Mission Call

On February 28, 2013, Mike had everyone over to open his mission call. It was such a bitter-sweet night. I had such a weird feeling that was unexplained. I was so anxious and excited for him. At the same time, everything was becoming so real. This was really happening. He was really leaving. His family had a giant map of the world on the wall where everyone guessed where they thought he would be serving. I guess Boston, Massachusetts. I honestly had no idea of where to guess, so this was kind of a wish of where I WANTED him to go. Just somewhere in the states.

I could tell that Mike was really anxious as he waited for everyone to arrive. I watched as he went around from person to person, making sure that he talked to everyone. He had been waiting SO long for this moment and it was finally his. My dad was the last person that we were waiting for. It turned out that he was not going to make it for another twenty minutes so he told us to just go on without him. Mike sat in a chair in his family room and just started ripping it open. Everyone caught on and began to video. I did not know whether to go sit next to him or to stand with everyone else. My mom and friends kept nudging me to go and sit by him so I finally did. As he opened his call and started to read, his voice broke and I started to tear up. This was finally happening. As he read Kingston, Jamaica, I had so many emotions. I was so thrilled yet nervous at the same time. Everyone knows that I had been hoping for a state-side mission. The opposite always happens, of course! He is to arrive at the MTC on July 3, 2013. The mission is English speaking.



Needless to say, it was such an emotional night. Everyone had gone around nine thirty and it was just me and his family with him. We all sat in the family room and talked about what it would be like for him. I was so glad to be there with them. We looked up pictures and read some of the things that he had received with his call.

We both look quite terrible, I know.


They all went to bed later and we just lay on the couch and held each other. It was so nice to be alone. We just talked about how cool it was and how we knew we could get through it. I started crying and I talked to him about how the night had been for me. I told him how I had felt distant from him and shut out. He told me how he was just nervous and he couldn't think about anything else but opening his call. He told me he was sorry that I had felt like that. I guess I just felt so distant from him because he had been talking to everyone else and I just wanted to be with him. We talked about so much and it was so good to finally be back in his arms. (He has been away at school and was just home for the weekend.) I cherish my time with him because it is never long enough.

Anyway, it was a great night and I am glad we talked about our feelings. I think the whole thing was emotional for both of us. So, all I can say now is... Kingston, Jamaica, here he comes! And here's to this journey!

Sincerely, a very lucky girl

What is Love?

What is love? I found myself asking this question several years ago. I never knew. Of course I always dreamed of what it would be, but I never really KNEW. Ya know?

Wellll... times have changed and I think I have it all figured out now. It's the feeling of being your complete self for someone, trusting them with every little thing, being weird with them, talking for endless hours about anything and everything, COMPROMISING, listening, learning, doing new things, and so much more. I really recommend it. It's quite enticing and might I say, lovely.

You see, Mike and I are looking at one year coming up in March. Holy crap, that time flew. It has been the best year. The best. I love him more now than ever. (Well, yeah, of course.) Also, the big "Day of Love" is coming up and I have never experienced it with a significant other before. It has always been that kind of awkward day for me. That day that everyone gets on the social network and posts about loneliness and sadness. I have never really been the type to feel lonely or sad, but the day was just awkward, bar none. Soo, ya know, I don't really know what we will do to celebrate it, but it will be drastically different from other years. That's for sure!

And.. time is flying. Mike is leaving in less than four months to go on his mission. He will be getting his call at the end of February. I am so excited for him, but, gosh am I going to miss him. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was saying he would leave in a year. Now it is creeping up on us ever so sneakily. He is excited, though. I am so happy for him. Today we attended a farewell for two of his close friends, Alex and Jared. Of course, I started thinking about Mike leaving. It was sad to watch Mike say goodbye. I am dreading the day that I have to do so with him. But, I know we can get through this! I am looking forward to writing him while he is on his mission and being able to hear about all of his experiences. It will help me in my life. He will be such an amazing missionary. I am excited to see what the future holds for us.

I know that Mike and I will be together forever. He is what I have been hoping for my whole life. He is patient, kind and caring, very loving, funny, honorable, trustworthy, respectful, strong, sensitive, driven, an example, and best of all, he shares my same desires for life. He truly loves me and that is all that I could ask for. So, it's worth it. This is all worth it. I need to enjoy these last moments with him. They will go by fast. I need to love him and support him no matter what. He is going to need it.

