All the happenings

Sorry I haven't been really good at posting anything lately. Life has been as crazy as normal, but here's the run down of the past couple of months.

Ethan is HOME!!! I am so happy to have my youngest brother home from his mission. He was an incredible missionary and was able to teach the Gospel to many. Its just nice to have him here. He adjusted quite well actually. His second day home, he had a cell phone, a job and a registered car. I love him dearly and I am so proud of him for his accomplishments.

I now have 2 roommates living with me. They are wonderful ladies and I love them dearly. I am learning a lot though. I will readily admit that I have OCD when it comes to my house being clean. Its amazing how cluttered it can get with three people living there instead of just me. I'm learning to not sweat the small stuff and just enjoy the company. Its been great fun.

I am taking an institute class. I haven't taken an institute class since I was in college. It seems like forever actually, but I am really enjoying the class. Its a Doctrine and Covenants class and my instructor is awesome. Its nice having a lesson that I'm not teaching from someone so knowledgeable about the Gospel. Its a nice uplift for the week.

I am still teaching Gospel Doctrine in my ward. Scary calling, but I think I may be getting the hang of it. I've been praying to find a way to really study my scriptures and Heavenly Father provided :) My team teacher moved out this week, so I'm alone now. I'm hoping that they'll call someone soon. Its nice having someone to help. I also play the piano for the choir. Its not a calling, they just can't find anyone else to do it, so I do it. There are plenty of people in my ward that can play the piano, they just choose not to let us know :)

I've decided that I need a budget. I've never really had to worry about home repairs or the likes, so I just have spent money. I've realized though that if anything big happened, I wouldn't have any money to pay to get things fixed. I need to change that, so starting today, I'm going to make sure that I budget my money. It just needs to happen. :)

That's about it with me. I do lead a very boring life, but I also lead a very good life. The Lord has been good to me and I have nothing to complain about.

Getting caught up :)

I have two roommates moving into the house with me, which will make finances a whole lot easier. I have some pretty large expenses coming up, so this will be a great blessing in my life :)

I got my back fixed after really throwing it out last week. I contorted my pelvis enough that I made my right leg a half an inch shorter than my left leg. I was flat on my back for about 3 days until I was able to make it into the chiropractor and get myself adjusted. A lot of people think chiropractors are a crock, but I absolutely love chiropractors. They always make things better :)

My youngest brother is getting home from his mission on August 8th! I can hardly wait to see him. He's been such a great support of me and my life. He's never made me feel less of a person because of choices I make or things I do. He's always shown love and support, even while on his mission. I'm excited to have him back home :)

That's my life. Lots of good things going on and I'm blessed. I need to start taking my camera places so I can get pictures.

Vacation has been canceled

I'm so bummed, but we had to cancel our vacation in June, so now it looks like it won't be until August until I get some time off of work. I haven't had any time off since Ethan left on his mission and he's coming home in August. I just keep thinking how pathetic I am that I don't take time off, but then I remember that I have absolutely no money and couldn't go anywhere, even if I wanted to. So, hopefully I can take some time off and enjoy my yard or something :)

I NEED A VACATION!!!

I am completely burned out and need a vacation!!

Singles Ward and lots of changes

Its been a long time since I've posted. There's not been a whole lot going on in my life, just the usual work and working on my yard this spring. The biggest change by far has been to the YSA program in the Church. I'm so grateful for the changes as far as there has never been a really organized program for YSA in the Church. We have student wards, singles wards or activities in family wards, but nothing really solid. These changes that were made were definitely a long time coming and I'm hoping that the changes will work.

Basically, all of the student wards have been dissolved. You attend church based on your geographical area. So, if you are a student, you just attend the ward where you are currently living. It leaves you two options: you attend your Family Ward or the YSA ward that you are assigned. Ward hopping should hopefully be a thing of the past. The Church Leaders have mentioned many times that you go to Church to worship and not to socialize. It is not appropriate to go to a ward based on if you're friends are there.

They have created YSA stakes and wards under those stakes. My Stake is the Taylorsville YSA Stake and my ward the Granger 2nd YSA Ward. We had our first meeting as a ward yesterday. I am optimistic. I just hope they keep me busy. I've only attended singles wards where there were between 40-60 active people, so your opportunities for callings and serving was much greater than in bigger wards. My ward has about 150 active people but around 400 records. Our goal is to find these people are bring them back to the Church. We have a lot of work to do, but I have a feeling that things will work out because this is an inspired program.

So, this by far is the biggest thing in my life. I'm just enjoying life and trying to make things work. I am still looking for piano students, so if you know of anyone, let me know :)

Life is Good!

I just wanted to apologize for the negative tone of my recent blog posts. Sometimes, you need to take a step back from all the bad things that are happening in your life to see the positive. I have finally taken that step back and I'm realizing how truly blessed I am. I have a home, I have my health, I have a family that supports me and I have friends. Things stink sometimes, but that's part of our mortal experience and I for one am grateful for taking this step back that I can realize that it is truly for my good. :)

Thank you for all of you who support me and love me, even when I'm negative and ornery :)

Becoming Better

So, I'm going to be better and look at how I can change to become the person I'm meant to be. I'm tired of people dictating to me how I need to act and where I should be in my life.

I am Dawn and I can do this :)

To my friends that read this blog, I hope you all know how much I love you and how grateful I am for all of your support. Sometimes life stinks, but its people that give their love and support to you in those times when you realize who your true friends are. Love you all!! :)

Things Happen for a Reason

There has been so much drama in my life, and I'm really so very tired of it. Its amazing to me how when you're doing everything possible to make the right choices and do what you're supposed to do, things around you seem to fall apart. I'm actually starting to feel like I did growing up in my ward. There are falsehoods and gossip and I'm generally feeling like a pariah in my ward and at work. Its really hard to see what good can come from all of this drama, but I'm trying to remain optimistic at the same time. I know that my Heavenly Father won't leave me alone to fight this battle, but sometimes, I feel very, very alone. So, I have to remember that things happen for a reason and I usually end up stronger for it.

Wanted: Piano Students

I am trying to make ends meet and am seeking more piano students. I'm charging $40 a month for 30 minute lessons once a week. I have been teaching the piano for 12 years and would love the opportunity to teach others the joys of playing the piano. If you know of anyone that's looking for someone to teach them lessons, please send them my way. I teach all ages and love doing it!

Pictures of the House and Other Such Nonsense

So, here are some more pictures of the house and the decorations. I hope you enjoy

This is my family room. Its a little cluttered right now because we needed to make room for the Christmas Tree.

Isn't it beautiful??? My family goes out every year to cut down Christmas Trees. This tree is the real deal and made my house smell wonderful :)

This is my fireplace right now. I'm in the process of figuring out how to make it usable. Right now, it was wired to become a gas fireplace, but I would definitely prefer a wood burning kind, so we'll see what the future brings :)

This is the front of the house. I thought it looked pretty with all of the snow and icicles :)

So, life has been interesting of late. I am looking for an additional roommate, and its been really hard. I'm looking for a second job so I can make other changes around the house and work at the BC has been pretty intense. All in all though, things are going well and I am so truly blessed by my Heavenly Father. I couldn't ask for more than I've received.

If anyone that reads my blog knows of someone looking for a place to live, please send them my way. I'm pretty desperate at this point.