Soccer Dance

This last Friday night I was able to attend another YSA dance in Spokane. We left Sandpoint around 7:30 and got to the dance around 9 pm. We were the first ones there, literally. The lights were still on, and they were making the play list for the dance...Needless to say we heard every song twice that night. A few of us played soccer for awhile before people really started showing up and they turned the lights off.

And so the dance begins. This is Minta Kramer with her Thriller dance. Ha - ha.

The dance theme was Soccer due to the World Cup. Most all the guys were wearing their mission jersey's and most all the girls were wearing something they found at a thrift store or borrowed from a friend. I was fortunate enough to borrow Adam's Jersey he got in Venezuela. The picture above is my friend Kyli Tompkins and I.

Megan Cohen, Kyli Tompkins and I.

I was also able to pick up my friend Kaynie Nelson from Post Falls, WA. She just relocated there and was free. We met up with Nicole Attridge at the dance who lives in Spokane, WA. These 2 ladies I met in Alaska summer of 2008 when I worked for Princess Tours. It was fun to have a mini reunion for a night. We also ran into another friend from Alaska that Summer Bethanie, but she took off before my camera had charged enough to get a photo!

Minta Kramer and I dancing!

Matthew Bouse, Jeff, Megan, Me and Kylie hanging out at the Stake center in Spokane.

Minta messing around. Funny thing is, she's not even touching me!!!

Kyli and I. We have so much fun together! Love her!

Taking time for a pyramid!

After the dance it's tradition for us to stop by Denny's on the way home. Our group of 9 had the best waitress ever. You could tell Carla had had a rough night. When we arrived there was 3 really drunk girls who didn't even tip her and had made a huge huge mess. So we made sure to tip her well:) All in all we had such a fun night! Kyli and I made it back to my apartment by 2 am, and headed to bed. Then we ended up talking till around 5 am as it started to get light. It was fun to talk about different things both of us are going through. It's nice to have new friends:)

An Act of Service

A few months back we went up to Libby, MT for a day of service, and dodge ball:) We met at the bishops house where he had a few projects laid out for us to begin. We tore out the front porch that was rotting, raked the lawn, built a ramp to the door, fertilized the lawn, and chopped wood. There was 6 of us total that went up together:) It was a lot of fun to work side by side, pull nails and boards, and chat with the Libby/Troy missionaries. Staci Leonard and the Bishop provided a lunch/meal for us and we headed to the church for dodge ball. We ended up playing soccer, which was way fun. Good friends, positive memories:)

Tearing out the deck.

Katie Curtiss and Rashell Trunell raking the lawn

fun fun fun with Kim!

Matthew Bouse and John Hull chopping wood

Rick had a health fair at work before the service project so he still had his outfit on!

All Dogs Go To Heaven

So as most everyone knows, last night mom and dad let Bodie out to go poddy at the usual time - 2 am. After waiting awhile mom had to leave him outside as he would not return home. In the morning they expected he'd be waiting to be let in, or bark. They heard nothing. Dad went out all morning in search for our missing dog. He searched the woods, talked to all the neighbors, went all directions and did not see one trace of Bodie. He came home to inform her of the lack of his findings. They called me at work. I had to step in the other room and shed a few tears. They posted it on facebook to let all the kids know, as well as the grand kids. I hear Maggie was beside herself! My little drama queen:) She was real attached to Bodie, and you'll see in the pictures below she LOVED Bodie. All the Grand kids did:) Over all Bodie was really good with kids, and was a fun puppy to have around. He was always aware of mom and dad's aches and pains, and would always be sensitive towards my feelings. He was my companion for the past few years in many ways spending long lonely nights with me while mom and dad traveled the globe:) I have loved Bodie, and although puppy-sitting in my apartment wasn't my favorite...I'm glad I got to be as close to him as I was:) I hope he's safe, and not in pain, and I hope it's true....the saying...

"All dogs go to Heaven"

Bodie playing and cleaning a pup from Pipers latest litter last February.

