Christmas break

You know when you start something and you rant on and on about hard it is? Then after time you either realize you were being WAAAY dramatic or maybe you just adapted? Well that's how this semester has been. Crazy but then now that I'm done I'm like "eh, I could do it again" I only have 3 semesters of college left. It doesn't seem like real life, it can't be. When I started school at the ripe old age of... Barely 18 I thought I would be soooo old when I graduated. I don't think I'll be feeling that old in just over a years time. 

Here I am at 1 AM mindlessly blogging from my bed because I swear my body has become nocturnal. I can't fall asleep at night or wake up in the morning. Spring semester is going to be a very rude awakening especially with that darn 7:30 class I had to register for. 

Christmas break so far in picture form

The week of all weeks

Finals week, it's the best week of the semester. I LOVE IT. end of story.

You see, freshman year I remember getting really worked up over finals. The daunting, dreaded finals I had only heard about. I had siblings wishing luck vibes through text messages and for the first time my social media was plastered with everything pertaining to finals. (insert Ryan Gosling hey girl memes here) It turned out to be like any week of college when you have tests....THEY ALL FALL ON THE SAME WEEK! Except, there are no classes during finals week so naturally i'm going to pick the latter for the win.

Through the years I have unofficially began a couple of finals week traditions. My favorite one starting my freshman year when I borrowed a wool sweater from my dad. (refer to this post.) Now, it's just expected that I borrow this sweater for finals week. This year, however, no begging was involved. I think my old man felt bad for me because one Sunday morning a few weeks ago my dad kept giving me stuff for my departure back to L-town. He calls them parting gifts, it's really cute. So he gave me a bunch of soup and tried to convince me to take gloves that were WAY to big for me, so i'd stay warm. And then he goes "meggie-lou, I have one more thing" He led me back to his closet and unburied THE SWEATER. I totally forgot about it. How did I forget about it? That thing is my very most favorite article of clothing he owns, and it's as itchy as heck but I love it. I love it like it's my own.

I wore it last week and decided to picstich it together with a picture of my dad wearing it.  So, who wore it better?

Everything else about finals is simply wonderful because it's like a week of justifying. Justifying that Rio salad again when you had one just three days ago. Justifying that DDP to keep you awake when caffeine has no apparent affect on you. Justifying sleeping in 30 more minutes because it's negative degrees outside and staying in a warm bed somehow makes that sting a little less because, heck it's finals week and you have worked your tail off this semester.

May your finals week provide a fun change of pace and may you find joy during this infamously dreaded week.

Also, between this sweater and the traveling sweater, I have some pretty strange attachments to sweaters.

just in case you wanna be reminded of these...you're welcome. Merry almost Christmas

This life of mine

I just read one of my friends mission e-mails. She is serving in the Philippines and it is so incredibly humbling to hear about the living conditions. Water that's so dirty not even a hefty water filter will make it drinkable. Children walking around in shoes that are 5 sizes too big. I could go on and on. I can't even comprehend i'm sure how humbling the circumstances really are because i'm not there seeing these things first hand.

It's seems almost ridiculous that it takes a holiday such as thanksgiving to remind myself to reflect and be grateful for this seemingly crazy life of mine.

I'm thankful for change.

I've learned recently that no matter how much we try to resist change it is inevitable. In the long run it will always be worth it. When one door closes others are opening all around us.

I'm thankful for hardship.
Without the bitter the sweet would never taste as good-or perhaps we wouldn't notice the goodness of everyday.

I'm thankful for Friends and Family.
I truly adore them with everything in me. They accept me for me. Any goodness in myself is a pure reflection of them and their influences on me. I have some of the best examples.

I'm thankful for pure and loving service from others.

I am a very blessed girl.

