The Leading Lady

New Blog

2011-11-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

I created a new blog. If you want to follow it feel free. I might make it private so I can post pictures. Still deciding. It's That's Me Inside Your Head

Something I'm Not So Great At

2011-08-04T06:46:00.001-07:00

Keeping my phone handy. I guess i suck at it. I got told last night after a semi-long pause, that I now had a good reason to have my phone on me and I should make sure I do. LOL! Well... okay! BOYS! Do they just think they get to have our attention at their will? I guess so. I'm going to have to try harder in that department because I have never been good at it.

My Fantastic Morning

2011-07-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

My morning actually dates back to early Saturday morning when I look over at my water bottle by my bed and want a drink but before I grab for it I notice this dark thing in the mouth piece on the straw- I look closer- Yep, pretty sure that's an earwig. SICK! I take it upstairs, wash, sanitizse, run through the hot dishwasher.
Last night I get the water bottle out of the dishwasher and fill it up. This morning at 3:30am I awake very parched. I reach over and grab the water bottle and think, I should look for any earwigs- NAH... what are the chances. I suck in water- SICKEST THING EVER!!! There was an earwig in the straw AGAIN!!!! FREAKING AGAIN!- Are you kidding me!!!!! I obviously freak out like a crazy person- spitting it out. SPITTING MORE, MORE, MORE! Rubbing the inside of my mouth with my sleeve over and over and over again. SERIOUSLY!!!! Grossest thing ever! I wanted to swear! Then I get up and go to the bathroom and a stupid red spider graces me with it's presence on the floor. I am eyeballing it and scared and wondering how I can kill this thing, it runs under my bath mat just where it's folded a teeny bit and I stomp on the mat to kill it. SUCCESS! It gets flushed. I got back in my room and obviously creeped out by the events that just unfolded I pull all my covers off. HEre's the thing, I rarely see bugs in my rooms, RARELY! Anyway... I pull back all my covers and NOTHING. Phew! I run upstairs and get an actual drink of water from the tap- bug free! Go back to bed. Can't sleep because i keep "feeling" bugs on me and so I finally get up and go in and take a bath. I grab my towel to dry off- a big black spider falls off of it. I freak out and chuck the thing. It was my last towel. There isn't another one there. I am eyeballing the spider so I know exactly where it is. It crawls up the side of the tub- THAT I AM IN, and I just across the room to the other bath mat and look up. On the wall in front of me is another ginormous black spider. I whine the phrase "Are you kidding me!" I look back and the other spider is now climbing in my bathtub and I am looking at his gigantic friend on the wall so I start to think- how I am going MURDER these two so I can calm down and get ready. I grab my handy dandy hairspray and pretty much go to town on the one on the wall while loads of hairspray is running down the wall I think -I'll clean that up later! I soak him and he doesn't move- probably because he can't and hopefully is dying a slow and miserable PARALYZING death! JERK!!! Then I go grab a shoe and moosh it. I proceed to the bathtub to take care of intruder 3. He is no where to be found. SERIOUSLY!!! Does someone just want to crap on my face this morning? I might not even notice. I look and look for it and think... CRAP! I have to find this thing or there is NO WAY I will get in this tub again and I can't go around bathless and stinky and GROSS! It's been about 45 minutes at this point and I wanted to get to work really early cause I am leaving early to go up to girls camp. UGH!!!! I decide to get ready but I keep looking in the tub periodically. I couldn't find him and I had to leave. Everywhere I walked I felt like I kept seeing spiders. I got in my car, started it and started to cry. I sat there and cried like a little baby over my horrific morning. Good FREAKING morning to me!!! I was so tired on the drive in that it worried me I would fall asleep at the wheel so I tried to leave the AC cold but then I'd get chills and it was NOT GOOD! Luckily I made it in safely but currently there is a stupid blasted spider in my bathtub/bathroom thinking it outsmarted me. I hope it's enjoying itself because I'm about to call Dave to go down and find it and MURDER IT, and if he doesn't, SO HELP ME that thing will not survive this day!!!!! A spider WILL NOT get the best of me.

20 Minutes of Butt Kicking!

2011-06-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

Okay... if you want an amazing workout for a short time each day... I have one for you! Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. OH. MY. HECK! AMAZING!!!! Did I say it was amazing? GOOD.. because it is. I have been getting up in the mornings and doing it... ROCKS. It's only 20 minutes. 20 minutes of BUTT KICKING!!! I have been sore, but in places that I don't usually get sore, like my back and my butt. Yep, my butt. It's sore. As a side note, you use your butt muscles to do way more things than you realize. TRUST ME!

Overspray

2011-06-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

So... you know that Endust spray duster stuff that is AMAZING and it sprays air and cleans your keyboard and other electronic stuff? Well, I used it this morning to clean out my electonic hole puncher and it was like someone threw me a party in my cubicle- confetti everywhere. So... I just went to town and sprayed off my desk. Well... at the time we were all laughing and a couple people thought this was so cool and I told this, it's purpose to clean your keyboard/lap top not your whole desk and we all thought this was funny.... WELL...
Here I am like 2 hours later and I have this stupid taste on my lips that I CANNOT get rid of. It's like I sprayed them with hairspray or something. DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND... I WAS NOT trying to clean my teeth and/or mouth, it must have just made it way all over me. YUCK!!! I can't get it off. Basically I will be getting no kisses tonight. LOL! I wouldn't kiss these lips so I'm sure no one else will want to either. Ha ha ha...

Being Me

2011-06-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of having one of those days. You know, those days when you just feel happy- for no reason at all. I had one of these night last Friday night. I was home alone. It was nice to have a night alone with no plans to just do nothing. I made me some salmon on the BBQ and watched some Alias while learning to make a pretty sweet looking bracelet on YouTube. I just felt good. It was like I was on this spiritual high. Once I realized it I was like... Thank you Heavenly Father. I just really really liked being me. I kind of feel that way today, maybe not as much as i did Friday, but I do feel that today and it feels good.

So... the other thing... I gave into the natural man. I got a tanning pass about a month ago and burn me at the stake, I like tanning. Plus, my confidence went up. I'm getting a pretty good tan and it feels good for the summer. Now when I go to Hawaii I will look good. Maybe I'll fit in :).

The Dating Game...

2011-06-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, so there is this guy who I was really thinking I liked a few months back. I really kind of liked him and I was excited about him. Well I'll keep this long story short and say that he flaked on me BIG TIME. Well, it was kind of disappointing but I did what I do best and put up my draw bridge, threw peraunas in the moat and moved on without looking back. Well Friday night he decided to come back. I've been talking it out with him but I'm a little confused as to what to do. I want someone to be there for me like I am there for them. Someone who I can trust. I don't trust him anymore. I don't know how much I ever even did trust him. We were in the beginnings. Tonight he has been trying to talk me into picking things back up where we left them. I can't do that. He said that "if getting to know each other better is too big of a risk for you to want to take than I'm just going to have to get major creative to find a way to let you know this isn't a game for me". That was kind of a good answer. He told me that if he didn't really have feelings for me than he would just tell me it was good knowing me and move on, but that isn't the case. Anyway... I just don't know what to do. I kind of explained some of my past horrifying experiences and where it has left me so hopefully he would understand that just ditching me is not a good idea. It's a good way to get you a one way ticket out of my life forever. Anyway... I guess all I can do is pray and let the Lord help me out cause he knows all the answers. I have to say that this guy is really pleading his case. He even wants to make up this lunch date we were supposed to have right before he flaked on me. I just don't know. How do I know he won't do it again. GEEZ.. one day will someone come along that will stick it out for the long haul, that will think I am good enough. I have to believe that. Even though moron after moron keeps proving otherwise. I know there is someone and Man is he going to be lucky cause I will love the crap out of him!

VISITOR...

2011-06-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

Today is a BEEEEYOOOOTIFUL Day. So... here's why. I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business working like a busy bee and I look up and there is someone peeking their head around the corner at me. My eyes get HUGE and I say (a little louder than I should) HEY!!!!!!! He laughs and walks over to me. I wanted to get up and give a giant bear hug. I GOT A VISITOR!!!! It was a previous boss of mine who I adore and MISS! The funny thing is I was going to email him today kind of a funny email asking him what is wrong with his boy J. I just addressed it in person. LOL. He invited me to come out and stay with them. They live in Hawaii. I guess if I come I get a date out it with his son. SCORE! I've seen him, he's hot! But I told him I still want to go out with J again. LOL. Anyway... it was so good to visit with him. It totally made me all smiles. It was the best suprise EVER!!!

It's all about the little things in life and the little ways in which people help you feel loved. Life is about building each others self esteem after all.

OH.. AND... one of my FAVORITEST people in the WHOLE WORLD is coming to visit the end of this month. One of my bestest friends ever- Katie the Kanuck. And I need to tell her to bring me that amazing candy bar I love from canada... Ewwww.... I should get on that email. Gotta run....

Treat Your Children as you Would a Guest in your Home.

2011-06-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

I thought that this was funny. I heard it in another amazing TALK by Jack R. Christianson about Self Esteem, it's called "Man is that he might have joy. Seriously, if you have never heard this talk, listen to it. It's amazing. I love it. I have listened to it 3 times just this weekend. But I love Jack Christianson. At the end of this funny clip I am putting a list of things he talked about also that is SOOOOO amazing for any parent to read, even if you don't want to read all this, read the end...

This is by a radio personality named Emma Bombeck...

On TV the other day, a leading child psychologist said parents should treat their children as they would treat their best friend...with courtesy, dignity and diplomacy.

"I have never treated my children any other ways," I told myself. But later that night, I thought about it. Did I really talk to my best friends like I talked to my children? Just suppose.....our good friends, Fred and Eleanor, came to dinner one night and......

"Well, it's about time you two got here! What have you been doing? Dawdling? Leave those shoes outside, Fred. They've got mud on them. And shut the door. Were you born in a barn?

"So Eleanor, how have you been? I've been meaning to have you over for such a long time. Fred! Take it easy on the chip dip or you'll ruin your dinner. I didn't work over a hot stove all day long to have you nibble like some bird."

"Heard from any of the gang lately? Got a card from the Martins. Yes, they're in Lauderdale again. They go every year to the same spot. What's the matter with you, Fred? You're fidgeting. Of course you have to go. It's down the hall, first door on the left. And I don't want to see a towel in the middle of the floor when you're finished.

"Did you wash your face before you came, Eleanor? I see a dark spot around your mouth. I guess it's a shadow. Do, how are your children? If you ask me I think summer school is great for them. Is everybody hungry? Then, why don't we go into dinner? You all wash up and I'll take up the food. Don't tell me your hands are clean, Eleanor. I saw you playing with the dog.

"Fred, you sit over there and Eleanor you can sit with the half glass of milk. You know you're all elbows with it comes to milk. There now, your host will say grace.

"Fred, I don't see any cauliflower on your plate. Have you ever tried it? Well, try a spoonful. If you don't like it I won't make you finish it, but if you don't try it, you can just forget dessert. And sit up straight or your spine will grow that way. Now, what were we talking about? Oh yes, the Gerbers. They sold their house. I mean they took a beating but....Eleanore, don't talk with food in your mouth. I can't understand a word you're saying. And use your napkin."

At that moment in my fantasy, my son walked into the room. "How nice of you to come," I said pleasantly.

"Now what did I do?" he sighed.

This is supposed to be a poem I think, but I typed it in my outline for my lesson today so sorry... it's in list format....

a. Children learn what they live:

i. If children live with criticism they learn to condemn.

ii. If children live with tolerance they learn to be patient

iii. If children live with ridicule they learn to be shy

iv. If children live with encouragement they learn confidence

v. If children live with security they learn to have faith

vi. If children grow up with fear they end up standing at the end of every line

vii. If children live with praise they learn to stand alone and lead their parade even if it’s raining

viii. If children are spoiled with indulgence and permissiveness, they grow up full of compromise and greed

ix. If CHrildren are given challenges and responsibilities they grow up with values and goals

x. If children grow up with optimism they will grow up believing they were meant to fly. Born to be Queens and Kings.

xi. If children live with hate they will grow up to be blind to beauty and true love

xii. If children grow up with love, they will live to give their love away and become blind to hate

xiii. If children are reminded of all the bad in them we see they’ll become exactly as we’d hoped they’d never be

xiv. But if we tell our children we’re so proud to wear their name they’ll learn to win believing they’ll achieve their highest aim. Because children live what they learn and learn what they live.

Question...

2011-06-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Is Root Beer Pong an appropriate work entertainment activity?

satan vs Jesus

2011-05-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

On friday Miley and Alex were playing with this ruler that was broken. Okay... they were slightly fighting over it so My Mom took it away from them. Somehow they got it back so I took it away. Miley comes up to me with her big cute puppy dog eyes and is telling me how she wants to play with it. I wouldn't give it to her so she slams her hands on her hips, tilts her head, opens her eyes REAL wide and looks at me for a second then goes "Tahnee... when you be mean you're letting satan win. When you be nice you let Jesus win. You letting satan win right now cause you being mean!" LOL! How do you argue with that? I seriously just laughed. She just kept standing like that, looking at me like that. She was not amused. She was trying to teach me a lesson and i was just laughing at her. LOL.

Best Grandparents Award

2011-05-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

So, my parents came up today. We went out to Tooele to visit Grandma and Grandpa's graves and put flowers on them. It was a lot of fun. On the way back we drove up to Ophir so Dave could show us all his house he lived in before living in Stockton. I seriously loved Ophir. It's a mining town. I'm pretty sure it is listed as a Ghost town. It was so cute though. I should have taken pictures. Sorry. Anyway... when my parents decided to come up to spend the day/night with all of us they came fully equipped with a tent. They decided they wanted to camp out with the kids. How sweet is that. Because it is winter in almost June and raining, they set up camp in the garage. We brought down all the mattresses because cement is not in the same category as grass or dirt.

My Dad said to me just before this picture, "Are you sleeping out here too?" I thought about my nice warm cozy bed just down the stairs and easily said "Nope, it's all you!" He laughed, then said "Well, this is the years first camping trip." LOL.

Next, to finalize the indoor camping adventure Dave made indoor smores. If you are curious how one makes indoor smores (Dave style), you take a cookie sheet, line it with wax paper, put your mallows on it and bake it until golden brown. Take them out and mash them between two chocolate covered grahams. Like so...

BTW... Dave and Nic bought this table in March but the chairs have been on back order (NEVER order anything from Ashley Furniture- unless you want a nightmare) so... they have their regular chairs set up to the table. Only in the Rubow house do you hear the phrase... "Go stand at the table and I'll bring you one." LOL. As opposed to, "Go SIT at the table and I'll bring you one."And two little bums washing up before bed.

It was a great day and the adventure is still going on. We'll see how the camp out goes tonight (wink, wink). I have to say that I have the best parents in the world. They are always trying to do things that will make the kids happy. They love the grand-kids. They seriously win the Best Grandparents Award, hands down!

I'll be sawing logs, thanks!

2011-05-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am not making fun here, but his made me laugh. So Ihave this page of leathers that I need a temple engineer to locate in a temple for me. I was told he was coming to the COB today so I was going to give it to him to take back and then I wouldn't have to mail it. I just got this email:

Brother ________ & Sister Nielsen,
I will be arriving into SLC tonight at 10 PM.
I have to be at the SLC airport by 800
AM tomorrow Friday the 27th. If you please bring
me the items that I am to take with
me to The Temple I will be staying
at the following hotel:

Fairfield Inn
230 Admiral Byrd Road
SLC801-
355-3331

So basically I have between 10pm and 8am to get them to his hotel. UH... pretty sure I'll be in bed. In Santaquin. LOL. He's a super nice man, but it made me laugh when I read this. I just politely let him know I would mail them to him.

Birthdays and Benched

2011-05-26T06:07:00.000-07:00

First of all... Yay for Scotty!
Second of all... kind of funny little story. I went during lunch to do initiatories cause I feel like I've been an ornery cuss at work lately and I knew that would help. BTW... it did, it does :). Anywho... I was on my last name and I notice the very last time I said the sister's name that her birthday is on Sept 13th. How sweet is that? (For those of you who don't know- it's my bday), it made me smile inside, so when the sweet temple worker finished I said to her:
"hey, she and I have the same birthday" (enter big smile)
She smiles, looks intently at the paper "Oh really.... you were born in 1809?" (enter big smile)
"No...(laugh, laugh, laugh-in temple voice of course) but September 13th."
She just smiled and winked at me. It was sweet and funny. Ididn't even think of the year. Can I just say how much I love being in the Temple. I'm one lucky girl cause not only do I get to go whenever I want to and as often as I want to, I get to work on them as well. I just feel humbled and priveleged and loved by my Savior. It's like the best lunch break to go over there, with watching TV downstairs on 3L with my boys a close second (wink wink).

Oh... speaking of my boys, here is a funny little conversation I had the other day. They came to my desk to say Hi and one of them is gathering people for his one day softball tournament in Blanding. He says to me...

"Oh.. and I decided, whoever bats the worst is SITTIN' THE BENCH NEXT GAME!" (capitalization for emphasis) He laughs cause he thinks he's funny, I laugh cause I think he's funny too.
"Yep, so glad I'm not on your team. You were that kid in school everyone hated weren't you?"
His jaw drops, AS IF he is shocked by my question. "WHAT!?!? No, everyone loved me, and I was good."
"Yeah, well in elementary school when the teacher makes you all line up to pick teams, you were the first one picked weren't you. You were never the last one picked."
"No, I was the captain." LOL!!! (wasn't expecting that)
"Jerk!" Enter horrific childhood memories for Tahnee.
SOOOO... he wants to play softball on this team that I have connections to, so I tell them yesterday... "If he comes to play, make everyone line up and pick teams and pick him last. Better yet, flip a coin for who has to have him at the end. Wait... even better, bench his butt on the second game and tell him he batted the worst." LOL!!!

He's really not full of himself, and such a sweet guy, but it was a funny conversation.

CUTE!!!

2011-05-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

Tonight we were outside while the kids rode their bikes up and down the street. Miley's shoes kept falling off so I took her in to get her "running shoes" on. When we walked back out she turns around and says (keep in mind she is 3)
"know why I like you Tahn?"
"Why?"
"Cause you so cute." Then she smiles this big smile and runs off.

Talk about warming the heart!!!!

Turbo-legs

2011-05-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

Today... I walked with Wes and Rahspody to the second bus stop. We had almost five minutes. I clued them in on this and of course this made them want to walk faster. Being that they are both taller than me... here is your mental image for the night...

Rahpsody (tall), Me (short), Wes (Tall-er than me). Rahpsody (legs moving semi fast), Me (legs moving twice as fast as semi fast- we're talking two steps to her one LONG FAST step), Wes (fast moving legs). Both of them totally oblivious to the fact that this was WORK for me to keep up with them and that my pride was sky high as I wanted to stop and yell "HEY! Freakishly tall people!!!! Little short person here totally out of breath ready to puke!" But of course.. pride won... AGAIN!

Slurp...Slurp...Slurp

2011-05-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

This is a little story of Boy and Girl and Superiority...

Our story starts at about 9:30 am when Boy meets Girl to move plants to 3L. Blah blah blah...
Boy (teasing girl about long commute): Santaquin is by Panguitch.
Girl (with an 'are you kidding me' look on her face): Um, no.. that would be by Cedar City.
Boy: No it's not, I ran a race there, it's right by Santaquin.
Girl: Um, SERIOUSLY?! No, it's down by Cedar, just over the mountain from it.
Boy: Nuh-uh! I swear it's by Santaquin.
Girl: Whatever, it's by Cedar, just over the mountain on the east side. You're from Monticello, shouldn't you know this?
Boy continues to argue his ridiculous point, while girl mocks and laughs.
Girl: I"m right on this one, Google it.
Boy: I'm going to. (pulls out his phone).
Girl (in all her infamous brain power): WAIT! Let's bet on it. (hmmm... will boy take the bait.. I hope so cause I"M SOOOO WINNING THIS!)
Boy: OK!
Girl: What should we bet.
Boy: A drink. And by the way (enter attitude here. The "I'm so winning this" attitude- even though he's not) I want a Mt.Dew!
GIrl: Okay, but I should probably decide what I want, since I'm totally winning this bet. I'll have a slurpee.
Boy: There isn't a 7-Eleven around here. At least you can get a Mt. Dew anywhere.
Girl: Hmmm... sounds like a personal problem.
Boy: (laughing out loud)

Tap, tap, tap... Boy googles it.

