Spring Break 2014

My friend Wendi had her birthday a few weeks ago. Fortunately it was on a thursday night (when we have institute) so Wendi and I went out with a bunch of her friends to eat at Zuppa's before institute. Then we went out AGAIN after institute with a group from my ward. I'm so happy that I got to spend that day with her. It's been a pretty busy semester for the both of us, so it was nice to have a night of fun.

The before party.

 The AFTER party.

That weekend, a group from my program were invited to go to Brooke's (a super cool girl in my program) cabin. The cabin (if you could even call it that. It was huge!) was out in the mountains.  It was nice to "get away" from Salt Lake for a night and have "girl time". We watched chick flicks, played games, ate ice-cream and candy and gawked at all the taxidermy that surrounded us. haha It was really nice getting to know some the girls from my program better. I don't know why we don't hang out more. It was so much fun.

 We went to dinner at this delicious Mexican restaurant in Park City.

Since then, I've had a couple friends come to visit me. I know I say this in pretty much every post, but I just Love Love Love when friends come to visit. I get so excited!

Kim and Julie!

Dear Liz.

This past week was spring break. Glorious Glorious Spring Break. Of course I still had my clinic sessions that week, but by some miracle (guys...prayers really ARE answered) some of my clients rescheduled their sessions so I was able to actually have a break. On Monday after clinic, I went up to Logan. Julie was nice enough to let me stay at her house. She's the best. Not only did she give me my own room, but she made fresh popcorn, gave me chocolate milk (my favorite) AND let me borrow the most comfortable pillow I have ever used in my life. Seriously, it was like sleeping on a cloud. AND we went  to The Crepery for delicious crepes for breakfast the next morning.
But back to monday night... I went to FHE at my old ward building in Providence. (I sure do miss that place). and honestly...it was the COOLEST activity. It was a human "hampster ball" obstacle course. I know right? Awesome! I was the first person to try it out. It was harder than it looks. But such a fun experience. I laughed the whole time!

I also got to have special one on one time with my friend Skye and later with my friend Jessica Smith. Just a note on those girls: They are amazing. Both of them. I always feel so uplifted just being in their presence. It was wonderful talking with Skye about her happy married life. I am just so happy for her. I think I always will be. And Jessica, she gives like the BEST advice and pep talks. Those girls are gems.

I still had clinic on Wednesday, so I returned to SLC but then immediately left to go visit Katrina and her family in Rexburg. I always feel so rejuvenated when I visit them. Katrina is so blessed to have two angels for children. I honestly think that whenever they hold my hand, smile at me, or even look my direction, I can feel all my stresses melt away and I become emotionally stronger. Katrina is blessed to be able to spend time with them all day everyday. Some girls have all the luck ;)
My parents gave Kat and I some money to "have fun" for spring break, so  we went out to dinner at a delicious BBQ place in Rexburg. And then we later bought a cake...just because we could. ;) Katrina and I took a couple walks around Rexburg, we walked the kids to the park, and went on a night walk around the temple. LOVE! I just love walks...its a family thing...and it was nice to walk and talk with katrina like the good old days.

 I don't know where she gets it...oh wait.

The first morning, I found Carson like this. He had "changed" his pajamas. I'm still amazed that he got it zipped up so far. I couldn't stop laughing. Cutie.

 AHHH SO CUTE. My little loves. The top right picture, we found grace with one arm outside of her pajamas...NO idea how she did that. A few days later her leg was outside her pajamas...and all the buttons were still buttoned. Little Magician that one.

 I love these kids so much.

We bought twinner dresses. The first time in YEARS. Also, first photos we have taken together since Carson was born. Crazy.

I also got to see my BFF Maria when I was in Rexburg. We went to lunch in IF with a few of her friends and then went to Extravadance. I love Extravadance. I always have. I went every semester that I was at BYUI. So it was perfect that it just happened to be the weekend that I was visiting.

Basically, I had an amazing spring break. And it's hard to jump back into being responsible again (as I write my blog when I should be studying...haha)

Okay...back to work.

