Christmas 2012

It seems like Christmas and December just flew by! I can't believe that it's already over and we are back in Utah again.  I mean it...I kept telling everyone while I was home that it just didn't feel like Christmas which, of course, resulted in me being called a Grinch a couple times.  I don't know if it was because we didn't get snow until the evening OF Christmas in Idaho or what it was, but I just couldn't really get into it the way I normally do.  You know.. that FEELING of Christmas and how magical it is, that's the thing I look forward too every year, but for some reason my heart just wasn't having it.  I don't know if that sounds bad or makes any sense.  I was talking to Grandma Hansen about it on Christmas Eve and she just said that as you get older, time just seems to go by faster and it's true.  Anyways, moving on.

Minus the magical feeling and all that "stuff" that really isn't that important..It really was a great Christmas!  Cole and I were able to be home for 5 and 1/2 days and were able to spend time with Mom, Dad, Jamie, James, Regan, Mason, Grandma Hansen and even some of our other Family members and some of my Best Friends who I don't get to see very often.  That's honestly my favorite thing about Christmas... Well, first Celebrating the birth of our Savior (duh!) but just spending time with the people you love. 

Of course there was shopping, watching movies, playing games eating, Coloring and playing with Mason (A LOT), opening gifts...did I say eating? [OMG, no wonder why we do New Year's resolutions... from all the JUNK that is shoved in our face over Christmas. ew. nightmare... but so good.] But here are some of my Highlights:

1-Dad made me do a solo run of making Grandma Hansen's stuffing this year.  Now, you might think "Whoop-dee-doo." BUT..it's kind of a big deal.  Grandma makes her stuffing from scratch and ever since I can remember.. the stuffing has always been the biggest hit at dinner.  We all love it!  Growing up I would always have to go over to Grandma's and Grandpa's on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve to help her with the stuffing.  You'd think after 15+ years, I would have it down.. But I just always had grandma's help.  [more like, I was the helper, but you get what I mean.]  Don't worry... I killed it on the solo run!  It was delish.  It's kind of just nice to know that once grandma is gone [and I hope that is never but...you know what I mean] that I will be able to pass on that tradition.  That is one of the main bonds I have with my grandma...Cooking! And it's something that none of the other grand kids have so, I feel pretty special!

2-Mason.  That's a given. He turned 18 months on Christmas eve and he is just so much fun right now.  He's in a coloring phase and it's super cute.  At first he was saying "Todo" and I didn't know what he was saying but came to find out he was saying Color..and he kept saying that all week.  He loves to color and I love coloring with him.  The best part? He's totally going to be a lefty like his Auntie.  {well, and his sissy and daddy.. but whatever.}  He also is starting to say Auntie more!  James called me today to let me know that he was changing Mason's diaper and Mason was NOT happy about it.. he was calling out for people to come and rescue him and he called out "AUNTIE!" in his cute little whiny voice.  James was right.. that made my day.  UGH I just love him to pieces.  Christmas with kids is way more fun too.  I mean, they get so many fun toys!!  But my favorite thing right now with Mason is that he likes to copy things that you say/do.  One of the nights we were there, Cole ordered pizza and I looked at mason and screamed "PIZZZAAAAAA" in a deep weird voice and he totally copied me.  Best. thing.ever.  Well, that and he always says "Hi Buddy" and I love that too.  And his kisses and hugs.. haha ok, I'll stop now.

                                               

3- I love that Mom still makes sure that us kids have a fun Christmas even now that we are grown up.  She still tries to get us fun surprises and still makes sure she waits to fill our stockings while we are asleep.  It's the best.  Oh, and she even got me one of the new Furby's because of this ongoing joke we have from the reaction I had to the last furby I got.  For the record--I was only THAT excited back then because mom said that Santa might not be able to bring my one that year because EVERY kid wanted one.  Well... Two furby's for me=LUCKY..  Don't worry, they are just as annoying as they were back then; it's a good time.

4- Even though my dad had to go to work quite a bit while we were home, I just can't help but be overwhelmed with love and appreciation for my father.  As I get older, and every time I get home it just gets bigger and bigger.  Maybe it's because he's gotten super softy ever since Mason was born, but I just can't help but get emotional when I think about all that he does for his family.  He might not like his job all the time and he might not make a MILLION dollars doing it, but he and mom always make sure we have the things that we need and MORE.   I love them for that.  

5- Les Miserables on Christmas night. omg.  Sure, we made cole come with us and he couldn't get over how long it was but I was fully invested in it.  So good!

6- On Sunday night I was able to spend time with my second Family--The Blaylocks as well as Megan and her Husband Benn and Julene.  Honestly, I miss them when I'm not with them.  It's funny to think that I have a special connection with all those blaylock kid's!  Even though I don't get to see them very often, it's easy to pick right up and always have a blast--That's how Besties work :)  I just love them and their cute little families!

Ok, I just realized that this could go on and on forever.  I just wanted to make sure I jotted down that, although it didn't feel like it normally does, and we watched all of the Mighty Ducks movies instead of Christmas movies this year... It was a great Christmas spent with people I love!! 

We made it home safely in the snow and I immediately took all the Christmas stuff down. Now it's time to curse the snow, exchange a few Christmas gifts..probably go tanning...AND celebrate the New Year!  Can you believe it's already been a year since we celebrated the beginning of 2012? omg.  Yeah, I'm just going to chalk it up to getting old, like grandma Hansen said.

Wednesday--Quotes and a bonus story time.

"Calories consumed the week before Christmas aren't real."
-Someone who commented on a friends' FB status (#creepstatus)
But really.. I wish that were true.  Why are there so many good treats during Christmas? It's rude. I guess that's why we have New Year's resolutions right after.  Because we all need to get our honky butt's to the gym after all the Christmas treats--that's why!

