A Tribute

 

Macaulay Jacob Wilson, aka My Missionary

I have not shared this picture with many people, but many would say

that it looks like a postcard.

I agree :)

Anyway, why blog on this day, December the second, 2010? Well I have my reasons :)

Ok...so exactly 6 months ago my best friend, Macaulay, left on a mission.

He is serving in the Toronto, Canada West mission.

I was always told that the first 6 months are the slowest

and the hardest...but dang did they fly by.

He has learned and grown so much out there, I don't think I can

keep up! Holy Smokes. 

Anyway, I'm grateful that he is out serving a mission, he is doing 

the Lord's work! I am very proud of him. What a wonderful 

guy! November 21st marked the year mark from when we

started dating up there at BYU. It's been a great year, 

and even a wonderful 6 months.

I've seen a lot of girls send out missionaries...and I've seen a lot

of heart ache...I, however, am doing well! Excelling even! 

Ok...let's get real. I do miss him, every day at least a little,

But I don't live my life wishing he was here...I try to live my life to the 

fullest every day. Life is worth it!

A Day of Thanks

So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart.
~Arthur Guiterman

I have so much to be thankful for in my life. I can't explain any of it really, but I will say a few words about each thing. Forgive my lack of eloquence, but I will try.

Firstly, I am immensely grateful for my family. Sometimes we don't get along and sometimes we fight, but we really do love each other. My parents are very loving and care about me a lot. I love them a lot. I've been very blessed with having them as my parents. My siblings all seem pretty protective of me, but I love them for it. All of them like to threaten boys that I like...or at least talk to each other about what they could do. It's great fun.

 

I have also been blessed in my life with some amazing friends. I have a few friends that I've had for a long time and I still talk to them almost every day! I love that. I haven't had many friends in my life that have stuck around for long, maybe because I'm not cool...or they just don't care enough, but here are some of my best friends ever. I love you guys!

 

This is Nichole. If you've read my blog, you know her.

Macaulay Wilson...the best friend I have EVER had :)

He is on a mission in Canada now...I miss him..

A LOT!

Dang, what a guy!

Rachel, Kaylin and I became great friends while we were RAs.

It's been a rough road with us, but I still love them.

We are great friends! :)

Can't believe Rachel is gettin' hitched soon!

 

Kiley and Ashley. These two girls were on my floor, and

I'm pretty sure they're the only ones that liked me.

I love chatting with these girls and staying

up 'til the wee hours of the morning with them. 

All-in-all, I love these girls.

[Kiley, Thanksgiving wasn't the same without you!]

My lovely RAs. I love them so much! I miss you ladies! :)

Michele, good luck on your mission! I'll miss you!!!

Jenn, I'm glad we still talk sometimes! :)

This summer I was blessed to be a CA in Helaman Halls.

I loved being with these people, they influenced

me a lot. I only actually still talk to a few of them, but

I am still incredibly grateful  for them all!

I am thankful for so much more. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I'm grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am grateful for all of the of the knowledge and experiences I've been blessed with in my life. I am grateful for a great job that I like most of the time. I'm grateful for school and for the knowledge I gain from going there. I am grateful for everyone that I talk to on a daily, or even weekly basis. You are all amazing. I am really lucky and blessed. I can't find words enough to express it. Thanks to everyone that influences me!

"Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives." Terry Lynn Taylor

The Day That Who-Ville Went Crazy

Ok, so I have this sister, Rachel, who is 3 years older than I am. She and I didn't do a whole lot together when we lived at home together for some reason or another.
Rachel now is married (4 years and running!) and has the cutest little baby, Leila (whom I love a dannnnng lot!)

Now...I lived with Rachel and her husband for a little less than 2 months...and I loved it! I sometimes miss going home everyday and knowing that somebody would be there. It was somewhat comforting. Although I don't live there, Rachel and I find time for some fun! :) I go over there at least once a week, and it's great. This week I got to go TWICE! :) I love Rachel and Leila (and Dave of course).

