2009 Book Titles

I would never write a book about my life but this year I thought I would let you know some of the titles I have considered for the book I will never write.

January: 1 Good Reason Not To Play Basketball, when I don't want to is not good enough.














February: How to Survive Living with Your Sister. (easy she is fun)














March: 15 Mini Cupcakes and Still Feeling Lucky














April: Considering Yourself Successful at 26.








May: Surviving University Campus Life (written by a girl who attended one class one semester.)












June: New Dew New You!




















July: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, San Diego Style















August Back to School: Why I Went Back











September Jumping Through Hoops; A guide to being a successful RN-BSN student













October How to Date Your Home Teachers
November How to Make Home Teaching Awkward for All Involved














December How to Get in Trouble As a Bridesmaid




















There you have it some highlights from 2009!

Icy Thoughts

The following are thoughts had by Jessica as she slid past her driveway...

Oh I hope I stop soon...
There is the curb...
stuck in the gutter I hope not...
I am hungry...
Remember when my house was not on a hill...
To far past the driveway I will have to turn around

The following are more thoughts as she spun her wheels attempting a turn back up the hill...

You knew this would not work...
I am hungry if I get stuck here I might not get the dinner I want...
I hope a car does not turn down this street...
burnt rubber not really a good smell...
Oh remember when my house was in the desert...
Note to self next place I live will have hot guys next door

Thoughts as she drove around the block...

Should I try from and uphill aproach or a downhill...
Who should i call to coach me...
what shall I have for dinner...
oh nice lights...
here goes nothing...

Parked safely in her driveway. Jessica heads for dinner

Christmas Memories

Christmas time always full of warm memories and favorite traditions.
When I think of Christmas time as a child I remember gathering with my dad family Christmas day. We always took one of our new toys over to Grandmas house to show our cousins what we got. Maybe it was a mistake that year we got New Kid on the Block Dolls, darn cousins like to tease. I remember just playing all day with the cousins. As we got older I remember the wonderful meals we shared.
Christmas Eve was always a favorite once the potatoe soup tradition started. Perhaps the best soup ever ...way to go dad! It was always fun to drop off Christmas treats to friends and neighbors. Then to sit around the rest of the evening and beg mom and dad to let us open a present. The last couple of years have been fun competing to be the last person to drop gifts in the stockings. The last person gets an early peak at all the gifts. Of course there was the tradition of leaving cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer and some cheese for Santa mouse. For some reason all of us girls would pile in the same bed on Christmas Eve. That was easy when we were little, I remember it getting harder as we grew but we still did it. Last year as a joke I was sleeping in Ambers bed and Monica climmbed in between us. She stayed the whole night...the tradition lives on.
Christmas morning we would all wake up and have to stand in the hallway and wait while dad turned on the Christmas music and the tree lights all while making comments about all the gifts he saw. We would get so annoyed he took longer every year. Opening presents was done one person at a time. My favorite part was always the stockings, I just always loved the treasures inside. We could always count on our toothbrush from Santa mouse. Ambers was always purple and Monicas was green or blue so I could count on a pink one or the occasional teal. Amber brought a fun tradition to our family, the pull-a-part breakfast. Oh so warm and gooey. Thanks for that one Amber.
More recent Christmases have been spent with my Moms side of the family. Wonderful dinners shared and intense Monopoly games played. Which reminds me of the year we got Monopoly for Christmas I was the first to go bankrupt due to some whining my mom kept me in the game! Don't forget the Christmas nap usually a couple of us cousins could be found piled on each other on one of the couches.
Who can forget the Christmas in Puerto Pinasco. What a fun trip that was even if half of us were sick. There was the sandman building contest on the beach and the Christmas Pinata. Grandma and Grandpa took us to a nice dinner and I remember Morgan trying to pay for her own meal because she did not realize the prices were in Pesos and she felt so bad for ordering what she did.
My favorite Christmas with some friends was the year the Divingboard Professionals (my friends band) played at the ward Christmas party and their groupies sang along.

So many fun memories... and so many more to make.

