Just what I needed.

Well, here I am.

I have a quiet moment.

And I decided I wanted to use that quiet moment to blog since I have not done so in quite some time.

I can hear the girls next door singing "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" in the next room over as they prepare for their nightly counselor devotional.

It's heavenly.

Just a little update:

EFY is amazzzzing as always! I am continuously in awe of the youth. Sometimes in awe of their lack in maturity (jk), but mostly in awe of how incredible they are. The Lord really has been keeping his strongest spirits for this time and I have no doubt they will just keep getting stronger.

Having Alex at EFY has also been amazing. His youth love him every week and he loves them too. Our new session director asked us to write down the thing we love most about being an LDS young single adult in 2011. Alex wrote down: being an EFY counselor. Cute, huh? Of course the kids think it's adorable when we dance together or hold hands or what not. I feel almost like a celebrity couple. Angelina and Brad got nothin' on us!

Every week has been different from the other and they have all taught me something different.

I will go in depth a little bit more into each one as to why they were so special when I have more time, but let's just say I am very sad it's our last week in the south! However, Kentucky has already been so great in the 2 days we've been here!

For example...tender mercy today:

Flip back the pages to GA EFY 2007...my very first week as a counselor.

I was 20 years old and pumped/scared spitless to be a counselor. The Sunday before EFY began, Kate & I were in the cafeteria eating breakfast and no one else was in there. In walked our session director for the week...Brother Hadley. He sat down and talked to us in the most genuine way. He wanted to know everything about us. Where we were from, how we knew each other, where we went to school, what growing up in the south was like, and on and on and on. We sat at that table for probably 2 hours talking with him. He loved him instantly.

The next day EFY began and I was having a pretty great first day. Then, as always, we had our counselor devotional. The topic for monday nights was "The Challenge to Become." I had my devo all set up, girls all around me, scriptures and pens ready when I heard a knock knock knock at my door. "Who would that be?" I thought. I knew I wasn't getting observed by a BC that night so I didn't know who it could've been. So I get up, open the door, and there stands Brother Hadley! With a smile on his face he asks, "Can I join you for devotional tonight?" What am I going to say? "No?" Obviously I can't so I sheepishly say, "Yeah, sure! Come on in!" He thanked me and took a seat in the corner. So now, not only am I teaching my first EVER devotional as a counselor, but the session director is in there now. I was praying SO hard that I would have a good devotional.

Well...I thought it went alright, but I did not remember too much because I was so nervous. After I bore my testimony Brother Hadley asked if he could speak. Of course I said yes so he proceeded to turn to the New Testament. Then he started talking about the woman at the well and the type of woman she was. After he painted this amazing picture about who she was, he turned around and told my girls that their counselor was a woman at the well. Um, excuse me...ME? Is he fo real?! He was fo real and told them to be thankful for having me as a counselor. After I thanked him for coming that night and getting my girls off to bed I was so overwhelmed with love for EFY and Brother Hadley. GA 2007 was an awesome week and Brother Hadley was great!

Finished my sessions 2007, counselor again in 2008, BC in 2009 and on comes 2010 with my first year coordinating. We had a coordinator/session director training for 2 days up at the UofU Institute Building. I was so busy I hadn't thought much about it, but as everyone started piling in I saw Brother Hadley and his wife! I about hit the floor! I ran over to say hi! They knew me almost instantly and were just as excited as I was! It was awesome spending those 2 days with them and just feeling their spirit.

Then today, Kentucky 2011, check in has begun and Ammon and I are at the solutions table (our least favorite place all week) waiting for people to come complain or walk on when I see a familiar face...Brother Hadley!!! Then it dawned on me, "Duh...they live in Tennessee!" I looked up and called his name. He saw me and with zero hesitation said happily, "Hey Kayc!" That right there made coming to Kentucky all worth it! His wife was there too! They were bringing their oldest to EFY. We talked for good while. They of course wanted to meet Alex, which they did, and were so happy for us! As Brother Hadley was shaking Alex's hand he said, "I hope you know you're one of the luckiest guys in the world."

It's amazing how the Lord orchestrates our paths with others so that we can have reunions like that. I will be very grateful in my prayers tonight.

Anyways, my quiet moment is running out...time for another meeting.

But I did rummage up this picture from 2007 of Brother Hadley and I.

I am so baby!

And for your viewing pleasure...GA 2 Games Night 2011!

