Escaping Provo

Cabining/Hiking in the snow in Southern Utah!! So much fun!! :)

Bring on the HEAT, baby!

This picture is from a sunny Sunday walk two weeks ago. :)

It's Spring! And while it's been rather drizzly and grey here, the Springtime newness and excitement are beginning to inch their way into my thoughts. Memories of warmer times are coming back to me, and I'm getting super excited for sunshine and picnics and late nights and Summer and freedom and flowers and road trips and... Yeah. It'll be a good summer!

Also, I pretty much love being able to post from my phone. That's all.

Procrastination...

I've got some projects to finish up and some reading to do and about a million hours of sleep to catch up on... And I've spent the last 20 minutes figuring out how to post from my new phone. Awesome! Expect to be hearing from me slightly more often with fun pictures from my phone! Haha. :)

This one is from Sunday afternoon. I drove a friend up to Tremonton, and fell in love with a cute dinosaur up there. I was sick of driving and had to stretch my legs and there happened to be an awesome dinosaur chilling there for Kimberly's and my enjoyment!

Sometimes, I think I'm afraid to be happy. Like, I feel like if I'm too content, something is bound to go wrong, so I just don't want to let myself get too happy. I get scared. Anyone else ever feel this way? How do you overcome it?

Productivity

I crossed off 11 items from my To Do list today. 11! Those were all substantial things that needed to be done, too. I feel so productive. :)

And, I plan to cross off another one before I head to bed tonight. Or at least make good progress toward crossing it off.

Also, today was gorgeous. Sunny and warm and beautiful. I had to take off my sweatshirt because I was roasting in it! That's the kind of weather I like to see. Hopefully it means this month will follow a nice little "In like a lamb, out like an even awesomer lamb..." pattern. I'd enjoy that. Heh heh heh.

March is shaping up to be a much nicer month than I'd anticipated. Normally I hate it because it's the longest month known to man, but if this productivity and super weather keeps up, my feelings just might be swayed. Also, I'll be home in 3 days. So that makes things better, too. :)

Febtober?

Another month has come and gone... March brings the promise of new and exciting experiences, but before I dive into those I'd like to reflect a little on the lessons I've learned in February. Following in the footsteps of my bomb sister-in-law Sarah, and to commemorate the shortest month of the year, my list will include 28 items. Some are funny, some are serious... Bring it on!

Let it be known to the world that, in February 2011, I learned:
1) Apparently the phrase "too much on my plate" means nothing to me, because I just keep piling on the activities and the responsibility.
2) I'm a Bingo champion.
3) Spending Valentine's Day with girlfriends, laughing hysterically and freaking ourselves out, might perhaps be the best way to spend such an awesome holiday.
4) Gentlemen DO exist!
5) Combining perfectly situated duplexes, weird neighbors who fail to close their kitchen blinds, and laser pointers can provide some serious entertainment on late nights.
6) "Lower your expectations!" is a perfectly acceptable takeaway for Sunday School dating lessons.
7) Twisting and pinning my hair is perfect for mornings when I'm exhausted and running late but still want to look like I put some effort into making myself look like a person.
8) Dreams can be intense little buggers that sometimes won't leave you alone even after you're awake (or even after two weeks...).
9) My confidence in my writing ability has reached an all-time low, while feelings that I'm perpetually disappointing my entire graduate committee have skyrocketed. Thank you, graduate school...
10) You should never interrupt Julian Smith when he's readin' a book.
11) My "love life will be happy and harmonious."
12) Creepy crawly crawlspaces are pretty rad.
13) It's amazing how easy it is to fall back into comfortable patterns ("just like the old times") with true friends who you haven't seen in awhile.
14) I can drive a snowmobile!
15) ...but I can't drive a shopping cart.
16) Sometimes calling 911 isn't the most reasonable course of action.
17) I'm cute when I'm tired.
18) Baking and frosting sugar cookies is still one of my favorite activities.
19) I pretty much stink at operating fancy-pants cell phones... [But I still kind of want one. Figures.]
20) Library carrels provide the necessary seclusion from the world when being in my office gets too distracting - I need to remember this more often!
21) Nyquil makes me do funny things.
22) Along with inspiring the nightwear of Superman and adorning the walls of Chuck Norris' home, Jimmer can prove a limit without even being given an epsilon.
23) While I typically have an immune system of Steele (heh heh heh...), sometimes a chest cold of doom can descend and ensnare me in its nasty clutches, reducing me from feeling slightly under the weather to a crippled, sobbing ball on the couch in a matter of about three hours.
24) Priesthood blessings heal, both inside and out.
25) Despite a lack of practice, I can still parallel park my car.
26) Grading may perhaps be the bane of my existence, but using a pink pen sure helps ease some of the pain.
27) Magic tricks are mesmerizing.
28) I'm related to some of the funniest people on earth...

