FUN , FUN, FUN

I am so excited, I get to go see my family up in Utah next week. Just for a few days but still, I am happy I get to spend time with my nephews, niece,and family. Birthday around the corner so we are going to do a little get together. Plus a late Mothers day get together and I am just looking forward to spending some much needed time with them. I hope everyone has a great Mothers day, and some fun in the sun..

Update

Ok, I know I said I would be better at posting. I just have been busy. :)

Life has been so good, and I know I am truly blessed. I have my calling and it is all I could have ever wanted and more. I am Young Women Secretary. They told me like a month ago but just put me in 2 weeks ago. It has been so much fun already. I love planning and organizing so it is perfect for me. It has been a blessing because I had a hard time in Y.W. when I was there as a teenager, so I feel like I am getting a second chance in a way.
Also :) I have been praying, to be able to go to the Temple, and have been thinking and hoping to be able to go this fall. I knew I wouldn't have been 100% active for a year yet, but just everything feels like that is what I am supposed to do. So I prayed for a couple weeks, and decided I will leave it in Heavenly Fathers hands. I met with the Bishop Tuesday, to see if I can go this fall, and what I need to do to get going on it. I honestly wasn't sure what he would tell me, cause my sister told me it would probably be a year, and same as everyone who I talked with, even my husband. But I figured I trust in the Lord, and I know he knows my needs and my heart better than I even do. I figured also that even if it takes a year I could start getting myself ready.
The Bishop told me he felt that I could go this summer after I take the Temple prep classes. I can't explain how wonderful that feeling is. My dreams are getting closer to becoming reality. These things felt so far out of reach, like it would take forever to get there. Now I can taste the sweetness of some of my hearts deepest desires. In the meantime I have a limited use. So I can go for curtain things, and will be going for me before the year is up.
Like I said truly blessed. I cannot wait to be there, and have my family there with me, the only better thing will be when I get to go with my Husband.
I will keep updates, as things come along :)

Valentines

So this year was the best Valentines ever. I had no idea what was coming :) We got home from Phoenix Monday evening and I didn't think we would really be going out. So I made a nice dinner for two and got dressed all cute. It was 8:30 and I didn't know when Jake was coming home, I text him and asked if he was going to be home soon. He text me and said yea. He got home and he told me to pack an over night bag. I packed up and he bagged up the dinner. We got to the Casino and I was so happy thinking he got a room. It is just nice to be able to get out and spend some alone time just him and me. We ended up on the top floor, and I followed him to our room. When he opened the door it was to a suite and there were fake flowers, chocolate and candies all over the room. That's why he was late :) It was such a wonderful surprise and I was so happy. The room was amazing and we had such a good evening. I wish it never had to end.


The living room and kitchen :)


Our room, the bed was huge and so comfortable


Our bathroom, the tub was so deep I could swim in it


Our view from the bedroom window

Our Trip to AZ

For the last three years we have been going to Phoenix to see the Blackhawks.
We have wanted to stay in the same hotel as the players and we saved up so we could this year. We pulled up to the hotel as the players were getting ready to get on the bus. It was perfect timing because we got to meet coach Q, and Sharp. I was able to add to my jersey signatures. Crow and Hossa. It was so much fun to see the players off the ice. We went to the game and had great seats, Row G in the first section so we were pretty close to the glass. Sadly they didn't win but it was still a fun game. I always like going to see them play in person, there is nothing like it. Here's just a few pictures..


They were giving Jeremy Roenick a reward by adding his name to the stadium . (Ring of Honor)







It was so much fun, I can't wait until we get to go next year :)

Changes

So, things have been going well. I have felt welcomed in my classes at church and some of the ladies have gone out of their way to make me feel that. I appreciate them and their effort. It is still hard for me,I know I am not alone going I have Jakes family sitting with me, but I think until he starts to join me I may have to live with that feeling. I know God gives us trials to help us with the things we need to work on. I have been going through some of them, I am glad for them, I'm not going to lie though some I'd rather just not deal with. :)
While we were out of town last weekend I got a call, they are already want to give me a calling, I am excited, and nervous at the same time. I trust our Bishop and our Lord, I just need to find the trust within myself I guess. I would love for it to be in YW, but I am pretty sure it's in primary. I've been in there before and it's fine, I've just changed and not sure that my change works there. Like I said though trust.. :) So that is where I am with church right now, Once I am there I love being there, and I know things will work out :)

Update

(The lost sheep, modern By Liz Lemon Swindle)

I believe we can all be found..

