Preserving the Divine Institution of Marriage

One week ago, I had the opportunity of participating in some filming in favor of Prop 8. The Church has done a phenomenal job presenting good, valuable information. Involvement in this cause has become very personal and important to me to be a part of--especially when I am typically not strongly political. I have been very grateful for what I have learned and for the time and efforts of others--it is apparent to me that from this point on, standing on the side-lines is no longer an option. I hope to never look back and regret not letting my voice be heard and that with a spirit of love and understanding, that I will be able to be a positive influence to the world around me.

Preserving the Divine Institution of Marriage

Preserving the Divine Institution of Marriage

Preserving the Divine Institution of Marriage

The Hills Are Alive!

Last Friday night, a group of friends trekked up to the Hollywood Bowl for The Sound of Music! Needless to say, it was a nostalgic night and we all left a little hoarse from singing along at the top of our lungs. If you are ever in the area when this is playing, you must buy your tickets and attend. Oh, and don't forget to take along a little jam and bread to munch on during the movie!

During each singing of Edelweiss, cell phones opened and illuminated the crowd...

Drag Nuns...need I say more?

Ashli brought along her bedazzled microphone for all of us to sing along with...

Afterwards, Jana and I determine that we must organize a ward musical production...

Annalise put in her two cents...

I don't think Megan liked our choice, but Ashli looks like she does!

Jungle fever...

So, I've done it again...oh the days of large craft projects... It started with carving 12 pumpkins for a pumpkin village, then moved on to a whole haunted forest wired to the railings outside my apartment. This year its turned into 300 cupcakes for stake relief society enrichment and last week, decorations for the YSA Preference dance "It's a Jungle Out There".

Well, just like my signature karaoke song "Rollin' on the River", where it states, that they "never, ever, do nothin' nice, and easy...", it seems that's how my ideas go as well. Thanks to the help and support of good friends who pitched in and let me boss them around, the foliage on the church grounds, and a few trips to home depot, the gym was transformed for one spectacular night! I am happy to report, very few tears were shed in the making of this project...and many laughs were shared!

The pictures really don't doit justice! Oh, and the volcano was built and rocked by Mark Chapman and his mother--who I absolutely think is so fun and wonderful!

I LOOOOVVVVE reminiscing!

This totally sounds like fun, here's how you play:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

I write...

So, about a month ago I received an email from LDSWA asking if I would be interested in writing for their new online magazine. I was referred to by my sis-in-law Erin, and so I am giving it a go! Heaven knows I don't have any problem giving my opinion when asked for it--so, this could be really fun! So, check it out and let me know what you think? Suggestions would be great too!

http://www.ldswa.com/

Oh, and one more thing...

Oh, and I forgot the other exciting event coming this year—May 21st-ish, is the arrival of a new baby niece (to be named at a later date). So, I think it would be fun to do a name the baby game. What should my sister name her little girl and why?

1. Jane Stanley (because it has four letters and will fit on a stocking perfectly!)
2. Pammy Lee Stanley (because Pam always wanted someone to be named after her, and it rhymes. lol)

What do you think?

Happy New Year!

Watch out 2008! Here I come! I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season--I am so grateful for the blessings that I received last year and can't wait to see what this year holds. Hopefully some good changes--who knows, Molly may get her way and I may move to the desert! Regardless of major life changes, there is plenty to look forward to already!

February 14th: Valentines Day (Jack has promised to be my Valentine!)
April 4th: Ted gets home from the mission!
Date to be determined: Katie goes to the temple
June 12th: I turn 28. Yikes!
June th?: James graduates from BYUH. Congrats James!
July 5th: Family vacation to Hilton Head, SC

Bowling Night!

Watch out--we are now a professional bowling team! All new players welcome to join! Must be able to bowl at least a 50, but not over 100. Creative bowlers wanted!

Grey's Anatomy-Fact or Fiction?

