Over the RainBow

Meeting the Fam

2011-12-30T14:48:00.000-08:00

George (Joe's brother)

Our Navy visitor

Mary & Doug

Ah...new relationships...new adventures...and new family!! So much fun. I got to meet Joe's mom & step-dad for the first time and I fell in love with them! I have been waiting to meet Joe's mom for 14 years (yes, 14 years...a story for another time). So I have to say I was very nervous meeting her. Joe loves his mom so much and I knew I would love her. We went to dinner with them and Joe's brother George and we had such a great time. By the end of the meal we invited an old man over because it looked like he needed some company and he sat down with us for a while and had a drink. He told us stories from his Navy days and sang us a few funny songs. Life is just so amazing when you let it be!

Light Show

2011-12-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

We went to the Temple to see the lights this year and dang was it chilly!!! It was so beautiful tho, I wish we had snow to make it a little bit more magical but it was gorgeous all the same.
I absolutely love spending time with family and am so thankful to be spending this season with Joe.

Photo Bomb!

I just love Rob so much..even if he loves the cold.

aww Joe and Mom...so sweet!

Enjoy the Moments

2011-12-18T21:23:00.000-08:00

I was sitting here thinking how thankful I am for everything/everyone in my life. We often get too caught up in how horrible things are going, how badly we hate going to work Monday mornings, how cold it is, or how people just never listen. But behind all of that complaining there is always something to be thankful for......we just need to take a moment to remember it. I try to do this more and more each day ( I will admit sometimes it's hard, but I'm only human). I am so thankful for every moment I have on this earth. I get to spend it with people I love all day everyday and I don't think life gets much better than that. I found myself obsessing over "how the holidays used to be" recently and I had to take a step back and look at what I have now. I wanted to slap myself.....I was so caught up in the past that I wasn't enjoying the now. I'm very big on tradition, especially around the holidays and this year my traditions have disappeared. I'm not necessarily sad, but just dealing with the shock of it all. I am thankful for new traditions and the people I love in my life right now. I look forward to a long and happy future. So no more getting stuck in the mucky past! Life is all about change and opening yourself up to that change, harder than it sounds, but so very true in every way.
I'm sorry for the long sappy blog post but I had to put my thoughts into words. I hope everybody has a great Christmas!!

Holiday Time!!

2011-11-30T17:58:00.000-08:00

It's holiday time people!!! I had an amazing turnkey day with family and friends, my moms birthday was right after Thanksgiving and now we have CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!! I love the feeling in the air!! My life has taken a few turns over the past 4 months and I have to say I don't think I have ever been this happy! I have gotten so close to my family, made some amazing friends along the way and have found the most amazing love I have ever felt. I am very thankful for my life right now and I wouldn't change a thing.
Hopefully I will be putting up some christmas crafts up here...I've been slacking in that department with all the family/friend functions in my life....craftiness here I come!!

Thanksgiving...

Mom, Grandma & me

Tai & Joe

Me & Tai....love her!

Me & Joe...Love him!

Me & Krey...we are pretty pimp!

Love my momma!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

The fam!

Presents!!!

I'm a walrus!

Krey is so handsome~!

My sad face because Joe was stuck doing homework and couldn't make it.

Krey and livi

Rachelle's in Town!!!

She came to visit Joe and I while we were house-sitting his sisters house in the avenues....yea it's super haunted!!!! Trust me...I experienced the ghosts.

We are so hot!

Gotta do our poses...loving the stained glass behind us!

Yea...I bought us BFF necklaces haha!!

Happy Birthday Tai!!

Yes, that beer is bigger than my head...it's ok tho...it's Tai's Birthday!

We are sooo cute!

Joe & Jason...BFF's so cute!

My man...a little roughed up but still o-so-sexy!

My gurl!

Hey get your mouth off my finger!

This has been my November...so much fun and so busy!! Can't wait for December!

Snow Dog

2011-11-22T23:01:00.000-08:00

Yep, we love the snow...me and my little man. I love mornings when there is fresh snow outside. I get to watch my gussers run around like a crazy dog, digging his head in it, hopping around like a little bunny rabbit, and staring at you with those, come on, come on, eyes... until you come out and enjoy it with him. I can't wait for this winter!!

Just some fun

2011-11-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

I had to share with everyone how much I love my Aunt & Uncle, I grew up so closely to them and my cousins and I get giddy when we all get together for some fun!! I love my family so much and feel so blessed that we can all chill together and forget the real world exists. It's also nice to remember my cousin Cameron that passed away a few years ago. You can feel his spirit in the house and it comforts me terribly...especially around the holidays.

Just a little of Camerons sense of humor...NOT the north face.

I was seriously thinking about stealing this coat...it was so warm out by the fire....and it was Cams...but I resisted haha!

The three blondies, Mom, Aunt Taresa, Me

Family

2011-11-18T23:09:00.000-08:00

Family has been a sore subject for me all of my life. I was not raised with a strong foundation. My family did the best they could and I love them for it, I was raised with a lot of love but a lot of abandonment.
I was lucky enough to experience a new family that was so loving, kind and warm. They made me re-define "FAMILY". They made me see the importance of a family...a foundation, they cared for you when you were down, they would give you what ever you needed to make sure you were taken care of. They were a family you could be proud to be in.
However, I have experienced that no matter how much love they have to offer, no matter how much kindness is in their hearts they are still willing to abandon you. I don't say this with resentment or pain but shock. I thought abandonment only came from families with "issues" and some sort of warped self-obsession but I was wrong. I have realized that a TRUE family are the ones that will never change their opinion of you because of a rumor, true family will never turn their back on you when you are hurt, true family will never choose one or the other, true family will tell you the harsh truth, not to hurt you but to save you, true family will stand by your side.
I'm thankful for the family I have in my life today and the ones that have chose to be my family-I would not be the person I am today without them. My friends, my family, my blood-I owe them my life.

Look Up

2011-11-18T22:48:00.000-08:00

Amazing sky!!!

Tonight I was driving home and letting my mind wonder....I must confess, it was wondering into the self pitty sandpit. We have all caught ourselves there. My job isn't making me happy, how am I going to afford my car repairs with holidays coming up...WHY is this guy driving so slow.blah blah blah poor poor me. While I was wallowing in my sink hole I suddenly had an urge to just look up~ and there it was~ my white painted world. It was snowing and I hadn't even really paid attention to it sticking to everything. The trees were glistening white, my wallowing disappeared and I took joy in the fact that our world had just been painted an entirely different color...so pure...so glittery!! Most people complain about the snow, driving in it, the cold, the dirt. I think it's the most beautiful thing in the world. It makes my mind stop and it makes me thankful for all that I have and all that is possible. What makes you stop and enjoy life?

Halloween Inspiration

2011-10-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

All-righty...my inspiration is coming back in bits and pieces-YAY!! Halloween is approaching and I have a Halloween Party to attend..DOUBLE YAY! So now for the costume....I don't know why but I always work best under pressure when it comes to my costumes...flashing back to being invited to a party 1 hour before it started=80's Punk Rocker. Flash back to another year of having NO IDEA what to be then the day of the party making my costume=Witch Doctor....and they were awesome costumes!! And, yes all stuff I had just lying around-no this does not make me a hoarder! So, this year I have it all planned out, is it done you ask?? I say heck no..far from!! But I have my old prom dress, some make-up, great tights & a perfect shawl...now I just need some flowers for the hair, some fabric and get my butt to work on sewing!! Are you intrigued?? You will just have to wait until Saturday to find out what I am going to be...but I can say I am not going to be a prom queen.

Life has othere plans for me

2011-10-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

You know how you plan your life out....get married, buy a home, start a career, have babies, make memories watching those babies grow...then some way down the road have grandbabies???? That was my plan~apparently the universe wasn't happy with that plan.
I have been thrown some curve balls...made of fire with heat seeking missels (ok, ok, not that bad, but it FEELS like it!) Suddenly my life has literally been flipped upside down and I'm not sure where I'm supposed to be headed. Things have been taken from me so swiftly I feel like the breath has been knocked from my lungs, my head slammed against concrete & nobody there to tell me it's ok.
So I guess it's time to pick myself up, catch my breath and start making new plans...or just throwing the blueprints out all together and starting with square one...ME. How do I do that? I've never done that....aaahhhhh UPSIDE DOWN!!! With my experience from the past month I have most definitely learned to NEVER EVER take anything for granted, I'm afraid I have done this a little to much over the past 11 years and I feel ashamed. Be thankful for your family (no matter how much you may disagree with them), be thankful to have someone that can take care of you when you are sick, someone to cuddle up to at the end of the night, be thankful for your home (no matter how messy, small or far) BE THANKFUL. Because my friends one day-with the blink of an eye someone can take it all away from you.

little something that fits right now.....

2011-10-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

I always said I’d be happier alone. I’d have my work, my friends but someone in your life all the time-more trouble than its worth, but apparently I got over it.

There’s a reason I said I’d be happier alone, it wasn’t cuz I thought I’d be happy alone. It was because I thought if I loved someone and it fell apart I might not make it. It’s easier to be alone because what if you learn that you need love and then you don’t have it? What if you like it and lean on it? What if you shape your life around it and then it falls apart? Can you even survive that kind of pain? Losing love is like organ damage its like dying, the only difference is death ends...... this? It could go on forever.

Halloween Wreath

2011-09-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

I love how simple this wreath was!!!
I bought the wreath at the Dollar Tree (duh), the feather boa's (2), the purple roses & the creepy sign at Hobby Lobby & the black roses from Walmart.
I didn't like the orange on the creepy sign so I glittered the orange over with silver. I wrapped the boas around the wreath and hot glued the ends...I made sure you couldn't see any of the wreath under the boa. Then I hot glued the roses on. I spiced up the black roses a little bit, I took two of them apart so they weren't so closed and then glued a regular one in the middle, I love how big it looks now!! Maybe I will add some ribbon, a skull or some glittery spiders to it but I'm not sure yet.

T-shirt scarf

2011-09-10T10:27:00.000-07:00

I never throw clothes away....you can always find a way to re-purpose them!! You get something brand new with no cost...I love it!! This was so incredibly easy I want to do it over and over. I took an old t-shirt that just didn't fit right anymore and had lost its shape on me. I actually changed this shirt up a while ago...I was at the hair dresser and a little bleach from the hair dye got on the neckline, I was pretty bummed since it was my favorite "go to t-shirt" but then I just decided to spray bleach in random places and it became my favorite shirt again....now it is my favorite scarf .....and I even like the bleach spots on it, gives it some texture-I'm kinda thinking of dipping it in bleach to give it a cool effect.
I started out by cutting the bottom of the shirt off then cutting strips in random sizes, I cut up to the arm pits.
Then I just started stretching the strips, which made them turn into each other and gave them the length I needed.
I cut a small piece from the back of the shirt that was more bleached and tied it around the strands to keep them all together....and I had my scarf!! I think my next one will be out of one of my husbands shirts that way I can get a longer & thicker look!

