The Gobbledygook

Closing

2010-03-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day.
I mean the big day.
Are you excited?
Because I am.

Life is changing.
It's good.
I'm also changing blogs.

Have no fear though!
The new one is better.
Wanna still follow me?

Go to jandtadventures.blogspot.com.
You'll get to hear about me AND Tyler.
So much better.

The Gobbledygook blog is officially closed...

Taste the Rainbow

2010-03-03T11:31:00.001-08:00

March is supposed to be the luckiest month of the year, right? It's supposed to be full of rainbows and pots of gold at the end of those rainbows. It's where you catch leprechaun's and get a wish come true. It's where you watch the Gnomemobile (total old school movie) and Darby O'Gill and the Little People and get pinched if you don' wear green.

This month is going to be lucky. It's also going to be full of a lot of different changes. I started student teaching today. In the 1st grade. And it was awesome. My mentor teacher seems to have the same personality that I do and I am certain that I will learn so much from her, hopefully I can be a sponge and just soak it all in. I also get married in 16 days. That is almost exactly 2 weeks. It makes me happy. Excited. Antsy. And probably every other happy and nervous emotion out there. And you want to know where I'm going on our honeymoon? Me too. T has an extremely amazing weekend trip planned for us, which will remain a surprise until March 19th. I love surprises, I just really hate waiting for them...

That's the update for this month. If you don't hear from me for a while, you'll now know why. My life is crazy and I love it.

Bytheway... T and I will be combining our blogs to a new site in just a couple of weeks.

Excited for the month of March? Yeah, me too.

Precious... My Precious

2010-03-01T19:49:00.000-08:00

So I'm not as possessive as a certain Lord of the Rings character, but it is beautiful...

Today I looked down at my finger. My left hand ring finger to be exact. Guess what was on it? A ring! A beautiful sparkling ring. And then it hit me. I'm getting married. It's the big "M" word that I was fine with everyone else saying until I started saying it. It didn't come according to my perfect plan. The one that said I shouldn't have found Tyler until I was 24, graduated, and off of my mission. The one that Tyler interrupted the moment he entered my life. I'm sure Heavenly Father got a good laugh interrupting my life.

I should really be used to introducing Tyler as my fiance by now-but I'm not. I should be used to handing out invites and looking dowan and seeing that my last name is about to change. For heaven's sake, I should be used to a big shiny rock on my finger! But I'm not. When I said, "Yes" (it actually went more like... "What? You're asking now? I mean Yes! Yeah! Of course!") to the love of my life, I decided to never be single again. I promised him my life. I promised him eternity.

That's a lot of promises. A lot of responsibility. But you know what? The biggest decision of my life turned out to be one of the most easy ones of my life. "Yes," came naturally.

I found him, fell in love with him, and now I'm marrying him. Sometimes I think that I'm dreaming and that I'll wake up and it won't be true. But guess what?

The ring says it all. It's proof. The circle means eternity. I'm getting married. 18 days.

Love at First Sight

2010-02-25T19:02:00.001-08:00

So no... I'm not talking about Tyler again. Although it pretty much was love at first sight with him too. But today I'm talking about these bad boys!...

Do you see these books?! I mean really look at them! Are they not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?! They have all of the classics bound like this! How could anyone see them and not just love them? Because I saw them at first glance and fell in love with them. So go here to see them. Buy them.

Just so you know... I'm getting married in 22 days. My birthday is in April. It's even on Easter. That's 3 celebrations in the next month or so. Maybe I'll get lucky and get one of these for every celebration? Wouldn't a couple of these look so wonderful in an Easter basket on Easter morning on my birthday?

I sure think so. You should too.

Growing Old

2010-02-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

He looked old tonight. Sad even. Maybe a better word is reminiscent. His face was drawn together in concentration as my beautiful cousin-in-law played her french horn during her final recital at BYU. He held my hand during some of it. I watched as he tapped his pointer finger on the armrest of his chair to the beat of the music playing-just like he used to do when I was little when we would listen to classical music. Those were some of my favorite days when I could sit on his lap and play Pipe Dream on his computer or Chess while he taught me the classics of Mozart, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven. During the entire concert I could see how his face conveyed his desire to be back in the band room directing an entire class of eager students to learn their instruments in hand. I could picture his arms directing an orchestra concert and helping his students become better. I wish I could help him relive those days. I wish that he didn't have to get so old. Because today, I finally realized how old he has gotten. How every moment I get to spend with him, how every hug and kiss should be treasured and cherished. It's his birthday at the beginning of March. Another year older and much wiser too.

I love you Grandpa.

Blessings of Love

2010-02-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

After listening to Jon and Karen Bytheway's book on Tape- What We Wish We Had Known Before We Were Married...
Me: So how do you put the toilet paper roll on?
T: Over the top so it falls down the front. How do you do it?
Me: Behind so it comes through the bottom. Why do you do it that way?
T (with a mischievous look in his eye): Because then you can HIT it!

This conversation has nothing to do with the post of the day. It was just hilarious. I'm so glad I'm marrying a man who turns into an adorable little boy at times. Seriously, who puts the toilet paper roll on the dispenser just so they can hit it if they get the urge? I'll admit, I just HAVE to put the toilet paper on like this from now on. It makes me smile.

It's Love week. I used to be indifferent to love week and Valentines Day. But ever since last year where I had the best Valentines Day ever, my idea of everything referring to love has changed. I love, Love! Especially when it comes to loving T. I've never had a more easy time loving someone. My bishop doesn't believe in soulmates, but you know what he has said? That you make whoever you marry become your soulmate. Guess what? T is very much on his way of becoming mine. He's the most remarkable man I've ever met. And you know what he's up to these days? He's working on becoming my dream man. I'm sorry to tell him, but no matter what he does, he will always be my dream man. In every aspect and in every way.

Wanna hear the best love story ever? (*Caution-I do have a bit of bias towards this one*) Click here to hear about one of the best days of my life. You'll get to read about the man that made me fall in love with him from the very beginning. The one that I'm marrying in 37 days, 15 hours, and 31 minutes.

Lucky Lucky Lucky me!

Food

2010-02-04T18:08:00.001-08:00

Me: "Guess what I got you for Dinner?" (handing him the brown paper sack)
Him: Sniff. "Racherito's?!"
Me: "Yep!"

You probably think this is a dull conversation, don't you? The thing is, you weren't there to see him go wide eyed and see his incredibly attractive white smile spread across his face. Yet another reason I'm marrying him. He loves the simple things in life like good Mexican Food.

P.S. Home Depot=Good-looking men. Ok, well, just one in particular. But I may have a bias.

Limbo

2010-02-02T19:43:00.000-08:00

T works almost every weekday and I loathe it. I detest sitting on the couch without some to sit on my feet to keep them warm. I hate not having someone to talk to when I need a break from my studies. I highly dislike the fact that I did dishes after dinner and didn't have someone come behind me and put their arms around me and tell me that they loved me. So sue me. I'm in love and I hate being by myself without the love of my life. Being engaged stinks. Whoever said it was awesome needs to get their head checked. Limbo between singledom and marriage stinks.

I love life though! I'm getting married in 6 weeks and 3 days. :)

Rotten Luck

2010-01-27T10:00:00.001-08:00

Today I forgot the 'L' in my BLT sandwich. So now I have a BT sandwich.

Somehow it's just not the same without the Lettuce perfectly situated in between the B and the T.

And the Vote Is...

2010-01-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

Sometimes there are things in life that are just not fun.

-Going to the doctor is one of them.
-The last month and a half of an engagement is another one.
-And eating cauliflower is another.
-I'll add doing lesson plans, voicethreads for my tech class, and doing homework all night as another cumulative reason why life isn't fun.

But guess what is fun?!

-Playing with Mr. and Mrs. Potato head (don't judge...)
-Snuggling with T.
-Picking out what engagement pictures to use for the wedding.
-Getting excited to be married to T!

After doing my lists about what is and what is not fun, I've come to the consensus that...

Life is to be lived in moderation. Some of it is not supposed to be fun-it is for our own experience. So focus on the fun parts and endure the not so fun parts. They'll end in their own due time; might as well be optimistic about it!

B is for Box

2010-01-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

I have to do a digital storybook for my tech class. I've chosen to do an ABC book about a box. Why a box you ask? Because T and I have these GIANT boxes in the apartment from when we moved T in this past weekend. There's gotta be a genius story idea that will use all of those boxes... maybe one about different professions and I'll get T to stuff himself into one of those giant boxes and pretend he's an astronaut? Or a racecar driver... maybe a chef... or even a robot?! Or maybe I'll do an ABC book about 26 different things you can do with a cardboard box. Can't be that hard to make up an ABC book, can it?

I just have to come up with it.

P.S. Moving was quite fun. Once we're officially moved in I'll post picts. of our new home. Less than 2 months and we'll both be moved in and married!

March 19th, 2010... here we come!

