ROCK JAM

Rock Jam was NOTHING like I expected...I figured there'd be tons crazy drunk chick flashin' their goods to everyone..but NO...drunks-YES, flashing-Not really. As bummed as I was about the minimal Flashing...haha (the pic of my group below shows who was most likely disappointed), ROCK JAM was a blast!

FRIDAY: some band that I didn't care for, followed by Sick Puppies, Finger Eleven, Cinderella, and Heart.
SATURDAY: another band I didn't like, followed by Chevelle, Hinder, Buckcherry, and Alice Cooper.

day 1

Buckcherry hands down was my FAVORITE band! I enjoyed the bands leading up to the main bands better than the featured bands. Being the only girl went as well as one could hope...no drama and just a damn good time! If next year's line-up is a good as this year's, I know ill be going back!

during buckcherry

Our New Home

This is our new place! Thanks to Matt and Aubrie we were able to move into a great little neighborhood! Uncle Russell and I started moving all our stuff in on august 5th, since im "Tuff like Bull" according to Russell...hahaha.

I had 2 1/2 weeks to get everything set up for when Chav moved down on Aug 22nd.

Our new place gives us 3bed rooms, 2 baths, and a garage (BIG PLUS)!

guest bedroom

guest bath

and OFFICE..my favorite!

and of course CHAV loves our new place!

As much as I hated us being apart for most of the summer, I can tell that distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Now Chavis realizes that he can live anywhere, as long as we're together: we'll find happiness wherever.

The past two months have been great here in St George thanks to Tracy, Russell, Kelby, Matt & Aubrie, and Mitch & Shondel's families...I love you all so much, and I couldn't have made it through the summer without you! Chav and I are looking forward to living so close to you!

MOVIN'

In our first year we attempted to buy THREE houses, none of which worked out. We planned on staying in Blanding, but have now decided that we are to move to St. George so Chavis can finish his schooling at Dixie State University (DSU); he is currently majoring in business accounting. I have tried so hard to plan out our life, and I have found out the hard way that “My Way” clearly isn’t the “Lord’s Way,” but I know if we keep on doing what is right everything will work out…even if it’s not the way I planned.

So on July 31st we moved out of our apartment, and we headed west to find us a new home. Amazingly enough...we fit all our stuff into this trailer! I told Chavis we could, it would just take strategic packing :)

State Boards..RN?

Deciding to take my state boards again for the third time was an extremely hard decision for me to make, but after 6 ½ months of not studying I decided that I needed to overcome this obstacle so that I could move onto the next. I devoted myself to studying hours every day. I work nights, so for 6 weeks my schedule consisted of sleeping until noon or one, studying for 2-3 hours, eating lunch, getting ready for and going to work, at least 2 hours of studying at work (if possible), and then doing it all over the next day (3-5 days/week).
I received tons of support from family, friends, and co-workers. I had multiple family members that had been putting my name in the temple, and I know it helped; I had never been able to stay focused during studying like I was able to during those 6 weeks. The Sunday before my test we asked all our family (Holliday side, Redd side, and Allred side) to fast for me. Even one of my youngest cousins, Hunter (8yrs), fasted for me. Chavis and I attended the temple the Thursday evening before my test. Friday we drove to Orem, stopping at my parents house for dinner before hand. After dinner I received a blessing from my Dad (Jon) and Chavis. As my dad gave me the blessing, he blessed me that I would be able to have a clear mind, that I could accurately read the questions and come up with the correct answers, that I could get a good nights rest, and that I could be free of anxiety. After the blessing I felt at peace; knowing that through my faith I could receive these blessings.

Saturday June 5th came, the day of my test. As I walked into the testing center I said a prayer asking the Lord to please help me pass this test. The peace I felt in the testing center could have only come as an answer to my prayer. Everything my dad had blessed me with, I received. Then, as I came near question 75 (the minimum number of questions one can get is 75 and the maximum is 265), I said another prayer that the computer would turn off at #75. One-hour and fifty minutes had elapsed since starting the test, question 75 answered, and then…the computer shut off. At that moment I had to fight back tears because I knew the Lord had answered my prayer. Walking out of that testing center was the biggest weight lifted off my shoulders.

RN?

The testing center told me that I would be able to find out if I passed my test on Tuesday, but in my anxious state I kept checking on Monday, and at 3pm my results were available for viewing. I had Chavis come home from work to open the results because I was too scared…and when the results read PASS, all of my emotion came flooding out. I could not control my tears (of joy). I had been working so hard to pass this test, and to know that my effort was enough was the best feeling! I hugged Chavis so tight, as all of my anxiety left me in the form of tears and sobs. I am so grateful to all of my family who fasted and prayed for me, and I’m especially grateful for Chavis: he has been amazing to me throughout all of this, he has had every confidence in me and helped me have confidence in myself. Obstacle RN test—passed…onto the next.