I Have an Announcement!!

Yes, you heard right.  I have an announcement to make.  Actually I’m sure most of you have already heard it, but I shall announce it anyways. 

Once upon a time, not too long ago, I was single.  I was doing what most single girls do, going to activities, hanging out  and having fun.  Then a man entered into my life.  He was handsome, charming, and much of what I dreamed a man should be.  He started talking to me after an institute class and eventually found a way to get my phone number.  We started to talk as two people do, and eventually he asked if I would play ping pong with him.  I accepted his request and began to play ping pong often.  As I played I asked questions and he asked me and began to find that we were very similar in many ways.  He asked me on a date, working at the cannery for a service project.  I had never seen so many peaches in my life before.  On September 17^th we decided that we would be officially dating.  Things of course sped up from there.  We had many fun activities including going to General Conference, visiting both of our families, trips to the temple, Friday Forum, Institute, touring the Salt Lake City Library, Temple Square, and so many more.  Slowly and gently you could say, I fell in love.  We began to talk of marriage and our relationship deepened.  Then on Wednesday November 24^th we decided to go for breakfast at Kneaders.  Which I must say is a new favorite restaurant.  As we were driving back, this handsome man suggested that we go for a walk on the Mt. Timpanogas Temple Grounds.  As we looked at the flowers blooming, partially frozen from the frost, we sat on a cold stone bench.  Then as we talked he pulled out a cherry red box, with a simple diamond ring inside it.  Very simply the words were asked, and quietly the word yes was said.  And thus ends the first chapter of a wonderful life with Jeremy Crane.

Yes I’m engaged, that is my announcement.  I’m totally excited and happy.  It’s crazy, every girl thinks of this day or time, when a man loves her enough to spend money on some tiny ring.  But it’s almost surreal, as if it may never happen.  Then a whirlwind comes and next thing you know he is there with a boy asking you if you will, and you saying yes.  Exciting and exhilarating!  

Sometimes I almost can’t believe it.  But I’m so ready for this next step!  Ps I love my ring!  I told Jeremy I wanted the ring to be a surprise.  I’m kinda traditional that way; I also wanted him to formally ask me before we’d tell everyone that we were engaged.  We did do some window-ring shopping where I pointed out different styles I liked.  I know I’m picky enough if I wanted to like my ring I’d better give the poor guy a good idea of what I like.  He did such a good job.  I liked it when I first put it on, but the more I wear it the more I love it.  It’s perfect, so me!  I promised pictures, so this is what it looks like.  The real thing looks better! :-D  If you look closely on the one on the right in the prongs are these tiny little diamonds.  Love it!  Anyways now begins the next big thing…Wedding Planning.  I hav e no idea quite where to start.  We haven’t set a date yet, we’re waiting on Jeremy’s school schedule.  That should be taken care of in the next couple of days and then we will set a date.  We do know it will be sometime around UVU’s Spring break, so mid-march-ish.  We’re thinking the Mt. Timpanogas Temple.  It’s halfway between both our families, so everyone can drive and then decide if they want to continue to the reception if they so desire.  So everyone start digging out different ideas and tips for planning a wedding, I’m going to need all the help I can get!

Well that’s the big news.  Thanksgiving was great.  We went to both families, his first and then spent the weekend with mine. We did get a flat tire on I-15 between the two.  That was quite the adventure.  I’ve never broken down before on the freeway.  I’d rather not do it again.  I was driving Jeremy’s car while he slept.  All of the sudden I hear a THUD THUD THUD! “JEREMY!” I yell!  Poor guy is sound asleep.  “FIX IT!” I manage to pull over to the side.  And he fixes it. :-D  I survived my first freeway breakdown. I’m good now, I don’t think I need another.  We finally made it home in once piece, which I was grateful for. Grandma Downs had her Christmas party which was a lot of fun.  We had a white elephant exchange and played volleyball with a huge ball. Volleyball was a lot of fun, that’s usually my favorite.  Kelly also had us doing a bunch of minute to win it games.  I liked the one where we paired up and had to keep five balloons in the air.  We spent the weekend in Cache Valley and then came home.  After all that traveling, I was glad to be home.

As for the rest of my life…school is keeping me busy.  Yesterday was the last day of classes.  I’m kind of sad about it.  I’ve had fun traveling to school, riding trax, going to institute.  I’ve met some very intriguing people.  Like the bus driver, he’s a hoot.  I only see him on days when I get out of English early but he’s this odd quirky guy who knows a little bit about everything and talks to everyone.  I like to BS with him and we match wits.  He’s very much up my alley as far as people to try and antagonize.  There are certain personalities I do that to, and his is one of them.  He’s gone to school has a degree, done a little bit of a lot, but yet drives the bus for UTA.  He is a returned missionary, but I’m not sure if he considers himself mormon anymore.  Too bad I didn’t get more time to figure that out.  My teachers have been fascinating as well. Especially my music teacher and English teacher.  My music teacher can talk forever on just about any subject, particularly music ones. What really fascinates me about him is how much he’s lived.  He was a medic in the gulf war, did security for concerts in Las Vegas, traveled all over the United States and also performed outside.  He’s a Southern Baptist, but works with mormon productions such as Forgotten Carols and Lex De Azvedo’s Hosanna.  He runs a BBQ catering company, sings opera and teaches college.  His wife works for OSHA.  Just listening to him in class and the sheer volume of things he’s done fascinates me.  Then my English teacher, a tree hugging, hiking, rafting, don’t shave my legs type has also been interesting to get to know.  When I first came to her class she was kinda snappy and rude.  But as I got to know her I found she has a very nice personality, as long as she’s not feeling sick.  Then she goes back to the snappy rude person.  I thought maybe she was raised Mormon because of her saying she was raised in a strict environment, then I find out she’s the daughter of a mission president.  That surprised me.  I’ve loved getting to know all these different personalities.  I think it’s something left from my mission.  I liked it before, but ever since I came home, I just love learning about people.  In particular, those outside of my traditional Mormon world.  Everyone is unique and interesting, but sometimes it seems when I just stick to those in the church as my only social life I rarely get the people that hold a fascination for me like my bus driver or music teacher.  I think its because they’ve lived a life so foreign to mine, a world so different from the one I know.  I had that in Colorado, but here in Salt Lake there’s the added fascination of how they are related to the LDS world.  Its like you can’t live in Utah and be completely isolated from the Mormons.  Somehow they have a tie, and finding out that tie and how they look at it is pretty cool.  I’m going to miss that.  Hopefully when I get a job, I can find some of that again. 