Pot full o punkins!

2011-09-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

My latest and greatest fall project, which I'm in love with!!! I have wanted to make this for years but thought I would have to spend a lot. But as luck would have it everything was 50% off & I already had the flower pot!! So total cost is $30!! Yay!!
I just hot glued the pumpkins together....really well (since they are an outside project I'm sure the weather could rip them apart). I took the stem off the middle pumpkin and then glued the garland around each pumpkin, making sure the garland was really snug.
I used yellow leaves for the bottom because I thought it would be a good contrast with my flower pot. I just kinda threw together some hooks for the yellow garland so they wouldn't blow away using floral wire and put hooks all the way around the garland into the dirt that was already in the pot....they are nice & snug.
Once I was ready to put my tower of pumpkins in the pot I put two dowels in the bottom pumpkin and hot glued those in and staked it into the dirt. I made sure they were pretty long so the wind wouldn't take them away.

Here is some garland I threw together as well, I didn't take pictures of the process, I just bought 3 twig garland and a few pumpkin, corn & fall grass fillers, I used some garland I already had and hot glued it all together. I love that it is heavier and thicker than just leave garland and looking at craft stores something like this would be at least $60....how much was mine you ask? $18. I love myself a bargain!!
I got together with a girlfriend that wants to start making some fall & Halloween decor, so I can't wait to share what we come up with!!! Having two minds is always better than 1!!

Fall Vases

2011-09-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Can I say how much I heart the Dollar Tree? I LOVE THE DOLLAR TREE!! While decorating my home for fall I realized I had no projects, which made me kinda sad. So, I took some vases & candle stick holders I bought from the Dollar Tree, some fake leaves from garland, glitter & mod poge.....and I had a really easy & fast project. I love having something new every year..especially without breaking the bank.

Baby you look good!

2011-09-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

I bought some onsies at the Dollar Tree for my little Niece and I glammed them up a bit.

I put some parchment paper inside the onsie so the fabric glue didn't go thru to the other side.

My sister-in-laws favorite color is brown, I found this bow & ribbon in my craft stash and thought it would be perfect!

I got a jewel gluer thingy ( I don't know what it is, but it's cool ) from my sister-in-law for throwing her a baby shower so I thought it would be fun to use it on her babies clothes!

I sewed the edges of the ribbon & the bow to the fabric so the fabric glue didn't give out during washes & do you see the cute pink gems??

I love this one because I like pink & orange together but it needed a little something........

YEP, gems!!! I put a diamond gem in the middle of all the flowers on the onsie, super cute!

I got a tutorial for this one from this awesome blog Ruffles and Stuff.
I'm still working out my sewing skills (it's harder than it looks people!) So mine looks a little weird.....or ugly haha.

I used pink polka dot fabric I used for her baby shower for the lollipop & I sprayed it with fabric glitter so there was a little shimmer. I wanted my lollipop stick to be straight but I'm still learning how to work that mind of it's own sewing machine.

DIY Camera Bag

2011-08-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

So I tackled my very first pretty huge DIY project before our big vacation. I am pretty happy with the results (for my first time). I wanted to be able to carry my purse & camera all in one instead of lugging around two bags at the same time. So I found this awesome idea here diy-camera-pursebag.

I just used a purse I already had ( I have more than I'd like to admit) and measured every inch where I wanted foam. Went to Joanns and got some fabric on sale & the foam I wanted and sewed away. I was kind of on a time crunch so instead of doing velcro to switch out the foam I just hot glued it inside to keep the foam from moving around.

All my supplies, Purse, Foam, Fabric, Measuring Tape...green shag rug optional

the inside of my purse. I did give up the two side pockets at the top of the picture to glue the foam in, but I left an open space where the zipper pocket is...kind of like a hidden pocket.

My foam pieces all measured & cut

So like I said before, I was on a time crunch so I just wrapped the foam in the fabric and sewed the three sides.

Then I just cut off the excess fabric

AND, the finished product!!! I think it looks pretty cute. I have a perfect little spot where my camera fits snug. Plus I had room for a small clutch to hold my lip gloss, ID & credit cards and then a small area for lotion & hand sanitizer. A plus, this purse has a pocket divider so I was able to put our extra lens and our remote control in there with out them falling out. Can I just say this was a life saver for vacation. This will make it so much easier to take the camera to family events because all you have to do is grab your purse!!

Things I would have done differently:
Choose a purse with better structure, this is more of a boho purse so it doesn't hold a great shape, even tho I hot glued the foam in the foam still moved with the purse, I would have preferred a more boxy feel.
With more time I would have made it look a little bit nicer...ie~ measure out the fabric perfectly to give it more of a professional look and not so thrown together.

Brushes & Brushes~OH MY!

2011-08-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

I officially feel complete!! I have made the best purchase (I think in a long time). Now some of you may think I'm crazy for not making this purchase sooner or you could be thinking "what is the big deal"? Well I will tell you, I'm obsessed with make-up: always have & always will be. I became obsessed in 7th grade when my mom gave me some make-up for the first time (image: her thinking I would go light). Well my first make up was Black eyeshadow and there was nothing light about it!! I slathered that stuff on like crazy~and I was hooked! My mom then forbid, yes forbid me from wearing it to school-do you think that stopped me??? I THINK NOT!!!

So....I haven't been using the full potential of make-up because I haven't had the right tools, I just always settled for my two brushes-1 for eyes 1 for cheeks. I finally decided..this simply won't do! So I made a fabulous purchase on Amazon & got these in 1 day!! That's right ladies 1 day!! Now if you'll excuse me....I have some make-up to attend to!

It folds up to this handy dandy case!! LOVE

Traditional 24th of July

2011-08-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

Every year my family goes to the Bee's Game on the 24th of July (for you out-of-towners, this is a Utah holiday). We watch a baseball game then watch some awesome fireworks!! This is a tradition I will NEVER let die-it would be like eating sandwiches on Thanksgiving (image: me throwing a temper tantrum). It's always so much fun to just have a good time with my family & enjoy a snow cone...or two. Gotta luv Summa Time!!

Bald Eagle-So amazing up close & personal!

My "newly 18" year old Brother-Krey...in his stylin white sunglasses

My mom & Rob...they giggled the entire game...not sure why~but hey who doesn't like giggling???

Cousin Olivia, Aunt Taresa & Uncle Brett....first time they joined in on the tradition-Brett was having so much fun!!!

So cute!

My Cousins Andrew & Sydney joined in too...they are kinda up there....You can see Andrew with the drink in his hand.

Sorry-computer won't flip this image for some reason...but you get the idea-it's a hat. Jer was nice and took Krey to the Fanz store & bought him a hat!

Mom just chillin with Krey's sunglasses-que the music....."we wear our sunglasses at night"

The whole fam! Now can I just fill you in on this picture...the guys in front of us were a blast and one of the agreed to take our picture-oh boy oh boy were there a lot of trys!!! Luckily the last one we were all pretty much laughing at this guy trying to take our picture and we all came out with some pretty good smiles-no poses here!!!

Krey & I have made it a tradition at the game to do a gangsta picture (although I don't know how many gangsta's eat snow cones...but I can be the first) We switched our sunglasses for this shot

Brett-still having the time of his life-YEA BUDDY

Mom & Rob...giggles have turned into boisterous laughs~lovin it!

We had perfect seats this year...right behind the home plate...can I just say this was the BEST baseball game I have seen. Our team kicked some butt & one of our players hit a GRAND SLAM-it was pretty exciting!!

Here is one of the guys in front of us....we had to get a candid

Welcome to the World baby ~Lori Etta~

2011-08-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law had her baby girl yesterday, Lori Etta Whittaker. She is so beautiful and so precious! I love babies o so much, as I get older babies seem more and more like a miracle!! They are so peaceful and sacred, how could you not want to love them to pieces?
Congratulations B.J. & Jamie-I know you will be amazing parents!

B.J. & his first baby girl

Jer, holding his first Newbie...he's a natural!

Precious Lori Etta is all tuckered out

I didn't want to put her down!

The Happiness Makeover

2011-08-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading The Happiness Makeover. This book has been my version of meditation. As soon as I read the first sentence of the page it instantly relaxes me and resets my priorities & perspective for the day. Happiness seems to be this untouchable thing we humans dream of-but really we have it all along we just choose to ignore it. I think this MUST come to a stop~we need to embrace our happiness and recognize it when it is there so we don't (think) we lose it again. I will be sharing cliff notes on each section of the book I read. Why you ask? 1. Simply for my benefit so I can remember what I read 2. This book is too good to keep to myself.
In a nutshell the book helps you see how you are holding yourself back & ways to fix it! I am beginning my makeover...who's with me?

What's holding you back: What's your happiness myth?
This touches on things you were raised to believe. You know those silly little superstitious beliefs...you better knock on wood so something bad doesn't happen, if you act too happy it will be taken away (because some evil spirits are out to get your happiness), screw them over before they screw you....I could go on & on. Another great one is Just because it's easy doesn't mean you shouldn't do it (this is a great one for the workforce or any chore, duty, obligation). As soon as you realize that these are just silly superstitions you can actually let go of them and BE happy.
I will admit I have a superstition & it has definitely held me back. I have truly believed in not showing any excitement or satisfaction or else it will be taken away from you. After reading this it really did seem silly to me to believe in this....life is about excitement & satisfaction-show it-embrace it-do it!!

Happy makeover!!

A short, yet painful, goodbye

2011-08-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

Rachelle & I have been friends since 4th grade. We were both new to the area and school so we became friends immediately. We did everything together, spent our recesses day dreaming, feeding apples to the horses on the other side of the fence, stomping on bees (that I feel bad about now), spending every weekend together and most importantly-we grew up with each other! We got ourselves into some stupid trouble-which I wouldn't trade for anything & we have certainly had our ups & downs just as any friendship, but it all has made our friendship that much stronger! I'm pretty sure I can say we know each other like the back of our hands. We have experienced so much growing up and we have such a bond that we can spend years apart and pick up right where we left off with no hesitation. I'm so very thankful to have her in my life. I am so very thankful for her, she is not just my friend but she is my sister and she always will be! I'm not normally a mushy gushy person but I am recently because her husband, Sam, just got accepted to medical school in California ~ so yep that means she is leaving me. I'm sad she won't be 30 minutes away anymore, our daily skype chats will be put on hold until she can find a job (cross our fingers they allow skype chat) & our weekly girls nights are done for...well....until she can get internet & a webcam. Even though I am so very sad I'm more excited for her & Sam. They are starting the next chapter in their life and I can't wait for all the fun adventures she is going to have as a Cali girl...not to mention the fun vaca's I'll have visiting her!! They have both worked so hard to get to this point & it is finally happening for them! I feel like this is one of those moments in life where you really feel like a grown up doing grown up things! I can't help but to think "Rachelle is in the next step in her life, what about my next step?" Starting a family? Buying a home? It all feels just so exciting and nerve bending at the same time!
I am trying not to get too caught up in the "missing" part, because I don't want to be sad about something so happy so I am focusing on when I will be able to visit her and counting the days of when we can have a webcam craft night.
p.s. we now get to visit 2Pac's grave (something we always said we would do....haha)

Make-up

2011-07-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

Yep, bloggin about my make-up! I am going to start trying lots of new different looks with eyeshadow... cuz I'm bored with plain ol same thang! So far I'm having lots of fun with it! Here is my first attempt & I love it!