How to endure the winter in Logan

I feel like I should be a qualified source of info seeing that this is my third year living in the arctic. Last Friday I got home from work and was literally chilled to the bone. I crawled into my bed just because I needed warmth. This was an efficient way to get warm but not a very efficient way to socialize/ get things done. Next I sat at my kitchen table holding a burning candle in my hands. I was panicking, it was like I had never been colder in my life. What was happening? I thought I had figured this Logan winter thing out. Apparently not.  I was awfully suspicious though so I checked the thermostat and....turns out the heat in our apartment was turned off. So now I'm back to thinking I'm practically a professional when it comes to doing the Logan thing.

• So first things first make sure the heat is on. 
• Drink hot chocolate on the daily! 
• Purchase fleece lined leggings (they're dangerous. Confession: when I put mine on I avg wearing them for about 30 hours straight before I get the will power to put something else on.) 
• Bake as often as possible. (utilize that extra heat from the oven.. oh and maybe the baked goodness, which will also be warm)
• Wear chunky scarves. I literally wore the same scarf like four times last week. SEE!! 

I don't know whats more embarrassing- posting these pictures to my blog (social suicide) or the fact that I took them in the first place. 

May we all stay warm together. And may I soon be the proud owner of an electric blanket. 

easy to please

Honestly it is all about the little things. I am pretty sure that all I need in life is a full tummy and somebody to make jokes. Good thing both of those are pretty easy to come by. And it's a good thing that I laugh at just about every joke. 

This weekend Kenn got baptized. It took about everything in me not to sit in front of the font with all the other kids under 5. (but like i'm only twenty....and not married.) It was really fun to see Kennadee's excitement through the weekend. She is such a cutie. Saturday night I overheard her singing primary songs in her room because she had just gotten a mini primary song book. It just melted my heart. 

One of the most memorable things from my baptism was a picture frame I received with notes written all around it. So I wanted to do the same thing for Kenn. Naturally I found mine and made her take a pic. She was insisting for like 3 minutes that she wear her plastic vampire teeth in the picture. Like she wanted nothing more in life then to wear those darn things and this is me pleading with her to take a normal pic. For posterity sake...you know?

All weekend long I had to keep making her promise me that she didn't hate me. I had the honors of braiding her hair for the baptism and let me tell you this girl HATES having her hair touched let alone brushed through. So you can imagine the pre-baptism pep talk. "don't hate me, okay. do you hate me?" Then I would say "I love you" and give her a big wet kiss on the cheek pretending that she isn't a mature 8-year-old who doesn't like that stuff anymore.

Ethan discovered that the tramp was taken down so instead we raked up the leaves just so we could jump in them and scatter them all over the lawn once again. Sorry grandpa. ;)

Saturday evening I accompanied some of my siblings on a perfectly good date night. You guys I am such a good 5th wheel, it's not even funny. Dinner and a movie though? I am all over that especially when Mike and chels owed me a movie. (they made me birthday coupons and it has been all the laughs lately.  Every time we're together I pull another one out. Such a great gift, i'm telling you. And it forces them to hang out with me.) my siblings are the best for 3rd, 5th, 7th, or even 9th wheeling. And I don't even think they mind very much. because let's be real, I'm way fun to be around. HAH

To top off my weekend we partied at the newlyweds perfect cottage on Sunday night. Tay and Stephen are leaving logan in just a couple of weeks. I am beginning to feel very uneasy about the whole thing. Why don't people work around my time schedule and my needs? I'm way selfish. Anyway, I just really love these kids. They are my family away from home.  

 And my friends are babes right? 

Also this semester has less weeks then fingers on my right hand.  One more final push and maybe I'll make it. Part one of year number three is almost complete. ahhhh

"you're a good teacher"

My favorite question to hear from the students in my practicum classroom is "are you here because you're learning to be a teacher?" (If they have a 2nd grade speech impediment, trust me, it is that much sweeter.) I love telling them "yes, yes I am!"

