December 29, 2009

Colors of my life....

Pike Place Market. Seattle, Washington.

December 27, 2009

My thoughts...

....At this moment in T.I.M.E
I want more. More of what you ask? More T.I.M.E to do things I love. If I had more, this is what I would do....


1. Read. I love to read. I don't do it much anymore. Robbie told me about this article he read about Steven Covey how he fits 2 hours of his day to read and to learn. EVERY DAY. 2 HOURS!

2. Serve. My dear friend, our landlord, is moving in a few days to Texas, and she is uber stressed out and there is only so much I can do to help her get ready. I want to relieve her stress and comfort her. But I can only do so much... Why? Because I don't have enough time.

3. Exercise. I have been putting this in my schedule more than usual but not as much as I would like.

4. Go to the Temple. Robbie and I go once a month, but I wanna go more. I love that place. Like a lot.

5. Do the Lord's will. I focus so much what I want to do.... Such as this list.. What does he want me to do?

6. Dejunk my nasty apartment. I have always kept spaces I lived in pretty dang clean, but since starting my photography buisness, my apt has been put on the back burner. Like waaayyyy on the back burner!


These are the few things that came to me pretty quickly. I know many people who get all this done and more during a week or a day. I need to organize my life better. Find a way to balance it all. I know its such a common issue to not have a balanced life but I believe it can be done. I just don't know where to start. Can someone help me? What are ways you complete your "to-do" list, or do those things your heart most desires? I need some tips.... I love to learn from others....
Let me Learn from you!

December 20, 2009

CA-RISS-MAS Time with the fam



Attention Notice: So I just did this whole post, but there are more of our friends and fam looking for OUR BIG announcement... Just scroll down.


Temple Square: A Utah Tradition.

As it is with so many families, it is with mine. Here are the highlights of our little rondayvoo.

We started the night with a pig and a musician.... (That's a weird sentence)


This is Princess Amanda serenading us to some fab Christmas Carol.



But the Princess could not have all the attention, Cool dude needed to feel the love.



We made our way to Crown Burger, and Michelle was feeling attention derived as well. And I guess in my family, the way to get attention is to act like an animal?

Here is da widdle kitty...




Of course if you go to the Skquare, (thats my gansta word for Temple Square) you have to stop for photo's. And you can bet your bottom dollar we did just that....



Look at that good looking family! Of course there were a few member missing...

Jeff and Stacy: Minnesota
Kyle and Natalie: Busy with work:(


Me and the Rob dog... So Im not vain... (well maybe a little.) And I like these two pictures so much I put both up... Dont judge me. Oh and can you please tell me how adorable my hat is?





And I love this picture of my little sister... Its so... Solemn in a way...



And that concludes our night of pics... Oh except for Rae Rae... She's kind of a confused soul and thinks we are her family. Its okay... We'll totally claim her...






And boys and girls just remember this one thing...

Jesus is the Reason for the Season :)

December 18, 2009

Our BIG HUGE Announcement

IT FINALLY TIME TO TELL YOU ALL....
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WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SHARE....
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OUR BIG HUGE NEWS.....
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WE'RE HAVING A.....
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M I S S I O N ! ! ! ! !
(And by mission we mean journey)




Bob and I are going to Baylor Dental School in Dallas Texas!
We could not be more excited!
We leave June 2010!




December 14, 2009

The spirit of CHRISTmas.

Ah man, I love little reminders like this! Gets me cryin like a little baby:)

Enjoy my friends!

xoxo

December 13, 2009

MEET: THE GREG

The time has come. I feel like the world is ready. . . . maybe? It's time for the unveiling of the one (thank heavens:)), and only GREG, GREGGERS, GREGGY BOY!!

It is a very difficult process to begin to describe him. But I am ready to take on the challenge. He is a 6' 7" man of pure awesomeness. Who's motto in life is "Anything for a cheap laugh." And trust me peeps, he lives by this RELIGIOUSLY. Want some examples? OKAY!

