"Insanity runs in my family...in fact it practically gallops"

First Week...again. 2nd Semester!

2012-01-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

New Room at La Jolla and everything is so crazy here! I have barely had time to spend too much time with my new roomies but I will post pictures soon. I miss my old roomies like crazy though! I have been training all week and have officially started my job as a Peer Advisor at the Academic Discovery Center: Language and Letters Center at the Smith Building here on campus at BYU-I. I LOVE IT! It's so awesome to work with such great people on such a spiritual campus. I love being here at this university! Devo starts next week and so far classes are good. I love my New Testament: 2nd half. What a great teacher! Anyways that's all for now. Too bad it still smells like rotten potatoes in my room : p

Early Christmas & Jackson Hole

2011-12-11T15:16:00.001-08:00

Tis the Season!

All of us having an early "Roomie Christmas"

Our beautiful mini Christmas Tree!

My Christmas Present from my favs...Manda :) Thanks girl!

Kara's mask along with her miniature-self :)

So, we took this awesome trip on Saturday to Jackson Hole with Nate and Kurt, which was so fun! We ended up having the best view on the drive up. Those are the Tetons in the background...

Totally looks like Narnia...:)

Kurt, Al, Me and Nate rock climbing!

This course was titled, "like hugging Santa Claus"

This course was titled "kneeling for the ladies"

After rock climbing we roamed around beautiful Jackson

My moosie

Mr. Mark Twain... I was in a kissing mood:)

Kurt and Al underneath the Antler Arch

Me and Nate

Me and Al

Me and Al again:)

Al and Kurt...my favorite picture

This poor little boy needed help with his arithmetic

Panning for Gold at the art gallery

no comment.

King ~~Arthur~~ Nate

Work in progress

See no evil, speak no evil, see no evil...all in one

eshkimosh

Kurt ahah

There ARE such things as Jackalopes

Boys will be boys:)

Ready...Break!

2011-12-02T21:51:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!

It is definately Christmas here in Rexburg :)

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!...except when I'm walking to class.

For Thanksgiving, we did facemasks...even Austin got into it :)

Later we went to Boise to be with our cousins the Ludwigs! Frozen Yogurt baby :)

And...when I got home, my darling ginger roomate Kayla had a lovely note for all of us... ;)

It has since remained pretty clean...

The break was wonderful and it was a treat to see my family and friends. However, even though it was break, I still had homework. Now I'm back into things and its final preparation. So crazy here. My life has been taking unexpected twists and turns lately but I know that Heavenly Father will watch and protect me. I love the Lord so much. I am so grateful to be up here at school. I really do love it here. Merry Christmas everyone!

Weekly Devos and P90X

2011-11-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Me and my darling ginger-friend Kayla!

Me and Al at Devo in the I-Center with a couple

of loonies behind us :)

Totally ready for this...

I have been super stressed out lately and my roomates are just so giving and caring. They come in an give me a hug and listen to me complain. They even did my cleaning check for me the other night because I had been busy all day. I've been getting sick and so very tired but I am really striving to study, study, study and to attend the temple each week. The Lord is good to me, especially when considering where I am at, how I got here, my wonderful friends and the fact that I have the gospel in my life to an extreme. I can do this. Si, yo puedo.

General Conference Weekend...

2011-10-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

My roomies are flippin awesome! Just so you know...:)

Me and Alli went down to SLC for conference. We were both so tired from a long week at school but it was so worth making the trip. We got to visit our families a little and conference is always so inspiring and there is such a sweet spirit there. I really really didn't want to leave Temple Square. It was a little piece of heaven. Everyone smiles. :) (Kinda like Byu Idaho) haha.

We had fun taking pictures...obviously...

For family history we had an assignment to watch a video titled "The Importance of Temples"...wonderful video! I highly recommend it. I couldn't help but see the temple in a new light as I was there that weekend. This temple will last throughout the millenium.

And we got to stay with these munchkins. :)

We stayed with Shannalee and Steven and their darling kids.

We had carameled apples and went go-cart racing and laser tagging. Such fun!

Jose Guadalupe Silva- Ancestral History Project

2011-10-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

Mi Abuelo Silva- Jose Guadalupe Silva

“Nothing is important in life unless it means something tothe ones we love.”

I have taken the time to write down as many quotes from mygrandfather as I can each time I visit. My grandfather is a smart man and hasworked hard his whole life. He was born in Mexico near the Guadalupe Mountains. His family wastaught the gospel and then shortly after they were able to apply and becomecitizens of the United States. My grandfather was raised early on in the churchand also in the states and he remembers most of his childhood in Texas. I visitevery summer as I go down to El Paso and spend time with my grandparents…Ialways ask my grandfather question after question so that I can learn more abouthim. My dad used to start stories about him that sounded so cool but he wouldnever finish because even my dad didn’t know the whole truth. There weremysteries that needed to be solved and I was going to be the grandchild thatwould figure it out. Jose Guadalupe Silva married my grandmother SaraBojourquez Silva when she was only 15, who was also from Mexico but now aUnited States citizen. Only days before the wedding did my grandma come to Josein tears revealing her true age. They married anyways. They had 10 children (8which survived) and moved all around the world. They started out El Paso,moving 3 times there and then to Orlando, Florida. From Orlando they stayedwith some family in El Paso again for a short while and then moved back toOrlando. A few years later they moved to Denver, Colorado and then to El Paso.They really liked El Paso obviously. After staying there for less than a yearthey moved to Banbury Cross, England and then to Chilbrook Cottage, Oxon,England. After staying in England for 3 years they moved once again to El Pasoand then to a few different homes in Boston Massachusetts. They left to Hawaiibefore the 10^th child was born, and from Hawaii they moved back toTexas, except this time to Austin. Of course after a very short stay in Austinthey moved finally back for good to El Paso where they are today. The reasonfor this traveling?...My grandfather was in the United States Air Force andmoving the family was necessary. There were times I found out from mygrandfather that he would often travel without the family to differentcountries. He mentioned Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, Turkey, Thailand, Israel, andcountless others. My abuelita added in during this interview with my grandpathat there were times that the Air Force would call her and let her know thatmy grandpa had just been notified that he would be leaving on a top-secretmission for a few months and they would tell her not to worry. Abuelito saidthat once he was notified, he was handcuffed to a briefcase and would board ahelicopter not knowing his mission until he got there. To this day he won’ttell us a thing about what those missions are about. He did let slip once thatit had something to do with taking enemy pictures during the Vietnam War. Hetold a story once of how he was in a helicopter flying over enemy territorywhen all of a sudden he and his teammates were bombarded by bullets from theground below. He said he began to fervently pray. Several of his comrades werestruck but he made it back to the base. As he left the helicopter he saw abullet hole that was directly behind his back. He had not left his seat oncethe whole time. How the bullet got behind his back without him moving wasbeyond him and he knew that Heavenly Father had had his hand in protecting himthat day. I found through my interview that my grandfather is an artist, apoet, a book publisher and a friend to both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.How had I not known these things? I’ll tell you how…my abuelo is humble. He isa humble man who has served the Lord all his life. You really have to dig deepif you wish to find out the nitty gritty details. As of right now mygrandfather is a retired junior high history teacher, temple president of theJuarez, Mexico temple, a cook and a comic. He fills his grandchildren’s and hischildren’s lives with humor. He always has a joke. The artifacts that are deepin the basement and the journals that record his more serious days are morethan one usually pictures as they view my old, frail and gray-haired grandfather.I love him and his example very much. He always has such love for Grandma andfor his great grandchildren, grandchildren and children who are no few innumbers. His love for the Lord shines so bright. I have no doubt that mygrandfather has been used by the Lord more than once to accomplish servicesthat needed done by the Lord. As I conclude my brief history I leave histestimony with you and pictures throughout his life.

I love youabuelito!...Emalia

"I’m the oldest of 8 brothers and sisters and my sister Irmawas the baby of the family. In early 1956 I left to serve a mission for ourchurch. At that time my sister Irma was just a few months old. She was abeautiful baby. I took a picture of her sitting on my mother’s bed which Icarried with me the two years I was away. I still remember embracing my littlebrothers and sisters as I said goodbye. Some were crying and so was I. I don’tknow if they remember but I never forgot. I held the baby (Irma) for a longtime before boarding the greyhound bus. The last thing I would have thoughtthem is that any of my brothers and sisters would precede me in death.

It is a devastating, consuming thing to lose someone youlove. It gnaws at our souls and many of us, fell lost, confused, and sometimeswithout comfort. However, we need not despair for the promise of theresurrection is certain. Jesus said “I’m the resurrection and the life; he thatbelieveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25-26). Theresurrection is the reuniting of the spirit and body in its perfect form.

President Joseph F. Smith, a modern day prophet said, “Thatthose from whom we have to part here, we will meet again and see as they are.We will meet the same identical being that we associated with here in theflesh.”

President Spencer W. Kimball also a modern day prophetamplified this when he said, “I’m sure that if we can imagine ourselves at ourvery best, physically, mentally and spiritually, that is the way we will comeback.” When we are resurrected, this mortal body is raised to an immortalbody…we will die no more. Can you imagine that? Life at our prime? Never sick,never in pain, never again burdened with the ills that afflict us in mortality?The resurrection is at the core of our beliefs as Christians. Without it, ourfaith is meaningless. The Apostle Paul said, “If Christ be not risen, then isour preaching vain and our faith is also vain. (Corinthians 15:14)

When the Savior rose from the tomb, he did something no oneelse had ever done. He did something no one else could do. He broke the bondsof death, not only for Himself but for all who have ever lived or will live—thejust as well as the unjust (John 5: 28-29). When Christ rose from the dead hemade that gift available to all. And with that sublime single act he softenedthe devastating, consuming sorrow that is felt by those of us who have lostprecious loved ones.