Drum roll please........It's totally by Cedar, just over the mountain on the east side.

I try and I try to tell people not to mess with me.... but... they never learn. What's a girl to do?

Seriously!!!

2011-05-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

It took me 2 hours and 15 minutes to get home on the bus tonight. 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES!!!!
The end.

Why has the Lord brought me here today?

2011-05-09T19:34:00.001-07:00

I just finished listening to this podcast by Sheri Dew (whom I adore) and she said that several times during the day we should ask ourselves this question. I thought... how awesome is that? That is like giving yourself the opportunity to have a moment of reflection/reality check/ make better decisions. The talk I listened to is called "Awake, Arise, and Come Unto to Christ. AMAZING!!! I have really come to love Sheri Dew the past few months of my life. She also talks in here about choosing Holiness. Above all- choose holiness. Walk away from the world and choose to be holy. If you have itunes, I recommend downloading this podcast. It's free.
I'll tell you, I'm definitely a work in progress, and I know I have made some horrifically poor choices in my life, but I'm just a simple daughter of God trying to get back to my Father in Heaven, and I'm a work in progress. Heavenly Father isn't finished with me yet. See... this I hve come to hold onto- this idea that he isn't finished with me. While others may be, he isn't. One thing I know for sure, it is harder to forgive oneself than to forgive others. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but... you know how you go through something with someone else, and you get hurt- in a way you never realized possible, and then when you see that person you not only feel hateful feelings for them, but even worse than that, you feel hateful feelings for yourself? I believe this is a tragedy- in more than one way- I also believe that in these moments we show our true character. I hope to always live up to the character that I hope to one day have because that is all you can do... and I think this is part of what Sheri means when she says to stop and ask yourself "Why has the Lord brought me here today?" This simple question gives you power to come out of your natural man and be the person that the Lord knows you can be, the person you hope to one day become. A person of influence for good and not bad. I'm not good at this, but again, I'm also a work in progress. I want to be a person that builds others up, not tear them down. Like Jesse is always telling and I truly believe- Life is about each others self esteem. It's true. If you are building others up, you are building the kingdom of God. If you are tearing others down, you are tearing down the kingdom of God. One thing I know for sure, I have loved the Lord for a very, very, LONG time- and he has loved me even more- even when I haven't deserved it. And I want to be a builder, not a tearer downer.

Anyway... those are my thoughts tonight.

R.I.P.P.E.D.

2011-05-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

Seriously... best workout EVER! I decided not to renew my Golds Membership and to instead take some of the community classes here because they have enough to keep me busy and they are close. I went to spinning, but I don't know if that is really my thing. Maybe if my butt would stop protesting I might like it more. I LOVE ZUMBA, but I already know that. Payson high has the outdoor track and an indoor track for free. Also, this morning I tried this class here in Santaquin called R.I.P.P.E.D. It's a total body workout. I was majorly curious. OH.MY.HECK. I'm in love. The sad thing is that they only offer it once a week. WHAT THE HECK! I looked it up online and you can become an instructor. I think I will seriously consider this. They do an 8 hour training and then you get your certificate and everything you need to be an instructor. I think that would be fun to do. Of course I'd have to get better at it, but I can. I can do anything I put my mind to. There aren't any trainings here in Utah, but there is one in Vegas in June. Hmmm... something to consider I guess. I do love to work out and I'm not kidding this class was amazing!

CHECK IT OUT

What a Day

2011-05-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to post about his but I keep forgetting to take a picture of the note so oh well. The other day I had an appointment I had to go to in the morning so I was late to work. When I got to my desk there was a donut with a note that said "Yeah, we're pretty much the coolest people on the planet." LOL... seriously... it made my day. I really did chuckle and smile. I just thought it was sweet and a nice thing to come to work to. I was going to put a picture of the note but I keep forgetting to scan it. Sorry, you'll just have to imagine it. It's not hard, most guys write the same, just imagine the sentence in small clumsy boy handwriting- though it was on a purple post-it. LOL- that's what you get when you dig through a girls desk for something to write on.

OK...

Triumphs for today:

1. I read the whole Book of Mormon today. (ha ha... okay, it was just the book "Mormon" in the B.O.M, but I just couldn't stop reading and I read the whole book and it was awesome)
2. We (the interior designers) have a storage room on 3L. Today, Myself and two of the interns cleaned it out. It has desperately needed it since I started and with all the Ogden stuff, it FOR SURE couldn't wait any longer. Talk about dust. Holy Smokes. And I climbed up on the top shelf and was crawling around... enter triumph #3...
3. No SPIDERS in the storage room! NOT EVEN 1!. Not even a dead dried up one. NONE!!!! Woo Hoo! (I was a teeny bit worried about that as I was crawling around handing boxes down to he ladies.
4. I made it through the whole day without getting dirt on my face- well, at least not big noticeable spots. (okay... this is where I tell you about a not-so-triumph moment... I walked out of the storage room, through the shop up the stairs to 2L, passing people with the two interns- look in the mirror and there is a big round spot on my right breast. DUST. But seriously... I had on a darker brown shirt and dust is white and I might as well have had a sign on me in neon lights that said "LOOK AT MY BREAST!" We laughed so hard. Oh the men I passed. So Sorry. LOL.

We worked our buts off in that room. We didn't finish all of it, but we will. For lunch we went outside on the beautiful grounds and at lunch and laid on the grass. What a beautiful day!

Settling?

2011-04-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

This morning I went shopping because I need some more clothes. Really what I need is to go up with my favorite sister in law and shop in Park City. That is coming soon. It's actually fun to shop now that I feel better about how I look- translation: now that I've lost so much weight. Ha ha... it's true. Anyway.. it's a bit frustrating. My favorite style is Urban and I love the store Urban Wear in the mall. The problem is that style now days is so immodest. Everything is sleeveless and see through. Not appropriate for Garment wearers. I ended up buying two new shirt from Aeropostle, which I love and it always seems to be where I end up. Anyway.. tonight I am going to have movie night with some amazing friends and I am so excited. I actually need to get going. I'll return and report. It's gonna be some of my favorite guys and girls on this planet... sure to be a ball!

Alabama and Misty

2011-04-29T21:01:00.000-07:00

This has been on my mind A LOT lately. Misty lives in Huntsville, although they have been lucky so far and haven't had a tornado hit Huntsville, they are coming really close to them. It's kind of scary, especially when you watch these videos. Misty and Brad are about 1.5-2 hours north of Birmingham. They said there were tornados as close as miles away from them. It's so sad what the people of the south are going through. You just never know when something so devastating is going to strike. You just never know. The Tuscaloosa video broke my heart. My hand was over my mouth just watching it.

Birmingham , Tuscaloosa

Donuts and Chocolate Milk?

2011-04-21T20:37:00.001-07:00

You know how sometimes people can do something for you and you think... Really? You would do that for me? And that is usually followed by... I don't deserve this... Well, I have these two amazing guy friends at work, and let's just say, today they did the unthinkable. For me. They dug through the trash for me to find a paper we threw away that I was in too big of a hurry to remember to grab and while putting out a fire at work I realized I needed it, and I told them that I would dig for it, but they didn't let me, they did it for me and I felt so bad. Tomorrow they will get chocolate milk and donuts, I know... not really a comparable act of kindness, but they kind of like donuts and I kind of like them... soooo...

2 Great Things...

2011-04-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Two great things happened yesterday. Well, there were more than 2 but I am chosing to share two of them with you right now.
1. I have been SOOOOO sick this past week. I won't get into the details, but I think I had/have the stomach flu or really bad food poisoning. I was so sad on Friday cause it was the worst day and I didn't even eat anything, well, if you can call a cup of broth and an orange eating something, then I did, one of my favorite people Leilane was getting married on Saturday and I have been looking forward to going. She has been so good to me and helped me through so many things lately and I just love her so much. I prayed my guts out that I would be well enough to go, but even early sat morning at 6:30 I was up and my whole body ached and I could barely move and I was just feeling like crap. Again, I hit my knees. Well I woke up at 9:30am and guess what? I felt SO MUCH BETTER. No aches. At. All. So I went. I think the Lord gave me a "get out of sickness card" for like 6 hours cause I slowly went downhill, but I was well enough to go see her get married and I was SOOOO grateful.
2. LEILANE GOT MARRIED!!! YAY!!! She was so happy and so beautiful, and it was so happy and so beautiful. And I have to tell you that the sealing was amazing. Joe J. Christiansen was the sealer and he was so wonderful. He accommodated us non Portuguese speakers and did part in English and part in Portuguese. Daniel's (Leilane's new hubby) parents (Elder and Sister Villanova) were there and I have to tell you they were so cute. I loved them. I watched them and how they care for each other, how his Dad was so caring with his mom and seemed even protective over her, but not in a bad way, in a "this is my pride and joy" kind of way and I just loved it. After the sealing she did this thing that is so small, but hit me so hard, she walked over to him and they spoke for a second and then he hugged her and as they stood there arm and arm watching everyone, she had her arm around his waist and his suit-coat gripped in her hand. She was holding onto him. It's simple and small but it said so much to me. Anyway... as I watched them I thought... That is how I want to be with my husband, and I know I will be. We will love each other that much, and he will be my pride and joy and I will be his and I look forward to that day.

Anyway... it was a great day! I loved it. And I spent the whole time with my wonderful friend Melanie and as always we laughed a lot, and as usual, we both agreed that WE are funny people. Every time we hang out it's like a party! I love her.

Perspective

2011-04-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Of course there were a lot of things about Conference that struck me, but one was making 2 lists; A To Do list and a To Become list. I decided to make one of each for both home and work. I find this very motivating in my life, especially the "To Become" list. If you haven't done this I recommend it. I won't share mine with you because then I think it will diminish it, and I will always worry that I'm not measuring up in everyone's eyes, when really all that matters is how I measure up in my own eyes and the eyes of the Savior. The thing for me about the "To Become" list is that you work at it everyday, and you can't just check those things off the list- you strive for them everyday and everyday, if you do it right, you add one piece to the yourself that will one day end up being that person. I love this idea. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from the new Narnia movie... Extraordinary things only happen to extraordinary people. I'm deciding to be an extraordinary person, and so extraordinary things will happen to me. I believe this is my choice, and it's all about how you look at. It's all about perspective. Like in Alma 5- I need to picture myself becoming the person I want to become. The mind is a very powerful thing and if I can learn to picture myself doing and being the person I want to be, even the person I want to look like, it will happen. Mind over matter. I really believe this, this is something Nic has been trying to drill into my head and I think it sunk. One thing I need to do is to look at myself in the mirror and tell myself one good thing about me every morning. Nic challenged me to do this and I haven't done it yet, but I will start tomorrow. I got a present from the best friend I have and will ever have, Jen, it was a make up kit from Mary Kay. When I opened it up, there was this cute little card attached to the mirror that said "You are beautiful!" Of course as I read it I could see myself and I cried right there. It just touched me, and I knew exactly why she did it. And I thought as I cried, THAT is the kind of friends I need to have and keep. She is amazing, a true disciple of Christ and I love her so much. Anyway.. that's where my thoughts have been today.

Last Couple Months...

2011-03-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

Wow... It has been a long time since I blogged. Life has been busy, good, great, different- all good things. Here's a list of some highlights of things that have happened to me in the past couple months:

Started Voice Lessons
Play Basketball Every Week
Karaoke Every Week
Started Dating
Held Hands (that's all you get of that)
New Job Duties
Made New Friends
Lost Weight
Got Hate Mail Sent To Me (I feel bad for this person because they don't understand what it means to love like the Savior-but it's okay- I only care what the Lord thinks of me)
2 Best Friends Left Work (Jen and Melanie) and now I don't get to see them everyday (sad)
"Put myself out there"
Got a New Nic-Name: "My Leading Lady"- ahhh... cute (not because of my blog either)
Told Many Times I'm Beautiful (If you know me, you'll know what this means to me)
Believed that someone when they said I was beautiful
Decided that some people are in your life only to make an appearance- and that's okay-even great!
Pet someone else dog (I cringed and was CLEARLY VERY uncomfortable- but I did it-eventually. I hate pets in the house and dogs licking me and jumping on me).
Let someone touch my feet and didn't hate it (this is huge)
Have a maybe date when the weather is good to Silver Lake to Moose-watch (dream come true)
Was playing games with friends and left to go buy the game "What's Yours Like" and saw a shirt that said "All I Do Is Win" on the front. I bought it and put it on and walked back into the party with that shirt on. Of course I was laughing my head off and everyone else was like "oh my heck... really? You bought that just to wear in here?" To which I replied "YEP... and worth every penny!" I wore it the rest of the night and every chance I got I would throw in "yeah, cause all I do is win". LOL!!!!
FINALLY won a "House Party"

Anyway... it's been a great couple months. It hasn't been perfect, but Heavenly Father is DEFINITELY taking care of me and has been for a long time, I just didn't always see it that way. I do now. And I am so grateful that he sometimes let's your heart break because he has something in store for you that is miles better than what you think you maybe might need and what you think maybe might be best for you. The biggest thing I learned in the last few months is simply that I KNOW NOTHING and GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING and HE LOVES ME SOOOOO MUCH! And even if he were the only one... It would be enough for me. But I know he isn't. That's the beautiful in life- there are people that get to be in your life for life, and others that just get to make an appearance- and that's okay.

That's my update. It's kind of lame I know... but there is too much to just start writing it all out. Plus... it's kind of personal still... but I'll keep you posted.

Love you all...

Sick

2011-01-25T20:41:00.000-08:00

Hmmm... I'm so sick right now. I hurt. Everything hurts from my head to my throat to my whole body.I just want to lay here and cry. And my heart hurts too. Especially because my boys are SUCKING (the Jazz). What I wouldn't give for a Jazz comeback right now.

Crystal?

2011-01-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

SOOO... yesterday I was made aware of these boxes that were shipped from a Temple to an old employee here in 2003. I opened them and they were chandeliers. So... this morning Melanie and I brought them down to our floor and inspected them to see if they were real Crystals. Well... they were, and so... I made a neclace. And then I said to my co-workers (with a gigantic smile and cheesy face) "who needs a husband when you got this. I'm done! SATISFIED!!!" So Melanie took my picture so I could show you all. WE were laughing so hard. By the way... I hate this picture. But... I wanted you to see the REAL crystal neclace.

It's Official...

2011-01-18T09:46:00.001-08:00

Okay... We have a good news/bad news situation on our hands here.
I had my first voice lesson last night (I started taking voice lessons) The good news is that I am not tone deaf nor am I a pitchy singer. The bad news is... I dont' really have any. I just wanted to use the phrase "We have a good news/bad news situatuation on our hands"... cause I think it's funny. But I will tell you... I was so excited to come home and announce "Welp... It's official... I AM NOT TONE DEAF!" and smile REALLY BIG. Cause really... I had no idea before I went. I didn't even know what to expect. Now, I am so excited, even though I tried to talk myself out of going ALL. DAY. LONG. But.. I just said to myselt, "Tahnee. You are going and you are going to like it!" And so I did. I did turn down a foot massage yesterday though. But I thought about accepting- that's progress, right? I'll get there... baby steps.

A New Tahnee

2011-01-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, I officially start voice lessons. Part of the new Tahnee. No holds barred. I have always wanted to take voice lessons cause I am self conscious to play my guitar for anyone cause I don't think I have a very good voice. A friend in my ward does voice lessons so... I decided to go for it. It's time to become a person that is not self conscious and afraid. I am self conscious about way too many things. I need to stop this. It's time for a change. I might even get brave and get a pedicure. Letting someone touch my feet... that's HUGE for me... but... it's on the list of things to combat... Soooo.... baby steps... baby steps...

Painting

2011-01-14T13:50:00.000-08:00

Here is the painting I started that night I woke up at like 2:30am sad. I finished it last night. It's watercolor.

Thanks to Aundrea and her Therapy Chair

2011-01-13T07:22:00.001-08:00

Dear Aundrea,

Thank you for having a Therapy Chair! And a great listening ear. You, I LOVE!!!

Tahnee

Yesterday was kind of an interesting day at work. Let's just say I came out of a meeting feeling 50% IRRITATED and 50% THRILLED. So I pay my good friend Aundrea a visit and vent, in her therapy chair. It was great. I laughed, I yelled (as much as you can yell while whispering, so okay, maybe no ACTUAL yelling, but there were hands flailing and faces being made and teeth gritting- all while talking in a whisper tone- it was like Whisper-Yelling). Then I'd laugh and throw in a sarcastic joke, cause that is who I am.
Last night, or more like This morning I woke up at about 2:30am and couldn't go back to sleep. I just couldn't stop thinking. Not about work. You know when you just miss someone so much you can't stop thinking about them- that was me. I had to stop doing that, So I got up and got out all my water color paint stuff and started painting. It's good therapy for me. And now it's home waiting for me to finish.
This morning on the way in I was listening to my Ipod. Thanks to Sarah, I have adopted her idea of pumping myself up in the morning with music. I am creating a playlist of songs that keep the thoughts away I don't want to have, and bring in the good thoughts- the uplifting thoughts that seem to say "YOU CAN DO THIS- You are friggin' Tahnee Nielsen!" I found one to add to my list... I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. OH. MY. HECK. Great song! If you haven't heard it... give it a good listen! That song is so much of how I feel.

The Angel in the Marble

2011-01-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

I was listening to a talk today and a quote was presented by Michaelangelo in which someone had asked him how he makes such beautiful sculptures, to which he said:
"I saw an angel in the block of marble and I just chisled until i set him free."
This hit me kind of hard. This is how the Lord is with us in this test of life. He also said of his sculpture of David this...
"It is easy. You just chip away the stone that doesn't look like David."
Okay... so... again, this hit me hard, because this is what the Lord is doing with me, Tahnee. See... I look at it as we all start out as a block of stone. The Lord looks on me, Tahnee, and sees this angel, and he begins to chip away anything that doesn't "look like Tahnee". And it hurts, sometimes so bad you can't feel like you can go on, but you can, you just have to lose that thing because it doesn't "look like you" so it has to go. Sometimes it doesn't hurt, there are the smoothing times as well as the chipping times and those feel so good, but there has to be both to be perfect. Just go with it. It's for the best. What if David had been left unfinished or with a big block on his face, would he be beautiful or unflawed? NO. SO... in reality, the chipping is only chipping away our flaws. The things we all want to get rid of.

Beautiful Day

2011-01-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

As I was driving in to work today I decided to give my ipod a try. I haven't listened to it in months. I put on good o'l Lee Dewyze. Remember him? Remember how I used to start the morning with him singing "Beautiful Day" to me. Well... this morning, on my way in I thought... I can listen to Lee... I love Lee. I miss Lee. So I put on "Beautiful Day"and let me just tell you that I belted that song out. It got me a little choked up and it hit me. The saying that Sarah put on my sign she gave me at Christmas "In A World Where You Can Be Anything... BE YOURSELF!" I felt like myself, the myself I actually like, for the first time a long time. I made me think, and I pondered on this for a good portion of the way up. A LOT of good things have happened in my life the last month or so. I have become closer to the Savior and stronger in the gospel than I think I have ever been, and that is a great thing. I have wanted to be someone different, recently. I was willing to do anything to just be someone different. I still struggle with that, BUT... this morning when I let Lee sing me my song, it's like the light went off inside me. I think I just haven't been myself for so many months, for such a long time, because I lost sight of who that is and who I want to become, that when I put in that song... it took me back. It also made me think of D.C. because I listened to it in the morning when we were out there. It made me realize... I don't need to completely change who I am to be something/someone different, because there are things that I do like about myself. I just need to find myself again. Spiritually I have been doing that and I feel like I am building a firm foundation there- which I cannot and will not live without again.
I CHOSE... to be myself cause even though there are those out there that hate the person I am, there are those that see me for who I really am and not for the mistakes I make. It's like Moroni with Pehoran, Alma decides that Pehoran has become corrupt and only cares about himself and has become this awful person and he writes him a letter totally judging him and Pehoran, in a gentle way replies to his LONG accusation and basically says, if you really knew the situation you would not have censured me. I have learned so much from this story of Moroni and Pehoran because a lot of times this happens, I do it myself, but I have decided to try to stop doing this. I decided to try to implement the motto into my life that I can only hope others will implement into theirs when dealing with me, and that is this:

Be patient with me, the Lord is not finished with me yet.

