No More Counting Dollars, I'll Be Counting Stars

You know when Christmas comes around and all of the sudden you are faced with an even greater demand of your time? You have to find out what people want, buy presents, follow traditions, decorate, buy a tree, find time to listen to Christmas music, bake, and so many other “Christmas-y” things. I got caught up in all of the hustle and bustle before December even began. You see, I wanted to get everything done before I started my job. I bought all of the presents for my family and had them wrapped before December 1^st. I had it down. The 1^st is when work began. On the first day of work my boss gave to me the longest day of orientation you ever did see. Sad thing is that this song isn’t quite as fun as the original because the second day was the same thing. After two days of orientation I actually started work. Thursday I felt like I spent all morning in traffic. I was thinking how a lot of my paycheck was going to go to tolls and gas. I got to work, and I did not know what to do. To be honest, I barely made it to my office. I was shown so many rooms all over the hospital the day before, and it was a little overwhelming for me. Worst of all, I had to stay late on my second day of work. Can you tell I had completely forgotten the spirit and meaning of Christmas? That night was the hospital’s tree lighting. That was exciting, but before the lighting, I got to go around the hospital with Santa Claus and pass out presents to the patients. At four we started, and the realization that I was focusing on all of the wrong things hit me. Seeing the stars in the kids’ eyes, seeing them be so genuinely happy no matter how sick they were, seeing them be so thankful for even the smallest presents, hearing a mom say, “This is the best hospital ever!” and give us all hugs as tears filled her eyes, and being able to be a part of this made my heart grow three sizes. After going around with Santa, we had the tree lighting and then we had him come out and kids could come and sit on his knee. Kids from all over came to see him. Most of them gave him a hug afterwards and said thank you multiple times. I loved the smiles that came to their faces (except those that took one look at him and burst out crying). After they saw Santa they each got a stuffed animal. I got to be an elf and pass them out. Once again I saw the stars. Even the kids that were crying smiled and hugged tight to those stuffed animals. The stars in those kiddos’ eyes were so bright it was like seeing the Christmas star in person. That is what Christmas is all about. It isn’t about the presents, Santa Claus, or shopping. Christmas is about remembering the most wonderful gift our Heavenly Father could have ever given us. It is about Christ, about His example. It is about love and service and joy. He is the gift. 

Homecoming, Hammocks, and the Beasty

A little while ago I went to my high school homecoming game. At the gate the lady taking tickets didn't believe that I was an adult and not a student. She gave me a weird look when I told her I had graduated in 2011. Good grief, woman, I am a college grad! I loved getting to see my little brother march with the band. I also loved being at a football game with the stands full of blue. It almost felt like I was back at BYU. The only difference was the lack of mountains in the background of my pictures. 

 I have taken to reading outside in my little brother's hammock. I am safe from the merciless mosquitoes, and my puppy can have some outside time so she isn't cooped up all of the time. And speaking of the wee beasty. She is so funny. She went swinging for the first time a little over a week ago. Also, when we go on walks she will start running and doing a somersault. I tried to take pictures of her doing it. It just kind of looks like she is laying in the grass, but the one where she is looking at me is where she stops because I am laughing so hard. And one last thing, I can leave Vivien sleeping on my bed. The next thing I know something is missing. When I go look for it, I find it on the floor with bite marks and Vivien is under the bed. I have yet to figure out how she does it. 

Time Out for Women and Beyond!

Sister Hinckley once said: The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, wishing for better ones ahead.

Far too long ago I said I was going to post about what I learned at Time Out for Women. Well, I forgot. So, today I am actually going to post the highlights of my wonderful weekend full of speakers, good music, fun, and some family. My mom always goes to TOFW. I have never gotten to go before, but this time since I was home I got to see what this was all about. The theme this year was Inevitable Light which I loved! 

