Island Park

Over Civil Rights Day weekend I was able to go to Island Park with Jared's family. Jared and I were there on Friday and Saturday then we headed to Shelley to spend some time with mom and Dad for Sunday and Monday. It was a nice weekend and nice to have a break even though Monday I had so much to do and was super stressed. I am looking forward to this next weekend to be a little more relaxed. :)

Enjoy the Journey.

YEAR in REVIEW

I know January is almost done with but I have been wanting to do 2010 in review, so I am still going to do it!

January:

My January was spent making cakes and recovering from foot surgery. :) I had a simple joy of being able to shower without a shower chair!

February:

Was spent celebrating Grandma's 80 birthday, and making more cakes. I was able to wear two of the same shoe for the first time in 4 months!

March:

LAS VEGAS trip with Jared. More cakes.

April:

Conference, Finished my internship, Finished the Book of Mormon, and started a new semester!

May:

Started running again, busy with school, awesome devotionals, and tender mercies. I was also able to do Julisa's hair for PROM.

June:

More school, trip to Yellowstone, and water fights with Ashley. More running.

July:

Water fights, running, finished the semester! Trip to see Alicia and her cute family in CA with mom!

August:

Birthday, Trip to Vegas and NEW RUNNING SHOES!!!

September:

New semester, I-Team leader and being involved in Get connected. Remembered how thankful I am for technology and skype.

October:

Roommate pictures, GOT ENGAGED, Halloween

November:

Engagement pics, busy with school.

December:

Forgotten Carols, Finishing the semester, Graduated with my Associates degree, and having a very different Christmas-spent in a hospital room with Grandma. :)

2010 had a lot of good times and I was able to make a lot of memories. So far in 2011 I have made some good memories and have been busy planning a wedding and working on school. 2011 has some good things in store like: GETTING MARRIED and GRADUATING with my bachelors, I wonder what else it holds in store for me!!

Enjoy the Journey.

This Girl....

Is a good workout partner! I have had many a good workout partner in my day and she makes the list! We have been hit and miss so far this semester but now that we are getting into a schedule we are going to put that in it! :) 9:00 abs. FOR SURE!!!!

Life is still good. I teach for the first time for my preschool class on Tuesday-kinda crazy that I already have to teach, it is the 3rd day with kids! BUT since I am the first one to teach I will be the first one done with everything for this class. I will have all of my assignments done by the 17 of March! Then all I will have to do for that class is come to Lab on TT and set up on MW! Not even class on MW like I have normally! It will be so nice to have the second/end part of my semester kinda chill! I am sure I will still be busy with my sewing class as well as my special ed and HFED 380 classes though. Yesterday I had a dress fitting in the Hinckley bathroom! Sister Toy had to come up for a meeting and she had me meet her. I laughed pretty hard, but we only had one person come in and give us a funny look, but hey, that is the price you pay for an AMAZING dress right? :)

p.s. 78 days.

Enjoy the Journey.

He has my heart.

I honestly wonder how I got so lucky. Jared is simply amazing and he definitely has my heart in his possession.

Here are a few of the many reasons that I love him:

1. He always makes me laugh.

2. He loves me even when I am being a brat.

3. He always tells me how beautiful I am-even when I am in sweats.

4. He laughs with me when I am being really weird-which happens more often than not lately.

5. He wouldn't take me anywhere but the temple to be married.

Enjoy the Journey.

Countdown.

Felicia and I are twins generally... (this pic is kinda trashy but... we matched-down to the red shoes).

Before the semester started Felicia, Alyssa and I made a chain as a countdown. I cut white strips of paper and then we colored them, wrote on them, and made them pretty-and random. It has been fun to take them off, but I definitely like it better when I forget one day and get to take off more than one the next day. Like this weekend since I was gone, tonight I got to take off 4!!!! :) Felicia likes to take pictures of me taking them off because we both get so excited. Here are the ones we have taken-it will be interesting to look back on these later and see how I changed throughout the semester. :)

Please forgive me for the cheesy faces. As you can see it is was almost down to the bottom of the window. As of tonight it is only across the top and the other side now!!! :)

These last two are out of order.

80 days!

Enjoy the Journey.

"Out with the Old"

Here are a few excerpts from my final paper in my Critical Thinking English class from last semester. We had to write a paper about how we had changed our mind on something and when we were given the assignment I knew that I had the perfect topic.