Just needed to hear the Prophet speak

Life comes at you quick sometimes. You are just going along balancing work, school and church responsibilities. You are doing so good you decide to toss a relationship in there for added excitement. Your juggling act is so good you would be the most popular clown at the circus. Then one week just does not go as well as the last. Why is it every aspect of your life gets busy and slows down at the same time? I guess it is just one of those facts of life. You start to wonder what you did differently, what did you do wrong? How can you fix it fast and get back on track?

This next part I love.

The answer always come in just the way you need it. This time it came at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Sunday. I will be honest my mind was distracted the first 3 quarters of the fireside, then the Prophet spoke and made it all so clear. He worded things just for me, put things back in perspective. Then the spirit pours over you and reminds you God loves you. It is beautiful thing. Never have the words to Silent Night brought me to tears, I actually never really like that song. (I know how dare I say that, sometimes great, beautiful things bug me)

How wonderful it is to be able to hear the words of the Prophet, the mouth piece of a loving Heavenly Father upon the earth.

Road Trip

Monica, Phillip and I took a little road trip over the weekend. I love the Logan temple and have wanted to go to it forever now. Monica and I planned a road trip in the fall so we could see the leaves on the way to the temple However, up until a few weeks ago our schedules did not mesh. I even had a trip planned with a friend but a cold got the best of me and that drive was cancled. So a few weeks after the leaves disappeared in the canyon we finally made the trip. Still a great trip becuase it ended at the temple.

What a beautiful temple. I am grateful for the opportunity to do a sacred work in this the Lords house.

Gotta have a lawn shot at this temple.

Here are my fall leaves I wanted to see. Kinda made for a great picture.
Next year I will make the drive and see the leaves but for now this trip will do.

A life richly blessed.

That is my life right now...

I live with the best roommate a girl could ask for. I complain about little things (oops she does not know I complain) but all things considered I am blessed to have my sister here in Utah with me. I love sharing our nursing careers with each other. It has always been nice to relate with her through all stages of the nursing process. I love having someone that genuinely cares about me at home. I love hearing her daily updates even if the new tires was the highlight. She is amazing I am inspired by her strength love and commitment.

As I mentioned in past post I have the best parents a girl could ask for. Along with them I have a three wonderful supportive siblings. Amber will forever be an example of service to me. An example of strong will, I use to call it stubborn and opinionated, but now I admire her dedication to the truths she holds dear. There is always a genuine love behind everything she does for others. Monica I have already hit on her a little bit. A little more about her she is diligent in all her endeavours. She is a true friends to everyone. Jeffrey has always amazed me when it comes to the way he speaks of others. He sees the good in people and makes sure others see it as well. He is talented in so many ways, a dedicated and hard worker. They all have been such a strength in my life. 5 people I am grateful to spend an eternity with.

I have a great job and yes I complain about that too. However, the patients and co workers make it fun and interesting. In January I will have worked at the UOC for 2 years. I have grown so much in my career while working there. I am convinced some of the people I work with are the reason I needed to take this job. They have been a strength to me. They have become another family away from home.

I am able to get an education. When I graduated with my associates in nursing that was the end of the road for me. I accomplished all and more than I had planned or dreamed of. It only took two and a half years to realize the value in furthering my education. Even though my goal and passion will always remain becoming a mother. I now have a career to fall back on. My bachelor degree will only be a strength for me. Even though the schooling seems tedious and I feel more like a circus animal jumping through hoops. I know I am headed in the right direction.

Since my move to Utah I could not ask for better friends. It started out with three great roommates which turned into 5. All of which have taught me great lessons and brought me strength when I needed it most. The first ward I attended was amazing and one would think it could not get any better than this. Then it did and I have developed friendships that again teach me daily. I have so many wonderful friends, so many that I am torn in every which way. I wish I could spend time with each of them everyday. They all tell me I am an example to them but if they only knew the examples they are to me. So wonderful to have so many people laugh with to cry with to share life's adventures with. The added spice is nice.

Other things that bless my life daily...
Extended Family
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Good health (I have my struggles but am still greatly blessed)
This beautiful earth... everyday a new picture of beauty

I could go on but I will leave it there.

