Memorial Day Weekend

It was a wonderful Memorial Day weekend for me!

On Saturday I was outside pulling some weeds for my great friend Josh. It was perfect "weed pulling" weather! It had rained the day before, and it was nice and cool. We had it done in two hours! Then we did lots of cleaning! There is not a better feeling then to work hard on cleaning a house, and when you are all done, take a step back and breath in the smells, and looking around at how shiny everything is. The only thing that was sad about this moment was the fact that I then turned around and went back to where I live, and it was filthy! It really ruined the moment for me!

On Monday, I was able to spend the day with the Martinsen's. We played in the pool all afternoon. It is so wonderful to have some family close by considering I get so incredibly homesick on days like today. Last year I spent the holiday in Colorado trying to get on the right bus to see Evan race in the Boulder Boulder. I thought I would be back again next year, being able to run the race! Little did I know, I would be living further, and doing something else on the eventful day.


The sun was just right. Almost too breezy for the pool, but we managed. ;)


As much as I missed my family, I was able to have one Amazing weekend. One I will never forget.

Weather that will go down in History Books!

I swear cold weather follows me. When I lived in Florida, we had the coldest, longest winter they had seen in over 25 years.

I then move to Arizona. Who would have believed that on May 22nd, it would be 54 degrees? Just a few days ago we had record breaking high temperatures. . Within a few days, we are now having record breaking low temperatures. They said they have not seen this kind of weather pattern in well over 100 years. It was actually cold enough today to wear a sweater. I came home from work and wanted to cuddle up in a blanket and wear warm socks. Which is exactly what I did!

I am actually LOVING this weather! Some people are not happy because it is graduation night for a lot of schools out here. Who would have thought that they would have to move it inside due to rain and cold weather?

Sounds like the weather is crazy all over today! I looked up Colorado to see how close the tornado was to Evan and Tami. Luckily it was far enough away and they are just dealing with wind and rain. Then I looked up cameras on I-80 and you should have seen the mess with semi's rolled over and cars off the road. Best yet, which was not surprising, when I looked at the camera on Teton Pass and it was almost blizzard type conditions with big flakes falling from the sky. Hyrum said it had been raining and snowing for the past few days.

All I can say is there is nothing better then experiencing "cold" when it is suppose to be HOT! It just makes me feel so cozy and happy.

Great places in the desert

There is this really cool restaurant that is about a half mile down from my house. Saturday night we went there to eat and discovered it was going to be featured on the Food Network! The first time they showed it was Monday night, but I am sure they are showing it several times. The place is pretty cool I must say. You can go to their website to read all about it by clicking on the title or going to http://www.joesfarmgrill.com/. They have this big farm where they plant all their own vegetables, herbs, you name it! They converted the old farm house into the restaurant, where you feel like you are sitting right in the middle of some 60's living room. You can even sit outside where you are surrounded by these huge old trees that provide lots of nice shade.

It has been so much fun to discover these places. I love living in an area where I know there is always something "new" I haven't tried or places I haven't been.

It is that time of year now .....yes it gets over 100 degrees. People shut down. Life almost seems to slow down. I can hear that music they play on a movie when they show the person lost in the desert with no food or water and the sun is beating down on them. That is what it is like here! The sun SUCKS up all the energy...so people walk around like zombies. The sad thing is, it has only been a few days since we have had this heat!

I have discovered though that people love to crank the AC up especially at church. So by the time three hours is up, your toes are frozen, and the heat wave actually feels really good! By the time you realize it is TOO hot, your car AC is working, and before you know it you are home. Too bad our air conditioning decided to stop working on us, but thank goodness it gets fixed tomorrow!

Better yet, it is suppose to drop down to 75-80 degrees for a GORGEOUS Memorial Day weekend!!

Paitence and Popcorn

I love going to the movies. I mean, I really, really, really love going to the movies! Especially alone. Anyone that knows me, knows that on occasion after work, or a Saturday afternoon, you could find me driving to Jordan Commons with no passengers, getting ready to see a really good movie. There is nothing better then sitting down (anywhere you want, without having to ask someone where they would like to sit) with popcorn and drink in hand. Sometimes I would keep the laughter to myself since I felt silly sitting there alone, but other times I would burst into laughter, or shed a few tears. (which is easier to do alone then laughing) Some girls go to the spa or go shopping to "get away" but me, a dark movie theatre with a box of Jr. Mints in hand.

But yesterday was Definitely not my usual movie theatre experience!

My friend Josh and I decided to go see Prince Caspian from the Chronicles of Narnia. But that is not all we decided. We also decided to take oh say a few dozen kids with us. Ok maybe not that many, but it sure seemed close!

All of his nieces and nephews, along with my three cousins.

Have you ever tried saving twelve seats? Not an easy task! Dirty looks, ladies that wanted to look up the "policy," and several almost moments of, we are just going to sit there anyway because you can't stop us!

I think before the previews even ended, we had already spilled a drink and knocked over half a bag of popcorn! Which wasn't even the kids! Then came trying to make sure everyone liked who they were sitting by, both on the left and right side, popcorn was on laps, thirst was easily taken care of with drinks in the drink holders, and of course a large supply of Jr. Mints, Hot Tamales, Reese's Pieces..... Did I miss anything?

Twenty minutes into the movie Emma wanted to know if it was almost over. Thirty minutes into the movie Grace ran out of her stock of candy. Forty-five minutes into the movie we got the "SSHHH" from the lady in front of us that thought she was coming to a quite movie theatre when the whole place was full of excited children!

