Fighting Hunger

Do you have a Facebook page??

If you do, I am sure you have seen all of the Fighting Hunger in Salt Lake City stuff that has been going on! If not.... where the heck have you been?!?!
Walmart is giving 1 MILLION dollars to one city's food bank to help those in the area that are struggling. Salt Lake City is currently in 1st place!! But not by much!!
The contest ends tomorrow night and we need as many votes as possible to stay ahead of Fresno, CA!

So, if you have not done so already, go to:

www.fightinghunger.walmart.com

When you are there "like" SLC!! That gets you one vote!! If you post a little commet with your "like" you get a second vote!!
You can also get votes when you "like" other peoples post about the comments!! So after you have voted, go to all of your friends pages and start clicking like crazy!!

My awesome friend Nicole posted something on her page about people that have open walls where it is just post after post about the contest!!! Seriously... there are HUNDREDS of posts between these pages and you can like every single one {which means HUNDREDS of votes for SLC}!!
PLEASE take just minute to go through these peoples walls and "like" as many of their posts as possible!!

Search for:
Jodi Hollingshead Frkovich
            and
Miranda Kyker
            and
Feed Utah-Now

I am sure we all know someone who is stuggling with money right now and has the fear of not getting a meal!! I heard on the news the other day that the Utah Food Bank has the ability to $1 in to $7 worth of food!!
That means our food bank would be able to produce 7 MILLION dollars worth of food to families in need!! Wouldnt that be amazing!!!!

If you are still trying to decide if it is worth some of your time, let me tell you one last thing. The news said that much of the food they provide would go to help children! I hope that gets you motivated to spend some serious time "like"ing peoples posts!!!

THANKS Everyone!!

Goodbye 2010

Here is my annual, yearly post!!! Is it lame to say that I have been looking forward to this post since July??

MY 2010...
1.What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before? Moved out of my parents house!

2.Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don't think I made resolutions last year!! I am always HORRIBLE about keeping them, so rather than having to say what a failure I was, I didn't make any!!
As far as making them...... I think I am actually going to try to be good about it this year!! I have a small list in my head!! Maybe you will see them later!!

3.Did anyone close to you give birth? Not this year {that I can remember any way. SO SORRY if you did and I didn't mention it}! Next year should be interesting though!! I swear that almost every married person I know is pregnant right now!!

4.Did anyone close to you die? No! And just like last year I am SO grateful!!

5.What countries did you visit? I was hoping to have a really awesome answer to this question this year {even if I just said Canada}. But sadly, it's the same as last year. None =0(

6.What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? I'm just going to say it..... more money!


7.What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory, and why? The day my brother married my wonderful sister-in-law!! SO glad Hayley is part of our family!!

8.What was your biggest achievement of the year? Losing 40 pounds between February and August!!

9.What was your biggest failure? Gaining back some of the stupid weight that I lost during the first half of the year!!

10.Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing at all really, aside from the occasional migraine!!!

11.What was the best thing you bought? Cardigans!! I have a new found love for them!!


12.Whose behavior merited celebration? My friend Megan at work! She mailed me a booked for my birthday.... while I was in California!! How awesome is she?!?!


13.Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The CEO of BP oil!!


14.Where did most of your money go? Rent.... car payment.... student loans.... basically it all went to other people!!!


15.What did you get really, really, really excited about? I got really excited about Eclipse, which came out in the summer!! And then I was really excited for Harry Potter in the fall!! I was also really excited about the book Mockingjay!!


16.What song will always remind you of 2010? Secrets by One Republic!! Love, love LOVE this song!! The cello in the intro!! Ahh!! Just beautiful!!!


17.Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? About the same!
ii.thinner or fatter? For the first time EVER I can say thinner!!! Even if its not by very much!
iii.richer or poorer? Poorer


18.What do you wish you'd done more of? Saved my money!


19.What do you wish you'd done less of? Eat less holiday Reeses {between Halloween and Christmas it has been bad news}!!


20.How will you be spending The New Year? Not 100% sure yet!! I am pretty sure I am hanging out with my friend Miranda for a night of movies!! And then New Years day will be spent playing Just Dance 2 on the Wii and Rock Band on the XBox!


22.Did you fall in love in 2010? Same as last year.... nope!


23.How many one-night stands? Never!


24.What was your favorite TV program? My favorite show {Heroes} was cancelled!! REALLY bummed about that. Now that it is gone, I don't really have anything that is a favorite. I do like Criminal Minds..... and I like to watch The Nanny re-runs!


