Brittany

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Grandparents

Pattsy and Jack Dayley

Hazel and Jack Gilson

I am very fortunate because I have been able to get to know all of my grandparents. I don't see them as often as I would like these days, but I have wonderful memories of them all. Each one is so special to me and I am grateful for their lives and the lessons that I have learned from them. There will always be a special place in my heart for them. There is nothing like the love that you feel for your grandparents. It is different and special.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Fun Facts

My roommate Marissa did this on her blog, so I thought I would follow suit. Kinda fun. Here are a few random facts about me . . .

Four jobs I've had in my life:
1. Cashier at Rite-Aid
2. Old Navy
3. Madsen DryCleaning
4. Teacher

Four movies I can watch over and over again:
1. The Wedding Planner
2. White Christmas
3. State Fair
4. Emperor's New Groove

Four Places I have lived:
1. West Richland, WA
2. Provo, UT
3. Auburn, WA
4. Rexburg, ID

Four T.V. Shows that I watch:
1. The Office
2. Smallville
3. Heroes
4. The Biggest Loser

Four favorite activities:
1. Spending time with fam/friends
2. Bowling
3. Playing games
4. Shopping

Four places I have been:
1. NYC
2. Ecuador
3. Seattle
4. My grandparents' house (I really need to go on vacation more. I can't think of anywhere else I've been).

Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. People from work
2. Weekly email from Marcus
3. Junk email from everywhere
4. Roommates

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Pizza
2. Pasta
3. Mexican
4. Chips and Salsa

Four Places I would like to visit:
1. Spain
2. Hawaii
3. New York
4. South America

Four Things I am looking forward to this year:
1. Peng's Halloween Party
2. Becoming a runner
3. Thanksgiving
4. Christmas

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Elder Holland Fireside

I went to a fireside up at the University of Utah Institute tonight. Elder Jeffery R. Holland spoke to us. He started out by telling us about President Hinckley. It was really neat to hear him speak about our prophet in the same revering way that we "normal people" do. He was talking about how President Hinckley is amazing because he still gets up and goes to work every day. He is the first one there in the morning and the last one to go home every night and he is 97 years old. And the most amazing part is that he does it for me and for you. Elder Holland said that he is just like we all think he is and I loved hearing him talk about him.

He also spoke to us about standing firm in the Gospel. He was so animated as he spoke; the Spirit was so strong. I am so glad that I was there. It is nice to get a push in the right direction every now and then to remind us of how well we are doing and/or where we need to improve.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Photo Shoot

I spent the day with Aimee and Cole yesterday. Both of them weren't feeling up to par, but it was good to be with them. Poor Cole didn't nap more than an hour yesterday and he was so tired. We had a little photo shoot to keep him entertained. Here are a few of the cute pictures. He is so beautiful! He looks just like his momma!

Look at those eyes!

Monday, September 17, 2007

The State Fair

I can't believe I almost forgot to write about the State Fair. Growing up, my sisters and I always watched the Rogers and Hammerstein movie "State Fair." It was definitely a favorite (I need to look for that on DVD to add to my collection). Well, I went to the fair with friends on Friday night and it really reminded me of the movie. They had so many of the same games that they did on the movie. I love that some things never change. It makes me think that life would be so nice if it were always that simple.

Adam showing his strength

So as everyone was getting on the flying ride, they loaded me up with all of their stuff

Peng and Vanessa are getting ready to fly

Marcus

So I am not very good at writing my little brother on his mission, but there are times when I really miss him. I was just thinking about him tonight and how much I want him to come home. I look forward to when he will be here in Utah going to school and I will get to spend time with him. He is such a great guy and I really do miss him. In many ways, I don't feel like I know him very well because we are so far apart in age, but I admire him a lot and am very grateful that he is such a good example of a Christ-like person. I can't wait to spend more time with him and get to know him better when he gets home! Sorry mom, but I am really happy that he is going to be down here.

Black-and-White Party!

This weekend was my roommate Christi and her twin sister Kelly's 30th Birthday! We had a Black and White party in their honor and it was a lot of fun. We had a great turnout with a lot of great food! Our friend Peng, let us use his brand-new house out in South Jordan. It is such a nice place and it is great for parties. We had dancing, karoake and chocolate fountains. It was a great night!