Let's face it... everyone is human and no one understands everything and we are all on this our own individually journey full of mistakes and lessons and trials and triumphs and we need to just be patient with one another because God is not finished with any of us yet. If he were, we wouldn't be here anymore. It's hard to do this... I know, but it's worth a shot. I guess I just think that my one wish for this new year would be for people to look at me this way... and if that is what I expect, then I should do the same.

SOOOO... In a world where I can be anything, I chose to be myself. Cause some people like myself... I'm just sayin'. And... I chose to let Lee sing to me every morning again too.

Grrrr... I hate getting my butt kicked!

2011-01-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

I went out tonight and my date kicked my butt at bowling- Grrr.... it sucks being a competitive girl and losing... TWICE! I wanted to yell "THAT'S IT! AGAIN!!!!", but... being the girl, it's not really nice to demand they spend MORE money on you. So I dropped my head in defeat and swallowed my pride and slowly put my ball back. Stupid bowling! I forgot how much I liked bowling.

Anyway... Aundrea... this is for you... there will be no little "cookies" in my future, IF you know what I mean (wink, wink). LOL!!!! I'll come up and give you details Monday.

Dinner and a Movie with the girls

2011-01-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

Let me introduce you to two of my favorite people. This is Melanie (smelly-melly) and Leilane (Leilane-Tahnee). These are the wonderful girls I get the pleasure of working with everyday. I sure love them. I know I have posted about them before, especially Leilane because Melanie and I tease her mercilously, but she is a good sport and loves us. We went to dinner and a movie and had a guy take our picture for us. I'm glad cause it turned out so cute. Just to clarify, we call Melanie "Smelly Melly" because it rhymes, not because she smells. Cause she doesn't. And I call Leilanie "Leilane Tahnee" because for years my brother had called me that because a long time ago a friend left a message on our home phone about her friend who was named Leilane and Rustin thought it was the funniest name, so he started to call me "Leilane Tahnee" so when I started working with Leilane and she tried to come up with nicknames for me that sounded like her name, I just started calling her my nickname. I really do love these girls. They are great friends and make everyday at work a party. We even have a very own reputation of being entertaining (we should probably learn to talk/laugh/tease quieter) and I'm sure the 11th floor misses us desperately. ha ha...

HELLO 2011!!!

2011-01-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

Although I had a fun night on New Years Eve, I have never been so happy and excited to leave a year behind me as I am to leave 2010!!!

I had a dinner date on New Years Eve and I was able to go to The Family Tree restaurant in Santaquin. I have always wanted to go (since I moved there) but never had the chance, and I did on New Years Eve. We were the only 2 people in there, but who cares. It was great company and great food. I was pleased. Then off to a party. It was lots of fun. We played Mafia (they killed me on the 2nd round- rude. I barely knew anyone at that party) and The Office Clue- I got to be Jim Halpert cause I'm a little bit in love with Jim. Okay... I'm A LOT in love with Jim. One of the girls at the party and I were discussing this and she said the most amazing comment- and I totally agreed with her. She said "If Jim was a real person- I'd pretty much do anything to be with him- Even go fist to fist with other women." I laughed... and agreed. I also think that about Castle. Rick Castle... I get twitterpated just thinking about him. LOL- J/K. It's nice to have hollywood crushes.

Anyway... it was a fun night and great to say hello to 2011. I think this will be a fabulous year (fingers crossed).

Sunday I taught the Relief Society lesson. I have been preparing for quite some time as I new it was going to be my turn when I was called in to the presidency. It was kind of funny cause Jesse and I were teaching on the same subject- coinidence- so we gave each other information. I did about 4 different outlines trying to fit in everything I wanted to tell them. The topic was on Getting the Word of God IN you and not just ON you (to sum it up) and how important Searching/Pondering/Praying is. So... as you can imagine, there was a pluthera of information. Plus... this is what I have studying my guts out for the past 2 months. I ended up printing off talks to give them to take home and read in their spare time so I didn't have worry about getting it all in. The best ones I had were as follows:

Healing the Wounded Soul- Jack R. Christiansen (if you have talked to me in the past 2 months I'm sure you've heard ALL ABOUT this one).
Covenants and Sacrifice- Henry B. Eyring
God Wants a Powerful People- Sheri L. Dew (I have been talking about this one a ton too!)
Constant Companion- Jack R. Christiansen
The Transforming Power of Faith- Richard G. Scott
Good Better Best- Dallin H. Oaks
God and Human Tragedy-how the Lord transforms tragedy into triumph

Anyway... I loved studying for that lesson and I loved teaching it.

Aunt Tahnee the GENIUS

2010-12-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

Okay... so I was just reading my friend Tiffany's post on laziness vs being tired and it made me think of this... So I thought I'd post it, cause it's funny... at least to me it is. Just for the record, this is me being both tired and lazy, at the same time...
So... the other night I was in the living room talking to Nic. They just got these bar stools that we are going to re-upholster. I had my legs resting on them because I was TIRED. The kids love to play on these things because, as kids often do, they found that they are fun to spin around on (can you blame them... no!) so Davey wanted to sit on the stool. I decided to be Aunt Tahnee the genius teacher and educate him on compromise- cause let's face it... first come first serve, and I was first come, at least my feet were. SO... I say to Davey "Okay... you can sit on it, but you have to hold my feet." He agreed. SEE... genius. Enter... picture 1...

He looks enthused, right? LOL!!! Trust me when I say.. my legs are NOT as heavy as he is making them look in this picture...

Well... this only lasted a few minutes, if that, and Alex (he's 2... everything looks fun to him... they're clueless at that age) wanted a turn...

This is Alex attempting to hold my feet. But how cute is this picture? STINKIN' CUTE... right?

Christmas and other stuff...

2010-12-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures taken recently, over Christmas, that I thought I'd post....

Here's me and Alex, waiting in the truck for Dave and Nic in Sportsman's Wharehouse so we can go up to Coalville to Par-Tay! I was trying to keep him from crying for his mom, and he loves his picture taken... so... Aunt Tahnee to the rescue. It worked LIKE A CHARM!

And Keili and I on the way home. This is actually Miley's christmas present but she was asleep, and Keili was lovin' herself some Dora. My mom thought that lightning was striking the first time I snapped a picture. Probably would have been best to foreworn her... oops!

I was trying to take a picture of my new hair, but you can't really see the colors in this... there is more red and carmal color to go with the brown. I really like it this time. Plus, it's really short in teh back... but you can't see that either. And the new make-up I got from Jen, but again... hard to tell from a picture.. oh well.

This is Dad opening his Sure Lock bow attachment thingy. I have been so excited for this gift. It was kind of bitter sweet for me, but worth it. He was actually crying in this picture. He couldn't believe we got this for him. This was on my Dad's "wish list", you know... the list of things you wish you could have, but probably never will. It was so AMAZING to give it to him.

Mom's Kinect... she was excited. This is the funnest thing since I discovered Jumpin' Jacks (the bouncy place, not the throw your cash away place).
More Christmas stuff...
I don't have my presents on here mostly cause I was a bit emotional that day and didn't get around to my own stuff. I got a picture board from Mom and Dad that is BEAUTIFUL and says Families Are Forever on it. And a sign from Rustin and Sarah that says "In a world where you can be anything... Be Yourself" I broke down crying when I opened this and saw what it said. Right now... these are words I need to hear. Thanks Rust and Sarah! I love you guys. You have truly been key in rescuing me from the raging sea I found myself engulfed in.
These are pictures of the Snow Day we had in Beautiful Santaquin last week. I couldn't even go to work because I couldn't get my car out. I posted about that on the last post. Remember... the "someone is trying to kill me in the shower" day? Yeah... that day! We got 22" of snow that night.

A Night of Firsts

2010-12-25T21:10:00.000-08:00

This post is actually for Thursday, but I've been occupied so... it's a couple days late. Sorry. Thursday night I went out on a double date. We went to The Cheesecake Factory- a first for me. I've never been there, but it was SOOOO good! Then we went to The Desert Star. Oh. My. Heck. It was amazing. I loved it. This was a first for me as well. I have been wanting to go for a while now and I finally got to go and it was worth the wait. I laughed a lot. If you have never been to The Desert Star, you have to go. It's a theater where they put on plays, but they are funny plays, usually spoofs of something else. This one was called A Christmas Story, the Bipolar Express. So funny! We got a picture, I'll have to post that later. Anyway... if you are looking for a great date idea this is it!!! It was a really fun night.

Oh... and P.S. Did I mention I cut my hair and it's a whole new color. I'll post pictures later, but I like it. And Jen, my bestest friend gave me all this new make-up from Mary Kay and I absolutely love it. Move over Clinique.

Wait Until Dark

2010-12-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

Okay... so yesterday morning I was in the shower and all of a sudden the lights and the fan go off. Anyone who really knows me knows that I am VERY afraid of the dark, SOOOO... at this point, every scary movie I have ever seen starting running through my head. I thought someone was trying to kill me. I thought... Did Dave lock the door? Are they coming in to rape me and kill me. I stretched my arms out to hold both sides of the shower curtain so they couldn't get me. I was scared TO DEATH. I then started to pray my guts out. I had to finish the shower so I quietly try to feel around for the conditioner and face wash all the while thinking, he is probably sitting on the toilet waiting for me to finish so he can KILL ME! I stood in the shower after shutting off the water waiting to hear breathing or moving around. After a few minutes of nothing I decide to get up my courage and get out and feel my way to the door. SCARY! I kept feeling all around fearing I would feel someone there, but nothin'! Finally I open the door and try to turn on any lights and none would come on so I knew it just the weather, and the power was out. It was so scary, my heart finally decided to stop racing!!! But I couldn't get ready cause we had no power.

Great Movie

2010-12-17T06:14:00.000-08:00

I went out last night and we went to dinner and a movie. We saw the new Chronicles of Narnia and it was SO GREAT!!! There were so many REALLY GOOD lines from that movie. I just love the Narnia movies. I love the symbolism in them. Here are a few of my favorites from the new one. I know there were more than this that really struck me, but I can't remember them all.

Lucy wishes she was pretty like her big sister and Aslan says this to her at one point because she no longer existed. "You wished yourself away." I thought... holy smokes... that is exactly what you do when you say that stuff. I always do that. I think.. I wish I was pretty like so and so. I wish I was like that person, or I want to be like this person, I wish I was skinny like her, blah blah blah... I can't do this anymore cause I'm Me, and I have a mission here and I can be great too. It just struck me.

Lucy is sad to leave Aslan again and he tells her that even though she got to be with him for this short time in this world, even though he won't be in her world, he'll be watching her and she will be able to get to know him so much more in that world, than here with him. I can't really remember how he worded it, but it was so profound. If we let ourselves and really try... THIS is the life where we really get to be close to the Savior. THIS is where we get to know him so that when we meet him again, we will know him and remember him and holy smokes... I was totally motivated last night. I have been studying the book of mormon and praying and listening to/reading everything from prophets and apostles I can get my hands on like crazy lately and it has really changed me and my life and it is all I want to do. This movie last night and the little things I got out of it totally motivated me even more. Last night I was listening to the talk by Sheri L. Dew "God wants a powerful people" and it was FABULOUS! A MUST listen to! All morning I have been saying in my head... God wants a powerful people, and I want to be powerful. I AM GOING TO BE ONE OF HIS POWERFUL PEOPLE! I am. I want for nothing more than that. There are such great things happening in my life right now and I am so grateful for them, I'm grateful for repentance and godly sorrow. It hurts, but (and here's another really great line from the movie) when the Lord removes something from your life it's like removing a thorn. It hurts really bad when it is being removed, but it is the best for us and that is when we begin to heal. Anyway... I recommend the Narnia movies if you have never seen them and watch them looking for the symbolism. Last night in my prayers I thanked the Lord for inspiring CS Lewis because I truly believe in a lot of what he said, he was truly inspired. If this weren't true, the prophets and apostles wouldn't quote him. I'm not saying everything he says is correct, but there are some really great insights we can get from him.

Anyway... my rollercoaster of a life is past the "I'm going to barf all over this ride" stage and starting to be more enjoyable- hopefully there isn't another hill right around the corner, I'm banking on there being a fast downhill (give me butterflies, make me smile and laugh) slope. Isn't that usually what you get when you climb a really steep slope on a rollercoaster?

Another Amazing Bus Story

2010-12-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

Okay...you cannot ride the bus 5 days a week for over 3 years and not have some pretty funny stories come out of it. I could write a flippin' book about them. SO... here is the lastest and greatest story. First some history... There is this guy and girl that have been getting on the bus in Payson with me, but I haven't met them yet. I have been wanting to, they are around my same age (I think) and nice looking people. Plus, the guy is kind of cute- which is kind of a bonus. SOOO... yesterday the girl (who's name I found out is Rahpsody) sat with me yesterday afternoon on the bus and the guy (still don't know his name- that's next) sat behind us. She was SUPER nice and we talked most of the way home. So about half way home I pull out my book to read and my pen to mark the "awe inpiring" parts of the book. SOOOO... (here comes the funny)... as I am reading/marking, my heads starts to itch, on the back and I think... hmm... I'll just take care of that with the lid of my pen. So... as I go to reach my pen back and itch... (I dont' really know how this happened, BUT...) I flung my pen at the guy sitting behind me. Rahpsody turns and we both look at each other with BIG EYES like... what the heck just happened. I was like "REALLY? Did I just throw my pen back there?" I turn around and look between the window and my seat and the guy behind me was sleeping, but my pen... was sitting nicely ON HIS LAP! AWKWARD!!!! What the heck do I do now? Rahpsody started laughing, and so did I and I said "Um... it's on his lap. I'm afraid to reach back and grab it because what if he wakes up right as my hand is on his lap. AWKWARD!" I'd look like a pedophile of adult men. What would he think even if he woke up and my hand was leaving his lap. I went back and forth and kept looking. Hot guy next to him was asleep too, or I would have asked him to help me out- although that might have been even more awkward. After laughing and discussing with Rahpsody... I pep talked myself ( like usual) saying... you can totally do this, you are freaking Tahnee Nielsen.... Just get in, and get out... FAST! So... I did... I looked at him for a minute to ensure he wasn't- ya know- blinking a little in the 'I'm waking up' phase of sleep, and then I went for it. I was in... and out... and FAST. Then I laughed and brushed my hand across my forehead to Rahpsody as if to say "PHEW!!! That was close!" and then the guy sitting across the aisle (who I had no idea was even watching) congratulated me on being so smooth about it. It was AMAZING!

I Enjoy Being A Girl

2010-12-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday I was moving some stuff around and can I just tell you that I came to accept the fact that I might just be a "girly girl". It was in the moving of all my "girl" stuff (lotion, perfume, make up, hair stuff, jewelry, etc.) into my new bathroom closet and organizing it. I. HAVE. SO. MUCH. STUFF! I shocked myself just how much of that crap I have, and the sad thing is... I use it all. LOL! So.. I guess the masses are right... I'm a girly girl. I like to profess to be a country girl, WHICH I AM, but I guess there's some princess in there too. PLUS... if you think about it, which I do... A LOT... I am a princess. All girls are. NO MATTER WHAT! Because we are the daughters of King. And he loves us. I watched that movie A Little Princess this weekend and I fell in love with it. I bawled my eyes out, but there is this line Sarah says at the end that got me, she says it to Miss Minchin, who is horrible to her and has thrown her in the attic to be a servant because her father died in the war and there is not money to pay for her schooling. It goes like this...

Miss Minchin: Don't tell me you still fancy yourself a princess? Child, look
around you! Or better yet, look in the mirror.

Sara Crewe: I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They're still princesses. All of us. Didn't your father ever tell you that? Didn't he?

This is so true... we ARE all princesses, no matter what we look like, or what we've
done, or what anyone else thinks of us. We're still princesses. Anyway...
getting to the point of this post... I watched that movie and then started to
re-arrange some stuff before going out that night. As I was doing this I put on
a couple of my records. I was singing along and then I got a couple little
visitors (Alex and Miley). We started dancing around in my bedroom to the
showtunes. It was fun, and so cute. Miley and Alex loved the two songs "I Enjoy
Being A Girl" from Flower Drum Song , which was fitting for the way I was
feeling that day, and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair" from South
Pacific. They kept wanting me to play them over and over again. I was holding
Alex and dancing around in cirlces and he was laughing. I'd get dizzy and put
him down and he'd grab my legs and say "Again. Again Tahn." Let's just say I got
my excercise, but it was fun and TOTALLY WORTH IT! It was so cute. If you
haven't ever heard those songs... they are totally worth a listen, especially if
you are girl. Miley and I were singing this part so loud, it would make me laugh
cause I taught her to hold the note and hold her arms way out while holding
it... LOL- you should see her. This is the line we did this to: "...Who'll enjoy
being a guy, having a GIRL....LIKE....ME!!!". Miley was so cute. Anyway... it
was a good day. Uncle Jesse gave some really great talks last week- I just love that man. One of them I listened to on my way home friday night was called "Covenants and Sacrifice" by President Eyring. Oh my heck... it was amazing. I have listened to it twice this weekend. SO. GOOD! It's exactly my life right now.

This was a really GREAT weekend, and I decided that my life is good!!!

NOT Just A Coincidence!!!

2010-12-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

SOOOO... today I was coming in to work and I stepped on another piece of that chandelier and of course, as always it hurt, but I started to think about the Savior and how when he was here he always was doing/thinking of what the Lord would want him to do. I've been trying today to keep my thoughts where the Lord would want them and not get caught thinking about things that bring me down. In doing this I thought... I need to email my old boss. I haven't talked to him or emailed him in a while, and I just need a dose of his humor, plus.. he thinks the WORLD of me and has a way of making me feel like I deserve the best of everything (maybe that's because he actually says that) and I kind of need that in my life. SO... I start to type him an email to check in on him and see when he's coming back for the holidays. I get distracted with work stuff and dont' finish the email but guess what? Like 30 minutes ago, I GOT A PHONE CALL! How random is that? When I said Hello and he said "ALO-HA!!!!" I said "HEY!!!!!! OH MY HECK... ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!" and then I proceeded to explain how I was sending him an email. He laughed. You know... it's so good to see the Lord's fingerprints in your life. See... I knew that talking to him was just what I needed, and so did the Lord. I am so grateful for those people the Lord has placed in my life that think the world of me and treat me as such. I had such a great talk with him. He has always been so easy to talk to, about anything. I miss working for him. I love my new job, but I miss all the fun times with him. I'm so lucky to know him and to have a friend for a lifetime now.

A Change is GOOD!

2010-12-10T07:23:00.000-08:00

Recently, as many of you know, the area in which I reside at Nic and Dave's was finished. I've never posted pictures of the finished product because... well... I don't know, but here they are (Kind of). I also moved stuff around and my bedroom is now in a different room, which has been a GREAT change for me and much needed. I can actually sleep at night without feeling tortured.
This picture is walking into my bedroom, now... keep in mind that I am still decorating and so it looks a little bare. This is a picture of my most recent purchase. I have wanted a record player for a really long time and on black friday I broke down and bought one. I needed something to be excited about. Then i went to the DI and sorted through all their records- it wasn't the best selection, but I found some do-able stuff- mostly soundtracks to old musicals I grew up watching, so that's fun.
Isn't she beauty. I seriously love this thing. I need to purchase some recent records now.

