Seat Belt Belts by Ali

Before my mission, to make a little extra money, I used to make seat belt belts and sell them online. Recently a friend of mine from Wisconsin, who I happened to give one of my belts to, asked me to make her some for Christmas. I was so excited to have a hobby again (other than Facebook and Netflix) that I made lots more than what she requested! I am so excited to be doing these again. I know it's getting a little late to get them made for Christmas, but I will be selling them again online (Facebook, Ebay and possibly Amazon). However, for my friends I will take special orders and give a fabulous discount! If you or anyone you know would like one of my belts, let me know and I'll get one made for them! You can find the full gallery on Facebook, but here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what they look like.








Now let me tell you something about these belts - each buckle is hand picked by me from the junk yard, and I personally cut each one from the old car/truck. (Okay, Scott helps with this part...). I scrub each buckle with a toothbrush and super awesome cleaner to make sure there is no grease/oil/dirt, etc because you never know where these buckles have been! Not to mention that they only put these kinds of buckles in cars and trucks throughout the 70's and 80's. Then they started making them plastic like the ones we have now. Then I hand pick the belt material, the strap adjuster, and I mix and match until I find the right buckle for the material. I then hand sew (with my mother's 33 year old sewing machine) each buckle in place. I have my father and my husband strength test each belt (which is absolutely photo worthy - I'll have to get one of them next time). The strength test consists of Scott hold one end and my dad holding another, while they try to pull each other over. Each belt has withstood this test so far. This way you KNOW they're durable!

Spread the word, if you like. I know they are kind of cheesy, but they're fun.

Here is the facebook gallery: Seat Belt Belts by Ali

Giving Thanks!

Tomorrow is the day where we gather together with our families, fill our bellies full of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie, and reflect on the things we are thankful for. So in honor of Thanksgiving, I am dedicating this post to things I am forever thankful for.

1. My husband, Scott.

Granted life is never perfect. But it is often a little sweeter with Scott around. He is SO good to help out around the house (with little to no griping...most days), he is a fantastic cook, and most importantly: he makes me feel special and beautiful. Scott is a wonderful man that puts my feelings before his, and will go to the end of the world for me if he thought it would make me happy. I am so lucky to have found my soul mate.

2. My faith.

This past week I attended the funeral of my best friend's 42 day old baby. I have been to more funerals in my life than I would have liked, but this one touched my heart in a way I never thought possible. I have always had a strong belief in what happens when we die, but when you see a sweet little innocent baby pass away, it makes it really easy to question things. I have done a lot of thinking this past week, and I have come to the conclusion that everything I have believed about the afterlife, and God's plan, are all very true. I know that my dear friend will be with her sweet son again. I know that she'll have the chance to raise him and care for him. Granted it doesn't make the void and the heart wrenching pain go away. Not at all. But it certainly instills hope that make times like these a little more bearable. If you would like to read the story of this incredible baby's life, you can find it at my friend's blog here

3. My family.

Ever since I was little, I always considered my family members my best friends. Given the choice, I would often pick staying home with my family rather than go out with friends. We have always had so much fun together - whether it be on a road trip to Disneyland or celebrating Christmas by the traditions of a random country. I was so happy to move home to Heber, where I could be closer to my parents - for Sunday dinners and London Rummy, for birthday celebrations and singing together around the grand piano. I love my family so much. My parents are my heroes and my sisters are my best friends. It's fantastic.

4. Employment

Most of you know that exactly two years ago today I was laid off from the one job I ever felt I was really great at - working for DCFS as a social worker. I was absolutely devastated and I fell into a ridiculous depression. I was out of work for 8 months. A good friend of mine got me a job selling advertising over the phone for a local phone book company. I took it reluctantly, knowing that something better would come along shortly but I needed the money. Little did I know that this job would become the something better. A year and a half later, I have been promoted, I feel like I am very successful, and I really enjoy what I do. It's been a huge blessing in my life, and I am so glad I have been able to find fulfillment in something that I never would have looked at before. Sometimes our lives take very different turns than what we thought they would.

5. Education.

While I can't be as thankful for the amount of student loans I have accumulated over the past 2 1/2 years, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity I have to live where I live, to have the abilities I have, and that I have been able to attend graduate school. I will be graduating in 5 months with my Masters degree in School Counseling, and regardless of whether or not there will be jobs available, I am so thankful that I have the education I have. Because when I die, it will be all I can take with me - memories and knowledge. If I find a job as a school counselor, that's great. If I don't, I am totally content to stay at my job and see where it takes me in life.

AND FINALLY....

