A visit from Aunt Becca

My kids are seriously blessed with the greatest family. Everyone in our family is so perfect for the kids, in their own way. Aunt Becca drove from Utah to Colorado this weekend to spend time with us. We picnicked at the park,  strolled through shops and the farmers market, rode our tricycles, and read books. Harper screamed her way through Target, but we won't talk about that. Ha.

We love you Aunt Becca. We miss you Aunt Heidi, Lauren, Faye, Elle, and Candace. Seriously, my kids have no shortage of terrific women they can rely on. And that doesn't even include grandmothers and great grandmothers.

Ciao 2013!

This year has come and gone so fast, I can't believe it!  It has been a great year for me.  A lot has happened, especially since being in Utah.  I am starting to like Utah a little more.  Here is the update:

We have had three huge snow storms, well I think they are huge! Utah has no idea what a snow day is!  It is much easier to drive in Utah snow then it is to drive in Sonora snow.  Utah snow is dry and is still drivable.  The other drivers scare me though! Right before I flew home fro Christmas I went to a wedding reception.  As I was leaving I got stuck in the snow, it was awful! I didn't know what to do, so I called mom and started crying! Luckily,  a friend and his wife from the reception were walking by and he was able to get me out.  It was so scary.  It doesn't matter how many times I've driven in the snow, it still scares me. This was the first snow storm of the year, i parked my car on campus at 8 am and then came back at 4 pm to this lovely surprise.  That night I had to drive up to Salt Lake and it took me 2 plus hours to drive up there.

School is done! I was taking two classes this past semester and I passed them both! I am just so happy my biology class is over! My EMT class is also finished.  January 11 is the state practical and then I have to take the written, then I am a licensed EMT!!! I am hoping to get a job as an EMT once I am licensed then hopefully move to Salt Lake.  Now that school is out my plan is to work as much as possible, get some volunteer hours, and job search!

With the holidays, Temple Square was lit up.  Jake, Ashley, Raymond, Luke, and I took the trax (its the  public transportation) up to Salt Lake to check out the lights.  We had lots of fun!  Luke is the cheerleader and this basically sums us up!

This Christmas it was Tait and I, so it was pretty quiet.  But we had fun. We went shooting, went to the movies, had a Christmas party, and watched lots of movies at home! But it was a perfect week for me to relax and not have to do anything! So, next year it is the Mele Ohana Christmas, and y'all better be there (Tait is the only exception!).

BYU Men's volleyball has started and I can't even wait for the games when I get back!

Happy Halloween!

A lot has happened since my last post.  I am about half way through the semester and I cannot wait for it to be over.  I love learning but that year off was so nice.  I didn't have to worry about deadlines or tests or homework.  What happens at work, stays at work.  School seems to follow you everywhere you go.

So lets go back to general conference.  For conference weekend Ashley, Jake (her boyfriend) and some of his friends, and I drove down to Richfield. Which is about 2 hours south of Provo.  That is where Jake is from.  So we stayed at Jake's house and had a great time! Between sessions we played football outside, rode bikes with all of Jakes nephews and nieces, and explored Richfield.  It's a small town, I think Sonora might even be bigger.  It was a fun weekend and nice to just get away.

This here is Luke, the cheerleader.  That is how we always refer to him. He is cute but about 5 foot nothing.  So that's not going to happen.

The next weekend was my mission reunion.  Which was super fun! It was a complete success and I am so happy becuase I was on the planning committee.  I am so sad that noone of you have ever met President and Sister Wilkey.  They are the closest thing I know to perfection (besides Christ of course). I am waiting for them to get translated.  As you can tell I am slightly obsessed with them.  On my mission I would dream about them! Just an example of how sweet and tender they are: on my mission Elle was struggling a bit so I shared this with my mission president.  Ever since then he has invested in Elle and been interested in her life.  So it has been almost 2 years since I've seen them and after we caught up he asked how Elle was.  They make you feel like you are the most important person ever and you are the only thing that matters in thier life.  It's a special feeling to be loved and cared by them.  I also got to see some of my companions.

Kate Peterson (my baby!), me, Anna Bullard (my trainer), Angela Walter (my baby!)

That weekend I also went hiking with a mission friend.  I haven't seen him in 3 years.  We went on a hike to see the colors in the canyon.

