ZUMBA Weekend

Friday evening Evs and I headed to Nevada for the weekend. I had a Zumba training all day Saturday. It was so much fun. I love Zumba. I am now a licensed Zumba basic and Zumba Gold instructor! Gotta love having fun when you exercise! There were a ton of people that came from all other the country. I was seriously amazed at how far people came just to take the training. We danced for about 6 hours and I was exhausted, but glad I was able to go.

We stayed with Evs sister, Colee and bil, Tyler and their kids. We had fun on our short trip with them and were so thankful to get to see them and it wasn't even a holiday {bonus}! We didn't do any of the "Vegas" stuff while we were there, not enough time for everything. We did however stop at state line and hit up the Fashion Outlet! Everything was so cheap..I could've spent a lot more time there and alot more money, but it was nice quiet time. I love that my hubby just let me shop, didn't rush me, was my rational mind {most times}, carried all my bags in one hand and held my hand with the other. He also did all the driving to Vegas and back home, while I slept. So spoiled. I love that man! 

Fun at the park\

Lots of fun building!

Love!

I Love You This Big

Hope you have a great first day of school Evs!! I love you! XOXO

Day after Labor Day

I liked to started school..just like this bunch..brown sack lunch in hand.

I Love these kids. They are growing fast. Another year of school. I Miss them dearly. Make new friends. Be nice to those around you. And be yourself. You are greater than you even know. Good luck on your first day of school!

Love, Auntie Darcy

Labor Day

It rained! And thundered lightning bolts!Finally! Evan and I both enjoy the cool slightly rainy weather. It made for a great bike ride on our Labor Day morning.  We took a bike trail near Mt. Rubidoux and it was fun. It was nice to do something together on my day off.

While Evs went in for work, I took a nap. Oh how I love me a nap. I also just vegged and watched the Law & Order marathon and the Dance Moms marathon...Evs got home and we vegged some more. I need days like that every once in a while..its good for the soul.

Dog Beach Saturday

Took the doggies to the dog beach. They had so much fun. The entire coast line walk, the dogs played fetch and the entire way back! They were exhausted when we got home. 

I took with me a few friends, Sydney and Hannah. They had fun and I am glad they were able to join me.

On our way back to the car, we saw five other King Charles Cavaliers. It was pretty fun.

Date Night

                  Love me some home cooking by the hubby. Yum!

New Fan

My entire life I have always played sports. I love sports. Obviously why I got my degree in Kinesiology. Even though my entire life I haved loved sports and played sports, I have never been a FAN of any specific team. When I watch sports on tv, I watch them to watch them, but with no intentions of rooting for a specific team. Well since being back in Cali for a year now, I decided I wanted to watch sports with a purpose--I want to be a FAN. So since football season is in pre-season it works out perfect. I decided that I am going to become a San Diego Chargers fan! That's right, I DECIDED. So last night was our second pre-season game. We played the SF 49ers and unfortunately lost 20-17. They had some great plays and some good defense {they were sucking it up at the beginning of the game--hence the 2 touchdowns scored on them in the first quarter}. Hopefully when Evan is done with school we will live in or near San Diego and then I will really feel great being a Chargers Fan! Woop Woop! BOLT UP SAN DIEGO! Hey, being a FAN means being a supporter or rooter. Maybe next year I will change my mind! Only time can tell! But for now GO!

One life teaches on earth, then in heaven

On my date with Chelsea Innes yesterday, she got a call from her sister telling her about a girl, Vanessa Bentley, in their stake in Tucson, AZ. She was serving her mission in New York and she was killed in a car accident. I decided to look up the event and see what the news had to say about what happened. I found out that she had been on her mission for 13 months. After reading many of the articles about her accident, I couldn't helped but be so sad and emotionally connected to a sister missionary that was serving a mission. I remember on my mission talking and learning of Heavenly Father's plan and saying that if I were to be called home early to my Father in Heaven, I would want it to be on my mission because I was in such a great place in my life. What an amazingly hard trial to bear for both the Bentley family and Sister Natalie Love, her companion. I am reminded of the following quote:

When suffering, we may in fact be nearer to God than we've ever been in our entire lives. That knowledge can turn every such situation into a "would be temple". Regarding our earthly journey the Lord has promised, I will go before your face, I will be on your right hand and on your left, my Spirit shall be in your hearts and mine angels round about you to bear you up. That is an everlasting declaration of God's love and care for us. Including and perhaps especially in times of trouble.
 --Jeffery R. Holland

As I was talking to Evan about this accident and its details, I couldn't help but wonder what I am suppose to learn. Am I suppose to learn/be reminded that life is fragile, time in this life passes so quickly, so don't take it for granted? Am I suppose to learn/be reminded to be a safer driver? Am I suppose to learn/be reminded that accidents can and do happen? Am I suppose to learn/be reminded that we must not procrastinate the day of repentance? Am I suppose to learn/be reminded to be spiritually prepared and ready? Or am I suppose to learn/be reminded that God is real; That the Holy Ghost is real; That the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real? I think I can learn all of the above. Especially that God has a plan.

And may I say for the consolation of those who mourn, and for the comfort and guidance of all of us, that no righteous man is ever taken before his time. In the case of the faithful Saints, they are simply transferred to other fields of labor. --President Joseph Fielding Smith

In one of the articles online, there was a place to put comments. There were a couple comments put into words exactly what I was thinking:

 I know Sister Bentley is now surrounded by loved ones and that her "mantle" of authority to preach the Gospel and serve will continue among those in the Spirit World who long for salvation. I pray you will receive the Lord's confirmation that your daughter is loved and now protected in an environment of total love.

She was needed in another place to continue her teachings of the Savior..

 

As I read this I felt sad that she wasn't able to complete her mission, yet she really will and do it with Heavenly Father. It's always sad when a tragic incident like this takes an innocent life. All I can think of is...that Heavenly Father must have really had a need for her there.

 

It may not be on the mountain's height, or over the stormy sea.
It may not be at the battle's front, My Lord will have need of me.
...But, if, by a stiil small voice, he calls, to paths that I do not know,
I'll answer, Dear Lord, With my hand in thine, I'll go where you want me to go.

 

My love and condolences to Sister Bentley's family, her friends, and her dear companion who is surely living a gut-wrenching nightmare. An extra measure of compassion must be poured out upon Sister Love, who certainly never intended for this to happen when she made that left turn. Sister Bentley died in the service of her fellow-man and God. No greater love has anyone than this. Good work Sister Bentley, time for a new calling.

 

As someone that served a mission, I feel that her Dad said it best when he said,  "Her mission president told us that she was a great missionary — humble, obedient and hard-working," he said. "She did everything she was asked to do, willingly. We just have to assume that Heavenly Father was in charge of this last transfer."

 

Before embarking on any journey, we like to have some assurance of a round-trip ticket. Returning from earth to life in our heavenly home requires passage through—and not around—the doors of death. We were born to die, and we die to live. (See 2 Cor. 6:9.) As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven.

 

 I didn't know Vanessa Bentley personally, her story and life has touched mine. But as sisters in the gospel, we share the same love of our Savior Jesus Christ and of our Father in Heaven and His eternal plan, we share the love to serve others, and we share the wrestle of deciding whether to serve a mission. The field is white already to harvest Sister Bentley! Keep on keeping it on. You are indeed doing a great work!

Girls Night + 1

Last night, I was done with work earlier than expected {one of my clients cancelled}. So my new friend Chelsea {her husband and Evs are in the same ATEP Masters program @ Cal Baptist--also friends from Hawaii}and I plus Damon her sweet, quiet baby boy went out. Why weren't Chelsea and I not friends in Hawaii?? I have no clue but I love this girl. We had fun browsing thrift stores looking for fun tidbits, really anything that looked cool. We left many thrift storres empty handed and ended up going to Ross and TJ-Maxx. Lets be honest, theres too many cool items in those stores to leave empty handed. Then we attempted to get "Mexican Shaved Ice??" {never heard of it, thought we would try it, but they only took CASH} so.. went to Yogurt Treats and had some frozen yogurt. We stayed out late together til 9 and it was so much fun! Its nice to have days like this where you and a friend just browse and enjoy eachother's company. I havent really made too many friends since moving here from Hawaii, not sure why, but nonetheless I am glad to have a friend like Chelsea. Thanks for a fun night!

