My favorite time of year is here. Every day when I look out to the mountains, I find joy in the new sprouting colors of red, orange, and yellow. I mourn the ending of Summer, but I welcome the beauty of Autumn. Someday I'll fulfill my dream of experiencing Fall in New England. Hooray for sweaters, cooler temperatures, and fast-fading tan skin (ok, not so much).

Welcome Fall!

Sometimes...

We quit jobs.

So basically I'm on the look out for a new job. Wish me luck!

My mug

After being at my current job for over a month now, they finally got my pic on the website. Yep, that's me!

Wordless Wednesday

Emmy winner - I know him!

This is my friend Erik Christensen. We have been friends since High School. I had a major crush on him back at OHS. And look - he won an Emmy last night! So happy for him and his family!

After 6 months...

I have a job. A real, honest-to-goodness, full-time, with-benefits job! True story, peeps. I have to say, I have mixed emotions. I am so, so grateful to have found a job in the midst of such a struggling economy. However, my six months without a job was kind of a dream. One I don't think I'll ever experience again. It was a time of struggle not knowing when I'd be employed, but it was also a time when I got to do things and help people around me without having to get back to the grind.
After so many months of not having an 8-5 job, I have felt so much anxiety this past week. I've done lots and LOTS of praying, temple-going, etc. to ease my nervous self. I feel good about where I am and the people I've worked with for just one week already. I'm not loving the extra early morning hours of getting up, but I feel a sense of pride knowing there is somewhere to be, a place where I get to progress, learn, and better myself and my situation. For this I am thankful. I'm a blessed girl. I have incredible people all around me. How could I not be happy?! Thankful, thankful I am.

The end.

Someone's special day...

This incredible, smart, funny, and very handsome guy is having a birthday. Go ahead and wish him a happy birthday!

Feliz Cumple, Dave!

Golfer in da house!

When I was about 13 my Grampa Phil taught me how to swing a golf club. In his words, he said I was a "natural". He even sent me a few clubs and encouraged me frequently to perfect my swing. He had high hopes of me becoming a pro. I, of course, was more interested in friends, boys, etc. at that time in my life, so I never pursued it like he wanted me to. Even in my 20's, he would look at me and shake his head while saying, "you could have been rich". Bless him. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it big, but the fact that he thought I had 'something' still makes me feel kinda special.
Well, dear Dave is an avid golfer and wanted me to come along and play on Monday. I didn't do terribly, but not great. I got a 75. Meh. I was encouraged to keep on playing (Dave is a great coach), so he took me again Tuesday, then again today. Good news is that I improved today and got a 68. Not amazing for a 'natural' I know, but dunna worry, because I'm going to be in the 50's by Summer's end. Maybe even high 40's. That is the goal, peeps!

Dave 'n Me.

Mi papa

Dear Daddy-o,

A daughter couldn't ask for a more kind, loving, and sensitive Father. Thank you for passing down to me the love of music and amazing harmonies, literature, scripture, languages, culture, snowy/rainy weather, and the appreciation of delicious food! Thank you also for your example of unconditional love to your family. I have never questioned your love for me.
Sometimes I laugh at and question why you send so many email forwards to me and my siblings, but I realize that I would miss them terribly if one day I didn't get them anymore. I love knowing that you are around for me.

I love you dearly, Dad.

The Happs

Lots of things happening. Muchas cosas!

- Caiti and Kurt are expecting another BOY! No nieces for me yet. This will make 7 nephews so far!
- Shane and Sharon just broke the news that they are expecting a baby, but won't find out the gender until August. Could it be another boy, or is it possible that a girl could actually shake things up?? Ah, we shall see. The exciting thing is that there will be two grandchildren born within a month of each other. We're usually lucky if we get them within a year or two. It's a great time to be an auntie!
- I'm finishing up this semester block next week, then only two more classes until I graduate. Will miracles never cease?!
- Spending a lot of time with someone with eyes like these...




Good times!

