Fall=Family

Wow. Do I ever catch up? No. But let me give you a QUICK update on everything you have missed due to my poor blogging skills:

1. Aaron graduated and working on his master's degree.
2. Becky finished her masters and was blessed to find two jobs in Flag.
3. Our fish died... poor Fin (disgusting side note: we left him dead in his bowl for nearly two weeks because we were both too lazy to clean it up... we're gross).
4. We got called back into the Primary and are team teaching the coolest Valiant 8 class in the world.
5. Still living in Flagstaff

Look what we found 20 days ago... Pretty huh!

There were more sunflowers in Flagstaff this year than I have EVER seen in my life. I remember when I was little getting anxious when the sunflowers where in full bloom (sunflowers=school is about to start). It is so nice to be out of school and to be able to fully enjoy their beauty! The sunflowers started to die this week which can only mean one thing... FALL!!!

I have such a bitter sweet relationship with this time of the year. I always miss the warmth and flowers of summer, but somehow never fail to get increasingly giddy when the chill hits and the leaves on my mom's front porch turn a marvelous red. Fall=holidays. Holidays=family. This year Christmas is at the Turnbull house which means I'll get to see all of my siblings and their kiddos. Can't wait!!!!! No offense friends, but pretty sure I have the greatest family in the world.

Spring Break

Aaron and I wanted to go somewhere like New York, or on a cruise for Spring Break but decided that wasn't really in the budget. Plus we thought it would be nice to spend time with family. Lucky for us Aaron's family was going to Disneyland which is by far our favorite vacation spot and--for those of you who don't know--where Aaron proposed to me. It was such a blessing to get to spend time together with his family. I wish I would have taken some more pictures, but here are a couple from Splash Mountain.

Thank goodness for ponchos, who would have thought!? The Helvig's are always prepared (and by Helvig's I'm talking about the in-laws). My favorite were the "cheating" comments we got from the other people in line who were obviously bummed they hadn't thought to bring ponchos.

Aren't they cute! I love Doug and Patty. Sorry Alana, for some reason we didn't get a picture of you :(

The is "our" beach. The day after Aaron proposed we sat here and talked about our future for hours. So special! And above are the seagulls who are trying to get their beaks on a piece of my burrito.

I am pretty impressed with this shot! It only took us 40 tries to get the sun in the right spot. Good thing I have supper long monkey arms!

Crazy SNOW!!!!

This is why there is NO school in Flagstaff this week!!!

Below is the bay window in my parents front room...Yes, the snow is above the bottom of the glass!!!

Cake disaster #2

Are you wondering how my second cake turned out! Check out this beauty!!!

Unfortunately this is NOT my cake. Actually, this is the cake-boss worthy cake I tried to make the first time. So for those of you who congratulated me on my first effort and told me it wasn't that bad... well... Do you see why I was nearly in tears. I gave up long before I even got to the decorating. I have good news and bad news about cake # 2.

Good News:

It tasted great!!!

Bad News:

I gave up on decorating, yet again!

I settled for just frosting and eating it after spending so much time cooking. BOOOO. I didn't even take a picture. I've decided that I am going to have to start spreading out the cooking and decorating over a series of days if I'm ever going to become a CAKE BOSS... My wonderful brother-in-law gave me a "HOW TO" book on cake making for Christmas so WATCH OUT Spring Break. I am not giving up just yet...

Sarcasm doesn't translate!!! Ooops

I always seem to stick my foot in my mouth, but this time I REALLY should have known better! I served my mission in Chile where I quickly learned you can't say anything sarcastically without Chileans taking you seriously. They are so honest and sincere they almost never think you would be anything less...

For example, I had a heavy set Chilean companion who during a doctor appointment told the mission doctor (who was from the US) that she was fat... which in their culture is a completely normal thing to say about yourself and about others, not meant to offend or fish for complements, but rather to to be honest (what a concept!). Trying to make her feel better about herself, the doctor told her (with a wink and a smile), "You're just big boned" (not a concept used in the Chile... probably because it is an excuse we use rather than a fact). Later that day she told the four families we taught about her experience and how relieved she was to learn that she was not fat--just heavy boned (which is how big boned translated). "That must be why I weigh so much." I made up my mind that day to always be sincere...

