Sweet and Simple Truths

The Voice

2011-12-13T10:41:00.000-08:00

I have been struggling a lot with a bunch of decisions and what I should do or who I should listen to. I was on pinterest (Yes it is finals week I know that is naughty...) and I found this poem by Shel Silverstein. It is called the voice.

I LOVE this. It isn't up to anyone but me to figure out what I need to do in my life. I am the one that makes these decisions because I am the one that deals with the consequences. I LOVE Shel Silverstein and how he can pull everything into a short yet sweet masterpiece. I am excited to have my new view on everything and can't wait to see what the outcome to these decisions are going to be :)

Not a day goes by....

2011-11-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for everything and everyone around me but one AMAZING thing about birthdays is that you have the time and even more of a reason to reflect back on everything you have done, everywhere you have been and everyone you have met! I can't believe I turned 20 today. When I was younger I always saw 20 as the age where everyone finally gets it together and knows exactly where they are going and what they are going to do with the rest of their life. The women in my head were typically married or engaged and planning for their families. 20 used to be so old. Now that I am here, I know very well that it is just another step closer to the woman who has it all together. Who knows what she is doing with her life and where she is going. While I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do....it is weird to think that I will get there. Whether it be 25, 30, 22 or 20, I will end up where I am supposed to be when I am supposed to be there. I am in my 2nd year of college and have planned out that I will be graduating Winter 2014. That is in 6 semesters. That is it....that is a little nuts. I will graduate with a bachelors at 22. I have already picked out my masters program I want to do but I just have to get the grades to get there.

I am single and in no way seeing anything like a relationship in the near future. I know that doesn't mean that can't change at any time however I just know I will be on my own for a while. I have NO problem with that though. I have A LOT of life ahead of me and that just means more time to grow :) I have been on this earth for 20 years. Tomorrow I will be in the start of my 21st year. I am home for thanksgiving in 19 days and home for Christmas break in 6 or 7 weeks. I don't really remember which one it is. This is the fastest semester ever! I have friends on missions, married, engaged, single, parents, pregnant and dating. I have loving parents and an amazing little brother that I consider my best friend. I have friends that I would have NEVER found if I hadn't made the choices I have in my life and I would never get rid of any of them. I have made mistakes. I have had successes. I have won and lost battles. I have cried and smiled. Laughed and screamed. I have been placed in many situations in which I never thought I would make it through but while I have all these things I have something very dear to me. I have the gospel. I have lived these 20 years in the way I have and have made it through them all because of the knowledge that I have a Savior and Redeemer. He loves me and will do anything for me to remain safe and comforted.

This next year I have many decisions that I will be making. Many pertain to people who will stay or leave my life. Places I will or will not go to. And whether or not I will go on a mission (Since I could technically be gone in a year from now :) ). Life is a funny thing sometimes. No one can plan for EVERYTHING that is going to happen. That is why I take each day one at a time and live that day to be the best possible day it could be. I am SO excited to take on my new age with as much excitement and adventures and passion as I have the past 20 years. Thank you to everyone who has helped me be the woman I am today. There is NO way I could have gotten here without my friends and family that I have in my life. I love you all and thanks for making this birthday the most amazing one yet with many many more to come! <3

YOU....hey YOU....

2011-09-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Yea you reading this post....how long do you think it has been since I have washed my hair in this picture?

Well...try 20 minutes...this is what my hair looks like when I try to crimp it. With hairspray....and product. This my friends....is the face of pure frustrated defeat. I hate my hair.

MESS UP LAST POST

2011-09-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

Ok so I was just going to go in and edit the last post....but this is just too good. I talked about liking math and all that jazz and my job. I said I was only going to get about 120 a month. So pretty much I am laughing hysterically. I got off the phone with my mom and she told me that I can't do math and need to be worried. I sincerely thought that minimum wage was 2.25. But uhhhh I need to add 5 bucks to that :) SO I will be getting about 400 a month haha. 200 every 2 weeks. I was wondering why that seemed so terrible for my job haha. I guess it goes back to the sweet and simple truths. The name of my blog. Sometimes its more fun to accept your faults and mistakes than to try and cover them up. Gives you a good laugh and your mother a scare for your mathematical education :)

Round 2! Sophomore Year :)

2011-09-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I should probably update this haha. I am currently in my 3rd week of school! I can't believe that it has gone this fast already. I have been loving my classes....well except my pakistan class which is just weird and I do not like it at ALL. And yes that includes math :o shocker. I know. I am done with my classes everyday at 1230 and 1115 on fridays and I would say it is probably the best thing I have ever done for myself. Giving myself the afternoon off. Kind of.

I got a job up here at the Papa Murphy's! It is right down the street and I love working there. The people are so fun and nice and I get at least 15 hours a week. so i will get a nice little extra 120 bucks a month. Not much but it is good stuff.

I should tell you I have AMAZING roommates. I am very lucky to have gotten such amazing ones with coming into an apartment of girls that already knew each other and free for all-ing it! They are so fun and funny and I love them so much! They are making this a really fun semester.

I have 2 callings up here too! Not going to lie one of them makes me laugh because it is totally Karma. BUT I am the relief society pianist (called that one) and my second is I am 1 of 2 fhe moms for my apt another girl apt and a guy apt. :) I LOVE it. I am "Mother Mary" haha and I look forward to Monday nights now :) We have a really fun group of girls and guys and this is going to be a fun semester of planning and stressing out over activities. :P

Of course. I had a cold the first few days I was here. I took care of it and started getting better. Then, classes started. It started getting worse. And I found myself with a very sore throat, a swollen throat/lymph nodes, an earache and being tired. So much to my dismay I ended up going to the doctor yesterday. He put me on antibiotics because he thinks I have either some sort of strep or mono. I am thrilled. As you could imagine! Woohoo! Hopefully this doesn't get in my way of everything this semester. Since mono is a longer term battle and strep just sucks haha.

I am SUPER excited for this semester! I cannot wait for all the fun stuff that is going to come around! :)

Here is my address for this semester:

Mary Tuckett
175 West 5th South apt. 516
Rexburg, ID 83440

All in all...

2011-07-01T02:38:00.000-07:00

I miss Zack. One of my very best friends. Doesn't matter how much we talk this long distance friendship is starting to get really hard.

I miss all my other friends. Many are here but with 2 jobs and my friends having jobs as well...it makes it hard to coordinate days to hang out.... :/

I am super confused with what to do. Decision making is all around hard and when you add in emotion and pasts...it just brings it to a whole new level. Especially when it deals with school, family, distance and personal well-being.

I am excited for Parker to come visit! Saturday my friend Parker Sims is coming to Arizona from Texas to spend almost a week here with me! :) AND I am super excited about that. I will have to update all this stuff while he is here :)

I feel like everything is the same thing everyday all day. I need to find some change.

I can't believe I have already been home for 2 1/2 months. I go back to Idaho in about 10 weeks. Time sure does fly.

My summer camp job is everything I could ever ask for and more :). I love my special needs kids and this just assures me that I am going the right direction for school.

Arizona is just flat out scorching. No explanation needed haha

I am ready for a new stage in my life and I am excited to see what is coming :)

Back When I Knew It All

2011-05-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

Now, that would be a time I would like to go back to. Back to the age where no dream was off limits. I could do anything and I KNEW that is what I was going to do. I didn't have any BIG decisions to make and I didn't have to worry about anything but if mom was going to remember to pack my lunch or if I would have to eat that NASTY school food. I am at this awkward stage right now (Well, what stage ISN'T awkward haha) where I am on the verge of SUPER big decisions and I have already had to make some. I mean I LOVE the responsibility and the whole idea of being independent however I just am super confused as to what is going on. I kinda feel like everyone is running ahead of me and there is nothing I can do about it. I am not a boy so I can't go on a mission at 19 or I would be gone. I am not dating anyone so the idea of marriage is just kinda hilarious to me right now. I am not staying around Arizona for long so it is kinda crazy to think of trying to set more roots here. I am 19 turning 20 and I feel like something is missing...Why on earth do I feel like that? I guess it is more of a mix of something big is coming and something is missing. I just wish I knew what I was supposed to be doing right now so that I can get going. Pretty much all my friends are either married, on missions or having their first kid, or adults which is my personal favorite :). But everyone seems to have some cool direction they are going in and I have school....haha I don't know. I mean I am sure I will be looking back saying I wish I was back there again, but, right now....I just want more. And I can't figure out exactly what it is that I need to be doing....can you say frustrating?? I can :/ I just wanna feel like I am actually doing something worthwhile....for the first time in a LONG time. Why can't I have that? What is God waiting for for me? What is he waiting to give me? Do I have to completely go insane before it comes? I just want answers....and I can't seem to get them. I really don't like this stage....AT ALL. :/

Hunting

2011-04-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well...my job hunt is complete :) I found a job at Papa Murphey's on Val Vista and Southern! It is way fun and even though it is only my 2nd day....I am really happy with the job. There are a ton of friendly people and I don't think I am going to have to worry about scary worker people being there haha. I turned in my application last Saturday called on Tuesday, went in for an interview on Wednesday and started working on Thursday! :) My boss is the sweetest lady ever and her daughter works there as well so it is a lot of fun. I am very grateful I found this job! On my facebook page I made a group for people who want me to babysit for them still. I know that the whole getting a job thing gets in the way with a lot of other stuff but I still want to babysit as well. So I will just post my weekly schedule there and if anyone wants to know when I work it will be on there. The hours there though are super awesome. Sunday-Thursday 11-8 and Friday and Saturday 11-9. So yes yes. Man...now just to decide if Camp Fiesta is on the agenda this year...perhaps not.... :/ It is ok though...I kinda feel like I am supposed to have other things to do this summer. As much as I love camp....I don't think it is going to work out this summer. <3

Cracking the whip!

