Highlights.

Life is crazy right now! I am off for the 7 week break but am taking a 3 credit Doctrine and Covenants class online, so I don't really get a break. I am loving the class, but it is a lot of work, and super fast. A lot has happened since I have done a real blog post so here are a few highlights!

I finished the semester with straight A's!!! WAHOO!!

I was able to go to California with mom for a week to see Alicia and her family and had a ton of fun! We didn't get the camera out much, we were too busy sitting by the pool and getting tan, but here are a few shots from the end of the week.

Aly at soccer practice

Watching Aly... terrible picture of me.

Aly's is the dark pink ball in the back... LOVED having Debbie's camera with me!

Mike

Mom, Heather, Alicia

I got back in time for my birthday and am no longer a teenager. I have hit the "big" 2-0.

I have been "treasure finding," as Jared calls, it with him the last 3 times and have been working on a project for Lisa as I have been doing that. It has actually been a lot of fun and I am so impressed with how cheap he can get things (he is a pro bargainer!)! We have all been helping Adam and Karissa clean and unpack/organize their house, it is looking so good! Jared is helping them sell some stuff on his blog/ebay, so hopefully he can make them some grocery money! Also a good luck to Adam as he starts Pharmacy school in a few days! I am so happy he got into the program!

This week I get to go to see Chad, Lisa, Parker, and Julia and am more than ready to see them! I miss them so much daily! I am lucky enough to be one of Julia's favorites right now and get to Skype with her all of the time. Good luck to Chad as he finishes up his semester and to Lisa as she finishes up her pregnancy! I am excited for both of them as well!

I was awarded Full-tuition again for this next semester and am realizing what a huge blessing that is. I am so lucky to be able to get good grades and have that paid for. It is definitely worth the study time!

Today Jared and I went and visited Sheri Schmitt. As she was talking to us she told us that someone told her that you should always have 100 goals down, and challenged us to do so. So we are making a list of goals. If you have any that you have had and think are fun let me know!

I need new running shoes. I have had mine since February of senior year (3.5 years) and mine are falling apart. I didn't start really using them until last fall (before I got put in the boot) and this past spring and now they have holes. I HAVE to find a new pair before I go back to school!

Enjoy the Journey.

Makes me Happy.

This boy makes me happy. :)

Enjoy the Journey.

For Debbie

Reno, Nevada Temple

Enjoy the Journey.

Going Private

I decided it was time for me to go private. I have been debating this back and forth but now I am starting to share more of the daily happenings of my life and think it will be better if I do. If you oh so love reading about what's going on in my life leave me a comment with your email. I think I am going to go private on/around my birthday. So you all have until (at least) August 6th to leave me a comment with your email if you want an invite. :)

Enjoy the Journey.

Almost There.

Today was my last day of classes! Wow that is crazy to think that I only have to show up to 2 more classes before I am done with another semester! The beginning of the semester went slow, but the rest has flown by! Our bedroom is a disaster as I have started cleaning, but have done it haphazardly. On an amazing note, our final for my Natural Disasters class was turned into a take home final that should only take me an hour to do... I just need to do it. But I still have to show up to class so that we can finish presentations- I am totally fine with that though, I think much better not at 7 a.m.!!!

Monday: CHECK!!!

Money Management Final-90%

Natural Disasters Presentation

Final Buffet For Meal Management

Family Foundations Quiz

Tuesday: CHECK!!!

Fashion Final-96%

Do Take Home final for Meal Management Turned in

Wednesday: CHECK!!!

Ed Psych Final 88%

2nd half of Money Management Final We just had to show up and write our name down on a paper and get a grade sheet.

Lab cleaning for Meal Management I got to fold towels and organize the linen closet! :)

Thursday:

3-5 Page paper for Family Foundations Done and off to Jared to be edited

Presentation in Family Foundations

Cleaning

Friday:

Natural Disasters final 7:00 a.m.

Finish Cleaning

Lunch Date with Jared

Move stuff to my new apartment for fall

HOMEWARD BOUND!!