Why I am going to be a teacher:

Most people going into education were influenced very heavily one way or another from one of their past teachers. Sometimes their experiences are positive and sometimes negative. Either way something has happened to them that has guided their passions to teaching and to the classroom. This is the same for me.

All through elementary school I had great teachers. I always knew that my teachers cared about me. There are countless experiences where I can remember specifically my teachers going out of their way- beyond the school hours they were getting paid for. It wasn't just me they cared for but it was my whole class.

Fourth grade was probably when I realized how much I needed the love and consistency that my education provided for me. My teacher treated each and every student as an individual with different needs. She treated us equally but differently. She wasn't afraid to speak openly to the class about things in our personal lives. Most teachers would be worried of offending students. I almost feel like she helped me face my life rather then trying to hide from it. In times of trouble I could tell that I was deeply cared and loved for.

I will never forget seeing my principal walk into my mothers funeral. I was a nine-year-old in disbelief that teachers and principals had a life outside of school. And I was also surprised that my principal even knew who I was because after all Elementary school seems pretty big when you're four feet tall. I have never felt so much love and compassion from individuals who had nothing to do with my home life at all. I'm certain that these teachers and administration have no idea how much of an impact they have really had on my life of helping me succeed and not letting me slip through the cracks.

I want to have a job where I can be an added resource of kindness, love, and support to a child's life. I want to make a difference in the lives of young children.

Educational blogs:

here, here, and here

The title of this post was inspired by the cutest little 8 year-old who walked up to my practicum teacher and said, completely out of the blue. "Mrs. Dahle, you're a good teacher."

Insanity

No, silly i'm not referring to the workout insanity. Because who has time to exercise these days? And in all honesty if I get one run in for the month I feel pretty dang accomplished. I'm all about the small victories lately it seems.

As of recent:
I can often be found with some sort of caffeinated beverage in hand. And just now when I realized I left my little bag of Doritos in my car I nearly cried.... and I will be the first to tell you I'm not a crier. Really, meg?.... really. And best of all anytime time i'm just sitting I almost always nod off into sleep.

I like being busy. I like being productive (which for me usually occurs when I'm busiest) but this has been a little much. I just think about the people in my major who have spouses and kids....like how are they not totally neglecting them? I'm confident they are better at this whole balancing life thing. I gave a lesson in Relief Society a couple of weeks ago on keeping a balanced life. And I have been the worst at applying it into my life. So i'll just keep on trying until I find that balance that works for me.

Meanwhile life is wonderful isn't it? If you surround yourself with good people it actually helps you live a more balanced and happy life. That is something I have always been sure of doing because it brings so much joy into my life!

I live for moments like these, these kids....they just get to me.

I'm going to be better at taking things just a day at a time. And be proud of even my small victories. 

Mid semester slump- here we go! it's all down hill from here. 

This talk is amazing! read it. And this one I just came across is on my to-do list of things to read.

OH I almost forgot! This week I started my practicum in a 2nd grade class! My new little kiddos are the most adorable things and say the funniest things ever! They also give me hugs like 2 min. Sometimes I wish I was able to be more loving and so genuine like them. There is truly so much to be learned from a child. 

advice from a mother

This is something a mother wrote to her daughter...what she wants her to know and remember. I think it is just the sweetest.  I have got to start living by this...words of wisdom they are.

“The main thing is just to try to be nice. You already are – so lovely I burst, darling – and so I want you to hang on to that and never let it go. Keep slowly turning it up, like a dimmer switch, whenever you can. Just resolve to shine, constantly and steadily, like a warm lamp in the corner, and people will want to move towards you in order to feel happy, and to read things more clearly. You will be bright and constant in a world of dark and flux, and this will save you the anxiety of other, ultimately less satisfying things like ‘being cool’, ‘being more successful than everyone else’ and ‘being very thin’.

Choose your friends because you feel most like yourself around them, because the jokes are easy and you feel like you’re in your best outfit when you’re with them, even though you’re just in a T-shirt. Never love someone whom you think you need to mend – or who makes you feel like you should be mended.

