Manti Pageant

Yesterday I watched an old episode of Jon and Kate plus Eight. They were all so nice! Jon and Kate were both so cute with the kids, and each other. The kids were so sweet, helping Kate with picking up the house, and things. It just breaks my heart to see what reality TV can do a family. I really do wish them well.
I recently came across an amazing blog, therhouse. It's about a couple who have adopted 2 children, and their story. If you're looking for an inspirational blog, read it.
Last night, our ward went down to Manti for the Manti Pageant! I hadn't been for a few years, and it was a lot of fun. Our ward went down in two shifts, one at 3:30, and one at 5. Kyle drove, and we went down at 3:30. In our car it was me, Kyle, Richard, Alyssa and Angel. We had fun on the drive down, and got to Manti around 5:15. We hung out with our bishopric and their families, and other ward members. Kyle and I checked out the Craft Fair, and went for a walk along Manti's Main Street. There is a certain charm about small town Utah, and I love it. The 5:00 shift showed up, and we ate pizza, and just chatted and played games. The pageant started at 9:30, and went until about 11:15. For anyone who hasn't gone, I recommend it! There is just such a strong spirit, as you're sitting on temple grounds, watching the story of the "Mormon Miracle" unfold, with the temple as a backdrop. My favorite part is (and always has been) the very end, when Robert dies and his wife Mary comes for him all in white, then the angels start doing their thing, and the temple lights up. It brings me to tears every time. Families are Forever! That is such an important part of our religion, and it makes me so joyful to know that.
I'm ending my third week of of unemployment. It has been so nice to be able to relax, the first time in a very long time. Next week I'm going to start looking more seriously for a job, but for now, I'm enjoying the freedom.

Just got back from a good workout at Bishop's gym, followed by hot tubbing with Mallory. I just absolutely adore that girl. We can talk about virtually anything (at least I feel like that) and she can always make me feel better.
Other highlights of the day include watched the FIFA confederations cup semi-finals in which USA won over #1 Spain 2-nil. Holy upset! It was awesome.
I also watched HP 2 today. I'm slowly watching them all in order to get ready for HP 6!! Can't wait!
...
I love my life.

My Guilty Pleasure

Oh, Secret Life. It's really my secret pleasure. Most of the characters are annoying, and it's such drama, and I love it. The season premiere was tonight, and I loved it. So much drama! Yeah!! Bring it on.
Also, Jon and Kate - hello!!?? Divorced? What psycho's. I don't like either one of them - Kate is a demanding, totally star struck brat, and Jon just makes dumb choices and doesn't tend to like to help do anything. Good luck to their kids, who also tend to be bratty... Poor things, I hope things work out for them.
As for an update in my life... Thursday Alan, Pam, Kyle and I went to the PG Strawberry Days carnival. It was so fun, and I felt like a little kid again :) Friday Kyle and I hung out in the park and went to the library, and Friday night was an MG night, which are always great, and Friday night Jay, Jill, Kyle and I went to the PG Strawberry Days rodeo. I hadn't been to a rodeo in ages, and it was so fun!! We ate some delicious strawberry's and cream... Yum!
Yesterday was Father's Day - Happy Father's Day to my dad, and all the other dad's out there! Kyle and I went up to Nathan and Melanie's and hung out with them and the kids, and Dad Hanson, and Alan. We had a BBQ, chatted, and just had fun together.

I'm still jobless, so... I'm still doing nothing with my days, but I am working out, and eating better! :) So, I'm proud of myself for that. Life is good, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

My Thoughts

Life has taken quite a new twist in these last couple of weeks. Completely unexpected, but it all just feels so right. I'm learning to how to live life with no regrets, and to do whatever feels right. I'm living for me. But at the same time, I'm learning how to lean on others, and how to make others happy. It's a good balance.
I'm so grateful for my life, and my family, and my friends.
The Gospel is amazing, and I love it with all of my heart.
Whatever happens, is for the best, I believe that.
I'm grateful for good examples.

My Lovely Weekend

So, my weekend was lots of fun! On Friday I had an interview at the Kennedy Advisement Center - it went really well, and I have a second interview tomorrow! That night Nikki and I went down to Mapleton to Kellie's house - Annika, Emily, Stephanie and Kellie came soon after! We ate taco salad, and then went up the canyon and built a fire. We sang girls camp songs, roasted marshmallows and starbursts (or strawberrys) and just had a really fun time. I absolutely love these girls. After we had been there a while it started pouring, and so we got everything put away. On our way down we stopped by the river and played in the water that had come up over the little bridge. Our feet froze, but it was so fun! :)

Saturday I just sat around and did laundry and watched LOST. After Kyle got off work he came over, and the two of us headed up to Orem for the Summerfest! We got Subway, found a place to park and watched the parade. Saturday was a super bipolar weather day - so it started pouring at the end of the parade. We went and got drinks at Smith's, and then bought a tarp at ShopKo, and then claimed a spot to watch the fireworks. It stopped raining and cleared up just in time! The fireworks were awesome. I forgot my camera though :( so there are no cool pictures of our adventures! We got back and had to drink hot chocolate (in the middle of June!!) to warm up, and then we watched parts of four movies, haha.
Yesterday was wonderful church, and then I had a stewardship interview with Becca and Sarah Beth, then an activities committee meeting. Kyle came over and we chatted for like an hour and then I tried to take a nap, which didn't work very well. Kyle and I went over to Pam's for dinner and the four of us (Kyle, me, Pam and Alan) had a fun time. We're all such crack-ups, I tell you what, we're dang funny when we're together. We tried to watch the Magic/Laker's game, but the Magic are chokers, so we didn't finish watching it. We went back to Kyle's, made brownies and then watched Anchorman - love it!
Today I went into work, told them I quit, and so.... I am now jobless. For the first time in 4 years. It's a really odd feeling. I just went up to campus after and sat out. Kyle and I went to Walmart and I bought Charity her birthday present. Her birthday is tomorrow! She's going to be 6 years old, I can't even believe it, she's getting so big.
So those are my last few days.
I am currently un-employed. But I'm happy. That's all that really counts, right?

KELLY CLARKSON LIVE

I have always loved Kelly Clarkson, from season one of American Idol. Tonight I fulfilled my life long dream of seeing her in concert. And let me tell you, she rocks.
I went with Nikki and Cassie (fellow MG's) along with Nikki's friends Jenny, Cassidy, Melissa and Jeff. We rocked out hardcore, and had so much fun. I can't even describe to you how freaking amazing she was live. Love her. Also, Jeff took me on a scooter ride. I felt like I was on a snowmobile, what with the wet and windy conditions, but still, I loved that. Enjoy the pictures I stole from Cassie, my camera died :(

Other highlights of the week involved hanging out with the King family on Monday, going out to lunch with Kyle on Tuesday, going down to St. George for In n Out with Ayisha and Bobby that night, chatting with my mom for an hour yesterday, going to Happy Sumo with Emily and Shelly last night, getting my new contacts today, and going to see "UP!" with Kyle this afternoon. Tomorrow's plans include my job interview in the morning, lunch with Mal and Bonnie, and then hanging with the MG's. Saturday is the Orem Summerfest parade and fireworks (cross your fingers that it doesn't rain!). What a great life I lead... :) The only crappy part is the freaking NBA finals game tonight. Dwight couldn't make a free throw for the life of him. The Magic almost had it in the bag, but had to go into overtime, which means they lost, of course. 3-1 in the finals... This is not looking good.