Looking back with a smile and forward with hope.

As the new year approaches I consider all the experience's 2010 has offered me. I think it will be easier to go by the month.

January: a New year a new start. The fresh year brought on resolutions and goals some of which I reached others I fell short on, I did however complete all levels of Mario Cart, (that was very important,) took 4 vacations and left the state twice, all of which were on my goal list for 2010.

In January itself I taught myself that being at home with my husband could be one of the best places to be, That the birthday of a lost friend makes for a very hard day, I saw 3 great movies (Sherlock Holmes, Blind Side and Invictus) and celebrated my little brothers 17th birthday.

February: the month of LOVE. Ben and I both had to work on valentines but we had late night candlelight dinner and dancing in the romantic "cafe de gotsch". Later in the month we headed to St George for a weekend to soak up some sunshine!

March: I started having real problems at work. My job became more and more difficult to go to. It was to the point of me needing to find a new one. I spent most of march working I worked from 5 in the afternoon until 1 in the morning every thur-mon and sometimes they would call me in at 7am on Tuesdays or Wednesday. This was not a good month.

April: April was reserved for the girls. My first trip to Las Vegas to see the lights watch Lion King on a beautiful stage and yes I'll own up to it a little gambling. I had a blast with my Mom, Grandma, Brynn and Rosie. I really enjoyed spending time with them. when I returned I started my new Job working for Valley Mental Health I left La Quinta with a sigh of relief.

May: The beginning of our running season. Neither Ben nor I are runners however Ben wanted to try and become a cop, so when we heard they would be hiring in July we began running everyday and trying to get our lives on a more healthy side of life.

June: Michael turned 20, more running, enjoying new job, summer! Lots of BBQ'ing oh and how can we forget BASEBALL! June has brought us sunshine, warm days and hotdogs at the ballpark.

July: July is always my favorite month, it is so warm and sunny the days are longer the nights are sweeter and its filled with fireworks, camping and family. The very first day is my Mom's birthday and then the 3rd my Mom rents a huge water slide and we spend the day soaking up the sun and fun while eating good food and enjoying good company. The next day is the 4th. Fireworks, snow cones, parades, and celebrating this beautiful country what's not to love? Ben decided that police work wasn't him but we kept our goal of running a 5k we came in at the end but we did it and thats what really counts.

August: This August we took a trip to Flaming Gorge. The trip didn't start of as smoothly as we had hoped. A flat tire and a night in rock springs slowed us down a day but once we established camp and floated down the river it was all worth it. With Grandma, my Family and the Higley's we had a large crew, and it was a lot of fun.

September: September was spent planning and celebrating for Brynn's upcoming wedding. Finding dresses, taking pictures, making invitations, and having parties turned out to be a lot of fun!

October: Begins with Brynn and Carlos getting married then Ben and I are off to celebrate our 1st anniversary! We spent a week in Vegas it was nice to be away from home but together.It was Ben's first time going to vegas and naturally he lost all his money luckily we budgeted for that to happen ;) We saw all the hotels and I learned to play roulette, my new favorite gambling game. lol. The best part was driving I love road trips with Ben, it gives us a chance to talk about all the things regular days don't leave time for.

November: Even though our Halloween party was technically in October I'm saying November because we had it to celebrate Ben's 29th Birthday! We played games and had good food. Next is Thanksgiving which at my Mom's is always good :) Then the day after thanksgiving shopping. This year shopping was a little more difficult considering they started sales at midnight in some stores, then 3 am in others... we didn't even go to bed, we were done shopping by 9 am. It was a long night I hope next year they have early morning sales again.

December: With December comes my birthday (22), and Christmas. Christmas this year was wonderful, a nice warm fire, great presents, and a wonderful spirit. We went and saw the lights at temple square, zoo lights, and ate all sorts of yummy food. The week of Christmas I made a goal to spend each day reflecting on the Saviors life. This goal brought me closer to the Savior and closer to the true spirit of christmas.

I was also blessed to be able to spend the entire christmas season with Ben this is has been such a blessing to me.

Now the year is coming to an end, we get to reflect on the past but mostly look forward to the future. We don't know what 2011 will hold, who we will meet, who we will lose, what friendships will grow stronger, which we will lose sight of. With a new year comes new opportunity and new adventure. New Years day is the brightest most hopeful day in a dark and dreadful winter.

I wish you all a happy year full of laughter and love. I hope tears don't fall down our face unless they are tears of celebration and rejoicing, I hope pain doesn't touch our hearts, or fear doesn't creep into our homes. I hope we can find sunshine and peace wherever we may be. Let us love one another and make 2011 better for everyone.

