2008 In Review

This past year has been fun of ups and downs, and I am glad to see what is coming my way for the next year! In January my brother Cody came to visit me. He got home from Iraq on Christmas Eve, but did not go on leave until about the second week in January. It was so nice to build up our relationship, and just get to know each other again. We have never been this strong!


The end of January my roommate at the time Ariane and I went on a road trip up to my parents cabins and got to go to the Rexburg Temple Open House. It was my first time to one, and it was such a beautiful and amazing temple. On the way home, I decided it would be fun to have a tire blowout! That was an adventure on its own… Ariane and I both thought we where going to die (crazy town truck driver and what not) so we said our goodbyes and she planned her funeral. Thankfully I am still alive this day!


The spring came and went, and I realized how much I hate the snow. We had a few fights, and a lot of car problems… I have since then tried to ‘forgive’ the snow, but it is still not the best relationship.


On March 27th, I had the joys of welcoming Veronica Julie Capell into the family. My
uncle Joe and his Wife Amber had a beautiful baby girl. She is such a doll. Sadly she had phenomena when she was born and she had to spend the first 2 weeks in NICU. It was so sad to see her all plugged in, but she is healthy now, and beautiful! I love playing with her and she is super smart!


In April Ariane, this guy named Jackson and I went on a weekend road trip to Vegas. This was the first time I have been back since I moved away 3 years ago now. It was a crazy weekend, but full of wonderful memories. Things changed and so had I, but it was nice to go back and eat at the Bellagio! My old friends where so sweet to put a job application inside my menu. The executive chef changed and the food was not as good as I remembered it, but it was nice. We later went to the Stratosphere, and rode the elevator to the top had enough time to look out and then had to be evacuated due to the wind! I did win $200 on a slot machine, after only playing $0.25! It paid for my whole trip!


In May I woke up to a horrible phone call from Verizon. I hated working there, and was thankfully seeking other employment opportunities, but never expected to be let go. They still do not have answer as to why, just that I did not have a job anymore. I took it really hard; I always gave a 110% effort. I even went as far as to speaking with lawyers about wrongful termination and hazards in the work condition, and had a strong case. However, after speaking to my Bishop he suggested to just let it go, since I had found a job with better benefits and one that a actually love!


The day after I was terminated I started work at a company called 406 Real Estate Services. We specialize in foreclosures. My job descriptions are changing everyday and I enjoy that about my job. I also get to pick my own hours, and normally work 7am-3pm. I love having weekends off and nights as well!


July was an exciting month for me! My roommate Ariane and I flew to Orlando to visit our friend Tremaine, who was working there in the summer. It was an action packed 5 day weekend, and I loved every minute of it! We went to Universal Studios for the 4th of July, Disney World, some clubs downtown, Karaoke, slept by the pool all day and had BBQ’s, went to Cocoa Beach and played some beach Volleyball. When we where dreading having to leave, hurricane Bertha came in and sadly our flight was the last flight our before they closed down. Oh how I would have loved to stay there another night! I met some amazing new people, and miss them all so much!


The summer was also when I decided to try to give the ward another shot. I started going to activities more and made some amazing friends, who I would not trade for anything in the world! We went to Lava Hot Springs on a campout, and met Heather. She is one of my bestest buddies, and amazingly fun to hang out with. Truly a kindred Spirit! That was where I also met Dallin. He is such a great friend to be around and has helped me though some seriously tough times this year! My friend Rachelle and her family have a boat and I was able to go on tons of outings with them. She is such a wonderful person, and helped me a lot when my living situation went downhill.


I started to Read the Twilight series in the beginning of summer, and was excited for the 4th book to be released! We all went in a group and went and saw Get Smart beforehand. We also hung out at the Gateway, and went to build a bear. I am normally a person who can wait a while to get something, but it was fun just have a late night fun night, with good friends!


In August I turned 22. Yes I feel super old, and I realized that my body needs more sleep than I ever considered in a week living in Las Vegas. Rachelle hosted a birthday girls night, and it was nice to be with people who cared about me! I was sad though when Cody didn’t call. He remembered my birthday last year when he was in Iraq, and I was bummed when he forgot…


August also brought a change of events. I had finally said that enough was enough with my roommates and found a place in Sandy. I love where I live now and feel as though it is too good to be true! Penny my landlord/roommate has been amazing and such a huge inspiration in my life! There are 4 others who live there, and they are all returned missionaries. They where also amazing to let me crash on the couch when I didn’t feel like I could go back to my real house in Centerville.


The fall came and went, which means the elections. One of my brothers old friends from Vancouver and I started to hang out. His name is Michael, and in all honesty it was strange to ever see him again, since it has been almost ten years! It is nice to have a brother figure around again, since mine is so far away. We watched the debates together and proud fully cheered when Obama was elected. I have never gotten this much into an election before, and I am glad that I took the time to be educated on the real issues. I am excited to see where he takes us!


Thanksgiving was fun and eventful; my parents came down from Island Park. Michael ended up joining us for the holiday and thankfully my dad was on better behavior than normal! I was also glad to see that no fights broke out and we all left in one piece! Of course it left us to some early morning shopping, and sleep was overrated! It was fun to hit the tradition of the sock sale and have a fun morning with my Mom and Aunt! That weekend Cody was also deployed back to Iraq. Hopefully he can be safe this tour!


I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional. This is the second year in a row that I have gotten to go to it, and I had plaza seats this time around! We where less than 20 feet from the first presidency and it was way easier to look at them than the big screen! It was also the first time I got to hang out and see some old friends from Washington! Caitlyn and I went to Girls camp together and the same singles ward, whereas Beth I met at the Singles ward there. It was a total blast from the past and super great to see them again! They have both moved down to Utah County, so I have been hanging out a lot!


My mom ended up spending the month of December with us, and there where times I will be honest where I was getting frustrated. I am glad though to have her around and to know she is there for me when I need someone! I was able to take her to a few free screening movies, and I know she enjoyed it. I especially loved Benjamin Button, and recommend that one to EVERYONE!


Christmas was different this year; however it has not felt like Christmas for awhile. My dad stayed in Idaho, and my brother never called. My mom and I stayed the night at my Aunt and Uncles in West Jordan, and did everything very low key. We did have a few bumps, or power outages and some road closures, but still had fun together! It is always comical to watch my uncles play Rockband! Oh and my mom can totally belt out Blondie!


There is good and bad in everything in life, but I believe it is all how you look at it. I would love to say that things will be better this year, but I know it is all in my attitude! Thank you to all of those that where such a big part of my life this year, and I will be honest that Utah is starting to grow on me. I still miss home and look forward to the spring when my car is paid off and I can afford some weekend trips out of here!