Where is she now??

So...old news....but I am STILL the worst blogger in the history of the world! I always say I will do better, and so far I have failed miserably at that. However, the only way to get better at something is to work at it, so here we are! Having read my past posts, which was a VERY long time ago, I have a lot to catch you up on....so here we go...

I worked at American Heritage Academy another year after my last post. Sadly, the dance team didn't make it another year, but I had the incredible honor of being the Student Council advisor again. I have to say that the students in that council are some of the most amazing students I have ever met. They are hard working, dedicated, and willing to do whatever needs to be done to make their school and community better. I also worked another year in the Title 1 program. I love working with students in this capacity. Every student learns differently, and it is so rewarding to be able to find that particular style of learning and finally see that moment of understanding. There is nothing like it! That is why I have chosen to go to school to become a speech therapist. I cannot wait to be able to continue helping students succeed!

For Christmas last year, my family surprised me with tickets to visit Angie again. I was thrilled! Knowing how very impatient I can be, my family made the wise choice to schedule the trip for the next week or so to avoid having to deal with my countdown for too long (smart people). When the day finally came, I could hardly stand it! I had a wonderful time on my visit, and as always it ended too soon. About a month after I got home I decided to apply for the Disney College Program. I had applied twice since the end of my last program, and each time I never made it past the online interview. I figured, what could it hurt? I would apply, not make it past the online interview, and that would be the end of it. Shockingly, I made it to the phone interview. I was stunned! I prayed a great deal and felt it was the right decision to go ahead with the phone interview. The day of the interview came, and I was a mess, and when it was over I spent the next week it seemed going over my answers wishing I would have said this, or not said that. A week or so later, I got the email saying I had been accepted for a merchandise role and got my check-date. I was so excited! I couldn't wait to go back and relive the wonderful experiences I had during my first program! My family was, as always, incredibly supportive and excited for me. They helped me over the next six months to prepare to leave. Mom and Dad would watch Olivia until I got my own place, I packed up my room and had everything ready to go. My whole family came for a weekend long birthday bash, and I was so spoiled. I felt so loved! However, a couple months before I was about to leave, I got this sinking feeling every time I thought about going. I dreaded the day I was supposed to leave, and would cry at the drop of a hat. I tried to hide this, but I am not sure I did a great job. I kept telling myself it was just nerves, and would try to focus on the positive memories I had from my last program. No matter what I did, I couldn't shake the feeling. I prayed a lot to help me deal with these feelings, and told myself that as soon as I got to Disney, I would remember all the good things and be fine! I asked my Dad for a blessing a few days before I left, and in the blessing he asked that I could know that my decision was the right one, which is exactly what I should have been asking all along. They day came, I said bye to everyone (which killed me), and left with my Mom and Grandma to Florida. We wanted it to be like my last program, and I was so grateful for their support! We were smarter this time and left a few days before my check-in day so we could try and hit all the parks instead of just Magic Kingdom. When we pulled up to the hotel, my Grandma went inside to check-in and my Mom and I waited in the car. She turned to me and told me that she felt like she needed to say that if I woke up on my check-in day feeling like it wasn't what I wanted to do, we would get me a ticket home no questions asked. She said she didn't know why, but felt I needed to hear it. To be honest, that was exactly what I needed to hear. While I had a great time with my Mom and Grandma, I was having a hard time enjoying the parks. The sinking feeling got worse, I was irritable, nauseous, couldn't sleep, and though I tried really hard, unpleasant to be around. Long story shorter, check-in day came and I felt like I needed to go home. After a lot of praying and talking with my parents, I knew that staying was not right. I contacted Disney and let them know that I was sorry, but could not participate in the program. I let family know I would be coming home, and broke the news to Angie. That day, I was able to enjoy myself and felt a million times better!

Honestly, I have no idea what happened. When I first applied and took the position, I felt so good. I was excited and eager to go. While I felt better having chosen to come home, I felt very guilty as well. Everyone had spent so much time, energy, and money getting me to Florida and I felt like I had thrown it back in their faces by coming home. I still feel that guilt, but I am so grateful I listened and came home. I live in a new town (closer to my family than Florida), just got a job, and am looking forward to getting into the YSA branch here and starting school. I am so excited for the holidays, and though I still feel a little sad when I see pictures of friends in the park, I love being close to my family. Just this weekend I got snuggles from the nieces and, honestly, that beats going to the parks any day!!