Saturday!

I have been down from the lack of sunshine and clean air, so Ben and I took a drive to Park City. It was wonderful the sun broke through the clouds, the air was clean and the snow was beautiful, we took a few winter pictures while we were up there.

Later that day our friends Brynn and Carlos came into Salt lake, we played games and went to the Utah Hockey game. Yesterday turned out to be a really fun day!

gratitude.

I started the month off very good but as the holiday season started coming and I actually became busy I fell further and further behind. Its not that I'm not grateful for at least thirty things, the fact is I am grateful for so many more and to choose just thirty was getting harder and harder. A few great things and even greater people didn't make the few posts I managed to keep up with and I would like to mention all of them now.

My grandparents

My brothers

My hometown

My Family

My education

The Gospel

The scriptures

The Sun, the moon and the stars

Modern technology

Friends

Educators

Police Officer/Firefighters

A Reliable Vehicle

Mine and Ben's Jobs

Eternal marriage

Temple Work

There are so many more things the list could go on forever. I am so grateful to have great people and wonderful blessings in my life.

November 21

I'm grateful for the sweet whispers of the spirit. Whether it's feelings of comfort or promptings to keep me safe, each time the still small voice feels my heart I am grateful for the choice I made the day I received the blessing of the Holy Ghost.

November 20

I am grateful for time spent with my family. We were able to go to a baptism and then to see Harry Potter followed by dinner at Applebees. Its always fun for all of us to get together and enjoy each others company. I wouldn't trade my family time for anything.

November 15-19

I got a little behind on my blog updating these week became a little more busy then I thought it might. So here's a quick edition of this week.

Nov 15- Pets! they are fun I have always loved having a dog while growing up.

Nov 16- An excellent deal! I went shopping with my mom rosie and grandma and we got very good deals on Thanksgiving dinner.

Nov 18-A good Story, Today I finished the hunger games and I really enjoyed reading it, entering another world and a good story.

Nov 19- A Good nights rest. Waking up in the morning fully rested, nothing better!

November 14

I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, for his mercy, his love, his charity. I am grateful for the times I've needed someone to carry me through life's storms and the Savior has. I know that when I am down and feel alone I can turn to my Savior and he will comfort me. I am so grateful for the atonement and know the power it has is real. I cannot wait until the day I can fall at Christ's feet and cry thank you, thank you, thank you. I know he lives, he is everywhere we look from the laughing children to the frail grandfather he is there as a comforter as a healer as a friend. I love him my true eternal friend.

November 13

I am grateful for beauty, not a vain beauty but the beauty that surrounds us, the fall colors, the spring flowers the snow capped mountains, buildings built with detail and care. I get to drive up capital hill everyday and while the dawn is barely breaking I drive down and see the entire salt lake valley, the capital the utah skyline, the street lights forming a perfect grid, the great salt lake, all nestled in beautiful purple mountains. I then continue down State Street and drive past the temple and beautiful temple square. I am so grateful for the beauty that surrounds me every morning.

November 12

Since my last post was being Grateful for Veterans I think it's appropriate I express my gratitude to our country in this post.

I've been reading Hunger Games, (I very much recommend it) and they live in a corrupt government, the story of this fictional place has strangely made me grateful for all my freedoms.

I am grateful for the ability to walk in a grocery store and not be told what I have to buy, or to be able to wear the clothing I want and not be forced to cover my face because I'm a woman. I'm grateful that I can choose a profession that I enjoy not one deemed to me by the government. Mostly I am grateful for my personal pursuit of happiness, I can be happy, I can choose the things in this life to be happy, whether that's riches, owning a gun, having a large family, buying a big house, having a beautiful garden it doesn't matter because I have the ability to choose and not only the ability the encouragement to choose what I want.

I know that God truly does bless the USA and I am blessed myself to live here, that is something I hope I will never take for granted.

November 11

Soldiers of the United States of America. In honor of veterans day today I', grateful for America's Soldiers, for the freedom they grant us, for their sacrifice and love for the citizens of our country. For their willingness to stand up for what's right, and the bravery it takes defending our nation.

I am grateful for my own brother in law and his family for the service he is currently giving our nation and the example he along with the other men in our family who have served including Ben's father will be to my children, as an example of peacemakers of loyalty and bravery.

I say Thank you to our veterans and their service.

