maddie moments

11.11.11

2011-11-11T21:10:00.000-08:00

when i was a little girl I used to look at the clock at 11:11 quite a bit. I remember thinking to myself, this date is going to be significant in my life. (or SOMETHING). Today as i was walking around the neighborhood in Southern California with these cute kids that I am tending for the week, it dawned on me that today is 11.11.11.

and because nothing WAY exciting is happening today, or happened today in my life.. I started thinking..

who am I today.

am I happy with myself.

am I at the place that I want to be.

could I be better, of course, but am i on the path that i want to be on.

???

these questions started flooding my mind.

I am not perfect, I am not near as good as I would like to be, but yes, I am happy with the person that I am trying to become. I am more than happy with my life.

so that was the cool thing that happened to me on 11.11.11

I was just happy to be me today. nobody but me.

that's a good feeling.

I hope you are happy to be you.

love, cheeseball me

oh yeah, and one more thing.

today i am grateful for THESE things

nail polish

hand soap

popcorn

sisters

christmas music

love

zycam

skype

socks

best friends

prayer

hot chocolate

mom+dad

laughter

my bed

...

these help

2011-08-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYYY TO YOU!!!!!

My little BAY is all grown up. TOMORROW she turns 18. She is officially an ADULT. she loves to say that. I still think she is a baby though. A little about bays....

I just want to start by saying, I SCORED in the little sister department. I could not have asked for a more amazing little sister. I don't even know where to start. Bailey is the type of sister that will have just cleaned up the kitchen from making herself some lunch and I will walk in the door and she will ask me what she can make me for lunch. She always is making sure everyone else is happy. Bailey makes me laugh till I cry. She is so stinkin hilarious and she doesn't even try. Bailey is so responsible. I can count on her for everything. She is SO good with kids. even better than me sometimes ;) . Bailey is seriously the best little sister I could have ever asked for. She has always been there for me and I want her to know that I will ALWAYS be there for her.

hope you have a happy birthday knowing that you have an older sister that loves you to pieces.

xoxo

r.i.p.

2011-05-03T18:04:00.001-07:00

so much is going on in the world today

......does anyone even care about CASEY?.....

bye baby.

girls just wanna have fun(ds)

2011-05-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

girls night.

chocolate

face masque

Dear John(i love you)

fingernail painting

cheesy music

no boysDUH

just a lotsa girl talk

oh&photo booth.

I always love my girl time.

ps. this is hayley. my new found friend. we work together&are about to live together. she's great.

the end

yummies.

2011-04-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

I was just typing up some recipes for a cookbook. I thought I would share some of my favorites with you guys! I always love when people share recipes and what is more fun on a Saturday then making something yummy in the kitchen.... so here you go!

Better than (S) cake
Ingredients
1 package devil's food cake mix
1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces caramel ice cream topping
3 bars chocolate covered toffee, chopped
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

Bake cake according to package directions for a 9x13 inch pan. Let cake cool for 5 minutes. With the back of a wooden spoon, poke holes all around the cake making sure not to go through to the bottom. Heat up the carmel and pour it over the cake, then pour the sweetened condensed milk over it as well. then sprinkle the crushed chocolate toffee bars across the entire cake while still warm. Let cake cool completely, then top with whipped topping. Decorate the top of the cake with some more chocolate toffee bar chunks and the carmel/condensed milk topping. Refrigerate and serve right from the pan!

.....................

Banana bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed banana
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

Directions

combine margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, then bananas. Add flour, soda, and vanilla. stir until it is all combined. Pour into greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes-1 hour (or till toothpick comes out clean). Remove from pan and let it cool.

....................

Chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 package chocolate chips

Directions

Bake at 375 degrees for 7 minutes. They will firm up as they cool

............................

Carmel corn

Ingredients

8 cups popped corn

3/4 cups brown sugar

6 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Heat the sugar, butter, syrup, and salt (heat until mixed (stir) stir until it boils. Then take it off burner. Add vanilla and baking soda. Pour it over the popcorn and bake it at 300 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes. Take it out and stir it and bake it for 5 more minutes.

............................

Tortilla soup

Ingredients

2 onions

4 garlic cloves

bunch fresh cilantro

2 cans black beans

2-3 cans stewed tomatoes

1 teaspoon ground cumin

8 cups chicken broth

cooked chicken

avocado (chopped) monterey jack (shredded) limes and tortilla chips

Directions

cook chicken with celery and salt over medium heat. Saute tablespoon butter, olive oil, onions, garlic, and cilantro. blend tomatoes with saute. Pour back in sauce pan and add cumin. Boil chicken broth then add tomato, chicken, and black beans. Simmer all together

...........................

Crepes

Ingredients

4 eggs

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 cups flour

4 tablespoons oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

blend it all together in blender.

hunting season

2011-04-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

yesterday I get a text from my dad....

"Dane (my little 5 year old brother) said that he doesn't need to go to school anymore because they got to 'Z' today in the alphabet!"

silly kid.

wouldn't it be nice if we could all be kids again for one day? When all that mattered was selling lemonade and playing house.

& getting all the easter eggs on EASTER.

oh wait. we still think we are kids. or at least MOM still thinks we are kids.... but I tell ya, Easter is quite the little party at our house. & it gets pretty competitive!

......................

I would love to be my neighbor on Easter. watching all of us OLD KIDS runnin around the yard. Sometimes even pushing each other over for some jelly beans. just kidding. There's more than just jelly beans in them. CINNAMON bears this year!

:) my fave.

Easter Sunday.

2011-04-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

last May I had the opportunity to travel over to Jeruselum with some of my family. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was a really special day the day we got to visit the garden tomb. While the tour guide was explaining some things to everyone outside of the tomb, I snuck in and was able to spend about 10 minutes by myself inside.

This special experience is one I will never forget. I knew that day without a doubt that he lives.

He is not here-for he is risen!

oh how sweet this sentence gives, I know that my redeemer lives.

iphone funnies

2011-03-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

so I went to florida after I went to mexico.

I went to babysit my two little siblings which is always a treat for me. Boo is 6 years old and dane is 5. Boo had a play on the Thursday that i was going to be there, so she told me she needed a costume because she was going to be the mother duck. She said she needed a brown shirt with black brown and white feathers. (didn't seem like an easter time play to me, more like thanksgiving.) but she insisted so we went to 3 different stores trying to find the right things to make this costume!

well. so we found the stuff eventually. and I stayed up for quite some time that night making this costume. I just couldn't believe that her teacher expected parents to actually make these costumes! ... I asked boo several times if she was sure...

"yes mads, I am sure!!!"

well then right before bed she comes walking in and says to me... "just so you know, the feathers were actually MY idea."

I busted up laughing, SO HARD. and at that moment I pictured this.....

it was. HILARIOUS. I just felt like all the parents were looking at me like... you were really excited for this play!!!!! hahaha

PS.

I was looking through my photos on my phone... thought I would share some.

I love taking pictures of people sleeping. especially next to me on airplanes

I was studying for my written exam for cosmetology.....

my little brother said to my little sister, "boo look there is a limo!!"

Diego flores was my teacher 2 years ago at UVU. He was that teacher I could never understand.. I saw him the other day.