The first speaker's name was Heidi Swinton. She said that light is a choice. She then summarized the story of the 10 virgins. She made the point that the oil in their lamps is the light not the lamp itself. The oil in our hearts is the light we have prepared for when we get to meet Christ once again. She then talked about difficulties and shared a quote from President Monson which says, "Difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were--better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before." John 14:27

Then, Elaine Dalton spoke! Oh my oh my! She talked about the plaque she saw that said "what e'er thou art, act well thy part" and then said that we have to use the gifts Heavenly Father has given us. We each have a part to play in preparing for the Second Coming because by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. In the premortal existence, we had such great faith in the Plan that we were sent to earth at this time when opportunities and opposition are greatest. We were warriors in heaven, and we are warriors now. Our faith and testimony of Christ are our weapons. We are elect and noble. We can illuminate and shine our lights to change the world. We are never alone. She quoted Spencer W. Kimball who said, "Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--from the women of the world." She then said that although times may be tough to never quit in the middle of a hill! No matter the circumstance, don't quit until you are finished.

Two women spoke together and told us how to have more sass in our lives. I laughed, but it was an acronym. S: search for the Lord. A: Act on His Atonement. S: Savor the Gospel and the blessings you are given. S: Share your gifts. They shared the scripture Matthew 7:7-8 and said where fear exists, faith cannot. They told us what we have to offer is good enough, what we have is important and needed, and the Savior is there to help us in all things. It was a wonderful message that everyone needs to hear. 

The final speaker was Emily Freeman. She also talked about light, but she said that light illuminates the darkness bringing the reality to what we may think is real but is not. She shared the story of Philemon which I will admit, I don't think I have ever read before. She told us to ask ourselves [what I would do?] and [what is the condition of my heart?]. She also talked about the story of the Good Samaritan and said we honor what the Samaritan did not do as much as for what he did do. We have to rely on the Lord for illumination, and that illumination requires room in your heart for the Lord. She said the Lord knows who you are and he knows such a person as me. Ending her talk she told a story about an instrument that could not be tuned. Because of that, it was worthless. She said to not pray to be an instrument to the Lord but to pray that you will be in tune so you can gain illumination. She tied it together nicely. 

So, my Friday and Saturday were filled with an uplifting spiritual experience and good words for me to remember. I loved sharing it with my mom, grandma, Aunt Cheryl, Aleah, Jennifer, and Aunt Debbie. 

 That weekend sounds pretty great, but something made it even better. I went home to watch the BYU v. Texas game with my family. Last year, I was sitting in the President's Loge watching BYU kill Texas with some leaders of the Church after I got soaked by Hurrican LaVell as the storm was lovingly named in Utah. This year I watched it with my family on TV with my puppy's nails painted BYU blue, a banner hanging from our banister, a BYU flag being sported outside, and all of us in BYU attire. We killed Texas once again! Gotta love them Cougs!

The Best of the Best BYU Experiences

I know everyone thinks I raced through school. I know. I've heard it. Over and over and over again. I've heard it from my mom, my dad, my aunt, my grandparents, my friends, people from my ward, people from my old ward, and people from school. I. Have. Heard. It. It makes me upset not because I think they are right but because they don't understand. I do not feel like I raced through. I feel like I went at a good speed and I happened to finish early. I am sad that it is over now, but sadness often comes with change. I, however, do not feel like I missed out on anything. Not long before graduation, I went to dinner with Dani and her husband Tyler. One of the questions Dani asked was whether or not I felt like I got the full BYU experience. I smiled and felt my eyes sparkle as I answered with a resounding yes. Yes. I feel like I got everything I wanted out of BYU, and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to go there. Let's start at the very beginning because as we all know it's a very good place to start.