November 10

Today I am grateful for technology. The fact I have a phone that can send a instant message or call anyone in the world at the press of a button is so reassuring. I depend on technology for so many things even writing this post, on my laptop using the internet. I am grateful to be born in the age of technology, and have so many advantages and resources at my fingertips.

November 9th

Today I'm grateful for Smiles. I love to receive a warm smile from a friendly child or an old friend it makes my day to have a smile tossed my way :)

November 8th

I'm grateful for a warm house and comfy bed. I love to cuddle up in a warm blanket on cold stormy days like today. I was driving down 4th south and saw a bunch of homeless people huddled under a porch covering. I'm so grateful to have a place to come home, a place that has heat and hot water and not to mention all the extra things we have.

November 7th

I'm grateful for cleanliness. I really work better in a clean environment. I am so grateful for modern day tools and cleaners to keep homes, cars, and the workplace germ free! I love my hand sanitizer and crawling into a made bed. I'm grateful Ben is willing to help in the house and keep it a clean environment. I'm grateful for clorox wipes and lysol. I know its a funny thing to be happy for, but if we allowed garbage and dirt to take over our lives the world would be so unpleasant.

November 6th

Today I am grateful for sports. Ben and I went to the U vs BYU Hockey game. It was so much fun, we didn't go to any hockey last season and I missed it greatly. Sports are very important to me both playing and watching. They allow me to be competitive and cheer for something worth while. I'm grateful I have always been able to participate in sports and had a family who encouraged success in athletics. I look forward to sharing many more sporting events with loved ones!

November 5th

I missed yesterdays post because I locked my keys in my car. I ended up not being home until late last night, however I am grateful for my Mom. She is so wonderful, she and my grandma with all the things they probably had to do drove to salt lake took me to dinner then took me to my house and the back the 30 minutes to my work so I could drive my car home. I am so grateful that she is always willing to help me, whether its talk to me when I'm frustrated or its come put gas in my car because I've run out on the side of the road. I am so happy she's my mom!

November 4th

The sunshine. We are getting less and less sunshine each day and it makes me so grateful for the few rays that drop in on us in the day time. Sunshine is my lifeline, i whether we have it or don't completely changes my mood.

I am grateful for warm days when the sun touches my face and sends warm hugs across my skin. I love the smell of warm weather and the smile it brings to my face.

November 3rd

I am grateful for a job. I was overwhelmed with some unexpected expenses today and briefly forgot how lucky I am to actually have a job. That everyday things like rent, gas and food are taken care of and I'm not stressed over where my next meal will come from or how we will afford to get to work because we are out of gas and payday isn't for a few more days. I am so grateful that we are able to have all we need, and enjoy extra things. I am grateful that both Ben and I can work, and enjoy our jobs.

November 2nd

Today is Ben's Birthday so it makes it easy to think of something I'm grateful for; Him. I am so grateful for my husband, for his love and his laughter. I am so grateful for his ability to be there for me every time I need him. I love how he makes me laugh when I need to and lets me cry when I need to. He is my everything. I know he'll make a wonderful father for our children and I am grateful for his ability to lead and his willingness to listen. I am grateful for his worthiness to go to the temple with me, I am grateful he tries everyday to be a better person then he was the last. Mostly I'm grateful that I am sealed to my best friend for eternity.

November 1st

Today I am so grateful for my nieces and nephews. I was on facebook looking at their beautiful pictures and it filled me with such joy. I don't get to spend very much time with their smiling faces but I enjoy hearing of their success and seeing them happy. I look forward to watching them grow up and hopefully becoming a bigger part of their lives.

Thanksgiving.

The month of giving thanks has arrived. I have decided to try and blog everyday this month on something that I am grateful for. I will try and keep my post short and sweet, however I hope that I can put meaning into each post. I hope that giving thanks throughout the entire month will better prepare me for the Christmas season, to remember everything I have been blessed with and not be so concerned with material gifts.

I am so Blessed.

Today at work, a student shared some of her personal experiences in with the group. It literally broke my heart as she calmly spoke of the hardships that had faced her young self, tears rolled down my face. I could not even imagine such a terrible life, such pain, heartbreak and disappointment for so many years. She spoke soft and sincere she didn't want to tell her story so others would feel bad for her but so she could help someone else who had gone through the same thing.

When she was done she stated "I hope that if anyone has been hurt like me they will try and help someone who is worse off then themselves, because there is always someone who needs a friend more then we do."

I left the room and went to a place I could just cry. I was so touched by the simple phrase there's always someone who needs a friend more then we do.

