2010...

Can you believe its already been a month in this new year/new decade?!? I sure cant! I recently was corrected the other day when I said its 010...they told me its called 20 10...really does it matter?!? Its the same freakn thing so just let me say what I will and I will go on happily! HA...I just kinda laughed it off like I do most things but then I was really thinking about it and wondered why it matters what we call it! Its the same year...its like the old tomato way to say things! Anyway, enough about that! I started my first big girl job this year and I have loved every minute of it! Being in a resource classroom is more than words can explain! The kids are awesome..most of the time! Its been a little challenging lately because of the huge rain storm (4 days straight is HUGE for us) so the kids have been extra hyper...but I still love them! I am excited for the upcoming month because we will be making Valentines with them and bringing in treats for a Valentines party! WOOHOO! Not to mention two 3 day weekends back to back! I knew I always LOVED February! I recently got a call from another school district asking for me to apply for a position with them...I applied so now I am awaiting a call back! I thought it was strange yet really cool that they called me and asked me to apply! If I get this job, I will be moving out of my parents house by my deadline for sure! So fingers crossed!!! :) January was a fun month with starting over and making some little goals. My goals for this year were pretty simple, mainly to be more adventurous and try new things! I have decided to create a bucket list of things I want to do before the end of this decade so when I am done working on that I will post it! :) If you have any ideas, you should share them! I have been watching the buried life and getting some GREAT ideas from there! Anyway, I am kinda a little sad about Valentines this year since my Valentine is 8 hours away, I wont be seeing him! :( It sucks having one and yet not having one at the same time! At least I know he is working hard and trying to switch his schedule around so we can hang out more! HAHA...Oh and I almost forgot, Chuck found out his wife is having another boy, so that brings the tally to 6 nephews and 1 niece! I think someone in the family needs to start popping some girls out! Just hopefully not Chucks family, and not Manda...they should be content with the ones they have! HA...

December...

Did Christmas really just come and go?!? I swear it still has not hit me that Christmas was here...yet alone that we are almost into a new DECADE!! INSANE! December brought many tears for many different reasons and as happy as I am to say hello 2010, I am still somewhat sad and hesistant to say goodbye 2009. As you know from my previous post, I FINALLY graduated!!! It felt AMAZING to have my family and close friends around me that entire week...something I constantly wish would happen more! With graduating, came packing, cleaning, and moving. As much as it stinks to be 22 and living with mom and dad, I feel as though I have adjusted well, and they are FINALLY treating me like an Adult! HAHA...for now at least! I decided to just list somethings that I did this month, as well as things that have happened in my life! Enjoy!!!

*Got my first flu shot (did you know they do a nasal spray thing instead of a shot?!?)

* Found adult footie pj's and almost bought them...till I realized they were over 2o bucks!!

* GRADUATED!!!

* Made my first snowman (much harder than you think)

* Made snow angels for the 2nd time in my life

* Went to an after dark bachelorette party (hehehe)

* Officially said goodbye Idaho Hello California (4 years=way too long!!!)

* Welcomed another "niece"...Camilla Elise Terry

* Graduated college with the EXACT same GPA as high school!

* Thanks to dental work, found out what its like to have a paralyzed body part

* Got a new car thanks to mommy and daddy

* Became an adult by getting a REAL job with my degree

* Cried over the big things my family has gone through

* Cried over the little things (ie no turkey meat HAHA)

* Decided I dont need New Year Resolutions

* Worked things out with Ryan...3rd times the charm...RIGHT????

* Realized what FAMILY really means

* Cried when I saw my dad sitting in the stands at my graduation...just a month earlier, they said he wouldnt be alive

* Put major highlights in my hair

* Decided to get bangs after not having them for literally 13 years!!!

* Realized home is where the heart is...and my heart is in California!!!

* Cried when I found out the seriousness of my sisters drama right now

* Celebrated Milo's first birthday

* Laughed so hard I peed my pants on Christmas day thanks to family

* Made the BEST gingerbread house so far

* And finally, realized that even though my life isnt perfect, and I often think things arent fair, my life is pretty amazing and in the end, I wouldnt trade it for the world!!!

GRADUATION!!!

