Finally an update.

Thank goodness I read someone's blog on facebook. I am not feeling tired yet, and reading that blog post was a funny reminder: Oh yeah! I have a blog...and it's been months. It's about time for a new entry, and I'm feeling motivated!

It is just a few days past Christmas and to be honest I can't believe it is already over. I don't know if it's because time just continues to get faster and faster every year, or if it was no snow... Christmas this year was weird for me. I was so mad to turn on 100.3 the day after and hear no more Christmas music. I think I will persuade the parents to keep the Christmas decorations up all winter this year. Make it last.

Anyway, the whole family was here, and it was simple and good. We kept our traditions of the Nativity and Christmas pajamas, baking all sorts of treats... I loved it! I love my family. We may have a new tradition that started this year. My dad bought all the siblings and spouses tickets to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Hale. We had a lot of fun. Tiny Tim was adorable. It was the perfect true meaning of Christmas experience. Santa brought some good stuff this year: A digital camera, a laptop case, a lot of home decor that all of us kids received, some clothes...and I think that's it. My dear friends got me some awesome stuff that I love! Jenna got me a green sweater that she knew I liked, Sue made me a pillow case to hold presents in (it's weird how much I love that thing! Super cute idea.) she also got me a red scarf, jewelry, lotion, and a sweet ornament. She spoiled me. John gave me some awesome stuff from the Philippines, some treats and a woven purse (he just recently returned from his mission there). Then Shanna gave me this friendship book that she made on Snapfish. It is about all of us in our college years and it shares our story of becoming best friends..I just love it so much. Glen, going against my wishes, got me a shirt, a purse, and a scarf (all super cute!), Charity got me some lotion and earrings! Everything I got this year was perfect! I'm so lucky and blessed to have such amazing people in my life- both friends and family! Also, it was an AMAZING surprise to see my childhood Alaska friend Halie Mugs! It was a fast, but very Merry Christmas!

So an update: Megan and I are legal! (21!)

Here's a better one. We look normal.

The lipless grin. We were seriously considering this as the family Christmas Card.

Also many of you know I had surgery on my belly. When I was 7 I had a hernia repair done on my left side. A couple months ago I was feeling some pain in the same area where my hernia had been, and was worried that it might have come back! So I went in, got a CT scan (lame. not a fan of radiation.), and results said I had an umbilical hernia..which isn't where the pain was coming from. So I was told that I could get it fixed and it would be a simple procedure, faster recovery. I called members of the family and asked them what I should do, and they all said I should get it done as soon as possible. Timing mainly for a very possible mission. I thought and prayed about it and felt like I should do it asap, and realized it felt like a blessing because I was hesitating on putting my papers in..and for one reason now I know why! You'll see later on. On Dec. 12th I went in for surgery at Utah Valley Hospital with the best doctor there is! Didn't change the fact that I was nervous.

So my mother and the doctor and I discussed the pain on the left..and set up permission for him to scope my belly to see if there were any unusual things going on, and if he couldn't see anything there to cut into the left side and explore the area. I remember being in the holding room and talking to the anesthesiologist, and telling him that I wanted to see how long it took for the sedative to knock me out. He put something into my IV...I looked at him and said, "Was that it??" He said, "Yep." and then lights out. I don't remember a thing.

I woke up and the first thing I hear is this old guy next to me moaning like he's in pain (super creepy and awkward) then I realized that the pain I was feeling was more than just a belly button scar. I kinda flipped a little..I was so confused and didn't know what happened. The nurse came in and told me that they scoped the belly, and saw a longer hernia on the right side. They also noticed that my appendix didn't look normal. So this is what they ended up doing: Fixed the umbilical hernia after the scope, cut into the right side to fix the new hernia (I wonder why the CT scan didn't catch that..?) and then took out my appendix. Then they cut into the left side, found and removed a tangled nerve in scar tissue that looked like it was the cause of pain. Badabing badaboom. It was just a little bit of a shocker waking up with 2 unexpected deep incisions. Yikes.

