100th blog

So, today’s blog is my 100th blog!!! YIPPEE SKIPPEE!!! To mark this event, I have decided to send all my readers on a blog scavenger hunt. There will be 10 questions and for those 10 questions, you will be led through my blog and through the blogs of my friends (they are linked on the side bar). When you have found the answers to the questions, do not post until Saturday, June 1st. Just a side note: If you post the answers earlier, someone might choose to copy your answers.

The winner will be selected by random.org and will receive 2 movie tickets to Cinemark Theaters. The winner will be announced on Saturday, June 1st. Good luck and have lots of fun!!!


1. I love ice cream, but my all-time favorite ice cream flavor is?
2. Check out my friend, Vieve’s blog. She, recently, got a new tattoo—what is it?
3 My friend Gerb is featured in a certain magazine. Which one?
4. My friend Carly’s favorite smell is?
5. In my world-my sanctuary-my heaven—what is my stress relief?
6. My friend Maleen went to a ‘lovely’ event and she recommends it to everyone. What is it?
7. I shared a story about Brad during my college days. What was it about?
8. My SIL, Jessica, donated something? What was it?
9. Our friends, Maleen & Tyler host a “Crack-Off” each year. This year they hosted a couple of different ones. But, the one that the question is related to is on my friend, Ker’s blog. The question is: Which egg had to be undressed and race naked?
10. There was a problem with my kabobs—what was the problem with them?

Good luck and have fun!!!

OOPS again

Continuing on with the OOPS CHOCOLATE KISSES--I was playing with my blog and somehow deleted my side bars. So, this means...I don't have everyone's blogs. Please leave a message and I can add you back on. CRAZY ME!!

OOPS OOPS OOPS OOPS

Today, I arrived at work—normal as normal can be. HA HA!! Well, I received a few phone calls from clients and then, a particular client called. He is a hoot, but kind of crazy to talk to. When you get through talking to him, you feel like you had entered a war zone, fought, dragged yourself to the nearest hospital and healed. Sometimes you are not sure if you are coming or going. So, I walked him through documents and software issues. The phone call lasted approximately 2 hours. I was exhausted and frazzled after talking him through the items that needed to be discussed. We hung up. Immediately, I received another call from a client that had me fix some items on his documents, yesterday. He called to let me know that he had made a mistake and that the items that we fixed yesterday were on the wrong documents and we need to re-adjust the new documents with the new corrections. UGH!!

As soon as I hung, I started RE-FIXING those corrections when my phone rang again. It was the “war zone” client. Another hour on the phone with him was completely exhausting (and might I add little entertaining).

Immediately, I turned around to Vieve’s desk. Vieve has a bowl of chocolate kisses, a bowl of lifesavers and a container of M&M’s. She keeps these dishes constantly filled with treats. We have plenty of visitors throughout the day due to her candy dishes (okay, maybe a little of it is that we are such fun girls to be around that people want to visit us each day…I know, I know, it is probably all about the candy.)

I grabbed a chocolate kiss from her container and opened it up. The “paper plume” (did you know the paper tag on the kisses are called "paper plumes"?)attached to the chocolate kiss read “OOPS OOPS OOPS OOPS”. I started laughing out loud. Hershey’s knew exactly what to say in their adorable little kisses. I cannot believe that out of that whole bag, I picked one that summed my entire work day.

"OOPS OOPS OOPS OOPS"!!

Have you ever thought that you might have lost it?

Well, this morning, I woke up bright and early (4:55 am). I had so many thing to do today that I think that my mind was racing all night long. Anyway, I had a Stake YCL breakfast and training first thing this morning. After that, my friend, Mirna, and I threw a bridal shower for one of my laurels. But the story begins around 7:15 am. I was loading my car up with the necessary things to complete my list of things to do--I did not think that I would have enough time to come back home between the training and the bridal shower. So, like I said, I loaded everything into my trunk. I had planned enough time to drive to my parents home, borrow my mom's punch bowl and then, stop at the store to pick up some fruit before I was needed at the Stake Center for the breakfast.