As I drove home this morning I started thinking about how blessed I am to have grown up in a safe home where my family loved me and where I didn't have to go to bed at night in fear, or worry I might get hit when I came home from school. I hope that I can be a friend or safe haven for anyone who is need of one.

1 Year

So its been a year and 2 days since Ben and I were married. It has been the greatest year. I have been able to have such great adventures with my best friend. We went to Vegas for our Anniversary. While we were there we went to the Dolphin Exhibit at the mirage, Madame Tussades wax museum (very very cool, and lots of fun.), we rode a gondola, our gondola rower sang three beautiful songs very romantic. We then went to Jersey Boys. Jersey Boys had more swearing then I expected however it was very funny and if you enjoy the music of Franki Valli then you will enjoy the music in Jersey Boys.

The best part of our vacation was just being together, it was Ben and Felicity time 100% of the time. For me there is nothing better then getting away with Ben and really enjoying each others company without the stress of work and everyday life.

I am so lucky to have Ben. I love him so unbelievably much. I am excited to continue spending everyday with him.

Brynn's Wedding

Brynn's wedding was beautiful. She looked gorgeous and we had a great night celebrating her new life!

Welcome Fall.

I love the fall the weather, the gorgeous colors and holiday seasons! I'm especially excited for Halloween. So in excitement for the haunting holiday, I decorated our blog! I hope you enjoy!

A little rant.

This last month I've been really sick of Ben's job. It is really stressing him out, because he works for the police department they have all these rules and policy's so many of which are STUPID! He made a mistake on one of his calls, everything worked out but now he feels like he is walking on eggshells just to keep his job. Add the feeling of walking on eggshells to a high stress job and plus the latest of not being able to use his time off.

I don't think a job should have stipulations of which kind of leave you can use for what. Because he bids for his time off at the beginning of the year he bided for our anniversary off, He has more then enough leave if they would allow him to use holiday leave however he doesn't have enough "Vacation" leave which why its different makes no sense to me, so now we have to come back from our trip on our anniversary, so we don't even get to celebrate on our actually anniversary, instead we'll be driving across Utah and I'll be left home alone until 3:30, yet again. It really bothers me.

I hate that he works stupid hours and all the hours that I'm off. He works all weekends, and I have weekends off, its really annoying to come home on friday to start my weekend and be home alone all night. Then Ben sleeps all Saturday because he works the grave, gets up in time to get ready for work and is off again until 11:30 comes home goes to bed, we get up for church and then he has to leave church an hour early to be to work on time, then I have to go to bed early because I have to be to work by 5:30 in the morning, then my week starts. We never are off together, unless we take it off together. So the fact that now we don't get to have our anniversary off together just makes me so mad.

I have time to look forward to Ben has weekends off in November so that will be nice. but July, August, September and now October I'm kinda sick of it! Sorry for the negative post but I'm really ready for a regular schedule.

Call me Crazy.

Call me crazy but I love working in the detention room, I get to talk to all the kids about what they did to send them here, help them process through it. I don't even mind them yelling at me when they first get here, I think its because when they leave they are doing so much better and the are set to have a successful day... Well for the most part.
I do have to say thank heavens its Friday! This week has gone fast, but I am so excited for a weekend. Mostly because it means 4 more days of work until I have 10 days off! Viva Las Vegas.

Short Week!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE working in the school system. I was sick on Monday (thats not the part I love) and I got a sub and slept the sickness off. Then when I got to work on Tuesday. I found out there is no school friday, which means no work!! Yay to a short week, and a long weekend!

Bachelorette Party

Its only been a year since I was having my bachelorette party and being surrounded with friends and girl talk took me back. Remembering the stress and excitement of a new life I wanted Brynn to have a night where she could really relax, laugh and have a good time. With help from Lydia we did just that.

Brynn looked beautiful and so excited to being so close to getting married. I hope she was able to relax and giggle about the best part of being married.

To Old Friends

To My Dear Friends,

The years have been short since our times of adventure and laughter, but our lives have changed and we've become different people then those people who once relied on each other for everything. Military, College, Heartbreaks, Missions Weddings and Death have pulled us to different places.

On my way to see some of your familiar faces today, I realized we won't all be in the same place ever again, we won't be the best friends we once were, we may never have the adventures we once had. I also realized that sometimes people are sent into our lives for a brief moment, to brighten our days, hold our hands, and guide us through the times that only our friends can. Then I realized that sometimes we are brought together again to mourn or rejoice and that even though we've gone our own ways seeing each other can be a comfort and just the warm smile you need.