2011-04-18T16:58:00.001-07:00

Well, I have made a fitness and nutrition goal for this summer. I have decided I am going to work out everyday but sunday in some way and only let myself have 2 sodas a week. Also, I am limiting a lot the amount of sweets I have and I am not ADDING sugar to anything like my cereal or anything like that. Today was my first day of doing so and I think I have actually been off to a really good start! :)

Exercise:
To work out today I did p90X Ab ripper (supposed to only take 16 minutes took about 30 for me haha). I also swam. Now I did laps in the pool and I told myself I would do 8 sets of 4 laps, and between each set I wanted to do a little dry land like push ups/sit ups. Now since my stomach wasn't too keen on the idea of MORE ab work ha I decided after the first 4 sets that just push ups was fine but that I would increase it. So for the first 4 sets I did 5 push ups and 5 sit ups. AND for the last 4 sets I did just 10 push ups. After it was all said and done I realized I had just done 60 push ups and 32 laps in the pool and then treaded water for about 8 minutes! I cannot lie I am pretty dang proud of myself and I still might go to the gym tonight with my dearest friend Kaitlyn Willis! :) Woot! So I am kind of on an exercise high right now but really tired too.

Food:
I haven't drank any soda today and I haven't had any sweets....in fact I have only had veggies and then a protein shake and a fiber one bar. But we are having tacos tonight and so I am going to really be limiting that. BUT I have done well....so lets just hope I can keep this up! :)

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-03-23T11:53:00.001-07:00

Today is your birthday...SO Happy Birthday Mom! I was trying to find a picture of you and I that I knew you wouldn't get upset at me for putting up, but apparently my image database is quite empty up here at school ha. I just wanted to let you know you are very much so loved and I miss you a lot. You are an amazing example to me and I am so grateful to have you as my mom. I know that we have always had those typical mother daughter spats but I never doubted that you love me and I always will love you. It is weird being away from home when everything is going on and just being an outside viewer but I love the support you give me and I know the family is very well taken care of! You are such a strength to me and just like the other day when I called, there has never been a moment when things are a little rough that I didn't want you here just to hug me and tell me everything would be ok. But though I couldn't have you here physically you still let me know everything will be ok. Thank you for being my everyday hero. I miss my scrabble/game buddy, teacher, comforter, girlfriend, conscience, happy place, snuggle bug and rock. Not everyone can call their mother their mom and best friend. But I can and I will be eternally grateful that I was placed in this family! I couldn't be where I am without you and your belief in me. I love you! And Happy Birthday Again! :)

Wonderful Weekend...

2011-03-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I definitely have not had a dull weekend. It all started a week ago when I was having pains in my stomach and throughout the week the pain would increase. Then, Friday night, everything just crashed. My right side just collapsed with pain and I ended up heading to the E.R. at 1100pm. They hooked me up to an I.V. took some urine and blood tests along with some x-rays. They couldn't find anything and so they decided to do a ct scan and that came out negative too. I was sent home at about 530 this last Friday morning and was told to come back at 830 for an ultrasound appointment at 9. They wanted to have my gallbladder and other lower organs checked out to see if anything was up with those. So, I went and the ultrasound technician said he didn't think he saw anything but that he would send it to the translators of the ultrasound and that they would get back to me. (They claim that I am constipated as well...which I don't know how constant diarrhea for a week is constipated...so why I even bothered drinking the saline laxative...I do not know...BAD IDEA) So, needless to say...I am on pain and nausea medicine and only allowed to sleep ha. I am not really hungry but I need to eat SOMETHING so I may make rice. But yea so then my Dad talked to the doctor who said that my appendix or any other organs are not inflamed but he thinks I may have a stomach issue. Obviously it was bad enough to have me come into the E.R. so who knows what is going on. It keeps flamming up and I am running out of medicine. I guess I will just have to see how this goes....Luckily Julie is here in Idaho with me or I would be on my own because everyone has decided that I should just stay home by myself :(. I will keep everyone posted...at least those who read this ha.

A trillion words...

2011-02-03T00:15:00.000-08:00

And not one to describe what I am feeling right now. I believe it to be a mix of excitement, fear, anticipation and hope. You know that feeling of knowing something is coming and you can't put your finger on it? Well its here. Weird. Classes are going really well, I have amazing and wonderful friends, keeping up with things and I am healthy for the most part (I have been waking up not feeling to well lately). I think I am most excited though to be able to get home and see all my family. Mid terms are coming up pretty quickly and then we only have 6 or 7 weeks lefts! I can't believe how fast this is going...I will be done with my first year of college. But that is nothing to be concerned with so I guess I better get to thinking about what this could be...

The Current Episodes

2011-01-23T20:37:00.000-08:00

Well! It has been about a weekish since I posted anything so I decided that I should maybe post something. I have been having home withdrawals this past week. I have no doubt that I should be here, but I just really miss my Mom and Dad and little brother. I have been listening to the good ol' music my fasha and I would jam too and then with my mom I keep hearing little things and following her facebook and all her fun texts that make me miss her. I just all around miss my little pest of a brother and our little talks but it is all good. I will see them soon enough :) I love you guys though...and know I miss you!

This next week I get to actually start my plasma donating! :) AHHH I am SO excited. I hope I can actually donate since all I needed was a little doc note making sure it was ok. They told me they like my veins and they can tell why it is easy for me to donate blood ha so uh the guy there wants my veins apparently. Odd. I am already into my third week of school! AH I can't believe it. I have tons of classes that are way fun but I am super tired. I only have a little less than 10 weeks left up here and I am trying to decide how I feel about that but I am loving it up here! And for those who are wondering, no I am not dating anyone up here haha. My roommates are, but not me. I am flying solo and having fun! Well this is just my short update. I am going to go to bed now since I have a 7:45 class in the morning :o can you say brutal?? I sure can ha.

New Goals New Year

2011-01-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

Goals For 2011 and Winter Semester

2011-Pathway to Heaven

I want to type out a description and a summary of the goal theme I have for this year. Like we all know, we are here on this earth to return to our Savior in heaven. This year I have decided to re-set my focus to things of the gospel so I can come to know Christ. I have not spent enough time in my life on this and I need to change that. I want to focus on the Articles of Faith, The Book of Mormon, prayer, my patriarchal blessing, service, the word of wisdom, family and my testimony. I am even going to squeeze in a financial plan. I plan on writing a few goals under each of these categories so I can have the full experience of actually noticing and feeling my progression. This is my first year ever having a theme so we will see how well I can gage my goals. :)

Articles of Faith

1. Memorize all 13 articles of faith starting with 1 and 2 in January.

2. To go along with each Article, after memorization, find different activities and plan lessons to go with them. OR find service to be done with them. OR further search them out and figure out why they are so important to our church.

The Book of Mormon

READ at least 6/7 days of the week. BUT really really really really try to read everyday
Read the Book of Mormon through twice this year.

Once can be just read but at least once it needs to be studied

Pray before reading the scriptures
Find a focus in reading before so there is a reason to actually be reading them.
Keep a journal of what you find in your studies, even if it is just a scripture you liked or a small thought about it or a question, write SOMETHING.
LIVE by the things you learn in your study.

Prayer

Pray every Morning and Night.
Pray at meals unless you are out to eat.
Pray before scripture study and P.B. study.
Focus on things you are grateful for in your prayers.

Patriarchal Blessing

A P.B. is a very important tool that is given to us, study it through and look things up about it every Sunday and Wednesday.
Keep a separate journal for special things you feel and begin to understand about your blessing.
Pray before looking at it, maybe even combine it with scripture study and then that can count for both.
LIVE to allow those blessing to come true.

Service

Go to the temple at least three times a month for baptisms.
Do special/small things for roommates. One a week.
Help with things even if it is something you do not like to do.
Get to know people in your classes. (This can also be a service to yourself in case you do not have info on assignments)
Smile even when you don’t feel like you can.

The Word of Wisdom- This does not just pertain to bad substances. It pertains to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Spiritual goals are throughout this whole document, but the rest I want to focus on with the W.O.W.

Physical Goals

1. Exercise at least 5/7 days a week.

2. No more caffeine. Limit of 2 sodas a week.

3. Drink 5 glasses or bottles of water a day.

4. Get at least 6 hours of sleep a night. Go to sleep accordingly.

5. Try to make every meal you eat. Plan out meals and such do not just eat macaroni n’ cheese and ramen. Make LOGICAL decisions about food.

6. Actually dress yourself up every once and a while. Ha.

Mental Goals

1. Make a schedule so everything gets done and doesn’t cause stress.

2. Do not shut down before things are done.

3. Read informational or gospel books. Try to always be reading one.

4. Work on talents and find new ones. You will be surprised what you can do. Find 4 new talents this year and work on piano, singing and writing.

5. Allow for fun things to be done and treat yourself every month to something you have wanted to do.

· Emotional Goals

1. DO NOT get angry. That is a choice.

2. Show other that you care about them, not just tell them.

3. Compliment yourself and take others compliments.

4. Whenever you feel down, turn to family or Heavenly Father.

5. Lift others up.

Family

Spend time doing activities with family at least twice a week.
Do one big thing a month with them.
Leave nice notes around house.
Help out without complaint.
Do and plan family home evening lessons.

When I am not home family goals

Call home twice a week at least.
Send letters home to each family member at least twice a month.
Don’t do anything that would embarrass the family.
Try to send letters to gma and gpas with pictures on occasion??

Testimony

Share at least 3 times this year in Sacrament. Twice at school and once at home.
Write it in a few Books of Mormon and give them to those you feel could use them.
LIVE your testimony. It is so easy to have a Sunday testimony and that is it. Live your life to where you know God and Christ are proud of you for living the standards. Character is built when no one is watching.

Financial

Do not spend more than you have.
If something costs too much say you can’t do it.
Donate plasma at least 4 times a month.
Plan out lists and do not wander from them.
Never go below 50 dollars in your bank account.
Add 750 dollars, at least, to savings.
Keep a list of all your purchases and what you save along with a budget.

Winter Semester Goals

Study at least 1 hour for each of the classes you have that day.
Keep a clean room and apartment.
Do not hang out until homework is done.
Avoid homework other than religion on Sundays.
Try to make all your meals.
Only eat out a few times a month.
Go to all the Devotionals and Firesides they have.
Be prepared for class. Whether that means homework, supplies or being on time, BE PREPARED.
Get nothing below an A this semester. It is SO do-able.
Keep and make GOOD friends.
Remain positive even if you feel stressed or upset. It will do wonders.
Keep focused on Christ. You are at His University and in gratitude keep in mind what he wants you to do.
All above goals for the year!

