I know.

Today I had a discussion about God. We debated his existence. or non-existence for that matter. This is the conclusion I came to....

I know there are scholars and academics and scientists and big wigs galore that will argue Evolution and The Big Bang Theory and that God isn't real because you can't PROVE he is real. Now, I am far from smart enough to argue and prove that all of these theories are false, and I know IT IS SAID that you will never know FOR SURE if God exists or if evolution is true, or if we go to Heaven when we die, but I CAN tell you this much...

I KNOW! I know for a fact. I know 100% that God is real. He created everything I know and sent his son Jesus Christ down to earth to lead and guide us and provide an example for us. I know that Jesus Christ died and suffered for our sins, so that we can live with him again and I know that 3 days later he was resurrected and that he LIVES today.

I know this because I have sought out an answer for myself. I have gained a testimony separate from anyone else. I know this because God has heard and answered my prayers and I have felt his love and comfort in my everyday life and will continue to so long as I ask for it.

I know this because I am his daughter, and he surrounds me in everything that I see, everything that I do, and EVERYTHING that I AM.

This is Good Stuff

Off to paradise....Once again

..And we are off. Another year of amazing fun in paradise. These were the oldest pictures I found on my computer from Lake Powell. Which was in 2008 I believe. 3 years ago. I also believe that this is our.....12th year attending the Lake Powell Festivities. and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Notice the missing DaniBree! We hadn't had the privilege of having you in our familia yet! But how it is so much better now that you are! and this year we will be adding another future in law. David! Kirstin's Fiance! Yay for family additions....and extreme height differences.

of course...glamour shots with the bestie! I miss this!
and more glamour shots! :)
A week of no phones, no computer, no internet, no texting, no worrying about being beautified, no clothes. just swimsuits, lotion, sun, water and sleeping under the most peaceful amazing stars you will ever see!

See you in a week!

Just waiting for me.

Looks like a normal Manhattan apartment right?

Wrong! it has a flippin' pool in the living room.

Why did I not know about this when I lived there?

I could have stalked the family, become best friends with their 7 year old daughter, and they would have offered me free room and board for the rest of my life..

as long as I took the daughter shopping on 5th Avenue once a week.

Oh the life I could have had.

JK. I like my life.

But this would have definitely been a bonus....and I cant help but throw this out there...

Manhattan residence. if you know who lives here. please share.

Im sure their daughter is just waiting for me.

Knock on Wood.

Once upon a time, I had many single girlfriends.

and now that time is over.

the end.

During that time, like most girlfriends, we joked about never finding Mr. Right, and being single for the rest of our lives. (I should have knocked on wood.) Anywho...I bought my friend a book. about finding Mr. Right. And I thought it was so appropriate, I bought myself the book too. I found this treasure the other day, and thought it was so pathetic that it still completely and 100% still applies to my life 3 years later...and quite frankly..it kinda makes me feel better about my life. as sad as that sounds.

So ...I would like to share it with you. For all those women...who forgot to knock on wood.

So you feel like all your friends are merrily coupled...

and you keep attracting the wrong kind of people.

Everyone seems to be luckier in love than you.

People tell you you're too picky.

But you're just putting your foot down.

They tell you to put yourself out there.

but you've dated plenty.

You just havent found the right connection.

Or they weren't exactly mental giants.

and you are.

If you happen to find someone who sees things the way you do....

then they dont live up to your family's expectations.

And so it's back to the old drawing board.

You spend hours trying to better yourself.

You hone your many qualities.

You develop new hobbies.

And people misinterpret your intentions.

Your friends set you up with the "perfect match"

Which leads you to continue trying on your own.

Some say men are all dogs.

and girls are too catty.

They are quick to point out how we are different.

without ever celebrating our similarities.

You've tried everything.

Almost.

And so there are times when you are ready to throw in the towel.

But don't give up.

Give people a chance.

Don't limit yourself.

be willing to give a little.

Change your routine.

Get rid of old baggage.

Don't rush things.

It will be worth the wait.

