Happy Father's Day!

July 2007

Spring 1992

8th grade graduation 1995

Maui 2000

On this Father's day I have done some reflecting on the importance of my father. It all began just 31 years ago when he married my mother in the Ogden Temple. Today in sacrament the primary children sang the song "When daddy comes home" (Not sure if that is the title). I can remember singing that song each year and being grateful for my father. As a young child I didn't quite understand how selfless parent's really are when raising children. He has always provided a safe shelter, clothes, food and all the essentials that one needs to live. He has served in many time consuming callings in the church but always kept his family highest priority. I remember that my father would travel all the time but I don't recall him ever missing my dance recitals, a swimming meet, a soccer game or any other activities I did growing up. During college I managed to get in three tiny car accidents and when I called home to tell him the expensive bad news he always asked if I was injured and was going to be ok. I also broke my thumb skiing back in 2002 and called home in tears and it didn't take him long to cheer me right back up and remind me that everything was going to be ok. He continues to inspire me to this day. I also need to pay tribute to my Grandpa Emmett who raised 5 boys to be the great men they are today. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! To Grandpa, Dad, Tom, Bill, Jake, Chad, Jim and my brother John!

Happy Birthday Beth

August 2002

After my exhausting busy weekend in Midway I really do have a new appreciation for my darling sister in law Beth. If it isn't Jack needing a diaper change then Lily will be sure to need one. I hope she had a wonderful birthday and feels the LOVE even on father's day this year. Thank you for my adorable niece and nephew and I look forward to spending time with you all this summer.

Life Lesson's

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2 : The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping--they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes. Learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

"Dumbing Down our Kids" by educator Charles Sykes

Off to Utah

I LOVE JETBLUE!

My plane was California Blue.

Saturday night in Salt Lake at a party with Daniella and Kylee.

Jack on the Emmett's porch in Logan

With my Grandparents eating lunch in Logan at the Italian Place

Jack, Madison and Justin

Jack and Lily

Lily

Loving Lily and Jack

I had a wonderful trip to Utah and the photos are proof of how wonderful my niece and nephew are. I really loved making the drive up to Logan Sunday night for just a few short hours to visit with my grandparents. The second best part of Utah was eating at Cafe Rio not once but twice in 4 days. I helped keep the house clean and Jack entertained and came home pretty exhausted from my long weekend. It was really nice to get out of Orange County for a few days and be up and around all the beautiful mountains. If there is anything I miss most about Utah is my extended family and the mountains.

Jack on Razor

I had the best four days in Midway! One of Jack's new favorite things to do is learning to ride this razor. While he loved riding with me pushing him around he is getting close to doing it all by himself.

The Month of May

I am over due for some new posts. The month of May just seemed to pass me by and I managed to skip out on blogging. The TIME is now to do a little catching up! The month began with my 27th birthday celebration. A pretty normal day of working accept for the nice lunch I had with my co-workers at Strawberry farm golf course. YUMMY!! I headed off the the Angels Game that evening with friends. This is part of the group gathering before heading in.

My birthday weekend was spent watching my favorite little 4 year old Avery. (No pictures) For Cinco de Mayo I was invited over to a party at the Balboa house for yummy tacos and margarita's. I am enjoying my taco below.

The week of the 5th was packed each evening with friends and activities .
That weekend I attended a party in Long Beach and a bridal shower on Saturday for Lisa Conley who will be married on June 21 in the Newport Beach temple. It was a wonderful Saturday spent with old friends enjoying great company and great food.

The week of the 12th began with a Tri-Stake Family Home Evening in Newport with a bonfire. My week was busy at work preparing for the scholarship breakfast on the 15th. Each night I was off running around town attending events and meeting up with friends. My weekend began early on Saturday morning when I met Charity at the temple. Following a wonderful session I headed off to catch the second half of the powder puff game. It was the San Clemente 5th ward taking on the Irvine/Tustin Branches. I have friends on both teams so I was just hoping they all played well with no injuries.

The week of the 19th was another packed week. Monday are always FHE and each Tuesday after work I met up with the sister missionaries to be the 3rd female in a discussion with a stay at home father. On Thursday night I attended the ASIVC closing banquet at Dave & Busters at the Irvine Spectrum. Below is a photo with my two co-workers and two students. I was awarded the BEST Student Development Assistant.

This week was crazy preparing for the big commencement ceremony. One tiny part of the event was getting the location decorated. Due to the rain the ceremony was moved last minute into the Hart Gym. I had a lot of assistants getting all the bows attached to the rows. My office was covered in bows leading up to Friday May 23.

Following commencement I rushed home only to rush back out the door to a BBQ. I was off to wish Charity a Happy Birthday and a congratulate her on her Masters Degree. I didn't get a photo with Charity but did with these friends. Charity has posted photos from her special day on her blog as well.

Following the BBQ I met up with more friends for the Indiana Jones movie.

