Utah Fun

This past weekend I did a whirlwind trip to Utah. I had several reasons for going... my roommate Tamara went through the temple, my sister had a baby shower, General Conferance, and just for fun!!



So, lets start at the top. I flew into SLC Friday morning. Tamara picked me up, and we went to a mall to do Build-a-Bears for my niece and nephew. We stopped off at Tamara's work (the Hale Center Theatre) for a quick meeting, then went serious shopping! I had to find the perfect "coolest Aunt in the world" gift. After shopping and lunch, we ran back to Tamara's to change and head into Salt Lake. Temple Square is so beautiful. I must admit the Salt Lake Temple is amazing. Especially when you consider who built it, and when. The attention to detail and imagery everywhere is amazing. After the session, Tamara's family, friends and I went out to dinner. Super fun.



Saturday morning, Tamara and I had tickets to the AM session of conferance. However, the baby shower was scheduled to start at 12, so we would have had to leave early. So, we gave the tickets to Tamara's friend Amy. So, we listened to Conferance, and went shopping. We headed to Ikea in Draper cuz the one in portland is out of stock of the lamps I want for my bedroom. So I bought them down there and carried them home.



the baby shower: my sister is such a beautiful prego woman. She is 34 weeks along, with twins, and she is amazing! She also has some pretty awesome friends and relatives down there. The shower was thrown by her mother and sisters' in law. It was very fun. And yes, I went overboard on my gift. I can't help it... Lily and Cooper totally deserve it. I found these awesome bibs and onesies that say "My Aunt Loves Me." tee hee!

Isn't she beautiful?

On Sunday, Tamara and I had tickets to the PM session of Conferance. It was so fun to see Pres. Monson and how he has truly been ordained the living Prophet today. I could really feel his power. It was awesome. We had alot of fun listening to the talks. I also had fun picking out my Uncle Wes in the Tab Choir. He sat in the back row of the tenor section, right next to the organ. He was also the tallest one!

I flew home Monday morning, in time to be only 5 min late to work. (just a few minor glitches, or I would have been on time.)

On a side note, I am considering chopping my hair. So, I am adding a poll... what do you think? I want to go short, but am a little nervous. I am thinking about a style like my sister's...hmmm.

Breathless!!

Alright, I am finally updating! Here is a quick recap of the last 3 weeks. Painted the apartment (yes, the entire apartment) moved in, unpacked, unpacked, worked, unpacked, worked, unpacked, bought a new bookcase, unpacked... you get the idea.

So, yes, I AM A PACKRAT!!!!! I admit it. When I moved into my apartment, my parents took advantage of the opportunity to empty my stuff from their attic. For some reason I had in my brain that I only had a few boxes still in their attic. NOPE!!!! My mom brought them up, and they filled their minivan. I didn't even know what was in some of the boxes. I have finally whittled the pile of boxes down to a mere 5. They have all been opened and cataloged, just not quite sure what to do with some of it. I have 4 full boxes that are going to DI, or goodwill, wherever is closest to me.

This is the tree right outside my patio.

I love my apartment! It has a washer/dryer in it, which I haven't had for about 5 years. It is so nice not to stock pile quarters. I have my window treatments up, and bought a new bookcase. It is not just an ordinary bookcase... this bookcase is 6 feet high, and 6 feet long... beautiful!

I love Ikea. For those of you who don't know, Ikea is a home furnishing store. THey have everything you could ever need for your home. And they are cheaper than other stores. Some things are cheap, and you can tell they are cheap, but for the most part, they are just really good deals.

On another note...I have joined the Oregon Chorale! It used to be known as the Washington County Chorale, which my mother sang in when she lived here in Hillsboro. They are a community choir, but with amazing talents. This year they are touring Europe for two weeks. And no, I am not going...but next time!! The concert will be on June 7 & 8, so mark your calendars. I would love to see any and all of you at either concert! You will not be disappointed. More info to follow as I learn it!

I apologize for the tiny litte photos, but that is what you get when all you have is a cell phone camera. But, a digital camera is on the list for after my house is all done!

Got an apartment!

Well, it is amazing what happens when the Lord is on your side. I needed to find a place to live, preferably close to where I work. So, I looked online, found some complexes that showed promise, and sent an email out to the one that was cheapest and met my other criteria. Within 14 hours, they had called back. Within another 24, I had been approved for the only apartment available that was the size I wanted. So, I take possession on March 7, and move in on the 10th.

Here is my new address:

2323 NW 188th Ave #713

Hillsboro, OR 97124

Phone # stays the same, cause it is my cell. Now I all have to do is pack (and I am only in Corvallis for a total of 5 days between now and then) paint my new apartment, and move! Wow, at least life is never dull.

For those of you who come up to the Portland area, give me a call or drop by! I love visitors. I will get pics taken when I am all moved in.

update!

Okay, okay, okay. I know it has been a LONG time since I last posted. That is because I haven't really had anything to say. But, decisions have finally been made, and now I can fill everyone in.

Most important : I am moving to Hillsboro, OR. For those of you who don't know where that is, get a map! No, it is a suburb of Portland, OR. I have been working up in Hillsboro with Metro West Ambulance since January. I haven't moved yet because I was waiting to hear on a conditional job offer for the City of Eugene.

