EFY: Verily, Verily Provo 7A

Well my last week of EFY was just great. It was such a stress free week. My girls were fantastic and really helped me have a good week. My roommates were amazing and we just had so much fun! I was back to the 14-15 year olds this week which turned out great. At the end of EFY I am amazed at how strong the youth of the church are. I seriously love them. EFY was great this year! I already miss it so much!

Two of my most favorite people in the whole world! I miss them!

We find things to do to enjoy ourselves during lunch

Me and my co counselors with our company flag on games night. Notice how verily is spelled with two "r's"... fantastic!

I love Britt! And our dog breeding pens!

EFY: Perish Not Provo 6A

After a fantastic two week vacation home I came back to EFY for my last two weeks. This week was most commonly known as Jo Bro week because the Jonas Brothers were coming to Provo for Stadium of Fire on the 4th. We sure do love the Jo Bros at EFY. This was a week of firsts for me. I had the 16-18 year old group for the first time this summer and I also had the joy of living in the Riv. Our company spot (where you meet your whole group for just about everything) was up in Heritage Halls so we got A LOT of exercise! It was probably the hardest week I've had at EFY but it still turned out good (for details just ask me :) At least I was able to become best friends with all the BC's! Our group was big and we had fun (even when mice run through our scripture study) This will be a week to remember forever!

I swear he is Jacob Black and just didn't feel like telling us.

I finally had some fellow Laker fans in my group... boy was I happy about that!

Me and my girls... all 12 of them. It was a pretty big group

Me and the co counselors! We are still having No Touch EFY so this is our way to post for a pic without actually touching each other

EFY: No Harm Provo 3B

NO HARM! Here was week two of EFY. Our company name was No Harm and it sure was an interesting week. It was for sure different than week two. First off EFY started some new rules and the week was dubbed "No Touch Week". Because of everyone getting so sick last week this week we couldn't hug, high five, escort, or shake hands. Pretty much we just couldn't touch each other at all. They almost got rid of slow dancing but brought it back because that was just a bit too drastic. Other than that it was a good week :) I had the 14-15 year olds again and we had fun. My co counselor Manda was AMAZING! I had so many little tender mercies this week. My cousin brought me soda a couple times, Brianne came and saw me. Chad brought me soda and cookies, Brett had lunch with me twice. Alaina, Nadya and Ashley were in town and came to see and me and Manda bought me Jamba juice when I missed breakfast. It was a great week!

At Tuesday night dance! The sweatband is a must!


So Friday night after the dance there was a huge thunder and lightning storm! We got soaked on our way back to the dorms! We were all so wet but it was exciting

EFY : Send Forth Provo 2A

Well, I thought I would do a little blog update for each session I do of EFY. Last week was the first session of the summer for me and boy was it crazy! I had 14-15 year olds and they were a blast. Luckily I taught that age group for student teaching so I had a little more experience with them. There were two sessions going on in Provo and ours had about 1,300 participants. The other session had over 700 and we got to combine for the dances. It was pure madness! I've never seen so many kids in one place. The other crazy part of last week is that everyone got sick! About 1/3 of all the counselors were sick and a whole bunch of participants were sick. My co counselor Adam got very sick and was out for a couple of days so it was pretty nuts taking care of all our kids with my other co counselor Andrea. Our group was amazing and we had a lot of fun. There were some crazy adventures but all it all it was amazing! I loved my girls, Andreas girls and all of our boys. They were all so strong in the gospel and grew even more. This week should be interesting. We have a smaller session with only 1,000 participants (ha ha) and it's supposed to rain all week so we'll see how it goes!

This was about 2/3 of the participants at the dance. Like I said, it was crazy!!!!

Me and my co counselors! So fun!

Since I've Grown Up...

Well, I guess being home makes it so that I'm not very good at updating my blog... so, I believe now is the time. I was just catching up on a recent LOST episode with my mom (she is the only one that will watch LOST with me) and then Kindra and Charlie came over, so while Charlie is occupied with his Mimi (my mom) and Kindra eats lunch I figure, why not do a little update?

I had to say goodbye to my students. It was so sad. They were amazing and I miss them so much. I seriously think about them everyday and I can't wait to go see them in a couple weeks :)

This was my Honors class... I have a picture with every class period (all 7 of them) but I figured I only needed to put one on here. Can you spot me in the middle of all these junior high kids? I look like one of them!


This is me and my amazing cooperating teacher Anne Black! I love her! We were a perfect match!


Well, I graduated, who ever thought the day would come. My family came up and it was awesome. Commencement was amazing and convocation was great too. I definitely shed tears. I never realized how much I would miss BYU-Idaho. It is such an amazing place and I have grown the most in my life while attending that school. I miss the spirit there, the people there, and even all my classes. Haha. Anyone that is even considering going to BYU-Idaho should go! It's amazing! I can't wait for my little brother to start there in the fall. Here are a couple pics from that fantastic day!

Just a few odds and ends that have happened so far. My friend Diannah got married in the Sacramento Temple! It was amazing and fun to be part of her wedding. Brian went to his senior prom and of course looked as handsome as can be. And my parents sold their house after being on the market for one week. A big blessing but we have to be out by June 25th :( I am about to start EFY in a couple weeks and I can't wait! Here are a few pictures!