I have those red tennis shoes....somewhere. I swear I got them in the girl section

those are just a few.

hope you're all having a good day!!

just another adventure

2011-03-10T08:58:00.000-08:00

vacation couldn't have come at a better time for me. could not have been more perfect. everything about it was perfect. (well I guess the weather could have been a TAD bit warmer & the food could have been a little gross so I wouldn't have wanted to eat it all)... but other than that.

the first day on the ship i just wanted to sleep all day. we had a 4 am wake up call to get to the airport for a 6 am flight. i had decided to be irresponsible and start packing at 1 am that morning. you do the math. i was running on 1 hour of sleep the day we traveled. but i hung in there until i got to our room on the ship and i passed out for a few hours. then we had a couple days on the ship to just relax and hangout. it was so nice for me!! some of the highlights of just hanging out on the boat are

the food of course
drinking the yummiest pina colada I have ever had while sitting in the jacuzzi with bays
playing basketball with my big brother dallin
laying out soakin the sun up
reading my book
relaxing relaxing relaxing
family dinners in the dining room
the hypnosis show that my family made me participate in *shook my butt like it was no one's business.
only using the elevator once to go down baby!
playing with the cutest baby in my world
playing cards
just spending time with my family

....

our two stops were cabo san lucas and puerto vallarta. i was loving life the second we got onto land in cabo. so many different people yelling at you from different directions trying to convince you that THEIR boat or THEIR tour is the best... brand new in fact!!! & that we should go with them! i knew i was in mexico and i was SO happy about it. we did go with the guy that promised his boat was brand new by the way & that was the convincing factor. we went whale watching that day which was so cool. the whales that we saw were insanely huge. i'm tellin ya, HUGE. i am so afraid of the ocean so if i thought about the things swimming around under me that could have swallowed the whole boat... well... i just didn't let myself think about it! .. then the rest of the day in cabo we played on the beach, drinking soda, and walking around buying things from people begging. it is part of the experience ya know? i love it!

in puerto vallarta we got a van to take us around for the day. we went to the jungle and did a zip lining adventure. it was quite the work out but it was so cool to experience that! I had only been zip lining at girls camp so i was in for a treat. i did exactly what the guys told me to do because i wasn't about to fall off that line into the middle of the jungle, no thank you! : ) it was a fun day, to finish it off we went shopping a little at a market, i got me some natural vanilla! mm I love the smell of vanilla. getting on the ship was nice this night though, we were all tired!

so the trip was coming to an end, it was friday night and the next morning i was getting off at 8 am and my family wouldn't get off until the afternoon. i was supposed to get off and get a taxi to LAX and jump on a plane to florida for a week to babysit my little brother and sister. so i was excited about my vacation dragging on a little longer, i packed my stuff up and we went to dinner that night. dinner was great! we had a good family talk to end the trip, loving life still! everyone was jealous of my dinner this night, i got tempura vegetables .. kind of like happy sumo! i was excited about it because i had been craving something like this all week. welllllll after dinner dallin & I went to the show to check out the entertainment for the night. i started getting an upset stomach so i told dallin i would meet him at the room. I went back and asked mom and bailey if they felt okay? they did. I figured i had just eaten way too much again and i just said....."i wonder if this is what it feels like to be pregnant?" haha. anyway, an hour into sleep i was in the bathroom living on the ground by the toilet. worst feeling huh? and then every hour after that. I was so sick. i threw up i think 7 or 8 times throughout the night . at 5 in the morning i was laying wide awake feeling scared.. "how in the world am i supposed to be going by myself to florida in 3 hours .." so mom and i walked down to the medical center on the ship to see if they could help me. They gave me some gatorade and lots of medicine. it helped a little bit! so with so much help from my great mother, i got off the ship when i was supposed to.. except i was walking like a zombie. i had zero energy and still felt sick. i got a taxi and got myself to the airport. well i was sitting at my gate and all the sudden they announce that our flight has been delayed. i was upset, only because I needed some sprite or a drink in me and i couldn't see anything close for me to buy something and i didn't have enough energy to go search! so i sat patiently waiting for them to let us on so i could get sprite! .... well an hour later they announced that our flight not only has been delayed, it has been canceled till TOMORROW. it is noon on saturday at this point. i was seriously dying i thought. i was a mess. okay so i am in LA by myself, feeling like i need to be in bed throwing up, my family is going to long beach to get on their flight right now. i was trying to keep calm, i followed the people on my flight and we went down to go get in line to fix everything and see if we could all get on different flights. well little did we know, we were all about to be standing in this line for the next 6 hours. there were 50 people in front of me and each person was taking 25-30 minutes each with the desk people. so i sat on my suit case in the line, sort of making friends with the people in front of me. I was so sickkkk and so miserable. i cried to my parents on the phone, telling them i didn't know what to do! so we tried and tried to explore options but nothing was working. all i needed was some water or something at this point. i was getting really weak. i told the sweet lady behind me that i was feeling sick and i needed to go find some water so asked her to save my spot. by this time the mom and her teenage son in front of me, along with the lady behind me, we were friends and they sort of knew i wasn't feeling good. anyway, i go to find some water and i promise there was nothing anywhere! if you have been to lax, you may know what i'm talking about. i'm not sure. anyway, i asked a few people where a fountain was or something and they just said way far away basically! so i went into the bathroom and started crying. i was feeling like i was going to pass out and i needed something! i decided to drink out of the sink. so i did that and i took my medicine like that. haha i was bawling, and taking pills in the bathroom. looks great eh? i almost laid on the ground too. zero zero energy and i knew i still had to stand in line for another 4 hours and probably have to stay in a hotel tonight by myself in LA feeling like this. anyway, i clean myself up a little bit and start to head back to the line. i couldn't make it there. i started shaking so bad and it made me start crying because i knew forsure i was going to faint. i sat down in the middle of the hallway. haha bless my heart. the people in the line could see me, they come talk to me and i am hysterical. all i want is my mom at this point. they call paramedics and i was like.. "really, just call my mom! she is in long beach i just need her.." .. and you know what they said to me?? "you do not need your mom you are 20 years old, you are making yourself sicker by crying, so stand up and stop crying, we're not calling your mom, come with us." okay people, i seriously called the man an idiot & I got my weak fingers to dial my moms number and told her to please come to LAX because i couldn't even walk anywhere and these men were thinking i was faking it or something. ahh worst day ever. they helped me stand up, the people in line with me all clapped and hugged me (hahahahah) dragging my feet and stumbling i made it to the car then they took me to the medical center there.. my saint of a mother didn't get on her flight and she came to meet me at the medical place where the people there were not being very nice to me either. i was just so fed up and just wanted to get out of there. so when my mom got there i just said "let's go, i don't even want them to check me out, i just want to go get something in me and go home." .... so frontier airlines was the airline that i was with that day, i wouldn't recommend them.. unless it was just a really bad day. and lax paramedic crew, wouldn't recommend them either. but geez, so mom and i got put up in a hotel that night because they didn't have flights till the next day at this point. so we stayed at the hacienda and ate at this nasty diner on frontier. we hungout with 2 buddies that helped me that day at the airport. haha. i went to sleep at 7:30 that night though, slept great, woke up feeling 100x better, gave my mom the biggest hug, and took the complimentary shuttle to the airport and everything went GREAT with traveling that day. ....... & i finally got my sprite, they even gave me the whole can .

florida: to be continued!

love love love

2011-03-07T08:26:00.001-08:00

Alexandra Snarr.....

since birth

we have been not only cousins, but best buds.

(it's okay if you are laughing out loud at this picture.. I am too)

Ali is one of my very best friends and after countless conversations about how we see our future playing out... what type of guy we are going to end up with... what we want out of life... you know... always discussing this

I am SO happy to introduce

the soon to be MR & MRS.

So so happy for ALI and for her new FIANCE Eric.

I love and adore this girl to pieces & I have loved getting to know Eric & watching the two of them fall completely in love.

If I had one word to describe them it would be PERFECT

I'm not kiddin they are perfect for each other

I know that they are going to have one heck of a life together & they are going to be a rockin couple

al, i support you 100% in your decision to say YES.

but will you ask Eric if he supports our iggy's tradition/slumber parties once in awhile? I don't even mind if he joins....

I love you girl

now let's get to work... April 21 is comin quick!!

don't mean to rub it in....

2011-02-25T15:37:00.000-08:00

but my life is pretty great right now.

I officially finished all of my 2000 hours today for my cosmetology license.

best feeling ever.

I am letting this bad boy take me to mexico to celebrate.

second best feeling ever.

with my favorite people.

& of course we gotta bring this little guy to make sure we all behave.

week with him... done!

LA-mexico(then)LA-florida

what?

see you in 2 utah.

...she would

2011-02-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

I woke up to an e-mail that said..

welcome to ldssingles.com!

I clicked on the link & it took me here.

who would do such a thing!!

.. I asked everyone & no one admitted to it.

notice the status on february 9th.

finally.... my good friend julianne burr admitted to it. OF COURSE. i knew it all along!

....she thinks she's funny.

you just wait junebug, just wait.

sunday thought.

