Once Upon a Time...

There was a not so average princess and she started a blog and was really good an keeping it updated.  Then she started dwindling in her up keep of the blog.  So then one night, after a long one, two, three weeks of work she decided to sit down and share a few things with her blog.  Just for fun (like stretchy pants).  And this is my story.

Moving back in with the parents is always an adjustment, one that I am not incredibly fond of.  But, I can now, almost two months later, honestly say that I feel well adjusted.  Of course I miss my girls and school and the social life that surrounds me up in my beloved Rexburg.  How have I made this incredible adjustment? you may ask.  Well I will tell you that it didn't come with out some tears, lots of consoling from amazing friends, great support, a full time job, a wonderful ward, and of course a lot of prayer.  But lo and behold Callie Jo is back where she belongs (for at least a while).

Within the long month of January I did some mighty crazy things.  Really, I knew my family was spunky, but never did I think we would do some many crazy things in one month.  In honor of me receiving my Associates Degree from my beloved BYU-I my sisters threw me a part.  But not just any party, a How To Host a Murder Party. I played the part of a mysterious "Mexican Beauty" that had been widowed three times.  I wish I had a picture of the whole group but this is all that I had.  (It was set in the 1880's, one of my favorite eras for women's fashion).  Never have I hear or seen such sketchy things be taken so lightly in my house accompanied by so much laughter.

You got to puck up your lips like this

The second great and crazy thing that happened was that my oldest sisters, yes they are twins, turn 34! To celebrate their 34 years of life, instead of saying you can't have any your too young to have fun, to us young ones, they had a party.  Oh but not just any party.  Since they have many memories of the 1980's (remember they are old so they weren't actually born in the 80's they just remember them. Haha) they had an 80's party and requested that everyone come dressed up in 80's attire (keep in mind this would be the second dress up party we have had in two weeks).  And if the 80's ever fully come back, and if I can embrace it, I will be rocking it.

Hey momma welcome to the 80's!

So when I live at home and often have nothing really exciting or pressing to do at night I think. (A dangerous pass time, I know) Recently this has been one of my favorite thoughts:  If I graduate from College and have a pretty good foundation under me with still no strings attached I have a dream, I'd really love to be a concert pianist... okay but really I would love to open up my own little cafe.  I picture it kind of like Kneader's.  Desserts, soups, sandwiches, etc.  Or I would love to do it just a dessert cafe, like The Chocolate. The theme of this amazing little cafe would be Jazz.  Jazz music, of many variations, would always be playing.  Decorations would be much like those seen in Applebee's except for they would all revolve around Jazz.  Pictures of my favorite jazz artists like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, Old record albums and worn out instruments of the jazz band variety would all be things that could be found on the walls. Oh and ever Friday or Saturday night I want to have live music being played.  Local Jr. High and High School Jazz Bands or little combos and other local groups that would like to play would be welcome.  But only Jazz music would be allowed. :) Wouldn't that be fun?  What do you think? I would love any thoughts or feed back. Especially with what to call it.  I'm struggling with that detail for some reason.  I need something sporty like a tuna. 

Maybe during the world series I could serve  more gourmet version of these?

Come on let's play some baseball not the lazy game.

 My life still has many open doors that need to be discovered and explored and I'm sure more will show up eventually.  But for now sleep well and dream of large women... or whatever dream preference you would like.  A couple nights ago I had a dream about getting my mission call, we'll see in six months if it was right.  I was called to Costa Rica! Goodbye, chow, au revoir, sayonara, and all those good bye things.

Okay sorry for all the random movie quotes, I guess I was just in one of those moods.  But really if you can find all of them I would be impressed. (I think there are ten... give or take a couple)  Maybe I'll need to hold a contest to see who can find all of them with references to the movies.  Haha. Disclaimer, some of them are slightly modified and not complete direct quotes.

Out with the Old and On with the New

Oh my goodness one year gone and another one started!  It's weird the tricks that time plays on you.  2011 seems like it has flown by, but at the same time when I think of where I was and what I was doing last January it seeks like forever ago. On New Years Eve we all went around in a circle and said a few or our highlights of 2011.  We all know how much I love making lists so here going my first list of this year... a list of my highlights from the year 2011.