Hide n' Seek

with Jack-- Hmm..I wonder where he could be?? Simple joys make me happy!

August 26, 2008

Three years ago, my amazing boyfriend and best friend, got down on one knee at Tanaka of Tokyo in the Ala Moana Mall, and asked me to marry him. It was at that moment I finally became his fiance. There were many people around us, eating and enjoying their lunch, but it was as if we were in our own bubble and no one could see us {just the way Evan would have it, no one up in his business}. Me on the other hand, wanted to scream out for joy to all these strangers. It was such a happy moment in my life. I love reflecting back on this day.

Double Feature Wednesday

Most recently, Redbox has had this promotion going on that if you text DEALS to 727272 they will send you back a promo code with up to $1.00 off. So for the past 2 weeks, minus a handful of days, Evs and I have been getting as many codes and we could. Well I hit the jackpot. Just about every text I got .50 -$1.00 {its only a buck but that means its FREE} I love FREE date night. Well I had 3 $1.00 promo codes so last night we rented these two movies:

This movie was interesting to say the least. Talk about control of your life and being mentally ill. Its crazy how that is so real in our world today. I can't say I will even jump at the next opportunity to see this movie, but it wasn't a total and complete waste of time {maybe..}

Now I heard many friend reviews about this movie when it was in the theater. My own review: It was actually funny. Funny in a semi stupid way, I guess. I had to watch and listen so carefully that sometimes it bugged me. What really drove me insane, so insane that I had to leave the room a couple times because I got so much anxiety and Ev refused to fast forward it, was Steve Carrell's character!! He was such a disaster!! Everything was such a mess and as much as he was funny, it had me going crazy. I know its just a movie, but I hate movies where there is so much conflict and constant craziness.

Even though I about had an anxiety attack watching movies, I loved time I got to just relax and hang out.

East Coast Earthquake Devasation

East Coast earthquake 5.8 magnitude. A friend on Facebook posted this and I thought it was hilarious! Such devastation. Oh, America we are so blessed!

Exercising Faith

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
-Joseph Campbell

Sunday--family day

All the fun we have together!

Huntington Beach Dog Park

Oh man did they love it here! Our first time taking them to the beach..a little hesitant because there were so many dogs, so many big dogs to be specific off of their leashes and lots of beach to run away and never come back. Needless to say, It took me a good 20 minutes before I would let Sage, the known "explorer", off his leash. Sage and Jade were in heaven. They loved it. It was like we took them to Disneyland "for dogs" for the first time. Jade didn't care for the big dogs sniffing them so up close and personal or the sand in her eyes, but nonetheless had a blast! {She told me so} Sage actually went in the water and walked with me, surprising. He had fun too! {He told me too}. Its funny how I used to be afraid of dogs and now my doggies are my little buddies {yes I know they are dogs..but so what}.

Fun times!

Date Night

It went something like this: I made a card and folded it up with a handmade envelope. Wrote Evs name and address on it and drew a fake stamp on it. When I went home for lunch I put the letter in the mailbox and then went inside. While eating I asked Evan," Have you checked the mail yet? Can you check it? Im expecting something." He gets up checks it and comes back inside with a cute grin on his face. I love when I can make him smile ear to ear. The card looked like this:

We went to a steakhouse called Spunky's Steer. We had some great steak and some yummy fried zucchini! Most of all we had good conversation and good quality time. We came home and watched {he watched, I fell asleep} The Priest {weird if you ask me}.

I love this man! He is my best friend!

Love me some girl puppy

(Photo credit: JenFallanPhotography)

Sunday @ Mom's

Love days like these.
   

(Photo Credit: JenFallanPhotography)

Happy 7th Birthday Charlotte! Wish we could be in Oregon celebrating with you! We love you!