I shut my trunk...looked around and could not locate my keys. SHOOT!!! I thought to my self..."Did I just lock my keys in my trunk?" I searched everywhere just to make sure that I was not wrong. So, after 15 minutes or so of looking, I could not find them. I called Mom. (Side note...I keep my spare key at work in my desk--I have been known to lock my keys in my car at work--once too many times.) She came and picked me up, I went to work, retrieved my spare key and headed back to my house. I opened my trunk...NO KEYS!!! What?! YEP!! NO KEYS!! There was absolutely not time to search before the breakfast. So, it was off to get the fruit and the to the Stake Center.

So, the breakfast and training--was great. We did not have a lot of the girls show up but, I think that the ones that did...really had a great time and was glad that they came. Overall, I think that it was worth it.

As for the bridal shower...it was simply fabulous!!! Kenzie was absolutely adorable and we had lots and lots of fun!!! Kenzie really made the shower great. She was excited about being married and was the most gracious bride. She exclaimed over everything and over every guest! What a beautiful and adorable wife she will make!! Yea! I am so excited for her. Plus, I might add..."Mirna and I know how to celebrate and throw the perfect bridal shower!!!"

Back home...I searched and searched. NO KEYS!!! I went to my parents home. Mom went all through my car again--just in case I did not see them the zillion times that I went through it. The next step was, I cleaned and vacuumed my entire car. (Just in case--my keys were hiding). OK, by this time, I think that I am going simply crazy!! Where are my keys?!

Well, it is 10:30 pm...I have searched and searched my house. I can not find them anywhere!!! Defeated, I sat down my couch and looked at my entertainment center...peaking out behind a basket, I see a glimmer of pink...THEN, I REMEMBERED!!! I had set my keys down on the entertainment center when I looked through the basket for a card for Mackenzie!!!

Let me tell you...I think I have lost it?!! But, boy oh boy, I am glad that I FINALLY REMEMBERED!!!

101 things about me...

My sister-in-law, Jessica, created 101 things about herself on her blog. I thought it would be fun and easy to think of 101 things about me. Guess what? It was fun but it was not really that easy. The first ones listed were pretty easy, but then it began to get more difficult. Vieve, also, decided to create 101 things about her on her blog. You should try it...

