Maybe I will be sick?!!

We were asked about a month ago to give talks in church this coming Sunday. I can hardly wait...to get this one over with. I don't mind public speaking that much, as long as I know what to say. I think I would probably rather deliver the talk than write it. I procrastinate and dread sitting down to put my thoughts together.

I'm hoping to get on the 'doesn't have to speak again' list after this talk. We have been in our ward for not quite 7 years and this is my 4th official talk. Not even kidding. Either they think I am an excellent speaker or I suck and need more practice. Which reminds me- do they keep a tally of who speaks and contributes to fast and testimony meeting- anyone know?

Anyways I am having the hardest time writing my talk. It would be great to have an actual assigned topic. Give me one of the gospel principles and we will call it a piece of cake...my talk is on a conference talk. That in and of itself doesn't make any sense to me, I've never understood the purpose of speaking on an already spoken talk. Are you supposed to stand up there and regurgitate it? I asked if I could bring in the audio/video specialist to show said talk and was turned down. Or maybe I could hit up the copy machine, pass them out, and say amen.

Don't get me wrong, my conference talk is an awesome one, it is President Hinckley's Of These Things I Know. It is his testimony and of course it is amazing. I loved having him as my prophet and loved listening to him speak and his sense of humor. It's just that if you break it down my topic would be- President Hinckley's testimony. Is that a little strange? I am thinking I will pretend the topic is actually- testimony and I will reference this talk in putting together my materials. Does that work? Wow this was like therapy. Now I know what to write! Thanks for the therapy blogger.

Cheers!

My little family has been hooked on a lot of delicious concoctions this summer.

It all started at Sonic where we were hitting up happy hour to get a mango or cherry limeade.

Then we began mixing our own drinks at Chateau Hopkins with Sprite zero, an assortment of various Torani syrups, garnished with fresh lime wedges, and sometimes topped with whipped cream. I was even frosting our glasses or sugar rimming them on special occasions. The only thing they lacked was a cute little umbrella.

Next we began frequenting the local shaved ice hut (see picture below enjoying said shaved ice). This has been a special treat after a family hike or running.

Now I have moved on to a new beverage- Frrozen Hot Chocolate (from scratch) and serve them Serendipity style in my newly found huge ice cream bowls.

Nothing like a thirst quenching drink on a hot summer day. Cheers!

New York Wedding

Rob and I just returned from a long weekend in New York City to see my younger brother Ches and his fiance Evelyn get married! NYC has an amazing energy and I am already trying to figure out when we can go back. I LOVE it there!!! Even after two trips there are still so many things I want to do/see.

Ches has lived in NY for a few years and Evelyn moved out there two years ago. They wanted a small intimate wedding and what better place than the romance of Manhattan? The wedding party was just immediate family and we all had a blast- never mind a stuffy formal wedding! The morning of the wedding was spent in Central park taking pictures of the happy couple- and they were absolutely glowing! Then at noon we escaped the hustle and bustle of the city to the Manhattan Temple for the wedding. Afterwords we had a deliciously relaxed lunch at an Italian restaurant across from Carnegie Hall. It was a perfect day...I'm so proud of them! Hope they have fun honeymooning in Aruba!

Ches and Evelyn...her vintage dress was amazing and her hair piece was gorgeous, she is so classy and gorgeous!

Central Park

The Times Square view from our hotel room- Ches hooked us up!

Brooklyn Bridge and the south end of the skyline.


Brooklyn Bridge and the park beneath it- it is always on tv and in the movies.

Me and my babe at dinner.


Serendipity...such an whimsically delicious place...I want to go back!! Until then I have a cookbook with their famously insane desserts to make at home.

Wall Street- there is a Tiffany's here and Rob got off lucky this trip.


Federal Hall on Wall Street.


Rockefeller Center at night.