Cooking, Spiders, and A Fun Weekend

I have a bad habit when it comes to blogging. It's called "I go forever without writing and then when I finally get around to it I feel like there's so much to say that I'm afraid to say anything. And so I don't." Hence, I have not written anything over the past few months. But it's time to try again!

Looking over the past few months, there's SO much that has happened and so much that I wish I could say, but out of all that's transpired, there are two moments that stand out that I really don't ever want to forget. They're both about Jon, and they both still make me laugh whenever I think of them.

The first has to do with making him lunches. One night for dinner we had soup. I asked him if he'd like some of the leftover soup for his lunch the next day and he said something along the lines of: "Very much yes!" So I took the leftover soup and put it into three different containers. The first was a small one, with one cup of soup in it for me. The second was a container twice the size of mine with at least two times--if not three times--as much soup as was in my container. This one was for Jon's lunch. The last container was two to three times bigger than that container, and it's the one I put all the soup that was leftover into.

The next day came. On my way out to work, I told Jon that his soup for lunch was in a container in the fridge. He acknowledged that he heard, but later that day when I got home, Jon's soup was still in the fridge. Jon wasn't around, so I couldn't ask him about it. I figured that he must have just forgotten to take the soup with him for lunch. It wasn't until I realized that the ginormous container--with all the leftover soup in it--was gone that I realized what happened. He'd taken the wrong container. The one with at least four servings of soup in it! As soon as he came home I asked him about it, and this was his reply:

"I took the wrong container? Oh. Really? Man! Well, I had no problem eating all of it!"

This story serves as a perfect example of how eye-opening it's been for me learning how much food a man can eat in one given day. Which reminds me of another story...

One day we were driving in the car and Jon just randomly started laughing. When I asked him what was up, he said: "I was just thinking about how crazy it would be if what I ate actually affected the way I looked and felt."

Part of me really hopes his metabolism catches up to him latter in life and that he gains 50 pounds. Not really, but kind of.

The second story happened one night when he and I were sitting on the couch at the end of the day. He was doing homework, I was doing something quiet, like reading a book. Suddenly, Jon leaps off the couch and flies to the other side of the room, hysterical.

"What?" I inquire.

"Diggs! Look!  THERE'S A SPIDER HANGING DOWN FROM THE WALL EXACTLY NEXT TO WHERE I WAS SITTING!!!!!"

Some Necessary Background Information For Those of You Who Do Not Know Jon Well: Jon hates spiders. A whole lot. When we got married, I gave him a "Jon's Spider-Killing Kit" in hopes of helping him overcome his fear. It was no use. I'm the spider killer in our family, which I'm okay with as long as he's willing to kill all the snakes (and heaven help me if there's ever a snake in our home! We will move to a different STATE the day that happens!) 

So I start laughing my head off while Jon runs frantically into the other room. "Jon?" I gasp out, between laughs. "Are you getting a tissue to kill it with? Or do you want to give it to me to kill it with?"

Instead of replying, he comes running back into the room, and before I realize what's happening he's spraying Raid bug killer all over the hanging spider until it falls onto the couch, at which point he sprays half the couch in attempt to squelch the life out of the poor little vermin.

After exclaiming: "Stop! Stop!" multiple times and coming next to his side, I finally calm Jon down enough to get him to stop soaking the couch in poisonous bug spray. The spider was definitely dead by this point. "Diggs!" I exclaim. "You just sprayed half the couch with Raid!"

"That monster was going to kill me!"

I rolled my eyes. "Well, are you going to get a piece of toilet paper to pick the spider up and throw it away now?"

"Heck no!" he exclaimed, standing up to go put the bug spray away. "That's your job!"

These two experiences are just glimpses of the crazy happenings of married life with Jon. It just keeps getting better.

This weekend was pretty awesome too! Jon and I wen to see The Young Ambassadors on Friday evening, and then I spent the rest of the weekend cooking....homemade rolls, two loafs of homemade bread, white chicken chili, enchiladas, and cookies. It's been pretty awesome. To top it all off, this morning I got to go to my lovely friend Amelia's homecoming talk with my other friends Rachel and Lauren. It was so fun to be reunited as old roommates and to reminisce about old times. Good stuff.

And as for those papers I was supposed to finish grading this weekend...

A Load of Laundry

Once upon a time I forgot my laundry in the dryer and, being away from home, asked my roommate--Emily--if she wouldn't mind grabbing it and taking it up to my room for me. When I came home, I found this on my bed:

It was all folded!!!

Just 10 minutes of her day made me feel 10 times more special and awesome and grateful to live with such an amazing person than I would have otherwise. It really is the small and simple things we do to serve those around us every single day that make us happier, make others happier, and make the world a happier place. Just think of how much happier and more grateful the world would be if we all took an extra 10 minutes tomorrow to make someone's day like Emily made mine on Saturday.

Just a thought.

