I am Dreaming of a White Christmas

     Christmas was yesterday. It was so much fun. I did not wake up super early in the morning and go look at my presents. I did not get up until about 7:30, and I only got up because my little brother came in my room and told me we needed to go wake up my mom and dad. Ever so slowly I got out of bed. We went to wake up my parents, and Christmas began.
     A few days before I finally felt like Christmas was coming. We went to play ding dong ditch to families in the ward. We left a plate of Christmas goodies. Christmas Eve was a blast. Most of my family came over, we ate, we laughed, we listened to the story my mom read, and we got to enjoy each other's company.

     On Christmas when we opened presents, I loved watching my family open their gifts more than opening my own. It was wonderful. When we were done I went to get ready putting on new clothes, and curling my hair so I looked nice for when we went to my Grandma's. Before we went I put my dogs outside. It was snowing! Now, living in Texas, I have only had one white Christmas in my life. Being home from school and being used to snow, part of it not feeling like Christmas was because of the lack of it. When it started snowing after an awful Texas thunderstorm, I was wonderstruck. I was so happy. That was the best Christmas present I could have ever gotten.
     I am used to the snow, but my little blind dog is not. He got lost in the backyard. He was standing in a corner trying to not get soaked and barking at the gate thinking it was the door to the house. I had to go rescue him. Poor guy. He was wet, so while I waited for my mom to be ready, I wrapped him in a blanket and let him warm up and sleep. He had a rugby shirt on, but since it was wet I took it off and changed him into his sweater. He is so cute and spoiled.
     After fun at Grandma's we came home to watch Christmas movies. It was a perfect Christmas  complete with snow. I loved being with my family, being able to sit with my dogs, eat good food, and remember why we celebrate the season to begin with. My dream of a white Christmas came true.

Christmas is Coming

I am back home. This means I am back to having the big brown eyes of my spotted dog staring up at me begging me to share whatever I am eating at the time (because we all know I am always eating) or to throw her rubber bone one more time. This means my family teasing me about boys all of the time. This means a quiet house by ten because everyone but me has usually gone to bed. This means my little dog being asleep on my chest. I take care of him like one would a baby. I guess it is good practice. This means shopping, picking my little brother (who is HUGE) up from swimming, going to go see "The Hobbit", and actually having time to catch up on my interior design magazines and read a book. It also means being able to spend a day with my best friend and her mom. They may as well be family since they have been in my life since Kindergarten. I am so thankful Ashley and I have stayed friends. Whether she needs me or not, I need her. I hope to be able to spend some time with a couple of my other friends from here as well. I am enjoying being home for Christmas. I will say it does not really feel like Christmas here. After living in a place with snow for so long, you come to expect the chilly breeze, a white Christmas, and everyone to be wearing chunky sweaters. Not here. Here you wear a normal T-shirt and jeans. You could even get away with wearing shorts if you wanted to. We have read Christmas books, I went to our ward Christmas party, I made some pumpkin gingersnaps, and I have done most of my Christmas shopping. Why does Christmas this year feel so wrong? The next few days before Christmas hits I am really going to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and see if I can get the Christmas spirit in my life.

Finals Week

When I look at my exam.... 

How I feel after every exam.

Because it snowed.

I fell on my way to class today. It snowed yesterday. Today the sidewalks were covered in ice. I did not pay attention when I was getting dressed so I put on my Sperrys that I absolutely love. They have no traction whatsoever. I was sliding along when all of the sudden I was on the ground. It happens a lot. Don't fret. My right arm is just extremely sore, and I once again have bruises all over my legs. Also, I was stupid today. I took two exams before nine thirty this morning and did well on both of them.  I went and did an interview, and then I went home to study for my New Testament exam. I went to go take it... In line, the people behind me talked about their D&C class the whole time. I am taking that class as well so I started thinking about my class. By the time I got to where they asked what test I wanted, I accidentally said D&C. I had not studied for it at all. You know that awkward moment when you look at the test in front of you, and you realize that it is not the one you wanted? I hope not. It is awful. I made the face T-Swizzle is making above... So, I did not do well on that one. This was one of the worst college girl problems one could ask for. I seriously think I was about to cry when I realized I had the wrong test. It was rough, but I had to compose myself because I had another interview afterwards. I am fine. I will survive. The only things getting me through this week are the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, chocolate, and knowing when it is all over I get to go home for three and a half weeks. I only have one more final to take. Then, I get to go home on Thursday morning. I cannot wait! Also, I want to point out that I mask how I feel really well most of the time, but saying goodbye is one of the hardest things for me. It's okay. I can make it. 

