Jamaica, Bahama, come on pretty mama!

I have to say that I'm terribly sorry about the puzzle post, in that I don't think it actually ever loads...disappointing for everyone, I'm sure. But I do have other great news: I survived my second Valentine's Day being married (and yes, I do mean survived). I got exactly what I asked for, roses. I've figured out by this point that I have to physically ask for what I want instead of just thinking it and expecting my wonderful husband to take initiative. The roses were lovely just the same.


I also have self appointed myself the Godmother of Scarlett Ann Stewart. I haven't exactly received permission, but I've always wanted the title and have decided that, just like the roses, I have to be a little pushy. Never mind the Catholic religion that is attached to a Godmother, I figured the Catholics won't mind if I incorporate a few items. And the greatest of all...I went on a wonderful week vacation aboard the Royal Caribbean. Although Ben has vowed to never take another cruise (I guess I'll just have to go without him), I simply loved every second: lounging by the pool while the 60 mph wind threatened to rip my love affair with Edward Cullens right out of my hand, winning victoriously at ping pong and Scrabble, screaming obscenities at the cheaters that beat my team at dodge ball (they only won because they cheated), and eating enough to make people think I was pregnant. The excursions we took in Jamaica and Grand Cayman were also very eventful. Ben and I both had the opportunity to smash our hand into a dead, moldy rat on the climb up Dunn Falls. I had a voodoo Jamaican lady tell me I was pregnant (at first I thought she was referring to my over sized stomach, but she claimed she could see it in my heart and in my eyes, then asked Ben for a dollar for letting him know). Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands was amazing, even when our dive master dropped us off at a stop without a compass or a watch. I would like to say that I'm an extremely talented and experienced diver, but I always seem to run out of air twice as fast as anyone else. Overall, the trip was just what we needed. Even though I can't tell you how excited I was to come home and see my son:-)

Jigzone

I assume that most people are not aware of online puzzles, but they are one of my favorite past times (and Ben's too although I bet he won't admit it). This is a fun one for Valentine's Day:

I LOVE Cheesecake!

I have recently joined a competition of "The Biggest Loser" challange. It's not quite the game that most of you will be thinking it is, instead of weight loss, we get points each week based on our eating and exercise habits: eating fruits and veges, exercising, not eating past eight, not eating sweets, getting seven hours of sleep, and drinking a certain amount of water each day. As you can imagine, I consider myself a very healthy person and an exercise nazi, so I figured this was a sure win. After almost three weeks of talying my daily habits, I'm over it! I'm not sure what normal person eats five servings of fruits and veges a day, but that person must eat nothing but fruits and veges. Not to mention drinking sixty-four ounces of water a day. Instead of feeling better about myself each day, I constantly worry about not being able to find a restroom in time. I've also decided that I am at a severe disadvantage since I have an unsupportive husband who is constantly waving sweets under my nose and trying to order pizza at ten at night. Pretty much I'm sick of this and sick of feeling bloated instead of skinnier, and dispite my healthy choices, my Christmas weight continues to hang onto me and I have not varied even 0.1 pounds on the scale. With this is mind I quite for Saturday and ate all the delicious sweets I could find, including ice cream (thanks to Courtney), cookies (thanks to Kiana), and cheesecake (thanks to Jerry Seinfeld). Ben and I were able to see Jerry perform at the Colluseum, which then led us to the infamous Cheesecake Factory.

Dearly Loved

I feel inadequate to write of such a great man, kindred friend, and wonderful prophet. I feel that I have not only lost a leader, but my best friend, the one who has been my strength through the hardest times of my life; the one I have turned to for words of comfort, for reprimanding, for guidance. It is hard to portray the feelings I have for President Hinckley, a man I have never met in person, but feel that I know so well. President Hinckley may have been great in years, but the innocence and purity that his face portrayed was that of a small child. In a world that is often feared, his presence brought comfort and reassurance of God's plan.

I am comforted to have a sure knowledge that President Hinckley has a special place prepared for him in Heaven, alongside his beloved wife. As for myself, he will be truly missed.

I need a vacation from my vacation!

I'm not sure how everyone else feels, but I know that nothing makes me more angry than when I sit down from a long, strenuous day and realize that not one of the seven blog friends I have, have posted anything new. I feel lost that I cannot spend my hour that day thumbing through the lives of others and snooping into their personal business, secretly wishing my life resembled theirs in one fashion or another. For those of you that feel the same way, I am strictly writing this blog for you; that you may not find that hour of the day void.

My month long vacation from school that prompted me to begin online blogging is quickly coming to an end and I find that all the free time I thought I had, never really existed. Ben and I arrived back home last night after being out of town for almost a month (back and forth). Our last expedition of the holidays was to bring home a girlfriend for our lonely son. What began as an ambitious idea ended in empty hands. We were depressed to find out that we have failed as parents, and raised a jealous and selfish son, one that does not share well with others. Since we were unable to adopt this young lady, we snapped a few shots to show just how gorgeous she is and in hopes that someone out there will find her as appealing as we do.



The house that Lola (we picked this name when we thought she was coming home with us) was also home to another Akita named Zues.

As you can see, Zues was beautiful and huge! I have to admit I was slightly nervous to put my face next to his for the picture.

San Diego wasn't a complete loss without Lola; spending time with my family is always my favorite vacation. The trip was short but we fit in the Zoo.



Carissa was so kind to remind us that there is only something like 3% difference between our dna and that of a monkey.

Beautiful Life

So last night after thumbing through everyone else's blogs, I experienced my very own "midlife crisis". Regardless of being only twenty-four, I had come to the conclusion that my life was passing me by and I was missing it (probably how Rose felt in Titanic). I realized that I don't participate in many of the fun activities that I used to. I don't ride my bike anymore (Ben tried to claim that that was when I was eleven, but to his dismay I had to correct him...that was college), I don't swim in the ocean anymore (excuse the fact that I don't live by the ocean), I don't eat snowcones, ride the lazy river at the water park, watch chick-flicks (the last one I saw was Because I Said So with Ben, and I quickly regretted taking him after all the complaints), I don't get pedicures, or go on long scenic runs, I don't dance to 80's music, go to bonfires, dress up just to take pictures, have long leuserly lunches with friends, sing at the top of my lungs, enjoy cleaning to music, and make an event out of getting slurpees. I probably could go on much longer, but it's depressing. So to get myself out of this rut, I've vowed to make time for these small simple joys in my life and to tell you a few of the joys I am grateful for:

-My wonderful husband who loves me, and tries to always make me happy.


-My son, Gus, who loves me and wants to be around me no matter how mean I am.


-My family who is always there no matter how far away.


-Wacations, that help me escape real life every once in a while.


-The Church, that can be found no matter where you are.


-And days like these!!

Hello...Is anyone out there....?

So Jessica is asleep right now, and left her computer on while logged into this online universe... She crashed after finishing hosting a baby shower with Katie Gregory for Courtney Stewart, and left me and Gus to do the clean up work. No I'm kidding, but seriously, does anyone else get this erie feeling when writing this blogging thing, kinda like they are the last person alive, and you are just posting this to see if there is anyone out there? It's like I'm writing into a black hole waiting for this computer to echo back after I type something. I can hear it in my head- Hello? Hello! - Wow it's talking back, nevermind, that was an echo, got me though!