My best friend... my enemy.

So I got my new mouth piece to help with my headaches. I am on week two of my wearing it all day for three weeks. I have worn it most of the time I can't say I wear it all day. So why do I not wear it all day? Well if you have talked to me in the last two weeks you are probably laughing and already know why. I asked a friend if I sounded funny he said "oh you sound fine" then my sister laughed at me hysterically while I talked. One of them is lying to me.

I struggle saying my s's and j's the most. So you can imagine it is pretty funny when I say my name. If I talk slow and think about it I do fine. It is just my quick witted comments and long conversations I struggle with.

Oh well I suppose the benefits defiantly out weight the costs here. I hope it works. I had a headache over the weekend so I think my three week run might be extended.

Wish me luck!

An opportunity to teach...an opportunity to learn.

I taught the Relief Society lesson this past Sunday. With my calling I have had the opportunity teach every forth month. Each time I teach I get to choose the topic I will teach. Intimidating and fun. The first time I taught was in December so it was easy to find a focus. I spoke on aligning our will with out Heavenly Fathers. It was a huge topic but I remember it going well. Aside from being completely nervous up there. I remember my friend talking to me after, she told me to relax and not be afraid of the quiet moments when no one comments. I hated those moments. The next time I taught I chose to speak on sustaining the Priesthood. This was a fun one to prepare because I elicited the help of the some priesthood holders. I asked them how we as a Relief Society might better sustain them. I also asked them how we can sustain them in the dating world. I got little feedback on the dating part but for the most part they asked us to allow them to serve us. That lesson was a lot of fun to teach. I still remember being very nervous but it was a lighter subject so I could joke around and that always calms me. If I can make people laugh I can relax.
This past Sunday I felt a lot of growth in my teaching and preparation. I always get a head start on picking my topic so I can have as much prep time a possible. I first decided to speak on hope. As I studied my thoughts were 'hope is often misunderstood'. So I thought I will clear things up. Well I now know why it is misunderstood... it is very hard to teach it. I now have a better understanding for myself but I could not put it in words to teach. So I decided to go with the home teaching message in the Ensign on obedience. However, nothing developed out of that topic, except for a love for that article. So what did I teach you ask. I still don't remember the thought that brought me to this decision. I just remember climbing into bed and having some thought so I got up turned my computer back on and read a conference talk. I don't remember which one. Then I decided to read Sister Thompson's talk from the General Relief Society Broadcast titled Mind the Gap. After I read it I thought that is a good talk I will have to look at it again and I went to bed. I thought about it off and on but never really had a chance to sit down and plan anything. One night I mentioned the talk to Monica and told her a few of my thoughts they were redirected as I spoke. Then the Friday night before I spoke I was a little nervous because I had very little time to plan the lesson, between homework and hanging out with a great friend. Again I talked to Monica and the plan just came to me. She must be a saint. So the next day a headache took over my life and I was still nervous as to how I would prepare. Another saint came along and helped me relax and get rid of the headache (they never go away as fast as this one did). I had a two hour window that was completely free to work on the talk. I whipped it out in no time. The spirit is amazing when it floods in like that. I thought I downloaded the talk so I could play part of it during the lesson. Then I went out and enjoyed the rest of my Halloween.
So Sunday morning came early like it always does. All the meetings were wonderful, I have an amazing ward. I started setting up for my lesson and found that I did not actually download the talk and since I did not have Internet I did not have the talk. I ran downstairs and found a guy with an iPhone and and other with speakers they saved me. The lesson went wonderfully. Such great comments when I needed them and I was able to build off their comments. I was not afraid of the quiet pauses and as I waited I got encouraging look. At one point I gave the girls a question and let them discuss it with a neighbor then they shared their ideas with the class. I use to dislike when teachers made us do that but now I will respect it because it helped so much and it took the lesson right where I wanted it to go. I felt very natural up there everything seemed to flow. I love teaching. I look forward to my next chance to teach in March.
So what have I gained from these teaching opportunities. I think I have gained confidence in myself I have become more comfortable with standing in front of the girls. A big factor in that is the relationships I have developed with these girls over the last 14 months. They are such amazing examples to me. They inspire me. I have also learned of the preparation needed to allow for the spirit to guide the work and the effort needs to be there. When the ward first started I was asked to give a lesson at Family Home Evening. I tried and tried to prepare something and nothing came. I was embarrassed and all I could do was bear my testimony. One might argue that is exactly what was needed that nigh,t but I feel more thought and preparation would have helped me produce the lesson requested. (though I learned a lesson that night) The biggest thing I have learned is that our Heavenly Father is aware of each of us and he knows what we needand he knows how to get those things to us. Our Heavenly Father knows what the sisters in the Canyon Rim 5th ward Relief Society need to hear and he just needs someone willing to be an instrument in his hand to present that message. I am grateful that as the teacher I don't have to be the only instrument available, those that share comments come ready to add to the spirit. Together we teach and learn. I always have said I prefer giving a talk because you don't have to rely on comments, slowly my opinion is changing.
Thank you to all those who have supported me in the preparation and presentation of these lessons.

