A Service Opportunity for You

Halloween is over, and you know what that means, right?

Christmas music, Christmas movies, and most of all, Christmas spirit!

No disrespect to Thanksgiving - I just get really excited about Christmas. It's nothing personal, Thanksgiving.

And while the whole "Christmas spirit" may sound incredibly cheesy, it really is my favorite part of the holiday season. I love the outpouring of service, kindness, and thoughtfulness between family, friends, and complete strangers. I know that I always wish I could find a way to be involved in some sort of service around the holiday season, and that it can sometimes be hard to find time to volunteer or set up a project to help others. Which is why I'm making this post today.

I have a dear friend named Nicholette.

Isn't she just the cutest? I love this girl.

Nicky is someone I've known for years now, and if I only could use one word to describe her, it would be selfless. She is constantly looking for and taking advantage of opportunities to help others. I could write an entire novel about all the things she has done for just me, let alone her family, whom she is devoted to, and her other numerous friends. 

But there is one thing in particular Nicky has done for others that I'd like to write about today. For 10 years now, Nicky has given up her birthday (Dec. 11) in order to help others. Instead of presents, she asks for people to donate stuffed animals and blankets to take to Primary Children's in December and hands them out to the kids there. In the last couple of years, she has also started putting together care packages as well to hand out to the homeless. 

Since the age of 12, Nicky has sacrificed a day dedicated to her, her own personal holiday, for the good of others. I don't know about you, but I don't know if I could do that. But I do know that Nicky makes me want to be a better person and help others more. 

So, I want to help her achieve her 10-year anniversary goal: to make 100 care packages to hand out in Salt Lake this December. But she can't do it on her own- she needs my help, and your help. I would encourage all of you readers to help - it doesn't have to be big. Just a pair of gloves, a toothbrush, a scarf, a blanket. Something you can buy for just a few dollars at Walmart. Any items you wish to donate can be sent to me (FB message me or leave a comment for my mailing address, or let me know if you need me to come pick it up) by DEC. 1.

Christmas is such a great opportunity to be part of something bigger, and I am so grateful for Nicholette for giving me - and you - the chance to do so. Help her to change some lives this holiday season.

For a full list of items you can donate, please see the following link:

Birthday Blanket Bash

This post is all about you - yes, you!

Okay, turns out I kind of suck at blogging now that I'm married. Oops. It's probably because I know I just can't top my own love story! Haha...just kidding, guys.

But I don't want to write about my life today. I want to write about an idea. This is an idea I got the summer after my freshman year, waaaaay back in 2011 (okay, only two years ago, but it feels like ages). I was working at Jerry Seiner car dealership, and had a bazillion hours to kill during my 8 hour shifts. So, I decided I was going to write a letter to anyone from high school that had had an influence on me (for the record, I don't claim the creative rights to coming up with this idea - I'm sure I heard it from someone else first). My best friends, my good friends, my somewhat-good friends...almost all of them got a letter (I think...if you're reading this and didn't get one and feel you should have, feel free to write me a (nice) complaint in the comments section below). In that letter, I told them what they had done for me, why it was important to me, and the lasting influence they had on my life. I wanted these people to be recognized, to feel appreciated, and most of all, to realize that you don't have to be a superhero or super unique or amazing to change someone's life. Each of us can significantly influence people we come in contact with - every day.

So that's my challenge to you, blog readers. Pick someone. Anyone. I don't care if it's someone on the bus that smiles at you every day, your mom, your old piano teacher, whatever! Just pick someone that has changed your life, in small ways or big ways, and write them a letter. Let them know what they've done to help you. Make it short, or make it long. Sign it, or leave it anonymous.

Then, SEND IT. It's not enough to just write it. Send it to that person. I guarantee it will make their day. How do I know it will? Because it would make my day if someone sent me a letter and told me why they thought I was the cat's pajamas! Wouldn't it make yours?

So please, take this opportunity this week to thank someone that has influenced you. Keep the good karma going. :)

Then, leave me a comment - let me know you did it! I promise I'll send more good feelings your way, and it makes me happy to know you are making someone else happy :)

Good luck!!

Life of a Jobless Housewife

  Let's say you watch a fast-paced action movie for two hours, and then, right before the climax of the movie, someone hits pause. For hours. And you are waiting on tenterhooks to see what the next scene will be.

  That's pretty much how I'm feeling right now. After school, finals, wedding planning, moving, moving again, moving for a third time, the actual wedding, the honeymoon, dropping off little bro at the MTC, and then finally coming back to Logan to settle down...what happens next?

