The Next Couple of Blogs....

Well, I'm home. 

Blogging is most definitely not for the faint of heart. This takes effort. I haven't blogged in over a month. And it's not because I don't have anything to say. Its more because I don't have the required "bloggers energy" to put towards sitting down and putting my thoughts into words. That, and I have the daunting task of updating my blog with 4 major posts I have been mosts definitely putting off. Well, nows the time to get started. Except that this isn't one of my 4 major blog posts. It's just a quick recap of my first 2.5 weeks home. 

I got my haircut! None of these pictures really show what it looks like... but thats alright. It's just a quick preview anyway. I had a mullet when I got home! And so, I went to get it all chopped off! It was much needed. I actually really like my hair at this length. And a major plus... I can wear it curly. So that 5 minute fix I have been dying for these past... 7 months is back. Well, its still more of a 10 minute fix. But, that's beside the point. 

My Grandma came to visit me when I got home. I was so lucky! I got to go to lunch with her and my mom. I loved it. I love these two wonderful women. I look up to them SO much. They are two of my greatest examples and I know that I am forever blessed because of their love and support. 

We went bowling as a family. And I loved every second of it. It feels good to be back. I don't always feel like I have a set place. I mean I'm no longer the sister that LIVES at home and goes to school at home. I'm the sister that spends most of her time at school in a state across the country. So, that has taken some getting used to. But, my parent are wonderfully amazing and I know I am always their daughter no matter what state I live in or where I go to school. 

:)

Just bowling as a fam! :)

He's gotten so big!!

I've missed this one! ;)

Family <3

The biggest difference between a mom and a sister... 

Family is what its all about. It was so hard to leave my babies and my friends because so much of the relationship we had was familial. I was the mother/sister to so many of those children and each of the girls I served with had a very special place in my heart. I could not pretend that it was not one of the more trying moments to come and maintain the high and the happiness I had while in Ecuador. In fact... it's been quite hard and continues to be a struggle. But, one of the greatest lessons I learned from my beautiful children is to be happy regardless of your circumstances. They have nothing but the Chicas de OSSO and each other... and somehow the greet every day with a smile. Surely, those of us who have everything, can at least attempt to mirror their happiness at least in a small way.

I love my babies. I love my new friends. I love my old ones. And I most certainly love my family most of all. It's good to be home.

Scalding Feet.

So... I went to work at the pool today! First day working there. It was just me and Matt (the pool manager). He is really nice and easy to talk to. So that's good. Something to look forward to I guess.

I decided that I was tired of having water drip down my leg and into my shoes. So, I took them off. Bad idea. An hour later my shoes were back on and my feet definitely punishing me. They are on FIRE and kill to walk on.

Did I have mention I have work in an hour? At Rita's. Where I'll be on my feet for 4 hours and then work tomorrow at 10:30am where I'll be on my feet for 6 hours. Wish me luck and a fast recovery.  :)

I'd include pictures but, my camera is broken. :( And my phone has horrible quality. If I had an iphone... all life's problems would be solved.

Ouch.

First Week Home!

So, I am still keeping my blog even though I am living with my mother. They will probably be a little shorter and a little less entertaining as right now my life consists of work, sleeping, and sitting around. With of course the occasional hanging out with friends which I have severely missed!

Which is not to rag on my mother because as she very well knows... she is one of my best friends.

It is good to be home. It is a lot like being thrown back into my senior year all over again... minus the seminary, school and homework. Oh and the other kids my age that are around. So, it's like the summer of my senior year again... only with just me and Aeryn from high school. Which is alright with me. Really there are a couple of other people I would like to add to the mix (Josh, Katie, Cameron, Tiffany, Tom and Morgan). But, I am enjoying having Aeryn all to myself and not making her pick between me and other people. Just one of the perks to being home early I guess.

