Y2K + 10

Driving home from work this evening I got to thinkin' about what I'd been doing on this night 10 years ago. It was the year of the Y2K scare. I remember I was at Natalie's house, getting ready to bring in the New Year with my regular group of rebel rousers: Natalie, Rach, Kasha and Dave, Kevin, Ryan, Liz, and Travis. I remember I had my nails done all fancy smancy...they were dark purple with glitter and fireworks painted on them. We watched a movie, but I can't recall which one. We sang around the piano...I miss that...and at midnight had life savors that spark in the dark. I remember walking outside to scream and yell and Orion was bright in the sky.Chad was on his mission in Guatemala and I missed him terribly! (Lucky for me he called the next day. I remember the first thing I said, or rather sobbed, was "I miss you so much!" I also remember asking him what he was wearing...meaning what was his every day missionary attire...to which he replied, "Ooo, what are you wearing?) So, tonight as I ring in the New Year with a snotty nose, my handy roll of toilet paper, and a hot cup of Tang, I'd like to review (in no particular order) some of the things that have happened in the last decade:

1. Got my heart broken...more than once.
2. Served a mission to North Carolina Charlotte.
3. Finally got into the nursing program and graduated with my RN.
4. Celebrated 10 years out of high school.
5. Married off my best girlfriends...some of them more than once.
6. Made out with a random brown boy on the white sand beaches of Oaho.
   
7. Took Math 4 times, Anatomy 3 times, Physiology and Chemistry 2 times.
8. Lived out my childhood dream of attending a New Kids On The Block concert.
9. Conquered Havasupai.
10. Took a road trip with my sisters through Yellow Stone.
11. Was paid to poke people with needles.
12. Delivered a baby...well helped anyway.
13. Kissed Dopey on the head at Disney Land.
14. Drove from Provo to Washington D.C.
15. Turned 30.

Looking back over the last 10 years, not many things happened as I had planned. But, had things gone according to plan, I would have missed out on some great adventures!

As the 2010 dawns, instead of the run-of-the-mill list of resolutions, I'm making a bucket list of things I want to do before the year is over. Of course, I'll still have that list that includes things like "Lose 10 pounds" or rather "Lose 10 x 10 pounds" and all the other things that get said every year. But this bucket list is all about things I want to do...Like learn bellydancing.

Christmas....Not My Favorite Holiday

Christmas...It's the best time of year! Wrong! I am not a fan. So, this year I'd like to share a clip from a Christmas Classic. Take it away Oscar!



However, I do like Halloween.

Awkward...

I know, I know...another Twilight related post. However this is one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen! I literally laugh out loud every time I see it! Beware...before you watch, put down any liquids or beverages.

Video Games - E3 2010 - Comedy

Some of my favorite lines:
It's skin is warm...and not sparkly
Awkward
I thought you were my little spider monkey?
You know for a guy that's over 100 years old you're being pretty immature about this.
What are you gonna do about it bat boy? Style my hair?

Admit it...you loved it too!
Go team Jedward

New Moon Rising...

I can't help but giggle...this whole Twilight Saga makes me feel like a teenager. And so I am proud, and yet a bit chagrined, to say I say New Moon FOUR times in less than 48 hours.

My first viewing was at Midnight at a private showing at Thanksgiving Point. I went with my friend Bekky and some girls from work. It was so fun! There was a drawing before the show started and I won the cutest wrought iron basket full of Fall decor from Rod Works. And then there was the movie itself...LOVED IT! It was definitely about a million times better than Twilight. We all had a blast giggling and cat calling every time Jacob Black came on the screen.

Friday afternoon I went to see it with my brother, Ericson, his wife, Keayra, and my niece Kaicee. Definitely just as good the second time. The best part about watching it with Kaicee is you never know what she's going to say. When the Werewolves persue Laurant through the forest she said, "See! I told you this was a scarey movie!"

My third viewing was with Amber! We had so much fun! We went to an event hosted by the Twilight Lexicon I loved all the cat calling that happens during these private showings. We each got a swag bag that had a necklace with a moon pendant. I thought that was pretty cool and wore it the remainder of the day. Right after the movie was over, I had to run to Lehi to meet my family for the next showing.

Kierstan's birthday was earlier in the month, so to celebrate we hit a double feature: New Moon and The Blind Side. It was so fun to see it with my family! It may have been my fourth time seeing it, but I still loved it just as much!

