Thoughts on Nothing

Sometimes I just feel stuck. Like I can't move forward and I can't move back. Like I'm waiting for something. But I'm not completely sure what. Not in a sad, or depressed way. Just a pensive one. That's all.

PS: This is just a random thought that I want to make sure I remember so I'm writing in down..Julia..you absolutely can't stand it when food that is supposed to be savory is sweet. Like you HATE sweet potatoes and sweet pork burritos or anything. Literally, sweet potatoes make you gag. Even thinking about them is making you feel sick. Every several months or so you think you might be wrong and try it-and then you end up with your head over the toilet. REMEMBER THIS..and do not do it again!

And on that note...goodbye!

Perspective

This year, Lester and I have decided to make more of an effort to do actual, planned FHE [as you may have seen in the past few weeks]. In that past, we've either winged it and thrown something together at the last second, or just forgotten altogether. But no more of that!

So last night, it was my turn to do the lesson and activity. Lately, I've been substitute teaching at the local middle school and in art class, we've been learning something that I thought would be fun to implement for the night!

So first, we read an article together about the importance of keeping the right perspective in the good times and bad. And then we drew pictures using the techniques that they had gone over in art class of perspective! In the end, we both had rather respectable cities drawn. It was fun to see the look of concentration on Lester's face and the excitement he got out of showing me his pictures! He always told me that in primary [elementary] school the teacher told him he was the best colorer. And now I see that he even has a knack for art! Haha its fun learning more about each other no matter how much time has past!

We ended the night with dessert of mini gooey cookie pies. It was fun, delicious, and enlightening. Go Team!

PS: I would've posted out actual pictures, and maybe I will someday but I don't know how to use our scanner printer thingy, and Lester isn't here. Haha..maybe teaching me how to use our electronics will be our next FHE lesson!

Snow Fest

This winter has proven to be the mildest that Lester and I have ever experienced since living in Rexburg. There has not been much snow, and when there was, it was never enough to stick long, even after Christmas break. This is saying something since typically, by Halloween normally, winter snow has come to stay till April.

This weekend however, things finally went back to normal, as it started snowing consistently on Friday. Normally, I would hate this, but this particular weekend it was PERFECT because Hillary and Andrew were coming for a long weekend visit, and we had plans to go with friends on an overnight, cross country skiing trip. On Friday, they got here around one, and I had croissant french toast w/ homemade strawberry sauce ready and waiting. We all ate, packed, and then headed over to meet up with our friends and pick up our skis and sleeping bags and stuff. Its funny to me how at first, everyone is always tentative and polite, and on their best behavior trying to make friends. But by the time we come back, were all tight friends.

Anywho, upon arriving to gorgeous Badger Creek, we strapped on the ski's and got to it. Hillary and I stayed at the caboose of the group with my good friend Brittney, as our husbands skied up ahead, bonding like little girls haha. It was a blast! When we arrived at the Yurt [a European cabin] dinner was being cooked and we set up for the night. After eating and a spiritual thought, we played some Mafia, and of course our new favorite game, blindfold karaoke. It started off slow, but then one by one, as everyone saw how fun it was, everyone wanted to take a turn. I think it is near impossible to play that game without laughing or being closer by the end. After this, we made some smore's, and headed off to a night of surround sound snoring from all our hubbies haha.

The next day, after eating breakfast and cleaning up, we did some more skiing and sledding and foosball in the lodge before heading back home for long showers and naps. It was the best weekend we've had in a long time. We are so lucky to have the adventures we do, and I dare you to find better friends then ours! LOVED every second of it!

The rest of the weekend we spent with Hillary and Andrew playing tons of games, watching a lot of Modern Family, shopping, eating and laughing. I think two of the high lights would be building a snowman and snow tunnel with our good friend Emil [which was a lot more work and a lot more fun then we expected!] and playing Pounce and the game of Things with the Fry's and the Morco's.

It was just the break I needed, and it reminded me how truly blessed we are to have all these wonderful experiences and people in our life! Thanks again for coming guys, and we can't wait to see you all again soon!

On The Same Page

To be honest, one of the reasons that Lester and I are so good for each other is because we are so on the same page with everything. And if were not, we get on the same page real quick. For example, this is our second Valentine's day since we got married. Both times, we thought about it in advance and wanted to do something. But then both times, we both completely forgot the day of. I seriously didn't even realize it was Valentine's Day until I got on I got on Facebook yesterday..that is how bad it was haha.

So I asked Lester if we weird or if there was something wrong with us-all the other couples we know were posting non-stop of pictures of the sweet things they had done for each other, complete with flowers, chocolate and other lovey dovey stuff. I felt weird that when people would ask what we were doing, I would say..oh..were working..and nothing else. After all, it is only our second Valentine's Day together as a married couple. But he said that we live like its Valentine's every day and who cares what they say. True, we aren't all mushy or sickly sweet, but we do go out on dates weekly and go out of our way to do small sweet things for each other. We work with the time we have, regardless of whether it is a holiday or not. So he may not wow me with flowers, but boy sometimes that boy knows exactly what to say!

Anyways, we did end up pulling it out in the end. We decided to rent some movies and do a chocolate fondue in our Little Dipper, then have a sleepover in the living room. It was a super fun, chill Valentine's Day and I couldn't have asked for better. Of course, next year we've decided were going to be more on top of things and do it up live!

Valentine's Dance 2012

Sometimes my friends and I all joke about how we want to go to singles dances, dance all up on each other and make all the single people jealous HAHAHA. For this reason we were so excited to hear that our Stake was putting a Valentine's Dance for all of us married people!

