12.31.2008
12.26.2008
A Wonderful Time of Year
This time of year is truely my favorite. It has Christmas, which aside from getting gifts, is such a wonderful time to rethink what you're doing in your life. It's the perfect time to think about what the holiday is truely about and then strive to live your life to be more baout serving Him. and then, just right around the corner is the start of a new year. I can't believe the New Year is about to start... It's the perfect time fo rnew resolutions, truely, a fresh start. I love looking at what I've done over the year, and deciding what I can do better the nexttime around. There are always so many. and then, in just 2 short weeks, it's my birthday! Another year, come and gone, and I'm another year older. It's amazing to see how fast time flies and see how wonderfully I've been blessed.
I hope all of your Christmases were as wonderful as ours. Much love <3
12.20.2008
12.18.2008
all done
12.15.2008
okay so, this was from a while ago butttt i wanted to post them!
These are from our camping trip back in ? August maybe, and some from when we took his sisters engagement photos in the canyon, and from our date weekend when we went up to a cute bed and breakfeat castle, hense the man in armor:), and then pictures from our FABULOUS thanksgiving feast <3 we are so blessed it amazes me. maybe after finals we'll get a real post in here instead of just random pics <3 xo! of course, they're all random, no order. sorry
12.12.2008
yay for christmas <3
yay for christmas decorations! we're so excited for christmas <3 we bought a bunch of really cute decorations for our new little home and then his mom and my mom both sent us more decorations. and we got a cute ornament from the Taylors and another cute one from my grandma. so, now our little home is over flowing with cute directions. i'll add a picture of the tree soon and i'll also add some pics of our yummmmy thanksgiving dinner. i know i'm a slacker and haven't posted. but, yeah.
11.26.2008
all done, for now
My girlfriends, des and ash, at home. I miss home. and I love PA and i'm grateful for them and the many others that helped shape my life.
and last, but definetly not least, my favorite person: Matthew. He is everything to me. I cannot even say the least bit of it. I have finally met my very best friend, the one who makes my heart skip a beat like nobody else. This is my true fairytale and I love every bit of it.
Good times, cousins, and kids. How can this not just make you smile?
This is my temple one. I love it. I love this temple, and all temples. I love that I was able to go her with Matthew and remember that this is where I first gained a bit of my testimony.
part 2
flowers. these are the ones from the wedding, but I love nature and the wonderful things God has given us to look at.
These are reallly yummy M&M's which are one of my favorites. but I am so grateful for all my favorite snacks that taste SO good.
The water. This is the SanFranscico coast( and someone's head) but how beautiful the world is. I love the scenery we get to look at all the time.
Grateful in Pictures
My family. New and Old and those that have been like family to me. Families are forever. They strengthen me. They love me. They support me. What else could I ask for?
My wedding. I was able to be married in the temple, for time and all eternity. There is nothing greater.
11.21.2008
awwww... fridays<3
oh! and my brtoher had a good behavior weekend from the gaurd so he's with my mom. she went down to GA and I got to talk to him. made my day:)
this is a ramble but i am sooooo bored..lol.. yay! fridays <3
11.20.2008
Tagged Again, but i'm enjoying these:)
* family
* crafts
* organization
* my hubby
* traveling
* food ( esp. chips and cheese and pizza)
* journals ( even though i've been a slacker)
* relaxing
8 Words or Phrases I often Use
* ummm
* what are you thinking?
* tell me something
* HeLLo! <3
* What are they doing now? (usually to my gram about the rugrat cousins)
* i love you mostest infinity no battle!
* what would you like for dinner?
* i'm cold
8 Things I want to do before I die
* turn around in a police only turn around on the highway
* travel with my husband
* have our own home
* have little kiddies
* live each day, one at a time and enjoy it(had to keep this of Stacey's. this is my constant battle)
* lay in the four corners
* kiss my hubby in the kissing tower at Hershey ( this is an old dream, that now has a reality.lol)
* master my grandma's sauce and aunt Lucy's cookies
8 Things I want or need
how bout 4 wants and 4 needs
* our own home
* little babies <3
* money to travel and visit family
* Civilization for XBOX 360
* more time in my day
* a change from provo
* family to be closer
* more time with matthew
8 Things I have learned from the past
* live today for today and be okay with it
* school isn't everything
* i don't have to be perfect and neither does anyone else
* journal more
* video games are really fun!
