Opportunities for Happiness

'Attitude is Everything'- I've said it for years; This week, I found out that it's true! I can't believe what a good week I've had in spite of the crazy happenings. I've decided to be happy this year, no matter what! Of course there will be those days that will be hard, but finding something good in them will make all the difference. No wasted time.

My family went camping this week- we had such a good time despite leaving quite a bit later than we would have liked, having to switch cars, check tires, decide to switch campsite locations because of closures, and then having to drive 45 minutes back into town to get a permit to camp at the chosen site (My dad and I had a great time & conversation!)---We were all pretty patient and had a nice relaxing time. We shot BB Rifles, played in the fire, sat around and learned about important things like time value of money (S was reading a money book and we were all discussing) and quoting kid history like crazy- Haha! That first night, I was FREEZING. I had a mummy bag (which was not good considering I am claustrophobic) and it wouldn't zip up all the way- Hahaha! SO, as I was putting on another layer of clothing to get warmer, I heard this dying rabbit- it was SCREAMING. So I'm thinking, "Great. WHERE is that and WHAT is killing it?" I had to go to the bathroom and no had no flashlight. So freezing me, decides to get into the Truck and warm up. One problem...the truck is diesel, and if I had started that at 2:30 in the morning....WHEW. That wouldn't have been the best idea ever. So I sat there freezing for an hour with my Ipod touch charging...and decided to look for a flashlight to go to the bathroom...luckily my Grandparents keep the Truck well equipped- I found a mag-light in the glovebox! So I went to the bathroom, got back in the truck, sat there til 6 with my music on, playing 'Unblock Me'. I then decide that I was too cold to go on, and tried to start a fire, and that's when my parents gave me the Van keys so I could turn on the seat warmers- WHAT GLORIOUS THINGS SEAT-WARMERS ARE!!! Anyway- I took a good nap that day while the sun was up. I was proud of myself for not being out of sorts- just tired! :) The next night, I got an extra sleeping bag and a fleece liner and slept very soundly. I loved it!

After we got back into town Kaighty came to visit! We went to lunch at Graziano's Pizzeria, then went Laser Tagging, THEN went to Studio Movie Grill and ate dinner WHILE we watched Sherlock Holmes 2. It was SWEET. The next morning we slept in and hung out. We looked up some pretty interesting scriptures too. Haha! That night (Thurs.) my family went to my Grandparent's house to visit- My cousins Merica & Jaron and their son Jaxon were in Town! I love them! It was soooo good to see them!

Friday I went back to work- And of course, there was a little bit of Drama. What's work without Drama? I was glad to not get all wrapped up in it. "Whatevs!"

And then Friday night I got the stomach flu... Ben & I were simultaneously sick all night- It was actually sort of comical.  BUT I have been feeling much better this afternoon- just kind of queasy. And I got to watch my favorite movie "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, and Alan Rickman.

S left for college tonight, and the room feels empty without her. I miss her already! But I know she'll have fun this semester!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and having it be a day of rest. I have really had an awesome week and am excited for the rest of the year!!!

"Out of Clutter, find Simplicity. From Discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies Opportunity." -Albert Einstein

2012 +

Happy 2012!

This is probably the most popular day of the year to blog. Or Journal. Or work out. Or.... {you fill in the blank}.

I have High Hopes for 2012; However, before I post the obligatory Goals/Resolutions/To Do List, I would like to do a "The Firsts of 2011" Post. I like to be able to look back and see some of the New Things I did. So without further ado, and more or less in Chronological Order-

11 Firsts of  2011:

-Attended a Photography Workshop

-Made a Someone's Birthday last an entire week

-Performed at a Valentine's 'Jazz Club'

-Started a New Business

-Became a Manager @ Work 

-First Wedding Photo Shoot

-Went to Girls Camp as a Leader

-First Time on the Bus

-Won a Pie Eating Contest

-First Kiss

-Had a Younger Sibling move home from college

There you have it.  Now on to 2012:

Goals (Because the word 'Resolution' automatically makes me NOT want to have anything to do with it...)

-(Every Year on almost Everyone's List) To be more Physically Fit.

-To Read All of The Standard Works

-Pay off Student Debt

-Journal at least 2 times a Week

-Do 2 Photo Shoots a Month

-Read 3 'Classic' Books {Gone with the Wind, East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath-You know. Any Suggestions?)

-Visit Utah

-Practice Vocal Techniques and Singing for 20 minutes 5 times a week

-Practice the Piano 20 minutes 5 times a week

-Be better at keeping in touch (talking on the phone is not a current forte of mine...)

