David Archuleta

First off, I want to realize this may make many of you incredibly jealous, others will be disgusted, and some of you may feel nothing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not some obsessed fan that wore a t-shirt with his face on it stating "Mr. & Mrs. Archuleta", although I did see someone who did. And I believe he is too young for me to have a celebrity crush on, he's very nearly illegal. With that disclaimer out there...

DAVID ARCHULETA'S VOICE IS AMAZING!

I wasn't exactly prepared for all the pre-teens screaming their love for them at the top of their shrill voices. And even though it was cute a somewhat endearing, David really is awkward when he speaks. He's just so obviously a slightly timid 18 year old mormon boy who needs some public speaking coaching. And he definitely looks too young. BUT HIS VOICE! I wasn't prepared for it to sound that amazing live either! I mean, come on, with TV shows and CDs, things can be fudged (and I guess if he was lip syncing, this could be too but how bad would THAT be for publicity?), but LIVE. oh baby!

He sang a song that was partly in French. Unfortunately, due to the screaming girls and him singing so quickly, I didn't understand it :(
He also sang a song in Spanish, and it was sexy!
Yes, I used that word for David Archuleta. But it was!
He may serenade me any day of the week,
as long as I get to forgo the screaming preteens.

DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID DAVID

But I still like Hugh Jackman, Il Divo, & Josh Groban ;)


My roommate saw him in the temple doing baptisms...

Turkey, Tots, and Talks

It always seems that whenever family gets together there is so much to do, how do we ever write about all of it? I've been so blessed to get to spend this time with my lovely family.
My parents rented a house for our stay here in St. George because we knew it would be WAY too crowded in my grandparents house if we didn't.

I was worried that my nephews and niece would be a little standoffish, just because they don't see us too often so of course we're a little strange to them, but they have been amazing this trip! They aren't as attached to their parents this trip as they have been before :) yay!

Thursday we spent at the grandparent's house having Thanksgiving Lunch. It was so incredibly delicious :) I had to force myself to stop eating, it just isn't worth it to have to roll around all day. We went to the park for a little while and played on the slides, teeter-totters, and some basketball. We also watched the space shuttle re-enter the atmosphere in the evening. We stayed up way too late talking and crying ;)

Yesterday we went up to the "Dixie Rock" and climbed all over the red sandstone. There is a space called "The Narrows", a very tight spot in the rocks, about 20 feet deep, a couple hundred feet long, and about 10 inches wide. I went through twice. The first time was with Caidin and Jonathan, and the second time was with Alyssa and Jeremy. There was quite a line to go through, but it was fun! We played Limericks last night which is always hilarious. Especially when you come up with lines about tots smoking pot, and being afraid of spending your life with one person, and brothers having bad gas and so on and on.



Today has been a little more laid back. Spending the day at the grandparents, Lance and Mandy made us all waffles! Ashley and I raked a huge pile of leaves and jumped in them with the boys.


I've been very attached to Joseph, whenever I get the chance. He's such an adorable little boy and makes me baby hungry! Even though he's spit up on me at least 5 different times, I still love holding him when I can :) Its amazing how quickly they grow up!


They are all so adorable and I've loved spending this time with them :)

i (heart) my family & dance with daddy

I have been looking forward to coming home so much, even more so in the past few weeks. I have missed my family and the security, love, and companionship to be found in a home. Yes, the loneliness isn't as bad now that I've got Alyssa living with me, but getting to be home and hug your parents just for the heck of it just doesn't happen all that often anymore. Sometimes I'll random just say, "Alyssa, I love you" and she looks at me funny. Like, what? I can't tell my sister I love her? Geez.

Well, I have a little mini goal of mine that really isn't so mini, its very important. I'm really trying to have a better relationship with my parents. Not that we had a bad relationship while I was a teen and still living with them, but I have come to realize that I didn't give them nearly the respect they deserved for being so hardworking, patient, kind, for trying to teach valuable lessons, and their love. I've always had a better relationship with my mom, maybe its just because she's a woman and so naturally we already have a different bond. I mean, you just can't talk to your dad about some things...awkward! ;)

Yesterday was Tasha and Andrew's wedding. It came to the point at the reception where they announced the daddy/daughter dance. And I couldn't believe it when mom said dad had just walked out to go home! So I was trying to find him and finally found him on his way to the car. I told him he had to come back and dance with me.