"Good thing you aren't over here or I'd kiss you right on the lips."
-Coworker to me via IM about the Oreo Truffles I brought in to share.
The best part about it?  The Coworker was a 50 or 60-something year old women.  My response.. "Haha. That good huh?!"  AWKWARD.

"It smells like sunshine and butterflies in here!"
-I can't remember if it was Chris or Vu who said it.. but it was one of the guys in my backseat on Saturday. 
Apparently my cheap Walmart "STRAWBERRY" freshener works. huh.  Who knew? I guess I better get more of those because after Monday's FHE my car reeks of Maple Doughnuts. Don't get me wrong, I love those things, but that's the last thing a girl like me needs her car smelling like. #fatgirlproblems ? hahaha jk. sort of.

"Jenn! Don't sit on that couch!"
-Nieko quickly whispered/kind of yelled to me as I turned and walked away from him
Here's the thing.  Sometimes you go to places where you aren't sure if it's even safe to sit down...anywhere...and that's a problem.  haha. You think I'm kidding, or being dramatic?  not.even.close.

"I'm assuming we all want to get married and have kids...And girls will be like "why won't he ask me out?" and I'm like, "I can barely provide for myself." It's just like, you gotta have faith, you know?"
-Kid in Sunday School
This is just a snip-it of what he said and honestly, I'm not sure how he managed to tie it all together or how he thought it all made sense but..whatever. I was dying.  There was one point he was talking about his iPod shuffle too.  haha I don't care what you say.. Sunday School and the Single's Ward in general is totally entertaining.  

"I feel like I look my best right.now."
-Kier about herself as she looked at me awkwardly with doughnut all over her lips and *whisper*...boob area.
hahahahaha.  She kills me!

"Put it on KSL...12 bucks you didn't have before.  It's better than what it's doing just sitting in your closet...Put it in your savings account.  Make money."
-Easton
Although I appreciate his advice on money and savings... I REALLY doubt that someone is going to want to buy my TWO year old Swiffer Wet Jet.  HAHAHAHAHA you guys, I'm not kidding.  I was telling everyone about how my Swiffer doesn't work on the floors in this new apartment and THAT was his suggestion: "Put it on KSL."  haha.  Easton. smh.

"...Circus Penis..."
-Liz trying to say Circus Peanuts...like, the weird candy that mysteriously tastes sort of like bubble gum and tastes like you're biting into a sponge.  That kind!
*Gasp* I said Penis on my blog.  Get over it.   omg.  Liz is seriously the sweetest girl (ok, well..most of the time) and she's getting ready to go on her mission.  In Fact, she is getting her call TONIGHT!  Anyways, when she slips and says things like this ^^^ it's super funny and we like to give her crap about it :) Oh Liz, we are going to miss you!! 

"Karma.  It's a real thing."
-Savanna
Amen. 

-----------------Story time.

Let me break this down.. I ended up somewhere this weekend where there were some class act people.  Not my finest hour...or two or three.  Anyways, I won't go into detail about everyone because I'm sure that my first impressions wouldn't 1.) do justice to how I really felt about everyone there and 2) wouldn't really be fair because I'm sure deep down they were all really great people...to someone.  moving on.

There was this one guy there who, simply/rudely stated, was Mexican and toothless.  Now, just because I have all my teeth, I'm not perfect.. I get that.  But I'd like to think that I'm a friendly person.  The fact is, there are just some people who you will never fit in with or feel comfortable around.  That was this guy.  He didn't say ANYTHING almost the entire night.  And by that I mean, he just pointed at things, shrugged his shoulders and well, just looked kind of scary.  He wasn't a big guy.  In fact, I was totally bigger than he was.  But he just had that.. "don't mess with me, I don't even have to talk for people to know what I'm thinking/I was probably in a gang" look.  OK, now I'm just judging too much.  But that's how I felt.  Well, there was one point in the night where he walked in the house, stopped in front of me, starred (INCHES FROM MY FACE) and Howled/Barked. I was so scared I'm actually not sure what noise came out of his toothless mouth because now that I'm writing this, the sound that comes to my head is almost like an Indian (feather, not dot) "WHOOP/Chant" kind of sound.. you know.. like Last of the Mohican kind of crap... whatever it was.. he did it and then he just walked away.

I laughed and then had a TINY panic attack.  
I know I say this a lot.. but this was a legit NIGHTMARE.
Nieko will back me up on this one.

It happens.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who had one of these moments this last week/weekend...

..right?...Anyone....?

I don't need to go into details but sometimes you learn the best lessons when you're placed  in those situations where you're just like--"hahaha OMG, what am I doing?!"  And then you realize, while you're walking up the three flights of stairs to your apartment at 4 in the morning, that sometimes you're an idiot.... and that's OK.

smh.
It happens.

oh and... Stay in School.  Follow your dreams and....Say no to drugs.
that is all ;)

An early New Year's post.

I was going through my notes on my iPhone the other day and came across one that I wrote down while watching one of my super sad episodes of Grey's Anatomy.  You know, back before Mark died.  Anyways, he said:

"If you love someone, you tell them.  Even if you're scared that it's not the right thing, even if you're scared it will cause problems, even if you're scared it will burn your life to the ground, you say it and you say it loud.  And then you go from there."

-Mark, Grey's Anatomy

*SWOON* 

I've been meaning to put this into a post for a while now.  Not because I'm IN love with anyone but because I've been thinking a lot about regrets ever since President Uchtdorf gave his talk during conference in October called "Of Regrets and Resolutions."   In the talk he said, 

"When we are young, it seems that we will live forever.  We think there is a limitless supply of sunrises waiting just beyond the horizon, and the future looks to us like an unbroken road stretching endlessly before us.  

