Sha la la

Just a few things:

1) Brian and Devynn are expecting baby #3- it's all over facebook so I assume I can share this knowledge now.
2) Sandra should be having baby #4 any day now
3) I am going to Georgia at the end of the month for the baby blessing and to see my family
4) I am going to Cali in June
5) My sister came to visit me this week
6) I have been going to the gym and am really feeling 100% better than I was a month ago. I am not one of those people who go because I am obsessed or think I have to go, I go because I want to and love it. It is fun for me! The other day I was doing the elliptical and watching baseball. I was almost in heaven.
7) General Conferences strengthens my soul
8) Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. I officially think that the yucky season some call winter is over, but nothing is sure in Utah.
9) I have been writing in my journal again as of late.
10) I went to my cousin's house tonight and had a great time. She is the best.
11) I love my job even though the hours are not ideal.

"Everything is fine, fine, fine
Through the sunshine and the rain
I got a peace of mind
You know I can’t complain
I make it a point to thank the Lord
When I got Him on the line
I’m feeling good and everything is fine"
-Josh Turner-

Official Business

Yes, it is official. Melani and I will be going to see the great Mat Kearney in 2 months! If you don't know who Mat is, please check out his music because he is amazing. If you don't like his music then we can no longer be friends. Ok I am just kidding on that one, but seriously he is great.

In other news, I was able to go to the Draper Temple Open House twice. It was so beautiful and I am so happy I was able to go. The feeling I had there was amazing. I just felt so happy and peaceful. It really reminded me of what is important in life and how I need to be better at focusing on these things.

"I love to see the temple"

Woah

So, the state cut all of it's full time employees who were on probation. This means that anyone who is relatively new in the system lost their job. Depending on the position, most probation periods are 6 months to a year. I am still speechless as I found out tonight that one of our employees is being let go. This really hits close to home. You know what else does? The fact that my probation period ended on the 21st of this month. That's right, only 5 days before this cut was announced...I was speechless when I found out. I just feel so blessed and that no words can explain how thankful I am. Just barely last week I turned in my paperwork to get me off probation. My boss had been trying to hurry this process along because she knew something major was coming. The Lord knew what was coming too. My heart really goes out to all those who are loosing their jobs and are struggling at this time. I feel so grateful for my job and everything I have. I know my job might be safe for now but they could still do more cuts so I feel like I always have to be on my toes.

And a quote I LOVE, sort of related, I think it is at least....

"All I have seen, teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Someday....

Everyone says it. Everyone has one of these lists in the back of their mind. It includes the things they will do someday when they have time and money. I don't know if that day ever comes for a lot people, but I hope it does. Here are some things I want to do eventually in life- some are dreams that I am passionate about, and others are just fun ideas that I realize might never happen.


1. Get married, have kids, etc....
2. Go to Africa and work in orpahanges or with a program that helps out with AIDS.
3. Throw the First Pitch at a Cardinal's Game...in order to do this I will likely have to be famous for something first...
4. Go Skydiving
5. Go Scuba Diving
6. Write a book and get it published.
7. Pet and play with a monkey for a whole day.
8. Sleep on the beach, under the stars. I tried to one night in Cali but we kept getting kicked off by the cops
9. Go to a Goo Goo Dolls Concert.
10. Go to a Coldplay Concert-I missed them when they came here last year :(
11. Get some poetry published.
12. Go to the following places- Egypt, Austrailia, Hawaii, Brazil, Kenya, Greece, Fiji, Bora Bora, Sychelles

13. Meet Albert Pujols
14. Own horses again
15. Ride in a hot air baloon
16. Go on an African Safari

17. Adopt
18. Get my masters and be a licensed therapist/counselor for kids like the ones I work with now
19. Be a contestant on the Price is Right or Family Feud...or both
20. See someone close to me join the church
21. Go on a mission-when I am older

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it

One of my best friends came into town tonight and I am so happy! I only got to see her for about 3 minutes because I had to go to work but I am so excited she is here and can't wait to have a good time with Kayla and Melani this next week and a half!!

25 Fun (or not so fun) Facts

Because I was tagged 3 times...here are 25 random (ish) facts about me. If you wanna do one, then I tag you. If not, then don't. Enjoy!

This was a facebook thing, but I am just posting it on here for the heck of it.

