He is We; My Forever

I found this band back when they had nothing out on itunes.. They let people download their first album for free and to be honest, I think it was the best move for them. They just released their first album to iTunes "My Forever." I just bought the whole album because I loved there demo album so much.

Check it here on their myspace or stream the full album here. They even have a "Oh Holy Night" track on their myspace. Fab. Love her voice. Love their lyrics. They revamped a couple of old tracks and did a phenomenal job on the new tracks.

I'm convinced she has super powers.

My mom is amazing. She's hilarious, she loves Jamie and Cole and I more than anything else in the world and would do anything for us. It's not a secret that I talk to her AT LEAST three times a day. Around this time of the year (especially today) I've really been able to open my eyes to how grateful I am that she simply lets me call her...over and over again. I usually just need someone to talk to and she's ALWAYS there and just listens.

Today I called her numerous times but two of the times it was because I was frustrated with a couple of things; one of which was over minced garlic. Puh-lease. I'm ridiculous. But the thing is that she always help me to solve the problem, as if she didn't have her own things to deal with. How selfish can I be?

And if that isn't enough, when I apologize and feel awful for being frustrated and taking it out on her for no reason she will say "It's OK, I get frustrated too." ...How can one woman be so wonderful?

In exactly a week I will be 23 years old but sometimes I wonder if I will ever be the woman that my mother is.

I'm convinced she has super powers.

Hopefully it will rub off someday.

Time Out for Women Conference

This weekend was amazing. Mom, Nadine and Megan came into town to go to the "Time out for Women" conference with Jamie and I. We ended up going to the conference most of Saturday and it was well worth it. The seats were a little hard on the caboose but 4,000 women gathered together to hear from the fabulous speakers about hope, of Jesus Christ, of Women and of our role as mothers.

If you want to hear a great story, read Mariama Kallon's testimony/story. She spoke yesterday and her story of the things she has been through and where she came from is phenomenal. As she spoke I was overwhelmed with gratitude for everything I have been blessed with... I am so lucky.

After the conference we went to the Gateway Mall and well, Snow/slush and the outdoor mall do NOT mix. It was cold and wet. But we went to Happy Sumo's (I didn't get sushi but I just love that place!) and then we went to HP 7. It was a full house but thank goodness for reserved seating and for the guy who sat next to mom for being such a good sport during the snake scenes. Mom hates snakes but all in all.. she did better than I thought she would! The guy next to her, who was clearly on a date with his gf (they were holding hands before the preview started) offered to hold mom's hand when she got scared. Awkward. I think he said it with out thinking because his gf made a funny face about that one. I mean, my mom's good looking, of course she was a bit jealous.

All in all, it was a great weekend with the girls. I ate too much junk and stayed up later than usual but it was nice to have apartment guests! It will make staying home for Thanksgiving more bearable :)

Thanks girls for coming!! I LOVE YOU.

Moment of Silence

This morning I drove to work in silence in memory of what used to be... Then a rock chipped my windsheild.

Symbolic? Maybe.

Aren't we all misfits in some way?

The other night I was over at the sister's house and they were watching the old classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." I, like you, remember watching this growing up; I'm sure I loved it. I mean, look how "happy" they are:

Wrong. This movie is sad. Although I appreciate its "Christmas spirit" and the fact that everything is made out of felt (pretty awesome)but I could go on and on about how sad the story line is...I won't bore you.

I will just say that any movie where parents (Donner and Doe partner) and other adult role models (Santa) who don't believe in their children just because they are a little bit different is not OK. The other reindeer where straight up mean. No reindeer games? NONE? And listen Santa.. you can't shut Rudy down because of his light-up snoz and then USE him when you're in trouble and expect that his emotional wounds just magically mend. Why couldn't you just except him from the beginning? rude.

And I won't EVEN start with Hermes the Elf. The little dude just wanted to be a dentist.

Aren't we all misfits in some way?

Alright, I'll stop--the movie will always be a classic and the song will always make me smile but that doesn't change it.

One Month!!

