It is easy to look at life and see the way things have not turned out the way that you thought they would or thought they should. Yet if we take an extra moment and look at all the things that are truly a blessing we will realize that life really is a wonderful thing.

• A mother that loves me and has sacraficed a lot to give me the life that I have.
• A beautiful family who has accepted me even though we share no blood.
• Five beautiful little girls and one handsome young man who I get to watch grow and learn.
• Girl friends who give me support and listen when I need to cry. Who share my joys and laugh with me. Who bring me great happiness.
• Guy friends who have helped me to learn to laugh at myself and who are the brothers I was never blessed with.
• Talent that brings me great joy.
• A job that provides for me.
• Goals who slowly but surely keep moving forward.
• The gospel of Jesus Christ which has enabled me to have faith in myself and in my Savior.
• My Savior Jesus Christ whom is the reason for everything.

Surprise! Surprise! ...
My Result: ORANGE
You're a bold, confident orange. A warm, powerful color that indicates a strong, welcoming personality, orange is the mark of people who are social and extroverted by nature. Vibrant, with an upbeat attitude, you have a bright, inviting demeanor. Energetic and fun-loving, you're a real friend-magnet. Your easy charm and unassuming manner make you the sort of person people want to meet and get to know better. Well-rounded and fun to be around, you enjoy helping others, so it's no surprise that orange also symbolizes attraction. Orange is an extraordinary color — for an extraordinary person.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

1) When I was a child I came down with continuous bloody noses. My nose would just start bleeding with out warning and this continued for a few months. I went through loads of allergy testing so the doctors could try to find what was causing the bleeding. There were no allergies. I had some how managed to get a piece of carpet foam stuck up my nose which dried it out causing the problem.

2) During my childhood and teen age years I had Calcaneal Apophysis. Because of this I had casts on my feet and legs three different times without ever having broken a bone.

3) I am a sentimental pack rat. I have four or five boxes that I have stashed under my bed that contain usless objects that I keep around simply due to the fact that when I pull them out they help me remember many special times in my life. They hold items such as a ticket stub to a Grizzlies Hockey game, old student id cards, a cheesy Flash Gordon valentine, ripped movie tickets, pieces of paper scribbled on with notes passed during college classes or sacrament meetings, and much much more.

4) I love talking to strangers in elevators. It isn't something I get up the nerve to do often, but when I do I always end up with the most interesting discussions and get to know some neat people. This week on Valentine's Day I ended up talking to a lady who just happened to be a florist. We had a nice discussion and I ended up with a beautiful long stemmed pink rose.

5) When I was in a freshman at Seaside High School I became known as the Checkered Spaz. The memory of this makes me laugh and at the same time feel extremely stupid! (I wonder what ever happened to that jacket?)

6) I had stitches in my head at age 5 because I ran into the wall at the babysitters while playing hide and seek.

And ... here it took me forever to do that one and I get tagged again .... by my dear sweet Katie ...

You choose the nearest book, go to page 123. Find the fifth sentence. Then record the next three sentences. Here goes:

"It could happen. Even so, she found herself hoping it was Mr. Nobley. Instinct urged her to stomp on the hope."

Guess the book.

Tag ... Katie, Emily, Corrine, Tania, C.J., James

Have you ever had someone that just touched you? They reach a part of your soul that didn't feel as if it could be reached?

Let's just say I have been thinking about this a lot. I believe that everyone has someone that is that person ... their soulmate.

I guess I am not sure what to say ... just wanted to share.

I am not a perfect person. Actually I have many flaws and weaknesses. Right now they seem very apparent. My heart is lying on my sleeve and yet it is still being held together by a golden string. I wish I could put in to words all that I am feeling, because for once that might help me figure things out and move pass the aching that has been holding my heart.

One thing that brings peace to my heart and spirit is music ... here's to me tonight ...

For those that know me know that I have a great love for President Gordon B. Hinckley. To hear of his passing tonight is such a bitter sweet moment. To know that the world no longer has this amazing and humble individual walking on it's surface breaks my heart. To know that I can no longer listen to his talks at conference and feel of the presence of his spirit when I am in the same building as him makes me sad. Yet to know that he no longer has to endure the pain of mortality and is finally able to be reunited with his lovely wife brings peace to my heart. He will be greatly missed not only by myself and by his family but by the thousands of individuals who revered him and loved him as their prophet.

Jesus is my friend. None other has given me so much. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". He gave His life for me. He opened the way to eternal life. Only a God could do this. I hope that I am deemed worthy of being a friend to Him.
He is my exemplar. His way of life, His absolutely selfless conduct, His outreach to those in need, His final sacrifice all stand as an example to me. I cannot measure up entirely, but I can try.
He is my healer. I stand in awe at His wondrous miracles. And yet I know they happened. I accept the truth of these things because I know that He is the Master of life and death. The miracles of His ministry bespeak compassion, love, and a sense of humanity wonderful to behold.
He is my leader. I am honored to be one in the long cavalcade of those who love Him and who have followed Him during the two millennia that have passed since His birth.
He is my Savior and my Redeemer. Through giving His life in pain and unspeakable suffering, He has reached down to lift me and each of us and all the sons and daughters of God from the abyss of eternal darkness following death. He has provided something better--a sphere of light and understanding, growth and beauty where we may go forward on the road that leads to eternal life. My gratitude knows no bounds. My thanks to my Lord has no conclusion.
He is my God and my King. From everlasting to everlasting, He will reign and rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. To His dominion there will be no end. To His glory there will be no night.
None other can take His place. None other ever will. Unblemished and without fault of any kind, He is the Lamb of God, to whom I bow and through whom I approach my Father in Heaven.
- Gordon B. Hinckley (April 2000)

Goodbye President Hinckley. Your life of dedication and example will forever be emblazened in my heart. Go with Peace!

What girl hasn't thought about her wedding since she was little? It is true, the feminine mind has a funny fascination with getting dressed up in a beautiful white dress and finding the Prince Charming that has been waiting just for her.

I saw the movie 27 Dresses with my girlfriend on Saturday night and it really got me thinking. The story is about Jane a girl who has been a bridesmaid twenty seven times and collects articles from the wedding section of the newspaper. She has spent her life picturing her perfect wedding where she wears her mother's wedding dress and even has the perfect groom all picked out ... yet things don't exactly happen the way she has always planned. How often do we do what she is doing ... were we dwell on what could be instead of seeing what is standing right in front of you?

I have always known that I am a dreamer. But at what point does dreaming have to stop and action take place. Do we spend so much time dreaming of the future that we are allowing the present to pass us by? I think that to some degree I have been doing this. This year is a year of change ... a time to take action ... to take two steps forward and stop looking over my shoulder. I now just have to get the guts up to make that first step.

P.S. I hope you enjoy the new layout.

• I will accomplish #22 from my life list and at least two others from the list.
• I will write myself a letter at least once a week to help myself evaluate my life and be reminded of the blessings the Lord has given me.
• I will decide what I want to be when I grow up.
• I will be sure to let the people in my life know just how much they mean to me ... and not just wait for the big occassions to do it.
• Be more in tune with my Father in Heaven and learn to play on His time table.