Turkey Run

I started my Thanksgiving off with a Turkey Run. I ran most of the three mile course I did (could do up to five, but I pushed too hard training last Saturday and my old fracture is giving me some pain) and it was wonderful. It was so beautiful this morning and it makes it hard not to be thankful for the amazing blessings in my life!

Blessing number 1, living in beautiful Utah. This was at the end of the run and I just struck me how lucky I was to be so blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful scenery all the time. I love seeing the mountains in the background of everything and I love crisp cool air in the mornings.

I am so blessed to be blessed with amazing friends who have become my family. Being so far from my own family I have been so blessed to have amazing people come into my life. In no particular order the ones I feel most grateful for this year are: Logan, Chantal, Melinda, Tricia, Kari and Peter. There are so many more but it is this small set who have truly been such blessings to me this year by being listening ears, shoulders to cry on, late night texts about Taylor Lautner or Hugh Jackman, temple buddies, encouraging messages or telling me that no matter what others say or act like, that I am a beautiful and sweet person.

I am grateful for the gym and my trainer. You have to bored of this by now but the changes in my life have been staggering and a whole new world has opened up to me because of it. 6 days a week I am at the gym working out and I love the person I have become because of that one little fact.

I am so blessed, to know of my worth. I can move mountains, soothe troubled souls, lend a shoulder when needed and I can build and strengthen those around me. How blessed I am!

I am most grateful for the love of my Heavenly Father who has taught me that as long as I do what I know to be right, things will work out. Every time. It may not be in a week, a month or even a year, but in the end it will.

Those are just a few of the things I am thankful for today. Now that that is out of the way, on the the last bit of Black Friday planning...

So Grateful!

I work for some of the most wonderful people. Really. They asked me to come last night and watch the kids (I nanny for them and occasionally do a late afternoon/evening thing). So I packed up my bag-o-tricks and headed over to spend an evening with my three favorite kids. Once getting there I was greeted with smiles, hugs and laughing. Then was given a $30 gift card to my favorite restaurant (ate at sonic and saved gift card for another day), tickets to a New Moon screening at 9:15 (day before it opened, yes!) and some cash for theater treats. I got instructions to enjoy an evening out on the family because they were so grateful for all I do for them. Can we say, ah?

After lots more hugs an a million thank yous I left and started calling fellow New Moon fans. I have read all the books and such, I like them but I am not a fanatic by any means but I do have to say, Go Team Jacob! Edward annoys me, thus the reason I don't like the books, but I have always loved Jacob. Jacob did NOT disappoint in this movie. I liked it much better than the first one, adapted better, flowed better and just in general was good.

All in all a great day. I just felt loved and so appreciative.

Moved..Sort Of

Well, the majority of my stuff is moved. Thank you to Logan, Tricia, Danny and Melinda. I could not have done it without them. I still have stuff to do (mostly kitchen stuff) at the old place but this is the first night here in the new place. I am exhausted. I don't know if I can handle it.

I hate moving.

Hit 'em Hard!

So I really enjoy hockey games. Live, not on tv. And I love going with friends. It is too much fun! And let's face it guys, I am stinking cute! Everyday I get better and better, haha! So I thought I would share some of the fun with everyone.
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Melinda and I

Melinda and DannyMe and Danny

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I am loving how entertaining my life has become. Aren't you?

I'm So Excited...

I'm so excited, I'm so...so...scared! (haha, an old school Save by the Bell reference, it just made me think of that, sorry, random thoughts)

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I am really excited, why you might ask? Well let me tell you...I am the proud owner of a new car! Ok, so not really new, just new to me. But it is enough new to me to be exciting to me.
.The whole thing is a miracle. It is a little beat up, but in great condition in general. Logan is going to help me find some rims to help cover the rusted wheels, but other than that, I am good to go. I am so grateful for friends who look out for me, who want to make sure I get a deal and that I am being taken advantage of. I love that I have been a part of the miracle that happened in the last week that made this possible. I hope that one day I am a part of someone else's miracle. a big thank you to all those who were a part of my miracle, Tricia, Nic, Bryce, Logan and Melinda.
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I am excited to have a few new fun and exciting things on the horizon. As soon as I know better what they are and such, I will be able to share. But this is only the beginning for me. Don't worry, it is about to really start for me. I can feel it.