Whenever you can’t think of something to say in a conversation, ask people questions instead. Even if you’re next to a man who collects pre-Seventies screws and bolts, you will probably never have another opportunity to find out so much about pre-Seventies screws and bolts, and you never know when it will be useful."

Read the full article here.

fat kid camp..but not really

I just had this realization...hope it makes sense not just to me.

As a human being we store many thoughts. New thoughts are constantly being formed we can't help it. Usually I don't know how to interpret anything I feel because I just feel so jumbled all the time. There are thoughts bombarding us daily from different places. Good thoughts, uplifting ones even. Ones that motivate, encourage and possibly inspire. But then confusion tends to set in when the good is conflicted with negative, bad, and discouraging thoughts.

I think just being consciously aware of the two sources of thought can really make all the difference. Realizing that everything unfavorable stems from the adversary-our number one cheerleader for failure and misery. We all have days i'm sure where the whole worlds seems to be against us. I remember one day over the summer when I was laying in my friends bed in tears, crying to her. I hadn't the slightest idea of why I was crying until it hit me. I was about to embark on something very spiritually uplifting and Satan was trying to get me down. He threw at me every discouraging thought in the book. And they were entering far faster then my little brain had capacity to process. Once I remembered that big bully I was able to fully open up a channel to positive thoughts. And remember all the good and positive things I had once felt instead of failure and discouragement.

Just a couple of nights ago I was walking home from campus. It was 8:30 pm and I was finally done for the day which started exactly 12 hours earlier with a one hour break in the middle. When I was just about home I so casually thought that I should stop by and see friends who live very close to my apartment.(we used to be neighbors and now I don't get to see them very often.) Then almost immediately my idea was spoiled by "but it's been a long day and I should just go home" That thought was accompanied by feelings of self pity. Like I "should" be in a bad/complaining mood just because it's been a long day. WHY? I thought for a minute.Those thoughts of "woe me" crept in but I was able to push them out. My day was good, it was great in fact and I wasn't going to let something as insignificant as a teeny tiny negative thought turn that sour. Guess what! Taking ten minutes to stop by was completely worth it. It left me feeling even better and hopefully they were able to recognize my genuine concern for them. I felt that it was reciprocated and that's why I left having an even better day.

Positive thoughts will lead to positive actions and positive outcomes. I think that sometimes our postive thoughts seem too casual and unimportant sometimes in comparison to the negative, self belittling ones that too often creep in and spoil the goods. All it takes is a little nudge to those mean little guys or even a firm GET OUT and STAY OUT!

and because my favorite blogger once said "every blog post deserves a picture" here is a little TBT to that one time I worked at fat kid camp.

okay, so I never worked at fat kid camp but I have secretly been waiting my whole life to say that.  Also my friend Jane here, her camp name was Lars. (I guess it's from heavy weights...) so I thought maybe it was fitting/appropriate. This is totally not related to my blog post at all but every monday Lars and I would make jokes about Oakcrest being fat camp....for no particular reason, honest. It just helped make Mondays really great.

Autumn

Hello, perfect leaves and crisp air

 fall lovin with the bestie and cousin!

we wouldn't be mad if you stuck around longer then 2 weeks this year.

bring on everything cliche and fall related-all of it.

welcome to the Arctic, traveling sweater

IT CAME, IT CAME, IT FINALLY CAME!  The traveling sweater is in Logan, I repeat it is in Logan.

Girls with best friends going on missions- I highly advise you to get a traveling something. Best decision we have ever made. I'm pretty sure i'm not the only one who loves getting mail, right? It's the best thing in the whole world. Plus it's from your friends and it's clothing. My wardrobe increased by one sweater just in time for sweater weather. (and they might even send you a pamphlet on chastity...thanks cookie!)  I couldn't be more pleased.

