The Rest of March

+I really need to do better at staying ahead with my blogging. I think about what I want to write quite often, I just fail to actually write it.

We were able to convince our Relief Society president to do quarterly activities instead of monthly. We just didn't have the attendance or budget to justify monthly, so my activity leader and I decided to try and make the quarterly ones super fun and exciting to get more attendance.

Our first activity was held one March 11. We went with a Superhero theme. We wanted to do kind of a get to know you, so we asked people to share their super powers (aka talents, etc.) We had an awesome turn out, and we had a lot of fun. We had pulled pork sandwiches, fruit and cupcakes for dinner, followed by a get to know you BINGO that was a lot of fun. Then we had one of our board members give a little talk on how we are all Superheros, tying in our Relief Society theme. She did a great job. I wish I had asked for a copy of her talk. It was really great.

We had a lot of fun, and I was happy about the turn out. I had an inactive sister come up to me and say, "This is the funnest church activity I've ever been to." And another sister said, "I wish we could do this every month." After complaining about our lack of budget, the stake relief society president told my president that I could, "Have as many activities as I wanted, and to spend as much money as I need." It was awesome, and made me feel like I was doing something right...(Even though Melanie was the one who did everything. She's awesome!)

Here is the poster I made for our activity. We were able to advertise for close to 2 months which was awesome. Funny story though. So we share our building with another ward who comes in after us. I had put this up outside the relief society room before our class. There is one of those clip things on the wall that is long and can fit more than one poster. Well, I come out after class, and the other ward had put their flier right over top of ours, instead of sliding ours down and putting it next to ours, right over top. I was not happy, but instead of throwing theirs in the garbage, I just calmly took ours out and slid it down. It was hard, let me tell you!

For our reminder, we made these superhero suckers with the information on the cape.

Due to some issues with the other ward, last year we moved our activities to Thursday evening, which we felt was not very convenient, so this year, we asked the Young Women if they would like to combine with us every quarter  so we could get the YW leaders out, and not have to spend another night away from their families. So we moved our activities to Wednesday night with the YW.

My partner-in-crime and I. We served in Young Women's together many moons ago, so when Bishop (NOT ME!) suggested her as my activity board leader, I didn't say no, even though she had just had her third baby. I knew that she would follow through and work hard to make or activities successful. So far she hasn't disappointed! ;)

At the end of February, Greg and I were asked to speak. Before we got up, our stake president got up and told us that they were rearranging our Bishopric in two weeks. Apparently lots of people thought that it would be Greg since we were speaking. Luckily they were wrong! I even had a sister tell me after I spoke that I would "make a great Bishop's wife". Not sure what that meant, but whatever.

I had been teasing Greg about it all week because he was actually a bit worried, but when we didn't get a call we knew we were in the clear. That was the week I went to Casper, and on Thursday when I got to Cokeville I called Greg and he told me that the Stake President wanted to meet with us. I started laughing and said, High Council? (One of the new bishopric members was previously on the HC, so there was a spot open.)

Sure enough, when we went in to meet with the stake president, Greg was issued a call to serve on the High Council. This meant he would also be ordained to the office of High Priest.

Greg's dad ordained him, and his older brother and his four kids came. We don't get to see them too much even though they're only about an hour away, but it was a lot of fun to have those kids there. They are the cutest.

The next weekend, one of my friends and teammates from college was getting married and had her reception here in Logan. Her mom coached with my dad over in Bear Lake for many years, so we've known Katie forever. She also played with Kandyce in college, and then they roomed together here at USU, so Kandyce stopped by so we could go together.

Liam is probably my favorite child. He is a little stinker and was crying while Kandyce was getting changed, so I just kept asking him questions until I finally got a good response. From then on we were BFFs. We sang songs in the car while waiting for Kandyce to get some cards at the dollar store, and then we went and played outside. Even though he can be a bit of a stinker, he's so dang cute. I just love him!

And of course, chubby little Myka was there also. She is just the happiest baby. I love her and her cute chubby cheeks.

So, after everything went down at work, I was working Saturday with Kim. Steve stopped by with a drink for each of us. Awesome! Then maybe an hour later, Donna showed up with drinks for us as well. The reason definitely deserved two Dr. Peppers. No more changes please! My heart can't take it. It was pretty funny though

For our 5th Sunday lesson, we had the LDS Employment Resource Services (?) people come. I was totally paying attention, when I looked at the board, and what was supposed to spell LDS ERS, totally looked like LOSERS. It was funny. About 3 minutes after I noticed, the high councilman sitting next to us looks up, leans over and says, "I thought that spelled LOSERS on the board." It was awesome.