And so it Goes

Well, an eventful few days here. I guess I could try to tell all the details, but I don't feel like it.
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First, I have been battling what I thought was a nasty cold but what turned out to be my first case of bronchitis for the year. I was even going to get my flu shot this week and couldn't because I was so sick. I will spare you major details but green goo was coming from all possible holes in my head. I haven't been sleeping well because I hear myself coughing...and so the cycle goes. But I started antibiotics and I am feeling better for the most part, just still coughing. All I know is I am grateful that I am on the mend. As are roommates, friends, employers...
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I went and looked at the car I am going to buy last night. I was going to take pictures, but I was so exhausted and had such a headache that I couldn't. But it is a cute little car and I am excited about the prospect. The whole thing is a miracle in and of it's self.
A friend of a friend has a friend (ok, did you follow that? I barely did) who had a 1999 Mazda protege sitting in his garage for the last year. The clutch had gone out and they hadn't replaced it. And for reasons no one understood, they let it sit. And sit. And sit. So that the when the right time came it would be sitting there waiting for me. They practically giving it to me, hardly charging anything for a car that is in great shape that just needs to have clutch replaced. And through other miracles, I got loan with an insanely low interest rate. When I say insanely low, I mean, around 1%. Can you imagine? I am still in awe and so humbled by how my Heavenly Father has blessed me lately.
I have felt so stressed and confused and unsure of so many things lately and finally just took that leap of faith that things would work out and let go. And to my amazement things have fallen into place even more beautifully than I could have imagined.
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I even got an amazing lead on an amazing job, which I have been lacking lately, today. I am so excited and hopeful. I feel like there is an end to this dark tunnel that I feel like I have been in all year.
I will look back at this last year as being one of the hardest of my life for so many reasons and also one of the growth inspiring times. I have learned more about myself and those around me than I ever thought was possible. I have discovered reservoirs of strength and determination that I didn't know I had. I am so blessed and humbled.
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And let me not forget how blessed I have been to have such wonderful friends. I could go on and on about them but you have heard about them all. I am so grateful for Tricia and her complete devotion to me and her constant desire to help me when I don't always deserve it. To Logan for stick around through the girl stuff (and we all know there has been plenty!) and still bringing me back to where I belong. Liz J. for reminding me of where I have been, where I am, and where she knows I will be. Ash for loving me like a sister when that is what I need the most. Melinda for being honest and forceful and wonderful.
I am so blessed!
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I may not feel all that great this week, but I am so blessed to see how the Lord's hand has been touching my life, even when I didn't realize it. Every moment has the touch of his hands in it and I am humbled to know I am so loved.

Weekend Fun

Well this weekend was long. A good long I think, but long all the same. I have a couple pictures, not many so you will just have to read about it and enjoy the images your mind decides to show you.

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It started with my weekly trip to the temple. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to partake in the blessings of the temple weekly and so blessed to have such a good friend to go with me every week. It was an amazing experience this last week. I felt so at peace and so ready for amazing things to happen. I was so blessed to be able to share that with people who mean so much to me.

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Friday afternoon I was blessed to have Logan mow my grass for me. It really needed it and I have been battling a chest cold and jokingly asked him if he would do it and he said sure and came right over. What a great guy he is! After he mowed we had an old school dinner or mac-and-cheese with baked beans...yum! For some reason that really hit the spot but we both laughed over the idea of it.

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Later that night we headed to a party at our friends Todd's house. Lots of fun! Logan had the chance to flirt with his 18-year-old admirer (which makes me laugh!) and I flirted with Todd (who is only a friend, sorry ladies!). It was just a good time. And we discovered guitar hero for your phone! We could hardly contain ourselves we were so excited. Simple pleasures.

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Saturday was conference and as you have seen, Logan's beginning in the world of crocheting. By the end of the weekend he really had a good sized piece done and his stitches were looking really good too. I was shocked when he said he wanted to learn how to crochet and more shocked when he did it for hours at a time trying to get it just right. I guess you never know what will get someone interested. He is getting his own "stick" this week. haha! Between sessions we feasted on Chicken Enchiladas, one of our favorites! Ashley even got home in time to enjoy a few herself.