The next big event in my life was my Nike Women's San Francisco Half Marathon! That was such a fun experience. I would defintily do it again.  That weekend I was able to fly home.  Mom picked me up from the airport so we spent about 2 hours in the car together, 3-4 hours during Tait's football game, and then a few hours the next day together.  It was a much needed weekend for me.  I needed to see my mama! I also got to watch Tait play football! Which was so much fun! I am so proud of Tait and the young man he is becoming.

I rode to San Francisco with Jenna (a physical therapist from Bones).  We chekced in and got our bags and checked out NikeTown and the expo for the runners. It was sponsored by Nike, Neutrogena, Luna, Tiffany & Co., so basically we got so much stuff! We stayed in a hostel that night in San Francisco.  We had two korean room mates. I woke up a couple times in the middle of the night to hard core rap music. So when my alarm went off I was so happy it was time! There were 30,000 women and some men that ran the race! I was doing great till mile 6, it started getting extremely hilly.  Then by mile 10 I was ready to be done! My legs were numb, I couldn't feel them, so I don't know how I was getting anywhere.  The end was the best surprise.  There were Firemen in tuxedos  handing out our Tiffany & Co. necklaces.  I am so proud of myself for doing this! My goal was to run the whole thing and I did so I am a winner! I wasn't able to walk for a few days but it was well worth it!

This was Nike Town.  They had the names of everyone that ran the race on the glass. Can you find mine?

I got to see Pat and Debbie at the home BYU game!

Here are some of my new friends! This is the worst picture of everyone except me and Ashley  Jake looks super fat.  Nate isn't looking.  Raymond is trying to act cool. Jack looks evil. After the game we went to Krispy Kreme and ate our weight in donuts.

This would be the family ward Halloween party.  We dressed as cops and robbers.  Jack has the best costume! We even bought him a donut.

After the party, Ashley tried doing homework.  But I was ready to dance and get my groove on! So this is what happened....consider yourselves lucky to be able to see the full unedited version.

Bringing home the dough!

Guess what?! This homegirl just got a job! Holla for a dolla! Today was my first day and it was really good.  I will be working at Human Performance Physical Therapy as a physical therapy aide.  So, pretty much the same job at Bones.  It is a much smaller clinic than Bones and they do things a little different.  I still miss Bones and everyone there! But this will be good.  It's just nice having an income, I am starting feel a little better about life now!  Basically, I am going to be so busy I wont' be able to see straight.  I am gone all day tuesday and thursday for school; monday and friday I will work all day and wednesday is school in the morning, and work in the afternoon.  I don't know how I am going to get everything done, but I know it will happen.  I seriously am just so amazed at Heavenly Father's love and how aware he is of my needs.  This job was literally a miracle, just like every other job I have had. About two weeks ago a girl in the YSA ward was asking about my work background and when I mentioned I had worked at a PT clinic she told me about her friend's dad that owned a clinic in American Fork.  She told me her friend had just texted her and said they were hiring for front office work.  I haven't really been looking for a job but in desperate need for a job! When i went to drop off a resume they told me they weren't hiring for front office work.  Discouraged, I asked if they hire per diem aides.  They said they would maybe do some hiring in the future but they would call me when the owner came back from vacation.  Well, on Monday they called and wanted to set up an interview.  So monday I interviewed and then later they called and said they wanted to a "trial" run and see how things work out.  Basically the job is mine! So today, Friday, and Monday I am training.  The aide that I am replacing has been at the clinic for 7 years and decided a couple weeks ago she needs a change.  This is exactly what happened one year ago when TJ offered me the job at Bones.  I am just so grateful for Heavenly Father and His plan and his love, and care, and awareness.

Loving BYU!

I have been in Utah for 3 weeks now and surprisingly I LOVE IT! I was nervous moving to a new place because lets be honest change is hard for anyone.  Plus, I had been living at home for the past year and was definitely spoiled.  Now I have a better understanding of what its like to be the youngest.  Sure, it has its perks but it also has its down sides.  So, Tait I can feel for you.  I made the long trek across Nevada and into Utah.  It was a long drive and I don't plan on doing it anytime soon.  Living with Jane and her family has been really nice.  But I have to go out of my way to meet people because I am missing out on the roommate scene.  It is a huge blessing that Ashley is living at home as well because we are roommates! I have someone to laugh with, gossip, and just be obnoxious with! I think sometimes of if me, Ashley, and Elle were roomies.....haha oh dear! TROUBLE.