Here is what we did today:

Yeah, I love my sister. We have fun. She's basically my best friend :)

Phoenix -- My New Home

What all has happened since my days in Utah; my days at BYU? Here it is:

When I first moved down to Arizona my sister and brother-in-law

were gracious enough to let me stay at their house until my oldest sister

and I got a place to live. I got to be there with them through the end

of Rachel's pregnancy, and was able to see them in the hospital

the morning after Leila was born. I learned a lot from

living with them, and I got to know my sister so much

better. I love going and visiting her now…We watch

ANTM and talk for hours about once a week. It’s pretty

much the highlight of my week.

Here is my [green] room at their house: 

This is my beautiful niece! Her name is Leila Elizabeth Martin.

She was born on 8 October 2010. 7lbs 14oz.

About a week and a half after Leila was born, my oldest sister Jeni

and I got a house in Phoenix itself. It was a relief to only

have a 5 minute drive to school every morning

instead of the 45 it took from Rachel’s house.

It is a cute cottage-like house, and I’ve actually

grown to like it a lot. I feel very comfortable in the house

And Jeni and I are doing well!

This is my room now:

 

 

 My life continues to stay very busy with work and school. It also stays

somewhat confusing as well...but it's life, that's what you get!

All is well in Arizona...though hot...it's good.

Worst Weekend Ever

So, it has been seriously the worst weekend ever, at least work wise. Want to know why? Here goes...

This weekend one of my coworkers was on call to work my afternoon shift in case I needed to work the audit for Dave (my brother-in-law) in the case that his wife had the baby. Well, when little Leila Elizabeth Martin was born Friday afternoon, I went to work at 1pm and continually tried to call that coworker for her to come in. She kept not answering and then turned her phone off. I called until about 8 pm and just gave up. To top off my shift, the cashier before me had given a $20 refund...without bringing any other cash in...putting my drawer short...and she CLOSED HER SHIFT! That made my afternoon somewhat crazy, but my audit worse. I don't want to get into the logistics because few would understand, but let me tell you...it was the worst audit I had to deal with to date!

Anyway, I worked for 18 hours straight, and was up for about 29 hours straight from Friday to Saturday, and the only good thing was that I now have a niece! She is cute, but it's still weird to realize that it is my sister's baby...it's crazy. The funniest part of her being born was that, as soon as I heard I wanted to pick up the phone and call Macaulay, but, of course, I couldn't...so I just wrote him about it (not nearly as great, but necessary). Also, Jeni and I found a house, that's a good thing...we move in on Friday! :)

Anyway, so back to why it was a terrible weekend?...well...the whole Friday afternoon shift and audit were insane. We booked almost every room in the hotel! Let me just say, I was completely exhausted after I got off, but wanted to meet Leila, so I found the teenie, tiny bit of energy I had left to go to the hospital and see her and my sister for a few minutes. Afterwards I went home and got about 7-7.5 hours of sleep...and well, now I'm at work again. My other coworker (not the one that ditched yesterday) decided to try to make up for that same $20 refund in the money from today...totally not cool. She screwed up my numbers AGAIN!!! Seriously, the people I've worked with this weekend have been ticking me off this weekend (if you are one of my coworkers, sorry, but it's true). Another thing, we were completely booked tonight, and they had cancelled 2 'late arrival' check-ins...thus stranding the people here, and forcing me to bear the bad news. Gosh, if only I could teach everyone how to do everything the way it's suppose to be done! Ugh. Seriously. I've only been here a little over a month and I seem to know more than those who've worked here for forever! Seriously. I just want to smack 'em! Tonight's audit was the worst audit ever!

Basically, I want a day off...a day of massages and bubble baths; singing and dancing; and naps. I could really use any of the above...but alas I work audit again tomorrow night. Hopefully it goes better than tonight! (cross your fingers for me).

Thanks for listening to me whine.

Provo. The Best Town EVER!!!!

 

Oh Provo, How I love you!

I live in Arizona now, as many people know, but I still consider Provo my 

HOME!