Apartment Signing

2010-01-20T07:43:00.001-08:00

I know T already blogged about it, but I just can't help putting in my two cents also. It's official... T and I are the proud renters of the most perfect place to start a home! We got incredibly lucky to find a semi-large apartment (for the two of us at least) for an amazing deal! *sidenote- Props to my mom for finding the place for us. She's awesome. * Wanna know the best part about yesterday? It was seeing our names together for the first time on an official document. T and I couldn't stop smiling after we left that future home of ours. I get giddy just thinking about moving in. And yes. I used the word giddy. And I'm proud of it!

I'm really getting married. In less than 2 months.

Men Are That They Might Have Joy

2010-01-18T10:05:00.000-08:00

I love this picture. Wanna know why? Because I think it shows the world that I really am marrying the best man on the face of this earth. One of the top qualities I've had on that ridiculous "What I Want in My Future Husband" list I made back when I was beehive was that I wanted him to make me laugh. Everyday. And guess what? T fills that requirement along with many many more on that list. He looks at me like I'm the most important thing in his entire life with that incredible look of love on his face. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've turned into one of those love-sick bloggers. Get used to it. It's going to be like this for the rest of my life. I think I'll even blog about it into the eternities. I'm sure the Celestial Kingdom will provide for some pretty exciting heavenly blogging times (how I'll go about doing that, I have no idea) full of love.

As I was talking to T last night, I realized something. I've changed. My entire life has changed over the past year that I have know T. I have been alive for 20 years and yet I have never ever been able to see such a change in my life.

I thought I knew what happiness was before I met T. I thought I knew who I was before I met him. I thought I knew what charity, love, and compassion were before I met him. Obviously not. I'm learning that what is important to T should be important to me. I've never had better communication with someone else in my entire life (which in itself is a giant feat for me). I enjoy listening to other people talk, but I feel like my thoughts aren't important sometimes. When I put my needs before someone else's, I feel selfish. I think that is inherent in most women. T has taught me that my thoughts, ideas, needs, are important and that he wants to hear them; just like I want to hear about every little detail he does everyday.

Everyday I ask myself, "What did I do to deserve such an incredible man?" Today I realized that everyday I should be asking myself,

What do I need to keep doing in order to deserve this incredible man?

Curveball.

2010-01-13T15:00:00.000-08:00

For all of you who have never played baseball/softball, here's a little background for the blog post of the today (and let's be honest, a little ball lingo has never hurt anybody). A curveball is used to disrupt the opponent's timing. While it is a good pitch for doing so, it is also a dangerous pitch to throw. The increased topspin of the ball has the potential to gain tremendous backspin off of a batter's bat, giving it much added distance if well hit.

I have decided that life has thrown me a curveball. One that is definitely disrupting my timing at the moment. But wanna know a secret? Life doesn't realize that I'm ready and that backspin is going to hit my bat perfectly. Sorry life, but this is one girl who is going to hit your awful pitch out of the park. Do the math. That equals a HOME RUN. That's right life. In your face. There's nothing you can do to destroy my success. Oh, and I have quite a few coaches cheering me on from the sidelines. How can life even compete with that kind of resistance? How could I not succeed?!

Play ball!

LOVE

2010-01-11T19:25:00.001-08:00

L is for the way you Look at me
O is for the Only one I see
V is Very Very Extraordinary
E is Even more than anyone that you can adore
and love, was made for you and me...

Meet the love of my life. Stop drooling ladies. He's mine. I give you permission to look though, it would be hard not to. Enjoy the scenery.

Bubblebath Kind of Day

2010-01-07T19:09:00.000-08:00

You know how there are just those days where a bubblebath is needed?
It's not a want.
It's a need.

Today was one of those days.

Hangnail Ponderings

2010-01-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

T pointed something out to me the other day. When I walk hand-in-hand with him I love to push him sideways until our arms are stretched out between us and then I pull him back towards me so I can bump into his side. Weird? Yeah, I know. But it makes T smile. It makes me smile. I like random things. I hate the white skin on oranges and have to peel it off before I can eat it. Better yet, I hate my food to be touching (i.e. the potatoes shouldn't touch the string beans unless I give them permission). Being sticky is one of my pet peeves. It's the worst. I love surprises, but I hate waiting for them. But you know what one of my favorite things in this whole entire world is? T's hugs. Best. Medicine. In. The. World.

Period.

Waterfalls Are Supposed to be Soothing

2010-01-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Piano Player in the lecture room across from the JKB mailroom,

I can tell you are talented. I can tell that you like to play songs with a high tempo. I can tell that you are an orange personality and you want to show off your talent to everyone that passes you in the hallway. I can tell you have a lot of energy due to the incredible force in which you are exerting to pound those poor white keys to death. Is it because it is the first of the year and you are just so happy to be alive? Are you excited to be entering yet another semester at BYU? Did you just find out your teacher is not requiring a final in their class? Is it something of a more serious nature? Are you de-stressing over your girlfriend dumping you? Do you just need to breathe and let off some steam? Even if it is none of these things or all of the above, all I ask, all that I plead with you to do is to stop playing Jon Schmidt's Waterfall song over and over and over again. Broaden your selection. You are the 1,000,000th person to play it on BYU campus trying to "wow" us all. Play a different song or else you will have 10 digits less than what you have right now. A girl needs her sanity.

You're taking over mine.

Patience Is A Virtue

2010-01-04T12:08:00.001-08:00

5 Weeks. 4 Days. I wish it were half that. Maybe even a fourth of that.

I hate waiting. I am not a patient person. Heavenly Father knows that. I guess waiting 5 weeks and 4 days to be sealed for time and all eternity isn't even a blink of the eye in the eternal scheme of things. Good thing both T and I have work and 16-17 credit hours at BYU to keep ourselves busy. Not to mention the invitations to be sent out, showers to go to, reception to get ironed out, pictures to be taken, recommends to get, and all of that other mumbo jumbo. Yes. We are crazy to get married in the middle of the semester. Our lives are more exciting than yours though. You want to be us.

Admit it.

Monsters Under the Bed

2010-01-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

My sister used to tell me horror stories about monsters under the bed. The dark purple ones with scary green eyes and 8 legs that would come out from the deep abyss under my bed and latch onto me while I was in a deep slumber. Sometimes a green one-eyed monster would come visit the purple one and they would have a grand old time scratching under my bed or making my mattress creak and groan. I would stay awake for hours not daring to move a muscle due to my absolute terror of being eaten alive by the monster under the bed. My Dad had to plug in a night-light and promise me that no monster in their right mind would come out from under the bed and eat me while that light was on. I didn't believe him until he looked me in the eye, shook on it, and promised me that that tiny little light was watching out for me, he was watching out for me and so was my Heavenly Father. That sealed the deal for me. After that, I was able to sleep soundly.

I've been thinking a lot about that little night-light lately. I've been having a hard time sleeping. So many thoughts crowd my mind; wedding plans, lists up the wazoo, school, work, spiritual things I need to work on, and the whole mumbo jumbo of everyday life to figure out. I decided I needed another night light. Not an actual physical one, but one I can always count on to get me through my scary and rough times. And you know what? Tonight I finally realized I've had that other night light all along. One that will always be constant, will always be lit, and will never go away. T is my constant light in this world. He always fixes my fears, drives my doubts away, and makes me the happiest person in the world. No matter how grouchy, pessimistic, or doubtful I get, he is always there to pick me up and get me moving again. I have not only found the love of my life, but I have found the one person that will remain my constant light through every trial, tribulation, and dark moment in this life.

T is not the only night-light in my life. I have a loving Heavenly Father who provides light at any moment I need it. I have felt an increase of His love the past few days. It is a love that is precious and very dear to my heart. I am grateful that in His wisdom and knowledge, He sent me the most perfect man for me to live on this earth and into the eternities with.

Bring on the monsters, I've got my night-lights.

12.23.09

2009-12-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

Mark it as the happiest day of my life so far. Why, you ask? Because I am ENGAGED. A feat that I thought I would not accomplish for a few more years into my life. But Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways and decides to make our lives more exciting all of the time with his surprises. So... surprise! I'm getting married to the most wonderful man that I have ever met. People always say that there is more than one person out there in the world that you could marry and be happy with. I somewhat agree with them; however, I believe that there is that one person that you find at the right time and in the right place all due to the fact that Heavenly Father puts them there for you. T is going to be mine for eternity and I couldn't be more happy. The wedding = February 12th, 2010. Yep, that's less than 2 months away! Fortunately, we've already found an apartment and have starting buying things for our future home. It's really official and really happening! Ahh!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Today

2009-12-15T17:35:00.001-08:00

I feel like a slob. My room needs cleaning. I'm wearing my favorite red sweats and T's gray hoodie. I have a math final that I have barely studied for (*note-it's at 7 tomorrow morning. Yes, that is AM). I need a shower. I need food. I need sleep. I plain old need me time.

At least I remembered to brush my teeth this morning.

Style Schmyle

2009-12-09T10:44:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I have those days where I wish wearing a paper bag over your head was in style...

Today is one of those days.
(Oh, and did I mention that it is C-O-L-D?! Because it is.)

Stress.

