Dad keeps telling me that I need to find a man because they need more grandbabies... haha and I say "goin on a mission, leavin him wishin..." :) Someday... but not today.





In other news, I want to talk about pajamas. The pajamas I got for Christmas have changed my life for the comfier. They are maroon with black bears on them from Cabela's. They are SERIOUSLY THE MOST COMFY PANTS IN THE WORLD. Hands down. I look forward to the evening time just so I can put them on. It is like sitting in a cloud. I seriously want everyone to have a pair of these pajamas... then we would have world peace.

In even other news, I cleaned the beast today. There was mold under the rubber mat. Maybe that is why it stinks haha. Thanks to carpet cleaner and the trusty shop-vac I think I have it all under control for now. The only thing I need to complete the station wagon fung shui is a peachy peach air freshener. FOUR MORE DAYS until I go back to school.

Life.

Things are pretty good these days :) I put my two weeks notice in a couple days ago at work. I am SO EXCITED to go back to school. I love the atmosphere there. I will be living with my friends Nikki and Rachelle from here in Olympia (because my old roomies are all either on missions or going to be!). Carriage House 208...incase you happen to be in town haha. This weekend was the Bricker Christmas party. It was pretty good, always nice to see everyone...haven't been on a road trip with Mom and Dad in a while but it wasn't too bad haha. Yay for family roadtrips.

Now it is time to pack. I promised Mom this year that I wouldn't leave her in a whirlwind with a trashed room this year haha. Usually I wait until the last minute and leave a bunch of crap behind... this year will be different :)

Today I was incharge of teaching Relief Society. Teaching is definitly something that is growing on me. I hated it before but now I enjoy it... not because I'm up their talking, but, because I get to ask the questions! haha.

True and Lasting Happiness

True and lasting happiness comes only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I am living the principles of the Gospel I am filled with God's love. I am filled with the Spirit. This is a feeling greater than any drug, any drink, any accomplishment, any food, any guitar or car or clothes... this is something more - something pure, something great, something sustaining.

When I am keeping the commandments and living the Gospel, there is no void in my heart. It only overflowing with joy. That is the BEST feeling... my favorite feeling. But nevertheles I can't prove it to you. You must find out for yourself.

New Hobby

Now that I am not on facebook anymore... I have time to sign up for FREE STUFF!!!!!

WHAT A GOOD TIME!!!!!!!! They say the best things in life are free and boy are they right! Haha... not only do I get to give out free things at work but I get to partake of them through the mail. So far I have recieved free:

-Emergence
-Calendar
-Stickers
-Feminine Products
-Online books

What a deal :) If you are interested, this is the website I go to: http://ratracerebellion.com/freebies.htm they check out all the freebies and make sure they are legit and not some crazy scam.

Merry Thanksgiving :)

The day started with... sleeping in :) I had to take a vow of silence the day before because laringitis stole my vocal chords. Getting more sleep helped but I was still a little croaky for turkey day. The things I made for thanksgiving were the pumpkin pie and salad! Yum yum! Two of my favorite things. We had about twenty people over! Parrrrrrrrtay.

The exchange students :)

The usual family crew + Grandma and Grandpa Palmer

Grandpa - he's still tall!

100 Things of Thanksgiving

Things I'm thankful for:

1. Health
2. Music
   
3. Ability to hear, see, smell, taste, feel
4. A loving Heavenly Father
5. The Gospel
6. Modern day revelation
7. Scriptures
8. Lap Tops
9. Internet
10. Kleenex lotion tissues
11. That balm stuff Mike gave me last year from Vietnam
12. Paper and pens :)
13. Friends
14. Freedom
15. Cameras
16. pretty things/people to take pictures of!
17. Guitar
18. Forgiveness
19. Kind, gentle people
20. Comfy shoes
21. Work! especially right now
22. Chap-stick
    
23. School
24. Health, a functioning brain (...for the most part haha)
25. Mountains
26. Being able to climb mountains
    
27. Outdoors
28. Rain
29. Family
30. Single's Ward close by
31. A car to drive
32. That my family gets along :) nobody hates each other or anything for the most part
33. Journals
34. Almond Butter and bananas!
35. Ability to grow and stretch
36. Books
37. Learning
38. A faux fire heater in my room
39. My warm comphy bed
40. To live with my family one more time
41. Clean hair after not taking a shower for a few days haha
42. Fat friendly cats
43. Sweaters
44. When people buy the product I'm sampling at costco
45. Gum :)
    
46. Trident LAYERS gum to be specific
47. Babysitting nieces and nephews
48. Chex Party Mix
49. Muddy Buddies
50. Toothpaste
51. Letters from best friends
    