* relaxing can be very enjoyable
* not to be so hard on people
* don't judge
8 Restaurants I love
* Costa Vida
* AppleBees
* Savos ( pizza place at home)
* Sabitinis( pizza place at home)
* Januzzi's ( pizza place at home)
* The CheeseCake Factory
* Panda Express
* Zupa's ( best sandwhichs ever!)
* Red Lobster
((oh man, there are soooo many more!))
8 shows I love to watch
((not too big into TV, so this is kinda TV and movies))
* Friends
* House
* Gilmore Girls
* Kung Fu Panda
* Step Up 1 &&2
* The Office
* Harry Potter
* HGTV
* Food Channel
yay.. i tag <3 you:)
11.18.2008
I was tagged
Okay, so I was tagged. I don't have anything that I can post right now that I wrote with both hands, maybe later. but i'll do the others.
2- list 5 of your 50/50's..
- Chocolate Chip Cookies or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Fall or Spring
- Pink or Yellow
- Staying Up Late or Getting Up Early ( I really don't like either. I get sick if I stay up late and I have a better day if I get up at a reasonable hour and get things done. But getting up early? That's why I chose 11-9 as the best sleeping schedule--ideally)
3- 5 pet peeves
- teachers who test on unimportant things
- bad drivers
- people who interrupt
- those that break "appointments"( for lack of a better word) basically, if you planned something with me, don't cancel unless it's something important ( if your sick or something that's chill, but if youre breaking plans with me to go hang out with someone else...ummmm no)
- Know- It- Alls ( you know those ones that think they know everything about everything and want to share it all with you evrey time you want to have a conversation) it's okay to know stuff, it's even okay to know a lot, but to shove it in my face all the time? come on people, manners.
4- 5 things that don't mix well.
- orange and red
- summer and jackets
- small apartments and a TON of stuff
- work and school
- saturday and waking up early
- this one was hard
So, tag list :
1- Show both hands in writing something,
2- list 5 of your 50/50's..
3- 5 pet peeves and
4- 5 things that don't mix well.
ready, set, go!
11.15.2008
i received this from a friend on facebook and wanted to pass it along.
Tell Governor Schwarzenegger to defend the voters' decision on Proposition 8 (the California Marriage Amendment) and to publicly condemn the attacks on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their members.
E-mail Governor Schwarzenegger at: http://gov.ca.gov/interact
Call Governor Schwarzenegger at (916) 445-2841
See letter below from Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council: November 13, 2008
Dear Friends,
Please act immediately to defend the pro-family victory won in California last week when the people of California passed a constitutional amendment (Proposition 8) by a 52%-48% margin to protect marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
Since Election Day, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has made statements supporting demonstrations against Proposition 8, and urging California 's Supreme Court to block the amendment's enforcement.
Since Prop 8's passage there have been numerous, large, threatening demonstrations by those opposing traditional marriage. According to the Los Angeles Times, organizers planned to "have protesters congregate at or march to Catholic churches and Mormon sites." In fact, more than one thousand protesters targeted the Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Westwood. Anti-Prop 8 events planned across the country have targeted Mormon churches in places as far away from California as Kensington, Maryland.
The governor's post-election behavior has been completely inappropriate for the State's highest official. He has acted contrary to the rule of law and has helped foment an environment of lawlessness (one protest produced 15 arrests), intimidation, and racism. Condoning street protests and supporting judicial activist scams to overturn a popularly approved state constitutional amendment approaches advocacy of anarchy. Gov. Schwarzenegger is playing a dangerous game, and it needs to stop. Now.
Please express the following concerns when you contact Gov. Schwarzenegger directly:
Remind him that he is required to fulfill his oath of office which demands that he "support and defend" and "bear true faith and allegiance" to the California Constitution - which now defines marriage traditionally.
Suggest that he publicly accept the results of the ballot initiative as the will of the people even as he reminds Proposition 8 opponents that they can seek another outcome in the future by electoral means.
Tell the governor to publicly recant any suggestion that the California courts manipulate the law to reach his desired political outcome.
Finally, let Gov. Schwarzenegger know that he must condemn the recent assault on the First Amendment rights of California 's churchgoers - most notably Mormons, Catholics, and evangelicals - and use his law enforcement powers to protect parishioners and church facilities from trespassing, disruption, and violence."
