Quick Trip Home

So, last weekend, (Fri, May 21^st - Sunday, May 23^rd) I went to Utah. It was so nice to chill at home… I enjoy being home to spend time with Momasita and see Jess and her cute kids. Such a great family I have! Jess picked me up from the airport and I just hung at her place and the mall for bit before she took me to Bountiful to meet up with Mom. After Mom and I did a little shopping we heading home.

It wouldn’t be a trip to the mall without a stop at Chick-fil-a! Love that place!

Saturday Mom and I did yard work, ran errands, baked a cake, watched a movie, put the flag in the display case, did dishes, and relaxed! I know you will all be shocked to learn that there was no Scrabble played this weekend- it was very sad, but there is always next trip! :^)

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Sunday, Mom had to teach Sunday School. I’m glad I was home for that. She is so talented and such a great teacher. She did a great job! After church Jess, Sean, and the kids came out. Sean treated us all to a fabulous dinner of wantons! Thanks Sean! Sadly though my time in Utah did come to an end and it was back to the airport for me.

There was no plan this weekend, there was no agenda, there was no schedule. It was fabulous! It is always a welcome change from the normal comings and goings to simply chill with people I love! Thanks for a great weekend!

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This past week has been nothing out of the ordinary…

Monday I worked and then went straight to exercise group, FHE, and volleyball.

Tuesday I worked and got to be home for all of 45mins before heading out to employment night.

Wednesday I worked and went straight to dinner with a friend and then I helped stuff envelops for a friend’s wedding until 10:45pm.

Thursday I worked and went straight to the courts for tennis night.

Friday I got to enjoy the day running errands and then met up with a friend to work out.

Saturday I ran errands, planted tomatoes, helped Ashlee clean her apartment, went to a movie and ended the day, and the week, by sitting in the hot tub… does it get much better then that?

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So, its been an eventful, productive, and relaxing week. Love it! Enjoy your long weekend everyone!

New Toys and Fun Weekend

I know, shocker that I am updating my blog and it’s only been a week! I have a few minutes before heading to a dinner, so I thought I would share my fun weekend stories. Before I do that I wanted to give a shout out to all you Mothers out there. Thanks for your endless selfless service! Have a very HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

I had Friday off work since I worked 4- 10 hour days this week. It makes for long days, but I definitely enjoy my day off! This week it worked out that I since I had Friday off I was able to attend Brandon’s Graduation Luncheon. It was held at Cinzzetti’s which is an Italian buffet. It was pretty tasty and the company was great. I gave Brandon a pin that says “Me, Meeee, Meee Meee!” since it was his day. Congratulations Brandon that is quite the accomplishment!

Jacob was enjoying hanging with Shabi

I recently purchased a new table and was on a quest to find chairs. So, Friday afternoon after the luncheon Katie and I (along with the boys) went out chair shopping. It was a fun afternoon, I wasn't sucessful, but it was still fun. Friday evening wrapped up with Brandon’s graduation bowling party. I didn’t get a strike all evening, it was very sad. I still did okay though with scores of 125 and 121. I had a good time hanging with the Showell Clan.

Cayden's first time real bowling (The Wii doesn't count!)

So, Friday morning, my table got delivered… or was supposed to be delivered. They came, the delivered a table, but it wasn’t the correct one! So, I had to go back to the store and point out the table they delivered and the table I wanted delivered. They asked when I wanted it to which I replied, “I was expecting it today.” Friday was already booked and they were unable to fit another delivery in that day. So, they asked how early they could come on Saturday. I told them any time after 6:00am. They said they would get it to me by 7:00am Saturday morning… they were here at 6:35am! So, the good news is I now have a table!!! YEAH!!! I don’t have any chairs yet, but I’m working on that.

The WRONG table- its nice, but not what I bought! My New Table -the CORRECT one

Saturday morning a bike shope was having a big bike expo, so I went. Yep, I came home with a new bike and a helmet! Now that I have a vehicle that can transport a bike, it make is much more convenient to own a bike. I’m excited. It will be fun to go riding and enjoy the beautiful Colorado days while staying in shape!

Saturday evening was filled with mini-golf and a fun party. I did good mini-golfing… I got 3 hole-in-ones! One of those was because my friend’s ball hit mine in, but hey I’ll take it! :^) I got a score of 43 on an 18 hole course- Not too shabby!

My Group - Wrong Sport Chris!

The Other Group

After we had a our fun golfing we came to my place to party. There was a good group that came… about 15 people in all. I learned a new game… “4 people on a couch”. Pretty exciting title, I know. Anyway, it is easy enough to understand, but quite a challenging game.

Matt playing the Chicken Flying Game from Wii Fit Plus

All in all it was a fun evening. We also played catch phrase, wii, ate food, and visited. I don’t think it gets any better than that. I’m assuming everyone had a good time since people stayed until 12:30am!

Trista is all worn out from a fun party!

Now I’m off to enjoy dinner with friends. Have a fabulous week everyone!

Time Well Spent

Have you ever wondered where time goes and how in the world you are to get everything done that you need to, should do, could do, or want to do? I often wonder that and I have no kids! I can’t even imagine how all you mothers out there get things done- you are amazing. I’ve only been home five months, but it sure didn’t take long to settle back into my busy life. I’m not complaining, I quite enjoy my life since most of the things that occupy my time are quite enjoyable things. When you are constantly busy, it does, however, make it a bit more difficult to find the time to update your blog. :^)

Goofing off after snowshoeing- it was a beautiful CO day!