Peng and Me

This is Marissa, Sue and Me dancing!

My attempt at a 4-layer cake!

Roommate picture--Christi, me, Holly and Marissa

Kelly, Suzie and Me

Matt and Me

50. I finally saw Wicked and I LOVED it!
49. Heights terrify me.
48. Strawberries and whipped cream do not belong on a waffle.
47. I do not like to be alone a lot. I like people to be around.
46. I always chew gum.
45. I do not like to hike; I'm more of a nature walk kind of girl.
44. I like to go camping.
43. I have great friends.
42. I am really lucky that I have two great brothers-in-law and a wonderful sister-in-law. I can't imagine life without them now.
41. As much as I love having time off, I am much more happy when I go to work.
40. I love getting pediures!
39. Fall is my favorite season!
38. I love to bake! Sadly, I don't do it as often as I used to.
37. I love lemonade!
36. I am very picky about the texture of my foods.
35. I get sick on airplanes, but I'd rather fly than drive.
34. I would like to learn how to play the cello.
33. All four of my grandparents are still living. I'm very fortunate to know each of them.
32. I need to be better at writing in a journal.
31. I love being an aunt!
30. I love Christmas time.
29. I love chick flicks.
28. I love spending time with my family.
27. I am not good at telling stories. I get nervous and miss major points. It's sad really.
26. Tulips are my favorite flower.
25. I like going to the dentist.
24. I sometimes get grouchy when I am hungry.
23. Utah does not have any good Mexican Restaurants.
22. I lived in Ecuador for four months and I would love to go back and visit.
21. I don't like animals--cats, dogs, etc.
20. Someday I would like to learn how to be a hip-hop dancer (I just really want to learn the booty-shake they do).
19. I use fake tanning lotion all summer long!
18. Chips and salsa are the best snack ever.
17. I like sappy love songs.
16. I love my siblings and am grateful that we all are so close. I couldn't ask for anything more.
15. When I get attached, I am very loyal.
14. Someday, I'm going to make a great wife and mom!
13. I am afraid to let people in. Something I am working on.
12. I have always wanted to take voice lessons, but never have.
11. I try not to eat cafeteria food at work.
10. I love to go shopping with my lil' sis. She is my personal shopper and I can't do it without her.
9. I don't know if this is a positive attribute or a flaw--but I sometimes try too hard to make other people happy.
8. I have the cutest nephews and niece in the world (and this is not a bias)!
7. I talk to my mom every day.
6. I love wearing black or purple.
5. My favorite colors are green and purple.
4. I love cheese pizza.
3. I am the 2nd of four kids and I definitely have a middle child complex.
2. I am getting my Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.
1. I love to sing! I used to sing a lot, now I mostly sing in my car with the radio turned up really loud.

Inspiring Quotes

"We cannot help others feel God's love when we are: irritated, critical, discouraged, annoyed, self-absorbed, angry, indignant, or filled with self-pity, hostility, or bitterness."
"Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." Mother Teresa
"When we risk sharing our real feelings, we develop relationships of understanding and trust. For we cannot really care or be cared for love or be loved, understand or be understood, unless we are willing to open our treasures of time, substances, and self." Lloyd Newell
"We need to meditate more. We're so busy doing little things. We need to meditate more." President McKay
"The life which is unexamined is not worth living." Plato
"In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something. . . . The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan by which we can become what children of God are supposed to become. . . . Charity is something one becomes." Elder Oaks
"If I could have one thing happen for every woman . . . it would be that they would feel the love of the Lord in their lives daily." Bonnie Parkin
"'Be not faithless, but believing.' Believe in yourselves. Believe in your capacity to do some good in this world. God sent us here for a purpose, and that was to improve the world in which we live. The wonderful thing is that we can do it." President Hinckley
"Thanks be to God that He guages the offerings and sacrifices of His children by the standard of their physical ability and honest intent rather than by the gradation of His exalted station. . . . Our need to serve God is incalculably greater than His need for our service."
"True doctrine understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." President Packer