One of the silliest things of all this movie going was how much Cherry Coke I drank. Thrusday night I purchased a New Moon cup that was refillable for the entire weekend. So, every time I headed to the movie theater I stuck it in my purse. That thing must have been filled at least 6 times. I think I could have floated away from all the soda bubbles in my tummy.

If He Were The Bait...

...I'd Bite!

Just call me Cougar...
Rowrrr!!!

Makes The World Taste Better....

Meet My New Best Friend!

I've never been much of a soda drinker...
I've never been much a caffeine junkie...
However, 12 hour Labor and Delivery shifts combined with working and school has caused me to look to my new friend.

I just might make it through the week!

Sometimes you need to Belly Laugh...

Life is {CRAZY} and there {NEVER} seems to be any down time.
Lately, I feel as though I have ceased to exist outside an educational institution.
So, sometimes I just need a good {LAUGH} and I can
{ALWAYS} count on them...

{GLEE}

{DIRTY JOBS WITH MIKE ROWE}
He's witty...He's H-O-T...and best of all
He's {DIRTY}

Accepted!

It was done on a whim...I was filling out my graduation application and came upon the question "Will you be continuing your education in the next year?" Nope. Wasn't planning on it. You see, an Associate Degree of Nursing is an RN. You can do everything some one with a Bachelor of Nursing can do. Pay doesn't increase with a BSN. I've been in school constantly since getting home from my mission. Nope...not continuing my education in the next year. But then...

What would it hurt to apply? I mean, really I figured I had a snowballs chance in Hell of getting accepted. When I didn't get in I could say, "Well, I applied. Bring on the break from school!" without feeling any slacker guilt. Plus, both my sisters are super smart. Kierstan has her masters degree and Ashleigh is working on hers. I'll have my associate degree...you can get an associate degree from a Jr college. So, I suppose you could say there was a matter of pride in the decision to apply as well. Also, I'm the big 3-0. In two years I'll be 32...those years are going to go by whether I'm in school or not. So, why not apply? I submitted my application and didn't really give it a second thought.

October 31 at about 1 a.m. I decieded to check the mail. Inside I found an envelope from UVU Nursing department...and it was THICK! I opened the envelope to read: Congratulations!! You have been accepted to the Advanced Entry Rn-to-BSN program in Spring (January) Semester 2010. And, there really were TWO exclamation points after the word congratulations.

So, I'm in. I'm excited, but...a break really would have been nice.

Happy Hauntings...

Some people find their greatest joy in Christmas Spirit.

We find joy in the Spirits of Halloween.

What a cast of characters! We're like any other family...
Family photos once a year...we're just always in costume!

Mom and her girls

Playing Punk Rock...

In Case You've Been Wondering...

What I've been up to...


















Family Lagoon Day! We love spending time together as a family...especially when adrenaline producing rides are involved! Kaicee loved {EVERYTING} and was so sad she wasn't able to ride {WICKED}.

















I {SURVIVED SUPAI}...Again! Casey, Alli, and I spent a night on the trail and watched the meteor shower. We were poured on by rain with nothing for shelter but our hammocks and lived to tell the tale! Best of all, we channeled our inner {WARRIOR} woman and had an amazing time!


Rocked out with Def Leppard, Poison, and Cheap Trick!
My belated birthday celebration
and gift from my big sister, Kierstan!






























When I asked Kaicee what she wanted for her 4th birthday she said, "Uhm, I'll sleep at your house." So, that's what we did. We went to dinner, to the Spanish Fork Wind Fest, and to Grandma's house to make {COOKIES}.

The next morning, we woke up and had breakfast with Grandma and then headed for the mall. Grandma and Ashleigh always take Kaicee to the Disney Store to pick out a present. This year, Kaicee and I started the tradition of going to {BUILD A BEAR} We had a blast!

I Wish I Could Dance...