CHEAP LAUGH #1




What is this picture of you are asking yourself? Well this is the Glove box of The Greg. That silver object to the left? The Remington 5000 nose hair trimmer.

On our way up to the Big SLC. He decided to trim up those hairs lurking out of his nose.

CHEAP LAUGH #3
(my life has been threatened if I show #2. But guys.... ITS FUUUNNNNYYY)


This video is The Greg to a T! In the middle of Temple Square, he felt the urge to whip out his Kazoo, (yes, he carries a Kazoo?) and entertain the world with Christmas Carols. Take a look!



(sorry its upside down. And sorry its a little shaky. I was laughing quite ridiculously hard.)



We think there might be crack in the kazoo:)


CHEAP LAUGH #4


When we were in the car on the way home, he started singing, ya know to get us to laugh. But it actually turned into a very calming, beautiful, peaceful moment. Its a video I will draw much love and happiness on for years to come.


(Once again, upside down, oops!)




Greggory Griggs.... I love you! Thank you for an unforgettable evening! Im sure we are all scarred for life:) xoxoxo


December 9, 2009

A list vs. Hit List

Its time for another installment of A List vs. Hit List. If you are new, and don't what this is. Click HERE to read the explanation.

This is A List vs. Hit List Holiday style....

Y E A H B A B Y ! ! !





1. SNOW! I have a slogan.... Say NO to SNOW. Forget drugs.... SNOW is much more dangerous.

2. COLD!!! Anything COLD. COLD tile floors. COLD covers. COLD steering wheel. COLD feet.

3. THE MALL... DUN DUN DUN! Dude talk about a nut house. Peeps are crazy there around this time.





1. Christmas Lights. They make me feel oh so Merry and Bright inside... and my apartment.

2. Wrapping Paper. I love pretty things. And festive holiday wrap is always a jolly joy!

3. Christmas Traditions. They bring me much jubilee inside and take me back to my kiddo days.

4. Christmas Movies! Oooh fuuudge! Only I didn't say "Fudge." I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word!... yeah, thats classic!


Well there you go! Holiday style baby!

What are some of your Christmas joys? Please tell....


December 7, 2009

To: Her

I feel her. Everyday. She is with me. She guides me. Directs me.

At Christmas it is stronger. Her spirit that is. She is not just felt by me, but by Robbie. We were decorating the tree. I was stringing the lights, he was holding the lights. He hugged me and squeezed me oh so tight, and with emotion in his voice, said, "I feel her. She is here."

Of course she was. While I was growing up, Christmas was her thing. Like how Peanut butter's thing is jelly. Christmas and her were meant for each other. You would look at her and your breath would be taken because you didn't know if you were looking at an angel or not. Christmas lights danced in her eyes. The smell of the tree was embedded in her clothes. Her heart radiated Christ's. She talked in Christmas tunes. She was at home. December was her home.

I miss her this time of year. Like really miss her. I want to smell her. Touch her. Talk to her.

But I know she is with me. Why? Because I feel her.




My tree this year is dedicated to her. To be honest, every year it is dedicated to her.

December 2, 2009

December 1, 2009

Broken Heart

Ya know those times in life when you made a decision and you know it's the right one, but still after you made it your in pain....

Like your heart is being sawed in half kind of pain.?!

Well this is one of those moments.


(Mrs Schaack's AM class 2009. Sorry, I don't have a photo of my PM class)

For the last 2 1/2 years my heart has belonged to the faces and spirits who have attended Learning Dynamics.

Teaching all my different classes, and all my different students has brought more joy to heart than I could ever imagine... or even expressed.

I will miss....

Listening to them try to say Mrs. Schaack. Some of the more classic ones are... Mrs. Tack, Mrs. Shick, Mrs. ummm.... how do I say your name?, and my favorite. Mrs. Wack.

Watching the light in their eyes as you compliment them for doing such a fantastic job coloring their paper.