52. Phone conversations with long distance friends
53. Unique people
54. Banks
    
55. Blogs
56. Youtube
57. BYU Idaho
58. Breakfast... cinnamon twists
59. Bracelets
60. Snowboarding/snowshoeing
61. To breathe without a problem
62. To be home for the holidays
63. Conversations with anyone and everyone
64. The Lion King
65. Doughnuts in the snow
66. Fun/adventure
67. The ape caves
68. Licking the brownie bowl clean
69. Smiles
70. Giggles (giggle bonnet)
71. A bright future
72. Opportunities - making them meaningful no matter what, whether they seem good or bad
    
73. Scissors
74. Medical advancements
75. Heaters in my house and car
76. Bob Marley
77. People who strive to be better
78. Missionaries
79. Target clearance
    
80. Sunday - a Holy and set apart day
81. Balloons
82. Running... long distances :)
83. Waking up knowing you have a new day full of new opportunites/experiences ahead of you!
84. High fives and special hand shakes
85. HUGS
86. Warms socks
87. Mis-matched socks
88. Parents that I wouldn't trade for the world
89. Bycicles - never figured out how to spell that word and probably never will haha
90. Wake boarding in freezing weather
91. Frogs
92. Facial expressions
93. Modern Prophet/Apostles
94. Having a knowledge of who I am, what I'm doing, where I came from and where I am going
95. Sweet bruises
96. Toilet paper/toilets
97. Oceans
98. To love and be loved
99. Pumpkin Pie
100. You!
     

University of Virginia Football Game

Gracie and I got to go to theUVA vs. Boston College football game. I just happened to wear orange that day... and good thing because that is a UVA color. It was a nice sunny day for a football game :) We had a good time and danced like crazy but still couldn't get on the big screen tv... maybe next time! haha

Washington DC

Last week Jon and I got to go to Virginia to visit Debbie, Chris and the kids. What an awesome trip! It was our first time to the east coast. We spent the first day in DC. It was cool to finally see all these things in person. We went to the Museum of Natural History, Air and Space Museum, Lincoln Memorial, and the National Monument. The Museum of Natural History was probably my favorite :)

Hahaha...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jds1QZrJq1Y&feature=player_embedded

HAPPY HAUNTINGS!!!!!!!!

So my Halloween consisted of babysitting, work and then the single's ward party. It was a good day :) This year I was a mad scientist. I attempted to fro out my hair but it didn't work so well haha. It was a fun costume though, I love dressing up :) Here is a picture with Chelsea and I... she was a sailor - OH BABY!

I am really enjoying my time here at home but I'm also WAY excited for school to start here in about two months. I just love it up in good old Rexburg! It is starting to get cold here, I can see my breath... but it is November. Last year I was in California where it was just starting to get the right temperature and then I had to leave haha.

Today in Relief Society our lesson was on "Raising the Bar." Time to go ponder how I can raise the bar in my life...

When life gives you lemonade... DRINK IT!

I'M GOING TO VIRGINIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOO! THANK YOU CHRIS, DEBBIE, MOM AND DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JUNE 2009 TETON DAM HALF-MARATHON

Mt. Ellinor

Okay so I've been attempting to hike this for about two months now. Everytime I set a date to do it, I either get sick or have to work last minute... etc etc. Last night I decided that I am just doing it already!!!! I texted everyone in the Oly area that might want to go... but alas no one could come! I knew Mom would have a fit if I went by myself but desperate times call for desperate measures... aka I went anyway hahah. Last night I packed my pocket knife (to fight off all those wild grizzlies haha), matches, food, extra clothes, new gps compass, camera and head lamp. I got to the trail head at 10:00 this morning. Yesterday I worked my legs extra hard so they were already sore from the beginning haha, but, it was a really good hike!!!! 3 miles straight up! Wooooooo. Hikes aren't as fun by yourself but they are sure better than nothing!!!! I had music so that made things better :) There were spectacular views of all the mountains nearby (Baker, Rainier, Helens, Hood) once you got above the clouds. I waved to my friend Nicki who is over across the water in Stanwood haha.

Mt. Rainier
Skyline

Victory! haha

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE

You blow that candle out girl!!! Haha Michelle is a super cute, super fun girl, I'm excited I got to celebrate her birthday with everyone. WOOOOOOOOO CAKE!

For Steph

Haha excuse the hair... I haven't taken a shower in a few days and then I was sweating from all the switchbacks - YUM!!!!!!!

What a day.