I drove up to Provo this weekend with my brother, Scott. We had a good time driving up and talking and such. It was a pretty decent drive. It was so beautiful and breathtaking to drive into Utah in the early morning and see this lovely view:

It was (and still probably is) beautiful! We decided we didn't want to come back to Arizona, but alas we had to; the weekend eventually ended.

Anyway, I had an amazing weekend. I think that I took my life in Provo for granted way too much. I was so happy that I got to see my favorite people in the whole world (most of them)! I got to see Megan Peterson like 3 times, which was great...she's a great friend! I love that kid. I also got to see little Ariel, whom I very much enjoy spending time with. We had a good chat about life, just catching up on each others' lives and such. Ariel is an amazing little lady...we're super tight! :) Love her! Then I got to see Timberley. He is basically my favorite guy in Provo. I got to surprise him and it was great. He and I had a good time together. I also saw Peter! Oh Peter, what a guy. He picked up and spun me around when he saw me...it was crazy. I thought I'd brake his back! Anyway, I loved seeing him! I got to see Jenn a few times, we always laugh and joke so much, it's great! She's great! :) I also saw Rachel, Kaylin, James, Brian, Javier, and a slew of other amazing people! I love them all. You people in Provo, I love you! Thanks for making my weekend in Provo spectacular! Seriously. I miss and love you all SOOOOOO MUCH!!!

p.s. keep in touch y'all :)

My Best Friend.

This is my best friend. Her name is Nichole. She is crazy. I spent the weekend with her!

Nichole and I have been friends since we were roommates as freshman.

We ALWAYS have fun together!

Anyway, she and I had a great time this weekend (or at least I did). Even 

when we had to walk to go pick up my car (it got towed...gross).

This is a picture we took on the way there :)

I don't think that I express my feelings for people very often, but Nichole

seems to always understand me and how I am. She really is

my best friend (whether she likes it or not. lol)

Soooo, another crazy thing about this awesome duo is that we are pretty similar.

She may be short and I'm really tall, but we're the same.

I think that we understand each other very well.

Sometimes we don't get to talk for a long time, but even after a long time

we are still best friends. We can pick up right where we

left off and be laughing for the whole time!

She was the first person at BYU to see me cry, or to play with me in the snow.

We spent basically the whole day every day together,

except when we were in our respective classes.

For this I am grateful. I never really thought that I had a friend that would stick

by me through thick and thin, rain or shine, but Nichole has and does.

She is always there for me, even if I'm not talking.

I know that even if she and I are in different states (which we are right now)

she is always there for me if I need her. No matter if it's just to 

talk or if I just want to get my mind off of things here.

Nichole, thanks for being a great friend. I decided to post about you because 

you are and have been my best friend...2 years straight! :) lol.

I would cut anyone for you ;) lol.

Life Is Good Today

One month and 7 days

3 days to go

First off, let me tell you that Phoenix is abnormally hot. It is almost October and it continues to be over 100 degrees! gross. I have a job at Red Roof Inn and I've been working here for about a month now. I really feel that I am good at my job! I love to be helpful and talk to new people, so it fits my personality pretty well. I am still looking for an apartment with my oldest sister, but I get the opportunity to still stay with my sister and brother-in-law. They really are great! I like hanging out with them :) She is 9 months pregnant and I'm thinking the little girl is coming any day now!!! :) I am stoked can you tell? Anyway, I am also excelling in school, which is good...it's all going pretty easily down here. 

The question is...Am I Happy?

A good friend asked me that awhile ago...and I didn't really know how to answer, considering that I hadn't been here all that long. I find it equally difficult today, but I feel the need to expound on my feelings for a moment...maybe it will be cathartic to show them to people that care enough to read this.

