report card of my 23rd year

Last year I made a list of 23 things I wanted to do before I turned 24.  My 24th birthday has already come and gone so here is my annual report card:
1. Scrapbook my London experience: F- This didn't happen.  I didn't even consider making this happen.
2. Graduate from BYU: A!!  So happy!  I even have my pocket sized diploma already!
3. Complete an internship: A Yep, this one was easy!
4. Get a full time job: C So this is sort of done... I have a full time job set up for the summer.
5. Go to Washington D.C.: A HOlla!!  So fun.  DC was simply wonderful and I cant wait to go back again someday!
6. Visit somewhere I've never been: A++ Maui, Hawaii, Washington DC, Charlottesville VA, Jacksonville FL, Houston TX, San Antonio TX... I kicked trash with travelling this year!
7. Get a credit card: F
8. Go to the temple at least once each month: A I totally killed this one.  I went more often than once a month and it was marvellous!  I have a stronger testimony of the temple
9. Do something that scares me:  B  I did some things that scare me, but I had to think of them.  There wasn't really one huge thing, so I gave myself a B.
10. Move out of my parent's house: Hahahahaha F
11. Finish my quilt (or at least start it): B- I worked on both of my quilts but neither is finished...
12. Work on Family History: F
13. Blog once a week: F. I need to aim a little lower this time around.
14. Visit Alyson and Kenny in Florida: A
15. Visit Nick and Amanda in Virginia: A
16. Visit a national park: A (I forgot until this morning that I accomplished this while I was in Hawaii!  I went to Haleakala National Park.)
17. Take the GRE: F (This may be on this year's list though...)
18. Fall in love with a person, place, or hobby: C+
19. Become a runner: B+.
20. Be better at staying in touch with friends: C
21. Accomplish all 12 of my new year's resolutions: D (Since I didn't even make any after March...)
22. Forgive: A.  I definitely improved on this, but this will be a lifelong goal for sure!
23. Visit campus with my parents and have them tell me stories from when they were in college (this counts as family history, right?) F

Fall Time

In case anyone missed the memo, fall is here and it is about to be taken over by winter.  My fall this year was just wonderful!

In October Alyson and Kenny came to Utah to be sealed in the temple.  The day ended up being most beautiful both weather-wise and family-wise and spiritual-wise.  I am so grateful for Alyson and Kenny's example of making the temple a priority.  

It was so wonderful to be together outside of the temple!

After the sealing I threw probably the best baby shower in the history of baby showers for Alyson and baby Jaycie.  It was a tea party and we didn't go half way.

  Grandma Cowley's tea set from Japan.  She would make me tea parties when I was a little girl.

Family Time

My second major vacation this summer was filled with family.  First, I went with my parents and Brian to Florida to see Alyson and Kenny.  Of course theme parks were involved. First, we went to Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

The day at Epcot was beautiful and not even too hot!  We totally lucked out with the weather and it barely rained the entire time we were in Florida!

After spending two days in the parks we needed a brake so we spent a day shopping and relaxing and a day in Jacksonville seeing Alyson and Kenny's home! 

After getting all rested up we headed to the Magic Kingdom.  It was in the Magic Kingdom that I got to see my totally cool former roommate Mehlanie!  Mehlanie knows more about everything Disney than anyone else in the world. 

After riding Pirates of the Caribbean my dad decided he would rather be a pirate than a PR guy.

The next two days were spent at each of the Universal parks, Islands of Adventure then Universal Studios.  The highlight of both days was Harry Potter World.  We missed the opening of Diagon Alley in Universal Studios by just a couple of weeks which was disappointing, but Hogsmeade and Hogwarts were AMAZING.  The ride inside the castle is hands down the coolest ride I have ever ridden in my entire life.

Don't even worry, we spent some time in Springfield with the Simpsons, but the best part of that was the doughnut that was as big as my head.  It was delicious!!

I also couldn't get over how much minion stuff there was to buy!  I just wanted to buy it all because minions are the best!

(This is just one wall in an entire store dedicated only to minions)

On our last day we went to Disney Studios.  I don't think I have ever been so hot in my life.  We happened to be there on the most crowded weekend of the year - Star Wars weekend.  Mark Hamel was even there, but we were there for the rides, not some old actors.  Luckily, I got to see Mehlanie one last time.

Overall, the week was a blast and I can't wait to go back again!  Although I love the Universal parks, there's just nothing that can match the atmosphere and magic in the Disney parks!  And they're a million times better when shared with family and friends!!