Leading Up to College

First, the year before going to BYU, I went up to Utah with my family and Kaitlyn's family. We did the BYU tour on the golf cart, and our tour guide had an English accent. So, it started well. Fast forward to the application process. So stressful. I would have been able to get into any university in Texas automatically, but we all know I did not want to go to one of those. All of the girls in my seminary class and I anxiously awaited that acceptance email. The day finally came and I was screaming at 5:00 in the morning. It had been a hard choice deciding between BYU and TCU since I got a hefty scholarship from TCU, but I feel like once my decision was made no one was going to change my mind. I went to seminary that day, and Kaitlyn and I got out of our cars, looked at each other for a minute, and we both smiled because we knew we both got in. We were going to be Cougars. I will admit I creeped on my roommates once they were assigned. I couldn't decide if I was going to like them or not. Meghan was a track star and looked fun but a little crazy. Was she going to be loud and always have weird friends over? Makenna had only just gotten a Facebook and there was nothing on it. That was a little weird to me... Emilee I seemed to like when I talked to her as I anxiously awaited the time for me to be able to sign up for my first classes. And then there was Dani. Cute, beautiful, and pictures of Europe on her Facebook. I was jealous and wondered if she was going to be amazing or one of "those girls." I was just going to have to wait and see how two Utah, two Washington, and two Texas girls were going to get along.Senior year of high school flew by along with my summer, and all of the sudden I was in the car with all of my stuff on the way to Utah. I threw everything in my room as quickly as I could and kind of introduced myself to my roommates before I had to go. My mom signed me up for Foundations of Leadership. I did not want to go. I was already nervous enough about school without having to go to a leadership conference beforehand. I went and loved it more than any HOBY conference I had been to. Not only did I love it so much, but I met Rachel there and was introduced to BYUSA. Little did I know how great an impact this would have on me, but more about that later.

Fall 2011

I got back from FOL and hiked the Y with my cousin Becca since we went up to BYU the same year. How we managed to get up there without acclimating ourselves first I will never know, but we did it! Going back to the dorm I slowly got to know the roommates better. I loved all of them! I still spent plenty of time with Kaitlyn going to football games, tracing our faces on the mirror with an expo marker, hiking and lighting the Y for homecoming, being part of the homecoming parade, going to conference at the Conference Center, doing the blue foam slip and slide down a hill at Helaman Fields which is a homecoming tradition, laughing at the plastic wrapped statues on campus when the Utah game came, and took walks in our cowboy boots, but spending time with roommies was always fun. We played spoons in the elevator, ate cookies from our FHE brothers, got candy when someone (Dani was first) went on a date, watched a crane collapse, went to devotionals (especially the one with President Monson), went to the football opening party at which I won a sweatshirt, going out to play in the snow that had the biggest flakes I had ever seen, and having sleepovers in our living room.

Winter 2012

I didn't go home for Thanksgiving, but I got to go to Washington to spend some time with my favorite aunt (don't tell the others) and her cute family which may have been the best thing I could have done. I loved going home for Christmas, but it was even harder to go back to that winter semester. I think I lived off of tortillas with butter, hot chocolate, and Jamba Juice. I am not a winter fan, but when I came back I had fun roommates to look forward to and a class by Hank Smith. Winter was filled with time with FHE brothers that included shoving 13 people into a car and having the cops show up at the park we were at, walking to the temple with Kaitlyn, planking in the elevator and down the stairs, more sleepovers, spending time with a friend from FOL and heart-attacking our peer mentor's door, roommate shirts with individual quotes from our song "Party Rock Anthem", blanket forts, room decorations, snow, snow, and more snow, and of course the festival of colors. Yes, all this time I was in classes and doing presentations for BYUSA. Those presentations are where I met one of my best friends. Eric. That boy always made me laugh. I eventually made a point to go to devotionals early so I could sit in the front row because he was on the stands. Apparently he noticed because one day he texted me and asked if I could come meet him in the office. He offered me a position on his team the coming school year. I didn't really think about it before I said yes because I loved BYUSA and he was pretty great too. My mom did take some convincing though since I would be coming back to BYU for summer. I won her over. At the end of the year we had a BYUSA retreat and a BYUSA party where I beat Eric on a blow-up obstacle course, and I was in heaven!

Spring/Summer 2012

Mom came to pick me up after winter semester, but I had to go to my first friend's wedding reception first. One down! When I came back to school for summer the fun really started. Friend dates with Eric were like once a week whether we went for crepes, J Dawgs, or frozen yogurt. I lived with Meghan this summer which was easily the best choice. We went to Seven Peaks almost every day, started a Fourth of July tradition that continued every year, and became even better friends with Janessa who had lived across the hall from us freshman year. Janessa, her roommate Leah, Dani, Meghan and I had watched "When a Stranger Calls" together during the school year. After that we slept on the living room floor falling asleep to church music because we were so scared. Anyways, Jan, Meghan and I watched scary movies all summer at Jan's house. :) That summer I also was in the Fourth of July parade and made s'mores on the belltower lights with Meghan and Mallory and Jessica from BYUSA. That summer I was also a peer mentor for FOL and had a blast with my BYUSA team every single day.