I am so lucky that he walked into my life. I will love and cherish him forever.

Sincerely,

A Very Lucky Girl

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Welp. LIFE.

That's all I have to say.





 I'm just kidding. There's more. A lot more.

I spent my last couple of weeks with Mike at the beginning of August. We had some great times. We went to seven peaks, went to a wedding, went on dates, ate taquitos, listened to music, talked about our future, walked around temple square, spent time with my bike-wrecked brother at the hospital, argued a little, talked on the phone, watched movies (including my favorite movie, The Notebook), cuddled, kissed, and I did what I do best, smothered him. Lots. It's okay, though, he loves it.

So I guess you could say that we had some fun times our last days together. I enjoyed them, but, I always had "he's leaving" hanging over my head. It was hard to ignore.

The day came, August 16th, and we were on our way to St. George. My family, excluding my dad, and Madi's family, excluding her dad, all went. I guess you could say that it wasn't what I expected. It was a very, very fun trip, just being with my family and friends, don't get me wrong. But, it wasn't the way I wanted to leave Mike. We had some rocky times in our relationship. In the end, we talked about how we were feeling and fought it out so that we didn't have to end on a bad note. The last night I was there, he took me to Chili's, we swam in our hotel pool, and I gave him his present. I made this book for him that was 101 reasons why I love and adore him. I gave that to him and we both cried. It was one great night. I wish the rest of the trip could have been, also. The next day, Sunday, we stopped at his apartment to say goodbye. It was so hard. I cried when I walked away and when I got back to the car, my mom started crying, which made everything worse. I hated leaving him.

While he was away, I worked, went to school, and repeated. I talked to him a ton and we skyped, too. So, not so bad.

So, I guess the hardest part is over... taking him up there. Plus, I have gotten to see him much more than I thought I would. It is usually every two weeks. He came home August 30th and then left September 3rd. We had and AMAZING weekend together. On Thursday we played "catch up" when he got home. It was so great to see him. That night, we just hung out, watched tv, listened to music, and just enjoyed each other's company. Friday, we went and saw The Odd Life of Timothy Green. It was an adorable movie, to say the least. Very sad, however. I would definitely recommend it, though. After the movie, we spent the rest of the night at my house. I made us burnt grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches. He played some video games with Davis. Saturday, I went to the Bee's game with his family. It ended up getting rained out, so we went and saw Possession instead. Very good, but, very scary! Sunday, I did not see him because he had a party and was seeing a good friend. Then, Monday, I went to Snowbird with his family. It was for the Oktober Fest. I really enjoyed being with them. They are such fun people to be around. But, then came the dreaded good bye as he took me home after Snowbird. It was hard, even harder than the last time. Tears were shed, and he was on his way back to St. George.

Welp, another two weeks passed and it was time to go to St. George. Tay, Madi, Natalie, and I all went together. It was the epitome of an amazing weekend. I seriously think it was the best I have ever had. Mike and I got to spend literally every second together. I was so glad that Austin and Isaac joined us, also. We climbed up dixie rock, ate at Taco Bell, window shopped, swam in Taylor's aunt's pool, had sleepovers (so fun, but unusual with the guys), visited Tay's grandma (so cute), watched some sports games, got smoothies, and Mike and I enjoyed dinner at Chili's (our only alone time, really). What a blast it was! This weekend will be one to remember forever.

 

Anyway, I am so thankful for my friends. They have helped me so much while Mike has been away. They give me lots of fun times and make me so happy. I love them so much and I don't know what I would do without them.

And, we were off again. Yet another, awful, dreaded goodbye. But, I just have to wait for the next visit. He is coming down next weekend. YAY.

You know what they say... "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." It is true! I am closer to Mike than I have ever been, even though we are so far away from one another. We are making it work.

I love the crap out of him.

Sincerely, a very, very, lucky girl. <3

Oh, The Joys of Life

Well I have been feeling very... weird, lately.

It's sort of like postpartum depression... but, I didn't just give birth to a child, and I am not depressed. I feel like that towards graduating and just starting college.

I guess adulthood has really started to set in and take a toll on me.

