Happy Holidays!!

So tis the season to be jolly!

Found this video on facebook after one of my friends posted on their page. I thought that it was funny and that many people could identify with the feelings as sung in this song!

Click HERE to view video on Youtube.

Status Check

Ok so I must apologize for the time that it has taken me to post

on my own personal blog. Life has been kinda crazy and hectic to say the least.

So if I mean for anything to come out of this post, is that I am still alive!!! I haven't left you

alone nor have I forgotten you. 

I am hoping that with the fall break that has finally come, I can get caught up on all the 

things that I need to do and have been meaning/wanting to do. If I am lucky, one of them 

will be to catch up on the blogs. If you don't hear from me soon, 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!!

Sisters in Zion

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have opened up my second blog! Its a blog dedicated to the Young Women Organization for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hopefully I will have handouts and stories/thoughts, pictures from activities and ideas for other leaders (or girls) in the YW program! Check it out under the Blogs that I Like: We Are Daughter of a Heavenly King.

Big Girl Now

So after about 3 years of being in our ward's nursery, I have been released. Yes, I did ask to be released because I was just getting burned out and felt like I had fulfilled my calling and duty when set apart for that position. However, this doesn't mean that I am off the hook. The bishopbric has decided to call me to the Young Women Program as the 2nd counselor. I had a feeling that is where they were going to call me but I had no idea that it was going to land me into the presidency. It frightens me a little because I have had no real interaction with that organization since I was a teenager. I mean there was camp, but that was really only for about a week and only a few weeknight activities. 

Anyway, they sustained me today during Sacrament. I had my little mini me on my lap at the time this happened and the lady that they had put in my place in the nursery was sitting just on the other side of my and when I pointed out to her that this lady was going to be her new teacher, she about freaked and just about cried. Needless to say she just left my lap and went back to her mother shortly after. 

It was hard to hear a lot of the parents tell me that their kids will miss me as a teacher and they thanked me for all the time and love that I had put into my calling. Its bitter sweet, like I said before, I love the kids and will greatly miss them, but it was time to move on and I'm excited to start this new adventure...wish me the best of luck!

Blame it on the weatherman

Its the week of Halloween and guess what? I am getting sick. Just my luck that it happens almost every year.  Seems like each one of us kids gets sick around a holiday and mine just has to be around one of the funnest holidays of them all! Anyone have any OJ (with lots of pulp) that they would like to offer me a glass of? LOL. I blame my cold on a couple of things, first, I blame the rapid weather change (snow, rain, sun, wind...you get the idea). Second I blame my weak immune system with the stress that I am going through with school and other things. and Third, I blame my little nursery kids who "oh they are not sick" but really are sick. Grr.

So I don't know if I have mentioned this before or not, my memory seems to be slipping away with the rest of the year (man how fast it has gone), but some big changes are coming my way. I am not at liberty to say just what they are yet, but if you have been following my posts over the last few months you might just get an idea of what those changes are going to be. Needless to say, my creativity has taken flight again and I have have been working on some things that are kinda surprising even to me! Hopefully soon I will be able to share them! 

I know this is a short post, but I just felt like I needed to right. Since I had a little break in between my classes today. 

Autumn Leaves

Midterms are finally over and life has gone back to normal, well as normal as it could ever be. I can say that I have done pretty well thus far this semester-hoping that momentum and enthusiasm stays with me til finals in December. The next two weeks will be a little crazy though. I need to complete two more observations for my EDUC 204 class. I have what I am going to do, I just need to wait for them to take place. So I guess in a way that is my big stress but not so big that it is going to cause me problems later on. I got my battle plan and I'm sticking with it. 

Not sure if I have mentioned this or not, but Fall is my FAVORITE season of the year. Yeah, I know its a little late to be saying that, but the bitter cold weather has made me stop and smell the...leaves. I love, love, LOVE the colors the leaves change and how they all just fall on the ground...its so beautiful.

When I lived up North, I loved walking down the streets in the fall (sometimes after the rain or even during the rain), and just looking at all the leaves on the ground. The area was just beautiful around this time of the year. However, to make up for that, my neighbors yard is just beautiful and it won't be to long before our large backyard is covered with leaves as well.

Since we are talking about the Fall, Halloween is coming up and as I was looking through my photos that I have on my computer, I came across this photo (seen below) and it reminded me of how there is certain movies that are really great and you could really watch at any time, but watching them during Halloween, just adds the little something something to the suspense =]

This motel is located around down town Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. The motel itself is just like most motels where you can park right by your door. You know the ones that look kinda creepy, in fact similar to the one in the movie Psycho just white. Only it was the name that drew my attention to it and I just had to laugh and of course snap a photo of it! =]

Pleasure and Pain

So its the weekend (this would be the "Pleasure") and I have 2 midterms (this would be the "Pain") that I have til Sunday night to finish. Where in the world does it say that midterms can be assigned on the weekend? I mean, yeah its great that I get to have ALL my notes and books around to help me answer the questions and on one of my midterms, I even get 3 attempts (2 hours each) to try and get the highest score possible. Which is nice since it originally was only one attempt and 90 minutes to complete it by 5 pm today. However I guess with as many failed attempts sent via email from my classmates, it has been extended which I am glad because that gives me a little more time I can brush up on the reading and get familiar again with the previous chapters that we studied earlier. I am ready for it! So, don't be surprised if no one hears from me over the next 48 hours. 

