Inspirational

This is such an inspirational story!

Live Like You Believe

I found this on another blog and loved it! I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

More January favorites

Here are some more of my favorite little things for the month of January!

• Books: Blink (Malcolm Gladwell)- focuses on the first split second decisions we make and how accurate they can be, really interesting book

Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)- I couldn't put this one down, it is a must read. It takes place after the "United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch." Sounds crazy but it is such a good book!

March (Geraldine Brooks)- it is a deeper look into the life Mr. March from Little Women. It gives you insight to what he was like and what was happening in his life while he was at war...I loved it.

• My guilty pleasures include the T.V. programs I watch....I guess it is a way to pass the time while Jason is at work each night:)

the little things

• One of my goals for this next year is to create a book full of "the little things" I'm grateful for throughout the year. It was a challenge given by Memory Mixer. It has been fun to look for all of the things that make life wonderful. Here are a few I've thougt of so far:
• Bare Minerals Mascara.... I love it! The brush is incredible.
• Getting a filing cabinet for $4.00
• The beautiful frost covered trees
• Jason making our bed everyday! I'll take it even with a crumpled & crooked duvet.
• Jason folding laundry....that is a chore I dislike...so I really appreciate him doing that.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Christmas

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It has been an incredible Holiday season. I have loved starting new traditions with Jason, it was so fun to be living in the same house this year instead of having to say goodbye each night. We have had many fun holiday parties. I always look forward to the Hillam Family Party, we don't see each other very much so it is fun to catch up. I also love seeing my nephews and nieces get their present from Santa.

We started having our own family party a few years ago...so this is a fun new tradition. This year it was made even better because we were able to give my parents a present we've been saving for about six years.... A trip to London. It was wonderful seeing the look of shock on their faces. They are going to London in March, they will be able to visit my Dad's mission. I'm so excited for them. They deserve it!

Jason and I were able to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance with Natalie Cole this year. It was wonderful as always. We went and saw the lights on Christmas Eve...it was very chilly! We slept at my parents that night so Ashley doesn't have to be alone. It was fun to be there. My Grandma Startup was also there....I'm glad she wasn't alone at home. We got our new pajamas that night...I love that tradition.

Christmas day ended up being very relaxing! We opened presents in the morning, then went to Jason's parents that afternoon where we opened more presents and ate lots of yummy food!

I've been very lazy this vacation.....I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to go back to work on Monday. I did get my basement cleaned up....so that's an accomplishment.

Last Wednesday, I had my nieces over for a "Girl's Night". We made mini pizzas, played the Wii, watched movies....didn't get much sleep:) painted fingernails & toenails, and made jewelry. What can I say....I love those girls. I hope they had as much fun as I did. Emily told me that Shalece was so excited to come over. She kept saying I'm sleeping over with "my girls", "not mommy's girls" (the basketball girls). I'm so lucky to have these girls in my life! It as been a wonderful holidays....I just wish they didn't go so fast!

Catching Up

It has been an eventful and busy couple of months. I am attempting to catch up on my blog....where do I begin? I guess I'll start with Thanksgiving....

We had Thanksgiving with my family, it was a lot of fun! I am truly thankful to have them in my life. Lots of wonderful food, I always enjoy spending time with them. I attempted my first Pecan Pie. It is Jason's favorite. He said it was good so I'll take his word for it....I don't like Pecans. It looked pretty!

We went to the BYU - Utah game the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The weather was awesome! It was a tense game but I loved it! This was the end of the game when everyone rushed the field.

Clay turned 12 on Dec. 12. We were able to celebrate with him this year. His mom brought him down on Friday, we went out to dinner and played games then had cake and ice cream. He slept over that night then left the next morning. He is growing up so quickly. Last weekend we drove to Rock Springs so Jason could ordain him as a deacon. It made me so thankful to have married a priesthood holder. I'm so thankful to have the priesthood in my home. There is a power there you can't get anywhere else. Happy belated birthday, Clay!

One Year

This is a couple days late, but Jason and I have known each other for one Year! Last Saturday Nov. 7 marked the one year anniversary of our first date. I was so nervous to meet him that night...yet, as I opened the door and saw his smile and dimples, I knew it would be all right! I don't think I quit smiling all night. He took me to Bombay House for dinner. Afterwards, he had a list of things we could do depending on what happened on the date. Of course, I wanted to get to know him a little more so we went to a comedy club downtown (it was kind of dumb:)....but, I think I would have had a great time with him no matter what we had done. I couldn't wait to see him again. This is part of the email he sent to me the next day:

Good Morning Melissa,

Now that we have met and much of the uncertainty is gone, I will say I find myself more interested in you, by far then I did before. (and trust me I was pretty darn interested before). I just want to tell you that I had such a great time with you. I don't think it would have mattered much what we did or where we went, I was so thrilled to just have the chance to talk to you and get to know you a little better. It felt very natural to be around you, and I was amazed at how comfortable I felt interacting with you. I can't tell you what it is yet, but you are very easy to talk to. I love it! Why don't we just keep hanging out and talking until we are 92 years old? We'll drink some Diet Cokes, not eat tomatoes and somewhere in there I will grab your hand, maybe even a kiss, probably a slow soft one, you know the kind I'm talking about. Maybe we'll even do other stuff too but I don't know if it gets much better then kissing and drinking Diet Coke ;)

It is so fun to go back and re-read the emails that we wrote to each other. His emails always made me melt...he expresses himself so well! It was always so comfortable with him from the very beginning. I'm so glad I get to keep hanging out with my best friend until we're 92....hopefully I can kick the Diet Coke habit before then. I'm so lucky to have met Jason. I love him so much. He is perfect for me. Happy One Year Anniversary, Babe! I love you.