Top 5 Hobbies

What are you top 5 hobbies and why do you love them?


Blog stalking
Sad but true. This was the first thing that came to my mind. I love to blog stalk. I love seeing what other crafty things people are doing. How they are making over their home. What fabulous food their eating. I love even more the blogs of friends and family as it allows me to get a closer glimpse of what is going on in their lives when normally I probably wouldn't get to see or know those things. Not sure if this is considered a hobby but I sure do it a lot. 


Reading
There is nothing like getting totally sucked into a book. I love creating the scenes in my head and trying to predict how the story will end. I have come to love all different genres of books but I will always love a good love story. 


Frugality
Again I am not sure that this can be considered a hobby but I get quite a thrill out of coming out even or even below our budget. I love to save money on groceries and see the amount of items I got for a small price. I really get pleasure out of doing things for less. 


Sports
I love to play pretty much any sport (except baseball and golf) but my favorite sports are soccer and basketball. I like to be active and enjoy the competition that comes along with playing a sport. There is always a good time to be had when a game comes together in the back yard or at the park. 


Blogging
This isn't one I do as much as I wish I did, but I do enjoy blogging. I love how therapeutic it is to write and to record memories. Sometimes when I blog about something it is like I get to relive the experience all over again as I record my thoughts and share pictures.

My Life in 5, 10 and 15 Years

Where do you see yourself in 5years? 10 years? 15 years?


In college I had such a detailed plan for my life that I pretty nearly had dates on everything that I wanted to happen. Since then I have learned that life is a bit more unpredictable and that your goals sometimes need to be a bit broader. That being said I think I will take the approach of what I hope to occur in the next 15 years rather than where I see myself.  


Hopes for the next 15 years...

• Graduate from law school (D)
• Get a job (D)
• Grow our family
• Purchase a home
• Pay off our student loans
• Have some savings
• Visit Brazil
• Get laser hair removal from my neck down (this is my joke with D, that I want it as soon as we can afford it and before I get all old and wrinkly and don't want anyone to see my body anyway)

There are a few things on that list I am just itching to have behind us but I am really trying to enjoy the journey because so far it has been an awesome ride! 

My Chosen Superpower

If you could have any superpower what would it be and what would you do with it first? 


I couldn't think too long on this one because if I did I would probably have a hard time choosing a superpower, but the first thing that came to mind and that I find myself wishing were a reality is the power to instantly transport myself somewhere. I know kind of selfish...I should wish to be able to bring world peace or something like that but again this why I couldn't think too long on this one. 


I have thought many times, especially since living away from family that wouldn't it be great to just pop in for a birthday party, a lunch date or even a weekend stay anywhere in the world just like that!? I think I would be popping in on my parents more than they would probably like but I just think that would be so amazing. I also would love to see more of the world but flights are so expensive and take forever. I could avoid all that and just transport myself instantly to Hawaii, Greece or Africa.


I could even use this power for everyday things, like popping in to Walmart for a few needed items without having to take all the time to drive there. As you can see travel time is a real inconvenience to me.


Don't you think this would be the coolest superpower ever? I sure think so. I could also say something cool like "Beam me up Scotty" each time I wanted to go somewhere. Ah...a life of instant transportation would be awesome!


*NOTE* Just so you know, I could easily bring people along by simply holding their hand or something. This would probably be a pretty lame superpower if I couldn't take anyone with me.

3 Significant Childhood Memories

Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood


I have a really hard time recalling memories from last year let alone my childhood so the fact that these are the memories I can actually remember is a testament that they were significant. 


"Cougars"
One of my fondest memories of my childhood was playing "cougars" with my dad. He would get down on his hands and knees and growl like a cougar and then chase after us. Once we were caught we were in for an intense tickle. We would climb up on dad's back and he would crawl around and give us rides. I can distinctly remember that growl noise he made and it would instantly send us into extreme excitement and anticipation. Even now I use that same growl when I nuzzle up to my little guy. I was so blessed to have a dad who took the time to play with us. 


