Blog Fail

Wow...where has the last 6 months gone! What can I say? Time flies when your having fun...that and things pretty much stay the same in my little corner of the world the majority of the time. But, for those of you who have been waiting with baited breath, here's a short...or perhaps not-so-short...summary of what I've been up to.

JULY

SMITH SUPERSTAR RALLY

 

 I was on the RED team again...and again we WON!

And...

HAVASUPAI! Except, it was closed! After almost 12 hours of driving we reached the turn off to Indian 18 only to be greeted by a giant stop sign! There had been a flood washing out the trail a few days before...and no one had called to cancel our reservation. After a bit of deliberation we decided to jump onto I-40 and head to California! After 15 hours smashed together in Betty, my Dodge Caliber, we arrived in San Pedro! Thanks does not even begin to cover our gratitude to our friend Aymara's family that opened their living room to us! We set up camp out in the garage and crashed on their couches!

 We played at the Santa Monica Pier...eating the MREs we packed for Hava, riding the giant ferris wheel, walking along the board walk, and listening to live music.

 Spent a day at Disney Land...

 Did some Boogy Boarding at Manhattan Beach...  

And splurged on fresh seafood for our final meal! After eating MREs for almost every meal, this was a fantastic treat! While it wasn't the trip we'd planned, a good time was had by all. I think the best part was the time spent in the car...laughing, teasing, singing a long to the radio

And...

"Stashing" people during the drive home! 

At our rest stop in Beaver we each bought a fake mustache and wore it the rest of the ride home. We'd drive right up next to people and drive even with them until they looked at us...then we'd just do the head nod and speed off...they'd been Stashed!

AUGUST

Back to school for my second to last semester! I'm beginning to believe the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train, but in fact the light at the end of the road. 

SEPTEMBER

Rock and Roll All Night...And Party Every Day

 Kierstan and I at the KISS concert 9-22-10

 So much fun! I really could rock and roll all night and party everyday!

BEST SHOT EVER! I decided next time they come in concert, I'm springing for back stage passes!

ALSO...

I'm going to be a GREAT AUNT! Brit Brit and Colby announced they had a bun in the oven! I'm so stinkin' excited I can hardly stand it! Baby Girl expected to arrive at the end of March 2011

OCTOBER

Happy Hauntings! Our annual Halloween Party...also my favorite time of year!

I was a fabulous flapper girl! 

NOVEMBER

Thanksgiving! Mom bought a table a year or so ago that expands from a 4 foot round to seating for 20 and she finally got to put it to good use as this year our table was set for 15! Although we've been having monthly family dinner together, this was the first time we've all been together for Thanksgiving since I was a little girl! I was extra thankful to spend the day with the majority of those I love, although it made me miss my Grandma and Grandpa just a little bit more. My mom's neighbors also joined in, since he had broken his foot so they weren't able to travel home to be with family. 

And who knew a dog bed could be so much fun! Kenn took turns spinning Kaicee and Finnley  around on the hard wood floor...giggles galore!

DECEMBER

 This year I took charge of starting a new tradition! The Giant Gingerbread Build Off! It was more work than I anticipated...that a lot of gingerbread dough to knead, but it was well worth the effort! Every time I opened the over door I expected one to jump out and say, "Run, run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me! I'm the Gingerbread Man! We all had such a great time, laughing and giggling at what each person came up with!

And as a bonus...they tasted Mmm Mmm Good!

And now, it's the last day of the year. All in all, 2010 has been a good year. I made new friends, had new experience, and made new memories to last a life time.

Vampires Suck...

I Can't Wait!

To, Two, Too

When I was in the 5th grade, Mrs. Dubois challenged us in a homonym assignment. We were given a week, I think, to come up a list of homonyms. Whomever ended up with the biggest list won. That was at least 20 years ago, but every now and then I come across a word and think, "That could have gone on my homonym list." Funny how things like that stick.


On a side note. For some reason I remember Kenny Bryson winning our homonym challenge. But, I'm pretty sure I'm getting that confused with the challenge to find a word that contained a Q that was not followed by a U. Kenny's word? Q-Tip.

GRADUATED

I've never been one to do things the "traditional" way. Some may call it stubbornness. Others may call it laziness. Whatever it may be, I still get the job done...I just get it done my way. So was the case with my collage career. When I graduated from Lehi Senior High School it was 1997. The majority of my friends went straight to college. I decided I needed a break. Everyone said, "You'll never go back." I knew I would. I did too. One year later, I started at UVSC. The nursing program at that time was done via wait list. Getting into the program consisted of attending an orientation meeting and putting your name on the "yes I want to be in your nursing program" list. Somewhere in that first year of college life got a bit crazy. I found relief and escape from the stresses of my life in the clubbing world where it was all drown out by cigarette smoke, alcohol, loud music, and boys. Somewhere amongst all the confusion I thought, "Do I really want to be a nurse, or have I always just been told I want to be a nurse?" I didn't think I knew, so when my name came up on the wait list, I didn't take the spot.

Now, fast forward a few years to a time when things are clearer...

I got home from my mission and I knew I wanted to be a nurse. However, things had changed. The nursing program wait list is no more. Now, an application process must be completed...and grades are important. Not just any grades will do. I needed A's. This is where I find myself siding with those that sight stubbornness as the key to my way of doing things. Perhaps it could be called perserverance because before getting into the nursing program I took Math 1050 four times, Anatomy three times, Physiology 2 times, and Chemistry 2 times.  But, I got in.

And now....I GRADUATED!  While I technically graduated in December 2009, the graduation services weren't until April 30, 2010. It only took 12 years to finish my Associate Degree. But I did, and by damn, come hell or high water I was walking in Convocation!

Walking around to get my diploma

Sandy, my step-mom, presented my diploma with Dean Rushforth

My Biggest Fans: My Family!

I couldn't have done it with out all their love and support. 

My Parents: Always pushed me to do my best without breaking my spirit.

Thanks for always believing in me and allowing me to do things my way.

The Graduate! 

It feels so surreal. Perhaps it's because I know this time next year I'll do it all again with my Bachelor Degree. Perhaps it's because the journey was long and winding. Whatever the reason, I wouldn't change a thing!

31...and so much fun

It happens every year. As my birthday approaches I plot and plan to have some sort of amazing celebration...and it never happens. The reason? One word: School. It's so overwhelming. Since my birthday falls just 2-ish weeks before finals, everything class wise is coming to a head. Final papers to be written, final projects to finish, and finals too study for. The birthday gets set a side before I know it and then later I think, "Oh ya. It was my birthday. I should have celebrated." This year, however, was going to be different!

On my 2010 Bucket List is a goal/wish/dream to watch the sun come up at Delicate Arch. My friend Bekky took that thought and ran with it, planning a trip to Moab to fulfill that wish ON MY BIRTHDAY! So cool! I was so excited! And then, I threw my back out. I couldn't stand up straight and walk, so hiking was definitely out. Rotten!  Alas, the trip was canceled. Well, more like postponed until later this year...it will happen!

And now....the final papers have been written, final projects have been turned in, and finals begin tomorrow. 

*****

Now, before you cry any tears for my sad, uncelebrated birthday, have no fear. All was not lost. Ashleigh and Britney took pitty on my sad, sorry self and planned an impromptu girls night party. My sisters and nieces all came down to my mom's for pizza and a movie.  A good time was had by all.