Watching the light in their eyes as they connect what you are teaching them.

Dancing around the classroom.

Making up stories about Princesses and Dinosaurs.

Comforting them when someone doesn't share with them or if they got a boo boo.

But what I will miss more than anything is....


My kids storming, and knocking me down to give me a HUGE hug everday as they tell me over and over how much they love me.

I LOVE YOU CLASS!!!!!


Side note: To any of my parents who are reading this, if any, thank you for raising such beautiful children. Thank you for sharing their beautiful spirits and their light with me. Being a part of their life has changed me more than I could have explain. I am more full of patience, love, endurance, kindness, and all other things in between because you allowed them to be apart of my life. To you, I am forever indebted to you. Thank you.




November 25, 2009

My List of thanks!

Muchas gracias

Merci beaucoup


D a n k e

G r a z i e

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T H A N K Y O U
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Just like many of you, my heart is full of thanks for what I have. And what kind of American would I be without my list of thanks. So for Thanksgiving 2009, here my list of thanks.
(Please Note: These are in no particular order)


1. My heart rejoices this day for the heater that rests right now at the bottom of my feet. What a joy to stay warm as I talk to you. For this I give thanks.

2. My heart melts for the arms that wrap around me when I curl up in bed and snuggle up close to the man of my dreams. Even if he's asleep, his arms naturally wrap around me just to let me know that I am safe and loved. For this I give thanks.

3. My heart jumps this day for my clients. My hopes, dreams, and wildest aspirations are becoming true because of them. For this I give thanks.

4. My heart is warm as I think about my daddy and annettie slaving at home getting their home ready Thanksgivng. I give extra thanks to my daddio for being a bright shining beam of light love and happiness. For these people, I give thanks.



5. My heart sings for those who share their talents with the world. I give a special shout out to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and their 2006 Christmas CD, Spirit of the Season. (you don't own it? Shame on you!) For all of you who have found courage to tap into your creative side, and inspire me, for you, I give thanks to you.

6. My heart is humbled as I think of my Savior, Redeemer, and friend. To him I give ALL the thanks in the world

7. My heart giggles as I think of my sisters and how wonderful, pure and precious they are. Especially how they have made the conscious decision to remain modest, beautiful, young women. To you, my best friends, I give thanks.



8. My heart is honored as I think about the family who has changed my life. Has given me a sense of being, a family who has taught me what unconditional love and showed me what selfless service looks like. To you, Hoelschers, I give thanks.



9. My heart swells with love as I think of my brother serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints. He gives me strength every week as I eagerly read his letters of a strong testimony and devotion to our Savior and Redeemer of the world. To him, and ALL other missionaries serving I bow my head with respect and gratitude, and give thanks.




10. My heart is blessed as I think of these two perfect spirits who have blessed my family more than anyone will ever know. Whether by their notes of loves and encouragement, their Sunday night dance show, their unique sense of humor, or just how thin the veil is when you are around them. To you, Cool Dude Katie Perry Soto, and Princess Amanda, I give a HUGE thanks.



11. My heart is grateful as I think about the SCHAACK PACK. HOLLA!!! You are my familia! My friends! Your love for me and Robbie and sense of humors give me much much much much joy. To my father in law, You rock my world. To my mother in law, your heart full of charity is inspiring. To all of you, In Utah, Texas, or Cali, I give my thanks.

12. My heart melts, swells, sings, giggles, and everything else in between when I think of you. You are my ETERNAL COMPANION, my best friend, my partner in crime, my prince, my EVERYTHING. On this Thanksgiving, I give all my thanks, love, and devotion to you, Robbie Man. I love you.




November 24, 2009

Why I love my daddio

********Disclaimer: Don't judge me okay? It has a good beat...(Thats what she said)




We were driving up to the airport, I was in the passenger seat, Robbie in the back and my dad driving. My wonderful husband was going on about some science shenanigans.... I ACCIDENTALLY (maybe or maybe not.) stopped listening and noticed out of the corner of my eye, my dad and I were bobbing our heads in squence, ya know how they do it on Night at the Roxbury, to this song. We made eye contact, giggled, and continued enjoying the one and only Miley.


