The Awesome Adventure of ME!

A few of my friends have reviewed their life from the past decade and I thought, me too! So here goes- my life in review, the highlights, and yes some lowlights too (that have nothing to do with my ever-changing hair color!)

2000 The year 2000 started with a bang, I had just turned 21 years old and was soon to leave on my mission to Dallas, Texas! I started in Bonham, Texas and ended the year in Plano. I still think of my mission often, and I am so grateful for the time I had to serve.

2001

The 1st half of the year was spent in my last area, Athens, Texas. I saw many miracles in this place, and I learned how the Lord is truly mindful of our every move. I came home on July 17th, 2001 and tried my best to get back to normal. In September my Mom got remarried to Kimball Davis and I gained a step-family. I worked at Deseret First Credit Union and prepared to attend BYU-Idaho in January.

2002

BYU-IDAHO!!!! I started college and lived in Greenbrier with Kristine, Bernie, Shannon, Jen and Elizabeth. Being a returned missionary, I was one of the older people on campus. I started my illustrious career in the Theatre Department at BYU-I as a troll in the production, "West of the Moon". That summer I worked at Arbys (hopefully I will never need to work fast food again!) The fall saw me retuning again to school where I made many new friends, worked on "Imaginary Invalid" and started rehearsals for "Guys & Dolls" in my 1st big role at BYU-I as General Cartwright!

2003

Still plugging away at school. Involved in the following productions: "Guys & Dolls", "Tellers & Troubadours", "The Music Man" & "The Crucible". I also started my employment as the Student Costumer/ Organizer extraordinaire in the Costume Department at BYU-I. 2003 saw the birth of my 1st niece Ivy Kristine Murphy on March 12th and the death of my Father, Steven Richard Parkes in May 3rd.

2004

This year I was involved in my favorite musical ever, "Into the Woods" as the Baker's Wife.

On March 17th, 2004 the sunshine known as Madeleine Olivia Murphy was born! And my life got a little bit better! 2004 also was my first summer spent at the Playmill in West Yellowstone, Montana.

2005

In 2005, I decided to take a break from performing Theatre and joined the Collegiate Singers at BYU-Idaho. (So much for a performing break!) I also spent my 2nd summer at the Playmill!

I spent my last semester at BYU-Idaho where my last performance was in Savior of the World.

I am SOOOO grateful for the time I spent at BYU-Idaho! I will always cherish the many, many friends I made during my time there. People who changed my life forever. Going to BYU-I was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

2006

Technically I hadn't graduated from BYU-I yet, I still had a semester of student teaching. I student taught at Cottonwood High School where I taught drama and history. I also went with the Debate team on a trip to San Fransisco.

Then in the Spring, I officially graduated with my bachelors in Theatre/Speech Education. It was a bittersweet moment.
That summer, I worked briefly at the Playmill in the box office and then I was hired to be the drama teacher at Valley Junior High, and so the adventure began! In the fall, I directed my first play, "This Castle Needs a Good Scouring."

2007

In 2007, I directed my 1st musical, Guys & Dolls Jr. It was such a rewarding experience. I did everything, set, costumes, music, direction, choreography... it was exhausting- but seeing those kids excel was the most wonderful feeling in the entire world. Out of all the things I have done in my life and all the things that I am uncertain- I know I was born to be a teacher.

In the summer I went to my 1st trip to DISNEYWORLD and rode my favorite ride for the 1st time... THE ROCKIN' ROLLERCOASTER!!

That summer, I was also in the Murray City Production of "Pirates of Penzance."
In the fall I went back to Disney World for my first appearance at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which has become one of my favorite events of the entire year!

2008

The year started of with my production of Willy Wonka. I LOVED this cast!! They were so much fun to work with! I was so proud of all their hard work! In May, my brother got married to Luana!! It was in beautiful San Diego (so of course we had to take a trip to Disneyland!)

2009

Most of 2009 is chronicled in this blog, but here are some fun highlights-

I turned the big 3-0!

Alice in Wonderland!

Europe Trip!

High School Reunion? (We didn't have a ten year, so we had a twelve... go figure!)

My 8th trip to a Disney Park since the summer of '06 (you may say I am a bit obsessed!

2010 so far has brought me my first nephew, Elliott Richard Kiliona Parkes born Jan 1st!

