The Beginning of the end.

Well today leaving Utah started to become real to me. Leah left to go home for Christmas. I am starting to be sad about it all. I love it here. My ward rocks! I have really amazing friends here. I am starting to get well. Man life likes to throw things at you when you like where you are at. I am going back to Rexburg. It isn't that I don't love it there. I do but I feel at home here. I hope that I can get through school fast and move down here.

Temple Square Rocks!

As most of you know I have been working at Temple Square this fall. Well I just wanted everyone to know that it is my favorite job ever. It has been so wonderful for me to work there. I love my crew very much! Larry is the funniest old man I know. He always has a wonderful story to tell and the spirit and he are best friends. Joni is wonderful as well. She is fun to be around. It was way nice to have another lady on the crew. Dugan isn't my favorite but he could be nice at times. Tyrell was fun to work with. At first he was way quiet but as time went on he opened up more and more. Come to find out he was way funny. We also called him ox because he was way strong. I guess farm work will do that to you. Parker was good to work with as well. He was nice and worked hard. He is now on his mission. I believe he will be a very good missionary. James was my favorite to work with. We always had great conversation. He became an older brother to me. Working here has taught me a lot about gardening as well as reminding me how much the Lord works with his servants. There were many days that there was way more work than we had hands and at the end of the day it was done. I will miss working here. I hope to have the chance once again.

These pictures are from the Aspen harvest. It was way fun!
This is Larry.

This is James. He got to cut down all the trees. I got to carry most of them.






This was up at the fur harvest. We went up by bear lake. It was way fun as well!



This is planting season! Now that was a crazy time. The people planting was a ward that signed up to come help us plant on a Saturday morning. If they don't come there is no wat we would get it all done.

What have YOU done?

I saw this on my friend's blog and thought... we need to do this!
I tag you if you are reading this!
To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (I really want to)
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House= I stood outside it, so I'm counting that.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (I hope so but don't know. People have saved mine.)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake- Have I mom?
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

Moving!

The people I am living with have decided to move. They have lived in this home for 29 years. It has been a good neighborhood but they feel that it is time to find a new adventure. Don't worry about me. I will find a place to live. Anyway, there has been quite the happening going on here. After living here for so long things seem to have grown. Who knows where it all come from but it happens. There has been much to do. It has become a whole family project. Selma and Jerry's kids have been over often to get things cleaned out. It is fun to watch as it happens. There are many memories bought out as we cleaned out the crawl space and other storage areas. As boxes are opened there are many looks of joy that show on faces. There are even a few tears because the memory is so dear to the person. Isn't it funny how life happens, it soon passes and then we forget about it. Then with one look at a toy or a piece of clothing memories come flowing back. Then the stories begin to be told and more memories come out. Moving is hard and often a pain but there can be wonderful things that unfold from doing it. It also becomes a wonderful memory itself.

Like I said, things just seem to grow when you have lived somewhere for 29 years.

Oh the memories!!

DI was way happy!! Look at all the prizes they got to go through!

A moment of silence to finally get the car back in the garage after a number of years!

Are you shocked?!?!

Okay, today I felt like shocking everyone and blogging twice in the same week. I hope you are all healthy and can handle it. If not, you may want to see a doctor! It has just been an interesting week I guess. Alright maybe not that interesting but it could be a fun blog! Now you want to read it don't you? Hook, line and sinker!!
I am not really sure where to start. I will start with last night. Yesterday was a busy day at work. It was mow day, we were working really hard to have the gardens all pretty for the Relief Society broadcast and it was way hot. When I got home from work I was a little sleepy. Selma and Jerry were going out with their friends for dinner. Kindly Selma brought me home half of her salad from Cafe Rio and they also brought me home a Iceberg shake!! So kind don't you think! This is the aftermath of my hunger! I hope you don't get grossed out. If you do sorry but keep reading they are the only gross pictures today.



Today was another great day!! As I was walking to the garden shed we meet in I walked past the Temple!! It was so beautiful. I almost always have my picture taker with me. So I pulled it out and tried to capture the beauty. I hope this picture helps you feel what I felt as I had a second to contemplate its grandeur.

That sure did start my day off right! Later that morning we got a little surprise. We had a little raccoon visit our garden. He was so little and cute. Not cute enough for me to go cuddle with. I just loved it from a distance. The little fellow climbed up into one of the windows of the Administration building. He stayed there all day. Here is a picture I snapped as I was headed home.

I know you can't see him very well but he is there.
Well today was another great day on church head quarter campus. For getting up late it surely ended up being a wonderful day!! The Lord is good!

Finally!!