Bodie rides Shot-gun in mom's car!

Bodies favorite place for an evening winter nap:) Wrapped up in dad's blanket in his lap:)

He is so spoiled:)

Dad walks Bodie in the park in Issaquah, WA

Bodie plays with Deanna in the snow:) The first snowfall of 2009

Bodie, Piper and .... Oh my I can't even remember the other dogs name! Sorry Brandi and Adam! Oh wait, Bowser - that's right. Here Maggie playing with all the dogs.

He was king of the lawn:)

I love him so much. I even took my senior pictures with him:)
Look how tiny he was!

The dog-sitter:)

When you would talk to body, he would turn his head to the side - almost as if he was confused. If you turned your head to the other side, he would repeat the gesture. It'll be sad to talk to David on the phone when he'll ask me, "where's Bodie, Where's Piper?" He is always so concerned about his dogs. The family dog - is missing. We still don't know if he got taken by an animal or not. It is the best scenario though that we could come up with. Especially since he doesn't stay away from home this long, is never this quiet, there is no trace of him...

God be with you til' we meet again, Bodie!

I have the best Sister in the Whole Wide World

It's true:) It's been a rough few weeks! Especially with the news about Bodie today, it's just been kind of a lot to take on at once! But we're all strong, and we've put on our best smiles and are trying real hard to get through any trials that are thrown our way:) My sister must have known that I needed words of love and encouragement. I got off work today, and came home to grab a few things before heading over to mom and dad's. I saw on my doorstep a box from PRO FLOWERS or something. I thought they had delivered it to the wrong address. I skimmed over it, and it said San Diego, California. I don't know anyone in San Diego, so I opened it up:) They were from my sister. She and Andrew are the sweetest! I know I can always count on them even if they are 300 miles away from Sandpoint! Thanks Stephanie and Andrew, David and Hannah. I love and miss you!


BEAUTIFUL ROSES:)

The card that was inside:) Thanks David and Hannah, you made my week!

Weekly Routine

Many function best when a set schedule can be carried out. Early to bed - Early to rise. It also helps if you can tackle set meal times, set working hours, and daily exercise. I have come to realize - I eat whatever I really feel like . . . I in no way go to bed early (hence the hour of this here post) & I don't wake up early by choice (unless there is something to do). Also daily exercise? Uhh, it's not often that its "daily".

I've tried to stop eating after 7 pm. I've also started drinking LOTS AND LOTS of water. Sometimes to the point I think I'm going to drown my own body, but I know it's just cause I'm not used to it. Since I haven't been a soda person in the past, switching for any other beverage wasn't a hard change.

I have jogged everyday since Monday. Rain or shine. The route has changed, but I've gone down roads I didn't even know existed here in Ponderay/Kootenai.

I have not accomplished to "early to bed - early to rise," although I hope to very soon. I think going into summer it'll be important for me to remember that life is not all about work and play. There is a time for both yes, but I need to make sure I'm taking care of my own health. Another very important aspect I've implemented is some of the Sandpoint 7. Many of you don't know what the Sandpoint 7 are, so I'll help you out.

The Sandpoint Seven are guidelines the Sandpoint Stake gave to help bring families closer to Christ. The seven tasks if carried out - will help each and everyone of us be happy, and feel the and be more in tune with the spirit every hour of every day.

1. Daily Personal Scripture Study
2. Daily Personal Prayer
3. Daily Family Scripture Study
4. Daily Family Prayer
5. Weekly Family Home Evening
6. Regular Temple Attendance (as much as situations allow)
7. Service

My Daily routine has drastically changed since moving out on my own. I wake up each morning and immediately kneel. This week Bodie really tested my patience with this as he would claw at my legs to get me to get up and let him out poddy while dog sitting for mom and dad. After a prayer, and turn to the scriptures. I read for about a half hour, and then get ready for the day. After showering and preparing myself for work - I try and sit and read past General Conference addresses, Ensigns, and any other material. I search topics on LDS.ORG appropriate to what I'm going through, or what I might stand in need of. After that, I make myself something to eat, and head to work. After work - I usually make a phone call...sometimes two:) Then I grab my scriptures, and continue reading where I left off earlier in the morning. After finishing my reading, I kneel by my bedside and close the day with a prayer once more.