2009-12-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

1 play review done
1 drama notebook finished
1 group project finished
1 Messiah production gone to
1 test taken
1 presentation given
2 lesson plans written

A few tests to take, a pop-up book to make, one music paper, and one more lesson plan and I am home free!

Pretty successful weekend, wouldn't you say?

Joke's On Me

2009-12-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

3 1/2 hour math test. Sounds like a joke, right? Well, it's not. Thought you should know.

Are you kidding me?!

A Glimpse Into the Life of a College Student

2009-12-04T10:40:00.000-08:00

Some days I feel a lot like Calvin...

Calvin: "You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood."
Hobbes: "What mood is that?"
Calvin: "Last-minute panic."

I'm a big procrastinator. And when I say big, I mean BIG. You want to know how big is BIG?

Allow me to introduce you to my life for the next week.

3 tests to take
3 presentations to give
4 lesson plans to write
1 pop-up book to complete
1 play review to write
1 drama notebook to finish compiling
1 group project to finish
1 Messiah production to go to

This is my life as a college student. Insanity is prevalent and sleep is nonexistent. It's a great way to live, if you haven't had the chance to experience college life, then consider yourself deprived. Welcome to my life.

Welcome Insanity.

What's the Big Idea?

2009-12-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

Pop-up book = Bad idea for end of semester project.

Too much to do. Not enough time.

Blessings

2009-11-29T22:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-27T16:58:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-20T11:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-18T10:12:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-11-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-13T17:44:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-11-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-12T14:53:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-09T22:40:00.000-08:00

"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

2009-11-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

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)

Guatemala

2009-10-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Guatemala.... here she comes! THE best missionary is finally off onto her mission and is going to conquer! Sister Madsen is off and away and is as prepared as a missionary can get. Yep, she's awesome. Period.

Crazy?

2009-09-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

I may or may not be overdoing it for one of my classes this semester. The final project is months away in December and I'm already in the beginning stages of it. Does this surprise anyone else besides me? I'm the biggest procrastinator out there and yet I'm starting a project 3 months in advance.

You wonder what the project is? A pop-up book. Which I have chosen to do by choice, not by force. I could do the average college student type children's book where you slap it together the night before, stick it in a 3-ring binder, and still get a do-able grade on it; but I'm sick of the norm. I'm sick of average. I want excitement. Something new. Something no one's done before. So here I go... sticking my neck out there, I'll tell you how it goes.

Missionaries

2009-09-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

Have you figured out the picture above yet? If you haven't, it's supposed to spell out "Chris." We sent it to one of our good friends on his mission. Another reason this picture is up is because Greg, the guy with the red arrow pointing at him, just left on his mission to Texas. Good luck to Elder Greg Whatcott! Can you see why I'm going to miss this guy? No one else can quite pull off the letter 'S' like he can.

And Welcome Home to Elder Jared!

Playing Catch Up Again...

2009-09-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in awhile... life got crazy again. School started. The boy moved back to Provo. Labor Day Weekend came. And homework piled up. Ah the life of a college student.

First things first-School is going to be insane this semester. I started my Elementary Ed. Program and I'll be in a classroom teaching PE in less than 3 weeks. Which freaks me out. I'm actually going to be teaching in 3 weeks? WHOA. I just need to take a chill pill and realize that I'm going to be just fine. Right?...

The boy did come back to Provo and life got even better again. Whoo hoo! Yes. I was excited. Don't judge. ;)

Labor Day is here and we went 4-Wheeling at the cabin and got to see some very good friends of my family's. It was absolutely wonderful to just relax after the first week of school. If only we could have a 3-day weekend EVERY week! I guess I can't be to picky though. I'll appreciate what I've got for now.

Homework has been insane already. Don't you hate it when every teacher thinks that their class is the most important and piles on the homework? I've written 3 small papers already and I've got a truckload of reading to do. We'll see if I have enough brain power to get through it. Shout out to all of you who finished college and survived it! This little girl can't wait to see if she does or not.

We've been trying to do some sweet awesome mini trips before Misty leaves for her mission and did a girls day and hiked Timp Cave a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty sweet! Had some great bonding time with the girls and got some good ol' exercise in. What more could you ask for? Oh! And if you haven't ever hiked Timp. Cave I'll throw in my two cents and say-GO! It's a pretty neat experience and I've loved it everytime we've gone.

(Gotta love cousins...)

(Gotta love that I'm taller...)

(Gotta love the adopted sisters...)

(The group of girls-minus the mother)

(In the cave!)

Happy Labor Day!

Rockclimbing

2009-08-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

I love climbing. I love the adrenaline rush and the feeling of success when you get to the top. It's moments of success, no matter how big or how small, that get me excited for life. The moments where your muscles are shaking from exertion, your sweat glands are secreting salty amounts of liquid, and that last yard seems impossible to climb but you gather every little bit of energy left in your body and grab ahold of the edge of the cliff and pull yourself over it. It's in moments like that that puts me in awe of the human body and what it is capable of. Moments like that make life great. The climb is hard, but the view at the top is entirely worth it.

So today, keep climbing. The view is waiting. Don't give up.

George

2009-08-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

I'm so grateful to have THE best friends in the entire world! This post is a shout out to my dear friend Janae this time around. We got tickets to the George Strait concert and went with the fam and had a blast! I love good ol' George and his incredible voice. For those of you who have no idea who I'm talking about... look him up. Now. Trust me, it's worth it. Anyone who has a good head on their shoulders can appreciate a man in a nice pair of wranglers. He's the Harrison Ford/George Clooney of country music. He only gets better with age!

Gooooooood times!

24th Extravaganza

2009-07-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or does this helmet shout, "Look at me! I have a giant blueberry for a head?!" Because looking at this picture makes me laugh, I really do look like my head exploded into a big sphere of blueberry-ness!

As always... Tyler had to pull off the whole helmet gig with no problems. He could have a brown paper bag on his head and still be attractive. Life is so unfair sometimes...

The first rattler I've ever seen out in the wild. The 4-wheeler and this guy had a close call.

The amazing view at my Uncle's property up in Monte Cristo

The 24th was wonderful! My ever amazing uncle invited us all up to his cabin this year for some good old fashioned fun in the great outdoors. Tyler, of course, came along as usual and we had a wonderful weekend bonding with the cousins and playing on all of the machines my uncle has. 4-Wheelers, Rhino's, .22 rifles, and a projector the size of a phone filled family fun time this year. Love the family. Love the boy. Love the outdoors.

Love life.

Neon Canyon

2009-07-13T19:05:00.001-07:00

Here are the pictures of THE most amazing place! Best road trip EVER!

Horizontal Tree

The Group

Dropping into the canyon

Treading Water!

The first repel

Gorgeous sunlight

The 80 ft repel!

Me in all my glory

Soaking up some sun

The End
We all made it!

Fish Lake + Family + The Boy = Wonderful Vacation

2009-07-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

The Lake was a blast. The family was amazing. The boy was undoubtedly handsome as ever. Put it all together and what do you get?! A very successful and wonderful vacation! And since I haven't blogged in almost a month... we'll do catch up via pictures!

Fish Lake was beautifully green and wonderfully rainy!

7-Mile picture taking...

Father's Day was while we were on vacation and my Dad loved everything we got him. Shout out to my incredibly amazing Dad and all he does for me and the fam! He's the plumber, mechanic, electrical personnel, and the all around "do-it-all" guy! I love him like every little girl loves her Daddy and he'll always hold that special place in my heart-I'll always be Daddy's Little Girl!

The girls who went on the trip (Including the dog and excluding the picture-taker. A.K.A. Me).

The handsome guy who just so happened to come along for the ride. :)

Out on the deck of Fish Lake Lodge. The view was breathtaking!

Enjoying the marina life with the handsome boy...

Hiking Calf Creek Falls-Sisters!

And this bad boy is what we just bought so we can play up at the cabin! Isn't he a beaut? Pretty much brand new and we had a blast this weekend playing on it!

Welp, there's the updates! Enjoy!

2 more days...

2009-06-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Until I am here.

Sleeping in this.

Eating this on my way there.

And seeing one special person...

Sigh. 2 days never seemed longer...

Mileage

2009-06-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Did you know that from my house in Provo, Utah...

-Fairview, UT. is 43.5 miles away?
-Fruit Heights, UT. is 56.5 miles away?
-Fish Lake, UT. is 93.5 miles away?
-Quetzaltenango, Guatemala is 2130.4 miles away?
-Brazilia, Brazil is 5801.3 miles away?
-Taichung, Taiwan is 6791.4 miles away?

Just thought you might like to know.

Sunday...

2009-05-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

... is in 2 days. 2 VERY long days. 2 incredibly drawn-out forever and a day long days. Just thought you'd like to know.

Oh, and shout out to my dear friend LAUREN! She got her mission call yesterday to... [click here to visit her blog to find out!]

List of 10 Things

2009-05-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

1. Twister may or may not be the best game ever invented. Curses is right up there with it. (I may have a bias due to the company that was present when the previous games were played). :)

2. I walked into the Fletcher Building today to deliver a package and the candy jars of all candy jars sat right in front of me just daring me to take one of the most delicious one of these. Mmm Mmm Good! I do believe it was a neapolitan one that I snatched.