The Monsters In My Closet

2011-01-05T22:04:00.000-08:00

I had a rather random thought today but I really really enjoyed the idea. I was thinking about a time I was babysitting and the little boy was so scared that a monster would come out of his closet. Not only did that idea keep him awake and frightened, but because it was so set in his mind that there was a monster there and that it without a doubt was going to come and "get him" in the night, it became pretty much impossible to convince him otherwise. So I continued to tell him I would sit on the floor and make sure that everything was clear so he could sleep. After sitting in front of the closet door for 45 minutes, he FINALLY felt safe enough to fall asleep. Of course the next day when he woke up he hadn't had the sleep he needed so he became more irritable earlier and remained cranky. I know this doesn't sound all that grand of a memory right now. I know it seems like I was a tad annoyed, which I wasn't, though I wished they would just listen to me and fall asleep and that this is not something that one should enjoy. You see it isn't the event that I enjoy. In fact, I felt terrible for this little boy and was sad he wouldn't just trust what I was saying. I personally knew that no monster was going to come out of the closet and get him, but that is nothing against a 5 year olds knowledge.

No, no. What I really enjoy is the continued thought about this story that came to me today. Every one of us has those 'monsters' in our closets that we are scared are going to come out at night at 'get us'. Of course, these are not the childhood monsters from times of old, but our modern day monsters such as not wanting to try something new due to the fear of the unknown, putting off goals we have been saying we'd start up for years, financial fears, family fears, any sort of fear out there that we hide away on the top shelf of our closets.

I know for me, I have plenty of those little monsters that keep me up because I am afraid they will come get me in the night, but today, without purposely doing this, my mind wandered not to my side of the closet, but to that monsters. Sure I am scared out of my mind for certain things, but what about him? I am sure he is just as scared. I wish I could have thought of this that night that little Sam was scared. Then I could have told him something close to this:

"Sam, I know you are scared that there is a monster in your closet, and I know there isn't, but if there was, could you imagine what the monster would think?! A short human with SHARRPPPPP teeth and a loud snore and voice is on the other side of the door to his bed! I imagine he is just as scared and does not wanna bother such a big kid as you. He is probably trying to sleep just like you are and his mommy and daddy are on the other side, telling him that the human in the big closet on the other side is just as scared as him. Now I know that sounds silly, but don't you think that little monster would be just as scared???"

Whether or not this would have helped, I do not know, but I do know that it gave me a lot more comfort in the fact that sure I might be scared to try something new, or take a leap of faith, but what about its monster?? I could imagine he is just as scared as I am...instead of running from each other, I think from now on I will just see that I am hand in hand with him as we figure it all out together. :) Here is to a new semester of monsters and our adventures together!

All Time Low...or really All Time High!

2010-11-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

Ok...so for my birthday my friend Parker decided to take me and our other friend Zack to my first concert ever! He found that All Time Low was playing in Salt Lake and bought the tickets and we headed out. I honestly couldn't imagine anything better! It was SO MUCH FUN and we all bonded so much more. I seriously am so blessed with the friends I have up here. I don't know what I would do without them. God really knew when I was supposed to be here. But Zack was kinda my body guard at the concert haha. It was funny to watch but nice to know they wanted me to be safe ha. The ride up was filled with loud music, food, random chats and a whole bunch of laughing. The concert was BEYOND amazing! :) :) :) :) I ahhh can't believe I was even there! All time low is one of my favorite bands. But I bought I tshirt and a poster and we left. We went and got Taco Bell for dinner at like 1130 and after that we headed back home. The ride home was even better than the ride up! We had to keep the driver (Parker) awake and Zack ended up switching with them for a while but AHHH the best ever :) We got back around 330 and let me just tell you...I will NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER ever forget this birthday :)

When we left :)
This is Parker...aka pawker...aka Koda.
Zack and I hahahaha
Where the concert was :)
Inside the concert hallllll
Zack Me and Parker at the concerttttt
All time low!
They were having as much fun as meee!
All time lowwwwwww

19th Birthday Bash!

2010-11-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

I have finally made it another year :) I am officially 19 and the oldest in my group of friends ha. However, let me just tell you that I have probably the most amazing roommates and friends in the world! I woke up to this in the morning...

(Which I found out later Megann Davis my room roommate woke up at 5am and worked on until 7!)
All of my rommates wrote all over the hearts and such and it was a fun way to wake up :) Later on that night we had a roommate dinner consisting of stacked enchiladas and rice and all sorts of amazing things! And of course it tasted AMAZING! Then, my little family here had set up a party in which Julie, Andre, Josiah, Zack, Cameron, Reed, Mackenzie, Manda, Megann and a few others came and we had a beyond delicious cake made by Kenz and Manda and we played monopoly! :) They do love me enough to sit down and play with me hehehe but yes I had THE BEST birthday ever :) Thank you guys for making my first birthday away from home such a great time. I love you guys!

Sunshine princess to pure ice queen...

2010-11-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

This is all I can think of to say ha. Well, for the past 6 hours it has been a constant flow of snow! Of course the snow and I are still getting acquainted with one another but I think after falling 10 times in 20 minutes is helping us get closer. :) My friends all are excited to get out and snowboard or ski or anything so they are ecstatic about it already. Although I tried to get out of the festivities by stating I am a struggling college student with no money, one of them found out they rent out free equipment at the school ha. Nice try though right? Well I will keep this updated with all sorts of fun crazy things now that I have finally figured out a good school fun balance. And I will most definitely post about my first adventures snowboarding or anything :)
This is outside my math class building!

Out of the Park

2010-09-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

^-Jersey with BYU Idaho on it! ^-the sign that all my friends made me :)
I needed at least something familiar to have up here with me so I brought up my softball stuff. Luckily they have leagues up here and so I tried out for the competitive league up here and made it! :) So I play on the Titans team. We practice Monday/Wednesday 430-6 and then on either Fridays or Saturdays we have games. This last Friday we had our first two games and the first one didn't go so well, however for the second game my roommates and my friends came to my game with a sign that said Go Mary! (and then in a small corner it said) ME! So the Go Mary Me sign and all their cheering and chanting was a success! We won our second game and I got a triple and ran 3 girls in on the same up to bat! I was really excited.

One thing I love about Idaho is that it is very unified and everyone is willing to help out and volunteer. Well, I got an email saying that one of the girls that was in the Physical Therapy Major had a class where she had to do personal training for 3 or 4 girls and track their progress by working out with them and making goals 2 times a week. I replied to the girls email and I now have a Personal Trainer for this semester 2 times a week so I am REALLY excited! I just have a ton going on but it is all going to be fantastic :)

Well I have almost reached the month mark for being in school and it is going really well so far :) I am still trying to figure out the balances of everything and things are becoming more difficult to study. Only because I don't know exactly what is important to know because there is so much religion mixed in with everything that we don't go over all that much of actual fact and it has to be read. I am not used to this and soooo I will admit I am a little behind...I am planning on catching up really quickly though. I just have to sit down and read and highlight then I can know what I need to go over. I have my first science exam due this week! It is going to be fun figuring this out. I have the test Thursday so wish me luck!

Here at last!

2010-09-05T21:52:00.001-07:00

Well, I made it to Idaho! :) We left Saturday around 530am and headed out for Cedar Hills to go visit my cousins before I made the final trek to where my new temporary home would be. I slept for the first little bit while my mom took the wheel of my little red car and my dad drove the truck alone. He didn't mind, he just "turned up the music loudly" and I am sure rocked out :). Mom and I spent a lot of the time listening to music and singing along. Now let me tell you we had the whole line of cars jamming to glee at one point ;P Proud Mary is now one of my favorite songs as mom and I made our own dance moves to it haha. We sure were a sight to see but it is a memory I will never forget I can tell you that. I drove the last 4ish hours and we finally made it to our cousins.

While at my cousins I went and saw The Sorcerer's Apprentice and surprisingly it was rather enjoyable! We came back and played capture the flag with glow sticks at like 10 at night, it was SOOOOO COOL!!! Then this morning my Aunt made me my favorite breakfast of hers, chocolate chip pancakes! Or as Rissa and I like to call them, Pancake-kays :) We headed out around 1030ish to go and get Julie from her Nana's house and head off to Idaho.

Now, you all know my Dad and how he is a decent driver and always seems to know where he is going. WELL, I have learned that he CAN get lost, or at least act like a maniac driver hahaha. We were going to get lunch and he was all over the place! He tried turning from the wrong lane even...man it was funny to try to follow him. My mom and dad drove in the truck while I had Julie in my car. It took about a total of 4 hours and we made it to our destination! It is a very windy and chilly place and VERY simple, however I am VERY excited to have this as my temporary home :)

Of course, it could never be this simple ha. Julie wanted to get her car so that she could load it up and then just take it to her dorm area. She has her sisters old lexus and it is about 13 years old. So we got to her car, which had been sitting there for about a month or so since she came to live with us for a while, and we hopped in to find that the car would make no noise at all...no start noise no ding noise, nothing. So, we removed the NEW one month old battery and took it down to the place where she bought it. They found that the battery they gave her was bad (ha great place right?) and are now giving her a new one for free. We will be testing it in the morning ha.