Purple on top & blue on bottom!

Here is what I used!! Kat Von D eyeshadow from Sephora & NYX eyeshadow from any grocery store.

Independently Happy

2011-07-09T15:21:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!! I absolutely, positively love fireworks, bbq's, watermelon, warm nights, and great company!! So that means of course I love the 4th!! Lucky Utah now has legal areal fireworks so the show in our neighborhood was amazing!!

Our Loot!

A fun JUMBO sparkler!!!

My sexy hubby...yep lighting fireworks with a torch!

We are so lucky Gussers love's fireworks too!! He would just sit there and watch them go up in the air.

Jewelry...from Home Depot??

2011-07-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

Home Depot is a wonderland of ideas for me!!! Not for my home and not for my yard (well ok yes for those things) but JEWELRY!!! Or any kind of fun craft you can think up!! I love just roaming the isles letting the ideas flow. Today we went for my husbands rat rod. I was looking at washers and bolts and found these washers and I just visualized jewelry. I new I had some dangle hooks at home that I could work with. It turned out perfectly!
So next time you're at the Home Depot with your hubby shop around and let your imagination take over!!

Baby on the way

2011-06-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited for Jamie to have her baby girl!! I love new babies and I love adding to our family!! She is due pretty soon so I threw her a baby shower and we all had so much fun! My Mother-In-Law & Sister-In-Law...and of course my loving and very very patient husband helped me throw this shin-dig and I am so very thankful for that!! This was my first time throwing a baby shower and let me tell you....it's hard work! I decided to do an open house type party so women could eat, drink & chit chat, Jamie opened presents & then we did Onsie decorating. Each woman was able to decorate a onsie in their own way for the new baby. The woman had a lot of fun with this and I'm so glad~it's always a relief when parties come out with out a hitch!!
I wish my other Sister-In-Law (Amy) could have been here but unfortunately she will just have to settle on the pictures.

Kelly bein silly

Cute little mason jar drinks!! So much cutter than paper cups!

Tissue Pom Pom's & the food table

Everyone enjoying themselves

Cute little stair decorations to sparkle the place up

A great way to welcome everyone....and to know they are at the right house!!

Notice the cute Pom Pom's (they are my most favorite part)

Decorating Onsies!!!

Julie & Kelly

I hope Heaven isn't all that far

2011-06-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

I don't like remembering sad days (who really does) but you can't help remember the day you and your family lost someone. It leaves a hole in your heart that you can feel every single day. People say pain fades over time-this pain is with you for a lifetime and the hole is never filled. You are left with a sadness that leaves you speechless, numb and angry. You can however choose to dwell on the pain and the indescribable amount of emptiness you are left with OR you can celebrate that persons life, live the way they lived, believe they are with you at all. My family lost someone so amazing 2 years ago and it has devastated us, but it has also brought us closer together. This loss has made me realize how quickly life can be taken away and to never ever take someone for granted.
Cameron was my cousin, but I felt as if he were my brother. I was raised with him, we would have sleep overs as children, we watched ALL the batman movies (since that was his favorite) we played James Bond with his cars, we would play Batman with his figurines (I of course was always Poison Ivy), went to our grandparents farm, had bon-fires, roasted marshmellows. As I got a little older I would come over and babysit his sister Olivia and Cam & I would watch TV, talk, go hiking.
I was so very lucky to see him the last week he was here on earth. My Aunt & Uncle went out of town and Jeremy & I stayed with Olivia (& technically Cameron, but he was old enough to come & go). I was able to get to know the "man" Cameron was becoming, his goals, who he was and just enjoy his company. I feel very lucky to have those moments to hold on too. I am not sure if there is a heaven, but I know Cameron is watching down on our family. When I am alone and I feel the pain in my heart of his loss, wherever I am, I can feel him. I can be walking outside with no breeze what-so-ever and I will all of a sudden feel a gust of wind, the bushes will blow to the side and I feel a sudden calmness and happiness-I know that is him telling me it's ok. It feels like time has stopped and for that split second I can feel him by my side. I miss him so very much.

When I hear the roar of motorcycles
     I think of you
When I see a skateboarder and their wide eyed grin
     I think of you
When I see a random act of kindness
     I think of you
When I smell and feel the rain
     I think of you
When I hear the birds chirping first thing in the morning
     I think of you
I think of you always and I will think of you forever. Not as an emptiness but as happieness & hopefulness
    I will see you again one day

L.O.V.E.

2011-06-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

when i'm feeling like there's no love coming to me

and i have no love to give

when i'm feeling seperated from the world

and cut off to myself

when i'm feeling annoid at every little thing

because i'm not getting what i want

i'll remember that there is an infinite amount of love available to me

and i'll see it in you

i'll remember that i'm complete within myself

so i never have to look to you too complete me

and most of all

i'll remember that everything i really need i already have

and whatever i don't have will come to me when i'm ready to receive it.

Happy 28th ~Slugger

2011-06-02T21:29:00.000-07:00

The love of my life turned 28!! I can't believe we are getting old (that's not supposed to happen to us, right?)
Anywho-I love celebrating Birthday's, presents, dinners, balloons~all the works!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE BUG!

Full Family Tree

2011-05-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

I love spending time with my family. It's the rush of childhood memories, the pure joy of being around a room full of people you love and know love you too. We have had lots of family time with my family lately (hopefully more to come). We had my aunt Shanna, uncle Mike, my cousin Nicole & her husband Troy come up from St. George for Shanna's competition and they were able to stay for a little bit for Mothers Day.

Uncle Brian, Aunt Taresa, Grandma, Mom, Uncle Mike, Uncle Dave

Olivia & Me...loving our glasses

Taresa, Brian & Mom

Mike & Shanna

Me & Mom

Krey & Alicia

Kira & Olivia

Then the next week was Olivia's birthday. Taresa had asked me to plan a surprise party for her and that was so fun! I got the decorations (tons of baloons, streamers, flowers), I planned to have a Justin Bieber cardboard cutout to be at the door & I made her a 13 Birthday Mix with her fav songs!!

It was a blast getting the house ready expecially since I had my loving husband, mom, dad, brother, cousing Sydney her husband Andrew and their cuty petuty daughter Sophia helping!!

We all soon realized with a surprise party..once the decorations are up.....lights are hung...Justin Bieber is in pace....the music is playing....they cake is out...the fruit bouquet is out....the flowers in place & the candles are lite, there is A LOT of waiting around for the Birthday Girl to arrive. So we played with the kiddos, played don't let the balloon touch the ground and did a lot of catching up.

FINALLY!! The birthday girl was here!!! and she was so surprised!!

Who's at the door everyone asked??? IT'S JUSTIN BIEBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEP, he was the hit of the party!!

Justin Bieber!!! Jer says!

Silly girls....reminds me of being 13 again having o so much fun with my best friend Rachelle~they remeinded me so much of us!!

The present we got her, I loved it, she loved it..heck everyone loved it!!!

And of course the party ended in a cake fight.....it started in the living room so Brett & Taresa weren't too happy-but you're only 13 once!!

Crazy Fit Competition

2011-05-10T18:42:00.000-07:00

Crazy fit is right!!! My Aunt Shanna competed in a body building competition. She looks so amazing I can only wish I look as good as her some day AND.....wait for it.....she is 50!!!!!! She is such an amazing and strong woman I really do look up to her for getting on stage and struttin her stuff!

Shanna & her competitor (Shanna is on the left)

My cousin Nicole, Me, Shanna, my Mom, my Aunt Taresa

Silly Faces

The Universe

2011-05-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

Just when we think we've figured things out, the Universe throws us a curve ball. So, we have to improvise, find happiness in unexpected places.

We find our way back to the things that matter the most.

The Universe is funny that way, sometimes it just has a way of making sure we end up exactly where we belong, even if we don't know it yet.

8 Years!

2011-04-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

Last week was our 8 year Anniversary!! Time flies when you are having so much fun!! I love my husband more than anything and I'm so happy I chose him to spend the rest of my life with him. Marriage isn't perfect but we have made it work for 8 years now and I can't wait for the next 80! I'm so lucky to have a best friend & a husband wrapped into one person. He has always been my rock, my cheerleader and my personal comedian.
Nothing else matters when you have your soul-mate by your side!

Busy Weekend

2011-04-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday Jer & I drove to Idaho and back, we picked up a new project/toy/truck that he bought. It was a fun little road trip....although I don't recommend driving that much in 1 day! I enjoyed it though, I'm a happy girl on the road if I have water, snacks & fabulous music!
Here are some pics of his project. He is going to make this one a custom rod instead of a rat rod~I can't wait to see the finished product with all the ideas he has told me!

Then Sunday was Jer's dads birthday so we just had some yummy bbq and family time.

We stored a present at our house for Jer's mom and I told her I would wrap it...this is what I came up with since I didn't have enough of 1 roll to wrap it....and I LOVE IT!!! it looks like a wrapping paper quilt!!

My handsome husband...and his sneaky look

BJ & Jamie & our new little family member growing her her belly!

I have no idea what I was doing in this picture!

Cute little Cody & his "thinking" look

Grandpa, Kelly, Bruce & Jer

Cody, Kelly, Jake & Grandpa

Julie...she HATES getting her picture taken so I had to sneak one.

The kids of course had to help un-wrap the presents

BLOW OUT THE CANDLE!!

Easter Decor

2011-04-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

Remember all that stuff I bought from Hobby Lobby & the Dollar Store for Easter (my little teaser post)??? Well I've finally put a few things together and got my decorations out. I am very excited Easter is at the end of this month...that means it will be warm for Easter egg hunts!!

Just threw some glass pebbles, a vase, feathers, daisies, grass & eggs together & walah!

Here is a $6 wreath!! I just glued a bunch of eggs together ($1 store) and hung it with ribbon ($1 store). I love it!! It's simple but bright!

Put some cute little butterflies in my vase with twigs-don't they look real?? I put a vase of cute flowers together ($1 store) and put a few eggs inside the bouquet. I got the cute pink egg at Hobby Lobby (half off!!!!).

I just threw some green eggs in my year round vases with some grass and eggs at the bottom of them. O and check out my cute new Scentsy!!!