• Saw most of my friends leave on their missions
• Started working as a vision therapy
• fell in love with it
• Went to Hoggle Zoo for the first time in over 12 years
• Married off too many friends- Emily, Kim, Laura, and Tracy
• sixth time being a bridesmaid
• Started Culinary Arts classes
• Besties with Chesties
• Great Spring Semester with JACKTM
• Alane Hillam
• Temple Marathon- now I've been inside over ten temples
• Lots of Boating
• Canaraville Hike with Alyssa and the Parents
• Got into family history
• Spent 7 wonderful months in Rexburg
• Got my third set of Braces and got the clear for jaw surgery
• Fall Semester rocked!!!
• I turned 20
• Learned how to do a lot of new things as well as things that I had forgotten
• I learned how to have social life again
• Made some wonderful friends
• Received over 40 letters from only 3 missionary friends
• I wrote back to every one!
• I graduated! Twice! That's right I received my associates degree! and the second graduation... well if you weren't there then you wouldn't understand. Haha!

Wow, it really was a wonderful year!  I'm so glad for all of my experiences and for all of the people I was able to interact with.  There were many trials and times of growths but progress was made.  That is the most important part.  Now with a new year it has been a perfect opportunity to re-evaluate and look at where I want this next year to take me.  There are many roads that need to be traveled and many more choices to make. I would tend to argue that this new year is going to be one that will change and shape my life more than anyone so far. Thank goodness for a loving Heavenly Father who will help lead and guide me through this year.  I'm so excited for the new adventures that await me!  Hello 2012!

P.S. Sorry about no pictures but they were being a pain and if you really want to see them look on facebook or past blogs. :)

A New Chapter

So it's no secret that I really don't like goodbyes.  Lucky for me I haven't had to deal with too many of them in my life up to this point.  But this week has been a whole week full of goodbyes. I guess after my third semester of the track system that I should be use to this by now but I just haven't gotten use to it. I said goodbye to people and places that have changed my life.  I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful semester at BYU-Idaho.  It was definitely a wonderful semester which is what makes it so hard to leave.  I love Rexburg... I know that might sound weird and you probably don't understand but I truly love it.  It will forever have a place in my heart.  This last week I finished my Associate's degree and with that being completed I'm taking a break from school for a little bit. Not sure exactly how long I will be gone, but the one thing that is certain is that I will be coming back to visit a lot while I'm gone.  

Just a few documented memories:

Doing the Can-Can in our highest heels ;)

Painting Hannah blue... What Julie doesn't think of!

Heart Attacking our FHE brother's cars

Dressing up for Halloween

Julie... There isn't anything that needs to be said

Great friends!

And Crazy Roommates... This picture says it all. HAHA

This is the beginning of a new chapter in my life.  I have said goodbye to the previous one and I am excited, nervous, and slightly dreading turning the page over to start this new chapter.  Many adjustments will be made leaving a lot of room for new experiences and growth. There are so many things to look forward to.  I love my job working at Child and Family EyeCare Center and I love my family.  Adjusting is the key to success here.  Ready, Set, Go! 

Thanksgiving

So I know I have been gone for a long time.  Life has kind of fallen away from me.  But I made a promise to one of my best friends that I would pull it together and at least update my blog.  Haha.  I feel like so much has happened in the six weeks that I haven't posted so I feel like it's kind of pointless to even try to rap it up.  I have been trying really hard to keep a journal so at least I have record there of what I have been doing.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.  It has been associated with traditions, family, and food, which are three of my very favorite things. As the years have gone by my family has changed a lot and this year was the first of many to come of a new era.  So, as it may be well known, I'm not always really good with change. Especially when it comes to traditions.  Adding new traditions is great but changing or getting rid of traditions doesn't fly very well.  So potentially this could have been a trying year.  Yes there were some rough spots, which is to be expected, but as a whole I think that it went really well.  The day started with Zumba, family basketball (no matter how unconventional it was), and "getting pretty."   The day ended with a wonderful dinner, gingerbread houses (making a house for an almost 2 year old is quite hilarious), games, and chatting it up with my dear Chrissy (although she prefers to go by Christina she will always be Chrissy to me).

For me personally this was my first Thanksgiving in a new decade of life.  Since I turned 20 last month I have really been trying to make some important goals and changes in my life.  I wanted my new decade to start out fresh and make it one that I will look back in years to come and be proud of what I did in my 20's.  Of course I plan on facing the rocky road ahead and I know that I will face many challenges, however there are so many things I have going for me.  And that is where my Thankful list begins.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

• My Mom- the best support system in the world
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which I know to be true
• My amazing family- Parents, siblings, nieces and nephews
• The talents the Lord has blessed me with
• The wonderful job that is available to me anytime I come home
• Knowing who I am- I am a daughter of God
• Great friends to share life with
• The acting Grace of our Heavenly Father enabled through Jesus Christ
• America and the freedoms that so many people have laid down their lives for
• BYU-Idaho - The beautiful University that I have the privilege of attending
• Modern Medicine and Medical Technology- With out it who knows what my life would be like
• Missionaries- as I get closer to the time where I will be serving my own missionaries my gratitude for those who are currently serving is magnified. 
• Indoor Plumbing- every year this one is brought up in my family, it's not until you don't have it that you truly appreciate it. 
• My health-  although not perfect I often look around and feel so blessed for the health that I have
• The experiences and opportunities that I have had in my life
• This list could go on and on but before I end I must say how grateful I am for my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving to kick off this 2011 Holiday season!