Out With the Old

3. Marry a RM in the temple; One of the many things on my “TO DO” list for my life that I made numerous times when I was younger. The placement on the list didn’t matter but there was a reoccurring theme of this being on every list that I created. Being raised in the church and learning the importance of missions, I KNEW that I would marry a boy who had faithfully served a full-time mission, returned with honor and swept me off my feet. Before school started this semester I was faced with a decision of marriage to my best friend who had not served a full-time mission and my long-time standard was challenged.

This decision wasn’t something that came from nowhere to blindside me, but has gradually been building the past few years of my life. During my junior year of high school I made a new friend, Jared Fielding. As our friendship grew, my feelings for him also grew as I realized that I liked him as more than just a friend. Two months before we graduated from high school we started dating. When August came, a new chapter in our lives opened as we started a long distance relationship and headed to BYU schools; him in Utah and me in Idaho. As we continued dating we talked about the future and how he would serve a mission and I would keep going to school-not talking about what would happen to our relationship when this change came. On black Friday of last year the big white envelope came in the mail, and he was called to serve in the Salvador Brazil Mission for two years, leaving in April. As the months passed and the preparation continued, April came quickly. The day before he was to leave we said our goodbyes and he left my house, with me thinking that I wouldn’t see him for two years. Later that night I received a phone call that he wasn’t leaving. As the next few months passed and after a lot of meetings with proper leadership, we found out that Jared wasn’t going to be serving a full-time mission due to health circumstances. And that is wasn't what he was supposed to be doing at this time in his life.

My heart started a battle with my head; Jared and I had been dating for just over two years and my feelings for him were strong, but I had always dreamed of marrying an RM. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t supposed and was unable to serve; all worthy and able young men are called so serve missions, and he fit into both of those categories. The next few months this battle would continue as I started searching for advice. I started with studying the scriptures, my patriarchal blessing and attending the temple on the matter. I talked to my mom who had previously made a statement about how when I got married she would have four returned missionaries in the family. As we would talk she would remind me about how amazing Jared is and how it didn’t matter if he had served because she would rather have me marry someone who would regularly take me to the temple. Her words comforted me a little bit, but that characteristic had always been on my check list and I couldn’t dismiss it.

(Yada yada... some more in the middle...)

One day Lisa sent me a link to an article entitled “Confidence Tests: From Fear to Faith in the Marriage Decision” by Elder Lance B. Wickman of the Quorum of the 70. As I read through this talk it became a source of comfort and reasoning for me to be able to take control of both my head and my heart in making a decision. One part of his talk stood out to me when he talked about courting and preparing for marriage. He warns against basing our experience off of what he calls “superficial ‘ticket punching.’” He boldly says:

By that, I mean do not base your decisions solely on whether someone has served a full-time mission or holds a particular calling in your ward. These things can be, should be, and usually are indications of devotion, faithfulness, and integrity. But not always. That is the reason you need to get acquainted. Know someone well enough to learn his or her heart and character firsthand and not just his or her “gospel résumé.”

When I read that quote I knew that I was making this decision much harder than it needed to be. My standard was changed from that very moment; I had been upholding a standard for shallow reasons. I had thought that those men who had served full-time missions were the only ones who were worthy of marriage, something that I was conditioned to believe through my upbringing. As I informed Jared of my new realization, happiness came upon me that I can’t describe but I knew that changing my opinion had been one of the greatest things I had done. I am now engaged to be married to Jared on April 9, 2011 for time and all eternity and couldn’t be happier.

Enjoy the Journey.

Someday...

Someday I will do a post about the untold stories of college. For now... they continue. Late nights, early mornings, long days, laughing so bad your sides hurt, quote boards, dance parties, not enough sleep, random pictures, the balcony, Sheniqua, closets, She's the Man, beanie pillows, "dress up"... just a start. Living with 5 other girls sometimes is stressful and other times is pure... joy? I don't know but I hope that I get to have girls in my home-I know they can be drama but they are so much fun and I am a girlie girl, you should all know this.

This semester is still off to a running start in classes, but I feel like I am starting to catch up with all of my schedules. Felicia is definitely helping me make this a semester that will be lived up and enjoyed. While I look forward to April with great anticipation I am trying my best to live in the moment and enjoy each day. I think this is the most laid back that I have ever been at school- I have yet to decide if that is a good or a bad thing. ;) For now, it's snowing and has been all day but it is so nice outside-it actually feels warm (thank you clouds!). The roads are terrible and Jared is driving to Shelley so we can go with his family to Island Park for the weekend-well Friday and Saturday, then Sunday and Monday in Shelley.