“It is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom. … So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving … help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow … from small but deliberate deeds!” –President Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service”

Letters

Dear Anna, Thank you so much for joining me at the gym on Friday and for running with me at Nate's run on Saturday. I love being with you because you always have the Spirit with you and because you're always striving to do what's right. Thanks for chatting and for being a good example.

Dear Nate and Jon, Thanks for coming over to make cookies, play Monopoly Deal, and watch "Frozen." I had lots of fun and feel very alright with the fact that I won that last round. You two are both super fun and really good friends. It's so comforting to know that there are people in my life that I can fall back on when things get rough.

Dear McKell, You are so awesome for organizing the 5K for Nate on Saturday! I love your proactive-ness and your willingness to put so much work into helping those around you.

Dear Lindsey, I had lots of fun at the BBQ on Saturday afternoon! The food was wonderful and it was nice to have friends to just sit under the sun and chill with. I hope that we can keep doing awesome things like this after you graduate and we go separate ways.

Dear Wardies, The Talent Show was so fun! Thanks for all your love and support and help in pulling it off.

Dear Scott, Thanks for listening to me next to the drinking fountain on Saturday night. You're a good home teacher and an even better friend.

Dear Lauren and Ethan, So. Umm. Even though I didn't realize that I was interrupting your on-a-date-walk-home-from-the-HFAC when I ran into you on my walk home from Harold until halfway through, I'm grateful that you guys were there to protect me from any groper attacks (there have been many on BYU's campus over the past month). I'm sure that you two were similarly grateful to have me there chaperoning. I'm happy to chaperon on any of your walks home any time; just let me know when I should plan on walking home from the library in order to interrupt your otherwise pleasant evening.

Dear Tyler, Natasha, Dale, TJ, and Dylan, I was so grateful when you guys let me sit around and chat with you guys on Saturday night. Originally, I had planned on going to the library to finish my reading assignment for class today. After standing in the library entrance for about two minutes--feeling super alone and like a poor soul with her priorities mixed up--I walked back out and went straight to your apartment, hoping to find a good time. I did. Thanks.

Dear Roomies, I love having waffle Sunday with you guys every week. It's one of the best roommate ideas ever and I will miss it when I leave.

Dear Ally Lake, Our talk on Sunday morning was probably the best talk I've had with anyone in months. Seriously. When I started rattling off about how I've been struggling with my relationships with those around me you just reminded me of who I am and of who I want to be: someone who people love because they know that I genuinely care, someone who people can trust will listen when they're having a hard time. Not only was this exactly what I needed reminded of, it is a testament to me that God is involved in my life, because even though you didn't know me well before yesterday, you were able to say exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for being worthy and able and willing to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.

Dear Brandon, Your lesson on Sunday was so uplifting and taught me a lot that I needed to hear. I am definitely going to try and make it to your class every Sunday that you teach in my remaining weeks at CP.

Dear John Christensen, I had so much fun at the game night on Sunday. Thank you so much for inviting me and for being a good host. Hope to catch up again soon!

Letters

Dear Kayci, Good luck with your crazy week! Make it through this one and you just got three (?) more after that, then finals, then FREEDOM! And then you get to go on your mission! Not a bad plan, eh? Keep it up, girl!

Dear Sunshine, Come back maybe? Pleeeeease?!!!

Dear Besty, Elora, Hannah, and Elicia, Watching the end of "Enchanted" while drinking milk with awesome chocolate milk straws was super fun and very relaxing. I hope that I can start joining you guys for adventures more often during my last month as your roommate!

Dear Future Roommate Emily, Thanks for chatting last night! You seem amazing and I'm very excited to get to know you more over the next year or so as we share adventures living together in the tiny attic of the read brick house on 355 East 500 North.

Dear Kap and Ryan, Seeing you two on Sunday was like finding out, upon arriving, that they're giving away free ice cream at the Creamery (that's never happened to me, but it would make my day if it did). Thank you for being steadfast, strong, and stalwart men of God who strive every day to live the gospel. I want to be more like you.

Dear Kathleena, It was awesome to see you on Sunday. Thank you for showing me around the places in your ward so that I could find somewhere to live! I'm excited to be in the same ward as you!

Dear Heavenly Father, It's not very fun opening up after guarding myself for so long. I guess, though, faith is reckless, so this must just all be part of the plan.

Letters

Dear Scripture Study, Best. Thing. Ever. I'm definitely going to keep keepin' you awesome because you just make everything else awesome.

Dear Roomies, I love doing waffle Sundays with you. I also love and super appreciate the happy spirit that you each bring into our apartment. I feel grateful to live with amazing women who bring an amazing spirit into my life.

Dear Betsy, YOU SURVIVED BRAIN SURGERY!!!! Congratulations. We're happy to have you back home. :)

Dear Quincy, Thank you for your lesson today in Relief Society. It helped remind me of the importance of my family and of how much I love them. You are such a talented teacher. Thank you for the love you bring into the classroom.

