BYU cheerleaders and Mascot coming to work

The things Matt missed

We enveloped Matt back into our arms last week  to welcome him back after 5 days in Dallas.  Boy did I miss my man and I think it’s safe to say he missed us  too.  He didn't enjoy being super close to the tornado's either.

Here are a few of the other things he missed (besides us), for better or for worse:
--watching Kara drive to school each day
--crazy dogs that would fight.
--the happenings of Coby in Turkey
--yummy dinners
--I got released from Young Women's  :( 
--Identity theft on my credit card----AGAIN
--Kara doing a TON of homework until all hours of the night!

Since he has been back:
Coby has found a place to live in Turkey.  No more sharing a room with 8 complete strangers!

He is living (above)  here for a month when a friend he met in Turkey until his friends come and join him next month.  I am excited that he found a place to live.

Kara had her  last school choir concert and she sang a solo.  She did an amazing job!!!!

Kara's doing a lot of homework still.  Seriously, that girl needs to take a break---oh yeah summer is almost here for her to take her break!!!! 

I got a lot of kudos at work---YEAH!!!  I am finally starting to get the hang of it. My boss handed me a gift card since I have been improving so much.   He told my brother I am the FUTURE superstar.  I am sure he was kidding, but it was very nice to receive some positive words when it has taken me so long to really learn about this job.   I had no idea this job could have involved so much work and that it could be this complex.   Someday I will share, but I know I would bore you to tears!

 I did get released from Young Women's after almost serving there for 3 years.  I was completely overwhelmed so it was the right thing, but it was sad, nonetheless.  I love working with the girls, but working with the girls requires a lot of time and I seem to have a short supply of that.

Coby's BYU Graduation 4/25-26/2013

On Thursday night Coby graduated from BYU.  We were blessed with perfect weather.  There were two graduation ceremonies. One for the whole graduating class at BYU and another for the students who graduated in their college department.  We had everyone in our family come on Thursday  night except Colton.  And on Friday Matt, Colton and I were the only ones who could come.

Coby's name in the very thick program for all the graduates

The keynote speaker for graduation was Elder Tom L. Perry!  He did a superb job.  

6,001 students graduated from BYU

After his graduation we went out for dinner at Old Towne Grill---yummy!  If you can believe it, BYU and UVU had their graduations on the same days.  So it was a zoo all over Provo with everyone celebrating.   It was fun to see so many happy families with their graduates, but it was also INSANE!!!  

Right after the graduation

Coby with his boss of 4 years where he worked as a Research Assistant of German documents

Matt and I with our 1st college graduate child

Yummy food at Old Towne Grill

Coby ringing the bell--there was a long line of other students waiting in line.

Right before Friday Mornings graduation

 On Friday Coby's college department had graduation at 8am.  We left our home at 6:50 to be able to be in our seats by 7:40.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Friday graduation. It was a much more intimate setting and they had a wonderful keynote speaker named Robert King.  He gave a great talk about how choices and the forks in the road that we each experience.  He talked about how up to this point, a college students life was laid  out before them.  He quotes some stats they were surprising to me.  He said between the ages of 18-44 most American will have had, 11 jobs.  He also said between the ages of 20-39 that 24 percent of youth will live with their parents.  WOW!!!

Coby graduated in Middle Eastern Studies/Arabic · International Development · German Literature. He has been very busy, and has traveled many miles to graduate in his majors.  The caliber people at BYU, and in his major is incredible.  They are so INTELLIGENT and AMBITIOUS.  They had the students raise their hands and the majority in his group spoke at least 3 languages and some knew up to 5 languages.  It is a pretty small major because of it difficulty which made me so proud of my son and his achievements. 

Coby and his close friend Seth

Coby in front of where he will be moving soon

Coby wanted to go inside his college departments building, where he spent so much time and take pictures.  Here are a few of them. 

We are so proud of you Coby Matthew Vail and we are excited to watch you continue to excel in life!