For Memorial Day I joined some Huntington Beach friends down at back bay for a little kayaking. Having just rained the night before the weather was a little overcast in the morning. Once I entered Newport the sun was shinning and just turned out to be a great day!

After the packed day of kayaking and lunch I headed home to wait for the news on my new little niece. I met up with a friend for dinner and then we joined a group to see Iron Man. I enjoyed the film and had a great Memorial Day weekend.

The week of the 26th couldn't have flown by any quicker. After hearing that Lily made it safely into this world I was anxious to get up to Utah. (A post on my trip is coming this week) Tuesday night I attended Mark's birthday dinner followed by games and a yummy dessert at Steve home.

On Wednesday night after work I met up with a group at Disneyland. I hadn't been since my pass expired back in February. It was nice to be back at the happiest place on earth. Thursday night was the MODBE clothing, which I already posted on. The evening was not as successful in attendance as I could have hoped but did enjoy the company that made it over to check out the new swim line. I love my new swimsuit. Friday after work I rushed home, packed and headed up to the Long Beach Airport.

May was a very eventful month and kept me moving each day. June is going to be just as packed with traveling, family, friends, work, church calling and just the day to day life trying to stay above water. I will be posting June events soon!

Introducing my neice Lily Ann

When it comes to being an Aunt I could not be more thrilled for number 2. I am just sad I have to wait four days to meet her. When I heard Beth was having a girl I went out and did what I do best by shopping for her first little dress. Her story and how she arrived into the Emmett family can be found at Emmettdoggies. I am off to Utah Friday night to meet this tiny princess and spend three nights with my siblings. I am so proud of Beth and am looking forward to being the best Aunt to Jack Jack and Lily.

Modest Clothing Party

MODBE PARTY

Who: You and all your girlfriends

What: A party to showcase Modbe's new 2008 Swim and Clothing line

Where: My Home May 29th @ 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Why: To meet the models, shop, and socialize!

A NOTE

There are so many things I should post about and will try getting around to posting a little later tonight. Life has been a little stressful but the good news is I am back and feeling ready to balance everything again. This post is also a notice that my blog is going PRIVATE the end of June. So if I don't already have your email or if you aren't a blogger on my link list and would like the invite please let me know.

Tagged by Amanda

I have been tagged by Amanda and will do by best to fill this out. I may have to come back and add things in when I can remember more.

10 years ago: May 1998 I was finishing my Junior year of High School and had recently made the varsity cheer squad. My life was school, work, friends, cheer and church activities.

5 years ago: In May 2003 was the beginning of a hot summer in Utah. I just finished my 4th year at Utah State and was sticking around Logan for the summer to do my internship. I was working 5 days a week in Brigham City commuting 65 miles round trip and also working for Old Navy a few nights a week. I just moved apartments from building D level 1 to C level 3 in OakMeadows. I was living with Cara, Katie & Tristen.

5 months ago: The holidays were over and I began planning things in the New Year. I had been training for my first triathlon and was working out 5 days a week.

5 things on my list to do tomorrow...

• work out
• attend a baptism
• rotate my closet
  
• download new music on itunes
  
• read a book
  

Snacks I enjoy:

• Apple's
  
• California cuties
  
• Frozen yogurt( Yogurtland)
  
• Frosted Mini Wheats
• Frozen Grapes
  

5 things I would do if I were suddenly a billi:

• Buy a new car
• Help my family
• Travel
• Buy a house
• Start a foundation for children in Africa
  

5 of my bad habits:

• Leaving my clothes out on my bed clean for days
• Diet Coke
• 
  

5 places I have lived:

• LA (till age 5)
  
• Woodbridge
  
• Logan (Valley View Towers, Glenwood Apartments, Oakridge Apt, Oakmeadows Apt.)
  
• Prove
  
• Oak Creek
  

5 jobs I have had:

• Gap Inc
  
• Brigham City Boys & Girls Club
  
• Beaver Mountain Ski Resort
  
• Deer Valley Ski Resort
  
• City of Irvine
  

5 things people don't know about me:

• I have a lazy eye
  
• I have three tiny metal plates in my face
  
• I have broken my left arm three times
  
• I am trying to cut back on drinking diet coke
  
• I am training for more triathlons this year

Time to tag someone new so I tag Sherri, Chrissy, and Katie.

Mothers Day 2008

First this blog is to pay tribute to my AMAZING mother. She has been extremely selfless for the last 27 years of my life. I will forever be grateful to have her as a mother and role model for me when I begin to raise my own family. I appreciate her hard work and dedication to this family and providing love for me and my three brothers. The second purpose of my Mothers Day blog is giving my shout out to my younger brother Mikey! He has been serving in the Denver Colorado South Mission. Just 11 months out and he was made zone leader a week or so ago. I am very proud of him and his accomplishment in the mission. I am just counting down the minutes today till he calls and reports. This Mothers Day I am grateful for my mother and the opportunity to speak with my brother.

