Today is our stake's New Years activity for the youth. It's a four stake activity. The youth counsel put it together. Well, due to an unforeseen event, the person in charge of the decorations was unable to do it. This was fun for me, because then I got to do them. Mom and I had been thinking about it for a couple weeks, and we were going to go buy everything at the after Christmas sales. Even with those, the deals weren't good enough for us, so our ideas evolved and in the end, I love what we did. The theme was black and white. Here are some photos. They're not the best, because by the time I got back with my camera the kids were already showing up.

They actually look way cuter in person. They look tiny here and the chairs are pretty ugly. Oh, well!

Christmas...

This Christmas season has been one of the best in a long time. It started when Mom and I went to see Savior of the World. What a beautiful musical depicting the birth and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Then I've been lucky to not be working retail. I've loved being able to participate in different Christmas activities, like being able to see the lights at Temple Square and shopping on a saturday! I, also, was able to help Mom with a couple of her concerts. I played the piano for the night performance of the wealthiest school in the Ogden school district and I was able to play for the poorest school in the Ogden school district. I absolutely loved playing at Madison with all of the funny kids. They weren't the most talented group I've heard, but they were so excited about it all! Playing for Wasatch was a different story, they weren't super excited about anything, except for a couple of 3rd graders. The teachers were rude, as well.

Yesterday, we had Christmas Eve with the Nicholes'. It was so much fun! There were about 35 of us there, so we were missing sixteen, I think, well seventeen including my dad. Dinner was delicious! The kids were so much fun! It was just great to be with all of the cousins that we don't get to see that often. It was so great!

Mom & Grandpa

Maggey, Ally, Spencer & Abbey

Grandpa being the Angel

Today was a different Christmas than we've ever had. Usually, we'd have Grandma Mamie sleep over and Grandma & Grandpa come up for breakfast, then we go to Grandma Mamie's for dinner with the Nelson's. Because of the snow, Grandma & Grandpa weren't able to come up and Grandma is at Apple Village, so there was no party to go to. Instead, Collin, Krys, Fordy & Evee came around noon and we spent the day, just the six of us, opening presents, eating, and playing. For a little while we went to visit Grandma, so she could open her presents. I made cinnamon rolls, so we took them there and she shared some with the CNAs and some of her friends. It's been so quiet, and restful, being home. It's been a great day!

Ford saying, "I've wanted this my whole life!"

Everett surrounded by his gifts!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Today, being the sunday before Christmas, we went to two Sacrament meetings. We first went to our ward, where the talks were all about charity and the charity of Christ. They were very good talks and the ward choir sang Christmas songs, but it was so weird to not have a "Christmas message." Then I had primary. I was playing in Hobbs Creek ward at 1:00, so I had my primary class go into class time with the senior primary, so that I could teach some of my lesson. That didn't work out too well, because I had to go practice and opening exercises went on for a really long time. However, I did have enough time to get them in class and give them their little Christmas presents. Then, I had my cute mom take the first part of my class and then I had a sub for the rest so Mom could come listen to the Nicholas' family do the Christmas program. My class thought they were so cool, because they didn't have just one teacher, they got three teachers!

It was such a great Sacrament meeting. The spirit was so strong there. I was talking with Mom about it, to see if she agreed with my thinking that it wasn't so strong just because I love the people doing the program and I love the ward. There is a completely different spirit between the two wards that is almost tangible. I loved getting to play the piano for the primary, the young women group and the Nicholas' family. I'm so grateful for the gifts and talents I've been given, and I'm so happy when I get to share them. While I was playing for the young women, my stomach was doing flips, which is weird, because I usually can play anything anywhere without getting nervous. Then I realized what was causing me such discomfort. My old drama teacher was sitting by me to make sure my music didn't fall off. I'd asked him to, not realizing that I was sinking back into my self-conscious issues like I was in highschool. It took me until the next song to say to myself Hey, there's no point in being stressed. I can play the piano, I shouldn't let him affect me. He's just a regular person. I have nothing to prove to him. Then I was fine. I was grateful he was there to turn my pages, and it was fun once I let go of my self esteem issues! What a dork am I sometimes! I just have to say I love my old ward!!!

Salt Lake City!

