Maine and Nelle's 21st Birthday!

Me and Chanelle turned 21 on sunday. We celebrated our birthday the day before in Boise. My 21st birthday is thus far my most special birthday! Being with Nelle was extremely awesome, however also having a wonderful boyfriend (someday husband) present was wonderful! We had a great time, i didn't have to work. I ate at Red Lobster for the first time. We hung out at the mall. Visted the Boise Temple. Watched a movie....it was a ton of relaxation and fun! The best things (gifts) in life aren't things at all! I love my family! I love Bradshaw! Looking back on 21 years, despite the ugly times, the misfortunes, the heartaches, and mistakes I have made, God's love for me is more clear. I have been truly blessed and even now, the Lord continues to bless me.

Roommate Reunion!

A couple months ago I caught a shuttle to Rexburg and spent a weekend with some of my old roommates. It was so nice to see them again as well as some friends I have made throughout my time at BYU-I. The pictures I posted portray some of the most amazing ladies in my life (FYI, they are all return missionaries)...such sweet women of Christ...women who stand for what is right. We have had lots of fun, challenging, growing moments together, i am very thankful we have had the oppurtunity to attend a wonderful institute together and to not just live with each other but teach and care for one another! The girls in the middle and last picture are from Puerto Rico. They are so awesome!

True Happiness Comes From God

I am currently dating a wonderful guy. Last night I realized a very important lesson as I reflected upon the happiness he brings into my life. If one is currently unhappy, one must not depend on a boyfriend or future spouse to come along to make her life all better! One must strive to find ways to enrich and bring joy into her life and not rely on some guy or perhaps something-a new car, clothes, etc to make her happy...otherwise she is setting herself up for huge disappointment. I'm not merely talking about your boyfriend dumping you...i'm talking about what really makes us happy. Harold B. Lee said, "Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you, but on what happens inside of you. It is measured by the spirit with which you meet the problems of life." Another great man, James E. Faust said, "To be in control of your life, to be a success regardless of your [circumstances], I recommend that you come to know your Father in Heaven." He goes on to say, "You can best do this by prayer, study, and keeping the commandments. Always remember that He loves you and will give you guidance and support if you will invite Him into your life. Include Him in your decision making. Include Him when you take inventory of your personal worth. Pray to Him when you are discouraged, because I testify that He does hear our cries for help." I totally agree. True happiness comes from God, all other forms of "happiness" or pleasure don't last long and aren't really happiness after all. The greatest joy in my life comes from keeping the Lord's commandments. Who knows what is to become of me and Bradshaw...but this i know as the prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley put it so beautifully, "We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us. He is the central focus of our worship. He is the Son of the living God, the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten in the flesh. He is "risen from the dead...the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthinans 15:30). He is the Lord who shall come again "to reign on the earth over his people" (D&C 76:63; see also Micah 4:7; Revelation 11:15). None so great has ever walked the earth. None other had made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare his divinity without equivoaction or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God."

"We had the best day ever mom!"

Today was a long day. I had the whole house to myself, Steve was working most of the day and everyone else was in Utah visiting family. I worked late last night and attended a friend's b-day party afterwards. I got home a little past midnight, immediately crashed and woke up at 6:30 in the morning to clean the house. For most of the day I babysat three children of a friend. I confess i was tired and longed to rest and have time for myself especially considering right after i finished babysitting i needed to get ready to go to work...nonetheless the kids and I had a wonderful experience. We did all sorts of fun things together and in the end it all paid off, well literally, but what was most rewarding was Cippy's inital reaction to her mother when she came to pick up the kids, she announced, "we had the best day ever mom!"...now that just brought joy to my heart!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY... (some) couples in the family!

Brian and his girlfriend, whom he recently proposed to, May.



Richard (Junior) and his girlfriend, Stephanie.



Brandon and his girlfriend, Trisha.



Bradley and his girlfriend, Rose.



Chanelle and her husband, Cody.

Tag I'm it! Thanks Stasha...

A. Rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, player tags 5 people and posts their names. Then go to their blog and leave a comment to let them know they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 years ago: My mom had her eleventh child, therefore I was ten years old.

5 things on my to-do list today: Attend institute, read R.S. Lesson, Jog (if weather permits), drop letters off at the post office, and watch the boys at home.

Snacks I enjoy: Cheese curls, chocolate chip cookies, and Lays Barbeque Potato Chips.

What if I were suddenly a billionaire: I would buy my family a new, bigger house. I would help my mother open up a family restaurant. I would buy my dad and I tickets to watch his favorite NFL team, the Miami Dolphins, play. I would take all the kids to Disney Land. I would buy Nelle and I tickets to attend an NBA game. I would help Brandon and Crystal receive their GED and support them and the rest of my siblings in their desire to go to college! I would give the Caziers and the Kollats money for all that they have given me and have done for me. I would donate the majority of my money to good causes for the people of guam and neighboring islands.

3 bad habits: Sleeping late, Sleeping in, and giving in to food temptations.

5 jobs I have had: Working for grandma at Doring's food service, Dominos Pizza, Taco Bell, Early Morning Custodian, and Maintenance for the girls dorm at BYU-I.

5 places I have lived: Guam, Turkey, and Idaho.

5 things people don't know about me: When I was 13 or 14 years old, I won a nestle (the chocolate company) giveaway for a trip for 2 to Los Angeles to meet NBA Star, Shaquille O' Neal...plane fare, hotel reservations were taken care of. However, I turned the offer down in exchange for money to help build our house we were constructing at the time.

I tag Robbie, Amy, Jen, and Chanelle!