Finally I do have one other item I wish to address.  Those with squeamish stomachs may want to just stop reading here…  I was having such a nice Sunday.  I’d gotten up at a decent time. Showered, gotten dressed, studied my scriptures... I was having a nice Sunday.  I was sitting on the lovesack playing on my laptop.  I was cold and I knew there was a blanket down there, probably behind me. So I reached around and I hear a ripping sound.  There was a can with an open lid, yup you guessed it…I sliced my finger on that can.  My right index finger…you know the one you use the most. I quickly ran upstairs to the bathroom to grab some toilet paper to stop the bleeding.  I was surprised at how much blood there was!  So I’m putting pressure on it, trying to stop the bleeding, and it’s not really stopping.  After showing Kim and making her stomach turn, we decided I probably needed to get stitches.  Kim offered to take me, but then she’d have to pile the boys in the car and that’d be a pain.  So I just decided I’d make Jeremy take me (What else is new? :-D) We went to the Saratoga Springs Instacare, and that one was closed on Sundays.  So I one handedly (literally) googled instacare on my phone.  There was one in Orem.  So off we go.  We get to Orem and start filling out paperwork only to find out they don’t accept our insurance.  So off we go to a different urgent care clinic that does take out insurance. This one is in Provo.  They numbed and stitched me up.  And that hurt worse than slicing my finger in the first place, especially the needle being stuck in my finger for the pain.  It numbed it up mostly, but I could still feel the point of the needle and the thread sliding through when the doctor stitched me up.  It took three stitches.  Kinda pathetic, all this work for so little.  But it needed to be done.  So that was quite the adventure.  I’m sure Jeremy’s going to start thinking I’m a lot of work!  We missed our church, but made it to the Spanish sacrament meeting.  That was nice to take the sacrament.  It brought back memories of playing piano in Spanish sacrament meetings in Pueblo.  If we ever get a chance to do that again, it would be cool.

Well I think that be the highlights of the past month.  Its been a while since I’ve blogged, but I was kinda waiting for news to share before I blogged again.  Being engaged is all sorts of exciting.  Everyone start digging out wedding ideas, because I’m going to need all the help I can get.  We’re going up to Cache Valley this weekend…I’m excited.  Meeting up with friends, hanging out with family, Christmas party…  School is almost over!  It will be good. Yea for weekends!

Friday I'm in Love

Hello hello!

What a great weekend.  It was surprisingly relaxing.  Jeremy and I drove to Logan for the weekend.  It seems like the weekends we travel, while fun, are kinda stressful.  But this weekend wasn't.  Maybe its because I was going home as opposed to somewhere else.  Granted Friday wasn't super relaxing for Jeremy. :-)  The purpose in going up this weekend was so he could talk to my Dad.  Apparently my Daddy is kinda intimidating... especially when a certain boyfriend is asking for permission to marry his oldest daughter.  Poor Jeremy about gave himself a ulcer.  He was ok until we got out of the canyon, then he started to rub a hole in my thumb.  We had to stop by Walmart to pick up some batteries.  We went through the whole walmart, passing two battery stations.  Then we finally got some batteries, and started to get in line.  Then Jeremy was like, I need some chap-stick.  So we got some chap-stick.  Then he was like I need some gum.  So we go get gum, of course it had to be extra polar ice, which required looking in the different check stands until we found it.  Then as we were getting in line he decided the chocolate milk looked good.  So we grabbed that.  By the time we got in the car he had drank most of it.  Twenty minutes later it was making his stomach already jmore upset than it was.  I've heard of girls comfort shopping, but watching Jeremy may have been the first time I've seen a guy comfort shop.  I love you anyways Jeremy.  Its funny now though.

We finally made it to the fire station so he could talk to Daddy.  Daddy was washing his truck so we helped with that.  Then Jeremy's dad called to give him a hard time. That wasn't very nice :)  After a while we went in the firestation and I gave Jeremy the grand tour of the station.  Mainly to kill time while my mom came up.  Then the grand moment.  Jeremy survived talking to my dad.  He has to learn the Young Women's theme, but thats ok.  Its not too hard.  I'll practice with him.  As for the next step, a ring...soon.  Very soon.  By thanksgiving likely.  Its up to him, I told him he can propose whenever, I just want an official proposal.

Friday night we went to Iron Gate Grill.  It was actually pretty good.  I was surprised.  My dad gave me a gift-card ages ago.  He didn't know how much was on it, so we checked.  $30!  Nice.  It paid for our meal we just had to pay tip and like two dollars.  Free dinner yea!  I got the chicken cordon blue.  Yummy stuff.  Then we went to a Mindy Gledhill concert around the corner.  Way fun!  I've heard of her and listened to some of her songs, but never officially became a fan.  Her new CD Anchor was alot of fun to listen to.  Its very bubbly and upbeat.  She also performed a song called "Friday I'm in Love".   Ok this is totally Jeremy and I's theme song.  We LIVE for Fridays now and the start of the weekend.  Its a random song she sang, its not on her CD or anything.  Heartbreak.  I hope she uses this song on her next album.



Saturday was really nice.  I slept in until 8:30 which was nice.  I went up and helped my grandma a little bit with breakfast. I finally decided at 9:30 it was time for Jeremy to get up.  Apparently he thought it was only 8...the clock on the wall doesn't work and he was thinking about 8:30 he'd get...only it never reached it.  I laughed...alot.  Breakfast was good.  I love my grandma's pancakes.  She makes them from scratch, no bisquick for her.  I have such a hard time understanding why bisquick is so much easier.  Grandma just mixed some oil milk and flour and it was just as good.  I need to get her recipe.  After stopping at my house for a little bit we went to Dan and Stephanie's house.  It was sooo good to see them. I've really missed them.  We had fun playing aggravation.  Jeremy kick all of our butts.  I also introduced Jeremy to Casper's.  Yummy ice cream.  I can't say its the best ever, but it is good.  Also the atmosphere is fun, a little ice cream shop in Lewiston. I love Cache Valley.  I don't know if I'd want to live in Logan or even Smithfield, but Richmond or Lewiston...I think I'd like that. But wherever we end up I'll love it.  Later that night we went to my house where poor Jeremy had to survive the Downs Family Mario Cart.  He didnt' come in last everytime...which is quite the accomplishment.  I don't think they've really played since I left, I was able to hold my own and I was rusty.

