Once upon my life in 2013

Overall 2013 was a terrible year for blogging! I didn't keep up, maybe because by the time I got home at night (usually after 11) I was exhausted and wanted nothing less than to spend MORE time in front of the migraine inducing glare of the computer. But, for history's sake, here's a quick overview of my year:

January: I rang in the new year with my dear friend Amanda, her fiance and their families, then boarded a plane back to po-dunk New Mexico, and I'd never been happier to be back. I began my second semester of Grad School, also the beginning of the "Year of Swift" the year when I had two classes from the hardest teacher in the department EVERY SEMESTER! Also, I celebrated 6 months of being on a mission with this girl (Sister Peterson) who I LOVE!

Also, it's the only picture from January that I can find! 

February: I got myself a boyfriend (Justin) THE WEEKEND BEFORE VALENTINES DAY! I do not recommend the stress of that! I also met his parents, with 30 minutes notice. I also went to this baby shower with the CDIS girls:

L-R: Andrea, Brissa, Heather, Anna, Me, Alicia, ? Rachael, Alise, Reagan

March: Celebrated my first spring break of my college career by going to Utah. I slept on 4 different couches, and determined that I was too old to sleep on a couch for any length of time! The highlight of the trip was going to a Flogging Molly concert with Shelly.

Because who wears pearls to a Flogging Molly concert... ? 

April: By this point, it's all kind of a blur. Late nights with the boyfriend (who would pick me up religiously at 6:00), I about had a breakdown from the stress of it all, and also had my first client in the clinic bite me! The CDIS girls also had a birthday dinner for me at Vines here in town, and the boys made me a birthday cake too.

Me with Lauren, Dara, Brittney and Emmily in the background. 

May: Most of May I was out of school and relished in the time to sleep! My phone died just in time for finals week, and I accidentally booked my flight home for Tuesday and thought it was for Wednesday, so I totally missed my flight! I actually cried, but it was all ok, Southwest didn't charge me for my missed flight and I ended up being home for a week, rather than two, which was probably good. While I was home I went shopping with Mom for YW camp... or because we were trying to save the world with condiments...

again... the only picture I can find from May!

June: Summer classes started and it was a whirlwind of activity. I helped a family in the ward plant their huge garden and kept occupied with those two Swift classes. I was in class for 5 hours, two days a week with the same teacher. One of the classes required that I care for a baby for the entirety of the class.  I also went to a wedding that had THIS cake:

Yes, it was a Duck Dynasty themed wedding. 

My baby, Seth "Stormageddon"

July: Brought more of the same, and boy was it hot! My poor little un-air conditioned Betsy did not like the heat! And then it rained and this happened all over town:

August: Again most of the month was spent off of school. I spent a good time making cupcakes to bribe people to do my research project (kind of like a thesis). School started again in late August, as did car troubles. Luckily, I met a nice man at Walmart who is somewhat of a Volvo enthusiast, he did repairs on my car for a super good price, and I learned more than I ever wanted to know about Volvos.

September: I spent a lot of time in Clovis as my practicum placement was with MECA, an early intervention program. I learned I get numb-bum sitting on people's floors, and I like doing therapy when the parents aren't there so I can be a little more mean  stern. Also, I got myself volunteered to being in charge of the program's Homecoming float with my idea "Angry Birds of Paradise" I made 25 angry bird masks, which got us "most clever" and the first win for the CDIS program EVER.

This is "my" trophy... I'm pretty proud of it. 

October: I went to NMSHA for the second year in a row with the program, this year, presenting some of the posters for the research poster sessions. I also got nearly deathly ill and survived on cough drops and Tylenol Cold. At the end of the month I made nearly 100 cupcakes for the Halloween Carnival at the clinic. Also I went with Matt and Shayna to the Portales Peanut Festival. Yes, we know how to party. This guy almost gave me a heart attack:

November: Amid the craziness of school wrapping up, I made a delicious Thanksgiving feast, seriously, delicious, for me, Matt, Justin and a couple of friends from the program. I also went to Fort Stanton with Lauren for my dear friend Dara's wedding. This picture was taken when we were off roading (following a GPS) we ALMOST missed the wedding (10 more minutes and we would have!). 

December: School wrapped up in early December, I passed all my classes (thank goodness) and I mad these adorable cupcakes for a friend's daughter's birthday. Then I got on a plane and went home for 2 weeks! It was glorious, I <3 and="" any="" around="" best.="" but="" city="" completing="" eve="" ever.="" family="" flew="" from="" globe="" home...="" i="" in="" into="" lake.="" lake="" m="" me="" mucho.="" my="" nbsp="" new="" night="" not="" on="" p="" park="" picked="" pictures="" s.="" s="" salt="" shelly="" spent="" sure="" the="" took="" traditions="" up="" we="" were="" when="" year="">

Shelly, Jillian, Me, Stephanie, McKenzie and Best Photo Bomber ever!

The year was good to me. I was happier with myself and where I am at than I ever have been before. Here's to an even better 2014, with lots of changes!