Jack Attack

Tonight I went and saw Jack Johnson in concert. It was so much fun!! It was my first concert all summer. We were really far away but it was nice to just sit in the grass and listen and people watch. I will post pics as soon as I upload them. And in two weeks I am going to see John Mayer.....I cannot even express how excited I am for that one!!!

We did it!!!

On Thursday I won my 3rd Intramural Championship T-shirt!! Our softball team pulled off the double-header with victory. It was an ulcer inducing time but we did it!!!! And that lovely lady in the middle is my future roommate Rosey. We have won all 3 of our shirts together. She is a champ!

Simple Right?

"Safety and happiness can only come from individuals, classes, and nations being honest and fair and kind to each other."

The Case for Christianity; C.S. Lewis

So my move to Georgia is on hold... temporarily, I'd say....Let me tell you a few reasons why:

1) I couldn't feel totally right about moving across the country and not having a job, insurance, etc...

2) I want to save up more money first

3) Right around the time I was making the final decision, I (partially) tore my MCL playing soccer and I didn't feel right about moving in the event I need surgery... hopefully not but you never know.

I was agonizing over this decision for months. A part of me wants to move everyday. It is hard being away from family, I'm ready for a change, and I don't think I can survive another Utah winter. But the other part of me wants to stay. I sincerely love my job, even if my schedule is crazy. I love the summers here and all of the outdoor activities around. I love playing intramurals and always doing things with friends. So I still think I want to move this year, but now I have more time to figure things out, and hopefully I will start grad school in the fall. It is scary to think about because I love working and don't really love school, but I think that it is the next step and will help me to be in a better position to really make a difference in my field.

As for dating, I am still single and I am OK with it, even if nobody else is. haha I get harrassed about this daily by family and coworkers. Sure it is tough sometimes seeing so many of my friends married and starting families but I definitely have lots of fun living up the singles' life. And besides, I just haven't found Mr. Right yet. I seem to get set up on a lot of blind dates that never go anywhere but they are usually fun! And speaking of blind dates, if you ever are setting one of your friends up, have some common sense....For example, I always get set up with people for 2 reasons:

1) They are tall

2) They like sports

Ok this may be a good starting point but seriously, think a little about personality please!! That is like saying, you are both fat so you should date. Or you both like Michael Jackson. Or you both have diabetes so you would probably hit it off.... Common interests are important but they are not the magic key to love. Anyway, just a little rant I was thinking about. It just makes me laugh. The best one I heard was he doesn't smoke pot so you should go on a date with him. What?!! haha anyway there is an update for you. Hope everyone is doing well!! :)

Cousins!! Claire, Alyssa, Kara, Kaitlyn, and Me

The cutest kids in the entire world with their Grandpa and Grandma

Jessica Lilly Taylor-One VERY BEAUTIFUL and VERY LOVED little girl!!

My favorite 4 year old and I.

haha my Grampa!!! I stole this from Dev. GREAT PIC!

I stole this from Dev too. Granmpa juggling for everyone.

VAY CAY!

My trip was wonderful and much needed!! It was a busy vacation but also very relaxing. I flew to Memphis for the night, hung out with the family, and the next day my newest niece was blessed. Right after the blessing we loaded up and drove to Nauvoo. We stopped at the Home of the Throwed Rolls (Lambert's Cafe) in Sikeston, MO on the way. We also drove right through St. Louis. It has changed so much there. The next day we hit as many sites in Nauvoo as we could. We toured the bakery, the gun shop, the blacksmith, the brickyard, the Family Living Center, Pioneer Pastimes, the red brick store, a few shops downtown, and of course the FUDGE SHOP! We also took a carriage ride and afterwards went to the Visitors Center and heard a lovely BYU choir, who happened to star a friend of ours. Later that night we went to another outdoor show on the old stage where we performed in the pageant for 9 summers. It was so great being back there, it really feels like home to me. I miss those summers so much.

So the next day we loaded up to head to the town I grew up in. We headed to the cemetary to visit my brother and my nephews' grave. Seeing my brother and his family crying in front of my nephew's grave was so hard. It is hard seeing people you love going through such hard trials. It is hard to go back there but it is really good to be there. I miss that small town, although it is really run down now. We stayed with some family friends that night and ate a deicious feast. It was so great to be back in a house I remember going to lots when I was young. I love the way it smells there. And I miss the FLAT, open fields soooo much!! I love how simple and beautiful it is there!

We woke up the next morning and headed down to Southern Indiana. While there, some of us stayed in a very old but neat bead and breakfast while the rest of the gang stayed at my Aunts. It was a crazy couple of days with all of the family together (my mom's side). We swam, watched the World Cup, and just hung out. On Friday, the 18th we had the surprise early birthday party for my grandpa. The next day was my cousin's wedding reception. My last day there was sunday. We all went to church and my grandpa gave a great talk. I learned so much about his life and luckily I was on the ball and took notes.

That night I left but to make a long story short, my trip home was delayed with a cancelled flight and some lost luggage. I stayed in a very nice hotel for the night, finally made it back Monday morning and my bags made it the next day.

Things have been crazy busy since I got back. Work has been pretty hectic and the volunteer thing I do has had some drama to say the least. I have had lots of things to catch up on but it is all good. I played softball and volleyball tonight which was way fun!! I am still undecided on my plans for the fall but WILL decide soon...I hope!!!

TODAY!!

Today is the day I leave. I get to be with my family for a whole week!!!!!!!!!!!