I'm going to Disneyland!!!! (I mean I went... :)

Well, it was such great fun to answer the question that everyone gave me around graduation time of "What are you doing now?" "I'm going to Disneyland!!!!!" Last week, my family and I headed off for sunny California (although not entirely sunny while we were there) and had ourselves a magical adventure! I haven't been to Disneyland in 11 years. I don't remember it being quite so fun. But it really was. We had lots of kids with us, which made all the little kid rides exciting and fun too. (And I guess the adults were pretty okay themselves. :) It was such a great time and I kind of wish I could just go back. I didn't think about Provo or life decisions or anything for the whole week! So here are a few pictures to see some of the enjoyment. This will only be a very very small taste - I don't think blogs have enough room for all of the pictures. :)

None other than Mickey Mouse himelf. He totally gave me a kiss on the cheek when I left. ;)

Appropriate mouse ears I thought.With mom and dad

With most of my nieces and nephews. Just missing four of them in this picture.

Okay, I have to be honest. Goofy is probably my favorite!

Playing the "goofwin"

The Grizzly River Run at California Adventure Park

Splash Mountain!

So, there's just a little taste of the magic. Hope you enjoyed the ride!

Graduation!

Wow. It actually came. Who would have thought it would actually end. :) The last two days have been graduation. And it's really been a good couple of days. A little overwhelming perhaps, but good. Thursday was the University Commencement (everyone in the Marriott Center). My mom and dad came up for that. Go figure that it was snowing before we went in. But afterwards, it was nice and sunshiny. How's that for typical Utah weather. All the graduates inside the Marriott Center.With mom and dad

Sitting by a fountain :)

And of course, dad wanted a picture of the hood because it looks refined and distinguished. :) (Okay, funny joke. For real, the paper that came with the hood as instructions for how to wear it said this: "Upon receiving your gown and academic hood, you'll want to put it on to admire your distinguished and refined look." ha ha!)

Friday was our day - the Social Work Dept.

Three of my classmates (and friends) and I were able to do a musical number for graduation. L-R, Angela Irving, Sandra Wilkes, me, and Brynn Bell. We sang "Not Too Far From Here", which I really think is the perfect social work song and really is why we do what we do.

Being hooded by Dr. Marett and Dr. Panos

Receiving my diploma from Dr. Seipel

Here's the family that was able to come. Grandpa Farnsworth, dad, mom, Janell and Steven. I know others wanted to be there, but couldn't make it. But I'm still very grateful to all of my family. I've been extremely blessed with a fantastic family and I know they were all there in spirit. :)

Okay, I know this post is getting a little long. But I have to put at least one, maybe 2, pictures of my class on here. I have to say, this is probably the greatest class in the world. I realize that we've spent beyond normal amounts of hours together - classes, studying, internships, etc. But we've all grown so close and it has been my family away from my family these last two years. They're an amazing group of people, and they've all blessed my life. I'm definitely going to miss them. It's not quite real to me yet that we won't be going back. But I hope they all know how grateful I am to them for their friendships, the things they have taught me, and the people they are. Go MSW Class of 2008!

With some of our great professors!

History turns on small hinges, and so do people's lives

"Decisions determine destiny." So, I realized that today was my second to last day of class. Ever. That's a little bit strange to think about. I'm graduating in two weeks. And really, school is pretty much the only thing I've ever known. I took a break for the mission. But even then, I started school again within 2 weeks of being home. So it's pretty much been my life. And now it's going to be over. Which of course brings up the commonly asked question of "what are you doing after graduation?" Honestly, I really don't know. I never planned my life this far. It's time to enter the real world and become a real adult. But where and how? It brings up a lot of questions about my life's mission and what I was sent here to accomplish. I really hope that I don't miss that. But I know that I have to move forward. So I'm working on that. It's been very interesting to see how things have been playing out in this decision process. I'm grateful for the no's that Heavenly Father has given me because then I at least know those are not the things for me to do right now. And then other possible paths close. Apparently those aren't the right ones either. I almost feel like I'm standing at a crossroad that most of the roads have closed off. I feel sure that there are other roads that maybe I just can't see. Or maybe that one road that still might be open is the one I'm supposed to take. I'm not sure if I want it or not, but who knows?

Anyway, I think that I'm rambling. But obviously, this is on my mind a little bit lately. (Or maybe more than a little.) I do believe that things will work out. Amazingly, they always do. But the growing process of waiting and testing and trying always seems to come first. So here I am, still praying and pondering and hoping that I will allow the Lord to open my eyes to the "right" road. Until then....

Temple Trip

Yesterday, a small group of friends came with me down to the Manti Temple. This is "my" temple, so it's always so fun to go there. But this was an extra special occasion.

I know the picture above is really not all that great. I was taking a picture of a picture. But the little lady in the middle is Rosemary. I had the great privilege of teaching her on the mission and was able to see her get baptized. She was such a spitfire. I love it! And I love her and I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to know her. I found out not too long ago that she passed away last March. Since that time, I have had the feeling of her prodding me forward to get her work done for her and her family. We had begun working on this when I was in New York 4 years ago. But nothing has ever been done. After getting the go-ahead from a few different people, I was able to do the temple work done for her, her parents, her grandparents, and an uncle and aunt. It was such a great experience and it means a lot that I've been able to continue to be a part of Rosemary's life and progression in the gospel.