6. Black Friday.

Because it's awesome.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING MY FRIENDS!!!

P.S. - I'm incredibly thankful for you.

A Little Support Goes a Long Way!!

After the last Biggest Loser audition, when Scott and I got close again but didn't quite make the show, we had decided we wouldn't audition again. It's really discouraging seeing other people (that end up kind of sucking on the show) getting picked over us, and we figured if we were meant to be on the show, we would have been picked already.

HOWEVER...

I learned not too long ago that most of the people who have ended up on the show have auditioned multiple times. And 9 times out of 10, they have shown the casting directors what amazing support they have from their friends and family members.

One of my best friends, Schuyler Whitaker, created a page on facebook for this very purpose. She has been our biggest fan since the first time we auditioned, and I have been so grateful that there have been people in our lives that want to see us make it on the show so we can FINALLY start living the lives we feel like we deserve. If you've ever been overweight, you know what a struggle it is. The ranch would be a huge jumpstart to our healthy lifestyle, and seriously, who wouldn't want to see Scott on national TV? He's SO hilarious!



PLEASE become a fan of the page. And please write something on the wall, just stating why you think we should be on the show. And if you are really feeling saucy, please make a short 1 minute video stating who you are, how you know us and why you think we would be good on the show. We really appreciate any and all support. We're going to give it one more shot. And if we don't make it, it still helps to know we have lots of support from loved ones that will help us make the necessary changes we need to make. So please, join the page. Invite your friends - even if they don't know us, we appreciate as much support as we can get!

Thank you so much!

Here is the link

Sick.

When I was 19 years old, I had my tonsils removed. It was for the best, since I had gotten strep throat so many times in my life that my tonsils were permanently swollen. I was excited to have them gone so I could live my life without ever having to deal with strep, sore throats or anything of that nature ever again.

The week I got them out was the most painful week of my entire life. I don't know if you have had your tonsils out, but if you haven't, let me just tell you what it's like. Well, on second thought, I won't. Because I don't want to scare anyone. But just know that it is incredibly painful. The pain doesn't go away for a good two weeks. Talking, eating, drinking, sleeping, breathing...it's all nigh unto impossible without searing pain. However, I survived, although I whined constantly.

Here I am, nearly 10 years later, experiencing the exact same pain. How, you ask? Simply put - the virus from hell. This is no ordinary cold virus. This is an evil, masterminding virus who clearly has one intention: my misery. It's a lovely marriage of bronchitis and laryngitis mixed with a little bit of sinus pain and deep coughing. Throw in some fatigue, a low fever, ear aches and a nose that won't stop running, and you've got the perfect recipe for one miserable human being.

I'm not happy at all.

You don't realize just how much you use your voice until it's gone. I depend on my voice to do my job. I also never realized just how often strangers talk to me on a daily basis. People are everywhere. I had people talk to me at the gas station, the store, the pharmacy, the parking lot, you name it, someone was talking to me. And all I could do is smile and nod like a perfect idiot.

How thankful I am to have a voice - to have the ability to speak. I can't imagine living like this forever. And when I'm healthy again, I will forever be thankful for the days that I live without sickness. I know it's all part of our mortal experience, and I can see why. You can't fully appreciate the good things without experiencing the bad.

The cherry on top is that Scottie is sick, too. Poor thing. But it is true that misery loves company - we've been able to spend a little more time together this week, which has been nice, even though we've both felt like death. How's that for a silver lining?

NEVER Forget to say THANKS!

Last night as I got into the little Mazda 3 they've given me to drive (while my poor Sebring gets a makeover after being rear-ended last week) I knew the next hour of my life would be interesting. Snowflakes fell softly from the sky, gently coating the earth below.

Sounds nice, right?

It wasn't.

The minute I got onto the freeway in Salt Lake, heading toward I-80 to head up Parley's, the snow started to fall faster. And there was more. And then more. Because I was unsure how this Mazda would do in the snow, and because I'm already a HUGE baby when it comes to driving in this weather, I said the most heartfelt prayer I could say with my knuckles turning white on the steering wheel and my eyes wide open.

As I made my way up the first hill of Parley's, I knew I was in for a rough ride. All I could see in front of me was snow flurries - bouncing off the headlights and across the windshield. I couldn't see if there were cars in front of me. I couldn't see if I was on the road. For all I knew, I was driving through a field or down a ski slope. I was SCARED.