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That night we went to a hockey game after the priesthood session. Melinda, Danny, Logan, Chris, Nick and I all sat right up against the glass and had guys slam into the right in front of us...it was awesome! I screamed more than I should have, especially since I was already losing my voice from my cold, and by the end of the night had hardly any voice left. It was worth it though.

And don't worry, Nick ran over my foot with his car...no major injuries though.

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Sunday brought more conference and crocheting and a brunch. So much fun! After the sessions ended we had a big Mexican meal with black beans and Spanish rice...so good! We laughed and talked and played until we were literally falling asleep in our chairs. Logan and I happened to be the only ones to catch a nap that day during conference, and apparently it wasn't long. Apparently we were on the couch and both out and everyone else just laughed at us. It still didn't stop us from being dead tired though.

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And, after many miracles in the last few days, I will be getting a working car this week. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing the whole thing is and how completely blessed and humbled I am. I have some amazing friends and am so blessed and in awe that my Father in Heaven sent them to me when he did. I only hope I am blessing their lives as much as they are mine.

24th of July, Sort Of

Well here in Utah we celebrate the great holiday, the 24th of July. While the rest of the world goes to work and lives a normal life, we party. The background is that it is the day we celebrate the pioneers who came across the country in wagons, with handcarts and walked it. We celebrate the determination and strength they had to trek all the way out west and settle the lovely place we call home.

Every year we have a big celebration the week before with the Utah symphony playing and a huge fireworks display. This happens a block from my house so we put cones in the road and driveway and save spots for friends and then part take in the festivities.

Yesterday was that day.

We had a group of about 12 of us who went over and played games until it got dark, swap is the game we played and it is one of our favorite card games. Then we watched these lovely fire works.

It was a lot of fun. I managed to get one stunning picture of the fire works.

And what fun is fireworks with lots of friends if you don't take pictures? So here is my gallery of friends.

From left to right: Jason, Nick and David

Above: Logan and I Below: Jason and I

Melinda and I, we have to get a picture of the roommates! I love her.Jason and Danny wanted a picture together because they were feeling left out.

The next part of this story is not so much fun. On our way back from the fireworks I tripped on the curb and fell face first. Everyone laughed but I just laid there feeling like a complete idiot. In the end I bruised up my shoulders and chest, got road rash on my forearm and knee. My knee was killing me so one of my friends walked me across the street and then piggy backed me home. It was super nice of him and it didn't hurt that it wasn't horrible to have to hang on tight. But it still didn't help the fact that I felt like an idiot.

After all the leg issues were taken care of, alcohol applied and band aids carefully placed, we started the first and roasted marshmallows. It was so much fun to just hang out with friends and enjoy being together. I have some great friends people! So what if I will get teased forever about tripping over a curb? In the end I say it was worth it.

A Day in the Life

I wake up no later than eight, OK so it was 8:30 yesterday. I woke up, and was greeted first thing with texts. Yes, I admit it, I am a text-a-holic. The texts helped me plan my day though.

I went to work about 9:30 and got done at 4pm. I cried once during the day, I was a little over emotional, for all the normal reasons. But it never clicks until after the fact. why is that?

Went home and got more texts. From all kinds of people, including one from my mom with pictures of an insanely pregnant sister, Robin. She is due any day now. We are all excited about it.

I made salmon cakes to help cheer up Melinda and part of next weeks menu for my client for whom I cook all their weekly meals. It pays pretty well too. And it is a good way to try out new recipes. We ate fresh salad from our garden with the salmon cakes and brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Very well balanced meal.

A new friend came over and hangs out for a little while before Logan comes. He gets a ticket for rolling through a stop sign, silly boy. We headed to a BBQ and dance.

We hung out at the BBQ and dance till we are bored and then head back. We drive through the canyon and enjoy the beauty of the night lights on the water of the lake. It was nice calm drive and it was some great conversation with some great guys.