Birthday Countdown: 16 days until 20!!!

Enjoy the Journey.

Finals Update.

SIDE NOTE: Last night we had a tie dying party until midnight... it was so fun and I will post pictures next week hopefully! :)

2 days down.... 3 to go. Tomorrow is my last day of classes! WOOT!!!

Monday: CHECK!!!

Money Management Final-90%

Natural Disasters Presentation

Final Buffet For Meal Management

Family Foundations Quiz

Tuesday: CHECK!!!

Fashion Final-96%

Do Take Home final for Meal Management-Off to be edited... .thanks Jared

Wednesday:

Ed Psych Final

2nd half of Money Management Final

Lab cleaning for Meal Management

Thursday:

Presentation in Family Foundations

Cleaning

Friday:

Natural Disasters final 7:00 a.m.

Finish Cleaning

Lunch Date with Jared

Move stuff to my new apartment for fall

HOMEWARD BOUND!!

Birthday Countdown: 17 days until 20!!!

Enjoy the Journey.

Finals.

Just a fun picture I thought... I will do lots of updates... promise.

This is my last week of school. As of Friday I will be half-way done with college? Really? The past 2 years have gone fast. I am registered for next semester and am ready to get started... well when the time comes, but until then I am ready for a break! I have some fun plans during the break and am excited to come and see some of you! Alicia, Lisa, we'll see who else! I will post more once I am done (promise) but for now I need to go read a talk and head to bed soon. My week:

Monday:

Money Management Final

Natural Disasters Presentation

Final Buffet For Meal Management

Family Foundations Quiz

Tuesday:

Fashion Final

Do Take Home final for Meal Management

Wednesday:

Ed Psych Final

2nd half of Money Management Final

Lab cleaning for Meal Management

Thursday:

Presentation in Family Foundations

Cleaning

Friday:

Natural Disasters final 7:00 a.m.

Finish Cleaning

Move stuff to my new apartment for fall

HOMEWARD BOUND!!

Birthday Countdown: 19 days until 20!!!

Enjoy the Journey.

Favorite.

This was my favorite float in the parade for the 4th... any guesses why?? :)

I love this movie! I know that it really isn't a good movie but the music is so good!!!

Blessed.

I have been thinking lately about a lot of things that I am thankful for. I am so blessed by my Heavenly Father to have all that I do. I have been blessed with an amazing family that loves and supports me in all that I do. I have been blessed with an incredible best friend/boyfriend who laughs right along with me when I do silly things. I have been blessed to be a member of the church and have 2 temples so close to me! I am blessed to go to this beautiful university! I am blessed not to get sun burned but just tan. I have been blessed with eyes that see, ears that hear, and legs that can run. I have been blessed with the scriptures and a testimony of Christ. I have been blessed to have a good job with an incredible boss that loves me. I have been blessed to have other amazing friends throughout my life. I have been blessed to be able to make it through trials and become stronger after each one. I have been blessed to grow up in a small town where I could be involved and learn and grow. I have been blessed to be able to play the piano and sing. I have been blessed by my Heavenly Father in so many ways. I am so thankful for all of my many blessings that I listed and others that I didn't list.

I realized I never posted a picture of the beautiful flowers that Jared got me for Mother's Day this year with a cute note! :)

I have been blessed to have roomed with this cute girl for 3 semesters. This semester was our first one not rooming together but we are still with each other an hour a day minimum. She is so cute and I have learned so much from her! I am glad she lives 15 sec. away from me or I would go crazy!

The other night we were blessed with an awesome rainstorm. I decided to go out and play in it with apt. 12. It was so much fun, but I was SOAKED!

Back of Skirt

Front of Skirt

Enjoy the Journey.

Water Fight Part 2

So I must like starting water fights... the night after the one with Ashley I started one with Abish from apt. 12. My pictures are out of order but she totally won, sitting on top of me to get me wet... then I made a comeback after she thought we were done. Needless to say I was really the winner!

Ignore the silly face I am making in both pictures!

Enjoy the Journey.

Water Fight.

I love this girl-hence why I got her wet!!