The other "midterm" I have is not really a midterm at all, but more of a copy and paste thing from one document to another and then submit. I have received permission from both of my instructors allowing me to use the same paper so that is why its really copy and paste into a  dissertation format. So not to big of a pain, just takes some time to complete and get the right portions into the right area and format of the dissertation outline (no, I am not in a high enough class level to be writing a dissertation, my one instructor just wanted to get us familiar with the formatting and layout of one so that we can have it for future reference and since its a technology class and we do not have many assignments, its going towards our midterm grade).

Then if midterms were not enough, I have to figure out a nursery lesson and singing time for tomorrow. I think I have found one, I just got to go over it and see what I can do with said lesson. The singing time won't be that hard since I just have to look through my treasure trove of singing time items and pick. Problem is, I just have to do it. Plus the normal stuff I use the weekend to get done...its going to be crazy and come Sunday night, I will be out like a light bulb as soon as my head hits my pillow...I am sure of it. =]

I was hoping to maybe finish up a crafting project (my season blocks) this weekend, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen, maybe next week they will get done. Oh well! 

OOOOHHHHH! So one of my favorite Halloween traditions is coming back this year. I LOVE the show Ghost Hunters (on Syfy) and they are doing their live Halloween event again this year. Last year was fun and you get to feel like your apart of the team. Check it out here:http://www.syfy.com/ghosthunterslive/

Anyway, I need to get going so I can start on my midterms. Take care and we will see you next time!

Facebook

Hello everyone! For those who I am friends with on facebook, I will be disconnecting that account but I do have a new account under under the same name. I have a link in my side bar that you can click (its listed under the 'Likes' and is blue with a big white f on it) and it will take you to my new facebook page where you can then friend me. Sorry about all the confusion!

**UPDATE** as of this evening 10/11/10 i have sent in the request to delete my Facebook account under the email tiggs_r_us@hotmail.com. It will no longer be available and in just 14 days will be perminately deleted. However, as stated above, you can still "friend" me on the link provided. Thanks again for your cooperation in making this change!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

That is what little girls are made of. Interesting experience tonight, I received a phone call from on of my nursery kids-"Mini Me." LOL it was cute. Her mom was telling me that she wanted to call and say hi. As with all little princesses, she got her wish. So she gets on the phone and says hi, then proceeds to tell me a story about this pickle character that she has been seeing (kinda like a nightmare) and how her daddy took care of him. Then she was telling me that they were have a birthday party for her little brother (this would "B", another little guy in our happy nursery family) and asked if I was going to come. I told her I didn't know and so then she proceeded to tell me that I could have a hat, but they didn't have the hats yet cause they have to go buy some. It was really cute and it touched me. Although I am going to be leaving nursery here soon (fingers crossed) I will greatly miss those little guys and moments just like this. *sigh*

So today was a very interesting day. My mom's birthday was today and she had her 3 sisters over today cause they were going to go to lunch. Boy did I learn things about all 4 ladies that I hadn't known before. It was actually kinda funny but scary at the same time. I would share bits of the conversation, but then I would have to probably change the rating of this blog....LOL.

So like I said it was mothers birthday and they went out to lunch. Well my brother and sister in law (SIL) had this idea to take in a cake to the place they were eating and have the staff sing to her. So picture this,  a packed restaurant, pie instead of cake, and a more than willing staff. It was classic. I guess my mom's face went beet red. So I guess we did good. 

So anyway, I guess I will close for the time being so I can go look over and study my math notes for my test tomorrow. Good Night!

Trick or Treat

So in honor of one of my favorite holidays, Halloween, I thought I would share with you a recipe that is not only fun to create but yummy as well (that is if you can get past the way it looks). 

Kitty Litter Cake

1 pkg (18.25 oz) German Chocolate cake mix

1 pkg (18.25 oz) White cake mix

2 pkgs (3.5 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 pkg. (12 oz) vanilla sandwich cookies

3 drops green food coloring

1 pkg Tootsie Rolls (unwrapped)

PROPS: a NEW kitty litter box, box liner and scoop (I highly suggest that the props are all new, if there not, shame on you and don't tell me).

Prepare cake mixes and bake according to the directions on the packages (in any size pan you have). Prepare pudding mix  according to package directions  and chill until ready to assemble. Crumble sandwich cookies in small batches in a food processor (or a rolling pin works well too! =] ) scraping often. Set aside all but 1/4 cup of the crumbs. To the 1/4 cup of crumbs add a few drops of green food coloring and mix (the picture below was a little greener than what I wanted but you get the idea).  When both cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble them into a large bowl, toss with 1/2 of the remaining plain cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. You wont need all of the pudding since you just want the cake to be moist and NOT soggy.