Okay, I am finally blogging! After several comments about how I need to share my life with everyone, I have decided it is easier than actually talking to people. So in a nut shell I am doing good. Alright I know that you all will not let that fly. So here it is!
After school got out in July my fall adventure began. I moved down to Utah the Day after classes were done. I moved to the first neighborhood that I ever lived in. West Valley is what some people would call a not nice place but my first memories are here.
Here are a few of these memories. When I was about three years old I was at the neighborhood 4th of July party and I burnt my finger on a sparkler. That same summer I was stung by a bee for the first time. i also learned to ride a bike. I loved this place. Yes it has changed but I can still feel the feelings that I used to have here. It is still a piece of me.
Anyway, I moved down here with out having a job. I was hoping to get the Temple Square job that my BFF had suggested I try to get. So began the wait. As I waited I decided to catch up with some of my best friends.I first got a hold of Kenna. I love her two little people and wanted to see how big and beautiful they were getting. I was for surely not disappointed.

As you can see they are my little beauties!!
I next made sure to spend sometime with one of my dearest friends and her little family. In a way I have become apart of the family. It may only be by name but I feel their love in my heart. Becky and Nate name their sweet lovely little daughter Marlayna. They may never know what this has meant in to me. It may have even saved me. It as least helped me grow up a little. Little Layna is a beautiful little girl!! I love her so much!

Well I finally got the job at Temple Square. I am a temp grounds lady!! It has to be my favorite job ever. People are so kind. I also work with some very wonderful people. My crew is the best. We take care of the area From the Joseph Smith Building east to State Street. I think that we have the most engaging gardens! What do you think?


I also get to put up Christmas lights. That means ladders, lifts and a lot of time.



Oh I also had the chance to go to Bri's wedding! Like always she was beautiful. The wedding was at the Salt Lake Temple! Like always it was a wonderful spiritual place to be in.


So as you can see life is still a party. I have also had the chance to hangout with Jennifer. Lady Bug just had her shoulder worked on a few weeks ago and can't move it for a total of six weeks. Life is always a party.

What can you remember?

This is a sweet game!! Nothing bad please!!


Here's how it works:

1. As a comment on our blog, leave one memory that you and I had together (it can be for Jill or Tev, or both!) . It doesn't matter if you know us a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty fun to see the responses. If you leave a memory about us, We'll assume you're playing the game and we'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, we'll leave our memory of you in our comments.

Marlayna!!!

When you read the title of this blog I know you thought, "There she goes again. Talking about herself. She is always trying to make herself funnier than she really is." Well you can relax and continue reading. I am not writing about the big Marlayna. I am writing about one of the most beautiful babies ever.

So now you are wondering why I have a little person named after me. Don't worry I wonder as well. My friend Becky served in the Montana Billings Mission. I was blessed to have been a ward missionary and friend to her through her whole mission. Lucky for me the friendship lasted. She even wrote me and sent me a package when I was on my mission. Yeah she is the nicest ever!!

So she always told me she was going to name her first girl after me. I was very sure that was a lie. Not to many people willing to name their child after a crazy lady. So I would always just laugh it off. Well on day Becky told me she had a bun in the oven. I was very happy for her. (oh she is married in the Temple. I know you all wanted this story to have some twists and turns. Sorry you dont get any!) A few months or so before this sweet little girl was going to pop out Becky asked if she could name her Marlayna. I am sure she would have even if I had said no. (It is more that she likes the name more than me.) I asked her if she wanted a little me running around her house. I am sure you can't get genes from a name, but I am sure the name causes some craziness. Becky was willing to take the chance. So I told her I would love it. For the first two months I got to know her through pictures. Then about two months ago I met her for the first time. (Sorry Becky hasn't sent me those ones yet.) So you get to see the four month old ones.

K so not so good at blogging!

Life is crazy you know!! My blog has seemed to suffer a bit. Ok a lot! Today is my last full day in Rexburg until January of next year. Not sure how to feel about that. I am moving down to West Valley, Utah. No laughing. I have lived there before, but I was only of the tiny little person. This time may be a little different. The area is different, I am different and the people I am living with are different. Oh well, it isn't like I haven't done crazy things before.

So the past little bit I have had some fun!! I went on a wonderful basic skills hike!! Oh what a party it was!! Here are some pictures!




I also went to Yellowstone!!








So I going to have more time on my hands! So I will blog more!