You can't really see but my hip was WET!!

Ignore the silly face, but like I said- I didn't want to be drenched in the front!!

Well last night after being in a crazy mood all day, Ashley and I made a delicious cheese ball (recipe below). I have this cup that I absolutely love to always have full of water with me because it is so big and keeps me drinking lots of water (Lisa and Alicia!). Well I had this bright idea in my head to get Ashley with what was left in it. I noticed her phone in her pocket so I asked if I could see the background on it. After she pulled it out I grabbed it from her and threw the water on her- in the middle of the kitchen! It was awesome! BUT out of fright I ran out of our apartment and into another one. I was locked out! (Go figure). Eventually they let me back in, but the only reason Ashley wouldn't get me is because I had both phones and placed them strategically so that I wouldn't get soaked. Back in the kitchen, drying the floor Ashley said "Watch your back," as she got my hip with water. I was wet. It was a large amount of water but better the hip than all down the front of me!

Just an update on life. LIFE is GRAND!!! I am so happy right now! My mom and I are going to go visit Alicia and her family the first week of break so that will be a wonderful relief from school. I will be taking an online class during the 7 week break so that I can finish my associates degree in December and have that done and out of the way. I have been continuing to run and have been running to the temple more as it has been nicer outside. OH!!! If any of you have recipes of something that I have tried and want to email me the recipe I could really use it! I have 30ish more to collect for my Semester Project and have almost exhausted my resources...well my time pretty much! Thanks!!!

Enjoy the Journey.

Ranch Cheese Bowl

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup mayo
1 8oz Pkg Cream Cheese
1 Pkg Ranch Dressing
4 cups shredded cheese

Mix first 4 ingredient until smooth. Add cheese and mix until well blended. Enjoy!

Life

Another picture from our trip to Yellowstone, his aunt took this one-which I am thankful for because it is my favorite from the trip!

Yesterday I had the chance to help out with the [Teton] Dam Marathon for a few hours. My roommate Emily is on the opposite end of me, (in the Middle is Alisha Tueller that I went to high school with). We got to cut up the bananas, watermelon, and oranges for the runners to have after the race.

I am random... I know!

The jeans I am wearing in the race pics are credit to Alicia. I bought them when I was shopping with her not this past January, but the one before. They were a bit tight when I bought them and didn't love them, but now that they fit me sooooo well I LOVE them! Thanks for talking me into buying them Alicia!!

Update on life: I last week the weather was nicer and I was able to run outside a little bit. I actually did my first run to the temple and it went great! I wasn't able to run as much of it as I wanted because I wasn't feeling great-but I still went out and did it! My field trip was fun, it was just long! I slept a bit on the bus, but so did everyone. There is something about sitting in a car/bus/whatever all day that I think just makes you sleepy. Yesterday I went fishing with Jared and his family, but we didn't catch anything! Then I worked on homework and he just hung out while I did, and helped me where he could. Then last night we went to Guitars Unplugged. It was ok, but definitely not the best one I have been to. I am going into my busy week this week- I have multiple projects and two tests. BUT this past week I was talking to a girl about why she was sitting on the stage at devotional, she explained that they randomly called her and invited her to go to a luncheon with President and Sister Clark as well as the speaker and a few other students and then sit on the stage at devotional. I thought it was so cool! Then an hour and a half later I got a call, sadly I missed it but called them back, and I was invited to do the same thing this next week! I am so excited! It will be one of the few times I have skipped a class, but I think it is totally worth it!! :)

As a side note I have been very thankful lately for things that I have been taught. I am thankful that I was taught to clean up after myself- to wipe the counter down, put my stuff away, take care of the dishes that I use, etc. I am just thankful that I was taught to be responsible! I am thankful that I was also taught the importance of the temple! I love it! I am thankful I was taught the importance of church and of paying attention in it, and not goofing off during it. The church is true, and I am so thankful that I have been taught it my entire life.

Enjoy the Journey.

