Temporary Background

So as many of you know, I am a huge fan of the Stephenie Meyer Twilight series. (I read them long before I heard anyone else talk about them... Ask my aunt. She'll tell you.) Anyway, the last book of the series, at least from Bella's perspective is coming out this week. I have pre-ordered the book, from Amazon.com (before I knew better), and I am as you can see eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new book. So I have temporarily put up this background in honor of Breaking Dawn and how good I hope and expect it will be. I hate that I have really gotten my hopes up for this book. I'm so afraid I'll be disappointed. But I have to know who Bella will choose. Edward or Jacob? If it were me, I'd go for Jacob... But it's not me, it's Bella, and look at me, I've gone crazy. I seem to think these characters are real and what happens in the book actually matters. That's the magic of Stephenie Meyer. Even if the plot line is a little far-fetched, she grabs you and pulls you in so you just have to turn the next page... So in a few days if it seems I have dropped off the planet, know that I am engrossed in the final chapter of the Edward/Bella saga.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

I know Dad's birthday was two days ago, but I wanted to have some pictures up before I posted his birthday blog. Better late than never, right?

Anyway, happy birthday, Dad!

We went to the Dallas World Aquarium to celebrate:

I loved the jelly fish. Without a flash, they are a dark purple color and live nearly complete darkness.

Look, I caught Amber in the reflection of the glass!

I got some great pictures of Fallon. She's so darn cute! I wonder where she gets that. Must be something in her genes...

After the aquarium, Dad got to open his gift from me. It's a frame with a picture of Dad and each of his girls. I also put in one of my favorite photos of Karen and me as well as the one of Karen, Grandpa and Grandma from when I visited Utah this summer. Dad seemed to like it.

Thanks for letting me celebrate your birthday with you, Dad. It was fun. Here's to a great next half-century!!

Just a little update

To tell you the truth, not much has been going on lately. I am preparing for my transfer. It's funny because some customers I am telling say, "Ok, great, I know where that is, I'll find you after you transfer..." and others are saying, "Oh, no you can't go. What are they thinking letting you leave?" I even have one customer who is insisting he called the corporate office and had my transfer canceled. I have to say it made me smile. It made me feel good to know I'll be missed. Or followed...

I had an all day meeting on Tuesday with some of my fellow personal bankers. My region has us going through a new training and I got to meet one of my new coworkers. Her name is Mom (pronounced moom), and she is fantastic. She was so excited when I told her I was the one coming to fill their empty position. She was so friendly and full of tips. She told me the whole banking center is excited to have me. They don't even know me!! But still, it made me happy to know I'm going to a place where I am not only needed but wanted.

Oh, I had a really awesome day today. Mom (my mother that is...) and I went to the temple to finish my great-grandmother's work. It was so neat being able to seal her to her husband and parents. My mom got to stand in for her mother (I was my Gigi) to have her mother sealed to her parents. It was the most amazing experience. I can only imagine how my mother felt, finally being able to complete not only her grandparent's temple work, but that for her own mother as well.

It was odd that the most spiritual experience didn't come quite exactly where I expected it. I stood in for my great-great-grandmother, Delia as they sealed her son (my great-grandfather's brother) to her and her husband. Her baby lived for just two days, so the only temple work he needed was to be sealed to his parents. Delia's always been special to me. On one of my first trips to the temple to do baptisms, I was baptized and confirmed for her. I was overwhelmed then, and I knew she was with me. It was the first time I'd felt the Spirit confirm to me that someone I was working for was accepting the temple ordinances I was performing. I wrote about it in my journal, and I've never forgotten how I felt. My mom mentioned on our way to the temple that we were sealing Uncle Robert to his parents, and I immediately latched on to Delia's name. I could feel her near again today. She was so full of joy to finally have her baby sealed to her for eternity. Can you imagine how painful it must have been to lose him in the first place? Now he is with her forever. She can never lose him again.

Twice now, I have had the opportunity to serve Delia, and both times I have known she was there, watching and approving of the work. I cannot wait to meet her. I feel like we must have been such good friends in the pre-mortal existence. It will be so good to see her and know I have done as she wished.

Do not read this post if your name is Smash part 2

See "Do not read this post if your name is Smash..." dated June 18, 2008

They are here!!!!! My books I ordered are here and I am so excited!! Not only are they autographed by the author, but also by my favorite character, Igor!! (How cute is that?!?!) I have to tell you I have been sick (missed the 4th of July), and so opening the mailbox today totally made my day!!

I cannot wait for Ashton (and the rest of his family) to come home from Alaska so I can surprise him with my gift. Can I hold out to his birthday? It's only a few weeks away. Maybe, just maybe I can. It of course helps that he will be in Alaska for the next couple of weeks. It's not like I can just drive up there and hand it to him.

So now I go to rest and recuperate, and re-read one of my favorite childhood books...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So good news.... I got the job!! Yay!! I am so excited. I timed the trip from my house to my new banking center and it is literally five minutes!! I really liked the manager and the tellers. Everybody was super happy and the center has a great energy. I don't transfer for a couple of weeks, but still, I am soooo excited!! (GIANT SMILE)