~An Open Letter to My 17-year-old Self

I wrote this letter to a younger version of myself, looking back to when I was a Junior in high school. This was a way for me to reflect on what have learned over the past few years and to think of advice that I would give to myself as a teenager.

Hey Beautiful!
Congratulations on turning 17! By the way, you're already more than halfway done with high school! I know that the decision to switch schools was tough* but you were brave and took the plunge. You're going to learn so much at this school and meet some amazing people.  I know right now you're excited about cheerleading, fun assignments, and cute boys in gym class, science class, every class.... But I have a little bit of advice to help you through the next few action-packed years.
1.   You are beautiful, inside and out! You don't need to wear shorts skirts or cake your face in makeup to be beautiful. You have a light that shines from within. It may take you a while to recognize that light, but when you do, it will be glorious. All of the jewels in the world can't compare with the beauty of a young woman who knows who she is and shows respect for herself and others.
2.  Talking to cute boys is fun and exciting (and I know that boy a few lockers down has his eyes on you), but you don't really need a boyfriend just yet. You need to get to know and love yourself better first. You're going to transform over the next few years. Yes, you'll meet some good-looking guys, steal a few hearts (and kisses), and maybe get your heart ripped out a couple of times. Everything that happens will shape you and prepare you for the future. God has an awesome guy waiting for you; He just wants you to be better prepared for your future relationship. Be patient; it'll take a few years.
3.  Treasure your relationships with your family and friends. Yes, I understand your siblings are annoying, I had to grow up with them, remember?  The good news is, they will grow out of their annoying habits.  They may even surprise you with what they know and the skills they have. You guys will help each other through trials and grow closer together. You may even become really good friends.  Also, don't write your parents off as old farts who don't know much. They know A LOT and have really good advice. Listen to them and consider their advice. It can save you a lot of headache and heartache.  And enjoy your friendships. Get to know different kinds of people. Learn to get along with different kind of people. It will help you a lot!
4.  Don't be afraid of your school teachers and church leaders. They are actually pretty cool. You'll be surprised by the stories they tell and the advice they give. I know that it can be hard to pay attention sometimes, but listen up. You never know what you could learn! Also, don't be afraid of your bishop or branch president*. They want you to succeed, and they are here to help! You'll make some great friends by getting to know your teachers and leaders better.
5.  Be yourself! Be genuine. Be real. You don't need to be someone you're not to get people to like you. Don't be afraid to speak up. People will love the real you, quirks and all!
6.  Find a balance. Life can be pretty tricky when you have to balance early-morning seminary*, school, cheerleading, homework, and church activities. Things will get even crazier after graduation, when you have to balance a job, classes, homework, church responsibilities, a social life, and a car with which you have a love-hate relationship.*   It will be tough. You'll crash and burn. But eventually you will find a good way to balance your life.
7.  Exercise and eat healthy foods!  This one is hard to do! I know you're probably about to shove a pizza into your mouth and then eat some candy. I know that at this age, carrots and apples do not sound as appealing as pizza and soda, but you'll pay for poor health habits down the road. It's much harder to get back in shape and change eating habits when you get older. I'm having quite the struggle to lose weight and be healthy. Cultivate good habits now. Trust me, you'll thank yourself when you get older!
8.   Do your best work.  A lot of subjects come easy to you, and you find a way to put your personality into your assignments.  I have some bad news for you: classes are not always fun or easy. You will have some tough classes in college, and sometimes you will be bored out of your mind!  But don't give up. Remember that mediocre efforts results in mediocre grades and mediocre learning. Study and apply what you learn. Don't be afraid of talking to your teacher or going to study groups.  There are people who want to help you succeed.
9.    Be open to the unexpected. Life will throw you curves and give you unanticipated opportunities. Things will happen that will shock you. Doors and windows will open up when you least expect it.  For example, for a couple of years, you'll tell everyone you know that you're not going to serve a mission. Then you'll eat your words when you're 22. You'll end up serving a mission* and loving it.  Life isn't going to go exactly how you expect it. You won't always get what you want, but you will get what you need.
10.   Pay attention in your church classes. I know it's hard to stay awake at 7 in the morning*. I know it's hard to understand Bible language. You will learn some valuable lessons when you pay attention. You will learn about how to build a relationship with God. You will learn about what Christ's sacrifice means to you. You will be able to apply what you learn on a very personal level and become a better person. Even when a class seems endlessly boring, pay attention, and you can pick out hidden treasures of knowledge.
Well, dear, this about wraps it up. I hope you learned something from the future version of yourself. These next few years will be fun and challenging. You will be stretched. You will laugh, you will cry, you will learn many things. Hang on and enjoy the ride!
Love, Future You in 2015