Update

Life is WONDERFUL!!! I am enjoying it! Mid-terms are done with already! I am half way through the semester! That is crazy! It has been raining the last 2 1/2 weeks or so, but that keeps me semi-focused on my homework. I am just ready for the sun to stay! I have also been keeping up the running! I am so happy about that! It is honestly part of my daily routine now which I am thankful! I need to work on increasing my distance, as well as speed. But for now I just want to start running outside! I am too much of a sissy to run in the rain, so I have been on the tread mill, but tonight I went outside with my roommates. It was wonderful. Also a side note for this week in particular- I already have all of my homework done for the week except for what is due on Monday-which I am almost halfway done with! WOOT!!! This weekend I am helping with the Dam Marathon! I am excited to have another sweet shirt!! Also on Friday we get to go on a 'field trip' for my Natural Disasters class-I hope the weather cooperates! Pretty much this is my life right now! It is just kickin' along! :)

Enjoy the Journey.

Yellowstone

On Saturday I went with Jared's family to Yellowstone. It was fun even though it was a wet day! After spending the day driving around the park we went to the Playmill and got to see Beauty and the Beast. I was impressed-it was really good!!!

I love it when he smiles for pictures... which is pretty much all of the time now!

Darin & Kryssi's little boy Lucas (He loves Jared soooo much!)

The girls

The boys

Me, Julisa, and Cahlin

All of the cousins that went + their significant other (and Lucas!)

Enjoy the Journey.

Tender Mercies

I have been so blessed lately! It is amazing what happens when you try to realize the tender mercies of the Lord. Specifically it started (almost) two Mondays ago simply with my money management class being cancelled. Talk about perfect timing because that day I found out that I had a huge paper, as well as a presentation due the next Monday. I was so thankful for the extra hour of homework time. Next, that same class got cancelled for Friday, giving me more homework time. Also when I went to the library the hour earlier I was able to find a seat in my favorite part of the second floor of the library to do homework! On Thursday I met with my group for my presentation and I knew none of these girls-our teacher had assigned groups. At the meeting they all talked about how they hate it when people don't pull their weight in group assignments-once again a blessing that they all work hard! It continued, I got the 'eye witness account' part of the presentation- PERFECT because the presentation was on the Sumatra 2004 Earthquake/Tsunami, and Lloyd and Janet Searle of Shelley were missionaries in Sri Lanka at the time. The weekend came, and I had to take my car home because it was smoking, but I was able to get all of my homework done that I needed to! Then checking my email Saturday that same class was cancelled again on Monday! I was so excited! On Monday dad called to tell me that my car was fixed and it was a simple problem, one of those 'Pay Monte with a Pop ones.' Once again blessing. Well then I had a test in my Education Psychology class on Wednesday that the teacher from the beginning of the semester told us most of us will fail (not just this one but all of them) because we don't know how to learn. Monday checking my email he had sent a study guide that said question 1: concept _______, for all 30 questions! I was like THANK YOU!!! Wednesday in class (which is at 9, testing center opens at 8) someone had already taken the test and told me how easy it was and that he only missed 3. Once again stress relieved, but it continued and the teacher went over at least 10 questions from the test-reading us the exact questions! I was sooooo thankful! All of those things made it so that instead of studying for like 3 hours I only studied 30 min and then took it. Well it continued, we didn't know when during the week we would be giving our presentation, we were just told to have it ready Monday and we would be one day this week. When I showed up to class on Wednesday our name still wasn't on the board to present, but I offered for our group to go (we have to dress up for them, so basically we have to dress up every day until we go). Sister Willis told me that she would rather have us go Friday so I said that was fine. Then a girl in my group said that she wasn't going to be here Friday, and Sister Willis said "Well she should have cleared that with me before." So basically we were out of luck. The first two presentations went and the third (which we didn't get to a 3rd on Monday) went up to the front to go. They tried to open their presentation and it wouldn't open because they had saved it as a Mac file. They went to grab their computer to hook it up and Sister Willis said it would take too long and that my group could go!

Sorry this is really long but I was so thankful for all of these things! It truly is amazing the Tender Mercies that the Lord gives us daily if we take the time to recognize them!

ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

Julisa is 16...

And had a date for the PROM. She went with Cameron Jorgensen, a friend that used to live in Shelley but now lives in Pocatello. Sorry the pictures are in the complete backwards order, I would have to reload them to get them in the right order and honestly don't want to!

She borrowed her dress from Kassidy Geary, it was so pretty on her! "I hope I don't walk behind her, I might step on her dress!"-Cameron

This is how we act with each other....

Time for a family picture!

I took it up with the method I learned from Amber (Park) when she did my hair for my Miss Russet pictures. Take the hair from the crown, put it in a pony to create a base then take the rest up with bobby pins. It works so well!

Before we took it up.

I am thankful I got Cahlin to help me curl! I would wrap a curling iron, then hand it to her, finish wrapping the next as she was undoing the previous one and then we would repeat.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

Wolf to WOOF

On Saturday morning Jared and I went to the museum and went to the Wolf to Woof exhibit. It wasn't as exciting as we thought it was going to be but we enjoyed the discovery room for kids. :) I have been in that part before (most memorably during the AP field trip Junior year) but Jared hadn't ever been there before. He loved it. He is such a little kid, I love it!

(side note: rumor has it that the bodies exhibit will be coming in September...? If so I really want to go!)

I was supposed to act like I was blind....

If you turned the right way you could hear 'termites!' We had more fun spinning on the seat part! I had so much fun! Thanks for taking me on a date Jared! :)

ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

We Thank Thee....

O God for a Prophet. Who Guides us in these Latter-Days...

Yesterday's devotional was about President Monson. My love for this man is GREAT! I think he is amazing! I will post the link to the talk when it is out because it was amazing!

ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

WEEK 1

I am happy to report that my endurance is already so much better and I have only been running 'seriously' again for about a week. In the last week I have cut 2 minutes off of my first time. I started breaking in my new running shoes today though (I used my old ones last week) and I don't know how I feel about that, I am partial to my old ones, they are so comfy-why do they have to give me blisters now? Oh yeah because the plastic rubs against my feet now... oh well, patience is a virtue!!!

SIDE NOTE: Jared and I went to the museum on Saturday and had so much fun, pictures and a post will come later. Also Julisa looked so pretty for the PROM Saturday!

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

10.5

That is how many miles I have ran so far this week. I am finally starting to really 'train' for the 10k I hope to run in September. BUT I don't really have a set schedule... I ran 3 miles Monday and Tuesday, then 1.5 last night, 3 again today. Does anybody have a schedule they recommend? I know I could Google and find one but I want one that possibly someone I know did.

School is dandy, and I cannot wait to go home tomorrow! Julisa (Jared's little sister) turned 16 on the 30th and has her first 'official' date Saturday, and it just so happens to be PROM. I am going to do her hair and am really excited. It will take a long time because her hair is down to her natural waist, but it is going to be so pretty!

Random Update

Ashley, Emily

Ashley, Emily, Me

Lindsay, Me

It has been such an interesting week! It has been a good one though. School is going well, and I am starting to get into a routine which I am so thankful for. I have a break every day from 11:15-12:45 so that is the perfect time to go to the library and hide on the 2nd floor and do homework.

Thursday I had the opportunity to go to the temple with Ashley and I am so glad! I love receiving answers to prayers in the temple! I love going to the temple and the peace that I feel there. I LOVE THE TEMPLE!!!

Friday I went with Ashley and Emily to the Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband concert and it was so good! I went my first semester with Ashley Balmforth so I was glad to go again! We took lots of pictures but they are mostly on Emily's camera and she can't find the camera cord (and it has a funny memory card) so I will put those on when I can.

Last night on the last minute I decided to meet Jared and his family at Olive Garden for dinner. I drove through every kind of weather on the way to Idaho Falls, it was CRAZY! I am so glad I went. I ended up staying in Shelley and came back up right before church. I love my ward at school, that is probably why I keep coming back! My bishopric is amazing and the people in the ward are amazing!

This semester is going to be a good one but definitely an interesting one!