Working girl . . .

I'm sitting here at work, being bored out of my mind because I haven't done any actual work in over 2 hours. I did manage to finish Breaking Dawn for about the 5th time though. I'm thinking I'm going to read the Harry Potter series again. I very much enjoy both the twilight and harry potter series because I can read them without having to think. Meaning it's really easy reading that gets me away from life for a while! I really go for the easy reads. Someday I will probably be more into the heavier and.or religious books, but for now, easy reads are my thing!

Things are going alright. Still on the look for a job for Steve! He has been working for my brother some though, which has been helpful!

Other than that things are pretty much the same! I'm going to write up some funny survey to start spreading around the fam and friends. I did this once a while ago back when these surveys were big in the email circuit. You know the kind I'm talking about, you'd get an email with a random questionnaire asking questions about your life. You'd read about the person who sent it to you, then you'd copy and paste it into a new message and replace the answers with your own!

gotta think of some random things . . . . hmmm . . . . I'll have to come back to that.

Well, ALAS! I think it's time for me to try and find something productive to do. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Thats all,

chelle

Feelings . . .

So, do you ever get that feeling that you are just not good enough? And you never will be? Like every time you turn around you're hurting someone you love?

I'm having that feeling today.

I am not perfect. Obviously. I really wish I was. Or that I was closer to perfection than I am. Really, I wonder why I do some of the things I do, and I have no answer, even for myself. I'm really having one of those "I'll never be good enough" days. (And I know what you're thinking flee, but I am, and I can't do anything about it. I just really have to get this off my chest.)

I've hurt people before. I know I have. But not quite in the way I have recently. (I'd rather not say exactly what happened) I have no way of really saying sorry enough to these people that I've hurt. It just wouldn't seem adequate enough. And besides, saying sorry isn't going to change what I've done. I don't know why I did it. really. It's very much not like me- not like I was raised. I am really having issues with this whole bi-polar thing lately. I know I can't blame my mistakes on that, and I'm not trying to, but it really has thrown a wrench into my life. I just can't seem to get back to myself- the myself that I used to be, once upon a time. The myself that wouldn't have even dreamed of doing some of the things I've done. And right now, it's not looking like I'll ever get back to that self.

I'm really not having a good day- if you couldn't tell. I usually try to be optimistic, but I can't seem to find that in me today. So, I'll be done soon, let me just say this: To those who I have hurt- you know who you are. I really am so so sorry. Words cannot express what I'm feeling. I beg for your forgiveness, even though I know I don't deserve it, and ask you to pray for me. Pray that I will- someday- pull it together and get back to 'myself' again.

I love you.

"You are the love of my life . . ." Hubby Tag

1. Where did you meet your husband? His best friend's mom was my piano teacher. She tried to set Steve up with my sister first!

2. How long did you date before you were married? We dated for a year before his mission, wrote all through his mission, then we were married 7 months after he got home from his mission- so just over 3 and a half years.

3. How long have you been married? We will have been married for 7 years January 17. (Steve had to correct me on that! Ack!!! I did my math wrong!)

4. What does he do that surprises you? he loves me.

5. What is his best feature? hmmm, his eyes are amazing!! yeah, his eyes. (and he has a cute hiney!)

6. What is his best quality? his compassion. he is so good.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? He calls me My-Chelle. Or just Chelle. (Although when he writes it, he spells it Chell. He drops the last 'e'. something that only he does! and I love it that way!) He is my Steve-hun

8. What is his favorite food? Del Taco. Hands down. He also really likes his mom's lasagna. mmmm. lasagna.

9. What is his favorite sport? DUH! Football. BYU Football to be precise. (I know, my heart still hurts from Saturday's game too. bummer!)

10. When and where was your first kiss? July 19, 2001 outside my apartment by UVU in Orem.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Just be together. We like to talk- whatever we're doing, we're usually talking about something.

12. Do you have any children? 2 Darling kiddies.

13. Does he have any hidden talents? Lots. One is he can set up any entertainment system about 10 different ways (he changes ours frequently.) I love it! He gets called all the time by peeps we know asking for help on how to set up their TV, or DVD, etc. Another one is he can make me laugh by saying just one word!! (inside joke!)

14. How old is he? He's 28. He's really gettin' up there!!

15. Who said I love you first? He did in his first letter he sent to me on his mission. He was also the first one to say it when he got home from his mission- on his parents porch saying good night! He's so cute!

16. What is his favorite music? Lots. He likes country mostly (which is funny 'cause before his mission he HATED country!) His favorite artist is Taylor Swift.

