It's been a busy week for sure. I've been trying to get to the gym more, and I actually went 3 days in a row which I'm so proud of myself, and then I was going to go a fourth and a fifth, but the rest of the week just got crazy. But I'm excited to go next week. I'm actually trying to really like it. LOL. I'm starting to get stressed about Girls Camp it is coming up in 2 months and I feel like I have nothing done for it. So I tried to focus this weekend on camp stuff. I got a few things done and also Saturday was so beautiful around the mid 70's so Emily and I went to Thanksgiving Pointe to their Tulip Festival and it was a lot of fun. Pictures will be posted soon, my camera battery died so I need to charge it so I can down load the pictures. It was a lot of fun and got some great pictures taken. We might even be in the Salt Lake Tribune. We were minding our own business and taking one of our many self portraits that we always take and a guy from the Tribune took a picture of us taking a picture of ourselves because they were doing an article on the festival. We thought it was funny. Emily and I always have a good time together. And of course we both put our both of our feet in our mouth. We were talking about lesbians that I had seen at the gym, and how we don't understand how girls can like girls, and there were two gay guys walking behind us and they stopped us and asked us where you enter the festival, and of course I was like oh, sorry did you hear our conversation about how we don't understand how girls can like girls when we can choose men. Well as I was saying it it dawned on us that they were gay. They were nice about it though they were like good luck figuring out lesbians. Yeah I don't think I ever will or ever want to. If people want to live that way then so be it, I just don't like to see it. I do have a friend at work that is. And I respect her and her life, she even talks about it which is fine. I'm trying to be more open about other people's lifestyles as long as they don't try to push it on me then I'm cool. Enough about that topic.

Life is great. Starting to get busy finally. Not only am I am the camp director I also got put in as the Beehive Advisor and I'm so excited. I love that age and I only have two girls so hand-outs are going to be fabulous. LOL.

THE HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLORS!!!!

Went to the Holi of Festival of Colors today. It's a Hindu religious celebration that they had at their temple in Spanish Fork. They had two different times, and my best friend Emily and her roommate Liz and our friend Rafael and myself headed down for the morning party. It was nuts. We ended up parking probably about a mile away and made the trek to the temple. They said there was about 10 thousand people when we were there. When we got there most people were in white shirts and ready to party. They had music playing and all. We went and bought our color powder and was ready to have fun. This was our first year so we didn't know what we were doing. We didn't know they had a count down and that's when everyone tosses their powder in the air. Everyone though was already coloring themselves up. We had a blast. We tossed, sprinkled, and dumped powder all over each other. Needless to say we didn't stay clean for long, which made it even more fun. Finally after watching a few of the Indian girls do their culture dances the real party started. We started counting down from 20 and when we got to one there is no telling what happened, everyone was tossing all their powder in the air. Everyone had at least 3-6 bags of different colors. It was a huge color smoke cloud. You couldn't see anything for a few minutes. The announcer kept telling us to not forget to breath. It was amazing to see the smoke clouds we went from beautiful blue skies to a hazy dust look. My ears were caked inside with half a bag of green powder and down my chest was orange powder, needless to say my garments are no longer white, nor is my bra. The walk back to the car was fun, and the ride home we just laughed and had weird looks on the freeway from people. It was fun to go and celebrate and learn a little about other people's religion and culture. Very nice people and very respectful. I bet more than half the people there were LDS. I guess it's a huge BYU thing to do. I guess it doesn't take much to entertain us. Give us a couple bags of color powder and let us throw it on each other and we are happy. My friend Rafael said, "it's like a food fight, except it isn't edible.  Thanks guys for a fun Saturday afternoon. Oh a side note, I don't think I've ever had purple burgers before, it was cool looking. LOL!!!!

The Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork Ut
The purple powder
Before anything started all clean!!

Just getting started. You can still see white on our shirts
Best Friends
Rafael, Liz, Me, Emily, this was even before it all started
You can barely see it, but there is green powder coming at me.
Just give me a few bags of powder and I'll

be entertained all day.

                   What? I didn't do it.
     Purple powder don't taste to great
      Hand prints everywhere
      No comment
After the dust of powder cleared out a little

    Rafael, Liz, Emily and I, bunch of color people!
       Good Times!!!
       The cloud of powder!
    Liz, Emily and I after the tossing of the powder
My ear full of green powder

Funny how life can be sometimes

What a huge learning experience I've had this week. Life is good. I'm very blessed and happy with where I am in my life. I may not have everything, but what I have I'm so glad I do and couldn't ask for more.

TO BE LIKE A CHILD. . . . . . .