Anyway, here is a glimps into my life. This was my schedule from last week, and it was a pretty typical week in the sense that I had something going on every day:

Monday

7:00am – 4:30pm Work (I was supposed to leave at 3:30pm, it would be nice if that ever happened!)

6:15pm – 7:00pm Exercise Group

7:00pm – 8:00pm FHE

8:00pm- 8:45pm Volleyball

9:00pm – 10:00pm Dinner with a friend

Tuesday

7:00am – 4:00pm Work

7:00pm – 8:00pm Employment Night

8:20pm – 9:00pm Taxi service for someone to get home

Wednesday

7:00am – 4:00pm Work

7:00pm – 9:00pm Jared and the kids came over

9:30pm – Midnight Friends came over and we just visited

Thursday

7:00am – 4:00pm Work

5:00pm – 6:00pm Temple

*We were supposed to play tennis tonight, as I am starting up Thursday Tennis Nights, but the weather did not cooperate. I wasn’t feeling too great that night, so it was probably a good thing. It was actually a pretty relaxing night, I think I even read some of my book (Glimpses by Sister Hinckley)!

Friday

7:00am – 2:30pm Work

3:30pm – 4:00pm Made chicken enchiladas

5:00pm – 6:00pm Went running with a friend

9:00pm – 10:00pm Talked to a friend

Saturday

8:00am – 9:00am Paid bills, played on facebook, checked e-mail

9:30am – 11:00am Went on a bike ride with a friend

11:00am – 1:00am Went shopping and bought a new table (no chairs though... working on that!)

2:00pm – 3:30pm Helped a friend move

6:00pm – 9:00pm Went to the Stake Luau

9:30pm – 10:00pm Bought the ingredients to make a cake for the next day

10:30pm – 11:30pm Prepared my employment speech to give in Priesthood the next day

Sunday

9:00am – Noon Church

12:30am- 3:00pm Baked a cake

3:00pm – 5:00pm Wrote blog

6:00pm – 8:30pm CES Fireside with cake contest after

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So, it may seem like I have a lot of time, but don’t forget to account for travel time, getting ready time, the time to handle all the little unexpected things that come up, the time to stop at the store to buy a few things, and the random phone calls and texts from family and friends. I love it! Oh, and lets not forget the time to read your scriptures, the time to make dinner (or simply to find food), to do laundry, and time to keep the apartment in order! I don’t have cable, nor would I watch it if I did- who has time? :^)

Kuwait FHE presentation for the Laredo Branch

In addition to the normal, everyday stuff that occupies my time, I do spend a lot of time with friends and enjoy some fun events. Here are a few I’ve enjoyed since I’ve been home. I have a few pictures scattered throughtout this post from some of these events.

- Parties: Baby showers, Christmas Parties, Game Nights

- Skiiing

- Snowshoeing

- Luau’s (one was a YSA and the other was a Stake Luau)

- Iceskating

- Mammoth Game

- Dance showcase to support a friend

- Banff Film Festival

- Bowling

- Progressive Dinners

- Third Thursday

- Kuwait night presentations (3 separate times)

- Bowling

- Doors Open Denver (This is an annual event the city sponsors where you get to be a tourist in your own town- it was great to tour places that you see and hear of but have never visited all for free!)

- Movie Nights

Group of friends at the Mammoth Game

One of my snowshoeing trips... it was a very eerie looking day, but pretty! Remind me why the boys don't want to date me?!!!

Group of Friends at Myers Ranch Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing wouldn't be complete without Snow Angels!

I love being of service and enjoy the opportunities around me to offer service. I find that service is something else that often occupies my time. Service is one thing I definitely missed while I was in Kuwait (I did a little, but it was much harder to find opportunities):

- Helping people move

- Cleaning the inside of the church

- Taking care of the yard and grounds at the church

- Reviewing resumes or other "calling related" activities

- Attending the temple

- Baking cinnamon rolls to give away

- Letting people talk when they just need a friend who will listen

- Tending my cute nephews

- Giving people rides to the airport

- Baking food for the Luau and helping set up and clean up

- Visiting teaching

- Planning and inviting others to a social event

Bowling with friends- good times!

Syncronized bowling- yep still working on that

Friends at my luncheon between Conference Sessions

Tracy brought fun Easter Cream Cheese Bars to the luncheon

Doors Open Denver at the Firehouse Museum

Friends who attended the Doors Open Denver Event

So, that is my life. Like I said, it is busy, but that is my life and I love it! I was talking to a co-worker and the subject of cooking meals came up. I told her I don’t get the chance to cook very often since I stay pretty busy. She looked at me and said, “you need to get your priorities straight!” I couldn’t help but think, “I do!” I would much rather sacrifice my time for someone else then to selfishly use my time to cook a really nice meal. I do stay busy, but typically I attend activities and events not only because I know it will be fun, but mostly because of who I would let down or disappoint if I don’t go.

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So, whether every minute of your day is planned for you, or whether you have a few minutes to relax during your day, ask yourself is it time well spent? I hope the answer is YES!

All Aboard!! Model train at Union Station