Getting Ready for Christmas....

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the only thing left to do is enjoy the month of December and begin the countdown until Christmas. I love this time of year, the weather is freezing, yet in Boise we NEVER get snow and it's a great time to enjoy with family. Brad and I found these huge stockings in the office so we thought it would be funny to take some crazy pictures wearing them, so freakin' funny!!!

This year I decided that I would send out Christmas cards since I have never before done them. I had always wanted to, but just never found the time or motivation. So to all of you out there, the cards are on their way.

Got to get back to work, I will post later!!!!

The puffy face...

I woke up this morning to a swollen face!!!! It frightened me and made me laugh all at once. About a year ago I was experiencing some type of allergic reaction to some unknown substance. I went to two skin and allergy specialists here in Boise but to no avail, they found NOTHING! I would go to bed perfectly healthy and wake up a few hours later covered in hives and a puffy face. So begins the trend for the second time, atleast I hope not.

Life has been sort of hectic and crazy these days. Family, WORK, friends and my spiritual self are all struggling right now. Maybe all of the stress and unknowns in my life are contributing to my allergic reactions? I slept in this morning in hopes that a little rest would make it better, not so easy. I drug myself into work with big lips and a double chin, so funny even for me to say.

For Thanksgiving me, my mom and dad are all driving to Rexburg to be with Reg, Ava and Jason. Melissa, Lance and the boys are going to Utah to be with the Snyders. It should be fun and adventurous, six of us in a tiny apartment in Rexburg for five days!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The topic of Religion.....

Why is religion such a sensitive subject? Why is it that religion is the center of so much controversy? Lately I have begun to ask myself this very same question. It seems as if so many people are concerned with "what" religion or church they belong to. Why does this matter? We need to remember that we all have the right to worship freely and as we see fit. We are to consumed with the idea and belief that it matters where you go to church and what religion you belong to.

I have some really close friends that are not LDS, yet they are some of the VERY best people and friends that I have ever had. They don't judge and they love unconditionally despite our difference in religion. I feel so safe around their family and I love the peace I feel when I am in their home. So why would someone care that I am spending much of my free time with them and learning from them? This is the idea that I am having the most difficulty understanding. We become so preoccupied with what others believe or don't believe that we loose sight of who that person really is and the potential they have.

I understand that our beliefs differ, yet I also realize that these same differences have made us the best of friends. Who really does care if your neighbor is Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Christian, does it really matter? I am beginning to believe that it's not what church we belong to that matters, it's what's in our heart and the person we truly are. I am in no way saying that what I believe to be untrue. Each of us has the freedom and right to believe and worship how we choose.

Ode to the black Porsche...

SOLD BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.....

For those of you that know me, and know me well, I drove a black Honda Civic hatchback for the past three years and loved every minute of it. Well yesterday I sold it!!!! I advertised it on Craig's list and in less than 72 hours she was gone. Within the first 30 minutes of having it up for sale, I received 2 calls. I was amazed at how fast it went. I am excited for the change and excitement of car shopping and buying a new car, yet I was sad to see it drive away with a new owner. The kid that bouhgt it just lit up when he saw it, that's just how I felt when I bought it years ago! I have spent numerous hours car shopping and riding around with Brad in his Porsche looking for the perfect car for me.

It's a debate between an SUV with poor gas mileage, or a small car that gets great miles on the road? I have no idea what I will end up purchasing, maybe you can help! If you have heard of any good cars out there, please send me the picture and the link to view the car you are referring to, any information helps!!!! I will post a picture of the new car when I have finally bought it. Wish me luck, I am going to need it...

I hate being sick.....

I have had a terrible cold for the past few days and I hate being sick more than anything! I would rather have the flu than a sore throat and a runny nose, it's the absolute worst. Life has been hectic lately, work, family, friends, all of it. I am trying to find a balance in juggling all of these aspects of my life. I am so thankful for friends that are a support and give great advice. I was having a conversation about "religion" the other night with a friend and he told me to "not give up something you know for something you don't know." As I was driving home, I began to really internalize what he said and thought, what is truth and how do you know you've found it? Truth is exactly what I am searching for and wanting so badly.

