Food Truck Lovin'

I MIGHT have a Food Truck obsession. These are just some of the food trucks that I have tried.... WaffleLuv, Corndog Commander, Cupbop, Art City Donuts, Sweeto Burrito 

Fun in April

April already seems so far away. Hopefully I can remember everything associated with these pictures :)

Brea and Darrell blessed Spencer in April. Afterwards they had lunch, after that (when everyone had left but Clark and I) we played games. They recently had gotten a new game, at the moment I couldn't tell you what it was called. It was fun but I'm always nervous playing games against Clark and Darrell as they always seem to dominate, somehow I actually wasn't in last place for all of the rounds!

Erick's Birthday is in April (among others) and the Chuy's invited everyone over for cake and ice cream. 

They had two different kinds of cake...a chocolate one from Costco and a chocolate flan that I believe Libbey made. 

I got a pedicure, I kind of copied Lucy's that she had gotten done but changed it a bit. I thought that they came out super cute. 

Mom went on a trip for a couple of weeks (I believe it was to visit Kyle...is it sad that I don't remember for sure). We've been getting a lot more use out of the Provo airport lately then we have the Salt Lake as Kyle found this cheap airline that flies from Provo to Oakland. 

You know...just one of those days that I felt cute. 

I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting from General Conference, as I was preparing for it it looked like a printer had exploded everywhere. 

I think this was the last time that I went to the nicklecade. Kayla and I decided to go on night randomly. We definitely are fans of the new Wizard of Oz game. 

We got new shelves and bins for all of the nap stuff (we had outgrown the space that we had it in). I put all of the shelves together one morning and with the help of Jenn got them all labeled and filled with the correct stuff. I was proud of how it looked. 

Sonia's brother Andrei got married in June and Mom and I were asked to take their wedding pictures. I left early one afternoon to go take them at their luncheon. I love taking pictures but I was afraid that I wasn't good enough to be taking them for them, I hope that they were happy with what they got. 

I introduced Mom to Waffle Luv finally and she was a big fan (of course!). I had told her that I had a recipe that was a copy cat recipe that I had been wanting to try. While we were there though someone was purchasing pre-made dough from them and we asked if they had any extra, they just happened to have some so we bought a dozen (that's how they sold it). It was an adventure to cook these to say the least. Because of the sugar in there it requires you to clean in between every waffle. We decided that in the future we will let the people of waffle luv cook our waffles for us. 

Easter morning we went and had breakfast with Ben and Sonia's family. It was a beautiful day and we ate outside. Sonia's family has a tradition of hard boiled egg wars, each person holds an egg and whacks them together, the person that cracks loses. My egg never cracked! I was the winner :)

The winning egg :)

Sorry these pictures are all mixed up, this is Mom with her Waffle Luv. 

If you haven't ever tried Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Mustard it is AMAZING! They sell it at Costco (not all of the time) and not in any other store. I finally tracked some down on Amazon as it had been almost a year since Costco had sold any and I was out. I ordered a couple for me and one each for Kayla and Derek. A week or so after I had gotten it I was walking thru Costco and what do I see!? I wasn't very happy about that. 

Marching Into March

Much of March seemed to be leading up and preparing for my California trip (I'm writing a separate post about that), the trip itself and then not much after the trip. I still seemed to find quite a few pictures though to prove that I still had some things happen. 

We had a freak snow storm one morning (it kind of seems that's what all of our snow has been this winter or at least a big chunk of it). Visual on the freeway was terrible, everyone was only going 20-25 (compared to my normal 80 was crazy slow) and you couldn't see the lanes and barely the car in front of you. 

We did a really fun art project at work. You use a salad spinner, paint, and coffee filters. Really simple, just place the coffee filter in the salad spinner, put some drops of paint and then spin...tada! The kids loved it, especially seeing how placing the dots in different patterns/quantities/etc. created different results. 

Someone decided I needed to be a princess one day and help rescue others from the monsters that were coming to take over the world. 

All of the end results hanging up. 

Mandy, Charissa, Brea, and I hosted a baby shower for Leah in March (and the cute twins coming soon!). I was asked to make the desserts and of course I had to experiment and try new things :) Mom had bought me a mini whoopie pie pan for Christmas. I had originally was going to try to use them for push pops but they didn't fit the ones that I had so I made sandwiches instead. It was fun because I got to practice my pipping skills too, I think they turned out pretty cute.  

The desserts all together. 

I had leftover strawberries from the baby shower so Mom and I decided to take them up to Libbey and Erick's to share with them. 

 Alexia and Sophie were so excited to help Grandma slice the strawberries and get everything together. 

Getting our nails done before the cruise!

The Mathews' came over to help with our traditional hanging of eggs in the trees for Easter. Unfortunately we got them up late this year so the trees had already begun to bloom, it makes it a little harder to put them on the tree and we had to do it on the smaller one in the corner of the yard but they still looked good. 

