October 5, 2010

On October 5, 2010, I went through the temple to take out my endowments. I was totally excited for this day because it was time to make my own covenants to Heavenly Father. It was a great day! I was so grateful for the people that came. Of course, my parents, Tom and Deeana Baumgardner, Jared, Kris Eden, Vida Vaughn and my Pap. I was excited that all of these people could share that special day with me! Although, the time is coming closer to when I leave, I know that they will be here when I get back. I'm totally excited to serve my mission and the opportunity to go through the Washington D.C. temple. The spirit was so strong that day that I knew I was doing the right thing by going on a mission!

Call...

So, my mission call came today and I will definately post where I'm going! I'm excited/nervous but the people around me are totally excited. I know I'll miss sharing the news with my grandpa, but I know he will be here in spirit!!!

'What happened here changed the world, let it change your life'

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go to Palmyra, New york to visit the Joseph Smith sites and I have to tell you, it was amazing! Saturday afternoon we went to the temple and it was the first time in 5 years that I've been there! It was a spiritual, amazing and comforting being there. Once I walked through the doors, it seemed like all the challenges and trials i'm going through right now didn't matter. After that, we headed to the sites and saw the log home, frame house and sacred grove. I had the same feeling in the grove that I had in the temple and again, it was awesome! As I was walking through the grove, headed for the exit, I got a prompting to turn around and look at the grove from where I was standing. As I was looking at the trees and the beautiful flowers, I thought how much that my life has changed when I learn more of Joseph Smith. Its my all time favorite church story and I love it! So, as the subject of my blog, that phrase ran through my mind as I was looking back at the grove. As a friend of mine said after we exited the grove, 'how can you not feel the spirit walking through?"

What happened in that grove, changed my life more than I think everyone knows. I love hearing about Joseph Smith and what he went through. He is a great person, seer and revelator. He never once let anything or anybody get in his way and he never gave up. When it all came down to it, he loved everyone and everything.

"What happened here changed the world, let it change your life"

Growing Up

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. -- Barbara Bush

This weekend, my dad and ashley are out in Idaho visiting family and also visiting utah state--which is one of her options for college. Anyway, yesterday they had the chance to meet up with one of our neighbors that we lived by in Rexburg. They now live in the Logan, Utah area. The oldest daughter is putting out a CD this spring (her own!!) and she is really good and we recently became friends on facebook and as i was clicking through her pictures i couldn't believe how much her and her sister have grown! I remember all those times growing up and doing some crazy stuff. Then, to make things more emotional my 2nd cousin Braxton turned 11 today!! CRAZY!! Its amazing how kids grow up so fast and they really teach you what life is about. I hate growing up..it sucks! I mean, half my cousins have kids already, I'm planning on going on a mission, ashley is going to college, megan starting high school next year, kellen whos voice is changing drastically..it sounds like he has a cold and thats all i can think of. Its amazing though how a family can go through all these changes and still manages to be there for you. I think since i'm in the process of turning my papers in its all starting to hit home that i'm not going to be here during the next 18 months and life is going to go on without me and that some of my relationships with people will be different. I already know they will. I know that no matter where I go though, I'll ALWAYS have my family!!

A day late

Yesterday was probably the toughest day of the week/month/year so far. It marked the one year anniversary of my Grandpa Moss' death. During the past couple weeks, I reflected on where I was last year during that time...saying goodbye to my Grandpa. I remember like it was yesterday where I was when I got the news. It was a Sunday. I had just finished up with dinner at my Grandmas and was heading into my Great Aunts house to pick up Kellen from his b-ball game. As we were driving home, I told Kellen to call my dad (who was still in Idaho w/ my grandpa) and tell him about his game. Little did we both know, or all of us know, 15 min. later my Grandpa would pass away. Kellen and I were home for about 25 min. before my mom, ashley and megan got home from church. In walked my pap which I thought was a little strange. My mom sat us down in the living room and me being myself was of course, joking around. She told us that Grandpa had passed away an hour ago. I was shocked, upset and every word to describe my emotions was possibly true. I remember crying the whole entire night and talked to my dad that night but only less than 30 seconds because he was so upset.
With it being a year later, I've missed telling my Grandpa that I graduated from Vo-tech for Dental Assisting, Getting a job as a Dental Assistant and preparing for a mission in the summer. I know without a doubt that he has been watching over each of us throughout this past year. I miss my Grandpa everyday but I can't wait for the day when I can see him again. I miss his smile, his laugh and him cracking jokes. It took me about 9 months after his death to fully accept it. Throughout the whole grieving process however, I've gained a better testimony on families and on faith, hope and love.