However, the older we get, the more we tend to look back and marvel at how short the road really is.  We wonder how the years could have passed so quickly.  And we begin to think about the choices we made and the things we have done.  In the process, we remember the sweet moments that give warmth to our souls and joy to our hearts. 

 But we also remember the regrets--

the things we wish we could go back and change."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

With everything that happened this morning with the shooting at the Elementary School in Newtown, CT. I just can't help but be reminded even more about how short and precious life really is and can't help but take a look at my life and evaluate how I'm doing.

...I used to have a fear of regrets, which, I think is normal for most people at some point in their lives.  No one wants to go through life with thoughts of "I wish I would have just told [so and so] how I feel" or "I wish I would have done [this or that]."  The reason is obvious.  For me, it's like when someone knows a secret about you and they dangle it in front of your face but no matter how many times you ask them to tell you, they won't.  When that happens, we want to know what the secret is so badly because the mystery behind it all is so... enticing/terrible and unfair!  It's like, they know this story/secret or whatever about you but they are taking it to the grave for you to never find out.  Then of course you sit there and wonder what it could be about.. man, it's enough to drive you nuts because you just want to know! There is that same kind of mystery with regrets, I think.  No matter how long we sit and think about what COULD have been if we'd just said or did that one thing, we'll never really know.  It's always just left up to our imagination and assumptions which can be really damaging.  Especially when we go through a rough patch in life because we can beat ourselves up about things that we did or didn't do in the past because our lives as we know it COULD have been so much better.. even though you don't really know that..

I digress.

My friends, THAT is why it's so important to open your mouth and say the things you're scared to say or do those hard things that you want to do in your life even if it means you'll have to step out of your comfort zone or that it will change your life as you know it.  You do it, because you don't want to live your life based on "what-if's" and wasted time.

I understand Mark from Grey's is just a character in a TV show (haha), but, I love how he said that whatever it is you need to say, you say it and you say it loud and then... 
you just go from there.  

Earlier this week I reflected on a personal experience from a couple of years ago where I took a really big risk and let one of my best friends know some pretty huge things that had been weighing on my mind.  I knew that if I didn't say anything that I would keep living life based on what-if's.  That was the last thing I wanted.  At the time I was scared and I really did feel like my life would burn to the ground and, to be honest,  my life as I knew it at that moment changed a whole lot.  But in the end it was SO good.   The best thing about it all was that I had an end to that story.  I put it to rest and was able to move on knowing that I had said ALL the things that I needed to say and would never have to look back or wonder what could have been if I wouldn't have been so chicken.  I took a risk and I haven't been the same person since..and I mean that in the best way possible.

 As the New Year approaches we are given a special time to reflect on all the things we are grateful for and are able to make goals for changes we hope to be able to make in our lives.  If there is ANYTHING that came to your mind while reading this about things you wish you could do or say, no matter what it is, please make that a goal as you think about your New Year's resolutions.  

Life passes us by so quickly... maybe we don't get all the endings that we want at the time, but in the end there are no regrets when we give it our all and try.

---------
Even if you aren't IN love like Mark was with Lexie *TEAR* make a special effort today to tell the people you care about how much you love them.

Thoughts and prayers for the people of Newtown, CT.

Wednesday Quotes and such..

"Gotta go, my baby's sucking on batteries."
-Jamie
I doubt Mason was really sucking batteries, but who knows. It was just a really funny way to end our phone conversation.

Boys will be boys, though!

"Is this real life?!"
-Kier about the Hibachi guy's egg-cracking skills.
It's true, it's basically like magic the way those guys can crack those eggs.  And I.love.magic, so I appreciated how excited Kier got with me about the whole deal. 
"Yes. that JUST happened!!"  

"Auntie."
-Mason
So after months of trying to get him to recognize that my name was "Jenn" and point me out as that (since he calls everyone else in the family by name..even the 3 dogs), we've found something that works for Mason.  I'm sure it will take a while for him to get the hang of it but the best moment of the weekend was when I was holding him and I said "Where's Auntie?" and he touched my face with his little finger and said "Auntie."  melt.my.heart.  It wasn't even just a one time thing over the weekend either.  Jamie would say, "Take that to auntie" and he'd bring me stuff...omg, you guys.. he's so smart and adorable! 

"Ok, this really sounds like spelunking."
-Nieko in reference to Kiersten's work stories.
I contemplated even telling you what we were talking about in fear that I would make you gag even more that I kind of gagged when we were on the topic this last week.. but I have to in order for you to get the point.  You guys, Kier works at an ER and well...she seems to have a lot of stories about.. putting things in and rummaging around ...."the basement." (if you know what I mean.)

haha so you can imagine how much I laughed/gagged when Nieko made his serious reference to spelunking. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

"Mmm smells like...Fancy Raman."
-Kier about the soup at Tepanyaki
She was right.  It did smell like Fancy Raman. 

"You don't like little things. Everything that's little you think is a nightmare." -Jamie, when talking to me about the "elf on the shelf"
"That's not true. I don't love trinkets but I love little tiny boxes, tiny puppies..."
"You don't like Oompa Lumpas, the munchkins from Wizard of OZ..Chucky...those are all little." -Jamie
Sure, she goes straight for all of the small creepy people/dolls from movies from my childhood that are LITERAL nightmares.  But I really don't think that justifies her statement of "You don't like little things." I just don't like small life-like things who look like they want to hurt me.  Elf On the Shelf isn't really life-like but I'm not saying that the concept doesn't creep me out a little...

that is all.