This past weekend my niece Jaquelle got baptized. She was pretty excited because it was on her birthday too. The day was great. All the family was there except for Uncle Mike and Cason. We all had a good time together. I decided to spend the night because Jeanette's family and Aaron's family were sleeping over so I wanted to spend more time with them. The next morning (Sunday) was fast Sunday and we are all slackers and Jaquelle was the only one who fasted. It was her first time to do it. So Mindi was teaching her about fasting and how it is easier and more meaningful when you fast with a purpose. So, Jaquelle asked her mom, "Mom can I fast for Aunt Alli, so that she will get married, and that she will want to have kids?" I thought that was the sweetest thing ever that she would have her first fast to have meaning and that it was for me. Today I called Mindi to ask her how Jaquelle's fast went and she stated that she didn't last long, but she did better than the rest of us, none of us even attempted. She stated that Jaquelle kept telling her she was hungry, so Mindi told her that she wasn't going to force her to fast and that she could eat if she wanted to, and cute Jaquelle said to her mom, "but, I'm fasting for Alli." I thought that was the sweetest thing anyone has done for me. She has so much faith that the Lord will bless her purpose of her fast for me to find someone to marry and want kids. Her faith is much stronger than mine. I pray that I can be like Jaquelle and other small children that have such great faith that the Lord is listening to them and will answer their prayers. I hope the Lord will answer this prayer as well. I guess I better start doing my part so Jaquelle can see how fasting with a purpose can come true. 

I love my nieces and nephews. They drive me crazy at times, but I would do anything for them and they are such a blessing in my life. I'm so grateful to be their Aunt.

It's scary sometimes when life is going so well you wonder when the bad is going to happen. Well I've decided I'm not going to sit around and wait for the bad, I'm going to enjoy the good that is going on. For some reason it has been a really good week, and it feels nice. Tonight I put away my pride and went to a Institute Forum. I have banned institute because when you have graduated like 3 times, it's time to move on. Well when you hang out with young people they are still in that stage. Well I decided tonight since Sister Benard was speaking I would go. I'm really glad I did. I felt the Spirit so strong. As I was sitting there I got thinking this lady is the wife of a twelve apostle, a man called of God to testify of him. And the great experience was the spirit confirmed to me this to me true. She had some great advice and it made me so excited for General Conference. I walked away from the devotional loving the gospel more than I ever have. It is true and I am so blessed to have it in my life. 

Also tonight I went to a Young Women's Activity so that I can get to know the girls since I'm the camp director. I'm really excited about the calling. I just wish I could remember the girls and the leaders name. I'm horrible at it

Life is good, I'm excited for another fun weekend with the family. Jaquelle is getting baptized this weekend on her birthday and we will all be there except for Mike. I have the best family in the world. Love them tons and so grateful for their friendship and support.

I love Monday nights!

Finally the Bachelor is over!!! If I seriously watch it again someone shoot me. But I still have 24! It has been fun hanging out with my roommates and the 2 extra's Trevor and Alex. We get together with our popcorn and orange julius. And have a fun time together. Although 24 has been a little disappointment this year, last season was my first season to watch and I watched it a week before this season started and one night Heather, Trevor and I stayed up until 4 am watching it, because after each episode, we would be like ok, just one more. Heather brought out season one from storage so it will be fun to start from the beginning. Looking forward though for March 22nd when Dancing with the Stars starts one of my favorite, but can't forget Survivor, it is my favorite and one day I would love to be on it, but afraid I wouldn't survive. LOL 

Sometimes you have to face to fact that your getting old.

Last night I decided to get out and go to a birthday party at Classic Skating. I didn't know the boy who's birthday it was, but I knew a few of the people there.  I don't know what I was thinking putting those skates on. I went around the arena maybe 5 times if I'm lucky and took the skates back. I don't know what it is about being on wheels but it terrified me. I remember those days of being fearless I use to love going roller skating. Not so much anymore. I knew I was going to die. And those little kids were everywhere with no fear and thought of killing yourself as you splat to the ground. I'm glad I went though it was fun to meet new people and also run into a friend of a friend. Now I just need to keep going to parties so I can meet some more people. But I better be nice and keep my mouth shut. I need to learn to filter. Err oh well I guess you never have to guess what is on my mind.

As I was driving home from work today, I got to pondering about life and what it has blessed me with. I spent the weekend in Cedar with the whole family. I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Yes, the kids started testing my patience but I love them so much and they make me so happy. Jace got baptized and it was amazing to see him enter into the waters of baptism and then receive the Holy Ghost and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is such an example for his cousins who will follow his footsteps and do the same. I hope and pray that each of them will stay true to the gospel. As I watched him be baptized it brought back a lot of memories of the mission and when I had the chance of sharing the gospel with my friends in Texas. How I hope and pray that each of them will remember that special day and find the true happiness of this life and feel the spirit in their lives. I love the gospel more than anything. And I'm glad I have such an amazing family. It was fun to just relax and enjoy each other.

I have 2 good friends who have lost a loved one this past week, and I think when this happens each of us stand back for a second and contemplate on life and where we are. I can honestly say I'm so grateful for the gospel and the plan of knowing that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, and that families are Eternal. I hope that my friends can find peace through the spirit of this great knowledge.

