Oh yeah, and I graduated

My posts are a little out of order and this one is a little misleading. The truth is that I haven't officially graduated. I still have one more class to take, but I celebrated with the rest of my class. I decided to have a party, which is not usually my style, but I wanted to have my favorite people over who have helped me get through these last 6 years. It was a lot of fun! I even laughed till I cried and got a cramp in my shoulder (that's how I can tell that I'm really having a good time). Well, here are some pictures of the evening.

Take Me Out to The Ball Game

A favorite family tradition of ours is to go to the local minor league baseball team, the Mudcats. I'm not really sure if anyone in my family really likes to watch baseball except for my brother. I think the rest of us just pretend or go for the food. This time was especially fun since the new addition to our family, my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Jericho, came. (see picture above, this is us on the way...there are a lot of us so we had to squish)

The engagees.


The folks.








On the way home. Since I'm the youngest I always get stuck in the middle.

It's time for a new post

This blog hasn't quite fulfilled the purpose that I intended, but then again, one of my rules of having this blog was that I didn't have any rules. Otherwise, I would just look at it as one more thing to do. This entry is just to get rid of the Christmas post that is definitely getting a little stale.

As far as what's new with me....I'm about to graduate from college, I'm applying to graduate school, and I joined a tap ensemble. The last of these is my absolute favorite. It has always been one of my dreams to be some sort of dancer. I tried ballet and gymnastics (I know, it's not really dancing, but it's related) when I was little, but quit. I also tried learning how to swing dance, but that also didn't stick with me. I resorted for many years to just dancing around the house thinking that I had missed my chances. But then I got to BYU and tried out tap dancing and just fell in love. Even then I didn't think I would ever do anything really fun with it. But then, I had this opportunity and encouragement from a dear friend (we'll call him Tim) and decided to go for it. Now I'm a happy member of The Foot Poetry Tap Ensemble (we even have fancy jackets). I'm pretty sure it's the coolest thing I've ever done.

Anyway, that's really all I have to say at this moment. I hope to write more, but then, I won't commit because I don't want to stress myself out.

Christmas Fun

Dad and his apron. What a man.

My new scarf and me.

Kelley with the present I gave her.

Aren't they cute?

Mom "opening" her present from Dad.

In the car before ring and run.

None of us will claim this ornament, but we just can't part with it.

Decorating the tree is an art. Placing an ornament usually requires consulting with other family members before making a final placement.

One of my ornaments. Isn't it lovely?

A Season of Giving

This year has been a very interesting year for me and gift giving. Due to my financial situation I was unable to buy gifts for my loved ones. This got me thinking a lot about the gifts that really matter in life and the gifts that I've received that have meant the most to me. As cheesy as this sounds I realized that the best gifts that I've gotten haven't been wrapped and can't be wrapped. These gifts include a listening ear, encouragement, laughter, blessings from Heavenly Father, and time, attention and love from other people. Those are just some things. I have to be honest and admit that I still like to get gifts like the new watch my sister gave me so I can time myself when I run, or the new shiny red kitchen aid mixer from my mom, or my favorite gift, the purse that my coworker gave me this year (see picture). These things make me happy and bring enjoyment to my life, but without those other gifts my life would have little meaning.

I had the most fun making gifts for my family and other loved ones and watching them open them. I tried doing something along these lines a couple years ago when I was in similar situation, however, I did not get the results I had hoped. That year I gave my parents a few of my running awards to show my appreciation to them for helping me accomplish something and so they could proudly display them in our home. I think they just saw it as a cop out. We laugh quite a bit about that now. My parents cried when I gave them my gift this year, so I feel like this year was a lot more successful.

I like this quote from President Hunter: "This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again. Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning—with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most." I think that is beautiful and so very important to do all the time. I'm glad that I was able to have this experience so that I can remember again what is really important. Merry Christmas!