Robbie kept talking.




P.S. If your name is Liz... Keep your comments to yourself on this one, okay? Thanks.

P.S.S. Im not sure if Miley should be dancing in front of an American Flag? Maybe a little un-American?

Addiction

I "joined" weight watchers like I said. Has it worked? NO. Why? Because of me. I fear success. So instead I retreat to my fears. I get all pumped to wake up and to start this journey! I am positive every morning that I can succeed. I pray and turn my fears over to God and plead for his. He helps, he's with me, but I give up somehow, somewhere during the day. I feel like I can handle just one cookie, or one tiny milk chocolaty m&m. I give in. The taste of that sugar lingers on my lips and I want more. I dive into the cookie jar, and stuff my face. I eat one roll and NEED more. I have an addiction. And I don't know how to overcome it. My heart is breaking as I right this. How have I become this? Why did I let this happen? They say the first step is admitting. Well I admit it. I am addicted to food, and don't know how to overcome it.

So here's to admitting. Maybe I can do it tomorrow? Who knows.....

November 21, 2009

Zion

Today I was driving north bound on I-15 and as I drove across the top of the mountain tears quickly sprang to my eyes. At first I was all, what the? I have done this drive agazillion times. But as soon as my heart and brain connected what it was seeing, I started crying again. As I looked over the valley I saw the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and the Jordan River Temple stand tall and steady straight across from each other, and in that moment, overwhelmed by the beauty of the House's of the Lord, I felt Zion warm my heart.


Want to know something else that warms heart?

November 19, 2009

The Blind Side

Oh I could not be more excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are my most favorite of all favorite kinds of movies.


I also adore Sandra Bullock. YIPITY SKIPITY

November 18, 2009

A list vs. Hit List

I want to start a new segment on here called A LIST vs HIT LIST.

My A LIST includes my favorite things of the moment, or something slash someone who makes my life easier, or basically anything that makes me smile.

My HIT LIST is, well, anything that does not make smile.... Here is my list for this week.




1. My Bed. I feel as though I have not seen much of her lately, but none the less, she is in my thoughts constantly.

2. Christmas! Sweet silver bells! I love this holiday!!! A favorite tradition of mine has become the day after Thanksgiving, I stop wherever I am in my scripture study and read the four gospels so I can focus on the Saviors life, and his teachings. Highly Recommended:)

3. My Mac!! I have this one. This is sad to admit, but I spend more time on it than I do with my husband.... Did I just admit that?

4. Les Miserable. How is it possible to hear the soundtrack a million times, and see the play a dozen and still ball like a baby? The music gets to me. It touches my soul! I love it!

5. Seinfeld on DVD. I got it for Robbie Man for his birthday. Lets just say we could not be happier:) It came with a deck of Seinfeld cards and a salt and pepper shaker shaped like ketchup and mustard! Now that defines awesomeness right there.





1. Snow, Ice, Slush, Cold. These are the reasons why we will never live in Utah once we leave for dental school.

2. Lost Remote Controls. How is it that we live in the 21st century and no one has invented a remote control finder? Ya know like how cordless phones have pagers. Yeah a pager should be standard on every TV.

3. Dental School Interviews. HALLELUJAH they are over! I feel totally blessed that Robbie got so many but, seriously, I am so over sleeping by myself.

4. Losing Weight. Ugg..... nuff said


Well this concludes my list for the present time



Mammograms

This morning I started my morning as I always do... Take a 30 minute shower (yeah, yeah, I am totally wasting water. But its the only thing that helps me wake up. I feel guilty, obviously not enough to change) then lay on the couch for 20 minutes to wake up even more, and then dash to the bathroom to eventually get ready in like 2.5 minutes... Explains why I look the way I do lately:)

This morning I was watching the The Today show and they were doing a feature story on some new science research done by a task force uping the recommend age to receive a mammogram from 40 to 50.