-Go Back to School

-Learn Another Language (Ok, so this is Not Likely, But has always been a dream of mine- I've dabbled in Spanish and Italian...But I want to become Fluent in another Language- I'm taking suggestions/requests.)

-Take Cello Lessons

-Learn to make fluffy pancakes

Here's to 2012! What happens this year is up to you!
{♥.}

Andy's Visit.

This weekend Andy came to visit! I was so excited all week! FINALLY Saturday came, So I trucked out the the Airport and picked him up. From there, we took a little detour to the Arizona Science Center; We were contractors/ designers and built a house with some crazy corners and a chimney, and then we designed a pancake themed kitchen.....though it fit the theme, I wouldn't let us decorate if you want a 'sweet' kitchen. Haha! 

Next we were brain surgeons! We learned that it takes a steady hand to operate... And that multitasking is nearly impossible. Then, we headed up to the next floor and laid on a bed of nails! I was kind of freaked out to try it, but it was actually fun! 

Then on to the next floor where we were geologists and PIRATES! Arrrrrrr.

We went to a really good Pizzeria  right around the corner. We then took some pictures by Chase Field. It was beautiful outside!

About that time, Kimber invited us to go Laser Tagging. That. was. so. much. fun! But it's a good thing that Andy Can navigate...he almost showed ME around Phoenix... Haha!

After Laser Tagging we went to P.F. Chang's for Dinner. MMmmmmmm. The Shrimp with Candied Walnuts was Delicioso! 

Then on to the Temple lights, where we only had to make 3 U-turns (the weekend count was at least 7).

 Here we are in front of the Nativity scene. (A little blurry, I know.)

Then we walked around the visitors center and  looked at all the Nativity scenes from around the world. They were so beautiful!

 The next day we went to Kimber's farewell. She did such a good job and will be a wonderful Missionary. I'll miss her! We then went to Kimber's house and played 'George' A really awesome Canadian card game. We also met Milo, Kimber's cat. She's a good cat. :)

Here's all of us! Ben, Kimber, Milo, Andy and Me.

That night we played Games with my family, we learned how to play "Dyrak" {Du-rock}, A really fun Russian Card game. Ben and Matt kept having to battle each other at the end. Then we watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. {always a good movie.}

And That was our Superb weekend! The End!

December in Phoenix

If you have never been to Phoenix in December, you might think it is weird seeing palm trees and cacti.  If you are from Utah, you probably think of pine trees, snow, snow shoveling, snowmen, snowballs, snowcones, snow angels, snowflakes, snow storms, and snow shoes.  You expect people to be wearing hats, mittens, boots and big overcoats; not people wearing shorts and t-shirts outside.  But that is what December is like in Phoenix.  Just in case you were wondering and you ever thought to visit.

Thinks I Think

A few Thoughts:

Do you know that feeling when everything in your life starts to fall into place, even if it's just for two minutes? I love that! Heavenly Father always always ALWAYS has a plan to success- no matter what stage of  life, trial, or mistake we may come to him in, there is always a way to succeed and be happy. It's all about your heart and the mindset you have when you ask Him for help.

Blessings always ALWAYS follow even the smallest righteous action. And most of the time, the windows of Heaven are opened. The tender mercies never cease to amaze me. Whether it's having pennies left in your bank account after paying all your tithing and bills that month, or a much needed 'how are you/ I'm thinking about you' text, or an answered prayer, the love of Christ and Heavenly Father is tangible. 

What enjoyment you get OUT of your life is directly proportional to the effort you put INTO your life.

Thinking about and doing service for others always makes your life easier, even when you think you are too busy to fit in one more 'task'. 

Patience IS a virtue.

Daily Prayers and Scripture Study are essential to stay connected to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The Temple is the House of God. I'm going there someday!

I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ with all of my heart!

I am a Christian!

{♥.}

El Bus

I know this sounds a little funny, but a few weeks ago, I rode the city bus for the first time. And by first time, I mean first time ever. I was REALLY nervous-haha! But Dad helped me figure it out, and Andy told me not to worry, it'd be fine....and of course, it was! I got on near my house, and when I got on, these were my companions- How cute right? 