Covered candles with ribbon, used an old Easter basket and put my glittered eggs in a fish bowl.

Here are my glittered eggs close up...I just love them. I just glittered plain eggs last year. FYI-it took a very very long time!! But the things that take work end being the things you love the most!

Of course I have to decorate my magnet/picture board with egg magnets!!

I love having a huge ledge in my living room to put lots of decorations. I just put some eggs & grass with my year round decorations.

I love Easter so much!! Flowers are blooming, trees have flower blossoms & the grass is turning green....lets not forget all the skirts & sandals we get to pull out of storage!!

??

2011-03-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how to even start about my day. It was kind of one of those days were things just pile on. My new job is turning out to really test my patience. I guess I shouldn't say my job but the girl I work with. I'm not sure what is going on but she just has an issue with me and I wish I knew what it was. One day she is completely nice and the next day she goes to my boss telling him I make too many mistakes and something needs to be done! WHAT! Now I have only been there for 1 month so I'm bound to make mistakes and I own up to them. But I have a great memory and I have the job down pretty well. I'm not sure what motivates someone to complain to the boss instead of coming straight to me. It was a huge slap in the face today to hear about my 2 mistakes (yep you heard it 2 mistakes). Then to top it off we hear Jeremy's grandma had to have surgery because she fell and broke her leg but nobody was there with her so she was there for what we think was a few days unable to move. It absolutely breaks my heart to think of that sweet & caring woman suffering for so long! It looks like she is going to be ok though so that is the great news!
Days like these you just feel lost and I hate it! I know nothing can be perfect but it has just been a rough day....it's one of those days where you just want your mommy. I wish we lived in a world where people were nicer. It's not a hard thing to do right?? Be nice to people....strangers, friends, family why can't we just be nice, caring & compassionate? Instead, we have gotten wrapped up in a world where we are "too busy" to care about our loved ones. Or we think since we don't even know someone we don't have to go out of our way to help them or talk to them. It saddens me that we are so horrible to each other and think we don't owe anybody anything. We owe it to ourselves to be kind to one another! Think of how much better your day becomes when someone opens a door for you, smiles at you, compliments you. When family or friends surprise you with something special or just give you a call to say hey?
Now I'm not perfect because I have become a victim of the selfishness...ALOT. But, I'm trying to change that day by day. I hope kindness becomes contagious because I think we all need it, especially on days like these.

Friendship

2011-03-27T12:14:00.001-07:00

‎"A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails."

Short, sweet & true.

A ah ha moment

2011-03-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you have those days where you think "I thought this was supposed to be easier". Well I read this little tid bit and had my ah ha moment where things just seemed clearer. It really is all about point of view-it can make your life difficult or wonderful!!

Remember that what we do for each other before marriage is no indication of what we will do after marriage. Before marriage, we are carried along by the force of the "in-love" obsession. After marriage, we revert to being the people we were before we "fell in love".
Love is a choice and cannot be coerced. Each of us must decide daily to love or not to love our partners. If we choose to love, then expressing it in the way in which our partner requests will make our love most effective emotionally.

AutoRama cont...

2011-03-07T19:42:00.000-08:00

That's right ladies....AutoRama is not just about cars!!!! You can buy purses, wallets & SHOES!!!!! I bought this purse & I just love it. I would have bought shoes but I have small feet & they have to special order them~sad I know.

And....here is my rat rod. I saw it and knew this was the kind of rat rod I would want to build...Jer even asked if it was for sale and it had just sold~even sadder!!! But we will be on the hunt for my car so we can get started on making it all mine!!!

I love that it is raw metal!!

and the rims are colored in a fab teal!!

If you can't see...the sides of the seats are glitter green, and on the back of the seats it has a picture of Frankenstein & his Bride LOOOVE IT!! And of course the steering wheel is green glitter!!

I love the painted wood floor!!

and painted wood in the bed!!

I can't wait to design mine!! Of course I will be doing green, purple, black, orange & raw metal :o)

BEST IN CLASS!!

2011-03-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a long, eventful, social & exciting weekend for us. We want to thank all our friends & family that came out to the car show to check out Jer's project. We had so many compliments and met some amazing people! I have to say that group of people (people into cars) are the most polite & humble people I have ever met! I'm so proud of Jer because he won BEST IN CLASS!!! I couldn't be happier right now!!
I am happy that we can get back to our normal lives again...eating right, going to the gym & going to bed at decent hours-yahoo!!

The Set Up

Me, Jer & our Beast

The Whittaker Family

Kirk & Tammy

Proof it's a small world....as we were walking around with my parents (my mom in the picture). She ran into my Grandpa's old biker friend Caeser (he had his own showcase in the show for Caesar's Bikes). They were able to catch up a little and I got to see a little of what my Grandpa was like when he was younger.

Goofin around with Kolt

Kolt, Stephanie....and Jer

Steph is ready to hit the road in the Beast...she even has the crazy eye!!

Just chillin by our car.

And of course my husband, his project & his award!! I just love his big grin!!

I have lots more pics to post but it's late and it has been a long, long, long weekend!!! Hope everybody had as much fun as us!!

AUTORAMA

2011-03-04T23:02:00.000-08:00

The Autorama is going on here at the South Town Expo Center. There is everything from motorcycles, classic cars, custom cars and of course rat rods!!! Jer's rat rod is the most important to me!!! It was so fun tonight talking to everybody admiring his hard work & creativity~it really makes me so proud-I think I had goosebumps the entire night because I was so proud!!
It makes me even MORE proud to know he made a little debut on the local news!!

So, if you live in Utah you should come check it out.....it is O-So much fun & say hi!!

Re-decorating

2011-02-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about re-decorating my main bathroom..something bright & fun. I was thinking about orange, pink, yellow, a little brown & some stainless steel thrown in there. I kind of put it off to the side of my brain (the I'll come back to that part). Well, I came back to it without even trying today at Hobby Lobby. Right there in their 80% off section were these cute little things that opened up that side door!! I had to have them because it is exactly what was in my mind.....and these were 80% off-it was meant to be!! A decorating miracle, I call it. I got these for only $3...canvas covered boxes with a few little rhinestones on them.....I can't wait to get the bathroom going.

Rat Seats

2011-02-28T10:31:00.000-08:00

I told Jer he needs to re-upholster his seats for his rat rod before the Autorama (they are boat seats). So we got to work. I will say he & I make a great team!! We went to the fabric store, picked something he liked, we did the measurements together, I cut out the fabric, he did the covering & stapling & I sewed the back of the seats for the finishing touch!

Bottom of the boat seat. BEFORE

Bottom of the seat uncovered.

Finished product! I think they look amazing 1. for us working together 2. it being our first time ever attempting something like this. They o-so soft too!!

Late Nights & Great Company

2011-02-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

Jer needed to finish up some wiring on his rat rod and luckily he knows someone that does it, so we had a little garage party last night with Jer, Colt, Stephanie, Krey & me. It was just a whole lot of sitting around watching Colt do the wiring but it was fun to joke around and have meaningless conversations...especially for the Cabin Fever victim (ME). I'm sure my brother had a good time hanging out with the adults...I know I always liked hanging out with the cool older people (yep, I think we are cool). Well we pretty much ended up staying up until 4 in the morning with our garage party. I know I sound old, but I don't think I have stayed up until 4 a.m. since I was dating my husband!

Me & Krey

Jer, doin a little welding

His anti-freeze bottle

Anti-freeze bottle with anti-freeze in it....I love how this looks!

Jer, Colt & Stephanie

WAS a project

2011-02-26T09:17:00.000-08:00

My husband brought home the top of his engine for his Rat Rod and asked if I could paint it black then paint the raised letters white. I was excited to do a project for someone other than myself, other than a decoration & it is metal! So, I got started with cleaning all the grease & grim off it then I Scotch Brighted it to scuff it up a little bit so the paint would stick. I get two coats of paint on it and am getting ready to start painting the letters when my husband ripped this project from my hands!!! He simply did not care whether I had already put my heart & soul into this project, he didn't care that I had gotten attached to this little thing~he wants what he wants!!
Haha, ok, ok, I don't care that much. Before I even started this project I had suggested that he ask one of his clients to paint it to look like faux wood to match his roof (his client does that on garage doors & it looks amazing). When I brought up the idea he just blew it off....but then when my heart & soul were at use on this project he decided that would be a good idea to paint it like faux wood.
As women we change our mind all the time so I think I can forgive him for this :o)
I was taking pictures to see the transformation but this is how far I got.

Note, my cute St. Patty's Day Manicure I just got...and to think I was willing to take a chance of ruining it with this project!!

To be honest I really can't wait to see what it looks like when his client is finished with it!

Take a moment & ponder...

2011-02-22T16:35:00.000-08:00

If you have said any of the things listed below, about a woman or about yourself please take a few moments and read this article, http://www.danoah.com/2010/10/worthless-women-and-men-who-make-them.html.
I truly believe this should be read by every woman & man!

Women are ugly.

Women are fat.

Women are bad mothers. Women are bad wives. Women are bad daughters.

Women are lousy cooks. Women don't keep their houses clean enough.

Women have too much cellulite in their thighs. Their abdomens are too flabby. Their under-arms are too Jell-oesque.

Women are terrible singers. They are terrible dancers. They are terrible public speakers.

Women are stupid. Women are scatter-brained.

Women are weak. They are powerless. They are defenseless.

Women don't dress well enough. They don't have clear enough complexions. They have too many freckles.

Women don't have full enough lips. They don't have skin that is soft enough.

Women are too dominant. Women are too passive.

Women are too mean. Women are too nice. Women are nothing but doormats.

Women aren't good enough. Women will never be good enough.

Women are, simply put, worthless.

Luck o the Irish so far!

2011-02-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

I found these cutsy glitter shamrocks at Jo-Annes and decided to use them for magnets.

Wa-La! Sorry, I'm not the best at taking pictures...I can never hold still so the pictures tend to turn out blurry, haha!

Signs I found at Tai Pan & Jo-Anne's

Once again, I'm bad at taking pictures....I just put some green beads in my little candle holder/vase thingy's & I found teeny tiny candles to put in the middle at the Dollar Tree.

some glass stones & a vase from Dollar Tree to give it an Irish feel. I love the frame on the right...Dollar Tree as well!

I bought the green & blue twigs at the Dollar Tree too....and you can see the moss stones sitting nicely in a bowl.

I made these vases a while ago with vases & candle stick holders from the Dollar Tree, I covered them in a silver lace. I just put blue glass stones in the vases to give it some color & I got the cute green votive holder at Tai Pan.

St. Patty's Wreath

2011-02-21T20:07:00.001-08:00

I pulled the flowers off the bunches and used a wreath I had.

Then I just started gluing away...no rhyme or reason. I left some space at the top though for the ribbon & little sign I bought at Tai Pan.