3. Sunday was a good day. In fact, I think I need more days like Sunday. Laid-back, non-stressful, and spent in good company. Yep. Definitely need more of those ones.

4. In addition to Sunday, I wore a completely pink shirt that evening. And you know what? I didn't mind. I can't seem to think if that is necessarily a step in the right direction or a step backwards into the realm of girly girls. You decide.

5. Something even better on Sunday? I laid in a hammock and watched the sun set over Fruit Heights, Utah with a wonderful person. One word. Heaven.

6. My tomato skin is finally peeling to reveal a more golden skin tone... although I'm forever doomed to live with freckled "angel kisses" for the rest of my life.

7. 6 hours of studying + Procrastinating until the last minute to take the test = 95%. Not too shabby.

8. I ate lunch outside. And I took off my jacket. Then my shoes. And then... I talked with a good friend while soaking up some Vitamin D and eating deliciously orange carrots.

9. In just 2 weeks my ridiculous ESL classes will be over for the year. Finished! Finito! Done! I don't have the words to describe how happy I am right now. Because I am very happy. Very.

10. I went tie shopping with a pre-missionary friend. And it was wonderful. Tie shopping is one of my most favorite past times. In fact, if I were a boy, I would have a closet just for my ties. Yes, my name is Jamie. I am a tie addict.

Myron

2009-05-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Myron,

It's springtime now. I haven't visited you for a while. Does that make you sad? I'll bring flowers next time, maybe daisies? Or maybe some lilac flowers before summer comes and wilts their beauty? Your headstone could probably use some spring cleaning right now, it looked a little weathered the last time I dropped by. I wonder where your family has been, they never visit. Don't worry though, a little weathering never hurt anyone. It adds character. I'll be there soon to make you looking shipshape!

Your birthday is coming up. You'll be 59 this year! I'd throw you a party, but truth is, I'm sure the parties where you're at now are beyond what I could ever manage down here. But hey, I'll bring a few party favors and maybe even some of the usual strawberry lemonade (it's much too hot for cocoa).

I've missed our talks. You're such a good listener. Always listening, never talking. In fact, I don't know a lot about you. If you had lived, I picture you as a high school heart throb with curly black hair and a the biggest whitest straightest teeth known to man. And blue eyes. Deep blue eyes. You're old enough to have grandchildren now. I'm sure they would adore the distinguishing salt and pepper hair that age would have brought to you. You'd be the perfect grandfather-a lot like mine. Hugs. Kisses. And don't forget teasing. You'd be the sweetest, biggest tease.

Life has been good lately. Busy though. There's someone I'd like you to meet sometime. He's pretty special and I hope you like him. I'm sure you will. He'll update you on all of the newest car models, latest sports stats, and all of the new movies worth seeing. Maybe you can have some manly bonding time instead of having to talk about a little girls problems.

I'll come soon. It's finally warm and light enough in the evenings so I can run over and see you sometime. See you soon.

Love,
Jamie

This post is dedicated to Myron Dale Black. I thought I would introduce him to you. I met him one day when I was out running by the Provo cemetary and decided to stop and look at some of the gravestones. Look at the date when Myron was born. I'm sure he had to have been very special to only live on this earth for 2 brief days. So if you ever need someone to talk to... Myron is usually always available to talk with. No appointment needed.

Miss

2009-05-04T14:57:00.000-07:00

Miss (miss)
1.To be without.
2. To discover the absence or loss of.
3. To feel the lack or loss of.

_________________________________

I miss certain people

I miss easy trapeezy homework

I miss being outside

I miss having time to read books I want to read

I miss wearing beanies

I miss painting

I miss basketball season

I miss cleanflicks

I miss straight A report cards

I miss 8 hours of sleep

I miss sleeping in

I miss spring breaks

I miss my old running shoes

I miss THE missionaries

I miss tackle football

I miss Fairview

I miss the Drive-In Movies

I miss old Saturday morning cartoons

_________________________________

I miss you

Let's Go Fly A Kite

2009-05-02T12:39:00.001-07:00

3 words. Wind. Kite. Spiderman. Put them together and what do you get? The perfect weather to fly a Spiderman kite! That's right, we made Spiderman fly for all he was worth and then some. Spiderman was a trooper as we made him tough it out in a couple of trees and get wrapped around a telephone pole or two, but he's still in one piece without any major war wounds! Now that's what I call success!

We perfected the form of kite flying

We actually got it up pretty high

The cute little boy with his cute little kite...

Ah... the perfect way to start the beginning of Spring!

It Was Fun While It Lasted

2009-04-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

Still dressed in cozy sweats and the good ol' baggie boyfriend hoodie, I arrived to work at the usual early hour of 7 o' clock. Sorting the daily occurance of letters, flats, and packages has gotten to be a ritual I can do half in my sleep (Which is good, because that is definitely what I was today). After accomplishing a days work at BYU Mail, instead of going home at the designated time, I had the wonderful opportunity to begin spring semester at BYU after less than just a week of the winter semester finishing. Going directly from work to my 1:00 Doctrine and Covenants class, then the 4:00 ESL Foundations class, and THEN ending with the 7:00 ESL Acquisitions class completed my day at the late hour of 9:30 pm. Yep. Count the hours. That would be a grand total of 14 1/2 hours spent on BYU campus today. That is how my Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next 5 weeks will be.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Kate's Day of Birth!

2009-04-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Belated Birthday Katie!

Pink ballet shoes, flashy costumes, and a gorgeous grin is what has encompassed much of her life. She might be clumsy while trying to pour a glass of milk or trip going down the stairs, but she never ceases to amaze me with her graceful fluid movements on the stage while she dances across the floor. Her long elegant fingers were made to glide across the piano and pluck the strings of a violin. Not only does she excel in peforming arts, but her mind is a factory for creative ideas and a warehouse of math equations, stories, and memories of the past. I love her distinct laugh. Most importantly, she is one of the most kind, patient, thoughtful and sweet people I have ever had the honor of being friends with.

Happy Late 20th Kate!

Life Sketch. 300 Words.

2009-04-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

I recently had to write a biological sketch about my entire life for a scholarship application.

For kicks and giggles and because I love my blog so much, I decided to share it with you all. It was hard to write about an entire 20.02 years of my life in 300 words. I feel like I've lived more than just one paragraph. But maybe I haven't.

This is my life. In 300 words:

I was born on the first Tuesday of April in 1989. I inherited a body and a family—all at once. I grew up in the dry Utah air. As a kid, I lived to “play pretend”. I imagined myself as a doctor, a princess, a teacher, and a world-renowned rodeo star. During my middle school years, I broadened my horizons and grew to love the creative English language through writing. I experimented with music as my fingers stretched over the fingerboard of a violin. I dabbled in culinary arts, piano-playing, basketball and softball. My life was shaped by new things during my seventeenth summer. That year, I participated in a nationwide competition in Tennessee. While competing, I grew in ways unbeknownst to me. My eyes were opened as I met people of different races and cultures. My competitive nature became apparent as I presented what would become a national gold medal project to differing judges and most of all, I found myself as I re-evaluated the values that had been instilled in me since I was born. The Gospel truths I’d been taught all my life quickly became more than just teachings—they became the immovable foundation of my existence. I realized who I was meant to be and took a stand for my beliefs. But that wasn’t the end of the story, I kept growing up. I graduated from high school and accepted a scholarship at Brigham Young University in Provo. Now, as an elementary education student in my second year, I am still just growing up. Through it all I’ve learned that the first Tuesday of April in 1989 was more than just a good day where I was given a body and a family. No, I was given much more. I was given a beautiful life.

April Updates

2009-04-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

Catherine made me this bag and brought it by last week. Amazing, isn't she? Wanna see more of Catherine's craftiness? Go here!

On my day of birth last week I recieved these

To go over my new set of these

(I'm itching to start marking them up and filling in the margins already!)

My sisters surprised me with John Wayne Memorabilia like one of these

My hope chest now contains one of these bad boys

And my bank account now has a handful of these

All in all, a great birthday and an AMAZING weekend full of the LDS General Conference. I feel so uplifted and ready to keep going strong! After hearing L. Tom Perry's talk on missionary work I have a revitalized feeling to go out and do some missionary work! Here's my regular shout out to all of the missionaries around the world and to those of you getting ready to serve missions. I truly admire and respect you to no end.

As an afterthought... I figured i should probably come up with some type of organized system for marking up the new scriptures (instead of the regular blue and red pencil system with cross references and thoughts in the margins).

What do you do when you mark your scriptures and write in them?

Happy Birthday Alex!

2009-03-31T12:25:00.000-07:00

This studly looking young man is one of my very best friends in the entire world and it's his 19th birthday today! We grew up playing power rangers, doing crazy "experiments" with dirt, worms, and countless stuffed animals. He introduced me to putting salt on my tomatoes and eating them as a snack, we've done countless FHE's of swimming and going to the library. Together we have planned group dates, bike rides, and we have even supported each other all those times when our poor little fishies died. Primary was always a blast when it came to listening to Alex's talks; in the time it took one kid to give a 5 minute talk, Alex could do a talk of the same length in 30 seconds flat.