I AM DONE!!! Never going back to Idaho feels AMAZING!!! Friday and Saturday were graduation days and I was able to have my entire family (immediate) in Idaho with me...minus Garrett who was missed! It still hasnt hit me that I actually graduated and am really in the big world now, but I think it might come April when I dont have to pack up and leave again. My time in Idaho was filled with laughs, cries, drama, bestfriends, fights, and most of all, the most amazing people and memories ever! I am already planning a trip for summer to go back and visit...not because I will miss Idaho, but because I already miss the people!!! Its funny how they really do become your friend when you are there for FOUR years! I was just looking through pictures and it seems so surreal that I was there, in a cap and gown, walking the stage!!! When will I realize that I am done?!? Maybe never...maybe tomorrow...I dunno but I know for sure that I am thankful for the love and support I had my entire college experience from family and friends. I couldnt have made it through without them! :)

November...

Umm call me crazy but where did November go?!? I swear we totally skipped that month in general! HA...weird! Anyway, I was able to stay in Rexburg for Thanksgiving and it was an interesting experience! I was home alone for it and it was so nice to not have to worry about the other girls and all that drama! Plus, my apartment stayed sooo clean! I was able to get a TON of homework and projects done, which put me ahead for like a week! I went shopping on Black Friday with Manda...we pulled an all nighter and were out in line at Wal Mart at 2am...we were determined to get some good deals, and we did! It was fun! I love black friday shopping...mainly because I love crowds and traffic! HA By the end of the week, I was so ready for my roomies to come home! Well, 3 of the ones that were gone! I missed them tons at the end of the week and found myself wanting to tell them crazy stories and they were never here! HAHA...the rest of November was just dandy...our first actual snow storm came in and the snow stayed...BOO!!! Guess its going to be snowy the rest of my time here!!!

Things I am thankful for...

It's so sad to me that as a nation, we need a day set aside to remember what we are thankful for! I used to say I didnt need a holiday to remind me to show thanks, but lately, as life gets crazier and chaotic, I too, have fallen into the trap of using Thanksgiving as THE day to show my thanks. Oh well...at least people know I am thankful for them right?!? Not only am I thankful for people, but I am thankful for THINGS! I have learned to appreciate the little things, technology, hot water, shoes, clothes, blankets, laughter, etc. This year I have also learned to appreciate and be thankful for trials--life is full of them so I figured might as well show appreciation for them and learn from them! Most importantly though, I am thankful for the following people in my lives!

First and foremost, I am thankful for these CRAZY, DYSFUNCTIONAL, INSANE people...

My family is so important to me...especially my sisters. I am thankful my family stands behind me 100% no matter what I do. They constantly tell me how much they love me and are proud of me. My sisters and I have the strongest most amazing bond! They are truly beautiful women who make my life so fun! My brothers (including the inlaws) are like my body guards! Whenever soemthing is wrong, they go up in full protection mode and will do anything to protect me! My nephews and niece are precious in everyway! I so so thankful I can watch them grow and learn to see the simple things in a new light--through their eyes! My family is pretty amazing...we are big and crazy and seriously so dysfunctional, but at least there is NEVER a dull moment in our lives!!!!

The next thing I am thankful for are Best Friends...
Tara is my rock! She helps me in sooo many different aspects. I have learned to appreciate the gospel and be a better person because of her. She has given me strength to overcome so many obstacles and trials in my life. She is always there to smack some sense into me when I am being stupid! She puts up with slowness! I am thankful we can find sooo much humor and joy in the LITTLE thing. Who would have thought playing a duet on the piano would be SOOOO funny?!? Or that sliding down the stairs would entertain us for so long?!?

Heather is my other Bestie who I am continually thankful for!!!

I would have NEVER made it through the college years without this bestie! Heather is the first person I text when something has gone wrong and I am so grateful she is always just a text away! I am glad we can go out to dinner and just talk for hours on end...until they start cleaning and telling us they are closing! We never have an awkward dull moment and I am so thankful for the example she is to me! I am glad I went to BYU-Idaho because I met Heather! I am so thankful that 4 1/2 years ago we decided to hang out and become besties! I know whenever I need ANYTHING Heather is just a phone call away and will do anything she can to help!!! I look forward to many more years of silliness together...including being in a nursing home causing chaos like we do so well! :)

Finally I am thankful for Friends/Roomies

These girls have been inspiration to me in so many ways! From being examples in word and deed to being some of the best partners in crime, I am so thankful for them! We have had a great year full of trips, adventures, tears, and laughs, and I have enjoyed every single one of them! My roomies have truly become some of my closest friends who make me laugh every single day! I am thankful for the jokes we share and our crazy stories! I love coming "home" and hearing about everyones adventures. Thank you girls for being there for me while my dad had his heart surgery, for being there through Ryan drama, and for being there to simply make me laugh and smile!!! I am going to miss you girls so much after graduation but I know we will be hanging out sooo much more outside of school!!!

