Don't forget to remove the tags!

I was tagged. 4th picture in the 4th album. But here is my conundrum, do I pick the picture from what shows up when I browse or what shows up when I go into my pictures? I guess I can do both! The one up top is from Halloween when I dressed as Evan Longoria's (3B for TB Rays) pregnant wife, with my TB hat, huge rock and all! If only it would come true..... This picture is from my one of my nursing BFF Meagan's 22nd birthday. We went out to each at Sharkey's on Main St. I got the Wing buffet, and was the only girl (awkward..), but it was DELISH! Anyway, we took this picture because Meagan and I both grew up in really Christian environments (she: Baptist, I: LDS) but she came to college and started drinking, despite what she always says she knows better. And she always tells me how even though she knows we grew up with similar values, she appreciates that I never judge her for drinking now. I love her! Cheers!

Tag: Lauren, Adrienne, Jenna, Brittany, Kristy, Jen

I'm not quite sure what I want to say, but 2009 has already been a new year in a lot of ways. I kind of like lists, so maybe I'll share these things that way.
1. My love for Temples and the truths of the Gospel have seemed to increase so much over the last weeks. I think part of that has to do with one of my dearest friends, Alisa, taking out her endowments last week. I talked with her often as she prepared for this sacred and special occasion. As I reflected on my feelings about the Temple in order to share them with Alisa, I found an increase in love for them as I realized what a companion the Temple has been to me over the last year. While we waited for the opportunity to see her again as she was doing some things indepedently first, I could hardly wait. I could hardly wait to hug her and hear from her how much she loved it. And as I waited for her in the Celestial room after the endowment was complete, it was the same feeling of urgency and excitement to see her, and be with her in such a holy and quiet place. I can't describe how much I love the Temple. I never realized the personal relationship I had developed with the spirit there and the covenants and ordinances there. It is the quietest, safest and most comfortable place I can imagine. I keep stumbling to find words to describe the love and excitement I feel about the Temple. If you haven't been lately-go! And if you haven't been at all-prepare. It is the most wonderful place.
2. I have been called as Relief Society President! It was kind of neat when I was called because I had known for months it would happen. It's amazing to me to see how the Lord really does bless us with the love and dedication and awareness we need to serve in whatever capacity He has need for us. Alisa is my first counselor, and I am so excited to serve with her now in the Temple to seek out inspiration for the girls. This will be a challenging and fun semester, which I know will increase my testimony.
3. I am taking "Eternal Marriage" as an Institute class, which has been much more difficult than I realized. But I face the challenge readily. I know there are things I need to learn fromt the content, as well has the thoughts and feelings I have as a result. It's really invited me to consider my feelings about marriage, about what has happened to mine and what I can annticipate in the future. Some of those feelings have been unpleasant, but others have been a gentle reminder that the Lord has His hand in all things. I love marriage, I trust in the covenant and principle of Eternal Marriage. Finding trust in a man to keep his covenants is another issue. But I know that I will, and I know that when I do I will have an even greater appreciation and love for him than I ever would've had, had I not been granted my experiences. Whereever he is, I love him already-because I know he will be the man the Lord needs him to be. Upstanding and worthy, loving and faithful, dedicated and true. I pray for him and his experiences, and I anxiously await our experiences together.
4. I know now more than ever that Utah is the place for me! The aforementioned man has something to do with my time out there, and I am sure of it. I was pretty sad to return to Virginia at first, but I am excited for these last months (though I sometimes try to rush their passing in order to return to Utah). I love the friendships I have developed in Nursing School. Meagan, Ashley and Ashlee are friends I plan to always have, and I am grateful that I could experience the most challenging two years with them. I feel ready to serve my ward for this last leg but also ready to leave them behind. This year has gone significantly different than anticipated, but I'm grateful for how that is allowing me to leave this place laden with meaning and memories behind.
5. Exciting things for my family this year: 2 babies and 1 wedding (so far) are expected in the months ahead. I'm excited for us to be growing!

