Christmas!

Holy cow I cannot believe that Christmas is already over! This year has seriously flown by. I had a lot of fun. My mom and my step-dad came down from Idaho Falls the weekend before and we had a part at my sister Seleste's house in Riverdale. It was a lot of fun spending time with my family. We missed my lil brother Spencer who is living in Logan, we actually had a lil scare with him that night... I guess that he was snowboarding, and wrecked it and he thought that he got hurt pretty bad. After a quick trip to the ER it turned out he was okay. Luckily it wasn't anything too serious. A few years ago my older brother Skyler had a bad wreck on his snowboard, that was similar to the one that Spencer had, and (skyler)actually burst his spleen and it was pretty scary. He had a ton of internal bleeding and they had to rush him to the hospital. If he had been any later he would have died. So we told Spence to get to the ER ASAP. I am so glad that he was ok. So for actual Christmas I worked half a day and then went up to Layton with my sister Shalece. It was fun just spending time with my dad and step mom Karelyn. I don't get to see them that much but they are chill. I kinda like em. LOL so we opened presents on Christmas Eve cause Karelyn had to work. So I got some food storage and that was pretty cool. Christmas day i just slept and watched the office and vegged and it was great!! I am glad that this year is coming to an end and I am hoping that the new year will bring new adventures! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!!

♥ SHAY

.:Photography:.

So I think that you all should go check out my photography blog. There is a link to it in the upper left hand corner of this blog! I have added a new slide show & I will be adding some other things that I have been working on soon! Keep checking in on it and let your friends know as well!


Hope you all have a WONDERFUL day! :o)

.: Thanksgiving:.

I had a wonderful, long, very much needed break for Thanksgiving. I got off work Wed. night later than I had wanted to (about 7:30pm) and then Shalece and I drove up to Idaho Falls. It was fun cause she FINALLY decided to read Twilight, so I read it to her while she drove. :) I love that book. I think that was the 3rd or 4th time I have read it. But it's still awesome! Thursday I just relaxed and ate and exercised. It was fun spending time with my mom and my 2 sisters and my step dad's family. I don't get to see my mom much since she moved to Idaho, So it's always nice to spend time with her. I miss her! Friday I did nothing again... lol we decorated foam gingerbread men and women. It was Glitter-tastic. ;) Then we just watched some movies and played a whole lotta cards. That's my families tradition. We get together and play Smash. My mom always kicks our trash. I told her she has Smash ADD cause her hands move so fast. LOL. It was really fun though cause we are starting to get the 2nd generation into it. My niece Mikayla & my Newphew Ethyn got really into it and with a lil help even won a couple rounds. It was so much fun teaching them and watching them get into the game with the rest of us. Saturday I went for a much needed Jog. This time of year gets hard for me. Especially since for the last 2 years I was in a relationship and not having him there was kinda hard. SO It was nice to be able to jog and just clear my head. Then Shalece and I drove home. We stopped in Layton to see Twilight again cause she finished the book. It was cheesier the 2nd time, but I still loved it. Then we stopped and got some stuff to make a boquet for my sister Seleste who is getting married in a week from today!!! :D It took Shalece, Suzette and I almost 2 hours to finish it, but it looks great! I'm excited for Seleste to see the finished product! SO over all Thanksgiving ROCKED! I didn't wanna go home! And I didn't wanna go back to work. But hey only 20 days til Christmas so I think I can cope! :D

.:Happy Thanksgiving:.

Happy Turkey Day~!

I'm off to Idaho Falls for the weekend.:D

What about the rest of ya? Got any fun plans for this fabulous holiday weekend??


Peace out!

♥ Shay

.:All I want for Christmas is YOU!:.

So I found this camera and I want it so bad!!! I am totally in love with it. I even dreamed about it last night... lol

.: Learning to Love, Forgive, and Forget:.

I am so grateful for the way that things have been the past couple of months. I have had so much love and support from my friends who have truely helped me to let go of things that happened in the past and to be able to move on a just learn to love again. Some of them have taught me to forgive and forget. While others have been my shoulder to cry on. I don't even know what I would have done if I hadn't been able to talk to them about what was going on in my life. I love all of you guys! I just wanted to let you all know that. And that I truely am ready to love again. I am ready to give my heart to someone and to be in a relationship again. I NEVER thought that it was going to happen. I seriously thought that I was gonna feel like I could never love someone else and all alone forever. But the Lord has helped heal my broken heart and I am eternally thankful.

.:Hair:.

Okay so I wanna dye my hair & cute my hair and I am trying to decide what to do... it's between



Kate Walsh's Reddish Brown color with Jessica Simpson's Length









Nicole Richies Length & color:







Kellie Pickler's or kristin Cavelarri's Length and Sophia Bush's Hair color.









