Took a trip home!

This past weekend..i went back to my beloved home in St. George. I cant even tell you how great it was to spend time with my roommates and my good ol buddies that are still down there. I walked into my old apartment and honestly it was like i never left. I have missed St George so much and i have missed my friends. They are the best and it was so good to be down in the Dixie atmosphere again.

Min-Paige-Whit-Haley

When i first got there my roommates had a soccer game so i went straight to the field. Both my girls played so well.. Whit scored twice in one game, and Min seriously bicycled the ball like a mile in the air :) It was so fun seeing some of the girls that i use to play with and cheering on Dixie State!

Back row: Mini-Tricky-Taya-Haley-Becca-Erin

Front row: Whitley-Jess-Julie-Suzy-Amanda-Marissa

Suzy is getting married this week so a bunch of us girls got together and went to dinner at the  Pizza factory. Suzy was the keeper coach my freshman year and although she was our coach, we always hung out with her. She is so fun and i am so excited for her wedding this weekend!

Just hanging out causin mischief

To be honest we didn't really 'do' a whole lot---mostly just watched conference and hung out. But really i could sit in a room with these girls for hours and never get bored. 

just watchin the soccer game. Paige, Haley, Ammon.

It was fun to hang out with my old friends, and also meet the new people that i have heard so much about :) Overall the weekend was a success and i definitely will be going back soon!

Man i love my St George crew!

You've Got a Friend in Omega

This weekend was so great. We had our sorority retreat up at Scottie's cabin on friday night, and on Saturday morning there was the big kickball tourney for all the sorority chapters. I love my Omega Girls! It was such a blast just spending time with them and getting to know each of them a little bit better. Oh! and don't worry.. Omega won the Kickball Tourney! booo yeah! It was such a fun couple days and i cant wait for what is to come!

Kim Possible and I ridin the DEER! Get buck!

Omega Gals

Lacey and I pre-tourney

And the Result..... CHAMPS! Go Omega!

15 months 15 months

Today marks 15 months for benjamin! I cant believe how fast time has gone, but at the same time i definitely can. Elder Woolf is doing extremely well and is absolutely loving serving the Lord.

It is so weird to think he only has about 9 months left... and let me tell you ..that is pretty dang exciting! I love the fact that i can say he is in the single digits. I guess that means i can no longer get pregnant before he gets home.. with out him knowing. hahah well lets be honest that was never in the plan, and would never happen, but it's pretty funny to think about.

He is such a stud. I love reading his letters every week, and it has really made me realize just how focused on the work he is. He is just so great!

Happy 15 months Elder Woolf!

Isnt this the Truth?

Food for Thought

Faith is the Power

Obedience is the Price

Love is the Motive

Spirit is the Key

Christ is the Reason

Thank you best friend for being so amazing.. Love you

Africa- I miss it!

Lately i have been having the most random flashbacks of my experience in Africa. It is so weird. i was driving in my car the other day and all of a sudden the most strong taste came into my mouth of the dinner meals that i had every night while i was there. No, i didn't particularly enjoy the food that i ate while i was in Africa. And i honestly am confused as to why my taste buds crave the food so heavily. Mashed potatoes, rice, and the weirdest tomato soup i have ever eaten, are not on my 'must-have food list'. I have even had times where i smell someone's horrible B.O. and my mind immediately takes me back to teaching in the crowded musty African school rooms. It is so weird, but i think that my  emotional thoughts are now taking matters into their own hands by making my physical body long for Kenya. 

I think the thing i miss most is the feeling that i got when i spent the time with those children. They seriously are amazing. They are content with their life, and love the lives that they live. I miss how they made me feel. I miss the overwhelming happiness that they brought into my life. 

I miss my little Kenyans :)

Content

Lately i feel like all i have blogged about is.. this wedding.. that wedding.. this person is engaged, that person is engaged.. blah blah blah. I am SOOO happy for all my friends that have gotten married. This post isn't about them. Its about ME. I came to quite a realization in the past few months that has made me think i am quite smart. :)

sleepover on Stephs trampoline

I feel like my whole life i have been looking forward to that 'next stage'. I was so excited to drive, then i was excited to graduate, then i was excited to move out, then i was excited for college soccer, then i was excited to graduate from college. And my startling discovery..... i am FINALLY perfectly content with where i am at in my life. I love going to school, i love working, and i love being single.

Utes game.. 5th row baby!