Kind of Random

K Gretchie!! You want six random things. Let us see if I can do you justice.
1. When I was little I wanted to be a country singer. Not just any country sing, but Dolly Parton. Yes I know it is every little girls dream to look the same at 70 as you did when you were 20. Also who wants to fit in a shirt. My dreams turned for the worst as I got older. Up you guessed it the shirt doesn't just fit it is to big.
2. I was in prom royalty when I was a senior. Yep I stood up on the stage in front of my friends, in my pink dress and listened to them call some other girls name. I thought of running up and punching her in the face and stealing the crown, but it wouldn't be lady like. And, I am a lady.(I better not have a comment about that!)
3. One of my very favorite places to go is Yellowstone. One of my favorite places to go there is a little place called sea gull point. There is a picnic area that my family often stops at. When there I walk down to the lake by myself and sit and think. I can only sit there for so long because I always have this fear that a bear is going to bust out of the woods and eat me.
4. When I moved to the house we live in now I was not a fan of the school I went to. It is a little county school where everyone but me had been in the same class since first grade. They were very mean to me and made funny of me. So I became the funny kid. I did that because if I was the funny kid I would know what they were laughing at and I was fine with them laughing at me because I was funny.
5. I was cut from basketball twice when I was in high school. So instead of letting them get the best of me I became the basketball manager. Yep that is right. I filmed the games and got them water. The best part was on our senior night my senior year I got more cheers than any of the players. He He He!! Oh sweet revenge!
6. I love to speak in church. It does not freak me out at all. I have had to come up with quick talks on the spot and I loved it. It is the same way with teaching at church. I really do love to teach and help people better understand the gospel. It is one of my very most favorite things!!

Well I don't know if this cuts it but it is a little look into me!!

My Mom

Today on Mother's Day I am going to tell you all a little bit about why I love my mom. Mom is a party. On my Sister's profile on her station page there is a question that is asked. The question is what do you do when you need to laugh. My Sister put,"I call my Mom." It is so true. When I need a little pick me up I call my Mom. She has lived her life. Mom lives each day. It may not be a perfect day or even close to a good day, but she lives it. My Mom isn't perfect. I Mom has made mistakes in her life but she isn't afraid to let that stop her. Mom taught me to accept people. Differences are not bad.I love my Mom. This is a very short list. To end it I want to share one of the biggest reasons I love my Mom. She gave me the gift of the Gospel. She let me choose for myself. She gave me the chance I needed to learn about and learn to follow Christ. So she helped give me physical life as well as spiritual life!

The good old summer time!

I remember when I was little and summer meant playing out side everyday, going swimming, playing softball, and doing nothing. I don't know when it happened but summer is now going to school everyday, doing homework, working (not that I have a job right now, but if I wasn't in school I would), and never getting to do nothing. Why did I want to grow up? So this summer I am changing things up. Yes that is right I am putting my foot down. I know I still have to go to school and work, but I am going to make time to enjoy summer like I did when I was a little kid. I am going to go swimming, play at the park, go camping, and a host of other things. Now it has been a long time since I was a little kid. So I need a little help with making a list of things to do in the summer. So if you have any bright ideas by all means tell them to me.
1. Camping
2. Swimming
3. Golf
4. Playing at the park
5. Horseback riding
6. walk to the sno shack
7. Play fribee

Isn't tomorrow May?

So... I have a bone to pick with Heavenly Father! Tomorrow is May 1. Two days ago it was 70 outside. The grass is green, the birds are singing and my body is telling me that I should be warm. Well, Rexburg weather is not listening to all of the clues of spring. This morning it was about 30 outside with high winds (which here means it is about 10 or 20 degrees cooler) and it was snowing. That is breaking so many rules. K so they are only my rules, but I am a daughter of God and they should count for something. Yeah, I know what they count for. A big fat lesson on being happy with whatever the Lord gives you. I should learn His rules so I don't have to be taught them the hard way!!

Funny Isn't It!

Tonight I walked home by myself. They tell us as girls this is a bad idea. I have been walking home alone since I was little. I should listen to people, but something happens when I walk home at night. At home I live out of the city limits. There that means pretty close to the middle of nowhere. I started a habit there. The stars can be seen well walking up my road. So I started talking to them. Really I would talk to a lot of people. Mostly my Father in Heaven. I always felt He could really hear me out there. Maybe I just prayed better. I still have that habit and it came forth tonight. Though, tonight was different. As I came out of the parking lot between the girls dorms I looked up the road. Like always I was blessed to see the temple. This time I saw something new. As I looked towards the Temple it drew my gaze upward. I have never seen such a pillar. The thought crossed my mind,"Is the light going up from the Temple or is the light coming from Heaven." The answer is I don't know. I am happy not knowing, because no matter what the Light was good. I couldn't take my eyes off it. It engulfed me the whole way home. It brought my thoughts and talking to the sky back to talking with Father. All I know is He protected me and I was blessed to feel how wonderful this night was. I am going to be alright and I am finally learning how to change. I feel loved in so many ways!

I had forgotten how beautiful Montana is. Every time I leave this place for a while it feels like I am see great new wonders when I come back. Each mountain has her own story to tell. One of grace and adventure. As I come down into the plains I feel as though there is an appealing mystery. Each hill draws me on as I try to find out what they are hiding. People are right in saying that Montana is one of the last of the great frontiers.