Two Months Away

Chad and I are getting married two months from today! Last week I had a few hard days, thinking that two months was way too long to wait and that I didn't want to be in Provo anymore, I just wanted to be with Chad. Instead of being excited for the wedding, I was dreading the two months before the wedding. I also was feeling some anxiety towards going through the temple, which was especially hard because I have always been so excited to go to the temple and I wasn't sure why I was starting to feel those feelings. I think the reason why is because I was focusing on all the comments I was receiving that it's going to be strange and overwhelming and that I will not ever be really prepared for it. Instead of thinking about why I'm going to the temple, I was focusing on the unknown "what"s of the temple, and that was making me feel stupid and anxious.

But I got to visit Chad yesterday (thanks for the ride, Mary!), and after talking with him I've decided that both of those bad attitudes have got to go! I am now going to be excited for the next two months! They will be great. I get to take two really fun classes at BYU, continue to plan the fun stuff of the wedding, enjoy my last two months as a BYU coed (any great ideas of what I should change my blog name to after I'm not a BYU coed anymore?), take a temple prep class, and make the most of living in this beautiful valley in the shadow of Y Mount and Mt. Timpanogos. Life is good! I also am going to continue to prepare to enter the temple, but not with an attitude of uneasiness, but with an attitude of excitement that I get to go to the temple as a guest of the Lord, to learn more about His ways, to worship Him more fully, and to make sacred covenants with Him. I expect I won't understand most of what's going on the first time I go through the temple, but that's okay! I've got lots of time for that! For now I will just try to enjoy what I do have.

3 Down, 3 to Go

I have three classes done for winter semester! Woohoo!! I turned in a big research paper for one of my classes yesterday and I took two MFHD finals, one yesterday and one today. That feels good. I also am done with my dance class, because I am using my Medals Exam score for my final score. I am so happy my Medals Exams went so well, because it was the last time I danced at BYU. I got the best scores I have ever gotten! The judge must have loved my dancing, because I was told I even got the highest score in my class! Which was totally unexpected! I am so happy, because I love dance so much and it feels good to receive positive feedback from a professional. My teacher hasn't given me quite as high of scores, which makes me think grading in dance is kind of biased. But I am glad the judge who scored my last Medals Exams was biased on my side! :) I am done with dance at BYU now, which makes me kind of sad, because I love ballroom dancing so much. But I look forward to the day when Chad and I can take dance lessons together! :)

"Eat Your Vegetables"

I am a believer in vegetables. But I don't always act on that belief. It's so much easier to go about my day without eating vegetables. Preparing and eating vegetables takes effort, and I've found that if I don't prioritize vegetables into my day, I just don't eat them. It's the same with exercise. I'm a believer, but I don't always prioritize that belief. But I think that when I have an attitude of, "Vegetables are so yummy and make me feel good! I love vegetables!" it's easier for me to implement them into my diet. And it's the same with exercise. If I have an attitude of, "I love exercise! It makes me feel so happy!" it's a lot easier to get my rear in gear. And there are really so many options for vegetables and exercise, it shouldn't be that hard! So, I'm going to list some vegetables and exercise that make me happy, and hopefully I'll act on them more!


Vegetables
Cooked spinach
Spinach salad
Green beans
Carrots
Peas
Edemame (thanks, Jess, for this recommendation! They are so yummy!)
Mixed veggies
Asparagus
Romaine lettuce salad
Broccoli
Bell peppers
Celery


Exercise
Running
Playing Tennis
Dancing
Walking
Hiking

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Today is my dad's birthday! I am so happy that we get to celebrate my dad today. I want to tell everyone some of the reasons why I think I have the best dad in the whole world:

He is one of the most unassuming, humble, kind, and friendly people I know.

He is a really hard worker and never complains.

He is a thinker. He reads a lot and likes to learn from other people's experiences.

He is very committed to the gospel and always follows through with his calling and family responsibilities. He lives his testimony and does not compromise his beliefs.

He is courageous and bold. He knows who he is and he is not afraid to be who he is.

He leads through love, not through fear. He sees the value and worth in the people he leads.

He is so funny! He is good at seeing the humor in things and always makes me laugh.
He does really thoughtful things like rubs your shoulders or puts a blanket on you when you're laying down on the couch.

He is true and honest. His compliments mean a lot.

He is very giving, but does not give ostentatiously or with the intent to be recognized for what he is doing.

He gives great advice! He is super good at helping people think through their options and make wise decisions.

Thanks Dad for being so wonderful! I hope this day is a fantastic one for you!

P.S. The picture's of my dad and me in Florence.

Happy Words

I love words! Words are powerful. Here are some of my favorite happy words:

Smile
Dance
Hug

Hope
Dream
Imagine

Forgive
Encourage
Celebrate

Faith
Patience
Gratitude

Family
Friends
Flowers

Love
Sing
Laugh

Monday Musings

It's such a beautiful warm day today. All these wonderful memories of last spring/summer terms have been coming back to me today and I am so happy it's spring time again. I love BYU so much. It is such a beautiful campus and I have so many happy memories here. I have had so many good times with different classmates, teachers, friends, roommates, and ward members. Even as I remember the less happy memories of the disappointments, discouragements, and depressed days I have had here, I just love this place all the more for what I've learned from those times. On days like today it is so easy to rewrite history as better and happier than it really was, and to think all the hard times were so worth it! But I know the happiness I feel today is real, and I am so grateful for it.

I applied for graduation today and so it's official! I think that's another reason I feel so positively towards BYU today. I've been reflecting on the last four years here, and I just feel so much joy for everything I've experienced here. The religion classes, MFHD classes, dance classes, English classes, TA and research positions, ward activities, and all the other blood, sweat, tears, laughter, and triumph that go along with those things have been so enriching. I am going to miss BYU a lot when I leave it in June! But I'm going on to even happier places, so I don't need to be sad.

Speaking of happier places, the wedding plans are coming along nicely! I bought a dress, so that's a wonderful feeling! We found a bridesmaid outfit, so that's a wonderful feeling! I just have to say I remember not quite understanding what the term "social resources" meant the first time I heard it. Well, now I can say I TOTALLY know what it means! Chad and I have the best social resources in planning this wedding. It has been so much easier with all my mom's help. Thank you, Mom, for everything you do! You're the best! Thank you to everyone else who has offered help as well. I owe you all big time.