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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Throwback Thursday, New Year's Eve Edition

Here is my post from New Year's Eve 2005.
It's amazing how much and yet how little things have changed in 10 years. Age 11 to 21 is a huge change but age 21 to 31 is like, "ehh".
I am happy to report that I accomplished most of my goals/resolutions for 2006 and that feels good.
I have one "goal" for 2016 and that is to write in my journal each day. My best friend got me a 5 year journal that I can't wait to try out.
Happy New Year!!

An Accounting of 2015

Lots has happened this year. I was promoted to Senior Benefit Advocate and I became a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
I learned how to appliqué over Christmas weekend while working on Catherine's felt stocking.
I was able to go on 3 vacations this year: 2 long weekends (one in Southern California and one to Las Vegas), and a week visiting my cousin in Seattle, WA.
My favorite song of 2015 is "Wildest Dreams" by Taylor Swift.
My favorite movie of 2015 is Far From the Maddening Crowd.
My favorite color of 2015 is Gold.
My favorite TV show of 2015 is Parks & Rec.
My favorite TV show to binge watch on Netflix in 2015 is MASH.
My favorite YouTube channel is BubzVlogs.
My favorite lipstick for 2015 is Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm in Smitten.
My favorite mascara in 2015 is Covergirl Lash Blast Volume.
My favorite beauty product of 2015 is Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer.
My favorite treat of 2015 is cinnamon salt water taffy.

Here is to looking forward to 2016 and the adventures it will bring!!

Happy New Year 2016

It's not even 6 PM yet on New Years's Eve but I am already ready for bed, pjs and all.
2015 was an exhausting year filled with hard work and good memories.
I don't make many resolutions as I like to see where the Lord leads me. I know I am not in control here and I'm happy to go for the ride. I do see myself getting my Utah Pharmacy Tech license and hopefully buying a car in 2016 but we shall see. :)

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

5 years later

The top picture is from Christmas Eve 2010 when Lesley, Haley, and I went snowshoeing around the cabin. It's rather warm and sunny. We only needed a jacket, hat, and sun glasses.
The bottom picture is from Christmas Eve 2015 when Lesley, Haley, and I went sledding. It's cold and windy. We are bundled up as much as possible with coats, hats, gloves, scarfs, and googles.
Winter is funny!!

Friday, December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas 2015

Sledding on Christmas Eve 2015

It was cold and windy but we had a great time sledding. We've had some lightly white Christmas Eves for the past couple years but yesterday was perfect sledding with over 12 inches of compacted snow. So fun!!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas Tree 2015

For the past 16 years we have "rescued" a tree on December 23rd and taken it up to our cabin to celebrate Christmas. It's one of my favorite traditions.
This tree is one of my favorites and it was really fun to decorate. It has big branches and wide spaces so it really showcases the ornaments.
There is so much magic in Christmas lights. I think that's because they represent the Light of Christ in our increasingly dark world. Unlike magic, the Atonement and the love God has for us is very real. We are so loved by Heaven!!

Happy Christmas Eve 2015

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

On the 12th Day of Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

On the 11th Day of Christmas 2015

Monday, December 21, 2015

On the 10th Day of Christmas 2015

Sunday, December 20, 2015

On the 9th Day of Christmas 2015

Saturday, December 19, 2015

On the 8th Day of Christmas 2015

Friday, December 18, 2015

The Cookie Theives

On the 7th Day of Christmas 2015

Thursday, December 17, 2015

On the 6th Day of Christmas 2015

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

On the 5th Day of Christmas 2015

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

On the 4th Day of Christmas 2015

Monday, December 14, 2015

On the 3rd Day of Christmas 2015

Sunday, December 13, 2015

On the 2nd Day of Christmas 2015

Saturday, December 12, 2015

So Not Bitter---- LOL

On the 1st Day of Christmas 2015

Wednesday, December 09, 2015

Family Pictures 2015

Sunday, December 06, 2015

See the Lights on Temple Square 2015

Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Festival of Trees 2015, part 2

I love the rustic elegance of this tree. There are so many different textures like burlap, felt, velvet, raw wood, twine and jute, raffia, lace, metal, gold, paper, chicken wire, wool. It's fantastic and brilliant!!
I love the different kinds of bells; material, shape, and size. I love the burlap poinsettias and the felt star garland. I love that there several tones of red. I love the red metal stags paired with the white paper balls.
It is simply amazing and all created by mother. I love to brag about her!!! She has been doing a tree for the Festival of Trees for 24 years and each tree just gets better and better and better. My mother is a genius!!