Dear Kate and Abby, Thank you so much for talking with me today on the phone. I love hearing about your life and am grateful that technology makes it so easy to keep in touch. And by the way, you two are two of my four favorite sisters in the whole world!

Dear Ethan, Rachel, and Lauren, Dinner with you three was wonderful. I love that we can still be such good friends even though we've gone different ways. It's good to know that I have people like you guys in my life to fall back on when things get rough.

Dear Jamie and Garrick, Thanks for letting us invade your snazzy little abode tonight to make cookie bars (which turned out super good!) and to play Settlers. You guys are great. And I love the pillows on your couch.

Dear Chris, You company was much appreciated tonight as we braved the Gaffneys'. You were willing to make some needed trades with me while we played Settlers and you even know where both Jerome and Vancouver are, so you must not be that bad of a guy. I just hope that next time we can beat Jamie.

Dear Heavenly Father, I believe.

Letters

Dear Alex, Logan and Jon, The rooftop concert on Friday evening was very enjoyable (even though the slanted seats weren't). Thanks for the fun evening!

Dear Jason, The food you made for us on Sunday was SO GOOD!!! You are a top-notch cook! Thank you so super very much for sharing your talents and your food.

Dear Jon, Hanging out at the pool after running 9 miles has to be one of my favoritest things you and I have done yet. It was absolutely divine. Thank you for humoring me by getting in the (not very, but I'll amuse you) "cold" (*cough, cough*) water. You're kinda' the best.

Dear Sunshine, Phew--you're sure staring to get hot! Bring it on!

Dear FHE Family, The hike on Monday night to Battle Creek Falls was fun, chill, and gorgeous. Thank you for the lovely evening.

Dear Ward Soccer Team, Watching you guys play Tuesday night was SO FUN! Thanks for playing a game that was worth cheering through and that got me to hold my breath more than once!

Dear New Car That Belongs to Me, Wait--what?! I own a car?!!! Oh. Yeah. Still getting used to that thought.

Dear Karianne, It made me so happy to see you Wednesday at work! Sounds like you're having quite the crazy adventure up in North Dakota. I'm sad that you have to leave and go back today, but hope you know that I've missed you like crazy and can't wait for you to come back in the Fall!

Dear Scott, You are such and absolutely AMAZING friend for taking me to pick-up my car and then for being willing to be late to work when things went slightly crazy. You are a top-notch guy and a superb friend.

Dear Rachel Smith, I loved talk with you on Tuesday while walking to my car. Let's talk more again soon, okay?

Dear Jon and Coworkers, I had so much fun joining you guys on Wednesday for lunch! It was quite the privilege to be able to sit with ya'll in your little shed and to participate in the vital conversation about Disney movie music. I'm glad that Jon has such happy, upbeat and awesome people to work with.

Dear Emily, Eating dinner with you on Wednesday and coloring with you last night was pretty much one of the bestest things I've done in a very long time! Please, please, please say you'll do it with me again!

Dear Jon, Sometimes I wonder why on earth you still want to spend so much time with me when, after a day like yesterday, I look back and realize how dramatic I can be. I mean, I was even starting to annoy myself! Whatever it is that keeps you around though--even with all my dramatics--I'm extremely grateful for because I really like being with you.

Dear Thursday Temple Visits, You're one of the best decisions I've made all summer. Thank you for the peace and clarity and calm which you bring into my life. I plan on keeping you up.

Dear General Conference Talks, Sometimes you hit it right on the spot. I love how easy you are to access and how wonderfully inspired you make me feel.

Dear Half-Marathon Training, You have not been the best of friends lately. Let's change that, yeah?

Dear Amelia, I really need to write you a letter. I promise, I'm working on it!

Dear Landan, WELCOME BACK HOME!!! I can't wait to hear your homecoming talk this coming Sunday!

Dear Wonderful and Amazing Coworkers, I'm so grateful and blessed to work with people as amazing as you guys. Thank you for providing me with a workplace where I know my needs are just as important as the needs of the office. Thank you for your kindness and for lifting me up when I feel down. I'm so lucky to get to work at such an amazing place.

Dear Heavenly Father, Only two more days until Father's Day! I hope that the way I live my life over those two days can be, in the smallest way, a gift to You. Thank you for giving me the most wonderfully blessed life in the whole world. I love you so very much.

Dear Friday, I'm so super very extremely much excited to make you the best day that I've lived of my life so far! Here's to productivity, living with purpose, looking out for and lifting-up others, feeling the Spirit, choosing to be happy, using my agency wisely and responsibly, keeping a prayer in my heart, loving unconditionally and being just plain all-around awesome!

Amelia Hope Theobald

Pretty much I'm missing this girl:

 today like absolute crazy.