Line the litter box with the new and clean kitty liner. Put the cake mixture into the liter box. Put half of the unwrapped tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until SOFTENED.  Shape ends so they are no longer blunt then curve the tootsie rolls slightly. Bury shaped tootsie rolls randomly into the cake and sprinkle with the remaining plain cookie crumbs. Sprinkle a small amount of green crumbs lightly over the top.

Heat 3-4 tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish until ALMOST MELTED.  Scrap them on top of the cake and sprinkle slightly with green crumbs.  Hear remaining tootsie rolls until pliable and shape as before. Spread all but one randomly over the top of the cake mixture. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Hang the remaining tootsie roll over the side of the littler box. Serve with pooper scooper for a gross (but REALLY YUMMY) Halloween treat!!!

It's Just Another Manic Monday

I did not exaggerate when I titled this blog "it's just another manic Monday," it really was that. 

First off, I get a picture sent to my cell phone from my brother showing  me their drivers side front tire/fender. They (my brother and SIL) had been hit from "behind" by some in a hurry teenager. The front side of their car was totaled. So a few moments later, I get this call to pick them up to run a few errands and go to lunch. We had just left the mall and was heading back to their house when all of a sudden the belt that attaches to my alternator snaps and there went my transportation.  So we ended up calling the SAME towing company to come tow my car to the auto shop (because we were not sure if the belt had messed with the serpentine(sp?) belt, and if so-what did that do to my engine. 

All we could do was laugh to keep us all from crying. It was like Karma coming back to bite me in the butt. My car had just been towed and my mother had come to pick us up when it started to rain (when it rains it pours I guess???). 

I am just glad that the night is coming to a close and I pray that Tuesday will be a heck of a lot better (knock on wood).

Let the Good Times Roll

So this post is more like a spill over from the last post about girls camp. I realized that I forgot to mention some things in my effort to keep the post from turning into a GIANT novel. In the fun little picture show that I posted, you see a little furry creature by the name of Mo. Mo was our little camp site buddy and adopted mascot. Mo kept us all in stitches. He would circle the top of our garbage can and then dive in while still holding fast to the edge of the can with his hind legs (talk about muscle power). Unfortunately I did not get any good pictures of that Houdini act but I did catch him in the act of stealing Oreos.

Mo LOVES Oreos. He would come to the the package, sniff it, then climb in and grab a cookie. Then he would scurry across the slab of cement to his little tree and climb all the way up to the top. Soon, he would return and repeat this 9 or 10 times until he had completely emptied the package. He was pretty clever and friendly!

Anyway, I thought that I should continue with the tradition of listing some lessons learned while attending Girls Camp, so here we go:

Lessons Learned from Girls Camp 2010

1. Keep camera out and with you at all times.

2. Metal tables, open area, and lightening are not a good combination.

3. Thou shalt not run with hammer and/or nails in the dark up gravel trails.

4. One should always be quiet when pulling pranks.

5. One should make sure that said prank is not ruined by other wards who have tried to copy your prank after failing the first time around.

6. Beware of first years and mud.

7. Keep all hands and fingers in on the rope swing at the lake.

8. Send someone else on the hike.

9. Free range cows are big and scary in person when they are within arms reach! 

10. Look over meal prep menus carefully.

11. One should always make sure their stuff is picked up and put away in tents before camp 

directors go to bed.

12. Always pack your cell phone charger as a back up!

13. Need more packs of fire crystals, 6 was not enough!

14. Burning a bag full of garbage at 3 am will is NOT a good idea.
15. One word- sinep.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The Girls Camp post is FINALLY here!

 It has only taken me two months to create it (yeah, yeah, I know what you are thinking). The only down fall to taking this long to post is that all the fresh juicy details are a little...well...not as juicy as they once were. =( 

So the whole camp experience for me this year was, as mentioned in earlier, was a little scary but so worth it! We spent most of Monday, July 26th, shopping for food and other misc. items and packing up all the gear.  Starting from early that morning and not getting home and finishing up till well after 11 just to be up and to the church by 8. The girls were really good about getting getting all their gear to the bishops house on time (unlike their camp director).

The morning of was horrible. Monica(my assistant camp director) and I had to ride the bus to camp as the stake had assigned our ward to provide a leader to ride. No problem right? Well they were to have  two buses but then they decided that since they don't have that many girls going, they only needed one. The bus was PACKED! and riding it was not that fun at all. We were like sardines in a can.  Needless to say both Monica and I were relieved to see that we had arrived at Camp Cumorah.

The first night was our scarfing ceremony and unlike last year, we had four first years. They had us write a little something about each of our girls (we were kinda silly about it) and the stake girls read them out loud as they called them down from the audience. Then they were presented with their scarf and a headband (native American style) and given a stick to throw into the friendship fire as is tradition. It was a great experience for the girls and for the rest of our camp to see how even as silly as we made it, held some sacredness to it. 

