I AM NOW BRACE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Winter Wonderland :) ...with 6-12 inches on the way!

Jon and I walked to Target to drop off this film. We had to waste pictures... which is where these came from.
Hill at the Evergreen Apartments.

Fun with Andrew!

Andrew and I went on an adventure the other week... aka a walk to the backyard. Along the way Andrew named basically everything he saw "jeep, tool, tree, frog, butterfly, turtle..." I was impressed!

Funnies

Connor was looking through the desserts in Mom's cookbook and came across the "Better Than X Cake" and asked me what that was. So, I explained it to him. I also told him I wasn't sure what it tasted like though because I've never had it before.

Taylor who was in the room at the time said "of course you haven't had it, you're not married!"

ZOO BOO!

Last weekend I was able to volunteer at the Fresno (aka Chaffee) Zoo! It was their Halloween event so all the kids came decked out in way cute costumes. We were in charge of "bowling lane" which is funny because that is Debbie's address. While I was there I made a new friend - George.

YES on Proposition 8

I'm living in California right now... and next month is November, election month. The topic of gay marriage is definitely a heated one right now, so I'm going to write where I stand on the matter.

First off let me say - I really dislike politics. The whole thing is way too contentious for my sensitive soul and it just seems that no matter what you do you can't please everyone... and you get a major headache in the process. BUT I am writing this blog today of my opinion because I believe that we have a modern day Prophet of God on this earth, Thomas S. Monson. As a Prophet of God, he has asked us to do all that we can to support Prop 8, which will restore the definition of marriage (http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage). We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God to be the central unit of the family - also the central unit of society. I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman and will follow the words of the Prophet. Here is an example from not too long ago from Quinton L. Cook's talk last general conference:

"Prophets are inspired to provide us with prophetic priorities to protect us from dangers. As an example, President Heber J. Grant, the prophet from 1918 to 1945, was inspired to emphasize adherence to the Word of Wisdom,¹⁰ the principle with a promise revealed by the Lord to the Prophet Joseph.¹¹ He stressed the importance of not smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages and directed the bishops to review these principles in temple recommend interviews.

At that time smoking was accepted by society as an appropriate, even glamorous, behavior. The medical profession accepted smoking with little concern because the scientific studies linking cigarette smoking with several kinds of cancer were far in the future. President Grant counseled with great vigor, and we became known as a people who abstained from drinking and smoking."

The Prophet warned against smoking and drinking at a time when it was socially acceptable to do so... and people thought those who listened were crazy. The Prophet is warning now that if the definition of marriage is something that should not be changed, at a time when it is a socially acceptable thing. In the case of warning against smoking and alchohol we later learned what negative effects of those substances have on our bodies. Some say that allowing gay marriage won't have any effect on anybody but I believe that isn't true. It will have an effect, whether it is gradual or rapid, there will be negative consequences.

You may take this and say that I hate gay people. That is quite untrue. I believe that they should have all the same civil rights as a married couple (which they have here in California and many other states) but I also believe that the definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. That is not hate, that is a belief. If I could I would vote YES on propositon 8 to restore the definition of marriage.

Valley Fever - just can't get enough!

Yesterday I was diagnosed with a little somethin somethin called "valley fever." I was dissapointed that it wasn't EBOLI because that would be quite the tale to tell... but this will have to do :) So sometime in my adventures here in California, which totals around two months, I inhaled a fungus called coccidioidomycosis. Sweet name right? Now it is having a party in my lung! Woohoo!!!! I feel okay most of the time... it is like I'm always *about* to get sick but I never really do - I get that achey and gross feeling and I'm tired most of the time... and can't breathe deeply, but I've just gotten in the habit of taking shallow breathes. The doctor said I'm going to be trying to get the mold party out of my lungs for at least three months. I'm really just sad that I can't be very active anymore, but what can ya do?

I decided to draw a little picture of the party in my lung :)

The Joys of Babysitting

You know it isn't everyday you get to hear the sweet voice of Taylor scream:

"I WISH YOU'D GO BACK TO THE DEVIL THAT RAISED YOU"

hahaha mom that means you're the devil.

