Uplifted.

The last few days have been extremely uplifting to me.

It was LDS General Conference this past weekend and I was blessed to be off of work. I sat on my couch and watched/listened to every word that was said. I always try to be the best person I can be, but Conference left me with the sweet confirmation that through Christ I can be even better, with Him I can be more than I ever imagined.

courtesy of LDS.org

There were so many things I learned, but one thing that stuck out particularly to me was that we each are powerful and can truly make an impact in the lives of those around us. I have had those "angels" in my life, who have made all the difference. And even through my gratitude, they probably still don't comprehend how they have changed me or how they may have impacted my life. I am forever indebted to them. I hope that I have been or may one be the kind of person that they have been to me. How beautiful it is to be entrusted by the Lord to perform His errands!

Feel free to watch some or all of the messages shared on Saturday and Sunday here.

Tonight Heath and I were able to go watch a movie on BYU's campus that I heard about on the news. Tonight was the premiere and were were able to attend! The movie was actually a documentary, it was called, "I am not my body". It's not letting me upload the video, but you can watch it here.  And read more about Marius here.

courtesy of

What an amazing boy, and what amazing people that he had around him! We are not our bodies! We are so, so much more!

You can also read another amazing story of a burn victim here & here.

 courtesy of

Stephanie Nielson--AMAZING. These stories speak of our ability to overcome difficulties--whatever they may be!

To top this all off, I worked on Monday. Most days at work are pretty stressful to me. There is a lot going on in an ICU, as you can probably imagine. I was blessed to have two great patients on Monday. Unfortunately it is hit and miss as to what kinds of patients you get. And it's not very often that you get two who express their gratitude for what I do as a nurse--Monday both verbalized this to me. It really makes all the difference! It's patients like them who make me feel like I am doing something good, something more than just living day to day. I am grateful for those experiences. :)

Valentine's Day!

So I have an awesome husband. I know everyone thinks they do, but that's just because they aren't married to Heath. To be quite frank I don't want to share and I'm biased, so don't take offense :)

For Valentine's this year I started off to beautiful flowers when I woke up. Roses and Lillies, yes, please!

(don't mind the messy table....)

After class that day, we went out for dinner to PF Chang's--Love It! Crazy busy, but Heath planned ahead and got reservations! See, told ya I married a smart guy!

yum.....

Heath with our delicious food.

Post meal, smiles and full bellies!

Next we headed to a movie, yay!

Such a good movie! Like seriously. Totally deserved those Oscars!

We even got good seats!

 On the way home we even grabbed some Cocoa Bean cupcakes! Sooooo yummy!!!

It was a great Valentine's! Thanks, Heath for planning everything all by yourself! xoxox

Better Late than Never?

So like a few years ago, or at least a few blogs ago I told you about my experience at "Color Me Mine". I also told you that I would blog again, and show you the finished product. What did happen was no blogging and me procrastinating taking a picture of my mug. blah blah blah! here we go! the final unveiling!

So, there ya go! The little brown mark on the front by my cursive "b" was not intended... someone at "Color Me Mine" messed up. But I still like it and that's all that matters! I would show you Heath's, but that'll cost you stalkers some comments. I NEED FEEDBACK! hahaha but seriously. That's the price. Peace.

Weddings, part one

My friend Kelly got married back on February. Life got a little crazy and I never posted on it! It was a great day! They were so happy!

Isn't she gorgeous!?!?

This is part 1 because my other friend Angie is getting married in April! I went to nursing school at BYU with both of them, and have been through A LOT with them! It makes me so happy to see such great girls end up with such wonderful men! It makes me even happier that they're getting married in the Temple and can truly enjoy all the blessings that our Heavenly Father has for each of us! Love you girls!

PS Kelly's luncheon was at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, in the Empire Room--deja vu! my own wedding reception was there! Good memories! and now I have some more to add to them!

Thought for Today

I have so much to post. But I had to share this with anyone who even follows or reads this blog of mine. I saw this quote on a friend's blog. A friend who legitimately has something go complain about. And she doesn't. Thanks for the thought. There is always a bigger plan, even if we don't know what it is. Our Heavenly Father really is in control, and really does know what he is doing with each of our lives.

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.

 - C.S. Lewis, excerpted from Mere Christianity

Resolutions--It's update time!

So quick update on my New Years' Resolutions. Take a look at what I did last Thursday/Friday:

That's right! After 2 days of classes, one multiple choice test and a skill pass off, I have my TNCC Certification! So check that off the list! Still working on the others...stay tuned!

Getting Artsy

Date night this past weekend was spent with some great friends! In celebration of Angie's birthday, we went to Color Me Mine in Draper. I've never been before, but I've always wanted to go! You get to pick some pottery to paint, then they fire it for you and you pick it up a few days later!