Enjoy a game of guitar hero at Logan's place before my new friend and I head back to my place.

Lots of fun, no? I thought so. See, I have a pretty boring life. Enjoy the video of some of our guitar hero fun.

Got Laundry?

I do. I have laundry. Until recently I enjoyed the ability to do laundry at odd times, in sweats and when I needed to. But, that was until the washer broke. And we all know that if I do something I don't do it half way. The washer needs to be replaced but that is not in the budget at the moment. So, to the laundromat I go. Luckily Danny, Melinda's husband who lives in the basement apartment, his family owns a laundromat. So every few weeks we go close the laundromat and do our laundry.

In some ways it is very nice to throw everything in at once and be done in an hour or so, but on the other hand, when we pack a car FULL of dirty laundry and then wash it and pack it full of CLEAN clothes and have to load and un-load that you forget that little bit of a benefit. But the blessing here is that we have a way to do our laundry without spending lots of time or money.

Don't worry, between the three of us we use 8 regular washers and one super sized (for towels) and at least that many dryers. And that is when we combine our whites. Be thankful today for your working washing machines. And I will be grateful that I have access to a washer. :)

First Harvest

Melinda and I had the first harvest of the season from our garden. We were so excited to harvest turnip's and rhubarb. We made a strawberry rhubarb crisp that was wonderful and then we froze some for the future, so come winter we will be able to it through the winter too.

We harvested turnips (radishes, duh! we were talking about turnips and I totally typed that instead. I am not that dumb, promise!!) today too. We were so excited to see these things grow from seeds. We are enjoying salad with fresh turnips.

We are excited to be "living off the land". We have green beans, peas, carrots, squash, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, onions, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, cabbage and beats. Plus, we have a peach tree, apple tree, rhubarb and grapes! Oh and raspberries and strawberries too! We have plans to can, dry or freeze everything we don't eat. It has really helped defer the rising food prices and helped us build up our food storage. We are doing well and have a plan of what we have to buy regularly to keep our supply fresh. I am so grateful for the desire to have food storage and things for emergency preparedness. I am more prepared than I have been in the past and with the flooding in Iowa where my family is, it really made it hit home more than it has before. I am preparing for when the time comes and I need it. I am grateful for it and I have a testimony of the blessing of being prepared and ready when the time does come.

Silver Lining

I like to think that there is always a silver lining to every dark cloud. If you are sick, it is that you remember that it is a blessing to be healthy. If you get a flat tire, that you really need to be aware of your tires so that you are grateful for full tires. I like it that way. I like to think I am an optimist.
I am about "this" (imagine fingers just barely apart) close to losing that optimism. This year has just chewed me up ans spit me out. I am working really hard to make things work and to keep a smile on my face, but I just hate waking up everyday to something else that has gone wrong, not worked out, or is suddenly a problem. The umbrella that I am using to keep that rain away, is getting a little beat up, you know?
I am not saying that there aren't some good things in my life, there are. Just more not so great. So, in an attempt to help remind myself that there is a silver lining, I am listing the GOOD things in my life at the moment.

1) My roommates Melinda and Danny. Ok, so they aren't really roommates, but live in the basement apartment. They are so wonderful. Melinda has been letting me use her car while mine has been in the shop. All three times. It has been two weeks this time and she has been so nice and wonderful. They also are my gardening partners and I have enjoyed the hours of weeding and planting. I am so grateful that they are in my life.

2) I am grateful for little kids who love "secrets" from me. I tell the greatest secrets. I say something silly and then tickle for all I'm worth. I see kids I know in the store and they will run up and ask for secrets. I love it. I love that they love it.

3) I love that the other ladies I work with call me "the baby whisperer" and " the story teller". I love that they see strengths in me and remind me of them. I like that I am reminded of them even after years of being away from kids.

4)I am grateful for people who love me and let me use their washing machine. Since ours went out a month ago (oh the joys of not having the money to replace it!) I have been very blessed by people who have allowed me to "borrow" their miracle of machine to wash unmentionables.

5) I am so grateful for people who really have no idea that they make my day. A smile or a seemingly unimportant little compliment means a lot. Especially when times are hard. So thank you to all of those.