One day at a time.

A new semester started. One with different difficulties and stresses than the last. There is less focus on class work and more focus on clinicals. Sometimes I feel like I'm running around with no idea of what I'm actually doing. It's exhausting. But I am learning so much. And this coming week the semester will be half way over!!!! Thank goodness.

With all the different things to work on and worry about it, I have just as much free time as last semester. So basically no social life... But I REALLY do try to reach out as much as I can.
My roommates and I planned a roommates night out (we have to plan things well in advance because we are all so busy and we are never all home at the same time)
We went to dinner at Cracker Barrel and then went to see a play "The Foreigner" at Hale Theatre. I had never heard of the play and I was pleasantly surprised with how funny it was.

The roommates (and kelsey) at Hale Theatre. Oh and an old fashioned looking candy bar that I bought at Cracker barrel. Its the simple things like that old fashioned looking candy bar that  make me happy.The simple things...and chocolate. :)

I have been trying to balance my hectic life with more uplifting activities to help ease the burden of stress. (Like trying to be a better visiting teacher, serving others,trying to actually read the chapters for institute each week, listen to better music...etc.) So when there was an opportunity to donate blood...I jumped at the chance.

Donating blood...saving a life. :)

 But the most important goal that I have been trying to keep is by going to the temple each week. The Salt lake Temple was closed for a month for renovations and cleaning, so I had the opportunity to go to a few other temples in the area including the beautiful Bountiful temple with Anne Marie (a girl in my ward)

I forgot my camera...so this is a picture I found online. It really is a beautiful temple!

I also had the opportunity to meet up with Kelsey at the Jordan River temple. It was so nice to see Kelsey again. I just love her.

Kelsey and I at the Jordan River temple. No makeup. No worries.

A few weeks ago, my friend Julie came down from Logan. She took me to Pei Wei ( a delicious Chinese restaurant that I had never been to before). I got to try their delicious lettuce wrap...which I'm pretty sure changed my life. ;) She and I also went and watched her nephew's volleyball game and then went and got ice cream after.It was so nice to see her and catch up. I really love when friends come to visit. 

Oh and speaking of friends in the area, an old roommate of mine (Alysia) moved to Layton and invited me over for a movie night at her new apartment. It was nice to be able to catch up with her and meet the fun people in her ward.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to travel to rexburg for the long weekend to spend time with my "little family" as well as my best friend maria. Maria arranged a double date (which turned into a group date) on Valentines Day to a masquerade dance. I hadn't been  to a dance in a while and I had SUCH a good time. And it was so fun to see maria. I love how much she makes me laugh.

Date night with my favorite maria!!!!

And of course I got to see my "little cuties" while I was in rexburg. Grace and Carson are just the cutest. The first morning Carson tried to wake me up early to play with him by saying "wake up kitty...its church day". It was Saturday. Carson made me laugh so much and grace was as cute as always.
Unfortunately I got pretty sick over the weekend...so if didn't get to do as much cuddling and give as many kisses as usual. But I got to play fun new games like "keeping Carson from drinking out of my cup" (which was quite the task) and "pretending to squeeze Gracie from afar". Carson even mimicked me as  I crawled from the bedroom to the bathroom...I was a little too sick to laugh...but now I think its pretty cute.
Oh and then there was the time where I was napping in Carson's room (because i wasn't feeling well) and Katrina told Carson that he could go into his room to grab his toy but HE HAD TO BE REALLY QUIET. Carson ran into his room, sat by my bed, and said "kitty be quiet!" and then ran out of the room with his toy. I was a little too out of it to understand what had just happened but Katrina told me later and we both laughed about it.
 Also on my last day there (last story i promise!) Carson brought me a cookie that he had decorated for me. I set it down for two seconds (literally like two seconds) to pick Gracie up off of the floor and turned around to grab my cookie only to find that Carson had just licked all the icing off and was currently working on licking the icing off his own cookie. Little sneak! haha  Those kids always make Rexburg so fun!