Until next time, my friends...

Go make someone feel good about themselves.

I promise you they will remember how you made them feel for years to come.

EFY has currently...

...taken over my life.

Which is fine with me since I love it so much.

I've only been here for 5 days, but it has already consumed me.

Everything I do revolves around one goal:

Making sure EFY is running smooth so the youth can have the best experience possible while gaining a stronger testimony, building healthy and lifelong relationships, and drawing closer to Christ.

That is my ultimate goal every day I put on the polo.

And that, my friends, is such a great goal to have every single day for 5 weeks straight.

Since this is my last EFY, I better make it worth it!

So if I'm a little absent, I do apologize.

:)

the things you remember while in the shower.

So tonight while I was preparing myself to leave for EFY, showering was on the to-do list.

So off I went.

I have no idea why, but I had a memory pop in my head from when I was like 12 or 13 when I practiced kissing in the shower. Yep, you read right. Kissing. Just me and the shower wall. Not every time I showered, but every once in awhile. I was just so frightened some boy would try to smooch me and I wasn't going to be ready...so I took some practice out on the shower wall. I'm hoping I looked like this, but I most likely did not. (bummer.)

Tonight when I thought about it I started laughing. Out loud. To myself. In the shower. It was a great memory to think about. Well...no boy tried to steal a kiss from me until I was 17 years old, but I guess that shower practicing paid off because this boy below seems to enjoy my kisses.

And I couldn't be happier I get to smooch his face the rest of my life.

New to the Haven, what?

So it's no secret that I love this place called New Haven.

No secret at all.

Cause I do.

I really really do.

This job literally changed my life.

Ok, maybe not my LIFE because I'm still the same person.

But it has changed the way I look at obstacles in my life, the way I look at relationships in my life, and how I view teenage girls.

I am more understanding of other's circumstances.

I am more loving in my relationships and I am better able to see when people are struggling.

I am in no means a therapist or an expert, but after working there I have learned so much about the human brain, meaning in your life, relationships, and what makes you do the things you do.

I don't even know if any of that made sense.

It's really hard to explain exactly what you do when you work at New Haven.

It's easy to say you're a therapist.

It's easy to say you're a teacher at the school.

It's easy to say you're the cook or the HR director.

But to say you're a "Health Care Assistant" (or just get called "staff") is a whole 'nother story.

Cause yeah...we take them to the movies, we eat with them, we make sure they do their homework, we go on hikes with them, we go out on the swings with them, we pluck their eyebrows, we rub their heads, etc.

However, it's much more than that.

We are responsible for their safety physically, emotionally, mentally, and physiologically.

We're their therapeutic friend / mentor basically.

If they're in their room isolating, get them out.

If they're on their way to running down the street, stop them.

If they're crying after a bad therapy session, sit with them and let them cry in your lap.

If they wont eat their food, drop them to safety. (5 feet from staff at all times)

If they're being belligerent and rude, find out what's REALLY going on and talk them through it.

If they're having a power struggle with you, break down those barriers.

If they want to self harm, help them understand the necessity of self respect.

All that and much much more.

And really...I can't explain it.

You just have to work there.

When I told the girls I was leaving New Haven I thought I was going to get bombarded with the drama queens bawling hysterically and the rest ignoring me because they were angry.

But instead, I got so much understanding and excitement for the events going on in my life.

They had so much maturity.

Sure, there were some definite tears, but my little girls were so great.

My last 2 weeks was full of hugs, conversations, quality time, some of the best compliments I've ever received, and love.

This is what they did for me on my last day...made me a cake.

This is only half the girls cause the other half were off with their parents for graduation weekend.

Aren't they so adorable!?

They're so dang cute and I can't even describe the amount of love I have for them.

Then we took them to a talent show in Springville.

I seriously had the GREATEST co-workers in the world!

Mari is in the middle and she is only one of the best people I know!

I miiiisss her!

Well...I could seriously go on and on and on about how much I love New Haven.

I get easily attached any way, but especially while I was working at the treatment center.

I saw so many of these girls come in scared, angry, hurt, lonely, confused, and literally hating themselves.

Through the process of their treatment I saw them become happy, loving, understanding, accepting, mature, and courageous.

It's the most amazing thing to witness and so rewarding!

I knew I needed to leave for the summer to work and get married so I have no regrets, but I do miss those babies a TON!

I cried on Tuesday since I was not there with them.

