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That kind of describes my day today, just another Monday. The whole day I have been thinking about updating this thing but there are so many things I would like to say and none of them have to do with what has happened the last couple weeks. Sigh. I guess I'll find a way to incorporate it as I highlight these last two weeks.

First, conference. It was both maddening and amazing all in one. The rush of kid lining up to fill out their mission papers is going to be pure chaos--but ultimately really good for sharing the gospel. For those of you that didn't know, I had been planing on going on a mission for a while, these news could not have come at a worse time for me. I have been so anxious to go that the moment I heard I wanted to leave right away; however, thinking of my future children and spouse, I decided finishing school might be a good idea before I go.... grrrrrrrr. I will be a grandma compared to those 18 & 19 year olds... Regardless, I am still very excited to go. Besides that little--major--freak out I really enjoyed conference. (Oh, and my sister and I play "spot Kingman"--an old, but favorite, choir teacher--while she sings in the choir... it gets crazy).

Second, I am so happy with the weather we have been having.  I absolutely love Utah. Yes, I know that it is ever so frustrating to head off to school in a cozy jacket only to walk out dying to be in a short-sleeve shirt and shorts, but I am in love with this place. I even pulled out a beanie that my lovely sister bought me. Oh and p.s. colored jeans are my favorite. 

With fall comes halloween!! I have a pet peeve: halloween. I am sure this will be my future kid's favorite holiday but I strongly dislike it. I don't like creepy people, much less being scared... and for some reason I have found a deep love for the thrill of being scared out of my pants!! Ever since I went with Natalie two(?) years ago I have been dying to go back to Hee Haw's Cornevil Night Terrors... To some this might be the baby version of a haunted corn maze but it is more than enough for me! My good lacrosse buddy Kaylor and her cousin came with me during fall break, we had a blast! A quick ride up the hill lead us to the Timpanogos temple, Kaylor had never been before so I showed off my most favorite temple ever.

 Fall break was a lot of fun this year. Not only was the corn maze an adventure but I got to see my best friend! Nat spent a couple days with my family, it is always so nice to have her around. Tina, Nat and I were going to go to the BYU Art museum but it got too late, instead we visited Subzero for the first time and saw Taken 2! We made fun of the guy with the tag still on his sweater and ran through the rain... we are soooo funny.

The best part of the weekend came when I had the brilliant idea to surprise my family with some pumpkins. Since I am a broke college student I suckered them into giving me money and I returned with "punkins", carving utensils, paint, and a little creativity. My grandparents (being from a land far, far away that doesn't believe in carving pumpkins--jk they just have never done it) had a great time cutting into the pumpkin and caving out the bats. I love being able to create new memories with the people I love most. More than anything though I am glad my grandma is doing a bit better. Her memory has a ton of missing spots but I'm happy to still have her around.

These are the final results of our punkin adventures, can you guess who made what??

(Please insert your ooo's and aaaahhhh's here. )

To add to this glorious season, I am so happy that the lacrosse season is getting closer and closer. We are looking a little small but it is still pre-season, hopefully by January we can have more than 9 girls playing. This new mission announcement has taken about 5 girls, leaving us kind of vulnerable for the season. Our first scrimmage is coming up this Saturday against the glorious University of Utah... we will get our butts handed to us but that's not what lacrosse is about--we are very determined to have more fun than the U. Hopefully this will help our team grow closer together, if not... well there goes $500! Haha. 

Although it has kind of been a crappy Monday I am excited for this week. I have made a goal to go to the temple twice a week since I have school later on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If anyone would like to join me just holla!--man, I think I'm so funny. 

Anyway, I think that is all the updating I have to do. I will try to not get so behind on blogging, but I make no promises.

Catching Up

So it has been quite a few days since I've posted last and, as usual, I am here to overwhelm this page with updates... This blog, after all, is not for your benefit but for the torture of my future kids. Mwahahah!!

This semester has already been a huge miracle. Every time I look at my planner I get completely stressed out but as I take it day by day I am able to recognize God's hand in everything I do. I mentioned how hard this semester has been in the homework department, I have yet to miss or turn in an assignment late... not to mention, my grades are nearly perfect. This is an impossible feat for me; not once in elementary through high school did I ever get such incredible grades (even my mom was amazed... how sad).

I got my results for my art history test: 95/100

Results for Astronomy: 90%

Shakespeare essay and sonnet memorization: A

Total grade for Marriage and Relationships: 97.9%

History:... to be determined after midterms next week...

What is going on?!?! This is too ridiculous. However, I am very grateful for the blessings that have come through hard work.

I strongly believe these blessings are coming about for 2 reasons: (1) I have been reading my scriptures and saying my prayers more than ever before, and (2) I am trying my best to magnify my callings. This year's General Relief Society conference was incredible. I had the great opportunity to go with my mom to our stake center to watch it, I am so grateful for the technology that allows us to watch and re-watch these great women speak. If you haven't had the chance to watch it, please take the time to. There was nothing more comforting than hearing Sister Reeves remind me that "the Lord has not forgotten you". I love this gospel.

