Hawaii

At the end of June my parents were nice enough to take my little brother and i to Hawaii for a week! It was so much fun and probably one of my favorite family vacations I have ever been on. I loved hiking Diamondhead, playing in the ocean (which if anyone knows my family, it is a big deal to be able to go to do water activities), visiting the Pearl Harbor memorial, being able to go to the Laie Temple and so many other fun things!
My mom, Shaun and I with a veteran that was there when Pearl Harbor was attacked
At the Pearl Harbor Memorial with the moment in the background along with the U.S.S. Missouri
My dad and I on the the trail up Diamondhead with Honolulu in the background. Gorgeous, huh?
At the top on Diamondhead with Waikiki in the background, there was some amazing views up there and the hike was great!
At the Laie Temple, the temple and the grounds are gorgeous
Waimea Falls, we weren't allowed to swim because of the increased amount of rain they have been getting...bummer
My cousins and I with our tour guide (who was hilarious) at the Polynesian Culture Center (Shaun and Colton were trying to do their best haka faces!)
Beautiful Sunset beach
My parents along the beach at Waikiki...beautiful waterfall, huh?!
The Dole Plantation...I had to take one
The moment at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also called the Punchbowl Cemetery
A great pic from our last day in Hawaii I love being in a more tropical climate than we have here in Idaho! It was so much fun and I will definitely being going back there but, probably on my own ticket rather than my parents. If you are ever thinking about going to Hawaii for a vacation....DO IT! It is gorgeous, the weather is wonderful and there are so many good sites to see and I only went to Oahu!

My Grandpa

So I haven't in quite a few months so, I thought I might update this blog of mine.

A few months ago my dear old grandpa passed away and I would just like to write a few thoughts about him here and the little things I miss about him. I am so happy that he is now with his sweetheart, who he missed dearly over the 18 months that they were separated.

THINGS I MISS ABOUT MY GRANDPA SMOKIE
-Driving on the freeway with him in my Ford Focus and having him wave at semis that clearly can't see him waving at all but he still did it anyways.
-His stories about him and my grandma's missions all over the world and the people they got to meet.
-Seeing him with his kids, especially his 4 daughters, who absolutely adored their dad and would do almost anything for them.
-How much him and my mom are alike especially when they are together.
-How he could become friends with just about anybody and could talk to anyone, a trait that my mom possess and hopefully someday that I can develop!
-Going to Burger King with him all the time and him complaining about how expensive his junior whopper, senior drink and small fry are getting.

I'm eternally grateful for him, for the person he was and how much he changed his life in the almost 80 years he was on this earth. Because as much as I think that I can't change things about myself. I will always have the memory of my grandpa and the fortitude that he possessed and know that I can be like him too.
I'm grateful for the time I was given to get to know him and the rest of my grandparents that have also passed away. I know I'm a better person because of them and the things that each of them taught me. And someday I know that I will be able to see them again

Grandpa and Grandma Denison

Life's funny moments

Some days you just need a laugh and right now I need one. So I decided that I'm going to post some of things that I find funny that have happened over the last few months.
So I've been working at Hertz in West Valley and if you want to have a good laugh go work there...in West Valley.
- A lady came into work asking if the Hertz was a mission...apparently she didn't notice the huge sign on the front of the building that says "Hertz"
- Any time I have to try to explain something to a customer who's native language is not English...then for some odd reason if they don't understand English my instinct is to start speaking Malay!
-The crazy guy who sings at the top of his lungs as he walks down the street between the hours of two to four in the afternoon.
-"If the lady doesn't accelerate three seconds after the light turns green I'm going to ram her!" -Banner, my manager, showing his softer side of the craziest road rage I have ever seen anyone possess. Most of the time when I ride with him I feel like I'm going to die!

Here's a few non-work related laughs...for me!
-"1B...they from my hood!"- Melissa, in her best wannabe gangsta voice
-"Natty...you're so silly!" -Cam in a voice that cannot be replicated!
-"...maybe she wanted to come over and meet me!" -A friend who will remain nameless
-"My buttback hurts!" - Melissa
-"Get off your phone and be a part of this family!" -Melissa R. anytime I was playing on my phone while we were hanging out
-Sarah-"What are you doing here...get out of my house!"
Me- "Sarah did you just tell to get out of your house?!"
Sarah- "No, no...you're fine!"
- Sarah is Melissa R.'s sister and probably one of the craziest, most hilarious people I know.
-Brooklyn- "Please bless the..."
Baylee- "FOOD!"
Brooklyn-"I know Baylee!"- Hands down one of the funniest blessings over the food that I have ever heard!
-"It's like an oversized rat, suited for war!"- Shaun's description of an armadillo

These may not be funny to anyone else but, to me they bring laughter and good memories back to life for me! If you want to leave any of your favorite funny quotes or experiences that we might have shared together, I welcome them wholeheartedly!

