my choice.

May 2015

i had a choice
a crossroads
i choose to serve
the time has come
the choice is done
and now


The time of my mission has come
A time to serve and find the one
With my bags all packed
But the language I lack
This is gonna be so much fun

2013 is gone...has been for almost 5 days now...and I'm sitting here trying to think of highlights of my year.  The things is...I can never just think of a top 10 list, or my number one event...I'm just gonna have to do a whole list because there are way too many things that have happened throughout 2013!  Warning...there is probably not going to be any order to this list...just what randomly comes to my head.  So here goes nothing:

• New Years Eve 2013 in Cedar with Sof...we drank the whole sparkling cider bottle in probably 20 minutes
• staying in the Davenport in Spokane, Washington for basketball...nicest hotel ever
• ordering room service and walking around the hotel in our white robes like we were rich
• Sof cutting her leg when we went sledding at midnight on a Saturday and having to pay tons of $$$$ at the emergency room
• got my first kiss at the age of 21!!
• first boyfriend 
• ward missionary calling in Summer ward
• sent Jeffy boy on a mission-the first in our little family!
• "for Erika" and "to please Dava" movies
• going through the hardest workouts of my life at SUU
• gaining Senior 15 instead of the Freshman 15...haha that's what I get for working at a ice cream and candy shop!
• Pride and Prejudice Party for Mama's birthday
• family vacation at Sundance
• flying off the tube with Nata and Tyler...flying straight up and straight down
• Fishing and hanging on the beach...Mom dumbdy quote: "Does anybody need to wet?" while in mid sentence saying something else
• fun times with the El-ed 4000 girls-writing lesson plans and hanging out haha
• losing another roommate...that's my 4th one...in 4 years
• got a guitar for Valentine's day! but...have yet to master the art of playing...
• receiving flowers and being dumped the same day...
• 
  

2014-another year come and gone!

2014 is now over and 2015 is already up and running!  I always find myself thinking back to the past year, wondering if I even learned anything.  Looking back on my 2014, I realized that I have learned a ton.  I have grown, learned, matured, made mistakes, but hopefully in the end become a better person because of it.  That's the thing about life, you just do your best each day.  It usually flies by, just like 2014, but in the end if you are doing the little things each day, then you will usually turn up successful, but most of all, happy!

I learned: 

• Temples are wonderful.  You will never regret the time you spend there.  The protection and blessings that you will receive from attending are innumerable.  When I leave the temple I leave more confident, protected, strong, motivated, powerful, productive, happy, and loved.
• I receive answers through scriptures, in temples, and through feelings.  I have learned that the Lord loves to speak to me through my scripture reading.  I have always struggled with this habit and aspect of my life, but I am slowly recommitting myself and getting better and more consistent at this.  It's a daily struggle.  I love the answers that I receive in the temple.  God speaks to me through feelings and ideas.  I love how clear the communication lines are in the temple.  I am striving to create a constant environment and mindset where I can have these clear lines always, even outside of the temple.  It helps to turn off the radio and get rid of other distractions every once in a while.
• When you put God fist always, then he will help you do his will.  I was greatly blessed throughout my student teaching as I made visiting the temple a weekly habit.
• Your plans aren't always God's plans. Plan, but be flexible and ready to change!  4 months ago I had no idea that I would be putting my mission papers in at this point in my life.  Back in October I realized that I had never asked my Father in Heaven if a mission would be right for me with an open heart to receive the answer he had for me.  When I did, my answer was yes!  I am learning how to drop other plans and follow through with what the Lord wants me to do.  He has a plan and knows us better than we know ourselves...what other convincing to follow him do I need!  
• I love teaching!  This year I learned that I really actually enjoy teaching.  I was pretty apprehensive and hesitant when I was going through school to get my teaching license.  I had some pretty hard experiences and really struggled to stay positive about things.  However, I had a really positive experience with my student teaching.  It wasn't always easy by any means, but it was definitely worth it in the end and I found I am pretty good at it!  
• Trust myself and my feelings with decisions
• When I am doing all good things then I will be guided...might not see it now, but I can connect the dots later when I am able to look back and evaluate!
• I have the best parents and family ever!!!!!!  Okay, I already knew this one, but I seriously am so blessed!   They are the greatest!  So supportive and love me no matter what!  We have our problems just like any family, but I feel like they are pretty minimum and mild.
• Once again, I am very blessed with gospel, in life, EVERYWHERE!
• Family history is very important and now is the time to do it.
• Being an aunt is the BEST!!  Skylar Mae is the cutest and I am obsessed!  She's a dowager! LOVE HER!! 
• Be careful with how friendly I am to everyone...don't want to end up with a stalker!  Woops, already did that!  Well, now that I've been through that and gotten rid of my almost husband Cravin' Maven...ha-ha now I know when to be my normal friendly and nice self, and when to back off a little to avoid confusion in the guys heads. Oh boy! 
• Last but not least...
• Pray ALWAYS.  He will guide you and be with you!  If what you need aligns with his will, then he will answer your prayers and help you reach your goals. 

