The Year 2009

The year 2009 was filled with ups and downs, good times and bad. I know I should have just posted as I went along, but life just got busy. Though I can't talk about every single event that happened in 2009, let me give you some of the highlights.

January we had the opportunity to attend the Draper Temple Open House. The big news of the month was Laura left on her mission.



In February and March much of my time was spent studying the the NCLEX,the test to get my nursing license. Needless to say, I did not have a lot of free time during those months.

In April I took the NCLEX and passed!! It was a lot of hard work, but it paid off! I was so blessed! Another big event in April was my graduation from BYU! Though I officially graduated in December 2008, I walked with my nursing class in April. It was a bittersweet time for me. I was excited to graduate, but this meant my college career was officially over. One of my best friends graduated at the same time. Our family also had the opportunity to go see "Wicked" at the Capitol Theatre. It was amazing! April really was a great month!





In July Mom and I went to Stadium of Fire. We didn't have tickets initially, but we bought some off of someone for a really good price. Glenn Beck hosted, which I think Mom really enjoyed. The main performers were the Jonas Brothers. It was really a lot of fun! Glenn and April and their family moved to Utah in July and stayed with us while they looked for a house. Last minute we decided to take a road trip to Carmel. Mom, Dad, and Krista stayed home, but the rest of us went. It really was a lot of fun! We tooks walks, ate ice cream, and went to the beach. We are all so glad we went!





In August, after a long time of looking, I finally got a job! I now work as a nurse at the Utah Valley Specialty Hospital in Provo. I love my job and the people I work with! I am continuing to learn lots and have had many growing experiences. I'm so grateful to have a job!

September I had the opportunity to go to a Brad Paisley Concert with my best friend Kristin Olsen. I had had conflicts about whether to go to the concert or not because it fell on the same night as the BYU vs. Florida State football game. Based on the outcome of that game, I'm very glad I decided to go to the concert.



October and November were filled with BYU football, fun fall activities, and work. For Halloween we all made some cute pumpkins, mine being a Tinkerbell pumpkin. I think my favorite pumpkin was Ninja Turtle Pumpkin that Lyssa did :). At the end of November we celebrated Rebekah's 6th Birthday. I can't believe she is 6 already! April made a princess cake for her that was so cute. I think Bekah had a fun night.







December was busy as usual. Christmas was wonderful. In the morning we were able to talk to Laura. That was definitely the highlight of the day. After talking to Laura we did stockings and then Glenn and April and the kids came over to open gifts. The girls wanted to help open everyone's gift. I don't know that I opened a gift by myself, but that was okay. We all had a lot of fun. I actually had to work on Christmas night, so I took a little nap after gift opening. We had a really nice dinner before I had to leave. It was kind of a bummer working on Christmas, but that does mean that I don't have to work Christmas next year :).



There you have it. That was the year 2009. Hopefully this year I'll do a better job of keeping up with my blog this year. Bring on 2010!!

Sibling Photo Session

So for Christmas, Laura and Heather thought it would be nice to have photos taken of each of us to give to mom and dad. Laura has a friend from high school who does photography, so in December we had a little photo shoot in a park in Provo. All of us got ready at the house, so we were sure mom and dad would suspect something was up, but luckily they didn't. It was very cold, and each of us would take turns sitting on Krista's lap to keep her warm :). We took individual and group photos, and then did some sibling pictures Laura could take with her on her mission. The pictures turned out beautifully. Glenn and April sent some pictures of the kids and their family that we included in the gift as well. It was so fun to see them open the pictures and see the looks on their faces! We actually have them hanging up now, which, considering our family, usually doesn't happen :). It is so fun to walk in the house and see them. I'm glad we did this because it preserves some very happy memories for our family :).

Laura Into The MTC

On January 28, Laura went into the MTC to go on her mission to Italy. It was a day full of mixed emotions. There were a lot of tears, but also joy that she was doing what the Lord wants her to do. We all miss her very much, but I know she'll be a wonderful missionary!

Sledding

The day after Christmas we decided to go sledding at Rock Canyon Park. I'm not a big fan of sledding, in fact it scares me, but I was forced to go down a couple time ;). There were races, and even connecting of sleds to get as many people on as possible. Many complained of soreness afterwards, but we all had a lot of fun!

