Well.. this is what I wanted!

The only thing I have ever wanted to do with my life is teach.  My grandmothers were both teachers.  My older sister taught school for a few years and I have worked in an elementary school for the past four years.  I am not short of experience on teaching.  As a piano teacher, as a primary teacher, as a group leader at CHASP and PTC, as a merit badge counselor and area director, helping my sister in her classroom, helping my mom with her ESL and reading groups.. You think I'd be super good at this?  Right? 

I have always considered my self a natural at this.  So why am I all of a sudden stuck in a rut- struggling to come up with lesson plans (my usual creativity is shot :P), staying awake all night long panicking- hoping my lesson actually works and procrastinating worse than ever??   Maybe I have just hit burnout.  5 years of college is taking it's toll.  I want to be DONE!

Maybe things will be better when I graduate (if that happens) and I have my OWN classroom.  Right now I am in another teacher's class.  I teach spontaneous lessons.  I can't stay as much as I wish I could because I have another class and a job that I am trying keep- so that I can pay to student teach next semester!  I have had 2 1/2 weeks to teach 8 lessons.  I have taught 2.  Ug.  If I had my own classroom things would be better.   But I'm not there yet! And I will never be there unless I can pick my self up and FINISH what I've started.  I am sooo close.  Graduation looms a mere 6 months away.  I want be a good student teacher.  I want to be as good as my super awesome, middle aged, teacher pet classmates.  I want to wear that Wildcat purple and accept my diploma! 

But instead-  I am blogging.  Instead of preparing for my lessons.  Maybe it is the onset of my horrible seasonal depression, maybe I am just lazy, maybe I don't care anymore.  But I need to be better, because I am so close.  But yet so far.

"Lights On" for Afterschool!

Did you know that over 70 percent of students today go home an empty house because their parents are working? 

Did you know that only 9 percent of those children are enrolled in Afterschool programs?


Studies show that kids involved in Afterschool programs are far more likely to stay away from drugs, alcohol and gangs.  They get better grades and have better social skills as well.  Afterschool programs provide a safe, supportive and fun environment for kids.

Every weekday I get to spend time with some of the most creative, talented and enthusiastic kids I have ever met.  They teach me patience and love.  I see the challenges they face in their lives- broken homes, poverty, parents in prison or parents suffering with addictions.  They make me want to be stronger and happier.

They use Afterschool to do their homework.  I get to help them with it, and help them to make sure that they understand and do it correctly.  I love when they come to me at the end of the quarter and tell me the good grades that they got.  I plan academic time and teach them new things, help them to understand old concepts, practice math facts, learn how to research, explore new books, and play games.

Kids from kindergarten to 6th grade attend our program.  They are separated into their grades for snack and academic time but come together at recess and group activities.  The kids don't care what grades the other kids are in- they all play together.  Second graders play with fifth grade and kindergarteners with third graders.  They are all a big group of friends.  The younger ones learn from the older ones and vise versa.  They don't hang out during school, but they come together at Afterschool.  It is so cute! 

I love the hugs I get from them.  I love how excited some of the kids are to see me.  It makes me feel special.  Some of these kids need hugs soo much.  I am glad that I can be there for them.  I love to talk to them, get to know them, their likes, dislikes, talents, background.

I love the staff.  There only nine of us and we're all pretty good friends.  We play games of basketball after all the kids leave and eat lunch and talk to each other before the kids come.  We help each other and support each other and fill in for each other when necessary.   We go to trainings together.  In September we went to Provo for the day for Jumpstart conference.  Last spring I went to Florida for a conference.  Amazing experience.

A couple of weeks ago we put on our annual 'Lights On' program.  It was a Halloween carnival.  We have booths of fun games and some of the kids did an amazing dance.  'Lights On' is designed to show the community how important Afterschool Programs are.  I am so  proud to be a member of the National Afterschool Association and to be a group leader at Club Heights After School Program.  aka:  CHASP :)

CHASP has been a HUGE blessing in my life.  It have provided me with income, friends, a purpose and fun.

When Life Gives you Lemons..