6) I am thankful that my sisters have blogs. It seems small, but that little connection means a lot.

7) I am thankful that I have 3 callings at church. Compassionate service coordinator, a temple calling and on a pilot stake committee that is for single adults 27 to 31. The goal for this wonderful new committee? To meet and marry your eternal companion. haha.

8) I am grateful for food storage.

That is my silver lining.

Previews

Well this is a preview post I suppose. Previews of Melinda and Danny's wedding (that I did!)



Previews of my website

and Previews of a 30 degree change in weather.

Watch for these and other posts to come.

Well Deserved Day of Rest

Well, I have made mention of it a few times but today I will chat all about it.

I started a small wedding business. I plan weddings (or any other big or small party!) as well as make veils. I started with small pieces and then, it just has expanded. I just completed my first full blown wedding this weekend. It was so much work, but I loved every single minute of it. I had so many compliments and even got another job out it. People noticed how calm and happy the bride and her mother were and when asked why, guess what they said?

"We have a wedding planner, Nichole, she is great!"

Yep, that is right, I did great! I love doing it too. I will have to show off the reception and my almost live website a little later. Right now, I am enjoying a gift from the bride and groom, chocolate covered strawberries and spiced sparkling apple cider. YUM!

Oh, and happy mothers day to all my dear friends who are mothers. I hope that today you realize that everyday you are loved and appreciated by your kids and those who know you are great mothers.

Melinda's Bridal Video

I just thought I would share the video of Melinda's Bridal's. It is exciting and fun to see her dress and personality shine through. She shows this at her family bridal showers and it is GREAT promotion for me and my budding bridal business. More to come on that soon.

You can see a larger version of it here, for some reason it wants to only be small on the blog. Oh well.

bits and pieces

Much of my life is currently consumed by the almost-here wedding of Melinda. She makes a beautiful bride, and I am LOVING the bridals we got. I love the composition of this picture, it just feels like contentment and peace to me.

Also, my dear friend Liz had her baby this week, congrats to the Jensen's! Issac is adorable and I can't wait to meet the little one.

I have also fallen in love with reusable shopping bags. I have been researching and pricing and falling in love with them for months now. I started with one and am slowly building up my collection. What a great way to do my part!

Busy day!

Today my roommate and dear friend Melinda (who you have seen lots of) got her bridal pictures taken. It was so much fun, and the best part? I took the pictures and made her lovely veil. From the first glance through them, these are some of my favorites. Enjoy!

Hunting Eggs

I volunteered at an easter egg hunt yesterday.

The easter bunny made me an honorary "helper" for the day.

Creativity At It's Ugliest

I think I am a creative person. My creativity may not always fit into other peoples idea of cute or useful but I find it strikes me when I need it. And it struck me this week when planing the bridal shower of my roommate and dear friend Melinda. Bridal showers are so predictable and boring to me. I have been to about a million (ok, only a hundred or so, but it starts to feel like a million!) and wanted this one to be different and fun. That is when creativity struck.

I can not claim all the credit for the idea, it was slightly inspired by the hilarious movie 27 dresses but the twist is all mine. So today we sat down and made these cute little invitations.

Aren't they the cutest ugly dresses you have ever seen? The inside of the invite lets all guests know that they are to come wearing an old bridesmaid dress or ugly formal. There will be some great games and prizes given for ugliest and most original dresses. We are so excited for this little party. It isn't until the 29th but you can be sure that I will take lots of pictures and share with you the hideous things that people made people we know wear. I have been pretty lucky for the most part but there are a few choice experiences.

Did you ever have to wear something as ugly as these adorable dresses?

Wedding Day

Today one of my best friends, Jessica, got married in the

Salt Lake City temple.

It was beautiful! I was so glad that I could manage

to get the day off from all of my

many jobs and be able to go to her sealing.

I still have the reception tonight where I will

take lots more pictures,

but I just had to share the already

wonderful pictures.

It is a great thing and I am so happy for her!

It is days like today that I am glad that I am LDS and live in utah.

The benefits are wonderful, like being able to go to my friends

weddings and have it just be a matter of getting the day off.

How lucky I am!