Ask me if I went and saw Safe Haven with my roommates.
Yes.
Ask me if I loved it.
Yes.
Ask me if I applied for a big girl job yesterday. EEEK!
Yes.
Ask me if I am currently in Sandy.
Yes.
Ask me if I went running today. Outside. In shorts.
Yes.
Ask me if I just went to the temple.
Yes.
Ask me if I'm content with my life right now.
Yes.
Ask me if I really know what I'm doing.
No.
Ask me if that is ok.
Yes.
Here is a quote for you. About love.
I have since come to know that love is more than a paper heart. It is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. But it is not at the end of a rainbow; it is at the beginning, and from it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day. It is the security for which children weep, the meat and drink of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How impoverished are those who lack it, and how rich those who have it!
Gordon B. Hinckley
I will patiently wait for the day when I find the one who I can love for eternity. For now I will work on becoming someone he wants to love.
Yesterday I turned 21. Yup. I'm growing up. How did I celebrate? It was filled with some of the people who I love most.
I woke up around 9:30 and all my roommates were still asleep. I had one of those internal battles where I had to go to the bathroom but I wanted to stay all cuddled up in my bed. My bladder won. I walked out of my room and to my astonishment the entire kitchen was decorated with streamers and balloons. Oh Chelan. Thank you.
So I went to the bathroom and then went back into my bed and read a little bit. Then around 9:44 my Grandma Kasteler called me to wish me a happy birthday. Then my sister came over at 10:00 and brought me 21 roses. What would I do without her?
Then my roommate made crepes for all of the roomies. Complete with nutella, strawberries and whipped cream. I ate 3. I was especially grateful for Courtney who I haven't seen very much lately! Love you Court/Katniss/Quarters.
Then we had an interesting thing happen. We were all bouncing a balloon around our living room. All of a sudden one of us smacked the balloon toward the light fixture. It was loose so it came crashing down. We all screamed and then just sat there in shock. The glass shards popped the four or so balloons that were in the room. We were all blessed to not get hurt. And it was hilarious. Also, at one point. Kevin Anderson came over to wish me a happy birthday.
Then Tina and I had planned to go play soccer at the church. Well, the gym was taken by some basketball players so we just went to the Relief Society room and played the piano for an hour or so. Thank you Kristina Sue Stewart for helping me to not hide my talents under a bushel.
While we were gone I left my phone at home. Unfortunately I missed a call from my wonderful Grandpa Scharffs who without fail has called me every single year on my birthday to sing me Happy Birthday. I also missed a call from Kevin Larsen. Thank you.
I then showered and got ready for the day. My wonderful Mother and Spencer drove up and we went to lunch to Olive Garden as a family. Wow. I love them and miss them like crazy.
Then we came back to my apartment to open up some presents. I walk in the door and out pops my best friend Jerrica Osmun. She had broken my heart earlier in the week when she said she wouldn't be able to make it up for my birthday. I screamed. To say the least. What an amazing surprise! I am grateful for Jerrica.
I opened up my presents and felt completely spoiled. I got some clothes, jewelery, a new straightener and a bag. I love it all. Again I want to thank my dear, dear mother.
Then my family left and Jerrica and I moved my car and when I came back there were some flowers. Beautiful flowers that had no name on them. Just a small note. Fortunately, I knew exactly who they were from because of the note. They were from my best friend Bethany Coleman. Oh, how I miss her.
Then my roommate Paige and I went to Walmart. We had to pick up some things for ice cream sundaes to have with our Oakcresties.
I came back and went to dinner with Jerrica at Costa Vida. You could say that Costa is "our place". Then Jerrica had to stop by Walmart to get some things to make Oreo Truffles. We came back and I opened the door to the apartment and SURPRISE.
There were balloons and Chelan had made three cakes and there were candles and everyone sang to me and I blew all of them out in one blow. (To tell you the truth there were only two. But still. There was one on each cake and I still got all three in one blow.) Then, all of the boys got around me and threw me in the air 21 one times. It might have been a little terrifying but so fun! We ate cake and played games. It was seriously so fun. It was the first time I have ever had a surprise party. And even though I knew something was going on, I really appreciate everyone who came. Chelan, Tina, Courtney, Jerrica, Paige, Maegan, Spencer Hall, Mitch, Spencer Cline, Kye, Jordan, Franco, Evan, Dallin, Hannah, Steve, Matt.
It is days like yesterday when you are reminded that there are people out there who love you. I am grateful for all of the people in my life and I know that I am who I am because of all of you. I am especially grateful for my Heavenly Father who knows me perfectly and gave me incredible people in my life to help me and guide me to what I can be.
And I want to thank YOU for being one of the few to make it through this entire blog post. Here is a song for your Sunday afternoon.
I have been procrastinating writing a blog post about the beginning of this semester. I don't really know what to say. But, I survived the first three days of student teaching. It is going to get better, more stressful, easier, and busier. I know it. Here's to six more weeks in Kindergarten!
