Summer Vacation

It's been a while since I last updated. Basically, I went on some summer vacations which included vacationing from blogging.

First, as noted in the previous post, I went on vacation to HAWAII!!!  It was so wonderful!  Ever since coming home I keep trying to think of an excuse to go back to that island paradise.  I got to go with the coolest cat the the world: Anna.  Anna had been to Maui before so she was extremely nice to be my tour guide the entire time.

First things first: the lava fields.  Who knew the Hawaiian islands are just a bunch of volcanoes in the middle of the Pacific?!

 

The windy Road to Hana was filled with majestic views of the rain forest and it even included a hike that ended in a waterfall!! (that was one of my goals for Hawaii-to go on a hike that ended with a waterfall!  Anna made it happen.  She is a pro at reading guide books!)

 

A true vacation is obviously not complete without eating donuts at least once.  Once again, Anna came through and we got some of the most amazing donuts which I have ever had.  To make them even better they were on a stick!

There's a blowhole on the island that we decided we should see.  What we didn't know was that we would have to hike at least 100 miles to see it.  Luckily, the scenery was worth it.

 

On the way to the blowhole we found Jurassic Park right off the side of the road.  We almost didn't even stop but we were happy we did.

 

 

Don't even worry, we also got to drive to the top of a mountain to a crater (which is a really good idea-putting a road to the top of a mountain so you don't have to hike!). The mountain was so tall we had to drive through the clouds to get there.

Of course we also got to go to the beach and relax by the pool while we were there!

 

post-graduation plans... sort of

A couple of weeks ago I graduated:

So I decided I deserve a vacation:

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!!

excuses

A list of lame and not so lame reasons for not blogging:

1. I had my leg sliced open by a doctor 3 weeks ago yesterday.  For over a year I have been experiencing some pretty intense Achilles Tendon pain, and after visiting multiple physical therapists and doctors without any improvement, I took the plunge and had a gastrocnemius recession surgery.  I would post a link or a video about what it is, but I can't because I tried and I felt sick.  You want to tell me about your surgery or watch open heart surgery together, I'm all for it, but you want me to research what surgery I had or watch a video of someone getting their leg sliced open, I'm out.

2. Because of said surgery I took all of my finals in two days... before they were even open.  On the last day of class I took three finals and on the first reading day I took two.  Don't worry, I'm alive, so I obviously survived.  I'm not gonna lie though, it was rough.  I am proud to report, however, I cried only once in public. The following are pictures of partying in the library with the beautiful Jill.

You know I need two computers to do my homework.

Studying is never complete without snacks and music.

Jill the Hottie.

1.5 hours BEFORE we left.

3. I got a new job!!  I am the letter of recommendation specialist for BYU's preprofessional advisement center.  If you are applying to medical/dental/podiatry school and you have letters of recommendation sent to our office, you know I'll be reading them, processing them, and then sending them to wherever you would like across the country or world.

4. Spring term has begun.  I am taking Statistics and Public Speaking.

5. The weather is beautiful outside.