23 goals/adventures/things before 24

Well, here it is, this year's list of 23 things to do before I turn 24:
1. Scrapbook my London experience
2. Graduate from BYU
3. Complete an internship
4. Get a full time job
5. Go to Washington D.C.
6. Visit somewhere I've never been
7. Get a credit card
8. Go to the temple at least once each month
9. Do something that scares me
10. Move out of my parent's house
11. Finish my quilt (or at least start it)
12. Work on Family History
13. Blog once a week
14. Visit Alyson and Kenny in Florida
15. Visit Nick and Amanda in Virginia
16. Visit a national park
17. Take the GRE
18. Fall in love with a person, place, or hobby
19. Become a runner
20. Be better at staying in touch with friends
21. Accomplish all 12 of my new year's resolutions
22. Forgive
23. Visit campus with my parents and have them tell me stories from when they were in college (this counts as family history, right?)

put me back in the game, coach

So this past Saturday I decided I was done being a lump on a log and decided to get up early (or as early as sane people can get up on a Saturday morning which meant 7:30AM) and go for a walk/jog.  This was the first time I've really done substantial amount of walking/running/movement since before my surgery.  I was nervous but excited.  The plan was to walk for five minutes and jog for one minute and it felt amazing.  The first round of jogging was exhilarating!

When we finished, I thought we had walked just over a mile and I was happy with that, but I was mistaken.  I mapped our run today, and we actually went 2.25 miles!!  I am so happy/proud/excited that it was double what I thought we had done (It also helps me feel better about how sore I was)!  I can't wait to get out again and continue to feel and watch my body continue to heal itself.  It's been really hard to go from finishing a half marathon just a few years ago to barely walking a couple of miles, but I know if I work hard I can get back to where I was!

(Running in the St. George Marathon in 2010)

To help me get back to running, I am planning on following the schedule below.  Anyone is welcome to join me in my endeavors.  It's going to be hard (because it's SO hot outside) but it's going to be worth it!!

so many wonderful things

First item of business: the surgeon "released" me to full activity this past Friday.  I've already gone crazy and splashed it up at Seven Peaks.  I know I need to calm it right down.

On a separate note, I can't believe Spring is over and Summer has begun!  Spring was so much fun!  

Parties and games and WARM WEATHER. 

Men's Soccer games with friends!!

Thank goodness Stats will never be a part of my life ever again. Those cheerios are important to point out because they were the only thing I ate that day thanks to food poisoning.  I pulled through but my stats grade is still questionable.

Supporting my amazing roommates in the intramural tourney.  Of course, I would have played if I had not had my leg sliced open the week the season started.  Next semester I'm going to be out there tearin up the field though. Be ready.

I saved the best for last.  I became an aunt!!  This pretty lady is my most favorite niece in the entire world!!  I just want to hold her an snuggle her all. the. time.  It will be my worst day when July 25 rolls around and she and her wonderful parents move to Virginia for FOUR YEARS.  Good thing they invented things like the world wide web and skype so that we can be friends forever even 2,000 miles away.

Better Late than Never-Mother's Day

The opportunity to celebrate my amazing mom this past weekend was so wonderful!  This Mother's day, however, was different for me.  It was the first time that I truly realized that Mother's Day is a day to celebrate all of the women in my life.  I am so grateful for all of the amazing women that have helped me become who I am today.  Now I'm going to introduce you to a few of them:

First is my beautiful, patient, loving, kind, thoughtful, selfless mother.

For the past 22 years this lady has put up with everything that I've thrown at her.  The past few years have been extra fun though.  I don't know when it happened, possibly during my senior year of high school, my mom became one of my very best friends.  We talk every day and she's totally cool if I call her even if it's for no reason but to chat with someone for a few minutes in between classes.  My mom is the most patient person I know.  She has taught me to be patient with others because each person has their own struggles and issues they are working through and we need to give the benefit of the doubt.

Next is my happy, gorgeous, fun, honest, and forgiving sister.

Alyson has possibly put up with more from me than my mom.  Growing up, our relationship was pretty rocky, but, for us, distance made the heart grow fonder when Alyson moved away to go to college.  Since 7th grade, Alyson has been a bestie.  We talk about everything.  I look up to her and I strive to be as righteous as she is.  All growing up, Alyson would always be the first one to apologize and forgive and forget as we fought and argued.  Although it was annoying at the time, I am so grateful for her example and the forgiveness she showed me and taught me.

This lovely lady is one of the most sincere, smart, tender-hearted, gracious, classy people I know.

Amanda bravely married my older brother and joined our family just a year-and-a-half ago.  I'm positive it is hard marrying into our crazy family, but she has dealt with everything so gracefully.  She is so smart, but she is so humble about it.  I love that becoming a mother is a priority in her life.  I am so excited to have another sister and friend!

I am especially thankful for the women in my extended family on both sides!!