The most exciting part of my day is deciding what shows to catch up on, after, and only after, my other priorities have been shown some care.

School and work, sleep, repeat. It is an ongoing process that can leave one feeling very lackadaisical and bored.

On top of everything, Mike is gone. I miss him like crazy!

Wellll... farewell for now.

Next time, I promise I will have a more optimistic look on life.
That's all for now folks. :)

A Blog is a Girl's Best Friend

I haven't written on this thing for so long. I could go on and on to say that I have been very busy, but, there is no excuse.

This blog deserves a little more attention than I have been giving to it.

Seriously though, life has been so busy. However, busy in a good way. I have been adoring life.

I guess that's a good way to put it.

Welp, tonight I think I may be coming down with a slight case of insomnia, so, I am deciding to give my blog some much-needed attention.

Let's do some catching up here...


First off,

I feel very blessed with all that has come into my life at this time. The other day at church I was called to be a primary teacher, now that I am old enough. This was the perfect opportunity for me. I absolutely love working with kids. I was ecstatic.

I guess you could say that I have been struggling spiritually lately. I just feel distant. I have been trying to do better, which, is working very well for me, surprisingly. Mike and I decided to read the Book of Mormon together and that has brought me so much closer to my Savior the past ten days. We don't always get to read together, but we stay in the same place for each night. It has worked very well.

I know that this new calling that I have been given is going to help me so much. It will enable my testimony of this gospel to grow more, while I am doing what I love. I can hardly wait.

I knew that something was missing in my life. I think I have regained that missing piece, finally.


Second off,

I met Mike. You may think this name looks familiar. That's because I have written about him before. So much has happened since those last blogs, though. Our relationship has grown so immensely. I am so grateful and lucky to have him in my life. I love him.

So, yes, a lot of my time has been spent with this Mike guy. But, every second I spend with him is worth it. He makes me the happiest person in the world. We complete each other, and that's all I can ask for, is someone that will better me as a person. He does just that, and I hope that I do the same for him.

I have approximately twenty-four days left with the person that I absolutely adore, and I HAVE to make every second count. He is attending Dixie State for college and I am attending Salt Lake Community College. Without him, it will be hard, don't get me wrong. But, it will be worth it. Our relationship will be tested and I am sure my love for him will grow even more. Also, it will better prepare me for when he leaves on his two-year mission next year.

I can honestly and whole-heartily say that I hope to spend the rest of my life with this man. To me, he is perfect. He is everything I ever wanted.



Third off,

I have been having a fantastic summer! Which, gives for little blog time. Or, maybe it's the fact that I am a lazy, graduated, high school student, enjoying these last few childhood moments. Who knows! Although a good amount of my time is spent at the ol' chicken house, I have been able to have some fun. My dear friend, Madi, brings me lots of joy. We have even developed our own language that has clearly been adapted to by several of our loved ones. You guys can all thank us later, for creating the language. Madi, me yoves you yots. We have had many fun adventures together this summer and I am proud to say that we will still be joined at the hip for college, too. Yes, we have three classes together. Crazy, I know. But, we can't be separated. It will be an adventure! But, no I am not ready for real life and the college world to set in. My other best friend, Natalie has been working up at Bear Lake a good portion of the summer. I have not seen her much at all, which saddens my heart. But, she found this guy. I think he makes her really happy. She will be home soon, though. YAY! We can reunite. She, too, is going to SLCC with her two best buddies.
 


Fourth off,

Fourth off, I have been trying to give my family some attention. I know they probably feel like they are pushed to the back-burner sometimes, but I have been trying harder during the summer to do more things with them. It is just difficult for me to be around a lot during the school year. It is highly important to me that I find a good balance. This summer has been perfect. We have gone swimming, hiking to the hot springs, hiking to a lake, girls' day out, etc. I have enjoyed every second. I love them and am grateful for each one of them and all that they do for me.

So, yes, blog, I guess you could say that I have found a new love (you used to be mine) and I have been extremely busy, or maybe just having a lot of fun. This summer, although not over yet, will definitely be one to remember. I just know it.

Best Day Ever: Junior Prom

I have to say... yesterday had to be one of the best days. The best dance yet. As I already said in a previous post, Mike asked me to Junior Prom. Well, yesterday was Junior Prom.