This is so funny, but I have to tell you how much I love Salt Lake City! I love the busy-ness! I love the buildings! I especially love it at Christmas time! I was down there today to meet Deric & Stephanie for lunch. I got there early so I walked around Gateway. It was freaking freezing! That doesn't even explain how freezing it was! It was still so nice to walk around and be in that beautiful place. Then we went to Cafe Rio on 4th South. We sat near a window that looks out on 4th south, so you can see up near the avenues and the north end of campus. I love it so much! It's hilarious! I didn't graduate from the U, but I just feel so excited being near campus. I know, weird! I just love the air in Salt Lake! (Not the exhaust and stinky air, though.) I can totally see how "this is the place."

Christmas Time is Here!!!

I love Christmas time! I love the music. I love the lights. I love the parties. It's so fun! We went to see the lights at Temple Square on Saturday night. It was the first time with my cute nephews! It was freezing and snowing, so we kind of just ran through. Ford loved the huge nativity scene. He loves nativity scenes. He has some of his own that he can play with, and year round he has Mary nearby. While we were listening to the presentation at the nativity scene, when President Hinckley's voice came on, it brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful man he was! The spirit there is so amazing! I love it!

My Website!

I finally have my website up and running! It was a challenge, but it's up. Hopefully, it will bring in some business! I was just looking at advertising on Google, and it's going to cost $50 a month to get it within the top 25 listings or something like that. Crazy! Anyways~ check it out tell me what you think! www.designsbypyper.com

Rhetters!!!

This is my cute, little cousin Rhett! I've been thinking a lot about him, so I decided to write about him. Now I don't remember what I was like when I was six, but I doubt I asked questions like he does. I'm sure these topics came up after Dad died, but that's because that experience made me aware of everything, and I needed the answers so that I knew that I would be with my dad again.

Last wednesday, I don't know how we even got to the subject, but Rhett asked me how come the church can't have missionaries in China. I explained as much as I could, and then he asked me, So, can the Second Coming come tonight? I told him there were some steps that had to be taken care of, before Jesus Christ would come again. Like what? I told him that the whole world had to be able to have the gospel taught to them, so that every person had the chance to know about Him. Rhett then said, You've already had the chance and so have I, huh? Then, on Thanksgiving we were talking about it again, and then he brought up how in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Ausland is like Jesus, he had to die for them, and then he came back to life, huh? I figured that all out on my own. What a smartie! Then he had a really, really long nap, so he ended up being up all night long. He was sleeping in the same room with us, so I went out into the hall to use that light so he could sleep. I was laying on the floor reading my scriptures, and the bedroom door slowly opened, and he said, Are you reading the Bible? I told him I was reading the Doctrine & Covenants. I love the Doctrine & Covenants, will you read it to me? So, we read a section, and he had tons of questions about where they were going on their missions and why and who would they be teaching. Then he got out his Book of Mormon, and wanted to read out of that. He wanted me to read the introduction, because I've never read that part before. So we started, but where it says that it was translated by Joseph Smith, he wondered why he had to, and why it wasn't written in English, before. So I told him about different languages, and we had to look in Genesis at the Tower of Babel and read that. He had me on my toes, because I needed to make sure I told him the facts. It was so fun! He's such a special boy!

Comfort food...

You know how some people have comfort food when they're sad, tired, or sick? Well, I don't really have a specific comfort "food." Instead, when I get sick, like I am right now, I have to watch Pride & Prejudice! It just makes me feel so much better. Jane Austen was brilliant, and I love all of her books, but watching the Kiera Knightley version, I just love Mr. Darcy!

For Thanksgiving, we spent a few days with ALee and her family, and Grandma & Grandpa. We had great food, and it was really fun for all of us to be working to make dinner. I think that everything went off splendidly! Only one dish was broken, and yep, it was me who broke it, and I was the only one who got burned, so all in all, it was great! I dipped marshmallows in broken candy canes to put in our hot chocolate. Rhett and Porter helped, Rhett was diligent in helping until all the marshmallows were covered. It was so much fun! Hopefully, Grandpa will be feeling better soon!

I've been tagged twice, so here goes...

I was tagged by Juli, so here goes...

