Christmas with the Berrett Family

We went to Justin’s parents on December 23rd and had a blast! It was so fun to spend time with all of the family. We ate homemade pizza under the Christmas tree, Santa came and brought everyone a present, we did the adult gift exchange, and then the kid’s gift exchange. After we were done with all of that, the kids acted out the Nativity. They all looked adorable! It was a great evening. We even got to stay and watch Julie and Mckae open their wedding gifts from their open house here. Thanks for a wonderful evening Connie!

Christmas with the Berrett Family

More Craft Projects

Update coming soon...

I am sorry I am a slacker! I have a ton of pictures from Christmas I will put them up soon. Work and life have been crazy busy these last few weeks! I will try to get them up tomorrow. I hope you all enjoyed the Holidays!

Mckae and Julie Ballard

Man oh Man, these last few weeks have been a bit chaotic with Christmas, buying another house, and Julie’s wedding! Friday we drove up to Saint George for Julie’s wedding brunch and sealing. It was a beautiful sealing and Julie looked absolutely gorgeous. Justin and I were so glad that we were able to take time off of work, so that we could be there. After the sealing we took pictures and it was FREEZING!! The kids were shivering and crying and asking us to take them home, it was pretty funny and sad. I am so glad that Justin and I got married in the spring. After the pictures we went to the stake center and put some final touches on a few things for the reception and then the reception started. The decorations looked awesome! She had beautiful backdrops and center pieces and a cute slide show playing. Justin, Brian, and I decorated both Julie and Mckae’s cars it was a lot of fun, but unfortunately Mckae’s mom removed some of our decorations before Julie and Mckae got to see it, but thanks to Darin we have pictures. LOL! The reception ended and at 8:00 p.m. and then we tore everything down and packed it all up and headed back to Vegas. Justin and I didn’t even unload the car when we got home because we were so dang tired! We just went straight to bed. Saturday morning we got up unloaded the car, got ready, and did a few things around the house, and then Connie called and asked us to come help set up for the Open House. Jo and I decorated the church and taste tested all the food :) They had a nacho bar and it was delicious!! There was homemade salsa and guacamole, refried beans, jalapenos, olives, and lots of other yummy dips. And for dessert there was strawberry short cake and slush! Everyone went back for seconds and even thirds :) They had a really good turn out and I met a lot of old family friends and Justin got to catch up with them. He really enjoyed seeing them and talking to them about their lives. The open house was supposed to end at 7:30 p.m., but people were there until after 8:00 p.m.. As soon as it ended we packed it up again and cleaned up again. It was a really nice wedding and weekend, but I think we’re all glad that it’s over and that Mckae is officially part of the family.

We finally found one!

After a year of trying to decide whether to buy a new home for us or just buy one to rent out…we finally decided to buy one to rent. We found a house across the street that is the same exact floor plan as ours and we put an offer in on Monday and last night we got a call from out realtor and they said the bank had accepted the offer!!! Exciting, huh? The bank is even going to put in carpet for us! Justin and I were really surprised that they responded so quickly, so if things go according to planned we should be done with everything by January. All we need to do is find someone to rent it, if you’re interested let me know :) Here are a few pictures of the house, I really like it. It has new tile throughout the house, and new countertops, and hopefully soon it will have new carpet!! I am just so glad we are done house hunting for a while. If you are looking for a good realtor, please let me know we love our realtors, they are the best!! To those of you who are still looking I wish you the best of luck, I definitely feel for you, it is frustrating to say the least!! You just have to have some patience, which is something Justin and I just don’t have much of. Well…happy house hunting J

Christmas at the Bellagio

It snowed here in Las Vegas yesterday, which was actually really nice. Now, I am not a fan of the cold, especially cold and wet weather, but I didn’t mind it yesterday at all. I loved being able to bundle up and drink hot cocoa. Justin and I went to the Bellagio and looked the atrium and watched the water show. It was a lot of fun! The decorations were awesome! Last night definitely made it feel a little more like Christmas. There are only 9 days until Christmas and I am so excited! I hope the cool weather sticks around for just a little bit longer, but not for too long. I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season. Good luck with all of your last minute shopping JHere are a few pictures from last night, they are the best quality because they are from my camera on my phone. I have some on my camera, but the battery died, so I had to take the majority of them on my phone.

Be Optimistic

“ I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy…or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free. I can feel sad that I don’t have more money…or I can be glad my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health…or I can rejoice that I am alive. I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up…or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns…or I can celebrate that thorns have roses. I can mourn my lack of friends…or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new friendships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work…or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do. I can complain because I have to go to school…or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework…or I can feel honored because Heavenly Father has provided shelter for my mind, body, and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have.”

-Unknown

Try to look on the bright side there are always things to be grateful for. We choose how to react to the things that happen in our lives, so let’s just try to stay positive and remember that trials only make us stronger :) and we never have to go through them alone. I admit I struggle with seeing the good in all things, but I am going to make it my goal to choose what kind of day I am going to have every day. What could it hurt??