I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was liftedup on the cross. On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated andbruised, abused and reviled. It was a Friday filled with devastating, consumingsorrow for those who loved Him. But then came Sunday and the resurrected Lordburst the bonds of death. He appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior ofall mankind.

Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when theshards of our shattered world lie littered about us in pieces. We will all haveour Fridays but I testify to you in the name of the One who conquereddeath—Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, Sunday will come. I testifyto you that the resurrection is not a fable. We will rise from the grave and onthat day we will embrace our loved ones. On that day I will hold in my arms mybaby sister Irma just like I did so many decades ago.

It is my solemn testimony that death is not the end ofexistence. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. "

-Jose

Grandpa at 7 years old

17 years right before mission

First year in the Air Force

First mission to Vietnam

"Golden Tour" in Madrid, Spain

Developing enemy pictures in a dark room

Meeting with friends in Germany

Wedding Day of Jose and Sara

6 out of the 8 children with Sara (grandpa took the picture)

Jose and Sara today

Our Living Room...

2011-09-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

What happens when Jacquie gets a hold of the chalk...

Above the TV

So this is Felicia (upside down), Jacquie, Kayla, Kara, Me, Agent Perry (household mascot) and Manda

And then a few more pictures...

2011-09-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Agent Perry: Jacquie Mongo

Kam came to visit and we hung out with Shelbs at the dance! I laugh so hard when I'm with these ladies. :D Love you two!

Group Dinner!

Me and Kamatha!!

Watching the BYU game vs. Utah State...fail. At least we supported them though haha

Miranda and Scott...long boarding baby!

Kamie doing it HER way :)

I will post some pics soon of my FHE group which is just awesome! I love them!

Mi Cumpleanos. Tengo diecinueve anos ahora!

2011-09-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

I had the best birthday ever this year! Alli gave me a surprise birthday party that I wasn't supposed to know about. I loved getting together with my friends and Al worked so hard so that my birthday would be special. She put up pictures everywhere of my favorites like Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Irene Dunne, Fred Estaire, Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart and the whole lot. We had a cake with raspberries on it! My fav! And then we watched "The Awful Truth" which is one of my favorite Black and White movies with Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. Al you are the best!!

Me and Manda!

Steven :D

Me and Jacquie!!

Braden, still playing signs.

Oh Mak :)

Hostess of the Partay...thanks Al!!

My awesome B-Day Cake!

Braden and Greg

My favorite movie evers!! I loved how everyone was nice enough to watch it with me haha.

My roomies wrote Happy Birthday Emily...Te Amamos on the bathroom mirror for me. Love you guys! I seriously have the best roomies ever, they made brownies with Happy Birthday Emily, spelled out in Mike-and-Ikes and a stir-fry dinner BEFORE my other party. I felt SO loved today!

The Best Birthday Present.

In between classes, me and Al went to the temple and then had lunch at Sammy's which is the cutest little 60's type cafe. Thank you all for a wonderful day!

...I can't forget my family though. I had cards sent to me from all of my extended family and my parents sent me a package with a new Hymn book in it! I love playing the hymns. They sent me a card with Brooke's drawing in it, and a few other things. It made my whole day. I feel kinda bad for all the attention I got on my birthday, even though it was my birthday haha. But I must say, it really, really makes a girl feel awfully loved. I intend to share some of that love with others. I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for such a good day. I also found out that my double major application went completely through the graduation stage. So excited. Could a day get any better?? I think not.

Continuing with Faith.

2011-09-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

School is so stressful right now. I hardly have time for anything normal. My social life consists of saying hi to people on the way to class or during work or in class. There is just no extra time at all! I'm trying super hard to have an optimistic outlook on this, because believe it or not...I DO love college. I really do. I miss my family, but I know that this is where I need to be right now.

Aunt Mari gave me these before I left for college. It gives me alot of hope...especially when you are so overwhelmed with homework and going to and fro on campus and going to work.

He knows the plans...I have yet to find out. But, I can try and have some patience for right now. :)

The view from Alli's apartment. You can just see the tip of the temple. I am so blessed to be so close!!

On my way home to my apartment. I love to see the temple.

I love waking up and reading my scriptures. And just seeing my prayer rock, reminds me every little thing, is gonna be alright. I opened my scriptures the other night and found a verse that was perfect for me. I was on overload and I didn;t know where to turn. I came across something that Christ said. He said that if you continue to have faith in him, all things will be made possible that are expediant in him. All things are expediant in him, so I feel like I can keep up with my busy busy life because he is holding my hand every step of the way. I love the Savior.

...and then...

BYU-Idaho can be scary sometimes. We had some barachos show up at the door the other night...just kidding. :D Love roomie memories!

BYU-Idaho before school ACTUALLY starts...

2011-09-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

What to say, What to say? Well, I have made SO many new friends and I LOVE my roomies!

Felicia, Emanuel (from Guatemala, Al, Mak, Me, Miranda and Ashley

Can you tell we are at BYU-Idaho? haha

Fanny Pack is the new "IN" haha

Me and Miranda at I-Night!

Me and Felicia

Me and Ashley

Me and Kirby Heyborne!!!

eh...heh heh.

2nd time meeting Kirby baby :D

Kirby performing for us!

Me and my loverly roomate Manda!

First Sunday Dinner...Roomate Bonding Time! ;)

Kayla, Felicia and Kara

Me, Miranda and Jacquie

I-Night Baby!

Alli being Alli. And...I love having my best friend up here with me. <3

So far, this has been so wonderful. I miss my family and I started crying when they left yesterday. But I know this is where I need to be right now. I have been very blessed to have such good roomates and such good friends up here already. Classes start tomorrow and I start working on Tuesday at Broulim's. Wish me luck! Signing off...

First Week of BYU-I!!!

2011-09-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

I am LOVING BYU-I!!
This is a quick post but I want to show just a few.
I LOVE the Spirit of Ricks!
I LOVE my roomies.
I LOVE my other roomies at Northgate. :D
I LOVE COLLEGE.
:D
...and I love how we start everything with a prayer...

This Morning...

2011-09-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

I had to post what I woke up to this morning because it's simply against the definition of humanity to not make fun of your mom once in awhile. She has no idea...

BIG update before CRAZY COLLEGE.

2011-08-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

Alli has a better memory than I do. She swore I took pictures, and I didn't think I did...until I looked. A couple weeks back, Alli came down for a visit and we went to the temple, bright

and early just like old times. It always makes my week. The sun was just coming up and outside felt perfect. Afterwards we did some shopping and Alli helped me get my air freshener installed...which was greatly needed since Kamie said my car smelled like pee when I turned the air on.

I had to work off and on throughout the week but we got to spend time at the Parade (which for the first time in almost 16 years I wasn't in)...really wierd to watch, but fun!

Austin in Drumline :)

Brookita watching the parade with that cute little "why are you taking a picture of me doing nothing" smile.

Afterwards we went to Fair several times and had a wonderful week. After Alli said her goodbyes, I went to the Rodeo which always makes me feel right at home here in Idaho. I've done some college shopping a little and I start packing this week. I got a job down at Broulims in Rexburg part time and I am taking 16 credits this semester. It will be busy, but I know with the help of my Heavenly Father that I can do anything I set my mind dilligently to. I'm feeling really prepared for college right now. I found out my roomates who are all super sweet and I love talking to them online. I can't wait to meet them in person. My room-roomie is Miranda Carter who seems energetic and as sweet as can be. I think this will be a fun experience down at BYU-I. Dad gave us our annual-before-school-starts Father's Blessings...which I have been waiting for all summer long. I love these! I am such a bawl baby of course and cried throughout Brooke's, Austin's AND mine! hahaha. My dad is always so spiritual and delivers Heavenly Father's message so well. Besides packing...material-wise, spiritual-wise, emotional-wise, stability-wise and financially-wise, I believe I am ready to undertake this new life of mine. I'm a little nervous, but if you are on the Lord's side...do not fear men and their world. Mom has been walking around alot lately and she drove the kids to their first day of school this morning. I am SO grateful that she is getting better and better every day.

My last update is a sad one. I am going to miss my single adults ward here in Paul. They are some of the BEST people. At the beginning of this summer, I didn't really want to go but as I spent more time at the activities with them, I grew to love each person. They make my week go by so quickly because of all the fun we have. We recently just went to the temple as a group and went out for Japanese food afterwards. I love our leaders! They are hilarious and mixed with Laura's never ending humor...you can't help but have a good time.

This week I went on a group date with Hyrum, Ryan and Laura. We made pizza, played croquet, got eaten by mosquitoes and decided instead of watching a scary movie...we would make our own scare. We ran through a corn field except it was at the middle of the night..Ryan pretty much got his eye stabbed out with a corn stalk. After Laura got done screaming, we went to the "knocking grave" where supposedly it knocks back. Pretty sure Ryan knocked back for it. Then we went to the warehouse, where Ryan had planned for his little brothers to come in with masks and lit up candles to spook us out. After a full night of true terror...the only thing that really grabbed my attention, was the flashlights directed at us by like 6 cops wondering what we were doing trespassing. They were very nice cops. They let us go...with a severe warning. Thank you guys for a most memorable date!

