Oldies

If you know me, you are well aware of my love for old movies. Not only do I love old movies, I love old TV shows. Especially any made in the '50s or '60s (Bewitched, I Love Lucy). I grew up watching them, because mom loves them and whenever we would go on vacation in the summer, "Nick at Nite" always had the best shows.

Anyhow. After watching Mary Poppins on Saturday afternoon, I started watching "The Dick Van Dyke Show". It is so refreshing to watch TV shows from years ago as opposed to all the garbage that is on these days. Plus, I love Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. I mean, who wouldn't? Thank you, dad for downloading all of the seasons!

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Matter of Time

Okay, just one more post for the day. I have to.
Notice the date above? It's August 30th. We know what that means, right? It has been officially eleven months since my wonderful missionary entered the MTC. Yep. Eleven months. That means that in thirteen months, I get to see that sweet, sweet face again and steal as many kisses and hugs as I want because he will be home!!! If you have been around me in the past month, you will know how excited I am that we are coming so close to a year! Excited is not a strong enough word to capture what is going on in my head and heart when I think about being that much closer to my dear Justin, but it works for now.

How could I be anything but ecstatic to see this face in thirteen months?!

Happy Monday, friends.

 I just had to share my news!

xo

Week Two: Friday

Once again, just as week one, most of my picture taking happened on Friday during the service activity and before the dance. So, how about my pictures do the talking?

With my co-counselor, Mo. (He's making his lisp face)

Vanessa, Catherine, myself and Talia.

Me and Heather. I love this picture for a few reasons. But mainly because we are just SO excited! 

All of the counselors

Posing with my girls before the dance Friday night.

Clearly, we are model material!

My girls showing off their muscles.

And lastly, me and my boys!

Week Two: Pizza Night

Pizza night. Week two. Yeah, I love pizza night. So much!
Really. Especially this week, because my girls were super giddy talking about their cows, and we had a major dance party.

All of my girls (minus two that went home sick). 

Week Two

Are you ready for this? EFY week two. Finally!
So, week two. After one week of the craziness, I was ready for more -- though the fifteen or so hours I slept on Saturday didn't seem to be enough. But, despite that I was ready for another amazing week. And of course, I was not disappointed.
For the second week, I was just in a two-some, but with twelve girls and twelve boys, my group was nearly as large as the first week. So, once again I was blessed with an amazing group of girls (two of which are in my stake), and group of really sweet boys (though they did try to push my buttons now and then). And even though Vanessa and I couldn't be roommates again, I got to be roommates with Kelsey, which was fab. We had some good nights in the hall, waiting for the girls to go to sleep. Fifteen year-olds make funny noises at night.
So, again all in all, I had such a great time. I learned so much, felt the spirit, and loved (almost) every minute!

Playing some games on Monday night. Thankfully no rain this time!

Inspiration

Before I head for dreamland tonight, I just wanted to do a quick post to share one of my new favourite quotes. I heard this at EFY (second week, I believe) and found it to be the exact words I needed to push me through. I hope it can do the same for you.

"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Week One: Friday

Just one last post about my first week at EFY. It was an amazing week and I loved (mostly) every minute of it! My first week was kind of my 'practice' week almost. I learned a lot, and figured out some things to work on and do better the next week. I just felt so privileged to have the opportunity to work as a counselor this summer. It was really amazing!
Most of my picture taking happened on Friday while the kiddos did their service project and before the dance, so I felt the need to dedicate a post to that. Enjoy!

Posing while the kids work on their blankets. 

All of the counselors.

Me and my girls. Oh, I had SO much fun with these ladies! I will always have a special place in my heart for these girls. 

We attempted a very large dog pile. It kind of failed. 

Had enough? Come back for a few posts about week two. 

xo

Week One: Pizza Night

So, apparently I am really bad at the "I'll post that tomorrow" thing. I apologize!
EFY week one. One of the most important nights of EFY is definitely Wednesday's Pizza Night. I love it! I feel like that was the time that I really got to connect with my girls. Pizza, music, dance parties, talking about each girl's cow ("crush of the week").

Having two groups of girls made for a super fun party. I love being a fifteen year old again. It's definitely more fun when you're really twenty-one. 

Week One

EFY. Week one. Are you ready?

So, on the 2nd of August, I began my adventure (this seems to be my new word, eh?). The day began with early morning breakfast (no eggs for me!), a short business meeting with all of the counselors, and going over the ever popular EFY dances. After that, I had some issues with my room, so I had to run over and get my new room key and I had more issues with that -- let's just say I was not very smart that morning.
I was so excited to finally meet my girls that afternoon! I had the privilege of spending the week with nine wonderful girls who made my week so awesome. Plus, I had two co-counselors, so with Dana's nine girls and Devin's eight (then nine) boys, we were quite the group.
It was definitely an eye-opening experience and I feel so blessed and privileged to be able to spend the week with those kids and helping them to build their testimonies.
Oh, and a bonus: I had an AWESOME roommate! We may have spent a few too many hours talking at night, but it was more than worth it. Talks about everything (and I mean everything!), YouTube videos, sleeping noises. The best.
The week flew by and when it came to Saturday morning, I couldn't believe that a week had already passed!
So, to sum it up, I loved my week, I loved my girls, I loved my co-counselors, I loved my boys -- I even loved them on Saturday morning when they crowded around me proceeded to do the cheer that I had grown to loathe that week.

Devin, Dana, myself. We're pretty tough. 

The whole group. "Greatest of All". 

That's all for now. I don't want to overload you with pictures, so I will do that later. 

xo

Countdown!

Just a quick little countdown of my future adventures:

Hope Classic 5K - 10 days
Gaslight Anthem - 22 days
Fall semester - 27 days
Justin's one year mark - 43 days

And as always, I am lacking in the patience department. Just a smidgen though! (or more)

Missionary update

I realized yesterday that it has been quite a while since the last update on the adventures of our favourite missionary. So, here it is.
As of last Monday (transfers), Justin is still serving in Hemet, but he has a new companion, Elder Shaw. And, he's training! I am so excited for him! I had a feeling that he would be training this transfer and I am definitely excited for this new adventure. He says that he and Elder Shaw are getting along really well and working well together -- which is definitely music to my ears.
Oh, and other news! In just over a month, we will be at one year! That's right. One year! I can't wait!

Summer Nights

I know that I promised a full report on my adventures from the last two weeks of efy, but I am going to share my wonderful night instead.
Tonight, I spent the evening with my mom, sister, brother-in-law, Granny, Papa, cousin Sarah, cousin Tracy and their adorable little munchkins. It was fabulous.
When I was little, we would spend a lot of time at that park having picnics, wading in the chlorine saturated pool and chasing the seagulls. I loved it. And I still love it fifteen years later -- especially when I got to share the time with some of the best people in the world.

Oh, Jakey. There's no way your heart isn't melting right now for this boy. 

Tyler. Always smiling. Always posing. He's a ninja -- just ask him. 

Bailey. There used to be a time when she would run from the camera. Apparently those days are passed. 

Riley. Oh, I could spend hours taking pictures of this beauty. Love her!

Cammy. This girl is a treat. And you can't see it here, but she is also missing two teeth! 

So, yeah. It was a good day. 

Quick update

Yep, I am still alive. Somewhat. I don't have time (or the proper thought processes) to really share any details from my life from the last few weeks. But, I will tell you that I have absolutely LOVED my time at EFY and wish I didn't have to go back to my real job on Monday.

Here I am on my first day last Monday. Oh, how young and naive I was back then!

Come back sometime this weekend or next week for a full report.

xo.