Now I am going to go out on a limb here and say...

I think I have turned out pretty good.

Granted I am only 26 years old and I have a lot of living left to do. I feel I am in a good place. It is time the credit is given where it is due.
Curtis and Linda Buchanan the two greatest parents a girl could have.
Mom and Dad thank you for your example. Thank you for teaching me I am a Daughter of God a woman of great worth. Thank you for raising me in the Gospel. Thank you for showing me where it is the Lord would have me be, so that as I grew I would stay in that path. Thank you for reminding me to love my sisters and brother. I know you thought you had failed us on that one as we grew up. Today I can say my best friends are my sisters and brother. Thank you for making that bond eternal. Thank you for supporting me in all my endeavours and continuing to love me when I came up short. Thank you for teaching me to serve and to love all that enter my life. Thank you for supporting me in my schooling, for sacrificing so I might get through my schooling. For encouraging me when I struggled through nursing school and for celebrating with me when I reached my goals. Thank you for teaching me to work.

Thank you for supporting me in my move to Utah. I have been thinking about that move quite a bit lately. It has come up in many a conversation. The move I think was a pivotal moment in my life. At the time I did not know why it had to happen I just knew it is where the Lord wanted me. (Thank you for teaching me to listen to the Spirit and act when directed) Quickly I learned there was not going to be one grand reason I was to be in Utah and I don't think I went searching for it. Daily little things would tell me this is why you are in Utah. It has been a little over 2 and a half years since I packed my bags and moved here. I have learned so much about myself. I have been given wonderful opportunities to serve. I have developed friendships to last a life time. I know this is where I am to be. The hardest part about being here is of course being away from my family. Thank you for allowing me to come here even thought there would be miles in between us.

Thank you Mom and Dad for all you have done for me.

What Makes it Worth it.

A busy day of non stop running... So much to do... More patients than one nurse should ever have... A stack of charts reminding you you are behind.

What makes it worth it?

The patients of course.

You are a nurse because you want to serve you want to make a difference for someone. You want to offer a little hope in one persons tragedy. So you set out each day to make that difference. Even when it comes routine you can still find that patient to mix it up for you.

That is rarely the way it happens for me... Usually the patients make a difference in my life. They teach me more than I ever could teach them. They offer me the pearls of knowledge they have collected along the roads they have traveled. Often they do not know they are doing it. Often they see a girl trying her best and they some how know what she needs to hear.

Their stories inspire me. Their love encourages me. They make it worth it.

Thank you to all the patients that have touched my life and given me a chance to serve.

My Newest Project and a Hot Dress

Here is the latest blanket I made. A few weeks late...cute all the same. Thanks Natalie for your help.

And this is my favorite dress...

Shy no more

I realized this week that I am the person I thought I could never become. I quit nursing school 6 weeks away from graduation because I would never be able to do all that was required of me. There are so many responsibilities of a nurse how could I ever do them all. I was so quiet and soft spoken. Talking to doctors was a chore. I was so uncomfortable with who I was how could I help people in their time of need. Luckily, I continued on with school graduated and became a nurse. It has been two and a half years and I love every minute of it.