Lets address that last part.. single? I hate when people ask me that question. If you are a 20 year old girl and not married you are very familiar with it....Are you dating anyone? How do I answer that question? Technically i am not really dating anyone. BUT i do write someone every week? is that the same? i dunno. All i know is that i am loving the time of life i am at right now. I love the fact that i am in complete control of where my life is going, and no one has a say but ME. Selfish? maybe. But it has taught me so much about who i am, what i want, and even the things that i really truly enjoy. I love the fact that i am single. I have gotten to do so many cool things that i know, if i were married, i wouldn't have had the opportunity to accomplish. 

I love my African children

That is not to say, that i NEVER want to get married. Every girl dreams of getting married someday. But for me, that day isnt now. And i am perfectly fine with that. In the wise words of John Mayer.. 

Nothing to do, Nowhere to be. 

A simple little kind of free. 

Nothing to do. No one but me.

 And that's all i need...

I am perfectly lonely

Family fishin trip

And i know, technically i am not perfectly lonely. If i didn't have certain individuals, things would be very different. But as for me, here in Sandy, i am perfectly lonely. 

....
And this is not to say
There never comes a day
I'll take my chances and start again
And when I look behind
On all my younger times
I have to thank the wrongs that led me to a love so strong
...
I LOVE my life right now. It is full of so many challenges, decisions, and opportunities. Although sometimes it is hard.. it is SO exciting. I am fine with not being married. I am fine just living my life as a normal college student. Someday though.. i will be ready to be married.. but for now..

i'm good thanks :)

Ironically.. driving to Brooke's wedding

My BF is Married!

Its official.. my long time childhood best friend is a married woman! Lexi and Brock sealed the deal on Saturday in the Draper, UT temple. I was so fun seeing them and how happy they were. I felt so lucky to have been able to spend the night before the wedding with Lexi at her apartment. We had so much fun catchin up and i am so grateful for her friendship! Seriously Lexi has and always will be my best friend. She has so many qualities that i wish to aquire.. and to see her so extremely happy brought me to tears.

I love all these girls! Lexi, Breanna, Jenny, and I were the neighborhood terrors when we were children. We were always up to no good and we have sooo many funny stories to tell about it. There were numerous times we were chased by dogs, kids, and crazy parents trying to catch us doorbell ditching. Once we even got chased by a girl carrying ski poles. hahah too funny!

I loved hanging out with Lexi's friends that i met last year in AZ at Ians wedding. If you dont remember how Lexi and Brock hooked up.. read here. If you wanna hear about my trip last year.. read here :)

Lexi's dad Jordan was our soccer coach all while growing up. I remember it was so hard for me to refer to him as COACH Jordan and not just Jordan. He was like my second dad and it is always fun seeing him and catchin up.

Me and Lex.. this girl is the most genuine caring person i have ever met. She is so sincere with every one she comes in contact with. I seriously wish i had her attitude and zeal for life.

This picture sums up lexi's and my relationship. I love this girl and am so extremely happy for her. She found the most amazing man and married him for time and all eternity. They have the best relationship and i absolutely adore them both. 

Congrats Stuarts!! Thank you for your wonderful example of love, kindness, and everything between.

Cheers to New Beginnings!

Holy Moly my life has been so crazy busy.. sooo here is a quick update with a lot of pictures..

• I joined a sorority up at the U... weird right? It's through the institute and i am already in love. I love the girls, the activities and the opportunities it gives me! Goooo OMEGA!! 

• I went to the John Mayer concert... did you know he is my absolute favorite? Always has been and always will be. Yes, i know he is kinda sketchy.. but he is ridiculously talented. Holy smokes. Honestly the whole time i was just in awe at his amazing musical skills. Really though. He has a God given gift.. and it is so evident. I love how all his songs are so relatable, and so true. I first fell in love with John Mayer back in 2008 when Ben and I went to his concert together. That night was one of the best nights ever. I remember we were a little disappointed when he didn't sing Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, (one of our absolute favorite songs to sing together) so needless to say.. i was ecstatic when he sang that song this year. Ben would have been flipping out, cuz he loves that song. It made my night and for a second there i felt like Ben was right there singing it to me! hahaha i am such a nerd..

Reppin the John Mayer T-shirt.

Ali, Lacey, and i met up with a bunch of friends from high school! John mayer really is just so great.

• Utes kicked off the football season last night! .....and i am officially a member of the MUSS! It was such a fun game and so dang intense. i loved every second of it. It is so crazy how big the student section is, and how much school spirit everyone has. That is one thing that is different from Dixie, everyone has pride in their school! GO UTES!!