New Calling

So about a month ago now, they started the first ever Young Single Adult Branch here in the Verde Valley. Its a really exciting thing, history making almost! ;) Tanner and I have been going to the Branch since it started, and it has been such a great experience. It is a very small branch, not many members yet, but we are starting to feel like a small family. There is such a wonderful Spirit that is there every Sunday, I love it. The Presidency they have called to be over us is phenomenal! I love each one of them!

A few weeks ago I got a phone call from President Stokes saying that he wanted to meet with me. I was immediately like...."oh crap"! hehe I got extended the call to be the first councilor in the Relief Society Presidency. Then I really thought "oh crap"!!! I honestly never thought that I was....good enough I guess....for this kind of calling. I guess I was wrong. It has been a very overwhelming calling, but such an amazing experience for me. It really has shown me how inspired this church is. No mortal man could have come up with all the aspects of this church and Gospel, it is such a testimony builder! I am finding it very difficult, and feel so under qualified, its not even funny!! I am learning, and that is a great blessing!

Proof that the Lord knows what we need, I have also made friends with this calling. That is one of the biggest blessing of all. I am so grateful for the friends that I have made!

I have spent a lot of time in prayer, and know that I will spend even more time in prayer! I know that if I give all I have, the Lord makes up the difference.....whom the Lord calls he qualifies.  So here we go!

Florida, School Year, Interests, and Goals

I know, I know.....I am the worst at this, but bare with me!!

First of all, let me tell you all about my amazing trip back to Florida to visit my best friend Angie! (Sorry Mal, I don't really have any pics to put on here....I was really bad at the taking pictures thing...)

So for my birthday/Christmas present this year, my Grams gave me money to buy a ticket to Florida. I was SOOO excited-there may have been some screaming, jumping up and down, I may have even been a little speechless....I know right?! ;) Anyway, the next day the tickets were purchased and my trip was planned. Angie and I spent the next month planning the trip, and I am sure I drove my family nuts with my countdown!! When the day finally got here I was so excited, even though my wonderful Dad and Brother had to wake up at 2:00 am to take my sorry behind to the airport! I had a four hour layover in Charlotte, NC that ended up being a seven hour layover. One man threw a fit, security was called, and finally we got on the plane. Thankfully, I did get to sit by a very handsome pre-med student so that wasn't bad! After I finally got there, the party started! Angie had to work the first full day I was there, so I went a checked out the downtown area of Celebration. It was the cutest little area, and I loved looking at all the shops and the great walk to get there. After Angie got off, we went to Hollywood Studios and met up with her friend (and now my friend) Yoshi. We had a great time around the park, and finished the night off with Fantasmic! Angie and I went back to her apartment and watched our traditional movie Princess and the Frog then crashed after a long day! The next day we hit Magic Kingdom! I finally got to see the new Fantasy Land. They were doing construction on it while I was working there, so it was so great to see the final product! After the park we decided we needed pedicures, so we treated ourselves. We didn't go back to see Wishes, which is my favorite firework show by far-lots of special memories-but it was still an amazing day! Sunday we hit Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Angie hooked us up with VIP seating to watch Illuminations! It was so incredible to be that close! Angie had to work again on Monday, so I spent the day at Downtown Disney getting some shopping done! Sadly I had to leave the next day. The trip was fast and furious, but it was amazing! I can't wait to go back again!

I got back a around 2:00 am from the airport the day school started back up. That was kind of a rough day with getting myself back to Az time and dealing with not much sleep (again, a HUGE thank you to my Dad and Brother) but it was still a good day! So far the year has been very busy, but fun. I am the Student Council advisor. I am finding somewhat of a challenge, but a great learning experience for me. I also started a dance team this year! I have five girls now and they are so wonderful! Each is very hard working, and enthusiastic. The best part about it is being able to see them come out of their shells. I am so proud of all they have accomplished and couldn't ask for a better team of girls! I also got a sort of promotion at work, I am now the Title I assistant. I am learning a great deal about this program, and am keeping very busy! I love working at the school, helping the students, and finding how far a little encouragement can go. I know that I have made a small difference in these students' lives, and that is a wonderful feeling.