I am a patient advocate. The girls who couldn't speak for herself is now speaking for her patients and her colleagues. Many people I work with laugh when I say I was once shy.

This week I was my own advocate. But first we must go back a few months. I worked with a Radiologist a few months back and I could not seem to please her. She made me cry. That is what I do in situations of conflict. I cry and I don't stop. I let the other person know they have the power. Luckily, I did not have any run ins with her for awhile. Last Friday I worked with her and things went smoothly. So when I had to work with her yesterday I felt prepared. I got her first patient situated and then called her down. Unfortunately, right as the doctor walked through the door the patient asked if he could go to the bathroom. As I walked him to the bathroom the doctor completely went off on me. She said "You do not call me down here so the patient can go to the bathroom." The patient apologized and the doctor said, to the patient, "no you are fine. She should know better, she knows her job " then rambles on under her breath. I walked the patient to the bathroom then marched right up to where she was sitting and said DR. X, YOU DO NOT TALK LIKE THAT TO ME IN FRONT OF A PATIENT, THAT IS COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE, AND I DO NOT APPRECIATE IT." (capitalization represents a stern voice, not yelling, I kept my cool) I like to think she cowered at this point I think she did a little. She responded, "yes that was inappropriate to say that in front of the patient I am having a bad day and I took it out on you." I said "I can understand a bad day, we are good and walked away." The patient came back apologizing to the doctor making sure she knew it was not my fault. Poor guy he felt so bad. So as the Doctor talked to the patient the radiology tech thanked me for saying something because apparently they have been dealing with her crap all day.

I later told my boss and she was so excited for me. She said that I will never have a problem with that Doctor again because I put her in her place.

I must now be careful because that is the second doctor I have set straight this month. I might get out of control.

So there you have it I am not as shy as I once was. I still have a lot to learn about my role as a nurse. However, I am becoming more confident every day. I love what I do I love the patients I get to work with. I am incredibly blessed to be able to serve these people as they start out on the road to recovery.

I LOVE the dentist I always will. Just don't let me forget again.

Ten years ago, approximately my Junior year in High School, I started getting headaches. They were awful I missed a lot of school, saw a lot of doctors, and took a lot of medications. Nothing seemed to help. Over time I just learned to live with them.
Three years after they started I went to a Dentist to have my Wisdom Teeth pulled. A friend suggested I tell my dentist my woes. I did and he said once we get the wisdom teeth taken care of I will look into that. One day at an appointment he played with my jaw. He seemed to believe I have TMJ or TMD. TMJ stands for Temporal mandibular joint (joint where your jaw joins your skull) So TMD is a disorder of that joint. After playing with my jaw and listening to the clicks he decided to fit me for a brace/splint. I wore that splint 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Only talking it out to eat and to clean it. My headaches went away. I loved that splint and I loved that dentist even more. Eventually, I was told just to wear the splint at night. Somewhere in these past 7 years I stopped wearing it.

Not a good idea.

The headaches have come back and with a vengeance. This time my neck and shoulders have suffered as well. I have tried everything to treat them again. Byron and Diamond gave great massages and took care of them for a little while. They still returned each week. I decided I would jut deal with this fact of life. Then it hit me. GO BACK TO THE DENTIST. DUH... so last week I found a dentist online that focuses on Neuromuscular problems. I called for my free consultation. They got me in two hours after I called. After assessing my pained jaw the dentist said "yup I think your old dentist was on the right track. He filed some of my teeth so they would fit together better. It made a difference within an hour. I go back on Thursday for another appointment. I am so excited to get these things under control. I probably get to wear that wonderful splint again. I am not to excited about that but if it helps then I will do it.

I am wearing my old one today. I have been at work it is fun to stutter while talking to patients. When I answer the phone I have found my name is the hardest thing to say.

"Inpatient thith ith THethica"

It is great.

Does it matter?

Can I do it? When?

Who am I? Am I portraying that?

What matters most?