He also got to meet some of my uncles, Uncle Ron and Kelly.  Kelly stopped by after the Aggie game, and as always was a hoot.  He's got quite the personality.  If nothing else Jeremy cannot say he wasn't warned about joining the nutty family.  He sure got a taste of it Saturday night.

Sunday was nice, I took him to the singles ward and introduced him to a few people.  It was actually kind of fun to show him off.  Lol we even got some marriage comments. What fun!  I love the branch...thats now a ward.  I got to see it grow and change so much.  I'm glad I could be such a part of that.  The drive home was nice as well.  I was surprised at how relaxing the weekend was.  Usually when we travel its kinda stressful, but this one wasn't.  It was nice...for a change.  Next weekend will be interesting.  We are going down to his family to cut down a tree or something.  I'll just show up...as usual.

Things are going good overall.  There's opposition of course, things aren't going perfectly, and it seems to intensify the better things go.  But I know holding on will help and things will get better.  If things aren't going crazy it means something isn't right.  Keep telling myself that...

Ward temple night tonight! I'm excited.  And Jeremy is coming back! Yahoo.  Last week he was gone from Sunday night to Thursday afternoon.  I was so lonely!  I'm glad its only two days time.  So I'd better finish getting ready!

      

Trax Travels

So for kicks and variety, I thought I'd post my english paper on here.  I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be done with the boring report part of English 2010.  This next part is supposed to be more creative and personal.  Something I think I will do better with.  If nothing else its easier for me to BS my way through.  Happy Readings.

Trax Travels

                The doors to the train slide open.  A gust of air brushes against my face, the smell of oil from the train and of too many bodies in an enclosed space accompany it.  Normally white, today the car has a blackish-grey covering, a modern techy design with white words bolding declaring “10 Years and counting…. 110 million riders to date!”  I climb up the silver stairs with yellow striping on the ends, automatically grasping the silvery bar meant to keep riders from falling.  I try not to think of how many hands have also grasped that bar, and where those hands might have been.  A worn blue faded seat beckons to me, I am grateful there is a seat, and quickly move towards it, sliding next to the window. Sometimes there isn’t one and I am forced to stand holding on to the silver bar, trying to keep my balance.   Sitting down on a seat is much more comfortable.  I glance out the window, but only for a moment.  The scenery no longer interests me.  The buildings, streets and trees change only slightly, the train flies by too fast for the eye to notice the changes.  Only the construction sites seem to change much. 

I notice a smell of cigarette on a coat never washed and alcohol assaulting my nose. It draws my attention from the window to the guy sitting across from me.  His blonde-grey hair is entwined in knots blending in with a scraggly ill-kept beard.  He wears a dark green coat that has various stains on it, mostly dark and wet.  A frayed tear is on the right sleeve revealing a worn red flannel shirt.  His brown eyes stare out the window, but are distant as if he’s looking at something that isn’t outside.  He is oblivious to his surroundings, including me staring at him.  One hand is placed under his chin, his elbow leaning against the narrow ledge of the window, the other hand curled up in his lap.  His jeans, once a dark blue are now faded with stains similar to the ones on his coat, are too short for him.  Grey socks stick out of solid brown shoes, they are ragged and frayed and in want of a washing machine. 

I feel myself being pushed forward, this distracts me from staring at the guy in front of me. The cars grind and clang to a stop.  “Millcreek thirty-three hundred south” the computer voice tells me. I glance at a speaker over my head.  The voice irritates me, loud and monotone, I wish I could get her to shut up. “Next station:  Meadowbrook, thirty-nine hundred south. Passengers must purchase ticket before boarding.”  Sighing, I decide to ignore the voice and glance around again.  My favorite part of riding trax is to “people watch”.  Rarely do I see the same people twice.  The usual varieties of people fill the train.  Businessmen with their suit jackets and shiny shoes, open briefcases revealing a slew of important looking papers , picking one to read.  Teenagers sit and gossip about who is going out with whom and debate about which twilight character is hotter.  A mother tries to keep her toddler from grabbing the purse of the women across from her.  Students study textbooks or listen to their ipods, heads nodding to the beat.

Kitty-Corner from me is a pale, skinny girl.  She has long brown hair and is engrossed in a book.  I tilt my head as I glance at her.  She reminds me of myself, eight years ago.  I too would have been reading a romance novel set in the 1800s, sitting alone on a train.  A smile drifts across my face as I notice our similarities.  Her hair, though long and pretty, is kept free from any sort of trend or style.  Her face, clear from any sort of blemish, is also make-up free.  Her clothes are clean, but slightly out of style. I smile as she gets off at the next stop, silently wishing her luck in life.  I hope she learns to love real life instead of books sooner than I did. I’m lost in the memory of the girl I used to be.

BEEP-BEEP-BEEPBEEP-BEEEEEP.  The doors close with a thud and clank. Once again I am pushed back as the train speeds up to its next stop.  I shift in my seat, the blue benches aren’t comfortable.  They have probably been sat on too many times.  As I glance at the train, I am mildly surprised that there is no sign of vandalism or abuse.  It is relatively clean, it reflects Salt Lake City, clean to the public eye. However, it’s the back streets that you find the hidden trash.  Perhaps Trax is the same way; in the storage shed are the cars that get vandalized.  The scenery passes by me as I glance out the window again.  I’m almost to Sandy, I can tell because the buildings of businesses and stores have given way to homes.  I can see over the wall into people’s backyard.  Do the owners ever think of the fact that people on the train can see into their back yards? Or do they no longer care? The train has faded into the background of their lives, another part of everyday life.