So I want to tell you all how much I love you and how grateful I am for the times I've needed you and you've been there, the number is to high to count but I will forever hold a place in my heart for each of you.

Thank you.

Sincerely your friend,

Felicity.

Flaming Gorge.

We spent last weekend in Flaming Gorge.

We left thursday evening, we were about 25 miles from rock springs, and 40 miles from flaming gorge when our tire literally flew off! The lug nuts flew off somewhere along the way. When the last nut decided to give out the tire flew about 300 yards to the west and we started flying across the road. My Mom did an amazing job at keeping the car on the road and keeping everyone safe. It stirred us up and we had to wait about 45 minutes before Doug and Rosie came and saved us. Since all our gear was in the car that now had no tire, rotor or brakes we went into rock springs, and stayed the night at la quinta.

Friday was spent fixing the car, we decided since it was labor day weekend we really needed to get up to the lake to get a campsite so we got a rent a car. The only rental cars available were at the rock springs airport( yes, rock springs wyoming has a tiny little airport.) So we got a cab up to the airport. The cab company was called Butterfly Cab, and the cab was covered in butterflies, we thought that was funny until we saw our driver, every inch of his arms were covered in bright butterfly tattoos! As we drove to the airport we came behind a semi truck, all of a sudden our cab driver started growling, then barking as loud as he could at the semi truck driver. Ben and I were in the backseat shocked when he turns to us and simply says "I hate those diesel drivers." We tried our hardest to not laugh and be scared all at the same time.

Finally we arrive safely to the one hanger airport, get our car and are on our way.

Saturday we spend running the green river, we had so much fun! Homemade lunchables for lunch and then another run down the beautiful canyon.

Sunday we take time to relax and enjoy our surroundings, take a hike down to the lake and do a little cliff diving

Monday we pack everything up early in the morning then make one last run down the river, it was beautiful, the weather was perfect and I can't wait to do it again.

Lots to look forward too

Ben and I are coming upon our "busy season". We have so many fun things in the next 4 months.

This year we are starting it off with some white water rafting at the green river with my Mom, Brothers, and our family friends, the Higleys.

When we return I will be busy with bridal showers and bachelorette parties for Brynn's wedding. Starting out October is the wedding itself, then Ben and I pack our bags again and head out for the open road, heading east, to see the Gotsch Family and some old friends. While we are gone we will also celebrate our 1st Anniversary!!!

Dressing up form my 2nd favorite holiday, Halloween, comes next!!

Ben turns 29!

Following that my favorite meal of the year, Thanksgiving shadowed by a day of intense shopping and laughter!

Finally my birthday rolls around with my first twin digits, 22!

Then We all LOVE christmas.

Last we celebrate the end of our spectacular year with New Years Eve.

So as you can tell we are into the "Busy Season" It will be so much fun, and I'm sure I'll update with pictures and details of all the many things to come!

What a Week.

This week has just been insane! Work has been crazy, home has been crazy and now I think I'm going crazy!

Ben had the week off work because of some bad planning on our part, so he spent 5 days deep cleaning our house! Which is so great and the office is starting to actually look like an office which is wonderful! Before it looked like a junk room, full of spare beds, a huge desk, and a ton of rubber maids. We got rid of the Bed and have started a complete de-junking and re-organization of that room. It's funny anytime you deep clean it seems to get messier before it gets cleaner, so its nice to be on the cleaner side of the mountain that was the spare room!

While Ben has been home cleaning I've been out working! I put in a lot of work this week and last, I taught an Event Planning Class, which included planning graduation, the kids really seemed to enjoy it, probably more then me since they were the ones leaving and I was the one running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It turned out nice, and everyone seemed to have a good time. The best part is, its over!

I've been having these dizzy, faint spells for about a month (and no I'm not pregnant) so I went to the doctor to see if he could help me figure out what it could be. The Doctor sent me to get a CT scan to check for blood cots, which I'm glad they didn't find but his nurse called me in for an appointment monday morning, and it turns out they found something else in the scan completely unrelated. Well because I don't 100% understand what's going on, I'm not going to share to much detail on my blog but I will say I do have to have all sorts of tests and go to specialists and its stressing me out, and frankly I'm freaked out. The Doctor says its probably all caused from my birth control, so now I'm off the pill and waiting to go see more doctors. So please keep us in your prayers life has just took us down a new path, so I guess we'll hang on for the ride.