Despite the rain, thunder and lightening,  the girls did enjoy themselves with swimming and mud fights, games, pranks, crafts and taking care of the YW president when she broke her finger swinging off the rope swing at the lake. One activity that the stake did was a scripture scavenger hunt. The girls had to go around in groups figuring out clues that led different campsites where the girls then learned about that camps Book of Mormon hero (our ward was Alma the Younger) then when they completed the last clue they ended up back to the stake lodge where they received a pendent that had the GPS coordinates to their home, the church building and the temple that they lived the closest too.  It was their "personal compass" for when they ever lose their way.

Another activity that the stake had us do was write our testimonies onto brass plates which at the end of the devotional (which leads into individual ward testimonies) the stake leaders presented the comprised plates to the stake presidency. It was a neat idea and touching. 

As always, the best part of camp is the testimony meeting. This is where we all gather around the camp fire as a ward and share our testimonies. Some of us even gave it two or three times. It was amazing to watch each and everyone grow just over that week. Hopefully the experiences they had will stay with them their whole life.

***TO VIEW THE MOVIE OF PICTURES FROM CAMP, BE SURE TO PAUSE THE MUSIC PLAYER AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG SO THAT YOU CAN HEAR THE MUSIC THAT THE PICTURE SHOW IS SET TO!!!!***

My Favorite Things

So for my Education 215 class, we had to practice putting together a video using Windows Movie Maker. The requirements were that it had to be about a minute long, have still photos, live video footage and sound. This is what i came up with.... **MAKE SURE YOU PAUSE MY MUSIC PLAYER AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG!**

Round and Round

So yesterday was a very interesting day in church. We had  9 kids in the nursery (1 visitor and 2 that are not to yet nursery age) which was fun. We started the hour off with "lil A" crying so hard that she literally vomited all over the floor. Luckily the other leader that had her in her arms managed to escape the direction of flow. It was a lot of vomit to be coming out of such a small little body. I had "B" in my arms and by that time he had stopped crying, I wonder if it was because he got a little intrigued by the new substance that landed on the floor, so I took "lil A" while the other leader went and got something to clean up the mess with. Talk about a hard time trying to keep a lot of curious little kids away from sticking their fingers in it. It would have been rather kinda funny had it not been so sad.


So nursery ends and off to sacrament meeting we go. Since when did I become a free babysitting service? I don't know the answer to that question either but somehow I did. Not only did I have my "mini me" but i also had her younger brother "B" and then another girl "L" who has decided that she would rather come sit with me than sit with the other leader to who she usually sat with. I don't mind having the kids sit with me but i would really prefer to not have them with me EVERY single Sunday. I think that there really needs to be something said about that. I mean, I don't mind every now and then having one of the nursery kids sit with me, but every Sunday is a bit much...especially if there is something I was planning on doing during sacrament meeting and what not.


I think that it is very apparent that I need to be released from my calling. I have felt this way for the last few months. The bishop mentioned to me that we needed to talk and I have been wanting to talk to him since I don't think his counselors took me serious when I mentioned that I wanted to get out of there. Plus, I am finding that I am beginning to have a difference of opinion from the other leader which we all know can be bad for those involved. But I think that right now, it would be best for me to be released from nursery. I wouldn't mind having a different calling but I am tired of being in the primary, I would love to have some conversations with adults. I am kinda craving that. Plus, if there was a time that I wasn't feeling to good or just didn't make it to church, I wouldn't  have to find a sub to replace me cause lets face it, not everyone is thrilled to work in the nursery and finding someone who is willing to sub in there that already doesn't have a calling is kinda like finding a needle in a haystack. It just isn't going to happen.


But on to other things, this week is going to be a long week. I have a paper and an exam this week and I am finding it hard to keep my attention focused on the tasks at hand. Plus, polishing up on the music for the Fall Rally that is this Saturday. Where has the time gone, I mean it is nearly October!


Well, that is a little bit of what is going on in my life. I should be signing off and getting myself some sleep so I can make it to my lab on time. Until next time....

I Love to See the Temple

This is just me playing around...enjoy!                             


CLICK HERE     **make sure your speakers are on!!!! it adds a lil something something**

NOTE:  by clicking on the link on the left should take you right to the site without opening a new window. If by chance it does-because this is technology we are talking about-you will want to make sure that you pause my music player on the bottom of this blog.

It's Alright, It's Ok

I havent been very good at updating my blog since summer started. What a short but crazy 3 months it has been. Between a short summer speech class and girls camp and getting ready for the fall semester, where has the time gone?


