There has been a lot going on lately. Here are some of the highlights. I will be done with finals on Wednesday, I am so excited. I hope you all enjoyed your Easter Sunday!!

Julie graduated and it was so much fun to see her at her graduation. She has left me for the summer and it's oh so sad without her.

It was bring your nephew to work day. I got to watch him for a while at the office. He was such a good boy.

I had a minor run in with the curling iron.

I made Julie a going away cake. Her favorite chocolate with chocolate frosting. The cake say's "Jules, I know you are my bestie! Shayls" Julie likes it when I bare testimony about our friendship.

It was our friend Taylor's birthday on Friday and we made him a cake. It tasted oh so good.

On Conference weekend it was so nice outside my roommates and I were playing in the yard.

One more group date. The last one for the semester. Nothing like classic staking.

My roommate Lindsey had her year end piano concert. She did such a great job.

This semester is just about over and I thought it would never end. It's been about the four of the longest months of my life. You may think "Shayla, I have heard that before." Yes, well the four months in Canada were pretty long. I think winter semesters are always long, but I feel like once this semester is over I will be free. I only have 15 more credits until I graduate and my 18credit load will be over. I will never take 18 credits at a time again. What was I thinking? This just proves, yet again the Lord knows me better than I know myself. I can't believe I am still alive to finish this semester. I am stronger than I realize. Here are some highlights of what I have learned this semester. They don't all have to do with school, I have learned more about myself, life, school and everything. I feel like I have taken 18 credits in every aspect of my life in these past four months.

I have learned.....

• Heavenly Father will answer your prayers. Be careful what you ask for ....you just might get it.
  

• The Lord really does know what is best

• Don't forget to count your blessings....all the time. It will help you with life in general

• I have always known but they have once again confirmed it...I HAVE THE BEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD!!!

• Patients in all aspects of my life

• Enjoy time with people you love and don't take it for granted

• Listen more, talk less

• How to make wild lamb from New Zealand

• How to skin and debone a salmon

• Too many late nights and waking up for 7 am class, you will get sick

• My roommates put up with a lot of crap from me

• Biking is the best thing in the world to release stress

• You have no control over people and their free agency, even when it affects you
  

There are a LOT of other things that I have learned but these are some of the highlights.

I have been having some good quality time with Jaxson. He is an Angel. I just love spending time with him. I was over at Alicia and Kyle's making cinnamon rolls on Friday night. Jaxson was sitting in his bouncer on the table and I was just talking to him. Alicia, came out of her room and she thought I was on the phone but I was just talking to Jaxson. He is the best listener. He understands me. Just look at that cute little man.

What's a girl to do...

Yesterday, I got home from a very long and stressful day of school, work, and more school. After school, the second time, I got to take a small break and celebrate my friend Jeff Lutz's birthday at The B.O. (Brick Oven for those that aren't in the Matthews family and don't understand our language). I went back to my office for another almost 4 hours. I didn't go there to work, I went there to study. Lately, the library hasn't been doing it for me, I get too distracted. When I am in my window-less office I know I won't be disturbed and I can focus so much better there. Anyway, I came home and looked in the mirror and I just thought to myself...."What's a girl to do?" Well, I saw what you see here, a paper clip to hold my bangs back and a rubber band as a ponytail holder. I didn't have a ponytail holder or a bobby pin with me. And at the end of my day the last thing I want is this crazy hair in my face. (Only 4 more inches and I get my favorite hair cut back). So, when you have nothing else but office supplies, get creative. The funny thing is I love office supplies and my parents used to and probably still do shop at an office store for me for Christmas and birthdays.