Thursday, December 20, 2007

Happy 27th!!!!!...

...anniversary. My parent's anniversary to be exact. Today they have been married for 27 years! My parents were married December 20, 1980 in the Salt Lake Temple and have been happily married since. They are such amazing examples to me of what a marriage should be! I love that they are best friends and that they still love to be together. They are empty nesters now, but they love travelling all over the world (they've been to the Philippines, Hong Kong, the Carribbean all this year and are going to Hawaii in a few weeks) and spoiling the grandchild!

Thank you mom and dad for all you do for me and for our whole family! We love you!! Happy 27th anniversary! Here's to 27 more!!!

And I just have to share this picture of my cute dad and nephew! What studs!!! ;)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Judge-isms

I work for a great Judge. He is awesome. He is also a small-town boy who is normally pretty quiet and reserved, but every once in a while will say something that shocks us all. You also have to know that he was a JAG for the Marines and just retired from the Marines this summer. He still has to go to Germany on assignments that he can't tell me about, so I know he has probably killed somone with his bare hands.

Yesterday we had our office Christmas party and the Judge was sitting at my table along with a couple friends and another Judge. It was actually quite hysterical. We were playing Court Bingo and some of the words on the cards were names of attorneys. And unless you work at the court, you probably won't understand why this was so funny, so sorry! But they called out O - Sheldon. (Sheldon Carter is an attorney here in Utah County) The Judge casually announces, oh look, he's right next to continuance. Ha!! (seriously, I'm sorry, it's such a court joke!) The whole room started laughing and I think most people were thinking, was that the Judge that just said that? (most people have never heard my Judge even speak...)

Now here is the part that everyone can appreciate. Yesterday afternoon I got a call from the front desk saying that there was a couple there that wanted to get married immediately and they were wondering if the Judge was available. I asked if he would be willing to perform a marriage and he agreed. I went downstairs and brought the couple up to our courtroom while the Judge filled out the necessary paperwork. He came into the courtroom and performed the simple ceremony for this couple. The couple was older (and was dressed in jeans and t-shirts, just in case you were wondering) and they had the same last name. As they were signing their marriage certificate the Judge casually says, "I noticed that you have the same last name. Is this a re-marriage?" To which the couple responds, "yes, we finally grew up." And then the kicker, the Judge says, "well, let's hope it sticks this time."

Who says that?!? Sure, we may have all been thinking it, but to actually say it! I had to control the laughter that was trying to escape my mouth! And he said it so non-chalantly, which made it even funnier. I think the couple was a little shocked. At least he did follow it up with a "congratulations."

I love my job!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Aunt Jen

On Tuesday night I got to babysit Easton. I hardly ever get to just hang out me and him, and we had a blast! Landon and Haley were going to the temple and to dinner with her family and my mom was busy with Christmas stuff, so I was the lucky babysitter! Easton is so much fun right now and he is such a cute little boy. I can't believe how big he is getting! He talks constantly and loves to sing. He knows so many songs and right now loves to sing Christmas songs. We sang Frosty the Snowman about 20 times and Rudolph at least 10. So much fun! I'm also going to brag a little that Easton knows the first and second Articles of Faith and he can recite the Pledge of Allegience. He's pretty brilliant, if I do say so myself. I just love being an aunt and especially Easton's aunt!!! I'm pretty sure I'm his favorite! ;) I didn't take any pictures from when I was babysitting on tuesday, but here are some recent pictures of the adorable Easton! Enjoy!!

Easton with Grandpa's work goggles...


Grandma, Easton and Aunt Jen...
just being adorable...
Easton rolling out cookie dough. Look at his little hands! I love this kid!!!
Easton riding his bike at Grandma's. He wanted a helmet, but Grandma didn't have one, so he went and got a bowl...
Easton as an elephant for Halloween...

Easton and daddy's deer antlers...

You can't deny that this is the cutest kid in the world!!! :)

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Lights and Music

The day after Thanksgiving, Michelle and I went to Salt Lake to hang out with our friend Heidi and her little girl KayLynn and to see the lights on Temple Square. Heidi was our roommate in Guatemala and we haven't all hung out together in about 2 years. We had a blast together...catching up, laughing and trying to stay warm! We had dinner at Crown Burger since Shell hadn't been there since she's been home from her mission and then saw the lights come on at Temple Square. It was beautiful!

We even walked up and down the rows of luminaries looking for one in Cebuano. We finally found it! We also found one in Caquikel which is the Mayan dialect they speak in the part of Guatemala where we lived.
Later in the evening, Michelle and I went to the Gateway to see John Schmit perform. He is an amazing pianist and I love seeing him play. It was a lot of fun to hang out with Shell and kick of the Christmas season!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Dash

I heard this poem a few weeks ago and it really affected me! It hit home especially since losing Tim recently. But today I thought of it again as I heard about another BYU student that was killed in a car accident this weekend while driving back to Provo from spending Thanksgiving with her family. It breaks my heart to know that there are so many people around me going through something that I have had to endure recently. But this poem reminds me of how Tim lived his life and of how precious life really is.