Since the surgery was bigger than planned I had to sleep over in the hospital. I was on a lot of drugs...and I really didn't sleep much. I got SO swollen everywhere. But I went home the next day and now I am recovering nicely! Can't wait to be completely better and be able to work and play to my full capacity. My mom gave me her cold 2 days ago...imagine how coughing and sneezing would be the worst. But I am feeling really great energy wise!

I got a new job at Summerfield Manor! It is a retirement and assisted living center. My grandma used to live there before she died, so it has a lot of sentimental value. I got the job right before surgery, I told my boss the whole situation, and she said it was fine. I am a CNA there, so it's a lot of lifting and straining. I meet with my boss on the 30th to talk about the surgery and when I am able to work, and I since things turned out to be a little more extreme than I thought, the doctor says recovery time is 6 weeks. He says absolutely no heavy lifting or anything but light duty. So I have to tell her what's going on...hopefully it works out ok. I'm thinking since my job there definitely is not light duty...I'm going to ask her to consider training me as a medtech. I do med pass at Hidden Hollow (worked there for 9 months now) and it is pretty easy. So they know I have experience and would do well...and it's a raise...blessing in disguise???

This next semester I am planning on not going to school and just working 2 jobs. I need to save money pronto. But it will be good, I will probably just take institute and be a happy girl!

So I just got a pintrest account...Bad news, but good news. I have never felt so domestic in my life! I never wanted to make things before, I thought of it as a hassle and disastrous. But now I actually am excited to create things and get ideas for home making...It's a good thing because next year my mom wants us all to make our gifts for Christmas. Pintrest made that easy. My first day browsing I saw this awesome earring holder. I have been wanting an earring holder for a long time, so I went to the store, spent what. 5 bucks? and made this awesome vintage feel earring holder with lace. I love love it. Here's a picture!

Ta da!

Then tonight I saw this "Sock bun curl secret" on Pintrest. I've heard about it, watched it on youtube, and tried it! Here's what the "Sock Bun" looks like.

Haha..

No make up, Ready for bed! I have my retainer in... So basically it's a huge bun on top of your head  wrapped into a rolled up sock.  I will take it out when I wake up and see what it looks like! Hopefully flawless curls of beauty. 

Thanks for reading!!

Temples

So this weekend has been quite an eventful one. My Grandma Hood died last summer, and yesterday my family had the opportunity to do her work and seal her to my grandpa, and also seal my mom to the both of them. Megan and I aren't endowed, so we got to do the baptism and confirmation. The spirit was so strong. It is a different experience when you are doing the work for someone you knew and loved. It was so special. I couldn't be more grateful for my family and the fact that I am sealed to them forever! I love this plan a lot.

Another awesome event, one of my best friends got married yesterday in the Manti temple to her perfect match! I was so excited and happy for them, but for some reason I ALWAYS get so nervous for my friends who take the plunge. I bit all of my nails off this weekend from the intense anticipation of my dear Shawnee getting married. I can't believe it! I did the same thing with Shanna last summer, it's so weird for me to let these girls grow up! But it is so good and happy. Marriage is progression, anyhow. It was a great day with my girls and I couldn't be happier for Kyle and Shawnee Naisbitt! :) Newlyweds..
One thing I noticed and loved about the wedding that I insist on having at my own wedding...a Catwalk. That's right. I must have one, and everyone must go through and burst their colors through their dance moves. It will be taped. SO funny. Oh, did I mention I caught the bouquet? That was a first. I loved every minute of last night.

This is what friends getting married does to my fingers. Harsh.

Friends of the bride!

Haha, I love this picture. We are trying to pull off serious faces.

Duh, winning. 

The beautiful Manti 

The happy happy couple! Shawnee and Kyle! (Another one bites the dust)

Ephraim kids. :) Except Syd and Ryan. They came to visit. Haha.

Waiting outside to greet the just married couple!

In approximately 4 months there is going to be some big decisions made in my life. I have been dwelling on that fact a lot lately...I am anxious to see what's actually in store for the future! Just preparing and being patient for whatever happens. Or atleast, learning patience haha. I'm so excited to go through the temple. I love the many blessings it has to offer when we go inside. Bring life on!