Greg surprised me by taking me to see Insurgent one evening after work. Oh my, I loved it! I thought it was so good. Thanks hubby for taking me. It was a great way to end March.

Thursday Three | 04.30.15

• It's getting way too hot. I really prefer to be cold. Plus I really think the heat is almost worse on my body. 
• I honestly can't remember my days off the week. I woke up in a panic on Tuesday thinking we had a meeting, and then yesterday thought was Thursday and today feels like Friday.
• I need to workout. "Workout" I really do but have no motivation since the stuff I can do seems so pointless. Someone motivate me NOW! #lazybum

Thursday Three was developed by Kristin from RUKristin. You can read more about it {here}, then play along over on Instagram and follow me @bre11414.

State Basketball 2015

The first weekend in March I had the opportunity to go watch my baby brother, Kennan, at state basketball. I had told my mom when I went to his last home game that if they made it to state, I wanted to go watch him. Since dad has a "Gold Card" for coaching for 500 years, his family gets in free to all state events. I was super nervous the week of regionals, then super happy when they took 3rd at regionals.

So the next week, mom came and picked me up on Wednesday after work so we could head out Thursday morning for Casper.

I didn't know, but my little sister McKenzie was also coming. Party!! We got all festive and painted our fingernails orange.

The next morning we picked up Grandma, who I also didn't know was coming. It was bound to be a party now! I sat up front with Dad, while Mom, McKenzie, and Grandma acted like teenagers in the backseat.

It's been a while since I took the forever long trip to Casper. I forgot how long and boring it is. It was still fun. I love traveling, so the only thing I could complain about was my sore butt.

We got into Casper and checked into the motel, then went to McDonald's for dinner, then up to the Event Center. Oh boy. It's been forever since I've been there. First thing both Kenz and I noticed was that they changed the seats. They are blue instead of red.

Oh, being back there, though. So many memories! Mostly volleyball memories, but a little basketball. It was fun to be back. I can't believe my baby brother is a senior. He's the last one, so there's no one to watch anymore.

Kennan didn't know Kenz or I were coming, so it was fun to surprise him. He has always loved the game of basketball, and has turned into quite the ball player. I was glad I got to watch him one last time.

They played Upton for their first game. They started out really good, but then slowly lost their rhythm. Kennan ended up fouling out, which was super sad. I really wish I could have sat next to him on the bench and tell him to keep his head up. Unfortunately they lost that first game, but the good thing about State is that it's double elimination, so he had at least one more game.

Brady and Ashbee also came. I'm serious when I say after that weekend, I'm quite convinced that I am adopted!

Kenz and I shared a bed, and she totally cuddled with me. Brady and Ashbee were in the other bed, so we had some fun talking about funny things, and apparently some old boyfriend I didn't know I had. Lol, good times....good times...

The next game was the next day. If they won they would have another.

Kennan did awesome! Hit quite a few three's, and can dribble and has major ball control. It was so good to see him play so well.

Casper College...Some more great memories there. Volleyball mostly.

We also got to watch the girl's play. It is so fun seeing them run the same offense I did when I was in high school. They have a good team, and made it to the state championship game.

Saturday was the last day for games. Kennan played again at Casper College. They were playing Snake River again. Kennan played really well again, however, they were not able to win that final game. It's always sad to see that, but I couldn't have been more proud of him. He's such a hard worker, and I'm sad I didn't make more of an effort to watch him throughout his high school years.

We stayed to watch the girls play in the championship game. It was a super intense game throughout. Finally in the 4th quarter they started to play better and come back. They ended up winning. It was so exciting. I was so happy for those beautiful girls and their amazing coaches! I love the coaches that I grew up knowing. They are such amazing men. I'm glad to see them still coaching.

We headed home after the game and got home about 3 in the AM. It was a really fun weekend, and I'm so glad that I was able to go. I don't know when/if I will ever go back for state basketball, so I'm glad that I got to go at least once more.

Since we got home so late, Dad said, "Maybe we'll just sleep in and tell people that we didn't come back until today." So naturally I slept in. I was the only one. Everyone else went to church.

Happy 5 Years to Me!

Since my last few posts have been about my job, I decided to continue, and celebrate my 5 year work anniversary with you, as well as finish up telling you about the not-so-awesomeness.

Five years ago to this day, I started my job at the Credit Union. You can read about when I heard I got the job {here} and my first week {here}. Quite a bit has changed over the last five years, in fact, I can't believe that I'm STILL there. My original plan was to work for a couple of years, then quit once Greg got a job. Well, life didn't happen that way, and I'm still there. I love it more than almost ever.