Five things I was doing 10 years ago...1. Graduated from high school 2. Going to the University of Utah 3. Went to Homecoming at NHS with a model, that was hot! 4. Learning how to play brass instruments 5. Went to Disneyland

Five things on my to do list today... (It's pretty late right now...) 1. Watch Get Smart 2. Work on my website 3. Read a little of The Host 4. Read a few sections in the Doctrine & Covenants 5. Go to bed

Five of my favorite snacks...1. Mt. Dew 2. Popcorn 3. anything chocolate 4. Crepes 5. chocolate/marshmallow shakes

Five jobs I have had... 1. Shoe department manager, Meier & Frank 2. musical director at Rodgers' Memorial childrens theatre 3. Asst. Manager Bass Outlet 4. Interior Designer at San Francisco Design 5. Owner of Designs by Pyper

Five things I would do with a million dollars...1. Get photoshop, 2. Buy my mom a new house, and while I'm at it one for me as well, 3. Travel all over the world, 4. Buy a new car, 5. Donate lots of it

Five things that made me laugh this week...1. Grandma pretending she was smoking her sucker stick, 2. Everett trying to feed me, 3. Ford teaching me how to fly like peterpan, 4. Bergen yelling my name at the top of her lungs for no reason at all, 5. Rhett's constant ramblings about brilliant things a six year old shouldn't even know!

Five people I tag: 1. Collin, 2. Melissa, 3. Amy, 4. Camille, 5. Jenelle

Here's Haylee's tag:

8 things

8 TV shows-The Office, NCIS, CSI, CSI:Miami, CSI:New York, LOST, Monarch of the Glen, Ballykissangel
8 Things that happened yesterday- Made Cranberry Sauce, Played 5 Crowns four times, Played with Bergen, Went to Walmart, Played with Porter & Rhett, lazed around in St. George, played ALee's new organ
8 Favorite places to eat- Pizza Factory, Olive Garden, Sam Pan, Grandma & Grandpa's house, Cafe Rio, Boston's, Maple Gardens, Iggy's
8 Things I'm looking forward to- Seeing Grandma Mamie, again, Everett's birthday, Playing with Ford on Saturday, Christmas, When my website is up and running, Christmas Lights at Temple Square, Christmas Eve with the Nicholes', Decorating the house for Christmas
I tag the same 5 from above, plus Mandi, Krystal, and Wendi

Kids say the funniest things...

On Sunday, in opening exercises of primary, the two speakers didn't show up, and their mom's didn't bother to inform the primary presidency, so they had to ad lib. So, one of the counselors decided that it would be a great opportunity for the children to share something they were thankful for. She started with the sunbeams. They all pretty much said their families, except one little girl that said Jesus. I was pretty impressed with that. Then they went to the 5 & 6 year olds, and they had very similar answers, plus video games and tv. Then they got to my class, the 7 year olds. I only had four kids there. They all got up, except for Ian. He leaned over and said, I just don't think I'm thankful for anything, especially not my brother. Trying not to laugh, I told him he's probably thankful for his mom and dad. (His mom was sitting right behind us subbing in the older class.) Anyways, so after he did his thing at the mic, he came back and said I stole your idea, oh, and I'm thankful for you, too. So cute! Then they went through the rest of the primary, and they all were very similar, other than one of the older girls who is thankful for cute shoes (a woman after my own heart). Then they said that it was time for the teachers to get up as well. We were egging each other on, but eventually we all got a turn. While I was procrastinating, Ian leaned over and said, You could say you're thankful for our primary class. So, of course, I did say I was thankful for my primary class, my family, and the temple. When I sat down, he said, See, you used my idea, so did all the other teachers, I didn't know they'd say that too.

At dinner on Sunday night, Ford would only eat chicken and a roll. We only had turkey, but hey, it looks like chicken, so that works. I was trying to get him to try different things, to no avail. However, I had made raspberry fluff, which is just coolwhip, sweetened condenced milk, raspberries and lemon juice, to solidify it. So, I said, You should really try this, it's like pudding. He replied with, Didn't I tell you? I only like pudding without raspberries. Like, duh, Aunt Pyper!

The Temple...

I've been thinking how important the temple is in our lives, and how important family is. Isn't the whole point of our being here to get bodies, be families, and be tested, so we can make it back to our Heavenly Father? Besides going to the temple with my mom, I haven't been more than once with most of my family. So...any of you that want to go anytime, let me know. I'm willing to drive south to do it!

So...

So, it's been a while. It's crazy, because I feel like all I do is work. I'm at home 95% of the time, but I've just had no time to blog. Maybe I haven't had much to say. I don't know.

Anyways, I've been so busy working on my perspectives for my website, that my hands are worn out. It's been an amazing experience, though. In school, I drew perspectives while looking at a picture from a magazine or something. It was hard, but I could do it. Since I don't have any photos I can use on my website, because I can't use any of my projects from SFD, I've decided to draw my rooms like a photograph. It's been challenging, but I've been able to do it. I haven't drawn a perspective really since school, but they're really turning out. Only about four more to go, and I'll be ready to put it on the web! WooHoo!!! I'm so excited to get it up and running.

