I'm actually posting. This doesn't happen everyday...

I just want you all to know that this is not being posted to take away from alicia's post at all. Alicia is absolutely amazing and I love you more than anything in the world. In her email today she also said that she wanted to hear about normal life and so I thought I'd put a little of normal life on the blog and what's more normal than 80's Prom. Because I'm on the activities committee I came up with this great idea, actually stole it from the 69th ward, of having an 80's prom. It was a lot of fun. We even stole the theme of "Lost in Your Eyes" and we just danced the night away to Cyndi Lauper, Micheal Jackson, Debbie Gibson, and many others that we all love. The top picture is a group picture of the group. (Left to right: Scott and Sadie Grant (I think the Mabry's might remember Scott), Cindy Bigelow, Mike Ashton, me, Robb Larsen) The bottom picture is of me and Cindy. The 80's prom was great, but definately not the same without you all. PS sorry the pictures are so small they went fuzzy when I went tomake them bigger.

Give Me This Mountain

WARNING: This post is real long. I hate to admit but I think I'm becoming rather sentimental in my old age. :)

Hello one and all! No, I am not dead. Yes, I am still dating Paul (he is so wonderful)! And yes, I do still read the blog on occasion. (I was going to post pictures of Paul and I at Halloween - I was a princess and he was a frog. We experimented with the kissing test and guess what . . . it worked!) :)

I can't say thank you enough for all of your prayers, fasts, emails, calls, texts, and everything else you all have done. What an amazing miracle that we have good friends to draw on. Latest update: My mom is recovering from her first round of chemo rather quickly - faster than most actually. She has had side effects and has suffered more than anyone should have to, but has been greatly blessed in that it could be so much worse. She is amazing. I know it's a bad day when she lets me make dinner all by myself - she's too much of a mom to let her children cook for her. :) The ward fast was a neat experience - the Bishop announced in Sacrament meeting that after the 3 hour block they would be holding a special prayer meeting to end the fast. Special doesn't begin to describe it. We sang "How Gentle God's Commands" which was quite appropriate - if you have a moment read the words, they are very fitting. The bishop was quite specific in his prayer and the spirit of unity in that room was just incredible. With all the people around the world fasting for her we figure there was probably a 48 hour period of constant fasting. She felt it (as did we). And we continue to feel it.

My sister April is 33 weeks pregnant with "Miracle Max." After a lot of heartache, many days and night spent in the hospital, and a round of invitro, she discovered she was pregnant with twins the day of Lindsey's funeral. A few weeks later she lost one of the babies, but the other one has been doing well (fetus name is Chunk, real name is Max). She developed placent privera (or whatever it's called - I still don't know much about that stuff) and because of it has had to take it easy (she wasn't able to come to England with us which was quite devastating). She's made it this far and has had her c-section scheduled for December 31st. Last night we received another one of those "middle of the night" phone calls - she had started bleeding (very dangerous with her condition). She was jetted off to the hospital and is still there. She is having small contractions which they are trying to stop so Max can stay in there for hopefully a few more weeks. She is holding up ok, but of course hates that she has to spend at least several days in the hospital. My sister Laura announced she is due next August. Mel will be here from Japan on Thursday. On top of a few other intense trials, we are being very blessed.

When Lindsey died my mom found a talk called "We Went On Our Way Rejoicing." It kind of became our theme for a while. Well, now are new theme is "Give Me This Mountain." My sister Laura explained it well on her blog, so I've copied it here:

Life has lots of mountains to climb. Sometimes they're more like hills, sometimes it's like climbing Everest. Sometimes you get a rest in between, sometimes you only make it back down to the saddle before you have to start climbing again. There are times when I climb, times when I sit and rest, and times when I turn around because the mountain's too big, only to try again the next day.At times I say to God, "No more mountains!" or better yet, "Take this mountain away. I'll climb any mountain but this one." Most days I don't feel like I have the faith that Caleb did. At 85 years of age when faced with fighting giants to inherit the promised land he didn't turn around, he didn't even sit down and rest, he said, "Give me this mountain" (Joshua 14:12). I don't think my faith is strong enough for that, especially today.Our family's been climbing the mountain of Linz's death. Pretty hard mountain, definitely an Everest if you ask me. I think we've been doing better. Maybe we finally got down to the saddle, but there's no time to rest. There's another mountain ahead and it's bigger than ever. This mountain is my mom's terminal cancer. How does that happen? How can we be expected to climb this mountain when we're still so tired from the last? And then I know. We're not. We're never expected to climb life's mountains alone. There's no way we can do it alone. We climb with the Savior. We climb with Linz and everyone else we love who isn't with us anymore. Sometimes we walk next to them, and sometimes they have to get behind and push. But together we can do it.How do I live without my mom? She's not just my mom, she's my best friend. I tell her everything. She listens and gives good advice. She laughs and plays. Someday, in my wildest dreams, I'll be a mom like her. So right now I don't know how I'll live without her, but I know I will because I have to. Because at the top of every mountain waits my Savior, my mom, and my sister cheering me on. I have to keep climbing so I can make it back to them. So I will. In faith I will climb on.This scripture is my testimony and I think the testimony of my family. This is what we believe."Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." Mosiah 4:9So because we believe, we will climb this mountain. It might not be pretty, but we will make it to the top. Because that's what our mom taught us to do.