Gas prices are going down...down...down

and I am loving it!! I paid $1.60/gallon, I can’t remember the last time I was able to fill my tank for less than $30.00, but I am not complaining. I hope they keep dropping or just stay where they are :)

This weekend was quite eventful! Friday night Justin’s sisters Laura and Betty Jo came over and we decorated and made some food for Julie’s shower on Saturday. I had a lot of fun talking with them and getting to know them a little better. (I really did luck out with having good in-laws!!) Thank you two for all of your help, I greatly appreciate it!! Saturday, Julie went through the temple for the first time. Everyone in the family was there, except for Afton and Brian. She looked beautiful and there was such a sweet spirit there. I was so glad that she invited Justin and I. Mckae and his parents were also there, this was the first time we had all met them. They were so nice! After the temple, we went back to my house to finish prepping for the shower. The shower started at 6:00 p.m. and I think it turned out really well. It was fun to get to know some of her friends and spend some more time with the family. It was also fun to hear the stories about how they met, the proposal, their house, and…? She got some nice things and some embarrassing things, but then again it wouldn’t be a bridal shower if something didn’t make the bride-to-be blush. Lol! Only 11 more days until the wedding!! Crazy, huh?? I am so excited for her and Mckae, it will be nice to have him in our family.

Update on Andi

Our cute little niece Andi had open heart surgery last Monday. She had a heart murmur, so they had to operate on her valve. It was so scary, because she was only 8 days old. The surgery went well and she is recovering. She got to home this weekend, which is awesome. Unfortunately Afton and Brian live in Texas, so the family hasn’t been able to help out as much as we would have liked to, but they are always in our thoughts and prayers. I am so glad that Andi is home and I hope that she will continue gain weight and get stronger and healthier.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Justin had to work this Thanksgiving, but he didn’t have to go in until 4 p.m., so we were able to eat with his family at 1 p.m.. This was the first time in the last few years that we haven’t eaten more than once, which is probably a good thing :) We usually eat with both families but this year my family was in Zion. We would have to loved to be there, but it just didn’t work with our work schedules. Justin and I were so glad that his family decided to eat early, so that we could be there. The food was delicious!! Laura made the turkey and lots of yummy pies and Justin’s mom made home-made rolls, stuffing, and lots of other yummy things. It was so nice to sit down and spend time with the family and talk about what we are all thankful for, although, we did miss Julie, Mckae, Brian, Afton, and the kids. After we ate we headed back home, so that Justin could go to work. After Justin left I went shopping. I found a few things here and there for me, for the house, and Christmas gifts for the family. I really wasn’t to o impressed with the sales this year though. Michaels had an awesome sale on picture frames though, so I made sure to stock up. After a few hours of shopping I went back to Justin’s parents and helped his mom and Laura stencil and stamp Julie’s wedding invites. They turned out so cute!! Justin had to work until 7 a.m., yes, 4 p.m.- 7 a.m., that’s 15 hours!!! He was happy to get the overtime and he was especially happy that is was Holiday pay! Now, I can’t say I was too excited, but I am thankful he has a job, I just hate to be home alone. So…I watched “Prince Caspian” and waited for him to come home.

Saturday, we went to Best Buy, Walmart, and Kmart, we were trying to find Rock Band or Guitar Hero bundles and we did, but we didn’t end up buying either. We would still like to get one, but we decided to wait a little longer. We did get a GPS though and we really like it.

Overall, it was a good weekend. We didn’t do a whole lot, but it was nice to just have time off and get some things done. I have some pictures and I will try to get them posted A.S.A.P.

Andi Berrett

This is the newest addition to the family. Her name is Andi Berrett. She was 6lbs 7oz and 19 inches. She’s gorgeous!! Welcome to the family!

I am thankful for...

These last few months I have been thinking about my life and the decisions I’ve made, the things I’ve learned, things that I regret, all of the many blessings I have received and not fully appreciated them or even seen them as blessings at the time. I think sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in all the glam and glitter of the world and not realize what is truly important. Thanksgiving is this week and it has really got me thinking about all the things I have to be thankful for. I remember when I was in young women’s I was asked to give a talk on gratitude in sacrament meeting, now public speaking never has and probably never will be my favorite thing, but I really learned a lot while preparing for this talk. I went through old talks and my scriptures and I don’t remember what book I read it in, but it talked about thanking Heavenly Father for the small and simple things of life, such as the weather, a beautiful sunset, birds singing, and I just thought I really do take so many things for granted. It also talked about being thankful for our trials and sometimes I have a really hard time with that, but they really do make us stronger, and usually helps us develop a stronger relationship with our Heavenly Father.

I am so thankful for the gospel in my life! I honestly don’t know where I would be without it, but I know it probably wouldn’t be good. I am so thankful for the temple! I love the peace and comfort that I feel when I am there, it is truly overwhelming. I love that I get to be with my family forever! I am so thankful for prayer. It is so nice to know that I can go to my Heavenly Father with everything and anything and know that he is there and understands exactly how I feel. I am thankful for our Prophet and all the leaders of the church and all of the time and effort they put into their callings and the guidance that they give us. I am thankful for the scriptures. I know if you pray and ponder about the things you read, they will strengthen your testimony and increase your knowledge and bring you closer to Heavenly Father. I am thankful for my husband. He is such a wonderful man, he takes such good care of me and is such a good example.