:) So Tuesday was wonderful.
The interview went better than I could have imagined and was more than I was asking for. (not in a bad way) I had prayed asking for my heart to be lifted, and for understanding of my hearts desires. I was thinking I would have to go a little while longer with the chains around my leg and cloud over my head. I am not going to into great detail as this is something to my heart and soul. But I didn't know how much I was carrying over me until it was gone.
I'll just say it's been a very long time since I've felt this good and knew that life was good. I feel that I have a new start on life. I see that my goals are getting closer, and I am so excited for what is down the road.
It's sad to think that I was walking around with all that on me thinking, that I couldn't get better. It's like a throne in the side, and sadly after having it for a long time, its like you get use to that pain and forget what it is like to not have it there anymore.
It just shows that we are never truly lost if we just have the courage to change our life all the hurt and pain can be gone and replaced with peace and love.
I am grateful for my trials though, because I truly appreciate the blessing, and I believe it will make me a better person and stronger. ( What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger) I believe we have trial for reasons and know that they can be overcome. So things are moving forward, and life is coming together :)

Exciting day :)

For me today has been great :) It's been a trying few weeks.
I am trying to go back to church and I have lots of reasons that it is hard for me.
Morning
Jake not going with me
I dont know anyone
I haven't been (lets be honest here) in 5 yrs(but for a couple times when I have gont home)
I dont have sunday clothes (modest sunday clothes)
With the above stated I feel as though I stand out more. ( I remember when I was active and I would see new young couples come to church you always knew they havent been active because they dressed more like going out than church)
I have other excuses ( and that is what they are excuses )
So with my big picture in my heart that I see and want so badly this is one of the steps I have had to get to.
I talked to Jake last night, if he knew how to go about talking to our Bishop. (see long time since I have gone) I have never repented for things or needed to (cause I wasnt going) I expressed my feelings, that this is what I want to do, I want to go to church, and I want to go to the temple. I also don't want to half ass it either.
I think that is why I needed my trials of being away from the church. It has given me the blessing of knowing how important it is, to live right, to be a good person.
To not go to church because we have to, but because we want to, we are blessed to be able to go. So after much talking last night. I said a prayer asking for help to help me with being able to find the right time to talk to the bishop. I am very nervous about this. As my last bishop was a wonderful man, my neighbor for all of my life and had a kind heart and understanding, and once again I hadn't need to repent then.
Today while sitting waiting for church to start, the bishop came over like he had in the past Sundays and said hello, and told me they had just been talking about me and Jake, and he had been thinking of us. He then said I would like to get you and Jake in my office. I smiled and I felt my heart lifted and told him I would like to meet with him myself. So to sum it up cause this part of my day is getting long (sorry)
I am meeting with him on Tuesday. I know to all of you who are active and all this is no big deal. For me this is :) and most of all this is a step in the right direction for me and my big picture. I love how the Lord works, I asked for help and was found :)
The 2nd part to my exciting day we bought our Hockey Tickets BOO YEA! Me, Jake, and Mom (his mom) are going to AZ. to see the Blackhawks on the 12th of Feb. So, so far today has been great and I am exciting for the good changes in my life.

The big picture (big Goals)