"Don't you just love all the Christmas music in here? :/"
-Way more feminine guy than myself at the checkout counter at Sephora
"haha. That bad huh?" -me
"*insert cheesy fake smile* I'd rather listen to death metal.  And I HATE death metal."
-Same guy.
Don't worry, he remained cheery even though he was clearly hating the Christmas music.  Maybe it was his sparkly eye shadow that gave his eyes a happy/cheery pop!? or the fact that you could just tell that he LOVED his job.  I would too.  Any make up lover would be in heaven. idk... He was funny!

"Here. Let me get that, girls shouldn't lift stuff like this.."
-Jared as he took the table I was trying to lift
"Aww, :) that's so.." -Me, in shock 
"..They should be making sandwiches." -Jared.
Just when you think he's being a nice gentlemen he throws in a nice sarcastic jab straight to the lady parts. I knew he was joking so I got a good laugh at it.  But if the 50% truth thing is really true then, well, he's got something coming for him ;) *Shakes fist*

Weekend with the Family and a little moment to be thankful

I was so excited for this weekend to come because Jamie decided to pack up her family and drive down to visit!  Even though it was only for a day and a half, and there was a little "not so fun" part toward the end, it was totally worth it. 

They got here late Friday night and we stayed up late (in baby world) playing and letting Mason run around since he'd been in the car for 5 hours.  You guys, that little boy is so much fun.  He knows so many more words than he did at Thanksgiving, he's super smart and just so busy and into everything. He made himself right at home. omg. Having him around is so much fun.  

I was a little concerned about how Mason was going to sleep in my big bed with James and Jamie and well, he managed to do it.  So we got up early Saturday morning and went to breakfast, shopped at City creek, ate at Teppanyaki for Regan's birthday dinner and then ventured back to Salt lake to look at the Lights at Temple Square.  

The day sure seemed to fly by super quick.  But it was just so much fun shopping and spending time with everyone.  Regan brought along one of her friends and Cole's new-ish girl friend [Kier] came along too.  SO, we had a pretty packed house and had to take two cars everywhere we went but it was so much fun just being together.  I, of course, especially loved the shopping part for 2 reasons: 1--Because I love pushing mason around in his stroller or holding him because he's just so cute, and people just love him and 2--Because I had a crap ton of gift cards so I was "forced" to buy lots of good stuff for myself :) [btw--I used some of the money and bought $18 urban decay eyeshadow...totally worth it.]

Of course it decided to snow super hard on the night we went to see the lights.  Here's the thing.. I don't really like being cold but I ESPECIALLY don't like being cold AND wet.  Normally, I probably would have complained but again, if a baby is whining then there is no need for me to cry about it, so I just enjoyed it.  The lights were absolutely stunning.  It's amazing to me how much work has to be put into all of it.  It's beautiful.

Faux or not..it's all about the fur.

Mason?! bahahah. It was freezing but he didn't care. He just loves being outside.

Mason was probably a little toasty at this point. 

 I was pushing him around Nordstom while we waited to go look at the lights. 

My little Christmas Reindeer.  I'm not sure when he got to be a little boy. 

 Kind of makes me sad, how big he's getting but he is just so much fun right now!

Cole and his girl friend, Kiersten.  She spent all Saturday with us, and fit right in!
They're kind of cute.  haha.

Now for the dramatic part that ended up with a good ending--On the way home from seeing the lights I had Regan, her friend, Cole and Kier in the car with me.  We had just gotten done talking about what you do when you're driving in the snow, because the girls haven't had their licences for that long.  Well, I bet you can see where I'm going with this.  

Anyways, it was snowing really hard and the roads were really slick.  I was driving next to a semi at the time and I don't like doing that even when it's sunny out and the roads are clear.  Well I hit a really slick spot and... Long story short, there was nothing I could do.. I just couldn't gain control of the car.  

It's weird how moments like that happen.  It's like everything goes in slow motion.  I had time to think about what I could try to do to fix the situation, time to take in each person's reaction and time to think of the worst cast scenario.  It's odd how that works, because reality is that it happened really fast.

Well, luckily there were no other cars on the left hand side of me in the HOV lane.  My car slid twice and ran right into the cement wall in the middle of the freeway.  We hit at the front driver's side and some how bounced back and was turned around perfectly straight looking south on the northbound freeway between Farmington and Kayesville.  

Right after it happened I remember thinking "omg, omg," and just as I was about to let my emotions take over and totally freak out and cry..I didn't. I freaked for about 5 seconds and then this calm feeling just came over me.  probably denial. haha. jk but I asked everyone if they were OK, and we were.  We were all wearing our seat belts and I was fine, but I just wanted to make sure people didn't have a heart attack or something. (not likely but you know.)  Then I asked Cole (who was sitting in the front seat)..how bad is it?  Because I knew we hit really hard, but our airbags didn't go out at all.  Cole's reply was "it's bad, Jenn, it's bad."  hahah real subtle right?  Well he had just enough room to open his door and get out of the car to look at the damage.  I just kept looking at him as I sat in the car praying that it wouldn't be bad.. Then cole just had this dazed look on his face, held out his hands and shrugged his shoulders.  He got in the car and told me that all he could see was a little bit of paint removed at the very bottom.. Just a black scuff about 6 inches long.  I couldn't believe it.  I mean, we hit pretty hard.  

I calmly called Jamie and James and let them know that we were OK and got on the phone with the highway patrol people.  Luckily, not even minutes after I called, a super nice lady cop pulled up and told me what to do.  She turned on her lights and blocked off the HOV lane and the next lane over and gave me that much room to get turned back around.  She let me know that it was going to be hard, and it was.  I mean, I could only go inches at a time and had to be careful that I didn't slide because cars were still CONSTANTLY going by me.  I finally got turned around and we got back home safely.