This routine has 1. Help me feel comfort in all the trials I've been going through. 2. Help me feel the spirit continually. 3. boosted my mood and self confidence. 4. Enlightens me that my Savior loves me, and is with me.

So not only am I trying to change some things about my weekly routine, but I'm always looking for ways to better myself. If I have learned one thing from Ryan, It's been that I can achieve greatness. I don't have to settle for anything less that what I truly deserve. I deserve happiness and self-fulfillment. I get that daily by how I choose to live my life. I could choose to sit and watch TV all day . . . But I'm not going too:) Not anymore at least. I hardly check Facebook anymore. Although it looks like I post alot, I used to be on facebook for hours after work, catching up with friends. Not that that is not important anymore, I just need to take more time caring for my own "self" and Facebook in no way, shape or form can actively do that:)

This week I will implement another Sandpoint Seven, service. I have become aware of local organizations that are in need of a weekly helping hand. I have contacted a few individuals who have sent me paperwork to look over. I felt that in devoting free time I had to help out a cause that would better not only my community - but myself to, I should actively seek that out.

Another Sandpoint Seven guideline I've been trying my hardest to work into my schedule is weekly Family Home Evening. Usually this is with the Sandpoint Young Single Adults, and that has really been great. We do FHE on Sunday nights, and most young adults are off work and school on Sunday's. It is difficult to do them on Monday nights. Usually attendance goes down, and it's "thrown together". I look forward to FHE with the YSA. We are a strong group of people, and we are able to uplift each other through scripture, and spiritual thoughts. Following a lesson we play games, eat dinner and/or dessert and mingle until we've overstayed our welcome at a Stake Members home.

All these steps I've been taking to alter my weekly and daily routines have helped me have more energy, feel the spirit more, receive answers and blessings. I have so much to be grateful for:) My family has been a huge support for me this past few months. I love each and everyone of my brothers and sisters so much, and feel I don't express my appreciation towards them enough. Last night my sister commented on my Facebook with:

"I just called to say I love you! I just called to tell you that I care!....(I am singing to you)..."

What a sweet thought it was for her to think of me. Growing up I remember mom always calling my older siblings and leaving them voicemail recordings of that very song. It's a simple reminder that we don't always have to have a reason to call one another. I think I have that flaw. I can't remember the last time I called any brother of mine or their spouses to just say I love them, and I appreciate them. I really should do it more often. I'm more of a silent lover. But it's something I want to do better. Living at home with mom and dad is entertaining on Sunday nights. That is the night that most all of the kids call home:) The phone rings off the hook as each child takes their turn through the evening, putting their kids on the phone, talking about their past week, and then their upcoming week. Sometimes on Sunday night, I miss that...Living with mom and dad I had an excuse to talk to my brothers and sisters more. Primarily because I'd answer the phone:) I'm not complaining, I'm perfectly able to pick up the phone and call to say hello - just like they are, but our lives or so busy sometimes. I set a goal (just now) to make sure I don't only call my siblings when I need something... Because I don't only want to talk to them at that point in time, I want to talk to them all the time:) I don't have enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do. Maybe I should be more like Sulet Hiatt and get up at 4 am to do my running, so that I have enough minutes in everyday to get done all the things I see fit.

Well No pictures, once again on this post:) Just an update. I'm happy, I'm healthy (minus the occasionally head pains - but survivable) I'm doing good!

Hello, Mister Heartache - I've been expecting you.

I'll be okay:) Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and I'll seek his guidance in this. We shall see what time shall bring.

I'm a survivor, I'm going to make it!