One of my most favorite experiences with Alex was when we both received the Kiwanis Award for teenagers that will make a future difference in the world. To stand up there with my "brother" and get surprise awards that we had no idea we were getting was an event I will never forget. Alex was smiling his classic Alex smile-where you can see every bulging vein in his neck and he has this huge cheesy grin on his face. I didn't really care about the award, I was just pleased to be able to stand with a kid that I really do think will make a difference for the better in this world.

Sure, he's a little quirky, but he's the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Alex is always there to stand up for a friend in need, he can move his hips like none other, he's friends with everyone he meets (and I mean EVERYONE), and you can't help but laugh at most things that come out of his mouth. If you have never met Alex, I give you just one suggestion-meet him! He is one of those people in live you will NEVER forget!

So... Happy 19th Alex!

Go Green

2009-03-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

Everything and I mean everything in Oregon is green. You know the song, "It's Not Easy Being Green" by Kermit the Frog? Well, apparently for Oregon, being green is extremely easy. Beginning with the leafy green treetops traveling the length of the moss encrusted bark finishing with the grass covered roots as they disappear into the ground. Everywhere you go it's green, green, and more green. My mind was going into green shock. As much as I love green, I was glad to finally be back in Utah where God generously used a full pallette of colors around the state. Don't get me wrong though, Oregon is a beautiful state to visit! It was a much needed vacation from school and some great sister bonding time! The trip itinerary consisted of...

Day 1

Goodbye to Mom and Grandma at the airport

(Misty's first plane ride-she, of course, loved it. It was NOT my first time, but I still freak out because I hate flying.)

Picking up our fancy schmany Chevy Malibu from the Rental Place

Finding our way through the one-way streets to our hotel for the first night-The Aloft.
(and rescuing Codi from insanity of her week conference for work)

Day 2

Multnomah (yes, that's how you spell it) Falls. Gorgeous, wet, and you guessed it-Green!

Multnomah Falls Gift Shop where we picked up some sweet awesome souvenirs for the parents and for ourselves, of course!

Waiting for Misty to get off the phone...

My favorite falls; it really looked like a horsetail coming out of the rock!

The Dalles (where they higher/lower the water for ships on the river) we crossed the bridge so we could say we'd gone to Washington, then crossed right back over into Oregon.

Day 3

Seaside! The word "beach" means that no matter what the weather, you HAVE to take off your shoes and socks and run in the waves.

It's hard to tell, but my toes are bright red and numb from the freezing Pacific Ocean water.

Visitor center at "The Column"

(it really was just that... a column)

Look close, you can see the pictures and a story is told around the entire column.

Day 4

The Portland temple! The spires stick out from behind a vast array of pine trees and you can sneak a peek of Captain Moroni standing tall and blowing his trumpet from certain spots on the freeway.

Day 5 (Homeward Bound!)
Met an older gentleman on the plane ride home who was on his way to Grand Junction. He was this amazing architect and traveled the country for his company. When the stewardess came down the aisle we both couldn't decide between the airline peanuts or the cookies. He got the peanuts, I got the cookies. We ended up halfing them and sharing with each other. He helped me out with my American Lit. homework and I sat and listened to his presentation about budgets, stats, and the logistics of running a company. Definitely an entertaining 2 hours of flight time (all the while the guy next to the window fell asleep before the plane even took off! If you're going to hog the window seat, you'd think you'd stay awake long enough to enjoy looking out it...)

The plane landed. No crash landing. I was alive. But... we were welcomed by a blanket of snow on the airport ground and swirls of snowflakes around our heads as we headed to the baggage claim area. A girl just can't seem to get a break! At least it's snow and not rain... right? Ha!

All in all a great vacation, great company, great memories! Thank you Big Green Oregon!

Rex Lee Run 2009

2009-03-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

Two Thumbs Up for Cancer Patients!

Can you spy Jamie?

What a cold day to have to run on this year! It was definitely worth it though! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Rex Lee Run, it is a 10K/5K race that honors the late cancer patient and president of BYU-Rex Lee. It has since grown into a race that honors all cancer patients and survivors and all proceeds are donated to cancer research. I ran with my wonderful cousin and his wife (who generously made me choc. chip pancakes after the race) and I beat my time of last year by 5 minutes. Pretty good, eh? The best part of the race? Honoring the cancer survivors and those who have passed on because of it. My wonderful adopted Grandmother was one of these amazing people. Char Currie is someone who I miss more than anyone. She was the best Grandmother a girl could ask for and after 4 rounds of cancer she was able to go home to live with Heavenly Father last summer. I ran for this amazing woman this year and I was proud to have her name on my back. She was at my side the entire race! For those of you who have ever battled any kind of cancer, know that I admire and respect you so much. Shoutout to Mama Johnson for overcoming her cancer years ago and for my good friend Mike who battled it in the 5th grade.

Wed. March 18th. 2009. Mark It On The Calendar As...

2009-03-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

... the Day that Jamie may not live through.

My life this past week...

6 tests taken
3 papers written
1 history book approved
1 rock final finished
2 basketball practices practiced

6 mailrooms sorted

1 missionary birthday letter sent
1 5k run and 20 miles of running accomplished
1 talk written/given
2 old friends caught up with
1 suitcase packed

1 brain burnt out

and yet still to go...

1 american lit. paper that may end up being the one cursed thing that leads to my downfall.

The depressing paper is due at 7:30 tomorrow morning before I leave for Oregon. How many pages I have done, you ask? Zilch, nada, nothin'. I consider this a problem.

My creativity is shot and nothing is flowing as I sit here at the computer waiting for something intelligent to enter my head so I can bust it out onto some 8 x 12 paper and run it up to my teacher's office bright and early tomorrow.

Who needs American Lit. anyways? Let me just enjoy reading for exactly that-reading. Who cares about analyzing Robert Frost and what he really means in his poems?

Thanks to the Robertson's who have let me take over their night lives for a couple of evenings and helped me brainstorm for this wonderful essay (now all I have to do is put it onto paper and sound good) and a shoutout to the Lloyds who I was lucky enough to see last night!

Rock On

2009-03-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

We've all seen the Rocky Movie Series... For those of you who don't know-I love Rocky. I even have the Rocky theme song on my phone and I have the Rocky yell down to perfection. The only reason I'm telling you all of this? Because I happen to be having a final on ROCKS in exactly one week. Yep. ONE week. It's kind of coming quickly. And when Jamie gets stressed? She either goes for a run (it's been too cold) or she listens to great music like the Rocky theme song to build her up. What's funny about all of this? The fact that I'm listening to the Rocky theme song so I can take a final on ROCKS. How's that for happenstance? Anywho, I thought I'd give you a taste of what I've been up to for the past 5 hours...

This clear rock formation is actually a mineral called Calicite. It's nice to look at, but it also looks EXACTLY like...

HALITE!
Get this, this clear rock formation is a mineral also and the only way you can differentiate between calcite and halite is by licking Halite (which tastes like salt). So yes, I have been licking rocks. Who knew I'd actually have to ever do that for an actual grade?! It's kind of disgusting too, it's makes me wonder, Who else has licked this rock?

Let me introduce to you this bad boy named Gabbro. Cool name? Yup. It's an igneous rock that is cooled slowly inside of a volcano. However, it looks exactly like...

BASALT!
Basalt is also igneous and is cooled inside of the earth also. I'm sure you're dying to know how you tell these two apart? Basalt has the teeniest tiniest little air bubbles that you can barely call air bubbles.

So that's it. My life. For the next week. Rocks. Thought of the day? Who cares?

Good News of the Month!

2009-03-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

I. Am. Going. To... OREGON!

For those of you who don't know, BYU has some insane reason for not having Spring Break. So... I'm making my own (Yes, this does mean I miss 3 days of school, but hey, I'm actually getting things done early for once and not procrastinating). I am going to have a wonderful 5 day vacation with two of my very best friends: a.k.a-Misty and Codi. Thanks to Codi we all have an excuse to go to Oregon for her work training thingamabob. The beach, hiking, and getting lost in the airport-I will see you all in a blissful 2 weeks!

Remember how I only have 2 weeks before we leave though? The only doubts I'm having?---Rock Final, 2 Papers, 4 midterms, and a 350 page book to read.

History. It Might Just Be My Downfall.

2009-02-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

I love learning about history. Really, I do. But who cares if the Qin Empire began in 221 BCE or if the Olmec culture was one of the longest cultures to last way back when? Honestly? I don't care. Maybe I need a better attitude about history. I love learning about all of the World Wars and about my pioneer heritage. Geez, I even like learning about the history of the planet. However, I do not care about when some person's village got destroyed and demolished by a mud slide or who got what after so and so died. Maybe it is just me and I need to work on enjoying history.

What I really think though? One more semester of this and I'll never have to worry about worthless history again.

First Five

2009-02-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

Let's be honest, I NEVER do these things. But the fact that I am now getting something out of Skate has made me breakdown and do this. So... here goes!