I'm still in awe about the whole thing.  I'm going to forget about the dramatic after effect from the two shocked teenagers who decided to freak out more once Jamie and James walked in the door [go figure].  Although, they were dramatic and made me feel like it was my fault, I learned that "teens girls, will be teen girls."  And it's true.  We were fine, the car was fine, and someone was definitely watching over us.  I honestly believe that Heavenly Father knew that my soul couldn't take another "unfortunate" situation right now and for that I'm extremely grateful.  

I don't know how at that exact moment there weren't any other cars on the left side of me, because they sure kept coming as I was getting ready to turn around and I don't know how we ended up exactly straight facing the other way without ramming the side or back end into the wall or why the car didn't get dented, but I do know that Heavenly Father is in the details of our life.  He knows what we need, he knows the lessons we need to learn  at the time and he watches after us--always.  Like I've said before...crappy things happen all the time.  But sometimes, even when something crappy should have happened, it doesn't.  And, well, I'm not going to question it.  I'm just going to count my blessings and move on. 

... I needed that lesson big time this weekend.

happy monday, my friends.

I hear it's snowing out there again so, for the love--be careful;)

'tis the season.

Wednesday.

"Did you get a magical jamba juice potion to make you feel better?"
-Random guy at work to another coworker who was SOBBING
Listen, home girl had been crying at work for the last two days because word around the cube on Friday was that she broke up with her boyfriend/almost fiance.  But then this morning someone asked her how she was and for a minute I thought she was talking about her being pregnant because I heard her say things like, "It creeps me out that it's there." (which is totally something I could see myself saying) So then I was like "Omg, drama." (Don't judge.  That's just how it goes in an office where you can hear people's conversations.) Well, then she was throwing around words like "sick" and "period," "doctor" and then "birth control" and "I feel OK about it."  So over the sounds of the printer, typing and other people talking, I think she might have been crying/talking about something big like cancer or something.  Idk.  I decided to stop listening after that because I felt bad for being nosey even though, that's what happens when you talk so loud! But regardless, pretty sure a Jamba Juice isn't going to make her feel better.  Still a titz too soon to joke about it I think, sir...especially when no one REALLY knows what is going on.

"You guys, I'm seriously going to cry."
-Keirsten
Here's the thing.. she believes a lot of the things that we say and we (especially Nieko) like to have fun with it.  I didn't realize how much we joke around until one night, without even meaning to, we just kept being funny and making things up and she was believing them.  But she really believed Nieko when he said that she should really apologize to Chris because she painted the twin towers on Cole's birthday gift which was the NYC skyline, and well... Nieko made up this thing about Chris having relatives that were involved in 9/11.  He had her feeling so bad about it that she really was tearing up.  So I need to give a shout out to Nieko because he's the BEST at it..and I'm just good at playing along.  But I think for a moment she was really trying to figure out how she could talk to Chris about it without offending him more or making him more sad. After we told her the truth about it she said..:

"...I believed that Jenn and Cole's dad was a clown."
-Kiersten 
BAHAHAHAHA.  It's true.  I'd forgotten that we just played off of something she had said and quickly convinced her that Tracy (my dad) went to clown school and is a legit clown for his job.  ok, if you know my dad, just picture it and tell me that he didn't just laugh out loud?  lolz.

Seriously, the best.  We need to lay off a little though because she's not going to believe us someday when we really need her to believe.

"I wish I was black not some douche bag white boy.. can't even dance."
-Easton
Aside from the fact that he called himself a "douche bag white boy," The best part was how serious he was about dancing.  Yes, we were watching Step Up Revolution, which, if you love dance movies, you NEED to watch it.  Anyways, so he had total reason to be pumped up about dancing.  The kid wants to dance. I get it, so do I..ESPECIALLY after watching that movie (2.5 times..the .5 was because we fast forwarded through the whole thing just to watch the dancing.) Anyways.  Dear Easton, you don't have to wish to be a different race.  Let's just take some dance lessons or something;) haha.

"Is he like, OK to drive?"
-Adrianna
You'd think that she was referring to someone who had been drinking or something, but that wouldn't be funny or unusual.  She was basically asking if this one kid was SNEEDS (AKA: Special Needs..Thank you, Hyrum Blaylock).  He isn't, I don't think at least.  He's just super socially awkward.  Remember me writing about a kid who followed me around for this year's entire Halloween Party at Jared's? Yeah, well she was talking about him.

Sad.  but really...

"I don't want to get my hands dirty."
-Jared
De javu about this one, right?  Let's rewind about a month when Jared kept using the wipies at BWW.  He was serious when he said that he just really didn't like getting his hands dirty and Nieko and I couldn't stop laughing. Well, I realized the seriousness behind it when he didn't want to make a gingerbread house at FHE because he didn't want to get his hands dirty.  haha.  It's OK, Jared..we all have our "things."

"If the world is really going to end in two weeks then why the HECK are you at work?"
-Savanna to a coworker who was freaking out about the world ending.
"omg you're right, I'm going to quit..I want to spend my last few minutes on this earth with my cats."
-The cuckoo coworker's response
She said that this lady was for real.  The best part was that her source for thinking that the world ending and stuff was ...Brian.Williams.

HAHAHAHAHA. Hashtag-- #catlady #crazypeople #someoneneedsaBForBFF ....#okthat'skindofsad 

My "week long compilation about relationships and trust and all that "scary stuff" that probably doesn't make sense to anyone but myself" post

I mentioned last week about how I was distraught about some of the craziness that is going on with the universe right now.  I thought that maybe it was just hitting my social circle especially hard, but it's everywhere.  Something has just been more "off" than usual. 

