Out with The Old, In with The New

Okay. I suppose it's been a while since my last post but LOTS has been happening. So to catch up I'll start backwards a little bit...

Thanksgiving 2009.

LOTS of people joined the feast that was hosted at my brother Trevor's with his wife Lauren. (to name a few... Gwen and Bob Evans -providing most of the food- Stacey, then we had many hale 2 guests and The Ellsworths -Jason, Michelle and Deacon -etc etc.)

December 2009

First, Saying my final goodbyes with some night outs on the bus to kaneohe and kahuku. :)

Jason's graduation! -followed by a delicious lunch provided by kahuku grill. Thank you President Hanneman!!!

Packing up (or lack-there-of)and saying goodbye to Hale 5, friends, even some family. -And of course...THE BEACH!

I guess it didn't hit me so much that I was never coming back to this beautiful place -Hawaii- to live again until these last couple weeks!

Taking out my endownments. The day after Christmas... here we go! I was set to go in the temple. I was so... ready. I wanted to go so bad. I think I was a little blown away at first but when I got to the celestial room to see my mom waiting there with her arms stretched out and then seeing each family member greet me. Words can't describe the LOVE that my Heavenly Father blessed me with. I wouldn't pick another family to spend eternity with.

Hospital Adventures! If you want to call them that...

Grandma Bullock (92) likes to be the center of attention. Unfortunately she came out with a bang, right on her hip. So the day before the wedding -in the midst of running around for Nikki's wedding- we receive a text that grandma Bullock has fallen pretty hard and was off to the ER. More to come!

The Olave Wedding! What an eventful weekend. The minute I got off the plane it was "LET'S GO WEDDING RECEPTION LAST MINUTE SHOPPING!"

It's taken me a while to finally realize what was going on the minute I started zipping up my bridesmaid dress. Not to mention the song I was scheduled to sing but had not practiced until ...well.... that night.

But I think it turned out well. Not to mention, seeing my sister in a wedding gown with the biggest grin of america. One word: STUNNING. She was absolutely GORGEOUS!! And I'm so lucky to have another amazing brother-in-law.

Oh. And we did a little celebrating afterwards. :) mmm. In-and-out!!

New Years Eve with a long time friend... AMBER and SO lucky to have spent it with Ashley Reader as well, then of course there was my brother and all that boys. First we went to Gameworks and then Jesse Larson's parents house. We all thought it was pretty interesting to have a random black man stumble in our driveway bonfire.. but the dance moves he did for us on a tarp in the middle of a road were SO worth it! :)

Let January 2010 begin.

Well everyone's gone. JUST-LIKE-THAT. So it's taking down the Christmas tree, taking people to the airport and time to go missionary clothes shopping!

More Hospital adventures...

This time in rehab. Aunt Tracey (my grandmas daughter) has spent days at her mom's bedside praying and spending time with grandma Bullock.

The day after Tracey leaves the hospital decides she better get to rehab so we can get her walking and doing everyday things again. She still hasn't been home yet and will be in rehab until she gets better. The house is seeming more lonely these days as my parents have been working with nurses and hospitals, family and friends, trying to get things situated with grandma. She is now in a group home under the care of hospice care givers. She's in our hearts and prayers that her faith and the Lord's will will allow her to heal of the pains she is going through at this time.

IT'S A BOY! no no. NOT ME. NIKKI & DOUG ALLEN! That's right. I went to Nikki Allen's baby shower and that night Nikki goes into labor! -Well kind of- 5 weeks early they had to pull the baby out. Everyone is okay. I suppose the Lord answers prayers and puts things in our lives at certain times for a certain reason. Whatever the reason she had Linken Allen early my prayers go out to them at this time. I know they will be the BEST parents that Linken could ever ask for.

Babysitting. In the meantime I've been spending my time in Phoenix watching over my sister Natalie's little boy -Victor Benjamin. Like most people and babies, while we're on the subject, we have our good days and bad but it makes the WHOLE day worth it when I see that one little smile after talking with him.

Foot in my mouth. I've noticed some things I've been saying lately that haven't made much sense. My nerves are getting to me! I've never been more anxious, nervous, excited, about ready to scream, than I am right now in my life.

I'm sorry I've said anything offensive lately you'll have to forgive me as the only thing I've really been focusing on is the "big trip" I have coming up in the next couple weeks.

Connecting ties. I don't really set new years goals until a few weeks in and see what the Lord would like me to do. This year I've noticed the need for friends. As I am nearing the days towards my mission and as I flip through old pictures, numbers, and names I remember some of the BEST times I spent were with friends. Either from Hawaii, Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona, even Peru, Korea, and Russia all my friends have made a difference in my life and have brought me to this point. So I suppose I've been making more of an effort to spend more time with old friends, meeting new friends, and getting to know better the old best friends I once knew. It's been such a wonderful experience and part of me is sorry it's taken me this long to see how amazing some people really are.

SHOPPING SPREE!! kind of. You know me. I like a good shopping adventure. :) Except when you're buying long skirt after long skirt. This has been my one personal adventure to keep me focused on my mission through the hectic weeks. You'd think clothes would steer me off a different kind of path but each new outfit I would try on I would picture a little black name tag on the blouse and would smile to myself. So the shopping adventures are very much worth it! Only two more pairs of shoes and a coat -oh and maybe a couple more cute tops- and I'll be

done.. with the CLOTHES shopping.

Farewell. TO COME. :) For those planning to attend it will be January 31st at 11am in the extension Building. (In Mesa, Arizona)

February 2010....

February 3rd 2010. To the MTC I go! What a crazy life it's led up to this point. OH. if you would like a letter from me... PLEASE send me your address! :)