I have a friend who I met when I was a vendor working in the Wal-marts. I met him in Mesquite he is an older man around the age of 77. I adopted him as my grandpa since both of mine have passed away. I was talking to him the other day and he was asking the famous question everyone asks if I'm dating or married, and of course the answer is always no. He told me that if I don't get married in this life he will take me on as his second wife in the next. I told him that I would hope that he would want me to experience married life in this life. And he told me something that I will never forget which is something that I need to focus on and not dwell on the fact that I'm not dating or married, which I really am not doing, it would just be nice. Trust me people I like being single there are a lot of perks to it. The biggest is you get a nap whenever you want to. Ok sorry about that side note. Grandpa Tommy told me that instead of thinking about finding a husband, that I need to be worrying about what I am doing in this life that will help me and prepare me to meet my Savior when the time comes. I need to focus on getting myself prepared. (Although if I want the highest degree of glory, I do need that man). So I need to focus more on doing the right things, and we all know them, the sunday school answers. So I'm just going to continue to enjoy life and try harder everyday to do what I'm suppose to so when the time comes, I will be prepared.

On a more lighter note, work is going great. I love my new position, My boss is fabulous, bless her heart I'm in her office more times then I can count, a good workout for me since I have to get up and walk all the time to talk to her. She makes work enjoyable. I don't laugh as much though which means I'm not getting into trouble. Everyone is busy working and doing there own thing that I don't have anyone to really talk to, so I take breaks now and then and go visit my buddies on the other side. I miss them, but I wouldn't trade the move for anything.

I just got called a few weeks ago to be the girls camp director. I'm so excited. yes, I volunteered for the calling. I love girls camp. I'm excited to get to know the girls better and the leaders, I've been to one activity and one sunday school lesson and I really think I'll like them. Just hope they will like me. 

So now that I've wrote a novel. Hope I haven't board anyone to death. Enjoy. Loves to all.

Jace's baptism luncheon at the bus garage
I love these kids. This is just half of them, the others were off playing.

My sister Jeanette, Ok I thought I looked cute.
Stacie, Lisa, Grandma-great, and Me.
Two of my princesses!
Grandma Sue and Brit

Jace's Baptism 
Jace my buddy at his baptism. I'm so proud of him.
Two of my favorite people Lisa and Jerzi.
Little Grady J. and his crazy dad.
Britton, Jerzi, and I getting ready for the baptism.
The Rowley Family. Love them

Kelton and I, he loves his picture taken, and so

do I. I went and spent Valentines weekend with

the Peterson's.
My favorite thing to do ride horses. Had fun with

Jaquelle and Payton.
Me just messing around on Spots. I was in heaven,

I wish I could ride more often. Where is that cowboy?
Jaquelle riding Pepper, she is a cute cowgirl.
Payton, what a stud, look at him. Love him

Eleven Reason's why I love being an Aunt
Kaitlyn: she loves playing soccer, not an Esplin. She is really good at the piano, and her new love is Giraffe's. She will always be my bubba and tater.
 

Britton loves any sport out there, and he thinks he will go pro one day. He is always coming up with a new story. He thinks he knows how to work it with the ladies.

Jace:  my buddy he acts just like his uncle Aaron. scary thought. He loves anything to do with guns and hunting. And I have always told him that the ladies are going to love him.

Jaquelle: Our cowgirl, she loves to dance and ride her horse, she is too smart for her own good. She likes to play sports, but she will be our dancer. She is always giving me advice.
Cason, our little LaLa never a dull moment he might be small but he is quite the athlete. He may be quiet but he is comical. He loves being a big brother and is great with kids.
Justin: is such a great singer and he wants to be just like his brother Jace. He has a heart of gold and he is hilarious with his made up stories
Payton: The cowboy, he wont wear anything besides Wranglers. He is hilarious and is always in trouble, it's a good thing he is cute. He loves being out with the horses.
Whitnie: my princesses, she loves to dance and cheer for the Hurricane tigers, but yet she also loves to play sports with her brothers. She is an Esplin for sure she loves to talk.
Kelton: he is one crazy kid, always up to something, Payton comes up with the idea and Kelton goes through with the plan. He loves to play with his toys and be outside.
Little Grady J.: He changes every time I see him, he will be walking soon and in March he will be one. Where did the time go. He is the happiest baby I know. And he has a laugh that is contagious. 
Our miracle baby Little Jerzi: She has changed so much, she is a blessing in our lives. She is growing so fast and even when she is sick she is such a good baby. It is fun to see her and develop her personality.

All eleven of my nieces and nephews are my pride and joy. I love them more than they will ever know. They are so concerned for me and hoping that one day I find a husband. I keep telling them they better start praying for it. Jaquelle took it upon herself to give me dating tips to find my husband. And Cason is always concerned that I never want to get married. I tell him I haven't found someone that can handle me.  They all get a long so well and I love when we all get together and spend time together as a family. I'm very blessed for the family that I have and look forward to many more years and memories we have together.

I decided since I have no patience and no money I would try coloring my hair by myself. Didn't like it at first, but it has grown on me. Just a few pictures.

Most the siblings minus Mindi and Lisa and the parentals.