I'm just sitting here thinking to myself:

"Oh my gosh so much new and crazy stuff is going on in my life right now and I'm stuck between being super excited and freaked out of my mind and I really just want someone to talk to about it all who I know would totally listen to me gab on for hours and understand and know exactly what to say and what not to say and would be okay with me crying or laughing like a crazy person or being frustrated with myself and still love me and want to be with me and go and be awesome with me at the end of it all!"

And then I realize that what I really mean when I'm thinking all of this is:

"What I really want right now is Amelia."

And then it really isn't fun because she's halfway around the world right now which is totally awesome because she's where she needs to be serving a mission for the Lord but that means I can't just pick-up the phone and talk to her about all the craziness and that instead I have to write her a letter that takes 7 days to get to her. And goodness, I didn't realize how super much I really felt all of this until I started typing it up just now while I'm sitting at work and started fighting against the tears because I miss my best friend so bad. So. Yeah.

In other words, what I really mean to be saying right now is that I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with people incredible enough in my life (AMELIA) that I could miss them (HER) so incredibly much when they're (SHE'S) gone. I mean, I just spent nearly half-an-hour looking through all her facebook photos because I just missed looking at her face so darn much. I never look though people's facebook photos!

But really. Amelia Hope Theobald is one of the best people I have ever known and associated with. More than almost anyone in the whole world, she has loved and listened to and understood me better than anyone else. We definitely had our hard times, but all the profoundly good times that we had more than far outweigh the bad.

Amelia was someone that I could be my complete self with. I had to worry not a single wit when I was with her because I knew that she loved and accepted me no matter what. We could do crazy stuff together--like stay up till 2am making cupcakes or act like little kids or talk about boys or try to go workout at 6am in the morning or build awesome forts, and at the end of it all, she still thought I was a semi-sane person. I loved having that freedom of self.

Amelia was an amazing example to me of service--of making baked goods and always giving them away to people or of cleaning the apartment when she noticed I was stressed because she knew that would make it better or of taking time to talk to someone who needed a friend or of working so hard to make sure that everyone else was taken care of and having a good time before worrying about herself.

Amelia also stuck with me through the bad. She dealt with me when I was cranky and she would listen to me and love me when I needed to talk and cry or she would help me be happy when I was stressed and when I was Relief Society president she always asked if there was more that she could do to help me.

Amelia always follows the Lord and wants to do what is right. I know that my association with her drew me closer to Christ because she was always striving to follow and love Him. The decision to go on a mission was tough for her to make, but ultimately she chose to do it because her love for the Lord and His children is just that incredibly great. She always has the Spirit with her. She is always striving to be good. She is always an example of Christ.

I've managed to get the rant out of my system and hold back (mostly) the tears that were threatening to come. I just hope that halfway across the world right now in the Spain MTC, there's a sister missionary there who knows that she is loved and that she has a best friend back at home who's missing her like crazy. She has made an incredible impact and difference in my life, and I know that that's exactly what she's going to do for the people over there. They don't know how lucky they are.

Letters

Dear Nate and Preston, Thanks for taking a break from your studies last night to play Uno with me! It was great to get to know you guys more, though we might have to play again sometime soon so that I can win a round.

Dear Jon Wilcock, Any time with you is always time well-spent. I'm glad we were FINALLY able to go get pie last night to celebrate being done with the semester (we definitely both deserve it, after booth being in the library so late on so many occasions!) Thanks for being an outstanding guy and an even more outstanding friend!

Dear Rylin, You are the best friend ever. Thank you so much for spending an hour and a half of your time yesterday evening looking at cars on KSL and Craigslist with me. I'd have no idea where to even begin without your help. I admire you for your willingness to always help a friend. You say "yes" when someone asks for help without hesitation. You put aside your own to-do lists and worries to help ease those of the people around you. You're awesome.

Dear Amelia, Yesterday was your first day in the Spain MTC. I'm sure you're rockin' it, though I sure do miss you here. Letters will be forthcoming very soon.

Dear Emily, The salad yesterday was divine! Hope you're ready for chicken pesto wraps tonight!

Dear Emily, Rachel Maxwell and Sarah, I enjoyed getting dinner with ya'll on  Tuesday evening at Zupas. I feel so much more relieved about life now that we've picked out my three husbands. Now, I just gotta figure out how to marry them all. We will have to talk about this and iron out the complications sometime in the near future.

Dear To-Do Lists, I love, love, love, love, love crossing things off on you. It gives me a slight adrenaline rush.

Dear New Ward, I'm excited to get to know all of you and to have super fun this spring and summer! Hope ya'll are ready to be havin' some super awesome fun!

Dear Kate, I like when you steal mom's phone and text me. It's awesome being able to keep in contact with you even when you're so far away. Good luck with all your crazy tests these next few weeks!

Dear Future Half-Marathon, Sometimes (as in an average of twenty-four out of twenty-four hours of the day) you freak me out. It's okay, though. I got this.

Dear Rachel Smith, Betsy, Elora and Lyndy, I really really really really really really really like living with you beautiful ladies! You are all so kind and open and happy and giving and considerate and loving and wonderful. Thanks for being who you are and for welcoming me into your home with such open arms.

