Since I've been home, I've been taking a vacation from blogging too. I've had lots of ideas and plenty of things to write about but I just haven't found the time to sit down, think, and write it all out! Hopefully when I get back on my daily routine I will catch up. Vacation truly is wonderful!!!
There are so many songs, quotes, and movies about how great home is. But you really can't connect or fully understand until you've been away from home. I absolutely love being here! As much as I enjoyed being at BYU and all the fun I had, people I met, things I learned, there truly is nothing that beats Washington and family. I don't even have to be doing anything besides sitting around and I still love every minute of being HOME. I feel like I took a lot for granted and I never fully appreciated all the blessings I have. And I know I spent a lot of time in my room, by myself instead of being with my family which is so lame! Now I always want to be where the action is and don't really like being alone, which is definitely a good thing. I'm looking forward to the rest of break and all the fun adventures ahead.
Today was the start of many goodbyes to happen in the near future. But I would like to think of them just as see ya laters. I'm so glad that I've made good friends that have such strong testimonies and are willing to sacrifice two years to serving the Lord and preaching the gospel. They are such great examples and I'm so proud of them! I can't wait to hear about all their adventures including all the hardships and successes. Two years may seem like a long time but in the grand scheme of things it's no time at all. Who knows where we'll be but as I said farewell to Jordan and Philip today, I couldn't help but think of the quote, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened". So much laughter and fun memories were made with these guys. Good luck and return with honor!
I love doing seasonal activities and I've definitely done my fair share of them this year at BYU. Christmastime cannot be complete without making gingerbread houses. With real gingerbread of course!
Close friends are good substitutes for familly and we shared lots of laughter, creativity, pictures, silly faces, and singing Christmas tunes. It was a great night that once again got us in the Christmas spirit. I'm so grateful for my amazing friends and that we have the opportunity to be at BYU where we can live our standards together.
It also made me really excited to go home and read all of our Christmas stories!
I heard about skittles bowling a long time ago as a date idea but this was the first time I actually got to do it. And I didn't just have one date but five! After all semester, the summer crew finally got back together. It was such a blast and of course we were laughing the whole time.
It seems like just yesterday we were outside playing volleyball, enjoying the sun, not worrying about homework because we barely had any, oh and playing mario kart on the wii. Time has flown by and now they are all getting ready to go on missions!
Anyways, back to the bowling. First, we got in free...score! Second, it was cosmic bowling which makes it so much better, and third, we all did horrible but didn't care!
This is how skittles bowling works. Every time you bowl, you have to grab a skittle and based on what color it is, that's how you have to do your turn. So...
green- opposite hand
purple - eyes closed
orange - hop on one foot
yellow- normal
red - backwards between the legs
We played a real game afterwards and I must be way out of practice because I did better with the skittles than I did when I was actually trying! We then went over to Ben and Bryan's apartment in new heritage ( I wanna move there SOOOO bad!!!) and just talked, reminiscing about summer and all the fun we had. Such a great night!
I read this poem and immediately thought of my mom and her birthday yesterday! I absolutely love her and everything that she does. She is my best friend, my greatest example, and one of the people I can always rely on. I'm so grateful for her and I hope she had a fabulous day! I can't wait to see her in just 8 short days!
So I am officially the newest member of Pinterest and I love it already! So many cute ideas and even though it may be a time waster, it allows a girl to dream :) There are so many practical and easy to do ideas that can make weddings and homes so original and adorable! Plus yummy food, cute outfits, and life-changing quotes. This website is fabulous!!!
I have had the most wonderful start to the Christmas season this week. On Monday night for FHE, we took awkward family Christmas pictures. I was able to wear my new Christmas pajama pants that have candy canes on them. I absolutely LOVE candy canes :)
On Tuesday night, I went to see BYU's production of White Christmas. I grew up watching this movie and I hadn't seen it for a long time so it was fun to refresh my memory. It was a fabulous performance and I'm so glad I went! I couldn't help but think of Kenz during the song "Sisters". I love how close we are and I can't wait till she's here with me next year...(hopefully!)