The first people to leave a comment on this blog will receive something made by me. That's right, Me. Myself. And I. However there are some limitations...

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year. (might take a while)
4. You have not clue what it is going to be, a photo, something I have craftily put together, or sewn. I may bake something and mail it you. All I know is, it will be AWESOME!
5. *DISCLAIMER* I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. It may blow your mind! Here is the catch, if you choose to do this. You must post this on your blog and be ready to make something for five people too. When you receive the fabulous item I make you, you must post a picture of it on your blog (because i am so awesome, my AWESOMENESS must be spread around the bloggosphere).

Remember to post your mailing address if you know I don't have it (which will be most of you unless you're in the ward). :)

Ready. Set. Post!

F. U. N.

2009-02-07T15:42:00.000-08:00

Fun (fun):

1. A source of enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure.
2. Enjoyment; amusement: "have fun at the beach."
3. Playful, often noisy, activity.

(Yes. We are artists. The gallery opens at the end of the month.)

I sure had my share of fun today. I was amused. I enjoyed myself. And it was definitely a noisy activity. Let me present to you something I haven't done since I was 3 years old... FINGERPAINTING! I think we did a pretty good job considering our fingerpainting skills have been out of commission for over a decade. I've missed the ooey gooey-ness of the fingerpaint that comes in the simple form of primary colors. Childhood memories from when I would paint with my sisters at the table with paintbrush in hand and paper towels standing at the ready came rushing back in a wave of nostalgia.

It made me think, Why did I ever stop doing this in the first place?

Series of Unfortunate Events

2009-02-02T17:59:00.000-08:00

Introducing the new series release of "The Series of Unfortunate Events-Jamie Style!" Included in this series will be Jamie's adventures through the harsh reality of college life and the epic of homework assignments, books, and papers yet to be written. Welcome to the first episode, doubly named, "Death by American Literature 101."

CAUTION-This is what it looks like, if you happen to see anything simliar to it; Run. Away. Fast. We first tried to be friends, but we're fast becoming enemies.

After a grueling 3 hours of high maintenance stress, Jamie has finally finished every flashcard, note, and memorization needed for her American Lit. test tomorrow. Every little date from when Columbus sailed the ocean blue to Benjamin Franklin's extreme obsessive compulsiveness over personal improvement (the man was a genius, but seriously, have some fun once in a while!) Cotton Mather was a sick man who had nothing better to do than to accuse innocent women of witchcraft and Anne Bradstreet had a split personality that makes for a confusing read through her poems.

Stay tuned for another episode in my life. I guarantee there will be more in future events. Until next time-this is Little Jay Madsen Broadcasting, over and out.

I Think I'm Just Going to Sit Here and Never Move Again

2009-01-31T12:05:00.001-08:00

Two words-Leg Injury. I blame it on my absurd competitive streak. I overdid it on my running last week and pulled a muscle while racing someone after a run. Get this though, I lost the race! (pathetic). I guess I was overdue and got a double dose of humbling medicine this week. I'm a wimp when it comes to getting injured and tolerating massive doses of pain shooting up through my leg. So now I'm stuck with a leg that is in excellent walking condition, but there is much more to be said about its running condition. Looking up at the steep Smith Fieldhouse stairs makes me want to throw my head back and break out into hysterical laughter or put on my best puppy dog face and cross my fingers that one of the football players will come around, take pity on me, and carry me up the five flight monstrosity. Short sprints down the basketball court cause my teeth to clench and my stride to more or less resemble Gumby with a missing clay foot rather than Carl Malone's sprint down the sideline. I'm sure the ladies that I play basketball with were thinking Wow. That girl has some serious running issues. Meh, why should they care anyways? As long as I make my shots and steals they shouldn't care, right? If anything, I provide entertainment for them and a distraction for the other team. Double the pleasure, double the fun.

But for now I'll just sit here thinking I hope I never have to move again.

New Adventure

2009-01-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Dancing. What a cursed word. I've never been a big fan of it, but I have to admit something... I actually liked it last night. Who woulda thunk? Jamie Madsen might just be turning into one of those "things" that likes that seven letter word. I guess you just have to find the right company to enjoy it with. Samba, country-line, a titch bit of ballroom, and we even tried our hand at irish dancing! Crazy fun, if you haven't been dancing in a while, go do it! Dance in the kitchen while you sing, buddy up with the vacuum, or just grab a partner and do-si-do! Let yourself go, it's fun!

...As for Obama's inagural speech this morning-HA! We'll see if he actually lives up to everyone's expectations.

Life Updates: Edition 2

2009-01-14T20:57:00.001-08:00

Well, for starters, my application is DONE! Finished! Finito! It's a wonderful feeling. After 4 ridiculous techonology skills assessments, papers all about me, fingerprinting, and paper after paper of "sign here, here, here, here and here..." you get the picture. Now all I have to do is wait. We'll see how that goes.

I have found a new talent that I'm quite proud of-hula hooping! Yep. You read it right. Hula-hooping. I'm the queen of hula-hooping in my elementary skills class (it's one of those classes that's pretty much a joke, but you have to take as a pre-req. for my major. Stink.). Maybe I'll quit school and go on the road to show off my mad skills to the world and wiggle my little hips across the U.S and shake 'em right through Europe! What do you think?

And if you all know me, I love to run. I think it's one of my passions in life. I wish I would have taken it more seriously in high school, I really would have loved to try my hand at hurdles or distance running. One of my life goals is to run a marathon. I would absolutely LOVE that. There's just something about being able to lace up your running shoes and pound some ideas into the blacktop on the road with intense music in your ears as you run up a hill or through a big ol' puddle. What a stress relief and endorphin builder! That's my schpeal on running (mainly because I'm taking a jogging class this semester which is incredible. Having a world renowned track star coaching you through your jogging is quite the experience!)

Good luck to you all this week!

*sidenote* Leapfrog=dangerous. ;)

Back To School Blues

2009-01-07T20:20:00.000-08:00

Today it hit me that Christmas Vacation is over. School has been in session for three days and here it comes, hitting me like a ton of bricks again. Bring it on! This girl is ready to conquer another semester.

While we're on the topic of school, I got fingerprinted yesterday for my elementary education application. Does this baby (me of course) look like she could grow up to be a criminal? ;)

Yeah, I didn't think so either. They should've just marked me off and let me off the hook. But instead I got to wait in line for 30 minutes and stand there while my little pinky rebelled and refused to get a "good print" (or so said the fingerprinting lady). I blame the machine. I'm almost done with my application, 4 skills tests to go and a few papers all about me and then I'm through!

Enjoy your week.

Oh! And it was a wonderful day at the mailbox again. A couple of missionary letters. One posted from the MTC, another from the D.R. Gotta love mail time!

Lookin' Sharp Elder Bryan

2009-01-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

So I had to add this picture... it was just too good not to! I happened to give him this amazing tie when he was in the MTC and now he's showing it off and entertaining all the little dominican republic kids with it. I think it's one of his best ones, don't you think? ;)

A Newfound Passion

2009-01-02T17:36:00.000-08:00

My cousin, Jason, mastering one of the harder courses...
I happen to be a professional belayer now Jace again

Tyler came on the joyride with us

(Pardon the nasty sweatiness and grossness...)

My cousin (who just so happens to love me the most) got me a gift certificate to the Quarry for Christmas and we went climbing this past week. We had a blast! I may just take it up as a hobby. An expensive hobby, yet a fun one at that! Afterwards we went out to Cafe Rio (I was having a craving, so we went) and watched Eagle Eye, which was surprisingly good. !

Adventure in SLC

2008-12-30T06:55:00.001-08:00

One of my good friends invited me to go with his family to The Leonardo's "Body Worlds" last night so I jumped on the bandwagon and went with them. Everything was so interesting! It had everything from the process of plastination, to the indepth explanation of the circulatory, respiratory, and cardiovascular system. They define every muscle group with plasticized "specimens" (people who were actually once alive and have all the fat and water in the body replaced with liquid plastic in their veins to hold the structure) and they explain the differences between a healthy and a diseased organ. There were the different phases of a baby fetus through the first 8 weeks of it's life and stories and quotes behind all of the organs of the body. I'm still in awe about most of it. The most random thing they had at the exhibit was a camel sliced in 3 pieces so you could see everything inside. It was crazily insanely cool. If you haven't gone, GO. It was worth every penny! After Body Worlds (which took us about 2 hours or so to go through, just be forewarned, it's a long exhibit), we went out to eat at The Mayan. Everything was top notch yumminess, even the spicy salsa was worth eating! I was so full I'm pretty sure I rolled out to the car. Here's some pictures from the night (sorry, but no pictures were allowed inside the exhibit)...

It was a long car ride squished between the Young boys...

The only time he didn't have his beanie on...

Look! A tucan in the tree.

This kid drank 5 glasses of punch and Sprite... nutter.

All of the food was good quality if you minus the fries. They weren't crunchy like fries should be (they were more like rubber) so, as you can see, we found another purpose for them.

