Space for the Mind... and Harry Potter! Sept 18-24

I was attempting to be a good student and do research for my senior paper.. but how am I suppose to do that if this is what happens when I click the pdf?

My job this semester has been such a delight! My kids are adorable and they are so loving, forgiving, and including. Some of my best friends are two year olds. We work right next to a creek and it was such a pretty day and I had so much on my mind I just had to walk.

 

I am never one to wear t-shirts. I wear them on casual Saturdays or around my house. Nope. I needed some happy in my life and whats happy? Disneyland! So I wore one of my favorite shirts on Tuesday :) Thanks Mom!

I have always loved sitting on the floor. I use to come home from school and take naps on the ground. I also love studying on the floor! I am glad that my friends feel the same way. Bio study party in the library on the floor!

Missing my Natalie! And Santa Barbara!

This is Alayna. I am grateful that she is willing to sit and listen to me talk and rant and sort out my thoughts every night at 6pm when I get home from work.

I love words. True English Major over here! I usually have to work through how I feel with quotes. Loved these ones this week. 

 

 

Saturday there was a Harry Potter fesitval in Staunton! First of all, I already love Staunton! Second of all, I love Harry Potter! We wandered around, saw some wizards, bought chocolate, got some butterbeer, and ate pizza! 

 

 

Women's Conference was awesome! I loved the reminder to always remember our divine nature. I loved the reminder that we have a choice in how to handle that things that come our way. And I loved the call to be more articulate in how we feel.

Sunday I called Joey one of my EFY co counselors. I am so grateful for the people God has placed in my life. What blessings they are!

Chalae had a crazy game night at her house. I ran outside to call Alexys one of my EFY Counselor roomates who was leaving on a mission! I love her! But at the game night we played Heads Up boys against girls. The boys were very serious... HAHA

That night after we all played games and went to Hymns on a Hill Colby, Jahren, Maddie and I all went for a drive. We blasted music and just sang our hearts out as we drove all the way to Natural Bridge and then circled back home. 

Life really doesn't make a lot of sense right now. My classes are not my favorite at all, I have serious senioritis, I am not sure where I fit at the moment, and I am trying to determine what to do with my life. Its not the easiest. And I miss so many people that arn't here. But there is still so many good things to find everyday. Im always grateful to write these blog posts because they make me remember the little things. And life is all about the little things.

A New Experience Sept 11-17

This week was an interesting one. I don't have a ton to say or a lot of pictures to show for it.

I studied, went to the women's volleyball game in Staunton, studied sort of haha.

Sometimes things happen and we don't understand. Sometimes God gives us exactly what we asked for and then its gone. We don't understand his plan or what is in store. People are confusing and frustrating and sometimes you trust them and expect things from them just to be hurt and let down. I don't understand it. And its hard.

But there is always little tender mercies. One was being able to fall asleep and have Jessica in the other bed for half of the week.

We decided to keep a Happy Moments list on the white board right when you come into our house.

Friday there was a giant bonfire off campus. It was huge and there was a giant slip and slide and hundreds of students!

Saturday was a gorgeous day and we finally all had crimson to wear at the game! NFL films was there working on a documentary of one of our football coaches. 

 

This popped up on my Facebook feed and it couldn't have been better timing. Saturday some tears were shed and I desperately missed this girl who would just give me cookies, drink orange juice, and wrap burrito style in a blanket next to me on the floor. I will forever be grateful to Heavenly Father for giving me this girl.

Saturday night I went and saw the schools production of "Murdered to Death". It was a spoof on Agatha Christie novels. It was delightful! Im glad theatre has the ability to transport you to a place that isn't reality.

I miss having Temples so close. What a blessing to have peace and comfort and a bit of Heaven on this earth. All of you in Utah.. GO TO THE MANY TEMPLES MINUTES AWAY! 

Sometimes its okay to take a break from something that hurt you. Its okay to breathe and take time to figure out how you feel and what your thoughts are. Its okay not to be okay for a minute.

Its okay to feel sad and hurt. And it will hurt.

Its important that you turn to Heavenly Father and pray. Remember that Christ is light. Fill your heart with that and remember who you are.

Who Tells Your Story? Sept 3-10

"Look Around, Look Around at how lucky you are to be alive right now!"

Im very grateful for these amazing ladies I get to live with! They uplift, strengthen, and help me daily!

Sometimes your housemate makes you a delicious Sunday dinner and you eat it on your cute back covered porch!

We hosted a giant game night Sunday night. We invited a handful of people and they all brought someone. Our house was packed!! I didn't even know half of them. And these pictures were taken before like 10 more people showed up!

Love them!

My kids found this caterpillar at work and named him Joey. I quickly sent a text to my co counselor to tell him the good news!

Sometimes you sit on the couch and try to get some homework done... yeah. This is our thoughts on that.

Sometimes you have days where everything just frustrates you. Im so grateful for friends that are very quick to come give you hugs!

I was talking to Jessica who is going to school in Florida and I convinced her to come stay with me because all of her classes were canceled for the hurricane. I wanted her to be safe and I really wanted her to come visit me..even if I was leaving for the weekend. But she did!! YAY!

Thursday night I quickly left work and drove to the airport! Look how pretty it was! It was insane!

Friday was delightful! We started off strong with some pastries! Always a good idea. Then we were walking down the street to find a yummy lunch and BAM! NANDOS! This is one of my favorite restaurants in England! 

 

I love Chicago!!

We went to the art museum which was amazing! Without fail I cry when I see Van Gogh paintings. I could just sit and stare at them for hours. Also they have my favorite Hopper painting! I died. Also, we really enjoy this bunny.

 

 

Do you see a chicken or a ballet dancer? 

But really. I am in love.

 

Had to go on the boat tour! Im sorry for the lack of selfies taken on the boat tour. The couple in front of us took enough to last 5 lifetimes though.

Our friend didn't want to miss out!

Mr. Rogers meeting Abe Lincoln

HAMILTON. 

I got to intermission and realized I hadn't breathed. 

It was Incredible. Amazing. Spectacular. Brilliant. Inspiring. Funny. Tear Jerking.

 

 

Thank you Reid for the perfect trip! I was SO grateful to see Ryan and to see a show that inspires me. AH! So wonderful!

The trip home was a little crazy. My second flight they had us on the plane ready to go, then they kicked us all off for a maintenance thing and wouldn't tell us what was going on. Finally after almost two hours we were back on the plane! Then I had an hour drive to get home. 

I got home and had a crazy night! I went on a date and watched the end of the BYU-Utah football game. Sorry BYU... 

I loved coming home and having Jessica there! I never want her to leave!! I had a good Sunday morning and church and then had dinner with some friends. That night was the world wide devotional with Elder Bednar. That was great and then we went to Hymns on a Hill and then had a jam session at Colby's house. This is a frequent Sunday event :) 

I don't know what the plan is or whats in store! But life is crazy!