But before that, a few awesome things happened over the weekend. For one, we played black light mini golfing with our friends the Marler's and then ate pizza while playing pool. It was such a fun date night! Then, the morning of the dance my friend Steph and I headed over to our friend Rachel's baby shower. It was a BLAST, the decorations were cute, the food was delish, the games were fun and I'm so glad that we got the opportunity to attend!

After this we headed over to visit our friend Carra to get our hair did for the dance. After coming home and eating a delectable homemade steak, potato and roll dinner, Lester and I finished up getting all ready and headed to the dance.

At first we were a little concerned that it was gonna be lame-the DJ was late, and it just seemed a little off. Luckily, they had lots of refreshments and even a spot for picture taking. After taking some prom-ish group shots, the DJ had arrived, and we danced the night away. Dancing is already better when you have a permanent partner that you can be serious or ridiculously silly with, but when you have a fun group of friends to go with its ten times better.

Afterwards, we decided to indulge in some more high school dance pastimes and head back to our place for games and socializing. We made pina coladas, strawberry daiquiris, [virgin of course you judgers] and ate chips and salsa. After playing an intense game of catch phrase, we talked some more before calling it a night. Over all it was a GREAT weekend, and we had SO much fun.

Walking Like A One Man Army

Disclaimer: This is a venting/self reflection post, so if your not into that I understand and this is your fair warning to stop here.

I believe everyone has their own personal vices. Sometimes people fly them like a flag, for the whole world to see, as if daring people to think less of them for it. Some people keep them in their hearts hoping that nobody discovers them and judges them for it. They can be big or small, but whether a person admits it or not, I think often times these grow out of doubts of oneself or insecurities. Its like John Mayer says "Walking like a one man army, fighting with the shadows in your head."

Sometimes I feel like that. People think I don't lack for confidence. I am social, and opinionated and I say what I think. As Monk says, this is a gift and a curse. Living this way you don't lack for friends, because you make an active effort to make them. But you also don't lack for enemies because often times people think you are to blunt, or that you are prideful or unkind. Like you never doubt yourself, because if you did you wouldn't be the way you are.

This just isn't true. I know that in my extended family, I am considered the mean one. I am not oblivious to this. I say what everyone thinks, but nobody says, whether that means telling someone that they they are over the top or what ever. I think they believe I say this simply to be mean or because I enjoy hurting people. But that is never true. I will take the role as the mean one because I would rather have the person learn from someone who loves them that what there doing is crazy, then hear it from hurtful peers who won't stick around to help pick up the pieces when they're done breaking them. I would rather have them hear it to their face from me then hear that everyone is talking about them behind there back. So if that makes me the mean one, then fine-I am what you say I am.

But sometimes it can be draining. I know were not supposed to compare, but I look at my sisters and know that they are the kind ones, the pretty ones, the innocent ones, and so on and so forth. They don't have to TRY to make people like them. People just do. Ward members have told me this, extended family members have admitted that this is my role in their family, and I even remember my Grandpa telling me once that he knew while I could make friends easily, I was the kind of person who would have a hard time keeping them. I think he was right.

I guess I'm just tired. I accept who I am, and I don't regret that. And I know I've brought it all on myself. For some reason, as much as I love going home more then anything, I also don't necessarily love the person I become when I go home. I go back to being the oldest daughter, to being a teaser, to being a sister and a child and I don't know why. I am way more confrontational and way more mean and unkind. But that just isn't me. I guess I just think people should know that you walk hard and you act hard and you become hard often times because you don't want people to know you doubt yourself. But I like to be liked just like everyone else. I don't want to be that person that everyone rolls there eyes about and says, "Ya that's just Julia. She's just mean like that."

I guess that just number 7832409 why I love Lester. When I am with him, I am more myself then I ever am. He understands me better then anyone, and sees the best in me. He brings all my best qualities out. When I am with him, I am comfortable. I am kind. I am soft. I feel smart. I feel pretty. I feel important. I am home. Safe. And loved.

I don't really know what my point is in all this. I guess its just to remind people to give others the benefit of the doubt. You don't know what people are carrying. No matter how confident a person comes off, you don't live in their head and you don't know their hearts. Do unto others as you would have them to unto you and turn the other cheek. Chances are, others have done so for you, and you can do so for them.

A Million & One Pictures

Admit it-you thought that I was never going to post about our Christmas break. Well, to be honest, you were almost right. I feel like we did so much and had so much fun, but until there were pictures to go along with it, what was the point in posting? Well I am about to prove you wrong! For once I remembered to bring our camera around, and then I left said camera at home. My Mom just sent me the pictures and so here are the fruits of my labors! Enjoy, and be warned there are like a MILLION. And whether or not you care to look through them, someday I will, so I am posting them here so I have them as well. Here we go:

First we stopped in Utah and visited some friends and family. We also got to see the lights:

Then, we went to a few weddings:

At these weddings, there was of course a lot of dancing. A LOT. OF DANCING.

We spent some time enjoying the nature surrounding us, by visiting the tide pools by our house, and spending an early morning in Muir Woods:

We visited some friends and spent some time at our favorite temple:

And of course, all other Christmas related things, like making gingerbread houses, frosting sugar cookies, spending time with family, playing games, opening presents and all that jazz:

We celebrated Samantha's bday visits downtown, and finished up the night w/ friends, family, cake, presents and ice cream:

Over all, it was the BEST BREAK EVER and we made the most of every second of it! Even just thinking about it makes us smile-but then, thats what things like home and Christmas do for a person :)