  Justin works two jobs right now, one during the day, and one two or three nights a week. And where does that leave me, the unemployed one? Home. All day. With the upstairs neighbors that don't speak English.

  It's not that I'm not trying - goodness knows I've been trying. Well, not trying to speak to the neighbors. I just don't know any Burmese. But after 25 job applications filled out, and being told "we filled that position last week" multiple times, it's hard not to be discouraged. I'm left to doing laundry (check), unpacking every possible box (check), cleaning rooms multiple times a week (check), and cooking every night (okay, I actually enjoy cooking. So that's good). It was fine for the first week when I had a million things I needed to get  done. Not so much now.

  Goodbye Sloan, hello crazy.

  I need to find some married friends in Logan. Or even a single girl that will spend time with me. For like an hour. To get ice cream and have girl talk.

  I'm taking applications for those positions. And I can almost guarantee you'll be hired.



 

For My Brother

 Tomorrow is my little brother's birthday, but since I'll be doing my bridals tomorrow, I'm writing this today to make sure that it gets done in time for his birthday. Look at what a little stud he is.

  Isn't he a cutie? I love being a big sister! I am so glad that I got to have a little sibling, not just an older one. From the time I was tiny, if I would get hurt or sad and started crying, my little brother always would run to my room, find a stuffed animal for me, and bring it to me to make me feel better. He also was my crazy playmate. If I wanted to play an adventure game, or play jungle animals, Garrett was the sibling I sought out. We spent so many Sunday afternoons in the backyard on the swing set playing make believe with our wooden swords, or hours inside playing pokemon with blocks and plastic figurines. With his creative imagination, we always had fun playing together. I was even allowed to play with his Hot Wheels, which I definitely couldn't do with my sister.

  As we got older, we would take the dogs on walks together, or he'd come to the park with me to play tennis. He was always someone I could nerd out with by playing Fire Emblem or Pokemon or Kingdom Hearts, which I couldn't do with anyone else in my family. 

  My brother is a really caring person. He has spoiled every dog we've ever had like crazy - he is always playing with them, cuddling with them, and when he was little, he would surround them with stuffed animals and take pictures of them, or teach them tricks, and always wants to have them sleep in his room at night. I have many pictures saved that he has drawn for me throughout the years (he's quite the artist). He will surprise me with hugs when he knows I need them.

My parents have beautiful children. That's all.

  He has a great sense of humor, and we always show each other funny videos or pictures we've found on the web, because we know we have similar senses of humor. He's also a really good sport about helping me out. I can't even count how many times he's come and helped me carry heavy stuff inside when I come home from college. He also is often willing to accompany me on boring errands, like getting gas, especially if it involves getting Keva Juice afterwards. 

  The kid is really talented. He can play the saxophone incredibly well, and I'm so glad I was able to attend almost all of his band concerts in high school, and even luckier to get to play with him in some cases. He is a great musician, and can improvise and memorize like nobody's business. He is a really great artist, and I am always amazed when I see what he can free hand with no reference. He has always been much better than me at science, and I am so proud of him for doing so well his first year of college. 

  As I've watched him date his girlfriend for 2 years now, (maybe 3? Okay, it's been awhile.) I've been so impressed with how he treats her. He has no qualms about taking her on dates as often as possible, and spends as much time as he can with her. He always asks me about the gift he's thinking of getting her to see if I think she'll like it. He treats her like a queen, and always has.

Definitely my favoritist picture of us ever.

  I am so glad that we are both old enough now (and not "too cool") to be real friends, not just "he's my little brother", or "required" friends. I love when we are both home from college and are able to go to dinner or go for ice cream and catch up. I am so blessed and so happy to have him as my little brother forever! Even though he's not very little anymore, haha. 

  I can't believe that he's going to be gone for two years. TWO YEARS. That is a long time!! I will miss him like crazy, and am already so excited for Christmas so I can skype with him and the rest of the family. The Philippines are very lucky to be getting him, and I know he will be a great missionary to those people. I love you, little brother! Happy 19th birthday! Thanks for being the best little brother in the world :)

For My Mom

  Today is this lovely lady's birthday:

  For those of you that aren't lucky enough to know her, this is my mom. Or Tanya. Whichever you prefer. Actually, unless you're her kid, you probably shouldn't call her mom. Moving on.