I finally figured out that if I turn off my headlights and keep my running lights on, I could actually decipher where I was and whether or not i was on the road. As I headed up the next hill, I switched off my lights and attached my eyes to the back end of a semi truck. Did I care that people wondered what I was doing? No. Because they couldn't see me anyway, right? But I could SEE! The scariest part of all was coming down the hill toward Park City/Kimball Junction. On a normal day, without snow, I can end up going close to 90 mph before I realize how fast I am flying down that hill. Last night, however, I was barely going over 40, and it felt like I was cruising. There was one point where I was sure I was going over the side of the road - my wheels were slipping, I was absolutely out of control. But then, miraculously, I found my bearings and got back into the lane. Right then and there I thanked God for rumble strips - otherwise I would have ended up in the median FOR SURE.

When the time came that I could finally let go of the steering wheel, my arms started to shake. No, convulse, rather. I had been holding on to the wheel so tightly, that all my muscles had contracted. All the blood had drained from my hands. And it was the weirdest feeling in the world. I made it home, and as I pulled into my garage, I couldn't help but think about how out of control we really are in life. Things will happen. We will go through crappy situations - car wrecks and job losses and losing loved ones and being totally poor - but it's how we handle those situations that make us who we are. Could I have been in a horrible accident last night? Absolutely. But I wasn't. And that's when we turn to give thanks for the GREAT things that happen in life.

It's trivial, sure. Who contemplates life over a snowy drive home? Well I sure did. And as I made my way from the garage to my home, I looked up into the sky and poured out thankfulness and gratitude to the only one that had things in control.

May we always remember to say thanks - because it's prayer that makes you humble,
but it's gratitude that makes you whole.

Life or something like it.

It's been so long since I've written a blog entry. I have started many entries but have never gotten around to finishing them or posting them.

With all the ups and downs in life, it's sometimes hard to remember what it's all about. We've gone through job loss, big monetary bonuses, ocd moments, etc. But we've survived it all! If anyone's interested, here's a little update.

Scott's working again at Pride Security, at the new Montage Hotel in Park City. He also does part time work for another security company up at the new museum in Salt Lake.

I'm still working at ZipLocal, and I am really enjoying being in field sales. I've also been doing an internship at Pleasant Grove High School in the counseling office that I'm really enjoying as well. After I do 600 hours at the school, I will finally graduate with my degree. That will be in about March or April. I can't wait! It's been a long 2 1/2 years in school. Luckily I have had my sister and BFF Allison with me through it all!

I'm also going through some fertility treatments as well. There are good days and bad days with it. It's so frustrating not having as much control over my emotions as I usually do. It's also hard on my body - since it's being forced to do things it doesn't do naturally (like ovulate...) But it will be SO worth it. So very worth it. I want nothing more than a beautiful baby of my own. I got really lucky to find a doctor that specializes in high risk pregnancies and infertility.

Hopefully withing the next year I'll be typing a blog entry about being pregnant!

Sometimes I get frustrated that all the plans I make in life don't actualize. I guess I have to remember that it isn't my plan, but someone else's.

4 years!

This past Wednesday, June 23, Scott and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. Since we still don't have a lot of extra cash (and based on our career choices, we probably never will, but that's a whole other blog entry...) we decided to go down to Salt Lake and stay the night in a hotel.

We paid about $60 on hotels.com after researching the prices, and all the reviews, and we settled on a hotel near the airport. All in all, it wasn't a bad place to stay, despite the hotel pool being right there in the lobby (hindering our plans to swim...) and the toilet running, but the bed was comfy and it was just nice to get away.

After checking in, we decided to go over to The Gateway Mall, where we saw the new Karate Kid movie. It was really good! We both really liked it. We then wandered around the mall to do some shopping. We had $25 each to buy presents for each other, but Scott came up with the cutest idea! We went into the Build A Bear workshop where we created a bear together, and called it our Anniversibear! It's SO cute!! And we decided to make it an annual tradition! It was so much fun picking out the clothes and everything together. Then Scott took me to Victoria's Secret, where he allowed me to stock up on all the body washes and lotions I love! He is such a sweet husband!

We then had dinner at Z'Tejas. We've heard a lot about the place, but we'd never been there. We were thoroughly impressed!! Not only were the prices totally decent, but it was some of the best food we've had in a long time! It is a Southwestern Grill and everything we ate had so much flavor! It was fantastic!! Overall, it was a really great anniversary.

The next day, Scott's little sister, Laura, arrived home from her mission! She went to the Georgia Atlanta North mission. I can't believe how quickly the past 18 months went! We got up in the morning on the 24th, had our free breakfast at the hotel (which was awesome), and then headed over to the airport to meet Scott's parents and sister Becca, and wait for Laura's arrival. It was SO fun to see her come down the stairs with the other missionaries returning honorably. It took me back to the day I got home.

