President's Day Weekend

So what do you get when you take five girls, six guys, two cabins, the gospel and one long weekend? The best bonding experience ever! We started our weekend off a little late on Saturday night when we left Provo, Utah for Weber Canyon after dark. Singing along in the car with barely any leg room we arrived at the bottom of the snowed in street to Ashley-Brooke's cabin. Determined to spend the night we made the trek to the cabin in soft, knee deep snow. We spent the night seeing our own breath in the air, yes it was that cold. The next morning we spent our time sharing our favorite hymns and then singing a couple verses, as well as sharing spiritual messages. My favorite comment from that morning was, "You know most kids our age at a cabin would be drinking and getting into all sorts of trouble, and yet here we are sharing favorite hymns and scriptures." After cleaning up that cabin we headed for a very different experience at Taylor's cabin with his extended family who was nice enough to have us stay with them! We had a blast. The girls made an amazing dinner while the guys passed out on the couch. Then for our last day we spent our time snowmobiling and enjoying each other's company! The first cabin made us thankful for all the things that we take for granted on a regular basis and brought us together, and the second cabin let us have fun with those luxuries and continue our awesome friendship! Honestly, when you throw five girls, six guys, two very different cabins, the gospel and one long weekend you get a group of amazing friends! I love you all and want each of you to know that you are an example to me whether you know it or not! Thank you for being there for me!

Life Moves Fast!

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to know someone since you were five years old, become best friends and then they get engaged? Well that's where I am right now! How in the world did I get here? My best friend just got engaged to the most amazing guy. I am so happy for them. Congratulations Catherine and Dave!

I remember those late nights, movie nights, Catherine being in my house for over an hour before I even noticed she was there, swimming, hot tubbing, getting lost, screaming Adele in the car, and sooooo many other memories!

Music

It's crazy what music can do to a person. It can make you happy. It can make you sad. It can comfort you. It can take you to a special place. It can pump you up. The possibilities are just endless! I don't know about you, but music is one of the biggest things in my life! I listen to it when I do just about anything. And not only does listening to a nice groove do wonders for the soul, but playing an instrument just takes you away! Whenever I need a fast get away the piano is that one way ticket out of here. I miss my baby grand, nothing compares!

WOW... life got crazy... and now its back to normal!

Some new words in my vocabulary...

Motivation: 1. The happy thoughts that keep me getting up every morning to go to the gym

2. Aunts and Uncles starting a Health Challenge that keeps me working hard to stay in shape

3. A best friend that wakes up every morning with me and is dependent on me getting up

Productive: 1. The action of me getting up every morning to workout at 8 am

2. The action of me treating school and homework like a job, and being done by 5:30 or 6 pm every night

3. The action of me paying attention in all her classes and taking notes

Morning: 1. The time of day that I sees everyday

2. The best time to think and read my scriptures

3. The opposite of midnight, 1am, 2am, and on and on

A little funny

When my parents got married, my dad's youngest sibling was 7 years old, making him only 9 years older than me. So that puts his family into perspective just a little bit for ya! Growing up my aunts and uncles were always near by and I pretty much grew up with them. I look back at pictures and see me at the park with my aunts and uncles and playing on my grandparents' remote-controlled bed. It's so weird living here in Utah now on my own and to be all grown up. At family events I identify myself more with the aunts and uncles than my cousins since I'm the first grandchild on my dad's side. In my last post I mentioned that I have a new cousin, the first thought that entered my mind after I read the text was I have a new niece! and then it dawned on me... no I have a new cousin. Also, one of my uncles called me about a month ago and in the message he left he said Hey Becca, its so-and-so, your brother-in-law... and I listened to that and thought haha no I'm your niece. I just find it very funny that I seem to fall more into the adult category than the little kid cousin category. It makes me laugh every single time!

The Reason...

I absolutely love sundays! It is honestly the best day of the week. There are so many reasons why it is the best day of the week. For starters, I get to sleep in and go to church at noon. I love going to church, they are the best three hours. I have so many great teachers with great lessons. Second I get my laundry done and a homecooked meal. How many freshman can actually say that they get a homecooked meal once a week? Hardly any! I am so loved and blessed. The best part of my sunday is getting to skype/facetime/call with my best friends and my family. I don't always get to talk to everyone, but I try my hardest to talk to most everyone. I don't know how people spanned the distance before technology was invented, life just would not be the same!

Today was especially special! I woke up to a text message telling me that my aunt and uncle had their baby this morning. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend church, but I did get to go to the hospital and see my new baby cousin. She is absolutely adorable and perfect. I am so grateful that I live in Utah and was able to go visit them immediately. So, so cute!

And that is why I LOVE sundays!

A Season of Thanks

With Thanksgiving I am reminded of how blessed I am. I am so thankful for every aspect of my life! I thought I would just list a few...

1. My Mom and Dad. They always know just what to say and I am so grateful that I can call both of them and get different, but equally needed advice. I am thankful for the 18 years they took to raise me and for all that they have done for me. They honestly are the best!

2. For amazing friends that love me. Life would be nothing without them. Near or far I know they are always there for me no matter what the circumstances.

3. For my biological sisters. If only they both knew how much I missed them and cannot wait to see them at Christmas. I love the laughs and the smiles they brought into my life. They both know how to brighten my day.

4. For my new sisters. You three are the best. My college experience would not be what it is today if I didn't have you. Through the tears, the laughs and the quirks we are perfect for each other and I am so thankful that Heavenly Father brought us together this year. You are the best sisters a girl could ask for while away from home.

5. Extended family. Oh gosh, how lonely I would be without my extended family so close. Thank you for being here for me during my first year away from my parents. You literally keep me far from being homesick.

6. Loving grandparents. My Sundays would be so dull and boring if I didn't always have a place to go or be. Thanks for the homecooked meals once a week, it's getting hard to eat on campus every day.

7. Brigham Young University. I love it here and could not think of a better place for me to be at this time in my life. The Spirit here is beyond imaginable and brings so much joy and comfort into my life!

8. Good music. I'm one for variety and cannot live without music. It helps to calm me down and gives me time to think.

9. Skype. I don't think I would last out here on my own without a way to see familiar faces. I love being able to see my family and friends even though the distance between us is quite long.

10. Sports. How else am I supposed to keep myself entertained during the winter here (until snowboarding season kicks in)? Go Cougars!