weekend away

I would just first off like to apologize for my absence, I just have not been feeling inspired lately. But here I am, with some pics and stories to share. 

I talked to my mom a couple weeks ago while I was feeling pretty frustrated with school and stuff and as an antidote, she suggested that I head up to Salt Lake for a weekend and hang out with my cousins. So Friday, Erin let me borrow her car and I drove up to Salt Lake and made it to Sammy's basketball game, which I've been wanting to go to for forever. It was awesome to be able to see him in his element playing for Olympus High School. It was also hilarious to be back in the high school atmosphere, with everything and everyone being dramatic, and with cheerleaders that are actually good....unlike my high school's...ha

i got to see brinny boo, which was not expected! and spennie bug with all his lady friends...

after the game, Meg and I headed out on over an hour's drive into the middle of the West desert to a bonfire that consisted of supposedly 300 Christmas trees, but I'm not quite convinced that's accurate. But still, there were SO many trees that were brought there by trucks and trailers. The line of cars following each other seemed to be never-ending. My toes just about froze because it took forevsies to start the fire but as soon as it started, you couldn't stand within like, 15 feet of it because it was so big and hot. 

before

after

not going to lie, it was super sick. 

Then the weekend just got better because yesterday my dad came into town just for a couple of days so I got to go back to Salt Lake for dinner at grandma and grandpa jackson's, which was so nice and hang out with my family. I have just realized how much I love my family lately. I really have taken them for granted through high school, but now they really have become my best friends. I love spending time with them and am so glad that I have my three siblings and a nephew so close to me. 

 cutest child in the world

who in the world is looking at my blog from these places? loving it. respek. 

oh what a day [or week]

One could say that this was an emotionally draining week before it even started and just proceeded to get worse as it went on. I am glad to say that even though Sunday was a rough day, I'm really glad I was able to go to the fireside given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson. He gave an amazing talk on "Living Well Day by Day" and it was exactly what I needed. Some things that stuck out to me:

• Live each individual day fully and well.
• Carefully consider the goals we make--remind ourselves at the beginning of each day to keep that resolution just for that day; then it will become a habit.
• Be careful to not be discouraged and lose hope as we strive to become more like Christ.
• Hope is an anchor to the souls of men.
• Don't lose hope.
• The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones as we strive to become more like Him.
• "Rejoice in one more day, one more step towards eternal life".
• Seek God daily.

Maura and my mom came to Provo on Tuesday and I was so glad I got to spend so much time with them. Maura got to say bye to all of her friends and it was so sweet to see how many people would miss her while she was gone on her mission. Tuesday night, all of the siblings here and Mom went to dinner and just hung out at Ian and Katie's for a while which was nice to just be together. 

After work Wednesday morning, we went to Cafe Rio for lunch before dropping Maura off at the MTC to go off to RUSSIA and as good as it was, I don't think anyone was really that hungry, especially Maura. We said our tearful goodbyes to Maura and sent her off into the building. It was so weird to watch her go, knowing I won't see her for a year and a half, but I am so excited for her! The people of Russia aren't going to know what hit them, in a really good way. The hardest part for me is that Maura has been my best friend here at school and so it seems like there is this big, gaping hole in my life. Before we were even out of the MTC parking lot, I was already reaching for my phone to text her something funny that had just happened. That's going to be a huge struggle, not having her right there with me in the library, or at her townhouse, or eating with me. So thank you Dear Elder for being so readily available for me. Everyone write Mojay! Her mailbox number is 170. 

"where you invest your love, you invest your life"

--mumford & sons

h@ppee ~n~ew yeeeer

2010 has been good to  me. it started out halfway through my senior year of high school and having just finished the christmas chamber season with my besties "co-cop". 

i went to sno daze with jamie

i went to utah twice to hang out at byu

i went to prom with colin

we won the state championship game for rugby after getting second two years in a row

i graduated from high school with my very best friends

i had an amazing summer at home with the entire family there

i also made the most of hanging out with my friends before we all separated for college

i got to go and see my two favorite artists this summer: ingrid michaelson at basilica block party

and JUSTIN BIEBER with erin, caroline and her friend

after months (literally) of crying my eyes out, i came to byu in provo, utah and met my soulmate roommate melissa

i hiked the y, discovered tall tee nightgowns, learned to do a back flip, added a third bed to our room, didnt study when i went to the lib with maura, met new friends, and tried to manage being a college freshman and still have fun at the same time

and to bring in the new year, i hung out with my friends at jonny's, then proceeded to come home and ring in the new year with mojay and mama sporting mama ji's nightgowns

H@PPEEE ~N~EW YEEEER ERRRYYYONNNEE