This last week.....

I won my Pick 6 Challenge Contest last week.  I was happy.  Yesterday I started a new Pick 6 Challenge.  I am aiming for 1st place again!!!

The last week at work seemed to exhaust me mentally and physically.  I feel completely overwhelmed and I  don't feel like I am learning everything quick enough.  I know I really am learning, but there is SO MUCH to learn and understand that it is daunting.  I had a pity party  this weekend and felt like I should quit, (there were a lot of factors I don't want to get into here)  but after going today I am feeling better. I am just so hard on myself and I want to learn everything NOW.  I really didn't believe my brother or my boss when I was told that it would take me up to a year to learn everything, but I am realizing they are right.  I believe if I think with that kind of mentality, that I might actually learn things quicker.


Meli's mom sent us more pictures of her and her family.  It is so amazing to feel like you are getting to  know someone who lives so far away.  Kara has been talking to her on the Internet too and has been delighted with Meli's cute personality.

 Coby is graduating from BYU in a little more than two weeks.  We are so proud of him.  He is a very kind soul who I learn from with every encounter.  We hardly have any time to spend with him before he leaves to go to live in Turkey on May 9th as he is swamped with papers and finals until then.   He is planning a trip to Seattle and a trip with friends so I am hoping we can have at least one family day, with everyone before he leaves.  It seems way too complicated to do with everyone's work schedule.

I am trying to plan a family picture and I haven't found one day available, but I am determined to not give up.

My aunt got home from the rehab last week.  And I have been so grateful to my sister in laws, Annette and Suzanne (pictures below) for going to Oregon to go and help her.  It is a sacrifice for them to do it, but I am so grateful.  I feel bad that I haven't been able to take a shift, since I started my job. She has been doing remarkable well. And my Aunt Traci has been so helpful driving everyone around and going and visiting my Grandma each day at the Care Center.

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Matt's dad also had a scare with his health in the last week.  I don't know too much, as they are still doing tests, but we are hoping that they will find some answers and help so he can prevent any more problems.

Colton has been dating a cute girl frequently and they go on the most creative dates.  I am impressed with the things he come up with.

Spencer didn't end up singing with the choir during the Priesthood session.  They had too many young adults and not enough music so he kindly stepped aside, much to Kara and I's sadness.   Spencer, I have learned he a very good chef.  Since I started working I have given each of the kids a night to cook and Spencer has impressed me every single night he has cooked.

Kara got another 4.0 this last quarter.  She finished her driver's ed class and is just waiting on her driver's ed instructor to give her the driver's test and then she will be an official driver.  I am excited and completely scared for her all at the same time!

Kara also got into Theater 3 at school, which is very hard to get into.  She had to memorize a LONG dialogue, and then present it in front of a panel with a lot of expression of course.  WOW.

And Matt has all of his bosses in town for the next two days for a huge dealer presentation.  I hope it  is going well for him (it is going on right now). He has been working so hard and is such an excellent boss and employee for their company!!!!

General Conference was wonderful.  I must admit I didn't have the best attitude, but I did enjoy. My favorite talks were both in the Sunday morning session and were by President Uchtdorf and Elder Holland.    I am going to have to listen to all the CD's  as soon as they arrive in the mail!!!

In a month I will be totatlly use to this and think it is EASY PEASY----Really!?

Things have changed at our home----at least in my little world.  And I keep getting told in a month I will be totally use to my new life, and things will be easy peasy.  I am hoping everyone is right!!!  

  I started a full time job and I love the atmosphere, my supervisor, the people (especially my brothers, and my sister in laws brother who I went to high school with)  and pretty much EVERYTHING about it! But, boy is it a transition switch for me, from working part time to full time.  I have had to let go and trust and relax, which is HARD for me.  I have to trust that someone else will give Kara a ride home.  I have to trust that my children will help more and make dinner their night of the week.  We have given our children more chores, and they were surprisingly really good about it and haven't complained.  