Contact California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Urge Him to Fulfill His Oath of Office by Defending the People's Decision on Marriage
Sincerely,
Tony Perkins
President
EMAIL GOVERNOR SCWARZENEGGER AT: http://gov.ca.gov/interact
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - Interact
Source: gov.ca.gov
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's state website includes biographies, newsroom, policy/issues, webcasts, videos, blogs, interactive video forum, email alerts, appointments, contact, Spanish
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11.11.2008
11.07.2008
thought this was fun.My score is 50
*1. Started your own blog
*2. Slept under the stars
*3. Played in a band
*4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
*7. Been to Disneyland
*8. Climbed a mountain...
9. Held a praying mantis
*10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
*12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
*14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
*19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
*20. Slept on an overnight train
*21. Had a pillow fight
*22. Hitch hiked
*23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
*24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
*30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
*32. Been on a cruise
*33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
*34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
*35. Seen an Amish community
*36. Taught yourself a new language( learned some spanish and ASL but don't remember much)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
*38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
*39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
*41. Sung karaoke
*42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
*45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
*46. Been transported in an ambulance
*47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
*50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
*51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
*52. Kissed in the rain
*53. Played in the mud
*54. Gone to a drive-in theater
*55. Been in a movie - only movies I made with my friends :)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
*61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
*62. Gone whale watching( kinda, on a whale looking cruise thing, we saw one farrr away.lol)
*63. Got flowers for no reason
*64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma -
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
*68. Flown in a helicopter
*69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
*70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
*72. Pieced a quilt
*73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
*77. Broken a bone
*78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
*79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
*84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
*86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
*93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
*98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
11.06.2008
some thoughts
i'm not very good at journaling now. every so often i'll write a little something, but i use to write everyday or at least every other. when i was a kid i use to write things like " today is wed. it is sunny(draw picture of sun). i had gym and i liked playing soccer. love, deanna" and now i write long drawn out thoughts that often have no point in the end. my thoughts are long and continuous. i have not yet learned how to shut off my mind. i try sometimes, but it hardly works. one day. and then one day i won't have to write everything. i'll realize that's it's okay to just write the big stuff at some points in our lives.
on another note. i'm not a big fan of politics. i listen enough to make educated decisions when i vote and to not be an uneducated american, but really it's not a passion of mine. this week though, even though i did not fully support either candidate, i am prepared to fully support our new president elect. in a few short months his decisions will affect everyone of us. many other decisions and laws will be made or try to be made that will affect us. one of these was prop 8 in ca and the ones in fl and az. i know i already stated my opinion, but i wanted to share an insight my D&C professor had today during class. He said " I have been teaching D&C for a while and been reading and learning from it even longer. I have not found a significant reason why D&C125 is in there. I have some opinions and ideas to some things it could teach us."(as do many people, he did clarify that he knows it is in there for a purpose he just has not found that purpose yet) he continued :
" D&C 125 tells the saints where they can dwell as directed by the prophet. The prophet is given the authority and can and should give us modern revelation for every matter, whether temporal,spiritual, or political"
i don't really want to write much on the topic, and since it passed i am very glad but did want to share that insight.
well, now that i've bored your poor eyes, i'm going to head to bed so i can get up early for work. i jsut had a lot on my mind, and want to get some of it off before i shut my eyes.
-good night.
11.02.2008
on a totally different note, i wanted to share a frustration about the sad state of many parents and children today. we live in a basement and so we didn't think we'd get trick or treaters. we were planning on going out but since i didn't feel well we stayed in and played more legos. we made sure our light was off just to be sure no trick or treaters would come. so(since we had no candy and wanted to avoid an akward moment), we decided not to answer the door when the one and only group came knocking to our door. would you believe these kids OPENED OUR DOOR! We just stayed where we were because we didn't want to yell at the little kiddies even though we were so frustrated! We know there was parent or older person of some sort by her voice. she was like "guess they're not home. close the door". Come on now, if the light is off, and noone answers the door, would you ever think of opening the door. I would have never done that as a child and i would never let my children do it when i'm a parent. i was appalled and just had to share.
anyway, hope everyone else's halloween was pleasant and hope your ready for a fun novemeber.. and don't forget to vote on tuesday!
10.26.2008
10.24.2008
Love<3
74 years. That is true love, so long, so wonderful. a whole entire life together and that is still incomprehensible compared to eternity.It's amazing all of the wonderful blessings our Heavenly Father has given to us.
on a different note,
Matthew and I went to a really cute castle bed and breakfast last night. It was just up in Sansy but we had a rebate check from our credit card and a 20.00 off coupon so the room cost us like $10 bucks. sweet huh! anyway, we went to the cheesecake factory for some realllly yummy food, and then spent the day walking around the Park City outlets. It was fun. Matt's fallen asleep on the couch even!