Allow Me to Introduce You to My Life These Days...

2008-12-29T07:22:00.000-08:00

I've decided that the stipulations and questions they put on applications these days are ridiculous. The 'put your birthdate here' and 'put your last name here' or 'sign here, here, AND here, are completely annoying. Do these people not know that they just asked me my name at the beginning of the stupid thing in the first place? For the love. Seriously, shouldn't these things be short, simple, and to the point? They're going to be reading hundreds of them and they want me to repeat myself? Seriously people. Get a life and do something better than make up irritating questions that you don't care what the answer is anyways. There. I'm done ranting and raving now. All I have to say is if I don't get into my program after all of this, there could be a little girl who may get a little annoyed.

Overdue Christmas Tag

2008-12-27T11:03:00.000-08:00

Heidie tagged me... so here goes... (I know, Christmas is over, but what the heck?)

1. Wrap presents or just put them under the tree? Definitely Wrap!
2. Colored light or white lights on the tree/house? For the tree, depends on the decorations. Colored on the house!
3. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope... but I think we should start. ;)
4. When do you put up decorations? Day after Thanksgiving.
5. What is your favorite Holiday dish? The whole pan of chocolately fudge
6. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Sleeping upstairs in the attic on Christmas Eve with my sisters.
7. When did you learn the truth about Santa? Not quite sure on that one...
8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Our Christmas Pajama's from my Mom
9. How do you decorate the tree? We rotate the theme every year. This year's was the western theme.
10. Snow. Love it or dread it? Love it; until my nose gets too cold or it gets too heavy to shovel.
11. Can you ice skate? Yep! I'd like to try it going backwards one of these days...
12. Do you remember a favorite gift? I'm a big fan of the blankets my Mom made us this year.
13. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Remembering Christ, I'm afraid I didn't do too well this year.
14. What is your favorite holiday dessert? FUDGE!
15. Favorite holiday tradition? Going to Grandma's for Christmas Breakfast
16. What tops your tree? A random christmas light
17. Do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving
18. What is you favorite Christmas song? Too hard to pick. The one I DON'T like is the 12 days of Christmas or Feliz Navidad.
19. Candy Cane. Yum or yuck? Yum!
20. What do you want for Christmas? Well seeing that Christmas is over, for NEXT year... I like the small thoughtful gifts the most. The ones that mean something between me and the person giving it. I'm a sucker for picture frames and pictures...

Alrighty then, since I had to do this, I'll make my sisters do it too. I'm tagging Misty and Mel.

Strike One

2008-12-18T08:24:00.001-08:00

...They're almost over. The scoreboard so far? Jamie-2 Testing Center-1. Yep, that's right. Bombed one test, passed two. Should be interesting to see how the next two go. GULP! And here I go, off to home plate again! Batter up!

Live Life And Love It!

2008-12-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered how someone could even think of taking their own life? I've thought a lot about it this past week. A good friend of mine has tried taking her life in numerous ways that should be unfathomable to man. As I stayed up with her through the night last night, I had a lot of time to think. It truly blows my mind how a Child of God could even attempt to take their life and end a gift that we've been given to enjoy on this earth. I guess my message to you today is to LIVE life! Live it and love it. Whatever comes your way, hold your head high and move forward. That's all our Heavenly Father will ever ask you to do. Whatever slack we may have, he'll take up as long as we're doing our best. I have a saying I like to say when the going gets tough-"The church is true! So what else matters?!" That's what it all basically boils down to, isn't it? As long as we're doing our best and we know that the church is true, that's all that matters. Let's all be Christ's hands this Christmas Season and help each other out! Merry Christmas!

To Those Who Wear The Black Name Tag...

2008-12-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a shout out to all the missionaries in the field. I think Wednesdays are pretty much my favorite day of the week. It's the day for missionary P-days now and that's when all the Mom's forward all of their missionary sons letters to all of their missionary sons friends (one of those friends being me). AND sometimes I get an email or two from the ones who are allowed to email friends. Seriously, Wednesdays rock because of the LDS missionaries serving in the field and telling me about their experiences. How could you not just love Wednesdays?! I also received two awesome letters in the mail yesterday from some missionaries who are very close friends. How grateful I am for all of their service and sacrifice! It's a testimony building experience to see your grade school pals growing up into 19 year-old missionary men who grow so much on their missions. So thanks to those of you who ever have, will, or are serving missions. You are truly my heroes.

Week of Thanks

2008-11-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

So here's the update on this week of thanks...

1) Thursday was Thanksgiving (as if you didn't all know that...)! But it went well this year. I had to miss out on all the baking this time due to work, but the food was still great! My cousins and I thoroughly enjoyed our annual basketball game (which my grandma even got in a couple of shots, just like she does every year and shows us all up). It was an EXCELLENT holiday!

2) My dear friend Chris gave his "farewell" talk today. He did great. He cried. I cried. I'm sure the entire ward pretty much cried. He'll do great. We spent the night over at his house tonight chatting it up with all of the gang. I sure will miss him. But watch out Taiwan! The greatest missionary ever is coming your way!

3) I slept in every day and it was wonderful. Wanna know what I DIDN'T do? Homework. Yup. It'll be a crazy week of studying and catching up now, but ya know what? It was worth it! :)

4) Had a pretty rockin' date over the weekend. That's about all I'm going to say on that one.

5) We decorated the Christmas tree tonight. We always decorate it the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We all decided on the western theme this year. My Mom made mini bandanna's and wooden stars to go all over it. She's the best Mom ever. It looks pretty awesome.

6) Oh! And how could I forget? I went to one of my best friends house to celebrate her big 2-0 birthday! We had a blast, here are some pictures from the glorious party at her house (sorry, there aren't many).

Stephanie and the Birthday Girl!

One of my very best besties... Kate

We are just so happy to be friends :)

Email From God

2008-11-24T17:03:00.000-08:00

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD - The Boss!
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling all of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.

P.S. And, remember....If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do NOT attempt to resolve it yourself !! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

P.S.S. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege. Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

Have a nice day.
Love,
God

...I found this today in my thought folder and I thought I'd share it with you. I hope you enjoyed it!

Janae's Day of Birth!

2008-11-23T23:02:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Janae!

For those of you who don't know who Janae is, let me explain her to you. She's the classiest-most elegant-all time smartest-incredibly happy-musically talented-best laugh-always blinks in pictures-loves dressing up-kind of girl you'll ever meet! She also happens to be one of my very best friends who is always there for me and sacrifices a lot for all of her friends. She's the most thoughtful, kind, and the most considerate person I've ever known. Always thinking of others and rarely herself. She's my hero!

Can't get much higher...

2008-11-23T00:43:00.000-08:00

Happiness, twitterpation, and floatin' high above Cloud 9. Best weekend ever. Amazing. Wonderful. No other words to really describe it besides, THE BEST EVER. Period. Hands down. No doubt about it. It doesn't matter how you say it or what you say about it, it was amazing. If that made no sense to you, don't worry, it's ok. Just thought I'd tell you that. I hope your weekend was amazing too!

[Let the Good Times Roll]

2008-11-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

Even back in the day I still loved cowboy boots...

Close up pictures are my favorite.

I miss this face.

This one too...

And these ones...

My favorite place ever=Nashville, Tennessee

Cousins pretty much rock.

Formal Dress+Sunburn+Pictures= Bad Idea

I rode in this to church once.

BYU's finest mail crew...

Kazoo-ing

2008-11-19T21:20:00.000-08:00

Today I played this...

Which made my "teacher" make a face like this...

Which made me do this...

All in all, a good day. Don't you think?

P.S. If you ever try to "Kazoo" sometime, remember to "hum" into it. Don't blow. I wish I would've known that...

Happy Thoughts Anyone?

2008-11-18T22:24:00.001-08:00

You know those times when you have bubbling hot cocoa and you're supposed to wait to drink it or it'll burn your tongue right off?
I did that today.
I was in a real big hurry.
My tongue is officially a big, fleshy, raw chunk of muscle waiting to be healed. You should hear me talk. It's even better in person.
*Note to self, next time you drink hot cocoa, make sure you have enough time to let it cool.*

And since we're on the topic of my sad sad life... That cursed time of my life is back... the awful, "chills-down-your-spine-never-wanna-hear-again" word---Statistics. That word, combined with, "Exam 3: 40% of your grade," makes me want to drop dead right now (which is sitting on my comfy cozy bed-not a bad place to die if you ask me). It's going to be an extremely long week. Someone please tell me why we can't just bump Thanksgiving up a week? All in favor... say, "I!"

Don't think I'm a big complainer though. A wise friend once told me that for every bad thing that happens in your day, a good thing happens to counteract it. So I guess I need 2 good things to counteract the 2 aforementioned crappy things. Here goes...

1) A very dashing young man (who happens to be going into animation) drew me as a cartoon today. That's right. Me. A cartoon. Who'da thunk my face would make it as a silly little cartoon? The cartoon beats the real deal anyday. I'll steal it from him and post it so you can see it.