101 things about me...
1. I hate circle foods...
2. I love ice cream—STRAWBERRY (with real strawberries) is my all time favorite.
3. I love M&M’s.
4. I have 3 brothers, 3 Sister-in-laws, 3 nieces, and 5 nephews.
5. I have a fantastic Mom and Dad.
6. My favorite places to eat are Joe Banditos, Cafe Rio &; Bajio’s.
7. I love Diet Coke with Lemon and crushed ice.
8. I love to read.
9. I love to play board games.
10. I love to scrapbook.
11. I am definitely a girly girl—but I love to play volleyball, softball & basketball.
12. I love flowers—Gerber daisies are my all time favorite.
13. I love to sing in the car and I have my own personal concert while driving in my car.
14. I do not like silence—it makes me nervous.
15. I love the sound of children giggling.
16. I hate going to the gas station.
17. I love hanging out with my Mom.
18. Favorite colors are dark navy blue, pink, buttercup yellow and red
19. I am a list maker.
20. I love going on walks.
21. I love homemade chocolate chip cookies.
22. I own 88 skirts.
23. I love to doodle—if I have a pen and paper in hand…I doodle!
24. I hate the dark; I have a nightlight in my bedroom and in my bathroom.
25. I would love to meet the people on Grey’s Anatomy and CSI: Miami
26. I love the sound and smell of rain, but I hate lightening and thunder.
27. I am addicted to two TV Shows: Grey’s Anatomy and CSI: Miami.
28. I am allergic to bananas but I eat them once in awhile.
29. I love purses.
30. I love paper and have over 5000 sheets of scrapbooking paper.
31. I love to make cards.
32. I HATE watermelon and cantaloupe. YUCKY!!
33. I love receiving letters in the mail.
34. I love to make crafts and create things.
35. I love to learn new things.
36. I suffer from sleep deprivation…I usually only get a few hours of sleep a night.
37. I hate to go the bank.
38. I have a hard time staying home when I am sick because if I stay home from work, then, it should be fun.
39. I love Mexican food.
40. I want to learn how to play the piano.
41. My mom describes me as her Black & White child.
42. I broke my left arm every April beginning with the year before Kindergarten to the 5th grade.
43. I love cold cereal.
44. One of my favorite places is in the San Diego Airport—there is a huge window that over looks a bay full of colorful sailboats.
45. I love sitting on the beach and watching the water—I could sit there for hours.
46. I don’t like cake, but will eat a piece if it is at a birthday party. (I think that it is rude not have a piece when it is in honor of someone).
47. I love to cook.
48. When I watch TV, I have to being doing something—it drives me crazy just to sit there.
49. I love BYU football.
50. I have been whale watching off the coast of Oregon, but I was so sea sick that I could not even see the whales because I was busily doing other things like throwing up.
51. I love the outdoors.
52. I love green salad and could eat it every single day.
53. I love to write in my journal.
54. I have had 1 speeding ticket.
55. I love to camp.
56. I love popcorn-in fact, almost every time my mom and I go to Archivers, we stop at the popcorn factory for popcorn. YUMMY!
57. I love hot tamales.
58. I have blue blue eyes.
59. When I was born, I was placed in a incubator for 4 days.
60. I love bright and colorful things.
61. My favorite pie is pumpkin.
62. I love to watch the humming birds at my mom and dad’s home.
63. I love the smell of homemade bread baking in the oven.
64. I love crawling into clean fresh sheets.
65. I cry a lot. Sad things, happy things…I just cry a lot.
66. I love Target. The store intrigues me. I can be in there a long time and not even purchase anything.
67. I am a very stubborn person.
68. 4th of July and Christmas are my two favorite holidays.
69. I love to watch people—I have watched the most fascinating people at airports.
70. I have been to Hawaii.
71. I love to snorkel.
72. I danced with Tigger at Disneyland.
73. I love to spend time with my mom.
74. I love the Utah Jazz.
75. My grandparents are deaf (ok, not now because their dead and now they can hear).
76. I know sign-language, but wished that I was better at it.
77. I am a perfectionist.
78. My older brother chose my name when I was born.
79. I love to drink out of a straw.
80. I have (secretly) wanted to be a princess and live in a castle.
81. I am the only girl in my family and yes, I am spoiled and I am proud of it!!!
82. I love to speak (in church and such).
83. I was in a coma when I was 7 ½ years old.
84. I don’t have a memory before the age of 7 ½.
85. We rolled our jeep 3 times and I only ended up with a gash on my head.
86. I love to shop.
87. My favorite movies are The Holiday, Return to Me, and While You Were Sleeping. (right now)!
88. I was run over by a boat while waterskiing.
89. I love trail mix that contains dried pineapple, yogurt covered raisins, dried mango and nuts.
90. My favorite places to vacation are Disneyland, San Diego, and Hawaii.
91. My favorite authors are Rachel Nunes and Anita Stansfield.
92. I love Popsicles.
93. I love living in Utah and would be happy to live here all my life.
94. When I get nervous, I tend to peel my finger nails.
95. I love to sew.
96. I don’t like squid, lobster, shrimp and anything else that may be close to this type of food.
97. I space issues…
98. I love going 4-wheeling.
99. My favorite candy bar is a Big Kat (you know, the big Kit-Kat’s)
100. I love planting flowers.
101. My favorite seasons are fall, winter, spring and summer.