I finally finished my student teaching application and also registered to take the PRAXIS. Am I really that close to being done with college? Kinda scary. Anyways the student teaching advisor emailed me back my intro letter with my picture attached to it. This was taken at a meeting in October, and this is the first time I have seen it but I really like it. :)

This is what the school district, principal and teacher will get before they meet me... What do ya think?

Enjoy the Journey.

Will I have eyes to see?

So far this semester I have had to jump right in-no warming up to being back at school. Most things have worked out perfectly though, for my preschool class I got the partner, the rotation, the topic, and the head teacher that I wanted-and we weren't even allowed to put in requests. I knew that Heavenly Father was looking out for me and that He knows what I need. A couple of other things have happened this week like that as well and I have been able to see Heavenly Father's hand in my life so strong. But there are a lot of things that are so different from semesters previously. This semester the roommate dynamics are already completely different and definitely cliquish, which makes me really sad. It is just hard to transition semesters after you have had one where all of the girls get along so well and you don't really have any problems-Last semester I was so blessed.

Last night while I was talking on the phone to Jared I was venting, complaining and probably whining, but he was just patient and listened. He knew that I needed to get it out. He kept reminding me that we have had semesters apart before-7 of them so far and this makes 8 but it will be our very last one apart. He knew exactly what I needed to hear. Then this morning while I was getting ready I had the Sounds of Sunday playing on my computer-I was raised listening to it so it is not Sunday if I don't have it on. "What Heaven Sees in You" came on and it really hit me this morning. I was thinking about it and asking myself if I have eyes to see. I was thinking about how my life is changing and how I am about to enter a new "chapter." How I am preparing to go to the temple and make covenants and how excited I am for that. About how i will be getting married 3 months from today to my best friend. And about how Heavenly Father knows what I need. He has the eyes to see and I need to do better at making my eyes so that they can see too. That is my goal this semester-to train myself to have eyes to see what Heavenly Father sees in me. I need to remember not to be overwhelmed this semester when I have a lot to do because Heavenly Father knows that I can do it. He will not give me anything that I cannot do. I will be stretched this semester to new dimensions but I will learn and grow and be prepared for the things that are to come. I just need to remember to keep up on the little things and trust in my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. I can do it.

What Heaven Sees in You

(Doug Walker / Sherry Marks Walker)
Performed by: Doug Walker

Sent to this earth
You were saved through the ages for this day
and time
Child of great worth
Child of promise, daughter of the Divine
Pure and holy in a little, white dress
You were held in a circle and you were blessed
And the Father looked down
And the angels surrounded that place
They knew the truth, all that you could do
And you will, too, if you have eyes to see
What heaven sees in you
Dressed in white once more
Making promises to follow in God’s way
So much lies in store
For the little girl who enters at the gate
Pure and holy in a little, white dress
You were led into the water and you were blessed
Repeat Chorus
Do you understand who you are
Part of the Father lives in you
If you continue on this path
Every promise God has given will come true
Heaven on earth
In the house of God, so much fills your heart and mind
Woman of great worth
Woman of promise, daughter of the Divine
Pure and holy in a long, white dress
You promise forever and you are blessed
And the Father looks down
And the angels surround that place
They know the truth, all that you can do
And you do, too, ‘cause you have eyes to see
What heaven sees in you
Will you have eyes to see
What heaven sees in you

Really, I will say it...

I am in love. With an amazing boy. But tonight I got two of my roommates and three of the girls from across the hall to preform in the ward talent show. We did a lip sync to "Won't Say I'm in Love" from Hercules. It was really fun and totally spur of the moment. We decided to do it at about 2:45 then didn't get to practice until 5, then messed around with it until 5:30 and did it tonight. We were even the first act. It was fun though and something that I will definitely remember. :)

Enjoy the Journey.

Convocation

On Friday the 17 of December I had convocation and graduated with my Associates Degree in General Studies with a cluster in Family Studies from BYU-Idaho. It was awesome because President and Sister Clark were there as well as Elder Marlin K. Jensen First Quorum of the Seventy. Both of their talks were really good, and I am so thankful that my mom took notes. Unfortunately for blogging purposes I left those at home. Pictures were taken on 3 different cameras, so as I gather them I will post more. :)

Me with President Clark

Mom, Dad and I

Jared and I

Karissa and I

Grandma and I

The group of us at Convocation.

