thoughts of an average girl

News and Realizations

2012-01-26T10:54:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know I'm not the best at updating this blog, and to be completely honest, I'm not so great at updating my journal...but since I did that two days ago, I should probably update this. So, it's pretty much official! Bryce and I are expecting our first child! I'm only 9 weeks along, and technically you aren't really supposed to be telling people you're pregnant until the second trimester comes along, but who cares? The only people who see this already know anyway. :) Bryce is super excited. I was really nervous up until yesterday, when I spoke with one of my good friends and companions from the mission, Shanae. She was telling me about this test that was run on a pregnant woman, where doctors put like a microphone or something inside her stomach/uterus to see just how much the baby can hear. Shanae described it as just putting a blanket over your head. The baby can hear practically everything! ESPECIALLY the mom and the people that the mother is around a lot. For some reason, this put me at ease. I mean, I was really nervous and scared about what happens after birth...I'm sure every mom can say they felt the same way with their first-born. So, for now, I'm at peace with the idea of having another person growing inside of me...for now. :)

Bryce is convinced I'll be a great mom. I told him I wasn't so sure. I don't say this for praise or to be reassured. I get it from Bryce every time we talk about it. And everyone we tell is sure of it, as well.

Anyway, life is just getting interesting. I'm just glad I'm living it with Bryce. :)

Well look at me...

2011-10-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

So, recently (as in, since being married...) I've discovered I'm a fairly decent cook. I didn't ever really take time when I was growing up to be in the kitchen with my mom to cook for anything, unless it was mac and cheese or unless I was being forced to do the dishes because let's face it, what kid actually likes doing the dishes? (Unless you're my cousin Natalie, and you don't complain about anything. Ever.) So, having to cook for myself and husband, I've learned I'm pretty good at following directions...except one time, when I was making chocolate chip cookies. I put in 3/4 cup of regular sugar, instead of 1/2 cup...it turned out WAY better, anyway. So that simple mistake was ok. Nay, it was GREAT. It's the only way I make cookies now. Anyway, I feel like I'm proficient at cooking now. I may not be the best and things that my sisters know how to do, I might not, so of course, I feel silly/stupid when they tell me how to do something that they've apparently doing for years. But, I'm getting there. Each time I try and new recipe (which seems to be a lot recently...thank you to pinterest.com) I feel good about myself when it turns out great. I want to try all the recipes on my food board on pinterest...that's a great goal that seems a bit overwhelming at times because I keep adding to it.

On another note, I'm excited for when I don't have to work any longer. Currently, I just want to craft all day and be one of those wives that just makes everything (kind of like my SIL Kristen...haha.) I'm not good at sewing. At. All. Which, I think my grandma might gringe at a little bit, though, one can't be sure. She would probably just smile at me, take my hand, and lead me into her sewing room to start on a skirt I would have wonr everyday because it would turn out marvelous. So, I've decided I need a sewing machine. Also, a cricut. (I always want to pronounce it cry-cut. hahaha) Or a silohuette (however it's spelt), which is what Kristen introduced into my craft world last night. The crafty side of me (that hardly ever shines) feels like it should shine whenever Kris talks about crafts.

Also, my SIL on my husband's side, Alicia, makes me want to be more creative with photography. Well, her and Elissa Stewart. I loved taking photography in high school, and I love taking pictures and thinking that I'm better at it than I actually am. It might be that instant gratification of knowing you're doing something amazing and everyone can see it in a matter of seconds.

So, I guess what it all comes down to is that I just want to be creative. In pretty much anyway possible. Pinterest definitely helps with that. (...hahaha.)

One more, I'm kinda super excited to have kids. Don't worry, I'm not currently with child. Don't get any crazy ideas. Although, I do already know what kind of party I want for my first baby shower...milk and cookie themed. Tons of different kinds of milk and tons of cookies! ....Cookies filled with filling the color of the baby gender...cute, right? Yeah, I know.

