~tis the season!

Braden and I fluffing the tree!

Well Thanksgiving has past us and we decided it was time for us to move on to the next holiday! So for some reason I have had this "vision" of how I wanted to decorate my apartment. I wanted to have red and silver be the colors and to go with more of a retro christmas tree style. Some of  you may know, but when I get something in my head it sort of sticks. So we pulled down boxes from in the garage to see what we had already. We found the tree, the ornaments, the clutter...filtered through it and ended up using...well not much of anything grandma had to offer, but that is only because out of the five or six boxes of decorations she had available to us we only used maybe one?

I went to the store and I found some cheap silver ornaments and was able to use grandma's red ones that she already had. I think our little Christmas tree turned out nicely. The only thing I was not able to find is one of those old fashion tree toppers...I am still on the hunt!

Later on the next day my grandma came downstairs and was surprised to see how we had decorated. It turned out a little different than usual. She was pleasantly surprised and yelled up the stairs to my grandpa something I will soon not forget, "Dwayne! Come down and see the Christmas!!" haha My friend and I had a good laugh. She's so cute. Grandpa came down and admired the wonders Braden and I had accomplished. Our little apartment feels cozy and full that Christmas spirit!

Cozy Christmas

scruff.

I said in my earlier blog that I love not shaving. 

My friends share the same love. 

And so we took pictures to express this love of the scruff, 

and we took mugs too. 

A POST!

Okay, okay- so it's been how long since the last post?
I don't even know...so I'll just pretend that it wasn't as terribly long ago as it actually is. BUT my friends, don't be dismayed! I am making a resolution. I want to make a new post weekly. My life isn't THAT boring~ in fact it's quite exciting once I get down and think about it. There is plenty for me to share. So I will start and...you should all help me with my new goal of a post a week. Alright?! Good.

Yesterday I got back from our Thanksgiving in Utah! I must admit, Thanksgiving is one of my least favorite holidays. I've never been a fan of eating until I am so full that I must unbutton my pants in order to be able to breathe while I sit...and football just doesn't make any sense to me at all- (especially watching games from over a decade ago. What's with that!?!)
The only thing that makes Thanksgiving worth having is family. I love getting together with my family. We don't all get together much these days. Growing up, people getting married, having babies and moving away makes it hard; the holidays bring us together. Something about being with the whole family makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. ^^ I am blessed to have the best family in the world. So many cousins close to my age. Giant hugs from loving aunts. Cute little brothers. A loving Mom and Dad. Some people don't have ALL of that, but I do! And I'm Thankful for that.

(And I don't know HOW we got away without taking ANY pictures of Thanksgiving. I even went to look on everyone else's facebook...none. So just imagine the perfect Thanksgiving feast and most amazing family. {Insert here})

On the other hand...I am dreading school. I don't want to go back!!! BUT- I must remind myself that there is only two more weeks of class. Two more weeks. Then I'm free.

Also~ may I just tell you how much I love NOT SHAVING! I love it. One more reason I love break

PALS

This last Sunday, some buddies and I went up to Mesa Falls here in Idaho. I was a blast! I just love being outside in nature- especially in the mountains! The smell of pine and sage is to die for! Then throw in amazing friends to that bunch- WOW!

Can I just say I have the best friends one could ever ask for. They are always so supportive of me and influence me to be a better person. I don't know what I did to deserve such awesome friends. I hope I can be just as sweet of a friend back.

ITS OFFICIAL

Well- It's official.
After a long, stressful process of changing tracks and registering last minute for classes....I am IN! It feels great. I love the department. I love my professors. It just "feels right"- and that's always a good place to be. The only problem is that I've heard so much about how Interior Design majors are always crazy busy- so I prepared myself mentally...and now we AREN'T busy at all! haha It's off to a slow start, but I'm ready to jump in.

I tried out for and made From The Heart again- thankfully! I love that group so much. It's such a support to me with friends and especially spiritually. I can feel the spirit so strong when we put on our firesides. Last semester I was in it was just amazing, and judging by the two practices we've had so far...this semester is going to be awesome! Everyone blends really well. If anyone wants to attend a fireside, get ahold of me by cell or through facebook.

Well, it's just short and sweet. I'll try to get more involved and take pictures so I can have a more exciting blog...

GOOD NEWS!

So it's been a crazy week to say the least...let me explain.

I'm assuming that you all know by now that I have wanted to get into the Interior Design program here at BYUI. Unfortunately upon returning home in April I found out that the deadline for applications was in March. So I just assumed that I wouldn't be starting until the following year. I had some questions for the department though- so at the end of this last semester I emailed them and did get a response cause they had already left the office. After that I didn't put too much thought towards that and enjoyed my summer break- this last Monday though I got a call from the Department Chairman. He answered the questions I asked and also gave me a very special opportunity that caught me by surprise! He told me that if I could fill out and finish my application by the end of that week that they would review it and let me know if I could start this semester!! So, needless to say, I scrambled around and got that in as soon as I possibly could! I impatiently waited for 5 days and today! I got the email telling me that I was to attend the orientation tomorrow from noon to five! HURRAY!!  So I am now starting school on Thursday (today is Tuesday).

I am so relieved! There were things this summer break that were not going my way. I was so confused with why everything was going so weird- but now I know why I needed to stay in Rexburg, why I couldn't find a full-time job....and a few other things. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and for the many lessons of learning how to follow the spirit on my mission- even when it's not something you necessarily want to do.

my favorite summer pass-time

Twin Bridges - Chester, Idaho

FIRST POST- EVER

Okay well my dearest mother told me I had to start blogging on my own. Apparently someone is following/stalking me on the missionary blog of mine, so I guess I should update whomever that loving someone is.

So...I'm home! I came back and jumped right back into school four short days later. Some people called me crazy, but I think it did a great job helping me get back into the swing of being a "citizen" again. It was a fun semester~ and a little rough trying to get back into a studying mode for me. I was so blessed to be in From The Heart again- the musical fireside group I participated in before the mission. It kept me sane. I always find the best of friends in that group. I love the group dearly and hopefully will be in it again this next semester.
I've officially decided to major in Interior Design. They have a fantastic program here and I am needless to say thrilled to start up. It's going to be perfect. I think I will minor in either Graphic Design or something else I love like Vocal Performance or...something else grand...haven't given the minor much thought.

Right now I am taking full advantage of my summer break! I work mornings cleaning the public library here in Rexburg with Miskins Professional Cleaning. I drag out of bed at 5:45 AM so I can be there by 6:00. It is not fun...but I get to have my whole day! So you'll either find me cleaning my apartment, on Facebook (or now blogspot), or swimming at a local swimming hole! My favorite pass-time. So right now, life is good.

Well I am still not sure what I should put on here...I told Mom that I have nothing to blog about that anyone will want to read about. If anyone has suggestions- lay 'em on me! If not...this may be the extent of your knowledge of my existence. ^^