I want things that I can't have right now. 
I want to move out of my parents house into my own cute little house with my own cat where I would cook my own food and keep everything emmaculate.  But I don't have the money or the time right now so living in my parents house is what I need to do for the next year or so.  I want a brand new wardrobe so that I can look adorable every day.  But I don't have the money right now.  I want to be a teacher.  But I need to survive school first.  I want to go back to Philmont this summer.  Or Northern Teir, Florida Sea Base or Catalina Island.  But I need to stay local so that I can get a teaching job. 

I want to go on a mission.  However I know that I could make it work- I don't think that is what I am supposed to be doing at this time. 

Life is complicated and crazy and incredible and you don't always get what you want because you were born at a specific time in a specific place into a specific family for reasons that you can't always understand.  I can't just pack up and leave.. even though I sort of wish I could- because this where I am right now.  I need to make the absolute most of it. 

I want to be married.  Yes, I admit it.  Or at least have a boyfriend.  Or even dated...   BUT- let me complain in this blog and then I promise to shut up about the matter. 
Because I'm sure that LOTS of girls are experiencing exactly what I am.  I wish more than anything that a guy would ask me on a date.  It is painful to hear girls talking about the dates they've been on.  I hate 'dating ideas' and eternal marriage lessons in church and Institute because it seems so unrelistic to me right now.  I know how important marriage and families are and it is so sad that so many women don't get to experience that joy.  Sometimes it makes me so angry, how much the institute and the Single's wards pushes dating on us.  But it's necessary.  It's part of God's plan for us. 
So... as part of the 'new me' plan that I have in my head I am not allowed to feel sorry for myself.  I am not allowed to get angry at the girls that date or the boys that ignore me.  Because. it. doesn't. matter.  I am young and I have so much going for me that I just need to have faith that everything will work out.  I know that I'll be married someday.
Steps to Bethany Taylor's marriage plan.

#1 Stop complaining  and stop feeling sorry for myself
#2 Focus on being better. Study the scriptures more dilligently, be more meaningful in prayer and be a good student.  Graduate and get a good teaching job.
#3 Make myself more attractive to guys without complaining or being pittied.  Dress myself up, smile and learn how to flirt.  Gain more self confidence. 
#4 Have fun.  Hang out with friends and meet lots of people. Try to date, try online dating, having people set me up and even asking the guys out myself. 
#5 Eventually meet the right guy and get married. 


So last week a friend of mine died.  She was a group leader with me at Philmont this summer.  She was  the most obnoxious, outspoken, bossy I've ever known.  But she was sweet, friendly, funny and genuine- and I miss her.  She was 20 years old.  She was doing an internship for Disney Land.  She was riding her bike home from work and was hit by a car. 

That night I had a dream.  All of the group leaders were eating at our favorite chinese restuarant.  Maggie was with us.  We laughed and took pictures and enjoyed eachothers company. 

Live live to the fullest.  Don't stop and say 'what if', 'just wait-', or 'when'.  Be happy now.  Be the best person you can possibly be.  Don't complain, don't dream of only the future, and don't let the happy memories of today slip away. 

Because when life gives you lemons- make some gourmet lemonade. 

Top Five.. an insight into my strange thinking.

My blog is nothing too interesting.  I like to ramble.  :)

Top Five...

Greatest Inventions of all time:

The rubber spatula
The Big Mac
Contact Lenses
The ballpoint pen
Books.. (maybe thats not really an invention.. but whatever)

Best Movie Kisses

You've Got Mail..  "I wanted it to be you, I wanted it to be you so badly."
The Cutting Edge   "You didn't have to do it" "Yes I did"  "Why?"  "Because I love you too"
The Proposal   "I'm Scared.. ", "Me too,"
Back to the Future.. nuff said.
The Parent Trap (new one)- 'cause kissing your ex in the rain after 12 years is pretty sweet.

Candy Bars

Snickers
5th avenue
Symphony with toffee
Twix
Does a Tootsi Roll count?

Books (fiction)

Holes, by Louis Sachar
Farmer Boy- by Laura Ingels Wilder
The Harry Potter series, by J.K.Rowling
James Herriot books
The Percy Jackson Series

Movies

Back to the Future
Mary Poppins
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
Return of the Jedi
Marley and Me

Wierd facts about me

I really, really love Twinkies. 
I sing along to the radio.
I am a compulsive doodler.
I rip off my finger nails constantly.
I constantly am thinking up stories.. and fanfics.. in my head.