* Some background information:
1- My Junior year of high school I switched to a high school that was technology-based because I was ready for a change.
2- A bishop or branch president is a leader of a local congregation of my church.
3- I had a car in college that happened to break down at the most inopportune moments. Being stuck on the side of the road at -40 degrees is not fun!
4- I served an 18-month mission for my church. I served the Spanish-speaking population of Las Vegas.
5- Youth in my church attend a class during the school year, called seminary, where we study the scriptures. In Alaska, the class is held before school.

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Conference Review

This month, we had two conferences for our church. They were awesome! What I got out of General Conference (a worldwide broadcast) was that families are super-important and that we need to all work together to bring to pass much good. Everyone plays an important role; we all need each other. From Stake Conference (a local meeting), I received a message that I really needed: I am enough. I don't need to be Super Woman; I just need to do the best I can and understand my limitations.  I loved both conferences and learned a lot. What did you learn from conference?

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Trials and tragedies

I have been thinking a lot lately about trials I've had in the past. Many of these trials were because I needed to learn something. I have this stubborn tendency to want things done in MY way and in MY timing, but that's not how it works. I've had many trials in my life, but it's been interesting to see how the Lord gave me a trial but prevented a tragedy. For example, I have had a few experiences where I was involved in an accident: I fell down a hill, I fell backwards off a horse, I smashed up a car or two, I nearly drowned. I should have died or been seriously hurt, but I walked away without a scratch from each incident. To be face to face with death and walk away without a scratch is a miracle to me.  If I have had had several experiences where I stared death in the face and was able to just walk away, that must mean that my life is worth something! This gives me the courage to press forward in whatever struggle I may face.  I know that these experiences help to shape me into a better person so that I can be a greater influence for good in the world. I know that all things will work out. They may not work out when I expect or how I expect, but I know that I will be blessed.
Love,
Tabitha

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Continued of what's to come!

Hi everyone I wanted to continue my post I made a few days ago. I wanted to let you all know we're doing great and we have been thinking hard about what we want to do for our future living arrangements and I've been doing a lot of research on buying a house or property VS renting and feel like if I play my card right we can buy a place to live for less than renting which is sad and also I will have the freedom to do as I please to my place! I'm not going to tell you all the specifics but I will tell you that I fear renting a place and not being able to move out because we would be stuck in a stupidly expensive apartment. I know if I worked the cards right I can get something around 70,000 or less and a few acres of land  and have a lower payment then rent and we can pay it off within five years easy fix it up with repairs and improvements and have something with more value to sell and use towards our final resting grounds with sizable land.  That amount of money would get us a 2 to 3 bedroom house and the down payment is about the same as security deposits here in North Pole and Fairbanks yes I know most of you aren't going to support us buying a place and that's why we're not asking, I do not like apartments and will not get stuck in one for 10 years it's a dumb place to be and I know many people that are there now and I will not be one of them. I love my land and freedom to do as I please within reason in my yard! Anyways that's what's up in my head and I miss you all and miss hanging out with everyone. Oh and no we aren't buying a place until December if we do at the earliest, it depends on how some things on my credit go as they are resolved! Have a good night.

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What Lye's ahead?