1) I can sleep any time, any place.
2) I worry more than anyone I know except for my mom.
3) I have never read or seen Harry Potter and have zero desire to do so. Sorry!
4) I work a pretty lame schedule but I LOVE my job...most of the time. It is amazing what delinquent kids can teach you- they make me re-think my persepctive on life, every single day.
5) I swam with dolphins when I was in middle school, it was amazing!
6) I wanted to be an Olympic gymnast when I was little.
7) I REALLY want to take a pottery class, even though I am a terrible artist.
8) I HATE aligators and crocodiles more than I can explain.
9) I am scared of what is living in my shower but am too afraid to clean it, trust me, it is so nasty that I shower in flip flops.
10) I want to live on a farm (or in the country at least) when I grow up because that is basically how I grew up.
11) I try to make sure I eat ice cream every single day.
12) Sometimes I think I have ADHD.
13) I don't eat syrup on pancakes and waffles, I eat sugar.
14) I want to be an undercover cop/detective and catch scumbags like sex offenders.
15) I don't like ketchup, mayo, or mustard.
16) I am afraid of change but I love it.
17) I have never had stitches or surgury.
18) I believe that honesty is the best policy, always.
19) Breakfast meals are the best, so sometimes I eat breakfast several times a day.
20) Olive Garden is the love of my life.
21) I don't really know celebrities or movies because I really don't care and I don't watch a lot of movies.
22) I liked The Dark Knight WAY more than I thought I would.
23) I prefer fruity candy to chocolate any day.
24) I hate milk and hated drinking it when I was little- it literally makes me gag. My mom used to have to add strawberry flavoring to get me to drink it.
25) I can't wink.

I'm following the crowd...

and doing a new year's post...ready, set, go!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? graduated college, bought a car, lived with roommates that I choose (all of them)

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I did decent I think but I know I can always improve which I will try to do in 2009

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Devynn had sterling!

4. Did anyone close to you die? not really which i am so grateful for. my great aunt darlene and my uncle bub-we weren't close but they are family, and two of my closest friends brother died

5. What countries did you visit? the good ol' U.S. of A.

6. What do you want in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? stay in touch with family and friends better, read my scriptures longer everyday, not be afraid to stand up for what I believe, and I'm not gonna lie but a man would be nice as well...

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 25-Sterling born, Aug 15-16th- graduation

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? graduation, car, learning more about myself, learning to love reading again, frequent journal writes

9. What was your biggest failure? not being as good as I am capable of

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? nope, I am grateful for my excellent health

11. What was the best thing you bought? car, plane tickets to Florida, clothes

12. Where did most of your money go? rent, car, clothes, food, plane tickets

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about? graduation, letters, trips to florida, a trip to cali, a trip to the George, and my family coming out to Utah, and the biggest of all...CHRISTMAS!!

14. What song will always remind you of 2008? anything and everything Coldplay, especially their newest CD, Taylor Swift- Love Story, Leona Lewis- Keep Bleeding, With You-Chris Brown, No Air- Jordin Sparks, David Archeleta- Crush and also
Miley Cirus, Katie Perry, and Rihanna songs-I don't like them but they are on the radio NON STOP

15. Thinner or fatter? at Christmas the Wii Fit scale said I lost 5 pounds but I beg to differ

16. Richer or poorer? richer

17. What do you wish you'd done more of? relaxing- well the first part of the year at least

18. What do you wish you'd done less of? worrying, stressing, doubting myself

19. How will you be spending Christmas? not sure yet, with family I hope

20. Did you fall in love in 2008? good question

21. What was your favorite TV program? LOST, Gangland, Paris Hilton my new BFF, The Office, Jon and Kate Plus 8

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I don't think I hate anyone really

23. What was the best book you read? Screwtape Letters and The Kite Runner (and the Book of Mormon of course) I am still working on Jesus the Christ.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery? I rediscovered my love for Coldplay, and classical piano like Jon Schmidt

25. What did you want and get? I am not sure really- a car, graduation, a job, lots of great friends

26. What did you want and not get? a million dollars

27. What was your favorite film of this year? THE DARK KNIGHT

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 22-went to the first football game of the season and then went to work

29. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I have two... living with 3 of my bestest friends in the whole world this summer and all the fun we had, and surprisingly enough- my trials
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? same as before...I love the casual, comfy, and cute American Eagle look. I like to dress up nicer on occasion but honestly I think I have let myself go as of late-which I tend to do in the winter, I also-against my better judgement- bought my first pair of Ugg boots (fake from Target of course) which are incredibly warm in the winter and surprisingly cute on occasion

31. What kept you sane? family, friends, letters, MUSIC, the gospel, my journal

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Brad Pitt as usual, and I discovered-thanks to Melani and P.S. I Love you- the beauty of Gerard Butler

33. What political issue stirred you the most? Prop 8

34. Who did you miss? Melani at the beginning of the year, Kristen and Kayla at the end of the year, Mandi this summer, my family and garrett all year long

35. Who was the best new person you met? all of my friends I met this summer and in my ward now

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Things will always work out if you just believe and do your part.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: "Just because you're loosing-doesn't mean your lost..." Coldplay