There it is, so adorable on my door.

There is my cute little sign with the glitter tulle.

I loved this wreath because I just started gluing away and it turned out perfectly!!.

Supplies
Wreath (any hobby store)
Flower bunches (Dollar Tree, hobby store)
Foam Moss Stones (Dollar Tree)
Fabric (any hobby store)
Cute sign (Tai Pan)

O how I love the $1 store!!

2011-02-21T15:52:00.000-08:00

I decided to get my butt outside and enjoy the sun so I stopped at my favorite store in the world....DOLLAR TREE!! Some days are a miss at this store but today was a JACK-POT! I think my brother, Krey, is a good luck charm, he is staying with us for the week and I had a great shopping day today at the Dollar Tree, Tai Pan & Hobby Lobby! He is doomed, because now I'm going to make him come with me all the time haha!!
All the shopping inspired me to make a St. Patricks day wreath (I heart green) and I have never decorated for this holiday before...I have no idea why. I am also going to be making an egg wreath for Easter!! Yay ideas!!

I bought some white glitter ribbon for my St. Patty's day wreath...too bad you can't see the glitter.

I love these moss rocks, they are gonna look so good in a vase or just hanging around as an accessory...definitely give my home a St. Patty's day feel. I can also combine em with Easter eggs...YAY!

I got my eggs for my wreath..plus small glitter eggs for the Topiary I'm planning on making...of course some more frames...planning on doing a St. Patty's theme with those & those cute butterflies!! Those will be cute for Easter/Spring.

Yep, found these at the Dollar Tree too! I have never been able to find cute floral at the Dollar Tree, but these are great!

Got these at Hobby Lobby for my wreath...sorry it's not the best picture, but you get the idea!!

I think I'm gonna get started on my wreath right now....I'm so excited!!

Good Buys....Where's the ideas?

2011-02-20T12:10:00.000-08:00

So I took some pictures of all the fun stuff I bought at the $1 store & Hobby Lobby, so I can start on Spring/Easter decor. I have all this fun stuff but sadly the ideas have slipped my head and I'm racking my brain on what to do?!? Craftiness comes and goes in this brain so I will keep brain storming but in the mean time I just wanted to be mean and post pictures of good buys with no idea on my mind and leave ya hangin on a string :)

These are little springs (remember the big one I got for my birthday from my FLI?) He was so sweet to think of me when someone at his work asked if he wanted these little springs....he wanted to know if I needed a spring family!! So, I can't wait to figure out what I'm going to do with these!! I don't know why I love springs so much right now. I really just like the shape and I love the look of something manly with all my candles, lace, ribbon & lanterns. (after sorta proof reading this I realized I have to decorate for spring...maybe that is why I have springs on the brain haha!)

Here are my Hobby Lobby buys (all 50% off & I had a gift card) Some large feathers..some small feathers, butterflies, ribbon, daisies & a ceramic pink egg...hmmmmm come on ideas!

Here are my $1 store buys. I bought tons of glitter eggs & a pot so I can make a cute Easter Topiary. I got an Easter hand towel, Easter ribbon & a felt tulip that I think I'm going to turn into a wreath with some fabric to make it more 3D. The frame? I dunno what to do with it but you always need frames right? And yep, I bought a book at the $1 store. Now, that may be an inclination that it is not the best book in history but I like the way it looks without the cover as a decoration (see below). I just love Copper!

Now I just need my ideas to flow through my mind like a flood!! I love those days...where I have so many ideas that I just go, go, go!

Proud Wife

2011-02-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

I have to take a moment to gush about my loving husband! He has turned into a very hardworking & dedicated man....might also add crafty!! He has been working on a 1927 Hudson Essex rat rod for the past year & a half. It has many bonding moments to us as he has taught me how to weld & use a plasma cutter & yes, I even helped pull the motor & transmission out with him. It's not easy building up a car when you are doing it to give it a certain look & appeal...but it is coming along nicely and I wanted to share! It isn't all the way done yet he has some wiring & tidbits he needs to do but hopefully it will be in the Autorama in 2 weeks { cross our fingers }.

BEFORE

AFTER

Shabby Apple Lovlieness

2011-02-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

My Favorite dress...so far, San Gabriel

Look at how cute this shirt is!!! Especially with the design on the side...that is enough for me to buy it in every color!! Hero Virasana

Same with this cute tank!! The design aaahhh I'm in love!! Of course I would have to choose green (my fav color) Lotus-Padmasana

I'm so in love with this website...cute dresses AND cute gym clothes!!! I even love the style of the website-gorgeous! Online shopping is fun!! Unlimited choices, they always (almost) have your size & when you buy something it is delivered to you!! I'm very glad I was introduced to this website!! Shabby Apple

A Fine Line

2011-02-18T13:19:00.000-08:00

Boundaries are such a precious thing. People don't think about boundaries, never a second thought about them....until they are crossed. Once they are crossed there is no going back, you have crossed a line that was blindly there for a reason. Reasons to keep us safe, keep us from saying the wrong thing, keep us from hurting the ones we love. Even in the greatest relationships there are boundaries-we are human, there has to be boundaries. Animals have actual boundaries or they may wander into the enemy zone and lose their life. Us? We have emotional boundaries.
These emotional boundaries can get over-looked, blurred or even just ignored. There is no red tape telling you not to cross that line. We have to judge for ourselves...First: what our boundaries are and Second: what our loved ones boundaries are. If we ignore the boundaries, you might as well be saying "I don't care what hurts you". If you blurr the boundaries you can get yourself head over heels in trouble with a difficult way out. If you simply over-look the boundary, you apologize and remember to keep the boundaries in line.
Some people may think this is walking on egg-shells but really everyone has boundaries, you just don't know it until they are over-looked, blurred or ignored.

Don't mind if I do

2011-02-17T15:47:00.000-08:00

..Brag about my new gym shoes!!!! So, I have gained weight over the past year and that has put a hault to any new clothes....so no new clothes in a year (because I refuse to buy a bigger size). So, yes I get to splurge a little on my gym shoes (two pair in the last month). But these are special because they are ALL MINE. I designed them, so that means not one single person out there has these shoes in this color...ok, I'm sure there is some possibility that another girl out there has chosen the same colors as me but that is a huge MAYBE! This makes me all the more excited to go to the gym once I'm feelin tip top! I like my other new gym shoes but there is just somethin about picking your own colors!! This has certainly put a smile on my face today....with the cold and all!!

This sucks

2011-02-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

All I want to do is...work, clean, decorate, get dressed, bake, grocery shop, go to the gym...ANYTHING!! But, my sick body just won't allow it. I'm ready to scream!! This cold really does suck and yes I'm complaining because it's all I can do. The only thing I can do is complain, sleep & cough. YUCK. I'm ready to feel like a girl again!!

I have an entire bag of craft goodies that I bought before the plague hit me and it's killing me that I don't have the energy to start craftin!
I can normally handle a little cold, but this one is a doosey & it is painful, so here is to feeling better and allowing my poor husband a break from all of my complaining.

p.s. I promise I will not blog until I have some positivity to send out to the blog universe!

Back to reality

2011-02-15T09:54:00.000-08:00

Oh my, Oh my....I do believe I am getting over the worst cold I have ever had!! It started Thursday and I'm finally feeling better on Tuesday. I have never had a cold with such horrible body aches and a pounding headache. I thought for sure I had some kind of illness because I couldn't even stand without almost passing out!! So, I went to the doctor and I just had a really bad cold, apparently this kind of cold has been going around...icky!! Luckily the nice doctor put me on an I.V. of Vitamin C, Potassium & Magnesium and WALAH! I feel 85% better!!!!! I hope I never get a cold like that it was so awful and the worst part is it just got worse with each day....instead of getting better! At least with an illness like Strep Throat they can give you an antibiotic, but a cold...you have to ride that sucker out-and with body aches that just plain BLOWS!! Luckily I had an amazing husband that waited on me hand and foot, he spent all weekend watching girly movies with me! Ladies he watched all of Gone with the Wind with me!! That movie is 4 hours long not to mention made in the 30's...that is a true caring husband!!! I am so grateful that I can get back to normal and now I can celebrate Valentines Day with my hubby!! I hope this sickness stops spreading because I don't want anybody to get it!!

Things to remember....

2011-02-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

1. Work can wait

2. Letters are better

3. You never know what is hidden inside

4. The grass can be greener on the other side of the fence...so what?

5. Friendship is hard, but the rewards are grand

6. Kindness is a language the whole world speaks

7.Pets are part of the family

8. Even small steps are important

9. You can't fail unless you stop trying

10. It's never too late to be what you might have been

11. Love is strange

12. Photos capture memories for eternity

13. If you jump the net just might appear

14. The best things to own are the things you earn

15. You might be more like your parents than you'd like to admit

16. Work can be sacred

17. Perfection is overrated

18. You can handle more than you think

19. A true surprise is a rare gift

20. Attitude is half the battle

21. Age is just a number

22. It pays to approach new things with an open mind

23. You can't always go it alone

24. Meaningful is more beautiful

25. Just sitting can be pure joy

26. It's up to you how colorful your life is

27. Even the wounded have the capacity of healing others

28. Love is bigger than squabbles

29. On your to-do list, it's a good idea to put people first

30. Sometimes it's what you don't ask for that is the very thing you need the most

UNDER MAINTANANCE

2011-02-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

sorry..the blog is ugly I was trying to update it with fun colors or funky background but am too sick to even look at this computer screen.................

I have learned.......

2011-02-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

At the end of the day, when it comes down to it, all we really want is to be close to somebody.
So, this thing where we all keep our distance and pretend not to care about each other is usually a load of bull.
So we pick & choose who we want to remain close to and once we've chosen those people we tend to stay close by, no matter how much we hurt them. The people that are still with you at the end of the day, those are the ones worth keeping and sure sometimes close can be too close but sometimes that invasion of personal space can be exactly what you need.

My dear friend Easter

2011-02-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

I am so excited that Easter is at the end of April instead of the beginning of March....really who decides this Easter thing? I would like to know.....every other Holiday has a set date or day...why can't Easter???? k, done venting :). Any who, I am excited that I have so much time to make some Easter crafts, I have some great ideas rumbling around in my head, today at least. I hit up the $1 store and got some good stuff to get me started, get 40% off coupons every week at Roberts & Michaels so I get to SAVE money (yes, I'm all about saving this year) while being crafty!! So, I hope you are excited as me about the upcoming craftiness. p.s. you probably aren't as excited because I have cabin fever (refer to cabin fever post) and if I get one single craft idea, or craft motivation I get super duper excited!! If you have any Easter craftiness ideas...shoot em my way (if anybody actually reads this .....smiley face).

Couponing Cont.

2011-02-02T17:49:00.000-08:00

SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!