Hi everyone! I know your wandering what we're up to these day's so let me tell you! I have been working for RWC International now for almost 3 week's and I love it! I feel so much respect there and I'm doing stuff in learned in school, like today I was taking a truck apart to remove the head! I haven't done that since school! Anyway its late and I want to watch another episode of Boy meet's world before bed! Greatest show of all time!

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Value

Hi everyone today I had learned a little about value. Yesterday I had started my new job and today I had meet my big boss I was talking to him about the process that was used whe I was scheduled my interview and the issues I had involved with that, and because of the hiring agent and lack of details about what being sponsored ment and basically we are without benefits for 5 months well this month don't count so 4 months because I don't actually work for RWC yet I work for the hiring agent which is contracted with RWC so I work for the hiring agent which doesn't have benefits of any kind! But I had found out what the company values me! They are paying $50.00 per hour for me to work for them! I told him that I felt like we were getting the raw end of the deal and he told me that's not the way he sees it! He feels he is getting more than they bargained for. It didn't sink in until he walked away about what we talked about and I told him that I had never felt so much respect from a company even before I was employed he then did the official welcome to the company and said we will not let this guy to its an honor to have him aboard! After the 90 contract is up I become an official RWC mechanic! I also work with some great co workers! I am grateful!!!

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Wait and See

Hi everyone! Tabitha here! I haven't really said much in a few weeks, but I have something to share today. I wanted to share one of my favorite songs that basically describes my life right now. It's called "Wait and See" by Brandon Heath. It's about how our struggles and confusion in life can bring unseen blessings because Heavenly Father is working in our, whether we recognize it or not. Lately I've been struggling with decisions and figuring out what path I need to take, which for the summer will be taking a break from and focusing on faith, family, and health. My physical, mental, and spiritual health have been suffering lately and I just need time to reset and refocus. Then I'll see what happens. Like the song says, He ain't finished with me yet.

Here's the YouTube link:
https://youtu.be/lEFNQE76Us4
https://youtu.be/lEFNQE76Us4

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The next journey!

Good evening my friend's!  Today was a great day. I had an interview with RWC International today and had got the job!! I took the job as a Cummins engine specialist, granted it will take time to achieve that title but im in the running for it! They have formal training and when you complete all of the training for each segment they will send me to Los Vegas for the master certification! I get one week personal time off paid per year and if it isn't used it pays put in the form of a bonus on the payday before Christmas and resets on the first of the year! I get one week of vacation per year up to a max of 4 years of vacation after 4 years of service with up to one week of roll over if it's not used, training is online in sections which add up to segments apon completing each section in there is a $0.25 raise and a $75.00 bonus upon completion for each section and there is 17 sections in each segment! And my hourly rate well that don't matter to you! Lets just say it's good! I had also got a length of service raise where I work now and it was a good amount but not enough to keep me working there! Plus health, dental, and 401K benefits!

I know everyone wants us to move but it dont look like were going to anytime soon!

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Our next Road to take in life!

Hi everyone  its Brandon we have been trying to figure out what we're going to do for the next portion of our lives, Tabitha's family is going to be moving sooner or later so we've been talking about our options as well. We have been looking at the Oregon area as an option if we had decided to leave Alaska and i had applied to several places there to get an idea of demand and havnt had any calls yet but on Tuesday a recruiting company had got ahold of my resume and put it out and 2 people are interested one they said the managers name is Mike and I'm pretty sure it's Mike from trailer craft and the other one was Joe from RWC, I had meet the face of RWC when he came to visit last week and he had said if he got a hold of my resume I would be the First interview and I didn't believe him but he proved me wrong today, he is my first interview the company pays really well from what I can see! My interview is Friday during lunch!  I wasnt looking for a new job around here but i think god says it's time. I dont like the company that RWC bought out "Cascadia" and the company RWC is having trouble braking that image and is refacing the company now because of it! I think I could help them with that. They have really good benefits and training on the newest equipment and improvements and that's important to me now because stuff is advancing really fast in the diesel field, Tabitha feels like it's time for her to start moving into the role of stay at home wife now because of all the stress that is around right now with her family talking about moving which we know is coming sooner or latter and also the uncertainty of the school district and state right now. I would like to move as well but a part of me says we're not ready so we are as of today going to stay put! There's a lot to process so im going to say goodnight and think about the other half of things I was supposed to tell you because i cant remember them right now!