Well, that's about it.

a book, a card, and a rose

All over the world, the celebration of Mom's is happening today. I should probably end there, but I think that I shall go on...To tell you the honest truth, I really dislike Mother's day. In fact, it is probably the worse holiday that anyone could put on the calendar. I would rather celebrate Arbor Day than that of Mother's day. When Mother's Day comes around each year, I get this yucky ouchy lump in my throat and it lasts all day long. Don't get me wrong, I love my Mother and that is what Mother's day is all about. BUT, the thought of not being the chance to be a Mom is the worse feeling ever and it is not helpful when there is a day--just for that of the celebration of Mom's. Another reason, why is it that we only celebrate our Mom's on just one day out of the year? Shouldn't we celebrate every day because we have a mom that is so dear to us.

Okay...so, this is what I think of Mother's Day...

This is how the day begins...you wake up to the radio--which is playing Mother's day songs and this reminds you (one who does not have children) that you are not going to fit into this realm of life today. Basically, you might as well remember that you are going to be an outcast today. So, you go to church and all the meetings are about Mothers and how important they are--someone reads from the Proclamation about Mothers and then, the rest of their talk is about their sweet wife and how wonderful of a Mother they are and how the Lord trusts them to be moms on this earth. (Please do not ever say that in your talk that you are grateful that the Lord trusts you to be a mom--it just does not sit well with those that are not mothers. So, does that mean that the Lord doesn't trust those that can not bear children? See, that really does not sit well.) Then, that is when the "yucky ouchy lump" gets even bigger. Then, you get the comments from members in the ward, "oh, even though you are not biological mom to someone, you are a mother to every one that you are serving." PLEASE PLEASE do not ever say anything like this to someone who is single or unable to have children. BECAUSE--you know that yucky ouchy lump--it gets even bigger. Plus, do not pretend to know how it feels unless you are experiencing it yourself. It hurts and it is tough...so, please do not pretend. No, I am not trying to get sympathy for all of us that are not mothers--but, just think before you speak. It is difficult being part of a family oriented gospel and being single AND celebrating Mother's day.

Then, the thought of going to your parents home for dinner (don't get me wrong, I love going to my parents) and being reminded that you are not a mom--that yucky ouchy lump is enormous. It does not seem to go away until you go to sleep and wake up the next day and it is not that so-called day.

So, after church today, I went to my parents...feeling that yucky ouchy lump in my throat. But, let me tell you...I have the best Mom ever. In fact, my Mom is amazing. She tries extremely hard to be helpful and mindful of her daughter on such a day as this. I am grateful that she is my Mom. She has such a huge heart. In fact, she reminded me today that life is all about growing and loving each other. She has the kindest heart and would do anything for anyone. I have watched and noticed this all the time I have been growing up. She is the most creative person that I know. She has so many talents and is gifted in so many ways--she is one fabulous person!! She is always there to listen and to share her knowledge and her sweetness. I, truly, am grateful for all that she has done for me in my life. I love you MOM!!!

Anyway, my Mom gave me a book today...Heaven's Touch: A Tribute to Women. It is amazing. The pictures are gorgeous and the thoughts are amazing. A few minutes ago, I sat and looked at the beautiful pictures and read the precious words. My mom knew what I needed today. She, also, gave each of my sister-in-laws the same book. I hope that they cherish it as much as I do. This book is powerful and so full of comfort to any one's heart. Thanks Mom for picking out this precious book to comfort my heart. I love you very much.

Then, the day progressed and in walks my niece, Linds. Lindsie has the sweetest heart. I just love her so much. Anyway, she gave me a beautiful red rose and the sweetest card. On the front it said, "Happy Mothers day to my Aunt" and inside was the precious note from her. Her words really touched my heart. Thanks Linds for thinking of me on this day!!! I love you tons!!!

Later during the day, I was in the kitchen by myself (I think I was checking the baked beans or something like that) when my brother comes and hands me a card. It was so sweet. I am grateful for family that understands how difficult this day is for me.

So, tonight as I think about the day and think about the cherished moments with my family, that yucky ouchy lump in my throat is not so enormous.

The Boxcar Children...