What a fantastic year I have had!  I am so happy and know that a mission is where I need to be in my life at this time.  Heavenly Father has blessed me so much more than I could ever deserve and so I know it is time to take a little chunk of my life and focus on sharing this glad message with the rest of God's children that are ready to receive it.

NOW MY YEAR IN REVIEW from January to December!!
Here's some things that I did, pictures may apply to them:

• first time ice fishing...kissed a fish!
• ran my first 10K
• called to be Relief Society 2nd Counselor and Sports Co-chair
• went to the temple at least once a month...each week from May-Dec.
• worked at Rise with special needs children at a summer camp
• gave my 1st Book of Mormon away to a friend
• graduated with my Bachelor's degree!
• became a substitute teacher
• road trips by myself to Logan, Cedar, Vegas...
• family vacations to Disneyland, Powell, Vegas-twice!
• helped move a big piano
• went to Lagoon for free with Middle School kids after I played for the choir at a competition
• became an AUNT in may...to Skylar Mae
• was given my first surprise birthday party on 12-13-14, turned 23 on the coolest day ever
• made a music video to Taylor Swift's "22" song
• went to the Pumpkin Walk in Logan
• was a bridesmaid twice for my friends Heather Soffe and Sha Anderson
• decided to put my mission papers in and told my family on Christmas day!!
• made some great friends in Cedar and in South Jordan!
• won a ward talent show in Cedar City
• had a 41 year old stalker...

New Years Idaho road trip with Aleisha

January 2014

Onesie sibling snuggles!

My first fish kiss!

Can't believe I just did that...

Evette in town! January 2014

Ice Fishing with the 6th ward!  Best ward ever!

Ice skating with Robbie Sweeten

Took 1st in ward talent show with a piano/singing Sara Bareilles Number

St. George Temple trips with Maria, Lloyd, Amber, Christina, Alyssa!

Late night adventures with roommies Val and Alyssa

Lloyd's birthday dinner with Alyssa and Alli.  (Also same day Maven was really Craven!!)

Relief Society 2nd counselor-adventures with Brittany!

Fro-yo with the girls!  Rachel and Aleisha!

First 10K with Maria...fundraiser for Lexi Hansen

I'm an AUNT!!  Skylar Mae Pugmire born May 12th, 2014

Lagoon with Middle School kids!  Free, who cares!

Memorial day fishing trip!  

Time with Skylar after work each day was the BEST even though she slept most the time!

Stake service project with Aleisha

Helped the boys move a piano for a widow in Salt Lake

Lots of Jazzercise trial classes!  So much fun!

Father's Day 2014

We love daddy!

Temple Wednesday with Kristine Broome!

KB and I got ripped in the gym, but we can't park our cars

Skylar Mae's Blessing day!

She's beautiful!

Chick-fil-A dress like a cow day for free food!

7-11-14 Free Slurpies with Nani!

Relief Society breakfast selfie with Bishop Atkinson

Mud fight with Nani and killing snails!

Newport Beach Temple!

Beach sibling time!

Love Nana!

Las Vegas, Nevada Temple

We are scared of some rides at DISNEYLAND!

Powell with BF Sofie!

First, "last" day of school!  Student teaching!

Life long dream!  $30 Colbie with Cousins!  Front seats!!

"Want u back" Music video with Roommates Val and Lyssa!

In Cedar with Emalee Smith!

Vegas trip for Josiah and Kylee's wedding.  Me, Sof, Lynnea!

Beauties!

Loved teaching my first graders!  Miss my froggies!

Cousins at Rachel's wedding in front of Draper Temple

They're married!! October 16, 2014

Greg!

Education friends!  Amber Mom, Maria, and Brandee!

Wingers with friends!

Brandee was a great host for this road trip!

Love my Audrey!  She bought me a watch for random!  Sweetheart!

Roommies reunited!  

She's in the education block this time! (Alyssa Hall)

Classy pose!

Greg Shaw!  What a great guy!

Thanksgiving!  November 2014  We love food!

SLCC alumni game with Sof...we were terrible, but at least we looked cute! :)

Shopping with Mama in off track time!  Scored big at OLD NAVY!

Josh's first game!  Started, 20 points, domination. Proud sista!

22 music video in the making!

Sista, sista!

We're nuts!

Loved my sixth graders too!!! Taught me a lot!

no comment.

So blessed...one of my best friends!

Temple all year long!  Grown to really love the Jordan River!

Surprise party thrown by Greg and my family!  With ward friends Lauren, Christina, Megan, and Abbie!

She's a dowager.

M&M factory in Vegas

Fat ducky burger in Vegas on the strip

That's face!!

Happy Baby!

They won the Vegas Tournament proud sis again!!

Quite surprised about the hat...

Happy dolly!

Oh my dobbie!

Yearly Nativity acting with Hansens December 2014

Ward Pajama Christmas party with Abbie Heaps

Josh is happy there is snow!  And still wearing
the onesie I gave him last year...!

She mostly liked the strings on her presents! First Christmas for Sky!

I had T for Christmas this year!

My present to the Flamily this year...
(Missionary Nickay!)

Siblings...minus Jeffy in Reading, PA

It's been a GREAT YEAR!!  Bring on 2015!!