I was with some really good friends from high school this morning. They have recently gotten home from their missions. It was so fun. We made breakfast like old times and I heard all about how they were doing. They went somewhere for two years of their life and had amazing experiences sharing the gospel and serving the Lord. I'm so proud of them. I started thinking about how close we were in high school. I couldn't help but think about all of the things that have happened to me in the last two years. How much I have been through, learned, and grown. Things that theses guys will never understand and possibly never know about. I couldn't possibly catch them up on everything that has happened in the last two years. That is what happens though. It isn't a bad thing. When you haven't talked to someone in two years, things change. I still consider them very good friends and I am so happy that they are home. I am proud of them and all that they have accomplished in the last two years. I am also grateful beyond words for all of the trials and experiences I have been through in my life. I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me exactly what I need to help me become the woman he knows that I can become. How blessed I am to have the most powerful being in the universe directing my life. I hope to make him proud.
Passionnoun \ˈpa-shən\ a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything
A passion for school. A passion for teaching. A passion for serving others. A passion for my scripture study. A passion for my relationships. A passion for having fun. A passion for exercising. A passion for my calling. A passion for being healthy. A passion for praying. A passion for the temple. A passion for life.
Everything I do I want to enjoy it, love it, and put my all into it.
I have a feeling that big things are going to happen this year. I don't know what those things are going to be but, I am prepared to make the absolute best out of every opportunity and situation that comes my way. I know that this year is going to be full of good times, hard times, and a lot of learning times. I don't know where my life is going to go this year but what ever I end up doing, I will do with passion.
In a few hours 2012 will be over. I can't believe how fast this year went by. I was going to make a list of all the things that happened. But that would be really hard. I guess I could make a list of a few of the bigger things.
20.
San Francisco.
Goblin Valley.
Transition classes.
Moved back home.
Disneyland.
OAKCREST.
Moved back to Logan.
Applied to student teaching.
Got my student teaching placement.
Survived level III.
2012 was a great year. It was a year of learning, growing, love, tears, laughter, joy, having fun, working hard, becoming better.
My semester ended very busy but very well. I ended up with almost all As. It was definitely the hardest semester of my college career but I loved it. And I miss my third grade class a lot.
I'm starting student teaching in January. eeek! JANUARY. In 12 days it will be my first day. I am so excited/nervous/scared/not ready/ready.
The week before Christmas. Was pretty crazy. Lots of shopping, a wedding, a couple dates, a few parties, ran errands, Oakcrest reunion.
Sandy Hook. What a nightmare. I still think about it all the time. I'm going to be a teacher. What would I do if that happened at my school? My heart breaks for that community.
My Christmas was incredible.
Christmas eve I saw a movie and went to dinner with my family. We opened our Christmas pajamas. I started/finished wrapping. Then I took some time before bed to think about Christ. At Oakcrest the last week of camp was Christmas and we all wrote letters to Heavenly Father to tell him what we were giving Christ for Christmas. I opened up that letter and read it. I'm still working on the gifts to my Savior. But that is something that we should work on all throughout the year. Not just in December (and August if you are at Oakcrest.)
Christmas day. I was very excited about what I got my family for Christmas. Isn't that one of the best feelings when you figure out the perfect Christmas gift?? My family blessed me so much this Christmas. My favorite Christmas gifts that I was given was a 72-hour kit and a beautiful cedar chest. I also got some sweaters and some games. If anyone wants to have a game night....I would love it.
Then, I shoveled the driveway, cleaned the house, helped my mom make food, delivered gifts to the cousins and exchanged gifts with a good friend. THEN, it was time for the party. Almost all of my mom's side of the family came over, we ate tons of food, talked, ate dessert, talked some more, watched Spencer and Elliot play their annual football game, opened presents, talked some more, and then everyone left. To finish up the night I watched Scrooge with my family. It was a fantastic day.
The past couple days....wow. I have been so lazy. I don't really want to talk about it actually.
Today is my daddy's birthday. I miss him. I hope that I am making him proud.
Tonight I'm going to Jerrica's. We have big plans. Titanic, DI, outlet mall. It's gonna be epic. Try not to be jealous.
One more week of Christmas break. I can't decide if it is going by too fast or too slow. And Tuesday will be 2013. I hope you are all thinking of some new years resolutions. I'm working on it.
I think...that is all. I'm sorry for the long and boring update. I will try for some consistency.
Temple Square. Love.
Brown paper packages tied up with string. Yes, my mom is so creative.
I have a friend.
I call her a best friend.
I've known her for roughly two and a half years.
We've lived together for three semesters.
She is silly with me.
She has a wonderful smile and laugh.
I can tell her everything.
She has recently become very talented at making pie.
She loves life.
She tells the best jokes.
She loves giraffes and the color yellow.
She confides in me.
One time we went to San Francisco. Just the two of us.
We like going on photoshoot adventures.
She takes life one day at a time.
She is an artist.
She loves going to the DI with me.
Her family is wonderful.
She knows that she is a Daughter of God.
She loves the gospel.
Pretty soon, she'll be going on a mission.
She will move out in four days.
She'll spend some time at home before she leaves.
To some undetermined place to serve the Lord.
I love this girl.