Lately

Ever since November I've really started thinking about whether or not I should go on a mission. This is an experience that I want most in my life and I know I will be a better person because of it. The confirmation came to me a couple weeks ago as I sat and listened to my friend give his return home talk from his mission. I knew right then and there that I was going. This is something that I'm supposed to do and I know it. Some people might think I'm not going to make it or I can't do it...I've been told that by some people (mostly by one). Its my life and I'm going to take a stand for it..because in the end its my happiness that counts. I'm here to prove to people that I can do it and that I want to do it.

In other news, I'm going to be a bridesmaid in my best friends wedding in August! Which is going to push back my leaving date for my mission.....

Untitled

"Make a wish and place it in your heart. Anything you want, everything you want. Do you have it? Good. Now believe it can come true. You never know where the next miracle is gonna come from, the next smile, the next wish to come true. But if you believe that it's right around the corner, and you open your heart and mind to the possibility of it, to the certainty of it. You just might get the thing you're wishing for. The world is full of magic. You just have to believe in it. So make your wish. Do you have it? Good. Now believe in it. With all your heart."

I've been thinking alot about where my life will be in the coming months. I'm now preparing to go on a mission and have my papers in April. But i've lately been thinking about dreams or wishes that I want to come true. The conclusion that I've come to is that you just have to believe that they can come true and believe in them with all your heart. Life is short and full of opportunity--so take the next opportunity that might scare you or make you anxious. Life is short and afterall, you only get one shot. Think of an experience that you want to see happen in your life and make it happen.

Family...an eternal one..

Even though this is a couple weeks late, I'm still posting it. My great uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about a month ago and his health rapidly declined over the past month. He passed away tonight but through it all, I have been thankful for the knowledge of eternal families and know that I will see him again. He was a great uncle who lived life to the fullest everyday and has made an impact/inspiration on everyone that has come into his life. Now, this is me, giving my thanks for my family. The Moss family.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Moss Family lately. I don’t know if its because every year around this time I wish I were out in Idaho or visiting family enjoying the holidays together. I haven’t had a Thanksgiving or a Christmas with the Moss family since we moved out here to PA. I was recently watching a home video that’s back from 20 years ago, when I was about 7 months old and noticing how everybody changed and even thinking “its nice to go back 20 years and not knowing where everybody has ended up, how far apart (miles) we are, who married who.” I even hate to say this but, I miss it. I miss all the memories that we had growing up and coming out to Idaho to visit. But, as I look back on my many memories, I know that my life would not be the same without them in my life. Sure, we’ve all had our differences, own challenges or trials but in the end it comes down to the two people that started the Moss Family. Our grandparents, Lyle and Bonnie Moss. We all have them to thank for raising great children who are amazing parents, aunts, and uncles. As Thanksgiving approaches, I thank Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for blessing me with such an amazing family that I love and miss very much. I also want to thank Heavenly Father and Jesus for blessing me with such a great Grandpa who I miss everyday and know that he is with me and there is no doubt in my mind that he was proud of me and proud of all his grandchildren. He didn’t care what mistakes we made or how different we all are, he loved us all the same. On February 13, 2009, I remember sitting in Grandma and Grandpas living room surrounded by family who were dealing with the fact that we were losing a very important person in the family. I remember one moment where all 4 kids along with Grandma were around his bed and with tears Tauna said “You and mom have been a great inspiration on all us kids” Even though, he didn’t open his eyes much after a few days, he heard what we were all saying to him and he knew it even before we said it. He even knew we were all there. Over the course of the past months, I’ve had frustrations and tear filled days knowing that I wasn’t able to be out there for the services but I’ve realized now, that I’m thankful I had those last days with Grandpa. You should be too. Growing up, I’ve seen my Moms extended family grow further apart, same with my Dads. I’m scared to what the future holds for the Moss Family because they are the best family out there. They’re there when you need a ‘pick me up’, being willing to keep in touch with you over Facebook, Giving words of encouragement and I could go on for hours. Before you know it, we will all be in different places around the nation and sooner or later, all we’ll be to each other is a memory. You guys should totally see my room—its literally plastered (well, not plastered) but hung with nothing but the Moss Family. Every time I look at a picture I remember what we were doing and where it was taken and I know that you guys will always be my family and nothing can change that. So, as I bring this sappy thing to a close, I just want to say Thank you. Thank you for being great cousins and for always being there. I realized last night as my mom and I were talking about Thanksgiving that this would be the last one that I’m home for before I go on my mission. Its crazy to think that a year from now I’ll be somewhere totally different or maybe sitting in the MTC waiting to go out in the field. Thank you for opening up my eyes to what family is and what it means. As we all go on with Thanksgiving and even life, lets all thank Heavenly Father for Forever Families. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what differences we have, what we’ve done or what we’ve said, we are and forever will be family. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU VERY MUCH (maybe some more than others—JUST KIDDING…HAHA)