25.Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Nope, no one new!! Just the same on VERY strongly dislikes!


26.What was the best book you read? The Hunger Games series!!! You should read it!!


27.What was your greatest musical discovery? Steven Sharp Nelson and his cello!!

28.What did you want and get? Wanted to go to Disneyland for my birthday and I got it!! I wanted to switch my desk around at work so I wasn't sitting in the corner all day long and I did that too!!


29.What did you want and not get? I always want the government to just say "Oh Amanda.. you are so great.... how about we just forgive all your student loans?!?!"
This was not my year for that!
30.What was your favorite film of this year? There is no way I can pick just one!! How To Train Your Dragon was SO cute!! Letters To Juliet!! Prince of Perisa! Toy Story 3!! Inception!! Life As We Know It!! And I cant leave out Eclipse and HP 7!!!


31.What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? It was my golden birthday this year!! I turned 25 on the 25th!! And I just realized that I never posted exactly what I did on my actual birthday!! I will have to that because it was FANTASTIC!!! But long story short, I got to go to Disneyland on my birthday! This may sound totally cheesy but it was a dream come true!! I got to eat a delicious lunch with friends, had cupcakes and saw a great show! Ahh! It was awesome!! Seriously.... post coming soon!!


32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having lots of money in my bank account and losing another 30 pounds!


33.How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? I still like to get dressed up!! I like skirts and jewelry and scarves and cardigans!!!! And I have become a HUGE fan of Toms!


34.What kept you sane? I never really know an answer to this question!! Probably venting all my lame problems to my mom!!


35.Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Have you seen Tron?? If you have, I probably don't need to say anything else!! But if you haven't...... Garrett Hedlund!!! Ahh!!! SO good looking!!!

 36.What political issue stirred you the most? All the stupid mid-term election crap!! Remember my post about it?!?! All the mud slinging and name calling!!! Politics drive me crazy!!


37.Who did you miss? I miss my family a lot....... it's weird living away from home and not seeing them every day!


38.Who are your favorite people that you met this year? My sister-in-law Hayley!!


39. Quote a song lyric that accurately summarizes this year.“I just haven't met you yet!"

I Always Thought That Song Was Too Long Anyway!

So much for my 12 days of Christmas stories/thoughts/songs!!!! I actually had a really cool song I wanted to share...... and I was going to post the Christmas story with some really awesome pictures! But.............. I waited WAY to long this year to get started on shopping!! I was actually running around picking up last minute things on Christmas Eve!!!
BAD idea!! The stores were crazy!! Parking was horrible!! And people are awful drivers!!! Never again!!! I am making a promise to myself that all my Christmas shopping will be done by the end of November from now on!! That way I can enjoy the month of December and not stress so much!!!
So I guess you will have to wait until next year to hear my new favorite Christmas song!! That's okay though... it gives me time to put something to together {a really great way for you to hear it}!!

This month has been so crazy!! I haven't been able to post as much as I wanted too!! I have all kind of pictures of my Christmas tree and of all my treasured ornaments!!

And I got to celebrate some fun birthdays with some really great people!!! And I have been to some fun Christmas parties and shows!!!
I know the holiday is over..... but I think I am still going to post about those things!! This month went by way to fast and I don't want to forget all the things that went on!!
The only problem now....... finding some spare time to type up 5+ posts!!!!

Spoiled

Christmas came and went WAY to fast this year!  I even started listening to Christmas music shortly after Halloween {not ALL time okay.... but a good chunk of it.....} to try to get into the Christmas mood!! But despite all of that, it still came and went with out much notice! I hate that!! Next year will be much better!!

Christmas at my house this year was wonderful! I spent Christmas Eve with family and friends eating yummy food {thanks to my parents} and playing fun games {I am still not a Rock Band champ!}. I stayed up really late wrapping presents and watching Christmas movies on TV!

Before I went to bed my mom had started putting presents out under the tree..... I told her she had to STOP, that couldn't put any more out until I was asleep!! One of my favorite things about Christmas day is walking around the corner and seeing all the presents piled under the tree!
One or two small packages under the tree is okay during the weeks leading up to the big day but I love the anticipation of waking up the next morning and seeing everything Santa brought!!