17. What do you admire most about him? There are some many things, but I think I the thing I admire most about him is his ability to forgive. especially me! He is incredible!

18. What is his favorite color? Blue

19. Will he read this? He's already read most of it!

20. Who do you tag? hmm, lets see I tag Mom, Emmy, Laura J. and Chelsea S. Have Fun!!

to bang or not to bang!

So, I finally did it. I finally cut my hair again, and got bangs. Lots and lots and lots of bangs. A little too many, but what can you do? They're already cut!! So here's some pictures of a few different styles. I need input on what looks best!!!

Here's my new Dark, angular, very bangy hair! I know, I look like I'm about 10 years old. Steve says I could join The Beatles. So here's Straight with Full Bangs.

Here's Straight with Parted Bangs

Here's Flipped with Full Bangs

and Flipped with Parted Bangs.

Curled with Full Bangs

Curled with Parted Bangs

and finally Half Up, Flipped with parted bangs.

So, now I'd like you to vote--tell me which one is your favorite, or which one you really don't care for, or which one just made you laugh. Whatever. I'd like some input!! :)

to recap: Here's the choices: Straight with Full Bangs, Straight with Parted Bangs, Flipped with Full Bangs, Flipped with Parted Bangs, Curled with Full Bangs, Curled with Parted Bangs, and then Half Up.

ooooo, I'm excited to see what everyone says!!!! comment comment comment comment!!!

Chelle's Family Pictures!

We finally got the results from the family pictures we took in September! There were some that were awesome, and some that were not so awesome! I've put a few of my favorite here so everyone can see how cute my family is!

My mommy and daddy! I really think this picture turned out awesome!!

Janice and Jennifer- or the girls as they are frequently called. (and, yes- they are twins if you couldn't tell!) My Jenni is named after this Jenny.

Emma

Brayden and Adam (Brady is camera shy!)

Kate (aka Kateus)

Truman

Jenny and Ethan

Mieka

Jan and Jenn and their kidlets! (all the grand kids are here!) Technically Steve and Adam are in this picture too. Joe-joe and Brady are sitting on Steve and Adams shoulders respectively)

The whole family! wow. There are a lot of us! 37 in all!

I am thankful for my family!

And thanks again Emmy, for setting this up!

Love you all!

~chelle

Tolerance

Stace posted a link to an article in the Meridian Magazine that I was very moved by. You can read the entire article by clicking HERE

Really, it's hard for me to not feel anger at what the 'no on prop 8' protesters did at the Los Angeles Temple recently, just as it is very difficult for me to not be angry at the people who sent white powder to the church office building and the Los Angeles Temple. **(see more below) This article however had a lot of very good points to it, one of my favorites was this:

"Tolerance is not agreement and should not be a one way street. However, we must still remain tolerant of those who are intolerant of us. "

Wow! I was taken aback! I loved that- Tolerance is not agreement. I've always liked the phrase 'agree to disagree' and this is what tolerance should be. We are not always going to agree with everything that goes on around us, but that doesn't mean those disagreements should lead to anger, contention, and worse. We fight for what we believe in, not against those who believe differently. It may seem like the same thing, but its not. Here's another blip from that article:

"We can only be disciples of Christ when we respond to adversity in a Christlike manner. To do less opens our actions to the influence of the adversary and hurts us even more."

Anyway, I'm glad Prop 8 passed. I'm glad there is still some people willing to stand up for what is right regardless of persecution. Thank you to all those who have dealt with whats going on in California. Thank you for staying true to your beliefs. Thank you for being so strong!

**As I stated above, there was an envelope with white powder mailed to the church office building/Salt Lake Temple, and the Los Angeles Temple a few days ago (it was originally reported the church office building, then later reported as the Salt Lake Temple.) You can hear and read KSL's story by clicking HERE. This bothers me for a number of reasons- the obvious one being they were mailed to the Headquarters of the church, and a Temple of the Lord. The less obvious one is this- my sister works at the church office building. I realized that if anything were ever to happen there, ie an attack of sorts, she could be at risk! This scared me a little. I called her the night the story originally aired and we talked for a bit. I felt better after talking to her, but still, I am worried by it! I do believe, though, that no righteous man or woman will be taken before their time.

Anyway. I'll get off my soapbox now! I would highly recommend reading the article from Meridian though. It is very good. I hope I can be more like the man that wrote it!

Have a wonderful day all!!
Peace out!

chelle

Time for some optimism!!!

