2011: A Year in Review

Do you ever step back and think about how much happens in one year? There's a lot of events, aren't there? Small moments, big events, vacations, and new experiences all mixed into 365 days. I think that this year has been the most life-changing for me thus far, as I've made one of the most important decisions in my life... serving a mission. Let's take a look back, shall we?

January: Spent time in the Holy Land.

 February: Went on a road trip with my best friends to California.

 March- participated in Jimmermania and in a flash mob.

April- Completed my Sophomore year at BYU

 May- Took a trip to Florida, and to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

June- Started my study abroad in Ireland.

July- Spent time in London, Paris, Wales, and Scotland. Also got to go to the World Premiere of Harry Potter 7 part 2.

 

 

 August: Went back to Paris and London, this time with my parents.

 September- Got my mission call to Bahia Blanca, Argentina, and saw my favorite band, Fleet Foxes, in concert in Berkeley, CA.

 October- Spent my birthday with my closest gal pals and was Mr. Green in a group Halloween costume.

 November- Spent Thanksgiving in Lubbock, Texas.

December- Welcomed a friend home from his mission, and had a wonderful Christmas at home.

Phew! What a year! I am so excited to see what 2012 brings.

Music

Music… will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Here's a new music find from Of Monsters of Men. Super great.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Merry Christmas eve everyone! Before I get caught up in the festivities of tomorrow, I thought I would stop by and share a few of our Christmas Eve traditions.

During the day, we go see a movie. Today, it was Sherlock Holmes (GREAT show, I would definitely recommend it).  We eat Mexican food for dinner, and spend time with family, then we open our Christmas pajamas. Who doesn't get new pj's on Christmas?!

One special thing we do on Christmas Eve is go visit my brother's grave. We light luminaries, listen to the Polar Express (which has been a tradition since I don't know when), and sing a few Christmas songs. This has been a yearly tradition since he passed away in 2003 (well, every year except last year when we were in the Holy Land).

 

Happy Christmas everyone! (That always reminds me of Harry Potter 1)

It's Christmas Time

I can't believe Christmas is already here! I went to Target to get some last minute things, and man, I think I'll get my Christmas shopping done in November next time. TOO CRAZY. I almost had a mental breakdown standing in the never ending line behind screaming toddlers and moms in bedazzled sweat pants.

Hopefully we all remember what Christmas is really about... the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for Him and His sacrifice for us!

I hope you and your family/friends have a wonderful Christmas.

Mission Bucket List

- Complete the Harry Potter series (again). Currently on book 4.
- Watch all the Harry Potter movies back to back (maybe not all one day).
- Go tubing.
- Ski.
- Make a snowman.
- Spend as much time with my friends and family.
- See as many new movies as I can, and watch some of my old favorites.
- Go to the temple 22 more times (30 is the goal before the mish).
- Get shirts for all the skirts I have (this is a big must. I have 10 skirts and 2 shirts... see the problem?)
- Go to Mexico (that will take place in January, yay!)
- Complete the Book of Mormon (my challenge was to start over when I got my call, and finish before I enter the MTC).
- Read Preach My Gospel.
- Have one awesome Christmas and New Years.
- Be crafty in some way (this would include actually making something from my pinterest boards).

HE'S HOME!!

Oh my goodness. I just can't even think right now. I'm so happy this boy is home!

The 6 of us arrived at the airport to find that Ty Ty's plane had been delayed. So we bought some snacks and waited.

And waited.

Finally, Ty's brother texted us to let us know they were about ten minutes away from coming through the door. We held up our signs and huddled in the corner to catch the first glimpse of our favorite missionary. He came around the corner, and we all screamed. We didn't cheer... no, we screamed. I don't think we really knew what we were going to do once we saw him, but the look on his face was priceless.

He gave hugs to his brother and sister, then to Ryan and Steven. Us four girls were kinda huddled together, wondering what would be appropriate for us to do. Handshake? Pat on the arm? Back pat? No... that wouldn't do. We were all kinda crouched and ready to pounce then Haddy finally asked Ty if we could hug him. He held out his arms, shrugged his shoulders and said, "sure". We all ran at him and gave him the biggest we-haven't-seen-you-in-two-years-and-we've-missed-our-best-friend hug.