My parents were so great to be willing to come up and help me out. It was extra special to have them there with me and stand in for Rosemary's parents as I stood in for her. Here's the friends that came with me!
I do have to thank my roommate Hilary for this picture. I really loved the growing flowers alongside the temple. That's one of the great things about spring. And it was very fitting to me for this weekend as well. And putting this all together with Easter last weekend. Because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, death - the winter of life - has no permanent hold on us. Spring will come and flowers will always bloom again. We will live again. Those who have gone on before can and will be with us again. It offers such hope and such extreme happiness! The Gospel's true folks!

And, not that this has much to do with anything, but what is a trip to Manti/Ephraim without getting some Fat Sticks! Such good stuff.

Bag Tag????

So, I just got tagged by Holly. And I think this may be the most random of all tags that I've seen. Thanks a lot Brynn. :) Apparently, for this tag I'm supposed to show my purse and what is in it right now without changing a thing.



So, here's my purse. Here comes the confession. Unlike many girls, I actually only have one purse. No 30 different purses to match every outfit. Or even two. (I actually have a friend who probably has 30.) I don't love purses to begin with. I personally think they're a bother to carry around. And yet, it's somewhat necessary. C'est la vie. So my purse is not very big. Pretty much just carries the essentials. So what's inside? Okay, 2nd confession. I actually did have to change what was inside, just a little bit, because I actually carry my camera with me. Just a little trick I learned on the mission. You never know when you're going to need it. But no worries. I put it back in. Also, I have my checkbook, many receipts, drivers license, credit cards, and many other cards. (Like phone cards and Hollywood video card and grocery store cards, etc.) I also have my temple recommend and pass along cards. Just don't ask me how good I am at passing along those cards. :) I have one feminine product for emergencies, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, chap stick, ibuprofen, and dramamine randomly. I don't think I ever took it out after the last time I flew. Throw in a couple notes here and there, and that's pretty much it I think.
So, I hope that was overly exciting for all of you. Who do I tag? I'm sure anyone would be more interesting than me on this one. I'm going to say.... Andrea Bayles, Hilary (roomie of mine!), Janell, and..... Megan. Have fun!

Easter!

Well, Easter was a little bit different this year. I stayed here in Provo, pretty much all by myself. My roommate Hilary was here. So we celebrated and partied together. What is Easter without a little egg decorating. Here are a few of our lovely creations.

It was definitely a good weekend though. We had some really good lessons in church, and it was a great chance to reflect on the reason why we celebrate Easter. I am very grateful for the Savior and for his gift of the atonement and the resurrection. I can't even begin to imagine where I'd be without it. Thankfully, I don' t have to. :)

Seven Random Things I Am Thinking Right Now

This is a tag from Holly. Here goes....

1 - Do I have seven thoughts in my head right now?
2 - Should I be paying attention to my professor right now?
3 - I've learned a little too much information in my human sexuality class.
4 - I wonder how American Idol will go tonight.
5 - I really need to figure out what I'm doing with my life after graduation.
6 - I wish I had a cooler looking blog.
7 - And.... I really don't have seven thoughts in my head.

What can I say. I've been sitting in class all day long. My brain is tired.

I tag.... Janell, Jenny, Megan, and Emily Roundy

GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS?????

Yee-haw! This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. Maybe I'm a little lame, I know. But, this is just a fun time. It's great, because it's really open to so many things happening. Upsets are in the making and all it takes is one game to change the whole course of things. So, that's pretty much my life at the moment. :) Forget school, that's not important. I'm working on filling in my brackets. It's sure tough to decide. Anyone else have a pick for who they think is going to win? We'll see what magic happens during the big dance this year!

Can you believe #20?

Well, we've hit a landmark. Last week, my sister-in-law had a cute little baby boy. This makes #20 of the nieces and nephews. And they're all just so stinking cute. Who woulda thought? :) Here's a couple of pictures of the the little guy. They're naming him Jacob. It's a family name with some pretty cool stories behind it. So we approve!

Happy Birthday Mom

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. Most of my family was able to go home and celebrate on Saturday. (We did miss you Trent and Megan!) It's always extremely great to get together with my family because I really do love them and we have a lot of fun together. But it's also special to celebrate one of the greatest women I know, and that's my mom.

I hope she enjoyed her birthday and I hope she knows just how great she is. She's taught me so much and been such a great support to me through everything I've done in life. I love you mom!

"It seems to me that my mother was the most splendid woman I ever knew... I have met a lot of people knocking around the world since, but I have never met a more thoroughly refined woman than my mother. If I have amounted to anything, it will be due to her."
~ Charles Chaplin

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
~ Abraham Lincoln

"The noblest calling in the world is that of mother. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece or who can write a book that will influence millions deserves the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting an influence throughout the ages long after painting shall have faded, and books and statues shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give."
~ David O. McKay