Bad things happen to good people each and every day, but I feel like lately it's been a never ending circle of crap. Divorce here, break up there, lost jobs, can't find a job, health problems...mix in a little stress about money and a little infidelity and we've about got it covered. 

Don't believe me?  Just think back on your fbook feed from the last 2 weeks or so.  Aside from a few babies, mission, and engagement announcements, my news feed has been blowing up with even more drama and other depressing status updates and relationship changes.  I don't know if it was the full moon or what, but it's getting old.

Sure, I feel like nothing really bad has happened to me personally and most of these things that are going on in other people's lives don't have any effect on my life whatsoever, but it's still bothersome.  I try to remain positive through most things like this but, when it comes down to it, all of this crap going on occasionally rocks my hope in certain things and scares me a little...

...Especially when it comes to relationships.  I think you've read enough of what I feel about relationships and marriage.  That I'm all about love, your relationship status does not define you, that when you find someone you care about you better work hard to keep them around [yada, yada, yada].  

Well, I see people depressed about their single status, rushing into relationships and marriages, people lying to people who they say they love, and it actually scares me. How do you know who to trust?  How can you know who a person really is in such a short period of time? How do you try to believe the good when there is so much "bad" going on in the world in general?  

Those are just some of the questions I've thought as I've learned about some of the recent happenings going on with people I know (or who my friends know).  Yes, I know that I shouldn't be scared but that's just how my brain works, I'm a realist and quite frankly, I probably watch too much TV. That, and I think the biggest factor are all of these online dating stories I hear about everyday.  It's frightening.  Some people are just really really weird and mucho liars.

So, I know that I have no say in how people should live their lives, and I know that sometimes people simply end up not being who you thought they were or maybe even what you thought you wanted in your life at the time, and that I'm probably being super dramatic, but I just can't help but feel that most of these relationship problems/failures and anxieties could be solved if people just learned to be honest with themselves and others. 

[This is the part where I go off so you can stop here if you want, I won't be offended:)]

Examples:

1- If Jane knew that Tony had "X" problem then Jane would have known if it was something they could live or work with BEFORE she agreed to get engaged/marry Tony.  Whether it is something Jane can accept or not, at least Tony doesn't have to live with such a big secret and Jane can respect Tony for telling the truth, and either grow to love him more, or be grateful that she was able to move on.

2- If Bill knew that Gretchen still loved Ted more that she loved him then Gretchen could be with Ted and Bill could have used those 2 years she was lying and cheating on him to grieve and move on.

I know these might be a little extreme but I feel like things like this are happening all the time and it baffles me; I just don't get it.  I guess what I'm saying is that it's all about honesty.  I'm not just talking about romantic relationships either, but honesty in our friendships as well.

There is no need to lie about the way we feel, what we want, or about who we are as a person.  If a person truly loves you, they will love you for your imperfections.  If you lie, you aren't giving that other person a chance to love you and help with whatever the problem is and you're taking away their opportunity to learn from the situation by your side.  And if you have to hide something from someone then how much do you really care about that person?  How strong is your relationship?  And for some of my Facebook "Friends,":  Sometimes people just tell you they love you or care about you and only come around when they aren't whoring around with "so and so" or for whatever the excuse may be that week.  So please, do us all a favor and be honest with yourself.  Pull yourself out of denial and realize that a relationship built on lies will never work and that sometimes, it's time to move on with your life.

I know that there are a few things that we sometimes "fib" about or we stretch the truth so that people don't get their feelings hurt, but flat out lying is a problem and totally not necessary.  I guess what I'm saying about all of this is that I know I shouldn't be scared about future relationships or marriage if it ever comes to that, but that it's totally OK to be cautious.  [Watch Catfish or just open your eyes]... some people aren't really who they say they are.   Now, I'm not saying that you should go into every relationship not trusting the other person because I'm a firm believe that everyone deserves a chance.  As long as you are being honest and you clearly state that honesty is number one for you in any relationship, then all you can do is trust your gut and keep working toward building your relationship.

I remember around this time last year when my new-ish 16 year old niece made up a lie that I caught her in.  She called crying and apologized and I flat out said "I think it's funny that you think I'm dumb.  Just so you know, I don't do liars."  From there on out, I feel like we've had a pretty open and trusting relationship.  Now, I'm not saying that she hasn't lied to other people since that day, (she's a teenager) or that it didn't take a while for her to gain that trust back with me, but I basically let her know, "if you care about me, don't lie to me." It was just a step in getting to know someone and their expectations when it comes to love and relationships.  [Speaking of which, contrary to many people's beliefs around here, I believe that getting to know someone takes more than a few weeks. I honestly don't care what you think about that one... it takes time.]

SO.. crappy things will continue happening to the people around us, and we will decide if we choose to learn from it all and how we handle our own situations as they come.  But if we can just start being honest with ourselves and others, it starts there. Just communicate, people!

Yes, I might be scared a little when it comes to relationships but I plan on not living my life in fear of getting hurt.  (I'll try). But you better believe that I choose to be cautious when it comes to my relationships and those people that I'm close with in my life right now.

So to wrap up this random post about honestly, relationships and other crappy things that are inevitable.. my notes to myself are this when it comes to any kind of relationship:


Be honest. (yes, that means don't lie).
Cautiously give everyone a chance.
Don't be TOO afraid of getting hurt.
Be Smart, never desperate.
Take time to really get to know someone, you won't regret it. 
Unless you think the world is really ending in a few weeks..Slow the EFF dowwwn!!!

and remember, things will get better.  
They have too.

