Brittany

Friday, April 18, 2008

Motorcycle Mama!

So my friend Kedrick got a new motorcycle last summer. Every time he's asked me if I wanted to go for a ride I've always had a good excuse not to go, but then he started to make me feel bad about never going. So last Sunday he called and the weather was beautiful, so I went on my first motorcycle ride! It was a lot of fun! I don't know that I will go again, but I am glad I went at least once. I was living on the edge for about 20 minutes and that's good enough for me!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

General Conference

The New First Presidency

Conference was amazing this weekend! I always love to hear the Brethren speak. It gives me the extra push that I need in my life to become a little better and to do a little more. I thought there was a strong theme of family throughout the conference and I really appreciated Elder Ballard's talk this afternoon on motherhood. I also felt strongly that President Monson is the true prophet today. It was interesting to see the difference in him. What a wonderful, edifying weekend!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Seattle Trip

I went to Bothell to visit Aimee, Sean and Cole for ten days and I had a great time. Aimee and I started the fun by going to Bellevue Square Mall the first Saturday I was there. Let me just tell you this picture doesn't do it any justice at all. It was the most overwhelming shopping experience I have ever had. It was huge and very intimidating, but very fun.

The following weekend my parents and Marcus came into town and we went to the U District and to Pikes Place Market. We ate and Ivars and I had a great time there as well. Seattle is such a great place to visit!

And of course the greatest highlight was spending time with Cole, Aimee and Sean. Cole is such a doll. He has the cutest little personality and he loves to laugh. It was great just being able to spend time with them and have a good relaxing week. It is definitely something I am going to have to do more often on my breaks from work!!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Family Temple Day

Marcus got home from his mission on the 31st of January and I was fortunate enough to be able to go home and see him the next weekend. I also went through the temple (Columbia River Washington) and it was a very special experience being with so many members of my family. Marcus is the same old guy and it is great to have him home!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Gordon Bitner Hinckley 1910-2008

This is one of my most favorite memories of President Hinckley! He carried a cane because he was told to, but he rarely used it except to wave to people. I have such a love and respect for him because of his optimism. He has been the Prophet through all of my teenage years and through my twenties. I have learned so much from him and am grateful to him for his wonderful example of how to live this life.

Like so many others, it is a bitter-sweet feeling to have him gone. Bitter because I will miss listening to him and learning from him. Sweet because I know he is with his lovely wife, whom he has missed so dearly. He has touched my life so deeply and I am truly grateful for him.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

CPK

Tomorrow is my birthday and to celebrate my aunts, Patsy and Ruthie, took me to California Pizza Kitchen at the Gateway here in Salt Lake. I love it so much and my favorite pizza is the Chipotle Chicken! It is DELICIOUS! I had such a fun time with them. I always love getting together and hanging out. After lunch we walked around and went shopping. It was a great afternoon!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Ukiah

So it has been a while since I have posted. I've been home in Washington for the last three weeks spending time with my family. I have been having a great time with Diana, James, and Ukiah and my parents. Ukiah is so cute and he has so much personality and love, I could just take him home with 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