2) I got a haircut today. I've fallen in love with short hair this year. I'm one of those girls who loves her ball caps, and short hair+ball caps= the perfect combo.
Those are my two "happy thoughts" of the day.
Hope you had a superb day.
Sweet Dreams.

Heaven in a Breadstick

2008-11-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

Where is November going?! In the words of a good friend of mine, "the days are going so durn slow, yet the weeks are flying so fast!" She took the words right out of my mouth. I can't believe November is halfway over already! Which means Christmas is right around the corner... a good friend of mine leaves on his mission in less than a month... and finals are way WAY too close! Whew! I haven't treated 2008 so great this year, I guess I should make up for it and make this year go out with a big BANG! How I'm going to do that... I'm not quite sure yet. :)

On a better note...Have you ever had a stuffed breadstick from Magleby's fresh? One word-Yum! And their chocolate cake is SO good! Rich chocolately yumminess that sticks to the roof of your mouth. Yum! I feel so full, but it was entirely worth it! I won't take credit for the great idea to go to Magleby's today though... I guess I'll finally give Daniel some credit for finally picking a good place to eat out. :) Go to Magleby's. Right now. You know you want to.

Personality Schmality

2008-11-11T22:16:00.000-08:00

This one's hilarious... kind of the "I'm going to kill whoever did this to me" look on his face.
Smile!

Ready... Set...

These definitely made me laugh and get my 6-pack for the day. I just can't get over the first cat in the water. I'd hate to be the one who's around him when he gets out of the water... and who says animals don't have personalities?

BYU Football and Some Old Fashioned Friendship Time

2008-11-08T23:09:00.000-08:00

BYU Football + your two best friends+Ice Cream=The best day in a long time! These are my two best friends. We're all so different, yet that's what makes us so close. I love it! These two girls are my best friends for life. Hands down. Ya gotta love 'em. Oh, bytheway, BYU Cougars won. Rah rah rah rah rah! GOOOOOOO Cougars!

My Mom

2008-11-06T08:29:00.000-08:00

This amazing woman is my Mom. It's her birthday today so I figured I'd do ten things I love about her.

1. She is the best example of service I've ever seen. Whether it is taking out someone's garbage can at 4:30 in the morning, going around raking leaves or shoveling snow, or taking someone treats when they're sick and talking with them. She visits with the elderly, loves the little children, and magnifies her callings in leaps and bounds.

2. She is beautiful! My Dad sometimes says I have her smile, if I do, then I'm one lucky girl! She goes running everyday and is always on her feet doing something. Not one drop of makeup touches her face (besides the occasional swipe of mascara and lipgloss), she doesn't need it!

3. She's tough. Not only would I not want to be on the wrong side of an argument with her, but she's not a sissy girly girl. She can get down and dirty and she's not afraid of hardwork (which she's instilled in me).

4. She loves my Dad with all her heart. Look at the first picture. They're still as much in love today as they were 26 years ago when they first got married. That's the kind of love I'm holding out for. She's shown me the meaning of true, eternal love.

5. She can party with the best of them. When you get her going, she'll dance in the kitchen while we're doing dishes and bust out singing Disney with us.

6. She has the most steadfast and immovable testimony. It seems that every trial she has had to go through has only made her stronger. Whatever Satan throws at her, she throws back at him twice as fast.

7. She loves nature. She would rather be outside or at the cabin, than stuck inside the house doing nothing. She's passed that love onto all of her girls and I'm so grateful for that.

8. She loves music. She's the one who taught me to play the piano and put up with all my whining and complaining during every lesson. She pushed me to learn an instrument and now we sing in the Ward Choir (where we have so much fun together!).
9. She cooks the yummiest food in the world. I could live on her chocolate chip cookies and frosting for the rest of my life and die happy. She dutch ovens, grills, sautee's, roasts, and even barbecues. She knows every recipe that you need to live a happy, long life on good food. :)

10. I love that she's MY Mom. Yup. Sorry, she's not yours. She's taught me all I know in life and I'm looking forward to learning more from her. Thanks Mom. You are truly amazing.

Random

2008-11-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

Let me introduce you to a girl who is basically unforgettable. This, is Joelle. I spent time with her for the first time in months tonight and I realized how much I've missed her. So here's to my crazy, insanely funny, adventurous friend who gets me out of my bubble/comfort zone and having the time of my life. Props to you Joe-Joe.

A New Artist

2008-11-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

Bob Marley. That's probably all I have to say and I would be satisfied with this post. But I guess you all want an explanation. Bob Marley is one of my new favorite artists. I know... Big surprise. Country girl getting into Jamaican Reggae. I never thought it would happen. But alas, it has and I'm suprisingly satisfied that it's happened. The song that really made me love him-"Buffalo Soldier." I love the Jamaican twist it has and the rhythm. That's my schpeal for today on music. I'm not a big music fan unless it's my country and the few pop songs I've grown to appreciate. So if you're reading this, jump for joy, click your heels, and eat a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter right out of the jar for me. Bob Marley. If you don't know who that is, go look him up. You'll love him!

The War is On

2008-10-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Think of the worst thing that has ever happened to you. Now multiply that by 10 and that is what happened to me today. Yup. You've got it. I went into the "stash" that my sister and I keep up in our rooms and guess what? ALL of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were gone! Gone I tell you! There I was, craving the peanut butter chocolatey yumminess and there were none to eat. So you know what I went downstairs to have instead? A carrot. You heard me right, a carrot! Sometimes you just don't feel like healthy food, today was one of those days. Combine that with the fact that I'm getting over the flu and it just makes everything worse. Thank you Mr. (or Miss.) Peanut Butter Cup caper for eating all of the Reese's. Watch your back. Next time, you won't be so lucky.

Good Night Never Neverland

2008-10-25T22:54:00.000-07:00

Shall I tell you a little bit about my day today?

I woke up. At 10:30a.m. And it was amazing. Then I went over to the Lloyds to watch Savvy while Thad and Julie took off on their separate ways to have fun. While they were gone, Savvy and I tore up the house and partied like there was no tomorrow. Just kidding... we really went on a walk, drank "pink" milk, and watched the Princess and the Pauper (not too bad for a Barbie movie and that is coming from a girl who tore of the heads of Barbies when she was little) and then a bit of Lilo and Stitch. Then it was back to the house for some hard core smackdown on a research paper before the Ward Chili Cook-Off. Pam was her amazing self and put together a great ward activity. The chili was incredible, not a lot of hot ones this year besides Bro. Young's (which is usually the case). Alex and I got sick of it after a while so we took off to the Creamery to get some ice cream. We decided to split a banana split. Please realize we'd just eaten bowl after bowl of chili and were stuffed to the max. Probably not the smartest thing we've ever done. After stuffing ourselves even more with Pralines and Caramel yumminess that was drenched in hot fudge and covered in coconut sprinkles (Alex's pick, not mine) and butterfinger flakes, we decided to actually be social and run by the Boshards house to see if anyone wanted the rest of our demolished "split." We ended up tossin' it. The guys were all over at the Boshards still and got a great idea to watch a movie-"Hook." It's an old school spoof of Peter Pan and the only one who has it in the ward is none other than yours truly. So we grabbed the movie from my house and Chris realized they didn't have a VHS player at his house. We proceeded to go to his Dad's work to find one. We didn't. So we ran up to the cabin, grabbed the VHS player there and then came BACK down the canyon, where the entire way I listened to them all sing Pokemon songs and Japanese gibberish. Sometimes I wonder if we hadn't all grown up together, would I have ended up being friends with them all? I honestly can't answer that question... So we watched Hook tonight. It was good. My favorite character-the curly haired boy who yells "Good night Never Neverland!" and then practically spews spit on his lamp to put it out. Priceless. Then I made it home, brushed my pearly whites and now it's off to bed for me.

Sweet dreams. Don't let the bed bugs bite. Good night Never Neverland!

Blast From the Past

2008-10-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

I went through THE Black Box today. For those of you who do not know what that is, allow me to enlighten your mind. The Black Box is the box of all my little trinkets, letters, and what other "whathaveyou's" that I have deemed important over the years. I thought that tonight I would give you a glimpse as to what it contains inside:

My BYU vs. TCU ticket from Fall 2007; freshman year of college

One of those classy magnetic necklaces that you can make into a bracelet also. My cousin brought it back from China for me.

A glass dolphin statue that Chris brought me back from Cancun

A bunch of hoopla from past dates (pictures, dance cards, bracelets... you get the gist of it)

Gold medal from FCCLA Nationals in Tennessee

An old paper back copy of "Island of Blue Dolphins," by Scott O'Dell. My 5th grade math teacher passed away and we all got to pick a book out of his bookshelf. He had read this to us and it is what got me loving dolphins.

Polished rocks from Brazil from Jared

A poem my Dad once wrote to me

Missionary letters

John Wayne postcards and whatnot

Notes my Mom used to put in my lunches

A necklace from the Smurph

Letters from gal friends over the years

My Patriarchal Blessing

First plane ticket (Tennessee)

Favorite scriptures and quotes

A piece of cloth from my first attempt at making pajama pants.

My first CTR ring