2011-02-20T19:20:00.000-08:00

My church starts at 9 am and today I woke up late. I made the decision to just not beat myself up about it and to go back to sleep. I have been working way too hard (justifying myself). But really, my schedule is draining me. But it's good. I have been enjoying my life like this (minus the lack of sleep.) anyway, when I woke up at 8:45 this morning I looked at my roomate and said, "shelb, I had a dream that you asked me if we should get up and go to church or if we should just sleep today." (true story) and she replied by saying, "ha thats a good question."

so we shut our eyes and went back to sleep.

this doesn't happen often mom, I promise.

so 12:45 rolled around and I was feeling so good from the sleep that I had just got. But I was also feeling like I had missed out on my sunday and that little ounce of peace that I get to feel when I am sitting in sacrament with little distractions. So Shelb and I got dressed quickly and we were off to go find ourselves a sacrament to sit in on.

And we happened to pick the right one. Sitting in there was this handsome guy, he had two seats next to him and we quietly asked him if they were taken. He politely said "no go for it." he was so cute. he wrote me a note & we exchanged numbers and I think it'd be safe to say that I met my husband today.

.I am totally joking.

this is how that paragraph was supposed to go before I let my imagination run wild. We did pick the right sacrament to go into. The speakers were perfect, the words were just what I needed to hear today. At the end of the program, the stake president got up to say a few words and started by asking this question..

Do you trust the Lord?

And then allowed for a few moments of silence. And it really got me thinking. As I reflect on the past year or so, I see the stubborn side of me more than I ever have in my life. The side of me that thinks that I know myself better than anyone does and that I know what is best for me. This is hard for me. I feel like sometimes it is hard to just completely trust in our father in heaven, to completely give your life to him and let him guide you. I am so grateful for my knowledge that I do have a father in heaven that knows me, that knows exactly what I am going through at all times. As I look back on my life I see one thing that is so consistant, and that one thing is my father in heaven's unconditional love for me. He truly knows me, and he has a plan for me. Why I would ever question that and ever doubt that... i'm not sure. There are always going to be a few things in this life that I don't understand, that I wonder why that happened or why we have to go through certain things that we do. But I am going to go forward with faith, putting all my trust in my heavenly father and allowing him to lead me so that that path that I take will lead me back to him.

because that's really all I want.

well that and a piece of chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

life is good

just cause

2011-02-04T16:59:00.000-08:00

my only request.

2011-01-31T22:45:00.000-08:00

JUST KISS HER ALREADY.

& let's call it good.

....

this show drives me crazy.

gets me all emotionally attached.

I love it.

me be sicky.

2011-01-30T18:28:00.000-08:00

lots of soup, movies, medicine, and kleenex.

welcome to my life.

side note: the movie of the week was 8 seconds. if you haven't seen it, you should.

Annnnyway, I have been sick ALL week. & usually this kind of stuff lasts a couple days for me. But I couldn't sleep it off because I had a very busy week. But the weekend came & I booked myself out all weekend to allow my body to rest and get better.

I think I slept the majority of this weekend. MUCH NEEDED.

tomorrow is a new week. here we go!!

by the way. I owe this to the NyQuil. It gives me CRAZY dreams.

one worth mentioning: I was dating this guy

....

we were really happy.

don't be jealous

just go get some NyQuil.

oh the life of a girl.

2011-01-23T18:48:00.001-08:00

the other night I went on a blind date....I'm really done with those and I'm serious this time!!!!! I dared him to stand on the table at the bowling alley & dance. who does that?? no, I mean who really does that..

HE DID.

okay, then he went on to tell me that if he could make out with any celebrity it would be

"hands down, MICHAEL MCCONAUGHEY"

"close second, TAYLOR LAUTNER"

"oh but for REAL, RYAN REYNOLDS IS THE SEXIEST!!!!!!!!!"

okay folks, I am not kidding. He was absolutely positively 100% serious while he was saying this.. then said.

"what do you not agree with me?!! have you SEEN their abs??!!"

yes, I really do think those men are so attractive... but thats okay for ME to think that right?! what is this world coming to. & HOW am I ending up at miracle bowl with people like this?!

I will give him this though, I haven't laughed that hard in awhile! even if it was laughing AT him. it was great entertainment.

please, please, please, no more blind dates.

or at least make sure they like woman before you send them with me.

thanks!

prayers work.

2011-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

8:30 am. tomorrow

2011-01-20T15:14:00.000-08:00

tomorrow I take my state board practical test.

tomorrow is the day I have been studying and preparing for for the past 16 months.

tomorrow is why I have butterflies today.

tomorrow I hope I don't pass out.

tomorrow I will tell you if I passed or NOT.

today & tomorrow ... please pray for me!

I know I am being a little dramatic.. but.. I am a little nervous.

but on a happy note. *to follow up on my last post.

I love my new place

I love my new roommates

I love the smell now (thanks mom for the wall flower)

I love the location

by the way. last weekend I had some much needed time with my cousin ali

we went up to soldier hollow to go tubing with two cute boys & then spent the night at our family cabin. ali is one of my besties & it was just what I needed.

&.. I love my life

little update.

2011-01-09T22:50:00.000-08:00

I am starting a new adventure. moved out into a house about 5 miles from home. but that doesn't matter right? .. new roommates. new house. new side of town. new smell. (I need a candle for this place).

here we go!

white elephant

2010-12-13T20:19:00.001-08:00

I have just been brainstorming and trying to figure out a good white elephant gift for our schools christmas party tomorrow..

so I just sort of looked around to see if there was anything in my vicinity that I could bring..

then I saw this ..

& started laughing . picturing everyone fight over my gift. then opening it up to see this.

haha

I think I'll keep looking

while you were sleeping

2010-12-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

dear sister.

you fell asleep downstairs on the couch tonight while I was watching santa clause 2 .. 0r 3. if there even is a 3. it's the one with the weird plastic santa that is a little freaky.

anyway. after I got bored with the movie and decided to go to bed, I went over to you and shook you a little and got you up. we were walking upstairs and you were mumbling to me... here's how it went.

you: alskdjfa;kdf;

me: what???

you: akjkdjfjijjafkjcar right now

me: bailey what did you just say??

you: jdsjkfa I don't want to go to the car right now

me: what are you talking about?? we're going to bed

you: I thought you were going to take milk to someone

me: milk to someone?? go to bed.

i love when people are funny while they sleep. & bailey is the funniest.

don't fall asleep in my presence. I will most likely take a picture of you & pull it out a year later.

you won't even know!

I thought I burned this.

2010-12-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

I just came across these pictures.

let me explain.

my mom once made me go to a dance class with her where I was lucky enough to dance with 15+ men all over the age of 40. all the men got in a circle and it was basically playing musical chairs except with women. & I was one of them.

seriously mom??

I.was.dying.the whole time

you would have been too.

boring post. but it's what I do.

2010-12-08T19:04:00.000-08:00

before I went to school to learn how to do hair I was always that person that when my stylist was done cutting or coloring my hair, I wanted to run out of the salon because no one knew how to style my hair as good as I did. I just wanted to go home and do it myself. but now I drop anything to have someone style my hair. It is my favorite thing. & it also is one of MY favorite things to do on someone else!

If you have a date, or a party, or something to look fabulous for. Come visit me and let me style your hair. I promise you won't regret it. I have practiced so much with blow drying & even though I am not perfect at it, (brag moment) I think I'm pretty good at it.

Renaissances charges only $5 for a wash & style. it's worth it. so call renaissance or call me to make an appointment : )

oh yeah, I also love to cut hair. color hair. do eyelash extensions. and waxing as well.

one hairstyling tip: use your nozzle on your blow dryer. I never did before school. But it works wonders when you are trying to get your hair smooth. which is most of the time. I never use a flat iron anymore, on anyone. You can get the curliest hair straight with your nozzle and the right brush. Especially use your nozzle when you are putting your blow dryer really close to the hair. it protects it! that's all .

hope everyone is as excited for Christmas as I am!!

it's coming up real soon!

tithing.

2010-12-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

so dad was teaching this little one what tithing is just in time for tithing settlement. they gathered his allowance and took out 10% to give for tithing. dad was trying to explain to dane what it was all about and that we give to the Lord 10% of everything we earn. dane seemed to be fine with it and got it all in an envelope and off to tithing settlement they went. well during tithing settlement when the bishop was talking to them, dane grabbed his envelope and poked a whole in it and was trying to take some of his money out. but then felt bad so left it in there.

on the drive home dad asks.. "kids do you understand the importance of tithing now?" and the two little ones then answer.. "yes we do."

then dane follows by saying..