Tonight, I left work with about 15 minutes to spare before my visiting teachers showed up. I knew that I would have time to go home, change my clothes, pop some bread in the toaster, pour a glass of milk and eat my toast before they showed up. Since, it only takes approximately 5 minutes to get from work to home determining that I do not get stopped at the train tracks, I could get this all accomplished the amount of time allotted. Well, today, there was a train AND it was moving very slowly. OH...and the train was EXTREMELY long. I kind of started to panic knowing that in just a few minutes my visiting teachers would be there and I would not. There was no where to turn around and go the other way because I was first in line. I kept looking at the train, staring at my watch, looking at the train and then, I noticed a boxcar that was slightly opened. Why was it opened?

My next thoughts were of me in elementary school and checking out every book of "The Boxcar Children". I remember reading them and then re-reading them again and again. Oh, I loved that series. I fell in love with Jesse, Henry, Violet and Benny and all their adventures. I remembered imaging me living in a boxcar with my family. (I was really little when I would daydream about that--now, it is how many rooms does my future home have-ha ha).

In fact, as I sit here tonight, I wish I had one of those books to read. Wouldn't be great to go back to those days where there wasn't a worry in the world? Your only worry is that you might have to return the books back to the library before you can read it a second or third time through.

P.S. I did arrive home in enough time to open the doors for my visiting teachers--just in case you wanted to know.

HUGS...not the Hershey type ones

I have stated many times that I am not a "huggie" type of person. (Okay, I do like Hershey Hugs). Sometimes, I wish I were more of the "huggie" type, but then, sometimes I am glad that I am not. Does that make sense?



But, I have a niece that is very much a "huggie" type of person. Her name is Lyndsie and she will be 17 next week. I am not sure that Lyndsie knows that I am not a "huggie" type of person because she gives me lots of hugs anyway. Do you know what? Every time she gives me a hug...there is something just sweet about it. For instance, tonight, Mom and I went to see my nephew, Austin play baseball. We were about 20 feet away, when Lyndsie spotted us. She jumps out of her chair and runs towards us, yelling "Grandma", "Aunt Chelle". When she reaches us, we each get a hug and she starts talking a mile a minute. Like I said, there is just something sweet about it. She just makes me smile!!! Okay, she is just simply crazy. Then, as she was leaving, she gives each of us a hug and again and tells us that she loves us. This happens to me every time I see her. It is so natural for her to just give hugs. Lyndsie, I just love your hugs--THANKS!!



So, that got me thinking about hugs--no, not the Hershey type ones, but the real human ones...I remember reading a story about two newborn babies and searched for it and here it is...it is called the "Rescuing Hug".





Kyrie and Brielle Jackson were born on October 17, 1995, at the Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Worcester. Each of the twins weighed all of two pounds at birth and were each in their respective incubators, but one was not expected to live. Though Kyrie was putting on a bit of weight in the days following her arrival, her sister, Brielle, was not doing as well. She cried a great deal, leaving her gasping and blue-faced. Brielle was having a particularly bad day. Newborn Intensive Care Unit nurse Gayle Kasparian tried everything to calm her. She held her. She had her dad hold her. She wrapped her in a blanket. She suctioned her nose.

Nothing worked.

Then she remembered hearing about a procedure done in Europe where twins were placed together in the same incubator; however, this was against Massachusetts Memorial Hospital's rules. Knowing that the one twin had little time to live, she put Brielle in the incubator with her sister Kyrie contrary to the hospital's rules.The healthier twin Brielle snuggled up next to Kyrie and put her arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. Almost immediately the smaller baby's heart rate stabilized and her temperature rose to normal. Her blood-oxygen saturation levels, which had been frighteningly low, soared. She began to breathe more easily. The frantic crying stopped and her normal pinkish color quickly returned.

Over the next weeks, her health improved steadily in her new, less lonely quarters. The children survived their rocky beginning and in time went home with their parents. When last heard from, Brielle and Kyrie were healthy preschoolers.When the dramatic change in Brielle's life became apparent to the hospital staff and then in the community, Chris Christo of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette came to the hospital and took a photograph of the two together. This photograph immediately became famous and has appeared in Life Magazine and Reader's Digest.



