Guilty.

You know those days when your grouchy, crabby and don't want anybody to trespass you? And finally someone gets the guts to tell you to basically knock it off and to be happy. I am guilty of that. So, in efforts to make myself feel better and be happy to see the good, I'm going to share happiness. 

Last week my whole family was in town for Christmas. It was fantastic. I loved it! Unfortunately, "real life" had to kick in and Jake and Kendra and the twins had to go back to Idaho. Very sad. But I had the greatest time with everyone in town. I love hearing my brothers big laughs. 

We also got to talk with Andrew and Adam. I cried. I miss them so much, but it's so great to hear their voices and see them. Those two phone calls (Christmas and Mothers Day) keep me going. Yes, we email them every week but it was so good to see their faces and their mouths move with them ACTUALLY TALKING. :D It was also fantastic for them to speak Spanish and I could understand the jist of what they were saying. It was so fun. But, Heavenly Father sent a trial my way. We got Adam's flight itinerary and he's actually coming home 3 days  later than what we had originally heard. I was heartbroken at first. I was a little upset too. Okay, a lot upset. But I guess God was REALLY trying to teach me something, because he reminded me that maybe he had to test me on this. And maybe it wasn't for me that he is doing this. Maybe Adam needs to influence or teach one more person within those three days. So I can't be selfish. I can only be happy. 

God wasn't kidding when he was testing me either. We went shopping approximately three times last week. Now if you know me, I don't love shopping. I enjoy it for a few stores then I'm done. You get what you need then you are out my friends. I'll go shopping, but I don't last long. But hey, I did get a few things I'll wear. Plus a BYU SHIRT! Score. 

~It's okay to admit you're guilty of a crabby mood. I do it too often. But God is good and forgives us. That makes life Full of Smiles. Now just to convince my family I am happy and not crazy. ;)~

Now for some pictures!

Just thought this was hysterical. 

Boom. Trivia Crack doesn't even know me. 

Story of my life. 

This kid has been my best friend for the past few weeks. No idea why. 

Swaggin'.

I LOVE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS. They are the bestest. Kelci won the contest for ugliest sweater in the Christmas assembly. Atta girl, that's my ginger. 

Photo Cred for the picture above goes to Carly. (The one on the right.)

I can't make a snowflake. (Man that's 17 years in a row now.) So meet Albert the Fox. 

My whole life is lie. I NEED to try this. 

We (Ben) bought oysters! First time having them and they were delish! *Insert my mom going "yuck" or saying something against it here*

Sam is the Swagmaster. 

-Attempted-oyster selfie!

Sam sporting the latest sock style from our great-asian-grandma. 

Some of the cool stuffs I got for Christmas! Taken with my new phone! 

It says "Blow it all @ Disneyland! Love ya sis!" From the coolest brother Jake and sista Kendra. Them and Ben and Morgan have helped out tons with Disneyland. I'm so lucky to have them. Sad that they all can't live closer!

Skype selfie with Andrew. We are definitely siblings making the same face!

Sam being so happy.

The chubbert Lukey cuddling. 

Isn't he the cuuuuuuutest?

The signature "Luke stink face" basically the bestest. 

Sam sporting the Star Wars nerd look this season. 

Skyping Adam!

Presh. 

Sporting the Sam "happy" face. This kid really is happy 98% of the time. Just not when we are taking selfies. 

Ben is sporting Micah's new scarf...work it!

Kaz knows what's up when taking selfies!

Asian selfie!

Here is Sam painting his war marks on with a blue m&m.

Isn't this the cutest tiny human ever? Sophistication at it's finest. 

Just because this is the biggest our eyes have ever been.

My white friends though.

The dinosaur that lives in our backyard...just kidding it's our emus.

Utah Grizzlies hockey game! First hockey game ever...very interesting I tell ya. 

They are sort-of-really vicious. 

He went to Jared!

Temple Tuesday with the friends! Fantastic! Well worth waking up at 6:00am on a break!

So my hair basically froze...like stick straight. It was seriously the coolest thing ever. My hair has never dried so fast. I was disappointed when it went back to normal. Also, I guess this is my "no make-up challenge" for ya'll.

Our car of people. Bryan, Tanner, and I lived! Tanner's not that bad of a driver in the snow I guess, considering we lived and all.

So for New Year's Eve day, the temple is only open until noon. But the baptistry was only open till 10am (the time my family went) so I took pictures outside of the temple and waited in the waiting room. These are a couple pictures from today! Turned out better than I thought! 

I am so glad I went even if it was in the waiting room, Heavenly Father helped me out a lot for things I need to do to help my Young Women. God is Good my friends. 

The Best Gift. #sharethegift

With Christmas only a few days away, I can only think of how grateful I am for this season and the happiness and joy it brings. 

Often times, this wonderful season can be mistaken for "wants" rather than "needs" or "haves". I admit I have been part of that, but I have seen a deeper meaning for this season and don't want as much as what I already have.

What I Want For Christmas.