Here is my amazing closet. It was so nice to be able to move into this thing and I am in heaven.

My dresser and you can kind of see my bed in the mirror. I was going to give this dresser back to my mom but I decided I still wanted it and it still gave me enough room to roll out my yoga mat, so that's all that matters.

And here is my new bathroom. Isn't it cute? I wish you could see it cause it is really a cute bathroom. The light fixture is amazing. I love it. I still need to find some stuff to hang on the walls, I'll wait til after Christmas since I still have a bunch of shopping to do for the holiday, but it is so nice to have this thing done. I need a big clock to hang over the toilet because I just have sitting on the back of the toilet and I hate having stuff there, but I have to be able to see the time so I'm not late in the morning.

The other room I did not post a picture of because it's kind of still unorganized. It is going to be my exercise room/art room. I can actually put my easel in the artist cove thing in that room. The people who originally had this house intended that room to be an artist studio room, and now I can actually put my stuff in there- which is exciting. Plus... you know how much I need my exercise stuff too. It just works out well. I'll post a picture of that room when I finish it. It's just hard to do when I'm not home that much, but it'll happen.

HAPPY

2010-12-09T10:23:00.001-08:00

Today, at work, they are painting, or doing something with paint- I know this... because I CAN SMELL IT. And the man standing in front of me has a benjamin Moore shirt on and he is rolling "stuff" on the wall with a paint roller thingy- so I'm thinkin' it's paint somethin'! When I first came around the corner and smelt it I said "OHHHH... this is going to be a FABULOUS day... Benjamin Moore... MAKE. ME. HAPPY!" LOL! I figure I'll either get a massive headache, or a really big high. I'm bankin' on the second.

He's There

2010-12-08T07:15:00.001-08:00

So... last night I had a meeting with my Bishop. I was kind of struggling last night, I don't know why because I have come so far in the last week, but I guess I stepped on piece of that chandelier, and it hurt. I go in and meet with him and it was good. It was really good. I cried of course and said "Uhg! I don't know what my problem is tonight. I've been doing so good. I think I'm just scared." He looked at me funny but didn't ask me to elaborate. I said "I'm scared he'll leave me. I feel like I'm in that dark tunnel and he's walking with me, sometimes carrying me, but I'm scared he'll leave me." I love my Bishop. I have a lot of respect for him and have really come to feel the Lords love for me through him. I have learned just how inspired he is and it's been great. He gave me really great advice as usual and told me to keep my chin up and don't stop moving forward in the dark tunnel. As I was getting ready to leave he thanked me. He said "Tahnee, thank you." I was like... what the crap is he thanking ME for? I thanked him for everything he has done to help me cause he has really saved me. He was an instrument in the Lords hand when I was drowning and he reached down and pulled me out of the water. He said again, "NO... thank you. People like you make this job worth doing." OH. MY. HECK! That one statement hit me to the very core. I laughed of course and said "Thanks." He said, " NO! I'm serious, you do." I shook his hand and left. When I walked out the church doors, I lost it. I sobbed because that one simple little statement from my Bishop made me feel like I am worth it. I just sat in my car and sobbed and thanked Heavenly Father for him saying that and feeling like that. You know... it's interesting how you see the Lord's fingerprints all over your life. Yesterday morning I had a text message from a really good friend that I love that I haven't seen or talked to in a really long time but another friend told them that I needed a phone call and so they texted me. MADE. MY. DAY. Anyway... I think he might be trying to show me that he isn't going to leave me like everyone else. And I need that.

Christmas Tree Hunt

2010-12-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

Every year for Christmas my family goes Christmas Tree hunting. This year my uncle Chip came down over the weekend to go but Rustin and Sarah wanted to go on Monday, so I took the day off and went along cause I LOVE TREE HUNTING!!!!
Here we are getting ready to leave... I got to ride with Rustin and Sarah and the kids- always an adventure. Rustin really makes me laugh and this is something I need these days. Although... I think I saw my life flash before my eyes when we got up the canyon and hit the snow because he thought it would add to the adventure to try to do some donuts in the truck.

We get up Spring City canyon and start out adventure searching for "The Tree". We pass by this rock formation thingy and Rustin says "And...... that's Tahnee's next house."

My Dad (aka. Grandpa of the Year) pulled the kids in his ice fishing sled, which my Dad believes is just as good as a regular sled, and uses it as such (like last year when we took it actual sledding and about killed the kids because he waxed up the bottom first- cause he didn't think it'd go fast enough- he took GOOD care of that. We had to pry them out from underneath the truck)... Dad gives us such good memories.

This is the part where Rustin says to his 3 year old "Hey Bubba.. look how strong Dad is" and then proceeds to grab a DEAD tree (knowing Bubba doesn't know the difference) and yanks it out of the ground (I could have done that! And I should have. Dang! Let's face it... Bubba could have done it).

Cute Sariah... She did get a little tired of the (and I qoute) "back and forth, back and forth" trying to find a tree.

Now... we get to this river thingy. And we need to cross. So...

My Dad helps the kids across...

Rustin helps Bubba...

Don't worry... he didn't fall in... that's coming...

Okay... So I decide to go across. I don't have anyone to help me, so I start to go across. OF COURSE... I am the one that has to find the faulty piece of ice and FALL THROUGH!!! I was like.... REALLY?!?!?! It hurt so bad. I couldn't get up at first. My Dad was on the other side calling to Rustin and he was behind me but I managed to get up but my leg hurt so bad. Picture this... I am in pain... trying to stand up and Rustin is behind me saying "Are you okay, Tahn. Tahn... are you okay?" And I am thinking ' Man my leg hurts, but get up and get out your camera... this is blog material!' So I stand up, turn around and look at Rustin and say "Yeah." Then pull out my camera phone and take a picture...

Rustin says... "Are you.... Are you really taking a picture?" Then he shakes his head and goes back to help Sarah.

LOL... See.. I try to think of others and share in the laughter of the experience. I do have a pretty good bruise on my leg. I took pictures at that moment but you can't see the injury very well. BUt here is one of my leg when we got home. It's hard to see... but it hurts- trust me. And it's a good battle wound.

Rustin helping Sarah make is SUCCESSFULLY acrosss. GEEZ! Where was my help? LOL- JK.

My rides for the kids.

The kids loved playing on the hillsides. It was quite the victory when they made it to the top. They'd cheer for themselves. I'd cheer for them too! I helped Sariah and Bubba build snow caves and mini snow men while we waited for the tree to be cut but it was making my hand so cold to carry it back to the truck so we talked her into letting us leave the snow man in the forest. She wanted Sarah to help her build another mini one when we got back to the truck. Here is Sarah putting it in the tree so it can stay in the forest. Sariah was bawling because she thought the snowman was ugly. LOL!!! Kids!

Here's the snowman.

Earlier... before we left, I made this tasty treat... Smores on a Stick. It was a HIT!

Oh my heck... this was so funny. Rustin and Dad were in the back room playing dress up or something cause they come out so proud of themselves and say... "Hey, look at Rustin." and he is looks so "puffed up". He kept posing for us. I wish I had a picture of this cause it was HIL-ARIOUS!!!! How intimidating does he look in this get up. They were getting ready to go hunting.

Here's Bubba riding my Mom's excercise bike. This is the only way he can ride it cause he's so little. LOL... he's sitting on the front of it. I was dying with laughter watching him peddle away.

It was a fun day and I was glad I took the time off to go. I have an amazing family and I'm very lucky to have them!!!!

As it turns out Rustin and Sarah got a tree that was kind of brittle. As they were bringing it down the mountain he kept losing branches- WEIRD. We get back to the truck and one side was about barren and Sarah said this statement that was so amazing. She said "Just because it's broken doesn't mean we shouldn't love it!" I love Sarah. It made me think of myself these days. I'm kind of broken, but they still love me.

Funny Email

2010-12-01T07:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got this hilarious email. I was requesting something at work for my desk, a paper rolodex thingy and the guy I asked sent me this email back:

Unfortunately we don’t carry anything like that. You may have
to go through Staples or somebody.
I can offer this though. He
will hold the book and flip pages as you see fit. He does require periodic
feeding and bathroom breaks.

Needless to say... I died laughing... This was my reply to him:

HA HA HA… That is funny! As long as he can jump himself off my desk (without
committing suicide- that’s a mess I refuse to clean up) and take his bathroom
breaks alone… I’m good!

Baby Sister Kaitlyn

2010-11-21T16:59:00.001-08:00

You know those days when you need something good to happen, something funny to take your mind off the hard things in your life- well that happened twice to me today. Once this morning when I stepped on the scale. Who knew you could lose 5lbs in one day- but I'll take it. It made me feel good. I had readjust my eyes and think... is that? HOLY SMOKES! I also learned last night that the name Nielsen means Champion- anyone that knows me knows that THIS WAS WELL WELCOMED INFORMATION!!!! The next was this... Tonight Nic and I were sitting in the living room talking and Keili and Alex came down the stairs and enter the room. I took a picture of this but I can't find my camera cord to upload it so use your imagination. Picture this... Alex (who's all boy) is dressed in a floral pink and yellow button up the front girly shirt with black leggings with gold and silver hearts on the hip and a pink barrett with a flower on it in the front of his hair. Keili announces to us that this is her new baby sister, because she wants a baby sister SOOOO BAD and her name is Kaitlyn. And Alex... he looked so proud- LOL! I have to admit, I died laughing, which is good for me right now. She then proceeded to order Kaitlyn around, calling "her" by name, "kaitlyn". Nic and i were dying. I of course had to run down stairs and grab my phone to take a picture so all of you could witness the humor that is Kaitlyn. Finally Nic thought of Dave and told Keili to undress Alex because one day he might grow up and want to become a girl and Dad would be pissed.Keili said "Well I want him to be a girl" Nic said, "well as much as you want him to be a girl, he's still gonna have boy parts in his pants. Sorry." Keili came unglued because she "loves baby Kaitlyn". Of course i was dying laughing- still. Nic finally undressed him and Keili was so mad. She cried and cried and I was laughing so hard so she looked at me and scowled and said "Stop laughing Tahn." Which was just funnier. I took a picture of her in that moment. Then she told Nic she wanted a baby sister. Nic said "well talk to your Dad, maybe he will adopt you a baby sister from China. Do you want a chinese baby sister? They look like this (Nic pulled her eyelids back making sliver eyes)" Keili looked perplexed, then laughed and said "YES! How big are they?" Nic said "This big (stretching her arms wide apart- trying to discourage her from wanting one)" Keili looked perplexed again and said "They're fat?!?!" I died laughing, so did Nic. Then she walked over to me and says with her eyes pulled back in slivers like chinese eyes "Tahn... can chinese babies see?" LOL!!!! Oh my heck... this is just the laugh I needed today. I said "Yes Keili... they can see." It was so funny!!!! Funny times at the Rubow house- as usual. Sorry about not having pictures!

Peanut Butter Popscicle

2010-11-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

Today I was sitting at my desk and decided I wanted a treat so as Karen came walking around the corner I said to my co-workers... "Okay...who has a sugar free treat for me?" They kind of laughed like... yeah right... I said to Karen and Melanie... "you know what I want right now?... Peanut butter. I love peanut butter, just to dip the spoon in and eat it- YUM!" Karen goes "HEY... me too. I have peanut butter in my drawer. I call that a Peanut Butter Popscicle. SOOOO... she got me her peanut butter and I had me a peanut butter popscicle. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

A Couple of Cuties

2010-11-01T09:31:00.001-07:00

About a month ago... I think... I went down to my Mom and Dad's to go to Cody's (my pretty much adopted brother) wedding reception. Rustin and Sarah were there and Sarah took this picture of me with Kempton and Sariah. Cute! CUTE CUTE KIDS!!! She just sent it to me and it made me smile. I love those stinkers!

Leilane Funny

2010-10-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

OH MY HECK. I work with the funniest girl ever. Or... Melanie and I like to pick on her thus making her funny to us.

She is such a good sport, we tease her mercilessly (I don't even know to spell that). Well, Melanie pulled up this picture from a temple inspection. Leilane is from Brazil and this is in Spanish so we had her translate. She said it says... Uhem, and I qoute: "take out the papers from inside the toilet". LOL!!!!!!! Oh my heck, we are STILL laughing about this! SO... basically this is saying to take the dirty, nasty, papers OUT of the toilet. WHAT THE....

Happy Halloween To Me

2010-10-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

So today I got a package at work, well we all did, from a vendor and it was chuck full of Halloween goodness. Today I am having a hard time focusing because I am in so much pain from the freakin' boil and I can't sit on my chair so I am standing all day or kneeling on the floor. At this point of the day I am so done and Melanie and I are pretty much in that 'everything is silly' mood. We taught Leilane what a 3 inch punch was- LOL!!! I couldn't walk to my desk I was laughing so hard. Here I am putting on some of the Halloween Goodness we got. I put all this one and looked up and Bill, the guy in the cubicle across from me looks up (he's on the phone) and he starts to laugh, but tried really hard not to laugh out loud. Melanie and I were dying. Anyway... I really am working, but if someone gave you a bag full of THIS kind of stuff would you really pass up the opportunity to try a little on? I say NAY!

Just Like Nephi

2010-10-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been reading your scriptures and come across a passage, a story, and you think... That is TOTALLY how I feel? This is why I love the scriptures. This is why scripture study is a commandment and so important. Lately, I am really gaining a stronger testimony of personal revelation through the scriptures. Sunday I was reading my scriptures at the beginning of sacrament meeting and the passage I turned to was where the Lord tells Nephi to build a ship (1 Nephi 17). As you remember the ship was to be built in a way that made no sense to Nephi. He did not understand why the Lord wanted it built that way, it was 'of curious workmanship... not after the manner of men'. Now... keep in mind that Nephi was good with his hands, he was a builder and even he did not understand. It made no sense to him why the Lord wanted it built that way. But he had complete faith and pressed forward and he "went into the mount oft to pray...". What happened? Well, when people saw him building it they mocked him, ridiculed him, told him he was a fool and pretty much told him that the Lord would not tell him to built it, especially not this way. Most of this mocking, persecuting, etc. came from his brothers. What did he do? He built it anyway. Could he explain it? NO. He couldn't explain it at all, ALL HE KNEW was that this is what the Lord told him to do and he was going to do it and nothing would stop him. That is amazing to me. Sometimes I think we go through things in life and no one else understands why we do what we do, or why made the decisions we made, and they think it isn't the right decision, but when the Lord tells you something, he is always right and it doesn't matter what anyone else says/thinks/does. What happened after Nephi finally finished and the ship was built? "...my brethren beheld that it was good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine; wherefore they did humble themselves again before the Lord...". That is HUGE. Anyway... this personal revelation I got on sunday really helped me, it was quite a turning point for me cause sometimes I think we feel like we always have to defend our decisions and sometimes we can't. There just aren't the words because we don't understand them ourselves. It's called Faith, and it's how the Lord helps us to come to him, how he blesses us and helps us progress and grow in him. In the words of an amazing song... "I was taught to believe and never to doubt, the man up above knows what he's talking about... For once in my life I obeyed his commands...". You just have to Look Up, Reach Out, and Hold On. (that's a great talk you should listen to).

Fun Night

2010-10-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

About 3 or so years ago I used to get boils on a pretty regular basis and it was SOOOO HARD. So... Dave gave me a blessing and in that blessing he said that I would not get any more boils. He also said that i should find a new job (random- since that had nothing to do the healing blessing and I wasn't looking for a new job) we were both shocked by the job thing. It was an amazing blessing because... I haven't gotten a boil since, and within a week of that blessing I had a job working at Church Headquarters. It was a life changing blessing for me. I am seeing that more and more right now. Well... anyway...
So... for the last 4 days I have this "sore" that keeps getting bigger and more and more painful and I kept telling myself that it wasn't a boil because, ya know, I have faith, but it hurts so bad that yesterday at work I think tryin to work through the pain started to make me feel sick-literally. My body started to ache and my back hurt, etc. So... I stopped by the clinic on my way home and guess what? It's a boil and it's so far along it had to be lanced; which means they hadto give me a shot, in the thing to numb it, and cut it open and stuff gauze in it. I have to go in to the dr for the next 2 days to re-pack it. More shots, more gauze. I didn't know how to take it cause of the blessing. BUT... I still know God loves me and is helping me and I'm grateful I haven't gotten one for at least 3 years. I'll tell you what, I only get one of these suckerls at a time and it is the most pain I've ever felt in my life, but Job had them all over his body. How he survived that is beyond me. I have a new love and respect for him.
Okay... here's the funny part of the story. As I get to the clinic I call- from the parking lot- to see if they can see me. They can, so I go to get out of my car and lock it. I hit the lock button, it locks then automatically unlocks. I hit it again, it locks/unlocks. I hit it again- HARDER with a sigh. Lock/Unlock. At this point I say out loud, and a little annoyed "REALLY?" Then I proceed to treat the thing as a machine gun (hitting it over and over again fast) to get it to function correctly (I know... never smart- my Dad would be so disappointed of my mistreatment of the door) and it still won't cooperate. I then pause... Wait.... what is that noise in the background? It's the spirit in the form of my car "you left your keys in the ignition" alarm sounding. Hmmm... poor door was only trying to keep me from locking my keys in the car. LOL. I sat there and laughed for a second and took them out. I'm sure the Lord was like... "Tsk, tsk, tsk... really? I'm trying to help you out but you ARE IGNORING ME AND FREAKING OUT LIKE A MAJOR DRAMA QUEEN!" Man... what a dummy ;).

Cutest Quote EVER!!!

2010-10-22T12:42:00.001-07:00

I saw this on a sign at Deseret Book and I loved it...

"You know that you are in love, when you cannot fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." ~Dr. Suess

How cute is that? SOOOO CUTE!!!! One day... that sign will hang in my house.

Ever have a day like this?

2010-10-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like you lost the spirit in your life and no matter what you do you can't get it back? But then, you wake up and you ride the bus in the morning and you feel peace? And you haven't felt peace in a while and you realize that something is right about all this. Then you go to work and you get the privelge of sitting in on a meeting between all of your female co-workers and mediate because there is so much estrogen floating around that everyone might just suffocate because of it. So you sit and listen to them express their "feelings and concerns" and pray over and over again in your head to Heavenly Father (who you haven't really felt much in your life as of lately) to help you to know what to say to balance out the emotions and do the right thing to help everyone feel the spirit. And then it comes to you, and you contribute your thoughts and personal experiences from your life and you are able to touch someone else's life for the better and you realize "hey... the Lord used me right there. Maybe I'm not so bad." And then you think... (deep breath...) maybe I AM on the right track. And then you sit in a one on one with your boss (who's a man) and talk to him about goals and things just start coming to your mind and he (this man who you admire who is a Bishop and one of the kindest men you know) says to you that he feels the spirit and is grateful that you can feel the spirit to be able to mediate and help the group as a whole, and then you think... "what just happened?" And you feel the Love of the Lord. And it's amazing. And you think... YES... this is right and I am okay. And I have made correct/right decisions in my life and you feel peace about them. ALOT OF PEACE, and you tell the Lord again and again how much you love him and how much you have missed him, and it's as if you feel his arms around you, and it's great. And you know everything will be okay and everything will work out.
That has been my day so far.

Funny Faces

2010-10-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to take pictures while laying on the trampoline. Kinda fuzzy...

My Private Life

2010-10-10T05:35:00.000-07:00

So... I never thought I'd do this, well... I never really wanted to, but the time has come and I feel like it's not only a good thing for me, but the right thing for me, SOOOOO... I'm going to go private with my blog. You know how you just sail upon a day when you are nervous to post something because you don't know who is reading it? That's me. I know there are people out there that are good nice people that read my blog so if you want me to add you so you can continue, please let me know. Please post on my blog with your email so I can add you all. I have no idea how to go private, but I'll figure it out. Love you all!!!

Splish Splash

2010-09-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Nic and I wanted to get out of the house, mostly because the kids were being... Well... Kids. A friend of mine had told me there was a splash park in South Santaquin so we set out to find it. And we did. Here are some of the 130 pictures we took.