“Sandy Civic Center, one hundredth south.”  The annoying female voice interrupts my musings. I stand up.  I almost chant with the lady “The end of the line, as far as we go.”    When I start mimicking the female voice, maybe it’s a sign I ride Trax too much.  My fingers push the bright yellow button on the silver railing, again I cringe as I think of the many people that have touched the button.  The doors swish open, then a clank as they hit the sides of the car.  I step down the silver and yellow stairs, automatically grabbing the silver railing again. Glancing at the train I once again read the words “110 million riders.”  

Everyday is the Start of Something Beautiful

Here I am...blogging again.  Mainly because Jeremy went to Salina to help his dad and I find myself not knowing quite what to do with my time.  My life has become school, homework, watching Chase and Logan, Jeremy, and more Jeremy.  Its great!  Except for today.  Whatever did I do before I had him around to keep me entertained?  Oh yeah...I didn't do anything.  :-)

I've discovered Grooveshark.  (Thanks Jeremy)  Its way cooler than Pandora.  I think I'll still use Pandora to find new music though.  Grooveshark is cool in that I can just search a song, put it in a playlist and listen to it whenever I want.  I can't put it on an MP3 player or anything (if I had one anyways), but I can listen on my computer.  Thats when I listen to most of my music these days anyways.  Its way cool.  A new world has opened up for me!

I've never lived for the weekend like I have the past couple of months.  I can't wait until Friday when my music class is over, and all I have is Friday Forum.  Then when I have been uplifted I can go home and begin my weekend, which usually consists of doing stuff with Jeremy.  Last Friday we went to Salina to carve pumpkins and have chicken and dumplings.  Yum.  I'm a fan of chicken 'n dumplings.  I had it once on my mission and a less-active home.  Then again when I went to Georgia.  So good.  His Mom is a good cook.  I should get her to teach me to make bread or something...  Jeremy and his family go nuts with pumpkins.  Ok so I grew up in a home where we get our pumpkins, and grab a spoon and kitchen knife.  We cut a somewhat circular hole in the top, scrape out all the seeds with the spoon, then grab the kitchen knife, cut triangles for eyes and nose (or circles) and then cut a whatever shaped mouth we wanted.  Well to put it mildly...Jeremy's family doesn't do that.  I walk in and there are these pattern books everywhere.  When Jeremy first started talking about patterns, I thought he was talking about sewing...I was so confused.  Well we cleared that out, and I picked out a ghost pattern. It looked simple enough for me.  So we went to make a copy of the pattern, and the printer won't work.  There was a bit of drama!  Trying to get the printer to work, then taking it over to grandma's to copy them their.  It took most of the movie "Up" (good show by the way) to get the patterns copied.  Remember you are talking to the girl who cuts triangles in pumpkins.  I was like...we can't just carve a smiley face?  But they were adamant they have patterns and cool pumpkins.  Well we finally did get our patterns, and then they break out the tools!  There are all sorts of 'saws' and a pokey thingy for outlining the pattern and scoopers.  Nuts.  Jeremy cut a hole in the top of my pumpkin.  It was even shaped like a pumpkin.  I had to laugh.  This was a highly entertaining Crane tradition.  By the time it was done, they did look pretty cool.  Jeremy picked an intricate one that took all night...however it did look cooler than mine, which was done before he was done doing the pokey pattern thing.

 

It was different to spend the night at his place.  I must admit waking up and finding him in the front room is really nice.  Once again I'm being spoiled.  I've also found out Jeremy is great motivation to get my homework done.   I had a paper that needed to be done on Monday.  I hadn't really started it...and it was Saturday.  I made him drop me off at the house and I couldn't do anything else until that was done.  Well I cranked out five pages of researched information dripping with opinion, in about three hours.  Not to shabby I think.  We then hung out at Walmart.  Great huh?  I wanted to print some pictures of us off for Sister Yancey.  I was going to tell her it was me and her step-daddy.  For those of you who don't know, when you are trained as a missionary, the sister who trains you is considered your 'mother' and the district leader is your 'dad'.  Well...things aren't going to work out between Sister Yancey (the sister I trained) and her 'dad' (Elder Prior)...so Jeremy will have to be her step-daddy.  Hopefully she finds it funny.  I do anyways.

I'm starting to use the words 'us' and 'we' alot.  I was with my aunts, grandma and mom yesterday and we were talking about Christmas parties.  I was totally like let us know when it is so we can be there.  Jeremy wasn't even with me!  Since when did me become we?  I wouldn't have it any other way.

I have a new favorite song.  All We Are by Matt Nathanson.  I know...its kind of a lost love song. And in that situation, I am not!  But I love the feeling I get from it.  Especially the last two phrases.

'cause all we are, we are,
all we are, we are.
and every day is the start of something beautiful
Something real

Because all we are, we are,
And all we are, we are.
Every day is the start of something beautiful
Beautiful.

To me this song is like love is what it is, we are what we are... and to enjoy it as it is, because every day is the 'start of something beautiful'.  Especially that line.  Everyday for me is the start of something beautiful. Love each day for what it brings, I don't need to look for more because today is beautiful.  I'm loving it as it is and smiling.  Its real and I hope it never ends.

Life is a crazy adventure!

Well ...I haven't been on facebook in forever, and blogging has been even longer.  Things have been going great.  Time has gone funny on me again.  Much like the MTC very long days, but yet short weeks.  Its nuts. I eat, sleep, go to school or watch the boys, and hang out with Jeremy.  That be my life.  But no complaints whatsoever! 



