And so it begins...

Shantel and I have a goal this summer. Well, lots of goals really, but this is a big one and it we started last Friday.

What is this awesome goal, you ask? Well....drum roll please.....

DO BAPTISMS AT EVERY TEMPLE IN UTAH!

Yeehaw! Pretty exciting huh? We are going to do baptisms at every temple in Utah before the fall semester starts back up again. No if and or buts about it! I am super excited! I love going to the temple, I love doing baptisms, and I love vacations. Win, win, win! We've got most of the far-away ones planned out already to go along with a rockin weekend, but we can't seem to figure out what to do in Monticello. Good question right? We'll let ya know when we figure it out.

Here are some pics from temple trip numero uno. We decided to start right here close to home and the day before conference. It was an amazing experience! Can't wait to go back!

Bright eyed, Bushy tailed, and wet. Gotta love it!

I love to see the temple!!!

Stay tuned for posts on our upcoming trips!

Of thee I sing

You know those songs that just hit ya? They just say exactly what you are feelin. You know...the ones that when you are driving alone you just cant help but belt it out at the top of your lungs and do a little shoulder dance? Yeah thats me. I'm pretty sure I totally creeped some guy out driving home from school today, but that was his problem because I was thoroughly enjoying myself. My best pal Shan bought me this lovely new CD a few days ago and it is now ALL I listen to. Give it a listen! If you like it, I'll even let you join me on my karaoke car rides!

Music gets me. These guys get me. It's real life stuff, and it's fun!

"I've always been afraid of flyin, but you can't blame a girl for tryin".

THANKS SHAN!!!!!!

Oh and ps: You know you've got the mojo, but it ain't workin me no more :)

I did it...

I deleted my Facebook. And it feels GREAT!!!

No more pointless hours on line.

No more high school drama.

No more heart hurting.

No more jealousy.

No more stage acting.

No more destroyed relationships.

No more wasted time.

No more stalking.

No more watching others perfect lives.

No more PDA.

No more Facebook.

More of what matters most!

I told you I needed a major change.

Rejected

Yeah... apparently the Dental Hygiene Department at UVU regrets to inform me that they did not select me. That is just a nice way of them saying, "Thank you for using all the money you have saved these past years to come to our school and take the hardest classes we offer, jumping through all our hoops, and putting most aspects of your social, family, and work life on hold for the past two years to get your A's. I'm sorry, but your best is not good enough, you can start over and do it all again though!"

See what I mean? (ok you can't really read it...but you get the idea)

I sound bitter, but I'm really not! I know that everything happens for a reason, and it is really for the best, but I am just slightly disappointed and slightly lost. Here is the thing, I have never really been completely dead set on Dental Hygiene. It just seemed like a good job, good hours, and good pay, so I thought I would give it a shot. It took a lot of work though! And a lot of time! So now what do I do?

MAJOR CHANGE

In more ways than one. I have been searching, pondering, and praying and I now have more options. Right now I am leaning towards Elementary Education. I have also considered Labor and Delivery Nurse, High School Math Teacher, or some sort of business degree. I have talked to everyone possible and listed all the pros and cons and salary and job issues each career entails. I could go into detail about all my thoughts on the matter, or even post pics of my lists but 1) I would bore you to death and 2) you would all laugh at me. I just like lists. I'm a visual person. Anyways, yes...Elementary Ed seems to be the best route (as of today). Everyone keeps sayin, "have you prayed about it Ali?" or "Heavenly Father knows what you need to do Ali, have you tried asking Him?" YES, I HAVE! The problem is, I feel He keeps telling me the same thing my dad does...He loves me and He will support me in anything I do. I feel like He is saying that I will do well in anything I put my heart to, I just have to make the choice. It is a decision that I need to make, but He will be there to help me along the way. So that's where I'm at. I am going to do a little more research and then I will get back with the final answer. I am ready for change though. A BIG change!

"All things shall work together for good". My God is all knowing. Everything will work out!

Happy Birthday!!!

This past weekend was my little bro's sweet sixteen birthday. Well, I guess he is not so little anymore, but he is still my little buddy ol pal. :)

We got him a sweet left handed gun and so we decided to go out shooting and riding that day. It was a goooood time!

Well...16. Sixteen. One Six. 16.

Can you believe that? Dating...driving...he's growing right up! So here is a little advice for Matt (and the rest of the male species) from a girls point of view on the whole dating scene...

• Don't ever lie to a girl. She will know.
• I don't care if you are on a "date" or not. You can still open her door. Always be a gentleman.
• Girls like manly men. Ya know, the truck drivin, rough and ready, know how to fix everything kinda guy. No pansies please.
• We like to feel safe and protected.
• Make her laugh!
• Don't talk about yourself all the time...thats lame. If anything at least act interested in her.
• Have fun! Enough of the movie dates. Take her to do something!
• If you are taking her out, you better have a job. Its awkward when we know your mommy is paying for the date.
• On that note, the guy should always pay! Again with the gentleman thing.
• Cut the drama.
• Never ask a girl out over text message. Or facebook. We at least deserve a phone call.
• We like flowers.
• We like chivalry.
• Be respectful. Please. And keep the dirty jokes between your friends. That is not ok.
• Put her first and she'll like you, but put the Lord first and she won't be able to stay away. Guaranteed.

I'm only getting started here. There is a lot more where this comes from:) But I know Matt is going to make the perfect dater/friend/boyfriend/husband ever! He's all sorts of awesome! This is just in case he (or any other man) forgets:) Happy Birthday Matt! Sure do love ya!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love: A wildly misunderstood, though highly desirable

malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain,

causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow,

blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker.

Just like Paul McCartney says, "Love is all you need".

So this is me wishing all of you a Happy Valentine's Day! Just for the record...I'm single, but I love Valentine's Day! Its the one day that you have an excellent excuse for being a lovey-dovey, mushy-gushy, love-struck, starry-eyed 20 yr. old girl! Its awesome!

So don't be hatin' on Valentine's Day. Smile, celebrate, and ENJOY it! With anyone! I for one will be spending this lovely, (no pun intended) warm day in my capris (yes capris...hellooooo spring!) and pink valentine cardigan with my fabulous co-workers making cute gifts for all of you to give to your lovers. I love it! (wow, there is a lot of love goin around). And hey, the birds are even chirping today!! Love must be in the air! If you don't feel it, let me know and i'll show up on your door lickety-split with a big red construction paper heart and a smile!

Have a good one!!

Happy Tuesday!

I have learned more about guys this past week than I have in the entire 20 years of my long-legged life...and I am afraid to say that I have completely lost all hope in the male species. Where is the chivalry? the honesty? the manliness? the spiritualness?...Where are all the good ones hiding?

But it is fine because I am HAPPY and today is Tuesday...the best day of the week! Just give me some institute, a lime ricky fix, and some Easton Corbin and i'm good until next Tuesday.

If you find a man like this anywhere...send him my way please!

I know you drooled a little :)