Happy (ALMOST) Fourth of July

I LOVE making missionary packages. They get me so excited! I'm sure they make me happier than they make him, but that is completely ok:) I guess it also makes it a lot easier to be away from him on the holidays. Or secretly I get excited cause I only have to make one more 4th of July package;) I love the 4th of July, It's always been one of my favorite holidays. There's nothing more fun than parades, bbq's and fireworks on a hot summer day. So happy (almost) Fourth of July!

Family Vacation

This past week my family headed to Island Park for our big family vacation. It was so fun to have most the family with us. We sure did miss those that weren't able to make it. We had a blast driving through Yellowstone National Park. It is absolutely beautiful there. I've been there many times but it still blows my mind. The kiddos couldn't get enough of counting how many animals they saw. We were lucky enough to see so many Buffalo, Dear, Birds, Bears, and so many more. It was such a fun vacation. I love moments like these with my family. Even though it was freezing, it couldn't have been a better trip. I sure do love that family of mine. 

So much to Celebrate!

6 MONTHS DOWN! If you can't tell, I'm really excited about this! Six months ago if you were to ask me if I was nervous and scared out of my mind to have Patrick leave I would have lied and said, "Oh, no i'm so excited!!" Well the truth is I really have been excited, every step of the way. I have absolutely loved having him out there. Not only is he loving every minute of it, but I'm loving what I'm doing down here too. Life couldn't be better for either of us. I can't say enough how thankful I have been for this experience so far. I have learned so much from Patch and more importantly I've learned so much about myself. I've learned that your heart takes you in directions you never expected you would go. And that it's ok to do things by yourself. Your family is everything. But most importantly... to go after what you've always wanted. I'm grateful for the hard times because they make the good times that much sweeter. So I'm going to enjoy and celebrate these next 18 months and see where life takes me!

 *Had to take my monthly picture! I love looking back on these 

(mostly because my hair is getting SO long!)

Oh life is way to good.

Happy May 21st

Happy May 21st to my handsome missionary out there! I love days like today that give you a reason to go back to all those happy memories. I wouldn't want him anywhere else, but days like these make me feel like he's so close:) So hold on there while I go back down memory lane for a minute:)

One year ago to this day, I went to go see Patch in one of our schools end of the year shows. I went all by myself so I could actually see him after. I was so excited to see him, cause of course I was head over heals for that boy. Well he never came out after the show. I waited and waited until one of my friends asked me if I could take her home. I was so disappointed I wasn't going to get to see him, but I said I would take her home. We were walking out to the parking lot when I heard Patch yell, "Hey you, wait!" All of a sudden, I was sad to say she would need to find a knew way home! That night was just different, I was so excited to see him. We had been dating a while before then but things were going just too good! We were sitting on the edge of my truck when I heard him say three of my favorite words. I LOVE YOU. I think it's safe to say that I was smiling the whole way home. It's not everyday that you meet your best friend your sophomore year of High School and then completely fall in love with them. But It sure can happen:) 

I'm so happy with how my life is right now. I love being home, going to school, working, and starting projects I've always wanted to do. Life couldn't be better. Even though a very big part of my life is out serving the Lord right now, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so proud of him. 

So here's to us Patch, I loved you then and sure do love you now. 

*Every story has to have a picture:)

The Best is Yet to Come...

 You know those people that come into your life and you never want them to leave? Well that happened to me this past year. I would hands down say that the best thing I've gotten out of Utah State were my five roommates, turned best friends. It kills me to realize we only have 15 or so days left together before we all go our separate ways. It's exciting really, cause we're all growin up and movin on. But at the same time these girls have brought me so much comfort, peace, happiness, and too much fun this past year. Emi and Kelsey. Those two will make the most incredible sister missionaries. I can't wait for them both. They have made a huge impact on my life and I have no doubt in my mind what they could do out in the field. Laur and Ash. Oh heck I love those two. They're staying up in Logan this summer, and I can't imagine how much fun they'll have... especially with me on their couch every weekend.:) They are such sweet hearts and would drop anything for anyone. Well Miss Adrienne. Honestly I don't know where I would be without this girl. I've heard people say, "living with your best friend will be the worst decision you'll ever make." Well I've proved them wrong. She's my other half. I count my blessings everyday for her in my life. I'm sad that I'm heading home for school and she's staying up. But I'm not worried in the least because these five girls are friends that will last and last. Can't wait to see where life takes us all. The best is yet to come!! Love you!

 Truly GREAT FRIENDS are hard to find, difficult to leave & impossible to forget.

So Blessed

This weekend was completely perfect. I'm so thankful that I was able to sit down with my family and watch General Conference. This past conference stuck out to me more than any other. The announcement that was made in the previous conference about the age change for missionaries, caught me off guard you could say. Well it has turned out to be an incredible blessing for me. I have been lucky enough to see the change that has taken place on all my amazing friends that have decided to serve. They are making such a difference and touching so many lives. Even though I'm tired of saying goodbye I wouldn't want them anywhere else. Well this time around I decided to actually go into conference with a question that I had been thinking about for months. I had received my answer multiple times but never the peace and comfort I was hoping for. Well it didn't take long to feel that comfort, Sister Elaine S. Dalton practically wrote her talk for me. I have never heard a talk that has made me smile as big as hers. I am so thankful for the power of prayer and this gospel. It brings nothing but happiness. I'm so thankful to have a true and living prophet that leads us in the right direction. I'm grateful to know that even on the hard days you'll always have the love of your Heavenly Father. I'm so glad I had the chance to see General Conference, and am so thankful for this gospel.

I loved this quote from her talk. "What e'er thou art, act well thy part." 

Oh and my sweet little niece drew this picture during conference and I had to show it off. Too Cute!!

Lucky Me:)

One of my favorite part of having a missionary is definitely the packages! I know they make me happier than they make him, that's for sure. There's something about knowing once you send that package off....you only have to do that one more time the next year! WOOO!! Since it's March this package was all things GREEN (or anything lucky). I sure do love that boy and I'm definitely lucky!

Well It looks like all the luck paid off! Patch got a few baptisms. He was so excited and I'm so happy for him. He's doing great and I'm so proud of him!