So here's to a few more months Virginia-it's been great! And here's to the future I've really been waiting for, Utah!

(for more information about Temples and the Church click on the "The Truth" and "The Basic Truth" links on the side)

This is The Place! (this post is pretty long)

Welcome to: UTAH!

So, some things have changed since I decided to go to Duke. Namely: I've decided to go to Utah. It's not something I've ever considered beyond a passing thought, but around the time I was preparing to visit Duke, things just started lining up and it started making more and more sense. For instance feeling the need to make a visit out there (for the first time ever) and the same day finding round trip tickets to SLC for $219 (including taxes/fees!). Also they have an AMAZING children's hospital in Salt Lake: Primary Children's, and not to mention that 80% of the people I love THE MOST live in the same TOWN/area (some living a short 4 hours away.. considering our distance up to this point..Brittany and Derek). It makes perfect sense for me to move there. So here is a photographic tour through my trip:Some old and dear friends (The Memory's) had a daughter/sister/self getting married the day we flew in so Hayley helped me get my hair right, so an awkward prom pose was in order, love it, love her. She's on the A-list (i.e. contributing to my move). (And please note how I am wearing heels and am still shorter than Hayley.. I'm such a midget!)

Danielle's dress was so GORGEOUS and this is the best picture I have of it.. don't worry, Brady stuck his head up her dress and really removed her garter with his teeth. I was SO happy!

Me and the blushing bride. Her face is so youthful she makes me look 30! She looked sooo lovely!

And of course the long awaited reunion with Michael! He and I were good friends before his mission, and are now after it. His family moved to Germany so when he got home.. he went to Germany then straight to BYU-I, so I hadn't seen him in 3 or 4 years! He's like.. grown now!


Then I forced my cousins to take me/go with me to Salt Lake on New Years' Eve to see the lights. This is Lauren with her fiance Jonathan. This trip was the first time I'd met him and I instantly LOVED him. I can't imagine how someone could be more perfect for another person than Jonathan is for Lauren. YAY!

Tori, Myself and Hayley. Tori is AWESOME and I am really glad Hayley has been able to meet her and I look forward to having a fun summer including her!
My first visit to the Salt Lake Temple! And what better way to visit it than with my best friend Lauren? I wish I would get to go into it before it was closed!

After New Year's Hayley started her first day as a real professional at a Paul Mitchell salon, and I had the favor of being her VERY FIRST client :).
I was so excited to see Austin! He's getting so big and un-little-boy-like! We played around with hats and such while Lauren was bra-shopping. Not a good activity for an 8 year old probably :).
January 3rd was a wonderful day because Adrienne and Luke became an ETERNAL family in the beeeautiful Bountiful Temple (really.. SO beautiful). It was wonderful that my mom and I got to be there, and everyone! Luke and Austin can't get rid of me now :).
Later on Lauren and I went and did a session together, which was amazing (she just got endowed). How wonderful to get to serve in the Temple with my best friend? So wonderful!!! I can not wait until Lauren, Brittany, Adrienne and I to get to serve together-THAT is what eternal family is about.
One Sunday a month the cousins in Utah get together and have cousins' dinner, I was in charge of biscuits so Michael came by for a couple hours and helped me to make them!


Cousins' dinner was awesome, and EXTRA awesome because Derek and Brittany were in town. So I FINALLY met Derek, who I instantly loved too! He just fit right in, he's a good person for our family, really calm and mellow.. a rare find around these parts :).

I suspect, in lieu of the past which this blog includes, I should also enter that between cousins' dinner and Provo (below) I went on my very first date as a single lady! I went with a good buddy of mine whom I actually met when I was attending the singles' ward (though still married) and he was a missionary in that ward. Strange, right? But not so strange because we were chummy while he was serving (appropriately, of course) and when he got home. We went to Cafe Rio and then to Forever Strong (a Rugby movie). It was fun, and it's nice to have a few firsts as a single woman out of the way. Thanks Brady!