I'm booking it into the church and dad goes,

"Girl! Who taught you to run in heels? Heels were invented so guys would have a chance and you couldn't run away from them."

"Well, aren't you glad that when they do start chasing me I can run away from them?"

"I'll buy you some flats for Christmas"

Haha, I think that's the closest thing my dad has ever said about me needing to date and get married.

When we got in, no one else was dancing as the bride and her father were on the dance floor, but on the next dance her sister said, "Come on, you're Mormons, everyone comes dance!" At which point I went on the dance floor then, pointing to the floor looked at my dad and said, "Come over here and dance with me!" Haha. He did so. I didn't know he could dance! Probably what made my mom fall in love with him. ;) It was a touching dance for me. I almost cried, and for those of you who know me, that's something special... I'm glad I got the opportunity.

Later I was talking with a family friend and she told me she was trying to figure out who in the world was dancing with my dad (I've dyed my hair since the last time everyone saw me in May). I thought it was funny! And I had quite a few people turn me around so they could look at the way I styled my hair. Which is just funny because I do it like that all the time at the daycare.

Ah! I love love love being home and seeing all the familiar faces and the love! It was wonderful catching up with all the older generation, all the parents of my friends. I love talking with them, they are all so kind.

Tonight I got to see Tamara and Ted, Jeff and Deanne, Stephanie and Missy. I was glad Tamara and Ted stopped in for dinner and dessert so that I could visit with them before ditching town again. And I had a lovely chat with Missy. Nothing like good old Girl Talk!

<3

Mr. & Mrs. Westensee

CONGRATULATIONS

ANDREW & TASHA
WESTENSEE

NOVEMBER 21, 2009

SEALED FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY

PORTLAND, OREGON

Yesterday was the grand big event that I flew home for. Tasha and Andrew's wedding :) I got to see her Friday night when I got home from the airport, we stopped by to pick up the flowers for my mom to do a few vases. She leapt over a huge box to come hug me. Ha ha. The poor girl stayed up until at least 2, because that's the last time she texted me, telling me to call her in the morning. They'd forgotten to pick up Andrew's tie and vest! That's what friends are for on days like this! I'm glad I was able to get it to them.

A beautiful bride, and a lucky groom! I'm so happy for Tasha and Andrew. Its about time they tied the knot!
Oh Andrew, what a good friend, always willing to listen and give advice. I'll never forget the "speed" card parties between seminary and school, "the list", and the "to every joke there is truth". And the projector movie nights in highschool!
Tasha was gorgeous, as I knew she would be. Tasha. Wow, I'll never forget the crazy slumber parties, midnight candy runs during bachelorette parties, the great education I got from my crazy friends, the mudpie and slope we made as kids, and putting toothpicks down your pants during SET class freshman year. Thanks for the many calls and girl chats. I love you!

It meant so much to me to be able to share in this wonderful day with you. Thank You to two great friends.

Tasha and I


Andrew and Tasha


May you live in Love & Joy
LIVE. LAUGH. LOVE.

Message on the windshield

To preface the short story I am about to tell you, you must know a few things:

1) My boss is building a shop next door to the daycare.

2) There have been construction workers (all older men) there for the last few weeks, but never were there any younger ones.

Yesterday I got off work and walked out to my car. As I was pulling away I passed a truck with two guys in it. I only say one of their faces and he was handsome! And younger than any of the other guys. He waved at me and I waved back and smiled. I texted my friend at the stop sign and was like, "There is a really cute guy working out there today" - she, being the great friend that she is asked if I wanted her to go get his phone number for me. haha. I told her most definitely not! He is probably married and was just being friendly.

Well, this morning their truck was there, but no guys. I really thought nothing of it, because I really did think this guy was married. BUT when I left this afternoon I realized there was a piece of paper folded up and stuck under my windshield wiper. I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING! So I stop my car and get it and open it up.

"Hi!
I'm the guy who waved at you yesterday at the daycare parking lot.
If you are single, call me. I would like to take ya out sometime.
Phone #, Paul"

I called my friend and was like, "This isn't funny!" But she didn't write it, and she didn't talk to him yesterday.

So now, I'm not really sure what to do. Do I let it fizzle out and not do anything? Do I call him tomorrow? Do I try and leave a note on their truck with my phone number so he has to call me?