Keep me in your prayers? Thanks!

Game Nights:)

Recently we've been able to get together as YSA and play games:) It's been so fun. I've noticed a pattern in the pictures though - apparently I get really intense, and really into it. haha - and Matt Bouse still always wins.

Me Planning my next Chess move.
(Note: I've never played Chess ever)

So fun, but i'm still losing!

Why do I look so serious all the time!

When the time is right - It will be right.

I AM NOT, NOR WAS I EVER BEFORE .... ENGAGED.

Another one of those blogs that consists of random thoughts and feelings I've had the past couple days that result in the lack of sleep at night...for me.

The past week has been a rough one. To put it lightly I have been put in a situation I don't feel is very fair to me. Being this is my blog (and pretty much anyone could be reading this) I don't want to say much about it other than it has been so heartbreaking.

All I know is that with scripture study, fasting, and being prayerful I know everything will be OK:) I have so much faith that taking the necessary steps daily to ultimately get to where I want to be someday - everything will work out. President Hiatt really put it into perspective for me this last week in saying: "when the time is right, it will be right"

I have never once felt that I was rushing into something that I wasn't prepared for. I have diligently been calling upon the spirit to lead and guide me. No one is perfect, and sadly, but surely everyone makes mistakes. Some larger than others! Thankfully for most of us, we have the truthfulness of the gospel and unwavering testimonies that get us through. I have never once ever been in-active in my life! In fact, through my years I have had one of the strongest testimonies given the family I was placed in. It's kind of hard to get off the beaten path with 4 older brothers and a sister who thinks she's "mom" even if I had wanted too. I cherish the gospel and the presence of the spirit in my life daily. I feel I was able to witness [growing up the youngest of 6] my parents live the scripture from John : I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth. The smiles on their faces when my brothers would open a mission call, report to the MTC, get married in the temple, return to school, return with honor, receive patriarchal blessings...all these things have filled my parents with joy - and I was able to see that ... Times five.

I have never once in my life been told I was holding someone back. That I wasn't adored. It is rough to hear that you don't have the love or support from someone you have the utmost respect for. Someone I look up to so much - yet, hardly know. I appreciate and love Ryan's whole family so much. They are awesome. The love and support they share for one another is great:) It reminds me much of my own family and my own siblings. All our parents ever wanted for the Noble kids is for them to make good choices in order to get to where we need/want to be. In watching most my brothers and sisters get married in the Temple it has only helped make it a priority for me. Seeing them and their families I can honestly say I can't wait for my big day [when the time is right]

Do I know for sure when or where....no. There is a lot of unanswered questions and unanswered prayers....but in due time when things are right - ultimately a decision will be made and things won't be so unanswered. Sometimes I feel like I could just write a novel and pour all my heart and feelings into my blog. But that would require me making my blog private which I am so against, as I still have friends from Alaska, College, and High School that try and keep up with it from time to time.

I pray for a day though that I can be accepted. For a day they'll be willing to get to know me. For a day people won't take others opinions or words and make them their own. A time when I can say "I've endured the worst, and now the best is yet to come:)" I know that the statement holds truth..."this too shall pass" and I have faith that me patiently waiting for that time to come will be beneficial. I question now (with the feelings I have) If I have ever been in Love. I know I have loved...but being IN LOVE is a much different feeling. I guess with the eternal perspective that is to be expected but I am now a statistic...one of the ones who can say "if only I knew then, what I know now"

