testing, testing, is this thing on?

Dear family, friends, and stalkers,
      It seems to me that when I need to use my time wisely the most it actually happens the least. I have so much to do and yes, I only checked one thing off my list today. This month of December has FLOWN by while jam packed with big exciting events. There have been temple trips, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and silliness all before Christmas! It's late and I am too tired to write about them all (they each deserve their own post). Therefore ladies and germs I give you:

My life according to a camera phone!

"I love to see the temple!"

Me and my fellow camera hog!

Someone stole my camera! But secretly I love it!

My office Before

My office after (still in progress. I've spent less then $100 and it feels good!)

Happy Birthday Rachel J!

The graduate

All you need is love!

My Birthday Party! Every one is invited!

Well, it's that time of year again. In 24 hours I will be 26 years old!! I am excited! I love birthdays. Actually I love celebrating everyone else's birthdays. I am not one of those people who hates getting older, I actually LOVE it! However, I would much rather spend my energy planning a bash for your big day rather then mine. But everyone knows I love a good party!

Happy Birthday Mari Ann!

Eldon's Birthday cake

Happy Birthday Megan

Happy Birthday Tressa

Anyway, I know all of you are thinking "Oh it's Deborah's Birthday! I want to get her the greatest present!" You're all probably racking your brains trying to come up with something that I would like. Well I already know what I want.

To all my friends and family who read my blog and love me:
All I want for my birthday is for you to go and do some type of service for some one else. And by that I don't mean some random nice act, but something that you thought out and put a little bit of effort into for someone you have been thinking about, worrying about, or are having difficulty loving.

Here's my thoughts behind my birthday wish list. You see I was thinking today about my life. Seriously I think I just have the greatest life! But the thing is, my life is so great because others make it that way. I am so lucky to have the best quality people in my life. I have the best family, the best friends, the best employer, the best bishop, the best ward.....etc. I feel like every single day of my life some one from that group does something to help me learn and grow and become a better person and it fills my heart with love. So I decided that to celebrate the awesome life I have been given, I want to spend the day giving back and serving other people.

And how much better and more effective would that service be if you did something to add to it! Really, I am being serious. I would love for you to join in on my birthday party! You're all invited! Go do some act of service this Saturday (or anytime if you're to busy). I want to share the love I feel with you guys and I bet you'll feel it if you really try to think of something specific and intentional to bless someone's life. And I would LOVE to hear about what you do! I want the stories.

I am so excited! I already have a few things in mind. This is going to be the best birthday ever!

So to sum up, you're invited to my birthday party. What can you get me? Do something special for someone else. That, or a really nice hair waxing kit! ;-)

And for your viewing pleasure and because I don't mind embarrassing myself on the world wide web I present to you my favorite birthday song. I sang it to my best friend two years ago on my birthday. (It's kind of long so you don't have to watch it all. Really.)

Upon request of my mother, here is the actual song so you can hear the lyrics. (It's the first song in this video)

Happy Pi Day!

Yesterday was pi day! (3.14) To celebrate Amy and Elisa came over and we made pies!

We were going to take them to FHE but who knew pies took so long to make? We went to FHE without them and ate the pies afterward. So much fun!

I never knew math could be so much fun!

Party Party Party!

I think I need to learn time management. Or I need to take a break from all of the social things I have going on. Every night I have something to do (Except Wednesday! That is my free day)
Monday: FHE
Tuesday: Institute and skype dates
Wednesday: Free day
Thursday: Class
Friday: PARTY!
Saturday: (The day is full of travel and parties)
Sunday: Dinner with friends, visiting with friends, meetings, planning, etc.
(These are just my evening activities. They do not include all of the day time fun I have)

I do this day after day and honestly by the end or middle of the week I am exhausted! I get to the point where I have no energy, no sleep, and end up passed out in my mom's bed or on the couch.

I have thought well Deborah, just don't do so much..... But how do I do that? I feel like FHE is important. Institute is important, and anyone who knows me knows that weekend fun is important too! Does that mean give up....class? Ohy. Priorities! It's hard when everything is so good! I might have to come to terms with the sad fact that the weekend parties have to go. I am growing up. I guess with old age comes the need to slow things down a bit. ;)

Me and my party partner

Here is a fun conversation I just had with Brad. Read until the end because the moral of the story is a VERY important lesson to learn.

FYI: When I use the term party I mean going out and doing something social.

Brad: Indeed. So why all the partying for you?
me: HA I feel like that is a silly question. Partying is my middle name and has been since I was born practically.
Um, I like friends and being around people makes me happy.
Brad: So you aren't partying you are just living your normal life. I figured you were doing something outside the normal...like partying. LOL!
me: What do you mean I am not partying?
I AMMMM partying. My normal life is partying! (Not in the drinking partying way. that is just silliness)
Brad: The term partying implies that it isn't something you do on a daily basis. I know you aren't partying in the drinking way.
me: Well I am partying everyday so I guess when you use the term partying by your meaning then I am not partying. If you party everyday in that sense then staying at home and doing nothing turns into partying
Brad: Your life is a party i guess. LOL! The wonderful life of Deborah. :)
I didnt quite follow that last sentence...
me: Well I am saying if partying is doing something you don't do every day then me staying at home and doing nothing would be considered a party because I don't do that very often
Brad: oh, HAHAHA!!! Thats awesome. Well played. I guess you would be correct. Never argue with THE Deborah Allred, she seems to be always right.
me: HA Thank you

Did you catch the moral of the story? Just in case you missed it:
Brad: oh, HAHAHA!!! Thats awesome. Well played. I guess you would be correct. Never argue with THE Deborah Allred, she seems to be always right. 
What a smart man! But really, I need to start figuring out how to not be exhausted by the end of the week!

Dancing queens! (I don't know if I can take a picture without a creepy face!)