Guys, in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Carmen, Lena, Bridget, and Tibby are all on their own having individual experiences at very different places in their lives.  Think of all the things that will happen in this sweater.  Gilly and Cookie are improving lives and bringing people true happiness. So it has to be full of good vibes. I mean...I could fall in love in this beaut! I can't wait to see what's in store.

Also it fits like a glove

creating a legacy

A legacy of wisdom, creation, and love. 

Today marks yet again, the birthday of my beautiful and inspiring Mama. It has now been 11 years since her passing.  It's weird to think she has been out of my life now longer then she was in it. How incredibly grateful I am for the legacy that she did leave.  I'm still able to learn from her life and her example.

My sweet sister-in-law Chelsey took it upon herself to compile photos and memories into a book.  She had been working on the book for a long time.  Being sure to have stories, personal journal entries, memories from her twin Karen, other siblings, and an account from each of her kids making it very personal and meaningful. This past Saturday we were able to see the finished product. And boy is it pretty! There were so many photographs I had never seen before and I honestly don't think there is anything better then some old pictures. 

It was fun to read about all of the personal stories.  In elementary school my mom and Karen were split up and put into different classes. By the time 4th grade came one of them had complained enough that they finally put them in the same class.

When Karen was dating my uncle Bob they would often switch outfits and then places and see if he would notice. They would wait until he was at their house and then after a little bit they would excuse themselves and make the change. (you've got to make sure any potential lover doesn't just tell them apart by outfits right?)  I love hearing stories about my mom being silly.  Maybe that's why i'm so funny! (maybe i'm the only one who thinks that...oh well) 

I was thinking a lot about her upcoming birthday and told my sibs last week that we should start some sort of tradition every year to celebrate her birthday and have a moment when we can reflect and laugh together about our most cherished moments. This past Saturday we were all together and without really having anything planned other then being together I realized that we have always been really good at keeping her apart of lives. We don't need say a milkshake tradition (although I still think that should happen) to keep her very much alive. 

It just took Kit's curiosity and the opening of the cedar chest to rediscover so many childhood gems which of course have associated with them many memories of our dear, sweet mom.  What happier memory then pulling out our old baby blankets? Each homemade and full of so many stories and most of all snuggles from Mom. 

 I love the picture below because we're all so intrigued with what Ryan had to say about his blanket!! 

Just last night Maggie (I'm telling you my sister-in-laws seriously are the best!) related to me a story of my Mom and how applicable it was to my life currently.  It seems there will always be things to learn from her.

How grateful I am for siblings who are an example to me of continuing on so gracefully yet keeping her apart of them.

I am so incredibly blessed. And of course thankful always for eternal families.

These boys though....hunks right? 

Happy Birthday Mama dear. Your legacy will always live on.

middle school and mirror selfies

Guys, it's fine the mirror selfies are totally justifiable now that I spend 21 hours a week in middle school.  On my first day of observing I was asked by an 11-year old boy if I was on the student council. Sooo take your pick on whether I look more like a 6th grader or an 8th grader. Solid 7th? That's what I was thinking too.    

Nothing has changed honestly. I'm still late to school. There is still no time in the day to pack a home lunch. I Still get lost in the hallways and literally retrace my steps 6 times before I end up at the right spot. The hallways still smell like axe.  Annnd I'm still harboring crushes on the cute boys. 

I'm not a pubescent teen anymore... well i'm not 12.  This week I have been STRESSED!  You could say I have had an identity crisis of sorts.  I'm just trying to figure out this whole grown up thing ya know? Every time I do something hard I think "this has got to be the hardest/ scariest it gets"  Three weeks ago I signed up for utilities through Logan City and would have told you I finally reached adulthood. That was it, nothing else could or would ever trump that task.  I"ll tell you it seems to have been trumped every single day since.  I still feel like that girl with braces and glasses who wore a training bra. (can someone please tell me why it's even called that??)  Also this whole adulthood thing isn't as fun as it looks. There is no way I'm old enough to be a teacher figure to these kids....I mean a month ago exactly I was still a teen myself. 

