Names That Have A Story

I come from a family of 8 kids and I do have to say that my darling mom did a pretty good job at naming us with names that had a story behind them or a reason for why she chose that name for us. I've always loved talking to other people and figuring out where their names came from or were they found the name for their kids.

My mom is a sweetheart and the most hard working person I know and it's always the best compliment to me when someone says that we have the same features or that I am just like her because of the way I do things. She came down last weekend and made her famous pizza (those of you who have had it know what I am talking about) at my place for everyone, and I just had to post this pic cause she looks so adorable in my apron! Ok, well back to the name story...

I was the first girl on my mom's side and I'm the 4th child in the family. I treasure my first name Elisa a lot because I was named after my great grandma who raised my mom in South America when she was little. My mom has a very deep love for my great grandma cause in a sense she was really her Mom. She is actually the one who sent my Mom and all of her brothers and sisters to the United States to have a better future. Of course I've never had the opportunity to meet her and thank her for everything that she has done for my mom, but I've been able to do something even more eternal for her. When I was a teenager I was able to go and do the work for my great grandma in the Mesa Temple with my parents and I actually remember being baptized for her too. What an honor that was for me to be able to participate in something so meaningful. I hope my great grandma can look down from Heaven and know that I am trying my best to uphold the name we share in the best way! :)

My middle name is Alexandra and that is after my Dad whose middle name is Alexander. My mom always told me that she wanted it to be Alexandria but my Dad wanted it as close to his name as possible! Jeff and I have also decided that our first little girl's middle name will be Alexandra too, so that we can carry the tradition on.

Another one of my favorites is that my sister Tara was named after my Mom's favorite movie Gone with the Wind. Well hopefully some of you can share some great stories about what the background of your name is!

**Also, I had to add this to my post cause I forgot to mention that a long the way while I was attending Eastern Arizona College 2 of my spectacular friends Kimmery Howard (Hebner) and Rachie Peck (Lewis) gave me the nick name of Ellie. A lot of you know me by that name and for older friends who know me as Elisa it's weird for them to ever call me Elle. I love the name Ellie too cause it reminds me of all the happy times I had at EA!! When I moved to Phx the name just stuck here too!! It's funny cause I won't let the people at work call me Elle cause I don't like them as much!! Ha ha!! I know my fam thinks that it's kinda weird that everyone referes to me as Ellie now, but don't worry Mom and Dad I still let everyone know my real name is Elisa!! :) Other fun nick names that I have been called are: Ellie Pie, Ellerie, Errie, Elle Burger, Elle Mac, Elles, Elliot, Ella-Runka-Roo, Ellerita and I'm sure there is more but I have a bad memory!!!

Once Upon a Time...

There once was a girl named Ima Interested, who had always admired this boy Jeff Schaub from far far away.  Ima would get so excited at church when he was the one to pass the sacrament to her row, it gave her a chance to sneak one last peek his way without him noticing. He would walk away and she would sit there giggling with her roomie Jenny thinking..."I hope to marry someone like Jeff Schaub one day..."

The ward planned a camp out in the freezing weather of October 2007 and Ima Interested debated on going and thought that her warm bed sounded better.  She got to thinking about it and realized that one of Jeffrey's favorite things to do was camping...she changed her mind and last minute called a friend and asked to ride with her. She was almost positive he would be there! Her goal in attending this camp out was to possibly squeeze out just 1 conversation with the ohhhhhhhh so quiet Jeff Schaub.

Ima got to the camp out with her friend and even the welcoming hello from Jeff made the butterflies in her tummy go crazy! The night was spent making smores, laughing and telling stories by the campfire!

Before the night ended Ima was determined to get a group photo that had Jeff in it! (Notice: the picture above has a heart where Jeff so carefully placed his hand on Ima's knee for "balance", little did he know, but this picture would keep her smiling for days.  Ima was a typical girl and thought this meant something...) 

Ima Interested enjoyed herself that night and talked to Jeffrey a little bit here and there, but did not want to make it to obvious of the crush she had developing. Another fond memory that Ima held onto was the next morning when everyone woke up with a bit of frost on their sleeping bags. Ima approached Jeffrey and asked him how he slept.  The following comment was made, "I would have slept better if I had you next to me cuddling all night long...!"  Ima was shocked and stuttered an awkward response back to him, of course blushing the whole time. 

It's those magical moments Ima held onto while courting Jeffrey Schaub. Jeff didn't know it at the time, but he would always be the one to melt her heart whether it was through a simple wink or his hand on her knee.  He ended up being hers for all eternity!  That one camp out will always be included in the love story of how she became Ima Schaub!! 

The End...

Grab a kleenex for The Biggest Loser...

Jeff and I have always been addicted to this show since it started!  As I mentioned in a post before we enjoy watching BL while eating ice cream and other naughty treats!  (When really I should be in the gym pretending to have Jillian yell at me to do more...) I did start running a couple of weeks ago though!! 

This specific cast for some reason are really pulling at my heart strings and I find it to be a HUGE tear jerker...I'm such a baby!! :'(  Dan is the heaviest contestant they have had on the show and when I hear his stories or watch him work out I start crying!!!  Here is a BEFORE pic of him: 

He is a pretty big boy and I just feel for him. I told Jeff that I just want to be his friend!!  It makes me sad that he holds back in life because of his weight.  I've always been the type of person that can easily see the full potential of someone else, and I love digging it out of someone and he definitely has some!  The episode that really got to me was when they team had a challenge where they had to row across a lake and then hike this big ol' mountain to the finish line. Of course Dan found himself in last place, but this his teammate Tara who took first place and I'm sure was extremely tired went back down to encourage him to finish, and that's when my sprinklers went off!!  Kudos to Tara for doing such a nice act of kindness!

For those of you who are faithful watchers I'm sure you will agree that Joelle is OUT OF CONTROL!!!  Really...you are going to make everyone else run on the tread mill longer just cause you gave up to quick?!?!?  Just looking in her eyes you can see something crazy!!!  How is she not voted off yet?  She did loose 10 pounds this week though. 

BL is about changing lives, and although Dan got booted off this week I pulled up his AFTER pic and he was still able to drop 100 pounds!!  I can totally see a difference!  Good for him!  Now he just needs to find himself a cute girlfriend!! 

Sorry, but I will remain faithful to my junky realty TV shows...they can be such a waste of time!  Please tell me that some of you cry too when you watch this show!!