2011 and such

Wow. Am I awful at this blog or what? ... Welp, as they say: If at first you don't succeed... try, try again (...and again... and again... and again... well, you get the idea!)
2011 has been an eventful year thus far. Let me give you a bit of a run down, since I haven't updated for a bit of a while... :)...

---March: At the end of March, I had my gallbladder removed. Long story short: After 3 years of constant pain, the doctor's finally found my gallbladder wasn't functioning (well, it was, but only at 7%... so, not by much. :).) I decided to have it removed so I didn't end up having more problems later (ex: gallstones - quite common to happen, especially with a not-so-great-gallbladder. Also, if you are pregnant it raises the likely-hood of developing stones that much higher... which leads to possible emergency surgery, ...while pregnant. Call me crazy, but who wants that?!) AND they told me my pain would go away. So heck yes, sign me up for the removal-age! Surgery went well... as for the pain being "gone"? Well, unfortunately, not so much. I talked to the surgeon about it a week after my surgery, and he said it was normal to feel these "phantom pains" for a month or two, but should be done after that. 5 months later I'm seeing no signs of it. Boo. It was live-able at first, but the past 2 months I've started to feel the flare up's again, and the pain. Good news is: the attacks don't last as long! Fist pump! ... But annoying still? Why yes, yes it is! Oh well. I will get it checked out again sometime. But for now, just taking it a day at a time. Pain in the side won't stop me! :). ... I had a before and after picture of me with the surgery - but for now cannot get the picture to save (boo!) so will post later. :)

--April: I went to an SLS (Speech Level Singing) teaching conference in April that was in Salt Lake City. I roomed with my good friend from England, Kate, (We sure missed Jen though!) and also my good friend Becca - who is from Las Vegas like muh-self. It was soo fun. I learned SO much; it re-ignited my passion for the voice and for learning and for teaching; and I had great fun re-uniting with friends of mine from all over the world. Again, will post those pictures once I figure out how they hay to save them to this computer. (They are all on FB - just have to find a way to save a few so I can transfer them here.). Anywhoo...

--June: It was eventful! Went to see the play "The Little Mermaid" at Tuachan - let's just say it was faz-man-tastic. Seriously. Went with my mom, her friend Jan, and my cute Aunt Wendy. We had a great time and all wanted to watch it again! It was my 24th birthday too. Say what? 24? What happened to 18? I'm almost a quarter of a century years old... totally weird to think. I already have old-lady bones, haha, so hopefully that will improve soon!
... Also in June... me, my hunky hubby (Bret), mi madre (Tonya), and my sister (Stephanie) all went to Hawaii. The island of Kauai to be exact. Ooooh it was wonderful! Oh so beautiful. Green and lucious and downright breathtaking. Need more proof? See below.

Hello beautiful tree swaying in the breeze

Green much? 

We had such a great time. We did miss our two other brothers, and Steph's hubs though. I love Hawaii. Bret and I went to Maui last year in February and we loved it there too. I love both islands for different reasons, but I think I prefer Kauai just a bit more... it is SO beautiful. We all loved Hawaii because of the nice people, the beautiful scenery, and the UH-MAZING food... not to forget the great people I got to go with. I seriously couldn't get enough of it all. Bret probably had fish almost everywhere we went. He was obsessed. And me and Stephanie? Well we probably had 1 shaved ice a day. Okay, we ALMOST met that goal (and yes, it was a goal) but there was a day we missed out - boo! And mark my words, shaved ice is tooootally different from snow cones... just sayin'! While in Hawaii... we went to a Luau, lots of beaches, took a boat right along the Napoli Coast, went snorkeling, watched the sunset, ate - lots, rested, walked, sun bathed, and just had a grand ol' time. We definitely would love to go again... some day! :). Here are few+ more pictures to enjoy...

Wee - we're in Hawaii!

Going for our morning walk - just being totally normal

Me and my purrdy sista!

My beautimous mom... before she fell... :)

Oops! *Slippery when Wet!* lol. I was laughing, running (to help, of course!), and taking this picture at the same time.

The beautiful view from our room (yes, that is sarcasm!) haha. 

Bret and Britni in the Tunnels!

Mom soaking the sun and the ocean beauty - contemplating moving. :)

The gals - we love each other! :)

We are precious children. Had to do our "pose". 

Bret loving the rainbow wave. 

Steph and me excited for the luau!

Stephy, Bret, and Britni - waiting to get the grub in our tums!

We fell in love with the baby goats, so had to take a stroll  to visit them.

