Beautiful Utah

I think I have mentioned this in a blog post before, but I am amazed at the beauty of Utah. Every day that I drive to and from work, I am blown away by the scenery around me. I find myself getting distracted by how breathtaking it is. There are two spots in particular that I look forward to seeing every day. I literally find myself sitting up taller in my seat to see the view sooner as I drive over a small hill on the way home. I was telling Jessica how much I was going to miss that drive everyday and she told me to take a picture. I have always wanted to, but I don't have a telephoto lens so I didn't think it would turn out. She said at least I would have the memories. So, I will share what I have.

This is the view as I drive to work. As I take Pioneer Crossing, I see these mountains. I love Utah because there can be green grass, blue skies and white snowy mountains. I also love Saratoga Springs because it isn't overly developed yet and green fields aren't uncommon.
This is my favorite spot just over a small hill on my way home from work. This is where my camera does not do justice to the actual scene. There are these huge white birds that hang out at this little pond. They are absolutely beautiful! Then to add to the beauty, you can see the rustic barn and mountains gracing the landscape. I don't know what it is about this spot, but I think it is just so quaint.
Sometimes it makes me sad to think that I will be leaving all of this behind. I wish that I had enjoyed it a little more while I was out here. I have always admired the beauty of the mountains, but didn't start taking advantage of them until I started dating Travis because he loves outdoor activities. Travis and I both love the west, so I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up back out here eventually.

Girl Time!!

(This is from last summer, but it is the only picture I could find with us on my new computer)

This weekend was the first in a long time that I haven't worked. I decided to take the weekend off from babysitting and do something fun. So, I had a girls night! Unfortunately I did not take any pictures though.

First, I started off my Saturday by sleeping in. I woke up at a whopping 7:00. I tell you what, waking up early has killed my sleeping in skills. I will get it back this summer! I got up and got some things done at home and then I ran a few errands. Then the fun began.

I met up with Jessica at University Mall and we began the quest for a dress for my engagement pictures that are being done in a couple of weeks. We were pretty successful. I found two dresses, but both need accessories to make them more wearable, if you know what I mean. So, I am still working on it. I am not going to describe them to you, but I will say for one of the dresses I need to get a pair of brown boots. You will just have to wait and see the pictures!

After shopping, we went and got pedicures. We thought that even though it snowed that morning, it would give Mother Nature the hint that we were ready for summer! I had mine painted pink with a little white flower on them.

After that, we went and ate at one of my favorite restaurants in Provo, Thai Ruby. Jessica said that since I wasn't going to be in Utah much longer I should pick somewhere that I couldn't get in Ohio. It was a tough choice between that and Cafe Rio.

Following dinner we hung out at Jessica's house chatting and catching up on life. I don't see her so we had to get all the updates. She also showed me some pictures of Meghan (on mission in Romania). Then was did some flower making. Travis makes fun of me for this, but I enjoy it. Once again, pictures will come shortly.

I had a blast! It was nice to take a day for myself and not work. I need to do it more often! Thanks Jess for the fun night!

The Little Red Engine

Right now, I feel like the Little Red Engine. I keep telling myself, "I think I can, I think I can." I don't know why but this past week has been really tough. I usually wake up at 5:30 and this week I was getting out of bed at 5:45, 6:00, and even 6:20. Then once I get to work I say to myself, "here we go. You can do it." That is kind of sad. I am just to that point of utter exhaustion.

I have given of myself and I don't think there is much more to give. It has finally taken a toll on my body. I guess it doesn't help that I have been sick all week AND I am planning a wedding AND I am trying to find a job in Ohio AND I am looking for a place to live in Ohio AND spend time with my Travis AND I am still babysitting on the weekends AND I still have to take care of everything here AND do my calling. I just know that I can't wait until summer. It will be the most blissful summer of my life! I can't wait! In case you are wondering, my summer officially starts in 36 days. That is 25 school days. I love my job, I love my kids, but I will love my summer vacation!

