Lance...

This is Lance, he is about 4 months old, he just has he first surgery of a series to correct a clef lip and a clef pallet. He belongs to Shaleigh, one of my really good friends from work. I wish I had a before picture so you could see how good his lip looks, it's amazing what modern medicine can do! He was in surgery for three hours yesterday and everything went remarkable. He's doing well and might even get to come home from the hospital today.

I feel a change in the winds says I.

*This is more of my own journaling purposes then anything else*

For the last two years I have been a resident of St. George Utah. I've worked at the St. George branch of Deseret Frist Credit Union. I've lived on my own, and haven't had anyone to answer to. Well my life is about to change, and it's going to change lots. May 1st (yes, Jill I know, that is your birthday) I'll be moving back up to Salt Lake. Life as I know it will be changing. It's a surprisingly bitter sweet change. While I'm excited for something new in my life, I know I'm going to miss the people and things I've come to love while in St. George. Yesterday I put my notice in at work (April 30th, I know it's far away, but for transfer purposes I had to.). Change is good, scary, but good. I feel like change is something I really need in my life right now. I feel like I've been stuck in a rut for the last couple of months. So my goal for the next month is to enjoy my remaining time in St. George. I know that once I get home I'm going to miss so much about Dixie.

Being down here has been such a growing experience. I think I've really become the person I'm going to be. I think that starts to happen when mom and and aren't around to second questions decisions, and you learn through trial and error. There have been some lessons learned the hard way, but I wouldn't trade them. I never used to believe people when they would say "I'm grateful for my trials", I feel like now I'm honestly thankful for them. Life isn't meant to be easy, were not forced to learn and grow when we aren't tired. My time in St. George has been wonderful and horrible, happy and sad, I've laughed and I've cried. Through it all I've grown and learned.

So here I am at the end of a chapter of life and about to embark on the next one. Who knows what's next for me in life, marriage, a mission, college?! I have no idea, but I'm looking forward to it. I've loved my time in St. George, and I will never forget the people I've met here. Change is good! Just embrace it! :)

Cousins...

This morning I had that chance to be a sinner and go to brunch with my two cousins Kalie, and Mady. It was fun to get caught up on life and take a trip down memory lane. It was fun to spend time with them. Thanks for making time for me girls!

In other updates in my life.... there aren't any.

S.L.C.

I decided to take Thursday and Friday off and head up to Salt Lake. I had a great long weekend filled with lots of friend and family time. My mom even made sure I got time to see the VERY BEAUTIFUL Draper temple. We got to celebrate Miss Annie's one year old birthday, and I got to hear hours of endless decorating possibilities for Jamie's kitchen/family room. We looked through tons of old family pictures, so much fun! I got to see my friend Izzy from the tennis team who recently (as in two weeks ago) lost her mom, grandma, and grandpa in a car accident, she is a solider! All in all it was the perfect weekend home. I love spending time with those I love most. Thanks for making the time to kick it with me!

The beautiful Draper Temple
The Destroyer!

The Birthday Girl herself. HAPPY BIRTHDAY A!

Annie and her new friend.

Eating, always eating.

Someone got a hold of my camera.

Where's Waldo?

The only time I will ever see Amy with a purse that isn't a wallet on a string.

Queen Jamie reining over her peasants.

St. Geezy with the Fameezy

I know this post is a little delayed seeing is this was a week ago, however I promised Amy there would be a blog post. (better late then never, right Amy!?) I got almost entire week to be with my family, and trust me it was much needed! Mom, Dad, Jenny, Trent, Amy, Aiden, Andrew, Oakley, Morgan, Paige, and Jake were all down here. Jake and I even got an extended Vacay when we went to Vegas, however no picture documentation on that one. I love being with my family and it was much needed time with them. Family fun will continue when I come up to Salt Lake on Thursday! Without further Audie here are 5 million pictures from last weekend....

This picture proves that Amy is wonder Mom, Yes she is making 5 PB&J's at once!
Amy didn't want a picture of her face, so we took one of the back of our heads.

The cute kiddos, only smiling because they wanted my camera.