I was extremely spoiled by my family and friends this year! I was also surprised by a lot of the presents! As you get older, it gets harder to be surprised {for me anyway....}, but this year my parents were so sneaky!! I had wanted some perfume that I was positive I wasn't getting because my mom told me she had missed the order by date!! Little did I know that was all an act!!
I got everything I asked for and more off of my list! Like I said..... I was very spoiled!!!

The biggest surprise of all though was this:

A brand new Kindle!!! I cannot even describe how excited I am about this!! I LOVE to read, so this is perfect for me!!

I don't remember specifically telling either of my parents how awesome a Kindle would be..... but I must have mentioned how cool I thought they were at some point, because my awesome Dad remembered and picked it out for me!! My Dad is so great with that kind of thing!! He makes awesome mental notes about things he hears you say you want throughout the year and then surprises you with it later on!! He is the best!

I have already downloaded a few books onto it....... first book downloaded....... Pride and Prejudice!!!!

Christmas day was spent with family!! My brother and sister-in-law came up in the late morning so we could all open family gifts together!! My little sister got me a REALLY cute apron and I am SO excited to use it!!

We spent the afternoon visiting grandparents and other family members!! I also got the chance to talk to my wonderful friend Christine {who is currently serving a mission in AZ} via Skype!!!

After all the days activities, my family went back to my parents house to watch Despicable Me!! We put the movie in, grabbed blankets and pillows, and within the first 8 minutes on the movie, 4 out or 7 people were asleep!!! Haha!!

It was such a great few days!! I love this time of year and I'm dreading taking my Christmas tree down!!

Tied With A Bow

I found some of the coolest wrapping paper this year at Hobby Lobby! It is black and white damask and I couldn't wait to use it!! I also picked up some turquoise and red ribbon to put it all together. This is how they turned out:

I though they were pretty! I was excited to hand them out to family and friends!

I was also excited about the gifts I made for my co-workers..... Oreo Balls of Goodness!!!

 I saw an idea to package them in egg carton containers so I filled them up with a bunch of different flavors!

I added some scrapbook paper to the outside and tied it all up with a bow!!

5 Gooooold Rings, {ba da dum dum}

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

Now The 4th Day of Christmas

I just found this story online while sitting here at work!! I love it!! I hope it touches you the way it did me!!

The "W" In Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.  I had cut back on nonessential obligations, extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.  Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year.  It was an exciting season for a six-year-old.  For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production.  Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher.  She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.  All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.  Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room.  Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor.  Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as Christmas, I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.  When my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in their best for the show.  The children in the front row center stage held up signs with large letters, to spell out the title of the song.
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C.  Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down!  She was totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W."
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake.  But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W."
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.  A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.  In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, and why we celebrated the holiday in the first place.  Why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.
When the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S  L O V E"

For The 3rd Day of Christmas

I love the spirit that music can bring!! I love that certain songs can cheer us up or help us to feel reverent! I am one of those crazy people that start listening to Christmas music shortly after Halloween!! I know, I know.... some of you are probably thinking I am so crazy!! But this season just flies by to quick! And as much as I like Thanksgiving, to me once Halloween is over, it's never to soon to get into the Christmas spirit!!

A few years ago I was the Primary chorister! I was in charge of teaching all the kiddos songs for the Primary program that came in the Fall! But once that was over I was always so excited to teach them a good Christmas song!! This one has always been one of my favorites {even all those long years ago when I was a Primary kid myself}!!

 

This Is The Season

This is the season beloved of the year.

Sing a rhyme, Christmas time soon will be here!

Tell the true story of Jesus' birth,

When as a baby he came to the earth!

This is the new star, shinning so bright,

Lighting the world on that first Christmas night.

This is the angel, proclaiming the birth.

Singing Hosanna and peace on the earth!

The is the stable, shelter so bare.

Cattle and oxen first welcomed him there!

This the the manger, sweet hay for a bed,

 Waiting for Jesus to cradle his head!

These are the shepherds, humble and mind.

Hast'ning to worship the heavenly child!

These are the wise men who followed the star.

Frankincense, gold and myrrh brought from afar!

 

See the sweet mother, Mary so fair!

Joseph who guided the donkey with care.

See the dear baby of Bethlehem

Little lord Jesus the Savior of men!

