How time flies...

Ok...so this last weekend sure did fly by! I decided last-minute to go home to BC, UT for the weekend. Spent some quality time with the entire family (minus Brent, of course). It was a terrific time at home! -I did miss out on some good times with my buddies back in IF...a baptism, The Office Season 3 marathon (oh, how I love that show!), working in Tracie's yard. I was back in time for church, which was good. Then last night my dear friend (and soon to be roommate) Lisa stopped by to visit me and my (already) roommate Brooke. Basically we planned our summer. Like...almost every weekend is planned out. This is a good thing! Happy days are on the horizon! Bike rides and hikes are mostly what this summer is all about. So...here we have some happy plans outlined for the summer. And then I get to thinking...when am I ever going to see my family? Just about every weekend is planned with something. So...I'm sure that sometime, I'm just gonna have to take off for a weekend...just up and leave. Because family comes first, ya know? Anyhoo...looks like I'm going to get to do lots of fun stuff this summer. My time leading up to Scotland is just gonna FLY by! Unfortunately, I'll be missing out on a few cool things while I'm in Scotland (i.e., the Josh Groban concert, and a hiking trip to the Palisades). Oh well...pick your battles, right? Scotland, here I come! Just less than 4 months away!

More to come...

Howdy, y'all. I've got a handful of pictures and little stories to post. (Ya know, stories to go along with the pics). Here's the thing: I'm tech-tarded. So I gotta figure out how to upload my pics from the digital camera to the computer. It'll happen one of these days I'm sure. Maybe you could pray for me to figure it out sooner than later...? Thanks. I love you!

sick joke...

So if you really know me, you know I freakin' love Josh Groban. Like...a lot. His voice is golden and his music is beautiful. Enough said. Right now he's on tour. I wanted to see him on tour, but the nearest venue was Vegas, and quite pricey. Sick! So yesterday I found out (while shopping at the DI of all places) that he's added 2 new venues, both of which could be an option for ME! Boise and SLC. How freaking awesome is that!? So, as I was chatting with this girl (who knows far too much about Josh Groban, by the way; it was slightly alarming and I almost fear for Josh's well being), I asked the magic question: when will Joshua be coming to SLC? She replied, "August." I said, "Not the end of August though, right?" Her answer was a low blow. "Yes, I think it's the 28th." Now...why would I care if it was the end of August or not? I mean come on, this is Josh Groban! He's coming to SLC for me, I'm sure! No, wait...I'll be in Scotland. There's no way I'm not going to Scotland; this trip has been in the works for months, and I've wanted to go there for the last...well, for a good portion of my life. I'm fulfilling a dream with this trip! It'll be awesome! I just think it's pretty sick that they added a venue I'd be able to swing, but in all reality I can't go. Poor Gina...I guess it didn't help when Josh's little stalker (ya know, the one who works at the DI in Idaho Falls) kept talking about what an amazing show he put on. (She's already been to one of his shows...in Phoenix, I think?) Hey darlin', remember how I'm bummed out over the fact that I can't go? Why don't you rub some salt on the wound?!?

For Brent...

So my brother is having a bit of a rough time on the mission right now; adjusting to a new culture, a new language, being nearly albino right on the equator...I'd struggle too. So...I wrote a poem. This one's for him.

LABOR OF LOVE
-Gina O.

Called to serve my Lord, my God And share the Love of Christ
With the people of Brazil; to live on beans and rice.
The language is a barrier, the heat is hard to bear,
The culture is quite different; I try not to call, "Unfair!"
Although the task at hand seems tough, I never have known strife.
I was born to privilege with the gospel in my life!
The message of my Savior Dear is one I can't deny.
His life was love and sacrifice; for all men He did die.
And when I focus on His love, I know I will survive.
The people here are wonderful; for righteousness they strive.
So onward I continue without a thought of self.
I reach out to my brothers; I love and want to help!
I know God will sustain me. He's always by my side.
I say a prayer and get to work and try to enjoy the ride.

Auntiedom...

These are pictures of my sweet little nephews, Jackson and Seth. I pretty much love these boys more than anyone else! Jackson will be 3 next week; Seth will be 3 months tomorrow...

The boys with their wonderful parents, Aaron and Amy (pic taken mid-Jan.)

Jackson happily sitting between his daddy and his uncle Goose;
he's all about watching sports and PS2 with the boys.

Jackson, 1/30/07.
Do little boys get to be any more handsome than this kid?!? I think not!

Sethington.
I think he's about a week old in this pic. So freakin' cute I can hardly stand it!

Pretty much, being an aunt is the coolest thing ever. I love these boys so much! I am amazed at how much I can love them; astounds me at how much I'll love my own one day...

The fam...

These pics were taken the end of January '07, just before my baby brother left for his mission...

My boys!!! Oldest to youngest: Aaron, Vance, Gina, Ryan, Brent
(to be known as Elder O. for the next 2 years!)
Watch out Belem, Brazil!

Elder O! It's okay that we're hugging, we're kin! I sure do miss this boy!
This was taken Jan 29, 2007...just after he was set apart as a full-time missionary.

The Story of My Life in IF

Me and Hayley serenading Cameron. I think he likes it!

We did our best to embarrass him; "my heart will go on!"

This is me and my friends Brooke and Janell.
We went camping together. We ate lots of cookies.

I didn't think I was going to get anything for Christmas. It made me kind of sad but...

Then I got the coolest present ever!!
A pair of stilts - now all my short dates can be taller than me.

I am a quilting machine.

The Girls. We're going to travel the world together.

My Bestest Friend

This is my best friend and me. We do everything together.