Although most days I won't admit to it, I really do love living at home. Not only does it save money but it saves my sanity. A big perk of living at home is having the choice to attend my home ward. Don't worry, my bishop hounds me about going to single's wards all the time but I refuse. I will get married one day but for right now let me prepare for a mission and play with all the kids!

I miss my calling in the young women's a lot. I missed teaching them every Sunday and listen to the drama I am so glad I don't have to live with on a daily basis... that was until I got called to teach sunday school. Hahaha. I am once again to teach these wonderful young women and the young men.... This will be another adventure. Fortunately I have another week to prepare for this madness... thank heavens for conference weekend!

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things..." 

2 Nephi 2:11

This has been my motto for the past few days... In the midst of all these great blessings my family has experienced a great opposition to test our faith.

Besides my mother there is one other woman who has played a huge role in my life, my grandmother. My mom's mother has been there for us since birth. Every step of the way she has been here to support and love us, now it is our turn to do that for her. For the past couple years she has been having mini-strokes, or so they think. She will pass out, convulse, and finally lose her ability to move and speak for a while. Her memory is erased from that moment forward... The second time this happened my sister was the one who found her on the floor of our house early one morning. Despite test after test doctors cannot find anything wrong, only making this more frustrating for our family.

Monday was the third time that this happened. My grandfather, who usually leaves early in the morning for work, felt the need to stay home with my grandma... Miraculously he was able to catch her before she collapsed again. I got the "call me, its urgent" text from my mom and she delivered the news that they were rushing her to the hospital, yet again.

It is so hard to see someone you love in so much pain. Test after test was done and again nothing out of the ordinary was found. My poor grandma still can't remember what happened, who came to see her, or what she did earlier in the day... We can only hope she recovers and that doctors can find a way to help her. Through this time we can only hold on to our faith and trust that Heavenly Father will hear our prayers and bring comfort, patience, and understanding to our family...

Weekend Bliss

I was completely swamped yesterday between having my grandparents over (hence the little post yesterday) and desperately trying to memorize 25 pieces of art and countless details per artwork... I'm still not done but I figured I would decompress by posting about the concert on Friday.

Andy, a friend of mine, recently introduced me to the band The Head and the Heart, I had heard of them before but I hadn't really listened to them until Andy invited me to go with him and some of his friends to their concert... I walked out of there speechless. I have been to my fair share of concerts but that was, without a doubt, one of the best concerts I will ever go to! Blitzen Trapper and Bryan John Appleby opened for the band, only adding 2 more names to my favorite music list.

Bryan John Appleby

Blitzen Trapper

the amazing Head and the Heart

A little story behind this last image:

I wore my Hunger Games/Harry Potter shirt to the concert that I made. I had never had someone recognize/realize so it kind of caught me off guard when the lead singer John Appleby of BJA recognized it and loved it, I was in absolute shock! Not only did he love it but he gave me a free beer cozy (that little brown thing around the rootbeer bottle) and the whole band autographed it. I felt beyond awesome. 

The moment I got home I bought the Bryan John Appleby album, I have been listening to it non stop since Saturday!

In other news, today has been quite the long day. I spent more than half the morning still working on my art history test review and writing a couple papers for other classes. My day got better though, I love it when Nat takes time out of her day to come visit! Last time she came to visit it was Labor Day weekend, we spent the night goofing around and making crafts.

This was what I came up with:

My grandpa was sweet enough to help me out with sanding the picture frame while I made home-made chalkboard paint (thank you Pinterest). I wish I had a picture of Nat's craft, we didn't finish it but it looked really cool.

Today we worked on some homework together, Tina pinned her insects for biology, and listened to more music. We took a break from homework to work on a craft for Nat: 

We covered a canvas with the same chalkboard paint from last time, spray painted the wood gold and added a little quote--it says: "We live in a jar and think it is the sky"--I think it turned out great!

I love Sundays with family!

Now back to more homework... Let the week begin! 

I'm supposed to be doing homework...

.... Instead I'm sitting at the dinner table with my mom, sister and grandparents lipretending to do homework) to my grandpa talk about his crazy times at work (while I pretend to do homework...). This guy is a hoot, he's like a little kid in an old guy's body... Age is a beautiful thing, whoever said getting old is bad is most definitely wrong.

I love him. A lot. And not just because he's the funniest man alive.