Things I wish I could change right now

My relationship with certain siblings
Total awkwardness and a possible destoyed friendship
My motivation.  I wish I could do much better in school.
My wardrobe
My basketball skills..

Things that kids do that bug me

Poke me and repeat my name again and again and again.  Because I obviously didn't hear them the first time.
Make fun of eachother and then say "Just kidding!"
Running up behind me, jumping onto my back and nearly pushing me to the ground. 
Throwing dodge balls at you.. I know that is the point of the game.  But it is humiliating when the adults lose..
Asking for candy after everything they do.  Lousy reward systems. 

Things about kids that I love

When they laugh at my stupid jokes or sing along with me to goofy camp songs. 
Hugs
Willingness to help with whatever needs to be done.  Especially if it isn't for candy.
When they want to play with them on the playground.
When they actually do their homework.

Reasons I want to be a teacher

My own classroom.  Control.
I really love to teach.  And I'm pretty good at it.
So that I won't be a student anymore.  I'm a really lousy student.
Getting paid to teach instead of paying to teach.
Nurturing the young mind.  I love to see kids learn and be happy. 

Reasons why Level 3- Elementary Education at Weber State is a joke

3 hours in a science class coloring make believe animals
Expectations to write and turn in lesson plans when we haven't even been in the classroom yet.
Professors who call you 'gang' and won't let you use the backdoor during class.
Everything due the exact same week. 
Expecting us to integrate.. not every lesson can be integrated!!

Things I love about Ogden, Utah

The Mountains
25th street taco stands
The Union Station
An easy to follow street system
Awesome history rich in murders, ghosts, railroads, red light districts and Weber State.

Things I should be doing instead of blogging

Illustrating my picture book- due Friday
Studying my scriptures and working on getting through 'Jesus The Christ'
Kicking two cats out of my room
Sleeping..
tidying up the room and making sure I have clean clothes to wear tomorrow.

Reasons to love the Institute

Brother Thorpe
Free popcorn- I'm addicted.
Comfy chairs and awesome people to talk to all the time.
The amazing Spirit felt.
My Book of Mormon classmates.

Reasons Institute can annoy me.

Sister Seamon's 'dating ideas'.  Rub salt in the wound..
6:45 committee meetings.
Spending 20 minutes on anouncements and devotional. 
Singing 'Sweet Hour of Prayer' once a week.
Awkwardness now felt by sharing class with a certain guy.

Things I miss about Philmont

The Sunsets. 
Rachel Strayhall, Stephers Tobias, Lisa Barnes, Chun Man Chui and everyone else
My tent
Having meals prepared for me.  Tasty too.
Hiking.

Things I am not sure about

Passing the Praxis
Ever dating or getting married.
If I can really read 'Jesus the Christ' all the way through.
How I'm going to get salt dough by tomorrow..
River systems. 

Adjusting

I have only been gone 11 weeks but it feels sooo much longer than that!  I feel like I lived in another world and yet coming back home feels- at the same time- like I have never left.  I still hold on to every memory of the summer tight like I can't let it go; I don't want to ever forget the friends, the kids, and the experiences I had in New Mexico.
I am struggling with sleeping.  The room feels so hot and the walls cave in around me and I miss my canvas tent.  I miss the wind whipping against the flaps and the cool, desert night air seeping through my zipped open window- and the sounds of the night: wind, bugs, coyotes and the often present sound of thunder rolling across the flat desert and crashing into the surrounding mountains and mesas.
I miss seeing my best friends every day.  I miss their laugh, their smiles and their wit and banter.  I miss the kids: singing songs, playing games and hiking.  I even miss the uniform, the same red polo that the other 1200 staff memebers were wearing.  I miss feeling stress free and happy.  No school or work or money problems because I put all my focus and energy into living in the moment, being an awesome group leader and having a great summer with my new best friends. 

I am super excited for school.  I student teach in the spring and things are starting to feel like they are clicking into place.  I am ready to head back to CHASP and even teach piano again.  But I feel slightly lost and the readjusting is tougher than I thought. 

Phimont Here's to Thee..