  I have always picked up my daughter from school and been there to greet her.  And I think this is one of the most important things ever as a mom, so it has been DIFFICULT to not be there. Luckily, I can call her when she get home and she can text me anytime of the day.  I only work till 4pm, but it is hard for me to give up control.   This is one of the reasons I switched companies, so I could be more available and be able to leave easily  if a problem arised.  And get time off without a problem, but it is a big adjustment.  And it has been hard to be inundated with so much new information  to learn at my job ASAP.  

   I am learning so much about my new job.  Apparently, it will take me up to a year to fully grasp what I am doing---a YEAR, I could hardly believe that before I started, but after working there for 7 days I can see how it could be entirely possible.

Other news in our family, we are getting a foreign exchange student.  We are excited.  She has grown up in Hamburg, Germany and her family is originally from Poland.  She will come and live with us from August 2013 until June of 2014.  Her name is Melanie, she is 15 and will be a sophomore in high school.  And it certainly, is much easier than childbirth.  Kara has been taking German for 3 years so hopefully we will be able to communicate.  We are all just excited to be able to welcome someone in our home and show her this part of the world that we LOVE. 

 

Spencer is singing in the Priesthood Choir for General Conference.  He has practice every Sunday night.   I really want to see it, Hmmm?  He even had to shave his beard to be in it. He looks so much younger without it.  Luckily, he will be this way for at least 3 more weeks!!!  I love a clean cut look, hands down.

We found Kara's prom dress.  It is beautiful.  We are renting it and will get it Friday night.  The place we are renting it from, is altering it so it is completely modest.  Seriously, you would think in Utah you could find TONS of modest dresses, but that has not been the case.  

I have been worrying myself silly about my Grandma and Aunt in Oregon.  My almost 77 year old Aunt who is a saint has been taking care of my Grandma who is 94 for years by herself with no complaint.  But 77 should be the age where OTHERS are taking care of you, IMHO.  Well my Aunt started experiencing problems with her heart and knee and she made the difficult decision about where to put my cute Grandma.  So over two weeks ago my Grandma was moved to an Assisted Living place. 

 

She is doing well there right now and I am very grateful. She seems to like the food and having friends to visit with daily.   My Aunt Jean went in for knee replacement surgery last Tuesday,   I tried to call her  and never got through, I was so WORRIED. Finally, on Saturday I was able to talk to her after she was moved into a rehab facility.  I wish I could be there to help her.  I miss and love them both and I am relieved things are going better now!! 

   

Coby has been super busy with his last semester at BYU.  He has a LONG thesis paper he needs to write and he has been going to a lot of conferences.  He also is trying to learn Turkish in his spare time, before he moves to Turkey in May.   Last night he helped with BYU's annual hunger banquet, if I hadn't had such a crazy day I would have been able to go, but to no luck.   We loved it last year and were sad, we couldn't make it this year.

Colleen is doing well in the MTC.  It has been fun getting letters from her and also getting her weekly family newsy letter that I get emailed.  She has less than a month and off to Thailand she goes.

 

Colton is thinking about changing jobs and also moving into an apartment with a friend.  We recently had him meet with the Department of Vocation from our state.  He will take career tests and  they will help him find the best vocation for him and then help him with college, tutoring etc.  I am excited about the prospect and so is he.  It is hard to be a young adult and not be sure which direction to go in.  

Well, that is a little of our week in a nutshell.  I feel so much gratitude in my life for each member in my family, and pretty much everything else. 

The MTC is so blessed to have her and other things

 Colleen entered the MTC on February 6th of this month.    She will spend 8 weeks in the MTC before she heads to Thailand.

Above is a picture of her 1st time going to the temple with her family and friends.  She chose to go to the Manti temple. I am really hoping to have this young woman become a member of our family someday, but for now she will be one terrific missionary!!!

 

I had a moment of fame when I was asked to be in a Time out for Women video several years ago. It was a lot of fun. I had checked out the video  this last week and Diane (she is the friend I went with) and I were taking pictures since we didn't buy the DVD.   

