Personal Development for 2014

I am working to better myself this year and I am committing to read at least one personal development book each month! Here is my list. Let me know your thoughts on any of these book! Any I should add?

January- The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C Maxwell

February- Go Pro by Eric Worre

March- Failing Forward by John C Maxwell

April- Eat That Frog! By Brian Tracy

May- Push by Chalene Johnson

June- The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

July- Leadership and Self-Discipline by the Arbinger Institute

August- Everyone Communicates But Few Connect by John C Maxwell

September- Influencer, The new Science of Leading Change by Joseph Grenny

October- How to Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie

November- Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey

December- No Excuses! The power of Self-Discipline by Brian Tracy

Introducing "An Ornament Memory A Day" ~ Dec 1-25

It is the BEST time of year! Holiday Time!

Since I have not been able to decorate for Christmas for the past two years I am enjoying putting up my decorations and tree a little early this year. Sure, people may scoff...but I see no harm in bringing the joy of the season into our lives earlier than normal.

I have loved unwrapping each and every ornament while remembering the story behind them. That is why, this year, on this blog AND on Facebook, I will be posting an ornament each day and it's story behind it. I will love the chronicle of why it is meaningful and share it with you! In return, I would LOVE it if you would join in too! Don't have a blog? Go ahead and post yours on Facebook and be sure to tag me so I can see it! Invite your friends to do the same!

So exciting! 

I can't wait to "see" all of your special treasures on your tree!

What I've Been Up To!

Please, please, please forgive me for being MIA. 

I always said I would never be one of those bloggers, but that is exactly what I've turned into.

However, I LOVE why I have been gone for so long. I am working again and I LOVE every single second of it. It has been quite some time since I have been this enthusiastic about anything. It has completely changed my life!

Most of you know that I have become a coach for Beachbody. Last time I posted this announcement, with a video, I really had no idea how much of an impact it would have on my life. I am healthier and more fit than I have ever been. My family is eating healthy six days a week. I help people all day long and the connections and reconnections I have made have been the highlight of the last three months! I am part of a team that is supportive, positive and encouraging. And I get to do all of this while making money! Too good to be true? Nope! And guess what?  I am ALWAYS looking for help...so if you are interested, PLEASE talk to me!

I could talk about getting healthy all day long...BUT there are so many other positive things going on in my life too! Of course, my life IS NOT perfect...but moving to the beach has made it pretty darn close. Sure, there are still trials, struggles, miscommunication and my two teenagers. BUT I can go just down the hill and see the ocean and all feels better. 

With the holidays here, I hope to connect with each and every one of you. Please do not hesitate to comment or chat with me on Facebook. Truly, my friends and family are the most important thing in my life! I hope to hear from you soon!

Love, 

Jen

PS It is truly my desire to post here AT LEAST once a week, so please continue to check back:)

A Sneak Peak at a Few Favorites

Hello Friends!

I am just giddy with joy! 

I went to bed at midnight and was up at 4am. What in the world excites me that much? Organizing my new house, of course!

People have asked what it has been like getting back all my things that have been in storage for two years. The only way I can describe it is it's just like shopping...for free...in a store where you love everything! It is the best feeling!

Our China shipment arrived yesterday and I spent all day working playing with all my toys things. Here are a couple sneak peaks about what I've been up to. 

I really loved my stairwell in my last house and how I had gussied it up with beautiful old pictures of treasured family and ancestors. Check it out here. The gold frames really make them look regal but I just could not find the right place in this little beach cottage where they would go. Likewise, I couldn't figure out how to style these unique shelves that are downstairs also. At around 3:34 am it dawned on me and I hopped out of bed to make it happen. The two should go together! Love it when that happens.

I love honoring all of the special people who made us what we are today!
 Our parents, grandparents and some distant relatives who just have cool pictures.

The perfect conversation starter for this conversation area, which also serves as a buffet.

Who says Chinese doesn't go with beach? I have to admit I was a little worried about how this bold piece from China would go with my simplistic beachy vision. This just proves my number one decorating rule: 

IF YOU LOVE IT, IT WILL GO! 

This is the perfect piece for our entry way. The shells and sea glass are a perfect compliment.

A great friend graciously housed my apothecary jars for me while in China. I missed them so while I was away. Is that weird to say that about an object? Oh well!

There is a lot more where that came from! 

We've only just begun!

Check back for more soon!

This Week In Pictures

Taking each day at a time, as our days are dwindling. 

The Peonies are in bloom at RiTan Park!

E and her sweet friend (who happened to be born in MY hometown) prepping for their church leader's baby shower.

New Tom's for Spring!

Minor procedure involving getting some moles removed. They put him completely out.

Will this be the last time we see her play? I sure hope not!

Wangjing Soho is going to be quite amazing! Read more about this billionaire Chinese woman here.
You may remember me posting a pic of Galaxy Soho here. 

Jupiter with his Vet. First exam to get him back to the US. Two more to go!

Ahhhh! California weather! Hooray!

We had been patiently waiting for D to tell us when he was going to get his hair cut.
Finally! 

 Mother's Day Bouquet!

Getting ready for a baby shower:)

Cooking lessons: fried egg 101

Late night fruit buying outside our building.

