SEPTEMBER MADNESS

September has been a little crazy for the Hammonds. We have gone on a few trips and September is a super special month because it's our Anniversary. Damon and I got married 2 years ago on Sept. 15th. These past 2 years have been so much fun and needless to say a little crazy on so many levels.

Not sure how many people know the story of us meeting. Kind of funny. I had become really good friends with Damon's sister, Cassie, before he moved to Cali. The first day we met I was speaking in church, and I remember that day watching him and being very intrigued by him. I remember after I was done talking we kept looking and smiling at each other, but then I soon realized he had a crush on my roommate Shalisse, Blonde and Beautiful!! He denies it, but I know its true. So I hung out with the Hammond family pretty much everyday and realized that I really liked Damon, but I didn't think he was interested. I would talk to my roommates about it and then a few months later Shalisse decided to try and be tricky. She called our friend DJ who wanted to take Cassie out, Damon's sister, and talked him into calling Damon and telling him he should go on a double with them and that he should take me. And guess what Damon's response was..."I think I'll pass"... OUCH!!! Talk about hurting a girls ego. And to make things worse, Cassie calls me laughing hysterically because she thought it was such a coincidence. I had to put my best acting skills forward and pretend that it was hilarious as well. So I knew at that time that Damon didn't like me that way and played it cool from then on.

Any how Damon ended up spending labor day with me and my friend Krista in San Diego and needless to say we hit it off. We had a great time and at that point I could tell he might like me. The day after we got back Damon texted me, "I want to see you!" I had a date that night, but ended up canceling it and made dinner for Damon. I can pretty much say we never spent a day apart after that. We were married almost exactly a year after that. So fun to remember that time. Seems like yesterday, but also seems like forever ago.

Here is a little collage of some of the fun times that we've had these past 2 years. It was awesome to put this together because it reminded me of how much fun we have had and remember all of the things that we have been through together.

A few other fun activities this month that Damon and I was able to do are Lake Powell, Las Vegas, Dodgers game, and Universal these past couple of weeks. We've had a blast. Here are some photos.

Lake Powell!!

Las Vegas with my Cuz!

Dodgers and Universal Studios with our besties.

A Few Random Thoughts and Feelings...

There have been some random thoughts and feelings as of late that I thought I would share.

1. I am amazed how taste buds change.  I used to hate hawaiian pizza because I have been a strong believer that fruit is not meant to be hot, but I have turned into a hawaiian pizza addict. I tried it one day because it was the only kind ordered and ended up really liking it. Now it is one of my favorites.  Damon is very pleased.
2. I hate getting my hair done.  Every time I tell them I only want a trim they end up cutting it so short.  It is so annoying. It makes me angry.  It is so hard for me to grow my hair. Just one trip to the salon and all that hard work is cut to the ground...literally.
3. There is nothing better than running on the northern coast of California during sunset and listening to your ipod on shuffle.  I was currently in Pebble Beach and after work I would go run a couple miles on the coast.  Its not like a boardwalk because you aren't on a beach, but you're on cliffs looking down into the water.  I saw seals and all sorts of wildlife in their natural habitat.  It is so exhilarating.  I would run to this secret bench I found that overlooks the ocean, sit and think about life and listen to good music, and then I would run home.   I can't explain how amazing it was. 
4. I finally got Damon to go country dancing.  He said he would go because he knew how bad I wanted to.  He is so funny. He wore his cowboy boots and belt buckle and thought he looked SOOO country, but really he looked even more metro.  It was so cute.  When we got there he was like I want to get a cowboy hat.  I just had to laugh at him.  We had so much fun.  He was right there with me learning the line dances, and we even tried a little two steppin.  I seriously had SOOOOO much fun and so did he.  I think I might be able to get him to like country after all.
5. I am so grateful for my calling right now. I am in charge of the Young Women activities.  I love it so much.  Damon is in the Young Men Presidency too, and so we do a lot of stuff together.  The girls are really quiet and into a lot of different things than I am used to, but it has really pushed me and I love them to death. We have met a lot of great friends from being a part of it all as well.  Its amazing to watch these girl's testimonies grow and how they are so fragile right now.  Its so hard here in LA. There are so many outside influences, but in the same breathe those same influences make you stronger. I think stronger than if they were consistently surrounded by LDS girls. They have to work at it every day.  So awesome.
6. I want a dog.  I miss the love they give and just having them around.  I know right now isn't a good time so I just have to be patient.  One day.
7. Isn't it funny how much we want to go grow up when we're younger so that we can have money and careers and "freedom" but then we grow up, have careers, money, and in the end less freedom.  Craziness.

