Elder Foutz

Today we dropped this stud off at the MTC. He is going to be such an amazing missionary in PIURA, PERU. I am constantly amazed at this boy, he has such a testimony and knows how he should be. He has always been so constant in the church, I have no doubt he is going to be an amazing missionary. He has been such an example to me. So, we went and picked him up from the airport today, ate a noodles and company, went to the dorms- it was funny to see all the man love from the freshman waiting to go. We drive to the MTC and I start crying, I decided it is so much easier to be on the other side, being the missionary you have this huge adventure ahead of you. So we drove up and we saw Kevin's best friend Kekoa. It was great to see the excitment with them. There was so much excitement Kevin almost walked away without giving us a hug, such a boy. I am glad he is so excited. He is about to have the adventure of a lifetime. Love you Kev!!!!

My Valuable Lessons

Don't care what people think of you, especially crazy ones.

Do your own thing!

Take time for yourself

When you are unhappy it is because it is because you either are taking too much time for other people, or not enough time for yourself, there has to be a balance.

The gym is necessary.

Dreams are hard to make come true, but so worth it.

Ok, let's get real here

Everytime I look at my mission pictures I get emotional, for so many reasons. Not only do I miss this girl like crazy ( Hna. Castro), I miss the food, the trees, riding in the back of a truck like we are here, but I miss how SKINNY I was. But I can get back to that right? Without parasites please :).

Happiliciousness

This is Lacee. I am eternally grateful for this girl, she GETS me. Sometimes all you need is a best friend to listen to you and feed you cookie dough, it just seems to make everything better! * no lace, I will not take this down sorry!*

Open Doors

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."- Helen Keller

I love this quote, it has been quite the representation of my life now. I am almost 24, going to law school and today I have closed a door that has been open for about 3 months and I am looking for another door. The now closed door was so draining on my individuality, so now I am looking for that open door. I don't expect it to be opened for a while, but I am ok with that. So here is to new beginnings! So many times I get caught up on that closed door, letting it affect my happiness. But there are SO many beautiful things in life to look, experience, and take in. So my new goal is to stop planning and focusing on the small things, let life come as it will! Law school will work itself out, dating might work itself out, my calling, living situation and so many things will be great! I just know it!

perfection

This is what I wish I was doing tonight, that is sparkling cider in the glass. No worries, mom.

So Cal!!!

I have not heard back from all the schools I have applied to yet, but so far this is the one that feels great! It's in Fullerton, CA. Yes that is 30 minutes away from LA, 20 from the beach and an hour from San Diego. I feel great about this, PLUS I got a scholarship. I had to tell someone, even if it is whoever reads this lowly blog!

Life Theme Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtpRJLom6gQ

Since I am not smart enough to learn how to post a video, I will post the link. Sometimes I wish life had theme music, so I hope in the very near future this is my theme music. That is all.

An hour in heck

I went to my first spin class tonight, I think that is what outer darkness will be. You are in a dark room, sweating, someone is yelling at you. . . talk about pressure. It was nice to get out some stress, I have realized lately people really do have their agency ( like our lesson on Sunday) but I think some people do not understand how their use of agency really does affect the people around them. So, I guess until all that pent up stress is released, I will be back in outer darkness pumping my legs to death.

Good times

This weekend with all my cousins here, we did a lot of this,
- Laughing so hard we were crying
- Impromptu dancing
- Eating until we could eat no more
- Shopping
- Cooking
- Crying from my amazing brother's talk
- Holding babies
- Manicures and Pedicures
- A good gospel discussion with the lady who did my manicure and Pedicure
- Running in the 70 degree weather
- Going to see Phantom tonight
- Forgetting it was Valentine's Day
- Realizing the only people you can truly count on is Family

I have had a few thoughts of my own
- My brother is the most amazing person I have ever met, his talk was just so touching
- I love being home, and not in Provo for multiple reasons
- I am an extreme push over
- Lacee is my very best friend for so many reasons
- I have a lot of big decisions to make very soon
- Did I say I do not want to go back to Provolandia?

Viva Las Vegas!