On a good note we decided to take a road trip to see all the new babies (Congrats Merrill and Briahna, also Welcome to our Grand Nephew Jason) and old friends and family in the midwest. We'll be going over our Anniversary, I'm excited to see some places I've never seen and be somewhere I've never been, there is such a thrill in that.

Next week should be another "fun" filled week! I have meetings monday, giving my Mom some curb appeal Tuesday along with a a baby photo shoot, The rest of Brynn and Carlos' Engagements and an adventure filled day in provo on Wednesday, back to curb appeal Thursday and Friday and maybe a day off on Sat (? doubt it). Life would be boring if it wasn't busy.

Family!

If I had to name one thing inmy life that means more to me then anything else in the whole world I would have to say my Family.

My Mom always says "Family is deeper then Blood." I would like to talk about all the great Family I have in my life.

My husband.

The day my Husband came into my life was a day that would forever make me a better person, As we grew closer I knew I needed his sense of humor, ambition, love for baseball, and excitement for life with me for eternity.

My Mom.

My mom is very special to me, I've wrote full post about her and the great roll she has played in my life, I love her dearly.

My Brothers.

I have 4 this last weekend I got to spend time with all four of them. I usually only get to be around Michael and Brue but I appreciate the love Dalton and Dakota have for me and the fact that each time I see them they give me a hug and tell me "Love Ya, sis."

Michael is my "Protector" The only person allowed to be mean is him. (typical brother.)

Brue is the baby, even though he's not my youngest brother growing up he was the youngest in our home, and he holds a special place in each of our hearts because of the challenges he has had in his life.

My Grandparents.

If I could sum all my grandparents into 1 great thing each of them do for me it's love me unconditionally, hands down my greatest support team.

My extended family.

I got to spend a few days with the Vario family this past week and I love hearing stories and seeing resemblance's and personality traits that have been passed down, from generation to generation. Each of my extended family offer a good laugh, and continued tradition of love.

My Best Friends.

Brynn- I'm grateful for her encouragement, her love and her support through my life decisions. She gives me strength everyday knowing the effect her body has on her and the fact that she doesn't allow what she has define who she is. I'm proud of her and so grateful she is my "Sister"!

Whitney- She is my Twin... Always and forever, time can take us different ways but somehow when we see each other again its like we've talked to each other everyday since the day we met. She encourages me to be brave and to simply HAVE FUN! There have been times in my life I'm not sure I could have gone through without her.

Daniel- He is the goofiest person I know, He always is doing something, he is an excellent listener and an even better talker, I always enjoy my conversations with him!

Taft- You all know taft from past posts. He was always there when I had no one else, when I needed someone to tell me it was ok he did, and when I needed someone to be honest and tell me I was messing up he did that too!

My "Siblings".

I know I've talked about My Brothers but I need to add my Siblings.

I grew up with Brynn (ME) Dallin, Michael, Emily, Brue and Carley 7 of us in all, our houses might as well been connected walking in and out of each others houses without knocking , falling asleep on each others couches and spending the night, cleaning each others bedrooms, playing games, eating dinner, going shopping the only thing that keeps us different is our genetics and the more time we spend together the more alike we look! We are there for each other through thick and thin!

My Aunts and Uncles.

I have so many Aunts and Uncles, I have Kaed and Adrianna, Mary and Jerry, Don and Treasa, Bucky, Andy, Karen and Larry, Krista and Jason, Fran and Eric, Nancy, Peggy... I am so grateful for them all especially those who choose to be my family and love me like my aunt and uncles because they always have and always will!

My In-Laws-

I'm grateful for the welcoming hearts they have had adding me to there family! I love all of my adorable nieces and nephews, and wish I got to see more of them!

I am so grateful for my FAMILY each and every one of them (and there's alot) have playeda very important role in my life! I love them all and am so thankful I have them!

Its what fun is!

Yesterday Ben, My Mom, Rosie, Tanner, Jenika, Allie, Anika, Kira, Ty, Emily, Carley, Micheal, Brue and I went to Lagoon. We had a blast riding the roller coasters, eating hot-dogs, getting soaked on Rattle Snake Rapids, and doing everything that is so great about Lagoon. On the way into Lagoon the girl at the front gate says "Welcome to LAgoon" and Ben belts out "Its what fun is!" It made me laugh, and we moved on. Today I was driving home from Park City thinking about Ben announcing that Lagoon is what fun is and i started thinking of all the things that if I wrote the definition of fun would be included, so I came up with Felicity's 20 Idea's of What fun is:

20. Playing Card games with my Family.

19. Track Meets

18. Watching Movies at home with Ben and Eating Junk Food

17. Buying Presents

16. Going to the Zoo with my Mom and Little Kids

15. Getting Pedicures

14. Shopping

13. Flying in an Airplane

12. Decorating my House

11. Camping

10. Playing with or walking Harley

9. Eating at noodles with my Best Friends

8. Riding Motorcycles/Four Wheelers (Dirt Biking)

7. Road trips with Ben

6. Shopping

5. Watching a Baseball game with Ben at the ballpark

4. Sitting around the fire with my closest friends roasting marshmallows

3. Taking Pictures of Happy People

2. Playing at Lake/Boating/Rafting/Swimming/Jet Skiing

1. Being in a new city

Not all the fun things in the world but most definitely my favorite 20 things to do!

Exercising and Loving IT!!!!

Well the title basically describes the whole post, Ben and I have made our time together as active time, we go for walks, runs, hikes, and spend the day learning and doing more workouts! It is a lot of fun! We've even started seeing results! I'll keep you all updated on the great activities we do!

To My Friend

I was thinking of you today, I cried.

There was a day that you were the only person who I told my secrets to, you were the only person who could get me to stop and think about what I really wanted for myself. I remember the funny little crush I had and the Serious Heartbreak I felt that summer. I can't listen to Jimmy Eat world the Middle because I cry each and every time I remember driving with you and Whitney.

I wish you were at my wedding to dance the electric slide with me.

Every time your little brother talks I automatically recall your voice.

I smile because you were a jokester I laugh at the times we blew things up, the days we played red rover and the truffle shuffle. I miss the "Three Amigos" hanging out like we were the coolest people in the world.

I miss you getting mad at me but I regret every fight we ever had. Thank you for letting me scream out all my problems to you and thank you for trusting me with yours. You are my friend, I wish I could go give you a big hug, I wish I could pause every laugh that we every shared and put them in a jar so now the days that I miss you I could open up that Jar, and laugh with you again. Instead I cry.

I know that today isn't a day I should miss you, or a day that other people are probably missing you, but I do. I miss you all the time. I love you and can't wait til You, Dallin, Daniel, Whitney, Logan and I can laugh at campfire again can look at all the mistakes we made in our lives and how having good friends like each other made all the difference.

I hope you look in on me every once in awhile. I hope you are teaching my family about me, and teaching them how to be a good friend like you.

Sometimes I feel like you are just in another state and one day I'll see you when I'm passing through, I wish this was true. I know there is a reason for everything that happens and I know that God needs you more then any of us down here. But please keep being our Guardian Angel.

Summer Rain

Okay, Okay so its not summer yet, but I was at my Mom's house today for my Little Brothers 20th Birthday Party ( I know he is getting old!) anyway as we sat there and enjoyed the conversation of family and friends the heat broke and it began to rain! It made me think of one of my favorite childhood activities sitting on the porch in a raining thunderstorm, usually with a glass of hot chocolate wrapped in a warm blanket- today I ditched the hot chocolate and blanket because it was to hot outside but sitting on the front porch relaxing blogging and enjoying the smell of country rain was the perfect end of a beautiful sabbath day!

Mom

I've known most of my life that I have the world's greatest Mom. When I was a baby she would hold me close and bundle me up, when I was a toddler she would pick me up when I fell and kiss my owies better, when I was a child she would read me stories and braid my hair, when I was a teenager she would hold my hand as I experienced heartbreak and let me go when I discovered independance.
My Mom is kind, loveing and a remarkable woman. She has been my biggest advocate and best friend. My Mom is beautiful and strong. She is the greatest teacher I have ever had, the best councelor I have ever seen, the most encouraging coach, the safest chaufer, and the best cookbook. She has been there through all my best and worst moments, she has seen me at my strongest and my weakest she knows me better then anyone because I'm her daughter and she's my Mom.
As my life goes on and she continues to pick me up, hold my hand, braid my hair, let me go and kiss my owies better I know I'm safe, and I'm loved because God put me into the care of the world's most amazing person My Mom. I love her with all my heart and wish her a very Happy Mother's Day.

Viva Las Vegas

I just recently went on a trip to Las Vegas with My Mom, Grandma, Rosie and Brynn- It was so much fun! We spent everyday from 10 am to 3am out on the strip seeing the sights and having a blast! My favorite Hotel was surely the New York, New York, but I guess I like any hotel that has a whole store dedicated to the Yankees. My favorite exhibit was The Lion's at the MGM Grand and the botanical gardens at the Beligio were beautiful! The greatest thing we saw there was THE LION KING!! The Lion King was amazing! The opening scene literally had me in tears, it was awe inspiring, breathtaking, magnificent!