So with it being a new year, everyone sets goals and well I will admit I am one of those who has a hard time sticking to them. But I want this year to be the year. I have a few Big goals that I want so badly that I get frustrated because I often feel as though they are way out of my reach. I don't know any other words other than my hearts desire for these goals. I want to better myself, my life, my relationship (NOT THAT IT IS BAD) I am just tired of being comfortable in life and I expected more from myself so I am going to go get them.
I am excited because though it's only been about 3 weeks, so far I am working on all the little things to bring the big picture together. I feel great and I know it can only get better.
I have a few people who I see if they can get their goals, then I can too.
My sister is one of them, though we don't talk as often as I would like, she is amazing. She has lost sooo much weight, has worked hard to lose it too, She has 4 beautiful kids who are well mannered (90% of the time, still better than most) I look up to that, cause with her busy life style she still manages to keep a clean house, and workout. ( I dont know if she gets much sleep though)
That brings me to the next person, My Mom.. She watches my sisters kids. I often feel bad because I wasn't always as helpful as I should have been. She always has a clean house, she worked when I was kid, and she always had dinner ready. She put us kids first. She would go to the store and without fail bring something home for one of us girls. I don't think we see how much our parents give us until we move out, and how much they do for us..
My husband is also someone I admire. When things upset me, he is always there with a calm head on his shoulders. He works hard for the both of us and pushes me to meet my goals. I know if I ever need something I can go to him,he knows my deepest secrets, fears,and all my dreams and he still loves me. I know I never have to be anything or anyone but me, and I can never thank him enough for that..
There's a few other people who I look up to, who make me want to be a better person, most of them are because they are great people, but then there are some who make me want to be a better person because I want to be nothing like them.
With that I am working on making things happen, and will keep posted. :)

YES I KNOW IT'S EARLY

So I cannot help myself, I love Valentines, I love red, I love hearts, and well I love love and the person that I am in love with.
Christmas was great, we slept in opened gifts, I got spoiled as always by Jake :) He is to good to me. We hung out with the family and enjoyed each others time.
Tuesday after Christmas I went to visit my Family up in Utah. It was perfect, it's so great to spend time with my parents, sister, and the kids. Me and my parents had breakfast together and got to catch up. I hope they know that I am so blessed to have them in my life. My sisters are always fun to be around, I couldn't be more proud of Stephanie as she now fits into my jean. She has been so tough on herself to lose weight and looks amazing. (a little jealous) Danielle is doing good, she works hard and is getting her life together and is just the sweetest little sister I could have.
As for the babies and boys, I want them, I wish I could just put my order in and have kids like them. I was able to babysit the twins which was more fun for me than anyone.
It's just wonderful to see everyone in a happy place in life. Like the saying. We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.
I am thankful for my family and Jakes which is also part of my family. I cannot ask for better.
As for the new year, I have lots of goal, in which I'd rather keep secret (like a wish, if you say it, it won't come true :) I know I am cheesy but well I am going to try it) I so want this year to be the year that things come together for us, for me and just life. I am excited for this new year and am filled with hope.
I will have to post pictures of the holidays.

Christmas

I love this time of the year, sadly I wasn't feeling like i loved this time of yeah this year. I never thought I'd find the words bah humbug coming out of my mouth, but this year I did not want Christmas, I felt so stressed with peoples ideas of how much money should be spend on gifts. I wanted to take down the Christmas decorations and just throw it all in the bag and say forget it.
After my Grandpa called asking about Christmas cards and if I sent mine out, I started to feel bad for being so stressed and for wanting to call it quits on Christmas.
With that I started to make the cards, and finished them off, after doing them it kind of jump started my Christmas spirit and I made goodies, and wrapped presents. Now I am just about ready for the big day.
After Christmas I am going to see the family for a few days, and I cannot wait to see the kids open the gifts that we bought them. Seeing the faces of those I have gifts for is what makes this time of year for me.



Back in Nov we went to San Fran with some of Jakes family, to catch the Bears game in Oakland. I had never been to San Fran or Oakland. I will be honest I liked the pier and the shops along the way were fun to look at. The games was the first NFL game I have been to. We had great seats and the only thing that would have made it better is if the Bears would have won.


This was at Ghiradelli Shop, a 5lb chocolate bar. Anyone who knows me knows that this is heaven for me :)



This is us at the game (after the game) Our seats where right there though, 3rd row nice nice :)

Long time

So yeah, it is has been awhile, we have been busy :) We had the funeral for my uncle. It was done wonderfully, a sad reason to get the family all together but it was nice to see them. Some past problems mended and it brought the whole family together for the first time in a very long time. Dave would have been proud and happy that some good came of it.
I went to Utah after to spend some family time, that was much needed. I got to see the twins for the first time. I love just love all those kids. I wish Stephy could just make me some :)


I loved seeing the kids, and I miss them tons.