Dinner went well. We went to Idaho Falls and ate at Olive Garden. DELICIOUS! I probably wont be hungry for months though ha. We came back and made our plan for tomorrow. We are going to go register/check-in early and then I am going to be meeting my roommate to stake out what room we want :) it will be FANTASTIC! However, it being an hour ahead here...my time is kinda off. I am so excited for tomorrow and all the things that are going to be happening here. I am already missing Arizona, but I know everything will work out the way it is supposed to. I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel like I should be :) <3

Hourglass

2010-08-19T11:15:00.001-07:00

I am so excited and anxious to get started on my trip up to Idaho for school! I can't believe how fast my summer has gone as it is going to come to an end September 4th, or 16 days. My mom and I are starting to get boxes, thumb through clothing, comb through my room and purchase the things necessary for me to go to school. I have received my roommate assignments! My room assignment! And received my school address (which I am going to post at the bottom of this post). Everything is coming super duper fast! And despite how nervous I am about it I know that I am going to have so much fun! :)

(Letters are always fun to send and receive...and though phone calls and texting are a lot faster occasional letters wouldn't be shot down haha :P )

Mary Tuckett

408 Lamprecht Hall

525 S. Center St

Rexburg, ID 83460 - 0035

1100pm and Counting

2010-07-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got signed up for my classes, for school this fall, last night! Byu-Idaho doesn't seem as far away anymore. Since Idaho is an hour ahead of us...we figured if they open their registration at 1201 for my group then that must mean it is open at 1101 our time. We were right :) So we sat down, signed both my mom and I in on separate computers (that way we could be signing up for classes at the same time) and prepared ourselves for the chaos of it all. We got all my courses in and things went pretty smoothly. I can't believe I have my college classes in order now and I can't wait to finally get up there and start all my new adventures. :)

My Schedule= 13 Credit hours
Monday Wednesday Friday

9:00am - American Foundations

2:00pm - Math 108

Tuesday Thursday

9:00 - Book of Mormon

11:30 - Science Foundations

5:15 - Child Development

The Funny Thing About Time

2010-05-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

You know...time is a funny thing. You fly one direction in an airplane and you gain time you fly another way and you lose time...but one thing still stands true. Eventually, time runs out. Now that graduation has come and gone, like most, I have been thinking a lot about my future and the things that I want to do and become. There are SO many things I want to do but there is not enough time in the world to be able to do it all. There are only 24 hours in a day and once that time is over...it doesn't come back. I feel as though this has kind of become depressing for some to read. The point I am trying to make is how often do we look back on our days and think about how much more we could have done?? So what is holding you back? Live everyday in a way that you will look back with as small of a number of 'what if's' as possible. Everyone deserves to smile and live their lives to the fullest. Don't waste time dwelling on your faults or the things that you don't find attractive in yourself. Don't waste time with things you will regret later. Don't waste time with people that bring you down. Don't waste time bringing yourself down. Don't waste time saying 'oh, I will do that tomorrow', there may not be one. Don't waste time thinking about things that you could have done. Instead Spend your time finding the things you love in others. Spend time doing wholesome things that you will remember in your mind and heart forever. Spend time with those that lift you up and make you feel like the best person you can be and that change your life for the better. Spend your time finding new talents that you could never have imagined possible from yourself. Spend your time filling your days with never-ending fun, love, laughter, peace, truth, friends, family, smiles and hope. And most of all, never live allowing for time to run out and leaving yourself with empty hands, an empty heart and an empty mind. The fact of the matter is, time will end. The question is, what are YOU going to do with it?

The Final Stretch

2010-05-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

Yes! SO the countdown is on! 25 days until graduation! I am so excited! As a little update I have been working on my online class that I signed up for in December and I have till this Friday to finish up the last 5 lessons! AHHHH I am kinda nervous since in these lessons there are both a letter and an essay included. I just need to finish this up and I am set to go! I got my senior pictures done by Nicole Eagleston on the 24th on April and I have a lot of them on facebook but I am going to post a few on here as well! I am pleased to say that I qualified for the honor sash so that is cool (the red sash in the pictures). The way you get that is by having a 3.5 GPA or higher and I did it! I reached my goal :)

College Times

2010-01-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well I have been anxioiusly awaiting any response from colleges that I have applied to. Of course those consist of BYU-Utah and BYU-Idaho. I have really felt like I need to go to Idaho though and today I am excited to say this:

22 Jan 2010
Dear Mary:

Congratulations! We are pleased to offer you admission to Brigham Young University-Idaho. We look forward to having you on campus and feel that you will be an asset to this university.

............

Once again, congratulations on your acceptance to BYU-Idaho! Rich blessings and life-changing opportunities await you here.

Sincerely,

Admissions Committee
Brigham Young University-Idaho Admissions Office

I guess it is time to make a trip to any clearance sales for cold weather clothing!!! :) :) :) :) :)

Shuffle shuffle RUN!

2009-10-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Funny how fast time flies when you realize how much you want it to slow down. I started my senior year in August and just finished first quarter! It is way exciting to think I only have 3 more quarters left of high school but at the same time really scary! So many decisions to make: college, classes, jobs, graduation things. Crazy crazy! So many of my guy friends have their mission calls and some are already out! and I have 2 friends that are engaged and tons of friends that I have grown up with are in college both here in Arizona and out of state. And have a best friend on an entirely different continent! Even two years ago I would have never imagined that so many changes would have happened already in my life. It is all so exciting to witness close friends, family and even myself start to form to what they are going to be or are becoming. Hearing about the different plans people have for school and jobs. What people want to major in or my favorite one...how they are going to marry that super cute guy in the ward and live happily ever after :). I am really looking forward to the rest of this last high school year and to the rest of my life! So many changes for me have yet to come as well as decisions I have to make! A basic agenda of mine is 1. turn 18 on november 2nd! :) 2. Get a job..... 3. Take the ACT on December 18th I think it is. 4. not lose my sanity with my classes ha and 5. GRADUATE!! :) Red Mountain Senior 2009-2010 :)

That little caterpillar...

2009-08-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

They say that caterpillar's just know when they need to form their cocoon and when to emerge from it. But HOW?? How can they be sure it is time??.....

I have started my senior year at Red Mountain High School! :) I AM in 6 classes for the day ha wasn't my favorite at first but I have grown on it. I turn 18 November 2nd. And I have started all the final annoying counselor meetings at school talking about college and having all your credits taken care of. They kept saying "Congratulations you have made it!". I kind of just looked at them like made it to what? But then it hit me...I am a senior who will be graduating May 27, 2010 with my class and going on to college and starting my life.

So tonight I was at home watching a movie with my mom...(my dad ended up joining :) oh the power of booting him out of his seat on the couch haha). There was a song that came on that made me wake up to the reality that I am not going to be where I am for too much longer. The song is called "Butterfly Fly Away" (I highly suggest you look this up whether you are a parent or a teen or a kid listen to this) and sitting there with my mom and dad I couldn't help but look at them and think of what was ahead of me. No more nagging about homework, to clean my room, turn in those job applications, no more arguments about hanging out on weekends or being late in the morning for school ha. None of that. (depending on school arrangements of course) For the first time, I actually got scared. Normally I am excited about this topic! But when you actually think about it, as much as I am ready to be moving on with my life, it is a scary thought that I could be moving away from the home, environment, schools, people, and family I have become so accustomed to have around. I just wanted to thank my parents for all they have done for me...I understand now how much they really have done. I love you guys and thank you for helping this caterpillar slowly come closer to building her cocoon. Of course I am still around for a while but these realizations come and it just hits me how amazingly quickly time passes. I love you guys! Thank you for being such amazing examples in my life!

Butterfly Fly away

You tucked me in, turned out the light
Kept me safe and sound at night
Little girls depend on things like that

Brushed my teeth and combed my hair
Had to drive me everywhere
You were always there when I looked back

You had to do it all alone
Make a living, make a home
Must have been as hard as it could be

And when I couldn't sleep at night
Scared things wouldn't turn out right
You would hold my hand and sing to me

Caterpillar in the tree
How you wonder who you'll be
Can't go far but you can always dream

Wish you may and wish you might
Don't you worry, hold on tight
I promise you there will come a day
Butterfly fly away

Butterfly fly away, butterfly fly away
Flap your wings now you can't stay
Take those dreams and make them all come true

Butterfly fly away, butterfly fly away
We've been waiting for this day
All along and knowing just what to do
Butterfly, butterfly, butterfly, butterfly fly away

Butterfly fly away
Butterfly fly away

Who ate that?! Oh yea...I did

2009-05-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you guys but I am pretty sure everyone has gone through this. Maybe it is just programmed into our bodies but every FAST sunday I seem to decide to go on a diet. My reasoning being hey I can handle not eating anything for 2 meals why could I not try eating smaller portions instead of an entire thing of ice cream or healthy food?? Well this last sunday I decided once again on a diet just this time adding exercise. Let's just say my mom had a fun time reminding me that cheese crackers are not a diet food or Mary chocolate?? You just ate 20 minutes ago! :) It was getting entertaining. Now my mom and I have a tradition of getting a little "treat" of something before we go to bed on sundays...on my diet days I will decide to eat a small bowl of cereal or something else...just after countless thoughts of my moms special chocolate fudge sauce my reply to my mother became...Oh mom I can just start that diet thing tomorrow! I couldn't help it and though I told my hands not to get an ice cream scooper and not to grab the ice cream and a bowl...I just couldn't help it. I mean might as well let them, they have a mind of their own :P What's a little splurge??

this is yummy :) :) :) :) :) :) sooo worth it

If you have had her chocolate sauce you know you don't waste it!

Let me tell you....today I did good! :) egg for breakfast, salad for lunch, waffles for dinner then a 30 minute swim workout with my swimmer brother as a coach...This is all I can say:

1. All swimmers have lost their marbles

2. That's gonna hurt in the morning

3. Good workout...but so is walking around school and

4. ouch where did my body go??

Hopefully I can stick to my plan of swimming like that every night and occasionally running (after school gets out) in the morning! :) Wish me luck...I have a tendency of slipping off into my procrastination habit of I will do that tomorrow...haha

To my mother...

2009-05-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

Little me and mom

Well as everyone knows, today is Mother's Day. We had an amazing sacrament meeting and Young Women's lesson today which really made me realize how much moms actually do. Your mom is the only one you can get in an argument with before school and come home to cookies or some treat. Or have a bad day and find a sonic drink in the fridge. My mom does so much for me and has put up with so much! Starting with my little attitude when I was younger up to this year with vice principal notes, making costumes, encouragement, evil teachers, my extra curricular activities, friends, and anything else you can think of. She has done so much for me!!! I can't even begin to explain it all. My mom always is there for me when I need her and anytime I may feel down. Nothing would stop her from getting to me if I needed help in anyway. Sometimes we don't always see eye to eye but I always know she loves me. I hope to keep my relationship with my mom close to heart and can't wait for the day I get to teach my own kids about my mom and hopefully be as good a mother as she is to me.

Mothers

My mother is a special one she knows just what to do

Other people don't compare to how I feel for you

The things you do both seen and not could blow most any mind

However when it comes to us kids you'd always make more time

Everyday I kneel down and say a little prayer

Really God, if she were gone I don't know where i'd be or what i'd do

So bless her please and let her know how much I really care.

I love you MOM! Always remember that and happy mother's day :)

today! :)

You can't help but love it! :)

2009-04-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

Well you know those goals you make like new year diet resolutions or saving money resolutions?? Ya well I did the same thing. I made a schedule to keep my life in order and I had everything in a designated spot. At least for the first few weeks of November! yaaaa it didn't work out too well. I also said that I wasn't going to let myself get behind in school! Haha...wow I was funny. One thing after another has put me in a set back.

