A bit of every day life here in South Carolina

Of course... write on your house to tell people to ring the doorbell that isn't there... of course

 I will get to the reasoning on these themed cars... from Chuckee, to skittles, to Jelly Beans

 A cool moth

 Apparently these black snakes I have almost stepped on numerous times are poisonous, watch where you step!

 Ew~

 so sad, a brand new Harley burned... another reason fire protection is necessary for EVERY home... Sales pitch done haha

 Some of the area I was working, I didn't get the sale but I did get fresh produce!

Swampy sunset

Dirty Dirty South!!

I have been living in Florence South Carolina for the past month working.  We thought we would get in with the locals by attending NASCAR and dressing up (down). We mostly went for the people watching but I think we were a victim of being watched most of the night haha.  It was fun to get into the event, but in all reality the noise was a little too much.  One of those "cool to say I went it but probably won't do it again" things.  It may have been my fault because I am not too familiar with the sport, but it was a fun way to kick off a much needed weekend!

Checkin off that bucket list!

I am one of those people who makes a list for most everything... grocery, to do list for the day/week, goals, and of course an accomplishment list for my life is one of them.  One of the items on my list, is to be able to check at least one of those off my list each year... and one was to take part in a half-marathon... well I was able to check that off my list last month! It was quite the achievement for someone who doesn't like to run, and also who a few years ago was having leg problems and stairs were a challenge.  I can't believe I say this but I love to run now, I crave it sometimes.  It allows me to clear my head and I feel great doing it (it's the after part that is the struggle, the soreness is not so fun) ha ha.  I want to thank my friends and family who supported me and encouraged me to to this.  You literally motivated me every step of the way!   A special thanks to my mom and sister Ashley who woke up early, drove out to the race site and watched me cross the finish line! It was so great to have that support.  I even beat my goal time! I crossed the finish line at 1 hour 46 minutes! We will see if or when the next one will be :) Until then, on to the next item on my list....

Arizona, Hawaii and Vegas!! LETS GO!!

I know this isn't news to anyone to anyone but I have been kind of all over the place trying to squeeze in as much vacation time before I have to go back to work.  I was in Arizona working but was able to see my Grandparents which was so much fun.  Then I went on a trip to Hawaii, it was a bonus work trip but was more like a family vacation (a major perk with working with family)  We were there a week and did some amazing things such as; paddle boarding, North shore wave jumping/survival, skydiving, luau at the PCC, swimming with sharks, Dole factory, beach time, amazing restaurants, shopping, Hiking Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor.... Definitely a fun filled week with much needed sun and good company!

Heather, Stacy, Me, Ashley

Travis, Marissa, Jacob, Ashley, Me, Heather, Jon, Sean

View from the plane! (We could see whales in the water below!)

ya... thats my skin all folded ... ew

Luau at PCC

The sharks we swam with! 

the day we drove around the island... stopped for food and sight seeing 

on the hike up Diamond Head

Suzy, Marissa, Me, Travis and his muscles :)

Waikiki at night from our hotel

At Pearl Harbor

After my return home from Hawaii I had just enough time to unpack, do laundry, pack and head to Las Vegas for our "Girls Trip" with my mom and sisters.  We had such a fun time, we stayed at the Trump Tower right across from the Runway Mall/Nordstroms.  (I don't know which is worse, a casino for the guys or a mall for the girls) ha. We were able to get 3 tickets for the MWC tourney, we watched the men play on thursday and that night we went to dinner with a long time friend Jessica!!! It was so fun to catch up and visit! 

 Unfortunately the BYU women's team lost but we still got to see the men's team play and witness the 52 point output of Jimmer! That was so exciting!  Of course we managed to squeeze in some shopping and pool time.  All in all it was a fun and relaxing time together.  

Yes this is all of our luggage... :)

GAME TIME!

Pool Time!

Dinner Time!

Dinner at Roy's with the girls :)

Floral display Bellagio

Of course there was ice cream :)

Our beautiful hotel lobby

No phones at the dinner table...Dad! :)

This is known as the technology generation... Im sure everyone has heard if from their parents and grandparents about all of the gadgets we have available making just about anything available at our fingertips.  I witnessed something I never thought I would see, while at dinner with my parents and grandparents (names will be left out to conceal identity) ;) We were all enjoying each others company when phones were brought up, both my dad and grandpa have the Android and they start talking about their games and applications available.  Next thing we know me my mom and grandma are having our own conversation and my grandpa and dad are off in their own world playing nothing but a race car game on their phone! I had to sit back and laugh at this picture of my mom and grandma telling their spouses to put their phones away at the table!  Don't worry I told them I was going to blog about this... it was too funny to pass up.  And yes, they did put the phones away for the rest of dinner.  LOL

Free Samples! (At your own risk)

I'm back in America and loving it.  Whenever I come back to the states I really notice the small things.  For instance while I was waiting for my pictures to get developed at a local Costco I was walking around and it happen to be sample time.  (If any of you are into people watching... I highly recommend this time of day....you will be shocked at what you will see) Im not saying I didn't partake of the free food... that's what it's for, but I think we all need to look at HOW we get that food.  Im walking towards a sample stand and I am immediately cut off by an older couple with a huge cart and they block everyone else out of the way and grab at least 2 samples each... taking all of the available samples and then slowly walk away not making eye contact with anyone.  No JOKE!
I was surprised to see that, but not until I went to the next area and noticed the trend...It looked like these people haven't eaten in weeks with how they rushed, and block out others with their ginormous carts (filled with food might I add) and grabbed as many bite size samples as they can hold without stabbing themselves with the toothpicks.  Really?.... Yes the nickel size chunk of chicken is delicious, but is it worth taking out your fellow neighbor whom you might very well see in line in 10 minutes or heaven forbid outside of the store! I just found it amusing how "civilized adults" can act like puppies rushing to a food bowl at the first sight of a small morsel of chicken or bread... but please don't stop taking the samples... this is just a friendly warning... if you are going in for a sample be prepared for the bumping, snatching and glaring ... and don't let the older feeble ones mislead you! ;) happy snacking!

True Meaning of Christmas...

Being in Israel during Christmas is an interesting time.... I was listening to the First Presidency Christmas Message about the "True Meaning of Christmas" and couldn't help but think about the times in the past month when I have been in the exact locations of those significant events.  Bethlehem, where Christ was born, on our drive there we zoomed past the "shepard's hill" where they say the start was seen.  Also the last walk of Christ and Garden Tomb are some of the few places I have visited.  It is almost sureal to think Christ actually walked these this land daily.
  With that in mind, you would think Christmas would be an actual holiday here, but there is no Christmas, no lights, trees, santa, not even a christmas carol to be heard.  This past week they just celebrated Hanukkah, each night with the burning of a candle, and sweets.... It was fun and interesting to see this celebration... but where is the spirit of Christmas? It is ironic that being so close to the locations of the true meanings of Christmas I have to focus even harder on having the christmas spirit.  When I was in Bethlehem I purchased a olive wood nativity scene, I took it out of its box and put it out as a constant reminder of this wonderful time of year.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be in this amazing land and to feel closer to Christ while I am here.  May the true meaning of Christmas be in your thoughts always!