Simply Pictures {I dream of Spring}

I need Spring to come SO badly.
My whole body & Soul needs the Sunshine and the Crisp cool breezes.
But mainly, I long to see my front yard Tulip trees that my Grandmother planted
when we first moved into our home 24 years go.
They bloom into these amazing, stunning blossoms.



This place I call home. I adore my house.
And in the Spring, My home is ever so lovely.
I can't tell you how many times we go to the door and
it will be some one out taking a walk and stop to
take in those huge pink blossoms and want to know what they are.

{Dear Ann, Remember how you wanted to see how tall my front tree's get and look like in the Spring?
Well, their even bigger AND fuller now from this, last year picture...Enjoy!}

This is what it looked Like {New Moon Night}

I'm tryin to catch my blog up on all the big events that have taken place, So to continue in order...After my birthday at the Beginning of November, the New Moon release was just around the corner. Here is a some photos from that night and two FUNNY videos my cousin Hailey plays host while we were in the theater waiting for things to get going. The day started off rainy and very overwhelming. My co-host for the night and I had so much planned to do but it was one of those days where if it wasn’t done...then we just had to let it go. SO we started off with having dinner at my house that my very talented Sister-in-law made of shrimp pasta w/ basil AND a freakin huge platter of chocolate covered strawberries! We had a rush to eat dinner and then make it to the theater by 6 O’clock to get inline. I'm here to say that had we lingered at my house for more then just 5 more minutes....We would have been out into the streets from the doors at the theater. HOWEVER since we speeded are butts out the door, we were the 4th people inline at the gate and took up 14 spots. One minute, it was just us and four others at the gate and then within MINUTES the line just exploded! In Hailey’s first video, she'll tell the HILAR story of her sister {my other cousin} who ran like lighting when the gates were opened to get to our theater room and reserve 14 seats directly dead center!

I'm tellin ya, we were inline waiting and forming our game plan! IT WAS ON PEOPLE! WE were GOING to get the best seats! And even though Carrie was cussed out by some ladies....LOL...Her stunning skills paid off and by heavens...WE WERE DEAD CENTER, UP HIGH! TAKE that Peeps!

Ya see, We had tickets for a Special showing of Twilight at 9 O'clock and then New Moon to follow at midnight SO it was VERY important for us to get there on time at SIX!

Mary{SIL}Hailey{younger bomb.com cousin} ME and Carrie {Older sister to Hailey and Other Fabulous cousin.

Me on the phone, Making sure my other friends were on their way!

The question was asked "Just HOW excited are you???" LOL

The fabulous Jamie {look for the lady in purple in the videos} made everyone these AWESOME team Edward button bracelets...So of course, pocket Edward had to model for us! And YES, I still wear mine with pride!

Last picture before New Moon was about to come on, the lights were out and my glasses were on baby!

We took tons of videos during that night but here are the two that made the cut! Hailey is the host and the first one was taken just alittle bit after we got into the theater and are seats as we began our two hour wait for Twilight to come on at nine. We had magazines, trivia quiz, and tons of illegal food we snuck in!



This second video is was taken just minutes before New Moon came on and the lights were turned off at the end of the video.Some one had brought in alcohol and we could smell it as Hailey was talking through the video!

SO TIERRA, What did you think????
Well, to put it mildly...IT ROCKED! I Saw it FOUR times people and cannot WAIT for the Third. Bring on Eclipse people! Were already planning the next party.
I thought everything was TEN times better then Twilight and thought the movie in the colors and tones were beautiful. TEAM EDWARD ALL THE WAY Suckas!

PS. My Co-host for that Evening and Fabulous Friend Amber also runs an OUTSTANDING up-to-date Twilight blog on all your twilight news. NEWS. Not sarcastic crap. Anywho, show her some love people! eyesofamber.blogspot.com

To Light you Home {Catie}

This morning, Catie passed away. I can't tell you how many thoughts I have running through my head and tears I have shed. Forever, upon the rest of my time on this earth, I want to strive to be a woman & mother completely like Catie.
This is a video her Husband Steve put together. If you know her, then you'll remember this huge bright smile. If you didn't, then you will have a glimpse of a what a eternal family and woman of true strength looks like.