Fall 2012/ Winter 2013

Fall came around which lifted some responsibility off my shoulders since I was acting as VP in BYUSA. Eric was done with his internship and took over. I had new roommates but lived in the same building as most of my old roommies so we still did stuff together all of the time. We went to the stadium party and got pics with Van Noy and Brandon Davies. #winning. We also played in the park at night and went to the Brigham City temple open house. For football games this year I had 50 yard line seats on the front row with BYUSA. Best thing ever. Seriously. BYUSA took up most of my time, but I had fun with my roommies too. I even dressed up with them for Halloween (which I NEVER do). I spent Thanksgiving in my apartment this year with Becca. We made a delicious dinner and even had a meringue war when we were making the pie. The trees with red and yellow leaves somehow changes to bare branches with snow overnight. Christmas came and went. With the snow we made giant sculptures on the patio of our apartment. Michael came to visit and Becca and I took him to Temple Square, Hogle Zoo, and the This is the Place monument with about a foot of snow on the ground. My roommates and I also went to the Festival of Colors again this year. Why miss the chance to become a rainbow? This year of BYUSA included even more adventures such as a day at Boondocks with go-carts, bumper boats, an arcade, a batting cage, and laser tag, a luncheon in the brand new convention center, a leadership ceremony where I won the BYUSA dedication award, our final winter retreat, and multiple fun, random days, events, and activities.

Spring/Summer 2013

This was the year I also dated a boy for the first time. Andrew. It lasted for one month which makes me laugh, but it obviously just wasn't meant to be. That spring I got to see Wicked for the first time for my birthday, and I spent my last birthday taking pictures with my best boy. That summer he died which took me what felt like forever to stop crying about. Needless to say I didn't get the best grades in my classes that summer. Oh! And the first of my roommates got married. Emilee got married!!! I made some of the best friends at BYUSA, and I applied to be the VP like Eric was. I didn't get the position, but I realized why later. That summer my best friend, Eric, got married, I made my first solo road trip, spent more time with Meghan (we enhanced our 4th of July tradition by going to the fireworks and concert at Thanksgiving Point on the 3rd as well as the Stadium of Fire fireworks on the 4th), made a trip to Washington with the roommates, got to see the Manti temple pageant, fell head over heels for a boy that moved away and suddenly stopped talking to me, went to a hot air balloon festival, went to the rope swings in Mona, saw a Pioneer Day parade, went to another wedding reception, got showered in glitter on a rough day, got a job, made a new friend (Julie Anne), and did the ropes course at the Olympic park. And, at the end of the summer, I was once again a peer mentor at FOL (I loved it even more this year) and was roped into being a peer mentor for New Student Orientation. 

Fall 2013/Winter 2014

This semester I roomed with Dani, Kaitlyn, and Makenna again, and we went back to our fun shenanigans and adventures which included wedding ring shopping one night. My new job was with the Alumni Association planning events. I mostly worked with the Student Alumni. It was a lot like BYUSA, but I got paid for it and worked in the Hinckley Center! This job had its perks. I got to watch the BYU v. Texas game in the President's Loge with the First Presidency of the church and the head honchos of the school. I drove the Alpine Loop in the fall, had picnics in the park with Meghan, drove in the convertible with Kennedy to the pumpkin patch, went to football games with Dani and her boyfriend/fiance Tyler, and was Becca's companion for a day before I dropped her off at the MTC. Jan, Julie Anne, and I made a trip to Park City in a blizzard, my roommates and I saw the Catching Fire midnight premier since we had seen Hunger Games together the year before. I made a trip to Arizona where I got sick for the first time since going to college, but Ami, her family, and I still ended up going to Cali anyways (my first time!). Dani and Ty got married and I got to be a bridesmaid! I survived winter once again and saw the lights on Temple Square and drove through the Thanksgiving Point lights with the top of the car down. I went on a retreat with my Student Alumni group and got to go tubing at Soldier Hollow. I went to the hot springs, planned and attended Traditions Ball, got to see Andy Grammar in concert, met and hugged Sister Dalton, and just had fun! 

