Week 1 - Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.

I started my new job at Kindercare this week. So far I have worked in two different classrooms. Two days in the toddlers and 2 days in the 2’s class. I prefer the toddlers, but Kate wants to “utilize my talents” in the older class. I started the week with a whole bucket load of paperwork. You would not believe all the hoops you have to jump through just to be able to work with kids. Background checks, fingerprints, immunizations, resident records, transcripts, and a whole lot more. I spent a good 4 hours on Monday filling out paperwork. The next four hours was spent reading and signing policies and informational sheets. I am really excited to work here, I just needed to get to the working part. 

Two jobs is never easy to juggle! Tuesday is when the week got rough and exhausting. The next three days I was working at Kindercare from 8 - 4 and then Payless from 5 - 10. It was way too much time to be on my feet. Everyday I came home completely exhausted and in a slightly bad mood. I am glad I allowed myself to just come home and relax rather than going out with friends. I really need to stop overbooking myself. It is getting to be too much for me to handle. A day full of stinky feet and stinky diapers can wear someone out pretty quickly. ;) I did however allow myself to go dancing. It was really needed. As bad as my feet hurt I needed to be around friends and just let myself go. I am pretty sure I was more entertaining to watch. I was so tired that my brain and my feet didn’t seem to be connected. Nonetheless it was fun and a nice stress reliever. 

Friday I was left alone in a class alone. I was worried at first, but found that taking care of kids is something that I really enjoy and comes as second nature to me. The 4 little toddlers I had were as sweet as can be. I wish i could stay in this class but know that I am needed elsewhere. After work I hurried home so I could meet up with the rest of the ward for our singles activity. I am determined to feel involved in this singles ward whether I like it or not. So I jumped in Spencer’s car and we drove out to Tremonton. Kind of a long way to drive for a friday night activity, but it was fun nonetheless. 

After having dinner at Megan Menlove’s house we headed out to the Martin Harris pageant. It was a great production! Music, dancing and everything. 

I of course wouldn’t sit with anyone other than Audrey and her friends. We giggled together and even had our little dance party in the parking lot while waiting for the line to shorten. No point in sitting in the car and waiting when you can have your own private dance party.

I am really sad that this is one of the last activities Audrey will be coming to with me. She is leaving back to school as soon as we get back from our vacation. I will miss her and the great social life she provides me! ;)

I hopped in the car once again with Spencer. I thought he was a little better off than I was when it came to directions, but apparently we are both directionally challenged... Somehow we got lost somewhere between the pageant and freeway. 

I was super confused about where we were, and then out of nowhere the Logan Temple popped into view. I guess you really can use the temple for direction. I always thought it was a symbolic thing, but in this instance it really was a beacon in the dark. After a short picture break we got back in the car and knew exactly where to go. I was a little late getting home, but I am just happy we had the temple to point us in the right direction. 

Saturday was a crazy busy day. I woke up to dad singing the help call from enchanted, and if any one knows my dad’s level of musical talent you will know that I got out of bed pretty quickly. Mom had been such a sweetheart and woke up to make us english pancakes for breakfast to start off our busy day. It was so tasty! I love home cooked hot breakfasts. Is their anything better? I think not! 

Audrey and I headed to our next few assignments. First we did DD’s hair for a modeling class she had to be at. I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t be able to do what she wanted, but it turned out very cute and almost exactly like the picture she showed me. As soon as we finished that we headed off to the church to fulfill or duty of cleaning for the month. Of course since we arrived late we were given the assignment of cleaning the bathrooms. Not too bad in a church. I’m just glad they get cleaned every week!

Kylie is One! We had her first birthday party today at Katie’s mom’s house. It was fish themed and as cute as ever! She had fish cake, swedish fish, gold fish crackers, and more! it was super cute and really fun.

While waiting for the festivities to start I noticed that my braid was getting a little loose, so I asked David to do me a favor and braid it for me. No wonder boys don’t do hair. This is the outcome of his sad attempt to braid my hair. Not too bad for a first try... I guess. ;)

As we all know I give up anything and everything to spend time with my family, and this was no excuse. I love not only my siblings but their spouses as my own sisters. Katie is so good to me... maybe it helps that we started off as good friends in high school?... or maybe she just loves me like crazy! I’m hoping for a nice even combo of both. 

Dana and her kids were there too. She might not be an actual member of the family, but I love her still the same. Her family is so adorable! I am so glad that we have been able to stay friends for as long as we have. I mean how easy is it for 2 girls to get along for 15 years. Oh man, I’m getting old!

Kylie enjoyed her cake just as much as the next person. Katie and David love giving their kids their own cake to demolish. Most of the time I don’t think the kids even get to the cake part. I mean when there is that much frosting in front of you why would you even try to get to the cake? Sadly I couldn’t stay for the whole party. I had to take Audrey home to meet a few friends headed to Provo and I had to head down town to pick up Jen and John from the airport. Their car has been at our house for a few weeks now so I took it to them with just enough time for hugs and goodbyes. Off they were back to Rexburg. 

After attempting to get my Saturday jobs done we all decided to go to a movie as a family. We saw Julie and Julia. It was so cute and really fun! it made me want to eat everything I can get my hands on, and cook what ever I want. Now I am sure I want to go to culinary school. There is nothing that I like more than eating! I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone who even enjoys the idea of food. 

After the movie I finished my saturday jobs, while talking to Meagan. She dropped in to say hello after about 3 months of not seeing each other. Too bad I had to clean the whole time she was there. I guess nothing has changed in the past 6 years. I finished just in time to head to our ward activity. A luau at the Draper pool, which turned out to be a slight flop, seeing as it was so cold. I only stayed for about 30 minutes until I left to go to Doug’s birthday party at the Murray Arts Center. I stole a ride from Alex and enjoyed an evening of laughter and dancing. A full Saturday that was well worth the work and exhaustion.  

Sunday was wonderful! We had ward conference this week with the stake presidency. They all gave fabulous talks on morality and temple attendance. I really need to get back up on that! President De Vissor gave us a challenge to go once a week, and I am more than ready to take that challenge on! There is nothing better than the feelings I get at the temple. We even had a whole Family Home Evening lesson on the temple... I guess Heavenly Father is trying to tell me to get back on the ball with my temple attendance. 

Lily being as sweet as she is wanted to walk around the temple after listening to a lesson on it. So I went with their little family and tugged Audrey along with me. Temples and Families together can’t be beat! It is so wonderful to know that families really can be together forever! 

Not only is it a beautiful building outside, but teaches such beautiful concept on the inside. Learning how beautiful the Lord’s plan is gives me a better perspective of why I go through what I do here on earth. No one will ever take that knowledge from me. I know I am a daughter of God and that he loves me and had a plan set out for me. It is up to me to follow that plan and return to him again! Nothing would be greater than to return to his loving arms and have him tell me “well done, thou good and faithful servant.” 

Ok maybe one thing would be better... to have my family there with me. I remember the first time I went to the temple and seeing my whole family there. There was not a single person missing. Not too many people have that blessing. I am so lucky to have such a strong family. I will not be the one who falls away and ruins that perfect unity! I hope no one in my family does. An eternal family can’t be complete without every member there!  I love them all, and I hope they all know that!