the hometown date

I used to be an avid Bachelor(ette) watcher. I didn't love the drama, but I did love all the dates. Now, most of them were seemingly very unrealistic, but never the hometown date. It was always very real and a chance for them to show off their favorite places of growing up and for their significant other to meet their family. This week I had my very first ever hometown date.

We left Idaho and drove straight to Washington. Because who doesn't need more partying? I wasn't there for long enough, but any time at home is better than none at all. We picked up Kenz and Tom in Twin Falls and then made the trek home complete with Go Pro footage the whole time. We arrived pretty late but it was a gorgeous summer night and I was beyond thrilled to be HOME. We came in, talked, played a short game, and then headed to bed.

Saturday was Mitchell's birthday!!! The big 27. We piled in the car and went to go see the new Bourne movie. It was great.

Then we went down to Chambers Bay. Fav place. It never gets old. The view, the feel, the smell, everything.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MITCHELL!

That night we went to the Garlocks to see Maddy since  she just got home from her mission. It was fun to see them and the Lybberts. We also got to do a short tour of U.P. There's really not much to see haha! But it's home, and I wouldn't have wanted to grow up anywhere else.

Sunday was pretty low key. We went to two Sacrament Meetings and then got ready for family dinner. It was so fun to see everyone! We also played cornhole, pickleball, and spikeball. Quality family time. 

Monday we spent the day in downtown Tacoma and then headed up to Seattle.

 I was beyond excited to go to the Mariners game. I love everything about being in the city and the atmosphere of being at Safeco field.

Fun fact about Mitch, he's been to almost every single MLB field. Yes, 28 out of 30. How cool is that?? I'm only a little bit jealous.

Oh, I forgot to mention that they were playing the Red Sox. So basically my two favorite teams. Actually kind of the whole reason we came home haha! The Mariners lost, but it was still fun to be there.

It was a fun-filled weekend that went by too fast! I guess that means we'll just have to make trips more often.

idaho

Every year Mitch's family goes to his dad's boyhood home in St. Anthony, Idaho. I loved how excited he was to go because of all the memories that place holds. Aren't those the best? The places that maybe aren't glamorous or well-known, but they are so special because of the things you've done there and the traditions you have with your family.

 On Saturday, I got to see my family too! My parents were in town dropping Jacob off at BYU-Idaho so we met them to go to the temple but it was closed because well....Pioneer Day! haha! They take it VERY seriously up here. So instead we just met for lunch. It was so good to see them!

Jacob then got to join us that night for the Pioneer Day Rodeo. We had gone to the parade that morning and it was actually pretty fun! Seeing those Jergensen boys get just as excited or more about the candy than the kids was pretty entertaining. This was my second rodeo this summer so I basically feel like a pro now. I can't believe my little brother is old enough to be in college. In my head he's still like 12. But I had a blast hanging out with him.

Isn't he cute?!

Look at these cute cousins hugging. This is the first time Mitch's family has all been together in 2 years and 3 little girls were added to the family! 

 This is the backyard of the house. It is right on the Snake River. Isn't it gorgeous?

 Mitch caught Hudson just taking in the view and then he got a smile out of him. 

I literally could've floated down the river all day, every day and been completely content. Being on the water is my kind of paradise. 

The rest of the weekend we went to Falls Drug and got shakes, we played games (family minute to win it games were hilarious!), Mitch and I beat almost everyone in cornhole, we went to see his Uncle's farm, I met most of his dad's siblings, and we went bridge jumping!

last day of school

It's still kind of surreal, but I finished my very last undergrad class at BYU. It has been an INSANE spring/summer. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears. Literally. But it's been good. I like being busy. Even though the stress was a bit much, I DID IT.

My semester was a little bit unique because it was a continuous spring/summer, not individual terms. I was taking 18 credits during spring because I had to finish my last TELL class and then it dropped to 16 for the rest of the summer. On top of class, during the month of May we had to finish our second practicum where I was teaching 3rd grade at the school I teach at now. And then the rest of the summer we had to set up our own classrooms. It was crazy.

I've been reflecting a lot on my experience at BYU over the past 4 years. It has been amazing. I have been involved with a lot of different things, met some amazing people, enjoyed almost all of my classes, and have grown in so many ways. BYU is an incredible place to be. It is unlike any other place on earth. We have the unique opportunity to gain a secular and spiritual education. I will cherish all those lessons where we got to connect the gospel to teaching, or science, or human development, or stats. There really are connections everywhere you look. I have spent countless hours on that campus taking in the beauty of it all. It truly was everything I could ask for. I'll probably do a post on BYU itself later on, but today called for a celebration. It feels great to be done. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me the next nine months, but I am so excited to be in my very own classroom!!

ENTER TO LEARN, GO FORTH TO SERVE

BYU MOTTO

wednesday thursday friday

I don't know why I always try to pack it all in, but just the fact that it always works out and miraculously everything always gets done is evidence to me that I'm not the one in charge here. There's no way I could do it on my own. 

This week was no different. We worked hard and played hard.

Can you believe this?? Pokemon Go is taking over the world. But I feel like it's especially bad in Provo. We got a bunch of nerds over here. The Provo Library was like a stopping point of some sort and it didn't matter what time of day it was, whenever we drove by there were always HUNDREDS of people there. Craziness. Thanks for the friendly reminder freeway...

We sure love this little boy! We got to help Kenzie babysit this week while she was in class and it was so fun! Even the car ride to dance with the girls was fun. 'CUTIE HEADS" as Kenz would say.