I finally got to go to conference!  It was amazing! When I first started talking to Jeremy, I made the comment along the lines of how cool it would be to go to General Conference.  He then rains on my parade by trying to tell me its not that great.  I called him out on it and told him I had always wanted to go.  By then he felt guilty so he promised to take me.  We originally had tickets to go to Saturday Afternoon session, but Bishop gave our tickets to someone else.  I was pretty bummed out about that.  But we decided we would try anyways.  We also were going to ride Trax into downtown as well.  I'd forgotten my pass, so all in all we ended up having to find parking.  We thought we found a spot, but then I was like, are we sure this isn't two hour parking or something.  Sure enough it was. So we got back into the car and started driving.  Two blocks down we came by this little mechanic's shop.  They were charging $5.00 to park at their shop.  Really, we aren't going to get much better than that.  So we pulled in.  It was about two blocks from conference center.  Then came time to start begging for tickets.  We walked around holding two fingers up, but no luck.  Finally Jeremy was like lets go to the stand-by line.  We went to the back of the line to wait (and pray)  when we saw this guy giving out tickets that was about a half inch thick.  I was like how pathetic can I look?  Well we got our two.  I couldn't believe it. I kept looking at them expecting them to not be the real deal but they were!  What a miracle!  I was so grateful! I was going to general conference!  We sat on the floor, the second group back, just to the right of the pulpit.  Really you can't get much better than that unless you know someone!  The afternoon session was amazing!  I got to hear my two favorite apostles Elder Scott and Elder Anderson.  Made me very happy.  I've been wanting to go to conference for a very long time!


We also got to play meet the parents.  Parts I and II.  A few weeks ago we went down to Salina and I got to meet his niece, sister, mom, dad, and grandma and grandpa crane. They were nice, it was good to finally meet them.  We did a session in the Manti Temple.  Loved it.  It makes my top three list. (The other two in case you are wondering are mt. Timp and Logan)  I  loved the Pioneer craftmanship.  It was incredible.  I'd love to go back soon. Then this weekend Jeremy got to meet my parents and family.  We also did a session at the Logan temple.  It was nice to go to a temple where I knew exactly where I was going.  Then afterwards we stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Downs'.  It was good to see them,  then the my parents and the girls came over, and so that was fun.  Big get-to know you at Grandma's house.  We then took the girls and Brennan to the cornmaze.  Aymee booked us through it pretty quick.  We aren't sure if its because she had to go to the bathroom or if it was that she was scared if we were lost too long it would become haunted and someone would jump out at her.  Or maybe both.  Then we went with my parents to Frederico's for some pizza.  It was way greasy, but the garlic bread was great.  We then went to Aggie Ice cream. We spent the night at Grandma Pitchers, which was an adventure.  I haven't spent the night at grandma's in ages.   I was so full.  My family liked Jeremy. Especially both of my grandma's.  Mission was successful.


I've also gotten to try Brazilian food.  I'm sure its been somewhat americanized, but its actually not too bad.  We went to that place in the Gateway.  Starts with a C.... after General Conference.  Then the following weekend I was spoiled by Jeremy's Dad, who took us to Rodizio Grill. (must be a sign the guy likes me right?)  Its actually not too bad, I liked it more than I though.  Would I have wanted to serve in Brazil? No.  But its been fun to go eat Brazilian food.  I liked the pasta with the alfreado sauce and I'm a big fan of the turkey wrapped in bacon.  I also tried grilled pineapple.  It was the best pineapple I've ever had.  However I still don't like pineapple.  It was also wild game night...I wouldn't touch the rattlesnake with a five foot pole.  Jeremy tried it...and somewhat liked it.  Must admit...I was somewhat reluctant about kissing him after that...


Hmmm lets see what else has been happening?  Mostly just hanging out with Jeremy.  I now have a V-Ting route and a calling. I'm on the publicity committee.  School goes on.  I'm loving life.  Its been a crazy whirlwind, but its great.  I never expected all this when I moved down here.  I knew it was the right thing to do, and great things are happening.  Well I'll try not to let it be so long before I write again.  Toodles.

Team-Ups

Wow its been a little while since I've written.  So much has changed since then.  I thought life changes dramatically when you get transferred to a new area.  Well apparently I don't have to have transfers for life to change.  But just maybe team-ups.

For those of you who've been following facebook, this will come as no surprise...I've started dating the most amazing guy ever.  His name is Jeremy.  Apparently these singles wards and institutes work.  I met him at institute and church.  To give the short version, we just started talking.  I really enjoyed talking to him.  We started hanging out together... we played ping pong in his basement after FHE, then there was Ward Temple night and we saw each other there, and then institute again on Thursday, we went to a park and just sat and talked.  It was really nice.  That was two weeks ago.  Last week was so much fun.  We went for walks and played ping pong again.  We had our first 'official date' by going to the cannery.  I could go another few weeks without seeing another peach and be happy.  The clean up was fun though. I'd totally go fro that again.  We scrubbed and mopped and I got Jeremy's pants wet.  It was fun.  I was kind of surprised by how throughly they cleaned that place.  Everything got cleaned!  That a  was fun, then Friday was a blast.  We went to Friday Forum at SLCC.  Jon Schmidt was speaking. I really liked what he talked about turning your life over to God.  He quoted one of my favorite quotes (I know I have alot of those)  My aunt Kim sent it to me while I was on my mission.  I placed it on my desk and read it often. "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their soals, and pour out peace."   Its something I've really thought about and wanted to work to.  He also talked about how if  two righteous people are trying to follow God's will, he won't let them make too many wrong steps without letting them know about it.  It brings me alot of hope.  

So far things feel good so I'm moving forward. After that we went to the SLC temple, that was really a sweet experience.  I'm starting to fall in love with that temple too.  I love the live sessions.  Then was the Joseph Smith Movie.  Good movie too.  All in all it was a good day.  Saturday was nice as well.  I had some homework to get done, but when that was done Jeremy and I spent some time together.  Relief Society Broadcast was amazing.  I really liked Sister Thompson's talk on Visiting Teaching.  I really wish I had a VT route.  Granted it throws me back into missionary mode major (see June 2 Blog for referance).  Then President Monson spoke.  He really chastised us.  But in the most loving, non-hurtful way. It was a lesson on not judging and replacing it with Charity.  I really liked it.  I got over alot of my judging on my mission, but as always there is still more I can do.  Especially in showing charity to others and reaching out.  After the broadcast Jeremy picked me up and we went and played games for a little bit with Mike and Derek.  Then we had a nice walk afterwards.  I like going for walks.  