The next decade? Who knows? It's sure to be an adventure though with plent of trips to Disney! All I know is that as I sit here on the eve of my (gulp) 31st birthday all I can say is thanks. Thanks for being my friend, thanks for making me smile and thanks for being a part of my life. It truly has been a grand adventure! Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Love

Tonight my brother Ben and his wife Luana welcomed a baby boy into the world (yet to be named). It was a 33 hour labor and there was a time when they needed our prayers. And everything went perfectly and now they have a perfect little boy. Now my little brother is a Dad.

I was reflecting over the past year and how I grown. And how much I still need to learn. When it all comes down to it, the most important thing is love.

Love- what is it? According to dictionary.com it is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

I love that it uses the words profoundly tender.

I think love is trusting, love is letting go, love is believing, love is caring.

I am grateful that love comes in many forms and touches my life in so many ways. From a smile, a touch and a moment shared.

I am so grateful for the people in my life.

I am not married, and therefore my opinion on that particular relationship may be incorrect, but this is what I think it is-

Marriage is unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry, cleaning the toilet. It is putting up with someone's idiosyncrasies, wanting the best for them. It has moments of grandeur, but mostly, it is just living a shared life. Marriage means you have each other's backs. Loving someone enough to have them witness your life.

2009 was amazing and I look forward to the adventures of 2010! I am going to be 31 really soon! That is so crazy to me! Time flies by.

What will 2010 hold? Who knows? But I hope to learn, laugh, cry, love, grow and LIVE!!!!

All the Single Ladies!

Single...

Life...

Purpose?

Infinite possibilities.

You know, I may never get married. I may never have a husband or kids. I may have to wait a long, LONG time. So, what?

What does a single gal do to feel fulfilled? This is what I do-

1- I teach kids to dream, and help them realize how to be happy. They may not really be my kids, but in some way they are. And I have the precious opportunity to teach.

2- I get to meet SO many people who I can give my time and energy to because I only have to take care of myself. This frees me to be able to help many others.

3- Travel

4- My family is much larger than just a few people, and that is awesome.

Being single forever? Not a death sentence. An opportunity to grow.

My favorite thing about Glee

Sue.
I love Sue Sylvester. I love what she says, I laugh out loud every time. Sue says things that teachers wish that they could say without repurcussions. She is fantastic. Jane Lynch is brilliant.

Here are some favorites:

"Get ready for the ride of your life Will Schuester. You're about to board the Sue Sylvester Express. Destination horror!"

"You three are boring me now. I'm gonna go do something else."

"You think this was hard? Try auditioning for Baywatch and being told they're going in another direction. That was hard."

"I empower my Cheerios to live in fear by creating an environment of irrational, random terror."

"I don't trust a man with curly hair. I can't help but picture little birds laying sulfurous eggs in there, and it disgusts me."

"Schuester! I'll need to see that set list for Sectionals after all. I want it on my desk warm from the laminator at 5:00 P.M., and if it is one minute late, I will go to the animal shelter and get you a kitty cat. I will let you fall in love with that kitty cat. And then, on some dark, cold night I will steal away into your home and punch you in the FACE. "

Christmas at Temple Square

Last night I went with Toffer to see Natalie Cole perform with the Tabernacle Choir and afterwards we wandered around Temple Square. I LOVE the lights on Temple Square at Christmas, they are so magical. I am blessed to live in the Salt Lake area so I can see the lights every year! Here are some pics for you to enjoy to get you in the Christmas spirit!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Take a Moment

As another Thanksgiving draws to a close and my stomach is uncomfortably full (I vow I will spend at least an hour at the gym tomorrow), I can't help but contemplate about all the goodness in my life- I am truly blessed.
Moments- I love perfect moments. A laugh, a look, an inside joke. Sometimes I like to take mental photos of my moments so I will never forget them- here are some I'd like to share with you from the past few months-
-Seeing my best friend Amy in the Paris airport
-The Curtain Call of "Alice in Wonderland" with the kids beaming with joy
-Seeing my friend Brandi's face when we saw the Louvre
-Going to the Copenhagen, Denmark Temple
-Maddie giving me a huge hug when I felt like my heart had broken
-Luana's little belly :)
-Dancing in the car with friends
-Meeting my friend Toffer
-Laughter
As time goes by, I am reminded of what it is all about. Sharing- loving- learning- living. I also am so grateful for the Lord's hand in my life.
I am grateful for all of you, I am grateful for the amazing people that I have met. For the moments we've shared, and the moments we will share. Thank You.