{I really hope that they aren't in the witness protection program. That would be bad- this was a secret picture.....I think I've watched tooooooooo many crime dramas.}

Anyway, I rode all the way to the next city, and went to work at a different store than I usually do. And about the time that I was supposed to get on the bus to come home, disaster struck. I had to take 3 busses back home. Not 1. I thought I'd save myself $1.75 for 2 blocks and just walk to the 2nd bus.....and I missed the place where it would pick me up. I walked straight past it. TWICE. So I walk around for 45 minutes, see a gas station, go in and ask them for the bus schedule, and it's getting close to the time that the busses would stop running....I was getting nervous. So I find the customer service line, call in and they tell me, walk to this bus stop, get on here, get off here, get on this bus, get off here.....blah, blah, blah. Luckily, there was a really nice lady at the ORIGINAL bus stop I was supposed to be at, and she helped me catch the SECOND bus too ( You know, the one I completely walked by twice?). AND by the time I got to the third bus stop, I had missed the last bus... I waited for like 15 minutes- And then I got a text from Mom- B is done with his game, text me if you need me. A phone call and 10 minutes later I was in the van on my way home. Hahaha! OH my goodness. I've since learned that it's worth the $1.75 to NOT get lost in a city you don't know for 45 minutes in the dark. And the bus isn't so bad. 

Bradley Reception

The Second Wedding Reception I was able to Photograph was my Best Friend T's. I've known T since I was 11. {That means I've known her longer than I haven't known her.} She is the truest of true friends and oh-so-Fabulous! I've never seen her so happy in all of my life, as she is when she is with B. The reception was elegant and the sweetest moment of the night was when B pulled out his guitar and they sang a duet; a song that B had written T and had sung to her every Sunday over Skype during their long distance engagement. If that isn't romantic, I don't know what is! Without further ado, here are the Bradleys!

{The center pieces}

{Please sign in}

{The most DELICIOUS strawberries!} 

{Twirling} 

{Whole Family} 

{Sisters, Sisters} 

{Love Birds} 

{T's Dad and Niece- She loved helping me take pictures} 

 {Happy Together}

{Meeting Guests} 

{In line}

{T's sister, L} 

{T explaining the significance of the song} 

{Together} 

{Details} 

{Singing} 

{Cake Cutting} 

{Sweet Hand Holding} 

(Bouquet Catchin'}

Congratulations T & B!


{♥.}

McCleery Wedding and Reception +.

In May I had the opportunity to photograph a couple of weddings- The first of which, was S & B's. Let me 'splain somthin' to you.... My family and B's family are one family. We do tons together...and we love it. We've all been friends since forever. S's older sister is one of my dear friends and her sisters have become mine. Basically, I photographed my Brother and Sister's wedding & reception! S was stunningly beautiful and B was dashingly handsome. The ceremony was wonderful, and when I walked into the reception hall, I was breathless; it was phenomenally decorated. The reception was a blast- These people KNOW how to Party! Take a look!

 {Sister S, R and C}

 {Mom McCleery}

 {The Bridal Party- waiting for the Bride}

{S and Her Dad}

 {The Ceremony}

 

{You may Kiss the Bride} 

{The McCleerys}

 {The Reception Hall}

 {CAKE!}

 {First Dance}

 {Awwww.}

 {Daddy Daughter Dance}

 {Mother Son Dance}

 {MORE CAKE!!!}

 {Dancin'}

 {More Dancing}

 {Garter Toss}

 {Two Brothers and a Cousin DIVING for the Garter...}

{Walking out}

Congratulations to the McCleerys!
{♥.}

Camp de la Girls +.

Have I told you lately how much I love my calling? I'm convinced that it is THE BEST calling in all the world! When January rolled around, I started getting excited for camp- the other leaders said it was coming quickly and that we had to start planning....I didn't know just HOW fast it would come! January, February, and March went frolicking by, April started the lists of things to be done, May was filled with crafting {my FAVORITE!} and then June came rollin' in! Our theme was "Seek Life's Treasures" and the Value our ward had was Divine Nature so our color was blue....and we put some mighty effort into incorporating the theme into everything we were going to do. {Note to future family: I take on crazy craft projects.}We made some bags with 'Bling' on them  so the girls could carry around anything they would need throughout the day, we had a treasure hunt each day {map and clues done by yours truly}, we had some 'stunnah shades', I made a cute necklace charm for each person going, and in true Amber Lynn Fashion, I painted my nails blue, wore blue and ONLY blue clothes all week, had blue sparkle-y shoe laces, a blue crown and feather boa and blue heels {yes HEELS} to welcome our only 1st year to camp, wore two SWEET bling rings all week....and of course participated in all dancing, running, jumping, flying, hiking, dancing, and hair-braiding activities. I loved it! However I now know what kind of planning is involved in camp...and it took me about 3 weeks after camp to recover. I was so tired! Now I'm ready to do it again!

{Hair braiding}

{Blinged bags}

{Necklace Charms}

{Treasure Map}

{Welcoming Outfit}

{Yay Kelsey!}

{Oh man.}

{♥.}