Let them know you're worth it.

and so are they.

Remember they're all princes.

or NOT.

So there you have it ladies. Words from the wise.

Love is just around the corner.

but until then...i'll just fantasize about kissing my hot boyfriend on a bike at the beach.

The Carbonation Hiccups

In a world full of Diet Dr. Pepper addicts, Diet Coke connoisseurs, and Mountain Dew maniacs, I have never been a huge pop fan. (yes, I still call it pop).

Carbonation gives me the hiccups, and quite frankly the burps.

please excuse my unladylike-ness.

However, I have recently been informed that NOT

consuming this carbonation goodness is craziness.

Thus, I was introduced to:

The one and only Coke Zero. Apparently this stuff is magic. Makes you float. Makes you fly sky high. Gives you life. After weeks of coaxing, I gave in. I was weak. I stooped. I settled.

I tried the darn thing.

and I must admit it was good.

But I did still hiccup...a lot. (The kind that hurt.

The kind that scare you..even though most of the time you see it coming.)

and I did still burpie just a wittle bittie.

Only time will tell of the addict I very well may soon become.

Until then..I'll have my usual...cold water with a straw and a lemon.

sugar headache

"Annie Nannie...guess what I got this weekend!!! You'll never guess!"

"What did you get?"

"I'll just show you"

*runs up the stairs in pure excitement and

almost trips coming down due to too much speed in too much pajama pant*

"A GIANT JAWBREAKER!! I bet my sister that I could finish it in 1.5 weeks...and I KNOW I can do that...because you see that crater right there? I did that in just 2 days."

Nothing says sugar headache more than a 10 pound sugarball.

Best of luck to ya Kade.

I'll cut you up some fruits and veggies in efforts to curb the effects of consuming that ball of disgustingness.

The most important men in my life

Happy Father's Day!

I am so extremely grateful to be related to such incredible men!

My dad is the most selfless, spiritual, hardworking, loving men I have ever know.

He radiates goodness.

(plus...can you say HOTT? They are one good lookin' couple.)

I am so blessed to be his daughter and to continually be taught by him.

Likewise, my grandfather has been an incredible example for me throughout my life.

He has led an life of service, love, work and joy.

I can feel his firm testimony radiating through him

and his relationship with Heavenly Father is so easily recognized.

Aren't they just beautiful together?! Definitely the classiest, most glamorous couple I know.

These men have set the bar. Set the standard.

I couldn't have asked for more wonderful priesthood leaders to have in my life.

What a blessing it is to have fathers here on earth.

To have the priesthood always available to us.

I love you dad! I love you grandpa!

Thank you for your lifelong dedication to the gospel, and your families!

Annie Nannie

Sometimes I forget I have a blog. Or maybe it's that my life just isn't as exciting anymore.

When I was in New York, it seemed as if everything I did was a dream come true..therefore broadcasting my daily "duties" to the whole World Wide Web only seemed natural? Make everyone aware of my incredibly awesome adventures, and let's be honest ..make certain people were incredibly jealous.

Welp..those times past. Sad.but true. I have moved on to more..local..mommy-esque endeavors.

You can officially call me Annie Nannie. (the kids came up with that one. clever right?) It makes it even better when they occasionally add Fanny as my middle name. Cute.

(at least it's not Nanny McPhee)

I am sure learning lots. Being a mommy is fun. It means I'm in charge and I like that.

It also means that I'm supposed to know how to:

get kids immunized, get lumps removed from dogs hips, fix a broken pool, pretend like I know how to cook meaty meals and pretend like

THIS is work:

I truly am grateful for this opportunity. Kids are so smart. So clever.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. and I am continuing to learn the reasons why I am here.

So this summer will continue to be filled with:

consultations, Costco, cooking and cleaning.

I really do love all those words.

YAY for bridal showers.

My seester is getting married...and I am living vicariously through her....

...oh what? Did I just type that out loud?

mm

Anyway..My other little sister and I are planning her bridal shower. Yay!

First off...the invitations!

