Sunday, August 19, 2012

Primary Chorister

One thing that I have learned this year is that Heavenly Father truly does have a plan.  Not only does he have a plan, but his hand is always in our lives.  I remember sitting in the bishops office as he called me to be the Primary Chorister, and thinking to myself you are kidding right,  I don't sing!!! I came to learn that I was in that calling for a reason.  I never knew that I could come to LOVE a group of kids, as much as I love my primary kids.  They truly were the light in my life.  Being the primary chorister definitely had it's challenges.  I had the responsibility to teach these kids what the primary songs were trying to teach them.  I had to teach them to sing when I don't sing very well myself. I had to be very prepared with a 20 minute lesson each week.  I can honestly say it was all worth it!!  I have never enjoyed a calling as much as I enjoyed this calling.  I think I learned more from them then they learned from me.  I was blown away at how much they knew, and how strong there testimony's already were.  It was such a huge blessing in my life to be apart of such a great thing!!  I hope that my kids learned how truly special they were, and how much there Heavenly Father Loves them!!! As I bore my testimony the last week tears just rolled down my cheeks.  I could feel of Heavenly Father's love for each of them.  I got a little glimpse of the love that Heavenly Father has for each and every one of us.  Being the Primary Chorister is something that I will always cherish, and never forget!!! 
Junior Primary
Senior Primary

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Farewell Labor and Delivery

I have been so blessed to have worked five years in Labor and Delivery!! I like to call it the happiest place on earth.  My job truly made me so happy.  I loved going to work every day!! 
Top 10 reason why I LOVED my job
  1. I worked with such great people
  2. I got to witness a miracle each and every time I went to work
  3. I learned to work hard, but to also have a good time doing it... What happens on L&D stays on L&D
  4. I got to see families fall in love all over again as they brought beautiful babies into the world. 
  5. I got to feel the spirit as I was in deliveries
  6. I made so many friends
  7. I was able to assist the doctors in C/Sections which was so amazing and so cool
  8. I was able to be apart of a team, and a family who worked hard together, and was always there for each other
  9. I got to experience heartache, but was grateful for the knowledge that I had of the plan of salvation. 
  10. Add caption
  11. I LOVED my partner in crime MAREN... We got pretty good at playing jokes on everybody especially when it came to jumping out of boxes, or grabbing someones leg under the desk.  Never a dull moment with Maren and I.  

My last night was a party!!! This is my Boyfriend Mikai.  He is my best friends  little Boy.  He brought me Chocolates, and Flowers on my last day!!  It totally melted my heart especially when he came and gave me a kiss on the cheek.  
The Beaver Face.... In any picture we took with Sarah she always made the beaver face!! Love her!!! 
This is my Partner in Crime Maren..... We worked almost all of our shifts together!!  I don't know what I would do without her.  She is one of the most giving, and caring people I know.  She is always so happy, and so supportive.  Maren and I had such a good time together.  I don't know a shift that we worked that we didn't have fun!!! We were constantly playing jokes on everyone, especially scaring people.  Sure do love this girl!!! 






What happens on L&D stays on L&D
The Fab 5

I never dreamed or imagined that I would make so many amazing friends as I did on L&D.  They truly are my second family.  I felt like I had so many mothers looking out for me.  Helping me find cute dates, helping me with homework, encouraging me, making me feel appreciated, helping me to become great at my job, and loving me for me!! It truly doesn't get better!!  My last shift was so hard for me.  It was so hard to say goodbye to something that I loved.  To say goodbye to so many people that I loved.  I cried as I left.  I hope that I will be able to work there again when I get back, but I know that where ever Heavenly wants me to be is where I will end up. I have so many great memories on L&D.  It is something that I will never forget.  Something that I will always love and cherish!!! 

