How my friends have won me over and influenced me. :D

Isn't my title for this post clever?

If you don't get it, just read this book...

It is amazing.

Like my friends.

Which brings me to the point of this blog post. 

On Friday I was having a particularly bad day.  I was upset about a lot of things, and it seemed to be a series of one tragic event after another.  I found myself by lunch time in a really terrible mood, and I just wanted to go home and sleep...

But I had already made plans to see some friends for lunch, and so I went as planned to Cafe Rio, where we have in the past fallen in love with "Fideo Friday."

I had lunch with Scott Bell and Emilie Vidrine... just being around them lifted my spirits IMMENSELY.  They are two people who have overcome extreme adversity, and from how positive they are you would never know it.  Plus, I'm going to be honest, I don't think I laugh harder than when I'm around these two.  Seriously.

Driving in Emilie's jeep, I start rummaging in my purse for some gum, which incidentally happens to be on the ground... Emilie slams on her brakes at just the right moment to freak me out, so I yell

"AH, Emilie, don't do that when I'm all bent over like that!"

... Deep belly laugh from the back of the car followed by Scott - "That's what she said!"

Sometimes in life, you just need some good friends to cheer you up!

This isn't from yesterday.. But it's a fideo friday, and you get the idea. :D

That evening I had planned to take Hannah Hermann up to speak at a Girl's Camp... My cousin Andrea had arranged everything and we all went up together.  It was so fun, and turned out to be a very spiritual experience.

Hannah talked about her life, and the things she does everyday and HOW she keeps her attitude positive.  She had well over a hundred girls completely attentive and you could feel the spirit so strong as she spoke!



A few of the points she made.. just so I don't forget ...

• Don't let other people determine your limitations
• Stay close to the Lord through prayer
• Keep really awesome friends around you all the time
• Boys are stupid. :D
• Make the temple a priority in everything you do!

I really loved it and there was a lot in her message that I needed to hear that night.

After she was done with her message, she opened it up to a question and answer session, and one girl shyly raised her hand and said, "Can I come give you a hug?"

It was the coolest thing ever, as the girl came up and hugged Hannah suddenly everybody wanted to give her a hug and there was a HUGE line of girls just hugging her. It was SO inspirational and such a glimpse into what is in store for us when we all realize our potential and worth!  I will never forget it.

I am so glad for the law of compensation.. when we have bad days or experiences, God always puts good people in our paths to make us realize not to take things for granted, and how good life is!

Some Mid - Year Resolutions

        I feel like I need to spend some time writing down a few goals for myself.  The past few months in Utah have been absolutely wonderful, and I feel like I have grown closer to so many people.  It's been hard to be separated from Mike, but it has added a dimension to our relationship that perhaps would never be acheived if we didn't have to learn to adapt to this new lifestyle. 

BUT

        I have felt a certain lack of progress in life.  I have always had a really great job, and been involved in schooling and church.  I haven't moved forward in any one aspect, and now that I am going back to Hawaii it's time to make some clear, definite goals.  They say a goal isn't a goal until you write it down, so here goes!

 Finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year 

 Sign up for a work out class!  One of our friends in Hawaii is a body pump instructor... MUST get details on this! 

 Register for school... try to figure out a way to get into ANY nursing program at all.  Start hammering out pre-requisites this semester (anatomy & phys... microbiology lab... medical terminology... to start)

 Throw myself into Paparazzi Jewelry.  Get details on selling at swap meets, set up parties, talk to people

 Start working at Ho'okele Health

 Figure out the pros and cons of being a home health aide vs. pursing my own business with Paparazzi.  Re-evaluate goals 5 and 6 in a month

 Finish reading all the conference messages by September 1! :D

Do a random act of kindness everyday for someone

I think that's a pretty good list!

Moving on... I must share this picture my hubby sent me...
 
                                       

This is him hard at work in Laos in his China man hat.  I love love love this photo. 

More so the man...

Here's to one more week and new beginnings! :D

Paleo Diet...

Paleo stands for 'Paleolithic.'

Or what our hunter/gatherer ancestors ate.

I can't believe I am doing this diet!

There are a number of reasons why I feel like I should subject myself to this rigorous diet for the next 30 days...

1.  I graze... all the time. And I'm teaching myself healthy habits.

2.  I want to be in shape.

3. I want to learn to cook HEALTHY foods.  This is showing me many althernative ways to cooking dishes that I'd never even thought about before.

4.  I want to get skinny for my smokin' hot husband's return from Laos!

I've never gone on a diet before, so this is really wierd for me. 

Really.  It's kinda freakin me out.

I am also trying to work out everyday, which has been pretty successful so far!

Four days in and I've lost TWO pounds.

I know, I know - your thinking, that's ridiculous that she considers that an accomplishment.

BUT

I do!

Because it shows me the potential I have to accomplish things, one aggravating baby step at a time.

Soo... here goes nothing! :D

Let Freedom Ring!

I love Old Glory Days.

And the fourth of July in general.  It is definitely my second favorite holiday. 

AND I got to be in Utah for it this year, which I was really excited about, because NOTHING beats hometown celebrations on the fourth. 

This year started out with the parade, as usual.  Jana got to be in the parade driving the new Nissan Cross Cabriolet... ooo la la!

It was fun seeing the new car and the boys were so proud that there Mom was in the parade!! :D

Grant and Marie and Carter all came!!  Carter was so excited about every little thing, it was adorable. 

The best quote of the day came from Grant right as the parade was starting and the colors were marching by and we all had our hands on our hearts...

"Suck it Osama."

It.was.awesome.

Waiting for the parade to start.  Sidenote... I would like to call out the Jolly Plumbing Float which threw out toilet paper rolls and pegged me right in the head... YOU SUCK.  I saw your gay U sticker on the side of your truck, and I am pretty sure you targeted me because of my Y hat.  Classy.

Julie and Molly and Erik were there as well.  Molly was like the "too far out in the street police" and made sure all the cousins stayed in the safe zone.

Following the parade are the Old Glory Days festivities, the BEST part of the day. 

The cousins all rode the train together...

We all waited for the kiddies together.. My two cute prego sisters :D  Can't wait to see the newest additions to the fam in September!!

And I got to hang out with my BFF!  We had our traditional Eastern Winds for lunch and listened to the music in the park.



And I let the boys get their hair spray painted... Which they LOVED.  (It still hasn't washed completely out by the way..)



Em-dawg and I also got some AWESOME facepaint art done.

After the festivites the boys and I went home and took some much needed naps...  And later we regrouped at Julie and Erik's for a delicious cookout and some fireworks!







Cousins gettin ready for the fireworks show!



CLASSIC.. This was Collin's reaction to the fireworks.  SO ADORABLE.



Happy Independence Day!  So glad I live in the best country on earth. 

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."