School is back in session like I said earlier and wow, this semester I think will be the toughest that I have encountered since I started. However, I think I have come up with a plan to stay on top of it all and get it all completed. Most of my class work is on Moodle (isnt that a funny name to name a program???) with a lot of lecture in the class room. I was even dumb enough to schedule two of my classes back to back. I know what you are thinking, "Audrey, that isnt so bad?" Well, I have know given my self the glorius task of getting from upper campus down to lower campus in about 10 mins (shorter if I can). I know, crazy and dumb, but it was the only way I could get it to stick in my schedule with out being on campus til late in the afternoon or overlapping in my classes.


Two education classes this semester out of a required 3 to get into the COE, is on my schedule for this fall semester. I think that EDUC 204 will really make me know for sure that education is my chosen path and career and if it doesn't 201, which will be spring, will defiantely make or break me. Although I do need to start thinking on what other subject I would want to teach as a person is more marketable in the education field if they can teach multiple subjects. I do know that math will not be one of them.


This of course leads me to my math class for the semester. My math class is more of a reading/english class with a mixutre of math thrown into the mix. This should be interesting, I guess I dont have to worry about taking an English course this semester. LOL


So I guess I will close for the time being, I will try to update on a more "frequent" basis. Oh and stay tuned for my blog post on Girls Camp, complete with pictures staring Mo!!

Opportunities

What a crazy and insane summer this has started out to be! First I have attempted to take a speech class (Comm. 101) this summer. Instead of taking it in the usual 16 weeks that would be a normal semester, I am taking it in just 16 days! Two speeches down and one to go (Tuesday is that lucky day) and then my final Thursday the same week....*focus*

On top of summer school, I am taking on a bigger challenge...last Sunday I was sustained as the Young Women's Camp Director for this coming girls camp. I was the assistant camp director but for some reason last week a member of the bishopbric pulled me out of nursery and told me that the other is out and you are in (I kinda felt like that scene in Top Gun where his commanding officer tells Maverik and Goose that they are number one after Cougar turned in his wings.....random I know). I have to be honest, but I kinda felt like I was in the dark when I found out that I was going to be the actual director and not the assistant as I really had no idea what had been going on (hmmm...a bit of a repeat from last year?? lol) 


I feel real good about this year though. We have a great theme (Alma the Younger) and some really great girls coming up (4 first years and 2 third years) and I have had a lot of support from the leaders. The YW leaders have really stepped up and helped fill in the blanks when the director(s) had been slacking a bit?? I was worried but after a few conversations and email exchanges I feel like we can really pull this off. My goal though is to make the girls grow spiritually and have fun at the same time! That way when next year comes, they will be all excited to go. That would give me the biggest feeling of satisfaction that I could ever have. Its always amazing to watch someone grow stronger (even if they are non members or inactive or just not aware of it).  As I was writing that last sentence, I realized that I am going to have to certify a girl or two since they didnt make it to the first aid clinic. That shouldnt be a big deal, I will just have to give them a copy of the test to fill out and pass. The only road block in my way is making time to certify them. Hmm....mutual activity? Will have to bring that up with at our meeting and see how we can get those two certified before camp.


So this week, like I mentioned earlier, is just going to be insane. Speech and final, possibly mutual (if i get invited since it is camp related i do believe-i think they are dutch ovening so that they can use that method at camp) and then it is my family reunion on Saturday. I got 5 journals to make for our raffle which wont take up much time at all, it will be just trying to fit them in. I also have to prepare a nursery lesson and singing time (since my other leader will be gone that sunday) and try to find Priesthood brethern to commit to coming to girls camp for a week or a couple of days! A girls work is never done....lol. Then I swear everyone I know was born in the month of June....ugh!


Oh well, I guess I cant really complain because I love it! Ok most of the time I love it. I will just be happy when speech is down and over with this week!!

ReadyFuels

Spring is FINALLY here and I couldnt be happier. So much has happened in the month and a half since my last posting that has kept me busy! School has started to pick up as we near the end of the semester and its going to be doozy of an ending. All my major projects are due during dead week and at the end of this coming week, i will be dealing with the new registration system that ISU decided to implement and already I am having a hard time navagating through it to find the class offerings! Just another headache that has ISU written all over it.  All I can say is that it will be a breath of fresh air ones the first week of May is done and over with. **Woosah....**


Not only has school started to pick up but so have my church callings (in fact I should be getting a nursery lesson put together instead of blogging....whoops!). We are now breaking in three new kids into our nursery and the first week was an absolute nightmare! We had surround sound crying and screaming. Luckily it was General Conference the following week so we didnt have to go through that mess again. It gave us time to regroup and conquer with a new plan of attack since the last one didn't work. Last Sunday was actually pretty good. The two new kids that were giving us the "issues" we had the parents stay in there with them to help ease them into this transition. Yup, no more drop and leave. It is now drop and stay. Now if we can only convince the parents to come pick their kids directly up after church lets out and not 15 mins later. Grr.....