25 things

I read an article earlier this year that I really liked by a journalist who posted about 25 things she knows now that she's 25.

Here's my attempt:)

1.)  Family comes first. I would honestly do anything for my family and I know they would do the same for me.  It's such a blessing to know that no matter where I move, or whatever life change I go through, I always have a set group of people who understand me and will cheer me on... FOREVER.  Eternity, actually ;)

2.) Life is too short to pretend to be something you're not.  You can waste so much time trying to fool yourself and others into believing that you're something other than who you really are...it might work for a while, but most people can see through your bull.  So don't pretend to be a certain way to fit in with people. 

3.) It's good to be friendly and kind, BUT you don't have to be friends with everyone.  Fact is, you won't have a lot of things in common with every single person you meet.  If someone crosses you, or you don't click with someone, or they just have too much drama then it's not a big deal.  Distance yourself. You don't have to be rude to them, but you don't have to pretend that you're best friends..  One of the best things I've loved about getting older is that you don't have to worry about having someone to sit with in the cafeteria for lunch.  So choose the friends you want..one's who don't even make you think twice about being something that you're not.

4.) Taking 10 minutes to clear your head and breathe every so often can save your sanity.  One of my favorite, most relaxing things I've learned to do is to lay on the floor, stretch out my arms way above my head and just stare at the ceiling and breathe.  It's fab.

5.)  You might think you're protecting yourself from heartbreak and disappointment when you hold in your feelings and emotions, but I've learned that it's so much easier just to say how you really feel about whatever the situation is.  Sometimes I just blurt it out, which might be annoying.  Good thing my family and friends "get" me.  But no matter what, even if you don't get the response or outcome that you were hoping for, at least you know and you can pick up and move on.  I've saved myself from a lot of wasted time just because I've learned to open my mouth and say how I feel.

6.) Everything isn't as dramatic as it really seems at first.  You can go ahead and blow things out of proportion for a minute, but I've learned to take a step back and be like, "Ok, I was overreacting."

7.) Not everything you do is the right thing for everyone else.  One of the biggest things I've learned over the last couple of years is that there are SO many good people in this world and just because someone has a different faith or loves differently than you, doesn't make them a bad person.  I know we shouldn't judge at all, but we can at least try not to judge people for WHO they are as a person in general. 

8.) Never think you have to have it all figured out "right now" because that will never happen.  There will always be some other step to take and some kind of decision to make.  

9.)  Let yourself be happy.  Recently I've realized how hard I can be on myself.  Yes, it's important to push yourself and to be driven to do great things with your life, but it is equally important to give yourself a break. 

10.) If you want people to be straight up with you, you have to be straight up with them!

11.) Be smart with your money.  I don't know how many people I have watched become bitter and miserable because of their money problems.  I know that it's a real issue and it can be tough out there, I get it... but work hard, set a budget and spend wisely.

12.) It's OK, not to be "busy" all the time.  Some of my favorite nights are spent ALONE on the couch catching up on my DVR.  [Bra-less of course.]

13.) I would be a mess without my faith in God and my Savior. [like, a nightmare.] I might not be the most righteous woman with all of the qualities the Priesthood holders in the church are looking for but I have a simple testimony that I would be lost without.

14.) Sometimes a girl just needs some popcorn or licorice, k?!

15.) I can do hard things.  I think that sometimes I don't give myself enough credit, but I look back at some of the things I have accomplished in my life and actually kind of amaze myself.  I just think it's so easy to get comfortable in a place in life that we forget that we should be pushing ourselves or we think that we can't do it because it's been so long that we've tried to shoot for something better for ourselves.  Really, we had the capability to do it all along, we just forgot!

16.) Write things down.  If your brain is anything like mine, then you forget some of the little details of things that happen in your life.  I find it fun to go through little notes in my journal (which is basically little pieces here and there because I was NOT good at a journal for very long) but especially on my blog.  Without it, I wouldn't remember details...and sometimes, the best moments are in the little details.

17.) Sometimes you lose and sometimes you lose some more.  Let's face it, we can go through some weeks, months or years where things just seem to keep going wrong.  It's never usually just one bad thing that happens..it comes in two's, three's or more.  But the best thing about it is knowing that things can't stay crappy forever.  It has to get better at some point.  I've learned that is what gets me through most of my "losing streaks."  "It has to get better!" So I just put on my work boot and (sometimes fake) smile and look forward to the morning when I can wake up and that other stuff just doesn't matter anymore.  

18.) To go along with 17.. just because you feel like you are losing, that doesn't mean you get to sit around and whine.  Sure, take time to cry/mourn or whatever you've got to do... but you still have to live your life because it won't get better until you are trying. So dust off and be sure to write down or take mental notes of the things you learned from it. Who knows, something like that could happen again, so while you're here on this Earth and already going through stuff, you might as well be learning the lessons God is wanting you to learn.. You know, in case you need it again ;) 

19.)  Life isn't all about who you're dating or whether or not you are "IN" love.  I love, love so don't tell me that I don't understand because I've never been in a real relationship.  I get it; Love is great. So if you are in love, I applaud you. But just because you are in love or married or in a relationship, that doesn't mean that everyone else who isn't is miserable.  {although, I know a lot of people who are.} Whatever your situation, just make the most out of it and don't assume that everyone wants the same things you do.

20.) Best Friends are people who stay in contact even when you are far away.  If you really care about someone, give them a call or send them a text every once and a while just to let them know that you are thinking about them.  Simply seeing their Facebook updates everyday doesn't count as "staying in contact."  Make an effort.