So, I was eating dinner at the Corner Bakery the other night and couldn't help but over hear a conversation across the way. Two women were sitting and discussing what sounded like the health condition of one of their mothers. Apparently, she had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. They continued on in discussing what the doctor had told her to expect in the coming weeks, months, years. As their conversation continued, one of the women asked her dinner mate if she ever watched Grey's Anatomy? When I heard this, I immediately thought, what does this have to do with your mother? Well, it didn't take long to find out. She conveyed, in a very matter-of-fact manner, that Meredith's mother had Alzheimer's as well, but she came out of it at one point and remembered her daughter, but came back thinking it was year's earlier than it actually was. Now, I'm not going to lie, but this disturbed me for a number of reasons. First, Meredith's mother suffered from Dementia. Wrong illness. Second, Grey's Anatomy is a show, produced for entertainment, acted out by actors, and should not in any way be used as a reference for medical diagnoses. Third, I wondered if at some point in my life I will be that lady--comparing my life to that of the latest soap opera and identifying my situation with the lead character. If I ever do get to that point, someone, please, slap me and tell me to snap out of it. And if I don't, I give you permission to take away my driver's license. Institutionalize me. Drug me. Because, I apparently should not be a part of society any more...is this a little dramatic? I don't know. But, I'm pretty sure I won't be old and talking to my cat (I dislike cat's), so that's probably the only other alternative. However, I like to think that if I've lost it, that at least I'll be spunky enough to raise a little hell in the rest home instead of moping around complaining about my latest hip replacement.

Olvera Street

New Discovery--Olvera Street. Thanks to Tim, Emma and Scott, I was served up a day filled with yummy taquitos (smothered in green avocado sauce), some shopping and entertainment! If you've never been, I suggest you check it out. Well worth a trip up the 5 freeway.

Tim and me eating super delicious taquitos!


Emma and Scott eating theirs!

A little afternoon drumming and dancing! And yes, those outfits were available for purchase!


"Um, we'd like to try on the large sombrero's? These are just a little smaller than what we were looking for!"


"GRRRR! Can you say Nacho Libre meets Tony the Tiger? These masks were everywhere!"

Follow Directions Carefully

K, so I'm a slight retard. Middle name, Katie, not first name....at least I only have to change two letters.

The Rules are:
1) Players, you must list one or more facts that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use the middle name that you wish you had.)
2) When tagged, you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name facts.
3) At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don't forget to leave a comment telling them that they're tagged and to read your blog.

M-Musical (well, I'm not tone deaf)
A-Able, Affable, Amiable, Amusing, Amazing
R-Right (I'm pretty much right 95% of the time. The other 5%, is spent telling you why I may not be right, but why you aren't either...lol)
I-Intelligent, Intense, Inventive, Imaginative, Independent
E-Eager, Easy-going, Entertaining, Evolving, Enough

Thanks Erin! Tag, Allyson!

The Rules are:
1) Players, you must list one or more facts that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use the middle name that you wish you had.)
2) When tagged, you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name facts.
3) At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don't forget to leave a comment telling them that they're tagged and to read your blog.

K-Kind, Kicky, Kissy, Knowledgeable
A-Able, Affable, Amiable, Amusing, Amazing
T-Tall, Thankful, Tense (mostly in the neck and shoulders), Tender, Thoughtful, Talented
I-Intelligent, Intense, Inventive, Imaginative, Independent
E-Eager, Easy-going, Entertaining, Evolving, Enough

Tag: Allyson

Stewart Visits the Doctor

Anyone that knows me, knows that I LOOOOOVVVVEEEE to laugh! And that usually, I am laughing at my own jokes. What can I say, I'm my best audience. But, for those days when I just can't seem to make myself smile, I have re-discovered Mad TV's "Stewart". This sketch in particular, makes me laugh out loud--and I feel the need to share my indulgence with the rest of you. So, if you are in need of a giggle, this has been given the "no courtesy laugh needed" stamp of approval. Hope you like!


YouTube - Stuart doctor

"I've got the most scathingly brilliant idea!"

Two movies that every girl who grew up watching Hayley Mills should see! These two are favorites of mine and my sister. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have over the years! Besides, every girl needs a little Tom Hamilton in her life to make her feel romantic and a little Mary Clancy to show her how to have a scathingly brilliant idea! Enjoy!


The Trouble With Angels
Coming of age story for two girls, Mary Clancy and Rachel Devery, who find themselves as students at the St. Francis Academy, a catholic boarding school for girls. The story spans three years and follows the girls and their many pranks including setting off fire alarms, smoking cigars in the basement and putting bubble baths in the nuns' sugar bowls. As the girls mature, they gain a greater respect for their teachers and the commitment and devotion required to be a nun, leading one of them to make a life changing decision.


Summer Magic
Disney musical about a Bostonian widow and her three children who move to Maine. Postmaster Osh Popham helps them move into a run-down old house and fixes it up for them. It's not entirely uninhabited, though; the owner, a Mr. Hamilton, is a mysterious character away in Europe, but Osh assures them he won't mind their living there, since he won't be coming home for a long time yet. The children and a cousin who comes to live with them have various adventures before an unexpected visitor shows up.

