Quote

 "Sometimes during solitude I hear truth spoken with clarity

 and freshness; uncolored and untranslated it speaks from 

within myself in a language original but inarticulate, heard 

only with the soul, and I realize I brought it with me, was 

never taught it nor can I efficiently teach it to another."

--Hugh B. Brown

Brother Nuttall quoted this at institute Thursday and I told

him I had to have it!!

Kind of amazing...

Dallas and Colleen

I was able to go visit my friend Dallas and his adorable wife, Colleen, and 

two boys before they move to Salt Lake.  Dallas is an air traffic controller and got

an awesome job working in the tower at the Salt Lake Airport.  

It is so crazy to see Dallas not only a Dad of 1 but 2 boys!  He is an

excellent father and I love his wife.

Dallas and I taught swim lessons together

for 3 summers at Kino Pool and became the best of friends.

Then he moved away to dive at BYU and I stayed here.

Then he broke his back during a diving practice

and I got cancer.  He moved back to Mesa, had back surgery and

I started my rounds of chemo.  We were like 2 old people.  

I was wearing a wig and he had to use a walker.  

Funny story:

(Side note: Colace is an over the counter laxative)

One day  I went over to his house to keep him company

since he had just gotten home from the hospital after his 

second surgery.  We were chatting and then I realized I had 

forgotten to take my colace (I had a treatment 2 days prior.)

So I whip it out and Dallas says, "hey can I have a couple of those too?

My Mom forgot to pick up some extra at the store."  So I without thinking much 

of it, gave him two pills.  And then it hit me, Dallas and I are sharing COLACE!  

How in the world did we get here?  

 Dallas and I had gone from being two

very active teenagers living life, to two

19 year olds taking colace.  It was pretty awesome.

Dallas and I have always been close.
We went through a lot together.  He would
even come to my treatments with me so I wouldn't be alone
when my family or Tina Linford couldn't come.
 When he got married, he told me that if I would be

willing to wear a suit, I would be the best man.  Ya right.

Like that would happen! 

I love Dallas and his sweet family and I am so happy and proud of him!!

Enjoy the Ride

A good friend told me the most amazing story Thursday so you need

to listen.

When she was driving from Nebraska to Arizona many years ago

with her husband it was during Christmas time and it was snowy and

icy and the roads were really bad.  It was her turn to drive and it was dark

and really late and her husband was starting to doze off

and she hit black ice.

The car started to spin out of control and she panicked.  She said

a prayer and the prompting came as clear as day:

"TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL AND ENJOY THE RIDE."

She took her hands off the wheel and the car slid into a snow bank

and they were safe.  Nothing happened.  But within a split

second a semi came whizzing by and if 

she wouldn't have removed her hands,

they would have been destroyed.

That story changed me.  She was teaching me to stop

trying to have control and let the Lord take charge.

She said you won't always enjoy the ride,

you will enjoy the eternal blessings.

It is only when we stop trying so hard to have it our way,

will we find real happiness. 

And so every time I start to want to control things

or force things or change my circumstances (that I don't have control over),

I think of that story.  I figuratively, take my hands off the 

wheel, say a silent prayer, and keep moving forward.

That simple story has changed my life!  

Isn't it amazing!

Quote

Love the movie.  Love the quote.

Winter Weekend

I went with a bunch of friends to a cabin in Pine Top this past weekend.

We had a lot of fun eating, playing games, talking, and well...not much else.

Some went snow boarding and some of us who didn't had

our own adventures.

To me, no vacation is complete without a puzzle!

 The one's ( me included) who didn't go snowboarding, drove around 

town and visited very random stores.

Here are Carly and I trying on ridiculous cowboy /rancher suits.

I am not entirely sure what they are used for.

 Giddy up!

Isn't my roommate pretty?

Ate at Mama Bears and Tom offered to pay

for us girl's lunch if we would eat a half pounder.  

I was a litte nervous since I wasn't very hungry but I did it!

I put bleu cheese and grilled onions on it and it was delicous.

We went shooting and found these bones on the way down.

Kind of morbid I know.  Sorry but had to share.  

 Trevor taught us all how to shoot.  It took me forever

to shoot a stupid pop can but I eventually did it!  

He was patient and wouldn't let me quit

cause I wanted to after about the 20th shot.

And this is what the rest decided to do with my

camera while I was shooting...

It was a lot of fun.  So nice to get away.  I needed it.  I think we all needed it.

Now back to a normal, crazy, work week!

Nixon Banks

Obviously since I don't have children of 

my own yet, I love, love, love

my nephews.  

But how can you not love this little boy:

I wish they always stayed this size and

adorableness...

New Years Resolutions

I usually always write new years resolutions and then 

after the huge breakfast I ate New Years Morning, I had

to cross "eating healthy" off the list.

That usually happens.  I try to not eat sugar (especially chocolate)....

well if you know me...that isn't going to be happening.  I

try not to each sugar...but I love chocolate.  

Not candy.  Chocolate.

And my resolutions are always the same.  I always list

the spiritual (scriptures, prayers, temple, service)

 which are most important, and then

working out ( I am dedicated to

running a half marathon this year), and writing in my journal,

and saving money and I love to shop

so there is always a goal 

to not shop so much...and you know how it goes.  

But this year I also commit to:

1. Eating slower

2. Driving Slower
My family and friends think I am the worst...
I submit that I am not!  But 
it needs a little work.

3. Making my bed everyday

4. Loading the dishes and not just 

washing them and leaving them in the sink.

5. Limit Diet Dr. Pepper to one

32-ouncer at QT once a week...ok maybe twice

6. Not allowing my thoughts

to show up on my face.  If I think you are crazy

or what you just said was ridiculous, my face shows it...

not always a good thing.  Crazy people are endearing...

ok maybe not really...but they

need love too

7.  I need to be more charitable...

8. I need to dust my room more often

9. If I haven't worn a shirt, or pair

of shoes in at least 6 months..

give to DI....so

de-clutter!!

and 10-16:

Chocolate is listed twice...it can be a real issue 

And Church was moved from 8am to 11am

Perfect!

Gotta start somewhere!  

Happy 2011!