I'm Back!

Harrison, Me, and Dad waiting at Sears

Me with the older kids: Brenna, Clarissa, Joshua, Harrison, Savannah, and Sterling

I thought this was so cute, especially with Clarissa's pink boots.

The pictures didn't turn out very good but I really liked this one.

My trip was fantastic! It was the first time I have been with my family on Easter since I was a junior in high school. And, we were all at church together for the first time in years. My mom begged and pleaded to get us all there and we were, it was so great. Also, a guy who I may or may not be dating came for a couple of days to join in the madness, as did my grandparents. Some highlights of the trip included:

• Atlanta Temple Re-Open House. It was really neat to see the inside of the temple and feel the spirit there.
• Stuffing and hiding Easter eggs with my "friend" and having most of the chocolate melt while waiting to be found
• Swimming
• Birthday Party for Savannah-2 and Jessica-1
• Jumping Place full of bounce houses
• Dinosaur Museum
• Sister Girls Night at Stake and Shake
• A hot date with said "friend"
• Family pictures

It was a really great trip and my flights and everything went really smoothly, I was even able to show up to the airport really early the day I was heading out and got a flight for 12 hours earlier, and they didn't even charge me. I was supposed to fly out on a redeye so it was really nice to get there Friday afternoon rather than Saturday morning. Other than feeling tired the entire trip, I have no complaints, it was so fun. I had a blast and did not want to come back to reality.

On a sadder note, we put my dog Mollie down today. I have had her since 7th grade. She has been really sick and is not getting better. I saw her during my trip and she acted pretty good but was down to skin and bones. We sure will miss her!

Time keeps going by faster and faster....my big move is only three months-ish away. I am so excited! I am so nervous! I am a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I am mostly excited for a greener/warmer climate, being with family, and starting new adventures. I keep telling myself it will all be great, because I know it will, but of course change is always a little scary at first. Last week was really fun. I have been running a lot and the weather has been perfect for it. Kayla is the best running buddy because she pushes me harder than I can push myself but it is still fun. We hiked the Y one day and then ran afterwards, which almost killed me. I also went to a Bee's Game with the kids at work. We had a really good time other than getting soaked and it was freezing. It was still a blast though. And I promise to post pictures soon so at least my blog will be a tad more exciting. Oh and ONE WEEK until I go to see my family!! Excited much??? Well yes I am.

and now you have it:

My future mascot is....scary! Can you guess the school? Also, my $100 seat confirmation fee is in the mail. I guess it is really official business now.

Time is flying by so fast! Part of me wishes it would move faster, and the other part of me wants to hold on to my life here in Utah just a little bit longer. In just about 4 months, I will be making my big move back east. I am extremely excited and also scared out of my mind. Am I crazy for moving home after being on my own for 6 years? Maybe. It will definitely be different, but I am excited to be close to family, and I know I won't be living at home long term, it is just going to take some getting used to. I am really lucky that I have that option, it will save me tons of money as I begin my bottom-less pit of tuition payments. Some days I am tempted to change my mind and just stay here and I try to talk myself out of moving, but that is not happening. Grad school and a whole world of adventures await me and truthfully I am excited most of the time, I just also get super nervous. I will be going to school part-time and working-full-time to make life more affordable. My first few classes will be online, thus me living at home for a time.

And while I am thinking of it, have you ever had frozen gogurt? I think every good person has. Oh I love that stuff.

Sorry I didn't update sooner! But for those of you still wondering....I also got into the Indiana University and the University of South Carolina! Now I have some serious decision making to do!

P.S. I am going to be studying social work at one of these fine universities. I am so excited (scared to death actually). But it will be great!

So this weekend we had stake conference, and it was wonderful! It seemed like everything I had been thinking about, praying about, or struggling with was answered in one way or another. For some reason I have been really negative about myself lately (you aren't smart enough, good enough, cute enough, blah blah blah). I know this may seem silly to some but let's face it, we all do it. Anyway, conference was everything I needed to hear. Life has been going really great, and sometimes I feel like I am hardest on myself at those times, because I feel like I do not deserve all of the blessings I receive. It is hard for me to not get down on myself when I mess up or am not perfect.

One of the speakers in conference said " feeling the Lord's love in our lives includes having mercy for ourselves; our best is enough." She also encouraged his to "use the conference as a way to feel the Lord's love, not as a beating post." I really liked these comments because a lot of people see religion as a way to remind us of how awful we are. While we should be humble and strive to be better each day, we need to acknowledge the good we do. Most of us are doing a lot of good, but we will not be perfect in this life, and that is OK. I really enjoyed the messages and am grateful for it. The Lord really does love and know us individually.

NEWS!

I got into the University of Georgia!! I was shocked, excited, scared, etc... I thought it was a rejection letter because it was in a normal envelope, and I assumed they would send me a bigger one. But anyway, I got in there, but am not making any decisions until I hear back from my other schools...so stay tuned!

Duh!

So I was sitting here pondering what I should blog about. duh! I have something very exciting to share:

no I am not engaged

no I did not hear back from grad school yet

BUT

I have a new nephew!! His name is Cameron Alexander...we will call him Xander. He was born last Saturday and was two weeks early weighing a mighty 6lbs, 3 oz. He was also born breech which was a shock to everyone, especially his mother. This is her second breech baby, the first one had to be C-section but Xander was born the good old fashioned way. Mom and baby and everyone else are doing great thanks to some help from Grandma and Grandpa throughout the week. I am so excited to meet him in April!

Also, I have been thinking about making my blog private....what are your thoughts on this? Please give me your email too just in case I make the switch....