This week, my stake had stake conference. On Wednesday we had a stake temple night which was nice to be able to go do baptisms with people my own age. Afterwards  my visiting teacher (Liz Moffit) and I went and got hot cocoa and walked around city creek. It was a nice break and I just love spending time with Liz. I like to listen about all the trips she has planned and her philosophies on dating as well as our similar love of reading. She is a free spirit and I admire that.

Sarah and Natasha had convinced me to go to provo on friday night, but due to some last minute changes, sarah and I ended up spending our friday here in salt lake. We went to dinner (Cafe Rio)and then went shopping/window shopping at city creek mall. We then came back to my place and watched a movie. It was so fun to have a girls night with sarah just like old times. I'm usually so busy (even on the weekends).

Sarah and I at the mall. Because we always have to take at least ONE crazy glasses picture at the mall :)

Last night, before the night session of Stake conference, a few girls from the relief society got together to go out to dinner beforehand. That was so much fun. I hadn't done anything like that for awhile so it was nice to be able to meet new girls in the ward, AND try out a new restaurant. We went to the Neapolitan pizza place which is right here in sugar house. I had the most amazing Caesar salad (yes I got a salad...at a pizza place. Don't judge.) ;)

Another image I found online...

And of course stake conference was just so wonderful! Both last night AND this morning. I  love being Mormon. I love knowing who I am and that I have a divine destiny. I know that Christ lives and that he loves us and that Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each of us. A plan of happiness. A plan of so much incomprehensible joy. I am grateful for the peace that the gospel brings in my life. It is the main thing that gets me through the loneliness, stresses, and trials of this life. That...and chocolate. But mostly the gospel. :) And honestly I have had a pretty hard time lately (i know the pictures and stories make it sound otherwise) but its true. I'm just grateful to know that the Lord knows me personally. He knows how best to comfort me in the middle of an emotional breakdown. haha Grad School is hard. There. I said it. And I'm just taking it one day at a time. Thank goodness I have Him on my side to help me get through it. I guess I'm pretty blessed :)

And all of the sudden...It's Christmas time.

And once again...it's that time of year. Not a huge fan of the cold weather...or the snow. But I'm loving the special spirit that the Holidays bring.

Speaking of holidays,I completely skipped writing about thanksgiving (finding time to update a blog is a pretty difficult these days). This year I wasn't able to go home to Ohio for thanksgiving. Luckily, I have Mary and Katrina who live close by, so I was still able to spend Thanksgiving with family. I spent thanksgiving in rexburg and it was so nice to have a little break from school. I pretty much just ate,slept, and played with Carson and Grace. It was great.

Here in Good Ol' Salt Lake:

I've been lucky enough to do a few "christmas" activities this past month. A couple weeks ago, a group of friends came to Salt Lake to go see the play "Savior of the World" with me. The play wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, but I still really liked it. It was about before and after Christ's life. It was kind of cool to see the perspective from Mary and Joseph's point of view. Both Mary and Joseph had to be incredibly strong people to do what they did....especially Mary.  I keep reflecting on it...so yeah...I liked it!

 A few of my friends came down earlier (before the play) and we went out to eat at a local pub called Squatter's Pub (Liz's recommendation). The food was delicious and we all got the homemade root beer I had never had homemade rootbeer before..probably because I'm not a huge fan of rootbeer. haha But I had to try it for the experience! I noticed that the pub had a special kind of beer called "outer darkness". Yep. That's right. I am definitely living in utah... haha

After dinner, we went and walked  around City Creek Mall. My favorite part was when Liz and I went into Tiffany's with Ryan and Mike. The people working there assumed they were our boyfriends and Liz and I went along with it so we could try on rings. Actually Liz went along with it...I'm terrible at "pretending" so I just smiled a lot.
After the play, a few of us quickly walked over to temple square to see the lights. They were only open for a few more minutes so we didn't stay very long....but there is always such a special spirit on temple square.