Mission Reunion

2011-09-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

So, my mission reunion is at the end of the month, and since I mention it, so is Bryce's mission reunion. Both are up in Utah, his in Provo, mine in Taylorsville. Here's the problem. Because he has school that day, we won't be able to make either. And I REALLY want to go. Nearly everyone I served with is home now including my first mission President and his wife. So, it sucks that we can't go up there. It wouldn't really be a problem if it were a regular school day for Bryce. But since it's the last day of the term, there's no way I could ask that of him....again. haha. I guess it just wasn't meant to be!
On another note, tomorrow marks my one year mark of being home! Crazy. I can't believe it's been a year already. I was super close to moving up to Utah after I got home, but then I met Bryce. I'm glad for many reasons, too. It wouldn't have been the right thing to do. I would have just been up there to try and figure things out, but who says you can't figure things out right where you are? Anyway, I should mark things off my list now...

Newly Married...

2011-07-13T08:09:00.001-07:00

Ok. So, I've now been married for 2 1/2 weeks. Fun. Scratch that off my list. ...and I thought that once you are married, you would feel different...well...I don't. Though, I did ask a friend of mine who has been married for over a year if it ever changes, and she said not really. It's been good though, don't get me wrong. :) I love being with my best friend all the time. And by all the time I mean when I get home, and when I wake up. He normally works at night, so I go to bed before he gets home...by a long shot. Anyway, life is good. Our new ward is good. That same friend mentioned earlier is in the ward. She actually lives in the same complex as us with her husband. We also are in the same ward as a friend of Bryce's, Tracy and her husband, Justin Bennet. (So she could have some girls and name one of them Elizabeth...hahaha.)
Anyway, we're anticipating getting callings in our new ward fairly soon, as well as getting an assignment to speak during Sacrament meeting. Let's hope it takes a while for that to happen. :)

Engagement photos/Wedding Invite

2011-05-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

So, with just 45 days to go (I've officially started counting down. Before, it was my phone that would tell me when every 10 days would go by, but now I know. Everday.), we have had our amazing engagement pictures taken (Thanks Alicia!) and now we're looking at the different ways Alicia has put together an invite (Thanks again, Alicia!). So far we have a pretty amazing one:

Alicia said she has more though, so I'm excited to see those too. I showed my mom, she loves this one! Mom said these are the favorites of her pictures we took. There was another she liked too:

Anyway, I love all these pictures! Just wanted to share these with you, because they just look amazing. And just having them on facebook doesn't cut it for me. haha.

Engagement pictures!

2011-04-16T08:19:00.001-07:00

It's time! Engagement pictures are happening today! I'm excited...I love to see myself look so good in pictures. :) We're driving down to Huntington Beach where Bryce's sister, Alicia, lives so she can take the pictures for us. She's super good. Even has a website: www.aliciamariephotography.com.

Anyway, we aren't going to the beach to take the pictures, too cliché, and Bryce and I have never actually been to the beach together...so...it didn't really make sense to me to go to the beach for this. So, instead Alicia has some places she's wanting to try out. I'm excited. yay. I'll put some of the pictures up when I get them. Should be epic! (and I don't even use that word!)

Last night we had a talent show for a ward activity. This week has been a little stressful because of it, but only because people kept canceling. How nice. Even up until the day before, people were backing out. Dumb. So, I had to scramble around and convince people to help out. Matt Ellis, especially. I did a Carnac bit with Bryce, like Johnny Carson's, it went really well. :D Though, instead of that turban Carson would use, I used a tiara Daely happened to have in our closet. haha. It was really good. OH, and Daely helped super last minute too! She drew stick figures of a few people in the ward. It turned out really good. Leo was our MC and he was good, too. He was happy with the turn out of the whole thing. So was I. I'm glad it turned out so good in the end. I stopped worrying about it as it started. I probably should have stopped worrying so much, but if I didn't, we wouldn't have had such a great show! Elissa had a really good bit. Super funny. I'll have to get a copy of it.

Let's be honest.

2011-04-07T22:14:00.001-07:00

I started this blog so I could have something else in common with my sis-in law, Kristen. And so I could comment on her blog, too. :D I love reading her blogs and seeing what that part of my family is doing day-to-day. Her kids are just so cute and funny, I can hardly stand it. I can only hope that my future kids will be half as cute/funny. And let's be honest, they probably will be.