So, I'm still couponing...and it isn't easy! But, it is addictive to save money! You pretty much have to keep track of sales, you know those little ads you get in the mail a couple times a week??? They have coupons-great coupons! They also tell you what stores are having sales. If you want to get really technical then you can go to Wal-mart and they will price match so you don't have to run around to every store for the sales. Another way is to get multiple Sunday papers and cut out the coupons (remember to only use the coupons you will actually need). There is no reason to use a coupon for a product you would never eat/use in your life! I also use http://savvyshopperdeals.com this woman is a genius! You get updated emails about fabulous deals and the price it will end up being if you have the coupon. If you are planning on doing this, you want to make a grocery list, check sales, check coupons, organize your coupons, bring a calculator & a pen & make sure you take your time. Sometimes people think time is more important than saving money...but imagine if you didn't have money and you HAD to rely on coupons & planning....then time just isn't a factor.

SO here is the down low on my savings...
I bought 4 papers a few weeks ago and cut out all the coupons I would use (also, you don't need to use the coupon right away, wait until there is a sale then use the coupon to save even more, but do keep updated on the expiration date on the coupon)
I was able to buy EPT pregnancy tests for $2.50 each because it was on sale & I had a coupon!
I was able to buy Nyquil for $3.47 because it was on sale & I had a coupon!
I got toothpaste for free because it was on sale for .99 and I had a coupon for 1.00 off!
Then just today I got more toothpaste for .98 each-not even with a coupon, just because the store was having a sale! (smiths)
I got toothbrushes for .50 each!
I got a package of 24 rolls of Charmin for $8.00 with sale & coupon
I also got a free Scrubbing Bubbles toilet brush just for buying one of their cleaning products-that was a $7.00 savings right there!!

K, so these are just a few of the WOW savings to me. Since I bought 4 coupons I would buy 4 products so I could take advantage of the sale price & using the coupon...so I won't have to worry about buying pregnancy tests, nyquil, toothpaste or toothbrushes for a very long time!!

I think practice will make perfect with this coupon thing and soon I can save even more!

Tidbits

2011-02-01T19:20:00.000-08:00

These are some scraps of wood blocks I rescued from my father-in-laws barn and let my imagination run wild!

Here they all are hanging together, they are in my bedroom and I just love how they fit in with the decor!

I refurbished the lamps I already had on my end tables in my bedroom. The originals were just black and plain beige lampshade. I cut circles of felt and glued them onto the lampshade to make it look frilly. Then one day walking around Home Depot saw an awesome green paint for the black part and there ya have it!!

I got the Feva...Cabin Fever

2011-01-31T19:54:00.000-08:00

I am currently "unemployed". I quit my job as a paralegal almost a year ago to help Jer with his nutritional company Stepping Stone Nutrition, www.steppingstonenutrition.com. I helped build the website and I update it every now and then but it doesn't take a lot of my time. I also left my job because it gave me so much stress, I would go home crying everyday and it just wasn't worth it. I decided me quiting my job would 1. help build our business 2. relieve stress 3. find out what I want in life. So, in the past year I have discovered I AM NOT A STAY AT HOME PERSON!! I need to be busy, I need to feel like I'm making a difference (even if it is typing a letter for some stupid boss). I need social interaction, stupid conversations, I need to see girls in cute clothes so I want to dress in cute clothes!! Yup, I have cabin fever.The symptoms of cabin fever you ask? I suddenly have no interest in all the things I had interest in when I was working & it makes me think & do craaaazzzy things...when I had a job I would plan all the fun crafts I would make, couldn't wait to go to the gym, or start reading a new book. Then when you get home from work you just don't have time to do any of those things you were daydreaming about. So you think...if I didn't have to work I could do all that fun stuff whenever I wanted...WRONG-O. I really think having a job gives people purpose...a reason to get out of bed, even if it is a moaning & grumbling start of the day...it's a start.

Luckily Jer has a lot of connections so I was able to start doing a little substitute teaching right now for Granite School District Elementary-and I love it. I just wish it was full-time, or part-time or heck even part-part-time hahaha. It only requires about 5-9 hours a month but I do love this job. Can I just say kids say the funniest things! It gets me thinking of going to school to become a teacher but Jer and I really do want to start a family in the next few years so starting school, a career and wanting to be a stay at home mommy doesn't sound
Well folks...that is my life in a nut-shell.
To anyone (that doesn't have kids) that thinks to themselves "I wished I didn't work" just stop there...that is my warning to you. I don't care if you are the laziest person in the world....cabin fever is terrible!! It's not quite depression & it's not quite freedom. You are just trapped in your head where there is no creativity or motivation....AAAAAHHHHHHHH get me outta here :)

My way of getting out of cabin fever? I have been looking for full-time jobs...really anything to keep me busy and give me back some of my spirit. But my main issue, I have gained weight...yea, yea, yea...people never believe me when I say that, but it is true. Yes, I'm a small girl but body fat tells all and right now it is screaming at me YOU CAN'T FIT INTO YOUR JEANS!! After complaining, moaning, groaning, crying, kicking and screaming, I finally realized I have to do something about it cuz obviously my childish behavior is gettin me nowhere, & I have a husband that does nutrition for a living HELLLOO!!. I finally broke down and invested in a new ipod (I had my little shuffle for 5 years and I was lucky if it ever worked, but it was cute) and I invested in new gym shoes (I had my old gym shoes for 4 years & they didn't even fit). When it comes to splurging on myself with expensive stuff I just don't do it, so now I have no excuse not to go to the gym anymore!!

Here is to curing my cabin fever syndrome and snapping myself back into reality!
Sorry for all of the rambling but it is sad to say...my blog it's my social interaction-frowny face-tear.

Gifts indeed

2011-01-31T11:41:00.000-08:00

These are my favorite Birthday gifts!!! Jer got me an antique lantern & I just love it. I'm head over heels in love with lanterns especially antique ones!
Now for the giant "what the crap is that for" spring.....this is a spring off a very large truck, why did I ask for this? No, I'm not working on a truck, I'm not an automobile part hoarder. I wanted it just for a decoration, it may not look like much now but with all my "normal" decor up I think it will fit in nicely...right now I have Valentines up so I have to wait.....waiting...waiting...waiting. So thank you to my hubby and my In-Laws for my favorite gifts!! To all of you who think I'm a little weird~I am :)

My Video

2011-01-26T21:33:00.000-08:00

My thoughtful husband made a video for me for my Birthday. I think it is the sweetest thing he could have ever done for me & I just love it! He truly is the best husband in the world! I love him more than anything! P.S. if you want to watch this video make sure you mute the playlist I have at the bottom of the blog..smiley face!

Birthday, Charity, Royal Bliss

2011-01-26T21:12:00.000-08:00

I had a pretty great 27th Birthday all because of my wonderful husband & family. Jer took me to IHOP (I love love love going out to breakfast), we did a little shopping, played some video games & my adorable mom sent me some flowers that look just like a cupcake!!! I loved it! And then we ended the night by going to the Huka Bar. My family was having a charity event for my Uncle Lance that was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. It's an awful disease where you immune system attacks your nervous system, they have no idea why this happens and there is no cure. Doctors just say it has to run it's course, it causes paralysis throughout the entire body and they don't even know how long it can last. Needless to say he was in the hospital for 2 months and they have huge medical bills so Royal Bliss & the Huka Bar threw this charity event to help them out. Neil (lead singer of Royal Bliss) is a part of our family so he & his wife are the ones who set it all up. It was nice to see all the support he got. We enjoyed great music, because lets face it, Royal Bliss is the best band on the planet, & and lots of family bonding time...much needed after Camerons passing.

Adorable flower cupcake!! Thanks Momma!!

Taresa, Me & Neil (yes, even though he is family i still found myself all atwitter over a celebrity)

Yup..it was CROWDED!!

Syd & Miranda

My handsome husband, Taresa & Andrew

B's B~day Bash!

2011-01-24T11:08:00.000-08:00

My amazing husband threw me a Birthday party...it wasn't a surprise but I had nothing to do with the planning so it was exciting!! My family is so sweet to give up their Saturday night to catch up and just party!! It made me very thankful for the life I have and I'm just so thankful for everything and everyone I have in my life!!
I really really hate getting older...but whatya gonna do?? We were able to put up a game room in our basement...it was going to no use so the party was a perfect excuse to decorate (if you know my husband, he likes shopping especially when he gets to choose the theme). So he was able to get a ping pong table and an air hockey table (my fav) for only $175!!! We are on a roll of saving money this year!! Then I was able to decorate it (bathroom included) for only $100. I think it came together very nicely and I want to spend all day down there-it's so much fun!!

Me, Mom, Uncle Brett, Olivia just chillin on the couch watchin everyone play games.

Uncle Brett, Cousin Sydney & Aunt Taresa

Me, Krey (look how handsome all dressed up) & Cousin Olivia

Taresa, Mom, Grandma & Grandpa

Just love my momma!!

I think me & livvy (olivia) should be sisters I have so much fun with her!!

My silly, sexy husband

How ADORABLE is Sophia!!!!

Jer...tryin to steal my spotlight haha

Me, Rob & Jer gettin some candy from our candy machine....YUP! A CANDY MACHINE....I'm in trouble!!

I got the Luv Bug

2011-01-21T15:03:00.000-08:00

You may think the Holidays are over but not for me. As a crafter there is always a holiday to decorate for. Valentines, St. Pattys Day, Easter & 4th of July!! So, here are my V-day decorations this year....

I made this heart with a plain heart box from Hobby Lobby and Mod Podged paper all over it...one of my favorite things.

These are my favorite this year, I bought vases & flowers from the $1 store and glued the flowers to the vases. I just love how feminine they look....and if my Valentine gets me some flowers I can put them in my flower vase :)

I got these vases for Christmas and I couldn't wait to use em for Valentines day.

And there is my mantle all together

and of course my photo board or metal sheet I guess you'd call it. I always make holiday magnets for the pictures.

Couponing

2011-01-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

So, I have just been introduced to coupons. Yes, I know they have been around for years and I have always thought "coupons-what a hassle to save a few bucks". But I was lucky enough to go shopping with an awesome Couponer (it's a word, look it up). I was able to save $30.00 on my weeks worth of groceries!! 30 friggin dollars!! That's a lot to me. I am so excited to get more into this and be able to save even more money!! It is a lot of clippping and a lot of price checking and math, yep kids you WILL need math skills when you grow up. It's not hard math but just a lot of calculating, writing, clipping and research. My lovely Couponer told me to make sure to go on days when the coupons are doubled and go to Wal-mart because they will match any store prices. It was pretty awesome getting floss and toothpaste for free last night-it may sound lame and I kinda feel like a grandma but as a woman/wife when you can get deals like that you get pretty excited!!

