Let's start by saying...I FINALLY FINISHED THE B.O.M.! I totally slacked this time and it took me about a month and a half to finish. Little did I know when I started the challenge that the next month would be totally crazy...
So about half way through July I was made the manager of the salon I work at, SportClips!
I've been working there for about 3 1/2 years, and finally I'm the manager.
Being the manager is keeping me super busy but it has been great so far!
The last month or so has just been super busy and a little overwhelming.
Working.
Managing.
Small vaca's.
Weddings.
Goodbyes.
August fourth was a very bitter-sweet day for me. My roommate for almost three years, Zandrea got married in Twin Falls Idaho, and I had the privilege of being her Maid of Honor. It truly was an honor for me seeing that she and I have been through a lot together and she has helped me through a lot of things. It was an absolute beautiful day and she looked absolutely stunning. I am so happy for her and her now husband Donnie. They are amazing together and compliment each other in all the right ways. I am just a little sad that she isn't my single girl anymore!
Before heading to Idaho and while my dad was home for the short time he was, we finally had his retirement ceremony. He served a good 32 years in the Army National Guard and it was only appropriate that he was thanked and honored for all of his hard and amazing work that he put in during those 32 years.
I will admit I learned a lot of things about my dad that day. Nothing that surprised me, but things that I just never knew. I learned how respected my dad was, not that I didn't know that already, but the men that stood up and spoke about my dad had only the highest regard for him. They looked up to him and respected him. They enjoyed working with him, and had learned a lot of things from him. My dad was truly an inspiration and a mentor to a lot of men in the Utah National Guard. He took each moment as a learning opportunity, and only wanted the best for others. He put doing what was right before doing what might have been easier, and I think that is amazing. He was never concerned about what people thought about him, he made decisions based upon what he knew needed to be done, and what he knew was right. I can guarantee that the men that had the privilege of working with my amazing father, have had their lives changed because of him.
I am extremely grateful for my father. He has taught me so many things that I will never forget. He has helped shape me to be the young woman that I am today, along with my amazing mother. I couldn't have asked for a better father, he is my hero. When I think of someone that I admire, respect, love, and look up to I always think of him, because he is all those things. If you have had the privilege of meeting him you will be able to agree. For the next couple years he will be in Afghanistan for 2 months at a time with a month home in between. It will be really hard to have him gone for those 2 months, but I look forward to the month that I get to spend my time with him.
I love you dad.
The day after I got home from Zandrea's wedding I had to say goodbye to my big brother.
Kyle joined the Army August 6.
It was a long time coming and a long process for him and I am so proud of his decision to follow my dad's footsteps and join the Army.
He has been in basic training now for 3 weeks and after that will head to officer school and then him, Chelsea, and baby Avery will head to Alabama for flight school for the next couple years.
As with my dad I could go on and on about how much I love my brother. He has always been there for me (even though we do a lot of "fighting" in between). He has always been someone I look up to and someone I know will always have my back. He is such a strong person and has had to go through some difficult things. I am so proud of the person he has become. He is an amazing husband to his beautiful wife, and as soon as baby Avery gets here I know he will be the most amazing father to that sweet girl.
I love him with all my heart and I know he will be such a great soldier. I am so proud of his decision to do this, and cannot wait until I see him in October when he graduates from basic training.
I can't say enough how grateful I am for my family. I have amazing parents that have taught me all the things that will help me get through life. They brought me up in the true Gospel and have raised me to know that living the Gospel is the only way to happiness.
I have amazing siblings. A sister who is such a great example to me. With the two cutest kids I know. She is such a great mom to those sweet kids. I have a brother who is such a great person. Who is taking a huge step in his life, and will do it successfully. I am grateful for their spouses who fit them perfectly, and truly complete our family.
Although our family might be splitting up and taking on different path and going different directions, I am so happy to know that I have strong enough connections with them that distance doesn't matter. And at the end of the day I am so extremely grateful that we are an eternal family. Our family togetherness doesn't end here on earth when we die, it continues on after this life. I know that we will spend eternity with each other, and some days that doesn't sound too fun, JUST KIDDING, but there are no other people I would rather spend my eternities with than them!