Monday, August 6, 2012

Hiking the Y

I have lived in Utah my whole entire life and have never hiked the Y.  What a deprived child I am.  My family finally decided to do it for FHE.  It was so much harder then I thought, but it was beautiful.  Tayla and I decided we weren't going to be last so we booked it to the top.  We tried to catch Easton and Tessa, but they both beat us by a long shot.  I was grateful that Tay stuck with me.  We sang, laughed, whined a little, but had a great time.  Sure do love her, and the beautiful young woman she is becoming.  
Cathy, Easton, and John at the start of the hike.... We were waiting for Savages to  come so these guys got a head start.  
Easton amazed me on the hike.  The kid is in excellent shape.  He pretty much ran the whole entire thing.  
Kyle and Shea thought they would come as well.  Little Wyatt was only 3 or 4 weeks.  They made it 1/4 of the way before they decided it was a little much for a Wyatt, and Shea who just had a baby! We were so glad that they tried it though! One day they can finish it with us.  
Provo, Utah home of the COUGARS! Such a pretty view! 
Tanner started the hike with Tamzy on his back, but this girl was determined to do it on her own, and hiked the whole thing by herself.  She ran most of the way.  Oh to be a little kid again with so much energy.  
The rest of the Gang all pumped and ready to hike
Cathy was such a tropper.  She did a great job!! We are so proud of you Cat. 
We finally made it to the top!! 




This picture is beautiful to me.  The temple is the first thing that catches your eye, and it is so pretty!!  It makes me realize that the temple should be the one thing in our life that catches our eye.  That we always focus on.  If we are striving to make it to the temple and always keep it in sight we will always be worthy to go there, and we are promised that if we attend the temple we will be blessed.  So ALWAYS keep the temple in sight! 

This year we have been suffering from lots of fires because of how dry it is.  There was a fire in Saratoga  Springs the night we hiked.  So the sky was black, but when it finally set it was beautiful.  


I can now say that I have hiked the Y.  It was such a fun night.  Even though it was really hard, we all totally made it to the top.  When I think of hiking I like to relate it to life because there are points that are rocky and hard, and there are also points that are beautiful, but if you keep going you will make it through the hard point, and make it to the top which is eternal life.  It was great to be at the top with my whole family!!  How great will be the day when my family will all be together forever!!! 

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Passing Boards

 I am officially a Licensed Practical Nurse for the State of Utah.  I studied and prepared so hard to take boards.  I was so nervous, and stressed.  I knew I had done everything that I possible could do.  I asked my dad to give me a blessing the night before to help calm my nerves.  I went to bed that night feeling great! I went to take the test around 10:00.  As I took the test I felt like I was doing okay but not great.  Well then it shut off at the minimum amount of questions.  I was positive that I had failed.  I had the worst feeling about it.  I was stressed beyond control because I wouldn't be able to take it again before I left. I prayed and prayed so hard the next week to have the comfort that I needed when I received my results.  We went to Lake Powell the next week, and I wouldn't look at my results for fear that I would be so disappointed.  So on the way home I finally looked them up.  I PASSED!! I have never been so excited and grateful in my whole life. I know that Heavenly Father truly has a plan.  I know that I didn't pass that test alone.  I know that Heavenly Father guided me to answer the correct answer, and to remember everything that I had studied.  I know that Heavenly Father realized that I was doing everything I was supposed to be doing, and he blessed me for that.  I am so excited that I am finally a NURSE!! My dreams are coming true one by one!! 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Lake Powell Trip #1

Another Successful trip of Lake Powell with the WHITT CLAN.  There is nothing greater then being together with your family, on a lake, out in the sun, relaxing, laughing, and enjoying everyone's company.  I don't know what it is about Lake Powell, but there truly is no greater place in my eyes.  
Here is the crazy bunch..... 








 









I have realized that all you need is a ball, and you can entertain a bunch of boys for hours.  They would dive and catch the ball all day.  They got pretty dang good by the end of the trip. 



 We also had a blast surfing!  We were so grateful for Todd taking us, and letting us use his boat.  Surfing is great because one it is different, and two because you can do it when the water is really choppy. Todd is so good at it.  He starts from the boat, and ends on the boat.  We were all grateful that he could help us learn how to do it.  
 