After that I started planning a party for Halloween. I planned a Murder party in which we all got to act a part in. Everyone dressed even better than I thought, and I made some great spooky food. Mummies, eyeballs, spooky jello, and pumpkin casserole. It was great.

To the Joker in our lives.

I have felt since I found out, that I needed to speak my feelings on this.

I am sorry if this is long, but those who know me know I always have alot to say..

Yesterday started off pretty normal, other than the fact I couldn't sleep and was up before I ever get up by myself. I started to paint loose nails and the day slowly slipped away. Texts back and froth from my little sister telling me she's been having a bad morning and wants the day to end. By early afternoon my phone laughed ( as it is her ringtone) The ringing of the laughing broke the words I was about to hear. Our jokester of an uncle passed away that morning in a car crash. The silence hit me, and the thoughts of my cousin (his only child and son) and my aunt. Then to my father who is his big brother. Lost for words I tried to comfort my sister.
She had found out from our grandparents, who tried to reach Dad but Danielle had the phone at work. I got a hold of our oldest sister to go tell my Dad to call Grandpa.
My Dad left in shock, as they were the pranksters of the family, and close.
As I live in Vegas and away from family, I tried to stay busy, but the thoughts of what would I do if it was my Dad, or my husband or brother. We just never know when that day will come. After a few hours I went on facebook and saw the horrifying picture from the crash. (I am not posting it, as it is just hard to see but here is the link) http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/man-killed-in-early-morning-crash-on-interstate-15.html

My memories of Dave are few, but wonderful. He always had a smile for everyone, didnt matter who you were or what you did. A prank to catch you off your guard. Him and my Dad shared a familiar laugh. Was always witty and quick but never rude.
He was and is a great man. I remember when I was younger him and Alex stopped by our house, me and my cousin played with Dave, and he messed with us and my Dad joined in. To me it feels like yesterday.

I am just so glad to know of Gods plan and that this is not the end, that this is just for right now. I know my Dad and Dave will be the pranksters once again. ( In a long time I hope) My Dad couldnt have said it any better than what he did in the comments of the article
"Dave was my younger brother. He could always make me laugh and was our family joker with a witt quicker than Johnney Carson. We are all hurting pretty bad right now. I guess God needed a few laughs and called him home. I miss ya bro. Love, Jeff"
We dont get all the answers but, God doesnt do things without reason, and one day when we meet him, we can ask him all the questions we want to know. For now we just need to pull together as a family, and know that each day is truly a blessing. It could always be better, but remember even when things are bad, at least you are here to learn and grow from the hard times. Until we see him again I know he is watching all of us. Love you always..

Digi Scrapbooking

Ok, so I have been working on this scrapbooking for awhile now, and I have tried paper scrapbooking, there was just to many things I didnt like about it. I am very OCD as everyone knows. So I like my papers to kind of match my pictures, and my stickers and everything else going on, on that page. By the time I would get something I liked with the paper scrapbooking, I was spending $15 a page and I couldn't do that. ( Yes I am picky I know) So Jake showed me how to make my own stuff in photoshop a few years ago. I just love the freedom it gives me. I can make my pages any color, any shapes I like and make things look like stamps, like they are popping out ect. So here are just a few pages I have done.

Now keep in mind we started dating back in 2003, and I didnt know anything bout DPI and alot of our ealy pictures were dropped down to 72 dpi cause I was sharing a computer with the family and my Dad believed that was a high enough dpi. So the pictures are not the greatest but you get the point of them..
I am only to 2006 and have a long way to go, as I got my nikon d40 that year and went crazy taking pictures haha.. If you wanna know how to digi scrapbook let me know :)


Our first picture together. :) Jake has always been my best friend. Love this pic..
(wow my hair was short haha)




Yay our first Christmas break together. I love these pictures. Haha we look so young, but then we were just late teens. Awe




Natalia's baby blessing, this was a great chance for me to use highlights in photoshop and take some great pictures. This set in the scrapbook is simply beautiful. ( I can't wait to get to our wedding to do an other set with these colors and lights)



My lil bug Nick, and his Easter pictures from 2006..



Jake's 21st birthday, this whole set is with theses colors and turned out better than I thought. We had so much fun.



This is Natalias pictures I took in the early fallof 2006, I love this page..