I have a bunch of letters to write because I promised quite a few of them that I would write soon!

On the up side...our HR lady called me and said they were so sad I had to leave and that they wanted me to apply at the other campus (which is closer to SLC) when I come back after the wedding. She just said that they did not want to lose a good employee and that they really want me to consider coming back. I was SOOOO happy to hear that so I probably will!

Well anyways...I've gone on enough...if you've even read this far!

NEW HAVEN ROCKS MY WORLD!

Auntie Kaycie.

So I have a confession.

I am slightly obsessed with this baby...

...but how could you NOT be?!

She is SO stinkin cute!

I remember thinking my friends that had nieces/nephews were a tad ridiculous, but I just didn't understand. I TOTALLY get it now.

Instead of exercising or going to the beach, I played with her all morning, again after her morning nap, again after her afternoon nap, and then again before bath time and bed.

She is the most entertaining little bundle.

She is seriously the funniest baby...she cracks me up.

I guess my exercise was my abs working so much from her being so dang funny.

Oh, I love my happy Laela Carolina.

Tomorrow I shall try to be more productive, but it is going to be hard as this little one pulls on my heart strings so.

In other news...

I did NOT get the bear or the dolphin on my flight from Denver to Atlanta.

Dumb.

I got Freedom, the eagle.

One day I will get the animals I long for!

4 Truths & A Lie

Truth: I had to say goodbye to my best friend/fiance this morning as he dropped me off at the SLC airport curb. It was sad. He had trouble letting me go. (literally. He would not let me out of his arms.) When I saw a Quiznos in the airport (Alex's fav sandwich place) I teared up because I already missed him so. Pathetic? Perhaps. Do I care that it was perhapsly (is that a word?) pathetic? NOPE.

Truth: I just paid far too much for my lunch. Dang you, airports and your ridiculous rates!

Truth: I am grateful airports are now getting with the program and offering free WiFi.

Truth: I am SOOOO excited to be in the South for the next 2 months!!!

Lie: I won $1,000 for doing a Wal-Mart survey.

But gosh darn it...I wish I did! I keep doing those dang surveys in hopes I will one day be the winner! Every time a receipt of mine says a survey and you perchance could be a winner of a gift card, money, etc I do it! Target, Wal-Mart, Panda Express, IHOP, Walgreens...you name it. I'm a sucker and I do it. I'm hoping my efforts are not in vain and I will one day be the winner!

Ta Ta for now...they're about to board my plane from Denver to Atlanta.

I'm flying Frontier. I REALLY hope I get the bear or the dolphin on the tail of my plane for this flight.

From SLC to Denver I had the parrot.

His name was Carmen.

I don't wanna be a grown up anymore!!

So...being graduated is an awesome feeling.

I accomplished something huge. Something that a lot of people do not get the opportunity to do.

I conquered tests, projects, papers, and presentations.

But now...I feel like I would rather have that.

Being grown up is dang scary.

I am applying for jobs right now.

I am moving home to SC in a little less than a week for EFY and wedding plans and wedding festivities. Then in August Alex and I are moving to Salt Lake so he can finish up his schooling.

Which means I have to get a new job.

Alright...it was easy enough in college.

I pretty much got hired wherever I applied.

Well...real life grown up jobs are a little different.

I have been searching on Monster.com for weeks now and either nothing looks interesting or you need a Master's degree or you need 10 years of experience. Hello, people?! I'm a fresh grad...how can I have 10 years of experience in anything?

So the search keeps continuing.

And then there's housing.

Housing is more expensive as a married couple because you're not splitting it up with 5 people.

So it's all just conglomerating together to one big stress ball.

Thankfully I have an understanding fiance who could tell I was getting stressed.

He kindly reminded me that we will be ok.

We are doing the right thing. We are starting an eternal family, which is what we are supposed to be doing...at least that's what they keep telling us. :)

If we're doing that, we will be alright.

Heavenly Father knows our needs and he is not going to just drop us on our butts after making such an important decision as an eternal marriage.

True.

I felt better after he gave me my mini reminder.

So on to more application filling out and resume sending! Bleh.

If you know of any good job openings in the Salt Lake area...I'm your girl. :)

i love...

being engaged to my best friend...

meaning I will be MARRIED to my best friend.

How great is that?

(so great.)

