yikes.

Tomorrow Morning.

9:00 AM.

GRE.

Scary.

But I'll be glad to be done.

And back to my normal blogging, non-boring, self.

I can't wait for my answer to NOT be..."I can't, I'm studying..."

Wish me luck.

We're a good time. We just are.

We have favorites. We have things we do. It's just us, and we love it. We had a good weekend. It went kind of like this. I spent lot's of Friday studying for the GRE. I needed a break. Of course Benits and Rox came to the rescue, and of course we went to Carrabbas. I don't know why we love that place so much, but we just do. We love it to the point that we are on a friend basis with more than 1/2 of the servers. Is that embarrassing? I don't think so. We just know quality when we see it. Nothing makes me happier than a bowl of Carrabbas Minestrone soup, some warm bread, and bottomless diet cokes. Good times. At one point in the evening Benita lost her phone. Rox, being the good friend that she is spent about 5 mins under the table in the dark trying to find it for her when it actually was just next to Benita in the booth. Here is evidence...

Saturday was pretty much a repeat. I love Saturdays...Rox and I had our morning long run, and then I decided to take the rest of the day to get some practice tests in. (Countdown 3 study-able days left until GRE day. GROSS.) Come dinner time another break was in order and tonight it was our other fave. Pizza Factory. What began as me Rox and Benits going to grab some quick salad bars and diet cokes turned into a group of about 20 people who met us there.

The three of us were pretty hyper for the rest of the night, and the next two hours, post dinner, turned into a dance party. Many of our friends fell victim. We weren't mad. We laughed So dang hard. I love these girlies with all my heart, and I don't know what I'd do without them.

Snug-a-luphogus

Current temperature reading on my Mac 21 degrees. 21 only sounds good if you're playing cards, or if you're an underaged drinker anxiously awaiting the golden legal b-day. I do not fall into either of those categories. As was before mentioned in previous posts, My darling brother Tyler gave me an unexpected Christmas gift (pictured above.) I've been studying for the GRE non-stop on my computer, and that mixed with all this 21 business means that Mr. Snugs has been put to good use. I still think they are atrocious mind you, but nonetheless, SO functional.

On another note. Let me just say how much I LOVE google reader. I would look at about .01 % of the blogs I look at without it. It's just so easy. If you don't use it...please start. BUT, I'll be honest I'm a bit disappointed in myself. I used to be a great commenter. I love your posts. I think you're hilarious, and adorable, and creative, and inspiring. The problem is when I read them from my reader I just flip through them so fast. SO...I apologize. I'm going to be better at commenting. If I like it I'll let you know it, and you should do the same.

Lastly. I've started to pick up my schedule back at the gym, so I'll hopefully soon, be back to Training full time. I couldn't be happier. I forgot how much I love to be able to completely be involved in all that is going on there. I get to help people realize how much potential they have. How awesome is that? It is what I love. THAT is for sure.

My Word

Not to be confused with, "oh my word." I mean it in the possessive form. Like my actual word. For the year that is. My older sister Nichole, who is incredible, has this equally incredible friend named Shawni.

I read her blog, cause i'm a blog stalker like that. Don't act like you don't do the same.

Well, every year Shawni picks a word for the year. This words sort of becomes her theme.

I copied her last year and my word for 2009 was LOVE. It was a fun one. It was something I thought about a lot. Love towards my family, my friends, strangers, etc. etc. etc. It really helped me to have a focus, and a reminder.

I have thought a lot about what I want to focus on this year, and I am excited with my word for 2010.

I think that service is something that I could really use some improvement on. I know that I can definitely be more mentally service oriented. More apt to serve, if you will. So, I've decided to make it my word. Lucky for me I got a new calling today that should help me right along with this. :) I love this section from President Monson's Talk from last conference entitled, "What have I done for someone today?"

"My brothers and sisters, my heart has seldom been as touched and grateful as it was when Sister Monson and I literally spent hours reading of these gifts. My heart is full now as I speak of the experience and contemplate the lives which have been blessed as a result, for both the giver and the receiver.

The words from the 25th chapter of Matthew come to mind:

“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”12

My brothers and sisters, may we ask ourselves the question which greeted Dr. Jack McConnell and his brothers and sisters each evening at dinnertime: “What have I done for someone today?” May the words of a familiar hymn penetrate our very souls and find lodgment in our hearts:

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?13

That service to which all of us have been called is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As He enlists us to His cause, He invites us to draw close to Him. He speaks to you and to me:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”14

If we truly listen, we may hear that voice from far away say to us, as it spoke to another, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”15 That each may qualify for this blessing from our Lord is my prayer, and I offer it in His name, even Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen."