Dear Jordan and Gentry, You two are such goobers. Thanks for goofing-off with me on Tuesday night at the ward opening ice cream social.

Dear Brett, I'm so excited that you're living in CP! We're going to have to do something fun really soon!

Letters

The AWESOME journal I got from Janet!

Dear Aunt Janet, I know this is a week late, but THANK YOU for the AWESOME giraffe journal and chocolate covered almonds! It helped me get though the craziness of finals week.

Dear Winter 2013 Ward Friends, It's been strange the past couple of days with all of you leaving. Thank you for the fond memories and the good times. It's been wonderful getting to know you all and I hope you will keep in touch!

This is just some of the bonfire crew. Many of the others had left by this point.

Dear Bonfire Crew, We rocked that. Period.

Dear Finals, Thank heavens you are done and that I can now breathe for a couple of months. It's been great, but I'm glad to not be seeing you for another 8 months.

Dear John Campbell, Thank you for the impromptu Subway lunch date. Good luck with "real" life, and have tons of fun in China!

Dear Amy, You betta' take tons of pictures and email me about your adventures in Europe!

Dear Alex, You also betta' take tons of pictures and be ready to tell me all about your adventures in Guatemala once you get back!

Dear New Roommates, I think that this is going to be quite the splendid experience, living with you all. Let's make it a party!

Dear Ryan and John, Thanks for chatting, and even more, for always being willing to chat. I love you two!

Dear Theobalds, Thank you for the fantastic hospitality and the AMAZING food. It made for a very enjoyable afternoon.

Dear Scott and Ryan, You two are going to be some of the best dads in the world someday. How do I know? Because this is what happened today while we were eating dinner at Amelia's house:

I counted while they were chasing you for the whole 20 minutes or so. There were at least 6 of them (little boys, I mean.) While they were tackling you, I turned to Emily and said: "It reminds me of how Joseph Smith was known for playing around with the boys in the town." Yup. You'll be pretty dang amazing fathers with pretty dang lucky kids.

Dear Carson, I'm thoroughly enjoyed talking to you on the car ride home from Amelia's farewell. It was so good to really talk to someone who really listens. You're an awesome friend.

Dear Ems, Thanks for running and talking and cleaning and walking and chilling and laughing and understanding with me. You're an amazing sister, and I'm glad we can be neighbors!

Dear Summer, I'm totally ready to rock this. Let's get this awesome, goal-setting/achieving, hard-working, super-partying, fun and amazing summer started!

More pictures from the bonfire:

The lovely Emma Pister and I!

Stephen, Amy and I

Drew, Gentry and Audrey

Sultry faces, anyone?

Fort Building

Once upon a time my sophomore year of college, my roommates and I built a fort. Now. This was not just any ol' fort. This was a living room sized fort. This was huge! We used command hooks to hang ropes across the ceiling and a zillion blankets. It was big enough to fit our couch and entertainment center underneath. After we finished building it, Jeremy joined in on our girls night and we watched "Red" together. It was quite the splendid evening.

Because we put in so much hard work and effort, we decided to leave the fort up for the rest of the week. We had people come over to the apartment for no other purpose than to check it out. We even had strangers, who had seen the extravaganza through our window while they were eating their Slab Pizza out on the patio outside our door, knock on our door and ask if they could look at it. It was a wonderful, delightfully happy time of life.

Upon building the fort, we decided that we needed to make rules for it. We grabbed four pieces of paper, and Amelia scribbled them down while we shouted them out. Upon cleaning out our apartment to move to another one in the complex, I found those four papers and it reminded me of what a splendid time we had had that year. The rules we made-up are as follows:

RULES of the FORT

1. Thou shalt not touch the ropes or the Kitchen!
2. Thou shalt not make-out...too much.
3. Thou shalt be ambiguous.
4. Thou shalt do no homework while in the sanctity of the fort.
5. Thou shalt not leave they brushes unattended.
6. Honor the blankets and the pillows that thy days may be long in the fort.
7. Thou shalt not covet they neighbor's blanket.
8. Thous shalt EAT!!
9. Thou shalt eat happy thoughts.
10. Thou shalt keep the girls' night HOLY.

Let me explain the inside jokes...

1. Morgan Kitchen was one of my roommates. the Kitchen is a reference to her.

2. When one of us left the apartment to go somewhere, instead of telling them to remember who they were, we would usually yell out "Don't make out too much!" (We were all seriously dating and madly in love with at least three men each at the time. So, of course, this piece of advise was very useful.) 

5. Upon moving into the apartment, Morgan and I discovered that we had the exact same brush. Several days later, Amelia went to the store and happened to buy the exact same brush. The joke was that Morgan and my brush had made a baby. Being that we didn't want any more baby brushes, we decided it would be a good idea to have a rule about not leaving brushes alone in the fort.