Nathan

Nathan informed me that I haven't updated my blog lately. Since he really doesn't care too much about the happenings of my life, I figured that statement could only mean one thing...he wanted me to blog about him and the recent excitements of his life. He isn't very public when it comes to his personal life, so I will be public for him. HE'S ENGAGED!!! I am so happy for him!! I met his now fiance this weekend. Of course, she is blonde and athletic. We got along really well. I hope to get to know her better in the next two months before I go out to Ohio. I have told Nathan before that it would be weird for me if he married someone that I didn't know just because we have gotten really close as we have gotten older. Now I don't have to worry about that and I definitely approve! Lucky for mom and dad, they get to have 2 weddings this year. At least they will be spread apart, right?

Tomorrow!

I can't wait till tomorrow!! I get to see Travis!!! It has been forever and this day can't pass by fast enough. I don't even have motivation to do anything because all I can think about is him. Tomorrow is going to be a great day! My bags are packed, I'm ready to go!

On another note, I know I have told a lot of you, but I am going to make my own bouquet for my wedding. I have started playing around with making different flowers and I am having so much fun! Don't worry, I am taking pictures so there will be a blog post to come eventually.

Conference

I think my very first blog post was about conference. That means I have now been a blogger for 6 months now. Yay me! For those of you that don't know, Conference is a time where the leaders of our church speak to the members of the church throughout the world. You can listen to the talks on lds.org or you can learn more about our church at mormon.org.

Anyways, every time Conference rolls around, I try to make it to at least one session. I know some people don't like going because they would rather watch it all cuddled up on their couch, but for me, there is something special about being in the presence of the prophet of God. If I don't get to go it's ok, but I like to at least try.

Well, this year I didn't even try to get tickets because they don't let parents send them to their kids anymore and that is how I have gotten them in the past. I wasn't sad about it until I realized that this is probably the last chance I get to go for a while since I will be moving to Ohio. This sadness didn't last long because my dear friend Shannon sent me a message asking if I wanted to go with her. I was sooo excited!

As usual, Conference was amazing. I tried to soak it all in while I could and take advantage of it while I am here. Sometimes I think the people here don't realize how lucky they are to have the opportunity to go. I am going to miss going to Conference. Shannon, thank you for sharing this opportunity with me. I loved it!

On our way to and from the Conference center, I always play the game of who knows the most people. I am pretty good at the game normally, but I only saw 2 people this time. (I still won though.) I saw my good friend Jesus and it made my day! Also, Shannon and I joked about making it into the Ensign. We almost made it. If we hung around for a couple more minutes I am pretty sure we would have gotten in. Look for us in the background though. I think the photographers missed out. I think it would have been a pretty cute picture! We look happy and spiritually fed.

Updates

I have been a slacker at updating lately. My life has been crazy. Tomorrow is the last day of school until Spring Break. I think my brain checked out on Monday though. All I can think about right now is sleep.

I am really looking forward to Spring Break this year because I get to go visit Travis! I haven't seen him since we got engaged in February. While I am in Ohio, we have a to do list to get done. Most of those things have to do with getting ready for the wedding, for me to move, or me finding a job/transferring my teaching license over. We are going to be busy. One fun thing is that Dad will be there the same time as me. The lame part is that both of them will be working during the day while I am left alone. I guess that gives me time to get stuff done, because let's be honest, how much will I be able to get done while Travis is around. He has all kinds of fun stuff planned already. He wants to go up to Cedar Point (largest amusement park in North America) while I am there.

Besides really looking forward to Spring Break, school is going really well. I love my classes. They are so darn cute! I can't believe how much they have learned this year. I am so proud of them. I am also proud of myself for surviving my first year! (I know we still have 35 days left, but close enough.) I am going to be so sad to leave them, especially because I won't even be able to see them around the school next year. I got a taste of what the last day will be like because one of my students is moving over Spring Break. I am soooooo sad. :(

Wedding planning is going ok. I wish I could just take a couple days and go at it full speed ahead and get EVERYTHING done. That is impossible though. I should try though. I just need to buckle down and work. I need some friends to come over and do stuff with me. For now, I am doing stuff little by little. Right now I am trying to find an outfit for engagement pictures. And speaking of wedding stuff, I have my first bridal shower this Saturday. I am excited! Jessica and Katie are throwing it for me.

I think that is about it for now. Sorry the updates aren't exciting. My mom will probably be the only one that reads all the way through. It is also for me because journal writing is slacking these days too. :/