 Squatter's Pub

I <3 these girls!

 Our group at the play :)

Temple Square Lights

Last Monday for FHE, my ward had our ward christmas party at the Lion House. The Lion House is Brigham Young's old house which has been turned into a nice restaurant  located on temple square. It was a pretty cool experience. They have delicious rolls! ALMOST as good as Elements. ;)

 The girls at my table...don't worry mom...I sat with boys too.

The Lion House

Unfortunately...its also FINALS time. ( And there is no better time to update a blog than when you are procrastinating studying for finals ;) )This past week has been full of anxiety and stress...and I'm sure this week will be equally just as stressful. But luckily I have awesome guys in my ward who gave me a priesthood blessing. AND taking an entire day off (sunday) from studying really makes me ready to take on this next week. I feel less stressed and more motivated. But it probably couldn't hurt to have some extra prayers ;)

The one good thing about finals is that it means that this semester will be over. I wont ever have to take these classes again. One semester down...three more to go. I CAN DO THIS!

This past weekend I was able to squeeze in some fun in between study sessions.
On friday night (after LITERALLY studying all day) I went to this place called Wing Stop with a few girls from my program. The only things they sell there are wings and fries. It was really good! The fries are sort of sweet (they must put sugar on them or something) and fresh. And who doesn't love wings...i mean really! Then afterwards, Cassee Russell and I went with a group of her friends to see the 2nd Hobbit movie in theatres which I was totally geeking out about the whole time. It was so good!

 mmm.wings.

THE HOBBIT!!! I've been waiting all year for this!

On Saturday, I went to Katherine's house to study for exam which we had this morning.  I was there from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. studying for this comprehensive exam. So. much. information. haha But afterward I went with wendi to a Christmas Fiesta Party which was hosted by Wendi's friend (and now my friend) Amber Squire. Most of the people there were teachers because apparently 60% of Amber's ward are all teachers. That's just so funny to me...I'm not sure why...but it is.

Matching red pants, nachos, sombreros, and fun.

Yesterday (sunday) I took a break and didn't study at all. And it felt OH SO GOOD! Our relief society was having a special christmas brunch before church. We had crepes and bagels and oatmeal and fruit and donuts and  many more kinds of breakfast food. President Hinckley's daughter came to speak with us. Unfortunately I had to miss that part because I had choir practice and it was our christmas program that day. The program went so well! I have SUPER talented people in my ward.

After church, my roommates and I had a roommate dinner and the secret santa gift exchange. It was pretty fun. All of us are usually super busy so we dont really spend a lot of time together. So it was nice just sitting down and getting to know what is going on in everyone's lives.

 Oh Christmas Tree

Roommate Dinner

Im looking forward to finishing up my finals and spending the holidays with family...just a few more days! Wish me luck! Or better yet...pray for me :)

  

Halloween, Harry Potter, and Happiness.

Last thursday was halloween and my friend Liz was holding her LAST Halloween party in Logan. She has been planning this for months, and I told her this last summer that I would DEFINITELY be there. So thursday night, after class, I drove to Logan for the party and it was worth it! It was a fun party! I dressed up as a witch this year....I was pretty proud of my costume because I made my skirt. :) If any of you know me that is a HUGE accomplishment :) Even though I had to drive back to Salt Lake to make it to my class on friday morning, it was worth the drive.

My costume this year. This is the skirt that I made...it was kind of static-y and kept sticking to my arms. haha

 yay for friends! These boys make me laugh.

Liz dressed up as the mad hatter. A pretty Legit costume. She MADE that hat. Cool huh?

On friday after class I went back to Logan to go to my friend Skye and Dean's wedding reception. My roommate Morgan came with me. The plan was to stay friday night and come home saturday night, but it ended up being an ALL weekend vacation. I don't mind...I love Logan! :) A HUGE shout out to Maddy and Shelby for letting us take over their living room for the weekend...have I mentioned how much I love those girls?