Sunday was good.  We went to church together and then came back to Kim's and made pancakes for dinner, and watched Work and the Glory.  Of course followed by a walk.  We usually aren't alone on these walks by the way, usually there is a cat or dog following us...as if we need a chaperon... it it wasn't ruining a very romantic walk, it would be funny.

I like where things are going.  No ring soon for those of you wondering, but it is progressing quite nicely towards that.  We will have to see what happens.  I'm not in a hurry.  If its right, then we have eternity together and why rush this time?  It feels very unique and I don't want to blow through it.  We shall see. I like him alot. I've never met someone I would want to spend so much time with...and he with I. Life is good.

We went to Shoshone Falls with my family two weekends ago.  We stopped by this bench and this plaque was on the ground by the bench.  I really liked it.

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one

I'd like to leave an afterglow of

smiles when life is done.

I'd like the tears of those who

grieve to dry before the sun of

happy memories that I leave

when life is done

Now don't worry, I'm not planning on dying anytime soon!  There is too much to live for right now!  But I like what that says, and I'd want the memory of my life to be a happy one.  Its a goal to live for!

Crimson Sky

This will be a quick post because I am supposed to be writing a report..  But I have discovered a new artist and a new song.  Crimsom Sky is what it is called by Brian Crain.  I almost want to say this song expresses my feelings at the moment...

Where are you Christmas? Why do I hear you?

So I may be going slightly crazy.  I know thats not news, but the latest development might be.  I'm listening to Christmas music. I can't say why. Maybe its the cooler weather?  Maybe its because I'm tired of all the music I have. (I haven't really bought any new music since before the mish...I can't justify spending money on music when the radio is free and I have school to pay for).  I've dug out all my Christmas music and I'm working my way through it.  I even went to the broadcast page of past Christmas Devotionals.  Last Christmas I watched the devotional and the choir performed 'O Holy Night'  It was such a powerful song,  I even started to get emotional, which doesn't happen too often.  I wanted to hear that song again, once just was not enough!  Shortly afterwards I had a miracle.  My grandma sent me a Mo-Tab CD, it had O Holy Night on it.  It wasn't the exact same song, but the same version with a soloist.  Close enough for me.  But now that I have access to the internet I found it and copied onto my computer.  I love Christmas!  Why can't we have it like twice a year?  But I guess it wouldn't be the same if it was in June...something to do with snow.

I also like Halloween.  Why you ask?  Because that is the start of candy season.  I love it when chocolate is on sale and it will last clear until the cabury mini eggs (my favorite) for Easter, at which I will bare a sad farewell to candy season.

Trials.  I'll admit life has seemed to intensify lately.  I can't exactly put my finger on why.  I just feel some opposition.  Once again I am grateful for a mission.  I understand trials slightly better now.  Even though its not easy, I understand its for a couple of reasons.  A) I need to grow. This lack of growth the past six months feels odd, after such an intense amount of growth and change in Colorado, has felt different.  I know I needed a break, but now I'm ready.  B) I know I'm where I'm supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Satan tends to not like that for some reason.  So when he's not happy....tries to make us less happy.  And finally C) Something good must be coming!  Storms and hard times always come before blessings.  I'm determined not to let it get to me.  Things will work out, they always do. I just must have faith and hope.

I'm still catching up on missing all the mormon messages.I really liked this one by Elder Holland.  He was speaking to himself as a young father who was trying to take care of his family.  Now he speaks to me muddling my way through life (and you doing whatever it is you are doing)

"Don't you quit! You keep walking! You keep trying.  There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon.  Some come late. Some don't come until heaven.  But for those that embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.  It will be alright in the end.  Trust God, and believe in good things to come."

Keep your faith and hope alive. The best is yet to be! (another favorite talk by Elder Holland.)  Well I must get to bed.  I took too long of a nap and now I'm up too late.  Good thing when I go to church on Sunday it will be in Smithfield which means church is at 9 I think.  (why did they change the perfect time of 10:30?) That will get me back in regular sleep mode.  Good night one and all!

PS I'm also discovering speeches.byu.edu  could be dangerous...

Wordle

Wow, two posts in two days!

I discovered this fun site. Its called Wordle.net  You put in the link to your blog and it comes up with this:

Fun isn't it?

Wow I can't believe I haven't written since I've moved down!  I thought I did, but must not have.  So I'm now moved out of my parents house and playing nanny at my aunt's.  Its fun. I have a new singles ward and school, and kind of a new life.

So the insanity has not ended. I broke down and bought the 7th season.  I couldn't really afford it, but I did it anyways.No more fun stuff for a while.  However I am pacing myself, I can only watch it while exercising on the bike. It keeps me from spending hours watching it and gets me moving, two things that I need.  Speaking of addictions.  My aunt is watching Glee...and there is a chance by the time I move out that could be a new addiction.  I hope not! One is as much as I can handle.  For you les mis fans..youtube glee and I dreamed a dream!  Beautiful!

Amish Friendship Bread was amazing.  I'd forgotten how good it was.  I get to bake some more on Thursday. My aunt and her family said it was good...I hope they were telling the truth when they said  they liked it, because its coming every ten days.  We're working on figuring out how to give it away better.  The bread sticks to the loaf pans.  Thats a problem. I'm sure we can figure it out.  

School is fun, My teachers are on such opposite ends of the spectrum its crazy. My first teacher is a mormon mom graduated from BYU, I like her she has a good sense of humor and teaches communications.  Then I go to my second class who is this guy from New York with this thick New York accent so I’m trying to decipher what he is saying, and then on top of it it’s a psychology class so he’s using all this big words that after I figure out what the word is I have to think of the meaning…in between spews on evolution which I miss most of the time because I’m still three sentences behind.  It all works out.  Then I go to my music class and its this crazy guy from Arkansas who sings opera, but is totally just into any kind of music.  Picture a big football coach sized guy with a flavor of rock in the 80s but is growing his beard out because he will play Isaiah in Lex de Azevedo’s Hosanna in December.  He is southern Baptist and totally has the personality that goes with it.  He’s nuts and entertains me, so I like him. (I always like people that entertain me)  When that is over I go to institute which is such a good feeling to walk in and just feel the spirit.  Then I go to my English class which is a lady who wears a mini skirt and sleeveless top…but doesn’t shave.  Yeah got her pegged as the vegetarian tree hugging involved in all these crazy causes type.  She seems ok. At least she seems to be growing on me the more I go to her class. Maybe she just doesn't like first days of school.  