Out to dinner just weeks before leaving

Michael just finished running the Ogden Marathon May 2007

Summer Concert

My summer plans are looking up. I have some vacations planned and weekend trips. I also plan on seeing One Republic on July 12 at the Orange County Fair. Summer concerts are amazing!

Birthday Celebration at the Angels Game

This year for my birthday I celebrated that evening with friends at the Angels Game. I bought a birthday package which got everyone Angels bucks to spend on dinner and all these great hats. The Angles didn't pull out a win for the evening but that didn't stop us from having a great night. Earlier that day my co-workers and I went to lunch at Strawberry Farm. I was given some really thoughtful presents and really enjoyed my day. Thanks for all the emails, text messages and calls.

Everyone needs a vacation

The Importance of Vacations, for Stress Relief, Productivity and Health
Vacations Are Important For More Than Just Fun...

Many people don’t take vacations often enough. In fact, according to a recent poll, around half of readers don't take annual vacations; in fact, many readers never take them! And now with increasing frequency, when we do take vacations, we often bring work along with us, keeping ourselves essentially still in the work mindset we’re trying to escape. This is unfortunate for several reasons:

Vacations Promote Creativity: A good vacation can help us to reconnect with ourselves, operating as a vehicle for self-discovery and helping us get back to feeling our best.

Vacations Stave Off Burnout: Workers who take regular time to relax are less likely to experience burnout, making them more creative and productive than their overworked, under-rested counterparts.

Vacations Can Keep Us Healthy: Taking regular time off to ‘recharge your batteries’, thereby keeping stress levels lower, can keep you healthier.

Vacations Can Strengthen Bonds: Spending time enjoying life with loved ones can keep relationships strong, helping you enjoy the good times more and helping you through the stress of the hard times. In fact, a study by the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services found that women who took vacations were more satisfied with their marriages.

Vacations Can Help With Your Job Performance: As the authors of the above study suggest, the psychological benefits that come with more frequent vacations lead to increased quality of life, and that can lead to increased quality of work on the job.

Who wants to take a vacation??

Life Style Change

With my parents off playing in Paris and London this week I have been left to fend for myself. I am a very capable 26 year old (just two weeks from 27) doing great alone. Staying alone for a night or two is cake but when the house makes noises you've never heard can become a little weary and nerve racking. I am a tough girl and the house is standing and all taken care of. I manged to leave my camera packed away this weekend as I threw yet another party. The theme this time was in celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month. I set out three grills and the bread and cheese and let everyone enjoy making their own sandwiches. It was a great turn out with the usual ratios 2 to 1 guys for every girl around 50ish in attendance. The jokes began to fly that evening wondering where all the females were. It may seem like a dream come true but there is nothing worse then guys complaining and not hanging around very long. I seem to say after every party that it was my last one but really I don't know when my last party will be. It does get old cleaning the house and hoping I have come close to my mothers expectations on tidiness and cleanest. It was one evening that I was able to provide a wholesome activity where people could mingle and enjoy being social.

The reason for this blog title is I am ready for a life style change and am working on doing the small things in hope my faith and determination will carry me onto bigger things. I am 9 weeks away from attending my younger brothers wedding in Portland. Out of sher motivation to look great and feel amazing I decided April 1st that my diet coke drinking was going to be cut down and out one day. Just 17 days in and normally I would have had 18 Diet Cokes by now. I have only had 5. If there is any one up to do a biggest looser with me and see how much weight we can loose in the next 10 weeks I have got $20 bucks to throw in a pot for the winner. For anyone that really reads this please offer any suggestions or ways to change the thought process and find a way to make changes in life. What have you been trying to cut back on and have not been able to do? I have always had determination and done really well when I set out to accomplish whatever is set in front but this time I have not found it so easy. Here is to you being great in 2008!

Sunday March 30th New York City

Sunday morning we got up early and packed to spend the last few hours sightseeing. We headed off to the Subway to catch the train down to Ground Zero. This was my first trip since 9/11 and I was anxious to see where the Twin Towers once stood. We located a tiny deli and got some hot chocolate and began the walk around ground zero. I can't even began to explain the feelings felt that morning and being able to remember my day back on 9/11/01 as a junior in college at Utah State. This was a very peaceful hour reflecting life and how quickly it all changes. I am so blessed and grateful for my life with a family and amazing friends. We jumped back on the Subway headed up to Canal Street to find a great buy on some knock off hand bags. I found a Couch and D & B bag. Aubrey picked out a Couch and Prada bag. We had to follow a lady down a few streets and up a long staircase in an old building to a room filled with bags. It was off to meet up with Jackie, Mark and Steve for brunch. We ate at Devin Tavern and enjoyed the tasty food and cozy warm atmosphere. We were dropped back off at the hotel to pick our bags and off to catch the trains to JFK. The flight home was pretty uneventful sleeping, reading my book and listened to music on the ipod. We had a layover in Atlanta and grabbed food and met the baseball team from Boston College. I will never forget this weekend and the lessons and friendships developed in just a few short hours.