You saw these roosters ev-ry-where. This one was escorting her babies through the parking lot

Britni and Bret at some waterfalls

Enjoying the colorful sunset.

VERY happy - we found a lighthouse on our drive! 

Yay... a light house! I love 'em for some reason. Srsly. Ignore the nasty construction. :)

--July: July was a month full of new things and new chapters. After 10 years (say what?!) at my job, I put in my notice and quit in mid-July. I did this so that I could pursue my dreams and goals of being a private voice teacher.  I LOVE to sing, and love the voice, and the method that has helped me to further develop and improve my talent... so what better thing to do than to study it, and share it with other's by teaching it as well? I needed to quit my job so that I could focus totally on my teaching... so, that is what I did. It was a bitter-sweet thing for me. Bitter because I love the people I worked with, and had an uh-mazing boss... but sweet because I finally took that scary leap of faith to do what my heart has always wanted to. So... Long story short, I took my certification test at the end of July and I passed it - which means I am now officially a Level 1 Certified Speech Level Singing (SLS) Instructor.  To learn more about the method and to find teacher's in your area (me! If you're in Henderson/Vegas :).) visit the website: www.speechlevelsinging.com . I worked hard to get where I am, and I plan to always work hard and to continuously learn all that I can - so that I can be the best that I can be, and share that knowledge with my students. I look forward to spreading my wings and taking flight with this new endeavor.

--August (thus far): We went to Lake Powell! Wee-hoo! We go to Lake Powell every year with Bret's family - his mom's side. His Grandpa and Grandma Owen have a time share on a houseboat and we all pitch in a bit and get to enjoy a full week of sun, fun, lake time, food, and family. I was sick for the first few days of it (boo!) but still had a blast! I practiced my new wake-surfing skills (one day I'll actually let go of the rope, I swear!) and did a little tubing and wake boarding too. I love me the LP. I'm grateful for the memories of fun that we get to create every year. I love Bret's siblings - they kill me with giggles and good times. Kamille about made me split my gut with laughter while "hiking" up a rock to cliff jump (long story, but silly!). Every year Grandma O harasses me and Callie to sing a song at the "talent" show, so this year it was Kamille's idea to sing G'ma O's "favorite" hymn "Love At Home" (the Women's version with 3 parts) and it was hil-arious. Quite honestly G'ma O actually doesn't care for that song, so we had fun with it! ;). Bret's cousin is probably one of the world's cuuuuutest children - Savanna. Oh my dear she is a doll. Longest lashes with the perfect curl, and a sass to go with it! As soon as another cousin, Melissa, left - Savanna was my new shadow. I had fun with all the cousins and had quite a few good laughs. As always, looking forward to another LP session next year. :). Some pics...

Bret surfing - Look Ma... no hands!

Bretni smiling at LP

Bret's cousin Troy - the surf champ - surfed with no rope for quite a while!

Britni surfing - concentrating oh-so-hard. Please ignore my ghetto-licious booty/junk in the trunk. K? Thanks! 

Bret figured out how to do a 180 with his surf board. Talented much? I think yes! 

The pretty Savanna. This was after a  full day of swimming  & tubing... and then a huge storm. 

During that storm it was my duty to entertain the girls... so this is what we did - silly pics!

Another "silly pic"... emotion we were trying to accomplish? HAPPY

So, that's it for now folks. I've updated you a bit on what has been going on. Now let us see if I can update this at LEAST monthly - instead of quarterly. :). Best of luck to me!
Hope your days and summer have been wonderful and memorable. Live happy!

...Are you a Carrot, Egg, or Coffee Bean?

Okay, so I received this email and it really got me thinking. I think the message in it is great. I don't often re-send forwards, but this message just hit home for some reason and I just wanted to share. I don't drink Coffee, and even if you don't either I still think you can get the basic idea of what the moral of this story is. Enjoy... :)



"..... Carrots, Eggs & Coffee 
> A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee....

 A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. 


Her mother took her to the kitchen... She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word... 

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." 

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee." she replied. 

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hardboiled egg. 

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. 

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?" 

...So, think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? 
...Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? 
...Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. 

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? 

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. 

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. 

May we all be COFFEE!!!!!! ......."


So... after reading this email, it got me thinking... What am I? In trials that come my way, am I like the carrot where I am strong but then become weak? Am I like the Egg where I am soft hearted and free spirited, but then in trial do I become hard hearted and bitter? Or am I like a Coffee Bean, where I change for the better and change the circumstances? ... I think we all can say that in certain trials we have probably been 1 of the 3 at different times. 