It is also my turn to teach the lessons this month on top of singing time. I love singing time, I would be happy if I could do just that. Maybe if and when we get our third helper, we can get them to take over my lessons so I can just focus on the singing. The only down side is that I find some of the cutest handouts and always like to share them with the kids during my lessons. I am all about the handouts! I am thinking about doing the ice cream cone builder for singing tomorrow....we havent done that yet and it should be a little fun. We can see how many scoops of ice cream we can get ontop of our cone before the time is out. Now if I can only find a hand out i like for tomorrows lesson i would be good to go....hmmm.


So not only has nursery picked up, but so has choir. We are back to our monthly schedule again. I have yet to be called back to this position. I know but your thinking wait, aren't you playing for the choir? The answer is yes, but after they released me from it when my dad died, they never put me back in and the choir director seems to like what i do and so he has me play for them. I dont know who is technically suppose to play but I feel kinda bad about taking it from them. So it is unofficially an official calling for me.


GIRLS CAMP has kicked off for our ward this past Wednesday. The Stake theme is Warriors of Cummorah and having all the wards base their ward theme off of a Book of Mormon hero. Our ward is Alma the Younger. Which is a good story and I know the girls could get a lot from it. I need to get with Holly and see if we (as the camp and assistant directors) get a meeting scheduled with the Young Women's presidency to see what all we can get planned and get the ball rolling on assignments and decorations and what not. So when it actually comes down to the time we leave, we can just worry about the fine little details and be more prepared than we were last year. It was disasterous last year and the planning was crap (well from what i gathered from it anyway. I wasnt involved in it till last minute and that was because the bishopbric got on the previous camp directors butt to include me) and things were over looked and forgotten and not well planned. I don't want to see the same happen this year. We got awesome girls and for a lot of them, this will be their first year and we want to make sure we get them to come back next year!


We had our first aid clinic for certification today. It went off alright. We had five girls there (which from what i gather was pretty much the number of girls going) and it seemed like they had fun. Apparently all the girls now are aware of one vital sign of shock----diellated pupils---VOOM!! Hey, if they remember it all the more power to them, but it was roflol type moment! All of  them are unique and different in their own little way, it will be awesome to watch them grow during that week of camp. So if everything goes they way i would like (and mind you i am only the assistant camp director), the girls will walk out of their with a greater respect of the gospel, the Book of Mormon, Alma the Younger and of course greater respect for themselves.  So here is to hoping....

A Whisper & A Clamor

So a lot of stuff has happened since my last entry. Its kinda been crazy and stressful but again, nothing that I can handle. Stress is my middle name. School has finally calmed down this past week but it is about to pick up again as I have a math test come Wednesday and midterms are the week after that. Plus I have another english paper coming up with another paper due in my math stratgies.


 Not to mention, amongst that long list of studying for school, I have to prepare a talk for sacrement meeting. I have been given two topic options: 1). How one can find happiness from the blessings from being member of the church and 2). A topic on which the Spirit tells me to talk on. Oh I am so overwhelmed with joy. I do have a little help on my side though, my big bro has offered to help me write it. So that is a plus =] For some reason the bishopbric has had me in their sights. I am not sure what I did to get a bull's eye placed on my back but they are sure aiming for me. The past two weeks have been fun as well. The pianist for the primary had asked to be released and so they came to me to see if I would be willing to take that position and give up my nursery calling. Yeah, that wasnt going over well with my other nursery leader, as she didnt want to loose me and to be honest I wasnt ready to leave the kids. HOWEVER, after a talk with the bishopbric, it has been decided that I should stay in the nursery and I am ok with that. Its been a struggle for me because I love playing the piano but I also love those kids. I am just glad the choice has been made.


So speaking of nursery, today we had 0 kids. I know shocking. My other leader said that it is like the first time since she was put in that there have been no kids to watch and teach. It was way quiet but nice at the same time. It allowed for us to talk about some of the changes we would love to see happen in the nursery and upcoming things for the kids to do as well as get some lesson prep out of the way. Its kinda funny, when I was first told i was going to be released, I had all these ideas come to me that would be fun for nursery but once I get told I am going to be staying, all those ideas have left my head and of course like any normal person,  I didnt write them down.


Wow this, entry is a little short, but that is ok...hope all is well! Enjoy!

Cruel 2B Kind

Who would have thought that January is gone and now it is February.  Time has just been flying by and I for one have no idea where it has gone!


I am sad to report that within a 24 hour time period, we have received like 6 inches of that ugly white stuff from above. I thought we were done with it and all of a sudden here it came falling from the sky. Can we say yucky!! **and yes I jus used the word yucky**


So yesterday (Sunday) was a fairly interesting day. We had a pop choir musical number during sacrement meeting and yours truly got to play for it. Now I am a dang good pianist, I just suck at playing hymns. I can play them...I just cant play them. I know that makes no sense at all and your right it doesnt, but you would have to know me to really get what I mean by that.  Nursery was nice. It was way quiet, only two kids were there. We are slowly working on breaking in our primary president's little boy (he comes in April) a little each week so that by the time the first part of April comes around, he will be ready and adjusted. We will finally have more than one little boy in there now and little "T" will have a buddy to play with.  I am not sure what it is with our nursery, but we always seem to lean towards have more girls than boys.


