Blessings

So T's Dad is amazing. Period. In fact, T's entire family is all around amazing. His parents and grandparents especially. Seriously, if you need 2 great examples (besides my parents of course) of how to live a Christ centered life and how to raise a family of 5 kids, T's parents are the ones to look to. T's Dad is this incredible man with a story for everything and advice coming out of his ears. I can honestly say that I have never been more happy to get hurt playing football than I was this Thanksgiving. Sitting on the sidelines with a stalwart and loving man that has gone through so much already has really made me look at life a little more differently lately. I learned quite a bit about this amazing man that has raised the amazing man that I am dating. All I can say is, Wow. I am so blessed to even be involved in their lives much less have the opportunity to get to know them. The Lord has always strengthened me by the examples that others have led and T's family is no exception. I love that T shares his grandparents with me, I love getting to know more stories and about their lives! Sorry if this post is scatterbrained, it's just what happens when I get an overload of blessings. So that's not necessarily a bad thing, right?

All you need to know? I am one very blessed little girl.

Day of Thanks

T and I spent the day before Thanksgiving with his family this year. They were even nice enough to celebrate Thanksgiving a day early so the both of us could be there! Yeah, I know, they're a pretty awesome family. I loved spending the day with all of them, T's family are some of the greatest people I have ever met in my entire life. They're all so full of life, vitality, and they all have this incredible vibrant energy around each one of them. I'm grateful that I have been able to interact with such amazing people this year.

The Turkey Bowl in T's home ward was Thanksgiving morning. Let's just say, T and I kicked trash on both of our teams (yes, there were 4 teams and no, we didn't get to play on the same team with each other). Unfortunately, like always, I ended up getting hurt. And it wasn't even tackle football! This time, it was my own fault. I twisted in the air and landed on my back trying to catch the football. Though to my credit, I did score a touchdown. I also scored an injured muscle in my lower back. Fortunately for me, T's Dad had some drugs that eased the pain for me.

(See above picture for what my face may have looked like when my body is in pain, pretty great, don't ya think?)

T and I left for Provo for my family's Thanksgiving dinner, T ate dinner, I didn't. For some reason, I was nauseous and ended up laying on the couch watching movies. After blacking out because of some minor pain, I went to bed early and slept later than I have all semester. Now don't get me wrong... this did not put a dent in my Thanksgiving! HA! Like I would let a little pain ruin my Thanksgiving. Nuh uh. I wouldn't have any of that. I was with the people that I love the most and I have so much to be grateful for. I can honestly say that it was the best Thanksgiving ever. I got my yams. I got my pie (with lots and lots of whipped cream). I had my boy. I spent it with 2 of the most amazing families on the face of this earth. I love them both. And I sure am grateful for both.

All in all, I'd have to say it was a pretty successful Thanksgiving, wouldn't you?

Creative Dance

Creative Dance is quite possibly, wait no, it IS the most ridiculous and pointless class I have ever taken in the history of all pointless classes!

I will never. EVER. Teach children subject matter through creative dance. Give me a break. Who actually has time to teach like that anyways?

Wanna know what's sad? I think I'm going to get the same grade in my Dance class that I am in my Math class. Honestly? That should pretty much explain how lame this class is.

Thought I would just vent for a little bit.

Waiting

Dear Thanksgiving,

You're so wonderful.
You're so giving.
You're so yummy.
You're so glorious.
You're also taking forever to get here.
*sigh*
I guess you'll be worth it though.
Just make sure Rich doesn't eat all of the candied yams this year.
And if I could have seconds of Mike's pumpkin pie I wouldn't complain...
Ok?

Yours with an empty stomach,
Jamie

365 days

365 days. 52 weeks. 525948.7662 minutes. 31556926 seconds. Get the picture?

One year ago, at about this exact same time, I was dreading what would hopefully be the last blind date I would ever go on. On a side note, I love blind dates. I was just up for a break from them for a while when all of this happened. My older sister was going on a date with a guy we both knew and he wanted to set me up with one of his friends. I love the guy like he was my own brother and I knew my sister wouldn't go on the date unless I went too so... I said yes. I couldn't let them down, right?

The night we were supposed to go out, I spent about 10 minutes tops getting ready. A brush of mascara and a swipe of plain old Burt's Bee's was all that made it onto my face. My ensemble didn't make it better either. A semi nice t-shirt, an old jacket, and a pair of faded jeans created the final "masterpiece." Oh, and to make it even better? I left my hair hanging like a dead rat from my scalp. Seriously?! What was I thinking? Oh wait, that's right. I wasn't. How embarrassed I was when every girl's dream walked through my door- the absolute epitome of tall, dark, and handsome stood right in front of me. And please note that I was standing there looking like an exploded mess with nasty hair and bad taste in clothes! Disgusto. After I stood there with my mouth open and drooling, I introduced myself to my date of the night before he went on ahead and played the perfect gentleman and introduced himself to my parents.

