Janae Says...

So as Raytch (and pretty much everyone else) is well aware, I like making lists. Every year for as long as I can remember, I've written down/typed out everything I've gotten for Christmas. It's my way of remaining grateful for a long time. Here it goes! Christmas 2008 From Tanner: A box of See's chocolate A certificate to get a massage! Yesss... The Ultimate Michael Jackson collection From Raytch: A cute "to-do list" pad (I'm going to put magnets on this for the fridge) A Listography book From Cara: A Cookie cookbook (see this blog) From Cody: A dream jar From Amber: An old fashioned parchment stationery set From Jason: A cute card A gold-plated heart necklace From Jake: A jewelry box with picture spots From Jared: A homemade and painted apple-shaped pencil holder It says #1 Teacher on it :) From Christmas: Cute black bead bracelets From Parents: A portable salad shaker bowl thing (it's cooler than it sounds) Victoria's Secret jammies and matchin...

Raytch and Cody tagged me. 8 Favorite T.V. Shows-- 1. American Idol 2. So You Think You Can Dance? 3. House 4. Dog the Bounty Hunter 5. Criss Angel Mindfreak 6. Gene Simmons Family Jewels 7. Dexter 8. Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Dang that show--makes me cry every time. 8 Favorite Restaurants-- 1. In-N-Out 2. Zupas 3. Red Robin 4. Outback Steakhouse 5. T.G.I. Friday's 6. Olive Garden 7. Carrabba's 8. Cafe Rio 8 Things to Look Forward To-- 1. Sleeping tonight 2. Going back to Provo to my apartment and my loves 3. Kissing Tanner 4. Christmas tomorrow! :) 5. Marriage 6. Delivering Christmas trays 7. Opening and unwrapping things tomorrow 8. Graduation 8 Things I LOVE about winter-- 1. Uh. 2. Hot chocolate 3. Christmas trees 4. Wood burning smell 5. Snuggling 6. Blankets 7. Baking 8. Sleeping 8 Things on my wishlist- 1. Chocolate 2. Clothes 3. I 4. don't 5. need 6. or 7. want 8. anything. Now I tag these people: 1. Cara 2. Bri 3. Aunt April 4. Tracy 5. Tanner 6. Ashlee 7. Aun...

I got into it with somebody close to me today. I made a comment regarding men who go to serve the Lord at age 19, all-the-while funding themselves and trying to share their happiness with others--devoting themselves to Someone else. In response I got, "Everything is church with you. there is almost nothing else in your life." I will take that as a compliment. I've never been the kind to consider myself to be defined by a group that I'm in. I've always just wanted to be me, doing what I want, believing what I want. But this comment has made me realize that the gospel is what I want people to see when they know me. This comment has also shown me that I've changed immensely in the last three years. If "everything is church with me," I guess I'm on the right track. I want the gospel at the center of my life, and I do want it to define me. And I am OK with that. Where I draw the line is in self-righteousness. I hope to set an example by being loving a...

For as long as I can remember, I have helped my mom with our Christmas baking every year. We usually make See's fudge, Chinese chews, chocolate chip cookies, and sugar cookies. We then use these goodies and make plates to deliver to neighbors and friends. Slowly but surely, my mom has let me take over this whole thing completely. I love baking, but this is a LOT of work all on my own. This year, we made Chinese chews. Thankfully, my brother helped. We also made fudge. I say we to involve my mom in the minuscule activities like chopping the nuts. I made sugar cookie dough as well. And I made Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies (minus the walnuts). I decided, though, that it was time for more. Cara got me an amazing cookie recipe book for Christmas this year. I've made a lot of use of it so far. In addition to baking all of those things, I tried a new peanut butter cookie recipe for my dad called Chewy Choco-Peanut Pudgies. I made Oatmeal Coconut Chocolate Chip cookies--whic...

I've got finals coming up next week. I should probably be studying for those. But let's face it, it's the last day of class. I can't concentrate anymore. Plus, I already took my religion final, and I have an A in that class. One down, four to go! So while I'm hanging out at work for the last couple hours of my 20-hour work week, I thought I'd write about my grandpa Gabe. For those who don't know, he's my dad's dad. Now, since my grandpa is 77, I could write an epic blog post about him. He has lived a pretty extraordinary life. I intend to have a record of it someday. I've gotten some on my digital recorder. For now though... My grandpa was born and raised in Hawaii. He watched the bombers fly over Pearl Harbor in 1941. He got in bar fights. He helped raise his siblings. He joined the Army and the Marine Reserves. He worked on the H-bombs. He had two sons with my Mimi. He invented barbecuing utensils--he invented lots of things. He worked in tool ...

All right, so I have lots of studying and other assignments I should probably be doing. It's been hard to justify writing blogs and spending time that way when I have too much else I should be doing. But I am just in such a good mood today (in spite of the fact that I look like a complete mess). I have a lot to be thankful for, and I can't wait until Sunday to tell everyone about it at the pulpit. So I figured I'd do it here. Funny that my Aunt April emailed me today that she wanted another update. I had intended to write one today. Good timing, Aunt April! Speaking of... That baby is going to be here in 6 days! Anyway, so I'd just like you all to know how grateful I am for my Father in Heaven and for how mindful I know He is of me, especially lately. I haven't been slacking too, too much. I've been doing my normal things, praying regularly, you know. But there have been some things I've left out of my prayers, and my lack of asking has resulted in some trou...