Change...

I've been thinking alot lately about my job. I've had a feeling that maybe i'm not supposed to be a dental assistant. I made a list of pros and cons and the cons had it. When it all comes down to it though I'm still young (not for long though) and I have my whole life ahead of me and I need to experience life more and really find out who and what i want to be. I want to go into a profession where I can help people who are less fortunate who need someone to be there. I've always had a heart for those types of people and I want to make a difference in peoples lives--I can't do it being a dental assistant. It wouldn't make sense now to go to school if I'm going to go on a mission next spring. I don't know what to do. I've talked to 3 people outside of my family who have helped me gain an understanding of what I should do (I have talked to my family) one piece of advice that I got was to do what makes me happy and that and that its my happiness that i need to worry about. So, for now I'm going to figure out what to do with everything. I want people to be proud of me for who I am and what I'm doing. If anyone has any suggestions or anything PLEASE comment. In the end though, I know, that its my own personal decision.

famdamly

A couple weeks ago, my Grandma Moss, Aunt Peggy, Uncle Gary, Aunt Tanya and cousin Ella came out here to visit. It was such an awesome time! Grandma and Peggy flew in on Tuesday and Gary and his family Wednesday night. I didn't see much of Gary and his family since I was working a majority of the time..what can i say? i'm dedicated ;)
For the weekend, we all decided to head to D.C. since Gary, Tanya, and Ella have never been there. So, Saturday, Gary, Tanya, Ella, Megan, Peggy, Me and my mom drove to Gettysburg did an auto tour of the battlefields and drove to D.C. Dad, Ashley, Gma, and Kellen came down later since Kellen had a game. That night once everyone was there we went to a BBQ place (Red Hot and Blue) which was amazing!! Then, we went to see the monuments at night..IT WAS SO AWESOME!!
Sunday we went to D.C.--we went to the American History museum, Peterson House (where lincoln died) AND the white house!! I'VE NEVER BEEN TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND IT WAS AMAZING!!! then, we all decided to go back to the hotel and relax..then my mom and the 4 of us went home. I'd write more but my wrists hurt more now since i've become a dental assistant...

Long Time, No Talk

So, alot has happened over the past month since I've last posted. Okay, not alot, but close. This past month I got to house sit for two weeks by myself and I was super excited about that--no parentals, I got to go to Virginia (which was awesome) and.....I MOVED OUT!!! WAHOO!!! I've been waiting to move out for the past two years and my wish finally came true!! I moved in to my grandparents...what a huge step *I say sarcastically*. Anyway, I've realized though that I have grown up and most importantly, changed. Lately though, I've become more grateful for my family both immediate and extended. I've also had another outlook on life. I've come to enjoy it more. One of my favorite quotes is "Its not what the world holds for you...its what you bring to it" and its true...I'm trying to think of ways where I can make a difference or in somebodys life. I don't know if I have or if I ever will though...oh yeah, and...I'm preparing to go on a mission right now so if all goes well.. i can have my papers in next spring!! WAHOO!!!