WHAT?????? Are they nuts??? Breast cancer, I think, is the number 2 most deadliest cancer for women. So with that statistic why would anyone increase the age even if their "scientific evidence" (but I have done my research on their research, and find it sketchy) pointed to that conclusion. I am totally flabbergasted by this. Seriously! If my insurance covered mammograms I would be getting them at 22. But because of stories like these, it gives my insurance more excuses not to cover me the way I deserve. I really think that any women out there who's insurance does cover it, or are in their 40's should seriously ignore this advice. I mean, really, Breast cancer can affect anyone of us.

November 12, 2009

Sleepless Night

Hi my name is Jessica. I require 10 hours of sleep a night. Oh no worries. Its only 3:15 AM. I sure I can squeeze that 10 hours in cuz I only have to be to work at 10 AM. GRRRRR

Who would have thought that I, Jessica, would not be able to fall asleep? Well its not my fault. I take no blame in this. Wobbie is gone. He is in Vegas at a Dental Interview. I can't sleep without him. I need him to tickle my back to sleep, and curl and snuggle up next to his warm body. Man! marriage changes things about your life you would never think. So this got me thinking about others things that have changed about me since I sealed the deal and got hitched. I compiled a short list of the things I came up with.

1. T.V. is not important to me anymore... Just The Office.
2. I have learned how to communicate.
3. I have turned into an adventurous soul. Such as: I will try basically any food, Occasionally I will eat leftovers, and I want to live outside the country.
4. I can't go more than 30 seconds without thinking about my man.
5. Formal Schooling has become important to me... Who ever thought that would happen?
6. I am sooooo much more patient. Long way to go, but I am learning.
7. My Love for Robbie never stops growing. It keeps getting deeper and deeper.
8. I take showers more regularly.
9. My favorite kind of movies are independent films or true stories. Verses what it used to be: chick flicks and comedies.
10. The most important thing that has changed in the past 2 and half years, is my testimony, and how much greater and deeper I understand the atonement and my relationship with my Father, and his son, my redeemer and brother Jesus Christ.

Well I am finishing this post at 3:30 AM. I hope I can finally fall asleep.

November 11, 2009

moral discipline

I have realized that I enjoy blogging. I feel like it gives me a voice. Whether someone is reading or browsing my pictures or not, it makes me feel empowered. And I like that. I decided to start a blog about my thoughts, opinions, jokes (okay maybe not so much), feelings.. Basically things that make me tic (tic as in tic toc, not your freakin ticking me off I wanna punch in you the face.) like a grand ol' clock. Read or don't read. Its more for me anyways.

Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because its right, even when its hard.

-Elder D. Todd Christofferson (quote from his talk given during October 2009 General Conference. Click here to read. Mormon, non mormon, anti mormon, jew, or catholic the first 1/3 of this talk is very thought provoking and helped me with insight to what kind of country I want to live in and what I need to do to instill those values in society. Read it. You won't be dissapointed.)


I have been putting it off for 2 months now. With excuse after excuse. Some of them were pretty legit though. But tonight i am officially fresh out and I know I have to buckle down and do it. Will someone hold my hand? Its hard to be an adult and do things alone. I miss having my mom take me (and pay) to go shopping, or my dad holding my hand as I crossed the street.


To discipline ones self is hard. For a couple reason. 1. It takes you out of your comfort and 2. You are setting yourself up to succeed. But what is the opposite of success? Yeah you guessed it... faliure.


Well I am trying to convince myself that I won't fail. And that I will have the moral discipline to continue on this journey even when it gets hard. I have to do it. I can do it. I need to have courage. I need to be strong.


Tonight I am starting my journey with Weight Watchers. uggg.... mixed feelings... wish me luck.