How much longer?

Is it worth the time...the pain...the effort?

When do you give in, give up, give back?

I want to blog but my thoughts are everywhere. Here are just a few questions running through my head daily?

"I Love Rain Because You Get to Get Wet!"

Those are the words of the little girl I ran into when I was on a walk today.
I went for a walk hoping it would pour. It did.. I loved it. There is something about being in the rain. There is always the little girls reason for loving it simply because you get to get wet. The other reason I love it is because it seems nothing matters to me when I am out in the rain. I just walked and enjoyed the sounds the smells and the water running down my face and dripping from my hair, nose and chin. It is magic. On Wednesday night I got to be in the rain while playing soccer I loved that night too.

What has this world come to

Dinner with my family. They all seemed to be a little distracted.



Okay maybe it was staged. Only staged because 3 out of 7 of us did have our phones out so we decided we all should.


I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!

"Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord" Psalms 119:156

1. Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.Leave to thy God to order and provide;In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav’nly FriendThru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake To guide the future as he has the past.Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast’ning onWhen we shall be forever with the Lord,When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Doctrine and Covenants 101:16

Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.

As I sat is the temple the words of this song came to mind. Then I read this scripture. They spoke peace to my mind and my heart. I couldn't wait to get a hymn book and really read the words. So today during the sacrament I read the word and again a quiet peace came over me. If that was not enough they musical number between the speakers was again this hymn. The Lord is truly on my side and he was making sure I understand it fully.

Quilting

I love to quilt. Today I helped my friend start a quilt. I am not sure if I was much help.

It did get me anxious to start quilting again. That same friend has the cutest baby and she recieved my favorite quilt. I guess it is really just a blanket because I ran out of time and just tied it. Here is a picture of it.

I can't wait to get started on the next project.

Clarification!!!

The last blog was not intended to be a bash on men. Ah this is why i should not blog. I start rethinking my words.

I am incredibly grateful for all the men in my life. Last night I had the opportunity to go with my enrichment group to the Salt Lake Temple to do Baptisms for the Dead. We had great support from the Priesthood holders in our ward. I am always impressed to see these guys step up and honor their priesthood. They are great guys and such an example to me. I think that is why the frustrations of my last blog exsist. Why because I know there are great guys out there I am surrounded by them.

So no bashing happening here. Just frustrations of life.

Be bold or sit at home?!?!

It seems over and over I am forced to either lay it on the line or just sit back wishing and hoping to no avail. Is there an in between that I am missing?
I meet nice guys, great guys that I just want to get to know better. However, the opportunity is never there unless I make it happen.
I hear stories of women who are married because they persisted, because they were bold. Which leads me to believe I should bet out there... I should tell them when I am interested... when I would like a friendship to be explored further.
I am not afraid of rejection well not completely. Yeah it hurts but I think it is healthy. It just seems that my decision tends to be should I tell him now or should I drag it out and get hurt later. So the obvious response would be you are going after the wrong guys. I don't think that is entirely true. Reason number one all the guys I have liked in the past have all been so different from each other is numerous ways. They have all been at different stages in their lives. There is no common thread. Reason number two well there is none the wording just flowed earlier.
How do you know when one is worth persuing if it is not common anymore to get to know someone (date, curious concept). Do I really have to live from chance meetings week to week.
OR should I just get out there let my heart break over and over. Is there hope these days that one day my heart wont break but will be buoyed up by another.

I can't believe I am considereing posting this, it is what is on my mind.

Could it really be that simple.

So about three or four years ago my dad recorded a TV show for my sisters and I. I can't remember what it was called. It took three different types of women and they taught them how to find their perfect husband. We use to watch it each week with another friend. That friend got married I will have to ask her if the show helped her. If it did then maybe I should find the tapes and re watch it.

So today I was chatting with my dad. He told me guys are all the same and very simple His words were 'we are like dogs, we run in packs and we like treats.' response to that was, yes but we have been told not to hand out treats because then the guys come around for the wrong reason. His next comment made me laugh. 'Dogs can be trained not to beg.' So then he goes on to reccommend another TV show for me. Are you ready for it... The Dog Whisperer... yup the show about the guy that teaches dog owners how to manage their dogs. I love that show it is very informative but I don't have a dog.