This was Jake and his family in 2006 in Chicago.. I have a long way to go still, but I love scrapbooking this way. No mess, nothing falling off of the pages, I can fit so much more into one book, and I love the clean look and the price is right :)

Whats going on

So, there hasn't really been to much going on. I'm on week 5 recovery and feeling a lot better then I did 2 weeks ago. I cannot wait to get back to being able to being me.
Since I have been stuck down for so long I have started getting ready for yes Halloween ( I know it's July) I'm crazy yes, but I really want fall. I know we don't get the season change just hot, hotter and I've melted. So I may need to take a trip home in a month or so to catch my fav. season ever.
Since I can't wait I had to change my blog to make it a little more fall like :)

Wow, An Anniversary, 2 Birthdays and 2 Surgaries later

So that is what has been going on in our lives lately.. No big plans coming up just trying to recover, and hope to find a good job.








After we got these minor pains out of the was it was time to celebrate Jake 26th Birthday. He worked for some of the day, then we went to dinner at famous Daves, then back to the house for cake and ice cream. I didnt take many pictures as I was still out of commission for the most part. His sister took a few, and I will get them as soon as I can.. But here are a few of Jake sharing ice cream with Mattie..

So after we celebrated my birthday it was time to get ready for a long over do surgery. As some know I have had issues for the last 2 years. we thought it was one thing, went to the Docs they said it was a cyst but to seek a specialist, after seeing him he knew just what it was a Fistula. The only way to get it to go away was to have surgery. I am not going to go in to detail if you want to know you can look it up. I warn you though it's sick.. (not in the its cool, but in the I am going to throw up sick) A week later Jake went to the Dermatologist to have a spot looked at. He had,had this spot for coming up on 5 years, it would bleed, scab and bleed again without ever really going away. It came back as skin cancer. Small as the spot was it had to be treated. It was in office, and they got it with the first removal of the skin layers. He got it all removed and cleared, but the Doc says with him being so young, he is most likely to come across it again in his life. So he had that taken care of at the first part of June. Then my surgery followed on the 17th. It went well, but the recovery is very slow and this has been the first day I've felt well..


2 more cakes.. Icecream and Chocolate.. Yes 3 birthday cakes. YUMMY!!


Jake, me and Mattie at amore's I love their deep dish pizza


COOKIE CAKE



Turning 26, As goes the last few years, there was a hockey tournament. After the game A few friends of ours had got me a cookie cake (I have never had one before) So we went up to the Bar at the rink and shared some, and had a few laughs..
In the picture is Karrie, and Mikie. She is bestest and always has me cracking up


I had so much with this guy, I kept feeding him and he ended up following me back and forth in their pin..




This is from my phone, but he was right over us, you could feel him breath and hear him clear as day.

While we were out there for the hawks we also had time on our hands, so we took a day trip to the wildlife world zoo. I don't know how but I lost some of the pictures. Some of the best pictures. They had a a few white tigers that were roaring and walking right next to the gates. They were so close it seemed as if you could pet them. They have the leopards cage was set up really neat. You walked under this walk way and the cage was on both sides of you with a walkway for them above your head. I had a bunch of pictures of one of them sleeping right over our head. Jake could touch him. (But really would you want to wake that cat up)






My Fav player...



I apologize for not keeping this up to date. We have just had a lot going on the last few months, as you can see from the title. Not to count the little things in between it all.

At the end of March we celebrated our 3 year anniversary. We went out to Phoenix again and saw the Blackhawks beat the Coyotes. It is always better live sitting there in the stands than it is watching them on Tv.

Baby crafts

Steph's first girl, so I would go all out and make a tutu, clips and binky strings. :) I cannot wait to see the new little ones.

bundles of joy

I can not be more excited. My older sister had twins. So not only do get a one, I get two new little ones to spoil. She had one boy and one girl. Her first girl.I am so excited for her and Cory. Congrats..

Wreaths

So since I have not been on facebook, I have been able to do some fun crafts :) Here is one of them. I started to make wreaths. It's cupcake wrappers. I made a couple Easter ones as well :)
I have enjoyed being able to do fun things, and make these.

