Who wants an Update??

So, I realize I have ignored my blog. Sorry to any of you who are upset about this. Life just gets busy and my laptop crashed...I know those are just excuses. I am using my iPad for everything and its soooo not easy to use blogger on it. I can use my parents desktop but for some reason that just seems like too much work...lazy much? I know! I've been running my cousin's mission blog (www.jac-in-jacksonville.blogspot.com ...in case anyone wants to take a look:) )  I literally just decided that if I have time to keep Jac's blog up to date, I certainly can try do the same for mine.

 

Anyway, I will try to get this blissful blog up to date in the next little while! Stay tuned!

It's a NIECE!!!

I'm going to have a NIECE!!!

 I'm so beyond excited to have a baby girl in the family. I'm a girly girl, always have been...let's just say this little one will be so spoiled. Not only will she be materially spoiled, but the cutie will be spoiled with love. She has the most amazing parents in the entire world.

Jeremy is going to be the best daddy to her. He has already proved he's a great father with Austin. But having grown up with three little sisters and no brothers, he is the sweetest guy ever. I don't remember ever being teased or bullied by him. His little girl is so lucky to have him. Most importantly, he's an honorable priesthood holder and will always be there for her when she needs him most.

 Amy is such a fun mom with Austin! She loves little boys so much. I know that her daughter will idolize her. She is the most confident woman I know and will raise an equally confident little girl. With Amy, she will be an athlete, a fashionista, have a great sense of humor, be flirtatious and have a strong testimony of the gospel. My sisters and I have a motto, WWAD? What Would Amy Do? My niece gets WWMomD?

Austin is going to be the best big brother ever! He's my favorite nephew, and my only so I'm allowed to say that. I love him soooooo much. Now, my big brother gets to teach him how to be a big brother to his little sister. It might be a long road, Austin has a strong personality and is 100% boy. But he'll adjust and be a sweetie to his little sis. They will be the cutest family ever!

Amy will be induced at the end of May. My heart is breaking a little bit because I am going to be in Cabo when my niece is born. When Austin was born we stayed in Tooele for a few days and spent most of our time in the hospital. It was so much fun and I'm devastated that I'm going to miss that experience. But, I have an amazing opportunity to travel and do something selfish. I NEVER do anything like this and I need to. Thank goodness for cameras because I am demanding pictures and videos of every moment. I'll be counting down the days in the sun until I get to hold her, can't wait!

Any suggestions on cute little girl clothes, toys, accessories, etc are welcome! I'm ready to spoil this one!

Can't wait!

Jeremy and Amy are gonna have another one of these in May!!!

I can't believe Austin was ever this little. They find out if they are having a boy or girl on the 19th, so stay tuned!!!!! I'm so excited to be an aunt again! I would love to have a niece, but another nephew would be so much fun. I guess we'll have to wait a couple more weeks to start shopping for more baby stuff haha! I love to spoil them :)

My brother...the Hero

So last night my brother and his family were driving home to Tooele after spending the week with us for the holidays. My sister in law called us to let us know that my brother was a hero! (to those of you who know Jeremy, this is not very surprising) They were driving west bound on I-80 when they saw brake lights up ahead. Jeremy slowed down and when they got close, they saw an accident. This is the story...a pick up truck lost control and hit a semi and kept driving. The semi driver was calling 911 when he saw the truck hit another car that was broken down on the side of the road. That car went spinning into a ditch that was full of water. The truck then hit the semi again and ended up in the middle of the highway completely smashed and smoking. This is the scene that Jeremy and Amy saw as they pulled over to help. There were four girls in the car that was broken down. Two of them were standing in the weeds while the other two were on top of their almost completely submerged car. Luckily, none of them were hurt, just understandably shaken. Another man had pulled over so he and Jeremy helped the girls to dry ground. There was debris everywhere and the police ended up closing the freeway at the Saltair exit. The pick up truck driver had a gash on his forehead but was fine otherwise. A woman noticed he and his passenger had a puppy in the truck that was no longer breathing. She gave the puppy cpr and was able to revive the poor thing, it was probably flying all over the truck during the accident. That was the most serious injury though. I guess Austin loved the ambulance and fire engines while Amy offered the girls a blanket they had in their car. It was quite a night for their little family! I found this article on the accident, it's not very descriptive but it's something! Jeremy said he thought the guy was drunk, it's no surprise that drugs were involved.

