Beginning of December Fun!

Mom and I at Cabela's.  Something was just a little off about this mannequin...  Now that I think about it this isn't as funny as we thought it was. 

Last night my friends came over and we played an awesome game of  Werewolf.  

Jer-bear is the best Werewolf narrator out there.

Markus and Hollie having some intense convo!

The other side of the room.

Today I felt like being crafty.  This was the result.

Of course I have seen a bunch of these on Pinterest and I decided I wanted to try it for myself.  What do ya think?

Thankfulness Final Part

Here is my final (but not really final) installment to my thankfulness posts.  I am totally thankful for so much more than what I have listed.

• warm fuzzy blankets
• The Voice
• the ability to dance
• Wobble Baby and wobble dancing with Alexis and Kelsey
• Five Guys
• my hair
• intelligent conversation
• institute
• holiday vacations
• substituting during the 3rd grade Thanksgiving party
• jumper cables
• bagels
• nail polish
• a good flirt
• a ward family to have Thanksgiving dinner with
• a real family to have Thanksgiving dinner with
• Charlie Brown
• a voice to sing with

Happy Thanksgiving!  Isn't this time of year wonderful?

Thankfulness Part 3

This week felt FOREVER long but it was a good one!

• Ugly sweaters
• Winning ugly sweater contest
• Going into public in above mentioned ugly sweater
• Hot chocolate
• Gas money
• Crafting
• Institute
• Country dancing
• Chick-fil-a
• Elementary art shows
• Luke's guitar music abilities
• Finger painting!
• Mr. Wahlquist competition (laughed so hard!)
• Opportunities to earn more money
• Double feature movie night with the friends
• Being able to fall asleep around said friends
• Reeses peanut butter cups
• Muddy Buddies
• Safety in long drives home
• Welch family Thanksgiving party
• Turkey
• Stuffing
• PIE
• Service projects
• Blasting music in the car and scream singing to it
• Madi and Tom's wedding
• Wedding cake
• Dancing with Rachael and Madi
• Not only getting to see Rachael but getting to hang out with her
• Finding out Rachael is moving back home
• Sleeping in

Thanksgiving is this week!  I am so excited.  Mostly because this means we only have two days of school this week.  On Friday I will officially let myself listen to Christmas music.  I love the holiday season!  I also love my friends a lot!  I am so very very very blessed.

Krafting with Kelsey

Tonight Kels and I had a much needed night of crafts, juice boxes, and a chick-flick.

Can't wait for 24 hours to try out my chalkboard mug!

Thankfulness Part 2 EDITED

For many reasons this has been a very hard week for me.  That has made being thankful very hard.  Everyday has ended with tears and silently crying myself to sleep.  You would think your heart could only break once a week, but no, it can break over and over in the same day.  The only thing that has helped is thinking of what things I am thankful for.  Realizing I am blessed.

• warm bed
• toothpaste
• beanies
• Nathan's mission call
• jumper cables
• band-aids
• washer and dryer
• cell phone

Heavenly Father has a way of teaching us all the time... I was taught today at stake conference and have some things to add:

• my testimony
• the testimonies of everyone around me
• warm cars
• a chance to go to church
• laughs with friends
• North Ogden and how beautiful it is when it snows (especially the back roads)
• alone time

It's not a huge list.  But it is something.

Thankfulness

So there are a lot of people updating their facebook status every day with one thing they are thankful for.  I have enjoyed reading those.  I decided I want to do something similar but on my blog.  I am going to make a list of what I am thankful for from this past week.  I am going to do this every Sunday.  On Sundays I like to write in my Tender Mercies journal and list all of the things that God blessed me with that week.  Maybe me sharing my blessings will get you guys thinking about how truly blessed you are.

This past week:

• FACS listserv
• patient students
• school councilors
• ibuprofen
• deodorant
• Zarin, Cam, Jeremy, Luke, Madi, Tom, Kaylani
• Afternoon walks with my mom
• Nichole
• positive feedback from my administration about my teaching
• libraries
• Celisse, Jessika, Kelsey
• Walmart
• Mark
• warm car
• Wheat Thins
• potato selling
• daylight savings time
• Michaela and her whole family
• My amazing brother Jordan
• hot chocolate
• Hulu
• FHE

Life Update!

I have been trying to think of some meaningful things to post on here...but... I feel my life is pretty boring.  So, I decided to do just a basic "this is whats up" post.

First off, after reevaluating my friend circle I have discovered a few things.