On The 2nd Day of Christmas

For my Dad's birthday this year my family went to see The Forgotten Carols! This is probably one of my most favorite Christmas traditions! The story and the songs never get old for me! And they always help me feel the spirit and ALWAYS make me cry!!
This year was extra special! My entire immediate family was there!! All 7 of us!! Even the boys who hate musical type things {including my brother who is not active in the church at all}!! I had a prayer in my heart all night that that this particular brother would feel something! Especially on songs like Let Him In, He Was Here, and Three Kings Found the Lord.
At the end of the show they sing a songs that has the phrase "We can be together forever some day" in it..... they ask you to link arms with the person next to you and then sing the line with them as you think about someone that couldn't be there at the show with you, but you want to be with them forever. Last year I thought about my brother..... So this year I could barley sing along as I saw my little brother {who I never dreamed would come with us} sitting a few seats down from me!!!
I also love it at the end of the show when they announce no more clapping and then everyone sings Silent Night together. There is such peace in the room! An entire auditorium of people singing the hymn together and harmonizing to boot!! Just beautiful!!

So today's Christmas thought is from The Forgotten Carols! If you have never heard them, I HIGHLY recommend them!!
This song is my FAVORITE and I start crying from the moment the intro starts! Enjoy!!

12 Days of Christmas

Can you believe that there is less than 2 weeks until Christmas?
I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet! Ahhhh!! And I am the worlds worst gift picker, so I really should get a move on it!!

But aside from all the presents, everyone should know what the true meaning of Christmas is!! And that really is was we should be focusing on!
So I thought that for the next 12 days, I would post a little Christmas story, or poem or song, to help us all kee the reason for this season at the front of our minds!!

This story has always been one of my favorites!!

The Meaning of Christmas
Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. “What are you doing?” I started to ask him.
The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know.  He then answered me with a simple statement, TEACH THE CHILDREN! I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.
As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. Teach the Children that the pure green color of the  stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind.  All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts turning toward heaven.

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.   God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.

He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.

 

Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and  placed it on the tree. Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.

He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.

He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, “Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for His  unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men.”

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd’s crook. The crook on the shepherd’s staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s keeper.

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior’s birth. The angels sang ‘Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will.’

           Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. Teach the Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, “Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God.”

Author Unknown

Decking My Halls

I have been so excited to decorate at my apartment, mostly because I have been a crazy blog stalker and have found some REALLY cute ideas on some really crafty blogs!! I have made frequent visits to my local thrift store and also to the dollar store!! And I of course made multiple trips to one of my favorite stores.... Hobby Lobby!!

Here are some of the things I have done!

Remember my "BOO" letters?? Well I decided to add some "JOY"

to our mantel! I think I like them.....I am just not quite sure

about the grey sparkly paper on the "O".... They don't

really match the rest of the Christmas

decor I have made... Oh well I guess!!

This next part may just be my favorite!! 

I got the idea from one of my new favorite blogs.....

{House of Smiths}!!

Please don't look at how cute hers is compared to

mine!!  

 My next project came from eighteen25!!

I saw these trees and though they were so

cute! This is were my thrift shopping came

in {the candle stick holders only cost me

around .50 each}! I also saved my Roberts

and Michaels coupons so I could get the trees

40%-50% off!!

And here is the whole mantel put together!!

Check back later for my post about my Christmas tree!! I am pretty excited

about that too!!!

Puppy Love

When I was younger we had the BEST dog ever!! Her name was Mika and she was seriously

the perfect dog!! She was so mellow about everything but also loved to play with you!! She wasn't very good at fetch though!! She loved to go after the ball, but bringing it back...... nope!!

She got really sick a few years ago..... poor puppy!!! I think her kidneys were failing!! She died on my lap one day in May.............. I cried and cried!!! She was such a sweet dog!!

After that my parents vowed they would never get another dog!! They said no dog could replace Mika and no dog would be as good as Mika!! They said we could get our own dog when we had our own house!!
So imagine my surprise when I came home Saturday night to find this little guy in my parents kitchen.....

 Isn't he SO stinkin' adorable?!?! Look at his big, brown, puppy eyes!!!! Love at first sight if you ask me!!! He belongs to my brother and is a black lab/border collie mix!! I love his floppy little ears!! And his constantly wagging tail!!

This little sweet puppy can sleep any where!! He is pretty funny about it actually! He will sprawl out on the cold tile, lay underneath chairs and across the elliptical machine!!!

And he is a big fan of chewing on things!! Espeically things that are off limits {like shoes, the table, coats, the carpet....}!!!

He is SO different from Mika {I think he will actually play fetch with us one day} and will get much much bigger than she ever was!!

He cant replace Mika..... no dog ever could!! But we are excited to start loving him just as much!!!!