There's No Place Like Home...

No. I'm not homesick.
No. I'm not ill, dreaming of the Land of Oz.

No. The Wicked Witch of the West did not kidnap me.
No. There is no Yellow Brick Road in Rexburg.

Yes. I went home to Boise this weekend.

Yes. It was a last minute decision on Saturday night.

Yes. It was a surprise.

Yes. We left at 11:22pm and arrived in Boise at 4am.

Yes. It is one of the best decision I've ever made.
Yes. I love college.

Although I was not exactly playing the part of Dorothy this weekend, I did have my three trusty helpers with me. My two roommates Holli and Meagan and our FHE brother Jake, who was my sidekick in making this trip happen. I'm so grateful. I love Boise and like I said, there's no place like home.

Approximately 11:14pm Saturday January, 16th, 2010... BOISE, ID here we come!!!

Holli and Meagan first timers at MERRITT'S!!!!

Boise Captiol Building

Posing with the statues in Downtown Boise!

All of us heading back to the 'Burg

Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us unexpectedly attack your house! We had so much fun!

Lauren=Employed!!!

That's right. I got a job today. I am officially a BYU-I Testing Center employee. And the best part? I GET TO WORK WITH MY ROOMMATE!!!! Best. Day. Ever!

Update from The 'Burg

I love it here!!!

I love my roommates, I've made a few new friends, we have really great FHE brothers, and I believe it or not LOVE my classes! I get to dance again. Oh how I've missed early morning dancing for the past 2 1/2 years. I even get to have my dear friend Alissa Williams in class with me. Just like old times! I have seen lots of people that I know and have made some sort of connection with almost anyone I meet, whether they've served a mission with one of my friends or I knew them when I was 4 years old and we've reconnected (true story). Yesterday I was able to got to the Rexburg Temple. A-MA-ZING!!!!! I hope to go once a week! What a great blessing it is to have a temple so close! I love it! Until next time, here are a few pictures!

The roommates (L-R) Keeta, JeeHye, Lauren, Meagan...we have a 5th roommate Holli, but no pictures with her yet! Soon though!

Spaghetti Night with our new friends Erika, Erica, Ariel and Kaila!

Of course Keeta and I watched the Fiesta Bowl and of course we wore our Bosie State T-Shirts the first day of school. =D GO BRONCOS!!!

I love to see the Temple, I get to go there all the time!!! I'm so grateful.

Watch Out...

Here I come!!!!!

Intermountain Orthopaedics, how may I direct thy call?

A few months ago I said I would tell you all about my new job…well here it is...

I have been working at Intermountain Orthopaedic since August 21^st of this year. Most likely anyone that is reading this already knows my family history with IO, but I’ll give it to you anyway. Reagan started the trend and worked as the switchboard operator for the summer and Christmas Break of 2006, then handed the torch to Taylor who worked there for 6 months (Jan-June) while she was engaged and newly married. She then handed to torch to Carisa (not directly, but almost) Renberg who controlled that switchboard for a good 2 years (and some months)…she’s awesome. Carisa now works downstairs in Rheumatology Front Office! And I am working just down the hall from her! I will admit, I do feel a tiny bit out of place for not knowing how to run switchboard, but what can ya do?

I started out as a temp. working at the Pioneer Plaza clinic. I was hired right as they were switching to a new computer system so I felt a little less frantic about learning a new job because everyone was learning at the same time. What a blessing! After about 2 weeks of at Pioneer the shifts changed…I was working 3 12 hour days a week. Let me tell you, it was nice having 4 days off, but those 6:45am-6:45pm days were KILLER!!! But about 1 week before my 90 day temporary period was up the shifts were changed back to normal 8am-5pm/5 days a week. Thank goodness! And when that changed I was asked to move from Pioneer to the Elk’s Rehab Hospital location. I won’t lie, I was way bummed to be leaving the ladies I worked with, but I also was very happy to get to be in the same place as Carisa. On November 23^rd I was hired on as an official IO employee meaning, my pay raised, I could receive benefits AND I got to punch the clock!!! =) Life is good.

I love my job!!!

But I’m leaving in less than 2 weeks...

The story behind the title of this post...

When working the switchboard you answer "Intermountain Orthopaedics, how may I direct your call?" but when someone (Taylor) is reading church literature in her down time it comes out "Intermountain Orthopaedics, how my I direct thy call?"...Carisa is guilty of this one as well. =D

Road trip!!!

A few weeks ago I treated myself to a road trip. I visited Brooke in Pocatello and then everybody else in Provo. I didn't get any pictures while in Provo, but as usual Brooke and I took lots to share! I had such a great time seeing Brooke's cute little apartment and meeting some of her new friends! I especially enjoyed the fact that her Bishop's wife is the Pocatello dance team coach! We bonded. :)

Here are just a few pictures of my visit to Poky. Of course there was a late night Taco Bell run and a small dance party and swinging!

Reunited!!!!!

Sunday best!

A windy little Sunday Swing Session! It was perfect.

Sunday afternoon on my way to Provo I stopped in Alpine to see Shay and Jason's house they are building. Here's what it looked like two weeks ago, it's supposed to be done by the end of October!

This is for Kallene. I know she is on a mission and won't see this for SIX MONTHS, but I took it anyway...just for her.

This is for Reagan and Matt (and Brock). I missed the Minidako...Mikadon...Minidoka County sign, so I just got the Rupert one. And yes, I took this while I was driving.And this is for Taylor...Yes, I was driving while taking these road sign pictures. Just ignore the bugs.

THE TREES OF HAPPINESS!!!!
They are seriously beautiful right now. This picture does not do them justice.

All in all this trip was nothing short of perfect. I love that my work schedule allows me to take trips like these.

More to come on my new job and the latest happenings in my life!

Summer 2009 Picture update

So it's been awhile...I apologize. Here are some pictures of my summer. I think Summer 2009 has been one of the best so far!

In May my roommate Ashley was married and I was able to go to Burley for her reception!

Brooke Graduated!!!
Audrey Graduated!!!
The parents went to Kansas for Baby Preston's blessing and I was left with the children. We had fun.
Fourth of July with The Cousins!!!
Backyard camping. Best. Thing. Ever.
Pyro? oops.
Family camping...we were crazy.
Nightly swinging at DeMeyer Park.
Brooke and I took Zach (Brooke's little brother) to the first BSU scrimmage to watch my kindergarten buddy #54, Mikey Ames.
Backyard camping adventure #2
Taco Bell at midnight was a frequent summer activity of Brooke and me. This man became our best friend. =D
Aimee's Senior Violin recital. She did amazing and Brooke did too.
Parachute came to the fair!!! They are so good.
And to finish off the summer the Ogle's came to visit! I finally got to meet that chubby little Presto Man! I love him.

Dear Summer,
You left me this weekend.
I will miss you.
Come back soon.
Love, Lauren