When people tend to ask what I want for Christmas, I give the same answer; for my family to all be home. Now I know that this isn't currently possible this year with Adam and Andrew being gone serving the Lord (which I couldn't ask for anything better for them to be doing) but Christmas time has always reminded me of days with my brothers (and now sisters in law, and nieces and nephews) laughing, playing games, eating food, staying up late, and just having a good time. I love that. I love when my family is in town. It's simply the best and I love how much fun we have. It's a great gift.

This year, I'm lucky enough to get exactly what I want. Jake and Kendra are coming in town with the twins, Josh and Kari live close and get to come over, and Ben and Morgan are able to come spend a few weeks with us all the way from California! I am so excited!! 

Bonus: Adam and Andrew are calling on Christmas, and everyone will be able to talk to them this time! 

What I REALLY Want for Christmas. 

The BEST gift I have ever received is understanding and having a testimony of my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. 

I suppose the Christmas season brings a whole new meaning and perspective to me of how much he really did atone for ALL our sins and did it WILLINGLY. He was born to save us all. And it is not like he was treated like a king above all else while he was here. Christ came into the world and went through trials just like us. He was and is the PERFECT example. 

So what I REALLY want for Christmas this year, is for at least one person I know to see the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas. A young babe came into this world to atone for us and to suffer for our sins. He gave his life for us that we may be saved. He was not doing it for prize or reward, but rather because of YOU. 

And if you already know the true meaning of this Christmas season, SHARE IT. Share the gift that we have all received and then share it again! Sometimes it's good to remember gifts we have received from years past. 

Funny side story: I remember getting a MyTwin doll for either my birthday or Christmas when I was little. I loved that thing. My cousin Emily and I had our own and we would carry them everywhere and pretend they were basically our kids. (weird to think of me playing with a DOLL right?) Well anyways, I remember getting this outfit from "Santa" and it was a matching sparkly-pink dress up outfit. One for my MyTwin, and one for me. I like to put it on my twin, but I didn't like wearing it as much so I would put it on my dog Rosie. Yeah, she probably didn't appreciate it as much and we have a picture somewhere of her in it, but hey I enjoyed it! Also, I don't know how I slept with that doll in my room. It's eyes never shut and it's arm slowly started to bend a different way. That thing kinda creeps me out now. But hey, someday (FAR AWAY) I'll give it to my daughter. Share the gift. 

Share the Gift!

So share the gift of the CHRISTmas season. Share the gift of the birth of Jesus Christ. Share it. It's not a gift that will ever become old or worn out, it will never be like an old doll of yours that you once shared memories with. It won't. It will be the gift of Christ. It will be the gift of never giving up even when it seems like you've given your all. It will be the gift of happiness that has come and will yet come. It will be the gift of Christ. 

Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas. 

I love Santa. Who doesn't love a jolly old guy, that gives gifts to others as his job? But I don't like how Christmas has become centered around that. I believe Christmas is about giving, just like Santa (or parents) show. I love how happy people are this season. Why not keep it all year round?

This is my favorite picture of Christmas every year. I think it shows that even someone who gives for a living, is still willing to kneel down to the mercy of such a selfless person. Tis the REASON for the season. 

~I've already received The Best Gift. And now I'm going to #sharethegift. God is good. He sent such an AMAZING brother of ours to lead the way for us. He was born, lived, died, and lives again. And his example makes our lives Full of Smiles.~

I hope that link works for you! This is a video from the Piano Guys and many other fabulous people who did a live nativity and a simply amazing song about this season. I love this. PLEASE take 5 minutes from your day to watch this. You will not regret it. Merry CHRISTMAS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg

Satan's Week

For those of you who don't know, I am on Fremont's Paw Print (newspaper) staff. And I LOVE it. It comes with a lot of stresses I didn't even think were possible, and it's a lot of hard work. But it is all worth it seeing your name on that byline and seeing your article published. Hard work pays off.

This past week was production week. Which basically is putting the paper together. You have to use this amazing-yet hard and stressful-program called InDesign. I thought I would have the patience for it but I really am terrible at it. Luckily, there are staff members that are pros at it and can do it.

Now I'm not an editor-far from it-and they spend hours on end helping and doing things to make sure the paper is put together well and is successful. They are the coolest. There is also our advisor Ms. Morey who is basically all-around the best english teacher/advisor ever. She puts in a lot of time and gets to know us personally.

Anyways, after that spill production week is rough getting everything together. I call it Satan's Week while others call it other choice names. :) But not only in Paw Print did it feel like Satan's Week.

Satan worked on me hard this week. It was real rough. Emotionally draining and me being me and always over thinking and worrying. I felt insecurities about myself that I never have before, I was stressed, tired, cranky, and basically just wanting to fall down at any given moment and just cry.

But I couldn't. I carried on with my week and did what had to be done. Most definitely not patiently, and willingly at times. Sometimes you just need to pick yourself up and just do it.