Brace Face

I'm not technically new to the whole braces scene, but then again I am. 

Throughout my life I have had braces for about five years total.  So you could say I have had over my fair share of braces, which I would agree with you.  This time it is different though.  I got these on by choice and they are leading up to jaw surgery. I'm not sure how many of you have noticed but I have an open bite. Meaning my front teeth don't close when my back teeth are touching.  This was caused by my jaw joint flattening.  Let's just say that isn't the most comfortable feeling in the world. So that is why I am a almost 20 year old with a brace face.

I remembered a lot of the discomfort and inconveniences that come with having braces, but remembering them is a lot different than experiencing them.  My lips look puffy all the time now and the inside of my mouth is all scraped and raw from rubbing on the metal.  The pain from the teeth being moved is the thing that is the easiest for me to handle.  It does make me laugh though when eating an apple that is cut into bite sized pieces is my proud feat of the day though.  I have eaten a lot of soft foods this week, mashed potatoes were definitely the highlight. Oh and my favorite thing is when people (my mom and lovely roommates) tell me I look 5 years younger.  *Joy I look like I'm in Jr. High again when I'm actually a sophomore in college*

Braces have changed my life in a few different ways that kind of make me laugh.  For instance, the amount of time I spend brushing my teeth has probably tripled, I don't know how long the little timer they gave me is but I always take longer than it. Instead of brushing my teeth 2 or 3 times a day like I use to I now brush my teeth closer to 5 times a day. Which means I spend about 25 minutes just brushing my teeth a day.  This does not include flossing, which is a lovely event, or applying wax so the braces don't rip apart my mouth while I'm sleeping.  My getting ready for bed ritual now takes a very long time. I have made a system where I floss the upper teeth in the morning and lower teeth at night which is nice so that I don't have to do it all at the same time. The eating habits aren't that hard for me to handle.  But I do rinse out my mouth with water several times after every time I eat. 

Well I am officially a brace face for about 14 month.

A Month Gone By

So I know it's pretty pathetic that a whole month has gone by since I have been on here and updated.  I'm a busy woman what can I say?  And this last month has been quite a crazy one. Since it is hard to sum everything up I think I will just make a list, and try to keep it in chronological order. But I make no guarantees.  :)

• Trained my replacement at work
• Got a bone scan
• Had my last day of work
• Enjoyed the High School Homecoming scene vicariously by doing hair, going shopping, taking pictures, and co-hosting a dinner
• I sent off my dearest Alane to New Mexico
• Moved back to Rexburg
• Started my 3rd semester at BYU-I
• Started the tradition of Bread Night. (it's been a success)
• I've been social every weekend!
• Painted my roommates, literally
• Put a purple streak in my hair
• Started to plan a wedding (no my own but my roommates)
• Went home for Conference weekend
• Took Tracy and Brad's engagement pictures
• Got braces (yes I am on my third round of braces, it's a long story)

Well that's my last month in a nutshell I guess. Hope you enjoyed. 

Okay so this is my last week before leaving my beloved family, home and friends behind for a few months and return to my studies.  Although my break from school was short, and near existent when considering online classes, I have done a lot.  Let's have a look, shall we?
*Disclaimer:  These events are in no particular order and there may be missing information*

• Finished my first TV series
• Baby sat around 7 times
• Scrapbooked that last year of my life
• Added three temples to my list in one week (two in one day)
• Went boating about 5 times
• Walked Provo canyon twice
• Made a trip to St. George
• Worked full time
• Built a wall (never knew that was in my job description) 
• Refereed soccer games
• Went to the dentist all by myself and had no cavities
• Watched the first BYU game of the season
• Went on an awesome hike
• Finished my online class with an "A"
• Drew and discussed weddings
• Went to Seven Peaks for the first time in years
• Cheered at several XC meets
• Helped ask my brother's date to homecoming
• Almost got braces on
• And the list could go on

Doesn't look like I did too bad for myself.  And I STILL have a whole week to go!  Woot!  It's going too be good.