Even though the situation turned out to be ok, it could have been much worse. I am so grateful that I have a brother who was more than willing to jump in and help random strangers in their time of need. I am so glad it wasn't more serious for everyone involved. They were definitely watched over. I am proud to call my brother a hero for saving those girls from the cold water. It was a simple save, but I know my brother very well. He would have stepped up to what ever circumstance was put in front of him. He's my big brother and was always my hero growing up. He was always there to threaten my bully at recess and is still there for me when I need him today. This crazy drive home is just one example of how great he is. He's an amazing son, brother, husband and father. Love him so much!

Happy New Year!!!

2011 was a great year. There were ups and downs, mistakes made and lessons learned, sad times and happy times. Amidst everything, I want to focus on the good things. I had a great year financially. I am blessed with a wonderful career that gives me security in more ways than one. My friends are amazing. I love each and everyone of them so much. Whether its people I see on a weekly basis, or a semi annual basis...they all mean so much to me. My life is better because of them and their examples. I love my family so much. I wouldn't be who I am today without them. They are my best friends in the entire world. I am beyond blessed to have them in my life. I am so lucky to have been born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so proud to be part of such an amazing religion. I am not perfect and I try everyday to be better. If it wasn't for my testimony and the examples of Christ-like love in my life, I can't imagine how difficult life would be. I'm looking forward to another year to improve and learn.

2011 favorites {other than what I have already listed}: celebrating my nephews 2nd birthday, finding out I have another niece or nephew coming in May, going on vacations with family and friends, getting a decent sun tan, re-discovering how fun nail polish can be, listening to uplifting music, paying off my car (even if all I want to do is buy a new car, just for fun), making decisions for myself and not just to please other people, treating myself to frozen yogurt on a weekly basis, discovering Pinterest before the rest of the world did. and using twitter more than facebook (I highly recommend this). 

2012 is going to be an exciting year, I can already tell. I am making plans and setting goals. Hopefully I will follow through with everything...I'm confident that I will though. There is so much I am looking forward to...to name a few: going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, meeting my new niece or nephew, taking care of myself physically, spiritually and emotionally, sleeping better, laying off my diet coke, prioritizing my life, being more spontaneous, meeting new people, keeping more money in the bank instead of filling my closet, and finally, planning for the future...whatever that might be.

Christmas Time is Here

Christmas is my all time favorite holiday. There are so many reasons why I love this time of year, just thought I would share a few {ok, maybe a lot more than a few}...

{Food}

I'm a "choco"-holic all year long, but especially in December! Homemade chocolates are my favorite. Not that I make them, I just like to eat them...Baking and frosting homemade sugar cookies was so much fun this year, I haven't done that since I was little...Don't even get me started on how good Fat Boy's Peppermint Sundae on a Stick is. Wowww...McDonalds makes a mean Peppermint Hot Chocolate too...I can't forget about my mom's homemade toffee, melt away cookies, mints, chocolate almond balls...I could go on and on, so good!...Then there's the traditional dinners. The Whiting side of my family has the same meal every year: Egg sausage casserole, homemade scones, sugared banana's and mandarin oranges, hot chocolate and oj. Amaaaazing. We used to meet for breakfast every Christmas morning, but with everyones busy schedules we have a fun dinner a few days before. It's such a simple meal but we look forward to having it all year. Love it!

(My sugar cookies this year!)

{Movies}

There are certain movies that I have to watch every year. In no particular order...

[1] The Holiday- I love this movie. I watch it allll the time! I think I secretly want to be Kate Winslet's character and switch houses with someone who lives in Hollywood. And I love Jude Law, love him.

[2] Sleepless in Seattle- Every Christmas and Valentines day you can find this movie in my dvd player.

[3] A Christmas Story- I have watched this movie every year since I was little. TBS has their 24 hour marathon and I love watching it. The leg lamp, the turkey, the bb gun, the bunny costume, the kids tongue stuck to the pole...it's a classic!

[4] Christmas Vacation- Sooooo funny! The Griswold family is hilarious.

[5] Elf- FAVORITE MOVIE EVER!!! I usually start watching Elf in October because I'm so excited. I quote it all year long. "Purpley" "Tickle fight!" "Did you hear that?" "Byyyee Budddyyy. I hope you find your daaad." "Watch out, the yellow ones don't stop." " I painted a picture of a butterfly!" "Call you in 5 minutes" "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?" "Son of a nutcracker!" I think I have memorized the entire script.

