Where the time go...

I am down to my last week in the Gila Valley and I can't begin to explain how I am feeling...I am beyond excited to go home and be with my family, but I am pretty sad to say goodbye to my friends in Arizona and to the Gila Valley. I never thought I would grow to love this Valley, my plan was to just come here to go to EAC for 2 years then move on to either Utah or back home for good....little did I know, I would end LOVING it here and not wanting to leave.

As I pack up all my stuff, I am so surprised at what I had gained in the last 2 years...seriously where did I get half this stuff?? haha let's hope I can fit it all in my car! I have gained a new passion of hatred for moving and packing, just the thought of having to do it all over again in a few months makes me sick to my stomach. This has been my home for the last 2 years and it really feels like I am leaving a piece of me behind here...but as much as I love it here and grown to be comfortable here and as scared as I am to move and start all over again, I am ready for the next adventure and chapter in my life....I can't wait to find out what happens..

Here is a few of the major memories I have had in the Gila Valley that I love:

My start!! The little 17 year old small town girl moving away from home....haha just remembering how I was when I first moved here cracks me up...talking to Max we laugh just thinking how shy and timid I was, it didn't take me long to bust out of my shell...
I'm 18!!!!! WOOHOO!!!

These inlcude the dances and activities at the institute and EAC that I had the best time at...Sadie Hawkins, dress-up dances (Everything from favorite movie character, high school stereotypes, and halloween) then of course there is the famous Mudd Bowl!!! I remember each of these nights like they were yesterday, I remember laughing A LOT and seriously having the greatest time!

We can't forget Sring Break '08!!!! We went to Cali and had a great time...sorry Mom I know you worried the whole time I was gone.

Some of my Family came out last Feb to visit for the weekend, it made me sooo happy and I had the best time!!! I have the BEST family in the World!

Allyssa came out to visit me for a weekend also and we went to Apple Annie's ....I loved having her here...then there were the many EAC Football & Basketball games...we went and cheered our hearts out! Then of course there were the MANY parties we had as friends...of the most famous was Sarah & Krystal's Pirate Birthday Bash!!!

You can't forget all the many weddings that I attended and I learned that growing up partly means losing friends to marriage..haha I am so happy for all my friends who have gotten married! I could never forget my 401 girls!!! Lyndee, Mary Anne, Molli and Emily...I pretty much lived at their apartment my entire 1st year..I love these girls!

The Amazing "kidnapped double date", long boarding, Dee's Big Birthday Bash (Which looking back at pictures, all the friends that I hang out with now were there, I just didn't know them then...crazy!) Learning to drive the motorcycle on Mt. Graham, going to a D-Backs Game where we witnessed an-almost streaker then got our picture with her..haha and of ocurse horseback riding, I'm still scared of horses and little, they are big animals..haha but it was a really fun night!!

"We Got Spirit..YES we do!" Our Famous dressing up for the 1st EAC Football game of my second year! We will go down in history haha The oh-so-many times we had the "making faces" game, Dee is the champ, but I think I won this one for sure lol and then of course the Phoenix SUNS!! I am HUGE Fan!! And one of the best experiences I have had has been the opportunity to serve as the Relief Society President for my Single's Ward...I learned so much about myself and am truly grateful for the opportunity to Serve my Father in Heaven and so blessed that He had trusted me with that calling!

EAC Graduation!!! I did it...I graduated with an Associate's Degree in General Studies, the whole purpose of coming to AZ was for that accomplishment and I made it!! Then one the most recent has been hiking in the Grand Canyon, I was so sore for a good week afterwards, but I am so proud that I did!!

Looking back has made me realize just how much fun I had in the last 2 years, I am so blessed to have had this opportunity. I have been lucky to do everything that I have here, I'll never forget the late crazy nights with friends, laughing, having dance parties, watching movies, playing the craziest games, and having so much FUN!! I have met some of the greatest people and have made lasting friendships!!