Giant Pandas in Chengdu ~ China

For Spring Break we traveled from Beijing to Chengdu in the Sichuan Province of China. It was a quick three hour plane ride. Along with spicy Sichuan food, the main draw to Chengdu is the Giant Pandas. It is true you can see Pandas at the Beijing Zoo, however The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the best place to view these amazing creatures. 

Getting to the Base is easy, the taxi from our hotel knew exactly where to go and it cost us between 70-80 RMB each way (approximately $10-12 USD). Admission to the base is 58 RMB for adults and less for student-age children. Once you enter the base you can pay an extra 10 RMB for a shuttle ticket. The grounds are very large and provide an amazing park-like setting. By far, this is the most professional and immaculate place we've been to in China!

 We had no idea how many pandas we would see or what condition they would be in. We were pleasantly surprised that we saw almost one hundred hundred pandas. Going in the morning provided us with entertaining views of them eating and playing.

Here are two videos to actually see how they move and interact. 

Wasn't that funny?

Mother and Baby

Mother itching and cleaning herself.

 We never tired of watching these serene animals. There are many different areas where we observed them. There are also places to learn about how they are bred, what they eat, how to digest and about their personalities. 

More funny Chinglish

 There are a few different places to eat. We chose the cafe that had both Chinese and Western options. 

The menu at the Cafe

An example of the beautiful gardens

Feeding the Koi Fish at Swan Lake is a big hit with the kids.
Fish food is sold for 2 RMB.

 Did you know Pandas feel safer sleeping in trees rather than on the ground?

Baby Panda reminded me of a kid in a halloween costume.

 We had heard that you can pay to take a picture with a panda. Start saving now. For the outrageous price of 2,000 RMB ($300 USD) PER PERSON you can spend a few minutes holding a panda and take a picture. They take professional pictures and allow you to take pictures with your own camera as well. They also frame your picture, give you a hoodie sweatshirt and a DVD. It was tough to pay that much, but it is a "donation" to the base for more research and breeding. 

 This was definitely one of the highlights of my time here in China. If you find yourself visiting China, you MUST be sure to visit the Giant Pandas in Chengdu!

Spring at Home

I was able to visit Northern California on the tail end of this trip. It was a treat to have alone time at my parents house and be given time to process our upcoming repatriation back to the states. 

There were many, many highlights of my trip and I only caught a few of them on film. Each day I was able to spend time with close family and friends. It was amazing!

Good friends!

My mom's garden was blooming with freesia, daffodils, hydrangea. 

Yummy hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow and graham cracker crumbs. 

The LDS Oakland Temple for some inspiration.

Fondue with friends!

Who knows if Northern California will be our home again in the future, but I know the people here will always be in my life! 

I had a great time!

Mele Kalikimaka- Hawaii Christmas 2012

Before we even knew we were moving to China we had made plans with my family to spend Christmas 2012 in Hawaii. As time grew closer, unfortunately,  some family members were not able to come. Although we missed them, we had a wonderful time. The Kauai Marriott Beach Club, in Lihue, has become a special place in my family, with lots of memories with my parents, siblings and cousins.

Merry Christmas from the Bottoms

There were sixteen of us for Christmas dinner

D spent most of his days boogie boarding and became quite the pro.

Kalapaki Beach, Kauai

Kauai Marriott Beach Club

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Father Christmas visited the pool 

My parents, my two favorite people in the world.

Dinner out with the parents and siblings.

My favorite dessert of the trip was from Cafe Portofino.

 On Christmas Eve Grandma and Grandpa hosted a party in their room. We had barbecued steak and chicken with salads and dessert. 

Cousins on Christmas Eve

More cousins

Uncle and niece

 After our Christmas Eve feast we decided to get a little crazy and did ramdom improv skits. We then headed out to the beach with candles to sing Christmas carols. 

 Christmas morning began early with a visit from the REAL Santa! We all headed to the kids room and opened presents.

After naps and some pool time it was time to get ready for the Christmas dinner buffet.

cousins

cousins

 The Christmas dinner buffet was a disappointment to everyone, but we couldn't complain because we were so blessed to be in paradise.

Brother and Sister

Great Grandma and Great Grand daughter

We headed to Poipu one day to check out the beach.

Poipu Beach

One of my favorite places in Kauai is Brennecke's.
This time I went with my parents, daughter and niece. 

A group of us went zip lining. Those pics will come in a later post.

Cute kids!

Spouting Horn in Poipu

These two were best buddies!

 After a week at the Marriott we headed across the street to The Garden Island Inn. We loved it!

Can't beat the location!

This room had a bed for all of us.

 On the 28th my parents celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. We celebrated by having the prime rib and crab buffet (which was much better and cheaper than the Christmas day buffet) and then listened to some music on the terrace. 

A song dedicated to them.

Kiss over a chocolate lau lau.

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Hanalei

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Hanalei bay

The traditional picture of Grandpa and kids by the totem pole.

Uncle and nephew

We made memories on this trip that will last a lifetime! 

By New Years eve it was just us, my brother and parents left. Our flight left early New Year's morning so after dinner at Duke's we went to bed early and listened to fireworks all night long.

Mahalo Hawaii for another great trip!