...actually it was super fun.

Last night we went to Darren's house to watch Johnny Lingo and play games. Typical hang out for Mormons. :) Cash only faurted like 4 times (the bulldog), and I had an awesome time talking to Kayla girl. I love her! We get along super well and she makes me so happy that KayKay. I don't think my new singles ward will ever be AS good but I'm sure it will be a fun ward. I just love my Paul Singles Ward here though!

Update done for now...College is coming fast. ONE. MORE. WEEK.!
And whatever happens, I hope you dance.

Week in Pictures Favorites...

2011-08-26T17:13:00.001-07:00

Mama.

2011-08-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

Mom hates pictures so I won't post any of her. She has been recovering from her hip-replacement since Tuesday morning and the pain has been hard but not as bad as we thought. She has her name in a couple of temples, family and friends have her in their own prayers and she had a good blessing before she went in. She's sleeping right now, but I'm doing my best to be there for her all the time. I remember after my last surgery, she was always there. ALWAYS. She slept on a very uncomfortable floor next to my bed in the hospital. I can't pay her back completely for those awful recovery days but I can do the same for her. Thanks to everyone who has kept my Mama in their prayers night and day.
Love you Mom!
-Emy

Once Again...

2011-08-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

She's done it again. Today it's Sherlock Holmes.

Brookita.

2011-08-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

This is supposedly the shyest little girl on the planet...according to those who really don't know her. She does this randomly sometimes; dress up and then parade around the house with an all knowing smile. I pulled out the camera and didn't even tell her to pose. She was just in that kind of mood. This is my favoritist sister.

And Austin totally thinking we are weird. Well...mostly Brooke.

Que Viva Colombia!

2011-08-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

This week was as unforgettable as unforgettable gets. Lucas called me a few months ago and asked me to be a team guide for the International Dance Festival this year and I found out I would have Colombia as mi equipo. I was a little nervous because I am majoring in Spanish, but I'm not fluent yet. It was a ruff start, language wise but I don't think I have had so much fun in one week since well...San Fran haha. I grew to love every member of the group and even though their Latin attitudes (sleeping in) kept me on my toes the WHOLE time...I loved every second. Besides being late for everything, I gained 34 new friends from a special country that will now forever and always, hold a special place in my heart. I'm feeling very confident in starting my Spanish class this year because of the practice I got while with my new family. I miss Nader, Juan, Sebastian, Ricardo, both Cergios, Edna, Alejandro, Adriana, and everyone else! Te amama mis amigos, tu estas el mejor equip en todo el mundo. Te amo and I miss you all like crazy. Come back! I have to thank my Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to meet these wonderful children of his and I am so grateful for Kamie and Mikey helping me all week long too. Not to mention, I am grateful for Alli coming with me that first morning to pick up Juan, Nader, Alejandro y Adriana on like 2 hours of sleep. Oh, and of course...thank you to my wonderful host families!! We couldn't have done it without you!! (Especilly LaLane with her air-drying techniques) ;)

I will miss you all SO much. God be with you till we meet again my friends. With love, tu delegado...Emily <3

Peas in a Pod.

2011-07-19T16:29:00.000-07:00

This weeks as we would head out to the garden in the morning and pick our veggies from the backyard, I saw this. As I was shelling peas I saw 3 peas in a pod, and it reminded me of my three besties. ...who I never see anymore, and miss everyday. I miss our everyday funnies and non-caring attitudes about what everyone else thought. I miss you guys.

But...there are plenty of other pods out there. Time to make new friends!

...college :)

Keeping Happy.

2011-07-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

As things change you literally have to go with the flow. With change comes progression...you just don't always see it. I have forced myself out of bed every day and have made myself be productive in some form or another. Whether its going to work, bike riding in the country, weeding the neighbor's garden, making cookies, playing a card game, renting from Redbox, washing windows, scrubbing the tub and yes even flossing my teeth...I am very much aware of how bored I am. My best friends are gone. Kamie has just gotten home for the summer and I still have Institute and a part time job to keep me busy; as well as the International Festival next week which I get to be a guide for...so that will hopefully take my mind of this dragging summer. I have never wanted summer to waste away so quickly. But I am so excited to move down to school. However, I have discovered a nasty truth about myself. I am not always happy where I'm at. Life is too short to abide by this principle, don't you think? So instead of wallowing about the house, I am trying to not only distract myself, but to have fun while doing it. Because of this, I have gotten closer to my siblings by simply taking time to play frisbee and have been able to help mom with chores around the house. Being of service is the best antidote for loneliness or going-about-the-house-craziness. It makes me happy. I am definately keeping happy. I have my moments but whenever I do, the thought comes into my head of President Hinkley's father's advice while he was on his mission. "Forget yourself, and go to work." That I will do.

I did get to spend a wonderful Independence Day weekend with my favorite people though. I went to Rexburg with Alli to take care of some pre-prep college stuff and spent several days with her and her family in Idaho Falls for Madi's baptism. I am so proud of you Madi!! I love you! Then, I drove to Pocatello, while watching fireworks on the freeway and stayed the night at Grandma and Grandpa Jones's home. I stayed up talking to Uncle Steven and Grandma (who is doing well after her hip surgery!) and enjoyed every moment of it. I woke up the next morning and had the best strawberry jam on the planet and played with the cutest kids ever! I loved laughing with Aimee, Chad, Carter and Andy. I helped Grandma and Shannalee with lunch, shot some cans off the post...ok more like missed some cans, and then my family finally made it in time to eat with us. We went horseback riding and Grandpa taught me some new tricks with the horses...unfortunately because of this, I broke out in hives and got extremely saddle sore. Funny thing is, besides the Benadryl...I loved it. Life is good. I love my family. I love the gospel. And I love that every morning when I wake up, I can thank my Heavenly Father for giving me another day.
...Yep, keeping happy.

2011-06-25T17:28:00.000-07:00

California TripJournal 2011:

May 7, 2011

Things started out at 101 degreesoutside in El Paso, Texas...Hot! I’ve stuffed my face with plenty of MexicanFood, said my goodbyes to the family and gave abuelito a big hug and thenboarded Amtrak for Los Angeles, California. I cannot wait for the sea breeze ofSanta Barbara! Solvang is right next to Santa Barbara where we will be stayingfor the night, which is the sweetest little Danish village. I know what you’rethinking…Danish village in the middle of California? Yep. Way cool. Solvang isa little village that holds the culture of Denmark within its canyon walls. ThePrince of Denmark will be there visiting the little town this year while we’re there, where he will be holding adinner…which you may promptly pay 1000 dollars a plate so that you may sit athis table. And of course, I have that money just sitting around in my wallet.Who wanted to sit with royalty and watch them slobber over their dinneranyways? Things have been dry “desertish” here, but wonderful. I love the factthat I am traveling with my sweet Grandmother and my favorite Aunt Maribel.Right now, we just crossed the Rio Grande into New Mexico. Goodbye Texas! Me, Grandma and Mari are sitting at a snackbooth while snacking and watching the beautiful desert go by. So far, so fun!

---Emily

May 8, 2011

Morning was a complete joy today.Not that it was anything extraordinary but simply because it was morning whichmeant the terrible, horrible, no good very bad night spent on the train wasover. Not one of us was able to sleep well although my mother slept thelongest—a couple of hours in total. It was great getting off the train andeating at “Nibbles” which was right across the street from the train station. Iwas looking forward to the next train ride as it was going to be beautiful andwe were traveling business class so we could all be together and in a nicerpart of the train. It was a pleasant treat. Emily, Mom and I had fun talkingand looking at the scenery and Emily took a million pictures of the Californiacoast. I love the smell of the ocean!! After finding the rental car place wemade the gorgeous drive to Solvang. Wow!! What a site. We went to dinner at the Red Viking and I hadthe best Danish Sausage on the planet—Emily’s fries were pretty good too. Allthe shops in Solvang were closed tonight so I can’t wait till tomorrow whenEmily and Mom can really see Solvang. Till then it’s off to bed for us threesleepy heads.

---Mari

May 9, 2011

I Sara Silva, having been born of goodly parents…justkidding.

Dear Laptop- today was a wonderfulday, the weather was perfect, and we did some shopping… just what we wanted. Wevisited the museum of Hans Christian Andersen who wrote Thumbelina, the SnowQueen, the Ugly Duckling, the Little Mermaid…etc. Emily bought a beautifulnativity set from Peru and I bought a little poncho from Peru made from Alpacahair that I loved! We bought some magnets, we visited some antique stores wherethere were very old things and outrageous prices and we walked the whole timeso we were very tired, but very happy by the end of it. It was wonderful for meto have this experience with my daughter and granddaughter.

---Sara

May 10, 2011

Todaystarted with that delicious breakfast downstairs that we love so much withconsists of good bread and butter, yogurt, deviled eggs…etc. I LOVE the musicthey play at breakfast…all classic Jazz and the oldies. Oh so my favorita. Wedecided today was the day for Santa Barbara! We headed down to Stearn’s Wharfat the bay, after leaving the gorgeous mountains of Solvang and had lunch onthe Pierre. So Beautiful! We went into a marine animal museum, which was coolbecause all the marine wildlife were coming straight from the pipes under usthat lead right into the ocean. On the way there Mari was talking about how inVegas, there are all these “adult stores.” But of course, not in Santa Barbara;No…THIS area was public friendly! Right as she said this, we passed a storecalled…duh, duh, duh…THE ADULT STORE; Cracked me up. :D Also, we got ourpastries this morning…after must censure on my part. Thanks Grandma andMari…especially Grandma. I repented of my ways though and got them theirpastries. We spent most of that afternoon walking along the seashore, whereMary found her mermaid purse, which is the egg sack of animal creatures beforethey hatch. Once hatched, they are discarded and wash up on the shore lookinglike a kind of blackish purse. Mary was so excited! We finished our day withanother visit to the Red Viking where we had Abelskivver, the famous Danishdesert. The customer service there is w-o-n-de-r-f-u-l. Tomorrow we take thetrain to San Francisco…and sadly leave this adorable town. Goodbye Solvang,which in English means…sunny meadow; seriously sad to leave.