Silver on the sage

Starlit skies above

Aspen covered hills

Country that I love.. 

Philmont here's to thee

Scouting Paradise

Out in God's country... 

Tonight. 


I don't ever know where to begin.  I spent my summer 600 miles away- living in the desert and in a canvas tent.  I was part of a team of over 1200 people all wearing identical red polo shirts, coming from every state and hundreds from across the world.  I worked at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron New Mexico.  I drove down there not knowing a single soul, not knowing what to expect.  I figured that because I had worked at scout camp for seven years, spent three years working at an Afterschool program and majoring in Elementary Education that being a Philmont Training Center (PTC from here on out) would be easy.  I had a lot to learn.  However, I didn't just learn about how to work with kids, I learned more about my self than I ever imagined possible. 

Philmont is massive.  It is bigger than most people think it is, nearly 150 thousand acres of land donated by mr. Waite Phillips in 1938 and originally named "Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp".  Over the years the Ranch grew and so did it's reputation.  Philmont is a place where scouts, venturing crews and individuals can come to experience a number of different kinds of backpacking treks from a short 5 night adventure to a 21 day physical and mental challenge called "Rayado".  Last summer me and my cousin Debbie had the opportunity to complete a 'Mountain Trek' and I couldn't stay away from the beauty of Philmont. 

This summer I was a Group Leader at the PTC.  Participants come in from all over the country to take part in different classes and conferences that go on all summer long.  They bring their families with them and my job comes into play.  Each week I am assigned to a different age group.  We work together in groups of about 2 or 3 GLs to take a group of kids.  We hike, we do Handicraft, pony/horse rides, archery and pellet guns, tour through the Villa Philmonte and even go on overnighters with the older kids, and play games and sing songs all week long.  Best. Job.  Ever.    I loved every group that I got and I worked pretty well with the other GLs- we all became best friends, the 24 of us. 

The hardest part of being a Group Leader was learning to work with others and accept their styes of teaching and leadership.  It was easy to butt heads sometimes but it taught me to accept differences in others and to communicate and collaborate.  I loved the kids.  Each week was so very different and it was cool to meet kids from all over the place- I even worked with a litte boy from England!  I can't wait to be a teacher!

Working with the kids was fantastic but that isn't where I learned who I was.  Being in New Mexico- so far away from home and far away from the bubble of Utah- I was able to really understand my testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  1200 staff member, 60 of us were Mormon and even less that that number made it to our church group every Sunday Morning.  At PTC my best friends became the other LDS people.  Lisa, Jess, Lesly, Stephers, Chun Man, Ryan and Amanda.  We had a chapel and a Chaplain.  His name was Elder Wilson and he and his wife became my temporary parents for the summer.  Each Sunday morning we met for two hours and had Sunday School, Relief Society and we partook of the Sacrament.  It was an incredible experience.  Our numbers were few- perhaps only ten to twenty of us that could attend church each week.  You see at Phimont, Sunday is just another day of the week.  Luckily- I got it off most of the time.  We were also able to attend Family Home Evening each Monday evening (when my schedule allowed it) and and Institute class on Leadership. 

At Philmont- it can be very hard to stand up for who you are.  I had never realized how common it is to use the Fword in daily vocabulary, how popular it is to go out drinking on the weekends and how commonplace it is to get a tatoo of the Phimont arrowhead or the Zhia- the the New Mexican sun. Right off the bat, people will learn that you are one of those 'Darn der Marmans', the 'Mo Mos', or the 'Mormon kids'.  People ask questions and you have to be ready.  I wasn't expecting Philmont to be a mission, but it was just that.  Every day I was an example by what I said and how I acted.  People starred as I blessed my food at each meal and laughed as I used my Mormon euphemisms such as 'heck', 'darn' and 'shoot'.  My staunch Catholic roommate became my best friend and she was amazed by my nightly routine of journal, scripture study and prayer before I snuggled into bed. 

I gave away a few copies of the Book of Mormon and taken part in countess religious discussions- sharing my knowledge of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I never realized before that I had taken my religion for granted, that until this summer I had never been truly challenged in my beliefs.  But as I see thousands of other people who don't have the knowledge that I know- I hold tight to what I know because it brings me such incredible happiness.  I have listened to what others have to say about their own religion and all I can say is that what I know makes sense!  It is like some amazing, beautiful puzzle without a single piece missing from it!  It is all here and we only need to turn to the Lord to find true happiness! 