They will be sent off in a week.

Right on schedule.

Do the Play Doh

To solve my post graduate summer boredom impatient syndrome, Becca and I have been....

creating. This incorporates everything from paper products to food items, to..play toys.

Exhibit 1.

Play Doh. So fascinating.

You mix the goop
Add the color. (neon colors are in this season p.s)
and stir!

word to the wise: let it cool off for a few minutes before picking up out of the steaming hot pan. duh.
and TA DA!

Happy Play Doh hands.

and faces.
mostly.

I was a little distraught after realizing the food coloring died my hands blue.

I'm still scrubbing.

Horoscopo-magnifique

I was never a big believer of the moons aligning and fortune tellers. Magical dust and mood rings. The constellations predicting my every move. Yea, not so much.

But .. lately. the accuracy of the fortune teller star god's has been impecable. I have become a believer. A believer of the skies. If ever I am lost in my own thoughts, and confused about which direction to to take my life, I go to ...The Horoscope-Magnifique.

Like today...I was having a difficult time deciding where to move, where to work, who to date, how to get skinny and how to grow my hair longer. So, desperate times call for ...horoscope look up.

and BAM. all the answers. RIGHT THERE! Flippin' miracle worker.

But really. I did get a little discouraged today. With my whole no home, no job, no husband thing.

I started to feel a little like a failure...who has no direction in life, and is wasting away my life.

Way to be positive right?

So...once again. I turned to the heavenly gypsies with their magic 8 balls.

Look at what they told me:

"You may feel as if every step you take is being blocked today, but your attitude might just be the result of your frustration. If you are unhappy about what you are currently doing, suppressing your disappointment is not healthy. Avoiding your feelings can trick your psyche into unconsciously seeking out the negativity that you have pushed into the shadows. Rather than struggling to get your message across, consider what you need to learn before trying again."

Oh Libra Gods. How I love you.

The way to my heart

Pack my Suitcase

Ever since I returned from New York...scratch that....2 weeks after I got home from New York I was ready to pack my suitcase again. Travel. Travel ..anywhere really. There is some sort of rush I get when I visit a new place. a new country. a new way of life. a new scene.

I love it. I want it back. I'm ready to go.

Maybe Auckland, Switzerland?
Or Pamukkale, Turkey?
Or how about a dreamy hot air balloon ride?
Finland maybe?

Or really..I would be more than perfectly happy going back to New York City.

Now all I need is:

1. a travel partner..and

2. ....money.

so lame.

So True.

There is nothing fun about being the only one to laugh at your own jokes.

(actually,sometimes it is fun...)

But this happens to me more than it should

Thanks Beeca. for reminding me of this.

new favorite song

Admiral's Insights

While interning in New York, we worked with Admiral Paul Yost.

He is a retired 4 star admiral in the U.S Coast Guard.

He is extremely talented, intelligent and wise.

Every once in a while he would give us interns enlightening parables of advice,

in hopes that we will maybe one day be half as insightful as Admiral.

We made sure to listen with both ears, heading to every word he spoke.

This story was my favorite:

A Russian peasant was walking along his pasture when he came along this nearly frozen bluebird. It was so close to death and he wanted to save its life.

He picked up the bluebird when they came along a steaming pile of dung. (Yes...dung).

He put the bluebird in the dung to warm it up. The bluebird was warmed right up and brought back to life. He was happily singing along, about to fly away when a wolf came along and ate the bluebird.

Moral of the story: He who puts you in it, isn't necessarily your enemy. and he who takes you out of isn't necessarily your friend.

So deep. So full of ...dung.

Here's a good laugh for ya

This video was created by a friend from New York.

I can't stop laughing.

and it makes me want to be an aunt.

so Daron & Dani....get on that...Thanks :)

Flower Power

So this past week while in Utah, I decided to check some things off the list I have been wanting to do for a while. Like, go to a driving range, and go vintage shopping, and see the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival. Check, Check and Check. Here are some featured flower fotos.

The white tulips are my favorite.