"but I want my money back."

oh the joy of having these little munchkins around.

so happy to be here with them.

free wifi.

2010-12-05T15:39:00.000-08:00

right now I am in the sky. it is a bumpy ride tonight on this delta flight, but it's okay, I have always liked roller coasters. usually on plane rides you would find me passed out even with my head straight up. I can sleep anywhere anytime and it seems that whenever I get on an airplane I fall asleep before we even leave the ground. talented I know. but tonight I can't sleep for whatever reason. it may be because I saw so many people with cowboy hats on today. naturally. it makes me think of a certain cowboy. who would have thought seeing a bunch of hicks would make me miss someone. so here I am fighting my thoughts sitting in seat 20d typing instead of sleeping. my ipod is up and I am listening to FLO RIDa (club cant handle me right now) it's keeping me from thinking too much about the past and it also is reminding me that I will be in FLORIDA very shortly. it works right? I never listen to this kind of music when I'm not just rocking out in my car. but it's kind of fun. I am tempted to get up in the isle and start dancing. how funny would that be? seriously, picture it. if you want.

....... so glad it's not a school night for me tonight.

and PS. guy in 18d, you are smelling up this plane. and lady to my right, I know you are reading this.. but you agree with me I know you do.

december must do's

2010-12-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

go sledding
drink hot chocolate with whip cream
go to temple square to see the lights
go to sundance & eat tortilla soup
go snowmobiling
go christmas caroling
go ice skating
make a gingerbread house
read a christmas story
cuddle by a fire
watch elf & grinch
go cross country skiing
build a snowman
shovel someone's driveway without them knowing
send a loved one a note expressing my thanks for them
write 2 missionary letters
get a new car
help out a family in need
make christmasy cupcakes
rock out to christmas music
do something I have never done.
go to florida. (check) LEAVING IN 5 HOURS!

bring on the best month of the year!

my cinderella story.

2010-11-28T16:03:00.001-08:00

I had a wonderful week. I really did. It was so nice to have some time off from school and to be able to just get some r&r. I came back from San Diego with not enough hours to get my license here in Utah so I am currently finishing those hours at Renaissance academy. I will hopefully be taking my state test next month and cramming hours in so I will not go any further than January in school. I will be celebrating big time the day that I am finished with school. I can not wait to get out into a salon and start working! I love love love what I do. I love meeting new people and it is the best feeling when I am finished with a client and they look in the mirror and I can tell that they just feel beautiful. I am really the happiest right now when I have someone in my chair and I can make them feel pretty. It is very fulfilling. anyway, back to my week. It was a week full of family & feasting. what is better than that?? .. I ate way too much but oh well right? it was well worth it. We spent thanksgiving at my moms house with her side of the family. It was great to see all of them. Dad was missed but in one week from today my two sisters & I (and baby nephew) will be flying to Florida to visit for a week! woo!! I can hardly wait. I just love it there.

(a few pictures on thanksgiving day)

it's a wonderful life..

......

I want to talk about something that has been on my mind lately. Someone told me once that they think that I may expect too much out of life. Expect too much from the people around me, expect too much in general. That someone also told me that I am expecting a "Cinderella story." and that that doesn't exist and I need to stop thinking it's going to be like that and just settle for what real life is. sad huh? I have really been thinking about this a lot lately. For some time I was questioning myself and trying to figure out if I really do expect too much out of life. And then it dawned on me. I do expect a lot out of life. I do see my life being very blissful and I see myself one day happily married with a family and striving to do what is right. Do I see myself escaping the hardships of life and never having difficult days? no. But does anyone? I feel like I am going to get what I want out of life, because I am going to make it good. so far in my life, I have not had it SO easy all of the time. I have had my fair share of hard times and challenges but when I look back on my life I really do feel like I have been so extremely blessed and I see the happy times and when I think of the hard times, I see them making me so much stronger. So when I think about my future and that person telling me that I expect this "Cinderella story"... you know what PERSON, I do. & I am going to get it. Cinderella did not have it easy always. & neither will I. but if she can have a happy ending, so can I. I think that in this life we will get what we want out of it. If we want to be happy, we will be happy. Today I am promising myself, that I will never forget what I deserve, and never settle for less.

xoxo.

my motto.

2010-11-13T12:59:00.000-08:00

...........

today I went to zumba. besides the fact that it was a dang good work out. I had the giggles. hard to believe I know. I realized today why the last dance class I ever went to was when I went to that scary lady's class at timpview and I hid my back leg when she asked us to do the splits. haha.

but atleast I got a good sweat(laugh).

tomorrow is the primary program in our ward. & I just happen to be over the 4 year olds. don't worry if I am laughing on stage. Those kiddos kill me!

I love to laugh. I just do.

happy monday.

2010-11-08T20:53:00.000-08:00

"for beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

- Audrey Hepburn

I have a need for speed.

2010-11-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

up to this point in my life. I have gotten away with speeding. I am just one of those people who are lucky! I can speed but just never get caught. come on. I am not going to go 25 up quail. sorry curly. but HA you haven't found me yet!

(knock on wood) okay. I really just did, knock on wood.

but today. sunday. of all days. coming home from taking my dad to the airport and of course I was going around a corner on the 215 going 82 mph . ohhhh CRAP. right around that corner there is a cop waiting for someone like me . hehe

sure enough. he pulled out and over and over again I said outloud "please oh please."

next thing I know he is asking for my license and registration. but because MY car is now in a junk yard, I am driving someone else's car so who knows if there is even registration in this thing.. which sure enough I couldn't find it. but thankfully.....

nice man came back and said.... "I'll just give you a warning." but you WERE going 17 over, so just drive a little slower ." mmmmmm I love cops today.

keyword: today

thank you cop guy. I wish I knew where you lived, I would drop off chocolate chip cookies or something. my lucky streak continues.....

i'm die(t)ing

2010-10-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

if I were in a relationship with you and things were maybe on the rocks and you said to me..

"sweetheart, i'm just wondering, have you been thinking a lot about us lately??"

I would say

nope

so you can stop wondering

this is serious.

2010-10-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

so tomorrow I am supposed to dress up for our school halloween party. help me to decide which person to be!!

#1#2

#3#4

haha. the last one on the right. so serious!

but for real, which one do you think?

I love halloween

bad news barbara here.

2010-10-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

so. here I go. I never wished this upon myself seeing as though car accidents freak the heck out of me. I have never gotten in a major one. until last Thursday night. yuck. I hope it is a very very very long time before I experience something like this again.

here is how it went.

I was driving up to surprise someone that lives 2 hours away.. and just about 2 miles before I got to my final destination I decided to go around a corner a little too fast and ignore the fact that I was on a very slippery rocky road. As I was sliding out of control I realized.. yep.. I was doomed. right through a barbwire fence I went and into a ditch. It happened so fast. I remember it all so clear though. It was so loud! everything was so loud! the sound of my head hitting the steering wheel was probably the loudest. luckily I remained countious so I was able to call for help.

Can I just say how lucky I felt that night. I said a billion prayers that night thanking the heavens that I did not land upside down in that ditch. Too many times I have closed my eyes and I will start picturing it being so much worse and me being stuck under my car in that dang ditch.. in the middle of NO WHERE I must add.

to make that more real. the only thing around me was fields and cows that were escaping because I just knocked down the fence that kept them in.

haha.ha

anyway, I just have to keep reminding myself...

I am okay!

I really am! I called the person I was supposed to be surprising.. and said.."SURPRISE! this is not a joke, hurry, I am in a ditch 2 miles from your house... HURRYYYYYYY"

I was banned from surprising that person.

it is kind of funny now. looking back on it. not really. but kind of.

here are some pictures of my poor baby (my car)

gross I know. but come on.. had to show some of my battle wounds!

but look! it's fading!! woot!!

worst part: my car is totaled. TOTALED. I wasn't planning on going car shopping. but. bring it on I guess!

this again

2010-10-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

The other day someone asked me... are you available?? .... wishing I could say no. (yes, you heard me right.) I said.. "not taken but not available."

this makes sense to me.

I had a break from this whole single/blind dating/awkward thing for awhile.

& boy am I not excited to be back. yuck.

wondering if a strange number calling me is that boy who that someone gave my number to.. who is calling to maybe..... umm...... ask me out on a date?? I forgot how to do this. & I really do not want to do this.

