Homecoming Weekend

This past weekend was homecoming here at the Y and what a festive occasion it was! Friday night I took a trip back to my swimming roots. Ryan and Christine were here with their kids and I got to go watch Christine swim in the alumni meet. That was a ton of fun and really made me want to get back into the pool. It really needs to happen soon. After the meet Kennedy and I had to get to bed early because we were going to run the homecoming 5k the next morning. It's been very cold here and we felt in the morning of our run. We wore several layers and went out the door with our other roommates to do the run. I finished the race in 29 mins and 52 seconds. It was my goal to finish in under a half an hour and I just barely made it!! I was 10th in my age group and 93rd overall...no not out of 94 :p. After the run I went to go hang out with Ryan and his family again. We went to lunch and I finally had fish!! Being in a landlocked state has really made me appreciate the fresh fish of the pacific northwest! But I satisfied my craving and I think I'll be OK :) After lunch we walked around campus the kids had a blast in the Science Center hahaha. Saturday night was the homecoming game. It was a great game for BYU. We had 6th row seats so we were right up in the action. We had a ton of laughs at the game. Our football group is great :)

Well it's just about time for mamma to go to FHE! Love you all :)

Dear Old Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday and I thought that I would take this opportunity to mention just a few of the things that I love about my Dad.

1. Kind: There is no other man on earth as kind as my father. He never misses an opportunity to put his arm around you and just chat.

2. Example: My Dad is such an amazing example to me. Everything he does in his life is done with dignity and class. He is sophisticated and lives his life in a way that earns him respect from everyone he comes in contact with. I want to be able to live like that.

3. Caring: My Dad calls me several times a week and I love it. He just likes to hear what I've been up to and how my life is going. Although it is a small act it means so much to me because it shows that he cares about me.

4. Encouraging: My Dad motivates me to be the best that I can be. Even when I don't achieve exactly what I had hoped for he has a way of lifting my spirits and putting me back on my feet and back on track.

5. Supportive: In every activity that I have been involved in my Dad has been there. He sat through never ending choir concerts, all day swim meets, voice and piano recitals, and so much more. He gives up his time to be there for me and I am so thankful for that.

Happy birthday Dad I love you!

The weekend is here!!! I just love the weekend it's always a well needed break from the go go go of life. This weekend has been great so far. Yesterday was the BYU vs UCF football game and BYU finally pulled out a win! It was a good game it's a totally different feeling to be in the stadium watching the games with all the students. The excitement and the energy is contagious. I love it!!

Today I slept in which was really needed. I really don't sleep enough. I seriously can't make it through a single class without falling asleep. It's not that I'm not paying attention but I just can't stay awake. Anyways....today I went to lunch with Uncle Dave and Aunt Melissa. It was so fun!! It is always so great to be with people that I know and that care about me :)

The rest of my Saturday will pretty much be spent studying...fun I know :/ Next week is going to be crazy. I have three tests so that should be interesting...

Well that's pretty much it sorry there's not much to report. Love you all :)

Be Still My Soul

Every Sunday here at BYU there is tunnel singing. A huge group of students gathers in the tunnel outside the Marriot Center and sings hymns. I have been going to tunnel singing for the past few weeks now and it is something that has been really good for me. I'm a lot like my Dad, we both are greatly inspired by the spirit through the singing of hymns. Each time I go a different hymn sticks out to me and the words are exactly what I need to hear. "Be Still My Soul" was particularly powerful tonight.

Be Still My Soul

Be still my soul: The Lord is on thy side: With patience bear the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change he faithful will remain. Be still my soul; Thy best thy heavenly Friend Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul: Thy God doth undertake To guide the future as he has the past. They hope they confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still my soul: The waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still my soul: The hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still my soul, When change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Love you all <3

You Must Not Know Bout Me

So I'm not gonna lie...this weekend has been hard. I've felt homesick. Weekends at college can do that to me sometimes cause my mind is not constantly occupied with classes and the go, go, go of everyday life. But it's these kinds of feelings that make me stronger and a better person. I woke up today and decided that I was going to take my swagg back...and I did. I've learned that you always feel better when you look good. So even though I probably won't be doing much more than homework today I put a cute outfit on and did my hair. I've got my pump up music going and I'm good :). It's my Beyonce attitude ;) "you must not know bout me".

"The Future is as Bright as Your Faith"

Well it's the end of my first week back at BYU. It has been a great week. It felt like I never left. There are somethings that are different from summer though. There are so many people here! During passing time I feel like a sardine. You are walking shoulder to shoulder with everyone on campus. It's crazy. I love the new atmosphere. Everyone has come together in a common goal which is to learn and gain as much knowledge as possible. Everyone is striving for success. Pretty much every moment of everyday is dedicated to learning and study. Which is what it should be. That's what we're here for. I have found myself becoming more engaged in my school work and in the subjects that I am studying this semester. I have a desire to absorb as much as I possibly can. I can see now why they church stresses so much that education is critical.

We have a long weekend and I am so happy about that. I have and eight o'clock class every morning which means that I get up around 6 and my average bed time is around mid night. I was exhausted at the end of the week. It's nice to have this weekend to relax and catch up on some rest and sleep.

I went and watched the BYU football game yesterday. It was so intense! I was on my toes the who time. It was such a different feeling to watch the game with a bunch of students. There was so much pride and excitement. Before BYU has been my team and I have been a fan but now it's a part of me. It is my school.

I've got church today. It should be good. I like this ward so much better than my summer ward. It just seems so much more organized and put together. I need organization in my life or I just get stressed hahaha :)

I love you all :)

Good Old Provo

I'm back baby!! And better than ever!! Hahaha yesterday I returned to Provo to start my fall semester here at BYU. I'm excited :) it's going to be a busy and hard semester that's for sure but I think overall it will be good. I'm taking Chem 105, Math 112, Book of Mormon, Nutrition, and Polysci. Chem and Calc together are going to be the hardest I think. I'll have to put in a lot of study hours for those classes.

I'm all settled into my new dorm. It's different than WyView for sure but it'll be good. It is so hot in our dorm though. Yesterday it was seriously at least 90 degrees in our room. Not fun. We were all sweaty and gross and felt like we were going to die!!!!! But we made it through the night. It's still hot today but not as bad.

First Sunday in my new ward today. I don't have church until 1:30 so that kinda stinks but I do get to sleep in. Fast Sundays are really going to stink though. I guess our ward is so big that we have 2 RS which will be kinda different and weird. My dad introduced himself to my bishop yesterday and he already knew my name....that could be good or bad...

Well my new adventure is about to begin. I'll be sure to keep up on the life and times of me :) love you all!