9. I told Amelia to write down: "Thou shalt think happy thoughts." Obviously, she was a little hungry at the time, because what came out was "Thou shalt eat happy thoughts." I think her modified version is quite perfect.

We've all moved on in different directions now, but it's nice remembering those fun and crazy times that we had together that sophomore year, like the time we built a fort.  

Letters

Dear Scott, Thanks for letting me come chill with you this evening. I quite enjoyed the company and the guitar music.

Dear Alex, Thank you so much for your wonderful note!!! I can't WAIT to hear about all the fun you have in Guatemala!

Dear Amelia, The apartment isn't the same without you here. Just thought I'd let you know you're missed.

Dear Paige and Anna, I finally wrote you two letters! They should be in the mail by tomorrow!

Dear Emily, I'm so glad that we got to go eat lunch together and to wander around the bookstore this afternoon. We make a pretty great team, you and I.

Dear Jacob, We WILL be hanging out sometime soon. Promise.

Letters

Photo taken by the one and only lovely Scott

Dear World, Guess what? I gots a new haircut! (It's secretly my way of rebelling against the world and regaining control of my life.)

Dear Alicia and Sarah, I had fun chilling and talking about life this morning. Even though it left me tired, the conversation alone was worth it. We should chill and talk about life again sometime soon (though maybe not so early next time)!

Dear Bethany, Thank you so super much for going to get ice cream with me tonight and for letting me dump all my crazy thoughts out on you. The conversation helped me to feel like I wasn't alone and that someone else understands me. I've always thought you were pretty fantastic; tonight proved it.

Dear Sweet Sauce (aka: ward boy's intramural football team), I enjoyed going and watching your game last night. I know I'm not much of a cheerleader, but I hope you know I was rooting for you the whole time. Way to be awesome.

Dear Rylin, We totally rocked our study session in the library last night. Way to be champs.

Dearest Christopher, Don't get any ideas.

Dear S106, You have no idea how much I have appreciated the warm way in which you have welcomed me into your apartment over the past week. You are all find men. And I mean fine men!

Dear Kent and Marina, I'm so super glad I got to see you tonight, even though it was just for a little bit. You never fail to make me smile.

Dear Scott, Thanks for talking this afternoon for a couple of minutes about life. Talking to you always makes things seem brighter, even when they're already shinning.

Dear Professor Hutchins, You are definitely one of my favoritest teachers I have ever had ever. You make dusty, dry literature seem like Harry Potter book 8. Thank you for your amazing example, easy-going attitude, enthusiasm, knowledge, teaching and all-around awesomeness. I hope I can be a teacher as cool as you someday.

Dear Taralyn, I'm so glad we have gotten to know one another, sitting together every Tuesday and Thursday for Adolescent Lit and Teaching Writing. Know that all your encouragement, kind offers and words of friendship mean a lot to me. A lot. Thank you for being there.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for slapping me in the face various times over the past couple of days so that I can now start living a happier, more meaningful and fulfilling life. You weren't just talking to the Saints in Kirtland on June 1st, 1833, were you?

Letters

Dear Alex, I really did enjoy chatting on Thursday night in the library about the randoms things of life. Let's do it again soon!

Dear Ward, Some of you are horrible at roller skating. Just saying. (Don't take it personally)

Dear Ward Groupies, I absolutely loved chillin' outside by the grill late Friday night. It got me super excited for the upcoming summer. Only 5(ish) more weeks!

Dear John Campbell, Thanks for goofing off with me whilst watching "Skyfall" in the lounge super late on Friday night. You made my first James Bond movie watching experience a wonderful success.

Dear Stake Relief Society Presidency, The activity on Saturday morning was a wonderfully huge success. I felt the Spirit and more at peace than I have felt in weeks. I also learned lots of neat tricks and was reminded of lots of super important things. Thanks for making a difference.

Dear Relief Society Sisters, Going to the temple with some of you Saturday afternoon after the activity was the peak of my day. I felt so happy to be there with you beautiful girls. Thank you for motivating me to be where I needed to be that day.

Dear Amelia, I'll make faces at you from across the library any day. Just let me know when you're game.

Dear Amelia, Sarah and Emily, I'm glad we went to get free ice cream on Saturday evening. Roommate bonding time is always the best.

Dear Rylin, I'm super glad times a whole lot that we decided to be friends. It's good to have someone I know I can talk to and be silly/have fun with. We have to keep up this streak of awesome friendship-ness that we've got going here!

Dear Audrey, It makes me happy to see you around our apartment more often this semester than we did last semester. I don't much like living with strangers.

Letters

Dear Steve, Thanks for going to the men's volleyball game and for getting ice cream with me on Friday! I'm glad your semester is going well so far and hope that it continues that way!

Dear Quaelii, Oh my goodness! It was such a fantastic surprise to see you when I came home on Friday night! I'm so happy that you were able to come with your dad up to Provo so that we could see you for a little bit! Keep being awesome, good luck at work, and we hope to see you again soon!