Norwegian Recycling - Miracles

I love this video!! I have it stuck in my head all the time! Hope you like it!
Thanks for sharing it, Matt!

Mission Reunion and Yellowstone

Last weekend was my mission reunion...loved every minute of it! I can't believe it has almost been two years since I got home...crazy! It was so good to see my mission president and his wife, oh how I have missed them. It was also so good to see so many of my mission buddies, although I wish all of them could have been there (Brooke and Angela.) I honestly was smiling the whole time, which probably was a little weird but, I was just so happy to be there.

Crystal, Hayley, and I

Me, Maycee and Julianne (I love this picture because we have one exactly like it that was taken 3 years ago on Maycee's baptism day in Miri.)

Crystal and I with Sister Skelton...oh how I love that lady!

President Skelton and I, he had everyone laughing all night long!

I really didn't want to see the night end but, unfortunately it did...sad day. But, lucky enough for me on Tuesday I got to have some more fun with my mission buddies. Hayley, Matt and I took a little excursion up to Yellowstone, filled with sulfur-smelling geysers, self-timer photos and a up-close encounter with a buffalo!

It smelt horrible but, looked cool so we decided to take a pic!

Old Faithful, a must see in Yellowstone

One of my favorite self-timed photos, the newest explorers of Yellowstone
Me and the buffalo, i was probably to close but, Matt told me to run in serpentine patterns if it started to charge so I felt like I knew what I was doing...haha!

My favorite pic of the trip...it's priceless! They look like they are on a safari, with Hayley's figure over her mouth and Matt crouching down.

Such a great few days, I wish I could always see those people but, I guess that's what makes it special when you do see them after a long time. Can't wait for the next reunion!

Strong women

“We want to be ladies in very deed, not according to the term of the word as the world judges, but fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones. In an organized capacity we can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves, and whether few or many come forward and help to prosecute this great work, they will be those that will fill honorable positions in the Kingdom of God. . . . Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.” Eliza R. Snow
I heard the quote above in Relief Society yesterday and LOVED it! It got me thinking about all the strong women that I have had the privilege to meet in my life. My life has been changed by their willingness to show their faithfulness, their courage and their perseverance to do what is right. Each of them have overcome and accomplished trials and tasks that just amaze me.



My heart seriously bursts with joy that I am able to call each of these women my friends and mentors.


They show me that nothing good comes to you in life without hard work and determination to put all they have in accomplishing their goals. They don't give in to the thoughts of what the world thinks a woman to be but, what they know they should be.





I wish that I could let each of these woman know how much they have changed my life and helped me realize that I have a great responsibility on this earth that only I can fulfill. I have experienced a whole spectrum of emotion learning this from them and I would change those experiences for anything in the world. I wish I could tell each of you personally how much you have changed my life but, sadly some of you have gone from this life. But for those of you who are reading this now, know that for the bottom of my heart I am grateful for you and hope that all good things come for you in the future.


I know that these woman were put in my life for a great purpose. I will try my hardest to repay them for this knowledge that they have shared with me through their words and their actions.
I love each of you!

Graduation

This past weekend I graduated from Idaho State University with a Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. The graduation ceremony was great, meaning that it wasn't its usually 4 hours like in years past...thank goodness. I felt so grown up and satisfied with myself that I had been able to reach this goal in my life.


My Besties minus one (Melissa, Aleesha, Me, Kim)

As I was sitting there waiting for my turn to receive my diploma, I was caught up in all the memories I had of ISU and my time there. I can seriously say that some of the greatest friendships I have right now are because I decided to go to ISU. The memories that go along with those friendships are endless and I'm so grateful for that! I know that as things continues to change and life becomes harder than it was in college, I can always depend on these ladies. They have taught me to be patient, have perseverance, to have fun, and have reminded me that truly good friends are hard to find.


Idaho State University Alumni

The weekend was fabulous and I was kind of sad to see it end. It was a good reminder to why these ladies are more like sisters to me than friends!