My depression is getting worse and I was just about to give up last week. For the last twelve years I have continued to wonder why I suffer from depression. No doctor or medication has made it better for me. I am waiting to see Dr. Hoopes, a well-known psychologist here in Boise and I am hoping that he has the answers and solutions I am looking for. Late one night I received a phone call from my best friend who is at BYU-Idaho and he offered to drive to Boise for the weekend just to be with me, I was blown away at his kindness and friendship. We spoke for about an hour and he gave some great advice and helped calm me.

My sister sent me this picture of Keaton in his new bath towel and it made me SMILE, I am so grateful for my little nieces and nephews and for their innocent spirits. To my family, I truly do love you, and I am also very thankful for good friends that continue to help me get through this difficult time in my life!

This is MY LIFE.....

I was inspired by one of my closest friends to think of and post all of the things that are such a huge part of my life. Above I posted a few pictures that are an everyday part of my life and who I am. I have really been afraid to post what it is I really am feeling. Afraid to put myself out there and allow others to read about me, my hopes, my dreams, my weaknesses. Alot has been on my mind lately, my job, marriage and the church. I am struggling with finding truth and what truly makes me happy. There are those friends in life that drain us of everything we have and fail to give anything back. They call us only when they need something, when they need money or have a favor to ask. I am taking a stand against these types of friends that do nothing but bring us down. To these types of people, I will NOT allow you to use me. There is one such friend that I have done all that I could possibly do to fix our friendship, but he gives nothing back? No returned phone calls, nothing! This is in area of my life that I have been trying to make right, but nothing seems to work, does he even care? From this time forward, I am taking a stand to move on with my life!

Tonight I had the opportunity to pray with my nephew Keaton who is two. His innocence and love is something I wish I had. It was so amazing to see him kneel down and pray to his Heavenly Father. He is such a HUGE part of my happiness, my life. What makes up your life? What drives you to be better? What are you searching for? I am taking a stand against my depression, I have to!

This is MY LIFE.....

My family

My nephews Keaton and Andrew

My two neices Madalynn and Ava

My Savior Jesus Christ

My Heavenly Father

Finding what is truth

Finding the truth

Sorry for not writting!

What a crazy few weeks it has been. Work is actually enjoyable for the first time in a long time, mainly because of the amazing people that I work with! On Friday we ordered in Chinese food from Quik Wok and ate as a team, F.F.L's are my favorite part of the week. After we ate, we all gathered into the "war room" and made Christmas layouts, so fun by the way. It was great for us to laugh, eat junk food and watch "The Island." Mel brought this movie about cloning humans and it was absolutely fascinating! Later that evening, I went over to Brad and Kari's house to finish the end of the movie. By the way, I want to thank both Brad and Kari for being such wonderful people and friends to me, a good friend is what makes life worth living. They both have given me some much needed advice. Brad and I have this joke that I am going to occupy their guest room until they give me my loan to buy a house, he tells me only in my wildest dreams...

My depression is seemingly getting worse. I get deeper and deeper into self despair and I cannot snap out of it. When I was at the movie store on Friday, I ran into some good friends that have lived through the HELL of depression. They both know what it feels like to be so low that you cannot find a reason or the strength to get out of bed. The recommended a book for me to read, The Mood Cure, by Julia Ross. She gives advice on what simple things we can do to change our moods. To the Christensen's I give so much thanks!!! Things like exercise and eating right can drastically effect our attitudes. So I am challenging myself to cut out all wheat and sugars to see if they really do indeed effect my depression, I also went running last night for the first time in about 6 months, it felt so great to exercise again. This week is going to be a good one, I can just feel it!!!!

This weeks goals:

NO SUGAR, I am already so addicted...

NO WHEAT

Daily exercise (atleast 30 min per day)

Service

Sleep more (8 hours per day)

Eat more fresh fruits and veggies