On friday after the reception (skye looked absolutely gorgeous by the way!) a few friends and I went to a haunted house. They took this picture of us while a man jumped out at us...so the pictures look pretty funny!

My scared face...not quite pleasant...but pretty funny!

The next day, Morgan and I decided to visit a few of my friends at work. We stopped by the Kutting edge where Jessica and my friend Hailey work. It was fun to surprise them. We then decided to surprise my roommate shelby at work at El Sol. She was our waitress and just the cutest little waitress you ever did see! AND i got to eat some of the delicious chips and ranch that I had become addicted to when I lived with shelby.

YUMMY!!!! Honestly this is the best ranch I have EVER had in my life!

That night (saturday) was stake conference and since morgan and I decided to stay in logan, we went to their stake conference. I really loved the talks that night about patriarchal blessings! In fact both saturday night AND sunday morning stake conference talks were great! There were a lot of personal things that I needed to hear and I feel blessed to have been reminded of them. It was pretty cool sitting in the spectrum at USU on Sunday Morning listening to Elder Perry speak. I'm glad we got to be there for that.


On saturday night, after the saturday night session of stake conference, a group of us went to see the movie "Enders Game". I really liked it! I want to read the book now! AND it was fun to watch the movie with all my friends that I watched movies with last year...good times! Morgan and I were feeling a little wild...and well... hungry...so we ran over to sonic before the movie started and snuck our shakes in with us. ;) such rebels!

On Sunday, after stake conference at the spectrum, Liz invited us over to watch an 80's movie and eat popcorn. It's funny how little things like that are SO much fun! I like watching movies with liz too...because she pretty much knows every actor and actress and EVERY movie they have been in. Its pretty entertaining!

As far as living in salt lake goes, I'm still adjusting. I still don't know very many people here...Luckily I made a friend (my VERY last day in Logan actually) who moved to salt lake the same time I did. Her name is wendi (cool name huh? ;) ) She just started her masters program for occupational therapy...so we have a lot in common. We also go to the same institute class each week. Its so nice seeing a familiar face!

Wendi and I have gone to a few mix and mingle parties to meet people since we are both new here. It's nice to not have to go alone. haha Like on friday we went to this bonfire that her ward was hosting and on sunday night we went to a Waffle party that a girl in my ward was throwing. I tried "wassail" for the first time...it smelled and pretty much tasted like a autumn apple spice candle. haha

She and I also went to this super awesome Harry Potter party a few weeks ago. Seriously...i was geeking out the WHOLE time! I just LOVE harry potter! Luckily, Wendi brought her camera because I just can't even describe how awesome the decorations were. The people who owned the house take decorating for halloween VERY seriously. They had a pirates of the caribbean themed room and a haunted mansion themed room. And their living room, kitchen and dining room were all harry potter themed. ( my favorite )
Another cool fact is that the family MADE most ALL of the decorations...some of them look so authentic! I was amazed!

 Me and wendi :) Isn't she adorable?

 The sorting hat and the Monster book

 I feel like i've been transported into a dream!

and here is a video of all the decorations...

http://youtu.be/FeLDbRYCs0M

I'm kind of ridiculously bubbly in the video...probably because I'm just so excited!!!

This past saturday, Mary came to visit! I keep forgetting that she doesn't live "far away" anymore. She is only like 30-40 minutes away. It was so nice to see her. She and I went to the Salt Lake temple for the first time to do baptisms for some family names. Not only was it my first time in the Salt Lake temple (which is gorgeous by the way) but it was also my first time doing family names. It was such a cool experience. And doing the names with mary made it even more special! Afterwards, mary and I stopped at Dunkin Donuts on our way back to my place. As soon as we walked in the door Mary said "it smells like Rhode Island". That made me smile :)

 Mary and I at the Salt Lake temple ( it was funny explaining to the temple workers that she is my aunt)

Isn't it just gorgeous?