In other news, I started to teach piano last week. I was kind of nervous, because I haven't taught piano for a long time. I was worried about remembering the terminology and stuff, but it has been so fun!

Speaking of not remembering things. I was teaching primary on Sunday, and we reached a part of the lesson where I was supposed to share my favorite story about Jesus Christ. I brought the book "The Woman at the Well" by Emily Freeman, illustrated by Simon Dewey (who just happens to be one of my most favorite artists!) I didn't read the book, but the pictures were the perfect visual aide. I really like the story of the woman at the well, because it depicts how Jesus knows us individually. He knows that I'm Pyper Nicholes! It's amazing to me.

Anyways~ so for my forgetfulness. After I told my favorite story, I was supposed to have the kids tell their favorite story. Remember they're six & seven. They looked at me with blank stares, except for Manav, and he was trying really hard to come up with something, but just wasn't. So, I thought I could say things to trigger their memories. I'd say, "What about when He healed the blind? What about when He fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish?" all of these what abouts, and then my last reminder was, "What about when He healed those people with...oh, no, what was it they had, oh, I've even made bandages for them. I can't remember. You know, the people who no one wanted to be around. They had to ring a bell (here I even moved my hand like I was ringing a bell)." What a dork! One of the girls, Zoe, said Leopards? Yes, that's right, lepers. So sad! I guess I've spent too much time in the alzheimer's unit!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We carved pumpkins for a neighborhood pumpkin carving contest. It was pretty fun! I never liked carving pumpkins when I was little, because I hated the feeling of the pumpkin under my nails, but it was so fun! We went to Collin's and dropped Halloween bags off to the boys. I didn't have my camera to take pictures, but I have a picture of Ford that I took at his birthday in his penguin costume. Then I went over to Apple Village to see how Grandma did with the trick or treaters there. She was so cute! Here are some pictures!

This is Mom's pumpkin. She won "The Battiest" award!

Mine won "The Goofiest"

Isn't he the cutest little penguin, you've ever seen?

Here's Grandma with her princess hat on passing out candy!

Falls, Flats and an Emeregency Room...

So, since coming home, it's been kind of an adventure. Wednesday night I was taking Grandma's laundry to her and instead of carrying the laundry basket in front of me to go down our stairs, I was holding it on my hip. Duh! It's a big basket, and we had a wreath hanging on the railing, so with all of those widths added up, I bumped the basket into one of those things, and ended up falling down four stairs, hitting my back pretty hard on the wood railing. I thought I cracked a rib, but I think it just ended up being bruised.

The weekend was pretty wonderful. Mom was called as Stake Young Womens President. It was an enjoyable, spiritual experience.

Then, yesterday, I was driving around looking for different design sources up in this area, talking to ALee on my phone, and I heard this weird noise. I couldn't feel anything, but it sounded weird, so I pulled off the side of the road. I had a flat tire. After contemplating what to do, Mom was in school, Collin was in Florida, I called Amy. Thank heavens she wasn't too busy. Then I got out all of the equipment to change my flat, and couldn't get the lug nuts to even move. I was jumping up and down on the thing, and it wasn't budging. So, I sat on the curb, thinking of another plan, when a truck pulled over. It was so sad, my first thought was please don't kill me. It was this cute old man, that was so nice. We tried pumping it back up, with two different pumps, and then Amy got there. The pumps weren't doing a thing. So, Amy and the guy changed my tire, and somehow I was the one with grease on my forehead, face, and ear. Don't ask me how that happened. So, I ended up having to get two new tires.

Then last night, I was working out at the gym, and I was working on a weight machine for abs, and I started to get this horrible pain in my back and chest. I thought back to what might have happened and figured I really had broken a rib when I fell, and that's what all of the pain was. So, we went home when we were done, and the pain got worse and worse. I tried to sleep, but laying down made it worse and sitting wasn't helping, and standing up wasn't helping, so after about three hours of pain, I finally decided I'd better get to the ER. Everyone knows I'm sick a lot, but this was my first time ever to the ER, and usually I don't go to the doctor. Anyways, we got there and my blood pressure was really high for me, maybe for anybody, I know the bottom number was causing concern at 159/113. They did a whole bunch of blood work, an EKG, and x-rays. Everything turned out to be just fine. He gave me some heavy duty acid reflux medicine, and told me I might have an ulcer, but nothing life threatening. I was so scared it was a heart attack, and Dad had his first at 29, so I'm almost there. The doctor said your enzymes should be under eight, to be considered healthy. Mine were zero! My blood pressure, also, got way better 107/60. Back where it should be.

