Deck the Halls with Boughs of...

We had so much fun tonight! Brittany, Cate and I went shopping in IF at the super Wal-mart for a Christmas tree for our apartment. (Cate is pretty much our live-in/adopted roommate) We found a 6 1/2 ft tall one for only $35, pre-lighted and everything, we were so excited! So we bought the tree and some ornaments and ribbon to go on it, grabbed some Christmas lights and went home to deck the halls! It took us forever, (and Dani was home, so she joined in the fun) but eventually we had the tree all decorated and the lights up around the railing (if you could see it up close, its VERY obvious that it was not done by any sort of boyscout, lol) and then our other roommates and some friends started showing up. So we pulled out the hot cocoa and had a regular Christmas get-together around the Christmas tree. It was so amazing, it felt almost like home!

It took us forever to do the railing! It's actually icicle lights and they got caught on everything! And then everytime Brit or Cate touched them whole sections would go out and we'd have to go through light by light until we found the one that needed tweaking. ;) Love you guys tho!

Yeah...I kind of forgot I was afraid of heights, until I was standing up on a stool and my head brushed the ceiling! From then on Brit took the stool jobs, lol.

We did close-ups at like 1AM, but Brit had already gone to bed cause she works at 6AM, so I put the picture of her by the tree instead. I love Christmas, Im so excited for the holidays!

The Essence of 504

"I dont want to be liked, I want to be APPRECIATED!"

"Okay, we should talk about something mature...like childbirth!"

"Im in no hurry to do nothing."

"Im a man--SURPRISE!!!" (creepy deep man voice)

"Cookies solve everything...well, except weight problems :'( "

"There are children in Africa who dont have electricity because you guys use it ALL!"

"fuffin shupe."

"I can't make any life changing decisions when Im on my period!" (in panic-stricken voice)

"Unlike some people in this room, I like to keep my body-ness to myself." (with emphatic disdain)

"Dreams are like climbing Mt. Everest, not 'I want to milk a cow'!"

" 'I wish I knew because then I'd know exactly what to do!'
'Oh ya? What's that?'
'I HAVE NO IDEA!' "

"We're the broken people."

"Im not gonna lie-I tried to learn elvish."

"You never realize how big your butt is until you take your pants off and look at them."

"I have a confession to make, I didn't listen to anything you just said."

"Unless you wanna light some candles baby..." (creepy deep man voice)

Oh The Issues (On a Serious Note)

It's true that living in Rexburg is very like living in a safe little buble free from the constant push of politics, persecution and issues that assult the rest of the church (and world) every day. However, in talking to family recently (as well as a small mention in church today) it has come to my attention that since Propisition 8 was passed there have been revolts and protests not only in San Francisco (where it would have actually affected the locals) but also in SLC at TEMPLE SQUARE. I have to tell you, I was shocked. I decided to look it up for myself and the first thing that came up was this: http://qsaltlake.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=870&Itemid=93 its an in your face organization and proclamation of the protests with no attempt to hide their hate and disregard for the church's right to stand up for their moral beleifs whatsoever. I do not understand how people who say they are trying to promote "love and acceptance" and protest "hate speech" can lead such cold-hearted protests and harrass people for trying to do what they think is right. This makes me so sad.
I am not unbiased, I know, I grew up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I beleive it with all my heart and know I always will. However, I am also a product of my generation and several of my very best friends growing up were outrageously gay. I have absolutely no discrimination against them whatsoever, I am still friends with most of them and I love them to death. That doesnt mean that I agree with what they are doing. I know they dont agree with my religion and they know I dont support their decisions. We still love each other. I beleive that we can live in harmony and peace together.