I have had five co-workers quite during the five years (Ali, Courtney, Lauren, Karen, & Danny), which also means that we've gained some new people (Kim and Cole). I have grown to really love the people I work with. They are awesome, and they have been so wonderful and kind and caring as I've experienced my health issues. I love the majority of members that come into the credit union, and love the actual work that I do. Yes, somedays I'm lazy and just don't want to do a dang thing, but at least I get to enjoy the time with the great people I work with.

I really can't believe that it has been five years. No it hasn't flown by, because more years than not were less than awesome. Even as things have changed with Danny being gone, the six of us (Donna, Kim, Caleb, Cole, Steve and me) have only grown closer and more awesome than ever.

Which is great.

Considering what happened soon after Danny's departure.

So, as I mentioned in {this post}, Caleb was going to interview for the assistant manager position down in Murray. Steve had applied to replace Danny as the manager. They went down together, and came back saying that they felt the interviews had gone well. All of us MSR's really wanted, and basically expected the job to be given to Steve. Steve has been with the CU for almost 10 years, and was the assistant for 7+, basically managing us himself. He had the knowledge and skills to be an amazing manager, plus it just made sense to promote within.

Time passed, and we didn't hear anything. The longer it took, the more doubtful we became. It was frustrating, and confusing, not only for Steve, but for the rest of us. If we knew that it was just going to be that way, we would have been fine, but not knowing was really hard.

Finally Steve received a call from the Area Manager saying he and the AVP of branches (which is another story entirely...he came in right before Steve interviewed) would be coming up that week. FINALLY!

Finally that day came, and Steve met with them. They did his annual review, then told him the decision. He came out, and told me they wanted to speak with me. My stomach just dropped. I knew what they were going to say, but yet, how could they?

I get in there and the area manager says, "We have decided to hire from outside of the credit union," then went on to explain a bit more about this person. I must have had fire in my eyes, because when he was done, he said, "You look like you have some things to say. What are you thinking."

I just started laughing and said, "I have a lot that I thought about saying, but now that I'm in this situation, I can't." What I really wanted to say was, "What the hell?" (Sorry for the language, for some reason, hell is more angry than heck! ;) But instead I tried my very best to calmly tell them that I didn't understand the decision, and that I thought that it was a slap in the face, and didn't show much loyalty to their employees. I told them how it was frustrating to see other branches promote people left and right, and even though Logan is an exception because we have more tenure, when an opportunity finally arose that could possibly promote two amazing employees, to have them not to allow that kind of made us lose hope that anything more would come for the rest of us. I explained to them how close our branch was, so to do that just didn't make any sense. Not even just from a personal level, but from a business perspective. Even if there were two similarly experienced candidates, the fact that Steve came from within, and already knew the company, and how to do things, should have put him at the top by far!

I had a quite interesting discussion with the two of them before leaving frustrated and angry. I would love to go into more detail about all of this, but I need to keep my job. I really love the company and the people I work with, so to have them do this was really hard, and really frustrating. I felt/feel awful for Steve, and things just aren't the same, and never will be.

While I understand that change is inevitable and hard, I think there could have been some changes made that would have been easier, and yet just as effective. But what do I know? I'm just an MSR 3 that had to fight to get the privileges promised her.

The area manager came up the next week to help clean out the office, and I was able to sit down with him and basically vent. He is awesome. I had a hard time grasping some things, and even though I didn't get any answers I wanted, just being able to talk to him, and hear about some of his circumstances was very helpful.

Our new manager has been with us for a few weeks now. It's different. It's hard. It's unpleasant at times. I have a lot of feelings on the matter, but again...need my job! :) I'm having a hard time with what benefits will come to me from being there for 5 years. If we don't have opportunities to change and to grow in the company, will I just be wasting my time? I don't want to leave, and I probably won't, but it's still something I have to think about. I got another opportunity to talk with our area manager and discuss some of those things with him. It was a great talk and I was able to give him my thoughts and feelings. I don't know if anything will come of it, but it was nice to have my voice heard.

I really am grateful for my job, and for the company I work for, and my five close friends. Caleb did get the assistant manager position, so he'll be leaving us this week, and we've got a new kid starting in a couple of weeks. I don't know how I'm going to handle it, but I'll do my best. I need my job. Not for money (though it is nice), but it keeps my mind off of myself and my physical limitations. Things will be fine. We'll survive. We are tough. Always have been, always will be.

Thursday Three | 04.23.15

• I can't think of anything to say except #powerstance 
• I sat over at Steve's desk for about 30 minutes just because....it was super slow. It rocked my world.
• I keep thinking things will start to feel "normal" again at work. But it hasn't, and i worry it won't. Next week could be rough with Caleb leaving. Here's to not crying at all next week.....

Thursday Three was developed by Kristin from RUKristin. You can read more about it {here}, then play along over on Instagram and follow me @bre11414.