BUT FOR A FURTHER UPDATE! I got asked to prom!! :) By my best guy friend ever!!!!! Jameson Jarvis! I will put pics on here of how he asked me and how I answered and of all the fun girly stuff like dress shoes hair make up! Oh so fun!! :) I asked one of my friends Bria Mathews if she would do my hair so she will do my hair now I just have to call and ask Kelsey Salmon if she will do my make-up haha. Well Prom is Satuday so I am excited! This is actually my second year going! I went with my friend Riley last year and it was so fun! This year my dress is much more simple than last haha so you shall see but it is still pretty and it can be used for pretty much anything! :) My mom loved that part! It is actually a black dress but I am adding a green silky cardigan thing with it to add color. I was skeptical at first because black isn't really a prom color but it looks cute and EVERYONE in the store chose it over the red one I had on haha. So I will keep you updated with that!! :)

Play Update! :)

2009-03-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

OK so somethings have changed and I ya I just have times and prices! :)

Monday March 30- 4:30 PM Red Mountain

Tuesday March 31- nothing

Wednesday April 1- 4:30 PM Red Mountain

Thursday April 2 and Friday April 3 - 7 PM Red Mountain

Saturday April 4- 2PM & 7PM

For any students it is $5 and $8 for adults. Then for kids ages 5-12 it is $3. If you can you guys should really come! It is sooooo fun! It is really funny and a really amazing group of people is doing it! (No not myself ha everyone else haha) they told us we are the largest and easiest to maintain cast ever and that we are super talented and have gotten done faster than any group. We have worked soooo hard and any kind of support would be amazing! If you want to go let me know and I can get you the number to call for tickets or I can take money and buy them for you! :) Just let me know! Thanks! :)

All I can say is....

2009-03-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

AMAZING!!!! I had my Broadway concert Last night and it was amazing!!!! La Cam, my choir, did Hairspray! It was soo much fun!!! I love this concert because it is just so fun and amazing and relaxed. It also lets us all bond together! I will have a video on here soon but I just had to comment on it! It was soooo fun! I am gonna try out for a solo next year...so if anyone has any suggestions on a Broadway Musical Solo or duet or small group song I could do let me know :)

Left! Right! North! South! Ready GO!

2009-03-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

Last time I checked I only moved one direction at a time....ha but apparently I have to learn to morph my body into multiple people so I can do 100 things at once. All I need is to be babysitting with this and I am sure I would feel just like a mom does sometimes. Here is my usual schedule.

Morning-
-Wake up late (7-710 am)
-throw on clothes
-forget something on the way to school
-pick up ammah for a ride to school (735--note what time I wake up)
-eat breakfast walking to seminary
-be in school from 8-3

After School
-Stay for 3 hours after school for play practice
-do homework while I am at play practice
-Fridays I teach piano for 1 1/2 hours instead of play practice then depending on if I am grounded I hang out till like 11

Around 6-6:20-when I get out of play practice
-Relearn math lessons
-do online class
-shove dinner down my throat
-do more hw
-read any assigned book

Around 10-12
-shower
-get ready for bed
-not be able to fall asleep for too much thinking on my mind because of how much there really is to do.
-fall asleep arond 1130-1230

Then I wake up and do it again :) yay me. haha not that I am complaining. It seems like alot more when I am actually doing it. When I write it down it is pretty much spread out and orderly and almost seems like I am actually planning everything out. haha nope it just happens. This is just my normal schedule. It is pretty packed. It is going to be insane with the play coming up! I have the broadway concert as well this Tuesday. Pretty much I am just going 20 million different directions! I am hoping it will slow down after the play is over. Actually...I dont think I will know what to do with myself!! haha oh well...For now..I will just focus on going straight. That seems like a good direction to go in right now :)

The funnest and best dance ever!!

2009-02-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

So last sunday the 15th I asked my friend David Hunt to Sadies!! It was soooo fun! I love asking people to dances because it is just so much fun it is insane. You totally get to trash their room and it is just really fun! I did a frog theme! It was "Out of All the Frogs in the Lake You're the One I'd Like to Take!". I then cut a lake from blue poster paper and placed a bigger lilly-pad on it and set a stuffed frog on their. Then I put a whole bunch of little lilly-pads leading from his room to the front door and on the back of 4 of them I had the letters of my name (M-A-R-Y) haha. There were about 40 lilly-pads so I was laughing. We, my brother and Kaitlyn Willis(who has been my little lifesaver through all of this!) continued to place streamers everywhere and OH I gave him a chocolate frog with gummi bugs inside of the chocolate! Seriously how cute is that. haha :) Then this last Wednesday I came home from mutual and about an hour later I heard a doorbell and my mom went to go see who it was. When she got to it there was a metal bucket filled with sonic ice and a sign in it. I ran to the door because hello when my mom screamed my name you get kinda curious haha and when I got there I just laughed! It was soooo cute! (I suppose you would like to know what it said) The sign said "Hail Yes! I would love to go to Sadies with you!" haha He then in seminary the next day continued to ask me if I was in any way offended and I joked with him but told him that it was very very clever!! Here are some pics :) Share in my experience haha

Too Fast.....

2009-02-15T20:00:00.000-08:00

There are those years or days when life seriously feels like it is taking forever! But this school year I can not even explain what is happening. Time is going faster than it ever has before and I want it to stop. I can't lie I sometimes get worried when I think about my future but I know it will all work out. I have a ton of senior friends and actually well ALL - about 12 close friends= Seniors. But the people I really hang out with are a group of about oh I would say 14. They are ALL seniors and one of them has already graduated. Today I went to his mission farewell. He leaves March 4th and before I know it the rest will be off as well. A few of my guy friends are already out on missions. Even scarier, I have a non-member friend who is getting married this summer and she has actually chosen me to be her Maid of Honor!!! I am a little freaked out by this because it is what is coming to all of us! One of my best friends brothers came back from his mission this week and I saw him for the first time in 2 years today! He is an amazing guy and gave a beyond perfect talk! I turned in my Senior registration so that is taken care of but still the thought has not hit me quite yet. Next year will be my last "sheltered year" at the High School! (Pay no mind to the fact I am ready to be out now haha) However it will hopefully slow down the fact that I am growing up. I wish I could go to neverland even for a day just so I can sing the song I wont Grow up! Then again I don't think I can ever get away from my quirky little attitude and childish behavior for good and hey! Who would want to?! I love being able to just mess around however that isn't always a good thing haha I can be a nut...Dang...It is just crazy how fast time is passing by and I really need it to slow down! However though I know it probably won't I will continue to fill my life with those beautiful things and beautiful people!

Twists, turns, knots and more....

2009-02-14T21:17:00.000-08:00

I don't know why but lately I have gone into alot of deep thinking. You can ask a few of my friends...they think it is weird how I jump back and forth from completely psycho and crazy to philosophical and deep. So ya here is kinda what I have been thinking about lately.

It is so easy to say that life is too hard, or to procrastinate, or to be lazy, or to say we can't, even to use the common line "we cant hold on any/much longer". I have to admit I have been through all of these however my grandma when she was here brought something up that I hadn't really realized before. I was complaining about having to do stupid hw and it was simple I just really did not want to take the time to do it. She looked at me and said "well what if your mom and I didn't want to do this dress so we put it off or didn't even do it? Then you wouldn't be ready for the play now would you??" I don't know why but this hit me suddenly today and I realized something. Every one of us has a certain potential. We each have a mission that we must work and prepare to do. If we don't have the proper tools then we can't complete that task at that time. If I didn't have my costumes I wouldn't be able to be in the play. But think about this....what if Christ decided his purpose for life was too hard, or he procrastinated things, maybe he was too lazy to teach the people one day, or in Gethsemane decided he couldn't hold on any/ much longer. Where would we be now? How would we be affected? Would the Atonement have happened or will Satan have taken his plan into action? Christ's life was harder than any of ours and he went through it without complaining. No vain thing through his lips. He really is our master, Lord, Redeemer, and Shepherd! I Love him with all my heart and realize now that in order for me to be ready for whatever goal or event or purpose I have been called to...I need to step up. Not only in my spiritual stuff such as reading scripture STUDY not just reading and daily prayer, but in my schoolwork, family, and personal life. Thanks Grandma for what you said! Even though you didn't realize it it woke me up! Love you! And happy Valentines Day everyone. <3

"And God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son..." What are we giving in return?

The Schedule is in!!

2009-02-12T18:27:00.000-08:00

Ok so this year Red Mountain Performing arts has decided that because of how intricate the play truely is..it would be a waste to do it twice and be done...so This year it will be performed 7 TIMES! Here are the dates :)

March 30--4:30 PM

March 31--9:00 AM

April 1--4:30 PM

April 2-- 7 PM

April 3-- 7 PM

April 4-- 2 PM & 7 PM

If you can come to any of these cool!! If you can't no worries :) however you will be missing an amazing production that will look pretty much professional...No joke. ha It is amazing!! :)
Oh and it is Pirates of Penzace ha.

Battle of the sexes...llllliiikkkeeee usual haha

2009-02-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

So Brad will pretty much kill me for putting this on here haha :P but oh well....So Saturday, me and 3 of some of my friends decided to do a girl ask guy date! Of course we were all planning and fidgeting but the perfect plan was made! Everyone met at Robin's house and we waited for everyone to get there. We then continued to make amazing pizza that of course Brad had to make perfect haha but hey I applaud him! It was easily the best homemade pizza I have eaten! After this we were challenged by the guys in a guys vs. Girl scavenger hunt. We had already planned a scavenger hunt but of course it became a battle of the sexes. What isn't these days?? However after spending 1 1/2 going door to door in Robin's neighborhood, we returned with 300 points but the boys had 340. They then continued to tell us that they promised they would return all the stuff to which we all laughed. But nevertheless we piled into the car and they gave me the directions to the place we needed to go. Now some of you may be saying right now...PLACE? not PLACES? Well you read correctly...one of the boys cousins lived in that neighborhood unknowingly and had gone to his house (The Crandell house) and gotten everything they had brought back to Robin's. So as I see it...The Boys may be the literal winners, but the girl are the ones who grew from this! We learned skills of meeting and talking to people and I can tell you now...Girls are much more likely to recieve kindness at a door than a bunch of boys! haha I still say YES THE BOYS WON but ya. Girls still kick butt haha come on get real! ;)

My own traveling pants....