I couldn't have done it without one person; My Heavenly Father. There were nights that all I could do was just fall to my knees, and I know he would be there to listen. And sometimes that's all I need. Just to talk to him, tell him everything that was going on. But most importantly, thank him for this week of Satan. Trials are rough. They aren't meant to be easy. I'm quite sure that's not the definition of trial. But sometimes it's best to just THANK GOD FOR YOUR TRIALS. Trust me, it helps. There are going to be "Weeks of Satan". He's going to try and drag you down to that misery and endless woe. That's when you just shove the turd away and keep going.

I came across this scripture tonight, and it's keeping me going:
Doctrine and Covenants 122:4
"And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion, because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever. 

This past week of Satan seriously was rough. I wanted so bad for Adam to just come home, so we could have one of our long talks and then just laugh life off afterwards. But just like I have to wait day by day for him to get home, sometimes you have to take the Satan's Week day by day! But hey, a week is 7 days. You got this.

~I'm not really sure who reads this blog or who I really am talking to right now, but I do know that even when your week may feel as though it is Satan's Week, if you would just pray to your Heavenly Father, he will help you with your trials. Satan's Week can basically suck, but it's best to make it Full of Smiles.~

Reliving My Childhood.

Some weeks, I can't believe have already passed and I am already writing another blog post. But I am indeed grateful for every week-no matter how tough-and every experience. Just had to say that. :)

It's no secret that I'm an auntie of 4 fantastic kiddos. Here's what they are like to me:

Mike: She's basically the little sister I never got...and now have. Except of me bossing her around, she bosses me around...and beats me up. Just kidding. But she's killer at waking you up when you're trying to take a nap. "Riisssaaaa....Riiiisssssaaa! You seeping?" *Pokes you in the eye and does an evil laugh* Okay maybe not evil. I just like my sleep. Anyways, this little girl is the best. She makes my day every time I see her and always knows the strange ways to cheer me up. She can drive me nuts like a little sister, but I'm so glad to have her in my life. Ya done well Josh and Kari.

Sam-Bam: This kid is hilarious. He has got such a silly personality and is always smiling...or being mischievous. He's such a climber...holy bananas that kid. He could really be a rock climber someday. When he sits on my lap or snuggles with me it makes me so happy-even if he is crushing my insides with his sumo wrestler body-he's such a cute and silly little boy and can easily make your day with his little smile...just remember to keep an eye on what he does next. ;)

Lukey: Oh boy! This kid is seriously the funniest. He loves to scare people and loves his Baby Einsteins. He loves to do silly things and make others laugh and loves to play with his dad! He also really likes selfies. Whip out a phone with camera, and he is ready! Luke has the cutest/funniest laugh. You know those baby commercials and how they have the little baby laugh sometimes? Well it's very real. Luke's got it. Only it's about a billion times cuter and funnier. Jake and Kendra make them cute.

Kaz: As Josh would say, she's a Honey Badger. This little stink pot manages to get into anything and everything. Turn your back for literally a second, and she's into something! Kaz also loves her crown, she can be such a little diva. But you can't help but be happy when she (or any of them) come up and want you to hold her. It melts your heart. There's also some auntie pride when she gets excited when you walk in the door.

I know, those kiddos are far from understanding what I just typed. But for some reason, I felt like that needed to be said. I'm glad to have those crazy, loopy, silly weirdos in my life. Being an aunt is good.


So here's a few random pictures and a few extra reasons why I love some of my favorite little humans: (sorry, not sorry for all the repeat pictures from previous blog posts)

Lukey always manages to make weird faces for pictures...I love it!

Sam likes to see himself smile. 

They are basically-almost-taller than me. 

Oh you didn't believe me? 

I love that they love shopping as much as I do. 

And that duck tape faces are okay to them.

They pose very well.

Did I mention they show the same "passion" for shopping as I do? 

They make silly faces.

Sometimes the same ones in every picture.

Except when they accidentally step on the dogs paw, therefore the cutest lip everrrr!

They like me for my iPad. 

And also for my awesome putting them to nap skills. 

They also like food just like me. 

And talking on the phone. 

It's basically the best thing ever. 

They also like me for my iPhone. 

They dig it. 

We all like our jammies. 

I even got this nugget to sleep. #booyah.

Because of them, I got to go on the mall train. 

It was as fantastic as Mike's face!

And Sam dug it...on the inside. He actually chased the train afterwards...it was pretty hysterical. 

Luke liked to stand up and look out the window. 

They get cool cars so I get to drive them...but I'm too fat so they don't go far. 

They have the cutest crooked smiles. 

And we both get excited to see Elmo!

~I'm very fortunate to have these kiddos in my life. Because of them, I'm Reliving My Childhood and it's making it Full of Smiles.~

Bonus: You made it through this week's post! So here's an old picture of when Adam, Andrew, and I stayed at Jake and Kendra's and played laser tag. We are rad. 

50 FLIPPING DAYS UNTIL MY BEST FRIEND COMES HOME!!! TO SAY I AM EXCITED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. I cannot wait to give this kid a huge hug. 

-If you're feelin' it, leave a comment! I would love to know what ya'll think...unless this is just me talking to myself. I love to share my testimony through this blog. :)