Leave me a comment and let me know what you think :)

.:My Dad:.

So some of you might know that my dad had a brain tumor almost 11 Years ago, and has been cancer free since. Well last week I got an e-mail from my step mom... this is what it said....


"5 times in the last 2 weeks, your dad has had episodes of numbness and drooping on his right side. So far, they seem only temporary but they are visible and last a while. He went to the Dr over a week ago and was sent for another MRI and MRA. They called back and said he had a new dark spot on his brain but that the original surgery site from his brain tumor was clear. Then the Dr left town for a week. Last Thurs at another Dr appointment, the Dr said it appears that he is having mini-strokes. They have done ultra sound testing on his neck and it "appears clean relative to age". They believe the mini-strokes are being caused by small blood clots but don't know where they are coming from. For now, he is on medication that is supposed to thin the blood and diminish the chance for stroke or heart attack. Sometime soon, the Dr. is also trying to set up an appointment for your dad to see a neurologist at the U of U to make sure they are on the right track and do more extensive neurological testing."

Well I was talking to my dad last night and he said that the U couldn't even get him in until January. I am asking all of you that read this to please keep a prayer for him in your heart, that he will be able to get in sooner and that the doctors will be able to figure out and understand what is wrong with him. Also Family is encouraged to fast for him as well. Thanks for the extra prayers in this time of need.

.:BBS (Baggy Britches Syndrome):.

So this past week I found out that I have B.B.S. also known as Baggy Britches Syndrome. I have been on a new diet for a lil over a week and already I am experiencing some of the side effects. Such side effects might include, but are not limited to: More energy, happy/positive attitude. Wake up earlier and easier. Sore muscles (everywhere), Better sleep at night, and constantly having to pull up your briches.

Lol okay so for real it's such a wonderful feeling to know that I am accomplishing my goal to be healthier. I seriously feel so much better! I haven't really noticed too much weight loss as far as my cheap bathroom scale is concerned but my pants are falling off! Yesterday I had to keep pulling them up and today I had to wear a belt, which i had to tighten 2 noches. :) That's such a good feeling. Except the fact that I feel like i look like crap in these baggy clothes and I dont have money or really want to go buy new clothes til I have lost most of the weight that I want to lose. And can I just tell you about my new work out videos that I just got from Beachbody.com.

It's called Rockin' Body. It is so much fun and the past couple of days has really kicked my butt. The cool part is that it's challenging enough that you feel the burn but not to hard that you can't do it. I really hope that doing this will help me shed the pounds. I also really wanna buy Turbo Jam and Hip hop abs... SO i'm savin my pennies. LOL

Well I hope all of you are recovering from the dissapointment of last nights results. I can't help but feel that the Savior is going to come soon. It feels like these are finally the last days. The revelations that have been prophesied for years are happening or are going to happen soon.I am trying to have faith and to follow His plan for me and just keep moving forward, because on God's side, I can't lose.

Have a wonderful wintery-ish day. :)

.:I'm moving to Canada:.

I feel like our Country is doomed. I can't believe that Obama has won. I can't even tell you how sick I am of hearing BLACK this and BLACK that... This election has nothing to do with Race at all. It has everything to do with what is wrong and what is right. And I have strong beliefs that Obama doesn't agree with. It's hard to feel like things are going to be okay. I don't know why I have this feeling of certain failure but I just feel like this country and everything that it stands for and was built upon have been trampled. I feel like my beliefs are no longer going to be valid and that my right to worship is being compromised. I am so sick of the minority of people taking away my rights to worship anywhere that I want to. I don't know why they think that they can do that. I don't know I guess I just have to put it in the Lord's hand and my trust in him that everything will be okay. It's hard. But I will have to do it.

.:The Diet... Chapter 2:.

So I started my diet on Sunday. So far I have lost about 3 lbs this week which is pretty impressive considering the fact that it's only Wednesday. Over all I feel pretty good. I feel like I have more energy. My muscles are sore, but that's not suprising because I never work out so they should be. I think that's a good sign. Last night I went for a jog around the block and it made me realize just how out of shape I really am. I could barely do it. So that is my new goal. To be able to jog around the block without feeling like I am gonna die. LOL. I have to admit that the shake are pretty bad. I tried one at my dad's house before I actually ordered them, but for some reason I think that they are pretty freakin nasty. So finally this morning I decided to make a smoothie out of it and I used some juice and a banana and I think that that really helped disguise the flavor. I could still taste it a lil but it wasn't nearly as bad. Today at lunch I am gonna have to gag it down like normal. I think the worst part is that it's kinda chunky. The powder doesn't disolve all the way and it's hard for me to drink it like that. So I just chug it all in 1 or 2 gulps and call it good. On the plus side, I don't feel as hungry as I was before I started. Before I was ALWAYS hunry. I mean I could eat all day long and still feel hungry. I don't know why that was, but I am taking these pills that really seem to help curb the hunger. Oh P.S. the stupid protien bars are nast too... who ever created them must not have taste buds or something becuase I ate like 1/8 of it and wanted to vomit. So needless to say I won't be eating any more. Sorry to rant just needed a way to keep track of the progress. I am gonna go work out tonight at the legacy center in lehi. I'm perty excited about that! I love the eliptical. :)

Peace out y'all!