2009-02-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

So everytime I buy pants...I pick my favorite pair (absent-mindedly of course ;) ) and I wear that pair pretty much everyday. I had one pair of pants for about 3 years until the seam ripped because of over wearing. No joke...it can happen ha. Well today I found a random hole in my pants on the left thigh after about a year. :( I am very sad because recently I cleaned out my closet and got rid of all pairs of jeans except 2. My favorite pair...and a just in case pair which I do not like all that much. I have to buy a new pair now :( sad day. Because it is too cold to wear my shorts seen as it is supposed to rain. But me and my pants wherever we go always have a story! It is amazing how much your pants can tell a story of...Your clothes follow you and support you everywhere you go! They see EVERYTHING! weird thought....I am also completely exhausted haha and gave blood today so I am a pint short of sanity :P but ya...It always makes me sad when my journey buddy has to retire.

Pirates!! AHHH!

2009-02-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

Ok so this year I decided that I would expand or really gain a new talent, however I am thinking it is more of an early death haha. I tried out for the school musical Pirates of Penzance. I made it as a daughter and though I don't talk the amount of singing I do compensates rather well for that! We practice everyday after school except for Fridays from 330 to 5 and then do extra when we get home. Speaking of extra did I mention we have to make our own costumes?? if not this is truth. The two shown are what they are....I nicknamed the first one the slut costume however after seeing the size of it about 2 seconds ago I would call it the never getting married because of how large it is look aka nun outfit. it is only the white part because they are using it as a nightgown. I am in dire need of some sort of corset that they wont let us use! haha It looks terribly big...sorry I just tried it on so thats all thats on my mind hahaha. Well yes so the other dress will be made out of the blue fabric shown and I am excited for that part. Hopefully it will look a ton better than the elephant dress ha. Gall that thing is huge....But yes! I think my Gma and Mom have finished this dress in record time with cutting, pinning and sewing done in an hour. I can only imagine how fast the other dress will be! I will keep you guys updated on the dates. We will have 7 shows so publicity is gonna be key to get the shows filled! We have an amazing cast! It is double casted :) Keep ya posted! Love you guys!

Coolest Experience! (sorry its kinda long but to me it is worth the read)

2009-01-27T22:36:00.000-08:00

So the other night I was laying in bed and I was really truly frustrated. I cannot remember what exactly but I got down on my knees and said my nightly prayer then read my scriptures and decided that I should read my patriarchal blessing. So in the search of my blessing I came across 3 letters addressed to me from none other than my parents. I always love saving and reading little notes I get from my friends so I got excited when I found these letters from my parents. As I opened up the first bright blue letter I read the top which said GIRLS CAMP 2006 and realized what I had come across. I read the letter from my dad which quickly brought me to tears. This letter from 3 years ago held a story from his childhood and how his dad always instilled confidence in him and he hoped he could do the same with me. He told me that I was special and that not only was I a light to our small family but to the ward family as well. He continued on saying that whenever he was down he would find me next to him with a smile a hug and a kiss. The letter continued and I was in awe. I moved to the next one. It also was from camp that year and this one was from my mother. She decided to write about qualities she found in me that I sometimes may not realize or feel low on. At the conclusion of the letter she said "You don't realize how much I want for you to succeed in this world and be able to return to our Heavenly Father. I love you very much and want only the very best things for you. I will do anything in my power to help you reach the goal of returning back. THE THINGS WE DO EVERYDAY, LITTLE BY LITTLE ARE WHAT WILL TAKE US BACK." She has so much faith in me and is willing to do anything for her daughter to return to be with him who has eternally blessed our lives.
The Final Letter. This was dated June 2007- this was the month of the stake trek which, even as it was addressed in the letter, it was not my first choice to be for that time. Never have I felt the love of my parents sooo strong than at this moment as I re-read their words over and over trying to just even maybe partially comprehend how much they love me. I then began to move the wheels in my brain. If my earthly parents love me this much and want me to succeed with all their hearts I can only imagine the love my heavenly father has for me and the want or more the need for me to succeed to return with him. At this point, I also realized that like the letters my earthly parents had written me I also have a "letter" from my Heavenly Father. I turned to my Blessing and opened it up. Never before has any experience hit me as hard as it did right then. The similarities in the letters from my Heavenly Father and my earthly parents were beyond belief! I KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT OR FEAR IN MY MIND THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES US JUST AS OUR EARTHLY PARENTS DO. Though we may come upon obstacles, there is nothing that either would not do to help us along the way. So many times I admit I feel that my parents are intruding on my personal space or being too bossy and I complain about things they do. But would I ever complain about my Heavenly Father for "intruding in my life" or giving me instructions that I may not want to follow or even simply read my own "chore list" rather known as the commandments. Our parents are only a reflection of God's true love for us and are "stand ins" for him because he cannot be here with all of us. Too many times I think we forget this or dont realize this and take our parents for granted.

Flying by!!

2009-01-25T22:27:00.000-08:00

All I can say is wow!! It seems like everyday is a year! Just the other day the counsellors came in to talk about SENIOR REGISTRATION! and I couldn't believe its already here! Pay no mind that all my really close friends are seniors now and therefore graduating. I even have quite a few friends that will be leaving for their missions soon. Within the next year even. I have been talkin' to one of my best guy friends ever! And he is graduating this year and leaves for his mission in about a year and is gonna turn 18 pretty soon! I follow him a few months after that! Everyone my age is growing up and I am not gonna lie it is pretty scary. I don't know what my future holds ha how could I? but I don't know I remember when I was little and I always saying how I was gonna be so old when I graduate and that dating was icky haha. I remember meeting my friends for the first time when I was younger and having the biggest drama be one of them taking my other half of my cookie. I remember spending every waking second with my friends the Kendalls and I remember the heart break I felt when they moved. I remember the fear I felt when I got to Jr. High and the annoying growing pains. I remember all the trips to the nurse I took for which my mom had to get the nurse a christmas present for how much I was in there haha. I have so many memories that seem so far behind me and I want them back. However I guess I have to know there is so much more ahead. "You cant stop today as it comes speeding down the track! Cuz yesterday is history and its never comin' back! Cause tomorrow is a brand new day".-hairspray

I really need to update this more! :)

Christmas Angels

2008-12-25T21:05:00.000-08:00

So I figured something out this year at Christmas. This year was one of our needful Christmas years and I think it was probably the best one I have had. All that mattered to me this year had nothing to do with gift wrap or bags I had the most fun being with my family and friends. Just being able to talk with those I love including my little niece and nephew (or so I claim them as such :)) I realized that the things I get in bags and wrapping are temporary and will do nothing for me in the long run. But just like my blog title...The sweet and simple things will keep you going for miles! I had so much fun today and am so grateful for my parents. I seem to fight some stuff that they tell me but I know that they are just looking out for me. Besides it is so much less effort to just agree with them and avoid arguments. It seems the moments I am angry or frustrated I get so tired but when I just go with it I am so much more energized. My parents do everything for me and sometimes I think I dont show how grateful for them I am. I cant wait till I have a family of my own and can come to them for help and pass on traditions and other "rules" I guess I could say that I have been exposed to. I look up to them so much! Thanks for everything Mom and Dad :) I couldnt do it without you! I am happy with what I have and wouldnt ask for anything more than my family and friends that love me! Thanks to those who have helped me even if you dont know it everyone has touched me in some way! As I have found, angels sent to us dont have to be the typical sent from God angels, they come in all forms :)

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! :)

2008-12-19T15:07:00.000-08:00

I am still awaiting my final grade for English however so far I have managed to keep my B's for the semester! :) I am setting some seriously new and better goals for this next semester so I can strive to get A's but I am glad I have been able to pull this semester off! I have had a pretty rough semester with Chemistry for one and Math and even a little bit of English. I was grounded for the entire 2nd quarter because of a C I received 1st quarter and I pulled it out in the end ending with an 84 in the class I think (This is my own calculation wouldnt necessarily trust this one haha) but I am super happy that I did. Math was pretty rough. Our teacher told us that the test would be difficult and when I took it it seemed really easy. However whenever this feeling occurs for me I know I did poorly on the test. No special treatment for this one test either. I got a 66.67% on my final. And to keep my B I needed a 68%. This left my grade at a 79.6% And I was completely devastated. However I emailed my teacher asking if he had bumped it up or not and he replied. Because I like you and you have been coming in to receive help and puttin in extra effort I raised you to a B. This my friends is luck...and the millions of prayers being answered that I will pass my tests and classes with A's and B's. Good thing I studied and actually tried. Well now I await my English grade and that test was no easy swim so we will see how that one turned out :) I will report later even if it isnt too happy of news :/

All there is to say is ahhhhh!

2008-12-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

So this is the last week of school! That, to me I will admit, is exciting, sad, confusing, frustrating, and an all around relief! Now I can explain all of these:
Exciting- School will be out for about 3 weeks!
Sad- half my year is over! That means I am growing up and accepting more responsibility and getting closer to having to go on my own!
Confusing- I am not quite sure where all the time went?? I should check my closet...I usually can find a lot of stuff in there haha
Frustrating- FINALS! which is for the ahhhhh part mainly because I have to cram in 2 days what I learned in 5 months!
Relief- I will be stress-free with school. I will finally have a break from school and focus on my family, friends, and fun!
School is very stressful and monotonous! Which tends to become very boring for me...But i endure it anyways so I can gain an education :P

now on a spiritual note!