I had that opportunity to perform Baptisms for the Dead at the Denver Temple with my LDS groupies and best friends.  I remember sitting there in white, waiting for my turn.  Me and my best friend Stephers flipping through the Temple issue of the Ensign- and how together we broke down crying, feeling the Spirit so strongly and talking to each other about how we had never fully comprehended how important it all is. 

I was able to be a missionary to a 13 year old boy and send him home with a Book of Mormon, explain to the Gospel to my roommates sister, explain my CTR necklace to hundreds, teach someone how to pray, attend a Catholic mass and realize how important Priesthood authority is.  I can't even explain everything that I learned about my self and my testimony from Philmont.  But I am stronger, and happier and more understanding of the Gospel than I ever have been in my entire life.  The Church is sooo true!! 


Back to Philmont.. what did I do this summer?/

Hiked the 'Tooth of Time'
Hiked 'Baldy Mountain' 12441 feet tall.  Hardest thing I've ever done.
Explored the city of Santa Fe.
Slid down the Great Sand Dunes.
Played in Toas, New Mexico.
Ate at Wonderful House Chinese restaurant many, many times. 
Make best friends to last a lifetime.
Learned to country dance.  I can two step! 
Finay saw 'Follow me boys'.
Bushwacked up the side of a mountain.
Played with ponies, goats, chickens and cows. \
Swam in beautiful lake.
Got a tan.
Learned to flyfish.
Went horseback riding.
Slept in a tent all summer.
Backpacked.
Visited 9 staff camps.
Learned awesome new games and songs.
And Sooo much more!

Yeah, Philmont sort of changed my life ;)

Wind in whispering pines, 

Eagles soaring high, 

Purple mountains rise, 

Against as azure sky.

Phimont here's to thee,

Scouting Paradise..

Out in God's Country..

Tonight. 

Excited for things to come!

While I should be cleaning my room, or doing my astronomy homework or washing my clothes- I am blogging.

I've been pretty depressed lately, but like I said before I need to keep myself excited by the little things in life.  Lately I am getting really excited for everything that is coming my way.  I have some adventures coming and I can't wait experience them!

-Trip to Rexburg on Saturday to see Dani and Ariel
-Emily's wedding
-Spring!
-Afterschool Conference in Orlando Florida- all expenses paid trip to Florida!! 
-Ward campout down in Moab in May!
-Family trip to Bear Lake (hopefully)
-My summer down in Philmont working in New Mexico!
-hopefully a drive to Cor d'lane to see my cousin and her baby
-seeing friends get engaged and married and have babies
-making new friends

I have alot to be grateful for, I just need to remember!

Medication- and things about me I need to change

I haven't been thinking good lately and my mom wants me to go back on the 'happy pills'.  I'm thinking and saying really negative and harmful things.  I don't want to be a druggie but when I am taking them I just feel so much 'better'.  I ran out after camp and I was doing so well.  I had a friend, I had great classes with people I enjoyed, it was warm and I was excited about life.  Things change so quickly.  You suddenly find yourself losing so many of things that made you once happy and you just can't get back up.  I have sruggled my entire life with the idea of being happy.  I am good for a few months and then I sink.. take a while to float back up and then I sink again.  I also have good days and bad days.  Today is a Bad Day. 
I'm sick of being angry at people and holding onto grudges.
I'm sick of being jealous.
 I hate not being able to say goodbye to people.
 I hate feeling happy about being better than someone. 
I wish I didn't distance myself from people because I'm afraid of rejection. 
I wish I didn't use kids as a crutch to avoid adult relationships.
I wonder why one of the reasons I go to camp is to get away from the pain of the real world. 
I hate being depressed!! 

I have so much to be happy about- so much in my life that is good.  However, lonelyness is cripling.  Especially when everyone around me appears to be happy- key word- appears. 
So- how do I cope?