Everytime I talk to someone of the opposite sex now I feel so uncomfortable and I crack these awkward jokes that aren't funny and I can't stand talking to them and I all of the sudden make myself feel so stupid and want to run away. This happens way.too.much.

example.

him: hi.

me: hi.

him: how are you??

me: good. (lie)

him: cool..... I was wondering if I could maybe take you out tomorrow??

me: no

him: the next day?

me: no

him: the next?

me: umm. I spend a lot of time with my family.. let me check with my dad and see if I will be able to go out with you this weekend.

(check with my dad????) since when do I check with my dad to get the okay?? did I really just say that?? not that I care what he thinks one bit.. but I AM RETARDED

there is something about being so comfortable with that one person and then waking up one day and not having them... you all of the sudden don't know how to communicate with anyone else...

or maybe it's just me.

but heavens, if you are reading this 'him' .. better that you just save your time/money at the moment.

bottom line.

I am not taken anymore. (very) sad story. but I sure as heck am not available.

and probably won't be. for while. or at least until I can not act like I'm 5.

p.s. to all of you that are happily married and don't have to deal with this.

.I love you, but I don't have to like you right now.

saturday morning laziness.

2010-10-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

Today is saturday. I am laying in my sister's bed as she is getting ready to go to her tennis match to (cross our fingers) beat OREM to be 1st in region. Then onto state next week! we are so proud of you Bays!!

anyway.

I am laying here listening to music watching her get ready . She asks me.....

"Maddie, what do you think I could have done better yesterday in my match.. what advice do you have for me going into today's match?"

(I wanted to be a good sister, so I was trying to think of something to say.. as the memories all flashed through my head of my family laughing at me every time I have picked up a tennis racket. I was always the sister that no body wanted to be paired up with on the tennis court... it became a family joke almost..) so I tried to think of SOMETHING to say that would be serious older sister advice...

"you know Bays, (such a serious voice) ....pause... (thinking) ... just be ready for those balls."

.... it was silent....

and then we both just busted up laughing.

what do I know?? besides the fact that I am dang good at wii tennis..

nothing.

GOOD LUCK BAYS!!

poor me

2010-08-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm missing him

he left me today.

moved somewhere far away to work.

I get to see him in a month.

that's way too many days for me.

I think I will make a paper chain.

Prince Roberto.

2010-08-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

can we call him bert? or rob? or robbie? or sexy.. or something other than ROBERTO.. no offense.

I really hope this one lasts.

if it doesn't..... he is living in San Diego.

so that wouldn't be too bad I guess..

for one of my friends of course.

(because I am taken if you didn't already know that)

but for real.

I'm a fan.

JULY rocks.

2010-07-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

JULY 28TH. 2010.

This was the longest day of my life. I have never been so anxious for something to happen. I am going to tell this story from my point of view. I have always been .. I don't want to say afraid of hospitals, of blood, of anything in this family. .. but that is the best word to describe it.. afraid.

In health class I guess I always missed those days where we would watch the video's on CHILD BIRTH. Or when I was watching the baby show on TLC growing up.. I always changed it when it showed anything like this. call it what you want.. it just isn't something that I can handle watching.

well. on July 28th.. I saw something that was completely new to me! A baby being born.

I can honestly say.. it was the absolute most insane thing I have ever seen. I look at my sister in a whole new light now.. she is my hero! I have never seen someone in so much pain. I have never seen someone have so much strength! I wanted to faint/throw up/cry/laugh/leave/stay/sleep/go on a mission to avoid marriage(babies)at all costs/hide/ all at the same time.

(this was when we were still happy to be there.. woo!)

This is probably half way through labor..... me trying to distract myself..

me with the best seat in the house... (I was warming up to it)

Katie was the funniest though.. I have to give her that.

I was laughing so hard (sorry kate)

but she would be a 10 on the pain scale .. and all the sudden you would hear "How good am I doing?? Am I doing SO good?? tell me that again!!" "BRING IT ON!"

haha. we were entertained.

But after a long day of waiting.. crying.. hoping.. praying.. telling myself I was never going to do this .. EVER ..

I took it all........back

I have never witnessed something as amazing as this.. It was incredible. It was one of the most spiritual moments of my life. definitely one of the best days of my life.

I can only imagine if it was my own.

I already love baby Steele.. so much.

and I can already tell... being an aunt is THE BEST.

welcome to the world nephew.. we have a lot of fun times ahead.

xoxo,

your favorite auntie.

temporarily

2010-07-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

....be back soon.

side note:

2010-06-29T16:53:00.001-07:00

where do they find these?

I'm seriously wondering.

.................................

oh yeah.. I officially have one more full day of being a teenager. I think I will go home and watch the hannah montana movie and read a Jack Weyland book.

like totally.

hello wednesday.

2010-06-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

go see TOY STORY 3

it was cute.

"look alive out there Larsen!"

2010-06-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

I LOVE FATHERS DAY.

because we get to celebrate this guy.

The man that used to come find me in the lunch line at school and eat lunch with me and emberass me in front of all of my friends.

That same man is now someone I look to for advice, someone I trust, someone I appreciate and love, someone who supports me and loves me unconditionally, that same man is now a hero and a best friend to me.

Thank you for all you do.

I love you dad!

Our everyday.

2010-06-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

Living in California is one big vacation.. I'm tellin ya.

This weekend Garrett and I acted as tourists.

It was an awesome "vacation!"

Went to Old Town ... which was basically Mexico

ate at this fun restraunt! This old man was walking around giving out roses to the ladies... and then he would look at the man after the lady was attached to her rose.. "smell it... isn't it beautiful!... it's yours!!" .... 4 dollars sir.

So sweet Garrett.... may or may not have been his idea .... but he got me that BEAUTIFUL rose! haha

Then after walking around a bit we pretended like we didn't see the "do not touch" sign... and we decided to juggle with this plastic fruit .. (Gar is a serious juggler . )

Saturday we decided to go to Belmont Park .. which is so fun! we rented bikes and rode around for awhile..

perfect day for this!

I do have to add this in... when we were just about finished with our bike ride.. we were riding in a really busy spot where people are lining the streets and just hanging out. Welllllll.... we were right in the middle of all of this when we started seeing if we could ride with no hands (bikes were definitely not sturdy enough for this) .. Garrett then tried to put his feet up+no hands. I look over just in time to see him CRASH on his bike!!! and me being the pathetic insensitive who can't help but laugh.. I LOST it. After I heard all of the people clapping for him I was laughing so hard.

and.

couldn't.

stop.

....he forgave me.

shopped some.. and rode the oldest wooden roller coaster in North America.. so they say!

(our buddy Max who we bribed to let us have the front seat)

then we stopped to see my sweet cousin Sharlie

at the hospital.

since when do they make you dress like this to enter??

we thought we looked kind of cool though for a minute...

such a fun weekend!

life is good in cali.

2010-06-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

BEST TRIP EVER.

he is amazing.

it was amazing.

we spent a week with his wonderful family on a houseboat in the middle of paradise.

he is insane and jumped off that 1000 foot cliff.

I watched from my lawn chair on the house boat.

we got lost on the wave runner. it may or may not have been on purpose.

I tried to wakeboard for 5 seconds.

yeah he is better than me at that.

we almost lost his dad in a parachute accident....... and if we would have recorded it (dangit) we would have won americas funniest home video's this week.

he taught me how to fish even though he can't stand it.

he's just like that.

we saw a lot of shooting stars.

we jumped in the water two nights in a row.. i've never had such a cold shower in my life.

We watched great firework shows given by some of the fam.

his family is great.

we played the lipstick game.. and laughed our heads off.

we played lots of cards.. I learned how to play hearts.

we went on a few long kayak rides.

we hiked until we got attacked by bugs.

he climbed a mountain to write our initials.

he amazed me in a lot of ways.

we laughed.

we talked.

we ate.

we slept.

we relaxed in the sun.

we . didn't . want . to . leave .

playing scrabble!

(ehem. HI down there.)

FREEZING.

I'm pretty sure I won the fishing contest.

....I'm ready to go back

1am.

2010-06-07T00:59:00.001-07:00

I can't sleep. wanna know why??

my stomach is growling at me.

I try to shut my eyes to sleep....

and I keep seeing this

I know it is right downstairs.

