Happy February

So a long time ago I had this theory that I hated Valentine’s Day. Like seriously, I loathed the holiday and I was determined the no one was ever going to change my mind because the hate ran that deeply in my soul.
Well I am here to say that my heart has been softened a little bit by my best friend James. See the thing is, I kind of feel in love with this best friend and now I feel happy to have whole day where I can tell him and show him and do funny totally girlie things to show him that I have a corny side too and I really don’t mind showing it off to others if it is telling them that he has a wife that just can’t get enough of him.
In conclusion- this post is to declare happy loving! If you have a man show him that you care and totally go crazy with valentine’s day. be corny, be cuddly, be cute, by a new outfit, get a few more candles, buy some yummy lotion, put on some lipstick and make the day all about him.
I personally have this book that I like to add to that is filled with coupons and letters to him (that I will never let my mom read, type of letters-sorry mom nothing against you) and places for pictures. The purpose of this book is for not only James to let him know how much I love him. But for my future generations. I don’t ever want anyone to ever question how much I love James and how much he means to me. I want our memories to be written down and shared.
So friends, happy loving! If you have a fun idea for valentine’s that is appropriate to share leave a note, I would love to hear!

Time Flew

So last thing I wrote about was before Christmas and sadly I have not blogged since. 
James and I had a great holiday season and we feel so blessed for having such wonderful families that make the holidays so much fun! 
We spend Christmas day here in Tucson with my family. This was really quite a unique experience for James, especially since my family has such a specific way of doing things when it comes to Christmas. A few days following Christmas we took the fun drive up to Colorado to spend New Year's with James' family. We were both pretty under the weather the whole ride up and let's just say it was just short of a miracle that we made it there in one piece. Thank goodness for Mama and Papa Mertz and their cure all vitamins that had us better in no time. I will say, I am sorry to them for showing up at their home smelling like a car ride and looking like a train wreck and for having a tissue box as my companion for most of our time there. 
Here are some pictures of our Christmas season.


It is a very sad thing that I did not take more pictures….I will have to get some copies from my mom’s camera and I think James’ mom took some too so I will need some from her.
*Goal for 2011: take MUCH MORE pictures!*
And then all of a sudden it was the new year and it was time to come home from Colorado and go back to work. Getting back to work set my new year goals and all of that back a little bit sadly. And then it was time to go back to school for both James and myself. So then I was set back even more, and laundry piled even higher. 
Finally it is February and I feel like I can really start the new year. I have organized my home, planned out my school year, started my last semester at Pima Community College, and I am happy! I am not depressed, I am not sad, I am more patient, I can go a full week without getting discouraged, I am so ready for 2011. 
Within the next couple weeks I will be posting more about Christmas- I have some funny stories to share. Things like:
^The New Bu
^New Diggs
^$250 spare
^101/1001
Also, I will be updating my Personal Progress page because there are TONS of fun things that I have planned for that this year. And my recipe page because *Goal: Cook more for James- more specifically: *Cook two new meals a week*Cook two freezer meals every other weekend*
And there you have it. A quick blog update about how fast time flies. I look forward to sharing more because lemme tell ya, I have missed sharing my thoughts and writing things down: *Goal: Blog every week*Goal: Journal every Sunday*
With love
-ness

Coke and Mintoes

So I should be doing homework right now but I had to share this-
James and I were talking about what we are going to do about our car situation tomorrow. I asked him I was going to get to class at 1pm while he is working and he has the car.
He thinks for a minute (or maybe he was sleeping) and then he replies, " The answer is simple. Here's what you do. You take a couple of bottle of Coke and some Mintoes and you stand by the side of the road with the Coke bottles lined up just so. Then you put the Mintoes inside of the Coke bottles and a bunch of Coke will go everywhere and someone will feel sorry enough for you to offer to give you a ride. The plan is seriously flawless."
I sat there and all I could do was say, Oh goodness.....

I think I may have a very sleep deprived husband on my hands.. BUT he did clean the entire messy home while I was gone at the Relief Society Christmas Program. I guess he really does see what I need done. :)

Finals week! Here we come! You shall be conquered!

The Spirit of Christmas

What shall we give?

What shall we give to the babe in the manger,
What shall we offer the child in the stall?
Incense and spices and gold we've got plenty-
Are these the gifts for the king of us all?

What shall we give to the boy in the temple,
What shall we offer the man by the sea?
Palms at his feet and hosannas uprising;
Are these for him who will carry the tree?

What shall we give to the lamb who was offered,
Rising the third day and shedding his love?
Tears for his mercy we'll weep at the manger,
Bathing the infant come down from above.