Hippie Party

So last night me and some girls from Visalia decided to have a hippie sleepover. It was pretty rockin. We made hemp bracelets, protest posters, wore head bands, tiedyed tshirts, ding dong ditched, played guitar and watched SNL.

The Case of the Missing Phone

So my phone has been missing since friday morning. On friday I had a date so it was important that I had it so I could figure out where we were meeting and all that stuff. I searched all over the house - called it multiple times - interigated all the kids - but found nothing. Finally it was afternoon and I was getting desperate. So I told all the kids whoever found my phone first would get two dollars.

That is when I heard Gracie say "I know where it is!" ...after I had been asking them all about it. She goes on to explain that she had taken it to school with her that day (1st grade) and her teacher took it away (probably after the multiple times of me calling it). Hahaha so I think I'll be finding a different spot to put my phone from now on - or do backpack checks before school. It will be fun talking to Mrs. Lamoglia tomorrow in attempt to get it back.

THE YOSEMITE HALF DOME EXPERIENCE

So. This is one of those experiences that I said I NEVER WANTED TO HAVE AGAIN... but now that I'm rested I can't wait to go again.

My trip started when I left around five on friday. I got to the trail parking lot at around 10:00 pm. I was just going to sleep in my car but the rangers were going around with flashlights making sure people weren't car camping - which is so dumb because what are you supposed to do when all the campsites were taken?! So I decided to go for a walk to the trailhead to buy time and wait for them to leave. When I was walking up I saw a group of people with glow sticks on who were about to go hiking - I thought to myself "they are crazy!" When I got there the leader of the group shined their flashlight at me and started asking me all these questions. I told him that I was by myself and I was just going to hike the half dome tomorrow morning. He was like "well that isn't very safe, why don't you come with us?! we're leaving in five minutes (10:30pm)." I thought about it and was like sure why not! Then I won't have to worry about rangers waking me up at 1:00am and kicking me out. So I ran the half mile back to the car, changed and got my stuff. When I was walking back one of the leaders started talking about how this "is a church group of young single adults from 18-30" and when he said that I was like wait a minute that sounds familiar!! So it ended up that the group I was going with was an LDS singles ward activity. Funny how things work out eh? Now if that wasn't set up by Heavenly Father, I don't know what is...

We left at 11:00pm for the eight mile journey to the summit. IT WAS STRAIGHT UP FOR 80 PERCENT OF THE TRIP. Holy cow it was hard - plus I was tired - plus I was planning on going in the day so I was in shorts and a tshirt at night in the mountains (cold!) - but it was awesome hiking under the moon and stars. We got to the top at 6:00. The last half a mile is the hardest and most dangerous... so it didn't help that I was way tired and wobbly and if I tripped or fell there is sheer cliff on all sides haha. But point is that God kept me safe and I made it to the top for sunrise!!!!

I stood there!!!!



I had to leave very quickly after this was taken... I just about died from looking down haha



The cables that we climbed up in the dark... while completely exhausted... but we made it!! It was pretty steep.


All in all, good trip!!! 20 miles in 13 hours...

Village Pool

I like this picture because you can see a bubble coming out of my nose - rad. I really can't wait to get my braces off and Tay Tay has purple lips.

Last night...

Was quite the night. All I set out to do was go to institute over in Visalia so I didn't bother to track down my cell phone or anything before I left. Institute was awesome as usual, I really like our teacher. She let us out a little early to have dessert and socialize. While I was talking to some girls who I kinda knew from BYUI, they invited me to a going away/bday party for Kate. I was like "okay sure, I'll stay for a little bit" (because it is a 45 minute drive back to lemoore from her apartment). The get together was really fun! I'm starting to know most of the people and feel more at home... I ended up not leaving until 10:30. At 11:30 I arrived on base - SO TIRED. I was driving home and there was no one around so at one of the stop signs I didn't make a complete stop and kept going (you know how when you are sick of driving you can get a little sloppy with it?)... next thing I know there are lights behind me!!! I got pulled over by the base police. Thankfully Dad had stuffed the registration and all the things I needed in the glove compartment. Those darn cops had me there for FOURTY FIVE minutes!! It was crazy hard to stay awake. The whole time I was feeling so bad because I didn't even have my phone to call Debbie and tell her that I wasn't dead in a ditch somewhere (because I haven't stayed out past like 9:00 before and now I was coming home at like 12:00). So finally the cops let me go and I drove very cautiously back home haha. I was so excited to go in and hop into bed... but I turned the handle to the door... and it was locked. I tried knocking and ringing the doorbell - nothing. Which is fine, because it was twelve thirty in the morning haha. So I went around back and hopped the fence to see if the back door was locked - it was. Meanwhile the cheif commander or whatever the top person on the base was just pulling into his driveway across the street - while I was hopping fences and trying to open windows late at night. I thought for sure someone was going to come and tackle me from behind or something. Well when nothing would open I took down the hammock and was going to use it as a blanket and sleep in the wagon until morning, I decided to try one more window.