With the world the way it is today, it seems everywhere I turn I'm hearing something negative! It's really getting on my nerves! So today, I dedicate this post to optimism and positivity! (is that a word??) so here goes . . . "I know it seems hard sometimes, but remember one thing, through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, keep your chest out, keep your head up and handle it."
~Tupac

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
~Thomas Alva Edison

"Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up"
~Jesse Jackson
(he was bound to say something good . . .eventually!)

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace"
~Unknown "There are two great days in a person's life - the day we are born and the day we discover why." ~William Barclay

"The person who says it can't be done is interrupted by the person who is doing it."
~Anonymous

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."
~Albert Einstein

And mom, these last two quotes are especially for you!!

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."
~Agatha Christie

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
~Churchill (I've got to get me a shirt like that! And I totally think they should bring that stamp back too!!)

Life is interesting! It may not always work out the way we want it to, but hey- we couldn't enjoy the happiness if we never had to endure the sorrow! (profound, I know!) So to all you fellow bloggers out there I say:

Have a wonderful day! And see the beauty in everything!

I love you all!

~Chelle

Its the most wonderful time . . .

. . . of the year!!!! Yes, thats right!!! It's coming up on Christmas time, and for those of you who don't live with me- I start listening to Christmas music really early!!! I love Christmas music!! I get such a great feeling listening to it!! So, after searching for quite a while, I finally found a bunch of Christmas songs for my playlist, so while you read my next post, enjoy some great Christmas music!!!

Oh, and if you've never heard 'The 12 Days After Christmas' you should listen to it! It's hillaritous!!! The copy playing here isn't the best one, but it works!!

later!

Today is such a special day . . .

Who knows what today is?????? Anybody? Anybody?

AAAAnnnnyyyyybbbboooooddddyyyy????????

Today is Flee's birthday!!!! YAY for FLEE!!! So, I know I did a post very similar to this in September (for Emmy's birthday), but hey- there are only so many ways to do a birthday post so here goes!!!!

Happy birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Flee,
Happy Birthday to you!

This month is such a special one
its birthday time for you!
We'd really like to celebrate
your happy day with you!
Zip-a-dee-ay and heigh-dee-ho
here's something we can do
We'll sing a song that we all know-
Happy Birthday- To YOU!!!

Happy happy birthday Felicia dear,

happy days will come to you all year

If I had one wish then it would be

a happy happy birthday to you from me!

You say happy,

I say birthday

Happy - - Birthday

Happy - - Birthday

(Steve thought of that one!)

You've had a birthday shout HOORAY
I'd like to sing to you today!
One year older and wiser too!
Happy birthday - - - to you!

Have a very happy birthday

filled with sunshine every where

may the year bring joy and gladness

and the love of friends who care

Flee, happy birthday!!! I can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to me!!! I would be so lost without you!! I am so very thankful that your 'rents and my 'rents were neighbors 40 years ago in New York! The memories we have are priceless, and I look forward to years and years of more happy memories! Thanks for being my BFF!!!! Love you forever!!!

~Moosh

41 Years and counting . . .

Today my parents have been married for 41 years!!! In this day and age that is quite unheard of, and I see it as a HUGE accomplishment!!! My parents are two of the most wonderful people you could ever meet! They are both so generous and selfless. They have been such amazing examples to me in my life- in so many ways! I can't even begin to put in words how I feel about them, and how grateful I am for how much they have done for me. There really just are no words . . .


So today, I dedicate this post to them- Mommy and Daddy I love you with all of my heart! You are so good, and the Light of Christ shines through you both. I am forever in your debt- and I hope and pray that one day my children will feel about me and Steve the same way I feel about you two. I love you.

Mommy and Daddy, How far do you think I'll go?

Mommy and Daddy, how much do you think I'll grow?

You've helped me reach the stars when I've shot for the moon,

And I know I grew up way too soon.

But know that in my heart I will forever be
Your baby girl

love you,

Michelle

All Hallows Eve!!

Yeah, I know- I'm getting to my Halloween post a little late, but ALAS! Such is life. I'm at work again, and have some extra time, so I am finally getting to it!

This year for Halloween Jenni wanted to be Tinkerbell, and I thought it would be so cute to have Joe-joe be Peter Pan. He had another idea! He wanted to be a cowboy! I tried and tried to convince him to be Peter Pan, but to no avail, so we started looking for a cowboy costume- also to no avail! Not until the 29th did we find a Cowboy costume that wasn't super ugly- it was actually pretty cute- although it was incomplete! The costume was supposed to have a Duster (really LONG coat) a vest, a badge, and a hat. Unfortunately there was no duster! And since that was like the biggest piece of the costume, I didn't feel like I should pay the entire $20. I found a clerk and she said they might give me 10% off. I said "Really, only 10% when more like 50% of the costume is missing?" She said yes, and she'd find a manager. I was a little miffed, cause I didn't think that was very cool, but then the manager got there, and he said he'd give me 50% off! I was glad I asked for a manager! So, it was originally 30% off, and I got an additional 50% off that, so I only paid $7.48 for Joe's costume! I was super excited!