See all of the posts had buttons on them, and when you push them water sprays out of them. So pretty much, you push and run, it's like running through giant sprinklers, it was so much fun!

Okay, this needs explanation cause it was SOOOOO funny. The only downfall of this park is that there was a swarm of wasps on the playground. It was awful. You can't really see them in this picture. Nic is trying with everything to get Alex to come down off this thing but he is intrigued by the wasps and keeps trying to touch them saying "Bee. Bee." and Nic is saying "Alex, you're killing me here."

This is the funniest picture... LOL

Only Keili!!! This post shoots mist out of the 3 pipes. Miley and Keili were fascinated by it. Of course just feeling it fall on you wasn't enough for Keili... she had to touch it.

Doing summersalts down the hill. Keili was too afraid to back summersalt so I went and did one to show her. The conclusion from that experience was 3 fold... 1. It was a lot easier to do than I anticipated. 2. I am freaking old. 3. I'm glad Nic was nice enough not to shoot a picture.

Keili did summersalts all the way down the hill then back up the hill. Man, to be young again...

Miley ended the trip quite nicely. She is such a good girl, she was the easiet of Nic's kids to potty train, she took to it so well. And don't you worry, she rarely pee's in her pants, instead, she just drops her pants and pee's where's she's at. (Notice the wet spot on the sidewalk around the corner from her?- Yep... pee!) This is her pulling up her pants. I was laughing and said to Nic, "Well... at least she doesn't pee in her pants- that's potty trained, right?"

Grandpa V

2010-09-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

On my way up to the family reunion I stopped at this little place on main street in Santaquin. It's called Grandpa V's and Grandpa V sells fruit and produce out of his garage thingy. Well, I needed some apples to take camping so I stopped. It was a cute place. There were two old men sitting in there by a table.

I selected my apples and went up to pay. There was a man paying in front of me. When Grandpa V finished helping him I put my bag on the table. Grandpa V turned around to walk away, so his friend sitting by him told him I was waiting. So he kind of chuckled and turned around. He was so cute and so old. We're talking like 80 probably. He said "Well... I don't always see the prettiest girls." I was like... AWE... how sweet is he? SO SWEET!!! Totally made my day. An old man isn't going lie, right? He asked me what kind of apples I had. I told him. And he said it would be $3. I held out a 5 dollar bill. He didn't take it. I was confused. Then it hit me. What the... He's totally blind. HE WAS TOTALLY BLIND!!!! LOL!!!! But, regardless, it still made me feel good for him say I was one of the prettiest girls.

Family Reunion

2010-09-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

Over labor day weekend my wonderful family on my Mom's side had our family reunion. I look forward to this event every year. We went camping up Payson canyon, which I have fallen in love with. I love Payson canyon. Anyway... it was sad that the Keel family couldn't all come and stay. It was also sad that memebers of the Ison family couldn't come as well, but it was still a lot of fun. And... we got to see LINDSEY!!! I haven't seen her in years. She was so much fun to be around. Okay... I just posted pics so I will try to tell about most of them. This man was riding by our camp and stopped with his horse to let all the kids ride. How sweet!!!! I love that there are truly giving, charitable people left in this world. The kids were in heaven.

Dave is an avid bike rider. He crashed though. And really hurt his shoulder. This is him with an ice pack on his shoulder. I just loved how funny he looked, so I thought I would exploit him.

Typical campin' kid face.

This is Holly and Lindsey, my two awesome cousins. They really were fun to play games with and joke around with.

We took a trip down to the cute little lake. Here are the kids playing.

Before leaving the lake we were all up getting in vehicles and Travis couldn't find Jared. We were looking around. You probably can't pick him out in this picture, but Nic said "There he is... clear down by the water." LOL...

In his diaper. LOL... Oh my heck.. this was funny!

My aunt Joni is the best at the kid activities. Here she covered the table with wrapping paper and let the kids color on it. They loved it.

We played Minute to Win It. SO. MUCH. FUN!

Here are Travis and Jeremy trying to hit a ball back and forth with my Dad's flippers and get to the end of the line. FUNNY!!! If they dropped it, they had to go back and start over.

Davey trying to keep the marble on the table and get all the way to the end of the table.

I was nominated to do the pencil one where you hold your hand out palm down and 4 pencils are stacked on the top of your hand and you have try to catch them without they flying everywhere, if you do, you get more. I did okay, I didin't get them all, but I ended up with 8 pencils by time the minute was up. It was better than the other team, so that's all that matters, right? (smile)

Mindy and Jennifer racing to empty the kleenex box first. Mindy won! She was on my time.... GO MINDY!!!

Aunt Julie and Lindsey trying to get an oreo from their forehead to their mouth only using their facial muscles. LOL... this was hilarious.

Jared was helping Grandma... he totally took it off her face and put it in her mouth. Cute.

Nic and Lacey were tossing marshmallows. Lacey tossed, and Nic had to catch them and put a new cup on top. They were silly.

Dave and my mom were challenging them on that game.

I am so shocked my Dad actually did this. He's a champ. They had to stack blocks on the plate on their head and not them fall over.

Jeremey and I racing to get the red cup to the top. You had to switch hands while doing this. Anyone who knows me knows I hate to lose. I'm not a sore loser, but I really like to cheer when I win. REALLY like to cheer! Let's just say.... I totally won, and I totally cheered.

Nic and Lacey and Dave and Travis raced to see who get three marshmallows in their cup that was on top of their head. LOL... Seriously... JOni is a genius. This was SO. Much. Fun!!!!

The team that won got the prize. Here they are opening it. Joni said it was something only a Jarman would love. (It was the Jarman reunion)

It was a Jar-Man. She is so silly. We all laughed.

We turn around, the kids, of course, are sitting playing in the fire. Of. COURSE. THEY. ARE.

It was so cold on Sunday night, I was so bundled up. I was worried I would freeze. I didin't, but it was so blasted cold.

The Almost Tub

2010-08-31T06:11:00.000-07:00

So... GUESS WHAT???? I HAVE AN ALMOST BATHTUB!!!!

It's true. It has running water, and the water drains (except for the shower head, that will come next time). I just can't believe that I have a tub. This may seem silly to you, but you have NO IDEA how long I have waited for just a simple tub. Of. My. Own. My friend Tayler the builder came down on Saturday and installed it for us. And now I pretty much owe him the world. Oh my heck... it was the best thing ever. It was as great as going to pick Rustin up from his mission after having him gone for 2 years. After Tayler left I went downstairs and just looked at it. And my eyes watered up, it was so exciting for me. You don't understand...I have been waiting for this for over a year. That night... periodically, like a crazy person, I kept going and opening the door, turning on the light and looking at it. If tubs could talk, I'm sure mine would say "Alright already! Do you think I'm gonna grow legs and walk away?" I just couldn't help myself, I wanted to keep checking on it. Haven't you ever gotten something that you were just dying to have and when you finally get it you can't leave it alone? That was this for me. Nic even told me that night that she hasn't seen me this happy in a long time. Nic has been great, she has tried so hard to get me in there, she is an amazing sister. I love her to death.

Sunday I cleaned the tub, with real bathtub cleaner. I have never been so excited to clean a tub in all my life. Then I dried it. Looked at it some more. Then I went in on my bed to read my scriptures and all I could think about was how I had a tub (I know, I'm pathetic). I couldn't focus on what I was reading. So... I got up and took my scriptures and my patriarchal blessing with me and I sat in my tub and read them. LOL. Not even joking. It was great. I just wanted you all to see it, cause it's awesome.

And this is how excited I am about my BRAND NEW ALMOST TUB!!!

We Share Everything

2010-08-09T10:30:00.001-07:00

Okay... so many of you know that I teach the 4 and 5 year olds in primary. I love this calling, it is quite an adventure every sunday. (I was recently given a new calling though) SO... yesterday I was teaching the kids about "Letting our Lights Shine", which... I challenge you to try to teach THAT concept to a 5 year old. It's not easy. It was a merry-go-round. They just weren't getting it. They thought everything from being superhero's to using a flashlight. I tried to explain to them the scripture in the bible where the savior taught to let your light shine and not to hide it under a bushel. I asked if they had ever heard anyone say that or talk about someone's "light shining"? One girl said "Yeah, on T.V." I was like "Um.. No, we are not superhero's. We don't REALLY shine." I also asked them (after reviewing again what Jesus taught) how we can let our light shine for other people. A boy said "We can hold a flashlight." I was like, "Okay, let's go over this again." Anyway... it was pure entertainment trying to get them to grasp this idea. I settled on going for the "When you do things that make other people feel good and feel happy you are letting your light shine. When you stand up for what you believe you are letting your light shine." They kind of got it. SO... I do this thing with my class where I bring a children's book in to read to them that I can liken to the lesson. It's a hit and they love and they "get it" everytime. I always read the book first to make sure I know how to liken it perfectly. Well yesterday I forgot to read it and while in class I pull out the book We Share Everything. I thought... Sharing=Letting your light shine- in a way. I can totally use this book. So... they sit in a circle on the floor and I begin. This is a fun book. It is about Kindergarten- they are all starting kindergarten- PERFECT! So, I begin to read, it's about this boy and this girl who fight over EVERYTHING in class. All the toys and everytime the teacher comes up and tells them that "This is Kindergarten. In Kindergarten WE SHARE EVERYTHING", and they say "Ok, ok, ok, ok, ok... and they go on to the next toy to of course fight over it and so goes the teacher again. Everytime the boy and girl in the book would fight I would say "Hmm... is he letting his light shine?" and of course they would say "NO!!!!!" and I would say "Yeah, they're covering it up!" and they'd agree. It was going great! Anyway... this cycle goes on about 4 times in the book when FINALLY the boy and girl (in the book) get it and they begin to share. They first start to share their shoes. The boy puts on her pink shoes and is so excited. It was great, UNTIL... I turn the page and they start sharing THEIR CLOTHES!!!!! I was like... What in the.... I thought... what do I do, I can't turn back now, they are LOVING this book. But... we don't share clothes! That is NAUGHTY!!! That is definitely NOT letting your light shine. WORST TEACHER EVER!!!! LOL! Oh my heck... after the book was over I was like, "Are we supposed to share our clothes?" and they say "NO!!!" and I was like "NO! We aren't. They were just trying to be funny in the book. But it's not funny to share out clothes." Oh man! The one time I don't pre-read the book and I teach them to share clothes... WITH A BOY!!!! Not exactly a success story.

One Adventure After Another

2010-08-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

**Disclaimer** I'm running on Nyquil right now... so if I post something that sounds a little wacky... that could be why, but I have been wanting to get this posted. Sorry.

So we all went camping a couple weekends ago. We went up Payson canyon. I have never been up Payson canyon but it was so amazing. When I got up there Rob and Mindy wanted me to go on a hike with them to find Lizard Lake. I went...

Rob of course (captain preparation) brought his compass and GPS. He frequently used it. He was teaching Mindy. I was never the teachable type, so I took pictures. Plus... I figured they had it covered. I guess it's not that I'm not teachable, but more that I don't ever plan to be out in the woods alone because I am afraid of wild beasts dragging me off and devouring me like a juicy double cheeseburger and I'm not a juicy double cheeseburger, I'm more of a chocolate sundae, soooo... I'll always just make sure I have someone with me that is more of a juicy cheeseburger type. That way, when Mr Bear is eating his main course, his dessert can run for the hills. Or call 911, which I HAVE been known to do.
Once they confirmed we were on track, which the big wooden sign with Lizard Lake and an arrow was my first clue... but then again, I'm not the boy scout... we ventured off... I tried to get the beautiful forest behind me... Hmm... all you get is my head and some grass mixed in dirt....

As we start off again, there are some cows blocking our path. Rob enlists himself to "scare them away", which involved him running and yelling while flailing his arms. I know... missed photo op. The cows moved a smidge, and slowly at that, while staring us down. It was as if they were saying.... "Screw you Bozo. Try anything and I'll romp you to death". I snapped pictures of their faces as I walked by, but I guess I didn't upload them from my camera. As I run to catch up with Rob and Mindy, and secretly I was afraid of the cows, I say to Mindy "So.... do you think Rob scared them away or just pissed them off? Cause I'm bettin' on the second. I think they want to kill us. They're back there plotting our death right now."Oh... Rob is running in this one... LOL!!!
This hike was about 3 miles I think.
Dunt..dah...dah...dah... LIZARD LAKE!!! Wait... where's the water? Yeah, my thoughts exactly...
There it is... you have get closer. Although.. this I would safely say is more like a wallow than a lake... BUT...I'm no wildlife biologist or anything.
It is home to none other than a herd of.... Wait for it....wait for it.... ELK!!! Yep... those are elk prints. And I kept saying that I was SURE that there were Moose that lived her as well. FOR SURE...
Sure enough.... right behind us is this tree stand. I wanted to climb up it but there were only nails for steps and I could see the end of that adventure and it involved me and mud in my face and up my nose.. I passed.
Here is a view from the top of the mountain. This is overlooking Utah lake... it was beautiful.
Dad built the kids a swing, he's such a great Grandpa. Not "Great" as in OLD, but Great, as in good- just to clarify.
Davey swinging...
Abby swinging...

Of course... Keili breaks the mold...My Dad brought his old bow, which is an antique. That sucker was used by my Grandpa when he was little. I shot it a few times- of course I rocked the house, but I burned my arm doing it. Hmmm... the price you pay for greatness I guess.
The kids loved to shoot it as well... I think these pictures are cute... My Dad just eats this crap up. He loves to play with the kids and teach them these types of things...
Case in point... Although, if you knew Alex, the last thing this kid needs is to learn to use another weapon... He is definitely a boy, this kid... and a bully at that. He can hold his own. He can take down Davey if wants to.
We hiked the Grotto hike. It was an easy hike and so beautiful. Don't ask me what Davey is doing. Having a seizure? Summoning the Gods? Throwing a gang sign... I have no idea.
Can you please look at Alex... I guess there was something on his shoe.. The picture after this one, which I didn't add... he was on his bum...
There were a few make-shift bridges like this one we had to cross.
Then at the end you reach a waterfall and small pool. The kids were in heaven.

We also went swimming in one of the lakes, it was cold, but eventually we all made it in. It might have taken me a few minutes to muster up the strength to just take the plunge- but it happened.
After swimming, we all dry off with a towel and plan to finish drying on the ride home, we are waiting at the truck for my Dad to come out of the restroom and I look over and literally my jaw drops and I say "ARE YOU SERIOUS? Look at him!!!" then I immediately run to the cab of the truck to get my camera because this is one of those "DON'T MISS" moments you have to capture on camera. My Dad, ladies and gentlemen... the cowboy. I told him the only thing that would have made this better was if he would have been wearing his cowboy hat. He tells us "Gosh, I started to put it on and thought... Man, I hope this fits, it's a little tight." I said "UH... Dad, that's beyond tight... that's like, Don't bend over or your seams will pop". He of course was laughing right along with all of us. Apparently he didn't want to ride back in his swim suit and he said this was all he could find in his truck to wear. We all dried on the way back, well all of us except Mr. "this outfit I had in junior high"...
LOL!!! Oh my heck Rustin, I hope you are seeing this.
Anyway... so after that we ate and I headed back home because I had to work the next day. This is a picture I took while driving down Santaquin canyon, it was so beautiful. I was totally snapping pictures while driving when I came upon a couple obstacles...
REALLY????? See the last cow with the white head. When I drove by, that sucker stopped walking and full on stared me down as I passed. I think the devil was inside that cow... it was creepy. I thought to my self... bring it cow!!!!... I'll run you down and I don't care how much my insurance goes up!!!
Last month my sister Misty and her family came in from Alabama. It was so much fun, we went to the zoo and just hung out. Here are some pictures from that time....
The kids, watching Zuri... their favorite part... (the baby elephant)
This is my sister Misty and her husband Brad is in the red. Sam is in the stroller, but I like to call him "Sam I Am", that's his nickname from Aunt Tahnee.
I love taking pictures of Sariah, all you have to do is point the camera in her direction and strikes a pose...
We all decided to tap into our inner child and ride the train. I was lucky enough to sit beside these two cuties...
They LOVED the train, to say the least... look how excited Sariah is. She is actually looking at me but I am holding the camera away. I was trying to get myself in the picture with them... hmmm... not exactly a success story.
Sarabeth with my Dad. I have to take this opportunity to tell you that Sarabeth... Uhem (clearing throat) ADORED her aunt Tahnee... heck yes she did. Misty was always come up to me and telling me Sarabeth wanted to walk with me. CUTE!!!! I thought this was a cute picture of Dad and Sarabeth, they haven't even seen in each other in like over a year... AWE...

The AMAZING bird show. This was so cool. The best part of the zoo.
I let Sariah and Bubba ride the carousel. Bubba wanted to ride the Ape so bad, but someone beat him to it. Here is the beauty of a 3 year old... they will believe you when you tell them that arangatangs are just as cool as apes, if you say it in a super excited cheerleadery way.

We come out of the Ape house and we can't find Miley... we look around the corner... There she is.... Measuring up.
I LOVE this picture. I love it because look at Sariah and Keili. Both posers for pictures, the rest of the kids are not even ready, but OH... don't you worry.... the girls are on it!!!
Back at home we had a BBQ and played some games. Sarabeth got to ride Keili's four wheeler. She hadn't ever riden one before. She loved it.

It was so good to see Misty and her cute family.. tons of fun!!!

I have a dream....

2010-06-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

Last month Sarah (my spectacular sister in law) and I embarked on an amazing dream we both have had for a very long time. Sarah has probably been dreaming of it longer than myself.. but eh... who's keeping track :). For the longest time I have always wanted to go to D.C. to tour the Holocaust museum. Some may think this is kind of masochist, but I have always been intrigued by the Holocaust. I struggled to find someone who wanted to come with me. Well, back in November as Sarah and I were playing a game with the family we discovered that each other had the same "dream". See... Sarah has also always wanted to tour the museum. We started our planning process. It has been quite exciting.

Okay... so we wrote down some funny things that happened on the trip. If you EVER go on a trip, I totally recommend this. I wish we would have wrote down more. I wish I would have wrote a journal every night, but we were plum tired at the end of... well... every day. It's my only regret. Here is our trip and some of the funny things:

There is the Office Rustin Factor: Okay... so, being the unmarried sibling in the family, I have to tell that it was so nice to have someone give me "the talk" (no birds, no bees... all do this and I'll be ticked) because we were going to "the big city", or at least one of them. So... first of all... Rustin and Sarah came to pick me up cause my Mom was going to watch his kids while Sarah and I were gone so he could work. It was like 3 whole days went by as I waited for them to get there. Stupid traffic. It was killing me. There was pacing... clock watching... "REALLY?" phone calls to Rustin... maybe a "Where are you? Seriously?" phone call there at the end. OKay, so they pick me up and we are on our way to the airport... ENTER- "the talk" conversation. Which really wasn't a conversation unless you can count all my sarcastic interruptions followed by Rustin's deep breaths before moving on to the next item on his "things NOT to do" list. This list... was so funny, here are a few examples: (these might not be word for word... but you get the idea)...
"IF... someone on the airplane does ANYTHING that even looks remotely suspicious... You tell the flight attendant there is a terrorist on board."
"IF someone sits down by you on the airplane and i wearing a turbin, you ask the if they are a terrorist." (I think SOMEONE has terrorist phobia- just sayin')
"DO NOT look like a tourist!"
"IF a strange man comes up and starts talking to you, start a conversation amongst yourself about how your husbands are training to be UFC's" (THIS... may have become the butt of a couple jokes on the trip, not to mention the beginnings of a couple conversations- during this post... as I remember them... I will refer them as "ORF jokes" so stay tuned). I wish I could remember all of the items on his list cause it was CLASSIC!!! BUt... I don't. Sorry. If you know Rustin, I'm sure you could invision what that conversation was like... and why I was making jokes and laughing my head off.

