Great Day - Party AND a New Camera!

So yesterday was a great day! In the morning I decided that with two weddings and bridal sessions coming up this summer that it was time for me to upgrade my camera. I was just going to have mine cleaned (because it NEEDS it) but that would take my camera out of commission for at least two weeks. So I talked it over with my wonderful husband (of three years on Tuesday, June 9th) and he said he thought I should even though it would be pricey. So I did it! I bought a brand new Nikon D300 and I LOVE IT! I took it to the family shoot I did yesterday and it was AMAZING! It cut my editing time in half so I had more time to just work on enhancing! I'm so happy I did it and it is already way worth the money I spent because it will make for even better pictures! I'm keeping my other camera as a back-up (my hub says it's his now) and now I have the time to take it to Foresters to give it some TLC. I'm posting some of the pix I've taken with my new camera at the end of this post.
The other great part of yesterday was my party my mom hosted for me! She wanted to celebrate the fact that I got into nursing school and so she decided to throw me a party! Not everyone who said they were going to came, but to the people who did, THANK YOU! Thank you for coming to celebrate with me last night, thank you for the cards, and thank you for encouraging me to keep reaching for my dream! I couldn't ask for better friends! I love you all! And a big thanks again to my mom, my biggest fan! I love you mama!

Cute Jameson at my party, being much more interested in the humming bird feeder. :)

My kitty, Binx.

My mama's beautiful clematis.

Lily the cat.

This is our friend's son, Mikey, who wanted to see me through the lens of my camera.

Our cute friend's family that I did pix for yesterday, right after I got my camera!

Mikey and his Daddy!

Mikey and his Mommy!

Dad's Wedding!

So Dad and Mona tied the knot Memorial Day Weekend and it was great! The ceremony was beautiful and the party was fun and we got to spend 4 days with our fun family! We had lots of fun having BBQ's, golfing, pampering, etc. And I danced so much at the wedding that I was sore for two days! All of my family finally got to see where Max and I live and that was nice. I got to spend more time than I thought I would with my sis and that was fantastic! We went and got fitted for our dresses for my mom's wedding and had a nice brunch with my mom and gma. The weekend flew by and we didn't get enough sleep but it was all worth it! I'm very happy that my dad has found the love of his life and that we got to be there for him and her when they took their vows.

Me and Max, not a great picture of us. :)

The Final Picture! (scroll down to see take one and two... We couldn't be serious)

The second try, still not even close...

The first Try for a picture...

Me and my Cuz! Love him!

Max kissing the Bride! Uh Oh!

The Fantastic Four!

A blonde, a brunette and a redhead walk into a bar...

The girls

Sis & I with our corsages (and beer) :)

Waiting for the toast to be over so we can clink and drink!

I AM IN!

Finally after 5 years of college I am starting nursing school at the school I wanted most! I'll be starting Nursing School this fall at Weber State University!!! I've wanted to be a nurse for 9 years now and I'm finally going to be able to achieve this dream. Nursing School has felt so unreachable, so far away that it all feels a little surreal to me right now, but I'm sure once I'm "balls to the wall" busy with Nursing classes and clinicals that it will feel plenty real. :) My mom is throwing me a party on Saturday, June 6th, to celebrate! I want anyone who can to come and celebrate with us! It's because of all your encouragement and support that I kept reaching for this star. Most of all I want to thank my mom, my biggest fan, for all the love and support and encouragement she's offered to me, not only my whole life, but particularly these last nine years. She believed I could do this from the moment I said I wanted to when others doubted me. She's the one that helped me figure out what classes I needed. She's the one that took a half a day of vacation to come the meeting that just simply told me what my score was. And she was the one who cried tears of joy with me when I called to tell her I was in.

Viva Las Vegas!

Max and I just got home from fabulous vacay inVegas! We went down there last week and stayed with my dad for four days. We played on the strip, gambled, had good food and even visited the TITANIC exhibit at the Luxor. (which was amazing!) I also finally got the guts to pierce my nose. It's something I've been contemplating for almost a year. I've been worried about how bad it would hurt and honestly it wasn't any worse than an ear piercing! The worst part was when he put the actual stud in the hole after he put the three inch needle through my nostril! So here's a picture. I LOVE IT! I'm so glad I did it. I think it's cute and my hubby does too. My dad didn't even notice it til I stood right in front of him and pointed it out and my mom will grow to love it. :) So what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas...

14.5 is my new favorite number!