Amen, and Amen. I am so grateful for the power of the Savior and His atonement. His grace truly is sufficient for ALL men (and women). I love you all and thank you again for everything!

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Justin came home for Thanksgiving. What a great week it was! Notice my left hand. No ring... yet. But I think it is safe to envision me in a white dress in a picture such as this one by the temple.

Go COUGARS!!!!!

That was a very sad game. I didn't really enjoy watching it. At all. Especially because I wasn't allowed to wear blue (we were in the athletic department's alumni association section). Sigh. There's always next year.

country dancing never faileth

Gangs all here....well almost...at least a good handfull. We went C.D-ing the other night...Gotta love it!

Just so you all know Jamie and I defyed gravity on Halloween night... :) Well not really, but we tried.

Paul is falling..

For our little Alicia. Can you blame him? She's incredible.. And he knows it. Better yet, he TREATS her like he knows it! Just wanted the sisters around the world to have a brief introduction to the man we call Paul. We call him Paul, because that's his name. Why did his mother name him Paul, you may ask? Probably because of a sweet face like this.. So cute. I looked up the meaning of his name and found out it means small; humble. From the looks of it, he was a small baby.. And I believe he's grown into the humility portion. He is a sweetheart. I've met Paul several times and he's so easy to be around! He's pleasant, kind, funny, sweet and good. There's this goodness about him that I really like. It's alot like the intense goodness that surrounds Alicia. He's comfortable with who he is, and adds a calming presence to the company he's with. And little kids love him.. Paul and Alicia compliment one another quite nicely! She brings out the best in him and he brings out the best in her. She smiles when she talks about him. Oh, did I mention he's ridden an elephant? He has. And also? He's doing the 10 days of 10/10 (a cute, creative countdown to her birthday this Friday). Who does that? I don't know everything, but I know enough :) Paul is kind, thoughtful, attentive, affectionate (bubble: burst),funny, intelligent, spiritual, hardworking, friendly, easy going, he's got a green thumb (their first kiss was in a garden), musically inclined, and I could go on and on. One of the most important things? He'd give her a run for her money in a white trash contest.. Dear Paul, We like you alot.

Fall Paradise

How did I ever manage to find the time to go to what I would call a fall paradise during an insanely busy time of my life? I don't know. All I know is that it was the first weekend in a while that I didn't have a training or a test.  My parents took the boat to Lake Mead, and the next thing I know I am leaving straight from school (I brought my suit just in case) and headed toward Vegas. I had the best nights sleep ever on the hotel couch and the next morning we were out on this beautiful water.

Why is waterskiing so much fun!

Sigh... What a joy. 

I simply must have a new ski for next summer.

In other news... 

A week and two days from today I will be visiting Justin in Idaho.

Can't wait.

Question..

Am I completely embarrassing if I love the new David Archuleta song Crush? Just let me know and I'll try to get over it.. Or accept me for who I am :) Alicia and I went rollerblading on Saturday--it was delightful! We wished you all could have been there. Actually, we wished we were all up Provo canyon on our way to Vivian Park. Those were the days..

Ode to Justin

Well the dreaded day has come. Justin left. It will be five weeks before I can go visit him in Rexburg. It is going to be a long five weeks. 

So Justin got his private pilot license so he took me flying the other day. I have always wanted to ride in the front seat of a plane so basically he made my dream come true. He even let me fly the plane. Here are some pictures of our adventure. We flew from Apple Valley, near his house, to Hesperia and circled over my house a couple of times. I didn't even throw up!

   

Country Fun

We all know that I can't go long without some country dancing. Good thing we are both on the activities committee ;) We even had a pie bake off and our pie, the Peach Blossom Special, took first prize! 

Don't ask me what we were doing here.

Let the fun begin!

Well, here goes nothing. I have spent the last few days in my classroom trying to get ready for students (who come tomorrow). I am not nearly as prepared as I would like to be, but ready or not, here they come. Deep breaths.... one day at a time.