It Looked like This {My 24th Birthday}

So, yep. I never posted anything about my own Birthday bash. Shame on me! Don't worry, I'm pointing my finger at myself. Anywho, So I turned the BiG 2-4 ::twenty four :: back in November. My Aunt & Uncle who run a fabulous restaurant downtown allowed me to have it there since my dumb toilet broke at my house {nightmare} I. WAS. STUNNED. By how packed the place was by fabulous friends and family. I loved every minute of it and had a great time struttin the cheetah print theme as I wished in the big 2-4! So, to catch you dolls up...
It looked like this....

{I ALWAYS celebrate with a HUGE cookie cake every year with out fail}

{and a theme} {go me}

A Promise, IS a Promise

Promise, promise, Promise that I will update soon w/ pictures! Relief Society activity tomorrow night SO as usual, per the night before...I'm busy!

I'm really nervous about this one...
It's on Death, Grief, and Estate planning. I came up with this one because of what I have gone through losing my mother and we have allowed the men to come tomorrow night with their wives. I will be getting up in front of everyone {pretty much like a ward fireside} and speaking about my story. About grieving. What to say and what not to say. Along with wills, life insurance etc...Thank goodness though a kind husband of a dear friend who is a lawyer is speaking about that part. Phew! I just felt like this was something NO ONE talks about at church on how you prepare while you can for death and grieving. And how do you plan and LDS funeral? Funeral cost?

All those things you never think to think about until it's to late. SO, to lighten the load, I have also planned a chocolate dessert bar for the after-part.
You know, to sweetin the mood ....LOL

PS.

I.

AM.

LOVING.

My new blog banner/header and colors!

Just the kick to get me back into blogging.

On this Crazy Ride

Okay. Tierra is being a loser because she just can't seem to find the right way to take back her own blog. I mean, it's not like it was stolen from me but in away, I've been gone for so long that I'm used to it. How do I make a comeback? What should I really post about to make a comeback? Love life? School plans? Past pictures from Holidays? Well, really. So for tonight, I just had this HUGE urge to post this music video of my newest song obsession. Cause, you know...music is everything to me. I love this song for many reasons. For one, it reminds me of my mom. And mommy/daughter love. It also reminds me of my life. Like, images floating through my head while listening to it of me growing up. A life Lullaby. Yes, I like that thought.

Still here.

I feel the need to be random. And also to write. As you know, I have not been blogging for about two months. In ways, it's been pure...bliss. But, on the other hand, I miss writing things down. Putting pieces of my life to memory on this blog. I can tell you that there has been so many many things, little things, that i have wanted to blog about but then at the last second...didn't. First, I must say that NO ONE has offended me. I have cherished getting so many extra sweet friendships through this blog but there are days where i would feel like this blog was seen in a completely different light. I mean, I guess we all feel that way sometimes because we can't really express are whole selves on here without blogging 24/7. And I...am just not that type of girl. In the reals I can be really over sensitive and then others shrug it off.... but mainly I take alot of things to heart. Someone once told me that I seemed fake on my blog. That i was trying to impress more then just be me. Well yall, this upset me. Upset me more then I let on to that person and I guess that's what really started my lack of posting. I felt like, if that was what was truly being seen from MY blog then it just wasn't worth it. Oh sure you have the girlfriends telling you to get over it and to move on but really people....in life EVERYONE gets over things in THERE OWN time. And for me...I'm still trying too. I have NEVER been the type of person to tell others to move on. I guess because i know what it's like to try and move your life forward after something major to happen. Yes, there is the little things we just need to sweat but again...EVERYONE does things different. See's things different and presents things different.