Christmas 2008

Christmas this year was a lot of fun! Everyone was there (except Glenn, April, Rebekah, Miriam, and Marcus, who we miss dearly). We had a program Christmas Eve, with a very original rendition of the Night Before Christmas by Spencer and with Dad reading us the Christmas story. We actually got much of the wrapping done the night before Christmas Eve, so there was not a lot of wrapping to do, although Mom still managed to stay up till after one in the morning. Spencer, Heather, Laura, Lyssa, and I decided to drive around and see the Christmas lights after our little program. The snow was falling, and it was so peaceful as we drove around Orem and Provo. We had such a great time! I think we should make that a tradition in the future. Christmas morning we didn't end up going out and looking at gifts until after 11, a far cry from when we used to when we were little. After looking at our stockings, we made a breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, orange juice, and cinnamon roles together. After cleaning up breakfast stuff, we decided to get a head start on dinner preparation, so all of us were in the kitchen fulfilling our various assignments. After that we gathered around the tree for pictures and to open presents. This year I was actually more excited to give gifts than to receive them. As kids we all got together and got some really nice gifts for mom and dad. Earlier that month we had had professional individual and group photos taken and put in nice frames to give to the parents. Glenn and April also sent pictures of their family and the kids as well. We wrapped each picture individually, and it was so fun to watch them open them. We also got 72 hour kits for them, which is something dad has been worried about. One of my favorite gifts to give was a nice leather recliner for dad. That way he can rest his neck and relax, although most of us have been taking our turns in the chair as well ;). We opened gifts from each other, which was really fun. Glenn and April gave me some really nice binders and pages I can use for scrapbooking. I'm really excited because one of my goals this year is to scrapbook the majority of my pictures. I also got some really nice clothes and books from mom and dad that I'm excited to use. An exciting part of the day was when Spencer gave Lyssa a 16gb iPod, something I know she wasn't expecting. Her reaction was priceless ;). After all the gifts were unwrapped we prepared the rest of dinner. We also got to talk to Glenn, April, and the girls on the phone, which was wonderful! We had a great Christmas dinner and just enjoyed spending time together! Christmas was wonderful and I'm grateful I was able to spend it with my wonderful family!

Nursing 2008

So this December I officially graduated from the BYU College of Nursing. It has been a long, hard road, with many changes and struggles, but it has been worth it. We had our nursing banquet on December 11, 2008. I made so many wonderful friends both in the semester I graduated with and my previous semester. I didn't officially finish my clinical hours until the next night, when I spend my last hours on the Labor and Delivery Unit at UVRMC. I am so grateful for my preceptor Dani, and for all she taught me! I feel more confidence that I can really be a nurse than I ever have before, and it is because of her encouragement and pushing me outside of myself. I am grateful for the many experiences that have prepared me to become a nurse.

BYU Football

So anyone who knows me knows I am a huge BYU Football fan! I've been going to them for years and never miss a game if I can help it. This season has been so fun! I've been able to sit with some of my great friends from Jerusalem at the home games, and for the away games we've had awesome football watching parties! Saturday November 8, when we played San Diego State, I realized that it was my last home game I'd be going to as a student. The time seems to have just flown by. Anyway, here are some fun pictures from this season. Go Cougars!!!

New Nephew

On October 15, 2008 my new nephew, Marcus Spencer White, was born. He was 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 19 and 1/2 inches long. Glenn sent us a picture of him as soon as he was born, and we were all so excited! I am so grateful a new little spirit has entered our family. I am so grateful families are forever! Anyway, all of these pictures are ones sent to us by Glenn and those posted on Glenn and April's blog, but I thought it would be fun to share them as well.

Laura's Mission Call

So on Friday, October 24 we all gathered at our house to watch Laura open her mission call. Dad, Mom, Krista, Lyssa, Amy, Dave, Courtney and I were there, with Heather, Spencer, and April on different phones. Laura was both excited and nervous to open her call, and we all waited with anticipation as she read, "Dear Sister White, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Italy Catania Mission." The look on Laura's face was one of surprise and happiness. She was so excited and couldn't stop smiling. We're all so excited for her! She will leave on January 28, 2009. Congratulations Sister White!!!!

Fun At Zurchers

In another August activity, Krista, me, and my cousin Melissa went to a party store called Zurchers and took some crazy and fun pictures. It was one of the most random things I've ever done, but tons of fun!

Glenn, April, Miriam, and Bekah Visit

In August, Glenn, April, and the girls came out from New Jersey for a visit. It was so wonderful to see them! They stayed for a little over a week with us, which was so much fun. Every morning Miriam would get up and go in the Toy Room to play. Those were some of my favorite times of their stay! We went swimming a lot, went to Seven Peaks, the mall, and just played around at home. We also had a fun day at the park where we played tag, mother-may-I, and hide and seek. The visit went way too fast. I wish they could have stayed longer, but we had lots of fun while they were here! I Love my Family!

