I cannot believe that I went into the MTC (Missionary Training Center for the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints) 4 years ago today. Unreal how fast time has gone. I cannot believe that it was 4 years ago. In some ways it seems like it was just yesterday and some ways it seems like it never even happened. I sat and reflected a little bit today on where I am in life. I am sad to say I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. Today just kind of seemed like nothing went right and it was a really difficult day. Funny that 4 years ago I cried and cried in the shower cause I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into. Then 4 years later… I cried and cried in the shower cause I am feeling pretty worthless in life and would really love to be back on my mission. Oh well. Life goes on.

Anyway, pondering back on my mission…. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve a mission. I am so glad that the Lord knew what he was doing by pushing me towards a mission. I LOVE so many people that I met. I am grateful for the difficult, crappy, and horrible experiences because they helped me to grow and to appreciate the good times. I am grateful for the times when people let us in to their homes, grateful for the experiences of tracting, grateful for the members that fed us breakfast, lunch, and dinner so many times, grateful for my companions and all that each of them taught me.

I am grateful for so much more. I am so happy that I was able to be a missionary and grateful for all the lessons learned. Can’t believe it has already been 4 years.

I LOVE Dove Dark Chocolate with almonds. Have you tried them? They are fantastic. Now I know that I am supposed to encourage weight loss. However, I just have to say that one or two of these a day help to satisfy the craving and need for lots and lots of chocolate. They are so yummy! Go buy a bag and enjoy!

I want a wax warmer for Christmas. What I actually want is the double wax warmer, not just the single warmer. Yes, I am obsessed with waxing. I love it! One of the things that irritates me the most is when my arm hair starts to grow back. That’s right… I wax my arms. (well technically Amelia waxes them for me!) I love the feeling of being hairless. What I really would love is to go and have laser hair removal or electrolysis. (sp) That would make me so happy. Anyway, this is all that I am asking for as a Christmas gift is the double GiGi wax warmer. Too bad mom told me I have to go find it myself and can’t seem to find this one.  I love getting to buy my own christmas gifts!

I found this article on Yahoo today and thought it was very interesting. There was a time in my life that sadly I let a friend manipulate me. I didn’t recognize it until much later and after I had lost many good friendships. Thankfully I had a friend that was a godsend and was able to help me get away from the manipulator. Anyway, just thought I would post this interesting article. Here it is:

5 Behaviors of Manipulative People

Many of us like to think the best of people.  We like to think that they shoot straight and are forthright in their intentions.  We also like to believe that they will ask for what they want and not resort to crazy tactics to get it.  Unfortunately, however, there are times when we come across those who will do whatever it takes to get what they want…including manipulation.  Being manipulated never feels good, but the worst part of manipulation is that often, we don’t even realize that it is happening.  Here are a few ways to know if someone is trying to manipulate you:

1. Buttering You Up: To get their way, manipulators will often make you feel good so that they can then ask you to do something that they want.  The person may first compliment you or tell you what a wonderful job you did on something.  Making you feel good will, in their mind, make it difficult for you to say no…after all, you wouldn’t want to disappoint them or give them reason to think you didn’t deserve the compliment in the first place. What you can do: Return the compliments and the niceties before saying no.
2. Guilt: This doesn’t only pertain to Catholics and Jewish Mothers; guilt trips have been a successful manipulation tactic for centuries.  The saddest part of this strategy is that the victims of this tactic succumb to the manipulators’ demands because they feel they HAVE to, not because they WANT to.  In personal relationships, this sets up a co-dependency that is extremely unhealthy.  What you can do: Ask the individual if they want you to do something because you have to or because you want to.  If they say they want you to want to do it, tell them that you don’t and that they are trying to force you into something you don’t feel comfortable with.
3. Broken Record: Probably the most obvious of formats is the broken record tactic.  If a person asks you enough or pushes their agenda enough…constantly repeating the question or request over and over again…in slightly different ways, the victim will inevitably give in and give them what they want.  Oye!  What you can do: Ask the individual what they don’t understand about the word “no.”  Tell them that asking you over and over again isn’t going to change anything and that they are inappropriately over-stepping boundaries.
4. Selective Memory: This one gets me the most.  You swear you have a conversation about a plan and everyone is on the same page, and then one day, the manipulator pretends to remember the conversation completely differently, if at all.  What you can do: Record your conversations…seriously!  Okay, maybe not.  At least have a witness that you can count on to back you up if the person pulls this shenanigan.  Call them out on the fact that they conveniently change the game to fit their needs.
5. Bullying: If a person doesn’t get their way, they make you out to look or feel like the bad guy…like you are the wrong one.  What you can do: Be firm and tell them that their bullying tactics are inappropriate and unacceptable.

Keep your eyes open for these behaviors and continue to stand your ground to ensure that you aren’t a victim of manipulation.  Have you seen any other types of manipulative behavior?

I cannot stand the stupid craze of these movies. I enjoyed the books, thought they were pretty good. But come on people. Driving me crazy! I saw this and about died laughing cause it is so, so true!

My crazy little nephew Tyler is 5 years old today. Unreal! He is so much fun and brings the family so much joy and laughter. The kid is always coming up with some weird thing to say or do. He is one of the funniest kids I have ever seen. Happy Birthday buddy!

Wow my brother is getting old!!! Spencer’s birthday was Thanksgiving Day! I didn’t have a good picture of Spencer so I stole this one from Amanda’s blog. Although Spencer and I didn’t get along growing up… I am so grateful for him now. Spencer is a good brother who is always willing to help around my parents house. I was always so happy to come home during the summer and find that Spencer had mowed the lawn for me. Each year Spencer and Amanda come out and help put up the Christmas lights on the house. I am very proud of Spencer and all of his accomplishments. He is an extremely good guy and I love to watch him with his wife and baby. He makes a great caring dad and husband. I hope to find someone that will treat me as well as he treats his family. Happy Birthday Spencer!

Ha ha… these pictures were taken a year ago. Baby Spence’s hair was getting long and I thought I would be funny. I put his hair in a ponytail on the top of his head. He looked SO cute. He didn’t like it very much though! He wore it till we went to pick up his dad. Spencer took it out of baby Spence’s hair immediately! Anyway, they are pretty funny pics so I thought I would post them for fun!

Happy birthday to my beautiful mom. She is an amazing woman that is always willing to give of herself. She is always concerned about each one of her children and their individual families. I am so grateful to have her as my mom and am so grateful for her hard work and kind, caring personality. I love you mom. Happy Birthday!!

My team decided to dress up as different food items. It was so much fun and turned out SO cute.  The photographers at Stampin’ Up! took pictures of all of us. I do not have all of the pictures yet… but they will be coming.  I will post them as soon as I have them! Here is our group shot and then 2 of the 6 individual shots of us!

Here is the Grocery Gang! Libby was the Morton Salt girl, Hayley was the Pillsbury Doughboy, Mindy (me) was the Honey Nut Cherrios Bee, Melissa was the Raisens girl, Cory was Tony The Tiger from Frosted Flakes, and Tim was the Jolly Green Giant!

Honey Nut Cheerios Bee

Sun Maid Raisins Girl

Jolly Green Giant

Tony The Tiger!

Morton Salt Girl