For me, what you see on this blog is me. If you think I'm tryin to just impress you then BIG whoop, maybe I am. But it will be by my own terms and presentation. If you don't like what I post or that song or that movie or that book or whatever...go tell what you like on your own.

For now, I can tell you that big changes will be coming to my life. Soon. Changes like school. Trips to be taken. Buying my first Car. Leaving the hospital. And maybe....just maybe I'll release the story about boy named Adam. All I can tell you now is that in May, I will be coming to Utah for ten days for a friends wedding and Adam will be there. Things need to be said between us and how it will play out has resulted in LOTS and LOTS and even more LOTS of conversations with family members and girl friends. As for this blog, No comments from now on. I feel really strongly on just posting for me and if you would like to see/read....I'm happy you care enough to be in the know.

Update

Hey All. I'm Alive.


I'm going to be completely honest and say that right now, my blog is my LEAST thing to do on my "to do" list.

I have so much work. I have so many things to plan for church events. And I have so much other stuff I'd rather be doing then sitting at my computer desk for hours to update this thing.

I have issues with how my blog is received. I have issues with comments.

So for now, no posting. Oh sure, there's lots to show. Lots to say but frankly, I just don't feel like it! Plus, I don't have a computer right now thanks to a little thing called a computer crash and I'm waiting for it to be fixed.

When I come back in a month or two....No comments at all. I did this for a while, and I loved it! I want a fresh start with a fresh new look and with any luck, a fresh new attitude towards blogging.

A Miracle for Catie

Tonight, as i sit and type this, I am completely ashamed at myself for how little I belittle all my blessings in this life. Since Sunday, my thoughts have been turning to one woman. To one family.
I have shared this story before but tonight I plead with you all to please keep this person in your prayers for as long as possible. Her name is Catie. Catie is the daughter to a very important family to mine and my home ward. To me personally President Dunn, Catie's father, baptised me when I was eight and was my families home teacher for 14 years. His Wife Jackie was my seminary teacher. Most importantly, their daughter Catie is a mother to three amazing little ones and wife to a loving husband. For Catie, time is running away and her cancer that she has been fighting so strong is completely taking over.



Catie's story is one that is every mother and families nightmare. In early 2007 we learned that Catie was pregnant with her third child and we were all excited for Catie & her husband. Shortly into her pregnancy they discovered a tumor growing in her left upper arm bone spreading further up. Needing to take action immediately, Catie and her husband were faced with the decision about the pregnancy. To Catie, there was no decision and immediately she carried the baby as far as she could till about 7 months.Now, after two long hard years, nothing is working. Catie has endured trips to St. Jude's and Duke University hospitals. All chemotherapy is not responding and now We plead for a miracle. My heart and the heart of our homeward is completely broken and all we ask is for a simple prayer. A prayer for the severe pain to go away. A prayer for them to enjoy the Christmas Holiday. But, most important, a prayer for a miracle. All catie wants is to raise her children and all we plead is to simply let that be.

Simpley Thankful: Jenny

In continuing with people I'm thankful for, today I introduce to you my best friend.
Jenny.
Though to me, I call her Jen.
Jen has been my best Friend since the day we met. We just connected.
Instantly.
It was on a temple trip and we were seated next to one another and just started talking.
And we've been talking ever since.

Sometimes late late into the night and early early in the morning.
I'm pretty sure she knows everything there is to know about me and I her.



She made one killer stunning bride.
We've been through a lot together and she has seen my darkest days.
We've cried together.
Gotten mad at each other.
But have always been completely completely comfortable around each other.
Like bread and butter. PB & J. Ying to Yang.
You get it?



Jen is one awesome mommy.
She makes all of Jackson's baby food.
And spikes his hair.



The girl has listened to me go on and on about twilight madness and even came with me to the New Moon premiere and stayed from 5 pm to 2:30 in the morning.
And LOVED it!

She even steals my camera and takes pictures with Rob!
Jen is with me every step of the way in all my life turns and major events.

