Thanksgiving in Pictures

We had a relaxing, enjoyable day. The food was delicious!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I got to spend Thanksgiving with these little cuties. Love them! We had turkey today (of course) and enjoyed a nice bike ride.

I have to admit, I did participate in black Friday (Thursday?) shopping tonight. I convinced Dad to come to Wal-mart with me. It was such a zoo, of course. I normally don't do black Friday shopping (because I don't like staying up or getting up really early), but I succumbed this year. I attended Wal-mart's "Event 1" at 8. I stationed myself near the crock pots and hand mixers. I've been thinking about getting a new crock pot. The one I have is really small. Since this one was going for $9.44, I couldn't resist. I also got a hand mixer for $3.88 and Tupperware for $6 something. Success. It was really crazy though. And I do feel bad for the workers. It is sad that we have become a society so hungry for possessions.

It has been a nice holiday. So grateful for time with family. There's always much to be grateful for.

It's Thanksgiving... We are Gonna Have a Good Time!

These pictures were taken tonight at an Asian restaurant called Pei Wei.

I'm here in Utah this week. Wasn't planning on that. Mom called me up and asked me to come for Thanksgiving. Since I don't have a job yet, I decided to come. It's weird, since I just left a month ago. It doesn't really feel like I left at all.

We're celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow since Mom has to work. Dad, Christi and I are heading to St. George on Wednesday to celebrate the official holiday with Traci and fam down there. It should be fun.

I hope you all have a great holiday! In case you haven't seen it, below is a little gem for you to enjoy. It's pretty great.

Thoughts and Life Recently

I've now been in Arizona a little over two weeks. I was on such a roll with interviews, but unfortunately that has slowed down a lot. I haven't heard back from my other interviews either. It can get discouraging and worry some. However, for the most part I've been at peace and not worried. It's really odd, actually. Deep down I know Heavenly Father will take care of me because I am doing what He wants me to do. But, there are of course times when I am tempted to doubt. I'm sure it will get scarier if I still don't have a job as time goes on and my savings start to dwindle. But, I'm going to do my best to be strong.

Mostly, I've felt like I need to relax and enjoy this time. Let's be honest, I need to recover from a brutal 8 & 1/2 months. That job drained me physically and emotionally. I really feel different and happier now that I am not working there.

I've been trying to find an apartment or house to live in down here (with LDS roommates). It has been interesting. I've looked at two places and have come really close to looking at other places. But, nothing has felt completely right. It is really important to me to have good roommates and a good ward. I'm glad I can take the time to find those things. I'm not sure where I'll end up. I'm thinking about living in Mesa. It seems to be in the middle of things. I don't want to have to commute, so it'd be nice if I lived somewhat close to where I work. I was thinking about all of this and wondering if I am just an indecisive person (which I know I can be) and can't just buckle down and make a decision on where to live. But, the more I thought about it I realized that sometimes the Spirit's role is one of restraint. I do think that for whatever reason, the Spirit has been letting me know that none of those choices are the right places to live right now.

I have to tell y'all about my first Sunday here in Arizona. So, I looked up the local singles' ward on lds.org. It said it meets at 2:00 (so late!). I also read somewhere else that it started at 1:30. I decided to be there by 1 just in case. I got to the building and people were out in the foyer. I was late! The Sacrament was being passed. I figured everything I saw online was wrong. So, after the Sacrament was finished I found a spot in the chapel. The ward looked really young. It just didn't feel like the place for me.

To my surprise, there was another YSA ward right after that. Sure enough, it was the ward I was originally planning on going to. I liked this ward a lot better. After Sacrament meeting I headed to Sunday School. A nice girl sat by me and started talking to me. I later found out she's the RS President. She has helped me a lot! She's given me a lot of information about wards (that are older) in the area, institute, etc. She even invited me to a girls' night tonight. I am SO thankful for her!

Well, we are heading into the holiday season, folks! Already! Time seems to fly faster and faster every year. I've already had the desire to listen to Christmas music, which is odd. I am usually one of those who don't want to start the Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving. I guess it's not a bad thing, right? Anyway, hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Mesa AZ Temple

I spent this afternoon taking pictures on the Mesa temple grounds. SUCH a beautiful place! It really is that gorgeous in person!

A Good Sign?

I've had 5 interviews in the past 10 days (3 of those have been phone interviews, which has been interesting)! It's been great (although, I must say, I hate interviews). I feel so blessed. Hopefully one of those turns into a good job. I just want a job that I enjoy, that pays well, with a good boss and good co-workers. Is that too much to ask (I'm afraid it is)? I guess in this economy I will be lucky to just have a job and have health insurance, right?

Today I am Thankful For...

A place to stay, clean laundry, warm AZ weather (the photo below was taken today), a kind RS President in the area who has gone out of her way to help me with a lot of things as I transition to living here, technology which helps family who are so far away to feel a little closer-(I was able to do FaceTime with Mom tonight), to have had two interviews in the week I've been here with two more scheduled...the list could go on. I feel so blessed. There's so much to be thankful for!

Looking, Looking, Looking....

Looking for housing, looking for a job, looking for friends in Arizona... I'm just looking, looking, looking! (I could probably add more to that list, but I won't.) I got here (to Arizona) on Tuesday. The weather is a-mazing to say the least. People are still in shorts (in November...unreal!)! It's supposed to be 90 degrees a couple of days next week! I'm hoping this next week brings good things. I had a little bit of a freak out when I first got into town, but I feel better about things now. I do feel like I am supposed to be here, it's just hard when things haven't quite come together yet. I know that takes time. We shall see. I do have a couple of leads on jobs and some leads on housing as well. I also have two photography jobs possibly in the works. So, that's good.