This past Sunday, I spoke in church. I haven't given a church talk in quite awhile, so I was pretty nervous which is weird considering that in real life, I talk a lot. But, as soon as I have control of an open mic, it's a whole different story. I was assigned to speak on two talks from this past General Conference - Elder Bednar's, "Pray Always," and President Eyring's "Our Hearts Knit As One." Awesome topic, but I was still nervous. I was notified a week before - okay, that sounds like I had no choice...I was asked to speak a week before, so I had puh-lenty of time to prepare, but - of course - I didn't even start writing it until 9 p.m. on Saturday night. More perspiration than inspiration for sure.

I was up late, then got up early to perfect the talk...actually to write out every single word in case I froze. Jordan came to support me and I picked her up. It's funny to me that even though I got up at 5 a.m., I was still late for 8:30 church. How does that happen? My ward meets in an auditorium in the basement of a building on BYU campus, so I had to run down a couple flights of stairs and down to the front of the auditorium. Pretty sure that I was the last one there. I didn't really have time to be nervous because I was in such a hurry, which is good.

I was the first speaker, which is the best speaker to be, if you ask me. I can speak for 2 minutes or 40 minutes and everyone else just has to deal with it. The podium wasn't "sloped" like most podiums. It was completely flat, like a desk, so it was kind of awkward to read my talk, which I totally did because my mind went blank as soon as I stood up. I tried to read slow so I could be understood while not really knowing how to hold my papers or where to put my hands/arms. It was pretty awkward. Then, about a third of the way through my talk, the lights went out and it was completely black. Here's a picture of my view from the podium:


I wasn't really sure how to proceed. The power hadn't gone out, so "luckily" the microphone still worked. I'm not sure how long the lights were out - probably only a few seconds. But it was long enough for me to think, "I wonder if I can make it out the door before they get the lights on." Wouldn't that be the funniest thing ever if when the lights came on the whole congregation saw me sprinting for the door? I could hear people scurrying to get the lights back on. Apparently, there was a problem with the motion sensor or something. I sensed that the audience was wanting some entertainment as we waited, so I said, "It's really okay if you leave the lights off. It's actually way more comfortable for me up here!" And everyone laughed. Good times.

Once the lights went on, I was able to finish and sit down. I think all in all it was an okay talk but seriously funny that the lights went out. They stayed on for the whole rest of the meeting though. I guess Heavenly Father knew that I needed an ice breaker!

23% Geek

Created by OnePlusYou - http://www.oneplusyou.com">Free Online Dating

Just to clarify, this test is a little tricky and it rated me as more of a geek than I actually am. When it asked about video games, I put that I started playing in the 80's (who didn't play Atari?) but there wasn't a place to put that I only played video games in the 80's. Also, I didn't win the 4th grade spelling bee, I took third (it's chipmunk, not chickmunk). And it's not my fault that I like Star Trek or that I know more than the sales guys at Best Buy. Okay, I guess 23% isn't too bad. Just don't tell anyone! One of the I.T. guys at work took it and he's 86% geek. Can anyone beat him?

Many of you know that I'm an amateur photographer. Until a couple of years ago, I took a lot of photos, but I just haven't done too many lately. I still take a ton of photos of real-life stuff, but I used to do engagement, family and even wedding photos. Photography is a real passion of mine and I miss it, so I've decided to put aside any confidence issues I have and just go for it. I took my friend Kylee's engagement pictures last night and had so much fun. She gets married next month and has asked me to do her wedding photos. That's a tall order, but I'm excited! I'll post some later.

Work was a little unbearable yesterday, so Kylee, Erica and I decided to take a l-o-n-g lunch and get pedicures. I love being a girl because we get to do really fun things like pedicures. Sorry to gross you out with a picture of my toes (I think that feet in general are pretty disgusting!) but my toes turned out so cute that I need to share! My favorite color is lime green. (Green has always been my favorite color, but I've recently narrowed it down to lime green - I just love it). Even though it's technically too cold to wear flip flops, I have to get my money's worth so I just have to be tough.

I passed this cute truck and couldn't resist taking a picture. I stopped in the middle of the road, dug through my purse, found my camera and took this picture without ever seeing another car. Sadly, this "planter" doesn't get as much attention as it should. It's so adorable. So, if you don't want to haul your junk to the dump, just drag it to the edge of your property, decorate it with fake flowers and random plastic animals, and use it as a decorative planter - I'll even help you. However, maybe it's only okay of you live in Payson, Utah.

I just couldn't resist posting this email I got from a friend. It's so funny because it decribes parts of the homeland so perfectly. It can apply to any state, I'm sure. Go Idaho!

Mattel recently announced the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls for the Idaho market:

'Sun Valley Barbie'

She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a million dollar home. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.
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'Eagle Barbie'
The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.
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'Garden City Barbie'
This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.
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'Boise Foot Hills Barbie'
This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.
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'Pocatello Barbie'
This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.
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'Ketchum Barbie'
This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as newly built high rise condo.
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'Buhl Barbie'
This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Mountain Home Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.
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'Boise East End Barbie'
This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow. She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Boise East End Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.
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'Mountain Home Barbie'
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and 2 infant dolls. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. White boy Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.
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'Idaho Falls Barbie'
She's perfect in every way, mainly due to the high levels of antidepressants in her system. We don't know where Ken is because he's always at church meetings.

Holy Cow!

Jordan is taking the leap from teenager to full-fledged adult and we just couldn't let this particular landmark go by with the normal boring birthday celebrations. Plus, I had to get her back for humiliating me on my last birthday. (Just wait Janae, you're next!) After much planning and collaborating, we came up with quite the adventure. I bought a $13 prom dress from Savers, a tiara and a sash. Janae and Cade picked up some super cool Cinderella shoes and this was the final result:


We ate lunch at The Mayan. The food there isn't so great, but it's a super fun place. Who doesn't want to be surrounded by men in loin cloths? Honestly. (Cade wasn't too excited. Weird.) One of the "loin cloths" (that's really what they call the male divers) came over and harassed Jordan. He made her run through the restaurant banging on his drum. It was so funny.



After lunch, we headed to Wheeler Farm to milk a cow! You are probably thinking that we are really weird, and really mean to make Jordan do this. The funny thing is that she has always wanted to milk a cow. Granted, she probably never dreamed of doing it in a prom dress and tiara, but that's all part of the adventure. We were late for "the milking" so we had to run to get there. At one point, Janae and I looked at each other and said, "Are we really running to milk a cow?" Definitely not something I thought I would ever do! Jordan's sash fell as she was running and almost tripped her, but, thankfully, she didn't fall in the mud. She was a great sport and it was a very big learning experience for us all! I think everyone needs that opportunity once, but I don't think it's going to be a common thing for me. It wasn't as dirty as I feared it would be, but it wasn't awesome touching a cow there...anyhoo, here are some pics of us with LOLA the cow (funny, that's also the name of my car).







Any ideas on what we can do for Janae's birthday?

Happy Birthday Libby!

Another of my dear friends is Libby and she turns 22 today. I miss her because she lives far away, but want to wish her a very Happy Birthday and tell her that I am so thankful for her! I miss the good old days of Riverside and will always smile when I think of our crazy times there - and our fun-filled trip to Hawaii. Happy Birthday!

Here's some of that YUMMY chocolate, peanut butter cup, slice of heaven cake that we love so much!