I love little moments.

Over the past couple of days I have had little moments where I am filled, overwhelmingly, with the spirit and I couldn't help but share.

My most recent one happened about 10 minutes ago:
As all of you faithful bloggers know, I just started working at a new place. With working at a new place (where I work hard and am often exhausted) I have to explain about 1 million times why I can't have coffee; it's a religious thing. A lot of people let it go and don't ask about it again but there is always at least one person who just can't understand why not coffee and tea but my Diet Pepsi is OK. I have to admit that I knew nothing about the subject and have just explained that even though I don't understand I have enough faith to know that the commandment is one to follow. Today, that changed.
Today the woman who asked me told me that she loves to learn about religions. Her goal for learning them is because she likes to find the loophole. If you are a member of the church you probably understand the urge to let her know (in OF COURSE nice and courteous ways) there is no loophole. There is always a reason for everything. She didn't realize but while she was asking me about this and I was telling her I would find information I was praying with all my heart that I would find the information I would need to help her understand the Word of Wisdom better.
I was expecting to find a nice talk given by a General Authority about the blessings of the word of wisdom and the importance of following it. I thought I would have to depend on the spirit to guide her and help her understand while she was reading the article. Even though I knew that the spirit can guide and direct people in ways I will never fully appreciate or understand, I had a feeling that this woman I work with might need a little more. Apparently, Heavenly Father knew that as well. It took me less then 5 minutes to find an article written by a Dr. on LDS.org about coffee and tea and the xanthines that are in it.
What a blessing it is that the Lord always provides a way for us to educate those people who wonder about the commandments we follow and the people we are.
On top of that, what a blessing it is that Joseph Smith knew to give that commandment without knowing anything about xanthines and how harmful they are.

The second thing happened last night:
I've been trying really hard at getting better about prayers. I am not good at praying every morning and night and my night prayers are often the same thing recited over and over again. But I'm working on it. Last night I really concentrated on things in my life that I appreciated, needed to improve on, and needed help or blessings in. It was nice to sit and think about the millions of things I need in my life and know that the Lord will help me in each in every thing. I found myself thanking my Heavenly Father over and over again just for listening to me pray for help in something that seems so small.
After my prayer I was laying in bed thinking about something that I really struggle with. I thought about a way to conquer this and what I needed to do to improve. I imagined myself asking my mother-in-law (best. counselor. ever) of how I can become better and how she got over the same thing. I thought exactly word for word what I would ask her. Within seconds I suddenly felt as if the Lord as if he was right there whispering in my ear the answer to that prayer. There was no having to translate or sit and ponder it was clear and precise on what I needed to do. So clear in fact that I was able to write it word for word in my journal later.
What an amazing blessing it is to have that communication in my life. Without it I can't even, and don't really want to, imagine where I would be. I may of not always followed the teachings of the church but I always had the spirit and I always have used prayer to guide and direct me in times of great need. (as well as not great need) In fact it was through the spirit and prayer that I was able to find my way back to the church. That story later.

A reason to visit us

Today we went to THE SAN DIEGO ZOO!!!!

It was awesome.

We got the season pass so when you come visit us you get in for cheap. So come.

This is what we saw:

We parked in "E" for Koalas

This was at the Entrance before getting into the park.

This guy was pacing back and forth. Probably because he was pissed that all these people were bugging him.

Elephants were our first real stop. We stopped and watched them for a long time.

Then we stopped ant watched the Lions. There was a worker there giving them treats, beef heart, and she got them to do some tricks.

Like lie down...

...and come. She also got this one to stand. Michael wants me to say that this one is named Nala. It's not though. I can't remember what it's name was. The male was Marty.

The polar bear was hilarious. He would stay only on that rock and dance back and forth.

This one is for Sarah.

I used to ask for a tiger every year for Christmas.

This is a fishing cat. They bark like dogs and LOVE to swim. I didn't get a really good pic but they really just look like big kitties.

This little guy was just hanging out, no pun intended, by the monkey cages.

Don't worry Val, I wouldn't miss the giraffes.

I'm so glad we were finally able to get to the Zoo. I can't wait to go to the Safari Park next. Luckily, we have our season passes so it's paid for.

Now come and visit us so we can take you too.

It's back....

Have you ever had this....?

I am not responsible for drool on your computer screen.

BEST. POPCORN. EVER.

Unfortunately, Orville Redenbacher hates all people and took it away. You can buy a bag on Ebay for like $200 but that's totally hardly not at all worth it.