Diannah and Cody walking out of the temple!


The bridesmaids and flower girl!


Brian on his way to prom. Sooo GQ

So we had this hillbilly night for student ward and they taught us a interesting dance. Andrew and I were having a good time. Haha

Some more hillbillies having a good time!

The Eve of My 23rd Birthday... A Life Update

I don't even know how many people read this blog so I always feel a little dumb writing on it because I'm guessing most people that read it are people who I talk to on a daily basis. I figured I would write out the plans for my life on here anyway since it's a very common question. Well, more like the lack of plans for my life. Ha ha.

I graduate from Brigham Young University- Idaho in about one week, April 10th. I am graduating in Social Studies Education and hope to be a high school teacher. I've spent the last three months doing my student teaching in Utah teaching Geography to 9th graders. It was a great day when I confirmed in my mind that I actually picked the right career because I LOVE teaching. I love the age group and I learn things from them every day. I was put with a great cooperating teacher and had the time of my life. I have been living in Draper Utah and really enjoyed it. I didn't have much of a social life but I was able to enjoy the blessings of living in Utah by being involved in the opening of the Draper Temple. I got to go through the open house, be an usher in the celestial room, and be in the temple for the one of the dedicatory sessions. It has been awesome. I have loved my roommates and will miss living with them.

As for plans after graduation, that is still up in the air. Finding a job seems to be a lot more difficult than I had imagined for two reasons. A: In the economy today it is difficult for ANYONE to find a job and it has taken it's toll on the education world. B: It just so happens that my love and interest (aka my major) is probably the least needed major for education, second only to PE. So math, science and Spanish teachers are getting 10,000 bonuses for signing on with any school of their choice, I'm getting blank looks from employers who tell me to apply online and check for openings. Great. For immediate plans, I'm heading back to Chico to hang out for one last summer in my favorite place. I'll also be an EFY counselor for two weeks in Provo which I am really excited about. I have a fun Disneyland trip planned and about a million weddings to go to....

And on the subject of weddings. So far this summer I am a bridesmaid in three different weddings, which is a small amount compared to the actual count of friends that are getting married. It seems to be a pattern in the last three months for everyone to be getting engaged. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel like I was missing the whole "time to be getting married" bandwagon. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about getting married at the right time to the right person. It's just that everyone is finding that person before me. My life seems to be a little bit consumed in everyone else's weddings. In fact, the present for the one accomplishment that I have to brag about right now (graduation) has to be spent on a bridesmaid dress. Awesome. Now, I realize that I sound rather bitter, ha ha. Don't get me wrong, I could not be happier for every person in my life that is getting married. I think it is so exciting and cool that they are all getting married for time and all eternity. That is so amazing and I am honored that I get to be part of it. But I'm using my blog to throw myself a little pity party. Ha ha. It will happen one day and it will be the right person but our lives as young single adults are consumed with marriage. We get bombarded with questions like, Why aren't you married? What's wrong with you? Are you dating anyone? Are there any men in your life? etc. etc. etc. (and this isn't just me talking all of my roommates confirm that this is how it is... every time we go home) Every lesson is about finding that right person or trying to make you feel better about not being married so no matter what, it's on our minds. Again, this makes me sounds so bitter but sometimes I just want to be part of the married club. I'm 23 (well tomorrow I am) not old at all. In fact there are many great advantages to being a college graduate and not being married. A: I'll actually have a savings when I get married and can pay for my wedding and go on a sweet honeymoon. B: If my husband is still in school I can support us so we won't have to go into debt C: Nothing is tying me down at all. I'm free to do whatever I want... travel, be spontaneous, go on shopping sprees... it's all fair game. D: I'll be the most favorite aunt in the world because I don't have my own kids to spoil... so really, the list goes on and on. Bottom line: A little annoying my life is consumed in everyone else's wedding but I'm young and I'll live through it and one day when I find that right guy it will be fantastic. OK, enough about marriage.. moving on

I can't think of much else to update on. My family is moving to Texas in August. I'm sad about that but it's the right thing. Brian is going to BYU-Idaho and I am so excited he is doing that! I can't wait for him to fall in love with that school. CJ will be starting high school which is totally crazy. Maybe I'll be able to find a job at his high school so I can be around him. Other than all that, I'm happy. My life is totally up in the air so I'm just riding on faith that Heavenly Father will direct me to the right place, wherever it is I need to be.

I heart my students

The other day I was talking to my mom about my students and how much I love them. I have picked out some of my favorites and it's been hard not to get attached to them. There is a group of them that are all best friends and have all been playing soccer together since they were in elementary school. It came time for them to try out for the high school team and all of them made it but two, some of my favorite two. I found as I was driving home from school I started crying thinking about how sad it was that they didn't make it. I have become pretty attached to a lot of these students and I find that when they are sad, I'm sad. I want them to succeed and be the best they can. I can see the potential in all of them. I love that I can become close to my students but it makes me sad to think that I'll leave and probably never see them again :(