Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

A Tribute To My

Little Star...

Ivy Star is a joy beyond any measure. She has definitely colored my world. She brings all sorts of surprises and laughs to the surface. Here are some things you just have to accept and get used to about Ivy Star:

She loves her pajamas, especially the princess ones that are too small. She loves Lily so much that she doesn't know how to show it, therefore hits sometimes.

She thinks she can color on whatever she wants as long as she has a wipey to wash it after.










DO NOT take away her salt & vinegar chips, and don't share unless you want the whole bag to be eaten.

She is awesome at putting the toilet paper so perfectly in the toilet.

She'll go where she wants to go... even in the washing machine.

She LOVES Nutella!

She loves her big brother Byerly so much
she will follow him anywhere,
even into the fireplace.
I love you Ivy,
I look forward to many more
colorful times in my life with you.

Service for the Soul

My church calling is Activity Days Leader. I am partners with my wonderful friend Anne. We have the eight year olds. This week we did a "scavenger food drive". We drove them around the ward, they ran door to door and asked people for any food they could donate to the food bank. I was so inspired by their energy and enthusiasm running from door to door and then back to the car to unload arm fulls of food into the car. Thanks girls for being so willing to help! We will be doing this again next week, so my ward be prepared.

the number six

The number six... the number of times I've seen Twilight. I know there is an addiction going on, I don't need and intervention, I can stop anytime, I just don't want to.

Obsession

Okay, I have an addiction. I've seen the movie five times, Scott knows about it, and it's all fine. Who could blame me? Found these pics of Rob Pattinson:

Loved it Loved it Loved it!!!

Okay, I am going to post my love for Twilight. I went in with no expectations and loved it. I didn't think I would like Kristen Stewart, loved her. I really didn't think I would like Robert Pattinson and I have become obsessed. I have seen it three times and will definitely go more these next few months. Here is my favorite clip (other than the kiss which I couldn't find). I love the very first seconds when he says "Bella" and smiles, I also love the very last second when he smiles. I know I am such a twelve year old right now, but I don't care. For all of you who didn't like it, I think your expectations were too high.

Favorite Quote

Here is my favorite quote. Thanks to Hannah for reminding me to shine.


Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

-by Marianne Williamson

Sad But True...

Here's a fun little email that my dad of all people sent me...

Ten Words Women Use:

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying @#$%&*!!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

True Talent

You may have all seen this before, but I would love to see this happen in our ward...

Did You Vote?

So I voted today. It was quick! I was in and out in
10 minutes! Thanks to half of my ward there volunteering... they were quick and efficient.

Holiday Inn Express

Went and saw the movie "Ghost Town" for the second time last night. I think it is hilarious. This commercial was at the beginning of the previews. I loved it... enjoy!

My Favorite Conference Quote

Here is my favorite pick me up from conference! I read it everyday:

Elder L. Tom Perry

There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesirable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: “The best is yet to be”. We can’t predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and
THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

God's Pharmacy

You've probably all seen this before but I love it! God's Pharmacy:

My Sis in Law Aubrey sent this to me. We know that everything was created before Heavenly Father created us. He made and provided what we'd need before we were even here. I think it is amazing...

The Clues:
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye… and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avacados, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods.

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic
index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

New and Last Twilight Trailer

Have ya'all seen this new Twilight trailer? It's the new one (six days old) and the last one they are releasing. I just finished the book again (in prep for the movie) and I suggest if you haven't read it in a while that you reread the first. There was a lot of stuff I forgot. I had chills the whole time I watched this new trailer. I am so stoked.

Gotta Love Glenn Beck

Scott and I borrowed this DVD from my mom. It's Glenn Beck's story on converting to the Mormon church. I highly recommend it. You can get it at Deseret Book. I laughed and cried. Even though I am already a Mormon, this made me want to find out more about my own religion.

Run Fat Boy Run

After reading my cousin Rachel's post on her running the St. George Marathon a couple weeks ago... I really want to recommend this movie. I am not a marathon runner by any means, but from what I've heard about people hitting "The Wall" I think this movie depicts it very well. Also, I can't believe the emotion you would endure on the run, let alone when you finish. I love this movie. RUN FAT BOY RUN.

JUST FOR THE TASTE OF IT...

This is how some of us make it through the day... I know it's not the healthiest thing so I don't want any comments on why I shouldn't drink it. I used to be a huge regular Coke fan since I was a kid. About a year and a half ago... I switched with the help of a trainer (some of you know Scott Douglas) who made me count calories and said you can have all the Diet Coke you want... no calories!! I made the switch by putting tons of limes in my drink. I like it plain now too, but wanted to share with you how I make the perfect Diet Coke.


1. Those of you who know me well, know that I cannot have it out of the can... I must have a glass of ice. (Kimball couldn't believe what an ice snob I was at Lake Powell... the true colors really came out.)

2. Limes, Limes, Limes!! These are very important in making the perfect Diet Coke. I like to have more than one slice because I'm spoiled. I think 3 quarter slices are perfect. TIP: I really like to squeeze my limes (not lemons Sharon) into the empty glass and then put ice on top.

3. The Straw. If you prefer a straw, which I do, you should put it in before pouring the soda. If you wait... the ice will clump together and you will be pushing and shoving your straw past the ice, and it could crack and break in the process... NO GOOD!!

4. So now pour your Diet Coke in! It will fizz a lot because of the ice and limes, but is worth it. TIP: The best part of the straw and having the limes at the bottom is getting a lot of lime taste drawn in with your Diet Coke.

This is my Perfect Diet Coke Creation, thanks to Sharon for helping me perfect it. What's your drink and perfect creation??

Here's a few of my favorite Diet Coke Commercials:

A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far Far Away...

Hello! TAG!! Everyone that reads my blog is tagged to post a picture of yourself from one year ago and a picture of yourself now (let's say in the last month). No Halloween costume pics either. Good Luck! Here are my pics Then and Now... a little different but not much. Leave me a comment if you are doing this so I can see! Have fun reminiscing. (If you have the pics and you really want to go for it... let's see a pic of you two years ago too.)

JULY 2006

AUGUST 2007

AUGUST 2008

No Words For It

These trips are so hard to blog! Here's our Newport Beach trip. I'm better at pictures than words...

Let's start with all the Beach Babes that were down there...

Ivy Star

Lily

Bella

Sharon

Jessie

Angelee (and Anders)

Rebecca (and Owen)

Balboa Island (Great funnel cake and frozen bananas)

Trips to the pier for Ice Cream (notice how Ivy has chocolate all over her head and her ice cream cone is vanilla? They were pretty crammed in the stroller and this is the result.)

Boogie Boarding... Byerly just belongs at the beach don't you think?

DISNEYLAND!!!

Jedi in Training, he got to fight Darth Mal!

Jellyfish stings, for Sharon that is...

Don't forget about surfing... We took a 2 hour lesson! These boys don't need lessons, but the girls do! Check my huge wave out! The drills on the sand were a great workout. I think I'll market a new surf out of water workout video...

Scott

Kimball

Sharon, Angelee & I surfing on the sand...

Don't forget about Smashball!!! We Rock!!!

BJ and his amazing moves... Kimball, BJ, Shar and Scott in the video.

Last but not least... SQUINTS!! If you don't know what squints is, ask Sharon. She's pretty good, but for those of you who were with us last year, yes, I am still the reigning champion!!! How do you do that Ash?

Rebecca didn't want to play...

Nice Sharon, Why do you look so happy in this picture??? And why is Nate filming your butt??? And why are Rebecca and Kimball staring at you???