Camping Trip
When I was younger we often went on camping/fishing trips to a place called Ferrin Reseviour. On one particular camping trip we were high in the mountains a long ways away from any sort of civilization and as a kid it felt even farther away. We were all getting ready to go to bed and in prep for my mom and sister to sleep in our suburban my mom had turned on the car to warm it up a bit before they got in to go to sleep. In the process mom accidentally locked the keys in the car with it still running. This was not good. We were miles and miles from any locksmith. If the car ran out of gas we wouldn't have a way to get off the mountain. As a 10 year old little girl, I found this very frightening. 


We tried a number of things with no luck. Eventually I was sent to go to bed with my siblings in tow. Before we laid down I gathered my siblings around to have a prayer. I asked Heavenly Father to help us get back into our car and to bring us peace and comfort. As I laid down my brain started clicking, I remembered that in the very back of the suburban there was a switch to unlock the back doors and that it was probably easier to get through those doors than through a side window (which were all rolled up tight). I finally crawled out of my sleeping bag and went and suggested it to my dad. We rounded up a hot dog skewer  and our friend Curtis Madsen was the one who was finally successful in getting the hot dog skewer into the car and hitting the unlock button. We were in! I am sure my parents would have figured things out on their own but the experience was a great lesson to me. Not only did testimony grow of the power of prayer but that even as a young child I could receive revelation from Heavenly Father to help me in times of need. 


Baptism
Another prominent memory I have from my childhood was the day I was baptized. I remember a lot of details about that day. I remember practicing how to be immersed with my dad prior to my baptism. I remember getting out and being all wet and finding out that my dad forgot to bring a dry white shirt to change into. Thankfully we lived basically across the street from the church so it wasn't too difficult to get one to the church in time. I remember wearing a pretty yellow dress with flowers all over it for my confirmation. I remember the moment I heard the words "receive the holy ghost" I felt warm all over and a happiness filled my body that I had never experienced before. I remember feeling so clean and holy. I remember finding a quiet place in our house amidst all the guests to write in my journal some of my thoughts and feelings from the day. I was so grateful to be the newest member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I wanted so badly to do everything right so that I could always feel this good. Obviously I learned lessons later as to why the Atonement is so important. My baptism was a day that I will never forget. It was my first step on the path back to my Heavenly Father and deep down in my heart I knew I was going the right way. 

If I Could Live Anywhere...

Sorry, we made a short move to Utah and I basically fell off the planet for awhile, but I hope to get back to it for the remaining days in May. 


If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? 


I have thought about this question a number of times as D and I have thought about where we want to "end up" once we leave the school phase behind us. 


The one thing that moves me to a certain place is proximity to family. I just want to be close enough to be able to drive a few hours and be with family. I grew up visiting frequently with my grandparents and I want that for our kids too.


With that being said I wouldn't be opposed to living in some of the states surrounding Utah. I like the idea of living somewhere really warm and sunny (winters just about do me in). I think I would probably really like Arizona or even St. George. I wouldn't be opposed to ending up in Utah again either. 


Let's be honest at the end of the day we will go where the job is and who knows where that will be. We are however doing all we can to make a job opportunity more likely in the areas we would prefer to live. We'll see how that works out for us. 


I am excited to find out where we may end up some day!

5 Things That Make Me Happy

What 5 things make you most happy right now

1. When D is home and not at the law school
2. Listening to baby G giggle
3. Eating chocolate cake
4. Being with my boys
5. Seeing the sunshine

Advice To My 16 Year-Old Self

List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self

1. Boys will come and go. Don't base your self worth on what they think. 
2. Try to actually learn what you are being taught at school. Good grades aren't going to do much for you if you haven't learned the material. 
3. Be friends with everyone. Be outgoing. 
4. Don't be afraid to try things that you might fail at. 
5. Friends will come and go. Know your family will always be there for you.
6. Shoot the ball. You have better chances of making a goal. 
7. Do things that will make for great memories (In a good way, aka don't always just watch movies with your friends. Go do things!)
8. Watch out for curvy driveways and lurking mailboxes. 
9. Don't do you hair in that ugly up do for homecoming. It just wasn't cute.
10. Even though you have to drive a minivan, it's at least a vehicle and you'll survive it. 