However small nursery was, it did make it for a long afternoon. Both I and my other leader were tired and the kids were tired. Little "T" is beginning to get his two year old molars and let me tell you, he has been really good all things considering. He was a little emotional and just about crashed in my arms from crying so hard but everything turned out ok. He is so cute to watch sing the songs during singing time. Oh yeah, I also am in charge of music in the Nursery. I was afraid that i would be singing solos for most of the year, but really the kids (even though they are still pretty young) are singing and doing the actions to them. I just get a kick out of watching their expressions, it is priceless!!! I love working with them.


After church we had a SHORT choir rehersal. Yes, we are starting that back up because the choir was asked to sing a song for ward conference on the 14th. They have chosen the old hymn Come Thou Font Of Every Blessing. I love the song and it was a relief to be able to play it the first time around. They had 5 people there. It was kinda sad and I am sure that next week wont be any better, as it is Super Bowl Sunday! So we shall see what happens.


The other eventfull thing that happened to me at church was the bishop cornered me in the chapel right before Sacrement meeting and asked if I would be willing to go back to girls camp this summer as the assistant camp director. I told him that he really should talk to his camp director first and see if she would want me to work with her. He told me that he isnt even sure that she knows i was called to that position or if she evens knows me. I told him he better talk to her first. That way, if she wants to work with me he will know or if she doesnt want to work with me, then they can work on finding someone else.  So we shall see.  I do love girls camp and last year wasnt so bad. I did learn a few things while I was up there though. 

THINGS I LEARNED AT GIRLS CAMP 2009

1. CHECK THE AREA FOR POISONOUS PLANTS!!!

2. Small flashlights should be carried in the pocket, that way when you have to dive out of sight, so it doesnt fall out of your hoodie pocket and you are stuck using your cell phone as a light to find your light.

3. Canvas area BEFORE it gets dark...that way you know where every little

rock, ditch and logs are.

4. Girls do like playing in the yucky water to catch frogs, its not just a boy thing.

5. Frogs need more than an inch of water and a plastic cup to survive, not direct sunlight!!

6. Frozen pot stickers should be eaten before the ice starts to melt so they

are not one big gooey mess.

7. Tarps are A MUST!!!

8.Blessings are the best over the counter medicine for allergies!

9. Pranks are a must...*evil grin*

10. Beware of those with water guns. There is no such thing as an innocent bystander.

11. COLD AIR WILL DRAIN BATTERY POWER: CHARGER A MUST!

12. Harry Potter is hot.

13. Hiding information pertaining to a prank from the rest of the camp is OK.

14. "Caligraphy" is a hilarious form of punishment.

I'm Not Over

Ok, so decided to update a bit, as I do have a few mins between my classes today. Wow, the past couple of weeks have been insane!!! School is now back and session and this semester is kicking my butt right from the start! This week I have 4 papers to work on (technically 3 because of them is a list of thesis statements for a paper that due in a week and a half). 3 of them are due this week. The other is a little longer than the previous ones mentioned and will be a interesting write to say the least. I still don't know what I topic i want to write about. That is half of the challenge there. Not to mention I am still a bit behind on some reading and making outline of the chapters for. Its a snowball effect for me and the class that I am taking on Thursday nights on Ancient Egypt is not going to be as easy as i once thought. Luckily, I can write outlines of each of the chapters and lectures and use the notes from them for my exams.



I got my first math test back today. I didn't do bad, but I had thought I did a lot better than what I did. I just made some dumb mistakes and looking back over the exam that had her marks on it, I can see where I went wrong. GRRR....but I guess there is always the next one. We went over some of the new chapter and I like these better than the previous chapter. Although, I am sure I will be eating my words soon enough on that. Math isn't my strong suit, but I am working on changing my attitude towards it. That I hear is the first step (as well as admitting that I need help...I don't ask for help enough. I am they type of person that has the mind set that I can do it on my own....I am wrong when it comes to math.) to get over the disdain that I hold for that particular subject.

Other than school, life is pretty ok. Could always be better, but hey...its a start! Nursery is going amazingly smooth. With just three kids we are able to work one on one with them and really get them to understand the teachings of the gospel that we are trying to teach to them. We have on girl who hardly speaks but we have her speaking a little bit more each day and even saying prayers! I get such a joy in watching them grow and interact with not only us but with each other. I am anxious to get more kids in April, but at the same time I don't want anymore because that one on one will slowly diminish, although the joy will still be there.

Well, its getting to be late (which is when I am finishing this up --I started it during my break at school as to take a break from studying for a bit) and I still have LOADS to read...fun! Take Care!!