It was especially good because I've had the craziest week with school. I'm so glad it's finalllly over!
Anyway, going to get ready for a friend's wedding reception! I love weddings! yay!
xoxox
10.17.2008
Vote YES on Proposition 8
and to read this article.
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/public-issues/same-gender-attraction
They say it better than I can.
I'm not going to make this lengthy but i want everyone who reads this to know where i stand.
I do not support homosexual marriages nor do I support their lifestyles. The Lord made man and woman for each other so that they could become one. I love all people and so does the Lord, however, He does not and will not accept these decisions. The church does not usually get involved in political affairs and I feel that if the prophets feel the importance of telling all members to vote yes on this and stand up for what we believe in then we should do it. No questions asked. We raised our hand to sustain him and we should follow his council.
Vote Yes. This is important.
lucky girl i am.
he's so wonderful. he's done the laundry for me and cleaned and made dinner.... just wanted everyone to know how lucky i am:)
time for work.
10.08.2008
Random
10.04.2008
Philli <3
9.25.2008
All moms will love this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM
9.20.2008
Love
that just simply take me away
and the feeling that i'm falling further in love
makes me shiver but in a good way
all the times i have sat and stared
as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair
and she purses her lips, bats her eyes as she plays,
with me sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say
coz i love her with all that i am
and my voice shakes along with my hands
coz she’s all that I see and she’s all that I need
and i'm out of my league once again
it's a masterful melody when she calls out my name to me
as the world spins around her she laughs, rolls her eyes
and i feel like i'm falling but it's no surprise
coz i love her with all that i am
and my voice shakes along with my hands
cause it's frightening to be swimming in this strange sea
but i'd rather be here than on land
yes she's all that i see and she's all that i need
and i'm out of my league once again
it's her hair and her eyes today
that just simply take me away
and the feeling that i'm falling further in love
makes me shiver but in a good way
all the times i have sat and stared
as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair
and she purses her lips, bats her eyes as she plays,
with me sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say
coz i love her with all that i am
and my voice shakes along with my hands
cause it's frightening to be swimming in this strange sea
but i'd rather be here than on land
yes she's all that i see and she's all that i need
and i'm out of my league once again
i love this song. it is matthew and i's song and it's so beautiful! ( Out Of My League by steven speaks if you wanted to look it up.) i love matthew so much! we've had such a busy week and are so ready to have another much slower(hopefully) week.
in reference to my last post, things are better here now. also, i was not reffering to my matthew. he read it and accidently skipped the part about how he was so great through all of this..lol.. wanted to make sure noone else missed that sentence:) anyway, in light of new information, the situation makes me more sad than frustrated. i know things will work out.. i just hope he'll make it out okay...
anyway,
9.14.2008
Setbacks
What is the definition of a setback? it is a "check to progress; a reverse or defeat". and that is what this was... We live and we learn and we grow old. and as we grow old sometimes we repeat the same mistakes over and over. sometimes our friends or family make those same decisions over and over again even if you plead with them not too. i really, truly believed that this was over. i should have learned by now not to hope to high, because it has never worked out in the past. I believe in him. I know that it will take time, and love, and patience. and I know that it is my duty to let him know i love him. he is failing but he has not failed. it is not over and it will not be for a long time. i know this now. i also know that i cannot fix this and i cannot fix him, no matter how much i want to. no matter how much i pray to. no matter how much i ask him to. it is his choice in the end. it is his choice from the beginning. the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches of repentence, it teaches of a change of heart, it teaches of these mighty changes of heart. this is what can happen although i do not hold to it like i use to. I have learned not to. but i have not given up hope. I can never give up hope. because if i do, then they will, and he will. hope is the beginning of the journey and it is what carries us through this journey.
i taught Sunday school today. Gospel Doctrine to my peers. It is a very different experience. Today I was able to teach Helaman 4 and 5. i love those chapters. They teach of the Nephites recognizing their wrongs. It teaches of the miracles that occured because they chose to believe. It teaches of Jesus Christ and the importance of Him being the rock in our lives. I loved this quote from President Monson.
