Temple Trip

Yesterday, a small group of friends came with me down to the Manti Temple. This is "my" temple, so it's always so fun to go there. But this was an extra special occasion.

I know the picture above is really not all that great. I was taking a picture of a picture. But the little lady in the middle is Rosemary. I had the great privilege of teaching her on the mission and was able to see her get baptized. She was such a spitfire. I love it! And I love her and I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to know her. I found out not too long ago that she passed away last March. Since that time, I have had the feeling of her prodding me forward to get her work done for her and her family. We had begun working on this when I was in New York 4 years ago. But nothing has ever been done. After getting the go-ahead from a few different people, I was able to do the temple work done for her, her parents, her grandparents, and an uncle and aunt. It was such a great experience and it means a lot that I've been able to continue to be a part of Rosemary's life and progression in the gospel.

My parents were so great to be willing to come up and help me out. It was extra special to have them there with me and stand in for Rosemary's parents as I stood in for her. Here's the friends that came with me!
I do have to thank my roommate Hilary for this picture. I really loved the growing flowers alongside the temple. That's one of the great things about spring. And it was very fitting to me for this weekend as well. And putting this all together with Easter last weekend. Because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, death - the winter of life - has no permanent hold on us. Spring will come and flowers will always bloom again. We will live again. Those who have gone on before can and will be with us again. It offers such hope and such extreme happiness! The Gospel's true folks!

And, not that this has much to do with anything, but what is a trip to Manti/Ephraim without getting some Fat Sticks! Such good stuff.

Bag Tag????

So, I just got tagged by Holly. And I think this may be the most random of all tags that I've seen. Thanks a lot Brynn. :) Apparently, for this tag I'm supposed to show my purse and what is in it right now without changing a thing.



So, here's my purse. Here comes the confession. Unlike many girls, I actually only have one purse. No 30 different purses to match every outfit. Or even two. (I actually have a friend who probably has 30.) I don't love purses to begin with. I personally think they're a bother to carry around. And yet, it's somewhat necessary. C'est la vie. So my purse is not very big. Pretty much just carries the essentials. So what's inside? Okay, 2nd confession. I actually did have to change what was inside, just a little bit, because I actually carry my camera with me. Just a little trick I learned on the mission. You never know when you're going to need it. But no worries. I put it back in. Also, I have my checkbook, many receipts, drivers license, credit cards, and many other cards. (Like phone cards and Hollywood video card and grocery store cards, etc.) I also have my temple recommend and pass along cards. Just don't ask me how good I am at passing along those cards. :) I have one feminine product for emergencies, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, chap stick, ibuprofen, and dramamine randomly. I don't think I ever took it out after the last time I flew. Throw in a couple notes here and there, and that's pretty much it I think.
So, I hope that was overly exciting for all of you. Who do I tag? I'm sure anyone would be more interesting than me on this one. I'm going to say.... Andrea Bayles, Hilary (roomie of mine!), Janell, and..... Megan. Have fun!

Easter!

Well, Easter was a little bit different this year. I stayed here in Provo, pretty much all by myself. My roommate Hilary was here. So we celebrated and partied together. What is Easter without a little egg decorating. Here are a few of our lovely creations.

It was definitely a good weekend though. We had some really good lessons in church, and it was a great chance to reflect on the reason why we celebrate Easter. I am very grateful for the Savior and for his gift of the atonement and the resurrection. I can't even begin to imagine where I'd be without it. Thankfully, I don' t have to. :)

Seven Random Things I Am Thinking Right Now

This is a tag from Holly. Here goes....

1 - Do I have seven thoughts in my head right now?
2 - Should I be paying attention to my professor right now?
3 - I've learned a little too much information in my human sexuality class.
4 - I wonder how American Idol will go tonight.
5 - I really need to figure out what I'm doing with my life after graduation.
6 - I wish I had a cooler looking blog.
7 - And.... I really don't have seven thoughts in my head.

What can I say. I've been sitting in class all day long. My brain is tired.

I tag.... Janell, Jenny, Megan, and Emily Roundy

GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS?????

Yee-haw! This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. Maybe I'm a little lame, I know. But, this is just a fun time. It's great, because it's really open to so many things happening. Upsets are in the making and all it takes is one game to change the whole course of things. So, that's pretty much my life at the moment. :) Forget school, that's not important. I'm working on filling in my brackets. It's sure tough to decide. Anyone else have a pick for who they think is going to win? We'll see what magic happens during the big dance this year!

Can you believe #20?

Well, we've hit a landmark. Last week, my sister-in-law had a cute little baby boy. This makes #20 of the nieces and nephews. And they're all just so stinking cute. Who woulda thought? :) Here's a couple of pictures of the the little guy. They're naming him Jacob. It's a family name with some pretty cool stories behind it. So we approve!

Happy Birthday Mom

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. Most of my family was able to go home and celebrate on Saturday. (We did miss you Trent and Megan!) It's always extremely great to get together with my family because I really do love them and we have a lot of fun together. But it's also special to celebrate one of the greatest women I know, and that's my mom.

I hope she enjoyed her birthday and I hope she knows just how great she is. She's taught me so much and been such a great support to me through everything I've done in life. I love you mom!

"It seems to me that my mother was the most splendid woman I ever knew... I have met a lot of people knocking around the world since, but I have never met a more thoroughly refined woman than my mother. If I have amounted to anything, it will be due to her."
~ Charles Chaplin

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
~ Abraham Lincoln

"The noblest calling in the world is that of mother. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece or who can write a book that will influence millions deserves the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting an influence throughout the ages long after painting shall have faded, and books and statues shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give."
~ David O. McKay