On the 9th Day of Christmas 2015

On the 8th Day of Christmas 2015

The Cookie Theives

On the 7th Day of Christmas 2015

On the 6th Day of Christmas 2015

On the 5th Day of Christmas 2015

On the 4th Day of Christmas 2015

On the 3rd Day of Christmas 2015

On the 2nd Day of Christmas 2015

So Not Bitter---- LOL

On the 1st Day of Christmas 2015

Family Pictures 2015

See the Lights on Temple Square 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!!

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.

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!!

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

Happy Halloween 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

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.