I also had an amazing experiance on Friday.  Missionary experience!  I went to institute for Friday Forum.  They won’t have a speaker until the 10^th (bummer).  But there were free hotdogs…so I stayed. I also was trying to make friends, it gets kind of lonely not having any friends down here to hang out with.  I ended up talking to this recent convert; she was baptized about six weeks ago.  She was telling about her sister who was baptized a week before her.  Her sister has stopped going to church, saying that the members were ‘too much’.  I talked to her for a bit and by the end I was testifying that God does watch over his children he loves her and will help her come back when it’s time, his time.  Like what President says, even if they fall away, they are baptized and they can be found.  She told me that she prays for her and I shared one of my favorite scriptures 2 Nephi 33:3-4 and how just as Nephi prayed for his people, we too can know as we pray for those we love God will take those prayers and use them for the gain of who we pray for. It was really cool, we traded numbers, and I’d like to keep in contact with her she’s pretty cool.  AND THEN: as she was leaving this kid randomly comes up asks if there are different degrees of sin. I was kind of like what?  But I started talking to him and we talked about what happens after we die and then by the end we’d gone over most of the plan of salvation.  It was really cool.  He likes the plan of salvation, I tried to tell him it’s because it’s true and bore my testimony.  He declined meeting with missionaries, but it was fun to figuratively put the missionary tag back on and feel the missionary spirit.  Although I am repenting of the fact that I didn’t have an extra Book of Mormon, I’ll have to dig in my missionary stuff and pick up the one I brought home and stick it in my bookbag. I even tried to tell him to go to mormon.org.  To be honest I never thought I would have the opportunity to spontaneously do a ‘ITL’ in Utah.  I figured if I did any missionary work it would be with someone I meet in class and over the course of the semester…  It would be way cool if I could do that again.   It was neat that the Lord trusted me to be his tool, I'm sure he could have tweaked it so that the kid asked when the institute council was there, or when the teacher was coming out, but I was blessed to be a part of that.  It was really inspiring.  

I've also discovered Mormon Messages.  They came out while I was on my mission so I'm kind of late in the game... this is one of my favorite talks ever. I love Elder Worthlin.

No matter what life throws at as, learn to love the moment, there is so much to be gained from every experience.  I hope I can remember that.
  

Well I think thats plenty for tonight!  Have a good night/day/morning...whatever time you are on

insanity

So its been a while since I've posted. Almost a month. I do have an excuse...NCIS my current addiction. I've pretty much neglected everything leisure time,..facebook...surfing the web...playing mario cart..writing missionaries.. and heaven forbid...books!  My sister and dad really like it and I almost managed to maintain a passing interest.  Until I saw the end of season three and it had a cliff hanger...I had to see what happened!  I was hooked.  I watched all of season three and most of season four on Youtube.  I merciful person had posted full episodes.  But then they ran out.  Of course Hastings did not have it for rent and it seemed my only option was to buy it.  They are expensive!  Then I got the brilliant idea of netflixs!  I got my mom to subscribe and talked her into letting me get the last two discs of season four.  That worked. I  watched that and then was able to move into season five.  My dad owns season six (which I am currently on). I expect the frenzy to fade as soon as I'm done with sixth season.  Hopefully.  I do need to figure out how to see season 7.  Netflixs is a struggle because I'm moving to my aunts.  Buying..out of the question.  I'll figure it out.  Its not released until the 24th anyways...I'll find a way.  Then I'll be ready for season 8 when it starts up Sept. 21.  There will be an end to this madness!

Colorado was a blast! I am so glad I went.  It was so good to see everyone!  I really felt like I was someone special to them and I was loved.  It really helped me feel good about my mission.  I got to see just about everyone I wanted to.  It was a long drive there though.  9 hours from Lehi.  My uncle was nice enough to lend my his GPS.  Gratitude!  I think I would have gotten lost in Grand Junction if I didn't have it.  I made it to Zac's reception and got to see him.  He gave me a huge hug!  Kinda weird, in a nice way.  I think if I hadn't been a missionary, we would have been much better friends.  His wife is beautiful, he's a lucky guy.  Sunday was nice...to go to church and see people and talk to them.  I was surprised by how there wasn't much awkwardness, it felt like being with friends again.  On Monday I went to Zone Conference.  Not something I planned on doing.  I called Sister Pfile on Sunday asking if I could see them.  She told me that an Elder was really sick and they wouldn't come up until Monday morning and leave immediately after Zone Conference.  Bummer.  She told me to join then for lunch at conference.  I really did want to see them, so I went. I didn't really intend on seeing all the Elders, but some were really happy to see me!  That was nice as well.  Mainly it was ones that I knew as greenies.  Elder Diaz even wanted a picture!  President and Sister Pfile...I was so happy to see them.  I didn't realize what a rock they became to me.  I've missed them, alot. I ended up staying for the rest of conference.  I even bore my testimony.  I didn't intend to, and hope I didn't overstay my welcome.  It felt good to be taught by them again.  It was on adversity, so I could apply it.  I'll miss then again.  Only 9 months until they go home.  I wonder if we will still stay in contact after that...I hope so.  I also got to go the FHE.  We went out onto the ranch and played capture the flag.  That was fun too.  Its not my favorite night game, but it will do.  I got to really talk to everybody. I kinda wish I lived there. I would know where I fit in, I'd have friends.  Oh well.  Time to make a new life here.

Hence the next part.  School starts next Wednesday.  I'm kinda excited.  Nervous, its a big change.  I'm hoping to move out of my parents house and when this semester is up if my aunt doesn't need me to nanny finding me an apartment and job.  Change. Gotta love it.  I'm going to school in Salt Lake, so I'll drive into town and catch trax.  Then ride that in. It will take more time (I think, I don't know how rush hour traffic would change things) but I'll save on gas.  I only pay 15 a month. Not too bad.  I'm taking an English class, music, psyc and communications.  Basically what I need for OTA and hopefully an associates degree.   I sent in my OTA application a week ago.  I haven't heard back.  I really hope I get in.  I felt good about it.  If I don't it will really mess up my plans.  However I won't think that way.  Its an indication of a lack of faith.  I will get in. I did what the counselor told me to do and she said I should get in.