So we went to the meeting today up at Weber and I found out what my score was. I got 14.5 points. The average this year was 17.36, almost three points higher than last year's average. So they explained where the points come from and all that. They also shared with me that the person who got the 90th spot also scored 14.5 points. So I am THAT close. They told me to be patient and hopefully I'll get a call soon. They said they wouldn't be suprised if I get in this year and if I don't, they said, "next year, you're in; so just ride the wave". (direct quote) :) So now I'm just playing the waiting game. I know that whatever happens is what's supposed to happen but obviously I'm hoping that that is Nursing School. I'll be sure to post a great big HOORAY and the date for the party that my mom insists on throwing for me if I get in! (she really is my biggest fan!)

Not a "No" yet...

So just over a week ago I got my letter from Weber State telling me that I have been accepted as an alternate for their Nursing Program that starts this August! Hooray! I really wasn't expecting to get in this year and I didn't even consider being an alternate so when I read my letter, needless to say, I was beyond stoked. I have been dreaming of this for almost ten years now and I can't believe it might actually happen for me this year, and at the school I want! So I need lots of prayers that someone won't be able to accept their spot so I can take it. I talked to an advisor last week and he said that last year they accepted 30 of the alternates and he has a feeling that they will be accepting a big group again this year. He also said that if I don't get in this year I am basically guaranteed a spot next year. My mom and I are attending a meeting tomorrow about how they score the applications and all that good stuff. So now I'm just waiting for a phone call. It could come in the next few weeks, the next couple months, or even the first day of class. So here's crossing my fingers and toes to get into nursing school in the fall! A big thanks to everyone who's kept encouraging me to stay with it and do it, especially my mama, because she is my biggest fan.

We all have much to be thankful for...

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE

WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,

BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,

AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND

WHO IS ON THE SOFABEING A COUCH POTATO,

BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME

AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER

WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES

BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,

NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE

BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG

BECAUSE IT MEANSI HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,

WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,

AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING

I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT

BECAUSE IT MEANS

WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. .

FOR THE PARKING SPOT

I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING

AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL

BECAUSE IT MEANSI AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH

WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS

I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES

AT THE END OF THE DAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN

CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFFIN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

10 Things...

Ok, here's what ya do. Copy this and paste it into your own post and change my answers to yours! Then tag anyone whose answers you think you'd like to see!

10 Kisses
1. Do you remember the person you first kissed? Yes
2. Have you ever kissed someone you weren't dating? yes
3. Ever kissed an ex after you broke up? Yes
4. Have you kissed anyone in your top friends list? Yes
5. Ever kissed two people at once? Nope
7. Ever kissed someone younger than you? Yes
8. Older than you? Yes
9. Have you ever kissed someone you didn't like? No, I don't just give kisses to anyone.
10. Ever made out with someone who was a really bad kisser? Yes. - Who? Evan

10 Facts
1. Full Name -- Callie Michelle Allen
2. Nicknames - Cal, Bestie, Baby, Girl, Wife
3. Birth place -- SLC, UT
4. Hair color -- Natural? Brown, but I just dyed it Red!
5. Natural hair style -- Naturally Kinky-Curly
6. Eye colour -- Blue
7. Birthday -- Jan. 20th
8. Height -- 5'1"
9. Favorite color -- For the time being, Green
10. Status -- Married to the Love of My Life

10 Things About Your Love Life
1. Have you ever been in love -- Yes
2. Do you believe in love at first sight -- I haven't experienced it, but I believe there are people who have
3. Have you ever been hurt emotionally -- Who hasn't?
5. Have you ever broken someone's heart -- I don't know about breaking a heart, but I hate to admit that I have hurt someone emotionally
6.Have you ever had your heart broken -- Yes
7. Have you ever liked someone but never told them -- No, I'm too honest
8. Are you afraid of commitment? -- Depends on what I'm committing to...
9. Have you ever fallen for your best friend? -- No
10. Have you ever had a secret admirer? Not that I know of... If I knew, it wouldn't be very secret now would it? :)

10 Choices
1. Love or lust:- - Love
2. liquor or beer - - Liquor
3. Cats or Dogs - Both!
4. A few best friends or lots of close friends?-- Best Friends
6. Friends or Family -- Both are family, friends are the family you chose to have.
7. Wild night out or romantic night in -- A wild night out!
8. Money or Happiness -- Happiness
10. IM or phone -- Phone