Surprisingly enough, we hit it off the entire date. I forgot how absolutely gross I looked and started really having fun with the guy. We hit Red Robin, walked around the mall (where I found out he loves ties too. Click here to read about my tie obsession), played a rockin' game of pool, and headed to his house for dessert. He gave me the best hug of my life on my doorstep that night and said the one sentence that always gets said after a blind date, but never ends up happening-"Let's do it again sometime." I just smiled and told him he had my number. Although I hoped he would call, I didn't think he actually would. Little did I know that it would be the very next day too! We started officially dating 2 weeks after that night and the rest is history... one year later we're still dating up a storm and enjoying every minute of it!

T has put up with all of my crazy family members and I mean EVERY single one of them, immediate and extended. He thinks all of my imperfections are just 'quirks' that make me that much more cute. He'll have food fights and water fights with me. He'll wrestle with me (even though he wins everytime). He's my chess buddy. He likes spicy food. He's great with money. He's really a big romantic. He dances. He taught me how to dance. Actually, he taught me how to enjoy dancing. He thinks I'm beautiful even in my nasty sweats and a hoodie. He thinks it's funny when I lose my voice. He's sarcastic. He's funny. He does the best Kermit the Frog impression I've ever heard. He loves Bill Cosby. He loves Calvin and Hobbes. He loves bugs (the car version, not actual bugs that fly and whatnot). He loves cars. He loves Christmas. He loves Biscuits and Gravy. He enjoys running. He doesn't mind feet or toes. He likes to create and make things with his hands. He's competitive. He cooks. He makes me happy. He went on a mission-to Finland! He's a worthy Priesthood holder. He has a testimony of Christ and the Gospel. He's perfectly imperfect, which makes him my Mr. Perfect. And guess what ladies?

He loves me!

P.s. Shout out to Adrienne who was part of the matchmaking scheme to get us together- I owe you big time!

After Dinner Mint

After dinner mints that turn your tongue green?! AND they tasted wonderfully chocolatey and minty! Now that's worth blogging about.

You wish you were us. Admit it.

Keeping Faith While Falling

You know what? Life is a big pain in my patootie (what my aunt lovingly calls a persons 'bum' at times). T reminded me that life is supposed to be hard though. If it wasn't hard, then it wouldn't be very worthwhile, now would it? I'm on this earth to learn and grow. I promised to do that.

I like to think that Heavenly Father and I had a nice little talk those few moments before I was sent down to this world. Maybe we didn't even talk. Maybe He just held me close and told me that He loved me and that it wouldn't be very long until we saw each other again. Then I think of how I would have felt, standing in line for the time my spirit and body would unite for the first time. Would my new family love me? Would I grow up to be someone that would be great... or small? What would my career be? Who would I marry? Did he already leave the premortal life before me or is he somewhere in line behind me? Would I be a good person? What kinds of mistakes would I make? Did I already know the answers to these questions? I'm thinking I was probably scared. A lot. You're probably wondering why I'm even writing about this. Maybe it's because I'm scared. A lot. You know what's funny? It's about some of those exact same questions I might have asked right before I was born.

Figuring out who you're going to spend eternity with is not the easiest thing on earth. Going to school and going through what seems to be endless lesson plans, tests, and teachers that just don't get it is hard. Even little callings and meetings sometimes seem like they take up too much time. But you know what? I'm going to kick myself into gear. No one ever became anyone great unless they did something about it. My problem? I'm scared to death of falling. But hey, fear and faith cannot live together. And I'd rather live in faith rather than fear. So open the door, let me jump out, and life-be prepared, because J is coming skydiving and she just started falling!

I only hope that the chute opens when I get close to the ground.

P.S. Check out Bobbi and Mike Photography if you're up to looking at some amazing work by some amazing photographers!

Hermana

I have talked to Misty almost everyday for the past 20 years of my life. Every. Single. Day. Do you understand how hard it is to go cold turkey and not talk to one of your best friends for over 2 months?! It's hard. WAY hard. So that's why today is such a happy day! Hermana Madsen called from the airport on her way to Guatemala! I got to talk to her for 15 whole minutes (and skip my music class). Do you have any idea how difficult it is to catch up 2 months worth in 15 minutes?! I think we got the important things talked about at least. It was great to hear her and I'm so grateful to have a sister who is serving the Lord and bringing our brothers and sisters in Guatemala the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her testimony is ever so strong, it's gotten so you can even feel it in her words across the phone. Misty is my hero and one of my best friends. But I usually just call her my sister. I only have 3 of them, which makes the word 'sister' among my favorite words.

You know what? 15 minutes just wasn't enough.

Beginning of a New Talent?

I. Am. Making. A. Bowl.

You heard me! I'm making a bowl. Out of wood. And no, I don't know what kind of wood it is. T is making something out of wood too. A pen. Then a pencil. Then maybe another pen. The bestest cousin ever is helping T out with one of his projects for his History of Creativity class. We're also going to make homemade paper so he can get an A on his project. I thought it was a genius idea. Yeah, I know, my family is awesome. I'll give you permission to think so too. AND as a plus... I got to smell like sawdust and wood chips. Which due to the nature of wood shavings and whatnot, it all ended up in my hair, my clothes, and every other crevice you may or may not possibly think of.

