My Eternal Family

My home teachers asked me the other day what I am most thankful for in the gospel.
Without thinking I said that I can be with my family for eternity.
As these words left my mouth I had some words come to mind that overwhelmed me with happiness and joy:
"You will never go another day in all of eternity without your family."
Oh it is such a comfort to be sealed to them and to know that I can be with these amazing people that I love like nothing else forever and ever and ever.

The gospel is true, folks. I can't say it loud enough or with enough feeling.

We love each other.

We support each other.

We cheer each other on.

We talk to each other.

We are best friends.

What I did to deserve to be in such am amazing family, I don't know.

But I am forever and eternally grateful for whatever it was.

*Oh man, here come the water works.*

Is it ridiculous that I make myself cry just thinking about how much I love my family?

Finals, Moms, and Klutzy Moments

I've given up on the Photo Challenge...it just wasn't very fun!

So here is what has been going on in my life lately...

Finals

Last week was Finals week, which meant lots of studying and worrying and breakouts :P
To be perfectly honest I was really disappointed in myself.
I feel like I slacked off a lot more this semester and my grades weren't as high as they usually are.
My classes weren't even that difficult really...I was just bored out of my mind!
Next semester I'm starting new with classes I actually feel like matter for my future as a pharmacist.
It's going to be tough going, but I'm determined to not slack off again!

Moms


I always kinda figured that I would come home for Mother's Day...I mean why not? It's not like I have anything to do!
Then I noticed my gas tank was running a little low, so I checked my bank account to see just how much I could spare for gas.
....All I had left in my account was enough for rent and tithing.
The thought to use my tithing money was in my head for about 3 seconds.
Ultimately I decided that I would just give my mom a nice call for mother's day :(
The day after I made my decision a very welcome surprise came in the mail.
MY TAX RETURN!
Though it wasn't much, it was enough to get a roll of quarters for laundry and fill up my tank.

Then I decided that I wasn't going to tell mom that I was coming and surprise her :)

Klutzy Moments


I left church right after Sacrament Meeting for Soda Springs.
I pulled my phone out to text Maci (she was in on the secret).
I saw that I had a missed call from Mystie, so I dialed her number and started to walk down the stairs.
About half way down I missed a stair and fell down about two stairs on my knees:

I didn't clean it before I left for Soda...so that was another surprise for mom.

I really can't express how thankful I am for my mom.

She is an amazing woman.

One day while I was sitting at the Daycare I was asked why I loved my mom

without even having to think I said, 

"Because she's really supportive of me and she loves me too."

It's 100% true.

I can't imagine life without my mom.

She loves me even though I laugh at stupid things.

She loves me even though sometimes I don't give things my all.

She loves me even though I sometimes lose my temper.

She loves me even though I don't deserve it at times.

She loves me even though sometimes all I call for is advice on how to make food.

She loves me even though I'm not perfect.

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Happy Mother's Day!

Double post

Yesterday I got a little caught up in something:

So I kinda forgot to post...

I guess I'll just have to double up to keep on track!

Photo Challenge: A picture of the people you spend most of your time with.

Kenna and Mystie (I kinda don't have a picture with Lyndsey and Megan)

Kyle= Awesome

Derek= ...Derek

Photo Challenge: A picture of the best part of your day.

Getting to come to IF to spend time with Greysen, Lindsay, and Ronnie.

...And Brendan and Witney and Mom and Dad and Maci.

Can you believe this little guy is already almost 3 months old???

This one's for you...

This is for all of you who:
Know that Dove chocolate does indeed fix everything.
Genuinely care about me.
Leave notes for me that you know I'll see that always always ALWAYS make my day.
Tell me that you love me unconditionally.
Say those profound things that I've heard zillions of times, but all of a sudden make an impact.
Understand where I've been and know where I'm going.
Can finish my sentences.
Can always make me smile.
Laugh at my (usually) stupid jokes.
Have told me that you're proud of me.
Know that there is a deeper meaning to Bubbles and Potato Salad. :)
Understand what I'm talking about when I say Potato Tots.
Compliment my cooking even when it's not the greatest.
Crawled into my bed with me when you knew I was crying just to give me a hug (just FYI, this only applies to Maci)
Pulled me onto their knee and held me while I cried.
Supported me even when I was failing.
Have lent me things even when it wasn't convenient.
Bring me down to earth.
Helped me separate Cross Stitch thread into the wee hours of the morning.