Exactly

Voracious Appetite

School's out for summer and now I can really hit the books! I've always {LOVED} to read. I remember reading "The Box Car Children" in the second grade. I'd checked it out during our weekly library day, against the advice of my teacher who said it was too long for a child my age. I took it home, sat in a corner and read the entire thing. The next day when I asked Mrs. Fullmer if I could go back to the library and get another book, she reminded me that she'd told me it was probably too big a book for me, and I'd have to wait until our next library day. When I told her I'd finished it, she made me bring a note from my mother to prove I wasn't fibbing. Now, as an adult, devouring a 700 page book in one day (Granted, that's all I do in that day) isn't unlikely. In fact, here's my reading list from the last thirty days (Click on any title for more information):

• The Phantom Of The Opera by Gaston Leroux
• The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
• Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
• Mistborn 2: The Well Of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
• Mistborn 3: The Hero Of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
• Posterity: Letters of Great Americans to Their Children by Dori McCullough Lawson

My love of reading comes from my mother. When I was a child she would read to us every night. Not picture books, but novels like the Newberry Award Winners. I still remember sitting on the couch while she read Enchantress of Crumbledown and then begging for just one more chapter before we had to go to bed. 30 years later, I still love to lose myself in a world found on the pages between the covers of a book.

Y? Because We Like You!

Havasupai is drawing nigh, so it's time to kick it in gear. I'd been hiking Timp Cave again in preparation, but the cost of gas to get there was starting to get to me. When my pass to the canyon expired, well, that was the last straw. So, I needed a new training hike. My roommate, Amber, hikes the Y {a lot} and suggested that I try it. Yesterday, I hit the trail for the first time. The hike is BEAUTIFUL! The dirt trail reminds me of the switch backs in Havasupai, so I think it's perfect for preparing...That, and it totally kicked my butt!

Smith Super Star Rally 2009

It's like the Olymics...

Only {Messier}

Giddy-Up!

Let the Summer {OFFICIALLY} Begin...
It's Rodeo Time!

BBQ. Family. Friends. Tradition

Indianapolis?

What can I say? I run in a circle of friends that includes some {Amazingly} Talented people... One of which is Nathan Pacheco. A BYU Graduate and returned missionary that is now a Yanni 'Voice'...

In the tradition of surprising/torturing my mom, I called and asked her out on another mother/daughter date. If you've read the posting of our last outing, you know she never can be quite sure if this is going to be a good thing, or a not so good thing. But, as usual, her curiosity, sense of adventure, and the fact that I am an awesome daughter won out, and the invitation was accepted. This time, I was taking her to see "Yanni Voices" in concert and I invited Ashleigh to come along too.

Ashleigh has a {BIG MOUTH} and cannot keep a secret to save her life...well, except for that time she bought a house...but that's another story...and while driving in the car said something about, "Oh, ya...that's when we're going to Yanni at the Acropolis." Luckily for her, my mom was only half paying attention and thought Ash said something about Indianapolis. So, from that point forward, our mother-daughter date was referred to as Indianapolis...such as, "What should I wear to Indianapolis?"

After a delicious dinner at Red Robin and some shopping at Ikea we headed to SLC for our date with Yanni at the Energy Solutions Arena. We arrived a little bit early and decided to walk down to the Gateway to get a treat from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. As we were walking, Mom could see the elctronic bill board in front of the venue as it flashed "Tool" across the screen. "I see Tool. Are we going to Tool? Who's Tool?" Another guess was that we were going to the circus...way far off on that guess. While walking back from the Chocolate factory, I decided to have a little fun. I said, "I have got to pep up! I've got a case of the Yanni's!" Ashleigh caught on (after I explained it to her in a whisper behind mom's back) and started getting a case of the "Yanni's" herself. Mom did not catch on. So, we finally told her..."We're going to see Yanni!" She was still so confused from our conversation of Indianapolis, Tool, and yawning that she didn't quite get it. She alsmost asked the security guard at the door what she was here to see. Once we got inside, however, and she saw the kiosks with all the Yanni merchandise, she kinda started to freak out! That was the reaction I was waiting for.
Our seats were amazing! We had the perfect view and could hardly wait for the show to begin! There was a gauze like drape hung all around the stage that had scenes of nature and cities through out the world projected onto it. Before the show, it looked as though you were flying through the clouds. The scenery was breathtaking! One of my favorite parts was when Yanni's shadow would appear and you could see him conducting the orchestra. If you look in the large picture below, you can see Nathan through the screen as he sings his opening number.
The talent and music that was shared literally brought tears to my eyes! What a fun night to spend with my mom and sister and be able to support a friend as he fulfills his dreams! Below is just a little clip of Nathan preforming. It's definitely not the best quality, so visit Yanni.com to hear how beautiful his voice really is!

Nathan, you are {INCREDIBLE} Thanks for letting us share this night with you!