Mike had a water polo game which made it so we couldn't join the rest of our group for the day activity, which was totally fine with me. Instead he picked me up at ten and we went to Village Inn. It was a nice breakfast. Both of us ordered the VIB meals. It was so fun. Our conversations come so easily about anything and everything. I love it. When we got done, we headed to Kearns for his game. The parking lot was full so we had to park at the high school. We watched the girl's game first. He tried to explain it a little bit. Needless to say, I was still confused. It's a lot like soccer, though. It wasn't too bad. Then, it was time for his game. I watched that. They lost by two. After, I met his family. They were really nice. His younger sister was really fun to talk to. She is in eighth grade. He got dressed and then we left. It was only two so he asked if I wanted to go to Ab's. He doesn't eat treats or anything sweet so he just got a diet coke. I got this rootbeer freeze thing. It was really good. We talked about nail biting after discovering that we both bite our nails. It was hilarious. He dropped me off after and walked me to the door. He is so great.

I got ready because he said he was coming around four thirty. Then, when I was all ready and dressed, he told me it would be like an hour later. So, I lay down and took a nap for an hour. I woke up with a line on my face and drool on my cheek because I didn't want to shut my mouth and ruin my lipstick. I had to get up and fix myself. haha. My mom got back with my boutenniere right on time. He got there. We tried to put on the boutonniere and got a little bit stuck. I finally got it. :)

I absolutely love this picture. 

My mom had to take a bunch of pics.

 

We drove with Jared, Michelle, Austin, and Gilline. We first stopped at Isaac's house to take some pictures. We had so many people in our group. It was around thirty to forty people. After taking pictures, we left for the Spaghetti Factory. I was so happy that we were going there because I love that place! When we got there, we had to wait a little while since we were late. Then, we finally got seated. We had two really long tables for everyone. It was so fun! While we waited, we all played the games in the kid coloring books. Mike found all of the words in the crossword puzzle except for two. It was ridiculous. However, I did beat him at the box game. haha. It was funny. Then, we got our food. I got the mizithra as usual and he got the spaghetti with mizithra. It was a fun dinner. There was this kid there that I didn't know. I guess he was Jared's cousin. He was so funny. I wanted someone to do a toast. I asked Mike but he wouldn't. Then that guy did. It was so funny! I loved it. We all got our ice cream afterward. It was good as always. Going to the bathroom was kind of tricky. Jennie and Taylor both had to hold up my dress. We all did the same for one another. It was quite the experience. ha.

After dinner we all headed to the dance. It was at the Cultural Center. I thought it was really cool there. We took pictures first and then headed to the floor. Our group was so fun. The dance was great. There was a slow song eventuallly. Taylor (Nat's date) was MIA, so we let her join us until he came back. Then, we danced around everyone. It was great. :) The dance got over at ten and we all headed out to the parking lot talking about how we were going to have a dance party out there. Someone beat us to the idea. The song "We are Young" came on. Mike loves that song. We danced to it in the parking lot. It was so fun! Then, we finally left. Jared dropped me and Mike off at his house. His parents took some pictures and then we changed. His family is so nice. I love them! After that we went to Jared's house.

When everyone finally got there, we went back to his grandparents' house. It is so cool. It's a circular house. the family room is a circle with a tramp in the ground and a big projector. Two of the moms had set up this big snack table. There was a chocolate fountain and everything. It was wonderful! We waited some more and when everyone got there, we watched Prom Night. It's a scary movie. Mike and I sat on this hard, homemade couch. It was very uncomfortable but it was okay. We somehow made it work. He kept trying to guess everything that would happen in the movie, but I wouldn't tell him. After midnight, he reminded me that it was his birthday. I got to be the first to tell him kind of. :) haha. When the movie was over, we all said goodbye. It was about one thirty by then. On the way home I told him about my creepy neighbor and he got all freaked out. It was pretty funny. When we got there, he walked me to my door being the gentleman that he is and said goodbye.

I have to say, it was one of the best days I have had.

Sincerely, me.

My Friends are DEF Better Than Yours

This happened some time ago. March 2nd of this year, to be exact.

The day of my birth.

Okay, so it wasn't that long ago.

But, it is definitely blog-worthy. My life has just been crazy lately and blogging has gotten thrown to the back burner. Sorry, blog, I still love you. You are still my favorite thing in this world besides maybe a few things. But, still.

