I Heart New York!

Yea for trips!! Last weekend I got to fly all night to hang out with my sister in New York as we both attended an Arbinger Seminar for work. When I was asked to go all they had to say was free ticket, meals and hotel and I was already mentally packed!! I am easily sold! I had lots of fun at the seminar, eating at bistros, riding the LIRR, walking the crazy busy streets,going to Legally Blonde and hanging out with my sister. Life really doesnt get much better..ok maybe it does but for right now it was a perfect get a way.


My sister and I got to walk through central park! Um..big!! I loved it. Although I did feel a little awkward when we walked through one part of the park I have decided to call 'love rock'. There were at least 10 couples there just making out. AWKWARD!! I did see one girl crying though... she probably would of disagreed with me on the 'love rock'part.

Need I say more about this photo? My husband and I love watching Gladiators!! I am a big supporter of muscular men demonstrating their talent by proving who has nicer legs. I took at least 4 pictures in front of this sign. It was fun.

My brother Dave was coming home from Italy and had a connecting flight in New York on the day Steph and I were flying home. I missed him by only 20 minutes or so. He got to meet up with my sister Stephanie. Lucky her! It was Dave's birthday on Monday and so I got him the best b.day present ever. A happy smiley face cookie!! It sure made him happy. Happy late birthday again Dave!! Love ya, ya narcissistic freak!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

We LOVE our Dads!!! Happy Father's Day!!

The Olympic Trials

I love the Olympics. I get so pumped to watch them. I don't care what sport, I am fascinated by them. I loved it when they came to Utah. That was an awesome time in my life and I will never forget that. I am really excited for the Olympics in China. Today, at UNLV, they held the Olympic qualifiers for Judo and wrestling. It was so cool to watch. This morning was the quarter finals and semi finals and this afternoon were the finals. They also are having a few more of the finals tomorrow and are going to have a ceremony for the 2008 USA wrestling and Judo teams. Those people work so hard and sacrifice so much to become good at their sports. I have such deep respect for them. I heard a quote once that said "Champions don't become champions in the ring, they are only recognized there." I loved that quote. It is so true.

Jaimie came home today and as soon as she got off the plane I took her to go and watch the finals. She wasn't too thrilled with that. She was hungry, tired, and said, "wrestling is just a sport the Romans made up so they could act gay and get away with it." Who ever agrees with her is gay and stupid!! Wrestling is one of the hardest sports. I would like to see any of you who think that go three rounds in a ring. It is grueling!! Everytime they would announce another member of the US team I would get goose bumps. I am so excited!!

The HULK!!

This weekend while Jaimie was off in New York, going to seminars, the broadway, Central Park, a bunch of bistros, and having the time of her life; I was stuck in Vegas. But I still managed to have some fun....even without my wife. My cousin Luke and his friend Jared were staying with us for a couple of days. They both just graduated from high school and wanted to hit a bunch of skate parks down here before they both start college. They are really big into biking. On Friday night we went and saw The Hulk! I really liked this movie. The very first scenes were filmed in Brazil so they were speaking portugese. It was so cool. I would recommend this movie. I give it **** (four stars).

This HULK is MINE (that's what she said)!!

HISTORIC DAY!

Today has been a day of deep thought and reflection. I love these days when I am so deep in thought I can be taught by the spirit. Three years ago I entered the M.T.C, meek, timid and scared out of my mind. I knew I was supposed to go on a mission, but I just did not know how I would actually do it!

Here is my very first journal entry of my mission:

WED. JUNE 8th 2005
( Doc. & Cov. 31:3 'lift up your heart and rejoice for the hour of your mission is come...)
1 St Day !!!!!
I now know what happens after you leave your family!! (Why in the world do they show those 'family isn't it about time' videos right before you depart from them- question to ponder about) No one can explain it to you- it’s purely a unique experience.
Its been a good day. There has definitely been some sad seconds. BUT I hope I can do this!! I hope I can stay and be happy and feel worthy and righteous for this calling. I want this more than anything I can think of.
Pres. Marriott during our interviews asked me if I could feel of my goodness??? He said he could feel it. I thought that to be odd. He said I needed to recognize it, actually, more like I needed to feel it myself. - He told me that that would be my strength on my mission- people would recognize my goodness (not to be confused with goodies) and be drawn to that. That has meant a lot to me.
There is so much that I can and probably should write, but I lack the time. I think it wise to start being obedient - Lights out.
Pray for me, Sister Jay Smith P.S. My ankles have swollen up from just sitting all day- I tell you the sacrifices!!

So much in my life has changed from that very first night in the MTC. I have grown up so much and my growing has not stopped since my mission ended. There is a quote from Joseph Smith that says, "God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it- you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kindgom of God." My mission did just that to me. I felt Him take hold of me and wrench my very heart strings and I watched as He did that to others. And while I feel like the "wrenching" is a never ending wrench I have grown in perspective and knowledge. I loved my mission, my companions and all the members and non-members out in North Carolina!! (It truly is the best mission, ha ha)
I know this church to be true! I know it was restored and that Pres. Monson is the Prophet today. I pray that from this day forth each of you will take time to strengthen your testimonies. Make Christ your rock. Make your one desire in life to please God and not man.

St.George

Good view of their bald spots...

This weekend Josh and I made a quick trip up to St. George, Ut. to hang out with my brother and his wife who were down celebrating Ariels b.day! Happy Birthday, again!! This time I made Josh drive to St. George while I studied and because last time I drove I got a ticket! That is three since I married Josh!! We went to a place called Fiesta Fun. We started out the day by playing a mean game of mini golf. Now that we have lived in Las Vegas for a year we have become a gambling couple and we made a bet for drinks to who ever won. Josh and I became pretty confident after the first hole when Ariel hit her ball into the water. I must say however, it was worth seeing Sean and Josh dig it out of the water. To our dismay we lost the first game!! No drinks for us.
We then went go carting, played arcades, went to the batting cages (a first for me!)and then went on the bumper boats. Josh started a war with one of the employees and the employee ended up winning!! Josh got drenched!! But I didnt mind the wet t-shirt!!

We ended up playing another mini golf game that Josh and I won which was a double or nothing game. I still thought we had to buy drinks but aparently the "nothing" part means you don't owe anymore. Now you can see how much we really do gamble...
Thanks Sean and Ariel for letting us come up and hang out!!

Stomp Out Loud

We have lived in Las Vegas for a year now. We decided since we were down here we would enjoy the clean entertainment while we were here. We really like to see shows down here. They are kind of expensive, but if you can find coupons or have your parents come down and pay for them, they are not that bad. Since we have been here we have seen the Bodies exhibit twice, the Blue Man group, the Tournament of Kings, Penn and Teller, and the Phantom of the Opera. Our latest show that we saw was Stomp Out Loud. We went to it for our anniversay. It was so much fun. It is a bunch of people using random house-hold appliances to make beats, combined with clapping, snapping, stomping, etc to make some really cool music. They were really funny also. I think that it was better than Blue Man group!! It was so funny to see Josh try and clap with the guy on stage. He was way off. He kept reminding me that he has no rhythm. If you guys get the opportunity to go you should!! It is worth it...as long as you have a coupon.