NBA Lockout.

The whole NBA is still in lockout. I am going through withdrawals. I need my Utah Jazz fix. I need to be surrounded by Utah Jazz fanatics. I need to step foot in Energy Solutions Arena. I need to have a reason to wear my Utah Jazz shirts. I need to give my favorite security guard a hard time and glare at ninja lady. I need to tweet CJ Miles about his latest performance. I need to keep bugging Jeremy Evans until he caves in and gets a twitter. I need to see the hilarious interviews from Fesenko. I need to watch Okur sit on the bench. Moral of the story: I need my Utah Jazz!

To be honest, when I first heard about the lockout I was not a bit alarmed. I figured the players and owners would be wise enough to create a bargain and play ball. Boy was I wrong. The official NBA season was suppose to begin next week. November 1st to be exact. Now it has been pushed back to November 15th. With no deal in the making the reality is it will be pushed back even more. How much longer can I take? No games until December, January, or February would just be plain torture. No games at all this season would just be cruel and unusual punishment. If I am denied the privilege of witnessing the return of D-Will to ESA, the return of Jimmer to Utah, or the return of Kyle Korver in those sexy socks I will be greatly upset.

What people don't understand is the Utah Jazz is way more than just a basketball team to me. They are my form of therapy. When things aren't going well I know I can always depend on my Jazz to brighten the mood: Win or Lose. When I need a break from reality I know I can just go sit in the stands of Energy Solutions Arena and my mind will be cleared. When I need a reason to scream, shout, cry, or smile I know Jazz Games will always present that opportunity. Needless to say, I have grown attached and passionate for the Jazz. Miles of memories have been created because of Jazz games. Bonding moments and relationship builders that were crucial points in my life were often centered on Jazz games.

I wish there was more I could do to end this lockout. All I can do now is sit, wait, and be patient. *sigh*

Sunday Night Dinner.

I am addicted to Pinterest. No secret there. I stumbled upon this creation on the website and decided to make it for our Sunday feast since it contained one of Austin's favorite foods, hot dogs.

Is this not the coolest food creation ever?

Fall Hike

To kick off the beginning of Fall Break, my fabulous in-laws made the journey down to Utah Valley to spend time with us. We went on a lovely hike up to Stewart Falls in Provo Canyon. For those that know me will know I am not much of a hiker. Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed this hike. It wasn't too hot. The crunch of leaves beneath my feet were calming. My adorable husband would occasionally grab my hand and sneak in a kiss or two. The scenery was breathtaking and the company was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate Fall.

Our First Apartment.

I have had a couple of people ask to see pictures of our adorable first apartment so here some are. Ta Da! It isn't very big but it is perfect for us. I have burnt food on the kitchen stove, snuggled with my husband in the bed, spent hours doing homework on the counter, done too many loads of laundry in the laundry room, and watched my husband attempt to do yoga on the living room floor. This is the place where memories are made. This is the place i can just let loose and be myself. This is the place I look forward to coming home to.

Here is our adorable living room/kitchen



The Bedroom

The Bathroom

The Laundry Room

Big 2-1

I am an official adult now! I had my lovely 21st birthday on September 8th. Austin spoiled me rotten, which I won’t complain about. I have decided that it’s nice to have a husband! For my birthday Austin bought me an Iphone. I am in love! I don’t know how I survived without one. He then took me out to Applebees followed by a trip to Provo Beach Resort where we did the ropes course and watched people attempt to surf. We then ended the day with my favorite, a Dairy Queen Ice Cream.




I also got to celebrate my birthday a few days early with my 2 favorite amigos. We all met in Salt Lake, went to dinner, and partied. I am so unbelievably blessed to have these 2 women in my life. They are absolutely incredible, not to mention beautiful and talented. Carlie and Josi are really the only people I talk to from high school, except my husband of course. We just happen to be lucky enough to have our birthday’s right next to each other. We have been through a lot together. We have jumped out of planes together, screamed our lungs out at concerts together, and stayed up all night together. These two have been supportive, loyal, thoughtful, and reliable. I love these two girls. Sorry Carlie & Josi, I am a little late in saying this but Happy Birthday! Let’s start planning our Vegas trip!

Many faces of Austin.

I stumbled upon these pictures on my phone. Isn't my husband adorable?

9/11

There are always going to be those days forever etched in your memory. These days might be the day you got your driver’s license, your first kiss, your wedding, or maybe even the birth of your child. It may be the day you moved away to college, the day your grandpa died, or the day your best friend moved away. One of those days forever engraved in my memory is September 11, 2001. I woke up like any other day, got ready for school, and sat on my parent’s bed waiting for a ride. As I sat there watching the news I remember watching video of the first World Trade Center burning. And sure enough I witnessed on tape as the second plane and its passengers met its fate. Being only eleven years old and growing up in a small Utah community it never alarmed me that my freedom was at stake. It never occurred to me that there were other countries who hated the USA. It never dawned on me that years down the road some of my closest friends would be sent overseas fighting because of this tragic event.

As the 10 year anniversary came upon me, I can’t help but think and reflect on how much our country has grown and how much opposition it has had to face. Every day I go to school and study America and its politics. I have learned why other nationalities would choose to target to America; what we possess that others crave; and why this really is the greatest country in the world. I have gained respect for the men and women fighting for my freedom. I have greater appreciation for the country I live in and the opportunities it offers me.

As I reflect on that tragic day 10 years ago I think of a quote given by President Thomas S. Monson. It says…

“Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him [God] a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were.”

September 11th could be the worst terrorist attack and tragedy I witness in my lifetime. I don't believe it happened in vain though. God has a master plan. I believe this was part of it. There are continuous lessons and opportunities we must take from tragedy. The biggest lesson I have learned is that we cannot turn to God only in times of trial and tragedy. We need to show him the same consistency and faithfulness that he endlessly shows us. We need him in times of peace as well as in disaster.