My Fam

Since I like my family I decided it was time to put some pictures of them on here so here it goes....

Here's my mom -Sue- and dad -Chuck- and my oldest niece, Bella. Bella's so cute in this picture!My parents have been traveling kind of a lot lately, so this is from their trip to DC.

This is from last summer when my mom and I went to visit my sister -Michele- in Temecula.During that same trip Michele and I ended up wearing like the same exact outfit to church.
This is my brother -Mike- and my soon to be nephew -Ryder-Here's Mike, his fiance -Danielle-, Ryder, and Bella. Bella's really excited to be getting a little brother.
This is my brother -Joey-. I think he's still planning on coming out to BYU for grad school. Look out ladies... he's single. =)Some of the guys in my life this past Christmas.

This is my sister -Amber- and her husband -Jon- This picture sums them up perfectly!I love this picture of Amber and Taia. Look at all the slober on Taia's shirt....This Easter Jon decided to go swimming with Bella!I love these girls!

Between You and God

The last day of my mission prep class our teacher read a quote from Mother Teresa that I thought was awesome, so I googled it this morning and found it. I think it's really good, so I'm gonna put it up on here.

Between You and God

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you; Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating others could destroy overnight; Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will be often forgotten; Do good anyway Give the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

By Mother Teresa

Classes are over!

I can't believe I've actually made it through this school year.... well almost. All I have left are my finals and they're all scheduled. Today was the last day of classes and I didn't even have real class today, I just had an oral final presentation. I think it went ok, even though I'm not so sure it ended on a high note. But oh well, no more classes and I have just about made it through the junior core! I never would have thought this day would come.

I remember the first day of classes. Instead of real class we had an orientation meeting. I was so nervous for that meeting because I didn't think I was smart enough to make it in such an intense and competitive program, but somehow I seem to have done alright. Oh yeah, I was so nervous for orientation that I went out and bought a new outfit for that day and it just so happened that I wore the same exact outfit today to the final presentation. Weird little happening isn't it! Anyways, only a week and a half and three finals (technically four counting a really easy take home final for mission prep) stand in my way of summer! Thanks freaken goodness!!! Now all I need is to find a real job! argh

My First!

That's right.... I've just completed my very first tax return! Most people wouldn't advertise that, but since that is what I will more than likely be doing for a good chunk of time after graduation I am pretty excited about it. The tax return wasn't a real one, but it was an assignment for my tax class. They gave us a bunch of different numbers for different income and expense items for a self-employed business and rental property and a bunch of other random items that get special tax treatments and then made us fill out like 11 different schedules. Kinda gay, but pretty rad at the same time! I think this is a kinda big day to remember, I mean really, I've officially completed my first tax return EVER! Another good day for an accounting nerd!

Insomniac!

I hate not being able to sleep! It's officially 3:16 and after watching every episode of gossip girl that they have posted online I still am not completely tired, even though I know tomorrow is going to be a killer day! Seriously, not being able to sleep is one of the most annoying things ever!!!

the nerdy excitement of an accountant!

I have had such an amazing day!!! (As far as accounting classes go) We had a group presentation on a case that my group and I have spent 6-7 hours working on between yesterday and today. The case was pretty hard and we had no clue if we were even on the right track as far as our formulas and other answers were concerned. So we just decided that we'd stick with our answers and try to make them seem right.

We started out our presentation and everything was going alright, the teachers we had evaluating us were cool and it seemed to go really well. The first speaker started out and right away the teachers told us that to save some time he said our numbers looked good and that we can move on. So he went to the next slide and started talking about other numbers, again the teacher said that our answers looked good and that we could just move on. They even jokingly asked if we'd gotten a copy of the answer key.

Randomly throughout the presentation the teachers would ask us questions that they come back to us for the answers. After I gave my little part they asked me a question that I thought was so hard, but as my other group members were responding to their questions there came an opportunity for me to find a quick fix to my answer. So, when the teachers asked me my response I gave them the quick fix, kinda funny, answer and they just started laughing and like my quick response and witty answer. It was an awesome feeling. Also, after we were done giving our presentation and the teachers were saying how good we had done I said that if they wanted to take down our names to remember as they look over the MAcc applications they could. Again more laughter.

As my group finished and we were walking out the teachers said that we were the best presentation they'd seen all day and that our numbers were the most correct that they'd seen all day. How awesome is that!!! I was so stoked. It takes a lot to feel good about your work when you're in the Junior Core and today I actually felt so smart. I seriously couldn't stop smiling when I walked out of the classroom! A good day for sure!

..time's just a canvas.

Some friends and I went to see the movie 27 Dresses tonight. I have already seen it once before and I think it's a really cute movie... chick flick obviously. The whole premise behind the movie is this girl who loves weddings and has been a bridesmaid 27 times. - See the connection with the 27 dresses - Well, she ends up having to plan her little sister's wedding to the man of her dreams. Then there are all these issue and other people that come into play, including a crazy best friend who is pretty scandalous and someone I'd secretly (or maybe not so secretly) love to be. Anyways, towards the end of the movie there is this really cute song that I think can represent many different things. It's call "Be Here Now" by Ray LaMontagne, and I have added it to my playlist. I think this song is really sweet and here are the lyrics: (It's kind of a long song - time wise, not lyric wise - but go with it because I think it's worth it.)

Don’t let your mind get weary and confused..
your will be still; don’t try.
Don’t let your heart get heavy, child;
inside you there’s a strength that lies.

Don’t let your soul get lonely, child..
it’s only time; it will go by.
Don’t look for love in faces, places —
it’s in you; that’s where you’ll find kindness.

Be here.. be here now.. be here now..
be.. be here now.. be here now…

Don’t lose your faith in me,
and I will try not to lose faith in you.
Don’t put your trust in walls,
‘cause walls will only crush you when they fall.

Be…be here now… be here now.
Be…be here now…be here now.

*Oh, I also added another song by Secondhand Serenade called "Fall For You". I found out tonight that it is my brother and his fiancé's song. I guess Danielle, my soon to be sister-in-law and long time family friend, was listening to this song when she realized she loved my brother. How cute is that? Here they are at my parents' house for Easter 2008 with his 5 year old daughter, Bella, and here 9 month old son, Ryder. We are very much an American family, but don't even get me started on that!