It's 2013 Ya'll!

Soooo....for those of you how read my blog will come to find that I have been MIA and haven't blogged in a while. The end of 2012 was crazy busy with work, my grandpa's funeral, Christmas, family in town, etc. BUT, I am back and ready to blog and share my life experiences!

I want to start out by telling you about my New Year's Eve.
Wow.
What an incredible night?!
My parents were amazing enough to hire "Cruzin' Sushi" to come cater our dinner.
I knew that we had a sushi chef coming over but I didn't think it would be like this!
I pulled up to my parents house and there on our driveway was this huge truck.
Anna and Josh (the chefs) were walking in and out of it with containers
full of sushi ingredients and platters of who knows what.
My mom had the table as set up so beautifully...she always does.
My parents were nice enough to let us all (me, hugh and stephen) bring dates.
It was an all around fun packed dinner!
Anna made the sushi in front of us while Josh would be in the truck
frying our tempura and other yummy treats!
I cannot tell you how amazing this was.
Anna then invited us to come and make our own sushi.
That was an experience!
We have found a new tradition and I am so happy!
I love my family so much and it was so much fun to spend New Year's Eve with them.

After dinner, Trent and I headed over to say hello to my Aunt Annette.
They were in the middle of games but it was good to see them!
We then headed over to Trent's friend Jonathan's parent's house.
We played some games and had a good laugh.
The Deesing family has a tradition where they burn their Christmas tree at midnight
and shoot off fireworks.
Watching the tree light up was awesome!
We watched an amazing firework show.
If you know me...you will know that I LOVE fireworks!
It was a good way to end the night.

I loved the year 2012....
but bring it on 2013!

December 5, 2012...

This is a day that I will never forget.
I remember what I was wearing.
I remember what I ate.
I remember it all.

I woke up that morning in my bed at my parent's house.
I woke up knowing that it was going to be a long day.
I called my mom who had slept over at my grandpa's care center.
My grandpa was already on his way through the veil.
It was just a matter of time.
I went over there around 9 AM so my mom could come home and shower.
I got there and about 10 minutes after being there, Joan, the Hospice nurse
came in to tell us that he was so close to passing away that my mom might want to stay.
We stayed and watched.
Eventually the rest of my family came over.
We all sat around his bed, watching old John Wayne movies.
Trent was nice enough to bring us all lunch.
We sat and sat and sat.
My siblings would come and go.
I was fortunate to have the day off of work.
I didn't leave my grandpa's side.
1:30 AM came around and we were all exhausted.
I asked to have a few minutes with him alone.
I sat and prayed.
Prayed for him to just go.
I wasn't sure if he was in pain or not.
He was asleep the whole day.
His breathing got slower.
It looked difficult for him.
It was painful for us to just watch.
My mom told me just to go home.
But I knew that if I were to go home, that I would miss something.
She kept on insisting that I go home, but I was too stubborn to give in.
I slept right next to my mom that night while she slept next to her dad.
I surprisingly enough fell asleep.
Around 3:30, my mom fell asleep.
It surprised me due to the circumstance.
At 4:00 in the morning we both sat up at the same time.
Looked over at grandpa and listened for one of his painful sounding breaths.
Nothing.
Pure silence.
We were in shock.
He passed.
He was finally through the veil and reunited with his sweetheart and his Heavenly Father.
It was a long, emotional day.
I won't go into so much detail of what was said and what exactly happened.
But all I will say is that it was a peaceful night.
I have learned so many things through this experience.

•  Life is short. Live it.
• People are kind and have good hearts.
• This gospel is so true.
• Take advantage of the time you get to spend with family.
• Love one another.
• He never said it would be easy. He only said it would be worth it.

I love my grandpa so much. 

I loved holding his hand and walking around with him.

I loved sitting with him and watching old cowboy movies.

I loved it when he would pull me in for a kiss.

I loved his stories.

I loved his example of hard work.

I love him.

I will never forget the legacy he has left behind.

I can't wait to feel his presence at my wedding.

I can't wait to see him again.

Because I know I will.

Updates on life.

Hello world.
It's been 3 days since my last post.
(Must say above sentence like Bruce in Finding Nemo)
Finals finals finals.
Not fun.

So yesterday was our ward Christmas program.
I'm the ward choir pianist.
They did a really good job.
My roommate Katie played the cello and did very well!
My mom surprised me!
She told me she wasn't going to make it.
She was the first person I saw when I walked out of Sunday School.
She is amazing!
Trent come too!

It was my mom's birthday too!
She is turned 29!
....just kidding...
She really turned 50.
She looks like she's 29 though.
We threw a surprise party for her at my aunts house!
I had told my mom that I wasn't going to make it because I had to play at a stake fireside.
I got someone to cover for me thank goodness!
So she was surprised to see me there too.
I love my mom!
She is so incredible!
It was fun to see some of my parents' friends there that I haven't seen in a while.
I even saw some of my cousins whom I haven't seen in ages!
Man I love my family!