I'm trying to take this adult thing in stride but forgive me if I just wanna crawl into my bed and pull the sheets over my head for a couple of days.  

stay tuned...maybe in my next selfie I'll try the old duck face out.  JOKES guys, jokes.

a clothing malfunction sort of day

It has been one of those days where I wake up with high hopes of conquering Monday-when in reality I think it has already conquered me.

The clothing malfunction is a thing...some skirts don't work very well with backpacks causing them to hike up in the back.  And that's not something you realize until you are more then half way to campus and already late to class.  I think, "I'm fine I've got this, this skirt is not going to get in my way of Monday" and then suddenly you realize you have to walk ALL the way to the other side of campus to get to work.  (It's happened to me before where I have worn this skirt to school and experienced the hassle of tugging on it every 3 steps.) I felt like everywhere I walked though that I was in the way, like I was an unwelcome new comer.  

Oh no, did I look like a Freshman??

but it's fine because I just came across this and now I can't stop laughing.  One day I looked at this with Mike and Chels and laughed for hours. 

run in's with large objects [cow edition]

Sometimes black cows like to mosey around on highways where these things called cars travel upwards of 60 mph. I don't know whether it is me or my car that attracts large animals? Perhaps it was the stench of wet dog seeping from the interior that drew these beastly things near. Most cows meet death at the slaughter house but the exception turn cars into their slaughter house. (see what I did there) it's a tragic way to go I'll tell you because I lived to tell about it, unfortunately the cow did not.  For myself, the sister and the brother-in-law we were unharmed.  Seriously a blessing considering that there should have been fatalities, no doubt.

I really hesitate to post pictures I hate seeing pictures of accidents, they're terrible. But you can't tell a story like this and not show pictures.  And maybe to prove i'm not just being dramatic... yeah probably the latter.

How many people can say they literally scared the poop out of a cow and were covered in it. I even have stained clothes to show for it. Did you know cows have four stomachs?  Because i'll tell ya they absolutely do.  Can we just talk about how my steering wheel is bent from said cow? The cow was in my car!! Inches away from my brother-in-laws face.

It's experiences like this where you really think about and realize what is truly important. I don't ever want to take life for granted.  In just a matter of seconds everything can change.  I know that we were incredibly blessed and it's comforting to know that the lord is in charge, always.  Sometimes I forget that and need the reminder.

On a much lighter, prettier, and less stinky note I got this babe today!

I start my classroom practicum next Tues. and I have a badge to show for it.  Ms. Hewlett, pretty cute aint it? 

Back to life

I made it. I made it through a whole summer of Oakcrest.  It was really great, but now thinking back in retrospect it seems like I only imagined it.  I have managed the past week with only a few minor break downs.  Mostly I am just coming to terms with things I was once familiar with like buying groceries, spending money, and just being responsible for my own life.  I soon realized that I would have to wake myself up in the morning and plan my days all by myself.  I occasionally will wear my Oakcrest shirts on the appropriate days we would wear them at camp.  I find myself humming the caravan song and telling everyone stories all the time about people with weird nicknames.

But i'm here, back in L-town.  I have a social life, a BF, and so many things to look forward to this semester. I"ll be just fine.  I cannot believe It's my 3rd year of school, here's to making it a great one.

p.s. I have not cooked a real meal in 3 months. wish me luck #oakcrestprobs

The summer I grew up

I have been living in the beautiful Uintah's Mon-Fri since June 3 at oakcrest, an LDS girls camp.  Nine weeks and 97 girls later I am quite astonished at the miracles I have seen and even been able to be apart of.

June 3, 2013
Day one of pre-camp week is down and I feel like it has been 3 weeks!  I am exhausted-so exhausted. Today has been really incredible nonetheless.  Sometimes I feel like grabbing my keys and leaving!  I feel so inadequate and so unqualified.  I need to completely trust in the lord this summer.  It is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done. what did I sign up for?