---Emily

May 11, 2011

Todaywe left Solvang to go to San Francisco—we are meeting Beckee there. The trainride was the most beautiful ride thus far. The scenery was amazing and we hadthe best food while watching the coast. We saw a dolphin and a whale!! Way Waycool.!!!!! Emily met a nice young man who she was going to marry but then foundout that he drinks ale. Oh well, Em, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Oncewe arrived in Oakland we had to get on a bus for a ride over the bridge thenonto Pier 39. Boy was It cold. We waited for a taxi with 50 of our closest newfriends then let the taxi go when it was our turn and walked to the hotelinstead. We are going to sleep soooooooo well tonight.

-----Mari

May 12, 2011

Today, we started the day entering the bay, Pier 39 to be exact. Wewere greeted by a bundle of street performers, some playing piano, some playingguitar and some pretending to be statues painted silver and gold followed bypeople holding signs that read, “Why lie, I need weed” and “Why lie I need abeer & I’m the reason he needs a beer”. We headed toward the calls of sea lions, “Arr” “Arr” …to ourdisappointment, we found but a few there. The Herring season had come late thisyear, causing the seals to head somewhere different to find food. Alas. We headto the pier and are welcomed by smells of fresh sourdough and waffle cones. Hungerstrikes so we head to Bubba Gumps where we have a fun and delightful waiter. Hequizzes us on our Forrest Gump knowledge and is very good at what he does. Webuy souvenirs and head towards the marina. We decide on the Blue and Gold Fleetto take us around the bay via boat. We cruise to Alcatraz, Fishermen’s Wharf,Fort Mason, Ghirardelli Square, Presidio and under the Golden Gate. For theGolden Gate we head outside and are immediately stung with the cold breeze.There we find choppy waters and some vertigo, but well worth it. Under thebridge we go, basking in the awe of its amazing architecture. Beautiful. Majestic.Amazing. Docking back in, we sight a few sea lions hunting for lunch. Back onshore, we head over to the Aquarium of the Bay. There we see jellyfish, schoolsof fish, sharks and stingrays. We entertunnels under the ocean, surrounded by marine life. We end by touching andobserving leopard sharks, bat rays, sea cucumbers, sea stars, and anemones. Offto shopping and eating the traditional ‘hot dogs on the boardwalk’ We grab somehot chocolate to warm our hands and head toward the wax museum. There we meetthe rich and famous in wax form. Some totally off base and some uncanny. Wethen enter the “Chamber of Horrors”. Bwa-Ahh-Ahh……We find an electric chair andsit. To our horror\surprise we are then face to face with the “Tales from the Crypt”guy and have our beautiful surprised faces captured on film for all to see. Welaugh so hard, we need a potty break. Wethen escape to the odd world of Tom Ripley. That place was crazy! We saweverything from a car made out of lottery tickets to actual shrunken heads.That Mr. Ripley was a real life Indiana Jones searching out the weird and odd.We did find ourselves in front of fun mirrors, making funny faces only to findout at the end of the tour that we were the entertainment for the people on theother side. Oh well, se la vie. With our feet pumping with pain, we make ourway back to the hotel. In the distance we hear the stores closing shop and thebars come to life. This city never sleeps but for us we say, good night San Franciscosee you in the morning.

---Beckee

May 13, 2011

Todaywas a wonderful day, we visited China town; it was really cool…and cold on thebus that took us there. Then afterwards, we went to Alcatraz. It was a goodexperience, but a sad experience. We came back and it was ok though. Overall,it was a wonderful day. I’m sorry that Emily is all sunburnt. L That’sall…signed…Grandma.

---Sara

May 14. 2011

Today…..our final day in San Francisco. We started the day on a sad note. L Mari ended her journeya day early. Grandma, Mari and Emily spent the morning at the Boudin Bakery onthe Boucadero. After our goodbyes, Mari went one way and us the other. We spoketo the concierge and booked a city tour via double decker bus. Before we departed,we spent a few hours on the Pier doing some last minute shopping. A few hotdogs later, we made our way back to our hotel (The Tuscan Inn), dropped off ourgifts and waited for our bus. It arrivesand we are off. Our little tour guide is cute and speaks with what we think isan Italian accent. We start our tourgoing to the bridge instead of downtown because Michelle Obama is in town andit is crowed. We do find later the traffic has cleared. We go over the bride and to ‘visit point’.There we have a perfect close view of the bridge. We take some pictures (oneEmily looks like she is holding the bridge in her hand), look at the sailormonument and then off again we go. We go through some neighborhoods and thenmake a stop at the Golden Gate Park. There we visit the Japanese Tea Garden.Small but serene, we make our way through a tea house, a pagoda and a koipond. After Emily accepts medicine froma total stranger (at her grandmothers bidding) we notice our bus driving awaywithout us! We make a run for it and the bus stops. Phew!!! We make our waythrough some more neighborhoods and stop at Twin Peaks. A panoramic view of thecity. It was beautiful and very windy. There we take some more pictures and onthe way down we see a man on his motorcycle, lying on the street. Yikes! Thepolice were already on the scene so we hoped he would be okay. We then drovethrough the city and saw all that the bay had to offer. We cross through ChinaTown, the dog park, Ashbury/Haight, Little Italy, Nob Hill, Union Square,Palace of Fine Arts, the financial district and the gay district. There (in thegay district) we literally see all that the bay had to offer! We see a guywalking around in what we thought was a skin tight skin colored suit. Well, aswe look closer we realize he was wearing his birthday suit!! Wowza!!! Flippityflop, flippity flop……. To say the least it was a sight to see. I’m sure when hegets closer to the bay and feels the wind factor; he’ll feel really foolishbearing it all! After we got our thoughts together we headed over to the famous‘painted ladies’. One of them went up for sale last year and was asking for 4million. The cost of housing is insane here! A 1200 square foot house here(with no yard) will run you around 800,000. Oy ve! But the architecture isbreathtaking. We end our tour at fisherman’s wharf. We dine among apes, fish andtropical butterflies at the Rainforest Café. We then head to the Pier for somelast minute shopping and to see our home away from home one last time. We eatsome goodies and head back to the hotel. Tomorrow we head back to our realhomes leaving San Francisco behind us. So, to San Fran and those we have seenand met…..thanks. It’s been a slice.

---Beckee

Funny Memories from Trip:

-Today Grandpa was speeding as we went to lunch at Luby’s inEl Paso. When Grandma chewed him out, he said that he saw two signs with 35, sothat of course, made 70.

-Mari and I laughed pretty hard on the plane when I told thestory of how I was on the phone the other day with Austin and he made me mad. Iremarked loudly after hanging up that boys were so stupid. Brooke looked at mewith a concerned look and asked…”Even Dick Van Dyke?”

-Also on the airplane, there was a loud-mouthed lady whorefused to sit in an empty spot because of a baby. She had this couple movewhere they were sitting so she could sit next to the window. The lady there wasso mad and turned to her husband complaining. The husband, who looked pretty bored,remarked that “the flight was only an hour and a half, dear.” Me and Mariwanted to throw peanuts at her from behind. By the end of the flight…the twoladies were like best friends. :D

-Aden was talking about how school was going to everybodyand he cracked me up when he said, ”Yeah… and the guy in my class is tallerthan the teacher! There’s an explanation though…he’s husky.”

-Morgan was complaining about a sore in her mouth out loud,and from behind, Grandpa was like- “Wash it out with tequila mija…it will feelbetter.”

-Grandma told a story on the train the other day about howwhen she was little, she paid less than a peso for a barrelitos candy at aMexican department store. She didn’t want to eat it right away…she wanted tosave it. So, she stuck it in her bottle of water and shook it up so that shecould keep the candy moist and also as a bonus, flavor up the water. Two forthe price of one…yeah it dissolved. She was heartbroken.

-Mari at the Los Angeles Union Station saw this guy acrossfrom us chewing on Chilly Cheese Fritos and she had to have some. We wenteverywhere looking for them…never did- poor Mari.

-Mari took Gas-X the minute we got back from the Red Vikingafter eating what she called “the best Danish sausage EVER.” Glad she broughtit. J

-Today we were jaywalking across the street and Grandma gota little too close a car. When we got to the other side, I heard her singing“Grandma got run over by a reindeer…” Oh she makes me giggle.

-Mari told us about her childhood once, where she jumped overthe fence at her Grandma Bojorquez’s house because the front door was lockedand as her grandma walked out, she could swear that her abuelita was Lay-aronathe river witch because she didn’t have her make-up on and her hair was done.Freaked her out and she was never the same again…now we understand why Mari ishow she is. :D

-Saw a naked guy walking at the gay district today in SanFrancisco…enough said, very self-explanatory.

Finally Summer. -Por Fin.