So I am left to think am I over thinking the whole dating process. Can it really be a simple as the dog whisperer makes it with his pack of dogs. I will be watching that show for the next few weeks and I will get back to you. Okay, I really propably will not. I will stick with my new found favorite show. Cupid, it is teaching me to be bold.

I just don't blog

I am not good at getting on here and letting everyone know what I am up to. I was doing so good till my computer crashed. Now I have a computer and little time I guess.
I will say my life has been so full and wonderful the past few months. In January it turned into a whirlwind but I tell ya I loved it. (of course looking back I can say that). My dear sister moved to Salt Lake in January that same week I started back at school and we were trying to move into a new place. I can still remember that week, my plate was so full, I was so happy but I couldn't find a way to get any of it done. I received a blessing from the greatest home teachers ever. I was reminded I am capable of greatness and I did not have to do anything on my own (and I can not do it with out the influence of the Lord). Now 4 and a half months later I am astounded at what I have accomplished. I filled my plate with even more and I got it all done (grades still pending).
Chemistry my biggest enemy. I took a chemistry class 5 years ago. I remember I loved it and I was hoping I would feel the same about this Bio/organic chemistry class I had to take. I did not it kicked my butt. It is the only class I need to get into the BSN (Bachelor of Nursing) program at the University of Utah. Hopefully I passed so I can move on and take classes in the area of study I love. Nursing. Which brings me to the application process that was a nightmare. I am applying to an online program at the U for registered nurses going on to get a Bachelor degree. The application was not that bad. It was the darn Essay that killed me I am not a writer as you guys can see from reading my blog. I had to write a paper on why a degree in nursing would help me further my career and reach my goals. Transcripts were a nightmare I will not go into detail on that accept to say THANK YOU MOM FOR YOUR HELP!!!! It was rough but I got it done. Now I am just waiting to hear if i have been accepted.
I am the Second Counselor in the Relief Society of my singles ward. I love this calling. It challenges me. I have enjoyed more than ever the friendships I have developed in the ward with the sisters. They are all such amazing women with so much to offer. Though at times I feel inadequate and unsure of what my role is... I love it.
Work has been a challenge while I have been in school. I know most of you will laugh and maybe get angry that I am admitting this. But it was a challenge to me all the same. I have never had to work a full time job and go to school. This semester I took one 4 credit class and worked. It killed me. Nursing is hard on you. Usually I only work three days then have four off. However, my school schedule caused me to have to work odd combinations of hours. Some weeks I just did not make my hours. I think that was the stressful part, knowing I was not getting my time in each week. I decided my class was what was important my paycheck would have to suffer for now. This week I am back to my three twelve hour shifts, I am so excited. I do work with some amazing people that teach me everyday along with the amazing patients.
I has a weird blessing come this year. I was playing basketball with the single adult region. I strongly dislike basketball. When I was eight I played on a team with my older sister. The coach ruined the game for me. He use to grab my arm and drag me to the position I was to play. I think he yelled a lot. I was telling Monica about how it scarred me and she said she remembers he scared her too and she was just watching our games. So any way my friends convinced me to play. I had one good game with a different ward. When it was actually my ward turn to play 3 minutes into the game I went up for what would have been a sweet rebound and came down on someones foot and rolled my ankle. It swelled up immediately and has cause me pain for a good 14 weeks. I am finally playing other sports but have to be careful cause it flairs up really easily. The blessing part... I started going to the gym. I love it, I feel so energized and healthier. Usually and injury pulls you away from the gym but me it pushed me to it. I am in love with the bike I spend all my time on it. Eventually I will venture to other gym equipment but for now the bike and I have a good thing going on.
From that last statement one can probably guess how the dating scene is going. No need to talk about that.

All in all these last 4 months have been awesome. I absolutely love having Monica here in Salt Lake with me. I am excited for all I am accomplishing.

Sorry I need to blog more often so these wont be so long.