Bah! I kept thinking, "this isn't real life!" the whole time. But it is real! It's REAL! Welcome home to Elder Tyler Madsen! We missed you!

I'm Excited

 Why? Because this guy is coming home tomorrow. Tyler (affectionately known as Ty Ty) has been serving a mission for the past two years in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine (try and say that) and I have missed his sweet face like crazy!

Ty Ty and I have been friends since high school. We spent many nights at school dances, watching movies, and being crazy high school kids along with the rest of the crew. Ty is so hilarious and such a great friend. I'm so glad I get to see him before I leave on my mission! Unfortunately he is the only one I will get to see out of our group of friends on missions. But, I can't wait to spend time with this kid!

Repin: Snowy Things.

So... where's the snow?

In other news... I am officially done with this hellish (pardon my language, but it's true) week they call 'finals'. Finals stink. You have to stretch your brain back to the beginning of the semester and try and remember every detail just in case you get tested on it. But usually, you get tested on the stuff you don't remember. Sigh.

You know what this means right? All I have to worry about is my mission for this next month and a half. I think I'm going to make myself a mission 'bucket list' (things I want to do before I leave). As of now, my holiday plans consist of moving home, reading Harry Potter, and watching roughly 20 movies. I. Can't. Wait.

Oh Fleet Foxes

Watch this. You won't be disappointed. I seriously got chills.

Change

A few nights ago, I had a conversation with my friend about change.  We talked about previous expectations and how quickly circumstances can change those expectations. We talked about how we change because of these circumstances. Because of past experiences, good or bad, we are molded into different people than we were before.

This time last year, I was no where near where I am now. Serving a mission was in the farthest corner of my mind. Then bam, things changed. And then things changed again, and again. Before I knew it, I was thinking about serving a mission. Once I made that final decision, I noticed changes within myself. I started relying more and more on God and His plan for me, and my relationship with my Savior. I started to focus on what's more important in this life, and I've noticed that I'm a happier person because of it.

Change can be a good thing if you let it. Sometimes it really stinks, but one day, you'll look back and be grateful for the experiences that changed you and molded you into a better person.


"I believe everything happens for a reason. People change so you can learn how to let go. Things go wrong, so that you appreciate them when they're right. Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

Hug for Your Ears

I'm loving this song Featherstone by The Paper Kites. I love the music video even more. Who wouldn't want to have a huge pillow fight with colorful feathers?

The End is Near

In 2 and 1/2 weeks, I'll be free from school until Fall 2013. What? This semester FLEW by!

In other news, I sold my contract! That is one big load off my shoulder. Now I just have to get through finals. Ugh.

Good luck everyone!

To [Holiday] Happiness

- Peppermint and salted caramel hot chocolate.

- Snow, skiing, sledding.

- Being with family.

- Gingerbread.

- The "Christmas Smell".

- CHRISTMAS MUSIC.

- Cozying up by the fire.

- Peppermint anything.

- Holiday issues of your favorite catalogues. 

- Brightly wrapped gifts.

- The smell of pine trees.

- Christmas lights.

- Finding the perfect gift for someone.

- The silence that snowfall brings.

Can We Talk Breaking Dawn?

 Shall we talk about this terribleness they called a movie?

 The Awkwards:

- First off, I thought that the content in the movie could have been covered in an hour, not two.
- Edward in shorts? *shudder
- Did anyone else notice that Edward was in the sun half of the movie and we never saw one fleck of glimmer on him? Excuse me, I thought vampires sparkled in the sun.
- Don't get me started on when the werewolves communicate. There was some serious Transformer voices going on there. Could. Not. Stop. Laughing. I was also squirming with the awkwardness.
- I was not a fan of seeing Bella emaciated the entire movie. She looked disgusting.
- Three places I almost barfed: 1. Seeing the blood stain on Bella's teeth. 2. Breaking the back of Bella. 3. The birthing scene.
- How about that terrible pre-wedding dream? I'm still squirming.
- The honeymoon scene. Cringe. 
- The spiderman-esque scenes showing the venom taking over her body.
- The wedding kiss. I mean, wedding make-out. Get a room.
- When Bella walked down the aisle, you couldn't tell if she was nervous, confused, or constipated.
- Jacob explaining imprinting. Hilarious.