2011-06-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Recently Idaho has conceded to give us some summer weather and has kindly allowed the sun to come out. All I now need is a light jacket. ;D Don't get me wrong though...I LOVE IDAHO. It's Home!
I decided because of this, I was not going to blog while sitting inside.
I have a bottle of water, a lawn chair, my laptop and I am now getting to relish this wonderful sunshine.

...Summer has consisted of continuing to work at the Central Office, organizing my college stuff, registering for classes (stressful), washing my car, saving my money, reading my scriptures and trying to stay on the right path while focusing on keeping my relationship with my Heavenly Father constant. This weekend is Brookita's Birthday and she is turning eleven! I remember it seems like yesterday when mom and dad sat me and Austin down and said we were getting a sister. Austin sat there dissapointed because he wanted a BOY...not me. Oh no, mom says I couldn't stop rubbing it in poor Austin's little face. Once I finished screaming, I started getting my room ready...Oh, how excited I was to be sharing a room with someone. Fast forward a few years.................

"Mom, why can't I decorate it the way I want to? I can't let Brooke do it all Scooby Doo! Who just does that? Plus my friends are coming over to spend the night and they can't see that all over the room. Not to mention Brooke snores. Can I have my own room back? "

Fast forward to the present...........
I'm seriously going to miss my sweet Bananas. I didn't realize what a good roomate I really had.

Now I get to go share a room with six girls, who probably won't put up with my OCD as well as Brooke.
For Brooke's Birthday she wanted it simple. Trip to Shoshone Falls up by Twin and Pizza Hut. So that is exactly what we did and Alli came too! (Well she IS pretty much part of our family)
We'll probably have the cake tomorrow.
I am so grateful for Brooke. She is one of my best blessings that God has given me. Austin turned out to love her more than any little brother he might have gotten anyways and I got just what I wanted 11 years ago and so much more.
I love you my little Tom-Boy Brookita! You are the best little sister and I am so glad we are sealed for eternity that way. You are so my Maid of Honor at my future wedding, but you will have to wear a dress.
Sincerely Em.

As for the rest of summer:
Last night- Me, Stace, Holly, Allison, Sis Manning and Sis Smith had a sleepover at Holly's. SO MUCH FUN. It made me miss Paul 1st ward as I have been at Singles Ward lately. I love these girls and I will miss them tons!

Also-
Summer consisted of a wonderful California trip which I will post a few more pictures from. Me, Mar and Gma started planning a year ago for a trip to Poland. Gma has had some health problems and so we decided to stay in the States. Gma desperately wanted to ride a train and so we decided on the West Coast using Amtrack Travels. What a blast! Me and Mari flew from Vegas to El Paso and stayed with the fam in Texas. Picked up Gma and then left onboard our first train to Los Angeles, where we crossed the Rio Grande. Then from LA, to Santa Barbara where we rented a car and drove to our hotel in the mountains (beautiful drive) up to the little Danish village of Solvang. After enjoying the beach, abelskiveer, late night talks, pastries and so much more, we left on our last train to Oakland. From Oakland we bused over to San Francisco where we waited in the freezing cold weather for a taxi. We ended up walking only two blocks instead to our hotel where Beckee was. Settled in and got a good rest where we, for the next three days hit a variety of attractions like, China Town, Pier 39, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Gardens, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Alcatraz, Lombard Street, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Wax Museum, Fresh Fruit Markets and the list goes on and on. I can't remember having so much fun with my family like that in such a long time. I grew closer to my aunts and grandmother and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.

And now for the illustrations:

Starting out the trip in El Paso...Mari and Sophie

cute little Sophie

Uncle Bobby

Me and Aiden...love you bud!

MoMo and Me!

Morgan, Me and Mari

Just before leaving El Paso...bye abuelo :(

View from Dining Cart. Just passing the Rio Grande

Waiting in Los Angeles Union Station

Train to Oakland

Mari and her Mermaid Purse!!

Bubba Gump Shrimp!

Wax Museum

These were the best wax models of all

Praying :D

Gone With the Wind- aka my favorite!

Mari's Ripley's Believe It or Not Boyfriend

Chinatown!! Me and Mari dressed up and I sampled a little bit of Chinese Heaven Rice Cakes!

At the best bakery in the world...

Fresh Fruit Market!

Driving over Golden Gate

View of San Fran

The Painted Ladies

The trip ended wonderful! I miss my Silva family!! So far, this summer has booked its pages with memories and its only just past June. Not done yet! :D Happy Summer everyone!

in. YOUR. face.

2011-06-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

Payback time Emsky!!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA:) someone forgot to logout...Robert made me do it. you just got out of the shower haha
I LOVEEEEEEEEEE YOUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxo
-Al....

Hello from San Fran.

2011-06-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

Hello from San Francisco! My feet are so tired and we have to get up early to catch the boat to Alcatraz and later Chinatown, but I had to post a few of my favorite pictures. :D Today was wonderful. We hit Pier 39, The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf -Bubba Gump Shrimp Lunch, Ripley's Believe it or Not, The Wax Museum and shopping like no other. I am having a blast with Aunt Becky, Aunt Mari and Grandma. Silvas rock San Fran right now. Loving this...

This is my sweet grandmother with a hippie at steadman's wharf. O. My. Funny. ...PEACE.

One of our many stops. Beautiful Solvang, the little danish village. Prince of Denmark even came to visit!

This is today on our extremely windy boat ride. Golden Gate Bridge! SO COOL!!

Wax Museum...praying to the pope. ;D

Today at Ripley's Believe it or Not.

Memorial Day Tribute

2011-05-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to our wonderful soldiers who provide safety to our country. We truly are the greatest country in the world thanks to you. Thank you for your sacrifice.

And to my two wonderful grandfathers who served in the armed forces for our country.

I love you Grandpa Jones and Abuelo Silva!!

PARTAY!!

2011-05-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

Grad Party was so fun!! I'm seriously still tired and I've had two days to sleep. It was so eery walking out that night for the last time and saying goodbye to everyone. I will miss you all. At least we ended it with a KaBOOM!

Alli and Sophie getting ready to Sumo!

Alli...almost looking Japanese.

Watching Kolby sing!

Em, Em and Garyn! I love you girls!!

Me, Heather and Em.

Me and Al...sleep is just barely starting to catch up to us here...

Yes...I gained some weight. Grad Night cookies are good, what can I say?

Just a few more pounds.

Me and Em getting ready to sumo!

She totally kicked my butt.

Grrr...this in real life, is seriously scary.

Ashley and Miranda playing random guitars. So funny, after they realized it was OUR guitars. :)

3 am

Jake gonna miss you!!

Austin, Chelsae, Logan, Al, Me, Soph and Creighton...last time.

Afterwards.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Click here for- Grad Night Party Video

Graduates of the Class of 2011...We did it!

2011-05-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Graduation May 26th, 2011! Way to go Class of 2011!

Me not knowing the camera was on yet.

High School Diploma: Done! / College Diploma:...save more money; apply more scholarships.

Me, Al and Taylor!

Candid :D

My favorite picture. These are my best friends and I love them!

Alli: you are the light of my world when its dark and dreery and we can laugh about anything. We still need to watch Princess Bride and just because life is moving on does not mean our friendship is. Guitar playing backwards, Too much Keetz, Swinging on the Swings, man- that cars going fast!...and so many more. I love you eternally!! See you at BYU-I...where we will definately be procrastidating! :)

Soph: I want you to know, that there were days that would have been unbearable without you there. You were always my Gov and Spanish buddy and we were always Mrs. Early's teacher's pets. I loved watching you choke on Takis and Hot Sauce from Hell. Advice to you...keep ice cubes around for the future. Love you!

I Love you Al!

Walk like an Egyptian...

Brae! We love you!

Me and Jacob...yah I named my pet rock after him in kindergarten. We've come along way... :)

Miss Aliina and Me

Me and Mrs. Bagley, who is so sweet! We as a class pinned dollar bills to our administrators. They SO better love us. (Actually Me and Alli used monopoly money)...Cheapskates. ;)

Steph! I flippin love you girl!

Jake! Aw I'm gonna miss our talks with Jake in Government and Advisory...the church is true. ;)

I love these girls! DeAnn and Shanley!

Every Moment I Love You! The two Ems!

Karina and Jess...these girls had me cracking up in Yearbook all year long. Gonna miss you!

Me and Dominique. Whoop Dom I love ya!

Shelbs...always my best friend. We've had some wonderful times and I'm gonna miss this woman!

Mikey! Next year, I doubt anyone will give me hugs in the hall everyday like Mikey. :(

Me and Grandma and Grandpa Jones. Grandma told her doctor to postpone her hip surgery just for me! I love you Grandma and you are in my prayers!! Good luck! I love these Grandparents/Missionaries. :)

Me and the two people who brought me into this world and deserve the true credit for graduation. I love you Mom and Dad! (Dad looking good with his Masters Degree robe on) ;)

Me and my cousins/pretty much sisters. They are the best twins in the whole world. I love you tons Ash and Britt...graduation just wouldn't have been the same without you two there. You make my day! Scary thought: in two years I'll be at their graduation! Ahh...!

Me and Logano!

Oh Kaitlyn Jane...sigh. I will miss you my dear. :(

Keep in touch missie!

Jaz and Kam. <3 I love you two! I have wonderful memories with these two. Thanks for driving all the way from ISU to come Kamatha...you will always be my childhood best friend. Hugs and Kisses!