I would delete a lot of the my previous entries, in fact I should. Truth of the matter is - I don't log in often enough to even update! I don't even think of posts I wrote when I was 18! Quite frankly my past is a part of who I am - as are the people of my past. The humorous posts of my PHASES, marrying Michael Phelps, or a testimony meeting I was inspired to blog about all mean something to me. Yes, I may be at a different Era in my life. In a whole new book, on a whole new shelf, in a whole new library, in a whole new state....but this is a journal. For my family to enjoy and keep up to date on my life. It elimates the questions - and I'm so glad we all have the blogs:) Basically I'm thankful for the gospel. I'm so indeed grateful for my amazingly supportive siblings. I know I can call upon each and every one of you in a time of need. I'm so grateful for Ryan and for the strong individual he is. I look up to him for what he was, what he is, and what he will be. I thankful for my parents and all the love and enduring kindness and support they offer me. They are awesome and I'm so glad I don't take them for granted. I'm thankful for the atonement and the fact that it never runs out. I'm thankful for good friends like Autumn, Rick and YSA to help me keep a sane head. I'm thankful for this trial - to test my patience and love. I know I'm strong. I know what I want, and what I need. I will get there when the time is right. With the wise words of Russ Hiatt persisting in the back of my head:

"When The Time Is Right, It Will Be."

Road Trip 20K2010

The Plan : April General Conference 2010
The Company : Ryan, Stuart, and Taylor Rios, Rick Curtiss, and Deanna
The Place: Rexburg, ID and Salt Lake City UT.

We began our trip like any other Noble family vacation...We left a little later than planned and made excellent time. The group departed from Libby around 7 pm headed south towards Rexburg. We arrived around 3:45 am and thought it would be appropriate to go to Stuarts apartment and quitely wake him up. Luckily his front door was unlocked so we just walked in. The boys went to the back bedroom to say hello and I waited in the living room. We talked for about 45 minutes with Stuart and formulated a plan for the following day. We stayed at Stephanie and Andrews that evening, but were so starving when we got to their apartment. Knowing my sister there are always DELICIOUS left overs in the fridge so I knew if I could make it to her apartment I wouldn't die of starvation:) Once there she had Ham, Potatoes, Salad, and Jello all in tupperwares in the fridge inviting us to eat. We couldnt help ourselves after such a long drive. I slept on the hide-a-bed, and Taylor, Rick and Ryan slept in David and Hannah's room. I woke up the next morning around 8 am when David came out, but I was so exhausted he just sat at the end of my bed watching a movie on his portable DVD player. I probably woke up around 9:30, made the boys some eggs... and then showered. Once we were all ready my FHE brother from Spring Semester 2009 Jeff Bench wanted us to stop in and enjoy some of his fries:) He makes the most mouth watering fries and fry sauce anyone could partake of. He also fried us up some hamburgers. He's probably the nicest guy I ever encountered at BYU-I. I'm so happy that I have friends from Rexburg I keep in contact with on a regular basis. After leaving there we gathered our stuff, picked up Stuart and began our journey towards Provo, UT where we'd be staying Friday night.

After Blackfoot we hit some very intense traffic, and were traveling at about 5 mph if we weren't sitting at a dead stop. It was about 40 - 50 minutes later we could see ahead an accident. It appeared to be one car in the median. We only were able to capture a couple pictures of the wreck before maneuvering around traffic to get ahead of the mess. Once we hit Pocatello the traffic pretty much dissipated and were on our way to bigger and better places.

Being that we got in so late the previous night, no one had really had the opportunity to get much sleep. Because I was the only female on the trip I somehow lucked out with shotgun the entire time...or it could be not so much luck, as it is the fact i'm dating the driver? Anyways Rick, Taylor and Stuart were pretty squeezed in the backseat if you can't tell...

(traveling stresses Taylor out)

Here is a beautiful picture of Taylor sleeping. Notice he had to sit forward to really get comfortable as all three guys in the back seat have broad shoulders. You can really tell how tired Taylor truly is by his finger in his eye that doesn't even phase him. Poor guys:)

The trip went fairly quick after we got into UT. Towns just flew by and before we knew it we had arrived at Bob's house (Rick's friend from Mission/School). After brief introductions and small chit chat we left Bob's to go meet up with Matt. Matt had bought a gun safe at a Costco in SLC and was bringing it back to Provo and needed help unloading it. While waiting for the safe to show up, Ryan, Stuart, Taylor and I drove around the Provo Temple and MTC. Once they arrived at Matt's house we went there and Ryan and Stuart proved to my brother they weren't just good looks. (note: Taylor spectated) Since we hadn't eaten since Jeff's we headed to IHOP and Matt joined us. It was fun for my brother to get to spend a little time with Ryan. We got back to Bob's pretty late and all went to bed:)