This is probably one of my all time favorite stories. I love the picture of the little baby putting her arm around her struggling sister. Isn't that what life is all about--loving and helping each other along the way.


I am working on my "hugs" and I am grateful for ALL of Lyndsie's hugs. They are definitely welcomed anytime and I am grateful that she is a part of our family.

daily devotionals

Today, I attended church in my own ward. I have not attended our ward for over a month. Let me add, I have been attending the different wards in my stake due to Ward Conference. So, I have been getting some type of spirituality. HEE HEE!! I woke up this morning not really feeling all that excited to go to our ward--it is so LATE!!!

While sitting in Sacrament Meeting, I was trying to think of the many reasons why I needed to go home. I could not think of one that would really stand up the guilt that I would feel later. Anyway, right after Sacrament Meeting, I was greeted by Mirna. Oh, I just love Mirna. We had served together in the Stake Young Women's and I miss serving with her. She is so amazing and so fun to be around. Personally, I think that Heavenly Father knew that I needed an extra push to stay for the rest of my meetings. I think that He knows that I HATE sitting by myself in church. So, he sent Mirna to sit with me. THANKS!!!

Anyway, the reason for this blog was not all the above stuff...but for what I was reminded about in Relief Society. It was not the lesson, but it was about the comment that Sister Haws made. She reminded us of the importance of having our own Daily Devotional. Elder Bullock, our Area Authority, attended our ward a while back and spoke to us about the importance of having a personal Daily Devotional where we take a few minutes (10 to however long we would like or need) and write in our journals, read in our scriptures, or maybe it is pondering or reflection on something. But, the most important thing is taking time for ourselves each day. I have neglected the Daily Devotional in my life. I have about a billion and one things going on in my life that I forget to take time for just me.

So, today...I am going to set that as a goal for me this week...my own personal daily devotional.

Do you take time each day for yourself? I sure hope you do!!!

those darn trays...

Tonight...we went to eat at the Brick Oven. I have not been there in such a long time that I was really excited to go. After we had been sitting for a few minutes, we were greeted by our spunky waitress. In fact, this spunky girl was the waitress for all of the other customers in the room. There was a party of 8 sitting at the table next to us. The waitress took our order for drinks and food. We ate and it was delicious.

Okay, then, this is where the entertainment started. Another group of people (around 8 or 10 people) were seated at the table next the group sitting by us. She took their drink order. Then, she went to get their drinks. As she came back into the room, she passed our table just fine and then...it was like slow motion...she dropped her tray of drinks. CRASH!! They all hit the floor. Soda and lemonade were everywhere--along with broken glass. The manager came to her rescue. She started to cry and left the room.

A few minutes later, she came back carrying the tray of drinks. As she approached the door....CRASH!!! She dropped them again. Yep, soda, lemonade and glass all over the floor. I do have to add before all the glasses hit the ground, someone grabbed her tray saving a couple of glasses from being broken. By this time, we were feeling a little mortified for her.

She left...a waiter came in and went to the table that was still "drink-less". This time, the waiter brought them their drinks...without dropping them.

The waitress returns to clear the dishes off of the table next to ours. There was this older guy sitting at the edge of the table. As she started stacking dishes onto the tray, this is how the conversation went:

Older gentleman guy: "Are you going to stack those dishes on that tray?"

Spunky waitress: "Yes, I am much better with dishes then glasses."

Older gentleman guy as he stands up: "Then, I am leaving."

It was extremely difficult to hold in the laughter. Then, the waitress approaches our table. She asks, "Can I get a refill for your drinks? If so, I will get someone else to carry them out for you." At this point, we all started to laugh (including the waitress). We could not hold it in any longer. We told her that it was pretty impressive that she did not hit a single person when her drinks hit the ground.

After the second CRASH, I think that I would have gone home. I, totally, would have been FRAZZLED!! But, this spunky waitress had composed herself enough to keep working. Those darn trays....