Enjoy what I am enjoying too :)

http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages

Tonight at mutual we worked on Divine Nature #3. We wrote letters to people that we wanted to serve for the next too weeks in the spirit of Christmas. We talked about the different traditions that the girls have that have to do with service- the things they do with friends and family at Christmas time. Some of the stories were way cool to hear and a lot of fun to share. 

In closing tonight I tried to express to the girls how wonderfully blessed they are to know that they are loved daughters of Heavenly Father and it because of His Son that we are able to celebrate life and learn how to return to live with Them again. 

I am now lying in my bed thinking about how crazy it is that the year has only a few days left. As I look back on the past year, I am trying to think of the times that I spent an extra few minutes to just pass on the Spirit of Christmas by servicing someone else- regardless of the month that we were in. 

I am also thinking about how many people have served me, and how grateful I am to have friends and family who love me and care for me and for James so much. 

Christmas is my favorite time of year- so I am resolved to take it with me throughout every month of every year. Why wait until Christmas to make the effort to love and help other people. 

I love nights like this where I can ponder and just think about the way my life is going, about the different things going on or the things that I would like to have going on in my life right now. 

I hope you can take a night every now and them and think about what gift you would give Christ if He were here this Christmas. Ponder where you are in life and where you want to be. Give thanks for the blessings that have been given to you- both good and bad. 

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and hope you are able to find the Spirit of Christmas and take it with you into each month this next year. 

If you have any fun traditions- I would so love to hear :) I always love a good story. 

with love- Ness

Hunting in Morenci

James recently went to Morenci to go hunting with his buddy James. I tagged along to visit my friend Noell- his wife- and their baby Aubree.
James Hughes took James Mertz bear hunting for the first time. They had a great time! While Noell and I loved to the time to visit and catch up. We also did a little project for Aubree's room.

I think James looks hot in army clothes :) --my james of course, no worries Noell 

Our Aubree project. 

We love our good friends and jump at any chance we get to see them.

Photo Shoot- Glam style

So while we were at Thanksgiving, I was taking pictures of Camri, when some of my other cousins came up and asked if I would take their pictures. Of course I said yes, and the next thing I knew, I was laughing and smiling at these cute 4 years olds glammin' up the camera. 

See for yourself! 

There's been a change in plans....

James and I have been through quite the up and down week! Thank goodness for blogging and be able to clear my head. For my readers- welcome to my brain, I won't be offended if you think I am crazy after this, I promise. For my future generations who will read this when it is printed in a book and passed on, please know that it is because of weeks like this that James and I somehow fall more in love than ever before and that I feel my Savior's more strongly than ever. I know that I am not asked to do more than I can handle and I know that if I turn to Him and rely in Him, He will help us make the right decisions.

So you've read about Crayola. Well she got fixed! I just don't know if she is mine anymore (she legally belongs to my dad) because Braden is getting his license pretty soon. I have now done about 24 hours worth of car shopping I think and let me tell you I hate it! If anyone has any good advice about picking out a car- please fill me in!!! How is it that I can choose something that I will be using everyday, that doesn't cost 20 bucks like a pair of tennis shoes? How is it that I choose a reliable vehicle that I can trust? How is it that I can find out I like something in a matter of minutes, have the deal work out, and then have no return policy?!
So there's the car situation.

Here's the change in plans.
All the way back to Thanksgiving.

James and I had originally planned on driving to Colorado to be with his family for Thanksgiving.

The weather had other plans in store. 

Enter: huge blizzard warnings. 

Enter: roads closed through the pass.

The ending? We can't go to Colorado. 

Don't get me wrong, I love being with my family during the holidays and we ended up having a great time!

I just wanted to get out of Arizona! and spend time with James' family- 

we miss them! 

So you've heard the saying, when a door closes, find a window? Or something along those lines, well 

James and I decided to invite his Dad's brother and sister and grandpa to come

to a second Thanksgiving dinner with us and James's sister and husband. 

I am SO glad we stayed for that one reason! 

We had a such a great time with his aunt and uncle (grandpa couldn't make it). 

It was so nice to be able to hear them reminisce about their childhood, and their favorite parts of visiting

family. I am such a sucker for old stories. Not to mention, some pretty darn good food was made. I also tried a new recipe for rolls and made a yummy apple pie. 

This Thanksgiving helped to remind me that family is so great. I am so blessed to be part of

 two families that love the Lord and love each other. I am blessed to have married a man who wants

to make those things a priority in life, and cares enough about me to 

help me to do better every single day. 

Isn't it great that we have a whole day to remind us of the things that make us who we are, the 

people that bring us great joy, and the blessings that are being poured upon us

everyday. 

So here is a look at our thanksgiving day.  

All in all- I fell so blessed to be who I am, in the place I am, with what I have, and the purpose that is in store for me. This is what I thank the Lord for everyday.