It worked! I finally got to go to sleep!!!
The End.

I think you guys should buy me this poster.

Does this picture really need explanation?

COMPETITION... what family is all about

It was Sunday afternoon when the announcement was made that that night would be the night of the infamous DISNEY GAMES! All afternoon was spent streching - and streching some more and getting pumped and more pumped. The only thing running through my head was "what team will I be on???????" I begged Taylor to tell me but all she did was wave the roster with the words "TOP SECRET" written on the cover in my face and said "not until after dinner." It was killing me! What was it gonna be... cyclones, inferno? who? who?

Well the moment finally came... CYCLONES!!!!!! YES! I was with Connor... After drama - suspense - drama - oly - poopy diapers - suspense - accusations of cheating (by sarah) - players droping like flies - grass in flip flops - screaming - clenching of the rag until your fingers bled - suspense - and sheer stealth, the cyclones took NUMBER ONE BABY!!!!!!









p.s. if you can't tell its late and i'm starting to get a little loopy...and so is my writting :)

Do you have trouble finding your remotes?

Do you have trouble finding the TV remote day in and day out?
When you need it, is it just not there?
Do you end up rummaging through the whole house looking for the prized possession?
Does this result in the interrogation of all your children and animals?
Does this frustrate you to the point of explosion?

Why all the hassle?
We have the solution.
All you need are a few simple household items and some creative brains.

HANNAH MONTANA 3D CONCERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While at home in Oly I had the AMAZING opportunity to witness the 3D Hannah Montana concert on tv with Kylie. I strategically waited until 30 minutes of the show had gone by and most of the kids had abandoned their 3D specs so I could snatch one up... not really though it just happened to be good timing. Shortly after Taylor arrived and we had quite the ragin' dance party (Mom do you still have that picture of us dancing? you should send it to me!) It was a fuuuuuuuun night.

Olympia - a city after my own heart.

Sooo it was approxitmitly two weeks ago that I had to say goodbye to "the burg." A place I never really thought I would enjoy living. Over the past few months it has really grown on me - I made a lot of really good friends and had some good times so I must admit I was a little sad to go... but Olympia, being the sweetheart of a city that she is decided to throw a firework show in honor of my homecoming...


that is what i'm talkin about

What kind of keys go "gobble gobble gobble?"

TUR-KEYS!!!!!!!!!

^some joke on the kids show in the living room

So I've been back from school for a week now... how weird!!! I miss Rexburg and all my friends a lot but it is nice being home and not in school!!! I need to find my usb thing so i can put pictures on here but I have to unpack first.

OH MY GOODNESS

So there is this thing called "WHITE GLOVE" we have to do at the end of every semester where we clean the apartment so its spotless. It wasn't so bad last semester... but this time, holy crap.

I started cleaning at around 9:30 or 10:00 after work last night... and I JUST got done. I am now going to bed!!!

GOOD
NIGHT!

Why the heck did we not have family council?

It has finally decided to be summer here :)

Yesterday was at least 85 degrees!!!!!!!!! I spent most of my morning studying bones then went for a little jog to Porter Park. The park suprisingly has a pretty SWEET little kid water park. It was way better than the fountain back home. It had slides and those big buckets that tip over when they fill up with water. Later in the day I went to Monkey Rock with Steph and Nicki (some of my best friends up here).

Of course we didn't jump off that bridge...