I wish I was in that car...

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to Virginia to visit my cousin Jared and his family. I had such an awesome time and I didn't want it to end. So, I'm just going to post pictures of the vaca since I can't really seem to figure out what I want to say.

Life Couldn't get more EXCITING!!! :)

So these past couple weeks have been pretty stressful with work and everything but with exciting things popping up all the time I'm excited to have stuff to look forward too. Like a couple weeks ago (more like 3) I went to Lancaster to see my cousin play in a softball tournament, this past weekend I went to my friends baby shower on Saturday then on Sunday went to NYC with friends that I hardly hang out with anymore..it was fun just to catch up on silly stuff in our lives AND the best part of them all IS....for two weeks i get to housesit for family friends--I get the joint to myself :) and then in a week and 4 days I'm flying to Virginia to see my cousin and this time I'm by myself!! I'm super stoked!!

So, anyway about the NYC trip....Here it goes: My friends decided that they wanted to leave for the city around 4am so we would have the whole day in the city so we would start showering in shifts at 2am...I woke up by my friends alarm and looked at the time which was 2:15 am and thought that maybe I should start waking people up. So, then at 4am we started our roadtrip to NYC...when we got to NYC we got off at the WTC subway stop (we rode the subway into the city) and stopped by ground zero and then walked our merry way to the Statue of Liberty. We missed the tickets to walk up to the monument but thats okay. We just took pictures and walked around Liberty Island. We were going to go to Ellis Island but, it started downpouring so we decided to skip it and head to Times Square. Of course, it was still downpouring and me and my friend Amanda didn't have hoods or umbrellas and I was wearing white (thank goodness I had a tank underneath) we refused to by an umbrella and then when it really started going we decided to get one. Anyway, we went to Toys R us which is flippin awesome and another Toy Store. Although, we didn't really do that much but walk and look around we had a pretty good trip. I was thinking twice about going on this trip but I realized something...Lifes to short to pass up opporutnitys like this. Heres some pics

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Didn't want the day to end...

I was so excited for today!!! Last Monday, I heard that my cousin Jared would be in Lancaster (which is two hours away from me) for a tournament and since I didn't get to see him the last time and completely upset, I went for it!! I went with my friend Brittany. I was excited all week for Saturday to come--I could hardly work on Friday I was so excited. So, Brittany and I got up at 5:45 am to hit the road to be there by 9:00 am for the first game. After the game, we all drove around (jared, sarah, me, brittany and makenna) and enjoying ourselves. We then went back to the game and sat through two of them. I of course, am burnt like a tomato and I refused to put sunblock on. I look like a tomato and my legs hurt so bad I can't bend them. We all then went out to dinner and then the girls headed to the outlet mall!! After that, brittany and I took off.
I didn't want the day to end because I had been looking forward to it all week and it made me realize that I miss my famdamly very much--but I know they will always be there for me.

Changes/Excitement

I started my new job on Monday...and I was super uber nervous! I was really overwhelmed and stressed about the whole thing. I even forgot my waterbottle at home and couldn't get anything to drink all day! I came out dehydrated--ugh. So, at the end of the day, I got in the car and just started bawling and thinking "I hate my job" then I looked at my phone and saw that I had two new voicemails. I was listening to them and got a message that I really needed to hear and when I was in the middle of listening to it--my cousin called and it was just what I needed. Of course, I was acting like a blubbering idiot.
Its going to take time with everything. I'm going to be working on it.

Then, this weekend, my friend brittany and I are going to Lancaster to see my cousin play in a tournament. I haven't seen them since February so I'm pretty psyched. Pics. will come!!

GIRLS CAMP 2009!!!