10 Have You Evers?
1. Been caught sneaking out -- Nope
2. Purposely hurt someone -- Never
3. Done something you regret -I look at my mistakes as learning experiences and that way I don't have to regret them, I appreciate what I've learned from them.
4. Bungee jumped - - No, and I never will!
5. Been so embarrassed that you actually cried -- Yes.
6. Skinny Dipped - - Every summer at our cabin. He he!
7. Gotten stuck in an elevator -- Not that I can recall
8. Wanted an ex bf/gf back -- Yeah, even though I knew it was completely wrong.
9. Cried because you lost a pet -- Yes, I get teary-eyed thinking about it.
10. Wanted to disappear --Yes

10 Preferences In A Partner
1. Smile or eyes-- Smile
2. Light or dark hair -- Dark
3. Hugs or kisses -- Gotta have 'em both!
4. Shorter or taller -- Taller
5. Intelligence or attraction -- He doesn't need to be Albert Einstein or anything but I like smart guys
6. Romantic or spontaneous-- Gotta have both!
7. Funny or serious -- Funny, but serious when they need to be.
8. Older or Younger -- Age is just a number
9. Outgoing or quiet -- Outgoing
10. Sweet or Bad -- Sweet

10 Lasts
1. Last person you were on the phone with -- My mama!
3. Last person you hung out with -- Artie, Brittany and my hubby
4. Last time you worked - - Yesterday
5. Last person you tackled -- Couldn't say...
6. Last person you IM'd -- Don't know
7. Last person you texted? My mama
8. Last person(s) you went to the movies with - Hub - Friday the 13th! Fantastic!
9. Last person you shared a bed with -- My Hubby
10. Last person you were in a car with -- My hubby

10 Are You's?
1. Missing someone right now? -- Yes, my sis
2. Happy? - Yes!
3. Talking to anyone right now? -- Nope
4. Bored? - - No
5. German? - - Don't know
6. Swedish? - -Don't know
7. French? - - Don't know
8. Italian? - - Don't know (as my hubby says, "I'm American, I'm a mutt, I've got a little of everything in me probably"
9.Your parents still married? - - No, but they are both getting married this year
10. In love with someone right now? -- Yes!

10 Minutes
1. Thinking about? -- being cold!
2. Are you eating? -- Not at the moment
3. What are you listening to? -- Boston Legal
4. What were you doing an hour ago? making cupcakes
5. What are you wearing? -- black sweat pants and my "I'm not Irish, but kiss me anyway" shirt
6. Are you cold? - -YES!
7. Are you excited? --I'm looking forward to the baby shower for Dara and Brittany today
8. Are you upset? -- No
9. What is your current mood?--Content
10. Is anyone going to reply? -- who knows?

I tag Brittany, Alexis, Dara and Face!

For you, Face! :)

Rules: It's harder than it looks! Copy to your own note, erase my answers, and enter yours. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real, nothing made up! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You must put the first answer that comes to mind! You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name twice for the boy/girl name one

1. What is your name: Callie
2. A four Letter Word: call
3. A boy's Name: Cooper
4. A girl's Name: Claire
5. An occupation: CNA
6. A color: Cerulean (it is a color, by Crayola, it's blue and it was my favorite when I was little)
7. Something you wear: camisole
8. A food: cantalope
9. Something found in the bathroom: conditioner
10. A place: Couer d' alene
11. A reason for being late: caught a cold
12. Something you shout: Crap!
13. A movie title: Chicago (I know it was a play first but it's a movie now too)
14. Something you drink: Cozmopolatin
15. A musical group: Cranberries
16. An animal: cat


Ok so I tag Brittany, Alexis and Lisa

Praise the Lord!

I had a great night tonight. My church dedicated our new building and it was a party! We had a wonderful worship service with communion and then we played music and danced the rest of the night! Besides being so much fun it is so amazing to be a part of this church. My church has been meeting, growing, and surviving through the Grace of God for almost 20 years now. I became a part of it (much to my dismay at first) about 11 years ago and I'm so grateful for it. My church is truly my extended family. I was so overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for all that I've been through with my church. I remember when we got the permission to meet in another church's fellowship hall, and that was pretty great. I remember when my dad was the head of the building committee and headed the building campaign to get our very own building to worship in. With the help of many people from many religions all around the Salt Lake Valley we got our building up. It's where I met some of my dearest friends while writing scriptures on the framing wood and concrete floor before they were covered and placing each and every stone on the outside with our very own hands. We've come so far from meeting in any building we could to having our own small building out in a field to now having our building with the sanctuary and the new building that is our fellowship hall (that isn't just a hallway) with lots of new rooms for the kids and youth. This church has come so far and has been such a blessing in my life and I'm truly honored and overjoyed to be a part of it. Praise the Lord!