Official MUSS member. Lovin the Tee

The girls.. Lacey, Brooke, and Scottie.

Right after we won in OT! such a crazy game.. with an unnecessary overtime..

I am loving my life right now! i am so busy but time is flying by.. which is exactly what i need :)

Lexi gets married tomorrow so expect a post about that coming soon :)

Light or dark?

K people i need help!! be honest.....

LIGHT

DARK

-or-

Middle

tell me what you think... 

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!

School is for Fools!

So i officially go here..

PROS

• The fact that i know that my teachers KNOW what they are talking about.
• The fact that i have SO many opportunities within my major that i wouldn't have had at Dixie.
• I KNOW i am going to learn so many cool things!
• The BEAUTIFUL campus
• The comfy chairs
• The diverse people- i heard 4 different languages while walking to class today.
• The number of people!
• There is ALWAYS something going on
• The liberal teachers and students.. ahahah i love hearing their views of the world
• Only going to school mon-thurs!

CONS

• The commute! i have to wake up soo freakin early it's ridiculous. (at the same time i love my thinking time)
• The WALKING! sooo much walking. and more walking. and more walking. and more walking. 
• The parking! so frustrating
• The stupid counselors who all tell me different things-thus the reason i was enrolled in 2 classes until late last night, and the 2 i was enrolled in weren't even ones i needed for my major.. yeah way cool.
• The stupid teachers who wont add me even though there are PLENTY of seats available.
• The guy who skipped processing my ucard so i ended up waiting 45 min.. all while the people behind me in line were getting their cards. sweet man.
• the blisters on my feet from my dang shoes.. and the WALKING

I love when the teacher cancels class on the 2nd day it's in session.. and when i just added it late last night.. showed up this morning at 8, and don't worry.. CANCELLED. wayyyyy cool.

I seriously LOVE school so far though. It is so fun.. and i really cant wait for football season to start! whooo 

GO UTES

All the Single Ladies!

The Kicks all decided that we were going to surprise Brooke by doing a little dance for her at the reception. Disclaimer: None of us are dancers. So that definitely made things interesting! Jess was a cheerleader in high school so that was very useful, but teaching us how to 'shake' was not an easy task! We must have watched the Single Ladies music video 100 times before we had it simple enough that we could perform. We practiced every day last week and got it down perfectly! It was so funny and Brooke loved it. Man.. i gotta admit.. i was SUPER nervous beforehand! hahah all turned out well.. except steph totally screwed up on the ending.. but it made it so much more funny! man i love my friends.

sorry the lighting sucks.

enjoy!! :)

Brookie is a MARRIED woman!

Saturday was the big day!.... Brooke got married! Seriously she looked amazing and was absolutely glowing. It was so fun seeing her walk out of the temple and knowing that they are sealed together forever. All of us teared up a bit as we huddled around to congratulate her! The reception was gorgeous and everything went off perfectly! She is on her honeymoon in Aruba right now.. and i am so jealous! Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Springer!! :)

Waiting for the Springers to come out of the temple!

The Kicks :)

Bridesmaids! 

Reception decorations.. soo pretty.

The girls.. doin our thing at the wedding. haha love them all so much

Congrats again love birds! 

Curse the Mail!

So my dear friend over in Mozambique wrote me an email and told me that he had written me a letter and was going to send it that day. He also told me it would take 7-10 days to get here. So, of course that whole next week i was getting pretty anxious every time the mail man drove up. Well... come to find out.. my dear friend mr benjamin didn't even end up sending it til the following monday. So, once again the waiting process began. 

Fast forward to now. Dont worry people.. that letter was sent an astonishing 3 weeks ago. But keep in mind i thought he sent it 4 weeks ago. holy moly waitin for 4 weeks now. And wanna know the worst part? he sent his family a letter the same day he sent mine, and they got it LAST TUESDAY! kill me now. 

i hate the mailman.

 i hate the mail system. 

and most of all..

 i really hate that my letter is most likely gone forever.

boo.

But on a brighter note.. Ben's malaria is gone for now and he is back to feeling well again ...which is obviously way more important than me getting my stupid [yet, oh so wonderful] letter.

Take that Nature!

Yesterday our family decided that we were going to take a trip up to the mountains. We were all given assignments and prepared to head up as a family to roast mallows. Well.. as the night went on, gradually the number of us 'able' to go decreased. It ended up being teag, my mom, dad, and i. Although we were small in numbers we definitely still had a blast!

Finally after forever i figured out the dang self timer!