GOOD BYE

So I will start blogging more, I dont care if it's not as popular as facebook. Yesterday I had things I wanted to do, and thought I would just jump on facebook quick and update my games and get a few more coins.. 3 hours later I looked and saw I lost all my time to these games. I told myself if I put on half a pound I was deleting it. Well I put on a whole pound as I was spending the time on facebook when I should be taking care of myself, and spending time with my husband. So GOODBYE facebook. Sorry to all those who looked for me on it, and used me as neighbors in your games. I wanna stop trying to get a new this or that in my games and get a new life :)

Valentines

So Valentines was great :) Sadly Jake had to work though, So I took the day to make us a nice dinner so we wouldn't have to go out in the crowds. It was so relaxing and just what we needed. We had a nice dinner and cuddled up and watched a movie. Jake spoiled by buying me a new book series of my fav kind. Paranormal stuff.. I just love it. I could not ask for a better husband, bestfriend and partner. :)

It's been awhile, just been busy I guess you can say.

Not a lot new going on yet. I am looking at going to school, and taking a little more time to stay fit. Also like last year, really looking forward to going to a blackhawks game.

Trip Home

Sunday morning, I love my Family, it makes it so hard to leave, leaving is the hardest part of the whole trip.



Me and the man of my life, he is the best thing to happen to me, and yes he does spoil me :)



Me and my spoiled dog, we gave him a toy hamburger and he freaked out, cried and couldnt breath because he was so excited..



Nick opened the set of stuff we got him. He is getting so tall, next he will be taller than me. (not that, that is hard but he is only 5)



Zack passed out after dinner. We tickled him, Nick jumped on him, and this how he was, he didnt even move..



Kristen and I, we just woke up and got dressed to go sledding, she is the best friend any person could ask for.
(Kristen and I, sledding)

So last weekend I got to go home. I haven't been home around the Holidays for 3 years so this was just what I needed, I needed it more than I even knew. I got to have my husband, my family and my best friend. LOL and her dog.
I think we all needed this little break. Kirsten had worked 6 closes in a row, and I wasn't feeling the spirit of Christmas, and it felt like nothing was going right.Jake hadn't been up to Utah in almost 2 years, so this was just what was ordered and needed....

Us girls stayed with my family while Jake got to spend some time with his Dad, and would come over to hang out with my family.
We got there and really didn't do much, we hung out to the late hours of the night and then slept in. It was so welcoming to just sit and talk with my parents, and see how much my nephews have grown. Along with my little sister.
We did Christmas dinner seeing as this was as many people would be home for the holidays, and then exchanged gifts. I love seeing the faces of those I give to, and when it's family it makes it that much more meaningful. I know now that I get my loving, and caring from my family. I have the best of both worlds, Jakes Mom who is and has always welcomed me into her home and life, and mine who love me even when I make mistakes. That is how I want to be, and this has been the greatest gift of all, to just have them, and my husband who supports me on everything I do..
I hope we can all have a Merry Christmas and may your hearts be filled, and may we all be able to enjoy family, loved ones, and the best of friends...

Christmas Tree

So this year we did our tree different. Well Jakes moms tree. I love how it turned out, all the reds, greens and just a little sliver. The Christmas tree is what makes it for me. It just always shines so bright and beautiful. I love the tree :)

I'll be home for Christmas

I am so excited. I am going home Next week. Just for the weekend, but I haven't been home around the Holidays since we moved to Vegas.
I will have everything I want this year :)
I will be with my loving husband,my family and even my bestest friend is coming up with us.
So please have snow.. :)

This is the best, and I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas..

Tis the season

I cannot believe Christmas is in only 20 days.
I've been thinking lately that well, I just dont feel in the good spirit of Christmas like I did in the past. I dont know if it's in the getting older, the grouchy people I have to try to please, or the fact that it is 50 out during the day. (I'm use to the snow and 35 for a high)
With all that, I find myself really having to try to be in a good mood, and remember tis the season..
I do know I am blessed though, and that is what we should all be counting, our blessings not the gifts under the tree.
I have a great husband who supports me and my bad habit of shopping at Micheal's, wonderful family who loves me, I even get to go see them next week. ( I hope there's snow) And of course good friends.
So when I remember this, it help brighten the day.