For the General Woman's Broadcast Libbey, Mom, Sonia, Sarah, and Katrina came with me to my Singles Ward to watch it, afterwards they had sundaes afterwards plus candy sticks on the table. Sarah stacked all of the ones that were on our table, others started coming and donating theirs when they saw how tall she had made hers. 

Mom bought a new patio set with comfy rocking chairs that also swivel. It's been fun to go out and enjoy the warmth while reading or doing other stuff. 

Lovin' On February

Obviously February ended a couple of months ago. And more happened then I have pictures of (as usual).

My ward had an activity for FHE where we went to Jack and Jills in Lehi for bowling, lazer tag and arcade games. We felt pretty special as we got the private bowling suite. It was kind of fun because I got to meet some new people. 

One of my kindergartners brought some nail polish to school one day and wanted to paint mine for me. I was pretty impressed with how focused she was to detail, and I think that they didn't come out too bad.   

I bought a new car! Just kidding, Lucy was looking at getting a new car and I worked hard at getting her into a Mazda :) She did really like them but ended up with something that was a little cheaper.  

 Lucy invited me to go to church with her one time. I've always been open to trying other churches so that I can understand someone else's beliefs and how can I expect them to want to hear about mine if I'm not willing to listen to theirs? It was an interesting experience, much of the time was spent singing and then this guy gave a sermon. It was actually a really good sermon but it was so weird to have a gospel discussion without using the Book of Mormon. 

That same Sunday I went to Ben and Sonia's ward because Katrina was the youth speaker in Sacrament...how did my niece get old enough to give a talk!

I love love love that it's bonfire time of year. There's nothing quite like sitting in front of the fire!

Apparently February was the bowling month. I went again with Kayla, Derek, and Brittany one weekend. We tried a new bowling alley in Sandy I believe it was.  

February I was lucky enough to get to attend my Stake Relief Society Conference (I wrote a little bit about it HERE).

 I got a new toy for Christmas from Mom, that helped pull out the core of a cupcake so that I can put in a filling. I experimented with a new cupcake recipe and filled it with my yummy raspberry cream cheese frosting. 

Live Up to Your Privilege

Last Saturday I had the special opportunity to attend a special Relief Society Conference that my singles stake put on entitled "Live Up to Your Privilege." To be honest I wasn't so sure if I really wanted to attend, it was "early" Saturday morning and was 3 hours long plus lunch at the end, I'm grateful that I did end up deciding to attend though, I was spiritually uplifted and it was a great morning spent with Kayla as well. Sorry if my thoughts will seem scattered, these are just bits and pieces that I wrote down/remember/stood out to me. 

We all gathered in the Chapel first to hear a couple testimonies, special musicals, to watch a slideshow, and to hear from our Stake President (I love our my Stake Presidency, they are so wonderful and I constantly feel their love for us!). After the time in the Chapel we had the opportunity to choose 2 of 5 workshops (so not fair having to choose!).

The first workshop that I attended was called "Communication and Relationship Building." The number one thing that they sister teaching the class seemed to keep repeating was Being Engaged with and where you are (ENGAGED-Participate, Establish a meaningful relationship).

She spent a lot of time discussing the 5 Languages of Love (if you haven't heard of them you can go HERE to read more about it or to take a test to discover what kind of Love Language you need). I've heard about the 5 Languages in several of my classes but have never really thought a ton about them or what I might be. She recommended that we take the test every 6-12 months ourselves because our love languages do change. One suggestion that she made that her sister does for her kids I loved. She said that most people/kids generally act out when they are not feeling loved so her sister will have her kids take the test to discover what kind of love language they need and work to fill that kind of love for them. 

She also showed this clip, I loved the idea and loved the different comments they make, especially the old couple. 

The second class was called "Trust in the Lord, His Timing, His Way, His Will" 

She started by reading this quote from Richard G. Scott, "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." There was more to the quote but this is the part that she had highlighted and repeated several times through the whole workshop and it continues to stand out to me. 

She had run out of time but told us to go home and watch this song, Lemonade by Alex Boye (she said it was a good song but she also remarked on his crazy pants :D), somehow I had never heard this song before but  I really liked it. After that she was talking about are we more concerned with what is not happening than what is happening which fit it with what the song was about. 

After I had listened to the song I also read the notes that Alex Boye had put under the movie and felt that it really did go well with what she was talking about...

This song is inspired by one of my favorite quotes:

"Cease your complaining and fretting.The cause is in yourself, and where the cause is, there is the remedy...Alter your outlook on life, and your outward life will alter."

-James Allen

I've always wanted to write my own Bobby Mcferrin, "Don't worry, be Happy" song. CHECK!! There is a part in the song that says "So many miracles are happening each day, if I can just get out of my own way.

That's a reminder for ME.