I LOVE YOU!
That is all :)

To the Woman I Took For Granted

Today has been a strange day.
Work was cancelled until 3 for me,
so I had a lot of extra time to do anything I wanted.
 I could have gone on a walk or read a book or taken a nap (my personal FAVE), but I found myself doing the dishes...
             Then sweeping the kitchen...
                                       Then cleaning the living room
                                                Then vacuuming.
I remember how hard mom had to fight to get us to do our chores.
There is one time in particular I remember duping mom...
When I was seven or eight I was in charge of sweeping the kitchen.
Mom and Dad were out of town for the day, and what did we do?
Put off our chores until the very last second.
Most of them didn't get done.
I knew mom would find out that I didn't sweep...
But then I had an idea.
I grabbed the broom and swept only under the bird's cage.
With the most noticeable part of the room looking good,
I lazed around for the rest of the day.
I felt good about everything until Mom and Dad came home.
They scolded everyone but me for not doing their chores.
The worst part was, all the kids knew that I didn't finish...
I was EVERY BIT as guilty as they were...but I didn't speak up.
Up until now, my mom has never been let in on this little secret...

Even after I finished all the cleaning I still had two hours before work
So I sat down and wrote a little poem...
I call it:

To the Woman I Took For Granted

There were many mornings
You woke up with the sun
And though you were tired
The dishes were always done.

There were many days
When I was feeling sick
You would give up your time
And you always came quick.

There were many days
When I needed to talk
A lot of that happened
When we would take a walk

You never asked for payment
You never asked for more
And even when I shut you out
You never locked your door

And now I'm on my own
I think of what you've done
I'm cleaning by my own accord
So thinking back, you've won

I may have fought,
Been anything but calm
But in the end, I know it's true
I love you, my dearest, Mom.

Blessing number 28

Hugs :) (side note: I totally had this post all written up yesterday, but I forgot to push the post button)

Has anyone ever noticed how good a hug can make you feel?

Boy oh boy do I love hugs...

as long as it's from someone you know and not some random creeper.

The best kinds of hugs are the ones you get

when you've just seen someone that you haven't seen 

in a very long time. Like this one:

We were all so happy to have him back!

I also love the hugs that seem to never ever end
and when neither one of you wants it to.

And the ones when you can just tell that
they love you even though they don't say a word.
(Most of these have come from my brothers, so don't get any ideas! I'm still single!)   

Blessing number 7

Blessing number 7: My mother :)

I am seriously the luckiest person in the world to have my mother in my life. She is the most caring person I know and she's a hoot!

I remember many times where we would chase each other up and down the halls screaming at each other because we were having a rousing game of tag. She usually ran into her room and tried to lock the door, but not before I could get a foot in :)

She is the best judge of character that I have ever known. I remember one day after a new friend had left the house she came to me and said that she wasn't sure about them. I told her that she was crazy and this person was the coolest. That person is no longer my friend for a variety of reasons. I can't even tell you how many times this has happened.

My mom has stuck by me in some very trying times. I was on the volleyball team this last year and I didn't get to play as much as I had liked. No matter how hard I tried it never seemed to be enough. I walked into my bedroom one day after a game where I hadn't even played and a letter was laying on my pillow (at least I think that was the time frame, it may have been the morning after or so). The words my mom wrote me were so amazing. She made me instantly feel better and I'm so grateful for the way she has of doing that. Here is a small excerpt from the letter, "I just want you to know that in all of the truly important things in life, you are number one...You are everything I could ask for in a daughter. you are such a special daughter of God and He, even more than me, is so proud of you."

My mom helps me to keep my head on straight. I am so blessed to have her in my life. I don't think I could have asked for a better mom. She has taught me the values of hard work, love, and family. Also, she just understands me. I always make fun of her because she can talk to Nana on the phone for hours, but I can definitely see that quality in me. She's the one person besides Maci that I can just talk to for hours and hours on end. I love her more and more every day.

I love you Mom!

Mommy and Linz with their bandaged thumbs

My madre's birthday

Today was my mom's birthday! I'm sure she wouldn't want me to tell you this, but she is now *muffle muffle muffle*! Can you believe it? I sincerely love this lady! My mom has stuck with me through thick and thin (not that she really had a choice). One thing that I always thought was really special was that she would let me live my own life. There have been times that a friend came over and the second they left she'd turn to me and say, "I don't like them." I always thought she was judging too early, but she was ALWAYS right in the end. I don't know how she does it! I think she's got more than just eyes in the back of her head to be perfectly honest.
Anyway...so back to her birthday. Maci is one of those thoughtful sentimental people and had mom's present planned out on like August 1st of last year and had it done early. Me...I woke up this morning and was like, "Oh crap! What am I going to do!" I didn't forget it was her birthday, mind you, I just never got the time to run to Alco (the shopping district in Soda Springs) between temple trips, work, and the mandatory fun :)
Maci's present turned out really cute. I don't know how she comes up with these things! This is one of Maci's favorite scriptures.

To be honest, Maci was the mastermind behind my gift too. I saw the jar and she was the one who actually thought of the pens. Mom is always always ALWAYS asking me, "Have you seen my pen?" or "Em, did you steal my pen?" So Maci and I have made sure that can NEVER happen again! We stuffed that jar with as many pens as you could ever imagine...or you know...all the pens we could find at Alco.

All in all I thought it was a pretty successful day. Course, I guess we should leave that decision up to the birthday girl :)