Oakley got my camera and took a LOVELY picture of herself.

Miss Paige being Divialious!

What trip to St. George is complete without a dance party!?

Aiden and I were swimming buddies! Until I almost killed him twice!

We were still friends here.

The gang.

Oakley got my camera again, however, I think this picture is adorable!

My homes! I just love this guy! I had so much fun spending time with him. I took him to all the "cool" St. George hot spots. Dixie Rock.

The Narrows....

Ya, we squeezed through there.

Jake squeezing through.

"Damn were in a tight place!" -Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

Lame, put this is the ONLY picture I have from my Vegas trip, and it's lovely! All in all it was a great weekend/week to spend time with my family, especially Jake whom I don't get to see much! (even though he eased my itunes library! :))

23 months....

23 months ago today, my friend Brad left on his mission. It's crazy to think how FAST life moves! It's so interesting to think what life was like then compared to now....
23 months ago I was....
-A senior in high school
-Working at Black Tie Tuxedo
-Spent every waking moment I had with Brooke #2
-My biggest worry in life was what shoes to wear with my cap and gown
-I was getting ready for the trip of a lifetime EUROPE!
-Figuring out how to make it through one final semester of school
-Sluffing as MUCH school as possible
-Spending all my time with Andy, Nick, Bryan, Kyle, Bridget, Meagan, and Brooke
-Listening to and LOVING Taylor Swifts' first CD.
-I was still very much living off Mom and Dad.
-I was living in the Salt Lake Valley and LOVING it!
Fastfoward 23 months....
-I've been living in St. George for almost two years
-I'm a personal account representative at Deseret First Credit Union
-I just purchased my first car.
-I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my life
-I have complete freedom, and LOVE it! :)
-I pay my own bills, rent, grocery's, phone, insurance, car, you name it.
-I've experienced real life. You know all the growing up stuff.
-I've experienced my first post high school relationship, and experienced my first real heart break.
-I've been almost an entire year without Brooke, boo!

Life changes and it changes fast! I need to work on enjoying the here and now, before you know it it's two years later and life is totally different!

My BEST Friend!

Dearest Brooke,

You are the peanut to my butter! The cream to my cheese! My other half! We've gone through the BEST and the WORST life has to offer! However no matter what we've always had each other! I'm looking forward to the summer to make up for a lot of lost time. The Brooke's will be one again! Look out world.... here WE come!

Love,

Brooke #1

P.S. I'm way more sick then you!

It was the best of times... it was the worst of times...

Things in St. George have been a little rock over the past week. I've been trying so hard to be strong and keep it together. Because, let's face it, if you all had a dollar for every time things got rocky for me I would single handily fix the economy. Maybe I'm a pansy, to soft hearted, or just a girl. Whatever the reason may be, life can get me down. I think that trials in our life's truly are the best and worst of times. We do grow and learn, but it's usually through hurt and pain. I'm not going to look for the negative today, instead I'm counting my blessings... naming the one by one....

1. I have the BEST family ever! I have 5 sisters that are my BEST friends, and a brother that seems to know just when I need someone most! 8 of the worlds cutest nieces and nephews, and a Mother and Father that would do anything for me!

2. Back home I have 5 of the best girlfriends any one could have. (I guess I have one of those girls in the STG!)

3. I have a job, and income! With money in the bank! :)

4. I GET to go to school and further my education. I know how to read, add, subtract, and MOST everything else in between.

5. I have a wonderful roommate who has given me a shoulder to cry on many times this last week, and a WONDERFUL friend Ryan, who dropped his Saturday night to be my friend.

6. I have means of transportation.

7. In this crazy world where people so easily loose themselves, I know who I am, and I have the greatest gift of them all.... The Gospel.

8. I have an AMAZING Bishop that I love dearly! He's helped me through some rough times, it's kind of like having a Dad in St. George.

9. The Lord loves me enough to give me trials to grow and learn.

10. I'm healthy! I can walk, run, talk, breath, function normally (for the most part), move my fingers, etc... What a blessing?!