So, all in all, I've had a very expensive couple of days!

More of D.C.

We got back to D.C. on Saturday. We met Jilly at our hotel, and got to meet her cute husband, Tom.

It had been about seven years since we'd seen each other, and in the meantime, she got married without me there. We only had one afternoon/evening with them, but it was so much fun. Well, we first started at the Holocaust museum, so that wasn't so fun, but it was interesting and heartbreaking. We got there pretty late in the day, and ended up getting kicked out, because they were closing, and we weren't even a quarter of the way through. I can tell you that I really didn't like the feeling there, and I tend to depend on my feelings a lot, so going off of that, I decided I didn't want to go finish up the next day. I'd seen enough.

We then went and met up with Tom at the Washington Memorial. (He didn't get to go into the museum, because he had a pocket knife.) Anyways, we walked over to the Korean monument.

Isn't it beautiful? We had a good time hanging out and laughing a ton! We went to a yummy seafood place in Georgetown. I was the only one who got seafood, it was delicious!

Sunday, we went to a ward in Arlington, VA. We called up a ward in the morning, and found out what time the next Sacrament meeting was. It was a beautiful chapel, done in kind of a Georgian/Federal style mix, which was really fun to see. There were about ten oriental people with headphones on to translate the meeting. All of these people had kids with them, so it was a large group of people. We later found out that the sister missionaries who had brought all of these people were from Mongolia. What a neat experience to be called on a mission to Washington, D.C. and end up converting about two dozen Mongolians! Jackie Leavitt, the former first lady of Utah, sang the musical number. The spirit there was so strong! I'm so glad we picked that ward.

After church we went to the Arlington Cemetery. It was a great way to spend the Sabbath! We then went and saw the White House. Isn't it amazing that we have all of our freedoms, and those freedoms make it possible for someone to sit outside of the White House and protest? Yet the protesters want to take others freedoms away. We, also, went to the Vietnam Memorial, and found a relative on the Nicholes' side on it. It was neat to come home and find how he was related to us.

I have to tell you, I absolutely loved DC and NYC! I had my fears after hearing stories about how dirty and unsafe these two cities were. I was amazed at how friendly all of the people were that we came in contact with! People were so helpful! I loved that everywhere we were in DC, people were out running and playing in the parks and on the side of the streets! It was so fun!!!

New York City

On Friday, we rode a Greyhound bus to New York City. Getting to the bus station was quite a challenge. We had metro transfers, our metro tickets wouldn't even work at first, and it wasn't until Mom said, "We're dumb, we're from Utah," that the metro station guy was even nice to us, but then he did give us passes to get us from point A to point B.

I took tons of pictures on the way up, and hardly slept at all, which I was surprised at. The time change was weird and we were on the bus by 8:00 a.m., so I'd been up since 5:30 (3:30 our time).

This is Baltimore, MD

We got to New York City and met up with one of my best friends, Amy Nicholas, and her sister Kari. They came down from Boston. The first thing we did was eat at Chevy's. It was pretty good. After that we just walked around wanting to see the sights before our appointment to do a session at the Manhattan Temple at 8:30. Our first stop was Ground Zero. What a humbling, but beautiful experience! The devastation was horrific, but seeing the way the people were honored (Ladder 10 Fire department) and the way the development is coming along, to see that the New Yorkers, the Americans could overcome something like that was beautiful!

We went to see Rockefeller Center. We wanted to get to the ice skating rink, so we had to go through the building to get there. As we were walking through, we just happened to run into Amy's and Kari's cousin-in-law, Gil. He works there, but really what is the chance in a city of 9,000,000 people we would run into him. He was so funny, and so excited to see them. He took us up to the "Top of the Rock." It was amazing! I got some pretty cool pictures.

Central Park. Next time I go, I'm going to spend time here.

The four of us with the Empire State building behind us. Kari and I should've been in front, since we were shortest.

The City
Then we went to Times Square. It was so funny to be there in the place we see on tv and to really be there, was so fun. I couldn't live there, but it was a really fun place to visit. We went to a cute little cafe for dinner, and then headed to the temple, we missed our appointment, but still spent time there.

I borrowed this from the Church website, because when we got there it was way too dark for good pictures.