Childish Things

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a woman, I put away childish things -- 1 Corinthians 13:11

Putting away childish things is turning out to be a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. When Mom began remodeling her home, we decided (Well, more like I decided) it was time to sort through everything and declutter. Yesterday, in a barrel in the basement we found my baby dolls and stuffed animals I've saved over the years.

• Baby Bear -- I gave her a hug in the department store when I was 8 months old and would never let it go. I even took her on my mission.
  
• Ted D. Bear -- Becky gave him to me for Christmas one year.
• Al the Crocodile (he roars when you squeeze it's snout) -- Lance brought it back from Florida for me before they moved and I wouldn't be his nanny any more.
• Welcome Home Baby -- That's what it said on the box, so that's what I named her.
• Snowball the Gorilla -- Sam won him for me at Lagoon on our first date playing a football game.
• A ratty little doll named Leivela -- I saw her one Christmas morning and yelled "Leivela!" My mom still doesn't know where I came up with that name.
• Purple Elephant -- Chad won him for me at Lagoon...turned out to be quite ironic when the pink elephant in the room really did turn out to be purple.
• Cyndi and Jeffery -- Both anatomically correct.
  

At 30-years-old I'm finding it difficult to part with them. How is that possible when they've been put away for so many years? So, I'm not. They're going into the toy closet for my niece to play with...well, all except Baby Bear. She's going back on my bed.

Somewhere...Over the Rainbow

Someday we'll find it. The Rainbow Connection.
The Lovers. The Dreamers. And Me.

Lollipop

Way to go Kaicee!
Dance in the Smith family has come full circle. 20 years ago Britney had her first dance recital... Tonight, was Kaicee's first dance recital and Britney is here teacher. What amazingly talented and beautiful nieces I have. I'm so lucky to have you in my life! I love you!

AF Cavemen Class of 2009

Congratulations Kylie and Amanda! You did it!

I can't believe you're graduated! Seems like just yesterday I was babysitting you for the first time. I just watched you as you both slept soundly on a blanket in the family room thinking, "What do I do if they both wake up and start to cry?" I love you both so much! Congratulations!

And to celebrate, we embarrassed them with a little song and dance during lunch at the Macaroni Grill.

(I know you're thinking one of two things: Damn! I wish my family was that cool! or I'm so glad that is not my family. Personally, I'd bet your thinking the first.)

Bark At The Moon...

I Is
EXCITED!

Taylor Swift Marries Cold Play...

Talent In It's Purest Form
(http://www.jonschmidt.com)

I Love Moab

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity...

Let's Go Racin'
{Just one reason I love NASCAR}

Jumpin' Jack Flash

Why I Love Jack...

{In no particular order}

1. She "gets me"... I think our mind are on the same wave length.
2. She speaks her mind.
3. She's brilliant! Literally...she knows something about EVERYTHING!
4. Her laugh...it's contagious!
5. She's like my sister!
6. She's {Gorgeous}


7. We have deep conversations...and shallow ones too.
8. Sometimes, she's just completely random.
9. She's amazingly creative
10. Really, what's not to love!

Unfortunately, I don't even have that going for me.

Swinging Good Time!

The girls took me out for a Sushi birthday dinner at Happy Sumo...
Although, I think it should have been renamed
"Happy Somie" for the night.
Dinner was followed by dancing...

Cage Dancing!!!
It was {definitely} a
SWINGING GOOD TIME!

THIRTY!

For the Big 3-0 I took a
Trip Around The World!

First...I drew out for a capstone in
Payson, Ut at Moutainview Hospital
Labor & Delivery Department

Then...I traveled to the jungles of Africa
to watch these wild monkeys dance


Next...It was off to New England for a
Vermont Maple Blueberry Salad


Then...I did some shopping for my new bedroom
in Sweden
Finally...I headed home to catch some zzz's
After all, I'm an old woman now and
need all the Beauty Sleep I can get!

Brotha' from anotha' Motha'

Some people say it's impossible. You know...the elusive platonic relationship. At some point in time, one party MUST be attracted to the other party, even if just a little bit... It's the rules, right? Nope! Not even close. Jeremy and I have been friends, and only friends, from day one.
I remember the first day I met him. Jeremy had just been sustained as the ward mission leader and I was speaking in Sacrament Meeting. As I was speaking, I remember seeing Jeremy and Weston sitting in the front row. As I was bearing my testimony of the gospel, I remember hearing myself say, "I love missionary work," and as soon as the words left my lips, Jeremy way nodding his head up and down and nudging Weston. Less than a week later I was called as a ward missionary.