One of my friends from Chile is OBSESSED with U2 and other amazing American bands. He has started a band of his own and hopes to make it big someday. This is one of his facebook pictures:

If you didn't notice... He is the Chilean man on the right, photoshopped into the picture.

When my husband and I got tickets to the U2 concert I sent him a message on facebook telling him about the tickets, and JOKINGLY told him I would say hi to Bono (the lead singer) for him. After the concert I wrote him another note telling him it was amazing and JOKINGLY that Bono says hi. It hadn't dawned on me that he--being from Chile--probably hasn't been to any of their concerts and doesn't know that NO ONE gets to talk to them (they don't even sell back stage passes). Not to mention that he probably didn't pick up on the sarcasm.

He wrote back SOOO excited telling me to please write back as soon as possibly to recount my entire conversation. I wrote him back apologizing and explained that I was just joking. A friend of his commented that he had already told the entire town that Bono "mande sus saludos" or sent his salutations to Lino, via (his true and honest friend) Becky....

I feel terrible. New years resolution 2010: no more sarcasm!!!

Cake disaster!

How many of you watch TLC's the Cake Boss? Come on, fess up! Jk...It is seriously one of my favorite shows, and has given me the aspiration to become a wedding cake decorator. Not only does Buddy (the cake boss) make incredible cakes, but he somehow makes it look SOOOOOO easy (ha... don't be fooled). Look at these works of art!

Can you believe they're edible!!!

A couple of months ago I decided it was time to try my hand at cake decorating. A classic 9" by 12" you ask? NO! That would have been too easy (or so I thought). I had a whole day to dedicate to my new hobby and was willing to waste every minute of it making a cake-boss-worthy, full on, fondant-covered wedding cake! Why not? After 3 episodes I was sure to know be an expert right?

WRONG! My dream (and confidence was soon shattered after 10 hours of slaving in the kitchen over this pitiful finished product...

Not only was it ugly, but it tasted like gum-covered cardboard. After a lot of histerical laughing and nearly breaking down in tears, my Dad generously helped me cover the cracked and uneven fondant with some decorations. It is funny to look back on! I even swore I would never try again, but I just so happen to have the whole Christmas Break infront of me. Now, armed with 13 episodes, 3 youtube tutorials, and a 5 star recipe from recipezaar.com, I plan to tackle yet another cake adventure. With a lower standard of excellence (that being anything better than the above picture), and a whole week worth of detication, I am hoping for a little more success. Wish me luck!

Rock bottom/ please share

When I was in high school, I use to love writing songs. Recently, (inspired by the talented Kelsie Seaman) I have been trying to put some thoughts to music. It hasn't been very successful, but it has caused me to think about a couple of people who--through repentance--have completely changed their lives, and a few people whose lives I wish would change. While reading through my journal today, I read about an experience worth singing about.

A couple of years ago, I was talking to a friend (and home teacher) who had just turned his life around. He had made several poor decisions growing up, and was one of the last people you would have ever thought would come around. I remember listening to his family talk about his situation . They always had so much love for him and faith that he would change. They are seriously the most loving and faithful family I have ever met. They never once gave up on him, and understood that the power of Atonement extends to each of God's children--including their son (sorry, getting a little sidetrack).

Anyway, during a home teaching lesson on repentance, he began to bear his testimony about the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. While talking about his "turning point", he shared something that really impacted me. Here was our conversation:

Friend:

"Going down the wrong path is like quicksand. You can't just stay at one level, you're always sinking down, and further from Him. It gets to a point where you either hit rock bottom, or reach out for a rope."

Me:

"What was your rope?"

Friend:

"It wasn't just that my family had never given up on me, but that I finally realized that my Father in Heaven hadn't either. For the first time I prayed--real consistent prayer. That was me reaching out for the rope or hand. I know he was/is there."

So profound huh?! I have decided that my song will be called "Always Extended", and will talk about the Lord's promise in 3 Nephi that his hand was, is, and always will be extended to those who reach for it. Great concept huh (at least I think so)! In all reality, I may never finish the song, but I hope my friends thoughts are as touching to you as they were to me. I'm so glad I wrote them down!

Please, if you have any similar thoughts/stories I would love to hear them.

Happy Sabbath!