I bought a new suitcase. I should have taken a picture, but on the trip Sarah and I determined it was zebra print, but tan and brown, it is amazing and I fell in love with it. Stood out like a sore thumb... and I'm sure there was mocking as the suitcase regurgitation machine at the airport spat it out.... But it was amazing.

While we were on the airplane (which was leaking on me by the way- YES.. dripping. Water. On. My. Head.) we encountered some things that to this day... make us die with laughter, they are as follows:
A man... with a "suspicious notebook, was... yep... taking notes" (ORF joke)
"Tahnee... GET OVER HERE AND SMASH ME!!!" - As we were flying over Washington, at night, we were mesmerized by the beauty of the lights. Because I always try to be like Jesus, I let Sarah sit by the window. The flight attendant had already told us to fasten our seatbelts and pepare to land. I couldn't. Sorry. After they would walk by... I unbuckled and scooted over by Sarah to see out the window too. Then when they would come by, I had to put it back on. Then when they were gone... back off. Off. On. Off. On... I was trying not to crowd Sarah and finally she said this.
Next, as we were about to land in D.C. they get on the intercom and announce "Welcome to Washington D.C. If you are coming home, welcome home. If you are here on business, I hope everything went well. If you are here on vacation, I hope everything goes safely." What the.... Sarah and I immediately look at each other with big bug eyes. UH... how 'bout how everyone else gets a happy go lucky greeting, but you tourists... WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT HOME ALIVE!!!
As we are in the aisle waiting for boarder traffic the man in front of me was a soldier, he pulls up his shirt (I didn't really mind) and began showing the pilot (and although he didnt' realize it, Sarah and I) his battle scars. He took like 2 rounds in the gut. WHAT?! Sarah and I look at each other.. in awe. Well... shock and awe.
Sarah and I realized early on we have something in common.... we are both people watchers. Inside the airport in D.C. and are waiting for our luggage and notice two ladies, that looked like a Mom and Daughter waiting anxiously, tearfully, for someone to come out of the gate. They clearly were late as they were asking airport employees at the counter and pacing back and forth. We were both intrigued. I"m pretty sure the adult Tahnee came out of herself and reverted back to child Tahnee as I started staring at perfect strangers. We decided that the younger lady was waiting for the love of her life (the soldier who took 2 rounds in the gut) and was anxious for him to get there (yeah.. I know... too many chick flicks). We seriously were overtaken by it. I mean a terrorist who may or may not have been on our plane could have bombed the luggage terminal and we would have missed it. (ORF rule) COMPLETELY. RULES.. many, many rules broken! After some time her party arrived... much to our dismay... it was two girls. DANG IT! But when they united the one waiting hugged so hard and fast it knocked the both to the ground, SO... there's that! With a sigh of disappointment,we walk over to wait for our luggage. After getting that we make our way to the line of people waiting for a cab. We were both a little nervous. It was my first time in a cab, but what other choice did we have? The Metro... heck NO! It was like 11pm at night. Can you say 'Hello death, Come on in?' So finally our cab arrives. Um.. right after the cab that had a driver that was wearing a turbin. Yeah. We both looked at each other, but don't say a word cause let's face.... Really, not every arabic person is a terrorist. We get in... we don't say a word... the entire trip to the hotel. AND... there were parts that were pretty scary. He'd get off the freeway and it looked like, in the words of Sarah, "he was taking us to his lair". Scary. Then (and I attribute this to sending a country girl to the city) I stiffed him, didn't give him a tip- I had no idea you tipped a cab driver. I just paid him what he asked for. Ooops. And... he even lifted the big o'l brown and tan zebra in the trunk for me (my suitcase... remember? Geez... keep up!) But the good news is.. he wasn't a terrorist (that was the cab before us-phew ... dodged that bullet). Then we get to the hotel and are STARVING. We get something from the "Pavillion Pantry" in the hotel, which literally looked like a pantry. We struggled to find something that we could eat. It didn't help that the employee behind the desk was of no help and I feel comfortable saying he was even a bit ornery. Sarah needed a spoon for her microwave soup and the man tells me there should be some over there, I go look. I say "There aren't any spoons". His reply, " " Oh yeah... it was NOTHING! He said nothing. So I tell her she can use the itty bitty spoon in my tuna and cracker pouch thingy. Or, she can use one of the forks. Still he says NOTHING! He then finishes ringing us up, we are a little giddy too... it's late, we're hungry, we're in D.C. Girls get silly at night, he walks around the counter, we think he is just leaving so we go to leave and he goes over to the cafe' area and picks up a spoon and hands it to Sarah. Still... no words. None. Weird. Of course we thank him while wearing our faces of shock. Anyway... that was day 1.

We get up the next morning bright and early. We wake up to our annoying alarm. I say annoying because the alarm was a soft whisper in my ear.... CREEPY!!! Sarah goes "Hey Tahn... are you taking a shower?" I said "No (groggily) I'm laying here. In my bed. My body won't get up. Ready. Set. Go."-Nothin'. I was so tired. Burn me at the stake. Now... I have to mention that my bed... HAD NO FITTED SHEET! None. Oh... Sarah's did... but mine.. DID NOT! It had a flat sheet on top of a flat sheet. See... I'm an adjuster at night. A LOT. So tell me that that not-so-fitted fitted sheet stayed in place. Yeah. Right. I only mentioned it a few times (we were only there a few days).
We get up... actually I had to draw the curtains on Sarah (you know... you let here see the happy sunlight in her face) and announce extra cheerfully and perky "WAKEY WAKEY!!!". Ha ha.... One thing I miss about our trip is our morning ritual. The pump you up morning music. Amazing! I think I was singing "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi for days after the trip. Of course I had to let Lee DeWyze sing to me as well. If he didn't, I mentioned it to Sarah during the day, I'd say "Well, this is what happens when Lee doesn't sing to me in the morning!" Anyway... once we were up and ready we ate breakfast and headed to Holocaust Museum... We took the Metro (subway). We walk to it from the hotel (because of course... the "complimentary shuttle" is MIA) and find this sketchy elevator that looked like some homeless guys bedroom, a bit risky, but... we took it down (ORF rule broken)...
THIS... is what we came upon....

Shoot... Where's Batman when you need him. This is his lair, isn't it? Really... he can take me captive anyday, especially if he does push ups for me every morning from a standing position (Batman Begins). Just sayin'...
NO ONE TO BE SEEN... CREEPY!!! No one was around. We were slightly, okay, maybe incredibly scared. I kept taking pictures and I think Sarah was like... COME ON BEFORE WE MEET OUR DEATH!!!!

See... still no one! (you can play the twilight zone theme in your head if you want... I'm pretty sure I did).
We made is safely on the Metro... and so did Batman....
We rode to the Smithsonian... Here is Batman at the Department of Agriculture.. oh... and Sarah too. This was for my agriculture lovin' brother.
This building... the frickin' Department of Agriculture was taunting us THE WHOLE TRIP... we couldn't get away from this sucker. I don't even remember how many times we passed it... but it was alot. It was as if Rustin was with us... (not that that would have been a bad thing)
DUNT..DUNT... DUH... DUH... There it is... the Holocaust Museum. We're there... years and years of waiting. Years and years of anticipation, WONDERING if we'll ever really get to see it. And here is it. Tear. Sniff, sniff. Tear. Okay.. a bit dramatic, but it was special. 7+ hours special. And... I'm not ashamed to admit it.
ANd of course... we couldn't leave Batman...
This is such a super cute picture of Sarah... It makes me smile.
Sarah and I after going through the Museum... (BTW... stay tuned to Sarah's blog for a HILARIOUS picture after this picture- HILARIOUS!!!) I could write a whole post about this one experience. It was more than I even imagined. I learned so much and felt the spirit so much in there. Oh. Man. I was talking about this for weeks after. Sarah.... I love you for sharing this experience with me. UNFORGETTABLE. I could have done without the rude and inconsiderate school students. What ever happened to teaching children (high school children at that) to have respect for others? It's uncommon... and that is sad. We totally got kicked out... who knew the museum closes at 5? Clearly not us. But we read EVERYTHING and watched EVERYTHING. We totally bypassed the rain this day, I might point out. See what great things happen when you spend the entire day having such an amazing spiritual experience.
I have to tell you now something that was not in our plans... EVERYTHING in D.C. closes at 5-5:30pm. Seriously? So... we took photos of what we would get to see tomorrow. Also. There is no where to eat in D.C. No joke. People go running because they have to put on muscle so there body has something to eat during the day. Well... there is food. If you want to eat at their sketchy roll away hot dog stand. WE... did not!
So we walk around the area our hotel is in (by Arlington Cemetery, kind of- oh, and ORF rule) and find a few places but settle on Boston Market. One word...YUM!!!!! P.S. this picture of Sarah is SO MUCH CUTER than the picture she has of me shoving food in my face after a day of eating.... well, nothing since 8am. I'm not a graceful shover-in-er. Sarah is.

Then that night, a friend of mine, Rob Taggart (we like to call him Taggart) who lives in D.C. wanted to get together, so he came and got us at our hotel and took us on a nighttime tour of D.C. We first went to the White house. We parked and walked around it.
BTW... I didn't add my picture of me and Sarah, but she has a cute one... and I have to add, she has like 10 (that might be a slight exaggeration) and he is MY FRIEND. What the... I got one...
This is a little pioneery looking house on the corner of the white house grounds, apparently it is actually an escape off the grounds... if need be.
Washington Monument at night.
We saw other things, like maybe Sarah will post a picture of the Capital building she took from the car. And then maybe she will post a picture of that unmarked van that started following us, AFTER she took a picture of the capital building. At night. From a car window. Without stopping. Which apparently is a big NO NO. Anyway.. it was an awesome tour and Taggart is awesome for taking us on it. It was so good to see him. Like a complete idiot, I didn't even take a picture with him. That is one of the disappointments from my trip. Sad. There were some Taggart funnies though. Like: Asking him where people buy food, you know, so we can buy some as well and make use of our handy fridge in our room, and Sarah asking where a Wal-Mart was, to which he laughed his head off. As if to say they were too good for WAL-MART. At one point, we tell him about the people watching in the airport and how we had made up this whole story about a reunited romance and he tells us that there is no romance in D.C. He said (and I can't remember this quote exactly but Sarah will post it on her blog it was something like) "In D.C. we are spread out, not on top of each other like New York", Sarah and I bust up laughing. It took Taggart a minute to get what we were laughing at. He then giggles and says "Gosh, you bring two mormon girls in the city and they turn dirty." LOL.. It was so funny. Then I ask him if you have to pay the Cab driver a tip. To which he turns to me, looks (with a face like... ARE YOU FOR REAL?) and says... "Please tell me you tipped the Cab driver?" to which I directly reply with puppy dog eyes and said... "uh... No. (pause + more puppy dog eyes) Stiffed him!" He was, let's just say... at tad bit shocked. I was like "WELL (yes, large letters for affect, cause I was loud) THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BRING A COUNTRY GIRL TO THE BIG CITY! I DIDN"T KNOW!" LOL! Then, in my defense... I tried to come up with ways to get in touch with the guy. I even still remember his cab #. 1617. Taggart is funny, I seriously love that guy. He has a way of making me so feel good about myself. He always tells me how beautiful he thinks I am, and how amazing he thinks I am. I of course use my sarcasm on him to get him to laugh, but he is so nice and it was so good to see him and get a patented "Taggart hug". Taggart and I sat in the car and talked for a really long time. So it was at late night. When I make my way to the room I knock cause Sarah locked the door and I press my eye right up to the peep hole (knowing she'll look) to which I hear a loud giggle. See... I"m laughing now just remembering it. Funny.

The next morning we go out on another adventure. THis day... the Metro was CRAM PACKED! I'm pretty the girl sitting next to me LOVED my arm invading her personal space as I jutted it in between her and the guy next to her. I didn't care, I wasn't going to be falling all over the dang train. Poor Sarah had to "reach for the stars" as she grabbed the pole on the ceiling. Once people got off and we could move a little we were able to grab our own pole, to which Sarah said, and I qoute "I was all over that pole" LOL!!!!! The funniest thing about the Metro is that there is practially no room to breath and apparently no room to talk either. Seriously... it's so awkward, it's so silent in there you could honestly hear a pin drop. They had the funniest posters in there sometimes. The thing is... they aren't trying to be funny, they just are. Like for example one said this "We do not build ships", well... thanks for letting us know because we were wondering if we would get to witness the ship building that happens on the subway.
I just accidentally deleted a really great picture of the Lincoln Memorial that was supposed to be next, but don't want to take the time to insert it back in. I'll insert it after this post. Sorry.
First we saw the Lincoln Memorial. Who knew that to actually ride up to the top of the thing you have to get there early to get a ticket. Not. Us.
We toured the Monuments and Memorials.
Oh... and Batman saving the day.

The World War 2 memorial was awesome! I loved it.

How beautiful is this city. VERY! This is the path to the Lincoln Memorial from the WW2 Memorial.
The Jenny Pool.
We took the road less traveled. This was awesome. There were tons of geese. I love geese. They are my favorite bird. I wanted Sarah to take my picture in the middle of the geese. She didn't want to, but finally said. Okay... I'll take you picture in the geese if you take a picture a picture of the geese poo.
DONE!!!
THere was all this poo on the side of the Jenny Pool (reflecting pool) and at first we had seen a duck swimming in the pool and thought maybe it was duck poo, but it was a bit too large to come out a... well, you know. Once we saw the geese, we determined it was geese poo.
As we were walking this trail, these two little boys pass by us, the one says to the other "Hey... you wanna race? Oh wait... you have asthma... NEVERMIND!" It was so funny. Sarah says this statement so well, she gets the accent perfectly. It's hilarious. If you know her and are reading this... next time you see her, ask her to say it. She loves it. The little kid was black and probably southern so you can imagine the accent. So. Cute.
Then we visited Lincoln. And this is not a fat joke, but... he's huge! Sarah was hoping to stick Batman on Lincoln's knee. This is actually a Taggart funny as she told him that, he laughed and told us how huge Lincoln actually is. We didn't know. They don't show you scale in the movies or in pictures. Geez!!!
Batman didn't get on his knee. Or anywhere close to it for that matter. I might have paid Sarah money to try though. Then....
"I have a dream...."
Okay, I have many dreams, but Martin Luther King had a dream, right in this very spot I am taking the picture from. I am standing where he stood. Exactly. Well, as "exactly" as whoever decided this was exactly where he stood, decided he was. But how cool is this? VERY!
Heading to the Korean War Memorial. My Dad fought in Korea. It's not the best memories for him, but I feel proud of him for doing it.

After this we walked over to the Arlington Cemetery. We crossed the bridge over the Potomac. It was beautiful. I love water. I love large bodies of water. They are the only large bodies I think are beautiful. AND.. the larger the better. Oh, if only we could be like water.

We took a tour of the cemetery, which proved to be awesome because we learned so much we would not have been able to learn. I just thought it was beautiful. There are SO MANY headstones. And all perfectly aligned. Craziest thing.

There are bodies from all the wars in here. All of them.

Then we stopped at the Changing of the Guard. This is cool. If you don't know this story, then here you go. There is a body of a soldier that was found, but not able to be identified in this tomb. So, everyday, all day, there is a guard that paces in front of the tomb. They periodically change, every so many minutes ( I can't remember now how many minutes, but it's not a lot). It's a special ceremony. And people, schools, or organizations can present a wreath, which is also a very intrinsic ceremony. It's very serious and very special. And for me... VERY SPIRITUAL. I cried when I watched it.
This is a school presenting a wreath.
Here is the guard... guarding. He is very precise with his movements. VERY PRECISE!!! And stiff. How special for that soldier, who is now on the other side, to know that this much care and love is being shown him. It's amazing!
Here is panoramic picture of D.C. I took from the front yard of Robert E. Lee's house. He didn't mind.

Next we walked to Hiroshima Memorial. I love this one too... It brings tears to my eyes. Just look at how hard these men are trying to claim the territory. How can you see this and not tear up? I couldn't. They are trying with EVERYTHING in them to get our American Flag on that soil. Amazing! If you think about it... their adrenaline had to have been pumping, they had to have been scared. For me... that would mean shaking hands and knees, and they didn't care what might have happened to them. It's special the way a soldier defends our liberty.

After all this walking that day, we were beyond beat. Our feet were so sore, my back was KILLING ME. We could see the area where our hotel sits on the other side of the freeway. We had a choice. Do we map out or way home from here, it was so close. We just knew it. OR... do walk ALL THE WAY back to the Metro in D.C. and ride it home. We chose our own brilliance and tried to map out our way home. OH... there were times we were trying to hide ourselves enough to pull out our map, so as not to look like tourists (Office Rustin Rule), and it took us longer than we thought, and we walked through a "BAD" part of town, to which we were both praying on the inside that the Lord would forgive our stupidity and help us get home safe, and that that man inside that sketchy run down apartment would not come out and kill us, like I had decided he was contemplating, and that my legs would actually keep moving even though they wanted to kill over and die. We made it home and I was like "UH... we are SOOOO getting room service tonight!" So... we did. And then we crashed.
The next morning we went to the Smithsonian. We stopped by the Air and Space Museum and paid their gift shop... lots and lots of money, but it was definitely worth it. Great gift shop! We got this bright idea (don't worry, the image below is not of the bright idea light bulb) to ride a virtual reality rollercoaster. Well.. the one we wanted went upside down and we were both kind of having stomach upset problems that day so... we decided that puking on the ride and all over ourselves would not be 1. classy, or 2. in anyone's best interest. So... we went on the one that doesn't go upside down....
Or anywhere else for that matter. The image above is of the ride. It was beyond stupid. And there were two little girls in the front seat (2 seater) we were behind them. It put dumb ride, it's very own category. So... Sarah and I began to slide from one side to the other, along with the so called rollercoaster. Sometimes pushing each other, sometimes playing air guitar to the music. We're talking some major rocking out here. We became the children on the ride, and we're dang proud of it. Proudest moment on the trip. By far! We were laughing and acting very stupid. But it was fun. We finish and I said "That was AMAZING!!!" Totally sarcastic of course. The two other girls turned slightly to look at us with a blank stare then... one little girl was like "yeah, that was amazing". And shew was serious. Seriously COPYING ME! The other one was like, You're all dumb LOL! They were just jealous they didn't have as much fun as Saran and I on that ride, that was a virtual load of CRAP!

Then, we get to the corner by the Washington Memorial the roads are all blocked off. They let Sarah and I pass but no one after us. We were like, why is the road blocked off. Being the Utahn I am, I thought... hmm.. Parade? Sheep? Cows? Nope... I got my farm animals mixed up. J/K. It was the motorcade. It was totally the President's motorcade. Which regardless of how I feel about Obama, it was the President of the United States. And that's pretty cool.
Then we had tickets to go up the Washington Monument. It was an amazing view.
The White house...
It looked like they were having some kind of BBQ or something.