I am thankful for my home and to have a job, especially through these hard times. I am thankful for my family and their unconditional and willingness to help and support me. I am thankful for the Atonement. It is so comforting to know that even though I’m not perfect and I make mistakes that I can repent and return to live with our Father in Heaven. We really are blessed each and every day. It’s a blessing to be able to wake up every morning and a blessing to have nice weather, when others are losing their homes to wild fires, hurricanes, and tornados. I encourage you to just take a little time every day to appreciate the small and simple things it really will help you have a better outlook on life. I am sorry if this seems like I’m preaching or if you think that I shared a little too much, but I do hope you “Find Joy in the Journey”.

I would also like to thank Susan Budge for sharing her testimony with me and encouraging others to do it. We really should strive to share it as often as we can.

Update...

I’ve decided it’s a lot easier for me to just blog a short little summary of what has been going on in our lives. So here it is…

· November 11^th, 2008, I didn’t have to work because it was Veterans’ Day, so Justin and I got to spend the whole day together! We went with our realtor and looked at a few houses, visited family, got some things done around the house, and then we watched a movie and just relaxed. It was really nice!

· November 15^th, 2008, Justin and I put up all of our Christmas lights and decorations. I know we’re a little early, I really did try to wait until the day after Thanksgiving, but I have been so anxious. We haven’t turned the lights on outside yet, but they will be on the day after Thanksgiving. What can I say? I LOVE CHRISTMAS!! I will put some pictures up soon! Now, we don’t have a whole lot, but this is only our second Christmas being married, so we’re just slowly trying to accumulate things. We try to just wait for the after Christmas sales. We’re frugal, but it’s all good.

· November 21^st, 2008, I went and watched “Twilight”, with my little sister Autumn, I thought it was cheesy, but cute. I have not read the books yet, but I am planning to soon. After the movie I went home and finished making Julie’s Bridal Shower invitations. They are really simple, but I think they turned out pretty cute. Now, I just need to finish planning the rest of the shower.

· November 23^rd, 2008, Afton and Brian had their first baby girl! Her name is Andi and she shares her Birthday with her dad! What a great birthday surprise, huh? We invited my parents and my sister over for Sunday dinner and dessert. It really is so nice to have family so close by. Justin loves to visit people on Sunday or invite them over for dinner. We invite his Grandma over the most, but every once in a while we’ll have our parents over too. Usually if we don’t invite anyone to dinner, we’ll try to go and visit. Most of the time we end up at one of our parents houses. I really do feel so blessed to have so many family members close by, but it makes me miss the one who aren’t even more.

Okay, so I know my life is still not too exciting, but maybe one day it will be. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The last few weeks in a nutshell...

Well…these last few weeks have been somewhat busy.

· October 13^th, Justin called me at work and said, “We’re going to Mexico!” I was a little confused, but then he explained himself. He said, “I booked a cruise with Carnival for the two of us for February 9^th-14^th.” I am so excited! Neither one of us has been on a cruise, so I’m sure it will be a blast! Happy valentine’s Day to us :)

· Justin turned 24 on October 22^nd. I decorated our room and made a cheesy poster in the morning and then after work I bought him pizza, banana cream pie, and candy, and went to the drive –in. I know it wasn’t anything too luxurious or spectacular, but we enjoyed it and Justin is a really simple laid back guy, he doesn’t really like fancy food or anything super flashy! We watched “The Express” and “Lake View Terrace”. It was a lot of fun, neither one of us has been to the drive-in for years and we had never been together.

· Justin tested on October 28^th and passed his written, physical, and oral exams, so if his background check and polygraph go well he will start the academy in March. I am so glad that he passed and that the tests are over because he was so stressed and to be honest I was stressed because he was!

· On October 30^th I found out my brother Kitita and his wife Bridget, are having a BOY!! And…that my brother Anthony and his wife Stacey are expecting! I seriously feel like everyone is having babies right now! Justin’s sister Laura just had a little girl in August, and Afton, Brian’s wife is due at the end of this month, my cousin Luse just had a little girl in October, and I have three more cousins that are due in January! And…Justin and I have quite a few friends that are expecting. Apparently there is a baby race going on and nobody told me!

· October 31^st, I went to Warm Springs with my in-laws and enjoyed the cool weather, the food, and the company. I got to see all my cute nieces and nephews in their Halloween costumes. Hanna was a cheerleader, Trevor was Iron Man, Kylie was Cinderella, Natalie was Piglet, Brielle was a skunk, and Sadie was a pea pod. They all looked adorable and had so much fun swimming and eating all of Grandma’s yummy snacks!

She said YES!

So…Justin’s little sister, Julie, is engaged! Mckae proposed Saturday and she said yes! We are so excited for the two of them. They are getting married on December 19^th, so they’ll get to spend Christmas together as husband and wife! CONGRATS you two! We love you!