Monday, November 30, 2015

Festival of Trees 2015, part 1

My mom created another amazing tree for Festival of Trees this year. Every year I say this tree is my new favorite and every year it's true! Mom keeps out-doing herself with her creativity; she is a visionary.
The title of the tree is "When Calls the Heart", named after Lesley tried spreading her obsession with the Hallmark Channel show to the entire family earlier this Fall. Lesley also inspired the reclaimed wood tree "skirt" made out of a wood pallet.
What made this year extra special is my grandmother was able to come help decorate. Grandma and Grandpa are snow birds that fly south for the winter. They usually leave in late October but this year they are leaving until early December so Grandma got to come see the tree in person. I usually send her lots of pictures but trees are more magical in person.

More details forthcoming.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

I have so much to be thankful for this day and every day.
I am thankful for my Savior, the Plan of Salvation, the restoration of the fullness Gospel, and my temple covenants.
I am thankful for my eternal family and the knowledge that our relationships here in mortality can continue on in the eternities.
I am thankful that I have a good job and I feel valued by my employer. I am also SO grateful I no longer work retail at the holidays!
I am thankful for my cute apartment that is filled with 2 of my favorite things, art on the walls and cats on the couch.
Which brings me to my last item, I am so grateful for Millie and Fiona. They have brought so much happiness and love into my home, even when they wake me up at 3:30 AM by sitting on my face like they did this morning.
Now let's celebrate this amazing day with good food, great family, and PIE!!!

PS:
Now I can watch Christmas in Connecticut!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

1 year Anniversary

1 year ago today I started my job as a benefit advocate. It has been a fast year!! Who knew a year ago that I would be a senior benefit advocate and a certified pharmacy technician?!! So exciting!!!
It's amazing where God leads you, little by little and step by step. I'm so blessed and loved!!

Sent from my iPhone

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Halloween 2015!!!!

Monday, October 19, 2015

Flu Shot

Today was a big day: I got my first flu shot!!
I have had the FluMist several times before but the reason getting the flu shot is a big deal is because I am VERY afraid of needles.
My family knows all too well how terrified I am of needles and shots. When I was 15, it took my mom sitting on top of me and two sisters to hold down my arms when I had to get a tetanus shot. I was crying, screaming, kicking, and basically acting like a 2 year old in a room full of people; it was awful.
My brother is a pharmacist and he has been teasing me for years about him wanting to give me a shot. Today, I finally let him and it was great! He kept me calm by talking to me. When it came time for the shot, I grabbed Lesley's hand but it was over before I could squeeze. My brother worked magic and it truly didn't hurt.
Miracle!!!

PS: I'm still petrified of needles but it is nice to see I can still face my fears every once and a while.

Sent from my iPhone

Saturday, October 17, 2015

CPhT

I am now a Certified Pharmacy Technician!!!
I started my online training on 8/19/15, finished the courses on 9/8/15, and I took my national certification exam on 10/17/15. All together, it took me just under 2 months- yay!!
I am really proud of myself for not procrastinating and getting it done so quickly while still working 40 hours a week.
I am still not licensed in the State of Utah but I hope to get that done this coming Spring/Summer.
My day-to-day job will not change now I am a pharmacy technician, but I can add the certification CPhT to my email signature.

It is amazing to see how much my life has changed in the past year. This time last year I had just come down with Mono and was SO sick. I was so sick that I had to talk to HR about my options and they suggested I apply for a desk job in the office. I transferred to the office in November and was promoted to a Senior Advocate in August. Now I am a certified pharmacy technician. Wow!!
I have been so blessed. I am grateful for the promptings of the Holy Ghost and I know God has answered my prayers.
Our Heavenly Father is amazing and I know He has a plan for each of us. We need to be willing to be led and always trust in Him.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

The Glitter Army

I was initiated in to Vickie's Glitter Army today.
My amazing sister in-law had two strokes just over a year ago. Her journey through recovery this past year has been inspiring to watch and I am amazed by her constant perseverance. She has worked her butt off and exceeded all expectations.
While she was in rehab, there was a 5K charity walk with the American Heart Association of Utah and my brother pushed Vickie in a wheelchair when she got too tired to walk. This year, both Vickie and my brother ran the 5K! It is amazing what can happen in a year.
The family and friends joined in the 5K fun this year and our team name was Vickie's Glitter Army. We all covered ourselves in glitter and sparkles and had a total blast. I want to make tee shirts and make this an annual tradition. #actFASTandbeFEARLESS
Vickie has always been awesome and now she has her own Glitter Army to prove it.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Pharmacy Technician Training