I very much enjoy my job...it is a real blessing to have this job and to get as many hours as I do get. I really like my coworkers and I feel that I know almost everything that I need to for this job (which is nice for sure). I find that school is, mondo, ridiculously boring...and not much of a challenge. I have yet to actually make a friend at school...I am super quiet in my classes...which may be the problem. I do realize that I have great friends, some are in Provo and I don't get much chance to talk to them, some are in other countries and I get little or no chance to talk to them each week, and a few are in distant cities and countries only able to communicate with me via letters. I enjoy writing letters, don't get me wrong, but I just have a hard time finding time to do so. I find that my days pass relatively slow, but my weeks seem to pass decently quickly, which is  a paradox I do not understand.

 3 days though, and I will see those amazing friends that still reside in Provo. I miss them all terribly, and I am stoked to see them for the weekend! :) It'll be flippin awesome! :) Provo holds my most cherished memories and many of my favorite people. I only hope that those friends feel the same way, but I obviously cannot know that -I don't read minds. 

Anyway, that is my life in Arizona...and I still write a letter to my best friend, Macaulay, every week :) It is always wonderful to hear from him and to see how much he's growing every week! It's amazing. Life is pretty alright.

For Good

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return.
Well I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you.

I find myself singing this song often. It is from my favorite musical Wicked and I know every word of the whole song! It also comes to mind as I have memories come into my head and those memories lead more and more memories...letting them flow through my mind like music on a piano. I would like to introduce anyone who is reading this to my best friends, and the coworkers that made my summer bearable.

Firstly, there is this girl, her name is Megan and at the beginning of the summer I was informed that I could not be friends with her. Obviously I didn't listen. Megan did a lot for me this summer, and I wish I knew how to properly explain my gratitude and love for her, but I know that I am not nearly eloquent enough to do so. She and I became good friends, and I talked to her about everything...She is way sarcastic and likes to tell people that she'll cut them, but I've definitely seen the softer side of her...we are very similar and that makes it even more fun! I think we will keep in touch and have a long friendship. I consider her one of the best friends that I've ever had.

Ariel Hong is an amazing little Asian girl. She was just some freshman in my building during the school year, but we've had many good times together since then. We've had sleepovers (which I never have really done much of...but I liked it), and just stayed up til 2 am talking about, well, nothing...then realizing we need stuff from walmart so we drive there just to forget what we needed. Ariel is a confused and hilarious, but she doesn't know why she's either. What a girl! And, she's really good at keeping in contact AND taking pictures...two good qualities! Ariel is a great friend, and I'm grateful to have her as my friend!

Jessica Callahan...I am not really sure how to describe her other than hilarious and flirtatious! She always makes me laugh, and knows just how to hit on the boys we worked with...mainly Skyler. She has seen me talk about my feelings, and she just listened, which is nice, but strange that I actually told her about my feelings...She is a very loving young lady, and I hope nothing but the best for her!

Skyler Crouch is a real man...he always does what he needs to and is not as innocent as everyone thinks he is. He seems sheltered and young and innocent, but he knows dirty jokes and always had a smile to brighten my days. I didn't get to know Skyler nearly as much as I wish I could have, but I hope he and I will keep in touch and will still see each other occasionally. He is really a great guy, and I hope everyone he meets will realize that.

Tim Colvin, what an interesting fellow. He and I definitely had our ups and downs, and I didn't give him a whole lot of a chance until about the last two weeks and for that I am sorry. He and I had a lot of fun together and I think we could have been amazing friends, but hopefully we'll keep in contact and become better friends even though we live in different states.

Next there is Blake Fisher. He and I were alright friends, but I didn't have a lot of time with him, so I don't know him as well as I would like to. He's a great guy, and we've had a few deep conversations, but I wish we had had more. Hindsight is 20/20, and I wish I had talked to him more. He is a very insightful and loving guy, and he always cares about everyone's feelings, no matter who they are.

Megan Nield was my suit-mate. She was fun to talk to and hang out with, but I always thought she would rather be with Annette or Jessica than me, so I tried to not bother her. When we did hang out it was always fun, and I love her laugh, it's so...her. It's great! She is fun and has a good sense of humor, for that I am grateful. She is a wonderful girl, and she is in love with Sam, who is a missionary, which is a tough situation for any girl!