THE DASH
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represented all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Friday, November 23, 2007

I love them!

MY FAMILY!!!!

It's a pretty well-known fact that I have an amazing family! I just wanted to share with you all a couple of our recent family pictures. We took these the first weekend of October while we were at my parents condo at Wolf Creek. This was General Conference weekend and the weekend before Kyle went into the MTC. It is always so fun to spend time with the fam and I'm glad we have these new family pictures. I think they turned out pretty well. If I do say so myself...

The Boys

The Girls

Cute Easton - I definitely have the cutest nephew!! :)

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

It's gone...

I've been threatening to do it for a long time, but I finally bit the bullet and did it! It's gone! My long hair is gone!!!!

Last weekend I cut off almost 12 inches of hair! I had been growing it out for a while, but needed a change. Life is all about change right? And mine seems to be constantly full of it! One thing that is normally consistant though is my hair. I don't chop it very often, but I felt the need to change that too. (And the fact that I was occupying my time with picking split ends helped the decision too!) Basically, I think of it as a symbolic chop. A new start, if you will.


Here are pictures of the before and after for your viewing pleasure...


Before...

I also just wanted to showcase Sarah's halloween costume for anyone who might not frequent her blog! I literally couldn't stop laughing when I saw it in person. Totally awesome!

And yes, I was really boring this year and didn't dress up at all. But I was in court all day, so that is my excuse. If I could have dressed up, I would have been an inmate of the Utah County Jail. I have connections...


And after...
And why not throw in something a little sassy just for fun...

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Good times in AZ

I needed to go to Arizona this last weekend for Tim's funeral, but definitely didn't want to drive alone so I went with a few friends who also wanted to go to the funeral. It was a sad weekend in ways, but we had a great time hanging out with family and friends that we haven't seen in a long time.

The drive down to Mesa was soooo loooooong, but we put in some good music and jammed our way to Arizona. We got there friday afternoon and spent that night with friends. The Ellsworth's let us use stay at their house and we had a bunch of friends over from the old ward who either went down for the funeral or who live in AZ now. There ended up being about 14 of us who just hung out all night and told stories and laughed just like old times. It was awesome!

We <3 the Ellsworth family!!!!







The funeral was on saturday and it was amazing. The best part was when Tim's dad spoke and he also sang the song that he and Tim had sung at Tim's mission farewell. Incredible!!!! Big Tim and Cara are like my other parents and it was so good to spend some time with them. Big Tim told me that I could have one of their house keys to ensure that I would still come visit!


Saturday night all of us that were staying at the Ellsworth's went to the ASU/UW football game in Tempe. We ended up having a great time and really enjoyed each other's company. I love that even after not having seen Ty for about 5 months we just get right back to giving each other crap and bantering about everything. But with Ty, it's just our way of showing our love for each other! ;)


The group of us at the game...Matt, Mark, Dan, me, Amanda, Chase, Kaisha & Ty. Oh yeah, and me with my favorite person to cuddle with, Dan (no commitment involved, promise! he is just really ridiculously good looking! ;)


Tuesday, October 16, 2007

I Love Timmyman!

I know, I know. Everyone has been bugging me about never updating my blog. Well, here it is. I will try to be better about it! Promise!

I hate to get back into blogging with this post, but I feel like I need to post this to pay tribute to one of my dearest friends, Tim Filichia. Tim was killed in a car accident last Sunday, October 7 as he was driving back to Provo after spending conference weekend with his family in Arizona. I'll be honest that the last 9 days have been really hard for me. Tim is the person that I would call when something amazing happened or when I needed a shoulder to cry on and he did the same. I have so many hilarious, spiritual, retarded and amazing memories of Tim. I will always cherish the wonderful times we spent together and the impact that he has made on my life. I am a better person for having known Timmy. I am struggling with him being gone, I keep thinking I'm going to get a text or a phone call from him any minute, but the best way I can think of honoring his life is by becoming the daughter of my Heavenly Father that he always saw me as. I now need to take the things that he taught me through his example and through his words to me and "make of my life a masterpiece".

