Emiliana Torrini - Sunny Road

How do you know me?

Hello to the few who look at my blog for some reason.

To the right...below the painting of 'girl with red hat' is a poll, How do you know me? Please vote and click all that apply. The poll ends on March 17th...St. Patrick's Day. Thanks.

Women's Conference

The Round Rock, TX Stake had Women's Conference this weekend. The theme was "His Love I Will Know." I really enjoyed it. I sang in the Women's Choir with a total of 12 or so of us. Friday night we had great speakers and a slide show of all the service projects our Stake Relief Society women did in the past several months. The service provided was impressive and touching.

Saturday was my favorite. Rachelle Wilkinson, who had quintuplets last fall, spoke about feeling our Savior's love through motherhood. I loved hearing about it even though I've already read her blog. Then we had workshops and I really liked the one on "Cooking with Food Storage." They gave us easy recipes that use ingredients that would be in food storage and even had samples of the recipes for everyone. I learned a lot. I still feel overwhelmed with the whole food storage thing. I'm just proud that Justin and I have our 72 hour kits ready. Our final speaker was great and my favorite thing he said (besides all the inspiring stories) was "If you want to feel your Savior's love...go out and give it!" The day ended with a fabulous luncheon (chicken salad & rolls) and a fashion show put on by the Young Women. I'm so glad I made time to go. It was really a gift I gave to myself this weekend.

Liz, Amy, Jocelyn, Natalie (can you tell I cut about 4 inches off my hair?)

Taylor (Mia Maid) was in the fashion show and looked beautiful up there. She just got her braces off last week. yay!

The fashion show.

Brooke White - American Idol

Justin and I sort of know Brooke. Justin knew her from church before we were married and I met her in April 2006 when she performed at a "She Market." We have her cd. It was fun to discover that she is on American Idol this season.

My Valentine

I gave Justin a list of 14 reasons why I'm glad he is my Valentine. (in no particular order)

1. He is funny.
2. He isn't a picky eater.
3. He motivates me to be better.
4. He is a patient teacher.
5. He is talented.
6. He worries about me.
7. He sings well.
8. He scratches my head after it has been in a ponytail all day.
9. He is a spiritual man.
10. He is my best friend.
11. He compliments me on my strengths.
12. He works hard.
13. He isn't a hypocrite and sees several perspectives at once.
14. He doesn't run out on Valentine's Day and get me flowers or chocolate. We just hang out together.

The Death & Life of Ice Cream

Ben's birthday

Ben's birthday is on Valentine's Day but his wife decided to have a little get together at Pappasito's a few days before. Besides...Ben is really busy with school and probably has a late class on Feb. 14th. It was fun and the food is pretty good; some plates better than others. My pork tamales were great, especially for left overs for Justin the next day. Just because that meant I didn't have to cook. Afterward we had strawberry shakes, talked a bunch and watched LOST.

Ben (birthday dude) & Jocelyn

Natalie & Justin

Matt & Amy

That is Bridget on the right.

Seussical, the Musical

Thursday night I went to the Round Rock H.S. production of Seussical. It's like a big mixed up stew of Dr. Seuss stories...that is the best way I can describe it. I went with some girlfriends from church. The whole production was so impressive from the live orchestra to the costumes to the singing to the actual performing arts center. One of the young women in our ward, Kaely, was in it...along with her two brothers. She was fabulous. I'm so glad I went.

Liz, Natalie, Jocelyn, Heidi

Liz, Kaely, Natalie

Cool Nesting Dolls

Look how cool this these nesting dolls are for tech-minded people. Not that I am. I found them here.

Women in Art

I just thought this was cool.

Italian Pizza

Ben & Jocelyn

Liz & Reed

Last Saturday the Hansen's invited us to watch the Miss America Scholarship Pageant thingy...and best of all to have REAL Italian pizza. Liz and Reed served their missions in Italy (two different missions) and have practically perfected Italian pizza. Everything was made from scratch and there was pizza after pizza after pizza.

Ben and Jocelyn brought drinks and cookies. Ben served his mission in Uruguay and said he loved the Brazilian food from his mission the best. Jocelyn reminded him that I served in Brazil so they brought a 2 liter of Guaraná Antarctica. It certainly brought back memories for me. Thanks Ben. Hmmm...now I'm not sure if it was Guaraná Antarctica or if it was Guaraná Brasil. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I had been pretty sick but I really wanted to socialize so I look kinda pallid but we had so much fun talking, eating and "discussing" Miss America.