 Thursday night we went boating with the Grows and some of our great friends. It was a blast. Utah Lake has been taken over by algae so we went up to Deer Creek Reservoir which was GORGEOUS. I love everything about being on a boat. It was a wonderful evening.

Friday night we went to the Salt Lake Bees game with one of Mitch's best friends from home and his wife. It was a beautiful summer night and they played the Tacoma Rainiers which was a fun piece of home! The stadium is just right downtown in Salt Lake and it is a super nice field! I was a fan! Afterwards it was complete with a fireworks show set to the soundtrack from Star Wars. 

Rainiers win!

4th of july

Once again, my favorite holiday proved do be nothing short of amazing. As tradition requires, we went to Stadium of Fire with the family. It was on the 2nd this year so we still had the rest of the weekend to celebrate!

Tim McGraw did amazing! That is a fine country man. He's a classic so it was awesome to have him there. The rest of the show was just pretty average. I mean, they can't outdo themselves EVERY year right? But I still loved every minute of being there, celebrating America, listening to good music, and enjoying an incredible firework show. As always.

Thanks grandma!!

Sunday, Mitch walked into my apartment and then said Mar! I need you to come out in the hallway with me for a minute. We walked down the hallway and then he took me to a window where I saw this.

The window doesn't quite do it justice. But it was one of the most BEAUTIFUL sunsets! 

On Monday we had a BBQ with friends! It was a blast. Here is the master griller. 

My cute roommates :) minus Kenz

That night I had to work. boooo. But Mitch came up so we could complete our celebration of the 4th with sparklers and pop-its!! 

 This is my happy. I'm grateful for this country, for the stars and stripes, 

and for a beautiful holiday to remember how it all began!

Father's Day

Like most holidays these days, I wasn't able to be home with my family. Sometimes I miss those traditions that we have or I am sad that I'm missing out on time spent together. But wherever I am in the world, I am still able to celebrate whichever holiday it may be!

I was in California this year for Father's Day but I still thought about my dad all day!! 

I LOVE MY DAD. Here's why:

• He's a hard worker. Not only at his day job, but at serving, working at home, building relationships, and just in life. No matter how tired he is or how long he's been working, he always does a job well done.

• He is FUN. He thinks he's pretty cool (which he is) but he's always up for anything. He's really good at games and he always makes vacations the best, and he has an awesome smile and laugh!

• He's athletic and loves sports. My life would probably be very different if I didn't gain a love and appreciation for sports from my dad. He taught me the rules, was always supportive of my sporting events, and always made sure we had fun as a family. We got to play pickleball together a couple weeks ago and I just loved it. He also got me tickets to the Mariners vs. Red Sox game (my two favorite teams) so basicalllyyy he's pretty awesome. And some of my favorite memories growing up are of him playing softball during the summer. He also climbed two mountains this summer which I think is pretty awesome. 

• He is loving and caring. To his wife, to his kids, to his ward family, to any and all children. He really loves people and knows how to make them feel loved. He is really good at encouraging people to be their best. The babies always love him. Seriously. Pictures of my dad and babies are theee cutest. 

• He's a great example not only of spiritual strength, but also of having strong relationships. I love hearing about when my parents go to the temple together, or about the awesome service they were doing. I love when he asks questions just to hear our opinion. I love how we always read the scriptures together as a family. I love how we always watched conference together. I love how he has always been a worthy priesthood holder and baptized us and always gave us blessings before school started. I loved growing up with so many family members nearby. I love seeing him interact with his mom and his siblings and how close they are. How they spend time together and catch each other up on their lives and do things together often. I love that they still call each other and check up on each other. It's awesome

My dad is just amazing and I'm so glad he's mine! I got to facetime him for a little bit on Father's Day and I'm so glad I did. When I talked to my mom, she said, your dad must really love you because he's talking to you while the Warriors are playing! In my defense, I did call during half time ;) haha!

country vs. city

I'm teaching at a school in the middle of nowhere. It is such a small town that I'm pretty sure they don't even have a grocery store. The students wear cowboy boots with their shorts and love things like rodeos and demolition derbys. They all know what a farm is and are obsessed with horses. I went to a track meet in the next town over in the spring and it had such a unique feel. It's the kind of town where everyone knows everyone, they have livestock at the high school (and you can smell it) and everyone is wearing boots, checkered shirts, and hats.

Sometimes I think that I really like that kinda stuff. It puts a smile on your face and makes you think of every good country song you've ever heard. It reminds me of my mission in the south. I think sometimes the country is really beautiful and there's nothing like sitting on the porch swing drinking lemonade and then watching the stars at night.

But then I remember the city. The energy that's there. All the hustle and bustle. The diversity of the people you run into there. The fact that you could have a sports game, a broadway show, a huge convention, and tons of shopping and eating all going on at the same time within blocks of each other. The city lights and the traffic. It's all so exciting! Walking on the sidewalks, maybe staying in a fancy hotel, or just there for the night. It's always an adventure and I love every minute of it.

I think there has to be some balance in our lives. The ability to appreciate both. I'm grateful for where I grew up, kind of a small town but definitely a city suburb, two beautiful cities within an hour away. It is so fun! And growing up where I did allowed me to appreciate the beauty of the country and learning to enjoy taking a step back and slowing things down. It's never boring in the country, it's relaxing.

And there's so much to learn! I've always been one that loves to learn about different cultures and sometimes that doesn't take you too far from home.