And of course Las Tres Amigas...and Christian who is deep in pondernment over his diploma. Haha!!

Me Al and Mel who's eyes look gorgeous right there! Love ya Mel!!

Christian. ...And Me and Al!

Walking out of Graduation!

Silly String Attack...and I'm in the middle of it!

My wonderful family...looking bored. :)

Me getting up in the middle of the ceremony for our surprise Flash Mob!

Hi Dad.

Mr. Silva and I. Love you Daddy.

My awesome group! Caleb, Tay, Frankie, Me, Yu and Monico. They made boring graduation practice fun. Good luck in your future endeavors guys!!

Ok so this year, Kristine Handy came up with an awesome idea that I wasn't sure was going to work at first. Thank heavens it did because it was so much fun!! We decided to do a Flash Mob in the middle of the ceremony and only us students and the principal knew about it. It was so hard keeping it a secret. My dad said he almost popped a vein when he saw me randomly getting up and dancing at the beginning and then he realized it was planned. Haha!! Here's the vid...watch and enjoy!! ...cuz we sure did.

Last of the Senior Days.

2011-05-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here's some advice: DO NOT wait to post the last 2 months of Senior year all at once. Here is Part 1 of the last of the Senior Days and then Part 2 is graduation.

Senior Presentation: Cons of Photoshop (even though I use it all the time)

Al did her's on Dreams.

Me and Al at Senior Presentations. Go Floyd's Advisory! :)

Probably my favorite Seminary Class Ever. I'm so going to miss this class...they all had strong testimonies and everyone contributed to bringing the spirit into the classroom everyday. We seriously had some deep and awesome discussions. These kids will go far because they all have the Lord on their sides. I love you my spiritual siblings!! We love Brother Hoge too...he looks like one of the students haha. ;)

Austin is learning how to drive! Ahh!!

Getting hair done in the"hair assembly line" before Prom.

Me and Logano!! Logan took me to our Burley Prom and we had a blast! We 4-wheeled, bare back rode horses and hiked. Not to mention we had the best lunch ever!

My fantabulous hairdresser! Thanks Kam!

I SO felt like Cinderella that night. Thanks to the boys for putting all this together!

Senior Promenade :( Almost over...

Thanks Logan!!

...

Then the next weekend was Minico's Prom!

Al Bo Bal and Trevor- Minico's Prom.

Me and Dad at Senior Night for Paul 1st Ward and us kids on Easter morning.

Me and Stace at Seminary Graduation!! I love ya Stace!

Seminary Council for Paul Stake :D

And as far as I'm concerned...this is the best diploma.

Completion of the Lord's class: Check!

Senior Lagoon Trip!!

Logan, Sophie, Alli, Me, Em and Taylor! Whoo Seniors!

Yah...totally us. haha...actually, totally Sophie.

Alli and Soph took the sky ride over Lagoon and there could only be two people per ride. We solved the picture problem however. I'm still behind them haha!

Last Paul 1st Temple Trip :(

Bo, Stace, Me and Jake...I love you guys! I'm so going to miss seeing you every week at mutual and church. Good luck with the future!

Brooke was so stinkin tired. Poor babe :) Just too much going on.

It dosen't cost a penny to be polite.

2011-05-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

Totally WICKED.

2011-05-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

This weekend was wicked quite literally. One thing that I love more than quesadillas on the Kumal is hanging out with my two favorite girls ever. Thanks Britt and Ash for taking me to Wicked...it was sooo good. Miss you already.

Sitting with Garyn.

2011-05-05T08:40:00.001-07:00

So I'm at school...totally bored because I'm at the last days of my "seniorhood," and me and Garyn are sitting here logged into facebook and our blogs...hope the principal dosen't walk in.
Bored...help!

A few of my favorite pictures.

2011-04-15T23:42:00.000-07:00

How can you not love a little boy in a multi-colored speedo?

I love this picture because its a great shot of me in Spain with my fan. What nobody knows however, is how ticked off I am at something. Haha, I had to walk to the other side of the bus to "literally" cool down.

This one is great because I like how it shows how women from two different nations can still belong to the same church and think as one even with a language barrier.

This caught my attention a long time after

it was taken. I didn't realize how focused I was

on my African dancing. I think I remember something

like...I was terrible at swaying my hips.

This is self-explanatory. California Boys. ;)

This is Briley. I find it humerous that she seems bigger than the buffalo.

This picture makes me laugh sooo hard! :D That creepy guy in the background was named Tom and we still refer to him every once in awhile as the wacko at the hot springs.

This was taken in Poland as we were getting ice cream one night. Scott wanted to make friends with someone new but he definately chose the wrong guy. I don't think I have seen someone so drunk before...he probably woke up the next morning and had no clue he made a group of American kids laugh the night before.

Victoria. The cutest little girl I met from Wlodowa, Poland. She insisted on wearing my fake hair piece even though it didn't match.

Love the right side. The left...not so much. Fun times though!

This is what happens when you wait for the prophet to come in the middle of a temple celebration. Boooring.

This reminds me of just how much my daddy loves me, and just how much I love him. I love you Dad.

Bunch of Hot Dog Heads.

This is just kind of awkward. I don't know what I'm looking at exactly. But I love it because behind me is a part of the Roman Empire over 2000 years old.

Alli. Takes. Cool. Pictures. I LOVE Disneyland baby.

I have loved this picture since the second I took it. A little ironic though.

Alex saw me with the camera and naturally put a thumbs up. Sadly though, I think he forgot we were at Sobibor Death Camp.

This one is wierd because I don't think I have a single picture of me this serious anywhere else!

Santa Vaca. Mi vida es ocupado pero maravilloso.

2011-04-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Anatomy Field Trip!

Temple Square in Salt Lake during Spring Break

BPA cake celebration :D

Mik sneeking into our room

Between BPA State competitions, school Anatomy field trips to Idaho Falls and Jr. Miss craziness all over again. It has been a rough tough week...month, well year. But with best friends like I've got, the gospel and a wonderful home to come home to, things aren't that bad. For Spring Break me and Al went down to IF and Rexburg to check out BYU-I campus and look at housing. SO FUN. I'm so excited to be heading down there for college because it really has such a great atmosphere. Anyhow, I'll keep this brief and post more pics soon.

Belated post that should have been done awhile ago...

2011-02-27T13:20:00.000-08:00

So for Christmas...I know its the beginning of March here but I wanted to write about one of my gifts this year! It was probably the coolest thing I have ever recieved. I love Christmas with all my family and the celebration of our Savior's birth and I usually don't freak out TOO much over gifts. But Alli this year got me the best present...

CARY GRANT'S signature!

Ya...pretty much like life-altering in the life of Miss Emily.

Thank you Alli!!

Who Am I?

2011-02-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

I'm the kind of person who thinks she knows who she is but finds out from everyone else that shes not who she imagined. The only difference is that I'm not giving up on who I want to be yet.

Kiss Me Kate.

2011-01-30T13:56:00.000-08:00

Kiss Me Kate practice started in October and was seriously frustrating for awhile. I learned a great deal of patience but in the end I was so glad to have done it because I learned to look at people in a whole new light. I loved getting to meet Jonah, Levi, Emmett, Aliina, Jamie, Kara, Lexi, Ashley and Jason and everyone else there. Katrina was the best choreographer and I got to hang out with my best friend Al more. I so sad its over now (never thought I would say that) and I'm going to miss everyone. Buene Suerte to Levi whos leaving to Guatemala. I love you guys!

Me and Cara

The Cast.

Jamie, Me and Aliina

Emmett with me and Al!

Me and Donna!!!

Putting Chips in the hole in the curtain while they were in the middle of a scene...shhh. : D

1940's Era...............................

Shakespeare Renaissance Era.............................

Ashley...nuff said. :)

Prayers for Grandma.

2011-01-17T15:45:00.000-08:00

Grandma Jones is having surgery this week. Family prayer time. We love you Grandma!!

50 years and still strong.

2010-12-28T12:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful and shining example grandparents who I love SO much!

They were and still are the cutest couple. We had so much fun as a family and it was wonderful to see everyone and talk about old times. We love you Audrey and Scott!!

Part 3 Azores: Felipe and Alex!

2010-11-28T21:38:00.000-08:00

What to say about these two?...pretty much wonderful! I loved Alex and Felipe! When I first met these two, I was really sick from the seafood dinner we had eaten and was running a fever. They were both so sweet and concerned and tried to help me in every way. I found out throughout our stay that Felipe loved Jazz just like I did! Alex, was such a great person to get to know. He had me balling as we said goodbye in the airport. I really hoped he read the Book of Mormon like I told him too ;)
We had a great discussion about the gospel with him and Luish one day before lunch and they were all ears. It was so nice to be a missionary during our stay! I love and miss them both every day. Hugs and Kisses!

Part 2 Porto: Marta and Anna

2010-11-28T21:30:00.000-08:00

Part 2-We arrived in Porto, Portugal after 2 weeks in Badajoz, Spain and met our lovely girls. :) They were so wonderful. All of our guides were. Marta and Ana took us everywhere and made sure we comfortable. They were very excepting of our beliefs as well. They really impressed me in how they acted. Ana was such a special spirit. For her birthday I gave her a Book of Mormon in English and she seemed so excited. It melted my heart. I love you both and miss you everyday! Bom dia Marta y Ana!

Looking Back, Again...

2010-11-22T20:27:00.000-08:00

As I look back on this year I realize just how amazingly blessed I am!
Seriously.