This past week I had the opportunity to go to the stake Girls Camp. I had such a blast. Kris Eden was the stake camp director (REALLY good family friends of ours) and did an awesome job! The theme was "Light It Up" which was about how to be a light in peoples lives and how to be a good influence and that we all have lights within us. I think Camp was really what I needed this week. Honestly, I have never felt the spirit before and especially at camp. It was just an uplifting week. It wasn't until Wednesday night during the night hike that I had a comforting feeling come over me and had butterflys in my stomach because I knew I should go on a mission. I've regretted not doing things in my life and I know I would regret not going on one. Anyway, here are some pics. of camp....WAHOO!!!!




Abbie and I





My Mom and Aunt Jill








HAHA..Emilee and I




Emilee, Megan and I (best girls EVER)






I did a little slideshow of camp with a song that went with the theme. It wasn't the Camp song but its SO awesome and everytime I drove somewhere I listened to it...ITS AWESOME!!! I really enjoyed hanging out with everyone from my old ward and it was so nice to see that those friendships haven't changed one bit..yes, there were times where i was crazy but who isn't?? Lifes short so you gotta make the best of it. My goal for this week was to have fun and I achieved that goal. I do miss being in the YW program because it was such a great experience. I also am thankful for the "lights" in my life that have never left my side and who will continue to be there for me no matter what!!

PARTY!!! :)

Alright, so for the past 4 days I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. On Thursday, I started my job at PSU and helped organize my friends surprise graduation party. So, Friday I go help decorate for this party at 7:00 pm and don't get done until 10:00 pm. Her mom needed some help with getting the rest of the food so I told her I would help. At 10:00 we left the grounds, dropped off our friend, went to Walmart, the gas station..by the time we got to the house (my friends moms) it was quarter til midnight!! While at the gas station I was super uber hungry so I got a $5.00 footlong and a liter of Dr. Pepper. We made 2 salads, a cake, deviled eggs..etc. by the time we were done it was 2 am and we decided not to go to sleep because we had to get up in 2 1/2 hours to head back over to the party site and get things ready..so we stayed up and watched Michael Jackson videos on MTV, and chatted. The craziest thing that I did that night was shower at 3 am!! When I came back downstairs I knew I should try and get some sleep so I fell asleep for 45 minutes. We then went to the grounds, set stuff up, went to graduation, and oh yeah, her mom got her a LIMO!!! I was so excited I was invited to come in the Limo and ride around it was flippin SWEET!!! Then, we showed up at the party and ate some grub..I was so flippin' tired I didn't even enjoy myself so I left early. But, I explained to Ciara that I was tired and didn't want to ruin her party so I was just going to go. Like I'm going to now...TTYL

News

Yesterday I get a call from a dentist office that I applied at last week and had an interview scheduled for today. I go in with a smile on my face and am nervous like there is no tomorrow. The one dentist came in, interviewed me, and at the end said "I'm going to go get the other dentist but I like you and I want to hire you" the other dentist came in and asked me questions and then told me "your nice I'd like to hire you" BOOM.....KAITLYN FINALLY HAS A JOB!! NOW MY PARENTS CAN GET OFF MY BACK!!!! WAHOO!!!!

New Do

I FINALLY got a new haircut and I love it!!! I look like a twenty year old instead of a 19 year old with a 13 year old haircut!!

Home Videos

So, I was just watching some home videos (I could sit and watch them FOREVER--okay, not forever but I like to look back on the memories..i know, i'm cheesy). I was just watching ones from when me and my sister were little and having idaho famdamly get togethers and couldn't believe how everyone has changed and how amazing they still are and how mucho I miss them! It got to the point where I had to turn it off because it had my gpa moss in them and it just brought emotion...I miss him :(
Today in church someone in the branch was talking on family and she said (she is far away from her family) that she was looking at pictures of when her and her cousins were small and was thinking back on the memories and she stated that through the years you change your looks, style, where you live etc. but you never change who you are. Its true. All these years that I have lived away from my Idaho family they never changed who they are and each time I see each one of them, the appreciation for them and the love grow stronger. Love you and Miss you!