Enjoy the Journey.

End of Semester Wrap Up

The end of the semester is here! I am completely done. I cannot believe how quick this semester went! It is crazy to think that I only have TWO more semesters at BYU-Idaho. Wow!!!!! I have been blessed this semester with AWESOME roommates, I honestly couldn't have asked for better. We all got along so well and all pushed each other to be better. Multiple times others have entered our apartment and made comments about feeling the Spirit or how it feels like home here. As we talked about it as roommates we came to the conclusion that it is because we all want to be here, we all are striving to be more like Christ, at the beginning of the semester we started the habit of roommate prayer and tender mercy sharing, and we decided that we wanted to build Zion in our apartment. I honestly feel like we have achieved our goal. While we had our little (and I mean TINY) things that every apartment/relationship/marriage is sure to have, they were cleared up immediately and then it was back to the normal happy, laughing, dancing, etc. feel of our apartment. In the picture below, behind Kelsee is our calendar that we would write on at Roommate council on Sundays. Also our quote board is behind her... :) oh the memories! We are all sad that Kailee, Kelsee, and Nicole are going home for the winter, but Felicia, Carrie, and I hope to make next semester as good as this one!

This shirt was Tie-Dyed for Kelsee in my textiles class! Someone didn't bring one and she had sent it with me just in case! :)

Ready for the Ughly Sweater Party.

Felicia didn't have an ugly sweater... so her and Nicole dressed up all decked out in red and green. I helped her with her light sash and deemed her Miss Christmas. I also was able to donate a skirt, and jewelry to the cause. The earrings are Christmas bulbs that I borrowed from the girls across the hall. It was fun helping them get ready!

Our FHE group at the ward Ughly Sweater Party. We had an AWESOME group this semester and were able to do some really fun things. We also had the chance to serve others a ton! :)

We did roommate gift exchange on Sunday and it was a lot of fun. I didn't post pics of what I got-it made me laugh really hard and I will leave it at that. Felicia and I didn't know it but we had each other- and we got each other gifts that were PERFECT! :) She makes me laugh and I am excited to be her roommate next semester!

Kelsee with her smiling dinosaurs.

Kailee

Felicia and Carrie

Nicole got a transmitter for her MP3 player.

As an FHE group we had the chance to get Christmas for a family in need. It was an awesome experience and something that I hope to make a tradition in my life. It was so fun to sit and watch the dad look for someone who had dropped off these boxes.

We were able to pitch in enough money and food to make a box of food and a box of presents. It was so fun!

Amazing

As the newest contributor to this great blog, I'd like to take you behind the scenes and show you the amazing and amazingly gorgeous person that makes it all happen

This, is the one and only Kara Michele Banks. Although extremely gorgeous, she is still wonderfully kind, smart, gentle, caring and selfless. She is always worried more about others than herself. To prove my point, I draw your attention to the fact that she has never done a post on how wonderful she is, only about others (If needed, I can do a post on how amazing I am to show that I'm nowhere near).

I know, i know, the beauty is near overwhelming, but for that to cause me to sell her short would be a shame upon me. She works hard everyday to get straight A's in her schooling, while caring for and worrying about her many friends and family. Kara, you are amazing. The End.

Closer Still!!!!

I keep on trucking on... making it closer-this time I erased everything that I have done-it is good just to see a few things on my to do list!!!!

Monday 13

• 5 pg religion paper and journal due (FDREL190)

Tuesday 14

• FDSCI Final

Wednesday 15

• New Testament
• New Testament Final
• Reflection paper (101)

Thursday 16

• White glove cleaning?

Friday 17

• BYU-Idaho Center Dedication (yes this is required for my religion class-like I wouldn't go be in the presence of President Eyring, Elder Nelson, and Elder Bednar anyways?)
• Convocation

Saturday 18

• Graduation!!!! :)

Some of you may think that I am silly for putting this on here but it helps keep me organized and makes me feel good when I can check things off! It will be a busy next couple of weeks but hopefully I can get a lot of this done this weekend! :)

Enjoy the Journey.

Getting Closer.

I am getting closer!!! One of my classes even ends tomorrow!!! Christmas break will be so lovely-a time to relax and not think about homework! But I do have one assignment I need to write my intro letter for my student teaching! :) That should be easy... less than one page double spaced-cake!