Miss Abby.

First thing when I got to my Mom's house on Easter Morning my family was crying and before I walked in Ben told me Abby died.

Abby was our family's wiener dog. She was 13 years old and had been in our family she she was a pup. When we got her she was the runt of her litter. Abby was so sweet to everyone and loved string cheese! She died of old age, she had been suffering to breathe all through the night so in the morning my little brother gave her blessing and she passed a few minutes later. I will miss Miss Abby but she is as ben said "In String Cheese Heaven."

April Fools!!

So for April Fools Ben and I decided to pull a little joke to those who are our facebook friends. Ben found these pictures online- of toyota corolla's the same color as mine, and post them on facebook saying we had to total out our car. The best part of the joke was the people who had talked to me since "the accident" who hadn't caught on to it being a April Fools joke. We got just the reaction we were looking for!

These are A Few of my Favorite things

It's officially Spring!! Spring is my favorite season, so as I was walking in the warm sun I was thinking of a few of my favorite things

Even though I love to snack on licorice and diet coke

I LOVE to eat Mexican food, especially La Frontera's Smothered Burrito

I love music sticking in my headphones or turning up the radio can be the greatest thing ever! I especially Love country music, and classic Rock my favorite band of all time is The Eagles, My favorite song- Life in the Fast Lane.

I'm a complete fool for Jamba Juice!! My favoriteflavor is orange berry blitz- even though its no longer on the menu they still make it for me :)

I love Sports My favorite sport to play is Volleyball I really don't Play enough, I also love softball, and basketball. I LOVE going to a baseball game it is one of the best things in the whole world I think that is because in the stands of baseball games is where i really got to

know my husband and fell madly in Love with him!!

So I love baseball but more specifically I love the New York Yankees,

I was very happy when they won the world series last year and I look forward to

seeing that again this year.

Taking Picture is MY passion!

I also love being outdoors-I love to play at lakes, hike mountains, and search for

seashells My favorite place on earth is the Uintah Mountains, I grew up spending a couple weeks in the summer in what I call God's country there is nothing more beautiful then the night sky in the Unitah's. The sky looks like it is full of diamonds!

Not only do I love to be outdoors I also Love to be inside cuddled up with a blanket watching my favorite tv shows or movies. Movie: My Best Friend's Wedding and newest Favorite The

Blind Side TV Show: Toss up between the office and Glee.

Hanging out with my husband is my all time favorite thing!!

Beautiful Grandmothers

My Grandma Pam

My Great Grandma Painter

My Grandma Brenda

I was looking through my wedding pictures thinking how I needed to put together an album, I came across a few pictures that really caught my eye- all of which were of my grandmas. I have three beautiful grandmothers that I get to be around and learn from everyday.

I will start with my Great Grandma Painter- My grandma Painter is an amazing lady who has taught me the value of hard work, and how to keep working when things get hard. She is always taking care of her family, and surely she would never let anyone go hungry, She is an amazing cook, a skill I hope to develop over time.

Next is my Grandma Brenda- My Dad's Mom. She has taught me patience. She teaches me the importance of family. She has also taught me how to love those who may be the easiest to hate. A great gift I hope to keep with me entire life is her cleanliness, When I was a little girl she would have my cousin and I come and clean her walls her "Merry Maids."

She taught me girls don't fart they "fluff", black eyed peas aren't just a band but the food you eat on New Years Day to bring you good fortune, Black Cats are bad luck and Pennies are Good luck. She gave me her beautiful blue eyes and sensitive spirit. I Love her for each of these things and so much more.

Finally is my Grandma Pam, or "GP" as we all call her, My Grandma Pam has taught me the most. She has taught me the true meaning of unconditional love, that life is hard and sometime we just get dealt an unlucky hand but that doesn't mean we stop playing cards. She's taught me beauty isn't on the outside but the inside, that people mess up and how to forgive them. She has taught me that I am worth more then anything that watching me sing and dance, or play ball was always more important then anything else. She taught me that some lessons are hard to learn and others are harder to teach and most importantly she taught me that no matter what age, sickness or problem you have life is worth LIVING! I love her for that.

All of my grandma's have taught me and blessed me and shown me a little bit about life. I hope that I can cherish everyday I spend with them. And one day FAR FAR...FAR away I'll be a grandma and me granddaughter can see the beauty of all my grandmothers in my eyes, smile and lessons I share with them.