The Kids That Hold My Heart

This is David, the sweet boy that has captured my heart. Okay, thats a lie--his brother (who i call Gus-Gus) also has my heart... and his sweet sister. These three kids, all under the age of 4, belong to my visiting teacher, Carla. (I wish I had pictures  Her kids reflect just how amazing this woman is, she is kind, warm, and very patient with her kids. I had the privilege of babysitting Gus-Gus and his sister Sophie while Carla was--ultra--pregnant. Although Carla was limited to how much she could do per day she still made sure she spent time teaching her kids. It was absolutely beautiful to see.

I grew up with a mom that I imagine did the same with me when I was young, but seeing how Carla teaches her kids step by step and by example is something truly beautiful. It is wonderful to see a mother-not much older than me-be so strong. This is a woman who married her best friend, who not only believes in this gospel but applies it and lives it 100%. I am grateful for my mother and women like Carla that show me what it is like to be a good mom. I pray I can be like them one day.


In other news,

I had a good day today, and by good I mean RIDICULOUSLY good.

I don't really know why but it was a good one. I shouldn't have had a good day because I was running late this morning and I had a test in my astronomy class--which by the way I got a solid 85% on, please hold your applause.

A new song for today by Andrew Belle, who I completely fell in love with today, called "The Ladder". Enjoy!

It's a Safetysuit Kind of Day... (Extra Long Post, Beware)

To be more specific, it's a Life Left To Go kind of day--If you haven't heard it listen to it here.

I woke up late this morning and for some reason I still decided to straighten my hair (which I haven't done in a reeeeally long time), and of course it took way longer than it should have. I am happy to see that my hair is slowly coming back from the dead--quite literally. I have spent basically all summer with curly hair so it was a nice change to see it straight. For those of you who are curious, you are in trouble because (1) I am at school and I would look like a goof smiling at my computer for a picture, and (2) I already tried that and I'm wearing a black blazer--and my hair is black...

Anyway, I just wanted to jot down a few things that have absolutely nothing to do with above. I am taking a Women in the Scriptures class for institute with Sister Terry... For those of you who don't know her, you are 100% missing out. She is the most inspirational woman in this world, if she wasn't as humble as she is I'm sure they could have included her as one of the great women we talk about. Yesterday sister Terry taught us about Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith's mother, and all the inspiring qualities she had. To tell you the truth, I was already having an emotional day (more like emotional week...), but I cried the whole freaking class. We talked about her strength, her faith, her support of Joseph. Her husband was equally as amazing, he had several visions that helped him prepare for what was to come. Joseph Smith Sr. even dreamt about the tree of life when Joseph was 6 years old! Lucy, the most inspirational journal writer ever, made record of it and many other experiences. What did I learn from all this? Well, first, I need to write more, not just about the good and the bad but everything in between. Second, I need to work on my faith... a lot. Last, being a good mother and wife is hard work, but there will never be anything more enjoyable than the blessing of being married forever and raising kids.

To get a glimpse of just how incredible this woman's faith was, sister Terry read from History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, I was so intrigued that I bought the book... Here is the story that we read in class: 

(Lucy's experience of the surgery performed on Joseph's leg)

"His leg soon began to swell and he continued to suffer the greatest agony for the space of two weeks longer. During this period I carried him much of the time in my arms in order to mitigate his suffering as much as possible; in consequence of which I was taken very ill myself. The anxiety of mind that I experienced, together with physical over-exertion, was too much for my constitution and my nature sank under it. Hyrum, who was rather remarkable for his tenderness and sympathy, now desired that he might take my place. As he was a good, trusty boy, we let him do so, and, in order to make the task as easy for him as possible, we laid Joseph upon a low bed and Hyrum sat beside him, almost day and night for some considerable length of time, holding the affected part of his leg in his hands and pressing it between them, so that his afflicted brother might be enabled to endure the pain which was so excruciating that he was scarcely able to bear it...

"The surgeon was called again, and he this time enlarged the wound, cutting the leg even to the bone. It commenced healing the second time, and as soon as it began to heal it also began to swell again, which swelling continued to rise till we deemed it wisdom to call a council of surgeons; and when they met in consultation they decided that amputation was the only remedy. Soon after coming to this conclusion, they rode up to the door and were invited into a room apart from the one in which Joseph lay. They being seated, I addressed them thus: 'Gentlemen, what can you do to save my boy's leg?' They answered, 'We can do nothing; we have cut it open to the bone and find it so affected that we consider his leg incurable and that amputation is absolutely necessary in order to save his life.' This was like a thunderbolt to me. I appealed to the principal surgeon, saying, 'Dr. Stone, can you not make another trial? Can you not, by cutting around the bone, take out the diseased part, and perhaps that which is sound will heal over, and by this means you will save his leg? You will not, you must not, take off his leg, until you try once more. I will not consent to let you enter his room until you make me this promise.'

"After consulting a short time with each other, they agreed to do as I had requested, then went to see my suffering son. One of the doctors, on approaching his bed, said, 'My poor boy, we have come again.' 'Yes,' said Joseph, 'I see you have; but you have not come to take off my leg, have you, sir?' 'No,' replied the surgeon, 'it is your mother's request that we make one more effort, and that is what we have now come for.' 