After this we head back to the hotel to get our luggage. We encounter at the hotel the funniest thing ever, in the form of a man. The most politest, cheery, feminine guy I have ever met in my whole life. He was so dramatic. SO DRAMATIC. Every time we asked him something he would start with the sweetest, cheeriest, most feminine "OHHHHHHHHH..." and then proceed with his statement. Okay... here's the thing... if you know me at all, you know that what I am thinking is always written ALL OVER MY FACE. And... at this moment, my face was very much in shock. Very much in a "What the... did he just do with his face/voice?" look. I couldn't talk. Sarah did the talking while I pulled my thoughts together. Now... again, if you know me you will know that if something is funny to me... I CANNOT hold back a laugh to save my life. During church. During prayers. During a meeting. Can't do it. I was trying with all my might to not laugh at every one of his head tilt 2 lbs of sugary sweet voice saying "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.... the shuttle won't be in until 4. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (head tilt)..... I'm so sorry. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....". Call me rude, but rude would have been if I said was I thinking at the moment, which I have been known to do. I held it together long enough to sit down and re organize my brown and tan zebra suitcase. I couldn't even look at Sarah cause have you ever had one of those moments where something is so funny to you and you know the tiniest little thing will set you off and it will all be over and you will bust up laughing, like looking at your sister in law who was struggling in the same way. Anyway... we laughed pretty hard, outside the hotel. I let it loose, and it felt great!!!! Anyway... we had to lug our freaking heavy luggage over to the Metro station cause our fancy HILTON that supposedly had a complimentary shuttle (which by the way we never got use, nor did we get to see) wasn't going to be in until 4pm. We sucked it up and hauled the luggage, and it sucked, and we laughed cause it sucked SO MUCH! It was tricky trying to get it on the escalator and the Metro. But, we did it. Once we get on the Metro we were okay, except I think I came close to pulling my arm out of the socket as 5'4" Tahnee had to hold onto the top bar of the Metro. Ouch. Then there was this creepy guy across the aisle and stared at me the whole time with this look in his eye. You know, the... "I want to take you to my darkened dungeon and spin you into my web and have my way with you" look. EWWWWWWW...
Anyway... we get to the airport and find out that our airline is at the other end of the airport. I was so tired of this luggage by then, so was Sarah. There was supposed to be a shuttle, but of course, finding shuttles and being able to use them was not exactly our strong suit on this trip. We gave up and decided to trek it. It was definitely a trek. THen we come across this guy that works there who is walking with us, talking to us about our LONG FREAKING TREK to the other side of the airport and seriously I wanted to say "What? You want to help us take our luggage, that is so shivalrous of you. I could kiss you right now." Did this happen? I say NAY! He didn't even offer. He was nice, but didn't offer. Ugh. So... we finally get there, my back is KILLING ME. My legs are swelling up (I know, weird, but they actually got worse... it was weird) and we get in line. I go up to weigh my suitcase and the lady says "Your suitcase is overweight." I look at her and in that moment all I wanted to say was "Excuse me... she's sensitive about her weight!" but I didn't. Instead, I asked how much. She said 2lbs and it would cost 75 dollars extra to check it over weight. I unzipped it to pull something out so my big fat fatty zebra wouldn't be overweight (keep in mind I am holding up the line). I pull out a couple things the scale says 50 lbs. I zip it up. The scale says 52 lbs. REALLY?!?!?!?! I unzip, take out a couple more things (my back is still killing me and slowly I am getting ornery). Scale says 50 lbs. Zip it up. 52 lbs. REALLY?!?!?!?!?! Steam may have been coming from my ears. LOL. I open it, wait for the worker lady to see the weight, she says okay, I zip it and explain to Sarah what happened. We finally get on our plane. We were so tired and so worn out that it all turned into silliness. By the time we got to Denver to change airplanes we were laughing so hard making so many jokes about my big fat fatty zebra needing to lose weight to get on the airplane. I'm like 99.9% positive that one man waiting in the aisle to get off the plane staring at us thought we were tipping back the bottle a bit too much on that plane ride. LOL... because honestly the stuff we were saying and how hard we were laughing at the stuff we were saying would have equaled a few too many alcoholic beverages.

Honestly, it was such a fun trip and such a good time. I was so glad I went with Sarah, there wasn't anyone else I would have rather gone with. We just have so much fun together. It was awesome. I was so sad to see it end but I will remember it forever. Thanks so much Sarah for wanting to go. I love your stinking guts!!!!

Hmmmph....

2010-06-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Well... this post should have amazing pictures and stories of my amazing pictoral story filled trip to Washington D.C. Yet... you see no pictures. BECAUSE I, like the genius that I am, bought a new camera to take on the trip. And now... I CANNOT for the life of me get the amazing stupid pictures to upload to my laptop.

Hmmmph... well... I can't tell a story without pictures... it's just not right!!! But let me just say this...

My once overweight sensitive big fat fatty zebra... has since gone a very strict diet and lost about... uh... 45 lbs. AND... I will NOT be buying anything, but I would love to see Patti... if she has a minute to spare. And... Yes, I would love a ride in your COMPLIMENTARY shuttle...wait, what? It isn't running today, tomorrow and not until 4 the next day, @#$%! Missed it again!

See what things you have to look forward to? If only....

Just stay tuned... I'll figure something out...

A GREAT Day!!!

2010-04-18T14:43:00.001-07:00

This is what happened on Saturday. This might look shocking but it's actually the best thing that has happened to me in a really long time. Silly... I know. You have no idea how long I have waited for this moment. This is the floor of my bathroom. See... the people that had this house before Dave and Nic were attempting to build in the bathroom. Almost everything you need is there. Except plumbing to drain the bathtub. I've been here almost a year. When I moved in we thought the bathroom would be so simple to finish and then we stumbled upon this problem. Well yesterday we took care of the problem. NOW... we can start to get the room finished. Nicole and I are so excited we can't even stand it. Now we just have to clean it out, figure out what plumbing we need, fix the plumbing (with the amazing help of You Tube) fill the hole in and start working on construction of the bathroom. I'm sure it will take some time but there's nothing we aren't willing to tackle. I'm super excited so I will keep posting pictures. This ought to be entertaining to watch. LOL.

Nail Biting Night...

2010-04-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

What a nail biting game. I think I may have said "come on, come on, come one..." like a thousand times with my hands clasped in the prayer like position. Don't worry, I wasn't praying, I know God could care less about sports, regardless of what all those BYU fans think. BUT I'll tell you what... there was also a lot of "HECK YES!!!!" and loud clapping come from the basement last night. FOr the last couple years I have put Duke as the winner on my NCAA brackets. This year I didn't even do a bracket and look what happened. UGH!!!!

YAY FOR DUKE!!!!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

If you think that just because you aren't a kid you dont' get anything for easter anymore... You are wrong. This is what I got at work today. Yay for Easter and great people in your life!!!! Not that I need gifts to feel loved or anything.

I Kind of Love These Kids

2010-04-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

So... last weekend I went up to babysit Sariah and Kempton. It was fun. We watched the movie UP on saturday morning... LOVED IT! Sad. But good. Then I wanted to get outside and do something, and get a little excercize sooo.... we went for a walk. To the park. And here we go on our journey...In front of Riah's school, about half way to the park. Bubba had to take his trucks with him. Right now... he is pointing at a car coming. egat. And of course, I'm like.. hurry... smile... THEN RUN! JK

I was like... hey... let's skip. Sariah LOVES to skip. LOVES IT. Bubba thinks he is skipping, but really... he is horse trotting. And... he breathes in and out really loud. Like he is totally out of breath. LOL. It was the cutest thing ever. Here is Sariah kicking our trash.

These are fun. I love Sariah's hair and the fact that I have proof that she can touch her nose with her tongue. JK

Bubba was more of a... I want just pretend like I"m a swinging. He has sure mastered the cuteness factor.

They LOVED the slides. You know... here's the thing... last weekend (the weekend prior to this) I was playing on the trampoline with Nicoles kids. Here is the conclusion of that event. I am old. I can no longer do the things on the tramp I used to be able to do. When I try to do the things I used to be able to do I look and feel REALLY old! And you know when your toddler sized child first tries to do a summersalt and they can barely do it and you still clap and act so excited. Well... I"m pretty sure that some of my "tricks" on the tramp were of that quality and the kids clap and were so excited and I thought... Man... I have no started to decline in my ability to do things. I am officially on a toddler level here. It was depressing. And... it was like all the little kids just wanted me there because I could bounce them PRETTY MUCH to the sky and i was so out of breath that I would attempt to take a break and they are sitting around me staring at me like we are in a car and they are saying "Are we there yet?" but were like "Are you done yet?" When I would have them bounce me... it was even more depressing, so I would get back up. I. AM. OLD. Sooo... when I was playing on the playground with Sariah and Kempton, I redeemed myself. I did everything. I even had them race me. I. Felt. Young! HECK YES I can run up a slide...like 10 times in a row. LOL

These kids LOVE each other. They loved going down together.

Sariah helping Bubba down the slide.... He was a tad bit scared at first. She was like big sister of the year this day!!!!

Okay... so back to the "I am young and can play on the playground like a kid again" discussion. There is a good chance I MAY have taught/helped them climb up the slide. Okay... it happened and I take full responsibility for my actions, but they loved it and I loved it and it was totally selfish because I had to prove to myself I could also be a monkey and not a freakin' toddler on the playground. YES... I am every parents nightmare. I am the aunt that teaches the kids the stuff Mom's and Dad's don't teach them. I have come to accept it. It wasn't all bad influence stuff... I slid down the slide with them, they would be giggling so loud as I was yelling... "HERE I COME..." and they'd try to hurry and jump off the bottom of the slide before i got there. CUTE!

These are just fun....

After Bubba went down the slide he goes "THAT WAS FANTASTIC!!!" I laughed so hard. I coudln't believe he said it was "fantastic". LOL.

After we had been there about an hour and a half playing we decided to go home and make some sugar cookies.

When Bubba walked across this drain he walked so carefully and slow. He was VERY cautious. Cute.

Here we go.. running home. We ran almost all the way home. And of course Bubba did his heavy breathing. I think he thinks you are supposed to breath heavy and be totally out of breath when you run. LOL. Maybe he has run one too many times with his Dad. Ha ha ... just joking Rustin!

Making sugar cookies. For the record... Sariah LOVES the frosting. She wishese she could just eat a frosting cookie. We all helped... we did it in two shifts and I didn't take picutes during the second batch and Bubba was asleep. It was all that running. I wore him plain out. But he did help frost cookies.

Here's our finished product. Then we watched the Wizard of Oz. Which I hate, but they love so I didn't care. It wasn't as awful as i thought it was as a kid. I will admit that.

It was a GREAT day!

I kind of love these kids.

A Typical Wal-Mart Experience

2010-03-20T00:32:00.001-07:00

SO... let me tell you why I hate wal-mart. It's simple really. Tonight... I went, alone (because Sarah the amazing lives too far away but I know she would have come with me) to stand in line to get the New Moon DVD. I know... it's crazy, but I did it. So here's the thing. I was standing in line for an hour, at about 11 o'clock and this is what I witnessed:

Lady 1 in front of me: This lady is one of those people that wears jeans too tight around the waist and shirts that don't even come close to meeting the top of the pant line. She had a bad case of "the buldge". She had a new born baby who she was feeding (not nursing- thank heavens) and talked about how much she loves the twilight saga and all these details that only the really CRAZED fans would know and/or care about. She was talking about how she accidentally got pregnant when she grew up, SHE IS 21! Yeah... that's grown up. This girl never shut up, which was not the most annoying part. She named her daughter Isabella, and Lady 3 in front of me asked her if it was because of the movie, she OF COURSE said no, cause who really wants to admit that? Then she proceeds to tell lady 2 how she liked the name and told her Mom and her Mom was like "Oh, you had a grandma with that name" and now she says that's why she named her daughter Isabella. After her Grandma, who she didn't even know was named Isabella until she had already decided to name her baby that. And it had nothing to do with Isabella Swan. RIGHT! SHUT UP!

Lady 2 in front of me: This lady was sisters with Lady #3 in front of me. She had NO teeth and had the droopy face skin when her mouth was closed. She was in and out of line all the time bringing lady #3 stuff, just in case she wanted to purchase it. She was like a living breathing infomercial. At one point she begins to look at a book of New Moon pictures and is seriously DROOLING over Jacob...vocally. I was like... Um... there has to be an age limit to where that is totally unacceptable and borderline disgusting. I know there is because I seriously threw up in my mouth. RIGHT THEN! At one point Lady 1,2, and 3 start discussing tattoo's. Lady 2 pulls down her shirt to reveal to everyone a tattoo just above her breast. 2nd time I threw up in my mouth. She then proceeds to tell them how she got it high enough so that when her boobs start to sag, it wouldn't "go to far". 3rd time I threw up in my mouth. I was like... 'HONEY... I don't know what you classify as sagging, but they're already to your ankles'. When the line gets ready to move she begins to be frustrated and says to lady 3, "I can yell and tell them to start. I can be loud. OH SNAP!" LOL! She seriously said "OH SNAP!". She is like 70 or something. I chuckled at that, couldn't help myself.

Lady #3 in front of me: This lady is crazy 'no teeth, saggy boobs, "oh snap" lady's sister. She seemed somewhat normal. The most normal of all 4 of the ladies in front of me. She was planning to go home with her New Moon movie and watch it 2 times in a row with her husband. I have know idea why 2 times, but hey... more power to them. She started to talk to the other ladies which now includes a new lady, lady #4 about how her husband goes back east to participate in civil war reinactments. All I could picture was Sweet Home Alabama. Seriously.

Lady #4 in front of me: This girl was 19 years old, but looked older than me, I was shocked when she said she was 19 years old. She brought her 10 year old cousin with her who wanted to buy an item of clothing. Everytime she would bring something to lady 4, lady 4 would tell her how ridiculous it was. Here's the thing. I'm like 99% positive that lady 4 was trying to "fit in" with the old ladies here. She seemed like the kind of girl that probably didn't fit in much with her peers. She was not really dressed age appropriately, but more like the older ladies. It was really kind of annoying when she kept turning the 10 year old away cause a lot of the clothes were super cute. She'd go on about how ugly they were. I was like... that's the style right now. She was seriously like a 50 year old in a 19 year old body. When she would turn her away she'd say "Ugh... kids! If she was my kid, I'd beat her" I was like... WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? YOU are still a kid. YOU ARE 19! I'm 32 and even I think the clothes are cute! The other ladies start to ask her questions about herself and they tell her to hold off having kids and get an education. She was like... "OH... I don't want kids. They freak me out!" AGAIN...19! She then starts to talk about she is going to Boston to participate in the Civil war reinactments this summer. When lady #3, whose husband does this as well, asked her questions, she didn't know the answers. Hmmm... It was getting so old watching her. I wanted to be like... UGH... BE YOUR STINKING SELF!!! NOT what you think others want you to be! When they brought around the cake... she asked for 2 pieces. I was like... you can have mine. It's midnight.

Man behind me: This man was like 60, there alone, and was so excited to get his packet of pictures and tattoos. It kind of creeped me out. I can't even get 1 man in my life to say he even remotely cares to watch the movie, let alone practically jump and down at the thought of a fake tattoo he can run home and apply on his arm. CREEPY! One ounce of drool, and I was OUT OF THERE!

Honestly... I was like... AM I SERIOUSLY the only normal NON-white trash person in this store right now? Cause i'm feeling a little out numbered. BUT... I got my DVD.

Yay for the time change

2010-03-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

I LOVE SPRING FORWARD! Yes, you do lose an hour of sleep, but get over it. I love it because it means that Monday through Friday it is still light for an hour when I get home from work. Which means, I can ride my bike. Through the orchards. And listen to fun music on my ipod. And I'm pretty much in heaven. It's like one of the few times during the day I get to see the light from outside, well, I get to EXPERIENCE the light outside. Nice.

Wonderland

2010-03-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

Last night Jen and I had our typical girls night out. It was a lot of fun. Jen is the best. Kind of funny, she is just getting over being sick, and I am just getting sick. We were quite the pair. Jen has special benefits at work and one of those is parking... EVERYWHERE. We parked in the Triad because we went to the Gateway. Well, we head down the ramp and there is an orange cone blocking the entrance, and I was like... what the... There is so much available parking! And we can see it. ALL AROUND US. I was thinking... eh.. run it over!The worst that'll happen is we drag it. I'll yank it out and replace it. Jen, being the better person decided to go through the out entrance right after a car come out. I guess her "benefits" didn't really pull through COMPLETELY... but we got out okay. Anyway... we went to Applebee's cause we love that place. Then we went to see Alice in Wonderland. It was good, BUT... I think there is a pretty great chance that I have had similar experiences to her EVERYTIME I OVERDOSE ON NYQUIL. Seriously... You know those movies where someone is so high at some party sitting on some couch, alone, zoning off into the outer workings of their own thoughts? They pretty much look dead, but are alive, sitting in the upright position with their eyes not only blood shot but bugging out STARING at nothing. You can even snap your fingers in their face and .... NOTHIN'! I'm pretty sure they are wandering around Wonderland. Alice in Wonderlund, although I didn't dislike it...is pretty much like Disney on drugs. What I learned... NEVER drink anything that says "drink me" and never eat anything that says "eat me". And another thing... I'm pretty sure the "white queen" is their drug supplier. LOL. You have to see it. It's good, just weird, but that is true to Alice in Wonderland.

When Dealing with People...

2010-03-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

Today I came across this plaque and I fell in love with it. It goes right along with EVERYTHING that I have been thinking about and praying about. It was just what I needed. I thought I would share. You may have already seen/read this, but I never had, and it is definitely something I plan to incorporate into my life. OFTEN. Great words to live by:

1 Extra Mg

2010-03-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

So... HYPOTHETICALLY speaking, say you run out of your lovely precious "I NEED THIS TO SLEEP" 5mg Melatonin, um... yesterday.And... tonight, you use some what the kids call their "Night Time Vitamin"but what we adults call "Go to sleep or die vitamin" 3mg Melatonin, and since your regular dose is 5mg, you take... eh... 2 of the 3mg ones (for the mathematically challenged, that is 6mg). What harm can 1 extra mg do?

I'll tell you in the morning.

PROVIDED...

Well, you know.

Ever Had One of Those Moments?

2010-03-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of the moments when someone tells you something and you are BLOWN AWAY? You know what I mean, one of those "I just fell off my chair" moments, where you are shocked, and in disbelief. Have you ever thought something of yourself because time after time, life experience has taught you this thing? Have you ever had someone call you and in his own round about way pretty much "let you know" without him even knowing he is "letting you know" that the thing that your life experience may have taught you might ACTUALLY not be as accurate as you thought it was? Have you ever, out of shock, called that person (in so many words like "are you making this up") a liar because you believe that what they are telling can't POSSIBLY be the truth? Have you ever had one of those moments where you are forced to re-evaluate something that you have cemented into your heart and soul? Have you ever thought the game 20 questions pretty much sucked rocks? LOL- just kidding. Well, I had one of these moments last Thursday. I don't think I ever remember having one of these moments in my life. Well, not one where I had to re-evaluate a negative self image into a positive one. I've pretty much mastered the positive into the negative self image issues. But last Thursday someone I love (okay, it's Rustin) called me and relayed a message to me that he almost didn't, but I am so grateful he did because it was something I needed to hear. It was one of those times when you are praying your guts out for the Lord to help you to see yourself the way he does and he delivers in fine fashion. I am just grateful that my amazing brother is in tune enough to help him out. But what am I talking about, when if comes to spiritual things, my brother always delivers in fine fashion. It's one of the MANY reasons I love him so much. That, and the fact that I can pretty much get him to sigh out of disappointment at the drop of a hat. Disappointment or maybe annoyance. Eh... same thing. Oh, and let's not forget my award winning ability to get him to make up the most ridiculous stories. We're talking better than my fish was THIS big (while holding his arms 2 feet apart), when really... it was in the running for Worlds Fastest Fish to Get Lost in the Aquarium Rocks award. If you don't believe me (about the making up ridiculous stories), just ask him how many times I almost shot him while duck hunting. Lies. Big. Fat. Lies. It's just a good thing for him that I love his stinkin' guts. Try to be like Jesus. That's what I always say. LOL- just kidding. Uh-hem! (clearing throat) That's not a joke!