Wednesday 8

• 3-4 pg Out with the Old paper-DONE
• New Testament-DONE
• Teach New Testament (group)
• 8 pg New Testament group paper-DONE
• Free Resource Presentation (101)-DONE
• HFED 205 Final-DONE
• FDSCI Study Group-Make notes sheet

Thursday 9

• FDSCI Pre class 24-DONE
• FDSCI Test 4
• FDSCI Study group
• Capstone-DONE

Friday 10

Monday 13

• New Testament
• 5 pg religion paper and journal due (FDREL190)
• 100 files (101)- DONE
• 101 Church Talk (read and annotate)-DONE

Tuesday 14

• Capstone
• FDSCI Final

Wednesday 15

• New Testament
• New Testament Final
• Reflection paper (101)

Thursday 16

• White glove cleaning?

Friday 17

• BYU-Idaho Center Dedication (yes this is required for my religion class-like I wouldn't go be in the presence of President Eyring, Elder Nelson, and Elder Bednar anyways?)
• Convocation

Saturday 18

• Graduation!!!! :)

Some of you may think that I am silly for putting this on here but it helps keep me organized and makes me feel good when I can check things off! It will be a busy next couple of weeks but hopefully I can get a lot of this done this weekend! :)

Enjoy the Journey.

The Forgotten Carols

These past few weeks I have been realizing how much I really do love the Forgotten Carols. A few years ago I got the piano book and I have been playing parts of the songs here or there. Two years ago I learned I Cannot Find My Way/Three Kings, and we would sing it. Last year the same thing happened-Chad and Lisa love to sing it and it is fun when they are there and Karissa and Adam and Mom to all sing it. Over Thanksgiving break I took some time to just play the piano and I realized how I had forgotten how much I love to play the piano and how much peace it brings me. I played through every song in the book-working through the parts that I don't normally play even because I think they are "too hard." Mom came and sat by me even and we were singing them as my fingers stumbled on the notes. It was awesome. I have been thinking about the words a lot and how I wonder what it would have been like to be there. I have realized that is why I love this story and these songs so much-it allows me to feel like I was there. I can sing my heart out with these songs and place myself back in those "really old shepherd's clothes that itch!" It makes me wonder what I would have felt to have had the chance to see my Savior as a child. How like Sara in the story I can influence so many others. I have always had a dream/goal to be able to sing in the choir for the Forgotten Carols and hope that one day I will be able to do so because I would love it sooooo much. I cannot even explain how much I would love to have that opportunity. Sitting on the 5th row from the front in the middle-Michael's "Family Seats" was incredible.

This year I have realized that Christmas is my favorite holiday, it only took me 20 years to figure that out but I think I knew it all along. I love the magic and kindness that comes with Christmas and wish that people could feel that all year long-that's why I always want to sing Christmas songs in July! I hope that as we continue this holiday season we may be able to remember why we have Christmas-the real reason for the season. I hope that my roommates and I will be able to take the time to share this with each other and not get too caught up in the business of the semester ending. I love Christmas...

Enjoy the Journey.

Christmas Traditions

I have been thinking a lot lately about the traditions that make Christmas Christmas for me. I am so lucky to have grown up in a home where we had traditions and made the holidays such a special time in our home. These are a few of the Christmas traditions that have been a part of my Christmas each year.

• The first one that starts off Christmas for me is when we go to the Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. If you have never seen it or listened to the music I would urge you to do so! There is only one year that I can remember when we didn't go and it didn't seem like Christmas to me. Unfortunately the tickets are getting pretty expensive so I better start saving my pennies or be ok with watching the DVD in years to come-OR I can pray for lower ticket prices-I think I will do that. This year I got to share this tradition with Jared. It was so fun for me and he really enjoyed it! At the end Michael always has the audience sing "We can be together forever someday." It was awesome to be sitting next to Jared and thinking about how this is so true!
• The next thing that I can think of is decorating the house. We haven't ever had a set routine but this is always a fun time when we get out the decorations, set up the tree and each put our ornaments on the tree.
• Each year we get a new ornament from mom and sometimes grandma. They were always perfect for what was going on in our lives and it was fun to try to guess what it would be.
• Christmas eve is always spent with our family, the Martineau family and the Messick family. It wouldn't be Christmas otherwise! We always have soup and rolls! It is always a delicious dinner! When we were younger we would act out the Nativity but in recent years we have just read it out of Luke II. We sing carols and enjoy being together. Every time I hear or sing Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains I hear Noal Messick singing the low notes-even if it is just in my head!
• When we get home from the Messick home (Aunt Sherry's when we were younger) we always have new pajamas waiting for us! We grab blankets and go and look at Christmas lights. When we were younger we would look at lights on the way home then find our pajamas. Some years we are all matching other years we just coordinate-boys and girls.
• On Christmas eve it is the tradition that all of the kids would sleep in Chad's room. There were years when Karissa and I would be on the floor with Chad in his bed. A couple of years he had a water bed and I begged him to let me sleep in it with me. Generally Chad would watch A Christmas Story-I HATE THAT MOVIE! It would be on marathon and he would watch it until early morning hours!
• Christmas morning we would all wake up early and go and wake up my parents jumping on them in their bed. :) They would try to distract us by turning on the TV, seeing if the parade was on or telling us that they needed more sleep. It never worked for more than 20 minutes. Then we would all line up in the hall and go out together to the living room to open presents. We would sort them out and make a big pile of paper.
• After we opened presents and looked at each other's dad would get started on breakfast while mom stayed with us. At some point Grandma would come over and we would show her everything we got. We took the afternoon off and played with what we got or watched movies, took our time to shower and get dressed and just relaxed. Later we would go the Marineau's exchange presents and then all have Christmas dinner together.