Finally, I am thankful for all of you who are taking the time out of your day to read this! If I didnt mention you by name, I am sorry, but I hope you know you are special to me and have made an impact in my life in one way or another.

StReSsEd

You know those days when everything seems to just go wrong?!? Well welcome to my world! Only its not just a day that seems to go wrong, its been an entire month! Ever since my dads open heart surgery, things have just gone from bad to worse in my life!!! I am at the breaking point! I keep telling people I am being tested in EVERYWAY possible because its my last semester and they (evil forces out there in this world haha) are trying to get me to drop out! Little do they know I am way too stubborn to just give in! But let me just inform you on some of the DRAMA in my life!

*Dad has open heart surgery (originally triple bypass, turned into quadruple)

* I decide to get sick...still sick and dont worry its been 3 1/2 weeks

* A certain family member has some SERIOUS issues to face with their spouse...most likely leading to an end marriage...crossing our fingers it works out that way (is that bad?!?)

* Roommates from HELL...I swear no other girls have been nearly this bad

*Professor decides not to help me out with missing work...have to go to Dean who clears it (thank the Lord)

*Get an eviction notice from my managers

*Have to meet with head of housing department and my managers

*Boyfriend drama!!! (to end or not to end...that is the question)

*Friends mom dies

*plans fell through and am stuck in Rexburg for Thanksgiving

*Dad cant come to Graduation

*Dad back in hopsital...rushed there via ambulance last night (Friday the 13th...go freakn figure)

*Get in a car accident...horrible bruise still on my leg and still hurts

* FREAKN SNOWING AND STICKING!!!

* Relief Society President on my A$$ for never going...maybe if she wasnt so creepy and annoying we would actually go...HAHA

*Have I mentioned I am still sick!??

*Phone completely breaks day before I can upgrade for a new one...Verizon refuses to move my upgrade a day...therefore I am phoneless till Monday when it comes

Seriousy the list just keeps going! Its insane how horrible this month has been!!! I just want to pull my hair out, go to sleep, and wake up when everything is okay in my life again! Sadly, I dont think things will ever go back to the way they used to be!!! And if thats the case, LORD HELP ME!!!

October...

Happy Holidays!!! HAHA...its officially after Halloween so now I can say that right?!? Well even if people say no, I am gonna say it anyway! My graduation countdown continues and now it is at 46 days!!! I am so excited for my entire family to be in Idaho for the big day! It will be a blast for sure! :) This past month was full of fun times, sad times, surprise times, and really hard times, but the good news is each trial made me a stronger person! My dad had to have a quadruple bypass on the 23rd of October so Manda and I packed up the boys and ourselves in 30 minutes and headed home to California! I got pulled over for going 20 over the speed limit, and worked my magic to get out of it! Manda got pulled over about an hour later for going 6 over and still got out of the ticket! The police LOVED us that night for some reason! It was a LONG drive home, but luckily the boys were great and slept the entire time because it was the middle of the night. It was nice to be home with my family and lend my support--even though my dad was not happy we were all around because he was in so much pain and in tears the whole time. Psycho and I started to talk again after 5 years and in fact, I believe I can now call him Garrett again! Its sad and kinda twisted how such huge events occur to change some peoples hearts. I was able to go to a pumpkin patch with all the grandkids to keep our minds busy one day after the surgery and it was really hot but really fun. October also brought about a lovely trip to Utah that went south BAD!!! We were so excited to have a fun time but it ended up being horrible...for me at least! We got in a 4 car pile up, my leg is in horrible pain as is my left arm and head, but no major damage to anyone, we went to the Michael Jackson movie which was a lot of fun, we went to a Black and White party which was a joke, and Ryan flipped out on me more times than NOT! But in the end, it was nice to be around friends and away from the stresses of school. October was a very long month although looking back now, it seems as though the time just keeps flying! I cant believe Thanksgiving break is in 18 days and then school is over forever for me in less than 2 months! CRAZY!!! I just hope the rest of the time in Idaho is filled with some great memories...good or bad, one thing is for sure, they are all life changing memories!!!