the formula

"We live in a time when many worry about their livelihood. They are concerned about the future and doubt their ability to resolve the challenges that confront them. Many have experienced personal misfortune and sadness. They hunger for meaning and purpose in life.

Because there is such great interest in these issues, the world is not bashful in offering numerous new answers to every problem we face. People run from one new idea to the next, hoping to find something that will answer the burning questions of their souls. They attend seminars and buy books, CDs, and other products. They get caught up in the excitement of looking for something new. But inevitably, the flame of each new theory fades, only to be replaced by another “new and improved” solution that promises to do what the others before could not.

t’s not that these worldly options don’t contain elements of truth—many of them do. Nevertheless, they all fall short of the lasting change we seek in our lives. After the excitement wears off, the hollowness remains as we look for the next new idea to unlock the secrets of happiness.

In contrast, the gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers to all of our problems. The gospel is not a secret. It is not complicated or hidden. It can unlock the door to true happiness. It is not someone’s theory or proposition. It does not come from man at all. It springs from the pure and everlasting waters of the Creator of the universe, who knows truths we cannot even begin to comprehend. And with that knowledge, He has given us the gospel—a divine gift, the ultimate formula for happiness and success."

A quote from President Uchdoft that meant a lot to me this week. I heard a lot of conversations about how Donald Trump is going to ruin America and how the FDA is trying to kill us this week. So much doom and gloom. This quote brought light and hope to my soul.

weekend with the Howards

We were so lucky this weekend to have some of our great friends from Utah in town. Lisa and Trent were in my ward growing up and have stayed great friends ever since. It turned out that we got married the same weekend as them, same temple, same reception place. It's so fun because we are in exactly the same phase of life.

Both Miles and Trent had to work most of the weekend, so Lisa and I got to have some fun girl time exploring the city. I loved having a little piece of home here.

 Coit tower has my favorite view of the city.

The steep streets, I love them.

 These houses are called the "Painted Ladies" or "Colored Women" as Miles calls them.

You might recognize them from Full House!

 On Friday night we met up with our husbands after work. We really wanted to ride a trolley car, so we found one and hopped on. Once we were riding up the hill a worker came around the collect everyone's money and we realized we didn't have enough cash to pay so they stopped the trolley and made us jump off. It was fun while it lasted!

 Rainbow Road in Union Square.

 

On Saturday morning Lisa and I hit the Farmers Market on the Embarcadero then jumped on this cute street car and headed to the other side of town. We rented bikes and rode across the Golden Gate Bridge. This was probably the highlight of the whole weekend. The trail takes you along the beach and then across this amazing bridge. So much fun and a workout too!

Saturday night we met up with Miles and Trent for the Chinese New Year Parade. I have been to a lot of parades in my day, but never one of like this! I loved all the dragons and people dressed up like monkeys or warriors. There were so many people there for the parade and so many fireworks going off, it was such a fun experience.

 After the parade we had dinner in China town and got some fireworks of our own to celebrate.

Man oh man, we are so lucky to live in such a fun place.

Thanks for coming to SF and giving us an excuse to party all weekend, Lisa and Trent!

Valentine's Weekend.

Our Valentine's Day weekend consisted of a lot of working for Miles, but we still snuck in some fun and donuts!

Friday night our good friend Adam was in town on his way to Fiji, so we got to hang out with him long enough to make cookies and drive to the airport.

Saturday night one of Miles super awesome college professors was in town so we met up with her for dinner in the city then we hit up our (my) favorite donut place in the city. 

Trish's Mini Donuts located on Fishermans Wharf has the best freshly made mini donuts.

As you wait in line you watch them get fried and dipped in sugar. They melt in your mouth because they are so warm and fresh.

I just donut know what I would do without my valentine! 

glued.

The other day at work my boss asked me what it means to be sealed in an LDS temple. I did my best to explain, then she says, "Okay so basically you are glued together forever?"

YES!

I love that. Glued together forever. With extra strong super super sticky glue that will hold forever if you take care of it.

I have a lot of alone time to think lately. (It's still busy season..blahhh)

I was thinking about where I was a year ago & a very funny memory came to me. Last year exactly around valentines day, Miles and I met up for dinner at Cubby's in Lehi. He was down in Utah County for a concert and we hadn't seen each other in months. We hadn't been talking a ton around that time because we had both been dating other people. We had both just broken up with someone, so during dinner the topic of dating and breaking up came up. We laughed about how weird and lame dating can be. At one point Miles said something along these lines to me, "You know, the more I date the more I realize that I don't care what my wife looks like or if we like exactly the same things, I just really want to marry my best friend."

I agreed, "I just want to marry my best friend too."

I remember so clearly this thought going through my head..."WAIT, Miles is my best friend!" Ahhhh!

Four months later we started dating, then three months after that we were married.
He is still my best friend.

Forever!

sutro baths

Sunday is the best day.

Church was awesome and uplifting.

We took a long Sunday nap.

It was 70 degrees outside.

We drove up the road to check out the Sutro Baths.

They are the ruins of a saltwater swimming pool from the early 1900's.

The sunset was beautiful.

I'm so glad we live here.

It's quite overwhelming the blessings I have been given.

in the kitchen.

Here is our little kitchen wall.

After a trip to Ikea and a bunch of command strips, we now have a fun gallery wall to look at.

I love making this old little house our own.

Hello, february!

February started with a bang! (Literally)

On Tuesday evening I went to Walgreens to get some new mascara. I parked right in front of the store and ran in for about 10 minutes. When I came out, I found a shattered window! We had a 72 hour kit in the back that someone must have thought they needed, so they took it.

It was a little scary, but the sweet little old Walgreen ladies hung out with me outside until Miles came. We thought it was pretty lame that someone would do that.

On the happy side though, Miles got to leave work at 8:00 instead of 11:30PM!

Our church is a 15 minute drive away in a little beach town called Pacifica. It's the most beautiful drive along the coast and up a mountain to the church. On our way home from church, we sometimes stop by the beach in our church clothes. We get some pretty weird looks from people. Last week it was so windy we could barely stand up straight!

We both got callings in our ward a few weeks back. Miles is a ward mission leader, he gets to help the full time missionaries and the new members of our church. I am helping in the Young Womens with all the teenaged girls. They are wild, hilarious, and so much fun!

We are lucky enough to be living in Super Bowl City this year. (Ha!)

I couldn't care less about football, but it was pretty fun to go to the Super Bowl City party downtown last night. We braved the crowd with some friends from our ward. There was a free One Republic concert, really great cookies and ice cream, and fireworks! Yay, Super Bowl!

There are some great photo bombers in this one. I don't know that girl behind me...

& just in case I'm ever in a bad mood. I'm just going to keep this terrible shot of me and Jenna Facetiming right here so I don't forget. HA! I misssss heeerrrrrrr.