This picture (even though it is really blurry) is of one of my fondest memories of Tim. I've spent a lot of time in Arizona with Tim and his family and this is a picture of the last time I went down before Tim passed away. It was the beginning of May that Tim and I went down and spent the weekend with his family and went to my old roommate Becca and Clark's wedding reception in Tucson. Now you have to know that Tim has one of the most amazing voices ever and we loved to sing together. We used to spend hours at my house sitting at the piano and singing. This night we drove the 2 hours from Mesa to Tucson and sang the whole way. Our favorite song to sing together was the duet from Wicked called "As Long As You're Mine". It is one of the greatest love songs ever! Tim and I put the CD on repeat and probably sang the song 6 times just on the drive to Tucson. Well, at the reception there was a dance floor. Tim is also an incredible dancer and we began to dance the night away. After a while, our song came on, the one that we had sang 6 times already that night in the car, but the song that we love! So we started singing it and dancing around and we noticed that within about 30 seconds, the dance floor was empty, except for us, and everyone was watching us. Well what did Tim and I decide to do? Of course, make complete fools out of ourselves! We made a huge production out of the song and dancing to it and everyone loved it. It was hilarious! But it was one of the funnest things I have ever done!! Tim was the life of the party that night! After the reception we even went to IHOP with Becca and Clark because they just wanted to spend more time with Timmy. And on the drive back to Mesa what did we do? Obviously, we sang our song a few more times. It was awesome and something that I will remember my whole life.

Timmyman, I love you and miss you terribly, but I know that you are in a better place and that I will see you again! Thank you for always being there for me and loving me for who I am and who you know I can be! Thank you for sharing your family with me and being the greatest example I have of Christlike love. But most especially, thank you for being a part of my life!!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Festival of Colors

This last weekend a ton of friends and I went to the Hare Krishna temple in Spanish Fork for Holi, the festival of colors. It is an Indian tradition to welcome in Spring. They have tons of food and dancers and you can tour the temple and buy cool things. Then they start a huge bonfire where they burn in effigy a devil woman representing all evil. As soon as the devil woman lights on fire everything goes crazy. Everyone has bags of colorful chalk powder and you just start throwing it and rubbing it all over everyone. It is insane. But so much fun. It is so hard to describe, so the picture will have to do. This is not even half of my friends that went. There were tons of us! This is before the chalk throwing. Notice the colorful bags that everyone is holding. After...totally covered in chalk! My eyes hurt so bad because my friend Craig accidentally shoved a handful of chalk right in my eyes. It took forever to wash all the chalk out of my hair and clothes. And even the next day I was cleaning more chalk out of my ears! It was a blast!

Monday, March 19, 2007

Big Changes!

Lots of change is happening in my life! The last couple weeks have been full of interesting things and lots of prayers and trying to figure out what I am to be doing right now. Through some wonderful experiences and help of my amazing family and incredible friends I have decided to make some big changes. I am looking forward to what the future holds and know that the Lord is guiding my life. I am so grateful to be led by the Spirit and to be doing what I know is right.

The first big change (but the last that will actually happen) is that I have decided to MOVE. I have lived in my apartment for almost two years and it's time for a change. I need to get out of my comfort zone and change some scenery. It isn't a huge move, only about 2 miles away, but it is a very different area than I have lived in the last few years. This picture is of the complex that I am moving to. It is only a couple years old and the units are gorgeous. I have three really close friends who live there now and one of them just put her mission papers in. So I am going to take her spot when she leaves this summer. I am excited to be in a new place and meet new people. This is definitely a good change!

A change I haven't been a huge fan of is one of my best friends moving. This past week he decided he needed to make a quick change and picked up and left Provo and moved to Salt Lake for the last six weeks of school and then he is going back home to Arizona. I didn't realize how much I rely on him until this last week when he hasn't been around. Thank goodness for cell phones and texting!! I miss you already Tim!










Probably the greatest change (well, it's a change from the last 18 months) is that two weeks ago my sister got home from her mission!! My parents went and picked her up in the Philippines and they traveled for a couple weeks and returned home to Utah on March 5th. It has been so much fun having her home! I'm especially excited that she is going to be living in Provo for the summer!



The last change, and the one I am most excited about, just happened this morning! I am starting a new JOB in two weeks!! My sister-in-law's mom let me know about some job openings that she thought I would enjoy and that I would do well at, so I applied and interviewed the end of last week and I got the wonderful call this morning. I am going to be working for the Fourth District Court here in Provo as a Deputy Court Clerk. Meaning, I will be on a team that works for a specific judge handling their cases. I am excited to learn something new and expand my knowledge. It will be sad to leave the company I have worked for for the last 3 years, but this is a great opportunity and I need to take it. It just feels right. And now I will have insurance! :)

I have never been a fan of change, but right now it needs to happen. I need to learn and progress and stretch myself. It is going to be an eventful ride the next couple months. Wish me luck!







Wednesday, March 14, 2007

The 80's are back!