I started off the year beautifully with Jasmine's baptism. Not to mention I made a new friend.

Competed in Video Production at Regionals and made it to State.

Began early 5 am rehearsals for the Idaho Rocky Mountain Express Team.

Found out I was going on a 5 week trip to Europe.

Started saving like crazy.

Became State Champions in Video Production Team and qualified for Nationals.

Planned Prom...and got a headache.

Started the countdown for Mockingjay.

Left for Nationals in California and had the best sunny fatabulous week with the best friends ever.

Snuck into Disneyland. ...Literally.

Began to miss Kamie at college.

Finally left to Spain.

Learned that Fanta de Limon is pretty much my new favorite drink.

Realized I get annoyed easily.

Met amazing girls from Espana...Lorena, Cristina and Cristina who are now lifelong amigas.

Stood in the town of Merida on the steps of a 2000 year old Roman Coloseum.

Danced as a representative for the United States of America in front of thousands of people from 20 some-odd different countries.

Met an Ex-Nazi who sat down and told me his life story.

Learned to play the guitar.

Hiked inside a volcano.

Ran/walked a 6 mile hike, almost ran into a moose and watched Alli hit herself with paint in the eye at my last Girl's Camp.

Went whale watching in the middle of the Atlantic.

Became grateful for private showers without naked European women.

Ate at the famous O'Forno's pastry shop in Teceira Portugal too many times.

Ate squid.

Had birthday cake with beautiful ladies with big smiles and big hearts from Kenya.

Learned Waka Waka and Papa Americano.

Got sick BIG time halfway across the world without my mom to take care of me. :'(

Yelled at a gypsy girl who got a little too close to my brother.

Spoke Spanish with the delivery boy while getting pizza in Badajoz.

Met Alex and Felipe in Portugal.

Had a numb hiny after flying over 11 times in just one summer. Way too many hours sitting down.

Sang "Hero" with a boy from Cyprus.

Found my twin Natalie who knows all the good musicals!

Read Mockingjay!!...didn't like it so much.

Had a wonderful spiritual experience while singing hymns in the middle of the high-crime city of Lisbon.

Went to General Conference in Salt Lake City and found out there was going to be a temple built in LISBON. Holy excited!!!

Rode the Metro.

Stepped on Vodka. ...still not sure if I like Russians too much.

Started to comprehend that there are good people everywhere after a woman tracked my little brother down for hours just to return his backpack he had left at the train station in Portugal.

Read the Doctrine and Covenants.

Strengthened my testimony.

Recieved 2nd runner up in Junior Miss and found a 2nd mom. I love you Jenny!

Went to temple square with my two best friends and sat in peace as we looked up at the Cristus.
Got a psycic reading from Aunt Penny!...she was creepily right about everything.

Learned Rita is the sweetest and strongest girl and is a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father. I am SO honored to know her.

Stuck my feet out the window of our doorms with Nat and Mik saying WE LOVE RUSSIA/KENYA written on our feet during our own little private World Cup in a 107 degree weather.

Stopped sleeping with the covers on.

Danced the Hokey Pokey with adorable children from Badajoz during a parade.

Laughed with my family at Thanksgiving and at a wonderful Christmas.

Learned water can be like candy.

Had my knee pop out...again.

Decided to go back to Poland with Aunt Mari and Grandma. Oh yah.

Started to witness the signs of his coming in this wicked world.

Learned that my Savior is always close and more so now than ever.

Gained a greater appreciation for my truest friends Alli and Sophie.

Began the headache of applying for college and scholarships.

Sang with Brawn and had the best piano player ever. Thanks Tyler. :)

Found out my Spanish delegadas are coming to Idaho for graduation!

Cried with my mom because we both realized I'm growing up.

Made Brooke laugh uncontrollably. In turn she made me laugh.

Had a good chat with my girls. Love you Ash and Britt!

Gave Ana and Marta a Book of Mormon and watched Luish's face when he dropped his copy. Priceless.

Rode a mo-ped at 3 in the morning in Porto by the seaside with the cutest Portuguese boy ever!

Wandered the beach.

Cried during Taps.

Liked someone, then didn't like them, liked them again...finally gave up and decided to move on to college boys. :)

Concurred to serve a mission someday.

Started salsa lessons.

Cried with the sweetest woman in Porto after mass, standing by a lost friend's gravesite in a Portuguese cemetary.

Had a peaceful blessing from my Father in Heaven given through my daddy. <3

Decided Austin and I have already been best friends for eons but grew even closer to him.

Looked at the clock and decided its time to go to bed.

Our team is good :)

2010-11-22T18:30:00.001-08:00

Senior Homecoming

2010-10-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

Last time. :( But so fun. I love you all. Thanks for an awesome week and thanks to all

of you who worked so hard to put it on...trust me, I know how stressful it can be.

18 and still little.

2010-09-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

I pretty much have the best friends ever. They came and surprised me. Not to mention I got a guitar.

After cake and ice cream we went repelling with the Young Women. I love you guys!

Legal Adult...but...Little Girl at heart.

Gran Cumpleanos.

Chazzer.

2010-09-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

Chazz got his Endowments in the Twin Falls Temple last weekend! He leaves to the Farmington, New Mexican Mission next week. We leave to his farewell tomorrow! Good Luck Chazzer! We love you!

Photoshopping Fun!

2010-09-20T16:26:00.000-07:00

Me and Al

2010-09-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Photoshoot with my Best Friend. Sun was perfect. Beautiful Idaho. I love ya Al.

Voice of the Spirit

2010-09-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

Voice of the Spirit

Another Testament...

2010-08-31T16:55:00.001-07:00

My Bonita Spanish Guides

2010-08-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

I've decided to do a quick character profile on each of my guides from the different festivals we went to starting with Spain. :)

Cristina Robles
Lorena Leones
Cristina Granados and
Mayte Perera

These girls are so lovely. I loved every minute with them! They went out of their way to make our team so happy and took us all over. They worked so hard and even though they were going on a few hours of sleep... (maybe less) :) ...they were ALL smiles in the morning and throughout the whole day. Our team really misses them and are so excited to have them come to Idaho...and soon! Bring some Fanta Limon with you! haha! We can't wait! You are all so special to us. Thank you for your everlasting and forever friendship and for taking the time and tagging us in all those pictures! Must have took forever. :) Thank you for unforgettable memories which we all cherish and always will. We send our love to Badajoz, Spain from The United States of America!

Te Amo!

Importance of Journalism

2010-08-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

I remember being in Young Womens one Sunday where I was taught about the importance of keeping a journal throughout your life. My mother had always encouraged me to keep one but I never once thought it may be a commandment from the Lord. I was quite wrong. Throughout the lesson I learned that President Spencer W. Kimball a prophet of the Lord said, "Every person should keep a journal and every person can keep a journal." It is actually a commandment from the Lord through his servants the prophets. It is so important to record the events of your lifetime. You may ask why. Answer this...what would have happened if Nephi, Helaman, Alma or Moroni had protested in keeping record of their lives? We would not have the Book of Mormon. Same thing goes for the prophets of old. We would not have the Bible. Or maybe if Joseph Smith had been too "busy" to record what happened during the restoration of the gospel. No Doctrine and Covenants. Are you starting to comprehend why its important?

So I decided to excel in this field. I keep a personal journal and a travel log for when I go to different places, but I just recently decided to keep a journal every time I attend Sacrament meetings during church and firesides. I keep a small notebook in my scripture case and I felt like sharing a few of the inspirations I've written down that come so easy when in a church meeting.

Here are a few...some short, some long.

Greed consumes
Every decision we make, we either pay a price or recieve a blessing for it
Die as a friend to God, not an enemy
"What we must be willing to do is Sacrifice whatever is required of us, whether time or talent, or riches, or the praise and honor of men, or whatever it may be, to the extent the Lord may require it." -Loren C. Dunn
"Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." -The Savior
Physically you are made up of the Earth's materials, Spiritually you are not. Therefore, there will always be a constant pull between the two forces in this life. But I promise you will have enough strength because of the Lord to conquer the physical part and remain a righteous spirit.
Look for the Tender Mercies in your life. Or let's put it this way...all those things you call "coincidences." Your are not lucky. Your blessed. Give credit where its due...be greatful.
"I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else,...knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty." -Joseph Smith [I love this! Adversity helps you grow and that is why we are all here.]

For my friends around the world...I love you.