Then the day before Halloween we were talking about our costumes and Joe-joe informed me that he didn't want to be a cowboy. He wanted to be Peter Pan.

Yeah. I said TOO BAD! I was bugged! But thats ok, he looked really cute as a cowboy, but wouldn't pose for hardly ANY pictures! Little stinker!

Here they are before we left- Joshie Brianna and Brady had already gone, and had just got back. Look how cute they all are!!!
Here's Jenni as my sparkly Tinkerbell! She loves to cheese it for the camera!

Like I said- Joe-joe didn't want to pose for pictures! And he wouldn't leave his sheriff badge alone! He wanted to hold it!

After we went to a few houses in our neighborhood we went up to Draper to John and Alicia's house. They have a party every year for Halloween. Flee and Lizzy came with us. We went around their neighborhood as well! It only rained a little, and it wasn't too cold!

At a house, getting more loot!

Joe-joe was afraid his hat was going to blow off (even though it was tied on his head!) so he wouldn't let go of it!! Even to get his candy! Silly Boy!

Lizzy and Flee at the beginning of our trick or treating!

OH Jenni was SO BRAVE at this house!! Lizzy and Joe-joe were both too afraid to go up to this house cause they had spooky music and lights and stuff, so we were going to skip it, but Jenni walked up there ALL BY HERSELF!!!!!! I couldn't believe it!! I was SO PROUD of her!!! She's usually not quite so brave! YAY FOR JENNI!!!

When we got back to John and Alicia's house we dug through the leaves for more candy! The kids had SO much fun doing this!! Lizzy found a play rake and kept raking through the leaves, and Joe-joe decided to be a flashlight holder! (it was really dark!)

Our two flashlight holders and the looker!

A (fuzzy) look at our glowing pumpkins! Steve's ;) is my favorite!!!

One last look at our cute pumpkins!! We had lots of fun this year! I never really cared much for Halloween until I had kids!!! It's so much funner when you get to see them having so much fun! And Joe-joe is finally getting the idea (although I think he only said trick-or-treat once! he did always say thank you though!)

Anyway, so it was a great night! We had lots of fun with family and friends! And the kids got lots of candy that will last them for a couple of weeks! (We only let them eat a few a day, and they're usually pretty ok with that!) So yeah, thats all for now!

later!

chelle

VEGAS BABY!!!

Steve found my camera, so here's pics from my trip to Vegas with Flee and Lizzy!



Here's Lizzy just being adorable by the lake at Bellagio. We tried to wait for the fountain show, but they only plat it every hour evidently, and since it was only the half hour (like 2:30 or something) we decided not to wait! We did stay for a bit to feed goldfish to a duck that was in the lake! (I know, wierd huh! I think he had a broken wing 'cause one of them was sticking out all funny)



Lizzy feeding the duck some fishies!



The whole group of us in the garden at the Bellagio. (can you tell the Bellagio is my favorite??)



Lizzy's aunt Becca and her friend carly walking along the strip! Lizzy absolutley LOVES becca! she calls her Kekka! It's so cute!



Carly's brother Cody- Lizzy does love her boys! She fell in love with Cody pretty quickly too! And he was so great- he kept playing with her and holding her! What a sweetie! And he is SUCH a gentleman! He was the only boy there with a bunch of girls, but he was a trooper! He opened doors for us and everything! He's awesome!



Flee and I sporting the new 'in' sunglasses! don't we look hot!! And really- even though they're super ugly, they weren't that hard to see through! (I'd still never buy them though!!!)



Flee and Lizzy in the fabulous sunglasses!



"You've got a friend in me da-da-da You've got a friend in me . . . When the road looks rough ahead and you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed . . . you just remember what your old pal said, yeah, you've got a friend in me!"

oh, friend! That was so much fun!!!



The three of us in front of the Bellagio. I had more pictures, like from the Forum Shops and stuff, but I let Lizzy play with my camera when she was bugged and somehow she deleted a bunch of pics! but she took about 50 as well! Although they are all of her shirt and stuff, so ALAS they are not usable!

Anywho. That was our trip! It was fun, and . . . interesting. Lets just leave it at that!!!

later!

chelle