New Moon was a Major event!

Jen is the nicest person you will ever meet.

If your her friend, your lucky to have her.

Her faith is like this picture of her walking up the steps of the Columbia Temple.

Eyes on the steps, scriptures in hand and head held high.



We have shared endless moments of laughter. Heartache of all kinds.

I can tell her anything. When I confess to doing something snotty, she likes to say my name in three syllables. It's pretty funny hearing it come a cross the phone. And...alas I must confess she does it often LOL

Missionary T-P days. Road Trips. Wal-mart runs. Chick Flicks. Going to the movies while Jen was in early labor. Emotional roller coasters of girl drama. Me excepting and trusting her choice in the guy she chose as her eternal mate. Holding my hand as I got my hair cut. Endless curling hair. Talking. Wedding Planning. Showers. Beach Trip. Crushes. Sprite poured over my head.

Silly phrases saying over and over....Elephant...Poo. Singing off key. Singing Hymns. Scripture sharing. Duets at church. Helping me clean my moms room after she died. Being by my side at the hospital after it happened and days DAYS after. Talking about boys. Taking my Christmas card pictures. Birthdays. Baking chocolate chip cookies.

this list goes on......

Jen, to me....I love you! Thanks for being you.

Please someone tattoo this to me before I have a major panic attack?

A. Enrichment next week. I need to get all table wear decorating ideas and come up with something brilliant.

B. Oh can so please clean my house and put all decorating boxes away?

C. Pain killers make me sick.

D. I just want to crawl in a whole.

E. No I don't, it's Christmas time...I should be better prepared.

Life. It Needs to kick into gear over the next few days or I just won't make it.

Breast Scare

Sometimes, i really forget that I'm old enough to have lumps in my breasts. I'm ashamed to say I really don't "check" myself that much. But, over the last few days, I had noticed a knot swell up on my lower right breast. To the point, it was very painful to touch, let alone wear a bra.
So, to keep this short, last night I went to the ER and had a mini lancing surgery at 2:30 am to have it opened and removed.

The pain, well let's just say it included a 5 inch needle to the breast bone and nerve. Enough said.

This is NOT cancer. It was a bacteria knot that can happen to any woman because our breast are so dense and is an easy target for bacteria to set in. They concluded that sense I work at the hospital, my body can assorb it more easily. To a note to ALL women, when you take a shower, use only an anti-bacterial soap. Especially in those areas. Trust me, you don't want that pain.

Two BIG Important ANNOUCEMENTS

First. This amazing Lovely lady is getting married!!! !!! Ashlee is such a dear friend, and one that used to live in my ward. I'm very proud of the fact that we have stayed in touch and visited through the years. I ADORE her parents and her mom was my last YW president whom I became very close too and if it wasn't for the fact that her brother is a huge love/hate thorn to my side {another story for another time, ask me about Adam-woe woe is me}...I'd marry him and become a sisterinlaw! Anywho, with that said.....

I'M COMING TO SALT LAKE CITY UTAH IN MAY!

I fly in Saturday, May 15th and will be in till the following Monday, May 24th! My place is all booked and I am for sure COMING! Ashlee would kill me other wise! The wedding is May 22nd at the Salt Lake Temple and I'm SO excited. So, if your around the Salt Lake area, I would love to see you! And if you so happen to know of REALLY good looking single men who would like to take me out on a date...Please fill free to set me up LOLOL. See ya soon Utah, I'm off to go search J. Crew for something fabulous to wear!

The "Were Leaving" Day

Today, my heart will be broken and I won't be able to breathe right for the next few weeks.

Lee, my brother took a new job on the coast of South Carolina and so today they are leaving.

As in my nephew is leaving my side.

I've known this was coming for the last few months now but honestly I took the Scarlett O'Hara approach and would think about it another day. And another day and another after that. And now it's time. Oh sure they will be back the week of Christmas but I can't think straight knowing I wont see either of them on a daily bases. I'm pretty sure I've let Lee know how mad I am for doing this on the month of Christmas but at the same time, he has grilled me on how this is a better opportunity....but I'm so sorry, I just can't be happy about that.