I went to my home ward for the first time today. It was... interesting. It was FAR louder, FAR colder, much older, and a little bit less interesting and fun than my student ward. Which is to be expected. But, there is something to be said about wards or any organization run by 19 and 20 year old kids. It was a unique experience and I loved every second of it.

I am excited to spend this week with my grams! So, hopefully she is as well. Anyway, I really have to use the restroom... So, i'll end here. But, keep checking back. As I will be attempting to post at least 2 times a week.

Just Thinking Lately... Family. Oh and Growing Up.

I've been thinking lately... I really miss home.

I had a wonderful weekend in which I got to go to Ogden and spend time with my family and friends there. It felt good to be in a house again. A house that came with a mom, a dad (even though he was absent), a refrigerator with food that actually looked appetizing, a home cooked meal, a real bed and family.

I miss my mom. I miss my dad. I miss Hayden and Blake. I miss my Grandma. I miss my friends. I miss my bed. I miss my house. I miss my car. I miss coming home and talking to my mom about my day. I took a lot for granted and I made a resolution to stop doing that.

I am thankful for the things I have. I am especially thankful for the wonderful memories I have. I can't think of anything I wish would've played out differently. I can't think of any MAJOR decisions I would alter.

I miss my Dad. I miss him everyday. I know I don't call him as much as I should. But, I love him. I am forever thankful for his example. I am so grateful that I am able to be his only daughter. I know that I was blessed and me and my brothers are extremely lucky to have him as our father. He is the sweetest guy I have ever met. Hands down. I want my husband to be my dad. Not like that. I regret not calling him like I should've. I regret not being as nice as I should be. I regret not taking his help on homework with kindness, appreciation and respect. I miss him. I miss his hugs. I miss his dumb comments. Ok, not dumb. I miss his smile and his laugh. I miss seeing him walk into the kitchen after work, looking stunning as usual in his professional attire. I miss sitting by him in Sacrament and him putting his arm around me. I miss his example. I miss talking about really anything and the conversation never being awkward. I miss his forever long Sunday prayers.  I miss him. I think he is wonderful and I love him.

I miss my Mom. I call her almost everyday. And I am forever thankful for the friend, parent, mentor and guidance counselor she is to me.  I know that what I say to her stays with her, and I miss her a lot. I miss climbing on her bed late at night and talking with her. I miss her getting mad at me for making fun of her working out. I miss her talking with my friends. I miss going on car rides/errands with her just for the company.  I miss her incredibly awkward comments about kissing people. I miss seeing her when I talk to her. I miss yelling down the stairs to find out where she is. I miss answering the phone and people mistaking me for her. (An extremely generous compliment as I would have some pretty big shoes to fill). I miss going to find her glasses/purse as she sits on the computer. I miss making fun of some of her whacky clients. I miss her food. I miss sitting on the counter as she makes food. I miss her joking around with us except when we take it too far. I miss playing board games with her cheating/cocky self. I miss the fun times I have had with her and each of my brothers. I miss her genuine interest in my life. I miss her terribly. I miss everything from her designer sunglasses to her calendar with all our appointments to her banning us from food because we complain to coming home and immediately feeling loved by someone especially on the hardest of days.

I love my family. I love them all so very much. I really do. And the more I think about growing up the more I dread it. I have already moved out of my house and to a new state and I can't take much more I don't think. I have never been one to despise or fear change. I have semi-embraced the thrill of finding out who is in my class on the first day of school or the new and different.

But, I am not ready to leave for long periods of time. I miss everything too much. I was blessed beyond measure where family (especially parents) are concerned.

These weird emotional breakdown/catharsis things are getting annoying! (One every semester is too much!) In a way though, I love them. They make me realize what I have and keep me from taking everything for granted. Because I had the life. I have the life. But, I'm not ready to grow up. I need my parents. I need my brothers. This change is one I have mixed feelings about. I'm not sure what i'll do when the time comes to make that change. Probably cry some more. And then put my big girl panties and grow up.

Goodnight.