PInk Ladies '09

Girls TRIP!!

I had so much fun on our girls trip. It was too short, but I loved every second of it. 

I am obsessed with doing videos lately so I am sorry if you guys get sick of them. Sorry.

Here is a little recap:

Love you Pink Ladies!

27th Birthday BASH

So, I don't know what it is...but 27 makes me feel sooooooo OLD!  Oh well.  I had a G-G-G-R EAT 27th Birthday!  Thanks to all those who made it so much fun, especially my husband.  You're are so amazing babes.  I love you to death!  I am so lucky.

To start it off, we did a beach day on Sat.  Played volleyball (which my team won!! because we're AMAZING!) and of course soccer.  It was super fun! We ate PBJs and drank lots and lots of Soda/Red Bull.  We also did a little dancin on the beach.  Damon got me a video camera and I am so excited. I have always wanted one, and I think they're so important.

For my actual birthday, Damon and I had plans to go to a really nice Italian restaurant... We have been super busy the past week and as we were driving there, we saw the beautiful Golden Arches.  I decided that and a "blockbuster" was the way to go... I know I am a fatty, but let me tell you it was the best decision we made. It was AMAZING food and I loved cuddling with my honey.

NYC and Charleston, SC

I had to do a slideshow of the trip because we took SOOOOOOOOOOOO many pictures!  

To sum up the trip: 

• A LOT of Red Bull.... I might be an addict now.
• Dancing 
• More dancing
• Beach
• Shopping
• Picture taking
• Picture taking
• Picture taking
• We seriously did like 10 photo shoots...haha. fun though
• Kim and Jason's wedding- seriously- She was so BEAUTIFUL and the entire wedding was awesome!  Good work Kim.
• More Red Bull and dancing
• More picture taking
• A lot of flying!
• A lot of packing and unpacking :(
• Hanging with the man of my dreams in the places of my dreams
• One of the Best Times of my Life!
• So much love for Allison, Debby and my JUCO girls (Aimee, Kim and Lisa)- I love you guys!!!! SISTAS FOR LIFE!

Happy Mother's Day

Moms,

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you like the movie.  We love you!

Grandma Rosalie Irene Broderick

The Lord has blessed me so much in my life. He gave me grandparents that someone could only dream of. They were beyond my grandparents. They were my best friends.

My grandmother passed away on April 22, 2009. It's a bitter sweet feeling because words can't express how much I miss and love her, but I am so happy for her to be with her true love again. I know she missed my grandpa dearly and was not whole without him by her side. I have always looked up to them. They loved each other through and through.

My grandma was a special lady. She lit up the room with her smile and laugh. I will miss the times we spent together in her kitchen talking and laughing over a "tuna toastwich" and the feel of her soft hand on mine. She was someone I could talk to about anything, who sent me cards on a regular basis telling me she missed and loved me, said words like Zuskini, choirpractor, carn, fark, Sundey., and danced with me in my living room.

I can't say in words how much I love her and how blessed I feel to be her granddaughter. I must have done something right in the pre-existence, and I can't wait for the day that I see her again.

I love you grandma!

The movie is a little long but its pretty amazing...Thanks to my wonderful husband. You're amazing.