{Music}

I love Christmas music! I have a mix cd with all my favorite songs, it's in my car as we speak. Click on the links to listen!

[1] Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by Nsync- No description necessary. It's awesome.

[2] I'll be Home for Christmas by Drew Seeley- I love his voice so much and this version is beautiful.

[3] Last Christmas by Ashley Tisdale- This is such a cute song and I love her take on it.

[4] Winter Wonderland by Vanessa Hudgens- Everyone knows I love Vanessa. I love her jazzy spin on this song.

[5] Mistletoe by Justin Bieber- So freakin cute, not afraid to admit it!

[6] Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Tyler Hilton- Tyler will always have a place in my heart, such a sweet guy. His raspy voice makes this song perfect and cozy.

[7] Christmas, Baby Please Come Home by Leighton Meister- Just because it makes me want to dance and I love the rock and roll/pop sound on a Christmas song.

[8] All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey (or Teddy Geiger)- Lovvvee it!!!

[9] This Christmas by Chris Brown- I didn't really like this movie (which I only saw because Chris is in it), but I like the song. Cute video too.

[10] O Holy Night by The Canadian Tenors- I am in love with this group!!!!!!

[11] Grown up Christmas List by Michael Buble- I had to include Buble, Christmas just wouldn't be the same without him.

[12] Kiss Me at Midnight by Nsync- It's more of a New Year's song but I can't help but love this whole cd. Don't judge me.

[13] Sleigh Ride by Spice Girls- Love me some Spice Girls Christmas fun!
[14] Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Carrie Underwood- This is one of my favorite Christmas hymns. It always helps remind me what Christmas is really about.

My favorite Christmas songs, however, are from the LDS hymn book. Lately I have just been playing them on my iPad app. Music is my favorite way to get into the Christmas spirit. As Elf would say, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." I'm not much of a singer, but Buddy is right!

(Allie and I with our favorite Tyler Hilton, love this guy! Ignore the evil red eyes...)

{Memories}
I have always loved Christmas and have some very fond memories of the holiday. Allie falling in the Christmas tree with her looonnnnggg hair when she was little...Memorable gifts from Santa like my scooter, play kitchen, bike, cameras and a trip to Disneyland (that was just a couple years ago and I was as excited as a 7 year old)...All us kids sleeping in my room Christmas Eve, staying up way too late. My mom always has to wake us up in the morning, we are sleepers...even on Christmas morning!...Every year I make a Christmas card that I email to my close friends. It's usually with a celebrity, or a cardboard cut out of one haha. Going to the Christmas tree lot to pick a tree, we haven't done that for a while...fake trees are so much easier...My first Christmas in my apartment I was going to skip buying a tree, real or fake. My sweet mom and dad wouldn't let that happen and showed up at my door with my very first Christmas tree. I will always remember that...Most of my memories involve my amazing and fun family. I am so lucky to have them and I am so excited to make more memories this year! I can't wait to have my own family one day to share traditions with and to make new ones.

(Glam photoshoot 2010)

{The true meaning of Christmas}
I have so much to be grateful for and the holidays always have a way of reminding me. I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. This year I have really been focusing on Him as I celebrate the season. There are so many distractions with parties, gift giving and entertainment, which can make it hard to remember what Christmas is all about. I am grateful for my knowledge of the Savior and I think of Him daily. Christmas is my favorite holiday because it always brings me closer to my Savior and my family. The two most important things in my life.

...Thankful...

My parents. My brother. My three sisters. My crazy & cute nephew. My extended family. Fab five. Friends. My job. TV shows. Movies. Books. Chocolate. Comfort food. Good health. My iPad. Diet Coke. Sonic. Chick Fil A. Mascara. Essie nail polish. Big rings. CTR ring. High heels. Boots. Skinny jeans. Fuzzy socks. Bed buddy. Cozy blankets. Sweats. Music. Justin Bieber. Water. Cupcakes. Snuggies. Curling iron. Holidays. Smiles. Laughter. Slippers. My car. Just Dance. Farr's ice cream. Cell phone. Vacations. Road trips. Sleeping in. Falling asleep watching movies. Naps. Summer. Patience. My home. Love. Faith. Prayer. Scriptures. My Savior. My testimony. My religion. My Heavenly Father.

...Just a few things, but I have so much to be thankful for...