My Fantastic Summer!

Okay... I have fantastic friends and wonderful memories in my life! These are just a few of them! PS I love adventures, and this summers adventures were going to playmill, and the Japanese festival... among other things!

Fantastic! Pray for adventures! It works!

The Books That Are Overtaking My Life!!!

Okay, so for awhile, I lost my desire to read, that was until my co-workers introduced me to the Stephanie Plum series written by Janet Evanovich. This has to be one of the funniest series I have read. It is so funny, at work, there are giggles from all over the office as we are all at different books in the series. It's awesome! So far as I know there are 15 books in the series, and then 4 inbetween books. And I will admit that I've read the first 8 in a little under 2 weeks. Gulp. Obsessed... I think so! But they're fantastic. And I've come to the point where I think these characters are real. I also have that problem with characters from Bones as well. Ha ha ha....

If you need anything to read... I recommend these! Two thumbs up!

The Power of Art

So this season of So You Think you Can Dance has been wonderful. I have thoroughly enjoyed quite a few numbers, and I find that I want to share it with all of you. I know that most of you enjoy art in it's many forms, and realize the power and gift of art. I am so grateful to be able to appreciate it's many wonders.

This seasons dances have been some of my most favorite. This post is dedicated to Melissa and Ade's dance this week that was choreographed by Tyce. It is absolutely incredible and left me in tears. I am so glad that they danced it. It needed a woman who carried maturity, and trust in her partner. And it needed Ade's strength and gentle personality. It truly was inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_TCK5OCgss&feature=PlayList&p=6EA793E24AD0A0DD&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=35

Summer Fun

A few weeks ago Christian turned the big 30! So we had our very own sushi bar to celebrate. We had all sorts of ingredients, and then created our very own sushi surprises!!!



I love that Christian had a seaweed flavor savor!! Priceless!



Kjersti was in love with the wasabi the whole night, so on a dare she put some on an Oreo... her reaction was priceless...so I had to document it!







There really wasn't much of a point in this post except to say that I love my friends, and have had way too much fun just hanging out and being ridiculous with them!

Counting my Blessings

So it has been quite a while since I have posted anything, and to be honest it has been a hard month. I don't like to harp on it, because I have survived, and things are starting to improve. I just wish it wouldn't be so draining... but I will not dwell on that. Even though it has been hard, the Lord continues to show me that I'm not alone, He knows me, and that His tender mercies are everywhere.

I know that when I focus on all the blessings in my life I feel my burden lighten. And I also felt impressed to share some of these experiences... and I don't know why... but I know I will.

The first experience happened on Friday. Friday Cherie had a bunch of her family and friends at our place and we were filming a commercial for a contest she was entering. Now she needed to take her nieces to target afterwards to get them their prizes. They were in another commercial she shot, and it won, and so they get prizes. Well on our way the youngest girl, Ione (I really don't know how to spell it... but her nickname is noney... again spelling) told us that she learned about repentance... and to hear such a simple definition come from her mouth... it was beautiful. We asked her more questions and sure enough she knew it was true. It almost brought tears to my eyes.




This is one of my favorite pictures of the girls and Cherie. It puts a smile on my face.

The next experience happened on Sunday. Sunday morning I had the privilege of witnessing the baby blessing of Alex, my old roommate Lisa Relf (now Jones)'s baby. It was so incredible to see the love and adoration there between her and her husband, and also with this little baby they now have. It just all came crashing down on me that THIS is what it's all about. Family. The eternal nature of it, and the importance of it. I mean I know I knew it before but this was just such a wonderful wake up call. It was so beautiful to see Lisa holding her little boy, and holding on to her husband. I always knew Lisa would be a wonderful wife and mother, and I know she is. But it was just so moving. I felt so blessed to witness that.

I feel so blessed to be a part of this gospel. To know what I know. I feel so blessed to be able to witness tender mercies, and small miracles on a regular basis. I know that if I were to open my eyes and truly see my life, I would see the hand of the Lord guiding me and shaping me. I feel so blessed when I get to see those glimpses of eternity. It's amazing... and it's all true.

I'm sorry I didn't write for awhile, but I promise I will more. I have some fun pictures and things to share from Christians sushi night party! I will do that soon! Love you all!

Why do I need to be an adult!

Just when you think life is great... it goes and smacks you in the face! Sometimes I wish I were a kid again and didn't have to think about money problems. I really don't feel like venting, but I don't like having all this anxiety built up in me. I know this will sort itself out, I just need to be better at budgeting. I just can't believe it's $420 bucks to register my bike! I really wish money could grow on trees. Just enough to help me pay all my bills!

Luckily I know the Lord is here, for all my trivial problems, and to help guide me in the right direction. I love how the scriptures are truly a communication tool. I was reading in Mosiah the other night... and came across one of my old favorites. I hit me for the first time when I was reading and praying over an investigator... but it seems to have helped me continually.

Mosiah 24
"13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

The Jagger Clan!

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."
-The Family: A Proclamation to the World

I just really wanted to share how much I love my family. I do not gush about them enough. They are truly incredible. I have learned so much from them, and the more I know them and spend time with them, the more I want most of the qualities they possess.

The Head of The Household!

First my Dad. He is so honest and honorable. A gentle giant. I love my Dad so much and I truly hope I can gain his temperament. He truly loves and cares for his family and will do anything for them. He is the type of guy who shows his love through service and thoughtful small presents. He's also a man of integrity, and has taught me many of life's lessons by his own example.




The Heart of the Family!

Then there's my Mom. Oh man we are so alike. My favorite thing in the whole world is to make her smile and laugh. When she laughs she lights up the whole room. She is always thinking of ways she can bless the family, and help out. She has the most faith I have ever seen in a human being, and is so close to the Spirit. (Even before she or I joined the Church.) She also has the biggest heart. Once she meets you she loves you and thinks of you as part of the family.

(PS.. it's really hard to get a picture of her!)


Then there is my sister Kari!
My sister is one of the most caring individuals I have ever met. She serves and loves all those around her. And she is incredibly loyal and kind to all her friends and loved ones. She has the best sense of humor as well!






I am so grateful for my family! I love them so much, and I don't tell them enough!