21.)  There's nothing like getting a real hand written letter/note.  I'm not kidding.  It's kind of a lost art and it makes me sad.  I think that's why I loved writing my missionary friends so much.  Yes, it takes more time then sending a text, email or tweet but a hand written note, letter or card is where it's at!  If I start doing that, don't think I'm weird, k?

22.) It's OK to admit that you have a problem and need help or someone to talk to. In fact, one of the best feelings in the world is having someone who knows you so well that even though you are smiling, they know something is wrong.  Find those people and keep them around!

23.) Never stop learning.  Last week I pulled up a placement test online that had some general math problems on them.  I knew most of them but I found myself going through some of the things and thinking "HOW did I graduate HS/College with almost a 4.0?" I kid you not.  I ended up staying up late working on them because I was so bugged that I had forgotten how to do some of those simple math problems.  It was ridiculous.  I always try to stay caught up on news and other pop culture things, but find something that you enjoy doing even when you aren't in school that keeps that brain going!  

24.) In the words of JB, "The grass aint always greener on the other side, it's green where you water it." hahaha. for real though.  Count your blessings and make the most out of what you have.  This is your life.  If you want something, work hard and make it happen! 

25.) You can't stop the fact that you are getting older by the minute.  Sure, you can get botox and any other surgery that will make you feel younger, but you're getting older all the time; Don't waste your time.  Work towards figuring out what you love and do it and above all, don't take for granted the time you have on this Earth and the people who are  here to share it with you.


Oh yeah, HBD to meeee :) Woo.Hoo.
As Neiko would say.. anyone wanna play Bingo and invest in a Jazzy?  *insert gma emoji*
I'm serious.  That happened on Twitter this morning.  

I know, it's Wednesday.

Last night, as I was getting heated up with a couple of friends about failed marriages, engagements, relationships and people just being liars, I blurted out, "I need to blog about this!"  Normally, that just means that I'm super passionate about the topic at the time, heartbroken, confused or just bothered about the situation.  It might have been all the Midol I'd taken last night or the fact that I'm turning 25 tomorrow, but I was just getting so upset about all the things we were hearing about people and all the crap that just goes on in people's lives.  It's just sad, that's all.  

Of course, Nieko quickly reminded me that I couldn't blog about it because tomorrow (tomorrow being today, of course) was Wednesday.  

 Quote day.  

I'll spare you the boring excuses...  I hardly wrote anything down.  So I will just apologize and you can sit and poke fun at me about my age like Nieko does.  See for yourself:

..and these are just the Twitter jabs and only the ones from NIEKO.  Don't worry, the others play along sometimes too.  I will honestly be surprised if they don't show up to my house tomorrow night wearing all black as if they were mourning my life slowly coming to a sad and unfulfilled end.  hahaha. 

I wish I was kidding.

Yes, it's happening; I'm turning 25.  But all jokes and dramatic fits aside, I know it's not "really" old, I'm just surrounded by a lot of Babies.  Did you hear that, friends? You're all BABIES.  *insert sheer envy of their youth. see--there I go again.

Alright, I just like to have fun with it:) 

So I only have a couple of things people said today that made me laugh/smile aside from the twitter jabs above, so here you go!

"Tu-Tee."
-mason
I know you probably just read that and was like, "Oh cute, he said Turkey because it was Thanksgiving." No.  Tur-Tee is how he says "Thank you."  hahaha. it's the cutest thing. He's at the stage where he's learning his manners and he's actually really good at it!  He will say please if he wants something, he will sometimes say "Bless me" if someone else sneezes, burps, coughs or toots (also, the best thing ever) but when you say, "Mason, say Thank you" He immediately responds with "Tur-Tee."  hahaha.  Sometimes he would even go up to the candy dish, hold out his hand and say "tur-tee" because he wanted some. I love it. Kids are the best.  

"Those should be called Hot-A burritos."
-dad talking about the flaming DORITOS that we got. (He got a little confused) Burrito, Dorito, whatevs. Then cole immediately responded with:
"You're a Vagina." -Cole
yes, I know I shouldn't write down things like this, but if I were to edit that, it really would give you a little insight into how real we are.  Here's the thing, what kid/adult male calls their Dad that!? haha Granted, he was being a little baby about how hot they were.  Yes, they were hot, but he was being dramatic.  I.was.dying.  The best part of it all was that everyone kind of looked at each other like, "what just happened?" and then we all laughed and carried on the inappropriate yet ridiculously funny conversation.

"These olives are weird." -Amanda
"Yeah..I thought so too but didn't want to say anything." -me
"yeah... I'm gunna eat it." -Amanda
hahaha.  It was just so funny because she was so serious about how weird it tasted but how she was just going to eat it anyways.  It's one of those things that didn't need to be said out loud and it totally wasn't meant to be taken as a joke.  She legit was just like "meh, I'm going to eat it anyways."  But let's get real...they were gross.  #amandadon'tcare #shewilleatortakeashotofanything

"His name is Dave Thomas."
-Coworker talking about a new guy she met
"Um, as in the founder of Wendy's? ...BAHAHAHAHAHA."
-me.
Did that ^ give you a good idea of how hard I laughed?  I guess it probably wasn't THAT funny.  But I've just been watching a lot of MTV's new TV show "Catfish" that is all about online dating so I immediately pictured someone stealing his identity or something or claiming to be his son and the heir to the Wendy's fortune.  It could honestly happen.  Just watch the show, there are crazy people out there.  But don't worry, that wasn't really his name... she just got confused for a minute.  

"No..."
"No.."
"Ok, ok."
-Jrrrrd
Just little pieces of a conversation N and E and I had with little J.  Lesson 1-We know things so no need to lie :)