"The principal surgeon, after a moment's conversation, ordered cords to be brought to bind Joseph fast to a bedstead; but to this Joseph objected. The doctor, however, insisted that he must be confined, upon which Joseph said very decidedly, 'No, doctor, I will not be bound, for I can bear the operation much better if I have my liberty.' 

"'Then,' said Dr. Stone, 'Will you drink some brandy?' 'No,' said Joseph, 'not one drop.' 

"'Will you take some wine?' rejoined the doctor. 'You must take something, or you can never endure the severe operation to which you must be subjected.' 

"'No,' exclaimed Joseph, 'I will not touch one particle of liquor, neither will I be tied down; but I will tell you what I will do—I will have my father sit on the bed and hold me in his arms, and then I will do whatever is necessary in order to have the bone taken out.' Looking at me, he said, 'Mother, I want you to leave the room, for I know you cannot bear to see me suffer so; father can stand it, but you have carried me so much, and watched over me so long, you are almost worn out.' Then looking up into my face, his eyes swimming in tears, he continued. 'Now, mother, promise me that you will not stay, will you? The Lord will help me, and I shall get through with it.' 


"To this request I consented, and getting a number of folded sheets, and laying them under his leg, I retired, going several hundred yards from the house in order to be out of hearing. 

"The surgeons commenced operating by boring into the bone of his leg, first on one side of the bone where it was affected, then on the other side, after which they broke it off with a pair of forceps or pincers. They thus took away large pieces of the bone. When they broke off the first piece, Joseph screamed out so loudly, that I could not forbear running to him. On my entering the room, he cried out, 'Oh, mother, go back, go back; I do not want you to come in—I will try to tough it out, if you will go away.'


"When the third piece was taken away, I burst into the room again—and oh, my God! What a spectacle for a mother's eye! The wound torn open, the blood still gushing from it, and the bed literally covered with blood. Joseph was pale as a corpse, and large drops of sweat were rolling down his face, whilst upon every feature was depicted the utmost agony! 

"I was immediately forced from the room, and detained until the operation was completed; but when the act was accomplished, Joseph put upon a clean bed, the room cleared of every appearance of blood, and the instruments which were used in the operation removed, I was permitted again to enter...

"Having passed through about a year of sickness and distress, health again returned to our family, and we most assuredly realized the blessing; and indeed, we felt to acknowledge the hand of God, more in preserving our lives through such a tremendous scene of affliction, than if we had, during this time, seen nothing but health and prosperity."

What a wonderful lesson this was. This woman's great faith was reflected in her children. Joseph, being so young, was so incredibly faithful. This, young yet trusting, side of the prophet is one we rarely get to see... This woman taught her children well, so much so that they trusted the Lord with all their heart--like she did. I pray that I can be a fraction of what this lovely woman was; if we all strive for this kind of love and faith we can change lives.

I am so grateful for this gospel, for the opportunity to become better than I was yesterday. I am grateful for the examples of great women, like Lucy, that have brought children to this earth and changed our lives...

Fall 2012

I have this really bad habit of not doing any posting during the summer, then things get awkward and I have to sabotage my page with like a million pictures. So ready or not, here it comes...

This summer consisted of:

Tanning.. Kind of.

Sunday Silliness

The city I fell in love with:

SAN FRANCISCO

Celebrating the grandparent's 50th

Slurpees 

Strawberry days fair and rodeo!

A little bit of lacrosse (I'm awesome I know)

Movies that made us laugh and cry 

Morning silliness 

Sister missionaries*

Random trips to City Creek with the sista

ISAAC RUSSELL CONCERT

Ping pong/golf/football... all in one

eXtreme Air Sports 

....And many, many more adventures in between. Now the school year has started (we are three weeks in and I've already found myself struggling to keep up), lacrosse has started, and the time to blog has come again.

Now, the thing with blogging is that it becomes my procrastination escape. Like now, for example, I have an astronomy test next Wednesday and an art history test the following day that I have yet to study for--however, I did write a paper that is due today and read/analyzed a Shakespeare play. That is the beauty of 15 credits... Last year, since I managed to get a more than decent GPA I decided to step it up a notch and get all my schooling done before the mission, this requires me to take 15 credits this semester and another 15--I believe--for next semester.

 So my days end up looking kind of like this:

I know what you're thinking, Kathy quit your complaining... it really does not look that bad... My head can barely handle what I've had to do so far, not to mention all the little in between things that I have to do while my mom is at work, bahhh I can't wait until my sister can drive!!!! It's only Wednesday, I hope I can make it through the last two days of the week without any collateral damage.

That is all I have for you so far but trust me, the busier I get the more likely I am to post things... Which is horrible but at least it helps!