Then we spent $60+ on a taxi to our hotel, which cost us only $2.50 on the way back on a bus. Oh well, we didn't know what we were doing. It was so much fun! I absolutely loved it! The people were not like how they portray them on tv, yes they were walking swiftly from place to place, but everyone we talked to was so nice and helpful! It wouldn't have been the same had we not run into Gil. He and his wife were so welcoming!

Washington D.C.

Mom and I went to DC over UEA weekend, plus some. We arrived in DC on Wednesday, the 15th, around 11:00 p.m. there, which was only 9:00 for us, and there were no restaurants near our hotel, well within walking distance, so we ordered room service. The most expensive quesadilla I've ever had!

Our first real day we spent at the Natural History Museum.

We spent all day, nearly just in this one museum, and could have devoted probably another full day there, but there was so much to see. All the museums close around 5:30, which is so sad. While we were in the gem part, some Mongolian guy stopped me to ask if American's like a certain shape of stone. He's a jewelry maker, and has only been in the States for about 6 months. He then started talking to Mom and wouldn't let her end the conversation for over 15 minutes. It's so funny! People find her wherever we are and tell her their life story!

After we left the Natural History Museum, we walked around the Smithsonian over to the monuments.

It was beautiful! The Korean monument was my favorite, I'll post pictures on another post.

Sanford Ross Nicholes, Jr.

Today is my dad's 53rd birthday. It strange to think of him at that age, but I'm pretty sure I know what he would look like. To celebrate, we as a family always go to Sunday Brunch at Little America, the Sunday of General Conference (Good thing we can see the replay online, when we get home). He and Mom would go to Sunday brunch the weekend of our Snowbird week, but this is easier, so we don't have to miss out on our Sunday assignments.

I never enjoy working on Oct. 10 or Oct. 17, due to Dad days. However, I had to this year, at least today, but it wasn't that bad. I was sad that I didn't get to go to the temple with Mom, but from now on, I'll go with her.

I'm so grateful for my dad. I didn't have him here on this earth for very long, but I know he's watching out for me. I just have to ask Heavenly Father for him to be able to help me, and I can feel Dad with me. I'm so grateful that we have an eternal family. One day, we're going to spend eternity catching up and getting to know each other better.

TAGGED

So, Aunt Juli tagged me, so here goes...

1. I'm so afraid of birds. 2. My favorite place on earth is American Fork Canyon. 3. I want to learn how to play the violin. 4. When faced with stress, I want to escape, north towards Logan, for who knows what reason, or south to St. George. 5. I just opened my own business, called "Designs by Pyper." 6. If I had all the money I needed, and no responsiblities, I would want to travel the world, by boat, plane, and train. 7. I'm about to embark on my dream job! Yay!!!

The seven people I tag are:

Krystal Nicholes http://www.little-wooden-nickels.blogspot.com/

Jenelle Nicholes http://www.dannonnicholes.blogspot.com/

Jefferson Boswell http://www.boswellbunch.blogspot.com/

Jen Nicholes www.bjnicholes.blogspot.com

Amy Nicholas www.nicholasfamily-amy.blogspot.com

Brittany Adams www.angequidanse.blogspot.com

Trevor Taylor www.trevorandemily.blogspot.com

Just another thought...

I found this while I was preparing my primary lesson on talents, today.

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased." -Heber J. Grant

When I decided I was going to be an interior designer, I could only draw stick figures. I'm not even kidding, I couldn't draw a thing. I went into my first perspective and rendering class, and about died. Having had no artistic ability, I thought I was making a huge mistake, but I knew I had an eye for design and for color, so I persevered through that class and by about five weeks into the semester I absolutely loved it.

I can testify that we've been given many talents. We may need to search to find it, but once we do, if we work and shape ourselves in that area, we can do anything we have before us.

Just a thought...

I found this today, as I was going through old notebooks at work:

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith & confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." -President Gordon B. Hinckley

I love this quote! I often remind myself of this. I sometimes am scared to move forward with faith. I try to figure it all out on my own, but I can't figure it all out. As soon as I turn it over to the Lord, I feel confident and peace.

I put my two weeks in today...!!!

General Relief Society Meeting

I really enjoyed the meeting today. Sister Beck is such a neat lady. I enjoyed her thought of Relief Society being "another mom." Granted, at this point, in the ward I'm in, I don't enjoy the relief society activities. I haven't been to any Sunday RS meetings, because I'm in primary, though.