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General Conference: Part 1, Women's Session

Hi everyone! This past weekend, our church held a broadcast meeting for girls and women worldwide. This coming weekend is general conference, a worldwide broadcast where people can hear God's word. I just wanted to share a few thoughts from the women's meeting right now.
I loved that the theme of the meeting was the importance of the family. So much is going on in the world today. There is so much wickedness and the importance of the family is being undermined. People are being ridiculed for wanting to raise up children to the Lord. Children are being viewed as less important than educational or professional opportunities. Parents are having to work long hours just to make ends meet, not being given enough time with their families. It's a difficult time that we are living in, full of trials and confusion.
Many of the speakers talked about defending the family and seeking God's guidance and divine help in helping our families. We need God's help so much.
I am excited to listen to more of conference this weekend and to receive guidance in how to continue to establish a home and family with my husband.

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Saturday Update

Good Saturday my Friends! Today Is been A really good calm day! I had got up this morning at 6 and it was to early so I went back to bed and woke up at 8am and had went out side to shovel the driveway and enjoyed my time doing so. I had ended up shoveling my neighbors driveway too,On Thursday my vacation in July was approved and submitted and I personally can't wait!!!!! You all have a good weekend and we will talk to you all latter!

It was a fun thing to do since i really had nothing better to do! but yesterday I had spent half the day at work on the loader scraping the driveway. considering it was the first time I had to actually operate the loader I have to say it wasn't a bad job, needles to say all this snow we got it was a little useless but at least the driveway is smooth now!, Last Wednesday I had 2 molars pulled and had since then really built up and appetite for food. I had also realized that part of the reason for that is that I haven't been able to eat real food or drink anything bad, AKA soda so I'm using this opportunity to take control of my eating habits a little more. I had also learned that Lemonade is good for you but also bad for your teeth, Worse than Soda as far as teeth go but it is good for you vs. soda is bad for you on every aspect. they have had me taking 800mg of Motrin and it really messes me up so yesterday I had cut back on the dose so I felt better and it still does the job that it needs to do but my teeth have been healing nicely. when they had pulled them I had instantly felt better and knew it was going to be a good thing now all i have is some more work to be done and 2 more to be pulled but now it's a money issue because Dental Insurance wamps and will never really be worth buying so I have to pay a lot out of pocket then wait for next year for the last 2 teeth removal. I and Tabitha have some contract cleaning work that we do on Saturdays we just have to wait until after 1pm to go do it and that's what we're doing now, Waiting. it pays good for a few hours of work and helps out a lot at the end of the month.

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Pre weekend review

Good evening my friend's! Today was a good day and i had ran a loader today and has scrapped the parking lot most of the afternoon. But on Wednesday I had got 2 mollers (I  dont even know how to spell that) pulled and since then have worked up a big appatite for food and i think i know why but ill explain tomorrow!  Anyway its late and my tablet is dieing so you al have a great night and I'll  write you tomorrow!

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2/20/15 Tax season

So last sunday we had finished our taxes and today we had got notice that it was processed and and to expect it by the 24th im hoping we get it tomorrow but well se what happens!  Tomorrow we have pur contract work which is to clean the office and bathrooms where I work  it pays good for a few hours of work every Saturday and we only have to do it once a week and it's free of tax i think! But it's also independent of our regular paydays so this month it works for us because it is extra money in between paydays! But as far as work goes its been busy. Trying to keep up with repairs and paperwork, I got bombarded with electrical problems on top of normal problems and weekly reports but today I got 2 trailers fixed and a truck and filed all of my weekly paperwork and even spent some time cleaning!  It was an accomplished day! The roads have been slick this week with it being warm and I almost wrecked my truck yesterday but didn't!  Phew!!!