Dunkin Donuts Forever :)

You all probably think I eat here all the time...thats false. Only special occasions ;)

As far as school goes, I'm still CRAZY busy. My only down time is on the weekends...and thats if I force myself not to do school work. The good news is I'm keeping my head above water. At least I think I am....I'm still waiting to see how I did on one of my midterms...kind of makes me nervous. haha

I'm starting to take over more responsibilities with my client in the clinic. I get to come up with activities to help with her articulation/language goals. Its kind of fun...kind of stressful. haha But SO good to be getting the hands on experience!!! Especially since next semester I get 3 clients all to myself. I'll no longer have a mentor clinician teaching me what to do...so this is good :)

Oh p.s. My Best friend Maria Cardenaz came home from her mission in Costa Rica after serving for 18 months...YAYAYAY! If you can't tell....that makes me SUPER happy! :)

Anyway...thats the update on my life...
Love you all. Thanks for caring enough to read :)

A Letter to Grandma Mills (a.k.a. Grandma Next Door)

This post is dedicated to my Grandma Mills... my Grandma next door...

Hi Grandma!

I know you are probably wondering how your tara is doing all the way in utah, so I thought I would write you a letter.  I want you to know that I am doing just fine. I am pretty busy with school work this semester. Grad school is a LOT more work than my undergrad.  I'm really enjoying what I am learning though and I'm starting to pick out what I want to to specialize in within the speech pathology field.

 I'm taking an aphasia class this semester. They are teaching us how to work with patients who have had a stroke and how to help them eat and communicate again. I think of you a lot in that class. I always wonder how you are recovering from your stroke and whether you are happy. I hope that your speech pathologist is good to you. I like to think that I will be good to all of my patients, because I know they are someone's grandma or grandpa.

I know you are wondering if I have a boyfriend yet... *sigh* and the answer is no. And I know that you would tell me next "that I have time and to not rush into anything". Thanks grandma. I've always loved that about you. :)

Like I said earlier, school takes up a lot of my time! So i haven't really had a lot of time to meet new people. But i have made friends within my program that I study with and often find time to laugh with. Salt lake is a LOT bigger than where I was living before and there are SO many people here! It's a little overwhelming...but kind of exciting! It's the first time I've lived in an actual city before...so very different from little ol' Brookville.

There have been a few weekends where I have had some friends come to visit me and I have actually been able to explore Salt Lake City a bit. I've been to the planetarium, MULTIPLE malls, hockey games, the lovely temple square and I even found this painting hidden in the heart of salt lake. It's a big painting of books and I just love it! I think you would too! It has such pretty colors...and they are books...so how can you not love it?

Last week I had a break from classes so I went up to Idaho to visit Katrina, Casey, Carson and Grace. I cant believe how big Carson is. He grew so much over the summer. And Grace, she is just so beautiful! Such a little lady. I loved spending so much time with them. They are so good for the soul. You can't help but be happy when you are around them!  I miss that whole family already! But i'm planning on visiting them again for thanksgiving. :)

I heard it snowed in Ohio. Did you see the snow? It's still pretty warm here. No snow...yet. There is a bit of snow in the mountains though and it makes them look so majestic. The leaves here have all turned colors and are beginning to fall. I just love fall!

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I love you and that I am thinking of you and praying for you! I told dad to give you a big hug for me.

Love always,

Kitara (tara)

The next chapter.

You know when you are reading a book and you are nearing the end of a chapter and you can just feel a change coming on...and then boom! There's a surprise on the next page.

Well, here is my suprise...I moved to Salt Lake City! Surprise! Okay so most of already know that so it's not really such a surprise anymore.