Onward and upward.

I could tell you how I came about and all, but, you already know. Besides, you came to this world the same exact way. I mean, maybe mine was extraordinary to my parents, but not to you (whoever that is reading this, if anyone at all).

It was my eighteenth birthday.

My morning started out with dance practice at flipping five fifty AM. After dance, I went to get some help in math because there was a test that day. Madi came in and she brought me a donut. She is extraordinaire and I love her. I went about my day, getting many birthday wishes. Bekah Clawson even brought cookies for our whole seminary class. It was so nice of her! It was a pleasant birthday, to say the least.

Now, I could just end there. But, don't worry, there's more.

When I got home, I showered. Then I got ready because I was planning to at least do something with my friends. Payton wanted to curl my hair, so I let her. After I was all ready, I decided to take like a ten minute power nap. All of the sudden, my mother comes in saying that I can't take a nap for some odd reason. I didn't care. I was too tired to listen. Then, like ten minutes later (seemed like an hour), my mom comes running in saying that I am being kidnapped. My mom and sisters were freaking out and making me get up and get my stuff. Then, they blind folded me. They guided me outside and put me in a vehicle with blasting music. I knew it was Madi's car the second I stepped foot in there. No one would talk to me the whole car ride. It was very depressing. haha they did hit me with sticks and tie my arms together every time I would talk. I pretty much figured out who was in the car by the time we got to our destination because of their scents.

We finally arrived. Everyone got out except for one person. I knew it was Jennie because I could feel her dry thumbs against mine. They let us out of the car. Natalie carried me out. (I could hear her loud coat.) Then we started walking. I could smell cigarette smoke so I said it. Apparently there was a guy smoking and they were all embarrassed. It was hilarious. We went into a building. I knew that we were at the Spaghetti Factory because of the smell. I walked in saying that. They were all yapping at me to be quiet because I was disturbing everyone. I wasn't even talking that loud. They FINALLY let me take the blind fold off. They were all surrounding me. It was Jennie, Taylor, Madi, Natalie, and Cadee. I knew it!! haha. We got seated at a comfortable little booth. They gave me my presents. They got me a zhu zhu pet that we soon named Wiener Hammy. We let him crawl all over the table. The waiter was a little weirded out to say the least. Also, they got me the unicorn from despicable me. He can unzip and a house comes out and then he can go back in his house. It is so cute. They also got me this special lotion for my dry hands. (My hands have healed, btw.) They are so sweet and I love them all to death. We all ordered mizithra, of course. It was so good, as always. Very easy for the waiter, too! Cadee even talked the waiter into giving us extra ice cream. He was great. We left him a tip and put the money in this cute design. He better have been thankful. Lucky man.

After dinner, we decided that we would go answer Mike back for Junior Prom. We went to the store and got the stuff. When we got back to Tay's house, she had just gotten asked to Junior Prom. There was little boy boxer briefs around the room. They had letters in them. Tyler Jensen had asked her. So, what we did is painted our stomachs with "YES!!!" and headed out. Right as we were pulling out of the garage, Mike and all of his little buddies came running out of their car which they parked right in front of Taylor's house. We left. First, we answered Tyler. We knocked and he came out and we yelled Y-E-S-!-!-! and threw candy at him. It was hilarious. Then, we went to Isaac's house where the other guys were. We went sneaking down the street. When we got there, we laid out a poster that said "I would be grapeful to go to prom with you!" Then we did the same thing with our painted stomachs, but, threw grapes instead. They all ducked for cover as we threw them and ran away. It was pretty funny! When we got back, Tay's cousin told us all about her love life and stuff.

We had many intentions of crazy things we could do that night. Streaking, skinny dipping, pranks, etc. Well, none of that happened. It's okay. It was a great night!

I love my friends. They are truly the best.

They next day, my mom, Payt, Tay, Madi, and I went dress shopping and to Arby's. It was a fun, fun day! I love dress shopping.

That night, grandma and grandpa came over for my family birthday party. We had pizza and brownies with ice cream. It was a nice, relaxing night. I got lots of money and a big treat basket.

I am so thankful for the wonderful people in my life. I don't know what I would do without any of them.

Sincerely, a grateful progeny.