6 months later

2011-04-04T23:02:00.001-07:00

Midway on my mission, I had an amazing compaion, Sis Randall. She was like a companion I had a deep connection with, not that I hadn't gotten along with previous companions (like Sisters Gunnell, Kent, and Cope), but for some reason, this was different. She felt anxiety when I was feeling anxiety, and it wasn't just because I'm influential. Good try, though.
A couple weeks ago, she got engaged to her boyfriend. I am very excited for her. Meanwhile, I didn't find out until nearly a week later, and it wasn't from her. It was through one of my previous companions, who found out through facebook. Yes, this may seem silly and juvenile to some, but to me this is a slightly bigger than small deal. I had told her of my engagement within 24 hours. And I know, there are sure to be loads of excuses. I just want to vent. So, I texted her and asked if it was true, her engagement. She confirmed. And then called a moment later. She seemed to have felt slightly ashamed for not having called or texted me earlier, and admitted that she thought she had texted me about it. That's all I'm really asking for, a text. I don't need a phone call. I'm not very good at them anyway.
Then, tonight, she was on gmail, so I messaged her. And I know you can never really catch a persons tone via text/message, I sort of felt like she was disproving certain things. Like certain of my life choices aren't good enough for her own. Though, over the phone, she wouldn't sound like that. So now I'm just paranoid.
I know this all sounds silly, but the friendship I have with this past companion of mine really means a lot, and I feel like it's slipping away and I can't help but watch it go.
Anyway, life was going to happen anyway, and the chances of us staying closely in touch was never going to be huge considering she goes to BYU, and her parents live in Saudi Arabia because of her dad's new job. I'm just glad I was able to meet her. She helped me out a lot. She saved my life at least twice.

102 days left!

2011-03-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I normally only countdown for my birthday, but getting married is a pretty big deal, too. :D

We've been looking for an apartment, not religiously, but here and there. And pretty much all the apartments are too expensive for what they are. Granted, we do live in California... so of course things are going to be expensive. Anyway, if we want a good enough apartment, I need a really good job. Which, I fine with. I have an interview tomorrow with an advertising company. I'm pretty excited.

Anyway, we have just barely over 100 days left of not being married. That's crazy.

today

2011-02-22T22:22:00.000-08:00

Today I had the first big-ish test in my music class...I started the test at 934am. (I wanted to time myself to see how long it would take.) There were 50 questions, and I walked out at 950am. hahahahaha.

Good day today, I think. Nothing spectacular happened, accept for the fact that I cooked some pasta for Bryce and put together some brownies for Dalan at the same time. I feel very proud of myself for that.

oh, and Kris, if you want to design this blog...go for it! i don't care one bit. You'll probably do a better job than me anyway. hahaha.

2011-02-07T12:08:00.001-08:00

Ok, it happened...just like Kristen wrote about. I'm engaged. :D Yay. I think people are more excited about it than I am, but that's ok. I'm excited, but I'm just happy that I know this is actually going to happen. Bryce is exactly who I need, and that's more than enough for me. We're planning on a June wedding (cliché, I know. :D) Whatever. Ok, so, I'm trying not to become overwhelmed with all the planning that is needed. I don't want to be a bridezilla who only focuses on the wedding, not the marriage. Because it's the marriage that is the important part, not the wedding. Not really, anyway. :D These next few months are going to be crazy, but they'll be good.

2011-02-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been too long. I should be better at this, like Kristen. *gah* She's almost too good of an example. hahaha.
Well, I got that calling in my single's ward. Relief Society --wait for it--President. Yeah, I would have NEVER thought in my entire life I'd be a RSP. Especially in a single's ward. But, whom the Lord calls, He qualifies.
I'm currently in school, so far I only got 1 class I tried to add. Chaffey is trying to charge me for out of state tax...I'm fighting it hardcore.
The nanny job I had only lasted for about 3 weeks. Not because I'm bad at it, though...I have questioned myself...but rather because there wasn't enough for me to do. And I don't complain. Why pay someone for doing nothing? Totally understandable.
So, now, I'm a part time student, trying to decide if she should try and get a job...now thinking she should. Any leads? :D