My Parents

Describe your relationship with your parents


I love my parents so much. They are great examples to me and I really admire and look up to them. Here are a few thoughts on each of them. . . 
Relationship with my Dad
Me and my dad are very similar in personality. We have a lot of the same attributes when it comes to hard work, motivation and problem solving. During those wonderful teenage years this caused for an occasional clashing of sorts because when you put two of the same type of people in a room on different sides of the argument there isn't much hope for finding a solution that makes both parties happy, especially when one of those individuals is a stubborn, has to be right teenager. Thankfully my dad patiently endured. I have many fond memories of having post game talks with him. Seeking his advice on how to improve my game (soccer). I loved receiving his praise. I felt like I was the Heisman trophy winner when my dad told me I had done something well. My dad has taught me about hard work, making smart decisions and how to have a good time even if you look a little goofy. I know my dad will always be there for me and for our family because he is just that kind of guy. Reliable, dependable and stalwart.  I am so grateful for a loving father who has taught me more life lessons than I can count. 
Relationship with my Mom
Simply put my mom is one of my very best friends. Giving me an hour to myself with my mom is like giving me gold. I love spending time with her. She lifts me, she encourages me, she laughs at my jokes. I always come away feeling more ready to face the world after talking or being with my mom. She just has a way of putting a little more gasoline to your fire. My mom is kind, thoughtful, giving, selfless and full of love. I strive every single day to be the kind of mother that I have had. My mom has been there through all the ups and downs of my life. Many times I have cried on her shoulder. I have excitedly shared news. I have expressed worries and concerns. I have sought for help and advice. I have been  taught and shown how to be a valiant woman of God. Words can't express the love I have for my mom. She is super woman in my eyes and I marvel at all she does and is. The world and especially my world are so much better with my mom in it. 


Love you both!!

Top 3 Fears

Describe 3 legitimate fears you have


Fear #1 Husband dying
This is probably my greatest fear. It is an even more intense fear now that we have baby G. I can't imagine life without my sweetheart. I can't imagine baby G never really knowing his father. It really just makes me sick to think about. This really wasn't a fear until shortly after I got married. It was then I realized how much I never want to be without my companion.


Fear #2 Getting a terminal illness
Through small health trials I have really come to appreciate my health and I never want to become terminally ill. I can't imagine the mental and emotional strength you would have to have in order to deal with physically feeling awful every single day. I also think it would be incredibly challenging to not think and  feel as though you are a burden to those you love.


Fear #3 Natural Disasters
I am so scared of some natural disaster coming and destroying my home and possibly taking any of my loved ones. This has been enhanced since we moved to the mid-west. Tornadoes are for real here people. I don't have my big strong Rocky Mountains to protect anymore. Rainstorms and storms in general freak me out because I think any minute a tornado is going to rip my apartment building off the ground and fling it half way across the state. I can't imagine how terrifying it would be to be involved in some devastating natural disaster. 

20 Random Facts About Me

List 20 random facts about yourself

1. I love bread and eat it at almost every single meal and sometimes as a snack
2. I have an addendum to my birth certificate because my parents changed the spelling of my name from two "s" to one "s"
3. I have two scars on my forehead. Each from a family member. Roller skates and hot curling iron is all that needs to be said. 
4. I hate the sound of people smacking (chewing with their mouth open). Biggest. Pet. Peeve. Ever.
5. I sat my parents down at age 4 and told my parents they weren't spending enough time with me (post little bro being born) I am the oldest and really liked being the center of attention. Still do. In a healthy way of course. 
6. I am a blog looker. I hardly ever read blogs. I just look at the pictures. They are like grownup picture books. 
7. I love Italian food
8. I dig awesome chapstick especially Carmex
9. I love flossing my teeth
10. I cried probably 6 different times within the first 24 hours of being married (I was on an emotional roller coaster. I was SO happy to be married but golly there is a lot to take in after one gets married!)
11. I hate doing dishes
12. I look forward to waking up so that I can eat breakfast
13. I really like trying on shoes (way better than trying on clothes, shoes look awesome on you almost 99% of the time) 
14. I have a bamboo plant sitting on my desk
15. I love getting the mail
16. I would love to have a fresh out of the dryer towel every single day
17. I liked to create my own talk shows as a kid. I pretty much never stopped talking. 
18. When I was young I rocked the side ponytail like no ones business
19. I love my iPhone probably a little too much
20. My keyboard is really loud when I type and I pretty much love that. I sound really productive when I type.