Heath and I picked mugs. I'll wait to show the finished products until they are actually finished and in my possession. Think of it as a 'grand unveiling'... but here are some shots of the fun night!

The whole group!

(Don't judge, i had been at TNCC class alllll daaaayyyy)

Come back for the 'grand unveiling'! Obviously you wont want to miss it!

BYU v. SDSU

Little late on this post...been a little busy, but no excuses!

AMAZING game! I was so loud in the Marriott Center you couldn't tell if you were screaming or not! Here are some pics and even a few videos of the BYU player introduction--love it.

Sorry I had my camera turned for the first part... Obviously wasn't thinking about the 'blog view'.

 Get excited! There were even more lines to wait in...good thing we had our wristbands (of triumph) and had a decent spot to wait in, in line...i think...

 We made it in! Row 30--not to shabby. Sporting the "white out" white shirts!

BYU won! people rushed the court...thought about it, then decided against it :)

Great game, totally worth the liiiiiiines. so much fun!

Wristband, of triumph!

So I never gave proof of our success this afternoon. I am thoroughly thawed and back from a 2 mile run (trying to keep my resolutions!)! Here's the proof!

Tickets

I would consider Heath and I to be avid sports fans. We aren't the crazy, campout days in advance to get tickets to a game type, but we will wait in lines for tickets.

Well, today was one such day. BYU plays SDSU in basketball on Wednesday. In order for students to get tickets, you had to wait in line this morning. Well, SURPRISE! freak snowstorm today, which basically lasted as long as we were in line--awesome. We were freezing, but we have our wrist bands and can't wait to be at the game tomorrow night! Here are some pics to commemorate the experience.

Us waiting in liiiiine....

the liiiiiiiine...

Our freezing feet :(

Resolutions

So I mentioned in a previous post that I would be making some New Years' Resolutions. I've been trying to think of 5 that are attainable....for me that seems to be key. No more lofty resolutions, only those that I can accomplish and those that are actually something that I want to achieve. Here's what I have come up with!

1. Run a half marathon
2. Learn how to use Photoshop-- I got it for Christmas and I am thoroughly overwhelmed! So much to know!
3. Get my TNCC (Trauma Nurse Critical Care) certification
4. Be better at documenting events--blogging, taking pictures, video, etc.
5. Travel. I'm going to leave this one open for interpretation...I have a few ideas though :)

Speaking of resolutions and New Years, here are some pictures of how Heath and I celebrated. It was a quiet New Years for us since I had to work New Years Day--holiday pay. It pays. Literally.

So we tried out Heath's new deep fryer--yum, right? Absolutely. We fried cheese, zucchini, sweet potatoes, and green bell peppers. Plus the ever traditional sparkling cider!

We had a good time, Heath even woke me up for midnight--as requested! Here's to 2011!

Christmas, a little late....

So I am just now posting about Chirstmas--sorry. But if you know me at all, well, you know. So here it is!

Heath and I spent Christmas this past year in Oklahoma with my parents! We had a lot of fun with my parents. Played some fun games and got to see some family. It is so good to go home! We can't wait to get to visit again!

While I was home, my mom helped me arrange to have a few friends over to catch up--chocolate fountain included! Thanks, Mom for all the help planning it!

Deb and Nate all the way from Hawaii

We had a really good time getting to see friends!

Birthday, part 2

I am officially 25! Doesn't feel one bit different to be honest! It's been a great one though!

Here's the follow up! (I'm pretty proud that I am actually writing this now, and not in February. Sweet.)

Heath and I survived snowboarding! The Canyons was great, as was our instructor, Rube! But I have to say, I am sooooo sore today! arms, legs, SORE! But we had so much fun!

 

 It was suuuuper slick on the snow, but it was so great to learn together!

 I love doing anything with this man. It's always fun!

After a long day of snowboarding we packed up our things and headed down to SLC to see Heath's parents! We went out to dinner at the Outback Steakhouse, then came home and opened some presents! Gotta love Birthdays! Plus. There was CAKE!

 

Courtesy of Sherry

It's always sad to see our long weekend getaway end, but it was so fun and full of memories!

Birthday Weekend, part 1

It's my birthday! (on Tuesday, you still have time to get me an awesome present *winkwink*) Heath and I are spending the weekend prior to my birthday up in Park City at my grandparents' condo--sweet, right? I thought so. We've been getting some much need R&R.

  sunset from our back porch last night :)

Tomorrow, Heath & I are going snowboarding at The Canyons. Remember this post? We'll consider this to be our "to be continued". We are taking a class, seeing as Heath has never actually been snowboarding before, and I haven't been in so long, I figured it would probably be a good idea! Plus, it's no fun to do it alone!

I will post a 'Part 2' after tomorrow. Wish us luck!