Taylor Swift

An excerpt of a conversation analyzing a Taylor Swift tune:

Me:  This song totally reminds me of being in the singles ward. 

Mike:  This song totally makes me wonder what Taylor Swift's childhood was like.  Did her parents let her watch too many disney movies or something??

Best Taylor analysis ever.

My Strategy

I was reading in Alma about Moroni's strategies against the Lamanites who were taking their land...  he fortified the WEAKEST cities first, knowing that they'd most likely targeted.

I am trying to fortify me weakest areas right now.  Because I know that the Book of Mormon was written for our day... and everything in it has meaning for our lives.

The Lamanites' strategy is Satan's strategy.  He desires to make me  his, therefore attacking my weakest points.

BUT

I am going to be like Moroni. 

And take him by surprise. 

Because... through the Atonement, my weaknesses are going to become my strengths. 

Hawaii's Hidden Beauties

Living in paradise ... it definitely has it's perks!

Lately I have been exploring the island a little more through hiking.

Let me be clear... I am by no means an avid hiker!

However, hiking makes me feel as if I've earned these views a little...  

My new mantra lately has been "I can do hard things."

Which I must tell myself repeatedly when the going gets rough. 

Koko Head... In my humble opinion, this is the hardest hike I've done on island.  Gorgeous views, obviously... But I have a 50% finishing ratio when I do this hike!  

This particular picture was taken on an evening I was unable to finish the hike, due to an injury at the top.  First responders were turning all the hikers around.  

Still - an amazing sunset!

Olomana Trail, or three peaks ... It was a hazy day, but the view was still incredible. 

Very steep trail, intense.  

Definitely felt the burn!

Moanalua Trail... Full of Hawaiian History, old ruins, and beautiful bridges. 

Glad I have had the opportunity to hike these wonderful trails with my dear friend Rachel!

Colvin Family Trip!

Last week Julie & Erik came out to Oahu for yet another week in paradise!  It was so fun to have them here and see the island through my sweet nieces eyes...  They are just the sweetest girls!

Molly was all about getting in the water! She loved the beach and playing in the waves.

Grace also loved the water, it was hard to hold her back!

We took a fun little trip to Waimea Falls.  

A fish in the water!

Beach time with Mommy!

At the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe

Feeding the koi fish

Molly's first tat!

Loving the PCC

The whole Colvin fam!  Waiting for the canoe pageant to start.

Beach sisters

At Germaine's luau... This was Molly's favorite thing.  She was watching the hula girls and shaking her hips trying to be like them.  The sweetest thing.

Hawaii Sunsets are the best

Ladies only!

Erik really got into the Aloha spirit, as you can tell by this picture. 

Just another day in paradise!

Sassy.

Love my family!

My Best Friend's Wedding

March 23, 2013

On this happy day, my best friend in the whole wide world was sealed for time and all eternity in the Brigham City Temple. 

It was a beautiful day.

It was a spiritual day.  

It was a joyful day. 

Emilie was a beautiful bride with a splash of fun and crazy!  Her dress/shoes fit her personality perfectly.

This picture speaks a thousand words!

Whitney and I got to be bridesmaids together.... again.  Because, you know, people love us.  There's not a lot we can do about it. 

This picture is a flashback to 2008, the first time we were bridesmaids... 

It was so fun to reconnect with Whit!

After waiting in the frigid Brigham City air, Emilie and Landon finally emerged and shared a smooch for everyone to see!  

Then there were some pictures taken. 

... and more pictures. 

...pictures...

Here are a few of my favorites!

Vince & Whit

Best friends together again!

Something about this picture I just love.  Just. Love. 

The lovely refreshment table.  

Whit and I made the marshmallow pops and cupcakes..  So fun.

The car decorator mastermind herself!

:)

Lots of fun leaving special gifts in the get away car!

Noah helped to make this banner and put it on the car!  

At the reception, I was able to see Elder Sorenson - he served in the Moanalua 1st ward here on Oahu! He and Landon are good friends...  It was so fun to reunite with him and see how he was post mission!  

Loved everything about this day!

dilemma

I just finished my last day at Ho'okele!  It was actually rather nice, contrary to what my expectations were.  

There was a floral arrangement from my boss, pizza from the techs.  Oh and lest I forget at 4:40 three clients went 24/7 so I had to stay until 7:30 to schedule... just another typical day!

Such is life, and now that chapter of my life is closed!  I learned some things about myself from my job at Ho'okele... 

1.  I need to be a little better about setting boundaries... if there is too much, I need to raise the flag and ask for help before I become too overwhelmed.  Then things just get... well, messy.  

2. I feel like I am much better at prioritizing now.  For instance, when there are five emergencies going on at one time, which one should take priority?  Being in scheduling honed my ability to focus on the most important crisis, tackle it, and move on to the next.  And I feel like that will be an important skill in my life. 

3.  My internal dilemma remains.  I don't know what I want to do with my life.  I am currently pursuing a degree in health care administration, and I am going to complete it soon.  But in my heart of hearts, I feel like I want to do nursing.  I would have pursued that here, but we were only stationed in Hawaii for 3 short years, so that option was off the table...  Now as I look toward the future I think nursing might be in the cards for me when we relocate.  We shall see.

Every experience in life teaches us something.  I feel like I gained a life long friend in my co-scheduler, Kendra.  Pretty much opposite in almost every core belief, yet I've never had so much in common with someone.  

Life is great, I am excited for what the next adventure will be!

Now, for a little trip to Utah!!! Let the fun begin. : )

just a blog post

Sometimes, when I don't update my blog over a period of time, I feel pressure... like "Oh, I haven't updated in awhile, so I should probably write an overly profound post."  

Well...

If there was anything profound happening in my life, I would blog about that. 

But there is not.

I guess I am quitting my job at Ho'okele, that is something sort of profound I suppose.  I am in the awkward phase where everyone knows I am leaving, but I still have two weeks left.

I am getting B's in my classes right now. 

Everything in our apartment is breaking down at once... the dryer sounds like a rocket is taking off every time I push a load through.  Our stove is haunted by a poltergeist who makes the timer go off all the time.  Drains keep getting clogged.. Need I go on?  

Life is getting rather lifey lately.  I am ready for some excitement! Countdown to my Utah trip is on!