Last Day of Classes

Today was as close to perfect as you can get on your last day of class for the semester. It was apple polishing day. So, all of the deans, coordinators, and some teachers were passing out the most delicious apples. I was running all over the place so they kept giving me apples. When I was holding four at once they finally did not ask if I wanted or told me I deserved another. So, I had four apples for breakfast today. I do not eat apples when I have them in the fridge, but these looked so perfect and were handed out with love so I enjoyed them. I went to my last class of the semester. Five minutes in, my professor told us he knew no one wanted to be there so we would have an attendance quiz, and we could go. Then, I went back to the office. Once a year, the dean of students does this party with a million kinds of breads and jams. I went in and it was like heaven. The dean of students hugs you, you go and get all kinds of bread and jam along with sparkling grape juice as well as chocolate, and all the while, Christmas music is playing. I had holly berry bread, chocolate covered almonds, 9 grain bread with mountain berry jelly, cheese sourdough bread, and pumpkin bread. <3 Bread and Jam Day. Why would anyone go anywhere other than BYU? It is seriously the best university. Trying to focus on some of my work, I then realized we had another party. My area won the cleanest area award so we got a pizza party. Eating two pieces of pizza after everything else was a lot, but I did it. Yesterday Eric gave me a list of things I needed to do and told me he did not expect me to get them all done today unless I had a team of ten people he did not know about. Well, I do not have a team of ten people, but being very driven, I got everything and more done today even with all of the food and other distractions. Bam. After everyone left the office it was just Eric and me. He said we should steward. I replied rather sassy by saying, "Steward? What is that?!" We did not steward at all last month so it is kind of a foreign concept. On our way out we stewarded. I have so much I need to do before and during break. Next semester is going to be so exciting. He then drove me home so I would not have to walk home in the cold. When I got back I went to the Creamery with my old roommates. It brought back so many memories, and we were all just happy even though I know we are all already tired from studying so much. You cannot take us anywhere. Mak usually gets something on her shirt (which she didn't today: I was so impressed), Emilee and Kaitlyn had fries flying everywhere, and I had ranch all over me. Dani... well Dani had some trouble with her ice cream. Like I said, you cannot take us anywhere, and that is why we go places together. 

Never a Dull Moment

I never have a dull moment in my life. I would like to say that I went on my date. I do not know if I will ever ask a boy out again, but I did it. I was brave enough to do it, we went, we had fun, and now it is in the past. I will still never understand why he asked me why Eric and I are not dating. That was awkward, but like I said, it is in the past. I looked cute in my mom's dress with curled hair and pretty makeup. That is all that matters. 

I also found a minivan that has a license plate that says swagger mom. Dear swagger mom, I hope one day I can be as cool as you. Love a future swagger mom.

Now, finals are coming. There is so much to do. There are almost a dozen reviews I should go to, and I can already feel the pressure mounting. I have a week until I go home. It is going to be tough, but the devotional today was on prayer. I found that very fitting. Elder Bruce D. Porter of the First Quorum of the Seventy was the speaker. I loved the first story he told. He said there was once a little boy who was asked to give prayer in Primary. He started off by saying, "Heavenly Father, I am thankful for the letter A. I am thankful for the letter B..." He continued on until he had finished every letter in the alphabet.  He then started saying, "I am thankful for the number one..." His primary teacher at this point began to worry. She had no idea how far this boy could count, and she realized this could be a very long prayer. She thought about stopping him, but she chose not to. This little boy continued on to twenty, and finished his prayer by saying how thankful he was for his Primary teacher because she was the only grown-up who had ever let him finish his prayer. I loved this story. It reminded me that I not only need to be thankful for the big things but for the mediocre things as well. It also reminded me that I need to pray always for every little thing. Finals are coming. Don't be afraid to ask for some help. Like I said, there is never a dull moment for me. I am having a sleepover with my old roommates Saturday, I have a talk on Sunday, I have five finals in three days, and then I am going home!