I am a believer, though, and think one day it will come back. I stop by the popcorn aisle every time I'm at the grocery store just in case. Today, I was satisfied.

Today I found

Ok, Ok. It's not the same exact thing. But we are heading in the right direction, right? I can't wait to try it. Hopefully it tastes somewhat like the original.

I want to ride my bicycle; I want to ride my bike.

Things are still going well here in San Diego. I really messed up with the no picture thing last night. My dad lives really close (about 30 minutes) and I had a BBQ with him last night. You may think, "Well if he only lives 30 minutes away then just get a picture later." It's not that easy, though. You see my dad works in Afghanistan at the moment and left this morning to go pack to work until April.

So, good job, Luanne, way to get those pictures.

We did have a really good time and I'm glad I got to see him.

Moving on...

I told you last time that I live really close to work. Really close. So, today Michael and I went to Wal-Mart and got me a bike! I will now be biking to work. I did a trial run today and it only took about 10 minutes to get there. I'm really excited to get my exercise by going to work everyday. Here is how it looks...

Stop looking at my cute kitchen. You will see those pictures when my house is fully unpacked.

I NEVER take pictures anymore

Just in case you don't stalk me on Facebook or read my blog every single day (rude), I moved to San Diego last Friday! Everyone should be rejoicing right now because it's pretty much the most awesomest thing to ever happen. Ever.

Why you ask?

God loves me.

Also, because Michael got a job at University of San Diego. He was working at UC Berkeley, bleh, making online courses, going no where but now does the same exact thing but gets paid more, has chance for growth, and is at the head of his department.

I'll wait for applause.

So, now we live in Mira Mesa in the most beautiful neighborhood I've ever lived in, in like 70 degree weather.

There is one thing that is the pits about being here right now. Amazing, I know, but not everything can be perfect. We got movers. Sucks, I know. They just HAD to come into our home and pack up all our stuff for us while we watched and told them what to do. Now we don't have any of our stuff (I do miss my bed) and we have to like actually go out and do stuff. You know, with no TV and crappy, stealing from our neighbors, internet we have to spend time in the sunshine.

*sigh
Dramatic pause...
You can't have everything.

I really wish I would have thought to take pictures from the beginning because we have seen a lot of cool stuff. So for some of this you will just have to imagine.

The first day we were here we had to find Target so we could exchange our air mattress. (This just keeps getting worse; having to go to Target and spend money...Dang.)Since we now have two bathrooms we also had to buy stuff for our second bathroom. Also, we forgot to bring our swimsuits with us and we now have a pool and hot tub so we had to buy that. While we were out looking for Target we found:

Where I'll be working (still at Panera); not that far away.
The movie theater- Right next to my work.
Old Navy
Marshalls
Ross
(Marielle, you can now officially visit me. I know where to go.)
3 Grocery stores
Cold Stone
and a million other awesome things

Later that day we went to the dog park and wore out the dog. Then we watched Big and Joe vs. the Volcano and slept.

The second day we got up early to go to the dog beach! This is like the best thing for Roxy. She loves the water and the sand and other dogs and playing fetch. So how can you beat playing fetch at the beach into the water with other dogs? You can't.

After the beach we went to USD so Michael could show me the campus. Oh. My. Gosh. It is beautiful! The architecture is amazing and the landscape is phenomenal. Then, on top of that, the view is breath taking. Michael is so lucky to work at a school like this. You can just feel the better atmosphere.

Yesterday we...oh did kind of normal stuff. I went to Costco and Von's and other grocery places. That kind of sucks because we don't really have anything to eat all of our food with but I needed to go before it was too late in the week. We did go to a different dog park and had a great time. There was this German Shepherd there who was obsessed with Roxy. He was following her around everywhere and wouldn't leave her side. She was covered in his slobber because he hovered so much. It was hilarious. We also were able to find a good dog sitter for Roxy for when we go to Hawaii in February.

Today I actually pulled out the camera. We started out our day by going to a veterans memorial to check out the view because...check out the view...

Just to the right of this bush you can see the San Diego Temple. I will be getting closer pictures of that when we go later this week.

This is Michael and the dog getting a better view of the amazing houses that are right around this area.

It was a little bit foggy but just beyond that fog is Mexico. Crazy huh?

This is the actual memorial. It's really neat that San Diego is willing to honor their Vets this way.

After the memorial we hopped, skipped, and jumped back over to the dog beach and I actually got pictures this time.

I had to make this one big so you could see the joy in her face.