As far as interests go, I am now a HUGE Stephen King fan-I blame my Father for this as he is my enabler. A good friend at work described it as my drug, and that is kind of true. He takes you on an emotional roller coaster with every book and you swear you wont do that to yourself again. But when the book is over, you start all over again. You just can't help it.....;)

I am still figuring out what the future holds for me. I don't know where I will be this time next year, but I am so incredibly grateful for where I am now. I have the most incredible family, wonderful friends, and a great job. I am so blessed, and can only go up from here!!  

Long overdue post!!

I am so sorry I have taken so long to post, I am not good at posting as often as I should, but everyone needs goals to work for right?! ;)

So what has been going on since the last time...well a lot!!

A few weeks ago my Grandma, Aunt Shakira, Shakira's five children (one set of one year old twins), Malori, Jon, and Aven all came over for the weekend! There were a ton of people here and we had a blast! We went shopping, to Jerome, and just hung out! It was great to have them all here!

July third is my birthday, and I wasn't really feeling it this year.  Well, I was wrong! When I got to work, the wonderful people I work with surprised me with a giant cupcake, a balloon, cards, and a ton of love! It was so sweet! Then my amazing little brother Tanner took me to lunch and to see Despicable Me 2. The funny thing was that during lunch, it started pouring!! Like standing in a shower, hail, pouring!! We got soaked! We laughed so hard and had a great time!!

I was already having a great time!! My incredible friends and family made it great! I already knew that Malori, Jon, and Aven were coming that night to celebrate with me and I couldn't wait...but what I didn't know is that my family had planned for my best friend Fran to come surprise me!! We had a blast watching the parade, eating amazing Mexican food, and just all around being us! It was an incredible birthday!! I have the best family and friends ever!!

I just got home from New Mexico to see my cousin Kaden get baptized! I am so proud of him for making this choice, and I can't believe he is old enough for that!

So I have been very busy, but having a great time! I am trying to get ready for my trip to Florida! My Grandma gave me the money to go for my birthday and I CANNOT wait!! I am terribly impatient so this wont be the last time you hear about it! haha

I hope you all are having as much fun as I am!! Love you all!!

My Amazing Family!

Tomorrow is my amazing Parent's Anniversary! They will be married 27 years, and I couldn't ask for better Parents!! I am a lucky girl! They are my best friends, and I am so grateful that I can talk to them about anything. They have raised three of us, and have shown me the kind of marriage I want to have and what kind of parent I would like to be someday. I know my Parents love each other by the way they look at each other, they still hold hands, they hug, and flat out tell each other. I love the example they are to me!

The other night my Mom, Dad, brother Tanner, and I went upstairs and played the kennect. We were throwing virtual darts, playing virtual tennis and golf, and skiing a virtual course. I am not gonna lie, we looked like the biggest goof-balls ever. The best thing about it is that we didn't care. We laughed and joked and had an amazing time together. We are so comfortable with each other and can do and talk about anything. You are never judged in my family....which is good because we are all pretty goofy!! 

I will forever be grateful for the wonderful family I have! They build me up and make me who I am! 

Just one more thing that makes me incredibly happy! 

"These are the good old days!"

So for those of you that know me, you will know from my previous blog that I am not the best blogger ever! But, one of the things on my list of goals is to start blogging again! So here we go, this is still a work in progress so expect changes to the appearance! ;) This blog is dedicated only to that which makes me happy! The good things in my life and the great things in this world! I hope you enjoy! 

So I pretty much had a great weekend! My younger brother (I say younger cause he is bigger than me) graduated from high school this weekend! Holy cow!! He looked great and I feel old! haha He got accepted to Embry Riddle with a scholarship, just to show you how darn smart the boy is! He graduated both high school and seminary and I couldn't be more excited for him! He is a great man and I can't wait to see all he does with his life! 

To celebrate Tanner's graduation, we (Mom, Dad, Tanner, Mal, Jon, Aven, and my Grams) went to my Grandma's house boat at Roosevelt Lake for five days! It was beautiful! The weather was great, and we had a great time just hanging out together! Then we moved all of Tanner's stuff here to Cottonwood and are getting ready to start work again! 

I know, short, sweet, and to the point! I promise they will get better! That is just a small overview of the weekend. Mostly just incredibly grateful for the wonderful family I have! I am so lucky! I hope you all have a great day! ;)