"EAT ME"

..... oh I want to. trust me.

next time I go to grocery store all I am putting on that list is: AVOID ISLE 5.

on a side note:

I had the most amazing BEST incredible week at Lake Powell.

(he makes me happy)

to be continued.

xoxo

no phone service..

2010-05-27T23:50:00.000-07:00

in LAKE POWELL.

soo

leave a message

May.

2010-05-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

I have a few major things that I really want to blog about.. but I am having a hard time making time to sit down and do a bunch of posts. Although I would like to..... If I made time for blogging my life this past month.. I would blog about

Going to Florida for a day.
Going to England .. Birmingham and London
Almost loosing our little baby sister on (or off) the train in London
Walking down the streets of Televiv Jerusalem late at night.... wondering why there were so many cats walking around... looking like they are thinking about rubbing up against my legs
eating way too much galato
sitting on the beach.. drawing in the sand.. and eating yummy food
playing with my family
spending the day in Nazareth.. learning new things about our Savior Jesus Christ
rolling my pants up and walking in the Sea of Galilee... thinking about how I could have stayed there forever
almost being forced to eat a fish that still had eyeballs...... I'm sorry but I can't eat something while it is staring at me. thanks though
going to Bethlehem .. learning so much .. and experiencing even more
spending the day in Jerusalem.. walking where Jesus walked.. feeling the spirit like I have never felt before
making unforgettable memories
paying to use every restroom
late night chats
24 hour plane rides
making it to Utah finally.. it was a good feeling
spending time at home! with friends and family
Bridal shower for Simone!
seeing friends I haven't seen for awhile!
Saying goodbye to Mckenzie Mae Sister Haggard... who is going to be entering the MTC here shortly.. so proud of her.. she is going to be amazing.
Throwing a baby shower for my lovely sister KATIE .. loved it
getting back to school... not a fun transition
being sick of school already
coming back just in time for test week
feeling a little bit overwhelmed .....
bachelorette started also.
American idol finale! go lee!
annnnnd. starting to train for a half marathon... I WILL do this!! go me!

so.this.is.Life.lately.

thats all for now.

Dear Blog.

2010-05-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that I have left you alone for quite some time now. I have definitely put you on the back burner lately. And I am going to continue to do so for the next two weeks.

Tomorrow morning I will fly out of beautiful San Diego to FLORIDA. I can hardly wait to meet up with my family there and just to be there. It has been too long. From there it will go something like this.

Birmingham England for a few days

Take the train to LONDON

Fly to Telaviv, Jerusalem

Visit Galilee

Off to Poland

Visit Auschwitz

come home.

I can't WAIT!!

I am taking two weeks off of school and it will be the greatest decision of my life up to this point. I am in need of a MAJOR break. I have senoritas if you will. Everyday it is harder and harder to get up in the morning. There are a lot of factors that could be causing this struggle of mine. But we won't get into those. This is going to be a trip of a lifetime and I am going to soak it all up!!

Feelings I want to feel on this trip.

HAPPY

Grateful

Pain from laughter

Humbled

Excitement

Feel closer to the Savior

Missing someone

Peace

Amazed

Relaxed

I can't wait to share my experiences where I feel all of these feelings. I can already check off a couple of them. But we will start at 6am tomorrow when I get on my flight! ttfn. (ta ta for now, mom)

xoxo

your european traveler.

Life is good. no complaints!

2010-04-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Life has been the opposite of boring the last little while. I haven't had time to upload pictures for all of it yet- but they will come soon. These are just a few of the adventures that I have had lately!

Driving an hour to the new CAFE RIO in CALIFORNIA. yes. an hour for Cafe Rio. and yes it was worth it!

Ditching school isn't usually an option... but I do make exceptions for a few people. Ali is definitely on that list! Her and her friend Eric decided to come to California for her 21st birthday- Disneyland was where we celebrated! It was such a great day!! SUCH a great weekend. Came and went way too quick!

Road trips have always been my favorite. Especially when you have good company and a great final destination!

company: 2 crazy boys.

destination: HOME to see family + go to conference!

trip: success.

It is always good to hear from the leaders of the church and to hear the advice and council they have for us. I love conference weekend and it was so neat to be able to go to a session of it at the conference center! I am so grateful for the gospel. I love it. Everything about it. It has blessed my life so much and continues to. I am reminded every single day how real it is and how fortunate I am. Conference was amazing and it was such a good Easter sunday as well. It gave me a chance to center my thoughts on the Savior and his sacrifice for me and to be reminded of his unconditional love for me.

I am more than 2/3 of the way done with school. crazy crazy crazy. I am just enjoying my time here! I am having a blast and being taken very good care of. California has treated me very well- thoughts of staying here are very tempting. But thats for a different day. As for today: I drove an hour to school and due to rain and the 100+ accidents on the freeway, I was locked out by 1 minute. 1 minute?? I got there 1 minute late and that is not acceptable...... I laughed at myself and drove back home.

So monday off= nap time!

xoxo.

young-wild-&free

2010-03-23T22:47:00.000-07:00

Casey James- you are the exception to my rule. although- I would wait for you.

All joking aside though-

Dating in high school.

Let's hang out.

cuddle maybe? or run through the sprinklers.

lets run away- nothing matters besides us.

Do you think I look cute in this color?

Butterflies.

No worries.

Let's dream together-name our kids-plan our lives.

Love songs.

Football games.

Hating goodbyes.

VS.

dating after.

It is real.

serious.

Marriage is always in the back of your mind.

Can I see myself with him? Do I like his family? Does he do this or does he do that..

Is he going to be a good daddy?

Is he going to always honor his priesthood and love the Lord?

Does he love me more than anything?

Is he someone I could possibly see myself ending up with?

Is he a hard worker?

blah blah blah.

the list goes on.

I am not too picky- I have set one rule for you boys.

If you want to date me- you need to be filling out your mission papers.

maybe it(we) will work out

in 2 years.

The photo says it all

2010-03-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Long day....

Happy Sunday

2010-03-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend . I did . I feel very blessed right now, my life is happy.

I love those moments in life where you stop to realize how blessed you are.

I am having one of those today.

thats all.

enjoy!

Update

2010-03-09T18:40:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I went home! It was so good to be home. It was just mom and I because the rest of the family left us behind and went to Japan. But we definitely didn't let that stop us from having a good weekend.

here's how my trip went.

Friday mom picked me up and we went to Iggy's and had lunch. We ended up sitting there for a few hours and catching up. I loved it. We spent the rest of the day together until the girls came over!

Confession: after this picture was taken, we were off to find a dance to go to. It is tradition. but.....we went to a uvu dance. I hope you didn't catch that. It was my very first one and very last one. I guess it is something that everyone has to experience once in their life? I think I could have done without it though.... speaking of... girls have you checked any of the websites to see if you can find us in the 28 pictures we snuck in? we were good! we definitely got the speed dating going too. no, I haven't called back to two guys you gave my number to... but don't be surprised if they call you soon! : )

we have a blast.

Saturday mom and I woke up and went and got massages. it was so nice. we got a nice breakfast too. It was a good morning! I just love you mom and even though sometimes I act like I don't want to hear the motherly advice, I guess I really like it because I find myself giving that same advice to my friends when they ask for some.

For lunch Julianne and I met up with Mark and his friend Ryan at chillis. mmm : )

Saturday night Mark and I went up to temple square to see the Joseph Smith movie. I always love seeing this movie and I always love being at temple square. And I always love being with Mark! so it was a good night for me : )

Sunday was Marks farewell . crazy how fast time flies! He did SUCH an amazing job. It was seriously one of the best farewell talks I have ever heard. The spirit was so strong in the room as he bore his testimony of the Savior. I know I have said this before, but Mark is amazing! He is going to be such an incredible missionary. He leaves in two days . March 11th! I am so excited for him to get out there, he is so ready! good luck Marke! I will be missing you, and I will be praying for you! much love!

special thanks to mom, jul, kenz, kell .

love you all.

SO it was a great weekend being home! Then Monday I was back to cali! I do have to admit that it was nice to get off the plane into 75 degree weather. Not trying to rub it in or anything. I like it here.

ps. some sweet person gave me a cold. It's not fun. my nose is bright red and my ears are buzzing. just call me rudolph, but say it loud cause I can't hear.

until next time, xoxo.

For Julianne.