My dad always used to make fun of me because I would call multiple friends my "best" friend. He would always say to me, "You can't have more than one best friend." I had to explain to him time and time again that I can have more than just ONE best friend. And I can. And I still call those certain girls in my life my "best friend." Because they are just that. They are some of the greatest friends I've ever had in my life.

But Alex is a different kind of best friend.

He's that person that I want to spend all of my time with.

He makes me laugh.

A lot.

He is kind to me.

And he makes me feel special.

He is my best friend.

And that's nice to know that I will be married to my best friend.

Forever.

Inspiration.

So today was a lot of thinking day...and the day's not even over.

This morning I got up and met Alex at the Provo temple.

He was going with some guys in his Elder's Quorum for a temple trip and I decided to join because I love going to the temple with my boy.

I put in my iPod to listen to EFY music to prepare my mind for the temple.

The first song that came on was "Praise the Man" from EFY 2005.

It's a tribute song to Joseph Smith because it was his 200th birthday celebration that year.

I have always loved that song. Always. When it was sung at EFY in 2005 I was 18 years old. I had never had that amazing testimony of Joseph Smith. I never doubted he was a prophet, but I just hadn't had an experience that really made me just awe inspired by him. Well...when "Praise the Man" was sung at EFY it brought that experience. We had a big lesson on him then the song was sung. I remember having chills shooting throughout my entire body and the tears quickly filling up my eyes, rolling down my cheeks, then filling back up again. For minutes it did this. I couldn't quite get a hold of myself for about 5 mins. I KNEW, without a doubt in my mind, that Joseph Smith was a prophet and restored the gospel to the earth. I KNEW it.

Well...back to my morning...

I was listening to this song on the way to the temple and thinking about all the sacrifices Joseph Smith went through. The challenges and trials are numerous and too many for me to put down in detail. Any kind of persecution, hardship, or hate, he (and Emma) dealt with and then kept moving forward in the building up of the kingdom. That takes determination. That takes love. And that takes knowing Heavenly Father is bigger than man. Seriously, he would not have kept going if he didn't know he was fighting for the truth, and through it all, he did it. Sure he had his weak moments, but he did it. He did whatever it took to meet the goal.

Now I know this is a stretch...but somehow my mind then shifted to my own life.

Do I have that kind of determination and love? Do I do whatever it takes to get through the tunnel? As I was taking this mental inventory of my life, I realized I am in some areas of my life, but not in others.

As far as the workplace goes...I do. I am very driven and thrive on the people higher up than me being pleased with my work.

As far as my relationships go...I do. I feel even though there is always room for improvement, I am a good person to have a relationship with. I am loyal, I am caring, and I would do pretty much anything for someone.

However, as far as taking total care of myself mentally, physically, and spiritually I am lacking.

I don't exercise enough anymore.

I don't eat as well as I should.

I don't read enough good books.

I don't read the scriptures enough.

I don't say as meaningful of prayers as I should.

I don't have enough balance.

So therefore...Joseph Smith has inspired me to change that. (Does that sound odd?)

I have a new found determination to read my scriptures every day.

I have a fresh desire to take better care of my body.

I made goals with Alex today...at Coldstone...haha I know that sounds ironic.

It was my last treat to myself.

From here on out til my wedding (cause c'mon...you have to eat good on your honeymoon) I am going to exercise at least 4 times a week and not have any sweets or fried foods. Whenever I get a craving I am going to grab a fruit or a smoothie or something of the sorts. (I did tell myself I could have Zaxby's when I get to the south because I only get it there so I have to take advantage of it while I'm there for a few short weeks!)

And I have a huge desire to add more variety to my life.

So if that means renting a tandem bike or going to fly a kite...gosh darnit I'm going to do it!

So thanks Brother Joseph. By george you've done it again...thanks.

I'll let y'all know how it goes!

And in other news...here are a FEW favorites from our engagement sessions with my sister, Krista Maurer with Island Belle Photography. We absolutely la la la LOVE them! We can't decide what ones we want to put up on our newlywed walls...and we still have wedding pictures to take! Krista is seriously amazing! If you need some pictures taken call or email her!

Feast your eyes...

Mama's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful, loving, supportive, and great Mama!

If you don't know this lady, that's a shame.

You should.

You won't regret it.

She will put a smile on your face and will make you laugh with just how ridiculous she can be.

I know I get embarrassed, but I know I should just be grateful she is a crazy.

Hope you have a great day, Mama!

Love you!