Teag is a stud!

I am so grateful for the time i am able to spend with my family. They are the best. And i love my little buddy Teagy.

just pondering

....... There is definitely a running theme in my life lately which is...

...........Why is it that sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest?

........I am not liking this theme.

  not one. single. bit.






oh and ps.... Ben has MALARIA!! ahhh

I'm on a boat!

Yesterday Jaim and i were invited to go boating with Jess and her family. It was definitely a girls day out considering Jess has 4 sisters and no brothers-and evan had to work. We just went out to Utah Lake and spent the day wake boarding, and tubing! It was super nice weather in the morning, but by the afternoon it was getting pretty stormy and the water was choppy-perfect for tubing!

I was so proud of myself for getting up! 

I was sooo scared that i was gonna die! We had a blast though!

Ok this is the part where jaim decides to jump onto my tube, and then proceeds to yell at me to get on her tube.. while she is laying on top of me.. Yeah there was no way i could even move.. She was straddling me! 

It was such a fun day and i am definitely super sore today!! That is when you know you had a good day boating! A BIG thank you goes out to the Keddingtons for inviting us! 

life is life

I have decided that being a 20 year old is not as great as everyone says. Sure, it is fun getting older and having more options than EVER before.. but i have also come to realize that sometimes it is just overwhelming. There are soooo many options and opportunities placed at my feet that it seriously is stressful just thinking about picking just one! i wish someone could just tell me what to do, where to go, what to major in, where to work, where to live, who to hang out with and everything else that life has thrown at me! I know everything will work out, but right now... i feel like i am in constant stress mode!

PLUS i have to write a talk for church tomorrow! lovely.

50 cent bowling

some of our group..missin Evan, Brig, Ammon, Hay, Chase, Riley, and Kenz.

Classic i know... i am sure you are all sick of hearing about our bowling nights! last night was so fun though! After Brooke's shower we headed over to Fat Cats and bowled. It was [as it always is] a great night filled with lots of laughing and fun. 

Chase. Dutson. Hay. Ammon

Awesome night.. not such awesome bowling unfortunately. I know for a fact i will never beat my 182 score that i got last week. booooo.

[i promise this will be my last post about bowling.. this is getting ridiculous.]

Brookie's Bridal Shower

Last night we had a Bridal shower for my friend Brooke! i am sure you guys remember when she got engaged? if not.. click here. Welp she gets married in a few weeks so we threw her a grocery bridal shower at my house. It was fun seeing people from high school and celebrating her upcoming big day! 

the kicks. love these girls! Steph. Dutson. Brookie. Jaim. Hansen. Jess.

Some of the people at the end of the night.. mostly everyone had already left.

It was a success and was so fun! Now we just gotta get this wedding day here.

Africa #2 -Gratitude

 Anyone who has been to a 3rd world country comes home and is super humbled by the things they have seen and the way they have lived life. It may seem cliche, but my trip to Kenya was no different. 

I think it is obvious to realize and to say how lucky and blessed we really are materialistically. We have over abundances of clothing, food is always convenient to obtain, our houses are IMMACULATE, transportation is easy, communication with others is always at our fingertips, Internet connection is fast immediate, and we literally can get ANY necessity (or non-necessity for that matter) at any given time. We live convenient lives. Think about it. 

Have you ever realized though.... JUST how lucky and chosen i [you] must be to have been blessed both materialistically and spiritually? 

At church in Butiere with some of the members

The world is a BIG place people. I realized that very quickly on my 30+ hours of travel. It is hard to comprehend just how many people there are on this planet. How was it that i was lucky enough to be born into a family of the only correct church on the earth today? How was it that I was blessed with the truth without having to search for it?

 I came with the knowledge.

 I came ready and prepared with the truth. 

Why me?

This is one of the many questions i have been asking myself since i got home. I don't think there is just one right answer to this question. But i do know that i need to figure out at least some of it. Why was i so abundantly blessed materialistically and spiritually? Sure having nice clothes is great. But the real question.. Why was i blessed with the gospel? 

Church was the MOST amazing experience

I know that i have a responsibility to stand as a witness-- set the example and show others the way to true happiness. That is why i was chosen. i was chosen to have the truth and it is my job to share it. I am so extremely grateful for that knowledge. I am so grateful for the many blessings i have-both materialistically and spiritually. i am grateful for my Savior and grateful for him blessing ME with the BEST blessing he could ever bless me with. The gospel of Jesus Christ.

I. Am. Grateful.