That Is What's Up.

Life recently has been complicated, busy, definitely memorable, and quite the learning experience. I just finished 2 years at Snow College, and learned to love the school and met some of my best friends there. I miss Ephraim already, but I know that staying in Orem and attending UVU is not only the smarter thing to do money wise...but I know it is right. I can't say why, but I have felt a lot of faith and excitement for this next semester. The Lord knows what's coming. I sure don't...but it is an amazing what I have been feeling and realizing it is answer to my prayers. Man, life is just SO GOOD!
This summer has not even happened. I got my CNA in May, and then I got a job at a care center and have been working full time. I haven't been on any vacations, or really had much of a social life. But let me tell you, working at the care center is hilarious. I have learned so much not only in my career field, but from the residents. My perspective on them and the facility from the first few days of work until now is completely black and white. It takes a special person to work with the mentally handicapped, and at first I didn't think I was that person at all. But those tyrants are pure and celestial, and I have grown to love them and the people I work with so much. Every day is unpredictable. It's like the staff and the residents combined are just one big crazy family. Literally.
Here's some drama with work. There are a few guys who have been flirting big time on me since I've started working, they are way cool dudes, but the only thing I see in them is "friend". They don't feel the same way. It has been a competition between them all to win my affection, and if anything stresses me out at work! I pretty much have control over the situation now..but it gets better.
My boss, the man who interviewed and hired me for this job is in love with me. That's what he told me! We have a resident who has Pica, and he is obsessed with drinking. I'm sure if we let him he would keep drinking until he exploded. So, we monitor his fluid intake, and he is always plotting in his head how he can get drinks. He steals whatever liquid there is from other residents, and he remembers exactly where a drink was for hours, and will be persistent with getting up and trying to find that drink. He needs to be constantly watched or he might get punched in the face from stealing other's drinks. My boss is persistent like this resident. Even though he knows I can't date him seriously, he keeps plotting and trying to find ways for me to fall for him. I'm making him sound like a creep (even though really he kind of is). He is actually a very impressive young man. he is a RM, owns a business and is also the HT for the Hollow. He wants to go to aviation school and has strong righteous desires. He speaks 3 languages, spanish, italian, and german. What?! He just thinks that he met his future wife after the first date. I have different thoughts, and I have been keeping him in check to know what my feelings are. He is so nervous around me! Which makes me nervous..He spoils me way too much, and I'm not the kind of girl who is high maintenance and loves to be spoiled. I feel like I am such a brat to him and brutally honest, but for some reason he loves the challenge! Aye aye aye! He just keeps on bouncing back. Its tough news. Things are a lot better now.
Other than that, I have been having fun with my fam, friends, and I am SO excited for UVU. I just know it will be a great semester for me. I'm excited for the things I'll learn, the people I'll meet, and excited for many experiences to be had! I met some BYU poly football players last week...they are too cool. We made a deal to become good friends this semester and I honestly couldn't be happier. They are flipping hilarious! Gotta love life. It is a happy one! That is the hot gossip, and that is what's up.

A New Blogger

Well, it took me over a week to try and be creative with a blog title..aaand I just gave up. I decided that if I find something awesome that I love, that would describe my blog perfectly... then I can change it later.
Why did I become a blogger? I honestly never felt the desire or need to have one for myself. I always imagined me starting a blog after I got married, because really life doesn't seem so interesting as of now. I may be terrible at updating this and actually writing the experiences that magnify life...but I'm determined to not be that way!
These are my reasons why I created a blog.
This is my new journal. I think it will be a lot easier to maintain and keep updated. I love my journal, but I always end up writing quotes that I hear in religious settings and impressions that come to mind..or the classic day dream doodles. Nothing really about the recent happenings in life. Also I know how important it is to write my history and document special experiences, so I think this is a good and convenient tool to use. I'm super excited! Fellow Bloggers, UNITE! ;)