I tell you what though, it was a blast! I even watched 99.9% of the movie! I need to watch it a few more times to catch all the Gospel insights C.S. Lewis is able to capture. I would pick up on a few and get the chills thinking about what it could be compared to pertaining to the Plan of Salvation. How did this man know all these things? Was he given a copy of the Pearl of Great Price? Or was he just truly inspired to share with the world the Plan of Happiness through his own words? However he was able to do it, he was right on. If only the rest of the world really, really knew the symbolism behind each character and their journey through this thing called life.

This is my pal Abe. Abe wasn't super excited about spending the day with me, but after the movie was over he said it was in his top three!

Reasons why I LOVE Arizona!!

So, I have been here in Arizona for a while now. I love it here so far. I have made some great friends! Some are which my roommates, others are some of my extended family, and many others. All of whom I know have been put in my life for a reason. I heard a talk a few weeks ago, (maybe it was conference, I don't remember.) It was about how there are no coincidences in life. Heavenly Father is all knowing, and He knows exactly where we need to be, who needs to be with us, and what we need to be doing.

I love my job! They are great people. I am learning a lot, and I hope to learn more as I go.

I love having family close by me as well. I don't know what I would do without the Martinsen Clan! Tara, Layne and their kids all take good care of me. I had a great experience being able to spend two weeks with the kids while their parents were gone. I learned a lot of patience, knew I was loved, received many hugs, and most of all, realized it is not easy being a Mother! Or a Father for that matter!

They are wonderful people, and I am so blessed to have them near me. I miss my nieces and nephews so bad it hurts! So it is nice to have my cousins here to play with.

I also miss my Mom and sisters, and sisters in law, so it is nice to have someone whom I think is a good filler. Tara is an amazing Mom and wife. I look up to her the same way I look up to my Mom, sisters, Tami and Leah.

Another person who has taken me under his wing and watched over me is my amazing friend Josh. Josh is one of those people that every person should have in their life. We have had so much fun together since I have been here. Lots of Jazz games, playing with all the kids, helping him out in his classroom, taking care of sick children, and checking out lots of Mexican Restaurants. I am so lucky to have him around!!

Because I have Josh around, I also have been able to get to know his sister and her family. They have the coolest kids ever! (well, right up there with my 5 nieces and nephews and the Martinsens.) One of my favorite times since I have been here is when Josh and I took on 8 kids for the day! We all went on a hike and had a blast! It is people like them that have made the transition of being away from my family a little less painful.

I am so grateful for the Spirit and how it has guided me in my life so far. I don't know where I would be without it. Surely not in Gilbert Arizona!!

MY FAMILY

My Brothers Hyrum, Evan, Spencer, and Mike Sharla's hubby


Pictures of My Family
Sharla, Tami, (Evan's Wife) April, Leah (Spencer's wife) and Maria

Spencer, Leah and S.J.

Evan and Tami's Family

Chase, Evan, Amelia, Tami, Abbey and Chandler

Ma, Pa and the Grandkids

All of US!!! What a great family I have!

Happy Mother's Day!

Seems only fair my Mother gets a moment on my little section of cyber space.


My first Mother's Day away from home since my mission. Yes I missed the annual feast of Fried Chicken and mashed potatoes, but doesn't mean I didn't think about my Mom.


My Mom is the greatest!! Here are some reasons why I LOVE my Mammacita!
* She has this laugh that is very contagious. If you have ever heard it, you know what I am talking about.
* She knows how to have fun and "KICK BACK" with her Family

* Pure Testimony of the Restored Gospel
* Always up for an adventure
* Knows her kids needs adventures
* Shows Affection

She is a chocolate chip cookie fan, exercises so she can eat more cookies, Loves to look good for my Dad, is proud of her kids, and she is beautiful inside and out.
Happy Mother's Day!

Running with the Family

Who's idea was it to get up at 4:30am on a Saturday and run 13 miles for a family Reunion? Don't regular families go play horseshoes or something and sit around and drink lemonade talking about the good ole Days?

NOT US!! It was so exciting to participate in the Salt Lake City Marathon! Evan and SPencer (proud sponsors of feelmycalves.com) ran the full, Maria and I ran the 1/2, Tami, HY, and Chandler ran the 5k, and even Abs ran the 1k (Watch out Chandler, she will beat you next year!)

I have never had so much fun going 13 miles. I really thought it would be hard, but my goal was to finish the race and beat my brother who were doing the full! I managed to reach my very sad goals. The best part of the day was walking back to the beginning of the orange fence and telling Evan I came back for him. I couldn't keep up with him, but it was sure fun since he was the one telling me that he would come back and get me!

After the race we all went back to Brigham City, where we finally did what a regular family does on a Family Reunion....Sit around and drink lemondade...(well for us it is usually Frescas) minus the horseshoes.

Here are some highlights to the weekend!!

Carbo Loading

SJ Getting ready to "Mix it Up" Since Pa was using the wok to "Wok it Up"

Amelia giving me a great Pedicure!

Spam Mac and Cheese! I made the mistake of playing the "Remember When" game and mentioning the..."Remember when Mom fooled us into thinking were were having a special treat for dinner ?" Well, she suprised us Saturday with about 4 boxes of the orange sodium!!

On Sunday we did some family pictures, But I will share those pictures in my next blogging session

It was a great weekend, and one I will never forget! Next Year I plan on taking at least an hour off of my time!