2010-03-08T15:29:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time I lived with you.

one word: hilarious.

Craziness.

2010-02-20T16:42:00.001-08:00

I almost got in three major accidents this week. One being me forgetting to notice the ONE WAY sign on 6th avenue downtown. I have never had so many people honking at me not to mention my heart was on the floor.

It was testing week at school. We were all supposed to get white smocks to wear during our test one day. I forgot mine, but I didn't forget my white bath robe. So sure enough, I took my test with my bath robe tied around me. My class got a kick out of it, but I got full credit out of it.

I swear I have a good amount of clothes in my closet. But everytime I go to find something to wear, I think they all disappear. I dread finding an outfit to wear. I think when I moved here, I didn't think I was going to have a social life. Not that I have much of one now either, but I do go to find an outfit a lot more than I expected I would. I am going to chillis in a little bit with all the girls. Crap. maybe I'll just wear a sunday dress?? or my robe.

Thursday night I went to the gym and worked out. It felt so good. But then as I was driving home I was really craving in & out. So my hard work went down the drain but that strawberry shake sure didn't.

I have a favorite recipe of banana cake. It's seriously divine. I will post it later. I attempted to make it for our party at school on Friday (to celebrate our HALF WAY MARK) I am half way done. crazy. anyway, I went to the grocery store to get all of my ingredients and when I got home and started to make it I realized that I had forgotten baking powder. It was getting late and I was so tired. do I skip that part of the recipe or do I go back to the store which sounded like the last thing I wanted to do. so I debated for 20 minutes and then gave in and went to the store. I was glad I did because it was going to forsure turn out right and it was also a nice night outside. Well. I got baking soda. Which I already had. I realized all of this after I put it in the bowl with all of the other ingredients. shucks. this night I also knocked the key holder off the wall and the keys went everywhere and then I knocked over a vase of flowers onto the floor. I was exhausted.

my cake was a hit though at school the next day. next time I'll skip the store all together.

Mckenzie mae Haggard . one of my besties. Got her MISSION CALL THIS WEEK!! she is going to the Dominican Republic!! I am so happy for her. She is such a good example to me and she is going to bless the lives of many people with her smile and with her testimony. Thanks Kenz for being such a good friend and for being the amazing person that you are! Even though you will be very missed, I am so excited for you to have this experience!

so... I am going to be an auntie!! and it is going to be a baby BOY. ohhh how I can not wait to mug on him. I am going to do everything in my power to be the best aunt. it's on bays.

My family is leaving for Japan on sunday. tomorrow. i'm not going with them. bring me back a japanese boy. haha sorry. I had to.

I am going home in a week. It couldn't come sooner. I am ready to see my home and everything that comes with it! especially you mom, and your tortilla soup! : )

I slept in till 12 today. I think the last time I did that was after Phase camp in 6th grade. I'm not kidding.

going to get ready for chillis. (if you know me, you know that is like equivalent to going to open presents on christmas morning. The only thing different is on Christmas you don't know what you are going to get.)

Water with lemon please. Chips and salsa. And a Chicken Ranch Sandwich please, yes 2000 calories will be fine!

thanks.

It hurts.

2010-02-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

Some of my FAVORITE moments in my life have been some of the worst. the absolute WORST. Where the aching in your stomach is killing you because you are trying to squeeze every muscle you have so that that laugh doesn't come out. Where you feel like a burst of air is fighting to come out of you but it is going to make a loud noise out of your mouth and it would be totally and completely inappropriate to laugh at that moment? These are moments that I live for. I need to document a few of my favorite moments that I shouldn't have laughed, for so many reasons I shouldn't have laughed....but I did. Because that's just me. (I don't expect you to read these, but I need a good laugh right now)

Bailey remember that time that we were at the Madsens for dinner and we just had this feeling that they were going to call on one of us to say the prayer at family dinner with everyone sitting there at the table? not to mention Truman Madsen sitting directly across the table. We should have came fashionably late, I realized this the second that they said, "we like to have our guests say the prayer Maddie." ....... okay ....... but what about my sister that is trying not to laugh sitting next to me and I can hear her squirming in her seat?? what about her.... how am I supposed to not laugh in this moment??

Julianne remember the time that we were sitting in our apartment and that boy came over and wanted to practice his opera for us?? because he would be singing it in the ward talent show the next day and wanted us to hear it for some reason?? do you remember how painful that was the moment his first note left his lips. That note was one of the loudest sounds I have ever heard a human make. And it was way too high. And we both were standing behind the couch squeezing our legs together so tight, pinching ourselves. Then I all of the sudden had to run out of the room because I had to sneeze?? is that what I said?? then you came back to check on me and to see if my sneezing was going okay.. but he still kept singing?? so loud. still. so loud. we tried with everything in us to laugh silently. We hoped he couldn't hear the tears coming down our faces, or the snorts that were being let out..we were rolling around on our bedroom floor laughing till I couldn't handle the pain any longer. and he STILL kept singing.

One time I was getting set apart for a calling in my ward, and when the man laid his hands on my head, he began by saying, "Madison Brynn Crosly." I know I know I should have corrected him. But I didn't because I silently started laughing and was trying soooooooo hard not to burst out.

One time I was in 6th grade and I had to recite a poem in front of my class. I couldn't do it. I tried closing my eyes. I could not stop laughing. No one else was laughing. Just me. In front of the class. I COULDN'T STOP. finally my teacher suggested I go outside of the door and say it loud enough in the hall so everyone could hear me. DID THIS REALLY HAPPEN?? ......... I have a problem!

The other day I was in Sacrament meeting. I picked up two different cups of water and they both happened to have holes in the bottom. The water spilled all over me. TWICE. 3rd time was the charm, after my face was bright red and I tried.... but I was laughing so hard. reminds me of when Julianne spilled the bread down her cleavage in our singles ward. It dropped DOWN HER SHIRT. hahahahahahaha. it's like the boy holding the tray didn't notice. he acted like he didn't but we know he was painfully holding in his laughter.

Laughing is one thing that I can't get through my day without doing. I hope that in 50 years I am still having moments like this. One thing I do know forsure, is that I will still be pinching you under the table, trying soo so hard not to laugh. because that is just me.

February 14.

2010-02-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

(thank you to the sweet boy who gave me these.)

I hope everyone had a wonderful day. I sure did. Valentines day is so great isn't it? what girl doesn't like getting flowers? : ). Today though, I am grateful for the lesson that was taught in Relief Society. We talked about how Valentines day is a special day to celebrate love! And then we talked about how great love is, and how powerful it can be in our lives. I truly believe this. I believe that love can heal anything and anyone. I believe it is one of the greatest feelings we can and will feel on this earth. Then we began to talk about the love that our savior feels for us. He gave his life for us. He loves us more than we can comprehend. We reflected on this today and for the first time in my life I actually looked at valentines not as 'single awareness day' but as... wow... someone loved me enough to give their life for me so that one day I can return to live with my Father in heaven again and together with my family.... forever. My heart was filled with joy today.

what an amazing thought.

I hope you all had a great day celebrating love.

Love love Love love love love love

Happy valentines day!!

Our friendship works off last minute plans.

2010-02-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

this time: we decide we should meet in vegas and road trip it back to Cali together.

Decided: Friday night

Adventure began: Saturday

handicap section. nose bleeds. last minute plans. vegas. subway? pizzaria. buffalo bills. rain. talk. noodles&company. emvs. dear johney appleseed. wheat thins. 15 year old threat. nap on the beach. rock castle. card games half asleep. heavenly couch. six flags. no. sea world. no. indoor skydiving. no. laughing at our future babies. I'm scared of chinese people. please let me drive. theresa. 204. 24. fletcher and diane. HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. pennies probably hit happy worker on the head. tower of terror. bug eyes. waiting in line for roger rabbit. special k bars. perfect weather. Pt cruiser that we could have had sunday dinner on. are we really at disneyland? I can't believe it!! "i can." H&M. it's a small world. fast passes. pictures. cruising the tracks. (I didn't even get to drive this time). I TRUST YOU. coconut lotion. subway. cruise control. driving blind. broken defrost. DP. ignoring alarm clock? never. morning run. breakfast at pipes. coconut lotion. chapstick on my nose and chin and cheeks. please let me drive. rubios fake fight. shopping. pictures. temple. good talks. rain rain rain. your rash. Anaheim. laughing. baskin robbins. Mark did you not flush the toilet? (haha) when I'm in Rome, I sleep. ice box and scarf. can I please drive?. it's just better if you don't. fighting laughter.