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Just another Thursday

Today Tabby had a Dr.appointment and I had got permission to go into work late. We just wanted to make sure everything is okay and working as it's supposed to! But it's a few days to Valentine's day and I am excited! Not sure what I'm going to do but it's going to be epic! I hope! So yesterday I had completed a service one one of our trucks #128 which somehow got skipped a full service interval, it normally gets serviced every 400 running Hours that's idle and running combined and it managed to run 775hrs without it's service! This one could get me in trouble! That is about 19000 miles driven and close to 35000 miles on the engine the equation to figure out what miles on the engine is the service Hours × 35 to 40 I always use 40 because it's the hire # and I also have to stay consistent on the paperwork, I'm not sure what the 40 represents or where that # comes from but when I do I will let you all know! Today I had finished installing an auxiliary heater in one of our truck's. #114

let's just say they will never say there cold again! I built the bracket that's on so it would fit in the truck! But I almost forgot I saw the modern "Dorthy"

from the movie Twister yesterday and even met the engineer's that designed and built it! I'll post a picture or 2 latter! I had decided just now that we aren't going to post 2 blogs a day I don't want everyone to get tired of reading about us and I know that a few of you love reading my post and I hope you enjoy Tabby's posts to But to make it a little more spread out if there is only one post made by either of us on any given day that is all there will be! I will try to keep a post a day, "there fun to look back on latter" I hope you enjoy them all! But if we're to lazy to post something on any given day don't worry we haven't forgotten about you We're just to lazy! If we post to much "nothing, I don't care that's not interesting type stuff just let us know! But I want you to read our posts wether it's from I or Tabby and we don't want to overload you with post either! This is a partnership just as a marriage is! Tomorrow I'll tell you all a little about something I did and miss from my past! I'll call it "know me a little more!" Anyways You all have a wonderful night and don't forget to check back tomorrow for a little FYI!

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When You're Green Inside, You're Clean Inside

Hi everyone! Tabitha here!
Brandon has told you a little about the health changes we are making. It's really fun trying different foods and personal care products. Something interesting that I've learned is that there are tons of crazy chemicals in a lot of beauty products. I just read a book called Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano. I learned a lot about dangerous chemicals, eating healthier foods, and making better choices for the environment each day. There were a ton of resources and websites to check out! I would highly recommend visiting your local library to check this book out!
Here are a couple of resources to help you know what's in your food and personal care products. Happy learning!

Skin Deep Database. Find out what's in your makeup, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. and what that means for your health! You may be surprised to learn that your shampoo has chemicals that mess with your hormones.
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Food Scores:
Ever wonder what those preservatives or hard to pronounce ingredients in your food do? This website can tell you more about your food and what's in it.
http://www.ewg.org/foodscores

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Going Green

Hi Every one it's Brandon Again and I just wanted to say something just Because I and Tabitha have I guess you could say "By The worlds Standard" Become what do you call it when you do something the world finds weird? well I don't remember what it's called but we have really gotten into the eating healthy and Tabby is reading about going green and we are learning about things that are put into our food's, soaps, shampoo, exe anyways we have learned that there is so many bad things in everything like for example there is a Chemical that is used to make brake fluid and other things of that nature and it is used in the majority of shampoo's? I also learned that just because something is labeled Doctor,daintiest,dermatologist approved and recommended does not mean it's safe! I think that is also a big reason I have so many problems with my hands/Skin everywhere. so we have been buying Organic stuff and have noticed a big difference in our moods/energy levels! I recommend everyone to start by finding out what the difference between organic and natural is and no there not the same but I do have to say Vary interesting and fascinating! well any ways I must be going I'm out of time today! we will post more as continue our adventure as we go throughout the Year! "we're working on finding a good Healthier Ranch Dressing that Tastes good! If anyone has any ideas/Recipe's that you like that's within an affordable price range please let us know! Thank you all for Reading our blog and we Love you all!