Word of the Month

Well, I officially declared "Mack Daddy" to be my word of the month for September. Inspired by John from Trademark Realty, it is so wrong, it's right. Besides, you can pretty much use it in any sentence and apply it to just about any situation. It can be a noun or an adjective--and probably something else, but grammar stuff was never my strongest subject. In case you want to try it out, here are a few sample sentences you can try it out in:

"I'll mack daddy your face!" (use when frustrated or if you feel like teasing)
"What a Mack Daddy!" (can be used with a positive or negative connotation)
"This is the mack daddy of all cars on the road" (to specifically declare how utterly cool something/someone is)
"What in the mack daddy were you thinking?" (not really sure, but I like the flow)

I probably should say, that I firmly believe that the two must be used together. Not to be split and used separately or alone. Apart, Mack and Daddy are no longer ebony and ivory, living side by side...the way they were meant to be.

Thank you for Being a Friend...

It was so fun to be back in Utah again a few weeks ago. Especially to see those people that mean so much to me in my life and to whom I can say, I would not be who I am today, were it not for their support and influence in my life. I was able to go to lunch with my old boss, Julie Hatchett, at BYU. Julie was and is someone who has been more than just an employer--she has been my friend, confidant, support and personal cheerleader. Julie taught me how to jump in to the deep end--she showed me how to stretch myself and plow a path to accomplishment. She has been an example to me of how to balance fun and responsibility. I will always hold her in the highest regard and will be forever grateful for her believing in me.


Then there is my Natalie. I wouldn't even know where to begin bragging about how lucky I am to have her in my life. Natalie and I became friends in college at BYU--back in the days of the Avenues and Matt Herzog, lol. Her friendship has been more of a sisterhood to me--she has an uncanny ability to call just when I need it most. It is a rare occurrence to find a friend that somehow knows what you need when you need it, without you ever telling them. Besides, she is one of the most talented people I know. She puts on a mean party, bakes a killer roast, and is everything darling you could think of. She is a kindred spirit--she's my Nat.


Congratulations to the sassiest of them all--Shanna banana! Shanna graced my life last year when she moved to California for a few months. Apart from almost getting killed by a mad man with a hook for an arm (can you say stranger danger, Shanna?), Shanna's sense of humor and sass was (and for a lack of better words) a breath of fresh air. There's no one else I would rather jump on hotel beds with! Hopefully, her new husband will do that with her--otherwise I may have to steal her away every so often. Shanna's wedding was beautiful. I was so thrilled to be able to be there to see her so happy--I wish her and Nate all the best in the world.

Ok Nat, this one's for you!

I've been tagged!

4 Jobs I Have Had...
1. Purchasing Manager/Global Account Manager (for about 3 years now)
2. BYU Testing Center
3. Flagger (way dirty!)
4. BYU Office of Freshman Year

4 Movies I Can Watch Over and Over Again...
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Zoolander
3. Meet me in St. Louis
4. Girls Just Want to Have Fun/Troop Beverly Hills (Tie, can't watch one without the other)

4 Places I Have Lived...
1. SLC, UT
2. Tempe, AZ
3. Tuscany and Perugia Italy
4. NYC, Denver, Portland, Orange County...

4 Favorite TV Shows...
1. Ugly Betty
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Amazing Race
4. Jeopardy

4 Places I Have Been On Holiday...
1. Italy
2. Hawaii
3. Canada
4. Caribbean

4 Favorite Dishes...
1. Lasagna
2. Godiva Chocolate Cheese Cake
3. Fruit
4. Ice Cream

4 Websites I Visit Daily...
1. Banana Republic (every other day)
2. My work website
3. Costco
4. Blogger

4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now...
1. At the beach!
2. In New York, going to see Wicked
3. In Florence, shopping in the market
4. At my sisters, playing with my nephews

Now here are 4 people that I am tagging...
1. Erin
2. Monica
3. My sister (lol, ya right)
4. Anyone who reads this...yes, that means YOU!

House of Blues starring....EMMA JANE!

Congrats Emma Jane (and baby) for rocking it on stage last night at the House of Blues! We had a blast watching!

Lets go fly a kite...or ride a bike!

The last two weeks of July have been nothing short of fun! Thanks to T, J and B, I escaped work early one Friday for a relaxing day at the beach riding bikes and eating frozen chocolate covered bananas-with nuts, not sprinkles. I think I could have ridden for hours, and perhaps we would have, had it not been for a sudden, unexpected trick gone wrong. Jeff slashed his shin open, but he was so brave. He didn't even cry. And once again, super glue came to the rescue! Which reminds me, I think I need to stock up...