For a quick recap: I applied back in Sept or Oct of last year. I tested in the end of October for a 991 call taker position. Nov 1st I interviewed with the city. Nov 3 I turned in the background check information. Dec 27th I passed the background and went on to the psychological exam. (yeah, I tried to just tell them up front that I was crazy, but it didn't work.) The psych eval was 4 hours of answering inane questions with true/false and varying degrees of the same test. Jan 11, met with the psychologist to discuss the answers to said inane tests. And finally, last Monday, found out that the psychologist deemed me "profile not right to enter academy at this time."

Basically, he profiled me, and then compared my profile to those who have been successful in the field. Apparently, I am crazy! But hey, y'all already knew that. Really, apparently the Lord has a different idea of where I should be right now.

So... this means that I am now apartment hunting...again. I have amazing friends in hillsboro who (for some strange reason) let me crash at their house while I am working. They have 2 adorable kids, and I love being able to come home to them! They make this transition time bearable. Anyhoo, I am looking for an apartment. I have decided to take my time and make sure that I am getting into a good place. I want this to last for longer than 6 months, so I will be wary in what I choose.

Also, I received a promotion (of sorts) at work! It is a promotion, but really without a pay increase. My hourly wage goes up, but my paychecks stay about the same because the hours are different. Beginning March 3, I will be working M-F 1030 to 630. (now I work 3-12 hour shifts one week, and 4 the next ) It is really fun to be in an office where my talents are appreciated, and that appreciation is expressed. It is a new experience, as the office where I previously was did not do any of that. But that is a whole other story that would take hours to tell.

Here are some of the bonuses...
* Hillsboro is where I lived for the first 8 years of my life, so this is sort of like coming home.
* It is only 30 minutes away from the Portland Temple
* I have awesome friends currently in Hillsboro
* I work with a great bunch of people
* I have relatives (both immediate and extended) within a few hours of me
* I get to babysit Keegan and Kayden anytime I want (which makes their parents go out!)
* Shopping! (Ikea, malls, jewelry stores, yes, I have an addiction)
* My best friend's family is in the area, so I get to see them more

Okay, enough of that for now. As soon as I get my new address, I will let you know!

reason to pause

A few days ago, I was visiting with friends, and had an interesting experience. They asked me if I might be interested in getting to know one of their friends. He apparently would have asked for my phone number, except for the fact that I am a Mormon. This turned the discussion to whether or not I would be happy or interested in dating someone not of my faith.

My friends commented that they thought I was the type who "could be happy marrying a Mormon boy and living the Mormon life" but could "also be happy marrying a nice christian boy, and let go of the Mormon cult." This statement made me stop and think. These friends have known me for a few years, and they have seen me go through many changes. However, it made me stop and reflect how I present myself and my beliefs to others.

I am an endowed member of the church. I have chosen to be actively involved in the church. I will not marry anyone who cannot do so in the temple. While I admit I am on the more liberal side of the "perceived Mormon beliefs," I am still a practicing Mormon.

So, I put it to you, readers of this blog... how do I convince these friends that I truly am committed to my faith? I have tried to share my testimony, but they try to tell me that I will change my mind. I do not know how to handle this. I love these friends, but they seem intent on basing my beliefs on past actions, not on my current and professed beliefs.

I want to share with anyone who may read this : I am so grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I love the Saviour, who is my elder brother and my friend. He gave His life for me, and for everyone. The Church is true. I KNOW this. My life has been incredibly blessed. While I have challenges and trials, I know that the Saviour is there to buoy me up and take my burdens. May I live my life in example of Him.

I'm going to be an Auntie!

Yep, that's right. I am going to be an Aunt! My older sister is having TWINS! We have known since day 1 that she is prego, cause they had a really hard time getting there. They finally did artificial insemination. They implanted two, and two are still there!!! Yay! They went in yesterday to find out what they were having, and...

Meet Cooper ( a most precious little boy ). My bet is that he will be a sports nut, and his parents will have a really hard time getting him to keep his clothes on.

and here is Lily ( a beautiful little girl ). She is quite active. I think she will be the first one out, and probably won't stop moving her entire life. They couldn't get too many pics of her, cause she was moving around so much.

If you can't tell, I am so excited for these babies! My sister is doing great. The babies are healthy, and mom is too.

They aren't due until May, but my guess is that they will grace the world with their presence early.

My sister senior pics...

Well, I had my surgery, and it came out well. I am back at work, in Portland now and so far liking it. I am working 12 hours days right now. Whew, it takes a lot out of me. I will be headed to bed shortly.

Anyhoo, I did my sister's senior pics this year. (I am definetly not a professional, but we all seemed to like them. Here are a few...

This is one of my favorites. We had a hard time getting a genuine smile out of her, so we had to make her laugh.

Isn't she beautiful? I can't believe she is already 17 & getting ready to graduate High School.

Those are just a few of my favorites. We got quite a few great shots. These were all shot at various locations in Oakridge.

An a different note, I have been staying with some friends this week in portland, while I am up here working. She had been burning some candles in here kitchen, and just a few minutes ago, we looked back to see big flames on the counter!! She had put the candles on a paper plate, and somehow the plate caught fire. NO worries though, we (they) got it put out before any damage occurred.

Alright, I had headed off to bed! G'night!