Oh and the guy who played Phil was so cute! and really energetic and an amazing actor and flirtatious haha! I want to meet him :)
On Thursday, Brother Smith "decorated" our room for the holidays on a powerpoint slide with this fabulous ornament...
I also love all the lights and trees up on campus. It makes everything seem so festive!
And then Friday was the day I've been looking forward to for a long time! I started the day by making cookies and curling my hair. Oh and receiving an itinerary from Logan ha! Then I went to class...boring! I came back home and finished getting ready and then took the bus to Matt and Mikelle's to get the car. I picked up the boys and then we were on our way to Salt Lake! Of course there was traffic but the car was filled with Christmas music and laughter :) We made it there in time to have dinner at a little Mexican restaurant called Su Casa. After getting a little lost in the Conference Center we finally made it to the theater to see Savior of the World! I absolutely love this production and not only do I have all the lyrics memorized but I know majority of the lines as well! I've seen it so many times and I don't think I could ever get sick of it. However, it was fun to actually watch and enjoy it instead of being in it. It really brings the scripture stories of our Savior to life and the Spirit is SO strong. The first time I performed in it is when I really gained my testimony of Jesus Christ and I"m so grateful for that. I love the peace and joy that it brings and it was very entertaining to see a professional group do it. Although majority of it was similar to what we've done, there was a lot of aspects of the stage that I really liked. It testifies so well of a living Christ who served those around him and lived to do the will of the Father. I don't know what I would do without this gospel and I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have. My testimony has grown so much recently and I look forward the spiritual experiences I will have the future that will continue to strengthen it.
We then went across the street to the beautiful Temple Square. Probably one of my most favorite places on the earth. And with Christmas lights it's like a million times better! Despite the freezing weather, as I was walking around I couldn't help but think about how blessed I am. I was able to think about the true meaning of Christmas and how I can't wait to go to the temple someday and how grateful I am that I have such good friends who share the same standards as me and that we have the opportunity to further our education at BYU, a college unlike any other on the entire earth. A college that is only one hour away from our church headquarters. There are so many people that don't have these opportunities and I couldn't help but take it all in. One thing I love about our church is that it's not about what you see, it's all about what you feel. We don't have to see things to believe them, because if we feel the spirit and have faith, then we know.
Afterwards, Logan's mom invited us over for root beer floats. We chatted and then headed home. It was such a lovely evening and I'm so glad such a big group was able to enjoy this night with me!
What was going to be a boring Saturday, turned out to be amazing. Alan invited me to go up to Salt Lake for the BYU vs. Oregon basketball game and to go see the lights at Temple Square! I didn't hesitate to say YES and looked forward to being up there again so soon! Alan and I played monopoly on his ipad on the car ride up and we made it right on time for the game. We had great seats and it was so much fun to be in the arena where the Utah Jazz play! It was an amazing game and we won! Hartsock is my new favorite player because he is pretty much a beast and was tearin' it up in the paint. Also I want to marry Stephen Rogers because he is very attractive and super good at shooting three-pointers!
After the game we went to the Gateway mall to have dinner and then we walked over to Temple Square. There were so many people there! But it was amazing nonetheless, and I could not express how happy I was to be there again.
Mary, Alan, Koa, Allyson, Jake, Haley
"jumping for joy" in front of the temple
isn't it gorgeous?
We thought these chairs looked like thrones and decided that
we could name ourselves King Alan and Queen Mary
I LOVE hot chocolate!!!
Especially when it's peppermint flavored and has whipped cream on top!
I love this tree in the Joseph Smith Building. The ornaments are
so pretty and the tree is so tall. The top reaches the chandelier!
Here's us on the trolley! It's free downtown Salt Lake so we thought we would take advantage of being warm for a small moment as we traveled from Temple Square back to the Gateway.
Now I am sitting in my warm bed with my blankets watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. I don't think I could describe a more perfect weekend. I hope we can all remember the true meaning of Christmas this year and remember our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we serve those around us and focus on what's important, I know we will be able to find lasting joy. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of this Christmas season!
Here you'll find all my favorite things and get to read about my adventures with friends, family, and my third graders. I'm Mary Abigail and I'm so happy you're here!