Pretty much this season brings a bunch of surprises for me! and well everyone! One thing though that I personally would like to focus on this year is the Christ aspect of CHRISTmas. An insight that I found recently, after going through 2 excruciating years of Spanish, is the word Mas in the word Christmas. (Which means 'more') So to me...this season is about MORE Christ. I am trying to rope in Christ a lot more and bringing him into my life. Truth is, Christ is life. He gave us true happiness and is a perfect reason to live. People go their entire lives without that knowledge and here I am 17 years old with an unfaltering belief that Christ lives and Loves me...a daughter of God! I never can get over the fact that there is someone out there that unconditionally loves me and DIED so I can have a chance. I hope I live day to day with the knowledge that God and Christ will always love me and I can always return! Thanks! Happy holidays! :)

Finally a celebrity our parents wouldnt mind us marrying! :P haha

2008-12-09T21:32:00.000-08:00

I for one just have to say that David Archuletta is absolutely amazing! I am completely obsessed with his new album and am listening to it constantly. This morning when I was blasting D.A.'s music from my room my brother came in and with a discusted and rather confused face asked me "Why are you listening to such weird music lately?" I cannot imagine any other look dirtier than the one I gave him haha. I feel bad for it but honestly I think I need to better my brother's musical interests before my other music completely corrupts the child from knowing what music really is. Most may find this funny but I think it is cute and well ok it is pretty funny. But I would absolutely love to play You Can by David Archuletta at my wedding reception. I need to put that song on here but ya! It is perfect and cute and as you can all tell his has all really brought out me feminine side haha :) Well If you like him awesome! If you don't you really should just give him as many tries as it takes to like him! But if you cant I understand I cannot force anyone to like music. (This is the most teenagerish writing I have really done on here ha weird....)

Wonderful surprise though not at the time.....

2008-12-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

Last Friday night, I was called by President Hunt to give a talk 2 days later at the Youth Fireside for the youth and their parents. I really had no idea how I was supposed to write a 5-6 minute talk about how standards have affected my life. Saturday, I took the entire day devoted to writing my talk and listened to EFY music all day. I felt the spirit strong that day and I am grateful for the oppotunity I had to give this talk because it opened my eyes to how much I have truely been blessed in my life. Here is my talk that I gave for those who would like to read it that didnt get to.

~As a youth of the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, I have made a decision. I have decided that no matter what may come at me, I will always follow the standards that I have been taught all throughout my life. I am a daughter of God and will always choose my Heavenly Fathers side even when it goes against what the world expects or wants me to do. I do not want to have to change my standards for the times like the world expects but would rather follow a set and constant standard like the one of this church.
Standards are not gender or age specific, they are for all of God’s children. God has not left us without manuals or instruction for us to have as a guide. In The For Strength of youth introduction the First Presidency says “Because the Lord loves you, He has given you commandments and the words of prophets to guide you on your journey. Some of the most important guidelines for your life are found in this pamphlet…We promise that as you keep these standards and live by the truths in the scriptures, you will be able to do your life’s work with greater wisdom and skill and bear trials with greater courage.”
In D&C 76:5 it says, “” As I read this it gives me the impression that God delights in those who listen to and follow the prophets. We were not given a leader of this church to just have someone to look at on the tv but to look up to. He guides us by relaying the inspiration he receives from God which then become new standards that we are taught and can choose to follow.
One thing I found to be impressive was in my 9th grade year. I was a basketball manager for Coach Khalil and everyday I watched as the girls would line up on the sideline and wait to start practice. As couch would come out he would explain what would be happening then go into a series of questions that he would yell out awaiting the reply from the girls. One question that always hit me hard was the question When is character built? To this question the girls would reply “When no one is watching” I remember that to this day and I strive to treat the standards the same way. It is easy to follow the standards when there are people that are watching your every move such as other LDS friends and especially non-member friends that know our standards. But how simple is it to stray from our beliefs when there seems to be no judging eye? Truth is, God knows everything we are doing. How would you act differently if you knew that every moment you
stray,,, God and Christ look down on you in the act? As you strive to live the standards you will see that you have the spirit with you and you will better feel the love of the savior as well as love for yourself.
One of my favorite EFY songs is called Power in Purity from the 2007 EFY. In the chorus this is sung…“Power in the heavens power in the plan power in discovery learning who I am there’s power in obedience the truth that sets us free to find a sense of confidence with power in purity.” When we realize our true potential and our worth and identity we find a stronger want to follow the standards. Obedience to them brings a greater power and allows us to have the Holy Ghost with us and we will then be able to return to live with Heavenly Father.
In the book Way To Be by Gordan B. Hinckley it says, “It is important for you to understand that you are part of a chosen generation. Limitless is your potential. Magnificent is your future, if you will take control of it and if you will decide now that you will not let your life drift in a fruitless and aimless manner.” Every one of us has a specific purpose for being here and if we are not holding fast to the standards, we may not be ready when our time comes to perform our designated task. Hilary weeks sings in A Song to Sing “You have a song to sing, you have a story to tell, and there is a destiny that only you can fulfill, though you are wandering if you’ll put your trust in me I’ll give you a song to sing.” By trusting in God to not lead us astray and following the standards that have been given to us we will be able to live our lives to our true potential and be ready at any moment to complete the task that we have been given.
In my life I have found this to be true. When I am living the standards I am much happier than when I brush my foot over the edge. I feel better about myself knowing that I am pleasing in Gods eyes.
I know this gospel is true and I know without a doubt that standards can change your life in so many ways. Thomas S Monson is the true prophet of this church and I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know God loves each of his children! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Another Year Past :)

2008-11-17T18:55:00.000-08:00

(This is a little late haha) So another year of my life has past! This being the most busy of years it wasn't surprising to have many memories! Some good, some bad, some hard, some hurt, and some were memories were ones I will never ever forget :). Birthdays are so fun and exciting and an amazing time to take time out of life to spend with family and friends. This year, I was lucky enough to have one my sisters/friends come down and see me. JULIE Hamula! She came down and I didnt go to school on that Friday and we just hung out. It was so fun to be able to see her down here. Arizona has definately missed her face! Not only do I take birthdays as a time for celebration and fun but also as a time to set new goals for the next year. Also to reflect on things I have done that I would like to change or keep doing. As I was thinking about my future that I want, I realized something. I have just a year to become "an adult" and as sarah porter sees it..the stage where return missionaries feel comfortable dating you...in other words if I see a RM I will run haha jk jk. But I will be graduating next year and going on to college only to move on to a husband and a family! It all seem to be coming at me way too fast. And I used to think 20 was old haha ya 20 is nothing! I will be 20 in 3 years! and I am not old....it is funny how things change! Cant wait to see my future! ;) To another year of memories as well as my sweet and simple truths...bring it on!

My funny mom story...though im not a mom I just felt like it haha :)

2008-10-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, one because you employ me haha, I "nanny" for the Williams kids. Usually on Tuesdays just gracie and Els are there because Trake has soccer and Brynly is doing something. Well once a month I have made it a treat to take these two amazing girls to McDonalds. We have been on this adventure once before and wow I can truly say that I applaud you moms out there who can handle more than 2 kids out in a public area when they are younger. In no way am I complaining! I love this job it is way fun and I always end up in tears of laughter from something that happens with them. But the first time was great! Now this time...of course something would go wrong! I had brought my backpack in cuz I had music in it I wanted to play but we ended up going to Mcdonalds so I brought it out with me. My dad had cleared out the avalanche taking the car seat for els out. So I got one from Brother Williams. I grabbed Els and Gracie ran out the door and got in the car. Now this new seat was very complicated to me so I had the 4 year old explain it to me :) worked out good but it took about 15 minutes to get everyone in the car and 5 minutes to get to Mcdonalds then 5 minutes to get them out. The second I set Els on her feet a picture came into my mind of my backpack, which contained my money and everything else, sitting on the sidewalk by the back seat door at the Williams house. Realizing I had no other money I just let out heavy air and explained to the girls that we would have to get back in the car and go home to get Mary's backpack. Gracie informed me that we better make it fast and Els just gave me this look of I have to sit in that thing again to which I replied with 10 minutes of putting them back in the car, 5 minute drive home and jumped out of the car where a lonely backpack sat. Threw that in then tried it again....I felt like I was running a marathon. I finally got the girls out of the car by now we had spent about 30 minutes trying to get to McDonalds and threw els on my side and pulled Gracie close to my legs and we went in. The second I walked in that door it was like a spotlight was set on me. All eyes and judgments were on me including two teenage boys that pointed and whispered some remark followed by roaring laughter and an old couple that I thought was gonna murder me as they pointed and shook their heads. We ordered our kiddie cones and sat on down. It was funny watching how Els did everything Gracie would and made me me laugh that as they both turned around then back at me they had identical ice cream mustaches! Adorable? I say so! Well an old man with a walker came towards the door but couldn't open it so I felt that I should go and help him. As I did he said thank you young lady and I felt a relief for some reason. Not allowing them to play on the playground till they actually finished their ice cream well not Els but ya they quickly finished and we moved into the ever so lovely play room. They ran towards the slide like usual and els just watched her sister go down. While they were messing around I noticed that the old couple judging me earlier was about to leave and noticed the older woman was coming towards me. I quickly thought of something that I could say to tell her politely that they werent my girls no matter how cute they were but something different came out of her mouth. She said, "I would like to thank you for opening the door for that older gentleman. You didnt have to but you did." I quickly responded with the ever so cliche oh it was no problem to which she replied, "It meant alot to us...and I wanted to let you know it didnt go unnoticed." I was stunned. I said thank you but she said with a smile, "No, thank you." I just smiled and she nodded her head and turned away. Only then had I noticed that she didnt look at me so harshly after I had opened the door for that man. I guess you dont realize how much a small thing can affect people. But back to the girls, they had an amazing time and ran out their energy and at the point of yawning and slowed pace (which is my sign for no back talk to leave time haha) I piled the kiddos back in the car and headed home. I can tell you I have never worked so hard or been so tired than I was after that adventure...which was very special to me and is sooo fun to have that mom experience. Thanks sorry that was long but I thought it was a good story to tell. <3 mucho love!

So Grateful...