Please excuse me as I go cry me a river for like the 5oth time in two days!

Simply a Favorite

I am in love with this stuff! Fresh Lime Basil from Bath & Body works. It makes washing my hands ever so lovely, I swear! I keep this in my kitchen and I say you should too. The End.

Simply Thankful: Lee

Since I didn't do a Thanksgiving post...I decided to share some things {people} that mean the most to me in the most truest form. Looking back on this Thanksgiving Last Thursday, all the things I wrote last year before Thanksgiving--in which you can read here--still ring true everyday. The Savior for this life. My Aunt Carolyn as my sweetest confidante. My Nephew who is my soul. My snooze alarm clock button that still rocks my socks....All of these things I wrote last year, Are still just as strong, if not more...in my heart.

BUT.

I realize that there are others whom I did not mention last year that I want to highlight. So, Today...I introduce you to Lee. Lee is my oldest cousin but honestly, Lee is my big brother. Every girl deserves a big brother in their life and for me, Lee is who that is. Ever since I came into this life, I have been his biggest fan. His biggest supporter. Also not mention but I play the roll of the annoying little sister VERY well too-LOL.

From putting me on his shoulders at all his baseball games growing up, too always placing me first before his girlfriends...and for simple countless trips out shopping, to dinner, movies, and random getting me out of school early while growing up to go do all sorts of activities... listening to new favorite songs or me chattering away about some new book....Lee is my brother. In every shape, form, and way he could be.

And I am so Thankful, that he is who he is. Thanks Lee, Love O.C.

{not to mention but he also went to see New Moon at 11:35 at night on OPENING night with me}

{also, he can play the roll as the highly annoying big brother}

{and I remind him of that everyday}

{he also has a nickname for me that he calls me and it has nothing to do with my first name...O.C.}

Song Obession

Isn't it funny how you can hear a song on the radio and not really think nothing of it But, put it to the back drop of an upcoming chick flick and immediately you listen to song that has been set to lead off the tone of the movie and fall in love with it?

Well, while I was in theaters watching New Moon, the movie trailer for the Nicholas Sparks new book to film "Dear John" came on and I being the sap that I am was in awe of this upcoming new chick flick that will probably make me cry. Anywho. The song playing in the background of the movie Trailer is called "Set the Fire to the third Bar" By Snow Patrol...

First} Watch the Trailer for Dear John {haven't read the book} but it looks amazing....




Second} Now, after hearing it from the love story above.... listen to it and see the difference.
I fell in love. In which case I give you my new song obsession...Srsly. I have been replaying this all morning.

Oh Hey!

I'm Still Alive! But, I've been purposely avoiding all blogs and facebook. Seriously! Only getting on for the minor things .... but alas I can't avoid you forever dear blog. I have pictures to post. Videos to upload and oh yeah...the private thing.

I'M STILL GOING PRIVATE. So, if you haven't sent me your email address or you think I might have it {????} go ahead and send it anyway.

Right now I have loads of decorating to do, Christmas Enrichment to Promote, and loads of laundry to do :(

Chow!

12:01 BABY, It's New Moon Day!

It. Is. THE. Day.

I will be arriving at the theaters tonight at 6 Oclock and will be in for a two hour wait till 9 when Twilight will start and then at 12:01 am....I. will. be. Happy.

please enjoy my favorite song from the soundtrack....just to get you pumped.

I request you turn it up REALLY loud. Enjoy.

joining that private club

sorry to say this folks because I HATE private blogs but I'm going private for a while.

so send in those email addresses. if i don't know you but would still like to snoop silently, send in that email address. i won't be going private until next week because there's just to much going on this week--a little thing called new moon?-- so i won't be posting until after i go private. so you have a week to get me those email addresses. i'm so sorry to do this but i have my reasons.