11. I still have all 4 of my grandparents.

12. Growing up my dream was to travel through Europe, by age 18 I could cross that off my list.

13. I got to spend a wonderful week in Hawaii with 19 of my best friends!

14. In St. George I met one of my VERY best life long friends! You know who you are! :)

15. The past two years have had it's up's and it's down's, but I've learned so much about who I am, the gospel, and everything else in between.

16. I'm an American!

17. I was so blessed through middle school and high school to be able to work with the special needs kids. What an experience! Something I will always cherish!

18. I have 3 wonderful in-laws who are just part of the family now!

19. It's a beautiful, warm, sunny, day outside.

20. I'm alive.

I know that even in our lowest of lows, there is ALWAYS still good to be found! Today I'm choosing to see it!

Quote of the Week....

God doesn't have to explain why, because once he dose, it becomes unnecessary to have a greater faith.

Tatiana Del Toro

If she's not gone tonight, I AM!!!

Happy Brithday To Me!

Today is my 20th birthday! I'm finally no longer a teenager! Don't I just sound older? In celebration of my 20th here are 20 things about me....
1. My alter personalty is Lulu, consider yourself lucky if you've met her! ;)
2. My favorite color is blue, green, or yellow.
3. I LOVE Utah football.
4. I love, and I mean LOVE getting things in the mail!
5. I love laughing, and it's usually at myself.
6. I have THE best group of girl friends! Holla to my Sandy Skanks!
7. I have the world's cutest nieces and nephews! I love every second I get to spend with them.
8. My favorite candy is the Sour Patch Kid's Watermelons.
9. Diet Coke. Need I say more?! :)
10. "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints"
11. I really LOVE my birthday.
12. My siblings are my best friends, especially my sisters (yes Amy, that includes you!).
13. I love music!
14. Random texts are my favorite! :)
15. I've been to Europe. 6 countries, 3 weeks, two best friends, 1 AWESOME trip!
16. I really enjoy cooking.
17. School isn't my cup of tea, but socializing, right up my alley!
18. My goal in life is to be a mom.
19. I'm really, REALLY loud
20. I like me!

Best present yet....

Today I got my first Brithday present, and boy did it make my day! Thanks B-Rad and Family! :)

American Idol Recap

This season I have a lot hate relationship with Idol. Let's get the reasons I hate idol out of the way:
1. 3 words: Tatiana Del Toro! She drives me CRAZY! I can't stand watching her, her annoying weekly pleads to stay on the show is just to much. I want her GONE! "One more emotional outbreak and I will strangle you with this microphone cord! " Wedding Singer.
2. Kara DioGaurdi. Boo! Who invited her to judge. It's painful to watch her. She is always saying something dumb or awkward, and he is trying to hard to be a female Simon. Kara, thanks, but NO thanks.
3. Rayn Seacrest, giving a blind person a high-5?! Eyeliner!?
Now to the reasons I love idol:
1. I love Simon! I love this facial expressions, his honesty, I just think it's pretty funny to watch.
2. Scott MacIntyre, he's the blind singer. I love him, love his voice, love the piano, love it all.
3. Danny Gokey, he's the one who's wife just died. He's my pick for season 8 winner.
4. Nathaniel Marshall, haha, the princess of the group. Yes his gay, but I loved his song last night, and I love his princess tantrums!
5. Last but not least, I find all of the drama totally and completely entertaining! I just can't get enough of it!

Life in The SG...

Here are some recent pictures of my life. Like I said nothing very exciting, but it's life! :)

My 4th flat tire in 4 months! BOO!!!

P.S. I did change my tire ALL by myself!!!!

Dixie Rock, Annie will hate me for this! :)

Do you see creeper in the background?

Black and White Party
Yummy Sushi
"He's Just NOT That Into You" DUMB!

Hula Time in #3C

Loves from The SG!!!

Blah...

One word that sums up my life. I wish I had something exciting or even mildly worth blogging about, but I don't. It feels like I do the same thing day in and day out. School, homework, sleeping, then it starts all over again. I guess boring can be good, but I'm ready for some spice! This Friday is my birthday and some of my family will be coming down. Hopefully by that point I'll have something worth both of our times to blog about!