Babysitting

Nov 2nd, what an eventful day for Chavis and I. Aubrie asked me to watch Trevor and Shelbie while she went to help out in Caleb's class for a couple hours. I love Aubrie's kids so I was more than willing to help her out.

The morning started off well. Trevor wanted to play dinosaurs, and it was MORE than entertaining listening to his narration.

The Long-necked dinosaur (diplodocus, per wikipedia) is fighting the other dinosaurs when one calls out:

"Send in the little dinosaur!"

The little dinosaur comes out hollaring, "Oh what?! You think I can't fight like a man!" and then delivers a swift kick to to long necks neck!

Kids really do say the darndest things!

The late morning didnt go as well: (keep in mind, im not a parent, and I haven't babysat since I was 14)

Trevor kept telling me he was hungry, and I was trying to give him healthy snack options: cereal, cheese stick, apple sauce,etc. He told me he ate lunch at school so i didnt want to feed him anything big.

Chavis came over around 1045. Aubrie called shortly after saying there was a situation and she was trying to resolve it and would be home soon.

At 11:15 Trevor tells me, "I really think I need to go to school."

"What time does your school start?" I asked.

"11:30. My mom always drives me to the bus stop."

In my head i'm thinking 'oh sh%#'

"Oh ok, well do you have a back-pack you take?" I say calmly.

"Ya, but I think it's in my van, so are my shoes."

"Can you wear flip-flops?"

Just then we hear the garage door opens. Chavis is sitting on the couch holding Shelbie and Trevor is getting anxious. Chavis tells Trevor to go open the garage door because his mom is home.

Just as Trevor gets to the door, It swings open, and Calab busts through, "I hate school! I hate you!"

Then before I knew it, he was on the floor holding onto one of the table legs as Aubrie grabbed him from the floor and dragged him into his room. I dont recall what Caleb yelled for the next minute, but once it went silent Aubrie said, "I bet he jumped through the window."

Sure enough, and he even tried to put the screen back!

Chav and I just sat there in disbelief (that such a little kid would be dare jump out his window) as Aubrie dragged him back in the house, not missing a beat.

Chavis, "Oh man, he's got the Redd temper." (HAHA, Redd,not red,that how heated things get :D)

Honestly Aubrie is the best mom! I'm so glad she trusts me enough to watch her children, and while I feel bad she had such a rough day, it was quite entertaining for Chavis and I; not to mention an eye-opener for our future.

Oh, and it turns out..trev doesnt eat at school and it doesnt start at 11:30..haha

Weekend to Blanding!

OCT 22-24, 2010:  We headed to Blanding, the BEST place in the State of Utah (according to Chavis), so he could hunt and I could go to Annie and Josh's wedding.

Annie and Josh had an outside wedding in Moab, which I was kind of dreading because it was stormy and I live in St. George now, so I didnt pack as warm as I should've.

Once we arrived some nice fella wiped all the rain off some chairs so we could sit down. when the music started I was waiting in anticipation for the crowd to stand..the last civil wedding I went to people didnt quite know when they should stand..however this group had it down..it's just for the bride :) Annie looked gorgeous as she walked down the aisle. Once the everyone was in place and the ceremony was about to start...Two guys dressed up like PIMPS, halloween pimps-with bright red and bright blue furry hats, animal print jackets, the works, came walking into the wedding!! While it was almost impossible not to laugh, i was mortified that anyone would enter a wedding like that, and LATE to top it off; literally, everyone turned to watch them enter! Must of been friends of the groom due to all the grooms' men busting a gut at the alter! That's Moab for ya. But it gets better, during the vows some beater car drives by playing mexican tunes...haha awkward.

and of course..good times were had by all at the after-party!

sunday was bri's fairwell talk; she did a great job! after, jayne decided she wanted to take some family pictures, so chavis and I were to run down to the singles ward to get quinn.

Chavis runs into the building to find quinn in choir practice:

Chavis-

Quinn, mom wants to do family pictures right now so lets go.

Quinn-

No. I'm in the middle of choir. tell mom to do it later.

Chavis-

Dang Quinn, everyone else would be happy to get out of choir practice. Now lets go!

haha..I love it because it's true, quinn is the only child who would be mad to leave church.

we did get our family pics thanks to uncle Lynn, and they turned out really good!

Girls Weekend

OCT 8-10:  After living in st george for 2 months, two of my best girlfriends from Blanding made the 6 hour drive to come see me!

We had a blast: we went to the show, out to eat, and shopping...and for those of you who have lived in Blanding...that's a BIG deal..getting to eat somewhere other than patio (which is great, but it's no Olive Garden), and getting to shop somewhere besides Alco :)

During our shopping venture we decided to buy some of that maybelline lip stain (i've been wanting to try some for months). Once we got home I told the Marisa and Cindy to get there's out so we could all put it on...Cindy, that little skank, boned out on buying the stain because, and i quote, "I think I look like I whore when I wear lip color." So she borrowed some of mine, and these are our "whorish" results.

haha..I had the best time with them! Next time Annie will have to come down too!

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.