crackers left over from Savannah and Jameson's most recent visit. I looked at the box of crackers and they did not look appetizing at all but then I saw Nutella and a light bulbe went on in my head. "Why not put the yummy chocolate hazelnutiness of the nutella on the graham cracker." Well, the out come was the most amazing mildly sweet treat! I am in love with Nutella and graham crackers! If you are need a little snack that is sweet but overly rich I highly recommend my new obsession.

So, my third and final obsession, Michael Phelps! I know that the excitement and love for the olympics has taken over the nation, but how freaking amazing is this guy!?! He is being hailed as the best Olympian of all time. I don't think there is much that can compare to that. I have taken to watching every single race, every heat, and anything else I can get my hands on. I have gone to his website, rewatched races and even blogged about him. He is fantastic and every time I watch him swim I am in awe. How come someone go so fast and beat so many records? Every race he swims is exciting and of course it helps that he is incredibly attractive and has a body of perfection....what can I say, I am a little obsessed. :)

A Future Cake Decorator

Have you ever seen a cake so pretty, so cool, or so incredibly amazing that you could not bring yourself to eat it? I have! Ok, not in person, but thanks to TiVo I get to see amazing cake everyday! I have become addicted to the show Ace of Cakes. For anyone who has never seen nor heard of this show, it is a cooking show that takes place in Baltimore, MD. The show is all about Duff, this amazing cake decorator and his staff. They make cakes that are "bigger, better, and badder". There creations are amazing. It is just a bunch of friends who love to bake and the things they come up with are some of the most amazing cakes I have ever seen. Their designs cover everything from

classic and elegant

with a modern twist

totally out of this world

The unbelievable

and

The near impossible

Except for the Hogwarts castle, every single one of these cakes is edible. (They did not make castle edible because they had to drive the cake from Maryland to LA for the Harry Potter Premiere party, and the people that hired them did not want people to be able to eat it.) But, castle is made out of Styrofoam and covered in fondant. It is amazing! AND, all of the surrounding is made of cake! This show is crazy! It is my new obsession and it has now become my goal to make cakes like these! One day, you are going to look me up in the yellow pages and I am going to own a bakery and we will make cakes just like these!

A Not So Interesting Life

So I have not written in a while. As mundane as life is, I never find time to update my blog. Here are a few highlights from the summer so far:

• Seeing my niece and nephew every few weeks
• spending a weekend in Laguna Beach
• Getting rockband for the Wii
• Going to the singles ward and meeting lots of new people
• Getting to see Amy a few times
• YSA conference (that is coming up)

So, that is life. Safe, fun, and uneventful. School starts in 7 weeks and by then, I hope to have a lot of stories to share!

Friday Night Shenanigans

Fridays on a three day weekend taste so much sweeter than most. They are always great nights even if you are running errands and driving long distances. On this particular Friday, I got to spend a lot of time with Jason, see Amy, and my brothers got into town! Work was great because I got off a few hours early and I got to take a nap (the first one since I have been home from school). The events of the night included; taking Kate shopping, going to the Burbank Airport to pick up Tim (Amy's bf), and delivering him to Amy. She lives in Ridgecrest which is about 2 and a half hours from here. So, I offered my services and said that I would deliver him to her in Santa Clarita because that is a little less than half way for me. I, being a social person, did not want to go by myself so I asked Kate to go and she needed to go shopping first so it worked out really well; Tim's plane landed at 8:30 so we could go to the mall for a few hours. As I was planning my day out that morning, I realized that Jason was only going to be in town for a week and I had not seen him very much so I decided to ask him to come with me as well. So, the evening started with shopping for board shorts and bras (don't worry Jason was not present for the bra shopping). Then, we got to the airport early and I had time to circle the airport 5 times before Tim got out to the curb. After we picked him up, I headed for the on ramp to the 5 North, I realized after driving for a few minutes that I only knew where the on ramp for the 5 South was from the airport so I tried having Jason tell me where to go but that did not go over so well so I ended up driving around for at least 15 minutes until I decided that I was just going to go over to the mall and the AMC 16 movie theater and get on the freeway over there. So, needless to say Tim was a little worried about California Drives. We finally got to our meeting destination; none other than . As a first timer to California, it was a must on the to do list. So, we met Amy and their reunion was an awkward one. They had not seen each other in two months and this weekend was going to determine a lot. Well, it was getting kind of late and it had been raining on and off so I decided we better head back. The drive home was a good one. Kate fell asleep in the back and Jason and I had the chance to have a great talk. Once I got home I got to see my brothers! Yeah for long drives, good food, and best friends!

The Trip that wasn't meant to be

As some of you know, I had a planned a trip to go to Hawaii. I was going with my best friends and we had the tickets for almost a year. Two weeks before the departure, I find out that the airlines we were flying declared bankruptcy; Aloha Airlines had gone under. I was devastated. We did all we could to get a refund from them so that we could schedule another flight. Well, as fate would have it, two days later the other airlines we were flying also declared bankruptcy; ATA Airlines bit the dust. It was a sad and tragic day. We were no longer going to Hawaii and we did not have refunds for our airplane tickets. Well, we were going with my roommate and her family and her parents became my heroes; they planned a whole new trip in two days! They paid for everything! The deal for Hawaii was that we needed to get ourselves there and they would cover all the other costs. Well, we did not get refunds and they felt terrible so they paid for our new airplane tickets! We had the pleasure of going to Hilton Head Island off the coast of South Carolina. It was not Hawaii but it was still amazing and it was absolutely gorgeous! A week on the beach at a beautiful resort with the sun shining was exactly what we wanted. The best part was that there was no snow! After spending the winter in Rexburg, Idaho I could not have asked for anything better. This trip to Hilton Head was not suppose to happen but I could not have asked for a better trip with my three best friends!

AmyAnnaKate with Rebecca on the side=BFFs FOREVER

AEM

So cute!

After we ate dinner at the Salty Dog

This was just going to be a picture of me but at the last minute Amy and Kate jumped in.

Aren't they so pretty!

This is the Beginning

So I am sitting at work and Ashley says we should start a blog. Well, little did she know that I had already created one but I never put up any posts. I crated this blog because it seemed that everyone around me was making one; Josh and Aubrey, Christa, Ashley, and even Ashley's boyfriend. So, here I am....typing...on my blog. I am at work and bored out of my mind. There is not much for any of us to do because the partners of the company have all been gone and tax season just ended; we are in a lull. So, I sit here all day blogging, reading, facebooking, emailing, watching music videos and anything else I can think of to occupy the nine hours a day that I am at work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job! I love the people I work with, the good food we get, the fact that it is only fifteen minutes from my house, and the easy going atmosphere. And, to be honest, it is not that bad getting paid to do anything but work. The only down side to this whole situation is boredom. I can't stand being bored for more than two hours a day! Oh well...at least I have a job and I love it. Yeah for another day of work. :)