Make myself talk to people.  Talk to strangers- try to sit with new people.  Ask questions and learn from others.
Smile at everyone- even if they don't smile back.
Tell people how I feel instead of bottling it up and exploding like I am tonight. 
Set daily and weekly goals.
Plan activities and trips.  Look forward to things. 
Pretend to be happy when I'm not. 
Be interested in what other people have to say and be happy for them. 
Talk to people in my ward- epspecially guys.
Get people to set me up on dates. 
Try to stop thinking about the one guy that is always on my mind. 
Pray. 
Pray.
Pray.
Read my scriptures, go to church, Institute, FHE and R.S activities. 
Stay organized- do my homework on time and study hard. 
Don't assume that people don't want to me around me. 

These are things that I work on daily- I strive to do all of the time and why I haven't checked into a mental hospital or committed suicide.  Some I don't do and need to work on.  Even though I do everything in my power to get over myself it doesn't always work. 

Most people don't get depression- I can do anything to help myself but sometimes medication is needed.  So I don't feel like a druggie, because I like it!  I like the way it makes me feel, I like the way I don't worry so much and feel happier.   So I'm going back to the doctor next week- get back on an 'up' cycle.  And see how long it lasts.  :) :) :) :)  

What defines you?

A few years back at camp a previous staffer who was currently on a mission wrote to a girl on staff.  In his letter he asked "What defines you?".  We all laughed and joked and thought "What a wierd thing to ask?"  However, years later I am asking myself that exact question. 
What defines you?  I thought for a long time that what defined you was what you did.  The jobs you got, the sports you played, the classes you took and the friends you had.  I am realizing that things are always changing.  New jobs and opprotunities come, friends move away, we gain new interests, hobbies and experiences.

It is not what you do that defines who you are- but it is the type of person you are that influences those things around you.  I am not just (or was) a swimmer, an artist, a high scoring student.. or a an area director of a very special camp.  I am a teacher is so many ways, I am creative, I am passionate, I am a friend.  I'm a decent person.  These things are constants.  They are what will allow me to succeed in whatever life I choose. 

I'm going to Philmont this summer.  As much as I am excited to go- I am freaking out!  But... new adventures!

Not a Taylor Swift sort of romance!

I think that deep down, every girl wants the typical fairy tale romance where you grow up and marry your childhood best friend/boy next door/high school school sweetheart/first kiss/long time crush ... boy.  We want this because it is something shown with so many romantic comedies and Taylor Swift songs.  We grow up hoping and wishing that our lives will turn out exactly how we want them too.  We may not even be in love with.. or even like this person any more, they they seem to be our options, our fate, our destiny.  We start to grow up and see them move on and we realize that sometimes..  life throws curves at you.  Maybe I was wrong.  Perhaps a whirlwind romance and fast engagement is the way to go.  We may not have known that person for our entire lives but we will have the blessing to know them for the rest of our lives and beyond.  I don't know what- or should I say who's coming and I don't know how long I'll have to wait.  But I know I'll have that happiness that I see my friends and loved ones have.  And it probably won't be with who I want it to be with- or who I think it should be.  I guess I won't know until it happens. 
I can't wait. 

2010- Best. Year. Ever. My year in pictures.

2010 was so incredible.  I really just feel very happy with everything that has been happening in my life.  I am highlighting, chronilogcially the best parts of my year. 

January:  California Trip!  We flew to Cali with my family.  Carly cam and so did my mom's good friend Suzanne.  It was a lot of fun.  I have not been to CA since I was little and it was fun to be a little kid again. 

We flew, and read books at the airports.  We went to the beach!  We went to California Adventure and Disney Land.  We went to this incredible little diner that was 50's themed!

March.  Les Mis!  Bonneville put on Les Mis and it was the most incredible play I have ever seen!  Mark and Matthew were it it.  I saw it at least six times. 



April:  Emily, Rachel, Mark, Matthew and I went on a road trip up to Washington to visit our cousins in Spokanne.  We don't see them very often.  It was a fourteen hour car ride, so but much fun!  We passed through four states.  We stayed over Easter and decorated eggs, had an Easter Egg hunt and a big BQ.  It was also General Conference.  We watched most of the sessions off my uncles computer crowed in his home office.  Our cousin Sarah contacted us after many, many years.  She came to dinner and it was an incredible reunion!  She is happily married and just had a baby!