The first week came and I was so excited about everything.  My energy levels were up and everything was new to me.  I remember those first charter buses roaring into camp and being so completely excited for the new adventure.  Week after week I was a little less excited about meeting new campers and not as excited about following the same exact schedule.  I most definitely didn't have the same amount of energy.  No matter how I was feeling though, the Mondays always rolled back around and I was back at camp to endure another week.

Each week was a roller coaster of emotions.  Sometimes my girls would instantly click and become great friends right from the get go.  Sometimes I would have girls who were homesick.  Sometimes there would be drama.  Sometimes I would think about how much easier I could have made my summer if I applied for another job. Sometimes I would have needy girls who would all ask the same questions what seemed like 5 billion times. Sometimes I wanted to think about myself.  Sometimes I felt like peeling over and dying from the exhaustion and heat.  However each low point was followed by triumphs and joy.

Those moments of triumph and joy were sometimes small yet so powerful recognizing the lords hand in everything.  A camper praying for the first time in public because Oakcrest provided her an opportunity to feel safe around her new friends. Seeing the spirit overwhelm a young girl who's home circumstances probably don't allow very often.  A note from my dad to lift my spirits as I was out the door on a Monday morning feeling very discouraged.  Writing my testimony in Book Of Mormons and giving them to non-members.  Receiving notes from campers that reminded me of my purpose and that I was actually capable of making a difference through the lord.  Teaching by the spirit.  Finding out that campers have been through some of the exact trials I have been and sharing my testimony of eternal families.  Interacting with a camper who had high functioning Autism and the amazing spirit she had. Letters and much encouragement from my parents every week. Energy and enthusiasm from other staff members who are always offering praise-when I need it most.  Seeing time and time again the lords hand in even the tiniest details and realizing who is in charge.

I am shocked that 9 weeks have passed.  What would seem like "impossible weeks" or "weeks that would never end" I can say with out a doubt that the Lord stepped in and compensated for my lack of whatever it might have been that week or that day.  Some weeks I hardly seem to remember and i'm certain that is when the lord took over.  God is good and God is indeed mindful of me.

I only have 2 weeks left to give it my all.

Proof that miracles do happen.  I have always wanted to hold a butterfly. And I got a letter from Gill today.

Oakcrest {week one}

I have had the most incredible first week at camp.  My campers were all so darling.  They taught me so much.  Miracles happened and the spirit touched so many girls.  

 

 That is definately a Dino on my back for the Tuesday night party!

saying our last goodbyes.

so long Sister Cassell

This sweetie bum left on her mish to Tacoma about a month ago.  With Cook and Gill both gone I feel a little out of sorts at times. It's strange not being able to send them a quick text or phone call.  Not to mention actually seeing them.... Who would have thought that only two years after graduation they would/ could be on missions at only 20 years-old. I know they are doing wonderful things.  I'm the proudest girl!

*also update on the traveling sweater- Gill sent it back to UT just in time for Cookie to pack it in her bags.  Since it is a sweater who knows how many wears it will actually get in the summer. Nonetheless it is in Tacoma with Cook to remind her of the reeses pieces.

DIY pencil skirt

Here I go, attempting my first DIY/tutorial.

As I was packing up my clothes last week I happened upon so many clothes that are categorized into this sort of "floating" pile.  You know the ones that "used to be cute" or you're waiting for them to magically work with your other clothes?  They always sit in the bottom of my drawers or the back of my closet because I just don't want to come to terms with their fate. They should have made it to the DI like yesterday.

Maybe i'm the only one but I could totally tell you all about a certain article of my clothing.  Where I bought it, who I was with,  significant places I have worn it.  Anyway I think that's why it's so hard for me to give them up, because everything has a fun story or background.  (i'm starting to sound like my high school sewing teacher and i'm only twenty...)