Last night my ward had an 80's skating party at Classic Skating. The 80's and all their glory (or at least all their spandex and ankle warmers) were back.
Chase, the activity organizer! Love the mullet!!
Chad, Allison, Hillary & Josh...sweatbands and ankle warmers...gotta love 'emAaron & Devin...I think my dad had/has those exact same sunglasses. They look like they should be part of Bon Jovi or something...Jen, Michelle, and Jen...at least Jen #1 wore a side ponytail. I was kind of a party pooper. Oh well.I had to put this picture on here from our 80's night last year. It's my favorite! Wrestler Aaron with his fro, sweat band and teeth guard...so hot!!!
and just for fun...

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's If...

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE".
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Belair " ...and can do the "Carlton".
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. "WOAH " comes from Joey on Blossom.
8. Two words: Hammer Pants.
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock ".
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and "spokey-dokes" or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales ". (Woo ooh!)
12. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
13. When it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles " on the big screen... and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
17. You played the game "MASH ". (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear... need I say more.
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM " in Kindergarten. (She's truly outrageous)
21. You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing " and all the Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF".
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us... head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT " after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hookup.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (and like #24, probably in neon colors, too)
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"
36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. "Don't worry, be happy"
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do...getting yelled at by "younger hip" members of the family)
46. "Miss MARY MACK MACK MACK, all dressed in BLACK BLACK BLACK "
47. You remember boom boxes. and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
48. You remember watching both "Gremlins" movies.
49. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!"
50. You remember watching "Rainbow Bright" and "My Little Pony Tales "
51. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
52. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
53. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB".
54. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By the Bell ", the ORIGINAL class.
55. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
56. You just sang those words to yourself.
57.You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
58. Homemade Levi shorts. (the shorter the better)
59. You remember when mullets were cool!
60. You had a mullet!
61. You still sing "We are the World"
62. You tight rolled your jeans.
63. You owned a bannana clip.
64. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
65. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' about Willis?"
66. You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
67. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head,aren't you!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

I Heart Hockey

Recently, a bunch of friends and I have been obsessed with going to hockey games. Specifically, BYU Ice Cat games. They are so much fun! We cheer on the Ice Cats, eat nachos, dance to the Black Eyed Peas, and freeze! It is so cold, but we have such a good time! I especially enjoy watching the fights that randomly break out. What would a hockey game be without a good fight?!? Plus, every time I've gone to a game, they've won. I think I am definitely their good luck charm! ;)
BYU vs. Utah game

The girls plus Stephen

Top L-R: Stephen, Lydia, Tansy, Stephanie, Rachel

Bottom: Diana, Maurie, JenMe and Rachel...she is such a cute girl!

BYU vs. UVSC game

L-R: Brian, Stephen, Stephanie, Diana, Jen, Kristy, Lydia

I didn't know we were taking a picture. I'm hiding behind Tyler...

Friday, February 23, 2007

Babies, babies, and more babies

Recently, an insane amount of my friends have had babies. I don't know what was going on nine months ago but it must have been baby making time. But congratulations to all of them! You girls amaze me! And here are the babies, in order of birth...

ANJA ANTONINA PAXMAN
February 1, 2007
7 lbs. 9 oz. 19 1/2 inches
The proud Paxman crew. Yes, that is baby #5! I love you Ani and Dustin and wish you luck with the brood! L-R: William (3), Hunter (1), Ani, Connor (2), Ahna-Maija (5), Anja, Dustin

next up:

DREW AND JT BANKHEAD

February 8, 2007

AJ and Emily Kate are being thrown into this parenting thing with twins. But they will be amazing parents. Congratulations and good luck EK with all that testosterone!

then:

BABY BOY CASTILLO
February 9, 2007
9 lbs. 12 oz. 20 inches

I don't have any pictures and I don't know what they decided to name him, but this is my cousin Ryan's baby. His wife Erin is a trooper! Way to have an almost 10 pound baby. Erin, you're my hero!

and finally:

KYLIE NICOLE HILL
February 13, 2007
6 lbs. 13 oz. 20 inches

Kylie with her two sisters...Cassidy (2) and Makenzie (4). They love her so much! Congrats Aub and Cam on the new addition.

Mini Golf

There are two things that I admit to being very bad at...wood carving and miniature golf! Well, this last weekend I went golfing with some friends and you'll never believe it, but I actually won!!! I don't think I have ever won a game of mini golf in my life. So either my losing streak is over, or my friends let me win by playing absolutely pathetic games themselves. Thanks guys! The first hole...little did I know the joy that was awaiting me!

Lydia and Stephanie rejoicing with me over my hole in one! (Steph really isn't asian, she just looks like it for some reason in this picture)

Mike and Lydia oohing and ahhing at my amazing skills

Mike's nose pointing to my amazing score. You can't see it very well, but the lowest score on the right...50...is mine! I killed everyone!

I also just want to say that I'm looking forward to Sarah's Oscar Night party and I'm expecting amazing things. And who knows, with my recent luck I might just guess all the winners correctly. We'll see if my luck holds out...