Well, it's about time

2010-11-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

Alright, so I've been back from my mission for nearly 8 weeks...scary thought...and it's about time to update my blog, right? Right.
What to say.... haha.
Well, I served as hard as I could on my mission. I served for the blessings my family would receive. I served for the blessings I would receive. I served to become that person that my Heavenly Father intended me to be. I served because I knew I was supposed to. I served for the benefit of my brothers and sisters where I was at. I did what I thought I needed to, not for me exactly, but for others.
Now I'm back, and I found an amazing guy. His name is Bryce and he helps me open up, quite unlike anyone else. Sometimes it's more of a force thing, but it's good either way. Despite popular belief, not everyone knows what I'm thinking or feeling or why I am, and sometimes I don't either, but he helps me figure it out and say it out loud without feeling stupid. It's what I need. Perfect.
I start work on Wednesday at the Target my older sister works at. I'm excited. I need a job! :D
Other than that, I'm just waiting for a calling in my singles ward. I wonder what it'll be...

YAY!!!

2010-08-25T09:15:00.001-07:00

I say Yay because Danja comes home September 16 at 6:05!! I am so excited to see her again! I am sure that anyone who reads this is too. Can't wait to hug you YaYa!!!

long time no post.

2010-07-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

I have been a bad sister in law. I told Danja that I would keep up her blog while she was gone. I haven't been so good at that, I haven't posted since last year.

I can tell you that she is having the time of her life out there. She has been able to work at a temple opening. She has witnessed several baptisms. She has had companions she loved and some she didn't like so much. She is now serving in the New Mexico mission, Albuquerque I think. We hear from her every week and her letters are always filled with the spirit. I can tell she has grown tremendously. I cannot wait to see her and hug her again.

In The Field....

2009-05-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hermana Danja Andersen is now officially in the field. Well, she was last week I just haven't posted about it until today. She totally loves everything about it. Her first place is in Tucson. Her p-days are on Mondays now, it's a new thing. If you would like to her email and don't yet have her address it's danjamarin@myldsmail.net. If you prefer snail mail her physical address is:

Hermana Andersen
Arizona Tucson Mission
1840 E. River Rd. ste 102
Tucson, AZ 85718

Update...

2009-05-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

Danja has just about a week left in the MTC. She sets sail for Arizona in no time. She unfortunately came down with bronchitis, but is kicking through it. Her letters are always full of her silly antics but are filled with the spirit as well. She encourages everybody to read Mosiah 14, she says "it is a beautiful chapter on the atonement".

Til next time...

Cali girl ....

2009-04-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

Danja is having fun at the MTC. She says she is being teased because she loves Cali so much. Every time there is somebody form California she goes crazy asking them all about where they are from. She is a silly one.

2009-03-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a letter from Danja, Hermana Andersen:

It totally snowed this morning on our way to the temple! And we have to walk there because there's no real point in getting a bus or something to drive us there. It's not that far away. Anyway, so that's twice now that it's snowed since I've been here! CRAZY!!! But I totally love it! Everyone in my district keeps asking me if I've ever seen snow before...of course I have.
It's snows on the mountains behind us. :D
I met a missionary who is going to be serving in the San Bernardino Mission! AND he was taught by Uncle Glen in 4th grade! Crazy, right? His name is Elder Best so keep a look out for him!
It's been a pretty crazy week since last Wednesday. Last Thursday I had a huge migraine at the end of the day so my companion and I couldn't even finish our last class of the day. I couldn't stand it any longer. There have been loads of new things going on and new challenges that make the weeks go by so quickly--which I'm mostly grateful for. I'm afraid of going out to the mission field and not being ready for it, but I'm sure that with the Lord's help I'll be more than ready! I just had to study study study that Spanish language! Two days ago (Monday) my companion (Hma Cosgrove) started having stomach pains...turns out she's been to the ER because of it. It's pretty scary being on this side of things, I can't even imagine what she's feeling. I'm not with her right now, we had to do an exchange so I could go to the temple. I told her I would go with her, but she encouraged me to go to the temple. And I'm so grateful for that. I feel I've learned a lot today!
We have this blue card--it gets us into our residence halls and pays for our lunches as well. The Elders only get $6 allowance (for other things at the bookstore that they can buy) and the Sisters get $8. :D It's great to be a sister missionary. I feel so loved here and at least three times a week I'm told how thankful someone is that we (the Sister missionaries) are here. The Elders in my district think they are getting ripped off slightly, but they don't have to worry about things that we do. So I think it makes up in the end.
There's this Elder in my district from Washington state, his name is Elder Calaway. He has this crazy girlfriend--nonmember fyi-- and she writes him like crazy. I can tell that her letters worry him and he's said that some weren't very edifying to his spirit, so it's completely wearing him down. I hope he continues his mission and decides to serve faithfully. I honestly think the best thing for his is to let this girl go. He'd be an even better missionary. Our entire district is so close, it's hard to see him go through this.
Anyway, I hope you all are doing well and that you are all healthy. May the Lord bless you with His Spirit throughout all your days!