SARAH

Sarah you make a difference to me because you were a big sister and a friend I could look up to. I remember when I would be sleeping in on saturday mornings in high school you would come and let Oly in and jump all over me until I woke up... I hated that haha but it was fun too. I loved that you always invited me to go to Target/JoAnne's. It was special to me that you wanted to spend time with me even though I was younger. Sarah you are always you and I love that. You love to laugh and are always willing to serve. Thanks so much for helping me out with a job. I really appreciate you getting my foot in the door... everyone always tells me how much they love you and it always makes me so grateful to have you as a sister. I am proud to claim you as family :) You make a difference in my life because you have always took time to get to know me. You make me feel loved. Sarah, you make a difference in my life.

p.s. nothing beats listening to you when you get loopy late at night haha.

DEBBIE

Debbie Deb!!!! My oldest sister :) You make a difference in my life because you have been an example of kindness and hard work. I think about you and Chris going to school with kids and jobs and I have a great apprectiation for your hard work. Going to school I was thinking about what you did and I was like "dang...I can barely do school as is let alone have a job and kids!" haha so you rock for being that example of hard work. From watching you I have learned all my babysitting skills! You have been so kind over these years to trust me with your wonderful children!!! I have had many good things watching you as a mom in action! You are always so patient and loving of the kids and I hope I can do the same when I'm a mom :) Thanks for letting me have practice on your chillins! Also, you make a difference to me because you will always love my teeth and my face and my cooking even if Mom makes fun of them! hahaha! You are crazy and I love it. You aren't afraid of bungee jumping or doing crazy things. Someday we will go bungee jumping together!! but not in Cali because I might get valley fever again haha. You're not only my sister but my friend! Thanks for always remembering my birthday and just being a friend :) I always love spending time with you. You make a difference in my life Debbie!

FOLLOW THE PROPHET!

General Conference was SO GOOD!!! I would just like to recap what President Monson has asked us to do:

-Pray for the opening of countries to the Gospel, that the hearts of their leaders may be softened
-By love, serve one another
-Be kind
-Read and study the conference messages when they come out in the Ensign

These are all simple things. I know that by listening and heeding what the Prophet has asked us to do that we will be so blessed. We will all become of "one heart and of one mind" (2 Nephi 1:21). Let's unite in following the Prophet - in following Christ.

DAD

Dad you have made a difference in my life because whenever I need something, you are there to help me out. This past semester I was planning on getting a loan and a job while in school so I could pay for tuition. You heard that and helped me out with tuition. Because of that I was able to focus more on school and was able to get straight A's and have fun! You also helped me when I got in my car accident. You always make sure that things work out. I've always been grateful for your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and that the Church is true. You are also an example of charity to me. Many times you have taken people in and invited them into our home for a place to stay and food to eat. It is hard to come across that kindness and generosity these days. Thanks for all that you help me out with in this life (cars, computers, school, camera's etc etc) you make a difference in my life.

MOM

Mom. What would I do without you? ...have the best life ever. Haha JUST KIDDING!!!! Mom you mean a lot to me. Whenever I have a problem about life and what not you are right there to steer me in the right direction to help me fix it. Just last month when I had issues with the bank people you came with me on your lunch break to help me talk with them. You are always serving me! You have helped me so much to progress towards becoming an independent human being. I still remember being mad at you for trying to get me out of my comfort zone haha. I remember you made me call the store I wanted to go to and ask for the hours... I was so shy. Thank you for helping me out of my comfort zone :) And thank you for listening to me whine when I had meningitis. Thanks for changing all my diapers (when I was a kid haha) and for waking up in the middle of the night a billion times. I can't repay you for all you have done for me... but I can take you out to Olive Garden next week! haha. Mom, you are probably the person who has seen me at my worst and yet you would still drop everything to help me. That is why you make a difference in my life.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONTH

Okay I have no idea if this is really "make a difference month" but it is going to be for me :) There are so many people who make a difference to me and I don't let them know that enough. So starting today I will be dedicating a post each day to someone who has made a difference in my life. I think I'll start with family and then work my way to friends.

Soooooooooooooo

I wish I had a more stable job... being on call isn't very fun! I haven't worked since last thursday? Hopefully they call soon! Or hopefully I can find another awesome paying job soon... haha... but I've been having fun watching Anna and Andrew :) CUTE-EEEEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night Jon and I went down to the evergreen beach for a little adventure.

Jumping into Jenny Lake

This was the third day on our fourth of July backpacking trip... haha the one who is screaming is one of my best friends (Steph) and next to her is my good friend Erika who is one crazy girl. The water was freezing cold - hence the screaming haha. But it was fun anyway!

Long time no see...

I finished my second year of school!!!!!!!!! Wooo!!! I managed (with help haha) to get a 3.9 each semester! Nursing program here I come. Well I don't feel like writing too much right now so I'm going to post some videos of the semester :)

New Blog Everyone

Helllllllllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Hello everybody :) I started a new blog because I got a new email address and blogger wouldn't let me switch it over. So... here I am!