Later in the week we enjoyed a day in the town of Provo. This obviously included a stop at the Pita pit, which was pretty yummy.. I wish I was eating some of that right now! mm!

Mom was amazed at all the texting and chatting that went on being around all of us youth, so she was..blending in.

And of course we stopped by the creamery, and then were shamed in the book store.

And after a week of visiting we FINALLY saw Kaelyn and baby Rachael who is so tiny and precious, like a little pixie! Now if Kristy would just get out here again!

So.. to summarize, I was 98% sure I was going to move to Utah when I started realizing that it was where I needed to be and where the Lord wanted me. Now I am infinity % sure. I was pretty sad to come back to VA, but it's ok because only one more semester until I graduate!!!

If you are still wondering why I would want to move there, here's a few of hints: Adrienne, Luke, Austin, Lauren, Jonathan, Hayley, Tori, Peter (a new friend), Brittany, Derek, Anthony, Allison, Sawyer, Kaelyn + family, Kelly + family, fabulous hospital, beautiful mountains, trillions of peers, tons of temples and well.. let's be honest: boys.

May.. get yourself over here!!

His name shall be called Wonderful

I am so greatful to my wonderful friend Jennie for posting in her blog about this amazing artist Mark Mabry. He is an inspired photographer who has created a photographic depiction of Christ's life, making the most beautiful pictures of the Savior I have seen. I really feel closer to the Savior when I look at the pictures he has taken and the way he has been inspired to protray our Redeemer. I first saw his pictures at a fireside for families involved in the production of Savior of the World in our stake. I was instantly enamored, and have been thinking almost daily of where and how I could get copies of these beautiful pictures. I hope to end up with all of them in my home.
Here are a couple that I love (as if I could really chose some that I love more than the others)

This picture is particularly significant to me because it reminds me of what Christ and I have in common: our love for the heavy laden. I am so grateful for opportunities to remember that His name shall be called Counselor, because He has counseled, healed and comforted me when others could not, despite their love for me. But because of His sacrifice, He knows perfectly each pain and confusion I, and we all, have suffered.


The Savior of the world is perfect in his example. I know this picture shows how the Savior did feel the day His cousin baptized Him in the River Jordan. Was I as happy as He the day I entered the waters of baptism?

He loves, He lives and He knows us each in ALL our trials and triumphs.
http://www.reflectionsofchrist.org/

Memo

In case you haven't heard... I am
SINGLE!!!!!!!
I got the word on Tuesday. I was at work and I saw that I had a voicemail, and little did I expect but much did I find! I called to verify that I understood, and sure enough I did. I was at the Nurses' station so I said "I just need you all to listen to me right now" and I told them and started crying then called my parents and cried and cried! I can't believe it's really here. It's really over. There really was light at the end of the tunnel, and I just walked right into it! So now the big question is: NOW WHAT?? I have been focusing all of my attention on one person/situation for 5 years. What do I do with all this extra attention and energy? I guess we'll see!


Well I just got back from NC where I spent Thanksgiving with my wonderful family. Here is some photographic proof:

As you might guess, Jenna, Sydney and I took more pictures than the rest of the family. :)

Happy Holidays!!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Hot off the press.. Jesse is back!!! Well, not HOT off the press, maybe luke-warm..he got home two weeks ago. He came and visited us in Blacksburg as a surprise, it was awesome!! I was so happy to talk to him, and hug him and pinch his little cheeks!

But, it wasn't all play: after two months' absence...it was time for work!


We did take some down time though..

well Travis and I did, but Jesse is a work-AHOLIC!

Welcome home Kan!!!

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

My friend Jordan and I went to see HSM3 on Wednesday, and we were the only two people out of three towns in the theater for it. It was awesome, we just screamed over Troy, clapped after each performance, and boo-ed Gabriella for stealing our man! Haha!! It was really fun.

We're all in this together!!!


Don't worry, sweet little Gabriella didn't cover her thighs the whole movie.. we even saw her panties!!!! But we just hate her 'cause we ain't her ;)

(click post title for some clips!!!)