Anyways, I loved Sis. Allred's talk about the temple. I can't believe the sacrifices that some people make, to get to the temple. The part about her stake traveling five days both ways to get to the Mesa, AZ temple, to have to eat crackers and margarine to be able to afford the trip is such a huge sacrafice. I feel so lucky to have temples so close to me. Within one hour north or south, I can reach two temples to the north, and including the two that haven't been dedicated to the south, I can reach six temples. What a blessing! I remember being in Hungary and visiting with people who's goals were to make it to the temple once in their life time, and we have them right here.

Sister Thompson is always fun to listen to. I enjoyed hearing about the history of Relief Society. I felt like Pres. Uchtdorf's talk was aimed directly at me. It's amazing how the spirit works to show you things that you're in need of hearing. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ!

By the way...

In regards to our trip to DC, we have a hotel! (Thanks to Dannon for suggesting Priceline!) I was able to get a 3 1/2 star hotel for $90 a night. Going to the actual website of the hotel, it would've cost $281 a night. So, I'm way stoked about that. Also, my friend Amy's husband gave her a trip to Boston to see her sister, and it's during the exact same time we'll be back east, so we're going to meet in NYC, and see a show and hit the Manhattan Temple, if all goes as planned! I'm excited to go to the DC temple as well! Another exciting part of our trip, is that I get to meet Jilly's husband, and get to see her, which it's been years since we've seen each other. It will be great to catch up on everything, and be able to laugh, and maybe if there's time be a band...

Movie Review of the Week...

So, this week I watched Penelope, starring Christina Ricci, Reese Witherspoon, and James McAvoy. I have to tell you, I added it to my Netflix que, for who knows why, but it came on a day that I really needed some fun. I loved this modern-day fairytale. Also, the mom, from Home Alone, was Penelope's mom, and who wouldn't love anything with her in it. She's hilarious!!! KEVIN!!! Anyways~now that that is out of my system. I absolutely loved Penelope. It was the cute, innocent Ricci from Casper. She was so cute. There is something about James McAvoy that just gets me, I don't know why, but I really like him. He played his usual cautious, kind of secretive character. The moral of the story is that you have to love yourself, to survive! That's so important! It's a movie I'm going to buy! It's a great family show!

Sad News...

So, Habitations has decided that they can't afford to hire a drafter/design artist at this time, the way the economy is. They liked my house, though. I admit I took it badly. I cried, but hey, I'm okay. Life goes on, like usual! I'll survive!

Blessings!!!

Mom & I are going to D.C. in a little less than a month. We don't have a hotel yet, and in the last few weeks, we've been very nervous about how we were going to be able to afford it, due to medical bills and the such. Anyways, we've been nervous. Well, this last week, I've been making sells that will be delivered quickly so I'll be able to have them on my next check, which is the last check before the trip. Mom was asked yesterday to teach at some networking meetings, so now we don't need to worry. It's amazing how the Lord answers our prayers!

September 11th

Today on the anniversary of 9-11, I think back to where I was and what I was doing that horrific day. I was still in bed when the first plane hit, my mom was watching the Today Show, and she saw it hit right behind Katie Couric's shoulder. I got up right after that. I was afraid and so horribly sad for those people that had loved ones that were victims. My heart was breaking for all of the many children who were going to go home that day, and not have one of their parents there.

I was noticing flags flying at half mast today, in honor of those many people who didn't survive the attacks. I, too, want to honor those people. However, I thought today of all days the flag should be flying high, proudly! We, as a nation, have survived the horrendous terrorist attack!

I love this nation! I thank Heavenly Father for giving us this land where we can worship as we wish, where we can say whatever we want to say, where we're protected from much of the horrors that are in this world. Thank you to President George W. Bush for seeing us through such an awful experience! Thank you to the people who served to rescue the victims, and thank you to the armed services who daily protect people and their freedoms!

Uh...duh!

“You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called ‘change,’ it’s still going to stink,” Obama said. -Wall Street Journal

Uh, duh! What a stupid thought. Why would he even say that? The change he's claiming to make, will take this country from a democratic nation straight into socialism. The whole idea of taking away the responsibility of individuals into making the government have more control is wrong. Somebody should "wrap him in a piece of paper called 'change,' " he'll have the same effect.

My House...

As I'd previously mentioned, I had an interview a couple weeks ago. They e-mailed me a design concept, and I had to design a house around it. The criteria for the exterior was things like siding, cultured stone, brick, and some wood. The main floor could be no larger than 2000 sq. ft. Stuff like that. So I had pretty much a blank slate, and this is what I came up with, it's all done by hand...