Just to stir things up.. .

Alicia is the Apartment President.. She got 2. And she liked it :)

Annyong ha shimnikka

That's supposed to say "hello" in Korean. It is time to welcome back another Sisterhood member from life in the convent. Jennifer Suzanne Mabray, WELCOME HOME!!!!! We missed you more than you will ever know. Please do not ever leave us for a year and a half again (unless you are old and serving a mission with your eternal companion). One more member to go and we will all be on the same continent again - how long as that been now? 3 years or something? Lame - can't we just all stay as we are and never change? Now I feel like Jo from Little Women . . . anyway . . . Jenn, here's a little update on what's been happening since you've been gone (yes, you can sing that last part - thank you Kelly Clarkston).

• TIFF is home from her mission!!!! Living in Boise, working as an athletic trainer at Nampa High and taking some classes at BSU. She's also been busy getting "2" and working the Boise crowd. Good work Tiff.
• ELISABETH is married!!!!! Holy hot stuff Tyler Williams. Ooooowwww!!!!! It all started with some innocent bumping while they ate crepes at one of Brooke's parties, and now they are painting their living room walls together. How romantical!!!!
• CRYSTAL is ALSO home from her mission! She's going from "Sister" Bloom to "Miss" Bloom so she can teach little middle schoolers starting this fall. Pretty sure she's been voted as "Hottest Teacher of the Year" and the school year hasn't even started yet! She also has a cute manfriend. Wooo Wooo!
• JAIME, as you know, is STILL on a mission. Le weep. Any chance we can convince her to come home early? Pretty please?
• JAMIE (since she finally posted something (well, sort of - through Crystal) she gets to be in on the update) Anyway, she had a great swimming season - Best Breast in the West to be exact! After she bikes from Hesperia to Provo (he he) she has one more semester at BYU and then it's on to another exciting adventure somewhere with lots of cute boys.
• ALICIA (that's me!) just returned from the Motherland. Pretty sure the Sisterhood really does need to make an Asian trip sometime - with all these missionaries and such we could conquer the world!!! Oh, and I may have a cute boy too. More to come. :)
  

PS..

I know, I know. Two in one day? I have ADD. Just wanted to announce that Tyler finally (kind of) gave his blessing.. And we have a blog! It's not much to look at yet, but keep checking back. Julia, I'd love access to yours! http://tylerandelisabeth.blogspot.com

Our new digs..

Tyler and I spent 20 hours this weekend painting and finally decorating our living room. It looks like a home now as opposed to the bachelor pad it's been :) I love, love, love it! Sigh. We still have one wall to figure out, and I'm not sure yet how I feel about the paintings above the piano. They work for now. I'm sure it'll look a little bit different when y'all come over next :) When will that be?

Radies and Gentremen . . . My Trip!

(Sorry if the title offends anyone - the cute Japanese people can't say their R's, so when they say "Ladies and Gentlemen" it sounds more like "Radies and Genterman.")

The long-awaited post is finally here. I made it back from Japan, survived nerd camp, and am finally getting around to posting about my trip to the Motherland.

What did I do in Japan? The better question is what DIDN'T I do in Japan. Here are a few pics and some explanations to give you a better idea of why I'm glad I can claim I have Asian blood (which isn't true . . . I just look like I contain Asian blood).

This is me after 18 HOURS of traveling. SLC to San Fran to Tokyo. Then a 1-hour bus ride to another airport in Tokyo, then Tokyo to Okinawa. 24 hours total. 24 hours of traveling = not fun. On my way back to the states I sent next to backwards mullet man who drank alcohol the entire 12 hour flight AND had horrible B.O. I think I would have traveled with a baby than sat by him. Needless to say he did NOT ask for my number. :)




Snorkeling. Probably what I loved most (besides the fam and the food). I can't even begin to describe everything I saw. Take Finding Nemo and had several hundred more kinds of fish and you'll have what I swam in during my 3 week adventure. It was all fun and games until I saw the ever-poisonous sea snake!!! I swam my little tail off to get away from that guy. Luckily no one was seriously hurt - including my 4-year-old nephew Marcus who is snorkeling next to me in this picture.

Two words: Awkward and gross. This is a squat and shot that the Japanese people actually use. To me it simply looks like an accident waiting to happen - what if your aim was off? (sorry, I know it's gory, but it's just nasty - Julia, any insight or history on these horrid things would be much appreciated.)

