DONE with the Junior Core!

I am happy, so happy, to say that as of 11 days ago, I am officially done with the Accounting Junior Core! Three 7:00 AM finals, and 30+ hours of finals studying later, I finished my last exam on the 18th. And it was one of the greatest moments of my life! This year has been a crazy intense year, and it was so nice to just be done with it all. It's cool to look back at how much material we covered and everything we accomplished. I've made many friends who I hope I will stay friends with for a long time because they are awesome people. And they made the core much more bearable!

All in all, I would have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but I definitely felt pushed and had to learn even more time management. I also think I learned that every assignment doesn't have to be perfect, and that sometimes other things are more important than getting a '10' on a homework submission. Which if you know me and how OCD I am about school, it's quite the accomplishment for me :)

The day after finals, I left with my family to a 4-day defensive handgun training course at a place called Front Sight with my immediate, and some of my extended family. It was different from what I expected but I learned a lot and am glad I went!

Man-on-Man competition with my little brother. He beat me...

Yes, we are weird sometimes (or most of the time), but I love my family!

My Sweet Grandma

My Grandma VanDyke passed away last week after being diagnosed with cancer back in February. It's been quite the roller coaster over the past few months since it was so sudden and unexpected and then with her quick decline. It's been a lesson to me of just how quickly life can take an unexpected turn and that we should never take things for granted. It was also a good reminder that I need to just enjoy every moment I have with those I love because I never know what could suddenly change.

My Grandma was one of the most selfless people I know; she was constantly looking for ways she could help someone out. She was often in the background of events, quietly serving everyone around her. My mom is also someone who stays longer than everyone else helping to clean up. I know as a kid it was frustrating cause we would want to leave but my mom would tell us we needed to help clean up before we could go. It was super annoying as a kid to have to stay after friends and cousins already left, but I've grown to appreciate that lesson I've learned, and I know my mom learned it from her mom. Unfortunately for my children, I am the same way, but hopefully they'll one day come to appreciate or at least tolerate it :)

My Grandma also taught me how to clean well and to work hard. Amber and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend a few weeks in the summer several years ago with Grandma and Grandpa while we worked at a lodge. It was there that I learned many valuable lessons from my grandparents and just enjoyed the time with them even though we did get annoyed at times :) Grandma was the queen of making do with what she had and was an excellent quilter and sewer. Her birthday cards and Christmas were always so thoughtful, and while they were never anything big, I know that they were made with so much love. I will miss her but am glad she is no longer in pain. I am also so very grateful for the Gospel and the knowledge it brings that I will get to see her again someday. Love you Grandma!!

Conference Weekend

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year! I came home after work on Friday, made cinnamon rolls, and watched a movie with my dad and brother. Then on Saturday, I enjoyed the first session and went on a 7.5 mile run. I injured my knee a few months ago and have slowly been trying to build back up and yesterday's run was pretty pain free so I was really excited about that! Although I was quickly reminded that I like taking water with me if I ever go on a long run when it's hot outside. Let's just say it was warmer outside than I thought it was and I was dying for water by the time I got home! It was still a great run though :)

And then we watched the second session of conference and got to see ELISE in the MTC choir!!! She looked so good and so happy. And mostly it was just fun to see my bestie one more time even if she didn't get to see me! After another great session, I cleaned my car (it was in dire need of a vacuum job), and went and hung out with the little sisters for a little bit before the boys got home, and then we hung out with them. It's been so nice to just get to relax and enjoy time with family. I am also very grateful that we get to hear from our living Prophet and apostles twice a year! We are so blessed!