If I were to choose between the two "not-so-great" one's, I would have to say I have had egg-like moments. I feel that between the 3 choices, I either am an egg or a coffee bean. Unfortunately it is true that through some of the trials I have been through it has/had hardened me a little bit... but that was the way I coped and handled the situation I was going through. I didn't want to fall apart and be weak, so I chose to harden and be tough. It is weird though because at the same time I didn't want to be too tough and unreachable, so I guess that is where the "coffee bean" in me comes through. 


As each day passes though, the hardening melts away, and the changes glimmer through showing how the trials, though incredibly difficult beyond my words, have definitely made me better. So much better. I am glad the Coffee Bean in me came through in the end, because life is much too precious to be weak, and much too joyous (yes!) to be hard and bitter. Thank goodness for my belief's and the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, ... and the great people like my family and especially my husband (he is seriously my rock, and I heart him!!!), ... or I fear I could have been the egg forever. I am so grateful for the gospel and the understanding I have of this life, and that the trials we go through are not beyond our capabilities to handle them. Our grief is just a moment, and there is nothing we cannot handle when we have our Heavenly Father and our Saviour by our sides. I know this to be true. 


So, my question to you is... Which are you? A Carrot, an Egg, or a Coffee Bean? None of us are perfect, and we all certainly have our weak moments... but my hope is that even if we start out as a carrot or an egg, that the end result will be the coffee bean. It is also my hope that everyone around me knows that I am more than willing to be a friend, a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen to if ever the need arises. 


So, here's to being a Coffee Bean! (Or Cocoa Bean! ... Mmmm... Chocolate!) ;)

Rescue Rangers

That's right! That is what me and Bret were the other weekend.

We were running [almost] late for Bret's work Christmas party at the Bellagio (which was totally amazing... pictures and post for that to come soon!) I was all hair & make up decked-out, but not in my dress yet because we figured we would change in our room in the hotel. Good thing too! Anyway - to the story... as we were leaving the neighborhood we were following behind this car that was driving extremely slow. Bret, who was driving, was slightly irritated as we were trying to get going. I told him to Chill-Bill and maybe the person in the car was just lost or something, so to give them a break and stop riding their bums! (Guys and their car-rage! haha. Luckily Bret's isn't too bad, but still!) Anyway, the car ended up pulling to the right and waving us around her. I was looking down as we started driving up the road more, when Bret says, "Oh, maybe that is what she is looking for?" I looked up and saw nothing, but then he pointed out a dog... and in a nut shell I told him to pull over so I could grab it and we could hopefully figure out who the owner was. There was a slight moment of a sigh from him, but as I reminded him that if our little lady pup, Myah, was roaming around I would hope that someone would do the same for me. The cute dog was such a sweety, he jumped right in the car (right on my dress with his dusty paws! haha) As I tried to move the dress and Bret's tux the dog must have figured I was taking much too long to take him for a "ride", and he jumped right back out and took off running down towards the busier street. I started running after him, telling him I'd give him a "treat"... told him I'd take him for a "ride" in the car... go for a "walk"... asked him if he wanted to go see his "mommy" (my dogs know what that means, so I figured he'd get as joyful as them at the word... nope!) Welp, none of those worked and he just kept running and running. Finally I just waved Bret towards me and told him to follow the dog to see if we could get him in the car. I wasn't giving up! There are coyotes where we live, and a few people in our ward have mentioned how their dogs got out, and never got back. Basically, the coyotes will attack your dog given the opportunity, or they could be hit by a car since at night it is very dark due to lack of street lamps. I couldn't stand the thought of leaving him. On top of that, it didn't help that all the handful of cars who passed us didn't look too concerned to help - so if we didn't catch him, who would? Luckily my last plan worked. We pulled up to the dog as if it were the first time and he hopped in the car. YAY! Win for us! He had a collar so we knew he belonged to someone, however the silly owner neglected to put any tags on the collar. No name, No address, No phone #, No rabies tag, Nada! Bret's genius guess that maybe the woman in the car earlier was looking for him was all we had to go off of. We discussed it and figured we would drive around our neighborhood and the other surrounding one's to see if we could find her driving around still, and if not then we would just put him in our backyard for the night with some food, and then post some pictures up the next day to hopefully find his home. I said a quick prayer that we would find the cute dogs owner and then we took off down the road again on our little scavenger hunt for this car. It must have been our lucky day, because as soon as we pulled into our neighborhood I saw the woman's car so I jumped out and waved her down. She looked at me like I was crazy (she's probably right. haha) and then I asked her if she was looking for a dog. All the sudden her eyes got watery and she said "YES!" she jumped out her car to ours and embraced her little lost four-legged friend. I found out his name is Yogi. And they are happy to be with each other again.
She was the most thankful person and couldn't believe I'd go chasing after her dog all fancied up. I told her my dog meant the world to me, and that I would hope someone would do the same for me given a reverse situation...

