I know I know... it's been... FOREVER! I need to update my blog in the worst way... Ever since January, I've taken some great adventures... with the full intention of posting them up... yet here it is a new year and I haven't posted a thing! So here is my attempt to share my many adventures this year! If there is anyone out there still reading... I hope you enjoy!

I'll start with March:

Back in January, my friend McCall showed me pictures of this frozen waterfall. I really wanted to go and check it out! So who do you call when you're up for an adventure but are not quite sure where it's located... I called my friend Alan... I showed him pictures after a hockey game we attended back in January... We finally found some time to check it out! We went with the intention of Snow Shoeing... however, the snow had melted enough to just wear our boots...

It was a beautiful evening!!! I left work early and we met up in Ogden.

It was a beautiful hike! I had so much fun! It was a little slippery in some places, however, it was totally worth it!

The waterfall was still a little frozen. But it was beautiful. If we had waited any longer, we wouldn't have had any ice at all...

We had a lot of fun trying to take self portraits... This is just one of the many self portraits we took. We'll just say that some turned out better than others...

Bring it 2010

As we begin the year 2010... I want to share a little poem I'm hoping to use as my motto this year. Now disclaimer. I did not write it and I don't know who did, however, they were truly on to something! So, without further delay...

Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure...
But risk must be taken, because life's greatest hazard is to risk nothing.
One may avoid suffering and sorrow, but cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live.
Only the person that risks is free....

-Unknown

I love this because I know I need to take more risks in my life... Sometimes I feel like I already do, however, I'm timid if I do actually risk... I think we all can take a little more risk in life if we truly want to learn and grow... We are all here to learn and grow... we can't do that till we take some risks.... Even if it means getting hurt or rejected...

Where did Summer go???

I would like to know what happened to summer??? It seems to have come and gone without even lingering! Now I am back in school! Moving to a traditional school year it exciting and also a little scary! I got used to my breaks and looked forward to them. The other problem is... I didn't get much of a summer! I have been able to stay very busy! Although I taught through June, I did have some fun playing... Here are just a few of my fun adventures!

First, I've already blogged about it but my summer adventures started with Nauvoo with the Moores! They are so FANTASTIC! The week after Nauvoo, I had the wonderful experience to go to Moab to go White Water Rafting for the FIRST TIME! It was all for a good cause. I attended Rafting for the cure! It was a BLAST! We are going next year too if anyone wants to come!!! We did lose a couple of our friends through one rapid... I was not among them! We all had a great time! I look forward to next year!!!


Here is the gang!
We ALL survived!!! I can't wait till next year!

The week school got out... my friends came to town!!! Matt entered the MTC on July 8th! It was great to get the gang together! Here I am with the not only the Moores, but my dear companions I got to work with! I spent ALL my time with them! We went to Temple Square, saw the Joseph Smith movie... and did many many many things! It was very hard to say good bye...



After saying good bye to the Moores, I headed straight to Logan for a teaching conference... It didn't come without its perks! The bad news was I missed the first day of the conference. I was under the impression it started on Wednesday when in fact, it started on Tuesday! OOPS! The good news is... it opened up some extra time to see more friends and do a little hiking!
This is me at the trail head of Naomi Peak. It was quite a hike! I loved it! It was SO beautiful! It was my first time! Camilla (an old roommate) and I took of around 10am and were gone almost ALL day! It was great!

Look at that view!

Camilla and I
Lets be honest... No trip to Logan is complete without a visit to MY waterfall! Sunday afternoon after church, I took off to my favorite place in Logan! MY waterfall! It is so relaxing here! There is a rock near by where I like to sit, feel the waterfall mist and relax or write in my journal. It may not seem like much to some people, however, it is my favorite place. It's so beautiful and peaceful here!

There have been many other adventures this summer... More to come and soon... I promise! Any chance I have to be in nature I will take it! We truly live in such a beautiful place! It's so easy to take it for granted sometimes... Until next time! Enjoy the pictures! I know I DO!

Totally Worth It!!!!