Dear John, Ryan, Amelia, Sarah, Rachel, Morgan, and Emily, Having breakfast with all you guys on Saturday morning was wonderful. It was good to take a break from the craziness of life and to just be surrounded by good friends. Great start to a great Saturday.

Dear Abby, Thanks for talking to me for forever via phone on Saturday. You're such a good listener and I feel like you really understand me when no one else does. Please get feeling better soon, and keep up on the scripture reading (we're already 140 pages through!)

Dear Will, The food and games on Saturday night were lovely, but getting to just talk about life with you for a long time was by far the highlight of my weekend. Thanks for knowing what questions to ask and for being such a good listener. You're a pretty alright guy.

Dear Charles, Thanks for coming with Emily and I to our Aunt and Uncle's place for dinner on Sunday night. You're so easy-going and friendly which revealed me of the burden of having to help you feel included (which is awesome!) Good luck with classes this week, and try to not have too much fun!

Dear Martha and David, Thank you for being awesome relatives by inviting Ems and I over for dinner every once and a while. It's so good to have an escape from Provo and to be in a real house every once and a while. Plus, the food is absolutely delicious!

Dear Scott, Your company at the table in the library yesterday was greatly appreciated. It's good to know that I have friends to sit through the long hours of being with Harold with.

Dear FHE Family, I love you guys. Thanks for being awesome and for making me laugh.

Dear Amelia, You are crazy amazing at making desserts. I'm surprised I haven't gained 20 lbs over my past year and a half at college living with you! Thanks for sharing your talents.

Dear Rachel, Thanks for being willing to drive so many of us to WinCo yesterday to get food. My cupboards and tummy really appreciate it!

Dear Today, You are going to be fabulous, I just know it! Why? Because that's what I've decided.

Letters

Dear Charles, Thanks for lunch yesterday! It was good to catch up and to be with a good friend.

Dear John Wilcock, Thanks again so super much for inviting me to go to pie night with you last night! Even though you and I had to leave before our pie arived, I enjoyed the study break and being able to be with you guys. And the text you sent me this morning wishing me a good day was the BEST! Seriously--it made me feel so much calmer and confident in myself. Thank you for being in tune with the Spirit so that you could know that I needed to get your text. You're awesome.

Dear Shakespeare Paper, You're one of the worst I've ever written in college, but at least you're over with. Phew!

Dear Roommates, Gift exchange tonight was lots of fun. I love you guys!

Dear Aunt Janet, You are officially my favorite Aunt named Janet in the WHOLE WORLD! I love you so, so, so much and feel so blessed to have you in my life! Love you TONS!

Dear Emily, I'm glad we got to go get ice cream tonight. It made me happy on the inside.

Dear Amelia, This maple bar/ cinnamon bread you made is. A. Maze. Ing. It's seriously some of the best you've ever made!

Dear Christmas, YEA!!!!!!!!!!

Dear World, Life is great. Case closed.

Why My Week Has Been Awesome

1. I went running twice with Brady Anderson, and he's kinda' crazy, but really fun!
2. I had a rockin' presidency meeting.
3. I got to talk to my AWESOME second cousin, Louisa!!!

Jared and I waiting in line for Divine Comedy!

1. I went to Divine Comedy with Jared, Sarah, Brady, and McKell. It was hilarious and super fun!
2. I got to go shopping with Ryan and we got to be goofy and have people treat us like a married couple.

Emily and I mean business when we watch the arts

We walked up to Christmas around the world with Kara and Mary...I kinda got carried away with the picture taking...

 

1. I went to Christmas Around the World with Emily and it was AMAZING! Plus, I knew six people in it (Will, Jordan, Ethan, David, Joseph, and Jamie) and they all did SO GOOD!
2. My apartment has a sweet, peaceful spirit in it, thanks to all the wonderful people who came over (Jeremy, Ryan, Sarah, Quaelii, Scott, Gentry, Stephen, Drew, and others...)
3. I spent hours preparing for the lesson I gave today. Preparing for church lessons is one of my favoritest things in the world.
4. The testimonies--spoken and unspoken--today at church were inspiring. We have so many good people in our ward (and I love them ALL!!!)
5. Dinner tonight with the clan. It was really yummy.
6. Got to watch the Christmas Devotional with the clan. Amelia gave me a back rub. My back might be starting to recover from carrying around my laptop and Shakespeare bible, thanks to her!
7. Stephen, Scott, Gentry, and Drew came over to our apartment tonight and made me really laugh! I haven't really laughed in ages!
8. It's CHRISTMAS TIME and we have a REAL CHRISTMAS TREE in our apartment!!! Plus snowflakes and lights and nativities and wrapping-papered walls. Oh, and mistletoe. 
9. I have A. MAZE. ING. roomates. They are seriously some of the greatest blessings in my life!
10. I've gone from ups to downs and back again. Heavenly Father's really good and pulling me back up.
11. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and all those I associate with. It's so easy to love those around me when I remember how much They love them. 
12. I feel that those around me sincerely care about and love me because they've shown it. Means the world to me.