5 things from my week

Some of my latest 'adventures'

1. Clumsiness must be a disease of mine. Tuesday while making lunch at the daycare I bumped my arm on the rack in the oven and now have a burn mark. Boy it hurt! Friday night I was working out with my friend Alex. I'm fast walking on the treadmill at about 4.5 mph and decide to look down at my arm. Usually, no big deal right? Well somehow, still not really sure what happened, but somehow I lost my balance and had to take some fast steps to keep myself from implanting my face onto the moving strip below me. When I finally had my balance I stopped the treadmill and hyperventilated for a second. Alex had already stopped his and was just looking at me like "what the heck just happened?" I felt like an idiot. But don't worry, I'm not done. Today after stake conference I'm walking down the stairs and somehow manage to catch the back of BOTH heels on the step. How does this even happen?! I landed on my knees, but was so embarrassed I got up as fast as I could and just kept walking. My roommate Miriam was in front of me while the rest of them were behind me. I had to laugh. I mean. Maybe I just had the urge to knee down and pray for a split second?

2. Inspiration. So I've started working out again and the world began rejoicing. A week ago Friday I went to the gym with Megan for the first time since like... April? Megan introduced me to the elliptical and I almost died. But since then the elliptical has earned my respect, and I love it! Monday I did 4 miles on the elliptical. Wednesday I did 4 on the elliptical and then 2 as a cool down on the treadmill. I decided to do some ab workout so headed over to the mats. While I was resting between sets of crunches, the girl next to me got up and before she left said, "I just wanted to tell you you're beautiful." I was stunned. Here I am, stinking and smelling like a boy who just walked out of a sauna, and she's telling me I'm beautiful! It made my day.

My 2nd set of inspiration came more unexpectedly than the other. I was talking with a friend from back home and before he signed off he said, "Just make sure you make those boys work for you, ok? Your so worth it!" I was taken aback. My bishop here at school has told me that a few times, but I think it just hit me differently coming from a guy my own age. I am very thankful he chose to say those words to me, he may never know how much I needed to hear that, but all the same I am grateful to him. The Lord does hear prayers!

3. Passover. Ok, obviously its not the right time of year for Passover, but Miriam is taking a world religion class and her project was to plan and carryout a genuine Passover. No offense, but I'm glad I'm not Jewish. The meatballs were delicious, the radish dipped in salt water not so great. The fruit dip was a little weird to me but the Matzo bread was ok. Dessert was delicious though. Well, during the readings of passover MY hand-mixer container falls from its spot above the cupboards, lands on the casserole dish that is on the counter, both objects are hurtled to the floor and the casserole dish shatters everywhere. How wonderful. It was delightful. The Jews use it as a meal, we use it as floor decoration.

4. He's Just Not That Into You. Last night we watched that movie. And I didn't like it much the first time I saw it because there is some questionable content in it. This time it was clean-flicked and a lot better. And funnier. Its also the story of my life. ;) And I'm going to try so so hard to take my friend's advice and just make those boys work instead of worrying about it so much. Here are a few quotes from the movie:

"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, Every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope."

Gigi: So what now I'm just supposed to turn from every guy who doesn't like me?
Alex: Uh. Yeah!
Gigi: There's not gonna be anybody left.

(later)

Alex: Oh, you’re home

Gigi: Where am I supposed to be?

Alex: I don’t know, out? It’s a Saturday night

Gigi: Well you won’t let me go out with guys that don’t like me, its kind of limiting.

Alex: Guys invented the "spark" so that they could not call, and treat you kind of bad, and keep you guessing, and they convince you that that anxiety and that fear that they're throwing at you is actually, just a "spark". And you guys all buy it. You eat it up. And you love it. You love it because you feed off that drama. You all love that drama.

5. Happy Birthday Grandma! Happy Birthday Jonathan! How time flies, how can you be 8 already?!

Le cour du Francais

J'ai un 99.19% dans mon cour de Francais. J'aime beaucoup ce cour, c'est mon favorite! Ma professeur et tres intelligente, et elle est francaise. Elle est petite et mince. Elle est tres sympathique et patiente aussi. Mes camarades de classe sont amusants, ils ne sont pas serieux tout le temps. J'aime un garcon dans ma classe, mais, il est tres stupid. Zut, alors! Je ne comprend pas les garcons. Ils sont tres difficiles.
Mais, J'aime ma classe de francais!!!!

Ok, Basically this said: I love my class, I have a 99.19% in it (YAY!). My teacher is amazing and boys are silly.