We took her to a nice lunch at The Olive Garden, and then she asked if we could go to the Salt Lake Temple, so she could go through the temple one last time as a missionary. Scott, Scott's mom Kathy, Laura and I went through a beautiful session at the temple. I LOVE being in the Salt Lake temple - seeing all the amazing detail and ornate decorations that the pioneers worked so hard to create. Being there fills my heart with such gratitude and appreciation for them. That temple has a very special spirit about it.

We then went with Laura to be released. It also reminded me of the day I got home - and the strange feeling when you get released. I am so proud of Laura and what a great missionary she was. I know she will always reflect on the lessons she learned there, and she will be forever grateful for the time she took to serve the Lord. I know I am forever grateful for the experiences I had as a missionary.

This was such a fantastic week! And it didn't hurt that we both had three days off work! It will be tough to go back to work tomorrow, and settle back into daily life. But these are the times in our lives that make all the difference.

Adoption

Not too long ago Scott and I had our first adoptive parents meeting at LDS Family Services. I was surprised by how much information they were able to provide in such a short amount of time. And I was more than excited to get the process started.

HOWEVER...this process is going to take a LONG time. We have our paperwork and it reminds me of getting ready for the mission. We have all kinds of forms to fill out, background checks, interviews, etc etc etc. We also need to come up with the fees as well, which at times feels harder than it should be. Even after the paperwork process and all of that, there is the waiting factor - hoping to be chosen out of the thousands of hopeful adoptive parents.

The social worker gave us some really great advice: GET THE WORD OUT. Sometimes the best adoptions come from someone that you know that knows someone else looking to place their baby with a family. That is the purpose of this blog entry.

If you have known Scott and I over the past 4 years of our marriage, you have known that we've been trying to have children since the beginning. I've known since I was quite young that I would adopt children someday. When I was 16, my doctor told me I would have a very small chance of ever conceiving my own children, due to the fact that I have some genetic issues. That only sparked my desire to adopt even more. With each passing day/month/year that desire gets stronger and stronger.

I've watched everyone around me have children - my best friends, my sister, people in my ward, and then some. Although I am SO incredibly happy for them, it is so hard for me to not feel that jealousy that inevitably comes along with the joy I feel for them. As I get older, I start to fear that I will never be the mom I so much want to be.

Scott is the most amazing man I have ever known, and I know he will be an incredible father. It is absolutely heart breaking to know that I probably can't provide him with children of our own. I am so happy, though, that he is 100% on board with adopting. He is just as excited as I am to one day bring a beautiful baby into our home and raise him/her with as much love as humanly possible.

So I pose this question to anyone and everyone that might possibly know someone that is looking to place their child up for adoption. PLEASE CONSIDER US! If you meet someone or hear of someone looking for a loving couple to place their baby with, I just hope that we will cross your mind. That is the best thing anyone reading this blog could do!

I am thankful to have the wonderful friends and family I do in my life. And most of all, I am thankful to have the world's best husband! I hope that someday our dreams can all come true!

New iPhone = Awesomeness

Today was a great day for Scottie and me! We got brand new iPhones from AT&T!!! I'm SO excited because I've been wanting one for a really long time. And since I always seem to be a few years behind the world (technologically speaking) I figured it's about time we catch up.

Thanks to my job, we were able to get SMOKIN deals on our phones along with a nice monthly discount off our bill. It's just another reason I really love my job! Who knew I'd love this job so much? It's so totally unrelated to my field of study. But it's been awesome - and the perks (i.e. lasik and now the iphone) have been absolutely fantastic.

The next few weeks (and maybe months) will be dedicated to figuring out all the details of my new fancy phone, although I am really surprised at how easy it is and how user friendly it is.

I am a very happy girl!

Welcome Little One!

I can't even tell you just how excited I am to be an aunt again! Almost 9 years ago I became an aunt for the first time when my nephew Jasen was born. It has been so fun to watch him learn and grow and develop his amazing little (or should I say big) personality! He's an awesome little boy and I love him so much.

Well on Sunday, Feb 7th, during the 4th quarter of the Superbowl, my other sister (Anne) delivered her brand new little one - Ava Elizabeth. I finally have a niece! She is absolutely beautiful and perfect and I love her so much already. Just like when Jasen was born, I can't help but feel so touched by the miracle of the human life.

I love the feeling of holding a beautiful new baby and just feeling their spirit. I can already tell that Ava is a very special girl, and I am so excited to watch her grow as well.