Keeps Getting Better

So its just a few days into the new year and already it has shown signs of promise. I know, good news right? I am hoping that it keeps getting better (knock on wood). =)

So I went to church on Sunday, not knowing what I was going to be expecting. The first curve ball, was the person they decided to call as the Young Woman's Girls Camp Director. After being told that I would more than likely be getting called to that position, I wasn't. Am I sad about it? Yeah I am in a way, but then again...all things happen for a reason. I don't even know if I am still the assistant camp director. Yes I was called to it and set apart, but was it just for that year or until i am released. If it is the second option, I think I will have to pass. I cant work with the new director. I had issues with her when it came to the ward choir and its something that I don't think I want to put myself through (especially after last years fiasco).

Nursery was definitely different. We had two out of three kids attend. It was quit until our littlest buddy had a horrible accident. He was playing with a toy monster truck and it kinda got a little wild on him. It flipped up and the grill on it hit him hard in the mouth. That little spot in the mouth right above the two front upper teeth. We had blood running down the the other leaders mouth, and this little guys face. Not to mention he has been cutting teeth too! Oh mercy what a way to start the year up.


We also found out that we will have eleven kids in by December of this year. That is a lot of little youngsters but I am excited to get them in there. Right now, like I said before, we have just three kids but come April we will get four more for a total of seven!!! It is definitely a change, but hey....its well worth it! We have awesome kids and they are such a delight (most of the time...lol) and bring the best out in me. It always breaks my heart to see them graduate to Sunbeams.


We do have a lot of fun things planned. A new snack menu and games. New formats and we are hoping for more communication from our Primary Presidency. We seem to be forgotten since we are out in Area 51! My big project that I am working on this month, is making Chunky Crayons!!! Since we have a lot of little kids coming in (18 months) and we do a LOT of coloring and drawing, we like to give them the bigger, fatter crayons. As they like to try and eat them as most kids that age try and do. So I have taken all of our little crayons (and some of my own that I have extra of...and yes...I do own a TON of crayons...thanks to my many different callings that I have had) and melting them into round chunks (muffin tins are the star in this achievement). I have spend most of the night, unwrapping over a hundred crayons and breaking them into little chunks. Let the meltdown begin....TOMORROW!!! I hope.


School starts in a week. I am still waiting for my check from Financial Aid check so I can get my books. They are going to be costing me a nice pretty penny. I am most excited though for my ancient Egypt class. I have always loved learning about the culture and the Pharaohs and what not, it will be my fun (hard) class! It will definitely be a change from my two math classes and Geology/Lab. I know doesn't sound like much fun but hey...its got to be done. Had I paid more attention the first time around, I wouldn't have to retake some of these classes.....GRRR on me.


Anyway, I have got my to do list this week....going to try to crank out some cleaning and organizing, as well as some more personal things like starting my journal up again (yeah i know there are somethings in my life I just cant share on here...sorry people!) and I have made the commitment to read the Old Testament. Wish me luck....


I hope that they year is still treating everyone well and that if it isn't....start kicking its butt!! Take care.....

Ready 2 Go

I cant believe that 2010 is finally here! I have been anxiously waiting for the new year to start. The last couple of years have definately been hard on me so I cross my fingers and pray that this year will be better.

To tell you a little about myself, my name is Audrey and I am currently enrolled in college. I am a sophmore working on finishing up my general education requirements and looking to go in to Secondary Education. I have a passion for history, especially for the Tudor period. I often wonder what it would be like to have Henry the VII and Anne Boleyn for dinner and see what would happen between them. I also have a passion for music. I have studied piano for 13 years but have been playing for 17 years altogether. I have had many opportunities to perform and play. The most recent has been the accompanist for my ward choir. I have the honor of accompying them for the last two years and it is just the beginning. I have also served as branch organist, when I lived up in the northern end of our state. It was definately an experience.

Like I mentioned earlier, I am the ward choir accompanist. Yes, that means I am LDS. In addtion to my calling as the choir accompianist, I am also the assistant girls camp director and a Nursery leader and I LOVE every minute I get to spend with my kids on Sunday. They bring a smile to my face every week. So you might come across posts that just apply to my Nursery calling (and if I am called back to girls camp).

A little history, I am the y0ungest of three kids in my immediate family. I have been married and was sealed in the Logan Temple however, I have been divorced for two years now and as much as I was hurt by that choice (and by far it has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make), it was the best thing I could have ever done. I lost my dad last March after a long and trying battle with a cancer that is still incurable. My dad was a big part in my life and I learned many things and shared many intrests with him (as in history, I got my love of history from him). He is greatly missed and loved. However, I know that someday I will be able to see him again and we will be reunited. I have no kids of my own yet, but I look forward to someday being able to enjoy that experience, but I am in no rush... =) I do however have a spoiled beagle named Bailey who is like my kid. I just love her to death!

This is also my first time I have ever blogged out side of Myspace (can we even call that blogging??). I mostly wrote for the fact that I had a lot going on in my life and needed somewhere I could clear my head. So please bear with me as I try and get a hold of it all.

Anyway, I hope the new year is kind to each and everyone of you (that is if someone somewhere is reading this...) and I look forward to sharing a little bit of my little world with you and making new friends.