#1- Boy best friends.  I need them.  For a while I didn't have one, but then I realized that wasn't true.  I have this friend named Cam (I tend to like this name) and I can honestly say I tell him EVERYTHING about my life.  Granted there is not that much to tell, but he still hears it all.  And sometimes he tells me about his life to.  We do things like go to lunch, sometimes go shopping, and mostly watch random movies.  But the best part is we push each other to actually do something sometimes; like tonight.  Potato selling is hard, but together we accomplished a lot!  When I'm nervous about things he comes with me.  We don't always have to be together, but I know if I really needed him he would come.  He is great ladies! Also single.  Want his number?

#2- I cannot be trusted around a bunch of girls.  I like juicy gossip and I get sucked in very easily.  My solution lately: hang out with guys more often.  Guys don't gossip.  I don't think they even know how...

#3- I used to think when I was with my friends we always needed to be doing exciting/random things.  Well, I have learned that sometimes just watching a movie with them can be the best thing ever.  Last night I learned things about Star Trek that I never would have ever known because I took the time to watch a movie with Cam and Jeremy.  Also, when you feel upset with life watch the beginning of a James Bond movie, eat bagel crisps that taste like pure garlic, and then watch Hunger Games.  

#4- Life is changing.  My friends are changing.  I can let them leave my life.  Its hard, but its possible.  Also, I am very bad at talking to my friends in Logan and I will repent and change that.  Expect a visit from me in the very near future!

More about my life:

I can do hard things like sell potatoes to a random stranger because I went to the wrong house.

One of my best friends of my whole life lost his brother not too long ago.  This reminded me how precious our lives are.

Spending 4 days with my grandparents was the highlight of my past few months.

I spend my afternoons after I am done teaching at my school at the elementary with the secretary.  I honestly can't think of anything I would rather spend my time doing.

I almost moved out but didn't.  Long story.

I know this was more detailed then planned but oh well!  Want to know more about my life? Call me, text me, facebook message me.  I know I want to hear all about yours!

23?

I very distinctly remember when I was 10 and looking at return missionaries at 21 and thinking how old they were and feeling like I would never get to that age.  Now I am 23.  Life has gone so fast and not at all how I originally thought it would.

This birthday was interesting, not like any of my others.  All of our usual traditions for birthday were pushed aside for other things.  The day started with me getting up early to help my mom with a stake young men and women service project.  Normally we start our day with breakfast of our choice from Mom.  We didn't have time for this.  Emily made me breakfast.  She is so sweet.  

Toaster Strudel.  Apple juice.  Yogurt.

We then went and did the service project which consisted of digging up headstones and raising them.  For lunch we fed them all sub sandwiches.  

I then went to my Em and Ben's soccer game and froze my nose off.  

We all went home and did chores.

Later some of my friends came over and we ate left over sub sandwiches and had a fire and talked.

My family never had time to give me presents and do birthday cake.  It was weird.

This just means I get all of that today.  That means 2 days of birthday!

Saved for the last days

As most of you know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints announced that young men in all countries can now go on a mission at the age of 18 after graduating high school and that young women may go on missions at 19.

I had the huge blessing to be in the conference center this morning when President Monson made this announcement.  The shock was huge, but even better, the feeling around us was HEAVENLY.  The spirit was strong, testifying that this change is what God wants.  I have never in my life had so many goosebumps.

I sat there next to my brother Ben.  He is 14.  He is a huge example to me.  This is his first year in seminary.  Every single day he is so excited to share with me what he has learned and he often shares his testimony of the principles of this church.  His testimony is simple but super pure and strong.  Much stronger than mine was at his age and most of the young men I grew up with.

These "children" are strong.  They know things that I am still trying to grasp.  These valiant young men and young women are going to bring forth a huge conversion on this earth.  I can't wait to see this valiant army of missionaries go out and serve the Lord.

Who knows.  Maybe this will help open up China!

I love General Conference, and I can't wait to hear all the amazing things the Lord has prepared for us to learn.

Happiness is...

Letters from Jamie

Pictures from Jamie

Cameron bear hugs

Gossner's chocolate milk

Halloween Oreos

Seeing both Camerons in one day

Hoodies from high school

Teaching 9th graders

Watching 9th graders actually learn

Dove caramel chocolate

Lunch experiments with Jordan

Halloween decorations

Ben's laughter

Not coughing for 2 hours

Afternoon naps

Shows like Hart of Dixie