Top Ten in 2010
(in order by event)

1. Started Culinary school at the Art Institute

2. Saw David Archuleta in the Provo Temple

3. Began working at Central Utah Water Conservancy District

4. Went to Arizona for Lynnessa’s Wedding

5. Went home to Missouri to visit in August

6. Surprise visited Alissa in Texas in August

7. Niece #8, Sydnie Maxine, was born on October 2, 2010

8. Visited Nathan & Tegan’s Family in West Virginia in November

9. Visited Florida & went to Disneyworld for Thanksgiving

10. Went home to Missouri for Christmas

June

So, I know I don't blog nearly as frequently as I should, but here's to trying to post monthly.

Life is a crazy thing. Ya know? You can plan it out as much as you want, but that doesn't mean it's going to turn out the way you think it will or should. And that, right there is the kicker. Because then you get to decide that you're okay with that. So plan A didn't work out? Oh well, onto plan B. Or, maybe there was an unexpected event in your life. Oh well, that's just life. Really. That's just how life is. And you know what else? It's like that for everybody. Not that knowing that always makes it easier, but sometimes it's nice to have someone to commiserate with. As was discussed in Sunday School a few weeks ago, the rains came for both the man who built his house upon the rock and the man who built his house upon the sand. The difference being that one was prepared and the other was not.

So how do we prepare for the unexpected or the unknown? Should we just stop planning? Yeah... I didn't think so either. But's what the point in planning when it rarely turns out as planned?Does it ever seem like the cruel irony of a loving god? No? Oh, I guess it's just me then.

Anyway, so far has been a good month. At the beginning of the month I got to go to my dear friend Lynnessa's wedding in Arizona. It was hot, seriously, so hot, boiling lava hot! But we had a good time anyway! They were married on June 5th.

Morning of the wedding.
Lynnessa's hair = done. My hair = not done.
Our makeup = definitely not done!

Waiting in anticipation for the march down the aisle.

Listening as Bishop Meacham marries them. I love Stephen's grin here.

The kiss that sealed the deal.

Their beautiful wedding cake!

Bahaha My Life Is Funny!

Yeah, it's May, and I'm just now updating my blog, so sue me! Maybe that means I was doing so many fun and exciting things I didn't have time to blog. Not buying it...? Yeah... me either. Ha! Wanna know what I'm doing right now? I got dressed to go to the gym, when I realized, I have ZERO motivation. So I'm sitting her blogging about my lame attempt instead! Haha! Sometimes I really shock myself with my amazing skills!

In other news, I moved back an apartment I lived in three years ago, I am working at Central Utah Water Conservancy District, and I am kind of a big deal. Bahah! Whew...I'm in an odd mood this evening. That's what happens when I spend too much time alone. No, but really, life is good. I have made summer plans to keep working on some skills and hobbies I want to learn. So far, I have been practicing the piano more than I have in 3 1/2 years, have started reading some of the books on my "100 books to read by the time I'm 30" book list, and have been almost cooking/baking again. Wow! When I see those things in writing, my life really looks boring, doesn't it? Well that's all going to change! I'm going to spice it up by doing....er...well...something! Any suggestions?

Hmm...I'm sleepy. Think I'll go to bed early tonight...

The Last Few Months

The last few months have been crazy. A lot has happened! I took fall semester off from school at BYU to figure out my life. I was just working at Costco and saving money, but I decided to go home for a couple months (Nov. - Jan) to see if I could help my family out while they were caring for two of my sister Alissa's kids. In all honesty, I was probably more trouble for them than I was help, but it was good for me to go home. I love my family. Sure we've got our issues like everyone else, but I'm glad we've got each other for support.

While home in December, my sister Aimee and I got to make a wedding cake for my cousin. Neither of us had much experience

making cakes, and we had never attempted something as complex as a tiered cake,

but after hours of labor, and TONS of ingredients we managed to pull it off fairly well.

Christmas was a success too! Me and

my 8 siblings surprised my parents by buying them an HDTV and a beautiful sofa. It was definitely

my favorite part of Christmas because they were so surprised and it had been a secret for several

months!

Each year we give gifts as siblings by

drawing names. This year my youngest brother, Brett drew me.

He, with Aimee's expertise, purchased me a pastry torch, and some ramekins. It has been so fun to get to make creme brulee and caramelize the sugar on top!

I am now currently attending the International Culinary school of the Art Institute in Draper/Riverton. I am only enrolled part-time right now because the expense is pretty ridiculous, at least for a poor student like me, but I'm in the baking & pastry program. So far, I'm only taking two classes, Safety & Sanitation, and Concepts and Theories, but I'm loving it! My text books are pretty much like cook books with some crazy French terms, and history of food, but reading them is so fun! While attending BYU, I never read my textbooks. Honestly, I know that sounds terrible, but I'd buy them and highlight the first two chapters of reading, and then I never touched them again until finals week. But my experiences at A.I. are so different. My homework is all fascinating to me and I really enjoy learning the vocabulary and the scientific logic behind each recipe. It's really quite ridiculous how much it excites me.

Anyway, since I quit Costco in November I have been unemployed. It's been lovely to have the freedom, but a struggle to watch my bank account deplete. And although I am looking for a job, my days are fairly lazy and idle. I know this needs to stop, but it has been a lovely break from reality!

Since being back in Provo, I've really enjoyed life. School makes me giddy and I've been having a lot of fun. Wednesday night I went on a date that was a blast! First, we got to witness BYU's basketball victory over Wyoming. Then we went out for ice cream/frozen yogurt, which is ALWAYS a good choice! And then we played Wii sports and Wii resort for a couple of hours. It was tons of fun, and now my shoulder/arm are killing me! It's pretty pathetic that I'm that out of shape, haha. On Thursday night I went out with another friend for ice cream, and he and I were able to just chat and catch-up. It was also great to see him and again I never say no to ice cream!