It has been a crazy couple of weeks! I have been on many adventures and had little time to write. I want to share with you my most exciting adventure. I took a trip to Nauvoo, Il. I rarely take trips on my own... let alone this far... It was an amazing experience. My adventure started Thursday... I left my school and headed for the airport. I flew from SLC to Des Moines, Iowa. My plane got in around ten pm. I met up with Brinkeroff... one of my companions from my mission... We talked as if we had never been apart! It was great to catch up! I slept at her place... Her kids are adorable! We had a lot of fun!

On Friday I picked up the car and was on my way to Nauvoo to meet up with the Moores! I had the privilege of teaching Jean on my mission. I have grown very close to the family. A year and half after her baptism, Sister Ryan and I returned to TN to join the family at the temple when they were sealed. Now, their oldest son Matt has received his mission call and was receiving his endowment in the Nauvoo temple.

I was ex tactic! Just after I picked up my rental car, I received a call from Ronnie wondering when they'd be able to see me! He had to hold on about 3 hours! My drive was very scenic... ok so not if you're don't like flat... farm land as far as the eye can see... however, I have the mountains in Utah... I was very fascinated to see a new state...


Once I was on I-80, I had an ear to ear grin! I couldn't wait and I couldn't seem to get there fast enough (No worries... I didn't speed too much!) I was in awe the entire drive. Everything seemed so green! I wanted to get there so quickly, I took as many pictures as I could while driving... (once again... no worries.... I just held the camera and was amazed at how well some of the pictures turned out!

I soon made it to Keokuk and what a BEAUTIFUL way to go! I drove right along the Mississippi River. I felt as if I was back in the mission! Ronnie called again to find out where I was at! They were so kind as to wait for me before they headed out to Carthage. I got more and more excited to see my FAMILY!!! I was soon in Nauvoo and was overwhelmed with excitement when I saw everyone!

Here is Jean and I at Carthage! It was truly a spiritual experience!!! The spirit was extremely strong upon arriving in Nauvoo. Carthage was amazing. I'd been here before with my parents, but coming a few years later was so great! My testimony of Joseph Smith and the Gospel only grew stronger!

Here I am with the entire Family... except for Adam. He wasn't able to make it! I can't wait to see him when they come to Utah! I still can't get over how big Dillon is! He has grown so much since I saw him last... like 5 or more years ago... but still!


I had many amazing experiences on my trip. That night while some went to a show and others hung out at the house... I took my own Journey. The house we were staying in wasn't far away... I decided to take my Ipod, a book and Journal I had gotten for the Moores and Matt and walk to the temple. It was a Peaceful night and I"m so glad I was able to go! I sat out side the temple writing and taking pictures. I got there just in time to see the sun set....


It soon came time for me to meet up with Jean and Diane at the Custard shop... (it was the only place open till 9:30 and we wanted Ice Cream!) I was however, sad to have to leave the temple! I wasn't finished writing in Matt's Missionary Journal I had bought him... oh well.... I'll get it done!



One of my favorite experiences that night happened really late... I had the privilege of talking to Matt. Just he and I on the porch. The spirit was strong! I don't remember the last time I felt it so strong. I truly felt I was in the right place at the right time. I felt the Lord Guiding me. It was such a great feeling. A feeling I haven't felt in a long time! I will never for get that night!!! Thanks Matt!

I felt so lucky to be able to be there and share this special moment with my friends. They are truly amazing people and I love them so much!!!


The next morning we got up and ready to go to the temple. It was so nice to find myself here once again with the family... There were many times I had to pinch myself to make sure I was really here!
When we were finished at the temple, we packed up and went to lunch... Then came the hard part... I had to say good bye. It was hard... I know I will see them again soon... I still wish I could spend a little more time with them!

After saying good bye, I took my time and drove around Old Nauvoo and took more pictures at the temple. It was so nice and hot! I walked the trail of Hope and took a moment to think on my own ancesters that had to leave Nauvoo... The spirit was strong and I hated to leave... but alas, the time had come....

I soon headed back to Des Moines, Iowa to spend time with Brinkerhoff. We went to the store, got some dinner, and stayed up late chatting... It was so good go see her! The trip was amazing! I can't stop thinking about it and how I wish I could have stayed a little longer, however, work was calling me home... I had two more weeks of teaching and lots to get done...I still can't believe I pulled the trip off! It was totally worth it!!!