The Awesomes:
- Jacob.
- Bella looks pretty as a vampire.
- Jessica's maid of honor speech. Actually that whole scene was pretty great.

I'm Crying Right Now

I seriously cannot get enough of Harry Potter. I got teary eyed while watching this. Right now, I'm in the 4th book, The Goblet of Fire. It's definitely one of my favorites. Go ahead, try not to smile or get a little sad while watching this. I dare ya.

Thanksgiving

The farm where my grandpa lives

Well friends, I'm back from a little family vacation in the teeny town of Lubbock, Texas.  My break consisted of

- blue bell ice cream
- seeing family before the big leave to Argentina
- bahama bucks
- sleeping in
- criminal minds
- Harry Potter books 3 and 4
- salted caramel hot cocoa
- amazing mexican food

One thing is for sure. I am NOT ready to get back into the routine of homework, tests, studying, and all that. BUT, there are only 3 weeks left of this semester and then I am home free.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of warmth, food, family, and friends.

P.S It is now appropriate to listen to Christmas music. But let's be honest, I've been listening to it for a few weeks now.  :)

Break Mode

Last week was terrible. I had two huge exams in my hardest classes, and as soon as Thursday hit, and I had finished my last exam, I was already in Thanksgiving break mode. Taylor, Kristen, Paige and I went to see Breaking Dawn (Jacob's hotness was the only part I liked, the rest was terrible) Thursday night, Friday I went to the basketball game, and Saturday we went to the football game (and froze our buns off).

Besides the two games, the weekend was spent sleeping in, watching movies, reading Harry Potter and watching Grey's Anatomy. As you can tell, I'm ready for break. Luckily, I only have one class, and a full day of work tomorrow before I am home free! My family and I will be heading to Lubbock, TX to spend Thanksgiving with my mom's family. Exciting!

It's so crazy how quickly this semester has gone. I only have 9 full days of classes, finals and then I am done until Fall 2013! And 72 days until I become Hermana Squire. Time has flown.

Hard Times

I've been having a little bit of a rough time thinking about the mission and about leaving. I feel like I'm in an awkward place, a place between being here and being in Argentina preaching the gospel. It's hard for me to focus on school (even though I'm doing just fine) and hard for me to think of leaving my family and my friends for 18 months. So much will change while I'm gone, and I know that there's nothing I can do about it. I'm worried about the future, about continuing school, a career, marriage (gasp), and all that stuff. I'm worried about best friend's weddings that I won't be to, birthdays, Christmas, etc. Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a planner. Before I decided to go on a mission, my life was planned thus so. But now, everything seems a little up in the air.

But I just now realized, that I am being so selfish. Do you see all that up there? It's all about me. Me, me, me. What about those lost souls in Argentina who are waiting for me to tell them about this wonderful truth? What about my Heavenly Father and His plan for me? What about changing, learning, growing, serving, and loving?

Luckily, I have a picture of my mission call on my computer:

"As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ." ...

"The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children."

Oh yeah. It's all going to be okay. Even if I don't know it yet, God knows it. And that's all I need. 

Thankful

 - Seeing my cute friend get sealed to her man for time and all eternity in the SLC temple. How amazing is the temple?
- Cleaning checks. I know, right? But we get to have a completely spotless apartment, at least for a little while.
- "You sneaky mom!"
- Great friends, pizza, and a byu football game.
- Mittens.
- Didn't think I'd say this yet... but... Christmas music. Especially by She & Him, Mindy Gledhill, Michael Buble, and Sufjan Stevens.
- Excitement over missions.
- Letters from 2 of my favorite missionaries.
- Thanksgiving break next week.
- Sunny Delight.

11/11/11 11:11

I'm writing this at 11:11. You better believe that I just made the most epic wish.

My Cute Family

Once upon a time, these two youngsters fell in love.

They got married, and this is the result. Two awesome kids. 

Even though Brandon cannot physically be with us, he is still a big part of our family. The work he is doing on the other side is similar to the work I will be doing on my mission. Less than 3 months, can you believe it?! Anyway, here is a few of our family pictures. Enjoy!