Spring/Summer 2014

All of the sudden my final terms at BYU came. James and Kaitlyn got married, and I was the Maid of Honor! I finally went to Arches National Park, I hiked the Narrows at Zion National Park, Meghan, Janessa, and I went to the actual Stadium of Fire concert where Carrie Underwood performed, I spent most of my time with friends, I made a 4.0 for spring and summer, I had an internship with the Department of Child and Family Sservices, and I had almost a week long vacation where I missed class and went to California. 

So, I had good and bad roommates, I was in love and heartbroken, I had good and bad wards, I had fun and worked hard. I was involved. I made friends. I had adventures. I went to football, basketball, and even some volleyball games. I had experiences that most students don't get to have. So, thank you to everyone who made my BYU experience a FULL BYU experience. Roommates: Kaitlyn, Dani, Emilee, Makenna, Meghan, Jenn, Alanna, Melissa, Mallory, Alexis, Maren, and Ashley, their husbands, my BYUSA team: Bryon, Angela, Kennedy, Austin, and Devon, Eric Cecil, Angela Blomquist, Amanda Nuttall, my favorite teachers: Anne Hodge, Erin Holmes, Justin Dyer, Hank Smith, and Katie Isaak, my bishopric members, the Bishop's wives, the Student Alumni team: Flint, Michael, Mady, Christina, Brett, and Brody, Curtis Isaak, Julie Hatchett, my internship mentors: Liz and Kobie, Janessa, Julie Anne, Justin, Andrew, the best visiting teachers ever: Brooke Ellis and Blythe Beecroft, Alyssa Harkness, Becca, and Aubryann McClune. Thank you for allowing me to say that I had the best of the best experiences I could have ever asked for at Brigham Young University. I am thankful that I could leave my mark at BYU, but I am even more thankful that it left its mark on me.

Rewind and Then Bring Us Back

Sorry, I am still trying to get caught up on these. I have one more after this post that I really want to get done, but then I should be completely caught up! This post is pictures from before I graduated and some of the adventures I have had since. 

Its's just beautiful. Isn't it?  

This binder... This is my last project of my undergrad degree. Thirty-one pages, articles, and multiple PowerPoints later, I have made a parenting toolkit and my parenting philosophy. We will see if it actually works in the years to come. 

 So, I know this really cool girl named Janessa. Honestly, I absolutely loved her as a roommate. Some of these pictures are blurry, but it is just us. This was our last Sunday together. 

 She is just the cutest!

 I didn't want my mom and grandparents to be bored while they were waiting for my dad and brother to get to Utah so I took them to the new Bean Museum on campus. I loved the Packer exhibit, all of the butterflies, and of course the cougar!!

These are pictures from the last FHE I had with Jan. As you can see when you put us out in a duckpond with paddleboards and kayaks we try our darndest not to get wet, but sometimes it is not an easy task because we are laughing so hard. Oh the adventures!

 Jan and I also went out for a last meal together. We of course went to Spicy Thai. That girl ate all of her food and then took pictures of me while I was trying to eat my fortune cookie. What a bum. ;)

 Then graduation came! What a wonderful day! And, I have officially been awarded my degree! It is REAL!

 The Y on the mountain was lit just for me (well, me and all of the other grads)!

   Yeah, so then we got home. Savannah's baby had to be retired. She just looks so happy about it. 

 I went out with Courtney one day. We sat in Chick-fil-a for hours. It felt like a few minutes. My dad even called at one point because he was babysitting, and Vivien was being a stinker (which is normal when she is awake). I eventually came home!

 And just in case you aren't tired of my puppy yet, here are a few more pictures of her: comparing her to her namesake, showing how little she was and how much she has grown, her first ride in the convertible, her first encounter with a cat, and of course her showing off her BYU blue nails for the season opener.

 Today was pretty great too. I went to the DeSoto ward and saw a few people I love, but I got to see Sister Bergquist which just made my day. I love her, and somehow she got me kind of excited about going to the Single's Ward and some of their activities. After coming home Mom and I went to Grandma's to make fried pies. I mostly watched, but I loved it.