My Grandmothers were both literally the strongest women I will ever know.  They both fought breast cancer  before succumbing to it.  Even as they slowly lost their physical strength, they never lost their spiritual strength.  The faith of my grandmothers has helped me throughout my life.  I leaned on their testimonies, even after they passed away, as I gained my own.

My cousins are all such wonderful examples!  I look up to each one of them and want to be like all of them all the time.  There is never a dull moment.

I can't even mention my cousins without mentioning their wonderful mothers.  Both of my parents have amazing sisters who are always serving and loving.  My Cowley aunts are so fun and girly and supportive, from coming to my piano recitals when I was younger to supporting me in (my attempt at) running the St. George Marathon.  My Kellis aunts are always serving and cooking, of often doing both. 

Last of all, my lovely friends.  From London to Provo to Rexburg, each has had an impact on my life. I can't even believe that some are already mothers, and others are serving The Lord in foreign countries.  I'm grateful for every single one of the ladies in the following pictures and everything the taught me.

Obviously, I haven't even come close to mentioning all of the women who have changed my life, but I am grateful for all who have helped me!  I hope every Mother's Day will be just as good as this one!!

22 things before I'm 23

My birthday is coming up at the end of the week, and I want to make a list of 22 things to do before I'm 23. I want all of my closest friends and family members input though, which means those people who read my blog, because, obviously, you are the ones who care about me the most.  Please, any suggestions would be welcome. A couple of things I have already thought of in the past three minutes since I decided I want to do this:
1. Blog more(once a week maybe?)
2. Read the entire Book of Mormon
3. Be able to a. swim a mile or b. run a 10k without stopping
4. No do any homework on Sundays

(Picture from my birthday last year.  Read about it here)

diet time

In my post yesterday, I mentioned a new diet, and I'm sure those of you who actually read my blog(Holla Anna and Elissa), have been anxiously awaiting to find out what I even mean by this.  Well, here it is: I am eating gluten free.  Which means no wheat, barley or rye for this girl.

So far, I have actually been surprised at how easy it has been.  I mean, don't get me wrong, those doughnuts at the grocery store looked SO GOOD last night, but I've stayed strong.  I am really hoping that eating gluten free just helps me feel better.  Last semester I often just didn't feel well.  I mean, I wasn't sick, but I wasn't well, so I am ready to hopefully feel much better.  If you all are lucky, maybe I'll share some of my favorite gluten free recipes with you, but we'll see...  Wish me luck!

Also, as a completely random side note, my mom dropped me off at college today.  Love you mom!!

fall again

Today was cold.  It wasn't winter cold, but I was wearing my thickest cardigan and using my umbrella, but I was shivering as a trekked through the hurricane force wind and pelting rain to get to physiology. This semester seems like it is flying by.  Although there are always those days that seem to drag on for a week, I feel like the semester just started but then I look at the calendar and it's the middle of October.

On a separate note, this pretty lady is tying the knot next week!

Yay for love and fall!!

age old question

Is it better to play a game on your iPhone or sleep during conference???

california in august

My beautiful cousin Amanda got married a month and a half ago in the fabulous Newport Beach Temple!  It was so fun to fly down in time to help with the preparations for the big day and then to participate!  Unfortunately, I was VERY bad about taking photos, so the following are all that I have:

The sunrise the first morning at 6AM when I got up to exercise with my momma.

Food preparations

The night before the big day, my cousin and I decided to swim a little(without getting our hair wet, of course) Obviously, we decided to try out some synchronized swimming.

The setup for the reception at "the grove."  It was so beautiful-the weather cooled off just in time for the reception to start(as soon as we were done with all the hard work, of course) and the lights were perfect for in the dim twilight.

I mentioned above that I flew down to Arizona, but luckily, I got to ride home with these pretty ladies!  It was a ten hour party on the 15!

at long last

It's been a while.  I didn't even actually look at my blog because I don't want to know how long exactly it has been since my last post.  Ten very important things that have happened recently(in no particular order):
1. I declared my major!!  Exercise and wellness
2. School started
3. I moved out of my parent's house!
4. London reunion happened.
5. My sister is getting MARRIED next month!!
6. I went on a cruise to Alaska with the fam damily!! 
7. I got to go to California for the first time in THREE years (still not to Disneyland though :( )
8. I became an official member of Costco.  To be precise, I am an EXECUTIVE member!
9. I decided that I have small feet for how tall I am (7.5 shoe, 5'9" tall)
10. The trees are starting to change colors on the mountains.

You are now probably thinking to yourself, no wonder she hasn't updated her blog, her life is pretty boring.

(Sometimes for my job I get to walk around campus and take pictures.)