Last Saturday I got to go to Salt Lake and watch Stephany go through the temple.  That was so amazing!  That was one of my goals left from my mission I hadn't met yet, that I still could. I loved being there with her as she took out her endowments, I wasn't her escort, and thats ok.  I'd probably gotten her lost. But to be there was pretty neat. The Salt Lake temple is so beautiful! I'm glad I'm going to school in Salt Lake, I can just catch Trax and go in to do a session.

I found it!  I wasn't sure if I ever would.  I found the Amish friendship bread!  A member in Pueblo gave it to us. It is a starter bread so we would keep part of it and bake it every 10 days.  High maintenance!  We managed to keep doing it until I went to Alamosa.  When I got there it was more of a challenge.  It kept caving in (that was weird) and I didn't have Sister Yancey to keep it up. She is good at that stuff like she was the one that kept the area book up to date.  She was good at it too.  I failed miserably when I went to Alamosa.  I couldn't keep up either one!  I'm excited to have it again.  I'm hoping to figure out how to make it so we don't have as much dough left at the end. You are supposed to make it so there is four starters,one for you and three for someone else.  We ran out of people pretty quick to give it to.  I'm wondering if I cut the cups added in on day 6 and 10.  Like maybe a half cup of each instead of a whole cup.  We'll see.  I also found out you can freeze it.  That is good news.  There is no way I can keep that up forever. It would be nice to take it out every once in a while and make it.  I'm so excited. Yummiest stuff ever!

Well thats all for now.  Just working on packing and moving.  And watching NCIS.  Three more discs to go and then in insanity will end.  Until I find something new!

Georgia...Florida...Colorado...my what the travelers we are turning into

My its been a very long time since I've posted! My apologies!

Georgia was a blast! Plane ride was long...I think they are like movies, always better if you share them with someone else. When I landed the first thing I felt was humidity. Yup I'm not in Utah no more. Amy was there to pick me up at the end of a very long airport. Her brother was telling me that the airport is over a mile long...Good thing I figured out the train deal... She looks so good! I'm so glad I got to see her!

We had a blast, the missionaries came over for dinner. That was the first time I've had dinner with missionaries, not being one myself. Its a bit different when its on the other end. They stayed two hours, kind of annoying. Then we played mario cart. Of course, I cannot escape that game anywhere. I showed them how to play it and a few tricks...by the end of it her brother and sister were beating me. The next day we went to stone mountain. Its a huge granite 'mountain' that they carved Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson (the confederacy president) into the mountain. It was actually pretty fun. We rode the train, went to the museum rode the tram thingy to the top. Wandered around the top, got way too far away and payed for it in pain as we had to hike up this steep steep rock. We also ate at this really really good resturant. If you go there, you have to eat at the southern cooking resturant. The food there was amazing! Minus the deep fried pickles. Yuck on that one. But the fried sweet potatoes were good. They put sugar on them. I also had chicken and dumplings...ahhh so good. Too bad its like 3,000 miles away, I'd totally go there more often.

I also got to see a plantation. It was more of a touristy small one, but it was one nonetheless. Maybe next time I'll see a real one. It was so neat to see all the stuff they had. I'd seen pioneer stuff from the same time period, but what they had was so much more pernament and elaborate. They had large paintings on the walls and pianos. They had desks and matching couches. It was really fun, I'd like to go see another one, maybe next time.

That night we had a BBQ with hamburgers and hot-dogs, typical fourth of July deal. Then they guys went to play paintball, while we got a gianormous sling shot and shot them with water balloons as they were shooting each other. I enjoyed that part. I also got to see my first fireflies. They are really pretty, I wish we had them here.

Sunday was nice, we watched Anne of Green Gables, and Anne of Alvelonea. It took about 7 hours and most of our Sunday. Then on Monday we went into Atlanta and saw the Olympic park and CNN and this fancy mall. My favorite was the world of coke! That is one place you must go to in Atlanta. We got to see how they make Coke and all this cool memorabilia. Coke is one of the few companies that has never changed its logo. We also saw a bunch of commercials and at the end you get to taste some of the coke products from around the world. South Africa tasted good. Mexico, bad, like melted cinnamon bears. Yuck. They also had a gift shop at the end. It was a blast.

I also....drumroll.... did go on a date there. It was fun. We went to a park and ate sandwhiches and then went on a little mini hike. It was nice. I haven't heard from him since, but it was fun to feel like maybe there is a guy out there that will ask me on a date. Maybe all I have to do is get a way from Smithfield...

Needless to say, Georgia was a blast! I wish I could have stayed longer. Too bad Amy had to work. It was so good to spend time with her. I really wish she would live in Utah, we'd be such great friends.

I did survive playing mom while my parents went off to Florida. That included dropping my parents off at the airport at 630, getting Dayna off to girls camp, getting up at 430 to drop Brennan off at the airport, to get him to Nauvoo, and keeping Aymee entertained so she wouldn't miss her mom too much. I cleaned cooked, and pretty much wore myself out!

Other than that...not too much. We went down Onida Narrows, I fell off my tube and scraped my foot up pretty good. The water was so deep this year! It made for a wild ride. I'm not sure I'm up to going again...

I'm way excited, I'm going to Colorado this weekend! Yea! Zac is getting married and his reception is the best excuse I've had all summer. So I'm taking it! I've been wanting to go back so bad! I miss Alamosa like crazy. How its going to work out, I'm not sure. I will pick Serena up from the airport on Friday. Saturday drive to Alamosa and stay there until Monday. This is where it gets tricky...My family might be going to Nauvoo. I can either meet them in Springs on Monday and continue on or stay a few more days and go home. I'm really torn. Especially since I invited Megan to come. I will have to talk with her. My parents were talking about going and doing a session in Nauvoo, I would love that. But its so complicated! Oh well it will work out. But I'm going! Yahoo!