A lose is a lose no matter what the circumstance

2011-01-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

Maybe I love you
Or maybe I just like the sound

But if you disappear
You'll still hear when my heart hits the ground

Every touch of every scene is as beautifully broken as a bird without wings

All we have, holding us back
For all we have, what''s holding us back

We'll never know what it's like to be free

How do you show what can't
What should be

There's no explanation, only what we can not change

So we'll leave how we met
With nothing the same

All we have, holding us back
For all we have, whats holding us back

FYI...I did not write this...this is a fantastic song that I just had to share but it isn't on playlist.
Losing someone, whether it be by death, separation or by choice, is hard no matter what. I have lost 2 people in the past year and a half-too many if you ask me. But life goes on and you have to hold your head high (so I've been told). But I miss them both very much!

Happiness in the New Year

2011-01-06T10:08:00.001-08:00

Ask most people what they want out of life and the answer is simple, to be happy.
Maybe it is the expectation though, the wanting to be happy, that just keeps us from ever getting there.

Maybe the more we try to will ourselves to states of bliss the more confused we get, till the point where we don't even recognize ourselves.

Instead we just keep smilling trying like hell to be the happy people we wish we were, until eventually it hits us. It
It's been there all along. Not in our dreams or hopes but in the known, the comfortable, the familiar.

This year, instead of going out and searching for happiness, buying happiness just let go and find it in your family, friends, home or even your job. Happiness is simply a mood not something we can search for. The more we search the farther away it feels because we have had happiness all along-so make it a year of complete happiness!!!

Wilde Whittaker Christmas

2010-12-28T10:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve is always a blast at the Whittakers!! Yummy food, fun games & lots of presents!! We are sittin down playing ummm I forget what it is called but you open presents and steal em. Pretty fun!

Mom & Dad, Julie & Bruce

B.J. & Jamie...and Jer trying to make a funny face-but he was too slow.

The Barnes-Dave, Kelly, Jake & Cody

B.J. & Jamie got Jer an awesome gift-a large frame and pictures of all his previously owned vehicles to put in the frame. If you don't know us...we like cars and we go through them A LOT!

Passin out the presents!

I was so excited to get an antique Nutcracker that Julie has had! I didn't even know she had a collection!! I absolutely love it!!

Tools from Mom & Dad to fill his tool box...pretty exciting.

We got Bruce a toolbox because he really needs new ones! We woke up at 2:30 in the morning on black friday to get that sucker so I hope he likes it!!! Jeremy wanted to get something really nice for him because he has been helping Jeremy on his rat rod so much (pictures to come).

Got Julie a Webcam so she can video chat with the Birds in Texas!! She was excited...let's just hope the Birds get their presents.

Me & my hubby

Wilde Christmas Tree!!

Me & my not so little brother...only 17 and he towers over me SHEESSHH

Gus is opening his present, what's on his feet you ask? Doggie booties...my parents have cherry wood floors and his nails do a number on the floor and my dad isn't too fond of scratches.

I am in love with Space!!! IN LOVE IN LOVE!! In fact going to space is on my bucket list! I was pretty excited to get this!

I made a scrapbook of Jeremy's rat rod. The build has taken a year now and a lot of work so we took pictures along the way. So I went to work two months ago on making this thing. Let's just say I am not a scrapbooker and I never ever will be. That was tough work and not to mention expensive!! I love pictures but I'm the kind of gal that is just fine throwing those things in a regular photo album. But for my hubby I will do anyting for that smile!!

Me & mom got the same slippers!!! I had originally bought her slippers online and when they arrived I fell in love with them! Jeremy picked up on my love and ordered them for me!! So Sweet!!

We hope everyone has had a great Christmas and enjoyed family and friends!! The new year is coming and I'm not sure about everyone else but I am really excited!! These past two years have been the hardest years of my life and I just hope that this year won't be so dramatic or devestating!!
So here is to a NEW & HAPPY YEAR!!

My man

2010-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

This little guy is my world!! (besides my husband of course). But this guy never gets mad at me, he always loves me, he will cuddle with me whenever I want and he can make me smile at any given time.....how can you beat that???? He even sat still for this picture he is just the best little thing in my life!!

this one was just a practice shot but gosh dang it's adorable!!

It's begining to look A LOT like Christmas!

2010-12-13T18:44:00.000-08:00

I love decorating....did you already know that? Christmas is so much fun because there is so much sparkle!!
I'm very thankful to have a gorgeous house to decorate and I had a lot of fun doing it. I decided to do bright colors in my living room with red and green in my kitchen & I must say I'm pretty happy :)

This project took forever!! it started out as a foam cone and a million little shimmery circles.

Found these wreathes at Target in the $1 section...perfect for our large wall above our stairs, don't ya think?

Made this with some ribbon and floral strands, I just love it!

So simple to add red feathers to a green tree!

just some tidbits

This is my favorite creation ever!!! I am in love with feathers right now and it just looks so mystical!!

Just a small little touch of snowflakes in the windows

My parents got us this large Santa Claus a few years ago, I just love him and he fits perfectly on our mantel.

I hope everyone enjoys decorating for the holidays and remembers not to get caught up in all the stress. I've learned that patience makes this time of year very enjoyable.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Lots of Thanks!

2010-12-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Since we have our new home I really wanted to have Thanksgiving at our house this year. When you have double ovens how can you NOT have it at your house?? It was really fun preparing all the food for the family, I may not be the best cook but I enjoyed it. I was so surprised that nothing went wrong...wooohooo!!!
This year I am so thankful for my family, my husband, my little furry boy-gus, crafts, sleep, $5 tank tops, glitter & all the opportunities I had this year!!!

New Hobby

2010-10-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

So I have been in the process of "finding myself" -who I am, what I like, how I want to live my life. It is amazing what you find out about yourself when you really just sit down by yourself and take out all the hustle and bustle of life....work, friends, family, bills, cleaning, gym, cooking. When you just have yourself to keep you company you can listen to what your mind and body needs & wants. I 100% love crafting, sewing, cooking & taking care of people I love. I have decided once the holidays are over I am going to start oil painting. Painting is something I have told myself I will do someday....well I'm tired of saying "someday". I am going to start after the holidays because I just love making decorations for this season, I sware I could spend 12 hours a day glittering!! I'm so excited to start I have even asked Santa for an Easle and I have been looking at all kinds of paintings to get inspiration. It's fabulous to know I have something to keep me occupied during January...that month is always so blah with the holidays being over and the Utah Haze isn't the best. I'm looking forward to my holiday decorations and my painting. I know I'm not going to be the next Van Gogh but heck it's worth a shot right!! I mainly just want to do more to help relax me and I am in love with messy crafts!!

treat people the way you want to be treated

2010-10-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

Never take anyone for granted
hold every person close to your heart
because you might wake up one day and realize
you've lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones

HALLOWEEN DECO

2010-10-12T11:24:00.001-07:00

I just love Halloween...everyone that knows me or even just meets me knows that...heck I have a full sleeve tattoo dedicated to this holiday. It is hard to explain why I love it so much. I just remember being the happiest in October w ith so much excitment in the air and pumpkin patches everywhere and looking at the sky at night and seeing all the spotlights from the haunted houses. I just love monsters, zombies and the look of kreepy krawly things. Here are my decorations this year.

I love my skull & pumpkin lanterns I got at Tai Pan a few years ago....I want to find a place to hang them so I can get a collection of them and light them up!!

I'm very sentimental about my decorations from when I was first married. I love to see the decorations and remember all the feelings and joy I had as a newly wed. These were just some plastic pumpkins that light up...I added a little glitz by glittering the eyes, nose & mouth-super cute glowing!!

These windows are PERFECT for spooky curtains, I bought fabulous velvet fabric from walmart and just ripped it to shreds...I love crafts that are messy and imperfect!!

I was so happy to have these awesome banisters when I got this house because I knew I would have fun with it around the holidays!! I just got black garland and bought green, orange & purple lights and wrapped them around the garland. I just had a witches hat from an old costume and wrapped purple glitter ribbion around it and put some green feathers on the brim.

I love my glittered skulls!! I used a coppery orange glitter & a bright green glitter for them! I think I love them so much because they are my Jers fav too!! It makes me really excited when my husband loves my decorations because I know most husbands don't really care.

YES, they make Vampire Wine!!! I don't drink wine but I had to have this bottle it is spooky and it is my favorite thing to melt candles in bottles likethis...it gives it an old spooky look....yes I love the word spooky :). I found the cups at the dollar store and just glittered the rims to give it a sparkle look.

I really like these skulls, I found them at Michaels last year, they are just a paper mache type thing and I glittered them. I put some green sparkle sticks with black flowers on the side to give it a glam look.

Once again I love melted down candles!! I found these wooden books at Hobby Lobby and wrapped them in a pleather fabric I love the way they turned out...they look like little spell books!

These are my favorite decoration!! My potions...Sorcery Stones, Zombie Venom, Fur of Warewolf, Poison, Vampire Blood & Acid. I had so much fun making these and they look so realistic!! you know...if people really used potions haha

I found this large cauldron at Walmart and I just had to have it!! I decided to put some black garland, black tulle & lights in it and I love it!!

Of course a vase full of black roses....I just covered a table I had with black tulle and spider webs and it looks so witchy!!

Nitro Circus

2010-10-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to go to the Nitro Circus show in Provo. They performed for APX Securities and it was amazing!! Watching them sky dive into the crowd and perform awesome stunts just makes me realize how much fun life can be...when you don't worry about broken bones haha.Andy Bell......WHAT a cuttie!

Travis Pastrana & Jeremy

Amazing Family

2010-10-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

Talk about a memorable camping trip! My entire family got together for a family reunion and we decided to make a weekend of it and camp in Spring City Canyon. It was pretty high in the canyon and we had to do some serious off-roading to find the camp site my Grandpa picked (luckily we had the Tundra). We were able to borrow some 4-wheelers so we could cruise around the mountain and enjoy the scenery. We got to see family we haven't seen in a few years, shoot some guns, roast marshmallows, watch the meteor shower, see where my Grandpa went to elementary school (amazing building...if I could turn it into a house I would), and last but not least we got to see my parents almost flip their durango (scary at first, funny now). Getting everyone together felt so good and it really made me realize what is important in life, you get to forget petty little issues and enjoy Mother Nature and everyone you love!
I'm so thankful for family!!! We all know Cam was with us that day, I could feel him watching over our family...we miss you!