But honestly, It was a surprise to me. One day I'm working and living in Logan, and the next day I'm in Salt lake looking for a place to live. After  going to about 7 different residences, I started to become a little discouraged. It's not like I actually WANTED to move, and none of the places just...fit. At about 6 pm I went to visit an old roommate of mine (Morgan) from BYU-I since I was in salt lake and she lives there. As I started to tell her how I was looking for a place to live, her roommate told me that she was planning on moving out. So the next day I put in my two weeks notice and a week and a half later, I officially moved in. (Thanks Skye and sarah for helping me move in!)
The house I live in is in the sugar house area which is quaint-ish and has lots of shops and is about 4 miles from campus. (Which I hadn't realized before) And an added bonus, morgan is my roommate again :)

 Morgan and I with our fancy cupcakes after grocery shopping

Morgan and I drinking White Grape juice and watching a chick flick  :)

I have to admit, leaving cache valley wasn't easy. I love it there. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I was supposed to move to salt lake. Kind of a BIG change because salt lake has SO many people and its a lot bigger and busier than any place I've lived before. Just a bit intimidating. But slowly, here and there, I'm starting to learn my way around. At least from my house to campus and back ;) Thank goodness for my GPS!

I think the hardest part of moving was leaving all my friends behind. Of course I only live 1.5 hours away so I'm determined to visit! I had such amazing support and felt so loved and appreciated by all the people in my ward and at work. I received so many texts and messages and even some goodbye gifts.

Kelsey is adorable! Her gift is almost as adorable as she is :)

Oh yeah...and I started Grad school. My program is intense! I'm not allowed to get a C in any of my classes. And they discourage C's on assignments, quizzes and tests. Each class has SO much reading and you learn SO much information. I've never typed so fast or taken so many notes in my life. Luckily I have made friends in my program that are as willing to spend all day (12 hours) at the library as I am. Even on saturdays. This is gonna be a tough 2 years...but It'll be SO worth it!

Kassi, Katherine and I studying Aphasia for 6 hours on Saturday...Katherine is expressing how we are all really feeling haha

Last weekend I was able to take a little break to visit Katrina, Casey, Carson and Grace in Rexburg to help them move and get settled in. I just happened to be there for Casey's birthday as well so I got to celebrate with all of them. Carson is as adorable as ever. I cant believe how big he is. Walking and talking like a 4 year old. He isn't even 2 yet! Well not for another week or two. He and I had fun playing outside at the park and inside with his toys. Whenever he said " Hi kitty" it just melted my heart! I finally got to meet beautiful grace, my niece. She is such a pretty girl. She is smiley and happy and does so well with a brother that "loves" her so much. And she is just so squishy and kiss-able!

Oh how I love them!!!

 Meeting Grace! Isn't she just the cutest thing? besides carson of course...

Mommy and Grace matching for church.

One of my favorite moments (that almost made me laugh in sacrament meeting today just thinking about it) was last sunday during the passing of the sacrament. Katrina handed carson and piece of bread and right after he ate it he started saying "more". Katrina tries to quiet him down by telling him that they will bring him water next and Carson starts shaking his head and hand and during the complete silence he says really loud " no water! no water! no water!". It may have been one of those "had to be there" moments but it was SO funny. Both katrina and I had to smother our giggles.

Another break I was able to make from studying was on wednesday. I wanted to spend some time with sarah before she set out to Rexburg for the semester so she and I went to Liberty park (where the ferris wheel from Charly is placed) and we walked around the park. Then we stopped to get a Jamba Juice smoothie before making a last minute decision to hike to Ensign peak....in our sandals. We didn't go all the way to the top because we weren't wearing proper clothes, or shoes. haha  But the view was still pretty amazing!

 Hiking in our sandals...oh yeah!

Me and Sari!

Like I mentioned earlier, School has pretty much consumed my life. I spend all my time on campus. I've been to quite a few job interviews as well but its really difficult finding a job that will work around my school and clinical schedule. I may have to just live off my school loans for the semester, which actually may be what I need considering how much time I study and I STILL feel behind in my reading. haha
I havent completely given up the job search yet...but I'm sure it will all work out the way it's supposed to. :)

Sometimes I miss Logan and my friends there, and my old apartment, and my old roommates and even my old job. Actually I miss it most of the time. But I have to remind myself that this is where I am supposed to be and that there are new adventures ahead. My story isn't over yet. I'm just moving on to the next chapter.