And with that, I need to get some sleep and try to start this next month off on the right foot. Happy New Month, everyone!

Tribute

Awwww, ain't it sweet? I love looking at this picture of my parents. They look so happy and vibrant, plus their clothes are pretty rad. Heh heh heh. :) I'm so grateful for these two wonderful people in my life. I'm grateful for their love and support, and their commitment to each other and to our family.

My dad has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders. He's supported me in my education, and always pushed me to do my best. He taught me the value of hard, honest work. He is one of the greatest examples of a true giver - he loves to give of his time and talents, and loves to give gifts. He has also taught me how to have a good time and to have a sense of humor. There is never a dull moment when he's around, and he loves to keep things lively and entertaining. Thank you, Dad, for your support, your example, and your love. I love you!

My mom is my hero. I don't know if I can ever thank her enough for her example of living a full life devoted to family, friends, and the Gospel. She has always shown her deep love for me through her selfless service. She seems to always be working on about a million things, and never runs out of energy or enthusiasm for the work she is involved in. She has taught me how to truly love and how to have a good attitude despite life's craziness. Most importantly, she has taught me Gospel principles both by word and by example. Thank you, Mom, for your sweetness, your trust, and your love. I love you!

And, who can forget all my wonderful siblings who are here on earth because of my parents? Mathieu is a wonderful example of respect and responsibility. I have always admired his courage to stand up for what is right and to lead by example. Erin, Ella, and Delainey are lucky girls, and they, too, mean so much to me. I have always seen Zachary as my protector - he's got an innate courage and loyalty that cannot be removed. He has always been someone I can turn to when I need help, support, or comfort. I miss having his family here with me, but I know they are just a phone call or video chat away (Love you, Sarah, Logan, and Kaylee!). Elizabeth is a wonderful example to me of a gorgeous, talented, creative, strong woman. I admire (and am envious of) her beauty, and I cherish her friendship. Jonathan has been an example to me of a hard worker who, like my dad, knows how to have a lot of fun. He can inject humor into any situation, and I love his enjoyment of life. I also love his example of dedication to the Gospel as he is currently serving a mission. Rosemary is a joy to be around, and I love that she can laugh at my awesome jokes and retort with even awesomer ones. She is grounded in what she knows to be true, and she is genuine in her sweetness to those around her. Remington is an example to me of humility and wit. He has a strong testimony that shows through his quiet example. He also has a sharp sense of humor that can leave me with my sides splitting. Hunter has a strong personality and he uses it to love those around him. He is an example to me of how to show conviction to what he believes. I also love his willingness to wrap his arms around me and give me a big hug just because he feels like it. Madison is a shining example of sweetness and sensitivity. She wants to do good and to be good, and she loves to express her love for others. She has the biggest heart, and forgives without a second thought.

I love my family. I love each of my siblings with their individual personalities and quirks. I love the memories we've created together, and the prospect of creating more wonderful memories. I love knowing that families can be together forever, that these relationships and friendships I have can be perpetuated beyond the grave. And I love my parents for making it all possible. :) Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! Y'all are the bomb!