, “Stated simply, if we do not have a deep foundation of faith and a solid testimony of truth, we may have difficulty withstanding the harsh storms and icy winds of adversity which inevitably come to each of us. Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order for us to be tested, we must face challenges and difficulties. These can break us, and the surface of our souls may crack and crumble—that is, if our foundations of faith, our testimonies of truth are not deeply embedded within us.We can rely on the faith and testimony of others only so long. Eventually we must have our own strong and deeply placed foundation, or we will be unable to withstand the storms of life, which will come. Such storms come in a variety of forms. We may be faced with the sorrow and heartbreak of a wayward child who chooses to turn from the pathway leading to eternal truth and rather travel the slippery slopes of error and disillusionment. Sickness may strike us or a loved one, bringing suffering and sometimes death. Accidents may leave their cruel marks of remembrance or may snuff out life. Death comes to the aged as they walk on faltering feet. Its summons is heard by those who have scarcely reached midway in life’s journey, and often it hushes the laughter of little children. How can we build a foundation strong enough to withstand such vicissitudes of life? How can we maintain the faith and testimony which will be required, that we might experience the joy promised to the faithful? Constant, steady effort is necessary. Most of us have experienced inspiration so strong that it brings tears to our eyes and a determination to ever remain faithful. I have heard the statement, “If I could just keep these feelings with me always, I would never have trouble doing what I should.” Such feelings, however, can be fleeting. The inspiration we feel during these conference sessions may diminish and fade as Monday comes and we face the routines of work, of school, of managing our homes and families. Such can easily take our minds from the holy to the mundane, from that which uplifts to that which, if we allow it, will chip away at our testimonies, our strong foundations.
My Savior is my rock and He will help me through this. He has heard my prayers in behalf of him. He has seen my tears and felt my pain. My husband has been so wonderful in all of this. It is a new experience for him. and I have never been more grateful for him in my life. My Heavenly Father has blessed me so much and this will end and we will make it.Never give up hope. Never leave that rock. and don't let a setback turn you around.
9.13.2008
5 words
oh my goodness, i'm not this huge football fan but let me tell you, this game ROCKED! We (BYU) played UCLA and we rocked them! 59-0... ohhh baby! that's all I had to say...
GO BYU!
9.10.2008
4 months!
8.29.2008
8.20.2008
Descripts<3
These are the kids on my dad's side. We're making funny faces! yay! i love these guys, they are the best!
Next is of my grandma's posterity. She is SUCH an amazing woman.
had to include this last one..my mother and her sisters..they are never to old! <3
Just some PA pics.... Awww..memories<3
My husband <3
8.12.2008
CA!!
7.31.2008
7.27.2008
Thursday we slept in and matt was sooo excited to open his presents. he got a bunch of fun stuff. His mom and dad got him the harry potter movies and this watch that shows him his heart rate. my mom got him a sports authority gift card were he got 15 lb. weights and sunglasses. His sister got him some jeans and will give him some 10 lb weights. and I got him a Laker's shirt, a 49er's hat and a pedometer. He also got himself a game for the X Box.then we went to the cheescake factory for lunch. AMAZING.. top 5 resteraunts of all time. They had everything and like 25 different kinds of cheesecake which is matt's favorite food. We ate a ton and then came back and went mini golfing with matt's sister and her boyfriend, Brad! Then we chilled a bit, got slurpees( YUM!) and went to see Get Smart.. It was a pretty funny movie. I had no idea what it was about so I had no expectations...
Friday was full of lounging around, Indiana Jones Lego's on the Wii and the Scera pool, equipped with slides and diving boards...
and our last full day of freedom was spent going to breakfast, doing errands and relaxing.
We're excited for this week to be over because we're leaving for CA on Saturday morning! I've never been so I am soo excited! and he's excited because it's his old stomping grounds..
much love<3
7.23.2008
The reason for the music...
1st is our song. Out of my league by Steven speaks. On my birthday( in January, aka the night he proposed) he made me a CD mix. He told me number 8 was his favorite and it has been mine since. I love this song and I think the words are beautiful.
2nd song is matt's pick. he looooved Guitar Hero and this is the bonus song and it's killer hard!
3rd song is just a memory song. Matt and I were friends before we started dating. but I think the first time we "noticed" each other was at the Halloween dance for our ward. We were all dancing and Matt took me away from our circle of friends and into the middle of the ward with this song just for fun...
anyway, the site is still a work in progress.... but thanks for staying tuned<3