Slogging or Blacking? You Decide,

Hey world!

I don't even know how to begin this blog entry other than by saying that I am a slacking blogger (see title). I guess that ever since I stopped working graveyards, I lost the will to blog. It's not that I don't have the time, I just am not insanely bored in the middle of the night anymore. Anyway, I figure it is time for an update, so here goes....

This fall has been fun so far. Since you last heard from me, I have been working, playing, dating, and all that fun stuff as usual. I go to football games, go on road trips-Colorado and St. George, and just have a lot of fun friends.

The past week however, has been really difficult as my family had some very sad news on Sunday. I found out on Sunday that my nephew had passed away. My sister-in-law was almost full-term and for one reason or another, my nephew was sent back to heaven. He was named Truman Virgil and we are having a memorial service and burial for him next week. It has been really difficult for my brother and his wife, as well as the rest of the family. This was totally unexpected and just left us in complete shock. We know that God has a plan, and that everything happens for a reason, but it still is difficult. It is especially hard at a time like this to be so far away from family. I hope to move closer in the next year but I guess I still need to figure things out. Anyway, my precious nephew is in heaven with his Uncle Nathan and so many other family members. I know it is all part of the plan, I just wish I could have met him.

Other than that, life is good. I had a fun Thanksgiving at work. I love my job. I will have a hard time leaving it someday. It has hard days of course, but I really cannot imagine working anywhere else right now.

Well that is my update, brief, but an update nonetheless. I am really excited to see a lot of my family next week. I just wish it was under happier circumstances but it will be nice to be together in the town we grew up in for a bit. They are the best.

And here is a song that makes me think of little baby Truman. It is a lullaby but it makes me think of him...

Dragon tales and the "water is wide"
Pirate's sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, will find the mouse
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen," wherever we are
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

The Dixie Chicks

Las Fotos

The mushy love birds




Love This One


A few good friends...


The Cake

I'm Old

This last week has been crazy but great!! For starters, tonight is my last night of working graves (regularly at least). I start my new schedule on Monday and am SO excited!! Getting up before 5am is going to be hard but it will be so worth it-plus I have weekends off now! On Sunday I turned 23. Yuck. I seriously had a mild depression about it, but I am adjusting. I had an amazing birthday, even though I worked about 15 hours of it. I came home from my night shift to find my room decorated with balloons and signs. Then I woke up in the morning to friends and some delicious homemade crepes with strawberries, blackberries, bananas, whipped cream, and Nutella. They were delicious! Then I opened presents from my friends. After that I had to head back into work. When I got off of work I came home to more decorations and a yummy cake and lots of friends. My sister and her husband came into town last minute for my birthday so I got to see them that night. I also got a card and money from my parents and grandparents. Then on Tuesday we all went out to Olive Garden for my birthday dinner. We had a pretty big crowd and my best friend from middle school came and spent the night. It was such a great birthday and was nice to actually celebrate this year. I feel kind of weird celebrating my birthday but I can't deny that it was fun. Even though I had to work on my birthday it was fun and the kids were good. Kristen is the birthday goddess. She is just amazing at getting things done! I will try to post pics later from my new camera.

When Val and Scott were here we went canoeing and to Temple Square. It was so fun but I felt bad I had to work two of the days they were in town. I still felt like we got to spend a lot of time together though. I am so glad they came! When my sister asked what I wanted for my birthday I told her I wanted a visit. I was spoiled this year! OH and my mom will be here in less than a month and is staying for a whole week! I cannot wait!

Thanks everyone for a great year!!

Life is Good

This summer has been more fun than I could have ever imagined. This past winter was really boring and lonely as Melani and I felt like we never had anything to do, and just missed having a close group of friends like we have had in the past. Well this summer has been non-stop fun and I have become closer to a couple of friends and made a lot of new ones. We have had some fun and crazy times so far including: concerts, rope swings, photo-shoots, water park, free-pie night, night games, night swims, CRUD, bonfires, camping, basketball, eating out, all-nighters, and so much more. I have the best friends. I love warm summer nights when we can be spontaneous and crazy. I have a couple of busy weeks coming up but I am excited! This weekend I get paid to go camping for work. Then, I move in a week and will be in between apartments for 10 days. I started a new volunteer program this week and I have been doing training for that and am so excited for this opportunity. Plus in case you haven't heard....I am moving to ALL day shifts!! Not only that but I will work weekdays! I have Sat and Sun off which is virtually impossible in a 24/7 facility. My prayers have really been answered. This may be a temporary switch as our schedules are constantly changing but I will take it for as long as I can. I am so happy!!

More Pictures

http://dbimages.instaproofs.com/

If you want to see more pics...the professional ones, go to the above link. The best way to view them is probably in the slide show. ENJOY!!

For Mandi

Here are a few pictures from the wedding. I am still waiting to see the rest of the professional ones. They will probably take a while longer, but the photographer is dang good. :) I didn't have a camera so these I stole from my mom and my aunt. I will make a Facebook album one of these days with the rest of the pics. So enjoy these for now and stay posted for more!


The happy and cute couple! Scott and Valerie!


My cute cousins! Taylor, Simone, Megan, Me, Natalie, Claire and Jacob


The cake was so pretty but there were a ton of leftovers! I never ate any, now that I think of it. I was too stuffed and too busy running around for the bride.


The kiddos...Me, Valerie, Cameron, Brain. The wedding was on Nathan's birthday so he was there too, in spirit.

Better Late Than Never

I tried to post this last week but the internet went out...so I am finally posting almost a week later...


Well, my sister has been married for almost 2 weeks already. Wow. It is still weird and will take some getting used to but I am so happy for her and her husband. I like him a lot. I think it is going to be hard to not be 1st in her life anymore. As different as we are, we have always been close...but, I am so happy for her! It was also great spending lots of time with my nieces and nephews, and all of my family. I got to see a lot of my cousins that I haven't seen for years and they are so grown up now. They are all such funny and good kids. I am proud of all of them; they have stayed strong in the church. My family is so wonderful, I wish we lived closer, and I wish I had lived closer to my cousins growing up. They are so much fun!! I feel like I hardly saw my parents, which was sad. It was just a busy week and there was not much down time, but it was a great trip. I forgot how intense humidity is...I don't think I will ever get used to it again.

My summer has been FANTASTIC so far. I love summers here, I think that's the main reason I stay. Oh and my friends too of course. I went hiking tonight with my 3 friends that I do almost everything with. It was a lot of fun but I got bit and stung to the extreme. That stinging nettle is wicked stuff. I never knew.

Well I don't have much else to say, but I wanted to give a quick (and late) shout out for Mother's Day and Father's Day. I got to see my mom the week of Mother's Day and I got to see my dad on Father's Day before I headed back from the wedding. It is the first time I have really spent time with them around those holidays in several years, so that was nice. Here are 3 things I like best about each of them:

Dad
1) Generous...he is always helping/serving/giving to other people. It never stops.
2) Encouraging...he always believes in me and encourages me to follow my dreams.
3) Hard Working...he is always working on something. He will come home from a full day of work only to work more around the house or yard.

Mom
1) Spiritual...she LOVES the gospel, it is so much a part of her, and that is a big reason why it is a part of me
2) Our friendship...I can talk to my mom about almost anything, we can talk for hours.
3) Musical...my mom loves the piano and organ. I love hearing her play.

I am so blessed to have everything I have. And since tomorrow is the fourth of July, I feel especially grateful for my freedoms and the beautiful country I live in!