June 14, 2009

2009-06-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

We lost someone very close to our hearts today in a tragic car accident. My cousin Cameron Eby was 18 years old, he loved making people happy, skate boarding, snowboarding...well pretty much anything outside and traveling.
He was coming home from a spontaneous trip from San Francisco with a friend. His friend over corrected the vehicle and flipped it. Unfortunately, Cameron was asleep and not wearing his seat belt. He was thrown from the car and received severe brain damage. They flew him in from Elko so they could do more testing and the Doctors said his brain damage was too far gone. He was kept on life support from Friday night to Sunday night so the hospital could take his organs for donation. Cameron was such an amazing man. I knew him more as my little Cam when he was in love with the Batman movies and James Bond. But he grew into such a loving and giving man and I'm so blessed to have had the last moments with him while Jer and I stayed at my Aunt and Uncles house. Cameron had so many friends and touched so many people with his amazing personality and smile, it does not surprise me that Heavenly Father needed him. Jeremy had an amazing idea after finding out that Cameron was not going to make it~Cameron worked at Milo Skate and Snowboard. Jer called Milo and asked them to donate a skateboard and have all his friends sign it so we could give it to my Aunt and Uncle as a gift. There was such an amazing turn out that they donated 2 boards and had a Skate for Cam Day. All of his friends came to the funeral as well and I was so proud of Cameron as they all told their own stories about how amazing Cameron was. His brother Chris had a party for Cameron after the funeral and it was so incredible to be surrounded by all the people that loved Cameron. We also got our own personal concert by the lead singer of Royal Bliss (apparently we are related). Cameron would have just loved the atmosphere and he would have loved that we were celebrating his life instead of mourning his death. I'm very thankful for my husband~he was/is my rock through this difficult time. Cameron is the first person I have lost in my life and I had no idea I could feel this much pain. But having all of my family and friends for sure helps. I ask that you keep my Aunt Taresa and Uncle Brett in your prayers. I could not imagine the pain of losing a child and they need all the prayers they can get.

Parents for a week............

2009-06-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

My Aunt and Uncle went to Europe for a little over a week and asked us to stay at their house to take care of their daughter and house while they were away. It was really fun, it felt like a semi-vacation. We still had to go to work but we got to have a huge and gorgeous house to ourselves and my cousin Olivia is a breeze to take care of. We went bowling to the Coppermine, had a bonfire and went to Jamba Juice to order off their secret menu!!!! I hated being away from Gus Gus but I managed.
some pics

Happy Birthday Sugar Love!!

2009-06-01T08:30:00.001-07:00

It was Jeremy's Birthday May 29th and we had tons of fun!!! He got lots of presents he loves and we went to Larry H. Miller Motor Sports for the Super Bike World Championship. We sat in a suite right next to none other than Micheal Jordan!!!!!! I have to say I have never seen so many grown men act like giddy little school girls....it was really funny! We were also right next to the winners podium so we could watch them receive their awards and their champagne to spray on everyone. The races were awesome to watch, it was so thrilling to hear the bikes zoom by, feel the vibration in your chest as they passed and to smell the rubber burning. It made ME want to race it looked like so much fun!! The crashes didn't look like too much fun but luckily nobody got hurt too bad. I am excited we got to celebrate Jeremy's birthday over an entire weekend, he deserves a good break after all the work he has been doing. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JER I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Business Update

2009-05-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Just an update about Stepping Stone Nutrition.....Jeremys business is taking off better than we could have ever asked. He has landed a huge account with APX Securities and it will for sure help his business grow into what he would like it to be. He has also had his first event at UPS to get the companies name out there. He now has his website up and running and it looks awsome!! If you want to check it out it is steppingstonenutrition.com. Owning our own business does have its set backs but we are just looking forward to the future and all that can be accomplished. I'm very proud of Jeremy for following his instincts and opening his own company he is a fantastic Nutritionist and an even better husband.

I'M BACK!!

2009-05-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, it has been forever since I have blogged!! What can I say I got caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and just didn't have time to summarize my week and post pictures......oh who am I kidding.....I'M ADDICTED TO FACEBOOK. I got hooked on the fact of chit chatting with long lost friends, playing games and taking quizzes that tell me everything I need to know about myself!! My good ol' friend Rachelle has brought my blogging back to life!!! Rest assured, new posts are coming soon my friends very, very soon.

CRAFT!!

2009-03-04T07:36:00.000-08:00

I have not done a craft in the longest time so I decided to make a magnet board to hang my fav pictures on. It was so much fun picking out magnets to make especially since spring is coming up!! I also had to drill holes in the sheet metal and that was really fun!!!!

Supplies

Sheet Metal (Home Deopot) I got a really thin piece so it would be easy to work with & move.
Drill to drill holes in the metal (pretty heavy duty depending on the thickness)
Magnets(made or bought)
Ribbon (optional)

YES??? NO???? MAYBE?????

2009-02-25T11:47:00.000-08:00

Ok chumps..... so the blog is not private anymore....I have been having huge issues with this blog since we did go private and frankly I don't care enough to make a whole entire new blog.....that just SOUNDS exausting.......so to all you strangers and unwanted visitors-welcome.......I guess.

fRIdaY tHe 13hT

2009-02-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

Castle of Chaos was open for Friday the 13th and it was FREE!! So we decided to get a few friends together and go....well as you all can guess the line was FRIGGIN long-when something is free people for sure do not hold back. Some of Petra's friends started to work their magic so we could get ahead in line. We ended up paying $5.00 a couple so it wasn't so much free BUT we didn't wait in line for 2 hours in the snow!!!! I have to say it was the best haunted house ever. It was so dark and the floor would change every now and then. It wasn't too long but super fun!!
A Creepy Guy

Me/Petra (cheese)

Krey/Jer/Me

Petra/Sean

Krey decided to sleep over after the haunted house and GUS GUS was in Heaven. Whenever Krey is around GUS will NOT leave his side, they are best buddies.

January 21, 2009

2009-01-21T10:14:00.000-08:00

I wanted to let everyone know that today Jeremy has opened his own business, STEPPING STONE NUTRITION, LLC. I can't even begin to describe how proud of him I am. He has worked very hard to get where he is at today and I'm glad to say it is right where he is supposed to be. I know he will succeed in what ever he puts his mind to-he is the most motivated, boldest and kindest person I know and I hope one day I can be a little bit more like him.

Starting a business is very scary for us but it is more exciting than anything!! I feel like we are acutally adults (that is a scary thought). We are moving forward in our lives and making very positive changes and I'm so excited to be able to share them with our friends and family.

Thank you to everyone that has helped us along the way.

***just a reminder, our blog is going private (for multiple reasons). Make sure you get me your email, if you haven't already done so, by Friday 1/23.

Private

2009-01-12T09:27:00.001-08:00

Attention! Attention!
Jeremy and I have decided to make our blog private. Please make sure to give me your email address so I can add you to the privileged list of readers!!!

Hawaii~~~~

2009-01-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

It was a great trip!!!! Kauai, Hawaii was beautiful, I can't even begin to describe how GREEN everything is over there. We had a great condo that over looked the beach....it was so great to wake up to the waves oh yea and roosters haha!!!! There are roosters EVERYWHERE!!!! And yes they love to be your alarm clock at the most ridiculous hour!! But I loved it!! Every time I woke up to a rooster I knew I was still in Hawaii. It did rain most of the time but we were lucky to get a few days of sunshine.....after all it is rainy season over there so I can't complain too much. The second day we were there jer HAD to crack a coconut open and here is proof y'all....

Now, for those of you that know me well you know I hate hate coconut, BUT fresh coconut is to DIE for!!! I could eat that all day long!!! YAY JER!!!!
It is whale watching season there and the first morning there we were eating breakfast on the balcony and we saw dolphins & whales!!!!!! HOW PERFECT!!!!! After that we just had to take the Catamaran that took us all along the side of the Island. It included breakfast, lunch, guranteed sightings of dolphins, whales and turtles and SCUBA DIVING!! Well sad to say that we didn't get to go scuba diving-from the bad weather the water was dark and apparently the sharks like to come out when the water is murkey EEEEEKKKKKK!!! BUT, we did get to see the wettest place on earth, where a few movies were filmed and georgeous scenery but the best part...DOLPHINS. It was just like the movies people!!!! The dolphins all swam right infront of our boat!! There were so many it was awsome! They were doing their flips and trying to show off for all of us. We did see a few whales also, it was just amazing!! Poor Krey got sea sick so he couldn't enjoy it to the fullest. The next day we went zip lining!! That was amazing, I just love heights and I have never zip lined before but to do it in Kauai's beautiful mountains-I don't think anything can top that. Mom was pretty scared-she HATES~ DESPISES~ LOATHES heights but SHE DID IT!!! and she loved it. Hawaii was pretty layed make to say the least.....most of the shops closed around 6-7 so there wasn't much of a night life. It is a great place to go and just sit on the beach all day and get a rockin tan!!!
Hope you enjoy the pics!!
ALOHA!!!!

The Catamaran

Zip Line

And the rest of Tropical Bliss

Home at last

2008-12-30T12:16:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it home safe and sound!! Hawaii was a blast and it was very relaxing.
Now we are back to the daily grind.....I will be posting pictures as soon as I can~ our lives are kind of crazy right now since we are getting ready to move and making a few scary and exciting changes in our life.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas

HAPPY NEW YEAR CHUMPS!!!!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-19T15:12:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a great Christmas and you are all safe while traveling!!! Us Whittakers and Wildes will be enjoying 75 degree weather on the beach.
We love you all and wish you nothing but the best this holiday season.

Family Fun

2008-12-16T09:27:00.000-08:00

over the weekend we hung out with family and it was a blast!! My bro, Krey, slept over and we went to a few houses that go all out for Christmas. Then we hung out with my Aunt Taresa, Uncle Brett and cousin Olivia-we haven't seen them in such a long time it was good to get caught up and have fun. We ate chinese, watched It's a Wonderful Life, made brownies and popcorn, played darts and the pinball machine!!! I can't wait to do it again!!!!!!!

Happy Decorating

2008-12-11T21:15:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share a few of my Christmas decorations, not too big of a tree this year but it fits our cozy apartment. I hope you all have lots of fun decorating for Christmas and making yummy treats!! I miss our friends and family that can't be with us this season but we are thinking of all of you and wish we could be with you to celebrate!!!

Holiday Weekend

2008-12-01T20:20:00.001-08:00

Late night games
Midnight car chase down
12:30 am police call
1:15 movie
no sleep all night = THANKSGIVING EVE!!!!!!!

We spent Thanksgiving with the Whittakers and we had a blast playing games, watching movies and baking...... and if you want the full story from above just let me know lol it is pretty funny.
I hope everyone had a great turkey day!!!

Friday was my Moms birthday so while they went out to dinner with my aunt and uncle we decorated her house with balloons and confetti!!!

~~~~TWILIGHT MANIA~~~~

2008-11-24T20:39:00.000-08:00

We saw Twilight!!!!! Yes ladies my husband went with me, and I am sooo grateful he did. But he really did end up liking it (anything with vampires we love). I loved the movie so much!!! So much Rachelle and I are gonna go see it again Friday. They did change a few things from the book and left things out but I went in with no expectations and I left happy :) CAN'T WAIT FOR NEW MOON!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm totally team JACOB!!