School has been in session for 3 weeks and it has been great so far.  I am only taking 8 credits.  I love my molecular biology class, call me a nerd! But it just amazes me and strengthens my testimony of The Creation.  Our Heavenly Father really did know what He was doing even down to the molecular level. It is incredible and beautiful.  I am in another biology class and it is ALL freshmen! I am also taking an EMT class out of Salt Lake City.  So far that has been really interesting and extremely busy! It is like my 4 years at BYU-Idaho on steroids and crammed into 14 weeks! I thought that I would have a ton of time for a part time job, but now that things have started up  and I am somewhat in a groove, I'm thinking... "eh, maybe not." I have all my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I am literally gone ALL day.  So Mondays and Fridays are my days to do all my homework, which is A LOT.  So, maybe after this semester or if I can get a per diem job that would be awesome.

So, pretty much I am trying to make my way into the student athlete scene on the BYU campus.  Since Ashley is a gymnast I meet up with her in the student athlete building and we study aka check out all the good looking athletes for me of course.  I have met a few boys on the football and basketball team.  And they're all black.  I knew all the black boys at BYU-Idaho and pretty much I am getting to know all of the black boys at BYU!  I met Brandon Davies.  He happens to be a past BYU basketball player and just signed with the LA Clippers.  But when I met him I didn't know this which makes it even funnier.  But eventually I figured it out, days later.  I've seen him once more and he totally remembered who I was.  I saw his friends at the women's volleyball game and then at the football game.  I'm pretty sure they remember me as the tall, white girl that seems to follow them everywhere.  I always see them and they probably think I follow them. But I totally rock it!

It is incredible how everything in the past year has prepared me to be here.  It was hard being home for the past year for many reasons. BUT, I also loved it for many reasons.  But it was hard being home and feeling put back in achieving my goals.  But in that year off I was able to work, save money, and most importantly get some patient care contact hours for PA school.  I also took a class at Columbia College, which I completely hated because I wasn't very fond of the teacher.  But now in my Molecular Biology class I am learning things that I was taught in that class, so now I don't feel so far behind.  So in reality I wasn't put back at all in pursuing my dreams, rather it was leading me to where I am now and where I will be going.  It has just been a wonderful recognizing and realizing what my Heavenly Father has in store for me and what will come.


This here is Brandon Davies.  In case you don't know who he is, he is a past BYU basketball player and just recently signed on with the LA Clippers.  I didn't know any of this when I met him. So all of his friends and him thought I was a dumb blonde, which may be true but they made me look even more dumb. But basically we are now buds, me and all the black dudes.

Saw him again at the volleyball game so I had to take another picture.  He probably thinks I am obsessed with him. He wouldn't smile so I forced it out, that's why we both look....super happy!

BYU vs. Texas. First BYU game!! I now bleed blue! I feel jipped going to BYU-Idaho because there wasn't any college sports! And the athletics are a huge part of college and it's so much fun!

Kenny is always making food! And it's good!! He makes doughnuts, French toast, homemade pizza, rolls, anything delicious.  Of course not as amazing as yours mom and BBQ doesn't even compare to dad's.  But I cannot complain that I am getting fed and I don't have to cook it!

My brothas from anotha mothas.

BYU vs. Utah "The Holy War".  We got free shirts at the game.  Taysom Hill is BYU's quarterback and against Texas he had 200 plus rushing yards, so they made t shirts and all you had to do was enter your email address and you got a free shirt. The only sizes they had were 2XL and 3XL. So when we asked for a small we got 2 XL. Except one problem: Taysom Hill didn't run against Utah. 

A little action shot.  I sounded like a man on Sunday because I was yelling during the entire game.

They had a skydiving team jump right before the game.  President Uchtdorf was even at the game! He was walking around the field greeting people on the sidelines before the team came out. He would shake someone's hand then look up in the crowd and wave, the crowd would go wild and scream and yell.  It was awesome!

My first weekend here I went to the temple on a last minute decision.  It was so nice being able to just get up and go to the temple with only a 15 minute warning.  The temple is literally just up the hill, such a blessing!