Thirty-three years ago I came into the world, taking my fourth spot in the Heros line up. I started life in West Jordan. Quickly moved to the east bench. I was followed by three more Heros and then life really began.
Summers at the Canyon Racquet Club. Playing "boat" in our tree house. Sledding in the backyard. Three Christmas trees. Sharing rooms with my sisters. Loving parents. My childhood was ideal.
A year in England at age 10 taught me more than I will ever know. Developing nervous ticks, making new friends, sticking close to my siblings, leaning on my mom's encouragement, getting over those anxious ticks and learning to love a new culture, all helped make me who I am.
Moving back and then on to a new neighborhood. Thankfully my inspired parents kept me in my familiar schools. Good friends and good siblings made life so much fun. Middle school with acid washed jeans, purple glasses, blue masquara, and my violin made life not cool. I think I was oblivious of my coolness faux pas. The desire to be popular became my obsession.
Being naturally shy kept me out of a lot of trouble. I was a good girl who went to seminary and to church. I had good friends who had a lot of goofy fun. I tried my hardest to follow fashion trends and do well in school. High school started off rough, but quickly became my favorite place. I loved learning and took a Humanities class that changed my life. I wanted to go to BYU, so I tried my hardest to keep high grades. If I had to choose between say. . .taking an AP History test and running for student body office. . .the popularity contest would win out. By Senior Year I had found the secret to real popularity: don't be worried about the popular kids, just be nice to everyone. I knew who I was. I was an orchestra dork, an officer, a newspaper editor, a good student, with my own look to boot.
College took me right back into reality. I got there with a handful of people I knew, a strange roommate. I went to school, worked in the summer and enjoyed many aspects of Happy Valley. Dated a lot. Went to church. Studied Art History.
Took a break from school and went on an LDS mission to North Carolina. Had experiences that helped define further what I wanted from life and who I wanted to be. My eyes were opened and I came back with my feet firmly planted. Now determined to finish my bachelors degree I commuted from SLC to BYU while spending time learning from Wizard Pete how to create book layouts and check my email. I was aided in finding the love of my life by my local single's ward and Bishop Bagley, my uncle. Using the wit I had practiced on boys since highschool and the commitment pattern I'd learned on my mission I got the man I wanted. He had me at "Hello."
My life since 2000 when Scott and I were married has been all that I've ever dreamed life could be. I worked full-time as a graphic designer until we our had three beautiful daughters in tight sequence. We live in our dream home. Scott works for a good company and has created a way for me to stay home to be with our kids. Being a full-time mom is challenging, but it will always be my ideal job. I get to teach, entertain, and play dress up. Skills like patience, organization, and efficiency are slow coming, but makes life interesting.
Sometimes I've felt in life that I was running in circles. . .wondering if I was going the right way. With inspiration and hind sight I have realized life is a circle. . .how else would I have ended up back in West Jordan?