Why do I have a blog again???

So I have never professed to be good at blogging... I started it with good intentions of writing about my exciting life... well as it appears... it's not as exciting as I thought... at least I haven't been writing about the exciting things... is anyone still reading me? Let me know... I'd hate to think my efforts were in vain... maybe if I blogged more I'd have more interested readers... maybe not!!! Let me see, what have I been up to.... I'm about to finish my first year of teaching. It's been exciting, stressful, and hard! I've learned a great deal and wish I was better at managing my time. I find myself spending more time in my classroom than I'd like and I wish I could just be comfortable leaving and let the pieces fall where they may! Alas, I'm too much of a perfectionist to do so.... I do hope next year will be better! I still can't believe I only have 3 weeks left! I'm really going to miss my class! I've been extremely blessed with a fantastic class...

I still can't believe the year is coming to a close... It has kept me really busy and I look forward to a nice break. As many of you may have learned already, it's been a stressful couple of months. Just before spring break in April, I learned that there would only be 3 fourth grade classes next year. Causing me have to transfer schools. It's been hard... and I was faced with some choices. As an involuntary transfer, I have to accept every interview and the first job offered me. This can be very scary... although I hope to have the opportunity to teach different grades, I didn't want to have to change my second year. I was also nervous as to which school I would teach at. Davis school district is really large! After a about 3 weeks of waiting for interviews, I finally started getting calls. Long story short... I was offered on the spot to teach 4th grade at a brand new elementary school! YEPPIE! I"m not only going to a new school but I'm going with many of my faculty and some of the students from my school! I'm excited for the new adventure!!! I'm so glad I can teach the same grade next year and not have to repeat my first year!!! And what a great opportunity to be part of a BRAND NEW SCHOOL!!!!

Love this WEATHER!!!

The Sun is out and it's shining strong! I love this time of year....It's almost like I can hear the outdoors calling my name and I'm itching to get out and go hiking!!! Today has been just beautiful and I have wanted to do nothing but be outside! After church today, I escaped to the second half of our backyard... It's so beautiful down there!!! I got to lay in the hamick, listen to the near by stream, and relax!


Look at that View!!!! I wish I could claim this as the view from my house but it's not :( After my roommates got home from their ward, we went for a small hike/walk up by the B on the mountain. The view was beautiful! There are days I just can't believe I live here! I never would have thought I'd end up in Bountiful but here I am! Anyone know any good hikes around here????? I'm really inching to go and soon!!!

The Big 31!!!

What a month! I still can't believe I turned 31 this year! Where does the time go??? I had a fantastic birthday! My roommates were fantastic! They cooked me breakfast before I left for school! It was Yummy! As many of you may know, I try my best to not tell my students when my birthday is.... That didn't last long. I wasn't in school 30 minutes before a fellow teacher had over heard it was my birthday (from another teacher)... It was all down hill from there. My students were great considering! It turned out to be a lot of fun. I now have many threatening to share my birthday with my class next year... we shall see!

It was a fun day! I got to go to dinner with my friends at my favorite restaurant in Bountiful... The Mandarin.

Silipa, Trina and I chillin' at dinner!



Rachel and Brian


Me and Shauna!


It was good to see friends from Logan, and friends here in Bountiful! Dinner was crazy! I can't believe how many people we had at dinner. After dinner we went to the house and had cake and ice cream. We broke out my wii fit and had a good laugh as Brian and Rachel experienced it for the first time!

As one of my birthday gifts... My dear sweet roommate gave me concert tickets to my favorite new group: Thriving Ivory!

A week after my birthday we went to their concert! It was amazing! I don't remember the last time I had so much fun at a concert! They can really put on a great show! We also got the surprise we were not expecting....

Yep that's right! We met the lead singer Clayton outside of the Murry Theater where they preformed!!! Totally unexpected!



Look at that SMILE! This band really put on a good show and i can't wait till they come back again!



Thank You Serena and Sharie for such a great night! It was so much fun! I didn't want the night to end!