Timing

I remember as a child waiting for the next big thing to happen. Baptism at 8, Dating & Driving at 16... Marriage at...

They say timing is everything. The right time, the right place... The Lord's time. Why is it that the Lord's time never seems to be MY time? And yet, the Lord's timing is perfect. THEN WHY DOES IT SEEM SO HARD SOMETIMES???

I was thinking today about the future, the present, the past... basically giving my brain quite the workout as I fretted about decisions, relationships, my life, up and down, left and right- frankly it was exhausting. In the midst of this I picked up my recent conference Ensign. Now, this past conference, I was travelling so I missed everything except the Sunday afternoon session. So, I've been going through the talks one by one. This morning it was time for Elder Uchtdorf's talk entitled, "The Love of God"
Wow- did I need to read it-
Sometimes I wonder what it really means to love each other, love, as an act is unselfish, but yet most of the time we are so tied up in our own selfish desires and wants when it comes to love that we easily become bitter and resentful. I've been thinking a lot about what does it mean to love God? I love what Elder Uchtdorf said, "No, God does not need us to love him. But oh, how we need to love God! For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are-- and who we will become." I get so caught up in the little annoyances in my life, the fact that I don't have the answers, that I feel so much confusion at times, I forget to love God. My focus becomes murky, my life becomes crazy and I lose sight of the fact that the Lord knows me, loves me, and his timing is perfect.

I am also grateful for people who 'get me' amidst all my idiosyncracies. Thank you.

This is Halloween

Well, it's been one year since I started my blog with a post from Halloween, so what a better way to cap off the year than with another Halloween post! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

With my friend Amy at the Surprise B-day/ Halloween party for her husband Jeff!

Toffer & I were Shaggy & Velma from Scooby Doo!

Ivy was a glamour witch while Annelise was her cat!

Maddie was SUPER GIRL!!

An update since my last post: I am doing much better. I have learned a lot and I know the Lord is mindful of me and all that I need. I am focusing right now and trying to serve and be there for others. I know everything will happen in the Lord's time and I just need to realize that 30 really isn't that old. And when it is my time, I am going to make some guy really lucky to have me as a wife!! So, thanks to all for the positive thoughts and words of encouragement! It's wonderful to know I have so much support! And HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!! BOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a Hard Knock Life

It's amazing how fast things can change. How in an instant, life is completley different from how it was just the moment before.
My heart is broken... again. Sometimes I wonder how it continues to beat (duct tape must be an amazing thing!) My poor duct-taped together heart that somehow continues to beat... Asking why, why do I give my heart so easily? The eternal optimist? Usually. Tomorrow will be better.
It really stinks when you feel so close and then get blindsided in an instant.
I didn't see it coming. But, I suppose it is for the best.
Live and learn.
I thought this time it would be real, I thought this time I wouldn't have to end up in this place again. But here I am. It's ok.

Thank you for the amazing memories, I learned and grew so much. And I wish you only the best, you deserve it. Thank you for the moment.

You know it's funny, when I look back on my life I can usually see why things happen, but it's just sometimes hard in the moment. I guess some people are in your life for a reason, some people are in your life for a moment- and some are both. I look forward with faith. A little wiser, a little beaten down, but peaceful.
I just want it all, I want to be loved, and sometimes I feel lonely- but I know the Lord is mindful of me and someday I will have what I need.

The Adventures Continue!

It's been awhile since I blogged, so I figured y'all were due for an update. I have to say, I love my life, I have so much fun! I have truly been blessed!!!

In September I had the opportunity to do hair and make-up for my former student Julia for a pageant. She didn't win, but it was fun to be able to do it for her-

Here she is!

I also was able to sing in my Grandma's ward. I happened to have my camera in my purse so I was able to take some pictures with her and my Mom.

Oh, and this guy played the piano for me, he is pretty much one of my favorite people ever.

I also just recently returned from my third annual trek to Disney World for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! This year I took my friend Charron and my friend Sarah. I am so blessed to have had friends and family who work and have worked for Disney because I am able to visit the parks for free! THANKS BEN & LUANA!!!

And they are expecting a baby soon! I will have a little nephew!!!!

I ate crab for the first time-

And rode my favorite ride ever!

Yep, life is grand!

Next week is spirit week at school, and I have been a little bit stressed. Since I am in charge of student government, I have to organize and spear head all of the crazy activities! AAAA! I just hope it all runs smoothly! I must remember to buy ice cream on my way to school Monday morning. GO LIGERS!