I have to say, being in Rexburg at BYUI, since Obama's election (esp) I keep hearing comments such as, "This is it, this is the end, the second coming is coming, everyone is going to burn, you better be ready." Well, perhaps this is true. But NO ONE knows when He is coming! Its not right to scare everyone to death and we shouldnt be living in fear. If we are living righteously and are personally prepared, we WILL be all right! No matter what comes. Unity in the church is absolutely essential right now. We need to support each other and love each other and be one is heart, mind and purpose. We must be Zion in the world of Babylon, Soddom and Gamhora. Our purpose is to spread the gospel, to LOVE God's children, to support one another and show the world the light of Christ. We cannot do this if we are the ones who are hating. Please do not react with hate and fear to the troubles that plague our world and our church right now! We are going to see horrible things yes, but wonderful ones as well! Miracles surround us even now, we have to look and we have to REMEMBER, we must have open hearts and open minds! Remember that if He is coming it is a WONDERFUL thing! If He is not then we have so much work to do in Zion to prepare for when HE does, we can't afford to let in hate, fear, anger, sadness and dissention! The separation of the righteous from the worldly is coming, we are going to have to decide once and for all Who's Side we are on. As Bri put it, "there is no longer going to be a middle ground...Who's On the Lord's Side Who?" Supporting His prophets that are ON THE EARTH TODAY, is essential to those who want to be on His side. Times are changing, the Devil is throwing in every bet, pushing forth every evil purpose, his effort is not waning and neither should ours! The church, and the disciples of Christ cannot sit idly by and pretend they dont notice. We have to try to protect ourselves, our families and our world from the wickedness, corruption, horror, and hate that pervade from every side! We have to put up our standard as Captain Moroni did and proclaim to the world and to Our Father in Heaven where we stand, what we will fight for and Who we are! Angels surround us, they will fight with us and they pray that we will have the courage to fight with them! We are NEVER alone, Remember that! I pray for all of you, and most especially for the children we will be raising in this world. I hope the Lord is with you in these troubled times, and that you are with Him. Keep the Faith, I love you.

My Bestest Friends in Idaho

So these are just a few pics I forgot to upload from Halloween night and this is the only one I have of Cate and since she's like my Best Friend up here I didnt think it was too cool that she'd been excluded, lol. So this is me and Cate at the movie theatre :D

And this (left) is Cate and Brit (my other newer best friend who is also my roommate) at the theatre. When they are around each other their southern accents (Cate is from Arkansas and Brit from Tenessee) come out like no other, it is absolutely hilarious to listen to. The other day Cate asked me like 10X for the OA-EL, and I couldnt understand her to save my life. Finally she had to spell it out O-I-L, LOL, then Brit came in and Cate told her she needed OA-El and Brit goes oh ya? Are y'all fryin som-n, then? ROFL I about died. This weekend the three of us went and wandered around IF (Idaho Falls) it was way fun!

Blessings and Memories

As most of you know I wont be going home for Thanksgiving this year, and although I know I'll have a good holiday where ever I end up going the thought has made me extremely homesick. I can't really express how much. So instead of focusing on that, I am counting my blessings everyday as a countdown to turkey day :D It is a trick to come up with something new everyday when I've listed everything I can think of already. ;) So for Bri (she is not going to Vancouver either, this will be both of our first Thanksgivings away from home) and me, I am posting an old poem of mine. I hope my family knows I am there with them in spirit for the holiday! I love you all and hope I see you for Christmas!

Memoria

I ride home on the sun as she sinks beneath the mountains,

And I remember laughter.

My tears dissolve on her flames

And I remember song.

I feel her warmth envelope me

And I remember hope.

I ride home on the sun as she sinks beneath the mountains,

And watch the golden clouds play visions of the living.

My sorrow is drowned in her happiness

And I watch the rivers wink a fond farewell.

I let her light surround me

And watch as the world dissappears in shadow.

I ride home on the sun as she sinks beneath the mountains,

And hear the sighs of children as they are laid to sleep.

My cries are lost in the sound of her music

And I hear the earth say good-bye in the sound of cicada's.

I am filled with the peace of the evening

And I hear the stars shout good morning to the moon.

I ride home on the sun as she sinks beneath the mountains,

And I feel the release of drifting into sleep.

My pain is forgotten in the dreams she leaves behind us,

And I feel the full force of her joy in the night.

I walk into her world of sunshine and silence

And I feel it has all been a dream...

All things Halloween

This is my super awesome pumpkin :D
The design is a beast eating a butterfly,

it took me hours but it was worth it! It

turned out to be the best one I've ever

done! Yay for carrying on the traditions!

I didnt dress up to the nines this year, but I sure had fun in my fairy make up and dress (though I wore a sweatshirt over it cuz it was so cold! Pretty much Cate, Brittney and I got dressed up (they "dressed up" as in nicely, and I dressed up halloween ;) and went to dinner (Wendy's) and to see a movie at the dollar theatre then came home and watched The Santa Clause, it was a great night!

Jessica was my roommate who dressed up the most (that I got pictures of, Jenn was batgirl but she was out trick or treating with her neices and I didnt get any :( ) and she looked amazing! Our friend from next door (Kim) dressed up as Jessica for halloween.