This is actually a comforting sight for me. It means I am about 20 minutes away from my house when I see the strip after coming over the mountain. This time I am going down for my brother's farewell. I am also taking a break from Utah, this past week has thrown me for a loop, without going into much detail, this is a needed break. But also this weekend is Valentine's Day. Not sure how I really feel about it, but as I was thinking about it last night every year as a single girl you have that hopeless romantic thought. For some reason you always wish flowers and chocolate will show up on your doorstep and that someone out there secretly does adore you. Haha this year, I am not letting myself have that thought, just not to be disappointed. Instead, I will be listening to Elder Koelliker report about his mission to Guatemala, and then watch my AMAZING little brother get ready to serve in PIURA, PERU! I love my little bro, he is so mature it freaks me out and just has such a good grasps on life. I have no doubt he will be amazing, wow and testify to baptism everyone in PERU!

Relief Society

Sunday we had a Relief Society training meeting. Honestly, I was dreading it going into it. Then, as I was there the Lord had softened my heart, so that is when all of my lack of dedication, lack of talent and gung-ho-ness had come to my mind. This organization really is incredible, and I am lucky enough to be part of it. It makes me really sad when girls our age ditch out on the meeting at church, visiting teaching and activities. So I am going to be better, using Emma Smith as my example. So here I am going to ask you... how can I make Relief Society better for our ward!?

Revelation

This is what went off over my head today... so certain things will be changed and life will be better. I have decided, now I just need to do it.

Half Marathon

In June this is what I will be doing, for 13.1 miles. Wish me luck...

Gifts

You would think I am referring to my birthday ( which I do not want to talk about this year), but to the spiritual and talents that many of my friends and family have. Every member of my family has great gifts, my sister and her husband have the same gift, they are so happy and positive all the time. My other little sister has such a zest for life it is a amazing, my little brother who is leaving in two and a half weeks for Peru is very humble, and the youngest has such an innocence about him. All of their gifts are things I need to learn.
I have another friend who I went to dinner with, she has a beautiful baby girl and a wonderful husband and to her surprise she is having another baby just a year after she had her first. They way she told me, she seems surprised, but never annoyed I seriously admire her talent to go with the flow and just care for people around her. She is always asking me how I am doing and cares about the answers, amazes me, she has enough going on!
I guess Ether 12:27 is coming to mind. Lately I feel like all my faults have been shoved in my face... ever felt that before? Hahaha I guess there are people I live with and associate with that tend to do that to me. So I guess I am asking, be patient with me! Try to find my small little gift or talent that I have to offer . . . then hopefully my weak things will be made strong!

Just hit me

It is crazy how life can just hit you over the head. Well this idea took a wild swing, last April I had this crazy idea to take the LSAT. So I signed up and sold my soul to the LSAT Summer '09, once I got my score back I thought 'What the Heck', so I applied. Guess what? I have gotten in to a few places, sorry people no Harvard Law ( Bampa would be disappointed) but I think I am going to actually do this. So as I am laying in bed after a rotten week and a typical Provo night and reading about all my married friends and their wonderful new babies... this is something that truly makes me... excited, scared and nervous.... all at the same time. Who would have thought... I still am not there yet, so I can not get ahead of myself. Sometimes we just get caught up in everyday life, so as everyday life has been pretty rotten between school, health and my dumb expectations I quietly think... in about 3 years... I will be law graduate :). And those are my thoughts at 2:13 am. Goodnight!

When in rome?

So I decided since I have been sick, I would splurge and go see a "normal" movie, meaning pay more than a dollar for it. I had been super excited to go see this, but I have decided chick flicks like this just are not true and leave a misconception of love in the viewer's mind. I know maybe I am jaded, cynical, bitter (not quite yet) but they are all the same to me. A beautiful, successful girl who is so "unlucky" with love starts out the movie unhappy with her love life ends up with the hottest guy ever, he falls head over heels in love and will do anything for her. Reality? Not quite. The movie was cute, not my favorite. But I just walk away less hopeful then I did walking in...

It's the Little Things

Freeze this half way, then Eat= HEAVEN!

Grateful

I just have to say... I am so so grateful for my sister and for my room mates Natalie and Stefi for sitting with me while I was throwing up, rubbing my back, taking me to the hospital, begging the nurse for ice chips, thinking of everything and everything, missing class and being great, also not taking pictures or remembering anything I said while being on morphine. Thanks guys!