 Pictures of where I work. I am getting so sad about leaving. This Wednesday is my final day at Heartland.  I am going to miss it so much.  Above is the place were we have our planning time.   I took pictures to help me remember it.  Below are the bags we carry with us to each classroom.

Everyday my boss leaves an uplifting message to all of her employees. I am going to miss her very much.  I will be pleasantly surprised if my new boss is as wonderful as she is, but I sure am hoping he or she is!

 Yummy food my boss brings once a month to celebrate birthdays.  She is always buying chocolate.  Well that is one thing I certainly won't miss.

 Below is the letter I posted to each of the ladies I work with. Some of them I don't see each day so I wanted to say good bye.  I have done a terrible job at telling them, only because it is so hard.  I love them all so much, so it has been a challenge to bring it up. 

Dear Amazing Women,

Many of you are already aware that I will have my last day here on Wednesday, February 27^th.  Starting in March, I will be working at Ebay.  Since I don’t see each of you each day, I wanted to make sure I said good bye to everyone, thus the reason for the letter.

After a lot of consideration I have made the decision to switch jobs.  I made this decision due to financial reasons.  This decision is full of mixed emotions and has been very hard for me to make.

I want to thank all of you who have supported, guided and encouraged me over the last 3 years. I have felt so privileged to work with each and every one of you. 

Warmly~

Cami 

 
I finished my 6 week fitness challenge. I came in 3rd place.  There was a tie for 1st place so it isn't as good as it sounds. I had a perfect total, until I was vacillating between which job I would take.  Then my computer broke and I had always tracked electronically. It didn't work so well by hand, or maybe I wasn't as motivated for two days.  So I was happy.


The next day I was done, I started another challenge.   In this challenge you pick 6 things you want to work on and you can switch them after 3 weeks again. It last for  a total of 6 weeks. I really like the challenge.  Here are the 6 things I picked. Anyways, I am hoping it goes well. I like how this challenge helps me focus on being more well rounded, which is always my goal. I am grateful for friends who start these challenges.  Thank you!!!

1. Limit technology (leisure time on computer is 15 minutes). If I have an assignment, lesson, or something then I only get on and off to do it.  2. Read uplifting literature (scriptures) for 20 minutes.
3. Lose weight
4. Exercise 30 minutes a day. (rotating cardio/strength training)
5. Stop eating before 8pm.
6. Track everything I eat/stay within calorie goal.

Gratitude Post 25, 26 and 27

Post 25

I am so grateful for healthy food. There is such a difference in how I feel when I eat junk, opposed to healthy.

                   

Post 26

I am grateful that Matt has a job and I do too.  After dealing with unemployment in our family this  year I am grateful we both have jobs.  

Post 27

I am so grateful for water.  It is my favorite thing to drink EVER.  I am grateful that we are privileged to have healthy drinking water.  

FYI, my blog isn't letting me add any pictures.  For some reason I need to either pay a monthly fee or maybe open a new blog.  I need to figure out what I can do, since I refuse to pay money.

Gratitude 12

I am so grateful for a great job.  I love working at an elementary school and helping children do their best work.  I love working around wonderful teachers who truly try their best to teach our youth.

I am grateful to rub shoulders with so many amazing women.  So many of my coworkers have become such great friends of mine.  I love my boss too.  She has a heart of GOLD!!!

I love being able to make a difference in the lives of the children. So often I have been told things by them that really make my heart hurt.   I am glad that I can give them a listening ear and show them I care about them. 

 I am grateful there are so many programs available at our school to help the underprivileged.   I love how resilient they are.  I love that they put on a smile each day, when sometimes I know they are very sad.  I often wish I could take some of them home and treat them with the respect they deserve.   Since I only work with small groups for a short time they can sometimes make you feel like your a super star, by just showing up. I wish all of them could really believe and understand that they are truly children of God.