Family Ties

Remember the show Family Ties? Alex P. Keaton was probably my favorite, but who didn't love Michael J. Fox? Here's a few bloopers:

I was supposed to have a girls night with some of my co-workers last night, but it fell through at the last minute. I got a text from

though, inviting me to dinner. I should've gone home and done homework, but I took them up on their offer. Scott was nice enough to pick me up from work, and when we got to Katie's house dinner was ready. It was a delicious and healthy, mexican-esque dish. Then we decided to go to the dollar theater and see

Scott and I talked about politics all through the opening credits. We all enjoyed the movie, and then went back to Katie's house to play

It was just such a fun, low-key night with the family.

We were also talking about how excited we are to see more of our family next week at Sean and Annie's wedding!

Mom and Brent will be here with Justin,

and Barb and Jeff with all the kids!

And I'm pretty sure Nichole's coming and bringing her kids, who I've never met!

I am just so grateful for my family. We've been through some rough times, but we've come out ahead. They really do mean the world to me! I'm so grateful to have Scott, Katie, Sean, and now Annie so close! Mom and Brent are just a hop, skip, and a jump away in California. I miss when Kali just lived in Provo :(

But I can't wait to go visit her in DC!

So, today in sunday school, we watched a clip from the show Shaq VS. He was challenging Justin Bieber and it was so cute, haha :) So I finally listened to his song "Baby" and it's been stuck in my head all day. Here' s the music video:



Anyway, I also heard this great quote at ward prayer tonight. It's from Elder Wirthlin in 2007:

"Sometimes the greatest love is not found in the dramatic scenes that poets and writers immortalize. Often, the greatest manifestations of love are the simple acts of kindness and caring we extend to those we meet along the path of life. True love lasts forever. It is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things. That is the love our Heavenly Father bears for us. We all yearn to experience love like this. Even when we make mistakes, we hope others will love us in spite of our shortcomings—even if we don’t deserve it. Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won’t, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."

I really liked that. I know there have been times in my life when I haven't shown charity to others like I should have, and there have been times when I really have felt that pure love of Christ towards others. And I've experienced those two opposites reflected towards myself from those around me. It makes me grateful for the people in my life that can express their love for me even when I make mistakes. And when people don't show me that unconditional love, although it makes me sad, I remember the times I was in their shoes and it helps me to understand.

I've recently been reminded how important our attitude is in this life. How much positive thinking really affects us. And I'm trying really hard to count my blessings and think about all the wonderful things I do have, instead of all the nice things I wish I did.

Life is good, people. Just remember that ;)

School House Rock

Guess who's finally going back to school . . .

MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

And guess what I'll be studying . . .

POLITICAL SCIENCE!

And here's the best part . . .

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

That's right people! After a 5 year hiatus, I'm FINALLY going back! And I couldn't be more thrilled! Classes start next week, eek! Sometimes I just can't believe it! But it's so good to be motivated about something again :)

Here's a little School House Rock for your viewing pleasure:

Haha! Doesn't that take you back?

The Life and Times . . .

So, here's what's been going on lately:

I. I named the fish Penelope.

II. The leaves changed colors and Jed and Vicki played in them.

III. Jed was sad when we told him the leaves looked so pretty because they were dead and he left.

IV. Vicki's Twin Mattress + My Twin Mattress + Jenni's Queen Mattress = Monster Bed in the Living Room!

V. Sometimes we like to send mom pictures of us "killing" each other. She tries to act upset, but everyone knows she loves it.

VI. Birdman Nation above! If you know the rules you have to play this stupid game.

VII. Trying to take family pictures at Thanksgiving.

VIII. Our "way cute" Christmas Tree!

XI. Karla's "way cute" baby in her "way cute" winter jumper!

X. Prom pictures at ward mingle!

XI. Other fun pictures with the random balloons we found at church.

XII. We decided to take the balloons home and decorate for ward prayer! They didn't quite fit.

Just Keep Swimming . . .

Today I met up with my sister Katie for lunch. Katie happens to work next door to a Petco. I decided to go in and look around. Now I am the proud owner of a BEAUTIFUL Double-Tail Betta.

I just can't come up with a name, though. I've decided it's a girl and I want a really pretty name. Maybe a little old fashioned. Something like Thaddeus or Reuben, but those are boys names. Please help!

My Vegan Week . . .

So, I have this great friend at work that just happens to be Vegan. I have never had the desire to even be Vegetarian, let alone Vegan, but I was rather intrigued by her lifestyle choice. So I decided to try it out for a week.

Now, when I first started I really was excited. I thought to myself, "This will be a piece of cake!" (As long as it's Vegan cake.) I looked up recipes and bought lots of vegetables and beans and lentils. I even bought a turnip which I've never had!

So I went to work on Monday with some delicious veggie sandwich fixins. I figured a week was nothing. A person could do anything for a week, right? Right! Tuesday came and went with no problems. I was still going Vegan strong!

Wednesday was a bit of a rough day for me, and I actually wanted a hamburger on my way home from work. I convinced myself that a hamburger would still taste just as good next week, so I got a small fry and went home and made some vegetable soup instead.

I didn't think Thursday would be bad because I decided to get a cheese-less pizza! It was delicious, but I just kept thinking about how it would be so much better with cheese on it. I just kept telling myself that I could do it.

Friday was the real clincher, though. It was my first day off all week. I'd been eating the same vegan dishes for lunch all week, so I was starting to get sick of it. I was hating food! Everytime I would even think about the veggie soup I'd been eating half the week for lunch, I wanted to throw up. I went to a party that night and I couldn't eat anything. I was in a grumpy mood all day.

And that's when I decided to just screw it. It's not like I was doing it for any good, moral reason. I just wanted to see what it was like. I figured five days was plenty of time. So, Saturday morning I went to brunch with my sister and had eggs, bacon, and toast with real butter! It made me so happy I even bought some flowers for my roommates on the way home! And what's funny is that I didn't even make the connection! Vicki's the one that noticed I was feeling much better after eating some protein.

So, the moral of the story is this: Unless you like hating your life, eat Meat! And Dairy! And Eggs! . . . Also, I don't like turnips :(

Quite the Productive Morning!

So, after a night of not-so-good sleep I awoke at 4:30 this morning and decided to just get up for the day. I thought I'd go to the temple first, but I realized that it wasn't open yet. Then I figured I'd clean.

I popped in my headphones so as not to wake Jenni and started some laundry while I cleaned the kitchen, worked my way into the living room, and then ended up in my bedroom. All of which weren't very messy so that didn't take much time. Then I decided to get updated on all of the blogs I follow. That actually took awhile.

Once that was done, it was time to go to the temple (mind you, it was still only 6:30). I was all ready (I even left Jenni a "Have a great day" note), but I missed the first bus. I had a half hour to kill, so I thought I'd turn on the yoga video I checked out from the library.

That was a little difficult to do in a dress. But then Jenni got up and I chatted with her for awhile. Then I finally made my way to the temple (but not after missing the bus again). At the temple I happened to see

Elder Richard G. Scott!

And

Haha! JK! JK!

But I did also see Elder Quentin L. Cook!

After the temple, I went to the bank, got some breakfast, came home and took a shower. All this before 9 am! Whew! I think it's about time for a nap.