Came home...
To study...
Did I?
Well not at first.
All of my roomies were home.
Except for Kat.
Katie was playing Zelda.
Aubrey was facebooking and pinning.
Hoa and Elise were studying hard for their last final!
I was going in my room, when Katie said,
"Annie just study out here and be with us!"
So I did.
Took me a while to finally crack open my science notes and study.
I listened to Pachelbel Meets U2....one of my favorite Jon Schmidt songs.
While clapping along with the piano on Aubrey's hand....
Weird?
Yes.
Helpful?
You betcha!
Thanks Aubs for letting me be so weird!

Took my science final today at 7!
SOOOO happy to have this class done!
1 down....3 to go.
Now I'm off to take final numero dos!
Wish me luck!

TGIF!!

Thank goodness it's Friday! This past week had a lot of ups and downs. More downs that I had anticipated. But I just focus on the ups of course! Day 4 of gratitude month!! I don't think I've been this excited for November...anyhoo. Today I am grateful for a really random thing that EVERYONE and their dog uses. K maybe not their dog...it's just a saying I've heard and used. But today I am grateful for the beautiful thing called texting. I am able to communicate with my best friend Elsa up in Idaho, my sister and brother in law in New York, my family in Salt Lake and here in Provo and even my own roomie Aubrey! Yes yes yes....phone calls are SO much better and more fun! But sometimes we are not in a convenient area to take a phone call. Today 106.5 started playing Christmas music! So I text my whole family saying, "106.5 is playing Christmas music!!!!" Here were the replies I received:

Mom: "What the heck!...Atleast they waited til after Halloween!"

Dad: "Boo hiss...Too early!...I hope you're not texting while driving.. (Told him I was on campus) he said..."I hope you're not texting while walking....actually probably a great way to meet guys running into them whole distracted by your phone!"

Hugh: "Curses"

Stevo: "Hecka yeah sis! We need to jam!"

I guess it's not just texting I'm grateful for today...It's my family too and how awesome they are...but then again...I'm alaway grateful for my family!

Here's to texting!

Oh...and it's National King Tut Day According to Aubrey's sweet calendar!

The Ending of a Good Week..

Thursday came around.

Work went well.

Nappy time with Aubs!

Then off on a double date!

Started out with dinner at Rumbi.

Ice cream at Coldstone.

Then off to iceskating...

Well...

Not really.

The rink was booked for hockey practice.

We ended up watched a hockey game at another rink.

It was quite enjoyable!

This is was fun date with Todd Sorensen and Aubrey and Carlos!

Friday started out a little rocky.

But got better thank goodness!

Work was good.

My dear friend Trent came down!

He surprised me with SANUKS!

We saw them at the mall a few months ago.

I fell in love.

He was so sweet and bought me a pair!

We both say it's like wearing sweats on your feet.

Me and Trent both LOVE sweats.

So why not wear them on your feet?

Trent is pretty darn amazing!

Later me and Aub's friend, Addison,

treated us to dinner at Legend's Grill.

Thank Add!

Friday was a wonderful day.

Saturday.

Woke up to:

"Hey Annie...I have a zit on my foot.

I'm going to pop it...do you have a band-aide?"

Gee....Thanks Kat...9:30 and I already lost my appetite..

No cereal for me.

Then me and Aubrey went on one of our favorite things!...

ROAD TRIP!!...To salt lake of course.

But every time Aubs and I go on a drive together..

whether it's just to class or home...it's always so much fun.

We blast our music and sing just like the artist....or atleast attempt to.

We have a playlist called, "Aub and Ann's Jam"

Long Live...

Stereo Hearts...

Dare to Dream... (favorite)

Forever...

Larger Than Life...

Single Ladies...

and of course...

Cheers (Drink to That)...

Ya...it's pretty fan-freakin-tastic!

After dropping off Aubrey,

I met up with my mom and bethany at Mary's Bridal.

Beth was getting her dress fitted!

Then I hear my mom say...

"Hey Ann...try on some dresses!"

ooookay mom...why not?!

It got me really excited for when it really is my turn!

Buuuut....I got nothing but time!

After lunch with mom and dad and beth,

I headed over to the Paulsen's home!

This is like my second family!

I had a good talk with Lori!

She is my second Mommy!

I painted Olivia, Ana AND Kambria's nails.

The 3 little sisters I never had...

Got to see James for a bit too!

Always good to see an old friend.

Picked up Trent and went to Zupas

to pick up a pay check!

I love getting $28 checks.

haha

Off to "Annie"!

My little brother, Stephen, is in it.

So we enjoyed watching him!

It was an amazing show!

I highly recommend it.

AND I got to see some old high school friends!

Lizzie Carter and Sarah Funk are some of my favorite people.

Sunday came around.

PRIMARY PROGRAM!!

Best day to choose to go to the home ward!

Came home.

Nap time for me, Stephen and Beth!

Best home cooked dinner made by mamacita.

Steak, mashed potatoes, corn bread, salad....and peach cobbler to finish it off.

Came back down to Orem.

Shortly after, Brian and Jamo came down.

We watched Lord of the Rings.

They are going to come down again and we are going to have a marathon this week.

I love those guys!

We have some fun Halloween and Christmas plans.

Couldn't have asked for better friends.