2008-10-23T21:56:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is but I get these random moments when I look around me and realize how much I truly have. Right now is one of those moments and I couldn't be happier! :) I have parents that love me and would do anything for me so I can progress. I have amazing friends whether near or far. I have an amazing brother! Even though I probably don't really tell him as much as I should. I have the only true church in my life which has blessed me with more than I could ever ask for. I know I am a daughter of God which knowledge I am extremely grateful for. I have an opportunity for an education (even though that's not as fun as the other stuff haha). I have music..."When words fail, music speaks" to me. A great example is He'll Carry You by Hilary Weeks I highly advise you to check it out! I have fantastic YW leaders who help me with stuff from a listening ear to boots for Halloween. I have really started to pay attention in seminary lately. I paid attention before ha of course but not like this...it is hard to explain. But I have gotten so much more out of seminary because of it. We are in the New Testament and one of our "assignments" if it could be called that was to read in either Mark or Luke I am not sure which it is, but we chose a character from: Mary Mag., the soldier, John and I think one other but I chose the soldier and we wrote in their perspective what was going on then 20 years later and it was amazing what I learned about my savior from it. I am sooooo thankful for everything! Thanks to you who have helped me along the way and even those who may make it harder(no matter how weird that may sound)! I love you guys!

more pics from Utah :) haha

2008-10-19T13:34:00.001-07:00

These are a few pics from an amazing weekend haha I definately miss this! haha :)

Utah!! :)

2008-10-13T21:47:00.001-07:00

All I can say is wowowowow! I have never drank so much hot chocolate in my life! I could probably bleed it actually haha. The 8th of october we headed to the airport, my mom and I, not quite prepared for what it might entail. We get there and wow it is chilly, and finding our way there was even funnier actually. Lucky for us Julie called asking if we needed help wanting to know where we were. We finally got there (I actually helped! I suddenly wasn't so directionally challeged :P) I saw Julie and my mom saw Sister Hamula and we both spent 2 hours catching up on what we had missed. Unfortunately Julie had school the next day so we just went to bed and she left the next morning for school and I was still sleeping :) oh man was it well needed. So my mom and I went to BYU that day and though I am made fun of for it, I was going to see what credits and stuff I would need to get into BYU. We went on a tour with a guy that was soooo nice! He even spent extra time to take me to the teaching department and came in with us while I got my information. I got the entire course schedules for different teaching degrees. It was so helpful and I couldn't help but being a teenage girl and thinking he was rather cute :P ha but too old...He had just gotten off his mission a year before so im guessing 21 3/4 or 22. Julie and I spent most our time seeing her friends and talking. She seems to have a lot going for her and I am glad she is having fun :) Well Saturday morning, I was woken up by an overly excited Jordan yelling "Julie Julie Julie wake up! Come on Wake up! IT"S SNOWING!" I pretty much felt death coming on me with those words. In no way was I ready for SNOW! Well sure enough it snowed and we had the BYU game that day. With luck it didn't snow or anything at the game but that didn't keep it from being cold! Ha was it ever! So I bundled up as you can see and was still freezing. We went to my cousins and woke up to once again...SNOW! but not just a little sprinkly of snow...ha ya right it was a major amount of snow! I will put a pic on here of it tomorrow or something but holy cow! it was gorgeous but cold and we left that morning. But all around it was sooo fun and I loved being able to see Julie :) Well ta ta :P

Piano

2008-10-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Well I will say my piano business is going really well! Its actually really exciting :) I am currently teaching 3 students and I am bringing on another one super soon. I am doing tons better on my teaching style and even have my mom to help me when I get stuck! (benefit of teaching at home I have a lifeline :)) I have even found those small annoyances that my own piano teachers have had with me such as the lack of practice, short attention spans, loss of books, not wanting to pay attention haha the list goes on. However I have come up with a new quote for myself to remember, "People wouldn't have faults if we stopped looking for them."-ME! haha no matter everything is amazing! And all my kids are fantastic! They actually do listen to me, I get a lot in, they trust me I get happy faces and kids that actually want to be at piano :) I will definately say I am super lucky! I hope to take on more students because it is so fun! Just watching their faces when they get it! It is no doubt the best feeling to know something I love was passed to someone else and they actually find joy in it. I guess thats why I want to be a school teacher other than the fact that I just love kids in general. Being able to pass down something that you hold close to your own life and seeing kids faces light up when it clicks..its magic!

California!

2008-09-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well hello :) ha so over labor day weekend my family and I went to California! It was soooooo super fun! Idk I feel like I got to know everyone so much better ha and we were all really open and made alot of inside jokes. I even got my parents to listen to some of the music I listen to which yes some involved alternative RAP and rock those things. It was hilarious while I was driving because I would listen to what I wanted to and my dad would sit there and make fun of the lyrics or dance funny or "raise the roof" haha I guess that is the upside to being older and on road trips. It doesnt consist of "Mommy when will we get there" or "Dad please can you stop I have to go to the bathroom" "or the constant fighting of my brother and I in the back over what movie to watch. We got to know eachother and it was soo fun :) Im glad I got to go on this trip :) (Those pics I took on my phone and the one on the right of me...I was just really bored haha :))

New Job :)

2008-08-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

Well as you allll know..well I think you all know ha I have played piano for a well a very long time almost like 13 or 14 years! So as you can imagine, my life has been deeply enriched with music and I consider my life completely blessed by music. I figured it was time that I shared this love of music with other people. So I have started teaching piano lessons. :) it has so far been some of the greatest moments of my life. Yes it can be frustrating because I have never taught before and so I have had to learn as I go that I just have to do my best. I have been teaching 2 students, trake and Brynly williams, and am about to start another student tomorrow! I am really excited! It is such a rush teaching other people something so close to your heart. Of course it can also get frustrating when they decide that it isnt what they want as well haha but then I just have to realize that everyone has different talents and it isnt for everyone. But ya so anyways...I charge $8 a lesson per child plus the cost of books. If anyone knows of anyone who needs a piano teacher ha I know I am new at it, but I have been progressing quite well actually ha. ttyl love ya guys!

I really don't know ha

2008-08-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Well I got my first checking account today :) ha I dont know I guess that is exciting. It definately requires more responsibility. I have a tendency of trying to push my boundries sometimes but that CANNOT happen with this ha. That would just be bad. Oh I guess this is totally random too but I have decided what I am gonna do when I get older. I am planning on majoring in elementary teaching. I want to be a teacher for the ages of k-3. Somewhere around this age. Most likely everyone reading this knows how much I love kids and how excited I am to be a mom in like 6 yrs or whatever i dont know how long just whenever I am a mom I am excited for it. (haha I could actually be married in a few years...weird huh!) but ya I am actually taking a class at Red Mountain right now that is a starter for teaching. It is a club/class/program called TTP(Teacher Training Program) which is pretty much an internship where you get to be a teachers assistant for a grade of your choice. You teach and help, grade papers, drive to your school that you go to and we start that in October. So I am super excited for that because I signed up for my preferences to be any of k-3 :) I will let you guys know what grade I am doing exactly when I find out but ya I will keep all you guys updated.

Interesting first week ha to say the least haha

2008-08-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

Welllll...this week stared out pretty stinky. My classes seemed impossible the teachers were kinda grouchy ha and I had like no friends to sit with at lunch cuz its almost impossible to find people in the zoo of a lunch hour. Not to mention it isnt the funnest adventure to have school without Julie...its a new experience. Well Tuesday my pretty much sister and I decided it would be cool to go out to lunch ha. Unfortunately that luxury is only for the seniors not that that stopped us. :/ (Anyone reading this...the risk is sooooo not worth a soggy sandwich!) Well Tuesday around 12:20 PM Sam and I headed for the gate she got out simply but I had to go out the front. So i snuck out the front and we were home free! We went to Subway with her boyfriend who is a senior as well. After an amazing time...it was time to conduct project fooltheschoolsotheydontknowiwasoutevenwheniwasntsupposedtobe. We figured id be fine cuz they have never checked pics coming back in from lunch before but that day was not my lucky day cuz for a long story short...yes I got caught ha. I was sent up to the assistant priciples office, a place I have NEVER been! He immediately told me what was to happen. The verdict was in, I was guilty and was sentenced to 3 days suspension...OFF SCHOOL PROPERTY ha ya that one would go well with the parents. I quickly thought of something to do so I pretty much begged him to just let me off with a warning cuz I have never broken major rules before and I felt horrible as it was. After about 15 minutes of begging he let me just have a warning. The catch, I had to get the paper signed by my parents. Ya im sure he knew that was the most torturous part was thinking of all the cruel ways your parents will punish you for making the mistake. So the entire rest of the day it was difficult to concentrate because of the guilty conscience. Most of you by now are probably thinking this is nothing like Mary what was she thinking! I can honestly say I have no clue whatsoever. Just continuing...I had formulated a plan. You know the movies that the kid gets in trouble and needs a paper signed so they hide it under other things that need to be signed and it goes perfectly and the parents never know and its all good? ya I dont suggest you try it...it doesnt work. My attempt was an absolute failure and was followed by alot of laughing from my mom and me begging her not to tell my dad. Im sure he knows now but it all ended up ok. Just I really really really dont plan on trying that again haha. Plus I really cant lie so it was not a smart plan to begin with. Well thats my first week ha well actually first 2 days haha well I will keep ya posted on all my high school fun :P

EFY PICS

2008-08-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

EFY One of the Least

2008-08-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

So these were my amazing "parents" for the week of EFY (Alex on the left & Cara on the right). They made this experience sooooo much fun! Our groups name was One of the Least and we chose to be "one of the least" of the animal kingdom adopting the squirrel as our mascot. Ha I have the skit on here somewhere too so if you want a really random video you can watch it. We had 12 girls and 12 guys so we had even escorts and got to know everyone alot better than we would've if it were any bigger. I was at the Cedar City Southern Utah University (SUU) and it was a blast! I went with my cousin Holly and we made the most of everything and had the best time at EFY.

For me Efy is a time for me to refresh my mind with the basic gospel principles and to gain new friendships as well as strengthen my testimony. This year, my 3rd year, was no exception to this goal. I actually gained my own testimony that this is the true church which makes me so excited because I don't have to just go through the actions, I can have a reason for doing them :) anywho I will just throw pics on here of EFY and you can check them out.

Start of The New Year

2008-08-10T15:53:00.001-07:00

Well, I barely get back from an amazing EFY experience and a crazy visit to Julies new house and I am bombarded with school supply lists, schedules and chores. This summer has got to be the fastest summer I have ever had! Hanging out with friends, just messing around, sleeping till whenever has been the best! However getting back into a schedule will be nice to have again, even if it is full of homework, piano and tests.

I will be going into my Junior Year at Red Mountain High School and plan on making it my best year yet! (Then again I have said that every year ha, but maybe writing it all down will help :P) I don't have too many difficult classes to deal with so that will help: seminary, La Cam(choir), Teacher Training, AA English, Algebra 2, and Chemistry. I am pretty excited for this new school year and all the new adventures it entails. Here I come RMHS 2008-2009.