Jeremy is my brother-from-another-mother! Our minds share space in the same gutter. We get each others jokes. We speak our minds no matter what the situation. There's no such thing as TMI when it comes to either of our lives. He's always there when I need him. He brings me to my senses when my heart runs away from my head. He reminds me of what I want and will never let me settle for less. He's the best brother wrapped up in a friend a girl could ask for! Love ya, Jer!

Conference Sunday

What a great blessing to sit with my family at the feet of the Lord's servants and be taught his word.

My Dad's On Youtube...

He stars in secons 20-23 and 47=49
I love my Pappy!

An April Fools Day Conversation...

Help came almost too late, as the gray roots and Grandpa Munster eyebrows had just about taken over, but there I was...at the salon. For those of you who go "al' Natural" the hair dye is all sorts of funky colors when you mix it. For example, blond usually has a purple color to it. So there I sat, cozily in the chair (which I put together, BTW), Britney putting bright pink hair color goo on my head and Kylie walked in...

Ky: Hi guys!
Me: Hi Ky!
Ky: Some, are you coloring your hair pink?
Me: Yup.
Ky: Shut up. Really?
Me: Ya! I needed a change.
Ky: Like pink all over?
Me: Yep. You know that deep dark red every body does? Like that, only Pink.
Ky: I sure hope I'm still here when it's time to wash you out. I gotta see this.

About an hour goes by...
As I finish processing, Britney works on Kylie.
As her hair's almost done:

Ky: How long 'til you rinse her out?
Brit: Uhm...probably 5 or 10 minutes.
Ky: I'm totally staying. I've gotta see this.
Me: I can't believe it's April already. Can you believe it's April 1st?
Ky: I know! It's Jenica's birthday!
Me: It's also April Fools Day!!!
Ky: Is that why you're dying your hair Pink?

Needless to say...Kylie is a BLOND.
Love you Ky Ky!

I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cow bell!

Actually, I've got a pretty bad case of Spring Fever! Today was my perfect-type-of-weather day! You know, the kind where you walk outside and you can't feel the temperature at all because it's {PERFECT}, like the exact temperature that I am so I'm neither hot nor cold kind of perfect! Now, all that needs to happen is for the semester to end, the cave to open, and the sun to keep shinning!

It's Official...

I PASSED!
I'm now Officially an LPN!

All Shook Up!

I heard through the grapevine about a show at the Hale Center Theater called All Shook Up and thought it would make for a fun night out with my mom. So, I called her up on the phone and asked her to be my date on Tuesday night...and then wouldn't tell her where we were going. Because this wasn't the first time I'd done something like this (One birthday, I shoved her in the car and drove around for over an hour before taking her to a surprise birthday dinner....I even drove out to the airport and told her we were flying somewhere) she couldn't help but be a little bit on the
nervous side.

After some shopping, dinner at Iggy's, and a side trip past my work we pulled up at Hale Center Theater...and she still had no idea where we were. Then she saw the sign. She was so excited! So, I turned back to the car, opened the door and said, "Just kidding." Of course I really wasn't. The show was amazing! The cast was outstanding! We had a front row seat to it all!

Sister Friends

We walk into each others houses....
We raid the pantry....
We call each others parents Mom & Dad...
We call each other on our crap...
We mean it when we say "Call me any time..."
We have been there for every major event in each others lives...
We can have an entire conversation without saying a word...
We are friends instead of sisters because God knew one set of parents couldn't handle us all.

Tory Lee & Me

Tory and I have started a new tradition... Every Thursday after school I go straight to her house. We've both been trying to eat better and be healthier, so we do dinner together. Sometimes we hit up a movie or run errands, but usually we just hang out. Thursdays are definitely the best day of the week.

Hilarious!

Sink your teeth into Twilight
Straight from Hillywood

Now & Then

That Was Then.....

This Is Now...

A year later and we still pretty much look exactly the same.

Love...Love...Love...

I'll never celebrate Valentines without thinking of Andrew...I walked into his room at Tiny Tots on Valentine morning to find him sitting on his walker and looking up at me, a GIANT grin on his face.

"Happy Valentimes Day Somer!
It is a day of Love...And I love you!"

This Valentines day....

...We got a surprise visitor....

It definitely made our day!
Thanks Fellas!