Then there is Annette Harris. She and Evan Moss make an amazing couple and I love watching how happy she is with him. She is a fun girl and she is always happy and smiling. I love that about her...she is always making everyone else feel better!

Finally, there is Cole Talbot. He was not around much because he was engaged to a lovely lady named Ali. He is married now (YAY!) but he did listen to a lot of my feelings and concerns, and helped me surprisingly a lot! He is quite a guy.

Also, one girl that was not my coworker, but has been my friend since my first week at BYU...my freshman roommate Nichole. She and I always get along and we've had our share of fun. She is a great girl, who takes my advice on pretty much every subject, especially boys. She always asks for boy advice, even though I don't really know why she would ask me. Anyway, she's been my friend for a long time, and I'm grateful for her.

To end this, is the last verse of the song:

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a hand print on my heart.
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend.

[I love you guys!]

A new 'state' of being

Now, as you all could guess, I'm in Arizona. I moved into my sister's house yesterday and am all set up there (other than unpacking the billions of items of clothing that I have). I slept in that room last night...it was so strange. I pulled out the two teddy bears that I keep on my bed all of the time...or so I thought.

As I laid down to go to sleep I reach over to listen to the one that talks. When I pushed dear Franklin's little paw...NOTHING! I turn my phone light on in order to get a better look at him. It turned out that I pulled out the wrong tan teddy! This teddy is named Alex...and he's been in a box for almost a year now! Oy, the memories that came with that little guy. I set him aside, now with memories flowing quickly, and I grabbed George Shwilson, my favorite bear ever, and hugged him tight.

Now you may think I'm a little baby for sleeping with a teddy bear. To that I say...

"do you think I care...?" (obvious answer...no)

I may be tough, and maybe I'll cut you if you make fun of me for that bear...but oh how comforting it is to have the same bear...something that will never change.

This whole moving situation is a lot of change. All of my friends live in Provo, and I even have best friends that are GIRLS! Crazy. I will introduce everyone here someday, but I miss them terribly. I was just getting to know some of my coworkers even better and I really miss and love all of my coworkers...even the married Cole (it's crazy...we've been hearing about his wedding all summer...and now he's actually married! Yay!)

Anyway, I went to classes today, and now I'm just trying to get used to the terrible heat (it was 90 degrees when I left home this morning at 6:30 am. Annnnnd to top that off...there was a heat advisory! Crazy. Anyway, that has been my day. Such is life.

Post One: The Change

I once heard that life takes you where you’re supposed to go, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a scary ride. Pope John Paul II said “Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly, knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.”

What am I talking about? Well, the next stage of my life.

About a month ago my dad recommended that I look into a different degree, something that would suit me just as well, but would be a better career choice. I thought that he was crazy, but after contemplating it for a very long time, I decided to look into schools Court Reporting. I decided that it would be a good thing for me to get a degree in, seeing as it has treated my mom very well over the years (as well as my family), and I could work in any state (other than Utah). I hated the thought of leaving BYU, and still do, but I feel that it is the right place for me to be right now. I could stay here if I wanted to, I didn’t get kicked out or anything, but I feel this is what I am supposed to do.

I leave tomorrow (Saturday the 21^st) to drive down to Phoenix, Arizona. I am moving there to live with my sister. I am living with my sister Rachel and her husband for about a month, and then my oldest sister, Jeni, and I are going to get a house with a few of her friends. I always swore I would not move back to Arizona, but now Phoenix will be my home for at least the next two years.

As for my plans there? Well, I am going to get a degree in Court Reporting at Gateway, as well as get a degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice from ASU. This should take me about 2 years, and then I plan on going to law school, possibly in California, but that’s a ways away so I’ll figure that out later.

It is a new adventure for me, and scary at that. I am nervous about moving, because all of my friends are here and I will miss you all terribly! It will be interesting to see how it goes, but I’ll try to keep this blog updated so everyone can see how Arizona is. I love you all, and I will miss all of you from Utah terribly.