.: Tagged :.

So I was tagged by my awesome cousin Kacie a while ago and I have been a slacker and haven't done it yet... so Kacie, Here you go!


The rules: Link person who tagged you
Tell about 6 Quirks of yours
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same


Fact 1: I love anything to do with water. I think that I am part dolphin or something because if there is enough water to swim in, you can bet I am either in it, or thinking about being in it. It's funny cause I hate being in a bathing suit in front of other people, but I love swimming... Imagine that?

Fact 2: I am an emotional shopper. What I mean by this is that when I am sad or depressed or even happy I feel the need to buy something that will cheer me up. Which can be very expensive and addicting. So that's something I am trying to break.

Fact 3: I hope that in the millenium I will be able to be a ballerina. I always wanted to dance and I have loved ballet since I was little. But... I am lazy and a lil on the chubby side so the ballet thing is out for now. I like food too much to give it up in order to become a size -2. :)

Fact 4: I love weddings. I have since I was little. I don't know what it is about those white poofy dresses that has me so fascinated, but it does. Hence, I am going to be a wedding photographer when I "grow up." So if you know of anyone that is getting married or is just wanting some cute family photos or anything of the photography sort.. let me know I would be happy to do it. And Where I am just getting started I might even cut you a pretty good deal. :)

Fact 5: I am a candy junkie! I love anything that is fruity! But, I don't particularly like chocolate that much. I know you can all pick your jaws up off the floor. Someone once asked me if i was really a girl because I didn't like chocolate.... LOL YES I am a girl :D

Fact 6: I love love love girly/cheesy movies. for example HSM, M-K&A movies, anything disney. Step up 1 and 2, she's the man etc. I also love hannah montana.. I know it's kinda stupid at times but I just think that it is so funny! And it's a whole heck of a lot better than a lot of the other trash that is out there now a days.


well that's 6 facts about me. Pretty amaxzing right. I know. BLOWS YOUR MIND! well not I tag Melanie, Bridgette, Natalie K., Steph, Jessie, and Heather. Have fun!

I don't care who you are this is funny!

.: The Diet... Chapter 1:.

Hey all!

So I decided that I am going to be starting a diet. I really hate the idea of diets, but I have gained a lot of weight this past year because of stress, and I am tired of my clothes not fitting. :(

It's a pretty basic diet.

Drink a shake for breakfast.

Snack.

Shake for lunch.

Snack.

and a regular meal for dinner.


I figured that since I don't ever have time to really eat a good balanced breakfast, this will be a way of getting all the nutrients that I need easily and speedily. I work away from home so I can't really just go home for lunch so I usually end up buying something at the dreaded Wendy's... So I figure.. save some money and eat healthy, SWEET!! And dinners are easy for me because I have an amazing aunt that I am living with that cooks dinner almost every night of the week.


Right now I am ashamed to say that I weigh 180lbs. I am working to get down to about 140. My dad has been doing this diet and has already lost over 20 lbs. So if he can do it.. so can I! I will keep you updated!

Wish me luck!

.: A Beautiful Life:.

I have so many blessings and such a wonderful life! I love that when you are doing what the Lord wants you to be doing you feel more peace and hope than you could have ever imagined. I don't even know what the next couple of months have in store for me, but I do know that my Heavenly Father will be there guiding me every step of the way. I am so grateful for the oppurtunity that I have had to change my life. I am so grateful to have a Heavenly Father who knows me and knows how I learn and what experiences I need to have in order to become what He knows I am capable of becoming. I wouldn't be the person that I am today without ALL the experiences that I have had in my life. Yes, they have been truely challenging at times, and I haven't always handled them with ease, but I have learned from every single experience. And I am so glad that now I can look back and see God's hand in all of it, and I can learn from mistakes and be better and lean on him a little more. I am so grateful for a prophet who is inspired and called of God. I am so grateful for Pres. Monson's talk in conference about appreciating the moment and not just living for tomorrow. I liked these quotes from his talk Finding Joy In The Journey

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."

“Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily.”

"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know."


I wanted to let who ever reads this know that I love them. I am so grateful for each person that has come into my life and for the footprints that they have left in my heart.