  Let me tell you why you are missing out if you don't know this woman. From the time I was tiny, I can remember my mom singing me to sleep every night, reading to me before bed, and picking a stuffed animal to sleep with every night. She made sure all of us kids got to do things we were interested in - piano lessons, violin, saxophone, soccer, little league, junior Jazz, karate, choir. If we were interested, she was interested. I don't know if she's ever missed one of our performances for any of the above. Well, except when Garrett got his appendix out. But that was still being supportive and caring. Haha. I can remember her doing my hair all of elementary school each morning in the hallway with me sitting Indian style in front of her. I remember her picking my outfits out each night and hanging them up for me on my dresser for the next morning. I remember her making sure me and Garrett had a good snack after school while we watched Arthur. She also taught me about cleanliness, and the importance of work and not procrastinating. She taught us that work came before play, and that you never do a job halfway. Always do your best. 

  My mom makes sure our family goes on many, many family trips together. I have so many good memories with my mom on vacations - hiking, playing games in the trailer, watching the Disney channel in our hotel, learning to snowmobile, walking on the beach, shopping at Disney, and having her as my ride buddy at Disneyworld and Disneyland. 

Dinosaur National Monument with the family

Disneyworld!

Disneyland - Buzz Lightyear ride

  Two summers ago I had the chance to go to Disneyland with just my mom for a couple days. We bought airplane tickets very spontaneously and giggled the whole way to the airport while we kept saying "I can't believe we're really doing this!" We had the chance to spend some really great time together, just the two of us, at our favorite place on earth. 

  My mother has turned into much more than just my mom. Now that I've grown out of my high school stage, my mom has become one of my best friends. I don't know how on earth I would get all my wedding stuff done without her, she has been a superstar. My mom is one of the first people I call when I have a bad day, or good news, or just need some advice or to vent. 

  One thing my mom always does is surprise me with gifts. I can't even count how many times I have come home and found new clothes on my bed for me to try on that she bought for me because she knew I'd like them. There have been so many times in college when I have been freaking out about how I was going to pay for something, only to check my bank account and see that my mom has deposited some money for me.

 

Jade forgot to open her eyes. Oh well.

   My mom is one of the funniest people I've ever met. We have spent hours together looking at stupid cards, pins, and jokes at the store or online. She will randomly start tap dancing or singing in a funny voice. I love going home and spending time with her whenever I have the chance. She is also incredibly spiritual. She has always made sure our family does family prayer and scriptures, FHE, and attended mutual and other church activities. I have never doubted my mother has an incredible testimony of this gospel and Jesus Christ. My testimony growing up was largely in part due to her. I feel so blessed that I am sealed to her forever, and I am so excited to have my whole family gathered together for my wedding in a few weeks, and that we will be together forever. 

  I don't know where I would be without my mom. She has taken care of me, supported me, and loved me so much. She has always taken great efforts to make sure she knows what's going on in my life, who my friends are, and to be involved in my life, no matter what stage I'm at. I have had so many friends tell me they love my mom and that they think she is so great, and I wholeheartedly agree with them. My mom makes me laugh, cries with me, and teaches me. She is one of my best friends, and I am so grateful for her every day. I love my mom so much, and I wouldn't trade her for the world!

Happy birthday Mom! I love you!

Thoughts

  It's finally hit me that I will be joining the "real world" soon where I have to worry about stuff like car insurance and renter's insurance and realizing that I won't ever be "going home to visit mom and dad for the weekend" again. Not in the same way. I'm not scared or dreading it, but it definitely is making me get my priorities straight and start taking some real responsibility for things. And maybe a little bit of reminiscing. So today is just a list of thoughts. And, unbelievably, they aren't even all wedding related! Haha.