Resoluty-toot-toot

2-0-1-0. Shouldn't we be driving around in hovering cars or something. How did time fly by so quickly. Yowza! Nonetheless, here we are. I was just checking over my last years resolutions, and I actually did better than I thought.

I accomplished the following from my 2009 list...

Run a marathon – a full one. I am planning on the Salt Lake Marathon in April. Cross your fingers for me. (So glad I was able to do this one! It was an awesome experience)

No candy until March 1^st. I’ve already started this one. I’m doing it with Lisa Watkins. As of Dec 26^th I have had no candy or treats. This is hopefully going to help with #1. I've done this before with my mom and sister and I love how good I feel when i don't eat treats and crap. (Still on this one!! Wahoooo.)

Write in my journal weekly. I love when I can go back and read my journal entries of past, and laugh at how ridiculous I am 90% of the time. Ok…95%. (I had a few weeks where I slipped up, and I still think I can be better, but overall I did pretty well.)

Start the BOM over again. I just finished it today. I’ve been reading it with my breakfast every morning and writing down my thoughts in a scripture journal. It’s been a great way to start my morning. I want to keep doing it, but I am trying to find another angle at which to study.

Go visit teaching every month. Make it a point to become friends with my girls, not just a message visit.

Read more. Complete at least one book a month. FYI...I just read a book called The Hunger Games that was SO awesome. I definitely recommend it!

Go to the temple twice a month.

There were plenty that I didn't accomplish unfortunately, but i'm glad to see that I was able to do some of the things that I was working towards!

My Goals for 2010

1- Apply for Grad School. If possible start fall 2010.

2- Attend the temple weekly. For the weeks I'm not able to do this double up the next week.

3- Become published.

4- Finish Mom & Dad's life history.

5- Run another Marathon.

6- Be very diligent with morning and evening prayers.

7- Finish the following books: Les Miserables, Mere Christianity, & Jesus the Christ.

8- Do something, "pictureworthy" every week.

I think that is it for now...for now, that is.

Last year I decided my "word of the year" was LOVE. I think I know what I want this years word to be...more on that next time.

I choose warm weather for 500 please.

My list for Wednesday

A. I'm pretty sure the pilot light is out again. My house is approx 5 degrees. Do you burn more calories when you're freezing? You know, due to the body having to warm you up? I sure hope so...i better be getting something out of this. (Enter Snuggie...Thank you Tyler for the phenomenal Christmas present.)

B. My life is crazy right now. The kind of crazy where things that I did NOT see coming keep happening. Chaos. (Pronounced Chay-o's) Right Roxypants?

C. I have seen Benita consecutively for 7 days. It's almost like we're roommates again. Love that.

D. Roxy FINALLY came back to Utah. I repeat. FINALLY. I missed that face!

E. Mom and dad, I wish you would have taken me back to AZ with you. I had WAY too much fun with you.

F. I have New Years resolutions and such. I'll blog about them. All in due time folks.

G. Three things I'd be ok with if i never had to use again: Ice scraper, Uggs, and my North Face. I mean I love the last two and all, but it's becoming a bit of a uniform.

hmmm...also...considering taking the GRE on January 30th. Any thoughts for me?

xoxoxo megs

A Very Jolly Holiday

Christmas was VERY merry. I snagged some pictures from Nichole's blog of our Christmas eve activities because I managed to forget my camera all day long. My mom and I went with the Barney family to volunteer at the food bank on Christmas Eve day. It was a great experience to be able to do some service, and it was so fun to be able to do it as a family.

We were able to help sort through cans that are distributed throughout the area.

It was fun to see how into it all the kiddies got.

We went to see Blindside in the afternoon. It was my second time seeing it, and I re-loved every minute of it. It is such a great movie, and I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it yet. It's a good one. For Christmas Eve dinner we decided to go to Brio. It was delicious, and fun to just get to hang out stress free for the night. (Again...thanks for the pics Nichole!)

Christmas morning was so much fun. I slept in and woke up to my mom's darling hot chocolate bar. Delish! She even had sugar free stuff for me.

We sipped hot cocoa and opened presents. I couldn't believe my mom and dad. They are way too good to me! I'd have to say my favorite presents were my guitar and my new ipod. I was totally surprised by the guitar, which made it even more exciting. SO fun! After we finished opening up presents we went over to the Barney's for our traditional Danish Pancake Breakfast. We have been doing that for as long as I can remember.

Ki and I are going to start a band, no big deal.

After a pretty chill day of lounging around we went back to the Barney's for our fondue Christmas dinner. We spent some quality time playing the Beatles Rock Band. Loved it.

Dinner was so yummy. Cheese, and broth fondue for dinner and chocolate fondue for dessert. It doesn't get much better than that. We finished out the evening with some games and a whole lot of laughing. It was a great day!