Cosas Nuevas

I've moved.

Finishing my last semester of school, and loving it.

More later.

A truly despicable crime.

I can't even begin to imagine what this poor little boy went through. It hurts my heart to think of it. Read about it here. Horrible, horrible. How can people like these be allowed to raise children?!

It was a good run.

I had the privilege of working for Neil Walter, a candidate for congress, the past few months. This experience opened my eyes in so many ways. It has made me more aware of the political system, where before I was a bit apathetic, actually. Listening to Neil speak at various events was fascinating. He is my age, but has a wealth of knowledge! More than I could hope to have.

Saturday was the state convention, and unfortunately, he lost by ONE vote. It's sad - since the vast knowledge he had about economics and finance really could have been an asset to our country. However, he is young and I have no doubt that he'll make his mark in the future.

It was truly a life changing experience for me, and I'm thankful for it!

Over 3,000 delegates showed up to the convention. You can barely see Neil on the screen behind me.


And there he is. He had the best speech that day. His cousin's son introduced him, and it was fabulous! Eleven year olds will always wow the crowd.

We were mesmerized. This was Vicki's first time volunteering at a political event. Basically, she loved it.

The week

I’ve been in Charlotte this past week helping my leetle seester Caiti. The poor girl is terribly sick with her third pregnancy. Seriously, the girl is miserable. She’s got a condition that maybe 5-10% of all pregnant women get called Hyperemesis. Check it out here.

I’ve had a good time hanging out with my nephews. The first day I was here we went to see “Oceans” at the movie theater. Man, was it amazing! It was especially funny to hear Ryan saying “Awesome!” and Gavin make a comment or ask a question about possibly everything. I simply answered, “I don’t know”. For the most part, I haven’t been a visitor, but a normal part of every day life, which is what I like. My day consists of getting the boys up for school, dressing them, feeding them, and taking them to school. Bad news – they get up at 6 am!! It’s true. School starts at 7:30! Can you even believe it?! It works well for Gavin, since he is a morning person. However, Ryan isn’t such a fan. He’s moo-dy in the morning. However, once that subsides, he’s quite a pleasant little 6 year old.

They are funny boys, for the most part. Gavin is a wiz at everything and comes up with some really surprising facts and big words. My favorite phrase of the day was this – “Auntie, there is a multitude of children on the bus. It’s a fiasco debaucle!”. Turns out these were his words of the week in his FIRST grade class! Ryan has been picking up on some of these words from Gavin and particulary likes to use the word loathe and incessantly. I am amazed at how totally different these boys are from one another. Gavin’s favorite subjects are Math & Science, while Ryan loves Reading and is quite an actor.

I love these boys. I can’t believe they’ve grown up so fast! Soon they’ll be in San Antonio, and in a few months they’ll have a brother or sister to take care of and watch grow. I can hardly wait to see their excitement at welcoming a new member of their family!

North Carolina is, in my opinion, the Garden of Eden. I’d love to come back and live here at some point. Everything is so lush and green. Ahhh, I must come back soon.

Well, I'll be home soon, so I must get out and enjoy this amazing 75 degree weather. Ciao!

The trip

Cruising, kayaking, snorkeling, para-sailing, body surfing, too-much-food eating, sun-burn getting, tacos al pastor consuming, motion sickness feeling, relaxation spending... and there you have it!

It was a fabulous time. I hope to do another cruise in the near futuro.

Vicki and I pointing out our lovely sunburns on the first day. Remind me to apply sun screen next time.
At dinner on 'formal night' with Vicki and Jen.
Painful, very painful.
El Arco de Cabo San Lucas with Katy and Dave.
So, this was the moment swear words were coming out of my mouth. The moment the wind changed and I almost had a water landing. Bad, very bad.
El Arco 'n me.
Yogurt cones a-plenty. I enjoyed these at least a few times a day. Who cares that I gained 5 pounds?! Seriously.
This was what the ship photographer called a 'group hug'.