On a side note, I took the PRAXIS on Saturday and think I rocked it. We'll see when my scores come in about a month or so. Shout out to Elaine who helped me out!

Without a Doubt

I once thought I was in love in Elementary school. Tony Gervais once made paper airplanes with me during inside recess while it was raining. We threw the planes out the window and watched them tumble in the wind carrying their precious passengers which were in the form of worms. He then took the heat for me and said it was his fault when the teacher caught us. He got detention from recess for a week while I spent recess playing soccer with the other guys. I still feel guilty that I let him take the blame. He did make me fall in love with him that day though. Tony was my best friend, we were even married on the playground after he played knight in shining armor and sacrificed his recess time for me (which is a huge deal for a second grader). I loved him more than any other 2nd grader could have.

Looking back, I realize it was just puppy love. Even all of those boys through middle school and high school were just more extreme versions of puppy love. Today I realized I had never been in love during any of those times at all. I'm not sure I even really fully comprehend true love right now. All I know is, I didn't even have to fall in love with T. It just was. It just happened. It was automatic. Call it chemical. Call it gravity. Call it timing. Call it soulmates.

I will just call it perfection.

G. E. N. I. U. S.

Check this out! Pretty cool, eh? It's so cool that I'm blogging about it instead of studying for the PRAXIS which is tomorrow. Which reminds me... I really need to get off the computer and actually study for it. Pray that I actually pass it. I'd really like to not have to take it again. Happy Friday the 13th!

Dreams and Reality

You know that place in between dreams and reality? Those few seconds of getting your bearings straight when you wake up in the morning or from a midafternoon nap? The place where everything is perfect because you feel so good because you're not asleep, but you're not awake. Does that make any sense to anyone else except my head? Anyways... that's where I want to be right now. Instead, I'm stuck in reality where I'm up to my ears in lesson plans, projects, and math problems that I'm convinced are practical jokes because there is no way to get the answer that is in the back of the book. One more class that goes til 8 tonight and then I'm going to welcome that place in between dreams and reality. You heard me right, I'm taking a nap at 8 o' clock at night. I think I'll cuddle with T while he studies his Biology. And the game plan for when I wake up? A mug of hot cocoa... then study study study for the lame-o PRAXIS test. I'll be glad when that is over!

Until then... watch out reality, Jamie is here is kick. your. trash.

P.s. I have the best boyfriend ever. Hands down. T, I love you. ;)

Warm Fuzzies

"Men [and women] are that they might have joy." I love that scripture. I just read it today and it got me thinking throughout this entire Monday. I AM so that I can have JOY. Now there's some food for thought. So many people in the world today are so full of pessimism and the downright "I hate the world and everyone in it" type of attitude toward life. I feel so sad for those types of people.

Now I know we all have those down and out days, I mean, come on, I'm a real person too. But we're here on this earth to have joy! What a wonderful, glorious, beautiful thing that the Lord put us here on the earth so that we can be happy and joyful. Who doesn't like to be happy? I'm sure Heavenly Father loves being happy and I know that He is happy when we are.

I also read over Pres. Monson's last conference talk. Remember when he talked about the "warm fuzzies" jar? I remember listening to his talk and giggling over that clever idea. I think I want a "warm fuzzies" jar for when I teach. I'm pretty sure that having "Warm fuzzies" makes everyone joyful too. So... my challenge for myself this week? I wanna hand out some good ol' warm fuzzies to at least 3 people each day (not actual physical warm fuzzies, but compliments and good deeds). I'll let you know how it goes.



So what it all comes down to?

Be happy, it makes everyone else around you happy too!

Wonderings and Ponderings

I'm sitting here on my couch. At my house. Listening to my mom talk to one of her best friends from way back when. Her friend lives in Idaho now. They've been talking for 5 minutes, laughing the whole time as if they just saw each other yesterday. Now they've changed the subject to their children who they just sent off on missions and how they both felt. They're really, truly, interested in each others lives and still want to know about each others successes and failures. I'm sure that they'll stay on the phone with each other for the next half hour talking and catching up and giggling like high schoolers again.

It makes me wonder, Will I be like that in the future? Will I still keep in touch with my very best friends who have helped me become the person I am today?

I sure hope so. In fact, I need to go. There's that one friend I need to call and talk to.

Renewing a Forgotten Love

Blogging... I've missed you. Let's renew our love.
Love, Jamie

Plans for the rest of today...

-Finish Art Project/Start Art Criticism Poster
-Do math H.W
-Pull out all of my hair because I don't understand it.
-Eat lots chocolate cake and leftover Halloween candy to make up for math. :)
-Go to Stake Conference where Elder Ballard is speaking to us!
-Spend the rest of the evening with that "one" guy and the fam.

All in all, one perfect Saturday that has been a perfectly wonderful fall day if I do say so myself!

Life is good... nah, life grrreat! (Yes, life is so great, it gets three 'r's in its spelling today)