I am currently in the process of becoming a certified pharmacy technician. Yay!!!
I completed the online course work in 3 weeks and now I'm just waiting to take the pharmacy technician certification exam call the PTCB. The test is only offered a few times each month so the earliest I can take it is in October.
I am really proud of myself for getting the online course done so quickly. It was really challenging to make myself do "homework" again and some days the last thing I wanted to do after a long day at work was do more computer work.
Lesley and Cameron were really supportive of my progress and I truly appreciate Lesley's constant encouragement.
Now I'm studying what I have learned by doing practice PTCB tests. Part of me is really glad I have over a month to prepare but the other part of me just wants to get the whole thing over with.
Hooray for learning!!!!

Monday, August 17, 2015

What Happens When Your Sister Has A Baby

I LOVE my Nieces and Nephews and acted like this with each and every one of their births. I'm very lucky to be Auntie Alli.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/_el2yDWWAlY


Sent from my iPhone

Sunday, August 16, 2015

70 Years Since V-J Day

This weekend marked the 70th anniversary of Victory in Japan Day (AKA V-J Day). The Empire of Japan surrendered to the United States on August 14, 1945 and officially ended World War II.
I asked my grandparents where they were when they heard the news.
My grandmother was leaving work when she heard the war was over. She worked at a bank in Logan, Utah that was on the town square. She says she came out of the building to people celebrating on Main Street and making lots of noise. I bet it's a day she will never forget.
My grandfather heard the news over the radio as his ship was approximately 5 miles out of San Fransisco. My grandfather was a merchant marine during the war. His ship was carrying army supplies on its way Okinawa when news of the war came in. When the ship got to Okinawa, the army no longer needed the supplies so Grandpa and his crew were sent to The Philippines. They unloaded the supplies in The Philippines and then were sent to Japan. Grandpa said his ship was retrofitted with bunks and started transporting soldiers back home to America. He was "stranded" in Japan and staying with the Army for 6 weeks but as he was not a regular solider, he could come and go and explore some of Japan. I remember Grandpa telling me he and some friends would get their daily rations and sell whatever they didn't need or use to local Japanese, like cigarettes. It must have been a very interesting time to be in Japan. After 6 weeks, Grandpa was sent back to America and he said that was the worst trip across the Pacific. The soldier in the top bunk got sea sick and made the trip miserable so Grandpa found a spot on deck and never went to his bunk again. Grandpa never got sea sick as a merchant marine.
I am so grateful to have these stories told to me by my grandparents. They have witnessed so much history in their 87 years and I love to hear their eyewitness accounts of major 20th Century events.
I want to write down all of their stories so we never forget them.

Sent from my iPhone

Saturday, August 01, 2015

VRx Summer Party 2015


I had so much fun at the company annual summer party this evening. 
I love working for Veridicus Health. I came to this company because of the company culture and I have not been disappointed. I feel so lucky to work with such wonderful people and be part of a great team. 
One of my coworkers is moving to St. George next week so we snapped a quick picture to commemorate our last VRx company party together. We'll miss you Rachael!!!

Sent from my iPhone

Friday, July 31, 2015

Our Vegas Weekend

W spent last weekend in Las Vegas.
We had a high/low trip where we started low at the $63 a night Golden Nugget on Fremont Street and the spent two night high at the $999.99 per night (don't worry, we had a massively huge discount to $200) suite at Encore on the Strip.
Both hotels were great and allowed us to lay in the sun by the pool and eat yummy food.
Vegas is always a good idea!!

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Little Pieces of Heaven

We are spending a long weekend in Vegas with Cam, Vickie, and Valie.
Lesley and I LOVE to travel with our siblings and today has been filled with little pieces of heaven.
We started out lounging at the great pool here at the Encore Hotel. We got a nice spot right under an umbrella and spent the morning swimming and relaxing.
Then we got cleaned up and went to a late lunch buffet at the Wynn. We ate for so long that they turned over to the dinner menu and we got a whole new menu to eat from. The food was great and so was the decor. The filled the room with flowers and chandeliers in vibrant colors and arrangements.
Then we came back to the room and I took a luxurious bubble bath while everyone else went to M&M Coca-Cola World. I miss having a big bath tub to soak in and our bathroom at the Encore is my dream bathroom.
A low-key day filled with little pieces of heaven.
Love!!!!