2010-08-26T22:47:00.000-07:00

My Testimony

2010-08-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

I would like to bare my testimony to my friends which I have made this summer from around the world and to all my family and friends who read my blog. I want it absolutely clear to everyone that, without a doubt, the Book of Mormon is true. I know it with all my heart. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on this earth. I am so greatful for Joseph Smith and for the pain and persecution he went through to restore the gospel on the earth again. I am greatful for the knowledge that I have. For the home I was born into. With loving parents who have taught me the gospel and for ancestors who made the sacrifice to come to Zion. Without them I would not be here and who knows where I would have ended up. Would I know of the gospel at all?? It scares me to think of how blind I would be and what kind of a person I would be now without the church in my life. I am more than greatful for a perfect brother who loves me more than I will ever know and for his atonement for me. I know he is God's son and created this glorious world. It is because of him I can go back to my Father in Heaven someday. I am greatful for a living prophet today...I am so lucky to be living so close to Salt Lake where he resides. I have had the opportunity to be in the Conference Center more than once and listen to his voice only feet away from me. I'm greatful for the opportunity I had to celebrate the Twin Falls, Idaho temple celebration with him. I will never forget his smile as we sang and danced in our joy of having a temple so close to us. I am greatful for the blessed opportunities now that we have a temple so close to attend so regulary when so many people around the world are so far from a temple and can only make a trip once in a lifetime, if ever. How blessed I am. Knowing that I am a daughter of God and that he loves me keeps me going everyday. That is the greatest knowledge anyone can have. You are all a daughter or a son of God and all you have to do is kneel and offer a humble prayer of gratitude or of personal relection. He wants to hear from you. He WANTS to! He misses you, He worries about you, He wants you to be happy. Tell Him your troubles, tell Him of your happiness and joys, even your sorrows. He will comfort you. No mattter where you are from or what your circumstances may be, or what you may have done in the past...He wants you to return to Him. He knows you have potential to be something great and marvelous. You are His greatest creation. You are. If you remember anything in life...remember that. His Son, Jesus Christ died for both you and me. He wants you to return just as much as your Father in Heaven does. He is your loving brother. Thank God everyday for his son and for the greatest sacrifice known to man. Whether you believe me or not you are all my brothers and sisters and even though this vale of forgetfulness stops us from remembering, I can still feel the love that we once felt for each other. I continue to love you. I anxiously await the day when I will be able to see my brother again. And The Father. I testify of the power of the scriptures. I testify of the power of the Holy Ghost. I am greatful for the missionaries all over the world who are gathering in Israel and I only hope that this small and insignificant testimony can somehow help as well. I say these things, in the beloved and sacred name of the Savior, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

Part One of Many

2010-08-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Leaving Salt Lake

Arriving in Lisbon

Metro=Fun

Nat, Nikelle and Me in Lisbon

Squid Restaurant in Lisbon :p

Roomies Nat and Kayberry!!!

Cathedral in Lisbon, Portugal

Tito

Vasco De Gama...who is dead. haha

Me and Cristina!!!!

Pablo :)

Me and beautiful Lorena...I miss you!!...can't wait to see you all again!

Antone!! Oh...my favorite Russian!

Los Estados Unidos

Badajoz, Spain

Me and Mik!! Love ya girl.

The Boyz

I'm singing in the...sun.

Roman Ruins in Badajoz

Biker in Spain

Me and Tito...Best Friends.

Me and my Twin Natalie!!! Love you!!!

Ok so I'm home. I can actually flush the toilet paper in the toilet and shower without flip-flops. Things are great and its so nice to see my wonderful family and friends again in beautiful Burley, Idaho but I miss Spain and Portugal like crazy! I miss all the amazing friends I made and the memories I have with all of them. Spain was our first stop of Los Estados Unidos. We arrived in Lisbon for a day or two and then Cristina and Lorena picked us up at our hotel and drove us to Badajoz where it was super-duper hot. We loved it though! Spain was special to me because my ancestors came from Spain and it was just a nice way to start our month long trip. (Not to mention the amazing guides we had) :) I miss you all! We partied and danced our legs off. I think our whole team is really missing the Fanta Limon. Lol. This is just the first post of many to come. I figured with all the pictures I have that there is just no way I am going to sit here and upload all of them at once on my Blog so its turned into a process. This is only the first part of the trip and even then I had to pick and choose which pictures because there is just SO MANY. Haha. For all my friends from around the world reading this...know that I love and miss you all. Stay tuned!

Post from Portugal!

2010-08-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

Quickie before the computer dies here...these are 3 of the 3000 pictures I have taken. Started with Holland in Amsterdam, Badajoz Spain and am now writing from my dorm room in Porto Portugal. We leave to the Azore Islands tomorrow! So excited. Got to go...more pics soon...time to go kill the cockroach in the bathroom. :)

Summer so far...

2010-07-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Summer so far has been wonderful. Sunny and busy. Austin and I went up to Grandma and Grandpa's and went on a horse back riding trip for the 4th and had a barbecue with the family. It was so fun even though we were both saddle sore the next day. :) Because of Junior Miss me and the other top 3 girls were in the Rupert parade last Saturday. It was so fun to get to see the girls again like old times...except we missed the other amazing girls a-ton! Mom has been doing some gardening and keeping the house looking beautiful while I have been getting my bottom out of bed by 6 every morning to make it to clogging practice. I usually go to work right afterwards and work all day and then take my weekends off. Thats usually when the fun starts. Two more weeks and we are off to Spain and Portugal. I REALLY need to start packing.

Last Girls Camp

2010-07-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

Last Girls Camp :(

I was so blessed to be able to meet new daughters of Heavenly Father.

I was so blessed to go with my Best Friend Al :)

I was blessed to be surrounded by the Spirit. Especially at Testimony meeting.

Thanks Girls.

I love you!

Happy Memorial Day.

2010-06-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

I decided that the best way to honor Memorial Day is to blog about my loved ones from the past. I feel them pushing me every day to continue the work of the Lord. I have such rich heritage coming from all four corners of the earth. Basically...call me MUTT. My mother's side originated in Wales and my father's from Spain and Mexico. This isn't even one hundreth of the pictures I have...but here's a few. Thank you to my ancestors for giving me life and freedom. Thank you for crossing the plains of Wyoming during bitter winter storms to travel to Zion...because that's where I am now. And it is all because of you.

I have realized how wonderful it is to read and discover about your ethnic backgrounds. I have been so blind. There is so much rich culture running through my veins. I encourage you to ask your grandparents and parents about their stories before it is too late. Last summer as I was visiting my abuelita y abuelito in El Paso, my sweet grandma Silva told me a story. She told me of my great grandfather and how of when he was a little boy in Mexico he led General Pershing's army all over the Guadalupe Mountains in search of the infamous Mexican outlaw, Pancho Villa. That is where he learned to like Peanut Butter. General Pershing himself would give spoonfuls of P.B. to my Grandpa, and mi gran abuelito loved it! I thought this was THE coolest story and if I had not taken the time to listen...I never would have known.

Thank you for your selflessness. Thank you for your examples. Thank you for your love.
I will see you all again someday.

Love,
Emily Ann...

2010-06-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my family who joined Austin and I at our dinner show.

Our team is working so hard...it really is starting to pay off. Thanks guys.

Thank you to my Heavenly Father for keeping my knees in place.

So excited...3 more weeks until we leave for Espana.

Base for a Blog.

2010-05-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

My FAVORITE QUOTE! When we were in Cali, we went to the AMC movie theater and this quote was on the floor. Maybe it looks familiar :)

I actually kissed the floor when I saw it.

The Hole in the Screen.

2010-05-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry Dad, just HAD to post about this. TOO funny.

My dad today flipped out about the funniest thing. Right now he is in THE worst mood and is still brooding over it...so, hopefully he does not read over my shoulder. I feel like I should record this down because later I know he will laugh about it...eventually anyways. Today we all got home from church (which was very spiritually filling by the way) and started dinner. My dad walked into my brother's room for a second and found a hole in his bedroom window's screen. He asked if Austin or Brooke knew anything. No one had even noticed. "Well, who did it then...the fairies?" (He always says this) He became so ridiculously mad about it that it was just funny. Until he became a bully about it. "Well...if no one is going to fess up who did it then you don't get dinner."

We are ALL in a bad mood now.

Later, I walked into the bedroom to see the hole. And it was the smallest little thing I have ever seen.
Satan is really good at taking a wonderful spiritual Sunday and using the simplest things to drive the spirit out.

Now I am not blaming my dad. Well kinda. :) But we all could have had a better attitude about the whole thing.

We cannot direct the wind...but we can adjust our sails.

Past 103 days...BIG update

2010-05-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have been dragging ALOT lately. I've posted a few things but I decided there is SO much that I haven't written down. First...Prom was so fun this year. I had such a fun group and I went with Brandon Adams. I planned Prom this year with the help of Alli and Sophie and things turned out pretty good. Thanks for the help gals!

Second, our school did the

Every 15 Minutes program which, again, Student Council helped out. It's a program that does a fake drunk/drive situation and we try and make it as real for the students as possible. I think we all got a lot out of the program this year.

Next, Minico's graduation was this week. I said bye to some of my best friends. We have all grown up together in the same ward for 17 years. It's going to be so weird not to see them every Sunday. My Best Friend from diaper days also graduated.

Kamie, was adopted as an infant by the Fisher family here in Idaho. Without them making that choice, I never would have met her. She has been with me through thick and thin. We have always been able to be there for each other. This week was AMAZING. She finally was legally able to meet her birth mom. Jenny.

Jen, is SO super sweet and to see mother and daughter reunite, it brought many tears. I had such a fun week hanging out with them both and saying goodbye to Kam as she leaves for college. I love you Kamatha!

And last but most certainly NOT least...Junior Miss. I entered the silly contest not really knowing why. I found out that it was completely worth it in the end. I met over 30 beautiful girls. I recognized by the end that it hardly mattered who won the medals and scholarships...but how many friendships you won. For me, I felt like a social butterfly. :) My host mom Jenny McGill was AWESOME. She was like a real mom to me and had me laughing 24/7. I love you...Mexicano! I ended up receiving several scholarships and got third runner up but that didn't really matter. By the end of the night I was bawling that it was all over. I could tell that Heavenly Father had some choice daughters in this program and I was given the opportunity to meet them. I feel so blessed.

Video Nationals Update...

2010-05-18T21:17:00.001-07:00

This is proof I can be anything I want to be when I'm with my best friends...