 It isn't a Lake Powell trip unless you have a really good storm.  This year topped all of the storms we have ever experienced.  Powell is a time where we always have a gospel experience that strengthens our testimony and helps us realize that we aren't in control.  We were getting ready for dinner and it was a little windy when Logan out of no where said we need to get ready for a storm.  So we got everything tied down, checked our anchors, and put the covers on the boat. The moment we all sat down the storm started.  It was insane.  The wind was 65-70mph.  It was pouring rain, and the sky was as dark as could be.  The sand was blowing everywhere, and the water was so rough.  It actually looked really cool.    I felt so hopeless, and scared.  We decided to say a prayer, and ask for help and safety.  The storm lasted a good hour, but when it stopped we were safe and sound.  Our houseboat was still anchored great, and nothing was damaged.  We truly were so lucky.  I know that Heavenly Father was watching out for us.  I am grateful for Logan's example.  For how in tune he was to feeling the spirit so that we could be prepared.  We have been promised that if we are prepared we shall not fear.  


 It's never a good Powell trip until you have tubbed behind Boom's boat.  He is literally crazy, but boy does he give you a good ride.  The older I get the more wimpier I get.  It sure is a blast though!!  I love looking at everyone's faces.  



This game is called Rope the Dope.  It really isn't the smartest thing, but it is sure is fun, but yet so hard to hold on.  So you pretty much just hold on for dear life as the boat drives.  You have water spraying in your face so much that you can't breath.  It is the craziest feeling, STUPID, but yet really fun!!! 



 Logan and I

Wakeboarding starts at 7 in the morning, and ends when it is dark.  We love it!! Especially when you do Dawn Patrol (which means you wake up super early to get the best water).  There is nothing better then boarding on Glass.  It was my goal to jump the wake at Powell.  I got super close.  I landed on the wake.  I literally had like 1 ft to go.  When I get back I am gonna do it!! 
 The next three pictures are of Logan doing a back flip.  I don't know how he does it, but it is so dang cool.  I love the last picture because he literally is hanging onto the rope by as string, but he still seems to land it so smooth.  




 This year we had some friendly fish who liked to nibble on us when we were swimming.  So Brad and Logan were determined to catch them.  They actually caught two of them.  We didn't really have issues after that.  We showed them who was boss.  
 
 I always get so nervous when I ski that I won't get up.  This year I nailed it, and got up my first try.  I was stoked.  I forget how fun skiing really is!! It is definitely a work out, but boy is it fun!! 
 My mom is queen of blowing your cheeks it makes me laugh so hard, but it works she gets up her first time every time.  

 The old man still has it!! 

 


 
 We did an awesome hike this year through a slot canyon.  It was so incredible.  None of us took our cameras though.  We hiked 45 minutes in.  It was probably one of the coolest hikes I have done at Powell.  You had to hike through puddles of water that you didn't know how deep it was going to go, we had to literally climb up rocks and be boosted.  It was a lot of fun!! 
 
 Todd found some friends!! 
 I love cliff Jumping.  I still get so nervous, and still get butterfly's in my stomach, but it is so much fun!!! There was a cliff right by our houseboat that we would swim to everyday.  From all the cliff jumping we did four of us got ear infections.  I was lucky and didn't!! 



 Brad taught Jensen how to do a backflip, and he totally flipped off the cliff.  It was awesome!! 
 It's not a successful Powell trip if you don't have some killer dance parties on the back of the boat!!! 


 Each year we have to break the record and see how many wake boarders we can get up at the same time.  We had five boarders, and one knee boarder.  It was so fun!! It is really hard to get up, but so fun once you all get up.  Cute little E wanted to join in on the fun so he knee boarded.  It was awesome!!! Maybe next year we can break the record!! 



 The lovely boats that make Powell fun!!! 

 


Lake Powell is one of the prettiest places I have ever been!! This year we had a full moon most nights, and the sunsets were so beautiful!! It truly is a little place I like to call HEAVEN.  






 
I am so grateful for parents who work hard so that we can spend a week at Powell.  It is the one time that my family gets along all week long.  It is a time when our love for each other grows stronger.  It is a time that we get to eat great food, laugh all day, try new things, jump off crazy cliffs, wake up super early to be on glass, and just have the best week of our lives.  2012 Powell Trip was a definite SUCCESS!!!