Sometimes the ball would go too far and it would scare the dog so Michael often had to go out there and encourage her to go farther.

Now, Michael is out getting new jeans and the dog is sleeping. She is so exhausted because we have been taking her non stop. The cat is hiding from the dog in empty cupboards. She is going to be really disappointed when those are full again.

Our stuff comes tomorrow but that doesn't mean the fun will stop.

Still to come:

Our trip to the temple
The San Diego Zoo (we are getting season passes)
Sea World (season passes as well)

It's nice; we are kind of on vacation because our jobs don't start 'til Monday. Even though our jobs will slow us down from going out every day I still think we will be doing a lot more than we ever did in the Bay Area! San Diego is our town!

Let's be realistic

I LOVE, L-O-V-E, love sending out Christmas cards. I enjoy the time of thinking back of what I did over the past year. I love getting a yearly picture. I love the thought of old friends getting an update about our lives. So fun. I would love if I could send out Christmas cards to everyone I know but I have to be realistic. So, for those who did not receive our Christmas card...

This year the Hardy family had such a great time

There’s so much that happened, I’ll tell you in rhyme.

To start out the year we traveled on down

To Prescott, AZ where Michael’s sister is found.

We spent a few days having nothing but fun

It was sad to leave when it was all done.

Soon after that we got in a car and

Meet Micheal’s parents down in Disneyland.

It’s always so great to go on the rides.

You can’t not have fun where Mickey abides.

Not long later we packed up our stuff

We moved into a house; man that was tough.

The house is so big with bedrooms galore

It was hard to find out what we would use all that space for.

I hope you don’t fret or worry about that

We got a companion for our fat cat.

She takes up all space, more than one thinks

We got us a puppy who’s so cute and stinks.

I guess it’s time to update on work

Luanne got a raise and that is a perk.

You see she went back where they make all the dough (Panera Bread)

She has a higher position and just loves to go.

Michael took time to see family and friends

He had two whole weeks and three weekends.

Luanne had to stay at home because she couldn’t get time off

But Michael took the dog so it was a good trade-off.

Luanne had a turn to go to Idaho in November

She got to see her mom’s wedding in all of it’s splendor.

It was a short trip and she had to jet

But is was a fun trip that she’ll never forget.

Michael was also offered a job at USD (University of San Diego)

So at the turn of the year we will move there with glee.

After five years of marriage this finally means

We get to move where we have always dreamed.

We hope you enjoy this time of Noel

Until next year, we bid you farewell.

Let's move to San Diego

I've been wanting to blog about my awesome news of moving to San Diego for a while BUT Michael has been doing a lot of free lance work. When he does that he tends to hog the computer and my iPad doesn't blog very well.

So I might as well just jump into it...

A while ago Michael's old boss (member of the church that we knew personally) got a promotion and moved away to San Diego. (He started a job at University of San Diego-USD) His last day of work Michael made sure to mention to him that we would LOVE to live in San Diego.

Not too long after that Michael got a phone call that a position was opening up at USD and it all sort of spiraled from there.

The job down there is a higher paying position with a lot more opportunity for Michael. He will be in charge of the builder department, meaning he will hire and fire and all that fun stuff, therefore room for growth and raises. None of that at UC Berkeley.

It was hard making that decision to move because it's another big change. It's pretty much like moving to a whole other state. Also, the Paneras down there are franchise, not corporate, so it's not a clean transfer for me. But after a lot of thought and prayer we realized it was really the best decision for us. Right after Michael officially accepted the job I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

As of right now we are not 100% sure of our moving time or where we are moving too. The movers are packing up our stuff on the 29th and loading the truck on the 30th. It's so great, Michael's work is paying for our move. I'm hiring people to pack all of my belongings and load it into a truck and unload it. Now that's stress free moving. Also, a person is going to be coming into our home to look at our stuff and talk to us about our wants and needs then go and find a place for us to live. It's pretty awesome.

My job seems to be working out well too. My district manager sent this great recommendation to the district manager in San Diego. That got the ball rolling for me and I'm pretty sure there's a spot open for me.

It's going to be hard to leave my job and my friends behind but I'm so excited about the move. My dad's wife currently lives in Carlsbad (very close to where I will be living) and as soon as my dad gets home from Afghanistan he'll join her there. Also, my Oma lives in Hemet, which isn't far away, and I'll be able to see her more. Also, I'll be living in sweet, sunny San Diego. The place where there's the San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, and Lego Land.

*sigh

I can't wait.