Mark . in . C.A.L.I.F.O.R.N.I.A: loved every minute.

Mom's always know.

2010-02-03T22:25:00.001-08:00

This post is for my momma.

Remember that time when I came home from school and I ran into your room in tears and just needed you to hold me? and you did. Like a baby.

Remember that time when my room was messy (that time) and you decided to clean it for me and leave a note on my bed telling me how much you loved me? I still have that note.

Remember the many times you gave me advice and still do. Great advice. You are one of the most amazing, spiritual, strong, loving people I know. You are.

Remember all those times that we laughed till we couldn't laugh anymore because our tummy's hurt? And the noise that you make that makes us laugh harder.

Remember that time you told me to go to the mall and buy something really special to me so that I would always remember you when I look at it? I still wear that necklace everyday. And everytime I see it, or reach up and feel it, I remember all the lessons you have taught me. I remember all the times that you let me cry, that you laughed with me, that you shared your thoughts, that you let me talk. I remember the special moments that a daughter shares with her mom. I remember the road trip to cali to drop me off to stay. It was hard to say goodbye. But I remember the look on your face, it was one telling me to remember always who I am, one letting me know that you always supported me, that you loved me no matter what, and that you believed I could do anything. I love you mom!! and once again, you know when I need a special push from you. This package in the mail.......Reminded me how much you love me and reminded me how much I love you!!

Save me my side in your bed. I'll be home REAL soon! : )

Ali came.

2010-02-02T20:27:00.001-08:00

and I wish she never left.

Dear Self.

2010-01-25T18:13:00.000-08:00

You drive like a grandma (no offense gram) .... but don't you wonder what you look like in your car? with both hands on the steering wheel and your arms bent.... your nose basically touches the window.
Stop choosing not to hear your alarm clock... it's going to be around for a long time.
Good job on using your new gym membership..... keep it up!!
It's okay to crave chocolate covered cinnamon bears..... but they are almost extinct so eat sparingly.
try to remember to see the good in everyone
It's okay to laugh at almost everything. laughter is what gets you through the day.
It was so fun to be with your sisters over the weekend huh?? I just talked to your mom, she said that she will be coming to see you ... soon!
It wouldn't hurt if you did a load of laundry.
One day you will have a boyfriend that will take you out on Friday nights.....but until then you can continue to stay in all weekend.
I know you are SO EXCITED to be an aunt. but try to focus at school.
One of your FAVORITE cousins is coming to CALIFORNIA this weekend.
take more pictures.
Bachelor shouldn't be on your mind that much. but you should go watch it right now.

xoxo.

Bachelor.

2010-01-19T12:18:00.001-08:00

Was anyone else laughing when Jake and Vienna went bunji jumping and their bodies were flying all over the place?? cause I'm pretty sure that Sharlie and I laughed till we had tears coming down and we definitely rewinded it more than twice. I could have stopped the show right then. I don't know why it was so funny to me but if you get a chance, watch that part again.

other than that.......

Michelle gone.

Elizabeth gone.

And i'm perfectly fine with those two decisions.

Jake had it right on last night in my opinion. But several times during this episode I said out loud, "I am humiliated that I wait and wait all week to watch this." IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. but yet. Monday's still remain my favorite day of the week Chris Harrison. And you are right, this is definitely the most dramatic season yet.

Lets pretend.

2010-01-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

Lets pretend that yesterday morning I woke up and looked at my phone and a strange telephone number was calling me. So I picked it up and listened to the person on the other end of the line say....

"CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED TO HAVE THE BIRTHDAY PARTY OF YOUR LIFE .... YOU CAN INVITE WHOEVER, HAVE IT WHEREVER, MONEY IS LIMITLESS, YOU HAVE ONE DAY TO FIGURE IT OUT AND CALL US BACK."

So.... it's been one day.... and this is what I have come up with.

Unlimited Chillis. all day long.

We will skydive in the morning.

By "we" I mean, all of my closest friends and my family..

and maybe some guy like this guy.

We will land in Disneyland. and have the park to ourselves.

Then we will be able to go inside this huge cake

Only to have a private concert from these guys.

...............................

RSVP.

Thursdays

2010-01-14T11:38:00.000-08:00

Thursdays are the worst.

I signed up for hair school not 'skin disorder' school.

honestly I don't really want to go into detail about what a..

mascule

vesicle

bulla

tubercle

wheal

tumor

cyst

papule

pustule

is.

and if you saw the pictures my instructor is showing us right now. you would want to throw up too and just play MASH with your neighbor Paul Jesus.

My thoughts are keeping me up

2010-01-10T22:18:00.000-08:00

I need a pedicure.

I want to go to the gym tomorrow but I have so much going on.

I need to go to the bathroom but my toilet paper is in my trunk.

My car is on empty.

Should I get up and make a sandwich or should I have a microwavable lunch tomorrow?

Why do boys think so differently than girls.

Is american idol really starting this week??

today was a really good day at church

my fingernails are longer than they have ever been, i'm sure.

I have spent a lot of time on my 'words with friends app' lately.

I really don't want to set my alarm tomorrow.

Yesterday i got a fortune cookie that told me April 9th will be a good day for me. I wonder what will happen.

I wonder who Jake will end his relationships with tomorrow.

My report is due tuesday and I haven't started.

goodnight.

Bachelor.

2010-01-04T23:22:00.000-08:00

I narrowed it down to 5 for me. In no specific order. what are your top 5?

2009.

2009-12-29T11:40:00.000-08:00

2009 is coming to an end quick. At the beginning of this year I made some goals. And I have been thinking a lot about those goals that I made and following through with myself and reflecting on my life and the things that I have done this past year and if I feel like this was a successful year for me. Life is not always easy, life does not always go as planned. Every morning we wake up and we can decide that today is going to be a good day. No matter the circumstances that we have, no matter the things we have to face. One thing I have realized is that things are going to happen in our lives that we do not choose. But the one thing we do choose is how we see it. The one thing we do get to choose is how we act in situations and ourattitude. There are things that happened to me this year that I could not help. And this is life. Sometimes life is unexpected. Last year I would never have told you that in a year from now I will be living in San Diego, California. I would never have told you that Mark was going on a mission. I would never have told you that I wouldn't care if my sister broke myfavorite pair of glasses. I would never have thought that my testimony would have grown this much. I would never have told you that I would try a piece of salmon. I would never have told you that I would have a group of new amazing friends. These are all things that I did not expect. But I would have told you that I was going to try my best this year to be a good example to those around me. That I was going to try to say my morning and night prayers everyday. That I was going to read my scriptures and further my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I would have told you that I was going to try to be a better daughter, friend, sister, neighbor, cousin, a better me. I would have told you that I was going to try not to be hard on myself or hard on those I love. That I was going to be quick to forgive. That I was going to try to see myself as God sees me. I would have told you that I want to grow this year as a person, that I wanted to have experiences that would bring me closer to my Heavenly Father, I wanted to have experiences that would help me to better understand who I am. I wanted to have missionary experiences where I would be able to share a little of myself and what I believe with someone who was lost or wondering. I would have told you that 2009 was going to be a great year, because I was going to make it one.

And today I am happy. I am happy looking back on this year and realizing that I did my best and that it was in fact, a great year.

I can't wait for the year 2010. It is going to be the best one yet.

let me burn the rook.

2009-12-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

family I love you and all... but after the 367th game of this (this week)... it's getting old... can't we play monopoly or something? i'm just sayin.

but until then.. I'll just be sitting over here in the family room dreaming ....

there it goes again.... "one more game guys.. one more game!!!"

Dear Santa,

2009-12-24T22:55:00.000-08:00

My wish tonight is for you to eat all of the cookies off of the counter. ALL of them. please. I beg. Take the carmel, gingerbread houses filled with candy, chocolate covered everything, sixteen boxes of chocolate, and the egg nog too. please. take it all.

xoxo,

faddie.

besides the constant feeling of being full.

I love christmas.

I am grateful for my Savior and for this time of year to reflect on my relationship with him and to remember the sacrifice he made for me and the reason and purpose for this life and for him. I am grateful.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!