My sister and her husband are already amazing parents, and I'm so excited for them as they begin this new adventure in their lives! I love them so much and I am so happy to have this special new addition in our family!!





Check out that gorgeous red hair!!!

20/15 Baby!!!!

For my birthday this year, I got one of the best presents possible!!

LASIK!!!!!!!!!!!



My baby blues that now see beautifully!

I have been wearing glasses and/or contacts since I was 9 years old. That's one year short of being 20 of my 28 years of life being in contacts and glasses. I remember getting my first pair of glasses - light blue rimmed glasses with big thick lenses. I was so excited because having glasses was actually "cool" then. Haha yeah.

When I was a freshman in high school, I finally got my first pair of contacts, and since then, only wore glasses at night or when my eyes needed a break from contacts. I never thought I would ever be able to wake up in the morning and be able to see!

Thanks to my job, and my flex spending account, this year I got something I've been wanting for a REALLY long time! NEW EYES! Eyes that can see at any time of the day, and not just see, but see perfectly clear! Lasik took my vision from 20/400 to 20/15 in a matter of SECONDS. No, seriously. Seconds. For anyone who is interested in knowing what the process of lasik is like, here is a brief rundown of my experience.

I arrived at Hoopes Vision nervous and excited. They brought me back to a small waiting room, where they promptly gave me a Valium and a checklist of exactly what I would go through. They covered my head and feet in surgical cap and booties, and washed my eyelids with iodine. Then they put numbing drops in my eyes, and took me into the room where the Intralase laser was ready to create the flaps in my corneas! This was the worst part. I lay under a big machine, seeing a circle of lights that reminded me of a tiny UFO. Dr Hoopes placed a suction ring on my eye, and my vision went black. There was no pain, simply some pressure while I focused on keeping my eye still. It took about 10 seconds to put the little bubbles in the cornea to create the flap. Then the same process for the next eye. After the bubbles are inserted, it takes about 20 minutes for them to dissipate, so they put me in a big comfy massage chair where I sat with my eyes closed. Next they took me into the other room where I lay under another machine and focused on a green light while they lasered the flap back into place. It took about 15 seconds per eye. It didn't hurt, it wasn't uncomfortable, and it was over before I knew it. Afterward I sat in a dark room for 10 minutes with my eyes closed. When I opened them, my vision was really foggy, like looking through a fogged up window, but I knew my vision was going to be amazingly clear! The next morning (yesterday) when I woke up, I saw more clearly than any contact could ever do. I felt like I was seeing the world in HD! And if you have ever watched tv in HD, you know you don't EVER want to go back!


Dr. Hoopes performing Lasik

Ok that wasn't so brief. But you get the idea! :)

I am SO glad I made the decision to get this done. No more glasses, no more contacts, no more worrying about not being able to see in the night if I have to get up, or when I have kids I won't have to deal with putting on glasses or contacts in tired eyes in the middle of the night....it's just one big obstacle eliminated from my life! I do have to wear my cheesy sunglasses for a week, and I have to tape up my eyes at night for a week, but it's SO very worth it. I am so happy!! If you're thinking of having it done, DO IT!!! You'll be VERY glad you did!!

www.hoopesvision.com

One year older...

Last Tuesday, the 19th of January, I turned 28 years old. I can't BELIEVE how old I'm getting! I mean, not that 28 is old by any means, but with each passing year, I can't help but wonder where all the time is going! It's just speeding by.

I had a really great birthday. The Friday before, Scott's family threw a party for me, with my favorite foods (hamburgers on the grill and New York Cheesecake!) and we played games! It was a lot of fun. Scott's family is really great.

The Sunday before my birthday, my family had a dinner at my parents' house. It's so great to have not one but two wonderful families! I'm a lucky girl!

On my birthday, I went to work, and afterwards, my co-workers/friends, Scottie and I and our friends Alan and Katie all went to Applebees for Karaoke night! It was SO much fun!! We ate, sang, and just hung out and had a blast.

I definitely got spoiled by my family and Scott with their fantastic presents, and to top it all off, on Monday - I'm getting LASIK! I can't wait. I seriously can't imagine a world without contacts and glasses. I've worn glasses since I was 9 years old and contacts since I was 14. I've lived almost my whole life blind, and now I'll finally have a huge obstacle eliminated from my life! I am really looking forward to waking up in the morning and being able to SEE! Life is going to be so much easier.

Life is goooood.






Oh yeah, and the pic in the middle, with the lady drinking something...that's my boss. And I love that pic. hahaha!
See the whole album here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040243&id=203000580&l=bb441f884b