So as I came across this shirt that hasn't gotten a wear in months I got excited thinking of it's promising potential to be a pencil skirt. (This shirt works particularly well because it's a stretchy/knit sort of fabric.)

First you need to figure out your size. I just put another pencil skirt of mine over top and cut around it.  second you pin the side seams together (remember to sew them right sides together)  allow a healthy seam but remember that the bigger your seam is the smaller your finished product will be.

Third you add an elastic band to the waist of your skirt. (if you don't want the elastic to show just roll it inside the skirt, works wonders I tell you)  And no need to worry about hemming it if you're making it from an old shirt. You're done, now go dance the night away!

total cost: $2.99 for the elastic.

Yep, It's that easy and i'm seriously contemplating just buying knit fabric now to make more.  So quick and easy and the best part is not having to part with the old shirt. :) may there be many more memories in my newly turned shirt to a skirt.

homegirls

You guys, I know these pictures are blurry and aren't up to blogger par. But then again who even cares. The only people who read this will be my roommates because I'll make them probably.

Here you have Bai, Aim, Ky, Tay, and Meg.  Otherwise known as the dream team. Because that's what we are. Seriously, we're like the perfect married couple in roommate form but there's five of us.  I don't believe in plural marriage btw nor would i marry a woman but that's beside the point.  We are all very different so we balance each other out quite nicely.  We all lived together last year which was totally random and by the end of the year we realized that we kinda liked each other. (you could say kinda is a major understatement) With last minute housing changes and me being the 7th roommate for a semester we were able to stay roomies.

This time goodbyes were "see you in 4 months" and "have fun getting married, Tay. GL" and "Ky, I'm nervous for you to be in Moab by yourself" and "bai, don't get too tan in Cali you might wrinkle prematurely ;)" and "Aim, you are at least gonna look like a successful business women even if you don't know what's going on." instead of "welp you live down the street from me so I guess I'll see you around or like tomorrow prob."

This is the Summer where we grow up a little bit and do scary things. Except for me, I'm pretty sure I'll just revert back to my 13-year-old self at Oakcrest.

Now we get to plan who buys the houseboat share and who will hook us up with cheap flights.  Ya know, the goods.  Whoever's husband is most successful will house us for our girls weekends etc.  Oh and our kids will have crushes on each other, the usual.

Good luck with life everyone. I love you all very much! Thanks for our friendship and being your wonderful selves. 

p.s. tay don't hate me for picture numero 2. I had to, It's actually prob my fav. :)

Goodbye 2nd year of college, over and out.

LIFE LESSONS//keep your hands and feet in at all times

I stress out over things that I don't have control over. I for one like to be in control of my own life, who doesn't?

You know when you're in line at Disneyland and even when the line is short you hear the same warning at least 30 times? "keep your hands and feet in at all times"  It's obviously there for a reason and there to protect us.

lets apply this to life:

keeping my hands and feet in at all times can be compared to how I live my life.  Heavenly father gives us commandments and things to follow.  They may be simple like praying or studying scriptures but the key is consistency.  If we aren't consistent then the chances of us slipping through the cracks are that much more likely.  Just like the warning for roller coasters is there to protect us, so is this.  And you know what else.  If we are doing those things then we really don't have any reason to fear right? or in my case stress out.

Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. Alma 37:6

and here you have--My family

Here you have the blessing after party in picture form.  Chelsey took such great candid shots and I had to post them.  I like to think of these as "fly on the wall pictures" when you look at them it's almost as if you are apart of them--looking in.

welcome to my life//my family.  

 

The combination of the conversation that ensues alongside the humor of little kids and the snuggles from the baby...well it's a pretty solid combo.  Also there wasn't a single picture captured of any of the guys in my family holding the baby, shows who takes priority I guess. We know what's up!

holy hannah jump for joy it's Friday.

I have fun weekend plans. Do you?