Music for a Summer Evening on August 5, 2008

In August Dad, Mom, Krista, and I, along with some friends, attended a Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert up in the Tabernacle. The performance was called "Music for a Summer Evening", The first part of the performance included LDS artists such as Kenneth Cope, Hillary Weeks, and Michael McLean, among others. Those wonderful performances just set the stage for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. You could feel the spirit so strong in the Tabernacle as the choir performed. My favorite moment of the night was when they sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". The music and the words are so inspiring, and the choir sang it magnificently. I was glad I was able to share this night with my family and with one of my good friends Elise Gubler. It really was a wonderful night.

Carmel July 2008

So this past July Spencer, Heather, Lyssa, Laura, and I spent a week in Carmel. It was so much fun!! We took walks every night, went to the beach, had breakfast in Monterey and explored the shops, and spent a day in San Francisco. Point Lobos was gorgeous as usual and the weather was perfect. My favorite part about our time there was going out on the porch early in the morning to do my scripture study. The beauty and peace you see and feel there just makes the spirit all the more powerful! It was really a fun experience!

A New Chapter

So I've been thinking lately it's really about time I start posting on this blog more often. It's a great way to journal, and to keep in touch with family and friends. As a start to this new resolve I'm updating what has happened in my life since my last post.

I am now more than half-way through my last semester at Brigham Young University. I am completing my capstone on the Labor and Delivery Department, which I absolutely love! I am stressing with projects and last-minute details I need to take care of, but overall I am pretty happy. I have great roommates and live in a great ward, where my uncle happens to be the bishop. I am enjoying working, going to school, hanging out with friends, and watching BYU Football! Go Cougars!! My family is doing pretty well. Dad, Mom, and Krista are at home and are trying to keep themselves busy. Laura, Lyssa, and I are in school and Heather and Spencer are working. Glenn, April, Rebekah, Miriam, and the new addition to the family, little Marcus, are living in New Jersey. It is really a great time to be alive! I am having so many wonderful opportunities, and am looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life.

Dad's Birthday

On July 9 we celebrated dad's birthday. We were really excited to give him his gift, and from the picture you can see he was pretty excited too! We pitched in and gave him a Clear Play machine so we can more freely watch movies without worrying about the bad stuff. Then we had Angel Food Cake with raspberries and fruit sauce for dessert. I think he really enjoyed his birthday! We love you Daddy!!

Mary Ellen Edmunds Dinner

On Wednesday, April 9, I was able to go to a dinner for the Mary Ellen Edmunds Nursing Chair. Some of the nursing students had the opportunity to go for free. The special guest was Kenneth Cope. He is absolutely amazing!! I had met him before when he performed at grandma's house, but I introduced myself again. He was so kind and thoughtful! His presentation was wonderful! He spoke a lot about how we are all children of God and need to develop a personal relationship with Him. It was evident he had that relationship. He performed a couple songs from his new album "All About You". They were called "Your Father's Child" and "Broken". He also sang his version of "Because I Have Been Given Much" and another song called "Come to Jesus". It was a great evening! I managed to catch him after the concert and he took a picture with me and signed my copy of his new album. I am so glad I had the opportunity to go!

Crunch Time

Well, it's getting close to the end of the semester. I can't believe how fast time has flown by! The end of the semester in the nursing program is actually a lot less stressful than the rest of the semester. Since clinical is done two weeks before the semester is over, you pretty much only have to worry about finals. This semester, however, I seem to have a lot more to stress about. I have a final presentation for my Psych class that is worth a significant portion of my grade, I have remediation to do for two ATI tests I took this semester (long story), I have to complete scholarship applications by the beginning of next week for both the university and the nursing program, I have to get logistics worked out to study for and take my LPN exam, and on top of that I figured out I have to get 95% or above on all my final exams to pull off decent grades this semester. Talk about a lot of pressure! I just need to take this process one step at a time and work very hard over the next couple of weeks. Then I can worry about studying for my LPN exam and getting a good summer job. Oh, did I mention I also need to find housing for spring/summer and fall/winter. I am going to need divine intervention to get through these next couple hectic weeks. We'll see if it can be pulled off! Wish me luck!

Christmas (In April)

I figured it was time for me to start updating my blog. These pictures are from Christmas of this past year. The thing that made this Christmas so special was that my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces came out from New York to be with us, so we had the entire family home. We had so much fun watching the little girls open their gifts! It was neat to see them get so excited! Of course having Glenn and Spencer together is always entertaining and makes life all the more fun! It was just wonderful to have everyone there, especially after not having seen them for 4 months after being over in Jerusalem. Here are some cute pictures of the wonderful time we had together.