...and this, this is what got me thinking. I'm not posting this blog to say we are coolio peeps for taking the time to catch the dog and find his owner, or to pat us on the back. I know many people would have done just the same! ... This experience just got me thinking a few things.... Well, one thing is, put ID tags on your dog with their name, your Address/Phone #. That way if they get lost, it's easier for them to get "found" and to the right person. Now, the two other main things that came to mind were... (1) The saying "WWJD" (What Would Jesus Do) often comes to mind for me. I know some people might think it's a silly saying, but seriously! It helps me to put things into perspective. We were running late for Bret's work party, I had fancy hair and fancy make up, we could have just driven away like the other many cars did, or we could try to catch him... What Would Jesus Do? When the dog jumped out and took off running again, we could have said "Well, we tried. We're late. Let's go." or we could not give up and try again.... What Would Jesus Do? Because it was a dog, and I love those creatures, it wasn't a hard decision for me. In fact it was instinct. But it got me thinking about those other things that aren't so "instinct-like" for me... I need to work on those so I CAN be doing more of the things Jesus Would Do.  (2) One of my favorite Hymns has always been "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today"... the song came to my mind as we were going through this adventure, and it reminded me that there are many days I let pass by where I haven't done much "good" in the world that day, and I want to strive to be better at that. So, in a nut shell my thoughts lateley have been, if we ALL were to live by the above motto's and try to really apply: What Would Jesus Do?, and Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?... just think about how much better, and happier, this world would be. I think it is easy for all of us to let opportunities to serve others and help others pass by us because we are easily caught up in the every day things of life. But life isn't about that. Life should be about bringing happiness to the people around you, which in turn brings happiness to yourself.

To serve others, to honestly try and be like Jesus, to do good in the world each day... That is what life is about.

There's one key to more happiness.

How can you be your own Rescue Ranger to another? ... Sure makes you think, eh!?

:)

Birthday shopping (six months later!) Buahaha

Yep, you surely read that correctly. I went birthday shopping for myself, almost 6 months after the celebration of my day of birth. I was given some money, and just held on to it until I knew what I wanted. Well, considering I hate almost all my clothes right now, and I am cold, I figured now was the time to go buy a few things. And let's be honest, going on the cursed (for me) birth-control pill did not do my body any favors. I never weighed more than 104 until after I went on the pill. I know, some people say, "It is because you got married and let go of yourself!" Now, now, let us not be too quick to judge. I can truly say I have not changed my eating habits and probably eat better now than before. It really was instantaneous, I started birth control, I gained weight. Simple as that. It totally messed with my metabolism and how fast it worked. So, now, my weight has ranged between 12-16 pounds more than I've ever been in my life (depending on if "Aunt Flow" is in town), but it has been a roller coaster ride for me having to try and find a way to deal with the slight weight gain and the fact I am just not able to apparently do anything about it. j!@#$$%@!$%$! I don't know what that spells, but it says something not-happy. So, anyways, clothes have been on my mind. And a few clothes is what I got! I am only missing gloves and a jacket, and I am all set for winter. Woo hoo!

Also, let me please mention that I have asked for a jacket for Christmas for 3 years now, and for 3 years now Bret has told me, "Come my sweetness, let us go buy you a warm jacket my Queen!" Okay, maybe he did not tell me I was his Queen, but he surely must have thought it. haha. However, every time we go to shop for one I look at the price tag and say, "Nope!" Silly, right? I know. And then there I am every winter, wearing my dinky hooded sweaters and wondering why I am shivering my face silly, and cursing myself for not having a warm winters coat... Well, I guess I only have my frugal self to blame. :). So, maybe this will be my year. P.s. Any suggestions on where to look for cute, but warm, coats? All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

...Needless to say, today was a great day! It is always a little rewarding having a cute new outfit in your closet... Me gusta! And I must say that I am so proud of myself for hanging onto my birthday money and not putting it towards a car payment, or gas, or lunch - which has often been the case in previous years. Yay me! Even Bret told me he was so proud of his "little spender" bahahaha. Maybe one day, when I am not so afraid of what the next month or pay check might bring, I will relax a bit more in the monies department. But alas, that is not our situation in life right now. And quite frankly, I really do know we are truly blessed with all that we do have. I am so grateful Bret's got a wonderful job with a truly great company, which he get's better and better at every day. I am also grateful for mine and also for the slowly-but-surely voice teaching that I have growing on the side.