 May brought some incredible memores from CHASP (Club Heights After School Program) where I work.  We had a huge 'World Cup' soccer game, we had a fun end of year program, we took a field trip to the Clearfield Aquatic center where I beat Jared Tesch at swimming!  I love CHASP.  It is the best job in the world!



May:  My aunt Anne (Sarah's mom) got married.  It was a pretty funny wedding with some crazy circumstances but it was an incredible day to have everyone together. Sarah, and her siblings Jon and Heather (and all of Heather's sweet little girls!) all came.  My aunt and uncle flew down from Washington and it was the first time my mom and all of her siblings had been together is a really long time.

My family drove down to St. George.  It was the first time I had ever been there. It was so warm and beautiful.  We stayed in our of our convenient World Mark condos.  We went to Zions, did lots of shopping and playing and lived in the pool.  We went to the lame kiddy arcade/mini golf/go carts place and had the time of our lifes gambling away all of our change to the video games.  We ran into the Stauffers on their way home from Las Vegas to visit family.  We had a spontaneous Denny's breakfast.   

That May the Singles Ward I had been going to was disoved to make way for the Historic new YSA stakes and wards in Ogden.  I loved my ward but I love my new ward even more!  This was my old ward having a big last FHE before we all split.

June.  I head off for my final, seventh summer at Camp Bartlett.  I can't say every increible thing that happened or show all the photos.  Read my previous blog posts.  It was an incredible summer.  I will miss it so much!!!

July!  Me and Debbie were lucky enough to go backpacking through Philmont!  My uncle was participating in the big Priesthood Leadship Conference with President Beck.  Me and Debbie got to travel through the rugged mountains of New Mexico for five days.  We flew to Denver, drove to New Mexico.  Debbie was fresh out of China and I hadn't seen her for months!  I had missed her SO much and it was a great way to spend some together.  It was one of the great experiences of my life.  I hope to work there this summer.. if they ever hire me!

When I got home from Camp in the Fall it was time for school, work and life.  I had my birthday-bought a car! I have no pictures of my birthday.. but Rachel's was a blast.  I love my sister!!!!

Me, Emily, Layne, Rachel, Alex, Matthew and Mark ascended Mt. Ben Lomand on Labor day.. a new tradition of mine I've done for the past three years.  It is a hard hike- but totally worth the awesome view!

September brought home Jeff Munk!  One of my best friends fresh out of Australia!! Since he's been back we've had lots of fun together.

October!  Lots happend in October!  My family spent UEA in Bear Lake.  We had fun, my favorite city- Garden City is a ghost town.  Labeau's shakes, nice walks, hanging out with the family and wading at the beach.  We attempted to swim and all got mild hypothermia and spent an hour in the hot tub. 

October brought Halloween fun.  Frightmares and Halloween at Wolf Creek!  Jeff, Jared, Layne and Alex and Debbie and visited us there.  It was a blast!



November!  My boys ( term meaning once on my Handicraft staff) Zach and Chad Sakurada got their Eagles!!  I was so proud of both of them.  Zach gave me his mentoring pin.  One of the proudest moments of my life. 

Thanksgiving was great.   My grandma taught me how to make her famous Eggnog pie!

 Emily got engaged!!   Layne Morris is a great guy!



December brought the end of the most hellish semester of my life and time for some fun!  Christmas lights, movies, books, going out to eat, spending lots of time with my family.  Debbie got her Venturing award.  I'm so proud of her!!!  I wish I was that amazing. :D  It was a great night to spend with some old friends and celebrate our favorite Debbie!

My Grandma finally went through the Temple.  It was an amazing day.  I love her so much and I am so proud of her.  She is an example to me to do everything I can to make it to the Temple. 



Christmas was great this year!  We spent it in Bear Lake.  Labeau's wasn't open.. but we went sledding, ate food, opened presents, watched movies, played games, played mario cart and spent alot of time in the pool. 

I spent the last week of the year getting read for school, and spending more time with my family and friends.  I saw movies, got frostbite walking around Weber with Jeff, going out to eat, going snowshoing and ringing in the new year with my favorite people in the world! 

2010 was amazing.  I hope as I embark on new adventures this year.. that 2011 can be just as good (or better) that 2010 was.  HAPPY NEW YEARS!