I am so glad that I had so many fun traditions growing up and can't wait to use them and start new ones in my future home!

Enjoy the Journey.

Crunch Time

Really this post is about the end of the semester, but today in my textiles class I realized how good it is to eat a crunch candy bar with wheat thins... one of those sweet and salty things! :)

Well It is the end of the semester! 2 weeks from today and I will be done! That is a very happy thought! I am counting the days! Here is my to do list for the last of it! (split up by days things are due)

Monday 6

• New Testament-DONE
• FDENG 201 Real World Evidence
• Guest Speaker Report (101)

Tuesday 7

• FDSCI Pre class 23-DONE
• FDSCI test 3 redo
• Textiles quiz-DONE
• Capstone-DONE
• Exam Review FDSCI
• Tie Dye in class-MY MAJOR IS AWESOME!

Wednesday 8

• 3-4 pg Out with the Old paper-DONE
• New Testament
• Teach New Testament (group)
• 8 pg New Testament group paper-DONE
• Free Resource Presentation (101)
• HFED 205 Final-DONE

Thursday 9

• FDSCI Pre class 24
• FDSCI Test 4
• FDSCI Study group
• Textiles ch. 20
• Capstone

Friday 10

Monday 13

• New Testament
• 5 pg religion paper and journal due (FDREL190)
• 100 files (101)- DONE

Tuesday 14

• Capstone
• Textiles 21-22
• FDSCI Final

Wednesday 15

• New Testament
• New Testament Final
• Reflection paper (101)

Thursday 16

• White glove cleaning?

Friday 17

• BYU-Idaho Center Dedication (yes this is required for my religion class-like I wouldn't go be in the presence of President Eyring, Elder Nelson, and Elder Bednar anyways?)
• Convocation

Saturday 18

• Graduation!!!! :)

Some of you may think that I am silly for putting this on here but it helps keep me organized and makes me feel good when I can check things off! It will be a busy next couple of weeks but hopefully I can get a lot of this done this weekend! :)

Enjoy the Journey.

A few pictures

I was looking at my pictures and found some ones from this semester that I never posted on here that I have been meaning to as well as some new ones. These are in no particular order!

Kelsee and I decided to have a matching day!

Rain Boots- $6.24 at Target! I was so excited because they had 3 pair and they were all my size, these are the ones that I picked, and I love them! During Thanksgiving break I got liners for them so that I can still wear them in the winter! :)

My friend Elizabeth and I had a presentation in our Intro to FCS (my major) that we did on cake decorating. We figured it would be rude to decorate a cake in front of them and not give them something so we made them cupcakes to enjoy!

On Thanksgiving day I got to play in the snow with Parker and Julia! I love these kids so much and am so glad I got to see them! Parker and I were best friends that day and hearing Julia call my name makes me smile so big!

I was also able to hold Parley and make him smile really big! This boy is growing too fast for the amount of time that I get to see him! He is definitely Chad and Lisa's!

On Saturday we made a quick trip to Morgan, Utah to attend Parley's blessing. (For all of you who think that I always look perfect take note of the bad hair day-yikes-at least they caught it on camera for you!)

This was on the corner by Broulim's. Yup-that is a hand and a Jamba cup carved out of snow!

Enjoy the Journey.