A Half and Half Day

2010-03-05T15:11:00.001-08:00

Well... it's official. I broke in my co-workers with an official Tahnee break down cry today. I felt like a complete idiot. I sobbed. They gave me a tissue. And yeah, pretty much it was not one of my proudest moments. When I cry my eyes stay red for a long time, so pretty much everyone knows I've been crying, even if it's an hour later. It sucks.
The saddest part is that at one point today, I was sitting at my desk and all of a sudden I just felt this really warm feeling of the spirit. It was amazing. I wasn't even doing anything that you would normally think would merit it. I was just working, minding my own business, doing my job. And slowly it came on. It didn't last incredibly long, but it felt good. I have been doing a lot of studying in my personal time lately and Uncle J has been assisting with that. We have had some really good talks the last couple days. It's been awesome. I have really had some great personal revelation. When I felt that warm incredible feeling of the spirit today it was like the Lord was giving me a hug because he knew what was coming. I really believe that.
Let's just say that not everyone on my new floor has given me a warm inviting welcome, or made the transition easy. Even though I cried like a stinkin' baby, I felt so much love and understanding from the people who actually work with me that it made it okay. They listened, hugged me, gave me a tissue, and I just knew that regardless of what anyone else there thinks, the people I work with think great things about me. It also feels good to know that the amazing man that is my boss has my back, NO MATTER WHAT. I know there will be people that will hurt me (luckily in this situation my association with them is mostly in passing). My job is to be pleasant and kind, and feel lucky that I don't have to make everyone my friend. For that unwritten law, I am grateful. We are required to love others, but we don't have to "let them in". That is a blessing. And really, the reality is, it's okay if I never feel like I "fit in" up there, because I fit in with the the design crew, and really that's all that matters.

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

2010-03-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

The Curator

2010-02-18T07:17:00.000-08:00

Nestled in the heart of Cadston Alberta (I don't know if that's true, but it sounds like a good start) sits this temple. It's beautiful, right? Part of what makes this temple beautiful (besides the fact that my WONDERFUL friend Katie was married there) is the fact that it is a pioneer temple. The site was dedicated in 1913 and it was finished in 1923. In present day, there is a wonderful man that works here. He is the Engineer. He made a comment about a month ago to one of the designers that he was this temples "curator". How amazing is that insight. How special to have someone wathching out for, maintaining and taking care of such an amazingly beautiful place. It totally impressed me that he has such an attitude. He treats this temple as if it is a work of art, because it is.
This morning as I was riding in on the bus I kept thinking of this. I had an epiphany. I thought, what is a curator exactly. To me... it is someone who preserves, protects, maintains it's original form, ensures it is the way it was intended to be. So I looked up the definition and if you want it... here it is:

From Latin curator (“‘one who has care of a thing, a manager, guardian, trustee’”) < curare (“‘to take care of’”) < cura (“‘care, heed, attention, anxiety, grief’”).

Noun
Singular: curator
A person who manages, administers or organizes a collection

So... as I was sitting there, peering out the window of the bus I started to ponder this thought. So... if the temple has a curator, and if my body is a temple, then am I not the curator of my body? I am. Heavenly Father gave me this body in a perfect form, and this spirit came here with me, and it is MY job to take care of it, to be the gaurdian of it, I am the trustee, I should take heed, pay attention to what is happening, what it is being subject to, and feel anxiety and grief over the bad things I let in. It is my job to preserve myself, both body and spirit (my soul) and to get back, and then maintain "myself" the way I am intended (be who the Lord intends me to be). I am the curator of my soul. Me, and me alone. I am a work of art in the Lord's eyes. Do I see myself as a work of art? HECK NO! But should I? If I am the "curator" of my soul, should I not feel that way (of course in a humble way)? I should. I don't. But I should.

As I was sitting there thinking about this kind old man at the Cardston temple I thought about how he, to maintain the original beauty of that temple, went out (as the curator) and collected the original pieces of art and things that belonged in that temple, put there when it was first created. Those things have been restored. That is what I need to do. In a sense. I am so far from what the Lord intends for me to be, but all is not lost. The beauty of this is that just as the temple curator had, I too have resources to do this. I have the Lord and he will and already has given me the tools necessary to do this. And... just as in a temple, it is a life long endeavor to ensure that it is protected and preserved.

This applies to everything, I thought, the things I listen to, say, even the things I eat. EVERYTHING. It was like this amazing light went off inside of me this morning. It may sound cheesy to you, but... I am the curator of my soul. That is amazing. And I need to act as such.

Moey's Song at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-02-17T20:19:00.001-08:00

She (Moey, aka- Miley) sings this song ALL THE TIME. It melts my heart. It is SOOOOO CUTE! Just like her! If you notice, she changes kindness to happiness at the end. Cute little stinker.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Warm Day

2010-02-11T19:11:00.000-08:00

Today was a great day. It started out great. Today there was a cry in the morning, but trust me... it was a good cry. It was a "I got to feel the Saviors love for someone else" cry, and those are BY FAR the best cries. Then I find out that the wonderful, sweet girl that is training me isn't going to be here today. Although I really do like her and think she is wonderful and SUPER sweet, it was such a blessing for me (I like to think of it as an answer to yesterday's many prayers) that she wasn't here today. At first I was like, WHAT!!!, then I was like, OH YEAH!!!! Here's the thing... it was so good for me to be alone today in the job. I had confidence. I didn't feel like I was sharing my job or that I was a puppy dog. It was all me, and it was so good. I loved it. I felt the spirit so much in that today, and that is good. It is just what I needed, which is one of the many NUMEROUS reasons I love the Lord. He knows me so well. I had no idea how I was going to do this yesterday, but then today... it was opposite of yesterday. One cool thing I did today was talk to one of the Temple Matrons about some issues she is having and I worked all of them out. And she was grateful, and it was awesome. I think I'll love this job once I get the hang of it. And... a vendor brought us lunch from Cafe' Rio, which I was party sad cause I have trying to be so good about eating healthy and trying to learn to eat what makes me feel good, and I LOVE Cafe' Rio, SOOOOO MUCH, but part of me really was kind of sad. But I ate like a 1/3 of it and called it good, and I felt fine. So it worked out okay. And I was full. During lunch with the other girls, and Kevin the vendor displayed all the new fabric for us and I was in heaven. I seriously loved it. It might sound like a snooze fest to you guys but to me, cause I have a love for interior design, I was eating it up. It was fun. I just love the Lord. Today, I felt his love for me so many times. It was what I like to call a WARM day.

Just when I needed him...

2010-02-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

Well... today, hmmm... It was what Jen and I like to call "meeting Monday" but it took the place of "Sarcastic Wednesday", which, let's be honest, nothing can REALLY take the place of sarcastic Wednesday, it's just too funny. My day started out with meeting after meeting and by the end of the meetings I was OVERWHELMED! Officially. And that doesn't happen to me very often in the work place. I felt like a complete idiot, and like I was going to fail at this new job I took and that maybe I made a mistake and that I was NOT all that my co-workers thought me to be. It was A LOT to take in. At 12:30 I go to lunch before another meeting at 1pm. I get to the cafeteria, kind of already in the beginnings of an emotional meltdown, and guess who I see? Of course... JESSE. And he says "HEY! How's it going to today?" and I have never been able to tell Jesse a half truth. I said "Well (cracky, cry-y voice) I'm officially overwhelmed." He just stared in my eyes, like that darn Bishop Goodman used to do cause he would say I can never hide anything from him, it's always in my eyes. And he was right like 95% of the time. Which TICKED ME OFF. I hurried and ended my conversation with Jesse and here came the water works. SO... I exit myself from the cafeteria to the bathroom, praying that no one I knew would approach/see me. I get in there, go in a stall and bawl my eyes out. Then I take some deep breaths, beat myself up for being such an emotional basketcase these days. Say an emergency prayer asking the Lord to please help me feel peace. If I can do this, help me to feel peace and pull it the freak together (I didn't say "freak"). And I may have begged him to just hold me in his arms today. And he did. Of course, cause he loves me, even when no one else does. And I left the bathroom and got some lunch (of which I just remembered is still sitting in my car- I didn't' even eat it all). Then I went to the 8th floor to see if someone was there so I could eat my lunch and talk to them. No one was there. Then I thought: Where am I going to go eat my lunch (I can't eat it on the 11th floor). I felt so alone. It was too cold outside. Jen was probably in a meeting. I had no where to go. So I went back in the cafeteria, where Jesse was eating with his son, so I hid so he wouldn't see me sitting all alone and ate some of my lunch. Then I went back to work. Then... as I started to work, I slowly but surely started to feel the warmth. And he was there. And I felt so much better. So... I can't really call today an "official" crap fest. Cause it wasn't. I had the comfort of the Lord with me. And that is like the opposite of a crap fest.He was there, just when I needed him. He's pretty much amazing like that.

Saturday Morning Date

2010-02-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday was... well, lets just call it a crap fest and move on. Actually... I have to add a few things, I had a hard day at work, which concluded with me leaving in a hurry for which I ended up feeling bad all night because I left so quickly and Jesse was saying goodbye and thanking me for my work, but I was going to miss my bus, so I had no choice, but I still felt bad. I'm going to have to buy him a chocolate doughnut and a Dr.pepper (a combo he loves) to make up for it. Then I get to my bus stop, get off the bus and slam my elbow REALLY HARD on something on the stairs of the bus. It hit so hard that I couldn't hardly move my arm and I certainly couldn't carry anything. SOOO... pretty much I made it to my car, got in and sat there and cried, for like 10 minutes. I couldn't help it. After the day I had, the way I left work, and then the pain in my arm, I was a goner. It was pathetic. My arm hurt so bad (and it still does), it was just like the cherry on the frickin' top of my crap fest of a day! When I drove home I couldn't even hold the steering wheel with that hand it hurt so bad. Then I hurried downstairs so Nicole couldn't see my eyes all red, but I didn't really succeed, so then I cried some more. And she felt bad. So... I hibernated in my room, on my bed, but not for long. Keili comes down and sits on my bed by me and just chatted like she didn't even notice I was crying, which was good cause it made me stop crying. She even asked me about the Jazz. LOL! Before I went to bed I started to get a really bad sore throat and then it started to swell up. I could barely swallow, and it kind of scared me. I took some cough syrup and tried to sleep but it was tough.
I got up this morning and it still hurt, and still felt swollen back there, and decided I was going to do something fun. SOOOO... I took Miley on a date.
And this is what we did.

I took her to my favorite place to take the girls (aside from Jumpin' Jacks) and spoil them rotten!!! I needed to do something happy, so I took my little MO MO. Here we are leaving. It's too hard to take pictures while they are building. Sorry.
SHE HAD SO MUCH FUN. It started the day off GRRRRREAT! Plus, she has never even been to build a bear. BONUS!!!!
Meet Mya.
We decked her out. She has her dress hoodie on, a leash, and even a school backpack. Miley was in heaven. Oh.. and as you can see below, I also stopped and let her pick out some candy, she picked those dum dums.
Don't you just want to hug the crap out of her? Man I love me some MO MO. Anyway... it was a lot of fun. Plus.. let's be honest, I have been wanting to buy this build a bear puppy for like 2 months now. I just think it's so cute. Miley just happened to be a good excuse. A good ADORABLE FUN excuse.

Sad

2010-02-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

Today is my last day at my current job. And I'm sad. And emotional. And it pretty much just sucks. I couldn't even sleep on the bus this morning because I couldn't stop thinking about it. And then I was thinking about all the people at work that I love that aren't going to be coming in today, and then I was sadder. But then I thought... 'Hello, my name is Tahnee, you kill my father, prepare to die." Okay... LOL... that's not what I thought but I couldn't resist typing it cause it. I thought "Hello my name is Tahnee and I AM SELFISH!" because these people have more important things to do. So it's okay. SO I got here and Jesse came in, so, I just blurted it out because I figure if I throw it out there, it will make me less emotional about it. I think it may have worked, but I think he may have thought "oh my gosh. HOW long do you have left here?" No, he just said , "Don't be sad. You're only moving up a few floors". Which I know, but it's different and SOMEONE (you know who you are) came to my desk last night to "say goodbye" and I think after that, it hit me. HARD. So I told Jesse this morning "I was okay until that dang __________ came up to my desk last night to say goodbye, like I was dying or leaving the country, or moving across the country." And of course Jesse just laughed. And of course I was like, "But I do appreciate it, and it made me feel good." Then I got the whole "everyone loves you" response, which isn't entirely true, but it helped. Anyway... the moral of this story is that sometimes, like today, I hate being an emotional GIRL!!! It's hard when you're just sad, because then it's like stupid satan has a hay day. It's like saying "hey satan... COME ON IN! Oh... and since you're here, why don't you make me a miserable basket case". And another thing, I would like to point out that right now, satan's name is underlined in red (you know... because the computer wants me to capalize his name) but I refuse to fix it because if the computer was as smart as me, he would know that it shouldn't be capitalized because satan sucks, and he isn't a person, so he doesn't even deserve his name to be capitalized. And I hate him. So there!

I should add that I am excited for the new job, and I know it's the right thing, I'm just a little scared to leave all these people that see the good in me to go to a floor with people who don't know me. I guess it's a good think the Lord knows more than me.

Top 10 Reasons Today is Special

2010-02-02T07:51:00.001-08:00

Today is extra extra extra special, and I'm about to tell you why. See, today marks the day that someone wonderful, amazing, extraordinary, and completely quirky entered the world. I'll give you my top 10 reasons why I love the crap out of this person and I bet you can guess who it is... Okay... here goes:

10. She is the only person that has ever inspired me to want to shop on black Friday and was SUPER excited at like 3am, and I loved it (not necessarily Black Friday itself, but Black Friday with her I would totally do again).

9. She is going to go with me to D.C. to the holocaust museum, and I'm so excited. I have been trying to get someone to go on a vacation with me for a long time. It is going to be a BLAST!!!

8. She loves to people watch... and so do I.

7. She laughs at my jokes, even if they aren't funny.

6. She thinks I'm beautiful on the inside and out, and tell me so, even though I don't believe her, I somehow feel she really believes it.

5. She is amazingly spiritual and I connected with her that way from the start. She and I think a lot alike spiritually and get so excited about "the little things". I love to hear her speak in church.

4. She is super duper funny and I have stolen several funny "quotes" from her.

3. She is beautiful. Inside and Out.

2. My favorite person in the whole world is married to her and she is the light of his life and the best thing that ever happened to him. She pretty much stole my best friend- but I'd give him up to her any day! She fits our family like a glove.

And the #1 reason why I love the crap out of this person is.............

1. She saved my life, and continues to save me everyday. She totally understands me. She is an instrument in the Lord's hands in my life.

I bet you guessed... it's the AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL AND EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL SARAH!!!!!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!!!!!!!!

New Job

2010-01-28T16:05:00.001-08:00

Well... there will be more to come with this post... BUT... I got a new job. It's kind of crazy. I had this dream in December that I worked for Carol's sister in the Interior Design department for the church- not knowing there was an open position. I told Carol about the dream and conveniently I was approached about applying for the job and I pushed back. I love my current job, plus I thought it was a demotion for me. Well, after many fights I finally inquired about the job and turns out... it was a promotion for me. HOLY SMOKES!!! So... I went up to talk to the people in that group and I ended up in an interview, sort of against my will, but it happened. The people were so fun. There were 4 of them. After talking to them, I got so excited. I was so scared and nervous though because it happened so fast and it wasn't like I was out looking for a job. There were certain about my current situation I wanted to change, and I did want more work to do. I like to work under a little pressure, call me a masochist- I know. I just like to be busy and have a to do list that I can cross off. It's one of my hidden pleasures, crossing things off. I put stuff on my list so I can cross it off. Well anyway. I talked to Leland about applying for the position. Oh... I haven't even told you what it is. It's the Assistant to to the Temple Interior Designers. And anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE interior design, so it's a good fit for me. Anyway... I talked to Leland about applying for it. He told me that if it's something I wanted to do, he wouldn't hold me back, especially because it's a promotion, but that he really didn't want me to go. Well... I applied for it. I interviewed with the director between Christmas and NewYears. I was a little torn. I would have happy staying at my current job but would have loved Interior Design. Well a week and a half ago I got a phone call offering me the job. I didn't know what to do, especially because they added more to work load (I now support the great Jesse Baer) and there was another change which helped calm the workplace, so I was happy. Well, it was tough, they let me think/pray about it and get back with them. That is what I did. I was so torn. I seriously didn't know what to do. After many tears, prayers, pondering, reading scriptures, I finally got my answer. Of course when I told Jesse I cried- like a big freaking baby. But I'll only be three floors up from where I am now, and it will be fun to learn new things and work with something that I seriously love! But there are a lot of people that I will miss seeing/talking to everyday, and that makes me so so so sad. One of those people I just wrote off today (you know who you are). Anyway... I start on Monday and I am super excited, but super sad at the same time. In fact, I don't really think it's totally hit me that I won't be here everyday, at my desk on the 8th floor.

The hair in my sandwich

2010-01-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

So.. I went to lunch with Nicole and her kids on Saturday, we went to Jason's Deli. I got half a sandwich/soup/steamed veggies. Here is my sandwich (which was great by the way). I pick it up... take a bite and....

Keili looks at me kind of funny (see picture below).Here is our conversation:

Keili: "What is that?"
Me: "A sandwich."
Keili: "Well why is it hairy?" referring to the sprouts in my sandwich.
Nic and I: "hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahaha"

It was so funny. In fact, it was so funny that, like last night, I find myself thinking about it and still laughing... days later. Ah Kids. Never a dull moment.

I'm in love...

2010-01-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

I have a problem... and I'll admit it. I didn't think I had this problem until Nic brought it to my attention. I am addicted to working out. I have about 20 work out DVD's and I've made my very own Tahnee's bootcamp, and I have a punching bag, and the list could go on and on. It's more of an obsession than an addiction. The addiction would be purchasing workout DVD's. I can't help myself. I search for them ALL THE TIME! The thing is... I get bored of them. Until now... I found one that I love. It's the biggest loser weightloss yoga. And the funny thing is I have turned my nose up at yoga my whole life. In fact, once upon a time in my singles ward my good buddy Quintin and I went with John to an FHE where a guy in our ward taught us all yoga. Quintin and laughed so much, we didn't even take it seriously. He would tilt himself just enough to hit me and knock me over. LOL. Or I'd reach over and pinch the back of his bicep and he'd lose his balance. Pretty much we just thought of it as a joke. To me it was like a tree huggers way of getting in tune with the universe or the crazy spirits floating around. I just thought of it as meditation... much like unto what Bob is doing on the cover. LOL. Could you honestly see me meditating like that? Uh... NO. Not without laughing. Jokes would just come in my head left and right... I could never take something like seriously. OH HOW I WAS WRONG ABOUT YOGA. I have had this DVD for about 6 months now and just barely opened it up and tried it 2 weeks ago. I am hooked. I love it. In fact... I can't wait until I get to do it again. And it is definitely a workout. And I am sore the next day. It's also progressive so you do one program the first 2 weeks and then you add on 15 minutes and then after those two weeks you add on 15 minutes more. I feel so good inside myself after doing it and the next day... I just feel great. It works muscles I don't think have ever worked with weight lifting or any cardio I have even done. Anyway... I just love it. I also supplement it with this boot camp DVD. Which is also tough and great.
Hmmmm.... maybe I am just in love with Bob. LOL! He is great in the DVD's. Very helpful, motivating, and inspiring. Plus... one of the great things about these is the people in them (aside from Bob the booty-blaster) are contestants from the show. They aren't those perfect little girls that make it look so easy all the while you are wanting to shoot yourself in the head. Anyway... blah blah blah... they are FABULOUS!!!! My fav is the yoga though. I think I have found a new love in yoga.

Alms for the poor....

2010-01-07T10:32:00.000-08:00

Okay... I came home the other night and there was this jar sitting out on the porch in Davey's handwriting.
The plate on the top says "Please give money for the poor"

SO....I'm thinking a few things:

Davey got in trouble and wants to earn money to buy something that his Mom wouldn't get him at the latest claw my own eyeballs out shopping adventure.
Davey thinks that his family is poor.
Davey is "earning" money to buy pizza to sell to his friends (I gave him that idea the other day... like the good influence aunt I am- although I did not tell him to beg for money like he was poor)

SO... last night I ask about the mystery poverty jar. I found out that Davey decided that he wanted to earn money to give to the poor kids that don't have anything. He wants to take the money he gets to the food bank. How amazing is he? An 8 year old... worried about the poor. Priceless. Here I am telling him how to make money off his friends and he is thinking about how to save the poor people. LOL!!!! J/K
Last night Keili ripped the plate off and started to attempt to take the money. Davey came unglued, snatched it away, put it back together and proceeded to lecture her about the poor people and how sad their situation is. LOL! What a good kid.