Love you bunches!

Danja

PS The food here is amazing most of the time! lol.

She is officially a missionary...

2009-03-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

Danja is now officially Hermana Andersen now. She was set apart last night and is off to Salt Lake today. I am her sister-in-law Kristen and I will be updating her blog from now on. I really look forward to lots of letters full of fun experiences.

4 days until I leave!!!

2009-03-06T19:58:00.000-08:00

In four days (Tuesday, the 10th of March) I'm driving up to Utah with my lovely mom and younger sister, D'kota. The next day I report to the MTC to start my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I'm super excited--you can't really tell when you talk to me, because I'm trying to not overdo anything at this point. A week ago I was so emotional because I kept dwelling on the fact that I wouldn't see my family for 18 months, but I know that this is what I'm meant to do. The Lord will be with me and that's what will get me through the next year and a half of my life. I'll come back and I'll see them again and all will be well!

While I'm gone, my favorite sister-in-law, Kristen (:D), has volunteered to update this blog for me. She is amazing, to say the least! Not only has she given birth to my nephew and niece, but she's married to my brother, Daryl. :) I give her all power to do with this blog what she wants--she can change it and update it and post pictures and whatever else you can do on this.

I'm so grateful to have been given this opportunity to serve a mission. I don't think my mind has wrapped around just how hard it's going to be, but I'm a better visual learner anyway. I was told once that this won't be the best two years of your life, it'll be the best two years for your life. And in my case, obviously, it's 18 months, but the prinicple still applies. I hope I can share my testimony with many people, and that they feel of the Spirit of the Lord, just as I have.

I'll see you in 18 months! Much love!

Danja, aka YaYa, aka Hermana Andersen

46 days and counting

2009-01-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I'm very very very excited! I've had the call for about 24 days and I am so stoked. I'm going to be serving in the Arizona Tucson Mission, speaking Spanish, from March 2009 to about September 2010. It's 18 months and totally worth it. I know Arizona is just the next state over, but I know I'm supposed to serve the people of that mission. The mission covers almost the entire bottom of Arizona and stretches out to the corner of Texas, covering past El Paso, Texas. It's a very big area, but I think that's mainly because it's mostly just land. I've been trying to brush up on the Spanish I learned from high school, and I've been adding on some Spanish from the Preach My Gospel manual given by the Church. As of today, I have 46 days until I report on March 11th! There are so many people that are supportive of me for this new step in my life and I am so grateful for all of them. Especially for my family.

Danja

Numero Uno.

2008-09-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

So...this is nice.

I started working out seriously about two months ago...and by working out I mean walking for about an hour a day. And when I say walking, I don't mean just leisurely walking around randomly. I have a destination, and I don't walk slowly. :)
Today I walked about 2 1/2 miles. Good times. I'm really starting to enjoy it. I didn't think I ever would. Why start walking after never working out before in my life? For my mission. I have to want to go on my mission more than I want food I shouldn't eat. And I do. Most of the time. :)

My sister-in-law has one of these blogs, so I thought I would jump on her band wagon...I know she likes company. Being Labor Day today, my dad is going to barbeque some ribs. He took my mom somewhere...they never said where they were going. But now that I think about it, they probably went to the movies. Anyway, I love ribs...which sucks. I just have to be careful. I can do that. Sometimes. :)

Another reason why I made this: so that when I'm on my mission my mom or sisters or someone can update this for me with letters I've written them. I'm brilliant, what can I say?