Ahh, sweet retail therapy, how we love you and oh how you do us all some good when we are able to get crazy and justify to be able to drop some CA$H! ...I even made a post about it! *GASP!*

There Once Was A Time...

When I was determined to be good at blogging... but that lasted all of 1 week. Bah! I'm terrible! I truly have the best of intentions, I mean... blogging is like the new Journal-ing... kinda. Even if no one reads it, they are great to keep up as a personal keep-sake and memory-holder. Right? Right!

So, I need to get better... to say the least. Part of me doesn't blog more because I am truly computer.challenged.!!!! How could I be my father's daughter?? I do not know, I definitely did not get that gene. Oh well, you win some, you lose some!

I also DO have a camera, just no cord to upload pictures. And since blogging doesn't just include your say of "what's up" in your life, but also includes the picture updates, I feel like it is boring blah. ...Guess I know what I need to buy on my next Amazon.com shopping spree (a camera-to-computer-chord, if you did not catch my drift. :).).

Welp, I'm off to HARRY POTTER (Yes, I am proud to be an American(/Canadian!), and proud to be obsessed with Harry Potter). I will be one tired puppy at work tomorrow with only 3 hours of sleep, but, tradition is tradition! I have not missed a midnight premier EVER, so why start now? Just two left! Plus, you only live once... what's a night or two with some hours of sleep missed really going to do? :). Sadly, I was unable to succeed in getting Bret to go with me...( he will happily go if he does not have work the next day), but, since his obsession does not exist for the books/movies as mine does, he chooses sleep. haha. That's okay, I've got my sissy and some friends we are going with. ...And I'll just come home to an already warm bed with his cute face grumbling at me to turn off the light. :)

Labor Day Weekend

3 day weekend!!! Isn't that what we all love to hear? (Besides 4, or 5, or 6 days... or VACAY!?) :). 

Unfortunately Bret rarely gets Saturday's off ever (yes, it is the pits!) and this weekend was no exception. However, we were both happy that he at least had Monday off so we could play and spend time with each other. Always good times. We left Saturday night after he was off work and headed to Beaver, UT where his mom's lovely cabin is. We had a really fun time! All his siblings were there (minus Lindzie, her husband Kyle, and our cute niece Evelynn). I was uuuuber excited his sister, Kamille, was coming from SUU to play with us for the weekend too (sure she just left 2 weeks ago for college, but hey! We miss the girl! lol.) Also Bret's Grandpa & Grandma Owen's were there as well. We went quadding/4-wheeling; ate; lounged; played Solitaire, Speed, and Shaing-hai; and just had a grandeous time. I actually learned how to drive the quad for the first time in my life. Good times! The first time I ever went quadding was when I was 16 in good ol' Canada with my bffe/cousin Erin. We went with some good friends/who happened to be cute boys (of course that was a plus, right?! haha.) It was a great experience and tons of fun, and I have loved it ever since! But I have always been the passenger, hanging on from behind and enjoying the ride... I have this idea in my head that if I touch it, it will break (that applies to basically everything). So! Instead I choose to enjoy things from the passenger side and not take the chances of breaking things. haha. However, Bret finally convinced me I'd have to be a complete fool with the thing to actually break it, so I tried it out and he taught me well. I'm no mountaineer, but beginners have to start somewhere, right? :). So that was good fun. We then went for a long ride on a trail with the family and had a grand old time. We love going up to the cabin because it is gorgeous up there and it's just fun to be with everyone. We also had the pleasure of a mama deer and her baby coming close to the cabin and they were just oh-so-cute! Now we are home and letting it sink in we have to go back to work tomorrow. :)

Oh 3 day weekends, how we love you - please come back soon! :)

What am I doing?!

Well, well, well. Here I am - blogging! Who would have ever thought?! Little Miss Technologically-handicapped is trying it all out. (Side note: Please forgive me as I fumble through and try to "perfect" the process - yes, it may just take YEARS.) :). I am both excited, and overwhelmed! It is so fun to have been able to keep up with family & friends on their blogs and then I started thinking that I should probably do the same. Only fair, right? I always figured that since Im not a mama yet I don't have very much interesting to share, but life is full of fun and surprises - no matter what stage we are at in life! Besides, it is so nice to keep everyone posted about our lives in one place, and to also kind of keep as my own personal "journal" or whatever. SO! Here's to trying something new... it never hurts... right!? :)