The next morning we got up early to head to temple square. We wanted to wait in line to attempt getting into one of the sessions Saturday. Once we arrived we were like #40 in line for the afternoon session. Which meant we were going to have to listen to the morning session over loud speakers while waiting in line all morning and afternoon. Can't complain though we did have fun sitting out in the cold:) We took the opportunity then to snap a few photos of Ryan, Stuart and Taylor. Because Taylor is leaving on his mission to Mexico in May - this would be one of the last times the brothers would really have the chance to create lasting memories and take pictures. I feel so blessed to have been able to be apart of their weekend together. It was so much fun!

It was quite difficult snapping pictures of the boys. They are photogenic even if they aren't looking at the camera! Silly guys:) Out of like 20 pictures i'd take in one setting - i'd maybe get one or two good ones where all three were looking at the camera smiling. Other than that they are laughing, joking and what not. But I can't complain because Kodak moments are just as good as any other:)

Ryan and his younger brothers Stuart and Taylor Rios.

Ryan and I braving the cold weather in hopes to get inside the conference center for the afternoon session!

Because it was so cold - I recommended that Taylor and his girlfriend go inside. She was freezing and didn't appear to be able to stand the cold. Stuart, Ryan and I waited in line holding their places.

During the morning sessions intermediate hymn we asked Taylor and Annie to come trade us so we could sit inside awhile. But then the sun came out and it temple square was empty. I asked Ryan and Stuart if maybe they wanted to go take some photos before the conference center emptied and thousands of people would be fighting to get those same pictures we were:) They agreed so we walked around temple square awhile and tried to listen to the talks.

These guys were just too much fun for me:)

What can I say.... I do love him!

The protesters were pretty mild this year...they kind of kept to themselves but they made their statement known.

After waiting in line outside for approximately 4 hours...they finally moved us inside the conference center in a holding like area. It was so cramped. My feet hurt so bad because I was wearing heels so while we stood inside I had to take them off. As people shifted around a seat became available, but only one. We made use of it by sitting on Stuarts lap.

They sat us right as the first speaker began. We were up in the nose-bleeds but I can't complain the experience of being there was far more intense than watching it on TV. Ryan and I sat directly behind Stuart, Taylor, and Annie. It was awesome. I was able to attend the session in which Jeffery R. Holland gave his talk on the difference in Love and Lustful things we seek after. It was so awesome. Everyone was in awe as he "told it like it is". There are no words for the emotions and spirit that took place.

Afterwards we filed out of the conference center and walked awhile around Temple Square. It was jammed packed of conference goers and a line ten million years long for preisthood session:)

Rios Trio.

Then plus me.

It's almost as if he is saying i'm all his...only... he's really mocking his brother.

Saturday and Sunday nights we went up to Park City where a friend was house sitting. It was so awesome. I had so much fun with the guys. They watched movies, played video games and pool...and we even got to go hot tubbing. It was snowing the whole time in Park City so that made the winter experience that much better! Because it was so cold on Sunday and we were so tired for the traveling and whatnot catching up with us, we decided to stay in Park City and Provo on Sunday and not even attempt the Sunday line on Temple Square.

Monday morning we hit the road back to Rexburg. Overall the experience of Conference was awesome. I loved every minute of the talks, walking around Temple Square, Provo, Park City, The boys, the memories...everything could not have gone better. It was a beautiful weekend. Plus I was able to spend "some" time with my sister. Never enough time, but some time!

So we say so-long UT and Southern ID, and head for Libby, MT. As tired as we were the trip was coming to a close - and it appears, others trips were finished also.