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Just to say Hi

Hi everyone It's Brandon here and I wanted to blog as little about what's going on in life! It is the season for taxes and I and Tabitha are filling jointly this year! Thought it would make us a little money and though it's not as much as I'd like to see for a return we still won't be paying taxes so that I can live with! Tabby is less than thrilled about taxes and I'm going to say it's probably because she don't have a lot of experience with taxes and no one explained how the # system on the We worked so in a way she got the raw end of the deal but that don't matter to me because I love her and I will help her with things like this! Other news it's been a cold around here in Fairbanks/North Pole Alaska like -40° or colder the last few days has been warming up and now at 10:30pm it's about 0° out and for once we're cooking in the house because it's so warm we even have the window open! It's also getting light out I can see in daylight after work and on my way home! Yay! I am excited for this summer we have a lot of things we want to do and on top of that it's going to be a great movie year! One move that I'm supper excited for is the minions movie coming out this summer and another movie I can't wait to see is the new Disney Cinderella movie coming out in May I think! But we had also decided that we aren't going to move this summer and we're going to stay here in my tinny tiny studio apartment, we don't want to give up our great landlord and owner of this place and besides that Tabby is the Girls camp director and I know how much that means to her and I don't want her to give that up! Church at 1pm is hard but I love our ward and that makes it great for me! Anyways Tabby keeps bugging me so you all have a great night and we'll talk to you soon!

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wedding tips

From Tabitha:

This post has been in my head for awhile and I finally decided to write it down for y'all. Before our wedding, I scoured through magazines, websites, and Pinterest for ideas and advice. I wanted things to be perfect and I stressed myself out! I want to give ten tips to those of you who will someday be getting married. My fellow married friends, be sure to add any tips that helped you! 

1) The details, such as the cake, party favors, what kind of flowers you have,etc pale in comparison with the fact that you are gathered with your loved ones, beginning a wonderful adventure with your best friend. 

2) There will be unexpected problems. The day may not be exactly as you imagined it, but it will be worth it! Sometimes those glitches may be blessings in disguise.

3) Communicate, communicate, communicate! Confirm and reconfirm plans with everyone involved! I cannot emphasize this enough! Make sure that your family, your bride or groom, your wedding party, and your wedding guests know what they need to do, where they need to be, and when they need to be there. If you think that you have all your bases covered, follow up with people. This will prevent a lot of problems.

4) Going along with communication, be sure to discuss your expectations for the wedding with both families, whether you want a religious wedding, a backyard wedding, a courthouse wedding, or whatever your heart desires. Make sure that if you have a religious wedding, the customs and procedures are explained to family members or guests who may not be familiar with them.

5) If you have a ceremony that includes the wedding party (bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearer, etc) please try to have a rehearsal! Since we were on a time crunch, we didn't have a rehearsal for the ring ceremony. This is definitely something I would have done differently! A lot of confusion would have been eliminated.

6) If you have a luncheon or reception afterward, be very very careful with food! Or have something else to change into. Barbecue sauce does NOT look good on a white dress!

7) When you cut the cake, you feed the cake to your partner. I had a temporary brain fart and started shoveling cake into my mouth before Brandon reminded me that I was supposed to feed him! Oops!

8) This tip is especially for brides: wear comfortable shoes! Or have some comfy shoes to change into. I wore high heels for the ring ceremony and for taking pictures. But for the luncheon I wore something more comfortable. This saved my feet!

9) Hire a photographer. We had our friends and family take lots of pictures, which turned out good. But we were looking at a bazillion cameras! It would've been nice to have a formal photographer to keep picture time more organized and flow more smoothly.

10) Just soak in the day and enjoy! After the party is over and you're with your new husband or wife, be sure to unwind, eat cake, and talk about the day!

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Hi Everyone!
We're starting a new blog to tell about our adventures together! Stay tuned for more fun!