This is an elevation of the front of the house. This is the only one I rendered, just to give them and idea of what I wanted.
This is the rear elevation.

This is the main floor plan, it was all done at 1/8" = 1'
This is the upper floor, it's just a small loft with a guest suite overlooking the great room.

This is the basement.

It's been so much fun!!!

State Fair 2008

I love taking pictures! I decided this year to enter some photos in the Utah State Fair. It's pretty funny, but I was excited to go to the fair and see my photos up on the boards. Here are my photos I entered...

This is a photo of the cutest boy in the world, Fordy Nicholes.

We were at the zoo, and he's looking at the tigers.

I won 3rd place in the children/baby category!

This is a photo from Grandma JaNae's hot air balloon ride! (This isn't actually her balloon, it's the one she wanted to be on!) I love the house! This won 4th place in the scenic w/ man made

This is a toddler panda at the San Diego Zoo. This one was accidentally entered into the Jr. Amateur section, it didn't win anything, but I love it!

President Uchtdorf

I have to tell you, I was having a rough day at work. It was so busy, but people weren't buying. I was having issues with a couple co-workers, and I had to keep telling myself to let it go, or I might go postal. So, as I was helping some clients, and I was just so tired, I looked up and there was a familiar face. I kept looking, going that has to be who I think it is, but why would anybody as wonderful as that be here...But, yes, it was who I thought it was. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. I went to greet him and his family, and offer my service. I was a dork, as usual, in an unfamiliar circumstance. I just said, "Hello, Pres. Uchtdorf," and stood there kind of like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding when the girl stands there and says, "...your own personal Greek statue..." or something like that. He shook my hand, and acted like he'd known me forever, and then they just wandered while I got caught up with my clients. It was a little piece of heaven!

Pretty good Sunday

Today has been a pretty good Sunday! I finally slept well, as many of you know I've been terribly sick for just over a month. So, to sleep well is a blessing! In our Sacrament meeting today, we had a sister who is leaving on a mission to Colorado Springs, on Wednesday. She had the sweetest disposition while sharing her love for the Lord. Today was actually the first Sunday since being in this new ward that I felt confident and comfortable. It's most likely, because my second mom, Lois, was there to do a special musical number, our neighbors were there that I've never seen at church, and mom and I got sustained in new callings. I get to teach primary, again, just to the age younger than I had in the old ward. I'm excited, but miss my kids so much! We then went to a homecoming in our old ward, and he was so soft spoken, but so in tune. It was great!

I've been working on a project that a company that I interviewed with gave me. They want to see what I can do. It's been a while since I have actually hand drafted, so it's been a sort of a challenge. I had to remind myself that I really could do it, by looking at old projects. Now that I've had some energy to do it, I have totally enjoyed it!

Once I'm totally done with this project, I'll scan it and post it!

Today I was at work listening to the girls talking about how mothers are supposed to be the person that always supports a child and has faith in them, but how they seem to be the ones that are the least supportive. I was sad to hear this, and at the same time grateful that my mom wasn't like that. Of course, my mom wasn't one of those that gave you false hope. She's always been so supportive, down to earth, and knows the right time to give you reality checks. I'm so lucky!

I really enjoyed the article in August 2008's Ensign, Love, Limits, and Latitude. I suggest everyone check it out.

www.lds.org

I was talking to my cute grandma today, and we were talking about how sad it is that everyone always is sure to talk about all of the sadness in the world, dwell on the sadness. How often do people call to tell someone something that has happened, that's been wonderful? Unless it's an occassion like a wedding or a baby, people rarely do it. Except for my brother, Collin. He's so cute to call to say that Everett is tall enough that he can flush the toilet or that Ford saw a picture of Nancy Pelosi and said, "She's scary!" (I completely agree with that statement!)

Heavenly Father put us on this earth to be tested and to be happy and joyous! We need to share that and live for the happiness. Granted everyone has trials, that was the plan, as well! It's how we get through those trials, the optimism rather than the pessimism. Smile, laugh, it's a great time of life!

I've decided that I could share bits and pieces of the going ons of my life. I live in Layton, I work in Salt Lake. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don't know where I'd be without that in my life! I'm a daughter of a great mother, whom I hope to be like, when I grow up. I'm, also, the daughter of a great man, whom I hope that I can live worthy to be with him in the eternities and know him well, since I was only with him until he passed away when I was seven.