I couldn't be more excited :)

We'll call it the JKB

Last night I went to McKenzie and Austin's for Craft Night with Kenz. This is what we made:

I told Kenz she'd have to trust me on this one and really, it turned out so cute. The picture doesn't do it justice. We think it's Urban.. I thought hmm, we'll call it the JKB (Jenn & Kenzie Ball) But then Kenz said that's the name of a building on the BYU campus. So we'll just stick with "THE Ball." I mean, it really is THE ball. Not only is it great for Christmas, we could put it out for Cinco de Mayo too! Yeah, it's cool.

Yes, the little felt circles take a while to cut out and you need a lot of them. BUT felt is super cheap. The biggest expense for this ornament was the Styrofoam ball. I was a little shocked at how much those little guys are. But I got a pack of 6 for about $5. add in a piece of Christmas ribbon and some pearl tipped straight pins and you've got a stinking cute hanging ornament for under $2 :)
I have four more styrofoam balls left. hmm. I better get to cutting the felt circles!

Thought Provoking Words from Danielle Staub?

Alright. I admit it. Thanks to Amazon and it's 'LOOK INSIDE' capabilities, I was able to read the intro and first chapter to Danielle Staub, of Real Housewives of New Jersey's, memoir, "The Naked Truth."

Even though I'm not a big fan of her, I kind of want to read the rest of the book just to hear about this "Naked Truth" about her past and the things that we didn't see on screen. Really, there's is lots of drama up in that group and who knows what really is true. Her whole intro of the book (and most likely the point of the entire book) is to clear her name and to let people know what she wants them to know opposed to what they may have heard on the show or in the tabloids.

I don't know what she talks about in the rest of the book and if it is really true because obviously I don't know her and I don't know her business.. but I really appreciated something she said in her intro. She said:

"There are no two sides to one's life story. If you didn't live it, it's not yours to speak of."

Danielle's words got me thinking (yes, two words that I never thought I would use in one sentence). I've always heard the saying "there are two sides to every story" and yes, two people may see a certain situation in two different ways and are most likely effected from these situations differently. However, when it comes down to it, the way that we are effected from each situation and the things that we personally go through become part of our life story.

Your story most likely isn't all happy and comes with sprinkles of lies, betrayals and heartbreaks but it is your personal story; who knows it better than yourself? ...I am the only one who can really say how I feel and am effected in certain situations and the only one who can decipher my intentions. Not you (and vise versa).

I know I'm judgmental sometimes and jump to hasty conclusions but Danielle's right... Who are we to say what people are currently going through and feeling or even what they did or did not do in their past (yes there are times where we know people are flat out lying..but who cares if it's not effecting me?) The fact is, some people will flat out spread rumors about you at one point in your life. The key is to remember that you know what is true. You know your life story and how it really goes!

Thanks Danielle. I'm going to try to be more sensitive about people's life stories. I can't promise I won't critique things (ie fashion and everyday behaviors and social awkwardness) but I really need to work on being more sensitive about others sincere feelings.

Lets try to speak truth about people and make it positive! It may be a challenge and we won't be perfect at it but as long as we try...that's a start :)

Capitol Lights.

"Here's looking at you kid." love it.

Wasn't expecting that...

Tuesday is 88 cent day at the dollar store. Normally things like the dollar store make me really uncomfortable to go to alone. Well, I'm slowly growing out of that and I actually enjoy going to the dollar store...especially on Tuesdays!--It's like using a coupon on something that is already dirt cheap but without having to actually use a coupon(yes, I admit that I have a tiny fear of using coupons. Don't ask, I don't know what it is.)

Now that it's the holidays, even the dollar store has lots of Christmas stuff out! So as I was browsing the Christmas isle, I found this box that said "package ornaments." I thought, "oh cute.. maybe they are tiny vintage looking Santas that would dress up a shiny Christmas package." Naturally, I opened the box because you really never know what you are going to get...

Exhibit A:

8 Colored Santas. Of course, I had to buy them. I mean, don't get me wrong, I seriously love everyone... but SANTA? No rosy cheeks??

...I could go on forever, but I will stop. Let's just say, it made my night. You can only hope you are one of the lucky people who gets one of these gems tied to your Christmas present.