A few years ago, even though I had so many amazing things happening in my life, I was so caught up in things that were NOT going right, that I stopped appreciating the things that WERE going right. I would start making a habit of chasing the storms and not the sunlight, and started getting used to feeling sorry for myself. whenever bad stuff would happen to me, i would say things like "Yep, of course that would happen to ME and nobody else!!

I would always be waiting for something amazing to happen to me before I felt good about myself. "If I get that raise, THEN life would be amazing, or if I found the right spouse, or if I get that record deal, or if I win that contest, or got the new car, THEN things would be amazing. I was living in the future and NOT enjoying the PRESENT.

Things started to change for me when I came across a book called "The Magic of believing".

I started to change my way of thinking and realized that we don't have to wait for something amazing to happen. WE ALREADY ARE AMAZING!! I would say that to myself often and then i would start seeing amazing things happen in my life. so glad I found that little truth in my life. It has made ALL the difference.

Im learning now that when bad things happen out of our control, it can either leave us either bitter, or better for going through it. I once heard someone say, "Life can truly be bittersweet. But whatever you bring attention to, expands, so choose wisely."

This is a song about making the most and the best of life, whatever is thrown our way. Thanks for reading this far!!

Best,

Alex Boye'

LEMONADE LYRICS:

I'm just so broke you won't believe 

Can't get a dollar out of me 

And as far as I can see 

I'm losing control like a bad disease 

No I just can't get relief 

I've been shot down by the life police, 

And everyday I try to rise 

But I can't succeed 

Can anybody find a cure for me? 

You can be bitter, bitter, bitter 

Or you can be better, better, better 

CHORUS 

When life gives you lemons 

Instead of champagne 

Don't worry little children 

And don't complain (woh) 

Remember you're golden 

So find some sugar cane 

When life gives you lemons 

Make lemonade 

Hama kama hama kama heyama kama x2 

Now everyday is like a brand new year, 

I throw my hands up in the air 

Like I just don't care, 

I'm moon walking down the streets 

Feeling like oh yeah (oh yeah!) 

like the bottom of the glass now I see clear 

So now I laugh just a little more (Yeeheheee!) 

I stand much taller than I did before (Yahahaa!) 

I know I'm not where I need to be 

But I thank God that I'm not 

where I used to be, 

I used to be bitter, bitter bitter 

And now I feel better, better, better 

CHORUS 

When life gives you lemons 

Instead of champagne 

Don't worry little children 

And don't complain (woh) 

Remember you're golden 

So find some sugar cane 

When life gives you lemons 

Make lemonade 

BRIDGE 

Hama kama hama 

I was saved for a reason 

That I can't explain 

Got something new to believe in 

I'm awakened again (who woh) 

So many miracles are 

Happening each day 

If I can just get out of (Elelele) 

My own way 

CHORUS 

Le-le-le-le-Lemonade 

Lemony-lemony-le-lemonade 

Lemo-lemo, Woo! 

A big purpose of this class was using our patriarchal blessings. "Your Patriarchal Blessing is a window into who you are and who you can become."

She told of having talked to a friend of hers who has been a patriarch for many years and she asked him what he tells people that are receiving their blessings. He told of a suggestion that he always gives and I thought that it was a very unique and good idea. He tells them at the beginning to make several copies of their blessings,

• On the first copy mark the blessings and talents that are mentioned.
• On the second copy mark what opportunities that you will have in your life.
• On the third copy mark what blessings you will receive. 
• On the fourth copy mark what counsel and teachings your blessing gives you. (you can also mark the warnings that are given or do that as a separate copy). 
• On the fifth copy mark what insights are given concerning your life mission. 

He said then when you are having a bad day go look at the blessings and talents copy. Struggling with a calling, look at the counsel, etc. They always say that every time you read your blessing it seems like you discover or notice something different, I think that looking at the blessing with different parts highlighted will also help.

Sunday in Relief Society it was really nice, they had asked one person that had attended to spend 5 or so sharing some of their thoughts/notes, so even though we weren't able to attend all of the classes we were able to hear some about them. Here are my bullet point notes from them: 

• Don't worry yourself over which you have no control.
• Practice daily receiving personal revelation so we know how the Lord speaks with you. You need to have a desire to know and receive revelation. 
• True Beauty
• We shine when we have the spirit with us. 
• Deep beauty is Happiness, Bathing in the Spirit.
• Circumstances can only determine so much-it's our attitude, choices, reaction, etc.
• Emotions take time, they take work and A LOT of talking. 
• Be a good listener.
• You have to take care of yourself before you can help others. 
• If you are helping someone, you need to have someone that you can talk to. 
• Our patriarchal blessing is like a recipe, we have the choice to disregard it completely, follow almost completely, or follow it 100% and live up to the full potential of the recipe. 
• We have a vision of what we want to become through our actions and living each day that we can accomplish that vision.