1/2/2009 : Aubrey and Joe Seal the Deal:

On the 2nd of January my BFF (BFF standing for Best friend forever not to be confused with BF which could stand for boyfriend or best friend) got married in the Newport Beach Temple. Aubrey and Joe looked beautiful and happy. The wedding day was a little on the chilly side but everyone was happy and excited for the new couple.

Progress on the Ducks

Remember when we kept two baby duckies in our apartment last winter? Well these little duckies are all grown up and here's the proof!This is Tyler and the Ducks' dad, Jon, who takes very good care of them.

Speaking of duckies, I wanted to give a shout out to my older brother Ryan. I will never forget the spring day when we were driving in his car on BYU campus....a mother and her babies were crossing a busy intersection....Ryan stopped his car and proceeded to say, "Duckies, duckies move little duckies." He is a tender hearted after all! (We knew it all along)

Mima, Mama, and Me

For the first time in my life I had the wonderful experience of waking up at 4:30 AM the morning after New Years Parties and attending the Annual Pasadena New Years Rose Parade. The floats and whole experience was awesome, but the best part was being there with my mom and mima (nickname for my grandma Phelps).They are both wonderful people. Everything my mima does and says is full of passion. This provides invigorating conversation. For example it can be the most beautiful day in the California sunshine and the end of the world because Israelis and Palistinians are at it again in the same conversation. My mima has lived her entire life full of passion, gratitude and love. She takes interest and is keenly aware and educated on all facets of life. She has the ability to truly love and accept all people, but still makes it very clear what she stands for. She has been a great blessing in my life and I am so glad I got to spend this New Years with her.

My mother is just as wonderful as my mima, although for different reasons. My mom is someone who will answer the phone and ask me how I am doing and then really listen. She is someone who would quietly leave Sees Candy bars on my bed to let me know she was proud that I woke up each morning for seminary. My mom never let me think less of myself then I was. Insecurities were foolishness and waste of time considering how blessed we are. Although, there were times when the world would get me down and my mom would be there to let me cry it out and then send me to my Dad who figured out ice cream is the cure for just about everything. In adulthood my mom has proven to be the greatest example I could ever ask for. I learned valuable lessons about what a house full of love and support felt like from my mom (and dad!). I also learned how to have a healthy relationships and when to ask for guidance and direction from my mom.

I love and respect my mima and my mom. They are incredible women in all that they do. I thank my Heavenly Father each day for the blessing they have been in my life. I hope I can go through my life living up to their example and blessing their lives and they have mine.

Mrs. Ellis' History 8 Honors Class are Champions

In December my school had a book drive for the library. I knew from the beginning my class would win because luckily it was during my honors class. Contrary to common belief, honors kids are not necessarily the kids with the highest IQs (although they often they) but they are definitely the most responsible (meaning they remember when assignments are due).


My 16 students brought in over 300 books throughout the week and won a pizza party. I am so proud of those little smarty pants!

Why I have Neglected my Blog

So, it's been a while since I last blogged. I have not been very good about blogging for a few reasons.

First, I am a technology idiot and it takes me a month or so to get up the patience to download pics from my camera on the computer. I don't like to blog without pictures because we all know pictures are worth a 1000 words and its a whole lot quicker finding out about your friends' lives via pictures then reading volumes of personal narratives.

Second, back in October I "broke down" and bought myself a gym pass. Tyler and I canceled our gym passes when we got married because we viewed it as an additional expense we could surely live with out. Now that I have one, I can't believe I lived without it. It is amazing what exercise can do to the dark and dreary winter months. I am happier and feel better about myself, but the gym is a time sucker leaving me less time to write meaningless entries about why I never blog.

Third, Beehives. Simply said, my Church calling and dear beehives keep me busy!

Fourth, the holidays. I don't know what it is but I get major anxiety with buying gifts. I spend countless hours shopping before Christmas and still always feel like whatever I come up with is lame. So I spend most of November and December searching for gifts and then Tyler ends up going with me to the mall 1 time right before Christmas and we get everything done. Thank goodness I married an efficient man or I would never get anything done! But, I still do spend a lot of time and come out with little to show.

So that has been what has been keeping me the busiest these past months. Yesterday I got the stomach flu which slowed me down and bit. Lucky for you, I will be catching you up on the last few months of my life so keep reading the posts! Don't worry pictures will be included :)