Of course we didn't accidentally blow up a can of chili in the fire and have it spew all over us...


This picture was from last weekend. We had a bonfire at the sand dunes. We got there and it was the biggest fire I'd ever seen. I swear this guy burnt like three trees. In the picture I'm eating cake that was cooked inside an orange over the fire... SO GOOD.

Dear Diary,

Today is June 11, 2008.
IT SNOWED.
I have to know all the bones in the body by next wednesday.
But I got a free burrito and $50 for giving plasma so life isn't SO bad.
HOT
DOG.
Love,
Mary

Ohhhhhhhhhhh Yeah!!!

So this wednesday was my first day of ANATOMY!!! Woohoooooooo. It wasn't SO bad... it is just kind of hard that its at 8:00 in the morning. This was my first day of notes:



Sarah do you remember all this bone stuff?!

Last Weekend

We played a little game of kickball :) It was actually really tiering because I had just given plasma so I was all weak and what not but it was fun.



THEN that night we went and saw THE BEATLES...tribute band. They were actually pretty good, it was fun. It was a little weird to start a concert with a prayer though haha.

Ohhhhhhh yeah.

Sand Dunes

Well it is almost technically summer sooooooooo trips to the sand dunes are definitly a necessity. Yesterday I went twice haha. They are about 15 minutes north of Rexburg. After I had got done taking a test yesterday I was like "hey it is gorgeous outside, I want to go to the dunes!" So I gather everyone up and we head out there and on the way it just starts dumping rain and hail and lightening... it was the weirdest thing. We had some fun anyway although we didn't stay long on account that we were freezing. Here is a video of me jumping off. It isn't very exciting but it is something to look at :)

Goal

A goal not written down is just a wish

I'm writing my goal down so that it is not just a wish and everytime I look on here I will see it. You guys have to remind me about it okay?! Here it is:

TO GET AN 'A' IN ANATOMY. I WILL DO THIS BY SETTING ASIDE AN HOUR OF STUDY TIME EACH DAY AND MAKING FLASH CARDS FOR EVERYTHING WE HAVE TO MEMORIZE.

Memorial Weekend

So guess what?! I'm avoiding homework just for you sweet people who read my blog :) You should feel special.

On friday after work and a short game of boggle and eating some chili con queso I headed off in the beast toward Mackay!!! Saturday was the first day I had woken up at six in a LONG TIME. It was worth it though. Grandpa Palmer and I went fishing and it was awesome. I caught my limit... and one of them was EIGHTEEN AND A HALF inches long - only a half inch behind the record, darnit! Then on Monday I followed Grandma and Grandpa into Inkom and hung out with Kate (Becky's daughter?) which was cool. We went to put flowers on the graves there for memorial day. After that I came back to Rexburg and my friend was putting on a bread class - to show us how to make a few things. I ate sooooooooooooooo much food it was not even funny. The rest of the day I spent catching up with people cause you know a whole THREE days apart is just tragic... haha.

GUESS WHAT???? MY CAMERA CAME TODAY!!!!!!!! SO PICTURES WILL BE COMING SOON!

Hey thanks for the call Debbie :D

Wellllllll a LOT has been going on lately. I will update more thoroughly later because I'm so exhausted!! Soon Dad is going to send me a camera so I can take pictures of all my adventures and put them on here. I'll fill you all in tomorrow probably!

Congratulations Wesley

"Wesley Pemberton (USA) had the world's longest leg hair which measured 5 in in Tyler, Texas, United States on August 10, 2007."

Latest crash.

I have a couple good stories under my belt right now but I don't feel like typing them all out - too long and I have a paper due by 11:55 tonight. I love that you don't have to turn things in by class anymore, it is all online. It makes life so much easier.



This isn't a very good picture but I had a black eye for a little while, it was sweet... but it kinda just looked like I got carried away with blue eyeshadow haha.



^^^This is my pride and joy!!!



Steph! The one who let me take the longboard for a ride, she is cool.



This isn't a very good picture, but I put the hammock up outside the dorm :) everyone loves it.

Okay

So who in the world gets turned down for giving plasma because they are TOO hydrated?! This is what I get for liking water.

Pictures From the End of Last Semester