To my wonderful family: I love you more than you will ever know! You are my rock and I want you to know that no matter what, I am here for you!

To my wonderful friends: I am so grateful for your wonderful happy spirits. You keep me on my toes, and for that I am grateful. You're friendship means the world to me! Don't ever forget that.

.:Royal Caribbean Cruise 2008 chapter 2:.

Sorry that it took me so long to finally get back to this.. do you ever just have on of those weeks where you have no idea where all the time went?

Anyway picking up where I left off...


Friday morning we were still at sea on our way to Nassau. It was so amazing once we were finally in port!

Take a look at the first glimps of the island that we had!! AMAZING!





The water was so clear and the prettiest blue I have ever seen!

We were a little intimidated when we first stepped off the ship because we had no idea what we were gonna do, but luckily this nice man came and talked us into a tour of the island. It was really fun to be able to see the real Nassau and not just the touristy places.

We drove past this pretty beach with a perfect view of a beautiful light house, and the photographer in me couldn't pass up taking a picture!






I found that I have a deep love/fascination for coconut trees. Not palm trees like I had thought they were... the taxi driver corrected me on that one! :]









We drove past the College of the Bahamas and we were able to see the kids just getting out of school. The taxi driver told us that they were getting out because of the weather... Tropical storm Hannah was right on our heels. All of the kids in the Bahamas wear school uniforms. The different colors are for the different schools. I wish that I could have gotten a better picture of the girls' hair! They all had their hair done so interestingly!









The taxi driver then took us to this place called the Queens Staircase. I guess that back in the day when the kings and queens came into Nassua they build this staircase for the royals to climb up to get back to their ships instead of having to climb up a mountain. The coolest part is that there was this beautiful man made waterfall that was just hidden. You wouldn't have known that it was there unless you actually climbed down the stairs. There were the prettiest trees with these gorgeous orange flowers on them that grew all over the place! I wish that trees like that grew in Utah!!!









There was this fort next to the queens staircase that you climb up and you can see the whole island! It was amazing!





The best was the view of The Atlantis Resort!! Which is where we went next! This is the place that I have wanted to go to since I was little. I saw it in a Mary-Kate and Ashley movie and I fell in love with it. I know what you are all thinkin... MK&A??? WTF? lol I love it though.. I'm not ashamed to admit it!

Anyway back to the vacation. We pulled up to the hotel and there is this awesome statue that is made to look like the horses are walking on water.





There was also this really cool statue/sculpture thing on the top of the hotel. It's of two sword fish! I loved it!





This is the best place that I have ever been and I was so excited! I can't even tell you! There were water falls everywhere and fountains. The hotel itself is this pretty coral color. I loved this place and I am for sure going back! I was sad that we only had about an hour to see the hotel cause our taxi driver took forever at all the other places, which was okay but I had waited my whole life to see this hotel and I wanted to see more. Someday I will go back. Here a some pictures! I wish you could see the real beauty that The Atlantis truly has!









There were these boats tied up right next to the hotel it was beautiful.



All of the houses in the Bahamas were so colorful. These houses were right across from the hotel. I told shalece that someday when I get a house I am going to paint it hot pink just like the houses there!

when you get to the main entrance of the hotel you see these amazing doors that are so intricately carved with fish and other things.. And then when you walk inside there are these giant murals on all the walls of the ocean and mur-people. It was breathtaking!









Get this... so inside the hotel there is an aquarium! How stinkin cool is that? The fish in there were so cool. Some of them were a little creepy, especially after Shalece and I had gone a lil while back to see these deep water movie in 3D with some of our friends before we went to the Bahamas... Needless to say we weren't planning on going snorkeling!











So we then went outside and were able to see the top of the aquarium. It was really cool! The outside of the hotel was just as fascinating if not more!











The little bridge connecting the two parts of the hotel is actually a suite. This is where all the big stars stay when the come here... some of them include Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, and many more!



The hotel had the prettiest beach area!! The water was so crystal blue! I wanted to swim there so bad but apparently you have to be a guest at the hotel to go in there... LAME! JK











So I am going to apologize in advance for the next picture.. I know it is the most cliché thing to do but Shalece and I couldn't pass it up!



So after we saw the hotel..(briefly) the taxi driver took us to a beach where we could swim! I love the ocean and secretly I think that I am actually part dolphin! I absolutely Loved the waves even though sometimes I felt like it was going to be certain death. JK







Okay well that is all that I have time to post today... but I promise that there is more to come... sorry that this was such a long post and I hope that you didn't fall asleep while you were reading!! If you haven't been to Nassua I highly recommend that you go there!! Just maybe not during hurricane season so you have more time to enjoy it! LOL

Peace!