Friday Nights

This is what I do on Friday nights:

...Along with reading Macbeth and getting frozen yogurt with Ems and watching the TV show Merlin. Life's pretty good.

Awesome in a Nutshell

Why the past few days have been AWESOME (in a nutshell):

1. For FHE we carved pumpkins and baked pumpkin seeds. Super fun.
2. Yesterday, on my way to Shakespeare I ran into Emily Christensen. We got to talk. She's amazing. Then, after work, I got to go over to her apartment and we talked about life while she made chile.
3. Last night, our Relief Society had an activity called "How to Simplify and Satisfy Your Semester". So many girls came, and the girls who shared their talents are seriously skilled. Now I know how to cook delicious chicken, stay healthy, do my hair pretty, and make yummy tortillas.
4. After the Relief Society activity I came home and Ryan's parents were there! We got to hang out with them and just talk for over an hour. They are such good people. Of course, what else would you have expected from Ryan's parents?
5. Today, Emily Christensen came into my office while I was at work to talk to me for two seconds. Smiley face: check.
6. Today Kyle Wilson and Sarah and Amelia and Lauren and Rachel and Emily and I chilled in the apartment and did homework. Chinese and Shakespeare and Music Composition and American Heritage and Theater and Violin all in the same apartment. We're pretty awesome.
7. I got to go to weightlifting today with Emily (like I do every Monday and Wednesday night). We decided we're going to chill this weekend, so of course this weekend is going to be the best.
8. Today for my Shakespeare class, I read a letter writen by Keats. He pretty much quoted scripture. I love finding gospel truths in the things I am learning!

BYU Experience

Ashley and I at BYU Experience!

Dear Ashley, Meeting you last night at BYU experience last night was the best. I was just as excited as you were when we found out that we both signed ASL. I hope that I see you in the winter at the next BYU Experience activity!

Dear BYU Experience Program Directors, Thanks for all the hard work you went to to put together last night's party. I love that we, as BYU students, get together once a semester with the mentally handicapped young adults in Utah Valley and throw them a party. It makes their night and puts our lives into perspective. Couldn't have spent my Friday evening in any better way.

Dear Jeremy, I'm glad you came with me last night to share in the BYU Experience fun and that then you came over to my apartment afterwards to chill. It was good to have our brother around again.

Dear Roomies Plus Sarah, Being real-life friends is legit. Watching funny youtube videos until midnight is also legit (as long as you don't do it too much!) I'm officially making an executive decision: we're going to be real-life friends for life plus eternity. You have no say in the matter.

Dear Anna, I 100% mean it when I say that I don't know if I could have made it through first block without our Friday night dates. Being with you was, at times, the only thing I was holding onto. I'm glad that we can keep up the tradition, even though first block has officially ended. BYU Experience plus cookie dough making last night with you was the word "stellar" capsuled into a five hour time frame. You are a true friend and an amazing person. Thank you for being an example to me of how a daughter of God should be living her life. PS: The picture of your niece that you top-secretly put on my desktop is adorable. Aren't you so excited for the day when we get to have super cute kids of our own?!

Letters

Dear Lauren, WAY TO GO!!! Good job getting fifth place in the dance competition today by doing your awesome tango! I admire you so much for doing the things you are passionate about. You are amazing.

Dear Sarah, I have been waiting ALL WEEK to go and get ice cream with you today! It was perfect. It was just what I needed. It was so good to do nothing but just sit and talk to you. Especially the "you" part. You amaze and inspire me in so many ways. Thanks for your example and friendship.

Dear World Religions Test, That was fun, wasn't it? I'm pretty sure that I'd never even seen at least a fourth of the words on the page. Lucky for me, the test wasn't in the testing center and wasn't multiple choice, so I still get to forget it and still feel good about myself until the scores get posted. Perfect.

Dear Eric, I'm so glad that you came over to make cookies with me tonight. Thanks for the cookie making and the Piano Guys video watching/listen and the talking and the translating my letter and the playing Banana Grams and the even more talking. The cookies we made were amazing. Magic, you could say (or rather, did say). You are such a good, understanding, caring, spiritual, fun, awesome friend. I'm excited to get to listen to General Conference with you on Saturday morning up in the mountains!

I think someone was just trying to remind him of home...

Dear Jeremy, Thanks for stopping by tonight to help us eat our cookies. I'm so glad that your dance number in today's dance competition was 667--our apartment number. Some things are just meant to be. Our FHE family is one of those things. Also, I admire you so much for being willing to help so many people when they struggle with their homework. Your dedication to service is just so super awesome. Air five, brother! Good night (This time, not in sign language)!

Dear Lori, Thank you so much for buying us pizza to eat today at work. You are one of the best bosses ever!