• I want to write a book. I love writing, especially creative writing, and I would absolutely love to write an entire novel from my own head. I've wanted to do that for a loooong time.
• For the first time I'm understanding why paying tithing takes faith, and I'm gaining a real testimony of why it's so important, and how it is blessing me to put it first, no matter what.
• Sometimes it's hard realizing that in some ways, Justin is filling my parent's shoes now - providing for me, taking care of me when I'm sick, and becoming the priesthood leader of my soon-to-be family. Of course he's not replacing my parents, but he is definitely taking on some of their responsibility for me. 
• The first thing I want when I finally own a home is a piano. Oh, how I miss playing the piano!
• Anyone can change. Never, ever give up on someone. Because they have just as much of a right, and an ability, to change as you do. By limiting others, you are only limiting yourself. 
• I am so excited to meet and hold my new little niece or nephew in October, and for Jade and Cord to become parents! 
• I need to start keeping a journal. Not just a blog.
• DISNEYWORLD. SOOOOOOOON.
• Living under dinosaurs for the past 2 years has taught me the meaning of patience. And I will be able to greatly appreciate my new place where there aren't loud crazy people living around me. 
• I sound like an old person.
• I miss the stress-free years of being a little kid. I miss easy homework, playing outside, being fed delicious meals every night without even thinking about the cost or effort behind them, getting new toys and games and vacations and all that was required of me was a simple "thank you." I miss being surrounded all the time by people that you never doubted loved you and cared about you more than anything. 
• But I've finally figured out there are things about being an adult that are better than being a kid - like growing closer to my siblings, and being friends out of choice, not because we have to. My parents are not just my care-givers, but my biggest fan club, my support system, and my best friends. I'm so thankful for friends that stay throughout the years and are there for everything, the good and the bad. I finally have a real testimony of this gospel, not the simple faith of a child. I am able to feel more deeply, to understand more fully, and to recognize things for what they really are, not just their face value. 
• I miss Arthur. And Little House on the Prairie.
• Have I mentioned Disneyworld yet?
• I really hope that it's not still 40 degrees on May 11.
• I love puppies. I am SO EXCITED for the day I FINALLY get to buy a puppy!!
• I can't believe I've been in college for 3 years already. I feel like I graduated high school yesterday!
• I'm going to miss my little brother like crazy while he's on his mission for 2 years. We don't always get along and frankly, he can drive me crazy sometimes, but I have so many good memories with him and I love him to pieces. He better remember to write me back sometimes.
• Learning to longboard is the greatest thing that has ever come of one of my previous relationships. Haha. Just kidding. Maybe. 
• You are never too old to build a blanket fort. EVER.
• There is a huge difference between "lose" and "loose." Really people?
• #hashtagsdontworkonfacebooksostopusingthemthere
• Yes. I did buy me and Justin matching sweat jackets for our wedding that say "Judd" on the back with the number 13, since that's the year we're getting married. And I am REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THEM.
• Last but not least: I'm really excited for my honeymoon. That's in Disneyworld. That's only 29 days away. asodijakdcvnaewifjadlkvjaklsjer984vhakvj98aev. Excitement.

Wedding times are stressful times.

  I can't believe that it is already April. I don't even remember most of March. How did this semester fly by this fast?  Life has been pretty crazy the last month.  When I first got engaged, I was like "yeah, what up, I've been engaged one week and I already have my honeymoon booked, by dress bought, my reception center booked, a caterer, my bridesmaid dresses bought, and my photographer. This is going to be the easiest engagement ever."

And then life happened.  I was not planning on my sister getting pregnant and not fitting in her dress, I wasn't planning on the color of blue I picked being nigh impossible to find in a dress for the mothers, I wasn't planning on my other bridesmaid being measured 100% wrong at her appt and her dress not fitting and not having time to order her a new one, and I wasn't planning on all the little things adding up to take hours and hours of work to get done. I wasn't planning on my parents moving two and a half weeks before my wedding, my brother going on his mission the week after my honeymoon, or Justin and I having to move in to our new apartment during finals week.  I definitely wasn't planning on having to quit LDV, something I loved and learned so much from, because there just isn't time. I have never had a semester where I was literally so crunched for time that I had to start prioritizing the things I'm involved in, and start picking things that would have to go. 

I have been all over the emotional spectrum this semester (sorry, Mom and Justin. Hahaha). I have been so happy about getting married starting this new chapter of my life with my best friend. I have been that crazy person that cries and gets migraines because she can't figure out how on earth she's going to fit everything in.This semester has been me telling myself every single day "okay, if you can get through today, you're going to be doing so good." And remarkably, this has somehow worked. It sounds stupid. And crazy. But it has kept me sane to just think through things and prioritize my life every single day so I don't murder anyone (kidding) or lose my mind (much more likely). 

I think I am going to have a very happy fiance/husband when this is finally all over and I'm not trying to do school and wedding and work and life all at the same time. Also a happy Sloan. Happier, I should say. I am happy. Ice cream, my mom and best girl friends, and Justin Incredible Judd have gotten me through this semester and have helped me be happy in the midst of all this stress. But there's probably nothing I'd rather be super stressed out about than the best decision I've ever made in my life. 

In only 5 more weeks (or 33 days, but who's counting?) all my weeks of planning will finally culminate and I will get to marry my best friend! How can I stay unhappy when I have that to look forward to? Life is good. I'm so glad this last weekend was general conference and that I got to spend the weekend listening to the words of God through his servants. Such a good way to get my priorities back in order and to realize what's really important in life. I'm so grateful for this gospel and for the promise of eternal families! Life is good :)