The above is a video of what is called "Drop Slide Park." You hang from a pole and literally "drop" yourself down the slide. You free fall for a couple seconds so it's kind of scary at first, but definitely worth the rush. Pretty sure the Japanese know how to make parks. I spent a large part of my first week there going to all the AMAZING parks they have. I can't really describe how cool they are - just know that they would never fly in America because they are a law suit waiting to happen. Bless the Japanese for not being law suit crazy so normal people like us can play on the best parks in the world!

Every been to Sea World? Well, I haven't. But apparently this aquarium we went to is bigger and better. Pretty sure we loved it. Especially the dolphin show and the huge indoor aquarium we ate our lunch in front of with the biggest fish and stingrays I've ever seen.



We spent one weekend at a military (inexpensive but still nice) resort. This is the view just outside our hotel door. Gotta love it!!!








Yup, this is me PARASAILING over the beautiful China Sea. The coolest part was that while we were in the boat we saw flying fish. They fly MUCH faster than the boat and stay in the air for sometimes up to a minute. Way cool.






My "Oriental Fling." My brother in law is the branch president and this Marine just moved into their ward. He told my he's a firefighter for the aircrafts, but my sister said if I REALLY knew what he did I would propose on the spot. We had a romantical evening complete with real Japanese food, a 3D roller coaster ride (loved it), a ride in a ferris wheel that's on top of a building, a street performer, and a long walk on the beach. It was the perfect date!

The sunset on the beach that you can walk to from my sister's house. Oh how I miss Okinawa!!!

My cute toes!!!! When you get pedicures in Japan they make your toes look real nice. Pretty sure I would go back to Japan every 2 months just for one of these babies.






These people are fake Japanese royalty we saw at a parade. Since they know we're americans they count to 3 and then say "Cheeseburger!" to make us laugh. It worked.





I was able to spend 5 days in Tokyo. Loved it. After 25 years and traveling over 5,000 miles guess what I FINALLY did? Went to Disneyland! Loved it - especially Captain Jack Sparrow who hunted us down after he saw us (how could he resist me?) He looked and acted just like the real thing. Be still my heart!



Well, if you're still reading, I'm very impressed. However, you should also be impressed with me. I have over 300 pics and had to narrow it down to a choice few. Hope you enjoyed the log of my trip - I highly recommend Okinawa, especially if you have a sister as a tour guide.

Summer Fun. Duh.

Posted by Crystal, but in the words of Jamie:

Forced to do this by Crystal... but also typed by Crystal...

This is Jamie Bloom. Well, this is my first time on the blog, so I'm not quite sure what to say or how this goes. My summer vacation has been great. I am currently residing in Hesperia, CA with my dear sister Crystal. I have spent my summer accomplishing many things on my list of things to do:

1. Go to Rachelle's wedding in Arizona. Caught her bouquet. Duh.

2. Go see Wicked

3. Go to Rachelle's wedding reception in CA. Build river in backyard.

4. Go see Zach in Hollywood

5. Wakeboard AMAP (as much as possible)

6. Hold my friend heather's hand while she is in labor

7. Build cabinet doors with my mom

8. Paint the fence

9. Be awesome

But the summer is not over yet... there is still time for:

1. Houseboat vacation

2. Read Breaking Dawn

3. Bike from Provo to Hesperia

4. Graduation August 15

Life Through Wicked Eyes

So for those of you who want the scoop, Justin is still in the picture. And what a cute picture it is :) He is wonderful. 

And after all -- Now that we've met one another... It's clear we deserve each other . . . He thinks I am so beautiful. I think he's wonderful! And we deserve each other don't you see, this is our chance? We deserve each other.

But there is one small problem. He has to go back to school in the fall and I have to stay here. 

Say there's no future for us as a pair . . . and though I may know, I don't care . . . 

Well, that's the Wicked scoop for now. It's someone else's turn to post. I'm turning into Miss Bloom the Blogging Bore!

Unemployed no Longer

This just in. I have a job. I will be teaching Spanish and Math at a new middle school here in Hesperia. Isn't it a lovely desert? Imagine this with a school surrounded by some houses and that will be the scenery for my life come August. 

Hooray for paychecks!

I'm wicked through and through.

Wickedly awesome.

See my photo gallery for more photos.

Forever a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride

So, this past weekend was my little, yes, little sister's wedding. It was amazing. She was truly a princess. She was very calm and collected the whole weekend and especially on the day of. She had everything organized, with a lot of help from my mother, but it went well. I hope one day I can be a calm bride, but most of all, just a bride, right?. Here's a picture of all of the sister's together on her day. From left to right: Missy, Katie, Sunni, and Me.

P.S. I did go to Brazil in June, which was in Alicia's words, AMAZING. I will do a seperate post for that one. I love you all.